Chapter 61

Present day

Hands on the hips, Ciara stared indignantly at her two final choices. Red and devilish or dark and angelic ..hhmmm.

Why in the hell did she agree to do it at her place? She had everything planned to the tee...quick dinner of sushi and a glass of wine and then a lazy night with cheese dusted popcorn and her favourite vampire movies. Now that’s what Ciara called a perfect Halloween night but noooo..little miss pushover had to say yes to  hosting a stupid Halloween party and then her girlfriends had the damn audacity to ever so sweetly inform her of her blind date!

Hell! A blind date? Was she that desperate? Well ..actually she was..but still! Dammit! What if it was some googly eyed serial killer..gmmmff...her luck! Buck toothed, skinny old creep...she could just see it now!

She had opted for her Goth outfit but her girlfriend’s sudden outcry at her plan was another thorn in her side.  Now she had to shop for an outfit too?! Shit they were taking over her life!

“Soooo watcha doin? Did you choose one yet?” Holly chirped as she crashed into her from behind.

Flipping her head this side and then that ..she stared intently at the silly outfits.

Ok..screaming red suit...huge wiggly tail, pale horns, fishnet stockings....hhmmm.  Green catlike eyes switched towards the dark outfit...smoky low cut bodice, figure hugging pleated satin, tumbling into smoky shaggy lace to her feet.

Dried ivy leaves , dyed to the same deathly grey as the rest of the outfit, made up the halo. Picking up the dark wings she was quite surprised at how light they actually were. Torn wings of a fallen angel came to mind as she stroked over the shredded fluffiness.

“Arrghh no..sis man! That sooo boring! Take the red one..you like red!”

Shaking her head she turned towards her overzealous friend of almost 15 years.

There was something about this outfit..it was just her..deep inside she was the fallen angel with broken wings...

“You’re just taking it because it covers your booty! You should show some more of that girl...if I had such a bootilcious ass I would strut nekkid down the street!”

Ciara slapped her friend playfully.

“Yeah I can just imagine and don’t be silly! You have a beautiful curvy body..I’m stick thin. Men like curves..” She mimicked the hourglass figure.

“Oh and you should know about what men wants. Miss Recluse and probably a virgin..”

Clasping her hand over Holly’s mouth she gasped.

“Hey! Quiet down and no I’m NOT a virgin and you damn well know it! C’mon let me pay for this and go. We have lots to do before tomorrow night.”

“You might not have been a virgin but shit girl you’re growing it back! You better get a good shag and soon!”

“Shhh..that’s enough!” She gave her the Ciara stern look, but her eyes belied her expression.

The cashier gave them a goodhearted grin. Well shit now a total stranger knew her sex life or the lack off!

~~

Some unknown bug gnawed his way through the pit of her stomach. Everything was ready, everything seemed perfect just the thought of entertaining a stranger got to her. She wasn’t good with men and relationships...and men her friends picked out? It scared the bejesus out of her.

Swinging slowly from one side to the other, she watched her wings rustle ever so slightly. Palming her way down her dress , she nodded appreciatively. Just a pity her breasts almost spilled over the bodice, she was  well endowed for a skinny girl, not that she’s complaining.  Slipping into her heels, she brushed her hands through her mahogany hair.

Ready or not....

“Ooh God you look gorgeous!!!!”

Ciare stared openmouthed at Holly.

“I think you’ve...”

“Don’t!”  Holly stepped back while she slapped frantically at Ciara’s hand.

“I think you need to do up a few buttons..”

“It’s suppose to be this way..see there are NO buttons!”

Holly flashed Ciara even more milky breast.

“I’ll be the law tonight. You just call me if anyone misbehave.” She winked as she rattled her cuffs.

Ciara’s giggle was contagious. She had to admit, Holly was smoking hot in her  skimpy navy dress, gaping front, police hat and oversized shades to finish it off. Squinting, she lowered to focus on the fake police badge.

Constable Spank.

Ciara screamed with laugher..Oh lord this girl was priceless!

Soon after that, guest after guest filtered through her front door.  As time ticked by she felt excitement build at the thought that her blind date might not pitch up at all.

Turning away from another ended conversation she focused on Holly...beautiful, spunky ..Holly.

Men were taken by Holly’s cheerfulness and blonde beauty. Hearing her cheerful tinkle she took another sip of her wine....

A sudden awareness had the back of her hair stood up in attention. A ripple sizzled through her and she watched in amazement as goosebumps popped all over her skin. What the hell? There was absolutely no breeze in fact , is was stifling tonight.

The doorbell jerked her out of her confusion.

Looking at her watch she frowned..nine o’ clock? Could that be the blind date? Well shit he is fashionably late!

Dreading the meeting she sauntered towards the door, hoping if she took long enough he’ll give up and leave but as she neared the door she felt the unexplainable tug at her subconscious again. Shaking the eerie feeling, she reached for the door and froze, as if hypnotized her hand opened slowly, pressing her palm against the door.

There was heat...heat pooling around her hand, another hand came up..the rest of the door was cool..so cool. Resting her head against the warmth for a moment , she gasped. She swore she felt someone or something brush her cheek.

How much wine did she have?

~~

He could smell her as she made her way towards the door, she was stalling...he could tell. The thumping of her heart sounded like beating drums in his ears, the steady flow of her blood awakened a slumbering hunger in him.

He felt her as she reached out and rested her palm against the cold wooden door, their energy merged and the first glow of heat sparked between them.  As her cheek rubbed against his palm, he couldn’t resist but brush the silky skin. Her gasp caught him by surprise. She felt him..how was that possible? Pulling his hand away he closed it, hoping he could treasure the feel of her right there, in the palm of his hand.

The door swung open and life ended as he knew it. He ‘d been watching her since that night...but having her stare at him with those feline eyes flopped his insides upside down.

“Hello.” The voice of an angel.

“Good evening...Ciara?”

Shoulders slumping ever so slightly she plastered on a fake smile.

“That’s right and you are?”

Leaning in closer, the stranger’s husky voice drifted towards her in the night air.

“I’ll be anyone you want me to be...”

Chapter 60

“What does that matter? I’m a dead man anyway. Why try and keep this body alive if there is nothing to live for?”

A slither of peachy skin caught his eye and Jon turned his face away. He wasn’t that strong, he needed to get out.

“Just answer me please, Jon.”

“Blood. That’s all I had.”

“Did you kill her?”

Jon swung around.

“Jesus! No! I don’t do that anymore!”

“So it was a woman.” Hurt glittered in her eyes.

“Its much easier, taking a woman.” The words slipped before he could stop it.

Dorothea floated closer, Jon gulped.

“Why didn’t you have sex with her?”

“Now Dot, don’t play games. I cannot handle any games right now.” He shook his head while his eyes devoured the peachy mounts pressing against the nightdress.

“Just tell me.” She was close, too damn close.

“I want my wife. I’ll never drink from you, that I will use others for.”

“And the sex you’ll take from them when you are away…” the hurt shone in her eyes again.

“I don’t expect you to understand that Dot. Really I don’t, I cant even blame you for chasing me away. I see this through your eyes now. How can I expect you to be my wife if I cannot promise you fidelity?”

A finger pressed against his lips, silencing him.

“This is new to me and I don’t fully understand this whole thing nor am I sure I ever will.  One thing I do know, you will never hurt me or the kids. You could have bitten me tonight and I’m sure you can have your way with me whenever you want but you didn’t, not once.  All I ask from you is to never reveal yourself to the kids. They love their father, they love you. That’s all they need to know. I need you to promise me you will never feed from me, you will respect me and whatever you do, you will never kill again.” She waited for his nod.

“The last thing, I want your promise of total discretion. I don’t want to see Jon Bon Jovi in some sex scandal plastered all over the tabloids. I cannot promise you that our relationship will ever be normal again , and sometimes I wont understand this whole thing but what I can promise you is my support and my loyalty.”

She didn’t mention love! It pounded in his brain. She didn’t mention love!

“I promise.” Jon spoke softly and with every beat, he felt his heart shattering into a million pieces.

Her finger slid from his mouth, taking her hand in hers, she led him to the bed.

“Dot, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Sshhhh.” Her hands cupped his face, cradling the weight of it gentle in her palms. “Kiss me.”

“OOhh Dot…shit.” His lips obeyed the soft request. The tentative touch spiraled a flash of heat through his chest, tunneling it towards his groin.

His finger pads came in contact with the sweet smelling tresses of his wife. Pushing from the bed, Jon took charge, pressing her tightly against him. He greedily took her mouth, plunging his tongue into the warmth she so eagerly offered.

Shoving his weight against her, they tumbled onto the bed. His hands were everywhere, scrunching the collar of her nightdress, he shoved them aside, releasing the precious mounts he knew so well.

Slim, womanly fingers stroked his chest, scraping lightly over male nipples. Jon released a low groan as pleasure shot through him.

Something in Dorothea suddenly changed, her plaint body suddenly stiffened.

Jon opened his eyes and what he saw froze his blood in his veins.

Stark, naked fear shone in her eyes. Her caress had turned into resistance as her arms locked, trying to keep him away.

Jon turned towards the mirror. Was that really him staring back from the mirror?  

Cold, glittering eyes stared back at him, long, shiny fangs pushed past his lips….

How could anyone want to make love to that?

Jon pushed off the bed.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He yanked open the door and not even Dorothea’s calling or her faint sobs could stop him this time.

Chapter 59

As the words left his mouth, Dorothea seemed more and more withdrawn. Expressions of horror and sometimes disgust faltered Jon’s speech but only with her encouragement did he put it into words. Telling her the horrors he went through, avoiding the most gruesome details of his victims, that and the sex.

The room went silent as Jon ended his story. Dorothea watched her hands, her mind tried to process what he had told her, her brain refusing to take it all in.

“You said that the professor said that you are not just a vampire that needs blood. What else do you need to survive.” She almost regretted asking but she had to know, she needed to know the man sitting before her, what made him tick.

Jon stood up, walking towards the window, he lit a cigarette, his face lit by the moon’s light.

“I’m a sanguine. That’s what the professor called me anyway. I need blood and energy to survive. Blood alone wont satisfy me, I need to draw from people’s energy. So as you can imagine, I had more that enough of that during the tour.”  His laugh rang softly into the night.

“Is that why you are still so pale?”

Jon didn’t answer, staring at the dark night before him, he listened to the night life.

“Jon?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

He heard her footsteps inching closer.

“You are avoiding the subject Jon. There is something you are not telling me.”

“Now is not the right time for this Dot. Not now ok?”

“NO JON! You are not holding out on me! We talk this thing through tonight, TONIGHT!!! Or…”

“Or what baby? You gonna show me the door?” his cold laugh did nothing for her overworked nerves. “So you want the truth huh? You sure you can handle it?”

Grabbing her slightly by the upper arms, he marched her backwards until the back of her knees touched the mattress.

“Sit down…AND STAY THERE!”  He really could do without the scent of a woman in his nostrils tonight!

Jon walked back towards the window. The more space between them the better.

Silence dragged on. Dorothea didn’t dare utter a word and Jon seemed to be lost in another world. A few moments later the silence was broken by Jon’s low voice.

“ I hit the jackpot baby not only do I need energy and blood..I need sex too. I’m a sexual vampire, yeah me!.” His sarcasm lay thick in the already stifling air.

He watched as emotions washed across her face. Hurt, sadness and a sudden flare of anger had her on her feet.

“I want you out of my house tomorrow.”

She turned on her heel and walked out. The slam of her bedroom door snapped Jon back to life.

“You don’t really think I’m going to play this fucking game with you do you?”  the words crunched through his gritted teeth.

Dorothea cried out as she bumped into the fleshy wall of her husband.

“How? What?”

“You thought doors could keep me out? Please Dorothea, you are an intelligent woman.” His hands clamped her wrists tightly, his eyes flashed dangerously.

“You wanted to talk, now we damn well talk woman. You think you can have it all your way? Sorry sweetheart, game over.”

“Jon you are hurting me! Stop it.”

He eased his death grip on her but didn’t let go.

“What do you want from me Jon?” Tears streamed down her face.

“I want you to stand by me. I want you to forgive me. I want you to trust me.  I NEED you to love me.”

Her head sagged forward, her shoulders shook pitifully as heartache poured from her.

“How can I ever trust you Jon? You are not human, you live from us…humans. You prey on us! How long will it be before you will turn on us? You live on instinct.”

“I live on love too. I need my family to survive this. I need you. I need Stephanie, I need Jesse.”

“What about your other needs Jon, blood, sex, energy? How am I supposed to stand by while knowing what you do night after night?”

Jon had lost the battle. Game, set and match. His hands lost their grip and her hands fell to her sides.

“I can’t answer you. This is what I am now. I cannot change it, if I could, believe me I would but I can’t. I’m sorry.”

He turned towards the door but her question stop him in his tracks.

“Tonight, you just fed didn’t you? You still need the sex.”

Chapter 58

“Jon?” a slight touch on the shoulder had him gasp as if in pain. He flinched, trying to escape the warmth of her touch, the soft use of his name on her lips. “You went limp for a few minutes. What’s going on?”

She pulled her hand back as she realized he tried to avoid her touch. Suddenly he was out of the chair, pacing the window like a caged animal. Did she just imagined it, or did he just growl? The hair on the back of her neck leaped up.

He wasn’t human anymore, there was something so untamed and dark lurking inside him, waiting to come out. Was this the time?

The muscles in his arms bulged as he pumped his fists, the veins bounced against his skin, his shirt seemed to grow a size smaller as his chest rose and fell. His face was half hidden by the sandy bangs. His breathing labored.

A tiger, a caged tiger. The man in front of her resembled the frustration of a wild animal. A bored one? An angry one? A hun…..Oh God! A hungry tiger! He was hungry! He had to feed…

“You need to go Jon.” Her voice was soft, sympathetic.

The pacing halted, his face contorted as he snapped glowing eyes towards her.

“You are having so much fucking fun aren’t you? You just love to tell me how unwelcome I am. How unwanted I am.” Hurt oozed from every pore in his body.

“No Jon. That’s not what I mean. I mean you need to go to…to...to...feed. That’s why you are so restless aren’t you?  The potion doesn’t take the thirst away, you still need to have…” she couldn’t get herself so far as to utter the words.

“Say it Dot.” The request rolled calmly from his tongue.

A sudden whip of breeze blew up against her. She was face to face with her husband, only it wasn’t him. Dark chocolaty eyes gaped at the elongated fangs so close to her face, the lips behind them peeled back in a cold sneer.

“say it…”

His face disappeared before her, soft puffs of warmth brushed against her face. There was that growl again!

“I don’t remember what I was about to say….uumm..”

“Scared baby?” she could hear him smile and stiffened as the tip of his nose brushed against the side of her neck. “You were about to say what I need…remember now?” the tip went upwards again.

Her lungs shrunk as a sharp gasp stopped her breathing, he was sniffing her! A stingy scrape over her skin pushed a frozen scream to her throat, holding it right there.

“You smell sooo damn good honey…oooohhhh….sooo damn goooood.” His appreciative groan send shivers down her spine.

Should she run? Scream? Play dead? God he was going to bite her!

The scent of fear send excitement through his veins, his heart tripped into a lively rhythm.

Taking hold of her throat, he brushed a calloused thumb over her throbbing pulse.

“I could bite you right now and there wouldn’t be a damn thing you can do about it, you know that, don’t you?”

A slight nod and a loud gulp was answer enough.

Drawing back, he met her eyes. Dorothea wasn’t able to move, she was staring into the eyes of a predator. One false move and…

A whimper spilled into Jon mouth as he sealed their lips together. She was stiff as a corpse in his arms. Her body pumping adrenalin so fast, it sounded like a river rushing in his ears.

Dorothea focused on the fangs bearing down on her, waiting for the sharp slice or the taste of blood. There was none.

The pressure against her lips suddenly lifted and when she opened her eyes, she was alone in the study.

Only she and her heart thumping in her ears.

~~

After she checked on the kids she slipped into Jon’s bedroom. She couldn’t get herself so far as to go to bed, while awake she could just as well wait for Jon’s return. They had a lot to talk about.

She was about to snooze off when the door creaked open. Jon seemed better, but he still seemed a bit off color. Not sure when to announce her presence, she shrunk back into the chair when he suddenly start stripping off his clothes, feeling slightly guilty for ogling him as he did so.

The sound of spraying water had her relax a bit more and she uncurled from the chair, determined to attract his attention as soon as he comes out.

Moments later a steamy, wet Jon exited the bathroom, his hands busy in his hair, rubbing vigorously at his wet bangs.

Taking her time, she soaked up the perfection before her, marveling at the strong calves sloped into hard thighs, his shaft nestled against wet, dark hair. A fuzzy trail of fur spattered across his six pack, the fuzziness transformed to dark, fur coating the thick male chest. The movement of his hands caught her attention to the strong shoulders, bunching…

“You need me to turn around?” Shiny, electric eyes glistened in the darkness.

Dorothea jumped up, heat painting her cheeks.

“I wanted to tell you but…”

“…then you got distracted…I understand.” Jon winked at her, his devastating smile turning her legs to rubber.

“We need to talk Jon.”

A huff escaped his lips as he turned for the cupboard.

“Haven’t we had enough of that for one night?”

“Jon, something happened in there tonight.”

“What? You screamed and I broke the desk? What’s there to talk about? I’ll get the desk replaced tomorrow.”

“You could have bitten me and you didn’t.” the statement turned him around.          

“I will never hurt you, I told you that. YOU just choose NOT to believe me.”

“What do you expect Jon? You come home telling me you are a vampire! God! That’s shit you see in movies not real life!”

Slipping on a pair of shorts, Jon nodded.

“I know but I expected more from you. You are my wife Dot, we’ve been through so much shit together. You were the one I thought would understand and love me despite of what I’ve become and if you knew me good enough you would have known that I will never risk you or the kids’ life. I expected too much and that’s my fault. Not yours.”

“Why are you so pale Jon? I thought you needed to eat and then you’ll feel better.”

Why was she always changing the damn subject!

“I feel better, thanks. No need to worry bout me, I can take care of myself.”

Sitting down on his bed, she lifted her face towards him.

“Tell me how this happened.”

For a moment it seemed he had stopped breathing.

“I don’t think you want to know that. Its done. Nothing can change it.”

“Please Jon…I want to understand, tell me what happened. How it started. What you have gone through to get the potion. Help me understand.”

Chapter 57

The atmosphere on the way home was thick. No one uttered a word. There was so much to say, yet there were just no words coming to mind.

As the car came to a standstill, two pairs of tiny legs scuttled towards the car.

“Mommy! Daddy!” Jon was out the car in an instant, falling down onto his knees, he held his arms open, joy etched on his strained face.

Tiny arms clutched at his shoulders, a sloppy kiss found its way towards his cheek.

“Why have you been away for so long daddy?” the blue eyes of his daughter, so much like his, stared accusingly.

“Daddy has to work sweetheart, but now I’m back for a short while ok? I have a surprise for both of you but first, lets get mommy into the house.”

Dark, listless eyes stared at him as he opened the door.

“Didn’t you stay at the house?” her voice was light but Jon wasn’t fooled.

“I didn’t want to upset you further.” His boyish blue eyes seemed so vulnerable, seeking her approval, yet she didn’t give it to him. He couldn’t tell her that he didn’t trust himself around the kids just yet…

“I don’t want you near the children if no one is close by.” His gasp pained her but she refused to give in to her pity for him. He wasn’t Jon anymore, he was a careless hunter and her kids would have absolutely no chance against him. She shivered at the thought.

She didn’t notice the stiffening of his shoulders as her thoughts stabbed into his brain.

“Let….lets get you into the house.” He steadied her as she slid from the car. Rejecting his supporting hands, she shuffled slowly, her face radiating as her eyes rested on her babies.

“Mommy!” Stephanie rushed forward but Jon’s gentle hands shielded Dot from their daughter’s overzealous greeting.

“Whhoaaa there babygirl, mommy isn’t feeling too well.”

“Its ok Jon.” Her eyes were flashing.

Stepping back, he kept a close eye, he wasn’t wanted here…how could he feel so out of place? Dammit this was his home, his safe haven…it was anyway.

As if feeling his father’s turmoil, the little boys sidled at his side, holding his little hands out to his father.

Picking him up, he cuddled the tiny body tightly to his, marveling at the acceptance. Pressing his face into his tiny neck, he sniffed at the baby scent, so refreshing, so familiar.

“What are you doing?” Dorothea’s hiss rang in the air, her hands locked on the tiny body.

Confusion turned the sky blue irises to dark, stormy cobalt.

The little boy went willingly into his mother’s arms, his innocence shielding him from the electric buzz crackling between the adults.

“I was greeting my son, Dorothea. MY son, remember?”

She turned without a word, making her way slowly towards the house.

Giving his temper time to come down a notch, he waited for the little family to enter the house before he dared to enter.

~~

Jon sat in the study, a book and pen forgotten on the table, his thoughts snatching him from the lyrics he was trying so hard to scribble down. The only solace was the deep taste of his cigarette burning down his throat.

The last week was pure hell. Dorothea never allowed him close to the kids if she wasn’t close by. Night after night he heard the unmistakable lock of the master bedroom door. Sometimes he felt the demon inside him wanting to scare the shit out of her, appearing in her bedroom, showing her that no matter what she did, he will be there, if he wanted to….

“You are pale.” Jon’s head snapped up. She looked so delicious….no!....beautiful! What the fuck was he thinking?!

Jon snorted.” That’s what you get when you turn into a vampire sweetheart, its not all rosy you know.”

She wouldn’t let up, her eyes searched his face.

“You didn’t look like that when you came home. What’s wrong Jon? Are you sick? Look at me when I talk to you!”

Slamming his fists on the desk, Jon snapped upright. His glittering eyes fixed on her.

“Jesus Dorothea! Why the sudden concern? Hoping that I might be dying? Sorry to disappoint you sweetheart, I’m going nowhere. “

Dorothea suppressed a scream. Jon’s lips were peeled back, sharp fangs flashed in the electric light,. His eyes were sparks of cobalt. Her eyes dropped down to the table, two badly cracked hollows were splayed underneath bulging fists.

“Jon, calm down. No need to break the furniture.” The fear in her eyes extinguished his temper as quick as it flared, sagging his head back, he took a few deep breaths.

“I’m sorry. It’s just…I need….*sigh*…never mind.”

“Are you drinking your potion as you’re supposed to?” The flicker of concern sparked in his heart.

He slumped back down into the chair. Rubbing his eyes tiredly, he nodded.

“Yeah…yeah I’m drinking the fucking stuff, every damn day of my life.”

“Its not working is it? Jon I don’t want you here if you cant control yourself, I won’t put the kids’ lives in danger.”

Empty eyes lifted towards her, pain was like cold, hard shards in his eyes.

“I will never, ever put you or the kids in danger. If you don’t want me here just tell me, just know no matter hard you try to keep me away, I’ll always manage my way back.”

“Is that a threat Jon?” her lips quivered uncontrollably.

“No, that’s a damn promise. If you don’t want me, its fine but my kids are my kids.”

A sudden weakness slammed into Jon and he sighed, slumping back against the back rest of the chair. Dizziness overwhelmed him and he raked his fingers through his hair, holding his shaking palm close to his scalp, his eyes shut.

“Why are you like this? You told me the potion worked. Jon talk to me.”

Jon didn’t move…he was as pale as a ghost, dark circles smudged below his eyes. Hollows etched dark shadows on his cheeks, he looked like a corpse.

Chapter 56

Jon sat in the visitor’s chair, welcoming the darkness of the night enveloping him, shielding him from the hatred spearing from her eyes. Darkness had become his friend these days, his dark, cold friend…

Her breathing was slow and rhythmic but he knew it would be replaced with low sobs soon. She was carrying her burden all by herself, refusing any support from him, giving instructions that she didn’t want to be disturbed, especially by her husband.

He had waited for nightfall before he dared to enter her room again. She was given a sedative but the potent injection couldn’t even rescind the hurt of a heartbroken mother.

“Jon?” the soft whisper had him sit up. His breath caught in his throat.

“I know you are here, I can feel you….your cologne…Jon?”

An invisible hand kept him glued to his seat, his voice faltered. Just when he almost pounced onto the bed, he heard her tiny sigh, saw her turn onto her side, her back towards him.

Was he wrong not to go to her? He couldn’t handle any more rejection, not from her, not his Dot.

Her heart had slowed down again, she was sleeping. Sliding from the chair, he closed the space between him and the hospital bed. Reaching out, he stroked the dark, shiny hair, taking care not to wake her.

She moved towards the caress, whispering his name.

Slipping onto the bed, he inched closer, shielding her body with his. With slow deliberate strokes did he map out the slimness of her arms, tracing slow patterns onto her skin. She suddenly shifted closer, pressing her curves into his, seeking the warmth radiating from him.

The urge to hold her to him superseded his fear of her waking up and he flattened his palm against the gentle swell of her stomach, swallowing the lump threatening to choke the life out of him.

Flashes of raw, painful emptiness pierced his thoughts and he spread his palm, willing his energy towards the empty womb of his wife, feeling it contract beneath his hand, willing it to heal. A soft moan vibrated between her lips, but her eyelids remained closed.

“I love you baby….I need you to get better…please get better for me…if not for me… for our children. I’m sorry for what I’ve put you through…I wouldn’t have told you about me if I knew…” Warm, salty tears disappeared into her hair. “I’m sorry…so very sorry…and if you aren’t able to accept me the way I am, I’ll understand, but know I’ll always be there for you…you and the kids. I’ll always love you no matter what happens…always.” His lips found the tiny tick on her temple but this time it held no magical spell.

The heat subsided as soon as he reached the end of his tether. His body felt drained and empty. His eyelids felt heavy and he snuggled closer, promising himself just a few minutes of respite.

Dorothea drifted back to consciousness. It was good to have him with her again, his warm arms, his breath in her neck…the uncomfortable bed brought her back to reality and her eyes flew open, the previous day slamming into her.

Jon felt her stiffen against him. He had fallen asleep!

“Jon! Jon?” Dorothea shifted, turning around, she found…nothing. He wasn’t there! Was she going out of her mind now?

Reaching for the glass of water, something caught her eye. A dent in the pillow, next to hers…he was here!

The dream she had, was it real? Did he say all those things?  Did he really touched her stomach? The warmth, the pain easing…who ..what was he?

Tears wiggled down her cheeks. For the first time she felt so lonely…so awfully lonely.

Chapter 55

Jon listened to her retching, he yearned to help her but he knew any touch or presence from him wouldn’t be welcomed.

Washing her face, she turned to him, not meeting his gaze.

“Could you please leave me for a few minutes? I need to be alone. This is just too much information to take in.”

“Of course.” He advanced towards her but she cringed, turning on his heel, he walked out, gritting his teeth.

“Call me when you are ready to talk.”

He closed the door behind him.

Hours later saw Jon pacing up and down the kitchen.

Was she ok? Should he go in and check on her?

Just as he was about to go to her, he heard her agonizing scream ringing in the air.

“Dot! What the hell?!”

She was sitting on the side of the bed, cradling her stomach, gasps heaved through her body.

“I need to get to the hospital!”

Rushing around the bed, he saw blood everywhere., dark, red, sweet smelling blood, death hung in the air and Jon’s feet came to life. Fear punching into his midriff.

“What the fuck! Dot! “ His knees hit the floor before her, she was bleeding…but where?!

“PLEASE JON! I NEED to get to a hospital. The baby, I think I’m losing the baby!” Her heartbroken sob tore through him and his legs came alive.

Grabbing her gown, he swung her into his arms, making his way towards the door.

Tick…tick…tick, tick, tick…tick, tick………..tick

It was the sound of their baby’s heart beating! Oh God! She was carrying their baby.

“Hold on honey. We’ll be there soon.”

~~~

Jon paced up and down, he was going out of his mind. The doctors had swept her away and nothing since!

Was he now a babykiller too?

“Mr. Bongiovi?”

“Yes?”

“You can see your wife now.”

Dread turned his feet to lead but he kept going, pausing for a moment before he entered the room.

Nausea build in his throat, there was one heartbeat, only one…

Dot turned a tearswollen face his way, she was so pale.

“I lost it.”

“Oh baby, I’m so sorry!” he reached for her hand but the cold look in her eyes told him to keep his distance.

“How can I fix this? What do you need from me?”

“Give me back my baby and my husband. Can you do that? If not get out of my room.”

She turned her head towards the window. She didn’t hear a sound coming from him, but when she turned back, he was gone.

Chapter 54

Silenced was followed by a hysterical laughter.

“Oh my God Jon! You are using something! What are you thinking, using such a crazy excuse?!” She shoved his hands away.

Something shifted in Jon’s eyes and he jumped up, moving away from her, he turned his back towards her.

“I had this feeling you would laugh in my face, haven’t you listened to anything I said? I told you it was a crazy idea, but Dot you have to believe me, this is no fucking joke.” Dot frowned, Jon had the strangest lisp all of a sudden.

“Its outrageous! Some men will just man up and confess, you use some farfetched story. What’s wrong with you Jon? Look at me when I’m talking to you dammit!”

“You don’t want me to look at you believe me but then again, maybe this will convince you.”

Jon turned around slowly, his hands clamped at his sides. When Dorothea’s eyes drifted towards his face she couldn’t contain the bone chilling scream ripping from her throat.

Before her was Jon…no it couldn’t be! A monster was standing before her. A fanged, hideous beast with glittering orbs!

“Oh my God! Oh my God!” Dorothea shot up, running towards the bedroom, screaming bloody murder.

Tick, tick, tick, tick…the sound was out of control. It mingled with Dorothea’s racing heartbeat,.

“Dot! Dot…please!”

Knowing that he already freaked her beyond anything she could have ever imagined, he moved…

A blood curling scream once again rang in the air. Her face was contorted, her skin grey as death.  She was in his arms and he held her there, his eyes searching her face.

“Please Dot, let me explain.”

His arms clamped around her, refusing to let her go, he begged.

“Please, its me Dot…look at me…I will never hurt you. Don’t you see? I went for help after your visit. I needed to get control before I could come and see you and the kids.”

Her screams scraped her throat raw.

“No! No! I don’t want to look at you! You are hideous! Let me go, please let me go.”

Taking her face in his hands, he forced her to face him.

“Look at me! This is who I am now. There is no changing it.”  Her words ripped his soul to shreds.

She quieted down as his fangs retracted slowly, humanity returning to his eyes.

“I’ll never hurt you… or the kids. You are my life. You have to believe me!” His whispers were urgent on her face.

Shaking her head violently, she trembled, her lips quivering as she accused.

“But you’re not human anymore. You drink blood, human blood…Oh my God! How did this happen? How could this be true? Vampires don’t exist!”

She slumped and her head fell back. Taking her in his arms, he carried her towards the bed, turning towards the bathroom he returned with a cool facecloth.

“Sshhhhh….its ok baby. Everything is going to be ok.”

Her eyes fluttered open and she shrunk back, trying to avoid his touch.

“Don’t….don’t touch me.” She scrambled upwards.

Jon sighed, obeying her wish even though he wanted to crush her to him.

A pregnant pause followed.

“What now? Where do we go from here? You’re a vampire Jon.” A hysterical giggle bubbled from her throat again.

“Nothin’, we go on as before.”

“How can you tell me that?! You drink blood Jon! Where do you get it from? Do you actually hunt people down like fucking animals?!”

The bluest of blue eyes burned with pain.

“Yeah you can call it that. But as I told you, I got some help. I drink a potion to control my lust, so its better, much better.”

“So if its better, what did you do to want to make it better?”

“You’re not gonna like my answer Dot. Do you really wanna know the nitty gritty shit?”

“Yes.” Her stare was penetrating.

“I killed…I couldn’t stop myself from drinking until it was too late.”

“Oh God in heaven!” Dorothea covered her hand with her mouth, her body shuddered violently, uncontrollable gasps pushed through her fingers.

The ticking sound was losing its rhythm, Jon waited…listened.

“I think I’m going to be sick!” Dorothea rushed from the bed, making it just in time before she lost all the contents of her stomach.