From the day he saw her at the auction something had awakened inside him. He had spent many nights thinking about that moment. How scared and weak she was, so fragile. He had made a titanic effort to hate her. To make her unimportant, but every effort had been in vain. Every time he saw her flit through the silent mansion his heart pounded in his chest. He didn’t deny himself his feelings. It was not necessary because she was his and always would be, but knowing that she was repressing her feelings aroused his anger. He only had to look at her bright eyes to see the huge amount of feelings she felt for him.
“Caleb?” Meryl asked sleepily as she sat up.
“Did I wake you up?” He rose from his chair and leaned on the bed beside her. “You must rest. You haven’t recovered yet.”
“I’m better. Today Alexander has made me eat more than I could.” She smiled. “But you don’t look good.”
He was silent without looking away. Meryl looked so innocent newly risen that he was unable to tell her what really worried him. There were casual rumors that had reached him about a group of free humans. Caleb really thought that they didn’t know what they were getting into. In the past when they numbered in the millions around the planet. It hadn’t been difficult to defeat them. Now that they were only a few thousand they would be completely exterminated or tortured to death. He assumed that the generations of this new era were not the same. They hadn’t enjoyed the same luxuries as the humans of the old world, their weapons, their armies and their total freedom over themselves. These humans were stronger and their spirit shone more brightly.
“It’s nothing,” Caleb said stroking Meryl’s hair. “Go back to sleep.”
“If you’re hungry,” Meryl said decisively,” You can eat. I’m better and I’m sure you have not been fed well.”
“You should not tempt me in your state, Meryl.”
Innocent, not stupid, that was the reality. She knew exactly what her offer would bring, but she couldn’t think of another way to be near him. To really feel him beside her. Just looking at his face she could tell that he hadn’t taken the necessary amount of blood because he seemed paler than usual. Deep inside she wanted to feel his touch. To feel the tenderness of his kisses and caresses, and thinking in this way embarrassed her. Because never in her life, no matter how much she liked a boy, had she come to feel such desire. Now, at last, she recognized her own feelings. After having felt that she had lost him forever in the world of her dreams, and did not want to deny it to herself.
Blocking her own thoughts and feelings she took Caleb’s hand in her hand. Holding it gently with a limitless love that it surprised him pleasantly. Caleb answered her gesture by taking her hands to his mouth, brushing a kiss on the wrist that had been marked with a tattoo of his seal and closed his eyes in a feeble attempt to imagine the suffering that she had endured.
“Does it still hurt?”
“No, it just stings a bit, but I guess that is normal.”
“I see.”
He reached the hand that he still had free to embrace Meryl and brought her closer to him. She dropped her head on Caleb’s chest. For a second, she felt so relaxed that sleep invaded her again, and although she tried to fight the battle was lost. He lay down looking for ways that she would be more comfortable. Half asleep she felt the heat given off by the body that clung to her. As if the world were going to end at that moment. The minutes and hours passed slowly, but not so boring. Caleb could see her pleasantly asleep. She was in his arms with her head resting on the bottom of his shoulder, so beautiful that it seemed unreal, and he knew the feelings that she caused in him made her beautiful in his eyes because there was no woman in the world who he wanted more than Meryl. She felt the dawn at her back. Something almost impossible for a mortal.
The door opened carefully causing a slight crunching sound.
“Caleb, Pein has arrived,” Alexander moved his lips without any audible sound for a human escaping his lips, “You should come.”
He nodded as he took Meryl and placed her back on the bed. He covered her with a luxurious bedspread and left the room in silence.
“By the look on your face. I don’t think you bring me good news,” Caleb blurted out a tired sigh before continuing. “Tell me everything that you saw. Things are going to get ugly.”
The three sat in the lounge while Pein recounted what little he was able to observe from the high mountain tree.
“Weapons?” Caleb asked incredulously. Pein nodded. “Someone is helping them. However great their numbers, it is impossible for them to know how to use any human weapon of the previous era.”
“Not even we know,” said Alexander watching his brother. “Those who were born after don’t have the slightest idea. We have only seen them a few times, nothing more.”
“That’s the main problem, Alexander. Whoever is helping them is someone high up. Someone from the Golden Age of humans, and in this case it’s quite clear that we are talking about a vampire. Did you notice something to give you an idea of when they might act?”
“There was some stuff packed,” Pein murmured thoughtfully as he rummaged in his memories. “I don’t think that it will take them long to arrive here. Will you report this to Amadeus?”
“I can’t do that. His policy is strict regarding these things. Anyway, it was him who was put in charge of defeating the rebels when the start of the new era occurred. He is a quiet guy, but when something contrary to his regime occurs. He can become crueler than you can imagine. I have been at his side for a long time. I know of what I speak.”
“You aren’t thinking of trying to fix things, right?”
Caleb stared at Alexander, and cursed him for a second because he knew him too well. Caleb had no other options. If he discovered who the ringleader was. He might have a small chance to reach an agreement.
Don’t kid yourself, Caleb’s thought. What kind of deal can be reached? None. Sitting, he rubbed his forehead thinking about all sorts of things. It was really difficult to make a decision. He didn’t even know what they intended, but it was clear they wanted freedom, and in that world, they were nothing, simple tools ... no vampire in his right mind would accept. If Caleb agreed to what they wanted. Epsilon would be the first to kill them all, including Caleb. Pein and Alexander also tried to think of a clear point of action, but the only thing they had thought of was impossible. The plan was perfect, of course, but carrying it out was another story.
“Don’t even think about it!” Caleb shouted, in a rage, so loudly that the sound echoed in the house. Attracting Meryl to the lower floor. “Have you gone mad?”
“There is no other option, Caleb. I don’t like it either, but ...”
“Don’t.”
He narrowed his eyes without looking away from his best friend. He expected this of Pein, but not Alexander. He was surprised.
Because of their loud voices they hadn’t noticed the soft footsteps of Meryl as she walked downstairs half asleep. Nor did they see her in the doorway with a frightened face. She had heard most of their argument and even if it was a little scary. She agreed with Pein and Alexander.
“I’ll do it,” Meryl said.
The screaming stopped suddenly as everyone turned to look at her. Caleb’s face was contorted in disagreement. However, Caleb sighed, basically he didn’t have another option. It was the only alternative.
“I will go.”
“No.”
“Caleb, I must go. I told you that if I could help. I would. You can’t stop it.”
“If they discover you. You know what they’ll do? Also, you just woke up. You’re too weak.”
“I know, and I feel better.”
“No, you don’t know,” Caleb raised the tone of his voice a bit, he began to feel a tightness in his chest that he’d never felt before. “I can’t let you go in as a spy and risk your life to save a bunch of strangers who would kill you if
they knew your true intentions.”
“I understand, really. I admit that it terrifies me, but Caleb, I have hope, and what if George is there?”
“Dammit, Meryl!” Caleb cried feeling defeated and betrayed by all three.
The plan itself was simple. Join the rebels and discover their true intentions. The problem was how to get there without being discovered, because if Meryl just appeared in the camp they would be suspicious. Pein and Alexander would take care to find a way. Since Caleb had flat out refused to participate. He simply could not expose her that way.
Angered, he had gone to his room, and with a loud slam of his made everyone aware of his bad mood. Meryl felt bad, so bad that she hated herself, but deep down she also felt joy. A little happiness in her heart because he was worried about her.
A couple of hours after the discussion, Meryl broke down and was filled with courage to go and try to change Caleb’s mind. She stood in front of the door, nervous and thinking about what words to use.
“What do you want?” Caleb asked once he opened the door. “I do not want to continue with the same conversation.”
His scathing tone was about to cause her to leave. She bit her lip nervously, but eventually ended up entering with more determination. Then she placed a hand on the doorknob.
“Although, you don’t want to. I think we should talk.”
It was almost a whisper, but he listened as he stared out the window, his back to Meryl.
He is a true leader, she thought, watching his perfect position.
“Caleb, listen. I know it’s crazy. I won’t deny it. It terrifies me to be there alone. I was never good at acting, but I think it’s what I should do. I believe it so deeply that I can’t help it. I know you’re worried, and that makes me braver.”
Caleb turned his slightly sharpened gaze. His eyes had a different glow. It was almost dazzling in the darkened room. He was thoughtful and almost wanted to hate her, because he knew that her words would change his mind. He snorted and looked out the window.
With that gesture, Meryl suddenly felt defeated but was unwilling to surrender. She had to show him her confidence. She walked up to him and stood by his side trying to find what he was looking at so intently.
“Don’t you understand that I’m worried?” Caleb confessed suddenly. “I can’t protect you out there, Meryl. You will be master of your actions and solely responsible for what happens. If you make a mistake. You’re alone.”
“I know.”
“Then, how do you think I can accept this foolishness?” Caleb asked.
“You don’t have a choice,” Meryl smiled ruefully drawing his gaze to her outstretched hand.
“I need you to trust me,” Meryl said.
Without saying a word and without being able to restrain himself Caleb reached out and hugged her hard. Meryl was pressed against him with a shy smile on her lips. Every day that passed made her heart beat faster and faster. It didn’t take much for her to feel it, which shocked her, a look, a touch or a hug were enough for the blood to run through her at the speed of sound.
Just a minute later Caleb’s arms loosened. He watched her in the shadows. She was slightly flushed. She seemed really sweet with those blushing cheeks.
“What’s up?” Meryl wanted to know, unable to see in the dark. “Caleb?”
Meryl didn’t get the answer she expected, although she did the one she craved. Suddenly she felt on her lips a wet, warm weight, too sweet to be real. She closed her eyes. He made her feel drunk and she lost her head. Before she realized it, they were on the soft bed and she was barely able to take a breath between kisses. This was the first time she had let herself get carried away. Her mind was blank because of him.
Feeling Caleb’s hands touch her gently on her lap forced her to take a few breaths. Meryl was surprised by her own thoughts. She wanted more and was terribly ashamed to confess it to him. Meryl stopped for a few seconds, letting her head cool, and tried to analyze everything. What to do or how to behave were things that tormented her.
“I’ve been very hungry,” Caleb suddenly whispered in her ear, “So today you must give me the best of all.”
Although Meryl tried to speak. She couldn’t. She could feel Caleb’s breath on her neck and the brush of his lips on her skin literally made her melt into his strong arms. Every touch made her lose her head more and more. She was practically in her underwear. This was the first time that she felt like a woman. There was no man on earth capable of causing this reaction other than Caleb. She wanted him so much that she wanted to cry, and cursed herself for having taken so long to realize it.
Meryl groaned suddenly surprised by Caleb’s hands clasping her breasts. She could not describe the feelings that she felt. That exquisite joy that made her lose her mind. She tried to move away from him, but her hands refused to follow those orders and again revealed the desire of her body. Once again, her body showed its desire and this time she did not care.
Caleb was surprised at his own self-control. He almost wanted to lose his head, but could not, compared to him she was just a kid with no experience. For a moment, something flashed through his mind. The desire was replaced with pain at the mere thought that any other man would see her flustered expression and bright eyes of desire. He made an incredible effort to set aside those thoughts, but then he loosened her bra and heard Meryl’s murmurs. Who tried with all her strength not to say a word and covered her mouth with both hands. Caleb felt the greatest ecstasy of his life. At that time, he realized how much he loved her, and that no one would be able to bring out those feelings in her, no one but him.
To punish her for repressing herself in front of him like that. He could not help but pull her hands from her mouth. He heard her sigh when he laid his lips on her naked breasts.
As if time had stopped and no one else existed in that dark world. Meryl slightly opened her eyes expecting to see Caleb. The darkness had engulfed him, but not before letting her see the reflection of his glowing red eyes that seemed to come from another world and that stared at her for a moment to disappear again after a few seconds. Unable to control her breathing. She felt her skin melt under those hands that gave off a hellish heat.
Her nakedness did not matter. Thinking that she wasn’t sexy didn’t either. She could only think about him. He occupied every nook and cranny of her mind and when his hands moved down and he left a trail of sweet kisses on her belly, she lost her head.
Caleb clenched the thighs in front of him. Forcing Meryl’s legs apart. He leaned over her and that comfortable place seemed an earthly paradise.
She stretched as much as she could, clenched her toes and tangled her ankles with the sheet. Once again her body acted on its own and she didn’t even want to try and stop it. Every centimeter of her legs that Caleb’s hands covered made her breathing quicken, and he looked proudly at Meryl’s large breasts moving uncontrollably.
With a finger, he touched the mouthwatering path of the vein that could provide the most exquisite blood from a human woman, and in the state of ecstasy that Meryl was in, he couldn’t even imagine the taste. He wanted so badly to bite the top of her thigh that he forced himself to wait. However, he continued his journey to reach the most sensitive part. Meryl let out a breath as she pressed her hands tightly against the bed and wrinkled the dark black silk sheets. Then she moved with arousal. If Caleb were human he would have received a direct hit, but his reflexes were faster and with his free hand he held Meryl’s right ankle and avoided receiving a kick.
He was a man with experience. He could count hundreds of women with whom he had shared a bed, often out of boredom, others by necessity, but this time, after hundreds of years living among mortals. It was the first time he would enjoy it so much, simply because of his feelings, for loving someone for the first time.
Caleb could feel the weakness in Meryl under his hands. She still had not recovered fro
m the coma caused by the tattoo and that weakened her more. He reluctantly decided it was time to finish. He gently licked the top of the fleshy thigh detecting the vein in which he already felt the quick pumping of blood. The scent given off by that body was about to drive him crazy, a sweet and irresistible mix.
When his teeth sank in she screamed in shock, but the pain disappeared quickly. With her body unable to endure the ecstasy now mixed with Caleb’s gentle suction. She fainted on the mattress while he finished the most exquisite food he had ever had in his entire existence.
Once he finished the magnificent feast Caleb looked at her. She was sleeping so peacefully that he envied her. He stroked her hair before leaving the room to let her rest. He knew that if he stayed there, seeing how vulnerable she was at that moment, he could not repress his baser instincts.
“You are really outrageous.” Caleb heard upon entering the living room on the lower floor, “My brother felt uncomfortable.” Pein laughed.
“Pein, shut up!” Alexander suddenly shouted. “Although, it’s the truth Caleb. I think you should go slower.”
“Are you envious?” Caleb joked. He hesitated with a grim smile, at that moment he felt completely content. “Sorry, but I will not do that.”
“Let’s change the subject. Caleb, I think we have the solution to our problem.”
“What are you talking about?”
“We’ve been in the city,” began Alexander. “It was like a miracle listening to them. They haven’t been careful at all, but there was a group of slaves talking about how tonight some would leave.”
“I understand.”
“Apparently, some of the rebels will come to take them to the camp,” Alexander continued, “I don’t think there will be many rebels there. They are scared and do not know what to do. Whether to continue with their lives or try to fight.”
“It’s logical,” Pein interjected, “If they catch them they will kill them in the most horrible of ways. Anyway, we are sure that there are vampires who support them.”
Melodies of Blood I Page 14
