Chapter Nine
The next days and weeks were hard on everyone.
Alexander holed up in his study, drawing his thick shades when the sun rose.
Kevin had to bring him fresh victims, for he would not hunt or drink on his
own. He wasted away in his study, the events playing over and over in his mind,
mingling with his past. Since Alex would not or could not teach his new
creation, Kevin took over. He tried in vain to teach Nickolas the importance of
what he now was and how he had to live in order to survive. Nickolas lived in
denial, clinging to his wife. But her smell was stronger than ever to him…he
could almost taste her sweet blood beneath her soft skin. And that thought
repulsed him. Nickolas started to push her away, for fear of harming or killing
her….his thirst was that strong. Kevin knew the longer her went without
drinking from another mortal, the stronger and more violent his desire would
become.
Brian assisted Kevin in Nickolas’s transition. He
tried to get Nickolas to feed from the boy, Howard, but he pushed the poor boy
to the floor, shouting that he could not do it! Lynn tried her best to be
supportive. She knew that this was meant for her. Alex meant to change her,
that fateful night. It tore at her heart. Yet it made her grateful to Lord
Alex. He saved her love from certain death….even though Nickolas wasn’t really
human any longer. He was now what Alex is and Kevin…and Alex’s servant, Brian.
Lynn knew the country legends and myths about creatures who roamed the night.
They looked human but were not. They drank the blood of the living in order to
survive. They never age and they are for all eternity.
But for some reason, he did as she asked and saved
her husband. Even though, it would have been so easy to let him die so he could
have her. She wondered why Alex did it….why…..
Her thoughts were interrupted by Kevin and a quiet
Brian. “What is it?” Lynn asked, concern etched in her voice. “He needs to
feed….or he will not survive,” Kevin said, gravely. Tears welled up in Lynn’s
eyes. “But he refuses to, he can not do that to another….” Lynn said, a sob
cutting her off. Kevin stepped up to her and made her look into his emerald
eyes. “You must find a way, Lynn. He will not live much longer if he goes
without and this will all be for naught,” he said firmly but quietly. Lynn
stared into his clear eyes, understanding his meaning. She knew what she had to
do for her Nickolas. His life was in her hands.
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Nickolas groaned as Kevin and Brian entered his
dark chamber that night. “I’d rather die than take a human life,” he moaned
out, burrowing under the thick blankets. “You will die if you do not drink,
Nickolas,” Kevin said. “You don’t have to kill to live either,” Brian added,
his voice soft. Nickolas did not move, but his ears were listening. He felt
someone sit next to him and he knew who it was….just by her smell, that sweet
smell of her, the smell that churned his undying hunger. He wept, realizing
what they had had in mind. The blankets were drawn back, revealing Lynn next to
him, her neck exposed, ready for him.
“I can not!” Nickolas cried, “I’ll kill you and I
love you too much….I can not!” Lynn cried with him, but quietly replied, “I
love you, too, my darling. That is why I am doing this, I can not lose you.”
Nickolas glanced over at Kevin and Brian. Kevin stepped forward and coached
Nickolas through his first feeding. Lynn turned her head, for she could not
bear to see her husband with his teeth bared. She felt his breath on her neck,
hot and shallow. Lynn gasped and whimpered as Nickolas’s teeth sank into her
flesh, drawing her blood into his mouth. Tears ran down her cheeks as she felt
herself weaken and grow lightheaded. She passed out as Nickolas withdrew. He
looked at Kevin worriedly, his blue eyes asking would she be alright, did I hurt
her? Brian told him, Lynn would be fine, she would just sleep for awhile.
Nickolas cried silently as he cradled Lynn in his arms as she slept a deep
sleep. For this first time in weeks, Nickolas felt strong again. Kevin noticed
his color was brighter and his eyes were clearer, now that he had fed. That
hunger was satisfied….for now.
