by P. Mattern
A few moments, a year, perhaps an eternity later she felt a sharp sting as he pulled away from her. As if scores of tiny needles had been removed nearly simultaneously. Gently he laid her back on the foot of the bed. It was the only furniture in the room besides the lamp table that flanked it and the desk and chair pressed against the opposite wall. She lay there for a few minutes, focusing on the white textured ceiling, not speaking. Then she said aloud the first thought that came into her head.
“Well that wasn’t so bad. I have to get going though…”
As soon as she raised her head and upper body up off the lilac damask spread a few inches the room began to spin.
“Hey, not so fast.” her companion said. ”It’s like donating blood. Give yourself time to adjust. Take it slowly please.”
“I don’t have time to look at the ceiling”. Mitzi protested. Suddenly she felt less floaty, and more than a little embarrassed. After all, he had had his lips on her in a way that was so consumingly invasive that the term “intimate” didn’t even begin to apply.
She found herself looking up at his face as he loomed over her. ”Aw come on. You have at least a few minutes for this auspicious event. Just relax. Right now your neurons are going crazy. You are “adjusting”. What’s the phrase? Oh yeah - ‘this may take a moment.’”
She gazed upward at his face hovering a scant 6 inches from her own. His eyes peered down into hers unblinking.
“I’m OK really. I feel better already.” She had an overwhelming impulse to jump up and run home.
“Well that’s good then!” he said, instantly leaving her side. It seemed to Mitzi that he sounded slightly annoyed for some reason. Carefully she learned up on her elbows. So far so good - no ‘spinnies’ she thought, sitting all the way up. And - nothing. She felt normal. Then smiled at her own thoughts. Her new “normal” was far off the scale from her old ”normal”, just as Charley’s had been. From there she got to her feet and walked the few steps to retrieve her coat. As she slipped it on, she called casually over her shoulder to the figure standing behind her, ”Thanks for your - assistance. I have a feeling that there may be some repercussions, so watch your back!” Behind her he murmured something she couldn’t quite catch. ”Excuse me?” she said, turning.
He was staring at her intently.
“I said - I’d rather watch YOURS. Your back I mean.”
It was impossible to tell then how the distance between them was closed in mere fractions of a second, but her coat drifted to the floor along with everything else she’d been wearing-and she was lost in a molten kiss that seemed to have no beginning and no end. He had rid himself of all clothing and, picking her up as though she was weightless, laid her gently back on the bed. He smelled deliciously of wind, and the thrumming rain, and leather. The voice that permanently resided in the corner of her mind 24/7 analyzing, judging and directing her every action in life had strangely gone silent.
In its place the raw pulsing of her desires, the silk – on - silk feel of their respective skins touching became all she knew.
“So much pleasure” she thought. “I can’t take it all in.” Everything that had been her life fell away as he entered her, making their bodies one, making her feel more beautiful than she’d ever felt with a man before. It was lovemaking enhanced with an otherworldly quality, sensations that there were no names for.
Off in the distance (it seemed) a woman was moaning and a man was whispering a steady stream of delicious secrets. She came and came and came again, wondering if she might die from such pleasure-and thinking that it would be worth it if she did.
* * *
“I know what you did.”
“Duh-as if I could keep you out of my head even if I wanted to. We’re twins.”
“Listen to me-that was WRONG. She’s somebody’s mother.”
“Most of them are. Or will be.”
“You know what I mean. Charley won’t be thanking you for shtupping his mother!”
“Good thing I wasn’t waiting for approval - or accolades.”
“She’s older than you.”
“AGEIST! And technically not true. I have about two centuries on her. Besides, you know how it works. Eventually we’re all going to be roughly the same age.”
His twin growled, ”You’re not in love with her. Don’t even try to tell me that. Surely the Bachelor of Two Centuries is not about to award the final rose?”
“Let’s just say I’m… captivated.”
Where have I heard that before? Oh yes. When you were infatuated with the stripper twins in Vegas. And how did that end?”
“I can’t recall.”
“BADLY. It ended BADLY. And I know you remember that they were your first once - bittens. And that they weren’t ready for that. And you may recall the part where you lost your ardor and let them be twice - bitten by someone from the Dark Team. God knows where they ended up… not exactly a fairytale ending. I hope you’re proud of yourself!”
“Not really. But I was young and foolish. Now I’m - more mature. And I know what I want. And I want to see where this goes.”
There was silence in the room for a few moments. Then-
“You’re a DICK!”
“Hmmmm - AND I’m a vampire. Does that make me a “Vick”?”
* * *
Chapter 10: Out Of Body Experience
It was embarrassing having a body like this.
Mitzi hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet but she could feel the new changes in her physical being viscerally and instinctively. Her stomach for instance (which she’d referred to as her “pooch” for the past 15 years) was flatter. Her breasts were set higher and perkier. He waist was more defined, and that was a miracle in and of itself. Even dancing ballet in college she had bemoaned her lack of a defined waist. ”Short waisted” was what her Russian born ballet instructor had called it, between puffs on a cigarette in a long holder as Mitzi had conferred with her in her office. ”Plenty of dancers are short waisted darling” her instructor had said, ”But the great ones never are.”
Mitzi noticed that her squarish derriere looked amazingly the same. No dimples though.
‘When they call it “transforming’ they aren’t kidding. ”She reflected. And night after night the transformation had continued, a sixteenth of an inch difference here, a sudden entire inch off each thigh - all with no discernible change in dietary habits. Her arms were showing definition as if she worked out with weights on a daily basis. Mitzi didn’t own a set of weights. This improvement, this new beauty that had been bestowed upon her by virtue of her having been twice-bitten was burdensome. Acquaintances kept asking what she was “doing.” That was a good one. What sort of response was she supposed to make? Usually she told a fib - that she had joined Weight Control or Fatties Anonymous or was following a low carb regime. What she really wanted to say was “It’s the BLOODSUCKER DIET darling! Sooooo fabulous! You really ought to try it!”
Fress had attempted to forewarn her about the changes but she hadn’t really believed it. Quickly she jumped out of bed and stood in front of her double - mirrored closet doors. In spite of her modest nightgown, light flannel and buttoned up to the neck, it was obvious that a “bangin’” body lurked underneath all that cotton. Lifting the hem of her gown she pulled it up to the panty line and stared at herself critically. Well, her white thighs were not perfect yet. They were firmer but still Gibson Girl plump.
And somehow that was a relief.
It was a conundrum. Mitzi had no desire to attract male attention, but she had noticed that she was getting some regardless. Probably it was all meaningless - a biological imperative that caused men to turn and instinctively look at her without their even being aware of it.
A knock sounded at the door. Guiltily Mitzi dropped the hem of her gown and opened the door to her son, the only other person in the house.
Charley smiled broadly as she ushered him in. ”Top of the mornin’ to ya!” he said with a thick Irish brogue, giving her a hug. H
e was dressed in jeans, boots and a pullover. His hair was combed back (instead of hanging in his eyes) GQ style, with the aid of some kind of hair product. He looked very grown up Mitzi thought.
“Hello my wonderful son” she said dotingly. ”Did you get any sleep last night? The light in your room was on I noticed.”
Charley sighed, ”Yeah got carried away with reading. Last night I read Balzac, Rabelais and Stephen King. Also some of Emily Dickenson’s poetry. I only got two hours sleep but I feel great. Today Fressenda is going to take me to a horse farm where she teaches riding on Saturdays. I believe it’s her plan to give me a riding lesson. You cool with that?”
Mitzi winced at Charley’s trendier speech, but said “Yes of course. Can I assume the twins are going along?”
Charley shook his head. ”Cass says horses weird him out unless he’s jousting. Said he was kicked by one once. Lux said he’d love to ride but he’d made a previous engagement. It’ll just be me and Fressie.”
“OK” Mitzi forced herself to say a little too brightly. ”But be careful Charley.”
“Always” he answered, picking her up in his traditional Charley - type bear hug. ”And Mom?”
“Yes Charley?”
“I’m so happy - I just wanted you to know.” They shared a smile and then he was gone again, which was fine because Mitzi felt overdue for some alone time.
Her first thoughts centered around processing some of her more recent experiences. With time to think, Mitzi allowed herself to mentally’ go there’ to her prearranged time in the motel room. She’d been celibate for years since Sam’s death, not particularly looking forward to swapping bodily secretions with another man. Even the very idea was singularly unappealing. In Southern tradition it was considered a tribute to the deceased not to remarry anyway, so she’d reckoned she was finished with men.
Finished with MEN, maybe - but apparently not finished with vampires.
She watched herself in the vanity bathroom mirror as she finished up her toilette. Leaning forward she whispered, ”I know what you did” and watched a high blush bloom on both her cheeks. Part of her, the judgmental part, was telling her that her little tryst was tantamount to sleeping with one of her son’s friends. Mitzi had no answer to that, other than to realize that her sponsor for becoming twice - bitten was HER friend also. That she felt a closeness with the vampires that she’d never experienced in any mortal relationship aside from her marriage with Sam. That, together with the fact that she was happier than she could ever remember being since Sam had passed away.
But the bonds that she felt with the vamps went even beyond mere friendship. It seemed familial, intimate, inclusive and validating. It was like being part of a tribe. Maybe this was what she’d been missing. Lord knows she had done her best to carry on the family unit with just herself and Charley - create new traditions - remind Charley of family related things that they had said and done together… it was her way of mitigating a loss that just couldn’t be mitigated.
Suddenly she shook her curls as if trying to shake away her thoughts. Rehashing the past made her feel like she was enacting Alice in Wonderland’s slow descent down the rabbit hole - it was fruitless and pointless and though she’d tried to snatch parts of it to hang onto as she descended (just as Alice had randomly taken jars from shelves as she floated down endlessly) - it wasn’t working. She determined then that her focus would be on counting her current blessings instead of questioning them, silence her inner whining over all the changes and focus on what was to come.
That made more sense than any of the other conclusions she’d come to recently.
* * *
Chapter 11: When In Rome
As Mitzi processed her physical changes Charley and Fressenda were engaged in a Latin tutorial at the cottage Fress shared with Castor and Pollux. The cottage was small but adorable with 3 miniscule bedrooms, a small kitchen a breakfast nook and a good sized sitting room with floor to ceiling built in bookcases and a stone fireplace.
“Tempus volat et ita lamia.”
“Excellent Charley!” Fress responded, clapping her hands together with delight. ”And what does it mean, my apt pupil?”
Charley smirked at her, and then replied. ”Time flies and so do Vampires.” Fress smiled. ”Your Roman accent is quite good. One would think it was your native language.” Charley closed his binder with a snap.
“Dulcis amor - were you possibly a vampire in Roman times? Inquiring minds want to know.”
“I’m not telling” Fress answered, ”A true lady never reveals her age, mea fortis bulla”.
In a nanosecond Charley was holding her. ”Did you just call me a stud in Latin?”
“MY stud” she replied, giving him a fierce kiss. ”Only mine, no one else’s.”
Charley looked down into her pretty face adoringly ”Possessive little thing, aren’t you?”
“Of course”, she nodded, ”This kind of chemistry is not to be taken lightly.”
Charley smirked again ”So you created me for purely selfish reasons. I am, for all intents and purposes, your Frankensteinian Love Slave, lorem scortentur.”
Fress gave a mock gasp, ”Charley Rabbit! Did you just call me a sexy wench in latin?”
Charley lifted one eyebrow. ”I believe I did. Any objections?”
“None whatsoever.” Fressenda replied, taking a long interlude to kiss Charley again, as he ran his long hands up and down the length of her body. Finally she broke free and whispered, ”Lesson over. Let’s go upstairs.”
“Calidum damnant.” Charley replied happily.
* * *
An hour later, Fress, propped up on one elbow, gazed down at a dozing Charley.
“Charley-do you remember the first time?”
Charley opened one eye and said in a sleep-muffled voice. ”I try not to. I was probably awful.”
“On no”Fress objected adamantly, ”You were… precious. It will always be one of my fondest memories my love.”
Charley opened both eyes and turned towards her. ”Here’s a news flash Fress my darling. NO RED BLOODED MALE ever wants to be referred to as “precious”. Never say that again!”
Fress adopted a placating tone, ”I wouldn’t say it in front of anyone else. But I remember you standing there, kind of looking down very shyly, as though you were afraid to look into my face, while I was kissing you on the face and neck. Then when I started to unbutton your shirt, you lifted your head and started staring at the ceiling… why did you do that?”
“Because I was praying, Fress. I was praying to God that you wouldn’t stop. “Fress giggled,” And I didn’t. And the rest is history. I must say you “rose” to the occasion.”
Charley brushed Fress’s bangs away from her eyes, ”Nature is amazing, isn’t it? I didn’t know what I was doing - yet I knew instinctively what to do. Was it because I was a vampire or because I was still partly human?”
Fress looked at him seriously and intently, ”Because you were a vampire I’m sure. Charley, only humans mess THAT up. Vampires are studs.”
Charley stretched and then grabbed her up into his arms. ”I believe you are absolutely right about that. And I would like to illustrate your point if I may…”
“Please do!” she said gaily, her delicious laughter pealing like a thousand silver bells.
* * *
It was a quiet Friday night. Cass had brought with him a decanter of a rare blood type that he described bouquet-wise as resembling a Hungarian wine, known as Egri Bikaver in taste. It was a difficult one to come across in the Midwest and he had decided to share with the group, especially so Charley and Mitzi could become acquainted with their many nutritional options when it came to a “pure” diet. Cass reflected that he really needed to hold a tutorial on the fine art of blood imbibement for the entire group of vamps and made a mental note to do it soon.
Cass, Lux and Fress had acquired a penchant for hanging out with Mitzi and Charley every Friday night - and half the time sleeping over until the
next morning. Mitzi thought that her big drafty house was a more congenial environment with a little company in attendance, and she’d felt more vulnerable since the attack in the parking lot. Even though she was in some ways generationally older, the twins and Fress made her feel more secure and protected somehow.
As she watched Cass fill several wine glasses 2/3 full she suddenly blurted out ”Cass do you have a real – um - I mean ANOTHER job?” Mitzi flushed at the gaffe which reflected exactly what she’d been thinking, wondering if Lux and Cass had ‘real’ jobs like Fress’ librarian post.
Cass looked up at her brightly.
“Why I’m glad that you asked… I do have another ongoing vocation, but it’s highly classified-“
Mitzi finished his sentence for him, ”You’d tell me but then you’d have to kill me? Where have I heard THAT before?”
Cass grinned, ”Something like that.”
“Well I know you get paid for play acting knights and medieval characters once a month. Do you do anything else besides reading a lot of comic books?” Mitzi asked, determined to get more information from Cass, who was being unusually closemouthed and coy in answering her questions.
Cass gave her one of his long – suffering looks.
“First of all – it’s not called “play acting” it’s called L.A.R.P. ing. Secondly…” He continued in an increasingly offended tone, “They’re NOT ‘comic books’, they’re called ‘GRAPHIC NOVELS’.
“Oh Mitzi said, wondering why he seemed miffed.”
“As you said before”, Cass, replied, making a move on the beautifully carved chess board with a satisfied smile, “If I told you about EVERYTHING I do I’d have to kill you.”
“But if we’re vampires, aren’t we already dead?” Mitzi shot back archly.
Cass smirked slightly as he answered, “Mitzi, do you FEEL dead?”
Mitzi shook her head. ”No - not at all… in fact, quite the opposite - more alive, really. More situationally aware as if I’d gone from being cognitively disable to a kind of enhanced awareness where I can take in more information and make sense of it without going into overload or something. I’m not even sure that I’m using the right words to describe it. Do you think that Charley went through the same thing?” She glanced a few feet over to make sure Charley wasn’t overhearing their conversation and noted that he was happily and completely engaged in an animated conversation with Lux and Fress.