Date: Mon, 9 Sep 1996 10:12:47 -0400 From: CandyPAC Subject: Nick and Me (1/6) Nick and Me (1/6) by CandyPAC/MagicPAC Disclaimer: The characters belong to the Forever Knight Series. Tri-Star/Columbia owns them and I just borrowed them. Copyright infringement is not intended. The first time I met Nicholas Knight? Oh that's easy. It was about two years ago. I was just returning from a late dinner and prowl on the town with convention companions. This was our last night in Toronto, and we had stretched it into the early hours of morning. My room wasn't on the same floor, so I said goodnight. "Goodnight Jaime," the two other women mumbled in unison. "Night, Campbell," the lone man of the group added, throwing up a hand and walking on. Their hushed chatter rumbled until they reached the third floor and entered their rooms. Even though it was on the first floor, my room was located inconveniently on the end of the long building. I reached to unlock my door, but remembered that I had left my camera in my rental car. I didn't want to leave it there all night. The car was only fifteen or so feet from the door. It'd only take a second . . . or so I thought. I stuck my head in the car's back door, but I couldn't reach my camera from this side. Just as I slipped into the seat, I heard raised voices. "You're going to die, de Brabant," a voice shouted. Surprise riveted me. I looked though the opposite side window. Two figures stood in the shadows just behind the building. Both looked like men, but I wasn't sure. It was much too dark. "We can talk about this," came a reply in a much calmer voice. "There's nothing to talk about," the first said. The two figures collided. Thankful that the back seat had no overhead light, I eased the door together and waited, afraid to make myself known. They might see me if I returned to my room. But curiosity kept me from ducking down. I just had to see what was going on. An agonized scream sounded out. One of the figures crumpled to the ground. I blinked and the other was gone. But where? He couldn't just disappear. But it looked as if the shadows had just swallowed him. Ten minutes or so passed, but I didn't move. The person on the ground groaned and obviously had been hurt. I couldn't just stay hidden. The person might be dying. Shoving my fear back as best as I could, I slipped out of my car and inched toward the person. A man writhed on the ground. His hands clutched at a protruding object. Very near his heart, he had been stabbed with something long like a broom handle. I glanced around. No one else was in sight. "Stay still," I said. "And I'll call for an ambulance." "No," he said, his voice agonized. "Come here." Don't get help? The man had to be crazed with his pain. "But you'll die!" "Please . . . don't call anyone. Come closer." I stooped beside the man. His eyes were bright even in the dark. Glowing? I couldn't resist them. My heart pounded in my ears. "Take me to your room," he said. "Help me to remove the stake. No harm will come to you." Feeling odd, I blinked. His words seemed hypnotic, compelling me like none I had every heard. "Yeah, sure," I said, glancing away to overcome his eyes' strange attraction. "Look. I'll help you to my room, but I can't get that thing out." He groaned and attempted to get to his feet. I lent a shoulder and helped him up. "My room's right here. Just a few steps." I fumbled with the room key. Daggone lock. Why did they make these so difficult? The lock clicked, but the man's weight pushed down on me. He'd fall before I got him into the room. "Just a few more steps," I said. "If you can make it, the bed will be more comfortable than the floor." Each step seemed like a mile. At the bed's edge, he turned and eased backwards onto it. In the light of the room, I could tell that he had a large wooden stick in him. He had called it a stake and it did look like something out of a vampire movie. Helplessness swamped me. "Listen, mister. You need help. You'll die if you don't get that--." He looked up with determination in his face. His eyes. They looked odd, almost golden. The light in the room had to be playing tricks on me. "You are going to remove it," he said. He had to be kidding or crazed out of his head. "Not a snowball's chance in hell," I said. "Are you running from the police?" "I am the police. Nick Knight, Toronto PD." Looking as if he would pass out, he fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a black leather case. I couldn't even imagine the pain he was going through. I took the case and opened it, displaying his badge. "Well, Detective Knight," I said, sticking it back in his pocket. "You should know more than anyone that you need medical attention. I'm a business consultant, not a . . . doctor." "Look at me," he said. Still leaning over him, I hesitated. He caught my gaze with that hypnotic look that he'd used before. His eyes still looked golden in the light. "Remove the stake," he said. My heartbeat thumped in my head again. I blinked. Was the guy trying to mess with my mind? "Hey look. I don't know what number you're trying to do on me, but it won't work. I can't be hypnotized." Showing his displeasure, he pressed his lips together. Well, what did he expect? Me to pull that thing out as if it was no more than a toothpick? He grabbed my hand. "Please," he said. "You must help me. I can't do this alone." What was with this guy? "Yeah, no joke, but you'll die if I do it. Why won't you go to a hospital?" "It must be done . . . now, while I can still help. The pain." His forehead looked damp with reddish drops. Was he bleeding? I wiped my fingers across the moisture and looked at them. Blood! But were was it coming from? He looked up at me, his eyes boring into me. They didn't look . . . human. The absurdity made my mind whirl. Stake. Hypnotize. Golden eyes. Only fantasy creatures of the night were staked. No! It couldn't be. I had to be dreaming. He grimaced from the pain and his teeth showed. Were they pointed? Thinking back on the fight, I pulled my hand from his and took a step back. The other person had seemed to have vanished. This man was staked close to the heart, and he didn't look . . . normal. "What are you?" I asked. "You don't want to know," he muttered, gritting his teeth. They looked more pointed than before. "Every second you wait, this is killing me, poisoning my body. You must believe that no harm will come to you." Swallowing hard, I mustered up enough courage to step closer. What would he do if I helped? He wasn't even human! He grimaced again, and guilt bombarded me. I couldn't just stand there and let him die. It just wasn't in me to ignore him and his pain. I just had to do what was needed and not think about it. Using two hands on the stick, I pulled. His face contorted, showing his agony. It didn't want to budge. "Put your foot against my chest," he said. Like an awkward child, I balanced on one foot and lifted my other to his chest. He caught my ankle and moved my foot closer to the stake. I nearly fell on him, but I got my balance. The wound hadn't bled much. I had always heard to never remove an object from someone's body. They could bleed to death. But he had insisted. Somehow I knew it was the right thing to do. Two-handed, I grabbed the stake. Using every ounce of strength that I had, I pulled. It came out and I sprawled backwards to the floor. I had expected Detective Knight to scream out, but when got to my knees, I looked over at him. He had stuffed the corner of the pillow in his mouth. Just the thought of his pain made me shiver. I stepped toward him. Blood should have been gushing out, but there wasn't anymore than before. The hard lines in his face softened as the pain subsided. "What do I need to do for you now?" I asked. "Just tell me your name." "Oh . . . uh . . . Jaime Campbell. That's J-a-i-m-e. Most people want to spell it J-a-m-i-e." "Jaime. That's nice. Where are you from?" "Nashville," I said too quickly. But why had he wanted to know? Maybe I should have said New York or Los Angeles, where he'd never find me. "Thank you Jaime." His eyelids twitched. "Let me rest, but stay with me . . . please. And don't let anyone in." He looked exhausted and his weak voice scared me. "Look . . . Detective. Just don't die on me . . . okay?" A faint smile curved his lips. "I'll be fine now." "Yeah . . .sure," I said. If only I could sound so confident. How would I explain a dead man in my bed? How would I explain to the police that I let one of their own die and didn't call for an ambulance? Bone tired, I sat in the chair by the bed, and buried my head into my crossed arms on the table. It'd be a long night . . . what was left of it. Teaser: Will Nick be all right? What will he do about Jaime? She's a resister! Pat *************************************** CandyPAC/MagicPAC The Last Knight never happened. Save Forever Knight. Date: Mon, 9 Sep 1996 10:17:17 -0400 From: CandyPAC Subject: Nick and Me (2/6) Nick and Me (2/6) by CandyPAC/MagicPAC Disclaimer: The characters belong to the Forever Knight Series. Tri-Star/Columbia owns them and I just borrowed them. Copyright infringement is not intended. Detective Knight slept. Steady breathing moved his chest up and down. Impatient, I walked the floor. The phone tempted me. Twice I picked it up and put it down. He seemed to be resting well, but what did I know? He could be taking his last breaths. At least two hours passed since he stirred. I stood by the door. Should I have left? The man wasn't human. All the myths that I had ever heard about stakes played vividly in my mind. Stakes killed vampires, but vampires survived if they were removed. Vampires had fangs, and strange eyes . . . I think. Conclusion . . . if I wasn't crazy, this man was a vampire. I didn't think he had filed his teeth like that to eat steak better. Something about him made me believe that he wouldn't hurt me. But why did I believe it? Doggone if I knew. Maybe his attempt to hypnotize me had gotten through more than I wanted to admit. Bored, I sat in the chair for the tenth or more time. I'd lost count. His eyelids opened, and then his gaze moved toward me. "You're still here." "Yes," I said, keeping my voice quiet. It belied how I felt. Could he hear my heart beating so fast? Could he read my chaotic thoughts? All I knew about vampires was what I read in fiction. Gads! They weren't just fiction! Moving his masculine body in fluid motion, he sat on the side of the bed. "Why didn't you leave?" I met his gaze. "I don't know," I admitted. "Somehow, I didn't think it would matter if I left or not. I figured you could find me. You said that you wouldn't hurt me and I think I believe you." Filled with sadness, his gaze compelled. "You know what I am." I couldn't answer right away. "Yes," I whispered, holding his gaze. "I could have been lying. I could kill you." I swallowed hard. "I suppose you could. Somehow, I don't think you will." He rose swiftly to his feet and turned away. Was he angry? Had I made a mistake in believing that he could be civil? He looked around. "Don't be fooled by this human form. It can be deceptive." "You're wound--." "Is almost healed now," he said. "Thanks to you. For that I'm grateful. Maybe you should have let me die. It might have been safer for you. And the world would have be rid of one more of my kind." His subtle threats confused me. What was he getting at? "Why? Are you a menace to society? I thought you were a cop." "I am." "Are you a good cop?" I asked. He looked surprised and then he studied me before he answered. The harshness left his features. "I think so." He didn't look like a killer. Not that I knew what a killer should look like, but his eyes didn't look hard. His expressions weren't cold. "Do you kill humans to survive?" "Not any more," he said, stepping in front of me. His hand went to my neck, sweeping under my long hair. I let out a squeal. His touch was cool, but not cold, as I suspected it might be. "What you haven't considered is that I'm hungry. Dangerously hungry." Fear tensed every muscle in my body. Had I been a fool and made it easy for him? I swallowed again. "But you wanted me to stay. You said--." "I didn't know I'd be like this," he said. "I should've know, but I wasn't thinking clearly. I'm sorry." Terror bombarded me. I tried to pull away. "Are . . . are you going to . . . kill me?" He wasn't taking his eyes off of me. "Not if I can help myself. But I need your help to keep me civil." I glanced around at the closed curtain. "It's nearly dawn. You can't go out. Can you?" His thumb caressing my vein, he still held my neck. "Not unless you have a big trunk." I half laughed. "Trunk? As in luggage? Or in my car? Sorry, I'm driving a compact car." He smiled. It was a marvelous smile, curving the corners of his full mouth. It relaxed me some. He was a handsome man. Golden blond hair and a clean shave made it hard to believe that he wasn't human. He still held my neck. I clasped my hand on his. "I'll do whatever you need me to do," I said. "I need you to go to my apartment. My . . . supply is there. I need to feed, Jaime. And soon." "I can do that if you release me." Looking embarrassed, he jerked his hand away. "Sorry." I grabbed my purse before he could change his mind and have me for supper. He told me the address, gave directions, and handed me his apartment keys. I grabbed them, without touching his hand, and ran out the door into the early dawn sun. Maybe I should keep on going. Maybe I should leave Toronto and head south to the good ol' USA. I couldn't. What if he attacked and killed someone else? Better that person than me, right? But what if I could prevent it? I couldn't live with myself. I had to try to fill his need . . . and fast. *** Nick's apartment was odd. A loft, he had called it. The huge building seemed empty, except for his apartment. I looked around the dark area. Even the light switch hadn't provided bright light. I could see why he stayed here. Even though he had made his domicile very livable, not many would think that anyone inhabited the old building. In his refrigerator, I found several green bottles, just like he told me. One was open. I had just grabbed it when I heard a voice behind me. "Who are you?" the female said. I startled, nearly dropping the bottle. "You scared me," I said. The attractive woman stared at me. Her long hair hung in reddish-brown curls around her face. She had a hardness in her eyes that made me uneasy. I just hoped it was because I was an intruder. I attempted a laugh, a poor one at that. "You shouldn't sneak up on people that way." "And you didn't answer me." She stepped closer, her gaze knifing into me. "What are you doing in Nick's apartment?" "Running an errand for him," I said, trying to sound light. "He needed me to pick up something for him. I thought I'd raid the refrigerator while I was here." Lying went against my grain, but I couldn't think of anything else to say. She would be able to see right through me. Did she know about Detective Knight? What he was? Not likely. The pretense had to be kept up, even if I was bad at it. "Where is he?" she insisted. The coldness in her gaze had turned to full-blown anger. I tried to collect my wits. Was this another vampire? Would she do the job Nick hadn't done? "Maybe I should ask who you are before I tell you," I said, trying to sound confident. Maybe she was the intruder, not me. "I'm Dr. Lambert. Nick's close friend." "Are you . . . ?" How could I word this and not give him away? "Like . . . him?" Was that relief in her gaze? She exhaled slowly. "You're not if you have to ask that question," she said. "No, I'm not. He's hurt. Isn't he? Where is he?" I blew a breath out, showing my own relief. "He asked me to pick something up for him. He's really needs . . . ." "A drink?" she asked. Anger had left her face, softening her features. "Yes," I said, pulling the bottle into view. "A drink." "I've been trying all night to get him." She sounded frantic and stepped closer. Worry creased her brow. "Please, you have to tell me where he is. I can help him. I've been . . . helping him." "I don't know if I should. How do I know that you're not lying? How do I know that you're not friends with the one who tried to kill him?" She paled, her lips parting with surprise. If she had faked it, she was good. "Someone tried to kill him? Another vam . . . uh . . . like him?" There. She had almost said vampire. She knew. But how much could I trust her? If only people could wear big signs. Trust me. Don't trust me. "Yes," I said. "He was injured last night." "Hey, look," she said. "I understand your reluctance, but I work with him." She rummaged in her purse. "Look here. I have an ID. Nick is on the Toronto PD and I'm a medical examiner." She held up the ID. I took it from her and studied it. The picture matched. "Please." She grabbed my arm. "You have to take me to him. I'm his friend. His doctor, and I may can help him." Desperation filled her face, but it could be a trick. "I'd rather not," I said. "Let me get your telephone number and . . . . and . . . ." "He can reach me here. I won't leave until he calls." "Fine, Dr. . . . uh," "Lambert," she added. "He calls me Nat." "Dr. Lambert. If he knows you, he'll call you." She sounded convincing, but I could be conned. I believed people far too often. I took the bottle and hurried to the door. When I looked back, she watched me. She looked sincerely worried, but I wasn't going to take any chances with his life or mine. I didn't want a vampire mad at me. Teaser: What will Jaime find when she returns to the motel? Could Nick be dangerous? He's hungry and trapped. Pat *************************************** CandyPAC/MagicPAC The Last Knight never happened. Save Forever Knight. Date: Mon, 9 Sep 1996 10:19:49 -0400 From: CandyPAC Subject: Nick and Me (3/6) Nick and Me (3/6) by CandyPAC/MagicPAC Disclaimer: The characters belong to the Forever Knight Series. Tri-Star/Columbia owns them and I just borrowed them. Copyright infringement is not intended. At the motel, I slipped in the door and closed it behind me. Nick had turned off the lights. The drapes were still drawn, leaving the room very dark. He sat against the back wall, where he had moved the chair. Leaned against the back, he looking more relaxed than I thought he would. Just being around him made me nervous. "I'm sorry if I still frighten you," he said. "Yeah, well . . . it can't be helped as long as you're hungry." I moved only a step into the room. "Can I turn on the light?" "Of course. It doesn't bother me. Only the sun." I held the bottle out. "I hope this is okay." He jumped from the chair, giving me a start. In a blur he reached me and took the bottle. A pop sounded as he removed the cork. He drank, deep and long. When he stopped, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and closed his eyes, as if savoring the flavor. He looked over at me. "I'm sorry," he said. "I couldn't wait." "No apology needed, Detective Knight. Better the bottle than me." "You're safe now," he said. "This tames the beast." He took another long drink. I gawked at him. Blood. He was drinking blood. I tried not to think about it. He lowered the bottle and looked around at me. "You didn't have any trouble, did you?' "I don't know," I said. "You had company. She called herself, Dr. Lambert. She was very inquisitive." "Nat," he said, smiling. "She must be frantic. I didn't even tell my partner where I was going last night." I sighed. At least she wasn't an enemy after Nick. "Then she is your friend?" "We're very close," he said. A wave of disappointment crossed me. Why, I didn't know. What was I thinking? That he might be available? He was vampire, for goodness sakes. How could I ever have a second thought? "Then she's your girlfriend?" He laughed. "We're just friends. We have a unique relationship." "Yeah, I'd say unique if she knows about you." "She knows," he said. "Did she say were she'd be?" "At your apartment until you called." He walked around the bed to the phone. After punching in the number, he waited. "Nat. Yeah, I'm all right . . . She's been helping me . . . Jaime Campbell . . . Of course I'm not going to hurt her . . . We'll talk later . . . I'm all right Nat . . . I know you were concerned. Go home and get some sleep. Yeah. I will. Bye." Phew! At least he had a human friend. I can't describe the relief I felt. This still seemed like a dream. But guilt riddled me because I didn't believe her. "Sorry, I wouldn't let her come back with me. I didn't know her from the man in the moon." He flashed that winning smile again. "She'll survive the rejection." He took another drink and sat on the bed. "I want to thank you. I'm afraid I'm not very friendly when I'm hungry. You don't have to fear me now." I sat on opposite him on the other bed. "Dr. Lambert is human. She knows all about you. Do many other humans know?" He frowned. "No. It's not permitted. Nat is the exception." Traveling up my spine like a fire, my anxiety returned. If Nat was the exception, what was the standard? "Then . . . I'm a problem for you." "Yes," he admitted. "I'm not going to hurt you, if you're still concerned. But if I don't bring you across or hypnotize you, you will be in danger from others of my kind." I had already told him that I couldn't be hypnotized, but as ignorant as I was about vampires, I had to ask. "Across what?" His face grew solemn. "Make you a vampire." My stomach did a flip-flop and I jumped up. "But what if I don't want to be?" I blinked and he had moved in front of me, towering above me like a foreboding giant. Oh no! He was going to force me! I just knew it. Before I could move, he caught me in his arms. "I won't hurt you, Jaime. Look at me." I didn't believe him and I fought. He caught my face with his hand and forced my gaze onto his. "Jaime, concentrate. For your own sake, you must forget all of this. Concentrate on my words." Realizing what he was doing, I stopped struggling and met his bright eyes. "Forget this night. Forget you saw me like this. Forget that you know me. Sleep now." I wanted to forget, but my mind fought him. My heart thumped in my ears, pounding like the tones of a bass cello. He repeated the orders and I said them over and over in my thoughts. Forget. Forget. But his memory was etched too deeply in my brain. It wasn't working. "I can't forget," I said in a low voice. His face only inches from my, he stared at me, frustration showing. "You're the strongest resister I've ever seen." Wrapped in his arms, I didn't move. It wouldn't have done any good. "If you mean that I can't be hypnotized, I had already told you when you tried before." "I know," he said. "But I had hoped that I could make you forget if you didn't fight me." He had given only two options, making me forget or bringing me across. Would he force me across? I didn't want to think about it, but I had to know. "What are you going to do with me?" A frown creased his brow. "Nothing," he said and let me go so fast that I almost lost my balance. "As soon as it's dark, I'll leave. I'm sorry for the intrusion." "I'll need to pay for another day," I said. "I was scheduled to leave this morning. If I don't, the cleaning people will come in." He reached for his wallet. "It's on me," he said. I hesitated. I didn't want to take his money. He held out more than enough to cover it, but I shoved it back. "Well, thanks," he said. "I'm in your debt, more ways than one." It only took a few minutes to pay the bill and return. Still concerned about my safety from others of his kind, I sat on the bed across from him. I had too many unanswered questions to ignore the issue. "You say I'm in danger from your kind. What can I do?" "I'm not sure," he said. "While you are in Toronto, I'll protect you the best that I can, but it will be impossible if you return to your home." Confusion bombarded me. "But why am I in danger? How will a vampire know that I know about vampires?" "They shouldn't." He brushed a hand through his blond waves. "Unless you're around another vampire and you give yourself away." "Then that solves it," I said, feeling confident. "I'll never tell. But tell me about yourself. Who is this person who tried to kill you?" Nick pressed his lips together before speaking. "Marcus Follett." "And he's a . . . vampire." Nick nodded. "He was seeking revenge." I waited for him to say more. He owed me an explanation at least, since I had saved him and put myself on a vampire hit list. "I killed his sister, a tavern girl." My stomach turned. "An accident?" I hoped. Why I asked I wasn't sure. He admitted that he had killed before. Did I dare to hope that because he didn't kill me that he wouldn't consciously kill anyone else? "No," he said, staring out into air. A shiver ran up my spin. Not an accident? How complex he was. I had hoped to learn about him, but he confused me. He didn't kill to survive, but he had killed. His statements contradicted each other. "Why did you?" He looked up and the guilt in his face knifed through me. "It was a long time ago and that's what I did. I was a killer. I preyed on humans for their blood." I swallowed hard. He said he WAS a killer. "But you don't now." "I don't kill to feed now." "But how did this man know what had you done?" "He saw me. I didn't know it, until last night. Later, he found another vampire to bring him across and he's been trying to find me for over a hundred and fifty years." "How did you become . . . what you are?" A gentle curve came to his mouth. His smile was contagious "It's a long story." I returned his smile. "Are you going anywhere? I'm not." Teaser: Jaime awakes from a nap to find Nick staring down at her. Is he hungry already? she wonders. Pat *************************************** CandyPAC/MagicPAC The Last Knight never happened. Save Forever Knight. Date: Mon, 9 Sep 1996 10:22:41 -0400 From: CandyPAC Subject: Nick and Me (4/6) Nick and Me (4/6) by CandyPAC/MagicPAC Disclaimer: The characters belong to the Forever Knight Series. Tri-Star/Columbia owns them and I just borrowed them. Copyright infringement is not intended. Several hours and many stories later, I slept. He had told me what he called highlights of his life and about his cross over. The most intriguing part was about his master, LaCroix, and the woman who had influenced him, Jeanette. He fascinated me. I wanted to hear more, but he became tired and laid down. I guess vampires have to sleep in the day, just like the tradition says. When I woke, he stood over me, staring down at me. Enough sun shown around the curtain that I could tell it was still day light. Startled, I sat straight up. "You're not hungry again. Are you?" He laughed. "No. Sorry, I didn't meant to surprise you. I was just watching you sleep." Unable to stand his scrutiny, I blushed. I didn't even have a boyfriend who had ever watched me sleep. "Oh, well. I would think that would be boring." "Not at all," he said. "You're very beautiful." Darn blush. My neck heated even more. I had heard compliments, but his seemed more . . . I don't know . . . intimate maybe? I couldn't answer and sat on the side of the bed. He hadn't moved, and still watched me. Why didn't he just sit down? "Surely you've been told," he said. "Or does what I am make you feel uncomfortable?" "I'm not beautiful," I argued. "And it has nothing to do with what you are. I have to work at my appearance." Feeling very self-conscious, I raked my fingers through my hair. What I would have given for a comb in my hand. I probably didn't even have any makeup left. Not that I needed much, but I was much too pale without it. "My hair isn't even combed." He smiled and sat a couple feet away on the same bed. Dang! He was handsome! His hand reached out to my hair and stroked through it. "True blond. Like corn-silk," he said. "Beautiful." I stiffened when his hand slipped across my shoulder, and he pulled away. I regretted my reaction immediately. I didn't want to be afraid of him. "Sorry," he said. "I don't mean to keep making you nervous." As much as I wanted to deny it, I couldn't. To make up for my foolishness, I reached out to him and touched his face. I had to see for myself what he felt like. Even though I had touched him before, I hadn't thought about it. Now that I knew about him, it was different. His skin felt cool, but not abnormal. His beard had grown, showing a shadow. He didn't move, and didn't speak, allowing my hands to play over his features, studying him like a blind person. My fingers framed his eyes. "You're eyes. They're not . . . . Well, they look normal now." "They only change when I change." He took my hand and placed it on his heart. "I'm not human, Jaime. Nor have I been for over 800 years." He had no heartbeat. My breath caught midstream. My expression must have been funny, because he laughed. "I'm sorry," I said. "I'm fascinated. I mean . . . well. Vampires are suppose to be myths like Dracula." "I wish I could make you forget." Sadness filled his face again. He wished it, but I didn't anymore. Yeah, I know. I had to be crazy. But this is one of those things that doesn't happen to people you know. Like one of those tabloid stories. Alien visits small town USA. My life was so dull, so common place, that this trip to Toronto's business conference was to be the highlight of my entire life. I had never even been out of the country. "I don't know if I want to forget you. You're a very interesting man, Nicholas Knight." Looking surprised, he laughed. "You're a very amazing woman, Jaime Campbell." I shook my head. "Not me. I'm very ordinary." He leaned and kissed my cheek. "Not anymore," he whispered. He didn't scare me this time. Maybe because I was learning so much about him and because he had retained so much of his humanity. I couldn't move. Something in me wanted another kiss and not just a brotherly peck on the cheek. He was a dangerous man. So why did I feel attracted to him? Because I'm a certified fool, that's why. My expression must have shown that I wanted more, because he moved to sit closer to me. He slipped his hand behind by neck and pulled me closer. When he kissed me, I knew that I would never experience another like it. His kiss mesmerized more than anything before. In an instant, he pulled away and jumped up. His eyes had changed. "I shouldn't have done that," he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Sorry." Startled at the sudden change, I stared at him. "Just a kiss makes you . . . ." "Sometimes," he said. "I can't always control it." He walked over to the window. Only a small amount of light filtered in now. He glanced out. "It will be completely dark in a few minutes and I'll leave." "No!" I shouted. His gaze met mine. Had that been me calling out? Now I knew. I didn't want him to go. I had known him only a few hours, but I couldn't just let him walk out of my life. My life would never be the same and I couldn't just cut him out of it and never see him again. I wouldn't call it love that I felt, but I couldn't call it normal. I didn't know what I felt, except a horrible fear of loss. Life without his presence, his knowledge, his very being, would leave a void, one that I didn't want to face. He didn't look at all pleased. "Jaime, you don't know what you're saying." "But I'd like to know you better," I said. "I've got vacation time. I'd like to stay for a while and learn more about you." "It may not be wise," he said. I stepped up behind him and laid my hand on his shoulder. "I'm not afraid, Nick. You could have killed me. But you live and work with humans everyday. That convinces me that you have control." He turned away from me. "It'd be best if you go home and try to forget you ever saw me." I grabbed his arm. "Nick, I can't. I'll never forget you. Please, Nick. Indulge me for just a few days." I couldn't tell him that I never wanted to leave. His eyes glowing, he turned toward me. Goose bumps traveled up my arms. "You want to learn about this? A creature? You have no idea what you're asking. Go home, Jaime. I don't even want to know where you live. Just go!" He grabbed the door and flung it open. In an instant he was gone, vanishing into the long shadows. I stared at the wide empty space. Suddenly the room felt very lonely. I didn't want him to go. Something about him drew me to him. I wanted to be around him, to share his life. I had to be crazy. Why would I be interested in a vampire? *** My bags sat by the door. Nick had been gone no more than an hour, and the darkness of the night made my mood just as bleak. In a few seconds, I would drive to the airport and drop off my rental car. It hadn't been any trouble changing my flight out, especially since I was taking an early morning flight. I reached for the handle, but a knock startled me. Looking through the peephole, I didn't recognize the man who stood outside, but I opened the door. "Going so soon?" the stranger asked. A large man in his early twenties stood just outside. He had dark-brown hair, and was dressed in simple blue jeans and slogan T-shirt. My gaze narrowed on him. "Do I know you?" "No, but I'm an acquaintance of Nicholas de Brabant." I didn't see him move, but he had grabbed me from behind and covered my mouth. His grip squeezed like a vise. I screamed into his hand and clawed at him. "Hush, my dear, if you want to live. If you don't be quiet, I'll be forced to drink your blood now." A vampire! Already one had found me. The young man shoved me out of the door. I fought, but it seemed nothing to him. Because of his bulk, I would have had trouble fighting him anyway. His vampire strength made me feel smaller. He bent his knees and bounded into the air. We were flying! Teaser: Is this Nick's attempted killer? What will he do with Jaime? Pat *************************************** CandyPAC/MagicPAC The Last Knight never happened. Save Forever Knight. Date: Mon, 9 Sep 1996 10:27:44 -0400 From: CandyPAC Subject: Nick and Me (5/6) Nick and Me (5/6) by CandyPAC/MagicPAC Disclaimer: The characters belong to the Forever Knight Series. Tri-Star/Columbia owns them and I just borrowed them. Copyright infringement is not intended. I don't know how long we traveled, this vampire and me. It seemed like a dozen nights. The vampire descended onto the parking lot of a huge, boarded up building. He pulled me though a door into the building, and half carried me up several flights of stairs. In the darkness I couldn't see two feet in front of me, but he didn't seem to need light. I knew what would happen to me. I would die, drained of blood, a dried up corpse, and forgotten in this abandoned building. He didn't cover my mouth now. He didn't have to. No one would hear me, but fear had taken my voice away anyway. He stopped, opened another door and shoved me in. I fell, sprawling to the floor. Dim light filtered though a boarded window. I got up and faced him. "Please forgive the shabby accommodations, my dear Ms . . . ." He chuckled. "Forgive me. In the rush I didn't get your name." "What are you going to do with me?" I asked, not really needing to. He laughed, sounding much saner than he was. "Tell me your name and I'll answer your questions." "Can't you at least turn on a light?" "Oh, yes, I forget these things. You would need light." In seconds a large candle flickered, making the room look huge in the eerie light. The room held a bed, a couple of wooden chairs and storage boxes. "Now. Your name." I straightened my shoulders, trying to look more dignified. "Jaime," I answered quickly. "You tried to kill Nick, didn't you?" He looked smug, and moved toward me by a couple of steps. "I would have succeeded too, if you hadn't interfered. I should kill you just for that." "What rotten luck," I said, trying to sound sarcastic. "Can't stop on the street to help anyone these days." Looking amused, he shrugged. "Rotten luck for you, that's for sure." "What are you going to do with me?" "I haven't decided." He looked much more charming than he was. "It depends on Nicholas de Brabant. He will come for you." "I won't do any good as bait," I argued. "He doesn't know me well enough, besides, he thinks I've gone home." "He'll know very soon, and when he gets my message, he'll try to save you. I hear that it's in his nature. I know he has concern for humans these days. It's a shame that he hasn't always been this way." He laughed, sounding hideous. "Did you know that he wants to be mortal again? To atone for his sins?" "Yes . . . He told me. A very admirable trait. Maybe you should try it." "I don't want to be mortal again. I like what I am." "Goody for you. But what's that got to do with me?" His innocent-looking face turned sinister. "We shall see if you are important." I glanced around. What was I to do? How could I hope to fight against a vampire? I was feeble, much more than I wanted to admit. "Look mister. Nick doesn't know me. We only met last night. I'm nothing to him." He didn't look pleased. "You better hope that you are something to him, Jaime. His coming to your rescue is the only way you'll get out of here alive." He moved toward me. "Enough talk. I'm hungry." Fear riveted through me and I backed away. "No. Don't." "You can't escape me." His face changed right before me. His teeth looked horrible. "If it's any consolation," he said, snarling. "I have control over my feedings, much more than de Brabant does. You will not die now, but I will feed from you." I backed away until the bed stopped me. He grabbed me, pushing me backwards onto it. Screams tore at my throat just before I felt his teeth sink into my neck. I clawed at him, and pounded on his back, but it was useless. I could even hear his gulps. He was drinking my blood! Weakness assailed me. He withdrew his mouth and the world seemed a fog. I wasn't dead. At least I didn't think so, anyway. If I was dead, the nightmare had continued. My tormentor was still here. He rose to his knees and looked down on me. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. "You are extremely low in blood, but you'll not die. I have not drained you so that you can't recover. But you will be too weak to fight the ropes and escape me." He left the bed only for a minute. When he returned, he bound my hands and feet. I tried to rise, but dizziness washed across me, forcing me to lay still. Like a lamb led to the slaughter, all I could do is wait for the end, my end. He left, closing the door with a slam. Oh Nick. Don't be a fool and come. I'm going to die anyway. Soon. Now. I'd never rise from this bed again. *** Time dragged. I must have fallen in and out of sleep or consciousness. At this point I couldn't tell the difference. The door sounded. Someone was here. Marcus? Had he returned to finish me? I looked up into Nick's face. It was filled with worry and relief. "Jaime. You're still alive." "It's a trap Nick. He's . . . ." "Already here," Marcus said behind him. "How prompt Nicholas de Brabant. You really do care for these humans." Nick faced him. "Why are you doing this to her? You're fight is with me. Release her." Marcus laughed. "And she entered the fight when she saved you." "She did the human thing to do," Nick said, his voice angry. "Something you wouldn't understand." I wanted to speak, but the room spun if I moved too quickly. Marcus grinned. "Why would I even want to understand?" he asked. "I have heard of your attempts to become human. Very amusing. You even work a human job. As a cop, no less. How bizarre." "I need to atone for my past sins." Nick's voice sounded pained. "It's the only way I have." "So I've heard." Marcus said, and then laughed out. "And you think that you can atone for hundreds of murders? Do you think God can be so merciful?" "And in your revenge, you've become a murderer yourself?" Nick asked. "What perverse logic is that? How many countless lives have you taken to satisfy your own hunger?" A smug smile creased Marcus' lips. "I would have lived a normal life and died a normal death, if you hadn't killed my sister. The lives I've claimed and will claim can be added to your account. It is because of you that I am what I am." Nick shook his head. "I may be guilty of killing your sister, but I didn't track down a vampire for the sake of vengeance. You're sick, Follett." "And you will die!" Marcus screamed out. Like a football player, he barged at Nick. They locked onto each other, arm in arm. I lay helpless, too weak to move even to save my own life. I watched, even though I felt like keeping my eyes closed. When Nick turned, his fangs were bared. Marcus growled like an animal and shoved Nick backwards. Nick nearly fell, but stayed on his feet. Oh Nick! What if he died? I would die too. Marcus slammed a chair against the wall and broke it. He headed at Nick with a chair leg. Nick dodged each thrust, making Marcus scream out in fury. Nick's leg went out and swept Marcus off his feet. Marcus sprawled to the floor. His head thudded against the baseboard. Moving sluggishly, he rose. Nick ripped the rest of the chair apart, pulling off another leg. Just as Marcus turned, Nick rammed the jagged chair leg though Marcus' heart. If I hadn't been so weak, I would have thrown up. Marcus' horrible scream died way and he stilled. His body vibrated and then he disappeared. If I didn't know better, I would have thought I was crazy. Nick came over to me and gathered me into his arm. He touched my neck. "Jaime . . . I . . . " "He said I wouldn't die," I said. "But I think I am." I could hardly speak. "I need to get you to the hospital," he said. "You will be all right." "But you're not sure." "You're still conscious." "I don't want to die," I whispered. He started to untie me. "Bring me across, Nick." He stopped and stared at me. "I won't do it. With a transfusion, you should be all right." "Nick. Please. I saved your life. Now save mine." "You're not dying," he argued. "You don't know what you're asking." "Yes I do. To live like you, near you." "And fight the constant urge to kill?" "If I have to," I said, trying to make my voice stronger. "What would you tell the hospital? What would you do, just dump me? Leave me alone to answer questions that I don't know how to answer?" "No. I'd stay with you." That wasn't enough. "You said I was in danger. How many others must I fear? How long before another finds me and kills me?" He picked me up. I thought he had refused. "No . . . Nick. Please don't let me live in fear from your kind for the rest of my life." My last plea must have touched him, because he laid me back down. He leaned over me, fangs extended and golden-eyed. He bit into me. I thought he would finish the job Marcus started. Darkness swept me away. I sank deeper and deeper into it. Teaser: Has Nick killed Jaime? Has he heaped more guilt on himself, adding to the list that never seems to end? Pat *************************************** CandyPAC/MagicPAC The Last Knight never happened. Save Forever Knight. Date: Mon, 9 Sep 1996 10:30:43 -0400 From: CandyPAC Subject: Nick and Me (6/6) Nick and Me (6/6) by CandyPAC/MagicPAC Disclaimer: The characters belong to the Forever Knight Series. Tri-Star/Columbia owns them and I just borrowed them. Copyright infringement is not intended. Sometime later, I woke up. The room was dark, and the bed was soft. The smells I didn't recognize . . . except for Nick. He was here . . . wherever here was. "Where am I?" I asked. "In the loft," he said. He leaned over me and kissed my forehead. "Welcome back." Everything looked strange. Even in the dark, I could see. Sounds came to my ears from outside the room. A stereo played somewhere. "You did it, didn't you?" He frowned and wore guilt like a banner across his face. "Yes. I hope that you don't hate me later." "Do I have to fear the others of . . . our kind?" "No, but you have to fear discovery by humans. Even vampires have rules. Vampires are kept in line by the enforcers." Enforcers? Was this something new? No doubt I had a lot to learn about myself and my new life. "I'm ravenous." He reached over to the night-stand and picked up a bottle. "This is cow's blood. Drink it and you won't crave human blood." Human? I knew Nick didn't drink human blood, but that was because he was trying to atone. During our earlier talk, he had told me of those that lived totally off of animal blood, becoming more like the animal everyday. He had admitted that he couldn't resist human blood completely. "But won't that make me different than you?" He pulled the bottle away. "Yes, but you don't want to crave humans. You might not be able to control it." Thirst raged in me. It burned in me like an unquenchable fire, but I didn't want to satisfy it with just anything. "Will this give me the same satisfaction?" He shook his head. "No, but . . . ." My teeth had grown. A swipe of my tongue and I felt my new fangs. I was so hungry that I was ready to jump at Nick. "If you have human, give it to me. Give me what you would rather drink. For my first time, I want to experience all that I can experience." He still looked reluctant. "Nick, I won't kill humans. If you can control it, I can control it." "You don't know that!" he snapped. "Then you will teach me. You said that your master always brought you some to tease you with it. Give it to me!" Did the hunger make me so unnaturally demanding? I embarrassed myself by shouting. He looked peeved, but he rose and left. He came back with another bottle. I grabbed the bottle and drank in greedy gulps, nearly finishing it before I stopped. It still amazed me. I was drinking blood. I would never eat. I grinned and looked up at Nick. I'd never have to diet again. Marvelous! The smell of the blood must have effected Nick, because he took the bottle and drank several swallows. The temptation must have been too much. Could cow's blood be so enthralling? They were mindless creatures. This was a man's blood, young. He hadn't been killed, because his last thoughts had been fear of a needle in the blood bank. Talented, he could play a violin and I felt like I could too. His thoughts filled my mind, filling my brain with marvelous sensations. Nick was right. The craving would be difficult to overcome. Had I made a mistake? "Are you satisfied?" Nick's voice showed his disapproval. I grinned. "Does this make you my master?" "Yes." "Just like this LaCroix is your master." "Just like I am," came a voice not far away. I looked up into the face of a tall man with short white-blond hair. I sat up, studying him. He looked stern, unrelenting. Did I have anything to fear from him? "Good evening," he said. "I believe introductions and explanations are necessary, Nicholas." Nick held my hand and eased onto the bed beside me. "This is Jaime Campbell. She saved my life and I saved hers . . . from another of our kind. She's a resister." LaCroix lifted an eyebrow. "I see. And who was this rogue vampire?" "Marcus Follett," Nick said. "I only learned of him last night." "Follett," LaCroix said, looking thoughtful. "I have heard of him. He had a score to settle with you, I believe." Nick looked angry. "You knew, but you didn't warn me?" "Warn you?" LaCroix looked amused. "Indeed Nicholas. What would you have done? Run away like a frightened rabbit? You are much too old to fear these fledglings. As usual, I had more confidence in you than you had in yourself." Nick shook his head. "It doesn't matter. He's dead, but he almost killed Jaime and me." LaCroix lifted an eyebrow. "Really. I must say that I'm surprised. Well . . . at least you dispensed the rogue. The enforcers weren't too pleased with him, anyway. You may have won their appreciation by doing them a favor. And you did the right thing by her . . . for a change. Congratulations on acquiring a daughter." LaCroix stepped closer, eyeing me. "Well. Our family seems to be growing." The master vampire made me nervous. Each move of his body seemed so overpowering. He walked over and picked up the bottle I had been drinking from. He looked pleased, and drank the last drop from it. "Nicholas, I am surprised." "It wasn't my idea," Nick said. "To be sure," LaCroix said. "Don't worry, my dear. You have nothing to fear from me. You are my granddaughter, and I would like you near. It would be best if you stay within our little community." I looked up at Nick. Stay here? Live here? I had hoped, but I hadn't thought about that since my cross over. "Well, that's no problem. I have no family and my work bores me. The move to Toronto shouldn't be too difficult." The master vampire actually smiled. Maybe first impressions were wrong. "Very good. Nicholas will help you get settled in." With that, he looked up and vanished. "Whew!" Nick said. "At least LaCroix is not angry." "Thank you, Nick," I said. "What did he mean you did the enforcers a favor? Don't you need to explain to me about them." He shifted on the bed, meeting my gaze. "The enforcers are our law keepers. They make sure we stay in line. To kill needlessly will incur their wrath. If the enforcers had found out about me letting you live, they may have been after us both. They're not too happy with me now, because I seek my humanity. LaCroix meant that I might have gained a few points with them." I took his hand and squeezed it. "Then I'm glad you brought me across, for both our sakes. You won't regret this." He leaned and kissed me. "I hope not," he said, whispering close to my ear. "But I've heard that before." Content, I smiled. Hum. I circled his neck and drew him down, kissing him passionately. I felt a rush. My hunger, although not as strong, stirred. But my passion stirred, bounding equally strong. This could be good. Pat *************************************** CandyPAC/MagicPAC The Last Knight never happened. Save Forever Knight.