Fire & Ice Read online

  Three tents were set around a smoldering fire. Surprisingly, my sight was good enough to allow me to see into them. A man and a woman were in inside each one, wrapped in sleeping bags with low glowing lanterns. The tents were shoddy at best; made by wool blankets draped over branches. My human self would have been compelled to help them stay warm, but my vampire self was salivating at the sound of their beating hearts. I couldn’t wait any longer.

  To say the scene was messy was an understatement. The make-shift camp turned into mayhem. Still disoriented, I was sloppy as I worked my way through the humans. Each one awoke just as I drained the one before. In my mind, it took forever. In reality, it was barely a minute. No one screamed; not because they didn’t have the time, rather I didn’t let them. The energy that surged through me was incredible. Human blood was invigorating and savory and I wanted more.

  I took my time with my last victim. She was young, probably 18, and smelled delicious. She stared at me wide-eyed, watching me tear the throat of her lover. A bloody, wicked smile spread over my face and she opened her mouth to scream. In an instant, I was in front of her with my hand over her mouth.

  “It will be worse for you if you scream. I could kill you slowly; you don’t want that do you?” I whispered in her ear.

  She viciously shook her head no and tears fell down her cheeks. Still smiling, I bent and licked the salty tears from her face. She trembled and wound her hand in my bloodied shirt. I could sense her fear, but there was something else there.

  “If I take my hand from your mouth, will you scream?” I whispered again.

  She shook her head ‘no’ once, not breaking eye contact. I slid my hand from her mouth slowly and rested it upon her collar bone. Her heart beat so fast, I could barely stand to wait. There was something different about her and I was curious to find out.

  “Are you going to kill me?” she squeaked.

  “I wish I could say no, but you smell fantastic. Does death frighten you?” I played with her hair.

  “No. The manner in which I die does. Could you tell me your name?”

  “I do not think that is wise, miss,” I said as I snickered at her.

  “Why? If you’re just going to kill me anyway, what would it matter if I knew your name? Who could I tell?” She took a step backward and I yanked her forward by her hair. She yelped and I clapped my hand over her mouth again.

  “Tsk, tsk, tsk. That wasn’t very smart.” My fangs descended and I plunged them into the soft skin of her neck. Her blood was sweet, like candy, as it rolled over my tongue. She tried moving out of my grasp, but I was too strong.

  As her body slumped against mine, I withdrew my fangs. Pushing the hair from her face, I sighed. Such a beautiful girl met her death at my hands. Her shallow breath caught and one last tear rolled from the corner of her eye as she slipped into nothingness. I dropped her lifeless body into the fire with the others and left. I didn’t know what exactly I had become, but I was struggling with the pleasure of what I had done.

  Chapter 3

  Colorado, Present Day

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was so difficult for you,” she grasped my hand, kissing my palm before resting it on her cheek. The simplest kindness warmed my frozen heart.

  “Normally, it wouldn’t have been. When new vampires are made, the one who turned them is supposed to stay and help them. Apparently, I was supposed to die and didn’t. Do you want me to continue?”

  “If it’s too painful, you don’t have to,” she smiled shyly. I smiled back and nodded.

  “Before sunrise I happened upon a camp. There were several humans there, sleeping in tents beside a fire. This was the first time I tasted the venom. It dripped viciously from my newly descended fangs, effectively sealing the fate of the campers. Not one of them had time to run or scream. In mere minutes, I’d drained all of them completely.

  “I left the bodies in the fire to rid the evidence and took their gear. For the next few months, I lived much of the same. Hike, feed, hide and sleep. I ended up somewhere in Northern Canada before finding other vampires,” I shook my head. Lia gave me a sympathetic look and nestled closer to my chest. She was happy, although I wasn’t quite sure why.

  “What were they like?” she murmured.

  “They were…different. The rules that applied to most people no longer applied to them. They were civilized, often mingling with the humans as if they were no different. Of course, their lifestyles were drastically changed due to only being able to wander about at night. The ability to walk in the sun didn’t come to us for some time.”

  “I thought Austin did that for you?” she looked up at me with those big brown eyes. I smiled.

  “He did, but it’s not a secret. Countless others have concocted or stolen different antidote to allow walking in sunlight. In our world, it’s a matter of who you know that allows for those resources. I had the pleasure of living quite some time during the night,” I couldn’t say I hated it. Some of the best times I had were among the nighttime festivities.

  “I was quite unusual for a vampire, even before changing my lifestyle. I had no allegiances; no coven to call home. I was a nomad of sorts. I’d only stay in one place a few years before traveling again. A part of me felt lost or empty, as if I was searching for something.”

  “Didn’t you have any friends?” she smirked.

  “Not many, no,” I pushed her hair behind her ear.

  “Why do you always do that?” she said and mussed her hair, laughing as it fell into her face.

  I chuckled, “Because you’re a beautiful girl, Lia. Having anything hide that is unacceptable. That and I like your hair. It’s always soft and curls around my finger just so.”

  Heat rose to her cheeks as I spoke. I smiled and pushed her hair back again. Her eyes were bright, but still hid much of her true intentions. Her smile faltered as she searched my face. Something she saw brought her back to reality and she edged out of my grasp.

  “You said you didn’t have many friends, not that you didn’t have any. Who were they?” she pulled the hood of her jacket over her ears and leaned her back against the log.

  “Not friends, per say. They were more like teachers. Being a vampire wasn’t easy business in those days. Humans back then knew about us, but they also knew how to protect themselves. If a vampire caught himself among those types of humans, he’d probably end up dead.

  “I wasn’t very careful. I would wait until I was all but starved before I’d feed, which meant I’d kill several humans in the process. It didn’t come easily for me. If I tried to feed when I wasn’t starving, I’d find reasons to walk away. I couldn’t bear the thought of killing someone unless I was on the verge of death. I suppose it was good logic then, but I was also very naïve.”

  “I thought vampires don’t have to kill people to drink from them?”

  “We don’t, but that’s something that is usually learned. I had no teacher. My maker left me the very day she turned me and I had no idea what I was doing. I lived like that for years. Moving from place to place, killing dozens of people every few weeks and then relocating before I could be fingered as the culprit. Not what you expected is it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Most humans think vampires live extravagant lifestyles. Movies have glorified us as billionaire, blood-thirsty, sex fiends who can move mountains. Is that not what you think?” I teased.

  “No. I think some vampires live that way. You, though, I thought would have been pretty wild back then. You had freedom to do whatever you wanted and no way of being caught, really. You can’t tell me that in the entire time you’ve been a vampire there haven’t been any times where you didn’t just have fun. That would be crazy.”

  “Is that what you would do? You’d disregard everything you knew as a human, including the value of life, to have fun?”

  “I don’t know what I’d do, but I can’t imagine I’d not have any fun. Vampires have so many abilities that are beyond what they could do in th
eir human lives. It seems like it would be a bit freeing.”

  “I could say the same about you, you know. The abilities you have are well beyond anything I could do. Why have you not embraced them?” I challenged.

  Her eyes narrowed, “You know why.”

  “Do I?”

  “I don’t want to hurt anyone. Too many people I love have died already,” she hugged herself.

  “My answer is no different from yours, Lia. I’ve outlived my family, too. While I didn’t watch them die, it was worse because I couldn’t remember them. It wasn’t until much later that I even realized I’d had a family. All the time I spent searching was for something I didn’t even know I had. It was also the reason I didn’t like killing people. Something inside me knew it wasn’t right. I hated myself for it.”

  “Alright, point taken. So what happened when you found the ones who taught you?”

  “I thought they were crazy, of course. I’d never been around vampires who were so flippant about the way we lived. Most of the ones I’d met before them hated what they were, but gave in to the bloodlust anyway. It’s like an addiction. Once you let it take over, you can’t even think of anything else.

  “They saved my life, though, so I can’t be too bitter towards them. If they hadn’t found me I probably wouldn’t have survived much longer. I’d all but resigned to never drink another drop of human blood when they rescued me.”

  Chapter 4

  Canada, 1920

  “Aren’t you just darling? What is your name?” she said as she looked me over.

  “Christian Mason. At least that’s who I was,” I answered in a whisper. I was so hungry. She smelled of fresh blood, making my chest ache.

  “Oh no, you’re still you. You’ve just gotten a second chance, is all. Now you can do all the things you never thought possible, the world is your oyster!” she clapped her hands in delight.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t see how that’s true. I don’t feel like myself,” I buried my head in my hands.

  “Now, now, don’t be so glum. How long has it been since you’ve eaten, sweetie?”

  “I’m not sure. I don’t want to kill anyone. I can’t,” I shook my head viciously.

  “Once you learn what to do, it won’t hurt them. They’ll even like it,” she patted my shoulder lightly. I wasn’t sure why I followed her, but I did. I watched her graceful movements in awe. Her gown billowed as she walked, or rather glided over the ground.

  “My name is Jasmine. I can show you all you need to know about being a vampire, if you so choose. Without me, you might just kill all our food. We can’t have that now, can we?” she spoke over her shoulder.

  I shook my head, “How can you speak of it that way? They’re people! What I’ve done is vile. If I knew how to kill myself I would have done it years ago!”

  “It’s a shame you feel that way. You’re simply young. Let me show you what to do. Then you can make your choice. Fair?” she stared at me with piercing blue eyes.

  There was something about the way she looked at me. Those eyes held many lifetimes of stories and knowledge. Was I willing to pay the price of trusting a stranger? Although the bargain she offered was an open one, there were implications in making that type of agreement. In the end the only question was if I was strong enough to walk away. Of course I wasn’t. I’d barely eaten in days. I needed her and she knew it.

  “Fine, I’ll stay. I want to learn how to stop killing people,” I confessed.

  “Oh, how sweet. I’m afraid that’s not always avoidable,” she started walking again, beckoning me to follow. “I will do my best to show you the proper way to feed. I rarely kill anyone these days, but I’m not beyond playing with my food.”

  We were silent the rest of the way to her home. Automatically, I could tell there were several others living there and my nerves were on edge. Then I got irritated because I was getting nervous. Soon I was hyperventilating and pacing in small circles right inside the gates.

  “Christian, there is nothing to fear here. If you don’t calm down I won’t be able to save you before Alex sends his minions out here,” she said in a hushed tone.

  “Who’s Alex? Is he your husband?”

  She laughed loudly before covering her mouth with her gloved hand, “Not exactly. We have a complicated relationship. Don’t worry, you’re under my protection here. Come on,” she ushered me through the courtyard and up through the large metal doors.

  With my new sight, everything was much more crisp and clear. Not only did I see the patterns and shapes, but the particles within them. The floors were made of some type of marble tile I couldn’t identify, but I watched as tiny flecks of light twinkled on the surface of the delicate silver. When I finally looked up, the sight was breathtaking. It wasn’t merely a house, but a mansion of sorts. Winding cherry wood staircases lined either wall of the large foyer, leading to a glorious catwalk overlooking the room. Meticulously hung portraits adorned the walls alongside candle fixtures of the finest brass.

  As we walked through another set of double doors, it became apparent that the wealth they amassed was nothing short of spectacular. We stood in a large formal dining area dressed with the finest linens and silver cutlery. The china was placed just so on the long cherry table as if guests were a normalcy. The drapery billowed in the breeze of the evening, casting soft shadows on the walls. I continued to follow Jasmine, all the while trying not to be envious.

  “I keep telling Alex that we need to move from this house. I may be a lady, but I’m in no way trivial. We don’t need material possessions with what we’ve been given. Don’t you agree?” she turned abruptly, startling me out of my reverie.

  “I’m not sure.” my brow knit together in concentration.

  “Well I just don’t get it. There’s no sense in showing off,” she shrugged slightly and began leading again.

  The corridors were long and winding. I tried to pay attention to the way we’d come in, but I often got distracted by the scenery. I couldn’t imagine living a life full of such things. It seemed so unreal.

  “Your room will be here. You’ll have your own private quarters and washroom. Dinner is promptly at six o’clock. You’ll have a menu in which to order whatever you’d like from the kitchen. They’ll cater day or night; you simply have to ring with your request. Do you have any questions?”

  “No,” my voice was strained. Even breathing burned.

  “I’ll be back in just a moment. Sit tight and I’ll bring you something to help with the pain,” she patted my shoulder again. Her expression was a mixture between pity and pleasure. I prayed I didn’t make a mistake in going with her.

  I walked into the room with wide eyes. It was bigger than the tiny rooms I’d been living in combined. A four poster bed sat in the center, surrounded by a canopy of ivory linens that were tied back with gold cords. As I walked around the edge of the bed, I noticed just how large the room was. A wardrobe rested on the far wall and another set of doors led to a balcony that overlooked the courtyard. Turning from the doors, the room seemed to stretch on forever. A small bar lined the wall opposite the bed with mirrors hung behind it. The soft glow of lights in the mirrors forced my eyes upward where a giant crystal chandelier hung high in the ceiling.

  “Beautiful isn’t it?” a male’s voice startled me from the doorway. I jumped backward in a crouch.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. My name is Alex. Jasmine told me we had a guest and I wanted to introduce myself.”

  “I apologize. I mean you no disrespect, sir. I’m afraid my reflexes are not yet in check. Thank you for allowing me to stay. It is much too kind of you,” I bowed slightly and extended my hand.

  “No harm done. I remember what it was like to be young. Jasmine also tells me you have a bit of a problem with feeding?” he shook my hand and held it, no doubt gauging my reaction to his words.

  “I don’t like killing people. I just can’t seem to stop before I do,” I averted his eyes. He smiled a moment bef
ore letting go of my hand.

  “It’s a bit strange at first. A part of you still feels human which makes you protective of them, but the other part of you is a predator. Is that about right?” he asked with a nod.

  “I think it is. How did you manage?” I asked nervously. Never in my life had something scared me as much. The problem was that I couldn’t run from myself.

  “Eventually, I understood how it was supposed to work. Killing was easier to avoid and I learned how to feed without draining the poor human. Most of the battle is fighting your instincts for control. The rest is fairly easy,” he smiled again.

  “Ah, well I don’t know if it will be so easy for me. The woman who did this to me just took off. I don’t remember much, but I’ve been told she was supposed to stay, is that correct?”

  “Usually, yes. It’s unfortunate that she left you. I can see now why you’re so hesitant. As soon as you get settled I will show you the proper way to hunt.”

  “Thank you, I think.”

  “Go ahead and get cleaned up. We’ll be having dinner soon. I’ll send someone for you in about an hour,” he nodded and shut the door silently behind him.

  I stood at the foot of the bed for a while, contemplating their motives. The vampires I’d met up to that point were less than hospitable. I had no place else to go, not to mention I couldn’t remember where I used to live. If I had a family, I would surely kill them since I couldn’t control my need for blood. I shuddered.

  Stepping into the washroom was like a different world. Everything was immaculate. White linens sat neatly on the counter and hung by the basin. The marble counter was pitch black, speckled with white and grey. The basin was a smooth midnight black bowl. To the left sat the same midnight black colored latrine. A clawed tub sat in the middle of the washroom, also black. In contrast, the white floor seemed almost too white.

  It was odd how I only remember pieces of my human life. Somehow, anything pertaining to any human connections I may have had were severed, but the rest of my memory was intact. Shouldn’t I have felt different? Surely I couldn’t be the Christian Mason I used to be? Even the fact that I remembered my name was strange. It felt foreign.