RATING: PG-13 for some gore and ghastliness


"Always My Love"
AUTHOR: Timothy Saenz
EMAIL: tjsaenz@comcast.net

Janette was furious. The urge, the ache, quaked her body. She saw no
reason to deny herself, did not want to deny herself. And that Nicola
would dare to call her a "beast" was beyond toleration. Nicola -
always the fool! Always trying to reason. Always trying to be - not
human - righteous! How can any vampire be righteous? Vampires just do
what they do to survive, much as men prey on animals. The one she had
now she found in the dark, narrow alleyway wedged between two brick
apartment buildings. She thought he had been peeping into one of the
windows.

"So you love me, Nicola? Janette asked scornfully. Nicholas knew
what was coming. He held out his hands in a signal to halt, but
Janette saw him pushing her.

"Please, Janette. You're angry at me. Don't take it out on an
innocent bystander," Nicholas implored.

"Innocent!?" she shrieked, and held the prey more tightly, his neck
hanging over her arms, ready to be feasted on. "So now you not only
judge me, we, as evil for what we do to survive, but these humans as
good! How do you know what their lives have been like? Maybe he's a
killer or a molester. Maybe he abandoned his family. Maybe he hates
your precious God!"

"Janette, please, don't," he said more urgently, considering a leap
at her, but she was quick herself, and too far away.

"You said you would love me forever, Nicola. Ha! Ha! Remember? You
would love me forever. I will give you a chance to prove it!"
Janette's mouth ached for fulfillment. It was as if it was driven by
some unknown force, a metaphysical imperative. Coupled with her
anger, her eyes narrowed and gleamed even more. Her head arced back
slightly.

"Janette! - "

She struck like a cobra but tore like a wolf. Janette's fangs dug
deep into the carotid artery as Nicholas stood paralyzed, filled with
guilt, for he had known better than to walk down this path with
Janette again, yet he had, and someone else was paying. She drank
heavily for maybe 10 seconds, then ripped her fangs across the
victim's neck and sent bits of flesh flying before she released him.
The body sank to the floor. Blood bubbled and flowed quietly. Janette
looked up at Nicholas with ferocity and mockery.

"Do you love me, my Nicola, my forever knight in shining armor?" she
taunted. "Then come to me." She held her arms out to him. He remained
fixed. "Kiss me, Nicola, and drink of my love!"

To be continued...