Chapter 2 – The Gift
April 13, 1902
After exploring the city on foot for the past several nights, Bill felt confident in his ability to pass as a coachman. His initial fares proved to be unsuitable meal material, though he enjoyed light conversation with the travelers. After all of these years, he could still pass for human in the dimly lit outdoors, though it was becoming more challenging with improved indoor lighting and the widespread use of city gas lights. Hydroelectric technology was still restricted to big cities like New York, and though Bill marveled at progress in this area, he feared that it would make blending much more difficult. He hoped to cross paths with the traveling troupe of Vamp actors they'd met in St. Louis. They were experts at stage makeup and Bill wanted to learn some of their trade secrets.
His mood was still black, though it had improved with the freedom of the evening. Lorena wasn't interested in blending. If they were discovered, they must simply kill, feed, and move on. When he reminded her that such foolhardy methods had almost cost her and her maker, they'd fought bitterly. Bill had never met Solomon, but he knew that if Lorena was capable of regret, she sorely regretting their parting. It was one way he could hurt her. He hoped that one day he would hurt her so deeply that she would finally release him. She was miserable company, and he could never forgive her for robbing him of his life, his home, and his family. He could never love her. He'd turned most of his heart to stone, which his vampire nature made easier, and Lorena made necessary.
Turning the corner, he lifted his dark eyes to the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of The Woman. He had returned the night after his birthday, but sensing Lorena's proximity, he chose to move on and hadn't returned since. Sighing, he realized there was no time. He needed to hunt and return with their prey, hopefully avoiding another bloody confrontation.
Two drunken revelers flagged him down and he graciously obliged. The woman, probably a whore, was half unconscious anyway. The man was a bit more lucid, but Bill's glamour was more than enough to convince the fool to trust him. He tapped Ginger gently on her hindquarters with the whip and called "Step Up!" The mare was used to him now and had even allowed Bill to ride her. They made their way back to the farmhouse at an easy pace, enjoying the smells of spring, wild jonquils and dogwood. He may not be able to appreciate their beauty in the daylight, but their scent was a joy, even in the darkness.
They stopped out front, and Bill could see Lorena waiting in the shadows. She was smiling, so he thought she must be pleased with his catch. She sidled up to the man as he stumbled from the carriage steps.
"Good evenin' handsome," she purred, rubbing her small hands over his shoulders. She enjoyed playing with her food. "I'm so pleased you could join us on this fine night. Won't you come inside?"
"Name's Jim," he said, tipping his hat in her general direction. He was likely seeing more than one Lorena, "You sure are a purty little thang, and I'd be delighted to join you, but are you sure he won't mind?" Jim jerked his head in Bill's direction, as Bill busied himself unloading the woman from the carriage.
"Oh no, William doesn't mind sharing, so long as you don't?" she said, batting her eyelashes. She almost appeared innocent.
Jim wasn't so drunk as to miss her meaning, "Oh, Josie's a pro, so I don't reckon she'll object. At least, she said her name was Josie," he seemed to lose his thought in mid-sentence.
"Well then, it looks like we'll have ourselves a party!" Lorena cried with delight, clapping her hands together and taking Jim's arm. "Come along now, Bill," she said over her shoulder, "I have a surprise for you."
He didn't much like the sound of that, but he had no choice but to obey. Beside, he was famished. Being a young vampire, he still required more blood than his maker. Josie wasn't much to look at, but she smelled heavenly. Her blood would be very satisfying.
When he entered the house with Josie in tow, he was surprised to see Lorena sitting beside a heavily glamoured Jim. He figured she must be in a playful mood. That wouldn't present a problem for Bill, since he hadn't yet had the chance to satisfy his lust for sex since their arrival in Little Rock. Feeding would arouse him, and Lorena would no doubt wish to mend fences. He offered her a fangy smile, which she returned. But there was more than lust behind her eyes. There was triumph. What was she about?
"William, put the baggage down and come sit with me for a moment, please?" The 'please' part caught him off guard.
He sat and turned his great dark eyes to his maker. "Aren't you hungry?" he asked.
"Oh, I fed a few hours ago," she said, taking his cold hand in hers, "but I can tell you need to feed, so I won't keep you from it for long."
He was confused. "You asked me to bring two. Why did you feed already?" His voice was cold and he was becoming angry. Did she doubt his skills? He'd proven himself more than capable. Bill had been a proud man, and was a prouder vampire.
"William," she sighed, "Don't be angry, dear. You are one of the most gifted hunters I've ever met. Let me explain. I think you'll be pleased."
She waited until his temper cooled, though he was still wary. "I know you aren't happy with me." She stated the truth simply and without fanfare. Bill didn't argue.
She continued, "I love you, and I want you to be happy."
He kept his face very still, not daring to hope that she was releasing him. He waited. After a moment, he felt another presence nearby. Not human. It was Vampire. "Are we having company?" he asked.
"Oh yes," she said, barely able to conceal her glee. Her fangs were out. "Help me take our other guests down to the basement and I'll introduce you."
He rose and picked up Josie, as Lorena whispered to Jim and bid him follow her. They moved down the steps and Bill heard rustling. He heard whimpers, and was aware of a scratching sound. Fingernails on wood. Someone was clawing.
Lorena walked ahead, carrying the lantern for the benefit of their human companions. She stopped in front of the cellar door, behind which the desperate sounds intensified. Bill looked on with mild interest. Perhaps Lorena had trapped another human for their vampire guest. The frantic nature of the sounds excited Bill's instincts and his fangs extended even more. He was becoming ravenous.
Lorena moved toward him, excited by his response. "I want you to remember how much effort it took for me to walk away from you tonight," she said, reaching down to caress his manhood. "I want you," she purred, nipping at the tender skin of his neck, "and I love you so, but I'm willing to share if it pleases you. And tonight, this gift is for you."
She placed light kisses over his face and his neck, and then led him to the cellar door. "Her name is Judith," Lorena whispered, "I made her for you. Tonight, you'll teach her. Feed her, clean her, and love her. For you, William," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice, "all for you." She turned and walked upstairs, and he felt her leave the house.
Bill was stunned. He stood very still for a long time, letting Lorena's words sink in. She'd turned a human. She'd taken her life and she had done this for him. She thought it would please me? His fangs ran full out as rage filled him, the rage he'd bottled up for decades since she violated him in the same way. Turning his face to the low ceiling, he fell to his knees and roared. Josie roused at the sound. She hadn't been glamoured. She screamed. Bill's rage found its target.
The moans and scratches from behind the cellar door intensified as Bill fed. Death was palpable in the small room, and the scent of blood overpowering. As his bloodlust abated, Bill turned to regard the door. The Vampire behind that door had almost torn it from its hinges. She was hungry, and most likely terrified, disoriented, and dangerous.
As angry as he was, Bill realized that leaving this creature locked up and alone was a horrible cruelty. Her plight touched a sore spot in his soul. He walked to the door and spoke in his cool voice, gentle and soothing. "Judith?"
He was answered with a wail, so he shifted tactics and yelled, "Be quiet!" His voice was cold and commanding, and she responded with silence.
"I'm going to let you out. What you feel right now is the deep hunger of a newborn. You must feed. I will teach you. I will care for you so long as you obey me. I will keep you safe. Do you understand me?"
"Y-y-yes," came a soft voice, like that of a child, "Wh-wh-what's happening to me? Where am I? Where is Richard, I need to get home to him. He'll be worried! My babies . . ." She was reduced to soft sobs.
He had to be cruel to be kind. Later, he would offer comfort, but not now. "You've been made Vampire, Judith. You must feed." He opened the door. His heart leapt to his throat. The Woman. It was her. Lorena had turned her.
Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of him. "You're covered in blood," she gasped. She was torn between horror and fascination. Her fangs had run full out, though she was unaware. Her face was covered with bloody tears and her clothes were dirty and torn to shreds. He would have to find suitable clothing for her. She had a fuller figure than Lorena. He was at the outer limits of his control, hunger for The Woman threatening to overpower him.
Before he lost his mind, he yanked her roughly over to Jim. He had not stirred from his stupor, and Bill bent his neck and gasped at Judith, "Bite!"
She bit hard and well. In her frenzy, she spilled almost as much blood as she swallowed, but it was enough for a while. They might have to hunt later, but it would sustain her for now. She released Jim and fell backward, the thrill of her first feed painted on her face, cheeks rosier than before, panting and heaving breaths that she no longer needed.
He stood very still and watched. The fresh blood, the scent of her, the resemblance to his wife, and he was stretched to his breaking point. He could feel her in a strange way, as her sibling. Desire welled within her, too, though she struggled. He felt a pang of pity for her. To be so overwhelmed and dismayed, in the grip of such overpowering urges was frightening. She'd mentioned her husband. She was not inexperienced, then. That would make it easier. He whispered, not daring to look at her, "Come with me."
He moved with human speed as she followed him upstairs. Running would be a lesson saved for later, along with hunting. He wondered if she would stay still long enough for him to fetch and heat bath water. He wondered if he could wait so long, if she could. When he opened the door to the main room, he found the copper tub already filled with warm water, sitting and waiting for them. Lorena could be a mean bitch, but she was good at planning. And practical. He was grateful, in spite of himself.
He turned to Judith, who stood in the room looking very lost and very uncomfortable. Being new, she was still able to manage a blush. She was fidgeting and her frustration was evident. He longed to touch her. When she met his eyes, he could see her need. Talk her through it? No, it would be best to keep words to a minimum. He could comfort her now and take comfort for himself, and he was skilled. It had been so very long since he'd made love to a woman, rather than simply taken her. And it was never truly his choice with Lorena. He moved to her and lifted her face to look into his.
She resisted, looking down and muttering, "I can't, ooh but I want . . . I just drank blood and I enjoyed it. Oh God!"
He sorely wished his glamour worked on vampires right at this moment. "Judith, look at me," he commanded. She obeyed. Some of Lorena's influence must extend to him, then, as her first. "My name is William Compton. I am Vampire, like you. I am here to teach you and to care for you, to meet your needs. I am at your service." With that, he kissed her. He held himself in check, gauging her response. She didn't resist, though she was not yet accustomed to her fangs. She nicked his lip.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," she cried, but he stilled her with a rougher kiss, nicking her lip and merging their blood. It was beyond exciting, this first blood exchange, even more intoxicating than with Lorena. She moaned, he growled, and their hands explored one another thoroughly. He yanked her dress down and she yelped in pain and pleasure. He had pulled the dress hard enough to bruise her tender flesh. She watched as the blue and purple marks faded and gasped in wonder.
Bill began to disrobe, but Judith was impatient. She ripped his shirt from his body and began to work on his trousers, whining and cursing as her fingers clawed at the buttons. With a roar of frustration, she used her fangs to tear them and release his excitement, which she proceeded to fondle and suckle greedily.
The feel her hands and mouth on him was incredible, the pleasure enhanced by the sharing of blood. He could smell and feel the want on her. She could taste it on him. He jerked her to her feet, determined to move them to the bed in the adjacent room before lust forced them to couple on the floor.
They tumbled into the bed and he crooned to her, bidding her to be still, be patient. His fingers explored every inch of her flesh, sensation heightened by new vampire senses. He spread her and entered her with one finger, then two, excited by her feel and her response. Without prelude, he moved over her and whispered, "May I?"
"Oh YES!" she cried, and he thrust into her. They moved together with frantic abandon. Slow and gentle would come later. Mutual need overwhelmed all else. She screamed as she climaxed, biting his shoulder and taking his blood. His fangs found her neck as he emptied himself into her. Bodies intertwined, blood to blood, flesh to flesh, Bill felt a peace he hadn't known in untold years. "Thank you," he whispered as he held her in a fierce embrace.
After they both recovered, Bill led her to the bath. He washed her as he would an infant, with great care and attention. He entered, cleaned himself, and then pulled her to him, cradling her in his strong arms. In spite of her dismay and shock, he felt her total trust in him. As they soaked, he spoke to her. Words of comfort and of instruction. They would hunt later, after this blissful respite.