After Sundown: Redemption

by Eden Robins

  “It’s time, Cristobal. First we’ll exchange blood, then you will be mine.” Bazhena gave him a seductive smile as she opened the long silk robe she was wearing. Her bare body was revealed beneath. Christian couldn’t help staring at her. Her body was made to please a man. That was one thing he would never forget.

  When she ran one of her nails across one breast, barely above her nipple, blood immediately came to the surface, beading along the cut. Christian’s mouth watered. He remembered the rich, heady taste of her. She was a very old vampire. And she had taken so many lives. Her blood was filled with their essence, powerful and rich. His beast roared with joy. It knew her taste. Knew the power it held. She slowly closed the remaining distance between them. As she did so, her men also closed in around him and held him back, restraining his movements. He growled low in his throat.

  “Don’t worry about them, my pet. This feeding is just for you.” Bazhena moved forward so that her chest was in easy reach of his mouth. She leaned her head back and held her arms out on either side of her. “Only for you. Drink from me, Cristobal.”

  Christian didn’t hesitate. He needed his strength if he was deal with Bazhena. He had to make sure she kept up her part of the bargain—him in exchange for Alyssa and Vlad’s life. It was the only way. He clamped onto Bazhena breast and suckled her.

  She cried out with pleasure. Grasping his head in her hands, she pressed him closer. He drank ferociously. Despite her evilness, her blood was ancient and it filled him with a surge of power. As he felt her nipple harden under his tutelage, felt her blood’s sweetness run into his mouth, he recalled the times they had spent together. His body tingled with pleasure as all the erotic images came to mind.

  Mind.

  She was trying to control him even now. He could feel her seductive presence winding through his brain. Touching him, luring him, teasing him. He growled low in his throat and pressed his mouth harder against her. He drank as quickly as he could. Trying to get as much of her power as possible. Trying to ignore the passion-filled haze she was wrapping around him.

  “Enough!”

  He barely heard Bazhena’s voice. He was too lost in the taste of her blood, the pleasure it brought him. Before he knew what was happening, he was pulled away from her. His hunger was barely sated. He needed more. He leaned forward, but was held back by her vamps.

  His eyes snapped up to meet Bazhena’s. Her eyes were bright with desire as they ran hungrily over his body. He could tell she would like nothing better than to have him then and there. Longing, then regret filled her face.

  She turned away from him for a moment. When she finally faced him again, Christian could tell she had gotten her passion under control. Her face had once more become cold and unfeeling.

  Too bad, maybe he could have used it against her.

  “Now that you have drunk from me first, we can finish the ceremony.”

  “Ceremony?” Christian asked suspiciously.

  “Yes, Cristobal. The ceremony is almost complete. I just need to say the last few words and take your blood, then it will be done.”

  Warning bells went off in Christian’s head.

  “What are you talking about Bazhena?”

  “Well, it’s very simple actually. I’ve pursued a legend for some time—a legend of untold power. I had collected all of the necessary parts of the puzzle, except one.”

  “The Light,” Christian said.

  “Yes, The Light. Now I have it, so I can finish the ceremony. Soon I will be the most powerful creature in creation. None will be able to refuse me, so I will rule over humans and preternatural creatures alike. The world will be my oyster.”

  Bazhena’s eyes glazed with triumph and something not quite sane. Christian ignored it as her words finally sunk in.

  “You have The Light?” Had Bazhena gotten to Alyssa without him knowing about it? Had his efforts been for nothing? But wouldn’t he have felt it if she was hurt or in trouble?”

  Bazhena’s husky laugh filled the room. Her vamps laughed along with her. Christian frowned in confusion. What the hell was going on? The laughter finally died down. Bazhena’s eyes turned crafty.

  “Yes, I have The Light. He’s standing right in front of me. You are The Light, my pet.” She stared at him with anticipation in her eyes. Waited for a response, as if she relished the moment.

  Christian ignored her. Him? He was The Light? How was that possible?

  “You’re wrong, Bazhena. The Light is somebody who has devoted their life to helping others. Who feels it’s their duty to do so. I’ve done no such thing.”

  “Haven’t you?” Bazhena smiled almost tenderly. “I seem to recall a fledgling vampire who had once been in my power, he had everything before him. He could have killed and fed to his heart’s desire and have a beautiful woman by his side. He and I could have ruled the world together, but he turned against me. He forsakes the pleasure of the hunt, the pleasure of drinking from victims so frightened their blood was sweet and rich with adrenaline. And he gave up the pleasure of the kill. Of feeling his victim’s puny little hearts slow and eventually stop as he took their life force. He tasted of all of this, yet he turned his back on it. He silenced and muzzled the proud beast inside of him that so often tempted him. That roared for release. That screamed to live its life as it was meant to. Instead of plundering mankind, he decided to help and protect it. He made it his duty. He devoted his life to it. And has followed through with that devotion for many, many years. He became a hero to mankind.”

  Bazhena said the last words with distaste, as if they were dirt in her mouth.

  Christian shook his head back and forth. No. It couldn’t be.

  “You have the wrong guy. I’m no hero and definitely not The Light. I appreciate the feed. I can’t deny that your blood is a heady treat. But I’m not the one you’re looking for.” He smiled mockingly.

  Bazhena’s eyes grew angry at his mocking tone.

  “Oh, I think you are, my pet. But either way we’ll see, because I plan to finish the ceremony right now, then suck every last drop of blood from your body. If it works, then you will be dead and I will become the powerful goddess I wish to be.”

  “And if it doesn’t?” Christian had to keep Bazhena talking. He had to stall her as long as possible, so he could figure out what to do.

  An evil grin spread across her face.

  “Then I will go with my second alternative. Your lovely little human will make a tasty snack—or your brave friend, Vlad. I’ll kill them both as a consolation prize until I can find another Light. But I don’t think it will come to that. You are the key to my power, I have no doubt.”

  Christian growled and tried to lunge at her, but the vamps held him back.

  “We had a deal. Me in exchange for Alyssa and Vlad.”

  Bazhena rolled her eyes.

  “Oh that. Well, it would be a deal, except for the fact that you’re going to be dead in a few minutes, so you really can’t hold up your end of the bargain, can you, darling?”

  Christian roared. He struggled violently against the men holding him. He threw a few of them off, but there were just too many. Holding him in place, they pulled his head back, so that his neck was vulnerable and exposed.

  One of the men closest to Bazhena handed her an ancient looking scroll. She unrolled it and began reading it aloud.

  “The Light shall fill me with its purity. I take its essence into me. I leave nothing behind. Its power becomes my power. And so it shall be done.”

  As she spoke she moved closer to him. He strained against the chains, but the vamps held him in place. He saw Bazhena’s eyes light with anticipation as her incisors elongated in her mouth. She placed her lips near his ear.

  “I’m sorry to lose you, my pet. But this power is all I’ve ever wanted. Now all mankind will pay for what they did to me. No one will ever turn away from me again.” She slid her mouth down his neck. Her teeth grazed his skin once, then again. “I will make this as pleasant as possible for
you, Cristobal. You deserve that, at least. Goodbye.”

  Bazhena’s teeth sank deeply into his skin. He could feel his blood pouring from him to her as she took great gulps of it. Yet he felt little pain, she made sure of that. She kept sending soothing thoughts to him, but he continued to struggle. The vamps around him held on tightly. He fought with all his strength, but soon even that failed him. He felt weakness start to seep into him as Bazhena continued to take his blood. Everything around him started to grow fuzzy and dim.

  That’s when he heard it. Christian was sure it was just a hallucination, but he strained to hear it again.

  Christian? Please hold on. We’re on our way to you. Don’t let go. Vlad and I are almost there. Fight it, my love, fight it. I’m with you now. Can you feel it? I won’t leave you. Stay with me.

  Joy rushed through him as he heard Alyssa reach out to him in this way. They truly were bonded. True mates.

  But it was too late. He wouldn’t last much longer.

  It’s too late. Stay away. I’m sorry I failed you. I love you, palomita. Goodbye.

  With the last of his strength he sent her his thoughts. Then everything grew dark.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “No!”

  Alyssa scream filled the car.

  Everyone’s eyes turned to her.

  “What is it, Alyssa? What’s wrong?” Vlad asked as he pulled into the parking lot of another rundown, abandoned building.

  Alyssa’s eyes were wide with fear.

  “He’s fading fast. Bazhena’s close to killing him. We need to hurry. It’s almost too late.”

  Alyssa started to get out of the car.

  Vlad held her arm.

  “You must stay with me, Alyssa. You don’t know what kind of powers are at work here.”

  “Then let’s move it, Vlad. I told you, it’s almost too late. Christian can’t hold out much longer.”

  Alyssa jumped out of the car. Vlad followed.

  Eric and Amy also climbed out.

  Vlad turned to back to them.

  “No, Eric. You take the car and drive Amy back to the club. It’s only a few minutes from here. Then come back and park on the street. Whatever you do, do not come inside. If Bazhena succeeds with her plan, she’ll be able to control all mankind. That means you too. And I wouldn’t want to have to kill you.” Vlad gave Eric an arrogant grin.

  “You wish,” Eric said as he and Amy got back in the car. “Good luck.”

  Vlad nodded, then turned back towards the building.

  “Let’s go.”

  He and Alyssa approached the entrance.

  “Bazhena will know we’re here, won’t she?

  “It depends on how involved she is in the ceremony. If she is totally focused, she may not. Let’s hope that is the case because surprise is just about the only thing we have going for us.”

  Getting into the building was easier than either of them thought. The front door was open. They walked right in. No one was around. Alyssa closed her eyes and tried to feel Christian. She didn’t know how she did it, but she could.

  “He’s back here,” she whispered to Vlad as she walked down a hallway towards where she sensed he was.

  Vlad followed without a word. They reached a closed door. Alyssa grabbed the knob, then turned back with a questioning look.

  Vlad nodded silently.

  She twisted the knob and slowly pushed the door open. What she saw stopped her in her tracks. Icy fingers of fear wrapped around her heart. Bazhena in all her naked glory was bent over Christian. He was on his knees in chains. His head was thrown back, a pure look of ecstasy written all over his face as Bazhena gorged herself on him.

  Alyssa moved into the room. Suddenly four men appeared. They circled around her, growling menacingly.

  One of the men smiled evilly, showing his sharp teeth. He ran his gaze hungrily over Alyssa. Then he licked his lips with anticipation in his eyes.

  “Great. A snack. I’m starving.”

  Alyssa’s eyes widened with fear.

  She swung around as she heard a surprised yelp behind her. Vlad picked one of the men up by his hair and threw him across the room. He hit the wall with a loud thud, slid to the ground and didn’t move.

  “I’m hungry too,” Vlad said with a leer. “Who would like to be my first course?”

  The other vamps looked at Vlad with surprise and more than a little fear.

  “Beware, he is an ancient one,” the vamp who had threatened her said to the others. They all nodded as they watched Vlad warily.

  Alyssa took advantage of their inattention to slip beyond them. She strode towards the spot where Bazhena leaned over Christian. But before she reached them, Bazhena stood up and slowly turned around.

  Alyssa gasped and took a step back.

  Bazhena glowed. There was no other word for it. Her body looked illuminated with an energy that surrounded her. It reminded her of some of the holy scenes she had seen on the beautifully stained glass at St. Paul’s church in New York City. Prominent figures were haloed in a holy light. Bazhena had that light around her. But Alyssa knew it was far from holy. It was evil. It was corrupted power that filled the vampire.

  Bazhena laughed triumphantly, ignoring the blood dripping from her mouth. Christian’s blood. She looked down at herself and flexed her muscles. She was fixated on the power that surrounded her.

  “It is done. I am the most powerful creature on earth. No one will be able to deny me.” Bazhena laughed again. It sounded almost crazed. This time she punctuated her words by swinging her arms around and smashing the two poles holding Christian chained. Alyssa turned away, shielding her eyes as wood splintered everywhere.

  When she swung back to face Bazhena, she was gone. Turning full circle, Alyssa scanned the room. When she finally saw Bazhena, she couldn’t believe her eyes. All the vamps in the room, including Vlad were bowed on one knee in front of her. She stood tall, looking down on them with a satisfied smile and an insane look in her eyes.

  “Hmm. How nice. You all are bowed down to me, as you should be. Now whom should I begin with? Vlad, I think I’ll save you for last. Your death will be slow and painful, of course.” Bazhena chuckled as she pointed to one of the other vamps.

  “You. Come to me,” she commanded.

  When the man started to stand, Bazhena stopped him.

  “No. Crawl to me like the dog you are.”

  “Yes, mistress.” The man obeyed, crawling to her.

  “Now kiss my feet.”

  “Yes, mistress.” Again the man obeyed without question. Alyssa noticed all the men had sort of a crazed look on their faces. They also were looking at Bazhena with intense desire, as if they all hungered desperately for her.

  The legend!

  Bazhena had completed the ceremony. Now all mankind would do her bidding and find her totally irresistible.

  Alyssa started to back away as she gave the man another order.

  “Good. Now kill yourself. Take that piece of wood next to you and pierce your heart.”

  Alyssa watched in horror as the man did her bidding without question.

  “Yes, mistress.” He crawled to the piece of wood she pointed to, picked it up and drove it through his own chest.

  He squirmed on the floor few a few seconds, then lay still.

  Bazhena’s insane laughter filled the room.

  “Goody.” She clapped her hands like a child at a candy store. “Now you. Crawl to me.”

  The vamp she pointed to did so without hesitation.

  Alyssa turned back to where Christian lay. Maybe she could help him. Find some way out of here before Bazhena could get to them. She knew she wasn’t thinking clearly, but she thought that if she could just get Christian out of here, everything would be okay. She needed to get Christian out.

  She slowly moved towards him, glancing back at Bazhena every few seconds to make sure she hadn’t noticed her. Alyssa finally reached Christian. Looking down at him, everything froze inside of her. A small puddle
of blood had formed around him. It was coming from the puncture wound on his neck. Barely. There was obviously so little left in his body that the blood was only coming out in slow, small, reluctant drops.

  Her surroundings faded away as Alyssa’s memories came rushing back. Her mother dead on the floor, just like Christian, in a pool of her own blood. No. Not again. She was too late again. Too late to save Christian, just as she had been too late to save her mother.

  Too late, too late, too late…

  Alyssa didn’t even realize she was screaming until Bazhena appeared by her side. Alyssa clamped her mouth shut and looked at the woman with fear. She waited for the vampire to speak, waited for her to utter the words that would make Alyssa unable to resist.

  Bazhena studied Alyssa curiously, like an insect. Then she glanced down at Christian. When she glanced back up, regret was in her eyes.

  “If he wasn’t The Light, I think I would have spared him, he was one of the few men I actually cared about. But there was no other way. If I was to gain true power over the world, then Cristobal had to die. I will miss my pet.”

  Alyssa was surprised by the regret in the vamp’s words. But before she could dwell on it, Bazhena’s expression changed from regret to evil delight in an instant.

  “I think I will take care of you now, pitiful human. All but Vlad are dead and he and I have a personal issue to settle before he dies. It may take a while.” Bazhena’s face lit with anticipation.

  Alyssa glanced across the room. All the men were on the ground. Dead. Except for Vlad. He still knelt on one knee, bowing.

  “I really don’t know what Cristobal saw in you. You look weak and frail to me. I guess I’ll never know. It’s of little consequence now anyway,” Bazhena said with a shrug.

  “Bow down to me now, pitiful mortal. Bow down to your mistress.”

  Alyssa waited for the words to overcome her, for her to fall to her feet enthralled by the spell and Bazhena.