Flight of the Phoenix by Melanie Thompson Page A

whispered.
    â€œTures told me leprosy and a few other diseases are dangerous to vampires. She recruits the afflicted because they are safe and provide the vampires with no temptation to stray from her strictly-imposed ban on consuming human blood.”
    Bryn dug into the food. “Makes sense,” she finally said. “Did you get to see much of the ship?”
    Sam colored and dropped her eyes. “Some,” she mumbled.
    Bryn couldn’t help but laugh. She placed her hand on Sam’s arm. “It’s alright, my love. I am happy for you. I found someone. It is good that you seem to have also discovered love.”
    Sam beamed. “The ship is a marvel. The command center is surrounded by huge glass panels. You can see the ocean bottom. Fish swim around the ship as it moves through the water. It is enchanting.”
    â€œDid you get to see the engines?”
    Sam shook her head. “No, but I heard the priest, Father Antonio, took Tomlinson and the Commodore through them earlier. The engines use cubes of fuel mined in the Mountains of the Moon. Tures is happy to take us up the Congo because she wishes to procure more of it. Tomlinson raved about how light and concentrated it was. If we can obtain enough, it will revolutionized steam power. We shall be able to build any number of small, lightweight engines to do…oh I don’t know how many wonderful things.”
    â€œIf this fuel is only available there,” Bryn said. “It will not be very practical.”
    Sam frowned. “Do not be so negative. I am sure if we obtain enough, Tomlinson or Monsieur Diesel will be able to discern its components and either manufacture the substance in the lab or a reasonable facsimile with all of its useful properties. We will have the example. Maybe we can find another source if we can’t manufacture it. The discovery is momentous either way.”
    Bryn patted her hand. “As you say, my dear. How fast does this craft travel? I would like to know when we can expect to arrive at the Congo River.”
    â€œI shall ask Tures. She’s currently in the command center.”
    â€œHave you seen my sister?”
    Sam shook her head. “She was sleeping earlier. We can go check on her if you like.”
    Bryn rose to do just this when the door opened and Fenix walked in. She looked radiant, not a hair out of place, and was wearing breeches and boots.
    Bryn examined her sister for a moment and decided her new air of competence and self-assurance was annoying in the extreme. She knew she should be happy Fenix had matured and assumed control of her life but she felt as though she’d lost something. Where was her darling immature little sister who always needed her? She was gone, replaced by the new Fenix who not only didn’t need her big sister to take care of her, but had an alarming tendency to take charge.
    â€œBryn,” Fenix exclaimed. “We’ve been invited to join Tures in the control room.”
    Fenix bubbled with enthusiasm. Bryn had to fight her first impulse which was to squash her excitement. She forced herself to smile. “Then by all means, let us go inspect the wonders of the ship.”
    Fenix grabbed her hand and led her through the maze of narrow passages. The entire ship seemed to be constructed of brass and mahogany, a wood that never rotted, resisted worms and was impervious to water damage. They emerged from the maze into a large open cabin at the front of the undersea vessel. Tures stood with her hands spread above a globe filled with swirling blue liquid. When she moved her hands, the liquid followed the pattern she created. Bryn was immediately captivated. “What is that?” She asked Sam in a low voice.
    But the vampire heard her and lifted her head. “This liquid is filled with tiny living creatures that swim through the pipes in the ceiling to transmit commands to my engine room. Only vampires can hear them or understand their