Blood And Soul - Vampire Crusader Part 1

Blood and Soul.

Vampire Crusader.

Kate Hill.

Chapter One.

Marie's pulse raced as she walked to her door. Glancing out the nearby window, she noticed the full moon glowing in the otherwise black sky. Her breath came in nervous sips.

"I know you're in there." The deep voice outside echoed in the still night. "I can hear your footsteps."

"And if I don't let you in?"

"You know what I've come for, my lady. I'll not leave without claiming what's mine."

Closing her eyes, Marie drew a steadying breath. She clenched her trembling hands into fists. On bare feet, she padded closer to the door. Her hand was on the lock.

She no sooner turned it than the door burst open.

Crying out in surprise, she backed away from the imposing, black-clad man striding toward her. Tall with broad shoulders, he exuded savage strength that sent chills down her spine. The muscles of his long, lean legs strained against his trousers. "You belong to me, Marie."

"Never!" she snarled, planting her feet firmly and refusing to retreat another inch. "I belong only to myself. If there's a shred of decency in your dark heart, you'll leave this house. Leave my people in peace and return to your h.e.l.lish fortress."

Reaching out a long arm, he grasped her hair and wrapped it around his hand. Marie gasped, her neck arching as he dragged her so close to his chest that she felt the heat of his body. At one time she had imagined a vampire would feel cold. That was before she learned what they were really like. He was so warm. He breathed and his heart beat, slow and steady.

"My wrath has sent warriors fleeing in fear." He spoke against her lips. "My sword and teeth alone have destroyed armies, yet I'm tempted to obey your wishes. Why?"

At the first stroke of his tongue against her throat, Marie s.h.i.+vered with need. He lapped slowly and gently, like an animal soothing its mate. How much she wanted him!

"Because in your heart you know what's right." She reached up and stroked his face. Beneath his blade sharp cheekbones, he wore a full beard. It was wiry and nearly black in color -- a startling contrast to his pale gray eyes. Those eyes were hard. They'd seen all the ugliness of life and death, yet somewhere in their depths was a spark of gentleness. It was that gentleness combined with his rugged exterior that had lured her from the first.

"Right. Wrong. It doesn't matter anymore." He used the tips of his fangs to caress her throat, careful not to break the skin. The sensation was nothing more than a tickle, yet it sent waves of desire cras.h.i.+ng over her body. "I've never wanted a woman this badly."

"I will not give myself to you." She twisted in his grip and shoved him hard. Though his hold loosened, she knew it was not due to her attack. A mere mortal's strength meant nothing to him. Not bothering to consider what his next action might be, she lashed out at his face. Before she reached her mark, he caught her wrist and dragged her to him again. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s flattened against his rock-hard chest. Marie's libido sang. Never had she met such a man. This vampire lord was like no other and he belonged to her, if she wanted him.

Wrapping his arms around her, he lifted her so they were almost eye to eye.

"Marie." His lips hovered close to hers. Trembling, she awaited his kiss. Suddenly he released her and turned to the door. "You've claimed my heart. I will not force you to mate with me and I cannot make you love me."

"Wait!" She grasped his arm. Pausing, he gazed down at her. His magnificent eyes gleamed red with bloodl.u.s.t. The sight of it inspired pa.s.sion and a hint of fear. "I've -- I've changed my mind."

"Be careful what you say, sweet lady. If I take you as my mate, there is no turning back. We will be forever bound. Are you prepared to couple with a vampire?"

"Yes, my lord. Oh, yes."

Sweeping her into his arms, he carried her up the stairs to her bed. Incense wafted on the air, a thick, sensual aroma that she knew was his favorite. Candles bathed the room in their flickering light, comfortable for vampiric eyes. Earlier, she'd made the bed with red satin sheets and dusted them with white rose petals. Though she couldn't catch their scent over the incense, she knew he could. His senses were so powerful she couldn' t begin to imagine the pleasure and the pain they brought.

Placing her on the bed, he began unfastening the ties on her nightgown. She ran her fingertips over the backs of his hands, marveling that they could be so large yet so gentle.

"My beautiful Marie." He kissed her brow.

Beautiful. Right. He was playing his role to the hilt. Surprisingly, after two years, he was more convincing than ever. So convincing that she actually believed he found her, a woman with hips, thighs, a belly, and bottle-thick gla.s.ses beautiful. After looking in the mirror, everyone else must seem intolerable to him. He was so incredibly handsome, and yes, she'd learned that his kind could look in a mirror.

"Marie," he whispered in her ear before tracing the shape of it with the tip of his tongue. She s.h.i.+vered with desire and wrapped her legs around one of his steely thighs. His c.o.c.k pressed against her aching c.l.i.t. How she longed to tear off their clothes and have that thick erection fill her. No one could pleasure her like he could.

"Take me. Please, please take me. I'm yours."

"And I'm yours." His mouth covered hers.

Marie's eyes slid shut and she threaded her fingers through his hair, savoring the kiss. His moist lips parted and he slipped his tongue into her mouth. It caressed and explored, mating with hers. Slipping down her nightgown's lace straps, he broke their kiss to run his lips down her neck. As he bared her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, he kissed them. Slow, tender kisses that left not a bit of flesh unloved. He tugged her nightgown over her hips and sat back on his heels to remove it completely. Staring at her naked body, he licked his lips. The tips of his incisors were visible. Vampires were the most beautiful creatures in the world. At least this particular vampire was. She nearly shuddered when she thought about the stories he'd told her of the evil ones he had encountered over the years. No laws existed among his kind, yet Charles believed it was his duty to fight the wicked. The thought of him in danger terrified her, but the power that enabled him to fulfill the difficult tasks he set for himself thrilled and aroused her.

Stroking her own nipples, she stared as he removed his black s.h.i.+rt and tossed it aside, baring his gorgeous torso. His broad shoulders and chest rippled with muscle, as did his arms and chiseled abs. A mat of hair thick enough to run her fingers through covered his chest and tapered down his belly. He removed the trousers next. Pleasure darted through her when she saw that he wore no underwear. His c.o.c.k bobbed, thick and well veined, in a thatch of black hair. Heavy b.a.l.l.s that she ached to grasp dangled beneath. Marie's p.u.s.s.y dampened. Her c.l.i.t ached and l.u.s.t coursed through her entire body. "Now. Take me now."

Nodding, he gazed deeply into her eyes as his body covered hers. He supported most of his weight on his forearms while prodding her slick entrance with the very tip of his c.o.c.k.

"Oh, yes." She sighed deeply, locking her arms around his neck. Tightening her grip, she s.h.i.+fted her hips and wrapped her legs around his, forcing him to penetrate more deeply. He accommodated, though slowly, tenderly, but she wanted him fast and hard. As he thrust, she squeezed her inner muscles around his c.o.c.k.

A low groan escaped his throat and he arched his head back, his eyes slipping shut. His lips parted, giving her a full view of his gorgeous fangs. Finally he was in to the hilt. He remained still for a moment. Marie was ready to burst from need. She'd waited all day for this and could no longer control her desire.

He began thrusting in a slow, steady rhythm. His velvet-skinned c.o.c.k swept in and out of her heated body. Digging her fingers into his shoulders, she gasped with pleasure.

"Yes, oh, yes." A few more thrusts and she'd explode. The o.r.g.a.s.m had been building all day. She'd scarcely been able to think of anything else. Each time she had imagined this moment, her c.l.i.t tingled and her p.u.s.s.y flooded. Now she could endure no more.

As if sensing her need, he increased his rhythm, driving in and out of her heated body while running his lips along the side of her neck.

Suddenly she burst. Throbbing waves of pleasure wracked her body, momentarily blinding her. All she could do was cling to him and cry, "Yes. Yes. Oh, Charles, my love. I need you so, so much!"

The ma.s.sive pulsations faded to tiny ripples. Then she lay still beneath him, except for her racing heart and the rise and fall of her chest as her breathing returned to normal. Warmth and utter joy filled her. Smiling, she opened her eyes and found him staring at her, his expression intense. His c.o.c.k was still hard inside her.

"You didn't want a taste?" She touched a finger to her neck.

"The night is still young, love."

"Charles, I love playing vampire lord and lady."

"So do I." He kissed her upper lip, then her lower.

"You've been very enthusiastic, considering how you claimed to hate role playing when we first met."

"That was before I knew how much fun it could be."

Love for him filled her. She felt privileged that he had confided in her about his vampirism, yet never demanded that she provide him with blood or become what he was. The blood she gave him was freely offered, and of late she was seriously considering asking him to make her a vampire. The idea of becoming a creature of legend both excited and frightened her, especially since their engagement. Though she loved Charles with all her heart, she simply wasn't ready to risk her mortal life for the possibility of an eternal one.

"What's wrong?" he asked, as if sensing the direction in which her thoughts had drifted. Perhaps he had. After all, his kind possessed keen telepathic skills.

"Nothing."

"Wrong answer." He pulled out of her slowly and rolled onto his back. Grasping her, he tugged her on top of him and caressed her shoulders. "Talk to me."

Marie trailed her fingertips across his brow and down his cheekbones. Tenderly, she kissed his upper lip. "You are so handsome. Such beautiful cheekbones. s.e.xy eyes. Lips that a woman would die to kiss. I know women must have been telling you that for centuries, but --"

"You're the one I like to hear it from, my Marie." He nuzzled her throat. "But lovely as this conversation is, you're using it to avoid my question. What's wrong?"

"I'm just thinking about the change again. I want to be with you forever, and I know it shouldn't be a hard decision --"

"But it is." He brushed her hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. "I know it's not easy for you. That's why I wanted to give you the choice, not only about making the change, but about taking a vampire as a lover. If you've changed your mind about me and it would be easier for you without me..."

"Don't be ridiculous." She took his face in her hands and kissed him. More than anything she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Charles. Suddenly a horrible thought struck her. Perhaps he no longer wanted a human lover but desired another vampire to match his supernatural strength.

"Please talk to me, Marie."

She gazed at him, wanting to discuss her fears, but afraid of the answers she might receive if she did.

"Don't ever shut me off from your emotions. I love you."

"I love you, too, Charles. So much." She rested her head against his shoulder and cuddled close. "But if you no longer want to marry a human --"

"Marie, I love you more than anything. All I want is to please you and make you happy. If you never want to become a vampire, then I will not leave you until your last mortal breath and carry your memory for eternity."

She smiled, though tears misted her eyes. d.a.m.n, she hated acting like a wimp, but no one had ever made her feel so loved and protected. "You make it hard for a woman to act tough."

"If I wanted a tough woman, I'd have chosen someone else."

"Is that an insult or a compliment?"

"I love your gentleness, Marie. I love your innocence, even your mortality."

"I love you, too, Charles." Cuddling closer, she kissed his cheek. "I never imagined spending my life with the most gorgeous, perfect man in the world."

Charles left Marie's home just after midnight. He inhaled deeply, imagining nights long ago when he and his regiment camped beneath skies so clear it seemed one could reach up and touch the stars. Smog filled the skies now. The sound of engines replaced the echo of hoof beats. Sometimes Charles missed the old days, but he also loved the modern age. Each time brought with it new hards.h.i.+ps and wonders. Best of all, there was always a call for a warrior, a man of integrity who understood his destiny.

Smiling wryly, Charles glanced at the city lights gleaming in the distance. Before meeting Marie, he had avoided New York for years. His Master lived there, the one who had given him the power of vampirism. A thousand years ago, Zigor had opened his veins and poured part of his soul into Charles, changing him from mortal to vampire. Charles loved and admired Zigor, but they had always disagreed. Though Zigor rarely harmed mortals, and never innocent ones, he also believed vampires should keep to themselves unless directly confronted. Remain aloof and hunt alone had been his philosophy.

Like his Master, Charles possessed a domineering personality. No one would tell either of them what to do. Both demanded their own way. Zigor was older and more powerful, yet the knowledge that he would most likely lose to the Master in a fight didn 't thwart Charles. What drove him away from his creator was pure respect. To keep peace with his Master, Charles had left him and made his own way in the world. He fought his personal crusades. Several times he nearly died confronting older, stronger vampires, yet Charles somehow always arose victorious.

Over the years, he and Zigor had crossed paths. It was impossible for them to avoid one another forever. The link between them was strong. Since arriving in New York, Charles had visited Zigor's club, Burgundy Peak, where vampires and their mortal donors mingled under the protection of the ancient vampire. Charles had been surprised to learn Zigor had finally taken a permanent mate. A pa.s.sionate woman called Melinda. Perhaps his Master was becoming more reasonable after all.

Soon Charles entered the heart of the city. He followed several dark streets leading to Burgundy Peak.

The scent of blood and terror filled the air. Pausing, Charles sniffed, his senses springing to life. Turning suddenly, he raced to an empty church parking lot where another male vampire was toying with a young mortal woman as a cat toys with a wounded insect.

The vampire grasped the woman's shoulders so hard that she cried out in pain. Baring his fangs for added fear, he waited several seconds before biting. That pause was his mistake. Charles raced across the lot and tore the monster away from its victim.

Snarling, the vampire struggled against Charles's unbreakable hold.

Beyond the reek of the woman's fear and the vampire's rage, Charles caught the scent of other mortals. Then agonizing pain struck his face and neck. The vampire he held began screaming shrilly as a thick mist of molten silver sprayed them from all sides. Squinting against the deadly storm, Charles suddenly realized they were surrounded by mortals wielding guns that sprayed heated silver. The agony was unimaginable. He struck out, managing to tear the weapon away from one of them. Silver dripped down his face like acid and he was forced to close his eyes before the deadly metal blinded him. Sightless, he ran, swiping at his eyes. It felt as if his flesh was peeling off, but at least he was able to see enough to find his way to a back alley.

His heart pounding, his every nerve raw and exposed, he ran toward the one place where he might find help.

The gun-wielding humans must have been vampire hunters. He had crossed paths with them before, and while he understood their plight to protect their kind against evil, he knew most of them were just as dangerous as rogue vampires. Some of them understood that not all immortals wished them harm, while others simply wanted to exterminate creatures they dubbed minions of the devil.

Groaning, Charles dragged himself over a chain link fence and dropped to a squat. The pain was so severe now that he struggled to keep conscious. Silver could destroy a vampire. If he had remained under fire any longer, he would not have survived. Perhaps he wouldn't, after all. With the silver eating away at his flesh, muscle, and bone, his strength was depleting at an alarming rate. Even through his clothes, his flesh burned and blistered.

Through hazy eyes he saw the dark silhouette of Burgundy Peak about a block away. He staggered toward it and pushed open the door. A tall, ebony-skinned man with stern eyes stood in the foyer. Onan. One of Zigor's eldest children.

Surprise shone in Onan's dark gaze. Wordlessly, he slipped an arm around Charles to support him, ignoring the silver scorching his own flesh in places. Charles gasped with each agonizing step as they slowly made their way up the stairs. His heart beat so hard he thought it might burst through his chest.

Upon reaching the top of the steps, Charles faced his Master. Zigor stood nearly as tall as Charles. Curly black hair hung wildly to his waist, almost blending with the black clothes draping his muscular frame.

Charles's vision was too blurred to discern if his Master appeared worried, disgusted, or welcoming. Unable to remain conscious a second longer, he collapsed at Zigor's feet.

Chapter Two.

Charles awoke in pain. Searing, ferocious pain focused mostly on his face and neck. Fear gripped him, not so much from the agony, but because he was unable to see. When he reached for his face, more agony shot through his body. His skin stung and tightened unbearably.

"Marie?"

"It's Zigor." A hand rested lightly on his shoulder.

Zigor. He had come to his creator after the incident with the silver. Crawled to him, was a more accurate description. "Master, am I blind?"

"You're not blind. I think these can come off now." With surprising gentleness, Zigor unwrapped bandages from Charles's face, yet even that slight contact was painful.

"Do you remember coming to Burgundy Peak last night?"

Charles remained still for several moments, listening to his heart pound in time with his throbbing flesh. Yes, he remembered. The woman, the vampire, and the hunters. If he had absorbed any more silver, he probably would have died. The way he felt at the moment, it might have been better. If only Marie was with him. No. He wouldn't want her to see him like this.

"There were guys with guns that shot molten silver."

"I know. Hunters. They're dead. So is the other vampire."

"Who killed them?"

"The silver destroyed the vampire, and I killed the hunters. No one does this to one of my children, even a stupid one, and lives."