Love and Bloodlust: The Sacred Objects

by Melinda Clark

  "I know I close myself off to people. I guess it's so I don't get hurt. But that's no excuse for why I've pushed you away."

  Kyrie set her book down, "Go on."

  Here comes the bomb. "Where I go at night; I help people.”

  “Like community service?”

  Yeah, kind of. I am like a superhero you might say," Avery shrunk back and waited for a response.

  “You mean a vigilante?”

  Avery nodded, “Yes….”

  Kyrie stared at her in disbelief. "Okay..."

  "You don't believe me."

  "I believe you're on crack."

  Now her sister thought she was crazy. "I'm being honest with you!"

  "Alright. Say I believed you. Why?"

  “Why?” Avery parroted back.

  “Why do you do it?”

  Kyrie wasn't ready to know that truth. In fact, Avery didn't think she ever wanted Kyrie to know what really happened to their parents. Better to leave her with no memories of the past. "It's something I feel I have to do. To help people."

  "And nothing I can say will stop you, will it?"

  Avery didn't answer, letting her eyes wander to the patterns on the comforter beneath them. Kyrie broke the awkward silence, "So why wouldn't you tell me? I mean, this whole time..."

  "I was trying to protect you."

  "I'm eighteen. I think I can take pretty good care of myself. You don't need to coddle me."

  "I know, but that doesn't stop me from worrying about you. There are things out there, human and not, that would do unspeakable things to a girl like you." Kyrie annoyingly sighed as Avery continued, "Kyrie, you need to promise me that at night, you won't go anywhere alone."

  "If it makes you less paranoid."

  "It would help," Avery got up to leave, but Kyrie stopped her.

  “Since we are being honest with each other…I’ve been having weird dreams lately. I wanted your opinion on them.”

  “Ok. Tell me.”

  “They are usually about you, but only when you aren’t home at night with me. You are always in the darkness, and there are always things after you. I think they’re people, but I’m not sure. What do you think it means?”

  “Maybe it’s a sign that you’re worried about me and that you and I should be spending more time together,” Avery tried to act unsurprised. This wasn’t the first time she had heard about Kyrie’s almost clairvoyant dreams. Avery hoped if they didn’t talk about it as if they were real that one day the dreams would go away. She didn’t want to believe her sister was burdened in such a way.

  Kyrie smiled, "I know they’re just dreams. It would be freaky if they weren’t, right?”

  Avery got up to leave the room and joked, “Yeah. Pretty freaky stuff.”

  “Avery, wait,” Kyrie stopped her before she could leave, “I know you lost your job. I can get one after school if it helps you out…”

  Busted. “NO. Absolutely not. You are too young to try and worry yourself with something like this.”

  “But you have been taking care of me most of my life…I just want to help you, Sissy.”

  You can help me by staying out of trouble, doing well in school, and getting into college. When you become a doctor or lawyer, then you can support me," Avery winked at her sister.

  “You have so much burden, Avery,” Kyrie took off her silver cross necklace and handed it to her. “Here, I want you to have this. It helps me get through all my tough times.”

  “I can’t take this; mom gave it to you…”

  "It’s okay. You need it more. No matter what, it will protect you. He will protect you. Just have a little faith."

  "I'm not much for faith, but thanks," Avery wrapped her hand around the symbol. They never grew up with religion, but a couple years ago, Kyrie willingly went looking for it, believing that was what was missing in her life.

  “You sometimes gotta ask yourself, what do you believe in? I believe in you sissy.”

  Avery hugged her sister tightly for a moment, briefly contemplating what her life meant. She realized Kyrie was trying to get free of her grasp and quipped, "Don't get used to this hugging thing."

  "Didn't plan on it."

  They both smiled and giggled with each other like they did when they were children.

  CHAPTER 5

  Gunner sat in his quarters alone, thinking of what he would do when the power is in his possession. Was it even necessary to share with his clan? He was the leader and didn't need any of the children challenging his authority. Soon, they all would have the same abilities as he did. And was that fair? Considering how much longer he had been on this Earth? How much more he had to endure to get to where he was now? He found himself second-guessing what was ‘good’ for the newbies.

  Boards lay scattered across the floor. A streak of morning sun came through the edge of the black curtain. It beamed on the wall across from him, and he found himself staring at it. Daedra entered his room once again, almost undetected. She floated over to the window and peeked out, letting the light shine on her pale face.

  "Terrible weakness…not being able to move about freely during the day. To feel the warmth of the sun on your face," she shut the curtains up tight, so the little sunbeam mocking him had disappeared. Gunner kept his indifference, "I assume your presence means you know where the next one is."

  Daedra nodded and smiled at him. She walked around him slowly and seductively. Gunner tried to hide his irritation. What did she hope to accomplish by teasing him? What was her angle?

  "Good. Now get started on finding my ring," he commented before rolling his eyes. He grew annoyed as he felt her stop behind him. "What are you waiting for?"

  Daedra laid her hands lightly on him and commenced massaging his shoulders.

  Gunner tensed, “What are you doing?”

  "Ya know, I was thinking..."

  Gunner grabbed her wrist, "Not interested," and pushed her arm away. "Now go."

  "Have it your way." Daedra felt the sting of rejection as she walked away, purposely sashaying her hips as she left.

  It seemed like such a long dream, though it must have only taken seconds for his mind to conjure it.

  Talon sat down on an emerald green hilltop, somewhere far away, waiting for the sun to come up. It had been too long since he remembered what a sunrise looked like, yet his memories captured all the colors perfectly. Blue, pink, orange, and lavender, each rolling into the other and somehow masterfully blending to create a painting in the sky. He listened to sway of the trees around him while tangling his fingers around dainty ones. He looked to Avery, and she immediately pulled herself on top of him, her face mere inches from his own. The scent of vanilla on her skin flooded his senses. He couldn't remember any other dream where he was able to smell. It was so real. Just as her lips were about to mesh with his, she spoke.

  "Hey, wake up."

  Talon sat up startled. He was upset the fantasy was over but became aware that his mental fixation stood at the top of his staircase, her warm vanilla scent floating in the air. Normally Talon would wake up instantly if he sensed someone in his house, but ever since he met Avery, his newly sweet dreams were hard to abandon. She obviously didn't want a repeat of the other night, so she kept her distance while waking him. He felt entirely too guilty for scaring her last time. He hoped he would never leave a bad impression like that on her again. Her uncharacteristically meek and unsure tone of voice tugged at his heartstrings.

  "A source informed me that the clan was going out tonight to the old train depot. Seems to be a pickup point for the sword. Shipped all the way from the Louisiana Bayou. Just thought I'd let you know."

  Talon jokingly pulled his sheets closer to himself, "You just wanted to see me naked again."

  Avery’s face turned bright red, and she spat out angrily, "Don't flatter yourself. Get dressed."

  There was the cock-sure attitude of hers. He knew he could bring it out in her. Avery left his presence, and he smiled, yelling after her, "You don't wann
a help me?" Oh and how he wanted to be helped. He would be surprised if she hadn't noticed his throbbing erection the entire time. He never felt like this with any other women he had satisfied himself with these last few centuries.

  There was something about Avery that made him want to be primal. He wanted to show her who wore the pants. Who had the strength. Maybe it was her stubborn resistance to him made her more desirable. He wanted to see the more feminine side of her. Although Talon loved the tough, independent part of her as well, he felt that she shouldn't have to try to be so hard. Then, there was the side of him that just wanted to kiss her until she went soft and gooey in his arms. She should let down those barriers and be herself around him. He was certain that one day, she would. Until then, all he could do is get dressed every day, and follow her wherever she would go, curious to see what the next night would bring.

  Avery stomped the rest of the way down the stairs after hearing Talon propose she 'help' him. How dare he?! She stopped and smiled a second, then mentally slapped herself. No. Don't start to like him. Just keep telling yourself that he's a disgusting creature that has taken innocent lives. But she couldn't convince herself fully of something she wasn't sure of. Avery would have never thought twice to hear the story of any other vampire. So why this one? Why did she find herself wanting to know more about him? She had to know for sure that he was indeed good, and not manipulating her. Maybe her lack of defense around him was because she was only supposed to see human’s auras, and though he was clearly a vampire, she felt his. Like he was still half human.

  Talon startled her as he appeared behind her on the stairs. Avery stumbled forward on the third to the last step, but Talon grabbed her by the shoulders and steadied her. He moved past her to the kitchen where he pulled a labeled blood bag out of his refrigerator and emptied its contents into a coffee mug. He heated the mug in the microwave, patiently awaiting his breakfast. Avery sat on a bar stool at his island counter and watched him drink it. She thought she'd be sick or disgusted, but found herself relieved that he drank bag-blood. She had wondered before if he was going behind her back to drain humans. This was a load off her mind, and she secretly gave him kudos for it. She chuckled when she recognized the heart on the coffee cup and the Red Cross symbol asking everyone to ‘Donate Blood.’ Talon caught her gaze and came away from finishing his meal to smile at her. His fangs were out, teeth drenched in red. Avery cringed and looked away from him. It did make her a little queasy.

  "Oh, sorry about that," Talon retracted his teeth and quickly rinsed his mouth with water. "So, I noticed you weren't out last night...."

  "Yeah. I spent some quality time with Kyrie. I’m trying to put my sense of family before my sense of duty for once. I’m actually enjoying it, but she keeps trying to drag me to church with her.” Avery picked at her cuticles to distract herself and muttered, “I'm surprised you didn't come bug me. It kind of made me worry."

  Talon smiled at her last comment. "Well, it was a slow night. I figured you had your reasons. Besides, it's good to cherish what you have because it won't always be there."

  Talon parked his black '67 Shelby GT 500 in a parking lot on the east side of town. He may keep it low-key with his home, but when it came to his cars, Talon went all out. He could tell Avery was a fan of muscle cars as she had admired its abilities and rubbed her hand against the interior the entire drive as if petting it.

  The boarded-up train station was near the out-of-business video store. Nothing on this side of town lasted very long, except for the bars. It was too far from the main flow of traffic.

  Where the train tracks used to be was now called the 'Rails to Trails.' Meaning they tore up the historical tracks to put down a concrete trail for bikers and the whatnot to travel on during the spring and summer, snowmobiles in the winter. It was less historical, and now more the perfect place for many transactions meant to be unknown.

  Talon and Avery swiftly and quietly exited the vehicle and walked down the desolate road; sneaking around to the back of the abandoned store, in order to get a better look at the train station without being noticed. In the moonlight, Talon could make out at least ten vampires accompanied by two strange demons. The demons appeared as humans on steroids, with smoky gray skin, and had glowing yellow eyes. "Looks like they brought extra help this time."

  "I daresay they are onto us," Avery commented.

  Talon did some reconnaissance, noticing the ladder to the roof on the south side of the building was unguarded. He swiftly ran to it, leaving Avery where she was.

  "Where are you going? Talon!" she whispered hoarsely after him.

  He grabbed the closest step on the ladder and slung himself up to the roof, where he took out two lookouts before they could alert the others. Talon jumped back down and was back by Avery's side in seconds. He was urged to do something he knew she hated, but it was the stealthier thing to do. He scooped her smaller body up into his arms, held her to his hard chest, and ran her to the ladder before she could protest. Talon set Avery down, surprised that she didn't wobble on her feet this time. She shot daggers at him and punched his abs hard enough that he felt a bruise form and heal before he had time to make a huff. He waited for her to climb the ladder while he kept watch around them. He couldn't help but glance up at her backside as she climbed up, her jeans tightening against her butt cheeks with every stride. This woman had the perfect ass for cupping in hands. Too bad that if he tried, she'd probably cut them off. He chuckled at the thought of her trying to do such a thing.

  Once Avery made it to the roof, Talon followed in one swift flinging motion, as he had gotten up before. He spotted the roof entrance in the corner and pulled the small metal door off its hinges.

  "Okay He-Man," Avery scoffed as she started down the ladder into the main building.

  "Should I have knocked and let them know we were coming by for a visit?" Talon joked with her.

  Avery slid to the bottom of the ladder and Talon jumped down silently behind her. His senses picked up on someone coming toward them. He pushed Avery back into a corner, forcing her breasts against his chest, his arms on either side of her head. Even though he had felt the presence walk by and disappear again, he didn't want to move. He could hear Avery's heart thumping wildly, and her scent was strong and nearly irresistible while he was this close. He was surprised the other vampires couldn't smell her already like he could. Talon looked down into Avery's intense green eyes and flushed face. She stared back and whispered, "Get off me."

  He chuckled, unmoving, "That's the first time I've heard that one."

  "Probably won't be the last."

  The two of them stealthily navigated their way to the main lobby of the station, where there were just a few benches left from when the train actually ran through town. A small group of vampire sentinels surrounded a large crate. Something didn't seem right to Talon. It was almost too easy. He cracked his neck a moment, and then looked down at the antsy woman next to him, her stake gripped in hand. He could tell that she was ready to fly into action, but couldn't help feeling a little protective of her.

  "Why don't you stay here a minute while I take care of these guys?"

  Avery looked like she had been slapped in the face and Talon immediately regretted that he started the argument that was about to emerge between them.

  "Stay here? I am here to do what I do. Kill the scum of the earth. You're not going to stop me from getting involved."

  "Some of these vampires are a little beyond your skills. I can't be worried about your safety and take care of this effectively at the same time."

  Avery smirked. "I can take care of myself. Can you?"

  He hated when people quoted him. There was no reasoning with this woman. He just had to do this as quickly as possible. "Give me a head start?"

  She narrowed her eyes at him, "Ten seconds."

  Talon psyched himself up for combat, his eyes turning deep red and his fangs started to elongate before he zoomed into the room ahead of Avery, planning on taking o
ut as many vampires as he could before she got involved. However much he preferred to do this alone and have her somewhere safe, he knew that just wasn't going to happen with this stubborn woman.

  He tore into the throat of the nearest vampire with his hand. The rest of the sentinels swarmed around him. Others came into the building from the outside. He wrestled with one, occasionally looking over to see if his female companion was doing okay. She seemed to be holding her own. It was as if the vamps with any kind of power gravitated toward fighting him and Talon hoped to keep it that way, for Avery's sake. Talon hurled the vampire he was locked in combat with out the already shattered window, and then whirled around to the next bunch, kicking and punching wherever he could get a hit in. For every one he killed, it seemed that more came to take their place, like roaches.

  It was starting to frustrate Talon that these newbies were overwhelming him with their numbers. He looked around to find Avery, barely hanging in there. She had just gotten punched in the face and staggered back into the wall. Talon ran over in half a second to her aid, knocking the young vampire up into the air with an uppercut. The vamp flew back and landed on a wooden bench, breaking it into pieces with the force of his fall. Talon turned to her and lifted her to her feet, "You alright?"

  "I'm good," Avery lightly pushed him away from her. She let her pain fuel her anger and then resumed fighting.

  Talon did the same. He wasn't a quitter, but he entertained thoughts that maybe this mission was meant to be aborted. They obviously were expected, and the enemy was more than prepared. He couldn't think of the last time he let himself get caught in a trap. He looked again at Avery, she who had led him here. He resolved that he would follow her into hell, so it really didn't matter that they were in deep shit right now. All he was worried about was her safety. He would never forgive himself if serious harm came to this woman. He knew that somehow, they would make it out of here alive and in one piece.

  The main doors to the train station flew open and caught everyone's attention. A tall blonde woman in a leather outfit sauntered in, followed by a small group of men armed with swords and crossbows. Talon had seen this group around town and tried to avoid them as much as possible. He knew that they wouldn't be as kind to him as Avery had been when she found out what he was. In fact, this blonde woman had almost successfully killed him last year with a crossbow, but the wooden arrow missed his heart by just centimeters. Still hurt like a bitch though. Only by luck did he get away from her. He may have better skills, but the blonde was not to be taken lightly.