Untamed: A Beautiful Nightmare Story

by L. C. Son

  “Titan—I—”

  “Look, I can’t promise a romance like St. John might, but I doubt Dalcour would totally disapprove of us. And if Dalcour has his way, he is giving you to Decaux. I don’t wish that for you. Let me be your intermediary, at least until you figure it all out.” Titan seems sincere, but I must keep with my plan.

  “You deserve better, Titan and I’m sorry for using you like this,” I reply, sorrowful, I’ve stooped to such measures. Jumping up from the side of the bed, regret pours over me and I stare into the metal frame, unsure of this new woman I’ve become.

  “I’m not.” Titan says, pulling my arm as he sits up on the side of the bed. “Come here,” he adds, bringing me in front of him. His eyes are flush with my breasts and I look down and see his manhood strengthen once again.

  Pulling me close to him, he straddles my legs around him and sits me on his lap.

  “Listen, Chartreuse, you are no longer human. You are something more. We are creatures of the night and we behave as such. Forget apologies. Disavow regret. You want what you want. You take what you must. You took me to get something you want just as I am taking you to get something I want.

  “What could you possibly want from me?” I ask curious. I can’t imagine anything of worth to barter.

  “This!” He growls. At his words he pushes my hips down, forcing an alliance of my preciousness and his manhood.

  This time, I am unprepared, but he doesn’t care. He’s taking what he wants. But unlike my days with a tipper, I am enjoying it. Although I love Sebastian, this unbridled abandon with Titan is just what I need.

  Tossing my head and arching my back, he takes my breasts into his mouth as he pushes himself deeper into me. His movements are fervent and unrelenting. Titan is taking what he wants without mercy.

  Tears stream down my face as I inwardly regret betraying Sebastian to seduction and lust, but this is necessary. Titan isn’t letting me go without getting everything he wants, and I’ll gladly give it to him. With my hands laid across his brawn back, I have to admit I didn’t expect to enjoy him as I do now.

  “You know what I want, Chartreuse!” Titan growls. “I’m not letting you go until you give it to me!”

  “Titan!” I scream his name as his girth seems to expand inside me.

  “I can do this all day! No one can hear you scream.” He says, rocking the small bed hard against the wall.

  Tenacious, he snarls, barring his fangs as his eyes glow bright once more. He knows what he’s doing to me. He is intent on forcing my release. I know if I don’t give in, my legs will remain a fixture at his waist.

  “Give it to me!” He demands with a feverish roar that sends tremors through the entirety of me.

  As much as I want to hold it all in for Sebastian, I cannot. Titan deserves this. Screaming his name once more, I rake my claws across his back and blood drips down the sides of his waist and my new fangs protrude. I explode in his feverish grip and he ruts deeper into me, taking everything I have to give.

  Pulling me into his embrace, Titan holds me, keeping himself locked within me as I continue to pulse around him. More tears flood my face but not out of regret. This time is pure pleasure.

  “That’s it my little siren,” he coos while running his fingers through my hair. “Now you’ll never forget who took you first.”

  “First?” I question, sitting up on him as he firms his hold on my butt. I wiggle slightly, still surprised every part of him is still forged deep.

  “That’s right your first. You had your first as a human and now as a vampire. I bet this was different.”

  He is so arrogant. I laugh knowing this isn’t the first time a man has said this to me.

  Raising an eyebrow, he cocks his head to the side and smiles. “I’m not being haughty. I meant, it’s different because you’re more sensitive and feel everything differently now. Besides, I need no other proof than what just happened here and knowing I’m buried deep inside you to know I’ve made a lasting impression,” he says, adding one more thrust. I whimper as he does, and my head falls to his shoulders. He grinds slowly, shifting my hips in his hands, forcing one last tremor at my preciousness and he groans in my ear, knowing he’s hitting my spot.

  Crap! Maybe I should take him up on his offer? No—stick to your plan! I scold myself.

  Pulling myself out of his hold is no easy feat, but I slowly manage to bring my feet back to the floor.

  “Like I said, Chartreuse, it’s your choice. You can stay with me as long as you like—or until we tire of one another. Although, I doubt I’ll tire of you completely. Nor you me.”

  “Tempting,” I say, as I try to put my dress back on.

  Laughing, he winks at me and grabs his trousers from around his ankles and pulls them up. “Either way just know you can always visit. I’m sure a woman of your—um—aptitude and skill will tire of St. John’s monotonous bouts.”

  I try to ignore his dig at Sebastian as I tie my hair into a bun.

  “What will you tell Dalcour of my trials?” I ask. I know he will have to give an account to Dalcour soon.

  “As far as I’m concerned, you passed.”

  “How so? And don’t tell me it was the sex!”

  “Well, you endured the blood letting of an Altrinion. That, my dear, takes some skill. As I’ve said before, I know you’re not quite what you appear to be. So I’ll tell Dalcour whatever you wish only so that I may stay on your good side.” Coming up to me from behind, Titan wraps his arms around my waist, kissing my neck and I am surprised his manhood maintains itself as he presses firm into my backside.

  Turning to meet his face, he plants a soft kiss on my forehead, and I rest my head on his chest, thankful for whatever this is between us.

  “I’m serious, Chartreuse, there will always be room in my bed for you.”

  “Thank you, Titan. For everything.” Kissing my cheek once more, he kneels to lace my boots.

  Smiling up at me, he finishes one boot and continues with the other. “Before you go, I’ll need to get you something to drink. We can’t have you roaming around thirsty. You’ll attack the first human you see.”

  While I’m thankful for his suggestion, my mind wanders. “Titan, can I ask you something?”

  “Anything,” he says with a crooked smile, now leaning into me with his hand on the wall behind us.

  “Do you do this with all those you tame? I mean, I saw the way the young vampire clung to you.”

  “Well, not all but I don’t make a habit of turning down something I want either,” he smirks and turns to lift the metal door.

  Just as I thought, I am nothing special to him. He simply takes what he wants. That is the difference between him and Sebastian. Sebastian sees me. Titan sees what he wants. Although I enjoyed everything about this moment I know with all certainty, that is all this was. A moment.

  Chapter Thirty- Two

  “Let’s see how you do with this,” Titan says, handing me a glass of warm blood. “Drink it now before it chills,” he instructs. Leaning against the wall, he folds his arms at his waist and keeps a tight watch on my face as I put the glass to my lips.

  While it doesn’t taste as good as Dalcour’s blood, I gulp the entirety of the glass down like water. Licking my lips, I know my thirst isn’t sated as my stomach gurgles as the savory liquid hits my core. “More,” I say handing the glass back to Titan.

  Quickly, he goes around the corner and grabs another glass and gives it to me. I do the same as the first. He scrunches his face, puzzled by my thirsts, but he makes three more trips before I’ve had my full.

  “What are you?” He mumbles, looking me up and down. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea to let you out now—at least not with your thirst being so insatiable.”

  Pulling the iron bars open, Titan reaches in his pocket for his key, but I jump in front of him before he has a chance to lock me in.

  Protectively, I begin humming and Titan drops t
he key to the ground and backs away from the door. Ambling backward, he bumps into the bed and plops down. His eyes are entranced in a bright crimson glow as he settles into the bed and stares at the wall.

  Marveling at this newfound skill, I lap what remains in my glass as Titan stares into the distance. At the edge of the bed I see a folded letter that resembles the ones Dalcour left for me in my satchel. Recalling how he told Titan to give me something, I pick it up.

  This is the third letter that Dalcour left for me to read.

  Still humming, I notice Titan’s gaze is still locked into the wall. Kissing Titan’s forehead, I know it’s time for me to leave. Kneeling down, I look into his eyes. “This stolen moment, I now must steal. This time we’ve shared was never real. Fond memories of me you will keep, fantasy locked in shadowed sleep.”

  As if it were second nature, I lull Titan to rest as he lays down on the bed. As much as I enjoyed our time together, I cannot risk him telling Dalcour, or worse, Sebastian. Without the Changelings confirming what I know to be true, I am beginning to understand what I am.

  I am no mere vampiric being. I am something much more. But whatever I am, it will remain my own secret. Titan will not remember our time together, but he will forever have a fond place in my heart.

  Closing the door behind me, I walk down the long corridor and resume my melody. Unfolding the letter from Dalcour, I read it as I walk down the hallway.

  Dearest Chartreuse,

  If you are reading this letter, you are in the taming wells making your final transition into the supernatural. The leap from human to vampire is not one to take lightly. If in the time to come we break all familial ties or even the very sire bond itself, it will always be my desire that you enjoy a long, happy existence.

  To do so, here are a few reminders:

  Bid farewell to the sun. As with both human-bred vampires and Altrinion vampires alike, the sun is our enemy. We are of the night and as such it’s moonlit comfort shall remain our solace. However, Nature is not without kindness. You may linger in the sun’s light for at least one full day, or until you’ve made your first kill. Whichever comes first. That said, most vampires do not make it out of the taming wells without having killed before they are released. Depending on your state, you may no longer be privy to the sun. At any rate, do your best to avoid it at all costs.

  We are of the night. We remain in the shadows where no one sees. We are the dark secrets in the world of mortal men. Our secrets are our own to keep or to share. But we only share our secrets in blood and barter. For this, there is no exception.

  You are no longer human. And with each passing moment you shall realize just how far from humanity you have become. We may live in civility with humans, but we can only uncover and share the darkest parts of ourselves with our own. As you transition, your new vampire instincts will come naturally. Your speed, strength, ability of flight, and the new burgeoning hunger you now have requires taming in order to exist in this world. You must conquer your carnality daily. Failure to do so could cost you your very life.

  Even with all of this, I still want what I’ve always wanted for you. Enjoy this new life, my daughter. Always know, no matter what differences stand before us, I shall always stand with you.

  Forever,

  Your Father

  Tears flood my face as I make my way through the end of the corridor. While I know Dalcour means well, I will not allow even his paternal overtures move me from pursuing the one thing in life I never thought I’d find. True love.

  Pausing at the threshold of the door, I stop to wipe away my tears. Looking around, I notice everyone is sleep. Every vampire. Every Guardian. Everyone. It was surprising enough to see how my new talents worked on Titan, but I had not expected them to do so to everyone.

  Interesting.

  Continuing my haunting tune, I make my way out of the taming wells just outside the backside of Dalcour’s estate.

  Daylight greets me as bright sun rays beat upon me as I take my first step beyond the wooded lot surrounding the mansion. My eyes hurt more than anything and I lift my arms just above my forehead as a shield from the damning light. I know I have less than twenty-four hours of sunlight left, so I must make the best use of my time.

  I stay close to the tree line as I pace myself to get as far away from the mansion as possible, hopeful no one sees me. Especially Dalcour.

  Sebastian doesn’t live far from here and I’m using the best of my newfound speed to make it to him without being conspicuous. It’s early, so thankfully the streets aren’t yet full.

  All I can think about is seeing him. I love him and the thought of him marrying someone I know he does not love is driving me insane. My speed increases as I think of Sebastian in the arms of another and thick tears well the corners of my eyes, almost blinding my view.

  The smell of fresh baked bread hits my nose as I collide with a young woman who I couldn’t see past my teary-eyed view.

  “I’m sorry,” I say, offering my hand to the young woman I knocked into the ground.

  “Oh, it’s quite all right. It was just an accident,” the young woman replies with a bright smile. She reaches around to pick up two loaves from the ground and tosses them back into her woven basket before extending her arm to place her palm in mine. As she does, the smell of fresh blood hits my throat and my stomach churns in response. My eyes dart to the sight of her injured palm as small droplets of blood seep from her wound.

  “I’ve hurt you,” I whisper, as I take her hand.

  “It’s nothing!” She answers more cheerfully than the dark urges within me suggest. “Besides, I can just—your—your face. What is wrong with your face? And your eyes!” She screams in horror.

  Palming my face, the sharp tip of my fangs pokes my finger and I’m sure all my otherworldly features are on display. I don’t know what the rest of me looks like, but it doesn’t matter. She’s seen my face.

  Once more she screams but I quickly pull her into my arms and mute her screams with my hand. Resisting, she lifts her hands and tries to squirm from my grasp. I reach to grab her wrist, but it slips as her blood soaks my palm. A burning sensation rages my throat as I crouch, trying to calm the knocking in my gut, urging me to sink my teeth into her flesh.

  Her eyes grow wide with fear and everything in me wishes I could save her this torment, but the invitation of her blood is too tempting, and I can no longer resist. My fangs lengthen as my mouth stretches wide to what feels like the corners of my face and I lean in to dive into her flesh.

  Just as my teeth graze the surface of her neck a roaring sound startles me from behind and before I can make out its origin, I am knocked to the ground.

  “Demon!” I hear a masculine voice shout as I jump up and perch atop a small tree. “I knew I recognized you! You are Calida Grenoble—returned! They were right—you are a witch! Or something much worse!”

  Looking at him, a thick brown coating of fur outlines the sides of his jar and sharp canines peer from his mouth as sun-spun eyes glow back at me. Although he looks different than before, I know who he is.

  Elias Peyroux.

  And he is a wolf!

  A low snarl bellows through me as he roars once more, squaring his shoulders, daring me to move.

  “Ophelia!” he shouts over his shoulder to his wife who I didn’t see behind him. She keeps her gaze set on me and her eyes glow bright gold, alerting me that she is also a wolf. “Get her out of here! Take her to Trieu first—she’s the only Altrinion I trust to compel this evil from the poor girl!”

  Dropping a long dress bag, his wife quickly picks the young woman up from the ground and the two run away from my view.

  Slowly, I inch to the ground, keeping a firm hold on the tree at my back. “Please,” I plea with a watchful gaze on Elias. “I am not who you think. Calida was my eldest sister. I am Chartreuse—”

  “You are a demon! A witch!” He bites back.

  “And you are a wolf
!” I counter, taking a step away from the tree.

  “What I am is a protector of that which is right. Just as I would not allow you to hurt that sweet young girl, I’ll not let you hurt anyone on my watch,” he snarls his words as the fur coating on his face recedes.

  As he speaks, thoughts of his betrayal of Calida replay in my mind and fury rises within me. “A protector of what is right? How dare you even speak such words! For was it not your duplicity that caused my sister’s death, my family’s downfall? As a matter fact, the very vile thing that I’ve become can be laid at your feet! Had you not sold her location for your own freedoms, my sister would still be alive!”

  A frenzied, feverish chill erupts over me as my rage reaches its peak and I lunge at Elias. My only thoughts are his death and demise. He took from me and now I will take from him.

  His eyes bulge as I leap toward him with my arms outstretched while my fangs lengthen. I reach to grab him, but I cannot. Side stepping me, he avoids my reach and I turn once more to grab him, but I cannot.

  Stretching my hands I try to take him in my hold, but he remains unattainable. If he were simply parrying my movements I’d be impressed, instead he now remains still, but impervious to my attempts. It’s as though an unseen barrier shields him from me.

  Until I remember…crap! The sire bond. No harm of a Peyroux shall come by my hand.

  I forgot all about Dalcour’s compulsion and sire bond. No matter how much I try I cannot harm Elias. Ever.

  Once more Dalcour has screwed me over!

  Elias belts out a haughty laugh as he stands back in obvious triumph.

  “Ah, so you can’t touch me I see. I suppose somebody up there still likes me,” he laughs with his forefinger pointed into the sky.

  A pang of fear rolls over me as I realize I’ve been bested.

  Or have I?

  Watching his careful steps toward me, I raise my hands in caution. He stops his pacing, frowning as he notices a sly grin form in the corners of my mouth.