by Kailin Gow
Kalina looked almost peaceful as she slept, the stress now banished by the power of the vampire blood coursing through her veins. Stuart gazed tenderly at her and began stroking her hair, feeling the delicate strands – like strains of silk – rustle beneath his fingers. Her soft full lips slightly opened as her sweet warm breath flowed in and out. He loved kissing those lips, loved tasting them over and over again last night. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, wishing some of her warmth could be transferred to him.
Brother.
Stuart whipped up.
I can hear you now, brother. I've had her blood. She's had yours.
No, Jaegar wasn't in the room – not physically. But Stuart could sense his presence everywhere, and the knowledge prickled him with anger. It was his brother as he had always known him best – remembered him most – the voice in his ear telling him all the things he didn't know or want to know about himself – about the woman he loved.
Hello brother. The voice was filled with smiles – a lascivious grin in the middle of the tones. How is our sleeping princess doing? Did you tire her out?
You are not welcome here, Jaegar. Stuart shut his eyes tight, willing his brother out.
And at last – you did it. I wouldn't have thought you had it in you. I wouldn't think you had enough vampire in you to bed the girl. But you did. Stuart's head echoed with Jaegar's laughter. But not enough, eh Stuart? Not enough to take her blood. Not enough to take her virginity. Jaegar gave a mock sigh that sent shivers up and down Stuart's spine. If only she'd been...if only you'd been stronger, eh, brother?
Go away, Jaegar. You are not wanted here.
Oh, I think I am wanted. By her, brother. By her. Did you feel how she kissed you later after I'd left her – I left her all nice and ready for you. I left her aflame, turned on, overwhelmed by desire, wanting passion...that girl needs a strong vampire. A vampire who can match her. Not a weak do-gooder with water instead of blood in his veins.
Stop it – just stop it.
She has fire in her blood, Stuart. I can tell you this. I know. She has fire in that Life’s Blood of hers, and it burns my throat when I drink it down but it feels so good – it tastes so good – I would do it anyway, gladly. Believe me brother. It is not like the taste of that virgin we shared in Paris back in 1792 – you thought she was willing, didn't you? You never suspected I used compulsion on her...
No – no! Stuart closed his eyes tighter, but he knew the voices in his head had reached too deeply within his soul.
Better than that flaxen maiden we shared in 1472 in Germany – the Rhine – before you went good. Back when you were interesting. Back when you didn't try to control this force within you – this power!
I was another man then.
You were a vampire then, my brother! And now she's going to leave us both – can't you understand that? Leave us both and go back to Octavius. The same Octavius who imprisoned me and you alike, who left me for dead – who treated our feelings with so little care that he demanded we sacrifice Life’s Blood for him. For him! For that silent philosopher! What a waste – he'll get every night in bed with that little Kalina...and we won't get a taste. Unless you help me... You always wanted to be included, didn't you, little brother? You always wanted me to invite you along in my reindeer games. Well, now you can.
Stuart felt his skin prickle and he knew what Jaegar said. He knew his desire was as strong as Jaegar's – as desperate a need. He had wanted her – God knew he wanted her – and she had denied him. He forced himself back into the realm of morality; he would not do it!
I will not take her blood against her will, Jaegar. I will not take her against her will.
What a pity. We could have shared her. Brothers share, don't they, Stuart? You shared her with me before...
You never tasted her – she never let you taste her. Stuart begged, pleaded for an echo of his brother inside this monstrous new voice. It was only Mal – Mal who forced you...Mal who destroyed you.
Mal gave me the greatest of gifts. Jaegar laughed. I am free. Free of guilt, of pain. Of all restraints.
He killed the Consortium – do you think you're safe from him.
He's the most powerful vampire around. For now. I've drunk a lot of Kalina's blood – Mal's vials, and then some from that hot little neck myself...and I'll get stronger and stronger. And soon Octavius won't even be a paltry second…
You won't get her. Stuart rose, chasing shadows as he scanned the room. I won't let you touch her. I won't let you taste her.
We'll have to see about that, won't we, brother? Last night – she wanted me. She wanted me as much as I wanted her. We have a bond, brother. She broke through my compulsion. Did she tell you that? She broke through my compulsion – and yet she was still hot in bed with me. Letting me touch her – stroke her – taste her. I've had her blood and she's had mine. No other vampire in the world can say that much. Not even Octavius. And that old man is just a passing fancy of hers. Like you. I can feel her thoughts now, Stuart. I know. I can feel her desire for me. Nor will I doubt or deny mine for her. I want her – that rug inside her veins. And I will have her.
Octavius will not allow...
Octavius? Ha! That old fool released her – let her go. Told her to choose one brother. He couldn't keep her safe. He couldn't keep her happy. Now she can choose whomever she wants. Will she choose you – sweet, gentle, impotent Stuart...or will she choose me?
Stuart punched the wall, scraping his knuckles in a single whirl of fury. If she ever loved you, Stuart concentrated harder. She despises you now. Who you are. What you've become. You've become a monster – like Mal.
A monster? Jaegar's cackle filled the room. I'm becoming a god!
And Kalina?
Kalina? Well, dear brother – let me tell you exactly what I'll do to her. A sip here – a sip there – a suck, a nibble, a taste...until she's almost drained – sweaty – in bed with me. And then I'll turn her – and feast on her again and again – every night in our blood-drenched bed – while you scrabble for rat blood and vampire wine out in the cold!
You wouldn't!
Why not? Jaegar scoffed. It's what Father did to Marilee
Don't you talk about Marilee. White-hot rage clouded Stuart's vision. Don’t you dare talk about Marilee.
Try and stop me, little brother. I'm at the Winery. Are you bold enough – are you stupid enough – to think you can best me?
Stuart stopped cold.
If I don't see you tonight at the Winery – I'll return to Kalina. I'll take her. I'll have her. And if I do see you – well, I'll give her another day. Another day to run.
So this is what Jaegar intended. A fight to the end. To the death.
The gauntlet had been thrown down. There was only one thing to do.
I will fight you, Jaegar. I have been waiting to fight you for centuries. For Kalina. And for Marilee.
And then Stuart's thoughts went black, and Jaegar vanished, and as Kalina murmured into morning and dawn struck the pillow, Stuart's mind was engulfed in darkness.
Chapter 12
He woke up with Kalina in his arms. She was soft, encircled by his arms and legs, so pliant and smooth beneath his fingers. He woke up to the smell of her, the lingering perfume from prom the night before mingled with the delicious, intoxicating scent of sweat and passion – bolstered up by a hint – just a hint, but such a tantalizing one – of her blood. She moved softly in her sleep, giving a low moan as she turned into him. She wanted him, Stuart realized, as she unconsciously buried her face in his chest, brushed her fingertips against his shoulders. She needed him. With her eyes still closed, still asleep, she kissed his bare chest, while running her fingers along his rock solid stomach. Did she love him? Stuart sighed. He couldn't say – that much was true. And yet she had loved him last night – given herself to him so entirely and completely that he could not doubt the veracity of her kisses, her moans, her sighs. She had loved him – then. Would she love him now?
He ki
ssed her awake – softly, slowly, beginning with his lips on her shoulders and then trailing them through every part of her body. She was naked, and in her nakedness there was no shame, no embarrassment, only glorious freedom, like Eve at the dawn of the world. Would his death be enough to save her? One day – that was all that Jaegar would give her. One day. Would it be enough?
Stuart shuddered as fear overtook him; the movement startled Kalina into wakefulness.
“What is it?” she said, groaning as she raised herself up on her elbows. “What's happened?”
“Kalina...” His voice said it all. His one word, the invocation of her name, was so full of love and passion that Kalina stopped short.
“Stuart...” she whispered back. “What is it?”
How could he tell her? How could he say goodbye? He swallowed back his grief and began stroking the side of her face – as tenderly as possible, careful not to mar the creamy smoothness of her cheeks. If she had loved him enough, perhaps it could have all gone to plan. Perhaps she could have made him human. Perhaps they could have shared together the life he had always longed for, always dreamed of, have more nights and days like last night. Last night with Kalina was pure happiness. Leaving Kalina would be his only regret. But it was too late to think about that now.
She was the best of him; she brought out the best in him. She brought out the best in all vampires – the humanity that they all longed for, Stuart was convinced, they all secretly desired more than anything in the world. She brought out his ability to love and be loved, to do things unselfishly, to staunch his fierce desire for blood, for destruction, for death. Her effect on all vampires had been tremendous. Her blood was truly the blood of Life, Stuart thought. It was the blood that meant vampires could dream – just a dream, but a dream nonetheless, of being humans again.
Kalina must be protected, Stuart knew. Whatever the price. Whatever the cost.
Even if he were the cost.
“Thank you for last night,” said Stuart slowly, raising Kalina's fingers to his lips. “I am sorry...if I frightened you. I did not mean to lose control. I never mean to lose control.”
Kalina smiled and planted a quick kiss on his lips. “I like it when you lose control,” she said. “Don't worry – I enjoyed it. Every minute of it.”
Stuart could not look her in the eye. He knew this part would be the hardest of all.
“What is it?” Kalina lifted his chin up so that her eyes reflected his. “What's wrong?”
“I heard from Jaegar last night, Kalina.”
“What – when?”
“When you were sleeping. He came to me telepathically. Now that you and I have strengthened our blood bond, and Jaegar is bonded to you – he can come again to me, speak into my mind as never before.”
“What did he say?” Kalina frowned. “What does he want?”
“He has challenged me, Kalina. To a fight to the death. And his terms are...his terms may give you a chance to live.”
“Terms? What terms?”
“If I do not fight him, he comes for you tonight.”
“And if you do fight him?”
“Then when I am dead, he will give you one day. One day to run.”
“When you are dead?” Kalina tightened her grip on his wrists. “Stuart, what are you talking about? Please – tell me...”
“I cannot dream of besting Jaegar in combat, Kalina,” he said. “You know that. We both know that. My brother far outstripped me back when we were both but vampires; with Life’s Blood in him, he is unbeatable.”
Kalina's lips began to tremble. “Last night,” she said slowly, forcing back the tears. “When Jaegar came to me – I wanted so badly to believe...that he wasn't all bad, after all. That there were still traces of the real Jaegar – my – our Jaegar there that I even allowed him to kiss me. But now...”
“But now,” sighed Stuart.
“This isn't Jaegar,” said Kalina, her voice shaking. “I know this isn't Jaegar. This – thing – that would be so cruel, so monstrous, that would force us to make these impossible choices. This is not the man I cared for. This is not your brother.”
“This is exactly my brother!” Stuart spat, his voice beginning to take on the tones of rage. “Of course it is – this is how he was all along...I knew it....”
“Stuart, what are you....”
“I reconciled myself to him – as was necessary. After Aaron was thought dead, we were forced into an alliance for your sake. But I have never forgotten our estrangement. I have never forgotten what happened to Marilee.”
“Marilee?”
“A woman we both loved,” said Stuart shortly, without looking at her. “A woman whom Jaegar caused to die.”
“Jaegar killed her?”
“Not directly. He killed our father.”
Kalina started. “What?”
“I cannot prove it. Perhaps it will never be proven. But I know. I know. He was found dead days after Jaegar and I argued over Marilee.”
“Why would he kill...”
“Marilee was my father's wife. Aaron's mother. We both loved her – she loved our father. She allowed herself to be turned – willingly! - in order to be with him.”
“Someone would be willingly turned?”
“She gave birth to Aaron – and then had Octavius turn him when he turned eighteen – for Marilee could not bear the idea that her son would grow older than she.”
“I see.”
“And then our father was murdered – oh, Jaegar will never admit it – he says always that it was I who did the deed. He mocks my self-control, tells me that at the most crucial moments, I abandon it...” Stuart sighed. “But he killed our father; I know it in my soul. And then Marilee could not bear the thought of eternity without him. And so she walked into the sun. Without a ring. Without a shawl. And she burned – and we watched her burn. The Jaegar you knew was...an aberration. His love for you made him good – for a while. But perhaps Mal's interference has transformed him into what he always was, only stronger.”
“I can't believe that,” said Kalina. “He seemed so good.”
“I would stake myself,” said Stuart, “before being force-fed your blood. I can promise you that, Kalina.”
“You can't go!” Kalina cried. “Stuart – you can't...”
“I must.” He kissed her hand. “I have no other choice. There is no other way.”
“There must be another way – some other way!”
“If I could...”
“If we left now – you and me – together. Went into hiding. Went east to New York – or back to Europe – then maybe he wouldn't find us...”
“And then he would go after Justin, Kalina. And then he would go after Maeve. He will not rest until he has found you – and he will kill anyone that gets in his way. This day I can give you. These twenty-four hours. Use them well. Use them wisely. Get Justin and Maeve out of town. Jaegar and I have had this date from the beginning – since my father died. Since Marilee. It is about you, Kalina, but it is not only about you. You must not blame yourself. It was a fuel to the death that had been in the works long before we met you. Long before we fell in love with you. Both of us. If such a creature as Jaegar is possibly capable of love...” Stuart's voice trailed off. “If he is capable, Kalina, then perhaps you made him so.”
“I can't let you die like this, Stuart! I can't leave you.” She began kissing him – his neck, his shoulders, all over his body, wrapping herself up in the blanket as her body began to shake and shiver from the pain. “Stuart – I'm so sorry...it's all my fault...all my fault...my blood – my stupid, cursed, blood.”
He held her steady until at last her sobs had quieted.
“It is not your fault, Kalina,” said Stuart. “Remember that. You must always remember that. You are not to blame. Now listen to me, Kalina. You must listen to me. You must pack as quickly as possible – get out of this place. Bring Justin with you, and Maeve. Get them out of Rutherford tonight. I will meet Jaegar at the Winer
y. I will do...I will do my best. Perhaps it will not be so bad after all. Perhaps I will be able to defeat him...it will be fine, Kalina – do not worry – perhaps there is hope.”
“But Stuart!” Kalina threw her arms around him. “I can't risk it – Stuart. I don't want to risk it. Not when my feelings for you are so...I want to love you, I want my vampire love to be you.”
He kissed her forehead.
“If only we had more time, eh?” He gave her a weak smile. “Then perhaps you could have loved me.”
“I love you now,” she said fiercely.
“But true love is a more complicated thing altogether, my darling.”
Kalina sighed.
“Listen to me, Kalina, darling.” He drew her shoulders into him, pressing his lips against hers, trying to express all his love, all his ardor with a single kiss. His words came to her in fits of telepathy. Even if I die tonight, I will die knowing that I spent my last night with you – knowing that you cared for me, that you trust me. For although I am a monster – like Jaegar, like other vampires, all other vampires – with you I can be a man, the man I always dreamed of being. You have made me feel more alive than I have felt in centuries...more alive than I have felt....even when I was a man with a heartbeat and drawings of breath. And I will always be grateful to you for that. I don’t think I have ever loved another woman as much as I love you.
He moved his lips away from hers; she drew in breath sharply.
“I can't let you go...” she whispered.
But it was too late. He had gotten out of bed, now, and was packing for her – taking clothes and shoving them into the suitcase that still lay under her bed from her trip with Octavius.
“I cannot let you die,” he said.
He stopped and turned to her.
“If you need money,” he said, “take this ring. It will be worth something.”
She felt the familiar shape drop into her hand. This was the Life’s Blood ring – the ring that allowed him to walk in the sunlight unharmed.
