EXCERPT: Lucifer; The Midnight Strike

“There's nothing I can do now,” Dominic sighed, stroking my hair behind my ear. I stared into his molten emerald eyes, my heart pounding against the prison of my chest. “I can't help but love you Guenevere Jane Meyer. It appears I will just have to enjoy it until you throw me away.”1

“That just wont happen,” I assured him with a defiant look in my eye. He smiled and let his face brush against mine, like you see cats do to each other when they are being affectionate. I turned my head to stare at his perfect face, into his resplendent eyes. How could I have earned him-this immortal superhuman, too lovely for words.2

“You're beautiful.”3

I couldn't have stopped the words from coming out of my mouth, but when they had left, I didn't mind. Probably because it made him smile, and that was worth something.4

“You—” he began, kissing my forehead, “are positively exquisite.”5

I shied away from him a little bit. I wasn't dumb, I knew just how ordinary I was in comparison to him.6

“You don't believe me?”7

I shook my head; pressing my lips together in a hard line. “Then what can I say to you Gwen?” he smiled, his sweet breath caressing my face. “You're lovely, you're gorgeous, you're...elite.” 8

I shook my head, still not believing him. If you stood us together and took a picture, you wouldn't even be able to see me behind the waves of radiating beauty from Dominic. 9

“Gwen, when I look at you, you are absolutely, undeniably, the most diabolically beautiful thing around.”10

I blushed, cuddling back into his chest. Fine, so he was going to be stubborn. I nuzzled my face into the crook of his neck, as he rested his chin on top of my head. 11

“Do you know how much I love you? How much I have found that I need you?” he gently whispered. I closed my eyes, just listening to his voice; to feel his throat vibrating as he spoke.12

“I have an idea,” I smiled.13

He took my face in his big warm hands, turning it towards him. I was drowning in his gemstone eyes, warmth bubbling up inside my chest. He pressed his lips to mine, my eyes closing as if my eyelids suddenly weighed ten pounds. We didn't go past that; just holding our lips together. Eventually he released me, tightening the hold of his arms around my body. I rested my head on his chest, listening to him breathe.14

“You should sleep Gwen,” he sured. I moaned a little in protest as he scooped me up into his arms, cradling me like a small child. He rocked back and forth, like slow dancing without a partner. He put the side of his face against the top of my head, nuzzling me into him. He began to hum to me in a low voice, so deep and quiet it was practically a vibration. It made me drowsy and absurdly comfortable. I was going to drift off sleep in his arms when a sharp rap came at the window.15

“What-” Dominic hissed, spinning around. On the other side of the window, we could see a pale, ghostly looking face, cloudy through the glass. It smiled at us as it dragged a finger down the pane, producing a ghastly screeching sound. “Oh no,” I gasped, my hand shooting up to cover my mouth. Dominic sped to the back corner of the room, invisible to the creature outside, and set me down. Then at superhuman speed he raced back to the window and shot through it. No glass broke, though I could have sworn that it had not been opened.16

“Gwen,” a voice came from beside me. I jumped and turned to see Guiovon Belvedere standing there, no smile in his eyes. 17

“Guio, what are you—” 18

“I sensed Dominic needed me. I am to escort you out of the house and into somewhere safe,” he explained quickly. I didn't have time to ask questions before I was in his arms and racing through the air.19

“Where are you taking me?” I managed to croak as he landed on the windowsill. He jumped like he had some kind of wire attached to him, and he landed so softly and quietly, its as if was a cat...or an owl. He didn't answer, scanning for something. I looked down and saw Dominic wrapped in a convulsive, lurid battle with the pale faced creature. Its hair was ink black and strange, like it was in a permanent state of being wet. Even as Giovon lunged into a heart-stopping leap upon a treetop across the yard, I couldn't take my eyes off of them. The creature had rabid, neon yellow eyes that flashed like tiny lights in the dark.20

“Guio! Wait!” I cried. He turned his head to see where I was looking.21

“Holy mother of Joseph—” he mumbled, staring at his brother. The creature and Dom were fighting viciously, growls and hisses like animals were ripping from their throats. The thing lurched at Dom, clamping its teeth down on his ear.22

“Guio!” I gasped, trying to block out Dominic's yelp. He seemed hesitant, probably debating whether or not to drop me and save his brother. Suddenly, the thing's eyes where on me. It's dead, pale face turned in my direction, like a nightmare in the flesh. 23

Dominic was recovering for a second, and didn't see it at first; but when he did it was a moment too late. The feign soared on invisible wings, landing on the branch in front of us. 24

“No!” Dominic snarled, shooting up the tree as well. Fear clutched at my lungs as the strangely human-like monster glowered at me, sniffing and licking his lips...like I was food. Dom slammed into it, bringing both of them down in a heavy, violent fall. 25

“Dominic!” I cried, startled and scared. “Guiovon, please...do something!” I begged. Dom could be heard yelping again for a moment, but Guio turned away and continued to jump from tree to tree. I was stifling screams of fright and worry. The look on Guiovon's face was horrible; like the look of soldier during a time of war, when his best friend is put on the front line.26

“Close your eyes Gwen, I promise I wont drop you,” he vowed as he glided quickly and effortlessly into another tree. I tried not to look down, biting down on my lip so hard I drew blood.27

“No! Gwen, no! Now is not the time to be bleeding,” he cried in horror. I wiped the blood off on my sleeve hastily, giving him an apologetic look.28

“With any luck, Dom will be able to hold Lucifer back long enough for me to get you into our house,” he said in an emotionless voice. My stomach churned uneasily as he leaped onto even higher branches.29

“Lucifer? Is that what that thing is?” I asked.30

“No, that's what that thing is named. What it is, is a blood drinker; a cognate of what humans call vampires.”31

I was in shock for a moment. Of course Dominic had told me about these bloodsuckers, Vampiris, they called them; but I never expected to encounter one like that.32

“Why was it at my window? Why did Dominic fight it like that?” I inquired further, my face narrowing in confusion. Guio's eyebrows furrowed into a hard line, his eyes very dark and disturbed.33

“All will be explained very soon Gwen,” he promised gravely. He perched on the highest branch of a oak tree, which towered over a large stone home. He let out a series of loud sharp clicks with his mouth before making the most terrifying dive straight to the ground. My stomach fluttered and my teeth clenched, wrangling a scream before it could escape my lips. But we were safe on the ground a second later, without any impact what at all. Tristan Belvedere glided out of the house, an unamused smile on his face.34

“Take her inside and protect her. I'll go back and help Dom,” Guio said urgently. I was passed like a teddy bear to Tristan, right before Guiovon took off.35

“Come in, mom—I mean Adomae and Zion are expecting you.”36

My throat went dry.37

The Belvederes had expected this-and now Dominic might die preventing it.