by Sara K
Michael lashed out with his fists as the vampire attacked again and again each time he materialised to avoid the punches.
“Give yourself up. Let me make your death easier” Michael forced another wave of fire that missed the vampire. The vampire snarled showing hideous teeth “Never, my death would not make my princess very happy. She will not stop until she has drained every power in your body.”
“She is not a princess but a vampire there is no purity in her. She is evil and all evil must be destroyed.”
The vampire laughed one that stretched over the house “Do you not kill, you are of the dark. You drink blood too, hunt, feed, and seek shelter from the sun. You are cursed. We are the same, join us and perhaps Shea will spare your life.”
Michael studied the vampire carefully, his eyes told a different story “We Immortals are pure and unlike the stink in vampires, the un-dead. I have much reason to live than surrender my life to a dreadful existence.”
Do not hesitate, my friend for the vampire shall see this as your weakness to attack, keep focused on your enemy. The voice of Julius entered his mind, bringing him back to the matters at hand. Michael allowed a wooden stake to form in his hand, very swiftly, he dug the stake into the vampires’ chest, a wail of cry, and then he turned into dust. Thank you for your assistance Michael sent the words back telepathically to Julius and scanned the surrounding area. He sniffed and smelt a familiar presence, he detected Clara huddled on the ground. She glanced up at him, her face white and petrified.
“What do you think you are doing?” he demanded calmly. “I left you to sleep but you decide to wander around.”
Clara pushed herself away, frightened of him; just looking into his dark eyes threatened her. She could not speak after what she had witnessed. She blinked, her mouth hung open but no sentences where formed. She simply stared at him and he knew she was in shock. He cursed himself for being so careless and not being careful that allowed her to witness this. He knelt to the ground, his eyes skimming her body for any damage. He noticed his shirt she had on and it made him smile slightly, he felt her shiver and moved forward instantly to gather her to him.
“Don’t touch me!” Clara whispered in a frightened voice. “Don’t come near me, I swear I’ll scream and won’t stop.” She had no strength to stand up and run, instead crawled on her bottom, that lifted her shirt up and up. She was so fearful that she wanted to through herself of the balcony to escape her insanity world.
Michael read her thoughts, he signed heavily as he attempted not to touch her. “It is alright, my love. I will not hurt you.” He coaxed gently. He opened his arms wide. Clara shook her head in disagreement. “No! That was a vampire, but they can’t exist and you’re not human”.
“I have already explained to you, I am an immortal not human.”
“You’re a vampire, just like him. I saw him turn to dust.”
“I am not a vampire, I may live forever, but I do not kill unnecessarily.” His worried expression stilled on her face, his eyes held hers forcing the truth into her mind. Clara blinked, startled by the intensity of his eyes, the danger that lurked within him, her whole body shuddered in the cold but she refused to allow herself to seek comfort in his arms. Is that what she had done to Brett went to him to for companionship and turned him into a perverted rapist who made her existence hell?
Unable to take her pain Michael drew near and pulled her shaking body into his arms, her skin felt cold and he allowed the heat to warm her up. “You will not fight me in this, sweetheart.” He rested her head on his chest, his hands stroking up and down her back. “I am not evil, unlike that vampire. I know you think it is impossible for such an existence but vampires do exist. I have destroyed one but there are more. I am stronger than they are; I will allow nothing to harm you. Take my word.” he relaxed as she was silent against him, but her body never stopped trembling. He kissed the top of her head; the movement caused her to wince as if in pain.
Clara pulled back but his arms stopped her, she laid her cheek against his chest and felt his heartbeat. She frowned remembering how in stories vampires never had a heart, or had an un-beating heart. That meant he was not a vampire, she remembered the words of the vampire he had fought you drink blood too, hunt, feed, and seek shelter from the sun. Vampires had all those qualities did they not? What did that make him?
In her heart she wanted to believe it was not true, to believe he was a normal man, but she was not normal either she did weird things too. She cried out and weakly climbed on to her feet. “I can’t deal with this. It’s too much, everything is too much.” She stumbled toward the balcony and stared at the dark sky in distress. What did she get herself into; she had no sense of identity anymore?
“Clara, I know this is frightening. However, I want you to know you are safe here than out there. I offer you a safe haven.” He hated himself for frightening her but he was in love with her. She may be the solution to his curse.
“You have no need to explain, I see what is in your heart and your mind, I sense your dread and pain. What you feel, I allow myself to feel”
Clara stared at him accusingly, feeling awkward. “ How is it that you can read my mind”?
Michael hesitated before answering truthfully. “I took your blood to ensure I was strongly connected with you.” He saw the shock register on her face.
“You did what!” Another bombshell tore her heart. “You drink blood.”
“Yes. Human blood drank couple of times a week contains the vital sustenance to read minds and boast our mental strength and capabilities.” He gazed into the dark starless night.
“Oh Lord. What else can you do?” Clara asked uncomfortably.
Michael grinned. “I can eat human food, air travel, dissolve into mist, and orb into a room.”
Clara took a deep breath and asked, “So, I have this power, and you have this power that linked us together, connected us somehow.”
Michael shook his head, he knew what she was thinking to break the connection was impossible. “I believe it was more than that, our souls are already linked together the day you were born. Hence the reason why you reached out to me.”
Clara stared at him with hope. “If we can get this link broken we will be free.” There had to be a way to end this nightmare, and set them both free.
Michael nearly laughed aloud. “There is no way, Clara, it is impossible to cheat destiny and fate.” The emotion in his face turned her heart over her mind raced with thousand odd thoughts. Some part of her believed everything he had told her; she knew very well he was the same person in her dreams, every morning she felt alone and cried wishing he were with her or lay beside her of the bed. She longed for an imaginary friend.
She put both hands on either side of her head. “This is too much, Michael. I don’t want this. My own power terrifies me, it drives me insane.” Michael noticed that she had called his name for the first time as if she was pledging with him to save her. His solemn gaze remained on her distressed face; he saw her tears and moved closer. She lifted her tear-stricken face to his and sniffed. “I can’t stand being around you. I don’t know why you want to keep me and I don’t want your pity” she turned her eyes away and placed both of her hands on the wall. She closed her eyes wishing she would just disappear. She was pathetic and had no sense; with her power, people would call her freak, she never ever wanted to experience that again. Before her closed eyes, she saw the eternal darkness, the tunnel that was black, and no light.
Her feelings and thoughts were tearing her apart, her life had changed so much and now Michael had entered her life, his presence was threatening to her, the way he looked at her made her feel small. He had a lot of power and she was not used to his world now that she had discovered her unique ability. She could not deny it since it had happened twice. The harsh breeze against her skin felt raw and cold, she shivered again before warm arms circled her waist and her body was pressed back against Michael. His arms tightened around her waist, drawing her in, her
eyes flew opened and she gasped and leaned forward to escape him.
“Do you not think I know your intentions, Clara? I am everywhere in your mind, every corner, every inch.” his voice was pure velvet; with his tongue he licked her beating pulse slowly. “I will not allow you to do something so foolish. Is your life not worth living, that you would sacrifice everything to end it?” He kissed her throat tenderly, his hands slipping in between the buttons of his shirt she wore.
Clara felt his desire in enormous waves; her own temperature increased a thousand degrees. She leaned back into his chest.
The snapshots flashed before her, tears slipped down her cheeks silently and she whispered one word that pierced his heart “Yes.”
Michael spun her around in his arm, his face grave, and his eyes held unfamiliarity. “I almost lost you once, Clara. I will not allow it again.” he shook her shoulders and lowered his mouth until it was merely inches away from hers. “I am glad I found you Clara, you are the one to break the curse.”
This captured Clara’s attention she glanced up with a frown. “What curse?”
Michael signed and turned his back to her. Now was the time to tell her the truth. “I was cursed by a vampire sorceress she used the strongest of spells as a form of revenge. The curse involved an ancient spell and the blood of Trizack injected into my body. Unless the spell is broken and the curse lifted the venom in my blood will grow at each passing day until it consumes me. I will transform into a vampire. I will be deadly and more dangerous than ever.”
“Oh.” Clara said solemnly. “I don’t see how it links with me”
Michael turned around swiftly. “Do you not see? You are that person, Clara. You are the one.
Chapter 6: The Family
Michael resided to the high balcony of his home, which provided better access for him to sense any evil approaching. He thought of the vampire he had destroyed, surely Shea would have realised that the vampire would not be coming back. She would be furious with rage that again she lost one of her minions to the other side. Michael could not sense her presence unless of course she was hiding below ground to keep out of sight. Michael looked out into the darkness, his eyes easily adjusting to the dark with his powerful vision. He detected no danger except a harsh breeze and blue crystalline steam coming towards him. Michael took a step back waiting for the familiar presence he had sensed. He heard female giggles and then out of the white mist, two figures formed before him.
“That was one of the longest air travels I ever did, Justin. I don’t know how you do it.” Cassandra Wilson shivered and Michael saw the sassy pretty faced blonde-haired, wife of Justin McGowan standing before him.
Justin placed a loving kiss on her blonde hair and turned to regard Michael with an affectionate embrace. “It has been long time since we last met.”
“Yes, but you are never forgotten, my friend. We are people of one race, brothers, and family.” Michael said as he greeted Justin.
Justin drew back. “It is always a pleasure to see you, Michael.”
Cassie cleared her throat and rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Are you both done with the introductions? Michael only visited us on our wedding it doesn’t seem like a long time and you both had a good chat then.” Cassie strolled forward and kissed Michael on the cheek, fully aware of Justin’s gaze on her back. “It’s good to see you, Michael.” It had been nearly one year since Cassie and Justin got married, on her special day many people from Justin’s race attended including Michael. The handsome stranger that lurked in the shadows before she realised who he was. Justin threw her a glance that read ‘I am reading your thoughts’ he heard her laughter in his mind that drew him to her side.
Justin curled his arm around Cassie’s waist as she stared bright-eyed at him, her eyes shining with happiness and her blond hair flowing over her shoulders. His heart-ached with the love he felt for her, he wanted to spend every moment in her arms, if it wasn’t for this emergency he would take her someplace isolated and make love to her.
His body hardened in pain, again at the thought of wanting her. There was amusement on her face as he heard her laugh in her mind; he knew she was attempting him, pushing him to take the first step. His eyes wandered to the black strapless dress she wore freely, as if no cold would touch her bare shoulders. Suddenly Justin felt dizzy with the thoughts of his wife, he figured it was because he desperately wanted to make love to her, to kiss her and pin her against him. He shook his thoughts, as he remembered that they were not alone, he gazed at Michael whose pain was visible in his eyes, and Justin had known him for centuries and had never seen Michael so crestfallen. Was it because he had found a solution to his curse? Before he could ask, Michael spoke.
“What brings you to Havenport?” Michael asked. “Obviously, it cannot be a social call.”
Cassie grinned. “It is more of a ‘we-have- major-problems’ call.” She had seen a lot in her time together with Justin to figure out what problems her husband often came across. She did not need to be told twice of the dangers that lurked near immortal ones. The new and recent threat that they faced terrified her, she did not want to lose Justin who she loved so very much. Cassie buried her face on her husbands’ chest and breathed deeply to clear her mind from trailing off to the inevitable. Automatically, Justin stroked her hair and wrapped his arms around her as he poured warmth though her body. He turned back to Michael, his expression serious and haunted. “Shea is very close, Michael. We have had warnings from others from our race; in the meantime, she hunts on Blueberry Island, a place we once called home. I could not keep Cassie there whilst she roamed free looking for revenge. It is likely she would come here next, and she would be hunting you. Her belief is that you were involved in destroying her children and she would do whatever it takes to destroy the ones we love.”
Cassie shivered at Justin’s words of truth “Thank you for delivering that so tactfully.” She muttered ironically.
Michael saw Cassie’s fear on her face, although she tried to hide it. He knew that Justin would keep his wife safe, no matter whose life ended in tragedy. After all Shea was after him, not Justin, he was the main target and to get to him she would attack the people he loved.
Michael frowned. “Is Miranda and Julius safe from harm?” he asked.
Miranda was his sister the wife of Julius the greatest fighter and warrior he had come across. The man was the most admired and feared amongst the Immortal clan. Although Michael worried for his little sister, he had every faith that Julius would keep Miranda and their new-born daughter safe.
“Haven’t you visited Miranda and Julius? Their daughter is adorable. You should go and see them.” Cassie said keenly. “She’s the most beautiful child I have ever seen.” Justin felt the joy and the pleasure in her voice as she glanced up at him and smiled. Justin bent down and caught her lips unable to stand it any longer.
Michael glanced away from the couple. “I have been busy on some affairs.” Michael said softly as he looked in the distance. Justin reluctantly broke the kiss and stepped forward. “Tell me. What affair?” It was obvious that Michael was disturbed and Justin knew it was more than the fact that Shea was on their tails.
“I have found the human woman. Her name is Clara Paige. I believe she is the one to break the curse.” Michael hesitated unsure what else he should reveal.
Justin frowned with uncertainty. “That cannot be, Michael. She is human. It is very rare for there to be a connection between a human and an Immortal. You know the rules set by our predecessors, Michael. That line cannot be crossed.” He glanced at Cassie; she was the only exception having a psychic power.
Michael signed deeply. “We connected telepathically. She called out to me. She was a victim of abuse and trauma and for months during which our minds connected. This cannot be a coincidence.”
Justin frowned thoughtfully “A vampire.”
Michael shook his head sadly. “Fortunately no, Clara lived with a man who physically and sexually abused her.”
Michael stared at his friend with utter certainty. “I am sure, Justin. She has the power to destroy objects with her mind. This is no coincidence. She is the one. Yet she fights me and does not understand our ways. Her mind is chaotic, like a maze filled with darkness and unexpected turns.
Justin tilted his head and frowned. “How is it that you can read her thoughts so strongly when you have not taken her blood.”
Michael glanced away in shame, realising what he had done. “I had taken her blood the venom inside me was too tempting.”
“You took her blood against her will?” Justin accused. Aghast
“I could not resist, her blood called to me and I was drowning to feed. I crave for her every second but she does not realise it.” Michael signed deeply and turned to regard Justin who stared in awe.
Justin shook his head sympathetically. “I am very sorry, Michael. I understand the consuming need to love and I hope very soon she understands how much you need her. In the meantime, she is very vulnerable to Shea’s attack if she were to leave your protection. If you were observed by Shea she would likely use Clara to trap you. Keep her with you and do not let her leave.” Justin warned.
“You cannot go back to Blueberry Island.” Michael said matter of fact “Where will you go?”
Justin gripped Cassie’s hand tightly. “Our plans have changed, Michael. Cassie is pregnant. Her safety is my priority.”
Chapter 7: The Escape