by Jada Turner
Kat's husband found work digging the canal. The people here didn't want their slaves to work in the canals because it was so dangerous. Slaves were property. You wouldn't just throw out a perfectly good pair of shoes would you? So Irish men were paid next to nothing to dig. Many of them died in the process.
Kat remembers the day her beloved husband came down with the fever. She was petrified but did the best she could to nurse him back to health. People avoided them because they didn't want to get the disease themselves. Kat could only watch as her husband got sicker and sicker. He turned yellow and delirious with fever. She refused to leave his bedside. She stayed with him as he died a horrible death.
Kat didn't have money for a funeral. So her loving husband was buried in a pauper's grave. She felt lucky he didn't die digging the canal. There is no telling how many bodies were buried there, without a proper funeral.
A few days later Kat got the first symptoms of the fever. There was no one to take care of her. She knew she was going to die. As if in answer to her prayers, one day a stranger came to her. Kat wasn't sure if it was day or night because of the delusions from the fever. She thought he was a doctor or, maybe, a thief waiting for her to die to take the little belongings she had. He looked at her and he had these mesmerizing dark blue eyes. He told her that he could take away her suffering. At this point, Kat was ready to welcome death. She figured he was going to kill her and she didn't care. She looked at him and in barely a whisper she said to him. “Do it.”
The stranger leaned down as if he were going to kiss her. Instead of a tender kiss, Kat felt an excruciating pain in her neck then a feeling of floating, as if she wasn't really in her own body. The next thing she remembered was the stranger telling her to drink. She was so thirsty and the liquid flowing into her was the sweetest thing she had ever tasted. He pulled her away from her then said, “We must leave here now.”
Kat didn't understand and asked him why. He said, “You are immortal now and this is no place for you.”
Over time, Kat's new creator explained to her what had happened and what he did to save her. He instructed her on how to feed, what could kill her forever, and how to use her new powers. He took care of her and they traveled the world. No one really understands how long an eternity is until they have lived it. Staying together forever is a romantic notion, but not one that is really feasible. They stayed together for eighty years. Finally, he left her and Kat came back to New Orleans.
Kat stood up and walked to the church. She went inside. It was always beautiful inside. She laughed at the thought of a vampire in a church. The old myths and legends were still alive today. She made the sign of the cross and lit a candle for her dear husband. He was a good man that died too young. She said a silent prayer for his soul then turned to walk out into the night.
Kat took a left down a deserted street. She knew she was being followed. There was no doubt about it this time. She could smell her stalker, he was so close. She pretended not to notice and let him get even closer to her. She spun around quickly grabbed him and pinned him against the wall of a building.
“What do you think you're doing?” Kat hissed, her fangs extended. The stranger looked more amused the frightened.
He laughed and said, “Following you. I have to say, you are quite gorgeous.” He whispered close to her face. He stared at her with his piercing ice blue eyes.
Kat growled and then before she knew it, she was pinned to the wall instead of this stranger. He grinned at her and leaned in, whispering in her ear, “So nice to meet a fellow kindred.” He was handsome by any standards, with Nordic features and a shock of thick white gold hair.
Kat gasped for a moment and said, “There is not enough room for two of us here.” She wasn't sure if this vampire killed when he fed or not and she was hoping to scare him off.
“Sure thing darling. I'll let you go so you can pack your bags,” he leaned in and kissed her on the lips.
He disappeared into the night. She didn't know whether to be turned on or appalled. She did know that she was angry. Kat didn't want to share her town with another vampire. She had been here years and knew it was getting close to time where she would have to move on and reinvent herself again. Before people started noticing that she was not getting any older. But she wanted moving on to be her choice. No other vampire was going to invade her territory, no matter how handsome he was.
Kat was determined to find out who this vampire was and what he was doing here. After that, it now was her mission to get him out of her town. She had made her decision. However, it was too late to act on it now. She would have to wait until tomorrow night. She returned to her daytime hiding place.
CHAPTER 3
The next evening she went out just after sunset. She didn't need to feed since she took care of that the night before. Kat was bound and determined to find the vampire that surprised her last night. She wasn't sure how to find him but she had a feeling he might be hitting the clubs like she did. She'd search the city for him.
She went into bar after bar, hitting all the tourist traps. Kat even found herself in the Cat's Meow, the karaoke bar on Bourbon. She loathed that place. Finally she caught his scent and followed it into a small dark jazz club. He was sitting alone at the table listening to the band play on stage. He looked up as Kat walked towards him. She was glad she dressed in a sleek black mini-dress and heels. Her hair was wild and untamed as usual.
She sat down next to him and smiled. He smiled back.
“Come here often?” he teased.
Kat rolled her eyes. She took a quick look around the place. It was a small and dark with a stage up front and tables all around. The bar itself was small and the bartender behind it looked bored. Kat could understand why there was only about 5 customers in the whole place. She leaned in to talk to the stranger.
“So,” she paused. “I don't even know your name.” She said, annoyed.
“It's Eirik, although these days I go by Erik. Times change.” he shrugged, his voice low enough for only her to hear.
“You’re Scandinavian. You are a long way from home.” She said it as an accusation.
He ignored her jab. “And may I ask, lovely lady, what is your name?”
She thought for a moment and debated whether or not to give him her real name. She decided it wouldn't really hurt. “I was born Kathleen. These days I go by Kat.”
“Nice to meet you, Kat. Are you Irish? Seems like you are a long way from home too.” He leaned casually back in his chair.
Kat narrowed her eyes at him. “Touché. But I’m not here for pleasantries. I want to know why you are here in New Orleans.”
He looked at her incredulously. “The music, the food, the culture and what other city has a whole celebration to the god Bacchus. Not to mention the incredible feeding ground here. What more could a vampire want?” His blue eyes twinkled at her. His blond hair kept falling into his eyes as he spoke. Kat found it alluring.
Kat stared into his eyes and tried to wipe out the image of him kissing her. She had to admit it was one hell of a kiss. It had been so long since she had been kissed like that. She felt heat rise in her body. She shook the thought out of her head.
“How long are you going to stay? Are there others with you?” She demanded.
“I don't know how long I will stay here. I’ve just arrived, dear Kat. I am, unfortunately, alone.” He winked at her again. She raised her eyebrow at him.
He had the nerve to say, “Even if there were any others out there they would either bow down and worship me, flee the city after seeing my magnificent good looks, or I'd destroy them one by one.”
Kat rolled her eyes at him. She thought to herself what an arrogant jerk he was. She couldn't believe it. She debated whether she should just leave now, rather than spend any more time with him. Kat felt his hand on her shoulder.
“Stay and dance with me,” he said to her. She looked at him like he was insane. He continued, “I know you fed last night so you're not hunting. Wh
at harm will it do if you have one dance with me?”
Kat just looked at him with disgust in her eyes and said, “Hell will freeze over before I dance with someone like you,” then she stormed out of the club and into the night. She was angry at herself for the attraction she felt for him. He was so arrogant! How could her body betray her like that?
A couple of nights later, she spotted Erik in Eternal Darkness. He was at the bar surrounded by women. They were all throwing themselves at him like he was some kind of rock star. He had the nerve to look at Kat and give her a sly smile. She turned her back to him and walked to the dance floor. The DJ was playing one of her favorite songs. She started to move around on the dance floor. Kat stopped as Erik came up behind her and put his arms around her. A thought came into her mind. She decided to play him. Kat started grinding against him. Several girls at the bar gave her a mean look. She danced with him a few songs then suddenly turned to him and leaned in close and said, “Gotta go. Later stud.” She walked out fast before he knew what hit him.
CHAPTER 4
It had been months since she last saw Erik and she was glad. She hoped that he left the city for good. She didn't feel like running into him, especially not tonight while she hunted. Kat wandered if she spent too much time at Eternal Darkness and decided to try the Dungeon instead. She didn't want to draw too much attention to herself.
She made her way upstairs to where they had a small dance floor. Her hips swayed as she walked and she knew the behind her was watching her every move. He was too easy. She needed the hunt. When she arrived at the second floor several guys made eyes at her, but she ignored them. She had her eyes on the lone guy in the corner. He was going to be a challenge and that excited her.
Kat started to walk towards him. She smiled at him but he didn’t smile back at her. He looked lost in his own world. He seemed indifferent. She wasn't used to getting this kind of look from a guy.
She asked him the usual questions. He gave her one word answers. After they talked quite a while and Kat had still not made much progress, she decided that this might be more of a challenge than she was ready for. She turned to leave and he placed a hand on her arm. Kat smiled but didn't turn around to face him. She knew now that she had him right where she wanted him.
He asked her if she would like to dance. She nodded yes and followed him. Kat started off with some slow, sensual moves. They danced for a few songs, Kat hoped to enthral him with her most seductive dance moves. She could tell that it was working on him. The guy started to loosen up.
She danced and rubbed up against him, then asked him if they could go somewhere a bit more private. He didn't hesitate and took her up on her offer. When they emerged from the darkness of the club, Kat took a good look at the guy. He wasn't incredibly handsome but he wasn't bad looking either. There was something about him that intrigued her. He was tall and quite thin with long, dark hair. He dressed all in black like the typical Goth guy.
Kat led him to an abandoned apartment that she knew drug addicts hadn't taken over yet. She pulled him close and shut the door behind them. She kissed him hard and long. His lips were so soft. Her fangs grazed over his lips causing a drop of blood to appear. He tasted so sweet. Her desire was growing. She pressed her body into his, feeling muscles that she didn't know where there. She was surprised that someone so skinny could be so fit. Kat slipped her hand under his shirt and ran her fingers over his rippling chest.
Kat heard the guy groan as their kisses turned passionate. She got lost in the moment and her fangs started to extend. The guy's breathing got heavier as he became more and more excited. Kat started to kiss his neck. She grabbed his shirt and pulled it up over his head. He looked surprised at her forwardness. Her nimble fingers opened the button on his black jeans and pulled down the zipper, parting the teeth slowly. She slid down his pants and lowered herself to her knees.
The guy grinned and Kat knew what he was thinking. She slipped his boxers down to his ankles then looked up into his eyes. She smiled and showed him her fangs. Instead of looking scared, he looked intrigued.
Kat gently kissed up and down his inner thigh. Her fangs grazed it as she moved her mouth. She repeated this action and went up and down his other thigh. The guy gasped then groaned as Kat found his femoral artery and pierced his skin. Slowly she pushed her fangs into his flesh and the blood started to flow into her mouth in a steady stream. Kat heard him moan again as she drank from him.
She took the same amount of blood a human would give as a blood donation. He would be lightheaded, but he would live.. When she was done, she stood up and kissed him on the lips. Looking into his eyes she gave him instructions to get dressed and go back to the club. He would remember nothing of their encounter. He nodded and started redressing. Kat gave him one last kiss as he left.
Suddenly, Erik stepped out of the shadows. Kat was so lost in the moment she wasn’t even aware that he was there. That scared her because she should have sensed his presence when he arrived. She was also embarrassed that he had seen her feeding. No one since her Sire watched her actually feed. Her creator only watched in the beginning to make sure he could teach her how to do it correctly without drawing attention.
Erik walked up to her. She stared at him with cold eyes.
“What are you doing here? Are you following me?” She demanded. He grabbed her and kissed her hard on the mouth. In a low, raspy voice he said to her, “That was so hot. I want you right here and now.”
Kat felt her whole body tingle as he whispered in her ear. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been intimate with someone that she wasn’t feeding on. Intimacy while feeding was very different. She felt her breath deepen with excitement, but her mind buzzed with anger. How could he be so arrogant that he thought kissing her would make her fall under his spell!? She raised her hand to strike him, but found herself pinned by him against the wall. He pushed his lips against hers with a desire that made her body ache.
Kat was by no means a weak vampire. She had just fed and could have over taken him without a problem. However, she found herself kissing him back. Her excitement was undeniable as Erik hands moved over every curve of her body. The heat between them was unreal.
He started to unhook her black, leather bustier exposing her smooth, unblemished skin. Erik grabbed her wrists and pulled them above her head. He pinned them to the wall above her. Kat was tortured as used one hand and slowly unhooked one clasp at a time until they were all undone. Gently, he pulled apart both sides of the bustier exposing more of her milky white skin to him. He gazed at her bare breasts for a moment before slipping off the bustier and letting it fall to the ground. Leaning down, his lips touched her exposed flesh. Erik started placing tiny kisses all over her. His tongue snaked out of his mouth and started to lick her. All she could do is moan in pleasure.
As he continued to kiss her, his body pressed hard into hers. Her excitement started to build and she squirmed against him. He let go of her wrists. Her hands moved into his hair holding his head as he licked and kissed her breasts. His hands started moving her skirt up her body. He discovered she was wearing a lacy garter with stockings and sheer panties. Erik fingers moved over her panties as he continued to suck her nipples. He toyed with her nipples, driving her insane with lust.
Kat moaned louder as she felt his touch. He moved back to kissing her lips as his hands grabbed her panties and pulled them down. He broke their kiss long enough for her to step out of them. His fingers went back to exploring her and she felt one slip inside. She wanted him. Kat moved her hips and felt his cock press against her pelvis. Reaching down she unzipped his pants, freeing his hardness.
Kat moved her legs and wrapped them around Erik’ waist. She moved herself into a position so he could slide inside her. He let out a groan as his length plunged all the way in her. His hips moved in a slow purposeful rhythm.
Kat closed her eyes and savored the feeling of him inside her. As she got more aroused, her hips started to move with his. She looked at
him and his fangs were already showing. He moved faster and faster. Kat knew she was getting close to being pushed over the edge and he was not far behind her. He moved hard and fast now. Just as he was about to explode deep in her, he leaned down and sunk his fangs into her neck. Kat felt a rush of excitement as her whole body tensed up and then began to shake. She let out a cry of ecstasy and felt Erik release inside her.
Erik removed his fangs first before slipping his cock out of her. He zipped up his pants and then pulled her in and held her close. “That was amazing,” he whispered in her ear. Kat grinned as he asked. “So Beautiful, have you changed your opinion of me?”
“Maybe, “she said. “I still think you are arrogant, however, maybe it’s not so bad.”
Kat certainly wasn’t going to tell him that she was starting to have real feelings for him. He was probably going to leave now that he got what he wanted. Why should he stick around?
“It’s getting near dawn. We should go.” Kat said softly not wanting to leave his embrace.
He released her so she could get dressed. She walked slowly to the door and he grabbed hold of her and pulled her to him again. He gave her one last kiss before they both headed out into the night.
Kat went out the next few nights but there was no sign of Erik. She wasn’t surprised by this and she knew that she shouldn’t feel hurt, but she did. It had been decades since someone had been interested in her in a romantic way. Kat wanted to be more than just a one night stand to Erik.
CHAPTER 5
It had been two weeks and Kat was walking through the streets on the outside of the French Quarter when she saw a man walking towards her. This was strange since all the shops were closed and there weren’t many apartments in this section of town. However, it could be he was a tourist that had gotten lost. Strayed off from the beaten path. She didn’t think anything more about it.
