by J. A. Smith
“That is a conversation for a different time, I can see you are clearly upset so I will not make you come to dinner tonight” I nearly snorted at him. Upset; yes that about covered the abandoned feeling I was having. I nodded to his assholenss and returned to my room.
About an hour later I heard a knock on my door, completely pissed off I threw it open to star wide eyed at Emily, who was holding out a small white envelope that had been sealed with Amelia’s red candle wax me. “Where are Robert and Amelia”? I asked as I took what she offered.
“The King and Queen have asked me to give you this once they were gone” She replied in a sneer.
“There not coming back” I stated looking at what could only be a good-bye letter.
“No they are not. I must go.” Emily said smiling with her departure. I stood in the doorway looking at the letter but not opening it. My body was going into that numb stage again.
“They left me” I said in a whisper to no one in particular but go figure there was one vampire left in the house and he just happened to be in hearing range.
“They had to Lana” Andre said standing in the door way.
“Why?” I asked through gritted teeth.
“Richard and Amelia were a little too attached to you, which could cause them to become weak in judgment. As their master I informed them it was best to cut ties, you have been challenged more than any shifter in history and survived. It is our law that if one lives through one hundred fights they are to be set free.” I just looked at my hands. What was I supposed to say to that?
“You are free to leave, whenever you want Lana” Andre said coming to sit with me on the bed.
“What did they do with the shifter that was in the basement?” I asked trying to figure out what the hell was happening.
“They took him with them. Why?” Andre asked calmly.
“I was his teacher and I have a right to know” I said in a calm low voice.
“I would think that you would be happy you are free, but you are not; why?” Andre asked, looking at me curiously. I glared at him.
“I have been here for three years, I know nothing about the outside world in which I don’t belong in, here with Richard and Amelia I had a purpose” I stated as calm as possible.
“You cared for them deeply” Andre stated scooting closer to me.
“Yes” I said trying to push him back; it was like trying to move a Peter built truck. That made me nervous. I knew the older a vampire was, the stronger they were.
Andre seemed to come to some conclusion; standing he straightened his shirt in irritation. “I will leave you to your packing then” was his parting words. I sat there staring at the door for what felt like forever trying to figure out my next move.
The letter in my hand seemed to be like a lead weight dragging my down, opening it I read Richard and Amelia’s final words to me.
Dearest Lana,
It breaks our hearts to leave you after all these years, but we were left with little choice. Do not be upset with Andre, for he is right to request your release. We have enjoyed our time together but every good thing must come to an end. Be safe.
With our love,
Richard and Amelia.
I read the letter several more times before crumbling it up out of frustration. I silently vented as I began gathering up my belongings. Could nothing go right in my life?
I started tapping my foot against the wood floors as I examined my clothes that now littered the bed, wondering where I would find a suitcase now that everyone was gone. Being waited on all these years had its draw backs it seemed.
I was going to have to ask Andre where to acquire a suitcase.
“Andre” I said over and over as I walked through the mansion that now seemed like a tomb. No familiar faces greeted me; no smells came from the kitchen. Empty was the word of the day.
I found Andre in the great room sitting casually on Richard’s throne. As I descended the stairs memories of my time here came swiftly; how Amelia would smile at me over her shoulder, the touch of her hand on my hair as I sat on my pillow at her side, all gone now. I closed my eyes to keep the tears I refused to shed at bay.
A hand on my shoulder surprised me enough that I caught it and twisted. I should have known it was Andre but my survival instinct had kicked in, releasing him I took a step back as he righted himself.
“I meant you no harm Lana” Andre said grinning.
“Sorry I was having a moment; but now that it’s gone I was wondering if I could get a suitcase” My shoulders tensed as I watched his grin widen. In a blur of movement I felt my arm twist behind my own back, he didn’t make me kneel for which I was grateful for. I could feel him chest plastered to my back, his long hair brushed my shoulders. I didn’t move or even breathe hard, waiting for his next move. “You smell delicious, I am betting you were a regular donor for Richard and Amelia” His breath on my ear caused goose bumps to break out all down my arms. I couldn’t just stand there any longer; dislocating my arm from my shoulder, a move I knew wouldn’t hurt me in the least but got me the required results; myself free from Andre grasp. I spun around quickly attempting to push him back but Andre caught both my arms against his chest.
I looked up at him to see what he would do now, just in time to watch his head lower toward mine. I could have stopped him, I should have stopped him but all the anger I had been keeping inside began felt bubbling up to the surface as his cold lips met mine.
I was not to fight him I remembered that in Richard’s letter, but no one said I couldn’t take out my frustration in another way. I pushed my tongue into his mouth seeking a duel in which I got. A loud moan escaped me as his hands let go of my wrist to settle on my hips. I reached around with both hands grabbing his long silky hair to deepen the kiss which he was adamant about taking over.
When I licked his fangs his body began shuddering, it made me feel powerful to have the first vampire in existence reduced to a puddle from such a simple act. To hell with Richard and Amelia’s warnings; bringing my hands back to Andre’s chest I began unbuttoning his silk shirt, he released the hold he had on my hips which gave me the opportunity to push him back with all my might.
He stumbled back a few feet surprised at my sudden rejection.
“You started this Lana, just keep that in mind” he said smiling. We both lowered to a crouching position waiting for the other to make a move.
I tensed my muscles like I was about to charge causing him to move first. He jumped in the air easily, and if I had been charging him I would have flown right past. Once he landed I had my arm around his throat from behind; I could kill him but I was in the mood to work off some of the angry energy I had at the moment.
“You are fast for a shifter” he said. I knew he was smiling. I felt him tense and prepared myself for the fight that would no doubt come. I figured he would have spun around so I planted my feet, not knowing he was close to a table in which he pushed off of causing me to lose my balance and fall to the floor.
He was crouched once again only this time on the other end of the room. I slowly began to rise watching Andre echoed my movement.
We began walking around in a circle not getting to close to touch but watching each other like the prey we were.
“You run hot and cold Lana, one second you are kissing me with more passion than any other woman has, and the next you are giving me a fight many would not attempt. What I am I to do with you”
“Many would not attempted it because they fear death, I for one have been looking that old friend in the face for years” I replied as I watched him run toward me. We both caught each other’s arms and twisted them in front, we were now holding very tightly to each other’s wrists, we would have been chest to chest if out arms weren’t in the way. I was panting a little not from exertion but excitement. I had never used fighting a
s a form of seduction but it seemed to be backfiring, I could feel my core heating up, no doubt he could smell the liquid pooling in my panties. When his head descended once again I gave in.
We both dropped each other’s arms and started to explore new territory. We both ripped each other’s shirts off until we felt skin. His was cold telling me he hadn’t fed tonight yet. I didn’t care I just needed to fill the emptiness that was dragging me down. I wrapped my legs around his hips not breaking the kiss; he picked me up and began walking backwards until I felt a table hit my butt. Sitting down I began pulling at the zipper of his pants. He had a firm grip on my hair and started to inhale my scent which at this stage in the game I could even smell. I started to suck on his slightly brown nipple, while he began pulling his pants down.
He laid me down on top of the table with a firm push. In one quick motion he pulled my pants and underwear off completely, he was being rough and I loved it, everyone else I had been with treated me like I was a breakable object. I sat back up and rapped my legs around his broad body, showing him I wouldn’t submit easily.
He growled at me as he positioned himself at my entrance, I was so wet he met with little resistance. When he set the tempo to a slow leisure I pushed him off me with all my strength, I didn’t want slow, already my body was shaking with mini orgasms, I needed more. As he staggered back I jumped off the table then turned so I could grab the table for leverage. He needed no further instructions; grabbing my hip bones he pushed inside me causing me to gasp from the sharp pain. My legs began to shake threating to give out as the pressure built. The sound of our bodies smacking together echoed in the great hall, until finally I felt my inner muscles clinching; white dots danced before my eyes with my orgasm.
I felt Andre shudder as he found his own release, nearly shoving me through the table I was currently gripping onto for dear life.
It took a few minutes for my heart rate to return to normal, I felt like I could easily turn into a puddle on the floor my legs were so weak. Andre chuckled when he pulled out to stand behind me.
“If I would have known you wanted me that badly Lana I would have sent Richard and Amelia away faster” he commented as his hand caressed my lower back. Slowly I stood up feeling like a bucket of ice water had just been dumped on my overheated body.
“I didn’t come down here to fuck you Andre, I only needed a suitcase” I practically growled. His smirk at my statement had me wanting to smack myself for my stupidity.
“If this is how you act for only a suitcase perhaps I shall keep you?” he stated, I felt my eyebrows shoot up into my hairline.
“You have already told me I can go; you wouldn’t go back on your word now would you?” I was really hoping he was joking; I didn’t want to be around him more, I already felt stupid for letting my hormones get in the way of finding a damn suitcase. Andre didn’t answer my question instead we got dressed; both of our shirts were ruined meaning we had to have this conversation topless.
“I am still free to go am I not?” I asked casually. Andre watched me for a few moments before speaking.
“Yes you are still free to go; but I would like to see you again” he was serious.
“You realize that what just happened was nothing more than a quick fuck correct? I have no feelings for you nor want to see you again, think of it as a onetime perk for releasing me” Andre’s eyes began to blaze red; not good.
“Do you have any idea who I am Lana?” he asked crossing his arms
“I am King of Vampires everywhere; women want to be with me for eternity, yet you a shifter just wanted one romp and nothing more?” He was almost yelling at me now.
“I am not the one who is having issues with just fucking here “King”. Yes I am a shifter and in your opinion at the bottom of the totem pole so what is the big deal.” This vampire had serious issues, like he was looking for someone to fill a void in his dead cold heart.
“What are you?” Andre asked almost in a whisper.
“I have no idea what you are talking about, you know I am a tiger shifter nothing more” I said firmly.
“You do not burn at our touch; you come in here and show me the greatest pleasure but yet want nothing more than a suitcase. You are faster than normal shifters in every way, plus I should have broken you with the way I was fucking, yet you took everything I gave. You are not a shifter! What are you!” he yelled. I began backing up; I didn’t know vampires could actually shoot ambers from their eyes when they blazed red. I backed up some more watching him mirror my movements; if it came to blows I had no clue if I could win.
“Lana, I am asking one more time before I check for myself. What are you?”
“I don’t know” I said swallowing hard, it felt like a lump of sand was stuck in my throat.
“Very well” Andre said before he lunged grabbing on to my shoulders as he bit into my neck. The wound closed almost as soon as he bit; only giving him a drop of my blood. He stood up and looked down at me with a surprised eye. I was beyond pissed now; pushing him away I had the satisfaction of watching him stumble back a few steps.
“Add healing too quickly for a shifter to the list I have already made” he said licking his chops.
“Wouldn’t it have been better if you had bit me while we were having sex? That’s what vampires do right?!” I said quietly as the storm built in my veins.
“I was merely trying to understand why you were so different from other shifters; you chose not to tell me, so I took matters into my own hands nothing more.” Andre said as he started to take steps back, now it was my turn to mirror his movements. All the hurt I had been bottling up seemed to explode at once; I couldn’t stop the words that came out of my mouth even if I had tried.
“Different? I thought I was human my whole fucking life. Then one day I learn I can hear human thoughts and turn into a huge cat for god sakes. And not only am I not like the other cats I am now surrounded by I don’t burn from you fucking pricks when I am supposed to; which makes me a freak of nature. Then I am taken from those I love to fight for those I hate in a fucking arena for three years. You have no idea what parts of myself I’ve had to sacrifice in order to survive” I screamed. You could only hear my panting in the silent room as Andre watched me like the tiger I was; dangerous and unstable.
“You are an enigma Lana; your blood tells me you are but a quarter human; you have some vampire traits as well which is fascinating, since we cannot reproduce. I have only tasted one other whose shifter blood is as pure as yours. I was not aware Malcolm had any children”
“Who the hell is Malcolm?” He wasn’t making any sense at this point. The smirk he sent me had me wanting to claw his dead eyes out.
“Your father of course” He said simply. I felt my mouth drop open for a few seconds before a hysterical giggle boiled up out of my throat.
“Wrong again” I laughed. Andre growled in warning apparently not liking the fact I was laughing at him.
“I am not wrong. Malcolm has not been seen for over a hundred years, though I know he lives. You see my dear Siberian he is the first Shifter as I am the first Vampire. Though I am quite curious as to what you meant when you said you could read human thoughts, as vampire of mine can also do that though she never mentioned a daughter” I stopped laughing waiting for him to continue. A predatory smile ghost over his face, he knew he had my attention now.
“I changed her twenty-one years ago, she of course doesn’t live in the United States but in Europe, looking at you though I don’t see much resemblance.” I felt like someone had hit me square in the gut. My mother was a still alive and a vampire? Andre placed his cold hand on my cheek as he looked down at me, his features softening.
“I would be more than willing to introduce the two of you, if you were willing to spend more time with me. I find myself very attracted to you Lana, your scent calls to me like no other. I do not like
weakness but it seems you might just be mine, what do you say?”
I stood there trying to absorb everything he had told me, was he playing games or was he serious? I felt like I was standing at a crossroads, if I took one path I would be with Andre until he tired of me but I would know my mother, on the other path I would be free to do as I willed, no longer a pet, no more arena’s, no more vampires. Staring up into Andre’s eyes I knew I could never be his.
“No” I whispered. He pulled his hand back as if I had burned him before he pushed passed, leaving me to my thoughts. I don’t know how long I stood there letting the emptiness of the room soak into me. I had just given up my mother for freedom, if I had gone on the correct path I would never know. With a heavy heart I walked but upstairs, there were three suitcases sitting by my door with no sign of Andre. After I had packed all of my belongings I carried my luggage down to the front door, a yellow taxi cab was waiting for me in the driveway. The human man who had been instructed to take me to the airport smelled of old gym socks, and couldn’t speak English very well. Leaning my head against the back seat I thought about the past three years; I knew nothing of living on my own, but the thought of doing something I wanted and not needed to ask permission had my heart a flutter.
Once I got to the airport I found out I had been in Northern California all this time, if I hadn’t been in a hurry to leave this place I would have liked to seen the ocean for the first time, but I didn’t want to take my chances with Andre so close. I didn’t have a ticket yet so I went to an internet café in search for the perfect place to start over.
I needed a remote place, but have the option to drive to a big city whenever I wanted to. I found what I was looking for in Oregon.
When we landed in Portland, I found out I wasn’t old enough to rent a car yet, I nearly laughed at the lady, my age might not have been up there but my soul felt like it was turning a million year old. Another cab took me to the first real estate agency I could find to look for a house. I told the lady who smelled of floral soap what I wanted; of course she tried to get me to live in the city. She didn’t like the fact I wanted to live out in the wilderness alone. Since I was paying for this all in cash I got my way.
