Chapter 66

Ciara sagged onto the couch. She was freaked out of her mind and somehow the stranger’s phantom face lodged securely in her thoughts.

Holly offered to stay the night but born with pride like no others, she refused. She was a big girl for Pete sake!  She could look after herself…could she?

Not feeling nearly ready to go to bed, she popped in her old time favourite,  Bram Stoker’ Dracula movie. She felt so much compassion for the dark creature of the night, even though he was portrayed as something so evil , he even craved the love of a life mate. Tragic.

A few minutes into the movie, she felt the rumble in her tummy, telling her that she neglected to eat earlier that evening. Not really in the mood to make something, she grabbed a bag of microwave popcorn and chucked it in, setting the timer for two minutes.

Deciding that it will go well with some hot chocolate she kept herself busy with heating the milk on the stove. Maybe some hot milk would settle her nerves and the strange unsettled feeling looming in the between her shoulder blades.

Filling a huge mug with sweet scented milk, she turned towards the basin to dunk the pot.

Something made her look up to the window, she was staring at herself, a pale, big eyed Ciara.

Halloween really got to you this year. Whoosie!

She giggled at her own silliness when suddenly something behind her caught her eye and she felt her heart drop. Her scream lodged in her throat, a cold rush brushed over her skin.

He was behind her, so close she felt his breath in her neck, his hands rested on her shoulders, keeping her there. Everything inside her wanted to run like hell but her fear kept her immobilized. Ciara felt her mouth gaped, but nothing came out., her legs felt like lead.

She could only see the top of his blond head, feel him as he inhaled her scent. His mouth was dangerously close to her neck, she closed her eyes, waiting for…for God knows what but it never came. Opening her eyes slowly, she was met with the iciest blue eyes she had ever seen. They glittered like fallen stars, the message in them so clear and utterly forbidding that her soul cried out in despair. The full lips retracted into a grin, displaying ivory, elongated teeth…

Deep inside survival snapped into place and she screamed, she focused again and saw..nothing.

He was gone!

Turning around, she searched the room. There was nothing, not a soul. Scared witless she grabbed her popcorn and hot chocolate, not flinching as the scolding hot liquid burned her skin.

Ok now I’m losing my mind here!

Not sure if she could stomach fanged creatures any longer, she switched of the dvd and started jumping channels until she found some safe, romantic gibberish to keep her mind of the fact that she might be losing her sanity.

The movie was actually refreshingly funny and soon she was so drawn into it.

“veni-mi frumos, sa am timp uni,  “

Ciara felt her eyelids getting heavy, maybe the hot chocolate was doing it’s job…..

“renunţare la mine,
fi al meu în seara asta.”

She was floating between slumber and reality. The fluffiness surrounded her and soon she was drifting…..

Ciara opened  her  eyes. She was  in her bedroom, only not. 

Was she dreaming?

It had to be, because her girlie room had been transformed into a seductive ruby fantasy. Gone were the furry teddies and plush cushions.

Ciara shivered as a cool breeze breathed over her, the crimson silky curtains billowed in the wind, dancing against the ceiling in wild abandon. She stared at her surroundings, flickering candles fluttered under the onslaught of the assaulting breeze. 

Why did everything felt so familiar , yet so bizarre?

Open palms glided over silky sheets, her nails spiked into the mattress..this was pure decadent pleasure...the feeling of cool silkiness whispering along her skin.

Ciara felt a pull and sat up slowly. Her hair was flowing down her back, looking down she realised her nightgown matched the scarlet palette of the room. The scene was so intimate, so sexually arousing , a sizzle stroked her insides and she sighed, leaning her head back to give full reign to the exquisite feeling.

“Ciara”

Her name was so clear in her mind, as if someone called out to her without breathing a word.

“Ciara.”

Her eyes fluttered open the moment her head lifted.

He was here, her dark, mysterious stranger.

 Holding out his hand, his palm open and relaxed , he waited. She would come to him..she was his for the taking.

Instead of feeling panic she felt warmth flooding her. Somehow her soul knew he would come back, she wanted him to come back even if it had to be in her dreams.

She felt the undeniable pull towards him, sliding of the bed she felt energy bounce of him as she came closer. His eyes glittered with determination and satisfaction.

Her hair blew from her face as she drifted closer, the nightgown glued to her curvaceous body, making his hunger for her more irrepressible.

His eyes gleamed in the semi shadows, he was without the mask, yet she couldn’t see his face completely , only the stubborn jut of his jawline and the slight smile on those full lips.

As her hand touched his, she sighed , her lips parting as the breath escaped her .

She had come home, he was all that mattered now...

Capturing her hand in his, he coaxed her closer, no need to frighten her.

“You came back.”

“You wanted me to.” His husky voice played over her senses.

Cupping her face gently in his hand, her heavy eyelids shuttered.

“Yes..yes I wanted you to.”

A calloused thumb stroked the feminine curve of her jaw, lowering the gentle touch to the swanlike  neck.

 She felt his eyes boring into her, those hungry eyes feasting on her, bathing her in sexual need.

Tangling his hand in the warm weight of her dark curls, he supported her nape as he closed the space between them.

A tiny cry fled from her as she felt the first touch of his kiss.

**Come my lovely, it’s time we unite,

surrender to me,

be mine tonight.

Chapter 65

A voice called out to her...a voice pulling her away from the powerful embrace she didn’t want to abandon.

“Ciiiiiaarrrrraa! Girl are you ok?”

The cloud of enthralment evaporated, spitting her out, dumping her into a heap of confusion.

Ciara shook her head, feeling the shadows in her mind vanishing, panic settling in as realisation dawned.

“Honey? What happened?”

Holly’s gentle touch ripped the first blood curling scream from her stiff throat.

“Oh God...something bit me! Oh God help me!”

Holly focused the flashlight towards the scampering Ciara. Her friend was really freaking her out. Feeling a bit uneasy, she swung the light around.

“Please don’t! Dont take the light away!”

“Honey, tell me whats wrong..you are scaring the shit out of me.”

Ciara kept rubbing at her throat, skimming her neck fervently.

“Look..can you see something? There must be something, I felt him, I heard him...” She burst out in noisy tears.

Taking the shaking girl into her arms, she pulled her up . She was shaking like a leaf! The shitheads! What were they thinking? She was scared shitless!

“Let’s go babes. I’ll kick their fucking butts raw! Sshh its ok.”

Ciara felt her heart slowed as she was bathed in light.

“Are you able to stand now?”

“Yeah...yeah I’m ok.”

“The guys took it too far this time! Funny is one thing but working you into a hysterical frenzy is fucking ridiculous.”

Holly took her arm around Ciara's shoulder and gently led her back to the stairs.

"Let's go back to the party. I'm sure you're feeling better soon in the light. I could really kick their asses for being so mean to you..."

Walking down the stairs back into light, she felt whatever had her terrified like hell, subsiding. The loud noise of the party greeted her like a welcome bath.

“It wasn’t....” her eyes fell on the masked stranger. He was just
standing there, wine glass in his hand as if nothing in the world mattered.

Confusion and shame burned her cheeks.

Was she wrong? Did she only imagine it? She shook her head. That’s it, orange juice from now on!

Bringing the glass to her lips, she snorted, miffed at herself for shaking so badly that she almost spilled her drink. Looking up ,she stiffened as he raised his glass in silent toast. Toast to what?

To you and me...and what’s to come.

Oh Lord there it is again..that voice!

A tender touch at her arm pushed her back to reality and kept her from fretting over the voices in her head.

“Hello.”

She turned around to see a big guy standing beside her. She had never in her life felt so happy to see a familiar face.

“Martin! How are you?”

She offered him a quick peck on the lips.

“I’m so sorry I’m late, but you know how it is with a doctor. Never a dull moment!”

Offering his arm to her, she accepted.

“Let’s go somewhere a bit more quiet.”

She chuckled.

“The only quiet place would be nowhere near my house tonight!”

She felt cold eyes boring into her back but chose to ignore it.  

She didn’t like her blind date and the sooner he figured it out, the sooner he’ll go.
Clutching on Martin's arm she led him into a more quiet part of the room.

Settling into the swinging chair, she let her legs hang while he gently swung them.

Minutes turned into an hour. He was such a fascinating person, he almost made her forget about the eerie blind date..almost.

Trying as she might, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was watching her, but when she turned to where he was standing she didn’t find him there. Hope flickered that he might have left.

“Ciara?”

“Hhmmm..sorry...what did you say?”

“I was wondering if there might be something to snack on, I haven’t eaten for hours.”

Nodding towards the noisy crowd she chuckled, “You do know they are at the party too? I’ll be surprised if there is so much as a crumb left, but let me go see what I can throw together for you, ok?”

“You’re a sweetheart. Thanx hun.”

She smiled at him, glad that he came to the party and left to look for something to eat.

He was so tired, rubbing his eyes, he sagged his head backwards, closing his eyes just for a moment.

Awareness flared up and he opened his eyes. Some dude in a black cloak and phantom mask was a few feet away from him.

“You wanna sit down?” he asked, somehow feeling nervous about this dark dressed man, the face hidden by the mask so all you could see were glittering eyes.

“I was just wondering what  made you so special?” he said in a deep low growl.

Raising an eyebrow, not expecting such a question from a complete stranger.

“Excuse me?”

“You come to this party, late I might add and she abandon her guests to entertain you.

Dont you think its rude?”

Martin sat up, he didn’t like the coolness of the man’s voice. He stood up.

“Listen, I didn’t come here to look for trouble. This is Ciara’s house, her party, I don’t see anything wrong with the fact that she spends time with me. This is not a kindergarden, if you need someone to babysit you, I suggest you go somewhere else.”

Something like a growl emitted from the man and Martin stepped back, the eyes behind the mask suddenly gleaming a luminous indigo.

What the hell?

“You are not welcome here. You should leave.” the stranger spat, stepping closer to him.

Martin was fuming.

“I don’t know who the fuck you think you are but I’m going nowhere. Why don’t you get your fucking ass out of here before I kick it?”

Fury rumbled like a volcano coming out of its slumber, bulging his fists he felt the nips as his growing nails bit into flesh..

“Did you hear me asshole?!”

Grabbing him by the cloak, he suddenly yelped as cold bands of steels almost crushed his hands.

“Don’t ever make the mistake of touching me again.” It was a chilling warning.

His hands lost their grip, but the force of it staggered Martin backwards.

Pain flashed through his skull like stabbing daggers, grabbing his head he groaned as he sagged onto the chair.


Ciara saw him fall into the chair and rushed back to where she left him. “Martin? Are you ok?”

Nausea bubbled in the pit of his stomach.

“I think I have a migraine coming, maybe I should go.”

He stood up slowly, the pain he felt before still fresh and  fear he just couldn't explain.

No one saw the satisfied sneer on the other man’s lips.

“I’m so sorry for screwing up the evening, we should go out one evening.”

“That would be really nice.” She stared worriedly at his pain stricken face.

Martin grabbed his jacket, hugged her for a brief moment and smiled, throwing warily glances in the direction of the stranger.

" I'll call you sweatheart..."

With that he stepped back from her and she had no chance to ask him anything more. He left the party as quick as he could, a creepy feeling inside his guts that he just avoided some danger he couldn't name.

Watching the taillights as it disappeared she joined the guests. The party was drawing to an end, one after the other her guests thanked her for a wonderful party and took their leave.

Just as fate would have it her vampire date took his time to leave. With only herself and Holly left she shuddered as he kissed Holly’s hand gallantly. Her friend was so obviously taken by his charm, she could only wonder why she felt so differently towards him.

“I’ll go on here, you see Mr. Charm to the door.”

Opening the door she turned to bid him goodbye but found herself bump into a hard wall, steadying herself she stuttered a lame excuse.

Those eyes just stared at her, lifting her hand slowly she swallowed when he rested her hand against his chest.

Mesmerized by the enigma of the man, she stood there, his hypnotic stare stealing any coherent though from her.

She watched as his lips moved, the husky words drifting towards her….

**"Auziþi-mã iubita de noapte,
stabiliţi-vă spiritul liber,
vii la mine fără frică sau de regret,
şi vă voi acorda nemurire."

She didn’t understand a word but yet it was as if her mind and heart understood it.

Taking her hand from his chest, he brought it to his lips. His work here was done.

A spark of energy sizzled along the back of her hand.

“Goodnight my lovely, we’ll meet again.”

“Goodnight.” she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest.

She didn’t wait to see his departure, closing the door, she mentally closed the book to this chapter of her life.

Joining Holly in the kitchen, she sighed.

“Missing him already? Hoped he rather stayed for the night? You can tell me…hell I wont mind if he stayed over at my place!”

“Are you crazy? That man….well he..freaks me out.”

She shivered.

Holly laughed.

“That my dear friend, is called sexual attraction, you’ve been out of the market for so long, you cant even recognized the difference.”

Ciara gave her a shot with the drying cloth.

“I know the difference and please don’t ever organize me a blind date like that again. My taste in men differs from yours…I’ll find my own man!”

Holly’s hands stillled in the soapy water.

“Ciara, girl, Martin was your blind date, not the stud. I thought you knew this guy. Isn't he working with you or something?”

Fear tapped down her spine.

“No…I’ve never seen him in my life before tonight. I thought you invited him. But how did he know my name…how?”

Both women stared at each other in total shock. The question hanging between the girls like a cloud when the truth finally hit them....



**Hear me, lover of the night,
Set your spirit free,
Come to me without fear or regret,
And I will grant you immortality.

Chapter 64

Chastising herself for being so childish as to flick on every damn light in sight, she reached and touched the last switch of the attic.

The room was flooded in strong welcoming rays from the tiny bulb hanging precariously from the ceiling. She wanted to get an electrician to fix the darn thing but didn’t have the time ...well its still working isn’t it?

Going to the farthest end of the attic where she knew good ole Jack resided, she cried out as a grey, little critter ran over her foot.

“OH EEEEEEEEEEEEWWW!! Now I need a pest controller too?! HELL!” She shook so violently , her wings almost fell off. Walking on tippy toes, she reached the box.

Opening the box cautiously she hoped to high heavens she won’t be met by a hairy spider or something even worse. Luckily she only found Jack’s weathered smile, grinning up to her from the darkness of his box.

“Well hello hunkalicious! You’re presence have been requested down stairs. After all these years you are just as popular as ever, figure huh?”

She patted gently at the eroded material, sneezing as a cloud of dust puffed into her nostrils. Tucking lovingly at his skew shirt and frilly skirt, she relived that crazy night when Jack was created.

Bending over into the box, she searched for the orange wig and shocking green floppy hat when the light suddenly died.

“OOOH SHIT!”

Touching the curliness of the false hair and the scratchy material of the hat, she patted in the darkness until she felt Jack.

Manoeuvring her way in the light was hard enough, trying to get out there in total darkness....impossible.

“Ouch! Dammit..blasted....”

Securing herself yet another painful bruise to the shin, she froze.

Ashen mist swirled a mere few inches from her.

Oooh I get it..someone’s playing the Halloween trick on me..

“Oh funny..ha ha...joke is on me! Guys? James? Carlo? Hello? You are going to pay the medical bills when I break a leg or something! I’m serious!”

She giggled nervously until something inside her jerked to a halt. Every inch of skin pricked, something wasn’t right. Not right at all.

The mist was now closer...instinctively reaching out towards it, it vanished.

“Oook thats enough now..I’m really scared...please switch on the damn light..pleaaaassseeee?!”

She stumbled forward only to be met with an icy wall of... what it was ..she didn’t know.

Oh, God in heaven. I’m not alone...and whatever it is..is not human!

The spine-chilling feeling made her think of earlier tonight when...no it can’t be! It just can’t, there is an explanation for everything. Halloween was really getting to her, that and the wine...

A scream lodged in her throat. Fear consumed every reasonable thought she ever possessed. She didn’t even feel Jack fall to the ground from her nerveless fingers.

She was shaking, fear radiated from her in jaded hues, luring him closer. She smelled divine..her panic grew stronger, spearing into him as it billowed around her.

Grabbing at her last straw of salvation, she reached into her pocket, knowing that the lighter she had used earlier that night should be there.

Click...click...clickclickclickclick.

“Oh damn please?!”

No one is coming to help you...It’s you and me now.

Circling hysterically , she cried out.

“Who is it? This is NOT fucking funny anymore. YOU HEAR!?”

The eerie thread grew tighter and tighter. She heard the slight whisper of material. He was here, that smell...the musky, elusive scent of him.

So she knew it was him? His grin flashed in the shadows. His turn to get a whiff of rapture...

She was paradise waiting to be unwrapped, tasted, devoured, every sweet, tantalizing drop of her.

His tongue slithered over his fangs, he could almost taste her, she was so damn close. She was in his world now, she was his..to do with as he please, but first he had the pleasure of sapping her of her energy...drawing the willpower from her until she laid at his feet, begging to be set free.

A unique scent drew his attention...a scent he hadn’t experienced in years...

Ciara whimpered as startling cerulean eyes appeared in the gloom.

Hunger shimmered in them, swirling slowly over her body as it scrutinized her.

Unsoiled...untouched by man....mine....all mine.

Ciara clamped her hands over her ears.

He was inside her mind....chanting incoherent thoughts.

I cant take anymore...please go away...oh God..please.

The beast grew stronger within.....the exhilaration simmered slowly, building into a crescendo....she was untainted, her womb pure from any relations with men.

Recognising how extraordinary his meal was turning out to be, he shivered in anticipation as he felt his fangs lengthen even more.

Something breezed across her cheek, gasping, she shut her eyes. It was a gentle caress, brushing her hair to one side.

She was shrieking inside, her mind telling her limbs to move...her legs unwilling to listen.

“Are you afraid, Ciara? Give yourself to me....I’ll make your surrender a sweet one...” His breath teased at her lips, coaxing them to open for him.

The unexpected warmth of his tongue searched the length of her lips....flicking inside she felt her first brush with the unknown...

He felt her sway towards him and for a split second he savoured her surrender. Surrender was but a fleeting moment unfortunately.

Survival instincts jolted into her cloudy mind, refusing to let her submit so meekly to something so evil... something with such a brutal appetite.

The flutter on her lips ceased, the whiff of him enveloped her, she didn’t know where she started and he ended. She was a prisoner of his, an unwilling participant in a ritual of feeding she hadn’t known ever existed until tonight..this terrifying minute.

She was prey to a tortured, sinister soul. His power over her was devastating.

Cool fingers outline the column of her neck, the other tangled in her hair drawing her flush with his hard, unyielding frame, the only sign that whatever was with her, had human form.

Come to me....come to me now.

Her mind lost the battle, she was clay in his deft hands.

She needed to let go of her fear, the meal never tasted as appetising when it was mingled with the bitterness of unadulterated terror.

Everything suddenly felt so heavy...so unbearably heavy. Her head tilted forward, she shivered as his breath feathered in her neck, his tongue tracing lazy circles on her skin.

The pulsing of her life giving vein called out to him, the sloshing of the dark delicious liquid awoke the uncontrollable hunger he had kept at bay for so long .

Stabbing fangs scraped at her neck, inching closer towards its target...

Ciara heard the animalistic growl....her whimper was drowned by the force of his ferocious snarl. She felt her head snap backwards and closed her eyes, bracing herself for the pain she knew was unavoidable.

She couldn’t fight it anymore, she didn’t want to.

Chapter 63

She handed the blood red liquid to him, watching him as he carefully savoured the ripe blend of carefully plucked grapes.

He swirled the deep, rich sweetness around his tongue. She would taste like that, he was sure. Warm where this was cold, thick and sweet.....as if they had a life of their own, he felt them scrape his tongue at his thoughts. He needed to feed and soon.

“So you like my taste?”

If she only knew....

He nodded, the glass slightly touching his lips.

She saw the slow roll of his tongue over his....there it was again! How did he do that? She blinked and it was gone.

“Something wrong Ciara?” his voice soothed her.

“No..I’m just wondering how you manage to control those sharpies of yours. Is it some new Halloween craze?”

He saw interest flicker in her eyes.

“No, no Halloween craze...maybe your eyes deceive you sweet lady? Maybe too many Vampire movies?”

She blushed a scarlet red.

“Maybe, or maybe it was the way the light....hell I dunno.”

A roar of laughter turned them around. The party goers were bobbing for apples and in their somewhat tipsy state had a hard time getting even close to it, resulting in a loud cheer from the bystanders.

“Ciara! Hey over here!”

She smiled goodheartedly at her old College friends.

“What you want James?”

“The guys and I just realized... where’s Jack? He is always around and this year he isn’t. Its bad luck man!”

Ciara shook her head and giggled. They all build Jack when they were still silly youngsters in their final year. Jack Daniels was flowing that night, resulting in a really scary, cross dressing scarecrow. She didn’t have the heart to part with the freak of nature and took him, holding onto the fond memories and only displaying him at Halloween. He was a bit tattered by now and didn’t trust the rambunctious guys around old Jack...

“He is safe in the attic”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAWww   c’mon be an angel now and don’t be stingy with old Jack ! Bring him out he wants to party too!”

Standing with hands on her hips she warned.

“ I AM an angel see?” She gave a little shake and her wings flapped .

“Ok..ok .Only if you guys behave! He is old and falling apart.”

With a quick kiss on two fingers they solemnly promised as they pressed their hands dramatically against their hearts.

“You’re all lunatics.”

Just as she made her way into the house the doorbell rang again. A gentle smile pulled at her beautiful lips...aaaawww that time of the night?

Ciara opened the door, a huge smile on her face.

“TRICK OR TREAT!!!”

“My, my  do I have some scary monsters at my door! “

A group of boys gathered at her door, their parents standing on the sidewalk, nodding their appreciation.

She knelt down towards her little visitors.

“I’m a werewolf.”

“And I’m a ghost.”

“Oh my I see! And let me guess..you are a vampire? I love vampires...”

She chattered on while depositing all kinds of sweet and little trinkets into their almost overflowing bags.

“Well you look pretty with wings.” One little guy offered.

“Oh thank you sweetie, that’s so kind of you.”

The moment she felt her skin pricked she saw the smiles fade on their little faces.

All head turned upwards and they stared..their eyes wide.

“Woooow, he is scary!” the little ghost offered.

“I think so too...I don’t like him. Let’s go. Thank you lady! Byyeeeeeeee!”

They scuttled as fast as their little legs could carry them. She didn’t need to turn around to know who they were talking about, she could feel him. A cloud of something sinister always wove around her when he was close.

“You scared them away.” She accused as she folded her arms around her in a protective gesture.

“I’m sorry. Dont know what scared them....”

Oh she could tell him. Tell him about the dark cloak, the mask, his glittering blue eyes, those hide and seek sharpies of his, but she wont. She stepped away from him.

“If you would excuse me, I’m just going to get something from the attic quickly.”

He advanced towards her and felt a stir of delight as she put even more distance between them. He fed on fear...and she gave it so freely tonight.

“Maybe I should join you? An attic could be a scary place to be at night and its Halloween too..never know what might happen.”

One look at his glimmering eyes she bounced towards the steps.

“I’ll be ok, thank you. Why don’t you join the party?”

Darkness she could handle, but not him.

“As you please.”  He dipped his head courteously while a slight grin played over his lips.

Chapter 62

Red flashing lights went off in her mind. This wasn’t what she expected!  He was supposed to be a buck toothed, squinty, bald headed, middle aged nerd! Not some...some ...Ciara concentrated on what seems to be hovering so close to her.

Blond highlighted bangs arranged to perfection...too pretty to be  a man’s,  a full mouth sloping into a strong, chiselled  jawline,  not a sign of scruff, soooo he shaved before he came hmmmmmm, slightly opened mouth...

Seeing her concentrating on his mouth, he sealed them shut...some things weren’t meant to be seen...not yet anyway.

Registering the motion she shifted her gaze towards the mysteriousness of his face...from what she could ascertain as she studied the part of his face that was visible to her, this man should be drop dead gorgeous. Curious eyes tried to pry behind the phantom mask. Arctic blue eyes stared right back at her, a penetrating stare that send shivers down her spine.

What would he do if I reach up and take the mask off? The thought flitted through her jumbled thoughts.

I would have to stop you.

“Excuse me? What did you say?” Ciara blinked wildly. Did she just blabbered it out loud?! For God sake woman, pull yourself together, its not like you’ve never seen a hunk in real life?!

Her face was on fire, her lips trembled as she tried her damnest to think of an excuse, ANY excuse to save this moment from becoming unbearable.

Her thoughts raced through his mind, questions, excuses, berating.

“I haven’t said a word.” His smoky dark voice compelled her to move away.

He was danger, it screamed at her, danger....yet she felt the need to explore more...wanted more.

Shaking her head slightly she hoped to clear her frazzled mind, all in vain.

“Well..are we going to stand here all night staring at each other, or are you going to invite me in for a drink?”

“Oh lord! My manners! I apologise...” She stepped back, waving him in.

“Is that a yes, Ciara?”

She nodded, but he wasn’t satisfied.

“Tell me you want me to come inside.” He leaned with one arm against the doorframe, his foot hovering over the threshold.

Yes! I want you inside...no!..Yes...uummmm..should I?

“Ciara?” her name slipped off his tongue like a melody, it could be someone else’s name, pure dark velvety sin...but it was hers.

What was it with her and the thoughts of darkness, velvet and all things decadent? Did someone spike her wine or was it this devilishly cloaked man?

“Yes...yes I want you inside...of course..come in.” She stammered foolishly, stepping even further into the house.

Resistance morphed into a warm haven as the wall of protection crumbled at her feet. Stepping in, the atmosphere immediately soaked into him, giving him a bit of a quake through his soul. There was definitely a lively party going on here.

“Do you want me to take your cloak?”

He shook his head.

Her hand dropped and she felt a tinge of regret not to be able to feel it’s silky warmth in her hand, neither the reveal of his muscled frame she knew was hidden underneath.

“Could I fix you something to drink?”

He was thirsty all right, but not what she wanted to offer him.

“That would be nice.”

“Wine? Beer? Anything stronger?”

She wasn’t sure how it happened but she was suddenly nose to nose.

“I’ll have what you’re having..let me guess.”

Still surprised at his stealth movements she felt anticipation build as he sniffed at her.

The striking sapphires vanished as he leaned in closer.

Her scent was overwhelming, Jasmine with a dash of spring dew. Did she know Jasmine is known for its aphrodisiac qualities? Could she even comprehend how sexually seductive she was with her tattered, fallen angel look and her gleaming emerald eyes? 

That was all he needed anyway..an angel fallen from grace.

He caught another whiff ...rich, burgundy...hhmmmm.

“Bordaux..right?”

Startled with the sudden flash of his blue eyes she stuttered.

“Uumm..what? Yeah..yeah it is..wow you good! Just from smelling me?” Blowing gently into her palm she frowned. She couldn’t smell a damn thing. Oh well.

“I have a knack for having a fine sense of smell.”

Every word droned into her mind although it was but a mere whisper. Her eyes watched as his full mouth formed each word. That’s when she saw it and the magical thread that spun them together unravelled.

“Aaahhh Vampire!” She cried out.

Stepping away from her suddenly she felt the whoosh of heat swirling around her.

“I get it! They told you about me and my ..uum ..thing for Vamps and fangs huh? Holly is good! I was wondering what exactly you were, a phantom maybe? But now I know! “ She threw her head back and laughed. She had felt strange, as if a force was in her mind, pulling her towards something...but she felt better now. She was imagining things..better cut down on those movies!

“So you like vampires? I thought beautiful woman didn’t like dark, scary creatures.” He was positively intrigued. That side of her he didn’t know.

There was that dark again, Ciara thought.

“I dunno. Can’t really describe it but there is something sensual  about them..a sexual magnetism. I’m the kind of girl who likes to be hunted by a mystical creature, captured and made thoroughly love to while his fangs sink into my neck .  Silly huh? Yet there’s something so sad about them too. Sad in knowing that you will always lead a lonely life, if you seek a mate you have to turn them into predators too and the thought of killing like a wild animal to get your fill. I’m talking too much aren’t I?”

How insightful she was! How understanding to something so vile....

Her animated chipper loosened a lock of dark curl and it fell across her face. Reaching up to brush it away their hands met.

He had been itching the whole time to feel her silkiness between his fingers and the fallen lock gave him that excuse. He hadn’t bargained on the raw shock as their flesh met for the first time. She felt it too, he could read it in her wide cat eyes.

“You have to presume that Vampires exist before you can feel sympathy for them. Do you think they  exist or do you like to live in your dream world?”

His hand has captured her, lowering it to his mouth.

He felt the impulse to taste her any way possible, turning her wrist in his hand, he exposed the rapid pulsing vein on the inside of her wrist.

“I..I don’t know..I guess they don’t exist...”

Ciara shuddered as cool lips traced such a sensitive spot, the mere touch set her heart galloping and she watched as the blond head lingered so close to her, if she reached with the other hand she could touch the perfect bangs.

Swallowing to keep the excessive saliva at bay, he cursed himself for being so damn weak.  He couldn’t afford to let this game be over before it even began properly but she was perfect and it was hard so hard to keep his appetite under control when her blood pumped through her veins, screaming his name.

Ciara stiffened as she felt something graze her skin. Pulling away from him she suddenly felt fear, raw and real flashing through her. What was she doing? He was a complete stranger!

He released her and moved back. Ciara felt her head swimming as two sharp fangs protruded faintly from his lips. What the hell?!

“Ciara! Girl I was looking aaaaaaaaalll over for you!”

Turning towards her enthusiastic entrance, Ciara turned, thanking the gods for sending Holly right at that moment.

“Yeah he turned up. Aren’t you the happy one now? He even came as a Vampire can you imagine, how lucky am I?” Ciara teased , suppressing her shivering insides.

“Whaaa? Oh you have company! Ciiiaarraaa..girlfriend! So who is this masked hunk?”

Reaching out to greet her, Ciara blinked as he flashed perfectly, NORMAL teeth.

“So you are Holly? Pleasure to meet you, so Ciara where is that drink you promised me? She’s been keeping  me inside, maybe she wants me all to herself?”

Ok I’m losing it, big time! Concern ticked in her brain.

Taking in every sexy inch, Holly shook her head.

“Well I cant say I blame her there!” She winked playfully.

“Right through here. “ Ciare snorted. Trust Holly to be so straightforward!

She walked towards the patio.

Glittering blue eyes bore into her back as she scuttled to keep a distance between her and this mysterious man. If she could have seen the sharp fangs glinting in the electric light at that moment, she would have run liked hell.