Micah's Fall - Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

"What's happening?" Katarina joined the crowd collecting in the courtyard.

When she and her parents had awakened, they had heard the commotion and hadn't even bothered to dress in their regular clothes before venturing out to see what was going on, still dressed in their sleeping tunics. Kat pulled her robe more securely around her.

"King Bain sent messengers."

She spun around at the sound of Nicolas's voice, and her heart fluttered. She hadn't realized he was there.

"Oh! Nicolas. Hi."

He smiled at her, his dark, shoulder-length hair falling around his face in a way that made her want to reach up and tuck it behind his ears.

“Aren’t you a bit underdressed to meet the king’s liaisons?” His dark eyes reflected the flickering of the torches surrounding the courtyard, illuminating it.

Kat looked down at her informal attire and self-consciously pulled her robes more securely around her.

Nicolas chuckled. “You look presentable, Kat. I was only teasing.”

With an awkward giggle, Kat met his gaze. “Oh, I see.”

He stared at her, that humored grin on his beautiful lips, his eyes ranging her face. “I saw you dancing last evening,” he said. “With the child, Micah.”

Nicolas had been watching her? Heat filled her cheeks at the thought. “Yes. I’m friends with his mother. Why?”

With a shake of his head, Nicolas glanced down then up. “No reason. You just caught my eye is all.”

“I did?” The question had come out before she could stop herself from speaking.

“Is that so surprising?” His congenial features softened.

“I just –” Kat pressed her fingertips against the base of her neck, flustered and unable to form an intelligent response. She had caught the eye of handsome Nicolas, a male she had secretly fawned over for months.

He took a small step forward. “What I think is so surprising that it took me so long to notice you, Katarina. How have I missed such a beauty as you when you’ve been here for so long?”

Dear oh dear. Katarina thought she might faint from his courting words.

With a blush, she looked away shyly. “Nicolas, you flatter me.”

He took another step closer. “And you captivate me.”

Could he be any more romantic? For so long, all she had wanted was to capture his attention, and now she had succeeded.

Nicolas was about to speak again when a restless murmur within the crowd rose behind her. She turned and saw Yaris approaching, and he had 4 knights and a regal male dressed in velvet and satin robes with him. The way the man in the robes talked and gestured with Yaris made her think they knew each other and that whatever needed to be said was not good news.

Kat threw a worried glance toward Nicolas as he stepped up beside her and tentatively took her hand. She threaded his fingers through his, her body warming at his touch as he flashed her a reassuring smile.

“I wonder what’s going on,” she said.

Nicolas shook his head. “I don’t know, but it looks to be that we shall find out soon.”

Her heart raced, but she couldn’t tell if it was because of Nicolas’s newfound admiration for her or from the foreboding look on Yaris’s face. Or maybe it was Isabelle’s tear-streaked face as she followed behind her mate, attempting to stifle her sorrow as their blood servant, Sylvia, comforted her.

Kat couldn’t see little Micah, but she assumed he was with them.

Yaris stepped up onto the platform in the front of the courtyard where only last night the quartet had played. What a difference a day made. Last night, they had all celebrated the mating of two of their own, but tonight the mood was anything but celebratory. Worry, concern, and a sense of dread hung over the crowd. Everyone was expecting the worst, which could only mean one thing.

Her hand tightened around Nicolas’s.

“May I have everyone’s attention?” Yaris didn’t need to ask. Everyone had fallen silent and turned their eyes toward him the moment he had stepped before them.

“A liaison to King Bain has been sent to us with an announcement that requires our immediate action. He and I have already spoken, and I have been fully briefed on what has happened and what is to come. Now I will let him speak on behalf of the king.” Yaris stepped aside and gestured with a slight bow toward the male in the robes, who walked forward.

“People of Yaris’s lordship, I have come with grave news. The war between the vampires and the drecks has reignited after nearly two decades of peace.”

Hushed gasps and a few stifled sobs rose from the collection of villagers.

The liaison continued, “As you may have surmised, King Bain has called back into service those who have fought before, effective immediately. They are to leave for the royal capital within seven days. Furthermore, all young who are able are to return with us immediately to begin training for the guard.”

A near uproar rose from the crowd at the thought of their young being taken away, and Kat dashed a glance toward Isabelle, who broke down in tears almost immediately. She was losing her son. Little Micah was to be taken away. And Yaris would have to leave, too. He and his brother, Rory, who stood near the front of the crowd, had been powerful warriors in decades past.

What would happen to Isabelle? What would happen to all of them? Kat had yet to go through her change into adulthood the last time there had been war between the vampires and drecks. What had sparked this latest uprising, and how would they protect themselves in the village if all their males were called away?

As if reading her mind, the liaison said, “All adult males who have not taken up arms in prior war time will remain in the village with two of these knights.” He gestured to the side toward his human companions. “They will train you and stay here as protection in case of attack.”

“What are the chances of that happening?” called out one of the villagers.

The liaison raised his hands, palms out, as if to stave off their worries. “The war has erupted far from here. You have no need to worry at this time.”

“Then why train us?”

“As a precaution.” The liaison raised his hands. “That is all. Ready your young for we depart at sunrise.”

The liaison turned and march away amid a cacophony of questions and cries for more information. Yaris followed, as did Rory.

Kat watched and caught a glimpse of little Micah, caught up in Isabelle’s arms, tears flooding his cheeks. It was too much for Kat to take. She finally broke down, sobbing heavily as Nicolas pulled her into his embrace.

“Sshh.” He stroked his palm down her back. “It will be okay.”

But Kat had a feeling it wouldn’t be. How could it be okay when families were being torn apart and war had broken out once more? Couldn’t the drecks just accept what Fate had dealt them? They were the inferior race. Drecks could not win against a vampire army, but they could cause terrible grief and pain for the survivors of those they managed to kill. Their greed knew no bounds.

“I hate them!” She gripped Nicolas’s tunic, her tears dampening the material against his shoulder.

“Who?”

“The drecks,” she wailed.

“We all do, Kat.” Nicolas pulled her closer, trying to comfort her.

Drecks wanted nothing more than to destroy all the vampires so they could turn their pitiful hatred toward humans and systematically transform them into slaves. Humans couldn’t compete with the strength and poisonous venom of the drecks. If not for the vampires, who served as protectors of the human race, mankind would already be held in servitude. That was something vampires would never allow to happen on their watch.

“Please tell me you never fought before,” she said, looking up into Nicolas’s dark eyes. They were so dark, they were almost black.

He shook his head. “I was too young in the last war. I missed it by a couple of years.”

For the first time since the liaison began talking, Kat let out a grateful sigh of relief. At least Nicolas would be staying here with her. Now that she had finally caught his fancy, she didn’t want to lose him. “Thank the heavens.” She closed her eyes and rested her cheeks against his shoulder.

Caresses soft and delicate as a feather brushed her face, and Nicolas pressed his lips against her forehead then bowed his head against hers. “Yes,” he said quietly against her ear. “I would not have wanted to leave now that I just found you, Katarina.”

His comforting words were welcoming, but she knew she had to tear herself away. She couldn’t let little Micah leave without saying goodbye.

NOTE: To prevent me from having to put an adult filter on my blog, I will be posting upcoming chapters  of a more adult nature here: http://www.facebook.com/MicahBlackAKM - this is my fan page for the character, Micah Black. I will be posting the chapters in the notes on that page, as well, but will only post adult content chapters there. I will provide a link here when such a chapter gets posted. Thank you.

Micah's Fall - Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

An hour before sunrise, Micah sat at the edge of the courtyard, growing drowsy. He had been up for nearly an entire day and night. He wasn't cursed to the darkness like his parents were. Someday he would be, but for now, he could play in the sun without harm, and knowing that a day would come when the sun would no longer be his friend, he spent as much time as he could in daylight.

He blinked, almost unable to re-open his eyes. Only the knowledge that Katarina — Kat — was still helping clean up forced him to remain awake. He rarely got to see her, being that she had made the change into adulthood a long time ago, and Micah normally slept at night when she was up.

She had danced with him tonight. Through several songs. What a thrill. That alone had been enough to keep his eyes open for the better part of the night.

At first, Micah had been scared to approach her, especially with the flowers, and then he had remembered what his father had told him about holding his head up high and walking with confidence. If he acted confident, others would see him as such. So, he had pulled up his boot straps, built up every bit of courage he had, and taken her the flowers. And then they had danced.

Micah had impressed her. He had seen it in her face and heard it in her voice.

Another heavy blink and Micah's head fell forward. He quickly bounced it back up, forcing his eyes open, only for them to fall closed once more.

When they opened again, he was bobbing lazily, his skinny arms draped over the large broad shoulders of his father, his long hair hanging over his face. They were no longer in the courtyard. In fact, they were almost home.

His magical night with the ethereal Katarina was over. When would he see her again? Hopefully soon. After all, he had to teach her how to shoot with a bow and arrow.

Drifting in and out of slumber, Micah’s thoughts danced between reality and dream as his father climbed the steps leading to the entrance of their home. By the time he was settled onto his simple mattress with its small down pillow, Micah was fast asleep.

Micah awoke to afternoon sunlight spilling on his face through the small, nearby window. Blinking against the brightness, he rolled to his side and pushed himself up. He still wore the clothes he’d worn last night.

Sylvia was peeling potatoes at the table across the room.

“Well, good morning, little Micah.” Sylvia smiled brightly. “Are you hungry, little man?”

She always referred to him in human terminology, but then, she was human, so that made sense.

He nodded, which set Sylvia to bustling about, her long kirtle dusting over the floor. Micah noted the hem was soiled and worn. Most of the humans in the village were considered peasants in their world, but here the vampires took care of all their needs and provided them with food, shelter, and a place to live.

“Why don’t you change out of that suit, little man, and I’ll take out the legs on those trousers for you.” Sylvia scooped porridge out of a pot hanging over the glowing embers in the fireplace, ladling it into a small wooden bowl.

Micah glanced down at his too-short trousers then immediately stood and stripped.

“I danced with Kat last night,” he said proudly.

“Oh, you did?” Sylvia set the bowl on the table with a wooden spoon.

“Yes.” Micah pulled on dirty, brown trousers and a tunic then ran across the wooden floor toward the table.

Grabbing the chair, he yanked it back so it dragged loudly across the floor.

Sylvia jumped. “No, Micah. Ssshh. Your parents.” She motioned toward the floor.

Micah wasn’t used to being inside during the day while his parents were sleeping in the cavern they had constructed under the house.

“Sorry.” Micah quietly scooted the chair back and sat down, digging into his bowl of porridge.

“So, Kat danced with you last night, did she?” Sylvia returned to peeling potatoes and gave him a conspiratorial wink. “Was she a good dancer?”

Micah’s face heated, so he knew he was blushing.

“She was, wasn’t she?”

He nodded, looking down into his bowl.

Sylvia giggled. “To have seen that,” she said. “Just wait until you get older, Micah. You’ll be quite the catch if I do say.” Her face grew animated as she pointed her knife at him.

Micah snickered self-consciously. “Nah, not me.”

With a hoot of disagreement, Sylvia wagged her finger at him. “Have you seen your father, little man? I daresay he’s the handsomest man in these parts, yes he is. And you’re the spittin’ image of him, you are. You’ll be breaking hearts across the land, you will.”

Micah was always being compared to his father, which was fine by him. But Micah wasn’t as confident as Sylvia about his future heart breaking ways, because all he could see was a future with Kat. And he would never break her heart. If he was lucky enough to win her over someday, he would be ever-faithful and never look upon another. Even at twelve years old, he knew she was his future.

After finishing his porridge, Sylvia excused him, and he grabbed his bow and arrow and darted out the door.

Sunlight warmed him as he ran through the cobbled lanes of the village, past the courtyard, and into the woods he considered his home away from home. As he trekked through the underbrush, he collected berries and seeds, stowing them in the pocket of his tunic. Once he was deep into the thick of the forest, he shimmied up his favorite tree, settled on a thick branch so high up he could see forever in all directions, and took out a handful of berries and began to eat.

The wind was cool and strong this high up, and he had to take out a length of twine and tie back his hair so it wouldn’t blow over his face.

Popping another berry into his mouth, Micah leaned his head back against the trunk and closed his eyes so he could listen to the silence. Well, not silence, but to him it was. No chatter reached him from the villagers. None of the other young bothered him here. No adults oversaw him. He was completely alone with the wind, the birds, and the trees. He liked it. Only here did he feel totally free and safe to fantasize about the future.

As if on cue, his thoughts skittered to Kat and the way she had looked in her blue dress last night. The bodice had pushed her full breasts up into soft mounds of pale flesh that had been hard for Micah to avoid looking at. But now, in the privacy of his secret place, he let his mind settle on the memory of how they had looked pressed up and together to form a crease of cleavage that beckoned to be touched.

His little body warmed pleasantly, a sensation he was feeling more often, especially since he had started growing so rapidly.

His thoughts drifted further, taking actual events into the realm of make believe. In his mind, he was a grown man dancing with Katarina, and she was enthralled with him. She found him to be the handsomest man in the land – even more handsome than his father – and begged him to touch her breasts as they danced. When he did, she sighed and reached up to unlace the bodice of her dress so he could push his hand inside and feel her more fully.

Micah opened his eyes, his breath coming in heavy draws. His whole body tingled from the images of his fantasy, and he felt delightfully warm between his legs. Absently, he looked down, only to jump and nearly fall off the branch in shock.

What was wrong with him? His trousers stood out where his penis was. Scurrying to look inside his pants, he found that his penis had swelled and was standing straight up. What had he done?

Panic set in. Had he somehow infected his penis? Had he eaten a bad berry? Was he being punished for having impure thoughts about Katarina?

Clapping his hands together, he laced his fingers and bowed his head against his joined hands in prayer.

God, I promise never to think about Kat like that again if you just make me better. Please God. I’m so sorry for thinking about her like that. It will never happen again. I swear. Please just make my penis better. Please don’t let it fall off.

He had heard tales of men whose penises had fallen off for a variety of reasons, but he had thought they were just stories to scare little boys like him from doing or thinking bad things. Now he wondered if they had been true. Or what if he had been infected with leprosy. He knew of the sicknesses that infected humans: leprosy, plague, and a variety of other deadly infections. Could he have somehow picked up the germs and grown ill?

Opening his eyes after praying for several more minutes, he saw that his penis was still hard and swollen. Prayers weren’t working. God wasn’t going to heal him.

Manic thoughts raced through his mind about what could happen to him.

Jumping to his feet, he was about to hurry down the tree so he could rush back to the village so Sylvia could take him to one of the healers when his eye caught movement in the distance.

Stopping, he looked again, squinting against the sun.

Three men wearing armor and riding on horseback were heading toward his village in front of a closed carriage that looked more like a box on wheels.

His infected penis forgotten for the moment, he hurried down the tree and sprinted for home. If he were an adult, he could just think himself home and he would disappear in a mist of fog and reappear back in the village a moment later.

“Messengers are coming!” He announced as he got closer to home. “Messengers from the king are coming!”

Humans and young vampires who had yet to go through the change to adulthood rose to attention or wandered out from their homes. It would still be a couple of hours before the sun set to allow the mature vampires to venture outdoors.

Micah ran through the lanes of the village, shouting the announcement of the coming visitors.

When he reached his house, Sylvia darted outside, wiping her hands on her apron before brushing a strand of hair back off her forehead.

“Micah?”

Suddenly he remembered his infected penis. He practically burst into tears as he stopped dead in his tracks and looked at Sylvia.

“Help me!” He ran toward her, letting his tears flow.

Concern ripped across her features as she opened her arms and hugged him close after he slammed into her.

“What’s wrong, little Micah? Are you okay?”

He clutched the back of her kirtle inside his fists and cried against her shoulder. He was so embarrassed to admit that he had been thinking such lewd thoughts about Katarina, but Sylvia had to know what he had done if she was going to help him.

“I did something bad, Sylvia. And now….” He sniffled then broke into a fresh round of crying.

“Ssshhh, little man. It’s okay. What happened? Tell me what happened so I can help?”

Tears gushed down his face, and he pulled back, hiccupping through his sobs. “I was thinking about Kat. I know it was wrong. I shouldn’t have thought of her like that, and I never will again, but I did and now my penis is going to fall off. It’s swollen. See?” He stepped back and looked down, but his penis was no longer sticking out from his body.

His prayers had worked. He was cured.

When he looked back up at Sylvia, she was obviously fighting back a smile.

“I swear, Sylvia! It was infected just a little while ago.” No way would he allow her to think he was lying. Micah didn’t lie.

Sylvia broke into a fit of giggles. “No, no. That’s not why I was smiling.”

Micah frowned, and his face fell with embarrassment. “What’s so funny?”

She shook her head and ushered him toward the house. “What you experienced…when your…um, penis…swelled like that? Well, how do I explain…?” She bit her lip, trying not to giggle. “Maybe you should talk to your father about this, little man.”

“No.” Micah scowled. “Tell me. Please. I don’t want it to happen again.”

At that, Sylvia broke out in tinkling laughter. “Oh, little Micah, if you only knew.”

Well, if she would tell him what she knew, he would know. What was the big deal? If what she could tell him would keep his penis from falling off, he wanted her to tell him, not make him talk to his father.

“Please, Sylvia.” He was about to break down into tears again.

She took one look at his face and her expression sobered. “Oh, you poor little thing.” She hugged him again. “Okay, but don’t you tell your parents I told you.”

He shook his head eagerly, willing to do anything to know what had happened to him. If that meant entering into a secret pact with her, he would.

She looked over her shoulder toward the door then back to him as she knelt. Lowering her voice, she said, “When a little boy reaches a certain age, his body starts to change so he can grow up. Do you understand?”

Micah nodded, but he wasn’t sure where this was going.

“Okay,” she said, then paused as if she was choosing her words before continuing. “A boy who hits that age can expect a lot of things to happen. His voice changes and deepens.” She eyed him dramatically and ticked the items off on her fingers. “He starts to grow facial hair. He gets taller. Hair sprouts under his arm and…elsewhere.” She hesitated, her face blanching. “And he experiences occasional, uh…umm…well, his penis can grow and harden.”

“Why?” Micah wasn’t sure he wanted to grow up if he would have to go through all that.

Sylvia grew flustered and waved her hands. “That’s all I know, little Micah. Just that it’s normal and nothing to worry about.” She rose to her feet and straightened her apron. “Now, what’s this you were saying about messengers coming from the king?”

In other words, she wanted to change the subject. He didn’t understand why she was so uncomfortable talking about what had happened to his penis. It wasn’t like it was her penis. He wondered if she would be so eager to dismiss the subject if it was her penis and it was going to fall off. But then she did say that whatever had caused his penis to enlarge like that was normal, so maybe he shouldn’t worry.  If it happened again, he would talk to his father. Until then there was little he could do. At least he was out of danger for the moment.

“I saw messengers from the king approaching on the road into the village,” he said, pointing.

“Well, perhaps we should head to the courtyard to greet them on behalf of your father, you and I.”

By now, word had spread from home to home about the coming visitors, and the villagers — minus the adult vampires — were heading toward the courtyard. Sylvia took his hand and together they joined the others to hear the message the king had sent them.

The delegates were just arriving as Micah and Sylvia reached the courtyard.

One of the knights pulled out a scroll of parchment, read for a moment, then looked up. “I am seeking Yaris Black on behalf of King Bain.”

Everyone turned and looked at Micah.

“He’s my father," Micah said.

The knight looked down from his large black and brown horse. “I assume he still sleeps.” As a knight of the vampire king Bain, the knight knew full well that the adult vampires would not rise until the sun had fully set.

Micah nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

“Our orders are to speak only to him, as the lord of this village, so we shall take leave in your home until he awakens.”

Sylvia’s hand tightened around Micah’s as she spoke. “Of course. The king’s men are always welcome in our home.”

Micah eyed the boxy carriage and knew a vampire was inside. A traveling coffin, that’s what the carriage was.

“Show us the way,” the lead knight said, dismounting.

The other two knights followed suit, the crowd murmuring and restless over why they were here. King Bain only sent messengers when a major announcement needed to be made, and usually such announcements were bad news.

The fourth knight stayed behind the reins of the horses pulling the carriage, flicking them forward so they followed slowly behind as Sylvia and Micah led them to their home.

When the knights got a look at the cottage Micah’s family lived in, they seemed shocked.

“For a lord, Yaris lives modestly, does he not?”

Sylvia quickly came to his father’s defense. “Yaris wanted to live among the people, not over them. He prefers being part of the community.”

The knights shook their heads. “This will not do. Not now. Not with what has happened.”

“What do you mean?” Sylvia’s voice held a hint of worry. Micah knew her well enough to know she was shaken by their arrival.

“We will speak to Yaris before we address anyone else,” the lead knight said.

The carriage pulled to a stop in the lane in front of Micah’s home and the human driver stepped down.

Once they were all inside, Micah watched curiously from his bed in the corner. Something wasn’t right about these knights. They were too serious and too tense. They made Micah uncomfortable.

One of them looked at Micah.

He’ll make a fine soldier.

“What did you say?” Micah hadn’t seen the man’s lips move, but he had clearly heard him speak.

The knight frowned at him. “I didn’t speak, little one.”

“Yes, I heard you. You said, ‘He’ll make a fine soldier.’ Were you talking about me?”

With his brow deeply furrowed, the knight tilted his head to the side and spoke slowly, as if he couldn’t believe what had just happened. “I never spoke, son. You must have heard what I was thinking.”

Micah surely hadn’t heard him right. “Huh? You’re joking.”

The knights exchanged glances and the one who had been looking at him said, “No, son. I was thinking that, but I never spoke. You heard my thoughts.”

“Gregos will be pleased,” one of the other knights said.

“Yes, this one is strong,” said another.

Sylvia hovered silently in the background, eyeing the knights suspiciously.

I don’t like this.

This time, Micah heard Sylvia’s voice clear as a whistle, but he saw with his own eyes that she hadn’t spoken. His gaze met hers as she looked up at him.

Micah’s too young for this.

“What are you talking about?” Micah jumped off his bed and glared at everyone in the room then looked back at Sylvia. “What do you mean that I’m too young for this? What’s going on? What’s happening?!”

Sylvia’s mouth gaped open. “You can hear my thoughts?” She stilled, looking startled. "Since when did you start reading minds, little man?"

The knights exchanged pleased smiles.

“I can’t read minds. I’m not crazy like that!” First his penis inflated and now he was hearing things — unspoken thoughts. What was happening to him?

Sylvia rushed forward. “Ssshhh, little man. It’s okay. You just surprised me, you did. You’ve never been able to hear my thoughts before.”

Micah tried to pull away, but Sylvia grabbed his hands. He's growing up too fast.

“I don’t want to be a freak. I don’t!”

“Little Micah. Quiet now. Sshh. You’re not a freak.” Sylvia took hold of his face and tried to steady him.

“Well, what’s wrong with me then?” He was having a monumental meltdown in front of the king’s knights, who were laughing at him, but he didn’t care. Micah just wanted to be normal again. In the past twenty-four hours he had begun to feel like anything but.

“Nothing’s wrong with you, little man.” Sylvia turned back toward the knights. “Pardon, but he’s had a rough day.” She turned back to him once more, her blue eyes boring into his. “Nothing’s wrong,” she repeated. “You’re growing up is all. This is what happens when a vampire young grows up.”

“I don’t want to grow up!” Micah didn’t like all these changes coming over him. Not one bit.

"Don't worry, little one. Gregos will make a man out of you," said one of the knights.

Sylvia shot him a coarse look. No!

Before Micah could give much thought to what the knight had said and Sylvia's reaction, a section of the floor pushed up, and his father rose out from the tunnel below the house.

"What's this?" he said, looking around.

The four knights grew serious and stood just as a knock came at the door.

Sylvia hurried and opened it as Micah's mother joined his father and glanced around at the strange faces in their home.

"What's going on, Yaris?" his mother asked.

His father frowned. "I think we're about to find out."

Sylvia opened the door, and an elegantly dressed male vampire with almost magically tawny eyes smiled. "May I?" He gestured questioningly toward the inside of the room.

With a wave of her hand, Sylvia invited him in.

"Gregos? What are you doing here?" his father said.

"I bring word from the king, Yaris."

Micah had never seen the male before, but it was clear his father knew him. It was also clear his father was upset by Gregos's presence.

"What's wrong?" His father hazarded a glance toward Micah as if he had already glimpsed what was to come.

Gregos bowed his head. "I can see there will be no preliminaries with you, as always. You've always been one to get straight to the point."

"You know me well, old friend."

Gregos offered a weak smile, then said bluntly, "Peace time has ended, Yaris."

Deafening silence followed, and Micah could feel the dread fall upon the room.

Clearing his throat, Gregos broke the silence. "We're at war. You know what this means."

His father met Micah's gaze again, and this time Micah saw the sadness. When his mother's composure broke and she sobbed as she turned away, Micah knew the worst was yet to come.

With a wave toward the door, Micah's father said, "Let us speak privately, Gregos, and then we can make the announcement to the rest of the village."

Micah watched them go then looked around the room. Sylvia consoled his mother in quiet whispers, and the four knights all met his gaze in turn. They knew. Whatever was about to happen, they all knew but him.

He had a feeling his life was about to change forever.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: As always, remember that this is a work in progress and a first draft only. I have invited my fans to be a part of the writing process by posting the unedited draft as I write it. This prequel to my AKM novels is for those who want to see more of Micah Black's beginnings and how he ended up where he was at the beginning of my novel, Rise of the Fallen. One day this manuscript will go through the editing process and be published, but for now you can read the draft here chapter by chapter.

Micah's Fall - Prequel - Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Katarina found Isabel in the crowd and pulled her aside.

“I found him,” she said. “And you’re right. I had no idea he was so enamored of me.”

Isabel laughed that tinkling laugh of hers. “Yes, my son thinks you’re the something special, Katarina.”

She made sure not to bring up little Micah’s penchant for stealing desserts. “I promised him a dance later. Oh, and I asked him to teach me archery.” She grimaced. “You don’t think that was too much, do you?”

Isabel shook her head as she set down a large bowl of gravy, spilling some on her hand. She licked her finger then wiped the excess on a nearby towel. “Not at all, Kat. He knows of your age difference. This is just a phase he’s in.” Isabel waved her hand dismissively.

“Okay, because I don’t want to hurt his feelings or make him think I’m .”

Katarina liked Micah, but he was still just a boy. He wouldn’t even reach his adult transition for another twelve to twenty years. Little Micah could still tolerate the sun, for goodness sake. Kat hadn’t been able to go out in the sun for ten years, not since she had been twenty-four years old.

Most vampires didn’t transition as early as she did. Twenty-four was considered a young transition. Most hit their crossover into full adulthood between twenty-six and thirty. Her early passage into becoming an adult could mean issues down the road for her, but she hoped she was only being paranoid, because Kat had high hopes for a family someday.

Isabel touched her wrist, catching her attention again. “Oh, and please don’t mention his short pants. He’s very self-conscious that they don’t fit.”

Kat remembered how funny his pants had looked on him, but Micah hadn’t seemed to care. “He’s really started growing, hasn’t he?”

Isabel handed her a tray of sausages. “Yes, before we know it, little Micah will be big Micah.”

“And God help us when that happens,” Yaris said, joining them. “He will be a hellion that one.”

Isabel harrumphed. “That’s our son you’re talking about.”

“I know. And I’m damn proud when I say he will be a hellion.” Yaris stole a sausage and darted away.

Kat hid her smile. Like father like son, both of them food stealers.

Isabel shook her head at her retreated mate’s back. “Ignore him,” she said, turning back to Kat.

“Oh, I don’t think he means anything by it. I think he just means that Micah will grow up to be a powerful male.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Isabel said.

The ceremony for the newly-mated couple was lovely, and Katarina found herself longing for the day when a male would select her in that way, his biology firing to form the binding link that would forever tie them together and provide the best chance for a child through his calling phase. Couples who weren’t mated through biology struggled to conceive, while those whose biology had bound them together found the road to conception easier.

Drake and Emily danced in the center of the circle, fully embraced within each other’s arms, locked into eternity together. They had just returned from their mating fete, which had been spent miles from the village in a remote cottage where Drake’s calling couldn’t be a distraction to the rest of the village.

As she gazed around the circle surrounding the couple, she felt her cheeks heat at the sight of Nicolas. Nicolas was young and unmated, brawny and strong, with dark hair and even darker eyes. Perhaps tonight would be the night he noticed her, because she would have liked nothing better than for him to ask her to dance and perhaps take her on a walk later.

“Hi.” A soft voice drew her gaze around and down.

“Micah?”

He lifted a tiny bouquet of wild flowers toward her. His face was as red as a tomato, and his sharp eyes flitted to the ground. “I found these for you.”

“Why, aren’t you the sweetest little thing.” She took the flowers and lifted them toward her nose.

“I saw you smelling them earlier,” he said, pointing toward a table, “so I knew you liked them.”

“So I do.” She pressed her nose into the simple white flowers and inhaled.

Micah was such a darling boy.

“Didn’t I promise you a dance?” She reached out her hand.

If the boy could blush any more than he already was, he would have no blood left in the rest of his body. His small hand trembled as he took hers, but she could tell he was trying valiantly to put on a brave, confident face.

“Come on then.” She gave him a gentle tug and bobbed her head toward the courtyard, where other couples had joined Drake and Emily as the nearby string quartet played.

Still holding the dainty bouquet of flowers, she lined herself up with Micah, who fumbled self-consciously to figure out where to put his hands before taking a fortifying breath and finally getting it right.

“This is a waltz,” she said politely, readjusting his arms ever-so-slightly. “My, you are getting tall, Micah.”

The top of his head came up to her chin, which was a remarkable height for a twelve-year-old, vampire or not.

“Yes,” he said, trying to make himself even taller as if to prove to her that he was older than he was.

He made her laugh. Micah was such an adorable child.

“I guess I can’t call you little Micah anymore, can I?”

Micah shrugged. “It’s okay.”

She got the feeling that he was just happy that she was talking to him at all.

“Okay, Micah. Dance with me.” She knew he knew how to waltz. All the young were taught how to dance.

Surprisingly, he was a good lead. It took him a bit to get his bearings, but once he found them he smoothly waltzed her around and across the floor, and it was obvious he was pleased with himself by the way he met her gaze and smiled up at her, seeming to lose his self-consciousness at least for the time being.

“You’re a good dancer, Micah,” she said as the song ended and she stepped back to clap.

“Thank you. So are you.” He bowed toward her like a well-mannered male should to his dance partner.

She curtsied in response. “Why thank you, sir. Would you like to dance with me again?”

Another song rose up from the quartet.

“Why, yes Miss, I would. But I do believe the male is supposed to ask the female that question.”

Kat fought not to laugh. He was trying to sound so mature and grown up, and she had to admit she was impressed with his boldness after faltering with shyness earlier, but his words sounded clumsy coming from such a young mouth.

“Well, would the kind sir like to ask the lady to dance?” She bowed her head at an angle, deferring to him.

For a moment, Micah looked stymied, his boyish face rouging again with embarrassment. Then he cleared his throat, held out his right hand, and said, “Would the lady like to dance?”

With a giggle, she took his hand. “How can I resist an invitation from such a handsome young man as yourself?”

That seemed to send Micah to the moon. He practically beamed as he stepped forward once more, locked his arm around her waist, and spun her in time to the music as she laughed.

Yes, little Micah Black would make some lucky female a good mate someday.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: As always, remember that this work is not edited and may (and probably does) contain errors. Feedback is welcome in the comments. Thank you. Chapter Four coming soon. 

Free Read - Micah's Fall - Chapters 1-2

Since we had a bit of a mini-catastrophe at my house this past weekend, I couldn't publish chapter 2 of my free read as I had planned. So, I'm posting chapters 1-2 now, just in case you missed chapter 1 or need a refresher. Once again, keep in mind that this free read, which is a prequel to Rise of the Fallen, is in no way a  final, edited story. It is only the first draft of what I plan on editing and publishing at a later date, but I thought it might be fun to share this with you as I drafted it. Enjoy chapters 1-2, and definitely leave feedback if you have it:

Chapter One

The boy darted swiftly in and out of the trees, making hardly a noise. His long, black hair whipped behind him, blending with the night’s shadows, and his navy eyes searched ahead and to the right.

Focus, focus.

His father had taught him to keep a clear head on the hunt.

Coming to an abrupt stop, he lifted his bow and nocked an arrow with expert quickness, drawing the string back by his ear and holding his breath. His young vampire hearing picked up the approach of both the wild boar as well as the other hunters from the clan who were corralling it toward him.

Closing his left eye, he tracked with his right as he looked down the length of the deadly arrow to the tip. He slowly swept toward the left, following the crashing noises of the boar as it tore through the trees in the darkness.

As soon as the animal burst through a patch of undergrowth, the boy took a second to steady himself then released the bow. The arrow zipped through the air and penetrated the boar between the eyes.

A squeal peeled from the animal’s throat as it lurched and fell, and the boy rushed forward as the rest of the clan’s hunters broke into view.

One of the adult hunters buried his knife in the boar’s neck, ensuring the beast was dead, then another rushed forward to capture the blood that poured from the wound inside an animal-skin satchel. They would take the blood and the carcass back to the village so that the females could prepare the overnight feast for the newly-mated couple within the clan.

“Good job, Micah.”

Micah smiled proudly up at his uncle, Rory, his heart beating wildly with adrenaline as it always did after a kill.

“You’ve got some skill there, boy.” Rory sounded impressed and clapped him on the shoulder.

Micah panted and turned back toward the scene in front of him as the other hunters quickly prepared the boar for travel. If they had been humans, the pitch of night would have prevented them from seeing anything around them. As it was, Micah and his clan mates didn’t need light to see. Their vampire vision, heightened by the excitement of the hunt, easily delineated tree from shadow from beast.

Rory knelt down beside Micah, his own black hair falling over his face. “What do you think you’ll do with this talent, Micah? Hmm?”

Micah looked into eyes so much like his own and his father’s and shrugged. “I don’t know.”

His uncle arched an eyebrow at him. “You don’t know?” He wrapped his heavy arm around Micah’s shoulders and gave him a paternal shake. “You’re twelve years old, Micah. Almost an adult. I’d say you have the makings of a fine warrior, boy.”

Micah looked down at his bare feet, which were covered with dirt. Did he want to be a warrior? His father was. So was his Uncle. So were several other elders in the clan. He looked at the boar again, remembering the feeling of power that roared through him every time he hunted. His muscles reacted without thinking, and he instinctively knew where to aim and when to release his arrow. Even during training exercises and games back in the village, Micah excelled far and away over the other young. He was stronger, faster, and more cunning than all of them.

Nibbling the inside of his cheek, Micah grinned at Rory then nodded. “I will be the greatest warrior our clan has ever seen,” he announced confidently.

“Just our clan?” Rory roared with laughter. “Why not the world, lad?”

Micah pursed his lips then licked them before nodding. “The greatest warrior in the world!” He yelled and raised his bow into the air.

A couple of the adult hunters glanced over, shaking their heads and smiling at the young, overly-confident boy with the grand plan for his future.

“That’s my nephew talking.” Rory clapped him on the shoulder once more and stood.

The boar was ready for transport, so Micah spun on his heel and trotted back to the village to let the females know to prepare. Their meal was on the way.

Chapter Two

Sitting off to the side, his back against a tree that bordered the courtyard where the boar had been spitted for roasting, Micah watched the females of the clan busily preparing the rest of the feast. The animal’s organs had been removed, and the blood had been prepared into blood sausages being roasted on a separate fire.

He sat forward and used a twig to draw figures in the sandy dirt between his soiled feet.

Everyone in the village wore simple clothes and lived in simple houses made of stone, but that didn’t mean the village was poor. The vampires carried tremendous wealth, keeping their fortunes locked inside the village bank. Micah’s parents didn’t like using the bank, though, and had buried the mass of their wealth in a secret enclave only they and he knew about.

“Look at those feet.” Micah’s mother called to him from across the courtyard.

Micah blushed and pulled his feet up and under him as he crossed his legs.

His mom joined him and sat down. “Don’t think you’ll be catching Katarina’s eye with dirty feet like that. And dirty hair, too.” She made a disapproving face as she lifted his long hair off his shoulder and tsked.

“Mom.” Micah whined and swatted his hair out of her hand and frowned with embarrassment.

She laughed. His mom had the most beautiful laugh. Everyone said so, and even when Micah was in one of his moods, her laughter always made him feel better.

“Oh, come on. We’ll make you all handsome for her, Prince Charming.” His mom stood up and extended his hand toward him. “Maybe she’ll even dance with you during tonight’s festivities, hmm?”

His mom indulged his crush on the beautiful female named Katarina whose family had joined the clan a year ago, teasing him on a regular basis. But teasing or not, the thought of getting a dance with her during the celebration tonight was enough to quicken Micah’s boyish gait back to the family home down the street from the courtyard.

“There you are, Isa.” Micah’s father called his mom, Isa, which was short for Isabel.

His father was just getting out of the large wooden tub in the corner by the fireplace when Micah and his mom got home.

Tall and heavily muscled, his father was one of the strongest males in the clan. With such a tall father and an equally tall mother, no doubt Micah would grow up to be an imposing adult. Something every warrior needed to be, thought Micah as he scuttled past his father toward the tub.

“Shall I beckon Sylvia for you?” His mom said to his dad.

Sylvia was one of the humans who serviced Micah’s parents’ blood needs.

“If she’s ready.” His father wrapped a dingy covering around him.

Micah took off his filthy clothes and jumped into the now lukewarm bath water. They didn’t get to bathe often, but for tonight’s celebration, everyone was expected to put on their best.

While his mom and dad left the room to tend to his father’s blood needs, Micah lifted one foot out of the water and scrubbed with the brush until his skin was rosy and clean, then he repeated with the other before dunking himself to wet his hair so he could wash it.

Most of the males in the village wore their hair short, but Micah preferred it longer, even though it was harder to keep clean.

A few minutes later, his mother reappeared alone. She didn’t like watching his father feed.

“How are we coming in here?” She sat down by the tub and helped Micah rinse suds from his hair.

“Good. I think I’m finished.” Micah blinked wet lashes at her.

“Not quite, honey. We can’t have this smudge on your face if we want Katarina to show you more than a passing glance, can we?”

Micah huffed as she picked up a wash cloth and rubbed his forehead until he thought she would rub clean through the skin.

“There. Perfect.” She sat back and smiled. “Now, get out and dry off and I’ll get your clothes.”

 Micah trailed his parents, looking down at his trousers, feeling embarrassed at how short they were. When had he grown so much?

His mother glanced back at him. “Stop moping, Micah.”

“But I look stupid.” He scowled and hid his face

His dad stopped, turned around, and crouched in front of him. “I’ll have none of that, Micah. You don’t look stupid. You’re my son, and my son does not look stupid.”

Micah had been on the verge of tears, but as he looked into his father’s icy-sharp navy blue eyes, he immediately swallowed them. More than anything, Micah wanted to be like his father. Brave, powerful, respected. Yaris Black was a natural leader. Micah admired him, as did everyone in the village.

His father took Micah’s shoulders and held him firm.

“If you walk into that courtyard with your head held high and your shoulders squared and back, no one will notice that your trousers hit above your ankles. But if you walk in slouching and defeated, the other kids will see your weakness and exploit it. Now, stand tall, son. Be proud.”

Micah nodded and tried to stand a little taller, wanting to win his father’s approval.

“That’s my boy. Now, you always remember that, Micah. Appearance is everything. If you act like a leader, everyone will treat you like one. Be that which you wish to become, and not only will you become it, everyone around you will believe it and make it so, too.” His father chucked his chin. “Now, you hold your head high when we get there, you hear me?”

“Yes, sir.

His mom motioned to take Micah’s hand, but his father pulled it back. “No, let him walk on his own, Isabel. Don’t coddle him. He needs to start becoming the adult he’s meant to be.”

With that, the three turned and continued toward the courtyard. Music was already playing, and the smell of a hundred different types of food assaulted Micah’s senses, making his mouth water and his stomach growl.

This was twice today that references were made toward Micah’s impending adulthood. What did his future hold? Would he be the warrior he had proclaimed he would become? Or would another course open up to him that he would be compelled to take? He hadn’t given much thought to his future until his uncle had goaded him about it today, but becoming a warrior seemed the likely choice.

Once they reached the courtyard, Micah slipped away while his parents pitched in and helped finish setting things up. He wandered from fire pit to fire pit, inspecting what was still being cooked for tonight’s meal. Grains, meats, breads, wild vegetables, roasted corn and potatoes from the gardens.

And then there were the desserts. An entire table was set out with sweet biscuits, tarts, cakes, and pies. Looking around mischievously, Micah quickly snatched one of the tarts and darted into the shadows of the trees to eat it.

As he took his first bite, he glanced back toward the gathering to keep watch that no one caught him. And there she was. Katarina.

With long, reddish-brown hair that hung in loose curls down her back, Katarina looked glorious in a simple, pale blue dress. She was talking to his mother, both of them smiling and giggling animatedly.

Katarina would be his someday. Micah felt that as a truth all the way into his heart, which now skipped a beat as she glanced in his direction. He quickly ducked behind a tree, the tart all-but-forgotten in his hand as he peered back out. She laughed over her shoulder as she walked away from his mom, coming his way, pausing to bend over to smell a bouquet of flowers on one of the decorated tables in the center of the courtyard.

She looked heavenly, her eyes closing, her nose dipping into the buds as her mouth curved into a contented smile. Her graceful hand lifted and brushed her hair from her face.

So perfect and beautiful. Micah swore she had to be an angel.

Suddenly, as if she could feel his gaze on her, she opened her eyes and turned toward him. A humored smile spread over her face as their eyes met.

“Micah? What are you doing back there?” Katarina straightened and fluffed her skirts as she walked toward him.

Feeling the blood rush into his face, Micah quickly stepped back from the tree, trying to pretend he hadn’t been hiding.

“Hi,” he said.

Katarina knelt in front of him. “Oh, I see.” She spied the tart in his hand and giggled. “You snuck back here so no one would know you stole a treat, didn’t you?”

With a sheepish grin, Micah nodded, totally transfixed by her luminous green eyes and plump lips.

Demurely glancing to the ground, she looked back up through her lashes. “Can I have a bite? I promise I won’t tell.”

Eagerly nodding, Micah held the tart out to her, speechless. The female of his dreams was right in front of him, asking him for a bite of the tart he had stolen, making flirty eyes at him even though she was more than twice his age. No doubt she knew of his crush on her, and like his mother, Katarina sought only to indulge him. But that made no difference to Micah. All that mattered was that her long fingers were wrapping around his skinny wrist as she leaned in to take a bite of the fruit-filled tart. Micah could barely breathe. He knew it was an honor to feed a female from his own hand, and here he was, feeding the most beautiful female in the world.

Katarina’s pink lips parted, and her perfectly straight teeth sank into the morsel he held for her. As she drew away, a dusting of confectioner’s sugar coated her lips, which she quickly licked away.

“Mmm, that’s yummy,” she said, releasing his wrist. “I can see why you couldn’t wait to eat it.” She grinned as she chewed with delicate propriety.

He could only stare, hypnotized by her face.

“I heard you were the one who caught our dinner tonight,” she said, sinking to the ground and sitting back on her heels.

Micah nodded and finally found his voice. “Yes. I did. I’m going to be a warrior someday.”

Katarina’s eyebrows shot up and her face brightened. “Really now? A warrior? That’s very noble, yes?”

Not caring whether it was noble or not, Micah just wanted to impress her. “My uncle says I have the makings of a great warrior.” He took a bite of the tart, carefully avoiding the part she had eaten from.

“Well, your uncle would know.” Kat brushed her palms over her skirts. “He’s quite skilled with a sword. I’ve seen him training you.”

“I’m better with the bow and arrow,” Micah said, growing excited. Katarina was talking to him. She was here, in the shadows, alone with him, and they were talking. His little heart was practically beating out of his chest.

“The bow and arrow it is for you, then. Maybe you’ll teach me how to use it someday?”

Boy, would he!? To be close to her, maybe even touching her to help her learn…? “Sure. I’d love to.” He quickly blushed, realizing he sounded too eager. “I mean, if you really want to learn.”

She shifted and giggled. “Of course I would, or I wouldn’t have asked. I hear you’re the best archer in the village, and I want to learn from the best.” She leaned forward and ruffled his hair. “Silly you.”

Micah felt butterflies alight in his stomach as her fingers tousled his hair.

“Can you show me how you killed the boar today?” she asked, sitting back once more and placing her hands in her lap.

“Sure.” He bit his lip then held the remainder of the tart out to her. “Hold this.”

She took it from him, her eyes twinkling in the night. She looked like she was fighting back a smile.

Proudly, Micah stepped back and stood tall, just as his father had taught him. It felt odd without his bow and arrow, but he pretended he had his favorite weapon in his hands.

“The others ran him to me, corralling him.” Micah glanced over as he relayed the story to her. “I heard him tearing through the trees and lifted my bow.” He lifted his arms in grand fashion, as if he held his bow and arrow at the ready. “As soon as the boar burst from the undergrowth, I held…” Micah paused briefly, “and then let the arrow fly.” He opened his hand by his ear as if releasing the arrow. “Right between the eyes!”

Micah spun back, reveling under her admiration. She held his treat back to him, and he let his fingertips graze her palm as he took it. Katarina was warm and soft.

“I think you’re an angel, Katarina,” he blurted, immediately regretting it. What a fool. Dread sank like a heavy stone to the pit of his stomach, chased by a heavy dose of humiliation.

He felt his face heat with embarrassment.

Katarina laughed lightly. “A what?”

Unable to meet her eyes, Micah answered in a voice so soft it was a wonder he could be heard at all. “An angel.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that, little Micah.” She giggled and dashed her fingers into his hair once more. “Angels come from Heaven. I’m not from Heaven.”

Micah wanted to tell her he thought she was from Heaven. She was too beautiful for Earth. But he had already stuck his foot in his mouth enough so kept quiet.

Neither spoke for a moment, then Katarina pushed up off the ground. “Save a dance for me later, little Micah?”

Surprised that she would even ask, Micah looked up in startled amazement and nodded before he could stop himself. “Uh-huh.”

Bending down, Katarina placed her hands on Micah’s scrawny shoulders and kissed his cheek then pulled back with a conspiratorial smile on her face. “I won’t tell anyone that you snuck a dessert as long as you promise to teach me archery, okay?”

All Micah could do was nod.

“And call me Kat. Deal?”

He nodded again, his tongue tied in knots.

She laughed as if she realized her effect on him and thought it was adorable. “Until our dance later, little Micah, don’t get caught eating dessert before dinner.” She stood and wagged a finger at him then turned and headed back into the courtyard.

Micah took another bite of the tart and watched her walk away, mesmerized by the gentle sway of her hips under her skirts.

After she had disappeared amid a crowd of adults, Micah looked down. Only one bite of tart remained: the one she had eaten from. Almost reverently, he raised the morsel to his mouth and slowly ate it as he placed his small palm over his cheek where she had kissed him. His small body tingled and warmed all over at the thought of her and the time they had just shared.

Too bad he was such a…boy. Because with Kat, he wanted to be a man.