ORLANDO 1895
The erotic months gradually passed into a year. My strange life fell into an intricate pattern woven with blood and magic. To my excitement I learned to leave my body. During these journeys I tried contacting Viggo from the astral plane but since I panicked I failed. Yet somehow I sensed poor Viggo's concern for me; those times filled me with sorrow.
During the days Adar taught me intense mental control and through his lessons I learned how to influence people's awareness. My expanded imagination envisioned other planes, other worlds; I never dreamed I could command such powers. True, what could I do with them being secreted away as I was, but, as Adar explained to me, once I perfected my astral skills I could journey where I pleased. If I learned perfect control I could see my Viggo and even love him. At times I thought Adar said such merely to lull me into complete acceptance. My clever mentor knew deep inside I still nurtured a deep resentment at being held prisoner so Adar did everything in his ancient power to make me feel completely contented and loved. He almost succeeded.
Yes, all my captive days flowed together until the terrifying day when everything crashed down from the vengeful heavens.
On this fateful day Melior brought me my usual breakfast and as I began eating the herbal cakes his solemn hazel stare washed over me in uneasy concern. "You must remain in your room today, dark one."
I halted in reaching for my second delicacy and gazed back at Melior. When I viewed the frightening sorrow tainting his changeable eyes my soul shriveled in cold fear. "Why? What's wrong?"
Melior sighed, a tormented sound that further chilled me. "My master suffers from, ahh, how would you say, wicked spells. They have to do with his great age. From time to time he falls into savage depressions; these moods heighten his blood need. During one of these abysmal spells my master could hurt you so he ordered me to keep you away from him. I just came from mighty Adar and today is one of his bane days." Another forlorn sigh followed his description.
As I puzzled over the startling concept a bewildered frown ruled my lips. "Savage depressions? Adar? How very odd. If my dark master needs blood then why not take from me? Adar claimed he could never drain me."
To my dismay Melior sadly shook his head and held up his hand. "No, yet in taking the blood in an unusually, ahh, aggressive manner Adar could severely injure you. He could disrupt your delicate system. I know you will be in discomfort today so please understand," he urged.
What could I do but nod in confused resignation? After I finished my breakfast I strolled down to the shady garden and read the 12 th century illuminated manuscripts Melior brought up to me from Adar's study. One side benefit of Adar's training was my new fluency in different languages. I now read all aspects of the Greek language as expertly as an Athens scholar. Yet as the day lengthened the sick tension caused by Adar's so-called depression swelled against me, yes, it pushed at my soul. Adar's ancient grief deepened and shifted into a terrifying force which accentuated the energized blood writhing through my veins. When the bleak power welling up from my master's lower chambers completely tainted my acute senses I escaped back to my room
Yet by sundown my slender body throbbed in unadulterated agony. My demanding blood ached against my veins; if someone had injected me with acid it probably would have felt the same. Soon I curled on my bed and moaned with mindless pain. As he tried soothing my burning trauma Melior fed me bitter herbs and gently massaged my flesh. Something he fed me blessedly lulled me into a tranquil trance.
But when I clawed to awareness the next morning I screamed until I feared my throat lining might burst. Before I could rip my own blood from my veins the watching Melior forcibly restrained me. After he swiftly tied my thrashing wrists to the carved wooden headboard Melior patiently forced nourishment between my unwilling lips. Today the normally pleasant food tasted like garbage. When I tried biting his fingers for the fourth time Melior ceased his efforts, murmured respectful apologies to me and left me alone with my lessened pain.
For some reason today the soothing herbs only dulled my pain. As the hours trudged along and tumbled toward night my body again began feeling as if someone merrily forced sharp-tipped metal wires through my veins. I had never felt such excruciating pain in all my life! My continuous wounded keening hurt my ears.
When Melior returned in the late afternoon I kicked and howled in unearthly agony. Summoning all my remaining will I angrily yanked against my wrist bounds. Each yank sent splinters through my flesh. "Let Adar have me! I can't stand this horrible feeling! I'd rather die!" My total anguish slowly destroyed my coherent mind. As I ranted Melior merely stroked my long hair in dismay and whispered comforting sounds in an ancient tongue. Nothing he tried helped me. Instead I screamed in pure agony and tried ripping open his thick forearm. My silk-thin sanity sought a quick exit. Enough!
When Adar quietly entered the room we both froze and stared at the doorway. My shrieks abruptly faded away.
"Yes, how perceptive. I can cure you, my beautiful one," Adar murmured, his normally gentle eyes alien with his mad hunger. I was used to seeing those deep eyes alive with knowledge, intelligence, and even love. They now held my death in them.
Melior leapt from the bed and bravely stood before me shaking his head in fierce anger. "No, my master, no! Not yet. You will hurt your dark one! You are almost sane so leave him alone!"
"Melior, stand away from my little one. Stand away now. I do not want to hurt you, my old friend." Adar's powerful form slowly advanced towards us.
Instead of complying Melior held firm, his solid body tensed for confrontation. "No! I cannot let you destroy young Orlando! Master, please, if I let you hurt your precious dark one I know you will torment me beyond time itself. Listen to me. Leave him alone."
As he snarled Adar reached out. His fingers casually gripped Melior's thick neck. My mentor's hand moved so quickly I barely comprehended the fierce gesture. Suddenly Melior's muscular form crashed against the far wall and slid down to the floor. By the Devils below had Adar killed his loyal retainer? No! I laid there panting in sheer terror then I watched Adar turn back to me. "Ahh, my little dark one, my precious, gloriously golden whore. My beautiful blood whore. Yesss," he smiled, displaying his lethal teeth.
My voice sounded small and frightened. "Adar, no, wait! Please don't hurt me! You swore you'd never hurt me!"
"You ache. I ache. Enough talk." As Adar whispered his fingers freed my wrists from the bed frame. By desperate effort I thrust up, scrambled off the bed and barely escaped Adar's sudden lunge. I frantically staggered out the door yet each step delivered fresh agony to my aching body. Of course Adar proved too swift for me. His hands halted me mere steps from the room. When his large hand clenched my hypersensitive upper arm I screamed in surprised pain and continued screaming until Adar pressed me close. "Be still, little one. Your screams are unnecessary and extremely annoying. Yes, my beautiful one, let me cure your blood ache." Adar's words trailed off into low growl then he suddenly ripped his fangs into my straining throat.
At first Adar's bite relieved the burning agony crawling within me. Long moments passed then Adar kissed me with vicious intent and to my utter horror he sank his fangs into my lower lip. The sharp pain paralyzed me. After Adar gnawed on my lower lip in complete joy a hoarse growl erupted and he ripped my lip from my face.
The dazzling pain slammed into my tormented mind. No! Once he sucked at my gushing lip Adar slashed my emerald robe apart then he ducked down and flayed my chest. His relentless fangs opened a huge raw wound. My rich red blood spurted free. Adar's fangs raked across my chest, sank into my nipple and tore my flesh free.
Why was this happening to me? My emerald robe darkened with my bright blood yet I never lost consciousness. I wanted to, ahh, I desperately needed to flee my pain. Now I understood what Melior meant; this bloodletting turned into my slaughter. My transformation made me able to stay aware during such an unspeakable act. I watched my very life flow out of me in thick pulsing streams. I watched this horror. I watched, unable to flee the unbelievable sensations! I felt myself dying, felt my physical destruction on an astonishing level I never dreamed possible. Adar's fangs repeatedly slashed my aching flesh. Still I merely watched my ripped skin and my red blood spatter across the dark stone floor...
"My lover, I... " As I relived the foul trauma my voice died away. Viggo's eyes shut in agony yet his fingers soothingly caressed my cheeks and hair. Kind of him. I inhaled a deep breath then I trembled from the awful memory. "I can remember that special day so clearly. Oh, I remember everything about it: the bitter smell of my own blood, the searing pain, the certain knowledge that my life would end soon. Above all I knew I would never see you again."
A silence gripped us until I found my voice again. "Yet I was wrong."
Viggo pulled me close and rested his chin against my temple. His fingers slowly massaged my trembling arms. "My poor lover, I don't think I want to hear more."
"I am almost finished." And it only grew worse.
Adar ripped off the tatters of my stained silken robe then his fangs pierced my cock. Exquisite agony beat me. Although I knew I was dying I prayed Adar wouldn't rip my cock off; I'd rather die with my precious flesh attached to my body. Silly notion. Now my body bled from dozens of deathly red rivulets. Raw open wounds covered my lean chest in an insane flesh patchwork. The livid rents exposed living muscle, bone, and, to my horror, one pulsing lung beating under my ribs. The world before me shimmered with overwhelming pain so I focused on the blessed mirage and lunged for the relief. Yes, I tried diving into my own death. I needed my death. Through my welcome death haze I saw Melior race up. His strident voice nearly shook the stones.
"Master! NO! You're destroying him!" Melior's large fist swung at Adar's head and pounded his temple. Melior's desperate force stunned Adar into halting his rampage against my dying body. Now Adar roared in demonic anger and whirled on his faithful servant but Melior shrieked at him in a language I couldn't comprehend. By that time I had slid to the stone floor and numbly sprawled in a widening pool of my own thick blood. How odd to feel my blood cooling as it fled my trembling body.
My destroyed mind chanted in insane agony. Please let me die. Please let me die. Please. Let. Me. Die.
My ultimate pleasure never occurred. Instead hands lifted me up and a huge sobbing, like the voice of an overwhelmed God, reared up in total anguish.
"My poor dark one, oh by the Seven, forgive me. By the Sacred First what have I done to you?" howled Adar. Strong arms carried me and soon I felt my bed beneath me. Suddenly sweet darkness granted me relief from my wild pain.
When I next awoke Melior stared at me in deep sorrow. "Ahh, little one, how do you feel?"
I numbly stared at him then I shook my head in mute agony. I wanted to ask why didn't you let me die? Why?
"Melior, I felt him awaken... "
At the sight of Adar I screamed again and frantically tried rising from my bed. To my terror I found myself too weak to move but a few inches.
"No, no, my poor lover, I am well now. Be calm. Shh... no, oh such sorrow! Only the Old Gods themselves could feel such profound sorrow," he whispered. As Adar spoke his gentle hands held me close. "I grieve, I ache, I torment myself for bitter eternity for what I did to you, but I went mad. Occasionally my ancientness overwhelms me and I lose myself to the darkness. I descend to the base blood beast deep within my old soul. Melior, my brave Melior, he tried halting me yet what have I done to my beloved dark one?" The sorrowful expression filling his handsome, stern face terrified me.
I gasped then I raised a trembling hand to feel my lower lip. At least a tender lip now existed. As I gazing over my slender chest I winced at the remaining gaping chest wounds but I also understood my skin healed with remarkable speed. "I don't understand this horror! How... I am still alive and almost whole!"
Adar shook his noble head. "But at such a price. My little one, I had to give you my blood to heal your devastating wounds. I fear what will happen to you now."
Through my remaining pain I concentrated on Adar's sad words. "Your blood. What do you mean what happens to me now?"
"Shh. Rest now. While you recover I must find another vessel for a few nights. Rest now, my poor dark one, rest." After Adar tenderly set me on the mattress Melior supported my head and helped me drink a sweet herbal brew. I slid into fresh darkness.
As the following painful days crawled along I understood what Adar feared for me. My brutal wounds quickly healed yet my body began changing. My smooth skin's golden hue slowly faded to pale translucency. Instead of feeling filled now my shocked veins felt stripped. A transformation slowly crept over me.
One morning I awoke and cried in surprised pain. Why did the bright sunlight streaming in the airy room make my newly pale flesh ache? Melior gazed sadly at me before he slowly pulled the heavy drapes across the windows. "It is as Adar feared, my dark one. You are becoming as he in a unique way," he sighed.
Reality teased me. Adar had changed me into a vampire! In stripping my blood Adar ruined my complex system; in replacing my blood with his he completely corrupted what he had created in me. I passed from being Adar's immortal vessel into becoming his twin, only I was a true vampire. Adar had been born such a creature, while I had been created. My mind struggled with the concept and failed finding any solace. A vampire. I was becoming a vampire.
Each night Adar gazed at me with great sorrow, he feeding me a multitude of archaic herbs and potions in an attempt to correct the damage inflicted upon my being. Ancient chants, more spells; nothing worked. At Adar's request shadowy beings examined me and merely shrugged in defeat. Every day I felt my control slipping. Adar refused to feed me any more blood for he feared once this occurred I would be lost forever. The herbs my mentor concocted kept me aware and functioning, but I felt myself needing something more potent, something more... alive.
I lived in grim despair until the one day the unthinkable happened. I never discovered exactly who planned the treachery, but this was the new age, and even these primitive desert people no longer held their dark gods in such high regard. Adar used to be feared as a great aulak, a vampire demon, and no one dared come near, yet this all this changed in one day. The massive castle came under attack just after sunrise. Bold desert bandits stormed the keep, they seeking the treasure they thought lay locked in its mysterious walls. They attacked with the light since they knew of Adar, and even if he was a legend they took no chances. I remember awakening to screams and the smell of smoke filtering into my shuttered room. As a horrible pain lanced through my chest I staggered down into the beautiful vine-coated courtyard. No! I saw Adar being ripped to pieces by at least 15 bandits. His mighty chest displayed a bloody ruin but still he fought, his arms flinging men away from him until they overwhelmed his immense strength and thrust curved swords into his proud heart. Adar roared in demented pain and dropped to his knees.
I froze in shocked anguish. A distraught Melior appeared. His hands grabbed my arms then he dragged me down a dim back staircase. He urgently pointed towards the burning sand mocking my staring eyes. "Go, dark one, you must go. Flee! Escape from this wretched sorrow."
How could I venture into the bright day? How? I clung to his thick arm in complete fear. "No! I cannot leave Adar and I cannot endure the sun's light! No! The sun burns my transformed flesh!"
"You must go! I must try and help my master so flee! Cover yourself and flee!" Before I could protest further Melior tossed a heavy black cape over my shoulders. I found myself flung through the massive stone doorway into the dawning day. The thick wooden door slammed shut behind me. I frantically beat on the ancient wood before I collapsed in exhaustion.
The burning sun peered over the far mountains and sent glowing tentacles down to harm me. No! Whimpering in pain and fear I stumbled across the rocky cliffs until I finally reached a shallow cave carved into the hillside. There I curled away from the growing sun, my fragile skin in immense torment from the beginning heat. I felt Adar's mighty life battle on. One last searing pain shuddered my body then nothingness filled my soul.
Oh, I knew Adar was dead.
I sobbed at both my maddening pain and his senseless death. I now knew there was no chance for me to be a normal man, no chance at all. I must return to the castle to see if I could salvage any of Adar's research. Even as my mind planned this salvation journey I eventually passed out from my excruciating blood haze.
When blessed night cloaked the desert I gained consciousness, crept back to the castle, and entered the open main gate. The castle's upper wooden floor still licked with orange flames. After I entered the hall the charred remains of Adar's headless body surrounded by many dead bandits confronted me. As a last insult the desert dogs had set him afire. I stiffened, outraged by the horrible sight. He never deserved such a fate. Never.
Loyal Melior, his body hacked to large pieces, rested a scant foot from his master. When I leaned to close his wide eyes he gasped and stared at me. As I choked in amazement I staggered back and almost tripped over a dead bandit. "My dark one, I felt you return. I tried remaining since I felt you return. You are gone to my master now, as he is gone from us. You will be as he, needing blood to survive. But revenge our master: follow those who betrayed us and take revenge. When the time comes you will know how to accomplish the chore. I have failed you both, dark one, and I pray my Adar forgives me," he choked.
I stared at Melior's bloodied face with total incomprehension. "But how can Adar be dead? Melior? Please don't leave me, please. I don't know what to do I— I—"
Melior sucked in a blood-sodden breath, shook his wounded head and managed a grim smile. "Dark one, I must pass on. Adar already brought me back one time to serve him. This time I am destined to go on and serve my master in the great beyond. I hold no answers for you at all, my poor dark one, no... "
His compassionate hazel eyes slowly glazed over. "Melior! No!" I frantically shook his bloodied form then I released him. A roar of fire from below alerted me to the danger I faced. Adar's research, my only hope of normalcy, lay in the studio! When I entered the basement rooms I battled the destructive flames. The bandits had set Adar's ancient library ablaze out of spite, terror—I know not what drove them. I only knew I would hunt those cretins down for what they had done. My hands began aching with the burns I received trying to recover the sacred tomes. With great despair I realized the main text containing the code to my mysterious creation had already been reduced to a smoking mound. There was nothing I could do but gather up a few remnants and flee back to the grand courtyard.
I rested against a column and let fury flood me. As my stinging eyes glared at the raging destruction my burnt hands produced huge blisters. A soft cry sounded to my left. What? My tearing eyes saw one of the bandits struggling to his feet. Ah, he tried escaping the flames. .I stared at him and let my overwhelming anger sweep through me. Perfect. My revenge could begin immediately.
I knew unless I ingested nutrition I would die. My body told me, yes, my cells fiercely screamed to me what that specific nourishment should be, had to be, must be now. What better way to begin my learning experience then on this pathetic wretch who blatantly destroyed my world, on this sniveling beast who murdered any chance I had of being normal? What better way indeed.
I stalked across the floor towards him, oblivious to the far ceiling caving in with a shriek of splintered wood. The thief saw me through the smoke and began babbling in a mix of broken French and Turkish. I didn't hear his words, no, I only saw his filthy neck beckoning to me in seductive silence. After I knelt next to him I grabbed him close and offered him a fierce smile. My blisters broke in glistening oozing streams but I felt no pain. "So you thought to rob my noble lord. You pathetic cur, you can't imagine what you have done here, what you have done to my poor life. Oh, yes, now your life is a worthless thing, my fine would-be thief, except to me," I whispered before whipping my sharp, strong nails across his panicked throat.
His blood welled from the vivid slash, it bubbling up like red wine against his sooty skin. A choked scream escaped his lips but my long fingers pinched his nostrils shut and cut off the irritating sound.
I knew once I performed this act I was doomed. At that second, at that precise moment, I only thought to live: I certainly wasn't thinking of the long-term consequences of my actions. My fingers drew his foul neck close then I began drinking, slowly at first, then with more urgency as I realized his life faded away. Adar never took the blood unless his meal came from a living thing. My mentor believed dead blood was tainted blood.
I supped until I felt the cur's breathing cease. My hands dropped his body back to the stone floor then I stood and felt an eerie sensation rumble through my veins. It was quite unlike the weak effect Adar's herbs had on my failing system. Adar knew at the end my existence would all lead to this final act. I know how hard my master tried preventing this sorry occurrence. Although I had been destroyed I forgave Adar for his actions. Even he, as mighty and ancient as he was, could not perceive this wretched ending.
I had gone over.
Another sickening crash reminded me of the current danger facing me. Vampires weren't immune to fire. The smoky courtyard stretched and shimmered in the immense heat. Once oriented I staggered across to the steps, up to my room then I swiftly gathered dark clothing and cloaks. My next attempt to reach the kitchen met with failure. My instincts mockingly told me nothing there would be of any practical use to me now. Foolish thinking. My feed lay slinking in the desert.
I stumbled from the burning castle, collapsing when I achieved a safe distance. There I stood alone in the desert, abandoned without the true knowledge to survive.
But I did know. The bandits would have set up camp nearby and I must find them. Quickly. As I traveled across the scrubby brush-dotted sand the darkness aided me. My senses instinctively knew which way they had gone. I felt them; I... yes, ha, once beyond the disruptive blaze I actually smelled their sweat and, better yet, their blood.
After a few dark hours loping across the sand I found them. Their ranks had been greatly lessened by Adar's might and I thanked him for his ancient power. The arrogant bandits hadn't strayed very far from their kill. This brash confidence would be their last mistake.
Before attacking I stowed my precious books near a rock. The posted guard didn't make a sound as I slithered up and struck him with my nearly healed hands. Demons and Saints, I nearly broke his neck. I was ridiculously strong! After securing him with his own robe I watched the remaining bandits huddle about the fire glow. I counted how many were left. Only four remained. Very good odds for me.
I tucked my wild hatred deep within my soul then I staggered into their camp and sobbed in faked agony. As they leapt up from their drunken sprawl they gaped at me in sheer disbelief. I collapsed at their filthy feet and continued sobbing.
I heard their wondering words as I pleaded in broken French to them. A pathetic tale poured from my cracked lips, telling of my terrible captivity in the horrific monster's castle. Only their noble actions and the ensuing chaos allowed me to flee that evil place. Now I needed their help to escape safely across the desert.
When I halted their leader looked at me with mocking interest. I recognized that filthy look from other disgusting men who thought my sensitive face oddly enchanting. Filthy pig! As I pleaded my cause I easily enchanted his appraising gaze. "Please, I must journey across the desert... please help me. I'll do whatever you want only take me with you."
When a tragic sob wetly welled in my throat I was reminded of some cheap Gothic heroine. No trembling lass lay here: instead my mind stood coldly waiting for the proper moment to strike. I needed these brutal men.
The leader smiled then his hands ripped open my damaged robe. He eagerly pulled me close against his blood-encrusted robes. The cool night air teased my naked skin. The others jested at his actions, they offering him cruel suggestions on how to best use my lush mouth.
"A nice little celebration gift, eh?" he leered in rusty French. I merely went limp and allowed him to push me to the hard ground. Once my flesh kissed the hard earth I lunged back up and swiftly slit his throat with my knife-sharp nails. Before the others knew what occurred I grabbed his sword and slashed at two of them. The third man tried fleeing, he screaming "Sheitan" over and over. I caught him with ease and stunned him with a hard blow to his jaw. I didn't want to kill him.
I needed him.
He would indeed think me Satan after I finished with him in a few days and dumped his drained corpse. I'd certainly deliver his pathetic soul to some dark god.
I stood there, looming closer to insanity than I had ever come as the night air cooled my rage. My attack had proved so simple, so pleasurable. I glutted myself on what blood I could ingest from the dying thieves, feeling the same violent sensation devour my veins.
Yes, my attractive mouth performed a terribly violent action they hadn't suggested. My lips feasted on their pathetic lives. Once I staggered to my feet I spat at them in a fury, knowing they had completely ruined my life. Losing all control I hacked at their bodies with a sword, awkwardly butchering them before I shook myself aware and staggered away from the disgusting carnage. Stop. Tie up the unconscious man.
Their horses would make my journey very convenient. After I slung the two bodies across the one horse I placed water for them and the horses on the third horse. Adar's stolen wealth was stuffed in various saddlebags. I need that for when I returned to civilization. I would need my mentor's wealth to travel away from this cursed country.
Think. Ahh, yes, something important prodded my feverish brain. Act on the thought My fingers swiftly relieved the dead of their clothing, even though their stench permeated the very cloth. Yes, I would need the bloody rags for shade against the sun; although I had grabbed a few cloaks I didn't know exactly how light sensitive I had become.
Poor Melior was right. I knew what to do. Now I possessed enough food to reach the city and enough wealth to send me beyond Turkey. I found rocky outcroppings to keep safe in during the day. When faced with no shelter my claws dug deep cooling holes.
I knew how to survive.
I did.
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