Vampiric (2 page)

Jess immediately recognized the beautiful, elegant interior of the Victorian Inn; a low lit, upscale eatery situated on the north border of Clearview.

She marveled at the sleek scarlet fabric that lined the walls of this bistro, along with the crystalline chandeliers that hung from its ceiling. She stopped to sniff the lush red roses that graced her corner table, and to run her hands across the lush lace cloth that lined this same table.

Also stirring her heightened senses was the brass-bordered mirror posted on a far wall. It was an exquisite looking glass that showed her the image of a woman transformed.

She dressed herself that evening in a ruby red dress that fell loose around her curvaceous form. It sat on her ivory skin to flawless effect. Her dark eyes shone in the luminous light afforded by the chandelier; this same light lending a magical sparkle to her shimmering diamond necklace. Her hair, meanwhile, was brushed upward into an ebony bob that was light and feathery to the touch.

“
Madame, I must say it. You are beautiful.”

She immediately recognized the deep and rhythmic tones of his warming voice, yet she saw no earthly signs of it's owner.

She could hear Hathen. She could smell his lush, citrus-tinged scent. She even felt the gentle brush of his long blond hair against the surface of her velvet-clad shoulder. He was right behind her.

“
You don't have a reflection” Jess stated, eyes still firmly fixed on the mirror.

“
Of course I don’t have a reflection, Jess. I’m a vampire, remember?”

Jess rolled her eyes.

“Which means you can also read minds, right smart alec?” Jess swung around to confront the annoying undead; only to see the most beautiful masculine vision she’d ever beheld.

Dressed in a tight-fitting black velvet dinner suit with a crisp white shirt, Hathen’s blond hair flew free and wild around his sturdy shoulders, framing a carved bronzed face that shone in the light.

His eyes had the glow of an angel, yet his full, moist lips was devilish in comparison.

“
You said I was beautiful.”

Jess breathed, touching his cheek with a gentle hand. “Well look who’s talking.”

Hathen offered no verbal reply, only surged forward to draw her into a soft, loving embrace. She did not resist as he pulled her close and covered his mouth with hers.

His lips felt soft and comforting as they soothed and nurtured her own; Rubbing and wooing as his tongue flowed inward to seal their kiss.

Swallowing her startled gasp, Hathen tightened his hold around Green’s waist as their tongues entangled. With a certain passion she returned his affections, merging her mouth with his.

For a moment she lost herself in all things Hathen, basking in the divine softness of his lips and the firm command of his touch. A divine combination that made her forget her very public surroundings...

…almost.

“
O-kay, somebody has to say it. I’ll have what she’s having.”

Jess now recognized a second familiar voice, this one belonging to Gail Towne, her best friend of the past decade.

Jess felt her cheeks flush as she turned to face the petite blonde, dressed that evening in a light blue mini dress that accentuated her long legs and pure bronzed skin.

“
Hey Gail.” She grinned, attempting a casual tone.“It’s funny meeting you here like this.” She shrugged. “When I eat at this restaurant, it’s usually with you.”

“
True.” Gail puckered her ruby red lips, waggling her eyebrows. “I usually don’t get that type of greeting from you, though.”

Jess smirked.

“And considering the fact that we’re both strict heterosexual chickstas, I’d say that’s a bloody good thing.” She cringed at the awkwardness of her own sentiment, before quickly recovering: “Allow me to introduce you to Hathen Noble.”

She stepped back to reveal her stunning blonde date, who favored her friend with a sharp nod and a polite smile.

“Good evening Miss. I hope you’re well tonight.”

He greeted her in a formal tone before returning his attentions to Jess.

Well that’s odd
, thought Jess with a widening smile.
Generally once they lay eyes on Gail, I’m dismissed as Meat Loaf With A Badge in the eyes of most men. They cease to regard my existence once they get a load of her.

Hathen, apparently, was something special. He again proved this as he pulled out her chair from under their dinner table.

“I guess I’d better go,” she said over her shoulder to Gail.

“
Suit you” Gail agreed, smirking playfully as she turned away.

Alone once again, Jess and Hathen shared a steak dinner by candlelight. A dinner filled with long intense stares, playful banter, and a lot of laughter.

“I really can’t believe that you’re so totally cool about my, um…” Hathen briefly paused to find the right words, “different type of lifestyle.”

Jess chuckled.

“Hey, back in college I dated the lead guitarist in a grunge rock band.” She reassured him. “I’m more than accustomed to long hair, an insatiable sexual appetite, long black coats, and lots of night gigs.”

Hathen laughed outright.

“You make me laugh,” he squeezed her hand across the table. “Even so, you have to admit that it’s all rather unbelievably odd for a mortal to be so accepting of the undead.”

Jess took a long sip of her rich red wine, watching him above the tip of her glass with warm, if speculative eyes.

“Well growing up in Clearview, I didn’t have much of a choice...” She continued: “I’ve long heard rumors of vampiric activity in these parts. And I’ve always had my suspicions about most of the dudes in my brother’s Cosplay group.” She trembled outright at the very thought.

“
Still” Hathen chuckled.“Weren’t you afraid to meet a vampire, face to face?”

Jess shook her head.

“Honey, after a few years as a cop, the typical vamp seems no more scarey then Betty White to me. I've encountered drug dealers, wife beaters and murders” she boasted, adding more seriously, “Not to mention the fact that I’ve always been a fan of the vampire legend.”

“
Really now?”

Hathen leaned forward, obviously interested.

Jess nodded, smiling at the memory. “I cut my teeth, bad pun intended, on movies like The Lost Boys and Brahm Stoker’s Dracula. And in college I read every vampire novel I could get my hands on.” She bit her lips. “The erotic ones in particular somehow seemed more interesting than the police procedural manuals I had to study for criminal justice 101.”

“
Ah I see,” Hathen leaned forward, his voice lowering to a hot whisper. “So I guess it’s safe to say that vampires turn you on.”

“
Yeah I guess you could say that,” Jess cleared her throat, shifting in her seat. “More than that, though, I understood them. Much like the vampires I read about in my favorite books, I always felt different. A bit out of place.” She folded her hands on the table. “While my friends danced on the cheer-leading squad, I played basketball on the court. While they were at the spa, I was at the shooting range.”

“
You were something special,” Hathen nodded with a smile.

“
Oh I was just weird,” Jess snorted, adding more seriously, “but in a good way, like the vampire.”

Reaching her hands across the table, Jess cupped Hathen’s carved cheeks and stared deep into his azure eyes.

“Somehow I always knew you were real,” she whispered, staring in sheer wonder at this flawless spectacle of pure masculine beauty. “Or at least I hoped you were.” Her cheeks flushed.

“
Only I was never comfortable with the concept of the violent, bloodsucking vampire who killed for food and pleasure. I was far more intrigued by the concept of the incubi.”

She took in her breath as Hathen turned his head in her hands, laying a long, sensual lick across the breadth of her palm.

“You mean you like the concept of a man who lives for and thrives on the sexual energies of women?” He purred. “Someone who lives for a woman’s pleasure? Could you warm up to that idea, baby?”

“
Easily,” Jess released on a sigh, her heart pounding in her ears.

“
Then do allow me to warm you up even more.”

Surging across the table, Hathen seized her lips in a breathtaking kiss; his mouth massaging hers as his tongue stole forward to lave and tease the inside.

Again she lost herself, sighing contented as he kissed her senseless.

As Hathen wooed her with his lips, her mind was filled with old forbidden images of naked vampires, their bodies pressed together and their sweaty limbs entwined in the moonlight.

“You’re doing that on purpose,” she whispered against his lips, tearing herself away from him with a frustrated sigh.

“
And what if I am?” Hathen replied lifting his head. “It’s time to stop fantasizing, Jess, and time to start living your dreams.”

Once again he grasped her hands between his, this time stroking her fingers.

“Let me make your deepest, darkest fantasies come true bella,” he hissed, seducing her with his eyes. “I’ll do anything you want, and you won’t even have to ask. I can read your mind.”

She thought about it for a moment, the sweet temptation making her palms sweat and her heart pound. For a few instants she couldn’t speak, only stare at him as she fought the feelings that threatened to consume her. Letting loose with a deep sigh, Jess leaned back in her chair and folded her hands behind her head in a police type manner.

“You may be reading certain body parts of mine, but my head ain’t one of them right now.” She smiled slightly. “Don’t get me wrong Hathen, I think you’re a great guy. And to say that you’re attractive would be like calling Michelangelo’s Statue Of David passably cute.” With this she leaned forward, grin dissolving. “For the duration of this case, though, we have to stay professional. You almost lost one of your followers last night...”

“
My den members are not my followers, they’re my family,” Hathen interrupted. “I am deeply ashamed of myself for allowing Scarlet to break our ranks” he cringed in spite of himself, “She hurt Clotilde and threatened us all.”

“
I know babe.” Jess patted his arm. “And why do you think you made that mistake?”

“
I wasn’t thinking with my head” Hathen answered, in a low and thoughtful voice.

“
Well at least not with your upstairs head.” Jess winked, adding in a lowered tone, “Now do you see why we have to be careful, to approach this case with a clear head?”

Hathen thought a moment, then nodded.

“It is indeed time that I put my family first,” he admitted. “So how do we start?”

Showing her approval at his change in attitude, Jess rose from the table and grabbed the check that had lay between them.

“First, I’m picking this up.” she announced firmly. “Then we’re going to go home, to our separate homes may I add, and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow we'll launch an investigation into any other blood suckers that may harm our way of life.”

Hathen also rose. “I know of a good place to start. And we won’t have to wait until tomorrow to go.”. He advanced forward to plant a sweet kiss on Jess’s flushed cheek. “Come to the park and meet my loved ones. Come and meet the people you’ll be protecting.”

“I would love to, Hathen.” Jess kissed his cheek in kind return. “So what are we waiting for? Let’s head to the park.”

In her many years as a Clearview resident, Jess Green had seen Nightingale Park a number of times.

Despite this, she’d never before seen the park through Hathen’s eyes. It was beautiful.

For the first time she took a moment to smell the roses, and really appreciate it's scent. A nearby Hathen picked a bouquet brimming with ruby red roses, pearl pink carnations and ivory lilies.

“For you.” He dazzled her with a white-toothed smile, bowing as he handed her the fresh bouquet.

“
Thank you,” Jess closed her eyes a moment to inhale the fragrance of this radiant nature made gift. “You know, I never realized what a lovely place this park is. Probably because I’m usually casing it for crime.”

Hathen nodded.

“And I’m sure you’ve noticed that the Clearview crime rate has gone down since we took over here.” He went on. “I’ve chased away more than my share of would be rapists, muggers and purse snatchers.”

“
Yes you have, and I appreciate that,” Jess squeezed his arm. “A lot of people wonder, though, just what happens here at night.”

She took in her breath as he turned to her, erasing all distance between them and searing her with a seductive gaze.

“A lot of very exciting things, Jess,” he whispered, “some of which I’m sure you’d enjoy very much.”

The policewoman cleared her throat, averting her gaze to the star-filled sky that oversaw her walk.

“So give me some examples.” She attempted a casual tone. “What do you do at Nightingale Park?”

Hathen stopped in his tracks, gesturing broadly across the length of the park.

“Everything that people usually do in their homes,” he explained. “We meet here each night, to convene, to talk, to address any issues or problems that we might face…” he paused, pinning her with a meaningful glance, “and, of course, to feed.”

Jess chuckled.

“And for an incubi vamp, I assume that ‘feeding’ roughly equals unapologetic public sessions of freaky ass monkey love?” She arched her eyebrows.

As if on cue, a loud and rather ecstatic moan erupted from an emerald colored bush; one that bordered the park’s northern end.

Jess jumped as this moan was followed up by a deep, long sigh. Then came a mix of sensuous moans and loud, high-pitched giggles.

“
Clotilde?”

The bush, for its part, fell silent, before producing produced a beautiful blonde head that confirmed Jess’s suspicions.

“Hi Chief Green!” She waved, ducking to cover her obvious nakedness in a cluster of gem green leaves. “Please meet Jacob, my lover.”

Exactly on cue, a handsome man in his early 20s popped up from the opposite side of the bush.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance.” He nodded. “And thank you so much for saving my mate.” He wrapped his arm around Clotilde’s bare shoulders, pulling her close.

“
My pleasure,” Jess laughed, saluting the couple before turning to the other side of the park. She now noticed a second couple sat fully clothed on the same Victorian cast iron bench where Clotilde was almost murdered.

This couple was a perfect example of opposites attracting. While he was golden, she was very fair. His eyes were wide and dark, while hers shone a vivid green. And while his body was toned and firm, her figure was big yet beautiful. Even so, the couple couldn’t seem to keep their hands or eyes off of each other.

I love vamps
, Jess grinned, adding aloud, “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Jess Green, chief of the Clearview Police Department.”

“
Chief Green!” The woman of the pair clapped her hands together. “I’m Verona, a volunteer with your citizen patrol.” She lifted her chin, obviously proud of this title. “Just a few weeks ago, I tackled a guy who tried to attack a woman in our park.”

“
So you was the heroine my deputy was raving about the other day!” She applauded the beaming woman. “I’d love to give you a medal for your good deed.”

Verona squealed with glee, performing a spirited high five with her beaming lover.

“Thank you so much Chief Green!” She turned in the direction of her handsome companion. “Please also give one to Anthony. He has been working to keep the park free of litter and trash, and he makes it a point to feed the stray animals who live in the park.”

“
I’ll do that.”

Gracing the couple with a grateful smile, Jess took a seat beside them on the bench. “At this point, though, what I need you all to do is take care of each other, just as much as you nurture and care for the people of this town.”

“Oh I know!” Clotilde agreed, wide-eyed as she did so. “Hathen has promised us, though, that from this point forward he will make it a point not to think with his penis.”

Jess bent over on the park bench, covering her mouth to suppress a wave of unexpected laughter.

“That’s good to know,” she said finally, straightening in her seat. “Yet it’s not only his responsibility to keep your den safe.” She looked across at each and every one of her audience. “I want you to be very careful about allowing in new members, at least for a while. If someone does want in, make sure that you check their background. Also question their reasons for wanting to join your ranks.”

“
Well that question is easy enough to answer.” Hathen shrugged, his hips and feet moving in a sexy jig. “We’re just too cool.”

Pointing and laughing at her boss’ antics, Clotilde next gestured toward the far end of the park. Here a quiet young man pulled some stand out weeds from an emerald-leaved fern.

“Right now we have only one newcomer, Chief Green, and it just so happens to be a member of my family.” She beckoned toward the young man, a slight redhead whose carved features and bright violet eyes mirrored Clotilde’s. “Please meet my brother Karl.”

“
Hi Karl!” Jess extended a sideways wave.

The young man made no answer, instead planting his arms square on his hips and scowling outright at his bubbly sister.

“Hey Chief, why don’t you arrest my sister for indecent exposure?” He sniffed. “She’s shaming our family.”

“
Chill out Bro.” Clotilde rolled her eyes. “You just resent me for making you do some work around here.”

A laughing Hathen clapped his hands, then summoned silence from the den.

“What’s say we all get dressed, set aside the arguments, and meet in 10 minutes at the center of the park?” He gestured toward Jess. “I’d love to treat our guest here to one of our famous picnics by moonlight.”

****

Not much later, Jess sat comfortably in softest grasses. She marveled both at her surroundings, and the company she was now a part of.
I really do have a thing for vampires
, she thought to herself.

Making good on his promise to spoil her rotten throughout the course of the evening, Hathen encouraged her to lie back in his lap. She relaxed as he fed her grapes, cookies, and sips of red wine.

Not exactly making good on my promise to keep things nice and professional
, she pondered, looking up at him with a girlish grin.
And right now I don’t give a flying
….

“
So are you glad you came tonight?” Hathen disrupted her blissful meditation with a soft kiss on the lips.

Jess said nothing for a moment, instead admiring the way that Hathen’s wide eyes and golden hair shone in the moonlight.

“Did anyone ever tell you look wonderful in the moonlight?” She charmed him with a drunken smile.

Instead of giving her a verbal answer, Hathen swooped down to deliver a soft, luring kiss; one that massaged her lips and set fire to her senses.

Reaching upward to wrap her arms around Hathen’s broad shoulders, Jess pulled him downward to intensify the kiss; entangling her tongue with his as she ran her fingers through the strands of his long, silky hair.

His sumptuous mouth calmed her in to a soft, dreamlike trance. She didn’t resist as he massaged her back with his strong, study hands; or when he erased all distance between them, pressing his chest against hers to complete their heated tango.

Jess’s nipples hardened as her breasts crushed against Hathen’s massive chest. Just as she felt a curious prick spring up to touch her feminine area, so her own privates gushed with passion as their desires flared anew.

What is he doing to me?
Jess wondered, as she broke their kiss just long enough to stare deep into his eyes.

What she saw there stole her breath; a deep and sensual mix of emotion that ranged from passion to caring, sweetness to desire…and perhaps even love.

Impossible, they had only known each other for two days. The thought just barely cleared her mind when he swept her up in his arms. His hands cupping and rubbing her tender breasts as their. Their lips once again met, and became one.
We barely know each other. We can’t be in love.

She felt absorbed in Hathen’s arms, nothing felt impossible. Her heart pounded as he ducked his head to kiss and lick her neck; all the while grazing hr nape with his fangs.

Far from being painful or overly sharp, Hathen’s fangs only served to intensify her arousal, driving her insane with desire. Yet she took a deep sustaining breath as she happened to remember their very outdoor surroundings.

“
Hathen,” she breathed against his lips, “People are watching.”

His low, throaty chuckle drove chills up her spine.

“Actually,” he tweaked her chin. “They’re quite busy with their own activities.”

He frowned as Jess bolted upright in the grass, her eyes flying wide as she saw the couples that formed Hathen’s den. Clotilde and her lover Jacob, Verona and her partner Anthony, all clenched together in the throes of passion. Their naked, sweaty bodies entangled in the moonlight, their eyes wide and their fangs bared.

For just a moment she lost herself in their immortal desire, basking in their timeless beauty and the intensity of their timeless hunger. Like animals in heat they writhed and pawed, at the same time never forgetting to kiss and cuddle with the warmth of genuine lovers.

“
Join our circle of passion, Jess,” Hathen whispered in her ear. “Just surrender to me. I promise to make your wildest dreams come true.”

Jess opened her mouth to respond; shutting it just as quickly when she felt a second pair of eyes upon her. This pair not as playful or loving.

Standing before them in a waiting manner, Clotilde's brother Karl stared at her with eyebrows arched.

“
How can you as a police chief just stand by and watch this all happen?” He asked her. “Chief Green, may I say that you yourself are conducting yourself in a matter that borders on disgraceful.”

“
Oh shut up Karl!” The vamps answered in unison, some punctuating their words with a raised middle finger.

Jess, for her part, broke away from Hathen’s grasp and stood erect in the grass. She avoiding their gazes as she retrieved a box of cheap wine she’d picked up at a supermarket en route that evening to Nightingale Park.

Who else brings boxed wine to a friggin’ vampire orgy? She bit her lip, straightening the fabric of her long, luxurious dress with trembling fingers.

Aloud she said, “He’s right. I really shouldn’t be allowing any show of public nudity or indecency in a city park.”

“But Chief Green!” Clotilde wined, planting her hands on her tiny hips and pouting outright. “Public nudity and indecency are so much fun!”

“
That they are, Clotilde. Indeed, I daresay they are more fun than many other things in life.” Jess smiled in spite of herself, but only briefly. “I’m afraid, though, that they also qualify as illegal activities.”

“
Are we in trouble?” Verona bit her lip, clutching the shoulders of a concerned looking Anthony. “Are you planning to take us all to jail?”

“
No,” Jess snorted. “What am I going to do, arrest myself right along with the rest of you?” She stepped away from the group, pointing an authoritative finger in their direction. “We have more serious things to worry about, like keeping Scarlet in jail and keeping all of you safe.”

She took in her breath as Hathen stepped in front of her, pinning her with a penetrating stare.

Not the first time this evening he’s come close to penetrating me,
she bit her lip. She met his eyes with a firm gaze that backed up her strong-shouldered stance.

“
What about keeping yourself happy, Jess?” his tone almost pleading. “Do you ever think about that?”

Stepping around him with a smooth flourish, the police chief threw a brief shrug in his direction as she began to exit the park.

“My job makes me happy, and I plan to keep it,” she sniffed, adding more softly, “And part of that job, Hathen, is keeping you and your people safe. Please let me know if you see anything suspicious, or if anyone associated with Scarlet shows up or makes any threat against you.”

She granted him a small but sincere smile as she stepped across the border that divided the park from the streets of her city. She was finally heading back to a place she at least understood. “And please let me know if you need anything.”