An Appetite for Love

by Elaine Young

  Becky’s heart raced.

  “Why are you telling me all of this?”

  “Because… fate.”

  Fate?

  That was what he thought was going on here? That fate had brought them together in some way.

  “No.” Becky held the knife out to him, her hand shaking as she tried to look fierce.

  “I’m sorry.”

  He truly sounded sorry. He turned away from her and she could hear him inhale deeply.

  Wait.

  “Vampires don’t breathe.” She snapped.

  “Says who?” He turned his head, just enough so she could see the smile on his lips. “You can learn a lot from a scent.”

  Becky’s eyes widened. She tried to think of something to say, but couldn’t bring herself to utter a word.

  “I’m going to go for a walk, it will help me… relax. When I come back, I’ll be back to normal. We can talk more. Just please… stay here so I can find you. It could be dangerous for you here if you got lost.”

  Becky watched as he walked away without another word.

  Chapter

  “I have to admit, I’m surprised you’re still here.”

  “What was I going to do? Run away? You told me it would be bad for me to do that.”

  Darian closed the distance between them as Becky turned to face him. He looked normal. His eyes weren’t glowing anymore, but she couldn't forget that look on his face. Or his words. Fate. That’s what this was about? Because she’d told him that she believed in fate?

  “I don’t get it. I mean, I get it.” She hadn’t needed to see the fangs to believe him. “But… all of this. Why are you showing me? Shouldn’t someone be trying to kill you for showing me this? Are you supposed to be hiding?”

  “Not from you.”

  Becky didn’t like that. She didn’t like that one bit.

  “Well what the fuck is so special about me?” She snapped.

  Darian closed the distance between them and sat down. He reached out and took her hand in his, his cold fingers brushing over hers. A shiver ran down her spine. She tried not to let it show.

  “I don’t know.” He whispered. “I just… have this… pull to you. And clearly you have it too.”

  Becky raised her eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

  “You came to me in that dream last night.”

  “So?”

  “So you don’t just project to people if they don’t mean anything to you, and you sure as shit don’t find them in 1949.”

  “No, but you found me, didn’t you?”

  “No Becky. I didn’t. I wasn’t expecting you to find me at all… I wasn’t expecting you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Darian bit his lip. It reminded Becky of the glow in his eyes earlier. Her heart skipped a beat.

  “There is a lot to take in, but I’ll try to start with the basics.” His hand moved from hers to the grass, running his fingers through it.

  Becky sat there totally still as she watched him, her fingers still clutched the knife tightly.

  “First, I’m much older than I look.” He gave a soft smile. “I’ve been around for a very long time, and it is my job to… make sure some things stay the same in history.”

  “What?” Becky’s brow furrowed.

  “You don’t think Hitler lived all those years just by luck, do you?”

  Becky’s jaw dropped. “You… you saved him?”

  “Personally? No, but an associate of mine has. I’ve handled other situations. You have to understand… while we’ve suffered loss that no one can ever put into words as a human race, there are some things that can’t be changed. Saving just one person from The Witch Trials could change the course of the whole world.”

  “So that’s your choice to make?” Becky snapped. “Who are you to decide who lives and dies?”

  “I didn’t. I don’t.”

  Darian paused. He looked up at the night sky, laying down as he let out a soft sigh.

  “Then-”

  “Fate has already worked her hand. It is my job to make sure that she doesn’t have to keep coming back and correcting everything. It’s my job to make sure that people don’t play with the past. The past is there for a reason, and it is not meant to be changed, Becky.”

  “So… you’re a vampire and it’s your job to make sure no one kills Hitler?”

  Becky couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She tried to wrap her head around it. She’d said she would give him the benefit of the doubt. She was trying.

  Darian laughed softly. “I told you, I haven’t saved him. But there… are some downsides to working for Fate.” He made it sound like it was a person. “She… didn’t know what she was doing.”

  “She?”

  “Yes. You didn’t think Fate was a man, did you?” He raised an eyebrow. But he didn’t wait for Becky to respond. “She needed help, so she sought out her sister- the queen of the vampires.”

  Becky’s mind raced. Some said Lilith was the queen of the vampires. That she had been before Eve in the garden, but she had been too dominate. She had been banished, and Eve brought in.

  “Lilith?” She asked tentatively.

  They’d just studied it a couple weeks ago for class, she knew it wasn’t an old theory. Not as old as it should be.

  “No. That isn’t true.” Darian said. “No, we do not know her creation, but we do know that she is not Lilith. Her name is not something anyone can speak now. We simply call her The Queen. She was Fate’s sister. She created something that could help Fate as a gift, after seeing humans play with the magic. They tampered with fate. They tried to take advantage of. Fate cried, she was so heart broken, so The Queen created something that could live longer, move faster, and even lived by killing those humans who would destroy Fate’s hard work.”

  Becky swallowed dryly. She could feel a bead of sweat run down her back.

  “And now, here I am. I am what The Queen created. I do Fate’s bidding, but the more of us created the longer it takes.”

  “Wait, so all vampires can time travel?”

  “Maybe. Depends on if they were taught. Most of them are not taught. Most of the vampires do not need to, there are so few humans who try to tamper with Fate these days. So few even believe she is there. Most vampires live their lives normally these days.”

  Chapter

  It was all so much. Becky tried to process everything. She tried not to let it get to her but as she sat on the ground she could feel her body not wanting to react. She was limp.

  “Here.” Darian reached into his backpack and pulled something out. “I should have fed you before now. I’m sorry.”

  Becky took a candy bar from him and tore into it.

  “The traveling can take a toll on anyone who does it.”

  “What about you?”

  “I will eat later.”

  Becky’s stomach turned as she realized what he meant. “You mean, someone?”

  “No. I don’t eat people…. Just from them.”

  He said that like it made everything okay.

  Becky thought she might puke as she stared down at the candy bar in her hand. Suddenly she had no intention to eat. She couldn’t bring herself to even open it.

  She’d thought he was nice.

  “So, I’, guessing it’s true; vampires only care about one thing from humans.” She spat the words.

  “I have limited choices.” Darian spoke softly. If she had thought vampires could blush she would say he might have been. “Do you mean to tell me that a deer or a dog is any less important than a person?”

  Becky opened her mouth, but didn’t say anything. Did she?

  “Humans are the only ones who sin because they want to. A wolf will kill to save themselves, a human will kill because they find pleasure in it.” Becky swallowed dryly. “I don’t kill.” He sounded offended when he said it. “But I will not pretend that animals are less deserving of life than humans. I feed off those willing to feed me, and if I cannot find someon
e I make a stop to a blood bank, which is a last resort because I’d rather not have someone die because I like Type A-”

  Fine he made a point.

  Becky stared down at the chocolate bar and opened it. She took a bite and focused on chewing.

  “I want to take you somewhere.”

  “Where?” She asked through a mouthful of food.

  “Where do you want to go?”

  Becky mulled it over. She took another bite, the candy was good for her. She could already feel herself feeling a little better.

  “I’d like to go to the old west, can you do that?”

  “Of course.” He laughed softly. “Though we’ll have to change when we get there.” His eyes locked on her.

  He moved without Becky even realizing it. His lips touched hers. She stared at him blankly.

  “I want you to experience all the joys of traveling.” He whispered.

  He stood and held his hand out to her. Becky took it without hesitation. Darian took the candy bar from her and stuffed it into his pocket. He pulled her close to him, his cold fingers wrapping around her.

  “Ready?”

  She nodded.

  Everything spun around them, but this time she was ready for it. She didn’t want to puke as badly, and when everything stopped spinning she didn’t fall over.

  It was still night, and the ground was still dirt, but she could tell they weren’t where they had been. It was gorgeous. The stars were up in the sky, there were millions of them.

  Darian pulled away. He stumbled over his own legs.

  “Are you okay?”

  Even with only the light of the moon Becky could tell he didn’t look good. She reached out and grabbed him, pulling him close to her.

  “Hey, hey.” She whispered.

  “I…” He took a deep breath.

  “What?”

  “We need to get somewhere…”

  Becky nodded. She didn’t need him to tell her anything else. They needed to get out of the street. She was wearing a kimono. If someone say them… god knows what would happen.

  Becky guided him down the street, between buildings. She looked around. All the lights in the houses were off around them, if they even had lights. Candles or gas lanterns. She thought.

  She couldn't believe this was actually happening.

  Darian’s fingers tightened around her wrist, pulling her close to him. “I’m not used to being saved.” He whispered softly.

  “You’re not in good shape, are you?”

  “I don’t often travel so much in such little time.”

  Becky’s heart skipped a beat. “You… you need to eat, don’t you.”

  “I’ll find something in a couple seconds. I just… need a few to regain myself.”

  “No.” Becky cleared her throat, she pulled away from him knowing full well that he allowed her to, or maybe he was just that weak.. “You… you don’t need to find something.”

  He was weak, he’d needed her help. He lifted her wrist to him.

  Darian stared at her, his eyes locking on hers.

  The hunger overwhelmed him. He couldn’t take it much longer. He took a deep breath and tried to force it down. “I can’t.”

  “Just do it.” She snapped. “Before I realize how crazy this is.”

  Darian took her wrist in his hand, he couldn’t let her get away from him. The predator took over. Pain.

  He let out a soft gasp, his eyes rolling back as he pulled her warm body against his.

  Becky’s heart raced. She’d been stupid, she knew that. She closed his eyes as a hand covered her mouth. He was just making sure he didn’t draw attention to her. She knew that but it didn’t make her feel better. His teeth sunk into her forearm. She gasped, her eyes rolling back. It didn’t hurt like she thought it would. No, it felt okay.

  It didn’t hurt.

  Darian pulled away from her after a couple of seconds.

  She kept her eyes shut as she took a deep breath. She heard something tear and felt fabric wrap around her forearm.

  She opened her eyes and stared down at it. “Thank you.”

  He gave her a soft smile. “I want to show you something.” He took her hand and pulled her along with him, not seeming to care if anyone saw them.

  “You saved me.” He said. “If someone had come across us with the state I was in, I’m not sure I could have fed and not killed.”

  “You didn’t kill me.”

  “That’s because it’s you.” Becky’s brow furrowed. “Fate would never allow me to kill someone I’m bound to.”

  Becky’s heart skipped a beat. They came to a stop just outside of the town and he turned around, so did Becky. It was no more than 20 buildings, out in the middle of nowhere.

  “Wow…” She whispered. She took everything in.

  “This is the beauty of life. And I have the honor to see every stage of it.” He sounded proud. “I know you may not believe me.”

  “No, I do.” How could she deny it?

  “I’d like to bring you with me, forever.”

  “You mean… you want…” Before she could say it his lips crashed against hers. Cold but full of passion. That wasn’t what she noticed. Copper slipped into her mouth.

  She pulled away from him, her hand covering her mouth.

  “It’s started now. It can take as long as you want, but with every time it becomes more and more permanent.” He said. “I take a little, and I give an even smaller amount in return.”

  “And what? We travel the world together?”

  “Yes. That is what Fate has decided for you.”

  But what did that mean? What would she have to give up?

  “My family…”

  “I can take you back to them without you losing a single day, even if it’s been years.”

  Becky stared out at the small town in front of them. She could walk over to the tavern and she could go buy a drink. Who in their right mind would give that up? Who in their right mind would go back to a normal life?

  “So… what do you say?”

  “I need to be home in time to write an essay tonight.” She said, a soft smile spreading over her lips.

  ***The End***

  Betrothed

  & In Love With a Commoner

  By: Elaine Young

  CHAPTER ONE

  Lady Arabella Barrington’s normally smiling; rosebud lips were pressed in a thin line of displeasure bordering on fury. Her eyebrows furrowed with rage she paced back and forth down the length of her bedroom, her stocking clad feet sinking into the lush mauve carpet.

  Normally the tastefully furnished bedroom was Lady Arabella’s sanctuary and her spirits could be lifted by simply entering her room and soaking in the familiar, cherished surroundings. Half a dozen years ago when her mother had insisted on giving their estate a face lift; Arabella had joyfully thrown out the old-fashioned heavy furnishing and dark wallpapers. She had chosen a purple and silver color scheme to create a light, airy feel to her suite of rooms. But for once not even the beautiful draperies in dark purple, the silvery bedding or the antique furniture tastefully arranged in her rooms could lift her spirits. Her mind was in turmoil and she was fuming. She wanted to throw something at someone but didn’t know exactly whom she could blame for her current predicament.

  The messenger who had brought the news to her parents?

  Her grandfather who had made this monumental decision about her life without even bothering to consult her?

  Her parents who had agreed without asking for her input?

  Or should her anger be directed towards the arrogant Duke who thought he could lay claim to her?

  At length she stopped her pacing and fell back on the silken sheets of her large bed flanked on both sides by French windows and groaned out loud. The truth of the matter was it made no difference who had decided this; the only thing that mattered was a decision had been made. One which everyone expected her to abide by. But she knew she couldn’t.

  For most of her eigh
teen years Arabella, or Bella as she was known by her close friends and family had always gotten her way in life. As the only daughter of extremely wealthy, aristocratic parents, she had been spoiled rotten and had been raised like a princess, with a golden spoon in her mouth. So it was no surprise that she possessed a fiery temper and could be exceedingly stubborn. But those flaws were outweighed by a naturally sweet and kind disposition and a lively, generous spirit. Everyone loved Bella because she loved everyone. There was no haughtiness in her personality so people flocked to her to enjoy her friendship rather than envying her exceptional beauty and great wealth. Although she was a very popular young lady, Bella only counted Mavis Reid as her truest and dearest friend. The two had been inseparable since they were toddlers and did everything together. As soon as Bella had been told the earth shattering news, a maid had been dispatched post haste to the Reid household. While Bella waited for Mavis to arrive, she wrestled with her dilemma.

  From a very young age Bella had been an incorrigible dreamer, she had lived in a bubble of happiness sheltered from the cruelties and hardships of the world. She had dreamed of her first season, of beautiful gowns and balls and parties of finding love in the midst of all the handsome men she would meet, she had imagined being swept off her feet by a man who loved her fiercely, one who would be willing to lay his life down for her.

  And now on the cusp of her proper debut into society, just months away from her first season, she was being told she was already betrothed. Promised to a man she could only vaguely remember and powerless to stop the chain of events rapidly unfolding before her. Because not only did she discover she was already betrothed but her mother had announced earlier during tea that the Duke of Chambray would be leaving France within the week in order to come to London.

  CHAPTER TWO:

  “I think a summer wedding towards the end of the season would be lovely dear, in fact your reception could be the very last ball to close the season, the grandest ball of the summer! What do you think?” her mother had asked her barely able to contain her excitement. Lady Jane Barrington loved throwing parties and she was exceptionally good at them. Her only daughter’s wedding was something she had been looking forward to for a great many years and she was determined it would be one to remember.