Hey everyone,
This chapter is going to be full of romance and humor. To be honest, that have always been the two genres I associated with this series. Some might say that it's more action/adventure and comedy, but Merlock's attempts at wooing Sarah have always made me feel like romance was a more suitable genre. And now that this story is based around them for the most part, it's going to get even more romantic. Though don't worry, I won't forget the humor.
Let's have fun,

Venquine1990

Chapter 03
Adam And Petra, Merlock and Sarah

3rd of May 2418
Tama City, Japan
Merlock's POV

"Hate to bring it to you, but you might not have a choice. It's either he picks you or we all get the heckles out of here and hope that Adam goes nuts on these woods." George says as he stands beside me in a guarded pose. I know the fact that my brethren look guarded isn't helping my friends, but at the same time I can't fault any of them. I might be one of the only ones who can resist Adam's orders, but even George won't be able to win an all out battle against the guy.
Because of this, I keep my back hunched, my cane in hand and my other arm protectively behind me, to guard my darling Sarah from sight. A part of me is mentally cursing myself that I am deliberately putting her in harm's way, but I fight this with the knowledge that it was the only way. "There was no way I would have been able to lure Adam towards Petra Fina. And Sarah deserves to know the truth about me, my kind and what we can be like."

As I think this, the curtain of branches in front of me rustle. Instantly Flint is in front of Tony and Dr. Goodman with his father in his hands in front of him. The fact that the ground suddenly starts to shake worries me and while I wonder what happened to Adam, I notice Dino and Mite jumping and holding onto Petra's legs. Instantly my eyes widen and I'm not the only one who sees this. "Unless you two want to be ripped apart, you'll hide now!"
Sandy angrily orders the two anthro beings, who yelp and jump to hide behind the bushes that are behind Petra. The woman looks from her henchmen to Sandy and she explains that wild vampires don't really like the sight of other men on their women. My sister in all but blood even quickly sprays a special masking perfume on Petra's legs for this sake. This, shockingly enough seems to actually delight the woman as she grins in satisfaction again.
"Okay, how sure are we that Petra really is the right gall for this guy?" Tony asks and George answers: "Adam likes women who are willing to go bad to get their way, who have good looks and aren't afraid to boast about them and who love to either play hard to get or just melt in their men's arms and live happily ever after. Or whatever that Disney dude called it." Dino and Mite stick their heads out of their hiding places and chorus: "That's our boss."

"In a nutshell." Tony mutters and then a sight I hadn't ever thought I would see appears before me. Somehow Adam is still conscious enough to push the curtain aside instead of tearing it, but the fact that he does this when his fingers have turned into two sharp claws and a razor sharp thumb is what horrifies me. Adam has also grown halfway through his demonic size and his muscles are bigger than I ever remember them, some of them even bulging under his skin.
The man's eyes have lost their irises, but black pupils are still visible within the blood red color that has covered both his eyeballs. What confuses and shocks me is that there aren't any wings sticking out of his back. Yet his fangs have elongated and the fangs in his upper jaw now curve all the way down to his chin. His hair is long enough to run down his back and legs and some of the strands even flow across the ground like a veil. The whole thing is a tangled mess.

"How did he do it? He's changed into his demonic form and yet he's still managed to retain some portions of his regular form. How is that possible?" I think to myself as I raise my cane a little higher. I hear Sarah whimper in fright behind me and yet I don't dare to turn my head enough to send her a reassuring look. The whimper is heard in the silence that followed Adam's entrance and to my dismay he turns his whole form straight my way.
His nose, while it has always been pointy, is upturned and even from a distance I can see his nose holes. To my disgust he breaths in deeply through them and then he growls. And his voice is still smooth and suave, like all vampires, but anyone with ears can hear how strong his desire is through the tone of his voice. "A fresh maiden. A beauty. She is close." And those three words, while not clearly spoken, are clearly a command for me to step aside.
Yet I just glare at Adam as his power is weak against my mental strength. Adam growls, but then Petra laughs and says: "You want beauty. Just look over here, handsome." I hear Tony whisper in confusion over the compliment, but Adam ignores him. The half-demonic being turns his head from me to the source of the laughter. And the second his eyes focus on Petra, I know my plan worked. The red in Adam's eyes lights up and new emotions become visible in their depths.

Curiosity, amazement, awe, delight, wonder and a growing sense of adoration are clearly visible in the red orbs and I even notice the ring of an iris taking shape as Adam asks who Petra is. The woman runs her hands up and down her body and specifically her sides and hips as she answers: "Who am I? Oh, darling, I'm only Petra Fina Dagmar. The most beautiful woman you will ever want to lay eyes on. Or do you disagree, my Adam?"
I had gazed at Petra shortly while she spoke, but I instantly turn back to Adam. The man, to my utter relief, seems entranced as he looks at Petra. He turns his whole form to her and starts to walk. And as he does, his body shrinks down in size, his hair shrinks in length and the red of his eyes disappears. Autumn red irises take the place of the red gleaming eyeballs as Adam's muscle mass shrinks down to that of an elite heavy-weight instead of a monster.
Thankfully – and amazingly – his transformation does nothing to his outfit and the only change now is that the cloths are slightly too big for him. My eyes widen as I realize why this is. "Adam's been in that form since Henrietta knocked him out. She found him like that." Again I wonder how this could be possible as I focus back on the situation at hand. Adam has a grin on his face as he stares at Petra and just that grin says it all.

The same emotions that I previously saw in his eyes are now visible in his grin and I feel my racing heart calming down. My body relaxes just a bit and I lower my cane to chest height instead of eye-height. Yet out of my deep care for Sarah, I don't lower the cane entirely. "I do not know how you know of me or who planned for this meeting between us, but I thank them. I have not felt like I do now in any part of my 1400 years of life.
Petra Fina. You truly are a fine young woman and I would be honored if you would join me at my side." I sigh in relief as these words prove that my plan has worked. Sandy moves a little closer and whispers: "That aura is getting stronger. Once it's as radiant as the water we can calm down." I nod at her and a quick look behind me shows me Sarah smiling in relief. Yet then Petra makes me cringe and makes my concerns rise up again.
She crosses her arms and says: "I'd love to be yours, Adam. But considering that I've recently got duped, manipulated and my heart broken, I want to make one thing clear. No masks. You'll be an open book to me. You won't lie to me or try to trick me, understand?" Instantly I raise my cane again as I silently curse Petra Fina for her timing and her bossiness. Yet Adam doesn't get angry and his form remains the same as he approaches her.

To my shocked relief he gently runs a hand – of which he now has all five fingers again without the claws – across her cheek as he says: "A woman who has the delicate beauty of a flower, yet who has the ferocious spirit of a tigress or a mother lioness. Petra Fina, you are more than fine. You are magnificent. I don't know who was foolish enough to use you, but they will surely regret that they left you for me to find and care and cherish."
And even my mouth drops a little as the Elder puts his arm behind his back and bows. He grabs Petra Fina's hand with his other and kisses it tenderly as he says: "You are a queen, Petra Fina and I want you to be mine. Will you be mine, my love?" The whole clearing is tense, everyone is staring at the scene before us and everyone who has a defensive position is trying to suppress the shivering of tense anticipation in their arms and legs.
I look from Adam, who keeps his back bent downwards in a bow, to Petra. And a look that I don't often see on her face is visible. Calm, relaxed and loving, her eyes shine with care as she softly mumbles: "Yes, I'll be yours if you'll be mine." Instantly I turn from the two to Sandy. The woman seems to wait on something and nods after a minute or so. I look back and see that Petra and Adam are locked at the lips.

"It happened. A sign of physical romantic affection. The bond is formed. That kiss will help Adam regain his mind and sanity." I think to myself and my whole body relaxes. George, Henrietta, Sandy and David do the same. And when Flint and Rocky see this, they also sigh in relief. Sarah even slumps down against my back and mumbles about how scary this all was. Instantly my heart goes out to her and I swiftly turn around to take her in my arms.
The girl is shivering slightly and I run my hand across her back to help her ease her nerves. "Calm yourself, Sarah. It's over. You know I would never let any harm come to you. Please my love, you know you're safe. It's alright. I'm here. I'll always protect you." I softly whisper in her hair and I feel her shivering seize. Then, to my delight, Sarah actually cuddles closer against my form, while normally she pulls away.

I really, truly just want to wrap my arms closer around her form and make sure I can hold her as close against me as possible. But I know this isn't possible and Adam proves this. He ends his kiss with Petra and asks: "So tell me, my darling little dark kitten. Who was it that brought us together on this fateful day? Who was smart enough to get me to leave New York before it could bore me and generous enough to ensure you'd be here as well?"
Petra seems to really enjoy Adam's slightly old-fashioned way of speaking and she giggles as she says: "It was old Blood Boy over there, my Adam. Though apparently you lot don't consider him all that old now, do you?" Adam turns to face me and looks at me for a moment before he throws his head back and laughs. His laugh echoes through the clearing like the loud roar of a wild bear and Sarah actually eeps softly.

Adam lets go of Petra and moves over to me. And while I know that Adam is now bound to Petra and that he won't want for Sarah anymore, I still move so that she is again behind me. Yet this time, out of respect for my elder, I keep my cane low. Adam only raises his eyebrow for a moment, but then he speaks again. And his voice is this time warm and full of care as he asks: "When, little one? When will you finally accept the role that you have in this clan?
When will you accept that you are, for all intents and purposes, our child and that it is our duty to protect and care for you, not the other way around? When will you stop being so serious and just enjoy the eternal life you were given?" And as he asks me these questions he puts his hand on my hand and caresses my hair like a father would a son. I feel tears prickling my eyes as I suddenly realize how much I missed this side of Adam.

"It comes with the job, Adam. I'm a Time Detective and it's my duty to protect the tapestry of history. I personally was chosen by the Old Timer when George, Sandy and I went to apply for a job. And besides that –." For a moment I want to tell him about my other observations, but then I remember who's standing behind me and I change my mind. And so instead of that, I step to the side and reveal Sarah to Adam as I say:
"I have found my One and have taken on the noble role of being her Guardian Angel. She needs me and I do not feel comfortable with relaxing myself until I am sure that she is out of harm's way. She is too precious to me for that." Adam looks from me to Sarah, who tries to look brave. Yet I can see the fear in both her eyes and her stance. She spares me a glance and I give her a warm and reassuring smile. Adam also smiles and tells me:

"You, young man, could not have picked a more fine specimen for you and your tastes if you tried. She looks excellent, Merlock, and I cannot even begin to express how happy I am for you. Cherish her, little one. Cherish her like I know only you can. She will make you happy. I can tell." Sandy is nodding her head in agreement the whole time and Adam's words seem to be like a balm to Sarah's fear as I can easily see her calming down.
I happily move so that I am now besides her once again and wrap my arm around her slender waist. I pull her close against my form and nuzzle her neck as I say: "She already does, Adam. Just being able to be in her presence and see her smile makes me happy. Trust me, I don't just strive to keep her safe. I strive to make her as happy as can be. I cherish every moment I can spend with her, they are my most precious of memories."

Sarah is once again beet red in the face, yet this time I happily enjoy it. Adam also has a large grin on his face as he turns back to Petra. The woman looks a little miffed and Adam moves back to join her as he says: "I am glad, little one. And I thank you. You have not only found the true purpose in the lives of all vampires, you have also blessed me with a chance to do the same. I look forward to making many memories to cherish with you, my kitten."
And instantly a large smile is back on Petra's face as she says: "That's better. For a moment I thought you were starting to like that little girl more than me." Adam laughs again, as if amused by the very notion and says: "There is no chance for that, my kitten. Sarah is indeed a fine young woman, you only need look at her to see that. But while she is not for me, Merlock has always been like a son to me. I was just expressing my fatherly delight at his success."

By now the atmosphere in the clearing has lifted and become relaxed again. I grin as it almost looked like the very trees had blocked out even more of the sun while we were worrying over Adam, as if the very air around us knew about the situation and adapted itself accordingly. Then Tony throws his hands in the back of his neck and asks what happens now. Instantly, slightly spurred on by the desire within me, I take my chance.
"Now?" I ask him before I move myself and pull Sarah with me. I move us so that I am bend down on my knees and have Sarah laying across my upper leg, my arm behind her back to offer some support. Sarah lets out a shocked sound as I do this and I gaze deep into her gorgeous azure blue eyes as I huskily say: "Now, young Tony, I am going to show my Sarah just what it means when a vampire is in love with you."

The others all smile at this and even Sarah gives me a dazzling smile that looks adorably sweet on her beautiful face. I feel my heart starting to beat faster as I suddenly grow the belief that now I am finally going to get the chance that was denied to me almost ten months ago. Then Sarah puts her hand on my cheek and the fact that she pulls my head closer to hers startles me. My eyes widen even more when I feel her actually pressing her lips against mine.
"How did she know?" I think, but I dismiss the thought. Sarah's lips are sweeter than I ever dreamed they could be. Her lips press gently against my own, tentatively even, and I happily close my eyes to increase my enjoyment of this moment. And as we part, I suddenly realize something else. Sarah had some kind of fruity lip balm on as I can taste cherries.
But the next moment this taste and fact become unimportant as Sarah whispers four words I hadn't expected, even though I had been hoping and dreaming to hear them this whole time. "I love you too." Sarah whispers and I feel her breath on my lips as she whispers this. I open my eyes and she opens hers. In those gorgeous azure blue orbs I see that it's true, I see her love shining within their depths, her love – for me.

Sarah moves so that her head is lying on my chest and I pull us both back up into a standing position. But then, with my arms still tightly wrapped around her wonderful slim waist, I seat us both down on my blanket against one of the few trees that grows within the clearing itself. Sarah cuddles up to me and lies her right leg so that it crosses with mine at the lower leg. She lies her hand on my chest alongside her head and says:
"I've been meaning to tell you this, Merlock, for a long time now. You always compliment and flirt with me and I never return your sweet gestures. But that's because I was always worried and scared about the situation we were in. I felt like our missions took priority and that I should wait with telling you how I felt until we had collected all of the Time Shifters." From a distance I hear Adam making a sound of shock, but I ignore it.
"Then the whole thing with the Dark Lord and his plans came up and I chickened out. I told myself I would tell you once we had dealt with him. We did and over the last two months I've been trying to gather the courage and come up with a way, the right way, to tell you. It was mostly my guilt at never answering your advances that held me back." She pulls her head up and I happily look deep into her gorgeous blue eyes as she says:

"Please believe me, I love you. You stole my heart and I never want it back. I want to be with you, Merlock. I might be only 16, 17 soon, and that might be considered infancy to vampires, but I know what I want. And what I want –." Here she lies her head back on my chest and dreamily sighs two words. "Is you." And instantly I feel like crying, laughing and just kissing her at the same time. I do neither and just happily pull her closer.
Sarah hums in content, a sound and emotion that make my heart soar in delight and I decide to return the favor of her sweet declaration. "Oh Sarah. My beautiful, darling, gorgeous One. I love you too, my darling. I want you by my side for the rest of eternity and longer. There is no need to apologize, my sweet. The best things in life are worth waiting and fighting for as they always say. And your heart being mine was worth every minute and every fight.
I will cherish you to the ends of time and back, my One. You will want for nothing. I will do whatever you want. As I said on the day that I introduced myself, I am but your humble servant, now and forever." Then, as my desire slightly gets the better of me, I wrap my fingers around Sarah's chin and pull her head up so I can gaze into her eyes once again and say: "You are mine, my love. Now and forever. And from now on, I will make sure you enjoy that fact."

I feel my desire wanting to activate my hypnotic powers again, just like I did the day we met. But because I keep her words in mind, I resist this urge and just gently give a tug at her chin. Sarah smiles and happily, lovingly, moves her face over to mine. Our lips meet once again and I again taste that sweet, sweet cherry flavor of her lip gloss. Yet Sarah's own taste is much better. Dark chocolate with a mix of hot chocolate milk.
Two tastes that have always been a favorite of mine as there are only a few rare flavors that can still stimulate my almost dead taste buds. And the fact that I can taste them as I kiss the one I love makes my whole body sing in utter sweet delight. But then my hand starts to wander and I feel it slowly moving lower and lower down Sarah's back. I quickly regain control of my appendage and keep it steadily in place in the little dent in Sarah's lower back.

Then Sarah reminds me that while I am a vampire and can do without oxygen, she's still human as we break the kiss and she breaths in and out deeply to regain her breath. Instantly my heart goes out to my beloved and I hate myself for forgetting that I have yet to turn her. Sarah lies herself against me and actually asks about my fangs and why she didn't feel them. "My fangs are small, Sarah, and only show when I want them to. And I wouldn't want to hurt you, you know that."
Sarah nods at my answer and Petra asks Adam: "Are you going to be just as sweet and romantic with me, Adam?" This actually reminds me of the fact that I am not alone with my beloved and my whole face turns red as I suddenly remember that we are in the presence of her brother and uncle. Yet Adam just pulls Petra close against his form and says: "Only if you want me to, my kitten. A vampire is as romantic as his one desires."
Then suddenly he raises his head up and I notice that he's looking up at Bindi and Getalong, who started to float near the top of the trees once we all took our defensive positions. And his next words shock the hell out of me. "It's good to see you again, Bindi. And you, Getalong. But what are you both doing here? Why aren't you in the Land of Time with father?" Instantly shocked silence reigns over the clearing and everyone stares at the man.

Wait, WHAT!
Told you that the group was in for a huge surprise. Yep, Adam is the son of the Old Timer. And trust me, I have plans with that. Though at the same time, I made this decision for convenience as it will help in a little matter that's going to come up soon. In fact, Merlock is going to address this problem in the next chapter. And don't worry, I've got a great backstory planned for Adam that will explain how he ended up where he did. Though I warn y'all.
It ain't pretty,

Venquine1990