Real Vampires and the Viking

by Gerry Bartlett

  Jerry shook off my grip and jumped up, moving toward the Viking. “You don’t have a fucking clue how things are today. A man can’t take a piss outside without a picture of it showing up somewhere.” Jer shook his head as if realizing that explaining cameras and computers would take more time and energy than he wanted to give at the moment.

  “What do you mean?” Gunnar glared at Jerry but didn’t back down.

  “Modern communication has made the secrecy you’d need to act like you did back in your time impossible.” Jerry looked pointedly at the poker in Gunnar’s hand. “You might want to think before you start hurling insults, Gunnar. We did take the trouble to dig you out of what could have been your grave.”

  “Aye, it is so.” Gunnar finally noticed me staring at the mess on the floor. “Sorry. I have no manners. My wife,” He swallowed, “would be shamed by me.” He picked up his discarded towel and wiped up the spit. Then he stared at the towel and took a breath.

  I could see him struggling. With his pride? Obviously he’d been a powerful man in his time. Now he was like a newborn baby, having to trust two strangers to steer him through the maze ahead of him. I knew better than to reach out to him, Jerry would hate that, but I really wanted to offer Gunnar some comfort.

  He finally looked up and let the poker fall to his side, though he didn’t let it go. “New world. New time. So I must learn. Please. Will you show me how to act here? I need,” His fingers flexed on the poker. “help.”

  “More than you know.” Jerry stalked to the door before we even heard the knock. “Gretchen is here. This woman is my kinswoman. Do not disrespect her, Viking.” He threw open the door and took a box from the tall blond who stood in the hall. “Come in.”

  “I was glad to get your call, Jeremiah. This must be Gloriana.” She breezed in, her tall slim body bringing the chill of the outdoors with her. She had the Scandinavian look that I would have expected--blue eyes, a tumble of light blond hair and a creamy complexion that made me want to add a layer to my makeup. She could have been a model with her perfect figure and height of almost six feet in heels.

  I loved her dark green velvet dress when she threw off her heavy wool cape and tossed it on the bed. Yes, she made me feel short and wide but her bright smile was so friendly that I found myself returning her hug and inhaling her delicious perfume. I never wore any. Jerry thought it was unsafe for vampires to confuse their sense of smell. We do have enemies and he’s all about defense.

  “Gretchen. Thanks so much for the supplies. We have been enjoying every bit of it.” I looped my arm through hers. “Jerry had never told me he had family here in Sweden. This entire trip was a big surprise.”

  “It is the perfect time to come. Long nights for a honeymoon, eh?” She gazed around the room. “Ah. This must be your find in the hills.” She began speaking to Gunnar in Swedish.

  Gunnar was speechless, staring at her as if he’d just found his treasure trove.

  “He speaks English, Gretchen. Apparently his father had an English mistress who taught him English as a child.” Jerry set the box on the table, walked over and kissed her cheek. “Be careful. He can be dangerous.”

  “I am not. Especially to a beautiful woman.” Gunnar finally spoke. “Gunnar Ellstrom.” He made an elegant bow.

  “Gretchen Marken.” She smiled at him. “It seems a miracle that you are alive.”

  “He’s a vampire. We aren’t alive, Gretchen.” Jerry seemed determined to be surly.

  “I know what you mean, cousin.” Gretchen moved closer to Gunnar. “I would like to hear the story of how you came to be put into the ice. I’m sure it is very interesting.” She flipped her hair back over her shoulder and I saw Gunnar’s eyes fix on her neck as she exposed it.

  Of course Gretchen was vampire too. It was a thing in the Campbell family, passed down from generation to generation. Parents stayed mortal until they had children then, when those children became adults, they gave them a choice to be turned vampire or to stay mortal. Of course the parents waited until the next generation was born. I wonder if Gretchen had children. Probably. She looked late twenties. But she could have been turned vampire hundreds of years ago. Just like Jerry had been. Don’t worry if this is confusing. It took me a long time to wrap my head around the Campbell traditions.

  “So, Gretchen, Gunnar wants to go looking for treasure which must be not far from his old village. You think you could help us get transportation?” I knew this wasn’t what Jerry wanted to hear but I was on board with the treasure hunt.

  “Of course. Gunnar, what was your village?” She leaned closer to him and Gunnar actually dropped the poker on the rug. He told her and she shook her head.

  “Oh, dear. That’s going to be a problem. Stockholm has grown so much it has swallowed up many of those tiny villages. We will have to see if there are any remnants of it left.” She laid her hand on Gunnar’s sleeve. “Have you fed, Gunnar?”

  “Only that skitprat in the bottles.” Gunnar gestured at his pile of empties on the hearth.

  “Oh, I’m sure that wasn’t very satisfying.” She glanced at Jerry and me. “You know I wouldn’t mind letting him feed from me. Just enough to help him get his strength back.”

  “That’s not necessary, Gretchen. Look at him.” Jerry wasn’t in favor of it. “He’s perfectly fine. Gloriana and I do quite well on the synthetic blood.” Of course he didn’t add that he usually liked fresh blood from mortals himself when he could manage it.

  Gretchen laughed. “Really? Are you telling me you don’t share from each other during sex?” She shook her head while I cursed the fact that I had flushed. “Don’t be embarrassed, Gloriana. It’s only natural. Healthy. Isn’t that right, Gunnar?”

  “You are torturing me, gullig.” Gunnar rubbed his face with his hands. “It was my greatest pleasure.”

  “Then come with me. I will take care of you.” Gretchen took his hand. “Jeremiah, put your knife away. I’m a woman with a mind of my own. We will be back in an hour or so.”

  “Where the hell are you going?” Jerry stood between Gretchen and the door. She had Gunnar in thrall. He was going wherever she led if he didn’t trip over his tongue.

  It was obvious that he couldn’t believe his luck. Women of this new century were too good to be true. I wanted to laugh and exchange a high five with him but poor Gunnar would have no idea what that was. I gave Jerry’s arm a squeeze, trying to get him to back off.

  “I have a friend on staff here. He will give me a room for a few hours. This man is in pain. Can’t you see that?” Gretchen patted Gunnar’s cheek. “I am happy to help.”

  “Yes, she will help me.” Gunnar’s look said it all. He was on his way to Nirvana and no one was getting in the way. “Move.”

  “You are mad.” Jerry did step aside when I tugged on his arm. “I’ve of a mind to tell your husband about this, Gretchen.”

  “Fredrick won’t care. We have an open marriage. It’s wise when you live forever.” Gretchen winked at me. “Gloriana, you would do well to get this straight with Jeremiah early in your marriage. Fidelity is boring after the first five decades, I can attest to that. Fredrick and I find we appreciate each other much more when we are free to indulge our appetites elsewhere. Then, when we do get together, it’s like coming home. Know what I mean?” She jumped when Gunnar pressed against her from behind. “Well, I guess someone is in a hurry.”

  “You promised. If you want me to kill this husband, say the word.” Gunnar slid a hand under her hair to her jugular. “We must go now. Find this room.”

  “I see we are going to have to work on patience.” Gretchen sighed. “I’m sure the first time will be fast. So many centuries of pent up frustration.” She reached back and touched his zipper. “Impressive. Yes, let’s go.”

  Jerry and I stood at the door and watched them walk down the hall and out of sight.

  “Damn, I’m suddenly desperate to be inside you, Gloriana.” Jerry slammed the door and picked me up, throwing me on the bed.<
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  “Now who’s crazy?” I laughed, sat up and ripped off my sweater. “But you’re right. I’m not about to let Gunnar get his rocks off and leave you frustrated. The room fairly sizzled with sexual energy. Get over here.”

  “My cousin had an interesting attitude toward marriage. What did you think?” Jerry had made quick work of my wool pants, pulling them down my legs and throwing them across the room.

  “I think it was sad.” I slid my hand inside his jeans. Of course he was ready for me. How could I ever get tired of him? I certainly hadn’t in four hundred plus years. Yes, his macho attitudes chaffed sometimes but sexually we were compatible in every way. Practice made perfect as far as I was concerned. Oh, yes! His clever fingers were revving me up just as I shoved down his jeans.

  “Gloriana.” Jerry raised his head from where he’d been giving my breasts some expert attention. “You know I hate it when you lie with other men, don’t you?”

  “Yes. Believe me when I say that I wouldn’t have taken those marriage vows if I weren’t ready to forsake all others, Jerry.” I brushed his hair back from his dark eyes. My lover. My love. “I am yours. Forever. Only yours.” I guided him into me, desperate for that deep connection. I meant every word of that. I’d had my flings, more than a few since we’d met. But I always came back to this man. Call it the bond of a vampire to her sire. Whatever. Jerry completed me like no other man ever had.

  “I meant those vows as well.” He held himself over me, pressing deeper as he gazed into my eyes. “You have my mind, my soul, my fidelity. Put a stake through my heart if I ever give you cause to doubt that.”

  I drew his face down for a kiss of affirmation. That kind of talk made my nerves skitter. Of course I was superstitious. A long, hard life had proven to me that tempting fate was a sure way to bring on challenges. Jerry should have known better. But he was ever the optimist. Me? Not so much.

  I let his face go then ran my hands over his hard body, urging him on as he proved once again that he knew how to bring me to a screaming climax. Good thing these were detached bungalows off the hallway or I’m sure the people next door would be pounding on the walls asking for quiet. And we weren’t done yet. It had been a long, long night and there were still half a dozen hours left of it. I caught Jer unawares and flipped us, laughing down at him when I tweaked his nipples then bit into his neck to take his life force.

  Of course Gretchen had been right on target. Sharing blood during sex was the best and Jerry and I had made it a habit. I savored his taste, felt the surge of power from his ancient blood and swallowed the salty zest of a vintage that no one else could top, at least not in my experience.

  I finally licked the punctures closed and slid down his body, running my lips over his still firm erection. Got to love a vampire’s stamina. It wasn’t long before I was pulled into position so that he could sink his own fangs into that sweet spot on my inner thigh. Jerry pressed his lips into the crevice and drank deeply. But he was careful not to take too much, just as I had been. I heard his sigh of satisfaction as he eased away from me then drove his tongue into the place where I still quivered from the last orgasm he’d given me.

  “God! Jerry!” I bucked against his mouth, caught off guard by the sheer intensity of the pleasure. “You’re killing me.”

  He leaned back and grinned, full of himself and his power to please me. “Never. But I don’t mind if you want to beg me a little. To finish you off?”

  “Ass!” I took him into my mouth then, tracing veins with my fangs and then drawing hard until his hips left the mattress and he groaned. Pain, pleasure? We both knew they could be too close to call. I kept at it until he cried out and dug his hands into my hips, his pleasure complete.

  After several moments to recover and a love pat, I finally slid off of him and nestled by his side.

  “How are you feeling?” I rubbed his chest, startled to realize his heart was pounding. Unusual in a vampire.

  “You surpassed yourself, wench.” He gripped my bottom and pulled me on top of him. “I love you so much it sometimes scares me.”

  I gazed down at him. His eyes were glittering. No, impossible. My man did not shed tears.

  “Stop it. Now I’m scared. It was just a really good roll in the hay.” I laughed and rubbed my cheek against his. His whiskers were rough, his evening beard growing in because of the long night.

  “No, it was much more than that and you know it.” Jerry rested his palm on my head. “We made love like we couldn’t get enough of each other. And it was unselfish. You know how rare that is?”

  “I have an inkling.” I smiled against his skin. He was right. We had a rare thing and I was going to treasure it. It was good to know that he was on the same page.

  “I’m glad we’re married. You are mine and I am yours. Forever.” His arm tightened around me.

  “Amen to that.” We were as close as we could be, skin to skin. I ran my toes up and down his leg, loving the contrasts of masculine and feminine. Happiness. This forever? I couldn’t imagine being so lucky.

  I finally sighed. “Guess we should get dressed in case Gretchen drags Gunnar back here soon. She was right about one thing. He’ll go off like a rocket after a thousand years of celibacy.”

  Jerry laughed loudly and long. “I can just imagine it.” He sat up, taking me with him. “Seems a shame to interrupt our honeymoon but I understand why the treasure is important to you. If you want to help him find it, we’ll do it.”

  “Thanks, Jer. I know it seems silly, but--” He stopped me with a finger on my lips.

  “Not silly at all. You want your own fortune. I understand completely. You never wanted to be a kept woman. Just one of the many things I love about you. That and your very fine ass.” He swatted that as he climbed out of bed. “I’m for a shower.” He held out his hand. “Join me?”

  “After such a compliment? Just try to keep me away.” I let him pull me into the bathroom. Just to be safe, I closed and locked the bathroom door. If Gretchen and Gunnar did come back while we were in there, they could just wait for us. And see for themselves that we’d made very good use of the king-sized bed. Newlyweds. We were definitely taking our roles seriously.

  Chapter Four

  Gunnar strutted into the room like a conquering hero. He’d obviously had a very fine time with Gretchen and his cheeks were flushed. Sex and blood. What more could a vampire want?

  “Are you all right, Gretchen?” Jerry met her at the door and helped her to a seat in front of the fire. She did look pale.

  “I’m fine. The Viking is insatiable of course. Who wouldn’t be after more than a thousand years without a woman? He said he remembers nothing from the time in the ice so I explained to him that it was like he went to sleep one day and woke up in the cave with you two the next night. He was not denied for all those years. So he needed to,” Gretchen swayed, “slow the hell down.”

  “Here.” I handed her a bottle of synthetic. She’d obviously let the man feed too long. “Drink it all.”

  “Yes, thank you, Gloriana. He did get a little carried away and he’s strong as an ox.” Gretchen drank deeply.

  “She is a fine wench. Too bad she is already spoken for.” Gunnar stood in front of the fire, staring at Gretchen. He was clearly enamored.

  “But she is. She may help us while we are here, but that’s all. She is not for you.” Jerry sat next to his cousin, a second bottle in his hand. When she finished the first, he took the empty and pushed the new one on her. “Drink another. The Viking was obviously greedy.” That got Gunnar a dirty look.

  “I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop. She was so,” Gunnar’s slow smile said it all, “good.”

  “I will be all right. Now what about today? Sleeping arrangements.” Gretchen looked at the rug in front of the fire. “Why not let him sleep here? I’m sure it will be as good if not better than what he’s used to and you will all be dead anyway.”

  “This isn’t going to work.” Jerry jumped to his feet. “I’ll be damne
d if I’m stuck on my honeymoon sharing a room with Gloriana and another man. There are privacy issues.”

  “’Tis not my idea of a good arrangement.” Gunnar still stared at Gretchen. “You think me a mere thrall, used to sleeping at the foot of my master’s bed?”

  “I never said that.” She looked down at her lap. “Clearly you were well educated. The very fact that you speak other languages…”

  “Yes! I commanded many long ships, served King Olaf himself. It was on a mission for him that I was captured and turned vampire. It was not of my own choosing.” He showed his fangs, more of a snarl, and aimed it at Jerry. “That was the beginning of my troubles.”

  “A touching story but that doesn’t change the fact that Gloriana and I want our privacy.” Jerry picked up the house phone and called the front desk. “Do you have a room available? One night.” He listened. “Tonight. Now.” His face made it clear there was nothing available. “How about tomorrow?” He glared at Gunnar. “Book it and put it on my credit card. Yes, Jeremy Blade.” He listened for a moment. “No, I don’t know how long. Can you make it open ended? I don’t care what it costs.” He slammed the phone down. “Guess we’re stuck with you. For one night at least.”

  “Do you see me glad of it?” Gunnar sat beside Gretchen and picked up her hand. “I do not want to stay here. May I come with you, dearling? Where do you abide?”

  “I have to go home to my husband. He’s waiting for me. I got a text a few minutes ago.” Gretchen was looking better after finishing the second bottle. “Never mind. You have no idea what a text is but that means I can’t bring you with me.” She patted his hand then put some space between them. “You’re safer here, Gunnar. The staff at the hotel knows not to disturb the honeymooners and you will be safe here during your death sleep. It is only a few hours this time of year, during the cold months you would have called them.”

  “Aye. I saw the Bifröst in the sky. The rainbow of lights.” Gunnar nodded. “Long nights. Short days. ’Tis not to my liking to stay here but I will make my bed on the floor in front of the fire for this one night. At least it will be warm.” He grabbed her hand again and pulled it to his lips. “But not as warm as it would be if you were to lie with me, min kärlek.”