5 comments/ 37368 views/ 11 favorites Immortal Ch. 01 By: life_is_a_dance Suffolk, England Winter, 1486 The dawn was rising red over land, covering the vast farm land in a rosy hue. The fields had been covered early this year with a frost that killed any remaining crops and all that was left now was barren landscape, just miles of dirt that was waiting for spring to be tended to. One person was out this cold morning, a man who was diligently working to strap his packs and gear onto his gray and white spotted horse. Dressed in thick leather breeches and a brown tunic, he seemed to ignore the cold, sweating slightly as he packed down his steed. He stopped to catch his breath, looking around at the small, two story farm house and the fields that surrounded it. Those fields that he had seen men die just trying to bring in a crop to keep the Duke happy. In the distance, he could see the plume of smoke rising into the sky, the smell of burning pine filling the air. The manor house was at the end of the dirt path, a huge red brick building where the Duke ran his lands in luxury while his peasants toiled in the fields. The horse nickered softly, blowing out his breath in a fog as he shook his black mane, impatiently waiting to start his long journey. The man just laughed, his face crinkling in a smile as he patted the horse’s neck and bent down to pick up more of his belongings. Richard Hudson had no future as far as he could see. He wasn’t tied to the land as many of the peasants in the area were, yet he still swore his loyalty to the powerful Duke that held the lands. His father had been a farmer on the lands, a lowly serf in the eyes of society. Richard had always detested the position, watching as his father worked himself to death for a man who could care less whether he died or not; only if the crops were brought in on time and they were plentiful. No, Richard had chosen the life of a soldier, living in the duke’s household and doing menial tasks as he waited for the one day when that training would come into play. That day had finally come for him and he felt almost giddy that he was finally going to see battle. It was like his profession and his personality were complete opposites. He was a trained killer, yet he didn’t have a violent bone in his body. Richard was more likely to make someone laugh than to take their life, but he just figured that it was the way his life unfolded and there was nothing that he could do to mess with God’s plan. “D’you really have to go?” A small, airy voice came from behind him. Turning around, Richard saw Elizabeth walking from her small house carrying a bundle in her arms. She shivered slightly in the cold air, her shoes crunching over the frost covered ground as she approached the horse. He smiled and reached out his arms to her. This was his one draw back to leaving; his Elizabeth. She stepped into his hug, resting her head against his chest. Richard sighed and rested his chin on the top of her blonde head, wrapping his arms tight around her. Elizabeth Fourier was a vision to behold, the look of a princess although she was nothing but a farmer’s daughter. Blonde hair the color of gold that came to her waist and eyes the blue green color of the North Sea in summer. She was tall and slender, almost too fragile for the strenuous work of a farm, but Elizabeth never had trouble keeping up with the demanding pace. In the gown of dark blue, she looked like an ice queen who had just risen from the snow to greet Richard. “You know I have to leave, Beth.” Richard said, releasing her from the hug and taking the bundle from her arms. He watched as her eyes grew misty and her smile turned sad. “I’ll be back though. I promise.” Elizabeth looked at Richard for a long time as he loaded the horse down, taking in every detail of his body. His short brown hair, the color of nutmeg, and those brown eyes that always held joy and laughter, no matter what. They had grown up together, Richard helping her father out with the harvests a few autumns while her brother was ill. She could remember a time when he and a boy from the village had chased her through the woods, trapping her in a huge oak tree that she stayed in for the night, afraid of what they would do with her if she came down. He came back the next morning, surprised to see her still frightened and hidden away in the branches. He had been sweet to her after that, her best friend in fact. It was then that they had gotten to know each other, courting carefully under her mother’s watchful eye. Although her mother knew that her daughter’s beauty could make a better match for herself than a lowly peasant, she also knew that it was rare to find true love that strong. They had been betrothed since summer, Elizabeth putting off the wedding when the threat of civil war became all too real in the country. Now, the love of her life was leaving to fight in a war that had nothing to do with him or her and Elizabeth couldn’t control her tears any longer. Richard strapped the last of his belongings to the horse and turned back to Elizabeth. She was looking at the ground, her arms wrapped tightly in her cloak as she tried to keep the chill away; her eyes full of tears. He slowly stepped forward, gripping her shoulders as he drew her closer. A single tear slide down her cheek as she sighed, her body shaking with a sob that threatened to burst forth. “Don’t cry, Beth.” Richard soothed, brushing away her tear with his hand. “The first thing after this war is over, I swear that I’ll be back and we’re going to have that wedding.” “You best keep that promise.” She sobbed, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tight. “I will.” He said, smoothing out her hair as she cried into his tunic. He smiled at her as he gently pulled her away, kissing her forehead. “Just watch that horizon.” He said as he walked over to the horse and mounted him in one easy motion. “Everyday.” Elizabeth whispered, watching as he moved the horse onto the dirt path that led across the fields. “That’s my girl.” He said with a smile, pulling on his cloak as he kicked the horse into a gallop. “Goodbye, Beth.” He shouted over his shoulder as he started off. Elizabeth just smiled, refusing to say goodbye as she watched Richard and the steed start across the fields. Just before they were out of sight, Richard turned the horse and waved at her, blowing her a kiss. She just waved back, forcing a smile onto her face for his sake, watching the horizon intently as he disappeared from sight. She stood there by the fence that surrounded her house to pen in the animals, all morning, just watching the fields. She watched as the skies darkened and the snow began to fall gently, covering everything in a layer of white. It was mid afternoon when her brother finally came to get her, and he practically had to drag her back into the house. Her mother tried to talk to her, telling Elizabeth that everything would work out in the end, all the while coughing as she did her chores. It was a cough that worried Elizabeth, but she said nothing, just taking up a seat next to the window, watching as the world sat silently with her only love running across the fields towards a fate that only God knew. ***************** Suffolk Winter, 1487 Elizabeth brushed a clump of damp hair from her forehead as she stirred the giant pot over the fire. The sound of a wracking cough behind her made the skin on her back crawl. She looked over her shoulder at her father, doubled over as the pain in his chest took over, a fit of coughing wracking his sickly body. Elizabeth took a deep breath and stopped stirring long enough to push her sleeves up and then returned back to her task, as if everything were normal. The past year had been hard on her family, her painfully thin frame would attest to that. First, the winter had been hard, one of the harshest anyone had seen and food was scarce. Elizabeth’s mother had fallen ill near the Christmas celebrations, just after Richard left, and died shortly after the new year began of that dreadful cough. Her brother, Henry, soon followed, felled by a fall from his horse while he plowed the fields in the spring. Shorthanded, Elizabeth’s father pained himself when he was forced to make her work with him in the fields, just to bring in the crops on time. There were times when she would pray at the local church that God would provide, but nothing would make the crops grow. She could still remember the morning when her father hooked up their mule and drug the almost empty wagon to the manor house, returning late in the evening with a forlorn look on his face. Not only had the Duke been less than pleased with the family, but her father had caught a chill that he just couldn’t seem to shake. Now, her father was ill with a cough, the man frail from the cold and Elizabeth knew that he was close to death. The worst was that there had been no news from Richard for nearly ten months. At Christmas, Elizabeth had received a letter, carried over the hills by one of the Duke’s messengers who was on the way to the manor house. Inside was a blue silk ribbon, her favorite color and a precious gift from him. With is was a letter promising that he would write soon and that he was fine, the fighting not fierce at all. There were no more letters after that and Elizabeth had heard rumors early in the week as she visited the small village on the edge of the fields that other soldiers had begun returning. “Elizabeth?” Her father asked in his raspy voice, his breathing slowly returning to normal as the coughing fit subsided. “Yes, Papa?” Elizabeth asked, turning from the fire and wiping away the tears that she hadn’t noticed falling down her face, sniffling slightly as she looked at her father. “There’s a man coming over the hills.” The older man stated, looking out the frost covered window at the sunset. Elizabeth was quick to the window, peering out across the fields. She used part of her sleeve to wipe away some frost and squinted in the light to look over the hills. There was a dark figure in the dying light, his horse moving slowly over the icy path. Small snow flakes had begun to fall in the chilly air, dusting the barren fields in white. Her heart leapt as she bounded for the door, barely stopping to grab her cloak. She carefully made her way to the edge of their yards, waiting by the fences as the man drew closer. Elizabeth couldn’t contain her hope that Richard had finally returned to her. She reached up and pulled the silk ribbon tight in her hair, straightening out her dress as the man drew closer. Her smile slowly faded as she noticed that man wasn’t Richard. “Hello there!” The man shouted, his voice deep and warm with an aristocratic accent. “Might I ask where the manor house is?” He asked, bringing his stallion to a stop as he neared her. “Aye, you just keep following the path, sir.” Elizabeth said, her voice trembling with disappointment, as her shoulders slumped and her heart sank. “Thank you, milady.” He stated but he didn’t move on, just sat there staring at her. “You’re welcome, sir.” Elizabeth whispered as she turned to walk back to the house. “Wait.” The man shouted, causing her to stop and turn. “What’s your name?” “Elizabeth. Elizabeth Fourier, although I don’t know why you’d want to know a simple farm girl’s name.” The man laughed a deep laugh, his dark eyes lighting up. “And why shouldn’t I want to know that name of a princess?” Elizabeth blushed, drawing her cloak tight around her ratty, gray dress, suddenly uncomfortable under the man’s gaze. He had dark eyes, almost the color of coal and hair that matched, cut closely to his head that certainly wasn‘t the style at court. He was wearing expensive clothing, probably worth more than all of Elizabeth’s possessions combined. His skin was white like marble, smooth and unblemished with teeth that slightly stuck out over his blood red lips. He was very handsome, Elizabeth had to admit, but something about him struck her as odd. Just from the way he was sitting on the horse, she could tell that he had a very commanding personality, so unlike Richard and his laid back ways. “You best be on your way, sir. These roads get bad after the sun goes down.” Elizabeth answer simply as she turned to go back into her house. “Stay and talk with me, princess.” Elizabeth spun around and glared at the man. “My name is Elizabeth.” She spat out, her eyes flashing to dark blue as her anger slowly rose. “I’m so sorry, Elizabeth.” He said, emphasizing her name with a hint of sarcasm. “Tell me, caught the eye of lad yet?” “Sir, that is inappropriate to ask a lady. And for your information, I’m betrothed to a wonderful man. Now, if you would please leave my land.” Elizabeth stated as she threw her hand out for her cloak, pointing down the dirt trail towards the rising smoke of the manor house, her anger rising at the strangers questions and aloofness. “Fine, princess. I’ll leave but I’ll be back.” He said with a laugh, spurring his horse on as the sun set completely and the lands were covered in darkness. Elizabeth watched as he marched down the path with purpose and finally disappeared over the hills. She thought it strange that he would talk to her like that, and it made her want Richard back all the more. She was shaken out of her self pity by another jarring cough from inside the house. Elizabeth slipped off her cloak and hung it on the peg just inside the door, sneaking a glance at her father as he stared out the window. “Who was that man?” He asked, coughing harder into a cloth. “Some man looking for the manor.” Elizabeth stated, freezing as she saw the tell tale red flecks on the cloth. Please, Lord, spare him, she prayed silently as she slowly made her way back to the fire. Her father looked so frail and tired and for the first time in her life Elizabeth was scared of the future. Without Richard or anyone else here to work the lands, she couldn’t stay yet there was nowhere for her to go. Elizabeth shook her head, pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind as she turned her attentions back to the food. Softly, she started singing a song that she had heard in the market. Her father sighed, closing his eyes as he heard the melody. “You sing just like your mother.” He commented. Elizabeth just smiled and continued singing, tears flowing down her cheeks again at the compliment. “Thank you, Papa.” She whispered as he began to hum softly behind her. Her voice was legendary, hauntingly beautiful and the envy of the other girls in the area. It was pitch perfect and clear, high and breathy, suitable for a girl as fragile as Elizabeth. Richard had always loved to hear her sing and they would spend many hours under the large oak trees in the fields just laying there as she sang, wrapped tightly in each other‘s arms as they watched the sun set over the fields. Dishing out the thick porridge and helping her father to the table, Elizabeth found herself thinking about that mysterious man who had talked to her just moments before. It suddenly struck her that he had never mentioned his name. What does it matter, she thought, he’s a higher class and doesn’t have to answer to me. Yet, she couldn’t stop thinking about those eyes, watching her so intently as if he were looking at her very soul. Not touching her food, Elizabeth sat silently as her father ate, thinking about everything. Slowly, she looked over to the window and wondered if that man would really be back as he had promised. ********************* Lothian Moray, known as Lothie to his very few friends, rode into the courtyard of the manor house just after sunset, his mind still filled with images of the girl he had met on the road. Of course, he hadn’t really needed directions, having been to the manor many times before, he just wanted to stop and talk with the woman who was waiting so intently at the fence as he came down the trail. Something about her made her image stick in his mind. Maybe it was the way she refused to back down when he talked to her like most girls did when a man of station approached them, or maybe it was the barely controlled disappointment and anger that burned beneath her skin that made his senses run wild. What saddened him the most was that he could smell the sickness on her, something that he had smelt many times before. A girl that young and beautiful didn’t deserve to die that way. Dismounting, he casually tossed the reigns to the stable boy as he turned on his heels and started inside the huge stone building, his black cloak swirling around him. No more than a few steps into the great hall, he heard the Duke’s booming voice echo over the stone walls as he laughed with a few of his men. Lothie stood in the shadows for a moment, watching the scene before him as he took comfort in the darkness. Darkness had been his companion for almost three hundred years now, hiding him from the hated sun that threatened to destroy his existence. Lothie had been the monster, and yes, monster was the term he described himself as, that these people saw before them ever since he fell ill with the coughing sickness those many years ago. He was twenty years old, a musician who wanted nothing more than fame and fortune. He happened to catch the eye of a mysterious duchess who took him in when he fell ill. She nursed him through his worst nights, a hint of sadness in her eyes as she watched the young man fade away. One night, she revealed her secret, hoping that he would accept her offer of immortality in exchange for companionship. Being a vain youth, he jumped at the chance to beat death, but it was only a few weeks after that fateful night that he became disenchanted with his vampire existence. He left the company of the duchess about two months later, seeking out his own life once again. He had been incredibly saddened to learn that she had died a few days after her left, killed by an unknown being. Many thought she had crossed paths with Xander, the powerful vampire lord as he was known around the continent, locking her outside her small manor as the sun rose over the horizon. A horrible way to die, he knew, but it had to be better than living this life, he thought at the time. He, himself, had run into Xander a few times over the past centuries, but instead of fear, Lothie had come to respect the man. In many way, they were alike, almost like two brothers that had been born far apart in time. But where Lothie was calm and collected, stoic at all times, Xander had a fiery temper that would rear its ugly head any time he was challenged. Another round of laughing brought Lothie back to the present, his eyes once again focused on the arrogant Duke as he boasted about a beauty he had living on his lands. It was then that he realized he was talking about the woman he had seen, Elizabeth. The Duke stated to the intrigued men that come spring, he would force them off the land, leaving the family with nothing, only to offer her a chance at marriage, since he knew her betrothed wouldn‘t be coming back. The very thought enraged Lothie beyond all belief, his hands curling into tight fists as he thought of the proud woman. No one would lay a hand on her if he had his way. “It would be a wonder if someone could get him to shut his mouth.” Came a whisper in his ear, the light Scottish accent making Lothie smile. “He’s been talking about that woman all night.” Turning slightly, he found himself staring into familiar green eyes. Gabriella stood there in one of her yellow silk gowns, watching the events of the castle take place from the shadows. With one hand, she played with a jeweled necklace that dipped down low on her cleavage, almost getting lost between the twin swells. Her unruly auburn hair was hidden under a cap done in the French style that she preferred to the current styles from court. Immortal Ch. 01 “Maybe a quick bite to the neck?” She stated, smiling so that the tips of her fangs showed over the bottom of lip. Lothie just chuckled, cupping the side of her neck with his hand as he turned to look at his friend, the Duke. The man certainly wasn’t worth the trouble of immortality, but maybe Gabriella was right in labeling him as a snack. On the other hand, Lothie did enjoy his time in the Broads whenever the Duke would invite him down and it wasn’t something that he wanted to give up willingly. Quietly, so not to alert the men to their presence, Lothie grabbed Gabriella’s hand and started out of the great hall, towards their apartments on the other side of the manor house. “I must tell you about the most delicious girl I met today.” Lothie stated, offering his arm to Gabriella who gratefully accepted it. “I would have sworn that an angel fell from heaven.” “Really, Lothie. You always did have a pension for the dramatic.” Gabriella scolded as they made their way through the winding hallways to their small but extravagant apartments that overlooked the stable yards. Lothie just smiled at her, holding open the door as she glided in, the yellow silks that she loved to wear swishing was her hips swayed back and forth. It was a sight that had driven Lothie crazy many a time in his long life. Walking up quickly behind her, he grabbed her around the waist by an arm and spun her around in a circle, laughing as she squealed when her feet left the floor. “You always know how to drive me wild.” He growled into her ear as she giggled and leaned her head back against his shoulder. “That’s why you made me, isn’t it?” She asked, playfully as he pulled the cap off her head, watching as the curls fell around her face loosely. She turned and stared deep into his soul with those emerald green eyes, hauntingly beautiful even when she was a mere mortal. In fact, that is how she got Lothie’s attention all of those years ago. He had taken to hanging out in cemeteries after the duchess’ death, pondering his new found abilities and powers while at the same time enjoying the silence that the space always held. He had heard a woman crying late one night, and a quick assessment of the area is how he found Gabriella, sobbing over the grave of her husband and darling baby boy, both recently deceased. Those green eyes that held so much sadness, while at the same time calling to Lothie as if her soul were aching for something much more than the love that a mortal man could give her. She had been his first conquest all those years ago, a decision that he never regretted. It hadn’t taken a long time to convince her to stay with him forever and the pain of her double loss was soon forgotten as she and Lothie traveled the world, living a life that would stretch on forever. “I wish I could tell what you were thinking.” Gabriella whispered with a smile, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You know I don’t like to pry into your mind, darling.” “And I know that you never will or there will be consequences.” He growled, his voice tinged with laughter as she stood on her toes to kiss him gently, her teeth grazing slightly over his lower lip. Truth of the matter was, Lothie hated the way that vampires could pry into other people’s thoughts, something that he rarely did. He had told Gabriella a long time ago that his thoughts were his own and meant to be private; a decision that she had respected for all these years. Lothie had grown quite good at hiding what little emotions he had left, his face hard like slate, but still very handsome. Turning away from Gabriella, Lothie walked over to the two chairs set up next to the fire, enjoying the warmth that it gave off. His skin took in the heat and the permanent chill that had settled over his body was soon gone. Gabriella sat in the chair opposite of him, staring at Lothie out of concern. He was usually so much more open than this, although he wasn’t the most loving man she had ever met in her life. “Darling, tell me what ever is the matter?” Gabriella asked, leaning forward in her seat to hold his hand tightly. “I have never felt this way about another person in my life, Gabriella. Even when I was alive, I never cared how other people felt.” He stated, looking into her eyes with a look of determination. “Quite frankly…I’m bored with this life.” Gabriella flinched slightly, her nails digging into Lothie’s hand as she stiffened. “Bored with me?” She asked, trying to keep her anger and sadness at bay. Finally, she thought, here is the moment when he breaks my heart and sends me away. “I’ll never be bored with you, Sweet One.” He whispered, pulling her out of her seat and settling her in his embrace in his lap, nuzzling his nose against her throat. She smelt like roses, her hair fragrant with the scent. He slowly moved her head so her eyes met his, a finger softly resting against her chin. “If you had seen her, you would understand, Sweet Gabriella. She made me feel alive.” “You said that about me once.” Gabriella whispered as she slowly ran a finger in circles over the expanse of Lothie’s chest that was bared through his doublet. Lothie just sighed, knowing that there was no easy way out of this situation. He knew that if Gabriella had just laid her eyes on the girl, she would see the same things that he did. Although this mysterious Elizabeth filled his thoughts, he couldn’t ignore the way that his Gabriella made him feel. He would probably die, in a figurative sense, if she left him. He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose, making her smile slightly as he fingered the necklace around her neck. He had given it to her after their first year together, a symbol of his undying love for her. Lothie could just imagine Elizabeth wearing a necklace like this, but her heart had already been given to another. She wouldn’t be like Gabriella, nor did he need her to be; all he wanted was the intriguing beauty by his side to protect for all eternity. “She’s dying, Gabby, only she doesn’t know it yet.” He whispered, watching her eyes take on a sad look of remembrance. “We both know what that feels like. And she will do it alone, which neither of us had to face. You always said that you wanted another woman to talk to while I was away.” He said with a sly grin. “Lothie, I love you with all my heart.” Gabriella stated, her eyes filling with blood red tears as she reached out to stroke his cheek lightly with her small hand. “I don’t to share your love with anyone else.” “You won’t, sweet one.” He whispered, giving her a smile. “I just want to help her. Nothing in my life has ever come close to the love you’ve given me, nor will it ever. If you trust me, I swear that you will feel the same things that I have the moment you lay eyes on her.” Gabriella leaned in and pressed her cold forehead against his, her green eyes locked onto his as she thought about everything. Giving him a slight smile, she brushed back a few stands of her auburn curls that fell against his cheek. “Bring this beauty that everyone is talking about so that I may make my own decisions.” She whispered, giving him a deep kiss. “That’s my girl.” He said, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist and pulling her into another kiss. She sighed softly as his hands began untying the ribbons that held her dress together, a smile creeping across her face as he easily lifted her in his arms and started off for their chambers. After her laying her gently on the bed, he made sure that the curtains were drawn tightly, no amount of sunlight could get through the thick drapes come dawn. Of course, they traveled with their coffins in tow, but here at the manor house, there were strict instructions in place that the two were not to be disturbed at any time and this left Lothie with a certain sense of security. Besides, it had been a long time since he felt a feather bed beneath his back that he felt giddy as he crawled into the bed beside Gabriella, throwing his doublet to the floor as he lay down beside her. “It feels like forever since you held me, Lothie.” She whispered, snuggling up against his pale chest, her arms curled up under her chin as she rested her head against the hollow of his throat. Lothie gave her a smile as he slowly turned her onto her back, kissing her gently on her lips as he fought with the ties that held the gown together. Losing his patience, he ripped through the silk like it was nothing, making Gabriella giggle. Lothie never was one to wait for things, even though he had a thousand lifetimes to waste. “I’ll buy you a new gown.” He quipped, kissing down her neck, his teeth grazing her skin lightly as he tore through her chemise, the linen providing no resistance as her breasts were bared to his view. “You’re so beautiful, Gabby.” Lothie whispered, running his hand over her throat and down her breasts, stroking each one lovingly. Gabriella sighed and stretched out beneath his touch, wiggling out of her torn garments so she was completely nude. She smiled up at him as he stroked her hair with one hand while loosening his breeches with the other. “You’re mine forever, Gabby.” He whispered in her ear, nipping slightly at the tender flesh as he settled between her legs, his erection pushing incessantly into her, making her gasp at the sudden contact. She arched her back as he rocked into her with a force, the need evident in his black eyes as he hungrily sucked at her neck, feeling the fresh blood just beneath her skin. She’s just fed, he thought with surprise as he nicked her skin slightly, slowly following the droplet of blood as it traveled down her pale neck with his tongue. Gabriella whimpered and jerked her hips up uncontrollably as she cried out in pleasure. They had only been separated a week, but it seemed an eternity to her body, her orgasm building quickly as he pumped harder and harder, their hips slapping together with brutal force. “Lothie!” She cried out as she tightened up and then came hard, her body quivering beneath him as her teeth lengthen slightly, the beast deep inside her searching for something more than just a sexual release. Lothie continued to ravage her, finally spurting his seed deep inside her womb as he braced himself above her with his arms, looking lovingly down into her green eyes which were glazed with passion and satisfaction. He bent down and kissed her tenderly, nestling beside her as she drew herself into his warm embrace, licking the little drops of blood off his lip. He closed his eyes, taking in her scent yet again, as he felt her happiness radiating around the room. “I love you, Gabriella.” He whispered as she sighed deeply, drifting off into a contented sleep. Laying there in the darkness with his love settled beside him, Lothie couldn’t help but search the land for Elizabeth. His senses raced across the fields, finally finding her, crying silently to herself in her room as she prayed to God that he would save her father. Her fear filled her heart and Lothie felt guilty for having found happiness this night while leaving her in misery. He also felt guilty for having invaded her thoughts, but he had to know what she was thinking at the moment, having thoroughly enchanted him upon his first glance. Her thoughts turned slowly to her beloved, a man with brown hair and brown eyes, he saw, who rode a gray and white spotted stallion. He could feel her drifting off to sleep, shivering slightly in the cold as she dreamt of him coming home to her the next day, opening his arms and hugging her tight as he made all the bad things in her life go away. “Soon, princess, you will have your happy ending.” He whispered to the darkness in the room, feeling Gabriella shiver slightly as he pulled the quilt over the top of both of them. He slowly drifted off into a well deserved sleep, thinking about the yellow haired girl and how he was going to change her life. *********************** Chapter 2 coming soon: Lothie shows Elizabeth what life with him would be like. *********************** Help me guide this story. Send in your suggestions and comments and I will make sure to fit the story to you will. Remember to vote. :) Immortal Ch. 02 Elizabeth sat silently in the small kitchen, hands in her lap and head bowed as she listened to the man softly talking upstairs. A simple prayer drifted down the stairs, catching Elizabeth’s ear as she softly prayed along with the voice. Outside, the snow had started to fall again, heavily this time over the fields. The drifts were getting bigger than Elizabeth had ever seen, something odd considering that it never snowed much around the area. Her father had taken a turn for the worse over the past few days, coughing continuously, soaking cloth after cloth in red blood. Elizabeth had watched helplessly, not knowing what to do for him and yet knowing that she should be helping him. She tried her best to nurse him, but it was when the first of her coughs started that she got scared and had to force herself to tend to his needs. It made her feel awful, a failure as a daughter because she couldn’t stand to be around him, so scared that she would get the sickness and die before Richard came back. She remembered leaning against the wall outside his small bedroom as he cried out her name, silent tears running down her cheeks at the helpless situation. She had finally run to town in the driving snow and begged the priest to come straightaway after the coughing had subsided and her father no longer responded to her. The sound of boots on the stairs made her look over at the small staircase, her thoughts suddenly interrupted. The priest had his head bowed, eyes lowered to the ground as he made his way into the kitchen. He looked up at her, his blue eyes stony, betraying no emotions. Clearing his throat, he absently pulled at the collar of his shirt, as if it were too hot in the tiny kitchen. “I’ll send someone to tend to the body.” He stated gently, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder. “Is there anything that I can do for you, my child?” Elizabeth sat still, numbed at the news that her father was gone. Her face paled as she tugged at the fabric of her favorite blue dress, wringing it tightly in her hands as she tried to keep her emotions at bay. She sniffled slightly, suppressing a small cough from deep in her chest as she took a deep breath. “Unless you can convince the Duke to let me stay…” She trailed off as she looked at his face, his eyes suddenly filled with sorrow. “No. There’s nothing you can do for me.” The next few days were filled with people coming and going from the house. Ladies helping her to clean the body and the men toiling with the frozen ground so that he could be buried next to her mother and brother. A short funeral service and Elizabeth suddenly found herself alone. So alone that it made her chest hurt with pain of a new kind: abandonment. The sky was dark as the last person left, heading home for the night. Elizabeth sat at the kitchen table, sobbing into her arms. They were cries of despair, sounding throughout the house and echoing through the windows out into the dark night. “Richard, where are you?” She asked the empty space, sobs shaking her whole body. “Please come back to me.” She whispered, trying to remember what he looked like, but she was frightened to admit that his image had faded in her mind. Out of nowhere, a wracking cough shook her frail body, the pain in her chest growing so great she thought it was her end. She coughed for minutes on end, tears streaming down her face as she tried to calm down. A few deep breaths had her back to normal, the sight of blood in her hand making it tremble slightly with fear. It was only a speck, but that was all it took to seal her fate. Closing her hands tightly into fists, she pounded them on the wooden table, her forehead falling down on the rough wooden planks as she sobbed her heart out. Slowly, she wore herself out, falling asleep at the table, the snow continuing to fall outside. She dreamed of Richard, of dancing with him at the May Day festival in town. That was where he had told her he loved her and he wanted to live the rest of his life with her. He would build her a huge house and they would fill it with children. Even King Richard himself would be envious of the two as they started their lives with all those riches. Elizabeth smiled in her sleep, feeling someone brush her hair away from her face and caress her cheek. Their touch was ice cold, as if they had just walked in from outside. “Richard?” She whispered, opening her eyes in the darkness, a small cough shaking her body, her chest tightening in pain as she gasp for air. “And who is this Richard?” Elizabeth gasped and sat upright, staring at the man whom she had talked to on the road. The light from the hearth cast an eerie glow about him, his skin seeming even paler. For some reason, his dark eyes cast fear into her heart and Elizabeth suddenly felt the urge to run. Before she could get up, a fit of coughing doubled her over, her grip painfully tight on the table as she tried to stop the pain. “Well? Who is Richard?” The man asked again, taking a seat next to Elizabeth, a smile on his face as he reached out a hand and smoothed back her hair. His touch was soothing and cool as she sat back up, her breath ragged and her cheeks flushed with heat. “My betrothed.” “Ah. The man who will be lucky enough to wake up each morning and see this princess next to him.” He said, cupping her chin and examining her face in the light. “I don’t even know your name.” Elizabeth murmured, losing herself in his dark gaze, everything fading away as she felt adrift in a sea of black. “Lothie.” He answered simply, running his hand down to grip her throat, feeling her gulp slightly in her nervousness. Lothie looked at her, his eyes questioning as the smile fell from his face. He could sense her fear and her sadness. It was so overpowering that he had never felt this way before. The spot of blood on her lip made him freeze, his gaze locked on the ruby speck. He knew exactly what it meant and it explained the way she was wheezing slightly and the paleness of her skin with the slight yellow tint that his sharp vision could detect. “That’s an unusual name.” Elizabeth whispered. “Yes, it is. So, tell me, princess, where is this betrothed of yours?” “He went off to battle. He sent a letter at Christmas last year and then nothing.” Elizabeth was confused to why she was sharing this information with this man. Something about his eyes made Elizabeth want to tell him everything. “Watching that horizon, eh?” Lothie said with a smile. The statement made Elizabeth’s blood run cold. She was sent into a fury, backing away from him until she hit the wall opposite the kitchen, her mind racing. “I want you out of my house!” She shouted, trying to keep her wits about her. “It’s not your house anymore.” He stated, standing up and looking into the hearth. “That’s why I am here. To inform you that the Duke wants you out come spring.” Elizabeth sucked in a breath like she had been punched in the stomach and slowly sank to the floor. Lothie turned and looked at her, his manner still cool and aloof. Had he still had control over his emotions, Lothie certainly would have felt for this girl. “You have nowhere to go, do you?” He asked, kneeling down beside her on the floor. “No.” Elizabeth choked out, sobbing harder as she looked around her tiny house, her hands wringing tightly together at the thought of having to leave all of her possessions behind. “Come with me. Come stay with me in the manor. I’ll take care of you.” “I can’t.” Elizabeth protested, wiping her face as she looked up into his eyes, her eyes turning a dark blue with tears. “I don’t know you and Richard could come back…” “Richard isn’t coming back, my dear.” Lothie stated, watching Elizabeth’s face crumble. She clamped her hands over her mouth, shaking her head in protest. Her face changed from a deep red to a purple as she held her breath, trying to convince herself that the man in front of her was lying. “The other soldiers have been back for weeks. I’m not asking you to do anything but come with me to live. You know that you wouldn’t last more than a few days out there, princess.” He reached out to touch her shoulders, fighting the urge to hug her tight. “Just leave me be.” Elizabeth shouted, shoving his arms away from her, sobbing harder, another cough wracking her body at the exertion. “All right, princess.” Lothie said, holding up his hands in surrender before he began brushing his pants free of dirt as he stood. “I’ll leave you to decide. I’ll be back in two days.” As quickly as he had appeared, Lothie was gone, leaving Elizabeth sobbing on the floor. Soon, the sobs trailed off into yawns and she leaned onto her side, watching the empty house from her spot on the floor. She was cold, but she didn’t care, just lying limp as she let the coughs come freely. Nothing mattered to her in this moment as she slowly resigned herself to the fact that Richard was gone. She had nothing to live for anymore; soon the cough would take her like it had her parents. She closed her eyes, shivering slightly at the thought of death, trying to imagine what it would be like and if she would see Richard there. Elizabeth curled up on the floor, pulling her legs into her body and curling her arms against her chest. “Goodbye, Richard.” She whispered finally, just before drifting off to sleep. **************** Two days later, Lothie found himself back at the darkened farmhouse. The sun was quickly setting but even in the dim light, he could see that no one had tended to the place in that time. There were no prints in the snow, save his and a few wild animals that braved the freezing temperatures. He wondered to himself what had happened to the girl as he opened the front door and stepped inside. At first, he didn’t see her as he searched the house, checking every room. All of her possessions were still in place in her tiny room at the top of the stairs, her cloak hung on the hook by the door. A thin layer of dust had fallen over the furniture, undisturbed. The hearth had gone cold, the air in the house chilly. Searching the house, he saw nothing and he felt disappointed that she had left. Lothie gathered his cloak around him and started for the door, sure that he would find her in the village when a soft sigh caught his ear. It sounded like the squeaking of a mouse, but his trained ear knew it was human. It was followed swiftly by a barking cough and the sound of a labored breath. He softly shut the door, walking back through the small until he saw her. She was curled up on the floor, just where he had left her two days ago. Her face was flushed pink with fever, arms and legs trembling in the cold. Lothie could finally see her for what she was in the dying light. She was painfully thin, no doubt cause by the hard winter that the Duke had been talking about with him last night. Her homemade blue dress was shabby and coming apart in places and her shoes were mud covered and worn from years of use. Her blonde hair, which was no doubt beautiful, was a tangled mess of curls. Her face had a smattering of freckles over her nose, showing her days out in the sun. Her skin was like porcelain though, perfectly showing the veins as they crept up her arms and neck. “Elizabeth.” He whispered, kneeling down beside her. Elizabeth opened her eyes slightly and stared at him before closing them again. Lothie sighed and looked around the house, assessing what needed to be taken and what stayed. He would just have everything packed and shipped to his rooms at the manor; she could sort them out later. Lothie unclasped his cloak and gently wrapped her body in its warmth. She sighed, coughing gently as she opened her eyes to look at him, those deep blue eyes covered in a sleepy haze. He picked her up in his arms easily, carrying her out of the house and to his waiting horse. “What are you doing?” She whispered sleepily as he lifted her up into the saddle. “Giving you a future, princess.” He said, vaulting onto the saddle behind her. He wrapped one arm around her waist, letting her rest her head on his shoulder as he spurred the horse on into the night. The chill bit through the cloak, but it only took a few moments before Elizabeth drifted back into her cocoon, blissfully listening as Lothie sang a soft song as he made his way back to the manor house. ************************ Elizabeth moved in her sleep, stretching out on the large bed. She yawned and slowly opened her eyes, smiling at the feeling of a soft, feather bed beneath her and the blessed warmth that surrounded her body. Suddenly, she sat upright, confused. Looking around the room, she saw a huge state apartment dressed in more luxury than she had seen in her entire life. Tapestries hanging on every wall, scenes done in red and blue of horses, unicorns, and other fantasy creatures. A huge canopy over the bed was done up in red, curtains on every side of the four-poster bed. With a laugh, Elizabeth flopped back against the pillows, staring up at the canopy as she tired to remember how she got here. She burrowed back beneath the thick comforter, welcoming its warmth as she tried to go back to sleep. Elizabeth heard the door open and sat up slightly, watching as a women in a yellow silk gown walked into the room, shutting each of the curtains tight against the remaining sun that was streaming through the thick, gray clouds. The cap that the woman wore hid most of her hair, but Elizabeth caught peaks of auburn tresses as she turned around, smiling at her. “I see you’re awake.” The woman said, her voice tinged with a Scottish accent. Elizabeth could just nod, still confused by the whole situation. The woman smiled and laughed softly, her green eyes lighting up in amusement. Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice how the woman’s teeth poked out slightly over her lips as she smiled, giving her an almost sinister look but her eyes were soft and inviting. The overall effect was warm and welcoming, making Elizabeth feel safe. “Lothie told me what you’re doing here and I’m here to keep an eye on you. My name is Gabriella.” Elizabeth just sat, enthralled by this woman and her green eyes. Just as when she looked into Lothie’s eyes, Elizabeth felt drawn in and she wished to tell her everything. Gabriella smiled again and walked over, sitting on the bed as she watched Elizabeth’s face, the emotions playing across her blue eyes. From fear to confusion to acceptance, the emotions surrounding the small girl in front of her were almost intoxicating. “Well, do you have a name, my dear?” Gabriella asked as Elizabeth stared at her. “Elizabeth.” She whispered, unable to take her eyes off Gabriella. Gabriella sighed and raised her hand, snapping her fingers in Elizabeth’s ear to get her attention. Elizabeth gasped and looked away, suddenly embarrassed. A deep blush of red spread across her cheeks, a charming attribute Gabriella thought to herself. “I’m so sorry for being rude. I’ve just never seen green eyes such as yours. They’re beautiful.” “Thank you, Elizabeth.” Gabriella said with a smile. With a keen eye, Gabriella quickly assessed the girl in front of her. A beautiful, childlike face, flushed pink with a fever, but she would be no worse for wear after a few days of rest. The only thing that marred her beauty was the tinge of yellow her hands carried, a telltale sign of the coughing sickness lurking just beneath the surface. I’ll make sure she never feels pain. Gabriella thought to herself as she reached out a hand to brush away some strands of blonde hair that had fallen in front of Elizabeth’s eyes. In a moment of nostalgia, Gabriella found herself thinking of her little boy and how this girl could feel that void in her heart. Finally, someone to be a mother to. “Lothie would like you to join him for dinner.” “I would love to, but I have no clothing.” Elizabeth stated, looking down at the white nightgown she was wearing, confused at how she came to be dressed in such a fine garment. Elizabeth knew she didn‘t own anything this fine. “He’s taken care of that.” Gabriella said, getting up quickly and throwing open a closet across from the bed. Inside, Elizabeth could see a wide array of the most beautiful gowns that she had ever laid eyes upon. A dress in every color, especially shades of blue. Somehow this man knew of her favorite color. Elizabeth threw back the covers and put her feet on the cold stone floor, slowly making her way across the room. She stood in front of the closet, staring at the clothing, her mouth open in surprised shock. She hesitantly reached out a hand, running her fingers over the expensive cloth, marveling at the feeling. Elizabeth smiled, her eyes lighting up to a shade of blue-green but the joy was short lived as the smile faded, replaced by sadness as she slowly backed away. Gabriella could see the tears welling up in her eyes, a crystal blue color that clung to the girl’s cheek as it slowly slid down her face. “I can’t wear any of this.” She said, looking at Gabriella for a moment before looking at the ground. “Why not, my dear?” Gabriella asked, confused by her sudden change, reaching out to offer comfort and wipe away the tear. “The silks are too bright.” Elizabeth answered simply as she walked back to the bed. She took a deep breath as she sat on the edge of the bed, tears falling down her face again. “I’m supposed to be in mourning.” “Ah, for your father. Forgive me, Elizabeth, I’ve forgotten.” Gabriella said, touched by her sadness. Looking back through the closet quickly, Gabriella found something that might be suitable. With a sly smile, she turned around with the gown in her hands, holding it out in front of her. “What about this one? It’s dark in color, certainly appropriate from mourning.” Elizabeth looked up, taking in the gown. It was dark green velvet, almost black in appearance. At first all she could do was nod, her heart warming at the kindness of the grand woman in front of her. Finding her voice, Elizabeth took a deep breath and whispered, “That will do.” Gabriella took great care in making Elizabeth presentable, fitting the gown perfectly to her body and gently combing the tangles out of her hair. Standing in front of the mirror, Elizabeth looked over every inch of her appearance; her blonde hair plated in a simple braid down her back, the gown making her pale skin glow in the candle light. Gabriella smiled, watching her run her hands over the velvet bodice. It occurred to her that she had taken for granted the expensive clothing that she had always had, a novelty, she thought. “Come. Lothie doesn’t like to wait.” Gabriella said as Elizabeth slipped on her slippers, following her out of the room and across a huge waiting room to another set of rooms. Elizabeth gasped, staring in awe at the room. High vaulted ceiling with ornate oak carvings covering the beams. Thick tapestries hung from the walls, a red carpet covering the floor. There was a small circular table set up in the center, two over stuffed leather chairs around it and a roaring fire in the hearth. Walking towards the windows, Elizabeth could see the manor’s courtyard, covered in snow with stable lads walking back and forth between the house and the stables. She reached out and placed her hand against the windowpane, feeling as the cold seeped into her skin, still trying to convince herself that this wasn’t a dream. Lothie gently opened the door, stopping beside Gabriella as he watched Elizabeth take in the scene in the courtyard. “You’re right, Lothie. She is absolutely beautiful.” Gabriella whispered into his ear. Lothie smiled, laughing softly as he took Gabriella by the arm and guided her out of the room. “Beautiful and very sad at the moment.” He whispered back, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead as he started to shut the door. Immortal Ch. 02 “You’ve use that line once before, Lothie.” Gabriella said with a smile as she rolled her eyes. “And it worked, didn’t it?” With that, Lothie closed the door and turned back to Elizabeth. He slowly walked across the carpet, not making a sound as he watched her, entranced by the air of sadness and innocence that she possessed. He cleared his throat, gaining her attention with a gasp as she turned around, staring at him warily. She stared directly at him for a moment, taking in his rich clothing before diverting her eyes to the floor, unnerved by the two dark pools of his eyes. Nothing was said as he slowly walked forward, a smile on his face as he watched her clasp her hands in front of her, wringing them slightly out of worry. “I see you’re getting better.” He commented, holding out his hand for her. “Yes. I am better, milord.” She said, giving him her hand. He smiled, kissing her knuckles softly before taking a step away. “Although a bit confused with why a man in such high standings would take a farmer’s daughter from her home in the middle of winter.” “I told you, princess, it’s not your home anymore.” “Would you please quit calling me that?” Elizabeth snapped, her anger rising as Lothie smugly smiled. “I have a name and it’s not princess.” “Oh, so she has a temper, does she?” Lothie said, watching as the anger flashed in her eyes, her face taking on an even deeper hue of pink as her hand shook in barely controlled rage. “Well, princess. I’ll just have to find a new nickname for you.” He said, taking a seat at the table and reaching for the wineglass next to his dinner plate. “An angel standing before me. Beth would suit you just fine. And for that matter, no need for formalities. Lothie is what you can call me.” Elizabeth stiffened at the name, her face falling back into sadness. “Only one person has ever called me Beth.” She murmured, slowly sinking into her seat across from Lothie. “Well, then I’ll be the second.” Lothie said, taking a drink from the glass. “Please, eat up. My hospitality is legendary.” “Oh, so this habit of picking up people who you barely know isn’t new?” Elizabeth shot back, eyeing the food spread out on the table warily. As much as she didn’t really trust Lothie, the hunger in the pit of her stomach threatened to dissolve her will. “When are you going to accept the fact that I have done you a huge favor?” “A favor? Why didn’t you just leave me there to die?” Elizabeth shouted, her fists pounding the table, making her dinner plate rattle slightly. “At least then I wouldn’t be feeling all of this pain!” “Self pity. Everyone has it at one time or another. What makes you think you’re any different? And for that matter, what makes you think that death would end all your suffering? You have just as much of a chance of going to hell as you do heaven.” “I hope that you are not suggesting that I have sinned in some way, sir.” Elizabeth answered, appalled that he would suggest anything like that. “Easy now, princess. I don’t mean anything of the sort.” He stated, anything to calm her down. He could see her chest heaving with anger, the tops of her breasts moving in the low cut neckline as she struggled to take in a breath. Lothie remembered that when he would get angry, the coughing would start, something that he wanted to avoid if at all possible. He was answered by a soft, airy cough deep in her throat, a sound that he knew all too well from the beginning of his own illness. “Please, eat something.” He said, motioning to the food in front of her. Elizabeth looked over everything with a suspicious eye, fearing that something may be poisoned. The roasted meats and breads made her mouth water, but she sat there unmoving; her hands clasped in her lap as she looked from the table back to him. She had never heard of a man from the upper class taking a peasant girl from her home just to feed her dinner. Something was definitely wrong with all of this, Elizabeth thought as she chewed on her bottom lip slightly. “I’m not hungry.” She stated, her cheeks growing red at the bold-faced lie. Lothie laughed softly, leaning back slightly in his chair as he stared at the woman in front of him. He could see the way that she looked at the food, the way her hands fought to restrain themselves from grabbing at the nearest item. He could also hear the slightest rumble from her stomach as she quickly looked up at him, seeing if he had in fact heard it. “I suppose I best be leaving. Thank you for your hospitality, but I need to make it to the village before the sun completely sets.” Elizabeth whispered, standing up out of the chair as she turned to leave. Lothie was up in a heartbeat, standing in front of her with incredible speed. Elizabeth stifled a gasp of surprise, her blue eyes wide with fright as she looked from his empty chair to where he was standing. “How did you…” She asked, her voice a whisper of disbelief as she pointed to the chair with a frown on her face. “You don’t have to leave, princess.” He stated, taking her pointing hand in his and holding it tight against his chest. His touch was ice cold compared to her feverish skin. The touch of the tomb as her mother always called it when she and Henry would come in from days out in the cold winter wind. It sent goose bumps racing up her arms, something putting her ill at ease around him. Nothing about him held any warmth; his smile, gaze, and face were cold and uninviting. Elizabeth stared deep into his eyes, watching as they sparkled slightly in the candlelight. It was if time froze in that instant, neither soul moving. Lothie was enchanted with the brilliant blue-green of the young girl’s eyes while Elizabeth found herself lost in his dark pools of black. It wasn’t until Lothie moved forward, ever so slowly, and placed a gentle kiss on her feverish forehead that brought Elizabeth back to the present. His lips were cold, almost icy, against her skin and the gesture itself threatened to tear her heart to pieces. Lothie pulled back, stunned by her change in emotions. Her hand, held so tightly against his chest, was trembling while her eyes filled with tears that she struggled to contain. Elizabeth took in a shuddering breath as she pulled her hand free, backing away slightly as the first tear fell. “I have to go.” She insisted as she gripped the sides of the green dress in her hands and started off for the doorway. Lothie reached out quickly and grabbed her upper arms, forcing her to a stop. It was the constant stream of emotion that was messing with his mind, driving him to the brink of what had to be madness and back again. One moment, he wanted to taste the blood that was coursing just below her skin. That steady pulse that beat in the side of her neck, so visible against her pale skin. But the next moment was filled with sadness, a human emotion that he hadn’t felt in so very long. That driving need to comfort and be comforted in return. “Tell me why.” Was all he said, as he watch her breathing become more erratic, small coughs starting to wrack her tiny body. “I don’t belong here!” She shouted, more tears running down her face. “I thank you for trying, but this isn’t my life.” “Elizabeth, the truth to the matter is, you don’t have a life. Your family’s dead, that fiancée of yours…” Lothie began but quickly stopped as he saw the look of sadness cross her face again. He sighed, letting go of her arm as he reached out a hand to caress her face gently. “Sweet princess, I can offer you everything. I can give you a life that you’ve only ever dreamed of.” “And what if he comes back?” She whispered, her voice small and frightened as she stared down at the ornate carpet beneath her feet, unable to meet Lothie’s piercing gaze. “Then I shall let you go. Until then, all that I wish to do, is to protect you from that world out there. The one that has been so cruel to you. All I ask, is your obedience and your friendship. I haven‘t seen Gabriella that alive in a very long time. You make us feel young and I want to keep you around for a very long time.” Elizabeth looked up from the floor suddenly, sniffling slightly as she considered his proposal. Chewing on her lower lip, she stared into his eyes, just wishing she could know what he was thinking. Something made him chuckle softly, his face softening under a smile. Elizabeth just nodded slowly, surprising herself as she rushed forward and wrapped him in a hug. Lothie gasped in surprise, his arms drawing back as if she could burn him with her touch. “I take that as a yes, princess.” He whispered, slowly wrapping his arms around her, soothingly running his hands up and down her back. “Yes.” Came the small reply as she buried her head in his doublet, shoulders shaking with tears as she sobbed. Lothie arched his neck to look down at the top of her head. He could feel his teeth lengthening, the animal inside his mind screaming at him to bite her; to take the blood he could feel coursing through her veins. He squeezed his eyes shut tight, warring over the emotions in his mind. Silently, he shouted at the beast to be gone, to leave him and Elizabeth in peace, but it wouldn’t listen. He couldn’t harm her after everything he had promised, but the anger in his mind was too strong to push aside. Ever so slowly, Lothie brought a hand up to the back of her neck, gripping it tightly. Elizabeth drew back slightly, confused at the sudden touch. Lothie, she saw, had his eyes narrowed, his teeth poking out even more over his bottom lip. His breathing was erratic, his chest rising and falling with the heavy gasps. It was a frightening vision, the very look of anger and lust mixed into one. “Are you alright?” She whispered, wiping her face with the back of a hand. Hearing her voice brought him back to his senses. Lothie let go of her and stepped away, spinning on his heels as he crossed the large room. He closed his eyes tight, growling slightly as he fought with the beast inside him. He would not subject her to that, not yet while she was still scared and fragile. He stopped facing the wall, his hands clenched so tightly that he felt his nails breaking the skin of his palms. A thin vale of red covered his vision, the smell of her blood thick in his senses. He was losing control and Elizabeth would be the one to pay for it. “Lothie?” Elizabeth asked again, her voice shaky with fear as she watched his back shake with rage. “Did I do something wrong?” “Go get Gabriella.” He growled, fear rising as he turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder at her. Elizabeth stood still in the middle of the room, her eyes bright with confusion as her lower lip quivered with fear. Something in his eyes brought out that fear that was deeply hidden in her heart, the way they were dark, yet still glowed in the candlelight. The way that he looked at her, Elizabeth no long felt like a person, but an object that was his to use as he wanted. “Go!” Lothie screamed at her, his voice much deeper than it had been before, ringing through the spacious apartment. Elizabeth jumped at the sound, stumbling backwards as he turned and began to stalk towards her, a slight growling sound rumbling in his chest. In a fright, Elizabeth fled the room, running as fast as she could to find Gabriella. Her lungs burned with bright pain, her entire chest feeling like it could cave in, but she was too frightened to stop. She ran blindly down the hallway, the sound of Lothie’s voice still ringing in her ears as she tossed open a door at the end of the corridor. Tucked warmly into a chair in her bedchamber, Gabriella sat quietly reading, enjoying a religious text that the late Queen Anne had recommended to her while she was in her service. Something about angels and demons and the fight against good and evil. She actually found herself smiling as if it were a joke. If only the author knew that evil walked among them in the guise of human. How would he react to that? Laughing softly to herself at the thought, she was startled by the sound of running footsteps and the sound of the door being flung open. Gabriella jerked her attentions from the manuscript in her lap to the girl who was heaving for air in the doorway, her breath taking on a raspy sound as her fingers desperately clung to the wooden posts. “What’s the matter child?” She asked, slowly standing out of her chair. “Lothie. Something’s wrong.” Elizabeth whispered in a frightened voice as she slowly caught her breath, small coughs coursing through her chest. “He scared me.” Gabriella quickly stood up, placing the book on the arm of the chair as she took Elizabeth by the arms and guided her to the fire. Settling her down in the chair, she knelt down and made sure that she was alright, nothing wrong with her neck or face that might suggest Lothie had attacked. It was something that she feared, always warning him to be careful with his emotions so that a human would never drive him into that madness that their existence bordered on. “Stay here. I’ll go make sure he’s alright.” Gabriella said as she gave Elizabeth a warm smile as she started down the hallway, closing the door firmly behind her. The sound of wood breaking filled Gabriella’s ears as she stopped just outside the dining room. Peaking in the opened door, she saw Lothie throwing chairs away from the table, swiping the food from the table in a terrible rage. His breathing was ragged, teeth bared and veins showing in his neck as he raged on the furniture in the room. Quietly, she stepped into the room, closing the door and leaning back against the solid wood. “Lothian.” She whispered, causing him to stop as he heard his full name. He slowly turned to face her, his eyes dark with rage and anger. It was a look that Gabriella had seen before on her own face, the look of blood lust. She should have been afraid as he turned his attentions on her, his eyes narrowing as he sniffed the air for the blood that had so recently left the room. He was an animal hunting and his target was now on the other side of the woman that he loved. “Darling, you need to calm down.” Gabriella reasoned, her voice soft and soothing as a low growl came from Lothie’s throat. “You won’t see her until you do.” “Like you can stop me?” Lothie asked, his voice so deep that Gabriella barely recognized it. “You’ll have to go through me.” “That can be arranged.” Lothie hissed as he lunged for Gabriella, forcing her to the ground as his hands wrapped around her waist. Gabriella gave out a cry, gasping for air as Lothie pinned her to the ground, his teeth lengthening as he growled at her again. Her hair fanned out around her head, her cap having been flung off in the fall. Wisps of auburn curls covered her view, but she could still see the murderous beast in his eyes. He was on top of her, his chest heaving with a combination of lust and excitement that Gabriella had never seen before. “Lothie, let it go!” She shouted to him, hoping to appeal to the man that she knew deep inside of this monster. The request was met with a jarring slap as Lothie began to pull at her dress and its bindings. She knew struggling would be futile, only serving to get one of them hurt seriously, so Gabriella lay there as she felt Lothie tearing at her skirts and petticoats, animal need taking over his entire being. It wasn’t until the feeling of his cock sliding deep into her body that Gabriella realized what Lothie was doing. The fear, the excitement, and the concern rushing through her body multiplied the sensations coursing through her body as Lothie grunted and pounded himself harder between her thighs. The act was complete passion, something that only blood lust can bring out in a vampire. Something this violent shouldn’t have made her aroused, but it pulled at something deep in her heart, her own beast and that need for the roughness that Lothie was providing. Her fangs lengthened as she racked her nails over Lothie’s arms, urging him on in his passion, her own being whipped into a frenzy. It was as if time blurred round them, the only thing either was aware of was the motion between them. Giving a loud growl and a cry, Lothie released himself deep inside of Gabriella. She couldn’t help but be pulled under by the passion of the act, her orgasm hitting her hard as Lothie slumped over her body, his breathing ragged. Gabriella gasped for air as Lothie lifted his head off her shoulder, his eyes calmer but his teeth still razor sharp and ready to bite. He looked down at her and gave another low growl, slowly lowering his mouth toward her neck. His breath was warm against her cold skin, the razor sharpness of a fang against her skin brought Gabriella back from that wonderful world she had been flung into. “Lothie! No!” Gabriella shouted, knowing that he would have no control if he bit her. Thinking quickly, Gabriella grabbed his arms and rolled to the side, practically throwing him to the ground. She quickly hiked up her skirts, pinning his shoulders to the ground with her knees. He was jerking beneath her, his face flushed red with anger as he tried to shove her off him. “Lothie!” She shouted, grabbing his face tight in her hands as she tried to break through to the kind soul that she knew. “Snap out of it!” She screamed again, letting loose a vicious backhand that would have broken a mortal’s neck. Lothie stopped instantly, shocked that Gabriella had just hit him. His vision began to clear, the red haze of anger lifting from his view and he saw just what he had done. A bruise was on the side of her face, her hair in tangles around her head from where her cap had been torn loose. Her dress was in tatters, but her green eyes still held undying love for him and, overall, concern. “Gabby.” He whispered, feeling tears in his eyes for the first time in almost three hundred years. “Shhh, darling. It’s alright.” She soothed, not moving from her spot as she bent down to kiss him gently on the forehead, her fingers caressing through his hair. “I’m sorry. Oh, god, I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Gabriella shook her head as she slowly stood up, letting him loose. She stood on shaky legs and stepped away from him, letting Lothie rise and look around the room. His face held a fear that she had never in her life seen, not fear for himself, but fear for others around him. Lothie ground his teeth as he saw all the destruction he had caused. Anger with himself and no one else filled his mind. He wasn’t some fledgling that was given over to emotional fits like this. Obviously, Elizabeth had triggered something deep inside, bring out that frightening specter that only a handful of unlucky mortals had ever seen. It was then, looking over the courtyard and fields that Lothie made his decision. Elizabeth couldn’t stay, but there was something he could do for her. “Is she…?” Lothie asked, trailing off as he turned to face Gabriella, his tears instantly gone. “She’s safe.” “Oh, Gabby.” Lothie whispered, rushing forward to take her in his arms. “I promise that I will never let this happen again. I promise.” Gabriella just nodded and buried her head in his chest, letting his words soothe her weary mind. Her ran his hands through her hair, soft and soothing actions that told of his love for her. The silence between the two seemed to stretch on for an eternity before Lothie took a step back, tipping her head up to give a gentle kiss on her lips. “She can’t stay.” He whispered as Gabriella nodded solemnly. “Darling, you can’t just put her back out on the streets.” “I don’t intend to.” He said, running a hand over her tangled hair. “I’m going on a journey.” “To where?” She asked, clenching her brow in confusion. Lothie turned his eyes to look out the windows. The snow was softly falling over the dark night, a small plume of gray smoke rising from the kitchens as a few people milled around the stables. Immortal Ch. 02 “To find the one man that can protect her from people like us.” *************** Chapter 3 Coming Soon: Lothie goes in search of Richard and Elizabeth makes a decision about her future. *************** Author's Note: Thanks to all the people who voted and gave me feedback! This is a story that I would like people to guide. Give me ideas or suggestions as to where to take it! Sorry for having such a long break between chapters. Lots going on at the moment. Keep voting! :) Immortal Ch. 03 The smell of the battle was still fresh. Lothie could feel the recently departed souls in the air as he sat on his stallion, glaring over the barren fields in the darkness. The moon was hidden behind thick clouds, no creatures stirring on this cold night. The man at the inn had questioned him why a man of station would want to go out unguarded to search for a mere soldier. Lothie didn't dignify the question with an answer, but deep in his heart he knew that he had to do it for Elizabeth. It had been five days since he left the manor house in the middle of the night, refusing an escort as he rushed across the fields in hopes of finding someone with information as to where this Richard Hudson had ended up. There was nothing though, just a few bits of armor and other personal possessions laying on the hard, cold ground. With a sigh, Lothie turned his horse and slowly began his journey back to the inn where he was staying, intent on brooding in the quiet solitude that his dark room offered. "I can't find him, Gabby." Lothie stated in his mind, connecting to the mind of his love back in Suffolk. Gabriella looked up from the book she was intently reading, looking across the room at Elizabeth curled up in an armchair, peacefully sleeping next to the fire. The voice startled her at first, Lothie never speaking to her through the use of his mind before. "Darling?" She asked the voice, looking around the room to see if there were someone else in the room. "Sorry, sweet one. I shouldn't have frightened you like that." Lothie apologized, turning his head down against a gust of wind that bit at his face. "I cannot find head nor tail of this Richard Hudson." "Are you sure you're looking in the right place?" Gabriella asked, looking back down at the weathered pages of her book. "I mean, there could be hundreds of places he could be." Lothie laughed to himself, shaking his head slightly. "Gabby, it's an island. Not many places a man can hide on an isle." "Lothian, don't be smart with me." Gabriella scolded, looking up as Elizabeth coughed slightly and shifted in the chair, snuggling closer to the fire. "She's getting worse." She silently commented, noting the bony fingers of one of the girl's hands as she gripped the armrest. "Come home, Lothie. Please." Lothie looked up at the dark night sky, his soul aching at the request. He couldn't go home, not yet at least. The memory of that night still weigh heavily on his mind, that feeling of uncontrollable hatred and need. Neither women deserved that side of himself and he knew that he had to find this man before Elizabeth lost her battle. "Sweet Gabby, I have one more place to look and then, I promise with all my heart, I will come home." "You best keep that promise." She whispered back, all of the longing that she had in her manifesting itself into those few simple words. "I swear. Goodnight, Gabriella." And with those words, he cut himself loose of her mind, riding in silence the rest of the way to the tiny tavern that he was calling home at the moment. It wasn't much to look at and full of seedy characters, but it was dark and that is all that he needed in the day time. That and the innkeeper didn't ask questions which worked to Lothie's benefit. As he neared the town, he could hear the loud sounds of drunken song and laughter coming from the closed door of the tavern. It was full of loud drunkards, but Lothie didn't feel like celebrating with them, not after having been disappointed so much this evening. He hitched up his horse and pushed into the tavern, nodding to the innkeeper as he took a place at the end of the bar, listening to the noisy din and breathing in the acrid smoke. Maybe he should just give up for the evening and retreat to his room with his mind full of Gabriella. That in itself could prove to be an interesting evening, he mused to himself, a smile crossing his face. "Find who you were looking for?" The innkeeper asked, walking towards him as he cleaned a tankard. "No. I'm about to give up too. No one around here seems to have ever heard of this Richard Hudson before." "Wouldn't surprise me if he was a soldier." With that, Lothie looked up at the man, questioning wrinkling his brow. "What do you mean by that?" "Most soldiers that come through these part are buried without a name, unless they have a friend that survived, then maybe it's possible that he could have a gravestone." Lothie shook his head, unwilling to believe that Richard was dead. He couldn't be; all of his planning would be for not if he were. "Why do you say graves? The man could still be alive." The innkeeper laughed and sat the tankard down, leaning on the bar to look at Lothie. "Most soldiers that fought in that battle did not survive. Many are buried in a mass grave at St. Martin's, just down the lane a ways. There were a few that were given separate plots because they could be identified. I am telling you that if this man that you look for was a soldier and was here for that battle, that is where you will find him." "St. Martin's." Lothie whispered to himself as he stood up, throwing a coin on the bar as he started out of the tavern. "Are you crazy going out at night by yourself? Highwaymen out there would kill a man like you in an instant." The innkeeper shouted after him. Lothie turned in the doorway and stared at the man, his eyes glowing slightly as he pulled up the hood of his cloak against the bitter winds that kicked up. "It would be a very foolish man that messed with Lothian Moray." He said as he let the door slam shut. Mounting his horse, he spurred him through the woods as fast as he could, keeping a keen eye out for the church steeple that had to be there. He had seen the church from a distance in his searching, but thought nothing of it, still convinced that Richard had to be alive. A sense of dread welled up in his chest as he tried to soothe himself that Richard had gotten out of the fray alive, maybe badly hurt, and that Lothie would find him and take him back to Elizabeth. Down the lane just a few miles, the small country church came into view, the huge steeple towering over the frozen countryside. Lothie slowed his horse to a trot, leaping off with a practiced grace as he walked through the small gate and into the cemetery just to the side of the main church entrance. There were headstones everywhere, some older than the rest. "This is going to take forever." He groaned to himself as he slowly walked through the headstones, searching over the worn rocks for the names of those buried. Near the back of the church, near the wall that was covered in the remains of a rosebush, he found the one thing that he prayed he wouldn't. Richard Hudson was carved into the stone, obviously done on the spur of the moment, but it was still there none the less. He had obviously been one of the lucky ones with a friend that survived. Lothie stood before the small mound, looking on in silence as he saw the rudely carved name on the headstone. Closing his eyes with a sense of anger and dread, he let out a piercing yell, looking up at the night sky as rain gently started to come down. "Why do you do this to me every single time!" He shouted to the heavens above, giving a swift kick to the tombstone before him as he fought to reign in his anger. "Damn you, Richard Hudson! Damn you for leaving the beautiful creature alone. Damn you for dying!" His rage welled up inside, a red haze settling over his vision as he swung around in the graveyard, raging on anything in his path. A few older headstones snapped in half as he kicked them, the anger slowly fading away as he stumbled along the cobblestone path and fell into an icy puddle of water. He sighed and sat there, shaking his head at the situation as he let the water soak into his clothing. Pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, he thought for a long moment about what all of this meant. She was all alone in the world, and now he couldn't just push her out into the cold like he had been planning all along. He owed her more than that; something deep within his ancient body told him that he owed her a chance at life. "What do I do now?" He whispered to the darkened night, looking up at the night sky as the rain came down harder, soaking him to the bone yet he really didn't feel the cold. A few moments later, he pulled himself to his feet, pulling the hood of his cloak up over his hair as he slowly walked to his horse. He would leave everything at the inn. There wasn't much in the first place and he was pretty sure that the innkeeper could use the money he would get in selling the items. Mounting the horse, Lothie only had one thought in his mind, a longing that he knew he would have to fulfill. "I'm coming home, Gabby." He said to the wind as he kicked the horse down the path, spurring him into a gallop as they raced along the green hills and into the night. ************************************************* Elizabeth walked through the hallway, drawn by the soft music. She had never heard anything so beautiful in her life, a high lonesome sound drifting through the empty hallways on a cold evening. No one would miss her, Gabriella still sound asleep and the kitchens cooking for the upcoming banquet the next evening. She stopped in the doorway of the library, the sound of the instrument loud through the thick wooden door. Pushing on the door slightly, Elizabeth peeked her head around the corner and smile as she saw the man at the small piano like instrument. His hair was dark brown, a mess of curls that gave him a very artistic look. Dressed very richly in thick burgundy colored clothes, he looked every inch the artist. His handsome face was peaceful, eyes closed as his fingers glided over the keyboard. Elizabeth smiled and stepped into the room, quietly shutting the door behind her. The smell of leather from the texts that lined the wall was thick, almost over powering. She, herself, loved this room, and Gabriella came here most nights, staying until late in the evening as she read quietly by the fire that was burning brightly in the stone fireplace just to the side of the door. "Hello." The man said, never opening his eyes as he continued to play. His voice was thick with an accent, one that Elizabeth had never heard before. She stood in stunned silence, a bit scared that she had interrupted him. After all, she was just a guest in this house and had no where to go if she were thrown out. "I'm…I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to interrupt you." She whispered quietly and turned to leave. "Stay a while." He said, finally opening his eyes and turning his head to look her up and down. Elizabeth found herself staring back into the most beautiful pair of hazel eyes she had ever seen, the kind that make most girls go weak at the knees. Blushing a deep red, Elizabeth felt a smile curl the corners of her lips as the man stopped playing and scooted over on the bench, motioning with his head for her to sit. Shyly, she made her way over to him and smoothed out her skirts as she sat down, staring at the keyboard as the man stared at her. "I've never seen you around here before. What's your name?" He ask, that deep voice ringing in her head as she lifted her gaze to his eyes. "Elizabeth." She whispered so softly he had to strain to hear her. "I just moved here. With Lothie and Gabriella." "Speak up, child. Such a beautiful voice should not be hidden." He said with a smile as she blushed deeper. "What's your name? I've never seen you around here either." Elizabeth said, her voice stronger and more bold. The man laughed and reached out, playing a simple melody on the keyboard. His long fingers flitted gracefully over the keys. Elizabeth watched in amazement, her eyes capturing every movement and turn of the wrist. Softly, his voice filtered through her mind, so rich and deep that it caressed her ear. "Dmitri. I was just hired as the head musician here." "So, you make a living out of this?" "My dear, I am a man of trades. A little money here, a little money there, I do everything." He said as the music softly changed into a new song. "Do you like music?" Elizabeth smiled and nodded, watching as he softly picked out a melody with his long graceful fingers. She found herself humming along with the song, one that she surprisingly knew. Dmitri smiled at her, a grin spreading from ear to ear as he heard her softly follow along with the notes. "You're a singer." She blushed deeply and nodded, unable to say anything. "Let me hear." "Excuse me?" Her eyes grew wide as she turned her attention back to those hazel eyes. "I want to hear. Come on. Up you go." Dmitri said, giving her a gentle push off the bench, scooting over and placing his hands back on the keyboard as she smoothed out her skirts. He picked out a melody and saw her begin to sway slightly to the music, humming softly to herself before she turned to face him, opening her mouth and letting the words out. The sound was something that Dmitri had never heard before in his life, so beautiful that it brought a tear to his eye. The sound echoed around in his head, surrounding his senses and bringing alive a passion that he had never known. He switched seamlessly into another song, closing his eyes to listen to the sound as it drifted around the room. Elizabeth found herself walking forward, stopping at the instrument as she looked at Dmitri, finding joy in the look on his face as she began to sing louder, her voice strong. He opened his eyes at that, staring with a smile at the beauty beside him as she raised her hands and lightly set them down on top of the instrument. Elizabeth closed her eyes, resting her hands palm down on the smoothed an polished surface of the instrument to feel the vibrations. Dmitri smiled at the picture she presented, rosy cheeked excitement as she smiled and started to sing. "You have a gift." He whispered, picking out a different melody. "I imagine this is what an angel sounds like." He murmured, drawing a slightly laugh from her as her voice went higher and higher through the octaves. Elizabeth hit a high note perfectly, her voice echoing around in Dmitri's head as he stared at her in awe. The song was suddenly interrupted as the door to the library flew open, both of them turning to stare at the man in the doorway. "You're the one who is singing?" The Duke asked, looking over Elizabeth with a keen eye as a lecherous look crossed his eyes quickly. "Yes…yes, milord." Elizabeth stuttered, giving him a slight curtsy as she backed up against the keyboard, her heart racing. "Milord, nice to see you this evening." Dmitri said, rising and bowing deeply. The Duke flashed him a look as he stepped aside, allowing him to take his leave. Dmitri stared for a moment, unsure of what to do but certain that he shouldn't leave Elizabeth alone with this man. He had a legendary appetite for woman and it seemed as if he had turned his eyes to Elizabeth. "Milord, Miss Elizaveta and I were just…" He started, getting cut off as the Duke held up his hand. "I would like a word with the lady, Barber….alone." He stressed the word, making Dmitri cringe not only from the force behind it but from the use of the nickname for barbarians. "As you wish." He said, giving him a bow and then a warning look to Elizabeth as he brushed past the Duke and shut the door behind him. Turning toward her, the Duke smiled and slowly moved into the room, looking at the fire for a moment before turning his attentions back to Elizabeth as she pressed back herself backwards against the instrument. "I heard your voice and it enchanted me." He whispered softly, stalking forward and enjoying the slight look of fear in her eyes. "You are the same girl who lived on my lands, am I right?" "All of my life you've owned those lands." She whispered, her voice suddenly disappearing as he stopped mere inches away, smiling at her. "I'm not that old, my dear. My father owned the lands before me, but I do remember you. Little girl with blonde hair running around the streets as we looked over the peasants working. An angel on Earth." He raised his hand and softly ran his fingertips over her cheek and down her neck. "But you're all grown up now, aren't you?" She shivered slightly as he traced down her neck, her breath coming in a short gasp as he stared into her eyes. "I…I need to get back. Gabriella will be waiting." She tried to dodge around him, but she found herself trapped, forced back against the keyboard by his hips, arms pinned to her side. "No need to rush off, my dear." He whispered as he bent his head down, lips just brushing against hers. He enjoyed the way that her lower lip quivered, her breathing erratic as her breasts quivered at the neckline of her gown. "I've waited years for this." Elizabeth had to get away, her mind screamed at her to run, silently pleading for help as his mouth suddenly slanted over hers, claiming it for his own. No, she wasn't suppose to be kissing this man. She was Richard's and his alone. It was this thought that spurred her into action, wrenching her arms loose to try and push him away. A deep laugh rumbled in his chest as he pulled away, staring at her as she gasped for breath, coughing hard. "I see that you really are as fiery as I always imagined. No matter, it makes this that much more fun for me." He whispered against her ear, tugging at it with his teeth as she whimpered, trying to shove him away again. "Don't deny me, little one. I always get my way." "Not this time." She gasped, fighting for all of her worth. He was too strong for her, bending her backwards on the instrument, a hand slowly stroking her breast through the material of her gown. Tears gathered in Elizabeth's eyes, threatening to fall as she fought once more, all of her will gone as he claimed her mouth once more in a smoldering kiss, his hands digging into her hair as he forced her mouth to his. 'Someone, please help.' She begged in her mind, pushing at his shoulders again until he caught up her hands, pinning them to the smooth wood, trapping her. Dmitri walked down the hallway with purpose, knocking hard on the bedroom door as he waited impatiently for Gabriella to finally appear. She looked at him with surprise, her eyes widening as a smile crossed her lips. "Why, Dmitri, I haven't seen you in ages." She whispered, reaching out to give him a hug when he stopped her, his eyes burning with anger. "I don't have time for this. He has her cornered in the library." "The Duke?" She asked, her heart pounding when he nodded. With just a simple nod, Gabriella shoved the book she was reading into his arms and took off running down the corridors. She practically flew through the hallways, stopping outside the door as she heard Elizabeth give a squeal of surprise. She reached out and threw the door open, standing there in utter rage as the Duke tried to bend Elizabeth back over the instrument, his hand pawing at her breasts as he held her captive. "Good evening, milord." She said softly, the barely controlled rage evident in her voice. The Duke jerked his head up at that, releasing Elizabeth as he turned to stare at Gabriella, a smile crossing his face. "Good evening, Gabriella. What brings you to darken my door?" He asked, his eyes stormy at the interruption, his arousal evident as a noticeable bulge appeared in the front of his trousers. "I've come to collect my ward." She said, striding purposefully towards Elizabeth and taking the frightened girl by the arm, pushing her through the doorway as she turned to glare at the Duke once more. How she wanted to tear his throat out for the way that he had treated Elizabeth. This feeling was almost like a mother protecting her young from the predator that lurked around their home. "I suggest that you stay away from her." She growled, her fangs lengthening as her eyes lit up slightly. Immortal Ch. 03 The Duke laughed, shaking his head as he placed his hands on his hips. "You mean to tell me what to do woman? By whose authority do you have to tell me not to see her again?" "By Lothian's authority and I believe that he is her guardian for the time being." She said, not backing down. "You want to see her, then talk to him, but until he gets back, don't come near her." With that, she turned to leave, only to be stopped when the Duke rushed forward, grabbing her wrist and turning her to face him. It was all Gabriella had in her power to keep from hissing at him, lunging to feed that blood lust that surfaced. She sank her fangs into her tongue, the sharp pain bringing her back to reality yet she let the deep rumbling growl deep in her chest surface, enough for him to hear and be warned. "I always get what I want and she will be no exception." He whispered at her angrily. "I believe that this it the exception to your rule, milord. Good evening." She growled, ripping her wrist from his grasp and slamming the door behind her. She looked up at Elizabeth as she struggled to calm herself. She couldn't blame the girl for what had happened. It wasn't her fault that the Duke was a slimy bastard who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. And now she was left with trying to soothe Elizabeth's weary thoughts. Elizabeth looked down at the floor, unable to meet Gabriella's gaze. She felt unclean, her lips swollen from his kisses, a sorrow filling her heart as she remembered the times that Richard had made her feel like that. Slowly, Gabriella walked forward, taking her chin in hand and tipping her face up so she would be forced to look at her. "Next time he does that…scratch his eyes out." She said with a smile and a laugh. Elizabeth secretly breathed a sigh of relief as she heard Gabriella laugh. She wasn't going to judge her over what had happened and she felt like a weight had been lifted. Maybe they could keep this their little secret, but she seriously doubted that since Gabriella told Lothie everything. "What do you say we go and find something to eat and then lock ourselves in for the night?" Gabriella asked, holding out her hand to Elizabeth. "Alright." She whispered softly, taking her hand and following as she guided them through the hallways, back to their rooms. After ordering a meal from the kitchens and eating her fill, Elizabeth sat in her favorite chair, curled up by the fire, just watching the flames as Gabriella returned to her reading, having not touched any of the food that was brought, something that Elizabeth thought was odd. Come to think of it, she had never seen Gabriella eat before, but she must because that's the way the body worked. Without it, she would have wasted away, but she looked just as healthy as ever. Gabriella looked up from her book and she watched Elizabeth for a few moments, her eyes deep in thought as she stared into the fire. "You sit there night after night staring into that fire as if it is the most interesting thing in the world. Don't you ever want to read, Elizabeth? Books are a precious commodity these days, you should take full use of them." Gabriella said, rocking Elizabeth from her thoughts. She blushed deeply, turning her attentions from the fire towards Gabby. "I…I can't read." She whispered softly, embarrassed at that one fact. "There was never anyone that could teach me." Gabriella sat stunned for a moment before she realized that reading was something that she took for granted. She had learned so long ago that it was almost as natural as breathing to her and she never stopped to think that most peasants would never even touch a thing as precious as a book in their lives. After all, that was what Elizabeth was underneath all of the finery that Lothie had given her…a farmer's daughter who was struggling to pretend she was something that she wasn't. With a sigh, she slowly closed the tome in her lap and stood up, her skirts swishing in the silence as she sat down on the arm of Elizabeth's chair, reaching out to brush away a wisp of hair that had settled across her brow. "Would you like to learn?" She asked, that maternal feeling coming to the surface as Elizabeth looked up at her with those innocent eyes. "You would teach me?" She asked softly, tears coming to her eyes. "Of course I would. It would be my honor." Gabriella said with a smile as she opened the book in front of her, setting it in Elizabeth's lap. "It's really quite simple once you get the hang of it." Gabriella started slowly, pointing out different words to her as she watched and listened intently. Gabriella felt herself smiling to herself, knowing that this was the reason Lothie had brought this girl to her. Elizabeth filled something in Gabriella's heart that had long ago slipped away with the death of her baby boy, and she found herself hoping and praying that Lothie had come up with a solution that would let Elizabeth stay with them. She didn't think that she could bear parting with the girl, at least not now that she was so enamored. Lothie had to be wrong; things would work out and sooner or later he would get his emotions under control. 'There has to be a way.' Gabriella thought to herself as she listened to Elizabeth cough, wiping the back of her hand across her mouth and trying to hide the faint hint of blood there from Gabriella. Gabriella sighed and softly stroked Elizabeth's hair as she continued to teach. 'Something that will make her ours. Forever.' ************************************************* Chapter 4 coming soon: Lothie returns with news as the Duke makes a move for Elizabeth. ************************************************* AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is for the reader to guide. I enjoy getting feedback and any comment is welcome. Please, if you read the story, leave me something so I know how I am doing. Also, suggest a path for the story to take. It's up to you, the reader, what happens to these characters. Thanks! :) Immortal Ch. 04 ******************************** Author's Note: This chapter has been a long time in coming. To my reader's that have been waiting a while, I promise to not keep you waiting this long for the next chapter. Life just gets crazy sometimes. I suggest that you read the first few chapters before starting on this one. It's a short one, but I couldn't wait anymore to post it. I split one huge chapter into two, so watch for the next one. It's good to be back. :) ******************************** It had been a long few days since the incident between Elizabeth and the Duke. The man was going out of his way to try and gain Elizabeth’s attentions despite the warnings from Gabriella, a fact that made the vampires anger boil. She had to keep it in check though. She’d promised Lothie that she wouldn’t kill the worthless waste of flesh, but the thought did seem very tempting. She’d thrown everything that she had within her into molding Elizabeth into the very vision of a lady. The young girl had flourished under the attention, learning to read at an alarming rate and smiling for the first time since Gabriella had known her. To say that she was a pet would be a bit of an understatement, Elizabeth was now, in Gabriella’s mind, a daughter and she would do everything in her power to protect and nurture. Somehow Gabriella wasn’t surprised when the Duke announced a feast to be held the day after she’d dragged Elizabeth away from him. The man was playing every card he had in his deck and his ultimate goal would be Elizabeth, well, over Gabriella’s dead body and suddenly being immortal had it’s bonuses. Gabriella never saw the point of a feast. It was just a way to show wealth, of which the Duke had much, but it was a waste of time and money. Food she couldn’t eat, a person she couldn’t stand, and people that were just as fake as he was. At least Elizabeth looked forward to the revelry. In fact, they’d spent quite a lot of time in the evenings picking out an outfit that would look outstanding on her. It had taken a while to find one that would fit her ever shrinking frame just right and give her a hint of color, but the red brocade gown did just that. Elizabeth looked almost normal, in fact, something that delighted Gabriella. The night of the feast was cold and dark, a spitting snow outside as everyone, from servant to noble, tried to gather within the halls. Gabriella stood smirking as Elizabeth danced with the men assembled, much the envy of the ladies of the house, she was sure. Out of nowhere, she felt the presence of another and looking to her right, she smiled as she saw Dmitri standing there, arms crossed as he brooded. “You seem to be everywhere these days, Dmitri.” She murmured softly as the Duke cut in on Elizabeth dancing with a young knight. She narrowed her eyes as she saw this, biting her tongue to keep from rushing out into the hall and causing a scene. “Lurking in every shadow. You’ll make quite the reputation for yourself.” “If people notice that is.” He answered back, turning his head slightly to smile at her. “Tell me, what brings you here? Still working for Alexander?” He laughed slightly as he turned and leaned against the stone wall beside her, turning so no one could hear their conversation. “Da, Sasha and I still do business together.” “And how is he doing these days?” She asked, genuinely taken by the conversation. Alexander was a man that was very highly regarded by both her and Lothie along with many other vampires in the area. “Well for a man that is over 500 years old.” He said with a laugh as he turned to watch Elizabeth dance. “I’m here to collect a soul.” “Morbid business you have there, Dmitri.” Gabriella said as she looked at him closely. She hadn’t expected that he would be here on business, but she couldn’t say that the news exactly surprised her. “Well, being an Immortal is no different than being a vampire, now is it? We both collect souls, just for different reasons. I, to continue to cycle of life, and you, to feed and survive.” He explained, brushing off a piece of lint from his doublet. Stepping in front of her, Dmitri took her hand and placed a soft kiss against her skin. He smiled up at her, straightening up as he prepared to leave. “Please tell Lothie that I send him the best regards.” “I will.” Gabriella said with a slight curtsy. She paused for a moment, staring into his eyes as she tried to delve into his business. “Dmitri, whose soul are you here to claim?” He smiled sadly and looked over his shoulder at the pair dancing on the floor. Elizabeth and the Duke, palms touching were dancing to the music as they talked quietly among themselves. “Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Their soul is black, weak, and now it is time for them to continue on with their next life.” He said mysteriously as he bowed deeply and left as quickly as he had appeared. Gabriella stood stunned at Dmitri’s admission. Immortals only took the souls of other Immortals, that was the way that their laws worked. Looking up as the music ended, followed by light applause, she shook her head gently. One of them is an Immortal. She thought, looking at the Duke and Elizabeth. A dark soul that is weak, he must be talking about the Duke. She soothed herself with that thought, the moment of panic that he was here to take Elizabeth quickly passing. Her thoughts were interrupted by a hand on her shoulder and turning, Gabriella had to restrain a squeal of delight as she met Lothie’s dark eyes. “Darling.” She whispered, wrapping him in a tight hug and kissing him passionately. “I see that you missed me.” He said with a chuckle as she pulled back from the kiss. “More than you will ever know.” Gabriella whispered, her smile fading slightly as she saw the pained look in Lothie’s eyes. “Darling, what’s wrong?” She asked, loosening the hold that she had around his neck and taking a slight step back. “We must talk.” He said as he took her by the elbow, making her forget about leaving Elizabeth alone with that detestable man as Lothie led her through the halls to their chambers. Shutting the door behind him, he turned to look at her, thinking of what he wanted to say. “We have a problem.” “Well, I see that, Lothie. What problem do we have?” She asked softly, unable to gain any information from the stony mask that Lothie wore to mask his emotions. “Richard Hudson died.” He said simply, cutting straight to the point. “So now, that girl is left without a soul in the world to look after her. She’s our ward now.” Gabriella tried hard to hide the smile that was creeping onto her face. Elizabeth was theirs, forever and beyond. However, she could see that Lothie was less that enthusiastic as he talked. “Lothie.” She said, stopping him in mid sentence. “I know what you’re feeling, but we can work through all of this. I can’t let her go.” The words were heartfelt and very profound. What was suppose to be a pet project for her had turned into a labor of love and she wasn’t going to let him just send her away. “Talk to her.” She whispered as she walked closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I know that you’re stronger then that.” She placed a fleeting kiss to his lips and grinned, the tips of her fangs showing over her bottom lip. Lothie laughed slightly and grinned. “For you, I will.” And I’m crazy for doing it, he thought silently, placing another kiss to Gabriella’s lips. Love could make you do strange things. ******************************* Lothie stopped in the entrance to the library, smiling as he saw Elizabeth sitting at the instrument. Her posture was perfect, her back straight and head held high as she picked and played at the keys in front of her. She looked tired from the party and he had to wonder just how she’d escaped the Duke afterwards. She was a slippery one, it seemed, which made him admire her all the more. He cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair as she turned her attentions from the keyboard to the doorway, a small smile crossing her lips. “You’re back.” She said, her voice hoarse and forced. “Yes, I am, my dear.” Lothie answered, walking over and sitting down on the bench beside her. “You’re going to turn into Gabriella if you spend much more time in this room.” He said with a laugh. Elizabeth smiled and coughed, wiping away a drop of blood that appeared on her lips. The smile disappeared as quickly as it came, replaced by a sullen look that added many years to her sweet face. “I have something to tell you…” Lothie began, taking a deep breath as he clasped his hands together in his lap, unsure of how to start. “Richard’s gone.” Elizabeth whispered, startling him. Lothie’s eyes narrowed as he looked over the girl again. “How did you know that?” He asked, his brow furrowing. “I’ve known for a while now. I made my peace.” Elizabeth said with a sigh, turning to look at him as a tear streamed down her cheek. “It won’t be long until I see him again.” Elizabeth smiled, her eyes watering as she struggled to keep her composure. Lothie looked upon her with a calm that belied his real feelings, reaching out a hand to softly caress her cheek, wiping away the tears the suddenly poured over her face. He felt a tear come to his own eye, watching her face contort and her head slowly fall forward, resting against his chest. “When he never came back, I knew.” She whispered into his chest, a sob wracking her tiny shoulders. “He loved me too much not to have sent word or a letter.” Lothie sighed and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight against his chest. She was so warm in his arms, he closed his eyes and savored that feeling. It wasn’t soon before he felt a familiar twinge in his stomach, feeling the blood rush through Elizabeth’s body as his arms became tighter and tighter around her. He gritted his teeth, warring with his own mind as he mentally screamed at himself to let go. He couldn’t do this to her; not now and not ever…but then again, it would be so simple. Just a quick bite… “No.” He said quickly, standing up and letting her fall to the bench with a thud that scared her and brought him out of his fog. Startled, Elizabeth pushed herself up and look up at Lothie, who was looking upon her with a look of disgust and compassion. “You have to leave.” He stated finally, his voice filling the silence completely. He couldn’t keep his promise to Gabriella, no matter how much this girl meant to her. “What?” Elizabeth asked, her eyes widening as her jaw opened in shock. He‘d promised her that she could stay. He couldn‘t just push her out into the streets. “I’ll give you money. Whatever you need, princess, but you cannot stay with me and Gabriella any longer.” “You…you can’t send me away.” Elizabeth stammered, standing up and walking towards him. “I can do whatever I please.” Lothie hissed, unsure of whether to be angry at himself or Elizabeth. He took a step back from her, dodging her hand as she sought to grab onto him. Taking in quick, short breaths, Elizabeth rushed forward grabbing Lothie by the sleeve of his tunic, her eyes wide and pleading. “Please, Lothie. Please, you can’t send me away!” She shouted, tears flowing down her cheeks anew. “I feel safe here! I love Gabriella! I love the how you treat me. Please, I…” She couldn’t get the last words out before a huge cough wracked her body, doubling her over in pain. Lothie spun around as her words were cut off, backing away as she sank to the floor, clutching her chest. “Elizabeth?” He whispered, concerned. Her mouth was open, face bright red as she struggled to breathe. A small squeaking sound coming from her throat. Whimpering, she looked from the floor into his eyes, fear evident as her body began to shake. Quickly, Lothie ran to her, wrapping his arm his around her and pulling her firmly against his chest. “It’s alright. Calm down and just breathe.” He whispered into her ear, feeling her tiny body tremble in his arms. Elizabeth focused on his words, taking in enough air to let out another cough, blood speckling over her hands as Lothie’s grip around her body tightened. “Dear God.” She heard him whisper to himself as she coughed again, unable to stop the blood from flowing. “Help…me.” She managed to whisper between coughs, hot tears pouring over her cheeks as she thought that these would be her last moments. She didn‘t want to die like this. He had no idea how to help her, nothing had ever been done for him when he was ill with the cough. There was only one thing that he could think of and he was even loathed to think of such a thing. But she was fading on him, dying in his arms at that moment. He had to do it; he had to save her life. “Please forgive me, Elizabeth.” He whispered as he brushed her hair away from her neck and quickly sinking his fangs in without a second thought. He heard her give a squeal, struggling in his arms before going stiff and ridged. He wrapped his arms tighter around her body, pinning her arms to her side as he drank, feeling her pulse weaken and slow, her breathing becoming easier. She whimpered again, letting her head drop against his shoulder, moaning softly at the wave of emotions that swept over her mind. Ecstasy, love, hate, anger, jealousy, and madness poured over her body, wrapping around it as she could feel Lothie’s heartbeat against her skin. Slowly, Lothie let his grip go on her neck, watching as her head lulled limply on his shoulder. He gulped, watching her chest intently as she breathed in and out, taking deep breaths with ease. Her blood was sweet against his lips, yet it tasted of sickness. “Lothie?” Elizabeth whispered weakly as he turned her in his arms, cradling her against his chest. “What was that?” He looked down at her, his dark eyes noting her flushed pink skin now marred on her throat with a large bruise. Gathering her up against him, Lothie stood up and pushed open the door with his shoulder, making his way through the hallways until he came back to her room. She was shivering as he lay her down on the bed, shaking with the loss of blood as he gently reached down and undid the stays of her bodice, pulling it off her body and tossing it to the ground. He shook his head slightly as he stared at the frail body beneath the thin chemise, something that was once so beautiful that now looked ghastly. “Princess.” He whispered as he pulled back the quilts and tucked her into bed, taking a seat beside her as he gently stroked her soaked brow with his fingertips. “That was a mistake.” “What are you?” Elizabeth whispered softly, her eyes never leaving his and her voice sounding strangely calm and unafraid. Lothie sighed and looked away for a moment, thinking of what he should tell her. If he told her the truth, she would fear him but if he lied it could be much worse for all of them. “I…promise me that you will be unafraid.” He said quickly, looking down at her as she nodded, clutching the quilt tight in her hands. He reached out a hand, stroking a flush cheek as he thought of what to say. He’d never had to explain before, he always just took. “Princess, I’m a creature of the night.” Her eyes went wide as he said that. He could almost see her brain trying to wrap around that fact. “Bu…but they’re not real.” She said, her voice hoarse and weak as her eyes struggled suddenly against sleep. “Oh, but we are. Gabriella and I both and I have to ask you now to guard that secret.” He leaned across the bed, moving to lay beside her as he continued to stroke her cheek with his cool hand. “We can protect you, princess. Provide a life. I wish to do that for you, because I can see that you don’t have much life left.” He watched as tears slowly gathered in her eyes as she stared at him with a frightened look. Elizabeth’s heart sank when Lothie mentioned death. She knew in her heart that she was dying, but to have someone else mention it was almost too much. She curled up on her side, pressing her face against his chest as she started to sob. “I don’t want to die.” She cried out, feeling his arms wrap around her and hold her close. Lothie let her cry, running his hands up and down her back until her sobs turned to hiccups. There was a way, but he could never offer it to her. She had to make the decision willingly. A vampire who was angry and resentful was a dangerous being. He pulled back as he noticed her still form and saw that she’d drifted off into an exhausted sleep. “You must ask, princess.” He whispered softly, pressing his cheek against the top of her head, breathing in the scent off her hair. She knew now and could make her own decision. She had to before she wasted away into nothing for then it would be too late. ********************************** What will Elizabeth decide? Who exactly is Dmitri and what is he doing lurking around? Will Lothie ever accept Elizabeth? Find out in the next chapter.... ********************************** Immortal Ch. 05 Hello, readers. It's been a long time, I know. I thank all of you who have bared with me through a really tough time in my life. This is officially my triumphant return to writing and I promise that there is a lot more to come in the future. If this is your first time reading the series, I suggest you go back and read the other chapters. Again, thank you for those of you that have faithfully commented. This is for you all. :) ****** Elizabeth seemed to be getting better by the day, although she was still a shell of the person that Lothie had first met. She had been unusually quiet though, trying to decide whether what Lothie had told her was part of a dream or the truth. She would go through the daily motions of being well, but they were halfhearted. Both Lothie and Gabriella could see that she wouldn't be long for this Earth. It was late one evening, the snow falling thick outside as the three of them hunkered into the library. Lothie and Gabriella were discussing a book as Elizabeth stared into the fire. She'd been doing that a lot lately, spending hours staring into the flames until they were just embers. He knew that the news of Richard had almost completely broken her spirit, but he also knew that Gabriella wasn't ready to give up on her. She'd showered the girl in gifts, making her smile for a few short moments, but the sullen look would always settle back on her face. It seemed hopeless. They were interrupted by a soft knocking at the door. Lothie was up in a flash, opening it and looking out to see who was there, grinning at the man who was standing there. "And where have you been hiding?" He asked Dmitri, ushering the man into the room and closing the door behind him. "Here and there." He said with a grin as she nodded to Gabriella and turned his attentions to Elizabeth who hadn't looked up from the fire yet. "Hello." He said, making her jump slightly, turning to look at him. "Dmitri." She said with a smile as she stood up from her chair, her eyes brightening as he took her hand and gently kissed her knuckles. Lothie watched this reaction curiously. He hadn't seen that animated of a look on Elizabeth's face in days. It was then that a thought occurred to him, one that seemed to suck the breath from his lungs, filling him with a dead feeling. Her soul was calling out to those that were like her, and they would claim that very soul before she even had a chance. He didn't miss the sidelong glance that Dmitri gave him, a slight smile settling over the other man's face as Lothie growled softly. No one would take her from him. "My old friend, I mean no harm. I've come with news." Dmitri said, turning from Elizabeth when he heard the growl. He watched as Gabriella moved across the room, sensing the danger that had suddenly taken over. "And what news is that?" Lothie asked, glancing at Gabby as she brushed against his side, her presence tense yet calming. At least Elizabeth had not noticed the tension, so absorbed in Dmitri that she was numb to everything else. "She has a gift." Dmitri said proudly, looking at the two vampires as they looked back at him with suspicion. It was as if he had some great secret and took great pleasure in telling the entire world about it. He turned and took Elizabeth's hand, guiding the startled girl over to the keyboard and taking a seat as he smiled at her. "Show them what you can do." Elizabeth blushed deeply, bowing her head slightly. "I can't do that." She whispered, glancing over at Lothie and Gabriella as they stared at each other, a myriad of emotions passing over their features. She wondered if it had something to do with the confession that Lothie had made to her. "Of course you can. There is so much more to you than just a beautiful face. Show them what you are capable of doing." He insisted again, gaining the vampires attention at that, the smirk on his face growing wider. With that, Dmitri started a song, his hangs gliding over the keys like silk as he started at her, his eyes willing her to start. After growing another shade of red, Elizabeth opened her mouth and began to sing softly, her voice barely a whisper. Lothie watched with a slightly disappointed look on his face. To hear Dmitri talk, there had to be something amazing there, but he was straining himself to listen to even the softest of notes that came from Elizabeth. Glancing at Gabriella, he saw the hope that she had on her face laced with the same disappointment. He sighed and shook his head, taking his seat again as Gabriella settled in beside him. Dmitri stopped playing suddenly, giving Elizabeth a hard look. "You're not even trying. Sing like you did the other day. This is no different from then." He accused her, his eyes lit as if there were a smoldering fire in them. He had a point to prove to Lothie and Gabriella and he would be damned if this girl made a fool of him. "This is completely different." She murmured in her own defense as she turned her attention back to Dmitri. "No, you just don't want to try. Poor little girl is scared." He knew that he was playing with fire, pushing her until he was rewarded with a hard glare and the hard set line of her jaw as she gritted her teeth in anger. "Sing it like you mean it." He said, starting again. She continued to glare at Dmitri, tears stinging her eyes as she felt betrayed. He was forcing her into something that she didn't want, but as much as she wanted to be stubborn and storm from the room, she began to sing with all her worth, her anger at the man behind the keyboard flowing out with her words. It was as if all the air in the room was suddenly sucked out as Elizabeth sang, the haunting melody wrapping around the two vampires, enticing their senses more then anything ever had in their long lives. Lothie sat dumbfounded, staring at the frail girl as her voice rose. He glanced at Gabby, a smile on her face as her fangs gleamed white against her lips. He stood slowly from the chair, moving across the room as if in a fog, the only thing that he was conscious of was the voice in his head. Dmitri could have easily finished his job then, taking from Elizabeth what he had come to the estate for while she was distracted, but he found himself stopped by something that he hadn't experienced in many years: his conscience. Why deprive the world of something so beautiful, he asked himself as he noticed the lethargic look on Lothie's face. Just as he'd been told many years ago by the council, the voice of an angel that could entice even the most hardened heart. He mused on that as he slowly stopped playing, flashing that disarming smile at Elizabeth as she stopped with him. Lothie stood silent beside Elizabeth, staring at Dmitri as the song finished, the last sounds dying away from the keyboard. The two men shared a look, Dmitri looking smug at all of the secrets that he knew while Lothie had an immediate understanding of what all of this was. "Your voice is beautiful, princess." Lothie said finally, making Elizabeth turn a bright shade of crimson. "Thank you." She whispered softly, catching her breath before Gabriella was suddenly upon her, gushing at the performance. Dmitri took the moment to close the latch on the keyboard before silently slipped away from the two women. Lothie caught him by the arm, staring into his eyes for a moment. "Give us more time." He whispered, his eyes imploring his old friend to hold off on his mission. "You don't wish the pain to end?" He asked, knowing very well how attached the two vampires had become to the girl. "It will end." Lothie said simply. "But not your way." He let go of Dmitri's arm, waiting for a reply. Dmitri laughed to himself, a deep rumbling sound in his chest. Lothie was so cool and confident about nearly everything, he knew that Elizabeth wouldn't last long around here though. Not with her spirit calling out the way that it was, yet, he had an odd sense of sport in him suddenly. Let the vampires have what they want. There couldn't be any harm in that. "As you wish." He said with a slight bow before taking his leave. "Just remember," He said at the door, turning to look at Lothie, "that it all comes with a cost." Lothie felt a sense of accomplishment at Dmitri's words. He'd bought time for Elizabeth but when he watched her and Gabriella, he knew the cost which Dmitri had spoken of. The tired look on her face from just the smallest activity told him that she would lose her fight in days. "I believe," Lothie said, walking towards the two. "That it is time for bed." Elizabeth nodded in agreement, feeling exhausted from the effort that she'd put forth. She seemed to get tired at everything these days, even dressing herself. She had hoped that it was just an aftereffect of what had happened that night between herself and Lothie, but the feeling just never went away. "Goodnight." She said, hugging Gabriella and Lothie before leaving them in peace. As the latch on the door sounded, Gabriella turned to Lothie with a feral look in her eyes. "I had no idea that she could do that." She said, her smile showing her fangs in all their glory. "Everyone has a secret. Seems that Dmitri just discovered hers." Lothie said, taking Gabriella's hand to leave the room. Elizabeth's voice had been beautiful, one of those sounds that would stay with a person for a very long time. Little did Lothie know just how it would have effected Gabriella. Even before the door to their chambers had closed, Gabriella made her move. Lothie grinned as she grabbed the front of his doublet, pulling him in for a smoldering kiss. Elizabeth's voice still rang through her head, a haunting sound that seemed to intoxicate her senses. Perhaps Dmitri was right, there was more to her than just being beautiful. It took mere seconds for her to be naked, yet another gown ruined in his haste to get at her body. "What are you thinking about?" Lothie whispered in her ear, noting her green eyes deep in thought. She smiled, kissing him deeply again. "Of how much I missed this." She whispered back, nipping at his lower lip as his hands explored her naked body, grazing over her nipples. He always knew how to drive her wild and tonight, he was going to put that knowledge to good use as he elicited a moan from her by massaging her breasts and pulling gently on the rosy peaks. The walls soon echoed with the sounds of their passion as they raced to fill the need that had built up after so long apart. In the back of each of their minds was Elizabeth's voice, filling their senses and touching a part of each that neither knew existed. ****** Elizabeth stood in the darkness of the morning, looking out over the frozen courtyard. In her imagination, she saw a dark figure coming towards her in the growing light. The same brown hair and eyes of the man that she loved, a smile wide on his face. She found herself smiling back as she pressed her hand against the cold glass. "Richard." She whispered, her breath fogging the glass so that the figure was lost. Quickly, she wiped it clean with her sleeve, squinting to see if he was still there, but there was nothing but an empty courtyard. Sadness washed over her as she thought of all that she had lost over the past year. She bit her lower lip, tears springing to her eyes as she slowly curled her hand over the glass. But there was still one thing that she had gained, and that was Gabriella and Lothie. Sleep had been completely lost as she tried to ignore the cries that had been coming from Lothie and Gabriella's chamber. She wasn't stupid nor naïve and she knew exactly what those cries meant. A longing rose in her chest as she though of everything that she would never have. The fact hadn't been lost on her that she was dying, but she didn't want that now. She wanted a chance at life. With a sigh, she turned from the window, looking down the darkened corridor towards their chambers, her mind racing with one thought. Lothie had trusted her with a secret that would be their very undoing if she spoke it and now Elizabeth knew exactly what she wanted to do. Walking slowly down the hallway as the sky began to turn a brilliant shade of pink as a new day dawned over the land, she came to a halt in front of the main chambers. With a shaky hand, she knocked and held her breath, waiting for an answer. It seemed like an eternity until she heard someone unlock the door and it opened a crack, Lothie appearing as a shadow against the darkened room. "What is the matter, Elizabeth?" He whispered, his voice heavy with sleep as he stared at the girl. She stared at him for a long while, taking in everything with her haunted blue eyes. Taking a deep breath, she turned her head slightly and looked at the dawn that was quickly approaching and she knew in her heart that it would be the right decision. "I want to become one of you." She whispered softly, looking up into his dark eyes with a serious expression. "You've thought about this?" He asked, his face a blank slate. "Every day since you first told me." Her eyes slowly filled with tears as she smiled at him. "I know that it cannot take away the pain, I see that in you every day, but God knows that I'm suffering now. I want it to stop." She answered truthfully, wiping away a tear as it trailed down her cheek. Lothie opened the door more, ignoring the coming day as he reached out his hand and cupped her chin gently, looking over her face with a sorrowful expression. "What do you think this can give you?" "Life." She answered simply, shivering slightly at the touch of his cold fingers on her skin. "Life in death?" He asked with a bitter laugh. "A life that I would have never had if it weren't for you. A life without pain and sickness." She paused for a long moment, warring with her mind. "A life without Richard. A thousand lifetimes to live and learn. To love again one day. You and Gabriella have had your chance, and now," She said, smiling slightly. "I want mine." Lothie took a step back, a smile curled the corners of his mouth and he turned to hold open the door for her. "Please, come in, Princess." He murmured gently, guiding her through the doorway as the sun peaked over the clouds and lit up the sky. ****** Coming Soon: Chapter 6: Elizabeth makes her final decision as dark clouds appear on the horizon. ****** If you took the time to read, please take the time to comment. Remember, all comments are read and taken into account. Please help me guide the story, or offer opinions. :) Happy reading. Immortal Ch. 06 New York City 2007 There were times in her long life that she thought she'd come to regret the decision that she made that night at the Duke's manor in England. A thousand life times to live and learn, that's what she'd told Lothie that finally convinced him to that the fateful and fatal step into immortality, but if she'd known what she did now, Elizabeth wasn't so certain that she would have ever considered it. Picking up the crate of mugs, she moved towards the sink, dumping them without ceremony into the warm soapy water. She still didn't understand Lothian's fascination with this place; a bar tucked into an alley in New York City, but they had called it home for nearly seven years now. When she'd first been shown the warehouse, it was rundown with no running water or electricity. Hardly her first choice to turn into a booming business, but somehow, after a lot of work on all their parts, they'd completely turned it around. It was the kind of place that catered to 'others', as she called them. She was sure that Lothie had seen the idea in a book someplace before but they'd turned the crumbling brick building with no electricity or running water into a place where creatures like them could mingle with those that were like them and those that wanted to be them. They had all sorts that would walk through the door, from vampire to human and after the first year, she'd had to grudgingly admit to Lothie that it was a good idea. Elizabeth found that she actually loved it. Of course, many of their customers were dark and moody, the pseudo Goths that wanted to be vampires and even a few who were. She called it the 'vampire syndrome' and it always annoyed those around her that she remained pale and blonde and beautiful and chipper throughout her nights. She got to be the sweet hostess and then try her hand at being a rock star by taking the stage for one song a night. She always had the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand. If only they really knew the pain behind her eyes, the quiet moments that made her feel melancholy and despair. She sighed as she watched the bubbles overtake the glass in the sink and decided to leave it for later, turning round to sit behind the bar. Resting her chin in her hands she looked up towards the skylights, knowing that night would come soon, the frosted glass already turning pink and purple with the dying light. It was out of the blue that she felt a tear course down her cheek, her fingers catching it and bringing it out so she could look at it. Crystal clear, just as they always were, hanging from her fingertip before dripping to the counter. That was the first sign that things weren't right, her tears showing her for what she really was. As another escaped her eyes, she thought back to the night in England that she'd decided to join the ranks of the creatures of the night; one of many nights in her existence that she wished she could have back. --------------------------------- England, 1487 Elizabeth stepped into bedroom with a shiver. Her mind was already thinking of a millions ways to back out of this. Her resolve wasn't so strong as she saw Gabriella standing by the fire, her gown of white linen gleaming in the soft light. She jumped as she felt Lothie brush past her, watching as he made his way to Gabriella's side and whispered something in her ear. Gabriella's eyes went wide before a smile took over her face and a light seemed to glow from within her. "Oh, Elizabeth," She murmured, her face full of motherly pride as she stepped towards the girl, her cold hands wrapping around her shoulders and pulling her into a tight embrace. "Are you sure about this?" She whispered in the girl's ear, her cold breath making Elizabeth shiver. "She better be because I doubt we could let her back out at this point." Lothie said over Elizabeth's shoulder, slipping past her to stand by the fire, his eyes glowing in the soft light as he appraised the girl before him. "Are your intentions pure?" "I ... I believe so." Elizabeth answered back, her voice shaking as she stammered, unable to get the words out that she so desperately wanted to say. She shrank away from the look that he was giving her, wishing the floor would open and swallow her whole. "If they are not pure, then I do not believe that any of us would be happy with the outcome." Lothie insisted as he watched her body and mind war with each other, half of her skittish and ready to run and the other standing proud in place, accepting the things that she had no control over. "Lothie, you scare her." Gabriella hissed at her mate, giving a reassuring smile to Elizabeth as she wrapped an arm around the trembling young girl. "Give us a moment, darling." Her voice was a whisper, but the threat was clear if Lothie didn't leave. Gabriella wouldn't have this girl scared anymore than she already was. Lothie nodded after a moment, his eyes narrowing at the woman that he loved, his mind sending her a dangerous message as he exited the room, the door clicking shut softly behind him. "You have to be sure in this, Elizabeth." Gabriella murmured in the girl's ear as she guided her towards the fire, turning her away from the flames so that she looked at her. "This is not a decision to suddenly decide is a mistake." "I do not believe it would be a mistake." Elizabeth whispered softly. "I'll die without this." "You'll die because of this." Gabriella's laughter in the matter served to unnerve Elizabeth even more, her shaking intensified as her resolve began to crumble anew. "My dear, if you do not wish for this fate then we will make sure that your last days are filled with comfort and happiness. You know we would do nothing to harm you." Elizabeth sucked in a deep, shuddering breath as her mortality was spoken of as a fleeting thing. She knew it was true, but part of her wanted to rage against the dying light within her body. Comfort and death or death and life, those were her choices. "Then I am prepared to die." She said, her voice strong as she raised her tear-filled eyes to meet Gabriella's strong gaze. "God needs no more angels. Perhaps I can do good here on Earth." "Perhaps." Gabriella spoke softly as she stepped forward and caressed the side of Elizabeth's face, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek before taking her hands and pulling her deeper into the chamber. "Do you know what you are, my dear?" Gabriella asked as she drew Elizabeth towards the fire, seating her in one of the comfortable chairs that she always kept near. "A farmer's daughter." She answered simply, her face growing red as Gabriella began to laugh. "Nothing special in this world." "No, my dear, you are something very special. A being that is as old as time." She reached out and brushed an errant hair out of Elizabeth's face with a soft smile. "My dear, you're an Immortal." Elizabeth's eyes narrowed at Gabriella as she spoke; lying was one thing, but to tell her something that wasn't the truth as a matter of comfort felt horribly patronizing to her. "I promise you, little one, that I do not lie." A cool hand stroked Elizabeth's fevered face as Gabriella spoke. "There is a small group of those that live through time, living life among us as if they were normal. Most live and die, but they will always be resurrected." She thought on that for a moment, her eyes sparkling in the light of the fire. She could choose death and hope that she would be resurrected like Gabriella promised. "You mean I could choose to die?" "You very well could, Elizabeth. It is your right as an Immortal to do such, but a warning first. If you choose that path, it is hard. You remember nothing of your former life and yet you are doomed to repeat it. Your life as you have already lived it will be what awaits you in the next. Lothian and I wish to give you a chance to live in the way that you want." "It is what I wish." She murmured softly as Gabriella wrapped her in a hug and held her for a long moment before she went to find Lothie. Elizabeth couldn't bear the thought of losing a lover again and again; once had been hard enough and though she knew that she would not remember it, it was a heartache powerful enough to make up her mind. Her thoughts were still far away when both vampires returned and Lothie spoke, the words lost as Elizabeth's head snapped towards them. She stared dumbly at them as he smirked and began to laugh, causing a deep red stain to creep across her cheeks. "Stand up, princess." He repeated again and laughed once more as Elizabeth stumbled to do such. He stood looking at her intently as Gabriella moved off into the background, letting her lover have his fun, but still keeping a watchful eye out for Elizabeth. Pausing for a moment, he had a thoughtful look in his eye before he reached out and had his protégé naked in an instant, her nightgown flung to the far reaches of the room. "What are you doing?" Elizabeth shrieked at him as she quickly covered herself for modesty with her hands. "Searching, princess, just to make sure." He murmured as he reached out and traced his hand over her cheek, smiling at her in his disarming way as she slowly dropped her hands, her toes curling into the carpet beneath her feet with nervous energy. Lothie circled her, looking over her body with a careful eye. He knew what he looked for, it was just a matter finding the small mark. As his fingers traced over her hip, leaving gooseflesh in their wake, Lothie paused as he felt the small piece of raised flesh. It was small, no bigger than the tip of his little finger. "Scar?" He asked casually as he let his fingers leave her flesh, watching as she turned her eyes towards him for a moment before reaching her own fingers behind her hip to trace the mark. "N-no. I've had this since birth." She murmured, shivering slightly at the look in his eyes as he carefully kneeled down behind her, his cold fingers gripping her hips to keep her still as he closely examined her skin. "A fire mark. I've read about many of these before, but never in my long life seen one." Lothie murmured, his breath caressing her bare skin as he stared at the mark. "Will this have any ill effects on her, Lothie?" Gabriella murmured in the darkness as she watched the scene from her chair, worrying that the girl might be harmed. Heated eyes met hers as a smirk appeared on his face. "I've never heard of an Immortal being changed, but I guess we will find out, will we not?" "They could kill us for that, Lothian. It is not something to be done lightly." He glared at his mate as Elizabeth shook in his arms. He knew that she didn't like the way they talked about her as if she weren't there. Not changing her now wasn't an option with him. He would rather die a painful death then to let the girl he'd come to care about pass into the night without so much as a soul to remember her. She deserved a chance to make her mark upon the world and in his tutelage, it would be a glorious one. He was quick about it, no point in drawing out a death that could be painful. He circled his arms around her, pulling her tightly to his cold body as his hands caressed over her smooth flesh. Then, in a lightening fast moment, he struck, his teeth burying themselves into the tender flesh at the young girl's neck as the first splatter of blood hit his tongue. As she screamed as he chose the moment to bite deep into the tender flesh of her neck. She screamed louder, her body clenching tight not only at the fingers that were still playing with her wet folds, but also at the pain of the bite on her neck. She fought against him, his grip like steel on her naked body as she tried to get away; her body was screaming that something was wrong as she began to feel lightheaded from the pull of the blood through her wound. She was fighting him hard, something that he didn't wish as he freed a hand and moved his fingers to her surprisingly wet sex. They explored and touched places that he was almost certain that she'd never explored herself. As she moaned out in pleasure instead of fear, he pushed deeper into her, stopped by a small and fragile barrier. "A virgin?" Lothie whispered in her ear in such a way that made Elizabeth shiver from head to toe. "Good girl." He laughed softly against her skin as his hand continued to play between her legs, never breaking the barrier that she'd worked so hard to keep. Elizabeth's heart was racing as a soft moan escaped her lips, unsure of why she was feeling like this. This wasn't the same way that Richard made her feel when they'd sneak off from under her parent's watchful eyes. The way Lothie touched her made her fearful, but it was intoxicating the way his fingers worked, strumming against that tiny spot that made her muscles strain for more. "More." She begged quietly, her voice a whimper of need as he pinched and prodded, seducing her with his fingers. "Please, Lothie, give me more." He gave into her request, playing more as he finished drinking his fill. Soon, he felt her release upon his fingers with a weak cry, her honey coating his hand as he gently walked her towards the soft bed in the room and lay her upon the covers. Her skin was flushed from her pleasure, eyes rolled back so only the whites showed and he could hear her heart begin to stop. Cutting into his wrist, he pressed it against her lips, urging her to drink with soothing words as he felt a hand upon his shoulder and turned to see Gabriella watching intently. "Drink, princess. It's the only way to survive." He murmured as Elizabeth's lips latched onto his wrist and began to pull the sweet liquid into her body. She could hear voices around her, almost as if she were under water. Her body felt heavy and so very cold suddenly, although she still shook in pleasure every so often. And then the strangest sensation of all when her heart ceased beating and there was nothing but silence. ------------------------------------- The nights that followed were horrible, her body in agony as she twisted and turned upon the sheets of their bed in delirium, begging both Gabriella and Lothie to end her suffering as her mortality slipped away. By the end of the first night, she slipped from the mortal coil, her body expelling all that had made her human and leaving her a simple empty shell that would be rebuilt. By the third night, her skin turned cold, eyes bright, and skin pale like marble, blue veins tracing exquisitely through her almost translucent skin and her body was deathly calm. As the moon rose on the fourth night, Elizabeth sat next to the fire, huddled beneath a brocade robe, her body filled with a soothing calm of nothingness. She felt nothing but cold, her lungs no longer trying to drown her and her thoughts at peace for the first time in ages. Hearing the door open, Elizabeth peeked around the back of the chair, watching as Lothie strode in, his body held in such a regal posture that she'd never really noticed before. Her sight was so much sharper in the hereafter, the way she could see everything in the shadows to the individual hairs that were atop Lothie's head at first seemed like a novelty, but then reality came crashing down on her as she noticed the serious look that he had on his face. Taking the seat across from her, Lothie appraised her pale looks, admiring the beauty that was before him for a moment before he cleared his throat and settled back into the welcome chair. "You seem much better, princess." Elizabeth nodded her head gently, opening her mouth to speak, but stopping as she couldn't find the words to express how she felt. Her tongue darted between her teeth, tracing the sharp canines that now hung low seemingly too big for her mouth. "I do not hurt any longer." She finally whispered, her voice so loud in her head that it was if she were shouting her answers. "You learn." A reminiscent smile on his handsome face as he saw her mind warring with her body, trying to figure out all that it had to offer now that she was no longer living. "The first few years are filled with learning. In time, you'll know all that you're capable of, but you must learn one thing now. Make no mistake, Elizabeth, if you break this cardinal rule, not even I can protect you." "What rule?" She asked, her voice stronger as she nervously twisted a piece of her hair between her fingers. "As the hunger grows you must learn to choose your victims wisely. Never children nor those that can be easily missed." The thought truly disgusted her, the very act of thinking about taking life was more then she could bare. She tried not to, closing her eyes against the beastly nature that so badly just wanted to be released. "No, I'm not like that, Lothie." "Princess, there are better men that you that have tried and failed. It's a noble cause, it truly is, but you pay for this immortality with blood. It never is easy, but it's how we survive." "I'm not like you, Lothie." She murmured, her eyes opening to stare at him, the resolve plain in their depths as she clung to her humanity. "I can live just fine without it." Lothie chuckled to himself, admiring her resolve, but knowing that it wouldn't last long. She was just like him in so many ways, young and headstrong, filled with sorrow and questions that might never be answered. He'd lasted two weeks before his resolved crumbled and he'd taken his first life. Leaning forward, he cupped Elizabeth's chin in his hand, bringing her gaze to his. "Choose wisely, Elizabeth. You cannot hold out forever and I do not wish to see one as young as you make mistakes." She was silent, a slow nod of her head the only sign that she'd heard his words. She hated him in that moment and she let a deep, scorching hatred passing through her very core. He acted as if she had no control, but that simply wasn't true; she was always in control and she'd be damned to let someone tell her otherwise. "I thank you for your warning, Lothie, but I do not need it." She looked at him with those intense eyes; those haunted eyes that were not tinted with madness. "As you wish, princess." He said softly as she turned and stormed away, a small shiver racing up his spine as he thought of what a colossal mistake he might have made. -------------------------------- Her fingers slipped over the keys like water, the music coming forth in a haunting melody that seemed to speak of sorrow and need, a passion that overtook all that could hear. Her voice was crystal clear, beautiful and mourning; over what, Elizabeth really couldn't say. In just a few short days, she'd not only lost the greatest love she'd ever known, but she'd also lost her life, a decision that was completely her own, but hard to swallow none the less. "Such a lovely Siren to go along with her song." The voice in the room cause her to pause in her playing, glancing over her shoulder towards the door to see who dared disturb her. The Duke stood there, the disgusting letch with a smile that oozed with his misdeeds. Elizabeth slowly smiled at him, seeing opportunity and a warm body. 'No, ' she quickly reminded herself, her attentions snapping back to the keyboard. Lothie had told her to choose wisely and she was sure that the Duke was anything but a wise choice. He was important and powerful, but then again ... she looked over her shoulder once more, sizing him up from head to toe. Would anyone really miss him? "You flatter me, milord." She murmured as she slowly stood from the bench she'd been sitting on, smoothing out her silk skirts as she turned to look at him. "I still don't know why such a common girl like me would catch the fancy of someone like you." Her smile was charming, an innocent seduction in her eyes as she moved forward and ran her fingers over his chest lightly. "You are much more receptive without your friends around." He commented, catching her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. "You're chilled, my dear." Immortal Ch. 06 "'tis a cold evening." Elizabeth countered, feeling the blood pump furiously through his veins, calling to her with its own sweet music. Her tongue darted between her lips, moistening them to a dusky pink color as she warred with herself, fangs poking gently into her tongue as she fought. "Perhaps I can warm you up." The Duke commented, chuckling to himself as if he'd said the most humorous thing in the world. She smiled as she allowed him to pull her from the room. "I have no doubt that you could," she kept her eyes on the Duke, ignoring as servants stopped in their wake and stared at them with surprised glances. The human side of her that struggled so valiantly to hold out was quickly losing ground. The monster deep inside of her howled at the nearness of warm blood, the sound of his heart calling out to her as she was pulled to a sudden stop outside of two large wooden doors. Within lay his bedchamber and she knew that once she set foot inside, one of them would never reappear again. It would either be her hell or her salvation. "How many girls have set foot in here?" She asked him with a pleasant smile as he pushed open the doors, dismissing the servants that were within with a flick of his wrist. "My aren't you intelligent?" The Duke asked with a boisterous laugh as he escorted Elizabeth through the outer chambers until they were tucked deep within his inter sanctum where he knew they wouldn't be disturbed. "Well, my dear, many is the answer you are looking for." She stepped around the room, running her fingertips over the rich woods and colorful tapestries that adorned the bed chamber. "Were they willing?" She murmured, peeking at him from around one of the bedposts with a sly smile. She could feel his blood begin to beat faster, a sense of disgust crossing her mind at the tightness in his pants. "Some," He pulled at the ties of his doublet, a patch of unwashed skin appearing on his chest as he stepped up to the bed, beckoning her closer with a wave of his fingers. "Others did it for duty." "Is that what you call it when they do not want your advances?" She asked, skirting around the bed and stepping closer to the fire that was burning in the hearth, the warmth sinking into her cold skin and igniting something deep within her. It was primal and grew with each passing moment. "You do not know when to watch your tongue," The Duke said as he stepped up behind her, his hands tracing down her shoulders before stopping to rest on her upper arms. He dipped his head in to kiss her throat that was left bare by the neckline of her dress. It all happened so quickly that he had no idea what was going on. Elizabeth had turned, her hand gripping his throat in a punishing hold as she glared at him with hard, unforgiving eyes. Her face was twisted in anger, a frown cutting deep lines in her soft skin as she squeezed her hand tighter, cutting off his air supply. "Tell me, milord, did those women that did it for "duty" scream for mercy?" She asked as she released him, watching him collapse to the floor as he struggled for breath, his windpipe nearly crushed. She continued to circle him as he squirmed, her skirts rustling softly in the silence that surrounded them. Dropping to her knees, she straddled his body, a smile coming to her lips that was feral and dangerous. "Will you scream for me?" She asked as she took his face between her hands, his eyes going wide as he saw her fangs as she loomed closer. The last thing he knew before the pain took him away from himself was the look of death in her eyes and he knew somewhere deep inside that it was a righteous one. ------------------------------------ "Where's Elizabeth?" Gabriella heard Lothie's voice and looked up from her book, staring at him with a confused look as she looked towards the empty seat by the fire. Thinking back Gabriella couldn't remember the last time that she'd seen the girl. "I have no idea. Perhaps she's in the music room." Lothie nodded and turned to head down the corridor to the music room, the air too silent and tense to make him feel at ease. Something was wrong, he thought as he pulled himself to a stop at his destination and opened the door. Looking around the empty room, he could still feel the heat of a person, the scent in the air. It was then that he realized whose scent it was and he cursed under his breath, turning to run down the hallway to track down his wayward ward. Gabriella stood with eyes wide as Lothie went racing past, a sense of dread passing through her body as she hurried after him. "What's the matter, Lothie?" She gasped after him, trying to keep up in her flurry of skirts. He didn't answer, a growl coming to his lips as he smelled blood in the air, the beast within him trying to surface as he forced it violently down. He pulled open the chamber doors to the Duke's apartments, the wood threatening to splinter as he shoved his way through. "Elizabeth!" He barked into the silence before he barged into the bedroom, stopping in his tracks at the horrors that were before him. He was barely aware of Gabriella coming up beside him, a gasp sharp in his ear as she grabbed hold of his arm to steady herself. "What did you do, Princess?" Lothie asked, his mouth agape at the amount of blood that filled the air with its sweet metallic scent. The body of the Duke lay in the middle of the floor, the smell of his death mixing with the soil in his pants, the entire scene surreal. "Why did you do this?" He asked, his gaze finally averted from the body and to the woman that stood across from them, her gown soaked in blood, a gory mess that also seemed to stain her lips and chin. She stared into the fire that was burning bright in the hearth, her form unmoving for a long moment before she turned her head to stare at the two. "He deserved it," She said with a shrug, her need for blood sated yet her mind oddly disgusted with the taste that remained in her mouth. "And as he died, he knew it deep in his soul. I did nothing wrong." The last words were spoken in a hiss, Lothie taking in the way that she curled her lips over her teeth, baring them as she spoke of her first kill as if it were nothing. Lord help them if Xander heard about this or, even worse than him, the council of Immortals. They would surely kill them all if they caught wind; steak them to a hill in the sunlight to watch them burn. It was a fate that Lothie didn't wish to partake. "We didn't teach you this, Elizabeth!" Gabriella's angry voice joined in causing a betrayed look to flit across Elizabeth's infuriated features. "Certainly not to kill in this way and not to kill someone of such importance." "You did not teach me anything! You simply asked me to make a choice." Crystal clear tears sprang to Elizabeth's eyes as her cool exterior began to crumble and she raged, causing Lothie a moment of pause as he noticed this curious discrepancy. Why were her tears not of blood like theirs? "You would have died. We gave you life." Gabriella tried to counter as a rage filled scream came from Elizabeth, both elder vampires taken back as the younger pulled her hair and screamed into the stones of the chamber. "And now you talk of death! I am so sick of speaking on matters of life and death! My heart beats no more. I am no longer living." Elizabeth wheeled around on the both of them, her blue eyes burning bright in the light from the fire, her teeth bared as it appeared she was losing her mind. "I can go from sun up to sun down without breathing one breath and yet I'll survive. Never again will I feel the warmth of the sun upon my skin, but this is the life that I chose! You created me." She pointed at Lothie, her eyes accusing, breath ragged. "You made this and now you wish to destroy it all. I'm not a mistake that can just be gotten rid of; swept under the rug as if I'm nothing but dust." "Elizabeth, you need to calm yourself." Lothie spoke, his voice sounding stern in his own ears, wondering just he was so collected. "You wish to turn me in to the council." She had no idea what she spoke of, but she couldn't help the thoughts that seemed to flow from his mind and into hers. "Every word, Lothian, here in my head. I hear it all. Your blood is in my veins." Lothie and Gabriella looked to one another, a wall instantly appearing around his thoughts as this new revelation came to light. It was true that Gabriella could read his thoughts if she tried, but even though she was his creation as well, the flow had never been as free as it was between himself and Elizabeth. Something very strange was happening, something that he'd never experienced nor heard of in his very long life. 'She's gone mad.' He heard Gabriella's voice in his mind and he shook his head knowing that it was only temporary. 'She's struggling with what she is. You did the same.' 'Lothian, I never killed anyone like that. We have to deal with this.' Lothie began to growl deep in his chest, knowing that she was right, but not wanting to completely destroy the girl that he had come to love. The one that broke into his thoughts at night, invading his dreams until she were all he could think of. It was then that he realized what was wrong, his attention snapping back to the still upset vampire before them. Her voice, the tears, the thoughts, the haunting quality of her very being, even the rage she felt now all added up in his mind and he was suddenly slapped hard with the fact that he and Gabriella had made a very grave mistake by changing this girl. "Now." Lothie said, silently sending Gabriella more orders as he sprang into action, his arms wrapping around Elizabeth's body as she gave them both a startled gasp and tried to race away. They were both too fast, Gabriella grabbing the struggling vampire's legs as they wrestled her to the ground, her muscles flexing furiously to get away. She pleaded frantically with Lothie, screaming at him not to kill her as she tried to push him off, screaming even louder when she felt his teeth pierce her neck. The blood drained from her body as her struggles became weaker. This was so different from the other night, no pleasure to be found as she screamed in agony, thrashing as best she could until there was no fight left. Her harsh breathing, such an involuntary response, was the only noise that filled the chamber as she stared at the dead body of the Duke that was so close to theirs, knowing that she was being punished for that transgression. Lothie lifted his head finally, lips stained red as he stared down at the girl, arms finally releasing her from their grasp as he stood, helping Gabriella to her feet. His mind shifted into the overtime as he tried to think of a way out of this situation. Elizabeth's sobs filtered around the room, the smell of blood causing a headache to appear in his temples. He watched as Gabriella knelt once more, her hand caressing Elizabeth's hair as she murmured comforting words. "We have to leave." Gabriella's eyes went to Lothie as he spoke, her hand stopping it's motions as Elizabeth sniffled, her body too weak to dry her own tears. "Lothie, even if we left now, someone would find this mess soon..." "Leave that to me," His words were brief as he scooped Elizabeth from the floor, stalking from the room, leaving a stunned Gabriella in his wake. "What do you mean leave this to you? This isn't a problem that's easily solved, Lothie!" She called after him as he raced through the halls of the manor, the weight in his arms of little hindrance. "You just could not leave her alone, could you?" She hissed at the still body across from her, snarling under her breath as she stood and hurried after Lothian, hoping to God that he had some plan that would get them out of this situation. --------------------------------- The countryside was calm this evening, all the animals that were usually out hiding in the wake of the snow that had begun to fall. Lothian glanced out the windows of the carriage as the man he hired got them away as soon as possible, extra gold at stake as he urged the team forward. Gabriella gripped his hand painfully tight, but it never registered in his befuddled mind. There was too much to think on, to reflect upon, and not much time to do it in. He didn't even begin to think where he'd finally found the wild dog that he'd tempted and then locked into the Duke's chambers without the servants knowing. Come morning, they'd think that the dog had done the damage and they wouldn't be named. That just left the problem of Elizabeth. Thinking of her, he looked from the window to the girl that was bundled against the cold and seated in the seat across from them, her blue eyes full of pain and sorrow as she continued to cry for the guilt that she felt. She was a renegade, a momentary slip of her control and she'd almost single handedly given away their secrets. He had thoughts of destroying her, but something stopped him; an emotion that he couldn't name kept him loyal to the beauty. "You must speak with Alexander. He can fix this." Gabriella murmured in the darkness of the carriage. Lothie knew that his mate was terrified, worried that word would get out to the Immortals and those of their kind that they had young one that was not in control. "Lothian, you have to fix this." "Alexander would destroy her, I do not want to go to him unless it is my last resort." His voice was loud in the small space as he continued to stare at the girl, her eyes wide as she listened to them speak about her as if she were not there. "They would destroy me?" Elizabeth asked in an impossibly small voice. She was startled when both turned their attentions towards her, the hard look in both sets of eyes made her grow quiet once more as she shrank back against cushioned seat of the carriage. "While I should let them, princess, I will not. You are mine and I will try my best to protect you." As new tears appeared in her eyes, he gave a sigh of defeat and leaned his head back against the jarring carriage wall, willing this trip to be over quickly. The ride was hard, the sun rising at least once before they made it to the manor, but the thick curtains kept the three safe. When the thick walls of the manor house appeared in the darkness of the next night, Lothie let out a sigh of relief. While he just wanted to sleep like the dead, he knew that there was more to be done. Leaping out of the carriage, he was greeted by his staff, giving them a simple nod and telling them to have his horse ready as soon as possible. He helped Gabriella to the ground with a gentlemanly gesture before he reached in and lifted Elizabeth from her seat, waking her from her deep slumber. "Welcome home, princess." He murmured as she simply lay in his arms, the strength to do anything else having been drained away. As Gabriella ran around, trying to make herself at home with the staff once more, Lothie made his way to a plush room that had been set aside for guests, setting Elizabeth down on a chair next to a roaring fire that one of the servants had lit before their arrival. He meant to leave her and be on his way, but before he could get to the door, he heard her call his name. "Are you angry?" Elizabeth asked, shivering beneath the thick rug she still had wrapped around her body. "I never meant for any of this to happen, Lothian. Something in me just snapped." Tears were flowing down her cheeks as he sighed and turned back. "There is no anger, princess, just concern." He kneeled beside her chair and gently stroked her cheek, brushing the tears away. "I do not know how this will end and when word spreads there will be those that might come for you to sate their own curiosity. Let us pray that happens later. I must leave and take care of some business. You are safe here with the servants and Gabriella. If you need anything, just ask." His cold lips brushed against her cheek, making her tears flow harder. She had done nothing but ruin his life, but he was still willing to fix everything. Elizabeth would be eternally grateful to this man. He hurried through the halls, bidding goodbye to his love, kissing Gabriella passionately and telling her that he would be back before the sun rose. It was a hard journey, but one he knew he could make in time. He had to speak with the Immortals before the situation got too much further out of hand. Throwing a cloak about his shoulders, he made his way to the stables, finding his horse tacked and ready to ride. "Sir?" Lothie glanced over his shoulder at the call, spying his groomsman heading towards him with important news. "A moment of your time." "Quickly." Lothie growled as he vaulted into the saddle, handling the horse expertly as he waited for the man to spit it out. "A few men returning from town this evening said that they heard of two men asking about you and the Lady. We believe it's Xander." Cursing beneath his breath, Lothie knew then that someone had to have been listening in during their flight and news had traveled faster than anticipated. He looked at the other vampire, one of few who he trusted to keep on staff. "Do not inform Gabriella, Tatum. It will only cause her more worry. Keep me informed on anything that might happen and, for God's sake, keep an eye out." "Aye, sir." Tatum bowed as he moved aside, letting his master out of the stables. "Safe journey." "I shall return before the sun rises." He shouted over his shoulder as he spurred the horse into the night until the manor was nothing but a speck on the horizon before it disappeared all together. -------------------------------- "Madame." Gabriella looked up as the butler made his presence known. "A guest has arrived for you. He's downstairs." She simply stared at the butler before nodding and hurrying to finish her hair. Who could be coming to the estate at this hour, she wondered as she fixed the hood upon her hair and hurried out of the room. Better yet, who even knew that they were back at the castle? Her questions were soon answered when she pulled open the door to the great hall and saw the specter of her nightmares standing before her. "Xander." She whispered breathlessly as the vampire turned to look at her, his weasly assistant making himself at home in an armchair beside his master. "Athos." She hissed his name, sending him a glare that would burn if she'd had the ability. "Dear, dear Gabriella. I should come to expect it from you and Lothian that I would be pulled from a warm bed with a willing slave to inspect a new creature among our ranks." His voice was soft like velvet but all vampires knew that Xander hid his insanity very well behind his stone like demeanor. "I am afraid that Lothie is not here. He's been called away on business. You will have to return at another time." She tried to sound convincing as Athos began to laugh, calling her a liar in his own subtle way that made her want to squeeze his skinny neck until it snapped in two. "How did you find out so quickly?" "News travels fast, dear Gabriella. You didn't think that you could keep her a secret forever, did you?" His black eyes matched the black heart that no longer beat in his chest; here were no vampires that had done as many misdeeds in their afterlife as he and while most would have been destroyed by others, he came out on top. "No, Xander, and you shall not see her this evening." Gabriella's voice was hard as she spoke, resisting the urge to scream in terror and drain the blood from their bodies. "It seems she thinks she can tell you what to do, Xander." Athos said, flashing a pearly grin at the angered vampire. "I believe I could keep her busy while you see to the girl." "See to it that you do. I'm going hunting." He said as he let his fingertips graze Gabriella's cheek when he turned to exit the room. She was in a panic and lunged after him, only to find herself jerked back by a hand on her wrist. Immortal Ch. 06 Gabriella jerked her wrist from Athos, growling at him as the door at the other end of the room closed and sealed them in. "You touch me again, you slimy degenerate and I will no hesitate to remove your head from your shoulders." Her voice was a growl, teeth bared like a wild dog as Athos simply smiled back at her. "Try it, little vampire. Just try it once." He was taunting, his disgusting yellow eyes lighting up with glee as she growled again and backed away, knowing that Xander would destroy her if she hurt his favorite pet. All she could do was stay and wait. Lost in her own world that she was still struggling to understand, Elizabeth didn't hear the call down the hall as a man's voice echoed off the stone walls. Hearing the door to her chamber open, she glanced up to stare at the man that darkened her doorway, her eyes drawn to the hard plains of his chest beneath his tunic. He was handsome, she thought to herself, startled as he began to laugh beneath his breath. There was something about his laughter that set her on edge; her mind warring with bowing at his feet or spitting on the ground that he stood on. Either way, she found herself drawing to her feet, no matter how weak she was, and curling her lips back to bare her teeth. "Such a pretty girl." He murmured, his dark voice practically rumbling the walls of her room. He stepped forward, his hands reaching for her, a smirk of playfulness crossing his face as she stepped away, backing herself into a corner. "It's a shame what they did, but I guess perhaps, this should not be viewed as such a bad thing." "You know nothing," She calmed insisted, her voice a hiss through clenched teeth. In an instant, her throat was being crushed beneath his ice cold hand, her head thrown back hard in the wall. "I know I could kill you in an instant." He hissed back to the dazed woman in his hands, her wide eyes staring at him with a mixture of disbelief and murder. "Your courage is absolutely charming. Too bad it could be broken so easily." She was suddenly tossed aside like a rag doll, landing across the floor on her stomach before she scrambled to her feet and pressed against the opposite wall. "I'll never give you the satisfaction." Elizabeth had no idea where this tempest inside of her came from, the need to defend so intensely strong that it put her on edge, like a cat ready to jump on its prey. "Your words are brave, but your heart trembles." Xander was thoroughly amused by this creature. Something was different about her; something that he couldn't quite explain. "Tell me, dear, why are you thought of in such a horrible light?" "I killed a man." She said straightforward, her chin tipping upwards in a defiant gesture. "And I enjoyed it." The menace was clear and the laughter began a new from the ancient vampire. "Of course you enjoyed it; you're a creature of the night. We all enjoy it and believe me, it won't be your last." He watched as the horror rose in her eyes, her skin turning even paler as she thought about it. "I knew it was an act. There's nothing better than a fresh kill, feeling their life beat from their bodies and into yours until the heart just stops." Elizabeth licked at her suddenly dry lips, his voice hypnotic and intoxicating as he stalked towards her. He couldn't be right; she knew better than to kill again. It was the whole reason behind this mess they were in now and she couldn't do that to Lothie and Gabriella. "I'm not like you." She whispered, her body pressing against the cool stone in and attempt to melt between the mortar and disappear. "You're just like me." Xander whispered, his face inches from hers as his hand traced over a hip, feeling the way her breath came so fast that her body trembled. "How long can you last, little one? It's not so easy." Elizabeth panicked, not wanting his hands upon her body; his mind within hers. She let out a choking sob, the words of a song coming to her lips; a prayer from her childhood. Closing her eyes, she imagined herself away, the song spilling over numb lips as she felt his cool breath upon her face. It began as a buzzing in his mind, an errant bee stinging at his brain until he could think no further. He stared in confusion as the words of her song wrapped around his mind and squeezed until his head threatened to explode. He let out a loud growl, startling the girl before him as he pushed away like he was being burned. Elizabeth stared in confusion, the song never stopping as she watched Xander twist and turn around, hands firmly attached to his head as he called for her to stop. She sang louder, her voice filling the room, the walls humming with power as he shrieked, clawing at his ears to make the torture stop. He stumbled from the room, throwing the door shut with a ferocity, his ears bleeding as he staggered down the hall, finally clear of the accursed noise. Never in his long life had he ever met someone that could disarm him and bring him to his knees in such a way, but it seemed that this young vampire had a way. Xander was seething mad, the single thought in his mind that Lothian had created this girl to do away with him. He'd never let the Siren finish him off and he'd make her his to accomplish this task if that's what it took. Gabriella was surprised at Xander's disheveled appearance when he reappeared, his eyes narrowed and hands shaking as he threw on his great coat once more. She couldn't help but notice the blood that began at his ear and traveled down his neck. "Is there anything else I can help you with, Xander?" She asked, watching as Athos slithered from the shadows like the snake that he was to stand beside his master. Turning to glare at her with a dark glare, he merely hissed for a moment before he gathered himself enough to speak. "If she does not come around, it's your head I'll take." "Come around?" Gabriella asked, truly confused at what he spoke of. "I don't understand..." "You've created something unknown, Gabriella, and unless she submits there is no way in heaven nor hell that she will survive." Xander's voice was full of menace and Athos hissed to underline his master's threat. Gabriella stared dumbfounded at the two, simply nodding in agreement as they turned to leave. She found herself glancing towards the hallway that led to her room, wondering just what Elizabeth had done to instill that fear in the most feared vampire that anyone had ever known. Her hands wrung the expensive velvet of her skirt, ruining the fabric as she clenched her fists tight, praying that Lothie was having better luck with the Immortals. Her hands seemed to act out of their own accord, crossing her body in the Catholic nature, murmuring a prayer for her everlasting soul. For the first time in her twilight, Gabriella truly believed that she'd need it. --------------------------------- Lothie hurried down the hall behind the young servant that worked in the castle, his eyes trained on the faces of those he passed, knowing some were Immortals and some were merely human. It was hard to spot them, but for the tell tale mark upon their bodies, a mistake that he now knew was in his best interest to avoid. Shown into the study, Lothie paused for just one moment when he saw his friend, unchanged from the last time even though it had been decades. He stood behind a great wooden table, staring at a book carefully placed upon a cloth. His coal black hair was closely cropped to his head; his aquiline nose and olive complexion belying his Roman heritage. He was young in appearance, but Lothie knew that although he didn't look a day over 30, he was almost as old as time itself. "Good evening, Alexander." He said as the door closed behind him, leaving him alone to his fate. "I am not happy with you in this moment, Lothian." Alexander's voice was brisk, his eyes never leaving the book before him as he carefully turned the page, treating it like the most precious object in the world. "News travels fast, I see." He glanced around at all the books, the smell of leather rich and permeating the air. "Who told you?" "Dmitri, just this morning." He finally lifted his gaze; his dark brown eyes showing the depths of his displeasure. "You have nothing to say for yourself?" "I acted purely out of selfishness. I had to possess her, so I did. She was dying. I couldn't allow that." Alexander simply shook his head at that, turning towards his bookcases, hands crossing behind his back as he slowly walked past the stacks, taking them in. "She was meant to die." "It's not as if I've committed a sin." Lothie tried to defend himself and his decisions. "There's something about her that draws you in; the depth of her sadness is intoxicating. It's uncharted territory as there's never been a vampire that use to be an Immortal. We need help, Gabriella and I, in guiding her." "You took one of our own from us, Lothian. That is a very serious transgression." Alexander said as he skimmed the titles of the books before him with a studious eye, plucking a thick leather tome from the shelf and sitting it carefully on a table. "I'm afraid we can offer you no assistance in the matter." "Alexander, we're old friends. There has to be something you can do." Lothie tried to reason, met with a hard glare from the Immortal leader as he looked up from his book, his face showing anger as he let his intent be known. "Lothian, it does not matter what we are. You have taken one from us and that's not something we can over look. Her path was set, from the beginning of time, intertwined with that of the other and now all of that will have to be changed. Do you know how hard that is? It's not like snapping your fingers and then it's done. It takes planning and cunning, something that we do not have time for, especially with the rumblings of war on the horizon." Lothie's head was spinning, his anger stoked at the lack of help with his plight. He reached out and grabbed Alexander's sleeve with an iron grip, bringing the Immortal eye to eye with him as he growled. "I came all of this way and I will not leave without answers. Perhaps there is some charity within your heart to help an old friend." "You did this with knowledge of what she was, Lothian Moray. You saw the mark upon her body and you still did it." Alexander's voice was low and menacing, a stark contract to the mousy, studious look that he had. Jerking his arm out of Lothie's grip, he picked up his book and started towards the door, pausing in the doorway before he turned to face the vampire. "We should kill you all for what you've done, but I will give you a chance. One slip up, Lothian, just one, and we'll be there to rid this Earth of you, her, and Gabriella. Keep yourself clean." Lothie stood in the silence of the library, the weight of his guilt crushing him as he thought that the meeting couldn't have gone more wrong. He'd never meant to disturb the friendship that he enjoyed with the Immortals, but it seemed in his over zealousness to possess Elizabeth he'd completely overlooked it. Dragging a hand roughly through his hair, he felt like raging until the library was nothing but a pile of papers and splintered wood, but he knew that would accomplish nothing. Throwing on his overcoat, he shoved his riding gloves back on as he stalked through the hallway, calling for his horse to be made ready. As soon as it was possible, he mounted the steed and sped across the countryside, the cold air of winter clearing his head, showing him the error of his ways and the path that his future would have to take. Old wounds would be soothed in time, it was the way of the world, but for the moment, they were alone. When he made it to his manor house, he dismounted and threw the reigns to the stable boy, walking through the halls that seemed filled with an overbearing heaviness. He found Gabriella in the library, her face troubled as she tried to focus on the book in her lap. She glanced up as he stepped in, her hands gently closing the book as she thought about what to say. "Xander was here." She whispered, giving him a simple look as he stopped, pulling the gloves from his hands as if it were nothing. "Lothie, he's not happy." "I'd think not." "The Immortals will help us with this, won't they?" She asked, holding out one last hope that they could work out this entire mess. "Lothie?" He began pacing the room, his steps measured as Gabriella waited for his answer. He finally stopped, shaking his head with a sigh. "He wanted to kill us for what we did." "They want to kill us?" Her voice bordered on hysteric, the answer unexpected and unwanted. "Lothie, what shall we do? Elizabeth is suffering." Lothie moved across the room, kneeling next to his love and taking her chin in his hand. Rubbing his thumb across her cheek, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss to her neck. "Gabby, we made this decision with full knowledge of what she was. We truly are to blame for all this." He rubbed his nose along her skin, taking in her sweet scent as his cold breath stirring the curls at the nape of her neck. "We can do nothing but rely on ourselves and hope to correct it all soon. I promise, my lovely Gabriella, that nothing bad will ever happen to you nor me." "She scares him, Lothie." She breathed out, her head tipped back in a passion as he nuzzled against her, the motion stopping the instant that she uttered those words. When her eyes opened once more, his were staring into them, a simple question clear in them. Sighing her frustration she settled back in her chair and related the story as she knew it. "I do not know what happened, Lothie, but when he returned, the fear was written on his face. Blood was pouring from an ear and he said that it would it be on our heads if she did not come around. She must submit to him." Lothie swore that he saw red, his jaw tense as he sat back on his heels. Xander was going to try and lay claim to their Elizabeth, but why? In all the years that he'd known of the mythical vampire, there was never any talk of him taking a mate. Just his slimy second in command, Athos, and those that made up his coven. "I know not what to make of this." He murmured as Gabby's cold fingertips pressed against his cheek, bringing him back to the present. "Lothie, I believe Elizabeth has been punished enough." "It's not a punishment, my love. She must learn control or else she'll be attacking the servants." He knew this wasn't true because he could feel the change in the air. Elizabeth had found her peace, extraordinarily quick for someone so young. It usually took others years to come to terms with the decision that they made, but in his mind, he could feel that she was calm. "At least talk to her." Gabriella tried to reason, her motherly instinct taking over. "Please, Lothie? For me?" Lothie raised his eyes and smirked, shaking his head as he cupped her cheek, pressing a harsh kiss to her lips. "How could I say no to you? You bewitch me, madam." "Well, it did take some practice." She giggled as she said it, blushing as if she were but a girl. "Go and care for her. I'll be waiting for you to return." "It best be in bed." He growled as he stood, claiming her lips one last time before he retreated from the library to take care of his ward. Outside her room, he listened to the quiet; the thoughts that slowly crawled through her head as she tried to reason what had happened that evening. He hated to tell her that there was no rhyme nor reason to Xander and he feared it wouldn't be the last time that he tangled with her. He resolved then and there to not mention it until her mind was strong enough to take in the information; the same solution he'd come up with to approach the serious problem of the Immortals. Pushing open the door, he let the soft candlelight flood the room, watching as Elizabeth shivered, tears pooling in her eyes as she watched a the flames of the fire dancing in the hearth. Stepping forward, he gently placed his hand on her shoulder, watching as she practically cowered away from him, her pale face turning from his to stare at the floor. "This will all work out, Princess, I promise." He murmured, tracing a thumb along her jaw until he could tip her face towards his, staring deep into her blue eyes as if searching for the truth that he needed. "No one will harm you." "How do you stand it?" She asked finally, her voice soft and almost unintelligible, childlike in it's pain and sorrow. "To see everything live around you? To feel the beat of a heart and know that you need its blood to survive?" "You get use to it and before long you hardly notice everything around you. It fades into the background and your left to discover the beauty that this world has to offer." "What kind of life is worth living if there is nothing there but yourself?" She asked, shaking with the enormity of what was in front of her. "It's called eternity, Elizabeth, and it isn't easy." He was brutally honest as he lifted the girl in his arms, cradling her against his chest as he placed her upon a soft bed, drawing the covers around her. "I will never leave you, princess. No matter what anyone else says, I'll always be here for you to make that eternity just a little better." "What did the others say?" She asked, tears burning her eyes as she stared into his, looking for answers. "I thought you said the Immortals would help..." It was then that she knew they were alone, the way a hard sadness took over his face, stealing the breath from her lungs. "They won't help, will they?" Lothie shook his head, brushing his fingers over her cheek in a soothing motion, brushing the tears that escaped from her eyes. "I'm afraid not, but do not worry for all will be well." As she stared up at her protector, Elizabeth felt a sense of comfort float through her weary body. She would never be accepted as a vampire, Xander had made that perfectly clear, and she could never go back to being an Immortal, they would kill her in an instant, but maybe she could live outside both worlds, taking comfort in the fact that she'd never be tied to anyone or anything except her creators. She'd always be in their debt for their protection and kindness and perhaps an eternity with them wouldn't be such a bad thing. "Thank you, Lothie." She murmured as her eyes closed as she lost herself in dark dreams, sighing as she felt his cold hand against her forehead, stroking the hair from her fair skin in a fatherly gesture. It would be alright, she would survive, she would live as best she could ... no matter what. -------------------------------- New York City, 2007 Always careful to stay within the shadows, she leaned against the brick wall, watching as the sun set amongst the skyscrapers of the city, the glass buildings turned fire red by the dying light before slowly fading to black. Just like the fire that she loved so much, she thought to herself as the air around her turned chilly. She had come to love this city, no matter her original hesitations when they'd first arrived. There was so much possibility, so many people with dreams bigger than hers, and so many places to hide if the need arose. She could lose herself here and forget for a few single moments the decisions that she'd made that led her to be alone. She could hear Lothie and Gabriella beginning to stir in their rooms and sighed as she knew that she had to get back to work before the crowds began to show. She was halfway through the second floor hallway when she heard someone knocking on the front door of the bar. With a frown wrinkling her face, she checked her watch, knowing that it was too early for customers. "Newcomers," She murmured under her breath as she passed by a disheveled Lothie on her way to answer the door. "You'd scare the dead looking like that." She said over her shoulder to her dear friend, laughing as he merely grunted in reply. Immortal Ch. 06 The way the bar was designed, the only passage way faced an alley, providing protection for the guests that Lothie insist they cater to. The only way to see out the door was to look out a hatch located above the bar. Since they dealt with creatures of the night and wannabes, there were no windows except those up high, creating a dim glow to the interior. Elizabeth climbed up on the bar, unlatching the heavy metal as another knock sounded on the door. "Hold on." She hissed as she pushed the hatch out and peeked outside, her eyes sharp in the darkness as she saw a rat go racing across the alley before she saw the figure at the door. "Can I help you?" She asked, watching as the man looked around for the mysterious voice, his thick hair stiff with gel and sticking straight up in a style that she found that she oddly liked. She took in his expensive leather jacket and designer jeans, sighing to herself as she instantly pegged him as a spoiled millionaire that would insist that he was above the strict 'no entrance until ten policy'. "Well?" She asked, laughing slightly as he jumped again before he finally looked up. It was in that instant that her entire world seemed to melt away, her breath stolen once more by a pair of loving brown eyes. The face had changed some in all of those years, harsher somehow in the darkness, but still the one that she couldn't get out of her memories. "Richard?" The man down below her on the streets turned a shade of red, a charming smirk coming to his face as he lowered his eyes. "Miss, no one's called me that in ages..." Immortal Ch. 07 This little gem popped into my head the other day and it took three days of furious writing to finally bring it to life. I know it's been a while but I promise to write more very soon. I thought it might be the perfect gift for my fans on Halloween. :) ********************************************** New York City, 2007 In the depths of her dreams, Elizabeth had envisioned him many times. Each time she thought about him, his eyes would grow a little dimmer, his hair a little darker until he was just a shadow of the man she'd known. She still missed Richard, but with each day his memory slowly faded until it was a dull ache within her chest. She'd lost that part of herself long ago and had resigned herself to the fact that she would never get it back. How could she explain to herself then why this man was here? Fate? Did she even believe in fate any longer? She was so confused by the thoughts swirling in her brain that she almost missed the sound of his voice when he spoke. "Miss? Is something wrong?" The man asked, concern heavy in his voice. She shook her head to clear her senses. "No." Her soft response was one that had the hairs on his neck standing on end. She watched as he shivered, the same reaction her body was having as every nerve seemed to come alive at the same time. This man, the one who was fidgeting from foot to foot as she stared at him, was like him in every way. That hair, those eyes, the tone of his voice, it was all the same. She was staring at him with her jaw open, gaping at the vision which she swore she'd never see again. You're being a fool, she silently berated herself. The man's brow furrowed in a frown for a moment before pulling something from his pocket. "I'm Detective Kerry O'Donnell. I'm here to speak with the owner of this club." He spoke in his smooth voice, the accent wrong to her ears as he flashed her his badge. Boston, her mind placed quickly, as that voice washed over her frazzled nerves. "Is he expecting you?" She asked after she found her voice once more, still feeling dazed. Her voice sounded thin and reedy to her own ears and she cleared her throat nervously as she found to control herself. "I called last week and made an appointment. It's urgent that I speak with him." "Give me a moment." She said as she ducked back inside the club. Jumping from the counter as the window swung close with a loud clang, Elizabeth hurried around the bar to open the door. She let out a surprised shriek when she connected with a box of supplies, sending herself crashing across the floor in her haste. Cursing under her breath she peeled herself from the floor, scowling at the rip that was now in her favorite pair of jeans. "Such an ugly scowl is not becoming on you, princess." Lothie's voice was like a wall of cold water rushing over her and Elizabeth turned to him suddenly, her lower lip caught between her teeth as she worried about what to tell him. "There's someone here for you." She said finally, watching as a dark eyebrow quirked upward and a scowl settled over his pale face. "A detective." The change in Lothie's features sent a thrill of fear through her and she suddenly felt her heart ache for the man standing on the other side of the door. "I've been expecting him," Lothie's voice was as smooth as the whisky that lined the shelves but she could hear the underlying threat that was there. He'd kill this man if he needed just as he had before to keep their secret safe. "Lothie, please don't hurt him," Elizabeth begged as he moved past her to let their guest inside. Black eyes turned towards her as he rested his hand on the door, a strange look on his face at her request. A simple why left his lips, noting the way that her gaze kept darting between him and the door. "That man out there is my Richard." Lothie was startled by her admission, pulling his grip from the knob to turn and stare at her fully. He knew it was always a possibility that Richard Hudson might cross paths with Elizabeth but he held on to the hope that it would be a one in a billion chance. If the man on the other side of that door really was who Elizabeth claimed he was, Lothie knew he had to treat the matter with extreme care. "Elizabeth, don't give into your foolish dreaming that he's anything like the person that you once knew." He saw the hurt written clearly on her face but he had no choice. It was best to break her heart now rather than have it broken later when a nosey detective was disposed of. "You harm him and I'll d...do something drastic." She stammered, trying to make herself seem so much more imposing then she felt. She narrowed her eyes at him, her hand resting on her slim hips as she frowned. Lothie laughed at her then, shaking his head. "What, pray tell, do you think you can do to change my mind, princess?" Her silence made him chuckle and he reached out to stroke her cheek. "Be a good girl and stay with Gabriella until he's gone." He didn't move from his spot until Elizabeth backed away, the scowl on her face growing deeper as she hurried up the stairs to the second level. His face turned stony as he glanced at the aged wood of the door, wincing slightly as he heard a door upstairs open and then slam shut with the force of a woman scorned. If a human was here to ask questions about who they were and the people they catered to, it was his duty to take care of the problem. A deep breath steeled his nerve as he unlocked and opened the door. "Good evening, Detective. Please come inside." He flashed his smooth grin at the man on the other side, watching as he nodded and stepped into the dark interior. Kerry glanced around the inside of the building, surprised with how nice it was compared to the exterior. It was warm and comforting, decorated in the plushest materials in stark blacks and reds. That was New York for you though, a layer of grime could always covered the brightest gem. "Nice place. You own it?" "Of course. I've been here since the early 90s. We cater to a specific clientele with very demanding tastes." Lothie didn't even stop to invite the man to follow him, simply brushing past towards the office on the first floor. The office was cramped, barely enough room for the desk piled with paperwork that was crammed in. He watched as Lothie settled himself into the plush leather chair on the opposite side before nodding towards the extra chair in the room. It wasn't exactly comfortable with his knees sticking half in the hallway, but he'd been in worse positions before. "Mr. Moray, I know we spoke briefly on the phone the other day, but it seems three people are missing and the last place that anyone can remember seeing them is here. Now, is there anything you can tell me about that? Any video tapes from security cameras or staff on duty that might have seen something our of the ordinary?" "Detective...O'Donnell, correct? Detective, you'll find that this club's patrons expect a certain amount of privacy. We've never installed cameras." The smug bastard actually grinned as he said that. Kerry wrinkled his brow and clenched his teeth. Something weird was definitely going on here, he thought silently to himself as that itch in the back of his mind screamed for satisfaction. He knew the details of this case inside and out and each of the victims' family and friends had pointed out that this was a place that they frequented. It was the only tie that held them all together and without cooperation from the establishment the case would go up in smoke. "You can see where we're very concerned, Mr. Moray. One missing person isn't the greatest priority in a city of this size but three from the same location? It's getting to be more then just simple coincidence." "I can assure you, detective, that we take security very seriously here. I can ask the rest of my staff if they've seen anything unusual but I fear you're simply looking at a dead end here." "The rest of your staff meaning the woman I saw earlier?" He made a mental note to inquire more about the blonde who had spoke to him just moments before. Perhaps she'd be more willing to discuss the matter at hand. "I'm afraid that Elizabeth will tell you much of the same, Detective. Privacy is extremely important to us." Lothie placed an emphasis on extremely, his face a blank mask as he refused to give the man any slack. "Well, I'm sorry to ruin your little game here, but I'm pretty sure the NYPD won't take "privacy is important" as a good enough answer. My job is to ask questions and I'm not going to stop until I find out what's happened to these missing people. I think you know, Moray, and I have half a mind to take you out to my partner and let him drive you down to the station to see if a little time in an interrogation room won't loosen you up." Lothie liked a man that spoke his mind, but this man in front of him was beginning to grate on his nerves. He now knew that the man hadn't come alone, so even if he were to rip his throat out, someone would notice him missing. This put a small bump in his plans. "Well, detective, let's make sure that it doesn't come to that." He sat back in his chair, a small grin coming to his face as the man looked at him in confusion. Lothie could sidestep the questions all day long but it wouldn't stop the inevitable from happening. Now he just had to think of a way to break it all to Elizabeth. *********************************************** "He treats me like a child." Elizabeth pouted as Gabriella ran the brush through her long hair, her fingers soothing against the girl's scalp. "Well, when you act like one what do you expect, Elizabeth?" The older woman asked her ward, smiling as Elizabeth sighed and the pout fell from her face. "We've always been honest with you, dear, and this is no exception. If Lothie has cause for concern then he'll have to deal with it in the way that he sees fit." "There's no need to kill man for simply doing his job." Gabriella chuckled as she placed the silver brush aside and started to braid Elizabeth's hair. It seemed to soothe them both, the monotonous action of tucking and weaving would always take their minds off their troubles. "This wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that you swear he looks like Richard, would it?" "Lothie said I shouldn't get my hopes up. Hell, my hopes were dashed 600 years ago. I simply think it's a shame." It was an odd feeling, but Elizabeth actually found she couldn't express her hurt to Gabriella. The woman had been a mother to her all of those years, protecting and soothing her when her moods grew too dark. This hurt, all those years of unrequited love, simply wouldn't be soothed. A faint sound caught her hearing and her eyes grew wide as she heard the turning of a doorknob downstairs. "He's leaving." She gasped, pulling away from the dressing table before Gabriella had finished her braids and bounding towards the door. "Elizabeth, it's not wise to go down there." She called after the child. The girl would be the death of them one day, she was sure of it. She had done her best to curb her impulsiveness but when Elizabeth had something in her mind she was bound and determined to do it. Elizabeth flew down the stairs with all the grace of a gorilla, pulling herself to a stop as she watched Lothie and the detective shake hands before Lothie opened the door and let the man outside. She could tell by the way he frowned that the meeting had not gone well. The door closed behind the detective and Elizabeth felt the air sucked from her lungs. She wanted to follow him so badly, that pull clouding her brain as she looked at Lothie, wondering what was going through his mind as he scowled at the detective's retreating figure. "Lothie..." She began only to be cut off a moment later by a sharp glance from him. He wasn't pleased and Elizabeth couldn't help by wonder if he'd spared the man's life for the moment because of her. She felt Gabriella come up behind her, the gentle pressure of her hand calming as it was placed on her shoulder. "Not a word about it, princess." Lothie stared at her with the hardest of looks, knowing that he'd placed them all in danger by not disposing of the man right then and there. "This stays between us, understood? We don't need them stepping in." They all knew who he spoke of. Xander had been quiet for nearly a century now, leaving them be as they settled in a new continent, but his threat was always there in he shadows. He glanced between Gabriella and Elizabeth, noting as they both nodded silently. "Mark my words if he asks questions again, I will take action." Elizabeth said nothing as Lothie turned and stalked away, followed moments later by Gabriella. No doubt Gabriella would be soothing the savage Lothie all night long while Elizabeth ran the bar downstairs, but it was a small penance to pay for the favor he'd bestowed upon her. She would have to make the most of it, she told herself, as she continued to prepare for the night ahead. She had to try and make this man understand without revealing too much of the awful truth. ******************************************* Kerry rubbed at his aching neck as he made his way back through the alley, bumping into a group of Goth kids no doubt on their way to the club he'd just left. He remembered a time when he was like them, searching out trouble and fun on a weekend evening. That was until he got his job and those times were only distant memories. All his job got him now was a wicked caffeine habit, an ex-wife, and body that would probably fail him before he turned 40. New York City was too busy for his liking, even if it wasn't much different from Boston. His head pounded constantly from the noise and he found himself growing more and more claustrophobic as the years went by. Exiting the alley he made his way towards the patrol car, slipping inside and glancing over at his partner. Greg Edwards was a no nonsense kind of man with a beer gut and graying charcoal colored hair. He couldn't count how many times he'd been forced to listen to Greg's plans for retirement, one that always seemed to be forced back another year by some sort of bureaucratic bullshit. "He tell you anything?" "No. Mr. Moray seems to be a man of few words. I get the feeling that this is all going to turn out to be a dead end." Kerry said, reaching for the cup of coffee he'd left on the dash, wrinkling his nose when he found it to be a cold, unappealing mess. Dumping it out the window, he let the cup fall to the ground with a faint clatter. "I fucking swear to God that if they think we're going to chase our asses on this one I'll quit. This is the fourth time we've been through this. You'd think they'd have it figure out by now, but no, those God damned..." He tuned out his partner's prattling speech and leaned his head back against the headrest, closing his eyes for a moment. That woman filled his vision. She was a blonde, beautiful, and perfect. Not that he was a great judge of women or anything but he knew what he liked. He'd married Delia as soon as he'd turned 18 and it didn't take him long to figure out that a marriage was a lot more than just sex. His young bride had been patient and understanding with him but the whole thing turned sour when they both learned that neither was mature enough to handle it. It took ten long years of intense, angry fights before she'd finally pulled the plug and walked out. Kerry hadn't spoken to her in years, but he knew she still lived in Boston and cashed his alimony checks on a regular basis. Frankly, the woman he'd just seen was the woman of his dreams, one that he'd seen on more than one occasion. The dreams had started shortly after he met Delia and he always thought that perhaps it was coincidence. His over active hormones creating a mystery woman out of nothing. Delia had a fleeting resemblance to the woman in his mind but he'd grown more and more certain that they weren't the same. The woman in his dreams laughed along with him, not bitterly scowled. She would smile at him instead of hurling insults with an acid laced tongue. Perhaps the biggest difference between that woman with the deep blue eyes and his monster of an ex was the fact that she always told him that she loved him just before he woke at dawn. Delia, even in the best of moods, had never once uttered those words to him. "Who else lives there besides him? Anyone we can talk to?" Kerry's eyes snapped open at his partner's question and rubbed the back of his hand across his aching brow. "Moray and his wife, Gabriella. There's also a girl. Elizabeth. Moray insisted they'd all be pretty tightlipped." Greg sniffed his displeasure and reached out to start the car. "I'll run them in the system and see what we can get." Kerry made no response. He already knew what they would get from their search. He just hoped that they wouldn't end up with too many questions. **************************************** Elizabeth would see him out of the corner of her eye as she made her way down the street on the rare night off. She knew the detective was watching them closely, wanting to explain to his superiors about the mysterious disappearances that were taking place connected to the club. The real truth, however, was more difficult to swallow. Those missing people, the three they were looking for simply weren't human any longer. It had surprised all of them that they had anyone looking for them. Lothie had been careful to question the young ones, demanding to know who would have tipped off the cops. It seemed that there was more at play in the scenario than any of them realized and Elizabeth had her own silent suspicions that whoever had started this case knew exactly what they were doing. Still, her detective was persistent. He seemed so lonely some nights, sitting there in his car staring out into the night. Sometimes he'd have a partner with him, but often he was alone. She wondered sometimes if this case wasn't consuming his free time as well. If he really was anything like her Richard, he wouldn't stop until he got the answers that he wanted. She suppose that if Richard could be anything in the world now a detective would suit his personality perfectly. It was a poetic in a way but when she could always hear Lothie's voice in the back of her mind telling her that she was putting too much thought into things. Elizabeth sat perched on the rooftop of the building, leaning her chin against her crossed arms as she watched Kerry slip into his car with a fresh cup of coffee from the market down the street. It was simply another night to him, a cover to watch the club and make a report. He drank too much coffee, she thought to herself idly. "He's getting too close." She heard a familiar voice and turning her eyes from the car she took the sight of Dmitri standing beside her, his dark hair dangerously close to falling into his eyes. She hadn't seen him in years, not since the three of them had moved to New York City. He looked the same as ever and while she should have been comforted that he was there she felt disturbed by his words. "Don't tell me you'd have to kill him as well." The murmur was soft as she went back to watching the man that she'd become enamored with, sarcasm lacing her words. It seemed that everyone she'd come into contact with lately had it out for the detective. A deep sigh as her answer as Dmitri shook his head. "No, but if he doesn't back away I'm afraid that Lothie might take care of the problem on his own." "Alexander wouldn't like that, I suppose." She'd met the head of the Immortals just once, a chance meeting in the streets of London shortly after she'd been turned. He was a handsome and wise man who never seemed just what to make of her. They had struck up a conversation and after all was said and done, he'd simply said that he'd wished things had turned out differently. She'd found herself asking the same thing multiple times over her long life. Immortal Ch. 07 "You have no idea, my dear." He said as he leaned against the wall next to her, glancing down at the man that was sitting in the unmarked police car. "He looks strikingly like the man you once knew. Perhaps that's why you're attracted." "That IS the man I once knew, Dmitri. It's getting very pathetic that each of you is trying to convince me otherwise." She was beginning to grow angry, a rare feeling for her as she tried her best to ignore the man standing next to her. "There is no trying. You made a choice and now you're seeing that you'll have to live with it for eternity. You cannot have that man. Alexander wouldn't allow it." "You deny me at every turn, Dmitri. What more do you want of me?" She felt hot anger pour through her veins as she glanced at him. "I don't think you're capable of keeping me from him if I wished." "You'd be surprised at what Immortals are capable of, little one." "From what I've seen they aren't capable of much." She sniffed and glared at him, perturbed at his statements. "Why are you really here, Dmitri?" "Frankly, to make sure that you don't make a stupid decision, my dear. Take my advice and stay away from him. You don't wish to start a war, which is exactly what would happen." From the tense way that he held his body, she knew that Dmitri was trying hard to keep himself at bay. She'd felt the same from Lothie. It was the feeling of a man that wanted to throttle her for even daring to think of going against him. "That's like asking me not to breathe." "I could do that and you'd still never die. Be a good girl and let him go." Elizabeth was silent for a moment, the cold breeze of the night making the curls on her head dance around her face as she made her fateful decision. "You tell Alexander that I can never let him go. I've spent too long living under the rules of others. I want to make my own choice in this matter." The sound of silence was loud between the two of them as they stared at one another. Elizabeth had made her decision. She knew what side she would choose if war really did find them. "So be it. Be prepared for the consequences." Her eyes closed against the frigid tone of his voice, the hairs on her body standing on end as she managed to anger the only friend she had in the Immortal world. When her eyes opened again he was gone, leaving her alone on the rooftop with only her thoughts to comfort her. ********************************************* Be prepared for the consequences. Those words still echoed in her ears as she walked down the busy New York street shortly after dusk. She swung the grocery bag in her hand as she hummed a short tune to herself. Anything to take her mind off the conversation she'd had with Dmitri. She was a fool to think that anything good could come from meeting Kerry, but still a part of her had been crazy enough to hope. Turning down the alley that led her home she wondered how she'd gotten herself into this mess. Perhaps wanting to be a vampire all those years ago had been a mistake. She'd learned from Lothie that if she'd waited she would have stumbled into Richard again in another life, but it would have been a short one once more ending in heartbreaking sadness. She couldn't live with that, she decided as the dark entrance of the bar came into view. She could already hear the thudding of equipment within as the band set up for the night. "Need some help?" She whipped around as the sound of a voice startled her. The bag in her hand went crashing to the ground as the detective stepped into her view from the shadows. She cursed to herself silently as she knelt down, scooping up the lemons and limes that she'd fetched for that night's crowd. She stopped as her hand brushed against his, reaching for the same lime that rocked against the pavement. Her eyes lifted, taking in the sight of him for a long moment before she quickly lowered them once more. She couldn't get attached, not after all the warnings that had been given to her over the previous few days. Nothing good could come out of getting to know him. Still, she couldn't get over the fact that he still looked so damned good. "I didn't expect to see you here, detective." She said softly with a voice stronger than she felt as she took the fruit that he offered her, stuffing it back in the now tattered bag. "Call me Kerry, please." He helped her to stand back up, his hands itching to reach forward and tuck the stray hair behind her ear that fell into her face. "I'm off duty. Detective is just so formal." She lifted her face towards him as he said that, studying him for a brief moment as she rose to her feet. People passed by them as she remained silent, the first of the night's crowd. If it was any indication the place would be packed tonight. "Thank you, Kerry." She spoke in a hurried whisper, wanting to be away from him before anyone took notice. "You act like something's wrong. Afraid to be seen with me?" Elizabeth shook her head, watching as his body language grew more defensive. She wondered for a brief moment if he thought she was being intimidated into something. Part of her wanted to scream yes after the way everyone had been acting lately but she held her tongue. There would time to deal with all of that later. "You have to stop asking questions," she said softly, her voice laced with a harsh desperation. "Why?" He asked, his dark eyes narrowing as he disliked the sound of that. "If you ask the wrong question things will happen to you." She wanted to add so much more to that statement, but Elizabeth feared that she was already overstepping herself. "Is that a threat, Miss Fourier?" Kerry couldn't help but notice the amount of concern she held in her beautiful eyes. Beautiful eyes? If he truly though that he was getting to close to her and the others involved in the case. Elizabeth smiled sadly and moved her hand to cup his cheek, shaking her head as she tried to keep the tears that stung her eyes at bay. "No, Kerry, it's not a threat. You have no idea what you're dealing with here." She wanted so badly to feel his lips against hers once more but she stopped herself from leaning forward, her hand sliding from his face as she forced herself to take a step away. Nothing good can come of this, she reminded herself as he continued to stare at her as if he felt the same connection as well. Kerry's face burned from where she'd touched him, a soothing warmth settling through his veins that he'd never felt before. It was odd that a woman he'd only met a few days prior could do this to him, but here he was feeling like a teenager lusting after his first love once more. "Then why don't you tell me what I'm dealing with?" Shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans his words sounded more defensive than he had meant it. He didn't take lightly to being threatened, even if it was by a beautifully blonde woman. She squeezed her eyes shut at the question, the very sound of it being asked pained her. Elizabeth couldn't think of any reason to tell him the truth, none that would keep him living for any length of time. Channeling her inner Lothie, she opened her eyes and look at him with a slight grin. "Now why would I give away all my secrets now, detective?" She could feel herself relax as it worked, the way that Kerry's slow grin seemed to light up the alley. "I suppose I'll just have to be persistent then. I'm very determined when I see something I want." Kerry's comment had Elizabeth blushing darkly, her smile turning shy as she laughed. "Let me treat you to a drink." Motioning for him to follow her, Elizabeth opened the door to the sounds of pounding rock music and led him over to the bar. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see Lothie's disapproving look from across the interior but she ignored him, placing her sack of groceries in a bin under the bar. She placed a kiss to Gabriella's cheek as the woman gave her a warning look before tending to a group of new customers. Elizabeth didn't miss the look but she wouldn't be deterred. Grabbing a fresh glass she turned towards Kerry with a grin, asking him the first question that came to her mind. "Is your name really Richard?" Elizabeth asked as she placed the glass under the spout and pulled the lever to fill it. "My mother, God rest her soul, was the only one who ever called me that. My dad never liked the way it sounded." He shrugged as if he were uncomfortable divulging anything personal about himself. "They divorced when I was three. He was a mean drunk." "I'm sorry to hear that." Her voice was soft as she heard his pain, pulling the glass from beneath the spout, sliding it across the counter to him as the sounds of the bar began to intensify, signaling the evening crowd would be filtering in soon. "Don't be sorry. She married a wonderful man after him. I even took his last name when I was in high school to distance myself from my real father." His shrug was nonchalant but he still felt a measure of pain at the way his past had turned out. She couldn't help but smile then and before she could stop herself she blurted out, "You were a Hudson originally, weren't you?" The stunned silence that came from the other side of the bar was enough to wipe the smile from her face. She'd tipped her hand and exposed herself to him. He'd know then that something was amiss and Elizabeth held her breath, waiting for the next words that he would say. Kerry's face pinched in confusion. "How in the world would you know that?" There were very few people in the world that knew his former name. "Just a lucky guess. You look like a Hudson." She shrugged with a simple tilt of her shoulders, hoping that he wouldn't press further. She'd over stepped herself with her comment and she suddenly felt awkward. Perhaps Lothie had been right, this wasn't the same man that she'd known. The feeling of unease began to pass as she acted as if nothing unusual had happened. "I'm beginning to think you're a mind reader, Elizabeth. What more do you think you can tell about me?" He was intrigued, wanting to know what more this woman could possibly know about him. "I know you're from Boston and you're a hopeless charmer, detective." "The accent gave me away, didn't it? As for being a charmer, I'm sure my ex-wife might tell you different." Rewarded with a heartfelt smile, Kerry was struck with just how in love he was falling with the woman that he'd only just met. She laughed at him, her hand covering her smile to hide her fangs as she was charmed by this man all over again. She reached out and placed her chilled fingers against his warm skin, shivering at the spark that seemed to jump between them. "I'm very happy to have met you, Kerry." His boyish grin stole her heart and she could feel herself falling all over again into those brown eyes. "I'm pleased to have met you too, Elizabeth." His hand covering hers, fingers squeezing slightly as she smiled at him again. It didn't matter that they sat in the middle of a crowded bar. It was just the two of them in that moment, a connection that should have been long dead. Kerry leaned forward across the bar, reaching out to bring her forward. The moment when their lips touched was the moment that she'd been hoping for over all those centuries. He tasted the same, something that she'd never forgotten. It was uniquely him, an unnamed exotic spice that soothed her cravings and her soul. She could feel eyes on them, disapproving gazes from all corners of the room but she was beyond caring. Let them think what they wanted. She had finally found that missing piece of her soul. Kerry smiled at her when he broke the kiss, his fingers tracing down the contour of a perfect cheek. He couldn't explain the draw he felt when she was near. He'd have a hell of a time explaining to his superiors that he was involved with a woman that had a connection to all those disappearances. He suddenly didn't seem to care though. This woman was his, he was sure of it. The moment was broken as a dark chill stole up Elizabeth's spine. She tore her eyes from Kerry's as the bar door opened and two figures stepped in. Elizabeth distantly heard the sound of a glass breaking, most likely coming from Gabriella as she dropped the one she'd been filling for a customer and she quickly jerked away from Kerry. Kerry frowned when he saw the look on Elizabeth's face, one of shock and fear. He glanced over his shoulder, eyeing the man that surveyed the place as if he owned everything within it. He looked cruel, his dark eyes so black that he swore he was looking into the face of pure evil. "You know him?" He asked as he turned back towards Elizabeth, noting that she didn't seem like she was even breathing. The dark shadows that stole across the club were enough to silence everyone within, including the band that had been playing so loudly until that point. Elizabeth saw her nightmares come to life as she looked at a man that always seemed to haunt her. He'd never given up his chase, never since he met her that fateful night. She knew one day he'd stop at nothing to possess her and she had the feeling that her time was running out. "Xander." Was all she could say as her eyes turned towards Kerry and begged him to run. If she couldn't save herself then perhaps she could at least save him. Glancing back at the man, who was now taking a deep interest in him, Kerry knew that no matter what he couldn't back down. The woman standing across from him, the one with the sweet blonde curls and deep blue eyes, she would be his prize in this battle. Kerry O'Donnell knew then that it would be one hell of a fight. **************************************** Coming soon: Chapter 8. It's going to be one hell of a fight.