Blueblood: A Dark Southern Aristocracy - 5. Gabriella

“Are you insane!?” I shouted as he was about to walk away grabbing his arm to stop him. “You put yourself as a target and he will try to kill you! You told me on the serum, you’re not a whole vampire. Not really. It’s not your plan to commit suicide, is it?”

Colin smiled weakly. “I’ve been around a while. Death skipped me a long time.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “It isn’t my plan, but if it happens…” he shrugged.

“You ARE crazy!” I shook my head. “I know what you said, I’ve heard about what happened, but I’m just supposed to sit around where you can be killed? I just met you!”

Colin sighed. “I realize that.” He sounded almost tired. “Look, like you pointed out, I don’t know if he’s still around. He could have died. One stake, fire or even getting trapped outside he’d be ash now.” He said with a grin. “And just as I moved on, he may have, too. He could be on the other side of the world!”

He was right, but that didn’t make me feel better. “I know that, but I also know you came back knowing the fact you did would flush him out!”

“If he’s still around.” Colin reminded me.

“But you’re doing this on purpose!”

Colin began to get angry. “So what? I was forced to feed on blood for a fucking long time!” He shouted. “I was forced from my home! I was tired of fleeing from sunlight! I was forced to live underground like a rat or something reviled, which I was!” He sighed and put his hand on me again. “You can’t know what I’ve been through.”

I shook my head. “You’re right, I can’t,” I admitted. “I’m just being selfish, what you went through had to be Hell!”

He nodded sensing I got it or at least acknowledged I was beginning to understand. “It was Hell, but you can’t imagine the joy I felt when I saw my first sunrise in a hundred years. It was beautiful.” Then he chuckled. “But you saw me eat and at least realize how much I enjoy it now. I won’t go back to that if I have to stand in the sun when I become a vampire again!”

“Yeah.” I folded my arms and didn’t quite glare at him, but I frowned. “You can tan and eat all you want and don’t gain an ounce! That’s just not fair!” I grinned at him.

Colin laughed. “It’s not! It’s not fair at all! But after all I went through, it’s a little compensation.”

I grinned as I chuckled. “I suppose you’re right again.”

Then Colin looked at me hesitantly. “I just don’t want you to leave.” But I saw a look, of longing and he was just so lonely.

“Aw, Colin,” I said coming closer. “I’m not leaving, but what happened to you…it’s just so…alien!” Reaching over touching his arm and again, he was warm. “You’ve been good so far.” I chuckled. “You’ve not been an asshole once yet.”

Colin smiled a little bowing his head a bit. “I swore to keep control of that.” He grinned scratching behind an ear as he looked at me again.

“You said you lost others because they didn’t stay,” I said. “You seem like a nice guy. Wasn’t there anyone you loved or loved you after the transition? What was it that drove others away?”

A look of pain was in his green eyes taking the green and literally seemed to darken the light inside. He turned not really looking at me as he confessed. “I loved Josiah. I didn’t know as a child he was…not supposed to be my friend. My father bought his mother, his father was already at Wentworth Manor. His mother was in the house. These days, we all know what servants in the house were called because her father was another plantation owner. Meaning he was white. She was a very lovely woman, always kind.” He chuckled as he remembered. “She was like a second mother to me, but as Josiah and I grew up we developed feelings for each other and…” he shrugged. “It just happened. I did love him. There were a few other people later. Mostly male.” He grinned. “A woman once and well…” He shrugged. “She was aroused and she wanted me…but even as a vampire, I found people that I developed attractions to which surprised me I could. I dared to think what I was wouldn’t matter. In the long run, it did matter. I still was a vampire. Then when I began the serum and it progressed, there was one I thought he could overlook it.” He chuckled sadly. “Then I realized, he loved the vampire in me, not me. He wanted an Anne Rice vampire or Buffy’s vampire boyfriend…it couldn’t work between us. He wanted the tortured vampire with a soul.”

The pain in his face was so…real. I moved closer to him. “Colin, I’ve never known you to be other than who you are. The picture I saw was just so…positive to me. You were here back in the early 1800s. You say you’re wanting to become more human.” I said daring to put my arm around him. “You showed me what happens when you take the serum and that was horrible. Why?” I laughed. “It was almost like when they showed the footage about severe injuries I saw in the military. I didn’t faint, I didn’t leave the room. I could handle it.” I moved even closer. “I saw you in pain and I understand you wanted to test if I wouldn’t leave.” Our faces were only an inch apart to the point I could feel his breath on my face. He breathed and he didn’t back away. “I’m not leaving, Colin. I like you, Colin.” I saw him smiled. “I’m falling in love, which is why I’m asking you. Give us a chance.” Now his smile grew wider. “I will be scared for you about what this Brett could do to you. But I’m getting it. I will be scared, but I’d like the chance to show you. I don’t want to get to know anyone, but you.” I watched as a tear came down again on his cheek, but the smile on his face never faded. The sparkle returned to his vibrant green eyes and he seemed to relax even more.

“I’ll take the risk,” Colin said as his voice came weak and almost cracked as the emotion was right in front of me. “I saw you and knew I could take a risk.” He closed the distance that remained and gently as he could, touched his lips to mine. That was the most arousing thing I’ve ever felt, but it only took a few seconds as he increased the pressure and kissed me a little harder. It became more probing as it deepened and I felt his tongue touch my lips as it became more and I let him in. He was solid and real as he wrapped arms around me pulling me closer. Feeling his body pressing against me felt so perfect. My hands came over him as I felt his back, the musculature and his warmth. He was a beautiful man and my desire was growing as I was more aroused. What was really more amazing, as I felt his arousal as the front of his pants began to grow hard and his desire was vivid and just there! He pulled away a little, not letting me go, but his forehead rested against mine. “I’m almost there, Devon. A little while more time. Okay?”

I nodded. “Take your time, Colin. I swear, I’ll be here. I’m not leaving.”

Colin was now crying as he embraced me. “I have been alone so long. I don’t know why, but I need you.” He said against my ear. “I want you so badly, but I want more than just sex. I want you to really love me.”

I ran fingers in his hair as my other hand moved over his back. “I think you’ll see it even if I don’t say it.”

His chuckle rumbled next to my ear. “I might, but I’d like to hear it anyway. I know you’ll say it when it’s real.”

“I will.”

A voice cleared itself and we turned, not letting each other go to see the man we’d hired to clear the grounds. Only the man wasn’t bothered, but a little shocked. Why he was shocked was not important to Colin, and I didn’t really give a damn if he was. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt, but…did you know there was a basement here?”

Colin let me go and nodded. “I knew there was.”

I looked at Colin. “You never showed me that.”

“Dark, nearly underground.” He muttered. “You think I want to go there?”

I shrugged. “I’m good.”

“Well, I think someone has been squatting here.” The man said. “It looks like they're been living here.” He hurried on. “I haven’t seen anyone, but there’s evidence it has been recent.”

“What?” Colin said shocked. “Show us!”

The man nodded and jutted his head in a direction and walked off. We followed quickly.

Now, understand, a basement in this part of the world isn’t truly a basement. We were too close to the waterline and any basement was only shallow and really on the ground. It was only a few feet into the ground and only halfway under any ground. This house, like most houses here, had the first floor elevated and on the second floor really. Because the floor of Wentworth Manor was marble it had been protected. We got to what had been a door beneath the stairs in the back portion of the house where servants could access the other floor to do their job but unseen. They never go up and down the main staircase in front. We took the stairs down and even in daylight it was dark. The man that told us about it held a flashlight. I immediately could smell damp earth and something else. Death? Someone was dead down here? I’d smelled it before while as a medic and having lost men and women during the war. We tried when death occurred to take care of the veterans, but we when under attack, the bodies would wait until it was clear and we could ship them home. We had men whose jobs were to preserve as best they could, but it didn’t take long before that smell could be picked up. That was the smell. I felt dread and fear. Was Brett here? Would he attack us now? I touched Colin not wanting him in danger.

What we saw though was…well feminine! A chair and desk, a table with those awful doily things I didn’t like at all! Pictures and then I saw another painting…smaller but it was Colin again! But he was holding a baby with a woman standing beside him as he sat with the baby in his lap. It was a good painting! The woman was pretty with dark hair, but Colin looked like Colin!

“Colin,” I whispered to Colin and pointed to the painting. “Take that before away before this guy sees it and wonders.”

I watched Colin’s eyes grow and he went over and put the picture face down. This time, the picture was clean and could be seen clearly who was in it and then he turned to the man. “We’ll take care of it.” He said, but I could see his mind working, but his tone told the man to leave it alone.

“Okay.” The man said and went back upstairs.

“Gabriella?” Colin said in a whisper like he was praying it was the truth.

“Could Brett have changed her, too?” I asked.

He shook his head, but then he shrugged. “He could have. Brett Marshal was obsessed with the intent of destroying my family. What better way than turning her to make her suffer as I did, to make me suffer. He knew I loved her.”

I touched him gently. “Where is she now?”

“Staying here in the dark somewhere. We make our places.” He said softly looking around the basement. “I’m staying here tonight.”

I turned him to me. “Not alone! I’m going to be here, too.”

Colin shook his head. “If she is a vampire, it could be dangerous!”

“But not for you!?” I asked.

He shook his head. “She can’t feed off me. She could on you.”

“You won’t protect me,” I said narrowing my eyes.

“Of course, but I don’t know if it is Gabriella,” Colin said. “She will smell your blood. The hunger is very strong!”

“But you can do for her what you’ve had done for you! If you stay here, I stay here. You said you came to make yourself a target, what better target than a man with blood?” I held my hand pointing that out challenging him to deny the logic.

“I don’t like it,” Colin said with minor irritation.

“And I don’t like you making yourself a target!” I began tapping his chest with that finger with each word. “But I accept it, now accept my decision!” I said firmly.

Colin smirked. “This isn’t in the employment agreement.”

“So?” I shrugged. “You’ll have to tie me up to stop me!”

He bowed his head and sighed. “Fine.” Then he looked at me and his face was again denying me to not do what he was about to say. “You do exactly what I say when I say it! No arguments!”

I nodded. “I promise.” I watched Colin reluctantly nod.

His renewed love of food was still alive and well. He had some food prepared for us. It was nearly sunset when we went back to the basement and would wait.

“It’s time,” Colin said softly. “The sun has set.” He said it as he could see it. We had a lantern to see in the dark.

My fear shot up. My mind was screaming to flee, but I couldn’t leave. There were parts of the vast basement that was shrouded with junk and other things. Then we heard something, like a stirring of someone moving in the unseen parts. Then a figure moved into view, moving around some junk and this time, I saw she was a vampire. Not like Colin, but a real, bloodsucking fiend. This was a monster. In a dress that looked as if she was buried in that was long and may have been light blue at one time, but now was dirty, tattered with dark dried something I assumed was blood from meals she’d taken over the long Hell she was in and just hung on the woman. She wasn’t a baby like in the picture. She wasn’t a little girl. Now age was what was odd. Colin had stopped aging at about forty. This woman looked like she had been in her mid-thirties. Her hair may have been as dark as Colin’s, but was unwashed, but her dead eyes fixed on me first and she opened her mouth when she saw me, or smelled me as prey and let out a hiss and now, I saw fangs. Not the movie version of the sharp teeth. There were four above, the longest and sharp one next to her middle teeth and besides those, shorter, but long one on either side. One each on her lower jaw. She most certainly could pierce a throat to suck the blood out. She was advancing on me as Colin stood in front of me.

“Gabriella! Stop!” He said with a mixture of emotions. Happy to see her still moving, sad for what she became and fear of what he might have to do to stop her. “Please, Sweetheart. Look at me! It’s Daddy. You remember me, don’t you?”

Her eyes went to him and I saw her desire for my blood vanish a little. The look of disbelief, but he was there! Her father was standing before her. Now her face had doubt and her mouth closed as she looked. “Daddy!?”

“Yes!” Colin nodded as tears again now flowed. “I’m Daddy. I’m your Daddy.” He walked closer to her. “Smell me. You can’t feed on me. You know that, and I won’t let you feed off him!” He pointed to me. “I will not let you.”

Her eyes widened as she saw him and she reached to touch him. “How? You died a long time ago!”

Colin shook his head. “I did. I died a long time ago. Just as you did. I became what you are now, Sweetie.” He reached out taking her arms in his hands. “But I can help you. I’m not a vampire anymore.” Then he gave a shrug and nod. “Well, I am, but I can go out in the daytime now. I eat real food! I got back almost a regular life! I’m even finding love again.” He motioned toward me. “My life is coming back and I’m going to build the Manor back the again. I can give you life again. I swear it. Let me help you!”

She looked at her father so mournfully. “But it’s so strong, Daddy. The hunger is just so strong! I can’t stand it!” She said pitifully.

“Can you trust me?” Colin asked. “I can help you. I promise I will!” He looked at her and I could see him in her a little in the mouth and a little in the face shape. She was his daughter, but I will also admit, she looked more like a hag to me now. I guess being a vampire that’s what happened. Bathing and grooming were sort of forgotten. “Please, Gabriella. I can help you.” He smiled. “You’ll see sunrises and eat good meals again.”

“How?” Gabriella asked fearing to hope.

Colin nodded and kept himself between me and a cooler I thought just held food, but he produced one of the vials I’d seen in his little refrigerator at his suite. “With this. I take it every day. It will help you live an almost normal life. Please.”

She nodded. “I’ll do anything. Just make the hunger go away!” She pleaded.

Colin nodded. “It’s going to hurt. It hurts a lot.” He warned.

Her face was almost in what should be tears, but as I thought, real vampires didn’t apparently have tears. “I don’t care!! Make it stop. Please, Daddy.” That time, she did sound like a little girl. “Please.”

Colin nodded again. “You have to trust me.” He waved to the chair she used. “It’ll be over soon. I’ll make it stop.” He pulled her dress open revealing her chest, not a breast, not that it was important. He cleaned her chest as best he could. When he pulled out this needle, it was way longer than the one he even used on himself. He looked at me. “I will have to give the first one in her heart itself.” He explained and turned to her. “I’m so sorry, but I have to do this.”

“I trust you, Daddy. Do it!!!” Gabriella shouted. “DO IT!!!”

He thrust the needle in her chest and directly in her heart and pushed the plunger down. What I thought there was the pain for Colin was bad, but I was not prepared for Gabriella’s pain. In seconds her eyes bulged as she suddenly inhaled and then let out a horrible scream!