Lucien extended a claw and made a tiny slice on Heather’s wrist. She flinched, but kept her arm in position. Lucien’s eyes flashed once but resumed their dark stare. Ariel’s eyes began the red haze of desire around her blue-gray irises. She clenched her hands not able to take her gaze away from the tiny red beads on Heather’s pale arm.
She groaned as her shaking hand rose and a finger smeared the blood. Involuntarily, she brought it to her mouth. As the first taste of the elixir hit her tongue, her fangs shot down and she jerked back into Lucien. She moaned as she fought to keep from sinking her teeth into the passive woman’s wrist. “Lucien?”
“Shh. You’re doing fine, Ariel,” he whispered close in her ear. “Smell her scent.”
Ariel shuddered.
“The warm richness as it feeds your veins.”
“Please, Lucien.”
“Imagine the taste of its coppery thick wetness on your tongue.”
Ariel had begun drifting forward and was inches from the wrist. Just one taste, I’ll just take one taste and it will be so gross I won’t want it anymore. Her tongue flicked across the blood smear once then returned to lap it. Oh god, this is good. Her stomach cramped and her fangs ached.
Her tongue reached out again and her fangs brushed against the soft skin. With that, a burning desire clenched her core and she gasped feeling almost close to climax. Lucien smelled her damp arousal. “Yes, it’s overwhelming, this need,” he whispered and kissed her neck.
Without warning, she sank her fangs into Heather’s wrist. She sobbed softly as she tugged her pulls of blood. Heather closed her eyes. Lucien stroked Ariel’s aroused pussy through her dress in time to her draws. “That’s it. That’s my good little mate.” Lucien kissed her while she whimpered and fed, rocking into his hand. He kept her like that for several minutes until he sensed her need was satisfied. He stroked her faster and as she gasped in orgasm he pulled her away from Heather’s wrist. She pushed against him trying to return to her. “No, you’ve had enough. Feel your fullness.”
Ariel sensed the blood working through her and finally the hungry edge subsided. “Lick her arm to seal the wounds you made.”
She leaned forward and silently did as he asked. Ariel was overwhelmed with the feeling of vitality and stunned into silence.
“Heather, can you make it home or should I get Carl?” Lucien asked.
“I’m fine. I’ll swing by the hall for some juice and lie down for awhile. Is Ariel going to be all right?”
“The first feeding is a bit of a rush. She’ll settle down in a few minutes. Thank you Heather.”
“I’m honored you let me sit for her first, Lucien. I’ll see you at dinner.” Heather rose and left the house.
Ariel still knelt back into Lucien feeling the effects of the blood. Lucien stroked her until she began to calm. “Not so bad, little mate?”
“No,” she reluctantly admitted. She turned her healthy red gaze on him. “I can’t believe I just did that,” she giggled.
Lucien smiled. She’d be just fine, now.
By the time the first snows fell, the women had adjusted to feeding their need. There were grumbles about not being able to walk in the sun, but as their other senses grew, the regret lessened.
Sex was explosive and the craving the mates had for each other continued to grow. The Clan settled in for a very nice winter.
CHAPTER 9
THE STRANGER
The Indians had also settled in for the winter months. By February, they knew Gentle Wave was pregnant and Fierce Bear bellowed it to everyone he saw.
“How are we going to survive seven more months of this?” Black Horse bemoaned as the big man yelled to the porch to remind Yellow Hawk for the umpteenth time he would be holding his grandchild within the year.
“At least he’s stopped the nonsense of how his proud warrior son had seeded his strong daughter with their first joining,” Yellow Hawk offered.
“That was only after Clear Skies got tired of it and told Fierce Bear he had people believing he was weak and only had one shot in him. How else would he know it was the first time unless they only joined once? He hasn’t figured out how to get him to stop bawling daily updates on the pregnancy,” Black Horse chuckled.
“They’ve been good for each other. Fierce Bear needed a son and I think Clear Skies needed a father who would respect him. I can’t imagine a more suitable joining,” Yellow Hawk commented.
“Oh, I think we have another one,” Black Horse said as Raining Thunder waved to the two men while Misting Waters helped him lug stones from the stream for their fire pit.
Yellow Hawk and Whispering Wheat decided to let Raining Thunder join with Misting Waters when the first snows melted. They were working on their teepee.
The men continued to watch the lodging across the street while Fierce Bear drew something in the snow and Clear Skies watched and asked questions.
“So, another sign that a predator is near, not like a dear or pig, but a cougar or bear, is that the birds will leave?” Clear Skies asked.
“Either that or remain quiet. They’ll stop singing and calling to each other,” Fierce Bear explained.
Clear Skies was a proficient rider and adequate with a bow. His skill turned out to be knife throwing and Wind Seeker awarded him a feather for his accuracy. Fierce Bear combined his hunts with him to provide for the two families.
Nights with Gentle Wave continued to be filled with passion, and his life on the flatlands began to feel like a dream. The friends he’d met within the tribe respected him.
The weather finally began to thaw in April. Misting Waters and Raining Thunder were joined and had set up their home. The couple obviously had deep love for each other and their happiness spread to anyone near them.
Fierce Bear was joking with Clear Skies about Gentle Wave bemoaning her rapidly growing belly. They were hunting in the woods near the settlement. Fierce Bear was following some deer tracks and Clear Skies looked absently around, daydreaming about Gentle Wave.
His eyes caught on something out of place sticking out from under a fallen tree limb. “Hold up, Fierce Bear.” Clear Skies slid off his horse to investigate. He moved the branch. “Fierce Bear, we need to get Wind Seeker.”
Fierce Bear rode back to the village and Wind Seeker, Yellow Hawk and Black Horse followed him to Lonnie’s broken body. His eyes were open and his mouth was stuck in a silent, terrified scream. His ribs were crushed down to his spine and his throat was ripped open.
“What could have done this? A bear, maybe?” Yellow Hawk asked.
“A bear would have taken the meat,” Wind Seeker noted. He traced his fingers around Lonnie’s neck. “I think we need to send for Lucien. Clear Skies, do you feel comfortable enough to go with Black Horse and bring him back here?”
“Yes, Wind Seeker. I think I understand what you’re worried about. Lucien’s the only one who can tell us for sure.” Clear Skies was still stunned at his discovery.
The Indians let their women know they’d be returning late the next day and rode off toward Lucien’s settlement. They rode straight through, eating hard tack for lunch on the backs of their horses.
“You think it’s a Protector, don’t you?” Black Horse asked.
“I don’t know what to think. It makes no sense for anyone from the Clans to do this. The fact that he wasn’t mauled and chewed on makes it look like it wasn’t an animal attack,” Clear Skies deduced.
They rode into the settlement in the evening while everyone was in the hall for dinner. Clear Skies faltered as they climbed the steps. “You are a proud warrior, Clear Skies. Hold your head up for the respect you have earned,” Black Horse reassured him.
They entered the hall and conversation quieted as the settlers and Clansmen noticed them. “Black Horse,” Lucien called, “what brings you here?”
Black Horse and Clear Skies approached the Vampires’ table. Dave, Ed, Allen and Doug registered shocked expressions when they realized the other strong muscled India
n was Mike.
“Lucien, it’s better if Clear Skies tells you. He was the one to make the discovery.”
Lucien smiled at him. “You look well, warrior.”
“Thank you, Lucien. We have a problem that would be better discussed with just the Protectors.” Clear Skies didn’t want to panic the settlers unnecessarily.
Lucien could sense something was very wrong. “Ariel, why don’t you and the mates finish dinner? We’ll return shortly.”
Ariel tried to read her former boyfriend’s blue eyes. He looked so different. The arrogant demeanor was gone and a sense of pride had replaced it. “Of course, Lucien.”
Christal was about to shoot off a retort about protecting the delicate little ladies’ ears when Paula caught her eye and shook her head. Christal sealed her lips.
“Let’s walk down to my house,” Lucien suggested. When they were all inside, he turned to Clear Skies. For him to have ridden back to the source of his misery, spoke heavily of the weight of the problem. “What’s going on?”
“Do you remember Lonnie?” Clear Skies began.
“He’s the one Patrick gave to the tribe when his mind went, isn’t he?” Lucien squinted in concentration.
“Yes. A few months ago, he had a vision. His eyes were as lucid as mine when he looked at me and said, ‘You have to save them out there, you know.’ He pointed out to the grasslands while he said it. We’ve been trying to figure out what he meant ever since. This morning, Fierce Bear and I were hunting near the village. We found Lonnie’s body half buried under a large tree limb. Lucien, his rib cage had been pressed almost flat with the ground and something ripped his throat open.”
“Could it have been an animal?” Nathan suggested.
“No, we don’t think so. Other than his neck, he wasn’t bitten or chewed. It looks like his blood’s been drained out of him.” Clear Skies looked nervously at the Vampires.
“You think it was one of us?” Damon looked angry.
“No, we don’t think it’s Patrick’s Clan either. Is there a possibility another Vampire could have found the valley?” Clear Skies asked.
“Nathan, I think you and I should ride over there. Damon, will you watch the settlement?”
“Of course, Lucien. I’ll make sure everyone stays within the fence until you return.”
“Justin, Nicholas, help keep an eye on everyone but try not to panic them. Tell them we think there might be a bear running around or something.”
Clear Skies could tell his suggestion about another Vampire had spooked them. Unfortunately, it led him to believe it was a possibility.
Black Horse and Clear Skies slept in the hall. They left for the Indian village at dawn with Lucien and Nathan. Gentle Wave was on Wild Flower’s porch when they returned. The village had known since yesterday that Lonnie had been attacked and killed. The Indians couldn’t figure out why the Protectors were summoned.
She waved at Clear Skies and indicated she would wait on the porch until he returned from the meeting. Shining Star called out that the warriors were in the woods. It hadn’t gone unnoticed that most of the warriors were already on horseback, standing guard. They were armed and every woman had a knife strapped to her side.
The Clansmen followed Black Horse and Clear Skies into the tree line where they saw Night Wind and Rising Sun. “Wind Seeker and Yellow Hawk have stayed with the body. They didn’t want it disturbed until the Protectors saw it.”
Lucien and Nathan dismounted and walked over to Wind Seeker. Lucien knelt by Lonnie’s broken form. He ran his fingers through his hair and gazed at the mountain. “Nathan?”
“We both know what this is. Are you catching the scent? This one’s old, Lucien. He’s probably as old as we are. He reeks of a rotting stench. Something’s wrong with him. It doesn’t make sense, but it almost smells like he’s decomposed.” Nathan shook his head, bewildered.
Nathan had confirmed Lucien’s thoughts. “I’ve reached out to him. There’s great hatred in him.”
“Yes, but his thoughts seem scattered. I sense this hate is his primary thought. There’s no focus or consistency. This one is dangerous, Lucien. We need to get people protected until we find him.”
“He is like you?” Wind Seeker confirmed.
“He is of our kind, but I don’t think he’s anything like us. This one is evil, Wind Seeker. You need to keep your people in the village. I see you’ve already got them on guard.” There was nothing else Lucien could tell him to protect the tribe. If the rogue Vampire attacked, there was nothing they could do to stop him.
They brought Lonnie’s body back to the village. Lucien and Nathan borrowed fresh horses and rode quickly back to the settlement while the Indians buried Lonnie with full tribal ceremony.
They laid him on a warm fur and placed a raven feather in his hand to signify the end of a shadowed journey and enable him to fly to his next one. Stories were told around the fire of happy memories the confused man gave them and the visions he’d had that saved lives and crops. Wind Seeker told of how he’d picked him up in the grasslands, and in his delirium, Lonnie had called him father.
Grazing Fawn placed a wild flower on his heart as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’ll miss you, Lonnie,” she whispered.
The fur was tied around him to keep him warm on his journey and they buried him in the tribe’s graveyard.
Wind Seeker looked out on the prairie thinking of Lonnie’s last vision. He still had no idea what it meant, but something made him think the Protectors had better find the creature soon.
Lucien and Nathan rode through the night. Their concern now was for their own settlement. Vampires tended to seek their own kind. He was sure that’s what led this being to the valley. Lucien knew he had to send word to Patrick, as well.
They met with the Clansmen. “Do you have any idea who it can be?” Damon asked.
“His thoughts are scattered with hate. He gives no thought to his identity,” Nathan told him.
Nicholas suggested nervously, “Lucien, if what crazed him is a loss of his mate, he may take it out on us for having ours. He may take it out on our mates.”
“It’s possible that is the cause. It’s hard for me to come up with anything else that would turn him into such a vile being. We need to close down the settlement. I think everyone should stay together in the hall. Damon, you and Nathan will sense first if he’s near. I’m trusting you with Ariel’s safe keeping. I have to warn Patrick,” Lucien said.
“Will it be safe for you to travel alone?” Justin asked.
Lucien shook his head. “I don’t know his abilities. It’s more important to leave enough of us here to protect the Clan. I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”
While Lucien rode across the grasslands to Patrick‘s settlement, Turning Leaves sat quietly kneading bread dough. Her mind was a swirling mass of dreams. She rarely thought of her real world anymore. Her eyes stared blankly as she worked in the kitchen, reaching for juice out of habit.
Robby was getting annoyed with her constant whimpering as soon as she saw him. With the ingenious methods he devised to enhance her pain, she would hardly scream or fight anymore. He brought her meals to their cabin because the other settlers were looking at him with disgust over how he’d abused the girl. There was also unease with the Vampires for allowing it to continue. No one dared approach them about it. Constance and Patrick seemed unaffected by the change in their settlement.
Over the past months, Robby knew his Indian had stopped thinking about escape. He let her take walks in the woods close to home and he’d fetch her at sunset to join him or the Vampires. She’d silently follow him back to the settlement.
When Gertie touched her shoulder and said she could leave, she wandered towards the trees, once again lost in the dream world of her time with the tribe. Someone stepped in front of her and she absently turned to walk around him. “You’re far from home, Indian girl.”
If she had any concept of fear left, she probably would have screamed. Instead,
she looked at the creature and whispered softly, “This is my home.”
The creature grimaced a smile as it cocked its head. The girl hated almost as deeply as he did. He inhaled. “You feed the Vampires.”
“They make me,” she answered absently.
The creature inhaled again. “You know my friend, Patrick. There is another scent close to his.”
“It’s his mate, Constance.”
“You don’t like them?”
She looked at him, seeming to see him for the first time. “You said he was your friend. You’re trying to trick me.”
“No, Patrick was my friend a long time ago. He left me to die.”
“You’ve come to hurt him?”
The Vampire was amused by the hope in her eyes. “I’ve come to kill him. I think I’ll kill his mate first, so he knows my hate.”
“If I help you, will you kill someone else for me?”
The creature studied her face. “How could you help me?’
“Robby will come for me soon. If he doesn’t return with me, Constance or Patrick will come searching the woods.”
“Robby is the one you want me to kill?”
“I want all of them killed. I walk in a world of ghosts. I don’t think I can find my way out until their gone.”
“What will you give me if I do this for you?”
“I have nothing to give. You’ll take whatever you want anyway.”
The creature hid near her as she sat on a log, waiting for Robby. “There you are, dammit. I’ve been climbing through the woods for an hour. I told you not to go so far.” He grabbed roughly for her hand. “Get your ass back to the settlement. Constance has already called for you once and you know how much worse it is when she’s angry.”
“This is Robby?”
The man spun to the unexpected voice, ready to challenge whoever it was. A fist slammed into his stomach, whooshing the air from his lungs. He stared in horror, trying to gather enough air to scream.
Dark Journey [Ariel's Desire 2] Page 18
