Scent of a Vampire

by Jude Stephens

  "Shhh, its okay piccolina, tell me what happened."

  "He had such an awful life Roberto. Terrible things were done to him as a child. The Guardians found him and helped him. He was brainwashed into believing he was unnatural and he should help the Guardians scourge the earth of the evolved. He has been helping them for centuries."

  "Bastardo, I had a feeling they had someone on the inside. I wouldn't have guessed that it was Juan though. Thank God Alexander knew something was wrong."

  "Oh my God, where is Alex? Is he okay?"

  "I'm okay baby."

  I turned and saw Cristoforo helping Alex walk towards us. I ran to him and threw my arms around him crying. We both said, "Owww." and laughed. Alex looked remarkably good for all he had been through. He held me at arms length and looked at me. "Your hair has silver in it. I like it. And your arm is broken. I don't like that. What happened baby?" I explained to him about Juan working for the Guardians. Alex looked pained and put his arm around me, "I'm sorry baby, thank God it was just your arm. Juan is a vicious fighter."

  Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

  Page 158 of 172

  Roberto came over and stood between us. "Why didn't you tell me you were hurt Olivia?"

  "It's just a broken arm. I will go to the hospital tomorrow. Right now we should probably get going before the bad guys get here."

  "Mark is coming now. What should we do with the piece of trash over there?" Cristoforo asked.

  We all turned as Mark walked up. "Everything is set. We have five minutes."

  Wow, that was the most I heard Mark speak. Roberto took charge, "Okay, everyone get into the cars. And I'll take care of Juan."

  Alex looked over at Juan lying on the ground. "Rot in hell traitor."

  Cristoforo put Alex in the second car and went back to help Roberto.

  I didn't want to leave Alex yet so I got in the backseat beside him, "Alex, I'm so sorry for leaving you." I began to cry. "I was worried about my parents and wasn't thinking about what could happen to you."

  Alex pulled my head onto his broad chest. "I know Olivia. It's okay. I, more than anyone, understand how you feel. You did what you had to do. Cristoforo told me about your parents.

  Baby, I am so sorry. How are you? Are you okay?" I cried harder because he was worried about me. With everything he had been through, he was still putting me first. Roberto opened the door with a scowl on his face,

  "Piccolina, what are you doing in here?"

  "I want to ride with Alex. I need to make sure he's okay."

  "He's okay. He is a vampire and will heal fast." Alex made a show of moaning as he moved on the seat. I had to smile, which made Roberto's scowl deepen.

  "Why don't you drive this car? That way we can all be together."

  "All together. How nice." Roberto said, "Okay, but you will sit up front with me Olivia. It's only a couple of hours back to the safe house. We should be able to manage until then." I winked at Alex but moved up front to sit beside Roberto. Alex slumped back in the seat, still weak from his ordeal. Roberto turned the car around and headed back the way we had come. I held onto the seat as Roberto was driving fast, scary fast.

  "Are we being chased?"

  "No, but it's imperative we get out of here as soon as possible." Roberto replied, looking in the rearview mirror.

  "Why?" I asked and it was quite obvious when there was a huge explosion flowed by a bright Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

  Page 159 of 172

  orange fireball in the sky behind us.

  "You blew it up?" I asked unbelievably. Roberto smiled for the first time tonight, "Yes." I looked at him and noted his boyish grin. "You really enjoyed that didn't you?"

  "Yes." He said still grinning from ear to ear. This was a side of Roberto I hadn't seen before. It was kind of cute. He put his hand on my thigh and turned to look at me with dark blue eyes blazing. Holy smokes, he was excited. The thought of Roberto sexually excited was more than enough to get my juices flowing. I put my hand over his and moved it higher, until I heard a moan from the back seat. How had I forgotten Alex was back there? Roberto sighed as I let go of his hand, "Alex? Are you okay?" I asked, turning to look at Alex in the back seat. He was slumped over. I went to lean over the seat to shake him when I felt a weakness spreading through my body. I slumped back down in the seat.

  "Piccolina? Are you all right?" Roberto asked.

  "I don't know. I'm feeling weak again."

  "Merde. Alex must need blood. We let him drain one of the Guardians but he was almost totally drained by the time we got to him. He needs blood to replace it. We can't stop here. We're too close to the explosion."

  Alex and I groaned at the same time.

  "Damn!" Roberto exploded as he hit the steering wheel.

  "You are going to have to let him bite you Olivia."

  "No!" Whatever our bond was, I didn't want to make it stronger.

  "Olivia, as much as I hate the idea, you will have to. If you don't it may kill you. I just hope it doesn't kill me." He said in a gruff tone.

  I knew he was right. The thing that scared me though was that there was a part of me that was jumping up and down and yelling yippee! Resigned to the fact I had to do this, I tried hoisting myself over the seat to get in back with Alex. I was too weak to manage, so Roberto grabbed the back of my jacket and helped me over. I landed with a soft thud against Alex, who didn't stir. I took his head between my hands.

  "Alex, Alex, listen to me. You need blood. You have to bite me." He was barely responsive. I didn't know what to do. I tried to remember how it was when he bit me the last time. It was erotic.

  "Roberto, I can't do this." I cried.

  "Piccolina, you have to. It won't mean anything. It is survival and nothing more. Do you Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

  Page 160 of 172

  understand me?" he asked in a sharp tone.

  "Yes, will you promise me something?" I asked him.

  "What?" He asked as he looked at me in the rearview mirror.

  "Don't look back here okay?"

  A tic started in his jaw and he nodded yes. He put his eyes back on the road. I lay myself up against Alex. My mind was in chaos. I was afraid, I didn't want to want this so bad, but I did. I brushed the hair from Alex's eyes. He was so beautiful. I loved the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. His smile would take over his entire face. I leaned forward and kissed his strong jaw.

  He sighed and his eyes fluttered open. "Baby, I thought I was dreaming. Maybe I am. Whatever, nothing wrong with a wet dream," he murmured as his mouth found mine. His lips were soft and seductive. He ran his tongue across my parted lips and then slipped it inside. The electrical currents raced through my body. I moaned as the heat collected between my legs. I arched my back to press my body closer to his. I felt his erection pressing against my hip; I needed so badly for him to be inside me. He moved a hand to cup my breast. His fingers began pulling on my puckered nipples.

  I reached down and ran my hand over the hard length of him through his jeans. I began to moan just as Roberto said loudly, "For the love of God Olivia, please get him to bite you."

  Alex whispered in my ear, "I know how this hurts you Olivia and I'm sorry." He lifted his head and looked at me with his heart showing in his eyes and silently mouthed the words, "I love you," and swiftly lowered his head and bit me.

  Chapter 31

  Alex's teeth sunk into my neck and with every pull of blood he took, I felt my womb contract in an inconceivable pleasure. The electricity was a tangible thing between us. You could hear the air crackling with arcs of power. From a far off place I heard the two of us moaning; I was underneath him and writhing in erotic pleasure as he ground his thick erection against me. I was trying to open his pants to free his hard length when I was suddenly pulled away from Alex and hauled up against Roberto.

  "Olivia, come back to me cara, please..." I tried hard to focus on Roberto's face. I felt disoriented. When things began to clear I saw
we were stopped on the side of the road and were standing next to the car. I burst into tears. What had I become?

  Roberto held me and stroked my hair, "Don't cry Olivia, this is not an easy situation."

  Up ahead Cristoforo and Mark stopped and got out of the car, "Is everything okay Roberto?"

  Cristoforo called back.

  Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

  Page 161 of 172

  "Yeah, we're getting back in the car now." Roberto opened the front door for me to get in. I couldn't look back at Alex because I was still mortified over my behavior.

  "Olivia? Are you all right? I didn't hurt you did I?" Alex asked from the back seat.

  "No Alex, I'm fine, thanks. Are you feeling stronger?"

  "Why yes, thank you for asking. What the hell Olivia? We have to talk about what's going on between us."

  Roberto got in the drivers seat and before pulling back on to the highway turned and said to Alex, "Now is not the time Alexander. We need to take care of business first. You are still weak and Olivia needs to get medical attention for her arm."

  "Yeah, she is in pain, I can feel it. Our connection has grown stronger since I took her blood again." Alex said in a taunting voice directed I'm sure at Roberto.

  "Alex please, just let it go for the moment. I'm tired and my arm is killing me." I pleaded with him. Alex immediately sounded contrite, "I'm sorry baby; we can talk later. Is there anything I can do for you?"

  "No." Roberto said quickly. We were quiet on the ride back to the safe house. I was lost in my troubled thoughts. I had thought my feelings were mixed up before?

  Being with both Alex and Roberto at the same time, made me more confused than ever. I loved Roberto, just thinking about him and his quiet strength made me want to melt in a puddle at his feet. I could see myself having a life with him. Alex, he was fun, easy to be with.

  He certainly cared about me. I had feelings for him. I wasn't sure it was love, but it was something. He was also very, very sexy.

  When we pulled up in front of the safe house, it was still a couple of hours before dawn. We got out of the car and went in to the Cape Cod. I felt nervous because I wanted to settle matters before the guys would be going to sleep for the day.

  "Roberto, would you mind if Alex and I went for a walk?" Alex looked at me with narrowed eyes. "Are you kidding me baby? You have to ask his permission to go for a walk?"

  "Alex. Please!" I snapped at him. "There is no reason to act childish."

  Roberto didn't help matters by butting in with, "Well. He is still a pup, so one can understand the rude behavior." Alex sprang at Roberto, but thankfully Cristoforo grabbed him and stopped them from killing each other. I went over to Roberto and looked pleadingly into his eyes,

  "I need to talk to Alex. You understand?" Roberto cupped my cheek with his huge hand, "Yes piccolina, I understand. But I am worried about your arm. Shouldn't you get that taken care of Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

  Page 162 of 172

  first?" I shook my head, "No, I need to do this before you sleep. I will go to the hospital after you go to sleep. Hopefully I will be back before you're up for the evening." Roberto was looking at me intently. It seemed like he was trying to read my thoughts.

  But he just nodded his agreement and turned to walk away. He took a few steps and turned back, pulling me into his arms and touching his lips to mine. "I love you. You are my light cara."

  With that, he turned and walked away. I stood there for a minute with a sense of deja vue. It had been a little over a week ago that Alex had done almost the same thing. I went over to Alex who was waiting by the door. I was tired and hurting, but knew I had to settle things before I could rest. Alex and I walked to a small park that was nearby and sat on a bench. We had been quiet while we walked, the air thick with tension. Now as we sat here, I suddenly burst into tears, damn, damn Sensay emotions. Alex gathered me in his arms, being careful not to jostle my broken arm.

  "Olivia honey, don't cry. Shhh it will be okay." Alex crooned to me. After letting it out I gathered my strength.

  "Alex, the first time you bit me, you bound me to you." I stated flatly.

  He looked startled that I knew, "Yes, I did it because I love you. I loved you from the first minute I met you. When you ran into me back in the Platza lobby, I looked into your eyes and I saw my soul there Olivia. It sounds irrational I know, but it's the truth. You and I are destined to be together."

  "You gave me no say in the matter Alex. You took the choice out of my hands. That wasn't right.

  Is there a way to break the bond?"

  Alex looked wounded, "I never heard of one. Binding is forever with our kind."

  I felt panicked. "Forever? And you didn't even ask me?

  What about Roberto? What if he wants to bind himself with me? Can you bind with more than one person?" Alex looked hard at me, "No, the only way I've heard a binding can end is one of the bound dies. Do you want to kill me now Olivia?"

  "Yes, no, of course not. I'm going to have to tell Roberto. I lied to him. I don't know why. I never lie. What do I do if he wants to bind with me? Crap!"

  Alex snorted. "I wouldn't worry about it right now Olivia. He hasn't bit you yet. I would be able to tell if he had. Roberto is old school and pomp and circumstance mean a lot to him. I don't think he'll bite you anytime soon. But if you truly want to be free of me I will research if there is a way to break the binding; besides my death that is. But I will ask one thing of you Olivia, search your heart. My love for you is beyond this earth."

  At my skeptical look, he took my face between his hands, Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

  Page 163 of 172

  "Can you tell me you don't feel it?"

  "I don't know Alex." I whispered. "I'm still getting used to this new world filled with vampires and wolves and hocus pocus."

  Alex smiled, "Wolves huh? Bullet?" I gasped, "How do you know about Bullet?"

  "I'm bound to you. And you are a powerful Sensay. You've shared your dreams with me. While they were torturing me, those dreams kept me going. I think that Bullet is an agent of the Great Spirit and he's here to help you."

  "Roberto said the same thing to me. How is it you all know so much about this?" I asked him curious. Alex shook his head at me, "You still don't get it do you?

  You are destined to be powerful beyond words Olivia." When I continued to stare at him he said, "You will be a queen among your people. You will one day be talked about in revered tones by all the species of the evolved. You'll also have great responsibility to our kind. It's not going to be an easy journey for you."

  "First Roberto says I'm a prophet and now you tell me I'm a queen. You guys are nuts! I am a physical therapist!!" Alex laughed at me. "You're a very powerful physical therapist then. Your powers are just now starting to emerge and once they do, you will need to train night and day to learn how to wield them."

  "Roberto says he can't train me, that I need to go find 'my people' I'm still not quite sure who my people are." Alex studied my face for a minute, "Yes you do. Bullet showed you the way.

  Remember? You have to trust and follow him."

  I thought about my dream where Bullet was leading me away from the water and through the forest. I remembered too the danger that I felt.

  "Alex, in my second dream the one by the lake, did you sense some sort of danger creeping up on me?" Alex took a minute to reply, "Yes."

  "Do you think it was a warning about Juan?" Alex seemed to reply carefully, "It's possible. It's hard to interpret these things. You will learn to better analyze these visions after you've had training, I imagine." I sat for a moment, thinking about all he had said. I still couldn't picture myself this powerful queen like person. I was getting curious though to meet 'my people'. I sighed; sitting here thinking about other things wasn't going to solve my immediate problem. I had to do this.

  "I am in love with Roberto and he loves me." He surprised me when all he said was, "I know." I looked at hi
m waiting for something more, "Is that all you have to say?"

  Alex stood up, "What do you want me to say Olivia?"

  Scent of a Vampire – Jude Stephens

  Page 164 of 172

  "I don't know, I guess I expected something else that's all."

  "Well, I'm sorry. I was expecting something else too. Like for you to be more intuitive. To know what's real. Being a Sensay you would think you would be able to hear what your heart knows is true."

  Alex turned to walk away. This was what I had wanted. I should be glad he understood. But instead I found myself grabbing his arm. "Alex, I don't want us angry with each other. I want you to be my friend." He turned and pulled me into his arms. "I will always be here for you.

  Olivia, I once told you I won't give up on us and I won't. I'm in love with you now and forever. If I find a way to break our bond and if that is what you want then I will do it, for you, that is how much I love you." He lowered his head to kiss me but I turned away. I was afraid of what it would do to me. I honestly didn't trust myself from begging him to make love to me.

  Alex ran a hand through his blond hair making it tousled and very sexy. "Let's get you back baby. You need to take care of that arm."

  We walked back in silence both of us sad. When we got to the door Alex took my hand to stop me from going in, "Olivia if you ever need me. If you're in any kind of trouble, call me okay?"

  I shook my head that I would. I didn't trust myself to speak. I was very close to crying. It felt like my heart was breaking.

  Alex said, "You go in, I'm going to hunt. I'm still a little bit weak from earlier."

  He didn't look weak and I didn't feel weak. I think he needed to get away from me, which made me want to cry more.

  He walked halfway down the sidewalk and turned back to me and said, "Can I ask you something?" I nodded yes at him. "When was the last time you sang Olivia?" I didn't answer. I stared at him until he turned and walked away. I stood there looking at the empty sidewalk, remembering the last time I sang. The night I spent with Alex.