Bride of Blood:: First Kiss Page 7

  Anton felt her body go limp, as he suddenly realized what he was doing. He pulled his mouth from her neck and collapsed on top of her, spent. He hadn’t drunk too much, but he knew she would be unconscious for at least a day or two. Sex between a vampire and a mortal was usually not practiced since there was a chance that the mortal might not survive. Luckily Anton came to his senses before he’d taken her life.

  He pulled himself out of her and stood up. He looked down at her. She was in a deep sleep. Her body was covered with sweat and she was breathing slowly but steadily. A mixture of his and her blood began to seep out her vagina. Anton quickly cleaned her up and wrapped her in several blankets. Through it all, Crystal continued to sleep peacefully. Anton head began to ache and he felt tired. He said a quick prayer of thanks that he hadn’t killed her. He was dreading the long walk back to his home. He looked down at Crystal, fast asleep. He really wanted to slip into the blankets and snuggle up to her warm body and sleep. However, he had no way of knowing when she would wake and there weren’t sufficient window coverings. Staying was simply not an option.

  Anton walked until he was outside the city limits. He then called Chelsea and asked her to pick him up. Dutifully, she did so and he headed for home.

  As Chelsea drove, Anton looked out the window and thought about Crystal and Velara. They were one and the same but still two different beings. It was kind of similar with Vercie. He sighed as he realized that he probably wouldn’t be able to see Crystal again.

  Eventually, he would have to tell her the truth about who he was and that was too much to put her through. Although both of them could enjoy the hours of sex they’d shared again and again, Anton knew that would be the extent of their relationship. Plus, what if he did lose total control and killed her? He was not permitted to make her one like him so she would simply die. Either way it would not be fair to her. It was just best to let her go.

  He thought of Velara. She was the one he truly loved. He ached for her and wanted her so badly. He had to find her there was no other alternative.

  Chapter 7 Lady Bernadine

  Anton and Alexander stood at the end of their driveway, like they had several weeks ago when life seemed so simple and predictable. Now they were waiting for Chelsea to pick them up and have them shipped to Africa. When anyone in the bloodline of Nephthys encountered any trouble, they would go to the compound of Lady Bernadine, the head of their order.

  No one knew exactly how old Lady Bernadine was, although some guessed several centuries. While she was not Nephthys herself, some said that she was the first offspring of Nephthys’ bloodline. She possessed centuries of wisdom and untold powers and yet was very approachable and loving.

  The compound she resided in was buried deep in the African jungle. To keep it safe from The Order of the Dragon or vampire-hunting mortals, its location was known to only a few. There was a select series of procedures that one had to go through in order to get to the compound and while always under a trance.

  The compound was quite large, taking up would amount to about three city blocks above ground. The underground passages and labyrinths were rumored to go on for miles. It had the look of ancient ruins and was rumored to be as old as time itself. It was protected with several enchantments and spells, similar to those in Anton’s home, just in case some mortals stumbled upon it.

  One would venture to the compound to receive counsel, training or even comfort from Lady Bernadine or one of her countless handmaids. Some female vampires would even come in hopes of being considered for the job of handmaid. This was a lifelong commitment that few vampires would make. It was very similar to monastic life for mortals. The handmaids received special training under Lady Bernadine personally and would perform various duties for her. Anton’s former girlfriend Charlotte had become a handmaid several years ago. There was no contact between them since and he never saw her when he visited the compound.

  Anton wondered over the past weeks if Velara became a handmaid. It would have made a lot more sense for her to do that instead of simply vanishing before that twilight. But he realized that since she had been a slave in her mortal life, she would want no part of servitude again. No, she left him to find herself or something like that. The messages he received from her were always garbled and unclear. Usually she appeared in dreams and would talk nonsense, or he wouldn’t be able to remember the conversation when he woke. He found himself tired and depressed all the time. Since Chelsea’s ceremony, Anton was very withdrawn and didn’t feed very often. He didn’t go to JR’s bar or even The Truckstop.

  One night, Anton went up to the window of the restaurant and watched Shannon. She looked like she was doing okay. She kept glancing at the table where Anton usually sat. She looked like she missed him, and he did miss her. But his mind was too wrapped up in his own thoughts to bother with her. He promised himself that he would visit her when he returned from Africa.

  Alexander was excited about the trip. He was terribly worried about Anton and hoped that the trip would lighten his mood. Plus, he wanted to talk to Lady Bernadine himself about Rachael. He knew exactly how she felt about him, and he wanted to let her in. He was ready to love her but was unsure how to or what exactly was stopping him. He knew there was an emotional barrier of some kind up that was keeping him from loving her. When she touched him, he felt uneasiness and almost a strange sort of pain. It was as if his flesh didn’t want him to touch her, but his heart longed for her.

  Both of them were lost in thought when Chelsea pulled up in the van. The backseats had been removed and there were two coffins in their place. Since any sort of long distance travel risked exposure to sunlight or to mortals, the only way for a vampire to travel was to be shipped. Coffins were the simplest because no one would ever open it during transit. Besides, international corpse transport was actually quite common. And of course the shipping company was paid well by The Order to not ask questions. They oversaw coffins in and out of Africa, the States and all places in between.

  Chelsea knew the routine, so she opened the van’s sliding door and let in the vampires. Anton and Alexander would have to go into a sort of hibernation-like state in order to make the journey. They would need to feed as soon as they arrived.

  Alexander kissed Chelsea on the lips and got into his coffin. He closed his eyes and folded his arms across his chest. Suddenly his skin became like a marble statue. No matter how many times Chelsea saw a vampire go into that state, it still freaked her out. To her it was like seeing Alexander die before her eyes, which was her worst nightmare.

  “You know what is to be done, right love?” Anton asked her.

  “Yes of course,” she replied, stammering.

  “Just remember, give them this manila envelope and they will take it from there,” he said handing her a big envelope. She knew that it contained papers, instructions, and a nice sum of cash.

  Anton hugged her, tightly. She closed her eyes and whispered in his ear, “Be safe and come back to me…both of you!”

  He nodded, kissed her forehead and got into his coffin. Chelsea turned her head away this time, as he transformed himself into the mummy-like state. She closed her eyes when she closed the lid and secured it. Even with all that, she still got a chill up her spine.

  Alexander opened his eyes and sat up. He glanced up at the ceiling that simulated daylight and smiled. Even though he knew it was just an illusion he still enjoyed it. He knew he would never get to see the true daylight ever again, but this was the next best thing.

  He glanced over and stared at the dead mortal girl lying next to him. Her lifeless eyes stared back at him, frozen in the look of terror. She was naked as he was but she had been for feeding not pleasure. Not that he would have made her because he could have cared less. Her throat was gaping open where he’d torn it and fed. He’d been so ravenously hungry he didn’t care if she suffered or not. This was not like him at all, but a hungry vampire could not be held responsible for what he did. It was why The Cleaners were kept employed.


  With a quick shove, her body rolled off the bed and onto the hard wooden floor. Her head made a loud smack when it struck the floor. At that instant, three of Lady Bernadine’s handmaids appeared from out of the shadows. They didn’t lift their eyes or acknowledge Alexander as they retrieved the corpse and quickly changed the linens on the bed. Just as quickly as they came, they disappeared.

  Alexander stood beside the bed and put on the white robe the handmaids left. He ran his left hand through his hair, which now ran down past his shoulders. He hadn’t bothered to cut it for a while and doubted if he would again anytime soon.

  Suddenly a pair of lily-white hands touched his shoulders. He relaxed right away, knowing that it was his beloved Lady Bernadine. He felt her rest her head against his back and then turn him around.

  He wrapped his arms around her and buried his head in her dark red hair. The sweet perfume of her locks comforted him and every care and concern seemed to evaporate. He always felt safe and secure in her arms. She reminded him of a mother that he didn’t remember but dearly missed.

  Bernadine ran her fingers through his long hair. She closed her eyes and tried to put all the concerns of her own out of her mind. There were many troubling things afoot, but she was always able to put up a brave front for one of her children.

  She sent all the positive, loving energy she had to Alexander. With each movement of her fingers, she could see could feel the worry and pain leave his body. She closed her eyes and read his thoughts. She would help him to break the chains around his heart. He must be able to truly love, she thought.

  A few moments later they were in bed together. He was lying on his back with his eyes closed. She lay next to him with her head on his shoulder. She touched his eyelids and said softly, “Alexander, I want you to relax. Free your mind and allow me to help you.”

  He put up no resistance as she touched his cheek with her long nails. It was hidden memory, buried deep inside that was keeping him from loving Rachael. She had to dig deep and find it.

  When Alexander was between waking and sleep, she touched his forehead. Her fingers, now ghostlike, reached into his head. Quickly and expertly she caught the rogue memory between her thumb and forefinger.

  When she pulled it out, the memory appeared like a wisp of smoke. It struggled to get free of her grasp and return to Alexander’s brain. She spoke an incantation and the memory relaxed as she grabbed its loose end with the other hand. She twisted her fingers quickly and blew. The memory disappeared without a sound, gone forever.

  She waved her right hand in front of Alexander’s head, closing his mind. She said into his ear, “Wake and be free to love.”

  Alexander opened his eyes and sat up. His eyes were brighter and even happier than they ever been. He smiled at her and she smiled back. She put her hands on his face and kissed him.

  She stood up and said, “I have one more surprise for you.” She snapped her fingers and suddenly Rachael appeared out of the darkness.

  Upon seeing Alexander, Rachael smiled. Alexander sprang from the bed and ran up to her. They fell into each other’s arms. Bernadine folded her arms across her chest. Rachael looked over Alexander’s shoulder, still in his arms. She mouthed the words, “Thank you.” Bernadine nodded and began to fade into the shadows. Before she left the room, she stole a glance back at the couple. They were locked in a passionate kiss. Bernadine nodded and departed.

  Charlotte hung back in the shadows and watched Anton feed. Anton was drinking from the newly dead mortal girl that Bernadine had presented him with soon after he woke. She was careful to stay as far in the shadows of the room as she could. She wanted to see Anton but didn’t dare let him see her. She’d forgotten how beautiful he was. Her body suddenly ached to be with him. How badly she wanted to come out of the darkness and reveal herself.

  Suddenly a hand touched her right shoulder. She spun around, almost in a rage over the intrusion. She came face to face with Lady Bernadine, who had a disappointed look on her face. Charlotte was overcome with a sense of shame at her moment of weakness. She bowed to her mistress and quickly left the room. She realized that she would not be punished this time, but surely would if she came into Anton’s presence again.

  Anton lifted his head from the girl’s neck. He wiped his mouth and lay back on the pillow. The Rush hit him especially hard since it had been so long since he’d fed. In his brief moment of ecstasy, two handmaids quickly entered the room and removed the corpse.

  After the Rush dissipated and Anton was feeling warm all over, he suddenly began to think about Charlotte. It had been quite a while since he had seen her. He pictured the beautiful, small Korean vampiress that he loved. He could picture her small features and soft black hair.

  He didn’t miss her, not like he did Velara. She made her decision to become a handmaid and he supported her on that decision. He began to wonder for a moment where she was in the compound. What work did Lady Bernadine have her doing? Had she seen him or Alexander since they arrived?

  Lady Bernadine emerged from the shadows. As soon as her perfume began to tantalize his nostrils, Anton sat up. He smiled at the sight of her.

  The vampire queen was a striking sight. No matter how many times he saw her, it was still like the first. She was what a mortal world would call a ginger: she had ultra, long red hair that fell way past her waist and had very light colored skin. Her eyes were green and had just a hint of an Asian slant to them. She wasn’t very tall, but her very feminine frame filled out her red and white robes perfectly.

  She sat on the bed next to Anton and opened her arms. He obediently went to them and buried his hand in her hair. “Tell me what troubles you, love?” She asked him, stroking his hair.

  He lifted his head and told her about his dreams and visions of Velara, the way he wasn’t able to function and how he was depressed over the whole affair. Bernadine listened and nodded. At times, Anton came close to tears, but always fought them back. She could tell that he was becoming more relieved with each word because he had not been able to unburden himself to anyone. Being able to let it out, was a step on the way to healing.

  After he finished, she smiled and put a hand on his leg, “Velara is coming back to you,” she said quietly.

  Anton was about to jump to his feet, but restrained himself as she continued, “I don’t know when or where. But she will return. I can’t even tell you all the places she’s been or all that she’s done. That will be up to her. However, I can tell you that a reunion will be inevitable.” After she finished speaking, Bernadine suddenly grew sad.

  Anton noticed her sudden change and said, “There’s more isn’t there?”

  Bernadine nodded, “I’m afraid so. Your reunion will be brief.”

  Anton nodded and the sadness returned to his face.

  “War is coming,” Bernadine said.

  Anton gave her a quizzical look. Had he understood right? War?

  “You haven’t felt the tension in the air?” she asked. Indeed he had. Something had been wrong. He had been unable to feel it since the thoughts of Velara occupied him.

  Bernadine explained, “The balance between our clans has shifted. Since Drago has taken control of The Order of the Dragon, we have been on the brink of war.”

  Anton nodded. When the two Princes headed The Order, they had been able to coexist. Although their practices and laws had very little in common, there was almost no conflict between them. All the other vampire clans were killed off or joined either the Dragons or The Order of Nephthys. Those vampires whom mortals would consider evil, were with the Dragons. All others were with Bernadine and obeyed all the laws and expectation she set forth. A few who had not been able to let go of the old ways, had defected even though they were of the Nephthys bloodline. Likewise, those who were Dragons but desired change and survival had sworn allegiance to Bernadine and The Order of Nephthys. Bloodlines had become a thing of the past as loyalty and survival were the main concerns.

  Now that Drago and his follower
s had usurped The Order, everything was in turmoil. Drago only wanted absolute power and cared not if he killed or totally exposed their way of life. The Princes had gone into exile since they lost control of The Order and would be of no help.

  “I had hoped and prayed that we could co-exist but Drago wants no part of it,” Bernadine explained. “He has gone so far as to kill some of our number.”

  Anton gasped. To kill another vampire was an unforgiveable crime.

  “The Defectors as he called them,” Bernadine explained. “He had them killed or did it himself. I’m not exactly sure.” Her expression was that of deep sorrow. Anton had never seen her so sad. “Nevertheless, the truce has been broken. War is upon us.”

  Anton took her hand in his. “What can I do?” he asked.

  “At the moment, nothing,” she said, getting up. She looked at the ceiling. Its magic created the illusion that it was a clear, unclouded sky. “You go back to the Colonies and attend to your own affairs. I will send word to you about what you are to do. Please send word to me if anything out of the ordinary occurs.”

  He got out of bed and walked up behind her. He closed his eyes and held her close to him.

  Bernadine closed her eyes, too, and felt his hard body against her back. She wanted him. She wanted him badly. Every other time he came to the compound they had made love. It was one of the things that she always looked forward to when he visited. She did sleep with some of the other vampires in The Order, but none of them had the ability to satisfy her the way Anton did. She desperately wanted him to take her into the bed and make passionate love to her. However, this was not the time. There was too much going on.

  Although they would both welcome the distraction of each other’s bodies, it was not going to happen on that visit. Maybe the next one…