A Grave Exchange

by Jane White Pillatzke

  My mind stumbled along, trying to piece things together.

  “Lucius, are you saying the king—the same one who punished you and your family—is coming after me?”

  “Yes, little one.”

  “Why? Why does he want me?”

  “Ivy.” Lucius gazed into my eyes and smiled sadly. He stroked my chin with his fingertips. “The king is coming after you in order to punish me in a way he never could after Maria intervened.”

  I let Lucius’ words sink in to my troubled brain. Of course, it made perfect sense now, but how would Lucius protect me from someone hell bent on achieving revenge?

  “Why now?” I asked.

  Lucius picked up some of my clothing and began to help me dress. Only then did I remember I was naked, and the realization hit me hard. I glared at the ground, face on fire.

  Lucius laughed heartily. “Sweet Ivy, after what we’ve just done, you feel the need to hide from me?”

  I couldn’t find the words to convey how I was feeling. My body had been brought to heaven with our lovemaking, only to plummet down to Earth with the promise of my murder.

  Lucius grabbed me by my shoulders. “Ivy, you will not die, I promise you.”

  I bit my bottom lip. “This king of yours never got the revenge he wanted. Somehow, he found me when you say you awoke, and now you say he’s after me. I have a dreadful feeling he will not stop until I die. Where have you been all these years? Finish telling me what happened, you, after . . . .”

  “After my brother was murdered, the king cast his own spell, causing me to fall into a deep repose. I slept away the years, only to awaken centuries later when my heart came to life hearing your cries. The family I knew and loved is long dead.”

  Lucius’ words created icicles over my heart, freezing it into a sluggish rhythm. My head grew dizzy, and I tried to find a chair, my legs going weak beneath me.

  Lucius slid his arms around me and picked me up. He carried me out of the living room and up a huge staircase. In the hallway at the top, he turned and pushed open a thick wooden door. I lifted my head and saw a beautiful, four-poster. The bedding was a rich, burgundy velvet and gold satin. Lucius laid me down on it and covered me with a tapestry throw.

  “Ivy, you have been through too much tonight. You need to rest now, and tomorrow we will talk some more.”

  I tried to protest but found my eyes dropping closed of their own accord. Soon, I curled up under the throw and noted as I drifted off Lucius’ strong arms wrapped around me.

  Chapter Six

  I awoke suddenly, unsure of where I was or what was happening. My heart thundered, and I felt cold and clammy. I turned to find Lucius asleep beside me; I smiled, feeling as if I were looking at an angel in peaceful slumber. His thick, dark eyelashes curled, his full lips were slightly open, and his beautiful, curly hair had that fresh-from-the-salon, perfectly mussed up look, only he came by his naturally. Sighing, I lay back, absently trailing a finger across his bare, broad chest, considering his perfect form. Artists would flock to paint him, if given an opportunity to do so. Of its own volition, my circling fingers travelled south, and so I was pleasantly surprised when I found him hard and ready for me. I slid the satin sheet lower and gasped at the sight of his swollen cock, standing at attention. My mouth watered, and my body hungered like never before. I lowered myself quietly down the bed, gaze locked on his face, hoping he wouldn’t awaken. As I brought my face in line with his erect penis, I opened my mouth and slid my tongue across the crown of his cock, slowly savoring the taste. I felt and heard a low rumble, as if Lucius had moaned, and my gaze flew to his face, but still he slept on. I slid my body between his open legs, bent my head, and took his cock between my lips. I plunged downward, taking him in, growing more aroused by the second. I wrapped my legs tightly around one of Lucius’ huge muscular thighs and grinded my needy clit against him. Harder and harder I rode his thigh, coating his leg with my slick arousal, sliding up and down furiously. I could not get enough of his tasty cock, and I sucked him deep, until the head hit the back of my throat. I longed to come, my pussy throbbing with need.

  A heavy hand fell on my head, and I looked up to find Lucius staring at me, his eyes feral with need, the red rings shining like fiery flames, but I felt no fear. This man had drawn me in, and I was addicted to his love. I rose up on his thigh and arched back, riding his leg like a stallion was underneath me. My breasts bounced wildly in time with my raucous rhythm, my nipples stinging with the need to be bitten by Lucius. I dropped my head back, my eyes slammed shut, and I lost all ability to think. My body’s wanton needs coursed through me like a fire burning out of control. My abdomen clenched, and I roared my release. Falling forward, I kissed him passionately, our tongues fighting for control of each other’s passionate needs.

  Neither one of us were able to control our body’s desires. Fissures in our hearts had burst open, and flames of desire licked out, burning our blood with need. Lucius gripped my hair and pulled my head back, his lips found my neck, and he bit down hard. At the same time, he lifted my leg and pulled me directly over his granite cock. Feeling the bulbous head at my entrance, I growled his name before slamming my ass down, taking him into my soaking wet pussy. I rode him as I’d rode his thigh, with wild abandon, and never before had I felt so alive. Lucius reached between us and slid his fingers over my swollen, sensitive clit. He pinched hard, and I moaned and rode him faster, with no fear of recriminations or judgment. With Lucius, I felt completely free, free to be me. The sensation was so liberating, I felt so beautiful when I was with him, no longer dark and scarred, All too soon, my pussy clenched around his cock, milking him. He gripped my ass and arched up with one last, deadly thrust. My breasts bounced with the force of his powerful thrust, and both of us roared our release, Lucius’ seed shot up into my welcoming womb. Dazed and sated, I looked down at him, tears falling from my eyes. A gentle smile graced his lips, and he softly caressed my thighs. I leaned forward to lay my head down on his broad chest.

  “I have to go,” I told him, a horrid thought occurring to me. “I have to get to work!”

  “Work? Ivy, my love, you can’t be serious.” He grabbed my shoulders and lifted me so I faced him. “I’m afraid that’s impossible. You’re in entirely too much danger now.”

  “Now? Why now? What’s changed?”

  “Weren’t you listening? Didn’t you hear me when I told you about the curse, about how the king is coming back—no doubt to find you and kill you. You said so yourself, not three minutes ago, remember? I’m sorry, Ivy; I can’t let you leave. No job is worth your safety.”

  “You can’t let me?” I repeated the term he’d used. “Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?”

  “I’m the one who loves you. I’m your mate, and I’m sworn to protect you. With my life, if needs be.”

  “Well, if you love me, then you’ll understand why I can’t just sit here and do nothing, why I can’t allow your . . . your king to control my life. The work I do is important. I’m going to work, Lucius . . .with or without your blessing.” I stared him down, determined to have my way in this.

  Lucius slowed his stroking and returned my gaze. He remained silent for a few moments, as if he were thinking things through, and then he nodded. “Of course you must go to work. I should have expected no less, and you have my blessing, but only under two conditions. I shall ring you throughout the day to be sure you are safe; I do not know when King Casimiro will make his presence known. I fear it will happen very soon. And two, you’ll allow me to take you there myself. I won’t have you walking the streets alone.”

  I shuddered and nuzzled into Lucius’ neck. He groaned, but gently eased me away and off his lap.

  “Shower. Get yourself ready, and then I shall drive you to work.”

  Reluctantly, I left him and walked into an amazing bathroom. The floor and walls were all tiled a beautiful ivory color; the mirrors were wrapped in a beautiful, ornate, gold frame, reminiscent of Snow White’s evi
l step mom. Laughing to myself, I turned on the shower, and then stepped underneath a glorious, steaming cascade of hot water that drowned my fears and cleansed away the aches and pains, readying me for the day ahead. I reached for Lucius’ shower get, brought the bottle to me nose, and sniffed. The rich, woodsy smell reminded me of him and suited him perfectly. Hands slid down my arms, and I jumped and yelped.

  “Easy. It’s just me.” Lucius nuzzled my neck from behind as he enveloped me in a huge hug. He chuckled and grabbed the gel bottle out of my hand. “I need to shower too, little Ivy.”

  He released me and I turned to watch as he lathered up and slowly started rubbing the gel all over his exquisite body. My mouth went dry as I watched him. I could have stood there looking at him all day, but I had to hurry, now. With a heavy sigh, I turned away from him and finished my own lathering. Lucius grabbed a sponge and rubbed it over my back. How I finished my shower without becoming thoroughly distracted, I will never know, but a few minutes later, I slowly stepped out of the shower cubicle and reached for a towel from the heated rail. I wrapped it around my body, drinking in the warmth, but noticing it didn’t make me feel nearly as good as being in Lucius’ arms. A pile of clothes sat neatly folded on the counter, and as I reached for them, I realized they were mine, and someone had actually washed them. I turned to face Lucius as he stepped out of the shower behind me.

  “How did my clothes get cleaned? The last thing I remember, they were lying in a heap on the floor.”

  “I have two people who live with me here, one is my loyal companion for nearly a century, Fausto. He helps me with my day-to-day work and organizes my many charity functions. Gregorio is my house help; he cleans and makes meals for my guests.”

  Once again, I suffered through a feeling of inadequacy. Even my smile felt awkward.

  “Ivy, I told you before, there’s no reason for you to feel like that. I have lived a long time, I have worked hard, and yes, I’ve amassed some wealth. These men are loyal to me; you can be yourself around them. They will help you in any way they possibly can. They have already been told to be of complete service to you any time you need them.”

  I did not know what to say to any of this, so I walked up to Lucius and wrapped my arms around him. I held him close and rested my head on his chest. He stroked my wet hair, but after a moment, he took my hand.

  “Come, I will get you to work.”

  We descended the stairs of his beautiful home, and stepped out onto the front porch. Just as we were about to descend the steps, a man came out the door behind us. Tall and thin, he wore a dark, formal suit.

  “Sir,” he said, confirming my suspicions he was one of Lucius’ assistants. “There is a phone call for you.”

  The man then turned to me and gave a brief nod. I nodded back, but kept silent.

  “Ivy, I shall be but a moment. Please, go ahead and get into the car.”

  I released his hand I’d still been holding and descended the steps. The man who’d come to tell Lucius about the phone call followed me. As I reached Lucius’ vehicle, my scar began itching badly. I covered my left wrist with my hand.

  “Allow me, Miss Steele.” The man held the car door for me.

  I smiled, but somehow, I didn’t feel comfortable at all. I put it down to my nerves and all of this being such a new situation, and climbed into the passenger seat.

  As he was about to shut the door, he said, “My name is Fausto. If there’s anything I can do for you, you have but to ask.”

  Before I had a chance to respond, he quietly shut the door. I suddenly felt chilled and rubbed my arms furiously to try to warm up. The slight pain in my scar grew into a full-blown ache, and the blood red tear drop felt extremely hot to the touch. What did it me, I wondered. Was the pain an indication something bad was about to happen to me? Like, some sort of signal or forecast? I reflected on what Lucius had told me, and wondered how he dealt with the loss of his family, all the while knowing he’d lost them because he’d finally stood up to a king who did not deserve to wear a crown. History was full of tyrant rulers, but Lucius’ liege sounded like he’d been one of the worst. As I sat there musing, Lucius climbed into the car. Without a word to me, he started up the engine and fired up the dashboard heater. A few moments later, wonderful warm air blew from the vents, and I sat forward, holding my hands, palms out, before them.

  “Will you tell me more?” I asked him as he put the car in gear and we headed off down the drive.

  He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “Such as?”

  “Such as, where you are from, for starters.”

  As he drove down the winding, country road, I studied him. He looked like he was mulling over my question. I decided not to push him. He’d speak to me when he was ready. While I waited, I returned my gaze to the countryside passing by the window and watched as a shower of dancing leaves fell from the trees. Their vibrant colors of red, gold, and orange made them appear as sparks of flame falling to the earth. Shuddering, I started rubbing my wrist.

  “I come from a land far away, a land most humans will never see. It’s impossible to see, unless you are like me, or unless you are a spirit or witch or fairy . . . then, perhaps, you could find it. But my home is protected from humans.”

  “Why? It’s not like a human could win a fight with a vampire.”

  Lucius looked over at me and gave me a sad smile. He took my hand and lifted it to his lips.

  “I’m right, aren’t I?” Sometime during the night, I had come to the conclusion Lucius fit my idea of what a vampire must be like—the eyes, the teeth . . . I’d imagined none of it. His appearance really had changed, albeit only for a moment. As crazy as it sounded, as insane as I would sound, should I share my theory with anyone else, it was the only answer that fit. I gave him a pointed look. “You are, aren’t you?”

  “Yes,” he said. “Yes, I am what humans refer to as a vampire.”

  He looked so uncomfortable, I decided to allow that point to rest, for now.

  “What do you call your home?” I asked. “Is it a place I may have heard of?”

  “So many questions, little one.”

  I studied his profile, noting how quiet he had become, and how his eyes had grown dark and somber.

  “I come from a town called Escuro de la Luna.”

  I opened my mouth to ask him what it meant, when he spoke again.

  “It means Dark Moon.” His smile softend his severe expression. He still held my hand, and now he lifted it again, placed tiny kisses on my fingertips, bit them playfully. “You are as curious as a cat.”

  I shivered as I remembered how said cat’s story ended and did not respond. Instead, I sat there quietly, reflecting on all I’d learned. Before I knew it, we were on the outskirts of town, very close to the Humane Society where I worked as director. Lucius pulled into a parking spot on the quiet street and climbed out of the car. He crossed in front and came to open my door. I grinned as I left the vehicle. Nothing made a woman feel more cherished and ladylike than a chivalrous man. When I got to the Society’s front door, I scrounged around in my bag, looking for my keys to open up. Just as I worried I may have somehow lost them, my fingers closed around the cool, metal keyring, and I pulled them out with a flourish.

  Lucius smiled and cupped my cheek. “I will come back for you tonight, to take you out to dinner. What time do you close?”

  “The shelter doesn’t close until 8:00 p.m., but I get off at 5:00,” I told him. “And dinner sounds wonderful.”

  “Then it’s a date. I’ll be back here just before five.”

  I nodded and stepped back, then turned to unlock the door. I then turned to bid Lucius good-bye, but before I could speak, he bent and claimed my mouth with his. I heard my bag clatter to the ground as my arms snaked around his neck. Our soft moans filled my ears, and Lucius pulled me closer. The evidence of his desire for me pressed hard against my thigh. I groaned—I wanted him, and I wanted him now—and Lucius chuckled, no doubt having once again read
my thoughts. Shamelessly, I grinded against my crotch against his. With a low growl, Lucius broke the kiss and lifted his head.

  “Ivy, please, you are killing me.” He gently pulled my arms down, then bent and kissed the tip of my nose. “If I don’t walk away now, I’m going to take you right here, on the front porch at your workplace. I don’t think that would bode well for you keeping your job. But rest assured, I will be in some pain until later.”

  Giggling, I turned back around and pushed open the door of the shelter.

  Chapter Seven

  As I stepped inside the shelter, I switched on all the lights. It was still early, and the sun had yet to rise on this cool October morning. I checked to make certain the heating was set at the correct temperature, and then walked into the kitchenette to start making the coffee for the busy day ahead. After I had the coffee percolating, I went into the back room of the shelter to start putting feed into the animals’ bowls. It took a good half hour to get them all filled with various foods and whatever medicines they might need. I carefully carried an armload of food into the surgery area and started feeding the sick animals first, some of which I had grown to love deeply. I half-wished they wouldn’t be adopted, as I’d never see them again if they found homes. Shaking my head, I sighed. The sad fact was that I’d get my wish with many of them, as quite a few would never see a loving home.

  The doorbell chimed. Visitors, already. I walked back through the surgery and into the foyer.

  “Gretchen,” I said, greeting the tiny, old lady. “How lovely to see you!”

  Although she stood barely five feet tall and was thin as a rail, Gretchen was a firecracker with a huge heart, and a regular volunteer at the Society.

  “And it’s always a joy to see you here, too, Ivy.” She spoke with a thick accent, despite having arrived in the U.S. from Germany over eighty years ago, as in infant in her mother’s arms.

  I smiled and reached for the bag the old woman carried. “Here, let me take that for you.”