June 2008
Disclaimer
We've come to the end of Book 1 and I would really like to thank all the readers out there for their encouragement, ideas and comments. Through grammatical slip-ups and many other errors; you've enjoyed my story and took out the time to tell me so. I love to write and couldn't let anything such as English not being my native tongue stand in my way. Thank you, guys. You really inspired me.
Feedback: This is my first try and not being a native English speaker, it's so much more challenging. Constructive criticism if greatly appreciated, so feel free to drop a line or two at steinwillard80@gmail.com .
PART NINE
(Conclusion)
Chapter 26
Back in their underground chamber, Tahlia gently undressed Jemima and gave her a sponge bath. The deep gash in her back where the silver ax had struck her was still oozing and she opened her wrist to drip a few drops of her blood on the gash. Almost immediately the wound began to close, but Tahlia knows that it will take a few days before the wound was completely healed.
She held her wrist to Jemima's lips and cupped her head closer while she fed. Exhausted by the fight and the loss of blood, Jemima feel asleep almost immediately afterwards. To ensure that she sleeps right through, Tahlia willed a strong sleeping command into Jemima's mind and placed Jemima in the deep rich healing earth.
Dissolving, she quickly made her way to the park. Despite the powerful spell she had woven around the baby to protect it, she still wanted to make sure that she was okay. Rushing through the trees, she came to a halt a few yards from where she had hid the baby.
She had tested the area with her senses from across town already and was aware of the fight taking place in the park. Cloaking her presence, she stealthily moved closer until she could see the two fighters.
She made out Gillian's form easily, but struggled to make out the other shabbily-garbed fighter. From the way she fought it was obvious that she was a great warrior. There was something very familiar about the woman warrior. Even her fighting style was familiar. But who could the mysterious woman be? When she was a few feet from them, the woman quickly turned, probing the darkness and Tahlia's eyes widened.
No! It can't be.
Paloma Soleil was rumored to have been killed in battle almost five centuries ago and even after she had searched the world over for her best friend, she hadn't found any indication or reason to believe that she had survived.
Keeping her presence shielded, she watched the two women engaged in battle.
Paloma was an exceptional fighter even after having been out of action for five centuries. She moved smoothly and with deadly precision. Tahlia almost felt sorry for Gillian, because she didn't stand a chance against a warrior of Paloma's caliber.
The battle was moving farther and farther away from the tree where the baby was hidden, giving Tahlia the chance to quickly move in, grab the baby and leave the scene. She would've liked to meet with Paloma, but the time was not right yet. They will surely meet again soon. She was sure of that.
*****************
One week later…
When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Tahlia leaning against the headboard of the bed, looking tenderly at her. Her sharp senses picked up a foreign scent. There was another presence in the room judging from the faint heartbeat and warm blood scent which tickled her nose.
Alarmed her eyes bored into Tahlia's.
“Easy, my love. I have a surprise for you.” The black eyes dipped and following Tahlia's gaze, Jemima jerked up into a sitting position.
There, nestled between them, was a baby. Her blue eyes staring back, almost challengingly, into Jemima's. The baby's small hand was wrapped around Tahlia's thumb and Jemima felt her heart tighten at the tender way Tahlia was smiling back at the infant.
“Rafina and James call her Inger. What do you think?” The black eyes stared up into hers, a tender smile on the beautiful lips.
Getting out of bed slowly, Jemima flexed her muscles and walked around the bed to come and stand at Tahlia's side of the bed.
“Whose baby is this?”
Tahlia gathered the baby in her arms and Jemima couldn't help but smile when the fat baby hands reached for Tahlia's mouth, who playfully kissed them.
“She's an orphan. Her mom was killed by renegades.”
Jemima frowned. “Why haven't you taken her to Child Welfare?”
“Her soon-to-be grandparents did, but they were given temporary custody until all paperwork has been processed.” She reached out and put a little fist in her mouth to the delight of little Inger who squealed in delight.
Looking at them brought back memories of her childhood. She remembered at night when she was scared, how a tall woman would came to her room and picked her up and sang her to sleep. Tahlia had been there since the beginning. She reached out and gently stroked her lover's dark hair.
“You were always there for me. You used to come to my room when I was just a little older than Inger and you would play with me and sang me to sleep.”
The black eyes smiled back into hers. “Just for the record, you were a handful. Inger is a sweetheart.” Tahlia said teasingly.
Smiling back, Jemima reached out to Inger. The baby gave her a toothless grin and grabbed her hand. The soft touch of the baby brought tears to her eyes and she smiled when she felt Tahlia's arm snaking around her waist.
“She truly is a sweetheart.” She took a step back. “For how long have I been out?”
“A week. Your father is on his way to get Inger.” Teasingly she added. “Please don't try to bite him this time. I can already sense his trepidation.”
Just at that exact time there was a knock on the door and Jemima went to open it for her father. James smiled when he saw her.
“If you so much as lick you lips at me this time, I swear I'll bite you back.” Having said that, he laughingly gathered her in his arms. “I'm glad to see you're back on your feet again, baby.”
Chuckling, Jemima kissed her father's cheek. “I'm a die-hard, Daddy.” Literally.
At the sound of Inger blowing bubbles, James pushed past her and went over to where Tahlia was lying on the bed with the baby. Tahlia handed the baby to him and cooing at the baby, he left the room.
Shaking her head, Jemima turned to Tahlia. “That little pixie seems to have taken over the household. What else happened in my absence?”
Tahlia got off the bed and walked over to her and Jemima smiled her appreciation at the fluid way the tall woman walked. When their eyes met, Tahlia was smiling at her knowingly.
“First you need to feed, before we talk any further. I sense your hunger and it's making me edgy.” Pulling her into her arms, Tahlia gave her a hard kiss before exposing her neck.
Without protesting, Jemima pulled Tahlia tighter to her and bit down deep into the vein in Tahlia's neck. A soft gasp escaped Tahlia's lips followed by a low hiss. When after having taken a few pints, Jemima pulled back and found Tahlia staring at her with unbridled desire. Her arms tightened around Jemima.
“You seem to get turned on every time we do this.”
“It's a very intimate act and just the thought of doing anything intimate with you heats me up.”
Grinning, Jemima gently pushed out of the embrace.
“I promise to scratch your itch in a while, but first I need to know what else happened while I was recuperating.”
They went to lie down on the bed and Tahlia quickly filled in the blanks for Jemima.
“We have another master vampire in town. We all thought she was killed in battle centuries ago, but I saw her that night when we fought the renegades.”
“Is it good news for us or not?”
“I'm not sure. I will have to contact her and talk to her.” The black eyes held a faraway expression. “But first I need to get you up and healthy again.”
Sensing that there was more that Tahlia was not telling her, Jemima sat up until she could look directly into the Vampire Queen's eyes.
“You are not telling me everything?” When Tahlia looked away, Jemima gently turned her head back until her blue eyes held the black ones captive. The wonder of loving someone, she thought. Whereas others tremble at the mere sound of Tahlia's name or a quick steely glance from her dark, eyes she can't seem to imagine never being able to look into those black beautiful eyes. “I trust you enough to know that you will tell me when the time is right.”
Smiling, Tahlia gently kissed Jemima on the lips.
“Thank you for understanding, my love.” Another deep kiss followed, before she reached for the buttons on Jemima's silk pajamas. “I've missed you a lot, my love. I've missed your scent, your taste, your touch.” She groaned when she saw Jemima's nipples hardened at the sound of the husky words. Tahlia slowly licked her way towards the hardened tips and hungrily sucked one into her mouth.
“Ah, baby...” Jemima voiced her pleasure and with a flick of her hand, she had Tahlia naked and pushed her hands into Tahlia's midnight black hair.
*****************
EPILOGUE
A few hours later they were sitting on a bench in Central Park . Jemima was lying stretched out on the bench with her head resting in Tahlia's lap, looking at the sky. They had made love for hours before deciding to come out for a walk. The last time they had been outside together was a that fateful night a week ago when they were attacked by Gillian and her gang.
“What happened to Gillian?”
In the thick darkness, Jemima could see Tahlia's eyes hardened.
“She met her match. Hopefully we will never have to worry about her again.”
“Did you kill her?”
“No. When I went back to get Inger, I found her fighting with the other master vampire I told you about earlier.” She shifted her head and stared into Jemima's eyes. “Paloma would never have allowed Gillian to walk away from that battle alive.”
Jemima sensed Tahlia's reluctance to talk about the subject and instead stroked a wayward curl of dark hair from the beautiful face. “Well, I can't say I'm sorry. Gillian was out to destroy mankind as we know it.”
They sat in silence for a while.
“Inger has grandparents, but what would you say about being her mother.”
Jemima rubbed over her eyes.
“Are you suggesting that we should adopt her as our child?” Having seen Tahlia with Inger earlier, Jemima knows already knew what the answer would be. Tahlia adored the baby.
“Yes, but I will go with what you decide, my love.” The black eyes were staring deep into hers. “You are still young and I don't want to saddle you with such a big responsibility I you do not feel ready.”
With great stealth, Jemima entered Tahlia's mind and was surprised when she found the Vampire Queen was actually hoping that she would say yes. Of course she would say yes. Tahlia had never asked her for anything. Nor has she tried to take from her without her permission. But maybe she could make her steam in her own juices for a while. Shutting her mind to any possible probing from Tahlia, Jemima looked across the moonlit landscape.
“How will we explain to her that we cannot take her to school in the mornings and that we will not be there for her during the daylight hours?”
Tahlia's gaze became somber and she nodded.
“I never really thought about that. Maybe we should just drop the idea.” She sat up slowly. “James and Rafina wanted to move back to the mansion and I was just thinking that maybe we could move back with them. I've created an underground chamber there when you were a baby to be closer to you. Maybe we shouldn't rush things and see how she adapts.”
Laughing softly, Jemima gently pulled Tahlia's ear.
“I was just kidding. I would be honored to be Inger's mom. We will just have to find a way to work around our daylight schedule though.” She came to feet and pulled Tahlia into her arms.
“Let's go back to the hotel and hear what my father and Rafina have to say.” A naughty twinkle came into her eyes. “Who knows, maybe I might develop another itch that you can scratch. First one to the hotel will have to change Inger's diapers for a week.”
Within a second, Jemima disappeared, leaving Tahlia to stare at the spot where she'd been standing a few moments ago. Just when she was about to follow her lover, she turned her head slowly and peered into the night.
Black eyes met silver ones and for a few seconds they just stared at each other. Tahlia gave a curt nod, before dissolving into thin air. The time for them to meet face to face would come soon enough.
But for now, she had a stunning blonde to catch.
THE END