Becomes the Rose (4 page)

“During my travels, Monique and Jorge joined me. When we arrived here in America, I decided to make it my home. I am a clan leader, quite powerful amongst my kind. I wanted to take a break and brought my closest with me. There were others I would have brought but fortunately they were otherwise preoccupied. It was meant to be a short, enjoyable break out here,” Boyce said, his voice cracking slightly.

“None of this is your fault, Master Boyce,” Martha said firmly. “Vampires don’t need to feed exclusively on human blood, Tarin, but they cannot exist without having some human blood occasionally. We offer ourselves willingly and there are many others of us that do as well. Not only are we provided for and revered, we become immune to illness and disease. It is seen as an honour that passes from generation to generation. My mother did so before me, and my nephew has also offered himself.”

“We were here just a couple of days before Anton and his entourage arrived,” Jorge said, his voice soft and seductive with just a trace of exotic accent. “Boyce acted as he should. As any clan leader would have done, he offered them a place to stay. They are in a large house at the other end of the road. A couple of days after that, a travelling group of gypsies arrived.”

“An extended family,” Boyce continued. “Grandfather and granddaughter, uncles, aunts, cousins, ten in all, and they asked if they could pitch camp and stay a few days. I agreed. They played music and danced, and we were invited to watch. I could see that Anton was attracted to the granddaughter but never dreamed…”

“The granddaughter was raped and drained,” Flynn said, his voice heavy with sadness.

“The girl in my nightmare,” Tarin blurted out. “She was dancing before she seemed to be screaming for help.”

“The grandfather was driven almost insane with grief and rage,” Boyce said. “I tried to assure him I would take care of it. I was sure it was Anton or one of his followers. As a clan leader, it was my job to have protected her. He wouldn’t listen to me. He was a man of power and began to call down a curse upon us. When I realised he blamed us all indiscriminately, I tried to reason with him. It could not have been a human hand or an attack by a woman. I hoped that I could ensure some of my family were freed to return home. They could have then involved a vampire lord, one with leadership over several clans. But my reasoning was to no avail. His curse condemned us all to exist here, between sunset the day before Halloween until sunrise of the morning after, until a sacrifice of purity is made.”

“As the sun rises we cease to exist in this world, frozen in whatever act in which we were engaged,” Martha said. “We don’t sleep, not even the humans. We don’t need to when we only have just over a day to enjoy life.”

“Boyce can’t believe the grandfather wanted another innocent to suffer and Anton thinks it’s an eye for an eye. We’ve been lost here for almost ninety years,” Eric whispered. “I had not long met Flynn and had only recently been turned. He recognised me as his soul-mate and we pledged ourselves before Boyce and the clan just a couple of weeks before this trip. Flynn called it our honeymoon.”

“We are off the beaten track,” Monique said. “Someone stumbling across us by accident is rare. In the time we have been here, Anton has slain three to no avail, and we have saved five. We know our clan will have been, and will still be, searching for us, but outside of the time given us to appear, we remain hidden, even from vampire eyes.”

“My attraction to you,” Tarin said, his voice hoarse. “Is it because you’re a vampire?” He stood facing Boyce, searching the older man’s face.

“Yes and no,” Boyce sighed. “No, I am not exerting some kind of influence over you.”

“Which Anton tried,” Tarin said, suddenly certain of what the blond had attempted when they first met.

“No doubt,” Boyce responded dryly. “And yes, because I recognise you as my soul-mate and thus you respond to me the way Eric did with Flynn.”

“Then what do we—” Tarin began but was cut short.

“
There
is
no
we
,”
Boyce
said
curtly.
“
There
can
be
no
we
.
I
will
not
condemn
you
to
this
…
this
purgatory.
As
Halloween
ends
and
the
sun
rises
,
you
will
leave
here
and
forget
you
ever
met
us.
”

“I won’t forget,” Tarin said hotly. “How can you even think I would?”

“You have no choice. What life can you have with one who exists for little more than one day a year? Were we free, I would show you the beauty and the majesty of the night. I would court you, woo you, and only when you had given full and careful thought to the future, only then would I consider turning you and claiming you for eternity. You will go and I will remain, and I will never forget how close I came to my own paradise.”

Tarin simply gaped at the space where Boyce had stood. He turned to Flynn, his heart squeezing in anguish.

“I can’t go. I can’t forget,” he said.

“We have no idea how to break the curse,” Flynn said. “I don’t doubt Boyce when he says he won’t turn you and condemn you to be cursed, too. Nor can you stay here as a human. You would be the innocent amongst us, and Anton would constantly seek to destroy you. If you tried to return, the pain for Boyce would start all over again. You have to go, Tarin. I’m sorry.”

“He’ll be in the attic,” Eric said. “He’ll be hurting. Go to him, Tarin. He may turn you away, but you can at least try. The stairs are at the end of the passageway where your bedroom is.” Tarin saw Eric gaze defiantly at Flynn. The young vampire obviously understood the pain Tarin felt.

Looking around the faces of those gathered, Tarin saw the same sadness in them all. He could not let it end this way. He followed Eric’s direction, no one standing in his way, and headed for the attic. As he emerged through the trap door, he could see Boyce outlined against a stained glass window.

For a moment or two they simply stared at one another. Tarin knew the first move had to be his. He reached for his shirt, pulling it from his jeans. Slowly he unbuttoned it and shrugged it to the floor. His jeans were low slung, hanging at his hips. He knew Boyce could clearly see his lightly-furred, bare chest and the scant treasure trail leading beneath his jeans as he let his fingers skim the dusting of hair. He kicked off his shoes and reached for the waistband of his jeans. He unfastened the button fly, letting the jeans slide a little lower, knowing that it would result in an enticing view of his pubic hair.

He slid his hand into his jeans, adjusting his rapidly stiffening flesh before walking slowly towards the still-unmoving Boyce.

“I want this,” he said, his voice determined. “I want you. And if I have to go this time, I’ll come back.” He stopped in front of Boyce and reached a hand behind the older man’s head. There was no resistance as Tarin pulled Boyce into their first kiss. As he did, he daringly took hold of one of the vampire’s hands and let it touch his hot, damp erection.

The world suddenly tilted, and Tarin found himself on his back on the floor. His jeans and socks were gone, and his legs splayed wide, hooked over Boyce’s elbows, leaving him utterly vulnerable and exposed. The vampire shifted slightly, and Tarin could feel the bulge at Boyce’s clothed groin press against his defenceless entrance.

“I want this, and I know you won’t hurt me. You won’t take me unprepared or dry,” Tarin said, his voice calm and certain. He also suddenly felt very self-conscious. He was lying on his back completely naked and helpless before Boyce’s hungry gaze.

Apart from the points where his legs were spread over Boyce’s elbows, the older man was not touching him, just crouching as if surveying what Tarin offered. He was preternaturally still, reminding Tarin that Boyce was indeed a vampire, un-breathing, unmoving, a creature radically different from himself. Although his heart skipped a beat at the thought, he also knew that he loved and wanted Boyce.

It was as if he had unwittingly passed a test, and Boyce’s mouth moved to cover his. The kiss was filled with promise and passion. As Boyce gently possessed his lips, all the unused cells and synapses in his brain exploded into life. He gave a moan of delight when Boyce brushed his tongue lightly against his lower lip, requesting entrance. His mouth opened at once, inviting Boyce to explore to his heart’s desire.

As their tongues slid against each other Tarin felt a current of electricity race through him and it drove all coherent thought from his brain. His heart began to race when Boyce intensified his caress, gently sucking Tarin’s lower lip into his mouth. Preternaturally sharp teeth nibbled at it, and Tarin whimpered softly.

He felt Boyce’s hands wandering possessively over his body. His fingers were everywhere; nipples, ribs, stomach, thighs, and face, and kisses followed one after another, almost relentlessly. Tarin was left dizzy and helpless by the sensations of being at the utter mercy of the vampire. He was barely able to reciprocate. He just clung to the powerful biceps, trying not to faint from the sheer intensity of the experience. Boyce had his mouth firmly attached to Tarin’s neck and a hand working Tarin’s erection. The skin of his throat began to tingle as it became hyper-sensitised.

Boyce had him so aroused that Tarin was sure he would come at a single word but his release was denied. His hips pumped, trying to find that elusive last sensation to tip him over even as Boyce’s hand touched in just the right way and yet withheld the final touch Tarin needed.

“Please,” he begged as Boyce sucked hard at his throat. The faintest pinprick of the sharp teeth finally pushed him over the edge. Boyce sucked and Tarin sighed in bliss as his orgasm finally engulfed him in wave after wave of pleasure. He came hard, spilling repeatedly into Boyce’s hand and the vampire continued to milk him gently as if sharing Tarin’s orgasm with him. As his release finally abated, he felt a tongue brush lightly where teeth had punctured his throat. Then Boyce was kissing his lax lips and whispering soothingly, and he felt himself slide into a blissful, post-orgasmic lethargy.

He lay limp in Boyce’s arms, barely cognisant of leaving the attic and being taken downstairs. The vampire carried him to his bed and laid him down.

“One night of bliss, my love,” Boyce whispered. “One night and then you must go.”

“Tell me you love me,” Tarin pleaded.

“I love you,” Boyce replied. “I will always love you and only you. Let me show you.”

While Tarin fumbled with the buttons on Boyce’s dress shirt, Boyce let his hands wander across Tarin’s chest and belly, grazing against his nipples in the process. Tarin groaned, and Boyce began to nip at the reddened nubs and tug at the gold nipple ring.

“Want to see you, touch you,” Tarin groaned. He noted how much paler the vampire’s skin was in comparison to his own. It was cool but not cold. He let his hands travel along Boyce’s chest, his side, and down to his hip. The coolness and paleness were the only signs of Boyce’s true nature. Beneath his hand, Tarin could feel Boyce’s muscles moving, and they were alive and strong. The vampire’s body was so tempting that Tarin felt touching with his hands was not enough.

Boyce gave a pleasured moan when Tarin started to lick his nipple. He became pliant, letting Tarin take what he needed. Tarin bit the nipple lightly and was rewarded by a sound of pure pleasure. He bit down on the other nipple and rolled the bud between his teeth. He felt Boyce’s groin come in contact with his own, the hard length rubbing enticingly against his own. They moved against one another, drawing out the anticipation of their lovemaking.

Then, in one swift, smooth motion Boyce turned them so Tarin was on his back. Once again Boyce hovered hungrily above him. His hand reached to follow the line of Tarin’s eyebrow and then down his cheek, his chin, pausing at the bruise on Tarin’s throat, leaving a sweet tingle in its wake.

“You’re beautiful,” Boyce said.

Tarin felt himself blush. He’d never been the subject of such intense scrutiny. His shaft was rapidly re-filling and twitched approvingly as the mesmerising eyes lighted upon it as if trying to tempt the vampire into doing more than merely look. The feral smile from his lover as Boyce watched the organ dance with desire made Tarin shiver in anticipation. When the older man made no further move, Tarin caressed Boyce’s chest, sides, and let his hands skim over the taut buttocks. In response, Boyce moved forward, causing their rigid shafts to brush against one another.

Boyce captured Tarin’s mouth in a kiss that felt like a searing flame. His lover’s hands suddenly seemed everywhere at once and still it was not enough, would never be enough. The increasing rapture as they inexorably moved to full lovemaking was like a blazing fire in Tarin’s veins. Lips trailed caresses down his shoulders, sharp teeth bit into his nipples, and a slick muscle tongued his navel, and it was pure bliss.

He did not expect the next move and he cried out in surprise as he felt two slick fingers push into his body. He had been so enveloped in his pleasure he had not seen the vampire produce the oil or coat his fingers. The scent of jasmine arose into the air, and Tarin purred his pleasure. In response, the vampire growled low in his throat, a feral, bestial sound that aroused Tarin even more. He looked on, his hands clenching into fists in the bedding as Boyce began pumping the fingers rhythmically back and forth.

The oil worked perfectly. The vampire’s fingers glided in him smoothly, the only resistance that of Tarin’s inner muscles clenching around the desired invasion. He writhed and whimpered shamelessly as he felt the fingers being spread, stretching him while being pushed in and out. He moaned encouragingly as Boyce leaned down.