SWNOVELS Chapter CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
DRACULA AND PIERS ANTHONY sat on the front porch in old-fashioned rocking chairs that the Master had custom-built from burl, which were very expensive and beautiful. The vampire king had a thing for rocking chairs, an inside joke. He first saw one in 1728. More than a dozen animals, including bats, were carved into its shiny surface. The stars were in their place in the sky as Piers and Dracula slowly rocked back and forth. A shooting star lit up the heavens. Piers was happy to say that he was Dracula’s friend; not many could make that statement. It was a pleasant night for remembering old times, and with Dracula, the times were ancient.
“Dracula, tell me about Hithroma? Is it able to kill you or not? Be honest.”
The Master slowly turned his head toward the author. “Hithroma is a fallacy that I fabricated with a wizard friend. He made it and started the rumor. We feigned it was created with such powerful magic that it could kill me. Many want to knock you off when you’re at the top of the ladder. I’ve had many challenges over the years. I guess that’s just the nature of things.”
“I’ll bet that dagger has been pursued by many?”
“Obtaining the unobtainable is very satisfying, even pursuing such an endeavor. Many have lost their lives over it. Probably hundreds and over the centuries, its story has changed. Now it is said that it will not only kill me, but the killer will usurp my power. Funny how a story will take on a life of its own; even a lie will morph into a bigger one in no time.”
Piers nodded. “So the dagger does nothing?”
“It’ll slice a good piece of turkey. The stones are genuine and quite valuable. It had to look good. Many smart vampires believe in it, and there’s a legion out there to protect it as far as I can tell because if I perish, every vampire dies, or so the story goes. Until I kick the bucket, there’s no way to know for sure.”
“What’s your gut feeling on that one?”
“Unfortunately, I think it might be factual, but I don’t know.”
Piers considered it and thought it did make sense to a degree. There were so many truths about being a vampire that he couldn’t tell what was what. “I found this site on the Internet that said to ask a vampire about ice. Do you know what they were getting at?”
Dracula smiled at that one. “Indeed, a vampire can’t run on ice. Our legs move much too fast. There’s nothing funnier than a vampire attempting to blur on ice. I can tell you that from experience. There’s a tree in Quebec with the imprint of my face on it.”
Silence covered the porch as they enjoyed the air. The traffic was light on both the Mill Road and Martin Street. A young couple passed on the sidewalk, giving them both a nod and a glance. Dracula made the male dance awkwardly until he got to the end of the sidewalk, with the female wondering what the hell he was doing. At times the Master’s sense of humor wasn’t all that refined.
“Dracula, are you going to tell me about the Mona Lisa, or must I go to my grave without knowing.”
He thought that Piers had a definite talent for being a pest. “Oh, I suppose. If you promise not to tell anyone. I’ll most likely find out if you do.”
“I shall never spill those beans. What would you do if I did tell?”
“Probably nothing. I’ve become fond of you, like a mutt taken in off the street.”
“Like a stray cat with fleas?”
“Exactly.”
More time passed with no words exchanged as Piers waited for the revelation of why the Mona Lisa had that smile. He wondered if he would say something simple like someone was trying to make her laugh as she posed. Time passed with no response from Dracula, and of course, he knew that the author was becoming impatient. Piers stared and stared at Dracula, and it made them both smile.
Dracula cleared his throat. “Are you sure you want to know? Once something is known, it can’t be unknown.”
“On occasion, the mystery appears to be nobler than the truth.”
“Yes, well, I will tell you that she had gas. Apparently, she had had some cabbage, and it’s a bit of a pained smile though not exactly as it looked when she was posing. Not exactly an incredible fact is it.”
“I see.” Piers now wished that he hadn’t told him about Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting as it was a lot more compelling as a mystery. But the ants were out of the hill, and no way to put them back in. “How are you enjoying your life with Allison? Your mood indeed appears elevated.”
Dracula had become a little more animated. “You know, Piers, I never thought I’d have a flicker of light shine upon me, but I am enjoying this family thing immensely. Jenny is such an exceptional girl. Don’t tell her, but I believe her power might rival mine. Extraordinary magic in those bones. Those fiery eyes make me smile inside. I wish I could hug her, but that will come in time. Maybe in a century or two.”
“It makes my heart glad to see you in such a good mood.”
Again silence came out of the night and encircled them for several minutes. Dracula had long ago learned to appreciate silence as a healing entity. Quiet reflection could do wonders for the mind.
“Don’t think I don’t appreciate all your efforts, Piers, because I do.”
Those words were indeed unexpected. The quietness returned for several more minutes until some fool went down the street burning his tires. The Master caught the license plate and would later flatten all four tires.
Piers sensed something, and when he looked at Dracula, he now looked troubled.
“A penny for your thoughts.”
“Piers, a Blood Book is a magical thing with a life of its own. It bonds to a wizard and shows powerful enchantments. I have one of the earliest ones, which can accomplish many things. A section of it shows the future; it has even predicted the emergence of Jenny as a force to be reckoned with; it shows her to be a big part of the picture that will unfold.”
“Does that make you nervous for her?”
“The book shows the emergence of two evil wizards that will be more dangerous than vampires. I’m afraid that the scale will tip towards evil and remain there. For that to happen, they might have to kill my daughter. She needs to increase her knowledge, but I can’t push her, or she will rebel. I can’t be everywhere.”
Piers Anthony shook his head. “That is problematic.”
“I should have stepped up a century ago. The time draws near. There’s something in the air.”
“There goes my good mood.”