Page 120 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

Eastern Roman Emperor. But my father secretly enthralled him. Byzantium was so far from fresh

water that the aqueducts took thirty years to build. My father and Emperor Valens used the time

and vampire labor to completely rebuild Byzantium, in the Astral Realm, before the city fell to the

Romans.”

“They changed the name to Constantinople, city of Constantine,” said Zuba.

“Yes,” she said.

“How do we get to the Astral Realm?” asked Daka.

“Only vampires can get there.”

“How?” GoGo asked.

“We must fast, drink no blood. It’s called The Starving.”

“Without blood we will die, cease to exist,” said Sooth. “I have seen vampires starve. Their

bodies fade into the dust.”

“No, not the dust—The Guf,” Sygnosis said. “When vampires starve, our bodies transition

from this realm, the Terrestrial Realm. Haven’t you ever wondered where we go?”

“Down through the ages, I have heard stories of an Astral Realm,” Sooth replied. “But I

assumed they were legends. Where vampires go, I know not.”

“We go home,” said Sygnosis, “to Astral Byzantium!”

#

Lightning fractured the Milky Way proscenium that arched across the sky that night over the

mountain palace’s northern terrace; thunder made a cameo appearance but bowed out early. Rain

never really attended a performance if thunder wasn’t the star, so two impetuous lovers could have

the outdoor theater all to themselves.

They were dressed in matching Zhejiang silks from China—another gift from the Rhune

Mystics; GoGo in mother of pearl white with a cape made from the feathers of the African spotted