When he turned and looked directly at me, my heart splintered into a million pieces as I witnessed the expression on his face. Wolf, what has befallen upon me? Despite my confusion, I returned a half-heatedly crooked smile in his direction from across the room as my mouth fell open slightly, instantly forgetting why I was there. I was speechless to do otherwise. This man, this vampire was a vision of sheer beauty, and he wanted to help me. Moreover, he instantly trusted me. A person he didn’t know. He trusted me. A warrior who understands and strives to be honest, loyal, and trustworthy. A man like no other. A vampire. Maybe. A demon? Never!
Within seconds, his dark, broody stare had transformed to a delightful, glorious appearance. That essence of love came from his heart. From what my aunt had told me, no demon could fake love or real concern for another. They didn’t possess it. This man. Raphael, as he was called, was a real warrior. A vampire, a man, and a warrior. All in one. No trace of a demon at all. I couldn’t form a single word to respond. The attraction I felt pooling up in the pit of my stomach was undeniable. But how could this be? And more importantly, why? Why would I feel an instant attraction to a different species? I instantly realized I couldn’t kill him. I couldn’t think straight. Actually I couldn’t think at all. I simply returned his gaze, letting myself be taken in by his eyes.
Our silence intensified as I studied him. He returned my gaze without shame, looking into my very soul it seemed.
Raphael was tall with a well-toned physique, and long muscular arms and legs. He defined every square inch of his clothing perfectly – like a warrior – as he stood there watching me in his black fitted T-shirt, tight leather pants, and bulky leather boots. None of that should have registered with me as I continued to watch him, but it did. His facial expression said it all. It was a familiar fondness as if he had known me all his life, unashamed and comforting as if I were a lover who had discovered her way back to him. Despite my duty, I wanted to run and jump in his arms, smothering his handsome, rugged face with kisses. He sealed my fate with his eyes. No man had ever looked at me with such desire. It overwhelmed, and I knew my life would never be the same from that day forward.
Before I realized it, he crossed the room. In my disoriented mood, I let him pick me up and set me on his bed in front of him. To my astonishment, he knelt before me, brushing away the remaining knives to the center of the bed behind me. He let his hands linger on my naked knees and immediately rushes of warmth radiated in every direction along my upper thighs and lower legs. His shirt, the one I wore, was the only thing that divided us. I swallowed hard, trying to dispose of my immediate attraction for him. Wolf, what has certainly befallen me?
The curse of true love.
“I know we just met, and this is the worst way to meet someone…” The rich timbre of Raphael’s voice surprised me. “But you seem like a nice, pleasant person, and I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you. Caroline, I’ll get you out of here. That I can promise you, but this is a strange and dangerous place. And at all times, I want you to promise; you will stay by my side. No matter what you see or hear. Do you understand?”
I nodded, swallowing again as I attempted to not roll my eyes at the polite command in his instructions. “I’ve been around,” I challenged. “Where am I exactly?” I asked, knowing already what the answer may be.
“I doubt you have been to a place like this. You are in the Dark realm, in the city of Asmodian. Lord Asmodeus is the ruler here. He kidnapped you, and he’ll put you in the games where you will be hunted and killed, preferably by him or one of his brothers. He has a wall of trophies in his study featuring many of your species.”
“What?” I screamed. My younger brother. My aunt. My blood instantly went cold.
“Shhh. Someone will hear you.” He clamped his hand over my mouth. We fell onto the bed in each other’s arms. He shifted his weight, and I ended up on top of him. I could see the knives out of the corner of my vision. It wouldn’t be difficult to kill him from this vantage point. Did silver affect vampires the way it did werewolves?
“If you want to use those knives, I suggest you go for my heart. But it won’t do any good. In a place like this, I lost my heart long ago. You can’t kill me. I was born as a vampire, a pure blood. I can’t die.”
How far could I get if I tried to kill this vampire? Was a vampire the same as a demon? I had heard only the vampires born were beyond death. Was that what he was? I couldn’t stand the thought of killing him, even if it didn’t work. My heart and soul raged at me. Maybe he could be an ally instead.
“Do you promise to help me escape?” I asked the question with as much innocent I could muster for a princess, a princess of a Werewolf King surely going mad. My world was turning into one of kill or be killed. Should I kill this vampire and be done with it? Could I kill him despite his proclamations against the latter?
His hands continued to rest on my now exposed thighs. I felt his fingertips delicately massaging the curve of my buttocks. It sent shivers of delight up my spine.
“I will help you, Caroline,” he whispered. “I must.”
“What will they do to us if we are caught?”
“Don’t worry about me. I can handle it, but you. I’d rather not think about what they’d do to you before they kill you.” His voice drifted off, and his brilliant blue eyes glazed over. He turned his attention to the disarrayed shirt of his I was wearing and gently smoothed it back into place. I marveled at how warm his touch was, how satisfying and soothing. The Wolf flashed a startlingly realization into my mind’s eye. Despite his inward struggles, it was obvious that this man’s allegiance was to a greater good, not the evil permeating in the Dark realm. It was clear to see that he was above that. Raphael was a good man, a vampire warrior I had only read about in my aunt’s books, the existence of which was rarely heard of anymore.
As Raphael’s hands paused on my shoulders, I asked, “Could you help me find some clothes I can travel in, please?”
“Of course. I apologize. You can’t travel in just this shirt, now can you? I have to say blue suits you well.” He chuckled. Whisking me off the bed, he headed for the closet, never once letting go of my hand. “Do as I say. Follow my lead and you’ll be home before you know it. Agreed, Caroline?”
“Agreed.” Hearing his congenial, yet authoritative tone, I gritted my teeth.
***
Raphael led me through a secret door in the closet of his bedroom I was surprised I had not found. We followed a long staircase down along a cave made of red stone that was hot to the touch. I felt clumsy and awkward wearing his oversized clothes, which consisted of a dark green jacket, a black long-sleeve shirt I tied into a knot at my waist, matching jeans and boots, and a knit cap he requested I stuff my hair under. As the delight of smelling his masculine scent on the articles of clothing washed over me, I tried my best to focus on the steps and stay close behind him so I wouldn’t fall against the wall. Once the staircase ended, we stood before a four-foot steel door that didn’t seem to have a doorknob.
“How are we going to get through that?” I asked, motioning to him that both of us were taller than four feet.
For some reason, he found my question amusing. “Like this,” he replied.
Suddenly he vanished before my eyes. All I could see was an immense cloud of blue smoke. Then I heard Raphael’s voice. “I’ll open the door from the other side.”
When the door flew open, he stood there, fully clothed in his long black trench coat, T-shirt, jeans, and leather boots like nothing had happened.
“Now that’s some trick.”
“I’ve got a few up my sleeve.” He locked the door, checking the hinges and making sure all the corners of it remained secure. I admired his magnificent stature in the dim light. As I glanced around to see where the light source was coming from, I realized it was from a red moon that peeked out occasionally from behind dark clouds.
“I’ve never seen a red moon,” I commented, not really expecting a reply.
&n
bsp; “I wouldn’t expect so. We’re near the center of the Earth.” He paused for a moment and studied me. “Have you been to the center of the Earth?”
“No,” I replied, hoping I sounded convincing.
He continued. “Have your eyes adjusted yet?”
“Almost. Why?” I asked.
He nodded. “We have a long distance to cover quickly. I want to make sure you can keep up.”
“I can keep up, fanger.” My mother’s blind arrogance immediately flared up in me, a trait I instantly regretted showing off.
His pleasant disposition turned dark. Momentarily, I took a step backwards, waiting to see what he’d do next. Being low on energy, I’d be unable to summon the Wolf in a moment’s notice if he attacked me.
“Let’s get something straight, Caroline,” he said.
“I meant no offense,” I offered gently, hoping to derail a fight. I needed this man on my side.
He sighed loudly and gathered my hands up in his. The warmth of his touch startled me and I felt that spark again. Weren’t vampires ice cold to the touch? I studied his hands enveloping mine for a moment. In the low light, I couldn’t see the details of his wonderful large hands, but I felt the strength, the raw energy charging through them. I was helpless to move as he towered over me and held me in his clutches. For a fleeting moment, fear surfaced in the back of my throat. I wanted to scream, yank my hands away, even if I didn’t flee with both of them. I wanted to tell this vampire I needed no one’s help, especially his. I was on a mission. I had to avenge my brother’s death. And yet, I couldn’t move. His presence overwhelmed me. His touch soothed me. His brooding stare mesmerized me. He was the essence of the Legend of Vampyre I had read about, the stories my aunt had shared with me as a child. She favored all supernatural creatures that fought for the well-being of others, not the demons who only understood pain, torture, and death. Unfortunately, I had no understanding of that while my younger brother had learned firsthand what the demons would do, but this vampire was different. In the short time I had known him, I already understood that. Aunt Elizabeth’s words filtered through my mind. “We have a lot to learn from them as well, Caroline.”
“I know we don’t have much time, so I’d like to ask for your respect. I actually need your help. If you want to get out of here, I would expect you’d want to help me, right?”
“I was rude. I shouldn’t have…” Raphael cut me off, continuing his dialogue.
“Yes, I’m a fanger, but there is a difference between me and the demons here. The people who will set you free are fangers too. They fight for good, not evil. I fight for good. You must understand that now. Just because you’re a princess of the Golden Realm doesn’t mean you are the only one fighting for good. We’re here, in the trenches every day, fighting for our salvation and yours, for the humanity of our worlds. If the Dark realm ever infests the Golden realm and extinguishes the Light, it’ll be all over. Surely you can understand that, Caroline?”
Hearing his declarations of justice astounded me. I had found an ally and I understood his concerns only too well. He didn’t know it, but we were on the same side. He’s one of us, I told the Wolf. My heart exploded a second time. Each time he addressed me by my name, it collapsed my very soul. This vampire who I had known for as many hours as I could count on one hand spoke to me as an equal. Me, the kidnapped princess. Me, the assassin seeking revenge. I wasn’t as innocent as I wanted Raphael to believe. And he wasn’t as haughty as I wanted to presume him to be. I was a princess of a realm that held few joys for me since losing my brother and aunt. A realm that was in trouble because of my father’s grief. His heart was growing darker by the day, and I knew I had to stop him. It was true, what my aunt had said to me the last days of her life. He’d follow my mother to a very dark place if someone did not stop them. And that would mean war. My world wasn’t so different from this vampire’s. Perhaps the Moon Goddess did have a plan for me after all, as my aunt had said.
Deciding to make a bold statement and seek his affection, I pushed my body into his. At first, our clasped hands rested just above my breasts, but I found my way into the side of his neck, letting my head rest there. Raphael was several inches taller than me at my stature of 5’ 7”. Then just as quickly as he had gathered my hands in his earlier, he wrapped his arms about mine. His moves were faster than my vision could understand. I relied on feeling his touch instead. His embrace felt too right to be wrong, I told myself.
When he finally spoke, Raphael’s voice was only a whisper, but crisp and clear. “If I can do this, if I can get you out of here, I’ll have saved at least one person. I couldn’t save the others, but maybe you, Caroline, you will be my redemption.”
My entire body went rigid in his arms. “What do you mean?”
“This is part of the demons’ game. It’s the hunt that entices them. When Asmodeus brings an unsuspecting person here, he sets a new path for them across this wasteland. If they fail to make it to the river, they die. We have to get to the river before they find us.”
“How do you know he’s after us?” I asked as I looked into his dark eyes, wanting to meet this Asmodeus and introduce him to the Wolf straight away.
“Trust me. I know. In his mind, the Season of the Games has already begun. And if he has realized you aren’t in my rooms which I suspect he has…” His voice trailed off as he looked out across the dark horizon. A great struggled raged in his soul. For a long time, he remained silent.
Then finally, he embraced me again. “Not this time. He won’t succeed this time.”
The moment I felt his hand on the back of my neck, I moaned quietly. The emotions in me rose to the surface. I couldn’t control it. And I couldn’t deny it. I had found love in the most unlikely place, at the most unlikely time. I remained frozen in this vampire’s grasp. If my freedom was at the hands of this vampire, so be it. If it meant losing my heart to him in the process, so be it. I wanted to spend eternities being in this man’s arms. Forever. My mission? It could go to Hell.
Caroline, think with your head not your slit. This vampire is the enemy too. We must destroy them all.
For the first time in my life, I ignored the Wolf.
“I’m sorry about before. I didn’t realize my words would hurt you, Raphael. Please forgive me.” I swallowed down the Wolf’s words as I recognized the fact that my priorities were quickly changing.
You must avenge your loved ones’ deaths.
Raphael’s arms tightened closer around me.
“If you can help me escape, I’ll be in your debt,” I stated as I returned his embrace, resuming my part.
Pulling away from me as he gazed into my eyes, he tucked a portion of my long blonde bangs under my cap again. He searched my face for answers. A million problems seemed to be knotted up behind his eyes. His brows drew together in an agonized expression. “You don’t owe me anything. This is between me and Asmodeus, not you. These games must end now. I know that now. He’ll never stop unless someone steps in.”
His discourse didn’t seem directed at me.
“I can say that I only wish we had met under more favorable circumstances because I fear that when you leave you will be taking my heart with you,” he added.
Tears rose in my eyes and I pressed my face into his chest. “I’ll keep it safe, Raphael. I promise. But first I must tell you something.” After realizing he had just handed his heart over to me, I decided to come clean and tell him everything. Would he understand?
Would the Wolf remain quiet if I shared the truth with Raphael?
Chapter 3 – Raphael’s Offer
Author’s Note: This chapter is told from Raphael, the hero’s point of view.
“We’ll have time for that later. Let’s get going.” I didn’t give Caroline a chance to respond. Instead I grabbed her head and we ran as fast as we could across the wasteland. “We have to move. Try to keep up.”
She replied with a few choice words that I elected to ignore. I wondered if she realized just h
ow far from home she was, being in the Dark realm. Didn’t she understand the danger waiting for her if we were caught? Didn’t I risk too much by trying to save her? I knew I was risking everything and that was fine by me. I’d never felt more alive than that moment when we touched. The electricity radiating through my veins was undeniable. The revitalization of my heart overwhelmed me. We had to make it to the river in time.
***
“I have an idea,” I announced as I paused near a large rock.
“What?” Caroline asked. She was out of breath.
“So we can understand each other telepathically if something comes up. The language. You’ll understand the language too. Well perhaps.”
She watched me in amazement and wonder.
“I’m not making any sense, am I?” I asked. I threw my trench coat to the ground, beginning to pace manically before her. I stopped and collected myself. It wouldn’t do for me to lose control of the situation. I’d be useless to her then if my dark side rallied.
Caroline continued to stare at me.
“Okay, I apologize. I’m moving too fast. My blood. If you drink some of my blood, you’ll understand the language of the Fanged world. The language I use to speak to others in my realm who practice the Magics. The blood may help you with your wolf strength too. You haven’t fed or anything, have you?”
I saw the hesitation written across her lovely tanned face. She looked ethereal, almost unreal in the dim light. Her facial bones were delicately carved, her mouth full, her cheekbones, exquisite, even exotic. Her eyes were large and questioning as her mouth curved into a tempting smirk like she naturally disagreed with most anything I said. She had been doing that at every turn. It was exhilarating to see. I wanted to devour her in kisses. I glanced at a blonde curl of her hair peeking out from beneath one of my knit caps she wore. It had taken ten minutes to convince her to hide her hair. The more camouflaged she appeared, the better. Along the desolate landscape, Father’s hounds would pick out her blonde hair instantly. Finally, at my insistence, she had tied her mass of golden-bronze hair up and stuffed it under the cap. Delightfully defiant, I thought.
Redemption: My Vampire Lover Part #2 (A Dark Realm Novella Series) Page 3
