by Anjela Renee
“Is this from before you got turned?” Mary asked as they walked.
“Yes, but only a few years.”
They walked for a while longer. Dakarai stopped and looked at a woman down by a garden where she worked and laughed with some other women. Mary noticed her immediately; she had a simple beauty to her. She looked happy as she worked in the garden.
“She was my betrothal; we were to be married after she turned sixteen. I was turned before that happened. She was the daughter of the chief of the village; I was just a simple hunter, but I got lucky. Her father liked me and allowed it, anyway.”
“I'm sorry. Did you love her?” Mary asked holding his hand, trying to comfort him. He looked at her again; not with longing but with sadness.
“We liked each other, love would have come later. I think about what could have been sometimes—the children we could have had.”
“Can we talk to her? I don't know how this thing works. Can we, you know, interact?”
“We could, but there is someone else I would much rather introduce you to.”
“You have piqued my interest, Dakarai. Lead the way.”
Mary and Dakarai walked together for a little while until they reached a small hut, just like all the huts in the village, in the outskirts of town. An older woman poked her head out the hole in the side that served as a window and gave them an excited smile.
“My little Dakar,” she said as soon as she came out, extending her arms to him.
Dakarai gave her a hug. “Hi, mom”
Chapter 14
Brian walked into Bloodlust. He’d had a nice run at Vampire speed, only slowing down a block away, making sure not to be seen. He nodded to Pierre, the doorman, and walked inside to the booming thumping music. He walked past the oblivious humans and went straight back to the blood bar. It was the part of the bar reserved for the Vampires, with a more relaxed atmosphere, purposely kept that way to relax the human blood donors and the paid blood whores. The music was softer and the light a little brighter, almost like a coffee house and not so much a bar. The color scheme was still reds and blacks to go with the rest of the bar. There were several tables with people having drinks like any other bar. There were also comfy couches and Vampires and humans, some kissing, some just relaxing and having intimate conversations. He walked over to an area where the blood whores were lounging around. He saw one and knew she was just the type Maurice would like. Brian walked up to the short, plump blonde. She had what would be considered a fashionable body type for the 1800's, very much a voluptuous hourglass figure. She smiled as Brian walked over to her.
“Hey cutie pie. Need a drink?” she asked as she leaned into him. Her ass pressed into his cock. He wasn't turned on, but her blood smelled sweet and he knew Maurice would love her.
''My master would like your services; he's nearby in a limo. You will be generously compensated,” he stated without emotion.
“How generous, but I don't like to leave the building.”
Brian pulled out several bills from his pocket and handed them to her. She looked at the money, counted it, and her eyes got very wide.
“Hey, for this kind of money you can have a lot more than blood.”
“I won’t be the one you’re feeding. You will be feeding my Sire. I will take you to his limo where you will spend the remainder of the night with him. At dawn, I will take you home. While you are with him, you will not be harmed, but must be obedient.”
She looked at the money and at Brian and smiled. “I need $600 more at the end of the night. This will cover any extras he may want to indulge in. I won’t say no to any pervy thing he might ask for within reason,” she purred.
“Follow me then.” She obediently followed him out of the bar. At that moment, a taxi pulled up. “Come on,” he said as they got into the cab.
Mary was suddenly pulled out of Dakarai's past back to the present. She felt dizzy and out of breath. She felt his arms around her, holding her; he was whispering in her ear, telling her it would be better in a moment. She looked at Dakarai. He was so beautiful and she was insanely jealous of his tan skin. She looked at his lips and wondered what it would be like to kiss him. She hadn't kissed a man since Maurice and she was more than ready to give it a try.
Dakarai cursed to himself as he turned away from Mary. She was a temptress without even trying. She was so beautiful, perfect and demure, just the kind of woman that appealed to him. “So, Mary, tell me: where are you from originally?”
Mary smiled, thinking about the country of her birth. “France originally, though I haven't thought about my beginnings in a long time.”
“Tell me more about France, about your life there,” Dakarai probed.
“Well, I was in an upper class family and was engaged to be married. His name was Maurice. He was lower class but I didn't care. I loved him, anyway. One day he disappeared and I was devastated and depressed. I went to the barn to end it, to kill myself, and I almost succeeded, but Enri, a vampire, came along and turned me to save my life.”
Dakarai took Mary in his arms in an embrace. “Thank you for sharing with me.”
“I sometimes wonder who I would have married if I had been stronger and hadn't tried to kill myself.”
“I think we all have that longing for a mortal life from time to time. Once our loved ones are gone, there can be no second chances.”
Mary looked at Dakarai, thoughtfully deciding if she wanted to continue sharing. Besides Sally, Dakarai was the first real friend she’d had. “That's funny you say that. I recently found out the reason my fiancé disappeared was because he was turned, too. Maurice is a Vampire, but he isn't the man he used to be; he’s lost his humanity. His soul is lost.” Mary looked down at her hands while thinking about Maurice. Her face showed her change in mood.
Dakarai took her hand in his. “Mary, I can see you cared a great deal for him.”
“I did. It was a long time ago; it’s hard to think about how he changed.”
“Did you try and give him another chance? Perhaps you could have made a difference. Sometimes a good woman can make a man want to change for the better.”
As Dakarai looked at the sadness in Mary's face, he desperately wanted to kiss her, to comfort her and make everything better. He immediately pushed that thought away; he was there for a reason. He loved Salihah, not Mary. He needed to plant the seed so Maurice could swoop in and finish this horrible plan already. He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand and spoke to her with the most soothing voice he could muster. “I think you should consider trying to help him.”
Mary looked at Dakarai and considered his words. Give Maurice another chance? She wasn't sure if she had it in her to even want to try. “I think about him sometimes, the way he used to be, and wonder if he could ever find his way back.”
“Perhaps he just needs your love and guidance,” Dakarai added, reluctantly. “Perhaps I should take you home now.”
“No; I will get a cab. I need to be alone to think.”
“Are you sure? I don't mind taking you.”
“Thank you, Dakarai, but I'm going to go now.”
Dakarai followed her to the door. He opened the door and, unexpectedly, Mary gave him a small kiss on the cheek and left.
The car door to the limo opened and Brian and a woman entered. Maurice smiled. The thought of the plump woman becoming his dinner brought a smile to his face.
“Hello Brian. Who is your beautiful friend?” Maurice spoke in a soothing but sinister voice.
“It's okay. Tell him your name,” Brian said to the woman.
“My name is Haley,” she said, nervously adjusting in her seat.
“You did very well, Brian; she is beautiful and she smells very sweet.”
“Thank you, Maurice. I had my meal at the bar. I'm going to take off.” He took a card from his pocket and handed it to Haley. “That has my cell number. Call when you want a ride home.”
“How thoughtful, Brian, but the driver will take her home,”
Maurice said.
Brian nodded and promptly left the limo.
Chapter 15
Haley twirled her blonde hair nervously. Maurice licked his extended fangs.
“Don't be scared, my beauty. You will enjoy this and wish it to never end.” He laughed. That did nothing to make Haley any less nervous; she sold her blood every other night at Bloodlust, but this was a whole new situation.
“I have to admit, I'm nervous. I don't ever leave the bar for a blood donation.”
“Ma Cherie, don't be frightened. I will be gentle and thoughtful.”
Haley finally relaxed a bit and looked up at him. “Okay, I guess I'm being silly. Do you want to bite me now?” she asked bluntly.
Maurice couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re an interesting blood whore. You go from being scared to offering up your neck in less than one minute.”
“It's part of the business; got to adapt quickly. I have to admit, I like your accent. Where are you from?”
“France, but I usually hide my accent.”
“Why would you do that? It's hot and it's who you are.”
Maurice looked at Haley for a moment. She looked so sweet with her blonde hair and he just then noticed her grey eyes full of expression. He had never taken the time to get to know his meal before. He would have to get her number and make her a regular meal while he was in Detroit.
“I'm hungry; could you tilt your neck, please?” Haley nodded, brushed her hair from her neck, and offered her neck to him. He didn't sink his fangs in. Instead, he kissed her neck. She relaxed and a small moan escaped her perfect red lips. Suddenly, he sank his fangs into her—a moment of pain, followed by intense pleasure as he drank her sweet blood. Her blood was delicious; so warm and comforting as it slid down his throat. A moment later, he extracted his fangs and licked the wound, sealing and savoring the spot one last time. Maurice was shocked, to say the least. He hadn't expected to enjoy the feeding quite so much.
“Wow,” Haley said as she lay on the seat of the limo with her head still on Maurice’s lap.
He stroked her hair as she rested and drowsily closed her eyes. He yelled at the driver to take him back to his temporary apartment. He decided he wanted Haley. He wanted to keep her.
Haley awoke to a curly brown haired woman in front of her. The woman smiled enthusiastically, way too much for her taste. Damn, that girl needs a cheeseburger, she thought, taking in the woman's very slim build.
“Hey sleepy head. You've been sleeping for hours. Maurice must have taken too much blood. But soon that won’t matter.”
“Where am I? What happened?” Haley asked.
“You're at our apartment. Oh, I'm Jacquelyn by the way. Maurice is my maker. He made me just like he's going to make you. We'll be Vampire sisters.”
“What are you talking about?” Haley shouted as she suddenly got up from the bed. “No one is going to turn me.” Haley stormed out of the bedroom and ran down the hallway to the living room, where Maurice sat typing away on his laptop. He stood, setting the laptop aside. Haley stopped and just stared at him. “I will not be turned against my will, do you hear me!?”
“Ma Cherie! I would never do anything you don't wish me to do. I was hoping you would want to be turned in time. I have brought you to stay with me. Please sit. Let’s talk.”
Haley knew she should leave, but something compelled her to sit down. She couldn't help but be curious as to why he would even want to turn her.
Maurice took Haley's hand in his and kissed the back of it. “I was drawn to you, Haley. I have lived a long, lonely, miserable life, and then I turned my first Vampire. Suddenly, I was not alone and it helped me want to be a good mentor to the vampire I turned. I had to return to France, but Brian, the Vampire I turned, wanted to stay here, so again I was alone. Then I met Jacquelyn. She was on the edge of killing herself until I turned her. She is so grateful. I want to turn you to make you part of our little family. Just consider it, and stay here until then. Of course I will pay you for the work you'll miss.”
Haley wasn't sure what to think. She fed Vampires for a living, but not once considered being turned. Suddenly, Maurice's lips were on her, kissing her, claiming her. That put all those thoughts to a stop. All she could think about was the Vampire kissing her. Maurice leaned into her, his hard body against her soft curves. He stopped kissing her and she gasped, wanting more.
“Stay for the day. It’s almost dawn.”
“Okay,” Haley stammered. Maurice stood up and held his hand out to her. She took it and he led her to the master bedroom.
“You will rest next to me tonight.”
Sally yawned as the shutters automatically opened, showing the night sky. She smiled while thinking about the dream she had starring Connor. As she wondered if he would call her, she silently scolded herself for acting so childish. She felt herself getting hungry for blood and thought she would go and see what kind of blood was in the kitchen.
Abby was singing along with a country song on the radio as she stood at the stove making scrambled eggs. She smiled when Sally walked up.
“Hey there. Hungry?” Abby asked Sally.
Sally nodded. “I was just going to have some blood.”
Abby scowled at her. “I'm making you eggs. How do you like them?”
“Scrambled with cheese,” Sally responded and sat down.
“Coming right up.” She smiled.
“So where is Javon?”
“In the shower. He'll be down in a little while.”
Abby grabbed a few more eggs from the carton and whisked them in a bowl with some milk. She added seasoning and poured them into the pan. The aroma filled the room and Sally felt her stomach growl. The eggs were almost finished and Abby sprinkled some Colby Jack cheese on top. She moved the eggs to a plate and placed the plate on the table. She grabbed the toast that just popped up and put that on the table, too.
“This looks so good, Abby,” Sally commented.
In all the years she’d been around, she had never learned to cook very well. A few times she even took cooking classes, but she just didn't have the knack for it.
“It's just eggs; no big deal.”
“It smells delicious, my love,” Javon said as he entered the room.
He gave Abby a loving kiss and sat down next to her at the table. They all dished out eggs and toast and began eating. Sally didn't realize how hungry she was until then. She preferred blood over food but since meeting Connor she had been going to dinner with him at least once a week. Abby smiled at her when she finished all the food on her plate.
“Wow, Sally, you eat like a horse,” Javon joked with Sally.
Abby swatted him on the shoulder.
“Be nice,” she scolded.
“I'll show you nice,” he said as he pulled Abby onto his lap and began kissing her neck. Abby ran her hands through his hair as he kissed her.
Sally was finished eating and thought that was a good time to leave.
Chapter 16
Mary just finished taking another round of drinks to a table of college students when she spotted Sally walking in. She smiled and ran over to greet her. Sally was her oldest friend. They had been friends before Mary was turned in France. Mary had no idea Sally was a Vampire until recently, and their friendship had picked up right where it left off, as if no time had passed.
“Sally!” Mary yelled, giving her friend a big hug.
“Oh, Mary.” Sally laughed. “It's good to see you, too.”
“Come on; let’s sit. I was just about to take a break,” Mary said as she dragged her friend over to the Vampire bar area. Sally ordered a Blood Spritzer and Mary asked for an Orange Juice and a shot of B-pos blood.
“So Mary how is the new apartment?”
“I love it. I even got a cat. It can get a little lonely, but I remind myself what my life was like before and I get over it quickly,” she joked.
Enri, an old lover of Sally’s, turned Mary over three hundred years ago. Mary lived with Enri the wh
ole time, until recently, when Enri claimed to love Mary. She didn't share his feelings and finally moved out.
Sally took a sip of her drink. It was a little sweet. Must be a new bartender, she thought to herself. Mary downed her shot of blood and followed it with a sip of her orange juice. “So, tell me what has been going on with you? Since I got my new place I never see you.”
“I just started dating Connor. I was reluctant but it's going well and we're taking it slow.”
“I knew it; I just knew he wanted you. The way he looks at you is like real love; it's the kind of love every woman wants.”
Sally, not used to feeling shy or embarrassed, covered her face. “What am I doing?” she asked herself out loud, shaking her head and looking at Mary.
“You're following your heart,” Mary said, suddenly sounding very serious. “One thing I learned from living with Enri was you can’t please everyone, and if you want to be happy, just be happy.”
“How are Enri and Mallory?” Sally asked, wanting a change of topic.
“He is over-the-moon happy. She's thinking about turning. After the cancer nearly killed her, she doesn't want to take any chances. I'm so happy he found someone; he deserves it.”
Sally looked at Mary and abruptly asked, “Are you seeing anyone special?”
“Not dating, but I met a guy, a Vampire. He’s new in town and we're friends. His name is Dakarai. He is the most handsome man I have ever met. He’s so exotic and ancient; he shared some of his memories with me. I didn't know you old Vamps could do that.”
Sally's face turned from friendly and easygoing to one of fear. She knew Mary could tell because she stopped taking and looked at Sally with concern.
“Sally, what’s wrong?”
Sally grabbed Mary by the arm, intent on making her friend take her words very seriously. “Dakarai is not to be trusted. He's...” She swallowed hard and continued. “He's my maker!”
Dakarai strolled for his night’s meal when his phone rang. “Yes?” he answered sternly.
