This is a work of fiction involving the relationship of two or more men, both physical and emotional. If you are made uncomfortable by such subjects as gay sex, magic and the supernatural, then please stop reading now. Likewise, if you are below the age of 18, please stop here.
This story uses elements from White Wolf's World of Darkness series of games. Vampire: The Masquerade, Toreador, The Beast Within, the Embrace, The Book of Nod, The Erciyes Fragments and similar elements are copyrighted by White Wolf Game Studio. This work of fiction is not a challenge to existing copyrighted materials, and no profit is gained by its publication.
Lullaby for Caine was written and copywrited by Gabriel Yared and sung by Sinead O'Connor.
Constructive criticism is highly appreciated; flamers and hate mail will be ignored. Write me at PaganGamer@yahoo.com with Shame of Caine in the subject heading.
** I have also published this in an MS Word format on the Gay_Fantasy_Fiction group at Yahoo Groups. Give it a look, or upload your own Sci-Fi / Fantasy stories. It's totally free. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gay_Fantasy_Fiction/ **
SHAME OF CAINE
By Liam Barnes
1
Introduction
From the silence, from the night
Comes a distant lullaby . . .
I remember the night my brother came back into my life. How he turned everything upside-down with that fateful visit. Even now the memory is burned clearly into my mind's eye; every detail in perfect relief, as well preserved as the song which repeats over and over again in my mind, maddening in its insistence. I close my eyes and the images come to life like an archaic moving picture reel from the nineteenth century; faded and shivering; yet, still distinct.
It was the middle of July, the moon shone full on the horizon. I was sitting on the back porch of my house in the suburbs, listening to a mixture of music I had burned onto CD. The wind had picked up with the setting sun, cooling the evening air to a more comfortable level. It was one of the few nights when I was alone in the house; my lover visiting his parents back east for the week.
The sweet scent of cut grass and wet mulch filled the air, along with the sounds of cicadas and sparrows. One or more of my neighbors were barbequing; the rich, pungent smoke making my empty stomach ache. I took a sip of my iced tea and shrugged off the hunger. I didn't feel like cooking, and didn't want to waste the money going out to eat. I guess that laziness was what kept me thin, as I didn't bother with exercise.
Hearing the melodic clanging of the door bell, I climbed out of the lounge chair and padded my way through the house. I hadn't been expecting anyone on that night, so the house wasn't picked up. Not that it was very messy; I tended towards the anal retentive nature when it came to cleaning and Wyn, my lover, was a close second. Turning on the porch light, I glanced out the peep-hole, and saw myself standing there. Well, my twin to be exact. Opening the door, I greeted Marion with a smile and semi rough hug. He must have had the air on high in his car, as his body felt cold.
Marion and I were identical, both of us having black hair and ice blue eyes. Yet, despite the fact that he had spent the last year and most of this summer in Las Vegas, he was far paler than I would have thought. He seemed a bit thinner as well. Perhaps the desert heat had rid him of any excess body fat. Still, we both looked far younger than our twenty-eight years.
Looking him over, he was dressed well in black slacks, a burgundy shirt and black silk jacket. He looked pretty good, everything said and done. "How can you stand the heat in that?" I asked incredulously.
He waved a hand dismissively. "It breathes very well, actually."
Inviting him onto the back porch I said, "So, what are you doing back from Vegas so soon? I thought you weren't supposed to be back until December."
Sitting gracefully down into one of the lounge chairs he smiled toothily at me. "I quit my job with the firm."
"What?" I was stunned. Marion had always seemed happy with his job at Omni Television. "I thought you were getting raised to an upper management position? What, three hundred thousand a year not enough?"
Marion conveyed a light laugh. Something about his mannerism unnerved me; although, at the time I couldn't place my finger on what it was exactly. After a moment of giving me this shit eating grin, he finally said, "I met me a man!"
I gave him a disbelieving look. Not because he had hooked up with another man, both of us are gay, but more because I couldn't believe he would give up such a great job over one. "Must be one hell of a man."
He gave me a knowing smile. "You have no idea, Gareth."
Suddenly he jumped up out of the chair with such energy that I was amazed he didn't knock it over as he did. "In fact," he declared, "I want you to meet him tomorrow night. We're going out to one of the dinner clubs in town., named Kindred Spirits. It's highly exclusive, but he told me I could invite you along. He's absolutely dying to meet you."
"So who is this mystery man, or do I have to wait to find out his name?"
Marion walked out to the porch's edge, looking up at the darkened sky with glittering eyes. He looked over at me; his gaze seemed like it could pierce my very soul. "His name is Sasha."
I raised an eyebrow. "Sasha? He's Russian?"
My brother laughed. "No, Romanian. Alexander Vlademirovitch Nicolae is his full name, but he says to just call him Sasha."
"Well?" I asked, teasing him a bit.
"Well what?" he replied, his eyes nearly closed.
"Well, is he rich? What does he do?" I laughed. "Is he a drag queen? Give, dear brother!"
"He's so wealthy that he doesn't even need a job. He comes from a very influential family, and supports a number of up and coming artists and musicians."
Marion looked back up at the stars shinning in the sky. The look on his face was so beatific, I would have thought he was on the verge of some great epiphany. "I can't wait for you to meet him, Gareth. You'll never know how great he is until you do."
The way he wistfully stated that gave me shivers. Something had definitely changed about him since being away. I watched him watching the sky. It was as though he were lost in the sight. I stood up and walked over to him, glancing up to see what he found so fascinating. All I saw was a few stars twinkling benignly in the blackness. "See anything interesting up there?"
I glanced over at him when he didn't answer. He was still staring up into space, his pale blue eyes scanning the air above us as though searching for some sign. I started to say something else, then felt a sting on my neck. When I slapped instinctively at it, Marion broke off his staring contest with the sky and looked wonderingly at me.
"Mosquito," I explained sheepishly. "With all the rain we've had this summer the little bloodsuckers have been everywhere."
My brother smiled at that. Then, leaning over to me, he kissed the spot where I had been bit. His lips were cool against my skin. He straightened up, a sly smile on his face. "Let me make it all better for you?"
I gave a playful smirk, and smarted off, "You think you can, huh?"
He merely grinned and slid behind me, his fingers barely touching my face as he tilted my head to the side. I gave a weak protest, laughing as he seductively licked his tongue over the bite. His playfulness came off a little predatory; more like he was savoring a meal than pantomiming intimacy.
I'm sure many would wonder about this behavior, and I guess I would have to admit that many would find it even incestuous. In truth, Marion and I had been intimate many times in the past; however, that had changed after I started dating Wyn. And, while there was something familiar and distantly comforting in his actions, at the same time it was uncomfortably threatening.
Smiling as he began to nibble his way up my neck and to my earlobe, I started to protest, although it was weak at best. "Marion, I don't think that we should do this."
"Why not?" His voice was a whisper in my ear. "Doesn't it feel good?" he purred, and then bit gently on my ear.
I gasped slightly and breathed, "Yes, but what about Sasha? And Wyn . . ."
Pain suddenly blossomed in my head as he bit down on my neck. For an ever so brief moment I attempted to get away from him. Then, a feeling of pure pleasure flowed through my body. I could only describe the ecstasy vulgarly, as there was nothing even remotely genteel in what I felt. It was as if I were being fucked, blown and climaxing at the same time, all while flying on XTC.
My brother's arms gripped my body as my knees gave away. His strength was far greater than I would have thought his slight frame capable of. Cold fingers gently tilted my gasping face to the side, allowing him to ravage my neck with greater ease. In a distant part of my mind, I worried about him leaving a mark; Wyn would be back in a couple of days. Yet, the rest of my mind was in rapture for what seemed to be eternity.
As quickly as it had begun, the pleasure faded. Marion led me to one of the lounge chairs. I had hoped he was going to continue, as despite the near orgasmic pleasure, I was still left with a very stiff erection. Strangely, though, I felt tired, and could barely manage to keep my eyes open. Unfortunately, he merely knelt beside me, a very content smile on his face.
"I hope that wasn't going too far?" he asked languidly.
"Bastard," I stated with a smile. It only figured that he would blue ball me.
My brother looked down at my crotch, grabbed a hold of my cock through the material of my shorts, and squeezed. "Better take care of this." He stated as he stood up.
"Where are you off to?" I asked out of curiosity.
He tugged on the lapels of his silk jacket. "The night's young yet. Besides, I'm supposed to meet Sasha at the Paradigm Club downtown about 10."
I stood up, and paused as my head began to swim. The next thing I knew, my brother was there holding me. I giggled a bit light-headedly. "Sorry, I must have gotten up too quickly."
"Maybe you should head on to bed," Marion suggested with disquiet.
I waved off his concern. "Don't worry, I'm better. So where are you two staying at? The Adam's Mark?" I asked as I led him to the front door.
Marion laughed. "God, no!" he exclaimed. "Sasha has his own home over by Lewis and 41st."
"Swanky," I commented. There were a number of expensive mansions in that region of Tulsa. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, if this Sasha were as wealthy as Marion said he was. "So just how many homes does he have?" I meant it as a light hearted joke, but I was surprised when my brother actually started listing them off.
"Hmm, let's see; there is the one here in Tulsa, the condo in Las Vegas, three others across Europe, and the new one in New York City."
Trying to work my jaw, which I am sure was hanging open like I were a buffoon, I stated dryly, "Sorry I asked."
"Oh, don't be jealous, Gareth. You have absolutely no reason to be ashamed of the size . . . of your wallet." With that, he laughed and slapped my ass as he headed out the door."
"Whatever," I said with a smile.
"Don't forget tomorrow," he called out over his shoulder. "I will call about nine-ish."
I watched him drive off with a sense of disorientation. Once he was out of sight, I closed the door. I was still feeling weak after his intense necking session. Running a hand absently over the spot he bit me, I was surprised to find that it wasn't even tender. "I wonder if Sasha taught him that as well." I muttered to no one in particular.
I woke to the grating noise of the telephone. I flailed at the nightstand, groping for the phone. Clasping it, I brought the receiver to my ear, nearly missing and hitting my forehead. "Hello?"
"Hey, sexy," came the voice from the other end. "What'cha wearing?"
I smiled sleepily at Wyn's voice. "Hey, guy." I stretched out and tried to stifle a yawn. "What's up?"
"Me!" he laughed. "You okay? You sound kinda tired."
"Yeah, I'm fine. I was still asleep, that's all."
"At this hour? What have you been doing?"
"Why, what time is it?" I asked, looking at the alarm clock. Squinting, I made out the red L.E.D. that flashed 2:30 p.m.. "Oh shit!" I cried as I lurched up.
I heard Wyn laughing on the other end. I didn't understand at the time why I had slept so long. I had gone to bed about eleven the night before, and am typically a light sleeper.
"Partying all night, babe?"
I sighed, lying back down. "No, Marion was in town, and stopped by . . ."
Wyn interrupted me before I could say anything else. "Well there's your answer."
"What do you mean?" I asked him, kidding back.
"Just that your brother is incorrigible, and you know it." He was right, even if he was saying it just to give me a hard time. "So what is Marion doing back in the great state of Oklahoma? I thought he was going for the executive position with OmniTV?"
"Yeah, that's what I thought. But it seems my dear brother has met someone."
Wyn was quiet for a moment, so quiet that I almost believed that we had been disconnected. Then, with an almost absurd re-stating of the obvious he said, "He gave up a six figure job for another man? That's a bit insane, even for him."
"Yes, well I never accused Marion of being very sane," I quipped with a chuckle. "Besides, from what he said of the man, it was more than equitable."
"Really?"
"He is apparently European aristocracy, with homes in at least a half dozen countries."
"Wow." That's what I loved about Wyn, he's so very to the point. No inane exposition in conversations with him. "So exactly what does he do, beyond collecting houses?"
I laughed at that. "One would think that is all he does, but Marion mentioned something about supporting the arts. I'll find out more tonight, though. I'm meeting the two of them at Kindred Spirits."
"You're meeting there?" He sounded a little concerned with that.
"Yes. Why, is it all that bad?"
"I guess not," he replied indifferently. "There are just some weird things said about that place. That's all."
"Like what?"
"Nothing, really, just rumors of underworld connections. You know the kind; mafia front house, snuff filming in the backrooms, and various other strange things that appeal to fetishists."
"Hmm, kinky."
"I'm serious, Gareth. Be careful."
"Don't worry, Wyn I will be."
"You'd better," he growled playfully. "I'll be back Monday, and am hornier than all Hell."
I laughed gruffly as I stretched out in the bed. "I'm not going to have to be worried about being raped when you get back, am I?"
"Only if you're lucky, babe."
We both laughed and talked for a little while longer, and then after exchanging `I love you's, we hung up. I laid in the bed for a few minutes wondering at how long I had slept. I was still feeling a little tired, but otherwise wasn't sick. Maybe it was just the summer's heat getting to me, I had thought.
I slung myself out of the bed and made my way to the bathroom. Sunlight streamed in through the skylight, casting the limestone tiled walls and floor into gold and shadows. The stone was cold beneath my feet, though the air was slightly warmer than I preferred it. I went to the mirror and looked at my haggard face; dark circles lined my eyes and my skin seemed pale. I stuck my tongue out at my image, thinking about how if I looked that bad now, I would be horrid when I was in my thirties or forties.
"Bleh!"
I pulled up to Kindred Spirit's about ten o'clock, amazed at the sheer numbers of people outside. The front of the club was windowless with a white stucco exterior. A red velvet rope lined one of the sidewalks, herding dozens of hopefuls, wanting to get in. Outside the black metal door stood a muscular duo of bouncers, each looking dispassionately at the line.
Trying to look confident, I walked up to the front door as three graceful individuals strode up as well. They were each dressed in the latest of fashions, two girls and a young man; everything was in perfect place. I counted myself among the more groomed and well bred, but compared to these three I seemed somewhat gangly and slovenly attired. I'm sure that the difference was not lost upon the two bouncers, as they both gave me critical glances.
"End of the line with the rest of them, guy," one of the two said.
I was slightly intimidated by the man's size, as well as his mannerism. I remembered Wyn's statement about the rumors surrounding the club. As it was, the two brutes were looking at me as though I were part of an alien species. I stiffened my upper lip, and recited exactly what Marion told me to. "I'm here with Sasha."
The other bouncer looked over at the one that had previously spoken, muttering, "Well, at least his tastes are consistent."
The first one grunted and moved out of the way. "Come on in, then."
I felt a certain thrill as I walked through that dark doorway, the likes of which I was sure Dante experienced as he was led into the mouth of Virgil's Hell. Inside, the air pounded with the base of exotic sounding music. I guess one could have called it Trance meets Industrial, but even that didn't seem to fit. The room was large and open, with tables arranged around the edge, leaving the center floor open for dancing, where a handful of lithe youths swayed hypnotically. The room was lit by a red haze that gave a visceral atmosphere to the club.
As I sought out Marion, I witnessed a number of individuals commenting to their companions while staring at me. Some stared with a look of deep disregard, others as though I were beneath their notice; and yet, a few who looked at me as though I were some new type of confection. I was beginning to feel that the rumors about this place were more than mere fancy.
I jumped when someone grabbed my shoulder. Twisting around, I was relieved to see Marion smiling back at me. "Lost, little boy?" he asked, pulling me into an intimate embrace.
"I was wandering if I would find you before the vultures descended." He laughed and slapped me on the back.
Holding onto my arm, he began leading me off to a secluded corner of the room. "Never fear, brother. I was waiting for you all along. Sasha is absolutely dying to meet you."
We came to a table where a youth sat who looked to be in his early twenties. He had decidedly dark features; shoulder length deep chocolate hair that was tied back into a short tail, piercing gray-blue eyes and slightly swarthy skin. He was dressed in a well tailored black silk suit with an emerald collarless shirt. He was drinking a Bloody Mary, or maybe a White Russian, the lighting made it so hard to tell.
"Well, this must be the elusive brother I have been hearing nothing else but of for the last several months."
I was taken aback a bit by his voice. I guess I was expecting some thick accent, though his had none except for a slightly breathy tone common among the snobbish wealthy. "That would be I," I stated with a smile. The man was giving me a predatory look which was decidedly uncomfortable. "Though I must admit, you are a lot younger than I was expecting."
The youth laughed as Marion punched my shoulder. "Thank you so very much. Marion must have couched you on the best way to flatter me. But honestly, I can guarantee you that I am far older than I look. I wear my age well, as they say."
I took a seat next to my brother, placing me directly across from Sasha. "So," I began awkwardly. "Marion tells me that you support rising artists, and the like. That must make for some interesting stories."
Sasha waved a hand dismissively. "Not really. Most modern artists have no concept of true art, or are so busy trying to produce what they think others want to see, that they miss the point of art completely. Personally, I find them all rather weary. I leave most of the trials of dealing with the unwashed heathens to my staff. I spend my time looking for the truly gifted."
"So then how did you meet my brother? He has absolutely zero talent. I can even show you his grade school report cards to prove it."
Marion pinched hard on my thigh, evoking a yelp from me. Sasha, meanwhile cast a slightly curious glance between the two of us.
"Actually," Sasha drawled, "It was his own inner beauty that attracted me. I watched him give a speech at some dreadfully dull conference in Las Vegas. The passion and fire he displayed cinched it, I had to have him."
Marion slipped into the conversation, turning the focus onto me. "I told Sasha about some of your work with the P.A.C."
"He was very adamant that I see some of your work."
"Really, it's very not all that much," I protested. "I direct the pit orchestra. It's not as though I lead a symphony, or compose."
"At least, nothing he'll admit to anyone," Marion grinned.
I flushed with embarrassment. "It's not like I have ever shown it off in public."
"Only because you don't have the balls to do so," Marion countered.
"Now, now, my dear," Sasha chided my brother. "Marion does say that you have talent," he directed at me. "So why do you never share it with others?"
I shrugged, not really comfortable with the attention. "I just never felt it was good enough, I guess."
"On the contrary, Gareth dear. I have heard your work, and though unpolished, it was among the best I have heard in some time."
"What? How . . ." I stuttered. "I've never performed the music . . ."
Sasha waved a hand. "Pushaw, he gave me a copy of one of your pieces, and had a director I sponsor in New York perform it."
"Marion!" I shouted. Then noticing the looks it garnered, I lowered my voice. "How could you do that to me?"
"What, open up the way for you to become famous? Granting you a chance to be known, a chance you would never have taken on your own?"
I was about to reply when Sasha spoke up. "You know, this is an awfully distracting place to discuss such personal matters. Why don't we retire to my home to discuss it further?"
The suggestion caught me by surprise. "I don't know. It's late, and I haven't been feeling too well lately."
Suddenly, it was as if a spotlight had figuratively been placed on the Romanian. Despite the fact that nothing had visibly changed in the surroundings, he seemed to stand out from everything else in the room. His smile drew me in like a moth to flame, and his eyes held me with an iron grip. "Oh, please. I insist. After all, the hospitality of my home is the least I could do for the brother of my precious Marion."
All doubts were swept away by that simple request. At that moment I wanted nothing more than to please the man. And I could honestly not tell you why. "Sure," I said somewhat distantly. "I would hate to hurt your feelings."
"Isn't that pleasant to hear." Sasha said, almost like a parent praising their obedient child.
The trip to Sasha's house was a blur, and even now I am unable to remember what happened, or how I arrived there. All I remember is standing in the foyer of his home, my brother holding my hand; his own feeling as though he had been holding it in ice. The place was exquisite, a staircase curved around the wall, its banister intricately carved from mahogany. The floor was black marble, accented with yellow limestone around the walls. Even the meager furniture was far beyond mine and Wyn's finances.
Sasha smiled as he gestured to the entryway, a gracious smile on his lips. "It's not much, but I like to think a little humility in one's home is good for the soul." Even then I was still having a difficult time focusing. His words held my full attention, as did every slight movement he made. I don't remember it being a physical attraction; although he is handsome, but more of a presence he gave off. And sadly, I was not able to keep thoughts of Wyn in my mind. I guess I was too weak willed.
Marion, standing behind me, whispered lightly in my ear, though the words were as clear as if he had shouted them. "Come on, we'll show you the best room in the house."
I mutely agreed. How could I resist? A part of me wanted to run, at that point. It knew that something was wrong here, that my life was in serious danger. My desire to please Sasha and Marion, however, resolutely squashed any thought of doing so.
They led me through an archway under the staircase. The white walls of the hall were barren of any special features, only ending in a wooden double door. My brother opened the doors reverently, leading me through as Sasha followed gracefully behind. Inside was indeed the most breathtaking room I had ever seen, its splendor akin to that which one usually only seen in Hollywood. The floors and walls were stone tiled; yellow for the walls, a red and black floor. No windows decorated the walls, nor did any skylights grace the ceiling. In the center of the room sat a large bed surrounded by large wooden posts which reached almost to the ceiling. Colored silk cloth in gold, purple and black draped down the dark wood and across the mattress. It was towards this which Marion directed me.
He sat me down on the bed, and I was beginning to come to my senses. I turned towards him as he went around the bed to sit behind me. "Marion, I'm not sure . . ."
Sasha's silken voice interrupted my protests. "Relax, Gareth. We merely want to help cement your place in our family. That's not so bad, is it?"
I didn't . . . no, couldn't answer his question. He had walked up to me to stand with an angel's smile. There was a palpable aura of majesty around him that I could not overcome. I would have agreed to the most horrid of blasphemies had he but asked it of me. And, in a way I eventually did.
I felt Marion's hands upon my stomach and chest, slowly unbuttoning my shirt as his cool lips caressed my neck and ear. I barely noticed, enraptured by Sasha's voice and face as I was. The Romanian kneeled down before me, casually brushing his dark hair out from his eyes. Level with my face, his deep blue eyes gazed into mine. "Don't you want to be a part of our family, Gareth? It would make your brother and I so very happy."
Marion had finished undoing my shirt, and was working upon my belt and slacks. His hands were as cool as his lips. Held fast in the other's gaze I could do nothing to stop it from happening. Distantly, I was aware that someone had started playing music in the background.
"However," Sasha stated, grasping my hands in his own cool, pale hands, his face only inches from mine. "I have no interest in bringing you into the family ignorant. Do you have any idea of what I really am, Gareth dear?"
"No," I replied in awe. That small voice in my mind railed. It told me to move, to run, to do anything but stare at this man in adoration.
He gave me a sympathetic look, nodded and said, "No, I guess you don't. We have done our best to hide from your kind for centuries. Had you figured it out, you more than likely would have been dead by now." He moved towards my other ear, whispering, "I am the undead."
Marion laughed quietly in my ear, his hands had nearly removed all clothing from my body. I had wanted to shiver, to run in terror, but all I could do was sit with my mouth open in joyous expectation.
"We're going to make you a part of the family, Gareth," Sasha leaned back, and placed a hand on my chin in a paternal way. "I have already brought your brother over. But you see, he so wanted to have you with us as well. How could I refuse my childe's love for his brother? So you too shall be my childe.
"Lay back, Gareth. Let Marion bring you to our side; let his love for you be the whole of your joy."
With that, my brother gently guided me to the mattress. He had disrobed as well and moved his naked body over my own. His hands deftly stroked my chest as he kissed his way from my stomach to my mouth. I gave into Sasha's command and enjoyed my brother's touch. I kissed him back, feeling my cock grow against his own. My hands slipped across his smooth back and cusped his ass cheeks. As the two of us rolled across the silk sheets, Marion bit into my neck, and the pleasure I had felt the previous night returned. Passion grew within me as I clung to his form, wanting this moment to last.
Sasha's voice drifted in the air as we made love, and though I didn't understand what it was he spoke, the words stuck with me. "As Caine's words were passed on to us, so too do I pass them on to you. Listen, my childer, so you too will know.
"I said to my brother, Where was my sacrifice lacking in the eyes of the One Above?' And Able, beautiful Able, said to me, Give to God that which is not born of the earth, that which is without blemish and is perfect, and its blood shall be pleasing to him.'
"When next we were to sacrifice our best, and most loved, I brought nothing, for the One Above would not take them. Able said to me, `Caine, you did not bring a sacrifice, a gift of the first part of your joy, to burn on the alter of God.' Crying tears of love, I did as my brother had bidden before, I sacrificed that which was the first part of my joy, that which was perfect and beautiful, that which was the first and best of all I possessed. And the blood of Able covered the alter and smelled sweet as it burned."
Marion licked my neck and moved down my body. He smiled at me then gripped my swollen member and began to suck on the head. I gasped in ecstasy, though it was no where near as intense as when he had bit my neck. Soon, Sasha joined us on the bed, he too fully unclothed. His pale body held mine like a mother holds her child. He continued his speech, although I only noticed peripherally.
"Then the heavens grew dark above me. A chill wind swept outward from the gates of Eden and the voice of the One Above thundered in my ears. `Caine, what have you done? The blood of your brother cries out to Me from the earth. The ground has opened her mouth to drink his blood. First killer of man, be accursed by My word. The very earth will reject you and a fugitive and wander will you be, outcast from the sons of Adam until the end of time.'
"'I will set My sign upon you,' He said. `All men shall know by its presence not to harm you. He who does shall be cursed sevenfold. He who tries to kill you will earn My eternal wrath.' Tears of sorrow and rage came to my eyes, but I held them back. I would not give any offerings to Him. Nor any sacrifices from my heart. So I set forth into the lands of Nod, to wander the Darkness alone."
My mind began to slide into calm numbness. I was having a difficult time keeping my eyes open, and feeling Sasha's hand stroking my hair only helped to hasten sleep. In the background, a new song had started, my mind focusing upon it as darkness began to envelop my sight. As Marion bit into my inner thigh, I gasped out loud, revived briefly. Pleasure overcame me again, and with it, climax.
Everything went dark then, and all I heard was the song that was playing in the background.
Cry, remember that first cry,
Your brother's standing by,
I was vaguely aware of Marion and Sasha moving around on the bed, but I didn't care. I was dying. I could feel my heart slowing, my breath growing shallow and finally, stopping. If only I had been stronger, Wyn. If only I had listened to you.
"Then, from the darkness came Lillith, first wife of my father, who with her own blood, Awakened me, showing me the paths of power that lay dormant in my Blood." Sasha's voice came to me as though from a long distance. I felt something against my cooling lips; it was wet, thick, and tasted of iron. There was a sudden burning in my stomach as the liquid trickled onto my tongue and down my throat. I came to my senses, opened my eyes and found myself being kissed deeply by Sasha. He feed me his own blood through that kiss, and God help me I wanted more.
Power filled me as I drank in his kiss. My arms reached around his body, holding him to me. I was reborn in that moment and I would have drained him dry had he not backed away. He placed a pale finger onto my lips, shushing me.
"You are flush with the power of the Embrace, my childe. But that is all of the vitae you shall gain from me."
"I want more!" The statement rasped out of my mouth, originating out of some dark corner of my soul. Indeed, I did want more. I needed it! It was as though some beast had been unleashed within, and I felt somehow that if I only drank enough it would leave me alone. I had never been so afraid in my life.
He gazed into my eyes with those piercing blue orbs, and I felt something snap onto my thoughts, reining them in from the wild frenzy that was rising. "Of course you do, and you shall get it. But it will not be from me." He licked his blooded lips, and smiled.
Sasha climbed off my body, and gracefully walked to the door. My eyes reveled in the sight of his body, his every movement a delight. The smoothness of his skin, the ripple of muscles as he walked, and even the flow of shadows across his body held me in complete rapture. It wasn't a feeling of eroticism that held my gaze upon him. It was more than that. I could see every detail of his body as though he were right in front of me. The motion, colors and textures were hypnotizing.
My eyes strayed to the floors and walls, and I felt as though I would be lost. The complexities of the marble tile trapped my wandering vision as fast as any binding chain ever could. My mind drifted upon the swirls of red and black in the tiles. Layers of sight opened up to me that had been denied before he took my life. I would have stayed lost, had Marion's steady grip not pulled me back to the world.
"I have a gift for you, my dear childer." I looked up at Sasha, trying hard not to be dragged back down into the visual trap. Around him stepped the most beautiful young man I had ever seen. Yet, he seemed more boy than man, maybe only sixteen if that. The youth was as naked as we, with lightly tanned skin, short blond hair and bright green eyes. While not muscular, his body was athletic, if on the slim side. His cock stood completely erect, and I could tell from here that his entire body was hairless.
My eyes fixed on his swollen dick, but no, it was the veins pulsing along the shaft that drew my attention now. I glanced at the youth's face, but couldn't make it past his chest. Just barely above the left pectoral, I could see the pounding of his heart. The beast within me howled in hunger. My body began to shake in anticipation. I had to have him!
I would have leapt across the room right at that moment had my brother not placed a hand on my thigh. "Forget what mom and dad always told us," he stated with a grin. Moving closer to me, he whispered, "Playing with your food is always the best way to eat."
The way he said that suddenly made me realize what had happened. I wasn't human any more; I was dead, a corpse that didn't have the decency to stay dead. Panic began to fill me. "Feed?"
Marion smirked. "What else did you expect, Gareth. You're a vampire now. There's no going back."
I started to protest. I hadn't asked to become this! I didn't want to be this! But before I could say anything the young boy was on top of my brother, who welcomed him with open arms. They began to kiss and feel each other with a passion that bordered on violence. The scent of the boy, so close and so sweet raised the cry of the beast. I was dead, there was no turning around. And I was so very hungry. I truly was damned.
Sasha sat down beside me on the bed, his hands stroking my back and shoulders. I watched my brother playing with the youth, the scent of the boy was about to send me over the edge.
"Stop resisting, Gareth," Sasha's voice lilted. "No matter what moral qualms you may have had as a mortal, they are no more. You must feed, and resisting will not end that need." His fingers continued to stroke my body as his head came to rest on my shoulders. "All you will accomplish is creating a prolonged torture and risk the lives of those you care most about, or even other innocents. You don't want to risk others do you?"
His expression was one of complete sympathy, and though I tried to read deeper into his eyes, find some sign of deceit, I could find none. And I did so much want to please him at that point. It was a shameless manipulation of my emotions on his part, but even with newfound power, I was too weak to resist. So I climbed across the bed and joined my brother and the boy.
The youth was impaling himself upon Marion's cock, moaning like he was delirious with fever. My brother laid beneath him, his face calm except for a dark look of hunger in his eyes. I noticed for the first time that he was not breathing. Though he was moving, it was almost as though the boy were making love to a statue; perfect, cold and lifeless.
I spooned him, playing my hands across his sweating body. The heat was intense, though I am sure it had to do with the cooling of my own. But it was the smell of his blood pulsing intensely beneath tanned skin that affected me the most. It was intoxicating, like a hard liqueur. I licked along his shoulders and neck. He gasped audibly as I did, and reached over to run his hand through my short black hair. I began to pant with expectation.
"Fuck me!" the boy moaned as I nibbled on his ear. "I want you both inside me."
I was slightly stunned by the boy's brazen comment, not the least because of his seeming age. I noticed that even though I was clearly excited, my own member was not responding at all. The thought came unbidden to me, and I had the clear impression it had come from someone else. I turned towards Sasha, who sat watching languidly at the head of the bed. He nodded once and smiled.
I did as he suggested, and sure enough my body responded. The boy was really grinding into me now, and the desire to have him was too much to handle. Placing my cock against my brother's I slowly slid into the youth. He let out a low growl that climbed into a howl as I continued moving all the way in. Leaning him down against Marion's chest, I pinned him in place and laid my full weight on top of him. Together, my brother and I fucked him like animals in rut.
Unable to resist any longer, I felt my canines grow. It was as though a pressure had been let lose within me and I sighed in relief. Then, letting instincts take over, I trailed my teeth across his skin until I found a pleasing spot to bite. He gasped in surprise as I did so, and the gush of hot, salty blood which flooded my mouth filled me with an ecstasy that even being bit could not stand up to. I heard a primal growl as I ravaged the youth's neck, and distantly registered that it had come from me.
The boy cried out again as Marion took one of his arms and bit into his wrist. "Uh, I'm going to . . . I'm cumming!" the youth managed to gasp out. After several writhing twitches, the boy began to slowly hump against my bother. He was gasping as though short of breath, but he wasn't resisting. I could feel his heart slowing down, and I knew he would be dead soon. Though it shames me now, at the time I could have cared less. I would have happily drained him dry had Sasha not restrained me.
"No more, my childe. Let him live."
I took my mouth from the sweet nectar. "The hunger! I need it all!"
"You must stop," Sasha stated firmly, yet quietly. "You must control the Beast Within. If you don't, he will die."
"I don't care!" My hunger was in control now. It burned within my soul, eating away at me as though I had been starved for weeks. I knew in that moment that there would never be enough blood to sate that hunger, even if I was to drain every mortal in the world.
A hardness appeared in Sasha's eyes. "You will stop, Gareth." The words quelled the rising animal inside as his will washed over me, bringing some sense of humanity back.
"I . . . I'm sorry."
"Lick the wound. It will seal it closed. You must never leave a trace of having fed." His gaze was softer, yet still stern; a parent teaching his child proper etiquette.
I turned to do so, seeing that Marion had already licked the boy's wrist. I kissed the wounds on the neck of the youth, the taste of the blood making my hunger pains nearly impossible to ignore. I ran my tongue longingly over the mark, and when I sat back up, his skin showed no sign of having been broken.
Marion was staring around the youth's unconscious form at me, a smile creasing his pale face. He seemed lost in my features, and I too felt the earlier pull to trace every detail of his own face into my memory. The spell broke as he said, "Welcome to the family, brother. Now we will be together, forever. Nothing will ever keep us apart again."
The way he said that chilled me to the core. I pulled away from the youth and my brother as I began to fully understand the events of the last hour. Sasha placed a hand on Marion's arm and mine. Though his face showed love, as did my brother's, their eyes showed only cold hunger.
A fragment of the song which had been playing when I died floated back into my head, a song which even today still repeats eternally, without reprieve.
And lot of loved
Beloved sons of mine . . .
<That is the end of Part One. This is only going to be a three of four part series, and will be taking second chair to my primary series The Awakening. If you liked this one, try the other. It is set in the same world, and may have character crossovers later on. As always, I appreciate any feedback, as long as it is either positive or constructive.>
^_^ Liam Barnes