Once Upon A Midnight

by Stephanie Rowe

  But I can’t let it go. I can’t forget my brother. I can’t forget the betrayal. I can’t forgive—it’s just not in me.

  The past came crashing back to me tonight like a rogue wave crashing on the shore, rolling over everything and leaving rubble in its wake. I caught the whiff of a lingering scent in the air that has eluded me for too many years. The craving that drives me, the obsession that owns me, the woman that haunts me. The blood aroma was so tantalizing, spellbinding, and addictive, I pushed my way through the throngs of people on the New York City sidewalks at midday to find its source. When I lost track of the scent completely at a street corner, I knew she must have jumped into a taxi and was out of my reach.

  But at least now I know beyond a shadow of a doubt she’s here.

  While standing there on the street corner today, I vowed I would not rest until I’ve found her.

  If it’s the last thing I ever do, I will find her.

  And I will make her mine.

  That leaves me in my current frustrated state, reading my old journal and reliving painful events that awaken the animal inside me. With the fires of my anger stoked and my senses aroused past the point of no return, I can’t avoid feeding and fucking tonight. Not necessarily in that order. Not necessarily one at a time. While my strength is second to none in many areas, denying myself a few carnal pleasures isn’t one of them.

  In a flash, I’m walking the streets, on the prowl for my unsuspecting victim. The blonde who’s a little too tipsy to be out here alone, who temporarily got turned around on her way back to her hotel room, is perfect. I can read her mind as plain as if she’s speaking to me. She’s in town on business, her first trip to the Big Apple, and was hell-bent on taking in the sights with or without her coworkers.

  She’s giggling to herself because she’s amused by her predicament. From a small town, she thinks she’s safe with so many people still milling around in the city that never sleeps.

  “You’re looking for a little adventure in your life, are you?” I ask aloud but to myself. “I’ll be glad to accommodate you, beautiful. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

  Lady Luck shines on me like a bright spotlight. A group of guys steps out of an alleyway and into her direct path. The predatory way they eye her from top to bottom stalls her footsteps, and she looks around nervously. I take the opening to swoop in to her rescue and quickly take my place at her side. With my arm wrapped around her waist, I smile down at her confused expression.

  “You’re walking too fast, my love,” I tell her. “I told you I had to go back to the table to leave a tip for the waiter.” Holding her gaze makes my point known, and relief floods her eyes.

  “I thought you were right behind me, honey. I’m sorry. I guess I had one too many glasses of moscato, huh?”

  With a light chuckle, I shake my head affectionately and kiss her cheek. From my peripheral vision, I see the group of young men watching us. From my dark powers, I hear their thoughts and their low murmurs of how they can dispose of me and take her back to their hangout. Their bravado makes me want to laugh out loud. One vampiric glance from me and they’ll all shit their pants and run home to Mommy.

  I fucking love this part.

  “Hey, gorgeous,” one yells to her. “What’s your name, baby?”

  She glances up at me, clearly scared, and I flash her a reassuring smile as I squeeze her to me. “Tell him your name, sweetheart.”

  “Jennifer,” she replies.

  “Jennifer, you need a real man, baby. Come on over here with me and ditch that pasty-white fucker.”

  His taunt is clearly meant to rile me up so I’ll fight him while his buddies jump me from behind. Once they’ve pulverized me, they’ll drag her off and rape her. She’ll be mine tonight, but it won’t be against her will. These young punks haven’t learned the art of seduction yet.

  Or the art of choosing their opponents wisely.

  “I’m more man than you can handle, junior. You and all your boys combined, in fact.”

  His smile morphs into a smug smirk, and his little gang steps up, their chests puffed out. One begins cracking his knuckles, as if that’s scary and threatening. Another one curls his fingers into a fist and smacks his other hand with it. I can’t stop the wide smile that covers my face at his action, or the laugh that follows.

  Now that I’ve thoroughly riled them up, it’s time to have a little fun.

  In a protective move, I gently push Jennifer behind me as if I’m her personal shield and bodyguard. The young thugs begin hurling expletives at me, threats of bodily dismemberment, and other humorous insults.

  “I’ll knock your dick in the dirt and stomp your face in, motherfucker!”

  “Shit, you got a big mouth, man. I’m gonna knock all your fucking teeth out.”

  Sticks and stones, young ones. Sticks and stones.

  Jennifer’s face is buried in my back, and her fingers have a death grip on my jacket. I take this time to show my true self. My nearly black eyes become cobalt blue in a split second. My fangs protract as I bear my teeth. My facial features contort and become fierce, more defined, in an instant. My voice deepens, and I issue my threat to the now petrified group.

  “One more word, I dare you. Say one more word in front of Jennifer, and I guarantee it’ll be the last fucking word your ignorant mouths ever utter.”

  They scatter to the four winds, unable to speak a single word in retaliation.

  No matter—I know where to find the four of them after I’ve finished with Jennifer. They’re too frightened to tell anyone, and they know no one would believe them anyway. Vampires are especially good at keeping secrets. Well, most vampires anyway. I’m obviously an exception to the rule occasionally.

  “How—? How did you do that?” Jennifer stutters from behind me.

  “They’re just young punks,” I shrug. “If they think they can bully someone, they will. When they get the least bit of opposition from an intimidating man, they run away scared.”

  “I’m so glad you walked up when you did. You saved my life, and I don’t even know your name. Saying thank you is hardly enough.”

  “My name is Ramses,” I reply. “No need to thank me. It was my pleasure.”

  “How can I ever repay you?” Her tone turns seductive, and she bats her eyelashes playfully. Her thoughts scream of her attraction to me. She quickly makes up her mind that a one-night stand with the man who saved her life will make the perfect story to tell her friends back home. A guilt-free vacation fling that will justify her impulsive actions. Only she’s already decided, so it’s not exactly an impulsive move. She’s simply waiting for my suggestion.

  I do hate to disappoint.

  “Stay with me tonight,” I whisper, my lips against her ear.

  “Do you think I’m the type of girl who sleeps with a man as soon as she meets him?”

  “I can promise you this, Jennifer. The last thing you’ll want to do, all night long, is sleep.”

  After that promise, the name of her hotel falls from her lips, and within minutes, we’re inside her rented room. With the door locked, she turns to face me with hunger in her eyes. But she doesn’t know hunger yet. My fingers weave through her hair and grip the roots tightly as I swing her back to the door. I crush my lips to hers, and my tongue slides into her mouth with fervent need. Her enthusiasm matches mine, and she grinds her hips against the bulge in my pants. Hands fly in every direction as we grope and fumble to remove our clothes. I easily lift her, and she wraps her legs around my waist.

  “I can’t wait, Ramses. Fuck me now,” she demands between kisses.

  My hips thrust upward as my arms draw her down onto my cock. I slide inside her wet channel, and her inner walls grip me tightly while I continue to surge into her. I thrust mercilessly and repeatedly, and her body quivers and shakes with the intensity of the orgasm that rolls through her. When she hits the peak of her climax, she tilts her head back and fully exposes her beautiful neck.

  My fangs
sink deep into her skin, puncture the main artery in her neck, and begin to drain the blood from her body. The added sensation brings me to the edge of passion and pushes me completely over, I continue drinking from her as I succumb to my own orgasm. Her body slumps from the blood loss, and I retract my fangs, just shy of killing her. For a moment, I consider turning her instead, but I ultimately decide otherwise.

  Jennifer has to die.

  I dispose of her body where she’ll never be found. Her eyes still register the shock of the moment. The pallor of her skin leaves no doubt of her state.

  Now on to the patronizing thugs who saw my true nature.

  I’ll drink my fill tonight.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Alea Dunn, September 1789

  Today is my birthday and should have been the best seventeenth birthday a young lady could have asked for. It should’ve been, but it wasn’t. At all.

  “Alea, come down to the parlor for a moment, please,” my mother, Frances, called from the bottom of the stairs.

  “Coming,” I said as I exited my room.

  But I had no idea what I was walking into.

  “Alea, you remember Sean, of course,” Mother said as soon I entered the parlor. “You two were nearly inseparable as young children whenever we visited the Nasters’ estate.”

  “Of course. It’s been a long time. How’ve you been, Sean?”

  “Very well, Alea. It’s so nice to see you again.” He stood and kissed my cheek in a friendly gesture.

  “Alea, Sean, have a seat. Hugh and I have some good news for both of you.” My father, Clarence, inclined his head toward the vacant chairs.

  “I’m sure you’re both wondering why we’re all gathered here. Clarence and I have discussed matters and have come to a conclusion we believe is beneficial to everyone. Sean and Alea, we’re pleased to announce the two of you will be married.”

  I suddenly couldn’t breathe. Surely he was kidding. I waited for the room to erupt in laughter. That never happened.

  “This union makes the most sense of any scenario we’ve discussed. You’re perfectly matched as far as families are concerned. Combining our businesses will ensure the financial security of both our houses for many generations to come.”

  The way Hugh spoke regarding the financial benefits of our marriage made me think he was addressing a room full of investors. He outlined all the ways it made sense, the many ways the companies could be expanded, and how the competition wouldn’t stand a chance against us. Or rather, against them.

  My eyes drifted to my mother’s. Though I kept my expression neutral so I wouldn’t embarrass my parents, the torment I felt inside was crushing. When my mother met my gaze, she knew. I could see it in the way she stiffened then squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. She knew I wasn’t happy, but she was powerless to stop the events unfolding before us.

  I wanted to run away. I wanted to bolt through the door and never look back.

  How selfish was that of me?

  “Alea, come walk with me?” Sean asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

  “Of course.”

  “Look at them. Don’t they already make a beautiful couple?” Myra, Sean’s mother, cooed from behind us.

  The fact that my own mother didn’t reply didn’t escape me.

  One of our servants started to follow us, but my father stopped him. “No need to escort them, Phillip. Sean, Alea, stay on the veranda.”

  Once we were outside, our mutual discomfort became evident when we each released a long held breath. Our eyes met when Sean took my hand in his before we sat together. He kept his voice low and controlled when he spoke.

  “I’ve known you a long time, Alea. I’d like to think we’ve always been friends.”

  “We have, Sean. You are most definitely my friend.”

  “As your friend, I should tell you I had no idea this was happening. You can probably tell from the conversation this wasn’t my plan. I’ve known you long enough to know marrying me wasn’t in your plans either. I thought I should get us both out of there before you passed out.” His self-deprecating smile warmed my heart, because my friend was behind it, and the last thing I wanted to do was offend him.

  “Sean, you’re a wonderful man. I very much don’t want to hurt your feelings.”

  “It doesn’t hurt my feelings, Alea. I feel the same way you feel right now. You’ve always been a good friend to me, and I never want to lose that. The truth is, we don’t want to marry each other.”

  “No. We don’t. What do we do?”

  “I don’t know yet. I’ll try to figure something out. Let’s just get through the rest of the evening the best we can. Don’t give them false hope, but don’t let on we’re not happy just yet. Think you can do that?”

  “Okay. Let’s just get through today.”

  When we walked back in, his parents were smiling widely, obviously convinced we were discussing our perfect union. The smiles my parents sported were closer to pain-filled grimaces than anything. They could read my expression despite my best efforts to hide how I felt. Over dinner, the conversation often drifted to reminiscing over the time we spent together during our childhood. No doubt it was an ongoing effort to remind us how perfectly we fit.

  Now that I’m alone in my room, the full weight of the evening hits me. I’ve been betrothed against my will to a young man whose family standing matches mine in numerous ways. They are successful, know what it means to have money, and know what it takes to make more. On paper and at a quick glance, he’s perfect for me and I’m perfect for him. Both of our families are well-off, financially speaking. My father’s grandfather started our family business when he was a young man. Sean’s great-grandfather did the same.

  We socialize in the same circles, so we have a lot of the same friends. Our parents are best friends. Even our grandparents were close friends. All these things in common add up to one thing and one thing alone.

  Our families will benefit from our union.

  Our fathers will make more money, with a lifetime guarantee of a lucrative partnership.

  My family’s lineage has been engrained in my very existence since the day I was born. I’ve always been proud to be a Dunn for a reason.

  But today is different.

  While Sean is a very nice man, I do not love him. He is not the man I want to spend my life with, plan my wedding with, or go on my dream honeymoon with. And I’m not his first choice either. I’m okay with that because I completely understand how he feels. I also know we’re both at the mercy of our families.

  I dream of a love that consumes me like a wildfire. One that takes my breath away. One that I know I’d wither up and die without him in my life. I want my heart to flutter and my palms to sweat just from being in his presence. Whoever he is.

  I feel like I’m being sacrificed at the altar just to give my father and Sean’s father more money than they already have.

  I’ve been sold to the highest bidder.

  March 1790

  Christmas holiday was spent with the family of my husband-to-be. While we are friends, my affections for him have not grown past that in the least. Father thinks I’m intentionally withholding fondness from Sean, though I’ve assured him in every way I’m not. What must I do to convince him?

  Sean and I took a long walk on his estate grounds late one afternoon. His manservant was always nearby, keeping us well within his sights, but far enough away that we had privacy to speak openly. At this stage of our courting, being completely alone is apparently entirely unheard of. Funny, since Sean and I were friends as small children and were able to play together without the same level of scrutiny.

  “Alea, I’ve tried everything I know to do, but I can’t get us out of this marriage. I promise I’ll be a good husband to you. I’ll provide for you and protect you as expected. I’ll do my best never to bring dishonor or shame on you,” Sean assured me.

  But I wasn’t sure what he meant exactly, so I pressed him on his choice of words.

&nbs
p; “Sean, what do you mean, exactly? That you will do your best never to bring dishonor or shame on me?”

  He was much too quiet for far too long while he considered how he should reply and explain himself. After he confessed what was on his mind, I wished he’d taken more time.

  “I have certain needs that you can’t fulfill for me. My plan is to discreetly manage my desires outside of our arranged marriage. At some point, we’ll be expected to produce an heir to carry on the family name. We’ll cross that bridge when our hand is forced. Until then, our union will be mostly friendship and appearances.”

  He explained himself with such cold, detached descriptions, it was almost as if he was just recounting the latest news to me, but about someone else, someone distant to us.

  But it’s not—it’s about us directly. It’s about me, and it’s about the rest of my life.

  What have I gotten myself into?

  For the past three months, Mom has spent every waking minute with Sean’s mom, Myra. They’ve planned every aspect of my wedding—from the color of the bridesmaid dresses, to who will print the invitations, to what we’ll have to eat at the reception and the celebration dinner.

  I’ve been dragged along every time so I can spend more time with Sean before our wedding night. He was the normal, nice Sean for the first few weeks. Then he began to change, becoming more and more sullen, withdrawn, and curt with me.

  By the end of January, he could no longer hide what his urges and inclinations included. The weeks he had spent with me kept him from his activities and made him very cranky. So he threatened me with bodily harm if I outed him, then took me with him to the secret place where he meets his male lover.

  So many thoughts ran through my mind when I realized what was happening. What I’d been brought into without prior warning, without my consent. Men are arrested and sentenced to death every day for what they’re doing. Their family names are ruined, their family members are publicly shamed, their possessions are sold at auction, and their wives and children are forced to rely on the kindness of distant relatives to take them in.