House On The Hill

One especially dark night, I was driving the horse drawn cart home from town. All of a sudden, a fox ran across the path. The horses stopped so suddenly, I was thrown from the seat, to the ground between them. They reared and whinnied, then began running. As they did, the cart wheels ran over my ankles.

Before I could protest, he climbed from the saddle to retrieve me. He picked me up with the greatest of ease, and set me upon the horses back. He then climbed on behind me, changed the direction of the horse and we were on our way.

Just then,I tore my eyes away from him to see the home he spoke of. It was not a small house, as I beleived. It was a Southern Mansion.

He directed the horse close to the steps of the large porch, then slid off. He climbed a few steps, then reached out to retrieve me from the saddle. He carried me to the door then opened it.

The inside was even more beautiful than the out. Almost everything in the house was black, gray, red or purple. He took me into the study and layed me down upon a gray, velvet setee.

"We don't usually get visitors with such beauty," he then took one of my gloved hands into his and gently placed a kiss upon my knuckles.

Mark walked into the room then. He looked at our hands then yelled,"Glen, leave Victoria alone. I'm surprised she hasn't had to slap you yet."

Mark continued,"I should have known better than to tell you until I was coming back in. You've brought the tea, now back to work."

Glen bowed to me, gave his brother a wicked smile, then left. Mark put down the bandages and wood he had been carrying. He also set down a bottle of rum and two glasses on the table beside me.

He untied my boots and slipped them off gently. He quickly realized which one was broken. My ankle was swollen and bruised. He wrapped my foot in bandages, then put the planks of wood around it to immobilize it. He tied the planks on securely, then crawled to my side.

I did as he instructed, and handed the cup back to him. He set it down on the table and grabbed the bottle of rum. He poured some into a glass and handed it to me. He then poured himself a glass.

"Glen and I do all of the funeral preperations. People are dieing for our business," mark joked. He flashed me a smile that would have knocked me over, had I not already been lieing down.

Mark left the room and I lay there, wishing I was sleeping in his bed. I had just met this man, but I already wanted his arms around me. I wanted him to fill the void that had been there for so long.

"And, he would be doing so with a heavy heart. I have seen the way he looks at you. He is in love. And, you would not be imposing. I am asking you to stay for my brother."

Mark gave his brother a stern look. I felt like I should say something, but couldn't think of a thing. I sat up and tried to move my legs. My head began spinning. Whether from the pain or the drink, I do not know.

Mark quickly ran to my side. "Let me help you," he said more as a command than an offer of assistance. He leaned over, wrapped my arms around his neck and lifted me from the setee. He carried me out of the study and up the stairs slowly.

He took me to a room very different from the the rest of the house that I had seen. There was rose wall paper on the walls, red curtains, a fireplace on one wall, and a beautiful four post bed with white linens and quilt.

I moved my hands from his neck and into his long, auburn hair. I gave him a kiss at the mouth to let him know of the passion he aroused within me. He dragged his arms from under me and placed his hands on top of mine. He slipped them from his hair, and backed his lips from mine. He kissed my knuckles, then my forehead and laid my hands on the bed.

His body is most exquisite. He stood around six foot, nine inches, weighed probably 250, and his marked arms were larger than my legs. His face, oh his face. Manly facial hair threatened to cover those soft lips I had just kissed. Beautifully light green eyes and long dark auburn hair made this man look terrifying, yet handsome.

At this point, I figured if I didn't go to sleep, I would go mad thinking of him. I had unbuttoned my blouse and stood to let my dress fall, but instead, I fell. I heard a knock at the door.

Mark walked across the room to where Glen was standing, and saw the delima I was in. He smiled at me, and picked me up and set me on the bed. He then pulled my dress off of my feet and hung it near an open window.

Mark helped me under the covers, told me goodnight again and left the room. Glen had finally put his hands down and was leaving the room, but I asked him to stay for a moment.

"That you may, but please do not break my brother's heart. Now, lay your head back and rest. We shall speak again later. Goodnight, Victoria."

I laid there thinking of what Glen told me. I told him that I loved his brother, yet he thinks I would hurt Mark in the worst way. Maybe, what I am to learn is the reason behind his thinking this way.

When I awoke one morning, there were two black roses in a vase and a note on the bedside table. I picked up the note and began to read.

I had to get some supplies from town. I will be back before noon. There is a cane on the chair should you want to walk. Glen is there should you need anything.

I grabbed the cane to stand. I put my dress on and walked out the door. I then faced another challenge, the stairs. With the cane in my left hand, to support my limp, and my right hand on the banister, I slowly descended.

We walked down a long corridor and into the kitchen. He pulled out a chair for me. I sat and told him thank you. Glen walked to the ice box and pulled out a bowl of fresh fruit.

I ate the fruit and returned to the study to read. Before I could finish the second page, the door opened. Mark came into the study and smiled at me.

I put down the book, picked up the cane and walked toward him. he grabbed my elbow and led me up the stairs and into the room I had been sleeping in. We sat down on the bed and he handed me the package.

"I thought you could use a new dress and a smile after what happened last week. Now, I expect you to be dressed and ready for a ride in a few minutes. I have a surprise for you. Do you need help changing?"

He left the room and I began changing. After ten minutes, I emerged from the room, cane in hand, and stood looking down from the top of the stairs.

I saw Mark and Glen talking just below me. Mark had a picnic basket in one hand and a blanket in the other. I descended the stairs carefully and joined the two men.

Then, I looked at Mark. He seemed to be in shock. I didn't expect a reaction like this for changing my dress and letting my long blonde hair down from the bun that I had kept it in.

We told Glen goodbye and walked out to the horse drawn cart. He put the blanket and basket in the back, helped me up to the seat and climbed up beside me.

We rode down a path until a stream came into veiw. Mark stepped down from the cart and told me to stay there. he retrieved the basket and blanket. He spread the blanket out near the water and set the basket atop it. He then came back and helped me down.

We sat down, and took the food out. There was fried chicken, corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, watermelon, strawberries and bread all spread across the blanket. I finished eating and laid down to enjoy the flawless spring day.

He laid down on his side and propped his head on his hand. his eyes left a burning trail as he looked me over. He began stroking my hair away from my face. Then, he kissed me.

His lips were soft yet unyeilding on mine. His tongue saught to deepen the kiss and I let it search every dark crevice of my mouth. His hands explored my body as mine clutched his shirt.

I was helpless to resist this man. Mark had control over my body, mind and soul. He could have anything from me, yet he stops his assault on my body.

Before I realized it, we were back at the house. As we pulled up to the stables, Glen was coming out of a nearby shed. He walked over and helped me down from the seat.

Glen returned to the shed to deal with the corpse, and Mark and I walked inside.We walked through the kitchen, down the hall and stopped in front of a closet.

It looked like a normal closet to me. There were coats hanging and boxes on a shelf. Then, he pushed on the back wall and it swung open like a door.

There were stone tables and large stone chairs, shelves and a fireplace with two urns on the mantle. The lanterns on the wall cast an eerie glow upon the room.

"It's quite alright. We all have to deal with death at some point in our lives. Now, back to the subject. If you should find yourself staying past the time of your healing, you will learn what we know."

I didn't know what to say. We had only known each other for a week, yet I had fallen deeply in love with him. I looked into those green eyes of his. How could I ever tell this man no?

He took me into his arms and whispered I love you in my ear. I felt so safe in his arms. It was like the power of his love was the highest power on earth.

Then, we heard the shattering of glass and a thud. We ran into the study, across the hall, and found that one of the windows had been broken. Mark found a stone on the floor with a note attached to it. It read:

"I'm sorry, my love. This was supposed to be a happy occasion for you." He looked at Glen and said,"meet your future sister-in-law."

"I have saved every letter that has come to us.Some were thrown through the window, others were slipped under the door. So far, all of the handwriting has matched on them. I'm hoping to get a copy of the preacher's handwriting to see if it matches."

Glen walked in and they looked over the papers for a few hours. They had determined that they all matched. Then, we went to the kitchen for dinner.

After we ate, Glen returned to the study to read, and Mark and I went to his bedroom. It matched the rest of the house with it's black and purple decor. The walls were black and his armoire, wardrobe, and bed linens were dark purple.

He kissed me on the forehead and continued,"we can have Glen marry us the way our people are joined. It doesn't hurt much."

"We cut our hands, your right, my left, join hands and Glen ties our hands together. It sounds worse than it is," he coaxed.

I laid my head on his chest, and listened to his heart beat. He noticed my sudden silence and asked,"you're not scared are you?"

He explained to me that the tea he and Glen had been giving me was a healing potion. That I had actually been healed for a couple days. He took the boards and bandages off and massaged my foot to make sure it was completly healed.

Mark turned down the lamp and we climbed into bed. He wrapped his large arms around me and pulled me closer to him. He kissed me gently and he said," I love you, Victoria."

I awoke in the morning to the smell of breakfast. I noticed that Mark had already gotten up, so I did the same. I put my dress on and descended the stairs, and went to the kitchen, where I found Mark and Glen drinking coffee.

Mark pulled a chair out for me and I sat. We feasted on omelets, bacon, fruit, toast, juice and coffee. After we ate, we sat there talking.

Later that day, Mark and i went to my house to retrieve the letter and some of my clothes. When we returned, Mark helped Glen in the shed, and I went about cleaning the house and starting supper.

They finished with Mr. Williams. I had learned earlier his name was Steve. They came inside , washed up and looked over the letters. Mark and Glen found they matched. They agreed that they would take care of the matter after our joining.

He let me look at the markings on his body, which he called tatoos. One "tatoo" caught my eye. It was of a demon, with his hand to his jaw, thinking. The face of the demon almost looked like his. It looked beautiful, an evil being in the serene state of contemplation.

Soon after, we readied ourselves for bed, again sleeping in nothing. We went to sleep with nothing more than a kiss and I love you. He really knew how to build up sexual frustration.

The next morning, Mark left early to send the letter to the Acolytes. When he returned, he and Glen began teaching me some of the healing tricks that Mark had performed on me. It was really interesting how saying some simple words or mixing herbs could heal a person in two days or less.

I felt like I was in school again, only this time I liked my teachers.They taught me how to defend myself with spells, and then without.

Mark took me to a part of the house that was new to me. He led me into a room with gadgets and gizmoes that he said were for ataining strength. He taught me how to use them.

"You may find yourself in a battle with us, and I would like to know that you are able to defend yourself, should we be seperated."

I didn't think much about the battle part. I went to the machines and began a new form of training. I lifted the "weights" until my arms hurt.

"We can ambush him. Mark, you can go in to talk to him and Victoria and I will be hiding on the sides. Show him the evidence if you have to. Just occupy him for a few moments so he won't see us coming."

"Victoria isn't strong enough yet to help us in battle. It would take a while to prepare her for that. But, we can have her go talk to him. Do you think you can handle that part, Victoria?"

"You can get to him after the Sunday service. He waits until everyone is gone before he leaves. Then, there wouldn't be anyone to help and you wouldn't need me there."

"Well, you have a good plan. Is there a place to hide near by,"Mark asked while Glen looked at me as if amazed that I would help.

"Well, that sounds simple enough. We will have to wait for that, though. Your marriage comes first. Do you think the Acolytes will stay to help us,"Glen asked Mark.

As I walked out the door, I heard the men talking about how well I will fit in the family, if I continue helping them. I never really thought of it before, but I beleive this is where I belong. This lifestyle I've lead with Mark and Glen is more satisfying than the "poor widow" life I lead just weeks before.

"Fear not, my love. We have been in battle with worse opponents than these. And, I will not let harm come to you. You should be more worried about our wedding."

The next morning, I was amazed to see two large men standing in the study when I came down stairs. There was a white man and a black man. They were both very muscular and wearing nothing more than black pants. There were some symbols painted on thier chests that I didn't understand.

Bradshaw spoke up and said,"he took the letter to our house. When we came back from hunting, Farooq found it hanging from the door."

I went to get the men something to drink. When I came back, I heard Mark say,"but that isn't until after I marry Victoria. It's about time for me to take my place in the order and I must have a bride to rule with me. And, I think I found the perfect one."

I walked into the study, set down the tray with the drinks, and turned to leave. Mark caught my wrist as I walked by him.

I went up to the room, locked the door, and took off my dress. I had learned the day before that it was much easier to do it when I didn't have much on.

"He is a lord. He must be married to take his throne as a ruler. You came along and he thinks you are the only woman who can rule along side him."

"Not true. He loves you. He would fight the world on his own for you. And if I find out otherwise, I would be the one protecting you from him."

"I hope you won't have to. Some of the things I have learned have confused me so. I don't know what to beleive, or who to trust to give me the truth."

"Beleive your heart. And, you can trust me and Mark. As for trusting Bradshaw and Farooq, you can as long as you're not playing cards with them."

"No. I'm having problems sorting things in my head. The wedding, your's and Mark's fight, learning your ways, it's all happening at once."

"We can wait until after the wedding for your lessons, but there is no way around the fight. This has gone on for too long and he is threatening our lives."

We walked back down stairs and into the study. Mark and the Acolytes were still sitting and talking over what will be needed from them during their stay.

"Little brother can be pretty persuasive. Victoria, I will have to leave for a while today. Glen, we almost forgot to send for Mideon."

"No, he is a minion, a follower of our ways. He will be needed for the wedding and then he can follow the preacher for a while. The more we know about him, the easier it will be for us to attack him,"Mark said.

I took a seat next to Mark and Glen sat beside me. I felt like a shack surrounded by mansions. They were all well over six feet tall and very strong. I was so small compared to these men.

We continued talking for a while. Then, Mark and the Acolytes went in search of Mideon. Glen didn't have anything to do, so he helped me start the roast I was cooking for dinner. Then, we ate lunch and sat there talking about the things that are taking place.

"I know he doesn't like to think rationally, but he knows very well what he's doing. He is trying to get the preacher either mad or scared. Mind games are the best weapon to use before the fight."

I cleaned up the glass and made myself and Glen a cup of tea. I took mine into the study and laid down to rest. Before long, I had fallen asleep.

I had a very realistic dream of the wedding and a disaster happening there. I was laying on a table, when a man came out of the woods with a torch. He smacks Bradshaw in the head with it. He then jumped from the saddle of his horse and onto Mark. They rolled on the ground, trying to get the upper hand. The man was on Mark with his knees pinning his shoulders to the ground. I heard him whisper,"I told you that you would be next." He then put the flaming torch to Mark's face.

I woke up screaming. Glen ran into the room and shook me to full alertness. I told him about my dream and he held on to me.

"I was foretold of falling in love with a seer. And if your dream comes true, well, let's just say I'm not in a hurry to die," Mark told me.

The Acolytes and a short man walked in then. Mideon seemed quite unlike the others. He wasn't as tall or as muscular. He had long brown hair, green eyes and tatoos like Mark.

"Victoria, Mark, and I will be in our places. Mideon, you will be following Bollea. Make sure he doesn't go after Victoria or Mark. Bradshaw and Farooq, i want you to watch for Bollea and Mideon."

We talked over the plan for a while, making sure nothing was forgotten. Then, I walked outside and sat on the back porch. "What am I getting myself

into" I asked myself. "Do I love Mark enough to stay with him, even though it may kill me?" That was a dumb question. Of course I would stay with him.

The creak of the back door distracted me from my minds interogation. It was Mideon. He stood next to me and leaned against the rail.

"We all have our powers, that is mine. What is troubling you? Mark wouldn't let anything happen to you. His thoughts have told me."

"It's more than that. I have only known Glen and Mark for almost two weeks and I learn something that scares me everyday. My fiance' will be a Lord after we are married, they practice a hated religion, it's all a little more than I can handle in such short time. And, now I have to worry about Mark dieing and his enemy getting to me. To be honest I'm scared to death of what is happening."

"He will reveal himself fully in time. I'm surprised he has let you as close to him as you are. He told you of the branding his mother did. That has been his secret for years. He had only shared it with two people, Glen and myself."

"Well, we will see what my dreams tell me tonight. I want to beleive everything will be fine, but there are lives at stake, two important ones."

I went to the bedroom after that, Mark following behind me. After I fell asleep, I dreamed of my wedding night again. This time, the preacher did not make it to Mark. Mideon caught him in the woods and beheaded him, and presented his head as a gift.

All was fine the next few days, and then it came. Our wedding day. During the day, Glen taught me the words we were to say and told me of some things that will happen.

As night fell, we prepared for the ceremony. I put on my black dress as instructed. The dress had shown more of my body than I liked, but I was told this was the dress their mother had worn for her wedding. It fit like a glove, tight yet comfortable and had a hole in a diamond shape that went from the bottom of my collar to my navel.

glen came to the room to walk me out to the spot where it would take place. When we got to the clearing in the woods, I saw the Acolytes on either side of Mark, Farooq at the right, Bradshaw to the left. Mark was standing facing a table, wearing a long black velvet robe. When I took my place beside Mark, he turned to me and gave me a kiss.

Glen began saying something I didn't understand. I beleive he was speaking in Latin. Then, we had to say the words"ana, nadre, darkne, deinvey."

Glen grabbed the knife from the table, said the words we said, and cut into Mark's hand, then mine.We joined our hands and Glen tied them together with a peice of purple silk. He then placed a golden challis under our adjoined hands to catch the dripping blood.

After the challis was filled halfway, Glen untied our hands, and handed the cup to Mark. He drank of our blood, then handed the cup to me. I drank what was left of the thick, salty liquid and handed the cup to Glen.

He spoke in english when he said,"This unholy union is now to be finalized." Bradshaw and Farooq removed the knife and challis from the table. Mark lifted me off of the ground and laid me on the table. Bradshaw grabbed my hands and held them above my head. Farooq grabbed my feet at the ankles and held them to the table.

I was not afraid until Mark raised the knife Farooq had handed him and said the words again. "Ana, nadre, darkne, deinvey." He then put the knife to my chest and carved his mark into my tender flesh. He placed his hand over the area he cut into, and I was quickly healed, but the mark stayed and looked like a tatoo.

And with that being said, Mark wiped away a tear, and kissed me gently. I sat up quickly when I realized the preacher did not interfere.

They gave us their congratulations and left to find the tracker and his prey. We went back to the house, and straight to the bedroom.

As soon as the door was closed and locked, he came to me and wrapped his large arms around my tiny waist and kissed me. He was gentle at first, but as he probed further into my mouth, the kiss became rougher. We slowly undressed each other, planting kisses here and there as we did so.

Once fully undressed, he laid me on the bed. He took one of my breast into his firey grip and the other into his mouth. His tongue circled my nipple and then he nipped at it. He then did the same to the other. He kissed a trail down my stomach and into the hair just below. I felt his breath on my vortex before I felt his tongue try to enter.

I ran my hands through his hair and pushed his tongue further into my lower lips. He brought me to a spasmatic climax. He crawled back up my body, and gave me a taste of my own juices. He then laid on his back beside me. I knew what he wanted.

I hovered over him, giving him another kiss before moving down his body. I couldn't help but play with his muscular chest. I licked his nipples and gently rolled them between my teeth. I went lower and folowed the trail of hair leading to his manhood. I put his long, thick peice of flesh into my mouth and went as far down as I could. I looked up at his face, and noticed his eyes had rolled to the back of his head. I began bobbing my head, trying to get him further into my mouth. I continued to do so, until I almost choked on his size.

He pulled me up to him, kissed me, and then rolled with me so I was on my back. He rubbed my hidden lips, making sure I was wet enough. He then deepened the kiss even further, and entered. I tried to scream out in both pleasure and pain, but his mouth on mine kept me from doing so. His large member filled me completely and tried to make room for more. He used slow strokes at first so I could get used to what was inside already. Then, he pushed the rest of his length inside. Lightening was coursing through my body, awakening every sense i had. His strokes came faster and faster now, bringing me to climax after climax.

He pulled out of me and turned me over. He raised my hips up into the air and reentered. Mark pulled my hips toward him and his full length was once again inside of me. I buried my face in a pillow so no one would hear my screams of delight and pain as he explored new regions of my inner self. He slapped my bottom and I started pushing myself back to meet his thrusts.

I heard him growl in ecstasy as he reached his peak and then I felt his juices enter my womb. He leaned over my back and placed a kiss at the base of my neck. After one final powerful thrust, he pulled out of me and laid down trying to catch his breath.

I sighed and said,"yes, but I don't think I could do it again tonight. It will take some time to get used to your size, my lord."

Mark laughed, wrapped me in his arms and said,"we have all the time in the world. I'm not letting go of you without a fight."

Exhausted from our sex, we fell into a deep sleep. Only, mine was interupted by another strange dream about my new family. A man had snuck into Glen's room while he was sleeping. He crept over to Glen's bed and placed a rag over his mouth. Glen awoke in a panic, then was out again.

I woke up screaming. I sat up and held my knees close to my chest. I must have awoken Mark because I felt his arms going around me.

Mark slipped his robe on over his nakedness and walked down the hall to Glen's room. I heard him run back to the room and he pushed the door open so hard that it almost fell off the hinges.

Mark left the room and I laid back down. I saw it all again and then some. The man heaved Glen over his shoulder and carried him out the window. I heard Mark yelling Glen's name.

I jumped out of bed and ran out the door. I yelled out from the top of the stairs,"Mark they aren't far. He heard you go into Glen's room."

Mark ran across the foyer to the front door. I ran down the stairs after him. When I got to the door, I saw that Mark had caught him before he got Glen and himself on the horse. It was the preacher. Mark had him by the hair and slamming his head into the pillars on the porch. Then, I noticed that Mideon and the Acolytes had returned. Mideon was taking care of Glen, and the Acolytes were watching Mark and Bollea.

Mark let go of the preacher, and he fell to the ground with a painful thud. Evidently the preacher was unconscience, because he didn't move an inch. He pinned the preacher to the ground and told Farooq to give him the knife he had in his hand.

"I have waited 30 years for this." He rolled his eyes to the back of his head, raised the knife high above his head and brought it down fast. But, he missed.

Bollea rolled out from under Mark and got to his feet. He punched Mark square in the jaw. Mark looked him in the eyes, then rolled them back again. Bradshaw and Farooq came up behind Bollea and grabbed him by the shoulders. Mark walked to him, knife still in hand.

"Bring him to the shed. He will make a suitible sacrifice. Victoria, grab your robe from the room and join us, would you?"

I had completely forgotten that I was naked until then. I ran into the closet and into the hidden room. I grabbed the dark blue robe that was hanging from a hook, slipped it over my head, and made my way to the shed.

When I got there, i had noticed that they had tied Bollea to a very large reproduction of Mark's branding. He repeated the words from our wedding,"ana, nadre, darkne, deinvey," and plunged the knife into the preacher's heart.

Then, they dragged the symbol, with the preacher on it, into the woods to a clearing. This one was different than the one we were married in. There were hooks hanging from pullies in the trees. They attached the symbol to the hooks and raised it to a standing position.

With that said, the Acolytes covered him in kerosene and lit him on fire. They then pulled him up into the air. We stood there watching him burn. Glen had awoke and was standing with us, when the symbol and the preacher came crashing to the ground.

"Now the creatures of Hell will have their way with his soul." Glen raised his hands in front of him, pointing toward the remains of the blaze, and with a puff of red smoke, it all disappeared.

We all went back to the house. We sat down in the study and had a few drinks while talking about what had just happened. I received a few comments from Bradshaw and Farooq, who had noticed that I was at the door naked.

Mark held me close to him. Evidently, he knew that I was shaken by the whole experience. After a while, we retired to our room. We removed our robes and climbed back into bed.

"I shall worship you during the day, and at night I will fill you with pleasure. And, all of that should give you sweet dreams for the rest of your life."

It had been months since our wedding. In this time, I had learned more spells, potions, and practiced with my powers. I had also met some of Mark's druids and followers. The one that scared me the most was Gangrel.

I did as he asked, and as I descended the stairs, there was a knock on the door. When I opened the door, two men with handsome faces and long blonde hair stared back at me.

I started to follow him, but Glen stopped me. "I want to warn you before Gangrel arrives. He is not like the other men you have met. What excuse did they give for him not being here?"

"Considering it is still daylight, he is probably sleeping. He is a vampire, also known as Nosferatu. He can not travel by day or the sun will burn him. Also, he drinks blood for his meals. Be careful around him. Avoid being alone with him if possible."

Glen cleaned his hands, and followed me inside. We found Edge, Christian and Mark sitting in the study. Before I could enter the room, there was another knock on the door. I looked out the window and noticed it was still daylight, so it wasn't Gangrel yet. I opened the door and found Mideon standing on the other side.

"Edge and Christian have, but Gangrel is still in town. And, I wish you would stop knocking on the door. As long as you are staying here, there is no need for you to knock."

I led Mideon into the study, then went into the kitchen to fix tea. I watched the sun as it was setting on the horizon. Once it was hidden, I turned back to the glasses. I had arranged the glasses and sugar bowl on a tray, then looked out the window again. I was shocked to find a short, slightly plump man with shoulder length curly blonde hair, staring at me from the other side.

He wrapped his arms around me and crushed me against his body. He claimed my lips with a passionate kiss. When the kiss ended, he said," anytime you wish to receive one, my lady."

He kissed me again and then we went into the study. I had given the men their drinks, when there was another knock at the door. I opened the door, and there stood Gangrel.

"Good evening, Lady Victoria. My name is Gangrel." He took my hand and brought it to his lips, and gently kissed my knuckles. When he looked up, he gave me a smile that bared his long pointy fangs. "Mark has chosen a most beautiful bride."

Mark and Glen greeted Gangrel as if he were a brother. After they sat down, I took my seat next to Mark and Glen. We sat there chatting for a long while, then I noticed that Gangrel had not taken his eyes off of me since he sat down.

Edge answered,"our parents died when we were young. We ran away from the orphanage after a few months. The day after we ran away, I happened to run into a brick wall with a name. Mark. He brought us home with him and taught us respect, descipline and his craft. Mark and Glen have been our teachers and 'brothers' since then."

Evidently, Gangrel was bored with the conversation. He yawned and announced he was going to his room. We all watched as he walked out of the room.

Mideon decided to go outside and sit on the porch. He seems to be more comfortable with Mother Nature than with other humans.

I began to feel tired, so I told the men goodnight and went upstairs. When I reached the top of the steps, I saw Gangrel standing outside his door, chalice filled with what I could only guess was blood.

"Are you sure you don't want to find a secluded place, and find out what I'm like in bed?" He brushed his hand across my cheek and down my neck.

"I do not care what he thinks. He means nothing to me. I only came here to see what kind of woman he has found and take her home with me."

I walked down the hall to Mark's and my bedroom. When I closed the door behind me and locked it, Gangrel's voice is what I heard in my head. "You can lock your door, but it won't keep me out. If you change your mind, you know where I am."

I could take no more. Since Mideon was the one who taught me how to mindspeak, I went to him to find out how to block someone else from doing the same. I ran down stairs, and past the study. Mark called out for me, but I ignored him. Gangrel was still speaking to me, but I could not understand him.

He draped his arm over my shoulder and guided me back to the study. Glen came back in some time later, and we talked for a while longer. Then, Mark and I retired for the evening.

In the middle of the night, I awoke with a parched throat. I walked down stairs and fixed myself a glass of tea. I heard someone come into the kitchen, but did not turn around.

Then, a hand slipped onto my shoulder and down my arm until it was parallel with my breast. The hand gently cupped my breast, with the thumb rubbing my nipple. The hand then slid down between my legs and caressed the tender flesh through my thin nightdress. The hand rubbed my neck, then down my spine. He touched my neck again, and I tilted my head.

I didn't understand what Gangrel was saying, until a breeze blew through the open window. I was standing there, naked, in front of Gangrel. I tried to get away from him, but he rushed his arm around my waist as soon as I moved. His other hand slid between my legs and tickled my clitoris. I tried to reverse my hips from his touch, but came into contact with the growth in his trousers.

He pulled his teeth out of my neck, and licked the last few drops away, then released me from his grip. I knelt down and picked up my nightdress to cover my body. When I turned around, he was gone. I ran up the stairs as fast as I could, without waking everyone up. Once I made it back into the bedroom, I threw my nightdress under the bed and climbed in next to Mark.

He stired and awoke after I snuggled close to him. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me. He rubbed his hand down my side, then gripped my hips and pulled me closer to his erection. He rolled onto his back, and pulled me with him. I slid his long shaft inside my hole, and reveled in the shear pleasure. I rode him until he released his seed within me.

He wrapped me in his arms, front to back, and fell asleep. Emotion flickered past me like flames in a breeze. Fear that Gangrel would kill me. Comfort from being in Mark's arms. Hurt that I may have to leave him. Joy in knowing that Mark and Glen would kill him if anything happened to me. I buried my head in Mark's arm and fell asleep.

The next morning, I awoke alone. I sat up and stretched my body, and the smell of breakfast was swirling in my nostrils. I dressed and went down to the kitchen, where I found 'the Lord of Darkness' leaning over the stove.

He must not have seen me come in, because he jumped and almost hit his head on the cabinet above him. "Victoria, you gave me a start!"

"Please, take these to the table. Then, will you set the table," he asked while handing me a plate of bacon and one of pancakes.

We took the last of the food and juice to the dining room, where Glen and Christian were talking. We ate breakfast, then went our seperate ways. Glen decided to help me clean the kitchen.

We finished the kitchen and I went to get Mark. He was in the stables with Edge and Christian. Once they were in the study, Glen walked in with Gangrel. Glen pushed Gangrel into a chair in front of me and Mark.

Glen put his hands on Gangrel's shoulders and looked at us. "It seems we have a problem child in our Ministry. Gangrel attacked Lady Victoria last night. Will you show Mark, Victoria?"

I still could not move. Mark reached out and pulled down the collar on my dress. I watched as the anger washed over his face. He slowly got up, and retrieved the sword hanging on the wall. He touched the blade to Gangrel's face. His face smoked and when Mark took the blade away, there was a burn on his face.

"Dipped in holy water," Mark said answering Gangrel's questioning look. "The water may have dried, but the power is still there."

Mark was right in Gangrel's face. "Do you know what we do to traitors?" Gangrel shook his head no. "We abuse them beyond recognition, but this is very personal. She is my wife! You will have to die."

He swung the sword over his shoulder, but Edge and Christian stepped in front of Gangrel. "We can't let you do it, Mark. He is our brother. No matter the deed, I will not let him die."

They pondered his words for a moment, then shook their heads and stepped out of the way. With a quick swing of the sword, Gangrel's head was separated from his shoulders. His head laying on the floor, an evil sneer forever on his face. Glen opened the drapes, and let the remains burn into ashes.

"Yes, Mark. It seems his spell was broken when you killed him." I turned to look at Edge and Christian. "I'm sorry you lost your brother, but it had to be done."

Mark took me to the bedroom and laid me on the bed. Mark returned to the study, while I tried to rest. My dream gave me a look at the future.

Mark and I are in a room when a child rides his tricycle into the room. The child has dark auburn hair and smokey green eyes, just like Mark. He picks the child up from his bike and holds him close. Mark hands the child to me and I lay him down in a bed and tuck him in. 'Goodnight, Christopher' Mark tells the child. 'Goodnight, my son,' I tell the child. 'Goodnight, father. Goodnight, mother.'