7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

1/59

His Lady of the Night

Chapter One

He came out of the shadows, a man, yet not a man. He had long black hair tied back with

a piece of leather. He wore a shirt with ruffled cuffs that peeked out from the sleeves ofhis well-cut jacket. Behind him, his black cape moved around him, caressing him with

each step he took. On his feet he wore knee-high shiny black riding boots. His face was

pale, but what drew Olivia to him was his dark blue piercing eyes.

Instinctively Olivia knew her time had come. All the nightmares she'd had night after

night for the last month had been leading to this moment. The intimate knowledge of her

own death washed over her frozen form, like an icy wave, filling her heart with dread.Although she had expected the attack, Olivia stood paralyzed. She ordered her feet to

move, to run, but they didn't even twitch as the creature slowly approached. Horror filled

her heart and fear entered her vivid green eyes as she watched his mouth open and his

incisors become more prominent.

The creature smiled evilly, "It's time Olivia," he rasped out. "You knew that I wouldcome. You've dreamed of me, of your death."

His compelling voice filled her mind to overflowing; there was no escape from itsinsidiously mesmerizing grasp. She tried to command her mind to not listen to his

beautiful tones, but even as she tried, her shoulder length auburn hair fell back as she

exposed her neck to his gaze. Hunger appeared in his eyes as his gaze feasted on her

pulse. His hands gently took her shoulders and he bent his head to her neck.

Before his teeth could graze, a shadow swooped from the sky and landed behind him. Ahand reached out and pushed through his body, and when it retreated, it held in its palmthe beating heart of the creature.

The creature roared and lost his hold on her, but still she didn't move as he leapt from herside to battle the one who held his heart.

The unknown shadow dissolved into mist and reappeared, his back to her. He threw the

creature's heart into the air just as a blue streak of lightning arched down from themidnight sky and struck it; disintegrating it to dust. The creature fell to his knees and

flopped to the ground, his unearthly cries hurting her ears. Another streak of lightning

appeared and struck the creature, it burst into flames and disintegrated as his heart had.

Olivia swayed and the shadow immediately caught her in his arms. She looked up into his

deep, dark black eyes that revealed concern and tenderness. She knew this stranger andyet they'd never met before tonight. The stranger slowly lowered her to her feet and held

her as she regained her balance.

A tiny presence in her open mind, the stranger prepared to erase the events just passed.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

2/59

Olivia shook her head, "Don't erase my memories. I want to remember, so that I'll be

prepared for the next vampire that attempts to harm me."

The stranger's eyes widened in shock. He'd thought she didn't know what the creature

was. That he'd been able to mask his true self from her. As he thought these things henoticed her shaking her head.

"He couldn't mask his true self from me," she said, "I'm cursed you see. I have the abilityto see through any masks a person might project and as you can see, I also read minds."

As she spoke, Olivia wondered why she wasn't afraid of the stranger. She searched her

mind and tried to recall if he'd been in her nightmares. He was tall and muscular. His longblond hair flowed behind him and he had the face of one of God's angels. His lips slowly

stretched into a sensuous smile as he acknowledged her perusal. Olivia blushed and sent

out her senses to his mind, but it was now blank. Somehow he had the ability to block her

from reading his thoughts.

Chapter Two

Olivia pushed away from him. She studied his handsome face and wondered who he

was? Why he'd saved her?

"Who are you?" she asked now. "How did you know what would destroy the vampire?"

Still the stranger did not speak. He just slightly shook his head and continued to gaze ather features as if memorizing them. He swept his arm out toward the coffee shop up the

street, silently inviting her to join him. Perplexed, Olivia agreed. He crooked his arm like

the men in the days of old and his smile grew as she gently laid her hand on his arm.

Desire from just her touch sent Jake's muscles rippling as they walked. He'd finally found

the one he'd been searching for. The one he would mate with, the one who had the rareblood that would bring him the power he needed to defeat Drake, the evil Master of

Tarsus.

He'd been waiting centuries for this woman and he'd almost been too late. He shudderedat just the thought of seeing the vampire bent over her neck. He knew Drake would send

more vampires after her; it was only a matter of time.

As she passed him to enter the coffee shop, Jake smelled the faint scent of her perfume.

His nostrils flared at the erotic images that scent provoked in him. His heart began

beating more rapidly as he realized this was the first time since Drake, a fledgling backthen, had cornered him in a London alley and had turned him.

They sat down and Olivia watched the play of emotions cross his face at whatever his

thoughts were. She focused her mind to read deeper into his thoughts but still his mind

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

3/59

was like a blank slate. Jake felt the probe and looked at her an eyebrow crooked; she

blushed at being caught and turned her gaze to the waitress approaching their table.

Olivia asked for a cappuccino and Jake nodded he would have the same. Though he

wouldn't drink it, with the powers he possessed he could make everyone in the coffee

shop believe he had.

"So, are you ever going to speak? I'm still waiting for you to tell me your name,"

ventured Olivia.

" My name is Jake," came the reply.

Olivia gasped and her drink went down the wrong windpipe. She coughed and stared athim in shock. As she'd waited for him to answer, she'd been watching his mouth, thinking

how delicious it would be to feel his lips against hers, touching the most intimate places

on her body when she heard his name in her mind.

"Jake, is your name?"

He nodded and his eyes glowed with humor as he responded to her thoughts, " I wouldn't

mind placing my lips in those areas myself, I'd even use my tongue if you'd like."

~ * ~

Rage boiled from Drake as he watched the couple in the crystal ball set on its golden

pedestal. Rafael had failed to get the woman's blood. Damn Jake's timing! He would haveto show up at the worst time. Until one of his minions destroyed Jake he would not be

able to rise to the surface and feed on the gullible humans. He cursed the day the angel

returned Jake's soul to him. He summoned Julius, his most trusted assassin and sent himto the task of eliminating the man he'd once called friend.

Chapter Three

Olivia immediately shielded her mind. She ducked her head, letting her hair hide her

reddened cheeks. Jake chuckled and reached over; placing a finger under her chin he

raised her face back up to his gaze. Olivia kept her eyes veiled not wanting top look intohis intense gaze.

" Look at me Olivia," he entreated softly pushing through her shield. " You should not beembarrassed. You're a beautiful woman and it's only natural that I would fantasize too."

Olivia slowly raised her gaze to his. She saw the multitude of emotions in his eyes,ranging from tenderness to lust, tolove? How could she see love in his eyes? She didn't

even know him!

" You know me, cara," he said. " Just as I know you."

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

4/59

Suddenly feeling afraid, Olivia shook her head emphatically, "I don't know you. How

could I? We've only just met."

" Look past your nightmares cara, and remember, you know who I am."

Shaken, Olivia suddenly wanted away from this man. She leaned away from him and slid

out of the booth. Jake made to rise too but Olivia shook her head and raised her palm,

warding him away from her.

"I don't know who you are and I don't know how you know about my nightmares! I

certainly didn't tell you. I thank you for saving me from that creature but I want you to

stay away from me," she whispered as she backed away, turned and rushed out of thecoffee shop.

Jake cursed; he'd gone too fast, he'd frightened her. He'd have to go slowly to woo her.

He threw money on the table and followed her out. He walked to an empty alley, shape-shifted into a white owl and took to the air. It was 11pm and he watched as she hailed a

cab and got in. He followed and watched as 20 minutes later it stopped in front of arundown apartment building in the Bronx. As she hurried up the stairs, she waved to an

old African American woman sitting on the stoop as she passed her and entered. Jake

landed and shape-shifted on the roof of the building opposite hers. Only a few windowshad lights shining from them, so he waited to see which one would tell him was Olivia's

apartment.

A few seconds later, a light came on in one of the top floor windows. She must have runup the stairs. Jake's keen eyesight spied Olivia passing the living room window and

another light came on as she entered her bedroom. Though the blinds were down Jake

could see her shadow, his breathing accelerated and his loins grew heavy as he watchedhis woman undress.

From where he was standing, the outline of her body was incredible, her breast lookedfirm and well shaped, he imagined cupping them in his hands, bending down and teasing

the nipples with his teeth. He groaned aloud and his incisors grew just at the thought of

drinking from such lushness. Jake closed his eyes and reached for her mind.

Confusion reigned, as did resignation that she would not be able to escape the man called

Jake. Olivia knew she'd seen him before and as she sat at her vanity brushing her hair her

thoughts drifted to her nightmares.

" She was walking down a dark street; gang members were hold up in doorways

whispering to each other. Olivia could hear their thoughts as she passed by them; 'Thatone sure is a lookerI'd love to get between those legs, manthere's an alley up

ahead' Suddenly their thoughts ceased seeping through her mind and she could hear her

name echoing over and over. 'OliviaOliviaCome to meCome to me OliviaI'm

waiting.' She heard running feet, stopped and turned just in time to see a few of the

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

5/59

gang members running around the corner as if the hounds of hell were after them.

'Olivia,' she heard again. The voice sounded so pure, so compelling, she didn't want to

follow its command but her feet kept slowly moving. Even remembering, Olivia tried tochange the nightmare's outcome, to control her body from advancing toward the creature

but his voice had hold of her will and would not let go.

As she delved deeper into her nightmare it changed, she was no longer on the street but in

the Bronx Zoo, standing in front of the Siberian Tiger cage. It was night, Olivia looked in

all directions but no one was there. 'How did I get here?' she wondered aloud as she facedthe tiger cage again.

Chapter Four

He recognized her instantly. The golden aura surrounding her confirmed she was the one.

But he couldn't reveal his presence yet; it was too soon. He had to make sure Drake's

minions were nowhere about before he could introduce himself and begin her seduction.

He sat at attention and stared at her with his yellow gaze as she turned, looking for someexplanation of her presence in the Bronx Zoo.

His lip curled in a semblance of a smile as he remembered subtly planting the hypnotic

command to come to him earlier that evening. And now she was here. He feasted his eyes

on her beautiful face that showed a small amount of fear to which she would notsurrender. Her alabaster skin glistened in the twilight and his desire mounted as she

slowly approached the barred cage he sat behind.

It was 2am and confusion reigned in Olivia's mind as she slowly walked toward theSiberian tiger, which sat staring at her.

"They shouldn't cage you magnificent animals like this. You belong in the wild whereyou can run and hunt your prey like you were meant to," she said conversationally.

The tiger growled low as if agreeing with her and Olivia smiled. The tiny smidgen of feardissipated as she gazed into the tiger's eyes. They were intelligent eyes that glowed with

understanding and inner fire, which captured her gaze and held it securely. Her hands

curled around the bars as she stepped closer. The tiger stood and approached closer as

well. He nuzzled her fingers until she opened her hand and slowly, controlling theanimal's natural instinct to devour, ran his rough tongue lightly over it. He couldn't help

himself; he had to taste her to feel her hands on him.

Olivia shivered as the tiger licked her hand, there didn't seem to be any danger so she

slowly uncurled her other hand and slipped it into the cage to pet the tiger's head. The

tiger purred and she ventured further to rub behind his ears. He slowly shifted his tonguefrom her fingers to her arm and sensuously licked his way up to her shoulder and neck as

she slid to her knees caught up in the erotic feelings he generated in her.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

6/59

He pushed his head further through the bars and ran his tongue softly over her lace-

covered breast. Olivia gasped and pulled away. 'What am I doing?' she thought as she

quickly moved away from the cage. She'd been on the point of climaxing when sherealized it wasn't a man arousing her but a tiger! Olivia shook her head and ran.

Olivia opened her eyes and gasped. It couldn't be! It was too incredulous to think. Thetiger? Jake? It couldn't be possible . . .could it? She thought back to the battle between the

vampire and him. How easily he'd shoved his fist through the creature's chest cavity and

removed its heart. How he'd come from the sky and commanded the lightning to strikewhere he directed. As a child she'd heard tales of beings capable of such feats but she'd

never heard they could change themselves into animals. One thing she was certain of, is

if the tiger she'd seen in the zoo three weeks ago was Jake then that meant he wasn't

human and she'd best stay as far away from him as possible.

" Stay away from him," chuckled Jake when he heard that thought. "I don't think so," he

aloud as he shape-shifted into an owl and flew to her window. Landing lightly on the

ledge he hopped closer to the window and spied through a small slit between the curtains.He watched as Olivia finished brushing her magnificent auburn mane, rise and pull the

covers back from one side of the bed. A prayer to God for strength and courage againstthe unspeakable evil stalking her flitted briefly in her mind then she adjusted her clock,

lied down and closed her eyes.

Jake stayed on the ledged and watched over her until his internal clock told him the sun

would not be long in rising. He dissolved into mist and slipped inside her room. He

silently walked over to the bed and stared down at her. Her breathing told him she was in

a deep sleep as he bent down and lightly brushed his lips on her brow. So she'd have nonightmares this night he commanded her into a deep sleep. Jake sighed contently, ' Soon

she would be his,' he vowed as he changed into mist again and left to seek shelter in the

underground sanctuary under the house he'd built on the outskirts of New York. ChapterFive

At 7:30 am the alarm clock went off waking Olivia from a sound sleep. Groggy sheslapped the snooze button and closed her eyes, "Just a few more minutes," she whispered

to herself. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open and she sat up as the memories of last night's

thoughts filtered into her mind. The tiger. Jake. "Nah," she said and shook her head at her

imagination. She got out of bed and proceeded with her morning routine before headingto Christopher Columbus High School located in the Northeast Bronx where she worked

as a counselor.

By 8:15 am she was out the door and waiting at the bus stop down the street. The bus

arrived five minutes later and Olivia boarded with a "Hi Harry" to the driver as she

passed and took a seat. At 8:25 am the bus stopped again and two men with gunsboarded. The second man pointed his weapon at the driver while the first came down the

isle and stopped at Olivia's side. Olivia was scared. What did these men want? Why was

this happening?

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

7/59

"Olivia Sterling?" said the man in a raspy voice.

Startled that he knew her name, Olivia looked up into dead eyes, she shivered with dreadand tried to slide closer to the window but the man snatched her arm in a tight grip and

pulled her up.

"You're coming with us, Master wants you," he declared. Olivia began putting up a fight

but the man was ready, "You fight, we kill all," he whispered in her ear. Frightened and

believing he meant it; the fight went out of her and she let him pull her unresistingly offthe bus. The other man kept his gun trained on the driver and other passengers as the man

with the dead eyes dragged her to a car and stuffed her in the trunk. A few seconds later

she heard a shot fired and doors slamming then the car was moving.

Terrified, Olivia lay there trying to figure out why the men had kidnapped her. She had

no family that could pay ransom and she had no enemies who'd want to hurt her, in fact

she had no friends who'd even do this as a practical joke! By the time her heart stopped

beating wildly enough for her to think clearly they'd arrived at their destination. Thetrunk opened and the two men pulled her out. They dragged her into an abandoned

building, pushed her in rickety a chair, tied and gagged her, then left. Tears slipped fromOlivia's terrified eyes as various horrifying scenarios flitted through her mind.

Deep beneath the earth Jake awoke with a sense of panic. Something was wrong. Hescanned his sanctuary then his home. There was nothing there that should have awakened

him. Still he could feel the panic mounting in him. Then he knew. Olivia. She was in

trouble. He reached out to her thoughts and saw everything that had gone down just a half

hour ago. The men with guns, the car and the building.

He recognized the men; they were Julius's stooges. Not completely zombie-like for he'd

only drank from them once to ensure their loyalty. That meant Drake had sent his highest

lieutenant to take his love. Rage exploded as he silently slipped into her mind to calm herwild thoughts. What Jake didn't know and was only to find out later, was that Julius had

never taken the two gunmen's blood, he'd only made Drake and all other vampires believe

he had.

Jake calmed somewhat as he found her unhurt only scared. He chuckle as one of her wild

thoughts had Julius looking like an absurd little green man come to earth to take her toes

as a trophy to prove he'd been there.

The words " Olivia love," came across the distance and jerked Olivia from her morbid

thoughts. " Julius is not a little green man no matter how much I would wish him to be,"said Jake.

" Jake, is that you?" Olivia's frantic voice echoed in his mind. " Where are you?"

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

8/59

" Be calm Cara, I cannot come to you right now but I will as soon as the sun descends

and the moon begins its rise," he said.

" What do you mean you can't come now? I'm in big trouble here! Some goons just

kidnapped me off the bus and I think they shot the driver . . .or one of the passengers at

least. I heard the shot! I don't understand it. Olivia said forlornly. Usually I'm forewarnedwhen danger is near but this time I wasn't,"

Jake stiffened, as he realized why she'd had no warning and it was his fault. He recalledthe command he'd issued so she'd sleep without nightmares. He sighed deeply and felt

guilt find its way in his heart for the first time in centuries. If he'd only known that her

dreaming was also part of her gifts, he'd never have done it. Chapter Six

" Jake, are you still there?" Olivia anxiously asked. She didn't question how she could

hear him in her mind, she was just so elated that the feelings of aloneness she'd felt since

the goons had left was now gone.

Jake jerked away from his thoughts, though he lay there still as death a finger

nevertheless twitched at the sound of her voice entreating him to answer her. " Yes Cara,I'm still here. I will not leave you," he promised. " Tell me, have you remembered when

we first met?"

Olivia blushed scarlet and Jake chuckled. " Well, Cara? Are you going to answer me?" he

teased.

Olivia shook her head emphatically then realized he couldn't see her. " No. I don'tremember," she stated.

" Whom are you trying to convince my love, me or you?" he asked. " I was in your mindlast night as you delved in your memories for our first meeting at the zoo. You recall the

tiger don't you?"

" I've never been to the Bronx Zoo!" exclaimed Olivia as her whole body shuddered at

the erotic memory.

Outright laughter greeter her, " I didn't mention the Bronx Zoo," replied Jakemischievously.

Suddenly, Olivia stiffened as she heard sounds outside the door. " Jake!" she exclaimed, "They're coming back! What do I do?"

" Stay calm Livvie, they will not hurt you," replied Jake.

" How do you know they won't hurt me? I'm tied to a chair Jake; they can do whatever

they want! No one will even hear my cries since I'm gagged, and besides in the part of

town I'm in, nobody would even care," Olivia angrily said.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

9/59

" I know because they did not kidnap you for themselves, they did it for another," stated

Jake.

" Another? You mean this Julius guy?" she queried.

" Yes," said Jake. " Now I want you to do what I tell you. When they come into the room,

I want you to look at them so I can see them through your eyes," he ordered.

Olivia frowned as she watched the doorknob slowly turn. " You can do that?" she asked

skeptically.

" Yes. That is only one of the small things I can do. When we join, you will also have thisability."

" Join" she began.

" I will explain everything tonight, my love," said Jake as the door opened and the twogoons entered.

The man with the dead eyes approached and tested her bindings while the other grabbed

another chair and set it in front of her. He then placed a tray on it and backed away.

Heeding Jake's orders, Olivia just stared at them. Suddenly the man with the dead eyesbegan to shake slightly, then more and more.

"Christ, what's happening to me?" he yelled as he looked at his confederate.

Dazed, the other man just stared, stunned. His eyes grew double their size as he watched

his cohort's face begin to swell like a melon. He looked over at Olivia; her green eyes

were trained on dead eyes. Suspicion set in, he pulled out his gun and aimed it on her.

"Stop what you're doing to him!" he yelled at her. "Or I'll shoot you right now. Screw the

Master; he'll just have to find another woman with your rare blood," he threatened.

Eyes wide with terror, Olivia kept shaking her head, trying to convey that it wasn't her

doing this. The man stalked over to her and pulled the gag out.

Mouth dry, she squeaked out, "It's not me!"

"Of course it's you!" growled the man, "there's nobody else here. The Master said youhad powers so it's gotta be you."

Suddenly, the man's arm pulled away from her. The hand holding the gun twisted aroundto point at his chest. Startled, the man tried to let go of his firearm but it was as if his

fingers were glued to the handle. Terror entered his eyes as he saw his finger slowly pull

on the trigger.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

10/59

His panicked gaze jumped to Olivia's, "Please lady, don't do this! I don't want to die!" he

implored her.

Olivia shook as she stared in horror at the two men. " What's happening Jake?" she cried

out tears spilling over onto her cheeks. Chapter Seven

Jake blocked out Olivia's voice as he concentrated all his energy into keeping her eyes

open and focused on his enemies as he destroyed them. To the man holding the handgun

he compelled him to pull the trigger, which made a neat little hole through the man'sheart. The life went out of the man's glazed eyes and he was dead before he hit the

ground. Jake forced Olivia to turn her head toward the other man and compelled him to

wrap his own hands around his neck and squeeze. 'Dead Eyes' did as bidden, his eyes

bulged as with both hands he encircled his own neck and squeezed until the very essenceof his life was no more.

Jake heaved a sigh, he hadn't enjoyed killing the two men but he couldn't conceive letting

them live to come after Olivia again. Since Julius had only taken their blood and hadn'tgiven them any of his, he was able to make their deaths less gruesome than if they'd been

ghouls. You had to incinerate ghouls otherwise the stupid, mindless creatures just keptcoming at you again and again until they destroyed you . . .or you them.

Jake tuned in back to Olivia and closed his mental arms around her, soothing her. Hersobs pierced his heart. " I'm sorry you had to see that love. There was no other way I

could destroy them, I wish there had been," he said sadly. He mentally ran his hand down

her silky hair and continued whispering soothing words until her sobs had ceased.

Olivia knew it wasn't his fault; it was her fault the two men had died.

" No!" fairly shouted Jake. " This was not your fault."

" You know it is Jake," Olivia passionately replied. " It's because of my rare blood that

they kidnapped me and it's because of me that you had to kill them. Their deaths or onmy hands."

" We will discuss this later. Right now I need you to be safe. Let's get you out of there

before someone else shows up," he said firmly keeping his emotions in check so as not tooverwhelm her with his feelings. She needed him calm now not emotional. Though all he

really wanted to do was wrap his arms around her, hold her and never let her go. But he

could not. The sun was at its brightest and his body would soon be too lethargic to aid hisbeloved's escape.

" Okay," said Olivia. " But how do I untie myself? I can't use my hands because they'retied behind my back and my feet are tied to the chair legs."

" Don't worry love, I will help you," Jake said calmly. " Can you bend and see the ropes

around your feet?"

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

11/59

" Yes," she replied.

" Good. Look at the ropes so I can see them as well," he said.

Olivia bent down and stared at the ropes. Despite knowing Jake had the ability to do thisfrom a distance, Olivia's eyes still widened in amazement as the ropes around her ankles

loosened. She extracted her feet and groaned in pain as the circulation returned.

" Alright, now what? My hands are still tied behind the chair," she said. " Jake? Are you

still there? Answer me?"

Olivia focused her mind on him and sensed his presence fading. " Jake, what'shappening? Where are you going? You can't leave me like this!" she shouted hysterically.

" I ammy lovethe sun" Jake tried to tell her he could no longer help her. While

destroying her kidnappers and then soothing her, the sun had continued its rise and hecould no longer mentally stay with her. Jake's mind shut down and he completely

vanished, leaving her alone.

Olivia sensed the instant his presence left her mind. 'Wasn't it just like a man to leave the

job half undone,' she thought angrily. Now she'd have to figure out a way to get out ofthis predicament herself. She gazed around the room studiously keeping her eyes from

straying to the two dead men lying a few feet away. Olivia tested her feet again and found

the numbness gone. At first, she experimented by shuffling the chair backwards toward

the window several times by using her feet to push, but that didn't work. All thathappened was she came perilously close to toppling over.

Next, she tried to stand but her foot kept slipping, which made her stay glued to the seat.An hour passed and shadows began darkening the room. Panic set in and Olivia knew if

she wasn't out of here in the next half hour she'd die here. Urgency lent her enough

strength to rise. Bent over like a pretzel she took a step, slipped and fell on her sidebreaking the rickety chair in the process. A shaky smile appeared on her lips, she'd done

it! She'd freed herself from the chair.

Olivia tried to rise and realized her hands were still tied. Again she looked around theroom and spotted glass under the broken window. Getting to her knees she walked on

them to reach the broken glass, sat down with a thump and felt behind her. She grabbed a

long piece and began sawing through the rope. Fifteen minutes and several bleeding cutslater the rope gave way and Olivia sighed in relief. Rubbing her wrist to return the

circulation she scrambled to her feet and ran out of the building.

Outside, she saw the goons' car still parked on the street. She looked in and shouted for

joy. The keys were still there. It was a miracle. She got in and drove to a few blocks from

her home. Once there, she opened the trunk, grabbed her purse, which had been left

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

12/59

behind when they'd dragged her into the building and hurried home, where she double

locked the door and windows then sat down on the sofa to wait for Jake. Chapter Eight

A few minutes before the sun's descent, Jake awoke with a ferocious hunger. He touched

Olivia's mind and found her sound asleep on the sofa in her home. Relief flooded his

being. She'd managed to free herself and he was truly proud of her but still felt guilt athaving to abandon her because of the sun's limitations on him. He scanned his

surroundings, detecting no danger he shot out of the earth looking for prey. As he reached

the edge of the city, he called three homeless men to him and fed deeply for he kneweverything was about to change.

After tonight Olivia's life would never be the same. Jake regretted he could no longer

take the time to woo her, Drake's knowledge of her existence and consequent kidnappingof her proved he'd have to convert her before they got their hands on her again. She was

no longer safe to stay human. To survive Drake and his minions she'd need the power his

ancient blood and her rare blood mixed together would give her and him to defeat not

only his enemy but now hers as well.

Gently propping the tree men against a tree, he planted memories of being tired andwanting to sleep, then he dissolved into mist and flew to Olivia's apartment. He slipped

under the slight slit of the living room window and rematerialized hunched down at her

side.

Jake gazed at her beautiful face and smiled tenderly. She was such a feisty little thing; his

love for her knew no bounds. She moved sensuously and moaned in her sleep.

Wondering what she was dreaming he scanned her thoughts and found the images of thezoo. Jake's smile deepened, and his eyes fell to her wrists. He frowned when he saw them

raw and cut. He scanned passed the tiger images and saw the memory of how she'd cut

the ropes from her wrists. Jake's only thought then was to heal her. He picked up her handand held it in his, bent his head and sensuously licked her wounds, healing them with his

tongue.

Olivia was dreaming of the zoo. Of the tiger gently licking her hand, her arm and breast.

She moaned with pleasure as his tongue slowly aroused her sensitive peak and heat

pooled between her legs. She awoke and languidly opened her passion filled eyes. The

sight of Jake made her gasp softly as she watched him sensuously swirl his tongue overher wrists.

"Jake," she whispered.

Jake opened his eyes and gazed into hers. He'd thought only to heal her wounds then tell

her that to safeguard her he'd have to convert her, but the desire in her eyes made thatimpossible. He eased her up against him and kissed her.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

13/59

He'd thought he was prepared. But there was no way to be ready for the rush of hunger,

the sudden hollowing of his stomach, as if the world had suddenly exploded. Her month

was sweet and giving, it wasn't enough. He wanted more. He needed more.

He ran his hand up her thigh, under her skirt and along her hip, the curve of her belly. He

loved the feel of her stomach, the curves and softness of her. He lingered there a moment,caressing her, feeling her muscles shift as she moved, bringing herself more fully against

him. Making him shudder.

Cupping her breast he pressed her down onto her back. He couldn't stop kissing her. Her

taste was like a drug but he knew he wouldn't be able to wait much longer to taste her

sweet blood. She made a sound of approval as he tugged her shirt up and feasted his eyes

upon her nakedness.

Her breasts were full, her nipples dark and hard, the areoles large and pebbly. She was

breathing quickly. He glanced at her face, wanting her to know how much she pleased

him. Her lips were parted, her eyes filled with desire and wanting. "Jake," she pleaded asher legs moved restlessly.

With just a thought both their clothes were gone and he pulled her to the floor with him.

Firmly he cupped her, massaged her gently using the heel of his hand he put pressure

where she needed it. Her head tilted back and her low moan sent his blood surging. Hebent his head to her throat and began sensuously kissing her. Her pulse called to him and

his teeth grew. He pierced and took only a taste before closing the tiny punctures. Again

he wanted more. Needed more. He trailed his hand to her heat; she was so wet and ready.

Jake eased himself between her legs and kissed her as he sank into her welcoming heat.

Olivia moaned in ecstasy as his first thrust sent her spiraling to heaven. She wrapped

herself around him and their thoughts merged. Their desire heightened their pleasure asJake slowly withdrew then thrust deep into her again and again. Olivia said his name,

then said it again as she lifted to meet and match him thrust for thrust. Jake bent his head

and suckled first one nipple then the other. Olivia's hands began to explore. She wantedto touch, to taste and sample, and find the places that made him wild.

Pain and pleasure became one as Jake sank his fangs in her breast and drank and drank.

Power surged as her sweet blood flowed into his body. He could feel it. The air aroundthem sizzled. Olivia gasped in wonder as she watched the images of them making

sensuous love in his mind. Jake closed the wound on her breast and with a razor sharp

nail cut his chest.

He pulled her head forward, "Drink, my love. Taste the power of our mingled blood," he

pleaded savagely. Olivia knew what would happen if she drank his blood. She'd seen thememory of his turning and knew she'd be as he when she awoke the next night. She

gazed into his black eyes and realized she loved him and could not live without him.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

14/59

Olivia smiled into his eyes and slowly flicked her tongue out and ran it up the trail of

blood that had run from the wound. She couldn't believe the sweet metallic taste didn't

make her gag, but there it was. She closed her mouth over the wound and drank as deeplyas he'd had.

Jake sighed and shuddered with pleasure and relief as she took his offered gift. Up tillthen even her thoughts had not betrayed her intent. He tightened his hold on her and

pushed her legs a little wider, making more room for himself and changing the angle, and

he began to move faster. "Stop now," he raggedly said.

With each change in tempo or pressure, Olivia experienced new sensations. Her hands

slid from his shoulders to his buttocks and down between his legs to the bit of skin

stretched tight. She scraped it lightly with her fingernails.

Jake's whole body arched as a low sound tore from his throat - then he was slamming into

her. He gasped, paused and put a hand between them, his thumb finding the sweetest spot

on her body. As he thrust hard into her, his thumb pushed on that spot and she convulsed,joining him. Olivia lost her grip on time, as if it were a thread suddenly wrenched from

her hands. Spent, they lay in each other's arms and dosed.

Chapter Nine

Olivia awoke in her bed to the sound of muted voices. She kept her eyes closed as she

marveled at hearing them at all; it was as if they were right in the room with her.

Intrigued, she got up, put on her robe and walked quietly to the bedroom door.

"How could you do this Jake? You were only supposed to drink a little of her blood, not

most of it then have her drink yours! The Big Man is not happy," said a voice she didn't

recognize.

"I cant live without her, Connor. I love her. She is life to me," said Jake without rancor

or guilt. "The Big Guy is just going to have to accept that. Remember, he came to mewith the offer to return my soul so I could defeat Drake."

"Would you stop calling him The Big Guy?" said the unknown voice, "He hates when

you call him that, he prefers The Big Man."

"Sorry, The Big Man then," said Jake but to her ears he didn't sound sorry at all.

"Jake, He understands you love this woman, He would have preferred you not bring her

over. You're just lucky he's forgiving and has not let her soul become tainted during the

conversion. She's like you now, a vampire with a soul. But you must be careful, that shedoes not kill a human in her feeding, otherwise she will be tainted and have to be

destroyed," explained the voice. "She's awake," and he motioned to the bedroom

doorway.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

15/59

Both men turned to Olivia as she walked out of her room. Jake was immediately at her

side. Olivia looked over at the man standing in the middle of her living room. An

iridescent light surrounded him. It was a welcoming light, a peaceful light. He radiatedwith love. And she wasn't afraid. Smiling, Jake took hold of her hand and pulled into the

living room.

"Come my love, I'd have you meet the angel who gave me back my soul," he eagerly

said. He was acting just like a little boy wanting to show off his new toys.

The angel smiled in amusement as he read her thoughts. "An apt description to be sure,

lassie," he said.

His voice was like music to her ears, lilting and comforting with a slight Scottish accent.And he was beautiful. His hair was the color of fire and his eyes were a pale blue, almost

white even that held warmth in them. He wore a long white robe with wide sleeves, and

on his feet were golden colored sandals. He smiled beatifically at her as his hand

engulfed hers.

All her doubts vanished as if they'd never been as she gazed into the angel's warm eyes.She knew him. She smiled at him in recognition as a memory of her childhood floated to

the surface. She'd been sitting by her mother's bed, staring at the two tiny puncture

wounds on her throat, and asking God to save her mother. An angel had appeared and hadsat with her, comforted her. He'd told her that God had lifted her mother to heaven to

stand at his side. Olivia blinked and the memory faded away.

"You remember me now," said the angel.

Olivia nodded, "You stayed with me throughout the night until the police arrived. You

eased the grief I was suffering then you went away. I told the police you had been there,but they didn't believe me. They said I had dreamed you, that you weren't real. But I

knew you were. I'm glad I have this chance to thank you," she said in a soft reverent

voice.

"Connor, why didn't you tell me you knew Olivia?" Jake joined in as he put an arm

around her shoulder clearly stating she was his.

Connor looked pointedly at Jake's arm draped round the young woman and got the

message. He let go of her hands and stepped back, "That's because I knew Olivia the

child not Olivia the woman."

Jake grunted and let it drop.

"Well, time for me to leave," said Connor. Then, his expression grew serious, "Be

careful, Julius is still out there," he counseled them. "Even though she's now as you are,

there is still danger of his taking her blood. And because yours is now mixed with hers,

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

16/59

the power he would gain could surpass even Drake's and he could take over Tarsus if he

was a mind to,"

"But he's won't," calmly stated Jake. "He doesn't have leadership capability and besides,

he knows the others wouldn't follow him, they don't like him."

"That is true," agreed Connor. "Well, watch out for each other. And Jake?"

Jake raised an eyebrow.

"Teach her well. Not just how to use her mental abilities but teach also some physical

ones, in case of hand to hand combat," ordered Connor. "The Big Man would not be

pleased if she were extinguished. Wonderful surprises will be coming your way," he saidcryptically.

Jake nodded solemnly then frowned at Connor's last words.

Connor bid them goodbye and the light in the room gradually darkened as he faded away.

Chapter Ten

As soon as the light was gone Jake pulled Olivia in his arms and kissed her deeply. Hi

hands roamed down her back to her buttocks and he tenderly squeezed. Olivia reachedbehind her, grabbed his hands and forcibly pushed him away. A startled look in his eyes,

Jake stepped back and stared at her in disbelief.

"What's wrong?" he asked, puzzled.

"What's wrong? That's all you can ask? You damn well know what's wrong!" Olivia said

through gritted teeth. "I heard what Connor said. You didn't have to make me like you tohave the power you need to defeat Drake."

Jake had the grace to blush. He silently cursed, turned and shoved a hand through hishair.

"You didn't really think she couldn't hear us did you and get away with it?" Connor's

amused voice sounded in his mind.

"Mind your own business," replied Jake as he turned to face his love. He walked to her

and took her hands in his.

"Livvie, I'm sorry I didn't tell you," he began. "I didn't want to lose you. I love you.

Please believe me, you are the most important thing in my life. The only importantthing!" he emphasized. He pulled her to the sofa and sat next to her. Rigid, Olivia just sat

and waited for him to continue.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

17/59

"After Rafael attacked you, I thought to take it slow. But then today, Julius's men

kidnapped you and Julius is Drake's most trusted henchman. That means Drake knows of

your existence. If I hadn't converted you, you would've been a target during the day whenI can't be there to keep you safe. I couldn't bare it if anything happened to you. I wouldn't

want to live. Please, forgive me," he passionately said.

Olivia squirmed, her anger at the conversion melted away as she listened to him explain

why he'd done it. He had saved her life and she did love him. Didn't loving someone

mean understanding and forgiving them when they made mistakes? And anyway, shewasn't the kind of person to hold a grudge.

Olivia raised her hand and laid it along his cheek, forcing his black eyes to meet her

green ones. "I understand," she said softly, "why you did it. What I don't like is you didn'teven give me the opportunity to choose, to make my own decision on what to do. You

just went full speed ahead and didn't even think about how I would feel. If we're to stay

together you're going to have to trust me to know what's good for me. I know there will

be times when you'll know best because I'm new at being a vampire, but there will alsobe times when I know best. Can you do that? Can you trust me to never lie to me again?"

Jake sighed in relief and nodded. Everything was going to be alright. "I'll work on it. I've

been alone so long that it might take awhile for me to get used to consulting with

someone else, but for you, I will try."

"That's all I ask," she whispered.

She leaned into him, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Jake wrapped hisarms tightly around her and pulled her closer as he took over the kiss and deepened it.

Olivia mewled in pleasure as his roaming hands parted her robe and reverently cupped

her breasts. Her hand slid from his shoulder to his lap and she stroked and stroked himlike a one would a cat. Jake groaned in pleasure and moved slightly to accommodate her

exploring hand. Olivia turned her head into his neck and nuzzled. Mounting passion

increased her hunger and she scraped her elongated teeth over his throbbing pulse.

"I'm hungry," she whispered in his ear.

Jake's eyes shot open in surprise. He'd not thought she's feed of her own free will.

Elated, "Then feed my love. I give freely for your well being," he replied softly and

turned his head to the side exposing his throat to her hungry gaze.

Olivia smiled sensuously and bent her head. As she pierced his throat and drank, Jake slid

his hand between her legs and slipped his finger inside her slippery cavern. Oliviamoaned in ecstasy and moved with his finger in the age-old dance of love.

With a thought Jake's clothes were gone and his throbbing length replaced his finger.

Olivia, straddling his lap moved up and down, feeling every sensation the deeper he

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

18/59

went. Jake nuzzled her breast and sank his teeth, drinking the sweet nectar of her blood.

Olivia swept her tongue sealing the pinpricks she'd made and cried out his name as she

peaked, her love juices flowing like a river.

Holding her tight, Jake thrust into several times before he too climaxed, pouring his life

force into her voluptuous body. Depleted, Olivia's limp body draped over him, Jakesighed blissfully. A half hour later, Jake roused and nudged his love.

"Livvie, will you come home with me? Live with me," he asked.

Olivia lifted her head and stared into his eyes. The anxiety, the fear and hope she saw

reflected in them went straight to her heart. He was afraid she would reject his offer, not

want to be with him. She smiled lazily at him, "Yes, I'll go home with you, live with you.I love you Jake," she said.

Jake's smile widened and he stood up keeping her in his arms and twirled her around.

Olivia shrieked and laughed.

"Put me down you big oaf," she said as she slapped him on the shoulder. "I have to getdressed and pack. Don't forget, I'm also working in the morning."

Abruptly, Jake stopped and let her feet drop to the ground. He held her away from himand looked into her eyes.

Olivia shivered when she saw the sudden seriousness in Jake's gaze.

"What's wrong?" she asked solemnly.

"Livvie, you can't go to work anymore. You've become vampire. You're skin cannottolerate the sun. You would burn up were you to be in the sun," explained Jake. "In time,

your skin will develop a resistance to the sun's rays but that could take years, centuries

even."

Olivia sobered as reality raised its ugly head. She'd never see the sun again, not for

centuries he'd said. Tears stung but she held them back. There was no going back. She'd

chosen this new life when she'd voluntarily drank his blood. She closed her eyes for amoment and when she opened them her doubts were gone. She encircled his neck, kissed

him and stepped back, smiling again.

"Let me pack and then we'll go home," she said softly and the look in her eyes held no

regrets.

~ * ~

Julius rose from the earth not far from the building his two slaves were keeping the

woman. He smiled evilly as he thought of the power his Master would gain in drinking

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

19/59

the woman's blood. With preternatural speed he quickly entered the building and went up

the stairs. At the door, he stopped dead in his tracks. Something was wrong. He mentally

opened the door and cursed at the sight of his men lying there, dead. They'd been dead forhours. He gazed around the room and immediately focused on a piece of bloody glass.

'She was a strong one this one, to do this to his men, she must have incredible powers

indeed,' he thought as he observed dispassionately at the manner his slaves had died. Hewas sorry now he hadn't made them ghouls, she never would have bested them if they'd

been. He looked out the window and vowed she wouldn't escape him again. 'He could

find her anywhere now,' he said to himself as he looked down at the blood on the glass.Chapter Eleven

To not overwhelm Olivia with the extent of his abilities, Jake summoned a cab and had it

waiting for them when they left her apartment.

He noticed that she had only two suitcases and commented on it. "You didn't pack much,

love."

"There wasn't much to pack. Just my clothes, pictures and other personal things I want to

keep. The apartment's furnished so I don't have to worry about storage," Olivia replied alittle sadly.

As the cab left the curb, Jake pulled her in his arms, held her close and whispered softly,mind to mind. "I'm sorry everything in your life has changed. I wish I had listened to

Connor and not turned you," guilt in his every word came through loud and clear.

A shadow in his mind, Olivia turned to him, "Don't do this to yourself Jake," sheadmonished then kissed him softly. "What's done is done. I've accepted what I now am

and so must you," she said softly. "In fact," she teased, "Now that I think about it, I'm

going to enjoy living forever. Seeing how human kind will evolve in a hundred yearsfrom now. Doing things I never thought possible, learning new things "

Jake's guilt slowly vanished. His arms tightened around her in silent thanks for acceptingher new life and stayed that way until the cab came to the edge of the city. The car

stopped, Jake helped Olivia out of the cab, paid the cabbie and grabbed the suitcases.

Olivia looked around and saw nothing but trees, trees and more trees. "Where are we?"she asked. "I thought you said you were taking me to your house, but I don't see any

around here."

"You can't see the house from here, its hidden among the trees," replied Jake. "Come on,

it's not far," he walked off only to disappeared behind a huge Elm.

Olivia stared after him for a few seconds then realized he wasn't going to wait for her and

scrambled after him, calling, "Hey! Wait for me!"

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

20/59

Jake slowed down letting Olivia to catch up. Smiling roguishly, he crooked his arm in

invitation. After threading her hand through it, they resumed walking. Side by side they

walked until they had cleared the woods, then Olivia gasped in wonder, "Ohhh Jake.It'sit's so beautiful," when she spotted the house.

The three-story house complete with awnings and a porch that wrapped all the wayaround it, stood like a sentinel atop the hill. It was surrounded by a profusion of night

blooming flowers such as Moonflowers, White Angel's Trumpets and Pink Evening

Primroses'; one would think they had entered a magical place. "I call it my MoonGarden," Jake whispered softly, pleased by Olivia's obvious delight in what she saw. He'd

been right to add the flowers he thought to himself.

Olivia was stunned; she had caught Jake's thought and was moved by it. His simplegesture brought forth a wealth of emotion from her, tears slipped down her face as she

turned to him and threw her arms about this man she loved with all her heart and held on

to him.

Surprised, Jake quickly dropped the suitcases and wrapped his arms around her. He could

feel her tears soaking his shirt and for the life of him couldn't figure out why she wascrying. Not knowing what else to do, he gently picked her up and walked to one of the

many stone benches that were part the garden where he sat down and simply held her

until her sobs dwindled away.

Jake moved her from his lap to the bench and went down on one knee in front of her. He

produced a linen handkerchief and mopped up her tears. "Now, tell me what's made you

cry love," he asked softly, concern evident in his voice and eyes.

Olivia gave him a wobbly smile, "Oh, Jake, that is the sweetest thing anyone has EVER

done for me. The garden, the flowers, it'sit's just soso" She didn't have the wordsto express it, but there was no need for Jake already knew, he was in her mind and had

read her thoughts. She laughed and threw her arms around him and kissed him soundly

on the cheek. Then pushed away, "Come on. It's time you showed me this amazinghouse," she said and left him standing there as she walked up the hill. Jake quickly

grabbed the suitcases and followed her, his thoughts and eyes on her cute bottom, which

swished back and forth.

"Get your mind out the gutter. Men and their lascivious thoughts, sheesh," Olivia teased

as she reached the front door. Jake grinned wolfishly and with preternatural speed was by

her side in seconds.

He opened the door for her and asked formally, "Do you enter my home of your own free

will."

Feeling the importance of the question, Olivia answered the only way she could think of;

she lifted her arms and encircled his neck. Then with all the passion and fire she

possessed, she kissed him. Dropping the suitcases, Jake responded with equal passion and

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

21/59

fire, he had heard the quiet "yes" in his mind. Sweeping Olivia into his arms he carried

her across the threshold of his home, kicking the door close, leaving the suitcases where

they fell... a silent witness to her consent.

~ * ~

In his underground chamber, Drake roared his displeasure at Julius who sat in one of the

Victorian winged backed chairs his Master had acquired many centuries ago.

"How could you have been so stupid as to give such an important a task to idiots like

those two non-ghouls, Julius? You're a completely incompetent vampire. To think I made

you my right hand," Drake exclaimed and picked Julius up by his coat and threw against

the far wall. "Now Jake has her, they have exchanged blood and mated. You could'vetaken over for me down here when I went above!" raged Drake as he paced to his crystal

ball. "Damn you! I can no longer even see them." Drake picked up the crystal ball and

threw it at Julius. The vampire ducked just as the ball hit the wall and shattered. "Now,

we'll never get her!"

Julius smiled arrogantly because he knew with what was in his pocket he could find thewoman anywhere she was hiding. He intended to do just that and said as much to Drake,

"I know how and where to find her Master," he said as he got up off the floor and dusted

himself off. "I can get to her anytime we want."

Drake ceased his ranting and turned to him. "What did you say?"

"Before she escaped, she cut herself on this shard of glass," Julius replied and producedthe piece of glass for Drake's inspection. Julius had already imprinted the smell of her

blood in his mind so he no longer needed the shard and was quite willing to let Drake

have it.

Drake quickly snatched the piece of glass from Julius's hand and dropped into an old

druid divination bowl half-full of holy water. The water turned dark red and instantly animage formed of a three-story house surrounded by night flowers. He couldn't see inside

given that Jake had his safeguards in place but he knew where to find them now. Drake's

anger abetted and he smiled with malicious intent.

Chapter Twelve

Jake carried Olivia down the gleaming oak staircase to his candle lit sanctuary and gentlylaid her down among the satin sheets of the bed. He looked down at her for a moment;

awed she was here in his home, in his arms and in his life. Seeing the look of wonder on

his face, Olivia merged her mind with his. He wanted her. She read his intentions andsmiled seductively, then gazed at him with eyes filled with love. He silently encouraged

her to follow him into the fire, to become one with him. Olivia waved her hand and their

clothes vanished. Startled, Jake stared at her in astonishment; her acceptance and

participation unleashed his passion, and he kissed her.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

22/59

Jake's fingers slowly drifted to her heat and Olivia gasped in ecstasy as he gently entered

her sweet, hot passage, his mouth left hers and trailed down to her breast. His teethgrazed the peaks. His tongue teased and caressed, and he blew on them until her areoles

hardened. Olivia cried out in pleasure. Her hands moved enticingly over his sleek, hard-

muscled body, making their way to his buttocks, she squeezed and pulled, urged him ontop of her.

Jake settled himself between her legs and opened them wider. She was ready for him. Inone stroke he entered her and at the same time sank his teeth in her breast, drinking her

sweet blood as he thrust in and out bringing her to therefore unknown heights. Feeling

Olivia drifting away, Jake cursed and immediately sealed the wound on her breast. He'd

taken too much! He pulled her to his chest and commanded her to drink.

"Drink, my love so that you may live," he whispered in a compelling voice.

Olivia gazed into his black eyes and sank her teeth over his heart. She sensuously suckedhis blood as she moved her hips to meet his thrusts. Jake's rhythm increased and their

groans mingled as they both reached the pinnacle of their desire and cried out in ecstasy.Olivia licked the wound, closing it and sighed replete and full. Eyes closed, she lay back

against the satin pillows. Jake's gaze stayed on her face as he withdrew and lay down at

her side, taking her in his arms.

Olivia opened her eyes and looked into his intense gaze. "That was amazing," she

whispered.

Jake kissed her forehead and tightened his arms around her, pulling her closer. "You are

the one who's amazing my love," he replied. He kissed her again and rose from the bed,

"Come, I would show you your new home," he said like a child wanting to show off hisfavorite toy.

He walked to a closed door, which turned out to be a walk-in closet and took out twothick robes. Olivia rose, smiling in anticipation at seeing her new home. She pulled the

robe on, tied it at her waist and holding his hand followed him out of the room.

They went up the oak staircase and entered the kitchen, which she'd not noticed whenhe'd brought her down to his sanctuary. It was a big kitchen with every conceivable

appliance and space any chef would be proud to cook in. Then he showed her the living

room with its cozy fireplace to ward off the cold nights, the lazy-boy chairs sitting infront of it, draped with soft afghan blankets, but what really made Olivia's day was the

library. Ceiling to floor shelves filled with books of different cultures, different eras and

first editions from famous writers as Darwin and Dante. Olivia reverently ran her fingersalong their spines, afraid to even pick them up they were so valuable.

"Have you read them all?" she asked, awed.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

23/59

Jake nodded, "I've always loved reading. Even before I was turned in the 15th century I

always had a book in my hands. My family thought I'd be a scholar but that changed

when I met Drake," he said quietly.

Olivia immediately sensed his withdrawal and went to him. She wrapped her arms around

his waist and laid her head over his heart. Jake's arms went around her and accepted hercomfort. It had been a long time since he'd thought of his family. Hi mother, a gentle

woman who loved to cook and always had a smile. His father, who worked as a

shoemaker and always made sure his family was well fed. His little sister, Jessica, shehad the ability to get his nose out of his books and play with her. And his brother, John,

he's become a priest and then the Deacon of their village.

"You still miss them don't you?" stated Olivia as she watched the images of his family flitthrough his mind.

Jake smiled sadly and nodded, "I do, yes. But they've been gone a long time," he said and

kissed the top of her head.

"Did they know what" began Olivia.

"No. They never knew I became a vampire," he said. "When Drake turned me I

immediately left my village with him and never went back. Something inside stopped mefrom turning on them as many other vampires did to their families. I never understood it

until Connor explained it to me. It seems my soul wasn't completely corrupted by Drake

because I'd always believed in God and tried to follow His teachings. That's why my soul

was able to be fully restored even though I remain a vampire and why your soul was fullyrestored as well," he explained.

Olivia nodded, now understanding why she wasn't deranged. She'd been afraid shewouldn't last but now her mind was at ease. She moved out of his arms and pulled him

towards the door "Come and show me the rest of the house," she said.

Jake smiled and complied. They began her tour on the third floor with the bedrooms,

which it took a while to leave because Jake seemed intent on christening every room by

making love to her in each one of them. All too soon the dawn appeared on the horizon

and he led her back to his sanctuary. Olivia sat on the bed and watched as Jake waved ahand and the walls parted revealing stairs leading underground. He turned and stretched

out his hand, waiting for her to take it.

Olivia frowned, "Where are we going? Aren't we sleeping here?" she asked uneasily.

"We cannot sleep above my love. It's too dangerous," he said softly.

Olivia shivered and rose, wrapping her arms around herself. "Jake, I don't think I can

sleep underground. It would be like being buried alive! I couldn't take that," she said.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

24/59

Jake walked over to her and took her in his arms. "Don't be afraid my love, I'll be right

there with you. I won't leave you alone," he said firmly.

Olivia looked up at him, " You promise?" she asked anxiously.

Jake nodded and she let him lead her down into the dark depths of his undergroundsleeping chamber. The walls closed behind them and Olivia shuddered, feeling trapped.

She closed her eyes and gripped him tighter, digging her nails into his hand.

"It's alright love. I'm here," he reassured her, pulling her to his side. "Open your eyes and

you'll see just as if it were daylight. That's one of the advantages of being a vampire. You

can see in the dark," he teased lightly, keeping the tone of his voice calm.

Olivia opened her eyes and gasped in wonder. He was right, she could see as if it were

day. She relaxed her hold a little but not completely as they walked down a long corridor

and entered a chamber. Olivia spotted the hole in the middle of the chamber and began to

shake.

"I can't do this Jake," she whispered, afraid to speak out loud in case the dirt walls cavedin. "I'm scared," she admitted.

"I would never let anything happen to you Livvie, you have my word on that," hepromised. "Now come, we must sleep."

Olivia shook her head and tugged her hand from his, backing towards the entrance. "No,"

she whispered, fear making her voice shake.

"Don't you trust me love?" he suddenly asked.

Olivia's eyes flew to his and she nodded.

"You know I'd never put you in danger, don't you?"

Olivia nodded again.

"Then come. After the first time you'll be okay, it'll become routine," he said.

Olivia slowly shuffled to his side, still afraid but determined not to give in to her fears.

Jake took her hand, helped her into the hole and followed her. He lay down next to herand pulled her shaking body into his side, holding her tight so she wouldn't bolt. Then he

merged their minds and sent her into a deep sleep with a compelling command. He

slowed her breathing and shut down her heart. He did the same to himself and with hislast thoughts he scanned the outside of his home and weaved safeguards everywhere to

keep them safe, then closed the earth over them, sealing them in. Chapter Thirteen

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

25/59

The sun was high in the sky when an evil presence disturbed his rest. His heart began

pumping, his eyes opened and his mind scanned his surroundings. His teeth grew and he

hissed as he recognized the stench of Drake's ghouls trying to get pass his intricate alarmsystem. Jake could hear them pounding on the outer walls of his home, could smell burnt

flesh every time they struck. He was glad now he'd not thought of giving in to Olivia's

fear and letting her sleep in the bedroom above. Here in the ground they were safe even ifthe ghouls managed to penetrate the house. They would not be able to get through the

wall for he'd added his strongest safeguards to prevent such from happening.

Jake pulled Olivia closer to him, he considered waking her, but decided against that idea.

He didn't want her to wake up still buried in the ground; afraid she would completely fall

apart. Throughout the long day he held her and listened at the ghouls trying to get in.

Sundown was approaching and he waved his hand opening the earth above them. Hefloated them to the top and into the sanctuary where he laid Olivia on the bed and left the

room.

Jake turned to mist, slid under the front door, and materialized behind the first ghoul. Hetapped the ghoul on the shoulder, when it turned Jake's hand slashed across its face

yanking one of its eyes out with his long claws. Blood covered both of them. In a fight tothe death, neither would give nor back down. The ghoul howled with anger and, like a

raging bull, lowered its head and charged Jake. Jake vanished and reappeared behind it.

The second ghoul ambushed Jake from behind and tripped him. Jake fell, recovering

quickly. He rolled away, jumped to his feet and, using his preternatural strength, hurtled

it against the house where its already decaying flesh burst into flames.

Then Jake rubbed his hands together, formed a ball of intense blue fire, then he threw at

the first ghoul; who tried to avoid it. With only one eye the ghoul misjudged the

trajectory of the ball of flame and it struck him dead center in the chest, burrowed deepinside it; burning from the inside out, and destroying him.

Tension filled the air as Jake and the second ghoul, still ablaze, and Jake, circled eachother. Taking Jake by surprise the ghoul fainted left; when Jake turned to face it, it

jumped on Jake's back, scorching him. Jake, as he trained himself to do since becoming a

vampire, paid little heed to his wounds, ignoring the pain. He concentrated only on

battling the ghoul, anticipating its every move. Enraged, the ghoul attacked again, thistime blindly. Jake grasped its, arm throwing the ghoul over his shoulder; at his command

clouds rolled in. Blue lightening arched down, and turning it to dust.

Breathing heavily, Jake staggered to the front door and tripped over Olivia's forgotten

suitcases. As he fell, he hit his head on the stone ground; before he lost consciousness he

whispered Olivia's name.

Through the haze of deep sleep, Olivia heard Jake's whispered summons, her eyes opened

instantly and her heart raced, beating double time. Something was wrong. She gazed

around the room. Where was Jake? Her senses flared out searching for the familiar path

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

26/59

of his mind. She heard her name again, this time only faintly. Something was wrong.

Without thought, the robe she had on vanished, replaced by jeans and a green sweater.

She rushed out the door and ran upstairs.

Frantic, Olivia followed the faint mental path to where Jake lay outside the front door.

She gasped in horror at his wounds and with preternatural strength pulled him inside. Shedragged him to the living room where she lifted him onto the sofa and stood there looking

down at him. He was bleeding heavily and she wondered how to stop it. She recalled the

wounds she'd made herself when she'd drank his blood and dropped to her knees at hisside. With a thought his shirt vanished and she ran her tongue over the cuts and burns,

healing him.

She knew his blood needed replenishing. She couldn't give hers, she was weak, herenergy too low. Though distasteful as it was she knew she'd have to venture outdoors and

find prey, otherwise neither Jake nor she would survive. Decision made, Olivia quickly

left. Outside she sent out the call to come to her and waited. She could hear humans

approaching but quickly sent them away; she could never drink another human's blood, itwas too abhorrent to her.

From out of the brush came a family of deer, they walked right up to her. Olivia's hungry

gaze focused on the buck's neck, she dropped down to its level and sank her teeth into its

lifeline. She was glad she didn't have to drink it dry as she sealed the wound and graspedthe doe. She drank deep from the other buck and female deer never touching the two

fawns, they were too little to lose the amount of blood she required.

Replete, Olivia watched as the deer staggered to their feet. She sent them to rest in thegarden where there was plenty of food and water then she went back inside to Jake. He

hadn't moved an inch; he looked dead to her, she put her ear to his chest but could detect

no heartbeat.

"Jake," she called aloud, "wake up." She stared at his face for any sign he'd heard her, but

there was none. Fear mounting she merged with his mind and found the familiar pathalmost gone!

"Jake!" she exclaimed. "You can't leave me, you promised!"

Olivia waited and waited for a response then called to him over and over again. She

gasped in surprise and was overjoyed when she finally heard his voice; weak as it was.

"I'm...herehungrytofeed," he said faintly.

Olivia pulled Jake to her until his mouth connected with her bare throat. "Drink my love,"she whispered.

Immediately Jake refused, "Youareweak."

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

27/59

"I'm not weak Jake. I have fed ," she reassured him.

As soon as the word fed registered into his mind, Jake's hunger took over, he pierced herthroat, and he drank, long and deep. His heart returned to normal and his strength

returned. He wrapped his arms around her, held her tightly, and continued to satiate his

hunger. He tasted the deer blood and was exhilarated. He was glad she'd not fed off of ahuman; he didn't know how he would have handled it if she'd taken the blood of a male.

Jake breathed softly, ran his tongue over the wound, sealing it. He raised his head and

looked into her beautiful green eyes.

"Thank you, my love, my Guardian Angel" he said surprised. He was truly astonished

she'd put aside her aversion to taking blood and had the presence of mind to feed. His

love was certainly adapting to her new lifestyle.

Olivia shrugged, embarrassed. "I didn't do anything," she said softly. The next moment

she stood up and paced back and forth; anger replacing her earlier fear. "What I would

like to know is, what the hell happened that made you all bloody and burnt almost to acrisp?" she asked as she turned back to Jake, hands on her hips.

Jake's was stunned. His sweet, gentle woman sure had a temper. Her green eyes glowed

with fury and her mouth was pulled into a tight line as she waited for him to answer. Jake

opened his mouth but couldn't for the life of him come up with anything but the truth. Hetried, he really did. He hemmed and hawed, said he got too close to the fireplace, which

was why he was burned. Olivia just pointed to the fireless grate and looked at him as if to

say try another one pal. So he finally told her the truth, he'd fought two of Drake's ghoul,

and pointed out that he'd won the battle.

Incredulous, Olivia just stared at his satisfied expression. "You fought two ghoul and left

me sleeping when I could have helped you!" she exclaimed. "Of all the asinine things todo! With my help you wouldn't have been burned at all, youyouyou..." Olivia

pivoted away from him as tears suddenly coursed down her cheeks.

Jake quickly stood and pulled her into his arms. She resisted trying to pull free, her fists

hit his chest but he wouldn't let go.

"It was horrible finding you like that," she sobbed. "I was so scared. You wouldn't answerwhen I called your name; I thought you were dead. I didn't know what to do!" she

exclaimed, her tone rising hysterically.

Jake took control and slowed her breathing, calming her. "I'm sorry you had to see me

like that, Cara. If I could've prevented it I would've. I will always be grateful for your

quick thinking and feeding me. Thank you my love," he said tenderly.

Olivia sniffed and raised her head. "You're never to that again, you got me," she said

pouring her heart out to him. "Don't ever leave me to wake up without you by my side

ever again. Whatever battle you're in I want to be there to aid you anyway I can. I don't

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

28/59

know what I'd do if I lost you, you're my life, my soulmate, I wouldn't want to live

without you."

If ever Jake had doubted her love for him, her words would have made those doubts

vanish instantly. Hi head dipped down and he kissed her with passion. Olivia circled his

neck and retuned his kiss full force. Chapter Fourteen

Drake and Julius watched the battle between Jake and the ghouls. It had been close, so

close, but Jake had prevailed. Drake cursed and pushed Julius out of his way as he pacedthe chamber.

"Defeated once again!" he ranted. "I sent my two most powerful ghouls and he destroyed

them. Is it because he has a soul now, has it made him more powerful? Well? Answerme?" he looked pointedly at Julius. "Never mind," he continued and waved a hand in the

air. "I know why. It's because he drank the woman's blood and merged with her. It should

have been me!" exclaimed Drake. "It's your fault I don't have her. You and those

bumbling idiots you sent to capture her. Get out of my sight before I"

Julius left the chamber, softly closing the door behind him. His usual mien of indifferencechanged as his eyes turned pale blue and his brown hair turned the color of fire. A smile

of satisfaction lightly crossed his lips and he disappeared to report the latest of Drake's

failed attempts to secure the woman.

~ * ~

Olivia cursed in frustration. "I can't do it Jake. It's too hard, especially with you touchingme, my concentration completely evaporates," she said.

Jake chuckled at the way Olivia's face screwed up as she concentrated on keeping theimage of an owl in her mind.

Olivia slapped his shoulder, "Stop laughing you jackass," she said trying to stop her ownsmile from forming. "This really is hard. You've been doing this for centuries and I'm just

learning."

Jake pulled her in his arms, "Alright, let's try again. This time I'll merge with you andhold the image. Okay?"

Olivia nodded and instantly felt his presence, as the owl image appeared at the forefrontof her mind. She focused all her energy on it and suddenly felt her whole being

transforming, taking the owl's form and body. Things now looked very big from her new

perspective, the trees were huge and powerful looking, she suddenly had the urge to tryout her wings and fly. With a mischievous look at Jake, she hopped onto one of the stone

benches and launched into the air climbing as high as she dared.

"Not without me you don't," growled Jake as he shape-shifted and took off after her.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

29/59

"Oh Jake, this is incredible," she said, her voice filled with awe. "I feel so free, without a

care in the world."

Olivia soared higher, laughing. She flew every which way, up, down, and in circles, and

for the fun of it she even hooted. She took great delight in and thoroughly enjoyed theexperience of flight.

Jake flew by Olivia's side kept her safe and smiled indulgently at her antics. He let herhave her fun a few minutes more then reined her in. He still had much to teach her for

sooner than they both knew it they would be going up against the Master of Tarsus,

Drake himself. He frowned lightly as he wondered how the ghouls had found his home?

Could he have made a mistake? He searched his memories and found nothing he did orsaid that would have led Drake's slaves to him. Then he lightly began searching his

soulmate's and found what he was looking for. He immediately retreated from them not

wanting her to know she had inadvertently left a clue behind in the abandoned building.

"Don't even think about hiding it from me my darling," Olivia gently scolded. "I can read

your mind as easily as you now read mine, better even. It was the shard of glass I cut mybinding with wasn't it? I left a trace of my blood. Now Drake can track me anywhere,

isn't that right. Jake?"

Jake herded her back to the garden and they changed back into their human form. He

immediately took her in his arm wanting to soothe the sadness and guilt filling her being.

"Yes, it was the shard of glass," he confirmed. "But it wasn't your fault my love," heemphasized, "It was mine. I should have been stronger to remove the ropes."

Now it was Olivia's turn to soothe him. She pulled out of his arms, took his hands in hersand looked him squarely in the eye, "You did all you could. Your strength and willpower

is amazing. Everything I've heard about vampires suggests they don't have your kind of

power during the day but you've proved the skeptic in me wrong, so if it wasn't my faultthen it wasn't yours either," she stated firmly.

Jake stared at his woman in wonder. It astounded him how forgiving she was. She was

his soulmate, his miracle. He smiled seductively and tried to pull her in his arms.

"Now, none of that you he-man you," she said laughingly and danced out of his reach.

"The night is young and you still have lots to teach me. So what's next oh master of theuniverse? Hum?"

Jake smiled and shook his head. She looked so beautiful, standing there, hands on herslim hips. Her laughing green eyes and her fabulous auburn hair. He didn't deserve her

but knew he'd never let her go.

"Of course you don't deserve me," she quipped. "Now on with the lessons if you please."

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

30/59

"Alright already. Let's try something a little simpler," he said as he shimmered and

disappeared.

Olivia gasped; she turned everywhere looking for him. "Jake?" she called. "Answer me

you ape?

Where are you?"

"Right here my love," he said from behind her.

Olivia twirled around, startled, "How d'you do that? One second you were there and the

next, POOF! You vanished into thin air," she said her face clearly showing amazement."You have got to teach me that! It would come in real handy when I need to disappear."

Jake eyebrows drew down and his lips stretched into a hard line, his expression

unreadable.

"Not disappear from you, silly," she said, his mind an open book to her now. "HonestlyJake, don't you know me better than that?" she sighed, exasperated. "I love you, you silly

man."

Jake's face cleared and his smile returned, "I knew that," he said cockily. "I just wanted to

make sure you knew it too."

Olivia groaned; she'd been had. "I oughta smack you," she teased. "Now tell me how youdid that so I can do it too."

Chapter Fifteen

By the time dawn approached, Jake taught Olivia many things. Besides the owl, she

learned how to change into a wolf, a mouse and, one of his favorites, the Siberian tiger.He taught her to become only mist and slide under doors. She was an apt pupil and was

proficient in no time, he was very proud of her.

Olivia was overjoyed with her new found ability to shape-shift. She followed Jake intothe house and listened to him chant the ancient, weaving spell that safeguarded their

home; the words flowed smoothly over her tongue, she imprinted them into her mind.

She followed him down to what she now called their sanctuary; it was no longer his butboth of theirs. Earlier she had unpacked and placed her things with his.

Then she followed him down to their secret sleeping area, she was still a bit apprehensiveabout sleeping in the earth but with Jake's promise to never leave her, she cast her doubts

aside and lay down at his side. Jake pulled her into his arms.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

31/59

"I love you dearest Olivia. You are my heart and my soul," he whispered just before his

lips claimed hers. They made sensual, passionate love and Olivia's mewling, and panting

urged Jake on to completion and he poured forth his life force. Satiated, Jake commandedthe earth to close around them and they slept.

Olivia heard a child crying and got up to check on it. She bent over the crib and smiled atthe beautiful black-haired baby. He wanted to be fed and right now. She smiled

indulgently, "just like his father," she thought, "always wanting everything right away, no

waiting period." The scene changed and, Jake and she were walking in Central Park. Thesun was shining and Jake's expression could only be described as euphoric. "I never

thought I'd ever see the sun again, let alone walk under it without being destroyed," he

said happily. He grabbed her and laughing, twirled her around and around, until they both

fell to the ground.

The scene changed yet again and Olivia saw herself sitting by the only grave in the

garden. She tried not to see or read the name on the gravestone but couldn't stop herself.

Tears fell from her eyes as the name Jake Nathaniel Morgan came into focus. He wasgone. Killed by that foul vampire, Drake. If only he had stepped to the side and avoided

the spear. She'd managed to free herself and kill Drake, and then she'd lovingly gatheredJake's dust and brought him here, to their home.

Though still both in a deep slumber, Olivia felt Jake's probe of her mind and instantlyshielded the visions of his greatest joy or her worst fear, his death. She needed time to

sort them out before she told him anything about them. She didn't know where the visions

came from for she'd never had them before. Instead she recalled the unhappy memory of

her mother's death and felt Jake's love envelope her. She eagerly went into his invisibleembrace and selfishly took the comfort he offered. She was suddenly afraid of the future.

Jake literally saw Olivia's walls come down in a tiny part of her mind. He gently probedher mind but her shields were strong, stronger than even his own shields and it would

take too much energy to penetrate his. He hid his thoughts from her as he continued to

soothe her and wondered what she was hiding from him. He knew she loved him therewas no doubt of that after she saved his life, so he decided to wait until she told him

herself what troubled her so much, she close off even a tiny parcel of her mind from him.

Jake stood on the roof, his senses in the wind, searching for the path of Drake's mind. Apath he'd not used in centuries. His powers had grown tremendously now that Olivia's

blood was mixed with his own. His mind could now detect more than several vampires at

a greater distance whereas before he could only detect two at only a two-mile radius.Their mingled blood had also enabled Olivia to learn shape shifting more quickly than if

she'd been turned by a soulless vampire instead of her true soulmate. He felt her presence

behind him just as she visibly shimmered on the roof and stretched out his hand.

Olivia took his hand and came to his side, her eyes glued to the heavens, "I feel them

too," she announced.

7/28/2019 His Lady of the Nights

32/59

Jake turned his head and looked down at her surprised she could detect the vampires so

soon.

"It's our mingled blood Jake," she stated, then continued, "and I'm a shadow in your

mind, I see what you see," she said and laughed at Jake's mock expression of outrage.

"Have you found him yet?" she now asked seriously.

Jake turned his gaze back to the night horizon, "No, not yet," he replied. "He's hiding

from my probes. One minute I think I have him and the next he's gone again."

"I have an idea that might help you pinpoint his location," she said.

Jake turned back to her and smiled, "And what idea is that my love," he asked her gently.

"Remember how you merged you mind and joined your energy with mine to help me

keep the image of the animals?" she said earnestly.

Jake nodded.

"Well. . .what if we did the same thing only in reverse. I'd join my mind and energy with

yours to help you find Drake," she stated simply.

Jake's eyes glowed with pride, her willingness to help melted his heart and he fell more

deeply in love with her. He agreed and Olivia merged her mind completely to his and

focused all her energy on the image of Drake's face that Jake conjured. Using their

combined energy, Jake sent his mind out to finding the path he needed. His mindfleetingly touched many others before he connected with Drake's. He grinned and shared

his elation with his love as he cautiously followed the path and slowly became a shadow

in his enemy's mind, and listened.

~ * ~

"Julius! Where are you?" shouted Drake. The image of Jake and the woman had abruptly

vanished when she'd merged with his enemy. The bloody holy water was almost gone,