Holy Blood

The coffin opened quickly.  A bright light forced his eyes closed before he could see anything.  He heard gasps, though.  Centuries’ experience told him they came from half way across the room.  Closer to him, in fact, just above his newly exposed body, were two people.  He heard their hearts beating, blood rushing under their skin.  It made his body ache with hunger.1

“Wow,” came a slightly awed female voice.  A woman.  Perhaps his hunger would be satisfied soon enough.2

He felt soft fingertips on his face.  Their warmth spread over his skin.  They turned his head gently, as if for inspection.3

“You shouldn’t touch it,” said a harsh male voice.4

The hand was ripped away from his skin. It angered him slightly.  He wanted to pull the hand back down, but he couldn’t move.5

“Okay,” the woman said firmly.  “Get him dressed and get him on the table.”6

“The drug should wear off in half an hour,” the man informed flatly.7

“I’ll be back then.”  The woman left the room as he was being lifted.8

Half an hour until he could move; that would be a blink of an eye. Half an hour until he saw her; that was another story.9

****10

He woke up to the scent of the woman drawing near.  It was pleasing.  He opened his eyes slowly.  He was alone in the room.  He looked down at himself.  He was wearing black; black shoes, black pants, black shirt.  The shirt was unbuttoned, showing his extremely pale chest.  He wondered vaguely if they had dressed him thus just to mock him.11

He looked at his feet.  They were placed firmly on two small platforms connected to the table he was on.  He noticed the glinting, u-shaped metal pieces holding his wrists and ankles to the table.  He pressed his wrists against them to test their strength.  When flesh met metal, a searing pain shot up his arm.  Silver; as he had suspected.12

He let his body go limp on the table.  He wasn’t strong enough to break free yet.  He hadn’t fed in a century.13

A few minutes later, he heard people enter the room.  The woman was with them.  Then, he heard footsteps coming toward him.  A man stood to his right, not looking at him  He didn’t look at the man, either.  He stared straight into the air, watching the man with his peripheral vision.14

“I’m gonna stand him up,” the man said.  He recognized the voice.  It was the man he had heard earlier.  The man had glasses, short brown hair and beard, and white lab coat.  Doctor or scientist, he thought.  But seems a bit too rough.15

Suddenly, he felt the table rise and tip forward.  He hid his miniscule alarm easily as part of the room, and all that was in it, came slowly into his view.  He surveyed the room coldly as the table moved.16

The room was white; floor, walls, and ceiling, but dim track-lighting on the floor made the room look soft and shaded.  There were large windows lined up to his right.  They were blocked from the other side, hindering the view.  There were a few pieces of furniture.  An eloquaintly carved wooden bookcase and matching tables and chairs.  There was also a cot set up in a corner near the door with a small nightstand and lamp.  The room seemed a bit too large for a bedroom.17

The table stopped turning when he reached a nearly upright position.  Nine men, not counting the one to his right, stood before him in a line.  They all had on matching white lad coats and dark grey pants.  They were very uninteresting to him.  18

Then he saw her; the only female in the group.  She stood away from the line of men, closer to the furniture.  He knew it was the woman he’d been sensing, but she looked different than he had expected.  Though he wasn’t quite sure what he had expected from a voice and a scent, he was sure she was not it.19

She stood there quietly, looking at the box she held in her hands.  She was young; only a few years into her 20s.  She wore blue jeans long and wide enough to cover the laces of her shoes.  She had on a loose-fitting, wide-necked shirt.  It was blood-red and the sleeves covered her hands under the box.  Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail behind her head.20

She looked up at him and smiled gently, then returned her attention to the box.  This surprised him greatly.  Not only the sweetness of her smile, but that there was something familiar about her face.  He had seen someone before to which this girl bore a striking resemblance.  He couldn’t remember who, though, which bothered him.  He didn’t forget things.21

The man to his right began lecturing to the others.  It was about the contraption he was on.  The girl wasn’t paying attention.  Neither was he.  He stared at her as she looked past the box to the floor.  He willed her to look up at him.  She didn’t move.  This puzzled him.  Even in his most weakened state, he could force people to look at him.  Perhaps she was stronger than most.22

“Jay, are you listening to me?” the man to his right said gruffly.23

After a second, the girl raised her head to look at the man.  Her face was twisted with contempt.  “I know how the rig works, John.  I am the one who designed and built it, you know.”24

“Well, if you had been paying attention,” the man, John, said,” You’d know that I have changed subjects.”25

The girl, Jay, sighed heavily as John continued.  “Like I was saying, if this thing gets loose, these track-lights can flash brightly.  It can’t kill it, but it should slow it down enough for sedation.  It’s not much, so we’ll try to keep it weak enough to be controlled.26

“Speaking of which, keeping it under control should be relatively easy.  It’s all about the blood.  We control its blood intake, we control it.  It will be given exactly one half pint of blood every other day just before sunrise.  Since you’ll be with it about that time, it’ll be your job to feed it, Jay.”27

She nodded solemnly. Then John said, “Are there any questions?”28

One of the other men raised a hand.  “Isn’t a half pint of blood a bit small, considering that’s all it feeds on?”29

“That’s the point, Matt.  We’ll feed it enough to live, but not enough to get strong.”  John pointed to another raised hand.  “Yes Philip?”30

“Will it be human blood?” Philip asked with a displeased facial expression.31

“Yes, it will.  We have a good supply of it in the refridgerator in the lab.  Your question, Andy?”32

“Will the blood be warmed for it?”33

“Why?” another man scoffed.  “It’s just an animal.”34

“Well, so are you, Bart,” Jay said placing her box on the table behind her.  “But I’m sure you still get warm meals.”35

“It gets it cold,” John stated firmly.36

The door opened behind the line of men.  Everybody looked up.  An older man in khakis and a T-shirt walked in.  Jay’s face brightened considerably.37

“Uncle Jimmy,” she called out as the man shut the door.38

“That’s me, kiddo.  Come to see how things were going.”  Uncle Jimmy walked over to her at the table.39

“Oh, it’s goin’,” she smiled.40

“I didn’t expect you here so soon, Mr. Williams,” John said respectfully.41

“Now, John, you know I don’t like being called Mr. Williams,” Uncle Jimmy reprimanded gently.42

“I’m sorry, James,” John conceded.43

“It’s all right.  Anyway, I couldn’t eait to see our guest.  I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”44

“No, not at all,” John said cordially.  “I just finished telling everybody the basics.  They can leave now.”45

The line of men lingered to say good-bye to James and Jay, then left the two and John in the room.46

James walked up to him.  “So, this is who was in the coffin?”47

“Yep,” John said matter-of-factly.48

“Well,” James said to him.  “I’m James Williams.  You’re in the basement of my home.  John and the others are scientists who work with me.  And, while I’m sure you are rather uncomfortable in your current position, you shall be well kept here.  No worry for food, sunlight, or certain people who would try to get rid of you.”49

He was looking past James to Jay, who was standing just beyond.  Her attention was on the floor before her shoes.  James looked from him to Jay and back to him.50

“This is my neice,” James pulled Jay forward gently. “She’s…”51

“The humanity of the operation.”  Jay looked up at him with a playful smirk.  The familiarity of her face rocked him again, especially at seeing her eyes.  They were a beautiful brown with a light he was certain he’d seen before.52

“Name’s Jess-Christine Davidson,” she continued formally.  “But everyone calls me Jay, so I expect you to as well.”53

“My neice will be spending most of her time with you,” James interceded.  “While she’s capable of contributing to the work my fellow scientists and I are doing, she prefers to focus on other things.  She’ll try to make you as comfortable as possible, given the situation.”54

He didn’t reply, only looked at James with peaked interest.  He could tell the man had not wanted Jay to do all these things, the whole idea of her being with a monster like him was apalling.  But he could already tell that Jay’s demands weren’t ignored by her uncle or anybody else.55

“So,” James grasped for another subject.  The man was nervous under his gaze.  “Jay, I tried to familiarize myself with this table of yours, but I’m not sure what this lever does.”56

“Don’t touch it,” Jay said firmly.  “It releases the silver shackles holding him down.”57

He looked down where James had pointed.  He saw the lever coming out of the mechanical box that controlled the table.  It was short, the width of a hand, just below the level of his knee.  Such a small scrap of metal could unleash him upon the world.  He’d keep that in mind.58

“Perhaps I’ll stay away from the thing entirely,” James eyed the table suspiciously.  “Well, I guess that’s it.  I’ll be going then.”59

“Me, too,” John added.  The two men headed for the door.60

Jay stood before him, staring.  He wondered, quizically, if she was looking at his knee.  Then, he realized she wasn’t staring at his knee, but at the release-lever.  He put the thought in her head to go to the lever and let him out.  But she easily refused the impulse, and, even more astounding, she seemed to know that he had made her think that.61

She looked at his face fleetingly as James said “Jay, you okay?”62

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she turned to her uncle.63

“Sure you want to stay here today?” James asked concerned.64

“We’ve already discussed is,” she said with finality.  “I’m gonna get him started now.”65

She went out the door with the two men, leaving him alone for quite some time.  He imagined James speaking to Jay in a concerned voice, telling her she didn’t have to be around him.  Jay would probably smile and reassure her uncle that she’d be fine.66

****67

A minute or so later, Jay came back into the room.  She was carrying a bag with a plastic tube and needle coming out of it.  The bag had a thick, red liquid sloshing around inside it.  He knew it was blood.68

She set it on a chair and laid the needle on the table.  She went to the corner behind the table and pulled out a wooden stepping stool.  It was two steps, old, but well kept, obviously handmade from its slightly lopsided angles.  She carried it and the blood toward him.69

She put the stool on the floor to his right, butted up against the table.  She took the two steps up, bringing her face level with his.  She was looking above his head and reached up with her free hand.  He twisted his head to see what she was doing.  There was a strip of metal she hinged out from the table.  A small hook dangle from it silently.70

He heard Jay clear her throat and looked at her.  She was staring at him patiently.  He noticed more of her facial features then.  There was a widow’s peak in the middle of her forehead, pointing down to a round nose and pale-red lips set firmly together.  Her eyebrows kinked down at the top of her nose over her clear, dark eyes.  That gnawing in the back of his mind came again, telling him he’d seen such a face before; not exactly the same, but so very close.  Then, he looked just below her face and his thoughts were replaced with hunger.  He saw the gentle curve of her neck, so soft and inviting.71

She had been very still while he examined her face.  She barely even breathed.  But when his gaze shifted to her neck, she cleared her throat again.  He looked back at her face as she held the blood up for his viewing.72

“I’m sure you know this is blood,” she began strong and clear.  “And I’m sure you heard what was said about feeding you.  This is what you’ll be getting.  It’s not much and it’s cold, but it should take some of the sting out of those hunger pains you must be having.  Now, in order for you to get this blood, I have to stick this needle into one of your veins.  I’m going to put it in your right arm because it’s closer, okay?”73

He didn’t respond, just looked into her eyes coldly.  She sighed softly.  “I guess I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’”74

She shifted the blood around to free her right hand.  He watched the motion, somewhat amused.  Then, he felt the soft fingertips on his hand, and his amusement fled him.  Again, the warmth threatened to steal over his body.  He had never had such a flowing, deep-reaching feeling from a touch before.  It rivaled the remembered thought of blood in his veins.  Perhaps it was the century without human contact that made him so sensitive to a girl’s soft hands.  Still he thought, at least there was no one to pull the hand away this time.75

Jay turned his hand palm up.  She looked at his face as she applied a light pressure to the center of his hand; silently commanding him to keep it that way.  He obeyed and she turned her attention to rolling up his sleeve, she exposed his forearm up to his elbow and laid the needle against the skin.76

“This may hurt a little,” she said softly.77

He felt a small prick as she slid the needle into his skin.  It was uncomfortable, but not painful.  She flipped the bag over and hung it on the hook.  With a gentle squeeze, the blood went into the tube.  He watched the blood flow slowly toward his arm until it reached the needle.78

His head fell back in pleased recognition as the blood dripped into his vein.  Jay had been right, it was cold, but still effective.  He sighed, but the sound came out a soft gurgle.  The blood inched up his arm and went to the rest of his body; even after the bag and tube were empty.  His chest heaved with unneeded air.  Finally, it subsided.  His body still ached with hunger, but it was easier to ignore.79

He looked over at Jay.  She was staring at him, blushing slightly.  It was as if she had wandered into some intimate scene and she was trying to keep her composure.  In truth, she had wandered into such a scene, and in more ways than one.80

“I hope that made you feel better,” she said as she gently removed the needle from his arm.  81

The sincerity of her voice surprised him.  He tilted his head as he looked at her.  Jay sighed sadly as she began taking down the empty bag.82

“Who am I kidding?  You probably don’t understand anything I’m saying to you.”  She dropped the bag into a container under her.83

When she looked back at him, he was smiling slyly.  “I understand more than you think.”84

His voice was smooth and powerful, tinged with a slight accent.  It filled the silence of the moment; hanging in the air even after he had finished.  He was amused to see her become instantly still.85

Then she smiled, giving off a warmth that was as familiar to him as her face was.  It was an odd feeling, being smiled at in such a way.  It filled him with a strange sense of the past; of a time that was far, far behind him.86

“So, you can speak – And in English.”  She rolled down his sleeve and tucked it carefully under the silver.87

“I know many tongues,” he informed casually.88

“I thought as much,” she said lightly.  “I suppose someone who has been around as long as you – and lived in so many places – is bound to pick up quite a lot of things.”89

“Indeed,” he said flatly.  Her words troubled him.  Perhaps it was the fact that she could sum up most of his existance in a single statement. Or maybe it was the ease with which she said it; as if she knew what it was like.90

“I’m sorry if I upset you.”  Her voice and face were full of regret.  She stepped down, picked up the stool and began carrying it back.  91

“Your sorrow is unwarranted,” he remarked, inwardly scolding himself.  Making her second-guess herself around him could hinder what little control he might gain over her.92

She stopped and looked at him over her shoulder, then proceeded to putting the stool in the corner.  When she had everything in order, she came to stand some distance in front of him.93

“You may be wondering why you’re here,” she began to lecture.  “My uncle and the others are experimenting on blood and tissue samples extracted from your body.  My uncle is trying to isolate the regenerative properties of your DNA.  He wants to develop a way to heal people quickly and effeciently.  Though, I’m guessing John may have other ideas.94

“You may also be wondering why I’m here.  I would like to study you.  Not in some physical scientific way, but through personal interactions.  I have a host of questions to ask.  Mind you, I do this only for my own pleasure.  I mean, it’s not everyday one meets a creature such as yourself.”  She smirked before continuing.  “So, would you mind me interacting with you in such a way?”95

“I have nothing to hide from you.”  He filled his voice with dark suggestions.96

“Great,” she said, seemingly unaware of the undertones in his words.  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to begin tomorrow.  I’m very tired and I’m sure you could use some rest as well.”97

He tilted his head in compiance.98

“Would you like me to lower the table so you’ll be lying down,” she asked like a good hostess.99

He shook his head.  He’d had enough lying down for a while.  Jay meandered over to the cot and sat down on it.  She pulled her socks and shoes off and swung up under the covers.  Then, reaching for the light switch, she said “Well, sweet dreams.”  The lights went out, leaving the room black.100

Yes, sweet dreams, he thought as he heard her shift down into her cot.  Despite the dark interior, he could feel the sun rising outside.  He shifted his weight backwards to the table and let himself sleep.101

****102

He looked through the windows at the busy scientists.  He had awakened at sunset to find the girl gone and the windows to his right unblocked.  Beyond the glass was a glaring white laboratory where the scientists worked.  They had come into his room a few hours earlier to take some of his skin and blood.  Now, they were studying the samples; trying to figure out why he was.  But they would never find out, not with a microscope or a test tube or any other scientific instrument.  He wasn’t some finding to be catalogued or some human to be diagnosed.  He wouldn’t be a great medical break through.  He would just be.  And none of those scientists could ever explain why.103

He heard the door slide open and looked up to see Jay entering the room.  She carried in her hands the box she had had the day before.  Carefully sitting it on the table, she turned to him.104

“Hello.  Did you sleep well,” she asked.105

He held his tongue, watching her reaction.  It was little more than a sad shrug, which made him smirk involuntarily.  She turned back to the table and began pulling things out of the box.  He immediately recognized the relics.106

“We found these things when we opened your coffin,” Jay remarked.  “I haven’t looked over all of them, but I realize the cross and the silver must have been used to subdue you.  So, I thought, maybe all of it was put there for the same purpose.”107

“Yes, they were,” he finally spoke, the disgust evident in his voice.108

Pulling a chair up in front of him, she carried a clipboard and a big, ornately decorated book she had pulled from the box.  As she sat, he watched her blow the dust from the front cover.  He knew well what was written in that books pages, but he did not stop her from reading it.109

“The Holy Bible,” she said, confused.  Her eyes turned up to his.  “Well, I guess it kind of makes sense, what with the aversion to Christian symbols and all.”110

Jay opened the cover and looked at the first page.  She read the lines aloud:111

“Within these pages lies the true salvation through Christ, Our Lord.  The creature it binds attempts to thwart the power and will of the very God he once served so devotedly.  May the words burn his flesh and sear his mind.  So, here shall this abomination remain, until the Lord Himself wishes to salvage this creature from the black flames of its eternal darkness.  For those who would remove this sacred tome in an effort to reawaken this soulless being, may the Lord pity you, for this monster will not.”112

Jay shuddered dramatically.  “Well, that was creepy.”113

He was not listening to her.  Instead, he thought about the words she had just read.  So many years locked away in a coffin, he had grown accustomed to quiet contemplation on such things.  Now, hearing the words spoken, and in a voice he found to be both powerful and sensitive, they took on a new meaning to him.  A meaning that left him hollow and angry inside.114

Jay had sat quietly a long time, just looking at him.  When he noticed this, the feeling left him.  It was replaced by an intense interest and fulfillment.  Another familiar feeling he could not place.  He cocked his head to one side, urging her to continue.115

Jay smiled slightly.  “I thought we might start with some basic questions.  What is your name?”116

“I have many,” he said with finality.117

“Okay,” she responded.  “I’ll put that down as a no comment.”118

She scribbled on her clipboard.  “Where do you come from?”119

He looked at the ground in thought.  “I have come from many places.  But have lived in only one.”120

“And where’s that,” Jay asked enthusiastically.121

“Hell,” he lied.122

“Boy, that must have been hot,” Jay smirked.123

“Yes,” he smiled in kind.  “It was always rather hot.”124

Jay sighed listlessly.  “I guess you’re not gonna answer any of my questions straight, are you?”125

He was suddenly struck with a great need to tell Jay everything about him.  But that was something he knew he could not do.  Part of his power was his mysterious nature.  If she knew him the way he wished her to, she would have total sway over him.126

“Well,” Jay interrupted his thoughts.  “If you’re not answering my questions, I’d be happy to answer any of yours.”127

His grin was wide as he said, “There is nothing I need to know, from where I am.”128

“Come on,” Jay chuckled.  “You’ve been in a box for over a century.  There must be something you want to ask about.”129

That damnable tickle of rememberance caught up with him as he stared at her.  It grew more intense because even as Jay sat in an uncomfortable silence, she still held a lovely expectant look on her face.  He thought momentarily that it would be a good time to test his hold over her.  His eyes locked with hers, but he could not bring himself to do it.  Instead, he looked away to keep from baring his teeth in anger.130

“Those pieces,” he said finally, tilting his head to the wooden furniture.  “They are very exquisite.  Where did you get them?”131

“I made them.”132

His face turned quickly to her.  “Made them?”133

She looked at the floor, blushing.  “My dad and I made them.  He was a carpenter.  Very good at it, too.  He taught me well enough to help him.”134

“I applaud your craftsmanship,” he replied bitterly.  “In my experience, those who have mastered such arts are also masters of men.”135

Jay laughed, a sweet sound that alarmed him at first.  “Mastered?  I think not.  The first thing I ever made on my own was that stool.”136

“It serves its purpose,” he retorted mildly.137

She shrugged, saying, “Sure it does, but beautiful it’s not.  It’s quite possibly the ugliest thing that ever came out of my father’s workshop.”138

“Its beauty lies within its creator,” he coyly suggested.  “And very beautiful it is.”139

Another blush touched her cheeks.  It reminded him of the blood she had flowing within her.  He wished to taste it, to mar her silken skin with two small holes from which to feed.  Such thoughts found him seeking out what was going on within her.  She was open to suggestion at the moment, prime for his control.  Then, out of the blue, she laughed again, startling him from his focus.140

“What do you laugh at?”  He tried hiding his annoyance.  He could sense her closing off to him.141

“You’re a smooth talker,” she answered, leaning back comfortably in her chair.  “So, let’s talk.”142

***143

He was a creature of action, which made conversation awkward, even with his extensive knowledge and vocabulary.  And he found it strange that over the next few days he could not bring himself to speak openly to Jay of his dark nature.  Yet, everyday she sat with him and spoke with him of trivial things.  Things of no importance to anyone but her, and she spoke so passionately of them.  He watched her closely, trying to find a moment to bring her under his power, but they were few and far between.  She seemed to know his game.  Every time he thought he had come upon his chance, her mind would turn swiftly to some strange thought.144

On one particular night, Jay sat before him, reading a book silently.  He caught snippets of the material from her mind.  Images of fantastic monsters and shadowed heroes moved swiftly through her thoughts.  He could feel her heartbeat quicken at a romantic scene between the two main characters.  She was open to his suggestions at that very moment.  Probing deep within her, he came across an exceedingly serene and pure sensation.  He had never felt anything like it.  It made him smile and sob at once.  A tingle enveloped his skin as ancient memories encompassed his mind.  He remembered life and light and love and the sweet smell of his long dead mother’s baking bread.  His stomach growled loudly.145

Jay looked up at the sound.  “You must be hungry.”146

“Yes,” he panted, trying to regain his composure.147

“I’m not supposed to feed you until tomorrow,” she remarked thoughtfully.  “But maybe…”148

Jay got up and looked into the other room through the window.  It was dark and empty, but she wasn’t taking any chances.  He watched her press a button that caused the the blockade to lower over the glass.  Then she walked toward him slowly, trembling imperceptably.  He could hear her heartbeat quicken as she pulled out a pocket knife.  Puzzled, he watched her step right in front of him and look up into his eyes.  Jay took the blade and cut a long gash under her left thumb.  Blood welled to the surface and the scent filled his nostrils.  His insides clenched with hunger, forgetting the soft feeling he had experienced.149

Jay got on the stepping stool, bringing her face level with his.  She raised her hand to show him the blood.  He strained against his bindings.150

“Just don’t bite me, please,” she asked quietly, flatly, as the heel of her hand moved closer to his face.151

His lips quickly wrapped around the cut, sucking greedily.  The warm liquid coated his mouth and slid down his throat, smooth and thick, awakening even more of his neglected body.  Closing his eyes, he savored the coppery taste of the blood and the warmth eminating from Jay’s flesh.152

He took just enough to assuage his hunger, expertly restraining himself from sinking his teeth into her.  When he forced himself to finish, he gave the wound a final lick, sealing the skin closed.  He gently nipped her hand when she didn’t move it.  The skin of her hand wasn’t so much as tinged red when she looked at it.153

“Virgin,” he taunted with a smug smile as Jay blushed.154

“You can tell things about people, just by drinking their blood,” she asked amazed.155

“I can do more than that.”156

Jay seemed to grow suddenly tired, a product of his supernatural abilities.  Her voice was groggy when she said, “I think you took too much.  I feel so weak, so tired.”157

“You should sleep,” he suggested in a low, haunting tone.  “Sleep.”158

She swayed gently, then slumped unconscious against him.  Her neck lay exposed before him, just within reach of his mouth.  He brought his face close and smelled the sweet scent of her flesh.  Smiling softly, he kissed her skin and listened to her breathing grow steady and deep.  He shifted slightly beneath her, becoming more comfortable for his own sleep.159

****160

He stepped out of a black room into a bright, green meadow.  The sun warmed his skin but did not burn it.  He walked an unknown path to the river.  Jay sat on the bank with a picnic laid out before her.  She stood as he grew closer.  Smiling, she held out a wine-sopped piece of bread to him.  He held her hand steady as he bit it out of her fingers.  He pulled her to him and kissed her gently.161

With a surprised cry, Jay pushed him away as she fell to her knees.  She hid her face while he looked down at her confused.162

“Why,” she pleaded, finally tilting her face to him.  “Why have you forsaken me?”163

He was horrified to see nail wounds in her wrists.  Blood trickled from her forehead and the red liquid spilled out of her eyes.  He rushed to her side as she fell backwards to the ground.  Her white shirt was stained red on her side.  He held her up as his own tears formed.  She raised her bloody fingers to wipe his cheeks.164

“I forgive you,” she whispered.  Then, with a final breath, she went limp in his arms.165

“No,” he cried out as the world went red.  “No! No!—166

****167

“No,” he shouted, opening his eyes just as Jay was being pulled away from him.168

He tried breaking his restraints to grab her back.  Growling in frustration, he watched one of the scientists carry her away.  He looked down and saw John standing in front of him.169

“Bring her back,” he hissed angrily.170

“I don’t think so,” John scoffed.  “I’m not giving you the chance to suck her dry and get free.”171

He smiled cruelly.  “You can’t stop her from returning.”172

“Like hell I can’t,” the scientist huffed.  “I’m not letting that weak-willed girl…”173

“She’s stronger than you know,” he taunted.174

“But you were able to get into her mind, control her,” John retorted.175

His smile faded considerably.  “Perhaps it was the other way around.”176

John glared at him, but left him alone in the room.  He laid his head back against the table, licking his lips, remembering Jay’s soft, sweet taste.  His whole body ached for her to be with him again, despite his vision.  Her blood was a part of him now, and he entertained the thought that his heart might start beating again.  Such a miracle seemed possible with what he now knew of her. If the inscription in his coffin’s Bible was correct, then the salvation of his soul might be at hand.  And while that was not something he had ever really held in high regards, it would be from Jay.  Anything she gave him would be a blessing and he would take it into his unused heart, because now he knew the truth; and what a beautiful, painful truth that was.177

***178

Days later, the door opened before him and Jay walked in.  It pleased him greatly to see her.  She came with a packet of blood and brought the stepping stool to sit beneath his feet.179

“I’m glad you’ve returned,” he said as her face became level with his.180

“They didn’t want me to,” she shrugged.  “But the way I see it, I know some of what you’re capable of.  I can be more prepared now.”181

She reached above him to hand the IV.  Her body pressed lightly against him.182

“I’m sorry if I scared you,” he said, trying to ignore her close proximity.183

Her eyes held his with a look of deep contemplation.  Then she smiled saying, “It wasn’t scary so much as strange.  But I forgive you.”184

The words struck him hard as Jay continued.  “I am a little worried, though.”185

He raised an eyebrow in question.186

She sighed.  “You probably know more about me now than I do.”187

He smiled, amused.  “Yes.  And it reminds me of someone I knew when I was alive.”188

She looked at him strangely.  “It must have been someone important to remember them this long.”189

“Yes,” he whispered.  “Very important.”190

The room was silent, save Jay’s soft breathing and the rush of blood under her skin.  After a few quiet moments, she picked up the needle and rolled back his sleeve.191

“Your usual, sir,” she joked, gently puncturing his vein.192

His eyes stayed locked on hers even as the blood flowed into him.  It was simple and cold and almost saddening.193

“It’s very boring,” he smiled softly.  “Yours was so much better.”194

She looked up at him sharply, but said nothing.  When the IV was empty, Jay took the needle out and tossed the bag away.  His eyes watched her with amused interest.195

“Good night…” she whispered, trailing off.  Her shoulders fell as she turned to leave.196

“My name was Judas once,” he said, causing her to stop.  When she turned back to him, he continued, “Judas Iscariot.”197

Jay’s eyes widened.  “You mean the one…from the Bible?”198

He nodded mournfully at her hesitation.  “Yes.  The Betrayor of Christ.”199

“Wow,” she gasped quietly.  “That explains a lot.”200

He nodded again and said distantly, “Do you know who you remind me of?  Who you are?”201

Jay shook her head, still a bit dazed by his revelation.202

“Come closer and I’ll show you,” he coaxed.  “I won’t bite.”203

She smiled slightly and leaned toward him.204

“Closer.”205

She complied nervously and moved in until her body was fully against his, their faces nearly touching.  The scent of her sweet breath and the feel of its warmth was almost his undoing.  He reigned in his instinctive needs and said, “Close your eyes.”206

She did, and he leaned his forehead against hers.  Again her warm breath threatened to send him over the edge, and his arms itched to hold her.  He closed his eyes to steady himself.  Then, by the force of his own will, he brought her into his mind.  He showed her things that the millenia of his existence could not erase.207

****208

It was like an out of control spiraling, moving into the depths of his mind to the beginning.  It was enough to make him nauseous, if not from the motion, then from the pressure born of two-thousand years-old memories.  He had no idea how it must have felt for Jay whose essence traveled along side him.209

Suddenly, everything stopped, fell away like shards of a shattered mirror.  And he was home in the hot dry city of Jerusalem before his downfall.  He watched someone run past him and he realized it was Andrew.  He turned to follow, but a hand on his shoulder stayed him.  Looking back, he expected to see Jay.  Instead, he found a sight that nearly made him break down into tears.210

His friend, his brother, Jesus stood smiling at him and over His shoulder was His wife Mary.  Her hand rested surrepticiously on Her abdomen.  She had done that often in the Last Days, and he knew why.  He was the only other to know Mary bore Jesus’ child.211

Now, looking at the two, he could piece together the lines of Jay’s face.  He sensed a skeptical comprehension and fear from outside himself that brought him back to his body.212

****213

He opened his eyes just in time to see Jay tumble away from him.  She hit the floor hard on her backside.  He winced hearing the sharp thud.214

Looking up at him in horror, Jay stammered “What’re you…Are you saying I’m…That I’m…”215

He nodded and she covered her face with her hands.  “How do you know?  Lots of people have the same features.  Maybe it’s a mistake.”216

“The blood never lies, Jay,” he whispered.  “It can’t.”217

She stood with tears in her eyes.  “What does it mean?  Am I supposed to become some holy martyr for the world?”218

“Your parents weren’t, or their parents.  Perhaps you won’t either,” he shrugged.219

“But you’re here,” Jay said quietly.  “Is it a coincidence?”220

He didn’t answer, because he couldn’t.  She stood on the stool to level their faces.221

“And what do I call you,” she whispered.  “Because I can’t –won’t—call you that name.”222

“Yah,” he said looking into her eyes.  “When I was a boy, my playmates called me Yah.”223

“Yah,” Jay repeated and began trembling nervously.  “Will you tell me more about you…and me?”224

“There is more than can be told,” he said profoundly.  “About either of us in one lifetime.”225

Jay averted her eyes and mumbled, “Maybe we’ll have more time than that.”226

She turned and walked away, lying on her cot and turning out the light.  For the first time in centuries, he was speechless.227

***228

The next few days proved to be surprisingly upsetting to him.  Though Jay was not avoiding him, she was not speaking to him like she had.  No longer did her voice hold that timid, informative, passionate tone.  It was colder, a distant thing that saddened him now.  And it was dragging him down, too, making him weak and separate from the world.  The feeling rivaled that of when he had first lost his way, moved against the path of his messiah, for a few filthy bits of silver.229

It was tearing him apart, and for all his millenia of knowledge, he couldn’t understand why.  Yes, he was overly fond of Jay.  That was why he had told her the truth.  He realized it was not the distance between them that truly bothered him, but the sight of her, seemingly so sad and forlorn, her soul baring such a great and inutterable knowledge.  Oh, he would take it back in an instant if he could, lift the burden and free her of it.  Just the thought made him feel righteous, which was another thing that confused him.  He should hate her, the spawn of that which condemned him to eternal darkness and solitude.  Yet, whenever he looked at her, he was filled with awkward feelings, sometimes pure and somtimes sullied by thoughts of passion and lust.230

Then, one day something strange happened.  The door of his room opened, revealing Jay and one of the scientists carrying in a huge mattress.  Earlier that week, he had awoken one day to find Jay’s cot gone and had feared she had left.  But apparently, it was only in preparation for the moving in of this more comfortable bit of furniture.  It was laid right on the floor with no frame.  When the man left, she turned to him with a smile.231

“Good evening,” she said with a deep, slurred accent, trying not to giggle.232

He was taken aback by this renewed familiarity, though he was glad to have it.  “Hello, Jay.”233

“So, uh, I know I’ve been acting really odd lately,” she began solemnly.  “But it’s because I’ve been thinking really hard about a lot of things and I realized it’s just something I’ll have to learn to cope with.  Deal with it if something happens, though I will definitly not be actively seeking anything out to happen.”234

She gave a little giggle that made him smile.  What a wonderous girl, to have such good humor in the face of something that could shatter the world.235

“But, because I’ve been really out of it, I made you something,” Jay continued.  “It’s not much and it’s really cheesy, but I thought you might enjoy the hilarity of it.”236

Stepping out into the hall briefly, she returned carrying a small carved wooden image.  As Jay neared, and he could see the carving better, he did indeed laugh.  It was a bat hanging upside-down from a tree branch, red eyes peering under its wrapped wing. 237

“Very amusing,” he remarked.238

Jay smiled proudly, that little sin he always found so attractive in her.  “I never really got around to asking you.  But, do you turn into a bat?  Or a wolf or whatever?”239

“No, you never did ask me,” he replied playfully.  “And I may never answer.”240

“I’ve learned that about you,” she nodded.  “Not very giving with the details.”241

Her tone was innocent enough, but he felt suddenly saddened by her words.  He was not very giving, of anything, ever.  Yet, he wanted to give her so much.  Anything she wanted; the world, his soul if it could be wrenched free from its darkness.  Every fiber of his being wanted to give itself to her, for eternity or a moment, just to have the feeling of being hers.  It nearly made him weep, and Jay must have noticed this.242

“Have I upset you,” she asked.243

Of course she had upset him, overturned his very world.  Damnable girl.  He sucked in a sharp, unneeded breath.  No.  She could not be that.  She could never be damned, not by him or anyone else.  He couldn’t think of it, just couldn’t…244

“No,” he answered in a low voice.245

There was quiet as Jay looked at the floor before taking the figure to the table.  He watched her soft movements, forcing himself not to imagine her body slinking eternally through darkness.  It wasn’t working.246

***247

“Yah,” Jay said after a few moments.248

The use of his name struck him hard.  “Yes, Jay?”249

She turned to him, her face holding all the inquisitive nature he enjoyed in her.  “Why were you in that coffin?  Who put you there?”250

He flinched slightly.  For weeks, he had refrained from speaking of it, and she had seemed to realize this.  But now it was in the open.  He knew he could not skirt it easily, though he did not wish to answer.  How could he tell her the things he had done?  How could he explain away the atrocities he had commited as just feeding?  The way he was captured like the monster he was and caged accordingly?  He would rather she know nothing of him and hate him for not telling, than her know the truth and despise him.251

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he replied.252

Jay walked up to him, stepping on the stool to bring her body against his.  “Please, Yah.  Tell me.”253

She was too close to him, her breath tickling his skin, enticing him nearly to madness.  His body was responding like it hadn’t done in a very long time.  “No, Jay. Stop.”254

“Yah,” she urged firmly.  He turned his face away, trying to break the hold she had on him.  He had to get her away from him before she felt it.  But her hand came to his cheek and forced his eyes back to hers.  “Yah!”255

He tried turning his face again, but when her hand came back up, he snapped.  With an angry growl, he bit at her, nearly catching her cheek in his fangs.  She gasped, backing away quickly.  His lungs heaved needlessly as he watched her widened eyes stare at him in horror.256

“I’m sorry,” he whispered pleadingly, regretting his action.  He couldn’t remember the last time he apologized for anything, but now he wished he could do more than just say it.  She looked so frightened.  “Please forgive me.”257

“I-It’s fine,” she stammered, dazed.  “I shouldn’t have pushed you like that.”258

Her eyes stayed locked on his as she moved away, nearly falling over her chair.  He had the urge to test his bonds once again, try his strength against the silver shackles in an attempt to go to her.  It was only for her own good that he had been harsh.  He realized that was a lie.  It had been for his own reasons, but they had only her interest at heart.  Heart.  If his heart worked at all, it would have been breaking at that point.259

“Jay, I’m so sorry,” he said again, tearing his eyes away from her.260

“No harm, no foul,” she shrugged feebly, making him look down at her again.261

She was trying to make him feel better!  He had just practically tried to bite her and she was trying to keep him from feeling upset by it.  He wondered how she could be like that, what divine gene made her care about him more than herself.  It was beautiful and confusing, and he knew he didn’t deserve it.  He deserved nothing that she gave him, especially when he could give her nothing so great in return.262

“Yah,” she remarked sadly.  “Please don’t be mad at me.”263

He let out a half-sob.  “Oh, Jay.  I could never be mad at you.  Though you would drive me mad for you sometimes.”264

It was her turn to look at him sharply, inquizitively.  He sighed and ordered gently, “Come back to me.”265

After a short, questioning pause, she complied, moving up to him slowly.  He nearly groan as she pressed herself against him again.  Instead, he whispered, “Touch me.”266

Her hand slid up to his chest, and he shuddered.  She was under his control now, but his mind could not fly to thoughts of freedom like it had so often in the past. Her scent filled his nostrils, invading him like the warmth from her body, like the soft movement of her fingers edging closer to his face.  When they reached his cheek, he nuzzled against her palm, brushing his lips over the heel of her hand.  He kissed the skin, feeling his fangs come out involuntarily.  Sucking gently, he maneuvered their sharpness aside so as not to knick her, and he could feel the tension in her muscles begin to laxen.267

Jay’s other hand stayed on his chest, adding its touch to the myriad sensations moving between them.  He peered at her from his work on her hand.  Her eyes were closed and she bit her lower lip to keep from moaning.  Though he had no use of his arms, which strained futily at the shackles, his essence flowed out around her, pulling her closer.  She moved easily, bringing her forehead to his shoulder.  He left off with her hand, pressing his lips to her neck.  She whimpered slightly, twisting her head to give him more access and gripping her hands into the fabric of his shirt.268

He tasted her skin, reveling in its softness.  The muffled sounds of his own moaning had him sucking harder on her throat, barely able to contain his instinct to bite her.  She rocked her hips against his, causing him to grunt softly.  It happened again and again until he threw his head back against the table, moaning loudly.269

“Jay, stop.  Please,” he begged, surprised to find himself gasping as she kept pushing.  “Don’t do this.”270

He groaned again as she grabbed his hips and pressed firmly into him.  Her face was buried into his shoulder, and he could feel her labored breathing.271

“Jay, I want you so bad,” he practically whined, pressing his cheek to the top of her head for some kind of relief.  “But you have to stop this.”272

But she couldn’t stop, not while her mind was linked with his.  Because deep down he didn’t want her to stop.  He wanted her to keep going until both their desirous needs were met and their souls could mate along with their bodies.  He gasped again as she kept bucking.  He tried twisting away, but it was no use.  Finally, he severed his connection with her, cutting it like so many puppet strings.  And like a puppet, Jay fell limp against him.273

Trying to regain his composure, he filled his unused lungs and heaved a great sigh.  Jay’s body was still tucked warmly and enticingly against him, but it was no longer urgent, giving him much-needed relief from her pure pleasure-torture.  That’s what it was.  A pleasure so exquisite it tortured him to think how much he didn’t deserve it either, no matter how much he wanted it.274

A few moments later, Jay stirred as if waking from a deep sleep.  She lifted her head to him in groggy questioning.  He looked down at her, wishing he could kiss her again, touch her.275

“What happened,” she asked sleepily.  “The last thing I remember is you apologizing for snapping at me…”276

He didn’t know how to answer at first.  She didn’t remember a thing, none of the passion they had just experienced for each other, none of their movements or moans.  Should he tell her, ask her to free him so they could do it again?  Could he tell her the power he had over her, the way she thrust shamelessly against him in her ecstasy?277

“Nothing happened,” he shook his head.  “You just fell asleep.”278

“Why?”279

He turned his gaze from her, almost ashamed for his lying.  He didn’t remember ever being so ashamed for anything since…280

“I don’t know why.  I thought you were tired, so I let you sleep.”281

“Thank you,” she whispered, slightly confused.  She began to back away, but her limbs were still heavy from her unremembered excersion.  Her hand touched his torso to steady herself, and he jumped slightly.  When her eyes turned to his, he could sense a memory slipping into her consciousness.  Pink colored her cheeks, making him smile lopsidedly.282

Jay looked away, turning her back on him.  He suddenly felt lonely, empty like he had lost a piece of himself as she walked slowly away.  The image of her in infinite night stole through his mind again.  He envisioned the both of them entwined forever in a sea of darkness.  But he couldn’t do that, couldn’t hamper the light he had found inside her.  Though it would be a kind of justice, bringing the descendant of his most hated into a shared damnation.283

She staggered over to the newly arrived mattress on the floor.  As he watched her collapse heavily onto her bed, a pang of worry and regret shot through him.  So often he wanted to go to her, douse the ache inside him that hurt more than hunger ever did.  But he found himself wanting to help her, too.  How confusing and strenuous and taxing all this must be on her mind, her soul.  Such a beautiful creature should never be plagued so, all things should be soothed away from her brow with a gentle, loving hand.  His hands were cold and dead, but they could still be gentle, they could still…284

Jay groaned and turned over, pulling the blankets over her.  He realized she was asleep, curled up like a little kitten in her covers.  Had she wanted him so madly before?  Such an innocent child moving that way, knowing full well what it would do to him.  He sighed and touched his mind to hers again.  Though he had separated them earlier, the path still lay open, ready for a reconnection.  He heard and felt Jay moan softly and press into her bedding instinctively.  To calm her down before she began again her search for release, he gave her soothing thoughts from his own memory.  Then, thinking of no better way to be with her, he painted in her mind that image of him lying beside her on the bed, holding her and nuzzling his lips softly against her skin, urging her sweet dreams and warm affection.285

***286

He awoke the next night to find Jay gone.  He would have been saddened by that fact, except he felt something strange was occuring elsewhere in the building.  Something that had to do with the samples taken from him.  Not only did his own blood scream to him, but so did Jay’s, alerting him that she might soon be in danger.  A certain rage filled him, making him strain his bindings for an ungodly numbered time.  287

But this time, through the searing of his flesh, he thought he felt the metal begin to give.  The clamps creaked under his renewed strength.  He was about to give a great heave and finally break free, when the door slid open and Jay walked in smiling.  And he was weak in her presence, unable to free himself as he gazed at her bright face.288

“Evening, Yah,” she said, pulling her chair in front of him.289

He suddenly noticed a few small bruises marring the skin of her neck.  It reminded him of the night before, all the panting breaths and slow, silken movements.  It threatened to make his body react in a similar way.  Jay seemed to notice his line of sight.290

“Do you know how I got these,” she asked, touching the purpled flesh.291

He shook his head and lied again.  “No.  Perhaps you bruised yourself while you slept.”292

Jay looked almost disappointed.  “You’re probably right.  I keep having these strange dreams.  There’s no telling what I do in my sleep.”293

It took all his will not to say anything, not to admit what had happened, that he knew he was the one in her dreams.  Instead, he smiled, realizing her words were quite funny in their own way.  She couldn’t tell what went on in her sleep, how wild she could be.294

“What is that grin all about,” Jay asked, bringing him out of his thoughts.  When he looked at her, she was blushing slightly.295

“Nothing,” he replied.  “Just thinking about how beautiful you look when you blush.”296

Her eyes widened as she gave a short sarcastic laugh.  “Wow.  That was… completely unexpected.”297

His smile broadened.  “What?  You don’t agree?”298

“Well,” Jay giggled.  “Excuse me for thinking it has less to do with how I look and more to do with the capillaries expanding under the skin of my cheeks.”299

He was struck by how self-depricating she was.  His eyes stared into hers intently.  “You are beautiful.  One of the most magnificent creatures I’ve ever met.”300

“Sure,” she scoffed playfully.  “This coming from someone who’s had more women than there are stars in the sky.”301

“I haven’t been in the game for a while,” he chuckled.  “It’s hard to seduce anyone when your stuck in a coffin.”302

“Fair enough,” she nodded and went back to her doodling.303

He watched her for a while.  Stray thoughts of sublimely unattainable actions moved through his mind.  As she continued, he realized just how badly he wanted her back with him, to feel her skin on his again.  He just had to try making her do it on her own.  “Come here.”304

“I don’t think so,” she shook her head, still sounding a little amused.  “I’ve heard enough stories to believe you can control people’s minds.  I’m not taking my chances on letting you free just so you can kill me.  And I’d rather be safe than sorry sitting right here.”305

“You think I would do that,” he asked, upset at the idea.  “I couldn’t.”306

“Then what would you do,” she remarked.307

He was about to answer, tell her that if he were set free he would love nothing more than to be with her, make love to her like he had been longing to for so long.  But, the door opened suddenly again, this time allowing a scientist, one of the Simon’s to step in.308

“Jay,” the young man said.  “Your uncle wants to talk to you.”309

“Do you know what about, Simon,” she turned around to ask.310

“I don’t know,” the scientist answered.  “I think it might be something about restocking some materials.  But you know me, I’m on a need to know basis.”311

“Thanks,” she smiled.  “I’ll be there in a minute.”312

“Okay,” Simon nodded and left.313

Jay turned her eyes back to him.  “Gotta go.  Maybe we’ll talk some more about this later, okay?”314

“I love talking with you,” he smiled.  “I wish I had begun sooner.”315

She smiled and looked away, her face slightly pinkened.  As she turned to leave, he whispered “So beautiful.”316

It must have been loud enough to hear, because Jay stopped to say, “Thank you, Yah.  I’ll try to do it more for you.”317

Then, she went out into the hall, closing the door behind her, and he was left to think of ways to make her blush more.318

***319

A few moments later, John came into the room.  It wasn’t often that he saw the head scientist.  Usually his samples were taken and spirited off to the other room without much contact with anyone.  From the look on the mortals face, the reason for the unexpected visit was not pleasant.320

“Welcome, Dr. John,” he smirked.  “What brings you here?”321

“You know goddamn good and well why I’m here,” the mortal man replied.322

Indeed, he didn’t.  He could only guess it might have something to do with…323

“Why does Jay have bruises on her neck,” John asked hotly.  “Answer me that.”324

A slow smile spread his lips.  What an intriguing sensation he was picking up from the mortal.  Possessive, jealous.  All the things he would be if he thought Jay were with someone.325

“She hurt herself sleeping,” he answered finally.326

“Like hell she did,” the man retorted. Outrage was evident now.  “You did it to her.  I knew she was weak-willed.  The only question is why you didn’t kill her.”327

His lips turned down again.  He had been wrong before, John wasn’t angry about what had happened to Jay, only that he had not ripped into the girl, turned her into a creature like him, so the scientist could study her.328

“You would speak of her so,” he asked bitterly.  “You would think so horrible thoughts about such a sweet, innocent girl?”329

“Sweet and innocent,” John laughed sarcastically.  “I’ve never been able to decide if she’s a bitch or just a slut.  Coming and going from this room, like she can’t get enough of you.  She cut the surveillance from this room, so none of us know what’s going on in here.  What, does she get off on you?  Or is it the other way around?  Does she do things to you she doesn’t want anyone else to see?  Or have you made her do things she doesn’t know about?”330

He bit back his rising anger.  Oh, how he wished to rip the throat out of this insolent, depraved mortal.  How dare the scientist say such things about Jay, probably the only good thing that the man ever came in contact with.  The man knew nothing of true darkness and evil, or of purity from the touch of light hidden deep within the soul of a fateful girl.331

John finished ranting and looked up at him.  And suddenly, his gaze was full of surprised understanding.332

“You hate me,” he mused.  “Not because I’m a monster, but because we both are and she likes me.  She likes me more than you.”333

His words sounded childish, like he had intended them to.  Still, a great rage seemed to build up in John’s face.  The scientist moved toward him, pulling a silver cross from the labcoat’s pocket.  The metal glinted in the dim light.  He had no way to protect himself.  John reached him and held up the cross.334

“Let’s see how much pain you can take,” the mortal man growled.335

He cried out in pure agony as he felt the silver sear his skin painfully.  It left a cross-shaped burn just below his collar bone.  When his screaming stopped, he looked down at John and laughed.336

“You’ll have to do more than that.”337

John sneered and again moved the cross forward.  He braced himself, but the cross never touched him.  Instead, the door flew open and Jay rushed in.  She grabbed John roughly and spun the man around yelling, “Get the hell away from him.”338

****339

John shoved Jay to the ground, but she quickly scrabbled to her feet to glare at the scientist.340

“You stupid bitch,” John railed.  “Do you think he cares about you?  He wants you to set him free so he can rip you apart like a piece of meat.”341

“So you torture him when he’s tied up,” Jay shouted back.  “He doesn’t deserve that.  Nothing deserves that, except maybe your sorry ass.”342

Without warning, John backhanded her across the face.  A strangled cry of rage escaped him as he tried breaking free, but it was no use.  Jay seemed almost unaffected by the blow.  Her head had turned with the momentum, but it runed back to glare at her attacker.343

“My uncle always told me to turn the other cheek,” she said coldly.344

He flinched at the words as John raised a hand and struck her again on the other cheek.  The knuckle caught her lip, causing a small gush of blood to flow down her chin.  When she looked back at the scientist, pure rage masked her face as she bellowed, “I only have two.”345

She lunged at John, knocking the man to the ground.  The bearded face was pummeled visciously until some of the others came in and pulled her off the beaten man.  Three of them held her back as the other two carried the half-conscious body out of the room.  Jay calmed down considerably and the men let her go.346

“I’m okay,” she told them.  “I just want to be left alone.”347

The men glanced up at him, then turned and left.  Jay was still visibly angry.  She stocked over to the table and slammed her hands down on the surface.  With an enraged grunt, she grabbed the back of the beautiful mahagony chair she had made and threw it backwards.  It hit the floor with a heavy thud.348

He watched Jay’s head shake and fall forward.  She wept.  He could see her body shaking with sobs.  Watching the earlier scene had made him feel powerless.  Now, he could do something.349

“Are you all right, Jay,” he asked.  “Your lip is bleeding.”350

Jay took a few moments to compose herself, then turned to him.  The blood had run under her chin to her neck.  She looked at him with a face full of deep thought.  Her head nodded kurtly, as if making up her mind.  Moving over to him, she stood on the stool.  The scent of blood was very strong, and he had to will himself no to look at it.351

“My savior,” he said playfully.  His eyes widened as she pressed herself against him, tilting her head all the way back to expose her neck.352

“What are you doing?”  He was going mad with hunger for her blood and her flesh.  The longer she stood like that, the worse it became.353

“Just don’t bite me, please,” Jay replied with her head still back.354

That was all the invitation he needed.  He brought his tongue out and let it hover over the end of the blood trail.  Then, he began the slow lapping.  Sucking up every speck of the red liquid, he moved up her neck in a long measured movement, over her chin, to the source.  His tongue’s tip brushed gently against her upper lip as he swallowed the last of the blood and sealed the wound.  He went to kiss her, but she had moved her lips just out of reach.355

“You don’t care about me,” Jay whispered, holding his eyes with her own.  “You just want my blood.  And that I already give you.’356

“And if I want more,” he asked quietly.357

“You want more blood?”358

He smiled saying, “More of you.”359

Her eyes widened a little in realization.  She seemed lost for a moment before bringing her face to the crook of his neck.  He sighed when he felt her warm breath on his skin.  It surprised him when her fingers glided slowly up his chest.  She was under her own power now, unlike before, which made it so much better.  A heat permeated him, eminating from her hand outward.  Her breath moved from his neck down to the already healing cross wound.  The tip of her tongue touched his skin and slowly traced the seared flesh.  The sensation jolted him and he found his arms flexing against he bindings.360

With closed eyes, he groaned breathily, “I want to touch you.”361

Jay went perfectly still.  Even her breath seemed to stop.  Then she stood straight and he could see her face blushing.  Turning away, she said “I should go.”362

“No,” he begged suddenly.  When she looked back at him, he pleaded, “You don’t have to free me.  Just stay with me.  Sleep here tonight, like you did before.”363

Again she had that lost look on her face.  But she replaced her body against his and rested her head on his shoulder.  The tickle of her breath on his neck was accompanied by her gentle fingers caressing his cheek.  Eventually, the hand fell away and the breathing slowed.  All he could do was wait.364

****365

A few hours later, Jay still slept.  His eyes were closed, but he was awake.  He registered every shift in Jay’s body and mind.  Then he heard the door open.  He looked up to see one of the scientists—he believed the name was Peter—entering the room.  The man eyed Jay intently and came toward them.  He snarled like a protective and tried nudging Jay awake.  Her eyes opened just as Peter rushed up and grabbed her by the hair.  She hollered as the man pulled her roughly back.  He watched her hit the ground hard and felt useless yet again.366

“Pete!  What the hell are you doing,” she shouted.367

“John wants to see you,” the scientist replied cruelly and went to drag her by the hair.368

Jay pulled out her sculpting knife and stabbed Peter in the arm.  The man growled, throwing Jay backward.  She fell back against the table’s control panel, the release lever jabbing under her arm.  She looked at it, then at Peter.369

“You wouldn’t dare,” the bleeding man said.  “He’d kill you too.”370

Jay glanced up at his concerned expression setting her jaw firmly, she said to Peter, “At least I’ll see you go first.”371

She stood and placed a foot on the release lever.  When she stepped down, a loud click opened the silver shackles, freeing him.  He stepped menacingly onto the stool, rubbing his wrists.  Peter’s expression was that of supreme horror as the wounded man backed away.  But he lunged at the scientist, sinking his teeth into flesh.  Finally quenching his hunger, he sucked the veins dry and let the empty body flop to the floor.  He pulled the black shirt off and used the white labcoat to wipe the blood from his face.372

Standing, he turned to see Jay staring at the floor.  He moved to her and lifted her face to his.  An almost ravenous feeling arose within him as he looked into her eyes.  A hunger born not of bloodthirst, but of pure sensual need.  A need fostered so long within him, since he first longed for her in the place of his very soul.  He brought their lips together roughly while his fingers desperatly tugged at her sweater.  Then, she pushed him away, and he was shocked.  Never had a woman denied him before, yet never had he clawed at a woman in such a way.  373

His shock subsided as he realized she was pulling off her shirt, kicking off her shoes.  Her hand reached up to free her bound hair, but he already had her in his arms, crushing their bodies together.  He untied her dark locks and they fell to her shoulders.  His nostrils filled with the scent of rosewood and myrhh, a combination he had not encountered since before he died.  The blood in his veins and the feel of Jay’s soft skin made him feel alive again.374

Her hand brushed his stomach as his tongue slipped between her lips.  He felt her fumble with his leggings and her fingers move along the skin under the fabric.  Shuddering, he realized just how long it had been.  A century since he had held a woman, millenia since he had truly cared for one.  Never feeling such an aching need.  375

It plagued him, not knowing if the pleasure he sought was from Jay as her own person or from her heritage, if his actions were borne of a desire to please and be pleased by her or of defiance against that which had created her.  But all such thoughts fled his mind as her fingers grazed between his legs.  He could only think of maneuvering her to the bed in the corner so they could further their intentions.376

In a flurry of movements, he found himself naked on the covers with a still half-clothed Jay on her knees straddling his hips.  He smiled, not remembering a time when he was in that position.  Her fingers undid the button and zipper on her pants.  But before she could do anything else, he wrapped an arm around her waist and slid his other hand in her jeans.  She bolted upright, feeling his finger change the moist flesh into full wetness.  He kissed and licked her neck, being careful of his fangs as he stroked her.  Her hair tickled his back while he rolled them both over.377

He removed his hand to pull her pants off.  Instead of settling back between her legs, he brought his lips to her inner thigh.  Trailing kisses down her leg, he stopped short of the dark curls of hair to look up at her.  She was leaning on her elbows, looking at him with fear and confusion.  Then, his tongue slipped into the wet folds of skin.378

Her body jerked again, but he stayed with her, placing his hands on her hips to keep her still.  He explored the area slowly, lapping at the sweet juices.  Soft, little moans fled Jay’s throat and he smiled around his work.  He stopped suddenly and crawled up between her thighs, bringing his face to hers.  Thrusting his hips against her, he let her feel the brunt of his stiffness.379

Her mouth fell open and he kissed her, ran his tongue along hers to let her taste her own arousal that lingered there.  She put her arms around him and twisted her hips, forcing him between the outer folds.  He sighed as she turned her head to gasp for air.380

He moved his lips to her ear and whispered, “I would give up eternity to be your lover.”381

“You’re already taking that position,” she chuckled softly.  “You don’t have to convince me anymore.  Besides, you probably say that to all the girls.”382

“I have been with women before,” he agreed.  “But none have seduced me the way you have.”383

She looked up at him and said breathlessly, “I didn’t mean to.”384

“I know,” he smiled, pressing down on her.  “Perhaps that is why it affects me so.”385

Jay bit down on her lower lip as he began pushing his way inside her.  He shuddered and stopped when he met resistance.386

“The blood never lies,” he said, holding himself back.  387

“It can’t.”  She writhed beneath him, trying to force him further.388

“I would give up eternity for this too.”  The throbbing pain was almost unbearable.  “I can’t give you what you are about to give me, but I can give you something almost as important to me.”389

“What,” she whispered with her eyes closed.390

“Look at me,” he ordered softly.  Once she complied, he continued slowly, both in speaking and in motion.  “I will show you my true self, that which none before have seen.”391

Jay’s breath caught as he thrust inside her, ripping through all her barriers.  She moaned at the pain and his hand came up and gently pulled away the fabric of her bra.  His tongue came out to lick and tease her breast while his hips moved back and forth against hers.  392

She closed her eyes reveling in the sensations.  But as her eyelids fell shut, her mind was caught up in a familiar spiral.  He was pulling her into his mind again.  Exposing her to all his brutal, mortal emotion, he surpassed the savageness of his afterlife.  She saw the defining moments of his manhood; his first love, when his parents died.  The joy he felt when he met Jesus, the agony at hearing Mary cry and knowing Her child would be fatherless.  Every thought, every memory, flowed through her in their shared consciousness.393

“Yahoda,” she whispered in his ear.394

Hearing his ancient name pass through Jay’s sweet lips sent him over the edge.  A few stray tears touched his cheek as he gritted his teeth and pushed deep within her, eliciting a throaty groan from Jay.  He did it again and again, with her sounds increasing in volume, until suddenly all of Jay’s muscles contracted, tightening around him in more ways than one, and he released himself inside her.395

He remained still a few moments, hearing and feeling Jay’s panting breath.  Leaning up, he looked at her sweat-dampened face and touseled hair.  She was a beautiful sight to behold and it dispelled all the doubts of his actions.  It was her he longed for, not some abstract form of rebellion against his past.396

“Oh, Yahoda,” Jay whispered with a perfect accent.  Her hands cupped his face and wiped at his cheeks.  “Why do you cry?”397

He took one of her hands and kissed the palm.  “When I learned Mary was pregnant, I knew I would love the child.  But I did not know I would love her this much.”398

“They weren’t my parents,” she said shaking her head.399

“No,” he agreed.  “Yet their blood runs in your veins.  And when I looked at you I see all their goodness.”400

Jay’s hand moved to cover her embarassed face.  “You’re comparing me to Jesus?”401

“Only in goodness,” he smirked.  “And maybe carpentry skills.”402

“Was that a joke,” she asked astounded.403

Chuckling softly, he leaned down and kissed her.  She moaned and he realized he was still nestled deep inside her.  He moved his face back to look into her eyes.404

“I love being here,” he whispered, nudging his hips slightly.  Then he brought his hand up to cover her heart.  “And here.”405

“You can stay as long as you want, if you want,” she replied a little breathless.406

“It is a heaven I do not deserve.”407

Jay brought her lips to his ear.  “You said you would give up eternity to be my lover.  I would give up all to give you what heaven I could.”408

A shiver went up his spine hearing her soft words.  Kissing her gently, he forced their bodies apart to lie beside her.  After a few seconds, Jay rolled to face him and gave a small yelp.409

“Ow,” she complained lightly.  “My legs hurt.”410

He laughed, a real laugh he hadn’t used in what seemed like ages.  She tried to suppress her own soft giggle.411

“Don’t laugh at me,” she nudged him playfully, then moved to straddle him.  “I’m not that sore.”412

When he felt the warmth of her legs wrap around his stomach, his sound ceased, but the smile remained on his lips.  One of his hands touched her thigh while the other was splayed across the small of her back.413

“You would have me again?”414

“I would have you always,” Jay smiled coyly as she began moving her hips down to rejoin their bodies.  The excitement of the feel and the thought grew within him quickly.  Suddenly, he stopped her with a gentle press to her back.415

“What is it,” she asked, seeing his worried face.416

His reply waited a few seconds.  “Something’s wrong.  I don’t know wh…”417

The lights flared brightly in the room, blinding him.  All of his senses seemed to dull momentarily.  He thought he heard someone come into the room.  He grabbed for Jay, but she was already being pulled away howling in anger and pain.418

Thrashing out violently, he caught hold of a man’s arm and tossed the unlucky mortal into the lighting.  It shorted and the room returned to its usual semi-dark state.  His vision returned and the sight left him feeling empty inside.  419

There was no one in the room save him and the dazed scientist on the floor.  Even the body he had killed earlier no longer remained.420

A great wail of rage and anguish grew loud in his chest and burst through his lips.  Jay had been stolen from his arms and for what purpose—he didn’t know.  Grabbing the only other in the room, he sank his teeth visciously into flesh, ripping and tearing with nails and fangs until all the man’s blood was either consumed or spilled on the ground.  He didn’t have to feed, he only had a great need to kill or destroy anything that stood in his way of getting Jay back.421

****422

He tossed the corpse aside and dressed quickly, lingering at the sight of the discarded female garments.  Moving to the door, he put his fist through the door’s keypad.  It slid open revealing a dark hallway.  His eyes adjusted easily and his nose picked up a post-coital scent that tugged at his insides.  He followed the smell as it grew stronger, through a twisting, winding labyrinth of corridors.  Then, he could sense Jay nearby.  Her presence tingled in the back of his head, drawing him to a door at the end of the hallway.423

He beat savagely at the steel barring him from the room.  His usual physical and mental grace was clouded by his emotions.  Now, he was an animal, fierce and unstoppable in the pursuit of his lost mate.424

The metal began to give, bending and ripping under his inhuman blows.  After a particularly viscious pounding, he paused long enough to look through a large rent in the door.  A small room lay on the other side, and clearly visible near the far wall was Jay wrapped haphazardly in a white sheet, laying on the floor.  She wasn’t moving, save the slow rise and fall of her chest.425

With renewed raged, he pummeled the door until there was a hole large enough for him to fit through.  He knew it must be some sort of feeble human trap, but even that knowledge could not stop his pursuit.  Nor could the searing pain that jolted his body as his barefeet stepped into the splashes of holy water upon the floor.426

Two scientists appeared, attempting to thwart him.  One’s neck was snapped instantly while the other’s skull was crushed against the hard, rock surface of the wall.  He rushed to Jay and half lifted her in his arms.427

“Wake up, my love,” he said, caressing her cheek.  “Wake up.”428

Jay began to stir and slowly open her eyes.  When she recognized who was holding her, she wrapped her arms around his neck.  “Oh, Yahoda!”429

He squeezed her tightly, feeling like his chest would burst at any moment.  But then he heard footsteps approaching them.  He looked up and saw John standing in the corner of the room holding a pistol.  The scientist took a few steps toward them.430

“What the hell are you doing, John,” Jay growled.  “Where’s my uncle?”431

“Let’s just say,” John began to explain.  “Your uncle and I had a disagreement.  He thought the medicine created by this guy’s blood should be given free to all the people.  I thought we stood to make more money by selling it to the highest bidder.  You know, the military or some druglord who’d find a hallucinogenic use for it.  Your uncle refused, so I shot him.”432

“You son of a bitch!”  Jay lunged forward, but he caught her and pulled her behind him as he stood.433

“Careful now, Jay,” the man said, pointing the gun.  “You may have chosen batboy here over me, but I do still have the weapon.”434

He took a threatening step toward John.  “Your bullets can’t harm me.”435

The bearded face feigned terror, but then smiled malisciously.  “They can if they’re silver.”436

A shot rang out and he grasped his shoulder as the spiking pain lanced through him.  He was dazed and did not see John take aim again.  There was another shot, but this one didn’t hit him.  Ignoring the pain, he rushed at John with his inhuman speed and left another snapped-necked corpse on the floor.  With a satisfied grunt, he turned back.  But the sight there froze even his cold body.437

Jay again lay on the floor, but a great red mass was spreading on the white sheet along her side.  With a choked cry of surprise and grief, he fell beside her, lifting her head into his lap.  She still breathed, but with every use of her lungs, he could detect the slowing.438

“Jay, please,” he whimpered.  “I don’t know how to help you.”439

“You need to d--,” Jay took a shuddering gasp.  “You need to d—dig the bullet out.”440

He found the hole in her flesh and slipped his fingers into it.  Despite his careful movements, Jay hissed in pain.  When his finger burned on the silver bullet, he pulled it out and tossed it away.  Turning his eyes back to Jay, he felt her body trembling.  His fingers smeared her cheek as he caressed her, laying his forehead against hers.441

“Why,” he whispered.  Then, turned his face upward to cry out.  “Why!  Because we made love?  Because she gives me that which You deny?  She’s Your child, Your Daughter!  How can You do this?  How can You do this again?”442

Tears spilled down his face as he looked at her once more.  Her eyes were fluttering to stay open.443

“Maybe this time,” she sputtered.  “Your soul will be saved.”444

“I’ve spent two thousand years in the shadow of His wrath,” he rasped.  “If I were given the choice of your life and His mercy, I would choose you without hesitation.”445

“But that was my choice to make,” Jay coughed and wheezed greatly before she could continue.  “Now, you face a much graver decision.”446

He gazed at her face for a moment, and, as if reading his mind, she said, “Do it.”447

“No,” he pleaded.  “I would not condemn you to an existence like mine.”448

She struggled to breathe, growing weaker every second.  “Condemnation comes…without you.”449

“You would hate me for eternity.”450

Jay’s fingers, bloody from holding her wound, trailed up his cheek.  “I’ll always forgive you.”451

He kissed her gently, trailing more across her cheek as he cradled her.  When he whispered into her ear, his voice was shaky.452

“Forgive me the life I am about to take,” he said, stroking her hair.  She shook violently against him.  “Forgive me my selfishness.”453

Sinking his fangs into the soft flesh of her neck, he drained her nearly to the point of death, which was not very far at all.  Then, he slashed his wrist with his fingernail, and the dark blood came oozing out.  He lifted her head to his arm.  Her quivering lips wrapped feebly around the wound to suck the liquid.454

He felt his strength flowing into Jay as her drinking became faster and deeper.  Suddenly, she stopped to gasp and fell limp in his arms.  He rocked her dead body a few minutes before laying her gently on the floor.  Laying beside her, he wrapped a protective, loving arm about her waist.  Now, only time could tell the outcome of his decision.455

****456

With a kind of grim amusement, he realized the sun had set on the third day of Jay’s death.  In that time, some of the scientists that had gone into hiding after John’s coup appeared and carried away the three rotting corpses.  When they came back for him and Jay, thinking them both dead, he simply bared his fangs with a low snarl and they all ran in fear.457

On this third night, he felt Jay begin to stir beside him.  He opened his eyes and waited for her to do the same.458

“Yahoda,” she rasped.459

“Yes, my love,” he said, caressing the cheek he had previously rubbed free of blood.460

“Oh, everything was dark and warm.  Then, there was a white light and I was here,” she explained.  “I was lonely without you.  But I knew you were here, holding onto me.”461

She threw her arms around his neck, and he petted her hair.  “I’ll always hold onto you.”462

Jay backed away slightly, biting into her lower lip.  “Yah, I’m hungry.”463

She seemed embarassed by it.  He smiled and kissed her forehead.464

“You’re too weak to feed for yourself,” he said.  Then, he called to the man he knew was standing outside the door.  “Thomas.  Come here, now.”465

A moment later, the waiting former scientist appeared in the doorway.  The man seemed apprehensive, almost scared, to enter.  “Yes?”466

“Come here,” he commanded in his haunting voice.467

In a trance-like state, Thomas walked toward them, dropping to the floor upon arrival.468

“I can’t kill him, Yah,” Jay said horrified.469

She was facing away from him, looking at the kneeling man.  He put his lips close to her ear.  “But how will you eat?”470

Suddenly, she grabbed the man’s shoulders, shaking them violently.  “Tom.  Snap out of it.”471

Thomas’s eyes widened in terror.  “Get away from me.”472

“Please, Tom.  It’s me, Jay,” she pleaded.473

“Jay’s dead,” Thomas replied.474

“I am dead, but I’m not… Oh,” she sighed angrily.  “I’m hungry, but I don’t want to kill you.  So, I need you to do something for me.  Go to the lab.  It’s a code J-234.”475

Thomas made no move to comply.476

“Damn it, Thomas,” Jay growled.  “Do it or I’ll have to rip you open with my bare hands.”477

“Wow.  You must be Jay,” the man said, getting up to rush out.478

“What are you scheming,” he asked playfully.479

Her answer was a quiet smile that made him forget everything but his desire to kiss her skin.  He pressed his lips against her neck, nipping gently as his hand moved into the blood-stained white sheet.  In all the commotion of the past few days, he had forgotten that Jay’s only covering was a thin fabric.  Now, he was finding even that covering too much of a seperation.480

He was in the process of removing the sheet when Thomas reappeared, carrying a small cooler.  The man set it before Jay and ran out, without a word.  Jay removed the lid and he smiled at the contents.  Several packages of refrigerated blood were being kept cold inside.  She grabbed on and ripped it open with her teeth.481

“Drink it slowly,” he laughed.  “You don’t want to make yourself sick.”482

She followed his suggestion, drinking two whole bags before her hunger pangs ceased.  He watched her in utter amusement as she tossed the empty bags away.483

“Feel better, now,” he asked, rubbing a few red specks from her chin.484

She nodded sheepishly.  “Yes, much better.”485

“That was a very clever idea,” he replied.  “Getting blood without killing someone.”486

“I’m sorry, if…”487

He turned her face sharply to his.  “Don’t be sorry.  You never have to be sorry again.”488

She kissed his lips softly.  She did it again and again until he caught her lips with his open mouth, sliding his tongue against hers.  Her kiss met his measure for measure.  He pulled her body tightly to him, gently guiding her to the floor.489

“What are you scheming,” Jay smiled as he slowly unwrapped the sheet.490

With a deep chuckle, he pressed himself against her, feeling her skin beneath his own.  He nuzzled his lips on her neck.  “I want you again.”491

“Well, it’s the least I could do,” she whispered back, running her hands through his hair.  “You did resurrest me after all.”492

He moved his face to look down at her.  A strange feeling overcame him, calm and elated, like his soul was at peace.  Jay smile slightly as he stared at her in wonder.  “What?”493

“Nothing, I just…”  He found himself tongue tied for a moment.  If he were alive, he knew his heart would be racing.  “I love you.”494

Jay blushed a bit, but kept smiling as she moved beneath him.  “You probably say that to all the girls.”495

“No,” he corrected gently.  “I have said it to no one since…”496

A look of sadness crossed her face that mirrored his own.  She wrapped her arms about his head and cradled it against her neck.  He kissed the skin there, and the sweet smell of her hair flooded his nostrils, which made him wish desperatly to be within her.  Nudging his hips against her, he moved a hand up her thigh, eliciting a moan from her lips.497

“I love you, Yahoda.”498

“I’ve waited two thousand years for you,” he whispered, smothering her mouth with kisses. 499

“I’ll spend two thousand years making it up to you,” she managed to say while hooking her fingers in his waistband.500

“Take them off,” she smiled coyly.501

He did, then returned to slowly push himself inside her, trying to make her whole like she had done for him.  They made love for minutes or hours, it didn’t matter.  Time did not exist as their entwined bodies sought pleasure and affection and salvation in one another.502

****503

“I’ll have to introduce you to this new world,” Jay said, kissing him for the millionth time.504

“And I’ll have to show you all the secrets of the old one,” he smiled, caressing her cheek.505

Jay led him through her uncle’s house, now hers after James’s untimely death.  It was a big home, with plenty of places to hide from the sun.  Places big enough for two.506

“I never want you to leave my side,” he said as they stood on the balcony overlooking the foyer.507

Jay smirked playfully. “You might change your mind after a while.  I’m not the best person to stay around.”508

“Who else would I rather be with?”509

Suddenly, Jay bit into her lower lip.  He watched concerned as she calmed herself.510

“You’re hungry aren’t you,” he asked.511

She nodded, almost ashamed.  “Yes.”512

He held her face in his hands.  “The blood in the lab will only last so long.  You’ll have to hunt, eventually, and kill.”513

“I know, but...” she began.514

“It was hard for me in the beginning, as well.  I became more monster than man,” he remarked bitterly.  “But you brought me back my soul and I won’t see you become what I was.”515

“But I’m frightened,” she whispered.516

“There’s nothing for you to fear,” he assured.  “I’ll always be with you.”517

She looked away from him.  “Aren’t you afraid of anything?”518

“I fear nothing,” he replied, bringing his face closer to hers.  “But the loss of you.”519

Jay looked at him a moment, then smirked.  “Boy, you know how to make a girl feel special.”520

He smiled back.  “And you know how to make a man feel holy.”521

His face moved even closer as she said,  “Sweet talker.”522

“Not as sweet as you,” he placed his lips softly on hers.523

The kiss deepend as their bodies moved closer, but he was forced to break it off.524

“The sun will be up soon,” he informed before resuming the kissing.525

“Where do you want to spend it,” she asked in between the maelstrom of affection.526

“Anywhere I can hold you in my arms,” he whispered against her lips.527

Jay led him into her room where there was a walk-in closet no sunlight penetrated.  She spread a blanket on the floor and they laid on it.  They touched and kissed until exhaustion overtook them.  As dawn passed, he tightly, protectivly, lovingly wrapped his arms around Jay, holding her close.  Drifting off to sleep, both knew that many mornings to follow would begin just the same.528