by Stina
Adirah felt something warm explode in the center of her chest. The feeling made her so uncomfortable, she jumped. Kesh acted nonchalantly, like he hadn’t noticed her reaction.
Kesh was too perfect, with his neatly twisted locks; his smooth, blemish-free skin; his straight white teeth. Kesh’s bone structure was distinct in an Idris Elba kind of way, and Adirah could see the outlines of his thick biceps even through his black leather jacket. She didn’t think she’d ever be attracted to someone like Kesh, but this man was gorgeous. When she realized that she’d let her guard down too easily, she broke eye contact. She couldn’t afford to trust anyone. Especially not with her feelings.
She closed her eyes and folded her lips in. “I better go.” She stood up abruptly.
Her sudden dismissal and movement seemed to shock Kesh. He bolted to his feet too, but not before Adirah had quickly darted up the steps to the Rothschild building. “Wait,” Kesh called after her, his tone anxious. He held his hands up, “Please wait. I never got your name.”
Adirah looked over her shoulder, fighting the urge to stare into his eyes. “That’s because I never gave it to you,” she snapped, repeating what she’d said to him in class the first time they’d met. “And it’s too late for me to be out here with a strange man like this. Besides, I have an early start tomorrow, don’t you?” she called over her shoulder. With that she was gone.
* * *
Kesh’s shoulders slumped with disappointment as he watched her through the glass doors until she disappeared. His hands curled into fists, and his jaw locked. He had never worked this hard for a woman’s attention.
Why won’t she let me get to know her?
“So, this is where you snuck off to,” Tiev said, rudely interrupting Kesh’s thoughts.
Kesh rolled his eyes. “I wish you would stop following me . . . and popping up on me like this,” he snapped, rounding on Tiev, scowling and baring his extended canine teeth.
“My job is to be your right hand. So where you go, I go,” Tiev replied. “Now, don’t try to change the subject. Tell me about her.”
Kesh shook his head. “I can’t understand why she doesn’t find me attractive and alluring, like all the others. Why can’t I get into her mind? No matter how hard I stare into her eyes, she doesn’t budge. I have no power when it comes to her,” Kesh said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It’s like . . . like . . . solving a riddle every time I’m around her. There is something mysterious about her, and it’s got me.” He gritted his teeth, punched his left fist into his right palm. “Urgh. I can’t stop thinking about her. I’m supposed to take over her mind, not the other way around.” Kesh started pacing. He was a king. No one treated him this way.
“Maybe this is all a good thing.” Tiev put his hand on Kesh’s shoulder, halting his movement. “Remember, all the ones who were too easy, you didn’t want them,” Tiev reminded him.
“How’d you know she was out here?” Vila asked, approaching from behind and interrupting their conversation.
Kesh turned his head slightly, but not enough to see Vila. “I followed you into her dream. You were supposed to be nice,” Kesh admonished.
“So, you didn’t trust me?” Vila asked.
“I don’t have to trust you. I know you. Do better next time. Our time is running out,” Kesh said with finality. He didn’t have to look at Vila to know she was fuming.
Woodstock
Bethel, New York
August 1969
Kesh noticed her before she saw him. He was struck by her beauty—smooth skin; long, straight black hair; round innocent eyes; and a model’s shape—long legs, short torso, full breasts. He could tell she was young, way younger than him. Suddenly he felt self-conscious about the full mustache and the long furry Elvis sideburns he’d let grow on his face. He’d done it to fit in with the times. Kesh had grown tired of changing his appearance with every new trend over the decades, but it was necessary for his survival. If he simply dressed like the era he was from, he would stick out too much. That level of attention was not what he needed or wanted. Kesh had to float through each new era, participating in the trends but keeping a distance from the population.
He eyed the girl as she twirled around and danced to the live music. The moment Kesh heard of the huge music festival, he knew it was going to be a perfect place to feed. Hundreds of thousands of young concertgoers partaking in the music and drug culture would have their guards down. It was going to be easy pickings.
The huge muddy field was crowded with people, yet she laughed like she was in her own world. There was no discernible music close by, so she was dancing to her own beat. A group of twenty to thirty people had gathered, and they were all dancing together. Kesh figured they were under the influence of one of the many illegal drugs that were making their way around the festival grounds. The girl’s fluid movements were erotic, and Kesh was turned on. He watched her take a joint from another girl, put it to her lips, and take a long pull. Kesh’s assumption was correct; they were all getting high. Even the way she locked her mouth around the tiny white homemade cigarette was sexy.
Kesh moved closer. He could smell her from where he stood. Marijuana, hemp oil, dead roses, and coconut were what she smelled like. Fresh blood. He felt his nature rise and had to turn away for a few seconds before anyone noticed. Having heightened senses was one of the things about being transformed that Kesh was still getting used to, even after a century of being a vampire. He could see, hear, taste, and smell better than any animal alive. When he turned back around, the beautiful girl was closer to him. Almost in his face. Her closeness caught him off guard, and he stumbled back a few steps.
“I saw you watching me,” she said, giggling and moving her head around fluidly, like it wasn’t fully connected to her neck. Up close, she was even prettier than she appeared from a distance. Kesh was entranced by her beauty. There was an aura surrounding her. Her smell was intoxicating. Her chestnut-brown eyes were bright, and the homemade headband of flowers that wrapped around her forehead contrasted beautifully with her skin and made her look ethereal, like a fairy.
“You’re beautiful,” Kesh said, grabbing her hand and kissing its top. “I had to stop and stare at your beauty.” He looked into her eyes. “And your smell is delicious.”
“Oh, my God,” she gushed. “No man has ever done that to me before . . . kissed my hand like a real gentleman.” Kesh could see her cheeks get rosy at his touch.
“Let me be your first for more than just that,” Kesh said, pulling her closer to him and wrapping her in his arms. The freshness of her scent and the purity of her soul were driving him wild. He buried his face between her shoulder and neck to inhale her sweet scent. He had to bite down on his own lip to keep his animal instincts at rest. It was all he could do to keep from feasting on her supple neck.
“You’re so strong,” she said, her words floating on light breaths. “I want to touch your muscles.” She squeezed his defined biceps. A quiet moan escaped from her lips.
Within minutes Kesh had her in his tent. The flicker of the candles on either side of the enclosed space cast a glow over the girl.
“What’s your name?” he asked as he moved her long strands of hair behind her shoulders. He stared into her eyes and smiled.
“Ve . . . Veron . . . Veronica,” she said, barely able to speak.
“You’re beautiful, but I think I want to call you Vila,” Kesh said, pulling one strap of her crop top down until it hung hear the crook of her arm. He ran his hand down her shoulder and over her breast.
“Vila,” she repeated, entranced. “Ooh . . . okay.” She moaned softly as Kesh circled the rigid skin of her areola with his finger.
“With me, your name can be no longer than four letters. A letter for each point on the Sefu symbol,” Kesh replied, knowing that the girl would have no idea what he was speaking about. She shook her head up and down in agreement, anyway. She was entranced by this mysterious man who had seemingly floated into her life. Kesh p
ulled the other side of her top down until both breasts were exposed. He lowered his head to her left nipple and sucked it gently.
“Vi-la,” she repeated again, dragging out each syllable on a hot breath.
“Yes,” Kesh hissed. “Vila.” He circled her, inhaling every bit of her essence. He stood behind her, taking deep breaths of her scent. He slowly pulled her shorts over her hips.
“What are you doing?” Vila giggled.
“Taking it all in,” Kesh replied.
He put his hand on her waist and turned her toward him. She let out a hot breath as he drew her face to his and forced his tongue between her lips. Vila moaned. Kesh moved his face from hers and trailed his tongue down the left side of her neck. He let out a low growl and gently guided her down to the floor. As she lay on her back, Kesh propped himself on his knees between her legs.
“Touch yourself,” he panted. “Let me watch.”
Vila gave him a lazy grin and slowly moved her hand between her legs. Kesh touched his bulge as he watched her rub her swollen clitoris with one hand and pinch one nipple with the other hand.
“You’re gorgeous,” he said as they lay on the pallet of blankets covering the floor inside the tent. “I can’t resist you,” he told her. He used his knee to part her thighs and wedged himself between them. Kesh wanted to take special care with her. He kissed every inch of her body, and she didn’t protest. She couldn’t. Kesh had successfully seduced her.
Kesh started at her mouth, then moved his tongue over her neck and couldn’t help but emit another low, hungry growl. He could feel the rush of blood and adrenaline through her skin. His urge was to feast right then, but he wanted this to last. He made his way down to her breasts and gently licked each one, sucking gently when he got to the dark, rigid circle of her areola. His body shook as he fought the impulse to bite the soft, delicate skin.
Vila moaned and panted through her mouth. She touched the top of his head, urging him on. Kesh continued down, taking his time, planting kisses on her flat stomach, the edge of her pelvic bone, her inner thighs. He inhaled like an animal on the hunt, sniffing out her fear and excitement. When he reached the fuzzy mound of her womanhood, the scent of her lady musk drove him insane. Kesh could tell she was different than the women who threw themselves at him and let him fall into them right after another man had just had them. She was pure of heart and soul. She was worth saving before the ways of the world corrupted her, he told himself. He might want to have her over and over for a long time.
Kesh extended his long tongue and flicked it over her clitoris, groaning in ecstasy, tasting her essence. He lowered his mouth and eased his tongue into her wet center. Vila yelled out her pleasure as he darted his tongue in and out, in and out. Kesh couldn’t control the fire raging inside of him anymore. He drank up her juices like he needed them to live. Vila’s thighs trembled. She was ready. Kesh leaned up and looked down into her face. He continued to watch as he entered her, gently at first, but with more vigor as his longing grew. Feeling his girth, Vila bit down on her bottom lip until she drew blood.
“Oww,” she wailed as he moved deeper into her virginal opening.
“Are you a . . . Are you a virgin?” Kesh gasped, unable to get his own breathing under control. She felt so good. Her insides pulsed and grabbed him, pulling him deeper and deeper.
Vila shook her head no, but Kesh didn’t believe her. The tightness, the pain, even the smell of blood coming from her busted lip was raw and pure, like that of a virgin. Kesh put his mouth on hers and tasted her blood. The sweet taste drove him wild. He moved in and out of her slippery opening carefully, but with enough vigor to make him want to explode. He couldn’t let her go. He wanted her . . . forever.
Vila dug her nails into the flesh on Kesh’s back. Her way of letting him know she was feeling every single one of his moves. Kesh rode a wave of ecstasy that he didn’t want to stop. He reared his head back and growled, his canines extending on their own. He was at that point. Vila looked up and saw the shine of his long teeth. Terror cropped up on her face, but Kesh didn’t give her a chance to scream before he sank his teeth into her.
“You’re mine, Vila. I will keep you with me forever,” he panted.
Chapter 4
“Adirah!” Lina screamed, bursting into their dorm room in a flurry. “Adirah!”
Adirah looked up from her textbook with wide eyes. “What? What’s the matter?”
“No. Nothing is wrong,” Lina replied, wheezing, her chest moving up and down like she’d been running a race.
Adirah looked from Lina to the girl standing next to her and back again at Lina.
“This is Vila,” Lina said, introducing her, smiling like she was showing Adirah a prized possession.
Adirah’s eyebrows went up. “Okay?” Adirah replied, baffled. She examined the pretty girl standing with Lina and thought the girl resembled a young Native American CoverGirl model—smooth skin; clear eyes; thick, long hair.
“Ugh. I forgot you don’t know anything about campus life. Vila is a member of Sigma Gamma Phi,” Lina said, still wearing a goofy smile.
This meant nothing to Adirah. She scratched her head and eyed both girls like they were aliens. It had been a week and a half with Lina, and every day was a new adventure or some new weird thing to learn. It was getting tiresome. Adirah just wanted to keep her head down, study, make the dean’s list, and graduate.
“It’s the sorority that is the sister organization to Sigma Rho, the most popular fraternity on campus. The hottest guys on campus too. The best parties on campus, the place everyone who is someone wants to be,” Lina explained, the excitement in her voice confusing Adirah to no end.
“Um . . . the same fraternity that just a week ago you said snatched souls?” Adirah asked, crumpling her eyebrows.
“Oh . . . ha! That, um, that was just a joke,” Lina said, looking over at Vila nervously. “My roommate is always joking.” Lina shifted her weight back and forth like she had something itchy in her pants. Adirah’s mouth hung open slightly. She would’ve never believed she’d see Lina behave like some coquettish groupie. Not the militant Lina. Not the Lina who wore all black to protect her soul and preached about the ills of falling too far into campus life.
“Hi, Adirah. I’m Vila,” the girl said, stepping forward with her hand out. Adirah unenthusiastically took Vila’s hand and shook it. The moment their hands touched, Adirah felt the same jolt she’d felt from the sexy stranger in her class the other day. Adirah quickly snatched her hand back and gave a halfhearted smile.
“Hi . . . I guess. I didn’t know Lina was friends with any sorority girls.” Adirah widened her eyes and shot Lina an arched brow and a tilted-head glare that said, “What the heck is going on here?”
Lina laughed way too hard and way too loud. “Adirah is so silly! Of course I’m friends with sorority girls. Vila and I have known each other forever,” Lina said. “I thought I told you about my good friend Vila. We met at . . . um . . .”
“Freshmen orientation,” Vila said, filling in the blank, laughing nervously. “Lina and I go way back. I can’t believe she never told you about me.”
“Right! I know I told you about Vila. I had to have,” Lina said, then stepped up and slapped Adirah on the shoulder a little too hard.
Adirah couldn’t help but frown. Lina’s behavior was beyond strange. It was like she was on some drug that had her completely wired. Of course she hadn’t mentioned being friends with any popular sorority girls. In fact, Lina had preached almost daily, for forty minutes straight, about how Adirah should stay away from the party crowd and the snatched souls and the undead.
“Vila invited us to an exclusive party tonight. It is invitation only,” Lina announced with too much eagerness in her voice.
Adirah nodded. “That’s nice of you, Vila, but I—”
“She has to find an outfit!” Lina yelled, cutting Adirah off in midsentence. “That’s what she was about to say . . . an outfit. But she needs the perfect outfit
. We will be there, but . . . but she has to get that outfit. You know how freshmen are . . . always trying to impress,” Lina said, rambling as she stepped between Vila and Adirah.
“So I’ll see you ladies there?” Vila asked, craning to see Adirah around Lina.
Adirah said, “Well—”
“Yes! We will be there,” Lina asserted, interrupting again. This time she pushed Vila toward their door.
“I’ll be looking for you. You’ll love our group. We really know how to show everyone a good time,” Vila said, smiling. “We are all about a good, good time.”
“Great. That’s great. Yes, we will be ready.” Lina kept shoving Vila toward the door.
“Adirah,” Vila called over her shoulder as she went to cross the doorsill, “I love that name. I think it is fit for a queen.”
Adirah put up her hand and smiled weakly. “Um . . . thanks. I guess,” she replied. She folded her arms across her chest and tapped her left foot, waiting.
As soon as Vila was gone and Lina returned, Adirah rounded on her like a lioness on prey. “What the heck, Lina? What was that all about?”
“Adirah, do you know how big this is? We have been asked to come to an invitation-only party, not just invitation only, but the most sought-after party on campus,” Lina said, flopping down on her bed, kicking her legs in the air like she was living her wildest dream.
“B-but,” Adirah stuttered, trying to find the words. This sudden change in Lina had Adirah confused. One minute she was a walking warning sign, counseling Adirah on the secrets of the campus and cautioning her not to get caught up in the social scene. And now she was diving headfirst into the shallow end of the pool with no life jacket and was pressuring Adirah to go to a party hosted by the one fraternity that she had warned Adirah about.
“But nothing! Let’s put on our best outfits and go,” Lina said, jumping up and shaking Adirah’s shoulders. “We are here to learn and to have fun. We can do both,” Lina cheered.
