We need your help,” she says, and I look to Ren in confusion. He looks just as baffled, and I wonder if the girl is just trying to help however she can. The little girl offers me her hand, and I notice the bruises on her wrists. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the angel guards aren’t as nice to kids any more than they are good to me.
“What’s your name?” I ask her as I accept her hand in mine.
“Aala. My aunt said my mum named me it because it means ‘to heal.’ It’s a special gift I have, but my aunt says I shouldn’t show it to anyone.”
“You can heal other vampires?” Ren asks, leaning closer with a bemused expression just as a woman with milky blonde hair runs into the room, coming to a halt and looking sheepish.
“I just knew you wouldn’t listen, Aala,” the woman scolds, but Aala doesn’t seem remotely frightened of her. “I’m so sorry she interrupted you both.”
“No, it’s okay,” I say. “I’m Kaitlyn...I think I remember Aala from the academy, but we never got to talk.”
“I’m Masita, and yes, she constantly talks about you. The vampire with wings,” she says, and her cheeks go bright red. “Oh I’m so sorry; I’m always putting my foot in my mouth.”
“It’s okay,” I say with a forgiving smile.
“Can Aala really heal other vampires?” Ren asks, and Masita nods once.
“Yes, sir. Since she was a baby, she could heal anyone, but we kept it quiet for obvious reasons. A powerful ability like that is a gift from the gods,” she says quietly, like she has given up on the fight to keep Aala a secret from everyone. I wish she knew we meant her no harm and that telling us isn’t going to cause Aala any trouble. I know what it’s like to be a girl with a secret power and having to hide it from the world. Mine is ghosts, hers is healing. She definitely got the cooler gift. “And I try to make Aala keep her powers secret, but considering she has healed a lot of the vampires here, that hasn’t worked all too well.”
“How is it possible?” I ask Ren. “I know you have magic, but I didn’t think it could heal like that.”
“All vampires are more talented at certain things, but healing is never one of them, unless our blood is healing a human. Healing our own kind is the problem. The most I could heal is a small cut, but we have always been able to mix our blood with certain magical herbs to make pastes that heal extreme cuts,” he explains to me, just like he did when I was stabbed. “Healing another vampire is an extremely rare and powerful gift.”
Aala grins with bright red cheeks, glancing between us.
“Where are her parents?” I ask Masita as she leans against the wall, relaxing a little bit.
“They died when I was small. Angels killed them,” Aala states, sounding so much older than she is, and hurt flashes in Masita’s eyes as her hand falls to a ruby ring on her finger, rubbing it softly.
“I found Aala with my sister’s and brother-in-law’s ashes three days after their deaths. I also lost my husband on that day, but I was so glad for Aala’s life to be spared. It may sound unbelievable, but on the day Aala was born, time seemed to stop, and a blue glow covered her tiny body. I was the only one in the room with my sister, and both of us felt the presence of a goddess. I can’t explain it, but she is blessed. I know it and swear by all the gods,” she whispers, looking up at the ceiling for a moment. “The fire burned the entire house but never touched her, she just existed in the middle.”
“I believe you,” I say and smile at Aala as I lean down to her level. “You are very lucky and skilled, but I don’t want you to heal me. My wounds are deep, but I will heal. Thank you so much though, Aala.”
“I know I have to help you. I knew you before we met,” she tells me, and we all go silent as Aala walks right up to me and places her tiny hand on my cheek. “My dreams told me to help you, and then you will save us all. They are watching. You’ve seen them.”
I halt, remembering the three ghosts with the light above.