by Willa Okati
“Good,” Nathaniel breathed, urging Barrett closer still. Their cocks bumped hard against one another, ready and eager. “Come on, then, vampire mine. Fuck me like you’ve promised. All I want, and all I need, is you, and what you do for me.”
“You,” Barrett said softly. “You wondered if you were a monster, and not a man? Hell, Nathaniel. You’re more of a man than any I’ve ever met. You bring even me back to life.”
He bent down for a deep, ferocious kiss, thrusting forward with his hard and heavy, eager-pressing cock, and…
Nathaniel woke up. Somehow careful not to flinch or jerk his head, he drew in a deep and lusty breath of shock to see himself in his old apartment — to feel the rifle snug against his chest. He glanced down to confirm what he felt: his cock had swollen dark and purple with the lust he’d felt in his dream.
He felt eyes on him before he heard Zeke’s sharp cackle of laughter. “Having a good dream, were you, now?” the crazy man mocked. “Well, one last joy before dying, even if it damns you deeper into hell.”
Zeke glanced over his shoulder at the clock Nathaniel couldn’t see. “Won’t be long now,” he said idly. “Soon enough, the Highwayman returns. Then we’ll see what we see, won’t we? Until then, you just sit still. Watch. Keep a close eye out. No more nodding off for you, understand me?”
Oh, yes, Nathaniel understood. He’d been foolish to let himself fade into sleep. No more. He had to be alert, aware, awake, and ready.
For as soon as Barrett came into sight, he knew he’d have but a second’s worth of time to act. He wouldn’t think of, nor count the cost to himself. He’d just act, the way he knew he had to. There were no other choices left.
Until then he just had to watch, and wait.
And wait…
And wait…
Stanza Twelve
Life — or, well, unlife if one wanted to be specific about it — could not be better. Barrett hummed to himself again as he readjusted the heavy sack of coin and cash he carried over one shoulder. He hadn’t taken enough for it to bulge or spill, even though that meant leaving some in the rich man’s safe.
Still, he’d gotten the most part of what he’d come for. Some jewels, too. Fencing them wouldn’t be any too easy, not where humans dominated the territory, so he figured he’d save them up till they got to vampire-run lands. Plenty of fine blood-drinking folk liked a shiny bauble much as any human, and a diamond or three would go a long way to ensuring Nathaniel’s safety among those who’d see him as a snack despite Barrett’s pre-set claim.
He’d do anything to keep Nathaniel protected under his wing. Taking him into the land of the Kisses would be right dangerous for him, being mortal, but Barrett knew his own power, and his name would be recognized by more than a few. He had powers they didn’t, such as touching holy things without coming to harm, and being able to take the nourishment he needed from come as well as blood.
There were plenty in the vampire lands who went hungry for lack of humans to feast upon. Few with any sense ventured there a-purpose, and travelers who stumbled inside unaware were little more than a snack for the ravaging hordes. But if he taught them by example how to lure in a pet or three, to keep them fed and safe, happy and horny, eager to please in bed, well… he expected he’d earn more than his share of respect from those with sensible minds.
Those lacking in sense, he knew he could deal with. They’d be weak from hunger. Easy marks. It’d help others to learn how important it could be to have human lovers willing to share the life inside their seed.
Of course, that wasn’t at all why he’d taken Nathaniel as his lover. No, nourishment was just icing on the cake, so to speak. He’d fallen hard and fast for those piercing gray eyes the moment he’d met them with his own, drowned in the sweetly cynical curve of Nathaniel’s lips, and lusted after his long, nimble hands. He’d ached to have them on him before he’d made his first move.
It had been both surprise and delight when Nathaniel agreed to bed him, and a wonder beyond all wonders when Nathaniel discovered what Barrett was, yet didn’t cast him aside or try to stake him. He’d just accepted Barrett’s state of being and gotten on with life, and loving him, vampire or no.
He’d been more than he seemed, always and ever. A hellcat in bed, almost able to out-fuck Barrett’s vampire stamina. His cock hardened at a touch, his breath quickened, and his pulse pounded with lust when they kissed, or lay naked together in Nathaniel’s narrow bed. The nights they’d spent doing nothing but pounding into one another, soaked in sweat and come when the dawn threatened to break, worn out but high as kites on the bliss of their union… oh, yes, fine times.
Times he intended would never come to an end. That was why they had to leave for the land of the Kiss. Dangers were there in plenty, but less than in the human colonies. Some folk got a little stake-crazy. He’d heard tell of vigilantes, hyped up on holy drugs and blissed out on the thought of carrying out what they perceived to be the wrath of an angry God. Dumb fucks, all of them, but still more than a bit dangerous. Barrett hated to think what might happen if one of them caught up with him or Nathaniel.
Besides which, although he knew he was far too good to catch, someone might get lucky someday and trip him up in his thieving. The Highwayman had a powerful reputation, and the fellow with enough dumb luck to bring him down would reap a mighty share of honor among his fellow wealthy types.
“No,” Barrett said softly, to himself, “best that we be going. We’ll face what comes next together, Nathaniel and I, and we’ll do it laughing in the devil’s face. We’re a hell of a team, he and I. We’ll make our way and our life together, though hell should bar the way. They’ll see. They’ll all see.”
He patted his satchel full of wealth. “And this’ll be just what we need to get us there.” Glancing up, he gauged the time by the fullness of the moon, heavy in a dark blue sky filled with stars. He’d said for Nathaniel to watch for him by the moonlight, and to know that he would surely return before the break of day.
Not long now, not even on foot. Vampires moved fast despite any heavy load they might be carrying. He’d sped his steps more than was his usual, so eager was he to get back to Nathaniel and maybe have him once more before the break of day.
Yes, just a few more minutes on the road, and he’d be in sight of Nathaniel’s apartment building. He’d see the bedroom window where he spent so many joyful hours, and maybe even his lover’s face, a-waiting and a-watching for him there…
Grinning to himself, Barrett hummed again, a small bounce in his step.
Soon, their new life would begin.
* * *
Zeke must have had bat ears, Nathaniel thought. Before he heard a sound, himself, the mercenary straightened up from where he’d been leaning against the wall and stalked over to the window.
“He’s coming,” Zeke breathed. “I hear his footsteps. I hear the jingle of coin he’s stolen. Damn if I can’t smell the bloody stench coming off his filthy, flea-ridden hide.” He raised his gun and pointed.
“That won’t kill him,” Nathaniel said softly.
Zeke’s grin was white, sharp, and terrifying. “Nope. It will, however, slow him down long enough for me to get down there and shove a nice sharp piece of wood into his heart. Or hell, if I get lucky, I might just blow his head off and be done with the job right away. What do you think?” He let his gun barrel wave back and forth. “Want to lay odds? Bet I can do it. In fact, I think that’s what I’ll try for.”
He would, too. Nathaniel knew it. Was sure of it.
It only served to reinforce, in his mind, the sure and certain knowledge of what he had to do.
And for Barrett, for the sake of his vampire’s love, and all the lustful joy they’d shared together, he’d do it.
He’d save Barrett’s life.
He would.
He —
Stanza Thirteen
The skies were just beginning to fade from their deep blue-black to a regal purple. No trace of sunlight, not y
et, but it wouldn’t be far off in coming. Barrett, just as he had promised, appeared at the crest of the horizon, walking the highway with a heavy satchel slung over one shoulder.
Nathaniel couldn’t hear him, but he knew the vampire would be singing. Looking forward to meeting him again. To rolling with him in the sheets, making love, and making plans to escape that very night.
He felt his heart breaking with a dull thud and crack, so loud in his own ears he wondered that Zeke didn’t hear it. There would be no future for Barrett and he. They’d always taken their chances and bargained that a night like this one would never come to pass, but, well, at last their luck had run out.
It left Nathaniel with only one choice. And really, it was no choice at all. Not when it came down to deciding between Barrett or himself.
Nathaniel knew what he planned to do would be the death of him.
He didn’t care.
Drawing one last, deep, lusty breath, he made himself ignore the rifle, set and ready to go off, opened his mouth and yelled with all the strength he could muster, “Barrett! Barrett, run! It’s a trap!”
He got one glimpse of Barrett’s head coming up, eyes widened with surprise, and then —
Then —
The rifle exploded, and the world went dark.
* * *
Vampires had extra senses beyond those which humans credited them with. Any one of the blood-drinkers could feel, from a yard or a mile away, when the light of a human’s life flared bright as supernova and then went dark in death. It told them where to find good hunting, or where a cooling corpse might lie to drink from.
Barrett’s head flew up to stare at Nathaniel’s apartment window as he heard the rifle blast. He saw Nathaniel’s eyes go wide in shock, though not in pain — it went too fast to hurt — and then the redness of blood, usually so enticing, flowing in a horror that fountained down over his lover’s naked belly.
“Nathaniel!” he yelled. “Damn you, don’t you dare!”
Too late. He already knew it to be too late.
But still, he dropped his satchel and he ran.
* * *
Zeke didn’t flinch from the blast, nor make a face at the blood that splattered his black and olive-drab clothing and his bare hands. He did walk over and frown at Nathaniel’s corpse, slumped in death, the rifle all that held it upright and kept it from crumpling to the floor.
Finally, he scowled. “Damn fool,” he muttered. “Now why’d you go and do a thing like that?”
“Could be it was true love,” a voice said, hoarse as a harpy of hell, from the doorway Zeke had momentarily forgotten to mind. “But then, you wouldn’t know a thing about such, would you?”
Zeke whipped around. He grinned, teeth white and sharp. “Vampire,” he breathed, lust filling his eyes. Thirst for the kill. “Come to see what all the fuss is about?”
The vampire stood stock-still, regardless of the coming dawn, and the sky growing ever lighter. “No,” he said. “I’ve come to see you dead, yourself.”
Zeke pulled out a stake, sharpened to a wicked point. “An eye for an eye, bloodsucker?”
“More like a life for a life. But if you’ll give me a moment first?”
Zeke eyed the vampire curiously, then nodded. “One last joy before dying,” he said with a shrug. “You’ll be next to go. Just don’t take over-long about it, for the sight of you with him will surely offend my eyes and bring down the wrath of God. But then, I suppose He’s already got the fires stoked for both of you. Might as well add a little more fuel.” He chuckled. “Lord, but how I long to see you burn.”
“That’s as may be.” The vampire’s face was blank and cold. “Let me pass.”
“Not standing in your way.” Zeke made a faux bow, indicating that Barrett could go by. “Have at it, filth.”
Curious, he watched as the vampire said his good-byes. He wanted to see how this would end.
* * *
Barrett wouldn’t have cared if Zeke had granted him permission or not. He’d have done what was in his heart to do regardless. A stake through the heart as he fought his way past wouldn’t have mattered so much.
Nothing mattered, now. Now that Nathaniel had gone and left him all alone.
He walked to Nathaniel’s slumped body, lifted his beautiful-handsome chin, and gazed deep into his lover’s eyes. Slate gray, dulled now in near-death, no longer able to pierce a man or vampire’s soul.
“Why did you go and do a thing like that?” Barrett whispered softly, running the ball of his thumb over Nathaniel’s slack lower lip. “Lover… lover… you didn’t have to. I’d have saved you. I promised I would always save you. Why’d you have to go and sacrifice yourself for me?”
Because, Barrett fancied he heard a ghostly whisper on the breeze, I loved you more than life itself. No reason to go on if it meant living without you. I meant for you to run and save yourself from this madman’s handiwork.
“You knew I wouldn’t leave you to his mercy, though,” Barrett whispered, staring into the cloudy gray eyes. “Why’d you think me the sort who’d run away and leave you, especially after hearing a rifle shot go off in your very home?”
Didn’t know. Hoped. Hoped you’d go, maybe to the witches, and get enough power to bring Zeke down. But Barrett, my love, you had to rush in where fools fear to tread, didn’t you? And now what’s to become of you? Have I sacrificed my life in vain?
Barrett’s face hardened. “No,” he said softly. “Not in vain. I’ll see this put right.”
He’ll kill you, as he’s killed me. What hope do you have against his stakes and guns and holy vengeance?
“More than you might think, lover.” Barrett gently kissed Nathaniel’s cooling lips, a brush of mouth against mouth. “Wait and see,” he whispered. “Soon, you will see.”
“See what?” Zeke’s harsh, gravelly voice broke in. “What’re you doing, vamp? Making deals with the Devil behind my back?”
“You have no idea.” Barrett gazed deep into Nathaniel’s dead eyes.
He heard the sound of a rifle cocking. “I’ve had about enough of this!” Zeke barked. “Come on, now! You’ve said your farewells. Let’s bring this to an end!”
Barrett grinned, a grin that would have sent a demon screaming. “Have it your way,” he said, ever so quiet. “Ready or not, here I come.”
Zeke’s finger was already moving on the trigger when he just barely saw a blur flash past him, speedier than any man or beast. He hadn’t time to turn around, or even move, before he felt cold hands holding him fast and still, the press of strong, merciless fingers cruelly twisting at his neck.
“You wanted to finish this?” the vampire Barrett breathed into Zeke’s ear. “Then let’s dance.”
Zeke felt a white-hot flash of fire and pain as teeth sank into his neck, piercing skin and muscle, down to the bone. Felt a sickening lurch and spill as his blood gushed out, and a dizziness as the red life in his veins was sucked, vacuumed, whooshed out faster than any man would bleed of his own accord, and —
The last thing he registered was the sound of his rifle and stake, clattering on the apartment floor. “Well, I’ll be blessed,” he mumbled, confused. “God, save my soul tonight!”
He heard the vampire’s wicked laughter, mocking his plea to the Almighty.
And then, he knew no more.
Barrett ignored the madman’s clattering crash to the ground, his flowing blood, and the clumsy sprawl of his corpse in a tangle of arms and legs. He’d more important things on his mind, things to do, and only seconds left in which to bring them all to pass.
He flashed back to Nathaniel. Dead, yes, and starting to cool, but when he closed his eyes, he could yet feel the soul a-lingering. That which had spoken to him earlier. Not all of Nathaniel had fled, not yet.
“Lover?” he whispered. “It’s done. I’ve taken the hunter down. You can come back, now.”
He felt Nathaniel’s laughter. Come back out? I’m dead, Barrett. No coming back from that. Once you’v
e crossed this river, you can’t swim back. No tears, not for me. I don’t regret what I did. Even if you didn’t run, you knew what would be waiting. It saved your life, what I chose to do.
“Beyond any doubt. But there is a way to cross again,” Barrett said, soft and low. “You trust me, Nathaniel?”
Nathaniel’s soul radiated confusion. I don’t understand. A man can’t come back to life once he’s truly dead.
“No?” Barrett chuckled. “I did.” He bit at his lower lip, drawing blood. “Taste and see that I am good,” he whispered around the blood, then lowered his mouth to Nathaniel’s and let the dark red fluid trickle in. He massaged Nathaniel’s throat, coaxing the liquid down.
