Vamptations

Vamptations

MIDNIGHT SHOWCASE Erotic-aah Digest Vol. 06-27

Vamptations

MIDNIGHT SHOWCASE www.midnightshowcase.com

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Vamptations Published by Midnight Showcase PO Box 300491 Houston, TX 77230 USA www.midnightshowcase.com Lord of the Night, Copyright © 2006 Leanne Strange Vampyric Dreams, Copyright © 2006 Ravyn Reccio Love & Redemption, Copyright © 2006 Emery LaRue Scent of Passion, Copyright © 2006 Skylar Sinclair FE959, Copyright © 2006 Michael Barnette Song of the Vamp, Copyright © 2006 Megan Hussey Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISSN 1555-5496 Vol. 06-27 Credits Editors- Megan Hussey, Anna Fallon Copy- Caroline Ballantine, Mae Powers Format Editors – Mae Powers & Jewel Adams Cover Layout: Mae Powers Printed in the United States of America

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Vamptations Vampires have haunted our dreams for eons. Yet, how can we resist their dark allure and hypnotic wonder. Whether a classic vamp or an empathic one, they scare us and thrill us, and even make themselves the objects of our affections. So don’t just watch your neck and mind when you read these devilishly succulent tales, but watch it when the lights go out, and the bedroom door creaks open. Lord of the Night, Leanne Strange Vampire Lucan Wolf is trapped in an eternal realm of nightmares and wonders. Will a strange ethereal woman free him from his lonely prison? Vampyric Dreams, Ravyn Reccio Vampire Micah Davenport has searched for 600 years for his truemate, Gabrielle. But dangerous forces threaten a love that's been destined for centuries. Love & Redemption, Emery LaRue Draven had no time for love until the beautiful Timbre. Now he must fight to keep her alive, and save his own tainted vampire heart. Scent of Passion, Skylar Sinclair Fabyan's been alone for a hundred years. On a chance evening out, he catches the scent of his lost love. Now, he must claim her. FE959, Michael Barnette Frontier Explorer 959 is out at the edge of known space when he receives a distress call that will change him forever. Song of the Vamp, Megan Hussey Sylvan is a vampire whose ‘night job’ facilitates his lifestyle. When he falls for Antonia, his no-nonsense manager, will he surrender the ‘night life?’

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Lord of the Night by Leanne Strange Vampire Lucan Wolf is trapped in an eternal realm of nightmares and wonders. Will a strange ethereal woman free him from his lonely prison?

http://www.laniaames.com/leanne/leannestrange.html Leanne Strange is the writing team of...

Mae Powers www.maepowers.com and Lani Aames www.laniaames.com

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Lord of the Night by Leanne Strange Chapter One For what seemed like eternity, Lucan roamed this supernatural realm called Eternus. The immortality he once sought was now a prison, and time had become his enemy. Bereft of companionship save the music of life hidden within his darkened soul, he saw the natural fauna that inhabited this alternate dimension during the rare occasions Eternus allowed him out of his confines. It eased his loneliness somewhat, but the beasts could not substitute for intelligent company. To his knowledge, no one else came into Eternus during his incarceration. He’d been allowed out to feed and to help the one he fed upon – there was always a price to pay. Eternus heard voices as he did, sometimes. Someone who needed rescuing, or need some kind of aid. And it seemed those were the times, the blood lust hit him and he needed to feed. Just enough to survive out there. Yet, here, in Eternus, he didn’t hunger always for blood and soul sustenance. He discontinued his daily walks through this place he knew so well. He even lost interest in learning about the wonders of the pyramid-shaped building, which rose up like a tombstone; and whose interior knew no bounds. Instead he concentrated on developing the power to change into a being of energy and hoped one day someone would enter this void. Had it been ten or a thousand years that he lived here? He wasn’t sure. During his time here, he’d learned the secrets of Eternus. Most of them, he reflected, but not the most important one of all – how to escape. His loneliness oft brought him despair and his previous eagerness to learn nearly faded through to endless emptiness. 6

Vamptations What good were power and knowledge when you had no one to share them with? He then slept, waiting, hoping that one day Eternus would bring him the companion he needed to strengthen his weary soul. For, he learned from Eternus that a key of some kind, of someone’s soul, was the only permanent way out for him. When that person came, he would awaken once more with lingering hopes that the one he sought would pull him completely out of this desolate prison. **** Darkness embraced her from all around, enfolding her even farther in its lush, mysterious depths. It stole the breath from her chest, making the world edge in even closer. A few seconds later, her tired, tormented eyes saw a shimmering twirl of silver light dance downwards. Ominous yet beckoning, eerie but hypnotically beautiful, the rays of light crept towards her weary body. A tall, black-clothed man descended like a darkling lord of the night from the heart of the radiant sphere. When his feet silently touched the ground, his powerful presence engulfed her entire world. Except for the sounds of their deep ragged breaths, nothing interrupted the deathly silence surrounding them. Heart pounding in her chest, her back pressed against the tree trunk she’d fallen near just minutes before, she saw the foreboding circle of light appear. As he loomed closer, she could see his coppertinted eyes shine like sparks from a new penny. Then he blinked and they darkened to bronze. He loomed nearer. A soft, unearthly wind blew around only him, gently whipping his long black cape behind his athletically muscular body. His light auburn hair blew away from his high forehead, wavy tendrils swirling angrily around his handsome face. In the shadowy recesses of her nightmares, Bobbie vaguely recalled seeing that face before, but now, in her terror-filled mind of jumbled thoughts, it was not a face she feared. Something from his presence filled her with a sudden, tentative calm. He stopped just before he reached her, but did not touch her. Only slightly taller than her own five-foot-ten-inch height, she could almost look him straight in the eyes, even in her flat-heeled sandals. “Who are you?” he asked, his voice a rasping whisper. “I have to go.” Bobbie started to move, but he stepped in her way, halting her. 7

Vamptations “Who are you? Why have you come to me?” The stranger peered deeply into her eyes. “There must be a reason Eternus projected me here. I’ve been released to help others before, so I must be here to help you. I will show you a path, but the rest is your choice.” Bobbie stood mesmerized by his eyes and powerful presence. “I don’t understand...” Her words and his response were lost in the mystery of the night as an eerie glow formed around them. She slumped towards him then. Darkness and light enveloped them and everything within her mind went blank. **** Lucan stirred within his self-confinement. He awoke to the soft insistence from Eternus. He blinked his mind open, still foggy with years of sleep. He dreamt of being released from here, to find another wayward soul like himself. The image of a woman vaguely haunted him. As soon as he stood near her in his dreams, the light from Eternus opened up and swallowed them both into its borders. Had it indeed been a dream or a fractured moment of reality? The essence of Eternus stirred within and around him. Soon he felt a drifting of another entering his realm. Yes, he thought of Eternus as his now. No other ever entered Eternus before him, that he knew of, or had been cursed into its borders. One day, perhaps, Eternus would allow more within its boundaries. At least for now, another had come. Had it really finally happened then? Had someone else fallen into the embrace of Eternus? Would he have a companion to share the secrets of Eternus with? A faint stirring of hope aroused him. He hadn’t felt so light of spirit and mind in years. Doorways into Eternus opened occasionally, but no one ever came through. He knew part of the reason was because no one had opened him or herself completely to sharing the essence of hope that Eternus offered. He shivered with the awareness. He felt another’s soul – no, the whole being – enter the threshold of a world he thought of as his home despite his continued captivity. He would be grateful for the company, male or female. Most of him hoped it would be a woman. One he could talk and walk with. One he could get to know more intimately should they be compatible. So many centuries had passed by he’d almost forgotten what it was like to hold a woman against him. He needed to finish awakening and prepare for his visitor. Foremost, he and Eternus should make sure the person would be receptive to them. He readied himself to greet his visitor. 8

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Chapter Two Bobbie felt caught between reality and a dream. For some reason, this was both comforting and disturbing. The dusk of evening blanketed her, but soft moonlight showed her she was standing at the edge of a broad meadow. She didn’t know how she came to be there for her mind stayed in a state of befuddlement. She glanced quickly behind her, seeing the dark ominous forest. Is that where she came from? She felt out of breath as if she’d ran some distance. She also felt as if she just awoke from a dream. Soon, her breathing returned to normal. A reprieve, she thought, from the horrors she left behind her and from those to come. She glanced from left to right, but then her attention pulled towards the center of the huge clearing. She took a deep breath and exhaled, compelled to move in that direction. She didn’t know what supernatural force or instinct propelled her. In seconds, she walked toward a gleaming object floating over a small pool in the middle of the meadow. Whether dream or reality, it glowed extremely bright. Bobbie felt the tickling of the yellow-green grass beneath her feet teasing her bare ankles. A soft wind twisted her dress gently around her lithe form. The ball seemed to glow brighter yet move farther away each step she took. To the right, another shiny object caught her attention, a small pyramid-shaped structure decorated with small, sparkling symbols embedded in its top. Like the round sphere above the pond, the building drew her to it. She glanced back at the glowing ball and saw beneath it water sprayed upward like a tiny geyser. The illuminated disk of matter teased her, circling around the geyser’s edge, dancing in undulating patterns, then it settled with a soft roll in the center of the tower of water. Like the water, it bubbled and bobbed up and down. This time, though, the sphere glowed a bit more ominously. The wind grew a little sharper, and instead of 9

Vamptations tickling her ankles, the blades of grass began to nip at them. The wind grew in intensity until it roared. Bobbie tried to back away, but a strange force prevented her from taking more than a few’ steps at a time. Suddenly, her heel slipped into a tiny rut and she went reeling backwards. For a few seconds, she lay stunned. She sat up just in time to see the geyser and sphere merge with one another. A tall, large form began to shape and glow eerily. An outline of a man slowly became visible. It was as if someone were sketching him, and then filling in his features. Penetrating, bronze-colored eyes formed first then a blunt nose and a large, scowling mouth. Even with the black robes appearing around his body, she could make out the hard lean muscles. There was something instinctively familiar and comforting about him. A feeling of home. Her instincts warned her to run, to leave the meadow while she could. She stood up quickly as the man walked across the surface of the pond. Bobbie turned in the direction of the pyramid and ran as fast as she could. She heard his deep voice calling after her, telling her to wait. She didn’t turn around to see if he followed. She stopped just in front of the triangular-shaped edifice and searched for an opening. The building was larger than she first thought, and its walls were slick. She moved around the whole of it, tromping through vines and weeds nibbling at her toes and the tops of her sandaled feet. Fear made her heart beat faster. “I will show you the way.” The deep voice made her heart and body freeze with dread. Would he destroy her or free her from this nightmare? **** Bobbie circled the building again, and then came back around to where she first started searching. At the front of the structure, she stopped, finding no entrance. Frustrated she pounded her fists against the smooth wall. Nothing happened. She rapped harder until hands suddenly grasped her wrists from behind. “You will hurt yourself that way.” She twisted around to find the strange man glaring down at her. Up close, she saw what she’d mistaken for a robe was a voluminous, black cape nearly covering his black shirt, pants, and boots. His luscious, fiery brown hair only emphasized the brooding austerity of his clothing. 10

Vamptations Trying to calm herself, she demanded, “Who are you? What am I doing here? Just let me go home.” For a moment, his eyes softened. “I’ve been called many things, but my name is Lucan Wolf. Do you remember where home is or who you are? Had you not run, I could have told you about myself and Eternus.” He reached out to take her wrists within his large hands. She glanced up into his gaunt, handsome face. His dark eyes were like the sun setting on a moonless night, vast and mysterious. She blew her wavy, dark blonde hair out of her face, wondering why his voice still reminded her of something familiar, something she still could not fathom. Bobbie pulled her wrists from his hold. Angered and confused she took a step back. “I recall my name at least! It’s Bobbie. Now tell me what this is all about. Let me wake up. I never wished for any of this.” “Yes, I believe you did,” he said, sighing. “We must both suffer until you remember doing so. I cannot force you to see things in a different perspective if you don’t wish to know why you’ve been pulled here.” Her eyes widened. She had no reason to believe or trust this strange man. “You seem familiar, but I don’t know you. Why won’t you make any sense? I just want to awaken from this dream and go home. Please tell me how.” She hadn’t meant to sound whiny, but she sounded scared and very tired. Although she needed to be cautious around the stranger, she still felt he would not harm her. Sadly, he shook his head, his hair swaying with his movements. “I am not able to tell you anything. You must lead yourself out of this, Bobbie. This was your choice to make. I can open the door for you.” Bobbie took another step back as he moved closer to the building. He waved his hand in an arc and an opening appeared. Startled, she took a step nearer, peering into the dark entrance. “How did you do that? I saw no crack that resembled an opening at all.” She turned to glance back at him, only to find him gone. Bobbie’s mouth gaped open in surprise. One minute, he appeared out of a geyser, and the next, he vaporized like hot water. She needed to wake up quickly. Being in a nightmare seemed the only sensible rationale she could come up with. Everything around her seemed too surreal. Except, her mind contradicted her, that look of genuine 11

Vamptations sadness and concern in his hypnotic eyes. So real, in fact, it stung her heart. She heard a tiny creaking sound and swung back around to see the opening narrowed just a bit. She took a hesitant step nearer. It didn’t look too inviting. Before she had a chance to decide whether to enter or not, something shoved her through the entrance. She landed on a hard cold floor. The door clanged shut immediately and darkness swallowed her up.

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Chapter Three Lucan’s complete physical and spiritual system felt the havoc of her emotions running amok within him. The physical part of his being, especially, felt her nearness. After he awakened to her presence, he felt the turmoil of thoughts ravaging her mind. So open, so frail, she seemed to him. She felt as if she were in a nightmare of searching, of desperation. He wanted to be gentle, yet he knew she was still frightened. Her soft beauty captured his soul and more. Somewhere within, he realized she connected with Eternus and him. Now, she needed to find a path to her destiny – whether it coupled with his or not. She had to make the choice to stay or go. This was his home now. He hoped that she would make it her own. He would do what he could to help her, but ultimately, the decision would be hers. He hoped against all he’d ever known, felt, or endured in his long life, that she would find what she sought and not be forced into captivity. He’d been angry, as much as he could recall those earlier times, when he got thrust in this soul-draining void. Yet, this mystical realm strengthened his powers and showed him many wonders. He knew it was his destiny, for whatever reason, to be thrown into Eternus. He harbored the feeling Bobbie might have come into Eternus for similar reasons. If she would but open her mind, body, and soul to him, she would find the home she sought right here within Eternus’ boundaries. He must let her find her own path, to pass the tests of choices that Eternus and fate would put before her. **** Bobbie felt the soft swelling of the bruises on her leg. Gingerly, she got to her feet, smoothed down her dress and finger-brushed her dark blonde hair out of her eyes. She tried to make out something in the engulfing darkness. Intense loneliness permeated her entire being with no comfort in sight. 13

Vamptations A soft, almost intangible hum began to penetrate the silence. Faint light, some distance away, punctured her consciousness and made her realize she was not alone. Not knowing who made her go through this terrible ordeal was worse than the loneliness. The light grew in size until she could see a pathway in front of her. It looked like a long thin spotlight, blackness on each side and behind her, leading into the unknown and highlighting the mysteries and terrors that lay before her. The light shimmered, as if waiting for her to move. With only a little hesitancy, she made her way forward along the uncertain path. Long hours seemed to pass as she trudged along for her stomach began to grumble. It was the queasiness of fear, not hunger, which started gnawing at her stomach. Where was she? Why could she not wake up from this nightmare? She wanted the comfort of home and family. Stopping suddenly, she realized that the stranger, Lucan Wolf, had been right. She didn’t know completely who she was or where she came from. Or even how she’d come to be in this morbid place. With all her heart, she wished she knew how this weird reality came into existence. She also wished she knew more about the stranger. She needed to rest in order to be able to think more clearly. Then perhaps she could understand what was happening to her. She closed her eyes and swayed. Then she felt herself falling into the unknown again. This time, she landed on something soft and comforting instead of the grassy meadow. The light around her dimmed even more. Her eyelids became heavy with the weariness of her journey to this nightmare, to a world unlike any she knew before. It enveloped her in its dark depths, and her mind gave way to its beckoning call of comfort. **** Lucan quietly materialized into the center of the pyramid. On a circular, frameless bed, set high on a pedestal, the woman lay quiet and asleep. Her tousled, damp hair created a tarnished halo around her head. He stood looking down at her voluptuous body for a few moments before approaching the bed. Earlier, her cinnamon-brown eyes beseeched him for help, though she denied verbally that she needed it. He slowly approached the bed, cautious not to awaken her. She stirred and he halted. He waved his hand towards her. She mumbled in her turmoil, and then she lay quieter and rested. 14

Vamptations He knew she would dream of him for a short while. It was the best way to attune their essence together. Yet what they felt would be very real. He sat down, his clothing crinkling gently beneath his weight. Lucan leaned over, brushing a light kiss upon her slightly parted lips. It seared through his very soul. He trailed a finger lightly across her cheek, tracing her delicate contours. Her throat twitched against his caress. Heat, such as he had not known in centuries washed through his core of existence. His body ached with need. And so did his soul. He wanted to feed on her in many ways. It would be so easy to draw her blood, to take her body even, but he could not without her permission. Would she allow him the intimacy? There was only one way to find out. Gently, he lay down beside her, tucking one arm under her head, and letting the other lay over her stomach. He closed his eyes and opened his mind to hers.

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Chapter Four Hot breath caressed her skin as lips grazed her bared throat. She shivered but not from fear. Lucan’s teeth ran along the length of the left side of her neck. He wanted something from her. Dare she find out? Bobbie turned to look up at him. He pulled his head back as if waiting for an answer. She did not think of what had gone before or contemplate what was to come. Right now, she needed him, desired him. It didn’t matter how their naked bodies had come to be together on this bed. His large body was made for more than comfort. She opened her mind and her arms to him. He lowered his head, touching his lips to hers. As she hungrily responded, his kiss deepened. He pried her lips apart gently, the tip of his tongue licking softly inside her mouth. She trembled with growing pleasure. His tongue darted deeper between her lips and he pressed his body harder against her own. She wrapped her arms around his back, feeling the ripples of bared flesh beneath her exploring hands, and he quivered with pleasure. His shaft grew larger with every caress and touch. His lips moved from her mouth to her shoulder, and then to her breasts. His hands explored every inch of her. He suckled her nipples, lavishing each with his attention, and she arched toward his mouth. Her hands cupped his buttocks and squeezed them, and he groaned against her nipple. A hand splayed across her stomach, touching her with feathery strokes. Then he shifted, kissing and licking her as he made his way down the length of her body. He found her patch of soft curls, and she automatically opened her thighs, spreading her legs to give him easier access. He stoked her gingerly at first, tracing every fold and curve of her labia. Then he open her up to him, and Bobbie gasped as his fingertips stroked from the tip of her clitoris to the bottom of her vagina. He lowered his 16

Vamptations head, and his tongue followed the path of his fingers. She nearly spasmed beneath him. His tongue darted deep into her channel, giving her even more exquisite ecstasy. Her hands raked through his thick hair, and she entwined her fingers into his dark locks. Her hips arched against him as his mouth widened to suckle on her tender areas. His thumbs teased her lower lips, making her writhe beneath him. Her heat became liquid desire trickling down on to his tongue and fingers. He gently pressed fingers into her, and another groan sounded from deep in his throat. He slid them in and out of her, and she moved in rhythm against his hand. The strokes became firmer and her fingers tightened in his hair. His strokes became faster as her inner walls became wetter. He licked all her secret places until she shattered, her body shaking with the explosion. She panted and cried out for him to join her. He answered her call, kissing her body in many places on the way back up to her. He suckled on her breasts again, and she moved her legs apart for him. He settled between her thighs, brushing the head of his shaft against her sex, wetting her desires even more. Her hips urged him to take her, and he slowly slid his hard length into her hot, waiting depths. He rubbed her clitoris, making her shiver again. He inched himself deeper into her, and within long agonizing moments, he was sheathed completely inside her. He lay against her and inside her wetness, and she savored the feel of flesh upon flesh. “Look at me, Bobbie,” he whispered. She did as he commanded, searching his dark depths for what he wanted of her. His mouth widened in a sensuous smile, and she noticed for the first time his incisors were elongated and pointed. The word vampire hit her, but for some reason it didn’t frighten her that he was a vampire. “You’re fevered dreams called out to me. Let me embrace you and stop the screaming in your heart.” His words were rhythmic like a dark cord of music, but they seared through to her soul. “I think I’ve searched for someone like you throughout the ages. Let my dark embrace give you satisfaction and bring light to the troubles in your heart.” She tentatively smiled up at him, giving a slight nod. “Drink of my soul and my destiny, Lucan,” she added breathlessly. 17

Vamptations She moved her head to one side and he lowered his to her bared neck. Quickly but softly, his fangs pierced her skin. She felt the slight drizzle of blood trickling down her throat. Then he fed and his passionate strokes became firmer as he loved upon her whole being. She urged him with her wanting body to fill her again and again. He pulled his lips from her throat then kissed her fiercely. The taste of blood slowly faded, replaced by the heat of his lips upon hers. Momentum and red-hot desire built up within them both. Lucan drove hard and fast within her, and she met each of his thrusts with hunger and passion. Together, in perfect rhythm, they pressed against each other, adding and giving to the each other’s pleasures. An ageless fire began to consume them, taking control of their bodies and minds. Untamed rapture enflamed their bodies and souls, and soon made them whole, bringing forth completeness that bound them together in many ways. Afterwards, they lay together, panting, and then both drifted off into the bliss of oblivion.

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Chapter Five Bobbie slowly came out of a deep sleep. Refreshed and rested, she felt that soon she would find her way out of this nightmare. Not all of it had been a nightmare. She smiled at the thought of the heated dream she had experienced although it began to fade now that she had awakened. Or had she completely awakened? She slowly sat up and noticed she was still on the lighted path. She could have sworn she lay naked on a circular bed of some kind. It was just part of the dream, she now believed. She got to her feet. What was she to do? How could she find her way out of this realm of mystery and dreams and nightmares? “Look closely, Bobbie, and decide.” Lucan’s deep voice brought her unexpected comfort, but it also reminded her of the severity of her situation. Suddenly, the earth shook for a second beneath her feet. Just as she steadied herself, she saw the path split into two different directions. Each of the other paths ended right before an oak-framed dressing mirror. Circles of reflection illuminated the mirror to her left as she saw herself within it. She observed herself living on a communal estate. People from all walks of life and nationalities mingled in a large room. She was at an informal party, clothed in the same dress she wore now. She could feel her image’s trepidation, her own fear coming from someone near her. A slightly aging, tall, and heavy built man came into her view. He was dressed in an expensively tailored suit and people flocked around him. Evil radiated from him, and he possessed a commanding presence that would brook no disagreement from anyone else. Others praised him, yet she didn’t. She loathed him and wanted away from him. He’d had some control over her life, but she wasn’t sure what kind. Only that she had to get out from under his threatening rule. She casually made her way out of the room and left via the veranda. 19

Vamptations Then she walked out into the early evening, away from the large house, and soon she began to run. It wasn’t long before she knew the man and his minions were coming after her. She ran until she tripped in the darkened forest. She hit her head hard, but hadn’t been knocked unconscious. She scrambled to her feet, trying to run away again, even though her mind ached and drifted in and out of reality. Then she stopped to catch her breath. The others who searched for her sounded like the came from behind her. Then she saw a strange sphere of light loom suddenly before her. A soothing, eerie music emanated from it, hypnotizing her. Then Lucan stepped from the glowing circle. It was then she realized he’d come for her, or had been sent for her. The evil man she’d been running from wanted something within her. A power that she began to realize she possessed a short time ago. In the few hours she visited in Eternus’ realm, it seeped into her, letting her know it would protect her, and give her the reprieve she needed to contain and face her fears. Long enough to make a decision, she realized. Eternus and Lucan needed her for some reason that lay just at the edges of her mind. It would come, she realized, once she knew what it was she sought from both of them. She turned to her right, glimpsing the scene in the next mirror. She saw not herself, but Lucan, roaming around in a dark fog. The fog lifted slowly, giving her glimpses of his former life. In the beginning, he’d been human, a happy troubadour roaming the land with a band of like-minded folks. A human who’d wanted to learn the mysteries of the world, too eagerly and too soon. That had been his downfall. He had an enemy born from the jealousy of his talent, untamed powers, and the growing feelings he had for another woman. A dark-haired woman, Bobbie saw, dressed in an old-fashioned crimson gown from centuries ago looked menacingly upon him. Bobbie’s eyes widened as she saw another woman, a likeness of herself, dressed in medieval clothing, swirl into view. She and Lucan embraced, doing something she couldn’t quite make out. Then a man came up behind Lucan and bit him on the neck, while the strange woman in crimson tore Bobbie out of Lucan’s arms. Then Lucan and the man fought. Lucan defended himself, killing the other vampire. The woman attacked the likeness of Bobbie, nearly killing her. Lucan at that moment turned into a wild being and attacked the woman in crimson. He’d bitten her and drunk from her, nearly killing her. He flung her away then went to Bobbie. 20

Vamptations Somehow, Bobbie felt it must have been another life she’d lived. She and Lucan were close then, but circumstances and people stopped them from accomplishing something vital. Lucan held her as she died, and the other woman uttered some evil, magical words. Lucan screamed out in agony, disappearing, just at the same moment as the other Bobbie had. With her fading breath, she spoke an incantation. Then the scene changed and she once again saw Lucan. This time, he was falling into the realm of Eternus. She instinctively knew that the incantation her other self had spoken had caused him to be imprisoned into this realm. His life and existence both became wondrous and lonely within this mystic, beautiful place. She could see it had let him out long enough to aid others and to search for something he needed. And to feed occasionally. He’d helped others along the way and had made friends, but always Eternus pulled him back in. She realized then that Lucan needed a way to be permanently free from Eternus. If Lucan really wanted free from this dark paradise. She looked back to the mirror on the left. It glowed and the misguided evangelist that had made her life hell loomed somewhere out there waiting to find her. Still, she saw other images, ones that showed she could find her own answers to questions and problems that plagued her. Then she just knew. She had to make a decision. Bobbie refused to be fearful any longer. How could this entity force her to choose when she did not know what would come? She felt a stirring within the darkened area. “I won’t be forced to choose for you, Eternus, or for Lucan.” She waited for a response, but none came. The room shook again. Then she felt two presences near her. Eternus and Lucan. His shuffled steps let her know he’d moved up behind her. Her hand went to her neck suddenly. A chill ran through her, but she ignored it as she turned to face him.

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Chapter Six Lucan could feel her inner turmoil. He knew he could not make a decision for her. He did not know how, only that her choice would affect him. She glanced up at him expectantly, and her changing emotions flitted across her lovely face. One of them was the dawning of a realization. “That wasn’t a dream. We did make love. You bit my neck.” He nodded. “I wouldn’t have forced you. That’s why I eased into your mind.” “Did all those things really happen to you? To me?” “Yes, they happened to me. I believe so on your part. We cannot force you to decide anything, Bobbie, but know you truly are the key to my own future, to choices I have to make.” She bit her bottom lip. He searched her face, knowing she seemed to grasp what he was telling her. She took a step near him then reached up and kissed him softly on the lips. “I don’t regret what happened between us. You’ve touched my soul and strengthened me somehow, Lucan. But I’m not ready to become a vampire yet or anything else but me. I need to find myself, to escape from horrors of my own.” He gave her a quick hug and stepped back from her. “I understand. I will not lie and say that it would be good to have you stay here in Eternus with me. But I won’t force your choice. It’s yours alone to make.” “No matter that it will influence what happens to you? Yes, I guessed about that.” He realized that she’d come to understand many things in the few hours she’d been here, and that Eternus shared some knowledge with her. “You are not only intelligent but beautiful, Bobbie.” “If we did know each other in a prior life, I can’t recall anything about it, Lucan. I do know our paths have crossed for a reason. I think we both need to find out what that reason is. You don’t have to stay imprisoned in here any longer.” 22

Vamptations He felt perplexed. “Each time I leave Eternus draws me back. I searched for a key, a way out, centuries ago. Each time I failed, and I knew then I’d never return to the real world.” “I think you know deep inside yourself that the missing piece of you is what holds the key to your future.” Her voice had changed suddenly, laced with a surreal quality. He realized that Eternus partly spoke through her. Deep within Bobbie, he sensed some mystical strength and secrets buried in her soul. She held a secret he needed, yet only she could release it. “Tell me why the mirrors are here, Lucan, besides to show what has gone before and a glimpse of what might come.” He took a step to the mirror on the right. “They are doorways to the earthly realm. I’ve never seen two appear at the same time before now. It must be because you are here. I’ve gone through one before, when I was called to help another soul in distress, but always I’ve come back. Why do you believe the other one is here?” She looked at him speculatively. “Another doorway perhaps.” He jerked his head back towards her. “This mirror only allows for travel for one at a time that I know of.” “I don’t think but one of us at a time can fit through either if indeed the one on the left is a doorway back to my time and place in the real world.” “You have hidden wisdom within you. I think Eternus must have sensed that. Perhaps you are a key to my own destiny. How is that you make my heart and my fate ache with wonder, Bobbie?” She moved near him and laid a soft hand upon his arm. “I have grown in the time I’ve been here. I do have a decision to make. I can stay with you here in Eternus or go back to my world. But there is something I believe I can do for you too, Lucan.” “For once, I do not have the answer to what Eternus wants from me or you.” She smiled up at him, extending her hand out to him. “I could stay and be happy here in Eternus with you. Yet it isn’t what I want right now. Do not be saddened, Lucan. I believe there will come a time we may get together somehow.” He grasped her hand within his and kissed her silken palm. “I care for you, Bobbie. I’ve always felt that part of me is missing. The woman you saw in the mirror. She was from my first life. We were close and she taught me how to soul-share.” “The other two stopped it, didn’t they?” 23

Vamptations “Yes. The Countess cursed me at the same time as Berta countered it with an incantation. That, I believe is how I wound up in Eternus. Bobbie, what is your last name.” “LeStrange. That was me in a previous life, wasn’t it?” “Yes. When Berta disappeared, so did a part of my soul. It’s what keeps me going, knowing that there is hope for me out there.” “Would you become evil if that part of your soul was returned to you?” He hesitated, but he had to be honest with her. “I don’t know. I’d like to think I wouldn’t be, but I simply don’t know.” She laid her other hand on his chest. “I believe part of her is in you, too. But I don’t believe you are ready to accept the consequences if those two parts are reunited.” When she stepped back from him, he felt as if he’d lost the rest of his soul this time. “You are leaving me.” “I must, Lucan. I have to take care of the things that haunted my life and to find out who I truly am. It would be idealistic to stay with you here, but I can’t.” His shoulders drooped. “I had hoped you would.” “Your loneliness can be eased, Lucan. Listen to what Eternus tells you. It brought us together for a reason.” His head came up as hope arose within him. “I believed you to be the key when I first felt you enter here.” “Eternus sent you to me, not just in your dreams or mine. This is real even in a world of unreality. You do not have to stay here any longer. If indeed I am Berta reincarnated then that piece of your soul resides within me. But I can’t give it back to you, Lucan.” “I don’t understand.” “You have to earn it back. You’ll need to find me again. We both have things in our lives that have to be taken care of. Alone. I feel it must be that way.” He looked from her to the mirrors suddenly. They both glowed with hope. Eternus rumbled in answer. It was then that he knew he, too, had to make a decision along with Bobbie. His heart swelled with renewed hope, but just as quickly, it plummeted to sadness. “I can’t cross over with you. We could wind up in different places or times.” “If you believe in us, in yourself, Lucan, we will find each other again.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You must be strong. 24

Vamptations We each have a destiny to fulfill and difficulties that have to be taken care of.” He stroked her cheek lovingly. “I think I understand what you and Eternus are trying to tell me. The power of your heart and soul will release me from her and lead me back to the world we were born into. I will find you, Bobbie. We have to do this then at the same time.” “Yes, it is what I feel we must do. I'd loved to have spent an eternity here with you, but I need to face my fears, to find the answers to questions within myself. I do not regret that you are within me and brought me here.” “You trusted me when I fed upon you and when I brought you here. I trust in you to know this decision is right for both of us. I swear, Bobbie, I will find you again.” He reached out and pulled her into a fierce embrace, his lips bearing down hungrily upon hers. She sighed, a sound of contentment, when he released her. Again, when she stepped back, he felt the sudden loss. She smiled up at him. “I too feel as if part of me will be missing until we are reunited again. Use the time to grow to help others, Lucan. Release that dark music within your soul that yearns to break free.” He felt his eyes widen. “How did you know?” “I saw you as a man with a soul filled with mysterious music when I looked into the mirror. The music is part of who you are. No matter where you are, it follows you. It is within your whole being. I believe we will find each other again through your music, Lucan. Do not say good-bye.” “Even through the edges of time, I will seek you, Bobbie. One day, I will hold you in my arms and never let you go.” “I look forward to that day,” she said and turned away. She walked towards the mirror on the left. He did the same and moved in front of the other one on the right. They looked longingly at each other. Then the mirrors glowed brightly, making a doorway for each of them to cross through. He swore to himself that no matter where he went and no matter what fate held in store for him, he’d find her again. With one last look at her, Lucan Wolf, Lord of the Night, stepped through the mirrored gateway at the same time Bobbie walked into hers, going forward into a new, unknown destiny that awaited them both. The End 25

Vamptations

Vampyric Dreams by Ravyn Reccio Vampire Micah Davenport has searched for 600 years for his truemate, Gabrielle. But dangerous forces threaten a love that's been destined for centuries.

http://ravynreccio.co.nr www.myspace.com/ravynvampyre www.myspace.com/ravynreccio

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Vamptations

Vampyric Dreams by Ravyn Reccio Chapter One It shall begin upon the awakening of remembering. She who lives in darkness shall awaken and rise in search of her mate. Gabrielle Fuertes, always a very level-headed woman, had answers for questions too difficult for others. This time the trouble came from trying to find answers to her dreams. Gabrielle believed in the power of one’s dreams, as well as her ability to read into them. Just like her Mother, and her Great-Grandmother, all the women in her family were blessed with certain gifts. How on earth could she dream about someone every night for seven years that didn't even exist? She could not remember a night she did not dream, nor a vision without him in it. Her dream self never thought to ask him why he haunted her. She did not want to make him go away. She wanted him to stay in her dreams forever. After all, he was perfect; standing at just a few inches shy of six feet in height, piercing grey eyes, and what seemed like the most welcoming body she had ever seen with lips firmly pressed together, their bodies matched the closeness. Minutes went by as the kiss became more passionate. Gabrielle noticed his fangs did not seem able to harm her intruding tongue, so she kissed him fiercely. His hands slowly traced up the side of her body and felt her covered breasts. The passion continued to rise throughout the night, until making love deep within Gabrielle’s dream world seemed the most natural thing in the world. The sun would rise within an hour, and Gabrielle knew he needed to leave and feed. 27

Vamptations He promised her nights like this would repeat over and over, only getting better and more intense with each time. She trusted his word and let him leave. Gabrielle’s dreams played out the same each night. The same handsome stranger taunted and teased her body, exploring the height of sheer pleasure she’d never felt before. Each morning she awoke feeling the warmth of his body still upon her. Before she woke, his arms held her close as his lips nuzzled her neck sending shivers all over her body. Gabrielle thought she must be losing her mind because of how wonderful she felt each morning. She lingered under the covers, unable to make any sense of the dreams. Gabrielle’s mind played tricks on her. His scent clung all over her, and the bed, as well as her pillows. “Dear God this is insane,” She stretched her arms and realized something lay on the pillow beside her. She sat up and wiped the sleep from her eyes as she gazed down upon the object. A gorgeous black rose, with a note attached to it, rested before her My Dearest Gabrielle, I am filled with joy after our encounter tonight. Upon my lips is a desire to taste of you once more. A never-ending insatiable hunger which consumes us both. This hunger smothers in such wild desires and an intense passion of which we cannot contain. The scent of your arousal fills my mind as your body’s own desires ache as well. I need to feel your body pressed up against me once again, to be one with you. Your body calls out to me every night pleading, begging, and aching to be consumed by me. Allow me to fill every part of your being with my essence and sate the never-ending hunger within your soul. Gabrielle could not believe she read this. No way could she even be holding this letter. He wasn't real, just a figment of her imagination. A dream lover, but not real? No. She’d decided, as soon as she saw his fangs for the first time, he could not be real. He could not exist. But how did this get here? No one else could see into her mind and view her dreams. She’d spoken to no one about her visions. So how did the notes kept coming, each and every morning. All of them personal enough to have to have been from the man in her dreams. She still felt doubtful. Frustrated with all her dreams, she got out of bed and proceeded to watch the rain from her bedroom window. Gabrielle felt like her heart broke at her confusion. She had no idea who this man was or if 28

Vamptations he may be real. Vampires can’t be real. Why he would come to her only in her mind at night? She stared at her engagement ring glittering on her finger. Samuel gave it to her a few nights ago. Gabrielle thought Samuel was the love of her life, her doubts surfaced with the nocturnal visit of her mystery man. Gabrielle never had sex with Samuel. Despite all his attentiveness, she just never felt quite ready. It had been her hope that with time her body might respond to him. It became clear to her that Samuel would never affect her like her dark stranger. Gabrielle needed to tell Samuel the engagement was off, as soon as possible. The rain came down really hard that morning. After the downpour, the city looked blanketed with a thick fog. As she watched the mist cover visibility, a familiar face, well body, for he shows no face, appeared and called out to her. “Gabrielle…Hear my voice...Listen to the words that you know in your heart are true.” “Who are you?” she asked the voice. His seductive tone continued. She felt her body respond. She thought to herself, this is sheer madness. I’m losing my mind. Feeling deep in a trance, her body responded to him, unable to resist arousal. **** Micah discovered some time ago he could mingle his soul with others he truly connected with. He could swiftly bring himself behind them and plunge into their souls, become one with them inside their minds - which was how he entered Gabrielle’s dreams. Throughout his three centuries, he’d only been able to achieve it with one other person, and in the end that person, Destiny, rejected him after he’d finally revealed himself. He needed to show more care this time. Along with being very discreet about his existence, Micah always tried to keep Gabrielle happy. She needed to feel loved and wanted, this time maybe the only chance to win back her love. During the day, Micah perfected his astral projection abilities to be with her. This protected him from the sun. **** “A shattered glass resembles what remains of my shattered heart, broken pieces surrounding the emptiness of my soul. One day, the wounds of this broken heart will heal, in hopes that you'll be the one to mend the tears,” he told her. “Why me?” she asked. 29

Vamptations The voice replied, “It is I who quenches the flames of passion within your heart and soul every night. You call out to me as you sleep. Look deep within your heart Gabrielle. You’ll see I’m speaking the truth.” She avoided making eye contact with him. If she looked directly at him he might disappear, her body trembled at the mere thought of finally seeing his face. Turning her back to him, a part of her wished he would leave her in peace. He wrapped his arms gently around her waist. She leaned back into his body, sighing, finally admitting to herself he must really exist. Her trembling body betrayed her. His lips found her sensitivities, touching upon her neck. His kisses lingered softly. She enjoyed how he teased her. Her soft hand reached behind and caressed his face and she became lost in the heat of the moment. “Your voice haunts me. It speaks to me, and tells me how I am yours and no other shall have me,” she paused briefly, his embrace tightening around her body. She did not resist, her body refused to let her have any control. Instead her words continued, “Your touch burns my flesh as no other. You possess my every waking thought as well as my dreams.” His lips pressed against her ear as the slow seduction continued making her body ache. “Only with me can you unleash passion and not be afraid of what you are truly capable of. Stop holding back. Learn to let go and enjoy the unbridled, uninhibited passion which should be released,” he continued, “why must you always forsake your own pleasure? Why?” he asked. Patiently, he waited for her answer. Not knowing how she should to reply his question, Gabrielle turned to finally see him face to face. She stood there in awe of just how handsome he truly was. His jet-black hair brought out the deepest of sea green color in his eyes. He towered over her, she felt like a dwarf in comparison. With her fingers, she traced the outline of the same lips that gave her so much pleasure nightly. Gently he kissed the tips, Gabrielle’s heart leapt with joy at finally seeing him. Her hands trembled as she reached out to touch his chest. She looked up into those green eyes, bewitched by them. “Whatever memories you think I might have of you are lost to me.” Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks, Gabrielle lost all ability to control her emotions. “I don’t remember you or anything we shared in the past. Why must you insist 30

Vamptations there is something?” She felt overcome with strong emotions, leaving her vulnerable to everything he said. It became very difficult for her to speak. No words were exchanged between the two. He cleared his throat and placed his fingers over her lips. He let them rest there for a minute, and then slid his arms around her waist, pressing his body against hers. Her body trembled against his, knowing that all her confidence disappeared. She was his, she wanted to be his. Placing her hands on the back of his neck, Gabrielle pulled his head down to hers. She closed her eyes and kissed him slowly, sliding her tongue into his mouth, swirling it around, tasting him. Moaning softly he returned the kiss with tenderness and want. She withdrew her tongue from his mouth, his followed into her mouth. She let him kiss her hard, wanting more. Her tongue brushed against his long vampire teeth. As he broke the kiss, she moaned softly and tried to kiss him again, but he just smiled. His hand moved down her arm, her blood pulsed strongly as he ran his fingers over her wrist. Her bedroom was furnished in dark wood and black metal. White candles and roses decorated the room as well, contrasting with the highly polished surfaces everywhere. Red velvet drapes covered the windows. Her bed made of wrought iron, held candles on spikes, at the foot end. Red and black satin curtains hung at the head of her bed. He looked mesmerized at the beauty of her things, but he took her hand again and led her toward the bed. Gabrielle lay down willingly, still, some doubt tweaked the back of her mind; perhaps she should not be doing this. She could feel his beautiful evil, but proved unable to resist, somehow she knew their union was right. Lying beside her, his hands touched her all over, running up and down her back, over her stomach and breasts, between her legs. He kissed, licked, and nibbled up and down her neck as he softly caressed her clit through the fabric of her silk panties rubbing it slowly. She moved her hips gently against his hand, enjoying the feelings as his fingers found their way past the elastic. As he rubbed her clit, and slid his fingers in and out of her, he began to bite her neck a little harder. She screamed as she came, and then he bit down hard, breaking the skin. She heard him drink of her, his groans proving he loved it. 31

Vamptations She gave into him fully. All previous doubts momentarily erased from her mind, even though she knew he was a vampire. He slid off her body and ripped his clothes off, her nails scraping his skin. Sliding his hardness into her, she wrapped her legs around him, feeling him pounding into her, enjoying immensely the hot, frantic sex, the result of the feelings amassed in her dreams. Gabrielle squeezed her legs tighter around him as he pounded his cock into her hard and faster, raking her nails deep into his back. She arched her back as she felt her orgasm start, tightening her pussy around his cock. Her action seemed to cause him to slam his cock even more deeply into her as he started coming His hands gripped her waist tightly as he held her to him, she watched as his eyes closed, moaning with the pleasure he obviously felt. He collapsed on top of her, kissing her neck softly and slowly as she ran her fingers through his hair. Lying in bed a while, locked in each others passionate embrace savoring the love left her feeling more than satisfied. Gabrielle curled up in his arms not questioning the bond they shared at this moment. She turned to face him staring into those beautiful green orbs. If this is a dream I never want to wake up, she thought. “Why me though?” She looked into his eyes. “What is so special about me that you had to find me? Nor can I understand why you would love me as you do. I am nothing special.” “We were meant to be, my Love. We always have been…Always will be.” Lost to the magic of the moment, Gabrielle found herself agreeing with him. “You are the only person I have truly ever let in to my heart to experience my pain...my joy...my frustration. All of it, I share with you. But most of all, I share my love with you, Gabrielle. We share a bond like no one else shares. The connection between us, you feel it too,” he replied. His voice faded away and Gabrielle realized she was alone. When did he leave? I never even asked his name. Gabrielle felt very reckless. What am I doing? **** Gabrielle’s dreams of him preoccupied her completely—unable to focus on anything else. Okay enough of this fantasizing! she ordered herself, drying the tears from her face. Tears had always been a sure sign of weakness to her. She refused, even for a moment, to allow any form of weakness. She needed to get her ass in gear and get 32

Vamptations to work. Fifteen minutes is all she needed to face the world. Once out of the shower she began the task of figuring out what to wear. Life in the corporate world wasn’t as easy as one would think, but she loved the life of a paranormal investigator and its perks. Gabrielle, did everything with great passion and conviction; she loved Gothic and lived Gothic. She ran her hands over her rigid curves. She adjusted the swell of her breasts so that they showed a tease of cleavage at the top of her bodice. With her mass of black curls piled up on her head and ringlets cascading all around her face, she felt satisfied Finally ready for work Gabrielle dressed in a grey suit and grey suede shoes. These perfectly complimented her rather long sensuous legs. She checked herself in the mirror one last time making a mental note as she went along. Everything looked perfect. Gabrielle loved the finer things in life especially cars. She drove a 2006 black Mercedes-Benz SLK55. A luxury she definitely could afford. This was her gift to herself for all the long hours she kept, along with the many lonely nights before she’d spent before meeting Samuel. Now Samuel’s over-attentiveness annoyed her. She really did not want any man other than her stealthy lover to touch her. She would have to tell Samuel it was over. After almost a year of being engaged to him, she still remained unmoved sexually by Samuel. The dark, mysterious vampire would not leave Gabrielle’s thoughts as she drove to work. Her cell phone rang, bringing her back to reality. Gabrielle pulled over to the curb to answer. Liss, her assistant, inquired how far she was from the office. The interview had slipped Gabrielle’s mind. Gabrielle told her she wasn’t far away and hung up. Gabrielle’s head filled with visions of him again. Each vision made her heart beat faster and her blood quickened in her veins. A rush of pure power coursed through her awakening senses, amplified, and shaking her body to the very core of her womanhood. Bracing herself against the steering wheel Gabrielle held on for dear life. Certainly a new sensation to her, this feeling only happened when around others of her kind. Finally feeling normal once more, she headed to work. **** Gabrielle never held a 'normal' job, she refused to settle for anything which didn’t challenge her paranormal instincts. Being one 33

Vamptations of the most prominent Paranormal Investigators at Graveyard Inc, her gift had never failed her yet. Ever since she could remember, her life never seemed normal. Then again, her parents always supported her certain special attributes and helped her come to terms with her gift early in life. Plenty of people in expensive suits walked around the prestigious office building, babbling into mobile phones and carrying briefcases costing more than a Manhattan duplex apartment. Gabrielle took the elevator to the seventh floor and proceeded to her office. Her assistant, Liss Blackwood, gracefully reminded her about her lack of punctuality, then went over things about a few very important clients of late. They worked together on many supernatural cases at Graveyard Inc. Liss’ constant dedication, along with her ability to juggle multiple tasks amazed Gabrielle. She hired Liss to work with her at Graveyard around the same time Depth’s, Gabrielle’s nightclub, was up and running and doing very well. Gabrielle and Liss balanced each other so well – Liss always acted cool, calm and level-headed. Gabrielle knew people saw her as the archetypal creative type - head either in the clouds or working herself almost to death. “Your noon appointment is here, Gabrielle, and he hasn’t been very patient either.” Liss handed Gabrielle the itinerary regarding the rest of the afternoon and evening appointments with future potential clients. Gabrielle glanced over it rather quickly checking the rest of her schedule for the remaining weeks, before a much-needed vacation. “How long has he been waiting? And please tell me he hasn’t been here since the office opened. I am not in the mood to hear anyone whine about the lack of professionalism here.” Gabrielle groaned. Inside the inner office, placing her briefcase on the desk, Gabrielle checked her incoming mail. “Doesn’t it ever slow down here? Seems we just completed a ton of work and here we are as if nothing was done. Seems as if it’s just us two working here,” she grumbled then thought better of it. “I’m sorry Liss. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” The restless nights grated on her mood. “It’s ok, Chica. What’s a few snaps between co-workers and friends.” Liss smiled, her impish look made Gabrielle forget everything. Thank goodness for friends like her. 34

Vamptations “Once this day is over Liss, we are going to indulge ourselves in some wickedness.” She winked at her, leading them both to burst out giggling. Gabrielle looked herself over one last time before proceeding with this interview she dreaded but needed. “Please send Mr. Moryenko in so we can get this show on the road.” Graveyard Inc. investigated ghosts and hauntings in order to prove the existence of life beyond the physical realm, extending into the spiritual. It also served to assist others with spirits in their lives while educating them on life after death, and to further paranormal research. Graveyard Inc. stood for everything Mr. Moryenko did not, according to his television show. He hosted a show at WWBK, famous for the most controversial news stories. They liked to target places like Graveyard Inc. but Gabrielle felt confident. Mr. Moryenko contacted Gabrielle by e-mail, offering to do an interview. Naturally, Liss had warned her on a daily basis that the meeting could be extremely foolish. Gabrielle received her fair share of instant messages and e-mails from various religious groups who held differing beliefs on the afterlife. She did not have a problem with anyone holding a different opinion. After all, it took all kinds to make up the world. After several days of correspondence, Gabrielle agreed on a meeting at her office. She decided if she didn't like his looks or got a bad feeling about it, she'd just conclude the meeting. “Mr. Moryenko,” she heard Liss say, “Ms. Fuertes will see you now.” Gabrielle felt exhausted, almost felt ready for a nervous breakdown. Already stressed out about the live interview, her nerves were frayed even though she tried to give the appearance of being very much in control. The show's topic would be, Graveyard Inc.- The Truth about Paranormal Investigators. Gabrielle wondered how many times throughout the interview she would hear, ghost busters or ghost hunters or even spirit chasers, thrown in her direction. Gabrielle rose from behind her desk to welcome Mr. Moryenko. Her gut clenched. She knew he could be brutal to his guests and the thought of being publicly ridiculed on the show, scared her half to death. Not knowing how the interview would go, or what direction he would take made her stomach churn. 35

Vamptations “Good Morning, Ms Fuertes. I have been looking forward to this interview for weeks now.” He extended his hand and shook Gabrielle’s. The rest of his crew worked around them setting up the cameras and the microphones. Gabrielle motioned to Liss, always ready with pen in hand for any task. “Mr. Moryenko, you’ve already met my assistant Liss. She will gladly assist you with anything you need. ” Liss smiled over at him. “This is Geno, my Production Manager and head of my camera crew. He will be setting everything up for the interview,” he added his own introduction. Jonathan Moryenko came with the reputation that everyone had to watch their back. “Please call me Jonathan. Mr. Moryenko sounds a tad too formal”. Gabrielle wanted to end the interview before it even began. It seemed a waste of her time as well as the company’s. She had a bad feeling about this. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on edge. For a moment, she doubted her own psychic abilities. Something she never did before. Gabrielle glanced over quickly over to Liss, wondering if she too sensed something wasn’t right. Gabrielle waited for Jonathan to commence with the questions. Gabrielle let her mind wander off to her vampyric lover Liss cleared her throat, grabbing Gabrielle’s attention immediately. Jonathan looked impatient, obviously waiting for a reply to the question that Gabrielle missed. Damn! The question repeated, frustration settled into his voice and over his knitted brow. “Ms Fuertes? How is it that you became involved with the supernatural and its lifestyle?” “It’s lifestyle? You make it seem like it’s something that you can just easily pick up on a street corner.” She glared at him at the same time as giving him a wide smile, making her words sweet but deadly. “One does not become involved with the supernatural, Mister Moryenko. It is a gift which is passed down through generations.” She paused for a moment. A familiar feeling blanketed her body. Gabrielle felt the heat rise. The hunger returned. Taking a deep breathe as her body enjoyed his touch. She felt his fangs on her neck as he seduced her mind. Dear God in Heaven, she thought, this can’t be happening now…Not here, not now. 36

Vamptations Gabrielle regained control over herself as well as the situation at hand. She could not afford any bad press. Focusing on the matter at hand wasn’t an easy task but nevertheless she had to try. His voice sounded in her head, calling to her. She felt his hands touching her. Mentally Gabrielle pleaded with him to cease, but it apparently went unheard. The heat from the camera lights made her very lightheaded. The temperature in her office became overwhelming. Reaching over for a glass of water, another stifling presence made itself known to her; it wasn’t friendly. Gabrielle’s breathing became a task. Her chest tightened up as if something squeezed the last breath of air from her lungs. Gabrielle could not control what seemed like sparring inside her head. Two strong entities struggled for control over her emotions and consciousness. One was her lover, making her body react with intense arousal. The other just felt hostile, grabbing at her mind. The pain in her chest increased. The room began to spin out of control. Her alertness faded fast. Gabrielle knew this would not look good on camera. But this really became the least of her worries as the inner warring spiraled out of control. **** Liss looked on as Gabrielle attempted to get up from behind her desk, seconds later Gabrielle lay on the floor. One of the main cameramen stood next to her. Geno placed the camera on the floor. His first reaction seemed to be to check Gabrielle’s pulse, and listen for breathing…Liss panicked, not really knowing what to do. Geno yelled out, “she’s not breathing! Someone call emergency! Everyone make room. Give me room to work.” The room cleared out within seconds…all except Jonathan and a cameraman. Liss noticed Jonathon motion the cameraman to keep filming. Moryenko smiled. “Turn the camera’s off!” Liss screamed at him. Rage built at his insincerity, but she had Gabrielle to think of right now. “Whatever happens, keep the camera rolling…I want it all.” Liss heard Moryenko tell the cameraman. She ran over to Gabrielle’s side to help Geno. Tears filled her eyes as she watched her friend’s lifeless body on the floor, “Don’t you 37

Vamptations dare leave me, Gabby.” Liss tried to maintain her own composure but she couldn’t stop crying. Geno yelled at her to stay focused. Liss looked on as he tilted Gabrielle’s head back, lifting her neck up to clear her airway. He pinched Gabrielle’s nose and gave her two breaths, watching to see if her chest would rise unaided. Still nothing, Liss thought. He checked for a pulse and began chest compressions. “I want you to count to thirty then breathe for her. Do you understand me?” She knelt there nodding, so frightened of losing Gabrielle. Each breathe Liss took to give Gabrielle, she thought, Gabby breathe. Funny how things turned out, neither of them wanted to lose control of the interview and it happened anyway. Damage control would be next in order once Gabrielle breathed again. “Where the hell are the paramedics?” yelled Geno. He looked at his watch and then into Liss’ eyes. The fear in his eyes told Liss that Gabrielle would die if the ambulance didn’t hurry. No sooner had he said that, the paramedics rushed past everyone. The medics worked on Gabrielle as Geno and Liss looked on. Liss could not bring herself to watch for long. The medics set up a cardiac monitor, her heartbeat seemed faint. The dragged out beeping echoed in Liss’ ears. It became louder and louder with each moment that passed. Even with all the commotion going on in the room, Liss heard Moryenko in the background, questioning if Gabrielle had died or if this was just a publicity stunt to get out of the interview. Making her way over to him, Liss slapped him with all her might. Jonathan raised his hand to his face rubbing his reddened cheek. “This isn’t the first time I have been slapped nor will it be my last,” he snickered. Liss knew he hoped to provoke her anger once more, wanting to capture her reaction on tape. Jonathan ordered his crew to continue filming. “You Bastard!” she said and slapped him a second time. Angered at the lack of compassion, she demanded he leave the building. The cold chill of death lurked close by. Liss could feel it in her bones.

38

Vamptations

Chapter Two Samuel’s background as a lower level demon dated back to hundreds of years ago, to a time when Micah and Samuel once were friends in the Netherworld society. They both fought for the affections of the same woman, an avid student of the Darke Arts. Lady Cassandra, powerful in the magical realm, captured souls for the Demon Lord of Chaos known as Basha`al. Among the company Lady Cassandra kept, many sought to gain her powers. Samuel came to be in her favor and good graces. Soon after, he was scorned by Micah’s second cousin, Lady Victoria Davenport. For the last time, Micah won the ladies affections instead of Samuel. He wanted Micah to pay for his constant humiliation. Basha`al offered him a way to permanently remove Micah. It may have taken hundreds of years, but it would be worth the wait Lady Victoria and Samuel shared a great passion. They were compatible sexually, but not socially. Lady Victoria had been schooled in the best of educational institutions; Samuel was a commoner, a man of lower stature who would never be accepted into her family. He was good enough for her to share her bed with, but not good enough to accompany her in public or to marry. His heart grew dark and dismal. The bitterness and resentment ate at him. Where once there was a heart now a cold and empty soul. No one could ever replace the love and passion he shared with Lady Victoria. He’d bedded countless women after her, none like her. Each night he would pick up a street girl from the wharf and take her back to his place. Once there, he would rip the clothing from her body. Nothing was gentle about his manner with the ladies. The horror he viewed in the reflection of her eyes pleased him greatly. Each night he would offer up a soul to the Lord of Chaos. Samuel placed his hand over her mouth as she struggled to get free of him. He held her up against the wall with the weight of his own body. His free hand tore off what little clothing the prostitute had 39

Vamptations on. The horror in her eyes gave him so much power over her. He took from her what she easily sold to others. Once done with her, he unsheathed the blade which he had on him, slicing her throat open in the name of Basha`al. He swore to himself if he ever found the love of a woman who desired him equally as he did her, he would give up his immortality for her. Until then, he would remain a bitter person collecting souls and breaking hearts throughout time. Samuel sold his soul to Basha1`al for financial gain and social standing over those that saw him as less of a man. He gained as many allies as enemies in his business dealings. As his powers grew, so did his business. He tallied a vast amount of money in importing and exporting spices, tobacco and rum. He practiced his magic to become strong. In gathering up souls, he was promised powers beyond his wickedest desires over all the creatures of the Netherworld and revenge against the Davenports and all those who dare go up against him. His greed took over, making him a very worthy adversary. Those who saw fit to join him in his business venture profited handsomely. Others that didn’t, at the end of the year, could no longer keep their heads above water and closed shop. Centuries went by before Basha`al returned to Samuel with news of the demise of Micah’s parent. He debated whether to use those souls as bait or to seek out a better way to finally be done with Micah and his family. He swore revenge would finally be his when he least likely expected it. Samuel chose the latter of the two. He would lay low waiting for Gabrielle, Micah’s queen, to make her appearance in the mortal world. He read up on the prophecy, making sure he left nothing to chance. All his diabolical plans would be in order before anyone ever knew of Samuel’s plans or of his association with his Master, the Lord of Chaos. Basha`al, a very powerful demon, was one of three brothers who ruled equally. A very jealous demon. He would kill his own brother without a blink of an eye, without giving a second thought. He thrived on the weak. The alliance with Samuel was equally beneficial to Basha`al. As long as Basha`al continued to give Samuel what he wanted, a fresh supply of souls would always be in his possession. No one would be any the wiser because the souls gathered up for sacrifice were the 40

Vamptations homeless people no one cared for and the addicts found in every dark alley. Samuel made sure Basha`al needed him. The day finally arrived when Samuel came face to face with Gabrielle. They met under the most unusual circumstances. Both headed in the same direction, driving on the interstate towards midtown. Her rear tire blew out sending her car spinning out of control right into his. The car slammed right into the passenger’s side of Samuel’s, totaling the whole right side of his car. Neither car was in any form of drivable condition after the nasty collision. While waiting for the cars to be lifted onto the flatbed tow truck, Samuel calmed Gabrielle down. The police needed to interview them back at the station. Samuel comforted her, letting them know it was just a silly accident and he had more than enough cash to get another car. He convinced her it would be wiser and more feasible to share a ride with him back from the local station house into the city. He called his office and a limousine came to pick them up. On the drive back into lower Manhattan, Samuel took advantage of the situation at hand by instructing his chauffeur to take the long way. What normally would be a two hour drive in from Sag Harbor Long Island, took five hours. In her emotional state, she poured her heart out to him and he hung on her every word, playing the protector. Samuel meant to make himself indispensable to Gabrielle. During the drive, he took mental note of her likes and dislikes. The offer of dinner, the very next night, had been turned down by Gabrielle. Despite her initial wariness of him, Samuel remained persistent. He acted caring, loving and kind until finally she gave in to his artificial charms. That night and for many nights after that, dinner became a nightly ritual for them both. Samuel accomplished what he originally set out to do, make her fall in love with him, keeping her from Micah. **** What happened? Oh yes the interview, I must have collapsed. Gabrielle felt her body lifted, a dull thud in her head and ache in her chest wouldn’t let up and someone spoke to her. Forcing her eyelids to open, she saw a stranger wearing a paramedic’s uniform. “Ma’am, we are taking you to County General. Is there anyone you want us to call to advise them of what has happened?” The paramedic removed her mask for a moment allowing her to speak. 41

Vamptations She nodded to him pointing over to Liss. “Liss is my next of kin…” was all she could say then her chest started to hurt. “Don’t worry, Chica. I will be in the ambulance with you and I won’t leave your side,” Liss’ voice sounded. Gabrielle closed her eyes and dreamt of her dark lover. On the way over to County General, Gabrielle overheard Liss speaking to Samuel on her cell phone requesting that he bring a overnight bag with a change of clothing and sleepwear for Gabrielle. Gabrielle admitted to herself that she wouldn’t be the easiest patient in the world to tend with. Hospitals scared her and she wanted to spend as little time as possible there. She made it almost impossible for the nursing staff and doctors to treat her. Gabrielle just could not let herself believe what they said. She’d suffered a heart attack. They needed to find the cause. Liss, despite Gabrielle’s protestations, made arrangements for her to be admitted. The exact words Gabrielle used were, there is no way in hell she was spending a night here! Still no one seemed to be intimidated by her. “Ms. Fuertes, you had a heart attack. That requires us to monitor you for a few nights.” The doctor stated in an authoritative tone. After the doctor and nurses left the room, Gabrielle saw her chance to escape. “Sorry, Doc, but I don’t like hospitals and they don’t like me”. Gabrielle said out loud and began to pull off the leads and wires that connected to the EKG monitor before anyone took noticed of what she had done. Just then Samuel and Liss entered the room, accompanied by a nurse. Gabrielle removed the IV from her arm and frantically searched for her clothes. “Where do you thinking you are heading off to, young lady?” asked Liss. As Gabrielle looked into her eyes she saw the fear Liss had even though she tried to sound light humored. She needed to stay, for her friend’s sake. “Nowhere now, I guess,” replied Gabrielle. She let out a deep sigh of disappointment and sat back down on the hospital bed. The nurse rushed to hook her back up again and put the IV back in. Liss looked relieved and Gabrielle chose to behave. Feeling decidedly light-headed again, her chest tightened. In his arms Samuel carried a huge floral arrangement of roses and lavender. Two more nurses followed, their faces hidden from the very large bouquets they held. One dozen roses would have sufficed, 42

Vamptations but Samuel always insisted on being extravagant with things. He walked over to her bedside smiling like the flowers should please her. He stood by her bed then, leaned down to kiss her lips. Gabrielle took notice and immediately turned her head, presenting her cheek to avoid Samuel’s attempt. His smothering displays annoyed her. Her emotions seemed on edge and her chest constricted even more ,but she showed no outward sign. Willing herself to relax, she thought of her vampyre. “I’m going to leave you two love birds alone for a few while I make sure there is a bed for you tonight. I don’t think you want to spend the night in the emergency room now, do you?” Liss teased before she left. Gabrielle knew Liss was trying to make her laugh and get her to lighten up. The friendly taunts usually had the pair in fits of laughter. She managed to maintain a level of composure in front of her fiancée. In her mind she plotted how to playfully get even with Liss. One or two nights in the hospital probably wouldn’t kill her. But not with Samuel, she had to tell him she didn’t want to marry him. Before she knew it they came to wheel her bed to another room. The private suite had an extra bed for a family member to stay with the patient. It overlooked an excellent view of Hudson River and of Central Park. Her room had everything she needed, tv/dvd, phone, fax, computer and even a small kitchenette. It was safe to assume Samuel planned to spend the night with her. She saw his things in the duffle bag mixed in with hers as she looked for a nightgown. The stress of the day’s events drained her physically, mentally and spiritually. She was sure she couldn’t handle his suffocating presence. But she wasn’t sure if she felt strong enough to break it off with him right away. One way or the other she needed to recharge herself. For now, she thought about the one thing still in her control, work. Liss came back so Gabrielle asked her if she would take car of a couple of things before the close of day. One was to try and retrieve a copy of the film to see what got taped; the other, to reschedule the interview at Gabrielle’s convenience not Jonathan’s. She wasn’t afraid of the bad publicity. She would make it work favorably for the company.

43

Vamptations “Liss, before you go, don’t forget to make sure the flyers are ready to be sent out to for the costume party this weekend at Depth’s. After what we have been through today, I am looking forward to it.” Gabrielle smiled to herself, acknowledging she had hired the right person to be her assistant. “Sure, Chica. Anything else?” She paused for a moment. Liss knew exactly what she was asking for. “One or two?” Liss asked. “Make it two,” Gabrielle replied. “I’m going to need it, being stuck in here tonight.” Both giggled like two school girls hiding their addiction to vanilla crunch ice cream. “I’ll be back later tonight with that, as well as any mail you might need to look at. Feel better Gabby.” As Liss left the room, she glanced over to Samuel. “Take good care of her...okay?” Samuel remained sitting next to the beside and nodded his head in reply. “See ya in a bit, Chica.” Before Gabrielle could say any more, Liss was already out the door. Being stuck in the hospital wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. It wasn’t where she wanted to be, but she accepted she had to be there. After all she certainly did not want to die, she’d come close enough already. She lay down in bed hugging the pillow close to her chest staring out the window. Samuel went to the kitchen, making both something light for dinner. Perhaps it was time to tell him it things were over between them. Gabrielle felt like he was a protective brother more than her life mate. They’d never made love and she didn’t want to be with him that way. Only her beautiful vampyre could ever be her lover. Gabrielle drifted slowly away into her dreams. Her eyes grew heavy with sleep as her spirit begged to roam. In the distant haze of her meditative state, her vampyre’s voice called out to her. “Come to me Gabrielle…Come to me.” **** Micah called out to her whenever possible. His desire for her to remember their past life together and willingly accept him grew stronger. Time weighed heavily against him. Gabrielle needed to remember before the madness of the unholy hunger for blood within 44

Vamptations him set in. His undying thirst could only be sated by his queen and the survival of his immortal soul depended on it. Micah Davenport was a third generation psychic born of true blood, vampire. A sanguine and one of the most powerful of his kind. He roamed the Earth in search of his mate. His was blood craved by other vampyre kin younger than him, who were listed in the Book of Nod. It had numerous illustrations and a well kept entry of all the kindred, including the very first of their kind, Caine, the Father of all Vampyres. Micah lost his soul to a succubus at the lowest point of his life. After losing his family to malaria, he lost the will to live. Many nights he would pray that death would take him, yet his prayers went unanswered. Micah always felt different as a child. From an early age, he knew the powers he held were rare. Many people could not understand how he was able to see into their souls and heal them with the touch of his hands when no other could. As an only child, he stayed to himself. He passed his time filling his thirst for knowledge by reading. Unlike other children who enjoyed passing the time playing and getting into mischief, he would venture out in search of a greater knowledge. Many nights he would take his stroll along the wharf to watch the sunset. Time itself stopped for him as he watched the sun setting over the horizon. He could feel the surge of energy within him fully in tune with everything around him. The nighttime felt like his daytime. Micah sat watching the beauty of it all. He closed his eyes listening to the sounds around him. Such peacefulness he would find within himself. Every sense in him awakened. He could feel the blood hunger stirring deep inside of him. When older, he became a student of the Darke Arts, he absorbed the knowledge as well as the beliefs of centuries olde magick. He furthered his knowingness to master the craft easily. As he grew into manhood, his business interests brought him to work with his father. Davenport Industries thrived richly in importing spices and textiles from the Caribbean Isles back to the United States. His family amounted endless resources expanding the trade market to other lands. During the winter months, Roger Davenport would take time off from work, with his wife of twenty years, to sail out to the Islands leaving Micah at the helm. On what turned out to be 45

Vamptations his final journey to the Islands, Roger just signed over his shares of the company over to Micah as a birthday gift. Given the fact his father was getting up there in his years, Micah gladly accepted the gift. This allowed his parents to finally take that second honeymoon they always wanted. Weeks went by without any contact from his parents. Micah thought nothing of it at first; after all they were on their second honeymoon. But then he discovered they... He brought himself back from the bad memories of the past, focusing on the matter at hand. Gabrielle his soul mate, the only person he could mate with and feed from. He stood there in astral form, smiling wickedly, admiring her true beauty. His thoughts lead him back to the last time he had been with her and the intense passion they shared. This woman before him held the fires of desire deep inside. He was the only one who knew how to bring those feelings out of her. He knew what it took to bring forth such primal passion, for he instilled it in her. All Micah could think about, at this moment, was to ravage her and take her right now. But he also knew he needed to be gentle and he wanted to delight in her every reaction, proving his unfaltering love for her. He reached over to caress her face. Her astral body rose out to meet him. “Knowing I have the power in my hands to make you go to your knees weak with desire, gives me much pleasure.” Micah’s eyes locked in an optical embrace with Gabrielle’s. Tonight she would remember, he felt sure of it “I have searched for you for some time now. Over three hundred years. Now I have found you," he paused, reaching over and placing his hand gently onto her cheek. Micah stared deeper into her eyes, reaching into her soul to gently prompt her recall. “My love. My lover who has waited so long for my return. Rejoice, for I, who have created you, return to reclaim that which is mine.” Gabrielle saw him clearly in her dream. She felt her body going weak underneath her as he spoke. Somehow, what he said rang true, still she maintained some doubt. “You are now, and have always been, my most perfect creation. You are strong, yet submissive to me. Powerful, yet incomplete without me. And the most beautiful, sensuous creature to have ever found favor in my sight.” 46

Vamptations “Why come to me only to leave again, is it to torture me?” she asked. “Why do you open your heart to me and then not stay. Why show me all this passion and all this love only to deny me your physical presence?” Tears filled her eyes as she allowed herself to feel him and the memories blocked to her for so long. He held her face in his hands wiping away the tears. “Gabrielle, I need you to remember. Remember what we shared,” he pleaded. His eyes looked into the very depths of her soul, piercing it. It was as if every second she fought had grave repercussions for him. Gabrielle felt his lips gently on hers. The enormous wave of such raw emotions and flooding recognition became too much for her to handle. Her lips burned from the fires of his kiss, which lingered for what seemed a lifetime. Her body betrayed her once more. All she could think about was his touch all over her, possessing her, claiming her as his. Her head was spinning from the desire mounting inside her. She ached to feel him taking her, to feel his mouth on hers. The heat of her body pressed up against his cold flesh brought on such intense passion. “Tell me that my kisses are torture to you or that your body doesn’t ache for my touch,” he demanded. There is no way out of this, she thought. This handsome man standing before her awakened her beast and called it out of her. Her nipples hardened against the fabric of her dress. Waiting and wanting to be suckled on. Gabrielle could not control herself or the intense sexual power he had over her. Her breathing became constricted again. She felt her chest tighten. Each breathe she took made it harder for her to stay focused. His hand moved smoothly and effortlessly over her breast finding the protruding nipple, taunting it with his fingers. “At night when you dream, whose touch does your body yearn for?” The psionics energies coming from their bodies blanketed them both, forming an energy shield around them. It protected them from other kindred who would see this night never happen and wanted the demise of Micah and his kind. Locked in each other’s embrace, lost in thoughts, the visions of the past flooded her mind. For Gabrielle, it was as if someone flipped a switch inside her head playing a silent movie, showing her places she vaguely remembered. 47

Vamptations He placed her hand over where his heart once was. “A heart once lived in this empty shell you see before you. You, and only you, can breathe life back into me.” Micah’s voice spoke with urgency. She stared into his eyes with some disbelief. “You must believe me, Gabrielle.” Something in his voice begged her to believe him. His words rang of truth. “Listen to my voice, stop fighting me. Give into what you feel. What you ache for. You know you are not complete. Join me in my darkness and you shall be reborn.” For the first time she allowed herself to really listen. “Tell me that you don’t dream of me? That mine isn’t the only touch your body aches for? Do not deny the truth from yourself, or from me, Gabrielle. If my words hold no thread of truth, I shall be gone forever from your mind and from your dreams.” Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. She gave into the passion which consumed her. “You know what lies in my heart. You, and you alone, hold the key to the untold passions which no man has been able to unlock from within me, you hold so much power of my emotions that I cannot give myself fully to Samuel or any other man.” Gabrielle opened the scars in her heart, letting him feel all the anguish inside her. “Somewhere in the distant past we met and fell in love. Our two worlds came together as one. Now venturing into our future where I have no knowledge of a love we once shared. You held my heart within yours and loved me. I found a sense of tranquility within your tender words yet I did not see the fear we both had of falling in love.” Gabrielle told him. “We have both struggled with our past. We tried making our lives whole again, each afraid of letting someone in to our hearts. Let me wash away the years of hurt, which you have buried deep inside, Gabrielle. Let me free you from all this. Do not deny yourself. To do so, is denying who you truly are. Come into these arms and lay your miseries down. Drift away into my sweet abyss,” he answered. For the first time in her life, she felt speechless. He awakened in her what had been silenced for so very long. She tried to deny what she heard and who she was even though his words rang true to her. She was his. She remembered his name and whispered it softly. “Micah.” 48

Vamptations The love she felt for him was there. Not everything seemed clear, but much of it was. The lifetimes of being with him, at his side, all the places they lived, the passion they shared came back to her. His lips coveted hers as they shared the kiss of many lifetimes before. Micah kissed away her tears and held her in his arms. Gabrielle knew she was home. She felt safe once more. A gentle tugging brought her back out of her dream. “Honey wake up. You’re having a bad dream again.” It was Samuel’s voice that brought her back from the deep dream encounter with Micah. God, Micah feels so real. Her tears fell freely, because it may have been a dream. Gabrielle did not want Micah to be a dream. Micah Davenport shall never have her. Samuel knew keeping the two apart was essential for his rise to power, eliminating the last of the Davenports once and for all. He was well aware of her vivid dreams with Micah. He’d had a few chance encounters with him in the Netherworld. None of which Samuel was too happy about. Micah’s return had been foretold by many of the lower level demons. All of whom were ready to intervene on Basha`al’s behalf to create utter chaos upon Micah’s return and to insure that he would never succeed in finding his mate. Gabrielle. For Micah and his queen to rule would mean the end for the demons following Basha`al “What has my Princess crying again?” he cooed, holding her hands and rubbing her arms. Gabrielle had never been one for showing affection to Samuel publicly, or privately for that matte, or her distaste for his touch. He wanted to provoke her while her heart was weak. A perfect opportunity to stop Micah Davenport taking her as his queen. If she died before she fully remembered she could not further Micah’s rise to power. Keeping the prophecy unfulfilled meant Basha`al would remain the sole ruler of the Netherworld. “Why all these tears, Gabby?” Samuel goaded, knowing she really detested him calling her that. She lashed out at him with such a vengeance it set off all the monitors in her room. “Let go of me!” she demanded. Just stop it! I don’t love you and don’t want to marry you!” she screamed. With all the commotion going on and the machines going nuts, the nurses came in to try and calm her down. Samuel took her words 49

Vamptations as a bad omen. Micah must have made more progress than Samuel had thought. Her panic was a good thing to his thinking. “Sir, we are going to have to ask you to leave,” said one of the nurses. “Leave?” “Yes” the nurse nodded. “Leave.” Samuel looked at the nurse as if she had grown a second head on her shoulders. “Do I need to call security, Sir?” The nurse waited for his reply. He could see from her hostile look she had no qualms in removing him from the hospital premises. One of the other nurses pulled on his arm to encourage him to leave; another administered what he assumed to be a sedative to Gabrielle. A long sharp beep sounded from the machine. The nurse frantically pushed in the call button alerting the staff, “Code Blue Room fifteen twenty four, Stat! Code Blue Room fifteen twenty four, Stat!” The cardiac team rushed past him into the room. The crash cart was opened up as the team proceeded to work on her. He stood there watching, waiting to see if she would come out of it. Deep inside hoping she wouldn’t. Yeah I’m a cynical bastard, he thought. He grinned to himself ever confident and content he succeeded in keeping Micah from his destiny. Samuel was content to go stand outside the door. Liss was just on her way to Gabrielle’s room when she heard the Code Blue over the PA. She ran straight to the room. Her first instinct was to take a chomp out of Samuel standing outside. “I leave you alone with her and what happens? What the hell did you do to her?” Samuel couldn’t answer fast enough for Liss. “I haven’t done a damn thing to her,” he fired back. “She had another one of the damn dreams of hers. I had nothing to do with what happened to her,” he snapped. “If anything happens to Gabrielle, I will hold you fully responsible, Samuel! You better pray she makes it out of this.” Liss looked straight at him and knew he lied. A nurse came out the door. She clicked it firmly behind her and told Liss she could not go in. Samuel looked almost pleased. She always sensed something weird about Samuel, just couldn’t put her finger on it. But right now her gut feeling told her he lied. What she didn’t know was why. But then, he’d have to get past her 50

Vamptations first if he intended any harm to Gabrielle. Liss practiced Wicca and was strong in the craft. She would call on every power she knew to stop him hurting Gabrielle. He always had this creepy way about him. Hell, she just thought it was his over-zealous nature in showing affection, smothering Gabrielle the way he did. Somehow it seemed more than just kindness.. All day long Liss felt something amiss, which led her to her own suspicions. Liss knew he had a dark side, she just couldn’t prove it. The staff did their best to keep them out of the room, which was a feat in itself. They were led to the waiting area until the emergency was over. Although Samuel and Gabrielle were engaged to be married, Liss was listed as her next of kin. She retained power of attorney in the event anything ever happened. Liss paced back and forth, waiting to hear any news from the doctor’s, or the nurses for that matter. She couldn’t help but cry. Gabrielle was the only family she’d known for a long time. Her own family abandoned Liss for her beliefs in Magick. Coming from a large Christian family for her to believe in anything else, besides Christianity, was sacrilege. Her family disowned her when she came to work for Gabrielle at Graveyard Inc. As she saw it, life was much better since she came to terms with herself and how blessed she was with magick. Being a High Priestess does have its perks, she thought. Samuel sat down tapping his fingers against the table in front of him which irked the hell out of Liss, making her even more on edge. “Will you please stop that damn tapping? Look, Samuel, you and I need to come to some kind of understanding here. Don’t you think?” she snapped at him. “Yes we do Liss. We both love her and only want the best for her.” “Well I know I do,” she glared back, but decided she would never find out what he was up to if she didn’t calm down. All anyone could do at this point was to wait and hope for some news. Liss finally stopped pacing and got comfortable on the couch, settling in for a long wait. Samuel lay out on the sofa opposite with his arm resting over his face. Liss threw her jacket over herself, using it as a blanket. Letting her eyes close she relaxed her body. 51

Vamptations Totally aware of her surroundings, Liss sensed the presence of another force in the room. Evil. She dared not open her eyes. Remaining perfectly still so as not to alert either one of them. Her sleep-like meditation meant she didn’t need to rely on her visual perception to know what went on around her. Samuel knelt while his head lowered down in reverence to the Demon. “My Lord, the task at hand is almost complete. As we speak Gabrielle is in the other room at death’s doorstep. She will never take her place as Queen.” Samuel sounded so very sure of himself. “Do not fail me!” the demon’s evil hiss sounded. “Make sure she never leaves this place alive. Once we are rid of her Micah will be so much easier to destroy. I have, for so many lifetimes kept them apart. I can never allow him to rise to claim the ultimate power, capable of influencing events throughout the whole world.” “Lord Basha`al, Ruler of all Chaos, you shall reign over all in the Netherworld and beyond. I pledge my dark soul on this.” Samuel would not risk failing at this task again. His fate would be sealed as well if Micah succeeded.

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Chapter Three In her mind Liss could hear Gabrielle’s inner screams. Whatever Liss had to do, it must to be now. Gabrielle’s life depended on it. Everything else was secondary. Liss visualized herself at Gabrielle’s bedside. She knew very well the risk of the demons discovering her, but she had no other choice. Physically leaving the waiting room and alerting Samuel was not an option. Nor was letting Gabrielle die. No way in hell that will be happening, not now. I call upon the elemental earth, elemental air, elemental fire, and elemental water to bring thy energy and thy power. O’ Goddess who is my friend and mother, I give you love and thanks. She who protects us all. Hear my cries for your Greatness to enter me. O’ Beautiful One, May the magick I have summoned return stronger each time I have need of it. May wisdom, strength, comeliness and compassion remain with me, growing ever finer. Help me cast out this evil who is trying to lay claim to your Daughter Gabrielle. So mote it be! Liss found her astral body transported to Gabrielle’s bedside where the doctors and nurses worked to save her. Liss could not be seen and the new feeling took a little getting used to. **** Micah spent many nights walking on the beach. He watched the tide come in over the rocks dividing the area surrounding the cove from his home. One he shared with Gabrielle for so many lifetimes. He looked up at the waxing moon as tears filled his eyes. He spoke out to Gabrielle in hopes she could hear him. “I've loved you for six hundred years. I'll love you for as long as time goes on. I shall not continue on in my immortal life with out you.” The shift of power in the mortal world alerted Micah that a presence of pure evil crossed over. Gabrielle’s life was in danger. It would take all that he could summon within him to project his astral body to her in time. Without him being able to feed he was still too 53

Vamptations weak to face Basha`al alone, but he must go to her anyway and do what he could. Upon arrival he sensed the shield of protection around Gabrielle. Perhaps the witch magic may be able to help him if he could just convince Liss he meant no harm to Gabrielle. Each time he tried to get closer the intense force of the shield threw him across the room literally knocking the wind out of him. It hit him like a bolt of lightening. His body wrenched in pain. He still remained determined to reach Gabrielle’s bedside. Micah felt the surge of power fill his empty soul. Witches magick, he thought. He took pleasure in savoring Gabrielle’s type of magick. It wouldn’t suffice to fill his Vampyric needs. Only one of great power could cast a spell strong enough to keep him from his Gabrielle. He doubted Liss even knew the extent of her powers yet. “Witch, you need not fear me.” Micah decided he was better off to remain on the floor so he could gather up his senses and recover from the force of the witch’s power. “I mean neither you nor Gabrielle any harm.” “How do I know that you are not in league with Samuel and that fiend he calls Master?” Liss answered. Micah attempted to get to his feet; the power from the shield again rendered him helpless. Furious at the witch’s attempt to keep him from Gabrielle, rage built inside of him. “You test my patience, Witch!” he shouted at her, forcing himself against the protective shield sending them both flying across the room. Liss struggled back to her feet breathing heavily as Micah. The intensity of her powers combined with Micah’s left them both in a weakened state. The surge of both powers coursed through Micah’s body sating him for the time being. This was not the way. They needed to combine their powers to help Gabrielle. Micah realized he needed to show Liss he loved Gabrielle. “Who are you?” Liss asked. “What is it that you want of Gabrielle?” Gabrielle’s voice called out to her, “Liss, let Micah help…Please.” Micah stood there patiently waiting on Liss’ decision in accepting the offer. His green eyes looked deep into Liss’ expressing his honest feelings in his love for Gabrielle. “I am not here to hurt her. I know you can hear her and what she is asking of you this moment. She is reaching out to us both for help.” 54

Vamptations Micah offered his hand to Liss in friendship. “Let me help you bring her back. The forces of Darkness cannot be fought alone.” Liss looked at him then glanced over to Gabrielle’s frail-looking body. She closed her eyes for a second and took his hand. “Alright I shall let you venture closer, but heed me well.” He couldn’t forgive himself for letting his queen suffer at the hands of the Lord Of Chaos. He vowed to himself that Basha`al would never harm Gabrielle again. He would sacrifice himself first before losing her. “Harm Gabrielle and I shall kill you right where you stand.” The icy look Liss gave him told him she meant business. He understood how much Liss cared for Gabrielle. Tears filled his eyes seeing her so fragile and weak. Micah blamed himself for this. “I wish her no harm. She is the very center of who I am. She is my bride, my soul mate. The very reason for my existence. Without her I cannot live. Micah directed his gaze back to Liss. “Please you must help me save her.” Tear rolled down his cheeks. He could not lose her again. Never had Micah asked help from another, soul but this time he could not go at it alone. Micah moved to the opposite side of the bed holding Gabrielle’s hand as well as Liss’ across the bed. Liss completed the circle by holding Gabrielle’s other hand. The staff worked on Gabrielle. Liss and Micah were invisible to them. Micah shared his life-force with Gabrielle filling her body with white energy. Micah let life-force over-power them all. It blanketed them totally; he wanted to fill their entire souls. Micah strengthened as Gabrielle’s heart started to beat once more. The three combined powers fed off each other and became charged. The cardiac monitors registered a single beep then another. “Normal sinus rhythm,” announced one of the doctors. **** A knock sounded on the private waiting room door. Basha`al disappeared and Liss awakened. The Doctor came in and spoke seriously. “I’m Doctor Masters. Ms. Fuertes is conscience and alert. We were able to revive her heart and get it beating again.” Liss breathed a sigh of relief when Dr. Masters confirmed that Gabrielle was going to be all right. “It was touch and go there for a while,” he said. “She has one hell of a fighting spirit in her. I never saw anyone fight as hard as Gabrielle did. Her heart seems to have recovered strongly. Depending 55

Vamptations on how she does tonight, I might consider letting her go home soon, that’s if she doesn’t have a further complications.” “She has a very strong spirit, Dr. Masters. Can I see her?” asked Liss. She hoped he would only allow next of kin in to see her. She held her breathe for what seemed to be an eternity until Dr. Masters replied. “Right now only the next of kin can go in. I don’t want her to over-exert herself to the point she has a set back. Five minutes, Ms. Blackwood.” Slowly she nudged open the door to Gabrielle’s room tiptoeing over to her bedside. The room felt cold. “Is that you, Liss?” Gabrielle’s hoarse voice was barely audible above the noise of the monitors coming from around her bedside. Liss sighed as she moved toward Gabrielle’s bed. “Hi, Gabby,” she said softly, leaning over to briefly kiss her forehead. “You gave us quite a scare, Chica...for a while there I thought I had lost you.” Liss held back her tears. Gabrielle reached up for Liss’ hand. She squeezed her hand tightly. Gabrielle attempted to remove the oxygen mask was thwarted by Liss. “Sorry Gabby, it’s staying on for your own good.” Her voice sounded strained as she asked the question through the mask. “Micah?” “Yes,” Liss nodded. “He helped me bring you back, Gabby. Without him I doubt I would have been strong enough to battle the demon trying to kill you.” Gabrielle’s face had the look of total and utter confusion. Liss squeezed her hand and assured her, “I’m not sure what is going on either, but I will find out. I promise.” Then she kissed her dear friend and left. The quietness of Gabrielle’s hospital room gave way to more feelings of helplessness in her. Tears flowed slowly. Her only thoughts were of how this could happen to her. Why now, after so many years, did this come to pass? Feeling more confused and alone than ever, and with strange recollections haunting her mind of Micah, she fell into a fitful dream. At least she thought she was dreaming. From the darkest part of her room, Micah appeared out of nowhere. He stood in front of her, handsome as ever. Those piercing 56

Vamptations green eyes looked into her soul filling her emptiness with his lifeforce once again. “You called out into the darkness and here I am, My Love.” Micah walked over to her bedside. The intense feelings consumed her totally. In her thoughts, she prayed this time Micah was really here in human form, not just a dream. Micah smiled at her as if he knew all too well that she doubted the vision before her. “Trust what your eyes are showing you right now. I am no longer a dream to you. I am here because you are now, and have always been, my mate and we are as one. You have begun to remember me. You know my name, and now you only need total recall of our past lives,” he explained. “Why tonight, of all nights, do you show yourself to me?” Gabrielle sat up removing all the wires attached to her body, which effectively chained her to the bed. There was a brief moment of hesitation on her part, fearing that she might set off the alarms, notifying the nurses of what she had done. But everything stayed silent. “Do not worry, they cannot hear us. We are protected by my shield.” He seemed to read her mind once more. “Micah, I am so confused, please help me understand what is going on. Liss said there is some demon trying to kill me. Why?” Micah remained silent. They were seated on the bed facing each other, close enough that she could feel the vitality of his essence blanket her. Micah raised his hand to caress her face, comforting her. It was as if she had felt his touch so many times before. Gabrielle sat still, immersed in the pleasure of his touch. His fingers traced the outline of her neck sending shivers all over her body. Not many words exchanged between them. Sweet gentle touches over her body allowed her to remember at her own pace. Every place Micah touched awakened a new desire in her. Gabrielle’s body came alive under his touch. A great need over came her as she needed this hunger to be sated by Micah’s wicked caresses. She felt the sheer arousal rising in her breast as his hand teased and taunted her nipples cupping her breasts through the sheer fabric of her nightgown. “You’ve carried the same mark for centuries whether you know it or not.” The intense desire in Micah’s voice thickened. His voice growled in such an intimate tone unnerving Gabrielle, her body consumed by her desire. 57

Vamptations “I can tell you exactly where the mark is as well.” Gabrielle placed her hand over his guiding his hands to the base of her throat, where she remembered the first mark he’d left on her. “Enlighten me,” she whispered softly to him. His icy touch, cool against the heat of her body, intensified the hunger in her. His lips found their mark again as he placed featherlight kisses on her neck and up to nibble on her ear, enraging her passion. Her body went weak with desire as fires raced straight down to the core of her womanhood, which ached for his touch. Her heightened state of arousal consumed her as each moment passed. She knew well the words he uttered next. “With this mark I hereby swear to be yours and only yours, but to protect you from all others as well. From this point on, we will share an unbreakable bond between us that will last forever” She placed her hand on her chest reaching upwards to her neck, searching. “You gave me a piece of jewelry.” There was a hesitation in her voice as she questioned him. “Didn’t you?” “Yes, to sit over the first mark so that no one would notice. It was a choker made of velvet and lace. It sat so beautifully upon your neck”. He smiled as his hand reach out and covered hers. “I need you, Gabrielle, more than I have ever needed you before,” his voice shook the very center of her being, leaving her unnerved. She had to control this need to cry again. “Why, Micah?” was all she asked. Again, he offered her no words. He merely looked into her eyes. His lips caressed hers with featherlike kisses, as a soft moan escaped from the depths of her soul that ached for his touch. She burned with desire, aching and yearning to be his and his only. His kisses deepened as he guided her back against the bed. Her arms wrapped around him, his touch becoming more maddening with each stroke upon her flesh. His hand traveled downward over the lace of her panties. His mouth found her nipple. She felt the tip of his tongue teasing it, making it stand up against his waiting lips. Micah suckled while his fingers caressed her throbbing clit. Her body totally consumed with a wanton need to feel his cock buried deep inside of her. She grabbed the back of his hair as his mouth paid homage to her breast and moaned out his name. His mouth journeyed further down her body as his tongue slowly eased up her inner thigh. The taste of her flesh on his lips and tongue 58

Vamptations sent chills running up down his body. His hands pulled her panties down and off. His lips roamed higher as he started to feel the scent of her easing into him. She moaned softly and her hand ran through his long hair, gently guiding his head closer, set his passion on fire. His lips reached their destination, tasting the wetness of her juices. Easing his tongue across her pussy for the first time, cherishing that first taste like sweet fine nectar. Allowing his tongue to glide slowly up to her clit, Micah pressed the tip of his tongue against it. His lips surrounded her sensitivity, locking on to it. Working against her clit with a gentle rhythm, his hands spread her thighs further apart to give his mouth easy access to her beautiful pussy. Taking his tongue deep into the chasm of her wetness, capturing all the juices, he savored her. With adept fingers, he continued to caress her clit while his tongue danced inside of her. He heard her moans building as her pussy throbbed under his ministrations. Gabrielle placed her hands on his head, grabbing him closer, grinding herself against his mouth. His hands reached upward to her breasts fondling them, making her buck against his mouth even more. His tongue worked reverently around her pussy and clit as her nails dug deep into his back. Micah slid his tongue as deep as it could go, lapping every drop of wetness. Feeling her close to climax, he once again locked his lips around her clit, easing the pressure then sucking in again. Her body began to shiver under his tongue. Her legs tightened around his head until he finally heard her scream out his name, begging for what she could not put a name too. His cock growing larger and larger, as the beast within him drank of her juices. His lips found her inner thigh kissing it as his fangs sank deep into her tender flesh, sucking softly and sending her into another intense, body trembling orgasm. He knew that she was still not fully sated, nor would she be until the feel of his cock was buried deep inside of her. Gabrielle tasted her own juices upon his lips, which made her hunger roar inside her head. She welcomed him with open arms as he placed his weight against her body. His mouth pressed down hard against her lips as he growled. She felt his hard cock against her thigh throbbing, searching for her entrance. Slowly he parted her and filled 59

Vamptations her with his length. With each deep thrust of his hips he made her squirm, she begged for more. Lost in the flames of passion Gabrielle cried out as Micah moved faster and harder, with purpose, he thrust himself deeper and deeper within her...pushing his full, thick cock so far inside of her, she felt it might never come out, but it did. Over and over again, more fiercely he worked, taking her to heights she had never dreamt of. His lips pressed against hers, kissing her wildly and she wrapped her legs around him, holding him even more of a prisoner. She dug her nails into his back as she arched herself against him giving him more of her. He fucked her harder and she matched him with the savagery that their beasts inside commanded of them. Micah growled in her ear. “Let me fill you...Let me fill you with the juices you crave, so you can have even more of me!” “Yes, oh yes!” Gabrielle cried out. Micah tightened his muscles and roared as his orgasm hit. Gabrielle joined him in the ecstasy of pure love. Her body vibrated around him. Gabrielle moaned his name out loud, the rapture of her intense pleasure increased twofold as his fangs pierced the softness of her neck. Another sweet orgasm fed her hunger and sated her completely. As they lay in each other’s arms, the hunger consumed them once again bringing each other to the darkest depths of pure passion that had been locked up for centuries. They allowed the dark need shared between them to return them back to the realm where their passion thrived.

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Chapter Four The midnight hour crept slowly upon them. Micah had not brought forth the memories Gabrielle locked away of who...what, she was. He needed her to remember that she was indeed his queen, and a vampire, to fulfill their destiny. Basha`al wanted him dead and he would return. Gabrielle and Micah needed to be strong. The demons of the Netherworld would not stop at nothing to see him vanquished forever. Without Gabrielle completing the cycle which granted him the power over all of demon kind, life would be lost forever to chaos. “My Love, we do not have much time. We need for you to focus and think back to remember our past lives together.” “Past lives? What do you mean past lives?” Micah took her into his loving arms facing her in hopes she would unlock those doors she’d sealed shut. “See if you can recall when I first read this to you and what we did that night.” His voice so gentle, it soothed her like a summer night’s breeze. “Close your eyes my love and you can picture where we were that night” Gabrielle listened as Micah repeated the words he’d written and read to her centuries ago. “Your heart called out softly to me, yearning for release. I heard soft cries within my heart, a need, a want, a desire. I felt the tears as they flowed from the deepest part of your heart where you dare not let anyone in. A soft cry within my heart and a touch of warmth caressed my empty and cold soul. I feel you tugging on the edge of my soul, a soft cry within my heart as if the pain was my own. Each tear you shed from your heart gives birth to a new love which destiny has seen. I see the loneliness and the aching within you. Wanting so much to be loved and understood by you. Your passion, needs and wants, all so apparent to me. 61

Vamptations A stolen moment which we shared has brought us closer, that we accepted. My dreams are of you and of the forbidden passions within us both.” The gentleness in his voice tore at her emotions with each word. His tender touch, his way of loving fully, claimed her now as he finished speaking. “Under the cover of the beauty of the waterfall in our garden, we shall again reach out to another and soothe the pain and heal the hurt from within your heart and share the passion which we have denied each other.” It was as if the cloak shrouding her for such a long time lifted and her full memory returned. “You now know our love has crossed the seas of time and lasted more than an eternity. I have searched every part of this world, and the cosmos looking for signs of you and found none, till now, and I will not lose you again, Gabrielle.” “I have heard your voice in my dreams many nights calling out to me. I thought I was going insane hearing my name being called over and over again, hearing it haunting me which such anguish and despair,” Gabrielle admitted. These newfound feelings confused her a little. For her to think she was like him, tore at her sense of control. She found it so very hard to believe that she was a vampire. But deep inside she knew it to be true and knowing it filled a void in her soul. Gabrielle had found her true self and she accepted it. Magically the room appeared to be lit with hundreds of candles, the scent of roses in the air and the soft night breeze moved her hair. They were no longer in the hospital. “I have come to take you home, Gabrielle. Back into the darkness, where we lived happily without need or want for anything except each other.” “Trust me, My love. You are so very much a part of me, as I am of you. We have always been as one until you were taken from me. Hidden by the forces of darkness that want to see us destroyed. Right now, I need you to trust me, My Love. I need to help you unlock the full transformation of who you are.” There was sense of urgency in his voice as he took into account the danger of putting her under a trance. Micah knew that Gabrielle would relive the very moment in which her transformation began. Her 62

Vamptations body would be consumed with pain and yes, technically, she would die…again. This choice must be made to stop Basha`al from controlling the Netherworld. Micah needed his rightful return to the throne with Gabrielle at his side. He spoke softly to her as he managed to convince her to allow him to put her under a trance. It was their only chance and time was running out. Gabrielle placed her hand in his. She always felt as if there was more to her than she perceived. As a child her great-grandmother told her stories of those who fed on the life-forces and blood of others. Her eyes grew heavy as his voice, so soothing, compelled her to given into the trance. “Close your eyes,” he told her. “Let your mind open up like a beautiful field under a blue sky. As you remember, you will notice yourself focusing more and more on two things Firstly on the memory of the experiences we had together, and secondly, on my words.” His fingers gently glided over her eyes to make them close. “Take in a deep breath, and as you breathe in, imagine you are breathing in my words.” She sat there with her eyes closed tight as his soothing words blanketed her. “As you let the breath out, let your body and mind simply relax. You will begin to feel an interesting combination of things. “You will feel aroused and relaxed at the same time. It will be a very comfortable feeling in some ways, but also a very driven feeling. When you breathe in, every breath, what you breathe in?” he asked, waiting for her reply. “Sensuality. Magick. Energy,” she replied automatically. “I want you to feel exactly how much magic is contained in these words and air around you. It’s as though the air is getting thick, warm, and heavy with it.” All she could do was nod her response. The thickness and warmth of century’s olde magick filled her soul and energized her. “You must be willing to accept the spell…Will you take my words deep into your mind and body?” Gabrielle felt herself weaving the spell with Micah, letting it flow through every part of her. The magick flowed through her, opening a portal in her mind to another place and time. A time of Gods and Goddess’ and a time of great Magick. All who lived in that realm desired to serve those of great power. 63

Vamptations Her eyes, once charcoal black, now glowed the brightest of blue. There was no doubt at all that she was a part of him. Her body trembled in his arms as her transition began. He felt the pain, watching her body writhe in excruciating pain. All he could do was lower her to the ground. Her screams echoed in his head. She balled up in a fetal position on the floor clutching her stomach. Several moments passed by before her deafening screams ceased. It took all that he had in him not to go over and cradle her in his arms to soothe away the pain. Micah feared the worst. What if Gabrielle did not complete her full transformation before Midnight? He watched the slow process before him. The smell of rotting flesh inundated the room. The stench so strong it even made Micah sick. He made his way to the other side of the room to open the window. There was only one explanation for such a bad smell in the room, Basha`al. He stood there reeking of the stench of rotten flesh. Another evil presence shimmered in right behind him. Samuel. He took his place at Basha`al ‘s side standing with his hands crossed in front of him. “Brother it is time… Midnight hour is but a few moments away and still she has not turned,” Basha’al gloated. The evilness of his smile shook Micah to the core. There was no way to know for sure if Gabrielle had made the turn completely. All he could do was hope. “I shall gladly enjoy killing her slowly as you watch all of the Netherworld bow down before me.” Samuel made his way towards Gabrielle’s lifeless body. She lay unconscious and apparently totally oblivious to what went on around her. **** In her mind she dreamt. Dreaming of a time she longed for. The life she so fervently denied herself for such a very long time. She found herself back in the garden where she first laid eyes on Micah. The sweet scent of honeysuckle and roses filled her lungs as she gathered up the wild flowers in front of her. In middle of the patch of wildflowers, a strand of colors stood out in front of her. Dark purple, red, and gold all braided together. She hesitated at first before reaching out to grab it. The tri-colored braid disappeared as quickly as it re-appeared before her. She looked to her left and saw the braid again and slowly made her way towards it. This time it stayed long enough for her to grab it. The tri-color braid felt cold in her hand, yet it burned. 64

Vamptations Gabrielle was careful enough not to let go of the flaming braid. Another hand reached for the end of the braid tugging gently at it. She secured the braid around her hand holding it tight against her. The constant pulling at the opposite end of the braid became stronger. The braid itself weaved around both her wrist and the wrist of the other person she was yet to see. She closed her eyes for a moment summoning the power within her to make this person known to her. There he stood before her. Speechless she was barely able to speak his name with out crying. “Micah!” Her voice rang out across the night sky as Micah heard her voice in his head. Like a gentle breeze, her voice soothed his heart knowing that she was her old self again. The clock in the tower struck its twelfth chime. “Can you hear me my love? Lay still, do not alert them.” He felt a renewed sense of power. There was nothing Samuel or Basha`al could do to him now. Ever confident of his bride, he turned to face the demons once more. “Your witch has failed you, Davenport. What say you now?” Micah remained silent with his head lowered. “Kneel you idiot. Or have you forgotten how to bow to those greater than you?” demanded Basha`al. Samuel scooped up Gabrielle’s body from the floor. He dropped her body in front of his Master then knelt in at his side. Her body hit the floor with a loud thud. “I told you that I would use her lifeless body as a tool to destroy you, Davenport, and I shall. Bind the fool Samuel…make sure his chains are on tight,” Basha`al ordered. Samuel did as commanded. “These are the same chains and shackles you shall be wearing for eternity, Micah. Get used to them,” Samuel said sarcastically. The Demon Lord turned and knelt before Gabrielle, possessing her body. Her body twitched as the demon spirit filled her. She did everything possible to maintain control, but it was futile, the Demon was too strong for her to fight off. To Gabrielle it was like being inside of someone else’s head and she didn’t like it one bit. “Gabrielle…listen to me. Let your mind go. Let whatever is inside of you link to me.” Micah’s voice sounded in her mind. It was lost in the mist of all the screaming going on inside of head. The Demon was hurting her. He was squeezing the very life 65

Vamptations force from inside of her. Gabrielle was not yet strong enough to fight him. “You leave me no alternative. Come out of her now!” Micah knew there was one possible way of saving her and it would be to put his own life ahead of hers. He would gladly offer his immortal life for her. “No!” The demon answered furiously. “She’s mine now. My puppet to use and discard as I see fit.” The wickedness in his words rang true. Micah invoked an incantation repeating the same words over and over again. “You have no choice, either you leave her or I say it again and you’re mine. Adone mesum katre partem. Basha`al, by the powers of Chaos, I invoke you. I invoke you, Basha`al. Release her and come into me,” furiously Micah’s voice rang out demanding she be released. “I said release her now. Do not doubt me, Brother…” “Why would you give your life for hers?” Basha`al asked with a sneer. “I love her,” Micah replied. “Love is such a human emotion. Why do you waste your time? I want her,” the demon’s voice bellowed out. “I know it is something that you aren't capable of understanding. And I don't expect you to. You will not solve our quarrel using her though. I'm giving you one last chance release her, or we both die, Basha`al.” Samuel stood right behind Micah holding the length of his chains. Samuel gave one good yank on the chains bringing Micah to his knees. Samuel glanced over to Micah giving him a look of disgust. “Did you really think I would allow you to claim her again? You fool.” Samuel’s fist slammed into with Micah’s jaw and for the first time Micah felt pain as well as tasting his own blood. “Do not underestimate me, Brother. I will destroy myself to protect her,” Micah replied. Gabrielle screamed out in his mind, begging Micah not to do anything foolish. “Not even that paltry figure of a Priestess can save either one of you now.” Samuel’s laughter echoed through inner chambers of Micah’s throne room. “You have two choices. Either you leave her, or we both die. What will it be, Brother?” 66

Vamptations The demon left Gabrielle’s body. Micah made every effort possible to distract Basha`al thoughts from what went on around him. Basha`al failed to notice Gabrielle had moved to stand directly behind him. Faced with the possibility of confrontation, she seemed to come alive. A true beauty in all rights. Her face softened as she looked at Micah. Basha`al in his anger took his arm plunging it into Micah’s back beating him till there was no fight left in him, so Micah let him think. Micah held back for one and only one reason. Gabrielle. She stood there horrified as she watched the beating. Repeatedly Micah’s body was thrown clear across the room. His body hit the wall leaving him looking wracked with pain. Gabrielle no longer remained silent. She called out to Micah as his body hit the floor one last time, alerting all in the room. Samuel dropped Micah’s chains in order to restrain her with a chokehold. Samuel’s hand caressed her face, taunting Micah. “Why do you care so much for this mere insignificant mortal…she is useless. She serves no purposes at all.” Gabrielle fought to break loose of Samuel. He rolled the length of her hair into a ball around his hand yanking it down hard, making her cry out in pain. She dug her nails deep into his arms. She drew blood causing a knee-jerk reaction and he released her as he yelled out in pain. “You little Bitch!” He grabbed her once again by the back of her hair, turned her to face him and slapped her with the back of his hand, sending Gabrielle to her knees. “She, like all others, has failed you and is useless to you.” Basha`al chuckled as he reached for the heavy chains. Samuel unsheathed the blade from a leather scabbard at his side. Placing it against her throat, he pulled her upwards to a standing position. “Perhaps we should remove her pretty little head from her shoulders, My Lord.” He kissed her cheek and licked her face to anger Micah even more. He turned to Basha`al. Gabrielle took advantage of his moment of distraction and stepped forward, jamming the heel of her foot into Samuel’s crotch. He doubled up and landed writhing on the floor. The blade, once held tightly against her neck, now lay in her hands. Without a second thought, she rammed the double edged blade into him, vanquishing Samuel instantly. Gabrielle turned to face Basha`al still holding the double edge blade in her hand. She raised it, placing it at the demon’s throat, Gabrielle summoned all her power and felt Micah’s strengthen her. 67

Vamptations “Unless you wish me to use this blade on you, I order thee to remove yourself from our presence now!” Micah felt totally amazed at the bravado she displayed confronting the demon. He hurried in, removing the chains that were placed on him and then stood with her. “Brother, you have no powers here, you failed to stop the inevitable as you can see.” Micah glanced over beaming at the sight of his Gabrielle. “The power which you so richly desired is in the hands of this beautiful woman standing here. My Queen. My Gabrielle.” Never had Micah spoken words with such reverence and with so much love. Slowly the room filled with members of the Council who’d waited patiently for this moment. Each one knelt where they stood in honor of their King and Queen. Not one spoke out against them. All in attendance bowed to the return of their Queen and Micah, the rightful heir to claim his place in the Vampyre Kingdom. “For now I shall admit to defeat, my Brother, but know this. I shall be watching and waiting to strike again. Chaos shall return once again.” The demon vanished from the sight of all in the room leaving behind his nauseating stench. Once the air cleared, Micah held his Queen in his arms, totally enchanted and bewitched by her. He kissed her deeply. The kiss ignited the fires of passion as they remained locked in each other arms. The Council members applauded the intimate kiss. It was hard to say who broke the kiss first, Micah or Gabrielle, or both for that matter. All was right with the Netherworld. Time for them both to return to the life they knew as Vampires. Micah knew it was time for him to leave. Sunrise would soon be here and Gabrielle would have to return back to her world for the time being. He dreaded leaving her after everything tonight. Leaving her for even a short time would hurt them both. But Gabrielle must continue her life while she became accustomed to ruling with him again in the Netherworld. Her life as a true vampyre would not begin until her next lifetime began, but they could now be together at night and their psychic connection would remain strong should evil ever threaten again. “You and I shall be forever bound to each other, My Love, nothing in this world or the next will ever take you from my side ever again.” He placed a tender kiss on her lips as he walked away from 68

Vamptations her. “We found peace with our love within each other and no matter where destiny leads us or who is in our life. We shall always be a part of each other. I shall return to you again My Queen.”

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Chapter Five As owners of Depth’s, a Goth/fetish Club in the village, Gabrielle and Liss made sure everything had the right look. Among the Armani suits and Versace little black dresses of the invited guests was the wild attire of the club's regular patrons. Having Jonathan Moryenko do a live feed from the club was the best thing to happen to Depth’s. It was to make up for the interview a couple of weeks before. Jonathon agreed the two women were hot news items, especially after Gabrielle’s heart attack, and apparent miracle recovery. He agreed to cover them again. Everything went as planned and WWBK left the club without any incident and some of the crew even planned to come back and party with them once they got off of work tonight. Liss had been to many Goth and fetish clubs back in Amsterdam, but none of them compared to this. She’d put her heart and soul into Depth’s and squealed with delight after putting in a full week at Graveyard. The weekend was their time to have fun. After all that they had been through, who would blame them The decor of the club was rustic; stone walls and unfinished, rough-hewn wooden bar, tables and chairs. The interior looked like a medieval castle. A window ran the whole length of one wall. Underneath the thick plastic, a pool of watery fake blood had been installed. Couples swam and cavorted, exchanging red kisses and wet caresses. The special effects were stunning and Gabrielle looked on openmouthed. Gabrielle grinned from ear to ear; she thought the place looked gothic as fuck. Through the hot, smoke-blue air in the club, she saw Micah. Gabrielle’s breath stuck in her throat and she grabbed on to Liss for support. She closed her eyes tight as he made his way toward her. 70

Vamptations She’d had no physical contact with him since she left the hospital and no way of knowing when he would come to her. Much had to be prepared in the Netherworld and Micah was their King. She opened them...closer...blinked rapidly...closer still. She thought that maybe the Champagne went to her head and her eyes played tricks on her. She shut them tight and held her breath...opened them...he was gone. Gabrielle scanned the room searching for him. He was nowhere in sight. Her heart felt like it sank in disappointment. Gabrielle tried to party but decided to call it an early night. Being in all that Goth and not being able to see Micah made her suddenly feel so lonely. Once home, she threw the keys on the counter and stepped out onto the patio. It was a full moon and a clear night, so besides being gorgeous outside, it felt a bit chilly and looked highly illuminated. She felt arms slip around her waist. He whispered softly, “I have returned for you, My Queen.” As she looked up at the moon, Micah nibbled on her neck, and slowly brought his hands up to cup her breasts. She leaned back into him and enjoyed the feel of him against her. Slowly, she rubbed her ass against his crotch, and she could feel his cock getting hard and long. Her body instantly reacted to the breeze and his touch, and her nipples ached in anticipation of what she knew would come. He tweaked her nipples, pinching them in his fingers. Gabrielle was in ecstasy as she leaned back deeper into him. She brought her hand around, and began stroking him through his pants. She turned her head to accept his kiss, his long tongue caressing hers, making her want more. Turning around, she began to kiss him harder, pulling his shirt loose from his pants. Quickly he removed it, letting her hands roam his beautiful body. She pinched his small, tight nipples and raked her nails down his back. While kissing and biting at his neck, he lifted her shirt. She rubbed her taunt nipples across his chest. Finally, she could feel him straining against her. Reaching for his belt, she teased him as she slowly unfastened his pants. When she finally reached in and touched his hot, throbbing cock, he grabbed her hard and ravished her mouth with his lips in a heated, passionate kiss. Quickly, she pulled down his pants and silk boxers, and helped him step out of them. Then she kissed him one last time, grabbed a patio chair, sat down with him standing between her legs, and slowly 71

Vamptations ran her tongue around the tip of his bulging penis. As she sat in the chair and took him deeper and deeper into her mouth, she gripped her nails into his firm ass, pulling him closer. Micah made her stop long enough to finish removing her shirt and to allow him to caress her breasts. As she sat there with her legs spread, a sweet breeze kept blowing across her hot wet pussy, teasing her ever so slightly like a well-known lover. She looked up at him and could tell he enjoyed himself, and she encouraged him to lift a leg and rest his foot on the arm of the chair. This allowed her to run her fingers along the crack of his ass, and slowly rub her finger against his puckered hole. His groan of pleasure urged her on, and she smiled at him wickedly as she stopped sucking his cock and lathered the fingers of her other hand with saliva. As she slowly took the head of his penis back into her mouth, she began to move the tip of her finger into his ass. He moaned with great pleasure as she began making small circular movements with her finger. When she used another finger and spread his ass wider, he began to bob up and down, his head thrown back in pleasure. As she sucked him and finger fucked him in the ass, she could feel his cock swelling and the head began to pulse. Just as she thought he might come, he pulled her off his cock and dragged her up to stand, he kissed her forcefully, grabbing the back of her head and holding her still for his oral assault. His hands were all over her. With one hand, he squeezed her tits, pinching her nipples. With the other, he stroked her clit and every so often he would thrust a finger into her dripping wet pussy. Just when she thought she couldn't take it anymore, he pushed her down to the ground and moved between her legs. Rubbing the tip of his cock against her clit, he teased her pussy until she almost begged. He knelt down between her legs, lifting them straight up, and began to lap at her wetness like a thirsty cat in the heat of summer. Snaking his long tongue down to her ass, his nose tickled the tip of her clit. As she reached down between her legs and spread her lips for him, he suckled her clit and slipped a finger into her. He pushed deeper and deeper, stroking the fires of her passion. He started to play with her ass and as he began to push up into her, her body involuntarily pushed down against him. He pumped his fingers in and out of her ass as he frantically lapped at her clit, and every nerve ending in her body went on alert. In only a matter of 72

Vamptations minutes before she moaned in ecstasy and came in a wave of convulsions. Micah tried to continue to lick her, but Gabrielle just couldn't take it, so he dipped his tongue into her, then he was over her, kissing her. As he thrust deep inside her she could taste herself on his mouth. She sucked the sweet taste of her juices from his tongue and licked it from the tip of his nose. All the while, he plunged away inside her pussy, which was still spasming in the aftermath of orgasm. Squeezing him tightly, Gabrielle thrust up to take his shaft deeper and deeper. “Roll over for me, would you?” These were the only words spoken, and as she got on her hands and knees, she smiled in anticipation. On all fours, her legs spread wide, she felt the shaft of his cock against her clit. Then, without warning, he thrust deep inside filling her body with burning desire, gripping her hips and pulling her back against him. She loved the feel of this. As he filled her completely, his balls slapped against her clit and his abdomen rubbed against her ass. Micah waited until she came again, all over the shaft of his long hard cock. He loved the way she gripped him, and her ass twitched, as she came. Then he gave into the passion built up inside of him. As he came inside of her, he reveled in the feel of the head of his penis as it swelled and contracted with each thrust. Moonlight enveloped them both and the slight breeze skimmed there bodies, cooling their passions. Together they looked up at the stars. She thought to herself that dreams do come true...It’s no wonder the moon and stars seemed to be smiling! The End

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Love & Redemption by Emery LaRue Draven had no time for love until the beautiful Timbre. Now he must fight to keep her alive, and save his own tainted vampire heart.

www.authoremerylarue.com

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Love & Redemption by Emery LaRue Louisiana Draven Gregos walked into the library just as the sun went down. If his suspicions proved correct, the archives would supply him with enough information to locate the bitch he was after. It had taken close to two hundred years to get this close to Camille. Since that night, she had seduced his brother Logan, then ultimately himself, he lived for revenge. She was pure evil, feeding on the fear of others. A vampire with no morals or compassion. But then Draven had lost his compassion the night she bit him, changing him forever and setting brother against brother. He would find her and he would destroy her. As he sat at the computer and worked his way through case upon case of unsolved deaths in the area, he kept his ears open to those around him. The snotty librarian who eyed him from a nearby desk was really starting to get on his nerves. The typical type with her hair in a tight bun and glasses on the bridge of her nose. Plain black attire made her look more like a warden. But the way she looked down her nose at him, and pretty much everyone else in the place, had him toying with the idea of playing with her. Maybe the sight of her skirt dropping to the floor would cool her attitude. He hid his smile and returned his attention to the archives. That’s when he felt it. The air was thick with an evil. Not the type he would fear, but a natural. Someone who got off hurting those around him. A small sound of distress drew him to his feet and he walked slowly between the rows and aisles of books.

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Vamptations He turned a corner and what he saw made his blood boil. A man pinned a woman between a water fountain and the alcove it rested in. She clearly did not enjoy the attention. “Why can’t you just leave me alone, Chris? You had your fun and you got away with it. Now just leave my sister and me alone.” “You know you like it, Timbre. Your sister sure did.” “You miserable son of a bitch! You raped her.” Blue eyes connected with Draven’s and for one moment, he held his breath. She was a beauty, and the flash of desire caused him pause. He hadn’t felt that much for a woman in ages. But those eyes brimmed with pain and fear. Her wrists would be bruised from the force the man used to hold her in place. “Let her go.” Though his voice sounded calm, it was loaded with meaning. He didn’t raise his voice, but the threat of retaliation rang clear. The other man turned to him with a look of defiance. Draven was a large man, well over six three and a solid frame. The other matched him, almost. “Who are you? The library police? Go away man, this is between Timbre and me.” “I don’t think she wants your attention, man. Now let her go. I won’t tell you again.” “Just what do you plan to do about it?” Draven smiled, and the man paled slightly. His teeth were hidden, but his eyes showed the power inside him. “First, I would have to break a finger for every bruise you inflicted.” Draven took a step closer. “Then, maybe your jaw. That would shut you up.” Another step closer and he was beside them. “Try it, I dare you.” “I do love a sense of bravado, but I have a feeling my gender gives you pause.” He reached out and pulled the girl behind him, noting how soft she was. “I can promise you, tangle with me, and I will break a bone for every woman you ever touched.” “This is bullshit.” Chris shouted, and Draven knew he meant to draw attention. “I’ll see you later, Timbre.” He made a show of stomping out, and the sigh from the woman behind him drew his attention to her. Her long blonde hair slightly frazzled, she took a deep steadying breath. “Thank you.” “My pleasure. I’m Draven.” He reached for her hand, holding it gently. “Glad I came along when I did.” 76

Vamptations “Timbre, and so am I. But sorry to say, you made an enemy in Chris Brody.” “Just another on the already long list.” He smiled, and the action surprised him. He smiled when amused, but not at ladies in distress. “You going to be alright?” “Oh, I’ll be just fine. He is always messing with me these days.” Then she groaned. “Here comes Ms. Tinker. The woman is just looking for a reason to fire me.” “What reason could she have?” “She’s just a bitch.” Timbre whispered and he smiled when she rolled her eyes. True to form, Ms. Tinker marched up to Timbre and started in on a tirade that threatened to make Draven’s ears bleed. “Why can’t you just leave that man alone, Timbre? Everyone knows he is innocent but you just keep at him.” “Innocent?” Shock and disbelief resounded in Timbre’s voice. “You are well aware of what he did to Sahara.” “Says you and that sister of yours.” Tinker’s smile turned evil and cruel. “I could never believe that the mayor’s son would stoop so low. It’s not like either of you are the catch of the town.” “Ms. Tinker, I am going to pretend you didn’t just say that.” “What will you do, Timbre?” Ms. Tinker eyed Draven. “Lead one man on and already after another. And you wonder why no one believes you?” Before Draven could interfere, Timbre straightened her shoulders and stood toe to toe with the snotty librarian. “You know, I used to make excuses for you. Maybe you had a hard life or someone hurt you badly. Now I can plainly see that it didn’t take any practice. You’re just a natural bitch.” “How dare you.” The older woman snapped. “I dare anything I like, Ms. Tinker.” Timbre removed her library badge and stuffed it down the woman’s shirtfront. “Maybe if you did get laid, just once, it would change your disposition. I quit, Ms. Tinker. Go to hell, piss off, and goodbye.” Draven silently applauded Timbre and admired her as she walked off. He snickered at Ms. Tinker and hurried after the woman who had just shocked his system and stirred the lust he thought long dead. Damn but she had been sexy as hell. What he wouldn’t give to stir that fire in her himself. Only he would have her under him, drawing it out until she screamed with the pleasure he so wanted to 77

Vamptations give her. He caught sight of her in the parking lot and rushed to stop her from getting into her car. “Timbre, wait a minute.” He could see she was shaking and tears gathered in her eyes. “Come on now, none of that. The woman had it coming.” “I’m sorry, it’s just I really depended on that job.” She sniffed and again straightened her shoulders. “Oh, listen at me, complaining about leaving the library when it’s what I really wanted anyway.” Her smile was hesitant, but when it bloomed, she shone as an amazing creature. Draven couldn’t believe the lust and desire rolling through him. Since Camille, all he wanted was to end it all. Now, he felt like living again. “I know this is sudden, but would you have a drink with me?” “Thank you, Draven but I don’t drink.” “A soda, glass of water, I don’t care.” Damn he sounded desperate. “Why?” What answer could he give her? That he was close to topping two hundred years old and she made him feel young? “I'm assuming you’ve lived here awhile?” “All my life.” “I’m a detective, and I was brought in on the killings in the area.” Well, it was kinda’ true. “I was hoping I could talk to you a little about it.” “It’s a sad ordeal, but what would I know about it?” “You are, er, were the librarian. Surely you’ve heard a thing or two.” He smiled. “But if you want the whole truth, I just happen to admire your spirit.” She blushed, and tried to hide the satisfaction she felt at his words. He was so tall, and well-muscled. His black hair was so dark; it had blue hues to it. But his eyes impressed her most. A smoky gray that seemed to look right into her. She shivered, but it wasn’t from fear or cold. This man radiated danger, but she felt nothing but safe in his presence. “Well, you did rescue me.” She smiled. “Wanna follow me? We could go to the coffee shop around the corner.” “How about we walk?” “Sure, it’s just a few minutes away. Just let me put my coat in the car.” 78

Vamptations Draven waited and watched her. He refrained from reading her mind, but could feel something inside her. A pain, a long ago hurt that still ached. He sensed it wasn’t for her, but for the sister he had heard her mention to the man in the library. Maybe she would open to him, tell him just what had happened. With the mental link he shared with his brother, Logan, Draven sent him word of his plans. It was hard not to react to his brother’s laugh and comments. Since their change, Logan had tried to get Draven to let go of the hate and rage. But until this evening, that was all he would allow himself to feel. Now, he wanted, actually wanted to feel more. The walk to the coffee house was quick. He watched Timbre as she sipped her coffee and he made a show of nursing his own. Later he would be slightly ill, but it was a small price to pay for the company. “So, who was that guy?” “Chris Brody,” her voice hardened. “A meaner and badder apple I have yet to meet.” “What did he want with you?” Timbre watched him for a moment, clearly trying to decide if she could or should trust him. After a moment, she sighed, and looked into her mug, avoiding his eyes. “The Brody family is a powerful one. Chris has never heard the word no a day in his life, except for a few years back.” She looked at him then, and what he saw in her eyes made his stomach turn. “My sister, Sahara, told him no, but all it did was make him more determined. He followed her home one night, and I was working late. I guess you could imagine what happened.” “He raped her?” “Yes, and god help me I don’t know why I am telling you this. I haven’t talked about it to anyone, other than the cops.” “What happened to him?” “Nothing, not a damn thing. Even now, he knows I won’t file a complaint. They didn’t believe Sahara then, even when she appeared bruised and battered. They won’t believe me now. They never do.” Timbre’s hands fisted on the table. “Now, I go and lose my job. I have taken care of my sister since I was sixteen. She depends on me. She is so traumatized still, that she has a hard time even leaving the house.” “She was a virgin when this happened?” Anger boiled in his gut and he was tempted to track the man down. 79

Vamptations “Yes, and she trusts no one but me. Damn, I will have to get started right away to find another job.” She sighed again, then pasted a smile on her face. “Okay, that’s the end of my sob story. Tell me again why you’re here and how I can help you.” “You know what, Timbre? I think maybe I just wanna talk, and know you a little more.” “Nothing interesting about me, Draven. But you’re after a killer, and that must be exciting and at the same time scary as hell.” “I guess I never thought about it that way.” “I’ve read the papers. Everyone is puzzled. Men and women dead, drained of their blood.” She shivered. “The cops here don’t have a clue. Was it true that one man was found mutilated?” Draven nodded, knowing why that man was butchered. He fought Camille, and it enraged her. The vampire believed all should bow to her and feel honored to even be in her presence. The evil bitch had turned his brother Logan, and when Logan refused to walk by her side, she had come after Draven. She hadn’t counted on the strength of the brother bond to be so strong. Her biggest mistake was killing their parents and little sister. Though Logan accepted his fate and learned to control his anger, Draven found it impossible. His only mission was to kill the woman responsible. That had stood as his one purpose. Until tonight. “This killer won’t be easy to catch. I have seen her, and she is deadly.” “A woman? You’re saying it’s a woman?” “Oh, it’s a woman alright, and she’s more dangerous than any gator in your swamp lands.” “Wow,” Timbre sat back, stunned. “I guess I never would have thought a woman could rip a man to pieces like they said the victim was.” Camille could do that without lifting a finger. “You would be surprised.” “Well, Draven, it was nice meeting you, and I want to thank you again for getting Chris off my back.” She stood and gathered her purse. “I better get home and see about Sahara.” “Could I see you again?” He stood and took her hand. “I enjoyed your company.” “Thanks for listening to me. Yes, you can see me again.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a pen, then wrote her number on a napkin. “Give me a call sometime.” 80

Vamptations “I will,” he paid for the coffee and walked her back to her car. “Be careful.” “Always.” Draven waited until her tail lights faded then he shifted into the form of a black raven, streaking through the sky. He followed her, checking the area for any signs of the man who didn’t deserve to live. Chris Brody had made an enemy, and he was much more dangerous than the rapist ever hoped to be. When her car pulled into the drive of a small house, he perched himself on a tree that sat just outside the front. Why was he so drawn to this woman? He had the urge to keep her safe and guard all she held dear. He had been with many beauties in his two hundred years, but their charms had only been physical. This went deeper. A change in the air warned him of another like him, but he also felt the bond. This was not the enemy. An owl landed beside him, and Draven checked to make sure all was clear before shifting back to a man. His brother did the same. “Okay, this is new. You do realize we are sitting in a tree?” “I do.” “Draven, if anyone saw us they would think we were peepers.” “Since when do you care what people think?” “So, what are we looking at?” Logan peered through the window. “Oh, I see now why your thoughts were so guarded. She is lovely.” “Why are you here?” “I felt your anger, and wondered what brought it on.” Draven stared through the window, watching Timbre walk through the house, turning every light on. Once she did this, she stood in the hall and looked to be waiting for something. He could hear her, calling out to her sister in soothing tones. A door opened, and from a back room, he watched as a young woman peeked into the hallway, then rushed to Timbre. “That must be Sahara.” Draven said allowed. “Timbre was right, she is afraid of everything.” A smaller version of her sister with shoulder-length sandy hair, she was petite and timid. The girl was a beauty, and the anger built higher inside him at the thought of what brought her to this point. “Who is she?” Logan’s eyes were fixed on the smaller woman. “She’s absolutely amazing. But something’s wrong with her.” “Sahara, is her name. She’s Timbre’s sister.” “How did you meet this woman?” 81

Vamptations “At the library. She was being abused by the man who is responsible for her sister’s condition.” He clenched his teeth. “Sahara was attacked and raped by this man, and the town did nothing, as the mayor’s son was responsible.” “Something so small and fragile should be cherished.” Logan’s tone brought Draven’s eyes to him, and he saw the admiration on his brother’s face. “Damn, just looking at her brings me pleasure.” “I felt the same with Timbre.” He cocked his head, listening. “You hear that, Logan?” “Someone’s lurking around back. I’ll check it out.” In a flash, Logan was gone, shifting to mist and blending in with the trees. Draven sniffed the air, and knew who was out there. Chris Brody was paying a visit. Draven shifted and joined his brother. Timbre may not welcome his presence, but the two brothers would greet him properly. **** “I wish I wasn’t like this, Timbre. I wish I could stop feeling so afraid. It’s been close to three years now.” Sahara sat on the sofa and stared out the window. “I can’t even enjoy the outdoors unless you are with me.” “You just need time, honey, and to learn to trust in others.” “I’m twenty-two years old.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “I should be thinking of marriage. But then, who would want to marry a woman who is timid and can’t give them children.” Timbre tried not to cry, though she wanted to. After her attack, Sahara had been treated for pregnancy as well as disease. But the brutal way Chris had used her damaged her inside, and the doctors told her she would never carry a baby to term. Timbre thought that had been what was keeping her in a shell. She had so much to offer, but she didn’t believe a man could want a barren wife. So, she just tucked herself away. “There are other options.” “I’m too afraid to even let a man touch me. You say that with the right man, there can be so much pleasure.” Sahara hugged the pillow. “In my case, though, I can’t leave my room without you here and every light on. I will grow old alone and have a hundred cats.” “You will never be alone, Sahara.” Timbre stood. “I will make us some tea and a snack, and then we can find a movie or something.” Sahara only nodded, staring out the window. 82

Vamptations Timbre was at a loss. How could she help her sister? The physical scar was nothing like the emotional one. She herself had set aside hopes of a future for now. Then again, since the incident, the only offers she got from men were lewd and disgusting. Chris ensured Sahara was branded, and Timbre along with her. Her hand tightened on the tea jar, hating the Brody family more each and every day. Money shouldn’t make you invincible, but for that family, it made mountains move. Had it not been for the fact her parents left them a house when they died, and a small savings, she and her sister would have been on the streets for taking the Brody's to court. But her sister was just a shell of the girl she had once been. Laughter left her eyes three years ago. Timbre would give anything to see it there again. A scream pierced the quiet, and the sound of shattering glass filled her ears. Timbre dropped the tray she had been fixing. It crashed unheeded into the sink as she rushed to get to Sahara. When she reached the living room, she was stunned to see Draven. He struggled with a very angry Chris while Sahara collapsed in a ball between the couch and the bookcase. What scared her the most was the man kneeling in front of Sahara. All she saw was his back and the fear in her sister’s eyes. Timbre attacked. “Get the hell away from her!” Before Logan could move, he had a woman wrapped around his back and her claws in his head. “Wait, you don’t understand.” He tried gently to remove her. “I wasn’t going to hurt her.” Then she was gone, and Logan turned to see Draven had pulled her from him. He saw Chris slink out the door, but was too shocked to even move. “Timbre, relax, he’s not going to hurt her.” Draven soothed. “Who the hell is he?” “He’s my brother, Logan.” Though she eyed him, she pulled away and hurried to Sahara. Timbre eased her sister from her hiding place and held her to her side. “Let’s get your medicine, Sahara, and lay you down. I can clean this mess up in a little while.” She turned with her sister before looking back at Draven. “I wanna talk to you, so be here when I get back.” He nodded, knowing she wanted explanations. 83

Vamptations “Damn, but that little girl has fight in her.” Logan rubbed his scalp. “I think she took half of my hair with her.” “Earlier today, she had been so frightened.” Draven started picking up glass. “She has been a mother to her sister for so long, I guess her concern for her drove her beyond the fear.” “You think so?” Logan knelt to help him. “Damn, that sister of hers is suffering.” “And you wanna fix it?” “Oddly enough, I do.” Draven just nodded, understanding. The sound of Timbre returning drew them both to their feet. “First, thank you. I don’t know how you came to be here, but thank you. I don’t know what I would have done.” Then she folded her arms and tapped her foot. “How did you come to be here?” “I followed you home.” “Do you have a stalkers complex?” “I just had a feeling.” “I can’t understand it, and don’t wanna try, but I believe you.” She looked to Logan. “I’m sorry I attacked you, Logan. I’m Timbre, and I’m usually quite docile.” “I understand your reaction. I’m sorry I made things worse for her.” He looked down the hall and back. “Is she alright?” “Yes, actually, she is. She refused her sedative.” “Sedative?” “I’m sure you know what happened to her. If she panics, she can’t relax.” Timbre shook her head. “She told me it wasn’t you she was frightened of. It was Chris.” “Is that a bad thing?” “No, it’s a puzzle. I’m the only one she trusted.” She looked between the two brothers. “Until now. So no, it’s not bad, it’s good.” Timbre started the cleanup again, and with their help, it went quickly. Afterward they all sat in the kitchen and Timbre looked quizzically at her guests. “So, will you call the police?” “No, it wouldn’t do any good.” She watched Draven. “Besides, I thought you were the police.” “You never believed me for a minute, did you?” “Not a bit.” “When things settle, I will tell you who and what I am.” “What you are?” 84

Vamptations “Logan and I will stay here tonight. That idiot may come back. I should have known he was knocked out.” Draven folded his arms. “If you plan to argue with me, don’t.” “Actually, I would be grateful.” She stood. “I would love to visit, but I'm flat tired. Too much stress I think. I don’t know why, but I trust you, both of you. Feel free to make yourselves at home.” “Goodnight.” Both brothers said in unison. Once they were alone, Logan stood. He had already fed and so had Draven, so there was no need for one to leave the other. “I think I will sit out back and hope the little bastard comes calling again.” “I’ll take the front. I can watch the house and the girls from the front room.” “What is it about these two?” “I don’t know, but for the first time in a long time, I don’t have death on my mind.” “That’s enough for me brother.” Logan slapped his back. “That’s all I need to know.” Logan left his brother in the kitchen. It felt good to know that his brother had given up his plans for self-destruction. How long it would last, he didn’t know, but he would take what miracles he could. A bench sat on the back porch, and Logan sat, enjoying the sounds of the night. How long he sat there, he wasn’t sure, but a slight sound drew his attention. He felt no threat, but he wasn’t alone. “I know you’re there, so show yourself.” He inhaled, and the scent he picked up almost caused him to lose his breath. “Sahara?” He sat still, waiting, counting the minutes. “I won’t hurt you. It’s safe if you’d like to come out here and see the night.” He kept his voice low and comforting. “I promise, I won’t let anything hurt you.” Slowly, her small figure came into view. He sent a message to his brother, and though Draven was shocked by her appearance, he knew she would be safe. Logan was shocked himself. “Come on out and sit. The night is beautiful.” He noticed she wore a floor-length gown, and a thick robe. Her feet were bare. “My name is Logan.” “I, uh, my name is, Sahara.” She slowly sank onto the bench beside him. “I wanted to thank you.” “Thank me?” 85

Vamptations “I know you’re the one who tackled Chris.” She kept her face down and her fists in the robe. “My sister attacked you, but she was only thinking of me.” “We talked, and I understand.” “I guess you know why I am the way I am.” It was a statement, not a question. Her eyes slowly made their way to his and he caught his breath. Her eyes shone a mystical blue. The kind you could get lost in, though happily, for the rest of your days. Her hair was loose and lay around her shoulders. Her inner turmoil was strong and he could feel it. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, Sahara.” “I feel so confused right now.” She looked back to her lap. “Why am I not afraid of you?” “Maybe you can feel it, that I won’t hurt you.” “Maybe, but I can also feel something else.” Her eyes searched the back yard. “What?” “You’re dangerous. You’re different.” Logan didn’t know what to say. She was right on both counts. But not to her, never to her. “Maybe so, Sahara, but you’re safe with me.” She sat quietly, her mind working. Logan decided to read her, just a little; to be sure, her fear wasn’t of him. But the minute he got close, a wall flew up before him and he pulled from her mind. “I trust you, Logan. I don’t know why. But please, never invade my thoughts.” “How did you know?” “I felt it.” She shrugged. “Like I said, I know you’re different. I hope we can become friends.” “I’d like that.” He reached out and offered his hand. When she took it, it was like a jolt of electricity shot through him. “I’d like to heal you.” The words came out and there was no calling them back. His eyes searched hers, and his senses told him she wasn’t afraid. “You have, in many ways, Logan. I hope I have the courage to continue, and heal myself.” She stood, leaned over and kissed his cheek. He felt it all the way to his toes. Then she was gone, leaving him with nothing but his thoughts. 86

Vamptations Like his brother, he felt a change coming over him. He didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. Back inside, Timbre covered her mouth with her hand. She had seen her sister and how she had acted with Logan. She was thrilled, yet also worried. Thinking Draven would have an answer, she hurried to the living room. “Please, just tell me he won’t hurt her. Even emotionally.” “I swear, Timbre, she couldn’t be in safer hands.” His eyes roamed her body in the nightshirt she wore. Timbre felt it, his gaze, and her body reacted. Her nipples hardened, and her breathing increased. It had been so long since she had felt a man’s touch. Even then, it hadn’t been the best of experiences. He was slowly walking toward her, and her feet felt glued to the floor. Draven’s hand reached out, and his fingers touched her cheek. His other hand pushed her long hair back over her shoulder. “You’re safe with me, Timbre.” “Am I?” “I’m going to kiss you.” Slowly his head lowered, until she could feel his breath on her face. “Do I have a say in the matter?” “Do you want one?” “No.” Timbre took the next step and placed her mouth to his. At first gentle, the impact of his kiss built until their tongues stroked, and their hands began to touch. She arched herself into him, and he pulled her as close as he could into the heat of his body. “What is happening between us, Draven?” Timbre whispered against his lips. “I feel as if I’ve been waiting for you my whole life.” “Maybe because you have been. I know I’ve been searching for you.” She stepped away and took his hand, and he followed her to her room without hesitating. His brother closed his thoughts off the instant his lips met Timbre’s. He would know to keep a close watch on the house. Inside her bedroom, Timbre wasted no time. Her nightshirt landed on the floor, and Draven sucked in a breath at the sight of her. While she had been bare underneath, he had to remind himself that he couldn’t just make his clothes vanish. She wasn’t ready for that. So, he stepped forward and let her undress him. 87

Vamptations It was torture, waiting until he stood as bare as she was. Timbre’s soft hands caressed his chest, and he closed his eyes to her scent. Like honeysuckle and woman, she teased every sense of his body. Draven was so hard he ached. Then they lie tangled together on the bed. One kissing the other, as if they would never get enough. Her soft body molded to his, and when her hand reached below and stroked him, he fought back the beast inside. The half that wanted to bury its teeth into her as he buried his body deep in her heat. He caught her hands, twined their fingers, placing them on either side of her head while her body cradled his. Slowly, he began to make them one. It was like nothing he could remember. Her body slowly opening to him, the heat, and the tight feel as she tried to accept more of him. Timbre’s soft moans and sighs, the way she arched her body was hell on his control. With a powerful thrust, he seated himself deeply inside her, catching her lips with his and taking her cry into himself. When he felt her relax, he moved slowly, in a rhythm to build her higher yet make her wait for the release that would be painfully sweet. Draven released her hands, rising above her, thrusting into her while he watched her body flush. Catching one leg, he lifted it high over his hip, allowing him deeper penetration into her welcoming warmth. Timbre caressed every inch of him she could reach. His back, strong buttocks, his chest; she even flicked his nipples with her nails. She could feel her climax building, and her stomach clenched in anticipation. Each stroke of him inside her made it almost unbearable. When Draven slowly lowered his head and pulled a nipple deep into his mouth, her whole body clenched, and she bit her lip to keep her shout from escaping. She could taste the drop of blood that welled, felt a warm trail roll from her lip to her chin, and on to her neck. Draven stiffened and raised his eyes to the scent of her life’s essence. He caught the drop on his tongue, followed it to her chin and settled his mouth over hers. His lips pulled on the small mark, as his hips thrust faster and harder against her. Timbre gasped at the power of his thrusts. He moved faster with every stroke, and touched her so deeply, she was sure he had touched her heart. Suddenly, the world faded and all she could see was Draven. As he lifted his head, she spotted her blood on his lips. Timbre pulled 88

Vamptations him to her and kissed him, sharing her taste as he moved within her. Pulling his tongue into her mouth, she sucked it in time with his thrusts. When her release came, it was long and hard. Draven kept their mouths joined, feeling her body tighten on his and moving faster, harder, deeper, until he filled her with his own release. Timbre held him to her, in no hurry to let him leave her. But Draven was content where he was. Still buried inside her, feeling her tremble as her body cooled. Only when the tremors stopped, did he pull from her and roll to her side, tucking her head beneath his chin. “Draven?” “Yes?” “Will there be a tomorrow for you and me? Or is this it?” Lifting her face to his, he looked into her eyes and hoped she could see the truth in his own. “There will be many tomorrows, if you want me.” He kissed her gently. “I know I want you.” “I want you.” “I will have to leave early in the morning, but I will be back by nightfall.” “Promise?” “I promise. Now rest, Sweetheart.” As she drifted, a smile on her face, Draven thought of Camille. He had to destroy her. If not, she was a threat to even, Timbre. Now that he found her, he had so much to live for. He only hoped, when the time came, she would truly want him forever. Because that’s exactly what he had to offer her. **** “The brothers have found me, William.” Camille said to her current lover. “Draven is relentless in his pursuit.” William stood silently in the middle of the room. He loved and hated his mistress. Since she had turned him, she lingered like a drug in his system. He never understood the brothers she spoke of, nor their ability to walk away from her. After over a hundred years, without the seductive bitch before him, he was nothing but a shell. “They have yet to succeed, and we can always move again.” “No, I like it here. The people are so superstitious and charming.” She reached up and caressed his face. “You had better guard your thoughts, William. Don’t forget that I am a part of you.” “How could I forget, Camille? You remind me every day.” 89

Vamptations “There is something more this time, I feel it in Draven. A feeling of contentment has replaced the hate that always lingered.” She smiled as she paced the room. “Could he have decided to accept me?” “Is that what you feel?” William snarled, baring his teeth. “That would be unacceptable.” “Oh, William, you are a strong lover and please me greatly. But you know I would replace you in an instant, if Draven would accept me.” William said nothing, returning to silence. “Rest easy, my pet,” Camille sat on her bed and reclined. “There is someone else causing these feelings in my long ago lover. That is something I can’t allow. Luckily he has let his guard slip.” “What will you have me do?” William asked, knowing he would do whatever she demanded. It was his only reason for living now, if you could call it that. “There is a woman, and her name is Timbre Shalee. Thanks to Draven, and his brother letting their guards down, I have all the information I need about her and her sister.” Camille smiled a wicked smile. “I want you to find this woman, but it’s her sister I want you to destroy. The pitiful creature hardly lives anyway. Then, when the time is right, I will deal with Draven’s new love.” “Why?” “I can’t very well have my own creations pining away for these little girls.” “You mean to say, you can’t have them turn away from you and forget you.” He snapped. “Why can’t you just let them go, Camille?” “Why should I? They are mine. I made them.” “They’re still men.” “So are you, William, and look at you beg.” “Damn but you’re a heartless piece of work.” “You are boring me. I’m tired, and you have a job to do tomorrow evening. Don’t fail me. I can make you hurt in ways you only dreamed.” William knew only too well she spoke the truth. He loved her and he hated her. Only one emotion would insure his survival. **** “Good morning, Timbre.” Sahara walked into the kitchen and snagged a cup for the coffee brewing. “Sleep well?” “Yes,” Timbre was shocked and it showed. “How did you sleep?” “Like a baby. Not a dream one.” 90

Vamptations “That’s wonderful, Sahara.” She watched her younger sister, and noticed the slight change. She still held a timid air about her, but a piece of the wall around her had fallen. “So, where are Draven and Logan?” Sahara asked as she sat across from Timbre. “Draven said they would be back this evening.” She sipped her coffee. “You like Logan?” “I can’t explain why, but for the first time since that horrid night, I feel really safe.” She smiled a small smile. “Not that you don’t make me feel safe, Timbre, but there is something about those brothers that just makes it all the more real.” “I understand.” “When Logan tried to soothe me last night, after Chris busted in, I saw something in his eyes.” She shrugged. “They’re just different.” “Yeah, they are far from typical.” “No, Timbre, I mean different.” She looked into her sister’s eyes. “Don’t you feel it?” “Feel what?” Sahara shook her head and shrugged. “I’m glad to see you up and about, Sahara. It’s been awhile.” “I don’t wanna be afraid anymore.” With that, Sahara stood and left the kitchen. When the TV came on, again Timbre felt a small amount of relief. Her sister was coming around, and maybe soon, she would be her old, fun-loving self again. Hearing the thud of the paper as it landed on the porch, Timbre rose and walked to the front door. She needed a job, and she needed the classifieds. Once she opened the door however, she froze. Beside the paper was a small brown package. “What the hell?” The mail didn’t deliver this early, and this package was addressed to Sahara. What should she do? Something felt wrong about it all. “Timbre?” Picking up the paper and the package, she tried to hide it behind her back as she pasted a smile on her face. “Just getting the paper.” “You’re hiding something, Sis.” Sahara’s eyes narrowed. “What is it?” “Nothing, Sahara,” “Stop, okay, I can see it all over you. What’s wrong?” 91

Vamptations Timbre bit her lip and hoped her feeling about the package was wrong. Slowly, she brought it from behind her back and held it out to her sister. “I don’t know what it is, it was on the porch.” “For me?” “Yes.” “From who?” Sahara took the small package and tested it in her hands. “Whatever it is, it’s not alive.” Timbre saw her sister’s attempt to lighten the mood, but something just screamed danger. “Maybe we should just leave it?” “Timbre, I need to stop running. There’s no doubt its one of Chris’ silly attempts. I wish he would leave me alone, but unless I start getting a backbone, he will always have control.” She ripped the top of the package open and looked inside. Her face flushed. “I was right, it was from Chris. How nice of him to return these to me.” “What? Sahara what is it?” Timbre saw the tears well in her sister’s eyes. “What the hell is in that thing?” “My underwear.” Sahara dropped the package on the table and slowly walked to her room. Timbre wanted to scream, shout, and kill the bastard for all the hell he had put her sister through. But nothing she could do would make it right. He was the mayor’s boy, and daddy took care of his problems. Sitting at the table, she clutched the package in her hands and laid her head on her arms. Since she couldn’t kill him, she would cry for a while. She was due. Timbre had no idea how long she sat there, crying out her misery. She had fallen asleep. When a chill settled in her spine, her head snapped up and she glanced around the kitchen in the fading light. It was nearing dark. Standing, she wiped her eyes and walked to the sink, washing away the streaks and puffiness. Turning off the water, she cocked her head to the side, listening. What was that? Again, she heard it, like someone slapping the wall. How she knew her sister was in trouble, at that moment, she couldn’t say. Timbre ran down the hall at breakneck speed. Her body slammed into the door to her sister’s room, but it wouldn’t budge. 92

Vamptations “Sahara!” She pounded on the door in desperation, throwing her body into it, ignoring the jarring pain. “Sahara!” Timbre screamed when a solid but firm hand landed on her shoulder. She turned; ready to fight, when she looked into the eyes of Draven and Logan. “What is it?” “I don’t know, Draven, but she’s in trouble.” Logan pushed his way to the door, and with one powerful blow, the door shattered into a hundred pieces. Timbre didn’t care, all she could see was her sister’s form on the bed, and the blood pooling around her. “Sahara!” She rushed into the room. “Oh god, call an ambulance. She’s still breathing.” Draven and Logan exchanged a look, and Logan walked slowly to Timbre who clutched her sister to her in a desperate attempt to keep her alive and with her. “An ambulance won’t help her, Timbre.” Draven knelt beside the bed. “But Logan can.” “What? She needs a hospital.” Her eyes looked between the brothers. “Why are you just standing here? Call for help!” “Let Logan take her, Timbre. I promise she will be returned tomorrow night in perfect health.” “What?” Draven nodded to his brother, who lifted the unconscious Sahara into his arms. He ignored Timbre’s protest, and her attempt to break his brother’s hold. Logan held her close and left the room quickly. “Where is he taking her?” “To heal her.” “Who did this? Why?” She stood and hurried from the room, eyes searching for her sister. “Why should I trust you and your brother? Damn, what the hell is happening?” “Look at me.” He caught her by the shoulders and turned her. “You know you can trust me, Timbre. I think we need to talk.” “Talk?” “There are a few things you should know.” He took her hand and sat with her on the couch. **** “Sahara, can you hear me?” Logan stroked her hair from her face. “Open your eyes, and look at me. Don’t be afraid.” Slowly her eyes opened, and she looked into his own. 93

Vamptations “Where am I?” She tried to turn her head and winced. “I hurt so badly.” “I know you do, and if you will let me, I can take away the pain.” “I’m dying.” “You don’t have to, Sahara.” His hand caressed her cheek. “Do you trust me?” “I don’t know why, but yes I do.” Her eyes centered on his mouth, and the evidence of what he was. “I’m not afraid of you, Logan. I knew you were different.” “Do you want to live?” “Would I be like you?” “Yes, and powerful as well.” “What will happen to me after?” “I will be with you, and I will guide you.” “The man who did this, he knew of you. He spoke your name as well as your brother’s.” “Later, I will tell you about that. But for now, you must make the choice before it’s too late.” She waited for several breaths, fighting the pain inside her body. Did she want to live like the myths and the legends she had read about with such interest? If she didn’t she would die, and her sister would be lost. The thought of Timbre hurt and alone made her choice for her. Sahara nodded her head. “You will feel no pain. You may find it pleasurable.” Gently, Logan lifted her shoulders and pulled her against his chest. Her head fell to the side, her body too weak to protest. Luckily, she had not been bitten. Her wounds originated from razor sharp fingernails. But her will to live had been stronger. His tongue licked her neck at its pulse, and her body shivered slightly. Logan sank his teeth deeply, and she gasped. He drew on what precious blood she had left, until her eyes glazed and death loomed near. He then licked the wound, closing off the flow. He tore his shirt from his body and opened a gash above his heart. He held her there, offering her immortality. With only a slight hesitation, Sahara drank from his body. Logan grit his teeth against the sensation. His cock rose hard and thick, throbbing against his jeans. He made himself remember her wounds, and fought back the desire to become one with her in every way. 94

Vamptations When she had drunk enough for the first exchange, he sent her into a peaceful sleep. His body on fire, he washed away the evidence of the attack, then lay beside her. Drifting in the healing sleep, he would need for the next exchange. The tingle in his body told him that a new night was upon them. He had slept undisturbed the entire cycle. Sahara was with him, he could feel her hand making idle circles against his abdomen. He could feel his cock stir, resting against his belly. But he had fallen asleep with pants on. He hadn’t wanted to shock Sahara. He was too careful to let his guard down, so where the hell were his pants? “I removed them.” Her breath tickled his ear. “Whatever you have done to me, Logan, I am thankful.” He sucked in a breath when her hand stroked the part of him that was throbbing in need. “What are you doing, Sahara?” “I’m alive, and I’m ready to start living.” She rose above him, straddling his hips and taking control. “I’ve never felt this desire before, but it’s pouring through me, and I’m helpless against it. I want you, Logan.” “It’s just the exchange.” He watched her, in awe of her beauty and passion. “You will change your mind later.” “No, for the first time in years I’m sure of something. Unless you don’t want me.” Some of the fear came back into her eyes. “Do I disgust you? Knowing I wasn’t strong enough to fight off the man who attacked me? That I wasn’t strong enough to prevent my rape?” “Does my body feel like it’s turned off by you?” He groaned when her heat caressed him. “I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you.” “Then, there is no problem.” She leaned down and placed her lips against his. “I want you, Logan.” “If you’re sure, Sahara, then have me.” Her mouth took his in a kiss that seemed unsure, but determined. He let her set the pace, taking only as much as she was comfortable with. All too soon, she was rocking her hips, and in one smooth motion, took half of him into her body. Sahara cried out, and he fought for control. This beautiful girl trusted him, and he would do nothing to hurt her. “Easy, Sahara, don’t rush yourself.” 95

Vamptations She was beyond hearing as she braced her hands on his chest and brought herself fully against him, taking all of him into her. Tears slipped from her eyes and he sat up, holding her tight, keeping them joined. “Sahara, do you hurt?” “No, oh no.” “Then why the tears?” “Because I’ve never felt so complete. I feel free, Logan, and its all because of you.” Her arms wrapped around his neck, their lips met again, and together they moved as one. It was both a healing and a revelation. Logan had found the woman to fill his nights, and Sahara the man who would hold her forever. When her body began to tighten around him, he pulled his mouth from hers and again sank his teeth into her tender flesh. Her climax shook her hard, and when he offered her his own essence, she placed her lips to his chest and accepted it. With her mouth drinking from him, he rocked his hips harder into her, taking her to the heights again, before he spilled himself deep inside her welcoming warmth. They were complete, but completed together. **** “It’s after ten at night, Draven. Where is she?” “I told you they are on their way.” “I need to see her.” “Would you relax?” “Relax? Let’s count off the reasons that’s not likely going to happen.” She held up her fingers. “One, the man who I let in, who I decided I would love to give my heart to has not only told me he’s a vampire, but proved it.” “You would give me your heart?” She ignored him and continued. “Two, the man I would fall in love with also has a brother who not only took my sister, but will most likely turn her as well. Oh, and let’s not forget the crazy woman and her new pet, who now aspire to either make me miserable or kill me.” She threw up her hands. “All because you rejected her. Loving you will be a challenge if nothing else.”

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Vamptations He walked to her and pulled her into his body, molding them together. She had denied him last night, unsure of her feelings. But now he knew, and he wouldn’t let her walk away from it. “You love me?” “Is that all you heard me say?” “It’s all that’s important to me right now.” Draven took her mouth hard and gave her no time to fight him. Every part of him screamed for the pleasure her body would bring him. Knowing how she felt only made the experience all the more wonderful. He had been a fool, letting his guard down in his moments with Timbre. Camille had used his emotions against him. Her arms went around his neck, and she returned his kiss. The needs of her body equaled his own. “Oh, Draven, should I be jealous?” His body stiffened, and he slowly turned. Camille, with her long flowing black hair, her pale skin and violet eyes, stood in the living room of Timbre’s home. Once, he would have bent his knee and kissed her feet. But now, with his heart settled, she was more vile than anything he had ever known before. “No, Camille, as there is nothing between us. Other than my great desire for your death.” “She is a pretty creature.” She licked her ruby lips. “To bad her sister can’t be here for this reunion.” Draven sighed, thankful his brother was able to hide the fact that Sahara had lived. “Where is your pet, Camille? I think I should pay him back for the damage he caused.” “Oh, William is just outside, watching for that delicious brother of yours.” She smiled wickedly, and Timbre shivered. “But, I have a new friend that just might interest you. I believe you know one another.” Timbre gasped and would have lunged had Draven not stopped her. Her new friend was none other than Chris Brody. “Ah, your little lover would like to do so many things to this one.” Camille cocked her head to the side. “I have an offer for you, Draven.” “And that is?”

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Vamptations “You come with me now, live by my side and meet my every desire, and I will be sure this man confesses to his crimes against the sisters.” Draven paused at this. He loved Timbre, and this was the one way to ease all her suffering. But the choice was taken from him. “Not on your life.” Timbre stood beside him. “Chris isn’t worth me losing Draven, and I sure as hell won’t give him up to you without a fight.” Camille’s eyes flashed fire for a moment, and then her smile returned. She was not one to fail, or to walk away from what she wanted. “Then you will die, and I will have him anyway.” Camille walked slowly to stand before Draven. “We were good together, you and I. We could rule all of our kind, and have each other for all eternity. Is this silly little girl worth it?” “I feel nothing Camille, but hate, when I look at you.” He pushed Timbre behind him. “You once were beautiful, now, you’re just vile.” Violet eyes narrowed, and pictures flew from the walls. When Logan and Sahara appeared, her anger doubled. The sisters embraced, crying, as Camille shouted for William. When the man rushed into the room, she turned her anger on him. “How could you fail me?” “Logan saved her, Camille. I did as you bid me.” “You failed!” She reached out for him, only instead of taking his hand, she made a fist, and William immediately collapsed and turned shockingly to dust. She looked to Chris. “Kill her, and do it now.” Chris smiled and slowly walked into the room. Camille threw up her hands to conjure an invisible shield that separated Sahara from the others. Timbre banged on the barrier with her fist, but it did nothing but crackle and pop. “He is no match for her.” Logan whispered to them both. “Sahara will have her revenge.” “The exchange was made?” “Two were made, and as a result she is very powerful.” “She made the choice willingly?” “Of course she did, Draven. How could you ask such a thing?” “I’m sorry, Logan.” Timbre looked into Logan’s eyes as a few truths settled in her heart. Her sister was no longer human, and would never be the same 98

Vamptations again. And the man who changed her, loved her. It was evident in his eyes. “Be good to her, Logan.” He nodded and turned his attention back to Sahara. She stood tall and proud, unafraid. Chris didn’t stand a chance, and even Camille, in her anger, had no idea what Sahara had become. Chris wrapped his hands around her throat, and Sahara responded. With one blow, Chris hit the wall and didn’t move. Camille expressed shock only for a moment, but it was enough time for the barrier to drop. Turning her anger on Sahara, she gathered all her energy and from her fingertips, lightning flew. No one saw Timbre move until it was too late. Still believing her sister to be the fragile, breakable girl of yesterday, Timbre threw herself in front of her sister. “Timbre!” Sahara caught her as she fell. “Timbre?” She struggled to breathe, and fire raced through her system. Everything around her was turning dark. She would die, but at least Sahara was safe. “You vengeful bitch. All of this, all the deaths because a man told you no.” Sahara screamed at Camille. “I bet in life you were just a spoiled little rich girl who daddy bailed out of trouble. I bet the only man you ever said no to, was the one who turned you. You think what you are makes you so powerful?” “I keep what is mine!” Camille screamed, rage building. “You dare talk to me that way?” “I dare any damn thing I want to, you old crow.” Sahara stood, and when Logan tried to interfere, her eyes warned him of what would happen. “This is between you and me, so come on, granny, and take your shot. I will give you only one.” Draven was at Timbre’s side, holding her and whispering in her ear. Logan stood to the side; ready to fight and even die if Sahara needed him. But he knew better than anyone that she had an inner power, and Camille may have met her match. “You can’t kill me, twit, and the brothers would only die with me if you tried.” She laughed. “I created them, so to take my life would mean their deaths.” “They are the last of your worries.” Sahara could feel something inside her boiling to the surface. “You hurt my sister, and the only one dying here tonight is you.” 99

Vamptations “She will die, have no doubt. No mortal can survive the blast I sent into her.” “Unless Draven grants her eternal life.” “Inside, he still desires me, his creator.” Her eyes shifted, and Logan saw the fear and the doubt within them. “If he comes with me now I will grant her life.” “You talk too much.” Sahara lifted her hands and winds grew around her. “I bind you, Camille, from doing others harm. I give you back the pain you have inflicted onto others for so many years. Feel their pain, and know your own.” Camille screamed and dropped to her knees. Her hands fisted in her hair, and her arms moved wildly, trying to stop the energy entering every pore of her body. “I offered you a shot,” Sahara approached her, and removed Camille’s dagger from her belt. “You should have taken it.” With all her strength, Sahara plunged the weapon into the heart of the evil woman on the floor. Before their eyes, she withered, her face aged and her skin fell away. With one finale, agonizing wail, Camille was reduced to ashes. Sahara fell to her own knees, her nose bleeding and her head pounding. Logan rushed to her side and gathered her to him. “We must make the exchange, Sahara. You are much too weak.” “What of Timbre?” “She’s going to be fine.” Sahara allowed Logan to lift and carry her to her bedroom. She tasted him on her tongue, just before her world went dark. **** “How do you feel?” Sahara asked her sister as they sat at the table together. “I was so afraid you would refuse Draven’s offer.” “I don’t feel any different than before. Other than, oh, more alive I guess.” She took Sahara’s hand. “What about you? You were the hero of the evening.” “No, I just knew what rage meant for the first time. She tried to kill you. It was my turn to protect you.” “It was ironic, what happened with Chris.” “Well, I suppose waking up and finding two snarling vampires looking down on you would make anyone confess.” She smiled. “I’m glad I didn’t kill him. He belongs in jail.” “I can hear all the night sounds.” Timbre stood and walked to the window. “Draven is worried I will hate him.” 100

Vamptations “Do you?” “No,” she smiled and turned to face her sister. “But it sure gets me a lot of attention from him.” They fell silent as the brothers entered the room. Timbre was happy for her sister. Seeing her with life in her eyes, and the love she felt for Logan was enough to make her accept her new lot in life. Draven stood before her, and she decided enough was enough. Timbre wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her for a kiss that curled his toes. “I couldn’t be happier, Draven.” She pulled back with a smile. “I have you, and Sahara is complete.” “Will you feel this way all our lives?” “I doubt it. I’m sure you will piss me off a time or to. But I will always love you even then. I may throw a fit now and then, but it will give us a great excuse for making up.” “I like the sound of that.” “But I have one question.” She shrugged. “Where do we go from here?” “We stay right here; try to live normal lives, in the night time of course.” He hugged her close. “So no more moving around?” “Nope, it’s time to let go of old hates, and start living the lives we’re given.” Draven lifted her in his arms and disappeared down the hall. “So, looks like it’s just you and me.” Sahara smiled up at Logan. “What will we ever do?” “As long as you’ve been around, I bet you have some great ideas.” “You calling me old?” “Oh, no, Logan. Just very, very, mature.” She squealed when he threw her over his shoulder, making his way to what would now be their room. Love brings out the best in all creatures, but the one thing the brothers needed most to set them free was something only the love of these two women could provide. Redemption. The End 101

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Scent of Passion by Skylar Sinclair Fabyan's been alone for a hundred years. On a chance evening out, he catches the scent of his lost love. Now, he must claim her.

http://webra.741.com/ss/indexss.htm http://skylarsinclair.blogspot.com/

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Scent of Passion by Skylar Sinclair Prologue Carpathian Mountains, 1906 Wounded cries of pain pierced the cool air in the shroud of night. Huddled on the ground, an animalistic man rocked back and forth, holding tightly to the mutilated body of a woman. As he looked up, his eyes shone blood red warnings in the bleak darkness and the burn of the moon above reflected off white fangs protruding from his fulllipped mouth. He never would forget her last words to him; I will come back to you, my love… **** Present day Fresno, California There she was, standing amongst a group of men vying for her attention like dogs in heat. Could they smell her richness like he could? It was a scent he remembered well, the ripe and heady aroma of a heated, moist cunt. He had waited more than a hundred years for her to come back to him and he was not letting anyone take her from him again—not ever. Yes, she did look different; her hair wasn’t golden blonde but took the form of chestnut ringlets that hung to her waist, highlighted with blonde strands by the diffused lighting in the bar. Her eyes were light green, like the grass from his homelands, not blue. Her facial features were natural, tainted with vitality and life. The one feature that he distinctly remembered was her full, lush lips. He could still feel the ghosting touches of them running along the length of his 103

Vamptations cock, nuzzling the mushroom head and then devouring it deep within her moistened lips and down her throat as he voiced his pleasure. Where Jacqueline had been petite, this woman stood tall, with graceful lines. Her lavender form-fitted dress hugged her curves, accenting her small waist and flared feminine hips. Slim legs narrowed into dainty ankles. His gaze rose. No, she did not look like his dead lover, but she was a dish perfectly served up, hot and steaming. His fangs itched with the need to descend and taste her again. His nostrils flared; as he took in more of her unique and potent womanly smell, his heart seized in remembrance. From his shadowed vantage point in the corner of the bar, his cock strained and fought against its cloth imprisonment. It, too, recognized her. Fabyan Markovitz had once again found his soul mate - his mate of blood. **** Jessie Wells tried to keep her attention on the gentlemen around her, but her mind drifted. As she looked toward a darkened corner of the bar, she saw a pair of exotic-skinned cowboy boots attached to the most mouth-watering pair of jean-encased legs, thighs muscled and corded in all the right places. They intersected into a large, impressive bulge, which made her want to lick her lips in appreciation. A sterling silver engraved belt buckle drew the eye straight back to his hardened groin. With effort, Jessie moved her eyes up his chambray shirt. She could see the outlines and folds of his muscled stomach and widely berthed chest. The top was unbuttoned to expose a tuft of black chest hair. Blue-black hair brushed the tops of his wide shoulders. His face was cloaked within shadows, yet she caught the gleam of his straight white teeth as his face split into a feral grin. Her gaze snapped up, but she couldn’t see his eyes or the raw sexual hunger addressed directly at her through the darkness. He stepped from the shadows, looking straight at her. Her body tingled and burned from his alluring stare. She felt he looked right into her soul, washing it with his predatory perusal. She could now see that his eyes were a sharp turquoise. They reminded her of a peaceful lagoon at sunset, but she knew better; something lethal and animalistic waited in their depth. A low growl drifted across her subconscious, hers answered back without thought, 104

Vamptations emerging from the back of her throat into the open air. She wanted him with a burning hunger. He stalked toward her, eating up the ground until he stood right in front of her. “Hello…Luscious, my name is Fabyan. What is yours?” His voice was layered in dark, deep tones, causing her body to tighten and her pussy to weep. Ripping her eyes away from his fine masculine body, she replied without hesitation, “Jessie.” The other people in the bar seemed to fade into the background; it was only her and this man right now. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Jessie.” He never took his piercing turquoise eyes off her face when he spoke. “Can I buy you a drink?” Jessie looked down at her glass. She was so intent on him that she’d totally forgotten she was drinking. “Ah…ya…sure. It’s a Lemon Drop Martini.” She watched him walk up to the bar like he owned it and order. She couldn’t help but check out his fine tight ass and the way the material of his shirt stretched and pulled across his broad shoulders, the kind she’d like to drape her legs over as he ate her pussy. Her cunt clenched at the thought. She loved the way he cocked one hip, leaning into the edge of the wooden top that ran along the bar, one elbow resting on top. He turned sideways and looked back at her, winking. He handed her the drink. “Here you go, one Lemon Drop Martini.” His long, elegant fingers brushed along hers as he handed her the glass. The jolt of sexual awareness that passed between them caused Jessie to gasp and almost drop her drink. Feeling clumsy and embarrassed, she replied, “Th…thank you…ah…Fabyan, right?” “Yes, you said it perfectly.” “Where are you from? I detect a slight accent, but I can’t distinguish where it comes from.” “I am originally from Hungary.” His eyes never wavered from hers when he spoke. “Do you live around here?” Jessie questioned. “Yes, I have a home near Friant Dam.” Taking a sip of his drink. He lightly ran his tongue along the rim of his glass, licking up a section of salt. Jessie wanted to be the salt that now coated and melted on his tongue. She felt at ease with this man, like she’d known him all her 105

Vamptations life. As these thoughts ran through her head, she felt a hand run down her spine, resting on the curve of her ass. Fabyan stood right in front of her, so it could not be him. Turning to the side, she looked into the eyes of another man. He was one she’d been talking to earlier in the evening. “Hello again, Jessie,” he addressed her with more familiarity than she’d have liked. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the narrowing of Fabyan’s eyes and one side of his upper lip curling, as if he wanted to growl or snarl at the man touching her so intimately. “If you do not mind, keep your damn hands to yourself. Can’t you see I am talking to the lady?” Fabyan said in a deathly quiet voice, stepping right up into the face of the other gentleman, crowding him, dominating him. Jessie saw the other man visibly shudder then duck his head as he quickly walked away, his tail between his legs. Placing her empty glass on a nearby table, she bent her head close to Fabyan’s right ear—lips only a hair’s breath away from caressing it—and spoke over the drum of voices and music in the bar. “Let’s get out of here.” She felt the sexual thrill in leaving the bar with a virtual stranger. She wondered why it felt so right. It was like her soul recognized him, wanted to possess him. Without missing a beat, he grabbed her hand, enfolding it within his large one, and they left the bar together to slip into the cover of night. **** Neither spoke as Fabyan lead Jessie to his car. He watched her reaction when he hit the button on his remote control to start the car even before they reached it. She sucked in a breath, taking in the beauty of the 2006 sporty red convertible Boxster S Porsche. He wanted her to love everything he had to offer, and he had a lot. He was just getting started. He was ready to fuck her every way a man could possibly take a woman, but he did not want to scare her. Just before they reached the car, he stopped. Drawing Jessie into his arms, he growled against her lips, “I need to kiss you.” He waited for her to pull away. Instead, she reached up, folding her arms around his neck, licking the seam of his lips, tracing their outline, begging for entry. 106

Vamptations He opened for her questing tongue, sucking it into his mouth, rejoicing in the duet played out inside his mouth. He groaned against her lips, gripping her ass to tilt and align her with his steel-hard cock, rubbing side to side against her soft and hot mound. His body screamed to take her—fuck her. But he didn’t want their first time to be in the parking lot of a bar. With what control he had left, he broke their passionate kiss. Jessie’s eyes were glazed over; she licked her lips. “Why did you stop?” she asked. “I’d prefer to make love to you in the comfort and privacy of my home. Would you not like that, Jessie? I live not far from here. Will you go with me?” She had to drag her eyes from his cock. “I shouldn’t go with you, since I just met you, but I feel like I can trust you. Can I trust you, Fabyan?” “I would never hurt you, Jessie, you have to believe me. I only want to pleasure you. Make love to you until you cannot move or think straight.” Rubbing his big hands up and down her arms, never breaking eye contact. “Come with me, Jessie. Let me show you the wonders of what I can do to your body—I will do anything you want.” He waited for her reply, trying to read the emotions flitting across her eyes. He knew desire when he saw it; her eyes and body language screamed for him to take her. Giving her one last passionate kiss, Fabyan helped her into his car. He needed to get her home and into his bed. **** On the drive to his home, Jessie kept asking herself if she knew what she was getting into. This man, this stranger, was so familiar to her body. Watching him drive turned her on. His hands caressed the steering wheel like a lover’s. The powerful car responded with smooth turns. He was in complete and total control at all times. She could feel her nipples rubbing against the lace of her bra and the fluttering of her pussy. She gave in to the need to shift and squirm to relieve some of the sexual tension building inside her. Fabyan reached over, placing his hand upon her thigh to still and comfort her. She could feel her body opening up to his touch. Her knees fell apart, his hand moved up her leg toward her drenched panties. The glide of his hand along the skin of her thigh sent electrical charges straight to her pussy, causing it to clench, spasm 107

Vamptations and drip. Jessie dropped her head back against the soft leather of the seat and shut her eyes, letting him have free rein of her body, letting him take control. When his fingers reached her panties, he ran his index finger along the seam of her silk-covered slit, concentrating on her distended and swollen clit. Her gasp let him know he had her full attention. “You are wet. Your cunt is hot for me, I can feel your desire for me through your panties, Jessie.” Fabyan’s eyes never left the road, yet there was a knowing lift at the corners of his mouth. “I can feel your heart beat, your pulse pounding your need through your clit. Do you want me to make you come, Jessie? Will you scream for me? Cry your pleasure for me while I drive?” Jessie could hardly reply; her answer came out in broken grasps. “I…need to…I want…God that feels…good. Yes!” He looked over at her for just a second. “Then come for me, show me what I do to you.” Her hips rose up to grind against the hand he had effortlessly worked inside her wet panties. He teased and ran his fingers along the folds of her soaked lips, spreading them for his invading fingers, lightly teasing then pinching her clit, causing her to moan and thrust against his hand. She’d forgotten they were in a convertible with the top down, speeding down the road where anyone passing could see his hand lost between her opened thighs; she only cared about what his fingers were doing to her body. She was close…near the edge. With a couple more strokes of his finger her back bowed into the leather seat, the fisted back of one hand stifled a loud scream. When the haze of her orgasm faded, she realized they had stopped in front of a large glass and wood home on a hill. Fabyan turned toward her. “Look at me, Jessie.” She turned toward him with satisfaction-veiled features. “Do not ever hold back your pleasure from me. I want to hear my woman scream when I make her come. Do not ever hide from me. I need to hear, see and taste your pleasure. I can smell your pussy from here. It is pungent and scented with your desire, a need I plan to take over and nurture. When I am done fucking you, you will know me, know who I am.” His features were tightly drawn as he spoke, she could see that she’d displeased him. Fine, he liked his women to scream. Next time she would deafen him. 108

Vamptations **** He walked her into a beautiful wood and glass-inspired home, very manly and cleanly designed. It seemed to fit this man, rugged, yet touchable. She felt drawn to one wall of the great room, nothing but glass from floor to ceiling, overlooking a flowing dam and foothills. In the window’s reflection, she saw Fabyan walk up behind her, a look of overpowering domination etched upon his face; she could see he’d meant every word he’d said in the car. She tightened up as the heat of his body crowded her from behind. The outline of his hard cock pressed against the crack of her ass. She pushed back against its fullness, needing to get closer. He watched their reflections as he spoke. “I want to fuck you from behind in front of these windows. I want to watch your face when you come from what I will give you.” All Jessie could do was nod her head as her body trembled from his dirty talk. She loved it when a man talked dirty. He unzipped her dress, letting it slip from her body and pool at her feet. She stepped out of the crumpled material, kicking it away. Looking up, she saw his intense stare taking in her body. He ran his hands up her arms to her shoulders, sliding his fingers beneath the straps of her bra, slipping them from her shoulders before reaching around to unclasp the front. He dropped the bra on the floor behind him, looked back and caught her staring at him. He smiled a predatory smile, the smile of a man on the hunt hoping to capture and cannibalize his prey. “Do not look so worried. When I eat you, you will only feel ecstasy, I promise.” He chuckled, taking in her anxious reflection in the glass. “Take off your panties for me—nice and slow so I can enjoy the show.” Jessie hooked her fingers into the sides of her silk panties, but she felt his hands stop her. “Keep your eyes on me, do not look away. I want you to see what you are doing to me.” He let go of her, gliding his hand up and down the large bulge in his jeans. She kept her eyes trained on his where they reflected in the glass as she eased the panties down her legs. He dropped his hands to her ass, running them down and back up again, squeezing the cheeks of her butt while letting his cock nestle in the crack to tease her. 109

Vamptations Standing nude in front of the glass, she could see both his face and her flushed and heated body. “Do you know how beautiful your body is, flushed and swollen by my hands, your eyes dilated and glazed, as a woman taken to passion should look? And now, I want you to see what you have done to me.” He nudged a knee between her legs, using his toe to tap her legs farther apart. He touched his lips to her ears and whispered, “Spread your gorgeous, long legs for me. I want to see your excitement dripping down your legs as I fuck you.” He placed both her hands, palms down, onto the cool surface of the glass. He grabbed her hips, pulling them toward his bulging groin. He leaned over her body and quietly growled in her ear, “Do not move one muscle, stay just as I have placed you, understand?” Without breaking eye contact, she acknowledged him with a nod of her head. Her chest rose and fell, nipples hard from exposure, anticipating what was to come. She could hardly wait to feel his cock enter her clenching pussy. He kicked off his boots, all the while working the buttons loose on his shirt. She could hear the downward glide of his zipper as it released that big cock, the clinking of his silver belt buckle as it hit the floor. Within moments, he was completely devoid of clothing. What a delicious picture he made reflected in the glass: wide shoulders and muscled arms, a tapered, lean waist and legs that went on forever. But it was his outstandingly large cock and his balls that held her spellbound. No wonder the bulge in his jeans was so big; his cock reached all the way to his navel. The mushroom head was the size of a ripe plume. Again that feeling of déjà vu, like she’d seen this same image of him before, not in a reflection but facing him proudly displaying himself to her before they fucked. She could never tire of looking at his body, never. She shook her head, trying to shake this feeling and get back into the moment. “Remember, keep your hands firmly on the glass, Jessie,” he said before slamming his cock deep into her warmth. “Sweet Jesus.” These were the only words that cleared her lips before he drew back and slammed into her once again. His fingers dug into the flesh of her hips, holding her tightly to his groin. 110

Vamptations She sucked in her stomach muscles and bore down on his cock. She had never had someone this big; the pressure stretched and filled her to the limit. It was all she could do to keep her hands poised on the slippery surface of the glass while he pounded into her faster, harder. She held on for dear life, pressing her head back onto his shoulder for leverage. She heard moans and whimpering and realized they were coming from her. His breathing was ragged in her ear when he spoke. “Good girl. Keep your eye on what I am doing to you. You feel so damn hot. Your pussy craves my cock, it always has. Now come for me.” Before she could fully process what he’d just said, he removed one hand from her hip and reached around to run his fingers through the curls hiding her clit. He found the treasure, squeezing and nursing it between his fingertips, working her into a frenzy of carnal bliss. “Scream for me, lover.” Fabyan whispered against her neck, biting her lightly, then licking away the hurt. She screamed from the depths of her soul. It echoed off the walls of glass. Her cunt spasmed and bore down on his cock, milking it as she came. He let go of her clit to resume his grip upon her hips, fucking her mercilessly until his release started within his tightened balls and shot up his spine. He threw back his head, bearing his teeth in a snarl of ecstasy as he let out an animalistic roar. If Fabyan had not been holding her tightly, she likely would have slid down the hard glass wall. She could feel their combined cum running down her legs, rivulets of his potency and his mastering of her body. He carried her limp body up a flight of stairs to his bedroom on the next level of the house. In seconds, he laid her down upon a bed covered with a purple velvet comforter. It felt heavenly against her flesh. He pulled the cover back to expose matching satin sheets. She crawled between them with him right behind her. **** When Jessie awoke later from a well-earned sleep, she opened her eyes and looked around the darkened room. It boasted the same decor as the rest of the house with darkly colored accents, but this room had no windows. The room did possess a recessed lighting 111

Vamptations fixture overhead that was turned down low, casting deep shadows throughout the room. She looked over at Fabyan’s sleeping form, her pussy clenching, remembering what they had done just hours before. The memory of his cock pulsing and stuffed tightly inside her. It felt right, he felt right. She smiled, glad she had followed her instincts and gone with him. Even in the dim light, she could make out his semi-erect cock’s outline under the sheet. A naughty idea came readily to her. Licking her lips, she carefully pulled back the top sheet to expose his hard male body for her perusal. Yes, he was built like a bull, exactly what she imagined her dream man would look like—fuck like. Jessie moved up close to his hips; lowering her head, she took a deep breath. He smelled so familiar, his sex smelled familiar. How weird is that? She questioned her sanity. The scent of his release, his pleasure, was making her horny. Taking his cock into her palm, she watched it pulse to life within the warmth of her hand. She slipped it between her moistened lips, moaning from his taste and smell. Fabyan awoke to warm moist lips locked around his cock and a hand fondling his balls. He growled and arched his hips. Jessie stopped, setting back on her heels. “Do not stop. Wrap those lush lips back around my cock,” Fabyan said as he reached up and grabbed a handful of her hair, gently pulling her back down to his lap. She went willingly, taking his cock between her lips. Running her tongue under the rimmed hood, she felt his shaft grow stiffer and his body shudder with each draw of her lips and bob of her head. She became more aggressive, wanting him deeper in her mouth, all the way to the back of her throat. He was soon thrashing upon the sheets, moaning deep in his throat as her talented mouth and hands worked his body. Jessie could feel his body tightening, ready to come. Moments later, he exploded in her mouth. As she drank every drop of his thick liquid, memories started to flood and overtake her. She and Fabyan were running at night through a field of grass toward a cave. He caught her around the waist and swung her up into his arms, laughing and kissing her lovingly. Another image showed them making love by a stream while the moonlight cast shadows in the night. In yet another, she sank her fangs into the pulse of his neck 112

Vamptations as she rode his cock, drinking in his life force, reveling in her vampyre’s nature all the while. Many more memories came and went within a span of seconds. She now understood why he was so familiar. Fabyan was her husband, her soul mate, and she was Jacqueline, his wife. She was the wife and lover of a vampire. Tears started to stream down her face from the myriad memories, especially the one that took her away from him, so long ago. Fabyan watched as the memories flooded back to her; the tears flowed freely down her cheeks, dropping onto his lap. It broke his dead heart. “I love you. I have always loved you, Jacqueline. The years have been hard without you. Loneliness has been my friend these last hundred years. I had almost given up hope that you would return to me.” As he spoke, tears filled the eyes of the man she’d once loved— the man she now loved again. No one in Jessie’s lifetime had ever made her feel so alive and whole as Fabyan did tonight. Yes, she had come home to stay. “I am so sorry I failed you, Jacqueline. By the time I got to you, the villagers had taken you beyond hope for me to save…oh God, I am so sorry.” Fabyan could hardly talk through his tears. “Fabyan, it was meant to be, my love. Let it go, I do not blame you—nor is there anything to forgive. We are together again. I will never leave you if I can help it, you know that.” He wrapped his arms around her and they wept, both for what they had lost and for finding each other again. **** He looked down into her face as he asked her one more time, “Are you sure you want to do this, my sweet? I would love you even if you decided to stay human. I would love you until you took your very last breath and I would cherish the time we had. I would follow you into death, for I will not live without you ever again. I ask you one last time before bringing you over to the side of the night; are you sure?” Her heart overflowed with both the old love they had shared and the new love they were making. “I want to spend the rest of eternity with you and I will not lose a second of it being human. I remember what being a vampire was like. I want this, Fabyan, make no mistake. I give to you freely, my life blood, my life force. Make me yours again.” 113

Vamptations As Fabyan sank his teeth into the pulsing vein in her neck, a gasp escaped her lips. She swore she could feel the matching beat in the length of his hard cock as he thrust in and out of her aching pussy. He drank of her rich, warm blood. In the last moments of her human life, she was once again in the arms of the man she had always loved and would be with forever… The End

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FE959 by Michael Barnette Frontier Explorer 959 is out at the edge of known space when he receives a distress call that will change him forever.

www.michaelbarnette.com To the ladies of Midnight Showcase. This one is for you. Author Note: Asterisks indicate telepathic communication. Mère is French for Mother.

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FE959 by Michael Barnette The distress signal came through strong and steady as a heartbeat. A frown crossed Frontier Explorer 959’s face as he debated what to do. He could send the signal on a relay and let another, better equipped ship – probably condemning more people to slow death on the surface below--or he could get off his ass and help them himself. Technically aiding crashed colonists wasn’t in his job description, but the litany of coded problems his communications unit received told him they were in dire need of assistance. If the readings coming in were correct, half the colony ship’s complement of lives were already dead, and more were passing into the Dark Lady’s embrace with every passing moment. In the end, that was what decided the issue for FE959. No one could reach them in time to help. No one but him. “Damn,” he muttered. He never left his ship except on those rare occasions when Frontier Exploration’s Central Command approved a newer model of ship for him, or he had to go in for physical testing to make sure he was still in prime condition for his duties as an FE. Or when he had no other alternative but to get out. Like now. He’d made the decision, yet he vacillated, hesitant to actually commit himself to the task. There were many reasons why he dreaded the thought of going down there. Reasons that went well beyond the toxic atmosphere of the planet and the dangers of entering a vessel all but torn apart by a crash. But he really didn’t have any choice. While he sat there debating his course of action two more of the colonists slipped beyond the grasp of life into the embrace of death. 116

Vamptations He shuddered as their spirits faded into the nothingness of finality. That sensation alone made him want to run, to turn around and depart as fast as the small exploration ship he was encased in could carry him. A thought sent his ship toward the planet. There just wasn’t any other option. He only hoped they’d be grateful enough for his help that they could overlook what he was. The sleek ship hurtled toward the seething reddish cloud cover that surrounded the planet and obscured the landmasses and seas from view. If it weren’t for his ship’s instrumentation, he wouldn’t have any idea what lay below the blood-colored sky. He was relieved to discover that the heavy cloud cover didn’t extend to the surface of the planet not that what lay below it was any comfort. The ground was a mass of jagged lava flows and the seas were an almost sulfurous yellow. Inhospitable and uninhabitable. Of all the planets, a colony ship could crash land on in this sector FE959 could think of few that were worse. He let the ship guide itself toward the wreck, riding the distress signal. A bank of low clouds hid any trace of the downed ship until he was almost on it. “Oh hell,” he muttered as his mind made sense of the jumbled debris. The colony ship had been a large one. Too large for anything made in the last fifty years if not longer. His eyes narrowed as he caught sight of the shattered ship’s drive. Old. Very old. That meant it was a Legacy Ship, something sent out from old Sol over two hundred years in the past. It was an incredible find and he only wished he could have identified it more accurately. There was a long list of such ‘Lost Ships’ posted back at Central. Dozens had been sent out. Few had been found in the generations since they’d abandoned Earth to the pollution storms and blazing heat ravaging her surface. But the ship was just too broken up for him to make a positive identification, and it wasn’t being sent in the information in the distress signal, which was odd, but not totally unheard of in a ship that old. 117

Vamptations He tried checking the database in his ship for an ID, but quickly gave up in favor of landing as close as he could get to the area where the life pods should be located. That at least was partially intact. If it hadn’t been, he wouldn’t have bothered to land. There wouldn’t be any survivors to rescue. The sealed hatch of his ship opened. FE959-- who was totally naked-- stepped out onto the sharp edged ground. He winced as his bare feet tore, leaving smears of blood on the lava as the toxic gas of the planet’s atmosphere burned in his nose. Moving quickly he hopped down from the hard ridge of lava and reached one of the support beams from the ship. It was still hot and he felt the searing bite of the metal but the pain was fleeting and he jumped down, looking for a way in. **** Korrine opened her eyes and blinked, trying to bring the world into focus. Acrid smoke seeped into her lungs as she drew a shuddering breath. Something is wrong. Very wrong, she thought as the smoke tore at her throat. Burning plastic, the stink of hot metal and something else. Something she couldn’t identify. Whatever the stuff might be the mix was probably very toxic. Dull memories drifted to the surface of her mind. She’d been...in a sleeperpod. On a colony ship bound for another world. If they’d landed, she should be looking at Doctor Rickman or one of the other medical staff, not blearily staring at the casing of the pod. Yes, something was very wrong. Another whiff of the acrid smoke trickled into the pod, and she coughed, sucked in more and coughed even harder. She tried to move her arms, but they felt dead, unresponsive and she came to the conclusion that if no one had released her she was probably trapped by the safety restraints in the pod. Korrine fought the straps, but her inability to free herself went deeper than the strength of the straps. Her body really wasn’t answering her orders all that well. While the pod could induce wakeup in an emergency situation, it soon became apparent to her that the dosage wasn’t sufficient to totally override the long-sleep holding her captive. She felt... well she wasn’t totally sure how she felt, but freezerburnt came to mind. 118

Vamptations Another streamer of choking smoke billowed in, this one thicker and far more disturbing for what it might be implying. Fire. Of all the ways to die it was the one she feared the most. She tried to turn her head to see how the smoke was getting into her pod. To her dismay, even that task proved difficult, but she did manage to get her head to turn at what felt like a snail’s pace. Not that it helped much. Her eyes still weren’t focusing very well. But she did make out blurry shapes and fuzzy colors. There was a reason she found the colors alarming, but the smoke was starting to get to her and she coughed again. More of the choking stuff swirled into her pod and she felt a rush of heat coming in from somewhere. She blinked, trying to see what was moving outside her pod. It was orange, red, shot through with yellow. She only got a quick glimpse before the smoke belched in and Korrine succumbed to the toxins it carried. Fresh air hit her face. Hot air, but with much less of the smoke to strangle her. She blinked and felt herself falling, only to be stopped by strong arms that lifted her free of the pod and hurried her away from the heat. “You’re in shock. Just rest,” a faintly accented voice told her in Bizenglish, the only language she spoke and understood clearly. It was a male voice and it whispered soothing sounds at her in a low vocal register that she felt vibrating inside her bones the way organ music at the cathedral had done when she was a little girl. She tried to reach out, wanting to touch him to see if he was real or an hallucination of her dying brain. But he was real, her clumsy fingers bumping and slipping over smooth skin. “Relax. I’ll come back for you.” Come back. That meant he was leaving her. “Don’t...” Her eyes were starting to focus better. She saw pale skin, a fall of hair dark as midnight. And a face so handsome she was convinced she’d met an angel. But that wasn’t possible. No angel would come for one of her kind. “Don’t what? Come back or don’t leave?’ She struggled to make sense of his words. “Don’t... leave.” 119

Vamptations The face came closer, a hand stroked her forehead. The contact of his hand was cool, reassuring. “I have to go save as many of the others as I can.” He gave her a smile, and she stared. He had... fangs. “I don’t know you. Who are you?” she asked. “I’m EfEeninefivenine,” he said it as if it were a name and not a string of meaningless sounds which to her muddled brain was what it sounded like, sounds with no meaning. “Ninefive...?” “Shh... I’ll be back. Just rest.” And he was gone so fast she didn’t even see him leave. She could still feel the cool touch of his hand. **** FE959 hadn’t gotten a chance to do much checking, so most of his observations had been perfunctory as he rescued the colonists that were in immediate danger of dying. But he did noticed a few details about the ship, and those told him it was old. He’d also discovered it wasn’t a typical colony ship full of people willing to brave the dangers of space during the latter half of the twenty-first century. The people on board weren’t like those other early refugees who fled the growing pollution. If his guess was right, these people had left due to the increasingly tight restrictions of modern technology that made it ever harder to hide who – and what – they were. In short, he’d found a vampire family and their human kin. He hurried to save as many of the endangered human colonists as he could, carrying them to safety in an area of the medical center he’d located that still contained atmosphere. It was a large enough space, and the air was sufficient – he’d made a check to see if the power and oxygen supplies were adequate, and they were. There were almost three dozen left to move from the dangerous area, and he couldn’t carry more than two at a time so he hadn’t done more than find a secure place to put them. He’d managed to save over two dozen, but the rest had died despite his efforts, a few of them unable to survive the toxic smoke or the flames of oxygen burning off from shattered tanks that he was force to pass through to reach this haven. Because they’d all been in sleeperpods, none of them were clothed, and he hadn’t dared go looking for anything to cover them amid the tangled mass of the ship. For all he knew their supplies were 120

Vamptations gone in the shattered mess that lay scattered across the surface of the planet. By the time he’d brought the next to last pair of survivors to the safe area, the female he’d first rescued was stirring. Trying to sit up, her piercing green eyes showed signs of returning awareness rather than the dull puzzlement of someone lost for centuries in longsleep. He couldn’t help himself. He paused to take in the beauty of her naked form, his gaze moving over her the way an art lover would regard a masterpiece of sculpture. Soft and feminine with breasts that drew his gaze and a Mont of Venus that made him wish for the days when such things would have stirred his flesh to desire. But the changes made to him, the long decades of his confinement in the ship had left him with an appreciation of the female form, but no ability to sample it. He went back for the last two, braving the bite of fire to save them. When he had them safely delivered to the medical area with the others he, FE959, sat down beside her. He was exhausted. “You’re one of them, aren’t you?” Her expression was wary, uncertain. And it was fully understandable given what he knew about the colonists from the things he’d seen. Those green eyes were regarding him in a way that let him know beyond any doubt she knew exactly what he was. “That would depend on what you mean when you say ‘one of them’ don’t you think?” “A vampire.” “Yes.” He gave her a wry smile, showing his fangs to her. She showed no sign of fear. But why would there be? She was in the company of an entire vampire family. “From what I’ve seen though, don’t think you’re going to tell me to leave, or try to kill me.” “How many died?” she asked finally. “From the impact, I don’t know. I can’t get into some areas of the ship, and others are completely gone.” Her shoulders sagged, and he saw the bright tears well in her eyes. “This was supposed to save them. In the end it will destroy them.” He moved closer to her, dropping to his knees in front of the distraught female. “Don’t say that. Your family isn’t dead.” 121

Vamptations “They aren’t my family. All of my family perished on old Earth. These people, this family took me in out of kindness. And now they’re going to die too,” she said, full of bitter helplessness. She was so beautiful with a fall of hair black as the space between the stars and eyes green as the finest old Earth emeralds. FE959 wanted to take her into his arms and tell her it would be fine, that he’d get help, they’d be safe. But help was a long way off and he didn’t dare make a promise he couldn’t keep. Not when the very stability of the ruined ship was in question. “What’s your name?” “Korrine Dubouis,” she replied tearfully. He shook his head, dared to touch one mahogany dark cheek and brush away a tear. His breath caught, her eyes widened and they both drew away from one another as if stung. He looked at his fingers. Wiggled them. But the tingling vibration that reached to his very soul-- if such as he had one-- didn’t fade. It continued to resonate through his flesh. He chose to ignore it. It hadn’t happened when he’d moved her, so perhaps the stress of the pain from passing unprotected through flames so many times had set his nerves on edge, made him too sensitive. She still watched him in confusion, a hand on her cheek where he’d touched her and he found himself staring at her hand and the perfect skin of her face, the full lushness of her cinnamon-colored lips. His fingers were warm just from contact with her skin. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt anything but cold. She finally broke the too long silence by asking, “How did you find us?” “I’m one of the Frontier Explorers. I picked up the distress call from your ship and came to investigate.” “Frontier Explorers?” “Yes. We range the edge of charted space looking for worlds that will sustain humanity. We haven’t found many that are inhabitable. Most planets are like this one, dead and toxic. “Oh.” The silence wrapped around them, broken only by the occasional moan of another survivor. So far, none of the others had awakened but it could take hours, or they might all die from the stress of the 122

Vamptations crash despite his effort to help. He wasn’t a medic so there was nothing else he could do but wait and hope for the best. “How did you become an Explorer, Ninefivenine?” “It was what the World Body offered any of the supernatural creatures that remained. Leave the planet as an Explorer, or die for our sins.” “So you accepted the government’s offer to go into space rather than face the judgment they say waits for our kind beyond the veil of death?” “Yes.” “I guess we must have left long before then. They were so close to finding out what we were that the Mother and Father of the family decided we had to escape rather than die. It was... a horrible time in history for our kind and it took their family’s money and resources to build the Salvation. That’s the name of the colony ship. Lots of rich humans were building them too, so it wasn’t too strange, and the Parents were strong enough to hide what we were from anyone that got too curious.” He nodded. It was a familiar story. Most of the supernatural creatures of old Earth had died with their mother planet, unable to survive beyond the soil of their birth. Those that could manage it left before things got too bad. He’d had the chance to leave, but had chosen to stay out of misguided pride. That was an emotion he no longer claimed, he’d long since become a whipped dog on a governmental leash. For him all hope had long since died. “In those days a lot of us would have done anything to stay alive. Myself included. So many of us had already died. Most of the supernaturals were gone by then. Extinct by human or other means, and the werecreatures had suffered horribly from the pollution.” “We left long before you did then.” “Yes. Things got much worse. Our kind were backed into a corner with only two ways out. Bow to the World Body’s mandates, or die. I wasn’t ready to die.” “We weren’t ready to die either, that’s why the family decided our only choice was to flee. There were rumors of covert government teams hunting our kind down and murdering them down to the last child. We didn’t know if they were true, but we didn’t want to stay to find out.” 123

Vamptations “They were true,” he told her, his expression and tone bleak. “I saw what remained of one family they found. It was a horrible sight. A massacre of such brutality I remember it in full detail even now. I try not to think about it.” “Oh, how... terrible,” she said, her green gaze full of understanding and compassion. He hadn’t said so, but she wondered if it had been his own family he’d seen destroyed. “We no longer feared the sun, it couldn’t touch us through the thick pollution layer. But our fear of humans...” he sighed. “In my time that was getting stronger than it had ever been and for good reason. There were so many of them, and they had so many ways to kill us, all out of unreasoning fear and jealousy of our eternal lives.” He snorted. “Eternal if nothing kills us.” “The World Body gave us a solution. To benefit humanity and make up for our ‘crimes’ which were all based on myth and ignorance. But I’m sure you know about that don’t you?” “Yes.” He saw her shudder at the memory. “So you were told to become space explorers for the good of humanity or be killed?” “It was voluntary of course. But the alternative wasn’t all that appealing to any of us.” “But isn’t it hard to exist in such small confines?” “It was at first. But after all this time it’s harder to come out. I’ve got agoraphobia. Sad isn’t it? I was once a prince of my kind, proud, unafraid of anyone or anything. Now I’m nothing but a pitiful creature surviving on a few sips of artificial blood a day, existing in a cage of my own creation.” There was such sadness in her gaze, as she touched his cheek. The tingle that shot through him, wrenching a gasp out of him and made his long unused cock twitch powerfully. **** Korrine just stared at FE959, shocked at the sensations ripping through her. She felt a quivering low in her belly, a flutter of feminine arousal more powerful than any she’d ever known. “The others will be waking soon.” He was watching her, his almost colorless blue eyes staring at her the way she’d only seen lovers among their kind look at one another. FE959 was handsome with a straight nose, prominent cheekbones and a sharp, clean jawline that reminded her of the most refined European breeds of their kind. 124

Vamptations For her part she was a mix of French, African and Native American breeds, the original family hailing from the Sunken City once called New Orleans. Long ago they’d been a prominent family, but now she was the last one. Or so she’d thought. Her heart beat faster, her blood moving through her veins in a response she’d never felt. But it was one she’d been taught about as a very young girl by her great-grandmother, Lizzy Dubois-Beaumond, her only living relative. “What is you real name, Ninefivenine?” “My real name?” “Yes. Your real name.” “I don’t remember.” She reached out to take his hand in hers, opened it to look at the slender palm, the fine shape of his fingernails. Skin like milk but with hair like a raven’s wing. That’s how you know the old French blood from which you are descended girl. That and the tug you’ll feel in your woman’s parts. After all this time, she hadn’t forgotten what her great-gran had told her. But she’d never expected to find any of them alive. And the tingle she’d felt when he’d touched her earlier grew stronger as she held his hand. Blood calling blood. It was how vampires could recognize their kin, and how other families of vampires knew not to touch them. Drinking from the kin of another family was a crime but killing one of them had led to terrible bloody warfare long ago. He was staring at her now, wonderment in his gaze. “My real name...” he whispered, a faraway look in his eyes as if he were trying to remember something long forgotten, “was Stephan Morreaux.” “Morreaux? And you were French?” He nodded but FE959 seemed confused, or unsure about what he’d told her. “Our name was Dubouis, but our blood Father was Ettienne Morreaux,” she told him. “Do you trace your line back to him?” “I... don’t know...” he told her, looking even more confused. She let his hand go when he tugged on it. He stood and stepped away from her, his motions jerky, uncoordinated. Korrine followed him, her own steps not very steady. 125

Vamptations “Stephen?” She used his real name, reached out to put a hand on his broad shoulder but before her hand even made contact he had evaded her to put even more distance between them. When he looked at her he seemed... afraid. “Don’t touch me. I...” he shook himself, stumbled and went to his knees, eyes wide and staring. And that was when she knew. He’d been changing his name for decades, maybe centuries before he’d become what he now was FE959 and all those lost memories, all those prior selves were coming back to him, possibly for the first time in centuries. She wanted to go to him, wrap her arms around him and show him that he wasn’t alone. She wasn’t alone. But he had to work things out for himself first before she dared offer herself to him. As what? She was his only living kin, the perfect food source. After so long he could well kill her without meaning to do so. She wasn’t sure his bite or even his blood could turn her. And if it didn’t she’d die and he would be alone. He started to shake his head as if denying something in his thoughts, in his memories. When he looked up at her finally there was a terrible sadness on his face. “Ettienne is French for Stephen,” he whispered. “I... I was... am Ettienne.” Her breath caught and she took a half step toward him too shocked to speak or think coherently. “Ettienne Morreaux?” He got to his feet and came to her, pale blue eyes staring into her eyes as if he were trying to see all the way to her soul. But then she realized it wasn’t her soul he was seeing, he had slipped into her mind with an ease that sent an icy thrill through her. And what he was seeing was her entire life through her own eyes. They were both breathing hard, her heart racing and she could taste his age in the flavor of his mental touch. He was old. Older by far than even the Father and Mother of her protector family. “Korrine, I want you. Will you permit me to drink from you?” his voice had a raw, rough edge to it. Hunger rising in him. Her heart was hammering in her chest as she nodded her head. “Yes Ettienne.” He lowered his head and she felt his sharp teeth graze her throat expecting pain, instead there was only a slight sting and then a flood of lust overwhelmed her mind as he took a swallow of her life. She 126

Vamptations felt his tongue sweep across the wound, heard his soft growl of desire as his arms tightened around her and she returned the embrace. It felt so right. So good. She never wanted it to stop. His growl sent a wave of heat through her that became a fire in her pussy. She was hardly aware of it when he picked her up only to lay her down on something soft and yielding. And she only realized she was lying down when she felt his weight on top of her body, pressing her to that surface. **** FE959 groaned as the dead flesh between his thighs tried to harden. He remembered his name, but he couldn’t recollect the last time that bit of meat had been good for anything other than an occasionally reminder that he’d once been human. A very long time ago. The honeyed taste of her blood was an intoxicant, burning through his flesh hotter than the flames that he’d passed through to get her to safety. But this was a fire his body wouldn’t recover from. It was a fire of change. He trembled as he swallowed another mouthful, felt a crackling, a popping through every cell of his dead flesh as life, long forgotten in the ages of feeding on artificial nourishment returned and the stone of his heart rippled, trying to beat as the first drops of precious blood dispersed through him. The female cried out, writhing in abandonment beneath him, wanting more than the penetration of his fangs, and the silken touch of his mind, which caused her such intense pleasure. He wanted all of her. Every gasping cry. Every whimper of sound. Every last drop of her blood. It was the last of those things that brought his own lust up short. To do that, to drain her, was to kill her. And she was far too precious to lose. The last of his kin. The last of his bloodline. His family. Groaning with the bloodlust, he forced himself to press the underside of his tongue to the wound he’d made, stopping the flow of 127

Vamptations her life into his dead flesh. Her arms wrapped around him, a wordless plea coming from her, the desire burning in her mind that she wanted to be taken, wanted to die in his arms. He pulled away. She was the last one. The only one. And he wouldn’t kill her even if that was her true desire. He wanted to weep, but there wasn’t enough life in him for such a human display. There wasn’t even enough life in him to take her in other ways. Her hands, warm and soft, slid along the curve of his back, her mellow-seduction voice whispering, “Love me Ettienne.” Fear rose in him. And humiliation. But his cock wasn’t going to rise for her. Like the rest of him it was dead. He gasped when he felt her blunt teeth slip across the flesh of his shoulder, then catch to bear down painfully, seeking to penetrate his flesh. He didn’t resist. Didn’t move. She’d find out soon enough that there was nothing for her to feed upon. Another price the World Body had extracted from him. The ability to breed. To create more of his kind. It hadn’t mattered then. He’d believed there were no more of his bloodkin left so he thought there was nothing to be lost. He knew he was wrong now. And now it was far too late. Her teeth grazed his skin, her mouth latching on to his dry flesh and sucking hard. The tingle that identified her as his bloodkin was still there. Still gnawing at him. But there could be no consummation of that attraction. Korrine kept sucking, seeking something she’d never find. His blood. “It’s no use,” he told her softly. “It was drained long ago. I’m incapable of what you want. What we both want.” But she didn’t give up. And he didn’t have the heart to stop her from trying.

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Vamptations They’d drained his own blood, filled him with their artificial creation designed to let his kind exist, but not mimic living humans. More importantly, it didn’t let them breed. With none of their original blood remaining, they couldn’t turn their own bloodkin into vampires. Her teeth ripped harder at his flesh. He barely felt it. “It’s no use,” he told her when she tried the same spot a third time. Sighing she gave up. “What have they done to you?” “Killed everything that I was. I’m just an empty shell of what I once was, Korrine.” There was a tightness in his chest, a pain he’d thought forgotten. He sighed and felt something damp slip from his eye. When he touched it he found a pale pink tear on his finger. Before he even had a change to consider the implication of that, she’d grabbed his hand and licked it off. A brief scream was wrenched from him as something inside him shattered. When the pain had passed he had her down on the medical exam table, his teeth deep into her throat, her legs wound around his hips. There was a soft thud in his ears. And another one. It was his heart. And it was trying to beat. He swallowed blood, licked the wound closed and rose up on his hands to stare down into her emerald eyes. “After all this time...” **** Korrine saw the shock, the confusion in Ettienne’s gaze. A gaze that had gone from ice blue to the brilliance of old Earth sapphires. “I want you. I exist for you, as you exist for me,” she told him, reciting the ancient pledge of truemates. She’d dreamed of it as a child, but as an adult she’d known it would never happen. There were no more of her kind left. No more of the Dubious bloodline. Not the human line, nor a single vampire existed of her kind. They still didn’t. He wasn’t a Dubois, he was a Morreaux, one of the forefathers of her own line. Ancient behind her comprehension because there’d been Dubois since the founding of New Orleans. Her blood was a diluted strain of his, but diluted or not, blood knew blood. 129

Vamptations Blood called to blood. He lowered his head and she waited for the sting of fangs. Instead he started to kiss her throat, her jaw, his teeth grazing the curve of her ear. A slim, strong hand covered her breast, teasing the dusky nipple. She groaned and reached up to embrace him, her hands running over the smooth, cool flesh of his shoulders. “I don’t know how this is happening, I don’t know how it could be possible,” he murmured into her ear as he kissed the soft skin at the curve of her jaw. “Don’t you believe in magic, Ettienne?” she asked, as she touched the place on his shoulder where she’d bitten him. It was already healed. “Magic...” he said the word as if he’d never heard it until just then. “Yes, Ettienne. The magic of destiny. The magic of vampire blood.” “No. There is no magic. It died with old Earth.” She gripped his hair, made him look into her eyes. “What about love, Ettienne. Did that magic die too?” He stared at her, gaze full of dawning comprehension. “Love?” he asked in a hushed voice. “You said they killed you, Ettienne. Do you feel dead?” For a few heartbeats he didn’t reply, then he lowered his head and kissed her. She turned her head aside and asked it again, “Do you feel dead?” “Partly.” “Then let’s make all of you live,” she replied and reached down between them to grip his flaccid cock. She felt it twitch, heard him gasp and the hand she still had locked in his hair pulled him down toward her throat. Even if he didn’t believe in magic, she did. “Drink,” she told him. He moaned, but he obeyed. Fangs sank into her flesh and the pleasure returned, desire rocking her mind, blazing through her body. There was no denying it. They were the last of their kind and they were truemates.

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Vamptations Oh girl, you’ll know when you’ve found him. You’ll need that bit of manflesh between his legs. And don’t think because he’s undead it won’t rise. It will. And it did. The cool, limp flesh hardened in her hand and he moaned, shuddering as she stroked his cock. She wrapped her strong legs around his hips and nudged his ass with her heels, wanting to be filled, needing his cock inside her. He needed no more encouragement than that. She gasped as he entered her, the flicker of pain as her maidenhead tore was lost in the pleasure so that she barely noticed it. His shoulder was where she could just reach it with her own teeth and she bit him, hearing a soft grunt from him. She tasted blood. His blood and she swallowed. Pinwheel light burst behind her eyelids and she surged up to meet his next thrust as their minds and souls began to merge: further proving they were truemates, destined for one another. His cock inside her felt so very good, and she was aware that the sensation for him was one of intense pleasure. He moved inside her, flesh and thought both, his mental touch powerful. Through his power she was aware of every life aboard the ship, of the very beating of her racing heart, the scent of her own arousal. She was also aware of the lingering uncertainty, of his disbelieve of what he was doing with her, his awe that after centuries of bare existence he was alive in a way only the undead were. Korrine wanted to comfort him, to reassure him that what they were doing was real, and she would never forsake him, never do anything to hurt him. His response was instantaneous. His hips thrusting, driving them both to the ecstasy of completion. Consummation of their bond, the start of their love. She met him thrust for thrust, their bodies and minds one. *Korrine...* He was FE959, and he couldn’t believe that this... this heavenly creature in his arms was reality. Convinced now that he was lost in some sort of hallucination but unsure how such an event might be taking place, he tried to feel what was really happening to him. He reasoned it might be the product of his final moments, perhaps he was dying alone in space and not even aware how he’d met the Dark Lady’s embrace. 131

Vamptations She heard his doubts through their mental link. Felt his bewilderment as something rose in his mind to interfere with their joining. It was a strangeness, a sort of static in his brain. Almost as if a foreign entity had intruded on them somehow. *Ettienne, you’re here with me. Stay with me,* she thought to him, trying to hold his mind and keep it focused on her. But he was so very old and his mind had spent the last few centuries being an undying thing known only as FE959. She could understand that it was hard for FE959 to accept what was happening to him. His thrusts began to slow as his mind drifted farther away from her, lost in the past and the sense that something else was there with them, closing in on him. Stealing him, her Ettienne, from her. She had to make him stay with her. Old and brittle or not, held in the power of something she didn’t understand or not, she wouldn’t let him go. Not when he was her last chance for a family. Her last chance for love. *Etienne!* she mentally shouted then realized he might not respond to that name. *Ninefivenine!* That got through to him, she could sense that he’d heard her cry, but something held him captive. She tried again, her mind reaching out, screaming for him, *Ninefivenine!* *You’re...* *Korrine,* she supplied her name, making him focus on her, tying to find a way to bring him out of the mental quicksand that was sucking him downward into a blackness she could see through their connection. To him it was a physical thing, the arms of the Dark Lady reaching out to claim him. She couldn’t allow it. Wouldn’t let him go. There had to be some way to stop whatever was happening. “Please, Ninefivenine. Don’t go. Don’t leave me. I want you.” She kissed him, nipped his bottom lip and sucked it, rolled her hips as an enticement against the thing enveloping him. She felt his smile against her throat, both on her skin and through their mental connection. He’d gained a brief taste of joy from her, but 132

Vamptations he was on the brink of drifting away and she didn’t know what was wrong, or why it was happening. A flash of terror filled her and she wondered if it had something to do with the changes he’d said the World Body made in him. Something chemical that lurked in his body, ready to kill if he found his truemate. Maybe they had found the perfect way to put an end to the vampires. *Such a beautiful dream. Please don’t go away until I’ve reached the end.* *Oh, Ninefivenine, you aren’t dying. Listen to me please. You’re going to live. Live as you haven’t lived in ages.* She trembled as he took another savoring swallow of her blood. *You taste so good.* *So do you, but you have to stay with me or I’ll die too. You’ve bitten deep, if you don’t stay with me I could bleed to death.* He’d stopped fucking her now, and just rested on top of her, slowly drinking from the bite. *Oh please, Ettienne. Ninefivenine, don’t go.* His lips went slack on her throat and she felt darkness seeping inward at an even faster pace, felt his mental contact fading. Tears flooded her eyes. A trickle of blood leaked over her skin. It had all been for nothing. They were both going to die. **** A beautiful woman was smiling at him. She was pale as milk, only the rouge applied to her cheeks and lips giving her any color. That and the long inky black tresses piled high on her head. Strands of white pearls strung through her hair caught the light of candles scattered around the room. She touched his face gently and spoke: “My beautiful boy. You’ve grown so much these last few years. Soon you won’t be my baby anymore, you’ll be a man. His mother. He remembered his mother. He’d been twelve. Just a child. She’d had the most beautiful blue eyes. *Mère...* Her arms wrapped around him and she pulled him against her chest, his cheek pillowed on her soft breasts. He could smell violet 133

Vamptations water, the faint tang of blood, the soft muskiness of her skin and he closed his eyes wanting to stay there forever in his mother’s cool embrace. He could even hear the slow thud of her heart. Her vampire heart for she was one of them, though she’d been mortal enough when he’d been born. *Mère...* *Ninefivenine!* The cry echoed through his mind but it made no sense. What was a ninefivenine?” His mother was speaking, but he could no longer hear her. He strained, wanting to know what she was telling him, desperate to understand. But the heavy chains were wrapped around him, dragging him downward toward a dark place. He lost sight of his mother as the lightless void swallowed him. It was so dark he was unable to see. Was there any place so dark a vampire couldn’t see? Vampire. That was what he was. Or was it what he had once been? EfEeninefivenine. Frontier Explorer Nine Five Nine. Nine. Five. Nine. The darkness enveloped him. Began to fill him. Inescapable. He knew this place was nowhere he wanted to be. It was a place for the dead. Dead vampires. “So this is what happens when we die.” He wasn’t afraid. Yet he felt overwhelmed by... terror. Terror that filled him, burned in his veins hot as fresh blood. Not his own fear, but someone else’s frightful panic. How could that be? He was alone here. 134

Vamptations But if he was alone, where was that sensation of dread coming from? He searched the darkness and finally found a tiny pinpoint of luminosity. Light. Far away. Like a distant star shining in Heaven. Which was silly because there wasn’t any Heaven. Not for vampires. He heard a soft thumping sound. The beating of....what? He reached out for the light and tumbled headlong into... Life. She was kissing him frantically, beating on his shoulders with her fists, kicking his ass and mentally shrieking for him. *Ninefivenine!* The mental shout reverberated through his mind the way a dropped stone caused a ripple over the surface of a mercury sea. He tasted her blood, heard how weak her heartbeat was and sealed the wound with the underside of his tongue. “Shhh...” he murmured into her ear. “It’s over now. It’s all over.” There were tears on her cheeks, and her lips trembled through her smile. “The hell it is,” she retorted, arms tight around him. “You haven’t fucked me yet!” He grinned and rocked his hips, driving his erection deep inside her, groaning at the feel of her warmth around him. Her answering cry of pleasure was the sweetest sound he’d heard in... too long. Kissing her, touching her beautiful full breasts he moved within her, taking joy in the sensation of physical pleasure. He was truly a vampire again. And he was hers. Hers. The thought gave his lovemaking impetus and he drove himself into her yielding body, her cries, the way she touched him, the tight hold of her legs all the urging he needed. “Ettienne,” she moaned his name, held to him tightly as she grew frantic for anther reason, one not involving fear her new desperation was to reach completion. He groaned and increased the pace, giving her what she needed and granting what he wanted as well. 135

Vamptations Her body arched into his, her legs tightening, hands gripping his sides as her teeth sought blood from his shoulder. It was exquisite pain as her blunt teeth tore his skin, and he spilled his vampire seed, a scream of pure ecstasy torn from his gasping lips. He laughed as the last chains of what the World Body had used to confine him faded into nothingness. “Ettienne?” He locked his lips to hers in a searing kiss that lacked all inhibitions. When it ended he gazed at the beautiful woman in his arms. “Yes, Korrine. For the first time in forever, I’m Ettienne Morreaux again and I love you.” **** They were lying quietly in one another’s embrace. Ettienne occasionally turning to kiss Korrine, or lift her hand to his lips. They’d spent the last hour talking, Ettienne telling her about the galaxy as he knew it. “A few of the werecreatures have made a come back in the last couple of centuries, most notably the wolves and lions but things aren’t all that stable and a lot of the remaining weres are still in hiding, afraid of humans, and us too unfortunately. “It’s the hope of the Council of Supernaturals that we can end all the hate and bigotry on all sides, but we have a long way to go yet, especially with the normal humans.” “So you’re going to leave the Frontier Explorers?” “Well it’s not going to be easy, but yes. I just can’t face doing it anymore, and well,” he showed her his fangs in a broad grin, “I’ve got a reason to stay planet side. “Still, walking out won’t be easy.” “But you yourself said it’s not like that anymore. You’ve got rights.” She touched his face, “We’ve got rights.” “Yes, there’s our home world, Blood, and a few colonies. There are homes for our kind.” “Is that where you’ll go to get help for us?” “Yes. I’ll go there and quit the Explorers from there too. I don’t trust them not to try and recondition me if I return to Central.” They sat there holding hands for a while, content in one another’s company. “And your superiors? Will they try to get you back?” 136

Vamptations “I doubt it. Not if I’ve gone to the Council. There aren’t a lot of us, but we’re very well armed and, believe it or not, technologically more advanced.” “Will the Council protect us?” “Yes. They’ll protect any family bloodline that asks for their help. We’re too few now and diversity is the key to the survival of any species, even us Supernaturals. And as far as the Federation of Free Governments is concerned we’re not an outlawed species. To be honest I could have quit the service years ago.” “Why didn’t you?” He smiled, showing off his perfect teeth and the sharp canines that marked him as a vampire. “I guess I was waiting to find you.” She smiled too. “I like that answer.” He stroked her hair, leaned closer to place a tender kiss on lips soft as the petals of rare orchids. “I love you, truemate.” “I know,” she replied with a big grin. “And it’s wonderful.” “I wish I could stay, but...” She wrapped her arms around his neck and held tight nipping his bottom lip playfully. “Not so fast lover.” He reached for her and she opened for him, their bodies welcomed and welcoming as his cock slid into her wetness. His thrusting was slow, languid, her kisses intoxicating as they rocked together, enjoying the pleasure. This time no dark cloud fell over his mind. No fear marred her enjoyment. She touched his broad shoulders, trailed her hands down his powerful back and over his firm ass. It felt so good to touch him and to know that she’d found her very own bloodkin, her very own vampire to love and who would love her forever. He kissed her shoulder, nipped her gently without drawing blood and felt her cunt contract on his shaft. And by all the Gods of Eternity, it felt good. Ettienne kissed her breasts, kissed her cheeks and tasted the faint salt of the tears she’d shed. Tears that had been for him. A mortal crying for a vampire. The last of his bloodkin weeping for the last of her bloodsires. And he loved her. “Do I make you happy, Ettienne?” “Yes, Korrine. I’ve never been happier. You’ve freed me from a servitude worse than a thousand deaths,” he replied as he kissed her cheeks, her eyelids and then her throat, teasing her with his fangs but 137

Vamptations still not biting. He’d already taken more blood from her than was good, but she’d taken some of his thin blood in return so she wasn’t weakened too much. His thrusts increased in tempo and intensity and she cried out as she climaxed, her flesh tightening around him, pulling on his cock. He resisted the urge to cum and kept driving himself into her until she screamed out in a second orgasm, her pussy milking him even harder. And this time he couldn’t stop himself from release, his last thrusts full and deep. But she wasn’t done with him and when her teeth tore at his shoulder he had no choice but to continue thrusting, his arms tight around her, her legs holding him captive until a second even more powerful orgasm rocked him. Shuddering from the aftereffect of what she’d done, he lay on top of her, gasping, actually breathing the way a mortal would as his flesh-- undead yet living flesh-- tried to recuperate. She was caressing him, and her cunt-- hot to his cool flesh-- was still spasming. Pulsing with the beat of her heart. He knew what she’d tried to accomplish. Doubted that it would work so soon after he’d attained freedom from the thing that the World Body had perpetrated on him. A tiny spark, an ember of life, ignited in her flesh and he sat back to look at her in wonder. “Do you think you’ll like being a daddy?” she asked as she kissed him. “Yes.” **** Ettienne, once known as FE959, gave a final glance at the sleeping vampire kin. None of them had awakened yet, but he was certain they’d recover given time, and Korrine would take good care of them until he could return with help. It had taken him several hours of hard labor, and more than a little swearing in a multitude of languages, but he’d managed to pipe a steady supply of both air and water into the medunit area. Another hour of work garnered enough crates of instameals to sustain them for over a month: far longer than it would take him to return with a rescue ship. He’d even taken time to locate some clothing and rig up a heating system so they could stay warm while he was gone. “Promise me you’ll come back,” she whispered, brushing her fingers over his cheek. 138

Vamptations He kissed her, teeth grazing her lip, drawing a bead of blood that he licked away before closing his mouth over hers again in a kiss that went through her like lightning. She gasped and held him tight, body responding, needing what he was: the other half of her broken soul. The mate she’d longed for as they’d left Earth. The mate who’d already been long gone from their dying planet. “Truemates, remember. I have to come back,” he whispered and pressed his hand to her lower belly. “I have to come back for both of you.” His lips moved over hers for another too brief moment, then he pulled away. “Stay safe and know that you are loved.” She smiled at that. “I will.” He stepped through the airlock he’d made to protect them better, waved as it closed. An instant later he was gone from her sight, lost in the wreckage. But his mental link was still there and she knew when Ettienne climbed into the narrow coffin-shaped interior of his ship, felt his shiver of dread as he was encased as the seal closed. It protected him from the hazards of space, but she could tell that he was uneasy about being so tightly confined now that the conditioning or whatever the World Body had done to him was gone. The ship rose into the sky, quickly lost in the poisonous haze. Warmth filled her heart, a warmth sweeter than blood as he heard his mind speak out to her. “I haven’t broken a promise in over a two thousand years, Korrine. Be safe my love. I swear I’ll be back for you.” Then he was truly gone as the ship slid out of real-space into the distortion of hyper-space, but the warmth of his promise remained. So did her love for him. The End

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Song of the Vamp by Megan Hussey Critics label Sylvan, the gorgeous star of a seductive cabaret show for ladies, as a ‘male vamp.’ If only they knew how right they were. . .Sylvan is a vampire whose ‘night job’ facilitates his lifestyle. When he falls for Antonia, his no-nonsense manager, will he surrender the ‘night life?’

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Song of the Vamp by Megan Hussey Chapter One “He’s so hot.” “He’s a pain in the butt.” “He’s a hot pain in the butt.” “A pain in the butt he remains.” “It’s a hot butt, nonetheless.” Antonia Sinn threw up her arms in a gesture of sheer resignation. “Okay, Lianna, you win.” She rolled her eyes dourly in the direction of Lianna Rodgers, her longtime friend and verbal sparring partner. “Sylvan is hot. He’s also a great singer and compelling performer. From a fan’s point of view, he’s perfect. From a manager’s point of view…” “Let me guess!” Lianna interrupted, shooting Antonia what she considered an annoyingly sardonic grin. “He’s a pain in ye olde watoosie.” “Watoosie?” Antonia squinted confusedly then shook her head. “I tell you, Lianna, he’s impossible. I’ve been his manager for two years and never can reach him during the daytime. I’m always forced to arrange my schedule around our dinner meetings. When we meet for dinner, I’m constantly warding off his female fans. These curious beings have been known to push me, trip me, and order my meal for me—usually a raw spinach salad with sharp vinegar oil and extra anchovies.” “And speaking of dinner,” Antonia was on a roll. “Whenever we dine together, he always orders these icky steaks.” “Icky steaks,” Lianna repeated, head cocked curiously. 141

Vamptations “Icky,” Antonia confirmed with a nod. “Extremely rare and blood red.” In a seeming gesture of sympathy, Lianna patted her friend’s shoulder. Then she turned Antonia in the direction of a broad, brightly illuminated stage that stood directly before them. “Just look at him, Toni,” her voice lowered to a whisper. “Can you blame those women? Can you blame me?” Antonia shrugged as she directed her gaze to the target of Lianna’s abject adoration. Bathed in the ethereal light of a vast theatrical platform, the man on stage resembled a radiant angel fresh from a heavenly chorus. His golden hair flowed like spun silk around his broad, muscular shoulders, and his eyes shone like fine emeralds from a bronzed, carved face. His visage appeared angelic, Antonia noted, but his body seemed custom made for sin. For while his black velvet dinner suit fit the image of a perfect gentleman, his suggestive hip gyrations and sleek, sensual dance moves screamed of his sexual nature. Furthermore, his musical repertoire amplified the sublime eroticism of his performance. With original songs like Midnight Passion and For Your Pleasure, performed in a smooth, soulful style, Sylvan seemed to gear every song toward the female libido. Judging from the crowd response, he hit his mark every time. Antonia grinned in spite of herself as she saw several elderly ladies toss their support hose onstage then squeal like hormonal teenagers when he repaid their kindness with a wink and a kiss. Often he went further, inviting a random woman onstage for a ‘serenade’, or as Antonia fondly deemed that portion of the show, the ‘glorified lap dance’. She had to admit, though, that his ‘shtick’ was a success. Every weekend, his exotic cabaret show packed the house at the Crescent Moon Theater in Clearview, Florida. She could see that, as much as his elusiveness annoyed her, it also seemed to fuel his success. Local columnists wrote entire articles about his shows, sexy performances geared for women only, and about the fact that he never granted daytime interviews; the ones he gave sometimes after his shows proved brief and unrevealing. These columnists even came up with a PR-friendly nickname for the sexy, mysterious crooner; they called him The Vamp. And he quite enjoyed living up to this sensual moniker, posing for revealing 142

Vamptations centerfold layouts in Playgirl magazine and culminating his shows with daring striptease routines. His entire show holds an element of tease, Antonia reasoned, watching as Sylvan ventured into the audience to writhe suggestively across the lap of a middle-aged fan. At evening’s end, he fed their hunger—and ignited their collective imagination. Antonia quite enjoyed this part of the show; she was his manager, but… “I’m still a woman,” she sighed, relaxing in her plush auditorium seat and nudging an awestruck Lianna. “And I still have a pulse.” She watched intently as Sylvan now retrieved a dozen ruby red roses from the side of the stage. He planted a light, tender kiss across each one; a simple action that elicited oohs and ahs from the women assembled. Their delighted moans intensified as Sylvan tossed each of his floral gems to a woman in the audience. Antonia delighted that one of the recipients was a giggling, blushing Lianna and that another was a uniformed soldier who had introduced herself earlier that evening. Antonia and Lianna listened attentively as the soldier, a sturdy, unadorned woman named Helena, spoke of her current tour of duty in Iraq. In the midst of a rare, brief reprieve from her duties, Helena enjoyed an evening’s escape at the Crescent Moon Theater. Now the uniformed officer giggled like a schoolgirl, nestling her cheek within the radiant petals of her delicate floral gift. Antonia nudged a grinning Lianna, and the two performed a subtle ‘low-five’ beneath their seats. The sound of Sylvan’s deep, melodic voice captured her attention and returned it to the stage on which he stood. “Ladies, I’m sad to say that our evening together is drawing to an end.” With this, he raised an agile, masculine finger for defined emphasis. “Yet I have a strict policy regarding all my dates.” He arched his feathered eyebrows and pursed his perfect lips, a seductive expression that drew additional cheers from the crowd. “I never leave my woman unsatisfied,” he proclaimed, tone lowering to a sultry, raspy growl. “I always ensure that she receives a red rose at evening’s end…” Pausing, he moved his hands to his sleek ebony jacket and unbuttoned it slowly and methodically. “And then I top off our evening by pleasuring her thoroughly. I realize her every fantasy and 143

Vamptations fulfill her every desire.” He slowly peeled his jacket from his muscular shoulders. Although this move revealed only an ivory silk shirt and a remarkably trim waist, it nonetheless elicited a number of hoots and catcalls from the audience; sounds that intensified as he unbuttoned his shirt and slid it off, one shoulder at a time. “Work it, baby,” Antonia muttered. As if reading her thoughts, Sylvan winked slyly in her direction. Then he moved his manly hands with expert slowness to his sleek black slacks, where he slowly but purposefully undid the clasp. The crowd hushed, and a few women blushed visibly as the bold, openly leering performer unzipped his pants. He swiveled his hips suggestively as he did so and locked glances with several ardent females in the front row. With torturous slowness, Sylvan peeled those tight-fitting slacks from a pair of bronzed, toned legs, revealing as he did a red silk Speedo that contained and defined his impressive manhood. He chuckled modestly as the stage lights dimmed further than extinguished outright. After a brief pause, a single spotlight shone center stage. The light’s soft, luminous rays served to bathe its sole subject in a nearly ethereal glow. Sylvan likened to an angel in this light. “Except angels aren’t known for wearing stripper undies.” Antonia rolled her eyes. As if on cue, Sylvan began to writhe slowly and seductively in time to the recorded music broadcast through the stereo sound system. Even Antonia admired the way his lean, muscular form glowed in the golden light and the way the defined planes of his perfect body commanded the attention of every audience member. Including herself, she had to admit as a trickle of telltale sweat danced thrillingly down her spine. Even now, her gaze seemed glued to Sylvan’s angelic face, his massive chest, his sculpted abs, his trim waist; yet, his eyes captured hers the most. “Yeah, right,” she snorted. Ah, but they did. Wide, intent and startlingly azure, his eyes held the true key to his mysterious, ever-elusive identity. And they looked dead sexy as they seared her now with a blatantly seductive gaze. He held her gaze and smiled wickedly as he grabbed a nearby prop, a vial of lavender-hued massage oil. 144

Vamptations He poured a small sample of the substance into the palms of his manly hands then rubbed them together. As the music around him surged and amplified, he used broad, slow strokes to canvas his chest with the thick, fragrant oil. One audience member moaned outright at the effect; others exhaled sharply. “Good grief,” Antonia gritted her teeth. “Are we going to have another fainting spell? Sylvan is going to have to get a little less sexy. Otherwise we’ll be forced to invest in hazard insurance.” The object of her concern—and, she begrudgingly admitted, her admiration—flexed his entire body to glorious effect. Indeed, every plane and muscle gleamed with the sheen of his softening, fortifying oil. “How’s that, ladies?” He posed and pouted for full effect. “Have I well-satisfied you tonight?” He nodded approvingly as his question elicited the cries and cheers of the women assembled. “Then I shall bid you goodnight.” He blew a kiss across the audience and winked flirtatiously. “And sweetest dreams.” Antonia grinned in spite of herself as the women cheered, whistled and called his name. The proud manager also nodded approvingly as she acknowledged the winning performance of her star. Even so, she knew that—for Sylvan, at least—the night had just begun. She snorted as she saw him step off the stage into a sea of adoring fans, women of all ages, races and physical types united by their unabashed ardor for one man…a man who now talked and laughed freely with them while he signed autographs. “Let’s go talk to him,” Lianna urged, nudging her friend sharply. “Only if you agree to show some mercy to my ribcage,” Antonia gritted her teeth and stepped toward the stage. Both friends rolled their eyes in what Antonia deemed ‘perfect synch’ when another audience member beat them to the punch, namely, a petite twenty-something girl with long blonde hair and flawless features. “Sylvan.” She narrowed her ebony eyes in a blatantly seductive gaze. “Why don’t we ditch these losers and take a walk backstage?” She paused, her gaze hardening as she regarded the uniformed soldier who stood off to the side, wearing a radiant smile, but no jewelry or cosmetics. 145

Vamptations “Lose these losers, Sylvan,” she encouraged. “Let me show you a good time.” Antonia balled her fists and quickened her steps, intending to make a beeline for the stage. “I won’t see that fine woman insulted,” she nodded toward the silent, stoic Helena. She stopped abruptly as she saw the kind, bashful beam restored in full to the woman’s face, this probably owing to the fact that Sylvan had wrapped a leisurely, muscled arm around her sturdy shoulders and pulled her closely to him. Antonia smiled as Sylvan faced the snobbish socialite who tried desperately to claim his attentions. “I’ll be pleased to give you an autograph, young lady.” With this, he gave Helena a reassuring squeeze. “But I fear I already have a date for the evening.” Both Helena and the self-styled groupie gaped in apparent shock. Then the latter turned on her heel and sniffed loudly. “I’ll be going,” she issued this smug, sharply spoken declaration over her slender shoulder. “Can we have that in writing?” Antonia muttered as she performed a second low-five with the smirking Lianna. She also winked slyly at Helena, who in turn gifted Sylvan with a warm, impulsive hug. “Thank you, Sylvan,” Helena gestured broadly, “for everything. As I told your manager, I’m currently on leave from a tour of duty in Iraq.” The soldier paused, and her voice softened noticeably. “For a few hours this evening, you took me away from everything.” Sylvan only shrugged and pulled the visibly blushing woman closer to his side. “Who said the night has ended?” he whispered, penetrating Helena with a narrow-eyed, blatantly sultry gaze. “Oh, geesh, here we go.” Antonia knew that look all too well. “Yes, indeed-y.” And so did Lianna. Both watched as Sylvan excused himself from the crowd, offering a chivalrous arm to Helena, whose eyes widened in what appeared to be complete and utter shock. “I suspect she’ll don that particular expression several more times before evening’s end.” Antonia’s own eyes rolled directly heavenward. 146

Vamptations Chuckling, Lianna gave her friend a reassuring hug before turning for the exit door. “Helena deserves some ‘quality time’ with Sylvan,” she allowed with a grin. “In the meantime, I think I’ll call it an evening.” Antonia gave Lianna a friendly squeeze then turned her gently toward the door. “The next time you come to a Sylvan show, I guarantee that you’ll get properly teased and unmercifully flirted with.” She crossed her heart symbolically for good measure. “I promise.” Following Lianna’s departure, Antonia turned her attentions to Sylvan’s lingering fans. She patiently answered their many and varied questions about their favorite performer. “Is he married?” “No.” “Is he gay?” “Did it seem that way this evening, ma’am? Unless, of course, he and that chicksta are currently shooting dice or watching a soap opera recap in his dressing room.” “Will we ever see Sylvan t-shirts? Bumper stickers? Pencil caddies? Inflatable sex dolls in his uncanny likeness?” “Yes, maybe, maybe, and…huh?” Finally, Antonia bade the fans a friendly goodnight and excused herself backstage. She meant to collect some paperwork and head for home. This plan abruptly changed, however, when she passed Sylvan’s dressing room. After all, the sounds that emanated from within were enough to give any woman pause. “Oh, Sylvan.” Helena’s voice sounded soft and relaxed and held a contented lilt that expressed her sustained satisfaction with his ‘performance’. Yet, the show, apparently, had just begun. Helena’s breath, Toni noticed, grew noticeably labored as she released a sharp, heated moan that reflected her increased arousal. Then, with a girlish squeal, that arousal flared to a state of full-blown passion. Lordy, what is he doing to her? Antonia shivered in spite of herself. What is he doing to me? A wave of heat coursed unbidden through Antonia’s limbs, accelerating her heartbeat and sending exquisite tingles across her delicate skin. 147

Vamptations At the very moment that telltale wetness invaded her cotton panties, she took note of an unsettling fact. His dressing room door stood open. Just a crack, of course—such a narrow opening that she had failed to notice it previously. Still, she figured, it would be enough to allow her a brief, narrow view of the apparently exciting and invigorating events that took place inside. Surely one little peek wouldn’t hurt, she reasoned, wiping some telltale sweat from her brow. After all, this wouldn’t be her first intimate glimpse into the private life of her client. The first had come a year earlier, in this very place, just before Sylvan’s first anniversary show at the Crescent Moon Theater. **** Minutes before show time, Antonia had been informed that her client was a star, that his show would continue for another year, and under the terms of a renegotiated contract. Bursting with the news, Antonia flung open Sylvan’s dressing room door and raced inside, just in time to see her client step out of the shower. She had stood transfixed as she bore witness to a vision of masculine beauty; a vision defined by a heaving golden chest, two firm, muscled legs and a long, hard, most impressive… Oh criminy—I can’t believe I looked there. He’ll never let me live that down. Even worse, his already overwhelming attributes looked even better wet, as did his long, wavy hair, which now resembled finely spun wet gold. It fell in glorious waves around his sculpted face, which now wore a wicked smile. “Do you like what you see, Toni?” His smooth, silky tones further stroked her freshly inflamed desires. “Um, I’m gonna say yes.” Antonia nodded, quickly averting her eyes. “That’s not specifically why I’m here, though I must say it makes my visit decidedly more pleasant…” She shook her head, painfully aware of the utter lameness of her sentiments. And still she proceeded. “I’ll come back in five minutes,” she exhaled sharply. “That will give you a chance to prepare for the show and get dressed. You might want to give top priority to the ‘dressing’ part…” 148

Vamptations “Dear Antonia.” Stepping forward, Sylvan pinned his befuddled manager with a searing, blatantly sensual stare. “Of course I’ll dress, if it would make you comfortable. It is my fondest wish, however, that the more Toni looks…” he paused and gave her a wicked grin, “…the more she’ll be tempted to touch,” he finished in a sultry whisper. Antonia snorted, planting her hands firmly on her hips. “Oh please, Sylvan,” she rolled her eyes. “A man like you could have a centerfold, straight out of a men’s magazine. All I can boast is a fuzzy mug shot in December’s issue of PR Pros Monthly.” Sylvan chuckled. “That’s exactly why I want you, darling. You’re bright, you help me succeed and you make me laugh. I can talk to you for hours.” Suddenly and impulsively, he surged forward, cupping Antonia’s face in two hands. In a brief, but thrilling instant, his lips brushed hers in a fleeting, whisper soft kiss. “I could talk to you all night.” His agile fingers soothed and massaged her cheeks. “Though if I had my preference, I’d far rather spend the night making mad, passionate love to you.” Antonia bit her lip, feeling a wave of embarrassed heat flood her delicate cheeks. “As tempting as your, um, proposal is, I’m afraid I must say no. I have a strict policy against dating my clients.” Of course, I established that policy a long time ago. When my major client was an octogenarian harmonica player and shuffleboard champ. She exhaled sharply as Sylvan grabbed a nearby robe, draping his bronzed form in the depths of sea blue terrycloth. Am I relieved? Or disappointed? Antonia wrinkled her forehead as she fought to concentrate on Sylvan’s words—and not on his newly concealed washboard abs. “I don’t want to pressure you, Antonia, or make you uncomfortable.” His warmth and sincerity only aroused her more. Drat it to blazes. “Just know that my desire for you grows each day. Say the word, and I’ll surrender myself to your every need and desire.” Sylvan’s eyes continued to probe hers as he raised her delicate hand to his full, succulent lips. “Say the word, and I’m yours, Antonia,” he growled. 149

Vamptations Antonia withdrew her hand and cleared her throat loudly. “Yes, well, will do,” she nodded. Will do? She cringed slightly. Okay, it’s official. I’ve been a manager and PR rep for too damned long. “In the meantime, Sylvan, I have great news for you,” she grinned broadly, quickly changing the subject. “Your Crescent Moon contract has been renewed—and enhanced. You’ve been booked to perform here another year, and at twice your original fee.” Sylvan’s answering smile was both dazzling and sincere. “That’s fantastic, Antonia.” With this, his jaded gaze warmed noticeably. “Thank you so much for everything.” “Thank you for giving me such a great act to sell.” Antonia performed a spirited high-five with her favorite client. At this point, a high-five seems oddly anticlimactic. She pursed her lips coyly. Aloud she directed Sylvan, “The manager has asked us to meet him in his office at ten tomorrow morning, to go over some details…” “No.” Antonia jumped as she sensed the abrupt shift in Sylvan’s mood. His voice was strained, and his hands were tightly clenched balls at his sides. “I can’t make a morning meeting.” Antonia sighed, her own fists clenching in sheer frustration. “I know you’re not a morning person, Sylvan, but this is an important meeting.” Sylvan shook his head. “I can sign the contracts before my show tomorrow,” he insisted. “I can’t come out during the day.” Antonia shrugged, squinting confusedly. “Why, Sylvan?” “I can’t discuss it.” His reply was clipped and succinct. **** In the year that had passed since that night, Sylvan’s air of sublime mystery remained unchanged, as had his seductive manner. “Surely he wouldn’t mind if I just took a peek…” Emboldened, Antonia now stepped forward and glanced tentatively through the small opening in his door. There was nothing ‘tentative’ about the image that met her eyes. Helena reclined in a rose-embroidered silk chair at the center of the room, her eyes shut and head thrown back in an apparent state of ecstasy. Her lover kneeled between her sturdy legs, now bare and spread wide to accept his ministrations. 150

Vamptations Sylvan’s thick mane of long, sleek golden hair swayed almost rhythmically from side to side as his warm, delicious mouth suckled and stroked her exposed feminine area. Meanwhile, his hands stroked and massaged her firm, athletic thighs. Quickly recalling her own few, fruitless attempts at sex, Antonia couldn’t help but admire the way Sylvan tended to his lover; his touch seemed tender and caressing, his intimate kiss lingered long and leisurely on the focus of his affections. His efforts intensified as his thick, wet tongue slipped subtly between her velvety lips and lapped the surface of Helena’s femininity. The woman moaned sharply as Sylvan leaned forward and braced his agile fingers on her hips. Drawing her forward, his talented tongue seemed to ply her clitoris with lightning shards of ecstasy. Soon a visibly transfixed Helena leaned forward in her seat and clutched Sylvan’s muscular shoulders, her firmly jawed face now contorted in an expression of pure, unmitigated pleasure. Her fingernails dug sharply into his shoulders as she cried out in unbridled bliss. This action drew an immediate response from Sylvan, who caught her up in his arms and cradled her protectively against his massive, sweat-glistened chest. Gallantly, he pressed those talented lips against hers in an intense, sensual kiss. He seems determined to provide her with a luxurious escape from the life of a soldier…to make her feel like an adored, sensual woman. Antonia’s own body and being relaxed totally. Antonia cocked her head curiously, as she regarded his eyes, for while he had yet to take his own pleasure, the unique, almost ethereal glow in his gaze reflected a state of ecstatic satiation. He seems to take extreme pleasure in pleasing his partner. Her musings were disrupted a moment later when Sylvan abruptly raised his golden head and looked toward his dressing room door. Their gazes collided and locked. Sylvan pinned his flustered manager with a tender, if slightly mischievous smile. Their gazes held for a timeless moment before Antonia stepped sharply away from the door. The woman shook her head briskly as her breath grew hard and labored. She closed her eyes for a moment in a strained effort to regain her composure. This was not necessarily the best solution. The closing of her eyes launched a mental slide show of erotic images; a show that 151

Vamptations featured detailed remembrances of the pleasurable act Sylvan had performed on Helena and seemingly wistful fantasies of what the remarkably gifted, oh-so-sexy man might do to her. “I think I need some air.” Antonia escaped quickly out the backstage door, finally exhaling as she leaned against the wall of the Crescent Moon Theater. An evening breeze served to cool and soothe her sweat-lined brow and the vision of a full, golden Florida moon set against the radiant backdrop of a star-sprinkled sky settled her emotions. Immediately, she relaxed and collected her thoughts. Yet what, she wondered, would be the duration of this blissful respite? That man wreaked constant havoc on her senses and was her greatest temptation. Antonia folded her arms almost protectively before her, exhaling sharply. Her respite proved short-lived—her entire body tensed as the theater’s back door opened to reveal an unwelcome guest. Seymour Lewis worked as a ticket seller at the Crescent Moon Theater. His intent, beady-eyed stare and frequent double entendres often alienated Antonia. She now felt further alienated as the short, greasy-haired man promptly pulled out a cigarette and blew clouds of strangulating smoke directly into her face. “You know, I just don’t get Sylvan,” he opined between puffs. “His shows draw the most beautiful women in Florida, and who does he take backstage? GI Plain Jane.” Antonia sighed deeply and curled her lip in sharp, keen disgust. “A man of strength and character realizes that the ability to defend one’s country may slightly outweigh the ability to accessorize successfully.” Seymour chuckled. “You’re smart, Toni.” She cringed as he drew noticeably closer. “And you look kinda’ pretty in the moonlight.” “Sir, your kind and articulate words of praise come dangerously close to overwhelming me. I’d best go inside before I swoon outright.” Antonia rolled her eyes. Those same eyes widened in shock and fear a moment later as the cackling man swooped suddenly down upon her. Seymour’s unseemly scent dogged Antonia’s senses as he backed her against the wall. Soon his rough, intrusive hands canvassed her modest mahogany blouse, grasping for her breasts as he pressed himself forcefully against her. 152

Vamptations “Get away from me, you bastard!” Antonia seethed, pushing and clawing at Seymour’s smarmy, smirking face. “Shut up and enjoy it, slut.” Roughly, he slapped her. She cringed as he slammed his hips against hers. “Just be glad I’m giving an average Jane like you the friggin’ time of day.” Quickly, Antonia found her bearings, her hands and legs worked in perfect synch as she delivered a swift punch to his hollow cheek— and a swifter knee to his groin. Howling in what appeared to be acute agony, Seymour staggered backward and grabbed defensively at his crotch. Her attacker seared her with a hate-filled glare as he turned quickly away from the theater. Antonia collapsed against the wall and buried her head in her hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she trembled in spite of herself. As she moved aside her spectacles to dab briefly at her tear-filled eyes, Antonia felt a strange mixture of fear and relief. Though relieved that she had fought off her attacker, she also feared his return and his possible revenge. She should go inside, she decided, and call the police, then notify the Crescent Moon manager as to the deplorable actions of his employee. But Antonia felt suspended in a hazy cloud of fear and repulsion. Seymour’s stench still clung to her clothes; his rough, groping touch still seared and soiled every fiber of her being. Some time passed before she rose to her feet and stepped once again through the back entrance of the Crescent Moon Theater. She came face to face with Sylvan who now studied what appeared to be a ream of finely detailed sheet music. “Toni, tell me what you think of this song.” He cast a casual glance in his manager’s direction, gaping openly as she moved closer to him. “Antonia, you’re crying.” His eyes widened in apparent horror. “And your shirt is torn. What happened?” Without waiting for a reply, Sylvan went immediately to Antonia’s side and gathered her gently into an all-encompassing embrace. Pressing his lips against her cheek, he cradled her warmly and protectively against him. “Tell me what happened, baby,” he encouraged softly. Antonia took a deep breath then began in a trembling tone, “I stepped outside for just a moment, to get some fresh air. Seymour— 153

Vamptations you know, that sleazy guy who works the ticket desk—came out behind me, and he tried to…” She choked on these last words and buried her head in Sylvan’s neck. He tightened his hold on her. “Antonia, ” his low, dark tone did not mirror his warm and nurturing gestures. “Did he attack you?” “He tried, Sylvan. I fought him off…” She sighed deeply and shook her head. “I should call the police.” She raised her eyebrows, however, as Sylvan shook his head. “Go home and rest, Toni. I’ll take care of this.” Antonia stepped back and studied him thoughtfully. “Would ‘taking care of this’ in any way involve beating the jerk to a proverbial pulp?” She asked hopefully. Sylvan pulled Antonia closer to him and hugged her fiercely. “I’ll take care of this,” he repeated.

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Chapter Two The next evening found Antonia once again at the Crescent Moon, explaining the events of the previous evening to theater manager Bernard Holloway. A quiet and dignified man, Bernard gaped openly in the face of Antonia’s assertion. Yet, his lips set firmly and his gaze hardened as he made his reply. “The moment Seymour arrives for work this evening, he’s fired,” he promised. “We should also notify the authorities…” “That won’t be necessary, Boss.” Antonia turned to see Danielle Davis, Bernard’s petite, ravenhaired secretary, standing in the doorway. “I just took a call from the police department about Seymour. His next door neighbor found him dead this morning, just outside his apartment,” she paused and shrugged. “I can’t say I mourn the man, not after he made a pass at my fifteen year old niece when she interned here last summer.” An icy chill assailed Antonia’s spine, and she stared with wide eyes at Danielle. “Do they know who killed him?” The secretary shifted uncomfortably. “They don’t have a suspect,” she began slowly, “but they sure gave a funny name to the crime itself.” With this, Danielle cringed. “They called it a vampire kill.” **** Minutes later, Antonia stood before a full-length mirror in Sylvan’s dressing room, running a brush through the strands of her shoulder-length brown hair. As she straightened the pleats of her ivory skirt around full, rounded hips, she tried desperately to regain her usual level of normalcy and composure. Good luck with that, she told herself, watching as her dark eyes rolled sharply heavenward in the frame of an oval, fair-skinned face. She still cringed at the thought of the man who attacked her and at the mystery of his murder. Of course, she knew without a doubt 155

Vamptations that Sylvan was not the culprit. This was a man who just offered comfort and sensual nurturance to a female soldier; one who made frequent charitable donations and showed sublime kindness to everyone. Even so, she couldn’t forget his final words to her the previous evening. “I’ll take care of this.” These words shattered her reassurance. She pushed them forcibly to the back of her mind. “I’ve known this man for two years, and I’d trust him with my life,” she mused. Of course, she also trusted him with her livelihood. As her most high profile and successful client, The Vamp’s success enhanced her own. Moreover, she now had to admit that her interest in him exceeded the bounds of professionalism. His kindness warmed her, his talent inspired her. His beauty and passion thrilled her… “Antonia.” Toni’s musings seemed confirmed a moment later as she felt her entire body and being enveloped in the depths of a protective, allencompassing embrace. Her troubled thoughts quickly fled as she rested her head on a muscular, stable, all-reliable shoulder. Though I still reserve the right to deem him a pain in the butt at any point and time, if I so choose. With one kiss, he wiped the sardonic smile clean from her lips. His lips felt soft and nurturing as they coddled and massaged her own. His hands, meanwhile, grasped and rubbed her shoulders. “How are you today, darling?” Antonia shrugged, though she wiggled slightly within the depths of Sylvan’s comforting embrace. “I’ve been a little tense all day, Sylvan.” With this, she raised her gaze tentatively to meet his. “I tried to call you today.” “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He gave her a reassuring squeeze. “Being a night owl, I tend to sleep all day. An attempt to rouse me, I fear, would be akin to waking the dead.” Antonia froze, an involuntary chill coursing her spine. Quickly, she withdrew from Sylvan as though his touch suddenly burned her. “He’s dead, Sylvan.” Antonia trained her eyes on his face, forcing herself to gauge his reaction to her words, though what she really wanted to do was look away—to run away from this horrid 156

Vamptations circumstance as quickly as her feet would carry her. “Seymour was murdered outside his home last night.” A long pause ensued during which Antonia strained to read Sylvan’s expression. His lips closed tightly together, and his dark green eyes seemed shrouded under the veil of his thick, long lashes. “I’m sorry for his family,” he allowed finally. She inhaled sharply as he took her arms in two firm, but tender hands. “I do not mourn him, I must admit,” he sighed deeply, resting his forehead with winning delicacy against hers. “And if his death removes him from his family and this earth, it also removes him from you. He can’t harm you anymore, Antonia. You or any other woman.” Then he cupped her face in his hands and planted a fierce, protective kiss across her lips. “You’re safe, love.” Antonia closed her eyes tightly, secretly savoring Sylvan’s loving, protective nature. Even so, she had to continue her reluctant—but, in her mind, necessary—investigation. “Sylvan, Seymour had a sleazy reputation,” Toni shrugged. “I’m sure any number of angry fathers, jealous husbands, or angry, frightened women could have put a gun to his head or a knife in his heart.” She paused, looking Sylvan directly in the eyes. “Very few people would opt to drink the blood from his jugular vein.” Sylvan started. “So the police suspect a vampire kill?” “That’s exactly their name for it.” Antonia gave a short, sharp nod. Another uncomfortable pause ensued then Sylvan turned in a flourish toward his dressing room door. “It’s show time,” he reminded her.

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Chapter Three Antonia continued to enjoy the unparalleled success of Sylvan’s show. She spent evenings at the Crescent Moon and days fielding interviews, and even product endorsement requests. “Okay, I understand the request for Sylvan to model men’s sexy underwear in a print advertisement.” Indeed, she could picture that all too well. “But the proposed toothpaste pitch has me scratching my head, as does the radio ad for beer nuts.” Even so, it couldn’t be denied that ‘The Vamp’ was making an impact, and he never forgot Antonia’s role in his success story. “He tells me every day that I’m the one responsible for his success. I’ve never received that kind of appreciation from a client,” she shook her head in sheer wonder, “or, for that matter, from any man in my life.” However, while Antonia’s days seemed both bright and productive, her nights proved a different story. Since her assault, sleep had become a virtual stranger to Antonia. Every noise became amplified, and even in the depths of her warm, thickly blanketed feather bed, her body remained tense and her mind alert. She slept very little. When she did, her dreams brimmed with bad memories of a beaming face and rough, grasping hands. And the nightmare’s end remained eternally the same; it involved the image of her attacker, dead on the ground, his blood drained from his body. Above him hovered a vengeful vampire with Sylvan’s flawless face. So many nights she awoke with a tremble and a scream—stuck within the confines of an empty bed in a vast, dark room. One evening, however, her dreamscape underwent a startling transformation, providing her with images that refreshed and exhilarated her. 158

Vamptations Her dream commenced in bed, and her soft feather mattress seemed particularly light—almost cloud-like—beneath her. Her room seemed bathed in the ethereal light of a radiant crescent moon, a celestial symbol that shone through Antonia’s open window. “I always lock my window before I go to bed,” Antonia shook her head briskly in the direction of the open portal. Yet, when she tried to stand, all motion eluded her; her arms and legs proved immobile, and she finally lay back in the comforting cocoon of her soft, bountiful cotton sheets. “I must be dreaming,” she sighed resignedly and closed her eyes. “I’ll awaken anytime now.” Her eyes flew wide open as she heard a soft, firm thump resound on her nearby windowsill. This time she did manage to sit upright in bed—and came face to face with the gentleman who stood on her windowsill. With a long mane of luminous golden hair and sparkling emerald-green eyes, he captured the glory of the moon itself and even overshadowed it. His tall, muscular form cut a fine figure as he stood against the backdrop of a clear, star-strewn Florida night. “Sylvan?” Antonia’s voice sounded airy and distant, even to her own ears. The man made no response, but stared at her with intense eyes and a warm, tender gaze. Then, without hesitation, he held out his hand to her. Squinting confusedly, Antonia leaned forward and reached out until finally her hand touched Sylvan’s. “Why have you come to me tonight?” She inhaled sharply as he pulled her through her window and swept her into his arms. Antonia’s eyes widened as she regarded a ground that now seemed too far beneath her—and a sky that hovered too closely above. Yet she sighed in spite of herself as Sylvan, who she now realized was dressed in a long black leather coat that fell well past his knees, pulled her body up against his and cradled her lovingly against his chest. Well, this is a freaky dream. But it’s getting pretty darned interesting, I must say. I wonder what will happen next? The answer to this question came quickly and jarringly when Sylvan suddenly jumped from the windowsill and launched dramatically into mid-air, until he literally flew with her in his arms. 159

Vamptations As the two soared upward into the vast ebony expanse that defined the night sky, Antonia marveled at how light and carefree she felt, flying high in mid-air and clasped protectively in Sylvan’s embrace. It’s no small feat to make me feel carefree. She paused then, staring downward at her fully made, womanly form. And light? Forget it. The mature management professional giggled girlishly as she continued her airborne trek with her dream man. Her eyes widened in sheer wonder as they encountered a blanket of stars that, when witnessed up close, resembled a cluster of crystalline orbs. Even then, their glory failed to equal the wonder of Sylvan’s touch, which combined strength and delicacy, intimacy and excitement, to glorious effect. “Sweet Antonia,” his voice poured forth like warm honey into her ear. “Have you ever dreamed of dancing in the stars?” Without awaiting a reply, he used his substantial physical strength to twirl their bodies in a perfect circle, creating a flawless arch that appeared all the more radiant in the light of the overhead moon. “Sylvan, this is incredible,” Antonia beamed broadly and wrapped her arms around his sturdy shoulders. He really wowed her a moment later when he covered her lips in a hot, passionate kiss. The strong insistence of Sylvan’s kiss drove all coherent thought from Antonia’s mind. She opened her mouth widely to accept the firm yet nurturing press of his lips and the delicate intrusion of his warm, wet tongue. The movements of this long, agile tongue served to spark Antonia’s imagination. And they matched the flawless rhythm of his hands as they caressed and massaged her back. While Antonia felt the tension escape her work-worn muscles, she also noted the abrupt tightening of certain other body parts. Indeed, her nipples—covered only by the thin sheen of her white satin nightgown—grew hard and taut when grazed by the leather-clad muscles of Sylvan’s mighty, massive chest. And even her most private muscles seemed to clench with the heat of a certain arousal. “I can tell you desire me, Antonia.” Drawing back, Sylvan’s eyes probed hers as he cupped her cheeks. “Just as I desire you.” 160

Vamptations She nodded and again giggled girlishly as she felt Sylvan’s erection press surely and certainly through the confines of his sleek leather coat. How long has it been since I giggled, let alone girlishly? “I do, Sylvan, it’s just too soon.” Her warm, abiding smile dissolved to a defined smirk as his facial expression became both tightly strained and acutely pained. “We’ve known each other for two years, Antonia.” He drew her closer to him as they veered gracefully from the path of a shooting star. “I’ve done everything I can think of to tempt and tease you,” pausing, he seared her with a narrow-eyed, smoldering gaze. “I’ll stop at nothing to seduce you, my baby.” Antonia trembled in spite of herself; even so, she pursed her lips curiously in the face of his assertions. “And what would happen if you succeeded, Sylvan?” She arched her eyebrows and met his heated gaze directly. “Wouldn’t it change things between us?” She took a breath as Sylvan pressed her body to his and soared sharply downward in the direction of her house. “Nothing could change the way I feel about you, Antonia,” he emphasized his words with a warm, fierce kiss. “Don’t you feel, my love?” Love? Antonia looked sharply at Sylvan as he landed once again on her windowsill. Then again, this is only a dream. I can’t take his words to heart. But that same heart pounded as he bent her body upward for yet another thrilling, open-mouthed kiss, a movie star kiss that stirred her senses and set fire to her body and soul. How could this be a dream, she pondered, thrilling as Sylvan carried her to her bed and settled her carefully in a delicate mass of soft cotton sheets. “This is no dream, sweetheart,” he said aloud, winking slyly as he kissed her goodnight. “This could be our life, every night, if only you would let me in.” Before Antonia could question Sylvan’s words, he leapt gracefully onto her windowsill and surged upward into the night.

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Chapter Four As Antonia awoke the next morning, she basked in the incoming glow of a bright, radiant Florida sun. And it shone particularly bright, she realized, through an open window. Gaping, she leapt to her feet and ran to the window. “I know I didn’t open it before I went to bed,” she said aloud, her eyes scanning the azure sky above for an answer or explanation. “That dream felt so real. Maybe I sleepwalked during the night and opened my window.” She jumped then as a loud, sharp knock resounded suddenly on her front door. Quickly donning a nearby bathrobe, she opened the door to reveal her sullen, frowning best friend. “Lianna!” She stepped forward to embrace her usually smiling crony who this morning wore a decidedly stormy expression. “Antonia, we have to talk,” she told her. Soon the two sat at Antonia’s kitchen table. Toni cocked her head curiously as she regarded her sullen visitor. “Cheer up,” she squeezed Lianna’s hand in tender reassurance. “I’m doing much better this morning.” On the night of Seymour’s vicious attack, Antonia had placed a tearful phone call to Lianna. Understandably enough, Lianna expressed both concern and outright horror at her friend’s plight. And, it seemed, her concern only intensified with the passing of time. “I’m afraid our troubles are far from over, Toni,” Lianna sighed deeply. “I have reason to believe that Sylvan killed Seymour.” Antonia jumped in her seat. “Now, Lianna, we can’t jump to conclusions.” She fought to steady her own wavering tone. “I know Sylvan promised to ‘take care of’ Seymour for me. Even so, the police identified his execution as a ‘vampire’ kill.” 162

Vamptations She paused, smiling slightly. “Sylvan, as I may have noted previously, is something of a pain in the butt. But he’s also the most gentle man I’ve ever known.” Leaning forward, she stared her friend directly in the eyes. “He’s not a vampire. And he’s certainly not a killer.” Lianna shook her head. “Toni, I’ll be the first to agree that Sylvan is not a cold-blooded killer. You can’t blame a person who wants to avenge a friend’s attack. I wanted to throttle Seymour myself.” “Seymour wasn’t throttled,” Antonia interrupted. “His blood was drained from his body. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy, I agree, but do you honestly believe that Sylvan is capable of…?” “Capable of being a vampire?” Lianna raised her eyebrows. “He sleeps all day, eats bloody rare steaks, has an insatiable sexual appetite, sports long hair and sharp teeth, and seems fond of wearing dark clothing. All of which proves he’s a…” “A young male musician.” Antonia rolled her eyes. “A pretty horrific idea, I know, but one we’ll have to accept.” “Antonia, we can’t just joke this away,” Lianna pointed sternly in her friend’s direction. “I have a friend who’s an expert on the subject of vampire lore, and she agrees that Sylvan meets all the criteria.” She paused, snorting. “As it stands, about the only ‘vampiric’ skill he hasn’t displayed is flying.” Antonia doubled over and released a loud sob that visibly alarmed Lianna. “Antonia, what is it?” “Nothing.” Antonia shook her head briskly. “I just dreamed that Sylvan took me flying last night—without the benefit of an airplane, an in-flight movie or complimentary macadamia nuts.” The moment the words left her mouth, she waved them away with a casual hand. “I know it was nothing more than a dream,” she insisted. Antonia froze as she realized that Lianna looked, not at her, but at the open window that marked the far corner of her apartment. She remained quiet and motionless as her friend walked into her bedroom and made an impromptu inspection of the surroundings. Finally, she bent to retrieve what appeared to be a stray thread from Antonia’s floor. Upon closer inspection, the thread turned out to be a long, silken strand of golden blond hair. 163

Vamptations Antonia gaped as she lifted her gaze slowly and reluctantly to meet Lianna’s. Sure enough, her own shock and uncertainty seemed mirrored in her friend’s eyes. “It felt like a dream,” she offered weakly. Lianna’s gaze softened, and she deposited the hair sample safely in her purse before going to Antonia’s side. “According to my friend, some vampires have the ability to hypnotize people. Sylvan may have placed you in a trance that seemed like a dream state.” She wrapped a reassuring arm around Toni’s shoulder. “Or, because of your drowsiness—and the surreal, downright odd situation in which he positioned you—you probably perceived the entire happening as one long dream.” “A wonderful dream,” Antonia whispered, trembling in spite of herself. “A beautiful dream come true.” Then she stiffened, pinning Lianna with a gaze that bordered on accusing.“What do you plan to do with the hair sample, Lianna? And with your suspicions?” She shook her head firmly. “I won’t see Sylvan go to jail for avenging my attack—and likely preventing many others.” Lianna nodded. “Nor will I,” she admitted. “Especially when, while we may be convinced that Sylvan is a vampire, we don’t have conclusive evidence that he killed Seymour.” She shrugged. “I mean, I suppose there could be more than one vampire in the city of Clearview.” Antonia stroked her chin thoughtfully. “I’ve always suspected that kid who works the front counter at Gloom and Doom Horror Comics on Fifth Street.” She smirked, but only slightly. “Seriously, though, Lianna, even before our conversation today, I suspected Sylvan’s involvement in the killing.” Her friend nodded. “It’s a virtual certainty,” she agreed. “What we need to establish now is that Sylvan doesn’t kill for blood lust— or, as some ‘vamps’ do, for nourishment.” Antonia cringed. “We have to know the truth,” she agreed.

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Chapter Five When Antonia slipped into the Crescent Moon Theater that evening, she immediately came face to face with the source of her concern. And never had she seen anyone so beautiful. Sylvan stood center stage, dressed in a tight pair of black jeans and a matching shirt. Several Crescent Moon staff members looked on in obvious awe as he commanded the spotlight, his head pitched back as he issued forth a clear-voiced, radiant song. Now more than ever, he likened to an angel as the lights of the stage illuminated his face and brought forth the golden highlights of his hair. Is he an angel? An avenging angel, perhaps. At that very instant, their gazes collided. They shared a wealth of emotions without speaking a word. Warmth and camaraderie delicately intermingled with a hint of unspoken passion. And, at least in Antonia’s mind, unspoken concern. As if reading her thoughts, Sylvan moved forward from the stage. The adoring, awestruck gazes of those around him seemed to magically dissolve. He only had eyes for Antonia. The warmth of his tender embrace matched his intent expression as he gathered her in his arms and pulled her almost possessively to him. Tilting his chin against her head, he lowered his voice to what literally seemed to be a stage whisper. “I want to be alone with you.” In that moment, all concern—indeed, all signs of coherent thought—fled Antonia’s mind. She felt herself melt in Sylvan’s arms, surrounded as she was by a divine aura of strength, nurturance, and sensuality. 165

Vamptations Wrapping his arms tightly around her shoulders, Sylvan propelled her back toward his dressing room. “Antonia, that was no dream last night.” “I know. Sylvan, we need to talk.” “No, Antonia, we don’t need to talk. I need to rock your world, pleasure you to distraction, and make you forget everyone and everything else.”

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Chapter Six Antonia didn’t resist as Sylvan escorted her quietly into his dressing room and closed the door behind him, nor when he gently set her down into the depths of his soft, cushiony, rose-patterned couch. When he started taking off his clothes, she felt compelled to say something. “Sylvan, you can’t distract me from posing the questions you know I need to ask.” “I’m not distracting you, Antonia. I’m seducing you.” As if to illustrate his point, Sylvan held her gaze as he pulled his tight, ebony-hued shirt slowly, temptingly upward, revealing a chest that appeared muscular and freshly oiled. “Sylvan…” Even as her mouth dropped open in evident appreciation of his masculine beauty, Antonia shook her head. “As you know, my last physical encounter with a man proved most horrifying…” She warmed, however, as Sylvan leaned forward to sear her lips with a hot, passionate kiss. “That’s part of the motivation behind this exercise, my sweet.” He cocked his head and pursed his full, succulent lips to delicious effect. “I have to make sex fun and exciting again for my Toni.” She met his ensuing playful wink with a cold, hard stare. “Again?” She arched her eyebrows. “That implies, of course, that sex has ever been fun and exciting for me.” Sylvan chuckled softly, unfastening the clasp of his sinfully tight blue jeans. “Well, that’s probably because your other lovers were out for their own pleasure. I, love, am out for yours.” In another vivid illustration of his words, he slipped his sleek, clinging denim pants smoothly down his legs, affording her the glimpse of a black silk Speedo that carried and confined an impressive package. Quickly averting her gaze, Antonia got a close-up glimpse of Sylvan’s bronzed toned legs. 167

Vamptations Even the dude’s feet are sexy. She bit her lip self-consciously. Damn him. She inhaled sharply as Sylvan abruptly cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her head upward so that their gazes met and locked. For a timeless moment, he simply stared at her, gracing her with a soft, subtle beam that seemed both tender and ravenous. “It’s time, Antonia,” his voice lowered to a whisper as he flaunted and flexed his body shamelessly before her. “It’s time for friends to become lovers. It’s time for you to know the joys of intimate pleasure between a man and a woman. It’s time…for us.” With this, he dropped abruptly to his knees and parted hers, rubbing and massaging her thighs. Finally surrendering to temptation, Antonia moaned in spite of herself and dug her hands into Sylvan’s muscled shoulders. She didn’t resist when he slowly, subtly moved his hands upward to enclose her waist. His agile fingers both massaged and tickled this sensitive area before grasping the waistband of her pantyhose. His lips, meanwhile, went to work on the sensitive nape of her neck, planting tender nips and sweet baby kisses that lulled her into a dreamlike state. “Relax, my baby,” his low, hypnotic whisper served to thicken the ecstatic haze that threatened to overwhelm her. “I yearn to fulfill your every desire. I want to be your fantasy…” Seemingly eager to prove his claim, Sylvan made quick work of Antonia’s pantyhose and boldly leaned forward to nestle and even lick her legs. But instead of abruptly placing his mouth on the clit that now throbbed for his attentions, he took one of her delicate feet into his manly hands and rubbed its tender sole. Then he used that talented mouth to lick and suckle her toes. Unaccustomed to such doting attentions, she willingly spread her sturdy legs as her toes literally curled. “Sylvan, I can’t believe this is happening.” Sweat lined Antonia’s brow as a hot, yet sublimely tender chill coursed from her toes, where her lover still suckled and licked to his heart’s content, to the core of her clitoris, which suddenly throbbed for his attentions. Sylvan, much to her amazement, seemed to heed the call of her womanly core. His head jerked upright, and his grin shone broad and devilish as he slid further inward between Antonia’s knees. 168

Vamptations The woman bit her lip, unaccustomed to this degree of intimacy, especially as it occurred in a fully lit room. Although not a virgin, Antonia had received oral pleasure from only two lovers, both of whom fumbled awkwardly in the dark before treating her to a sexual experience that felt roughly akin to a gynecological exam. “But at least in the dark they couldn’t see my chunky hips and my flabby thighs,” Antonia rolled her eyes. Ah, but wait a minute. Sylvan now was licking the sensitive skin of those very thighs, all the while nipping and rubbing her sensitive feminine folds. “Open yourself to me, baby,” he growled, pinning her with a narrow-eyed, seductive stare. “Make no mistake—I worship every inch of you. The only thing you have to worry about is screaming so loudly that it draws the attention of everyone in the theater.” “You turn me on, bella,” he further assured her. “You always have, and I’ll beg for your favors if I must.” Sylvan’s sensual boldness driving her swiftly over the edge, Antonia threw her head back and spread her legs wide. Releasing a wicked chuckle, Sylvan plunged his head between her knees and fixed his full, sensual lips around her throbbing core. Antonia’s eyes flew wide open as Sylvan’s velvety lips sent immediate shockwaves coursing through her body, fanning out in tingling tidal waves around her soft, rounded belly and setting her clit on fire. She moaned as his remarkable mouth suckled her tender spot, creating a divine pressure that set her afire. His intimate kiss, punctuated by the firm flick of his tongue against her nub, seemed flawless in its divine execution. So I guess there are a few advantages to having a vampire lover. This proved her last coherent thought as waves of sublime ecstasy overtook her body, wracking her with spasms of pleasure that stole her breath—and nearly her consciousness. She fell instantly forward into the comforting depths of his consuming embrace, relaxing in his muscled arms as he swept her quite literally off her feet. “More?” she breathed, tone slightly hopeful. As if in answer, Sylvan dipped his head to engage Antonia in a heated, full-mouthed kiss. 169

Vamptations Again, she melted under the sublime influence of those heavenly lips and wrapped her trembling arms around the muscled, rock hard foundation of his bronzed shoulders. Also, sublimely pleasurable was the feather soft sweep of his long, silky golden hair as it fell delicately against her flushed cheek. She didn’t resist as he laid her gently back down on the couch and reached around her to unzip her dress and pull it gently from her shoulders. For every inch of flesh he exposed, it meant another inch he could endlessly rain with kisses, nips and whispered praise. Her bra and panties were the next to go. Soon, she lay nude and fully exposed to him. Suddenly aware of her unclothed state, Antonia folded her arms before her in an attempt to cover herself. Sylvan quickly shook his head and clasped her hands surely and gently between his own. “None of that, love.” He wiggled his scolding finger in her direction. “I yearn to see the woman I’ve fantasized about for two years. I yearn to touch her, to worship her body.” Toni grinned, shrugging sheepishly. “Well, I’d say you just got a good start.” She lay back resignedly into the cushiony depths of the couch, sighing as she basked in the adoring gaze of her admirer. She sighed more deeply a moment later as Sylvan’s hands followed the direction of this sensual gaze, rubbing her shoulders and sensitive upper chest, kissing her face and neck and finally covering her body with his. Their passions ignited, they came together in a desperate embrace, clinging to one another as their bodies bonded, fully and sinfully. By contrast, Sylvan’s kiss felt downright ethereal; his lips brushed against hers in a whisper soft sensation, and his tongue lapped and laved her mouth as his hands grasped and massaged her bare back. Antonia’s own hands canvassed Sylvan’s muscular chest, savoring every muscle and plane. When her fingers tickled his nipples, his answering moan flowed like sweet honey into her ears. “You temptress,” he smiled, cupping her cheeks in his hands and searing her with a seductive gaze. “You’re finally going to fulfill my fantasy, aren’t you?” As if in answer to this query, Antonia drew Sylvan’s perfect body deep into a warm embrace. Slowly, their breath steadied, their hands 170

Vamptations clasped and their mouths and hips moved leisurely together in an intimate, poetic dance. Antonia soon lost herself in his passionate kiss and rolled gently and happily in his arms. She purred outright as he nestled her neck and closed his hands protectively around her waist. “Antonia.” He released her name on the wings of a heated breath. “I wish I could claim to be the first man ever to make love to you.” “Sylvan, you are.” Their bodies and souls met and melded, and they became as one. Antonia opened herself to Sylvan and cried out softly as his long, fully erect shaft finally filled her slick, tight femininity. “Oh, Antonia.” Sylvan’s face contorted in an expression of ecstasy; an emotion that seemed enhanced as he began to writhe and shift slowly, but with great purpose inside her. His penetration proved both intense and ever gentle, and his hands stroked and massaged her back. His tongue matched the rhythmic motion of his masculinity, and he kissed her deeply as they soared together toward an explosive climax. Just as Antonia’s body erupted in waves of orgasmic bliss, she noted a certain change in Sylvan. His eyes grew wide and came alight with apparent wonder, and he suddenly threw his head back. With his wild-eyed gaze and his golden hair flowing loosely down his back, he resembled a lion in the throes of heat; an illusion enhanced by the loud, almost inhuman howl that now escaped his succulent lips. “Sylvan?” Antonia went immediately still and she stared in sheer wonder, as he seemed immersed in a state of sublime euphoria. Then his mouth fell fully open, and she saw the fangs. Startled, Antonia went totally still, and her eyes widened in awe, an emotion tinged with a touch of fear. It’s true, were the only words that permeated her psyche. “Sylvan!” Rolling abruptly from beneath her lover, Antonia watched as his eye color deepened to a surreal shade of aquiline blue, and his fingernails lengthened noticeably. Despite his dramatic physical changes, he made no sudden or violent moves. He pawed restlessly at the couch beneath him and continued to throw his head back, growling low in his throat. After a moment, the madness subsided and Sylvan collapsed in a fit of exhaustion into the soft depths of the couch. **** 171

Vamptations When Sylvan finally looked upward, his gaze took in the image of a petrified woman. “Sylvan, you’re a vampire,” Antonia’s voice was barely above a whisper. “And you killed Seymour Lewis.” Sighing deeply, Sylvan sat slowly upward and gestured desperately in Antonia’s direction. “I can’t deny either charge, Antonia,” he admitted on a long sigh. “What I can tell you, though, is that I am not a cold-blooded murderer.” Abruptly, Sylvan stood from the couch, cringing as Antonia backed noticeably away from him. “I killed Seymour to avenge you,” he insisted, “and to ensure that he never again would hurt you—or, for that matter, any other woman.” Antonia nodded, shortly and sharply. “I can’t question either motive,” she allowed. “But tell me the truth, Sylvan—was he your first kill?” Sylvan exhaled and closed his eyes tightly before opening them to face his lover and accuser. “He was my second.” Antonia gaped in the face of this assertion. “How can that be possible, Sylvan? I thought that people of your kind had to kill on a regular basis, just to survive.” “People of your kind.” These words stung Sylvan to the core. Even so, he remained calm and even-toned as he answered her question. “Antonia, do you remember that day I showed you the photograph of my parents?” Toni nodded. “A beautiful couple—very Goth-looking.” Sylvan grinned, but only briefly. “That’s because they are both vampires, though of a decidedly different caliber. While my mother is a traditional vampire, one who seeks nourishment from the blood of others, my father lives as an incubus. He derives his nourishment from the sexual energies of women.” “I bet this rendered your mother a lucky, albeit frequently exhausted, woman.” Antonia wiggled her eyebrows. Sylvan chuckled, and his gaze warmed. “You, my dear, can find humor in everything. And yes, they enjoy a very happy marriage, one that produced two sons, my brother Drake and myself.” With this, he shrugged uneasily. “This is where things get complicated.” 172

Vamptations “You mean things have been easy and straightforward up to this point?” Antonia rolled her eyes then waved for him to continue. “For the most part, Drake and I both take after our father,” Sylvan explained. “He and I are both vampires who feed from the sexual energies of willing women.” Antonia stroked her chin thoughtfully. “That’s why you choose women based on their passion and warmth, as opposed to their appearance.” Sylvan shrugged. “Well, that’s one of the reasons,” he allowed, adding with a smirk, “The truth is that I’ve never been able to tolerate those snobbish, fake glamour girls. Give me a real woman any day.” Antonia nodded approvingly. “Gorgeous, talented and smart,” she assessed. “If you didn’t drink human blood, Sylvan, you’d be a darned good catch.” “I’m getting to that,” Sylvan sighed. “I don’t have to kill, Antonia. I have no lust for blood, but—taking after dear ol’ Mom—I can drink it.” Antonia snorted and threw up her hands. “You speak of blood the same way I talk about pink lemonade. I don’t crave it, but I can drink it if it’s a hot day, and I don’t have enough spare change for a soda,” pausing, she waved an accusing finger in Sylvan’s direction. “Of course, that does explain your preference for icky steaks.” Stepping forward, Sylvan grinned broadly as he wrapped a loving, comforting arm around the shoulders of his beloved. “Toni, you bring such laughter to my life, not to mention warmth and understanding.” Pausing, he pressed his lips warmly against hers. “I couldn’t bear the thought of someone harming you. So when Seymour attacked you, I…” He halted his speech again and shook his head. “I felt compelled and driven to destroy the man who hurt the woman I love.” Antonia took a breath and clasped Sylvan’s hand between hers. “And the other person you killed?” “The man who raped my cousin Lorena, back when we were teenagers,” Sylvan replied, his eyes misting sadly at the memory. “Another woman I love.” Suddenly, Antonia fell forward in Sylvan’s arms, taking him into an all-consuming embrace that bespoke both love and understanding. “How could I ever doubt the nobility of your actions?” she whispered, kissing him fiercely. “I love you, too, Sylvan.” **** 173

Vamptations The couple’s lips met in a long, lingering kiss, a gesture that seemed to seal their newfound union. As she basked in the warmth of Sylvan’s affections, Antonia’s heart raced, and she felt a surge of passionate love for the beautiful gentleman in her arms. How long, she pondered, had she desired and dreamed of this moment? And how she savored the arrival of love, the ethereal merging of her heart with Sylvan’s. Sadly, however, her bliss proved short-lived. She jumped abruptly away from her lover as a loud, sharp knock resounded on his dressing room door. “Who could that be?” she whispered. Even as she asked, she somehow knew. “Sylvan?” Bernard Halloway’s voice sounded hesitant and worry-filled. “The police have come to question you about the death of Seymour Lewis.” Sylvan looked abruptly at Antonia, pinning her with an agonized gaze that tore at her heart. “You know what this means, baby.” Smiling sadly, he cupped her flushed cheek in a tender, loving hand. “I have to go.” Immediately, Antonia covered Sylvan’s hand with her own. “Not without me.” Without hesitation, Antonia crossed the length of Sylvan’s dressing room and opened the window. “Take me with you, Sylvan,” she invited, extending her hand to him. “Fly us away from this place.” Within seconds, Sylvan stood at Antonia’s side. Gathering her gently into his arms, he swept her gallantly from her feet and jumped lithely onto his windowsill. “I can fly you anywhere in the world,” he assured her, arching his eyebrows, “but are you sure you want to go?” Without hesitation, Antonia nodded. “You’re a royal pain in the butt,” she kissed him gently, “but you’re my pain in the butt.” Sylvan drew Antonia to him until the two seemed to merge as one. “Then away we go, my love. Away we go.” The End

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