NightFall: Book One: Bloodlust Is the Cure for the Immortal Soul

by Anastacia Kelley

  Indea found it harder and harder to restrain herself from Saldivar. She knew for a fact he wanted her but he kept her at arms length when it came to love making. The skill in which he molded his hands over her body, it was as if he were sculpting her, wanting to leave the impressions of her body in his mind and on his hands.

  Oh, yeah, he wanted her. His eyes caressed her and she could swear she could feel his actual hands touching her all over even though not a hand was near her. Peculiar.

  Perhaps it was just wishful thinking on her part. But his kisses spoke volumes. He made love to her mind and her mouth but not her body. It was becoming a tad more than frustrating.

  If Indea was grinding her teeth over her predicament, Simone had already worn hers down.

  Not making love to Van wasn’t Simone’s only issue, however. Though he told her plenty of things she would later weave into a story, he was a bit secretive about other things. She loved mystery but how much was too much?

  Simone also began to notice the pattern to which they went out. Why was it always after dusk? Why not enjoy a leisurely breakfast on a patio while the morning rays danced on your skin?

  That and another thing bothered her. Breakfast. Well, not breakfast, per se, but the whole act of eating. With a body like Van’s he would have to eat a good amount to keep up his strength.

  The entire time she’s known Van, she has yet to see him eat anything.

  Usually, it was the woman who picked around food in the earliest stages of dating.

  The whole situation confounded her. Why? What was going on here? Maybe she should ask Indea if Saldivar is doing the same thing. If his pattern also mirrored Van’s.

  Would Indea think she’d gone off her deep end?

  Probably so.

  No. It was most likely her writer’s curiosity again. The investigative reporter in her sometimes sparked to life over the most trivial of puzzles.

  There was a reasonable explanation for Van’s nightly hours, she was sure of it.

  All she had to do was ask.

  *

  After brunch the next morning, Simone and Indea decided to stay in and play a few hands of Rummy.

  The weather looked grim and a little questionable today any way. There was no chance of going out on a day like this one.

  The sun had decided to play peek-a-boo with the clouds earlier that morning. Eventually, the clouds won out and the sun stayed permanently behind the ever darkening puffs.

  The wind had continued to pick up considerably during the morning and by half past noon, Simone and the Skys’ heard the familiar rat-a-tat of rain. It had grown into a steady down pour, beating down relentlessly on the roof top.

  It gave Simone the perfect chance to discuss some crucial matters that have been weighing heavily on her mind.

  An hour, and a convincing talk later, Simone felt relieved with her conversation with Indea.

  Since the rain had not let up its onslaught, Simone decided to take a cat nap. She loved the hypnotic tattoo of the rain. Perfect for a rest. She went into the closed in porch and settled on a lounge chair. The rain quickly lulled her to sleep.

  *

  Raven sensed him before she saw him.

  Now what was up his butt this time? She thought, exasperated.

  “I heard that,” Zane commented snidely.

  Raven turned on her heel and looked him dead in the eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Good. Because I meant for you to………….daddy.” She let out a mocking snort.

  Zane leaped forward, leering down at her in contempt. “Don’t call me that.”

  “What?” she asked with feigned innocence. “Call you daddy? Well, you are, are you not?”

  Zane’s nostrils flared as his eyes glowed fire. “Yes, I’m sad to admit. You only do it to further anger me. Do you like being humiliated and beaten, half breed?”

  Raven lifted her chin defiantly. “Does it matter? You would still do it regardless of what I say or do and if I still obeyed your every psychotic demand.”

  Zane smiled menacingly. “Yes. And you will continue to do so or it will be back to Wilsbrook for you.” At her wince, he laughed. “So, you do remember that hospital for experimental procedures?”

  Raven broke eye contact and Zane knew he had her. She thought on it any way. Which was worse? Doing all of Zane’s dirty work? Something that could possibly end her existence if she kept on doing it? Or back to Wilsbrook?

  Raven lifted her head and said evenly, “You are far worse than Wilsbrook,” but she only half meant it.

  “Really?” Zane crossed the room to the phone sitting on the end table.

  Raven’s eyes widened in panic but said with more bravado than she felt, “What are you doing, Zane?”

  Zane’s voice took on a sarcastic tone. “You love Wilsbrook so much, maybe we should just call Dr. Ganden right now. I’ll tell him you are just dying to go back to Wilsbrook.” He picked up the phone. “How about it, half breed? I’m sure Dr. Ganden will find it pleasurable to have you…………back.” He didn’t need to imply what he meant. Raven knew full well what Zane was insinuating.

  Raven crossed the room in lightning speed and grabbed the receiver even though she had no chance of wrenching it from Zane’s iron grip. “No, Zane. You won’t.” She pushed him, which she knew immediately was a huge mistake.

  “I won’t?” With one back handed shove, Raven flew across the room. She hit the wall with such force that it actually caved in, leaving the imprint of her body. She fell to the floor in a crumpled heap.

  When Raven didn’t move, Zane huffed. He sauntered over to her and loomed there, waiting for her to open her eyes.

  When her eyes finally fluttered open, she saw Zane staring down at her, shaking his head. “Look what you made me do. Now who is going to watch Van and Saldivar?”

  “Do it yourself, Zane,” Raven said weakly.

  “Oh, no.” Zane reached out and grabbed Raven by her long black hair. Her face twisted in silent pain and torment as Zane jerked her unmercifully by her roots. A few tears managed to trickle down her cheek. Zane only found this to amuse him immensely.

  Why? Raven thought. Why did Zane continue to and take great pleasure in torturing her physically and boggling her mind? She believed she would be bruised forever given the way she felt right now.

  Zane grunted. “Get up, you lackwit, and quit your mumbling. You know full well you’ll recover in a couple of hours. After that,” his eyes bored almost sadistically into hers, “you will do as I say.”

  Raven courted defeat well. She had no choice but to do as bid. She couldn’t-wouldn’t-go back to Dr. Ganden at Wilsbrook. He was an evil person. He got off on causing pain to her and no telling how many countless others. Good thing she got out of there before he had a chance to experiment on the sexual reproduction of half breed vampires. Especially since he used himself in those wicked experiments. As of now, she was in a lose-lose situation. Either way, she was screwed.

  Raven moved from Zane’s grasp, her head throbbing as a few dark tendrils hung from his fingers.

  “Fine, Zane. You win.” For now, she ended silently, making sure Zane couldn’t hear it. Or sense it.

  “Very good.” Zane strolled casually back to the couch and sat down, looking as if they had just been discussing the weather. “Since it’s only just dark now, you have about two hours to rest before you go out tonight,” he informed her tersely. “You already know what I want of you.”

  Raven let out a subdued breath. “Yes. I do.” She went into her bedroom and silently lay down.

  *

  Saldivar had at least thirty minutes until his lovely Indea arrived. Much to his surprise, he was nervous. He felt somewhat like a pimply faced teenaged boy about to go out with his biggest crush. Indea could put a man on his knees whether she knew it or not. He was just glad he was the object of her affections. He was equally amazed at how he had been able to hold off on taking her. Just kissing her sweet lips sent his blood to boiling. He was h
alf afraid of what he might do if he made love to her.

  But no matter what he thought he might do, he wanted her. He had to have her. And soon. He didn’t know how much torture his hormones could take.

  But he felt he had to tell her………something. Give her a hint that there was something very different about him. He had a strong feeling she would understand. As far as Van and Simone went, well, he would leave that up to when Van wanted to her to know.

  Saldivar had to wait and see. Indea was a woman of the twenty-first century. Surely, she was aware of the weird things people do. There were other clubs in America where humans practice the art of vampirism, even though he knew those humans would die in the end.

  Indea had a New Age way of thinking. He didn’t think admitting he was a creature of the night would shock her. She might find his confession humorous and then ask him to prove it.

  And he would. Oh, he most definitely would love to prove it to her. And she would enjoy every minute of it. Every slow, agonizing, pleasurable minute of it. He wanted to touch her, smell her, feel her……..love her. He would be her everything if that is what she asked of him. She could be his forever. He wouldn’t want to walk an eternity without her by his side.

  He loved her. Already, he loved her. It surprised him that it had happened so fast. He also had a strong feeling that Indea was falling for him, too. He warmed inside at the very thought of Indea whispering ‘I love you’ in his ear. He would cherish when that day came.

  *

  Indea made her way through the streets carefully. There were quite a few people gathered here tonight. She couldn’t say that she blamed them. It was such an enchanting evening. The stars seemed to be meticulously placed in the sky one by one. A slight breeze gently tousled her hair through the rolled down window of her rental. The air was slightly perfumed with a variety of blossoming flowers that adorned the sidewalks.

  Indea’s mind focused on Saldivar. He really was something else. Like no other man she had ever met, dated, or even thought about for that matter. He was weird but in a good way.

  Who wanted normal any way? Was there even such a thing?

  Indea, herself, was a bit on the strange side.

  It reminded her a little of the conversation she had with Simone earlier today. The seed of suspicion was planted now, she was afraid. But, she did want to know why Saldivar and Van always made dates at night when there was no trace of the sun.

  Indea decided to ask Saldivar when she met him. Well, she couldn’t flat-out ask him about why he kept strange hours. She would invite him to breakfast. It was a harmless question, after all. She wanted to see his reaction.

  Indea parked her car, got out and made her way to the cottage Saldivar kept during the summer months. She almost swallowed her tongue at the sight of him leaning carelessly against the door frame. He wore a white long sleeved button-up shirt. The top button was left open, exposing a peek of dark chest hair. Indea’s mouth watered. She had to swallow. Hard.

  With the white shirt, Saldivar wore a regular pair of black jeans and black shoes. He managed to look sophisticated and laid-back all at the same time. That seemed to be his style. His dark hair was sleek and combed and smoothed back, giving him a confident and debonair aura. She licked her lips at the sight of his firm, sexy body.

  If she didn’t watch out, she would be the one who would be putty. Or a pool of lust at his feet. Either way, it was all good. Oh, so very good.

  Saldivar’s eyes met Indea’s. They didn’t speak a word. They didn’t have to. It was as if they were speaking to each other silently. Time froze. No one else existed.

  Indea was lost in Saldivar’s glowing amber eyes. They looked wild in the dark of the night. They shone the way cat’s eyes would when a beam of light would shine into them.

  Saldivar took in the sight of Indea into his mind. He wanted her image burned in his memory. Her dark hair hung loosely and moved carefree in the wind. She wore a white summer dress with thin spaghetti straps on her shoulders. The bodice was fitted to her body while the bottom part flowed unrestrained. The vibrant white of her dress complemented her light tan rather nicely. She wore no hose on her smooth legs as well she shouldn’t. On her feet she wore a pair of white slip-on shoes.

  Saldivar hardened at the sheer thought of what the dress was hiding underneath. His body tightened as he imagined his fingers finding whatever hidden treasures Indea possessed.

  We’re outside, Saldivar had to keep reminding himself somewhat harshly. But his body had a difficult time obeying his half hearted plea.

  “Hello, Saldivar,” Indea said as she stopped within a few inches of him.

  Her voice was soft with a hint of huskiness thrown in. Saldivar detected the slight throatiness her voice made whenever they were near each other.

  Saldivar didn’t respond. At least not the way Indea had thought he would. He simply closed the small gap between them, wrapped his arms around her and brought his lips down to meet hers. At first, it was feather-light stroked as he moved his lips side to side over Indea’s responsive mouth.

  Saldivar laced his fingers with Indea’s and coaxed them to the small of her back.

  She was his willing captive. She would gladly give him anything he wanted.

  Oh, Saldivar, how I want you, Indea thought breathlessly, her mind reeling with possibilities.

  Saldivar heard her every thought and tightened his hold on her. His tongue ran over her lips as if asking to come in. Indea opened her lips in the invitation he was hoping for. He let his tongue skim her teeth before he slipped it inside. He let Indea bathe his tongue in her sweet kisses. He almost lost it when she sucked his tongue in a back and forth motion, emulating a more intimate act. It only whetted his appetite for so much more.

  In the far corners of his mind, however, he knew he had to tell her. Clear the air. It was the only way. Indea had to know what she was getting into. He didn’t want her to have any regrets when she awoke from a captivating night of passionate love making.

  But, what Indea was doing to him right now would likely make him forget his–-

  “I want you, Saldivar,” Indea whispered, her voice guttural and low. “Now,” she demanded softly in his ear.

  Saldivar closed his eyes and swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down; his nostrils flaring.

  Vampire or human, Saldivar was still a man. His hormones had finally snapped. He just couldn’t take it any more. He had had it under control. Right up until she confessed those sultry words.

  Yes, he needed to talk to her but what red-blooded, virile male could resist? He had tortured himself for far too long. He had what he wanted. Indea. And she wanted him. What more could he ask for? He wanted to be inside her. Had to be. Needed to be and there was no obstacle to get in their way.

  Though it had been too long since he’s made love to a woman, he felt he could control his bloodlust. After all, this was Indea Sky, the Eternal Entity. He had to be extremely careful.

  Saldivar’s words were thick as he managed to tell her, “Then you shall have me.”

  Indea’s smile held a touch of mischievousness. She grabbed Saldivar’s hand and pulled him into the cabin, locking the door behind him.

  Indea looked around the small place. “This is so lovely. I like the cozy, quaint feel of it.” The cabin held a simple bedroom, one bathroom and a small kitchen. You could walk from the bedroom to the bathroom in five steps.

  Saldivar came up behind Indea and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  Indea could feel his arousal pressed against her backside, already rock hard with want. And she didn’t want to keep him waiting. She, herself, could wait no longer.

  Indea reluctantly stepped out of his arms, turned around and held his dark gaze. In one quick motion, the dress pooled at her feet.

  Saldivar’s heart popped into his throat. There she was. In all her naked glory. For his eyes only, the thought somewhat arrogantly.

  So, Saldivar thought, she didn’t have on anything undern
eath. Oh, she was gorgeous, hot and sexy.

  She was evenly tanned with great muscle tone and perfect voluptuous mounds. Perfect enough to mold them with his hands.

  He so loved a woman who was confident enough to bare it all. And in the light, too. Flaws and all.

  Saldivar wanted to go to her. Wanted to drop to his knees and bury his face between her legs. To nestle his tongue in the dark, sweet curls there. But his feet were cemented.

  Instead, just as she did, he disrobed, but slowly until there was not a scrap of clothing between them.

  For moments, they just stared at one another. Absorbed each other’s energy. Studied each body part.

  Indea’s eyes traveled down…..down….down to his shaft. He could almost feel her warm touch. A sexy smile was Saldivar’s only clue to how she felt about it.

  Saldivar was equally pale all over but that didn’t take away from his beauty. He was built with muscle but not in the extreme amount. He had a little sprinkling of dark black hair on his chest that ran a path, or what she called a ‘happy trail’, down to his manhood. She couldn’t wait until her tongue followed that same path.

  Saldivar briefly dipped into her mind, but had to stop quicker than he wanted to. In her mind, she was thinking of herself down on her knees, her mouth bringing him to ecstasy. Very different from how the women viewed love-making a century ago.

  But, Saldivar had not made love to a woman of this century and was curious to see how Indea would be with him.

  Indea was a bold one. A take-charge kind of woman as she sauntered over. She walked behind him, taking in the broadness of his bare back. She ran her tongue slowly down his spine. As she made her way back up, she rubbed her breasts against him, her warm breath caressing his skin.

  Saldivar gritted his teeth and groaned, feeling her hardened nipples caress him on the way up.

  Still behind him, Indea wrapped her arms around his waist. Her hands began rubbing his flat belly then up to his hard chest. She squeezed his nipples, teased them before dropping her left hand to palm his manhood.

  Saldivar didn’t think he could get any harder. He guessed anything was possible at this point. He turned his head slightly and narrowed his eyes into slits of desire. He barely smiled. He was too aroused to do much more.