Later that night Doris returned home, still shaking with the excitement of the past few hours. She went to Dan's room to check on him. No matter how many times she tucked him in, he tossed and turned with the nervous energy of youth, and kicked his covers off onto the floor. She sighed softly in resignation as her latest attempt saw his pillow follow the sheets over the edge.
'My little brother.'
Watching him for a moment, a more sobering thought became seed for contemplation.
'My only brother.'
She settled herself quietly on the floor against the wall with her arms wrapped about her knees. Then she placed her cheek against her knees as she tried to sort through the many things on her mind. She often sat in this spot in Dan's room while he slept, far enough away from him so she felt she wasn't invading his privacy, yet close enough so that his presence offered her a respite from the gnawing feelings of loneliness. Doris was a strong, independent woman by most counts, but that tall, dark, mysterious man had breached her heart, and each day that passed and reminded her of his absence added its accumulating weight until she felt it might collapse within her chest.
Wistful over D's promise of a return, and ever concerned about his safety, she let her mind drift once again to the memory of the last time he had been there with them.
Of how physically close she had been to him.
In spite of his short stay with them, his presence still pervaded the house, in her mind. Such power, yet such empathy and tenderness. He had deployed great force while killing the snake women and numerous other ghouls as he rescued her that first time, yet he had gently tucked her into her bed and...
And...
Doris' face reddened at the memory of waking up after that rescue. He had taken it upon himself to find one of her nightgowns and had changed her into it before putting her to bed. Her face burned as the hot flash of embarrassment, and another, different thrill turned her skin even redder. He had to have gazed upon her then, even as his hands were upon her, yet he remained completely honorable. She was not ashamed of her body by any means; in fact, she could have been justifiably proud of her looks. She resisted vanity, however, as she had neither the time, nor the desire to expend such energy. Hers was an all-natural beauty.
Vibrant, flaming burnt-orange hair, full, supple curves, legs that went on and on, and a pretty face anchored by piercing, deep blue eyes, she was considered by many a rose in a field of weeds, and people responded. Men, and more than a few women, got that look in their eye as their gaze traveled up and down her strong, yet feminine, figure. Indeed, Greco, the poor fool, couldn't stop thinking about her, and went insane with possessiveness.
Others desired her as well. Initially, it was creepy, but she soon learned to deal with it, and eventually use it to her advantage. She learned to become quite the negotiator, getting good prices on feed and fertilizer, tools, hardware and other needs. She never promised anything, but she learned that a little extra word or two combined with a sincere smile and a direct look in the eye left most of the men she dealt with slightly off-kilter.
Because, she discovered, when you looked like she did, men wanted you. And they either tried to manipulate you, as did Greco, or take you by force, as did the Count, or else they simply gave you things in the hope of currying favor. Sometimes for just a bit of attention, sometimes when they thought they could get something more. Not all men, but those few exceptions she could count on one hand, she swore.
Yes, before she had been bitten by the Count, men buzzed around her like mosquitoes whenever she went into town. Her sharp, independent and slightly head-strong personality complemented her physical beauty, making her all but irresistible. That her short-skirted attire revealed ample amounts of her feminine attributes didn't hurt either.
But D...
He had seen her nude at least twice. Others would have offered anything for that thrill. Why did he not want her? She had offered herself to him that first time on the roadside where she had initially requested his services, and he had completely ignored that offer. Later, after sending Lamika home, Dan had finally gone to sleep. During her shower, she had touched herself in places she had become increasingly desirous of the feel of his touch. Indeed, she had gotten so worked up just thinking that the object of her heat was resting on the sofa right downstairs that she rushed off to look for him although still dripping wet.
Oh God, she wanted him then.
But why didn't he want her? His commanding presence as well as her deepening feelings for him made her almost foolish. She was so confused and disoriented that she even offered him her own blood after he once again resisted her physical charms.
"You can, if you want to..."
Half-breed that he was, would his bite have transformed her? She neither knew nor cared at the time, she was so intoxicated, clutching onto him as she had been. Her mind was not working properly in such close proximity to his overpowering masculinity; she thought she would die of bliss when he clutched her about the shoulders as he fought the passion and blood lust rising within him. But once again, he rebuffed her.
Blood and sex.
Weren't those two of the things vampires, and even dhampires craved?
It was maddening.
It was sobering.
She gave herself up to him, but though he struggled against his inner nature, he still would not take her. That he had indeed struggled gave her some small satisfaction, but did not fully explain his feelings, if any. He had risked his life invading the castle again and again to save her. If he did not want her, then exactly what connection did they have with each other? She fingered the crucifix about her neck, asking herself if she'd earned God's wrath somehow, and that this was some form of punishment for some long-forgotten misdeed.
Just what was it about D?
It was something more than his tall, powerful build. She recalled through a semi-conscious haze his first rescue of her, slung across his shoulder as she had been, little more than a rag doll. His ability to battle multiple opponents with one arm yet gently support her with the other still sent a thrill through her. D was much more man than she had ever met. But her attraction to him went beyond his physical force. More than his long, soft, raven hair, his piercing eyes, his gentle baritone. There was something pure about him. He was a killer most assuredly, yet she could imagine him at an easel, painting a pastoral summer scene, or playing a soft, lilting refrain on the flute. Something else was there. What exactly was it? Whatever it was, it was not here. She wrapped her arms about herself and sighed.
D would keep his promise, and come back to them, to her. He would not, could not lie. She would wait.
The cool night air was billowing the curtains. She looked through the flapping fabric to observe the bright yellow crescent moon. Right about this time, she'd be in the stable, giving Luke a good brushing and his mane a careful combing before surprising him with one of his favorite treats, a candied carrot. She had dropped one into the hot caramel sauce once when making candied apples, just to see if he would eat it, and he went crazy over them, often sniffing about her in the hopes she'd hidden one for him.
Luke.
Just thinking about him, a birthday present from her father four years ago, brought another jolt of painful emotion, underscoring her sense of loss even more. He had been more than just a mount. They'd traveled many miles together, just the two of them, and had been good company for each other. On those many nights that she had spent soul-searching, his were the only ears that listened to her hopes, her fears. There were times she felt he understood her completely.
But now he too, was gone. Doris clutched her upper arms more tightly and fought off the loneliness.
Since their father died, some of the neighbors looked on in anticipation of her failure to keep the ranch operational. A mere girl and an even younger boy hoping to keep the ranch profitable in the face of continued attacks by werewolves, mist-monsters, and other beasts bent on preying upon their livestock did not return good odds. It was only a matter of time, they gossiped.
But Doris had trained herself expertly in the use of the hydra-shock whip and had become quite efficient at protecting their property. Dan's aim was getting better and better with the pulse-rifle as he took down his share of trespassing beasts bent on a free meal. As a matter of fact, he felt certain he would soon be good enough to enter the annual Six-towns competition. In addition, Doris' skills at finance and management were improving. Before Count Lee stalked and claimed her, their hard work had begun to pay off, as the ranch had actually shown a profit that year, the first since their father's passing. The quality of their livestock continued to improve, and their reputation as breeders was actually starting to spread.
Just the two of them, she and Dan. They had to be strong, for the ranch, for each other. It was getting cooler, and Doris stood up and went over to the window to close it. The sounds of the barrier killing potential intruding predators had now become mere background noise behind the symphony of her thoughts.
And now, Lamika.
Doris shook away all other thoughts and concentrated on her plan to free the former countess. She didn't know how or why, but they had made some kind of connection that started on the night Lamika was about to kill her on the mountain pass, but stayed her hand. Then, during the final battle between D and her father, Lamika led Dan to the inner chamber where he could retrieve his sister. No, Lamika would not be executed, not if she could help it.
She knew her courtroom outburst had caused much talk and speculation around the town, but it was necessary; she had a plan, and would carry it through to completion.
She hated it, but she would manipulate men to her desires once again this night.
&&&&&&&
"I'm sorry, but there are no visitors for that prisoner. And anyway, it's past midnight."
The guard eyed Doris from head to toe. She knew it was a lie, as at least three men before her had been granted access.
"But I've got to see her."
The man looked more critically at her face, since he'd initially paid attention only to her figure.
"Oh yeah. Now I know who you are. I heard about you."
He pulled his tongue back into his mouth and grinned as he rubbed his chin.
"Yeah, the courtroom. Doris, is it? Name's Tirk."
A short, cannon-ball of a man with black eyes and hair, Tirk reveled in his power as lead guard of the facility. And he abused it regularly, as he would presently. He leaned back in his chair as he undressed her with his eyes once more.
"So, the two of you are in love, eh?"
He rubbed his chin while she contemplated her answer.
'This is only the beginning. I've got to get to her. I can't falter...'
"That... that's right. I just have to see her once more. Before..."
Tirk grinned then as an idea came to him. He had already planned to take advantage of her. Girls with looks like Doris' rarely showed up at this place, much less alone and at night, and he was already contemplating getting his hands on her, but this was an even better idea.
"Well now, I ain't one to stand in the way of true love. Tell ya what. I'll let you see her, but ya gotta, oh, I don't know, maybe put on a little show fer the boys..."
"What?"
This was exactly what Doris wanted, but she continued to lead him anyway, trying her best to act surprised and shocked.
"I'll spell it out for ya. Since you two are lovers, as you say, it should be easy for you to make this a conjugal visit, off the record, of course."
"But I've never heard of..."
She continued the pretense.
"Hey, suit yourself. I can see her at any time. And she's only here three more days, and then..."
He spun the key ring around his index finger for emphasis.
"All right."
She hated the idea that he thought he had maneuvered her into this, but the final outcome was all that really mattered.
The guard smiled in victory, then got on his communicator and placed a few calls.
"... Yep. That's right. She's right here. I'm gonna bring her up in two minutes. Let everyone know the fee just went up to 8 gold. Yep. The show's gonna be worth at least twice that much. Good."
Tirk hung up and turned back to the red-head in front of him.
"Leave the whip here."
Doris removed the coil from her hip and reluctantly handed it over to him.
"I'm gonna have to frisk ya for any hidden weapons."
There was that nauseating grin again. He was obviously going to enjoy this.
"Hands above your head."
As Doris complied, she observed that his eyes fixed on the movement of her breasts as they rose in concert with her arms. He was so entranced that she counted at least three areas he had exposed himself to attack. She could have taken him down easily, but she reminded herself once again of her true purpose. He grasped her chin between thumb and forefinger.
"Open wide."
Again, she complied, and tried her best to conceal her disgust as he turned her head this way and that as he inspected the inside of her mouth for any contraband.
"Beautiful teeth. Lips ain't too bad, either."
He moved forward, as if to kiss her, but she turned away at the last moment.
"I see. All right then. Let's check you for any hidden weapons."
As his hands roamed her body, caressing, pinching, squeezing, Doris set her jaw and focused on a spot on the wall. Tirk's eyes never left her face as his hands explored her, wanting some kind of reaction to his invasion. She was steadfast, however.
'No one gets this close to me, not without my permission.'
That's what she'd told Greco, in the alley. This was different. Knowing she'd be subjected to something like this, she decided to go through with it anyway. For Lamika's life, she reminded herself. Once she got to Lamika, she'd...
She hissed when gnarled fingers found their way inside her panties.
"Sorry, part of the procedure. This here's one place women can hide stuff, ya know..."
His heavy breathing told her he was anything but sorry. He continued for as long as he thought he could get away with.
"O.k. You can put your hands down now."
Doris wanted to take a hot shower in the worst way, but there would be time for that later, if things went according to plan. She waited until he turned to lead her upstairs before she readjusted her clothing.
&&&&&&&
Lamika's "cell" was on the third floor of the facility, in the hospital ward. This was because the white walls reflected the light that subdued her much better, and so that the doctor who visited her every three days had the appropriate supplies with which to examine her.
Tirk stopped in front of the door and alerted the others inside to his presence. A bolt moved with a clunk, and the door opened.
The first thing Doris noticed was how bright the lights were. As her eyes became adjusted, she looked about, and discovered that there were at least a dozen others. But there, on the far side of the room, lay the daughter of Count Lee. Doris started to run over to her, but was grabbed at the wrist by this new sentry, whom she slowly recognized as Caleb Forsythe. Instinctively, her hand reached for her whip, but then she remembered she had left it downstairs.
"H'lo, Doris." He grinned.
Blue eyes blinked her recognition of him, as well as some of the others in attendance. She didn't really know any of them, having only seen them in passing, but it was still a bit unnerving, being one of two women in the midst of all these gawking, salivating men.
"I was told I could see her."
Doris shook her wrist loose of Caleb's grip. Slowly, she moved toward where the dark-haired girl lay. When she reached her, she wanted to cry.
"Lamika. What have they done to you?" She whispered.
Lamika lay gaunt and pale. And there were marks on her face and the part of her upper body that was exposed. Doris leaned over and caressed her face, causing the former countess' eyes to flutter open even as her body recoiled from what it thought to be another sexual attack.
When her pupils finally focused, she recognized the girl who had almost become her step-mother.
"D... Doris?"
Doris tenderly lifted Lamika's head from its pillow and stroked her fingers through now much shorter, tangled hair. The onlookers grunted their approval as they waited for things to heat up. Doris whispered her plan to the girl.
"Listen, Lamika. I'm going to get you out of here, but you'll have to play along. I'm not... I mean... This is the best plan I could think of, so please forgive me. Your life is more important than my modesty."
She then moved her cheek to caress Lamika's, before gazing into still-questioning, aquamarine eyes. Then she slowly moved forward to brush the dhampire's lips with her lush, full ones. As the crowd croaked their approval, Lamika finally realized the opportunity she had as she now smelled Doris' blood. But... why?
She didn't have time to contemplate the answer as Doris kissed her again, even more passionately. The red-head now climbed up until her body was atop Lamika's bound one. What energy the dark-haired girl had remaining blushed her pale features as indeed this was the closest she had allowed anyone to her person. And the kiss! It was... it was... What was this new, odd feeling? Lamika knitted her brows in confusion as she tried to keep up with the charade.
"Yahoo! Lookit them bitches goin' at it!"
The room was filled with the sound of guttural grunts and sighs as the audience beheld the unfolding scene. Doris whispered once again.
"Another moment, Lamika, and they won't notice. Then you can... you can..."
Doris moved her lips down Lamika's cheek, to kiss about her ear, then down her neck and across her throat to the other side.
The increasing sexual energy was getting to the onlookers, making them restless, intense, approaching that point where mass-hysteria could soon take over, a force which could drive them to almost anything imaginable, including gang-rape, and possibly murder. Doris felt the swell also, it was so palpable, and fought its undertow. Keeping her focus, she deftly reached up and pulled down her choker, exposing her neck to Lamika's lips. The effect on Lamika was automatic; her fangs extended and she was about to strike when she beheld the bite mark left by the Count.
'Father.'
She hesitated. This girl, this country girl who risked her own life to save hers was also the last link to her father. Lamika contemplated the mark a bit more. Biting Doris there would almost be kissing her father, perhaps goodbye, perhaps for the last time.
Doris didn't understand why she was taking so long, but kept up the charade as best she could, her caresses, moans and gyrations keeping the men under her spell.
'Come on, Lamika...'
'Father.'
Lamika felt a tear roll down the side of her cheek as his powerful image took hold of her thoughts. Dear Lucifer, what would he think of his precious daughter in this predicament? How would she even...
Doris lightly bit her ear, reminding her that both their lives were at stake, and could end momentarily if she didn't hurry.
Lamika kissed her father one last time.
Doris felt the fangs invade her neck, and her life-force began to flow into Lamika's body. With the first coppery-tasting swallow, Lamika felt her power begin to return. She was so famished, that she gulped down swallow after swallow of the thick, red fluid. The audience couldn't see what was happening, however, because of the way the girls had positioned themselves. Doris soon became light-headed. If Lamika continued to drain her, she would be dead within minutes. Lamika momentarily considered that it was her original plan after all to kill this girl, but too many things had since happened.
"It's true, you are a dhampire, but like me, you can learn to live as a human..."
Perhaps that was true, perhaps not, but she'd never find out if she didn't get out of here, and she also needed to know the source of Doris' concern for her, to have risked everything for this. As Doris wavered in and out of consciousness, she finally slumped onto Lamika, whose new-found concern for her welfare included the fear that she fall off and injure herself. Retracting her fangs and licking the remaining blood from her lips, she considered her father's one-time claim that this girl's blood was indeed the sweetest he had tasted in centuries. Ah well, enough time later to debate that conjecture; it was now time to leave.
"Snap!" Went the sound of one wrist restraint.
"Pop!" An ankle restraint was no more.
By the time the on-lookers realized what had happened, Lamika was free, standing before them, her almost doll-like stature draped in prison-issue. She had easily broken the chrome steel bed side restraint when she leapt down and fashioned it into a staff of sorts. She twirled it once, feeling for its balancing point. Oh, how she missed her throwing spikes. Her personal shield went up, deflecting the first of the bullets fired her way by the now retreating guards.
"Everybody get the hell out of here! She's free!"
Before they could reach the door, the diminutive powerhouse lifted and hurled a supply cabinet, sending it crashing into the portal, cutting off that avenue of escape. Lamika didn't know what she felt more of, or what felt better, the sense of freedom, or the sense of pending vengeance.
"So, you would defile my person, disgusting animals that you are. Who among you has the courage to step up and accept your punishment first?"
The power, the timbre of her voice caused them to cower. From behind her came a weak voice.
"No, Lamika. Don't... don't kill them. Please. Just... just get out of here..."
Doris was sitting on the floor, her back supported by the wall. She was so weak she couldn't stand, but she could see everything that had transpired. Slightly startled at the nature of the plea, Lamika turned to the sound of Doris' voice. In that moment, while her attention wavered, the guards opened fire once again, even as one of them set off the alarm. This time, however, a stray shot hit Doris, causing her to wince in pain before slumping forward to the floor.
That sight, of Doris on the floor with blood flowing from her wound, broke the governor to Lamika's fury.
"You filthy vermin, I shall exterminate you all!"
She screamed at the top of her lungs, then hurled the makeshift staff with such force that it speared three at once, pinning them to the wall like a surreal kabob of human flesh. It was her first kill in quite a while, and her hands were shaking as, for just a brief second, she reveled in the feeling. As their cries of agony filled the air, and as the others stood momentarily in shock, she moved next to the one standing nearest her left, and with blinding speed, cracked his skull open with the edge of her palm. Before his body even hit the floor, she moved, faster than they could take good aim, toward the shattered cabinet. Among its spilled contents were scalpels, the glint of which had caught her eye earlier. Not her custom crafted spikes, but they would serve admirably.
Scooping up half a dozen, she balanced, then deftly hurled them three-at-a-time, their sharp edges penetrating the windpipes of their intended victims with a soft "thwick". Those unfortunates gagged and sputtered as they drowned in their own blood. She continued her relentless attack, as they were now like sheep awaiting shearing. It had been a while, but her killing skills remained coolly efficient. Finally, only Caleb and Tirk remained, each having thrown his weapon on the floor in hopes that surrender would elicit mercy from their approaching executioner.
"On your knees, scum!"
The two men complied, but Tirk was still stupidly defiant.
"You'll never get away with th..."
Lamika struck him across the mouth, sending teeth scattering across the floor. The sound of the alarms filled the air, but Lamika made certain she was clearly understood.
"Speak only when you are spoken to. Now, tell me where my tiara, earrings and necklace may be found."
"We... we sold the..."
Tirk never spoke the last word because she slit his throat with the blade so quickly that he never even saw the movement. His eyes bulged as he clutched at the spurting wound, turning to Caleb for help, but finding none. He mouthed something, his last, then slumped forward onto the floor.
Lamika turned next to Caleb, whose coveralls were now stained with the contents of his bladder.
"Ah yes. I remember you. You were going to kill me with your bare hands, eh?"
"P... please..." He stuttered, spittle flying from his mouth as he trembled in anticipation.
"For you, I have something special..."
He started to sob when he saw her easily pull the chrome spike from the three men it had skewered, the large, hulking man reduced to a blubbering mass. Then she moved to his side and wrapped the shiny, bloody metal around his neck. With one twist, his head would be removed from his body.
"Lamika... don't do it. It's... cold-blooded murder."
Doris' weak voice wafted through the noise to her ears and reached her brain. The girl spoke directly to... what? Lamika's human conscience? Never! It was so frustrating. Damn her! Whatever it was, it pulled her out of her killing rage. She stepped back from Caleb, grunted, then leaned forward and looked him straight in the eye.
"Your birth was under a fortuitous star, or you would be wherever they are right now."
She waved her hand over toward the bodies that lay strewn about the room. He tentatively looked, then she pulled his chin so that he stared into the aquamarine pools of death once more.
"I shall not ever look upon your face again, is that correct?"
"Y... yes..."
Lamika retrieved a blade from one of the dead, then slowly raised her arm before slicing down, leaving the mark of an upside-down cross embedded into his cheek, an angry red gash that would never completely heal.
"Every time you look into a mirror... remember..."
It was the last thing he heard before fainting. The dhampire then smashed through the entryway, snapping the bolt when she kicked the door open before going back to retrieve Doris. Her bloody footsteps marked her exit.
She never turned to look back.
&&&&&&&
The dawn was approaching, and with it, the mesa could be seen rising out of the horizon. A few miles beyond this plateau was the ranch belonging to Doris and Dan.
D urged the DL9 to gallop even faster.
&&&&&&&
- - - - - - - - - -
Spirit-Wolf25: Hopefully there's more here that's unexpected. It's not illogical to feel for an animated character. When art, story and voice acting come together, the experience is sometimes a visceral one. Thanks for keeping up with this, and putting up with my many delays...
Jmartinz: Here is your continuation. Hope you enjoy...
ShortPoet: sigh I can't even begin to address all the points raised in your wonderful reviews. Let me just say that I thank you for pointing out areas of weakness, which I shall resolve when I go back to re-edit this after it's all done.
Cynical Chaos: It's hardcore because, in a world where vampires rule, it's about blood, power, sex, and crushing your enemies, imo. Count Lee couldn't keep his hands off Doris, going after her again and again, against his daughter's pleas and possibly his better judgment. Shoujo-ai? I, umm, think this chapter blows the last one away in that context. Thanks again!
Ja ne!
W.