Once In A Blu Moon

Once In A Blu Moon

Finale

 

by

 Macie Snow

 

 

 

4:24 a.m.

                 “What the hell is wrong with you people?” I cry, jiggling my hands around trying to free them. After I had discovered that Ron was the son of my sister’s killer, I had made a mad dash for the door. Unfortunately ,Ron had closed the door behind us, trapping me in the wall with them. And I didn’t know the way out. Ron had shortly thereafter handcuffed me in the corner to a metal bar that seemed to be placed there for no purpose other than to handcuff people to it.

                “There’s nothing wrong with us dear. We are perfectly normal.” The man says, placing a small glass vial on the only shelf in the room. It had a whole line of glass vials along it, each one sporting a little white label.

                “How did the girl’s blood taste Father?” Ron asks, throwing me a nasty look.

                Why the hell was he giving me nasty looks? I was the one who should be giving nasty looks!

                “It was a bit dry,” the man says, turning to face us. “She had some anxieties that she kept to herself, which dried her blood out.”

                Clair had anxieties? I shake my head to clear the thought. I couldn’t listen to this guy. Besides, I had more important things to worry about.

                “Perhaps you can find another?” Ron suggests. “After all, the blue moon is not yet through.”

                The man shakes his head furiously and begins flipping through a leather backed journal. “There is not enough time. If you had returned sooner perhaps we could find a victim, but alas, we cannot.”

                “Apologies Father, I could not give away our game to her,” Ron says, nodding his head my direction. “But perhaps she would be a worthy sacrifice?”

                I stare at Ron in horror. Had he just offered me up to his father to fulfill his vampiric fetish?

                The man glances up and looks back down at his book. “She is too old. Her blood will be tainted.”

                “Excuse me?” I cry. “Why would my blood be tainted?” Shutupshutopshutupshutup I scream inside my head. But my sleep deprived body would not listen to my rational side. It was buried deep in a haze of eternal darkness, and blood splattered on white wool. I almost chuckle. What a time for the shock to set in and destroy all rational thought.

                “The blood must be pure,” The man says, carefully reading through his book. “As one grows older, their blood becomes tainted as they let the world sink in. It is why we age, because we lose our carefree demeanor, our innocence.  One cannot live in this world and ever hope to remain pure. The longer one lives, the darker they become. You are no longer young, no longer pure.”

                “Are you calling me old?” I cry. “I’m only twenty!”

                The man peers up at me callously. “That is twenty years too long to remain innocent.”

                “What,” I scream. “The hell are you talking about?”

                The man shakes his head and steps forward, closing his book as he peers into my face.

                “It is very complex my sweet. I do not expect you to understand.” He opens his mouth to say more, but closes it as he takes in my, now ruined, Little Bo Peep costume (or Mary, as I kept trying to insist), and my facial features.

                “What is your name girl?” he demands.

                I see movement behind him and watch uncomprehendingly as Ron places a cell phone sized device on the desk. He notices me staring and frantically waves a hand at his father as he subtly hides the device. My mind spins as I try to identify what he had hidden.

                “Answer me!” the man roars. Ron stares at me, eyes wide, and jerks his head towards his father. Somehow I get the message. Keep him talking. Or maybe that was my survival instinct kicking in. After all, better late than never right?

                “Luna,” I murmur, turning my gaze back to the man, ignoring Ron as he blacks more little boxes around the small room, subtly but effectively hiding each of them.

                “Your whole name,” the man growls.

                “Luna Kimberly Blu,” I spit, glaring into his eyes, meeting his challenge.

                “Really?” The man asks, surprise lighting his gaze. “And I assume you saw the honor bestowed upon young  Clair?”

                “Honor?” I scoff. “You murdered her you bastard!”

                “So you are her sister.” He muses. “When I learned her twin was a boy I was devastated. But they have blessed me with another opportunity. And here you are, right where I need you.”

                “What?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even. Ron had stopped moving around and I glare at him. He was supposed to help me. I was supposed to bring Clair’s murderer to justice. He was supposed to find his mothers killer. I blink and realize that Ron is mouthing words to me. I blink as he mouths them out again slowly.

                Get. A. Confession.

                I inhale sharply, comprehension dawning. He was trying to help me. He had placed voice recorders all around the room. We would have not only evidence, but a confession. That is, if I could get one.

                I wrack my brains, scrambling to find a way to get a confession out of the man who was now, disconcertingly, leering at me.

                “Why does it matter that I’m Clair’s sister?” I ask.

                “They told me that only the pure blood of sisters under a blue moon on all hallows eve would stay pure.” The man answers. He lightly trails a finger up my arm creating a little army of goose bumps that marched after his finger.

                I mentally sort through that very confusing statement and start with the simplest question. “All hallows eve?”

                “Halloween,” he smiles and trails his finger back down my arm.

                “Why under a blue moon?” I ask, gritting my teeth against my gag reflex.

                “Everything is stronger under a blue moon. That is common knowledge.”

                “And why does sister’s blood stay pure?”

                “That is what they told me. They have not lied to me yet, nor will they ever lie. Do you question their wisdom?” he growls.

                I shake my head. “Of course not. I only wish to understand their great wisdom.”

                The man smiles. “Alas! We have not the time for you to learn all their great wisdom.”

                “”Perhaps I could learn some of their wisdom? Surely if I knew the legacy my blood would be used for, it would make me more willing to sacrifice it. And a willing sacrifice would be more pure.” I say, smiling sweetly. “After all, the blue moon does not set until the sun rises at seven.”

                “Seven twelve to be exact,” the man frowns.

                “Of course. And it is only,” I glance at the small clock on the wall above Ron’s head. “Four thirty-five. Surely and hours wait would not taint my blood. In fact, learning of the great wisdom they taught you might even purify my blood.”

                The man’s eye’s gleam in perverse delight. “A brilliant point. Perhaps if I had realized it sooner, the girls’ blood would not have worn off so quickly.”

                I nod, plastering a grin on my face.

                The man step back and pulls up a chair. He sits in the chair and leans back, facing me.

                “The first thing you must know is that they are all-knowing, and they are never wrong. You do not question their word, you do not contradict it. And they can only exist inside me.”

                Comprehension slaps me in the face like a bucket of ice water. I wasn’t just claiming that this man was crazy. He actually was crazy. As in, needed to be constantly supervised, kept on strong drugs crazy. As in, he misses taking his pills and goes psycho and kills people. The only question was, what kind of crazy was he?

                “Unfortunately we do not have the time to educate you about their vast knowledge, so I will merely explain what applies to you.”

                “What my blood is for.” I add helpfully.

                “Right.”

                “And what their blood was for?” I ask, nodding to the shelf of glass vials.

                He glances over his shoulder at the shelf. “Ah, so you were admiring my collection?”

                “Yes, they’re very…..” I search for a description he would like. “Pretty.”

                He laughs. “Yes they are indeed pretty. I had each vial specifically made to match the individuals’ personality. They told me that was the best way to keep the blood alive.”

                “How does that work?” I ask.

                “The glass vial, unique to each personality, keeps their spirit alive. The blood inside is part of their soul, and by matching it with the proper spirit, the blood stays alive inside me.”

                “Brilliant,” I say, turning away from the glass vials of blood before I saw Clair’s. “And you learn their personality by…”

                “Well I have to choose the sacrifice carefully. And leading up to the blue moon I observe them.”

                He was a stalker too. Great. He just kept getting better and better.

                “What about my blood? You haven’t had an opportunity to observe me, and you don’t have a vial for me. Won’t my blood die?” I choke out.

                He shakes his head. “Yours will live with your sisters. She is everything you want to be. Beautiful, innocent, and loved by all. Your blood will bond with hers and live together forever. You need not worry.”

                “So, why must you do this in the first place?” I ask, hoping his answer wouldn’t be ‘because they told me to’.

                “It is the only way.”

                “The only way for what?”

                “I must drink the life of those who are pure. By doing so I will gain their life, and their innocence, thus prolonging my own life.”

                I run that through my head then ask. “So it’s to keep from aging?”

                “Indeed.” He looks at me appreciatively. “It really is such a shame we did not find each other sooner Luna. There is much I could have taught you.”

                I force out a believable smile. “So why do you have to do it the way you do? Wouldn’t it be easier to use a needle in their arm? It would be cleaner too.”

                “I thought that at first too. Honestly I hate cleaning up, that’s why I have Ron clean up after. He’s so much better at it anyway.”

                I glance back at Ron. He had grown pale. I couldn’t blame him either. In catching his father, we had just sentenced him to a life in prison as well. If not a lifetime, then the majority of a lifetime. He waves me on as he open a drawer and starts going through it.

                The man in front of me glances over his shoulder. “What are you doing boy?”

                “Just looking for a pen Father,” Ron says.

                The man shrugs and turns back to me.

                “As I was saying. I thought it would be easier to use a needle as well. And I tried that. But the blood never lasted. I consulted them, and they said that in order for the blood to work, I had to get it straight from the source. Namely, the person’s heart. I go up through the gut because it is easier, quicker, and requires only a sharp knife. Of course it took a few tries to perfect my method. Sadly Ron was too young to be of much help then, so I had to deal with cleanup myself.”

                “How long have you been doing this?” I ask, not looking forward to hearing the answer.

                “Ten years. My dear wife was the first.”

                I shudder. How could this man refer to his wife in a loving way when he had literally ripped out her heart and drank her blood?

                “Why, and please pardon my asking, but why don’t you want to age? Wouldn’t you say that it’s life’s natural course and its beneficial for all?” I ask.

                The man glares at me. “If you are so certain that death is important, we can start yours. Ron, fetch my knife.” The man growls over his shoulder. He stands and pushes the chair back in its place while Ron pushes the drawer shut furiously and dashes out of the room. Unfortunately he blocked whatever mechanism he used to open the door from my view, so escape was still out of the question.

                “Your lesson from them is over Luna Blu. Say your prayers, because they’re going to be your last.”

                My lip quivers before I can stop it and my stomach aches in anticipation of what was about to happen to it. My heart clenches with dread as I realized one inexplicable fact. I was going to die tonight. Luna Kimberly Blu would never see the sun rise again.

 

5:16 a.m.

 

                “Where is that blasted boy?” the man roars, storming around the tiny room.

                I was huddled up against the corner, covered in a sheen of sweat. Anticipation of the pain that was to come had overwhelmed the rational part of my mind, and I could no longer think of anything but my own demise.

                The wall groans, and the door opens, revealing Ron.

                “I am sorry Father, but I cannot find your knife. Nor any knife. They seem to have vanished.”

                “Insolent whelp!” The man screams. “You know where they are!” he storms toward the open door and stops to whisper in Ron’s ear, rather loudly. “If I miss this because of your insolence, you will take her place. Blood be damned. I’ll kill you just for the pleasure of it if I can’t drink her blood.”

                Ron turns a shade lighter as his father storms out of the room, closing the door behind him.

                “You bastard.” I spit, glaring at him.

                He glances down at me, amusement sparkling in his eyes. “My father may be many things Luna, but he is my father.”

                I glare at him as he walks around the room, retrieving his little recording devices. “I won’t play your game.”

                “What game would that be Luna? The game of saving your life and stopping a killer?”

                “That’s my game,” I growl. “Your game is giving me hope and then laughing while I die at your father’s hands.”

                Ron frowns at me over his shoulder. “I’m not going to laugh while he kills you.”

                “But you admit that you’re going to let him kill me.”

                “Of course not. Why do you think I put these voice recorders out? You got him to confess, in a roundabout way.”

                “Excuse me for not spilling his guts. Believe you me, I would love to.”

                “See, now you’re fitting right in.” Ron smiles. He open a drawer and puts them in it, and pulls out a little silver key. “Now let’s get rid of those handcuffs.”

                “Why, so your dad will have the pleasure of the chase?”

                “My father will not lay another hand on you. Don’t you trust me Luna?”

                “No.”

                “Fair enough,” Ron says, reaching around me to unlock my handcuffs. “But I promise you, I am trustworthy. I’ve been trying to find a way to stop my father ever since he forced me to start cleaning up his messes. Now that I have an opportunity, I’m not going to waste it.”

                I rub my wrists and glare up at Ron. “He’s going to be back in a few minutes. With a knife.”

                Ron laughs. “Wow, you really are slow aren’t you?”

                “I haven’t slept for,” I glance at the clock. The hands pointed to the five and the six. It was five thirty. “Twenty four hours. You’re lucky I’m still awake.”

                Ron chuckles. “I would have loved to see the look on my father’s face if you have fallen asleep while he talked about his voices.”

                I frown. “Voices?”

                “You know, ‘them’” Ron frowns at me. “You didn’t actually believe him did you?”

                “Of course not. You wanted a confession, I got him to confess. So….. Why is he” I wave my hand back and forth in front of my face, unable to pull the word out of my muddled, sleep deprived brain.

                “He’s schizophrenic Luna. I figured you would have picked up on that.”

                “And how long has it been since he’s taken his medicine?”

                “He took the last pill eleven and a half years ago and never renewed the prescription. Mom wanted him to overcome this on his own, without drugs. In the end, she was the one who was overcome.” Ron says dryly.

                I say nothing and stare at my hands. A loud noise reaches us and I stare up at Ron, wide eyed in terror.

                Ron winks at me. “Relax, I hid the knives.”

                “Where?” I ask. From the sound of things, there were many knives, hidden throughout the house. How could Ron possibly hide all of them and be sure that they wouldn’t be found?

                “In a place where he’d never think to look.” Ron grins. “The dishwasher.”

                I gape at him. “You hid them in the dishwasher? He’s going to find them! And I’m still going to die!” I wail.

                Ron crouches in front of me and puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder.  “Hey, relax. He won’t look in the dishwasher. We always wash the knives by hand, as we do our dishes. He hasn’t touched it since mom died. I promise you won’t die tonight.”

                I sniffle and nod. “So what’s the plan then?”

                Ron smiles and stands, pulling me up with him. “You will hide.”

“What? I don’t want to hide,  I want to help.”
“You didn’t let me finish.”

“Oh, sorry.” I whisper.

 

6:00a.m.

 

                I  carefully step over the squeaky stair Ron had warned me about and step into the kitchen. As promised, the dishwasher stood alone, and untouched. The kitchen was empty. Ron had told me that his father would be frantically searching his bedroom and the gaming room, which was where he hid most of the knives.

                I step to the patio door and slowly, carefully, slide it open. I allow myself only a few inches, barely enough to squeeze through. Once outside I look around and find the stairs. Rushing down the stairs I look around for the bin Ron had told me to find. It was hard to see in the pre-dawn light, but I managed to find the bin. Rushing over to it, I fling the lid open and dig around in it. I feel the smooth wood under my palm and grab it. Pulling it out, I test the weight in my hand. It was sturdy, and heavy. More than enough.

                I close the lid and run back up the stairs before carefully squeezing back in, bringing my new weapon with me. I close the patio door and click the latch softly. I stand there, forcing myself to breath softly while I listen to the silence. I hear a muffled curse word and a crash.

                “Where are they boy?” Ron’s father screams. I quickly but silently follow his voice. “What did you do with them?”

                “I do not know father!” Ron cries. “I cleaned them and put them back where they always are.”

                “What’s your game boy? What are you planning?” the man growls. I hear heavy footsteps and frantic footsteps, both moving in the same direction. Something bad was about to happen, and I had to hurry.

                I make it to the hallway and rush down it, heading to the one room with the lights on. Ron had told me it was the game room, the first room on the left. I cautiously peek into the doorway and see Ron backed up against the opposite wall; the handcuffs still a lump in his front pocket. His father was right up in his face, and Ron already had a busted lip and a cut above his right eyebrow.

                I practically stop breathing as I silently cross the room. This man would no longer get away with his crimes. I stop right behind Ron’s father and hold the bat up in preparation for the coming blow. I brace myself and swing with all my might right as Ron’s father raises a fist. The bat connects with his skull with a solid thunk. He doesn’t move, and a thrill of fear runs up my spine. Had I not hit him hard enough?

                His knees buckle and he slumps to the ground. Ron sighs and stares into my eyes, fear receding from them.

                “Thank you,” he murmurs.

                I nod and gesture to his unconscious father. “Just put the handcuffs on him before he wakes up.”

                “Right,” Ron says. He pulls out the handcuffs and tightens one around his father’s right wrist, before looking around for something to cuff him too.

                “You could put him by the pool table,” I suggest, pointing to the stubby leg sticking out of the bottom of the table.

                “Good idea,” he says. He drags his father over to the table and pulls the cuff behind the table leg before attaching the other cuff around his father’s left wrist.

                “Now that that’s done,” I murmur, leaning the bat up against the wall.

                Ron smiles sadly and pulls an envelope out of his back pocket. Inside was the letter we had written earlier, explaining what had happened, and how to get to the room in the basement. It also detailed where the voice recorders were, on the desk in the basement, and the sad story of how both I and Ron were killed by his father, Roger. I had discovered his father’s name when peeking at the letter he was writing while cleaning the blood off my arm. I had made my own vial of blood, and added it to the shelf, right next to Clair’s. We head to his room and he takes off his Halloween costume while I start throwing clothes in two large overnight bags. When we are sure we have everything we needed, we go back to the game room where Ron pulls out his phone. I adjust one of the bags on my shoulder as Ron dials three numbers on his cell. 911. H places the phone face up on the pool table and we both leave. We climb into the black Lexus ES 350 in the garage and pull out of the driveway.

 

7:30 a.m.

 

                It didn’t take long for to police to find it. The story was all over the radio. Ron and I listened grimly while they said our names, along with Clair’s. We listened while the y listed the charges placed against Roger Gale Schkitz, Ron’s father. We listened to all of it.

                Roger had ruined both my life, and Ron’s. We were both accomplices, Ron obviously, and me because I had helped burn Clair’s body. Which was a stupid move, I now realized. In trying to prevent my parents from discovering Clair’s murder, I had essentially killed myself as well.

                The letter was one the Ron had written as his father. It described in detail what had happened, and it was meant to look like his father had had one sane moment, and chose to turn himself in, sadly not before killing his son and his last two victims.

                Ron had birth certificates, social security cards, even credit and debit cards (apparently Roger had many private bank accounts, spread throughout different banks around the world); any and all legal papers that we would need to create new identities. Because if it was known that we were alive, we would both be wanted criminals. When asked about the papers Ron told me that his father was paranoid even before his first murder and had created false identities for himself and his whole family. Unknown to me, Ron also used to have a younger sister who, ironically, was about my age. I was worried about the car, but Ron assured me that it would not be missed, because it was not officially registered to his father, or himself.

                We would start a new life, together, and try to forget that Halloween night. Luna Kimberly Blu and Ron Gregory Schkitz had died at the hands of Roger. We were no longer those people. We would create new identities, new histories. And together we would never forget that night. Together we would work past it. Whatever we did, we would do it together. Luna and Ron died. They are no more. I am now Clair Anne Kane. He is Gale Jeremiah Mason. Together we will survive. Together we will live for the lives that were stolen.

                After all, things like what we went through only happen once in a blu moon.

Faere Warrior: Passion's Price Pt. 5

Dr. Mubarak seems to have more than one secret she's hiding.  Sometimes the unexpected can nearly be expected.  Fate has a way of throwing those things in front of us that we just can't seem to escape.  The question is, is Salena gong to be a saviour or a destructor? 
Just when you thought things couldn't get any weirder, never under estimate the powers of the Dark Fae. 

Faere Warrior

 

Pt 5

 

by Ellie Mack

Keegan fidgeted all through class, keeping his head down. Her voice played havoc with his memories. While laying out the outlined schedule for the class, Keegan envisioned her beneath him, straddling him, on top of him, and kneeling before him, using her mouth. He squirmed in the seat. He noticed the jock next to him rubbing himself and was furious. He shot him a dagger stare, then tossed out a quick spell. By the end of class the guy was nearly doubled over with stomach cramps. It would ease when he was fifty yards away from Dr. Mubarak.

He closed his notebook and bound down the steps, taking three at a time. “Salena?"

She spun around, an expression of shock at hearing her name, saying “It’s Dr. Mubarak,” as she turned. When she saw that it was Keegan, she couldn’t help the gasp that came out. “Keegan.”

“So that’s how you treat your best. Hate to be your worst.” He was furious. He was nearly sick pining for her, and she was carrying on as if he meant nothing. “And I’ll no be addressin’ ya as Doctor.”

“Keegan. I--” her hand went to her throat, brushing the delicate skin there. “I went back to your hotel and you had checked out. I didn’t know how to find you.”

“Aye, so ya say. No numba, no nothin’. I’ve been out of my mind wantin’ ya. Now I have to wonder if it meant nothin’ to ya.”

“Of course it did! I wasn’t lying when I wrote that. I had to leave, had to get in early preparing for the semester and all. Like I said, when I went back you were gone. I even went back to that club.”

“Aye? Did ya now?” He reached for her hand. She busied herself with organizing her papers.

“Not here; I could lose my job.” She stuffed papers into the briefcase. “But, if you were to follow me to my house.” She gave him a coy look, motioning him to follow.

He was helpless to do anything else. He followed her to her car, then followed her to her home. His mind raced!  He knew Lee would harass him for his behaviour but he didn't care.  All he could think about had been Salena, and there was no way he was going to walk away. It was more than the sex, although the sex had been off the charts.  She had gotten to him, gotten under his skin, affected him in a way no other woman had ever managed. Although, to be honest it was his own doing.  He never allowed anyone to get close.
He pulled into the drive of her house, and shut off his bike. His heart was pounding and pulse racing.  He was already hard just being near her again. Once inside the door, it was instant heat. Salena closed the door behind them then turned as Keegan pinned her to the wall, her hands over her head as he plundered her lips.

When he finally came up for breath, nuzzling her ear he said “God, lass, I’ve been crazy for ya. Can’t think of naught else but you.” He licked her neck from collar bone to her ear, she shivered.

“You affect me like no other woman.” His lips on hers again as he raised one hand massaging her breast, kneading, cupping then rubbing over her hard nipple leaving her breathless.

“Keegan, I’ve thought of you as well. I keep reliving that night in my mind.” She kissed him aggressively, biting his lip. “Making me crazy with your touch, your kisses.”

He lifted her, her arms falling around his neck. He raised her up, allowing her legs to wrap around his waist, then pressed her against the wall. He couldn’t stop if he wanted to. Salena was finally his again.

He carried her, her legs wrapped around him as she directed him down the hall to her bedroom. He laid her gently on the bed, following her with his full weight, pressing against her fully as her legs were splayed.

She moaned he growled. Her hands clutched the comforter, his hands frantically unbuttoned her shirt. She trailed her nails down his back causing him to arch, pressing into her harder. She nearly screamed.

    A flurry of clothes fell to the floor as they kissed and licked each others bodies. He scooted up against the headboard and she straddled him, her legs wrapped around him. They moved together as if they’d been lifelong lovers, matching movement for movement, anticipating the other’s needs. It was a magical relay, unspoken cues for when they handed off the lead to the other, reaching the pinnacle together.

    As he lay there with Salena, his chest heaving trying to recover from the intensity, he saw a movement at the foot of the bed.  It was just dark enough that it was hard to distinguish. 


            *              *                 *                *

    Master would not be pleased!  His human had brought a male home an allowed him to not only touch her, but she enjoyed him immensely. Siann was to watch her, keep an eye on her, protect the master's property.

    Siann decided, she'd have to punish the humans.  Punish the male that touched the master's property, and punish Salena for her betrayal.  She crouched, shifting her shape into a different form.  Her flesh rippled, the inner parts vibrating as she focused her energy and thoughts into the new form.  It had been a while since she'd taken this form, nearly two centuries since she roamed the Sahara.

    She crept closer, silently edging to the male's leg.  Her mouth watered.  She wanted to taste his blood. She could feel the warmth coming off his body in waves, pulsating with his heart beat.  Her mouth salivated, she wanted to taste him but if she did chances are he'd move before she could sting him with her venom. She edged closer, the battle waging within her whether to bite and taste his blood or to sting him and punish him for touching the master's property.  

    Siann moved closer, she had to move quick.  If she bit and stung at the same time he wouldn't stand a chance.  She crouched, hidden in the folds of the sheets, carefully edging near his flesh. Her mouth watering as she sprang into action, clamping her pincers into his flesh and lashing her scorpion tail over her head, burying her stinger into his leg.  She lapped at the blood, sucking fiercely; knowing it was only a matter of seconds before he would fling her aside to allow her escape. 

   She sucked in deeply, waiting for the intoxicating rush that it gave.  Suddenly a rush of pain shot through her.  She released him before he could brush her aside and scrambled from the bed, falling to the floor.  Shifting as she moved, changing from scorpion to cat as she ran for the door. 

   The Pain!  It was so intense.  Nothing felt this painful except Seelie Fae blood.

   Once outside she halted, turning, spinning around.  Fae blood!  But he was human. Yet, unmistakably Fae blood.  Her insides clenched, she was going to be sick for days with Seelie blood.  Last time she prayed for death, it never came.  Siann slinked off to the cool damp cave on the edge of the woods and reverted to her natural form. Gone was the sleek lines of a feline, in it's place was her rough dark skin, the bulging eyes, her razor sharp teeth, and grotesque form that she despised. Instantly the waves of bile rose within her and she hacked, sputtering blood from her system.  Every nerve was on fire, every cell throbbing with the pain.  She slumped against the cool earth.

   As soon as the sickness passed she'd report to the master.


          *              *                *                *


     Keegan let out a scream!   He smacked at his leg, seeing a giant scorpion scurry across the floor.  "Fuck!"  He clamped his hand over his calf, the pain shooting up his leg.  As he took his hand away, a smear of blood came with it.  He glanced over at Salena, she barely stirred.

    He stepped towards the door determined to squash the stupid scorpion.  'How the hell did it get in here anyway?  Scorpions weren't native to California, were they?' When he stepped to the floor, intense pain overwhelmed him as he buckled to the floor.   He felt nauseous; waves of bile rising, churning his inside.  He drug himself to the bathroom.  The smooth tile floor felt like fire against his skin.  Just a few more feet. 

    He drug himself up to the edge of the toilet, a mere second before his stomach emptied it's contents.  A wave of fire ripped through his insides, and as he glanced at his leg, blood trickled down his leg from bite marks as well as a spot above it.  The blood from the spot above it was thick and greenish. Unseelie blood, but from where?

    "Leevander Traherne!"  He yelled, then collapsed on the cold marble tile. 


Read chapter 4 here
Read chapter 3 here
Read chapter 2 here
Read chapter 1 here

 

Faere Warrior: Passion's Price Pt 4

People are never what they seem.  Isn't it amazing the things you find out when you look beyond  the surface?  Of course what did you expect with a man who is contracted to the Fae, and a woman who is, . . . how old is she?

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Faere Warrior: Passion's Price

Pt 4

by Ellie Mack

     Salena stood in the steaming shower, the pulsing water massaging her skin.  After slaying she felt the effects of age.   She'd managed to reach six of the demons before a guardian showed up.  There had been one in Versailles that she managed to avoid. They were on opposite sides, the guardians and slayers.  

     Guardians worked with the demon masters; protecting them, using their own magic to send their lower caste brethren back through the portals to emerge from the next opening.  Slayers were sanctioned by the church.  Their mission was clear -  destroy the demonic hoards. 

     The Guardians used Seelie weapons to send them back.  What were they thinking?  They would only return at a different location. The lower caste demons were mindless for the most part, depraved evil with single minded focus:  destroy human kind.  It was her calling to protect the human race.  She'd been chosen.

    Salena stretched her neck while leaning against the marble enclosure.  Her body ached in places that she didn't know was possible to ache.  With a heavy sigh she shut the water off, and grabbed the towel.  She rubbed herself with minimal effort, dripping a trail of water as she forced her steps to the bed.  Tired, so very tired. Exhausted, she flopped on the bed, her towel falling open.  It didn't matter, she was too tired to care.  Her last thought was the knowledge that she'd have to use more of her precious elixir, or add another glamour tat, before the new moon.

   As she slipped into black oblivion, the masking spells faded.  The flawless physique was a maze of glyphs and runes.  A ring of glyphs encircled each breast, making a bra of sorts of the tattooed protections.  A series of runes covered the bottom fullness of each breast.  A maze of glyphs covered her lower abs, down over her triangular patch of hair, down between her legs, even over her labia.  the tops of her thighs were covered with long Celtic knot work that had been spelled.  His mark was on her inside thigh, on the top of her left breast just above her heart, and on her ass cheek.

  She sighed, exhaling deeply, with thoughts of Him. 

    She touched her breast. The scarred textured skin of his insignia ring branded into her skin, the reminder that above all else, she was His.  Instantly she was transported to stand before Him.  She knelt, naked in full submission to her master.  she waited until He recognized her.

    "Salena"  His voice rough and scratchy. "Why have you been so long in coming?"

    "I've been searching for the cuffs and torque that would free you, my Lord."  Her head remained down.  She was not allowed to view Him until he commanded her.

    "Any progress?"  A soft rustling of fabric, a slight jangling as he rose, then clipped footfall approaching her.

    "Not yet, my love.  I've come across another guardian."

    He moved her hair aside, and kissed her neck.  She shivered; this made it all worthwhile.  His touch was exquisite.  "How many humans have you offered yourself to since you've come to me?"

    Her mind raced. she knew better than to lie.  "Three, my Lord.  None that compare to you."

    He jerked her hair back pulling her head up.  She quickly squinted her eyes closed, but couldn't help the gasp that escaped her.   "Fucking whore!  YOU'RE MINE!" He roared over her, then slapped her so hard it knocked her to the floor.

    "Always yours, my Lord."  She knelt in full submission, her body folded over itself, head laid on the floor."

    "And what of this guardian?"  He circled her, she  knew the whip was coming.  Her body tingling in anticipation.

   "I only saw him from a distance.  I avoided contact, but I took out six demons."

    "Look at me!" He commanded.  She raised her eyes, viewing her lover as if it were the first time.  He was magnificent.  No human could ever compare to Him.  Salena swallowed hard, her mouth already salivating for his touch, for his pleasures.  She'd do anything for Him and He knew it.  

  "You'll stay close to the guardian.  He'll lead you to the torque."   He bent to her kissing her rough, demanding.   She was instantly wet.  He would torture her, beat her, whip her, but bring her to paradise more times than she could count.  It was worth any pain to be His. To be pleasured by Him, to have Him claim her as His own.  She was forbidden from using His name until she had managed to free Him from this Fae prison. 


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    Her body spasmed on the bed, naked in the moonlight. Welts appeared, beaded lines of blood rising.  Siann sat crouched next to her body, licking the blood from each line as it appeared.  The human was never aware during these episodes.  The taste of blood stirred the beast within her small form.  She could sink her teeth in fully, and this pathetic human would never know.  It would serve her right.

    Siann thought of the irony, the human giving her self over to His pleasure, while allowing Siann her own pleasure with her earthly form.  Humans were easy to toy with.  Once given over to their sensual pleasure, they could do whatever they wanted with them.  Siann sank her teeth into the full roundness of Selena's breast, feeling the tear of her flesh.  she lapped at the flow then suckled, drawing more of the elixir tainted blood from the helpless form.  the elixir was never meant for humans.  It only drove them to madness quicker. 

    Blood lust overcame Siann, and she bit her human again, lapping at the flow. A third time she bit, practically tearing a mouthful of flesh away.  It had been ages since she was allowed to feast, but she knew He would banish her if she destroyed Selena's human form.  She lapped eagerly until the flow ceased.  Siann growled, desiring more.  She watched as Selena's body spasmed and twitched in the moonlight. She needed more.  More blood to satisfy her taste.  She lept from the bed, and sauntered down the hall towards the atrium.  The small door that had been installed for her feline form allowed he to come and go as she pleased.  Although her taste was for human blood, a rabbit or squirrel would have to suffice.  She glanced at her reflection in the glass door as she passed.  Her mouth covered in the red blood just fueled her desire for more.  The sleek lines of a Siamese suited her well.  she rolled her shoulders with grace and power as she stalked towards her next prey.


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   Keegan always hated the first day of class.  He'd spent one year at the Uni back home; since then, it was a different place every semester.   He only had three classes this time:  Dr. Mubarak's Archaeology of the United States and Egyptology in the Modern Era, and Dr. Kincaid's Studies in Mythology.  

    He chuckled; if the professors had only seen half of what he had seen, it would change the way they taught.  If not for the fact that in the real world he needed the education to land the job of his dreams he'd fore go the headache.  It was a sweet deal really.  The Fae funded his college, provided a sizable bank account, and whatever ride he desired.  They funded all travel expenses in exchange for fueling his body with immortality in order to fulfill his role as Guardian.  Well, he hadn't quite made it to Guardian level yet he was still a Warrior.  Still, the benefits were sweet. 

    He took his seat at the back of the lecture hall.  His large size often made it difficult for his more petite classmates to see around him.  Inevitably one of these petite beauties were always drawn to him.   It was okay, he enjoyed the attention.  They were often fun, sweet girls that filled his time.  But he couldn't get Salena off his mind.  He combed his fingers through his hair as we watched the students filing in, thinking of his night with Salena. 

   "Hey, heard the professor's pretty hot.  You here for that, or to actually study this lame ass subject?"

   He turned to the voice beside him.  It was  one of the jocks he'd seen at the bar the night he'd met Salena.  "What?"

   "The professor.  Suppose to be super hot.  Or are you a Joneser?"

   "You want to nail some old man?  What the hell is wrong with you?"

    "NO!  Asswipe.  Dr. Mubarak's a chick.  A super hot stellar."  He scooted back in his chair. "There she is."  He motioned to the front of the class with a head nudge.

    Keegan opened his notebook, adjusting it on the desk shaking his head at the jock. He heard the movements at the front, and out of the corner of his vision saw a form moving about.  He raised his eyes noticing the spelling of the name on the blackboard.  He scanned the area.  Bent down, fiddling with wires, was the instructor.  When she rose,  Keegan's mouth about hit his desk.

Manic Monday

                                                                  LOVE BITES-EPISODE 6

Merah

I watch in awe as Glenn talks to Reggie. The man is magnificent. His words are as smooth as silk and his voice so calming. Not to mention, the man is as hot as heck. I keep my eyes glued to Glenn’s handsome face and unruly brown hair so I am not so tempted to look in the shadows for Nicolai, but I can feel him. Part of me wants to see him, the other part wants to rip his sexy head right off his shoulders. He has to know that Reggie is upset. Why doesn't he just come out and help? I can’t very well say; come out, come out, wherever you are. Then say “oh while you’re here, won’t you brainwash my best friend to let me go live with a stranger?” No, I can’t really do that, and fortunately it looks like I'm not going to have to even bother with Nicolai.

Glenn has Reggie eating out of the palm of his hands. Still not so sure what happened back there, I climb into the passenger side of Glenn’s truck while Reggie and Aaron wave and get into Reggie’s car. Can it be possible that Glenn has the ability that Nicolai has? I am so sure Glenn is Human. He smells like Reggie and Aaron, not like Nicolai. Is it possible some Humans can use mind control?

“Glenn, I need to ask you a silly question?”

“Sure Merah, ask away. I am sure you have lots of questions. I am not sure I will be able to answer them until I call my uncle. First let’s get you to my place and settled in. Tomorrow we will try to get you all the answers you need.” He glanced over at me and smiles timidly. Even in the dark I can see the fear in his eyes, smell it in his blood. I’m not so sure I’ll ever get use to smelling blood like it’s a gourmet dinner, but his really smells good. If he is afraid of me why is he helping me?

“Are you able to control people’s minds?” As soon as I said it I knew I made a mistake. If I didn't know about Vampires or who turned me why would I be thinking about mind control?

“Mind control? Where would you get a silly idea like that?” he chuckled. “I think you’re letting to many vampire stories flood your brain. Pretty much most of that is just that; stories.”

“But we both know vampires are very real. I just wondered how you convinced Reggie to let me come with you, a total stranger, so easily.”

“I am good with people, Merah, and he just wants what is best for you. I can help you more than he can.”

“So you told him you were going to feed me blood and call your vampire uncle to teach me the new ways of the world?” I rolled my eyes though I knew he couldn't see me in the dark. Yet I could see him as clear as if we were in bright sunlight.

“Merah you were standing right there. Didn’t you hear a word I said?” His voice sounded a bit worried.

Uh oh! I hope he doesn’t want to know what I was doing instead of listening to him. I can’t very well say I was hoping my maker would come out and save the day when I have told him I have no clue what happened. I am not a very good liar.

 “Yes I heard you. I just still can’t figure out how he gave in so easily. Reggie isn't the easiest to convince.”

He chuckled again. He has a nice laugh. It’s a shame we couldn't have met under better circumstance. I could go for a man like this. No Merah, You wouldn't go for a man like him. He is too nice, too sweet. Face it Chickie you like the intrigue. The proverbial tall, dark, mysterious stranger. A man more like Nicolai. Nope, you'd never look twice at this one under normal circumstance.

“I wasn’t kidding when I told him I had a degree in sociology and I can help you get through the trauma.” He turned into a driveway of a small but nice looking house. “We are home.”

Home. Will I ever feel like I’m at home again? “So why are you working in a lab and not in a fancy psychiatrist office?”

He gets out grabs my bags and ushers me towards the door. “I got tired of school and decided I didn’t want to sit in an office. I like lab work. I like the variety my job offers.”

He set down my bags and fumbled with the lock. “Damn I knew I should replace that bulb.”

“Let me.” I take the key and easily unlock the door. “Looks like being able to see in the dark can be handy.” I reach down and grab the bags like they were feather pillows. Odd he is a pretty strong looking man and he was tugging as if they were heavy. OH I must have super human strength too. Maybe some of this vampire stuff will actually be useful. No one will ever drag me in an Alley again.

I follow him into the kitchen. He opens his lunch box and takes out two plastic bags and pushes them towards me. “Here, this was all I could get tonight. Drink this, get a shower and go to bed. I am sure you are exhausted. I will call my Uncle Giorgio and see what advice he has to offer.” He busies himself unpacking his lunchbox, rinsing it out turning it upside down in the sink and then opening a cupboard. “Want some soup? I have chicken noodle and chicken with rice? I will stop and pick up some things after work tomorrow. I promise to not pull a double.”

We eat our soup and I finally down the blood. I am surprised I didn’t gag. I really wanted more. No. I wanted to sink my teeth in his soft brown neck.

”Where is the shower?” I get up and look around. He picks up the bowls and rinses them and put them into the dishwasher. After drying his hands, he grabs one of my bags, I take the other and follow him.

“The bathroom is just through that door.” He points to a door off to one side of the room.

“Feel free to use the closet and the dresser. Make yourself at home. It’s not much but at least no one will be bothering you.” He turns to walk out.

“Glenn. Thanks. Really I do appreciate all the help, but maybe my staying here isn't a good idea. I can’t promise I won’t try to … “ I hesitate I don’t want to blurt out rip out your throat.

“I know this is all hard to deal with Merah, But I have watched you on the news and I don't think you would mean me any harm. I also think you have great self-control. It will get easier. I am sure Uncle Giorgio will help. Sleep. I will see you when I get home tomorrow. Stay inside. Use the computer. Just don't leave the house. I will call you tomorrow before I come home. I should be here before midnight with some more blood.” He shut the door. I hear another door open and a lock click, and a bolt slide. I hate to tell him I could probably still open the door like it was made of paper. But I will let him at least feel safe, for now.

The room is pretty nice. No pictures or anything, just a bed, a dresser, and a small desk. I open my largest suitcase and smile. Oh Reggie my love, my laptop. The bathroom is a pale cream with yellow towels and yellow rugs. Not bad. The shower feels good. It also feels better having on some of my own clothes and not a hospital gown or the extra scrubs Glen thoughtfully loaned me. Or Nicolai’s shirt. I look through the plastic bag the hospital put my stuff in; why am I looking for his clothes?

I curl up in the bed under the soft down comforter and stare at the ceiling, trying to sort out my feelings. Why did I run out on Nicolai when days before I was wanting so bad to be in his arms?

I wake up thinking it was morning when in fact it is quite dark. Had I slept all day? Is this my new life; sleeping all day and roaming the streets at night? I jump and grab my ears. It sounds like my head is hung in a church bell. I quickly realize it is a phone. Drats. I still don’t have my cell. Is it at Nicolai’s or do the cops have it? Crap. I was supposed to go to the station for my statements today. I grab the phone by the bed. “Hello?”

“Merah. Did I wake you?” It was Glenn.

“No, I got up a little while ago. I was supposed to go to the station today.”

“I took care of that. We will go tomorrow morning early. I am off tomorrow. Do you have a passport or do we need to get one?” He asked nonchalantly.

“Passport? I have one but not sure if it’s any good. I can’t remember when last I used it.”

“I’ll talk to you more when I get home. Do you like Chinese?”

“You want to go to china for food?” I giggled. I just couldn't resist.

He laughed. I could get use to the calming sound of his voice and his jovial laughter. “No but when we get to Italy I will treat you to the best homemade ravioli you ever had.

“Italy?” I sat on the bed in shock. Wow I have always wanted to go to Italy and with a gorgeous guy?

“Yeah, Uncle Giorgio says it is best we come there. He is more familiar with things there and best to keep you out of sight until you adjust. He reserved us a flight and we will leave tomorrow night. Now how about the Chinese? I am starving.”

“Yeah sweet and sour chicken, and fried rice, and an eggroll, if you don't mind.” I realized I was hungry. Odd I figured all I would want is blood. I guess there is still a lot to learn. How can I drink blood without killing? If I have to kill, is it really wrong to kill those that prey on innocent people? Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone. I chuckle at the play on words. I glanced at the empty suitcase on the desk, wishing now I hadn’t already unpacked. I hate packing. I look at the laptop and open it instead. I pull up Google search; Pedophiles. Wow this will be easier than I thought as page after page appeared before me. Wow and some so close. I look at the clock three hours before Glenn gets here. I smile to myself as I jot down an address.

*************************************

Nicolai

Damn! How did I not notice she wasn’t with her room-mate? I am getting careless with my old-age. I watch Reggie and his friend go into their house but no Merah. Where the hell is she? Surely she didn't leave with the other man. I had researched her for months. She wasn't dating anyone. Well I am hungry and I need to fed its almost morning and I am too tired to hunt. I will talk to Reggie, and feed from him.

“Hello Reggie?” I smile as I capture his gaze. This one is too easy. He opens the door and I look at his roommate. This one I don't like, but he too is easy to read. I feed quickly and find out what little they had to tell me. I decide I can use Reggie to keep tabs on Merah and tell me more of this Glenn Moore. Something just isn't quite right. Why is this stranger so interested in Merah. I don't believe the therapy stuff for one minute. Tomorrow I will have Reggie give Merah a cell phone. Then I can keep track of her with that. I love technology. I tuck Reggie and his boyfriend nicely into bed erase memory of my feeding and make it look like they had been having sex. All Reggie will remember is to come to my office tomorrow afternoon. I look at them all safe and sound. I could just rip off Reggie's head and send it as a message to Merah; to not be screwing with me but I think better of it. This will be much better. I can get him to talk her into whatever I need. Tomorrow he will give her the phone and some more gentle messages. She will see it my way soon and come to me. I lay down in the bed and smile. Yes soon she will be here where she belongs. She will realize we need each other. I fall asleep and dram of a better life a life with a partner, after all these years I will soon no longer be alone.

The next day I find out from Reggie that Merah didn’t go to give a statement to the police and that she is going the next day. I go and give my statements and make it easy for her. They won’t have many questions and will have all the answers already. She better appreciate my skills. I head home quite pleased with myself. I eat my dinner at the police station. It has been a long couple of days. I figured a quick feed from a sweet receptionist wouldn't hurt. She wouldn't remember a thing. I even had the officer she longed for call her for a date. A lay was the least I could do for her since she so willingly let me drink her lifeblood. I take off my shoes and turn on the TV. How do these pretty young women talk about murders and smile? So it is a pedophile but still, slit throats are never pretty to see. Before I realize it I hear glass break as the remote sails out the window. Shit. Merah, what have you done?

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Check out the previous episodes of Love bites at the following links:

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Episode 5

Return next week monday for a new episode and to find out what Nicolai does next? Will Merah leave before Nicolai can get a hold of her? And what about Giorgio, can we really trust a vampire?

Tomorrow is Unexpected Desire by Anjie Harrte.

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