by Lynn Landes
“Not Katie? Then you’ll be my dinner!” He snarls enraged that he didn’t sense she was the wrong one. He sucks harder, pulling more of her blood into his mouth.
Fury replaces fear, as Anya seeks her own rage and fuels it. Fangs erupt in her mouth and her body heats up. Her eyes begin to glow an amber color. Anya moans with desire as the scent of his blood assaults her.
Caius watches her in the mirror and before he can release her, she spins with a supernatural speed, sending her towel falling to the ground. Naked, she wraps her arms and legs around his body and rips at his throat with her new fangs. His scream of pain fuels her desire, and she latches onto the pulsing wound and drinks deep. The metallic taste of his blood enhances her lust, and on the third swallow, Caius is able to cast her away from him, across the hall, and into a wall. Weakened by her attack, he stumbles through the doorway clutching at the raw, bleeding wound.
Anya slams into the wall, destroying the sheetrock and slides down to the ground in a pile of white dust and debris. The blood in her system burns its way through her body and she falls to the ground, clutching her stomach. Weak from the blood loss she can only glare at him as he slams into the wall in the hallway.
“What are you?” he demands. Too dizzy to move, Anya stares at him and the room goes sideways.
“I’m a tour guide,” she whispers and passes out.
Caius stumbles away, trembling, sick and weak. ‘Who is this human? Scratch that, she is definitely not human. Possibly half-vampire, but that doesn’t explain why his insides are on fire.’ Her blood, something is wrong with it! Must go! “It burns!” His body is being destroyed!
Travelling through the small house, he makes it out the front door before throwing up black blood into the garden. Sweat pools on his forehead and his head pounds. The wound in his neck is not healing. He launches into the air and flies through the darkness, desperate to get to safety. Struggling to make it to the protection of the forest, he tumbles through the air and into the underbrush below. He tunnels into the healing soil, shocked that he has had to resort to such an ancient method. Vampires don’t go to ground unless they are near death. “Tour guide,” he whispers before he welcomes oblivion.
A few hours later, Anya becomes aware of the cold. Shivering on the hall floor, she opens her eyes in utter darkness. Sitting up, she pushes up off the floor and flinches when she sees she is naked and surrounded by broken sheetrock and wood. The back of her head is aching from the force of the impact. Anya drags herself to her feet and into the bathroom, stumbling to the mirror. Her body is stained with red and black blood! Confusion and terror flicker as she remembers the vampire. Her neck shows no wounds, only bright purple and green bruises, in the mirror.
A vampire bit her! Her horror explodes, she grabs her T-shirt and pulls it on over her head and jerks her jeans on. Was he still here? Anya listens and to her astonishment, she can hear everything. The sound of her heartbeat is so loud in her ears, it is like a base drum beating in her chest. “That means I’m not dead yet,” she reminds herself. When she concentrates, she can tune it down with a thought. Pushing beyond the fluids in her body, Anya hears only the sounds of the house, the wind in the trees, and the insects of the night.
Caius is gone. “Caius?” His name was Caius and she could hear his thoughts. He was after Katie! Why? “Oh, God,” she has to get away! She jerks on a coat from Katie’s closet and grabs the spare key, Katie keeps it in her dresser drawer. Her Mini Cooper is out back, and Anya doesn’t think twice about taking it. Christian will help her! She throws the car into reverse and slams on the brakes. “What is happening?” The driveway is illuminated as if in daylight and the car lights are not on! “I can see…,” she whispers. Slowly she inches the car forward and turns on the headlights. Wiping at tears, Anya floors it and takes off in a shower of gravel.
Anya flies through the streets of Dublin. The sound of abused tires and the howl of the engine echoes from quiet buildings and alleyways. She turns down the street towards Christians flat, she is trembling, confused and terrified. “What is happening? Vampires aren’t real, are they?” She rubs at the sore spot on her neck and still finds no wound. The minute she remembers that she bit him back she has to pull over to the side of the road to compose herself.
Dropping the vanity mirror, she stares at the blood on her chin. Disgust rushes through her mind and she grabs a tissue from the glove box and rubs at the blood on her face. Next, she checks her teeth, they look normal. “Okay, Anya. You are not imagining things.” Not to mention that she can still taste his blood and she doesn’t want to think about it how good it was. When she closes her eyes, she remembers the tangy metallic flavor, it was unlike anything she’d ever tasted. She pulls back onto the street and a few moments’ later parks in the back of Christian’s building.
“Please be home, Christian.” Technically, they are broken up, but she knows he will help her. Anya pulls the coat tightly closed around her and rushes inside. His flat is on the fifth floor. She doesn’t even notice how quickly she runs up the stairs. Tapping on his door, she prays quietly that he will be home. When he doesn’t answer straight away, she cusses and begins digging through her purse for her keys. “Where’s the damn key?” She snarls.
Christian rips open the door and his brown eyes go wide in shock. “Anya? What the hell? It’s four in the morning!”
Anya is so relieved to see him that she starts to sob and throws herself into his arms.
“Chris,” is all she can manage. Quick as a flash he picks her up and rushes inside his modest flat to the couch, kicking the door shut behind him.
“What’s wrong, love? Is it your Da? He was fine this morning.” Anya is trembling too hard to speak as the shock catches up to her. “Are you hurt?”
“I… I don’t know. I was at Katie’s and he came at me from behind.” Christian jerks and sets her beside him gently on the sofa. He walks over to the small table and turns on the lamp to have a look at her.
“Sweet Jesu! Anya what happened,” he gasps. The coat she is wearing is open and the bruising around her throat and blood-stained clothes terrifies him. Anya looks at her hands and back at him.
“You’ll never believe me, Christian. I’m not even sure I believe what I saw. I didn’t know where else to go…”
“We need to call the station, they can help,” but Anya instantly reacts.
“No! You don’t understand, Christian. He ran out after the attack and he didn’t rape me. Chris, only some of this is my blood. Please, can I just use your shower and I will figure it out in the morning?”
“Of course, but I will need to bag up your clothes for evidence. Come on.” He pulls her into the bedroom and quickly turns on the shower to steam.
“Thank you.” Gone is the cocky, frisky, Anya he was first attracted to. He has never seen her this vulnerable and it makes him long to protect her. She stands on trembling legs and drops the coat before she pulls the shirt off over her head.
“Dear God, Anya!” The dried blood is all over her body and she starts to sob once more when she looks down at her naked body.
“Get it off me, please,” she whispers. Christian drops his sweats and pulls her into the shower. She stands under the steam and lets him tend to her. Grabbing a wash cloth he soaps it up and tenderly begins to wash her body. The rusty red and black stains are gone within minutes, revealing only the bruising around the one side of her neck. He is relieved to see that she was right, but where did all the blood come from?
Anya leans in and rests her forehead on his large sculpted chest. Wrapping her arms tight around his waist, she savors the feel and strength of him. “You’re a blessing, Christian. Thank you.”
“Anya, I have to call this in. You will need to tell me everything.” As a member of the Garda Siochana or police, Christian knows the protocols to follow. “We can catch this person.” Anya turns in his arms and reaches up to pull his mouth to hers. She kisses him softly drinking in the taste of him. He gives her what she n
eeds, tempted to take her in the shower as he had in the past. Christian groans when her hands begin to roam.
“Seriously, Anya. You would tempt a saint. We must follow protocol!” He pins her arms to her side, and she laughs.
“Ok,” she turns off the shower head and waits for him to hand her a towel.
“I’ll find you some clothes.” Anya dries her hair and body quickly, then draws on the large shirt he gives her. She sits on his king size bed and waits for him to get back with his notepad. “I’ll fix some coffee and send a squad car over to Katie’s.”
Christian sighs when he walks back into his room and finds Anya is curled up on his bed, sound asleep. “Damn, Anya what have you gotten yourself into?” Knowing his questions will have to wait, he locks up the house and checks that his pistol is loaded on the stand beside his bed. No one will touch her again tonight. He pulls her body tightly against his and falls to sleep.
Chapter 5
Anya dreams chaotic dreams with flashes of memories. She remembers running through the streets with Katie and into a church. Something or someone is chasing them and his eyes! They glow just like the creature from today.
Anya remembers and knows that this isn’t a nightmare, but a past memory. This is what Katie has been dreaming about, and it was real! “Caius.” She murmurs the now familiar name.
Red eyes snap open, seeking her. He pushes into her conscious and finds her mind open to him.
“Anya isn’t it. Not Katie. Tell me what you are!” He hisses loudly in her head.
Anya fights back tears and tries to push him from her mind, but he digs deeper, searching for who she is. Seeing that she is just what she said.
“A tour guide,” he laughs. “What did you do to me? My injuries are not healing, and I can no longer take flight! No matter, after I finish with Kathleen, I’m coming for you. You will be an interesting subject to study.”
At Katie’s name, he gets flashes and images of a plane and castle. His smile grows when he finds the information he seeks. “Thank you, I think I will pay her a visit in Scotland.” He shoves her from his mind and laughs when she screams in rage.
Caius knows what Anya does not, he’s too weak after her attack on him. It took four immortal creatures to regenerate his wounds. The blood of an immortal helps ancients heal, but it is not without risks. Only the ancient vampires attempt to hunt one of their own. He must sleep and continue healing.
“Sorry pretty, Katie. Your vacation is over, and I know just the person for this job.” Humans will do anything for money, and he has a contact in Scotland who will be perfect for this job. After a phone call and transfer of money, he returns to his chamber to heal.
“Nooo!” Anya jerks awake and Christian jumps with her. He reaches for his pistol but finds no threat.
“It’s’ okay, babe. It’s just a dream. You’re safe,” he whispers.
“No, I’ll never be safe again.” Anya tosses the covers aside and grabs a change of clothes from his closet. She braids her hair and ties it back with a rubber band from her purse.
Christian listens to her mumbling and smiles, as he makes coffee and starts to scramble some eggs. He makes a quick call to the station to explain what’s going on. They promptly send a unit over to check out Katie’s house.
“Christian, I need to get back to check on Dad. Thank you for letting me stay.” Anya tries to walk to the door, but he blocks her.
“Not a chance, love. You are going to tell me what is going on. Did it occur to you that the attack on your father and you might be connected? They may be watching the hospital and maybe he followed you from the hospital to Katie’s. Just this once, listen to me.” Dark eyes plead with her.
“I wish I could…” he covers her mouth with his hand effectively shutting her down.
“I am good at my job, let me help you before one of you gets killed.” Anya is terrified to tell him the truth. What if he doesn’t believe her?
“Trust me, Anya.” She brushes his blonde hair from his eyes and nods.
“Okay, but you’re never going to believe me.”
“Try me.”
Anya has lived most of her life afraid of not being good enough. Not being a good enough daughter or girlfriend. The fear of being abandoned hides in her soul, reminding her to tread lightly.
“Just once, Christian, I wish I could.” He takes her hands and tugs her into his arms.
“Don’t think, just trust me.” Anya pushes away from him and begins to pace.
“Okay, but don’t touch me. I can’t think when you put your hands on me.” He grins at her and wiggles his eyebrows, causing her to laugh. Anya shoves his chest, “Don’t get cocky.” She takes a deep breath and begins.
“Last night when I stepped out of the shower, he was behind me.” Christian’s grin fades as she continues. “Red eyes, staring at me. He was so fast, powerful, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. He attacked me so fast I barely had time to scream before he bit me.” Anya’s cups the side of her neck and rubs.
“He… bit you,” Christian asks. The gravel in his voice draws her attention. She stops pacing.
“Yes, he was a vampire,” she whispers and watches as all the emotion drains from his face.
“Let me process that,” he walks to the kitchen and slowly pours a cup of coffee. “So, you believe the man who attacked you, thought he was a vampire.” He sits at the table with a note pad and pen and begins to write.
“No, Christian. He is a vampire.” Anger begins to simmer, “What was I thinking, telling you the truth?”
‘Tell me more. Can you describe him to me? How tall was he? What about his hair and eyes? Did he have any distinguishing features, like a tattoo or scar?” In full cop mode now, Christian doesn’t see her eyes begin to change. Rage flickers and the green of her eyes begin to change to gold.
“Aye, I can. He was a Fucking Vampire. It was the sharp teeth buried in my neck and super strength that gave him away.” Anya glares at him and screams, “You saw the blood, Christian!”
He slams his pen on the table and stands up to face her. Looking down at her he takes a deep breath and murmurs, “Exactly, Anya. You lost a lot of blood, and blood loss can make…”
“You saw my body. Did you see any cuts, and look at my neck? The bruise is gone!” She turns so he can look for himself. When she glares at him, he is staring at her in shock.
“What?” she demands.
He has lived in Ireland all of his life, and heard the myths and legends surrounding the immortals, but until this moment he thought that’s all they were. “Your eyes… are changing.” He pulls her to the hall mirror and turns her towards it.
She gasps and backs into his hard body. “Oh, God. What is happening to me?” Her normally green eyes are glowing a beautiful golden color. Pressure builds in her chest and flows into her body.
His hands grip her shoulders and he turns her to face him. “Just breathe, let it go. Everything is going to be alright. Anya, I don’t know what happened last night or what is happening now, but I promise as soon as I find anything out, I will let you know. Science doesn’t lie, and right now I have a team of the best forensic scientists combing through Katie’s house.”
Anya closes her eyes and rests her forehead on his chest. “Until we know who assaulted you…”
“Or what,” she interrupts him and looks up. Her eyes are already shifting back to normal. “Right. For now, it’s safer if we keep that part between us.” His dark brown eyes are worried as he pulls on his shoulder holster over his black t-shirt and jeans. A rush of desire washes over her.
“Thank you, Christian. Even if you think I’m crazy, you’re always there when I need you. Why did we break up again?” Her hands tug at his jeans, pulling his strong body into hers.
“Because I scared you, when I told you that I loved you. I love you, Anya with all of your drama, and all of your ways. You just have to trust me.”
“Three months of dating is not long enough to know if you love so
meone, Christian.”
“Three days, Anya,” he growls and seizes her mouth. Anya meets heat with heat. Sex with him always overwhelms her.
“Damn, you taste good.” His deep voice sends shivers over her body and he kisses her again a hot, wet, needy kiss that rushes through her body and when he leaves her mouth to chew on her neck, her teeth explode in her mouth. She jerks with shock and leaps away from him so fast he doesn’t even see her move!
Anya slams into the wall, knocking the breath from her body and slides to the floor. She stares at him as she struggles to catch her breath. Christian is stupefied! “Anya!” he yells and runs over to help her.
Christian carries her to the bed and runs into the bathroom to get a wet washcloth. When he comes back, she is sitting up, rubbing her head. “What happened?”
“You… happened. Anya what the hell was that?” He asks, sitting on the bed next to her.
“I don’t know,” she whispers pressing the cloth to her eyes, “But, Katie’s in trouble, and so am I. What am I going to do?”
“We will figure it out together.”
Chapter 6
Katie’s room is overlooking a lake that the ancient castle was built upon. She has a private suite with an attached bath. All that’s missing is Anya. The food is four star, and the tour today promises some amazing sights. Her group has ten people, and this morning they have come to see the Faerie Pools. The bus parks in the paved lot and Katie is disappointed to see a coffee stand and multiple large buses. This must be a tourist hot spot. She steps down out of the bus annoyed, pulling out her cell and sighs heavily when she realizes she doesn’t have cell service here.
“Now be warned, that Fairies are not to be trusted. They can shape shift and change size and they love to mess with humans…” the guide drones on and Katie has to fight not to roll her eyes.
