Scent of a Vampire

by Jude Stephens

  He looked at me with the coldest pair of eyes that I'd ever seen. "No. We want you to kill them." I gasped and held a hand over my racing heart. "You're kidding, right? I can't kill someone. You're crazy if you think I can."

  "No, I am defiantly not crazy Miss Seneca. I know you will cooperate with us and do everything we ask of you. I know this because we have your parents." I felt every cell in my body react in shock to his words. The blood drained from my head until I felt dizzy. The air left my lungs in a great big whoosh, which made me start to hyperventilate. The adrenaline rushing into my nervous system made my heart pound and my legs turn to jelly. I opened my mouth but nothing but a gurgle came out. I heard a loud thud on the roof of the car, followed by what appeared to be an arm punching through the roof. In the next instant the freaking roof of the car was being pulled back like a damn can of sardines.

  Finally a scream erupted from deep in my chest as the arm reached down and pulled me up to face what had to be the devil himself.

  Chapter 9

  I continued to scream as I was forced to wrap my arms around the devil holding me, because he jumped off the roof of the moving car. With me about twenty feet in the air, the only thought that came into my head was that tomorrow I would probably have a sore throat from screaming so long and loud. Which given the circumstances, like being kidnapped twice in one night, a sore throat should not be on the top of my worry list. Maybe this was what it felt like when your mind snapped I thought.

  We landed with a hard thud and I finally looked up so I could say when I got to heaven I looked the devil in the eye and didn't back down.

  My legs almost buckled when I found myself looking into a gorgeous pair of ice blue eyes.

  "Roberto! How did you find me?"

  "Not now piccolina. We need to hurry. Wrap your arms around my neck and hold on tight. We are going to make a run for it."

  "A run for it?" I repeated stupidly but did as he said when I saw the car doors opening on the mangled car and bad guy on the right and Ted the troll thingy came leaping out.

  "Run, yes, let's make a run for it, NOW!" Roberto picked me up and started running at an Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

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  amazing speed. We had to be going at least twenty miles per hour. I buried my head in Roberto's neck after looking forward once and seeing trees that were way too close for my comfort.

  Roberto must have amazing eyesight to be able to navigate through the forest at speeds like this.

  After running for about fifteen minutes, Roberto slowed to a walk but did not let me down "We need to keep moving so they can't catch up with us, but I think we're safe enough to walk now."

  "If that's the case then you can let me down now." I whispered. For some reason the stillness of the forest made me feel like I had to whisper.

  Roberto chuckled, "I rather like you in my arms, piccolina." I liked it there too and since that thought scared me, I began to wiggle to be let down.

  "Let me down!"

  With a long melodramatic sigh, he loosened his grip and let me slide down the length of his body. The sensations that flooded my body were heavenly as my breasts rubbed against his hard chest and my pelvis came in contact with the huge bulge in his tight jeans.

  I tilted my head back so that I could look at his face. I expected to look into those blue eyes I knew from our previous experience, darkened to a deeper blue when he was aroused, but his eyes were tightly shut and he had a grimace on his face.

  "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?" I asked, a little out of breath.

  "No," he bit out a little harshly. I took a little step back and he opened his eyes and must have seen the hurt look on my face because he said.

  "Piccolina, you didn't hurt me. I'm in agony because carrying you in my arms has made me so hard for you I'm aching."

  "Oh, ahem, I see." I stuttered. I had to admit it made me feel all warm inside. I could get this hot, sexy man to ache for me. I started to give him a shy little smile when it hit me that the reason he was so hot and hard for me was because I'm some kind of sexual magnet. They didn't really want to make love to me; they wanted to have hot and heavy sex with a Sensay.

  I stiffened and turned before saying, "Don't we need to keep moving? I don't want to get caught by those guys again."

  Roberto looked like he was going to say something but changed his mind when he asked, "Did they hurt you piccolina? If they hurt you I will go back right now and kill them."

  "Well, the troll guy smacked me upside my head and that hurt like hell. But other than that, Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

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  no." Roberto grabbed my arm and swung me around to face him. "Did you say troll?"

  "Yes, the bad guy on my right told me that the bad guy on my left was a troll named Ted. Why?

  Besides being a freaking troll what does that have to do with anything?" Roberto looked like he was ready to go back and kill someone for sure now. "It means these guys are serious. Trolls are highly volatile and not easy to control. They are natural born kidnappers. That the Guardians went to a troll to kidnap you means they mean business. The troll won't stop.

  He will be coming after you until either he has you or you're dead."

  "Are you saying that the fairy tale stories of trolls living under bridges and kidnapping babies and replacing them with changelings is true?"

  "Yes, I'm afraid you've found yourself in a whole new world Olivia, one where fairy tales have a grain of truth to them and nightmares are often real."

  We had begun walking again when suddenly I stopped in my tracks and began to shake, "Oh my God Roberto! They have my parents. They told me they have my parents!" How could I have forgotten that?

  Roberto wrapped his arms around my shaking body. "Its okay piccolina. We will take care of this. Now tell me everything the Guardians told you in that car." I told him everything, about how they knew about me and how they found me. How they knew more about my family than I did. When I finally finished he muttered,

  "Motherfuc...."

  He reached over and began rubbing my arms. "I apologize. I do not normally talk like this in front of a lady. As you know, I am from Italy and was born in the fourteenth century. We were taught to only honor and respect women back then."

  "Geez, I forgot how old you are. You must have seen some incredible things in your long life."

  "Yes, I have, but even though it's been a long life, it's no different than your own. Life seems to have a way of sliding by unawares. In your own lifetime you have seen new inventions and advancements in science. Computers and cell phones are more recent inventions and I bet you can remember a time before they were invented."

  "Yeah, of course I can."

  "But I bet it's hard to remember when you didn't use a computer. Well, that's how it is for me. I remember back to the days before automobiles and airplanes, but I have to make an effort to do so."

  We began to walk again and I asked him, "Do you have a cell phone? I left mine in my purse, which is back in the car. I want to try and call my parents. And I want to call Janel and let her Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

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  know I'm okay."

  "No. No cell phones. They can easily be tracked."

  "Is that how you found me?" I asked.

  "No. When Janel discovered you had gone, which was thankfully only a few minutes after you left, Alexander and I went into action. Janel gave me a piece of your clothing so that I could follow your scent. Alexander wanted to come of course, but I am faster." He said without the least bit of conceit.

  He continued, "Alex is guarding Janel, and has called one of his friends to pick us up a few miles from here. He will take us to a safe house that is nearby. Dawn is quickly approaching. I need to be somewhere safe to sleep."

  "But what about my parents? I need to get to them right away."

  "I understand piccolina but you can't go there alone and I need to sleep until dusk. When I
awaken we can continue on. In the mean time, I've already dispatched some of my human guards to go to your parent's house to find out what they can. They will get a report to me this evening."

  "Thank you Roberto, my parents mean everything to me and I'm so scared for them."

  "If it's within my power, I will let no harm come to them, I promise." He vowed.

  I had to ask. "What clothing did Janel give you?" I didn't see him carrying anything. He looked contrite when he pulled a red thong from the pocket of his black leather jacket. Embarrassed beyond words, I snatched it out of his hand. As we continued walking, I allowed myself to dart him quick glances. He was too good looking. A guy like that would never be interested in me. He was drawn to the Sensay, not to the woman. I suddenly felt overloaded with emotion and began to quietly cry.

  Roberto swiftly turned and gathered me up into his arms once again and began to murmur soothing words to me. I didn't have the ability or the strength to protest his carrying me, so I curled into his hard chest and wept. I had no idea we had reached a road until I heard Roberto say quietly, "Have you been waiting here long? I don't want anyone to be able to get a fix on our location." I lifted my head from Roberto's tear stained shirt to see who he was talking to and was stunned when I saw yet another hot man leaning against a black SUV. I mean, what the hell was with these guys? No one should have so much hotness.

  Roberto looked down at me with a little sneer of disgust and said, "You can stop drooling now Olivia. I believe Juan has a girlfriend."

  With an easy grace Juan moved forward and took my hand. "As a matter of fact, I am currently single and very glad to meet you Olivia. My name is Juan Montero, and for the moment I will be Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

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  your chauffer and anything else you desire."

  I felt a little shiver run up my spine that did not go unnoticed by Roberto, who in turn said, "All right Juan, remember your manners. You are not Don Juan after all and we have a serious situation here."

  All at once Juan became very serious and began to give a full report. "Alex has dispatched the two guards to Buffalo as you asked, Alex has the other girl under heavy security and the safe house has been prepared. We also have a car that has been swept clean and ready to go."

  Roberto had still not put me down and I was starting to feel a little self-conscious. I began to wiggle a little so that he would know I wanted to be let down. His arms just clamped on me tighter.

  As he moved towards the car, he said, "Very good. Let's get moving. I will feel better when we get to the safe house. The Guardians, for some reason, always seem to be right on our tails."

  Roberto got into the car but still did not let go of me. In a way, I liked that.

  If I stopped thinking about the Sensay attraction thing, it plain felt good to have someone hold me. And it was really nice to pretend for a little bit; I was cherished and loved by someone other than my parents.

  Juan got in and gave me a little wink in the rear view mirror before starting the car. We drove for about a half hour when Juan pulled the SUV off the road onto what felt like a dirt path. We were getting jostled around pretty good but Roberto kept a tight hold on me so at least I didn't end up on the floor.

  From up front Juan said, "Sorry. It's not much farther up this road."

  I let out a rather loud hrmppf. "Road? I think you've driven down a mountain. Is this safe house a real house or is it a cave? Like a bat cave or something?" Juan burst out laughing and said,

  "Damn Roberto. I like that girl."

  "Just keep your eye on the road before you take us into a tree or something. The girl does not concern you." Hmmm, I liked the way Roberto was getting all possessive but all the same I decided to have a little fun with him.

  "Awww, thanks Juan. I like you too. You have a nice smile. And you're doing great navigating this treacherous road. You are quite the accomplished driver." Juan started laughing harder as Roberto began, what I swear to God, was a growl.

  We finally came to a stop. I looked outside to get a glimpse of the house but didn't see anything. Juan said, "This is a far as I can get you. The house is about a mile east of here. There will be a car parked here for you tomorrow evening all ready to go."

  Roberto said, "Thank you for your assistance." Juan replied, "I hope you know what you're Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

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  doing." Roberto raised his eyebrow inquiringly.

  "With the girl. Are you sure you want to go down that path?"

  Roberto took a menacing step forward, "No. Are you sure you want to go down this path?"

  Juan put his hands in the air. "Just trying to divert disaster amigo."

  He turned toward me, "It was nice meeting you Olivia. I have never met a Sensay before. The experience has been quite stimulating." he said with a mischievous smile. With a small bow he got back into the car and drove away.

  "We better start walking. I don't like being out in the open." Roberto said.

  "You call this out in the open?" I asked disbelievingly.

  "Yes. These are the days of satellite images and Google earth. No one is safe from people who want to find you." I had to chuckle. "I have a hard time picturing you on Google earth."

  Roberto came and stood so close to me that his body was touching mine. "Why is that Miss Sherman? Is it because you think of me as a monster? What did you say earlier? Oh yes, a bloodsucking vampire. Well, believe it or not, I know about Google earth, and I know about kids dying from cancer, and the plight of our rainforests and carbon footprints. I have friends and family I love just like you love yours. The human race does not have a monopoly on that, neither do you as you are not human either."

  He began walking, with me just standing there with my mouth hanging open. I snapped out of it and started walking to catch up. I didn't want to be out here lost and alone. He was right. I had been dwelling on him being different, a vampire. And now I'm different too. When did I become so judgmental? My parents never raised me to judge others. They were always about love.

  Loving people, loving the earth, loving life. Why had I always been ashamed of that when I was growing up? Why was I afraid of being like them? The world would be a better place if more people were like my parents.

  Thinking about them made my heart ache. I had to make sure they were safe. Let them know I loved them and appreciated who they were and what they taught me. I became aware that I had lagged behind and could not see Roberto anymore. I started to feel a little panicky and I stepped up my pace as I began to sing. "Welcome to my nightmare, welcome to my breakdown...." Suddenly a hand clamped over my mouth and I tried to scream when Roberto whispered in my ear, "Be quiet." I nodded my head and he removed his hand.

  "Is someone out there?" I whispered back.

  "No. I think its best that we are as quiet as possible and your singing is not quiet."

  "Are you saying I sing badly?" I asked him with narrowed eyes.

  Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

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  "Not exactly. I'm saying it's inappropriate for this type of occasion."

  "Well, I'm sorry. I tend to sing when I'm nervous or upset or happy. It kind of slips out." I apologized. Roberto looked at me with his eyebrow raised and deadpanned, "Did you ever try eating chocolate like a normal woman?"

  I couldn't believe it. Mr. Stodgy himself was trying to be of all things, humorous. I gave him a smile. And in return he gave me a wide smile back. Good Lord the man was positively lethal when he smiled like that.

  We seemed to have reached a truce and the rest of the walk was in comfortable silence until I said, "I didn't call you a bloodsucking vampire. Janel called you that." He didn't reply but reached over and took my hand in his. We finally arrived at the safe house, which turned out to be a small wood cabin. I was glad to be there because all of a sudden weariness swept through my body. Roberto opened the door and we stepped inside. He found a light switch and flipped it on.
Since the cabin was on the small side, it only took me a few seconds to glance around and take in the furnishings. My eyes stopped on the one and only brass bed that sat in front of the far wall. As my brain processed this fact, I turned to look at Roberto who was staring at me with dark passion filled eyes, and oh yeah, with his fangs protruding from his sexy mouth.

  Chapter 10

  I was proud of the fact I was not panicking, though my heart was pounding a mile a minute.

  Roberto quickly averted his face away from me. "You don't have to be afraid. I'm not going to bite you or attack you. I didn't have time to feed tonight."

  "Do you have to feed every night?"

  "Not necessarily. I expended a lot of energy tonight and that's why I need to feed. I won't hurt you. The forest here is full of animals I can feed from."

  I was afraid to ask but I had to. "Do you kill the animals when you feed from them?"

  "No Olivia, I am not a killer. I take what I need. Sort of like humans taking milk from animals to drink, I take blood. That's all. It's like having a special diet. There are lots of humans that have modified diets. This is no different." I tried visualizing drinking blood. I guess I could understand the concept of special diet needs. Also, I had read medical articles where people were born with thalassemia, which when severe required a person to have to have transfusions on a regular basis. This was different of course, but I could see the similarities. Roberto was born this way; he needs to drink blood if he is to live. It was still a little nauseating to think about it, but I can handle it, I decided. I think I may have surprised him when I said, "Of course, I understand.

  And I'm glad to hear you don't hurt anything when you feed."

  "Well, I will confess to you I have made mistakes in the past. When we are young it is hard to Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

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  control your hunger. And I'll be honest with you, not all of us are careful. Like humans, there are good and there are bad. We try and police our own; we have an enforcement agency of sorts that monitors the activities of vampires." I had to ask. "Why don't you let the world know of your existence?"