Darkness and Light by Kathryn Nichole - HTML preview

Epilogue

able to get his book published to rave reviews. Word of mouth helped his book sell rapidly, becoming a bestseller with him slated to make appearances on popular talk shows to promote it.

A few days earlier, he returned to Indiana with a gift-wrapped copy of his book in his hand to give to his father. Stepping outside the limo, he walked up the crumbled steps and rang the doorbell. “What do you think of your son now, Dad?” he thought. Unsurprisingly, there was no reply. Leaving the box on the doorstep, he turned around to walk down the steps, glancing back, and saw the curtain slightly opened as though someone was watching him.

He promised himself that was the last time he would reach out to his father, tired of his rejection. “I really love your book,” the shy teenaged girl said. “Thank you,” John replied. “You make it sound as though you actually know vampires,” she said. He grinned. “I do,” he thought to himself.

After he parted from Sage and the coven, he kept in touch with them mostly by phone, since they hadn’t returned to New York since the coronation. He knew if they returned, it would be quietly. He found out that Lisa and Cody had exchanged rings equivalent to getting married; Pedro and Maria were deeply in love; and Anna and Daniel seemed to have cooled down after the tiff that happened during the celebration of the queen and king. Speaking of the royals, he learned Sage and Samuel were still going strong and very happy. He found out that Sage did take Samuel up on his offer to visit his homeland to view the family portrait.

For the most part, the brooding vampire was a thing of the past. Billy was still a free spirit and still all things eighties. Interesting enough, he had no information about Randi Benson, the nurse who was Rafael’s helper and girlfriend. All John found out was that she disappeared from the hospital before the police were able to question her. Because he wasn’t a family member, he was unable to get any information about her condition at the time of her disappearance. “Maybe her disappearing is a good thing,” he mused. Another person walked up, setting the book in front of him.

Without looking up, John asked, “Your name?” “Cristian,” the person said, “Cristian West.” John looked up, dropping his jaw slightly. Cristian wore his trademark black with a pair of sunglasses shading his eyes and his blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. On his left wrist, he had a tattoo of Sage’s name in ancient Egyptian symbols. He wore a smirk on his face. John wondered if Cristian recognized him. “Cristian West,” John replied, “I know who you are.”

“You’ve seen my work?” he asked. “Yes,” John answered, “you’re very good.” “Then you’ve seen my masterpiece, Beauty Mysterium,” he said. “Yes,” John said feeling his face flush. “She’s very beautiful.”

“That she is,” he said, staring into his eyes. John wondered if his eyes gave anything away, because the smile on Cristian’s face broadened.

“People have always told me that I live like a vampire,” he grinned. “I’m sure they have,” he thought. “Maybe it’s the gothic look,” John said nervously. He noticed his skin looked pale. “Could he be?” he wondered.

“Thank you,” Cristian grinned, giving him a business card. “Maybe you can come by the gallery and see more of my work, and we can talk about things.”

“Sure,” John said, his voice cracking.
“Bye,” Cristian flashed a grin and left. John kept watching him until he couldn’t see him anymore. “I’ve got to call Queen Sage,” he thought.
“He more than recognized me,” Cristian thought as he exited the bookstore. Having recovered more remnants of his memory, he remembered speaking with John before, and he was curious about his knowledge about vampires and dhampiric figures. For some strange reason, vampirism intrigued Cristian. At times, he felt a surge of energy that he couldn’t explain, accompanied with a ravenous hunger that only abated when he consumed meat cooked rare. The bloodier, the better. “I just need questions answered,” he thought. After the night he went to Sage’s loft to find that it was no longer occupied, he put his loft up for sale, but not before repairing the dent in the wall, and moved from Greenwich Village into an apartment in SoHo.
He was tired of his mother constantly coming around trying to explain to him what had happened. As far as he was concerned, her meddling is what drove Sage from his life, subsequently causing her death, and he couldn’t forgive that. His relationship with his parents has been strained ever since.
He did eventually find a new love, but he couldn’t give his heart completely to her, because Sage still owned his heart and soul. Even though she wasn’t around physically, he still felt her presence like the night he could’ve sworn that he smelled her jasmine perfume in his loft.
His cell phone rang. “Hello, yes I remember,” he said. “I’ll be there.”
After the book signing was over, John grabbed his cell phone and dialed a number. “Billy, is Queen Sage around?” “You are!” he exclaimed happily. “That’s great.” “I’ll meet you there.” He hung up the phone and dashed from out the bookstore. “Taxi!” he yelled as he ran out to the sidewalk. “Can you take me to Tribeca?” he asked, jumping inside.
Arriving at his destination, John jumped out the taxi, running to the door, and before he could ring the doorbell, it opened. “Billy!” he cried as they hugged. “I missed you, dude,” Billy said. John stared at him. Billy was unchanged. He still wore makeup, he still wore pirate shirts, and he could hear eighties music blasting from the hallway. “Just like old times,” he said. “Don’t be a stranger, come in,” Billy said, stepping aside. “How long are you back?” he asked. “For a couple of days,” Billy replied. John walked down the still-darkened hallway and entered into the grand living room. “John,” Lisa said running over to hug him. He and Cody shook hands awkwardly until Cody pulled him into a bear hug. “That’s more like it,” he said. Anna got up from the antique chair and embraced him. Daniel came in from behind and gave him a hug. “John,” Pedro said, giving him a hug. “Maria,” John said, giving her a hug. “It’s good to see you,” she said. “You said that in English,” he said to laughs. “Lisa has been teaching me!” she exclaimed. “Where’s Queen Sage and King Samuel?” John asked. “Right here,” she said as they entered into the room. Both were dressed stylishly in black and gold attire with beads woven into their hair. John ran over and hugged them both. “I’ve missed you so much,” he said.
“We’ve missed you too, which is why we decided to return for a visit and to congratulate you on the success of your book,” Samuel said. “It’s doing better than I ever imagined,” he said. “I was worried, because it brings attention to vampires, and I know none of you need anymore attention—not after the whole thing with the portrait.” Sage nodded her head silently. “Who can forget that?” Anna said sarcastically. Daniel chuckled. John wondered if they were beginning to patch things up between them.
“So what was the urgency when you called me?” Billy asked. John took a breath as everyone waited for what he had to say. “Okay, so I had the book signing today, right?” “Right” Billy said. “Guess who showed up to have their book signed?” Sage knew who it was, feeling a twinge in her chest. “Cristian,” John said. “Cristian showed up?” Lisa said, staring at Sage. “Yeah,” John said. “He acted as though he knew me.” “Do you think he could be remembering?” Anna said. “If he does, he’s being really sly about it,” John said. “It was unnerving.” “I’m sure it was,” Sage replied. “Thank you,” she said glancing down at the floor.
“So John, the movies are all set up,” Billy said. “Movies?” John asked, confused. “You owe me an eighties marathon movie night,” Billy said. “So c’mon, we’re watching all the classics.” “No use arguing with a determined vampire,” Lisa said wryly. “He already solicited us to come along,” Cody quipped, “no matter how many times we’ve already seen them.” “Besides, I even brought popcorn,” Billy said. “Alright,” John grinned. “Let’s go.” “See you,” they waved as they exited the room. “Maria and I are going to take in the town,” Pedro said as they both put on their suede jackets. “We’ll be careful,” he said as they exited the living room. “What do you want to do?” Samuel asked Sage. “I need to see for myself,” she said feeling a need to see if Cristian was indeed beginning to remember. He clasped her hand. “Then let’s go,” he said.
“We won’t be long,” she said to Anna who offered to accompany her, trying to avoid Daniel.
“You and Daniel need to work out the problems between you two,” Sage said telepathically.
“You can’t avoid him forever.” “Yes, I can!” Anna exclaimed. “You’re right,” Sage replied, “but think about the consequences first, or you’ll live with regret.” She took Samuel’s hand as they vanished from the room.

“Don’t worry, I’ll leave you to whatever,” Daniel said walking toward the door. “Daniel,” Anna said. “We haven’t really spoken to each other since that night.” “Things were going so well with us.” “Yeah, until I asked you about our future and you changed on me. Are you that afraid of love?” “Yes,” Anna admitted. “It frightens me.” “But there’s nothing to fear,” he said. “The risk you take is rejection,” he said, “But if the love is returned, it’s rewarding.” “All I’m asking for is a commitment, and that’s something you don’t want to give.” “I love you, Anna, and I thought you loved me.” “I do love you,” she whispered. “What did you say?” he asked, twitching his ears. “I said I love you,” she said, her eyes brimming. He took her into his arms. “I loved before, Daniel,” she cried, “and I lost him.” “You won’t lose me,” he said. “I want to believe it,” she said. “Then believe it, because it’s true. I’m here for all eternity, and even if this world came to an end, I will still love you regardless.” They kissed each other, falling onto the floor.

Randi stood outside on the playground watching her son Rafe swinging on the swing set. Since the day she left the hospital, she stayed at the rectory for a safe haven from the vampires she knew were still searching for her to kill her. The nun took her by her Brooklyn apartment to pack her belongings, and the rest of her furniture was stored in a storage facility. Watching her son play, she thought, “When you’re older, I will tell you about your father and start you on your training. By the time you’re ten years old, you will have mastered archery, martial arts, and learned how to make a stake and kill a vampire.”

Cristian arrived at Central Park and sat on a bench looking out at the people walking, playing, and picnicking. He recalled standing at the Bow Bridge and watching the sunset. That for him was the best part of the day. The golden, orange, and lavender hues bathing the park gave it a nearly surreal appearance. It was better than any watercolor painting he could ever create. “I watched a sunset once with Sage, and that view was far more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen,” he mused. Sage and Samuel arrived at the park, both wearing sunglasses as they walked among the trees, shielding themselves from inquisitive eyes. “This is such a beautiful park,” she said, “especially around this time of the year, just before summer ends and fall begins.” “It’s very romantic,” Samuel said. Suddenly, she stopped abruptly and leaned against a tree, taking off her sunglasses. She saw Cristian sitting at a bench as though he was waiting for someone.

He stirred turning his head toward the trees as though he sensed her presence. “Cristian,” a woman yelled as he stood to his feet, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She had dark hair with blonde highlights and wore glasses. “Did you bring her?” he asked. “She’s on her way,” the woman said softly. “Daddy,” a little girl with blonde curly hair with ribbons, a butterfly long-sleeved shirt, and blue jeans yelled, running into his arms. Sage’s throat caught as her eyes welled up, watching him scoop her up into his arms. She looked to be about two or three years old. “How’s my girl?” he said. “Fine, Daddy” she said. “I brought you something,” he said, handing her balloons from behind the bench. “Thank you,” she said politely. “She ran excitedly with the balloons.” “Don’t run off too far,” the woman said. “So she’ll stay with you over the weekend, and then I’ll pick her up on Monday,” she asked. “Fine,” Cristian said, a bit irritated. “I want to spend more time with her and take her on trips.” “We’ll talk about that later,” the woman said. “Don’t punish her because we didn’t work out,” he said. “I’m not,” she snapped. Sage watched with alarm as the girl chased after the balloons that slipped from her fingers, wandering farther away from her parents’ view. “You shouldn’t stray too far from your parents’ eyes,” Sage said, handing the girl her balloons. “Thank you,” the girl said shyly.

“Wait a second,” Cristian said, averting his eyes, “Nayah!” he yelled. Sage froze at the utterance of her name. “Nayah, you’re getting too far away from my sight,” he said, seeing her standing next to a tree as he walked over to her to pick her up. “He named her after me,” she said softly, taking cover before he could see her. Samuel took her hand as she turned toward him, trying to keep her emotions in check. “I’m just as surprised as you are,” he said, swallowing. “He named her after you. He does remember.” “I don’t know,” Sage said. “It could be possible.”

He leaned against her ear as she turned back to watch Cristian playing with his daughter. “We should get going,” she said, watching Cristian cuddle with his daughter. Samuel nodded his head, kissing her affectionately as they held hands and began to walk away. “What were you doing over here?” Cristian asked his daughter. “I was talking to the pretty lady,” the little girl replied. “Lady?” he asked. “Yes, the lady from your drawing,” she said. Astonished, Cristian sharply turned his head toward the trees. “Sage?” he said.