Lie Down in Darkness

"Why did I ever let you talk me into this?" Jennifer muttered. "This is insane...we are in the middle of nowhere, stranded in a foreign country with a car that doesn't run."

"I'm sorry, okay," Kerstin said. "Look, this isn't any fun for me either."

Jennifer scanned the landscape looking for any sign of human presence. Instead she noticed huge dark clouds on the horizon. "Great and now it is going to storm."

"There has to be someplace around here we can get help," Kerstin said climbing a rise and looking around. "There," she pointed. "A huge old manor house...and the lights are on."

Jennifer climbed up next to her and looked in the direction she was pointing. "Well, we better get walking then. That storm is moving in fast and that is at least a mile walk."

The storm caught them just as they reached the gates. A torrential downpour that had them soaked to the bone in no time at all. Jennifer reached up and knocked on the heavy wood door doubtful that anyone would hear them. Seconds later the door opened.

A kind faced old woman stood in the entryway and immediately welcomed them in. "You poor dears, what are you doing out here in such evil weather? Come in and warm yourselves in front of the fire."

Jennifer glanced at Kerstin and shrugged and together they followed the woman into the luxurious stateroom where a roaring fire burned in the massive stone fireplace.

"Sit please...warm yourselves while I get you something to eat."

"Thank you, but we..." Jennifer began, but she was already gone. Jennifer held her hands out to the flames rubbing them together. "This place is intense...like something out of a movie."

Kerstin nodded looking up at the old portrait above the fireplace. Her heart stopped for a full second as she found herself staring at the man in the painting. "Jennifer, look..."

Jennifer looked up at the painting. "The man was incredibly handsome, beautiful even. Was he the owner of this home?"

"Here you go," the woman said when she returned with bowls of soup and cups of hot tea. "Eat, then you must go...before nightfall."

"Go?" Jennifer asked. "But we can't...our car is broke down."

The woman looked alarmed. "Oh, but you must...you must go before the sun sets."

"Why?" Kerstin asked curiously.

"My masters will return at sunset. You must go."

"Do you have a telephone or a car?" Jennifer asked.

"No," she replied her anxiety growing.

"Then how do you expect us to go?"

The woman wrung her hands glancing nervously at the painting then out the window at the horizon. "It is nearly dark. God, forgive me...I tried to warn you."

"Warn us of what?" Jennifer asked.

"Helga...leave us," said a male voice from the top of the staircase. "Your foolish ramblings are frightening our lovely young guests."

Jennifer nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of footsteps coming down the stone steps. Kerstin moved closer to her grabbing her arm. Helga nodded and after one last regretful look at them she hurried out of the room.

"Welcome," he said as he descended and as he moved into the firelight, Jennifer and Kerstin gasped in unison. He was the man in the portrait...his long, dark hair straight and flowing around his face, piercing blue eyes and chiseled cheekbones. His lips formed into a smile so genuine that it instantly eased the tension in the air.

"You must forgive Helga, she has a vivid imagination," he said as he took a step closer.

Jennifer looked into his eyes and found that she could not look away. "I'm Jennifer," she said, "This is my best friend Kerstin...our car broke down."

"You are Americans," he said.

"Yes," Kerstin whispered.

"I am Christopher...and my brother, Erik, will be down shortly. Welcome to our home and please stay the night."

"Thank you," Jennifer smiled still unable to look away from him. She felt his presence to the core of her being. Images flashed through her mind of him touching her...kissing her. Hearing Kerstin gasp, Jennifer was pulled back to reality. "Oh my God," she uttered under her breath.

"Erik, we have guests," Christopher said as his brother came into the room and stood next to him.

"How interesting," he said his gaze riveted on Kerstin.

"They will be spending the night," Christopher said, his tone sounded strange as he looked at his brother. Then looking at his beautiful guests, he smiled again, "In the morning Helga will take you to town in my car."

"Yes...we cannot have these lovely young ladies wandering around alone and helpless in the darkness," Erik smiled slowly.

"Helga," Christopher called out and the woman appeared.

"Yes, master," she said her head lowered as if afraid to look into his eyes.

"Prepare two rooms, our guests will spend the night."

"Yes, master," she said hurrying upstairs to do as she was told.

"Would you like a tour of the house?" Christopher asked Jennifer, holding his hand out to her. She nodded taking it.

Kerstin was too caught up in Erik to notice her friend leave with Christopher. Erik leaned close to her; his eyes seemed to take on a life of their own drawing her in.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered, his lips brushing hers ever so lightly. He heard the sound of her heart pounding...the blood pumping through her veins.

Kerstin was lost...she was filled with need, a need for his touch. The need grew more and more intense with every passing second, her body trembling. She let out a low moan as she realized that she was sexually aroused and desperate for release.

Helga came down the stairs then and a small gasp escaped her as she saw what was happening.

"No," she pleaded.

"Go to bed, Helga," Erik ordered.

"Yes," she said her voice small and weak then she hurried from the room.

He turned to Kerstin and smiled. "I will take you to your room now," he said, his voice as mesmerizing as his blue eyes. Kerstin could only nod and follow as he took her hand and led her up the steps.

The room was lit by candles. Heavy burgundy drapes framed the towering windows the moonlight pouring in. The storm had passed. Kerstin walked to the windows and looked out, her heart pounding as Erik moved up behind her. Instinctively she tilted her head to the side and he lowered his mouth to her delicate throat. He kissed her, his eyes filled with pure lust and hunger.

"You are mine now and forever, sweet innocent Kerstin," he said his voice echoing with desire.

"Yessss, I am yours," Kerstin moaned as she felt his breath on her neck. His hands groped her breasts roughly through her blouse then slid lower to the hem of her skirt pulling it up. His fingers quickly found what he sought, sliding into her panties instantly sending tremors all through her body as he caressed her slit. She moaned louder as she felt his arousal pressing against her. Her heart pounded as she realized he was going to take her virginity.

Erik's fingers delved deep inside her pussy faster and harder. She came hard, letting out a cry of pleasure. He drew back, looking up at the moon, his fangs bared. She made only a small whimper as he buried them in her tender flesh. He held her as she went limp in his arms sinking to his knees as he drank from her...

*******

Kerstin opened her eyes blinking quickly. How long had she been asleep? She realized that she was lying in the bed, dressed in a short, silk and lace nightgown, but could not remember how she had gotten there.

"Sleep well, my love?"

"Yes," she answered slightly startled by the sound of Erik's voice.

"How do you feel?"

"Hungry," she said.

Erik moved toward the bed. "You need nourishment," he said looking into her eyes.

"Yes," she said and he held his wrist out to her. She looked at him then at his wrist...the scent of blood...nourishment.

"Drink my love," he uttered.

Kerstin bared her fangs and sank them into his wrist quenching her thirst but awakening her lust.

Erik smiled as she looked up at him and he kissed her tasting his own blood on her lips. He pressed her body back into the thick pillows ripping the bodice of her gown staring at her lovely body in the moonlight...firm creamy breasts and swollen nipples.

Kerstin dug her nails into the flesh of Erik's back as he parted her thighs. He kissed her as she arched her back his fingers delving into her pussy. Erik drank from her...his thirst unquenchable. "You are mine..." he growled thrusting his cock into her, claiming her as his own. His mouth crushing hers in powerful, intense kiss, pounding into her with wild abandon until he came then slowly pulled out.

Erik let out a low groan kissing his way down her body, the desire to pleasure her becoming even stronger than his hunger. Kerstin cried out as his tongue and lips awakened her in ways she never knew existed. She tangled her fingers in his hair as waves of ecstasy coursed through her.

"Oh yessssss," she screamed arching her back as she came, her sweet nectar flowing from her.

Moving over her, Erik again drove his thick shaft into her pussy. He pounded her hard and fast as she writhed beneath him. As Kerstin climaxed again, her body shook violently. She bared her fangs unable to control herself sinking them into his shoulder and drinking deep.

Erik smiled his eyes tightly shut and thrust into her hard and came. He held her until dawn then rose slowly and walked to the windows, closing the drapes.

Jennifer awoke in the morning and slipped from the bed getting dressed quickly. She wanted to get Kerstin and get out of that place. She'd had strange and intense dreams all through the night that had her anxious to leave. Hurrying down the empty corridor she pushed open the heavy door. In the dimly lit room she found her best friend sprawled out on the bed, nearly naked, her thighs spread wide.

Going to the heavy drapes she started to draw them open. She yelped as a hand caught her wrist in an iron grip.

"Don't," Erik said.

Jennifer froze and turned as Erik lit candles in the room. She saw Kerstin, her skin pale and traces of blood on her lips. "Oh my God...what have you done to her?" She ran to the edge of the bed and gathered her friend's seemingly lifeless body into her arms rocking her gently tears streaming down her face. "Kerstin..." she whispered.

Erik moved closer, his voice hypnotic and thick with desire. "She is not dead...nor is she alive...but forever young and beautiful," he uttered as his eyes focused on Jennifer's throat. "As you can be," he whispered.

"No," Jennifer said weakly, struggling against the affect he was having on her. "You killed her," she cried softly.

"I released her...she is free," Erik replied.

Jennifer fought the power he had over her, but it was useless. Her head fell back against him and he lowered his lips to her throat. "She is free," she whispered.

Erik drew back his fangs bared. "And so shall you be," he said with a low growl.

"No," Christopher hissed at his brother stopping him just before his fangs penetrated her flesh. "You will not be the one to take her," he said his eyes glowing angrily.

Erik glared at him. "You had the chance to do so and you did not."

Christopher took her nearly limp body into his arms. "I have learned patience. I wanted to give her the choice. Something you did not give Kerstin," Christopher said harshly.

"You are a fool," Erik said.

Christopher lifted Jennifer into his arms and started to leave the room. "If you were not my brother I would kill you for that."

Erik's eyes flashed with something that could have been fear but he hid it quickly. Christopher was gone, taking Jennifer with him. Erik moved to the bed and leaned over Kerstin. He kissed her gently, his gaze softening. "Would you have chosen this...chosen me?" he asked his voice filled with regret.

Christopher carried Jennifer into her room and placed her on the bed. He looked at her and smiled gently. "Sleep, my love sleep," he whispered. "There is time...time for you to decide."

**********

Kerstin awoke and sat up slowly looking around her room. She was alone. There was a beautiful blue dress on a chair next to a full length mirror. Walking to the mirror she slipped it on over her head. The fabric brushed over her breasts and her nipples immediately hardened. She moaned running her hands over her body. She ached to touch herself, to get release from the intense arousal building inside her.

Unable to resist the urge, she stood in front of the mirror. Propping her foot up on a small bench, she arranged the material of the dress so she could see. She touched her fingers to the marks on her throat which were nearly healed over then slowly moved her hand downward over her breasts and stomach to her wet pussy.

Within moments she was trembling uncontrollably...fingers moving faster over her swollen clit and delving into her pussy until she shuddered violently and came. Visions of Erik between her thighs, driving his cock into her, filled her mind and she swayed dropping to her knees her fingers still buried inside herself. She looked up and cried out in ecstasy.

Her fangs appeared and her reflection in the mirror faded dramatically. She fell back on the floor writhing and shaking as her orgasm doubled in intensity before finally subsiding. She lay on the floor, her breasts heaving, struggling to grasp what was happening to her.

"Oh God what have I become?" she asked wanting to cry but tears wouldn't come. "Help me...Oh God!" she cried out in anguish.

Jennifer heard her cries and rushed into her room. "Kerstin," she gasped dropping to her knees next to her friend. She wrapped her in her embrace holding her. "I am so sorry...I should have never left you alone with him."

Kerstin clung to Jennifer struggling with the sensations ravaging her body. "Jennifer...help me," she said softly and lowered her head covering her face.

"I wish I knew how," she said tears in her eyes. She stroked Kerstin's hair gently. "I don't know what to do."

Kerstin's body tensed she raised her head. Jennifer drew back as her friend's eyes seemed to glow and her face changed. Kerstin smiled and pulled her friend close, kissing her passionately. Jennifer responded, kissing her back, even though she was terrified.

Struggling against the raw hunger pulsating in her body, Kerstin broke the kiss and pushed Jennifer away from her. "Run...for God's sake," she hissed, fangs bared. "Get out of here. I don't want to kill you."

Jennifer backed away moving toward the door. "I can't leave you...I won't."

Kerstin screamed, "If you don't you will die."

Jennifer ran out of the room and down the staircase. She threw open the massive front door and ran out into the night crying so hard she couldn't see where she was going. She ran straight to a graveyard falling to her knees in front of the wrought iron gates. She knew that she wasn't alone even before he uttered a word.

"There is nowhere to run," Christopher said his voice filled with a deep sadness.

Jennifer looked up at him...he was dressed in black, wrapped with a long cloak, his hair blowing in the wind. He was intoxicating...so beautiful...and she knew it was hopeless to think she could resist what he was.

"Come, please," he said holding his arms out to her. Standing up slowly, Jennifer stepped into his embrace. He gathered her to him and kissed her tenderly. "I hope in time you will learn to accept this life."

Jennifer thought for a moment then looked into his gaze. "I can accept anything as long as you are with me." Christopher smiled kissing her and she melted into his body.

Leading her from the graveyard, Christopher was torn. He wanted her to be his out of choice; he had taken far too many others against their will, in his four centuries of darkness. Jennifer was different...he needed her to love him.

Jennifer longed for him to kiss her again. It was surreal...like a dream, but it was a dream she did not want to wake from.

Christopher opened the door of the cottage guiding her inside. He lit the lanterns casting a soft light around the small room. Jennifer moved toward a large bed turning to face him as she started to undress, her gaze locked on his eyes.

"I am making my choice," she whispered. "I am yours...forever."

"Jennifer," Christopher uttered huskily, his eyes traveling over her beautiful body her pale skin glowing in the light. "Once you choose, you can never go back."

"I choose you...I belong with you," she said reaching out to him.

Christopher closed the distance between them instantly his mouth capturing hers in a kiss that shook them both to the core. His hands slid down her back drawing her tight against him. He let out a low guttural moan deepening the kiss as she opened his shirt, her fingertips caressing his smooth bare chest.

"Christopher," Jennifer gasped as she broke the kiss and sat down on the edge of the bed. She licked his hard flat stomach as he tangled his fingers in her long hair. Freeing his incredibly large cock, she took it between her lips sucking him as she slowly stroked the base with her hands.

Christopher removed the rest of his clothing then gently pushed her back on the bed. His eyes burned like blue fire sending shivers of desire all through her body. His lips captured hers them moved lower to her breasts. He licked and suckled them before returning to her mouth.

"I need you now," he said kissing her.

Jennifer wrapped her fingers around him as he urged her thighs apart and pushed the head of his cock against her tight entrance. With a long slow thrust he entered her and she cried out in ecstasy, her breasts heaving. "Oh," she breathed feeling him deep inside her. "Christopher...yessss," she panted.

Drawing her upper body against his chest, Christopher kissed her shoulder then her throat. He heard the blood pumping through her veins...like the distant echo of thunder. He needed her so badly...wanted her. He felt his control slipping, and closing his eyes, he sank his fangs into tender flesh.

Jennifer cried out in pleasure as she came, her hips rising up off the bed. She whimpered softly, her vision blurring, her climax intensified as she felt the warmth of her blood flowing from her body into him. With a contented sigh she closed her eyes.

Christopher kissed her, his eyes filled with tears. He loved her...she was his now. She had come to him freely and he had taken what she offered willingly. He could only hope she would not regret her choice.

*******

Erik stood in the doorway watching Kerstin as she sat on the floor, staring out the window at the night sky. He knew she needed time to adjust, to come to terms with what he had made her. But he also could not deny his passion for her and his need.

Slowly he crossed the floor toward her. She wouldn't even look at him. He bent down and lifted her into his arms and walked toward the terrace doors. He opened them and carried her outside.

Kerstin stared up at the moon and suddenly it was moving toward her...closer and closer until it was as if she could reach out and touch it. Erik smiled at the light in her eyes.

She turned to look at him and felt the wind in her hair. It was then that she realized they were flying. "Oh Erik!" she gasped in utter joy as the stars swirled around them. She looked down at the earth far below and couldn't help but grab on to him.

"Relax," he whispered. "Let me show you the things we can do that mortals cannot."

Kerstin studied his face for a moment then nodded. Erik smiled.

They stayed out until just a few hours before dawn, and then returned to the terrace. Kerstin was so excited her heart was pounding. She kissed Erik her hands tearing at his clothing. He reached over to a tray on the table that held two silver goblets.

Lifting one, he raised it to his lips and drank then lowered it. His lips were red with blood and without hesitation Kerstin licked the blood from his lips. She closed her eyes as her body suddenly felt stronger. Her pulse racing her face flushed.