Once back at Dorian’s home, Alessandra wondered about Dorian’s elaborate wealth…not to mention a few others who looked like him wandering around the large estate.
“What are you?” Alessandra quickly turned to Dorian.
“One who will give you what you asked.” Dorian strolled toward her. “I just ask for one thing in return.”
“You said you will help my mother?”
Dorian nodded and he slipped a pale finger into a lock of her golden blond hair. “Yes.”
Alessandra inhaled a quick breath as Dorian’s body shoved against hers. In that moment she knew he wasn’t normal. No man’s body was as cold as his next to hers.
“Don’t be afraid my dear.” He drew the lock of hair to his face, inhaling the soft fragrance of rose oil. “I can give you more than you asked. I shall give you something men have died for trying to obtain. Just one kiss is all I ask.”
Alessandra’s eyes widened. What kind of man was this who could ask for just one kiss? Her lips trembled as she nodded in agreement.
Dorian gently slid his hand behind Alessandra’s neck, cradling her head in his hand. He watched as her chest heaved with her quickly panted breaths as he lowered his head toward her. As his lips touched hers, he could hear her loudly pounding heart. Her scent was more than delicious to him as his tongue grazed the top of her lips.
Alessandra’s lips slowly parted. She felt the coolness of his tongue as it slid into her mouth as he explored the new region completely. The sweet and delightful taste mixed with the hint of whiskey enveloped her. Her mind became lost in an exotic mix of flavors. She became weak as she hungered for more of his kiss.
Delighted by Alessandra’s response, Dorian pulled her body closer to his, consuming her with the immortal kiss of a vampire. He knew the venom in his saliva would be enough to weaken her…it always was. He could feel her body molding against his, her tongue delightfully and playfully chasing his. Yes, it was time he took more.
Dorian held her tight against his frame. Her back arched as he leaned forward and moved his lips to her neck. Alessandra softly moaned as the trail of kisses lingered against her skin. He inhaled a quick breath, knowing her worries would soon be over…forever.
As Dorian’s mind came back to the present he realized Alessandra wasn’t Caitlin. Anger swept over him. His eyes travel further down her stomach to the connection of his body entering hers. He did like to see what he was accomplishing. He watched as the excitement overwhelmed him. Damn, this will be Caitlin one day, he thought, continuing to watch while he drove harder into Alessandra.
Snapping his head toward the bedroom door, he stopped suddenly. That smell! His eyes closed while he inhaled deeply, exploring the scent. Dorian’s eyes opened wide. He knew that smell, it was Caitlin’s blood. Not only was it her blood, but there was the scent of sex mixed in the air.
“Bitch!” he hissed.
“Dorian!” she growled. The sudden release surprised her as he dropped her on the floor. “You can’t leave me this way!”
“Finish it yourself!” he seethed and then he grabbed his jeans.
He pulled on his jeans then quickly headed toward the door. Damn that beast. He would kill them both, he grumbled in thought as he marched out of the bedroom.
Taking his time walking down the hall, he contemplated how he would kill them. Adriel knew better than to cross him. He knew he was not to touch her. How many times had Dorian warned him? How many times had he told him to stay away from her? Caitlin had been warned more than enough times. Still she didn’t listen. Over a hundred years of waiting for the right time to take her, the right time for someone to remove that damn necklace and he failed once again. This time Dorian would not fail.
Curse or no curse, pain or no pain, Dorian would kill Adriel then take Caitlin. He would take her so violently she would wish she were dead. Better than that, she would beg for her death to come quickly. Satisfied, Dorian would oblige her request in part and take her life in the slowest manner possible. She would suffer before her eyes closed. Protection or not, she would need more than a necklace to save her now.
Dorian marched down the hallway, following the delicious scent of Caitlin’s blood. The scent he recognized which came from Adriel’s room. With every step he took, his anger turned into rage. He didn’t care if the damn pendant burned his hand off, he would rip it from her neck. For all the pain and torment she had caused him over these last one hundred years it was not worth it any longer. Tonight the torment would end and with it her life.
Chapter 8
Before Adriel could speak another word, the door to the bedroom opened. Dorian stood in the doorway, his eyes flared red with a blood rage. A killing rage. Worse yet, Adriel knew what it meant. The Master was enraged because something far more valuable than Caitlin’s virtue had been stolen, her love.
“I will kill you both!” Dorian roared as he sprang toward Adriel.
Caitlin‘s scream froze in her throat. Adriel swiftly moved away from her. Every second was a blur as she watched him leap toward Dorian. It was not Adriel who made contact with the vampire, but a large black wolf. Not the evil werewolf, but the wolf she knew. To her surprise, it was the wolf she played with as a child.
For the first time, in that split second she knew it was Adriel who was the gentle loving and playful wolf who watched over her all those years. He was her watchman, her NightMan.
Dorian caught the massive wolf by its sides as the two sailed into the far corner of the wall. The two bodies collided with a tremendous crash, tearing down the beautiful tapestry.
The wolf was suddenly thrown to the side, landing sideways against the tall canopy bed. Caitlin grabbed the sheets tighter around her as a scream erupted from her mouth. Dorian moved with incredible speed. He picked the wolf up and gave him another sling toward the window.
“No-o-o-o!” Caitlin’s eyes widened with fear.
The large black wolf hit the window, the glass shattered, but the wolf didn’t fall through. Instead he slid down into the shards of glass that lay on the floor. It was over, Dorian thought. He watched the wolf’s body go limp. Dorian’s attention turned to Caitlin. His eyes burned with joy when he saw the necklace was no longer around her neck.
“Ah Caitlin, my torment has ended this night. At last I shall give to you all that I am and then kill you ever so slowly,” Dorian seethed and then moved closer toward her.
“Let me go Dorian! Please!” Caitlin screamed. “You have nothing to take from me!”
Dorian moved quickly to Caitlin and grabbed her by the neck. “Your life my dear,” he hissed as he pulled her up from the bed.
Caitlin’s eyes widened as they peered past Dorian’s shoulder. Dorian froze for a moment. The expression on Caitlin’s face was something other than fear. Slowly Dorian turned around. A low growl rumbled from the black wolf that was airborne toward the two of them.
Dorian dropped Caitlin, but was not fast enough to catch the large black wolf. Caitlin moved quickly out of the way as the two bodies fell on the floor beside the bed.
The large wolf’s teeth bore down against Dorian’s neck. Caitlin heard loud tearing noises and a mixture of deeply triumphant and plainly terrified growls. Her heart pounded, and her breath came to a quick halt. For the moment she couldn’t tell which one growled in triumph, and which one acknowledged its imminent and irrevocable final defeat. Her mind swirled with the horrifying thought of losing Adriel. If he was lost, then she would gladly accept any death that waited for her. She no longer had the will to live without Adriel’s love. Silence suddenly filled the room.
Caitlin slightly trembled as she leaned forward, anxious to know the victor. Slowly Adriel rose to his feet. A flash of fire erupted from the body of what once was Dorian. Suddenly a puff of grey ashes dissipated into thin air. Dorian was gone.
Terrifying screams echoed throughout the luxurious mansion, followed by a deadly silence. Every vampire in the house met their end. The curse of a vampire was lifted.
“It was you,” Caitlin’s voice trembled.
Adriel’s eyes softened. “Yes Caitlin. It was I who watched over you as a little girl. It was I who watched you grow into the beautiful woman you are now. There was no secret to your father’s curse. He knew I was in love with you back then. It was his wish I stay close to you and protect you. Alexander knew one day you would love the man as much as you loved the wolf.”
Caitlin moved quickly into Adriel’s arms, embracing him tightly.
“I can’t promise you forever, but as long as I live I will love and protect you.”
“I don’t need forever, I just need you,” Caitlin whispered against his lips, as she drew him closer.
The moon was still young that night. Caitlin and Adriel were free to live their lives together in love. Adriel knew it was not the strength of the wolf which killed Dorian. Nor was it a curse. The power of love freed them both. The type of love that was strong enough to break any curse. For once in their lives they could live and love freely.
Chapter 9
Thirteen years later….Caitlin sat in the middle of a beautiful green meadow. Purple, pink and white wild flowers surrounded her as she reached for a tan picnic basket. The breeze stirred softly around her, tossing her blond hair around her face. Her soft pink lips pursed together as her fingers gently removed the stray strands from her face.
A little girl, twelve years old sat at the edge of the blue and green blanket giggling softly as she grabbed the nose of a large wolf. The wolf playful nudged the child.
“Adriel, come now. It’s time to eat,” Caitlin announced. She opened the picnic basket and pulled out an array of sandwiches.
The wolf turned back into his human form. Adriel dressed in his jeans and joined his family on the blanket.
“Is this the life you dreamed of my dear?” he cooed softly to Caitlin.
Caitlin’s eyes fluttered as the corner of her lips turned into a smile. “A life with you was all I dreamed of my love.”
“And me too daddy!” the little girl stood and plowed on top of her parents.
Adriel laughed a hardy laugh as he caught the child in his arms. “Yes Eliza. And you too.”
Caitlin smiled broadly, watching Eliza in the arms of her father. She had that same dark tanned skin and those same black eyes. Eliza was her father’s child in more ways than one.
“Will I get to be a wolf one day daddy?” Eliza asked in a bright and cheerful voice.
“Yes, my dear Eliza you will be a wolf one day,” Adriel answered as he situated her on his lap with a sandwich between her hands.
“Then I’m going to be the best wolf ever!” Eliza announced proudly.
“I’m sure you will,” Caitlin spoke softly.
The evening had come to a close and Adriel walked his family back home to the small chateau nestled in the heart of his homeland. Ireland remained the place where he considered home. He knew in his heart Caitlin was elated to be somewhere closer to where she grew up. It had been quite a long trip for the both of them.
Adriel stopped in front of the door and turned to Caitlin, his eyes and heart full of joy. He realized even though she had aged a few years, she was as beautiful as the day they broke the dreadful curse.
“We are home once again.” He opened the door for the two loveliest ladies in his life.
Caitlin paused while Eliza ran into the house. Slowly her eyes lifted to Adriel’s. Could she be more in love with this man? After thirteen years she still felt the same love flow over her as that first night they were together.
“Adriel, I believe I love you more now than I did thirteen years ago,” she purred, moving closer into his arms.
A soft growl rumbled deep in his chest. “And I you…my love. We are here and there is nothing else we need.”
“Well one thing…” Caitlin giggled. “Maybe an extra baby room.”
Adriel’s body stiffened. His eyes widened in surprise.
“You mean…?” he began breathlessly.
Caitlin’s broad smile ensured she wasn’t teasing the hunk of man she married.
“I guess, when you said you wanted a pack of kids…” she began.
“A pack is fine with me, as long as you are the mother of my brood,” he spoke proudly and swooped her into his arms. “It’s a forever thing you know.”
Caitlin nuzzled her face next to his. “Yes…” her lips moved lightly against Adriel’s. “A forever kind of thing.”
Author T.L. Mitchell
T.L. Mitchell lives in Florida where she enjoys writing paranormal romance novels, movies, music and coffee.
In 2010, her website www.darkofknightseries.com won the P&E Award of Excellence. Her horror short story, Silver Moon won a writing contest and was publishing in the anthology called The UnDead Nation published by ZylonPublishing.
Watch for more books by T.L. Mitchell as she continues to explore Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, YA Romance and Horror.
Other Books Available
Dark of kNight by T.L. Mitchell
Julie Knight never knew how much her life would change after the death of her father. Discovering she’s a wolf shape-shifter takes her on a journey filled with love, passion, danger and vampires.
Fall of kNight by T.L. Mitchell
The continuing story of the kNight Series. Julie is caught between her love for the sexy wolf mate Daniel Maxwell and her compelling desire for the inhumanly beautiful and seductive vampire Richard.
The NightMan Page 5