by Lexi C. Foss
“And Howie?”
I’m surprised to hear Miranda address him by his name. In the world we operate, vampires don’t have human attributes such as names.
“He’s good. He woke a few moments ago. He’s taking a rest, and then he’ll tell me more about what he saw in his vision.”
Miranda sighs heavily down the phone.
“What is it?” I ask, almost scared of her response.
“We’ve got some answers from the markings you sent us from the cave walls. It’s not good.”
I remember the voice and the words that echoed through the cave and scared Adiman.
“The drawings foretell the future.”
“How do you know?” Miranda questions.
“When we were in the cave, there was an eerie old lady’s voice. It’s something she said.”
“It’ll be one of the ancient witches who looked after the flame. They cursed Howie and Adiman when the pair attacked them. I’m not sure when it happened, but it’s drawn into the inscriptions. One vampire, killing—the other, pretending.”
“Howie didn’t attack them?” I’m shocked.
I’ve been expecting to hear tales of how Howie was once a monster and killed for blood. But if he didn’t, does it mean he had his soul even before he became impenetrable to fire?
“It doesn’t say which one didn’t for certain, but I don’t think I could see Adiman pretending to kill anyone. He loves blood too much. Some of the worst massacres recorded in history have been caused by vampires under the leadership of Adiman. No, I truly believe Howie was the one pretending.”
“What happened to them? Who are these witches?” I throw questions at Miranda as they pop into my head.
“The witches were an ancient people in India. Adiman and Howie attacked them and killed a significant number of them. It looks like the head of the coven was mortally wounded, but she lived long enough to curse them both before separating them and removing Howie’s memory. The witch linked together the fates of the two vampires. Only Howie can defeat Adiman by wielding the eternal flame, but it will destroy him as well, Mishka.”
I stop where I’ve been pacing the hallway, the curved marble windows keeping the air cool in the heat of the midday sun.
“That’s why he couldn’t control the flame today. He didn’t know it would kill him and couldn’t make the choice. He knows now, though.”
“Yes.” Miranda falls silent on the other end of the phone.
I take a deep breath. “He’s lived a long life, and he wants to help us. We’ll return to the cave later. I’ll use magic this time. We’ll get the flame and kill Adiman, and...” I can’t say what happens next. I stumble over my words and fall silent.
“Take a few days, Mishka, prepare yourself fully. I’m not sure it’ll be a pretty death for either of them.”
I find tears forming in my eyes. I don’t know why. It’s silly, but I’m used to having Howie around. I know he’s weary of the world, but I’d wondered if I could change his mind when this was over. Take him back to my village where time has stood still in many regards. That won’t be an option now.
“Mishka, are you still there?” Miranda questions.
“Yes, I’m sorry. I’ll talk to Howie and see what he wants to do. He’s the one who has to make the sacrifice. I’ll let him choose. I’ll keep you informed and let you know when Adiman has been destroyed. We can throw a big party to celebrate.”
I go to hang up, but Miranda stops me. “I want you to prepare yourself, Mishka. I think there’s one final vision to come. It appears after giving Howie the power to control the eternal flame, the witch pushed him from the cave, separating him from Adiman. We don’t know where Howie landed, or what happened immediately after he left the cave. I think there may be more to learn. Good luck.”
“Thank you.”
I hang up on the call and drop my head back against the cold marble behind me. I’ve always felt in control of my life. I’ve known I’ve wanted to be a slayer since I was a young girl. I worked hard and achieved my goal. I fight when ordered, and I stop the demon scum destroying the Earth, but for the first time in my life, I don’t feel in control of what is happening to me. Destiny has a plan for me—I just hope my heart will survive it.
10
Howie
I make sure to keep to the shadows but stare out at the skyline of tall buildings and green spaces, watching the sun setting in the sky. It’s beautiful, if not deadly for me, and it’ll probably be the last time I see it. I know my time has come to an end. The only way to destroy the man who made me this way is to end my existence at the same time. It’s the curse the witch placed upon us both. I can almost feel the witch’s touch on my skin as if it was yesterday, not over four hundred years ago.
If you’d asked me a few short weeks ago whether I was ready to die, I would have said yes, but something has changed since I met Mishka. I now have a notion of the life I might have had, even though it’s probably foolish folly to contemplate it. I’m the undead, and I don’t have feelings. Mishka is a slayer, and to her, I’m a monster.
A timid knock comes at my bedroom door, and when I turn around to see who it is, Mishka herself walks in. She looks sad, and I can sense she’s worried.
“What’s wrong?” I’m across the room and bringing her into my arms, not even questioning my actions.
“What you told me about your vision, it’s true. The team at E.V.I.E. headquarters translated all the markings on the cave walls. To kill Adiman, you’ll have to die as well. You’re both linked.”
I hold her a little tighter. Her distress at the thought of me being killed has made me feel emotional.
“It’s ok. I think I’ve lived long enough, and it will be for a good cause,” I try to offer some encouragement. “You’ll find the animal population will go up as well. Since I won’t be eating as many.”
Mishka lets out a little laugh, but when she pulls away from me, I can see the tears in her eyes.
“Maybe I can try to track down descendants of the witches and get them to change the curse. It seems unfair. You weren’t killing their ancestors, but you’ve been punished as well. Adiman is the monster here, not you. I think it’s been proven you never lost your soul even after you were changed. You’re different, not a true vampire.”
“But I’m still a monster. I’m undead—I’m a risk. What if the part of my soul still inside me gradually dies over the years? I’m pretty certain it’s come close to dying a few times. I’ve seen some atrocities committed in the name of freedom over the centuries. They’ve left me jaded and with a sense of hatred for humans. I was there when they gassed the Jews, Mishka. I was there when 9/11 happened. I’ve seen humans hurt each other in the cruelest and most vile ways. Their actions could so easily have been enough to kill my soul. Maybe I should die before it does fade to nothing and I do become the killer I was made to be.”
Mishka places her hand on my non-beating heart. “I don’t think you’ve lost any of your soul, Howie, in spite of what you’ve witnessed. You’ve learned from it and embraced it. You’ve discovered the truth about humanity and who the important people are in your life.”
“Discovered who I should respect and adore, even though I’m not supposed to have any feelings?”
“Yes,” Mishka's answer is small but telling.
“I’m scared.” My words are barely above a whisper. “I wanted to die until a short time ago. Now I only have regrets, and do you know what the biggest one is? I wasn’t able to fall in love, to marry, to enjoy being with my wife as a man should and create life with her, to have a family to continue my lineage. My descendants should be scattered around the world, but I have none, because I walked into a cave with a mad man, and he changed me against my will. I didn’t have the strength to fight him. I’ll leave this world never knowing what love was like or what I could have been if fate had been kinder: a husband, father, grandfather. I’ve experienced so much in my life, but none of it can compare to the feelings that
love and family would have given me. Promise me something, Mishka. When I’m gone, you won’t let those chances pass you by. Embrace them and welcome them into your heart. Live for me because I had my chance stolen.”
The tears are flowing freely down Mishka’s cheeks now. I reach out, and capturing one on my fingertip, I bring it to my lips and taste the saltiness of her sorrow.
“You have to let me try to do something to stop this? There must be another way?” she says sorrowfully.
I shake my head.
“No, it’s my time. My regrets will die with me, but I’ll have the knowledge you’ll continue to live happily.”
I lower my forehead until it’s touching Mishka’s.
“No more tears. We need to prepare. I’m guessing we’ll be going back to the cave on foot again because you’re stubborn.”
Mishka smiles, and it reaches all the way to her eyes before she freezes, and presses her lips against mine. They’re warm, the most beautiful warmth I’ve ever felt in my entire life. She tastes of honey and pure innocence in contrast to my demonic nature.
She pulls back with a shocked expression on her face and touches her lips.
“They’re not cold.”
“What?”
“Your lips, I feel the heat of your passion on them.”
“It must be a memory of another.”
Mishka shakes her head. “There’s been no other. I’ve not lived until this moment, and I’m not going to stop now.”
She offers me her hand. I look down at it and eventually take it, allowing her to lead me to the bed.
I may cease to exist tomorrow, but tonight, I'm going to live again, for one last time.
11
Mishka
This is probably the craziest decision I’ve ever made, but I know I need to be with Howie before I lose him from my life forever. Fate is a cruel and horrible friend to me right now. In a short space of time, I’ve lost my father, and now I’m faced with losing a man I’m starting to respect, knowing he isn’t the monster he believes himself to be.
I could never fall for a monster in the way I am the enigmatic Howie. He’s just like me but a much more experienced and wiser version. He’s inquisitive but finds comfort in the old ways, even if he does tease me for being extreme in my preferences.
“Don’t leave me alone tonight, Howie. Tomorrow everything will change, but tonight I want you with me.” I lead him to the bed and motion for him to sit while I stand back and begin to remove my clothes, starting with the tunic style top I’m wearing.
“Mishka.” Howie places his hand over mine to stop me from lifting my top. “You can’t go back once you’ve done this. I don’t want you to lose respect from the other slayers because you’ve chosen to give yourself to me.”
A small chuckle crosses my lips. “I wouldn’t worry about that one. I’m not the first slayer to give herself to a vampire with a tortured soul, and I won’t be the last. I guess something knits us all together when we need it to, and right now, I need you.”
“Then, who am I to stop you.” Howie removes his hand from mine and lies back on the bed, his strong forearms resting behind his head. “I’ve seen you in my dreams over the years, but I haven’t known why. It’s because of this moment.”
“You’ve seen me in your dreams?”
“Yes, often. Your eyes, they pierce inside me and see the real me, every single time.”
I pull my top over my head and slip the straps of my bra down my arms before unhooking it and dropping it to the floor. Howie slowly lowers his gaze from my eyes down to my breasts. He opens his mouth and closes it like he’s trying to control his breathing. Something he no longer needs to do.
“You’re beautiful. I’ve seen many women in my lifetime, but none compare to you.”
“Did you mean what you said the other day, you’ve stayed away from women?” I step closer and lower the pants I’m wearing. Then, leaving on my panties, I climb onto the bed beside him.
“I’ve had a lonely four hundred years. I’ve spent it learning and waiting to discover the reason for my existence in the world. Nothing else has mattered until this moment and you.”
Howie sits up on the bed and pulls his t-shirt over his head. His skin is pale next to mine, the contrast made more obvious when I place my hand on his chest. His flesh should be cold, but it isn’t. I can feel a faint warmth—the part of him that allows him to dance with the flames of fire. It proves to me the person I’m talking to isn’t completely undead, and it excites me.
I lean forward and press my lips to his again as Howie pulls me over him, so I’m straddling his lap. When I break our kiss, he lowers his head to taste at the sensitive flesh of my breasts, and the small nipples harden instantly to tight peaks of pleasure.
“Feels good,” I moan as he wraps his tongue around one, flicking at the sensitive bud.
“You said before you were innocent, does that mean-” Howie’s about to ask whether I’m a virgin, but before he can finish his sentence, I answer.
“I’ve never been with a man. I’m a traditional girl, remember. Besides, slaying vampires tends to be detrimental to having a relationship.”
“I can imagine the conversation…sorry, darling, hold that thought. I have a monster to go and kill.” Howie flips us over, so I’m now on my back and he’s staring down at me. “I’m also sure there aren’t many men who would cope with their woman being stronger than them.”
“It’s most definitely true. I’ve heard it from a few slayers before.”
I test my strength against Howie and flip him, so he’s on his back again.
He raises an eyebrow at me before changing our position once more. As my back hits the bed for a second time, he lowers himself farther down my body. He grabs the waistband of my panties and rips them clean from my body. A torrent of wanton moans slip from my mouth as Howie lowers his face to my pussy and licks the length of it. He raises his head and stares directly at me.
“This is the only way I want to taste you. I don’t need blood to get me hard. Just let me in between your thighs, and I’ll feast for hours.”
“That’s good to hear. I don’t fancy having to kill you after you’ve taken me.” I chuckle as Howie delves back between my thighs and kisses at the scorching hot flesh there.
I grip tightly to the sheets as he explores my pussy and teases the sensitive nub of my clit.
“Howie,” I moan lustfully as he dips a large finger inside my opening. It burns but feels good. He joins it with another, and I arch off the bed with the need thundering its way through my body like a freight train. “More,” I beg, and Howie gives it to me. His tongue flicks quickly at my clit, simultaneously as he slides his fingers in and out of me.
My orgasm slams into me out of nowhere, and I let out a loud roar, my animal half taking over, the instinct I’m feeling almost primeval. My manicured nails change to the claws of my leopard and rip through the bedsheets.
After what feels like an eternity of pleasure, my body sags to the bed, and Howie stands up. Through hooded eyes, I watch as he removes his jeans and places them neatly on a nearby chair. His erection stands proud at his core, the tip reaching midway up his torso with its great length. I gasp, suddenly nervous about having something that big inside me, but when Howie lowers himself over me and kisses at my lips, all feelings of insecurity disappear. I feel only love and affection for him. I’m falling deeply for a vampire who must die to rid me of my greatest enemy. Fate is cruel, but for now, I’ll beat it by enjoying this moment and embedding every memory of it into my head so I can play it back whenever I’m lonely.
“Are you sure about this?” Howie questions, and I feel the head of his hard cock nestling at the apex between my thighs.
I’m wet and ready for him. I want him, and I could never say no. Nothing is going to stop me from experiencing this now.
“Yes, take me and make me yours, Howie. I’ll never be anyone else's even if I have to live on without you. This moment will mark my fut
ure forever.”
Howie presses a kiss to my lips, and as he pushes slowly inside me, he strokes a hand down my face and says, “My slayer, my love, the one I never knew I wanted until she walked into my life and knocked me down with her wonder. Her courage and strength are unsurpassable. You’ll win the fight we’re going into and show the world not all monsters hold pure darkness within them.”
“For you, forever and always.”
I welcome Howie inside me. It stings a little as he breaks through the barrier of my virginity to claim me, but it’s a glorious feeling, and one I welcome with enthusiasm and the cry of a wild cat.
My sounds become increasingly animalistic as Howie thrusts into me. Our needs growing more urgent as we move together, our lips and hands searching, and our bodies connected in the most intimate of ways. A monster and a killer—a slayer and her prey. There is no them and us as Howie and I make love like normal people who aren't enshrouded in enmity and darkness.
My claws appear again and dig into Howie’s flesh, scraping down his torso and bringing him closer to me every time he thrusts deep. I can feel another orgasm building quickly. It’s going to be stronger than the last one—the most powerful emotion I’ve ever felt, and as it hits me, my head spins with happiness. Howie buries himself deep inside me and growls out his release.
His forehead changes, and his fangs descend in his mouth as his animal instinct takes over and his vampire emerges, but he doesn’t lean down to bite me even after I’ve made my mark on him. He won’t drink from me no matter what. It’s not in his nature. It suddenly hits me, as a leopard shifter, I’m more of an animal than Howie. He’s gentle, caring, and my protector all at the same time.
I don’t want to lose him.
He dies, and I’ll die with him. There must be some other way.
12
Adiman