Chapter 6

Barnabas stood under a street lamp wondering when the female vampire would show up. Using his internal radar to scope out the area, he felt the presence of several hookers loitering a block away. They already made their move on him but he politely rejected them. The street was very quiet and he wondered if this is an appropriate place to appear vulnerable to a vampire on the prowl. He did not have long to wait. He felt a presence approaching from behind. He withdrew his probing so she would not discover his true intentions. 'Where was Maeve?' Barnabas wondered, looking around.

"Excuse me, sir," a voice rang out behind him.

Barnabas turned around and came face-to-face a woman who resembled Angelique. She had long blonde hair, large green eyes and slender body but she wore very few clothes. He remembered approaching prostitutes at the harbor in Collinsport back in the eighteenth century they never dressed like this. Today, a man didn't have to use his imagination. He realized this form of dress was also very effective in getting the attention of a potential target. He admired her style. "Yes, may I help you," he asked.

"Are you waiting for anyone, sir?" she asked politely. Her aroma bored into his awareness and stimulated his animal instincts. He repressed his impulse to attack but his body reacted nonetheless. She noticed and approached seductively.

"No, not really," he smiled.

"Good, maybe you'd like to spend some time with me. I can offer you a night you will never forget." She walked up to Barnabas and rubbed her chest against his. Her lips were inches away from his neck and her breathing was loud and quick. He stiffened to her touch and he looked down at her neck. What would happen if two vampires bit each other, he wondered. This was very arousing and he tried to keep himself from reacting too quickly. Where is Maeve? How far should he go with this, he wondered as his attention diverted to her advances.

"You offer me a great deal. How would I ever be able to repay you?" He asked, attempting to stall as long as possible.

"Oh, you'll find out, love. Let's go somewhere more private." She took his hand and led him towards an alley. Looking down the dark narrow passage, she said, "This will do." Excited, Barnabas grabbed her around the waist, pulling her towards him. "Aren't you the eager one? Strong too, I like that in a man," she applauded his willingness. As they walked down the alley, Barnabas did not dare send a message to Maeve telling her where he was going. This vampire would surely sense his "talents"and the surprise would be over.

Maeve strolled towards the street she planned to meet Barnabas as he waited for the female vampire. Deep in thought, she recalled some considerable changes occurring within her body, and possibly in his too. She suspected it all started when they first made love and continued every time they joined. Should she tell Barnabas about her suspicions? She hoped the 'Powers-to-be' would explain it to her, but only when they thought it was the right time.

Maeve arrived at the corner Barnabas said he would stand waiting. As she looked around, she used her psychic abilities to search for him, found his presence and followed. As she draw neared to his position, she saw him duck down an alley with their target. As she followed, she felt Barnabas' excitement and she became aroused herself. She must stay close, observe as much as she could and be ready when it was necessary.

As they neared the end of the alley, the woman placed her back against the wall and pulled Barnabas to her. As their bodies willingly touched, she lifted up her short skirt and unzipped his pants. She had no underwear on and he was ready for her. How far will she go before she attacked, he wondered while he restricted his own animal urges. Having sex with her victims would subdue them enough for easy picking. His excitement caused him to lift her up into the air and insert himself forcefully into her. She was overjoyed and howled in response. Titillated beyond control, Barnabas slammed her against the wall, moving rhythmically with her howls. It was not long before he concluded his "business", at this point, she responded as he expected her to. He felt her fangs penetrating into his neck with percussion not unlike his own. He must act now before she realized what his purpose was for her. He could no longer wait for Maeve. The animal instinct kicked in and he inserted his fangs deep into her neck.

The visions of her life before death and her present pursuits flashed into his consciousness and then she began to see his purpose for her. She released him and growled. Their standoff was just like Barnabas' dream, both of them snarling and growling at each other. Without further ado, she turned to flee but met with a stake in the heart. Barnabas was standing facing Maeve as the dust settles.

"Maeve!" Barnabas exclaimed, quickly zipping his pants. "W-Where have you been? I-I tried to resist her as long as I could, but. . ." Maeve held up a hand and shook her head. She knew everything that went on in the alley and appeared calm.

"Barnabas, you didn't have to explain," she said, knowing what he was thinking. "Your actions are understandable and exactly as I expected."

"Y-You wanted this to happen?" Barnabas asked, shocked.

"Not really, but I had to "see" to understand what was happening to us. As you joined with her, I shared your experience."

"What are you talking about, Maeve?" Barnabas grabbed her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. They connected psychically and he saw something he did not understand. "What has happened to you?" he snapped. "Tell me. Are you ok?" Barnabas felt his anxiety elevate before she had a chance to speak.

"Calm down, Barnabas. Nothing bad has happened but you are right, there are inner changes going on within both of us."

"What . . . what sort of changes?"

"Remember when we played the 'game', we held hands and you witnessed my mother's attack. That vampire released his infection into her bloodstream and it attacked my system before I was born. Because of this virus, I am what I am today. While it stayed dormant over the centuries, it mutated into something very different. Because of your vampirism, when you and I first made love, exchanging fluids, the virus reactivated itself in my blood system. As we continued to exchange our fluids, the mutated virus entered your system and now changes occur in you too."

Barnabas stared at her, not understanding any of it. "Maeve, what does this mean? Have you become a vampire?" He gasped.

"Not exactly, the changes are more within you!" She watched him very carefully.