🚀 go-pugleaf

Dark Love

(A Short Vampire Story dedicated to Stephenie Meyer – Author of the
‘Twilight’ Series)

http://noahidebooks.angelfire.com

By

Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly



Kardos.  A most unusual vampire.  Young, naïve, but full of spunk.
His trial should be interesting.



*   *   *



The Hunt was on.  Kardos ran through the mansion’s extensive grounds,
his senses keenly aware of the fresh blood.  The blood which was
pouring forth from a neck, a beautiful neck, of a specially chosen
virgin maiden.  He would feed well soon enough.



He came to a clearing, and sniffed the air.  The child was close, and
suddenly, just over by a thicket, she betrayed herself.  Time for his
meal.



She looked up at him, the fear on her face suddenly frozen in his
mind, and suddenly he noticed her.  Her dark, raven hair.  He bloodred
lips.  Her shockingly beautiful face and physique.  And the terror in
her eyes – eyes gleaming at being confronted by the horror of a
vampire.  She was still clutching her neck in a vain attempt to
prevent the bleeding his master had seen to.  A small cut, but enough
to bleed for the moment’s necessary enough for the chase.  Kardos knew
his master was watching.  He knew it, every time he was.  Every time.
Was this a trial?  Was this a test?  Did his master know what this
girl would do to him?



He looked at her, and his new DNA, genes which had changed and
metamorphasized since becoming Vampiric, had their desired impact and
a resonance came forth from his bloodsoul connecting to the young
virgin.  She was of a human clan which carried the bloodtype necessary
for mating.  Perfect mating.  Yet, not of Vampire.  For if she became
Vampire she would die.  Nay, while the offspring would indeed be
Vampiric, she herself could only remain human.



He was thirsty.  He needed to feed.  But the beauty and temptation was
too much.  He looked silently around him, gathered her in his arms,
and fled the mansion grounds.



Escaping to Validya’s abode, just across the meadow, he spoke with her
and she gave him the keys to her wagon.



And he left the valley of ‘Darkthorn’, leaving it for he knew not how
long, leaving it with his new bride and his new love.  And if
Darkthorn tried to claim his soul again, well he would allow, but
would not suffer the capture of his bride.  For he would have seed,
once denied him, but now miraculously available once more.  And
Darkthorn would see hell before Kardos would give this child back to
him.



*   *   *



Darkthorn smiled, seated on his throne.  Kardos had acted
predictably.  But he was young, naïve, taking a mate simply because it
was available.  Naturally, he would not have denied the young lord’s
desires for this bride, but running from his master taught him much.
Still, he could retrieve Kardos when he needed to.  He knew his
scent.  Best to let him have his fun and family with his new woman.
Best to let him have that for now.  He would retrieve him soon enough,
and continue with his dark, deadly, agenda.



The End





Dark Love II:  A Death at Twilight

 ‘Kristen.  My name is Kristen.’

Kardos nodded.  She was awake now, having recovered from her
fainting.  They were miles away now, from Darkthorn.  Lost in the
wilderness, just as the day had ended.  The Hunt had begun as soon as
the sun had set, and the Twilight hour had been born.  And now, 30
minutes into Twilight, darkness was gradually encroaching upon the
land.



Suddenly a car jerked out in front of them, and a figure climbed out
the driver’s window of the car.  He was dressed in black, laughing
madly and began shooting at them.



‘Fuck,’ said Kardos.  ‘Myantea is having games.’

‘Who is Myantea?’ asked Kristen, now hiding down out of sight.

‘Someone you don’t want to know.  Helgard is with him, driving by the
looks of it.  It looks as if Darkthorn sent him.’

Kristen nodded.  She knew who Darkthorn was.  She knew that one too
well.



‘Hold on,’ yelled Kardos.



The wagon swerved out, and Kardos pushed the lever to the maximum.  It
burned power and quickly overtook the sedan.  As they passed them,
Myantea grinned madly and pointed the gun right at Kardos.  ‘Are you
ready to die?’ he yelled at Kardos.  Kardos wasn’t.  He pulled out a
gun from his overcoat, pointed it at Myantea, and pulled the trigger.
The silver bullet hit Myantea in the eye, and penetrated the brain,
blood spurting all over the window of the pursuing sedan as it stopped
its chase.



200 yards down the road they pulled up and looked behind them.
Helgard had dragged Myantea’s body out of the sedan to the side of the
road and was frantically attending to him.  But it was too late.  As
they looked on Helgard gave a howl and they both knew Myantea was
dead.  And then Helgard looked at them, stood and started running
towards them, but they got back into the wagon and sped away.



Kristen looked back, and then turned to Kardos.  ‘You killed him,
didn’t you?’

‘For a while only.  Only for a while.  You don’t kill a vampire that
easily.  But he will be dead for a few months as his body recovers.’

‘And then?’ she said.

‘He will probably be pissed off.  So we will have to hide well.’

She nodded.

‘Back at the mansion.  Why didn’t you take my blood.  I thought that
is what you were going to do.’

He looked at her, looked at her beautiful looks, and responded.  ‘I
have my reasons.’

Again she nodded, turned behind her to see if the sedan was following,
and, her energy having been on high for so long, asked if she could
get in the back of the wagon to sleep.  Kardos nodded.



As they drove Kardos knew the brothers would find them, eventually.
Helgard and Myantea were like that – they had a demented sense of
humour.  But they were Darkthorn’s pawns, and he was only intending to
keep tabs on Kardos.  He knew that.  His father had known that.  And
his mother too.  But that was what it was like serving Darkthorn.  He
had you were he wanted you, and no matter were you ran, the world was
no hiding place.



But he was free for now, and thinking about the bride he had claimed,
he was happy enough.



He had his plans, Darkthorn had his own evil agenda, and hopefully the
two could be reconciled.  Or, just perhaps, he would die trying.  Only
time would tell.



The End





Dark Love III:  Magician’s Gambit



‘Dear Beleriand.  Dear, dear Beleriand.  Whatever shall we do?  I do
believe the game looks well beyond even the most cunning Gambit’s of
the master of Magicians.’

Beleriand, dressed in crimson robes, decorated with demons and angels
at war with each other, smiled fondly at Darkthorn’s oh so familiar
charm.

‘Kadros.  He has taken the virgin, has he not?’

Darkthorn nodded.

‘They are compatible, Darkthorn.  I presume you knew this.’

Darkthorn smiled at Beleriand, yet did not comment.

‘Then this is my cunning Gambit, if you will dear Darkthorn.  Let us
enter a wager.  And I will place ‘Goldenhorn’ as the prize versus your
delightful ‘Brightfire’.

‘What, my magnificent mansion against your hovel of an abode.’

Beleriand smiled.  ‘Yet, that is my offering for the wager.’

Darkthorn nodded.  In truth, Goldenhorn was a magnificent abode.

‘And the wager, dear Beleriand?’

‘A testing.  An ancient testing.  The oldest in fact, sealed in the
bloodlines of all of Adam and Eve’s children.  The one which is the
making of them.’

‘Mmmm.  Love,’ said Darkthorn.

‘Yet, Dark Love, dear friend,’ replied Beleriand.  ‘Of good and evil,
light and shadow.

‘And how shall we know of the outcome?’

‘You provide the vixen, Darkthorn.  And she shall tell of the love
which comes forth between the two of them.  And I, well I know of an
old angel.  Still fallen in many ways, but he will preserve the love
between the two of them.  Should he prove successful, and their love
triumph on that day, then Brightfire is mine.’

Darkthorn nodded, and returned his gaze to the chess set.

‘It is an interesting Gambit, dear Beleriand.  You will lose.’

‘We shall see, dear friend.  We shall see.’



The End



Dark Love IV: Jovius’ Wicked Sense of Humour



‘Sure Beleriand, I can take the assignment.  Hey, what do you get if
you run over a duck?  Blood and Feathers.’  Beleriand nodded.  That
was Jovius.  Full of dark humour.  But he was an angel, in then end,
on the dark side of the light side.  There was no changing that.

‘Love must triumph, Jovius.  My abode is on the line.’

’12 Golden Sovereigns.  You know, the type the Leprechaun keeps.  That
is my fee.’

Beleriand nodded.  Jovius liked those particular Sovereigns.  ‘You
will have your sovereigns.  But remember, Darkthorn will likely
unleash Jezebel on the two of them.  And that old witch has a thing
for young flesh like Kadros.  She will devour him if she can.’

‘Jezebel has always been like that.  A queen after as much lusty flesh
as she can get.’

‘But remember, she has her charms.  She always has.  Kadros doesn’t
know of her, I would imagine.  She has been reclusive for centuries
now, since the death of Stalrod.  She loved him much, and mourns him
still.  But she has numerous life debts to Darkthorn, and I doubt he
will choose another vixen.’

‘Don’t sweat it.  Hey, what do you get if you give cigarettes to a
teenager?  Friends for life.’

Beleriand nodded.  It was typical Jovius sarcasm, and usually quite
bad at that.



As Beleriand left purgatory, Jovius took another hit of gin from the
bottle he was drinking.  He looked at the bartender, Marni Bonniker,
who he had been trying to get into the pants of for several decades,
thought over a pickup line, but thought better of it.  He had several
Sovereigns now, and was anxious to work on his collection.  Time to
find this Kadros.  Time to earn his keep.



The End







Dark Love V:  ‘Celestevere’



‘What is this place?’ asked Kristen.  ‘It is so.  So……..’

‘I know,’ responded Kadros.  ‘It’s ancient, ok.  From a world before
Christ.  From a time of the ancients, when dragon’s roamed the earth.
My grandfather says there dwells a dragon still, down in the depths of
the cavern beneath this place.  I doubted him for many years, but the
things I have seen in this life now.  It might be there.  This place
is called ‘Celestevere’.  It is a haunting place.  A place of darkness
and dark magic.  A place known to us of the underworld.  These upper
levels are uninhabited, which is why all the cobwebs.  But we will
find life further down.  Down in the depths, were other vampires and
werewolves and zombies and ghouls all dwell.  We don’t use this upper
entrance here that much.  There are – other – ways of getting into
Celestevere.  But I have no choice with a human.’



Kristen looked at him, seriously.  ‘Why am I with you, Kadros?  What
do you want from me?’

He looked at her, thought on answering, but remained silent.

‘Come on.  Follow me.  Lower down we will book into an inn, and hide
there for now.  I have enough finances with me to give us shelter for
a while.  And then I will decide what we will do.’

‘You could, you know, just let me go.  I mean, if you don’t want me as
a vampire, why bother holding me?’  He looked at her, looked at her
beautiful face, and smiled.

‘Perhaps I have – other reasons, Kristen.  I might tell you some
time.’



He led them onwards, down into the strange ancient world abode, of
walls covered in mosaics from ancient cultures, of statues of old
world legends, and of carvings and designs from times forgotten to
modern man.



The End



Dark Love VI:  ‘An Intimate Encounter’



As they descended down seemingly endless stairwells, Kristen suddenly
noticed they were not alone.  Suddenly walking along behind them was a
fowl looking creature, all ghostlike and deathly looking.  The
creature nodded at Kadros as it passed by them and continued on its
way downwards.

‘That is a ghoul,’ said Kadros.  There are many down below.’\

As they continued onwards, more and more dark creatures seemed to
suddenly be alive in the place, and Kristen held back her fear,
knowing that Kadros would protect her.



Soon they came into a very large hallway which opened up into an
enormous room, full of all sorts of activity and what appeared
ghoulish businesses.



‘Celestevere is a city – a city of the dark, Kristen.  Typical things
for our kind take place here, and we can find shelter.  But, be
careful.  They don’t hate humans, but humans are useful, for many
reasons, if you know what I mean,’ he said, putting his mouth to his
wrist to indicate the kinds of use humans would be in such a place.
Kristen shuddered, and drew closer to Kadros.



They passed all sorts of fireplaces with ghastly creatures gathered
together, and the businesses seemed similar in many ways to human
types, but always with a darker edge.

‘I suppose we are just like you, in the end,’ said Kadros.  ‘When you
fall into the dark, some things still remain the same.  Those things
which unite good with evil.  We still eat.  We still sleep.  We still
do stupid things like read books and watch television.  We still have
many of the same cravings.’

‘But usually with a darker bent, I take it,’ she responded, as they
passed a fireplace with two ghoulish creatures engaged in a dice game.

‘Generally, yes.  We Vampires like to claim a degree of civility
amongst our kind.  The werewolves generally assume they are the
superior of the underworld, and we contest with them.  Ghouls,
goblins, zombies and the other kinds don’t really care.  I think many
of them are beyond caring.’

‘And how, how do they get that way?’

‘Dark choices in life.  They were all human, once.  But not everyone
chooses the light, Kristen.  Not all of us.’

‘And you?  Did you choose the dark?’

‘No,’ but he said no more.



Soon they came to a large building which looked like an inn of sorts.
Following Kadros, they came to the reception area and a female ghoul
greeted them.

‘Is this enough?’ asked Kadros, placing a silver coin on the desk.
The ghoul nodded, handed them a key, and he motioned for Kristen to
follow him.  As they climbed the creaking stairs, Kristen felt as if
the hand of death was upon her in many ways.  They were all like that
– undead.  Creatures fallen from grace, creatures of the dark.



They came to their room, and Kadros motioned for her to take the bed.
‘I’ll sleep on the couch.  The shower probably works, but don’t rely
on the water being the cleanest.’

‘I’ll pass then,’ she responded.

She sat down on the bed and he stared at her.

She looked back at him, noticing the way he stared at her figure, and
suddenly became acutely aware of what it seemed he was after.  He
wanted her – physically.

‘It’s sex, is it?  Is that all?  You just want to fuck me?’

He looked at her, and his blood rose in him.  And he came over, tore
at her dress, and soon had her naked.  She gazed at him, knowing him
for what he was.  A savage creature of the dark.

‘Then fuck me,’ she said.

And he did.



Later on, as she put her undergarments back on, she noticed he had
fallen asleep on the bed.  ‘Was this it? She thought to herself.  24,
just out of university, just started a new job, and she was the bride
of a Vampire.  And her virginity, now gone to the one who had claimed
her as his own.  She could only hope to God that she wasn’t pregnant.



The End





Dark Love VII:  A Friend from Heaven



‘Hey sweetie.  Was he any good then?’

Kristen jerked up from her near slumber, alarmed at a voice which had
spoken from the shadows.  And then, coming out of the shadow, a man.
A man with wings.  And while she had told herself just earlier that
she had seen everything, now she really had.  It was an angel.

‘Are you.  Are you my guardian angel?’

‘God no,’ responded Jovius.  ‘Too much work in those bloody
assignments.  Let’s just say I am here to help for a while.  You’ll
get used to me.  The name’s Jovius.  Servant of God the Most High,
Lord of Glory and all that yada yada yada.’

‘What.  What do you want from me,’ she said nervously.

‘Relax, sweetie.  It appears as if Kardos has taken that particular
commodity of yours now anyway.  I am just a friend, on assignment from
a certain agent who has your best interests at heart.’

‘God sent you?  Like the Blues Brothers?’

Jovius took a seat, lit a cigarette, and smiled.  ‘The Blues
Brothers.  Now that brings back memories.  You know, I knew this old
nun once.  Just like the lady from that movie.  Anyway,’ but he
paused, looking at Kristen’s perplexed look, and thought better of it.

‘Anyway, sweetie.  Kardos is an ambitious young Vampire.  Probably bit
off more than he could chew in kidnapping you.  But Darkthorn doesn’t
mind that much.  As long as you don’t go off and get killed his young
protégé.’

‘Kardos?  Darkthorn’s protégé?  I don’t understand.’

‘It is a long complicated story.  But suffice to say Darkthorn is now
sterile after an earlier encounter with some dark fellas.  His seed
has all been killed and he has had to look to an old friend’s
offspring to build up his house.’

‘So Kardos is to inherit Darkthorn’s wealth.’

‘And more than that, sweetie.  His power, and believe me Darkthorn has
a lot of power.  Probably the most influential of the Vampire Lord’s
in North America, still.  They are caught up with old world values,
sweetie.  Ancient ways.  Family honour.  Family power.  Clans of
wealth and privilege, ruling seats on the council of the dark.’

‘The council of the dark?’ she queried.

‘I don’t think you want to know too much about that.  The agenda of
hell to cut it short.  Sending the world to damnation to cut a long
story short.  Still, you got to admire their determinations.  17,000
years at war with Archangel Phanuel, and Satan is still at it,
determined to destroy heaven if he at all can.’

‘Phanuel?’

‘Head of the 7 Archangels.  Firstborn.  God’s main son.’

‘Wasn’t that Jesus?’

‘Now that is a hell of a story, but we will leave theology to another
time.  Anyway, my job here is to protect you and Kardos until a
certain point in your destiny when a certain choice will be made.
These things come up all the time for children of Adam and Eve.  When
you make this choice, either one way or the other, a certain wager
results, and either I get paid or not.  My job is to see to it you
make the right choice?’

‘And what choice is that?’ asked Kristen.

‘That is the thing.  I can’t tell you that.  We never have been able
to tell any of our clients about the choice they should make on the
big ones.  If it isn’t one of your choices, it never pleases HIM
anyway.  So that much you will have to work out for yourself.  But I
will be here, and I have faith in you sweetie.  You’ll do the right
thing.’

She nodded.  Whatever else, despite all the drama he was filling her
head with, she had seen so much already that an Angel with a Mission
from God could not really surprise her.

‘Shall I wake him?’

‘Best let him sleep, sweetie.  I’ll be going now.  But I’ll be
watching.  And remember, as corny as it may sound, keep the faith
sweetie.  Somebody has to.’  And then he was gone, back to the
shadows, and she was alone again with her sleeping Vampire lord.



The End





Dark Love VIII:  Jezebel’s Temptation



He had left her in the hotel and had travelled down to one of the
lower levels of Celestevere.  Draznack, his uncle, would help him –
hopefully.  He lived in Celestevere with his new wife and had not seen
it the same way as Kardos father when they had entered into allegiance
with Darkthorn.  He would be only to eager to help Kardos, he hoped.



*   *   *



‘No, Kardos.  Sure, you can stay here with me and my wife if you need
to, but the clan has obligations towards Darkthorn now – wether we
like it or not.  Your father entered into Darkthorn’s assembly – he
was fully informed of his choice.  And because of that I won’t
interfere.  You are ultimately Darkthorn’s seed, wether you like it or
not.’

‘I know,’ responded Kardos.  ‘I guess there is no escaping that.  But
can’t you support me – give me some finances, at least.  Darkthorn
won’t bother with me for a long time now, I am sure.  I think he knows
I want children.’

‘I won’t hide you from him.  But I can give you some finances.  Go up
north – to Canada.  Have your offspring.  We’ll know were you are –
you can’t escape your scent.’  Draznack went to a side bookcase,
brought forth a bag, and handed it to Kardos.  ‘It is gold.  Enough
for a decade or so.  When you have seed, come back.  You have
obligations.’

Kardos nodded.  It wasn’t perfect, but it would do.



*   *   *



As he climbed upwards and walked another long hallway, suddenly, from
the shadows emerged a vixen – she was unmistakable, dressed in
scarlet, as their kind was want to do.  ‘Kardos.  Dear Kardos.  Lie
with me.  Leave that maiden – you have had her now.  You will find my
sweet nectar and delight far more intoxicating.’

He looked at her, looked at her voluptuous breasts, and figure, but
shook his head.  ‘Begone Vixen.  I’ll have nothing to do with your
kind.’

‘As you wish,’ and she departed.



*   *   *



‘What now?’ asked Kristen.

‘We go north.  We find somewere to stay.

‘And then?’

‘You give me seed.’

She looked at him and understood.  She knew now what he wanted.  Wed
to a vampire.



The End



Dark Love IX: Getting to Know You



‘So, Kristen.  What is your last name?  You have never said.’

‘Stewart.  But I don’t want to talk about myself.  If I am going to be
your bride it is only reluctantly.  You will have to force me to
divulge anything of myself.’

‘Relax.  I am not, despite appearances, a beast.’

‘Yet you have me prisoner.’

‘Yes,’ he responded.



The wagon steadily made its way during the night hours northwards
along the highway, heading for Canada and wherever they could find a
suitable home.



‘So why me?  Why do you want seed with me?’

‘We are compatible.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘My line – not every human is compatible for breeding.  Very few.  You
have the right blood type – the right DNA.’

‘Oh,’ she responded.



She looked out the window and gazed at the night stars.  Somehow she
knew she would become familiar with them.  A child of the night, now.
Stranded in darkness, never to return to the light now, never to
return to civilization.



She turned to him and looked at him.  Strangely, and she knew she
shouldn’t, but she was starting to find herself drawn to him.  He was
tall, dark and handsome.  And she sensed him willing to protect her.
To put his arms around her and call her his own.  And, while she knew
she should try to escape at the first opportunity, she let herself
believe just briefly that she wouldn’t.  That she would stay with him
and be his bride of the night.  After all, he had already claimed
her.  And that was important to her.



‘The Children.  What will they be?  Will they be human?’

‘Probably Vampires from birth.  But not always.  Maybe human.  Maybe.’

She nodded, and returned her gaze to the stars.  This was her destiny
then, to be the bride of Dracula.  Funny thing, fate.  You never knew
what quite to expect.



The End





Dark Love X:  Home



She looked at the shack.  Really, that was all you could call it – a
shack.  Still, Kardos had told her it had been cheap.  And it was
miles away from anywhere, except for a local store were they could buy
what they needed.

‘There’s a lake.  You can swim there in summer, if you wish.  I still
need food, regular food.  Not as much as a human, though.  Oh, and I
need to feed on blood.  There will probably be enough deer in the
forest to satisfy that.’

‘I thought you only fed on humans.’

‘They’re a luxury.  And for making more of our kind.  Deer blood is
tasty as well.  Some animals don’t work well as food, but a lot do.
The deer will satisfy me.  I need to eat about once a month.  Usually
on a full moon.’

‘Ok,’ she said.  She was starting to learn about Vampires directly.
She had known something of them growing up, but mainly from the
movies.  Meeting one in the flesh, though – well every question she
could have ever asked, she could find out now.



They came inside.  It was sparsely furnished, but there was a bed with
linen on it and some blankets.  They would be fine for the night.



He looked at the fireplace and said ‘I will go and gather some wood
for a fire.  Remember, as I said, I know your scent.  There is nowhere
you can hide.  Nowhere.  So don’t run.  You will be wasting your
time.’

‘So it seems,’ she said.



As he left, she took the bag of groceries and took them to the side
bench.  Taking the cloth they had purchased, she wiped down the bench
and starting making their sandwiches.  It was her new beginning.  Her
new home.  She guessed she should, if she could, get used to it.
Still, as bizarre as it could be, there were possibly worse fates.
Possibly.



The End





Dark Love XI:  Days in Heaven



It was a time in her life when, Kristen looking back, despite the very
fact that she really was in truth a prisoner, a time she could never
possibly forget.  Perhaps she fell in love with Kardos in those
years.  Perhaps.  She never knew for sure, but it was certainly true
later on.



It was a simple life, the first few years, living together, eating
together, sleeping together.  He wanted her most nights, and bemoaned
the lack of children.  But then it happened, late in September, as the
days were getting cooler, the bump in her belly becoming obvious.  She
was with child.



‘What shall we name it?’ she asked, excited.

‘If it is a Vampire, I will name it.  But if it is human, then I don’t
mind you giving it its name.’

She smiled at that.  Really, a human baby girl is what she wanted.
That would be – perfect.



She spent many days at the lake and then, late one night, feeling the
pains too much almost to bear, the child was born, and Kardos was
relieved.  It was a girl, like Kristen wanted, but Kardos could tell.
He smelled the child and knew.  It was of his kind.



They were a family, then, and as the child grew, looking more and more
like its mother, they were possibly as happy as any normal family.
Possibly.  And then she fell pregnant again, and this time a boy.  But
human.  Most definitely human, Kardos claimed.  Of no real use to him,
apart from being his seed in some way.



They were promised a decade and it came and went and, as Magenta
turned 7 and Roary turned 5, they were as happy as Kristen supposed
she could be.  But darkness was to return.  Darkness and dark choices,
ones hoped forgotten, but always there, at the edge of the night,
watching, waiting.  And time for dark memories to be awakened once
again to the power of the night.



The End





Dark Love XII:  Myantea’s Vengeance



‘Remember, don’t harm the girl.  And if you harm the boy, well, Kardos
will probably be pissed enough to kill you for good.’

Myantea ignored Helgard’s words.  He wouldn’t kill the boy, but he
would have his fun.



*   *   *



‘Who, who are you?’ asked Roary innocently at the two strange looking
men at the door.  ‘Is your sister here?’

Magenta wandered into view and the men came inside, pushing open the
locked screen door, grabbed the children, and returned to the vehicle.



Just then Kristen returned from gathering mushrooms in the forest and
noticed the men.  And then she noticed they had her children and she
screamed.



Kardos came running but it was too late.  The car sped off and Kristen
was in tears.  He ran to the car, but the tires were slashed and in
frustration, yelling obscenities, he kicked the car.



Looking over to his bride he came over, put his arms around her, and
said, ‘You knew this day would come.  They won’t harm them, ok.  But
this is Darkthorn’s way of telling me it is time to return.  I won’t
ask you to come with me, but if we are to be a family then you will
know what to do.’

‘I will come,’ she said, and that was that.



He left her, going inside, and Jovius stepped out of the shadows to
speak to her.

‘He has a temptation coming, Kristen,’ who was shocked to see the
angel once more.  ‘I can’t tell you what to do, but do the right
thing, ok,’ and he was gone, back into the shadows.



Four hours later, the mechanic having been paid for replacing the
tires, having been paid quite a hefty sum from his midnight work, they
were away.  Headed south.  Headed home, in a way.  Kristen looked out
the window as the dawn approached she shuddered at once more coming
into the presence of Darkthorn, the man who had taken her from her
life and dreams.  But what of Kardos’ temptation.  What exactly would
that be all about?  She let her mind wander and gradually drifted off
to sleep as Kardos stared blankly ahead, his mind on his children.



The End





Dark Love XIII:  Dark Choices



They entered Brightfire, the two of them, and came into the familiar
entrance hall, a number of Vampires seated around, gazing at them,
nodding at the familiar scent.  Shortly a Vampire came forward,
indicated for them to follow him, and they came up stairs to
Darkthorn’s den.  And when they entered there were the children.
Kristen ran forward, put her arms protectively around them, and gazed
up at Darkthorn.

‘They are just getting to know their grandfather, Kristen.  Don’t
worry.  I would never hurt them.’

‘You’re not their grandfather.  You never could be,’ she hissed.

‘Oh, but I am.  Isn’t that right Kardos.’

Kardos said nothing, but after a while nodded grimly.



‘I am glad you are now back with us, Kardos.  And I already have your
first assignment.  There is a human.  The daughter of a senator.  I
have chosen her to become one of us.  She will be – useful – in our
plans.’  He handed him a file, which Kardos reluctantly picked up and
glanced through.

‘Have no fears, son.  Your wife and children will be safe with us.
This is their new home, after all.  Isn’t that right, Kristen?’

She looked at Darkthorn, gripped her children tightly and looked at
Kardos.  And defiantly she spoke.  ‘So is this it, then?  You will
serve him?  You will voluntarily serve him?’

‘I, I have no choice.  My father entered into agreement with him.  Our
family honour is at stake.’

She stared at him, ready to insult his honour, but realized she loved
him then.  She realized it looking at him, the man who had become her
husband in reality.  She turned to Darkthorn, hating the very face,
but nodded.  ‘Very well.  I will stay.  You will have your family,
Darkthorn.’

‘A wise choice, child.  Or should I say, daughter.’

And he laughed, a mild, but dark laugh.  A dark, wicked laugh.



The End





Dark Love XIV:  The Second Temptation



When he bit deeply into the woman’s neck and ensured the daughter of
the state senator would be one of them, he sensed a spirit.  A scent,
familiar.  And suddenly, out on the beach, Jezebel appeared.  Once
more.  She was naked, and the girl looked at her.  ‘Hey, honey, he’s
taken ok.’

‘Why don’t we lie together.  All three of us.  We could have a wicked
time.’

And she came forward and took his manhood and he was overcome.  The
girl was excited also, and he knew he was falling into a world of
darkness, and his Vampiric blood rose in him, and he bared his teeth,
and the girl screamed.



‘Take her,’ yelled Jezebel.  ‘Kill her.  Claim your prize.’  And the
beast within Kardos succumbed, and Jezebel grinned madly.  From the
shadows Jovius watched on, and made a cut into a piece of wood.  One
each, now.  The final temptation would decide the wager.  He would
have to keep faith in love to see his sovereigns.



The End



Dark Love XV: Love Triumphant



Darkthorn was only mildly upset, but later in the day, happy with
Jezebel’s successful temptation, he decided that he could indeed use
his new abode soon.  Goldenhorn was such a place of delight, and
boasting against Beleriand for the next millennium such a temptation,
that he could wait no longer.  Time to bring the testing of Kardos to
completion.



*   *   *



They were naked.  Several of them.  Female, all between 16 and 20.
Blonde.  Lusty.  Perfect.  Darkthorn sat on his throne with Kristen by
his side and Kardos was brought into the room.  ‘What is this?’ asked
Kardos, and Jezebel suddenly appeared.  And then, stepping out of the
light, Jovius.  He looked at Darkthorn and spoke.  ‘Beleriand will
honour his wager.  I assume you will?’  Darkthorn nodded.



Jezebel came forward and put her hand to Kardos crotch.  ‘These
women.  Look at them.  They are so young.  So delectable.  And your
bride over there.  She is surely past her youth, Kardos.  She has
given you seed, but what more do you need her?  She is only human,
nothing more.  She is no mate for you, after.  What can a mortal
possibly offer you.  So feast with me, child of darkness.  Feast upon
this nubile flesh, and enjoy your carnal pleasures.  And we will toast
hell and live for what are made.  For it is our destiny, Kardos.  We
are Vampire, and nothing more.  And to devour such flesh, well this is
what we are made for, is it not.



And he nodded, and took to the floor, and grabbed one of the drugged
blondes and put his mouth to her neck.  But then, just then, he looked
at them.  He looked at the Angel, a stick and knife in his hand,
waiting upon something.  And he looked at Jezebel, grinning wildly,
and he looked at Darkthorn, with his grim satisfaction.  And finally,
he looked at Kristen.  He looked at the bride he had claimed and then
found something within.  A quiet, still, gentle voice.  A voice saying
‘Why not give Love a chance.’  And finding within him love for Kristen
he put the woman away from him and came over to his bride.  He took
her hand and cradled her in his arms.  And he kissed her.



Jovius cut the marking into the piece of wood and walked over to
Darkthorn.  He handed the wood to him and Darkthorn looked at the
cuts.  2 to 1 against him.

‘You WILL honour the wager, won’t you?’

Darkthorn looked bitterly at the angel, but his honour was everything.

‘I will need a few months to finalise things.  But Beleriand will have
his prize.  I am, after all, a man of honour.’

‘Good to hear,’ said Jovius.  He walked over to Kardos, patted him on
the back and turned to Kristen.  ‘Funny thing, love.  Funny.  It
sometimes gets it right.  Sometimes when you expect it the least.’

She nodded, holding her man still.

The angel took one last look at the group and turned, returning to the
shadows, while Darkthorn sat upon his throne, looking ever so glum.



Eventually the dark lord spoke.  ‘We are bound for Celestevere,
Kardos.  But you are a bane to me.  A bane to my life.  You have your
freedom.  Do what you will.  You are no child of mine.’



Kristen looked at Darkthorn, suddenly making sense of what he said,
and turned to Kardos.  ‘We.  We are free.  We are free.’

He pulled her close, and kissed her once more.  ‘I love you,’ he
said.  ‘And perhaps love is enough in the end.  Perhaps even Dark Love
is enough.’  And she nodded.



They left Brightfire with their children and returned north.  And as
the years passed and they heard no more of Darkthorn, they grew to
love each other.  And love born of darkness, so Kristen presumed, was
still love.  No matter how tainted it may seem to some.

The End