Bat out of Hell

Bat
out
of
Hell

by
Ella
Vines

Copyright
2012

To
Tamara,
who
wanted
a
vampire
story...

Prologue-
1820

He
found
himself
again
in
that
place
where
he
had
only
been
once,
right
after
his
turning.

The
vault
scorched
his
skin,
but
it
was
a
delightful
heat.

“
What
are
you
here
for?
”
The
shimmering
angel
stood
before
him,
and
Gabriel
Dunning
couldn't
help
but
notice
his
luscious,
white
neck.
Lust
rose
in
him
at
the
beauty
of
the
creature
before
him,
but
his
mind
went
back
to
its
North
star:
Ava.

“
I
need
to
see
Maura.
”

“
Who
are
you?
”

“
Gabriel
Dunning.
I
was
here
years
ago.
I'm
a
vampire,
and
she
knows
me.
I
helped
her
out
once.
”

Their
history
went
back
some
time,
and
desire
twisted
in
Gabriel's
stomach
at
the
thought
of
Maura's
flowing
black
hair
and
lavender
eyes.
He
wrenched
his
mind
back
to
the
present
and
to
Ava.
The
switch
in
his
thoughts
proved
easy.
Ava's
face
glimmered
in
his
mind's
eye,
her
supple
cheeks
and
ready
smile.
She
was
his
love
now
and
forever,
and
he
would
do
anything
to
return
to
her.
Their
time
together
had
been
too
short
—
a
simple
meeting
of
chance
or
the
hand
of
fate.
Either
way,
he
had
been
smitten
with
her
as
a
young
woman,
lost
in
the
woods,
wandering
to
his
door
just
weeks
ago.
.
.

“
I'll
be
back.
”
The
angel
swaggered
away,
tight
muscles
in
his
legs
twitching.

Everyone
here
is
gorgeous.

Gabriel
remembered
that
from
his
last
visit.

“
Don't
get
sidetracked,
”
he
whispered
to
himself.
Any
passing
twinge
of
lust
evaporated
at
the
thought
of
Ava's
body
beneath
his
own.

“
Can
I
help
you?
”
An
angel
appeared
at
his
side,
startling
him
out
of
his
reverie.

“
No,
I'm
here
to
see
Maura.
”

“
If
you
change
your
mind,
you
can
find
me
in
the
chapel.
”
She
swaggered
away,
her
fine
backbone
making
him
shiver.
Anything
mortal
or
immortal
that
could
be
wished
for
was
here,
but
it
meant
nothing
to
him
now.

The
angel
strode
back
into
the
room.
“
Maura
will
see
you.
Follow
me.
”
He
crooked
a
finger
toward
him,
and
Gabriel
walked
behind
him
through
a
door,
sparkling
with
thousands
of
colors.

His
mind
nearly
fractured
at
the
beauty
and
heat
of
the
sanctuary.
Angels,
demons,
fairies,
satyrs
and
everything
in
between
roamed
freely.
Some
coupled
in
corners
on
cushions,
and
some
sat
and
talked
with
drinks
in
hand.

Behind
a
bar
that
seemed
to
stretch
on
endlessly,
Maura
stood.
Gabriel
would
have
known
her
anywhere.
Her
black
hair
flowed
down
her
back,
and
a
heart
shaped
face
belied
her
toughness.

“
Gabriel,
what
brings
you
here?
”
She
stepped
like
a
panther
from
behind
the
bar,
and
he
noticed
her
pale
skin
against
chains,
studs
and
black
leather
that
fit
only
in
Hell's
Sanctuary.
He
had
never
seen
a
woman
wear
anything
like
it
in
the
everyday
world.
She
licked
full,
red
lips.

The
magnetism
she
exuded
pulled
him
toward
her,
but
her
charms
had
none
of
the
permanence
of
Ava's.

This
place
would
tempt
even
a
saint.

“
I'm
in
love,
but
it's
all
gone
wrong.
She's
dead.
”

She
laughed,
throwing
her
head
back
and
exposing
her
sweet
neck.
“
Sorry
to
hear
that,
but
I
guess
it
happens.
”