by M. D. Bowden
Alice came back with poached eggs on toast for Daniel and Sarah.
‘Thank you so much Mom,’ Sarah said. ‘And thank you both for looking after Megan and Bea all this time.’
‘Really - don’t worry about it. You’ve got a lot going on, we’re perfectly willing to help out as much as we can until it’s all sorted out,’ said Keith.
Sarah noticed her father didn’t mention Jo’s name again.
‘Where’s Daddy?’ asked Megan. ‘I miss him too Mommy.’
Sarah pulled her back to her side and kissed her on the head, in between mouthfuls of food. She was incredibly hungry, what with all that had been going on she’d hardly realized. It wasn’t long before she’d finished and Daniel slipped her the rest of his. It was hard to resist kissing him right there, in front of her parents, she only just managed not to.
Sarah decided the best policy for her children would be honesty. ‘I don’t know where Daddy is sweetheart - I’m sorry. He might not be coming back,’ she said as she hugged her tightly.
Megan didn’t say anything else. She looked a bit sad, but not too bad. Sarah guessed Megan didn’t yet understand the seriousness of the situation, her mind too young to grasp it.
Daniel looked around at her family and spoke, ‘I think its best that you all stay in as much as possible now. You shouldn’t go out alone, certainly not at night. Not when we don’t know what’s going on, and other people are missing too.’
‘You’re probably right Daniel - I’m not going to argue with that,’ said her father.
Sarah leant back in relief - she’d been worried her Dad would argue about it. They were talking about all this very calmly in fact. Sarah eyed up Daniel, wondering if he had anything to do with that, wondering how far his influence could stretch.
She still hadn’t had a chance to discuss with him how he had killed Sebastian, but as she looked closely at him she realized she could sense something. Energy, light - they seemed to be radiating off him. She looked around at her family and didn’t sense the same thing. She wondered how much power Daniel was holding, and at her ability to sense it.
Alice went back into the kitchen to prepare an evening meal. Clouds had obscured the setting sun and a wind was picking up. Sarah shivered and wondered if it would snow.
Sarah gave her kids the attention they deserved, playing games with them and reading stories. She let her father talk to Daniel so she could spend this time with her kids, she really had missed them so much. It was hard to believe she sometimes found them as stressful as she did, how much they could drive her crazy. Right now they were comfort to her soul and being with them made her feel complete.
Rain started hammering against the windows and Sarah glanced out disappointed, no snow after all, but then continued to play with her children and hug them - trying to make up for their time apart.
***
Sebastian emerged from the forest and through hazy vision saw a large wooden house ahead. It was a detached structure with an old shambling vibe. He sensed warm bodies within and drifted towards the house figuring he’d be able to pass through the walls, as it wasn’t a problem with other solid objects, like trees. When he passed through a tree he felt ripples course through his essence, but wasn’t met by any obstacles - it was easy.
As he approached he made sure he didn’t take his human form, he didn’t want to alert anyone to his presence. However - if this worked - he suspected there wasn’t much anyone would be able to do to stop him.
His energy swirled as he headed up the steps and moved forwards towards the wall, but as he hit it he came to a halt. His darkness collided with solidity and he couldn’t move forwards at all. His anger increased at this obstacle, he obviously wouldn’t be able to penetrate the house unless he was invited in, and he suspected his powers of persuasion would be less developed in his insubstantial form. If he couldn’t construct proper sentences in his own mind he wouldn’t be able to influence others.
He let his energy dissipate - no one would notice his presence as he had no form at all.
He would wait, soon someone would leave the house, and that person would be his.
***
After dinner Daniel drove Sarah back to her house to pick up her car - she would need the child seats to bring her children home. Once back at her parents she thanked them profusely as she strapped Megan and Bea in. She would be at home with them at last. It was dark and her kids were sleepy. She drove home and Daniel followed behind, a backup in case of danger.
She glanced in her rear view mirror but couldn’t make him out - his headlights were blinding.
Finally they pulled up at her house. She got out at the same time as Daniel and couldn’t help but smile coyly at him. He actually winked in return. Sarah looked away, blushing and rushed around to get out Megan. Bea was already asleep in the back.
Daniel waited by the car, looking out for Bea, as Sarah took in Megan and tucked her up in bed. She kissed her softly on the forehead and sang to her gently as she left the room. Megan curled up in her bed and quickly closed her eyes, hugging her teddy close.
Next she got out Bea, who whimpered and snuggled in close. Daniel followed as she took Bea inside and he waited downstairs as she tucked her in too. Bea stayed sound asleep throughout the process. Sarah stroked her blond curls and kissed her cheek, before leaving her alone for the night.
Putting her kids to bed was her favorite time, not only because they were much easier when they were asleep, but because they were incredibly adorable tucked up and quiet. The peace that reigned after they were in bed was amazing, such a contrast to the noisiness of the day.
She tiptoed back down the stairs, so as not to disturb Megan and Bea now they were in bed, and saw Daniel waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. He looked sexy in that leather jacket, now lacking that earlier bulge - she wondered what it had contained.
He was tall, and dressed as he was, all in black - he looked intimidating standing in her hall. But he smiled up at her, his dark eyes twinkling, and she approached him quickly. Her heart was pounding as she reached for him and he took her in his arms. He kissed her jaw and ran kisses down her neck, she heard him breath in deeply, smelling the scent of her blood pumping through her veins.
‘Bite me,’ she said - wondering how it would feel.
She heard his sudden intake of breath, that obviously hadn’t been what he was expecting, but he didn’t waste time arguing with her. He pulled back a little, and Sarah imagined what it must feel like to him as his teeth extended. But before she could process that thought two points of pain pierced her throat. She was the one that gasped. But then the sensation changed from one of pain to pleasure. She felt love radiating from Daniel and heard his voice in her mind - relax - and she instantly did. At that point it was like they were one. Her mind and body blended with his. She felt like she were a part of him, and could feel what her blood was doing to him, strengthening him - filling him with life. At that point she felt herself weaken. He quickly retracted his teeth, pulled out a stake and pierced his own throat.
She quickly met his eyes, feeling a hint of fear, but he guided her mouth to his neck. The moment she tasted his blood her fear subsided and she sucked, his blood filling her with fresh energy. Waves of desire flooded over her, and she also felt them within him. She could sense his want, his excitement.
His blood coursed through her and she felt strong, she took her mouth from his throat and kissed him, tasting her own blood in his mouth. It tasted different on him, seductive rather than metallic.
Full of energy she jumped and wrapped her legs around his hips. He caught her with no effort and raced with her to the sofa, pushing her back. He was on top of her and their eyes were locked together. It was incredible - the connection and intimacy still there from feeding on each other. His blood thrummed in her veins, and hers in his. She saw stars and pulled him to her - kissing him hungrily. It felt like time stood still as they made love. She ran her fingers passionately over his body as h
e moved inside her, and it was as though their energy and power connected them with every particle in the universe. It was like they were linked on every level possible. The boundaries between dreams and reality collided, filling her with hazy euphoria.
Chapter 4
Night had fallen as Sebastian waited for someone, anyone, to step out of that house. He didn’t know why, but something stopped him from entering town - something compelled him to wait on the edge.
He felt eager for life as he waited for one of the warm bodies to leave. He was eager to feel again, to think. Eager for blood.
The moment his desire for life was at its peak, the front door opened and light radiated out into the night. A man stepped out, on his own. Sebastian wasted no time - he concentrated hard and swooped in. His energy took the form of a bat, yet a bat that could not feel, not be stopped by anything. He swooped straight into the man’s heart, and let his energy go - filling him with his essence.
Sebastian felt it had worked instantly as he didn’t drift out of the body. He stayed there - his essence combining with the man - taking over his body and his mind.
He stayed stock still, waiting for the changes to be complete, waiting until he had control of every cell, muscle and neuron.
A slow smile spread across his face - the process was complete.
Sebastian reached out and touched the wooden veranda. He felt it. He ran his hand along it, feeling the roughness of the wood; its raw, unpolished simplicity.
He could think more clearly now, form coherent thoughts and logic in his mind. Anger at Daniel flared within him. Daniel had done this to him; taken his power and his body. He probably thought he had destroyed him - that he was gone for good. The anger tore at him inside and made him long desperately for more power. Power from human blood. Power to destroy Daniel.
He wrenched open the front door, and stepped forward - but he still could not go inside. Sebastian looked at the house, wondering who else lived here, for he felt more warm bodies within.
‘Hello?’ he called out tentatively.
A large motherly figure bustled through the door.
‘What are you doing out there? Come back in.’
Sebastian smiled, that was what he needed, and he stepped over the threshold.
***
Sarah stood – adrenaline from their lovemaking coursing through her. She wrapped herself in a blanket and went into her kitchen, uncorked a bottle of wine and took two glasses out of the cupboard. She poured the wine, watching as it flowed smoothly in, filling the glasses with the dark red liquid. She took a sip and felt the alcohol hit her brain. She felt intoxicated already, drugged up on Daniel and his blood. The alcohol calmed her.
Sarah stared out of the window, into the darkness, wondering at the turn her life had taken. It was time to focus on reality - she needed to talk to Daniel, to find out more about what had happened, what was going to happen next.
She picked up the two glasses, carefully carrying them back into the living room. Daniel was standing, waiting for her. He stepped forward and took a glass of the wine.
‘Cheers,’ he said, and clinked her glass, meeting her eyes somberly. ‘I know you want to talk.’
She raised her eyebrows at him, what - could he read her mind when they weren’t touching now, or was it merely her facial expressions?
She sat back on the sofa, taking another sip of wine. It washed away the remaining taste of blood, and she felt it ground her.
‘I do. We haven’t had a chance yet,’ she said playfully - pushing him gently. Well maybe they had had plenty of chances, she thought, but they had been busy with other things. ‘What happened with Sebastian? How did you manage to kill him?’
‘It’s quite complex,’ he said teasing her.
‘I’m sure I can follow . . .’
‘OK,’ he said, looking amused. ‘After Sebastian took you from me, after I had killed Jo - I went crazy. I didn’t know what to do; I just knew I had to get you back.’
Sarah watched him talk, sensed the angst he had felt, and still couldn’t quite grasp how much he cared for her, couldn’t believe it.
‘I would not normally do what I did. Usually I only take blood from animals - the strength it provides is enough to survive. But I needed to be stronger if I was going to rescue you . . .’ He broke off and stroked her hair away from her face. It made Sarah feel warm, yet sad.
‘I fed off humans - I didn’t kill anyone,’ he quickly added. ‘But I needed human blood as it’s much more vibrant. It’s full of life and power. I drank from many people, hoping a plan would come to me, and it did - I remembered a witch I knew, who taught me a little magic.’
Sarah opened her eyes wide, astounded at yet more supernatural elements being revealed in her life, ‘Carry on.’
Daniel laughed at her eagerness, ‘The witch, Heather, had made me aware of some websites that contained magical knowledge. I raced home to investigate this idea; to see if there was some way I could tackle Sebastian and get him out of our lives for good - to save you, as I had no idea how else to do it. Sebastian was much stronger than I could ever have made myself. I found a spell that involved taking his power - it was a mummification spell. To do it I needed even more power and had to drink more blood. I went back into town to do this, and I had just had enough when Sebastian found me. He had planned to finish me off, no doubt so I wouldn’t get in his way again. So I wouldn’t try and rescue you. When he attacked me he touched my throat. I think he was going to snap my neck. I concentrated very hard, as the website had told me to do, and sucked the power out of him with my mind. The expression on his face become more and more worried as his power started to rush into me. It felt incredible as he was so strong. It literally flooded into me - if it hadn’t been for the magic maintaining the link I would have grasped my hands away. Then when it was done I staked him. He turned to dust and I put it in a bag in my jacket - I plan to distribute it widely so there’s no chance he can return.’
‘So that explains the bulge in your jacket,’ Sarah said cheekily. ‘I had wondered.’
Sarah fell silent. She thought about what he had said.
‘How do you feel now - with him gone?’ she asked.
‘I feel very relieved, because I can do this . . .’
Daniel leant in and kissed Sarah softly. Her heart fluttered as she felt his cool lips on hers.
‘. . . without worrying about Sebastian anymore,’ he finished. ‘Plus, if I hadn’t killed him, I may never have been able to rescue you.’
‘Is there any chance he could return?’
‘I don’t think so, but to be honest I’m not sure. I don’t know enough about magic, or old vampires. If he had been a new vampire - like Jo - that would definitely have been the end of him. I’ve been wondering whether I should try and track down Heather to see if she knows any more about it,’ he paused, ‘I think it would be a wise thing to do.’
Sarah’s heart sank. It was as she expected - he was going to leave.
‘When do you think you will go?’
He must have seen her crestfallen look; he reached for her chin and held it up so her eyes met his.
‘I will come back,’ he said. He gave her a dazzling grin. ‘I should probably leave tomorrow though. It would be best to find out as much as possible as quickly as I can, and I’m not sure how long it will take to find her. While I’m gone you should stay in as much as possible. And don’t even consider going out at night.’
‘I won’t,’ she smiled weakly at him. She couldn’t muster enthusiasm for his plan, or for staying in indefinitely. Her kids would go mad, running around - shouting and fighting, if they stayed in too long.
‘Can I stay with you tonight?’ he asked.
Sarah looked at him hard, he was smoldering at her, making it impossible to resist him.
She laughed. ‘Of course you can,’ and she kissed him.
How was this man so delicious? She felt nervous at the idea of sharing a bed, it felt like a new level of intimacy
.
She stood and took his hand, leading him up the stairs, to her room. She quickly ducked out to check on her kids. They were both fast asleep, so she turned out all the lights, popped to the bathroom, quickly cleaned her teeth and dressed in a small pajama top and shorts. She returned to her room, her heart racing.
Daniel was sitting on the edge of her bed. The bed that, until not very long ago at all, she had shared with Jo. It felt like months ago, yet it was only a few days.
Again he saw the sadness in her expression.
‘Do you want me to sleep somewhere else?’ he asked.
‘No. I want to be as close to you as possible, before you leave.’
She climbed under the sheets, and looked up at him, waiting to see if he would join her. She didn’t know where the confidence came from, but felt like she had nothing to lose. She couldn’t help but suspect she wasn’t going to see him again, not for a long time.
Sarah watched as he undressed in the darkness, admiring the silhouette of his form. Her heart sped up even more, it was almost painful, as he climbed under the covers too. He slid over until she felt his cool body pressing against hers. She wasn’t sure what she expected, but he just reached out and held her, his head resting against hers. His powerful arms wrapped around her.
Tingles swooped over her body and her heart raced, yet all she did was hold him back. Taking him in - basking in his presence.
‘Goodnight Sarah,’ he said, looking into her eyes. She felt him projecting his influence, and became very sleepy.
‘Goodnight Daniel,’ she whispered, as she closed her eyes and fell asleep in his arms.
***
Sebastian walked across the hall and snapped the woman’s neck. He supported her weight; before she could fall to the floor and alert the rest of the household. Instinct took over and he sank his teeth into her neck. He was no-longer a vampire, he was something else altogether - a dark spirit in possession of a fresh body. He no longer had fangs, so it took extra pressure to pierce through her skin and draw blood.
