A Night at Tears of Crimson

by Hughes, Michelle

  Giving no mercy, his hand sliced across Eduardo’s neck, his three inch nails sharpened as knives, he sliced the flesh. Triumph overcame him as the Elder's blood spilled forward in streams. Knowing that was not enough to end him, his fist moved with force to plunge into Eduardo's chest, ripping his heart from his body and holding it up in his hands for the crowd to see. As Eduardo fell to the ground, Nathaniel stood on his neck in triumph. The crowd was silent as they watched the leadership change hands.

  “Return his heart,” the dragon roared, “victory belongs to you.”

  Nathaniel placed the heart back into the gaping hole of the now former Elder's chest, and placed his hand over the wound. An orange energy moved from Nathaniel's hand to the wound and healed him instantly. “You live tonight brother only because it serves the Dragon's desire for retribution,” he spoke down into the face of the man that had handed him over to the beast so long ago, and felt redemption. “Perhaps in two thousand years he will give you the power as he did for me,” a smile found Nathaniel’s face as his victory was complete.

  A dozen ear-piercing shrieks filled the night air as small demons flew in to take hold of Eduardo’s body. Eduardo screamed in rage as they lifted him into the sky and followed the departing dragon into the abyss. Gabe knew that there would be a price to pay for Nathaniel’s victory this night, and he lowered to the ground to kneel at his feet. “I am at your mercy, Elder,” Gabe spoke the words in reverence knowing his future now rested in his hands.

  The elation of the victory still filling him, he stared upon the brother he had once adored above all others. “I will not destroy you brother, even if you deserve nothing less at my hands,” Nathaniel knew that Gabriel would be the force to help him reconstruct the council and he considered him too valuable to annihilate.

  “I am humbled by your graciousness,” Gabe spoke quietly, unbelieving the gift he was being granted this night.

  “You will be my liaison on the other side,” Nathaniel commanded, “but I require a price for your betrayal.” His eyes moved to the tower and found Rafe and motioned him forward with his mind.

  Rafe knew that his time had ended and the last thought in his mind was for Cara as he lowered to kneel before the new Elder. “I ask only one favor,” Rafe lowered his eyes in respect, hoping he would be granted this one last appeal.

  “I will hear it,” Nathaniel was pleased that the brother submitted to his rule so easily and decided to show him mercy.

  “Allow my maker to care for my human,” as he spoke the words his mind recalled her beautiful face and the memories of passion they had shared. Her smile of fulfillment was the memory he would take into non-existence and he was thankful that he had the brief time they had shared.

  Nathaniel felt and saw every picture in his mind and remembered his own beautiful wife. “Consider your request granted,” his hand laid on Rafe’s head and his eyes moved to Gabe. “The human will become yours and no harm shall befall her or any brother will answer to me personally, now leave me.” He turned to the crowd, “I will speak with you through Gabe, return to your homes as I make my decisions,” speaking into Rafe’s mind he beckoned him to stand and with his hand still resting on Rafe’s head they both vanished into a thick black mist.

  “He is gone,” Jonathan stood first and glanced upward into the clear midnight sky where his brother had been taken into the other world. A great sorrow overcame him and he fought to control his grief as he glanced down at Gabe still kneeling. “No good comes from remaining here any longer brother.”

  Gabe stood and for the first time in many centuries, he felt a semblance of human emotion. His child, his brother was no more. The agony ripped through him and his roar split the dead silence. Standing up to his full six foot six height, he felt more defeated than he could ever recall in his years walking the earth. With a curt nod, he took to the sky needing to put distance between him and this rage that threatened to devour him. He yearned for the pain of reentry and moved with a speed toward the storm cloud that couldn’t even begin to compare with the emotional storm drowning out all sense of reality.

  As his body contorted and reformed he pulled every stab of pain deep into his memory determined to suffer as his child had this night. There were no doubts in his mind at how Nathaniel would destroy the one he had created. The suffering that he had endured because of him, Eduardo and the other brother's would demand retribution in full. There was only one reason for his existence that he could fathom, and that was to honor the last request of Rafe, his precious child.

  16 Tears of rebirth

  His feet touched down on the bridge before the castle, choosing not to use his powers, he entered the grounds on foot. The human had been important to his Rafe and for that reason alone he would protect her as if she were his own. As he found the front entry he slammed the door open and sought her out.

  She had locked herself in the elegant room that Kaitlin had prepared for her, after the introduction to the wolves and gypsies. The way that they had looked upon her filled her with more terror than anything she had ever felt before in her life. The concealed rage from the gypsies, combined with the hunger in the eyes of the wolves was more than she could deal with without her lover by her side. Curling up in the bed in the fetal position, she allowed the tears to stream down her cheek and knew how selfish she was being, when Rafe could be fighting for his existence.

  Kaitlin’s eyes widened as she saw Gabe enter the foyer alone. “Where is my husband?” the words were torn from her lips as a fear greater than any she had succumbed to before enveloped her.

  “He will arrive soon, no worries he is well,” he had no time to deal with her emotions and needed to complete his mission quickly. “Where is the human?” he demanded harshly as his eyes glanced around the room not seeing her.

  “I prepared her a room upstairs, where is my cousin?” Kaitlin whispered hearing the rage in Gabe’s voice.

  Gabe could only shake his head and allow her to read his thoughts as the grief was too painful to speak aloud yet. Tears of crimson trailed down Kaitlin’s cheek as she learned of the death of her blood. Gabe walked away without offering solace, knowing he had no compassion to offer at that moment. Lifting himself up the stairs he sought out the scent of Cara’s blood and found her room easily.

  Hearing the door handle turn, she felt her heart skip a beat hoping that Rafe had returned. As Gabe entered the room his expression was comparable to a stone statue and she knew instantly that her love was gone. Running over to him her hands curled into his shirt demanding that he deny what her heart knew to be true. He shook his head no and she was like a woman possessed, her fists landed against his chest repeatedly, hating him for allowing Rafe to be taken away from her.

  “I hate you,” the scream fell from her lips as tears poured down her cheeks. There was no sanity left inside of her as she hurled insults at him, damning him for living as her beautiful Rafe was gone from her arms forever. Her heart felt as if someone had reached into her chest and ripped it away. The pain engulfed her and she felt blackness surround her body. Sinking into the darkness, eagerly welcoming the nothingness that held her in its arms. In her mind she was back in his arms holding his body close her chest. The scent of Rafe filled her and flowed over the senses like a beautiful dream that she never wanted to wake up from.

  Gabe caught her small form before it hit the floor. Her agony, he felt as deeply inside of him as if it were his own. Holding her against his body he felt as if she were the only real tie left to his child. The darkness would release her soon, he knew from the sound of her heart, and he would fulfill the pact of honor he had made with Rafe. As she stirred in his arms the look of hopelessness that filled her beautiful eyes struck a nerve in his dead soul and his arms tightened around her in comfort.

  Knowing what she needed, he felt no remorse in speaking into her mind, allowing her to see Rafe in his face. He wanted no struggle during her turning and needed her to be strong mentally to survive what was about to happen
to her body. As her eyes opened he saw the confusion in those depths, “It was all a dream Cara, I am here.”

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she held him as tightly as her human arms would allow. Relief poured through every fiber of her being knowing that he wasn’t lost to her forever. Her lips found his and molded against them needing him with a passion that filled her like never before. Without thought her hands tangled in his hair holding his head to her needing the stroke of his tongue against her own, anything to wipe away the horror of the dream she had suffered through.

  Gabe pulled back forcefully as her lips found his, reading her thoughts. “I need your blood,” he demanded, his own hand tangling in her hair and pulling her neck back to expose her artery.

  “All that I have is yours,” she closed her eyes, willing to offer anything to keep him with her.

  His fangs extended and he pierced her skin quickly without attempting to control the pain. Her scream of agony forced no compassion as he suckled deeply of the fragrant tanginess of her life source. Holding her tightly against his rock hard chest he drank even as he felt the slowing of her heartbeat.

  Something wasn’t right, she knew that Rafe wouldn’t continue when her body was weakening and she fought his hold. Her hands pushed against his chest with the last ounce of strength she could muster as her body weakened to the point where she couldn’t even keep her eyes open. “Stop,” she pleaded softly feeling her life slip away and she once again became enveloped by the darkness.

  Lifting her still body in his arms he floated down the stairs and out of the castle. Within seconds he reached the bridge and lifted into the night. The storm clouds surrounded them before they were sent spiraling into the portal to the other world. Every scream from her lips gave him hope that she would survive the transition and he held her against him even as his own body went through the change.

  "Oh God!" She felt like her body was being torn limb by limb as they moved down a path that was so unbelievable she knew it was only a dream. Her body was burning, and she knew there was no way to survive the heat lapping over her flesh, singeing away all the skin. A brief moment of nothingness would find her and then the overwhelming spiral of agony would start again as she fell faster and faster into the dark abyss. She knew this was the bowels of hell and she had been judged and found guilty. The thoughts no longer mattered as the pain was so crippling she felt the scream again ripped from her lips as they were peeled away from her face.

  How long had she been spiraling downward? she questioned herself as she received a brief recompense from her torture. Hours, months, decades? Time had no meaning as her body was destroyed and drawn back together again by some unseen force. With no warning she felt her body being plummeted to the ground and she landed with all the weight of a boulder on her back. The earth beneath her form was cool and wet and she forced breaths into her shattered body.

  Gabe had recovered from his landing as he watched her fall and knew that she had survived. Biting his wrist he placed it in front of her lips. He grabbed her head and pushed her mouth against the wound when she refused to immediately drink.

  Confusion filled her mind, but the smell of the blood before her demanded she drink even as she fought against it with what was left of her strength. Her lips were pried open and she tasted the most incredibly intoxicating flavor in her mouth. As an animal, she grabbed on to the source of such a pleasurable drink and began suckling greedily. She felt the pain began to ebb away with every drop of the crimson wine that touched her lips and her agony was so great she was determined to have every ounce. Her eyes began to refocus as her body regenerated and she saw the wrist that I was drinking from.

  God help me, she thought, I don't care. It mattered not that it was Gabe's blood trickling down her throat, it was the greatest taste that had ever touched her lips and she wanted even more. Glancing up she stared into his face, even knowing it was wrong to drink from him she continued on. She had never been addicted to anything in her life, but his blood would compare to the greatest drug on earth, she thought to herself continuing to indulge.

  Pulling his wrist away as he read her thoughts, he licked the wound close and struggled to regain strength from all the blood she had consumed. She was a beautiful vampire, Gabe thought as he looked over her transformed body, pleased with his creation. Her face although once already lovely, now had the perfection of his race shining with its translucence. Her long chestnut hair now fell to her waist in thick waves. A strong desire overcame him as was normal between maker and child and he called her with his mind to service him.

  "What have you done?" the accusation fell from her lips as the pull of his blood beckoned her to him once again. The pull of his blood was too overwhelming to resist and she crawled over to him with a grace she had never possessed before. The thoughts of accusation dissipated immediately as a craving of lust hit her so strong she cried out in pain. Her hands reached up for the button on his tattered pants, unsnapping it and pulling them down with a strength that astounded her.

  His hands moved to his underwear pulling them away with a speed that had her growling in arousal. She would have him, her demented mind demanded. There was no reasoning with her blood lust filled mind. Whatever was pushing her on demanded to be fed. Her mouth found his enormous shaft and drew it into her mouth, suckling teasing, stroking as the desire pulsed through her body with a heat that left her even more hungry and longing.

  His hand fisted in her hair forcing her to please him until he felt the demands of his flesh longing for her body. Turning her quickly in his arms, he lifted what remained of her skirt and ripped away the flimsy barrier of her lacy panties. With an almost imperceptible move he turned her over and forced her on her hands and knees. Kneeling behind her he drove into her silken core with one long thrust.

  Possessed by the blood lust raging through his body he drove into her again and again with strong powerful thrusts that rocked her body almost off the ground. She grunted with each thrust wanting more as her own mind was overtaken by the pure lust that came from being newly turned. Pushing back against his body as he drove into her, she wanted it faster, harder as the need to come undone controlled every thought. As her body found the pinnacle of release she cried out loudly, the sound ripping through the night air with a sound she found hard to imagine came from her own voice.

  Like an animal in heat he continued to pound into her until his body released its essence into her silken sheath, flooding her with his passion. His own growl filled the night at the joining of maker and child. The bond that was shared between the immortal creatures at first creation was one that was said to be more fulfilling than any other. For long moments he kept their bodies joined together savoring the first rites.

  As the passion was spent she felt her memories soaring back into her body with a speed that forced her away from him. What have I done? she thought, standing to look down on him, the remorse so great that she would have gladly ended her new existence.

  Rafe was gone only hours and she had allowed his brother to take her like a common slut. Tears of crimson poured down her cheeks as the gravity of the act she had committed hit home. She took off running, her speed so great that the strange forest around her moved in a blur. She could hear the blood moving through her veins as the vision of the castle came into view, stilling her movements. For reasons she couldn’t understand, she felt as if her feet had touched this ground before.

  The fountain across from the entrance boasted of a statue that reminded her of a dream she had as young girl. Her heart no longer had a beat but she felt a strange movement through that now dead organ. Closing her eyes, she saw Rafe standing before this statue holding out his hand, beckoning her to him. Her eyes flew open hoping it wasn’t just a fantasy, but she was all alone. The pain was unbearable.

  17 Tears of Solace

  “You should not be here, Cara,” Gabe’s voice behind her was filled with as much sorrow as she felt in her lifeless body. “Come”, his voice was quiet and for
a moment she saw past the arrogant, conceited ass he portrayed himself to be. The loss of his wife had destroyed him emotionally and with Rafe gone, the last echoes of his humanity would fade into non-existence, she knew that from their bond.

  Shame flowed through her body again at the thoughts of lying with him like a common whore and she couldn’t look him in the eye. She felt his sorrow and she hated the compassion that surged through her as her body still felt the force of their intimacy.

  “Forgive me if I hurt you,” Gabe felt her emotions just as she knew his, through their blood bond. He had never wanted this connection and had he been able, he would have stopped their joining. The desire between maker and child was impossible to resist in the beginning.

  Just the thought of him thinking of sex, had her body aching again for fulfillment. She hated the visual image it put in her mind as much as the pang of lust it sent moving through her body. Shifting on her feet, she attempted to alleviate the sudden ache between her thighs. Tears dampened her cheeks again.

  “The overwhelming hunger will end soon, Cara,” Gabe groaned as his body responded instantly to the scent of her desire. Not here, he thought as his eyes fell upon the castle. Rafe deserved better than having the woman he loved taken by his maker in front of his home.

  The pain of denying her body’s needs was overwhelming and she couldn’t stop the whimper that escaped her lips. She knew it should have been Rafe her body was craving, and hated herself for the weakness.

  Her cry of longing was physically painful to him and he moved in front of her with inhuman speed. Dropping to his knees he grabbed one of her legs and pulled it over his shoulder as his mouth found her core.