Philyra Eileyah Duskdream

Chapter One

A small sigh left her lips as she put her hand beneath her chin, remembering the handsome stranger, who introduced himself as Harry Duskdream. Absentmindedly, she licked her lips, the soft pink becoming shiny with saliva. Swiftly standing, she gracefully crossed the room, opening her bedroom doors. As she went down the steps, she heard a bloodcurdling scream. Her mother!

Hazel eyes widening, Angel lifted her skirts and ran to the parlor, to see a strange person holding her mother with a knife to her throat. She stopped, and dared not to go closer. From her standpoint, they could not see her, and she remained hidden from view. Her curiosity was picked at when she heard the stranger say in a deep and evil voice, “Damn, flesh eater.”

Feeling like this was her cue, she pushed the door open and watched as her father stood, seeming as still as a statue. His gaze went from his wife to his daughter, a look of fear shining in his eyes. “Angel,” he began with a choked sob. “Please, leave.”

As her mouth opened to reply, the stranger said, “No. The girl stays. She needs to know what kind of monster her parents are.” His cold, ice blue eyes stared at her, chilling her to the bone. “Alright, little girl. Seems your parents are too scared to tell you the truth.” Calculating and stony, his eyes made her feel like she was paralyzed; her feet were rooted to the spot, the man’s alluring tone keeping her planted on the spot.

The bright lighting of the room grew dark all of a sudden, and Angel felt a tingling on her back. There was a slight uneasy feeling in her stomach, but she ignored it and replied with a surprisingly strong and clear voice, “What truth? My parents tell me everything I need to know.” Blood began rushing into her heart, making her heartbeat flutter erratically, wondering what secret her parents have possible kept from her.

A sadistic laugh bellowed out of the towering assailant, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. “You think they told you everything?” he asked in his deep baritone voice. Visibly, his grip on her mother tightened, and Angel saw her mother’s face as tears rolled down her cheeks silently. A lump formed in her throat, but she kept her composure as she stood tall, her chin up. Being brave for her mother was the best she could do. Not once did the strange person cease laughing. The accoster’s ice blue eyes stared at her with such intensity, as if he was trying to make her feel small. Unfortunately for Angel, it was working.

“They have told you nothing, young child.” he said to her. “Your parents have been banned from the world of night, because they refused their heritage. They are flesh-eating creatures, suck on the blood and chew on the raw flesh.” At these words came a smile, showing his sharp canines, and making Angel emit a gasp. “Yes, my dear child. I am a vampire. A bloodsucker. A creature of the undead. And you are a shape shifter. Your dear mother and father have not allowed you to know, because they are ashamed. Those of the night should be proud, but your loved ones here, betrayed us.” The stranger’s evil crooked smile gave his words such vice, that Angel flinched.

This couldn’t be right. Vampires and shape shifters? They were only fairy tale creatures, weren’t they? Angel’s small face scrunched up in confusion and she had a glimpse of the black fabric of the vampire’s suit flutter as he moved. With a fluid grace, he let go of her mother, and took her hand. His skin was freezing, just like his eyes. Looking behind the assailant’s shoulder, Angel watched her mother bite her nails and being comforted by her father. Before Angel knew what was happening, the vampire held the blade under her own chin.

“So, little girl,” he began with a smile. “Someone has to die today. Will it be you, or your dear parents?”

Tears burned her eyes and she gulped, ready to sacrifice herself, when her mother yelled, running at the stranger like a crazy woman. “Don’t you touch my daughter! She has done nothing!” Her mother began beating the man with her fists, but her attempts were futile. He had greater strength, and a knife; a lethal combination. The knife went right through her chest, blood dripping everywhere.

There was a scream, and Angel realized it was her own when she found herself kneeling next to her mother, covering her body with her mother’s blood. The dead woman’s eyes were open, as if in shock, and her mouth was open as well, a drop of blood seeping from the side. With a yelp, Angel’s father jumped into action, trying to wrestle the knife away from the killer. Swift movements, and the strange vampire pushed her father to the ground, collapsing on top of him. His fangs sunk into the man’s flesh deeply, and where her father was bitten, she saw smoke rising. An alien-like shout escaped his lips before the sounds stopped abruptly.

In shock, Angel stood up and ran outside, screaming and crying. Blood was covering her body from head to foot. No one was in sight, and her body shook in convulsions before she fell to the ground in a heap, unconscious. The shock was too much, and Angel had had an underlying hunger and thirst when the scent of blood and dead flesh hit her nostrils. As Angel was in her deep slumber, a mark slowly appeared on her back. A black raven in flight with blood-red eyes with “Puissance, Beauté, Intelligence” written over it. Unaware of it, however, she had happy dreams of Harry and her parents…

When Angel’s eyes were open, she blinked because there was a bright light shining in her vision. As her eyesight returned to normal, she slowly sat up and looked around, wondering where she was and what happened. The walls were made of wood, and she wondered what kind of house was made in wood on this day in age. There was an emptiness in her soul, and she didn’t realize why until the memory came flooding back to her. Tears began welling up in her eyes and she heard a strong voice nearby; one she recognized but wasn’t sure where she heard it.

“How are you feeling?” the voice asked. A good looking man walked next to her, and she immediately knew who he was. Harry Duskdream…

The room began to spin, and she lay back down, keeping her eyes up towards the ceiling. “A little dizzy.” she croaked. A hand flew to her throat when she heard the way she was speaking.

His smile was gentle and caring, and he put his hand to her head, his skin was ice cold. “Is that better?” he asked her softly. The coolness felt good on her throbbing head.

“Yes, thank you.” After a brief pause, she looked up at him and asked, “What happened?” His returning look wasn’t pleasing, but she had to know. He ran his fingers through jet-black hair and looked at her with emotion in his black eyes. A sigh escaped his lips in increments.

“Dymitri Yavanol killed your parents. As I was walking to your residence, I discovered you passed out and covered in blood.” A pale hand wiped his face slowly as he continued watching her. “And now, thanks to Dymitri, you know who and what you are.”

Hesitance in Angel’s next words seemed to stand out. “What, I am? You mean the vampire and shape shifting things are true?” Usually, her voice was clear. As she said this, however, her words were mumbled.

Luckily for Harry, he was a pure blood vampire. That had been the only way he was able to rescue Angel. His deliberate speech was purposeful. Jaw set, he continued, “Yes, m’lady. They are true. You are Angel Night, Princess of the Dark.”

A lump formed in her throat. “P-princess? I’m a princess?”

“Yes.” Came the answer. “Miss Angel--” Before he could finish, Angel interrupted him.

“Please. Call me Kendra from now on. I really don’t want to be called by my given name. It is too painful.” The tears that appeared in her eyes quickly vanished. Her hands were trembling, and with a soft smile, Harry bent on one knee and steadied her shaking hands.

“Okay, Miss Kendra. May I see your bare back?” he asked suddenly.

Blinking with surprise, she asked, “Now why would you want to do that?”

Harry’s deep black eyes penetrated her own hazel eyes. “I would like to see your make.” A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “That is, unless you do not trust me.” One hand rested on his hip as he awaited her answer.

With a gulp, she lowered her legs and stood. Bones feeling like rubber, she reached behind her and unzipped her dress. As it was falling, she took a deep breath before asking, “I have a mark? What for?”

Untying her corset with shaky fingers, she turned to face him. “Yes. All shape shifters have a mark. Since you didn’t know your heritage, it probably just appeared.” When her chest was uncovered, his mouth opened in an O, and she blushed. Angel turned to allow him to see her back.

Forcing himself out of his trance, Harry went closer to Angel, tracing the tattoo-like mark. “It’s beautiful.” he whispered. His gaze went up to her golden bun. Slowly, he picked the pins out, letting the waves tumble down. Very slowly, she turned, her eyes sparkling with emotion. It took everything in Harry not to bend down and bite her; to taste the sweet blood. Unfortunately, it would kill her.

Desire began pulsing through his body. He wanted her, and wanted her now. Grabbing her by the waist, he pulled her close until her breasts were touching his chest, and pressed his lips to hers. Hastily responsive, her fingers fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. Harry helped her and threw it to the ground. Kendra let her hands roam the taut muscles. For a moment, Harry broke off the kiss. He gazed into Kendra’s eyes, and they shone with love.

Scooping her up, he laid her down on his bed, and kissed her body. Although neither knew it as they made love, they both were in love with the other…

More to come!