Another Reality

by Olivia Jean Ecklund
Chapter 11

He watched the sky brighten for a minute then gathered Beast up and went to bed. Tomorrow night started his time off. He realized it would be empty without the possibility of seeing Natasha. He reached for the phone and dialed her number.

"Knight here," she answered.

"It's, Nick, Natalie."

Her voice softened. "Nick, are you okay?"

"Yes. I was just wondering when you're off."

She laughed, delighted he'd called. "I managed to convince Stonetree to give us the same nights off."

Nick smiled to himself, "Really."

"A girl has to be available for her Prince Charming," she admitted.

"How about a movie? I would love to spend some time with you," he said in a husky voice full of desire.

"I'd love to see a movie with you, Nick."

"I'll pick you up at sundown." he smiled to himself looking forward to the evening.

"Come a bit early. I'm usually up by 4:00 pm."

"Okay, Natalie." See you then," he said.

"Sleep well, Nick." she said, in a soft sensuous voice.

Nick sighed as he put the phone down. He fixed a microwave meal and feed Beast before crawling into bed. He woke about 12:00 pm and dressed in sweats to take Beast to the park. The little dog didn't get out much in the day. He took him out at least two or three times a week for some sun and exercise. They would sit under a tree and share some ice cream. He also brought Alf along, Beast's puppet. He loved to watch the little dog run on his very short legs.

In the sunlight Nick could see the gray in the dog's coat. It went far beyond his face. On his legs, stomach, tail and even down his back were bits of white hair. He'd been almost pitch black when Nick had gotten him as a tiny puppy, with only a little white chin and a star on his chest and a few white toes. Now he had white nearly everywhere.

Nick wondered what his life would be like if he hadn't had this little guy to talk too. He'd been alone for years. He'd dated only a few times. Janette was always trying to set him up with a woman. So were Don and Myra.

He looked back as the little dog retrieved Alf and came back toward him. Beast was more like a child to him. Nick knelt and picked him up. He laid his nose against the dog's fur on his head and drew a deep breath, smelling the fresh sent of his shinny coat. He laid his cheek against the soft hair of his back, feeling his warmth. What a comfort he'd been all these years. A warm tongue came out and licked him on his nose as he raised his face.

"Come on boy. I need to get home and dress for that special lady tonight."

Beast watched as Nick showered and dressed for the evening. When Nick was home, Beast was never far from his side. Nick wore black slacks and a black turtle neck, with a sports jacket. He combed his thick blond hair into soft waves.

"I'm going to have to get a hair cut soon," He said aloud. "C'mon boy, let's get you some food." Nick placed the food on a plate and watched as Beast ate. He made sure the little guy had water and some crunchies in his bowl before he left for his date.

Nick picked up a bouquet of sunflowers and bright yellow roses from the store at the corner of his street before he drove to Natasha's loft. It was about an hour before sundown. He rang the door bell and the buzzer signaled for him to enter. He took the lift, then stepped into the loft apartment. He had expected to see Natalie waiting there for him, but she wasn't anywhere in sight.

"Natalie?" he called.

"Come on up, Nick. I'm nearly ready." Her voice came from the bedroom upstairs.

He climbed the stairs expecting her to step out any minute. When she didn't appear he stepped curiously into the bedroom. The bathroom door was open and she was standing before a mirror blow dring her hair. He was suprised that her reflection seemed pale, almost see through. It was as if a ghost was reflected there. It made his heart flutter. She turned, the pale green silk robe that she wore flowed over her, showing every curve of her body.

She felt his fear. "Most of my life I haven't had a reflection. Only in the last 50 years or so have I begun to regain it a bit. Maybe I am redeeming myself. It does make it hard to put on makeup when you can't see yourself."

She started to move toward him. Her robe flowed around her and he saw her as if in slow motion. The flow of her hair and the shimmering of the material as it slid around her moving body. Her lips were red and inviting.

"Nat...may...be ...I should...wait downstairs." He turned and fled, hearing her delighted laugh behind him.

She thought. "I shouldn't tease him so. He's such a boy. But I love to see the blood shade his ears." She smiled wickedly and then slipped out of the robe and pulled a black velvet sheath over her head. It had tiny spaghetti straps over the shoulders. She applied blood red lipstick and smoothed her hair lay in thick curled layers over her shoulders and down her back. Then she rechecked her dim reflection. More than satisfied, she headed downstairs.

"Wow!" he said, turning to her. He held out his hands and drew her close, placing a warm kiss on her check.

"You're beautiful, Natasha," he said, using the name she'd given him the night they met. "Why did you change your name at the station?"

"It makes me more ordinary. I fit in better and besides I always get those moose and squirrel jokes. Do you know what they are talking About?"

He smiled, "It refers to a character in a cartoon. She is named Natasha and there is a moose and squirrel in it. I watched it when I was a kid."

She grimaced. "I hate cartoons."

Nick wasn't surprised, and he said so. He turned toward the table and picked up the flowers he had brought. "For you."

Her face lit with pure pleasure. "Oh, Nick, they're beautiful! I seldom get to see flowers in the light. Nick was shocked and amazed when a big red tear formed and slipped out of her eye. He grabbed a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at it, looking at it curiously.

"Blood is our only fluid, even our tears are red," she explained.

Nick ran his finger gently over her cheek. "I'm glad you like them," he said. He stuffed the handkerchief in his pocket. He would study the blood later. It might prove interesting.

He leaned his forehead against hers. "May I hold you for a moment?"

She nodded.

He drew her close, wrapping his arms around her. Their cheeks pressed against each others. "You tug at my heart so, Natasha."

She relaxed for a moment, comfortable in his arms. She felt the beast stir within her. She pulled back and Nick saw the amber in her eyes.

He did not shy away, but smiled and took her arm. "Come on, let's go see that movie."

They chose an adventure film instead of a romantic one. Neither wanted to stir the beast or their desires again, especially in public. After they walked around the shopping mall that held the theatre Nick invited her for a drink. They took a dark booth in the rear of the restaurant.

Nick got coffee and Natalie ordered a glass of red wine. He watched her Discreetly take a flask from her purse and pour a dark liquid into the wine. She stirred it with her finger, then sucked the tip looking at him as she did."

Nick felt heat rise from his face and he looked away, hearing her laugh. "You're such a delight, Nick. I love your freshness. You make me feel alive again."

He smiled back at her and sipped his coffee. They talked about their cases and later drove to his place and got Beast and went for a walk in the park. The moon was bright and Nick noticed Natalie's eyes seemed to take on a life of their own. They sparkled and flashed in the moonlight. He saw bits of amber as she seemed to look through the dark shadows around them and see things he couldn't.

"Do you have infrared sight?" he asked curiously. "Yes, its a compensation for having to live in the darkness." Suddenly a muffled scream touched her senses and she looked to her left. Nick saw her eyes turn from amber to red. He took a step away, uncertain as to why she had changed.

Before he could say anything, she thrust her purse into his hands and rose up into the sky. That fast she was gone. He stood open mouthed and felt his legs go weak. "She can fly!" he gasped.

Now a piercing scream rent the air and he turned in the direction Natalie had flown. He ran toward the cry for help. Soon he came into a clearing and saw Natalie drop from the sky, knocking an attacker away from the woman.

He ran close, reaching for the victim first. He saw Natalie's face in the moonlight. Her eyes blazed red and her fangs were out, the would-be attacker held firm in her grasp. She was ready to strike.

"Natalie! No!" he cried out.

She turned to look at him then flung the man away from her. He was knocked unconscious when he hit the ground. Nick pulled a phone from his pocket and called 911. Looking back at Natalie, he could see that she was struggling to regain her composure. He held the girl close to him protectively, so she could not look to see what was going on. He soothed her with words of comfort explaining who they were. She seemed content to cling to him.

As they heard sirens come close, Natalie came to him and touched the woman's face, turning her so she could look into her eyes. "You saw nothing unusual here. We just came to help..."

The young woman said, "Nothing unusual..."

Nick watched, fascinated. Nat finally turned to him and took her purse back. She pulled a plastic tie from it to handcuff the perpetrator, securely fastening his hands behind his back. Then she aroused him and gave him the same memory altering treatment.

The police cars zeroed in on them, taking the prisoner off their hands. The victim was led to a separate unit, under the protection of a female officer.

As the cars drove away, Natalie looked at him. There he stood with his little dog and expectant look on his face, but Natalie could feel the beast churning beneath the surface. It had been denied the kill of the hunt. She had to get away from Nick.

She stood nailed to the spot until everyone else was gone. When he took a step toward her, she held up her hand for him to stop. "Please, Nick. I need to go."

He could see the amber in her eyes. He slumped back disappointed.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"It's okay. You saved that woman's life, Nat. Please call me later. It doesn't matter how late. If we can't be together, at least we can talk on the phone."

She nodded. He watched as she soared up into the air and disappeared into the night sky.

Beast barked after her. Nick scooped the little guy up in his arms and held him close. "Well, it's just you and me again, boy." Chapter 12

He turned toward home. When he got there he sat before the TV without really seeing it, waiting for Natalie to call.

Natalie slipped through the skylight of her apartment and ran to the Frig. She threw open the door, grabbing one of the bottles inside. Pulling out the cork with her teeth, she downed the thick red liquid quickly. She drank the whole thing and then half of another. Finally, she microwaved a cup and gulped the warm blood down. She carried another to the couch and sank into it gratefully, pulling her knees up to her chin, she cradled the warm cup in her hands.

"How touching!" came a sarcastic comment from the deep shadows of her studio.

Natalie set the cup on the table nearby and laid her forehead against her knees. "LaCroix, go away," she whispered.

Instantly he was before her, grabbing her and pulling her to her feet. His hand came up and he struck her face. "I will never go away," he hissed in her face. His stale cold breath repulsed her.

She felt a trickle of blood run down the corner of her mouth. "Why are you here?" she demanded, pulling away and moving across the room. She licked at the blood with her tongue.

"My Dear, I felt your contentment and went to discover its source. It was only moments before you went to that human's rescue. Why didn't you drain that man? Why did you stop?" he demanded. "You denied yourself the bounty of the hunt."

"I wasn't alone," she said in her defense.

"No, you were with your human pet!" He spat the words at her, his eyes flashing amber. He came closer, gripping her face by her chin, "Why do you insist on keeping human pets, Natasha? He is nothing. A vile pink worm compared to me. I can rule the night with you by my side." He leaned forward and crushed her lips with his. His hand tangled in her hair and she could not get away.

She slashed at him with her fangs, tearing his lip.

"AAhhgh", he screamed, jumping back. His fist came forward, knocking her to the floor, then he threw himself upon her. His hands and mouth ravished her body. His fingers dug into her flesh on her arms and breasts.

She became the monster he had made. With all her strength she caught him of balance and pushed him away. He tumbled over the work table and crashed into the wall. He floated back up and came at her, fangs bared and eyes blazing red. He grabbed for her and she few back away from him, but stumbled over a small table and went down. He was upon her before she could react. All she felt was pain. She felt his body take her, and his fangs descended deep into her neck and began to drain her. She felt his hands and fists beat her until she faded into oblivion.

Natalie woke in pitch darkness. She lay on the stone cold floor. Raising her head to look around, to listen, she knew she was alone. She let her forehead press against the cold floor again in relief. He was gone.

She tried to raise herself off the floor and realized she had broken ribs and a possible broken leg. It would not hold her weight. How would she get to the frig for the blood she needed to heal herself? She had to move soon. The sun would come up and she was not safe where she lay. The blinds were wide open. Her eye caught a tiny bit of green light to her left. The LCD light on her cell phone. It was on the floor about 10 ft away. She started to painfully drag herself toward it.

Nick slept against the arm of the couch. He had waited over and hour for her call before weariness overtook him and he'd fallen asleep. He was awakened by the phone ringing close to his ear. He jumped and fumbled with the phone before turning it on. "Natalie?" he said hopefully.

"Nick...5479" a voice whispered.

"What?" he said, not understanding.

"Please help...me," the voice pleaded, sounding desperate.

"Nat!" he said, making out her identity.

"5479....hurry," she said again. "Please, Nick. Come..." the line went dead.

Fear gripped him and he grabbed a jacket. Not even glancing at Beast who bound after him, he slammed the door in the little dog's face. He was down the stairs and out the door in seconds. It was nearly dawn when he pulled into the street and headed toward Natalie's.

As he drove, he went over her words and realized that the numbers must be her security code. 5..4..7..9 he repeated the numbers several times. He seldom used the sirens he was given for serious cases, but now he feared for Natalie. He slapped the light into the dash and tore past the cars parked at the red light ahead.

It took nearly 15 minutes to reach her place. The sun was rising high Now, beautiful but possibly deadly rays of light stretched across the Land, climbing the sides of the tall buildings sending the darkness away. Fortunately any police who saw him just waved and went about their business. They all knew his car.

He screeched to a stop before Nat's building. He grabbed his bag from behind the seat and ran to the door. The sun was already hitting the unshuttered windows. In his emotional state it took him twice to get the number of the code right. He ran up the stairs not waiting for the lift.

He burst into the room. A fine mist of smoke rose in the center of the room.

Natalie screamed, "The blinds Nick!" She cried in pain as he ran for the controls. The room slid into blissful darkness.

He started to come to her.

"No, Nick. Stay away. I need... blood...frig," she managed to get out.

He fumbled a minute and found a lamp and a soft light filled the darkness. He ran to the frig and grabbed a bottle, pulling at the cork as he moved across the room.

He gasped as she turned toward him and reached out. Her hand was shriveled like a claw and her face and arms were blistered by the sun. He could hardly recognize her. She had been beaten severely. Her hair was caked with blood.

"Oh, God, Natalie. Who did this to you? Who?" Yet, he knew before she answered.

"LaCroix..." She grabbed the bottle and began to guzzle it. "More..." she said between gulps.

Nick returned to the frig and got three more bottles. As she drank the second one she said, "bags of whole...blood...in the freezer, microwave...2 min." He hurried back and got the whole blood and threw a packet into the Microwave. He danced around, realizing how long two minutes could seem.

When he returned to her she was finished with the second bottle. She snatched the blood from him and her fangs pierced the bag and she drank deeply. Her face was already starting to heal. The blisters were fading and her flesh was plumping out. He came closer, "Stay back, Nick. Get the other bag for me."

He repeated the procedure with the second bag and brought it to her. She rolled onto her back as he came with the second bag and she cried out in pain. She took the second bag and Nick went to get a pillow and throw from the couch to make her more comfortable.

When he returned she looked at him through blue eyes. She looked nearly normal except for deep bruises here and there.

Natalie felt the vampire slip into a sleep. It was so sated with the whole blood and the blood wine that it no longer hungered. Tears now slipped from her eyes and she reached out to Nick and he gathered her up into his arms. He held her tenderly against his chest.

"Shhhh..." he soothed, "I'm here for you, Nat. He realized even the dried blood seemed to be reabsorbing into her hair and skin. "I will always be here for you if you need me."

"Nick, my leg... it's broken. You will have to set it."

He looked now and saw that the bone was sticking out. "Oh, my Nat, how can you stand this?" He laid her back on the pillow and moved down by her feet. "I don't know if I can. I should call a hospital."

"You know you can't, Nick. Once the bone is set it will heal. You can do it. Please..."

He nodded. She grabbed onto the heavy table near her. Nick grabbed a hold of Natalie's foot and just above her ankle and with a strong jerk and a twist he felt the bone snap back into place as Natalie screamed in pain. Almost instantly her pain vanished and the bone, aided by the blood, fused together as if it had never been broken.

He hurried back to gather her close and he felt the gasp of pain die in her mouth. He looked and saw the skin sealing itself and the discoloration fade. "I wish I could bottle that. I'd be the best doctor in the world." She smiled, reaching up to caress his face. "I wish I could give it to you."

A few minutes later Nick helped her stand. Even though she leaned heavily on him, they made it across the room to the couch. She sank gratefully down into the soft leather.

Nick started to move away but she grabbed his hand and pulled him down to her side and wrapped her arms around him. Nick held her close. Her body was still trembling from the shock.

"How could he do this to you? How? You say he loves you, but this is not love."

"I rejected his advances and he lost it, the vampire took over. Nick, I wasn't strong enough to fight him off." Her voice deepened and her eyes flashed amber for a moment. "I will never let him use me again. Never!"

She heard Nick's heartbeat elevate. She looked up into his face. He was furious.

"We must stop him, Nat. I can't allow him to touch you again."

"That's a fine thought, but I don't think you could stop him. I've run from him for years and he always finds me. There is no place to hide, Nick."

"You have to be free of him once and for all."

She drew back and saw the pain in his eyes. He took her face into his hands and captured her lips, kissing her deeply, lovingly. Natalie returned the kiss with equal fervor.

Nick pulled her into his lap as his kisses became more eager and intense. His lips traveled across her face and toward her neck. Her scent was intoxicating.

Suddenly Nick felt a sharp pain in his neck and he realized she had bitten him. His fear and his love warred with him, ignited in conflict. He pushed her firmly but quickly to arm's length. She was so weak she didn't resist. She didn't fight to resume her vampire kiss. She let her head roll back and her face had a look of bliss. Her eyes were closed and she was smiling. Some of his blood lingered on her lips. Her tongue came out to lick the remaining drops. "Oh, Nick, " she breathed. "Your blood is pure ambrosia." She sagged forward against him. He realized that the whole ordeal had exhausted her. She could barely move her own body. He stood and pulled her to her feet. Supporting nearly all her weight, he carried her up the stairs to her bed.

He laid her down on the red satin sheets, then took her remaining shoe off. Gently he removed her dress; both shoulder straps were broken. She wore a strapless bra and underwear. He tried not to look to give her some dignity, as he pulled the sheet to cover her. He smoothed the hair away from her face and leaned to kiss her forehead. If she were human, he would have crawled into bed with her and held her while she slept, but he still remembered her warning. He kissed her lips and went downstairs to clean up the mess before he lay on the couch.

"Someone has to get rid of that monster. That is the only way she will ever be free of him." He wondered if Natalie had ever considered trying to kill her master. Nick would never think of LaCroix as a man. By his own admission he would probably say he was already dead. It would be more like extermination than murder.

Even though Natalie was the same creature, Nick knew he could never think of her that way. She wanted to live and to love. That monster had lost all of his humanity a millennia ago.

Natalie wanted her life back; she wanted goodness in her life. There was no goodness in a creature who could do that to someone they claimed to love. Nick wondered if LaCroix had been a sadist in his human life. How could they possibly plan a way to destroy him and save themselves? He knew these vampires were nothing like the myths of television and popular fiction. They didn't sleep in coffins during the day. They could be awake and alert. Finding his sleeping place during the day and driving a stake through his heart was out. Nick shuddered what was he thinking. If he formulated a plan he would be a murderer. No, he could not plan this creature's death, but he would not avoid it if the opportunity arose.

For now he would love Natalie and help her to come back to her human side if possible. Once there they would use all the tools they could find to keep the vampire at bay.

He rose and went upstairs to check on her, but she not in her bed. He went toward the bathroom door to see if she was okay. As he neared the door he saw that the door was not closed all the way. He called out, "Natalie?" End Chapter 12


By Jeannie Ecklund Gersknightlady@cs.com





Another Reality 13-14
Home