The Man Behind the Vampire (The Silver Series)

by Samantha Bates

  "I don’t really know, but it makes sense. A vampire could cause mayhem if he went round binding humans to them; they are already so much stronger than humans, this way the human gets to make a choice."

  She was sat with her knees up and her chin sat on them "what difference does binding someone make?"

  "The binding will only work if the two people want to be bound, for love and life alone. If this is the case, if it is true, they cannot become addicted to being fed from. Their life force links with the vampire, they remain human but with some of the benefits of the vampire they are bound to, the human gets a little of their gifts."

  "And the vampire?" her voice was a little husky.

  "Well we get the best gift, someone to share infinity with, someone to live out our time with, someone to love, someone to protect and adore. A vampire’s life can be lonely and painful."

  "I never really thought of it that way. So Darius, what are your gifts?"

  He laughed at her, "I don’t think so, all in good time. Do you have any other questions?" He lay down and tugged her down with him.

  She altered her position, so she could stroke his face, it felt nice, the gentleness, the touch, the warmth of the moment "your mom seemed lovely."

  That took him by surprise, she was lovely, but he hadn’t been sure how Mary would react knowing his mother had been a prostitute.

  "She was, I don’t think she ever got angry with me. Or if she did it never lasted long."

  "Was she a vampire too?" Mary watched his eyes darken.

  "No, she wasn’t, here pass it over, let me read to you for a while. You do realise it’s nearly 4am don’t you?" she didn’t but she knew a distraction when she heard it. As he pulled her down, she joined him laying her head on his washboard stomach, listening to his soft melodic voice...

  I was seconds away from the sword hitting me; he was aiming it toward my neck, the only vulnerable part of the armour. Some people had the opening for the head stitched up, Philippe's didn’t have that luxury, and so I didn’t have that luxury.

  Lifting my leg, I kicked out at his knee, before rolling away. The crowd were shouting, they were mere feet away but it sounded faded, almost distant. As I managed to get up, I lifted my sword to block Stanley's blow, we parried always moving. I soon realised that although Stanley was strong and experienced, he tired quickly so I increased my movements with great difficulty. He was starting to slow down and as he swung out, his sword connecting with my arm, I saw that he had less co-ordination. My arm hurt a bitch, but I kept moving. Aiming my sword at his head, I figured his helmet would protect him from serious damage. But if I hit it hard enough it would cause some pain in the ear canal, hopefully slowing him down even more.

  I watched Stanley sway, as he dropped his sword and went straight into a crouch and run. I knew I was in trouble until I heard Philippe shout.

  "Drop to the left."

  I did and Stanley moved past me, turning I jumped onto his back, he roared and tried to buck me off. I was too slippery for that, my brawling with Philippe as a child had taught me how to cling for dear life. Tightening my hold around his neck, he was clawing at my hands, I kept my grip as he fell to his knees, eventually he passed out and I let go. I was hot, tired and was carrying probably double my weight in metal. I turned to Emily's father.

  "She is my wife and I will not let her go." With that I took Emily's hand and walked away, Philippe behind me jeering, Charmaine skipping happily, maman was worried. I understood her worry; I too suspected Emily's father would come back.

  He did, with the two brothers. It happened while I was settling the horses for the night. Maman was in the house with Philippe and the others, celebrating his return. As I was shutting the door, I heard a slight noise. I stopped, my hand still on the stable door, closing my eyes I listened hard. Nothing, then I turned and made it just past the stable before they stepped out. Face's furious, I stood my ground, discreetly widening my stance.

  They didn’t fight fairly, why would they, I had already proven my worth, Emily's brothers jumped in together. Realising that I couldn’t win, I didn’t try, conserving my energy to protect myself. Within a few seconds I was down, curling into foetal position I lay there, waiting for it to end. The kicks rained down on me, connecting with my back, my arms, legs, stomach, everywhere. Then it stopped, initially I thought it was over, it wasn’t.

  Give her up you bastard."

  Between gritted teeth I responded, "No."

  The kicking started again "Then I will kill you" Emily's father hated me and even now I have no doubt that if he could have, he would have killed me. Thankfully, maman sent Philippe out after me. When they heard him they left, running off like the cowards they were.

  It took me over a week to recover, Emily and maman fussing. We didn’t tell them who had done this, Emily and maman suspected but I didn’t want them to know. Regardless of how much Emily would have supported me, I didn’t think it fair that she knew her father and brothers had tried to kill me.

  When I was strong enough, Philippe and I found them living at a nearby Inn. This time it was we, who waited in the darkness, taking them when they were in their cups. This time we rained the blows, when they were out of it we then arranged for a passing merchant to take them back to England. In return for my injuries we kept the horses. Emily pretended not to notice the new additions to the farm, she never asked any questions, and I never offered any answers. But looking back, it must have worried her, she must had wondered.

  I didn’t matter for long, two weeks later a new enemy presented itself.

  Hearing a light snore, Darius looked down; his sweet Mary was asleep and snoring lightly, her head on his stomach. Looking at her he realised how happy he felt, laying here with her. Slipping out from under her, he went over to the window and closed the curtains thankful for the blackout material behind them. Dawn was peaking and his body was feeling the full exertion of the night, next time he wouldn’t train with Ben before working out with Mary. Because he knew there would be a next time, there had to be. Darius made a quick phone call before climbing back into the warmth that was Mary. Shivering, he felt odd, a little unnerved, putting this down to tiredness he curled himself around Mary and the good feelings returned.

  Chapter 17

  He knew he should leave but for some reason he stayed, hiding in the shadows, watching as dawn started cresting over the large city. After seeing Leila he had thought about his promise to her, two weeks, he could wait a further two weeks before taking out his enemy, after all he had waited over 700 years.

  Stood in the dark alleyway, he watched and listened. He had practiced the art of appearing invisible for many years; someone could walk past him and not notice he was there. It wasn’t that he was invisible, but he blended into his surroundings, only to be seen if he allowed it. It didn’t matter how hard he concentrated though, the thought of Leila interrupting him, almost as much as trying to understand why he had agreed to her stupid request.

  Just the thought of Leila made him smile, he didn’t know why but it did. Clarity surrounding his feelings towards Leila evaded him. That was until he saw the figure at the window closing the curtains, so that was why he felt the need to wait; he knew there was a reason. This is where HE had spent the night, but what about the woman, the one up there with him. It was too close to dawn to do anything about it, and if he was to keep the promise to Leila he needed a clear head.

  Looking up at the window for one last time he swore his vengeance, he would make him pay. Tomorrow he would check on the woman, after he had checked on Leila of course. If he had hurt the woman, there would be no two week leeway.

  Chapter 17

  As Mary stretched she jumped as she felt something hard against her back, a big something hard. Closing her eyes last night came back to her, he had stayed, Darius had stayed and he had said she was his. Wow, she ached; it was a pleasant satisfying ache as her brain and body flushed with the memories of last night. The darkness in the room confused
her, looking at her watch she gasped, it was after 12, the shop. All thoughts of gently slipping out of bed ended, she jumped up and flung the covers back.

  "Hey I liked you next to me, come back here" his voice was drowsy with sleep, his eyes remained closed. His hair ruffled, arms stretched above him.

  Laughing, she turned to Darius, he looked so good in her bed, she quite liked the thought and sight of him there,

  "I can't, the shop, oh god I am so late" the panic in her voice rising, this was her livelihood; if she didn’t open the shop she would lose her customers.

  Darius yawned and gave her this really big grin, "don’t worry, I hope it was okay but I called that girl who helps out, Shania" she stopped.

  "What?"

  She saw his smile disappear in doubt "sorry, I just thought you would be tired, and I wanted to help you out" now he sounded unsure of himself.

  “It’s fine I am just surprised you did that" she was shocked, it was actually really thoughtful of him and sweet. She climbed onto the bed and planted a big kiss on his head before jumping off.

  "Come back here, Shania didn’t mind, her words were 'it's about time Mary got some from a man who cared.’ Hey come back here, don’t start something and leave" Mary really wanted to go back to bed with him, but she couldn’t, she would never get back to the shop.

  "I need to make sure Shania doesn’t need any help."

  She watched as again he stretched his arms over his head, those taught muscles pulling tight.

  "I sort of asked Max to help her out" looking back at him, she smiled.

  "Now I really need to shower and go down there, Shania couldn’t stop staring at him yesterday, she's probably still at the door drooling" she ran a brush through her hair, not really getting any closer to leaving.

  "I know the feeling, you need to come closer and make sure I am not drooling after looking at your luscious naked body" as she looked down it dawned on her that she was truly naked in front of a gorgeous man, and had been all night. What really astonished her was that she didn’t feel self-conscious, instead she felt liberated.

  "Wow, look at me" she was looking down at herself in wonder.

  Making a growling sound Darius replied, "oh baby I am."

  "I am never this, well naked. In fact I am normally self-conscious about my body. Well I am not stupid, compared to other women I am somewhat rounder. I go on these diets and then well I forget and…."

  Darius had stood up, showing all his nakedness, which was a sight to behold. But she realised that, although she got to look at a man that looked like a god, he got to look at a woman with some wobbly parts and well not many muscles. Maybe she should go back on the diet, join the gym. Just the thought had her frowning, but for him maybe she could commit.

  He pulled her to him "I like that you're not this open with other men, believe me that makes me feel big and strong and special, but I also like to look at you like this. I have thought about what you looked like naked way too many times. Now I have you in the flesh let me look my fill."

  She knew her cheeks had gone red, she wanted to believe him, she really did but could she really, truly believe that someone could look at her like he said? He did seem to be looking at her, his eyes looked heavy; his cock had lengthened and was pointed towards her belly. Maybe he was telling the truth.

  "Mary I can see the doubt in your face. Do not ever doubt how stunning you look. The media might stick these images of thin women everywhere, but a real man likes something to grab and touch and taste. In fact let me do that now," his voice was just above a whisper, tickling her ear as he slid his hands down her arms.

  He pulled her back to bed and all of her protests faded as he took her into oblivion. In fact it was after 2pm by the time she actually arrived the shop. She was surprised at how busy it was, and then Shania took her to the window and the new display. She and Max had done a marvellous job, adding white tree lights wrapped around some large tree branches that held books on it.

  "Wow this is great, thank you" she really meant it, it looked eye catching and very festive.

  Shania blushed a little "it was Max's idea" In fact everything was so under control she decided to take a day off. Calling her closest friends she arranged afternoon drinks, sneaking upstairs she changed her clothes, this time as quietly as possible, if she woke Darius she would never make it.

  Walking into one of Silver's bars she saw Lucky and Sarah already waiting for her. Mary loved her friends but normally she felt like the dowdy one, Lucky was tall with long thick almost black hair, they had met in College, and Mary had been so happy for her when she had married Ben. Sarah was stunning with her dark complexion, thin body and mid length brown hair; she was a genuinely nice girl always caring for others. But today though Mary felt sexy and wanted, she had changed into a white skirt with pink flowers, adding a pink jacket over the top, her hair was straight and shiny, her smile wide and eyes excited. In fact she just felt good about herself.

  "Oh my god, Mary got some sex, spill, spill. No wait Lucky girl go get her a drink first. Mary sit down."

  Sarah had always been perceptive, Amelia couldn’t make it which was probably a good thing, as a lawyer she would have questioned her like she was on the witness stand. Placing a large glass of wine in front of her Lucky sat down, "spill, you have the biggest grin on your face, you walked in here like you owned the place, and man I can feel some very not Mary feelings."

  "Meaning?" Mary was smiling, her friends had spent years telling her to set her sights higher than the dead asses she normally dated, the fact that Lucky was an empath meant that she always knew what everyone around her was feeling, although Lucky reined it in most of the time.

  "Meaning, not only are you feeling as radiant as you clearly look, you still have some sort of sexual vibes bouncing off you in waves. Shit girl several men are looking this way, and I can assure you they are not looking at us."

  Sarah leaned forward "first of all tell us who."

  She couldn’t hold it in any longer, she embarrassed herself by answering with a squeal "okay, okay, it's Darius" Sarah burst out laughing, Lucky sat there with her mouth hanging open.

  "My old partner Darius, the vampire Darius?"

  Mary was grinning from ear to ear "yes, oh my god yes."

  Sarah downed her drink in one "don’t say another word, I will be back."

  By the time Sarah came back Lucky had composed herself but Sarah was just getting started, "what I don’t get and I am sure Lucky is also struggling with, is how the hell Miss I am so scared of other species, have you ended up screwing a vampire?"

  Lucky coughed "I wouldn’t have put it quite like that, but hell yeah! Please explain?"

  She went to open her mouth but Sarah interrupted "wait let's get back to that in a minute, first the good stuff, what was it like, I mean I know he is damn hot, but in between the sheets."

  Was it rude to tell her closest friends, probably, would that stop her, hell no, in fact she had never wanted to talk about anything more in her life.

  "Unreal, I mean actually really unreal, he was amazing but more than that I was. Last night he made me feel like I was the most desirable woman in New York, no in the world, and this morning he well he told me I was. And he is huge I mean…."

  Lucky choked on her drink "please oh god don’t finish that sentence, I worked with him and he is still Ben’s best friend."

  Sarah burst out laughing, "Ignore her, she has her own big strong man at home, I of course don’t, so please continue. Make me feel better about my lonely existence."

  Ignoring Lucky's grimace Mary continued "He was just huge and oh god he made me well you know like so many times. I even liked the feel of his…" pointing to her teeth "on me; it was a big turn on."

  "Did he bite you?" Sarah had stopped looking so happy, now she looked worried. Lucky swivelled her head to Mary.

  "Did he Mary, because if he did I will kick his ass."

  "Well he did" at their gasps she continued "but not in t
he way you two are thinking" then she burst out laughing. The rest of the afternoon passed so quickly she almost missed her cell ringing, looking at the time she cursed.

  "I was meant to meet my parents for dinner, oh I am so late" Downing her drink she kissed them both on the cheek, and left mumbling apologies. Jumping in the cab she sat back and realised she was a little drunk, and on her way to her parents for dinner. When her cell rang again she expected it to be her father again, so didn’t look at the caller ID.

  "Don’t worry dad I am in a cab, be there in ten minutes."

  "I assume if you are on your way to your dads, you aren’t coming to join me in bed."

  It took a second for it to click before she dissolved into giggles, "what, huh, hey, oh Darius, sorry i am having dinner with my parents tonight, I completely forgot" she was getting flustered "I will try and hurry, I can't really cancel."