Blood Match (18 page)

She looked at him in amazement. He really was happy! Her heart melted. He was still her real brother despite his changed state. She threw herself against him and hugged him tightly.

“Serena will not turn just yet. One new vampire in the household is quite enough.” Said Ethan. He took Adam’s hand and shook it gently. “Welcome brother Adam” he said.

“I knew there was something odd about you lot” replied Adam. “But I would never have guessed in a fucking million years!”

The three of them laughed together at this very obvious statement of fact.

Chapter 37

Mother returned to provide clothing for Adam. She handed it to him and he took it to the bedroom. He asked Serena to join him for a moment in private.

“What’s going on Serry?” He asked.

“Well there is a welcome meeting I believe and then there’s Nina… she has to be punished for turning you.”

“How? What will they do?”

“The crime carries the death sentence in their New Covenant law”

“No way!”

“I’m afraid so… I don’t like it either… let’s see what we can do… as you aren’t too upset by the whole thing, maybe we can help her a bit. I don’t like her at all, and I would never trust her ever…but death is a bit harsh… I don’t want to start out on a bad note and I’m sure you don’t either…”

“Yes, we should try and plead her case as best we can… in fact I want to personally thank her for this gift…. And I rather liked her actually, she’s really hot stuff”

“Adam!  Be serious for a moment. Look, I have to warn you about your new father…”

“Crap, I don’t believe this…! I have a new mother and a fucking new father too…?”

“You do… and he will likely kiss you quite passionately and feel parts of you and give you a pep talk soon. So be warned. Take it all graciously. He is an old vampire. This is how he runs his family. So don’t upset him or rock the boat, okay… and Adam… for God’s sake, mind your language, please! These people do not use swear words frequently in normal conversation!”

He slipped on all the clothing provided. It was a good fit. They had good taste, these vampire folk, he thought as he admired himself in the long mirror in mother’s bedroom.

He felt he could get into the swing of this way of life quite easily…

Chapter 38

They all gathered in the ballroom, to deal with Nina and to welcome Adam. Serena counted 36 vampires in total. Most of them were couples. She saw the men and the other woman from the club in their number.  There were a lot of eyes turned in her direction. Ethan held her hand proudly in his, more than a little possessively. She was thrilled by his public attention to her.

Sitting at the end of the beautiful pastel blue ballroom were Father and Mother.

They all stood waiting expectantly for their new family member. Ethan explained that it had been 5 years since a new member had joined.

All eyes turned as Adam entered with Roma at his side. Adam the Adonis was one thing. Adam the vampire was quite another ball game. He seemed to Serena to have become even more spectacular in the last fifteen minutes. The dark fitted clothing looked so good on him. Adam never normally wore a suit, but he shone like a beacon of male vampire perfection in the one he was wearing this evening.

Roma was dressed in a dark red satin dress that swept around her as she walked. She reminded Serena of a deep red rose. She had her arm through Adam’s as they made their way to mother and father.

Father spent some time welcoming Adam and explaining what that meant for him and for everyone else too. He took Roma’s hand and Adam’s. He gave his blessing for their initial mating, should they wish it.

Adam looked very happy with this result. His eyes were firmly fixed on her and her luscious red satin chest the whole way through the welcome ceremony. Serena was quite sure they would be mating as soon as they shut their door tonight!

Then the serious issue was raised. The crime of Nina… She was then bought before them. She looked desperate and dishevelled compared to the beauty of those around her.

The charge was read out by father and Adam and Serena were called upon to respond and punish.

“Father” began Serena. “We wish for you to pardon Nina. Perhaps she could leave the household as she does not respect the rules you have here. We do not want to punish her in any other way. We are aware this is not the usual route to take in situations such as this but my brother and I would like to join your household without a death sentence marking our start.”

“Yes Father. It is my wish for Nina to be pardoned too. Perhaps it could be considered that she committed a crime of passion in this instance…? Said Adam, quite eloquently and expletive free for once in his life.

Father sat listening intently with his finger against his mouth.

All remained silent as he considered for a while.

“I respect your wishes to pardon Nina. However, her crime is the greatest of them all. It did not happen by accident, it was a deliberately pre meditated deed. Turning a human is not acceptable without my permission, ever. Nina has behaved inappropriately several times since she joined our family. This is the final straw. Vampires do not have many rules, there are only a few important rules laid out very clearly so that we may live amongst humans in their world with no interference or suspicion. It is expected that we follow the few we have unquestioningly.”

Serena and Adam looked at each other. It sounded like their plea had failed…

“Father, there is another option…” announced Ethan. “If  I may suggest it? She could be banished to the hot wastelands. That would certainly be equal to a death sentence.”

Serena looked at Ethan in shock… he would do that?  It didn’t sound pleasant in the ‘Hot Wastelands’. He had mentioned before that she would have to live in burrows there.… it sounded like a dreadful hot desert prison. Serena thought Nina would not thrive very well there at all. But then that would be the whole point, wouldn’t it?

“That is a good choice Ethan. As our newest members are against the finality of a death sentence, this is indeed an equal punishment in my mind. Yes, we shall send her there. Mother, please arrange her travel escort.”

Nina looked horrified. Not a sound came out of her pretty little mouth. She gave Ethan a killer look as she was led away. He gave her a solemn, brief disinterested glance. Serena was quite upset that Ethan had spoken up like this. He had a very nasty streak, she thought suddenly.

Father asked to speak to Adam in the library and they walked off together. Adam gave her a wink as he turned to go. She was glad she had warned him about the pep talk.

She turned to Ethan.

“How could you?” she asked in a hurt voice.

“Quite simply” he replied. “I am protecting you. You didn’t want her dead… but for her to live anywhere but there would be a bigger problem than you realise. Do you think she would have let things lie after this? That she would simply disappear forever? I know her better than you and I am sure she would try to harm you and your brother perhaps… maybe even your parents… your friends as well…?

She would, Serena… Believe me…! I could tell you some more things about Nina… things you would not like to hear…

Do you want that fear to always be there in the back of your mind? I think not. It would have been better to stake her out in the sun and be done with it, but I knew that would upset you far more.

To live in captivity in the desert burrows is second best to death. That will serve the purpose of protecting you. She can never leave the burrows… the sun will exhaust and kill her. It is too far to run to safety at a night time even at our speed, so there is no chance of escape. The burrows are guarded by very dedicated Vampires. Those who have spent 100 years in the burrows are given the chance to leave if they keep a clean slate on guard. It is very secure and safe. She will be looked after well… allowed to feed from cattle when she likes… there is no cruelty. So do you understand my decision now?”

Serena considered these points. Perhaps he was right after all. The situation was not pleasant but at least no one was dead…

Adam returned with father. They both looked pleased with themselves. They had obviously bonded well in the library. Serena smothered a snigger.

Father left Adam with Serena and Ethan. Roma immediately arrived at his side and took him away to introduce him to the family.

“Shall we go?” Suggested Ethan. “Or would you like an introduction too.”

“Not tonight… I am flaking out now … it has been a tiring day… it’s all your fault!” She said quietly with a smile. “Let’s leave all that for my coming out ceremony”

They left the room saying goodnight to a few more people, She hugged Adam and Roma the new golden couple of the house.

Chapter 39

As they arrived in his door, Ethan picked her up and took her into his room placing her on the bed.

“No more Ethan.. I really mean it. No funny blood games, or mind blowing sex stuff. Please…”

“I have no intention of doing any more of that today.” He said. ”I just want to lie down with my mate.” He actually would have liked to go on all night mating with her in one way or another, this time of the month was his absolute favourite…but he could see she was rather tired.

“Can we watch a film?” she asked. “You know, I would love to see something cute and funny.“

“Yes, of course. Do you have a favourite funny film Serena?”

“I want to see Finding Nemo, about the little clown fish…. Dory makes me laugh when she speaks whale.”

“I don’t have many children’s films … but actually I do think I have that one …”

They made their way to the large recliner chairs in the media room.

Serena smiled and laughed her way through the sometimes sad but funny film. It cheered her up. It always did. Ethan seemed to be cheerful too.

At the end of the film he took her hand and held it giving her one of his best hot white smiles.

As she looked at him lying in the next chair. Her heart squeezed tightly. Their gaze locked for a long time….

“Say it…” he said to her … “Say you love me, Serena.”

She opened her mouth to say it but stopped herself … saying that would leave her in a vulnerable position.

“No, you must say it first…”

He didn’t speak for a moment and Serena started to feel concerned. She felt so sure he did love her… why wouldn’t he say it first?

“You must understand. Vampires do not love. We bond. Humans love. What I feel for you is different.”

“How can it be?”

“I enjoy being with you. I want to please you. I hope you want to stay with me…”

“Ethan, you were ready to end your life for me… I’d say your feelings must be stronger than liking and enjoying me…  If there is anything going on in the vampire heart of yours, I’d like to know exactly what it is…”

“I don’t want you to hurt me again… I need to be sure of you. I am wary.”

“You can be quite sure of me… on the other hand there is a lot I don’t know about you. I think you are far more likely to hurt me somehow Ethan.”

“No, I would not do that. You are my mate. Do you know what that means exactly? It means forever to me.”

“What happened to your other
forevers
… the ones before me… where are they now, tell me that?”

His face looked pained.

“That is something I cannot talk about…”

“Well we are at a dead end then… we shall never say we love each other and also it appears there is not enough trust… or you would tell me right now!” said Serena in a rising tone of voice.

“Alright… you asked for it… It is not a pleasant tale, Serena.  I spent my first 70 years in the wild. I fed on humans. I did kill some too. But I had no joy in it. It was mistake, that is what I tell myself now, although at the time I may have done it out of instinct or sport… I like to think it was purely through hunger. I don’t really know and can’t remember. During those years I used many hundreds of women for sex. Humans and other vampires too. My first real mate was human, like you. She died just before having our child through illness. The child also died. I was alone for many years after that, bitter and angry with life. I finally found a vampire who had lost a mate through death, as I had. Our blood was not a good match at all so we would often forage for food outside. She came and went from our home as she pleased, sometimes for very long periods. I found out she had found another mate too. She chose him… she said I was too melancholy for her….She was so very beautiful, so small with golden curly hair….. I thought so much of her. But she betrayed me. Much like you did in fact…  After that there was another bad match with a very young flighty vampire. That lasted for some years, but she just took off one day… I have no idea where she went. I can only guess she didn’t like being tied down with an older vampire like me…! Finally there was another who was taken by rabies… Berra and I had only been mated for a few years. We had a very close blood match, not as wonderful as ours Serry, but good. There have been many other brief relationships in between which didn’t work out… So you see…. I have not had a happy past. Do you still want to be my mate now. Knowing about all this cruelty, failure and death? Perhaps you will just fly away some day too… leaving me as my other forevers did…”

She moved across and put her arms tightly round him and whispered softly…

“Thank you for telling me Ethan… it helps me understand you better. I am sorry for all that hurt you must have suffered and for my own part adding to it… I really am. Losing your child too… That is so very dreadful. But considering all you have said, it doesn’t change how I feel for you at all. It doesn’t!”

“And how do you feel Serry. Say it…”

He was pushing her again…

“Will you?”

“I’ve told you, vampires do not love…”

“Oh yes they do… I can see it in your eyes…you are dying to tell me, I know it! Just say it to me. I want to hear it so much…”

He seemed to be caving in… he opened his mouth but something else came out.

“I cannot”

“Never?”

“When you turn, it will become less important”

“It won’t… it is the most important thing in the world… how can you mate forever without love in place.”