He looked painfully at Katherine. “Ye did not turn me. Ye left me for dead."
"You do nay understand,” Katherine whispered as the horror of that night flashed before her eyes. Blood-tears washed her cheeks as she sank to the floor. “I woke to find my teeth in my husband's throat. Yes, I thought you dead. I left my soul in that room with your body."
Gathering herself together, Katherine rose to her feet. She lifted her eyes from the floor to his face. She thrust out her chin defiantly. “I was but a newborn. Your blood,” she choked on the words, unable to continue.
Vincent was not about to make it easy for her. “Ye brought this upon us. Ye flirted with that—that monster."
"I did naught but welcome him into our home as you requested,” Katherine cried in dismay.
Vincent's eyes narrowed as he thought of his lifelong friend. He remembered shoving a stake through the man's heart. He remembered the unnatural way his friend's body had disintegrated into dust. He remembered how perfect Katherine looked laying on top of the coffin.
Vincent leaned against the cabin wall and rubbed his hands over his face. He took a deep breath and looked at his weeping soul mate. He was angry, but his anger was misdirected. The party that had caused this was long gone to Hell.
Vincent pushed away from the wall and took the three steps to his lady. Towering over her, he gently wiped a red tear from her cheek with his fingertip and brought it to his mouth for a taste. Then he cupped her chin with his fingers.
"Beaux was my childhood friend. I had no idea of what he had become."
"It is not my fault that he thought he loved me,” Katherine whispered. “He was misguided. I meant only to befriend him."
A sob escaped her lips, and fresh blood-tears poured from her eyes. Vincent pulled her into his arms as his heart calmed his inner turmoil. “Shhh, Katherine, tis of no matter now. I do not hate ye for it."
"But I've condemned ye to a life of hell,” she sobbed into his shoulder.
It was then that it occurred to him what legend had told of vampires. They were devil's spawn. Doomed to live off the blood of humans. Doomed to eternal Hell. Before this night, he had turned a blind eye to God. Now, his soul quivered at the thought of losing his God forever.
Vincent kissed the top of her head. “If I must live in Hell, then I thank God that it is with you."
After a moment of silence, Katherine whispered painfully, “We are both lost sheep."
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Eight
1750—West Indies
Katherine stood quietly on the bow of the ship. The forbidden sun had set only moments before. The array of colors on the horizon were astounding. Just above the water, where the ocean met the sky, the sun's flames stretched out its fingers. Colors blended from orange to red to purple and finally, to the deep dark blue of night. The first star had risen.
Katherine was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Vincent as he slipped up behind her. When he placed his hands on her shoulders, she jumped.
With a half smile on his face, Vincent admired the curve of her derriere. She wore a pair of tight-fitting trousers. Boldly, he placed his hand where his eyes had wondered. She jumped again, and he chuckled. Roughly, Vincent pulled her close and placed his lips against her ear. His warm breath sent shivers through her. “Hungry?"
"Immensely,” Katherine replied breathlessly.
"Good. Then let's go see what sick soul shall lose his blood on this fine summer's eave."
* * * *
Katherine and Vincent stood in an alley behind a common tavern. The sounds of drunken revelry pounded their sensitive ears. They covered them briefly until their hearing became adjusted to the noise.
Minutes later, a pirate and his selected whore for the evening stumbled out of the tavern in a drunken stupor. They stopped for an episode of kissing and groping, completely unaware of the vampires. Katherine looked as if she were about to heave up the contents of her stomach.
Disgusted and ready to feed, Vincent gave Katherine a gentle push toward the grotesque couple. “Do it,” he whispered. He watched her eyes turn blood-red with hunger. Though she had been a vampire longer than Vincent, she had a problem with taking human life. She preferred animals, but in order to keep her strong, Vincent made her drink human blood at least once a month.
Katherine blew a kiss of wind that separated the two lovers. Confused, the pirate looked from Katherine to the whore. With lust written all over his face, the dirty pirate pushed the whore down and immediately grabbed Katherine's arm. The mortal woman's beauty held no comparison to Katherine's vampiric charm.
Katherine let herself be pulled into an embrace. Even with her minimum vampire strength, she was still stronger than any mortal male walking the earth. Enduring the sloppy kisses he placed on her face and throat, she let her senses fill with the scent of his blood and let her mind fill with scenes of the women he had murdered. Vengeance would at last set those poor souls free.
Vincent tore his gaze from Katherine and the pirate and held out his hand to the rejected whore. The disoriented woman looked from her companion to Vincent before allowing herself to be helped.
He pulled her to a dark corner in the alley. In her ear, he murmured words of comfort and lust. Once she was under his spell, she made no complaint when his kisses turned into playful nips. She felt only a quick sting when Vincent's teeth pierced her flesh.
Other than that brief bit of pain, the whore gave up her life completely, feeling nothing but ecstasy. She rode on a cloud into the arms of Death. The poor chit was utterly unaware that she was about to pay dearly for murdering men in their sleep for their money.
Images of those men flashed before Vincent as he drank her blood. Years of practice enabled him to push them away. He concentrated on the warm liquid flowing into his mouth.
As he drank, Vincent looked over the whore's shoulder at Katherine. The pirate lay dead at her feet, and she leaned against the wall trying to calm the rush of blood. She looked like a rose in bloom to Vincent, and his passion rose to the surface. Throwing aside the dead woman, he closed the space between them.
"I need ye,” he whispered gruffly.
He held her face between his huge hands, and his lips crushed hers. Roughly, he sucked on her rosebud mouth. Warmth and feeling flooded both of their bodies, causing their emotions to rise. Vincent ran his hands through her hair. Then he stepped back and looked at her with awe.
"Ye are so beautiful."
Katherine's eyes held a look of love and trust. “Without you, I am but a pitiful soul lost in damnation. God has shown me, through you that His love can shine in Hell."
A moment of perfect silence passed between them. Then Vincent came to his senses. “Come, my lovely angel of death."
Katherine nodded, and they set about the task of hiding the bodies deep in the jungle. Animals would eat the carcasses before they deteriorated. The vampires then rushed back to their ship to spend the rest of the night in each other's arms.
* * * *
Lying beside Katherine, Vincent watched her while she slept. Her chest rose and fell with each breath she took. He found it endearing that she clung to her mortal habits, though it was unnecessary. They could shut down body organs at will.
Vincent frowned as he thought of how she detested their way of life. She abhorred the creature she had become. He worried that she would end her own existence, but he knew that in her eyes, suicide was suicide, whether mortal or not. God strictly prohibited suicide.
Suddenly, Katherine's eyes fluttered open, and she smiled sleepily at Vincent. She stretched like a cat, and the covers fell away to reveal her naked body. A fire ignited in the pit of Vincent's soul, and he couldn't resist touching her.
Katherine grabbed his roaming hand and brought it to her lips. Taking her time, she suckled the tips of his fingers, driving him mad. Under her spell, his passion grew until it blinded him, and all he could think of was having her.
After their lovemaki
ng, they laid exhausted in each other's arms. Katherine sighed contentedly and idly rubbed her hand across Vincent's abdomen.
"Can we go to Paris, Vincent? It has been so long since I've been there. Why, I bet it's been over a hundred years."
"If ye so desire, love, t'would be me pleasure,” Vincent replied.
* * * *
1751—Paris, France
The dampness of the night clawed at Vincent's skin, and he thought of Katherine reading by the castle's warm fire. The two had fallen in love with Paris and had bought their new home on the outskirts with cash.
Vincent stood before the Cathedral of Notre Dame, admiring the architecture of the south side. Lost in thought, he was caught completely unaware as a young vampire slithered up behind him. His arm encircled Vincent's throat in an attempt to strangle him, but Vincent flipped the youngster over his head and sent him flying across the walkway.
The blonde-haired fiend landed in a heap on the grass. His green eyes blazed with an unexplained hatred. Vincent frowned, wondering why the lad seemed so familiar. Infuriated, the youngster jumped to his feet, pulled out a knife and flew at Vincent.
They fought for control, and Vincent pinned the lad to the ground. Having gained possession of the knife, Vincent held it across the youngster's throat.
"What do ye want from me?” Vincent growled.
The young vampire refused to speak, and Vincent decided to let him go with a mere warning. “Do not try such a feat again. I do not want to kill ye. Next time, however..."
The creature stood, dusted off his pants, and pointed a finger at Vincent. “I will have Katherine. She is my destiny, not yours."
Startled, Vincent hesitated. The young vampire took that moment to run, and Vincent chased him up one of Notre Dame's flying buttresses. He was determined to get to the bottom of this lad's nonsense.
Vincent was stronger and faster, and he easily caught up with the younger vampire. Reaching out, Vincent grabbed the creature's long curly hair, stopping him abruptly in mid-flight. He pulled the young vampire's face close to his own.
"Explain yerself,” Vincent demanded.
Stubbornly, the young vampire pursed his lips. His green eyes narrowed as he refused to give Vincent the satisfaction. The look on the lad's face nagged at Vincent. He had seen that look before, but on whose face, Vincent could not determine.
"Stay away from my lady,” Vincent growled.
With that, Vincent threw the lad into one of the stained glass windows. The crash sent vampire, building and glass into the church. Vincent peered through the broken window and was satisfied to see the creature lying motionless among the debris.
He will wake ... Mayhap in a coffin, but he will walk another night.
Satisfied the problem was solved, Vincent left the church and returned home, instantly wiping the incident from his mind.
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Nine
1893—Paris
Vincent and Katherine sat at a table for two in a quaint little French cafe. Their untouched glasses were filled with an expensive wine. Katherine looked fearfully at Vincent.
"Should we?"
With a devilish gleam in his eye, Vincent nodded. “Aye, we should.” He leaned across the table and tenderly touched her hand. “It is naught but liquid. What harm but sleep could it do?"
Before Katherine could protest, he grabbed his glass of wine and had it emptied within seconds. She anxiously watched for any sign of the impending sleep. When several minutes passed without anything happening, Vincent sat back in his chair with a satisfied grin. He motioned for Katherine to drink up.
It was her first taste of wine in over two hundred sixty five years. It was cool and sweet, almost as delicious as blood. The wine coursed through Katherine's veins, and she began to feel light headed. Suddenly, everything was amusing, and giggles erupted from within her. After her third glass, Vincent frowned and sternly refused to give her more.
Crossing her arms, she pouted. “But it tastes divine."
Vincent shook his head with an amused smile. A comfortable silence descended upon them as wine induced thoughts swirled in their heads.
Suddenly, a curious feeling of being watched came over Katherine. Still sulking, she looked to her left, and her eyes fell on a face she hadn't seen in over two hundred sixty five years. Shocked, she gasped and looked away from the man, praying that he was just an apparition.
Katherine looked again to be sure, and the man's green eyes conjured painful memories of another time. She quickly looked at her hands as they began to shake uncontrollably. Dread gripped her heart as she remembered.
The man strongly resembled the fiend who turned their lives upside down. He had the same green eyes and sandy-blonde hair. Yet, his handsomeness was only skin deep. His cruelty went clean to the bone.
"Katherine, what is wrong? Ye didn't hear a single word I spoke."
Slowly getting to her feet, Katherine glanced at Vincent. Grabbing his hand, she whispered, “Let's go."
Confused, Vincent allowed her to lead them away from the cafe. They didn't stop until they were a couple of blocks away. She searched anxiously behind them for signs of the other vampire.
"What is wrong?” Vincent demanded.
"I saw one of our kind."
"And is that so unusual?"
Katherine shook her head, fearful that if she actually said the words, the man would indeed be the face from her past. “I did not like the way he watched us, as if we were his prey."
Vincent relaxed. He had heard of the cannibalistic ones. They fed off their own kind for the rush. Placing his arms protectively around Katherine, he assured her that they would be fine.
"Forget him,” Vincent whispered. “Let us visit Le Louvre as planned."
Nervously, Katherine attempted a smile. “Of course. I am being silly."
Taking her hand, Vincent tugged her along, and they soon found themselves in front of the famous Le Louvre. The structure had been built as a medieval fortress in 1190. In 1793, it had been turned into a museum.
As it was late, the building was closed. Yet the vampires managed to find their way in at the back of the structure. Security proved to be minimal and easily avoided.
Katherine was mesmerized by the beauty surrounding her. Their night vision enabled them to see the wondrous paintings and sculptures from France, Italy, Great Britain and other countries.
One of Katherine's favorites was a painting of an angel with two cherubs entitled Allegory of Wealth by Simon Vouet in 1640. Her thoughts turned longingly to the lost promise of eternity with God. Determined not to let her own gloom and doom dampen their spirits, Katherine focused her thoughts elsewhere.
Vincent had entered the next room before her, and when she entered, he was leaning casually against a white commode. He smiled. “Compliments of Prince de Conde. Leave it to the French to display a person's chamber pot."
Katherine could not help but to giggle. She looked at Vincent with love, amazed at how deep her feelings for him ran.
They carefully wound their way through several more rooms, aware that the night was drawing to a close and soon found themselves in the Philippe Pot room. The high ceiling made the room seem immense. Moonlight shone through the huge windows lining opposite sides of the room, illuminating many of the funeral sculptures housed there.
The most impressive sculpture was that of the Tomb of Philippe Pot. He had been the lord of La Roche-Pot and the seneschal to the Duc de Bourgogne, Louis XI's chamberlain.
The sculpture was of a dead knight. Eight hooded mourners carried him on a slab. Each mourner held a shield that confirmed the knight's noble heritage. The dead man's hands were clasped in prayer, and he wore his battle gear into death.
Katherine let go of Vincent's hand and stepped up to one of the cloaked figures, which were as tall as she was. The statues were quiet and still as the night surrounding them. Chills ran up and down Katherine's spine as the she felt the atmosphere around her grow colder. Un
able to control herself, she reached out and touched the statue's hood.
Immediately, the mourner came to life. The hood fell back from his head, revealing the pale face of the vampire at the cafe. His cold marble hand reached out and grabbed Katherine's arm, forcing her to remain close to him.
"You are mine,” he whispered.
Katherine screamed hysterically, desperately trying to escape the statue's stone-cold grip. Vincent came at once to her side. When he couldn't pull her free, he placed his hand on the statue's arm.
Instantly, the skin of the vampire's face seemed to peel away, exposing the tissue and veins beneath. Blood oozed down over Vincent and Katherine's arms, splattering to the floor. The monstrous face quickly faded to a skeleton's face, and finally, the statue slowly let go of Katherine and returned to its original place and form.
Then, the dead knight slowly sat up and pointed at Vincent. “Beware, old friend."
There was a blinding flash of light, and the knight was back in its original position. Shocked, Vincent and Katherine looked at one another, neither able to put together words.
The sound of running footsteps brought them to their senses, and they realized that Katherine's screams must have alerted the guards. With superhuman speed, the two vampires raced out of the room just as the guards rushed in.
A short time later, Vincent and Katherine walked hand in hand through a darkened alley. They were quiet as each tried to make sense of the episode in the Le Louvre.
As they turned a corner, Vincent and Katherine stumbled upon the vampire from the cafe. He held an unconscious child in his arms. Blood dripped down his chin, and he looked surprised to see the pair of lovers.
Vincent became enraged, and Katherine knew what he was thinking. The young fool dared to take the life of an innocent child.
Before the younger vampire could move, Vincent snatched the young girl from him and gave her to Katherine. Then he punched the vampire in the face, sending him flying across the alley. The monster landed in a pool of filth. Angered, he jumped up and flew at Vincent.
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