Hi Everyone!
This is a rough final chapter of my story of a vampire and his lady love.
Editing/suggested changes etc? Please help!
Vanya
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On the other side of the house in the garden at the foot of the 2000 hectare property extended the breathtaking fine carpet of an English countryside, the flat lawns broken up by clusters of trees and flowers periodically. In certain strategic areas there was stunning trees to provide shade to the arbor like swings and park benches. At one such ovular section far away from prying eyes, was a huge thick oak tree with a bough that extended long and wide, sturdy enough to hold a swinging seat for two. Jasmine creepers entwined into the tree, and around the tops of the swing. The astonishingly sweet smell filled the night.
The bough creaked as a lonely figure swung to and fro kicking the earth with a foot. It was very pleasant here he thought. Away from the hubbub of the house. Ty grew more contemplative as he relived the events that brought the beautiful exotic looking Charmaine Martine into his life. He wished things could have been different.
“Damn!” the gentle wind threw his words back in his face, ‘Where the hell is she?” he muttered to himself, ‘We must leave here tonight”
She was one very stubborn woman, he thought, his lips spreading wider into a smirk, she has to make things difficult for herself. She is not of that world anymore. He tried to ease her path as much as he could. The danger to himself was excusable, but to her is insurmountable. He couldn’t risk it. Not for the woman he so dearly loved. His chosen mate. He would give his life for her. He starred at the beautifully crafted hedges in the dimness; he could smell the threat to their happiness. It hung dank and heavy in the night air.
She had said her goodbyes long ago to her mother. On learning the truth, her mother was paralyzed with shock and afraid, she had hidden her daughter in the basement of the house during the day, by night she cried incessantly mourning her daughter’s loss. Mourning that her life was over, when Charmaine had insisted that it had only begun. Charmaine had told her mother what had happened to her; that she was attacked by a vampire. That they were very real.
She will never be the same again…therefore she must leave to keep her mother safe. Her mother was reluctant to leave her side, but she had to finally accept defeat that her daughter was lost to her. Charmaine promised that she will find a way to keep in touch but her mother refused saying that she will hold a funeral for her with a sealed coffin when she left so people will never speculate about her. Ty knew how much it pained her to leave her mother but for her own safety too it had to be done. Her mother had no idea that Ty was a vampire too, when she asked about him, “What about that lovely man you were seeing?”
“Ty already accepts me for who I am.” Her mother could not understand how the relationship can be possible – but it is her daughter’s choice after all.
He looked intently in the direction of the house, the lights winking through the craftily designed hedges in the windswept air. What is taking her so long?
Ty imagined her sitting in there trying to feel a part of something she wasn’t. Maybe he should be a bit more charitable; he had a lifetime of getting used to who he was. Charmaine had but a few days. He sighed loudly. He concentrated hard, he saw her in his mind’s eye. Sitting forlornly at a table thinking of him, her life she was torn. A sandy haired man asked her to dance, she obliged him. She chattered to him half-heartedly, the conversation somewhat stilted. Suddenly she stopped in the middle of the dance floor, and searched the dark gloom beyond the doors. The young man tried to engage her, and finally gave up and went in search of his next conquest.
Ty smiled widely, his white teeth flashed in the dark he could sense her thoughts.
He could feel her love wrap around him. She had been so ready to leave with him at a moment notice, but she never said a word of why she would. He blended into her mind, and felt what she felt. He knew the moment she had made the realization.
She sensed a light brush against her mind, he was beckoning her. Face brightened with such an enchanting smile, she walked purposefully towards the open windows out the balcony and down the stairs. She was quickening her step as she went, faster and faster until she was running head long into the night a flash of crimson alighted when the moon peeked out from the parting clouds. She laughed loudly at the top of her lungs her hair waved like a flag behind her released from its bondage while she raced down the incline into the arms of the one man her life could depend on.
Ty spun her around until her feet touched the ground, he held her face in his hands, and lightly pressed a kiss to her lips, “I love you forever, my beautiful Charmaine” he whispered hoarsely.
“And forever you are my love” her eyes twinkling in the moonlight.
One more quick kiss, “It’s time. Take a good look around you – you will never see this place again.” She turned in his arms; her eyes descending on the landscape. Tears of blood tipped over her lashes, trailing down her cheeks. Pained eyes burrowed into his shoulder. Ty grabbed her head tilting it up, where the moon’s rays could touch her.
“It will be much too dangerous to remain here”, her eyes lowered, “Look at me, mo cridhe. I can’t imagine a life without you. I love you so very much. Wherever we may be it will be together… I promise.” She evaded his eyes he sighed wearily. “Remain if you must. I know your concern for your mother and the life you had here. She will not be alone for long. She will have many people rallying around her. And she will make her peace. Aaahhh…’ he said resignedly, “I warn you – I will never leave your side. We are in this together”
Charmaine’s shocked gaze clashed with his, she never expected this, “No! You must leave, or you will be destroyed”
“Eventually so would you if you remained. You are one of the undead too.”
She shuddered, her arms stealing around him, “I know that is why we must leave”, Ty instinctively tightened around her, “It will be good between us. I promise. I could show you the world. Teach you so many things. Are you sure this is what you want?”
“Never more so” a smile broke through the tears, “I love you so”
Turning her around he faced her away from him, “I want you to close your eyes. I will put a picture in your mind you need to visualize it. Make it real. It will be the only way we can leave by transforming ourselves into an animal. Are you ready?”
“Close but no cigar, pretty boy” sneered a rusty voice, “we don’t have time for games. She awaits you at her pleasure. And what pleases her pleases me.” Zeera’s minion Clyde stepped into the clearing.
“Never!” he roared, “She shall never have me” he put Charmaine behind him sheltering her from his view.
“Then I am certain she will enjoy her consolation prize” Clyde’s gazing zeroing on Charmaine with precision. He looked behind him as dull thuds hit the earth.
“What – “ Charmaine jerked out of Ty’s arms ready to give whoever a piece of her mind, when she stared into the face of fear. Adrenalin rushed to the surface, and she staggered back. Clyde’s skin sagged of him, one eye hung from a socket, his head was hacked away and he smelled of decay. His hands had the strength of a thousand men. She let fly a terrified scream from the depths of her soul. Ty reached for her, but she was yanked unceremoniously and hauled away kicking and shrieking at the top of her lungs. Two vampires leaped in Clyde’s place, they bayed for his blood. One of the vampires procured a stake and lugged after Charmaine and Clyde, the other remained behind to finish him off. He was helpless to go to Charmaine, every minute counted. He looked around erratically for a weakness.
The second vampire pulled a stake from the thickly bound cloth, and then charged him. A split second passed, when he comprehended that the tip of the stake was dipped in holy water. Zeera had meant to kill him – if she couldn’t have him.
“Noooooooo!” he bellowed, and jumped within close proximity to tackle the beast.
About 20 feet away he saw Clyde strike a resisting Charmaine, his eyes flashed red. She managed to get away and run up the cobbled path. What was not visible in the darkness was a building nearby where she took shelter. It was almost falling apart but it was sufficient to hinder Clyde. She could hear him rooting around in the dark. He was calling her name out in a sing song voice. Clyde swiveled her way, the shadows barely concealing her. She breathed a sigh of relief when he moved past her. Her heel slipped on the damp flooring, she heard the returning of his footsteps and then a smothering feeling of being suffocated.
“You b*tch! You dare to run from me! I will end your miserable life now, fledgling” Her eyes flicked to him growing large in her terrified face.
“I will teach you to disobey me.” He crushed her windpipe cutting off her air, “I have decided that Zeera will not have you. I will end your miserable life now, then use your succulent body to our satisfaction – all three of us. You would approve.” He gurgled with glee. Charmaine experience a sense of lightness of being by his stranglehold, she struggled to hold on at the same time afraid that she was slipping away.
“Do not resist, mo cridhe. It will only be harder. Don’t give him a reason to hurt you.” Charmaine heard Ty’s beloved voice in her head, and she instantly relaxed, ‘Awwww! That’s no fun. I like them fighting for their lives. Oh Well! No matter. You will be dead one way or another.”
“I love you , Charmaine.” Ty’s affirmation gave her strength.
“How touching” mocked Clyde, “Romeo and Juliet sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g ----not!”
The warm rich voice flowed in her mind wrapped around her like a security blanket, “Choose for us, darling. We could live forever…” her head whipped around and she met Ty’s hooded gaze across the clearing, so he thought they still had a fighting chance? She nodded, “On my count of three…”
Charmaine saw the creature closing in on Ty, they were circling each other like sworn enemies….which they were. He was evading the creature’s blows so he may focus his mind on her. Her eyes clouded with an emotion so intense that her throat closed up with the effort of taking air into her lungs which she did not need.
“One…”Dripping fangs the vampire reared up making straight for the woman with a hoisted stake above its head, Clyde hauled her upright an arm twisted up behind her shoulder blades. Soulfully, she looked at Ty with absolute trust he circumvented the vampire’s efforts to lay the stake into him.
“Two” said a low voice, the stake plunged downwards air whooshed passed as it gained momentum –
“Three – Quick! Duck! He shouted shocking her into motion; Clyde’s attention was momentarily diverted when her body grew listless and feinted sideways. He was so preoccupied with pulling on her arm that he failed to recognize the eminent danger until it was upon him. Stunned he took in the protruding stake from his chest. Blood dribbled from the side of his mouth; His lips moved in a silent scream as he disintegrated to ash - the anointed stake clattered to the floor. A mild breeze whisked the ashes in its embrace dispersing it to the far corners of the clearing.
A huge body of the vampire blocked her escape, “Nice Clyde…nice boy. Gone. You join” He grasped for her. Quick as lightning she drew the stake towards her hefting it in her hands with an upward thrust plunged the piece of wood stopping the creature in its tracks. Agonised screams rent the air, as he wobbled backwards clutching his chest in the final death throes before he was incinerated to ash. Liquefied legs refused to support her, and Charmaine collapsed on the ground in an exhaustive heap she tossed the stake as far away into the hedges as she could get it. She shut her eyes briefly, steadying her nerves. From where she sat she had a clear view of the other opponents, she searched out Ty who had some-how knocked the stake from the creature’s grip, he sprang up onto the bough of the tree and swung around, knocking the creature off its feet. Relentlessly, it got to its feet again charging him like a bull. Ty deftly stepped out of the way, and it crashed into the tree trunk. Jasmine flowers came floating down to settle on its head. He grunted shaking it off and gained his feet.
“I’m thinking It’s time to pull the curtain on this show” muttered Ty humorlessly. The vampire hurtled toward him what seemed like the umpteenth time.
“Charrrrrmaaainnne” she heard Ty in her head, “Throw the stake to me. Now!” Heart leaping into her mouth, she searched the area for the stake, only to remember she had thrown it away. What now? She looked on in slow motion as the creature overshadowed Ty, fists raised to pummel him to a pulp. Blood dripped down it’s gory face. One more look, and she located the piece of wood lying near the tree. It was shaped like any other piece of wood. She prayed it was the right one. She grabbed it by the thick base, and sent it hurtling towards Ty end over end it spun suddenly the space between Ty and herself seemed a long way off; he caught it adroitly avoiding the sharpened edge. His adversary’s momentum carried him full tilt, right into the stake. Ty twisted it into his belly for good measure. The tormented screech of the vampire fell away as he dissolved to dust.
“Imbecccccilessss” hissed a voice. A bedraggled Ty rounded in time to witness a swaying shape of the lamia as it came into view. It slithered so fast it knocked him of his feet. The moist lawn seeped into his trousers. Zeera’s beautiful visage hovered over him, dancing closer. Repulsively attractive if it was known. She resembled a large serpent with a breathtaking face of a woman with long flowing dark hair, and the body of a serpent scaly with vivid colors that clashed and spasmed as she moved and breathed.
“Never sssssend a man to do a womanssss work” she cried hideously. Shivers of fear zigzagged along Charmaine’s spin at the sound. “I will deal with you very sssoon – my child” her eyes riveted on Charmaine with sublime delight, her tongue flicked out tracing her lips leaving her in no doubt what she intended to do with her then stretched charmingly to her enjoyment.
“Why do you play with my feelings”, she lamented. Moaning, the grotesque body swayed around him in a circle she muttered sadly under her breath.
“You have no feelings – you stupid b*tch” Ty ejected unwilling to pander to her manipulations, “He was but a child. You took the last thing that ever mattered to me.”
“Our Tiernan was such a lovely boy – wasn’t he?” her tongue darted out over her lips, “He was a delicacy beyond compare. And now you too will never be free of me, my darkling”
Ty howled in outrage, mouth stained with the blood of the vampire eyes wild he hurled himself at her neck. Her sharp cries grated on raw nerves, as she swayed trying to throw him off, he held on steadfast avoiding the rapt stare that could draw the soul out of a body.
He was wholly a vampire now, blazing eyes, long dangerous fangs, claw-like fingers. He called on the strength of 3-hundred years, and the will of the lives that he had taken, the blood that he had taken to sustain him. Red hot fury poured from every pore.
Charmaine watched too horrified to move. Ty and Zeera were locked in a fierce embrace. Memories bombarded her of another time another pace when she was taken. Ty had done everything in his power to save her – to keep her human element.
She remembered striding home from one of the evening affairs of the ton; the walkway to the house was extremely long the house set so far back from the road. She insisted that her escort leave her at the gate and not the door to the entrance of the house. Her mistake. Wondering if it would have made a difference. Two big burly vampires, possibly the very same ones that had attacked them here, jumped her from behind some hedges. She recalled thinking that it was unnatural to jump a hedge at that height. When they left she was torn and bleeding, open wounds appeared on her chest, she wasn’t certain that she would survive the night. Ty! Ty had fought off the vampires, lifted her in his arms, he coalesced into mist right before her eyes then she had fainted. Next she was aware of awaking in a dark icy place. Then came the sudden realization that Ty was a vampire too. She wasn’t fully aware what it meant to be a vampire. Although she always questioned his suspicious disappearances during the light of day, but she didn’t pursue it.
Now horrified she tried to swallow slowly – she became aware that she was a creature of the night as well. Ty had a talent for healing, and he used that talent to save her but she was too far gone – he had held on refusing to let her go. Charmaine lifted her hand to her bosom, not a mark or scar was visible. No human could heal that rapidly if ever. No human could come back from such an ordeal. Charmaine wrapped her arms around herself; Ty’s blood ran through my veins – thicker and richer than water, she drank of him when he knew she was dying. He slit a wrist and coerced her to drink. She dredged up all the moments with a sudden clarity when he forced the awful tasting “wine” on her – to keep her from perishing. It wasn’t wine at all. She gagged as the bile began to rise in her throat.
Similarly it evoked responses in her that where endearing. She recalled his unbending courage in the face of danger, his simple conviction that she will not be lost to the world. He will not lose her when he had just discovered her. She found she couldn’t hate him for making her what he was and she understood the depth of his feelings for her. Ty could be stubborn and arrogant, and autocratic and manipulative, but he could also be sweet and kind, thoughtful and self sacrificing. Thinking about Ty made her fall in love with him all over again. In her world love is enjoyed by the very few and the poor. Charmaine would rather be poor and in love.
Her attention was magnetically drawn back to the much-loved face of Ty, she saw glimpses of the man she would spend the rest of her life with – yes he was worth more than any human soul. And she couldn’t imagine going through life without him by her side.
Zeera plucked him off the ground, and sailed through the air as high as she could reach, then plummeted back to earth slamming him on the ground beneath her. He got winded for an instant, but his hold on her never wavered it only served to grip her tighter his nails sinking into softness. He swiped at the fallen stake with one hand lying on the ground and punctured her neck, embedding it deeply. Sinking to the floor she banged her head in the process thrashing around to dislodge the piece of wood. The stake however, was only effective for vampires or the undead. She was neither. A loud scree echoed through the clearing, she writhed in anguish. Blood spurted from the wound gushing everywhere. Her eyes radiated a cold fire, before she let fly the lightning sparks to incinerate him, Ty had reached into his boot, and extracted a curved knife that was hidden there.
“Die! For the murdering b*tch that you are!” And he skillfully loped off her head, it hissed as it parted from her body, her body squirmed some more before it stilled in a pile of dried leaves. Her eyes gaped into Ty’s in unbelievable stunned expression then glazed over, the light from her eyes extinguished. He raised his knife again and again until her beautiful face lay slashed to ribbons. Poking the stake through the skull he tossed it away as far as he could, he heard a satisfied splash and a burble – how appropriate – food for the fish.
The mask of vengeance slowly softened to pleasant features. The remnants of the fiery gaze slowly faded. He felt absolved. With renewed verve. He had a lifetime with Charmaine to look forward to, and the future is now….
Something barreled into his side, he stiffened alert to the danger. When he realized what it was, his body slumped to the ground under the slight weight. Charmaine held on, sobbing into his collar.
“It’s alright. Hush woman! You are going to drown me with your tears” A bubble of laughter escaped her, “You may joke now!” and slapped him soundly on his chest, “Don’t ever do that to me again”
“What? Is that all you are going to say?”
“For the moment – yes”
“Then you are indeed a woman among – “ Charmaine kissed him soundly, cuddling up to him, Ty’s arms stole around her, bringing her close to his body, they stayed that way for what seemed a long time when it was no more than a heartbeat. With a resurgence of energy he pushed her flat on her back, he cupped her face, and rained kisses on her eyes, nose, mouth and cheeks, until she was giggling with joy. The urgent need to appreciate her right there on the grassy lawn, made him tip her voluminous skirts up, sliding a hand up her leg and thigh sinuously. She shifted restlessly in anticipation. Charmaine tightened her arms around his thick biceps, and raised her face to him. She moaned as something roared to life inside her. Ty’s blood sang in his veins, his loins were growing more painful as each minute passed. He felt her sweet breathe against his face, his eyes flew open in shock as she nipped on his ear drawing sensations from him that he has never felt before.
“I no longer feel cold in the dark of night for I have my love. Your love is my life. My heart is yours. And I shall love you until the end of time for time has no significance to us. May our passion for each other never dims, never dies. Before we go on, my sweet I wish to ask you one thing.”
Charmaine starred at him with a cloudy expression, “I know it means much in your culture….as it will mean to me if you will do me the honor of becoming my wife. “
“Oh Ty. Of course I will. I love you, you big ox” she hit him playfully on the arm bringing his head down to seal her answer with a kiss.
Ty ripped the pantaloon from her waist; she helped him unbutton his pants. He covered her body, and slipped into her like hot butter. Warm and slick. Only a small cry was smothered by his lips, a nick in time which was quickly lost in the onslaught of sensations. He began to move his hips, and she joined him building an undeniable tempo with each thrust that inevitably exploded to splintering stars. A lax feeling invaded her limbs. Ty’s cries joined hers as they took their fill of each other. Presently he rolled over, with her still in his arms. Her legs still spread wide, and the dress hiked up to her waist. A slick dew covered her nether regions as she still lay beside him in contentment.
‘It is not always like this. Fast and furious. Next time we can take as much time as we want.” He said propping a hand on his chin, as he turned on his side to face her. She blushed, unable to meet his eyes.
‘Do not be uncomfortable with me. You have a beautiful body to be worshipped. I will always long for you” he turned her face to him, and saw the mischievous play of emotions cross her face, ‘Why you little minx!’
“Care to have a go again?’ she smiled slyly.
“In a moment – just let me catch my breath back woman” she heard a rumble in his chest when he caught her to his chest tightly. There was just one more thing that overshadowed their happiness.
“I remember” Charmaine murmured.
He nodded. “I wish I could have spared you that. Do you hate me?”
“Hate you? You have given me back my life.”
“It’s not the same. It will never be the same again.”
“No – it won’t. It will be better because of you. I am sorry that I have not made it easy for you.”
“You realize why I couldn’t let you go…” She nodded, “More than you think.”
“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides” he laughed, “I would gladly die for a ray of sunshine to bask in your presence. Did I ever tell you how much I love you, mo cridhe”
“Not lately…”
“I feel the need rising again. Let’s find a more hospitable place and I will show you how much I adore you - very very slowly” he held on tightly, lifting her face to his searching gaze, “I can promise it will not always be easy for us simply because of who we are. We will always be on the move, my heart, Can you bare that?”
“I could endure anything as long as I am with you, darling mine” and she finally understood.
“To infinity and beyond” he whispered
“To infinity and beyond” she repeated.
THE END
Good job though!
