by Sam Stone
‘I’ve been time travelling ...’
She laughs. ‘Memories. Yes. I suppose you’ve got lots of those.’
She stands. The dress clings to her thighs and she gives it an irritated tug until it falls away from her skin and hangs smoothly. The smell of shampoo drifts to my nostrils as she tosses her head, standing with one hip tilted. She looks at me expectantly.
‘You’re ready then?’
She doesn’t answer. Her eyes seem open and closed. I can’t fathom this expression. It’s as though she is waiting for something and her mind is sealed shut once more.
‘Shall we go?’ I ask.
She nods, but her face has changed, tightened. She looks ... disappointed.
Chapter 27
Canal Street is the perfect place for a take-away; I’ve always thought so. Though Lilly’s craving is satisfied I feel an urge to browse the aisles. The street is teaming with activity. Scantily clad boys, clearly underage, strut up and down looking provocatively at the older men. Two girls walk arm in arm, one with a shaved head, the other one with shoulder-length bright orange hair. To me they are the original ‘odd couple’ with their pierced faces and masculine clothes. They both do a double-take when Lilly walks towards them. I take her hand possessively and she looks at me quizzically for a moment before realising that she has some admirers. She laughs at me, slapping me hard on the shoulder. Modern girls do that a lot, I’ve noticed. I think it means something, but I’m not sure what.
‘What are we doing here? We really should be preparing to leave. At least that’s what you keep telling me.’ She pouts provocatively and I want so much to kiss those beautiful lips.
‘Let’s go out with a bang,’ I suggest, knowing full well she won’t go for it.
‘What are you on about?’
‘A killing spree. I’ve always wanted one.’
‘Huh?’
‘All vamps go on one in the movies.’
‘You definitely have to get out more.’ She laughs but her eyes are serious. ‘Anyway, I thought you didn’t like to be called a vampire.’
‘Well, if not that then,’ I continue, ignoring her taunt, ‘let’s just wander around the “Gay Village”, be public.’
‘Hip people just call it “The Village”.’
I smile, flashing a little fang. It gleams back at me from my reflection in her eyes.
‘You’re really camping it up tonight, Gabriele.’
‘I know.’ I think she likes it.
‘Why?’
‘Come on. I’m hungry. What do you fancy? Indian or Chinese?’ I beam at the lean bodied Chinese couple that passes us.
‘None. Come on, cough it up.’
‘What?’ I ask, surprised.
‘It’s time you told me. There’s something ... something about that letter my mother had. I saw how you reacted.’
‘You’re right. This was a bad idea. Let’s go.’
‘Where now?’
‘To pack up and leave.’
She stops in the middle of the street. ‘I’m not going anywhere until you talk to me.’
‘Mmmm. Will it have the same impact if I say, “I’m not going anywhere until you kiss me?”’
She blinks. ‘I mean it.’
‘I enjoyed your touch.’ I move closer, breathing her scent as it wafts gently into the air between our bodies.
‘When?’ She stands her ground as I invade her personal space.
‘At your parents. You touched me ... very intimately.’
‘I was keeping up appearances. That’s what you wanted wasn’t it?’
‘I don’t believe you. I think you were gaining comfort from my presence.’
‘Maybe I was.’ Her voice is sharp. It hisses through her lips as I stroke her bare arm. ‘Don’t you appreciate what I have given up? Don’t you care what I’ve lost? I’ve lost everything. My life, my home, my parents ... everything I’ve ever known ...’ Her eyes gleam in the glare of the streetlights. ‘I’m suffering. D’you understand? But I’m trying to accept. And you! You tell me nothing. You take my feelings and trample on them. I need to know what’s going on. Why don’t you trust me?’
Her self-pity is like a flare to my sorrow. I pull her roughly to me, almost shake her.
‘You think you’re the only one who’s lost someone? Doesn’t it even occur to you ...? No. Of course it doesn’t. You’re so selfish, Lilly. Everything is about you isn’t it? You’ve lost your parents ... You’ve lost your pathetic mortal life. I lost my children. There’s no pain in the world that can compare to that. Not even yours.’
Lilly gasps; her eyes swelling up like two perfect waterfalls. Her hand covers her mouth.
‘You have something I never had,’ I say firmly. ‘You have me and I’m never going to desert you. I was alone. Until you. Consider that? No one understands how you feel better than I. I wish you’d realise that. And, if you think I don’t trust you ... well, that’s a two-way street. You are going to have to give a little in order to deserve some back.’
I feel more the monster than ever before as I look at her grief-stricken face. She always seems so strong that I am amazed my words have upset her so much. At a time like this there’s only one thing I can think of to do; I take her into my arms. She sinks into my embrace as though accepting my unspoken apology.
‘You were a father?’ she whispers against my chest.
‘Yes.’
‘What happened?’
‘I loved my children so much I gave them up ... My son died soon after. I believe I could have prevented it, if I had kept them beside me.’
‘And your other child?’
‘My daughter ... I don’t know. I made provisions for her and left. Changed my name. I couldn’t watch her die ...’
‘I’m sorry. I didn’t know you could feel pain.’
‘Why? You have emotions don’t you?’
She doesn’t answer.
‘I hurt all the time ... especially when I look at you, Lilly. You break my heart.’
She moves back from me, her face pale and shocked. I’m tired of waiting and patience has never been my best virtue. I pull her roughly to me expecting a fight but she bends in my arms. She is five-six and I am six-two; we seem to fit together, particularly when balanced out a little by her three inch heels. I kiss her. Hard. I don’t want to be gentle. I am certain she won’t break. Her lips hurt mine as I force her mouth, invading her with my tongue, and the pain is exquisite. I probe. My hunger is as taut and painful as ever and it surges into her throat with every lick. Her body shudders against me as her power pours back into my mouth. I devour her as my hand presses into her back pulling her body against the full length of mine. Her hands run down my spine and then cup my buttocks, pulling me closer.
Through the thin cloth of her dress, I feel the blood pump into her loins and my cock hardens against her. She grinds herself into me, her mouth returning my kisses. Oh God! She matches me in desperation. I lick her fangs, now extended, and her tongue flicks over mine. I shiver in her embrace.
‘Take me back now. You win. You don’t have to tell me anything more,’ she whispers, pulling her mouth briefly from mine, before my lips catch her again.
‘Keep this up and I’ll tell you everything,’ I promise.
Her lips take me. She gorges on my tongue, sucking it painfully between her teeth.
My hands catch in her hair, force her in deeper. I never knew a kiss could give so much hurt and pleasure.
‘Hey. Get a room.’
I open my eyes to see a young man with the physique of Arnold Schwarzenegger arm in arm with a thin wispy transvestite; they are staring at us. I try to ignore them but Lilly pulls her mouth from mine. Her arms hold me around the waist, keeping me intimately close, but I am disappointed. She’s goi
ng to back out and I don’t think I can stand it.
‘Let’s do it ...’ she whispers against my lips, her hot breath blowing inside me.
‘You mean ...?’
‘Make love to me ...’
I grab her to me and swoop up in the air without bothering to cloak us. There is a collective gasp.
‘Now you’ve done it.’ Lilly looks down at the confused upturned faces.
‘I know. Isn’t it wonderful?’
‘It seems bloody stupid to me.’
But I can’t help it. She makes me feel reckless.
In the apartment I peel the clothes from her body and I am shaking like a virgin. I am so afraid she will change her mind, push me away again, even though her kisses burn a torturous pattern down my chest and across my stomach. I pull her up against me, take her mouth again and roll her over on the bed. I can’t get enough of her mouth; my fangs are so extended it’s a wonder that I don’t cut her, but it seems that instinct protects us both.
Tugging her dress over her head, I squeeze her breasts until she moans, half with pain, half with pleasure. Then I push aside the cups of her bra; run my fingers over the prominent nipples until she groans against my lips. I release her mouth, and focus my attention on sucking her breast. Every touch of our bare skin spreads energy through my limbs. She throws back her head, presses her lower body closer; I pull her soft mammary flesh deeper into my mouth. My fangs thrust gently into her skin until she bleeds a little. Her body arches against me, loving it; a part of it. She sinks teeth into my shoulder, her first real bite. The taste is hurt, but ecstasy. I jerk my clothed groin against her silk covered loins. Her hand reaches between us and massages my cock through my jeans until I ache.
‘Get these off.’ She tugs at the waistband as she licks the blood from my shoulder; her eyes are fiery with blood lust even though they look like the perfect glass of porcelain dolls.
I push away from her with difficulty, stand and unzip, quickly dropping my clothes, my shirt already lost in the first wave. My heart throbs in time with my cock as I look at her, spread and willing; everything I have ever wanted is waiting in her arms. I freeze, unable to continue. Can it all be this perfect so suddenly? Surely this is wrong? How often have I thought happiness was within my grasp?
‘Why now?’ I always have to spoil things.
She sits up, unclips her bra. One breast is streaked with blood, but the fang wounds have already healed. Bending forward she crawls to me, her small but full bottom rocking with every move, until my penis twitches in response to her moves as I watch. When she reaches the end of the bed, her hand stretches towards me, curves around my buttocks and pulls me in. Her mouth is open and waiting, and she rocks her body with each slow suck. My cock slides precariously between her two sharp teeth. Agony. Ecstasy.
‘Oh God!’
I pull away from her, ready to burst.
‘Don’t you like it?’ She rolls onto her back supporting herself on her elbows and looks up at me lasciviously.
‘A little too much, I might not last ...’
‘Then come to me.’
My breathing is heavy as I lay down beside her. I want it all, but slower.
‘I don’t understand the sudden change.’
‘You’re afraid?’
I don’t answer.
‘You’re not used to being led are you? Not used to women really wanting it maybe?’
‘They always want it, eventually.’ I put my hand behind my head.
‘You’re avoiding the question.’
‘Have you ever heard the expression, “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”? I’m the gift horse.’
I raise my eyebrow at her.
‘Isn’t it enough that I want to? It’s what you crave, isn’t it?’
‘Oh, yes. I certainly want you. A few days ago you hated me ... resented me even. And now ...’
Her fingers reach out, coil around my nipple. I revel in her touch. Maybe it doesn’t matter after all, as long as she wants me.
‘I’ve changed ...’ She forces me onto my back, straddles me, pressing her flimsy knickers against my naked flesh, rocking her hips.
My hands fly to her waist. I grind into her until she moans and moves faster against me. Her body protected by her underwear, but teasing, matches my speed. Her hands rest on my chest as her orgasm shoots power into my body through her fingers. I roll her again, rip away the fabric between us and open her, my fingers probing until she squirms beneath me. Her hips push against my fingers, aiding her pleasure.
As she climaxes again, I lie between her legs and push slowly in. She throbs around me, hot, wet and still contracting with pleasure. The new intrusion brings her again screaming against me. I reach beneath her, roughly lifting her legs up and around my waist as I pump deeper. The pleasure is almost too much, the fit too perfect. She is tight but accommodating. She is like no other lover now. She is my equal.
‘Jesus ...’
She cries out again and her pleasure echoes in the core of my own sex. It seems as though we truly are one being. I explode; pouring into her. My lips find hers and I kiss her, my tongue reaching in to probe greedily. I still want to possess and fill all of her. I release her mouth to trail kisses along her cheek and trace the bulging vein in her neck. My bite is matched by hers, and as I suck from her, my blood bursts into her waiting throat in mimicry of my climax. Pleasure shoots through me and I heave, seeping into her again as she spasms around me, with me.
We collapse together, sated for now. In that moment I know I will never look to indulge with a mortal woman again. What would be the point? It could never replace this.
‘You see,’ she says, her fingers trailing over my spine as I lie in her arms. ‘I knew you were different, from the minute we met. I heard it, something in your voice.’
‘You found me attractive?’ I smile, pleased.
I prop myself up on one elbow, remembering that moment that now seems so long ago; recalling how striking she’d been to me.
She laughs. ‘Every girl on campus was gagging for you.’
‘You acted like you hated me ...’
‘You treated me like you didn’t see me.’
‘Well, you were getting enough attention from the likes of Nate and Dan ... I thought you were arrogant.’
‘I was cocky,’ she giggles.
‘Well, a little ... but then, so was I.’
‘Nate ... I think I owe him something now.’
I smile. ‘Yes. I’d still like to break his scraggy neck. That bastard ...’
‘You said bastard!’
‘Yes. Don’t let it go to your head ...’
She laughs, and then grows serious.
‘No. We’ll leave him.’ She rubs her face against my cheek. ‘I’m grateful to him ... I like how I’ve changed.’
‘Then why didn’t you let me near you before?’
‘I ...’ She lies back, pulling my head down to rest on her full breast. ‘I thought you didn’t ... care. I thought I was an accident and sex would just be ... convenient for you.’
‘And now?’
‘When you told me about your children ... I realised how vain my ... resistance was. I ... didn’t mean to hold out so long.’
‘You’ve been playing hard to get?’ I laugh.
She smiles shyly. ‘A little ... but I thought you’d throw me over, once you got your way.’
‘No. Never.’ I hug her to me. ‘How could I?’
‘There’s something else. A feeling I have. It’s engulfed me since the day we met. I think ... I suspect ... I was born for this. Do you understand?’
My heart jolts with her words. She wants to be understood. She needs promises. Maybe it is simple. I lie silent in her arms, my heart beating slightly faster.
&nb
sp; ‘Yes. I understand. Oddly, at times, I’ve felt that way too.’
Maybe she was born to be immortal. My spirit hurts. I am so confused and afraid. This love is so - incestuous. I still feel, even though I may not like the answer, that I must find out how this is possible. How by some weird quirk in fate I can love a woman born of my own child. How that woman is the only success I have achieved in four hundred years of trying to make a mate. It is all so terrifying.
As her kisses wash away my doubts, somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind I know that out there in the night there is one woman who knows the answer; I have to find her. Until then my secret must remain locked inside me like a repugnant sore that can never be exposed to the light of day.
‘I love you,’ Lilly whispers cautiously and God help me I love her.
plates. She, like Anton and Sara, is confused at this sudden friendship but underneath it all there is a dark suspicion. She has noticed the ageless quality of my eyes, I fear. So I follow her as she makes her way to the till.
‘I’d like to pay my bill,’ I say.
I look deeply into her eyes. They blur briefly, and then her professional smile returns; the moments of our arrival and connection with Anton and Sara are completely gone and any memory of our leaving with them will also follow.
They go with us willingly.
In the car park Lilly slides into the back seat of our rental pulling Anton in beside her; within minutes I hear her feeding. I try to distract myself from the sounds of Anton’s groans of pleasure by pulling Sara up against my chest and tipping her small, slightly frightened, face up until she cannot look away from my eyes. Soon her body swoons against mine. Her head throws back exposing her throat and a surge of blood lust gulps agonisingly through my veins as my fangs burst free with unbearable pleasure. I bite carefully, breaking the skin on her collarbone and the vein beneath yields her sweet life force to me. I have her in my arms now, carried like a bride over the threshold, and I slip into the back of the car next to Lilly and Anton, draping Sara’s body over my legs. Lilly is astride Anton, her face buried in his throat, and I stop feeding to watch her as Anton, though fully clothed, rams his hips into my lover. A dark rage almost swamps me. As Lilly finishes her feed, Anton climaxes in his jeans, his body shuddering against her as she licks the final drops from his throat.