She barely noticed her surroundings as they walked on because she was entirely too nervous. He escorted her down a small flight of stairs that led to an enormous living room. It was tastefully decorated in dark reds, blacks, and browns. A huge fireplace was lit and the mantel seemed to come straight from the thirteenth century. A fire in the middle of summer was more than a little strange, she thought to herself.
She noted a massive black suede coach and heavy black lacquer coffee table, with matching end tables. Everything in the room spoke of money and history and she was really beginning to feel out of place. What was a girl from nowhere Alabama doing sitting in a place like this? she questioned herself in doubt.
“Master Rafe is on a business call,” Calvin spoke calmly, sensing the girls' unease. “Please help yourself to the bar until he returns, Miss.” He bowed slightly hoping to make her feel a little more comfortable. It was apparent to him that this young lady must indeed be very special to Master Rafe. If she weren't here to please him sexually, then perhaps he was finally going to take a Mistress, Calvin thought with a smile.
The man actually bowed to her, she thought, floored by his action. Did anyone do that anymore? “Thank you,” she whispered softly, feeling extremely intimidated by this man. Even the butler, and she assumed that's what he was, seemed to fit in better in this incredible place than she did. She really didn't belong here, her mind told her again.
Knowing she probably shouldn't do it, she decided she could use a drink. Walking uneasily to the bar, she found a bottle of red wine and decided that would probably be the safest thing for her. The last thing she wanted was to fall on her face tonight, although a little liquid courage sounded like a great idea. Struggling with the cork, she felt herself growing more frustrated.
"Permit me Miss," Calvin took the bottle from her hands and easily removed it, then took a moment to pour her a glass of wine. Handing it to her, he noticed how her hands were shaking, and smiled warmly.
This place was definitely out of her league, she thought miserably. She even considered momentarily asking the butler to escort her back outside. "Th-thank you," now she was even having trouble speaking, she quickly took a few sips of her wine, and looked around nervously. Nibbling on her lower lip, she was ready to go into a full blown panic.
“Thank you, Calvin,” Rafe spoke kindly to his employee, "I can handle things from here."
Calvin nodded and deeply, "I will finish my duties then, Master.” He quickly moved off, leaving them alone together.
Turning to face Rafe, she couldn't help but think how incredibly handsome he looked in a pair of black jeans and white polo shirt. He looked like a pirate with his strong physique, and long raven hair that he allowed tonight to hang free of the normal leather tie he wore. Tilting back the wine glass she drank it quickly, and then felt childish.
He gazed over her beautiful body, clad in the skimpy dress and felt his body harden instantly. “You look incredible.” She blushed brightly and he laughed deeply while walking over to take her hands in his. Her hands were trembling and he smiled. “Nervous?” he questioned softly. He didn't need an answer it was written in her body language that she was terrified.
She nodded, looking down at her feet. This was a huge step and she felt completely out her element here. Taking a deep breath, she hoped it would calm her racing heart. It didn't, if anything she was feeling light headed from drinking the wine too quickly.
His hand went under her chin, forcing her eyes to his. “There's nothing to be nervous about, little one,” he smiled and gazed even deeper into her eyes. Letting go of her chin, he reached down to take her hand into his, her emotions were almost overwhelming. She was dressed like a Siren and her body was just begging to be taken, and he was having trouble remembering just how inexperienced she truly was. Sending calming thoughts into her mind he led her into the dining room, needing to stop the thoughts of taking her right here in the foyer. He was going to need every ounce of his control tonight he thought as he glanced over her beautiful body displayed so wantonly in that dress.
For whatever reason she felt calmer and could breathe normally again, she could only guess the wine was doing its job. He led her down a long, carpeted hall and she followed willingly. The paintings gracing those walls, even she knew were incredibly priceless. He escorted her into a huge dining room with a long table in the center that would easily sit twenty people. Pulling out a chair, he waited until she sat then moved to the one beside her at the head of the table.
As he sat down, within moments a lovely Creole woman was walking in with silver covered trays. She sat them down in front of them. “Thank you, Jasmine,” he whispered kindly and she bowed her head and left.
A bottle of white wine was chilling on the table, as were wine glasses and silverware. “So were you able to get most of your things moved in today,” he asked while removing the tray lids from her plate and then his. Turning his eyes back to her, he smiled encouragingly.
“I actually got everything moved in,” she replied with a nervous laugh. She caught him staring at her again, and the look in his eyes nearly had her breathless again. She couldn't stop the blush that found her cheeks and she glanced down at the table embarrassed.
He laughed softly, “I love it when you blush,” he said gently. He lifted the covers off the silver trays, hoping she would be pleased with the fare. Human food was something he knew little of these days, but he knew from other guests that Jasmine was an excellent cook.
The food was delicious, Cara thought. The cook had prepared roasted pancetta-topped beef tenderloin with wild mushrooms, rosemary-garlic roasted potatoes and sautéed spinach. Honestly she had never tried the dishes this way, but found herself devouring them. She was more than a little embarrassed when she discovered that she'd eaten all the food on her plate.
“I truly enjoy seeing a woman eat,” He couldn't keep the humor from his eyes. She was so tiny, but she obviously enjoyed a good meal, he thought to himself.
“Sorry," she blushed deeply, "I skipped breakfast and lunch today because I was so excited about moving in.” She laughed at herself, hoping he didn't think she was totally without manners. “Are you not hungry?” she questioned noticing his plate had yet to be touched.
“Not at the moment,” standing up he offered her his hand. He needed to have their discussion now as his control was becoming almost non-existent. She had absolutely no idea how appealing she was to him at that moment, or how her blood called out to him begging him to take a small taste. Again he was having second thoughts about allowing this to go any further. Even if she wanted to remain with him after he shared his past, what kind of monster would he be to allow it? He should wipe her memories now and send her on her way before it was too late, he thought to himself. His thoughts were deeply troubled as he led her outside.
She couldn't help but catch her breath as they walked out through the back door onto the patio. Her eyes roamed down the cobblestone path and over the huge garden maze. “Have you ever gotten lost in there?” as her eyes roamed over the elegant beauty of the maze again, she felt the differences in their social status again. Why was she even here with this man, when he could obviously have any woman he wanted?
He stopped walking and turned toward her as her thoughts enraged him. Lifting her chin with his long finger he stared deeply into her eyes. “To answer your question, no I have never lost my way.” Trying to control his anger at her self-conscious thoughts he felt his eyes darken dangerously. “Do not ever think of yourself less than another?” he knew the control he had fought for all evening was slowly fading away. How could she not see how perfect she was? he thought to himself as he glanced over her incredible body with an aching need that demanded to be answered.
“Rafe I'm just a small town girl and honestly I don't see what I can really offer you.” Turning away from him, she tried desperately to control the ache in her heart as she spoke the words. Knowing they were true was not helping her accept the fact that he was just
out of her league. Fighting back the tears that threatened to fall at any moment, she refused to look back at him.
His control snapped instantly at her feeling of desolation and moving quickly he spun her towards him. “Damn it Cara, I am not worthy of you not vice-versa, open your eyes and see me for what I truly am.” The cursed fangs had descended and he watched her eyes widen as she stepped back a few steps. Although he had been prepared for her reaction he still cringed at the shock on her beautiful face.
“What kind of game are you playing Rafe?” She was hurt deeply that he felt the need to play such a foolish prank, now that he understood that they were just not right for each other. The fangs were obviously implants because real vampires didn't exist, she told herself. “If you wanted me to leave you could have just said so.” Tears slid down her cheeks and she swiped at them angrily.
“Silly girl,” he pulled her against him and there was no denying the hardness of his shaft even through the thick material of his pants. “Does this feel like I want you to leave?” Grabbing her hand without thought, he pulled it over his erection, demanding that she realize the truth.
Stunned by his action her eyes shot to his and she knew two things instantly. One, he honestly was a vampire and two, that he definitely wanted her. Biting her lip nervously, suddenly she was in even further over her head. She just didn't know how to respond to either of his admissions. Her body responded in its own way, and she found herself gasping for breath as everything she ever believed in life was completely blown right out of the water.
“Damn it,” lifting his hand to her chin he forced her to meet his eyes again knowing she was going to hyperventilate if he could not control the situation. “Breathe slowly little one,” taking over her mind, he forced her to calm down.
She felt herself calm instantly and her heartbeat slow, and knew without doubt that he was responsible. Backing away slowly she felt a fission of fear move through her body. “How, when?” shaking her head in confusion, she didn't even know what questions to ask him this was like something out of a bad b-rated movie.
Dropping his hands to his sides, not wanting to frighten her again, he walked toward a small garden bench in front of the maze and sat down. “Sit with me Cara, I will try to explain as best as I can.” He knew if she trusted him enough to sit down beside him that everything else could be worked out in time. As she found her way to the bench sitting down he felt his control slowly replenishing. He wanted her to understand exactly who and what he was before she made a choice that would change her entire life. He began reciting the story that his own Creator, Gabriel had told to him when he asked the same questions.
"It was around 384 B.C.," he began and ignored how her eyes widened at the date he mentioned. "A group of men began their study of dark magic seeking a way to find immortality, and all the power that would be encompassed with such a feat. Years had passed and the rituals got darker with every meeting, but they were having very little success in completing their goals."
Her eyes widened as he continued to speak. To her it was almost unbelievable, but she could tell that he was telling her the truth. He glanced at her, his eyes full of a strange light she couldn't understand and she waited for him to continue.
"Even though they had yet to meet their goal of eternal life, they were gaining strength from each ritual that they performed. You see, the power was so compelling that once they began casting spells, it became almost an impossibility to not crave the effects." He gave a half smile seeing the interest in her eyes and continued on.
"On this particular night they had decided to call in the horned god, something they had all decided against in the previous years because of the obvious dangers involved. All but one of the groups’ members, they called him Nathaniel, had agreed it was time to move forward. As the group made their decision, it is said that Nathaniel had no choice but to join in with the group choice. You see Cara, this was not the type of club that you would be allowed to leave willingly. The things they were practicing would be a death sentence had they ever been discovered by their peers".
His hand reached out and placed hers in his lap holding it gently. "Should I continue?" he wanted her to know everything, but feared her reaction.
"I want to know more," she whispered, fascinated by his story even though it was challenging all her beliefs.
He nodded and decided he needed to be completely honest. “Nathaniel had stood with his six brothers and Eduardo, the leader of the group, brought forth a ceremonial sword. The handle of the sword, in legend, was pure gold and shaped in an Ankh symbol to symbolize eternal life. Each of the brothers placed a small cut across their forearms, drawing blood. Gabriel then moved from brother to brother, collecting their offerings in a bronze chalice. Nathaniel committed his own offering with mixed emotions, or so I was told. Gabriel nodded his approval before returning to Eduardo.
“Although they had all begun this journey together, Eduardo had always been the most vocal of the group. He spent all of his free time consulting with spiritual leaders attempting to discern the knowledge that each of them possessed. Tonight he would lead their ritual and all of the brothers readily handed over this honor willingly. Eduardo walked forward to the alter holding the blood-filled chalice and the floor beneath them began to tremble.
"Eduardo swirled the ruby red offering and began reciting his litany. The candle flames surrounding the altar flared high and the colors became multi-faceted. Eduardo's feet rose off the ground several inched and a charcoal mist surrounded him as the other brothers stared on in awe. The gods seemed to be pleased with their offering, Nathaniel thought in relief. He could feel the energy radiating from Eduardo and suddenly it moved through his entire body as well.
"Time seemed to stand still as they were all wrapped in the dark mist until there was nothing before their eyes, almost as if they were struck blind. Agony greater than they had ever known filtered through their bodies and each had begged for death to stop the torment they suffered through. As the mist slowly cleared they were no longer in the room they had begun in and instead they stood on a landscape unfamiliar. As Nathaniel glanced around he noted that they stood on top of a mountain that was so high in elevation that the clouds enveloped them and he could not see the ground below. The seven moons before them were so huge it felt to Nathaniel that it was close enough to be touched by his own hand. Streaks of lighting etched across the black sky before a voice echoed all around them.
“I grant thee your desire for power and immortality but know for all gifts a sacrifice must be made,” they all trembled at the strength of the voice and fell to their knees to pay homage. Nathaniel felt the thoughts of his brothers and it shook him to his core. What evil have we brought upon our heads he questioned himself.
“The light of the sun shall never again touch your face and you will sustain yourself with the blood of those you were evolved from,” the voice seemed to mock their foolishness as it spoke. “Grant me a sacrifice of one of your brethren to prove your worth and loyalty,” the voice demanded so loudly that the base of the mountain seemed to shake. “Choose the weakest for you will need the strongest to bring others to serve your needs until you have spawned more children to fight against the righteous that will seek your destruction.”
“As his brothers turned to him one by one, Nathaniel read their minds and knew his time upon this place had ended. Lowering his head he waited for the end, knowing his own foolishness had brought him to this demise.
“Drink from him my children and be reborn into night,” the voice was deafening.
“Eduardo felt pain as his incisors elongated and with instinct alone he moved toward Nathaniel embracing him as he would a lover. Exposing his neck by gripping his hair and pulling back roughly, Eduardo growled deeply and his fangs pierced Nathaniel’s flesh. He drank deeply until he felt completely full.
“After those sips Eduardo fell to the ground in agony and his body was regenerated into a new life form. The four other brothers smelling t
he enticing scent of Nathaniel's blood quickly followed their leader’s steps until their former brother lay cold and lifeless on the mountain top. The surge of power and lust they were filled with could not be contained and they violated their dead brother’s body".
Rafe felt the surge of power as he retold the story of their creation and he watched the shock move across Cara's beautiful face deciding she had discovered enough about him for one evening. He had gotten lost in the story as he told it and hoped she wasn't completely overwhelmed.
“This is part of who I am and what I can never change,” standing up he walked toward the garden maze and stared into it mindlessly. If she chose to leave him now then he would not stop her, although her memory would need to be wiped clean, he hated to think that thought.
She stood up, dumbfounded for several long moments as she allowed his story to fill her mind. There was little doubt that his Creator was the devil she had been raised to fear and that her very soul could be damned should she choose to remain with him. There was a great deal of irony at finally believing again when her choices were now eternal love or eternal damnation. She couldn't stop the small pained laugh that escaped her lips at the choice before her. Perhaps God had a sense of humor at their expense, she thought to herself and tried not to completely lose it.
Glancing over at Rafe, she wanted to weep. Never in her life had anyone made her feel the things he did. To walk over to him and give her heart willingly, she knew would seal her fate. Remembering her granny, she recalled how faithful that wonderful woman had been her entire life and the agony she had suffered in the end.
How could a God that loved his children so much, allow such agony to fall upon them? she questioned internally. It was that thought that forced her to walk towards Rafe. She decided that she'd rather enjoy her life in his arms now, than spend her entire life hoping to find favor with a deity that showed so little compassion for his creations.
A Night at Tears of Crimson Page 9