Chapter one
I sat in the over sized recliner my father bought for my mother over fifteen years ago. It was nothing fancy, not even anything great to look at, but it was beautiful to me nonetheless. It was the only thing I had left of my mother and father, the only thing that brought back those warm and fuzzy memories that you hear on those Hallmark commercials. My mother died five years ago to cancer, my father following after her from grief and sorrow. So it sat in my living room, facing my bay windows so that I could watch the sunset and wait for him.
I felt his presence even though he wasn’t near, smelled his rich and intoxicating cologne, that rich and pure male scent that made me tingly in all the right places. He was a lover, a friend and a protector. He was also a vampire…my vampire. He wasn’t one of those creatures that the TV depicts. Those blood sucking ghouls that feed on the innocent and corrupt the young. He didn’t drink the blood of virgins and sacrifice them to the devil. All of those myths were false, everything about stakes and holy water nothing more than tales. True, the sun would toast him alive, and true, he needed to drink blood to survive—but only mine. He came to me every night, like a shadow that wrapped me in a feeling that was beyond words, beyond expressions. I was addicted to him, and he to me.
The sun started to set in the horizon, that blazing ball of light sinking below the Colorado Mountains and leaving a pink and orange haze across the sky. My heart started to beat in excitement, the same thing it did everyday at this exact time. He would be here soon, so soon I could feel him. The after light haze became gray and then black, like a giant ink stain spreading across what was once a Kodak moment. I stood from the recliner and smoothed my hand down my dress. I always wore a dress for him, white and lacy that stood out against the darkness like my very own beacon of light. It made me feel feminine, so very feminine against his pure male masculinity. All I had to do was think about him and I became wet, so wet it saturated my panties and had me squirming in need. I turned towards my front door and gripped the hem of my dress as two knocks sounded.
****
Even though I saw him each and every night, my heart still pounded in anticipation of seeing his face. My hand reached for the handle, my palms sweaty as I swallowed and turned the knob. He was always a gentleman, never coming right in, just waiting for me to invite him inside. As I opened the door a gust of wind blew across my face and moved my dark hair around. He stood on the other side, his large body shrouded in the shadows, but his smile evident.
“Hello, Izabella. I’ve missed you.”
He stepped forward, the light slashing across his features, his smile full on his sensual lips. I swallow again, his fangs prominent and exciting me further. I grew wet from the sight, imagining those twin fangs sliding deep into my throat as he thrusts inside of me. “Hello, Damian. I’ve missed you too.”
“Have you?”
He steps into my home, closing the door behind him and running a finger along my cheek. Amusement was laced in his voice but I knew the question was serious. His skin is warm against mine, his beating heart loud to my ears. “You know I have. I always do.”
He leans in and kisses my cheek, the electricity that shoots through me is so intense I close my eyes and sigh. I don’t know if all vampires would have this effect on me or if it’s just him. I like to think we are connected, two souls that have finally found each other.
“We have found each other. You know how long I’ve waited for you.”
He reads my mind easily, something that I still can’t get used to. “How long have you waited, Damian?” I whisper the words, my eyes still closed, and his lips still against my cheek. He has never told me how old he is, always telling me it doesn’t matter, that love doesn’t hold an age.
“A long time, my love.”
I let my hands run over his wide shoulders and down his chest, the muscles massive and impressive as they flexed beneath my hands and told of how much power and strength he wielded. I started to unbutton his pressed white shirt, his style seeming from another time, a long ago time. I pictured him atop a white stallion, his short dark hair mused from the wind as he held a sword high in the air. “Take me upstairs.” His mouth dropped down to mine, my words lost as his tongue slipped into my mouth and stroked ever inch. It was a delicious feeling, his taste purely male and exotic that ignited all of my senses. His hands slid down my back to cup my ass, pressing me closer to the massive erection that was evident through his pants. He lifted me up easily and I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist. Our mouths are still fused together as he carries me up stairs, one hand cradling the back of my head, the other around my waist.
****
We’re in my room a second later, his speed always shocking me—amongst his other talents. We fall to the bed, his body covering mine, our lips still meshed together. He has our clothes off with just a thought and pulls back to stare down at me. Even though it’s dark I can see his glorious body in the moonlight. His skin his smoothed to perfection, his skin so very pale, yet so very addicting. He’s lean like a swimmer, his stomach rippled with muscles—“washboard abs” coming to mind. I was so very wet; my juices coating my lips and making me squirm in anticipation.
“You are so beautiful.”
I closed my eyes and moaned as he ran his finger along the edge of my breast, just teasing—always teasing. His hands smoothed down my ribs before moving to my hips and pulling me down the bed. I spread my legs to accommodate his big body, his erection pressing against my clit and causing me to gasp. It was hot and hard, and I wanted it inside of me so badly.
“Do you want me here?”
He ran his finger down my slit to rest at the entrance of my core, his finger dipping in and gathering my moisture before moving his finger up. He circled my clit, stiffening it up more and causing me to bite my lip in pleasure. “I want you everywhere.” I slowly opened my eyes, his face now mere inches from mine as he kissed me gently. His hand was still between our bodies, his finger sliding into my pussy and spreading me. I ran my tongue along his lips and arched my hips, moaning as my clit pressed against him.
“Is tonight the night Izabella?”
I opened my eyes and stared at his pained expression. He asked me this question every night, hoping my answer would be different. I wanted it to be different, but there was just something inside of me that couldn’t go there yet, couldn’t let him make me eternally his, no matter how much we both wanted it.
“It’s okay, my love, we have as much time as you need.”
I never said no, never said anything when he asked me this question, but he always knew what I was thinking, even if my mind was a blank canvas. I felt the need to reassure him, to let him know I cared for him just as deeply as he did me. “I love you.” He leaned his forehead against mine and breathed out deeply, his hot breath tickling my lips.
“And I you. So very much”
He leaned back and stared down at me, running his finger along the side of my neck, his breath coming out quicker as he stared at the path his finger made. I watched as he gripped his cock, stroking it a few times before placing it at the entrance of my pussy. He was cock was huge, and always had my eyes going wide when he gripped it. A drop of clear fluid leaked from the slit, the sight causing me to lick my lips in hunger. He was poised at my entrance, just staring at me, not moving a muscle. Finally he pushed in, so slowly it was agonizing. He always started off so gentle, so slow, just letting my body adjust to his large size before he went wild—and he always did. The head of his erection went in smoothly, my cream leading his way effortlessly as he gripped my hips and clenched his jaw. He pushed in slowly, my body stretching around his girth and causing a delicious burn to travel through me. I gripped his forearms, my nails digging into his flesh and causing him to growl deep in his throat. I loved that sound, that noise he made every time he slid into me. Goosebumps popped out along me skin, my flesh overly sensitive as he continued to push inch after huge inch inside of me. He pushed the last remaining inch into me, both of our moans moving through the room as if thunder had just cracked in the sky.
****
His hips started to move back and forth, the head of his cock stopping at the entrance of my vagina right before he shoved back inside. I arched my back and gripped the bars of my headboard, preparing myself for what was to come. His rhythm soon became fast and frantic, the sound of our combined sex’s slapping together reaching my ears and causing fresh moisture to slip out of me. His hands gripped my breast, his fingers teasing my nipples until they were stiff points eager for his mouth. He read my mind, his mouth moving to my nipples as his hot tongue rasped over the tips. His fangs scrapped along the engorged beads, his teeth nipping at my flesh as his tongue smoothed away the sting. I shivered at the feeling and tilted my head to the side, telling him without words what I wanted. My heart beat wildly and I thought it would burst from my chest as he continued to pound into me with all of his passion.
“It’s like the first time with you always. You’re always so hot and tight, making me lose my mind, making me lose control. Do you know how good you feel to me—your tight little pussy gripping me with abandon? It drives me wild Izabella.”
I closed my eyes and groaned aloud, my orgasm so close I could taste it. His hand slipped between our bodies, his thumb once again finding my clit and strumming it with expert precision. My mouth opened on a silent scream as my body lit up like a firework, my vagina gripping his shaft with such force it stunned me. He groaned above me, his mouth moving to my neck, his tongue moving along my erratic pulse with hunger. His hunger was a force I could feel, a living, breathing entity that consumed us both. I felt his fangs run over my skin, the pleasure/pain of it causing my climax to continue without reprieve. “Oh, yes, do it Damian.” I wanted him there, while my orgasm pulsed through me, while the pleasure was so intense it had me gasping for air. His fangs punctured my neck, the pain making my pleasure sky rocket as his hips picked up their speed. His cock pounded into me with such momentum it had me sliding up the bed. He gripped my hip and anchored me, the sound of him swallowing my blood loud to my ears. It was erotic and taboo, but it was what I loved most. His body tensed above mine, his hot seed pulsing out of him and washing me in heat that had every cell in my body quake.
His mouth broke from my neck, his breathing ragged as I felt his tongue swipe the twin puncture marks he gave me. By morning they would be gone, his saliva its own healing agent that would seal the wounds quickly. He rolled off of me, the loss of his body making me shiver in sadness. In the next second he had me rolled onto his chest, his hands smoothing up and down my back in a soothing manner. We stayed quiet for the longest time, the only sound in the room being our matched and even breathing.
“I have to go.”
“I know.” We still didn’t move, even though we both knew he couldn’t stay any longer. I hated this part of the night, when he had to leave and I was faced with the loss. True, he would be back tomorrow night, but the emptiness I felt when he was gone was monumental. And even though I felt like this, and even though I had the option to spend eternity by his side, I still couldn’t face the fact of losing my mortality. Of seeing everyone I knew, everyone I love, die around me—fade into nothingness while I never age.
“I will wait eternity for you.”
I knew he spoke the truth, could feel his conviction pulse out of him and seep into me. “I know,” and I did, with every bone in my body, I knew. He would wait until the end of time for me.
I opened the double doors that led to the balcony in my room, the wind blowing across my silk robe and molding it to my naked body. He walked in front of me, blocking the chill of the night air and smiling down at me. His hand cupped my cheek, my eyes closing involuntarily as I leaned into his touch.
“Until tomorrow, my sweet.”
He said the same thing before he left me, his soft spoken words making my heart clench in pain at his departure. He kissed me softly on the lips before stepping back and moving towards the balcony. He stepped onto the stone ledge, his movements graceful yet powerful as he turned and looked at me one last time. He dropped off the edge, but I didn’t rush to see if he was okay, I just knew he was. He would be back tomorrow, and until then, I would be longing for the last kiss he gave me before his goodbye.
Chapter Two
I got home from work early, the sun blazing brightly in the sky as I unlocked my front door and walked inside. I went into the kitchen at set my bags of groceries on the table, taking out the two bottles of wine and sliding them in the fridge to chill. Like every night, Damian was supposed to arrive at sunset.
I planned on surprising him with dinner tonight. He lived off blood, but he could eat ‘human’ food—as he called it. It provided no nutritional value for him, but he once told me he enjoyed eating it because it reminded him of his former life. A life he never spoke to me about.
I knew he would ask me to join him tonight, the same question he asked me every night, and as much as I loved him, as much as I wanted to be with him, the very idea of immortality frightened me. I couldn’t lie to myself. It was getting harder and harder to deny him. I wouldn’t—couldn’t expect anyone to understand. After all, weren’t vampires supposed to be myth and fable?
Although, I never met another vampire, I knew they were out there, walking besides us and acting ‘mortal.’ The town I lived in was only thirty minutes north of Denver; a city that I knew was filled with those sexual creatures that everyone thought was just in horror tales.
I finished putting away the groceries, the meal I planned on making him, light yet tasteful. I stopped at the lingerie store on my way home, wanting to wear something special for Damian tonight, even though I knew he liked me in nothing at all. I always wanted to tease him, but whenever he came to me, his presence was so powerful, so potent, I was never able to stick to my initial plan.
****
The table was set to perfection, the wine uncorked and waiting. I had a little bit of time before my lover came. I took a hot shower, got myself ready, and walked into my bedroom. I let the towel slip from my body as I stood at the foot of my bed, looking down at the naughty pieces I choose for tonight. They were racy, something that I would never dream of wearing, but knowing he would love them. Of course they would be under my white dress, the repetitive piece of clothing I wore because it made me feel so innocent around him, so feminine against his raw masculinity.
I slipped on the white lace panties, so delicate and thin it felt like I wore nothing at all. The lace rubbed against my bare flesh, my labia’s sensitized as the material slid sensuously over them. The corset was next to go on, the same white lacy and transparent material as the panties, leaving nothing to the imagination and making me feel wanton and sexy. I laced up the back, the boning in the front smoothing everything out and making me display an hourglass figure.
I walked over and looked at myself in the mirror, my nipples the first thing I noticed as I looked at my reflection. They stood erect and dark against the white material—wickedly erotic. I slipped on my white sleeveless dress, very simple compared to what I had on underneath. I usually went naked under the dress, but I wanted to surprise him tonight.
****
I looked out the French doors, the sun starting its slow descent below the mountains. My heart started to pound in the same wild rhythm it always right before he came to me. I looked at myself once more and headed downstairs, standing by the front door, knowing he would arrive any minute.
I closed my eyes as his knock sounded on the wood, the noise always making me shivering with excitement and arousal. I opened the door, his features obscured by the shadows, yet powerful and intense. My breathing picked up as I stepped aside and invited him in.
He immediately wrapped me up in an embrace, his lips seeking out mine while his hand cradled my head. That first kiss of the night was filled with longing and desire, something that always left me breathless and wanting more. His tongue slid along the seam of my mouth, tempting me to open for him. His other hand slid along my back, resting at the base of my spine and bringing me closer.
I pressed my palms against his chest and pushed back. He immediately stopped and looked down at me, not with anger, but with love. I knew his power was immense, but he let me push him away, let me control how far I wanted things to go. I took his hand and led him into the kitchen, the candles softly glowing on the table, the light casting a prism of color across the wine glasses and setting the room in a dreamlike state.
“You did this for me?”
I nodded, a smile covering my lips at how pleased he looked and sounded.
“You. Are. Amazing.”
There was awe in his voice and I walked towards him, wrapped my arms around his waist, and stood on my toes to give him a gentle kiss on the lips. He was always so gracious, so wonderful in how he praised me, how he let me know what an incredible person I was.
“I don’t deserve you.”
He dipped his head and kissed me again, his tongue slipping easily inside my mouth and stoking every inch he could reach. I became wet immediately—my cream saturating my new lace panties, and making me press my thighs together. We broke the kiss and he held the chair out for me.
He took his seat across from mine, his gaze never leaving mine as he smiled at me. I stared at him, his short dark hair always stylishly disheveled, his dark eyes raking over the bodice of my dress and causing my nipples to stand erect. If he kept looking at me like that, I didn’t know if I could last through dinner.
****
I brought the wine glass to my lips, the warm, red liquid sliding down my throat as I stared at Damian. He leaned against the chair, watching me intently as his finger ran in small circles over the bottom of his glass. This was my second glass of wine, and already I was feeling the effect of the alcohol. I felt warm and relaxed, my erogenous zones seeming to spark and flutter with arousal. My brain was a little fuzzy, but that was good, it would give me the courage I needed for what I was about to do.
I finished my wine and stood, keeping my eyes on him as I walked around the table and stood in front of him. He turned in his chair so that he faced me, his eyes half lidded, his hands clenched tightly on his thighs. I could easily see his erection strain against his pants, the length and girth evident through the material, and causing my clit to tingle with awareness. He licked his lips and moved his eyes down my body, a deep growl coming out of his throat.
“You are so beautiful. You steal the very air from my lungs.”
I swallowed and brought my hands behind my back, taking hold of the zipper and sliding it down. As my dress dropped to the ground, his mouth parted, his canines lengthening right in front of my eyes. The sight of those twin fangs always did something to me, made me so aroused it was almost unbearable.
His gaze dropped to my breasts, my nipples growing hard under his intense stare. He did a slow caress with his eyes down my stomach and stopping at my pussy. I knew he could see it was bare through the transparent material, and it excited me. His breathing became quick and shallow, his hands going to his pants and undoing the button before dragging the zipper down.
“Turn around, Izabella.”
His voice was so rough and lust filled that I didn’t dream of disobeying him. I turned around, knowing his eyes were on my ass, and feeling his hand slide over my bare skin. I shivered and he growled. I looked over my shoulder, surprised as I watched him remove his cock from its confines and start to stroke it from root to tip. It was long and as thick as my wrist, the head bright red as a drop of clear fluid seeped out of the tip.
“Take the panties off.”
I turned back around and slipped my finger under the edge of my panties, ever so slowly sliding them down. I bent at the waist, knowing he could easily see my bare pussy lips and the wetness that coated them. He groaned, his hand gripping my waist and pulling me backwards. I stepped out of the thong and backed up, his hands grabbing my hips and pulling me down on his lap.
He stopped me before I sat on him, his finger slipping along my folds and running a small circle over my clit. I moaned and closed my eyes, pleasure already a slow burn inside of me. He pulled me down, the hot, big head of his erection pressing at my core. He pushed up gently, the tip of his cock going in easily and stretching me wide. He lowered me down, my vagina taking all of his hard, thick inches. The pleasure/pain made me gasp in delight and I closed my eyes. When he was fully seated inside of me, we both groaned, my pussy clenching around his shaft and bringing our pleasure up another notch.
“Ride me, Izabella.”
I did just that, slowly rose up until the tip of him was poised at my entrance, and than pushed back down until I felt his cock touch my cervix. My inner walls were stretched tight, his dick filling me completely. Soon those slow and easy strokes became quick and hard. My cream coated his cock, making it a smooth and slippery ride.
His hips pushed up every time I slammed down on his erection, causing me to suck in my breath as my orgasm approached. He rested his head on my back as I continued to ride him, his hands clenching and unclenching against my hips and driving me wild. I was so close—my climax just a breath away.
“Is tonight the night, my love? Will you join me?”
I didn’t answer, couldn’t as my orgasm crashed through me and had my pussy clenching in pleasure. He groaned hard behind me, his teeth raking over my shoulder and up the side of my neck—his fangs piercing my skin effortlessly.
That one bite always made my climax more intense, starting a domino effect inside of me that was never ending. His hands gripped my waist tightly, his legs tensing beneath me as I felt his hot seed shoot out of him and coat my womb. His cum was hot and thick, exploding out of him as my body took it all. I could feel him sucking at my neck, could hear him swallow my blood as both of our bodies finally relaxed.
****
I got off of him, his cock sliding out of me with ease and making me feel empty and cold. I pulled my panties up and turned around, watching as he zipped up his pants and stood. I saw sadness on his face that I know he tried to hide. I know how much he wanted me to join him—to become like him so that we would never part.
“My Izabella, such thoughts you think. I love you more than anything in this world. I should have patience, but as long as I’ve lived, I was never able to acquire that particular virtue.”
He slid his finger down my cheek and over my lips, leaving a trail of tingling warmth that he kissed away. He broke the kiss and pulled me close, placing his hand behind my head and pulling me against his chest. He kissed the top of my head, so soft and gentle it brought tears to my eyes.
“Do you hear my heart beating?”
I nodded, that strong and steady rhythm calming me every time I heard it.
“It beat’s for you—only you.”
He stepped back and cradled my face in his hands, kissing my forehead and the tip of my nose before laying a gentle one on my lips. It was always that last kiss that broke my heart, always that last kiss that made me want to beg him to stay with me. I knew even if I found the courage to speak the words, he wouldn’t. I didn’t know where he went when he left, but I never asked and he never told me. “I love you Damian.”
“I love you too, Izabella.”
****
I watched him leave, the wind whipping against his clothes, the moon casting its ethereal glow across his skin. I wish I knew where he went, why he always left me. Was it punishment for not letting him change me? I felt bad for even thinking such thoughts, because I knew that wasn’t the case. He loved me as much as I loved him, but it was still hard to see him leave each and every night. I needed to make a decision, because it was getting harder and harder to resist.
Chapter Three
Tonight I stood on my front porch, watching as the golden sun sunk below the horizon, bathing everything in crystalline hues of pink, orange and yellow. The air was chilly but that was alright because it made me feel alive. I wrapped my arms around myself, goose bumps forming on my skin and making me shiver. I smelled him before I saw him, that dark and heady fragrance that clung to him like a second skin. I closed my eyes and inhaled, my sex becoming wet and my nipples growing hard.
I felt his breath along the back of my neck, his lips running a smooth path along my flesh and resting at my pulse. It didn’t startle me that he was behind me. I was aroused from the fact, excited at how stealthy he was. His thick and heavy coat wrapped around me, the leather dark and saturated with his very male scent.
“I missed you, Izabella.”
His breath teased my ear, his tongue tantalizing my flesh. I sucked in air, closing my eyes and moaning as he continued to seduce my senses.
“I want to take you somewhere tonight.”
He turned me around, framing my face with his big hands and kissing me so quickly I hadn’t even had time to open my eyes. His tongue ran along the seam of my lips before slipping inside and filling my mouth with his exquisite taste. “Oh, Damian.” I breathed out his name when he broke the kiss, my heart beating so fast I knew he could hear it.
He stared down at me, his eyes so dark under the moonlight that I would have feared him if I hadn’t known how much he loved me. “Should I change?” I wore a strapless white chiffon dress that fell to my knees—nothing fancy. My feet were bare which I regretted as the cold air brushed along them.
He took a step back, his eyes roaming up and down my body and heating me further. He shook his head, a small smile playing on his full lips.
“No, you are perfect just as you are.”
****
I stepped out of my house, shutting my front door with a light click and blinking a few times. In my driveway sat a black Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster. Damian wrapped his hand around my waist and led me to the car, my heels clicking on the pavement and seeming deafening to my ears. The car was flashy, so impressive I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t big on cars mind you, but even I could appreciate a piece of machinery like this.
He held the door open for me and I slipped in, the leather greeting me like smooth butter. He was seated in the driver seat in the next second, a smile on his face as he pulled out of the driveway. I wrapped my shawl around my shoulders tighter and leaned my head back as he speed away. I didn’t know where he was talking me, but he assured me it was something I would never forget.
The trees were a blur beside me, the car moving so fast it was like it wasn’t moving at all. The road was a continuous black hole, as if we were floating and there was nothing below us. He turned the radio on and soft classical notes filled the air. I always became sad when I listened to this type of music, the piano and violins almost crying as they played their song of sorrow. He slowed to a more ‘normal’ speed and made several turns onto dirt roads.
A modest sized brick house came into view, no lights on surrounding it or inside of it which creeped me out a little. I shifted in my seat, everything in my body screaming at me that this wasn’t a good place to be. “Damian?” I trusted him with my life, but this house didn’t seem right.
“You trust me don’t you Izabella?”
“Yes.” I said it instantly, knowing that he would never allow anything to harm me, but unable to control my bodies reaction to the house. He pulled around to the back and I was surprised to see many other expensive cars were parked there. He pulled next to a snow white BMW and turned the car off. We sat there in silence for a minute, my heart still racing wildly as I stared at him. “Where are we?”
****
“It’s called, Il buio che scende sulla terra.”
His words were spoken softly, yet beautifully. “What does that mean?”
“It’s Italian, and roughly translated means, ‘The darkness that falls upon the Earth.’”
I shivered as his spoke the words, something about what he said chilling me to my very bones. He turned and looked at me, a smile playing across his lips as he captured my hand and brought it to his mouth. His lips were warm and soft against my flesh, and I couldn’t help the way my body came alive when he touched me. My pussy became wet and tingled, clenching and unclenching with the need to be filled by him.
He got out of the car and opened my door before I even had time to turn around in my seat. I didn’t know if I would ever get used to the things he could do. He held my hand in his strong grasp, leading me to the backdoor that looked a little worse for wear. “What is this place?” We stopped on the porch, Damian turning me around and bringing me close to his body.
“Do you know how much I love you?” He stroked my hair softly, his other hand on my lower back and pressing me closer to the bulge that I could easily feel on my stomach.
“I know, and I love you too.” The door opened on its own accord and I took a step back, instinctively going behind Damian’s back for protection. He chuckled softly and I looked into his face. I wasn’t going to lie; I loved his big, strong body, loved how he protected me and made me feel safe.
“You’re safe here, my love. I promise.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and we stepped into the darkness the greeted us like an old lover.
****
I couldn’t see anything. The darkness was so thick that not even the moonlight pierced through it. My heart beat a little faster and I breathed a calm breath when candles flared to life. I don’t know what I expected, but I certainly didn’t expect a country style home. It reminded me of my grandmother’s house that I used to visit in the summer. She lived in Steamboat Springs, out in the ‘sticks’ and away from anything modern.
Even though the house had looked vacant for many years on the outside, the inside spoke of the opposite. It was clean and dust free, the furniture and pictures seeming ‘normal.’ “What are we doing here, and what is this place?”
“It’s where I go sometimes—to visit with old friends. Although, it has been a long time since I’ve been here.”
I looked up at him with wide eyes, not knowing if this was such a good idea. I didn’t know why he wanted to bring me to a place like this, but I knew Damian wouldn’t do anything unintentional. He led me to a white painted door off to the side and opened it. Stone steps greeted us as well as candelabra’s that lined the wall to illuminate out descent. I immediately heard the deep rhythmic beat of music filter up from the steps, and idly wondered how thick the walls were that I hadn’t heard it earlier.
He kept hold of my hand, leading me down the steps until we finally reached the bottom. We stood in front of another door, one that was polished metal and looked thick. I turned and looked up the steps, no longer able to see the white painted door. I didn’t know how far we had gone down, but the air felt colder and more distant somehow.
I looked up at Damian, his attention on me, his eyes half lidded as he dipped his head and kissed me softly. The kiss became heated, and I wondered what an odd time to become aroused. Here I was, standing at the bottom of steps that led to hell for all I knew, and I was in a deep and passionate kiss with my vampire lover. I was excited, so aroused that my whole body was tingling and all of my erogenous zones were awake. He broke the kiss, his fangs bigger and longer as they pressed against his bottom lip. They got that way when he was aroused…I loved it.
“We’ll finish that later.”
I swallowed at his deeply aroused words, knowing he would follow through with that promise. He pushed the door open and I stood there staring into oblivion.
****
I blindly followed him in, the door slamming shut behind me and startling me. This place was a club—a club that put a whole new meaning to dark and erotic. A bar stood in front of us; black lighting illuminating the backdrop and showcasing various bottles filled with dark liquid. None of the bottles had labels, and they all looked old—very old.
Tables were set up around the room, along with chaises and seating that looked remarkably like small beds. Everything was painted dark—deep reds, blacks and grays that covered the walls, chairs and tables. I didn’t know how vampires partied, but this is what I would have imagined. A small chandelier hung from the center of the room, tiny candles set into it and giving the room a soft, almost romantic glow. The chandelier seemed out of place.
Music pounded through me, filling the room with deep and rhythmic notes that matched the club’s atmosphere to perfection. There was no one around, and even though I was a little apprehensive about being in a vampire club, I kind of wanted to see them.
“Would you like something to drink?”
Damian’s words were spoken close to my ear and I nodded. I stayed where I was as I watched him go behind the bar and pull out a bottle from under the counter. It was a bottle of red wine, the only bottle that I had seen thus far that actually had a label. He poured the red liquid into a glass and brought it over to me. I took a sip while I stared into his eyes. “Aren’t you having anything?” The look he gave me after I said that had me shivering in delight.
“What I want is right in front of me.”
His words shot straight to my clit and had it throbbing with need. I looked around again, still not seeing anyone and surprised with myself that I wanted him as desperately as I did at that moment.
He took a step forward and I a step back. This tango of movements continued until I felt the cold velvet covered wall greet my back. He took the glass out of my hand and set it on a table, his other hand smoothing up my arm and cupping the side of my face. His mouth descended on my neck and I tilted my head in offering.
He laved his tongue against my skin as his other hand cupped my breast. He ran his thumb over my stiffened nipple while he nipped and teased the hollow of my throat. I was never an exhibitionist, but with Damian’s presence and the whole atmosphere of this dark place, it had me wanting to do things I never thought I would. I couldn’t control myself—didn’t want to even try. I didn’t care that anyone could see us—it actually turned me on, made me wetter.
“I want you so bad Izabella.”
I shivered at his deep voice and gasped as I felt the sharp points of his fangs press against my throat. He didn’t pierce my flesh, just ran those twin fangs up and down, his tongue laving at the tingle his teeth caused. His hand smoothed down my belly and rested on top of my mound. I could feel my pulse beat rapidly in my clit and I thrust my hips against his hand. He grabbed the hem of my dress and slowly inched it up, all the while kissing and sucking at my throat.
His hand slipped under my dress, moving along my inner thigh, and running along the edge of my lace panties. I shivered from the intensity of that simple touch.
“Spread your legs.”
I did just that, not even about to disobey him. He slipped his finger under my panties and groaned against my neck as he was greeted with my wetness. His finger moved up and down my slit, teasing my clit before sliding back down and slipping into my soaking pussy. He pumped his finger in and out of me slowly, gradually picking up his speed as he breathed heavily against my skin.
I was so close, my orgasm building and building until I could almost taste it. That was when I felt his fangs pierce my neck. I arched my back, thrusting my breasts against his chest as my climax tore through me. I felt Damian pulling at my neck, felt him sucking my blood, and heard as he swallowed it. All my senses were alive and pleasure filled. I clenched around his finger, my pussy pulsing out of control as my orgasm continued to burn through me.
Just as my climax ended, Damian licked the wound he caused and brought his lips to mine. I tasted my blood, a coppery taste that filled my mouth as he stroked his tongue along mine. I turned me on more.
He broke the kiss, sliding his mouth along my jaw and kissing the other side of my neck. I opened my eyes and gasped at all of the people—vampires that stood only a few feet away and watched us. A tall and heavily muscled man stepped through the throng of bodies, clapping as he smiled widely, long and thick fangs showing in all their glory.
Chapter Four
I looked over Damian’s shoulder, my face becoming hot as I stared at all of the faces watching us. None of them were smiling except the impossibly tall man that was clapping. Damian turned around, keeping me behind his back as he took a step forward. The air was thick as the two of them stared at each other. I was very aware that vampires watched me intently, my face growing hotter and hotter at the thought of what they had just witnessed.
“It has been to long, Damian.” The stranger stepped forward, his lips peeled back in a wide smile, his fangs evident in the dim light.
“Yes, it has, Markus.”
The man named Markus took another step forward, extending his arm and waiting for Damian to take it. There was a suspended moment of awkwardness, but then Damian took the offering. The two men gripped forearms, and I got the distinct impression that they had known each other for ages.
The people—the vampires—turned away from us and I instantly became relieved. The power that circulated through the room was almost suffocating, and I knew that just one of them could snap me in half with just a flick of their wrist.
It was a frightening and sobering thought.
The music continued to pulsate in deep verses as the vampires milled around as if nothing was amiss. They drank, talked, and laughed with each other, and as I watched them, I realized that it was almost “normal” behavior. I don’t know how I thought they would behave, but it wasn’t what I was observing.
Markus gestured for us to follow him and I grabbed Damian’s hand for support. He gave it a reassuring squeeze and led us through the throng of bodies. My bare arms and legs would brush against their skin, and the iciness of those touches seeped down to my very bones.
“You’re a pretty little thing aren’t you?”
“So fresh and alive.”
Their whispered voices seemed to wrap around me, but maybe it was all in my head because Damian didn’t seem to hear them.
Their seductive words continued to crawl through my brain; raising my hackles and making me feel very exposed. I was thankful when we headed down a wide hallway and everyone seemed to fade away.
****
The carpet beneath my heels was a blood red, a stark contrast to the deep colors of the previous room. There were doors lined up on either side of us, all closed and absolutely no sound coming through the thick, polished wood. I shivered as I thought about what could be behind those doors.
Markus took a left and we walked down another hallway. I wondered exactly how big this place was. He stopped in front of a polished steel door, pushing it open and gesturing for us to enter. Damian went first as Markus stood next to the open doorway. As I followed Damian and passed Markus, I noticed the slight movement of Markus leaning in. It was at that exact moment, only a tenth of a second that I heard him inhale. I hurried inside, my heart beating a frantic rhythm.
Markus shut the door and walked past us, sitting behind the large oak desk that sat across from the door.
“You smell so sweet, Izabella.”
I swallowed and looked into Markus’s eyes, knowing without a doubt he had just spoken to me in my mind. I looked at Damian, my vampire lover not even aware of what was happening. I looked back at Markus, a smile on his face as he stared at Damian and gestured for us to take a seat.
****
The vampires at this club seemed so different than Damian, so cold and distant—so bloodthirsty. I still didn’t know why he had brought me here, but I knew before the night was over with, I would get my answers one way or another.
Markus was quiet as he leaned back in his seat and folded his hands on his desk. I let my curiosity get the better of me and let my eyes roam over him. Even sitting he was a large man, not as tall as Damian, but packing more muscle mass. His dark hair hung loosely around his shoulders, and even though his skin was pale, it held a hint of an olive undertone.
His eyes were so dark I couldn’t distinguish the pupils from the irises. The crisp black button down shirt he wore was tight around all of his muscles, the first few buttons at the top left undone that showed off his thick, pale neck and upper chest. The light glinted off the pinkie ring he wore with such clarity it was blinding.
The ring was a large single ruby set in a gold band. As if he knew how much I was observing him, he cleared his throat and started speaking.
“What brings you by after so long, my friend?”
I looked over at Damian, our hands still entertained as he leaned lazily back against his chair.
“I wanted my female to see a different aspect of our life.”
The way Damian said ‘my’ was almost a warning. It sent shivers down my spine but I pushed the feeling away, focusing on what he was saying.
“Our life?” Markus’s voice held amusement, but under that I could hear a little resentment.
I looked between the two of them, Damian’s jaw tense, Markus relaxed and looking bored.
“You know why I had to leave.”
Markus leaned fully back in his chair. “Do I?”
I had no idea what was going on between them, but the tension in the air suddenly shot up.
“Now, now, let us not talk of things from the past. I am pleased you have come by. Are we not old friend, Damiano?” He smiled lazily. “You are a dear friend of mine, and I am pleased that you have taken the time to bring Izabella here.”
Neither Damian nor I had ever told Markus my name, but if he really had spoke to me in my head, I had no doubts that he could easily pluck the information out of my mind.
Damian looked back at me, as if he were trying to convey his worry for me through his eyes. I gave him a smile and squeezed his hand.
“Why have you really brought your mate here, Damiano?”
“I told you, I wanted her to see this aspect of our life.”
Markus clicked his tongue and leaned in. “How easily you forget after all of these years. I can simply go into your mind and see what the truth is if I choose it.” He smiled widely and I could see Damian tense beside me through my peripheral vision.
“You could, but I thought you were a better male than that.”
Markus chuckled, his dark eyes showing a small sign of a happier time in his life. “Ah, my dear friend, you know my loyalty is above all else. How could I invade your privacy when I can easily see your intentions on your features? You forget, I have many more years on you, and so I am more attuned to those around me.” He chuckled again, and then sobered up completely. “Your secrets are safe with me, Damian.”
****
I looked over at Damian after Markus spoke, wondering immediately what secrets my vampire lover held from me. Although I did not know how old he truly was, I knew he must have led an extraordinary life, and therefore was entitled to a few hidden secrets. I couldn’t lie though; knowing he kept something from me, something that Markus felt he needed to point out had my heart lurching in my chest.
I jumped as Markus suddenly clapped his hands, my action causing him to laugh that deep and rich sound again.
“I’m sorry my dear, I did not mean to startle you.” He stood and held his hand out to me. “If it would please you, I would be honored if you would let me accompany you on a tour of my establishment.”
I looked at Damian and then at Markus’s outstretched hand. I slowly reached my hand out to take his and heard Damian’s low, but very audible growl beside me. Markus chuckled again and I looked into his dark gaze. He held his hands up, palms out in front as he looked at Damian.
“No harm done, my friend. I understand no one is to touch what’s yours.” Markus looked back at me and smiled as he walked past us and held the door open for us to exit.
Damian and I stood and went out the door, and again, I swore I heard Markus inhale as I walked by him, but I sure as hell wasn't going to check. We went down the long and wide hallway, stopping behind Markus as he stood in front of the nearest closed door.
He looked over his shoulder at Damian. “You want her to have the tour?”
I didn’t know why he was asking Damian that question. I was right there and could have easily answered, but I wasn’t about to point that out. Damian nodded and Markus smiled broadly. He then brought his gaze to mine, still looking over his shoulder, and pushed the door open.
Immediately I smelled a sweet aroma and could see hundreds of candles lit as I peered over Markus’s shoulder. He walked in and we followed. My mouth dropped open as I took in the seen around me.
****
Ten plush looking beds were pushed against the walls, five on each side of me. Silk adorned the beds, rose petals layered on the soft material and along the flooring. That sweet scent, I now realized, was the smell of the rose petals saturating the air. The room itself was beautiful with the Roman inspired pillars and decorations, but what had my mouth hanging open were the bodies on the beds.
Two, three, even four naked bodies were gyrating on those beds, their skin sweat soaked and their soft moans filling the air. They didn’t stop as we walked in a little further. I felt like a voyeur, but I couldn’t not look.
The male bodies were honed to perfection, the females delicate and fragile looking compared to their male counterparts. Each one of them had skin as creamy as milk, and I knew I was watching vampires fuck.
It hypnotized and mesmerized me.
I automatically followed Markus as he led us to one of the beds. Three bodies were intertwined together, two males and one female. The female straddled one of the males, her hips thrusting up and down on his erect cock, their combined juices saturating their skin. Her large, yet pert breasts bounced up and down, her mouth filled with the other males cock. Her head moved in time with her hips, the male thrusting in and out of her hungry mouth as she moaned around his flesh.
I felt myself getting warm, felt my sex tingling and becoming as wet as the female that greedily took two males into her. I was suddenly aware that Damian watched me; I could feel his eyes on me. I tore my gaze from the scene before me, staring into Damian’s heated gaze and suddenly wishing I could have him right then and there.
I don’t know what got into me. Maybe it was the smell of those rose petals, or the sound of the moaning, or maybe it was as elementary as those bodies grinding against each other and seeking out their pleasure. Whatever it was, it made me hot as hell.
“How about we look at another room?”
We followed Markus out of the room, and I wanted to inquire if this place was some kind of vampire sex club. I couldn’t find my voice though. Not after what I had just witnessed in there and not after the look Damian had given me.
He stopped several doors down, and I wondered what was behind each of these doors. Where they all sex rooms? Were they all filled with pale bodies fucking each other? Now that I was in more “clean” air my head started to clear and my body cooled—slightly.
He pushed open the next door and I had to squint my eyes to try and penetrate the darkness. I gripped onto Damian’s arm and he brought me close to his body, whispering how everything was okay. As we entered the room, the light from the hallway and the dimly lit wall candelabras filtered through the room and added some brightness to the shadows. I gasped, not used to seeing the kind of equipment that hung from the ceiling, walls, and beds.
****
Whereas the room before had been soft and light, this one screamed of dominance and darkness. Leather clad bodies grunted and swore as the scent of sex permeated the air. One woman wore a leather outfit that covered her entire body including her head. It had slits for her mouth and nose, her vagina, and her breasts.
She was tired to the wall, her arms above her head and her exposed breasts thrusted forward with her dark nipples engorged. Her legs were spread wide and tied to the wall so that her pussy was open and exposed. A man stood in front of her, only wearing pair of leather pants and holding a whip. He too had pale skin and it was a stark contrast to the black leather he wore.
He paced in front of the woman, her body withering and moans coming from her mouth even though he hadn’t touched her. I jumped as he cracked the whip against the floor, the sound loud and making the woman moan louder. I could see her sex becoming wetter and wetter, and even though I probably would never do this myself, the very act of watching it turned me.
The man suddenly dropped to his knees in front of her exposed pussy. Whip thrown aside, he took his fingers and spread her lips wide, showing off her pink inner labia and her stiff clit. From our angle off to the side, I was able to watch with crystal clarity the acts he was doing to her.
His tongue slid along her folds, lapping at the moisture he caused and swallowing it hungrily. He opened his mouth and I gripped Damian’s arm tighter as his long fangs flashed white in the darkness. Even though she wore leather pants, the material was far enough down her leg that a part of her inner thigh showed. He licked and sucked at that exposed skin, the woman above him thrusting her hips and groaning for more.
Like a snake going after its prey, the man bit down on the woman’s inner thigh, a trail of blood escaping the side of his mouth and running down her leg. Their twin moans coursed through the air and I looked away. I wasn’t scared of what I witnessed; I was frightened because of my reaction to it. Damian bit me all the time, and as erotic as it was, as pleasurable as he made it, there was something very different about watching it done to someone else.
My nipples were stiff peaks rubbing against my shirt; my clit was throbbing and engorged as I pictured the acts I had seen tonight. As if Markus new I had enough of this room, he ushered us out and led us to another room. Although I knew I needed to question why I was being shown all of these things, I couldn’t seem to find my voice. I took a deep breath as Markus gave me a long look before he pushed open the next door.
Even though he blocked my view, I could easily see the bright lights spill out of the room. I looked at Damian, his full attention on me as he brought his hand up and ran his finger over my cheek.
“This is the real reason I brought you here. I realize I am selfish, and because of that, I want you to see—if you were to choose me—how it would happen.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead and I wanted to smooth the worry away from his face. “What you about to see will seal your decision on being with me—that I have no doubt of.” He kissed me once more and I turned back towards Markus, utterly confused as to what was happening.
Markus had a strange look on his face as he watched Damian, almost a look of awe. “You love her that much that you would give her the choice?”I looked between the two of them, Damian looking back at me and smiling gently.
“I would give my life for her. Giving her the choice is the only way her heart will truly be mine.”
With that, Markus moved out of the way and let me see exactly what was hidden in that room. The scene before me had me gasping as I covered my mouth with my hand.
Chapter Five
A small podium was set up in the middle of the room, a woman lying naked on it, her flesh the color of peaches and cream. Vampires sat around the podium, their skin pale and luminescent, the glasses of red liquid they held a startling contrast. I knew right away the woman on the table was a human.
Her breathing was quick and shallow, her stomach rising and falling from the force of it. Her breasts were large and round, her nipples a dusky rose colored that almost seemed too dark for her creamy skin. Her hands were tied above her head, further thrusting her breasts out, every movement she made making the soft mounds jiggle and sway.
I stepped further into the room, aware that Damian was right behind me. He didn’t speak, just gave me time to understand what was going on—whatever that was. The vampires didn’t pay any attention to me as I followed Markus to three empty seats in the front row. I sat down, opting for the one towards the end as Damian took the one opposite to me. From my position, I could easily see the woman’s pussy, the curls surrounding it trimmed and the color of her auburn hair.
Now that I was closer, I could hear the soft mewling noises she made and saw just how wet her vagina really was. The curls surrounding her labia were saturated with her juices and making them look a dark red as she opened her legs wider. I swallowed, feeling very out of place as I looked towards Damian. He was watching me with intent, no doubt trying to gauge my reaction.
I had originally thought they planned on torturing this woman, biting her neck and draining her blood. They were vampires after all, and the woman was clearly a human. Now though, I could easily see that whatever was planned for this woman excited her.
****
I stared straight ahead, not knowing what to expect. My heart was beating a mile a minute and my palms were sweaty. Everything was quiet, the only noise filling the room coming from the moaning woman on the table. I looked at Damian again, could see how tense his jaw was and how rigid he held himself.
“What’s going on?” He turned and looked at me, his dark eyes almost seeming haunted. He didn’t answer me for several minutes and I looked down as I felt him take my hand in a gentle embrace. “Why did you bring me here, Damian?”
He closed his eyes for a moment and breathed out. Opening them once again, he gave my hand a light squeeze. “I wanted to show you what this life, what my life is really like. I am a vampire Izabella, a killer and a predator. I don’t pretend I’m not selfish in asking you to join me, but I wanted to, no, needed you to see what all that entails.”
I stared at him for a suspended moment but didn’t say anything. The lights dimmed and I brought my attention back to the woman, her breathing more erratic now. She knew what was coming, I could tell by the way her pulse beat frantically in her neck. I watched that rhythmic pounding, almost becoming hypnotized by how fast it was going—knowing how excited she must be. I don’t know how I knew this, but as I watched her, I could almost sense the untamed arousal and anticipation she felt. It seemed to coat the air, sweeten and saturate the room and making me dizzy and lightheaded.
A door opened in the corner and a man walked out. He wore a long black robe, his skin so pale compared to the dark material. I didn’t need to see his fangs to know he was a vampire, the air just seemed to electrify with his power and strength that only one of those creatures possessed.
He walked slowly towards the podium, his movements like a predator, slow and precise, stalking his prey and waiting for the right moment to strike. His eyes were on the tied up woman, her body so still, but her breathing still erratic. I saw Damian move closer to me, knew he was just as uncomfortable as I was. I didn’t know what was planned, but I wasn’t stupid enough not to know that whatever I saw tonight would forever change me.
****
My heart was beating a mile a minute as I watched Markus move out of his seat and walk over to the robed vampire. They spoke in hushed tones that probably only the woman and I couldn’t hear. Markus turned around and smiled at everyone, his wicked long fangs looking extremely sharp and very menacing. His smile was anything but pleasant.
“Welcome brothers and sisters to Auldric’s mating ceremony.” He swept his hand behind him to the robbed man.
My breath stopped as I turned and looked at Damian. I could see how tense his jaw was, the muscle beneath his alabaster skin ticking as he slowly looked my way. My eyes were wide as the extent of what we were doing here finally sunk in—Damian wanting me to see what happened when a human was changed into a vampire.
I swallowed roughly, my throat so dry that it felt as if I were swallowing sand. “I can’t.”
“You can, and you must.” He looked so haunted, like he was in physical pain.
I was scared.
I wasn’t frightened so much by what was actually going to happen, but more so the meaning behind it all. I remembered Damian telling me that turning a human could be done out of love, but also out of torture. I hadn’t asked to go into the whole torture aspect of it, knowing it best if he kept something’s to himself. I hadn’t had to ask about the love portion though, knowing that if he were to ever change me it would only be done out of love and caring.
There were many factors keeping me from letting him change me, my mortality the biggest one of all. The very idea of watching everyone die around me, of actually seeing the world change right before my eyes was still something I didn’t know if I could handle. I loved Damian with all my heart, and the fact that he had brought me here made my love grow. I knew that he wanted to show me everything, that even though I may never want to be apart of that kind of life, he was showing me nonetheless, letting me decide my fate for myself.
It was a powerful thing actually, knowing that a man—a fearsome creature—one that could easily control me was giving me all the power to decide, as if he couldn’t crush me beneath his very fingers.
I still stared into his eyes, slowly smiling at him and letting him know without words that I knew what he was doing was out of love, and that even though I was so very frightened, I knew he would protect me above all else.
Of course he could read me, as if my body language had spoken out loud. He seemed to relax, giving me a tentative smile as he lifted his hand and cupped my cheek. The ever-present electricity that I felt when he touched me traveled through my body, calming me and burning me at the same time. He brought his lips to mine and kissed me tenderly, so opposite compared to where we were and who we were around.
****
He broke the kiss and I turned and watched Auldric step towards the woman.He unlaced the sash and the robe fell to the floor like ink spilling out of a bottle. I knew my eyes were wide as I stared at his naked form. I thought Damian’s cock was huge, but as I let my gaze travel to the erection that strained out of a nest of trimmed black hair, I swallowed, suddenly feeling worry for the woman.
Auldric was positively monstrous. His cock was long, easily ten inches in length, the girth as thick as my wrist. His body was ripped, not as heavily muscled like Damian’s but more so like a swimmer, all defined and toned sinew and tendons. His concentration was completely on the woman, his fangs so big and long they pricked his bottom lip.
I honestly had no idea how she was going to take all of him into her.
Auldric walked to the foot of the table, no more than ten feet in front of me. Damian grabbed my hand, squeezing it gently and lending me his strength. Auldric grabbed the woman’s ankles and slowly pulled them apart, her pussy lips spreading open and showing her pink flesh that had been hidden. I swallowed, my heart beating frantically has Auldric knelt and stared at her slit a moment before he attached his mouth to her pussy with fervor.
His tongue flattened out, sliding along her slick folds until she was bucking on the table. Her hips rose up to meet his wandering tongue, her clit swelling right in front of me as I watched Auldric pull her labia apart even more with his fingers and stab his tongue into her clenching hole.
The room was eerily quiet, all of the faces like stone as they watched the scene before them. I shifted in my seat, unable to deny the way I became wet at the sexual acts that were being preformed right in front of me.
Auldric stood several minutes later, gripping his shaft in one had as his other finger stabbed into her hole fiercely. I could see how wet the woman was, the liquid that came out of her clear and glistening, coating her lips and sliding down her ass. Her clit stood out, red and swollen, the same state as her nipples. The areolas were a deep red, the nipples elongated, sticking out as if seeking his mouth.
I could see pre-cum seeping out the slit at the tip of his dick, sliding down his long and thick shaft as he used it as lubricant to stroke himself. He let go of his erection, grabbing her nipples with his forefinger and thumb and pulling and pinching them. He spoke in a strange language, the woman whimpering and moaning, pleading with him to fuck her, to make her his forever.
My heart was beating so fast, my palms all sweaty from what I was watching. It was surreal in a sense, watching two people fuck and knowing by the time it was over one of them would be a mythological creature with immense strength and power.
Auldric leaned over her body and I thought he was going to slide that enormous cock into her, but he just rubbed it along her slit as he took her nipple in his mouth. He sucked and sucked and sucked, making the nub harder, longer. Her nipple stood out like a little thimble, so swollen, red and wet.
My mouth opened as I watched his fangs elongate more, watched him scrape them down her breast, his teeth easily sinking into her flesh as she screamed out. At first I thought she yelled out in pain, but I noticed how her cream gushed out of her and I realized she had just climaxed from it.
****
A trail of blood slipped down her skin, a small amount pooling into her belly button before he retracted his teeth and followed the trail of blood with his tongue. He lapped at the pooled blood, continuing down until his tongue was licking her clit, staining it red from the blood he had just consumed. His kissed her clitoris before making his way to the inside of her thigh, licking and nipping at her flesh, her hips thrusting wantonly out at him until he shoved two fingers into her. She threw her head back and groaned when he pierced her inner thigh, his mouth working and his cheeks hollowing as he sucked.
He opened his eyes and started right at me. His eyes changing from a light blue to a deep red—the most frightening thing I had seen thus far. He pulled away then, standing up and running his palms over her spread thighs. He grabbed his cock again ad pressed it at her entrance, her blood running down the side of his mouth like a scene in a movie.
“Tell me you want me. Tell me this is the life you want—to walk beside me for all eternity.” Auldric’s voice was a deep rumble as he spoke.
The woman whimpered and repeated what he wanted to hear, a smile on his face as he pushed the head of his shaft into her. Her opening stretched wide around the crown, her moans getting louder and louder with every thick inch he pumped into her. He held her thighs open, slamming the last several inches into her. She gasped and groaned, pushing her hips up to meet his.
In and out. In and out.
His hips were unrelenting as they worked his shaft in her sopping pussy. I could hear the sound of her suctioning vagina, heard the sound of their wet sex’s slapping together, getting closer and closer to an orgasm that thickened the air.
Auldric was breathing heavily; sweat starting to coat his pale skin as he thrust harder and quicker into her. He leaned over her body, his hand tilting her neck to the side as he ran the tips of his fangs over her throat. I watched in fascination as he pierced her tender neck, both of them groaning as his throat worked at swallowing her blood.
He drank and drank, the minutes ticking by as the woman’s movements became less noticeable, her pleas and sounds of pleasure stopping all together. Her skin turned an ashy white, the peaches and cream hue disappearing all together as he pulled away from her neck. Blood dripped down his lips and over his chin, making him look like a monster from a nightmare. He untied her hands and took the blindfold off. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was almost nonexistent.
I knew she was on the verge of death.
****
He lifted a hand and I watched with wide eyes as his nail elongated—the wicked looking claw slashing through his pectoral muscle until blood welled up and spilled over. He quickly lifted her up, her body limp, her eyes barely opening as he pressed her lips to his chest and urged her to drink.
I looked at Damian, afraid for the frail woman who might very well die in front of me. He looked at me with sad eyes, tilting his head to the side.
“Watch, Izabella.”
I turned back and watched, seeing now that the woman’s throat was slowly working, drinking the sustenance her vampire offered. Soon those slow and tentative swallows became more hurried, more frenzied. Her hands came up and gripped his biceps, his hips starting to pump into her again. She moaned against his flesh, her legs wrapping around his waist as he pistoned into her pussy. The color returned to her body almost to the point that she had become sunburned. He gently pushed her back, her mouth unwilling to give up the blood he offered—I could tell on her face, the way she moaned when her mouth was forced to unlatch from his chest.
She lay back and stared up at him with such devotion and love, her expression turning into ecstasy as Auldric threw his head back and roared out his release. His body was tense as he pumped his cum into her, her cry of release echoing his until she closed her eyes and let her limbs relax on the table. He pulled out of her, his semen slipping out of her pussy as her lips tilted into a small smile. He took several steps back and I wondered if that was all there was to it. It didn’t seem that bad, but then her smile of happiness faded and her eyes opened. Her brows knitted as her hands went to her stomach, her body curling inward as a cry of pain came out of her.
I wanted to go to her, to make sure she was okay, but Damian’s hand stopped me. I looked at him with wide eyes; his shaking head letting me know that there wasn’t anything I could do. I turned back and watched in horror as she screamed in agony, tears streaming down her face as her vampire lover came over to her and scooped her up, holding her tenderly even though she withered in pain.
It seemed like hours before her screams of pain stopped, but soon she was only whimpering, and then that too slowed and she opened her eyes. The position they were in letting me see the emotions covering her features—wonder, fascination, love. The red hue that had graced her skin was now fading quickly, her flesh becoming as milky pale as her lovers. She stared at the ceiling, her mouth opened slightly as I watched in awe as twin fangs pushed out and grew into long points. It was an amazing sight.
Auldric stepped close to her, tilting his neck and offering more of himself to her. I watched in apt horror as she sunk those daggers into his flesh, moaning around his skin and sucking his blood right from his body. He picked her up, her legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her out of them room. Right before they went through the door, she opened her eyes and stared right at me, those big blue orbs turning red momentarily and silently speaking of things I didn’t think I would ever fully understand.
No one moved or spoke once the door was shut, and the only thing I could hear was beating of my own heart.
Chapter Six
I slowly looked around, seeing Damian to my side, a look of concern etched into his beautiful features. Every pale face was turned towards me, the room so silent the only thing that I heard was my own beating heart. Damian took a step forward, holding his palm out to me like I was a frightened animal and he was using caution. I looked around, taking a step back as the nights events crashed through me in rapid secession.
“Izabella? Please don’t look at me like that.”
I had no idea how I was looking, but I knew fear had started a slow burn in the pit of my stomach and was spreading throughout my body. I loved Damian, I truly did, but after seeing what I had just seen, it was like I was trapped in a snow globe, the world moving all around me as I slammed my fists against the glass. It was surreal, unimaginable, and I was suddenly terrified.
I was confused as to what I really wanted; not knowing if this was the life for me. I wanted to be with Damian—that I knew with unflinching certainty—but to give up my mortality seemed like a sacrifice I didn’t know if I was ready to make. I looked into Damian’s face; the concern was replaced with a sadness that tore at my heart, a look of pure anguish that made me want to fall to the floor and weep.
“Please.” He whispered, the word barley audible, but filled with so much emotion. “I love you. Please don’t look at me like I’m a monster.”
He took another step towards me and I spun around, running through the now open doorway and down the hall. I wasn’t running from him, but running from the very idea of my life forever changing. I felt hot tears slide down my cheeks, my vision blurring as I raced for the exit. I had no idea what I would do once I reached it, but at that moment my only goal was to escape.
Alabaster faces stared at me, their forms a mere blur as I took off. Some hissed at me, like snakes in a pit that were ready to strike. I didn’t care though, I needed to feel the cool night air waft over my face, needed the knowledge that I wasn’t trapped with creatures that would rip my throat out if I gave them the chance. I spotted the exit, that large metal door that would lead to the stairs and my freedom. I reached for it, much too far away to actually grasp it, but still I tried. I stumbled slightly, trying to stay upright as I heaved and cried. Finally my hand wrapped around the handle and I jerked it open, racing up the stairs and crying harder.
****
I threw open the door at the top of the stairs, darkness dragging me to a halt as I turned my head left and right. I couldn’t see anything, but I could hear the murmurs slithering their way up the stairs. I tried to remember which way the front door was, taking a right and slamming into it with my body. I ripped it open, fresh air coasting over my face and blowing my hair around my face. I sucked in a great lungful of air, wiping the tears from my eyes and running across the porch. Right when I was about to take the stairs, I felt the air leave me as something hard and unyielding slammed against my back.
I careened forward, flailing my arms and screaming as the ground rushed at me quickly. My body fell forward, my head hitting the ground so hard stars danced in my vision. I groaned and tasted blood—that stale, irony flavor that is completely unmistakable. I was roughly flipped onto my back, squeezing my eyes shut as nausea assaulted me. I opened them, gasping as a male loomed over me, his mouth open in a snarl, his fangs pricking the bottoms of his lips until blood welled like little crimson colored pearls.
“You know, you shouldn’t have run, my kind reveals in it.”
The stranger—a dangerous predator—was salivating as his eyes moved down to my neck. I swallowed, trying with earnest to push him off of me, but it was like pushing against a concrete wall.
“I have been watching you since you came here. You smell so sweet…so human.”
He had my arms pinned above my head, one of his hands able to hold me down as if I were nothing more than a butterfly. He started to lower his head, his tongue running over his fangs as his saliva trickled out of his mouth and landed on my collarbone. I screamed and struggled more, yelled out for Damian even though I had run from him just moments before. I thrashed my head, hearing the vampire atop me growl loudly as he took his other hand and pressed my head to the side. I breathed heavily, the dirt from the ground wafting around me and moving into my lungs. His body was like a weight atop me, so heavy and unyielding. I could feel his hot, humid breath on the skin of my neck, the tears flowing powerfully from my eyes as I screamed and screamed. Where is Damian?
I closed my eyes and waited for it to happen, waited for my fragile human life to end. It was ironic really, here I was, running from the very creatures that wished to take my mortality, and all I could think about was how I wish I had more time with Damian, how I wasn’t ready to die. I closed my eyes, remembering the warm touch of Damian’s skin against mine, his tender kiss against my flesh. I thought about the soft words he spoke to me, telling me how beautiful I was, how much I meant to him. It was a movie playing in my head, the external factor seeming to be in slow motion as I thought about all the love I held for him—thought about if I only had a little more time with the one I loved. I let my feelings for him surround me, encompass me until I was floating, drugged with my own emotions, and wishing Damian were here with me to share this one last moment.
****
I felt the sharp tip of his fangs slide into my neck a second before his weight was lifted from me and an animalistic roar wrenched through the night air. I slowly opened my eyes, turning to see Damian—so powerfully frightening—throw the vampire against the house. His body slammed against the frame, wood splintering around him like a bomb had exploded. I pulled myself up into a sitting position, my nails digging into the dirt as I felt the warm, sticky wetness of my blood slide down my neck. Damian roared again, charging forward and gripping the vampire’s neck.
“You dare to hurt what is mine! To take something from me that I hold close to my heart! For that you will die.” Damian’s voice was low and steady, and that was the most frightening of all.
Damian’s hand was squeezed tight around his neck, the muscles in his arms bulging with the force of keeping the vampire suspended in the air. The vampire stared down at him, smiling or grimacing, I wasn’t sure. He didn’t seem phased by the violence Damian was bringing though. I brought my finger to my neck and touched the tender spot, never taking my eyes from Damian or the vampire stranger. My attacker’s eyes flickered towards me, and his smiled broadened. He ran his tongue across his fangs once more, and his desire to hurt me was evident.
Damian shouted something loud and angry, a foreign language that sounded deadly and lethal. In the next instance Damian swung the vampire in the air before slamming him to the ground. It was as if my attackers body was spring loaded, bouncing off the ground over and over again with the force of Damian’s body behind it. It was sickening, and it was at that moment that I realized how dangerous my vampire lover truly was.
I could hear bone cracking and braking, could hear the disgustingly loud gurgle of the vampire’s blood as it came up his throat. Damian dropped his body to the ground, taking each side of the vampires head in his hands and twisting quickly. I turned just as the loud snap of bone breaking echoed throughout the night. I didn’t turn around, just swallowed, hoping to keep the bile down.
It seemed like ages passed before I heard the deep and even breathing of Damian beside me. I felt his soft touch against my shoulder and turned to look at him. His fingers grazed my cheek, the touch so soft it seemed at odds with the violence I had just witnessed. I was suddenly aware of the bodies lined up on the porch, those eerily pale faces watching us with curiosity. Markus stood in front of them, his arms behind his back as he titled his head towards Damian before he turned and went back in the house.
The others followed suit.
Soon we were left outside alone, the sounds of the night bouncing around us and breaking up the silence.
“Let’s go home.”
Damian held his hand out to me, and I didn’t hesitate when I sipped mine in his. He helped me up, drawing me into the strength of his body as his palm cupped the back of my head to his chest. I listened to the sound of his heart beating, closing my eyes and letting my silent tears fall.
****
We stood in my bedroom, the moonlight casting a silvery hue across Damian’s bare chest. We were both naked, watching each other and letting the nights events sink in. Damian ran his hand along my bare shoulder, his fingertips grazing my flesh and sending goosebumps along it.
“I should never have brought you there. I was so close to loosing you”
His words were low and even, but I heard deep emotion reflected in them. When I had been racing out of that house, that was exactly what I had been thinking, but as I remembered that vampire staring down at me, his fangs glistening in the moonlight with his saliva, I didn’t agree any longer. I was glad Damian had brought me there. I was glad he had showed me what that side of his life was like. I don’t think I would have fully understood it if I hadn’t seen it for myself.
“Make love to me.” He stared down at me, his head lowering as his lips pressed against mine. I closed my eyes and absorbed his kiss, let the warmth of his body sink into my very cells and awaken me.
“How I love you so.”
His hand cupped the side of my face as he walked us backwards, the back of my legs hitting the bed as I let myself sit down. He leaned over me, his big, hard muscled body dwarfing my own and speaking of his untold fierceness.
“I can’t loss you. I won’t. Whatever you choose is what I choose, Izabella.”
We moved onto the bed, my legs spreading wide to accommodate his large body. I could see my dark hair fanned out around me, like I was in water and just floating along, letting it carrying me away. His lips found my collarbone, trailing a fire of passion in their wake as he moved to my breast. He took my nipple in his mouth, ran his tongue along the stiff peak until I was pressing my nails into the skin of his shoulders. He moved to the other breast, flattening his tongue and dragging it around my areola, causing the nipple to tighten, harden, and become even more sensitized.
His other hand slid down my thigh, gripped behind my knee, and lifted it up. He held it high, doing the same to the other thigh until I was spread out wide for him, his cock hard and long, pointing straight at me as he stared at my pussy. His breathing had become quicker, and he lifted one of my legs and placed it on his shoulder. He took his finger and ran it down my slit, flicking my clit gently as he growled softly. I loved it when he made that noise, so animalistic and primal. Before I could beg him to fuck me, he was between my legs, my thighs now spread out as wide as they would go, his big palms holding them open.
His mouth attached to my cleft, his tongue dipping into my clenching pussy hole, his thumb teasing my clit. On and on he went, using his thumbs and pulling my pussy lips wide so that I could feel the cool air of the room mixed with the hot humidity of his breath. His mouth sucked and tempted my clit into a hard little bud. He pressed his finger into my hole, thrusting in and out, mimicking what his cock would be doing shortly. Another finger was added to the one fucking me, stretching me until a pleasant burn started to build inside of me. I lifted my hips, silently begging Damian for more.
He sucked my clit harder, pumping his fingers deeper into me until I was arching my back and moaning out my release. I thrashed my head on the pillow, my eyes squeezed shut tight as my orgasm continued on and on, Damian never stopping his ministrations until I was panting, pleading with him to stop. I was over sensitized; my body pulsating as he slowly removed his fingers and kissed my clit before rising. I didn’t want this to end, didn’t want the pleasure or the love to stop. In the next instance, Damian was on his back and I was straddling his hips, my ass towards his face.
“I want your pussy on my face, Izabella.”
I backed up until I felt his breath against my folds. His cock was right below me, hard and straining, pre-cum dripping from the slit at the tip and making my mouth water. Damian grabbed my ass, pulling my hips down until his mouth latched onto my vagina, his tongue licking at my sensitive skin until I was on the verge of another orgasm. I ran my tongue over the tip of his erection, the skin velvety smooth, but like iron under my tongue. I closed my lips around his cock head, running my tongue in circles as I suctioned hard, taking his balls in one of my hands and rolling them gently. He groaned against my flesh, his mouth working faster and harder, my climax just a hairsbreadth away.
I hollowed out my cheeks and took more of his cock into my mouth, not much of an accomplishment given Damian’s girth and size, but I was determined to bring him the same kind of pleasure he gave me. I sucked and sucked, working my tongue around his satiny smooth flesh and loving how he moaned and groaned against my cleft. He had stopped his ministrations, panting heavily as his breath saturated my vagina. It was an aphrodisiac all in its own.
I could feel his balls tighten up in my hand, knew he was close to his orgasm, and picked up my rhythm. I tasted the salty and addicting flavor of his cum, my taste buds reeling as I used my other hand to stroke the part of his shaft my mouth couldn’t reach. Just as I felt his body tense, I was flipped onto my back, a gasp leaving me as he loomed over me.
I could see the fire in his eyes, knew his control was about to snap, and I loved it. I thrust my breasts out and spread my thighs, rubbing my soaked pussy along his erection and moaning from the pleasure of it. He growled again, a fresh stream of my cream escaping me at the sound. He positioned his erection against my entrance, his skin like liquid lava, so hot it burned my flesh. My mouth opened on a silent moan as he slowly pushed himself into me, my skin stretching wide around his dick, the pleasure/pain it caused making me shiver. His hands found my breasts, his fingers tweaking my nipples until they stood harder, longer. He pushed his hips that last inch into me and I felt fully possessed by him.
We stared at each other for a suspended moment and then he finally lost control. He started to piston his hips in and out of me, his cock sliding easily through my saturated folds and hitting my cervix, sending my pleasure into the clouds. I sucked in air, tried to moan, but nothing came out. I held onto his shoulders, gripping the muscles that bunched below the surface.
In, out. In, out.
Harder, faster. Harder, faster
Over and over he slammed into me, his balls slapping against my ass, his motions so forceful he was pushing me up the bed. He had to continuously pull my down, gripping my waist and pulling me down. My clit tingled and swelled, ready to explode with just a little more friction.
“So good, fuck you feel so good, Izabella.”
His words were my breaking point. I threw my head back, wrapped my legs around his waist, and groaned out my orgasm. On and on it went, the pleasure never ending, his hips forever plunging against me. Just as my pleasure was waning, he came. I could feel the hot, powerful jets of his semen bathe my insides, setting off another orgasm, this one more intense than the last. His head was thrown back, the tendons and sinew in his neck pronounced as he roared out his release.
Just as I felt myself drifting down from my pleasure induced haze, he struck, his body covering mine, his teeth and my neck, his fangs in my skin. I tilted my head to the side, already feeling the exquisite pleasure that his bite caused.
Then he slowed, releasing my neck and running his tongue along the wound he created, sealing it and giving it a light kiss. He was still buried inside of me, and I could feel his erection throb against my walls, setting off little aftershocks of desire. We laid there, the silence stretching between us, our breathing mingled and labored. He rolled off of me, bringing the sheet over us and pulling my body closer so I rested against his chest. I laid there for awhile, just listening to our breathing and the strong beat of his heart.
I know what I wanted, and it had taken tonight to realize it.
I leaned slightly back so I could look into his eyes, and ran my finger along the bridge of his nose. “I choose you.” I didn’t need to elaborate on what I meant. Damian knew that I was wanted him—choosing an eternal life. I thought it would frighten me once I finally decided what I wanted, but it didn’t. Calmness filled me at the knowledge that I would now be with the man I love.
Chapter Seven
Damian’s expression was not one that I expected to see. I thought he would be happy and thrilled that I had finally accepted the new life he wanted to give me.
“What’s wrong, Damian?” I moved closer to him, swallowing roughly as he looked away from me.
“Things have changed.”
He looked back at me and I tried to gauge what he was thinking. His expression became stoic, a blank canvass for which I couldn’t read. “What do you mean?” My voice betrayed how I was feeling. Worry, trepidation.
“Tonight showed me how selfish I have truly been.” He moved off of me and ran a hand through his hair, the short locks becoming mused as he glanced out the window. He stood naked, the moonlight shinning upon his glorious body. “I could have lost you tonight, Izabella. They could have easily overpowered me and taken what they wanted.” He turned back toward me, his eyes now showing angst and sorrow.
“Nothing happened though. I’m safe. After what had happened tonight, I would think you’d want to change me all that more.” He was shaking his head before I even finished speaking.
“This isn’t right, what I’ve been putting you through. They won’t stop now, Izabella.”
“What do you mean? They won’t stop?” My heart was beating an irregular rhythm. His words were coming out and penetrating my mind so slowly, like honey through a jar.
He breathed out roughly, “they shouldn’t have attacked you, yet because they did, the others will follow in his footsteps.
“I don’t understand, Damian.” I reached for him, wanting him to take my hand, to say something, anything.
“I…It isn’t safe for you if I stay. They will come for you, but I can’t let them harm you, Izabella. I have to leave for your safety.”
“No, no. Stop, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” It felt as if my heart were beating overtime. My throat felt dry, achy, like I had swallowed sand. He stood and I mimicked his movements, looking around because I really didn’t know what else to do. “I don’t understand. Please tell me what’s going on.”
“They want you because I have you. They won’t be interested if they see I have grown tired of you. If I stay, it will only make matters worse. It will only make them want you more.” He was dressed in a matter of seconds, and he looked at me with anguish in his eyes, his movements slow and unhurried as he made his way towards the french doors.
“Then change me, Damian. Make me what you are so that they can’t hurt me.” I was crying now, the very idea of never seeing him again too much for my heart to take.
“It wouldn’t change anything. They would still come for you. Even after I turn you, you would still be so fragile, so vulnerable. At least for those first few months. As long as I stay they will never stop.”
I wanted to scream at him, yell at him until I understood, until he understood what a horrible mistake he was making. The french doors were open now, the wind blowing in, the sheer white curtains moving in a sensual dance. I wanted to tell him we could leave together, that we could run away to a place they would never find us. The words wouldn’t come out though, and all I could do was watch as he took a step towards me, kiss my forehead, and turn to leave. I reached my hand out, as if the act could actually stop him. He didn’t turn around to look at me, just disappeared into the night. I made a strangled noise and sank to the floor, the wood cold beneath my bare knees. He left. He actually left me.
****
It felt as if I had sat on my bedroom floor for hours, just staring out the open french doors as the chilled air surrounded my naked body. I felt numb, dead. My tears had long since dried, and as I pulled myself off the floor, they came back full force. I walked over to the double doors, staring out at the night sky, hoping beyond hope that I would see him. Of course I didn’t—Damian wouldn’t and couldn’t be found unless he deemed it so.
I slowly closed the doors, as if it were someone else performing the action. I turned around and looked at my big, empty bed. Earlier that night Damian and I had shared something special in it. How could I sleep in it knowing I would never experience that connection again? How could I lay upon the sheets and smell his intoxicating scent when I knew I would never see him again?
I knew it would do no good to think positively, hoping he would be by tomorrow night. I knew he wouldn’t, because if he actually thought I was in danger, he would do everything in his power to keep me from harm.
Damian leaving me was torture, that without his presence, I was in danger of the sorrow and emptiness that lay just below the surface. I felt hollow, like the shell of the person I once used to be. I had grown so used to his presence, so used to the warm and comfortable company he provided over the years that I couldn’t even think of my life without him. Maybe if I were like him, a vampire, things could be different. Maybe then he would understand that I was in more danger without him then I was with him.
I walked over to my bed and lay down, feeling the silk against my skin and wanting to weep even harder. I could smell the rich and darkly erotic aroma that made up Damian. It was like I was standing in the center of a forest, the trees blowing seductively from the wind as the scent of evergreen and pine filtered through my senses. I fell asleep to that image, me in the woods, the trees surrounding me. It was like Damian was by me, like he had never left at all.
****
I knew I was dreaming as soon as I saw I stood in a meadow. The snow fell around me even though it was summer. Trees surrounded me; their imposing trunks making me feel so small and insubstantial. Although it snowed, none of the white flakes touched me. They fell around me, creating an almost protective circle around my feet. A patch of bright green grass lay beneath my bare feet, the blades tickling my skin and lending me warmth. It was weird knowing it snowed, and yet the air was warm and breezy.
Bodies started to move out from behind the thick trunks, their features hidden by the shadows of inky blackness. I couldn’t tell who they were but I knew what they were.
Vampires.
I could sense their hunger and desire for me. It wasn’t what I sensed from Damian--that all encompassing need to love me, but more of a primal need to feed. They wanted my blood, wanted to drain me dry and watch me die. Yes, this was a dream, but it was so realistic, like I was truly standing before them. Was this my subconscious telling me I truly did need to be frightened, that I truly was in danger?
They started to slowly come forward, each of them snarling and hissing at me as spittle dripped down their fangs to the pristine snow below. Their faces were stark and pale, the shadows casting hidden creases and crevices and making their facial bones more pronounced. I wanted to run away, but even if they weren’t circling me and preventing me from doing so, I couldn’t move. My feet were cemented to the ground, as if an unseen force kept me from moving out of the circle.
They were no more than a foot from me now, their smiles evil and determined as they stepped closer. My heart was pounding so fast and hard that I knew they could hear it, knew they could sense just how forceful my blood was coursing through my body. I could see their mouths water more and knew I had been right.
“Come to us.”
They spoke softly, yet convincingly, and I knew they were using compulsion. I felt myself get aroused. I should have been disgusted, but I wasn't. My nipples beaded up tightly, my pussy becoming wet with my desire. Their sexual words laced themselves in my brain. They told me how I was so beautiful, how they wanted to touch and kiss me. I felt drugged, high, and I wanted nothing more then to let them do those things to me.
I closed my eyes as invisible fingers danced along my nipples, slipped between my breasts and trailed down my belly. It was as if I could actually feel fingers part my labia, smooth up and down my slit, and tease my clit. It wasn't just a hand though, it was Damian's hand, Damian's fingers teasing and tantalizing me. I wanted him so fiercely it left me breathless. I wanted to lay on the snow and let him cover me with his hard body. I wanted to spread my legs and wrap them around his waist as he pushed his cock into me and brought us both ecstasy. I slowly opened my eyes, Damian vanishing from my mind as I tried to remember what was going on.
This is just a dream.
I repeated this mantra over and over in my mind, knowing that even if I could have stepped out of the safety of the circle, they couldn’t have harmed me. I should have known their compulsion wouldn’t work on me, but as I listened to their sensual whispers, I felt the power holding me in place lift. I was now able to move my feet, and as my body felt light and beautiful, their soft words weaving a pleasure filled haze through my body, I knew I wanted to go with them.
“You want us and we want you. Come to us.”
“Yes, I do want you.” I reached my hand out to them. I wanted to be with them, to give them whatever they wanted. Isn’t this why I came? Isn’t this why I had come to them? Yes, yes it was.
I stepped out of the circle and they stepped back, their smiles growing wide as they laughed gently at me. Soon those smiles became grotesque, frightening as they moved forward with such speed that I had only blinked once. I knew I was about to die, but I didn't care.
****
I woke with a start, rubbing my eyes as I sat up. My heart was beating like a freight train. My skin was sweaty and hot. I blinked several times, letting my sight adjust to the darkness of the room. Shadows slithered through every crack, but as my eyes adjusted to the blackness of the room, my gaze grew wide and I gasped. My bed was surrounded my large figures, their bright white smiles like neon in the night, their fangs lethal and deadly looking. I scrambled up my bed, the sheets getting tangled in my legs as I tried to get as far away from them as I could.
I scrambled off the bed, not even caring that I was naked. I realized the french doors were open, the wind an arctic frost in the room. They let me get as far as my bedroom door, and when my hand wrapped around the brass knob I felt a hard tug on my hair.
I fell backwards, hitting the ground hard enough to rattle my teeth. Someone dragged me across the smooth hardwood floor. I kicked my legs out, trying to reach for something to hold onto but falling short. I lifted my arm and tried to get some of the pressure off of my skull, but who held my hair had a bruising grip on it. The sheer curtains whipped furiously around, and I realized they planned on taking me somewhere. I would rather die then be tortured. I screamed out, not knowing if someone would even be able to help me if they heard.
Fierce pain slammed into the side of my head and everything became hazy. The pain was unbearable, but my fight or flight instinct was working in overdrive and I wanted nothing more then to escape. I screamed for Damian, knowing he wouldn’t be able to hear me, but not knowing what else to do. He had always been there when I needed him, protected me from the danger and pain the world offered.
“He won’t hear you, little one. Or have you forgotten he left you alone, left you to fend for yourself when he knew we would come for you?”
Hot tears flowed freely from my eyes, not because of what the vampire said, but because he was right. Damian had left me, knowing they were after me, and thinking that if he left I would be safe.
Damian had been wrong. He was gone and I was about to die.
Chapter Eight
I must have passed out from the pain because when I woke I was sitting in the back of a limo. I wore a long white silk gown, the bodice hugging my breasts tightly and cutting off circulation. Maybe that was just my rapid respiration making my whole body feel tight?
My arms and legs were secured with duct tape, but I didn’t bother trying to see if I could get free, I knew they held me tight and secure. My mouth was also covered with duct tape, and I was forced to breath through my nose, the sound of my inhalations and exhalations loud in the small confines of the vehicle.
The interior was dark, and along with my blurry eyesight, smoke drifted all around the interior. The aroma was sweet, so sickening sweet that I could practically taste it sliding down the back of my throat. Cloves. That was what I smelled.
I sensed someone sitting in the seat directly in front of me, and confirmation came when I saw the orange glow of the cigarette end lighting up to a brilliant orange. I didn’t make a sound, because even though I couldn’t see who it was, I knew they were staring right at me. My vision became wavered and I closed my eyes. The blow to the side of my head had definitely done something to me. I opened my eyes, desperately wanting to see who my abductor was, although I had a gut feeling I already knew.
“I knew I’d see you again.” The voice was deep and accented. I knew exactly who it belonged to and a chill raced up my spine. “I just didn’t expect to see you so soon.”
Markus’s voice was like ice water on me. I started to shake uncontrollable, and couple that with my rapid respiration's, I was having a hard time getting enough air into my lungs.
“I’d take the tape off of your mouth if I was positive you wouldn’t scream.” He was silent for what seemed like forever after that. “Not that it would do you much good.” Again the small circular orange light revealed his inhale of the clove cigarette.
Piercingly painful light suddenly penetrated the darkened interior and I squinted before blinking them in rapid secession. It was just Markus and I in the limo, but his presence was enough to seem like an army was with me. He stared at me for so long that I eventually dropped my gaze to the floor.
“I truly am perplexed as to why Damian would leave you alone.” I glanced up and he watched me with a knowing smile. “Maybe I’ll just look inside of that pretty head of yours and see what truly happened.”
I wanted to scream at him, swear at him—do something instead of being restrained by the god damned tape. The window rolled down on its own accord and I wondered if it was another one of his “tricks.” The smoke was sucked out through the small opening and I tried to inhale as much of the fresh air as I could. He flicked the butt out of the window and rolled it back up, and instantly the feeling of dread surrounded me. I pressed myself back against the seat, wanting to ask so many questions but forced to remain silent.
“I wouldn’t doubt it if he thought he was protecting you.” He smiled broadly and nodded, “yes, Damian is a true gentleman. Tis a shame his heroics will cost you your mortality.” He inhaled deeply and settled against the seat, “although, maybe you are not too fond of your mortality after all. Were you not going to submit to him this eve?”
He continued, already knowing everything about me.
Yes, I believe you were. I can see your memories, my dear. I can see how you asked him to change you, to be one with him so that the two of you could walk the world together for all eternity. I can even see his rejection of you. I see the determination to keep to his word. His laughter echoed inside of my head and I recoiled. He will not come back for you.
I felt invaded and dirty, like I was sitting in front of him with my soul on display. I started to shake my head, my voice no more then a mumble against the tape. His smile was broad as he stared at me, and although I wanted to escape, I knew there was no place he couldn’t find me.
****
It felt as if we had driven for hours, and despite my predicament, I found myself becoming drowsy. I shook my head, jarring myself awake as I shifted in the seat. The tape was digging painfully into my flesh, and no amount of movement eased my discomfort.
Finally I felt the car slow and then stop. I heard several doors opening and closing, heard the sound of deep laughter pierce the thick metal of the car. The door swung open and a breeze whistled through the interior of the limo. I shivered and scooted away from the imposing man—vampire—that looked at me intently.
“We are here, Lord Markus.”
The vampire flicked his gaze toward me again after he spoke. I pressed myself against the farthest recess of the limo, not knowing what they had planned for me, but knowing death factored into that equation. Markus exited without so much as a glance in my direction, and I thought for sure the vampire staring at me with an expression that chilled my bones would come inside and drag me out. I couldn’t scream, and certainly couldn’t out run them even if I could escape.
The door that I was pressed against suddenly opened and I mumbled my shock as I fell backward. I hit the ground hard enough to knock the air from me and struggled to get up. Strong, cold hands gripped my bare arms and hauled me up as if I were no more then a feather. Markus stood off to the side, his hands thrust into his black, ankle length pea coat as he looked at me for a suspended moment.
The feel of the vampires hand on my arm felt like dry ice on my skin. It wasn’t until I drew my gaze away from Markus that I actually took in my surroundings. I could hear the sound of water in the background, maybe a waterfall or a stream? I couldn’t be sure, but the air was cooler and the smell of wilderness coated my senses.
Markus turned and started walking toward the dark covering of the forest. There were about ten vampires present and each one followed, as if they were puppet and Markus was the puppet master. The vampire holding my arm pulled me forward and I glanced up, knowing I’d seen him somewhere before but not able to put my finger on it. He smiled down at me, more of a a snarl that showcased his fearsome looking fangs. An image flashed in my mind of a pale muscled body with leather pants on. I looked at the vampire again, now knowing were I had seen him. He was the vampire that I had seen with the whip when I had first got a tour of the club. I shivered, remembering the raw power he had emitted as he made that female submit to him.
As if he knew what I was thinking, his smile broadened and he leaned forward. Our steps faltered but no one seemed to notice. They continued forward, and the further they went, the more distant I felt. I swallowed and looked into his dead, hollow eyes.
“Once we’re alone, I am going to do so many wicked things to you, little human.”
If I didn’t have the tape on my mouth I knew it would have opened in shock. Fear coursed through me like a freight train as I processed his words. His voice was clear with arousal, but below that, his true intentions were clear. I had no doubt he meant every word he said to me, and if those words had come from Damian’s lips, I would have been pleased, tantalized even, but coming from the vampire in front of me, I knew pain was what he had in mind.
We started forward again and I was shaking uncontrollably, he chuckled softly, and soon I could see the bodies ahead of us. They were stopped in front of a cave, the moon peaking through the clouds and thick curtain of tree branches above. Markus stood in front, facing us, the cave behind him. His gaze landed on me and he beckoned me forward, crooking his finger as if I were no more then his pet. I didn’t have a choice as the vampire manhandling me shoved me forward. I stumbled and lost my balance, landing face first in the dirt. Laughter surrounded me and I struggled to stand. Markus was there, taking my arms and helping me up. If I didn’t know who and what he really was, I would have bee taken back by his kindness, but I knew the true demon that resided inside of him.
He spun me around and brought my back flush with his chest. Tears were flowing from my eyes by now and I couldn’t help the sob that threatened to escape. I felt his hot breath by my ear and closed my eyes.
“Everyone will get to sample the human that has stolen Damian’s heart. Maybe if you’re a good girl I’ll tell you all about his torrid past. You would never image the thing he used to do, or the women he used to do them with.”
I knew what Markus was trying to do, and it was working. Just the thought of Damian with another woman sent stabs of jealousy and pain through my heart. I wasn’t naive, I knew Damian was old, and because of his many years on Earth, he had experienced far more then I had. It still hurt nonetheless though.
I stared with wide eyes at the vampires in front of me, each of them practically salivating as their eyes roamed over my form. I squeezed my eyes closed tighter, knowing tonight I would die, but not knowing if it would be just my mortality or my very soul that perished. How I wish I could go back, go back to the way things used to be when it was just Damian and I sharing our passion with each other.
If I hadn’t been adamant on keeping my mortality, none of this would happen. If I would have just let my heart lead me I would be with Damian right now, warm in our bed as we made love. I though about the only thing that made me happy, the only person that could chase away the cold that settled in my bones. I would have smiled in relief if the tape hadn’t been restricting the movement, but that was okay because the picture I saw was one that would go with me to the afterlife. Damian would forever stay with me, no matter where I went.
No one could take that away.
Chapter Nine
Markus had a firm grip on my waist, his hands unyielding as he leaned in close and stared into my eyes. He inhaled deeply, his lids fluttering closed as he smiled, his fangs flashing in the candle light. I wanted to scream at the look he was giving me. It was a look the lion gave to the gazelle before he pounced, I was sure.
In the next instant vampires swarmed over me, licking and biting at my flesh, drinking my very life essence away. I could feel their teeth digging into me, tearing at me as if I were their last meal. The pain was horrendous, so unspeakable that I couldn’t even cry out from it. Kristoff was latched onto my neck, the sound of him swallowing my blood enough to make me gag. They all sounded disgusting, their grunts and moans of satisfaction making me wish I was already dead.
I stared at all of the faces around me, each one pale and beautiful, so different from the monsters I knew them to truly be. Blood covered those perfect features, my blood that would stain not only their skin, but their very souls. They were what I was to become, a monster that fed off the innocent until they were just an empty shell. A body with no soul.
I started to become cold, so cold that I couldn’t stop myself from shivering. My teeth chattered, so loud and hard I thought for sure they would break. I closed my eyes, trying to hang on and stay conscious, but the world began to dim, everything becoming as dark and lifeless as I was about to be.
The knob started to turn and I scrambled up the bed. As the door was pushed open the light from the hallway spilled in. A huge form took up the majority of the frame and I instantly sensed who it was. The scent of Damian washed through, but I stopped myself from rushing to him. Underneath the aroma that I had grown to love was a deeper, more dangerous smell that lingered.
“You fear me because you recognize me for the animal I truly am.” He came forward and sat at the farthest edge of the bed. He ran his hand across his hair and he breathed out deeply.
“What happened?” I repeated myself, hoping he could give me the answers I so desperately wanted.
He stayed quiet for a suspended moment, not moving, just staring at me. “I have precognition, Izabella.”
“I can’t see the future. I can see what might happen. Everything is subject to change. People make their own future, decide what fate they want. I was able to make the Covenant more powerful, deadly.”
“I couldn’t know any of this until it had been decided. Until someone irrevocably knew what the plan was.” He hung his head and closed his eyes. At that exact moment he looked defeated. “This is completely my doing. I should have known they hadn’t changed. But after so many years of being alone, one tends to think that people can change for the better.”
Tears started to slip down my cheeks at the sorrow I felt for Damian. “How did you get me away from them?” His head slowly rose and I recoiled slightly. The look he gave me was one of pure hate and satisfaction. This was the change I had sensed in him, that powerful and life altering transformation that made him the creature that stood before me.
Realization struck me like a sledgehammer. “You killed them all and turned me?” The words fell from my lips in a rushed whisper. Although this new world frightened me, the knowledge that Damian had changed me made it that more bearable. When he nodded I reached forward and embraced him. Tears of happiness, sadness, and fear of the unknown assaulted me. I clung onto him, crying harder when he wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.
“Everything will be alright now.” This is what I ultimately wanted, to be with Damian for as long as I could. I felt him tense and pull back. I looked into his haunted eyes, seeing an expression flicker across his hard features. I licked my suddenly dry lips. “Everything will be fine won’t it Damian?”
We stayed on that bed for what seemed like forever. Damian pulled away and walked toward the window, pulling the thick curtains closed just as I saw the sky turning a dusky pink. I knew the life I had once known was over, but I was okay with this. I knew that if I had Damian beside me, we could defeat whatever threat came forward.
I stumbled into the cold, dank cave, my bindings making me off balance. The only sound that pierced my fear laden body was my own rough, heavy breathing. The tape made it nearly impossible to get enough oxygen into my lungs. I couldn’t see anything, but the sound of multiple footsteps informed me of exactly how many vampires were behind me.
Someone grabbed my bound wrists and pushed me forward, quickening my steps. Apparently, I wasn’t going fast enough, because as soon as they had a grip on me they hurtled me into the abyss. The hand holding me was bruising. I couldn’t see and therefore couldn’t tell how fast I was going, but the wind slapped me in the face and I know the vampire who held me was using their pre-natural speed to get me to where they wanted.
All the sudden, I was jarred to a stop. My neck cracked forward and dizziness assaulted me. I willed myself not to throw up, knowing that doing so would result in me choking on my own vomit. Light suddenly flared to life and I squinted as my vision adjusted. As I looked around and realized exactly what I was looking at, horror dawned on me. Hot tears poured out of my eyes as I stared at the blood stained slab mere feet from me. The vampires surround it and Markus stepped in front of me, blocking my view of the sacrificial table.
A sob tore free, but was muffled by the tape. He shushed me as he tenderly wiped the tears from my cheeks. I turned my head away, wanting to get away from him but knowing he would catch me before I even took a step. I felt him run a finger down my exposed neck and shuddered with revulsion. I cried harder, squeezing me eyes shut tight as he took my upper arm with force and led me forward. I dug my feet into the dirt, trying to stop his movements as he brought me closer and closer to the stone slab.
“Now, precious, I must insist that you cease these antics. All you are doing is prolonging the inevitable,” he leaned in close so that I could still smell the cloves on his breath. “Your struggles also make us want you more, like the prey evading the predator.”
Even though I knew he spoke so softly that only I should have been able to hear, the vampires around the room started to laugh. It was an array of cackles that were high and low. All of them having the same effect and making me even more nauseous.
When I was inches from the slab, Markus lifted me easily onto it. I struggled, but my energy was fading and exhaustion was setting in. I was tired of fighting what Markus had deemed the ‘inevitable’, tired of hoping Damian would come and stop this madness.
Markus had a firm grip on my waist, his hands unyielding as he leaned in close and stared into my eyes. He inhaled deeply, his lids fluttering closed as he smiled, his fangs flashing in the candle light. I wanted to scream at the look he was giving me. It was a look the lion gave to the gazelle before he pounced, I was sure.
Someone ripped the tape from my arms, but the relief was short lived. I struggled with all my heart until someone grabbed hold of my hair, twisting me around and slamming me backward. My head hit the stone with such force I actually saw stars. I blinked in rapid succession, trying desperately to clear my vision. I felt warmth and wetness start to move along my neck and knew the crack I heard had been my skull splitting. I swallowed convulsively, tasting a coppery flavor slide along my throat, the need to gag rising with ever breath I took.
I was vaguely aware that my ankles and hands were being secured at the corners of the slab, but my mind was hazy and my limbs refused to cooperate when I tried to move them away. I lifted my head slightly, my vision doubling as sweat started to slide down my head and neck, mixing with my blood. The vampires circled me, each of them looking at me with hungry gazes. Their eyes slid along my body and I felt as if they could see right through the thin clothing I wore. Their fangs grew right before my eyes, elongating as they no doubt envisioned what they were about to do to me.
My mind started to clear but my body grew weaker. I was so sick of fighting, but it didn’t matter even if I could have fended them off. I was so much weaker then them at my full strength that I stood no chance while injured. They could have easily killed me in a heartbeat and the fact that they were prolonging it was a clear indication that this horror had just begun.
It was when my vision began to straighten and I was able to think more clearly that I saw four, hugely muscled vampires stand in a line by my feet. Markus was amongst the other three men. At first I thought I was going to get raped, seeing as they were taking off there white shirts, but Markus spoke calmly and clearly.
“Worry not, little one. This will be messy.”
I let my head all back on the stone and stared at the ceiling, my mind drifting away as I followed the groves and dips the cave offered. I felt my clothing get removed until the chilled air in the cave wafted over my naked flesh. Goosebumps popped out along my skin and I closed my eyes, hot tears tracking down the side of my face as I tried in vain to think of a paradise, a world that was peaceful and tranquil.
“Look at me.”
The voice spoke close to my ear and I snapped my eyes open. The vampire from earlier who said he would do wicked things to me stared down at me with clear intent in his fathomless black eyes.
I cried harder.
“We’re going to drain you and feast on your sustenance. We’re going to make you one of us, a God to be worshiped, a predator that all bow before. You may not be my queen, but I assure you you’ll be my lover.”
“Kristoff! Enough!” Markus’s words were short and clipped, the anger behind them clear.
I stared into Kristoff’s eyes, the smile that covered his mouth one of sarcasm and of dark promise. He stood almost graceful, his chest bare save for several scars that crisscrossed the pale skin. I turned my attention to Markus, watched in fear as he held his hand up, his nail growing long and lethal—dagger like.
I made a strangled noise and struggled just as he brought his nail down in a swift movement, slicing through the skin of my ankles, wrists, and jugular before I even blinked. Kristoff tore the tape away from my mouth and a cried out in pain.
In the next instant vampires swarmed over me, licking and biting at my flesh, drinking my very life essence away. I could feel their teeth digging into me, tearing at me as if I were their last meal. The pain was horrendous, so unspeakable that I couldn’t even cry out from it. Kristoff was latched onto my neck, the sound of him swallowing my blood enough to make me gag. They all sounded disgusting, their grunts and moans of satisfaction making me wish I was already dead.
I sucked in a great lungful of air, but started coughing almost instantly. I tasted blood, felt it coat my mouth and slide over my lips. I looked around frantically, trying desperately to call out even though I knew no one could hear me. I pulled my legs and arms, trying desperately to get free but making no headway. It wasn’t just because my limbs were secured. My energy was waning and my whole body was feeling heavier, sluggish.
I stared at all of the faces around me, each one pale and beautiful, so different from the monsters I knew them to truly be. Blood covered those perfect features, my blood that would stain not only their skin, but their very souls. They were what I was to become, a monster that fed off the innocent until they were just an empty shell. A body with no soul.
I started to become cold, so cold that I couldn’t stop myself from shivering. My teeth chattered, so loud and hard I thought for sure they would break. I closed my eyes, trying to hang on and stay conscious, but the world began to dim, everything becoming as dark and lifeless as I was about to be.
The last thing I was aware of, heard, before I was completely gone to the world was the sound of screams. They were high pitched, blood curdling, cries of death. My eyelids were too heavy to lift, to see who or what was causing the predator to scream like the prey.
Maybe it was Damian, but even as the thought came to me, I knew it was my mind conjuring up the only thing that sounded like happiness. Damian had left me, and although I wish I could have said goodbye to him, that I loved only him, my time was up and my new fate was approaching.
I was loosing my mortality, but I wasn’t dieing.
Chapter Ten
A strong, addicting metallic flavor filled my mouth. It gave me strength, made my skin, my bones, every part of me feel alive and on fire. I opened my eyes, but blackness surrounded me. I could smell a familiar scent, an aroma that calmed me, aroused me. Warm flesh was pressed to my mouth, the source of the intoxicating liquid that slipped down my throat, I surmised.
I sucked harder, drank deeper until I was forced to pull away and suck in a great lungful of air. I still couldn’t see, but I knew my eyes were open, knew I was blinking, but couldn’t see anything. Panic started to settle into me, but before it could go full force, pain the likes of which I have never experienced slammed into me. I wanted to scream, but nothing came out. My bones, muscles, the very cells in my body felt like they were contorting, breaking and reshaping.
I was aware of a calming motion washing through me, could feel someone stroking me, soothing me. Hot tears tracked down my cheeks and I closed my eyes, gritted my teeth, and prayed this would all be over soon.
****
I slowly opened my eyes, blinking in rapid secession as my vision adjusted to the darkness. The first thing I was aware of was that I was no longer a human. I could hear more acutely, could smell and sense every little thing in the room. It was frightening for someone who wasn’t used to it. The next thing I realized was that I was no longer in the desolate cave where I had died. I was on a soft bed, not the slab stone I lost my mortality on, and I no longer smelled the potent earthly scent dirt, water, and vegetation surrounding me.
I didn’t move, didn’t even breathe for that matter as I tried to assess my surroundings. I knew I was alone, and for that I was thankful. I slowly pushed myself up and looked around. I was in a motel room if the generic furnishing and fire exit instructions posted to the door were anything to go by. I placed a hand over my chest, a little surprised to feel the steady rhythm of my heart below my palm. Although technically I had died, I had also been reborn into something completely different.
I couldn’t remember anything other than the piercing coldness and pain right before my death. I knew the workings of turning a human into a vampire, knew from Damian that the blood has to be drained completely and then replenished with a vampires. I glanced down at my wrists and ankles, the skin smooth and showing no scarring from my horrendous experience.
I heard footsteps sound just behind the bedroom door. My heart started to slam hard against my sternum as I searched for a place to hide. I knew they wouldn’t kill me. They could have let me die back in that cold cave instead of turning me. They may not kill me, but they most certainly could inflict pain.
The knob started to turn and I scrambled up the bed. As the door was pushed open the light from the hallway spilled in. A huge form took up the majority of the frame and I instantly sensed who it was. The scent of Damian washed through, but I stopped myself from rushing to him. Underneath the aroma that I had grown to love was a deeper, more dangerous smell that lingered.
It was the smell of death.
I didn’t move as he stepped all the way in and shut the door behind him. My night vision was perfect, as if I stood in a sunny field and could see every small detail. “Damian?” I whispered his name and I saw him flinch as if I caused him pain. He started to pace, the act like a caged animal itching to be free. This was not the same man I had fallen in love with. He seemed rougher, as if the small sliver of humanity he had once possessed disappeared. “What happened? I don’t remember anything.” I looked down at my wrists once again, willing myself to recall something, but unable to bring up the memory. I lifted my head when I heard him approach. I don’t know why I was frightened, but his presence was different, intense.
“You fear me because you recognize me for the animal I truly am.” He came forward and sat at the farthest edge of the bed. He ran his hand across his hair and he breathed out deeply.
“What happened?” I repeated myself, hoping he could give me the answers I so desperately wanted.
“I left you hoping to give you peace, let you live your life. I thought leaving would draw them away, keep you safe. How wrong I was.” He laughed but it was humorless. “I am selfish, Izabella. You have become an integral part of my life, the very reason I want to stay on this earth. Without you beside me I feel an ache deep into my bones.” He breathed out deeply again and dropped his gaze to the ground. “I came back for you, despite the knowledge that I would be putting you in more undue danger. The reality is my presence has put you in even graver danger.” He stood and started pacing again.
“Damian? Please, tell me.”
“Before I even got to your home I knew, saw that they had taken you. It wasn’t hard to find you, not when I knew what they planned.” He stopped in front of me, his scent surrounding me irrevocably. “They needed you to get to me.”
“I don’t understand. You knew where I was?”
“Yes.” He seemed to shake momentarily, as if whatever he pictured made him ill. “They are known as the Covenant. A social club of sorts for immortals. It started as just the most powerful and wealthy getting together. Over the years, though, it is escalated with younger vampires planting the seed for ruling the world. It’s ludicrous, but the elders were bored of their repetitive life, so what they were hearing was starting to sound better, more logical. Markus has since been appointed head counselor.” He walked to the window and clasped his hand behind his back as he stared out of it. “Things have changed, they aren’t the same beings that they were all those ages ago. I’ve reconciled with them, become closer. It wasn’t until I brought you to the club that I truly knew their intentions. They were dark and lascivious, the need to rule over everything clouding their judgment and morals.”
What he said was confusing. I wasn’t quite sure where he was going with this, but I let him continue, knowing he needed to get it out.
“I was once a high ruling member of the Covenant. My knowledge to the changing world gave them power, insight to their ultimate goals. I left, knowing I couldn’t be associated with that.” He turned around and stared at me. “They took you to draw me back into their grasp. They knew that if they turned you and swayed you in their beliefs, I wouldn’t be able to let you go. They knew I would go along with whatever they said because you were there.”
I stared at him in disbelief. I swallowed, not sure what questions to ask, but knowing I needed to say something. “Why is having you in their…club,” I wasn’t sure what other word to call it, “so important?” He looked uncomfortable with my inquiry. It was the first thing that came to mind after he told me his tale. He had said they deemed him a valuable asset because of his knowledge of the changing world, but what he actually meant by that confused me.
He stayed quiet for a suspended moment, not moving, just staring at me. “I have precognition, Izabella.”
I blinked, raking my brain for where I have heard that word before. When I finally realized what that meant I stared at him in shock. “You can see the future?”
“I can’t see the future. I can see what might happen. Everything is subject to change. People make their own future, decide what fate they want. I was able to make the Covenant more powerful, deadly.”
I didn’t want to think too deeply into what he was saying. It all sounded amazing and fantastical. Of course I couldn’t say I didn’t believe him. I was now a walking myth, a vampire that had to feed on... The very thought of having to drink someone’s blood made me nauseous. I dropped my hands in my head, wanting to weep.
“So that’s how you knew where I was? You foresaw it?” Questions now bombarded me. If he could see all this, why hadn’t he stopped it? Why did he let them take me?
“I couldn’t know any of this until it had been decided. Until someone irrevocably knew what the plan was.” He hung his head and closed his eyes. At that exact moment he looked defeated. “This is completely my doing. I should have known they hadn’t changed. But after so many years of being alone, one tends to think that people can change for the better.”
Tears started to slip down my cheeks at the sorrow I felt for Damian. “How did you get me away from them?” His head slowly rose and I recoiled slightly. The look he gave me was one of pure hate and satisfaction. This was the change I had sensed in him, that powerful and life altering transformation that made him the creature that stood before me.
“I saw you in that cave, your body drained of blood and lifeless.” His voice dropped to a deadly whisper and I shivered. “I killed every last one of them—ripped their necks clean off their bodies.” He took a step toward me and I forced myself not to move. “I couldn’t let them take you from me. You are the only light that is filling my darkness.” He stopped in front of me and then fell to his knees. He took my hand between his and placed it over his heart.
Realization struck me like a sledgehammer. “You killed them all and turned me?” The words fell from my lips in a rushed whisper. Although this new world frightened me, the knowledge that Damian had changed me made it that more bearable. When he nodded I reached forward and embraced him. Tears of happiness, sadness, and fear of the unknown assaulted me. I clung onto him, crying harder when he wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.
“Everything will be alright now.” This is what I ultimately wanted, to be with Damian for as long as I could. I felt him tense and pull back. I looked into his haunted eyes, seeing an expression flicker across his hard features. I licked my suddenly dry lips. “Everything will be fine won’t it Damian?”
“They will be coming for me.” His voice had gone uncharacteristically flat. “They will want vengeance for their fallen brethren. I can fight some, but not all. I must leave.” I pulled back in horror. I couldn’t loose him now that I had finally gotten him back. “I must take you from this place. It is the only safe thing for you. They will kill you just to see the pain it would cause me.”
“I’ll go anywhere with you.” I didn’t care about my home or my job. Truth be told, I really had no friends or family. Damian had been those to me and I would be damned if I let that go.
We stayed on that bed for what seemed like forever. Damian pulled away and walked toward the window, pulling the thick curtains closed just as I saw the sky turning a dusky pink. I knew the life I had once known was over, but I was okay with this. I knew that if I had Damian beside me, we could defeat whatever threat came forward.
Chapter Eleven
When the room was shrouded in darkness, Damian joined me on the bed. He pulled me close and I rested my head on his chest. The rhythmic beat of his heart soothed me and I felt myself become drowsy. “Will everything be okay, Damian?” He pressed my body closer to his and breathed out deeply. His warm breath teased tendrils of my hair and reminded me that although we were different, we were still alive.
“I am going to make sure everything is okay. You will always be protected, Izabella.” His hand started to rub small circles along my back and I felt my eyelids grow heavier. “Sleep now, when you wake you will feel better.”
That was the last thing I remembered before I was jarred awake by the bed dipping and the sound of the mattress creaking. I slowly opened my eyes, feeling refreshed and full of strength. I still wasn’t used to my new senses, but I knew acclimating myself to my new talents were the least of my worries. I watched as Damian slipped out of bed and started to pace the floor. Although the room was completely dark, I could see a sliver of sunlight peek through the closed curtains. I pulled myself into a sitting position and stared at him. “What’s wrong?” He stopped and looked at me, the expression on his face hard to read.
“Nothing, love. The sun will be setting soon and we need to leave.”
“Where will we go?” He glanced at the closed curtain as if contemplating my question.
“I have several safe houses scattered throughout the United States and Europe. I would like to go to one overseas, but traveling can be tricky.” He ran a hand through his hair and breathed out. He came over to me and sat on the edge of the bed. We didn’t speak, just watched each other with a silent understanding.
I licked my lips and swallowed roughly. My throat was so dry, as if I hadn’t drank in days. Damian’s gaze dropped to my lips and I could see the hunger in his expression. Despite my thirst, my body heated and I became wet with need. I wanted him like I had never wanted anyone or anything in my life. This wasn’t the same arousal I had felt when I was a human, no, it was potent, animalistic in its intensity. He slowly started to lean in and I held my breath, waiting for his lips to press against mine. He stopped an inch from my mouth and I could practically feel his emotions. He was holding himself back.
“I would fuck you so hard right now you wouldn’t be able to walk.”
My mouth opened in shock as I stared at him. Never had I heard him speak so crass, so erotic. My pussy tingled and gushed out another stream of wetness. I was ready for him and there would be no resistance as he shoved all those hard, thick inches into my body.
“I can’t, though, not until I know you’re safe.” Disappointment didn’t even begin to describe how I felt. He leaned in and I felt his breath against the shell of my ear. “I know you’re thirsty, but we need to get out of here as soon as the sun sets.” He pulled back until I could feel the heat from his mouth against mine.
He kissed me with such fervor that I thought my heart would stop. His tongue slid into my mouth and teased me until I was gripping his biceps, my nails digging into his flesh. He pulled away just as suddenly and rested his forehead against mine.
I closed my eyes and I could actually feel the sun start to set. It was like a weight was being lifted off of my body, an uncomfortable sensation that I hadn’t even realized was there. Damian grabbed my hand and pressed another swift kiss to my mouth before he helped me off the bed. I had none of my belongings, but I knew they were useless in my new life.
The wind slapped me in the face as soon as we stepped outside. I inhaled and instantly sensed the warm blood of humans all around me. I could smell them with such potency it startled me and I stumbled. Damian still had a grip on my hand and helped me right myself. I noticed how he kept looking around, as if he were expecting someone or something to attack us. That idea had adrenalin pumping through my veins. He helped me into the car and I slammed the lock down. I knew if something wanted us bad enough a little lock wasn’t going to stop them, but it gave me a sense of safety. He was in the driver’s seat and speeding away before I could even exhale.
I stared out my window at the people milling around. My eyesight was so acute I could see the steady beat of their pulse right under their skin. My mouth watered and my stomach cramped. I was getting hungrier. Damian placed his hand on my thigh as if he sensed where my thoughts were going and sought to ease me.
I didn’t know where we were going but soon the city all around us turned more rustic, wild even. It appeared we were going into the mountains. The evergreens and blue spruces became more lush and abundant. The Rockies towered over us and I could see each peak capped with snow. If this was any other time I would have found the sight beautiful, calming even, but as it was, I knew we were running for our lives and seeking sanctuary within the monstrous confines of those mountains.
Minutes turned into hours and I started to shift in my seat. The road we were now on was rough and unpaved. We continued a steady incline up the mountain and I rolled my window down. The thick aroma of wilderness and purity washed into the car and all around me. The altitude caused tightness in my chest, but as if Damian read my mind he spoke.
“It's uncomfortable because you are a newly made vampire. Once you are acclimated to your body, all of those little human nuisances will disappear.”
I had no doubt that he spoke the truth, but I knew I would grow to miss those “little nuisances”. When it seemed like we were driving for hours, Damian finally rolled to a stop. I glanced around, not seeing anything but trees surrounding us. I looked over at him question.
“We have to go the rest on foot.”
I watched him get out and followed suite. He grabbed several bags out of trunk and walked over to me. He leaned down and kissed me on the cheek before leading the way. The trail we started on turned into natural brush. My attire was certainly not for hiking, but I didn’t complain because I was still alive, technically, and what I was wearing was the least of my worries.
After walking for miles I finally spotted a small cabin overgrown with flora. It was camouflaged perfectly, and if the moon’s reflection hadn’t slashed across a piece of exposed glass from the window, I wouldn’t have seen it. I mimicked Damian when he set his bags on the ground, but didn’t follow him as he started to walk around the perimeter of the cabin. I could hear the life of the forest all around me and turned in a circle to absorb it all. My senses were in overload and it overwhelmed me. He gestured for me to come forward and I stopped right in front of him.
“This isn’t the best accommodations, but until I can secure us reliable and safe transport to Europe it is the safest place to be.”
“I trust you, Damian.” He smiled down and me and took me hand. We walked up the small porch and he opened the door. When I stepped inside I wasn’t too surprised to see the condition it was in. Dirt covered the floor and kitchen counter amongst other things. There were no modern appliances, just a small portable stove, a few rusty pots and pans, and dishes to match. A couch appeared to be hiding under a brown and tattered sheet in front of the fireplace. A twin sized bed was pushed up against the farthest wall and it appeared an animal had made a home out of the bedding. I set the bags I held down and walked around. The cabin was only one large room, but I could picture its potential.
“I’m sorry, I haven’t been up here since the sixties.”
That small piece of information was the first time he had ever hinted on how old he could be. I wasn’t surprised, though. I always thought Damian to be old worldly and aristocratic. I had always pictured him on that stallion holding his sword up high as he charged into battle.
“The trees, animals, and the direction the wind blows will keep our scent hidden for the time being.”
My thoughts were jarred back to reality and I blinked several times. “Of course.” I looked around again and sensed Damian close by. When I turned faced him again he was right in front of me, a strand of my hair between his fingertips.
“I am so lucky.”
I smiled and lifted onto my toes to press my lips to his. The kiss was soft a quick and when he pulled away I felt the chill in the air.
“You need to feed.”
I shivered at his words. He led me over to the couch and ripped the sheet off. Dust flew in the air and I expected to see a worn and ancient couch revealed. It wasn’t in perfect condition, but the velvet was still a bright shade of red and the wooden arms and legs looked unmarred. We sat down and he pushed my hair off my shoulder. His fingers brushed the skin of my throat and he leaned in to place a kiss over my pulse.
“Are you hungry, Izabella?” His whispered words had my clit throbbing and my heart beating fast.
“Yes.” I breathed the word out and leaned my head to the side to give him better access. He licked and nibbled at my flesh until I was squirming on the couch and pressing myself as close to him as possible. He gently pushed me back on the couch and leaned over me. I could feel his erection pressing against my stomach and arched into him. We both groaned when he slid his fangs up and down my neck. My mouth was so dry and my teeth ached terribly. I closed my eyes and breathed through my mouth. I felt it then, my canines elongating until they pricked my bottom lip. I snapped my eyes open and brought my gaze down to the soft, supple flesh of his neck. I panted with need to sink my fangs into his skin and drink deeply. He tilted his head to the side and I squeezed my eyes shut to try and get control of myself. My mouth started to water in anticipation of what lie just below the surface of his skin.
“Do it, Izabella. Drink from me.”
It was no use. I was a slave to my needs. I leaned in and licked the side of his neck. The taste of his flesh was like ambrosia and I moaned. I couldn’t help it any longer. I struck hard and fast. I pierced his flesh and when that first gush of blood hit my tongue, I latched on harder. I sucked with fervor, groaning as the potent flavor of his blood filled my mouth and slid down my throat. He pressed himself more firmly against me and that was when I felt him pierce my neck. The pain was there, but an intense pleasure washed through me and had me on the verge of climaxing. I felt his hand slide between our bodies and lift the bottom of my dress up. The chill in the cabin was a shock to my exposed flesh, but the heat from his skin eased the uncomfortable feeling.
I speared my fingers through his hair and lifted my hips to his seeking hand. His fingers slipped beneath my panties and he started rubbing my clit in quick, pressurized circles. I made a small noise against his skin and tensed. The pleasure was beyond words. He moved his finger down and teased my pussy hole. I was so slick that his finger slipped into my body effortlessly. He started to pump the digit in and out of me. His hips were pressing into my body, his cock rubbing against my belly. I started to fuck his finger while I drank deeply. When I couldn’t drink anymore I broke away and gasped for air. My orgasm rushed through me and had me on the verge crying out. Damian kept sucking and it only increased the pleasure. When I felt his teeth retract from my flesh I finally exhaled.
I felt his tongue wipe across my neck and I slowly opened my eyes to look at his throat. Twin puncture marks marred is perfect flesh and I leaned down to slide my tongue along the wounds. I felt him shiver above me and we turned to look at each other at the same time. He pressed his lips to mine and we kissed passionately before he finally got off of me. He helped me to stand on my wobbly legs and pulled me close. I felt connected to Damian on a more primitive, natural level. He was mine and I was his, and I knew that as long as we had each other, everything would be okay.
Chapter Twelve
I stood by the window and watched as Damian chopped firewood. It seemed awfully domestic for a vampire to do. The moon peaked out from the thick canopy of trees and slashed across Damian’s profile, giving him an almost ethereal quality. We had been staying in the rustic cabin for almost a week now and after cleaning the place up it was almost livable. There wasn’t enough time for us to repair the actual structure of the cabin, and despite the rust and splintering wood; the cabin was clean and warm.
The fire blazed in the hearth and we had sporadically placed candles around the room to brighten the corners. Damian had been smart enough to bring dehydrated food for us, but I was noticing that my appetite for anything but blood was dwindling. Damian assured me that my body just needed time to adjust to my new primary diet. It was hard, but I trusted him impeccably.
I walked over to the fire and sat down in front of it. We didn’t sleep on the mattress that originally occupied the house, but now slept in front of the fire on a thick pallet. I brought my knees to my chest and rested my chin on them. I watched the flames dance across the wood, like a lovers embrace. The silence was almost comforting, but before I could enjoy it I heard the faint trickling of whispering. I looked around, but saw nothing and no one.
Chills raced up my spine and I quickly stood. The whispering was so soft I could have passed it off as my imagination, but I knew better. I walked over to the window and looked for Damian. I saw his large body disappear into the thick trees and wondered why he would need to go into the forest. Just as the thought entered my mind the front door opened. I turned around and gasped at who stood just on the other side.
The moon as his backdrop, the vampire from my nightmares stood no more than ten feet from me. I remembered his face clearly, that pale slash of flesh that seemed like a ghost in the night. I racked my brain to remember his name and then it came to me, like an evil, horrific epiphany.
“Kristoff.” I whispered his name and he chuckled cruelly.
“My sweet, you remembered.” He took a step forward and I took one back. I glanced out the window but didn’t see Damian. My heart pounded fiercely and I swallowed roughly. “What do you want?” I knew I was stronger now, knew that I was no longer the weak human he had tormented back in the cave.
His smile was large and frightening, his fangs massive, his lips stretched wide over them. “Why else am I here? Your love, the traitor,” he spat the last word as if it were poison on his lips, “thought he killed me. How foolish he was.”
He took another step forward and I gripped the counter, knocking over pots in the process so they clattered to the ground. I felt adrenalin pump through my bloodstream, but even with the burst of strength, I still felt weak compared to the towering predator in front of me.
“Your lover is preoccupied with the others. I could kill you right now and he wouldn’t be here in time to save you.” Kristoff chuckled and glanced around the room. He clucked his tongue as he ran his finger around the thin blanket that covered the couch. “I could give you a life of royalty, sweet Izabella.”
“Why me?” I whispered as I tried to plot out my escape. It was no use, the only way out was the front door and that was blocked by Kristoff. “Why have you singled me out?” He stopped advancing and stared at me for a suspended moment. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking of, but the emotions flashing across his face spoke loudly.
“You remind me of someone I lost long ago.” His voice sounded distant and strained, as if it took all of his willpower to speak. I looked out the window, his expression becoming distant as if he were thinking of times past.
I saw the opportunity to escape and I took it. I dashed forward, moving just out of his reach as he turned a startled stare at me. I could tell I had either caught him off guard or he was stunned that he had temporarily become distracted. Either way, I wasn’t about to waste the moment. I ran as fast as I could, which wasn’t that much of a distant but with furniture in the way it became more like an obstacle course.
Kristoff was fast, anticipating my every move and blocking me. I knocked over the lantern and instantly felt heat as the oil soaked into the couch fabric and the flame caught it on fire. I reached my hand out to grip the knob, but just before my fingers grasped the brass, Kristoff knocked me away so I flew across the room and against the window.
Shards of glass sprayed around me and I gasped in pain as I felt pieces slice into my back. Kristoff was in front of me in the next instant, his hand framing my face as he titled my head and pierced my neck with his monstrous fangs. I choked out a strangled cry as agony wracked my body. His power was immense and held no room for me to escape.
I could hear him drinking deeply and wanted to gag. He broke away and I stared horrified at his face. His mouth was covered in blood as he grinned and he brought his wrist to his mouth and sunk his fangs into his flesh. Before I knew what his intentions were, he had his arm pressed to my mouth, his blood seeping into my mouth and down my throat. The taste was horrid, nothing like Damian, and had me struggling away. His hand clamped on the back of my head and pressed me closer to her wrist.
“I want you to see, I want you to know what you will be for me.” His words were deep and slightly slurred, as if my blood had intoxicated him.
As his blood dripped down my throat bright lights flashed in my vision. I thought of Damian, prayed that he was safe. The bright lights soon became blinding and I closed my eyes. Kristoff tore his wrist from my mouth and I opened my eyes, but the only thing I could see was the scorching white light. For a moment I thought I was blind, but as the heat that surrounded me started to dissipate and the coolness of the outside coupled with the fresh air, I realized something more horrific then blindness was happening to me.
“What have you done to me?” My voice sounded hoarse and strangled, and as hard as I tried, I couldn’t move. I could hear everything around me, could hear people fighting in the distance. The distinct sounds of grunts and scurrying bodies were apparent, and it was when the wind blew by me that I scented Damian and blood, his blood.
Kristoff hadn’t answered me but his movements had stopped and I felt him set me on the ground. I still couldn’t move and darkness started to wash through the brightness as images of people and things I didn’t know flashed through my mind. It was like a movie, slivers of images in random order trying to come together and from the plot of what was trying to be shown. All of the sudden pain slammed into me and I cried out. I felt Kristoff’s hand on my chest; felt him pushing me down as he murmured softly. Although I couldn’t see, I felt myself spinning, the blackness a vortex taking me to another world.
I fell and fell, and when I landed I opened my eyes. I was no longer in the woods by the cabin, but instead standing in the middle of a grand field. The moon was full above me and its silvery glow showcased the hundreds of wildflowers that surrounded me. I heard faint feminine laughter and turned to see who approached.
In the distance I saw a woman laughing as she ran toward me. She kept glancing behind her and that was when I saw a man following her. They were both dressed in clothing form another era, elegant and sophisticated. I now realized who the man was, realized it was Kristoff who chased her. He looked happy; content even as I watched them embrace and then kiss. It was strange to see such a creature that exuded fear and power being gentle with the woman.
They tumbled to the ground, Kristoff leaning over her, the woman staring at him with love and acceptance. With him smiling broadly, his fangs glistening brightly, I had no doubt that she knew exactly what he was but that she didn’t care.
I still had no idea where I was or how I even got here, but I suddenly felt like an intruder. I started at the woman, realizing that her features were much like mine. The harder I looked, the more my skin tightened in fear at our resemblance.
“It is time, my love.” Krisotff’s words were light yet hesitant as he spoke to her.
I could see the woman swallow roughly before she nodded and turned her head to the side. I took a step back, watching in horror as Kristoff pierced her neck and started drinking deeply. The woman wrapped her arms around his shoulders and sighed, but the longer he drank the paler she became. She struggled at first, but her movements were slow and uncoordinated.
I covered my mouth as I heard the animalistic grunts come from Kristoff. As the woman took her last breath, Kristoff lifted his head and brought her body closer to his. The blood covering his mouth was so dark it was like spilled ink under the night sky. I didn’t want to watch, but it was as if I was rooted in place, forced to watch as he changed this fragile human into what he wanted. He tore into his wrist and brought it to her mouth. Seconds turned to minutes and I could see the panic and desperation littering his face.
I don’t know how long I stayed there watching, but when she remained lifeless and he gave a loud animalistic roar into the heavens, I seemed to snap out of my immobile state. I turned and ran, the last image ingrained in my mind that of the poor woman’s blood covering Kristoff’s face.
I shot up and gasped for breath. I looked around, my heart pounding rapidly as I watched the cabin I had been staying in burn to the ground. My respiration's were erratic, and I could not get the image I had just seen out of my mind. I had no idea what had happened, but someone Kristoff had projected his memories into me by forcing me to consume his blood. It was possible he had powers like Damian, but worrying about that wasn’t the least of my problems.
“So you see, dear Izabella, I lost the one and only woman I had ever loved.”
I turned to look at him, my eyes feeling like saucers, perspiration dotting my forehead. “I’m not her, Kristoff.”
“No, you’re not, but close enough. Mia wasn’t strong enough for the change, but you’ve already completed it. I can make you happy; make you like me, a creator, predator to rule over all others.” He grinned widely, his teeth stained with my blood and sending a chill down my spine. “You will be mine whether you want to or not. I will not loose you again.”
Horrified, I started at him before noise behind me caught my attention. Crashing through the trees was my tall and powerful warrior. Damian was covered in blood, but there were no wounds riddling his body. When he looked at me and then Kristoff, he gave a roar so loud and feral it seemed to shake the very trees.
Kristoff growled low in his throat and the two charged toward each other. I cried out, wanting to stop this but I felt so weak and disoriented. My neck throbbed and I cupped it, pulling my hand away and seeing blood coat my fingers. I wouldn’t heal as quickly because I was newly turned, but I refused to be the weaker creature again while my vampire fought to protect me. I forced myself to move and finally stood.
I weaved slightly, dizziness assaulting me as my vision doubled. I applied pressure to my wound and stared at the battle before me. They were so fast I had a hard time keeping track of their movements. Kristoff tossed Damian through the air and he slammed into the thick trunk of an oak tree. Kristoff’s leather duster billowed around him as he stalked forward and I forced myself to take another step. I reached out and gripped a tree as nausea and dizziness crashed through me. Punch after punch was thrown, but after only a moment of distraction, Damian was just as strong as ever.
“Please, stop.” My voice sounded weak even to me. Bile rose in my throat and I fell to my knees. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, didn’t know why my body was reacting like this. I reached a hand toward Damian just as I retched into the pine laden ground.
“Look at what you’ve done to her.” The sound of Damian’s furious voice brought a semblance of clarity to my haze filled brain. “You have poisoned her. For the pain you’ve caused I’ll tear you limb from limb, slowly.”
“You will let me have her or she’ll die. I have the antidote to heal her.” Kristoff spat the words as he slashed his claws down Damian’s face. Deep gouges were made along Damian’s flesh but just as fast as they were formed they disappeared. Kristoff growled low in his throat and went for Damian’s neck. “Give her up or you will be the one killing her.” Damian anticipated his move and ducked, coming up behind Kristoff and gripping his neck with both hands. Damian kept his hands on Kristoff’s neck as he slammed him repeatedly against the tree.
“What is the antidote?” Damian roared out as he continued to slam him against the tree trunk. Blood coated the bark along with pieces of flesh. I couldn’t hold back my gag reflex and retched again. “Tell me! What have you given her?”
“Blood, more specifically, mine.” Laughter filtered out of Kristoff and Damian turned him around. “Let me have her or your precious Izabella will die before the night is over.” Kristoff smirked cruelly
I stared at Damian as tears streamed down my face. He had poisoned me with his blood. Somehow he had infected himself in order to infect me. I saw the war raging within Damian, saw his look of defeat as he glanced at me and then back at Kristoff. “No, Damian. I’d rather die then go with him.”
Kristoff laughed evilly again and speared me with his hedonistic glare. “She would rather die then stay with her vampire lover.” Kristoff’s smirk faltered as Damian tightened his grip around his neck. “Give her to me, Damiano. It is the only way to save her.”
Darkness started to encompass me as I tried diligently to stay conscious. My arms gave out and my vision became blurry just as I saw Damian release his old on Kristoff and turn away. I would have cried out in agony if the blackness had not chosen that time to take me away.
Chapter Thirteen
I slowly opened my eyes; my lids feeling like weights covered them. I blinked rapidly, only a dim light above my head giving me any inkling as to where I was. As my brain started to fully function again, the memory of Damian and Kristoff in the woods assaulted me. I clamped my jaw tight and held in the scream that threatened to escape. I frantically looked around, but my vision was still a little blurry and the poor lighting didn’t help.
I slowly pulled myself into a sitting position and looked at my surroundings . I was in a room, but I didn’t know who it belonged to. I had my suspicions but I prayed things in the woods had worked out at Damian was well and safe.
The sound of dripping water was a dim echo around me and the smell of musky earth wafted through my senses. There were no windows and I couldn’t gauge what time it was. I didn’t feel the prickling in the back of my neck that promised a painful death by way of the sun, so I had to assume it was evening.
My throat was parched, so very dry. Never had I been this thirsty, and that thought alone had fear swarming within me.
I ground my teeth and stood on shaky legs. The room was dark and cold and the feeling of being far underground slammed into me. I wrapped my arms around my stomach and slowly started to walk forward. I didn’t see a door, but I knew there had to be a way out. The sound of chains and a tugging at my ankle had me halting and glancing down. Secured around my leg was an almost paper thin chain and lock. It was anchored to the wall by my bed.
Horror washed into me because I knew Damian was most definitely not okay if I was chained to a wall in some dank holding cell. The urge to call out was strong, but this wasn’t a horror movie and I wasn’t that stupid. I had no doubt that whoever my captor was watched me at this very moment. I went back to the bed and sat down.
I lifted the minuscule chain, the weight so slight I couldn’t believe someone actually thought it would keep me prisoner. I started to pull at it, but either it was mystically reinforced or my immortal powers were no more. I dropped the chain and tried to remember what happened back at the woods before I passed out.
I remember feeling sick and faint and then Damian talking about blood, poisoning and an antidote. My pulse quickened and a cold sweat formed along my body. I was Kristoff’s prisoner, and until he deemed it so, I would not be leaving.
“Welcome to your new home, precious.”
I turned a startled glance toward the darkened corner and gasped as the man of my nightmares stepped into the light. Kristoff smiled broadly, his impeccably styled hair and handsome features a deception as to the monster he truly was. The smell of excitement and anticipation was a strong cloud around him.
“I have so many things planned for you, Izabella.”
I stared at him in horror as he took a step toward me. I was too scared to move, too frightened to lash out. All I could do was watch him with wide eyes as he reached a hand out and caressed my cheek. I wanted to turn my head away, wanted to yell and scream, but it was as if his gaze had me entranced, hypnotized.
I admit, he was ever so gentle while he touched me, and even though I couldn’t move away, my mind was still my own. I felt disgust and repulsion and I wanted to convey that to him, but I didn’t think it showed. If it did he didn’t care because he continued to look at me with longing in his eyes.
“You look so much like my lost love. How I wish you could see what I see.” He murmured, his warm breath brushing against my hair and stirring the tendrils. “In time you will grow to love me, my sweet Izabella. I am a very patient man and we have all the time in the world.”
I didn’t respond, didn’t even know if I could have at that moment. He dropped his hand and stepped away from me. My throat was so dry, my hunger a rising tide that threatened to consume me. My eyes dropped to his neck and I stared at the pale column of his throat. My stomach cramped at the thought of the warm blood that lay just beneath the fragile surface of his skin. I gritted my teeth and took a step back, refusing to let him see the thirst reflected on my face.
I flicked my eyes up when I heard him laugh. His smile was bright white against the inky backdrop. “You try to hide your hunger from me, but I assure you, Izabella my love, you will not be able to hold out much longer. When you do let your hunger consume you, I will be there, my princess, to feed you. It will be glorious.” With that being said he turned and stalked out of the room, but before he closed the door behind him he turned and spoke one last time. “You will submit to me, and when you do your life will be one of royalty.”
I wasn’t sure what he meant, but I could hear the dark promise laced within his words, as if he could foretell the future and knew what was to come. I refused to be this monsters plaything, his doll to dress and love and make submit to him. I thought of Damian, hoped he was okay, prayed he was still alive. I needed to escape, needed to leave this hellhole even if it meant death.
The door shut behind him and I heard the numerous locks click into place. I let myself fall to the bed and curled into the fetal position. How would I escape? I could I outsmart him? I knew his age far surpassed my own, knew he was powerful. He wanted me, and I knew that no matter what I did he wouldn’t let me go.
****
I had no concept of time, didn’t know if it had been days, weeks, even months of being Kristoff’s prisoner. I didn’t speak to him when he came to me, didn’t even acknowledge him. I knew it hurt him, could sense the longing and despair around him. My thirst was getting worse and it was getting harder to hold off the desire to attack him and feast on his blood every time he entered. I knew this was his plan, knew he was just bidding his time until he could bask in the glory of breaking me. I didn’t know how long I would last.
I could smell him before he even unlocked the door. His blood talked to me, promised strength and vitality. I bit my tongue and tasted my blood. It was a poor substitute for what I knew would be coming. I turned my head toward the wall when he entered. I remembered how he tasted, like acid on my tongue, but now, with the hunger like a hot poker in my gut, it sounded heavenly, euphoric.
I sensed him step closer. “How long must we play these games, Izabella?” He sighed heavily. “There will come a time when you won’t have the willpower to control yourself. You will claw at your own skin, lap at your blood with the need to feed.” He reached out and caressed my hair. I pressed myself closer to the wall.
“Why not just force me, Kristoff? Why are you playing these games?”
“Your surrender will be all the more sweeter if you come to me.” The bed dipped as he sat beside me. “Don’t you see, Izabella, I want you to walk beside me as my queen and lover.”
I could feel the anger rising within me. “I will never be your queen or lover!” I jumped off the bed and stood in the corner of my cell. I needed to get away from him. Not just because he repulsed me, but because his blood drew me in. I don’t know if the chain around my ankle was mystically enforced, but I had no strength. Even if I did I was no match against him and his many years.
He laughed, but it was cruel and heartless. “That is where you are wrong. The next time I come to you I promise you will welcome me with open arms.” He left my prison, slamming the door behind him so hard the very stone seemed to shake.
I let myself slide down to the ground and rested my head in my hands. I worried about a lot of things, but what I worried about the most was that Kristoff was telling the truth. I feared that the next time he came to me I would welcome him, because my hunger was only growing and my strength was slowly leaving me.
Chapter Fourteen
I don’t know how long I had been in this prison. I knew it couldn’t have been that long, though, but time had no meaning anymore, not when the thirst was clawing at me incessantly and demanding to be released.
I don’t know how much longer I could last, if I even could once I saw him again. The very thought of hot, sticky blood sent my throat on fire and had my stomach twisting and turning upon itself. I didn’t know how long a vampire could survive without blood, couldn’t even remember if Damian had told me.
There were no windows in this hell hole, but the fact that I couldn’t actually see the moon and stars made me desperate for freedom. Kristoff came and went as he pleased, with no real purpose for his visits besides tormenting me. I could hear his heart beating before he even entered the room, could practically taste his blood on my tongue. I sickened myself with my thoughts, wished I would just die and not be tormented any longer. My mind was strong to the temptation, but it was slowly weakening. My body on the other hand was weak. As much as I wanted to have willpower and refuse Kristoff, I feared my breaking point was near.
My thoughts were jumbled, thrown toward only one purpose, one need…to feed.
I heard the sound of a steady pulse, strong, life giving. It came closer and I roused from my disoriented haze. I knew what was happening, but I was so sluggish, so tired and thirsty. I heard the jangle of keys, heard his pulse grow quicker with anticipation. I wanted to gag, wanted to kill him with my bare hands as I sensed his arousal and excitement. He thought today was the day I would break down and accept his offer. I wanted to say that wasn’t the case, but honestly, I would be lying.
I couldn’t go on any longer. If I could just have a little taste, a little nourishment other then the sloop he fed me, I would be stronger. I needed the strength to escape and find Damian, if he was even still alive. I knew he was keeping me weak, hoping to tempt me to the point of desperation where I would take what he offered. It was working.
I felt my fangs lengthen, felt my skin grow clammy and excited at what lay just behind the door. I slowly uncurled myself from the corner and stood. I pressed my palms against the cold stone of the wall and stared at the door.
“I can hear you, Izabella. I can practically taste your hunger; feel your yearning to pierce my flesh.” His voice was low and laced with excitement.
His laughter grated on my nerves, but most of all, hearing his voice sent a shiver of hunger through me. Keep it together, Izabella! Think of Damian. Think of how strong he would want you to be. As I thought this, I also wanted to curse Damian, lash out of him for turning me and making me a fiend for blood. That was the hunger speaking, the raw need making me not think rationally, clearly. Damian saved my life, gave me a new one where we could be together.
I knew without feeding I wouldn’t be able to escape and fight Kristoff off. I had seen the way he stared at me; saw the way his gaze raked over my body as if he could see right through my clothes.
The door swung open and Kristoff stood on the other side. The light from behind him blocked his features, but I knew he was staring at me. I locked my jaw and held my breath. Even doing this, hoping to hold off my hunger, block my senses, I could still hear his pulse. He took a step inside and shut the door behind him, successfully locking himself inside my prison.
“You can’t last much longer, Izabella. Just give in and become mine.”
“Never.” I took a step back, the chain around my ankle lightly scrapping across the grimy floor.
“You enjoy this hole? You enjoy sleeping in that ratty bed? If you just give in I can make you a Queen, give you everything your heart desires.” His voice was laced with irritation; agitation that I hadn’t given in yet, hadn’t succumbed to his advances.
I was shaking my head before he even finished. A look of frustration crossed his features and I watched as he reached into his pocket. Hesitantly staring at him, I wasn’t sure what he had in mind, but knowing him it couldn’t be good. When he pulled his hand out of his pocket I couldn’t quite tell what was in his grasp. He took a step forward and I felt my eyes widen. The razorblade glinted off the muted lighting.
His grin was predatory, purely animalistic as he took another step forward. I thought he meant to cut me, to torment me until I gave in. What he did with that blade was something I wasn’t prepared for. He held it up, as if to show me something monumental. Then he lifted his hand and turned his wrist toward me. I knew, at that very moment that he truly was tormenting me.
He ran that blade across his alabaster flesh and I watched in stunned awe as the skin parted and ruby red blood welled from the wound. My fangs shot out of my mouth as did my claws. My heart beat fast, pumping adrenalin and strength through my veins and preparing me to attack.
There was still a small logical part of my brain able to function, able to rationalize with me on how wrong this was on so many levels. I didn’t want to listen to that part. I ran my tongue across my lips, watched a trail of crimson snake down his forearm and found myself taking a step forward. I positively shook with excitement. The wound sealed and disappointment consumed me. I could reopen it, slice my fangs into his flesh until his warm blood coated my mouth and sated my hunger.
Horrible cramps wracked my belly, so fierce my knees buckled and I fell to the ground. I rested my hands on the cold, dirty floor, feeling tears slip down my cheeks even though I loathed showing him what he did to me.
“It doesn’t have to be like this, love. I can give you everything you want. You aren’t loosing, you are winning. You are gaining insurmountable strength and power.”
I tensed as his words filtered against my ear, moving tendrils of my hair. I lifted my eyes to his, realized he was so close I could see the pulse beating at the base of is throat, hear the steady rhythm of his blood being pumped through his body.
“You are truly a monster.”
“No, I am just a man that loved a woman and is desperate to feel that way again.” He spoke with such conviction, such generosity that it was hard for me to decipher whether he was lying or honestly being sincere. I remembered the vision I had, the one he implanted into my mind when he poisoned me. He had seemed in love, but he was not that man anymore. Hate and greed had transformed him.
“I’m not that woman, Kristoff.” His face hardened but he didn’t move away.
“No, you are not, but you are a good substitute, one that will please me well.”
With that last thing being said he took the razor and sliced a gnash at the base of his throat. Blood gushed out and instantly I was riveted. All logic and sense left me and I leaned forward, practically tasting it on my tongue.
“Do it, Izabella, taste what I offer.”
Before I could stop myself I was latched onto his throat, sucking greedily at the warm blood that pumped into my mouth. I groaned, felt Kristoff wrap his arms around me, and heard his moan of enjoyment. Should have been sickened by his reaction, by my reaction, but the taste of his blood on in my mouth and down my throat was so addicting, so intoxicating, I didn’t care about anything else. My hunger was diminishing and I felt power surge through me. I sucked and sucked, felt blood run down my chin and groaned greedily.
“My sweet, sweet, Izabella. You will soon be mine.”
I broke away, breathing heavily and staring wide eyed at the large wound I created on his neck. I covered my mouth with my hands, disgusted and on the verge of tears. I pulled my hands away, saw them streaked with his blood and felt myself gagging. Kristoff laughed, a sound filled with so much triumph I knew I had fallen right into his trap.
“Because you have been such a good girl, I will bring you a present, precious.” He leaned in, as if to kiss me, but I turned my head. He kissed my cheek, the feel of his cool lips on my flesh like ice. He turned and left, leaving me to wallow in my own self disgust. I cried, harder than any other night before. I had let myself down, let Damian down.
I knew, at that time, that Kristoff would shape me and turn me into the creature he wanted. I was lost, utterly and truly, and there was nothing I could do about it. I wasn’t nearly as strong as him, and I knew he would never let me go, knew he would never trust me without a prison to guard me.
It was then, as fat tears moved down my cheeks that the only way I was going to escape was to be who and what Kristoff wanted. I would have to play into his hands, let him think I wanted him, wanted the life he offered. That was my only way of escaping, to be who he wanted me to be. I was going to have to act my ass off, but if it meant freedom and possibly seeing Damian again I had to do it.
Chapter Fifteen
As the days progressed I found myself slipping deeper and deeper into a dark hole. My life wasn’t mine any longer. I craved Kristoff, yearned for him to come to me and quench my thirst. I could see myself changing, morphing into what he wanted, but I was helpless to stop it.
Everyday my prison became more bearable. I knew he could also see the changes within me, and I could also see how much it pleased him. I wanted to make him happy, for without him I would surely die. It wouldn’t just be my mind, but my body as well. I would waste away until there was nothing left of me but the decaying flesh and bone of a withered body.
There were times I would look back on myself and see where this path has taken me. A part of me wanted to fight it, but then a stronger force would show me that this is what should happen. I felt pulled in two different directions, and my memory of Damian was slowly starting to fade. Whereas I should have been thinking about leaving and searching for him, all
I could think about was when Kristoff would come to me next.
His footsteps, starting so far away would become closer and my fangs would ache. My heart would pump faster, my taste buds salivating as I imagined the taste of him on my tongue. I was addicted, and as much as I knew I should be worried about that fact, I didn’t want it to end.
As if he could read my mind the door swung open and he stepped inside. As usual, his shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, his throat creamy and exposed, his pulse beating madly. I knew this part always excited him, when I would come to him and take what he was offering. He had yet to touch me, and even though I yearned for him in the most basic of senses, I couldn’t bring myself to give myself to him that way. I knew he would pursue it, and what worried me the most was that eventually I wouldn’t be able to stop him.
“Sweet, Izabella. You look lovelier every time I see you.”
I glanced down at my gown, a crisp white one that showed the swells of my breasts. He always dressed me like this, always gave me these dresses that reminded me of what a virgin might wear on her wedding night. I ran my gaze to the hem of the gown and down to my ankle. That thin, shimmering chain was still attached to me and I absently ran my finger across it.
“Come here, Izabella.” He held his arms out and I pulled myself up and went to him.
His arms encased me and I immediately smelled the blood that rushed right below the surface of his flesh. Shifting on my feet, I brought myself closer to him and inhaled deeply.
“Would you like that chain off, my love? Would you like to come and stay with me upstairs?” He pulled me back and stared down at me, his eyes seeming to search my very soul. “I think you are ready. I think you need to be out of this hole.”
I nodded without hesitation. I wanted to be closer to him, closer to his blood, my addiction. He smirked and crouched before me. Lifting my foot, he cradled it in his hand and then ran his palm over it. I watched in stunned disbelief as the chain sparkled for a second and then vanished. His fingers started caressing my ankle while he stared up at me.
“Just a little magic, Izabella.” He stood and captured my hand, bringing it to his mouth and running his lips over my skin. The urge to pull back was dim.
He pulled gently and I followed him out of the room. I glanced back, saw my dark prison become more and more distant and felt a small sliver of fear wash through me.
“Izabella?” I turned and looked at him. We had stopped and he now watched me curiously.
“Is everything okay?”
I blinked several times. He brought his finger to my mouth and I instantly tasted his blood on my tongue. I pulled back, slightly surprised and saw the small gnash on the digit. The fear started to dissipate and I smiled almost drunkenly.
“Come on, darling. Let me show you to your new room.”
We ascended a long set of ancient looking stone steps. The air became warmer, less damp. Once we reached the top he pushed open a heavy looking door and pulled me through it. The room we stepped into was very impressive, and exactly how I pictured Kristoff living. Everything screamed old world, antique, and worth a lot.
We continued moving through several other rooms, each one having the same European feeling to it. There were no windows, none I could see anyway, and I couldn’t help the feeling of isolation and the feeling of being inside a tomb. The door we stopped in front of was closed. Etched into the wood were strange symbols and designs that I wasn’t even about to try and place. When he opened the door and ushered me inside I couldn’t help but feel elation at the sight before me.
Silk and satin covered the bed and hung over it in a delicate canopy. The room was very dainty and screamed feminine sophistication. It was exactly how I would have designed t. It was so eerie that he had gotten my likes so acutely, but then again there were a lot of things that were strange and eerie about Kristoff. I found my thoughts drifting quickly through my mind, as if there wasn’t any room for all the wonder, doubts, and fears inside of it.
Glancing all around, I realized there were those same strange symbols and designs etched into the ceiling and around the bed. “What are those designs?” I pointed at the ones above the bed and then looked questioningly at Kristoff. His smile was frightening.
“Although I can see how much you have grown to care for me, sweetness, there are certain precautions I have to take were you’re concerned.”
“Precautions?” I could hear the confusion thick in my voice.
“You see, sweet Izabella, I have a certain talent that allows me to create spectacular things.” He held his hand out, palm supine, and grinned at me. Shimmering light circled his hand and lying in his palm was the chain he used to keep me downstairs. “My powers have been called mystical, magical even, but in reality they were a very generous gift.”
“From who?” I shouldn’t have asked because honestly I didn’t know if I wanted him to tell me. His smile was truly horrifying, as if what he was about to tell me was one that held all secrets.
“You see, some think that a vampire is damned, a soulless being that is the very creation of the devil himself. In all actuality, my kind is just a mutated form of humans. Our DNA has been changed, altered into what you see now.” He stepped closer to me and I could feel his body heat, could sense how much he enjoyed telling me this story.
“The night I was changed a man approached me in the woods. He was no different in appearance then me, but there was something about him, something horrifying and powerful beneath the façade he presented. He offered me everything I could want, anything I lusted after. My payment for such a gracious gift? My soul.”
His story sounded like some kind of movie, the devil bargaining with an unsuspecting person for everything their heart desired.
“When I woke the next night I had these insurmountable powers. Now, you might be asking yourself how have I kept my gift hidden for so long? You see, sweetness, when one such as me plays the fool, everyone accepts him as such.” He held his arms out as if showcasing everything around him. “I could have taken out anyone who stood in my way, but then what would have that got me? A mess to clean up and an eternity of solitude.” He started to walk around the room, touching everything he passed. “I knew you would come back to me, and so I waited, bidding my time and making a home for us.”
He spoke as though he knew all along I would come to him, as if we had been destined all along. It was unsettling. He stepped toward me again and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“I have missed you all these years, but you are now by my side again.” He leaned in close so that his breath teased my hair. “I have a secret, Izabella. This secret will not only bind you to me for all eternity, it will ensure that you will never want anyone accept me by your side.”
He pulled away and I stared at him in absolute horror. He brought his lips to my cheek for a gentle kiss. When he pulled away again I watched as his fang sliced into the bottom of his lip. The drop of blood that welled up had my body humming with unsuppressed hunger. Before I realized what was happening, Kristoff’s mouth was slanted against mine, his blood spilling into my mouth. I moaned in disgust and pleasure, unable to stop myself when that darkly rich taste slipped down my throat.
We seemed to float to the bed, his mouth still fastened to mine. He laid me upon the butter soft bedding and covered his body with mine. I could feel the sting of repulsion inside of me, but with his blood coursing through my brain I didn’t care.
When he pulled back and looked down at me, I felt a strong urge of willpower surface. “What are you doing to me?” I could hear my voice, the slurred words and drunken tone.
He leaned close until his lips were just an inch from mine. “My blood, the substance that has you so enthralled, has been drugging you, darling.” He pressed his lips to mine and I felt numb, paralyzed. “Soon you won’t be able to resist anything I offer. Soon you will do anything I say without thought.”
Even as my mind piqued with alarm, I knew he was right. How was I supposed to fight him when he had a weapon such as this? All I could think about was how much I wanted his blood, how delicious and intoxicating it was. I felt like weeping, but I knew he was right. He was far stronger then me, both physically and mentally. I thought of Damian. I wondered where he was, if he was okay. As I stared into Kristoff’s dark expression, I worried that he had killed my love, killed the only person that I had ever truly cared for.
“You are so pretty when you cry, Izabella.”
I hadn’t known the tears had actually fallen until I felt the warm wetness slid over my cheeks. Kristoff brushed them away and I wanted to turn my head away, but I was paralyzed, transfixed by his actions and touch.
“I have a present for you, my sweetness, but I can’t reveal it until just the right time.” His smile was broad and frightening and I could only imagine what terrifying “gift” he had for me.
He rolled off of me, but didn’t move away completely. He pulled me close so that the heat of his body surrounded me. I bit the inside of my cheek and cried harder. I cried for everything I would never have, would never experience in this new life. But what I cried hardest for was what I would never have with Damian.
“Sleep, my love.”
That was the last thing I remember before whatever drug laced his blood coursed through my veins and swept me to sleep.
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