Haven's Choice

by Tarah Knight

  Deacon shook his head. “I’m sure there are more, however Lucy is the only one that stays in the cabin. She really won’t hurt you. She eats bugs and other nasty little things. She is my exterminator.” Haven continued to shake her head. “Don’t care… really don’t care. You need an exterminator then call Terminex. I’m serious Deacon.”

  “Very well, I’ll put her outside, and we can work on your phobia while we are here.” He walked out of the bathroom with Haven right behind him. “No, you will put her in a cage, so I’ll know she won’t decide to come snuggle up with me while I sleep, and I’m just fine with my phobia. I’ve had it a long time we are friends.”

  “Haven, I won’t have you frightened of something for no reason. We can overcome your fear.”

  “Deacon, I like my fear. I don’t want to overcome it.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “No, I don’t!”

  “Haven did you seriously enjoy the fear that you experienced in the bathroom when you found Lucy? I can help you not to be afraid. You may never like spiders, but at least you won’t fear them.” Haven looked at him with her head cocked. “Why is this so important to you? It’s not a big deal.” He placed Lucy in a large mason jar then punched some holes in the lid for air. Then he walked over to her. He placed his hands on her shoulders. “This is important to me because you are important to me. I didn’t like hearing the fear in your voice and seeing the terror on your face. It’s a simple thing for me to fix for you. I don’t want you to fear anything. You needn’t fear anything. You are Legend. What can harm you? Not a spider, no matter how big it is.”

  “She is creepy. With all those hairy little legs! Blah!”

  “No, she isn’t creepy. She is brilliantly made. Designed perfectly to do what she was created to do. If it wasn’t for all the Lucy’s in the world we would be overran by all manner of insects. Look, notice how she is covered by the bristle? That’s her protection against animals that might try to eat her. She can throw the hair or project it at whatever is threating her. The hairs are very irritating to the eyes and mouth. She has all those legs to hold and capture her prey. She was put on this earth for a reason, doesn’t she deserve to live as much as we do?” Haven threw up her hands. “Now you’re starting to sound like Brooklyn. Yes, I suppose she does have a right to live, but does it have to be in the bathroom?”

  Deacon chuckled. Then walked over to the jar. “Come, make peace with Lucy. She can’t hurt you now, not that she ever would.” Haven walked slowly over to where Deacon held the jar in his hand. She tried to see Lucy as he did, to look past her preconceived fears. The first thing she noticed was that the spider wasn’t just brown, but multicolored. She had a lot of black and deeper russet on her legs. Her saddle, which was a very pale tan, was actually more like brushed velvet than leather. Her eyes were shiny black and seemed to be regarding her as curiously as Haven was looking at her. “Hi Lucy, sorry we got off to a bad start, but you startled me. Thank you for eating all the bugs and don’t take this personal, but I don’t think we are going to be best friends ok?”

  Deacon smiled at her. “See? You are a brave girl. I knew it all along.” Haven rolled her eyes at him.

  “Right, like you were going to leave me alone about it. Ok, I’ve made nice with Lucy. Can we put her away somewhere so I can go to sleep please?” He put Lucy in a closet after apologizing for such inhumane treatment then walked over to the kitchen area removing a glass from the cabinet. Turning back to Haven, he bit deeply into his wrist watching her intently as her eyes dilated while he filled the glass. Watching him slowly lick the wound on his wrist closed had Haven feeling all hot and bothered again. Her hand was visibly trembling as she reached for the glass. She started to take a sip then stopped giving Deacon a pointed look.

  “Oh, of course I’m sorry. I’ll just go check on things outside.” Then he walked out. She quickly drained the contents of the glass before she went back in the bathroom to change after looking carefully to make sure Lucy didn’t have any buddies over. When she emerged from the bathroom Deacon was getting his cot ready. He had removed his shirt and Haven shamelessly stared as his muscles danced and bulged as he moved. His back was broad and layered in heavy muscle it tapered down to slim hips with twin dimples just above the waist of his slacks. Her eyes drifted lower to the finest behind she had ever seen. Actually, that wasn’t exactly true. There was at least one more in existence that could give Deacons a run for his money. Shaking her head to control her lusty thoughts she cleared her throat and walked over to her bed. She noticed as she pulled back the covers that there was now a heavy shutter over the windows and door. Smart guy, she thought. Can’t have someone barging in and frying them to a crisp as they slept. She climbed into bed and snuggled down into the covers then watched as Deacon tried to get as much of his large frame on the cot as possible. She knew he would never willingly let her sleep there, even if it was the most logical answer. So she would have to resort to a little trickery!

  “Hey Deacon? I hate to bother you, but I’m still just a tad nervous that Lucy could have invited some friends over without telling you. Would mind terribly to please check under my bed?” She smiled her innocent wouldn’t dare deceive you smile at him. Making sure her eyes was large and child like for extra measure. She did stop short at batting her lashes at him. No need in overkill. Besides it was working. He got up and dropped to his knees to look under her bed. Quick as a wink Haven jumped out of her bed and piled up on the cot. When Deacon raised his head he glared when he saw where she was.

  “Don’t. Just don’t. This makes more sense and you know it. Look I even have room to spare!” When he continued to frown at her she just sighed. “Listen, if we are maybe going to have a really really long lifetime together then you need to learn when my mind is made up there isn’t much you can do to change it. My mama said I could give stubborn lessons to a mule.” He got up off the floor still scowling but climbed into the bed. “Your mother sounds like a very wise woman.” He commented dryly.

  “Oh she was! Mama had what she called country smarts. She didn’t graduate from high school; she got pregnant with me and then got married. But she was still one the smartest people I’ve ever known. She could stretch a dollar so tight you could floss your teeth with it. My daddy left us when I was barely a year old so mama had to make it on her own. Then when my baby brother came along we moved back in with granny. I bet they wonder what happened to me. I wonder if my face is on a milk carton somewhere. You know I bet that’s what happened to a lot of those kids on milk cartons. They got sucked dry, or changed. I wish I could tell them I’m ok.” She whispered wistfully.

  “So why don’t you?” Deacon had rolled over to his left side and was watching her as she rambled on like a run away train.

  “How could I? Don’t you think they would notice a few little changes? Like my fangs and sudden intense allergy to direct sunlight?”

  “They make dental overlays and you could go see them in the evening when the sun isn’t that strong. You don’t have to give up your family completely, not yet anyway.” He advised.

  Haven smiled then she frowned. “But I would have to eventually wouldn’t I? They would notice that I wasn’t aging wouldn’t they? I guess maybe I should leave well enough alone. No need in breaking their hearts twice. It would be hard to explain where I’ve been for the last few months anyway.”

  “That would be years from now Haven, even then you could tell them you had some work done or something. Movie stars do it all the time. There are several options.” Then he paused. “I know what its like to lose your family. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

  She could hear the deep sadness in his voice. “Deacon, please don’t be mad, but Brooklyn told me about your parents. I’m so sorry.”

  He smiled faintly. “It’s alright. As my Serah you have the right to know about my history. If Brooklyn shared that confidence with you then she must feel the same way. You know Haven, there is a couple of choices we haven’t tal
ked about yet. I’m not sure how you would feel about them, but I want you to know all your options.” When she looked up at him, he continued. “You could always tell them what you are. Of course that comes with definite risks and I wouldn’t advise that you tell anyone that you couldn’t trust completely, I was thinking of perhaps the grandmother?” Haven was taken aback in surprise! Tell her family what she was? Tell them she was a vampire?

  “I don’t really think that would go very well Deacon. My granny would get out her anointing oil and try to cast the devil out of me. No, that’s not an option at all. What is the other option?” He was silent for a moment and without looking at her he told her the other option.

  “You could change them.” He said softly. “Change them? Make them a vampire? No.” She said harshly. “But look at what you’re offering them Haven. Your grandmother would be young again, healthy. She wouldn’t have to suffer the pain and indignities of growing old. Your brother would be fit and strong for hundred of years he wouldn’t go through a middle age crisis or know the feeling of seeing his manhood waste away. Look at what they would gain, Haven before you just decide to say no.”

  Haven’s eyes could set fire to the bed they were shooting off so many sparks. “What I would be giving them? What about what they would lose Deacon? They would lose their option to live their lives the way God intended. We are supposed to grow old and suffer the ‘indignities’ as you called them. We are not supposed to live for hundreds of years! Its goes against the laws of nature. Everything dies.”

  He sat up on the side of the bed. “We don’t Haven, not for a very long time. Wouldn’t you like to have your family live a life as long as ours?”

  Wiping her tears away angrily she shook her head. “No, not like this.” He frowned. “Why not Haven? Are we so bad? Do you still think of us as monsters? Boogie men perhaps? Is what you are such an abomination that you would rather see your family whither and die than to become one of us?” She wouldn’t look at him, and he barely heard her answer, but she clearly said yes. What would it take to make her realize he wasn’t a soulless monster? That she wasn’t a soulless monster? He got up and grabbing her by the shoulders he pulled her roughly to her feet. Then he slapped her palm against his bare chest. “Do you feel that Haven? That’s my heart… beating for the first time in centuries. What did that? What made a dead lifeless heart beat again? You did.” He placed her palm next to his mouth and breathed into it. “Do you feel that? What did that? What made still lungs draw breath again? You did. If you can bring the body of a man back to life just by being how are you a monster? And if I am what you are, then how am I a monster? I live, I breathe, I mourn and I love. I am not a monster Haven, I won’t tolerate you saying it or even thinking it. Am I clear? You are a miracle, my miracle. My gift from God.” He tunneled his fingers through her hair to hold her head still when she started to shake it in denial. “No, you are everything I have prayed and begged God for, for centuries. You’re so beautiful and perfect. Nothing as wonderful as you can ever be considered a monster. Never. Say. It. Again.”

  Then his lips crushed hers. He kissed her desperately like a man trying to draw his final breath from her lips. He wouldn’t let her go. He swung her up into his arms and placed her on the bed his mouth ravishing hers. Haven couldn’t breath, but she didn’t need to. He was breathing for the both of them. She could feel the rasp of stubble on his chin she didn’t care. She opened her mouth wider trying to draw more of him in. She had never felt such a burning all consuming need before! When he finally let the full weight of his body settle down on hers she moaned. That sweet ache in her lower stomach blazed out of control spreading down her pelvis and centering at her core. She could feel her heartbeat pulsing wildly at the juncture of her thighs. “God, Deacon! It burns! I’m burning up! Please make it stop!” She pleaded. He rose up looking at her she saw that his eyes were blazing. “I’m only starting to make you burn, my love.” He promised.

  She gasped as he ripped her pajama top open baring her breasts for his hungry eyes. Haven arched her back silently begging him to take them. He needed no further encouragement. He lavished his attentions from one breast to the other, scraping his fangs lightly across her sensitive flesh growling deeply as Haven tried to squirm out from under him. “Its too much! I can’t take it!” She begged. She thought he heard her plea and was stopping when she felt his weight lift off of her, but she couldn’t have been more mistaken. Suddenly her pajama bottoms were snatched off leaving her clad only in her dark purple thongs. Then he stopped. He stopped and stared at her with eyes that no longer looked human, but something more… something of Legend. Haven panted as she tried to catch her breath, but he was continuing to stoke her fire without touching her. He slowly reached out with one finger and traced the outline of her panties. Her stomach muscles jumped and quivered as he lightly brushed his warm finger across her stomach. He looked up catching her stare holding her captive in his heated gaze as his fingertip went from soft and warm to sharp and cold. Then without breaking his gaze he sliced her panties with a quick downward motion making her jump. He slowly shook his head from side to side, silently warning her not to move. Then he cut the other side of her panties bunching them up in his fist he pulled them from her body. Haven was completely bare before him. His eyes still had not released hers. Then he gradually brought his gaze downward. She could literally feel his hot stare scorching her flesh as he slowly made his way down her body until they reached the pentacle of her womanhood.

  Deacon dropped to his knees as his eyes beheld the treasure that was his Serah. He had never looked upon such beauty, such tantalizing seductive female flesh. Her body was made to drive a man to his knees, and he went there willingly. He sat there on his knees worshipping her as she should be worshipped. When she started to move his eyes flashed back to hers. “Don’t.” He growled out in a voice so guttural he didn’t recognize it as his own. He could see the evidence of her arousal glistening on her thighs. His mouth watered and his fangs throbbed painfully almost as much as another part of his body. Unable to stop himself he cupped her legs just behind her knees and pulled her to him.

  Haven had never seen a look on a man’s face like that before. He looked awe struck and humbled; yet starving and demanding all at the same time. When he hit his knees she knew it was beyond his control. She could feel his eyes as they scorched a trail to her center where she knew he would see her desire. While not a virgin, Haven was by no means experienced. After a few clumsy attempts with her high school sweetheart she had put sex on the back burner to concentrate on her schooling. She hadn’t even thought about it too much until Byron showed up. With his pale blonde hair and sky blue eyes he had the face of an angel with the body of a sex demon. She had wanted him something fierce, but he wouldn’t give it up, no matter what she tried. One serious make out session was all she got. Of course now she knew why. Looking at the fires blazing in Deacons eyes she knew that would not be the case here. If anything she might be in for more than she bargained for. Suddenly feeling more than a little afraid she started to sit up but was stopped by his one word command. She felt his hands on the back of her calves and she was jerked to the edge of the bed. When he lowered his head between her thighs she knew there would be no stopping.

  Deacon feasted on the divine meal that was before him. He could not get enough of the sweetness that would now and forever hold him as slave. Haven’s hips started moving in a dance as old as time that rhythmic motion that had his own hips moving in time with hers. He felt her body tighten as she reached down to fist his hair in her hands holding him to her. Suddenly her moment was upon her as she cried out twisting and rolling her hips faster. He smiled as he heard his Serah’s cries of completion then he sank his aching fangs into the sweet flesh of her inner thigh.

  Havens body splintered into a billion pieces! She thought she felt her soul leave her body for brief moment. Before she could even catch her breath she felt the sharp pleasure/pain of his fangs sinking into her thigh.
He started to stroke her deeply inserting one then two fingers to stretch her, preparing her. Haven glanced down to see him staring up at her the combination of his fingers and hearing him groan softly as he drank from her sent her spiraling once more into the heavens. Moments later Deacon was settling into the cradle of her thighs she felt the hard yet soft brush of him against her center. He paused looking deeply into her eyes. Once more he whispered something in a language she didn’t understand right before he moved his hips to push his way home.

  A shrill ring had her jumping nearly out from under him. “What the devil is that?” he grumbled. It kept ringing playing some ridiculous song over and over. Suddenly it dawned on Havens lust induced mind what it was! “Oh crap its Brooklyn!” She tried to push Deacon off of her but he wouldn’t budge. “It can wait.” He told her. “No! It can’t! If I don’t answer what will she think?” He arched his eyebrow in such a way she suddenly thought she was staring at Barron. “That you’re sleeping? We are not stopping.” He tried to push his way in but Haven shifted her hips. “No! Deacon, we can’t! Oh, my God what are we doing? We are not supposed to be doing this! What did we last an hour?” The phone stopped ringing for a few seconds then it started again. Deacon groaned loudly cursing under his breath then rolled off of her. She sprinted across the cabin and searched through her bag until she found her ringing cell phone. “Hey, Brooklyn.” She listened for a few moments then she got really still. Deacon saw her face go as white as the sheet she had yanked from the bed and wrapped around her. When her eyes met his, he didn’t know what had happened, but he knew it was bad.