Beginnings (Nightwalkers)

by Sieverding, H. N.

  “Now, my beautiful slave, tell me a story.”

  “All right.” She gazed out the window, the moon watching her sinful interaction with the devil. Feeling his hand slip under the heavy skirting of her dress, she startled a bit. His fingers caressed the thick stocking that covered the flesh of her leg. She could feel the heat burn in her bottom. The great urge to let this man take her again.

  He grabbed her chin and gently made her turn to him. “Tell me one about the devil.” He chuckled, then placed a kiss on her lips.

  “As you wish.” She nodded, a small smile on her face. He then moved into a laying position, letting his head rest in her lap. He gazed up at the ceiling, his hand holding hers. He caressed the surface of her skin, his touch light and soft.

  Her gaze moved to the corner of the room. There was his discarded dinner. The victim was still breathing, but was bleeding out onto the carpet. His eyes were fixated on her, something that made her startle.

  “What troubles you?” Nicolas looked up at her, then turned to what she was looking at. “Ah…” He chuckled. “He has not given up. Would you like me to end him?”

  She nodded.

  “As you wish.” He stood then bowed to her, a wicked grin on his lips. His blond hair sparkled under the firelight. His eyes were an inhuman green, as if lit by an internal fire. He turned back to the man. “How shall I do it?” Waving his hand, a small knife appeared.

  Her voice was mouse-like when she spoke, “Quickly, your majesty.”

  “Torturous?” He laughed when he saw the horror on her face. “I like that.” He stalked closer to the man, then bent down slightly. His eyes met with his victim’s, the man now struggling to stand. “I would bleed him, but old blood has a ghastly taste.”

  “Then….” She paused, her eyes meeting with the man’s on the floor. “Let him live. When he recovers, I’m sure he’ll make a good worker for your fields.”

  “No,” his answer sounded annoyed. “I do not wish to invest anything in his recovery.”

  “He has already given you his life blood. Do not take from him anymore.”

  He ignored her protest then went to the door. He shouted, “Master Bryan! Please come here!”

  Hearing his call, a man rushed into the room. He bowed to the King. “Yes, your majesty?”

  “Have you eaten?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then bleed this one.” He motioned toward the man on the floor then handed Bryan the knife. Master Bryan then left the room and Nicolas turned to Ashleigh. “Now, start the story.” He laid on the couch once again, his head now resting in her lap. He took her hand. Bringing it to his lips, he curled back all of her fingers but her index one.

  She watched him closely, her breath quickening. Then, he bit down. She closed her eyes when she felt the pain, but she didn’t voice her unhappiness. She took a few seconds to recover, her eyes focusing on Master Bryan, who had returned with a few pails.

  He slung the man over a chair back, the victim’s arms and head dangling. Grabbing the man’s hair, Bryan smiled when the captive let out a weak whine. Holding the man’s head at an uncomfortable, upright position, Bryan looked into his eyes.

  “Please…” the man choked out. “Spare me. I shall work for you, I’ll—“

  With a broad swipe of his knife, Bryan slashed the man’s neck. It was just a surface wound, only a trickle of blood seeping from the cut. The captive screamed out in pain, but couldn’t move because he was paralyzed by Bryan’s magic.

  “Cover his mouth.” Nicolas made a sour face as he glared in Bryan’s direction. “I cannot hear.”

  “I apologize, your majesty.” Bryan nodded regally, then pulled a rag out of his pocket. He stuck it in the captive’s mouth.

  The king spoke to Ashleigh, “Now, begin.”

  “All right.” She turned from the torture, her eyes looking downward. They connected with Nicolas’. He was smiling, his eyes admiring her. She knew better than to press the subject further. Begging was not something that worked on this man.

  Cringing, she heard the sound of severed flesh, followed by a steady stream of blood filling the pan. Hearing the scream that was muffled by the captive’s gag, she knew the cut had been in a place that had not been fatal. Her eyes ticked in his direction briefly. One of his wrists had been slashed.

  Bryan smiled at her as he held the man’s hand out so the blood would fill the pail. She quickly turned from him. Her fingers interlocked with Nicolas’, the king pulling their joined hands closer to his chest.

  Her eyes looked distantly ahead, her gaze burning into the fine fabric of her master’s coat. It was black, the fabric soft, and perfectly pressed. She heard the captive choke, followed by a great outpouring of blood from his neck. Thankfully, Bryan had ended him.

  She tried to refocus her thoughts, though her mind was greatly troubled. Ashleigh continued her tale, "Feeling lost, a young girl seeks out the knowledge of the gods. After a long journey, she reaches a plateau. It’s beautiful here—plush fields of tall, blowing pampas grasses and wildflowers, the soft scent of lilacs filling her nostrils."

  “Such pleasant imagery for a dark story.” He chuckled, then kissed her hand. “But I did not ask for pleasant.”

  “It shall darken.” Her eyes narrowed on Bryan, who was now carrying away the pail of blood. Bryan had ahold of the man’s arm, dragging him over the fine wood flooring. A stripe of blood was left in his path, the man’s body now lifeless. There was no respect for the dead. For human life. Not with these monsters. He then shut the door and the pair was alone again.

  Nicolas teased, “Then darken the sky so that I may feel the heat of this sinful tale. Right now, all I can feel is the heat in your palm.”

  “Is that all?” She sent him a smile, a love in her eyes.

  He seemed to catch onto her hint, his words sweet and smooth, “Then let me feel more.” He snickered as he took her hand and slowly slid it down his chest. He moved it into his pants, Ashleigh’s lips parting slightly when she felt his bare flesh. Her face reddened and she tried to pull her hand back. This made him laugh, his hand holding hers in place.

  He teased, “I see it is I that must heat you.” He removed her hand. “Your hands are like ice.” He then gazed at the ceiling and motioned for her to continue.

  She slowly moved her fingers in small circles on the surface of his hand. His fingers were covered in jeweled rings, each one perfectly polished and sparkling under the light. His skin was a soft white, his perfect porcelain complexion devout of blemishes.

  She watched his eyes close and she continued, “The clouds above hid her view of the holiest of lands. Heaven. She held up her hand, but couldn’t reach such a place. Not without wings. Squinting, she turned to the sun. Its light was warm and welcoming. Its rays filled her with the gentle heat of midday, making her hair shine like threads of spun gold. ‘This was God’, the girl thought. The being that filled the land with goodness and warmth.

  “’Dear, sweet child,’ said the sun, ‘a deal I will make with thee. Love me, and I shall gift you with wings. They will take you past the clouds and bring you to the gilded gates of heaven. Are you ready to leave this land and join me?’

  "’Tomorrow’, the girl says. ‘I would like to see the moon one last time.’” With those words her voice faltered slightly, but it was so subtle she could mask it. Closing her eyes, she tried not to cry, to push past the sadness that heavied her thoughts. “So….the girl walks on. Soon, the sky darkens. The ruler of the night now floats like a sentinel in the sky.

  “His voice is soft as he speaks, this king of darkness also a master seducer, ‘Dear, sweet beauty, a deal I will make with thee. Love me, worship me and I shall give you eternal life and make you my queen.’ The girl then explains to him the promise the sun had made.”

  She opened her eyes and looked at her moon—the man who had offered the same promise. But she didn’t want that. She didn’t want to give up the promise of heaven to become his queen.

  S
he continued, “He then counters in a lulling tone, the sound like liquid velvet in her ear, ‘Do you long to see heaven? If that is your wish then I shall make it so. Together we will murder the sun and feast on his heavenly blood. Then you will see that heaven cannot give you the paradise that I can’."

  Nicolas’ eyes shot open and he glared at her. It was a hot, livid stare. She startled and swallowed hard.

  He sat up and grabbed her chin forcefully. "And if refusal is once again your answer, then death, not love, will be the bond that ties us. I am tired of you saying no. Of denying the gift I want to share with you.” He shoved her onto her back, pinning her to the couch. “I am this moon of yours, aren’t I? How you mock me with this tale! How dare you? After all the generosity I have shown you!”

  “Nicolas….” she squeaked out the words. “Stop…I—”

  “You will never get redemption from the sun. From any man. How dare you invent a man to save you from me?”

  “I didn’t—I….I—”

  “You did!” He was now in her face, a snarl to his words that terrified her. Baring his fangs, a small hiss was released from his lips. “You don’t love me, do you?”

  “I do!” she shouted, a great desperateness in her tone. “I love you, Nicolas! I do!”

  “Then, vow your loyalty. Say you will stay with me for eternity.”

  “I….can’t…” Her lip shook as she spoke, her words choppy. She tried to turn away but he grabbed her face and made her look at him. He squeezed harder until she winced and opened her eyes. “Please….it’s not that I don’t love you. I do. I just don’t want to become what you are.”

  “I will never let a prize as valuable as you wander from my hand. You will become as I. Even if I have to force you.”

  “I do not wish to—“

  “Say it!” he screamed in her face, his voice booming. There was great pain in his eyes, his anger so hot it burned to her core. “Say you’ll become my queen!”

  “No!” Sobbing, she struggled to push him off, Nicolas taking a firm grip of her shoulders. His grip was painful, his fingers digging into her tender flesh.

  “Then you will live with the slaves in the catacombs until you submit!”

  “Please, Nicolas…” she pleaded, her voice wet as she stopped struggling. Reaching up to his face, she tried to sway him with a loving gesture, but he ripped her hands away. “I beg of you. Allow me to see the sunrise. Do not lock me in there. I’m scared, I—”

  “The next sunrise you will see, my blood will flow through you and you will be my queen. And you will stay in darkness until you agree!” he growled.

  Swooping down, he sunk his fangs into the tender flesh of her neck. She let out a bloodcurdling scream, the pain magnified by his magic. He was punishing her. Making this the most intense pain she had ever felt.

  Ashleigh abruptly woke and quickly sat up in bed. When she realized she was awake, she held her neck. Her breath was rapid as she gazed around the room. Everything was quiet, the soft light of morning filtering in. Letting out a sigh of relief, Ashleigh palmed her forehead.

  She glanced at the clock. Her alarm was going to blare in a few minutes. Making a sour face, she reached over and turned it off. Her laptop sat next to her, still open and now with a cat perched on the warm keys.

  Chapter Two

  Ashleigh released a happy sigh as she looked at her advance copy of Kiss of the Moon. It was her breakthrough novel, one that had been inspired by her dreams. It had vampires like the ones in her nightmares, and Nicolas shined in the book as the villain. But there was a big difference. Her main character, Lady Sasson, didn’t lose to him. Ashleigh had invented a hero to save her. To rewrite the tragic ending she had in her dreams.

  She ran her hand over the cover, a picture there of her main characters, Drake and Lady Sasson, in a loving embrace. “I still can’t believe this. Nightwalkers is finally going to be in book stores. The whole thing still doesn’t seem real.”

  “This is so cool, Ash.” Natalie took the book when Ashleigh handed it to her. “So, can I read it now?”

  “You don’t read, remember?” Ashleigh chuckled.

  “So, I still want to read it.” Natalie flipped open the book and looked at the title. “When’s it coming out again?”

  “On the sixth.”

  “I’m so proud of you, girl. My best friend is a writer. Like, a big time writer.”

  “I’m not big time, yet,” Ashleigh laughed, a softness to her voice. “And don’t be too harsh on me when you read it, okay?”

  “Me? Harsh?” Natalie laughed. “And come on, New Castle took it, so it’s gotta be gold. It’s amazing, I know it.” She then glanced at the clock. “I gotta get to work.”

  “’Kay.”

  Her friend left, leaving Ashleigh to fend for herself the rest of the day. She spent most of it writing, and by the time Natalie got home, Ashleigh had lost track of time.

  Seeing the door open, Ashleigh startled. She looked at her friend’s grin as Natalie’s tall frame filled the doorway. Pulling off her headphones, Ashleigh sent her friend a confused look. “What?”

  Natalie simply shook the manuscript. She had marked several pages with order forms from the bar. Ashleigh sent her friend an annoyed glare. She didn’t like Natalie’s devious smirk.

  “Did you read it?”

  “Some.” Natalie walked over to the bed and sat next to her roommate. “It’s great, Ash.”

  “You think?”

  “I love it. I missed five customers because I couldn’t stop reading.”

  “That’s great. Thanks, Nat.”

  “I’m gonna read the rest tomorrow.” Natalie smiled as she opened to a page she had marked. “But….”

  “But?”

  Natalie folded back the page and read a passage, “His song drew her to him.”

  “So?”

  “This man was a siren. She knew this raven haired seducer had bedded many women with his words, but she couldn’t resist falling for him as well.” Natalie’s grin grew, her cheeks slightly reddened.

  “I don’t—“ Ashleigh tried to speak.

  Natalie spoke over her friend, “This is the best one.” She laughed lightly before reading a passage. “This troubadour of the night.” She then looked at her friend. “Caleb’s your Drake, isn’t he?”

  “No.”

  “Liar.” She erupted into laughter, but that only made Ashleigh madder. “He is too. You can’t fool me.”

  “And what if I did…” Ashleigh made quotation marks in the air as she said her next words. “Use him as a muse?”

  “He should be flattered. You made that boy look good.”

  “Is it really that obvious that I used Caleb?”

  “Yes.” Natalie set the book on her lap and waved the subject away with her hand. “But that’s only because I know you have such a huge crush on him. But I wouldn’t worry about it. No one’s gonna know. But…wouldn’t it be funny if he read it and was like, ‘Is she writing about me?’”

  “I doubt it. Caleb wouldn’t read romance novels.”

  “This isn’t just a romance novel.” Natalie tapped the book’s cover. “Its horror, adventure, and love all mixed together. I could see guys totally reading it.”

  “You think they would?”

  “Yeah.” Natalie nodded.

  “Thanks for reading it, Nat.” Ashleigh wore a grateful smile, her eyes gazing at her best friend.

  “Well….” Natalie pointed to Ashleigh’s laptop. “You better hurry up and finish that next book, because after this one, I can’t wait to read the next one.” They both shared a laugh. Natalie opened to another page and read it silently. “And some of these scenes are super hot. Wow.” She clicked her tongue. “So, this is what you fantasize about.”

  “I don’t fantasize. I write.”

  “The taste of your blood drives me mad, but not as much as the teasing taste of you that lingers on my fingers. Last night, we were interrupted, but tonight, both of us will be fully
satisfied.” Biting her tongue, she laughed. “Your Drake’s a horn dog.”

  “He is not.” Ashleigh grimaced. “You’re reading that out of context.”

  “What is out of context about ‘your taste’? Especially since in the scene before he was finger banging her in the manor hallway.”

  “If you’re gonna make fun of it—“ She went to grab it, but Natalie ripped it back.

  “I was just teasin’. Stop being so uptight about it.”

  “Then stop making fun of it.”

  “Never let your gran read this.” She flipped through the pages. “Especially the scene in the woods. Wow!” Natalie chuckled. “I practically bit my finger off when I was reading it.”

  “It’s good.”

  “And it’s gory.”

  “So?”

  “So? Your gran would have a heart attack.”

  “I’m not letting her read it anyway. She already hates it.”

  “So….” Natalie sighed as she sat back against the headboard. She gazed up at the poster of Caleb Ashleigh had hanging over her bed. “Do you think Caleb’s as good in bed as Drake is?”

  “He’s better, I bet.”

  “We should save up and go to one of Armageddon’s concerts again. If you make a lot of money off this book, you can buy us backstage passes. Maybe you could even get Caleb to sign your book.”

  “That’d be way awesome.” Ashleigh smiled, her mood light.

  ****

  Kiss of the Moon released a week ago, and all Ashleigh could do to ease her nervousness about it was to write. She was working on the next book in the series. Kiss of the Moon seemed to be doing well and that made Ashleigh happy. But, on the flipside, it was being criticized by some reviewers as well. And only the bad reviews stuck with Ashleigh. After reading one where the book got bashed by a Christian reader, she swore off reading reviews for a few weeks.

  She was now on her way to work and was late. This happened often because she worked for her grandfather, and didn’t seem to put as much heart into her job as she did her books. Besides, there were no customers lined up outside and it was a Tuesday. Most people were at work and wouldn’t stop in till later or on their lunch break. Occasionally, they’d have a few tourists wander in, but that was about it. Most customers were regulars that had watched both Ashleigh and Natalie grow up.