Hello to everyone once again. I never once thought that this story would become as popular as it has. I thank all of you for that. Your letters, comments, and requests are what keep these kinds of stories alive. For those that have read and followed this tale, but haven't written in yet I invite you to do so.
Now onto the legal superfluous stuff. Though inspired by true events, this story is borne entirely of my own imagination. Any resemblance to any actual event, past or present, is entirely coincidental. Same goes for any person, either living or dead, except with permission of said person and said person(s) will be thanked and credited at the end of the chapter.
I'd like to take this time to thank all of you who have written to me with your compliments, concerns, and suggestions. I'll do my best to honor all of you before the series ends (which won't happen for a while). This episode is due in part to the request of DJ. Thank you for your input in helping me create this episode.
Chapter 10
" 'An you 'and me da 'ammer?" I asked with three nails in my mouth. Just five seconds ago I chucked it across the room when it hit my finger. My hand was stretched behind me expecting to feel the wooden handle hit at any second. I was afraid to take my eye off my target that was sticking out of the plank. " 'Adia?"
I heard the saw she had upstairs turn back on. I forgot that she went up there to get the wood cut for the next couple of steps. I pulled the nails out of my mouth and retrieved the damn thing. My finger was still stinging and I cursed under my breath. I sat on my ever-tiring sore ass and tried agin to get this freaking step nailed into place.
I stuck with soft tapping the hardware into place. Labor like this isn't my favorite pastime, mostly because of what just happened to my finger, but it was my idea to fix these damn steps. Nadia spent the last couple of days ripping the old flight out. Plastic sheets lay all around the immediate area, covered in everything from sawdust to cans of paint and varnish. The power saw upstairs shut off shortly after I heard the cut piece hit the floor. "You say something?" Nadia asked.
I rolled my eyes. "No." I pounded in the next three nails as quickly as I could. Nadia's footsteps upstairs were edging into the vampire quickness. She's been on a short fuse with certain things around here lately. Like yesterday when I accidentally knocked over a pot of water I was boiling for my dinner. I've never seen her spaz out like that before. I don't know if it's because she wants these stairs to be done perfectly, or because she's hungry. I just wished she'd tell me what's been bugging her all weekend.
"How's it coming?" she asked in my ear. I jumped back, my hand going over my chest.
"Shit, Nadia. Quit doing that. It's creepy." My pulse slowed a bit when she grinned. Her eyes started dilating, I could see it even in the dim light coming down the stairwell. There was just enough light to work by down here. If I changed my vision--I still have yet to do it consciously and on purpose--my eyes would burn right out of their sockets. "You okay?"
She nodded. "I just want to make sure our little project gets done without a hitch." I don't think I'll ever tire of hearing that sweet accent of hers, especially when she uses phrases not from her homeland. It's cute in its own right.
"Well it would be if you'd loosen up a bit and let the small shit go," I said with a smile. I touched her hands. Her palms were sweaty and not from the work. Nadia doesn't break a sweat doing much of anything, except for feeding and fucking. Funny how those are both "F" words, I thought, then giggled.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing." I waved my hand to brush it off. "Just a random thought." I looked back to face. Her expression turned somewhat serious. I'm sure all the sawdust and noise must be playing hell with her head right about now--they were with mine, and my senses weren't anywhere close to hers. Her gaze shifted from my face to my shoulder. "You hungry?"
Her nostrils flared at the natural incense her vampire body was giving off. It hit me less than a second later. "Yes," Nadia whispered. My head was on cloud nine. Tingling sensations on my scars sent a wonderful shot into my pussy, making it dampen immediately. I let out a moan when she grabbed my hands. I didn't even try to fight it; I trusted her enough the first few times, and the reward was... shall I say, exquisite. Her vampiric claws danced over the twin wounds in a pleasurable ballet of light touches. Each time a finger made contact, a pulse in my pussy caused more juice to flow out. I knew the first few seconds were going to hurt like hell, but the aftermath is so-o-o-o worth it.
I gasped out of instinct at the pinch of her teeth penetrating me. Nadia's grip on my shoulders tightened. The pheromones began to work their magic. Soon, her tongue replaced her teeth. Her lips were suckling at my skin. Then I was all hers. My nipples hardened immediately. Goosebumps covered my body. One of my hands cupped the back of her head, the other squeezed one of my tits. I kneaded the soft flesh in time with Nadia as she sucked my offering into her mouth. Every time that marvelous tongue bounced over the openings, the area between my legs pulsed with my girl-sauce.
I grabbed a handful of hair as we rolled back. Nadia put her teeth back inside of me, and when we hit it was like her fingers just bumped my G-spot. I came before we stopped moving. She moved a thigh between my legs and started rubbing against me. I needed more. Before I knew what was happening I was grinding myself against her, trying to get as much pressure against me as possible. I knew it wasn't enough, nor would it be until she finished. I cried out for release; I had to cum. Now.
Nadia's smooth, wet tongue did its thing to stop the bleeding, hen traveled south to get my pussy to stop leaking. She ran her extended claws over my swollen tits, down my midriff, and finally over the crotch of my pants and up my inner thighs. I love it when she does that. If she had a mind to, she could have me naked before I knew she moved, but not today. No, today she moved with the grace of the predator she is, making me beg for her to get me off. One snap, and one bit of zipper at a time, teasing me with her sultry slowness. And when I moaned to protest, I heard her voice in my head saying, "Patience."
"...Please," I begged, her pheromones outweighing the blood loss. My head was going to pay for that, but I didn't care.
Her fingers hooked into the top of my jeans and panties. I lifted my ass so she could slide them off in one motion, but the bitch insisted on teasing me more. Out of frustration, and needing to do anything to cum, I grabbed and squeezed my tits again. Hard; sometimes the rough road is the only road.
"My, my, my," she said way too calmly, "Someone's been enjoying her time." The sweet odor of my secretions hit my nose a moment later. I'm sure it was driving her wild inside, but she had to play her part as the cool seductress. I made a noise to the affirmative, pushing myself even higher. "Does my sweat Watcher need to cum?"
"Oh, god, Nadia," I breathed, "Stop talking and eat me." Her devilish smile widened. "Please, Nadia."
She got my clothes off over my shoes, somehow, and just played with the sensitive skin around my legs and pubis. Her fingers lightly traced a path over the soft flesh. I moaned again. This isn't fair. I felt her hot breath against my saturated skin. A quick swipe of her tongue hit me seconds later. Two fingers began massaging my outer folds, pinching softly against my swollen clit. My mindless mumbling was cut off by that wonderful tongue of hers hitting me once again. That wet, warm, rough organ pushing against me with just enough pressure to NOT get me off. The muscles of my pussy tightened down against it, telling her to fuck me with it.
I'm sure my breasts were going to be bruised by tomorrow. With Nadia's aura coating mine, the pain turned into an amplifier for the pleasure. Her teeth brushed dangerously hard against my pussy. And I liked it. She knew I was hers. She could do whatever she wanted to me. I just hoped she would quit teasing me and let me cum already. Out of frustration, I reached down and grabbed the back of her head and forced her face against me. That marvelous tongue slipped in further. Nadia began wiggling it in a pattern that drove me nut. I cried out when I felt that beautiful wave course through me.
My pussy erupted right one cue. I came so hard that it not only splashed against her face, but sprayed out everywhere. Good thing we put these plastic sheets down, otherwise she'd have to rip up that carpet too. I think that egged her on more. She sucked my clit into her mouth and, using her non-sharp teeth, bit down a little, all the while fucking me with her tongue. Her hands had a good hold of my legs, rubbing the insides of my thighs. I thought I was going to pass out. My breathing came in stuttered pants. I almost told her to stop, but a second wave cut me off. I heard it spray from me, hit her, then the plastic. My shirt was getting soaked.
I let go of her hair and relaxed my legs. Nadia didn't get the message. She pulled her tongue out of me only to be replaced with her fingers. I forced myself up to protest, but she hit my G-spot and pushed me back. Ever so gently her fingers massaged my inner walls. She blew her hot breath against my exposed clit, almost getting me to cum again. "Cum for me again, Charlene," she whispered into my ear. I didn't even know she moved. "I want to feel it in my hands."
I moaned an answer. The vampire put her dripping face on my wounded side and licked the length of my neck, stopping at the scars to increase the pressure. I squirted again. I grabbed her cheeks and kissed her forcefully. She let out a groan at first, but as more juice left me, more surprise left her. I held her there even after she pulled her fingers out of me. I ran my fingernails over the sides of her neck. A soft noise vibrated against my lips.
"We need a bath," Nadia said once I finally released her. She she stood up I noticed that she was topless. When the hell did that happen? Damn, she's good. She picked up her bra and strapped it back on, leaving her shirt, completely soaked by the looks of it, to be washed later. "But first you need a drink."
"Not yet," I said dreamily. She narrowed her eyes in question. My hand came up and started rubbing against the crotch of her pants. I think she got the answer.
I unzipped her jeans and slid my hand down. Her pussy was hot and drenched. Her clit was already swollen and peeking. While I teased her outer folds, I licked up the length of her chest, traveling up the curve of her neck and finally tracing around her lips. She groaned and got even wetter. I pinched softly on her clit, making her breathing shake. Nadia cupped her back of my head and grabbed my hair. It's so hot when she gets aggressive like that. Two of my fingers slipped inside her.
She gasped. My mouth was only inches from hers, but I refused to let her kiss me. A little payback from earlier. My palm and thumb worked their magic on her sensitive nub, going between a light touch and a hard rubbing. My fingers inside teased everyone of her spots. Her juices were dripping off my wrist. I could feel her hot breath against my lips. I'd bring her to the brink, back off, then get her close again.
"P-please, Charlene..." I smiled at her suffering. "I want to... to cum f-for you. Make me cum." I love making her beg like that. When her eyes opened again, I wasn't surprised that her pupils were swollen--mine were too probably--but what did surprise me was the hunger. I slowed my finger-fucking, and just as I thought, her mouth moved over my shoulder. If I didn't finish her off, would she bite me until I did? I smiled. Let's find out.
"My vampire need to cum?" I teased, slowly pulling my fingers out of her.
"Yes..."
"My vampire wants to cum for her Watcher?"
"Yes... make me cum... please." Her sharp teeth touched the newly reformed scars. Guess that's my cue.
I shoved them back inside of her. Her head reeled back, her back arched. "I wanna feel it spray into my hand." I went for broke. I forced my hand against her clit, rubbing it against her pubic bone. My fingers tap danced on her G-spot. She cried out, a mixture of pleasure and pain. I know that when she starts begging that she wants to rough it up a bit. I didn't let up even after her pussy walls gripped my fingers. I added a third for good measure.
Nadia pulled my hair as she came. She pulled me against her. The cup of her bra brushed against my scar tissue. With my right hand almost completely inside of her, my left went to my own pussy. I had to get off again. That wonderful warm liquid squirted out of her, splashing against my hand and the crotch of her pants. I didn't stop; I wanted more. I kept rubbing until she gave me a second wave, which matched my own. I fingered myself harder with each stream that flowed from her.
"Stop," she begged, grabbing my arm. She had to pull me out of her. I stopped fucking myself when my other hand went cold. Looking me right in the eye, she licked her own cum from my fingers. God, that's so hot. Sucking each digit individually, then running her tongue over my wrist and forearm. She traded off hands and cleaned off my other one. I almost orgasmed again just watching her. The edges of my vision started getting dark.
"I'll get you that drink now," the vampire said standing up. I could see the stain running down her legs.
"Make it quick," I said feeling woozy. After all of the orgasms, blood loss and now the pheromones were wearing off, I wouldn't be conscious for long. My whole body was wet with either sweat or girl juice, the latter being more so, I started getting cold. Or was that another side effect of the blood loss. I never really found out since she either covers me with a blanket or fucks me right after a feeding.
My vision was reduced to squints. I looked up at the sound of the plastic rattling. Nadia was holding the water bottle she made up yesterday in anticipation of this. I took it, opened it up, and just downed it. My "blood water", as she called it last time, tasted horrible, but I didn't care. It was the after effect that I wanted. The part that kept me from passing out, because I hate feeling like dead weight after Nadia's done eating. She says she doesn't mind carrying me to bed, to the couch, or wherever, but it bothers me that I'm not strong enough to manage on my own.
I let out a disgusted noise when I finished. A cough soon followed. "Ugh, I hate that," I said, making a face. "What's in it any way? I mean, I know you said it's hemoglobin, but how do you get it from the blood plasma into a cup of water?"
"Father Darien makes it," she said crouching in front of me. My vision wasn't clearing any, but that's normal. It's going to take at least a half hour to see any change like that. Yes, I've timed it. "Back in his earlier days, he needed to come up with something to keep his former Watcher alive after he fed. He's quite an accomplished alchemist. He keeps the process a secret, but I know the blood comes from one of the many banks he owns around the country." Even in my drunken state, I could hear the drop in pitch in her voice. "All I know is blood goes in, and what comes out is this fine, granulated powder. It's been his cash crop ever since."
Fascinating, I thought dryly. "Since when?"
"Since he started making it," she answered, raising her voice a bit. "He sells it for over fifty dollars an ounce. It's how he pays for everything, including everything he gives me."
"Can we not talk about him? Please?" She nodded, dropping her gaze. "What do you say we go take that bath together?"
Her smile returned. "Okay." Nadia reached out and picked me up. My hands linked behind her neck. "Hold on," she warned. My immediate question was answered when she leapt up to the open doorway above. We moved so fast my brain didn't have time to process the motion. I held back a giggle. So that's moving at vampire speed? Cool, if not scary. I nestled my head against her chest as we moved towards the bathroom. As weird as I felt being carried like this, I liked the comfort and safety in it. And the beating of her heart was as soothing as the water that would soon cover us both.
I reclined back against Nadia's naked form. She took my advise and poured in some lavender bubble bath. My head laid back against her shoulder. I cooed when her arms took a possessive hold around me. This was nice. The scented steam rising from water relaxed the both of us from working all weekend, and we still don't have the first step installed. I decided that right now it didn't matter, feeling her lips touch my cheek. I almost fell asleep from it.
"What else do we need?" I asked anyway, just to get us talking.
"Now that you mention it, I need to pick out some carpet to put over top once we're finished." She started rubbing her hands gently over my shoulders, careful to avoid the fresh scar tissue.
My eyes opened. "I thought that's what the varnish was for."
Nadia chuckled softly. "No, the varnish is to protect the wood in case anything spills on the carpet. I learned from experience that it keeps the stink and mold down." For some reason I didn't like that. Knowing from experience, huh?
"So you've bled someone on your carpet before?" I asked as humorously as I could, turning my head to face her.
She just gave me an askance stare. "Charlene. I'm a vampire." That made sense but I still didn't like the notion of putting forethought into it like that. Isn't that why they invented Scotch Guard? Then the night of the intruder flashed through my head. Okay, Charlie, stop asking stupid questions.
"If you want to get this thing done by tomorrow then you need to go get the carpet in the next hour or so," I reminded her, "The store closes at eight-thirty tonight. Remember?"
I heard a contented sigh behind me. "Plenty of time," my vampire whispered.
She started giving me a good shoulder rub. I leaned forward so she could get my back. With the light touch of her fingers, a soft tingling pulsed through me. She went up and down the entire length of my back rotating her hands in tiny circles. My eyes drifted shut once again. My head fell forward. Nadia's aura coated mine. "Take it," she whispered.
"How?" I mumbled back, trying to enjoy the extra warmth she was providing. She moaned with that alto, phone-sex tone. She was getting turned on by wanting me to take her aura?
"Will yourself into taking it, like you're fighting me or Father Darien." Her words echoed in my head. It was as if we were in a large empty room. I remembered the other day when she fed me her aura, and what I had done to accept it. "That's right Charlene. Assert your will, expand your aura to overtake mine. Forget that it's stronger for the moment." Another sexy noise came from the vampire. It was getting me hot just listening to it.
She kissed me on my non-wounded side. That made it even harder to concentrate, but then again I was two steps away from drifting off to La-La Land. I narrowed my weak concentration on that fuzzy feeling surrounding me. The harder I focused, the more I found it disconnected from her body. I mentally expanded my own, pushing it out at the seams. That soft tingling sensation turned into a full blown tidal wave. My pulse jackhammered. My mental awareness exploded to a new level. I could see people almost a mile away, except Nadia. It was like she was a part of me now. The woozy feeling quickly subsided.
"What the hell was that?" I almost shouted. I spun back to see Nadia wearing a proud smile.
She nuzzled against my shoulder. "Very well done, Charlene. I didn't think you'd do it on your first try."
"You mean I just overtook yours?"
She nodded. "You wouldn't have been able to if I didn't detach it first, but yes."
"Why not?" I wasn't going to start counting my chickens.
"Mine is much stronger than yours," she said, trying not to be blunt. "That was your first time; most Watchers don't even come close to overtaking their vampire's aura, even if it's detached."
My body awakened with a new life. I wasn't tired or worn down. The blood loss almost meant nothing. I could almost hear a low-level hum pass over my ears with each heart beat. "Are you supposed to teach me how to do that?"
"I'm supposed to teach you how to protect yourself." We leaned back. I swear her arms were like my armor, nothing could touch me as long as she was. "Mentally using your aura to block an attack from a renegade will go a long way in keeping you alive." Peachy. "I'm sure you remember what Harold did to you, and he put in as little effort as possible."
"Don't remind me," I said, trying to back to enjoying this. "I'm just glad that you showed up when you did."
"I didn't want to kill him, Charlene. That was the blood rage coursing through me." That's a new one, I mumbled back to her, followed by my favorite question. "Why"
"Because I don't like other people touching you, Charlene." She kissed the top of my head. "It drives me mad, especially when they think they can just take you. You're MY Watcher, Charlene, and I..." I almost thought she was going to blurt out the magic "L" word after that. "And I need to take care of you like you take care of me." Her grip around my shoulders tightened. My heart ached at the pain in her voice. What was she so upset about? She's already killed two people that tried to 'take me'.
"You do, Nadia," I assured her. "I'd be dead twice over if it wasn't for you." I heard her smile at that. Through the small window above the shower stall, I could see the sun was almost fully behind the horizon, casting the room in a purplish-yellow glow. It was almost romantic. Neither of us said anything for a few minutes. I guess we both just wanted to take in the serenity of the moment. But not for too much longer.
"I need to get dressed," Nadia said, snapping me out of a beautiful daydream. It's weird how new knowledge can affect how your brain operates. With her aura still a part of mine, I could see into some of her memories. They were... interesting to say the least. She detached these on purpose, meaning she wanted me to see them. I'll have to ask her about that later.
I felt the loss of her contact as soon as she got out of the tub. I smiled at her naked body walking around the bathroom looking for the towels. I couldn't help my sheepish grin, or giggle, when she forgot where she placed them. "Under the vanity," I reminded her.
Her face played out that "duh" look. She wrapped herself up, looking sexy as hell doing it. "Do you want to come with me or stay here?"
"I'm going to stay here, maybe take a nap," I answered. I couldn't tell if that was a happy lift of her mouth or disappointed. "You said once that after a feeding that I shouldn't move around too much."
"Yeah," the vampire breathed. "That's why I let you have some of my aura. So you can move around." She knelt beside the tub and stroked my cheek. "Just take it easy until I get back. What you took from me won't last for long." Nadia leaned in and kissed me. "How's your finger?"
What? "How did...? It's fine now."
"Good, because when I get back you're going to need all of them working." She winked and kissed me again. "I won't be long." With that she disappeared with that creepy vampire speed.
I heard her going through her clothes, picking out something that no doubt screamed sex-that-you-can't have. She's been dressing like that a lot recently. My guess would be because of me; dressing just provocative enough to get the looks then shooting them down with her now-famous "I'm taken" stare. As good as it made me feel, I wish she'd tone it down sometimes. We didn't need the attention of every guy and chick we passed. Or maybe that was the shyer, weak human in me talking.
I stayed in the tub until the car left the garage, right about the same time the water started getting cold. I wrapped myself up in a towel, taking a good long look at myself in the mirror. I wasn't as pale as I was last time, my eyes weren't as puffy either. I think the aura feeding had something to do with that. And, in a complete reversal of last time, my body glowed with a radiance that I couldn't explain. Again, I chalked it up to the aura feeding.
I ran my hands over my face and walked to the bedroom. I had to shake my head and laugh. Nadia laid out on the bed a good looking outfit for me to wear. An off-the-shoulder, but strapped long sleeve tee with intricate stitching patterns all over the front. Black lace adorned the neckline and a fine mesh filled in the gap over the shoulders. The pants were a somewhat matching pair, but had lace-up sides with steel rivets and bondage straps crossing on each leg. The bra and panties were a fine satin and lace set. Black, of course. I don't think that girl bought anything but. After what she confessed in the tub, I wasn't about to object to wearing it. Besides, I think it looked hot as hell.
I've always liked the way fine satin feels against my skin. It's comfortable, elegant, sexy. The soft denim of the pants did nothing to take away from that. Actually it seemed to add to it. As did the fine egyptian cotton of the shirt. I've gotta give Nadia credit for her clothing, she only dressed herself with the best. Under the shirt was a pair of black fingerless gloves. I picked them up, feeling the genuine leather in my hands. These weren't cheap either, I could smell it.
I slipped my hand inside of one and felt something off. When I pulled my hand out, a small hand-written note floated down. It was a piece of linen paper, and the handwriting was definitely that of a woman--it was too pretty to be a guys. It was beautiful, the only problem was I couldn't read it. It was written in a different language. I didn't see any names so I placed it down on the pillow and snapped the gloves into place.
I made my way to the kitchen, careful to avoid the construction mess. My stomach was growling. I needed to get some food in me before my body demanded that I sleep. A simple capellini sounded really good.
The fridge was fully stocked thanks to our shopping trip yesterday. I pulled out the few ingredients I needed and got to work. I set a small pot of water to boil while I chopped the tomatoes and basil. Tossing in the angel hair pasta, along with a small pinch of salt, I set everything else aside and sat down at the table.
It isn't often that I get alone time at Nadia's house. It was almost uncomfortable hearing only the boiling water. Should have brought a book, I thought. The sun was fully set so the only light I had was the ambient glow of the moon and the few working street lamps. I got up to peruse her massive entertainment collection. Why not? She wants me living here so I might as well see what she's got.
I still can't get over the extraordinary entertainment system she has, but never uses. Come to think of it I've never asked her why not. Guess I just don't think about it until I'm looking at it. My mouth grinned and let out a small sigh as my hands drifted over the hundreds of DVD and Blu-Ray cases. The huge flat screen TV hung from the wall without a speck of dust on it. Neither did the DVD/Blu-Ray player, or the surround speakers that literally surrounded the room. I would have thought it odd if I didn't know how OCD Nadia is about her house. Even the cabinets were polished on a weekly basis.
I picked up the remote and switched everything on. Good thing Travis has a similar set-up at his place. I wasn't at all surprised when I hit the "Guide" button. Four hundred, fifty-three channels--and not a damn thing on. Typical.
I jumped when I heard the garage door open and close. Strange, she's only been gone for ten minutes, max. Maybe she forgot something. "What'd you forget?" I asked to no one as I entered the kitchen. "Nadia?" The knob of the door jingled, making me jump. I know she didn't forget her keys. My heart slowed slightly. I opened the door. The garage was empty. Okay, now I'm officially freaked.
My hand covered my chest at the sound of a shrill laughter. "HEHE-HEHEHEHE!!" I spun around and a scrawny, scraggly-looking guy was standing over the stove. "Doesn't know to look behind when the sun is gone and ceased to shine."
What the fuck? I closed the door, trying to will my pulse to relax. "Who the hell are you!" My vision changed over. I grimaced at how dirty he looked. He reeked of month-old street muck. That explains the foul stench in the air.
"Man oh man, you so demand," he taunted in that high pitched voice. I watched as he dipped a finger into my pot of water. He pulled it out and stuck it in his mouth. He made a face and shook his head. "No it's not her fault that this needs more salt."
Okay, he's fucking nuts. In an attempt to relax my pounding heart I asked, "Do you always talk in rhymes like that?"
"It's good to speak in rhyme when all you've got is time." I tried to expand my aura and see if he was any real threat or if he's just a lunatic looking for something to eat--food, and not me hopefully. "A vampiric education I opine, but it's not a gift of the mind."
My fists clenched. "What the fuck are you talking about? Get the hell out of my house."
He turned to me and smiled. My stomach churned, my blood turned cold. His dagger-like teeth were dripping with blood. "Adriel is a guest at the master's request." Oh, please, please, don't be referring to Father Darien. Suddenly afraid, I shouted, "Nadia!" His aura exploded into existence, knocking me back into the door.
"Mistress will come back, but Adriel wonders," he said in a taunting tone, my adrenaline spiking, "If Watcher is just another blunder?" I shook my head no, not knowing what the fuck was going on. As if knowing what to do, he turned the front burner on and proceeded to make my dinner for me. I figured if he hasn't attacked me yet, then that's not why he was here.
He stood with a bit of hunch to his shoulders, as if weighted down by years of insanity. His clothes were typical of a street dweller. A heavy coat over the top of a tattered hoodie. His pants were ragged and stained, as where his boots. I could see the grease in his matted, unkept hair. His eyes were a solid black, but he wasn't giving off any pheromones. He wasn't trying to subdue me or overtake me in any way, except scaring the hell out of me by doing just that. By the way he's acting I couldn't be certain if he was a vampire.
"What in the hell are you?" I asked after watching him cook my dinner for about five minutes. It was more of an attempt to calm myself than anything.
"Adriel has never been to hell. Adriel is Adriel, so learn it well," he said pointedly.
"Okay, Adriel, what is it that you want?"
If he heard me, he gave no sign. I threw my hands up, but didn't dare move beyond that. He got into the house without me noticing. His aura knocked me on my ass. He put his bare hand into a pot of boiling water, and he did it all without a second thought. I don't want to know what he could do if provoked, especially while he's still vamped out after just feeding.
"Who sent you here, Adriel?" I asked, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. I could smell the tomatoes cooking with the pasta and herbs over his stench. Suddenly, I wasn't as hungry.
"Answers you'll regret from questions you'll lament." More cryptic rhymes. Great. I'm sure he could sense my frustration, my head sure as hell could. And that added hiss he put into his voice didn't help. With a double tap of the tongs, he spun on his heels. "I am not insane, nor my babble inane."
I snorted. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
He smiled those red teeth again. "You cannot see what lies ahead when the light is faded and moon is dead." I peeked out the window over the sink. I couldn't see the moon. He let out another shrill of a chuckle. "She sees what she needs, but is gone upon the dawn. HEHEHEHEHE!!"
That voice of his was making my skin crawl. "Right..." I drawled. "So you going to tell me why you're here or what?"
"Adriel forgot why he's here," he turned back to the stove and continued cooking. He tasted it and made an angry face. Adding a dash of salt, he asked, "Why does the Watcher sit in fear?"
"Because you're scaring the hell out of me!" I could almost hear him smile at that. He tasted the food again and made a yummy sound, smacking his lips. "Why don't you just give me a simple answer?"
He paused and looked up. "The Watcher needs to eat, Adriel must flee." He plated up my food and was standing in front of me before I could blink.
"Whoa!" I screamed falling back against the door. Adriel smiled with those hideous, crimson teeth once again and backed up. Getting the reaction he sought, he put my dinner on the table and pulled out a chair. What a gentleman. He motioned for me to sit, but I didn't know what to do. "Adriel? Why are you smiling at me like that?"
"Adriel is happy, but Watcher is sappy? No, that won't do, so Adriel cooked for you." I was beginning to think this guy never graduated elementary school. I got up and slowly made my way to the table. "Adriel isn't the one to fear, my dear, even when she's not here." Nadia? I sat down and he tucked my chair up. Out of nowhere he presented me a fork. I watched him return to the kitchen and start cleaning up. Seriously, why do vampire have to make such an interesting first impression? "You must eat before you fall asleep."
The food smelled fantastic and that's what scared me. Father Darien's food was great too. I took a bite. Oh my god! I almost spit it back out. Did he add more of that powder shit to this? "Adriel, what the fuck did you put in this? Father Darien's blood powder?"
His expression went crestfallen. "There's no need to yell, Adriel only wants to help." He went from insane, babbling vampire to my-feelings-are-hurt-five-year-old? Even his pupils shrank. He really was insulted. Nadia, where the fuck are you!
I took a breath. "Sorry, Adriel, but I've already been dosed," I joked. Nadia hasn't yet taught me how to handle an insane vampire with his feelings hurt. "This is good, but that stuff's kinda distracting." Maybe a little flattery and humor could help.
The vampire just kept cleaning the few dishes. I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced another bite. Grimacing, I chewed and swallowed. I guess I knew what kind of "salt" he added a little bit ago. A good five minutes passed before I dared speak again. "Why won't you tell me why you're here? Are here to to spy on me, or kill me?"
"Adriel forgot, though his fault it's not," he almost weeped. He put away the dishes as he dried them. I was beginning to think that all vampires had bipolar disorder, even if his hurt sounded genuine.
"Well, what do you remember?" I asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
"You must eat, Watcher Charlene. Adriel must soon take his leave." His shoulders dropped when he finished. "Someone said 'make her dead'... yes, yes, that is what they said, but Adriel cannot see into your head." For some reason he sounded down about that too--how comforting. "I can only see a wall, nothing there of you at all."
I set my fork down. "How did you know my name?"
He didn't answer that. Instead he picked up the big chef knife and came towards the table. My eyes widened, his were all over the place. My blood turned cold. I fell back as far as I could, as fast as I could. With that predator slowness, he approached. His face still carried that saddened expression, though. He was sad to have to kill me? He could have killed me when he came in, but didn't.
"A-Adriel," I stammered, backpedaling down the hallway. This isn't the first time a vampire's threatened me, but this is the most afraid I've been of one. "Put the knife down."
His eyes started to water. "Why do they want you dead?" he asked, more to himself than me. Adriel's wandering eyes settled on mine when he asked, "Why can't I see inside your head?" His motions were as clumsy as a normal human--something was happening that I couldn't see, he was definitely fighting something. Or someone.
Maybe honesty is the best policy here. "I fed on Nadia's aura. Maybe she's blocking you from seeing." Any day now Nadia...
"NO! Your vampire is not there and your aura is bare!" Out of frustration he swung the blade. I flinched even though there was a good ten feet gap between us.
"Put the knife down, Adriel," I said, seizing upon this moment of weakness. "You said yourself that you only wanted to help."
"Adriel doesn't know how to help if he can't even help himself." I was almost standing in the bedroom, staring at the business end of a nine inch chopping knife wielded by an insane vampire. I fought off as much of the fear as I could, but I was still shaking.
We both stopped moving when the garage door opened again. Relief washed over me. And him. I fell to my knees, all of the pent-up fear starting to break free. I started crying. I was brave enough to face him down, but I cry when Nadia gets home? In that moment, I didn't care. I just wanted her here. Nadia always protects me from creatures like him. I looked up and he was gone. The knife was lying on the floor where he was standing. I didn't hear him drop it. I also didn't hear the door open and close either.
"Charlene, where are you?" my vampire called out in a panic, probably sensing my emotions. "Charlene!" Nadia turned the corner and rush over to me. She cradled me against her chest. "Why is your good knife in the hallway? What happened?"
"I-I don't know."
Nadia stood at the edge of the bed, looking apologetic, but askance. "Charlene, I'm sorry. I didn't know he was here. I couldn't even smell him."
"What the fuck do you mean you couldn't smell him?" My attitude hasn't improved much since Nadia brought me downstairs. Her aura had worn off and the "medicine" was taking effect. We've been going at it like this for nearly twenty minutes.
"I didn't know he was here," she said for the millionth time. "How could I have?"
"Because you're a vampire just like he is," I said sarcastically, plopping down onto one of the chairs. Ow, my head hurt, but that wasn't going to stop me from saying my piece. "I don't understand how you didn't know he was here." I crossed my arms in a huff.
My vampire let out a breath. "What do you want me to say?" She got off the bed and came over to me. She crouched to my level, a look of hurt filled her eye. But I was in no mood for it. "Charlene, have I ever given you reason not to trust me?"
"I'm not saying that I don't. I'm just wondering if YOU believe ME." She grabbed my elbows and tried to pull me forward, but I didn't budge.
Nadia sat back. I could see the wheels in her head turning. "You said his name was Adriel?" I nodded. "And he just slipped in when you opened the door? He didn't make any sense with what he was saying and ran the spectrum of emotions in under a minute?" I nodded again. "That sounds like an Adriel I knew a long time ago."
Oh, now she decides to open up about it! Great. I tossed my hands up, her face turned indigent. "So you knew this whole time who I've been talking about? How many people do you know named Adriel?"
"I'm sorry Charlene. It's been over fifty years since I last heard from him."
I made an annoyed face. "Do I wanna dare ask?"
"He was a high ranking vampire of one of the largest covens in Europe," she began. "He has a unique ability to read peoples' auras and get a glimpse of their futures. The master of the coven appointed him seer. Unfortunately, he went mad from all the feedings and hallucinogens. Over time they literally ate away at his brain. He killed almost everyone in the coven, including it's master." A nostalgic look came over her. "The thing is he only attacks men. He spared all the women, except his wife. When I first saw him, he shared with me the bleeder he had bitten. He'd disappear for a while, then I'd run into him again. He always came and left with a laugh."
My blood ran cold at the memory of his laugh. Nadia noticed my face blanching. "The blood ecstasy continued to prey on him. Every time I saw him he looked worse than before. In his weird way of speaking he told me that he figured out how to NOT release the pheromones when he feeds. I suppose he figured out how to mask his scent and his aura as well."
I scoffed. "You can do that?" I asked, not believing.
"Not me," Nadia confessed. "I have no idea how to do that, but Adriel is a very powerful being. The irony of it is that his madness is what stokes his power. It frees him from the bonds of logic and limitation." Among other things, I thought. "I haven't seen him in nearly fifty years, so god only knows what else he can do."
I shrugged at that. "Why do you think he came after me tonight?"
"I don't know, but I'm sure he has his purpose."
Something about the way she said that pissed me off. "His purpose? He chased me down the hallway with a fucking knife!"
"And he could have killed you when you opened the door, but he didn't."
I thought that exact same thing, but that doesn't mean I've got to like it. "He hid himself from you. He spoke to me about things that... that I don't even know how to begin to explain." The wooziness in my head made me slow down. Nadia caught me when I fell forward. "I've had a very long night," I mumbled into her shoulder. "You weren't here, so I had to fight. I hate that."
"Shh-shhh, I know, Charlene," my vampire cajoled, rubbing the back of my head. "I don't know why he would pick up a knife like that, but, then again, I've never known him to do anything logical."
"He said that he couldn't look into my head," I said, the adrenaline from my ire earlier wearing off. "Why couldn't he?"
"I don't know, honey. I'm still doing my research on what you are exactly. If Father Darien and Adriel don't know what you are then there's a good chance we may never find out. They are two of the oldest living vampires in the world."
"I don't want to fight anymore. Take me to bed. Bed makes everything feel better." Great, the blood loss and lack of food was catching up to me. The wasted adrenaline rush was wearing off faster than the vampire's aura But I'm not done being angry yet, damn it! Nadia picked me up and carried me the few feet to the bed. The soft coldness relaxed me immediately.
Nadia stepped back. "You look nice in these clothes," she complimented. I gave a light laugh at that. She waited until I was exhausted to be sweet. Good one, Nadia. "I should buy you more from that store."
"Oh," I said, grabbing her hand, "I found a little note with the gloves. What does it say?"
"What note?" she asked a little too quickly.
"The one upstairs on the bed. I couldn't read it so I just left it up there."
"Oh, okay, I'll look at it later." I rolled over when she laid down beside me. My vampire stroked my cheek and gently kissed my lips. "I'm just happy that you're here with me." I cooed at her touch.
"Me too."
The raven haired beauty pulled me up onto her shoulder and wrapped her arms around me. I could hear her heart speed up when I touched her. I like having that kind of effect on her. If only because she has a similar effect on me. That was the last thought that went through my head before I drifted off to sleep.
My dreams were small and blurry. Even as I saw them, they made no sense--just a jumbled mass of random images and feelings that resulted in nothingness. Mental pictures of Adriel's dripping teeth to Father Darien's sinister smile to Nadia's caring grin, then blackness. I awoke with a start when a huge bang came from the den down the hall."Nadia! What the hell was that?"
I heard her cursing at something. I got out of bed and followed the dim candlelight. I really wish she'd put some lights down here. I moved slowly so I didn't accidentally hit a nail or something. The plastic crinkled under my feet, the odor of our little escapade still lingered even over the lilac Fabreeze. A little trick to keep her instincts at bay. "Everything okay in here?"
"Charlene!" she said, surprised to see me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up."
"Yeah, well, what was that?" I looked at the wall opposite her favorite chair and got my answer. A dent the size of her phone was imprinted above its remains. "Bad news?"
Frustrated, she ran her fingers through her hair. "You could say that. One of my research contacts was killed last night." I took a step back in shock, not so much by the news but her anger. She was mad at him for dying? "I knew that little fucker would go and do something like that."
"What are you talking about?" I almost shouted. She looked up at me with the cold eyes of her true nature. "I mean, I get why you'd be upset, but why are you angry?"
"Because I warned him not to do what got him killed," Nadia said with an even tone. "Several times. He just wouldn't listen to me." In that vampire speed, Nadia shot up from the chair, knocking it over. "He was so close to figuring out what you've become, and he goes and gets himself killed..." My vampire stopped a second and took note of the worried expression on my face. "I'm sorry, Charlene. We were so close."
"What did he do?" My voice cracked. I saw the vampire's eyes swell the instant before her aura expanded, hitting me on my scars. That uninvited, but fabulous sensation coursed through my pussy, getting it nice and wet. With that new scent flowing between us, the air got thicker. Nadia's aura was overtaking mine. And the more I struggled, the tighter it gripped. She struggled to take a couple steps back to give us both room to breathe.
"He broke into Father Darien's private library," she answered with a bit of effort. I could see the struggle written all over her face, and she could see mine. I gripped the back of the chair in front of me to keep them out of my panties. My teeth clenched to the point of pain--anything to distract from the wonderful sensation flowing between my legs.
"N-Nadia, relax, p-please," I whispered. I don't know how I got that much out. When she looked at me, I swear I thought she was going to pounce. She knew I was powerless to stop her if she tried. I knew I was powerless if she tried. So instead of relaxing, she got even more angry.
"Why did he have to do that!" she shouted to no one. Her fist smashed into one of the wood shelves next to her, sending several books across the room. "Stupid mother fucker!" She was mad at her friend for getting killed and not at Father Darien for doing it? I knew he messed her up, but damn.
"Calm... down, N-Nadia." My knuckles started to ache. I'm sure I'm going to leave impressions on her beautiful chair. My thighs squirmed together, hot juice dripping between them. "Please. Calm down."
Nadia looked over to me and saw what was happening to me. Her pupils shrank, her aura retreated from mine. I let out a gasp as if someone stopped choking me, falling against the chair. She came over and hugged me, though I didn't return it right away. It freaked me out to see her like this. "I'm so sorry, Charlene. We were so close."
"It's okay, Nadia. You'll find eventually. Don't you always?" I tried to keep my voice even, but failed. Nadia rubbed the back of my head. Her eye against my cheek was getting damp.
"Yeah. Eventually."
To be continued...
Here's a preview of what's coming next time: Charlie and Nadia go out on a date after getting the stairs finished. During their walk afterwards, they run into someone who until now Nadia assumed was dead. And she has come with a warning.
Meanwhile Charlie struggles about making her decision to form a balance with her vampire. Things get even more complicated when she learns of the one person who has figured out what she is, and he isn't in a sharing mood.