He moved in her, his rod exploring her intimately from top to bottom, at last discovering the woman she really was. Emboldened by his dirty whispering, thoroughly held in thrall, she rejoiced in the profound sensations he was conjuring and she felt like keeping him inside her forever.

  “This is too good,” she let out, her flesh sucking his shaft ever deeper, succumbing to his steady rhythm. “Oh my God, Gabriel, keep doing that.”

  “You’re driving me crazy, princess.” He seemed to quell a shiver. “I never imagined you’d be so hot, so tight and open for me.” He kissed her, dipping his hands into her hair. “Put your legs around me, I want you to feel every inch of me.”

  She moaned as he pushed even deeper, his long, broad thrusts sending her reeling. She clung to him then, fascinated by a whole new range of emotions she could neither identify nor control, terrified by the complete trust he had placed in her, swept over by the intensity of his passion.

  “Can you feel me, darling?” His comings and goings were getting the better of her. His words were piercing her through. “Tell me what you want. Tell me what you like,” he said, looking into her eyes.

  His touch alone was magic. His fervour was carved in his face, his weight on her, his cock driving her wild—what else could she have desired?

  “I’m coming, Gabriel, I can feel it. Dear God, I’ve never felt this way before.”

  “Hush, hush,” he whispered. “Not yet. Let me love you a little longer.”

  He slowed down, tempering his movements, unaware that the sudden alteration had assuaged her mind as well as her body. Now was the perfect time to geld him. In spite of what in honest truth she could only call an epiphany, she had to do her job. She had been chosen; she was meant to do it.

  She hated herself for what she was about to execute. In a terrible way, it would be like annihilating his vampire self, like destroying the undead man in him. She felt ripped apart, rent between her feelings as a woman and her duty as a gelder. Right now, her moral obligation to the world sucked.

  She closed her eyes. His body tensed. He had watched her performing the task on Spade; he knew what she was doing. Yet, he didn’t attempt to stop her; he didn’t seek his way out. He waited for her to finish.

  Try as she might, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. He cared for her; he acted as a protector and a lover. No man had ever done that for her. She suddenly realised she didn’t regard him as a vampire anymore, but as a man. In that second, a thought filled her mind. To hell with the world.

  She opened her eyes. He was staring at her. He had no way of knowing if she had accomplished her mission, yet he kissed her lips, slowly moving inside her. The exquisite sensation of his hard shaft throbbing and melting in her expectant flesh brought tears to her eyes.

  “Love me, Gabriel.”

  He did. He raised her to the state of complete obliteration. She forgot her duty, her power and her name. She wailed in his arms, he cried out in hers. She came like nothing she had ever known, her body writhing from unbearable torment. He spurted his love in her, and it gushed forth while he bellowed with unrestrained pleasure.

  She must have fallen asleep from exertion. It was still dark when she woke up, but she could discern shapes in the gloom. Curled up in his arms, warm and safe, she sighed when he got up.

  “I have to go. It’ll be dawn very soon.”

  He put his clothes on quickly, then sat on the bed. He stroked her cheek, the bridge of her nose, her full lips.

  “Did you do it?” he whispered, “did you geld me?”

  She shook her head, consistent with her decision, satisfied he was still the master vampire he was meant to be.

  “Why not?”

  “Because I’m yours.”

  Chapter Eight

  Two vampires were watching her building. Calista had first spotted them the evening before and they were back tonight. They were cautious, keeping to the shadows, but not trying to conceal their presence. They acted as if they were standing sentinel. She didn’t feel threatened, but she was dying to know why they were patrolling up and down her street. On the second evening, she decided to ask them.

  The night was warm, with July’s heat hovering over the town. Down in the street, Calista went for the nearest vampire. He started walking away when he saw her coming for him.

  “Hey you!” she called, “I wanna talk to you.”

  He halted, waiting for her to catch up.

  “Why are you here?” she asked, noticing his muscular body and unflinching eyes. From up close, he looked just like a bodyguard.

  “We’re under orders.”

  “Whose orders?”

  “Master Gabriel’s.”

  So, his warriors were calling him Master now. He must have quelled the rebellion and asserted his rights. He was the new leader in town.

  “What kind of orders?”

  “Make sure you’re safe.”

  That was odd. With Spade out of the way, she should be safe. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Because of the duel, but it’ll be over soon.”

  What was that about a duel? She hadn’t heard from Gabriel in the past three days, since he had made love to her ecstatically. Something bad must have happened during that time to prevent him from seeing her. She needed to learn more.

  “Keep talking.”

  “Spade has challenged Master Gabriel to a duel. A hand-to-hand combat to the death.”

  Fear twisted her guts. They had believed Spade out of the picture—huge mistake. He had lain low for a while, probably plotting devious schemes, and he was back.

  “Tell me Gabriel declined.”

  Sounding like trampled gravel underfoot, the bloodsucker guffawed, examining her as if she was terminally insane.

  “You know nothing about honour, do you? I can’t begin to imagine why the master chose you,” he said, his voice reflecting contempt and outrage. “I guess you must spread your legs wide.”

  She had just made a slight bloomer, and cursed her own foolishness. Acknowledging she had to tread with more care, she ignored his rude comment. “Where is the duel?”

  “Northgate Cemetery.”

  “When?”

  The vampire seemed willing to provide her with important information. “Right about now, but you’re not to go there.”

  “Why not?” She feigned surprise to lull him, her mind already made up.

  “Master’s orders. You stay in.”

  She nodded like an obedient child. “All right. Will you look out for me till dawn?” she said, playing the dutiful slave in need of reassurance and protection.

  “Yeah.”

  “Good. I’ll feel better knowing you’re close by. Thanks.”

  She walked back to her building then shut the door behind her, sensing his gaze following her. Inside, she went straight to the staircase. The vampire couldn’t see her any more, so she flew down to the basement. It was gloomy and cooler down there. Reluctant to turn the light on in case he might spot it through the transom window, she felt her way to the rear of the building, her hand grazing the cold walls.

  She soon reached the small door leading to the back street. Using the deepest shadows as cover, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, she headed towards the main street. Getting into a taxi proved easy. Inside, she reclined her head on the back seat.

  She had acted on impulse. She certainly would have been better off at home, but she had to see that duel. She had to. She needed to make sure Gabriel came out of it alive. Watching houses and shops go by, she smiled. How could she be worrying over his ‘aliveness’ when he had long been dead?

  The taxi driver dropped her off some distance from the cemetery with a warning. “Sorry, Miss, but this is a dangerous area at night. I’m not going any further.” She thanked him and ran the rest of the way.

  She saw the fire five hundred feet from the entrance, an orange light brightening the night. As silently as possible, she squeezed past the gates and trotted towards the fire. She slowed down when she believed she was close enough—vampires had a keen sense of smell. To her left, the ground was hilly, perfect for a clear view. She climbed up, then lay down behind scanty bushes, her body a blur in the landscape, a shadow among shadows.

  Feeding on wood and gasoline, the flames leapt high towards the sky, forming a large ring of fire. All around the burning circle about two hundred vampires stood, transfixed. Inside the ring, Gabriel and Spade were facing each other, stripped to the waist, their bodies glittering in the fiery glow.

  Incredibly tall and strong, Gabriel looked invincible. A head shorter and leaner, Spade seemed a lesser opponent, though he could be concealing speed and resilience. Two great beasts poised ready to strike. When they started circling each other, a low growl came from the crowd, expanding, swelling up in the stillness of the night.

  Fast and furious, Spade rushed at his adversary, hitting him square on the point of the chin. Blood flowing from a gash in his lower lip, Gabriel flinched but stood his ground. He grabbed Spade by the shoulders and sent him sprawling, inches from the flames. The former master vampire got up in a wink, moving away from the fire.

  Then they charged at the same time, bodies violently colliding with a powerful thud. Encouraged by a salvo of approval, they grappled with each other for several minutes, exchanging brutal swats and kicks, striking, shoving, biting, neither of them gaining advantage, Gabriel hitting harder but Spade avoiding more blows.

  Calista was going through hell. The mortal struggle, the roar of the flames blurring her vision, the cheering crowd deafening her and the sight of her lover’s blood were far too demanding. Spade was a lethal weapon, scaring her out of her wits. Yet she couldn’t tear her eyes from the ring of fire, whispering a litany to Gabriel through clenched teeth. I forbid you to die, I forbid you to die, I forbid you to die.

  Suddenly striking out, Gabriel drove Spade back, eliciting new cheers from the gang. On all fours, Spade raised his head, a smirk on his lips. Swift and efficient, he moved his arms to the small of his back. Then he bounced to his feet, throwing his hands forward. Two daggers flew towards Gabriel, striking his shoulders. He howled in pain when the weapons ran through his flesh. Before he had time to wrench them out, Spade lunged forward, crashing into him, pinning him down.

  A savage cry erupted from the crowd. Two hundred vampires were now stamping their feet, uttering obscene and offensive curses, shouting at the top of their voices, clamouring for the kill, kill, kill… Lying flat on the ground, Calista thought her heart had ceased beating. Fisting her hands, she pressed her face against the bushes.

  Going for the kill with a sadistic smile on his face, Spade twisted the daggers, tearing flesh. Gabriel flinched, but in spite of the pain that contorted his features, he managed to grab the other vampire’s throat. Flames bounced from the ring of fire and the clamouring intensified as the bloodsucker gang closed in. Beyond pain, solely focused on his mighty hands, Gabriel was crushing his enemy’s throat. Gradually, Spade released his grip on the daggers, finally slumping onto the ground.

  With a slow motion like that of a movie, Gabriel stood upright, blood leaking down his chest and arms. His huge, powerful presence seemed to fill the circle, bringing the shouts down to a low, chanting buzz. Staring at the crowd, he seized the daggers and drew them out of his shoulders without as much as a wince.

  It seemed to be over. Calista began to breathe again as tears of relief wetted her cheeks. She unclenched her fists and looked at Spade sprawled on the ground. Although he wasn’t moving, she sensed excitement and expectation rippling through the vampires, a disturbing feeling of something not quite terminated.

  Dropping the daggers, Gabriel grabbed Spade by the hair and heaved him up. Extending his arm, he displayed his trophy to his gang. Feet began to stamp once more, murmurs becoming growls. In seconds the uproar sounded cacophonous as he cocked Spade’s lolling head, and leaned in.

  He sank his fangs into the incapacitated vampire’s bare neck while the crowd acclaimed him wildly. Then Gabriel yanked at his head. The new master’s mouth drenched in blood, he spat out a big chunk of flesh. All around him, the yelling was uncontrollable as he ripped his enemy apart. With intent. Without hurry. Gabriel wrenched Spade’s head off in a single forceful motion and hurled his body parts into the flames.

  Then, like a great feline after a kill, he threw his head back. A thundering roar exploded from his throat, soaring to the heavens. When his feral call died out, a deep silence fell on the cemetery. One by one, the vampires went down, kneeling before their master, bowing in submission.

  From her hiding spot, Calista had watched the whole show with growing exhilaration. Gabriel’s ruthlessness and ferocity fascinated her. His raw power and carnality were spellbinding. As tender as he could be, she also understood the animal in him, the untamed beast that set her blood on fire. There was no mistaking it—Gabriel’s demonstration had crudely turned her on, to the point where she wanted him right now, right there.

  Stifling her acute desire, she saw the vampires dousing the flames, circling around Spade’s body parts, and making their way out of the cemetery. New king of his territory, Gabriel stood motionless in the centre of the ring, sniffing the air.

  Then he turned his head in her direction while barking a command to the remaining vampires. “Out. All of you, out!”

  He had smelt her. He knew she was there, in spite of his orders. He knew she had witnessed the killing. She was on her feet when he routed her. His mouth was bloodied, his long fangs still out, his wounds already healing. He looked vicious and irresistible. When he was in front of her, she looked deep into him. She was astonished to read concern in his eyes, fear of rejection.

  She knelt before him.

  Chapter Nine

  “You’re my woman. You don’t kneel to me.”

  Before he could add another word, she unzipped his fly and pulled his trousers down. She approached her fate slowly. Taking hold of his foreskin with her mouth, she gobbled him whole. With his soft flesh in her snug mouth, he sighed. In seconds, she felt him hardening, clearly aroused by her obedient posture and the sight of his cock in her mouth.

  She let go of him. Seeing his full erection up close excited her as it conjured images of their bodies joined in passion. She lifted her eyes and shivered when she saw naked lust in his.

  She licked his uncovered tip, licked the skin to the base, forward and backward until his rod glistened in the moonlight. With both feet planted on the ground, he stood still but clenched his hands. She took him fully in her mouth and began easy motions, her lips enfolding him, leaving him, sheathing him in her warmth.

  Arousing him felt wonderful; sucking his dick and sensing his pleasure felt tremendous. Kneeling at the feet of a master vampire and having him by the balls was simply staggering. As he started moaning each time she swallowed him up, she understood at last the real magnitude of her power, as a woman and as a gelder.

  “Fucking hell,” he uttered suddenly, “this is so fucking good.”

  Withdrawing, she gripped the base of his shaft in one hand and gently brushed its head on her lips, exhibiting her enjoyment. Darting her tongue over the thin skin, she dipped her head back. Gabriel was watching her mouth on his stiff cock, wincing from delectation. His handsome, sensual face stimulated her desire, triggering a craving to be screwed in any fashion he wanted.

  She heard him growl when she cupped his balls in her hand. Stroking the wrinkled skin, she took them all the way down her throat. His body twitched, his hands grabbing her hair, pulling her head back. The abrupt gesture ignited sparks in her blood, a nerve-shattering thought reverberating in her mind. Come and get me.

  “You won’t get off that easy!” He swung her around, pushing her to the nearest tree. After hoisting her skirt up, he ripped her knickers off.

  His roughness sent her mind soaring high, her skin tingling in anticipation. Hands firm on the big tree trunk, she bent over and jolted as his finger pulled her cunt open to check her moistness.

  “Someone wants to be fucked,” he said, seizing her hips. Then he rammed into her, and she let out a loud moan.

  “Do you like my cock?” he asked, drawing it in and out of her in long, powerful thrusts. “I know you do, you’re so fucking wet every time I touch you.”

  She held onto the trunk as it bit into her hands, his pelvis banging against her arse, his words music to her ears.

  “Spread your legs. I’m stiff for you; I want you to feel my cock. I want you to feel it all the way through.”

  Tightening his grip on her hips, he brought her to him, keeping her close, humping her in quick, hard strikes, fucking her as a vampire. Everything was hard inside her, his inflexible rod stuffing her to the brim, cutting her breath. His ceaseless movements filling her with absolute joy, she felt intoxicated with love.

  His pace slowed. His thrusts became long and deep, his cock deliberately bearing on her clitoris.

  “Oh, my God,” she cried, pressing her hands on the coarse trunk. “Oh, sweet Jesus, what are you doing?”

  Moving his pelvis back and forth, he kept pressing on her soft spot, whispering to her. “Come on, pretty, wail for me.”

  She wailed. Intent on sending her to the heavens, he rubbed her until she was about to burst, her panting cries tearing the night. When he sensed her coming, he spoke to her in a needy tone. “Say my name!”

  Her whole body shaking from the force of her savage orgasm, she shouted his name in an ultimate exhalation. Still rock hard inside her, he withdrew when her tremors quietened and pulled her skirt down. Freeing her hands from the tree, she faced him. Her face was elated with bliss and she looked at her hunk of a vampire-man and his fierce erection. She knelt down again.

  “I want you in my mouth.”

  This time, he shivered when she took him in. She sucked him long and deep, listening to his escalating grunts of pleasure. Using tongue and lips, she blew him to the point where his body stiffened and his voice quaked.