Chapter 8
Barnabas forcefully swallowed the thick lump clogging his throat. God help him but she was beautiful. Shielding her nudity with his cloak, he clutched her reaching hands, holding them down to her sides. "Stop... please. You don't want this, Kathleena. I…" Suddenly he tensed, black eyes narrowed. The hatred he felt in that moment caused his icy blood to boil. A distant, mirthless cackle filled the cavern, soft at first and then louder, stronger, demanding his attention. Barnabas stood and found her lurking in a shadowy corner.
"Angelique!" he hissed as mean as a snake.
Stepping into the fire light, the elegant blonde sneered at the young woman on the floor. Her cold gaze shifted coming to rest on his beloved face.
"Stay away from her," the vampire warned darkly, placing himself between the two.
With delicate brows raised, the witch glared at him. "She is not for you, Barnabas. It would be unwise to involve yourself with her."
Chuckling viciously, he replied. "Oh? And to whom does she belong? Duncan Fasette, perhaps?"
A look of evil pleasure spread across Angelique's expressive face. "Why, is that a hint of acrimony in your tone, Barnabas?"
Stepping closer, he grasped her upper arm angrily. How he loathed the sight of her! "Jealous? Of what? I have no feelings toward you other than this profound hatred, and perhaps, more than a bit of surprise. Tell me, Angelique, did you find yourself another ass? Had he wed you or did you simply whore yourself to the fellow, just as you had with me, mistakenly becoming pregnant with his child?" Grinning smugly as she fumed, Barnabas watched icy eyes narrow murderously. He chuckled, rubbing the proverbial salt into the festering wound he'd created. "Ahhh. I've hit upon the truth, havent I, bitch?"
Smiling nastily, she shook her head, forcing herself to calm. "You have always enjoyed fanning the flames of my anger, Barnabas and yet you never stop to consider the consequences. So, you wish to have your sport? Amuse yourself? Well, let us see how much you enjoy this little game of chance, hmm?"
Immediately, the gloating smirk slid from his gaunt face. "What do you mean?"
With an evil sneer, Angelique spread her hands toward the fire, the flames leaping higher, nearly licking her flesh. "I will show you what I mean!"
Jerking her roughly from the pit, Barnabas groaned. The look of smug satisfaction in the glowing depths of her eyes told him everything. He was too late. "No!"
"I always win…" she gloated, turning toward the Frenchwoman. "…sooner or later."
The pair watched as Kathleena slowly rose, to stand stiff and naked before them, bewitched. Barnabas' woolen cloak caressed every inch as it slid down the contours of her body. Unable to look away, the vampire growled deep in his throat, his hot gaze devouring every womanly feature. Large firm breasts tipped with coral-colored nipples, the smooth tautness of her tiny waist. As his eyes fell to the chestnut nest of curls covering her mound, Barnabas hissed at the remembered taste of her blood. She was a virgin and he moaned with long hidden desire, practically feeling her tightness around him as he took her.
Resting her head on the vampire's shoulder, Angelique begrudgingly admired the girl's youth and beauty. She whispered seductively, "You want her. Have her."
Barnabas shivered despite himself. The witch's hot breath and intimate words swirled about his ear. With a grimace, he closed his eyes. She was right, damn her! He wanted Kathleena. Desperately! Summoning every ounce of supernatural power at his command, he slowly gained control of himself. "No!" he hissed, fangs lengthened with a need that, at the moment, had nothing to do with bloodlust, "she does not know what she's doing. You are controlling her will!"
Feeling a slim hand glide along his stomach to skim against his groin, Barnabas drew in a sharp breath and Angelique snickered at the proof of his desire, hard and pulsing. "And yet, you are not immune to her charms. It truly shocks me how easily you forget your 'beloved' when you look at her."
The words washed over him like ice water, dousing all wayward thoughts of sex. He turned on her violently and Angelique found her long throat instantly locked in his vice-like grip. She gasped for air as large fingers choked her. "You dare blaspheme the memory of Josette to me?! You dare?! You! The one who caused her death!"
Attention diverted, the enchantress' cruel spell abated and Kathleena trembled wildly, released from the evil hold over her. (No...! Angelique! But how-?!) Certain she was not witnessing another vision, the young woman panicked, frantically looking about, eyes wide with terror. (Duncan?! Ah, cher Dieu dans le ciel. Svp ne le laissez pas être ici !) *Oh, dear God in heaven. Please do not let him be here!
Drawn to Kathleena's sudden spurt of fear, Barnabas hadn't realized the witch had used the diversion to escape from his grip and vanish from the cave until it was too late. "Angelique," he barked, pacing the cavern. "Angelique!"
Winding her arms about herself, Kathleena shuddered. (She was here! Mon Dieu! She was here!)
Fetching his cape from the ground, Barnabas gently draped it over her. Grasping her chin between long icy fingers, he lifted her face to stare deeply into pale eyes. The fever was gone as quickly as it'd come. "Yes," he nodded solemnly. "She was here."
Without thinking, she threw herself at him, clutching him desperately. Barnabas froze as her arms wound tightly about his slim waist, her head burrowing into the hard wall of his lean chest. He could feel her fear as she clung to him with a tenacity he hadn't known in forever. And then, slowly, his strong arms pulled her tightly against him. He needed to hold her, to comfort her... to comfort himself! But first something had to be done.
Looking up into Barnabas' intense gaze, Kathleena's expression changed to one of stunned shock and terror as strong fingers began to strangle her, thumbs pressed against the middle of her throat. Immediately she tried to twist away, her nails digging into his large bloodless hands. (No! Why? Please... I don't understand!) Dear God! She would expect something like this from Duncan but not him. Not from the one man she was slowly beginning to trust. Despite her precarious position, she laughed sarcastically within herself. Trust him? Trust a vampire? What a fool she was! No one could be trusted! No one!
Dark eyes bore deeply into frightened blue as he commanded sharply, "Swallow! You must force yourself! Conquer your fear!"
Now in a state of complete panic, Kathleena knew she was about to die. Her sight was beginning to dim and the blood pumping wildly in her ears was deafening as his hand clamped tighter against her windpipe. In vain she attempted to draw in any amount of air. (I… can't… breathe..!)
His voice came to her as if from a great distance. "Listen to me, Kathleena. You can speak again but you must fight for the ability! I cannot simply give it to you. Now, show me how much you want it! Do as I say," he growled. "Swallow, damn you! Swallow now!"
Forcefully gulping past the pressure of his hand in a final effort to save herself, Kathleena yanked away and sucked in huge lungfulls of air. "You are utterly insane!" she croaked throatily, glaring fiercely at him. "I..." Suddenly she froze and Barnabas smiled at the look of indescribable joy now crossing her beautiful face. Uncontrollably, she shook with the knowledge that she was finally free.
"This cannot be!" she whispered, fearful lest she awaken herself from this wonderful dream. All those months of silence... Gone! Walking toward the fire, Kathleena stood there for more minutes then she could count, simply staring into the flames, trying to come to terms with her restored ability. When at last she turned to him, tears of unspeakable gratitude shone in her eyes, causing them to shimmer in the firelight.
Barnabas groaned low in his throat. It would be so easy to take her, to show her wonderful techniques of exquisite pleasure. Had he been a lesser man, he would have raped her like the animal at the inn strove to do. But he was unlike mortal men. He was capable of control. Without warning, the wind howled viciously, garnering his attention. How he'd wanted to return her to Vogel's manor before the weather turned foul for he could no longer trust himself to behave like a gentleman. Walking to the mouth of the shelter, he looked up at the ominous clouds. A storm would burst upon them before they were halfway back. At the prospect of facing another night alone with her, Barnabas pulled a clean gown and underthings from the bundle. "Dress," he ordered, more brusquely then he intended, "I'll fetch you something to eat."
Kathleena frowned as she eyed the garment, noting that it buttoned in the back. Unable to muster the strength, she slipped into it as best she could and immediately fell upon his cloak. Her eyes slowly flittered closed as she drifted off into a restful slumber, an exuberant smile gracing her lips.
An hour later...
Delicious smells pervading the air finally roused her. Kathleena's mouth watered and her stomach grumbled audibly as a pot of hot coffee perked over the flames and a deer shank sizzled loudly on a crudely crafted spit. Looking about, she found him leaning against a huge boulder watching her and she smiled in appreciation. Barnabas came to sit beside her. "Hungry?"
She nodded. "Oui." Tears immediately sprang to her eyes.
Gallantly he handed her his handkerchief. "Tell me." His voice sounded so warm, so caring.
She looked up into his chiseled features. "I…I believed it merely a dream, a beautiful fantasy, but you have truly done the impossible. You have given me a wondrous gift by restoring my voice," she sniffed. "Merci…Barnabas."
Hearing her utter his name, a deep smile split his face causing the corners of his eyes to crinkle. "My pleasure."
Kathleena blushed suddenly aware that she ached for something, yearned for something totally foreign to her. She could see it in his eyes, in the turn of his lips. There was something there... Something absolutely wonderful and warm. Although she was unable to put a name to what she sought, Barnabas recognized it for what it was… an innocent virgin's desire. Quickly he turned away as Kathleena placed a small warm hand on his sleeve and leaned into him. Uncertain of what she was doing, Kathleena only knew that she must be near him. She needed to touch him.
The vampire closed his eyes and, as her sweet breath wafted against his ear, he gritted his teeth. He had to resist. Despite his earlier urge to take her, he realized Kathleena was not Josette, nor would she ever be. I can't... I won't. Sensing his rejection, she reluctantly pulled herself away.
Embarrassed by her impure display, she shyly offered, "I'm sorry."
She watched in silence as he stood to serve her her meal. Handing her the dish he said, "A snowstorm has begun. I shall return you to the manor when it is safe to travel."
As she ate, Barnabas looked away. Despite his wish to remain faithful to the memory of Josette, he knew he was lost. This woman's mere presence was driving him insane. Why? With a fierce growl he rose, pulling her up with him. Removing the plate from her hand, he cupped her chin, lifting Kathleena's face to his. A deep rumble erupted from low in his throat. He hadn't thought of taking a woman for a very long time. He never felt the need...
Until now.
Kathleena closed her eyes as he gently descended onto her warm mouth, the cold tip of his tongue tracing the outline of her lips until they parted in sweet surrender. Suddenly Barnabas' passion flared and he delved deeper, more forceful. Feeling a wild tremor course through her, he forced himself to calm. She's never before known desire. Pulling away he growled; need turning the sound dark and deep. Staring up into his piercing gaze, Kathleena saw within him a look of undeniable hunger and, without hesitation, bared her throat only to find herself captured tightly against his lean chest. Closing his eyes at her selfless offer, Barnabas brushed the back of his large hand gently against her soft cheek. Lifting her beautiful face to his, he focused on her pale gaze. "No," he whispered, "that isn't what I need. I need to hold you, Kathleena. I need to love you."
Staring at the handsome cravat tied about his throat, she stammered trying to explain, "I'm…I've, I've never…"
With a shake of his dark head, Barnabas hushed her with a cold finger against her lips. "You don't have to say anymore." Trembling, he recalled the exquisite flavor of her purity. Thanks to his earlier hunt, the lust, the need for blood was already satisfied this evening. Now there was another need he ached to fulfill. A primitive basic hunger he'd denied himself for so long. Taking her small hand, he gently kissed the palm with icy lips while looking deeply into blue eyes. "Let me be your first lover, Kathleena. I can show you unimaginable pleasure."
Certain he spoke the truth, she nearly swooned at the enormity his intimate words suggested. Absolutely tickled at the wicked thoughts running rampant in her mind Kathleena turned about. Lifting her hair, she presented her back to his hungry gaze. Barnabas glared at the painful image imbedded there. As he fingered the flesh tenderly, carefully, he vowed to make her forget the pain, the torment she had endured. She will think only of him… at least for tonight.
Kathleena trembled as long frigid fingers slid the gown slowly past soft shoulders and along her body to the ground, leaving her in nothing more than shift, shoes and stockings. Placing icy kisses along every inch of exposed flesh, Barnabas moaned reverently, "My God! You are so warm..." She found herself shivering. Not from the chill of his touch, oh God no, but from the delicious sensations he was awakening within her innocent body. Undoing the ties and lowering the thin fabric of her shift, Barnabas gently turned her about to face him unable to contain the gasp that flew from his lips as his gaze fell to the yellow bruises marring her ribs. Dark eyes narrowed in fury, suddenly overcome with uncontrollable rage directed toward the animal who'd abused her.
"No, please," Kathleena cried out in terror, unable to help herself. Having witnessed that look many times before, she impulsively raised her arms to ward him off.
Trying to quell her fears, Barnabas pulled her quivering form into his firm embrace. "I will not hurt you," he vowed. "I do not hurt for pleasure. Do not fear me." He looked deeply into her eyes. "I beg of you." Finding only kindness in his face, feeling the tenderness in his touch, she whimpered and he closed his eyes as she reached up to trace the sharp line of his strong jaw.
"I trust you, Barnabas."
Stepping away, he frantically threw off his elegant suit coat and tore off his cravat, his white linen shirt quickly followed. Without a woman for so long he was hard, painfully so. Thinking it wise to leave his trousers on for the moment, Barnabas stood still in the soft light of the fire. Kathleena watched, mesmerized, as the shadows of the flames danced upon pale skin, turning his solid frame into a golden statue. As he held out his hands, she stepped into his embrace without hesitation. "Show me," she pleaded with compelling eyes. "Prove to me that there is more to life than the pain that I've known."
He smiled, brown eyes engulfing her. "I will, Kathleena," he murmured against her lips. "I swear to you, I will." Slowly, hesitantly he raised a large hand encircling her left breast, breasts that seemed much too great for her thin frame and she trembled at his touch. The chill of his fingertips caused her nipple to harden into a tight nub. Barnabas' gaze captured hers so completely she shuddered and turned away, suddenly feeling awkward and completely unworthy of his amorous attention. With a large finger under her chin, he pulled her face back to his. Gently, he lowered her to the warmth of his cloak.
Capturing her lips, he reveled in the warmth he found there. At the sound of her innocent moan of rapture, the vampire growled, feeling a shudder ripple through her as he explored deeply within. "Kathleena," he moaned. "Kathleena." Leaving her lips, swollen by his kisses, he slowly placed gentle licks along her jaw, pausing at an intricate ear to nibble the lobe. Crying out, she arched herself up against him as cool breath and soft nips caused a thrill she'd never known. With a hiss, he swooped down to seize a tight nipple between sharp teeth and lick it with his tongue tip.
"Barnabas!" she gasped, threading long fingers in his dark locks. (Mon Dieu, what is happening to me?! Je deviendrai fou sûrement!) *I will surely go insane!
God, she is so responsive!
His mouth slid from one erect nipple to the other. Filled with overwhelming desire as he lavished such attention on her unused body, Kathleena dug sharp nails deeply into the pale flesh of his back causing him to groan with incredible lust at her piercing touch. Yearning to fill her so completely in that instant, Barnabas was certain only the possession of his inhuman control prevented him from taking her by force.
The woman squirmed as cold lips and tongue slid along warm flesh to nibble and lick her taut stomach. To her shock and surprise, he moved lower still. "No!" Kathleena screamed, utterly mortified. "Surely such things are not done!"
With an unholy grin, the vampire held her tiny waist in his hands. Nudging her leg over his shoulder with his arm he looked up her body. "I swear to you that they are. You will enjoy this." Chuckling huskily, Barnabas lowered his face, burying himself between her firm thighs.
Crying out, Kathleena twisted and bucked, trying to evade his mouth as he sensually assaulted her most private and sensitive spot. Unwilling to be thwarted in his pleasurable pursuits, rough palms slid under her buttocks to hold her in place as he pulled her closer, partaking of her sweet body. Long minutes passed until finally her reticence slowly ebbed away. He smiled, aware of the exact instant her passion took control. She tasted exquisite as her sweet nectar began to flow. Feeling her tremble, Barnabas lifted his gaze to her beautifully expressive face, a coarse thumb tip taking the place his mouth had been only moments before.
Eyes tightly closed, small teeth bit into the flesh of her bottom lip to keep from crying out as little mews of incredible bliss slipped past. Long fingers grasped and released the coarse fabric of his cape.
So close! So close...
With a soft chuckle and a wide smile, he returned to lavish attention on the little pearl nestled at the juncture of her firm thighs as one large digit slid inside her tight, wet entrance. Instantly she screamed, head tossing side to side as firm muscles clamped about his finger. Barnabas growled, imagining his hard manhood being gripped as strongly. Uncontrollably, she began to thrust her pelvis against him, her wild release nearly upon her, her breathing now thick and rapid. His mind reeled when he bumped against the absolute proof of her virginity. It was he who would truly give Kathleena her first taste of passion! The thought was so heady. Back arched, body drawn as taut as a bowstring, she was poised at the precipice of climax. Needing just a little push, he bit down on her ever so slightly.
"Barnabas! Barnabas!" She screeched his name over and over as she shattered in pieces, no longer caring that she acted so wantonly. The only thing that mattered at all was the all consuming pleasure centered on the spot where his mouth and tongue worked so persistently. Closing his eyes, he drank in her sweetness, relishing her taste. As Kathleena's body eventually stilled and her harsh breathing slowly calmed, he slid himself tightly along her length and she could feel a hard part of him through his trousers, pressing against her thigh. Staring into pale blue eyes glazed from pleasure only moments before, the vampire frowned.
Why did he want her as desperately as he did? Why did he feel he must give her pleasure or he would cease to exist? No, impossible! He was waxing poetic like a complete fool. How could such a thought even enter his mind? Kathleena Tell was not Josette. Kathleen Tell knew his secret! She'd the knowledge to destroy him. And yet... he'd pleased her. Why? What was this connection between them? Was there indeed a connection or was it simply long suppressed lust he felt? Glancing down, Barnabas shook his head. While examining his confused feelings of how and why, he hadn't expected her to drift off. Long lashes rested against flushed cheeks and her breath evened. With a sigh he realized that perhaps it was for the best that he hadn't taken her. Brushing the damp curls from her face, he rose drawing his cloak tightly about her slim form. The strong arms of oblivion began to pull at him tenaciously. Retrieving his suit coat, he checked his timepiece and cursed. It was after five. Dawn would come in less than a quarter hour. He must seek safety.
Adding more kindling to the fire, Barnabas trudged deeper into the darkness finding sanctuary from the sun's deadly rays. Before sleep claimed him, he nodded in decision. When evening fell, he vowed to return Kathleena to Vogel's manor. Although he wished otherwise, he was unable to have her. Lust… Want… Of course he was capable of feeling those ardent emotions, just like any other man. But they were only to be had by other men. Men who were among the living. Happiness, for him, was no longer an option.
Barnabas licked his icy lips, tasting the remnants of her musky release on his mouth. A deep smile crossed his chiseled features as finally the state of nothingness engulfed him.