Both dinner and diner looked at me with protruding eyes. Chase looked away and I choked down the rising bile as the scent of it all hit us like a baseball bat. Reaching into my pocket, I decided to show both fiends mercy. Gathering some brush, Chase and I set the pair on fire within the confines of the deep trench.
There were no screams. There was only the licking of flames, the sizzle and crackling of wet skin, and for a few moments the ripping of flesh. With a silent look, we continued with our patrol of the traps. When we finished, the fire had burned itself low. We tossed a few shovels of dirt on the embers, smothering the reek along with the fire. There was no point to removing the remains; there was food to be gathered and clothes to be washed. Life goes on.
CHAPTER 16 SEPTEMBER 14th YEAR 1
It was a few days before any other strangers arrived at our walls. Trudging slowly up the low hill in the darkness and dragging what looked like a body, our sentry at first mistook them for a herd of zombies. It was my night to stand duty at the gate. Wiping my sweaty palms on my pants, I drew my sword and lifted my crank-up flashlight; the footsteps stopped instantly and startled faces shone back at me. The thing they were dragging was a drained feral pig in a stick.
“They’re not Dead, just not ours.” I shouted behind me.
Brandishing the tip of my blade at the small group, I kept them halted about ten yards away. Reinforcements arrived in less than a minute. Chase and Sunny were first with the Nurse and Sindbad close behind.
With a hand signal, the canine was sent to sniff the drifters for contamination. He came back to his master and, with a motion, granted the five strangers a temporary reprieve. Little was said for the next couple of moments; tense expressions and gestures stood in for a meeting. All eyes rested on me, as I knew they must, so I made the call.
“None of you are infected, but we still don’t know you. We aren’t letting you in this camp tonight. I’m not sending you away in the middle of the night, but we can’t take you in either.”
The pack stirred as Caelinus landed beside me. Crude weapons were raised. I stifled a chuckle as I noticed a butcher knife duct-taped to a broom handle.
“Friends of yours, Squirrel?” the vampire commented as he assessed the situation. I noticed that Daemon had landed silently behind the fearful people.
His training really is coming along well.
“Knock off the battle poses.” They held their arms steady. “This is Caelinus, he’s part of our village. If you folks put away the weaponry, we can have a little chat and figure something out.”
Crowbars and improvised spears lowered. The man in front maintained his crossbow; it was aimed at my chest. Daemon’s fangs glistened in the moonlight as they descended in response to the threat. I breathed gently, trying to mellow myself out, and sheathed my sword.
“There’s no need for this to turn bloody.” I maintained eye contact with the bowman. “You’ll be unharmed and given water outside the wall until we can have a town meeting. We’ll even bring a couple of burning embers out so you can cook your pig. That is assuming that you don’t attempt to injure your protectors or myself. “
I motioned at each of the Undead guardians while the young bowman with swirling tattoos withdrew his artillery. There was an audible gasp of surprise as the fledgling vamp retracted his fangs and said “Hello.” My point made, the Nurse and Sunny went to bring some water to our guests.
“If anyone’s injured, let me know; we have a nurse here and he can patch you up. He and Sunny will be back with something for you to drink in just a second.”
The guy hung the crossbow on his shoulder and faced his group.
“Alright we rest here tonight. Start putting out the bedrolls against the wall. I’ll take first watch. Quince, show their medic your shoulder once we get set up.” The leader smiled. “And someone cook that pig and give our hosts a good-sized haunch.”
As his people carried out his instructions, the man approached me and held out his hand.
“Hi Squirrel, I’m Troy. We get the message with fang boy there: you hold the cards. I’ll make sure there isn’t a problem with my crew and you just keep those guys from making us a midnight snack. Everything else can be worked out tomorrow. Deal?”
I shook Troy’s hand with a strained laugh. The tension in my chest eased.
I have to find a less stressful way to make acquaintances.
“Deal. By the way, Cal and Daemon are going to be the ones keeping the zombies from you all night; I’m just keeping you guys from causing us any trouble.”
I turned my back to him, signaling for the provisions to be brought out to the small group of interlopers. Forrest and the Nurse strode out to administer aid to the newcomers.
“By the way, any attempt to breach the wall, will result in your swift executions. No offense, just covering our asses.”
Chase and I helped tend our guests for the next half hour. No one spoke except for minor pleasantries. Finally, the four of us withdrew into the fort, barricading the gate behind us.
From my post on the small tower next to the entrance, I watched over Troy’s group until 1 o’clock. The shepherd sat on the far side of the flock, facing the wilderness, with his bolts at the ready. The stiffness in my shoulders crept up my neck and into the base of my skull. Tendrils of pressure resonated through my head. When Marley Guy took over the watch, Troy checked out the other guard and myself before scanning the clouds for the vampires. The confident, youthful dignitary nodded to me and took his rest.
CHAPTER 17 SEPTEMBER 15th YEAR 1
That night, I stayed awake contemplating how to handle this new group of strangers. While Troy and his four companions appeared to be minimally armed and harmless, they still posed a potential threat.
Could they be acting as a decoy or scout detail for that murderous horde? Are any of them sexual predators? How can I do the right thing to protect my community?
Logically, having the fang boys glamour them into revealing their intentions seemed wisest. I worried about the fallout it could bring in camp, but the role I was thrust into was guardian of their safety.
This sucks, but it is the only way to be certain we can trust outsiders. It’s what has to be done, no matter how unpopular. Pasts will have to come out.
I watched the little crew drowsily rotate their guards; the new sentry dozed off within ten minutes.
Ughhh, and I have to train them as well as keep them safe. Fuck.
Intent on mulling my concerns over with Cal, I headed over towards his cabin.
One of the vamps landed a little while ago, hopefully, he’s still up to a chat.
Stretching my achy neck to the side, I was greeted with cool palms rubbing the anxiety from the muscles. I could sense his grin behind me.
“Thanks Daemon.”
“How’d you know it was me,” he laughed, “it could’ve been Cal. You know he cares about you.”
I turned to face the young vampire.
“He thinks of me as a fellow soldier or maybe a daughter; not a neck-rub type person.” I forced a playful frown. “Of course, I was hoping it was Cal. But I guess you’ll do.”
We broke into childish giggling and he motioned for me to take a seat. I shrugged off the remaining muscle constriction and plopped onto the edge of the bed. Experienced leader or not, I felt compelled to talk these worries out before taking action.
Sometimes Daemon can surprise me with some pretty sage advice and he’s always been a good listener.
“Can we discuss those guys out front?”
He nodded while he leaned back on his elbows next to me. We spoke until after 2:30AM. We ended exactly where I started; it was the option with the most palatable consequences. Although the burden was eased, it was only a minuscule relief. Stretching out to a chorus of pops and cracks, I braced myself for the full weight of added responsibilities.
By tomorrow evening, either I’ll be killing these five and preparing for an attack or working to ensure their survival and usefulness.<
br />
“Guess it’s time I start the alternate schedule for if they join us.”
I began pulling my copy of the calendar from my pocket. The fledgling rose to his feet.
“Okay, I’ll grab your notepad and a pen. Back in a sec.”
Carefully unfolding the wrinkled paper, I glanced at the date while Daemon bounded out the door.
For an instant, I felt the world drop and my vision form a blurred tunnel. September 15th. It’s my little brother’s twelfth birthday. I heard the door open but couldn’t look away from the torn sheet of paper.
Last year I bought him a copy of Thrillville so he could build theme park rides with his PlayStation 2.
Someone was talking to me; something wet ran down my face.
He always loved to see how things were built.
I heard a deep sobbing, a voice going hoarse from misery. The calendar dropped from my trembling hands. The sounds were coming from me, the wetness on my cheeks poured from my closed eyes.
Strong hands wrapped around me. I collapsed in grief against Daemon’s shoulder as he caressed my head. He kept whispering gentle words of comfort.
“It’ll be all right, Squirrel. Everything’s okay. You’re safe here, just calm down. Leave this stuff until tomorrow and sleep. I’ll take care of you, just get some rest and we can handle everything in the morning.”
His words echoed in my ear over and over, punctuated by my crying and the slow rhythm of his strokes.
I couldn’t even keep my family safe. Owen’s birthday is today and I have to run a village and I can’t do it. I’ll make another bad choice and everyone will die. I give up; I just want to go home. I want to see them again.
He held me tighter, asking, “What’s wrong? What can I do to help?”. The fear and affection made his voice cut out.
Mom and Dad would’ve liked Daemon. If the world hadn’t died, I could’ve brought him home for dinner one night. I could’ve gone out with him and kept being insignificant, but loved. Can’t have either now. No family. No Daemon. Just death, worry, and killing. I have to live to protect others, but I’ve already failed when it mattered.
My tears lessened as I pulled away from his arms and looked into his eyes. He wiped my tears with his thumbs and gave me a caring smile. I leaned forward and kissed him. Daemon started to kiss back, then abruptly withdrew.
He doesn’t understand that I’m ready to take the risk. I don’t care anymore; I’m either going to live or die, not just keep surviving.
My lips followed his while my arms draped around him. We embraced as our passion grew. I could sense him holding back his desire even as he pulled me closer. Daemon’s hands danced down my spine and along my hips, his silky caress lingering at my thigh. My heart pounded. I dug my fingertips into his muscular back. His long locks tickled my eyelashes as he slowly eased away. His eyes shone green with a different hunger; our shirts seemed to evaporate from the heat between our bodies.
I ran my hand up the back of his neck and into his unruly mane, grabbing it and gently pulling him back to me. As we pressed together on the bed, Daemon sucked my earlobe, his fangs grazing my skin. I felt his warm breath in my ear. He ran his mouth along the nape of my neck while I reveled in the sensations he caused with such little effort. His sharp teeth slid into the vein and there was the familiar tug of his feeding.
After only a couple of sips, Daemon released his lips and ran the tip of his tongue down my neck. He trailed his mouth slowly down to my breasts. I moaned and writhed against him as he began to roll and flick my protruding nipples with his supple tongue. Colors flashed against my closed eyelids as he languorously suckled me, again taking a tiny drink of my blood in the process.
This is definitely a better way to donate.
I pulled his face to meet mine and kissed him fully as we pressed close, my hardened areolas rubbing against his chest. Daemon unbuttoned my jeans and slid his hand inside as his pants dropped to the floor. His nimble fingers made waves in the warm waters within, brought me to the brink of ecstasy, and gradually tapered me back down to sustained anticipation. As my lover grinned and licked his moist finger, I slid out of my dampened Levis.
He teased me with a flurry of butterfly kisses and nibbles along my belly button and inner thigh; periodically using the very tip of his long tongue to lap up the results of his titillation. I grabbed handfuls of his hair, desperate for him to continue. I arched my back while Daemon simultaneously thrust his fangs into my thigh and repeated his show of digital dexterity. The combination of blood loss and near orgasmic tantalization made me lightheaded. His mouth shifted over and my entire body shook with rapture.
I found myself staring into the vampire’s shining green eyes; he held me tightly to him as he slid inside me. I wrapped my legs around his waist. With each slow thrust, my climax was extended and heightened.
Daemon moaned into my ear, “Oh God, this is so worth the wait…” while my eyes rolled back. I found myself biting his earlobe as he neared his peak. I tilted my hips with each stroke. Daemon’s eyelids fluttered and his eyes took on a red tint.
“Nnffhh…yesss.”
He sighed and he drove his teeth back into my neck, this time with a yearning I hadn’t felt since that first feeding. I was floating now, my every pore vibrated and bones tingled. He drank deeply as our passion crested together. The cabin went black as I drifted into the fireworks my senses cascaded over me. His loving arms suddenly felt worlds away.
What’s happening? Why does Daemon sound alarmed?
***
Someone was snoring on my chest; and drooling, if the feel of the blanket was any indication. As I hoisted my heavy lids and squinted into the dim cabin, images and sounds tumbled through my memory banks like an inebriated dream. The pieces pulled themselves together as I brushed the hair from Daemon’s face.
I must have blacked out from the blood loss.
I sat for a time just watching his eyelids flutter and nose crinkle while he slept.
“You gave us quite a fright, Squirrel.”
I turned to find the elder vampire sitting rigidly against the wall staring at me. He seemed livid. For a moment I flinched, noticing he wore the expression my Dad used whenever I let him down.
“It’s clear you didn’t listen to my advice, perhaps you will be less selfish in the future. If you are weary of living, be done with it in a manner that will not destroy that boy or tear apart this small society we have built.”
Small spots still floated in my vision and I felt faint, but his snarled words made the sensation worse.
“You’re right,” I whispered through my dry throat “it was a dick move. I wanted to be with him, so that’s what I did. I stopped worrying about how everything could get screwed up and I didn’t consider how he’d feel if he killed me in the process. But I’m not sorry.”
His eyebrow arched as he reclined on his left side, his right palm gesturing me to proceed. Daemon mumbled something about kilts and Wookies before his snoring resumed. My fingers stroked his head while I drew my argument together.
“We love each other.” I sighed softly. “It’s not a good argument for potentially ruining or ending lives, but it’s what I’ve got. I’ve no intentions of having him turn me or…”
“I wouldn’t allow that.”
Cal stood as he spoke. My startled recoil stirred my sleeping lover.
“Whaa, what happened? Are you okay?” He sat up and rubbed the sleep sand from his eyes. I nodded and he kissed me gently before I could speak. “Good. Sorry about all the biting, I got kind of caught up in the moment.”
He looked over at his mentor. Then down at the covers he’d just shaken off. Promptly, we both turned bright red as we reached the same conclusion: we were still nude and Cal was very much dressed and not blind.
Thank goodness I’m still under the blanket.
In a blink, Daemon had clothed himself and my garments were delivered to me with a sheepish grin.
“Um, forgot the naked thing. Sorry a
gain. Cal, can you give us a second please?”
I knew his answer before he said it.
“No. I saw her nude earlier when I helped you put her into bed and elevate her legs so her heart wouldn’t stop. Or have you forgotten?”
“No, I didn’t. I just, well, I forgot I about the nakedness at the time.”
“Nearly killing a lover does that.”
The room seemed unbearably warm in the following silence. I dressed under the blanket and dropped my numb legs over the side of the bed. Pins, needles, and steak skewers jabbed through every cell as the blood flowed more freely to my limbs. I became weak and woozy, finding myself held upright by the Roman. He handed me a glass of juice and a plate.
“The juice is warm and the liver cold, but eat it anyway. It’s too soon for you to stand, you haven’t built up your blood yet.” Daemon rubbed my legs while Cal forced me to take the meal. “For the next day or two, you’ll need to rest here and consume large amounts of fluids and meat. If Daemon hadn’t already fed, we would be burying you right now.”
I focused on the food. The rubbing had stopped and I couldn’t bring my eyes to meet either of theirs. I slowly drank the juice only to have Daemon replace the empty glass with one full of water.
“Thanks.” I murmured awkwardly between bites. The liver was chilly and rare. I choked it down past the guilt that was welling up in my chest. It was like swallowing blood-drizzled silly putty.
Daemon spoke first. His green eyes softened as he cleared my dishes.
“Was it at least good?”
I laughed at his smirk as he attempted to lighten the mood. Cal smacked him in the back of his head and stormed out of the cabin.
“Yes, actually. It was amazing.” I responded, giving him a playful kiss on the cheek. “It’s just that too much of a good thing can kill you.”
The seriousness returned to his face.
After The End Page 13
