by C. L. Quinn
IN SIBERIA
Nikolai dropped his gear on the table top and lowered himself into a chair that probably would no longer support him. He’d already damaged the other three in his cabin. This new body brought by his merge with the ancient first blood vampire had taken a long time to get accustomed to.
Who was he kidding? He hadn’t adjusted at all and didn’t think that he ever would.
These past few months had been impossible. Not only did he share this huge new body with the vampire, but his mind as well. For a man who had spent most of his life alone, and had been happy with that, now, to never be alone, ever, even inside his own head, was tortuous. There were moments when he wanted to take a bullet to his temple just to find that precious privacy.
He never would, he was a survivor. Even if he really wanted to end this miserable existence, he wouldn’t have been able to. It had become very apparent that he did not have control over his own body unless the vampire gave it to him. There was no doubt…Mies was dominant.
Mies. His new best friend. Forcibly, of course, because they shared everything now. It was creepy in ways Nikolai could never have imagined. His sense of self remained, but even now, he could feel it waning. Mies was getting stronger, and Nikolai knew that he, only human, was fading away. Mies assured him that was not the intention, but Nikolai believed differently. Mies may not even know it. But Nikolai did.
The small lifeforce that was Nikolai Zalesky would be buried beneath the superior lifeforce of a being so ancient, with such magics, it would smash his tiny life. He would be buried, he was certain of that.
He wished that he could be unconscious to his own existence. This, this half life, this strange merge where he could feel Mies’s thoughts and emotions as if they were his own, he did not want to go on like this.
For now, he tried to manage the remnants of his life and just go about it as normally as he could. For now, much of the time, Mies was the one who sat on the inside of consciousness silently.
Nikolai knew that Mies did not want to be like this either. Both were trapped, victims of some cruel, as yet not understood idea of fate’s game. Even Mies had no idea of their future or what was expected from them. So they had spent these past few months trying to discover how to live like this. Neither of them had been able to.
They had, however, finally forced themselves to co-exist.
Conversations between them, in his head were, oddly, both disquieting and comforting. While both men hated this circumstance, each admitted that their existence was dependent on the other.
Nikolai had been dying, he knew that with absolute certainty now that he had access to the spirit world and had felt his lifeforce ready to go.
Mies had been gone for many centuries, and while he had no interest in living again, he had to admit that being resurrected thousands of years beyond his own lifetime fascinated him.
So Nikolai would have passed out of this world, and Mies would never have had the chance to see the far future that this world had built, and he really wanted to do so now.
Bound together as they were, they had a lot of mental dialogues.
We need to break this bond, find a way to separate our lifeforces into two bodies. Is that even possible?
Mies had taken a few moments to answer.
This I do not know, my friend. One of us would have to find a second body to move into. That would repeat what has been done to you and it would not solve this problem for me. If it can be done, the method would likely be available on the spiritual plane. And I do not believe it is something they would reveal to us.
I know several first bloods, they are brilliant, part of a community of vampires in France. I want to contact them.
They have connections to the spirit realm too. I do not believe that is a safe inquiry unless you want to warn the universe of our intention.
Then what? What can we do?
We live, as we have been made to do. I am sorry, but we must learn what we are meant to accomplish, Niko. After, then we will pursue it.
No. NO!
Your choice is made. My choice is set. This is who and what we are, my brother. When you are ready, I would like to go out and travel the different lands to see this world and to meet the people of this millennium.
I’m not ready.
You won’t be, not until you do what you must do. Niko, I wish to do this as a cooperative unit. Please do not make me force this upon you. Whatever we must do, whatever mission we have, whatever we must learn, it cannot be here in this small cabin in Siberia. We must go.
Yes, I see that will suit you. I know that you can force me to do anything you want. I am aware that you are sensitive to my needs. But you’ll do what you want anyway. Why bother to pretend to ask.
No pretense, you can feel that. Do not be petulant, you are not a child. This we will do.
I realize that. Then could you grant me one request? I know of a human who is not only incredibly bright and intuitive, but she is also very familiar with the first blood race and even with your ancient people. In addition, she is a physician, trained to know the physical body very well. Will you let her be our first stop out into the world? She may be the one person who can help us. We will need someone out there on our side who is aware of what we are.
Mies was quiet. This was one of the moments when he did not share his thoughts or feelings with Nikolai. He was considering the repercussions of revealing their nature to someone who was not even vampire.
You indicated that it was not wise to involve first bloods because of their connection to the spiritual world. She is an excellent choice.
Still, Mies did not answer.
Mies?
Finally, he responded. I agree, Niko. We will seek your friend. Where is she located?
France.
Then we will travel to her. Tomorrow, we will begin the next part of this journey. We will rest well this day.
Spasibo.
Removing his clothes carelessly, Nikolai ran a hand over his body, sliding down to palm the oversized cock he’d received with his first blood conversion. As much as the invading Mies wanted to take it out into the village and play, Nikolai had deliberately refused to let him, and yes, he knew that it deprived himself as well, but he couldn’t help it. The thing was half-erect most of the time, and if he even got near an attractive woman, it hardened further. Nikolai was horny as hell all the time, too, but for now, since Mies was trying not to force this without Nikolai’s agreement, it gave him too much satisfaction to blue-ball both of them.
Dropping onto his bed, he stretched his width over the entire mattress, a new one that allowed for his extra bulk and weight. Now, he had the daunting task of trying to sleep. Shutting off his own mind and any thoughts that penetrated it from his companion was immensely more difficult than his ability to do it well. It had been over two months since they had been merged, and he didn’t think he was any better at coping with the day to day, or in this case, night to night, moments of trying to live a life. All of the components that came along with it were exponentially harder now.
Even trying to select food was a challenge…Mies didn’t recognize anything that Nikolai liked and wanted things that Nikolai wouldn’t touch. Sleep gave him his best rest once Mies fell deep into his slumber. It was the only time that Nikolai felt alone in his own head and body. He cherished those moments, which is why he was highly sleep deprived.
While Mies rested, he tried to stay awake…and enjoy the moments when he could just be Nikolai.
I cannot reach her. Sarah must have changed her cell number. I will try her master’s home in Paris.
You say that she’s a blood-bond to a first blood vampire? Why would she have her own access? Would you not just call her master’s fortress?
The world doesn’t work like that anymore. For the most part, everyone is equal and free. Blood-bonds have their own lives, their own phones, sometimes their own residences. Sarah is an amazing woman in her own right.
I see. You can understand my desire t
o get away from this small village and see how the world has changed. Niko, this is the most interesting thing to me now, after centuries on the spiritual plane, to see what people have done with this world.
I do understand. You are right, it is past time. I apologize for being difficult. I have taken my anger out on you and I know that you are just as much a victim as I. But I am human and this part of your world is so alien to me.
Yes, it must be. I have never experienced anything like this before either. Truly, I don’t think that anyone ever has. I think that we are unique in history.
I can’t imagine we are anything else. Okay, I’m going to call Xavier’s household.
Once his call connected, Nikolai greeted a pleasant female voice who answered in French.
“Parlez-vous anglais?” he said with a bad accent.
“Oui. It is the language of the household. May I help you sir?”
“I hope so. My name is Nikolai and I am a good friend of Sarah’s. I need to speak with her.”
“I am sorry, sir, but Sarah has left her service with us here. She is no longer in the country.”
“I don’t understand. Isn’t she blood-bonded to Xavier?”
The woman hesitated. “I cannot confirm anything, you are unknown to me. If you would leave a number that I can reach you by, then perhaps I can assist you further. The household is at rest.”
“Of course, it is much earlier in Paris than it is here in Siberia. Yes, please, if you could let me know where I can reach Sarah, let her know that it is urgent.”
He left his name and cell phone number with the young woman, who was cautious, and rightfully so since the vampires were private about their natures, and sighed. He went into his mind to discuss the discovery with Mies.
Later, then, when she reaches Sarah, we will find out how we can connect with her.
I look forward to seeing this city of lights you speak of.
It’s lovely. Mies, this world will astound you, excite you, and overwhelm you. I will try to shelter you from it somewhat, but it is bright, loud, and busy. It bears no resemblance to the world you would have known over six thousand years ago.
I am ready, my friend. Your guidance is welcome, because I know, even as first blood, even as a magical being, I have no idea what to expect or how I will react or adapt. Never has a man been more out of his element. Do not let me fail.
Nikolai laughed and reached for a bottle of Vodka.
Let you fail. You mean let us fail as a pair.
I trust you, you know. We need to work in tandem to make sure that whatever is required of us, whatever the universe needs, we will succeed. You will get your body back, as a singular man, human again, if you desire, if I can possibly ensure it. I promise that I will seek your freedom from me.
But what would become of you?
It is irrelevant. You host me, and you should not have to do so. This body, this world, this time…it isn’t mine, it is yours, Nikolai Zalesky. Once we achieve our mission, I will give it all back to you if I can.
That is the first good bit of news I’ve had since I fell through that hole in the earth.
Let us hope that we find nothing but good news from this day forward. Toast?
Da. Toast. To our success, brother.
Da. Now, with an understanding and a truce in place, can we seek a blood meal? I am starving.
I hate this part most you know.
Sorry, but it is essential. For you, too, since your body is vampire. And Niko. Please, could we find a woman?
Vampire, the idea of having sex, like this, like we are, a trio, for all purposes, I don’t know if I can do that.
You are as in need as I am. It will be all right. I believe we can both find pleasure without feeling compromised by the other. And Niko, sex as vampire is much more satisfactory.
Really?
Really.
The conversation stopped. Mies could feel Nikolai’s hesitance. He could feel his confusion. And he could feel that Nikolai was as frustrated as he was.
Da, okay. When we get to France.
Mies sighed. Thank the Gods! Soon then. He could block Nikolai from observing if he was more comfortable with that. He thought he might like to feel how it would be to have sex as vampire.
But Mies would be driving the act. He was hard as stone in this body and in his mind.
Hours later both men occupied Nikolai’s body, sprawled drunk on the bed from copious amounts of vodka. They were filled with food and resting in the underground chamber where his friend Olivia had stayed this past winter. Now that his body was vampire, Nikolai no longer slept in his room in the cabin above this dugout basement.
When his cell phone began to ring, he rolled upright and looked around the room.
“Ah, there,” he said, out loud, obnoxiously so, and grabbed the phone.
“Yah?” he barked.
“Mr. Zalesky?”
Her voice brought him to the edge of the bed, his hand massaging his soft cock, happy now that it had gotten what it needed.
“I spoke with Mr. Xavier and he verified you. Miss Sarah does not have a telephone that we can reach her by right now. For the time being, she’s left the vampire community. She is living in Boston, in the U.S. She is fully human again and working there as a doctor. We are very proud of her.”
Nikolai thanked her and pitched his phone onto a table nearby. Boston.
Okay, then. “Boston, it is.”
Four
IN BOSTON
“Excellent,” Naji agreed. “Sexy without being slutty, but definitely a come hither and bite my ass kind of look.”
Sarah smiled into the mirror. “Just the look I was going for. No, Naji, it’s perfect. Elegant, classy, and, yeah, you’re right, sexy.”
“Girl’s gotta look a-ma-zing the first time she goes out with the man of her dreams.”
“I don’t know if that’s the case, but I am really attracted to Leo, and, yeah, I’m looking forward to finding out if we might have something. And, yes, Naji, I mean hot sex.”
“You got your juices flowing now girl, and only one thing will tap that flow. A downright great fuck.”
It might not have been the word that Sarah would have used, but she had to agree, that really was exactly what she needed…a really great fuck. While it was a coarse term, she had visualized Leo naked, crawling on top of her, and plunging into her. Shit, even now, with Naji grinning at her, she felt a pulse between her legs.
“Um, hum. I recognize the look. Saturday can’t come quickly enough for you two.”
“Why am I so obsessed with sex right now? Good heavens, this really isn’t me. I haven’t had sex in what seems like a century.”
Laughing, Naji watched Sarah spin in the black halter-top dress she’d bought from a couture studio next to hers. The dress cost over eight thousand dollars retail, but she’d never tell Sarah. She knew her dear little friend would never accept such an elaborate gift, and nothing was going to stop Sarah from blowing that man’s mind, and perhaps other things, when they had their first date this weekend.
Her dark eyes moved over Sarah’s body. Grateful that her friend had filled out some over the past few weeks, Naji tilted her head. She hadn’t known what it was, but the moment she’d met the pale girl who’d just arrived in Boston a few months ago, she’d felt a kinship, a sisterhood, with her. After all her years working to get to the top of her field at the gallery, after all the bad years before that, it felt right to be with someone she could trust so completely.
Sarah carried a joy of life that she’d never seen in anyone, a faith that all was as it should be and that it was not only okay, it was going to be okay. That life was for the living and that time here was tragically limited, so you must love every second.
Over her entire life, Naji had never really connected to anyone on a deep level. Empathy was the last thing anyone would ever have accused her of, and Naji would agree with them. Her childhood had taught her distrust and to defend her emotions at all costs.
Because of how she’d been raised, she’d had numerous friends and nearly as many lovers over these past years, but had always kept them at arm’s length. With Sarah, though, without realizing it, she’d let her in…into her mind, into her heart, into her life. For Naji, Sarah had become family.
She leaned in and answered Sarah’s question.
“Sex, love, is pure pleasure. It doesn’t need anything else, nothing but the feeling of hands on skin, or mouth on skin, and especially, skin on skin, that leaves you lying in a pool of orgasmic perfection that you can’t get anywhere else or any other way. It doesn’t matter how you get it, girl on girl, girl on guy, or even that pretty silver tube I gave you in the box last week. It just matters that you do it.”
“I know that sex is your go-to for just about everything. I bet you could teach me things that I really need to know. But I want you to understand that it isn’t anything I’ve ever done casually. I think I need a connection to someone to be that close. Is that weird?”
“No. Just puritanical, ancient, and kind of dull.”
“God, I think you just described my life in three words.”
“Not quite. Beautiful, brilliant, soulful. There you go.”
Moving close, Sarah hugged Naji. “I love you, my dear sister-friend. Thank you for welcoming me to your world.”
“Thank you for transforming mine. Now don’t go around telling people I said that, I’ll have to deny it. I got my rep to protect.”
“I have your back, Naj, you know that.”
“I do. Now, get this dress off, I’ll get it back into the bag, and then you’ll destroy that man when he sees you in it.”
“I hope. For now, I’m on for a full shift tonight so I guess I’d better get some sleep.”
“And I have a handsome new artist waiting for me. I’m going ahead with my idea to do a summer exhibit showcasing local talent. It’s been done before, but not like this. And you know me, I may have to sleep with every one of them to get a good read on their talent. Now you know I don’t ordinarily go for girls, but there’s this new sculptor with a body like men only dream about and purple curls down to her ass. I may just have to make an exception.”