by Lisa Logue
Fire & Ice
A Legacy of Secrets Novella
Lisa Logue
Fire & Ice
A Legacy of Secrets Novella
1st edition text
Publisher: Lisa Logue, United States
Copyright © 2012, Lisa Logue
All rights reserved.
PrologueColorado, 1915
The morning air was crisp as I headed to check the traps. The dew dripped from the leaves of the branches I disturbed, wetting my hair and face. Surprisingly, it was still refreshing, despite the bite in the air. There definitely wasn’t a shortage of cold mornings in Colorado, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Rounding the lake, I noticed a disturbance in the brush. Something had gone through, snapping branches and bending some smaller trees. Shouldering my weapon, I went in search of the animal. It was probably a large bear. Excitement gripped me at the thought of bringing the animal home; how I’d get it there was another story.
A short way into the woods, the path ended abruptly. I stood in a clearing, using the sight of my rifle to search the woods around me. Circling around again, I noticed a small hole in the north end and proceeded slowly. Normally, the sounds of animals and insects would consume the small forest, but all was silent. The only noise was the crunch of my boots on the sticks and leaves.
My racing heart thudded loudly in my ears. At one point, I thought about turning back, but couldn’t ignore the temptation of possibly catching the animal. That amount of meat would feed my family for probably a month and the hide would be worth a pretty penny. Not to mention my father would be proud that I managed to track and kill it.
However, disappointment followed soon when nothing out of the ordinary appeared. The bear had probably been bustling about the night before, no doubt hunting the same small game as I. Sighing heavily, I headed back towards home with the small offerings I’d gathered from my traps. A few days meat was better than nothing.
About a mile from the cabin, I happened upon a woman. She sat atop the stump of a tree, watching the lake tentatively. Her dark hair billowed in the soft breeze, creating a curtain behind her. She was dressed in a simple riding outfit, but not one fitted for cold weather.
“Miss, are you alright?” I asked.
“Thank you, yes I am. I’ve been waiting for someone and they haven’t shown,” her voice rippled over my skin like melted butter.
“My family owns this land. Most people don’t trespass here. Do you have the name of the person you are to meet?” I stuttered.
“What is your name?” she turned, captivating me. Her violet eyes held my gaze and my brain turned to jelly.
“C…Christian,” I managed to say.
“Christian, what?” she stood up, revealing just how tight the riding outfit was.
“Christian Mason, ma’am.”
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you. It seems I’ve been stood up. Would you accompany me to my caravan?” it was less of a question.
“I’d be glad to,” I dropped my pack and rifle and followed her into the brush.
“You seem too young to carry such a burden, Christian. How old are you?”
“I just turned twenty-five. I don’t mind hunting, really. What else is there to do out here?” I laughed lightly, she smiled.
“Hunting is a good skill. I learned to hunt when I was very young. My father was a master bowman. Have you ever used a bow?”
“I was taught. As I got older, my father fitted me with my own rifle. My brother uses my bow now. I haven’t hunted with one in some time. If you don’t mind me asking, do you live here?”
“No,” she giggled. “We’re nomads. As weather changes we move and so on. It’s a pretty rewarding way of living. New trades and knowledge everywhere we go.”
“Interesting. I’ve lived here my whole life. I couldn’t imagine anywhere else, to be honest,” I smiled.
“If I could show you, I would,” she said seductively. My knees almost buckled.
I wasn’t a stranger to beautiful women. I’d been with a few, but never settled down. Most women were married by my age and I’d often find myself the object of affection and lover for a short time. Sure, it was exciting, but if my mother ever found out she would have killed me for it. My family ran high on morals.
I cleared my throat, “I don’t think I ever asked you your name?”
“Kali,” she said briefly and turned from me.
We continued walking deeper into the woods. Again, I noticed it was eerily quiet. I cursed myself for not bringing my rifle. A strange prickling started at the back of my neck. Something was odd about the whole thing, but most of all, I didn’t want Kali to get hurt.
“Is the caravan much farther? Something feels off out here. I don’t want us to find ourselves in a bind,” she crooked her head at my question.
“It’s not too far,” she continued on. I hesitated a moment, wondering how she’d managed on her own without a weapon.
“Forgive me for saying this, but I don’t understand how you could have been meeting someone by that lake. It’s easily miles from the main road and completely surrounded by the dense forest. Are you sure it was the right place?”
She stopped abruptly. Her back went rigid and she turned on her heel. She moved like a feline of some kind; each step was calculating and slow. A strange smile spread over her lips and her eyes took on a wild look.
“Sweet Christian, you are too observant for your own good. I’ve been watching you for a while now, you know. I’ve seen you hunt and trap, day in and day out. You’ve chopped fire wood and fished what game you could from that lake to feed your small family. I know deep down, you crave something more. That’s what had you in the arms of the women you’ve entertained. Something dark and passionate is inside you, struggling to get free.
“I’m here to save you from this life and offer you another. Your potential is far reaching than so many other men I’ve met. You could have anything and everything you’ve ever wanted. Of course, I knew if I had told you this back there you would have tried to run. By the way, it won’t matter if you run; you can’t get away.”
“I don’t understand,” I backed away and stumbled over a rock, falling flat on my back. In an instant, she hovered over me with the same awkward smile.
“You don’t need to understand now, just relax. I will take care of you,” she whispered in my ear.
Before I could scurry away, the fiercest pain imaginable assaulted my neck. She had pinned me down and it felt like she was slicing into my skin. I couldn’t even scream. Drifting out of consciousness, the world became a haze. Colors faded to gray, shapes to blobs, as I closed my eyes.
I learned quickly what she truly was; a vampire. She told me as much the next time she drank from me and laughed when I passed out again. I would awake to her naked body pressed against mine, gyrating in ways I didn’t know existed. Momentarily, I’d forget the pain and ride the waves of pleasure while she massaged my flesh in hand and mouth before allowing me to release inside her.
Each time was different; both pleasurable and painful. Once or twice I’d wake up to her quivering flesh resting on my lips. I would oblige and relish in her climax before she’d take more blood and force me out again. The rollercoaster was one of dreams and nightmares.
It continued that way for some time. My body ached terribly from the lack of blood, but she didn’t seem to care. I begged her to stop, to let me go, but she just shushed me and took more. I’d often wake in the night with hot tears fresh on my cheeks. The pain was of almost unbearable proportions.
Unable to perform as she wanted, I figured the end was coming. I watched her through glazed eyes dress in the riding clothes and drape a blanket over my shivering body. Her lips moved close to my ear, but I couldn
’t hear the words. Moments later she forced a bloody wrist to my mouth which inspired a series of gags from me, but she held steady. When I stopped thrashing she tore into my flesh again. I watched the world swirl into blackness, as I swallowed the large amount of her blood that pooled on my tongue. I never thought I’d die in such a strange way.
Chapter 1
Colorado, Present Day
It was nearly dawn, almost time for Lia to begin training. It had been so long since I allowed myself near her, my body ached as did my heart. Convincing myself I wasn’t in love became harder in her absence, but I tried to no avail. Unfortunately, it wasn’t working.
I left a note on her pillow to meet me for her morning run. I wasn’t sure she’d show, but hoped there was some part of her that didn’t completely hate me. It was true, I was simply indulging myself to cure my own ills; which made things undoubtedly more difficult for her, but she was an addiction of the worst kind.
The front door creaked open slowly and she sniffled. It was cold, perhaps colder than normal, but she stepped outside in spite of it. Her messy bun bobbed slightly as she searched for me. I stood there a moment, not wanting to disturb the sight. She was beautiful. A few strands of her chestnut hair came loose, framing her olive toned face, which was slightly flushed from the brisk wind. Her bright, hazelnut eyes shown with hesitation; soft vibrations of excitement and anxiety gleamed from her skin. I smiled. I hadn’t lost her yet.
“Are you ready?” I asked abruptly making her jump.
“Ugh, I hate it when you do that!” I chuckled and she slapped my chest.
“Sorry,” I shrugged and she glared at me.
“Next time we go into town I swear I’m getting you a damn bell. You’re going to literally stop my heart one of these days. Gah,” she shook her head and proceeded to stretch. I followed suit, laughing softly.
“How far do you want to run today? I figured we could go a little further than normal; give you something else to look at for a change. I don’t think Josiah will be out this early,” at least I hoped he wouldn’t. Her hybrid father was the last person I wanted to run into. I’d kill him before he got his hands on her.
“You know this land better than I do. I’ve only ran the trails you marked. I’ll follow wherever you decide to go,” she smiled with a shrug. I pretended not to notice the loaded response.
“You ready?” I asked over my shoulder and set off at a jog.
She met my stride easily, dodging logs and branches. Her stamina was impeccable. I stole glances from time to time, admiring her ability to concentrate so deeply on where her feet fell while so many other things were going on. No matter what I tried to do, my thoughts were always occupied by her; whether she was safe, healthy, happy or sad and everything in between. It was infuriating and comforting at the same time.
Lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t realized she passed me. Grunting, I caught up and gave her a sour look. She just smiled sweetly and took off through the trees. I couldn’t help but to laugh and admit that I liked her defiance. I’d chase her to the end of the earth if I had to.
A few miles later, we stopped by a stream for a drink. She barely looked winded and not even the darkest cloud could wipe the smile from her face. I enjoyed seeing her that way. Her smile was something of angelic proportions. Added to the flow of constant emotion, it was difficult to see her as a threat to anyone.
“This place is so beautiful. It’s a shame we can’t run like this more often. I really like it here.” She looked around the wooded bank, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. I was captivated.
“What?” her hesitation returned.
“Uh, nothing. So, do you want to keep going or are you ready to turn back?” I rinsed my hands and face in the creek, trying to avoid her questioning look. Being a vampire, I didn’t sweat.
“Can we just stay a while? It’s just so pretty here and I haven’t spent much time outside just for the hell of it. I’m always training or running. Please?” She clasped her hands tightly under her chin and pushed her bottom lip into a pout. It was adorable.
“I suppose. Will Austin get mad?” I chuckled.
“He knows I’m with you. It won’t be the end of the world,” she said as she smiled and perched against a large fallen tree. She stared into the canopy, looking at ease.
“Is it easier for you out here?” I asked.
“Yes. I don’t have to think about where the energy flowing when there’s open space,” she glanced at me, but didn’t turn her head. “Is it easier for you?”
“Not really,” I laughed nervously. It didn’t matter the proximity, it was always difficult to be both with and without her.
“Oh,” she whispered. “Can I ask you something?”
“I suppose.”
“Why don’t you want to live like all the other vampires? Not saying I’m not glad that you don’t, I’m just curious,” her already flushed cheeks darkened, sparking my thirst. Gulping some elixir, I debated whether to tell her.
“Are you sure you want to know? I’ve worked very hard not to show you that side of myself,” I looked away. It wasn’t easy to admit some of the things I was capable of.
She approached me slowly, testing the atmosphere. As she placed her hand on my cheek, our eyes met, “Whatever happened, you aren’t the same person. It wouldn’t matter to me, just as it doesn’t matter to me now that you’re a vampire. You know about my past, it’s only fair that I know about yours.”
“It’s different,” I said as I placed a hand over hers.
“Is it? Or is it only different because we’re talking about you this time?” she challenged.
I sighed, “Fine, I’ll tell you. Where should I start?”
“The beginning, I guess. I know about how you were turned and what happened when you woke up, but you skipped over the rest,” she shrugged.
“You might as well get comfortable.” I nodded towards the tree. Expecting her to sit, I waited. Instead she pulled me down with her, forcing herself into my arms, and we leaned against the tree. I nuzzled her hair, savoring the scent. Being close meant a number of things could go wrong, but I couldn’t hold back the relief of her in my arms. She angled herself slightly to see my face and a faint blush painted her cheeks.
“Go on, I’m comfortable,” she giggled and bit her bottom lip. I wanted to kiss her.
I cleared my throat, “Well at first, I couldn’t remember what had happened. I remembered the woman and bits and pieces of what she’d said, but everything else was blank…except for the pain. So I stumbled around in the woods for a while, feeding off anything warm blooded in absolute horror. Some tasted wonderful, others weren’t so good. The thirst was insatiable.
“I had nowhere to go. As far away as I was, I could smell the humans lurking around. It was disorienting. The sunlight bright, too bright even. It hurt my eyes and burned my skin. The shade didn’t help. I felt like I was being branded. I ended up digging a hole and burying myself underground until I felt the soil cool as the sunset.
“Once night fell, I was on the move again. My throat burned from thirst, no matter how many animals I drained. The pain was unlike anything I’d ever felt. I knew what my body wanted, but I was too terrified. I couldn’t imagine killing someone like that,” I stopped for a moment, remembering my panic. A light shudder rippled through me.
Chapter 2
Colorado, 1915
Scents, sights and sounds overwhelmed me. Each step I took was foreign. Was the night supposed to look so bright? I couldn’t remember what it looked like before Kali took me. How did she even manage to do that? What had she done to me?
I found myself wandering through the vast forest towards different trails of scent. It was odd that I began to tell the difference pretty quickly. Every now and then I’d stop and listen; deer to the east, squirrels above me in the trees, bears to the north and then I’d hear rapidly pounding hearts. Just a few beats and I drifted like an asp to a flute. No! I couldn’t!
Eventually, I’d
tear myself away and slaughter several animals to abate the fire in my throat. It didn’t really work, of course, and I’d run wildly in the opposite direction. It seemed I’d get no more than a few miles before repeating the process. Each time I grew increasingly agitated. What the hell was I doing?!
Taking to the trees, I all but glued myself to a high branch. I was restless and exhausted at the same time. My mind processed everything at such a heightened speed, it left me dizzy. The lack of boundaries frightened me. Not only could I hear things happening miles away, but all the other senses picked up at the same distance. It was incredible, terrifying, but still incredible.
I must have dozed off because the next sensation was anything but pleasant. My leg had drifted while I slept, cracking violently as it fully extended. The howl of pain escaped my lips as I awoke and struggled to pull up the dead weight. I was stiff. Not the normal, ‘I just woke up and need to stretch’ stiff, but the stiffening that happens when a body dies.
I had to make a decision. Would I let my body rot away while my mind writhed in agony? Or would I give in to the insatiable thirst that craved the human blood? For the first time in a very long time, I cried. Bloody tears dripped onto my clothes and burned my eyes, but I couldn’t stop. How was I to kill a person? I knew the answer; craved for it.
Swinging my other leg over, I hurled myself at the ground. Falling in slow motion shouldn’t have hurt in theory, but it was excruciating. My leg hit the earth with a thud and another snap, which called for another howl of pain. Swearing to anything holy, I popped the protruding bone back into place. Amazingly, I was still able to take down some of the larger animals with little effort. Some normal feeling returned to my leg as the animal blood made its way through my system.
I continued on as my energy and leg was restored. Dawn was coming; I could smell the dew. I had less than an hour to do the one thing I chose to avoid. As a hunter, I knew how to track before, but having a nose better than that of a dog’s definitely came in handy. Within less than a half hour, I reached a small camp. For several minutes, I debated. If I didn’t get human blood, my body would die. The choice was made the minute I jumped from the tree.