Secrets of Eden

The car came to a steady halt awaking Angela from her deep sleep in the back seat. She sat up straitening her neck wincing at the pain; she stretched as best she could in the small car making a small noise as her joints popped. She yawned and rubbed her large ice blue eyes until she saw spots. A mess of long black hair fell into her face and around her shoulders, she vaugly thought of combing the large mess of hair as much as she thought how much she anticipated the thought of home. Her home, her bed, room; with sleep quickly leaving her system she caught sight of the palace like estate outside her window and her legs began to itch wanting to jump out of the car. It had been such a long time since she had been home, a whole 150 years to be exact; it was always a wonderful feeling to be home.

“What time is it?” She asked finding her voice hearing it crack still with sleep. Outside the window she heard the familiar snarls and growls and a part of her sighed making it that much harder not to slam open the door and jump out.

“Just before dawn,” Next to her a man’s voice was smooth and cold, obvious annoyance rang at the tip of his words sending warning signals up Angela’s spine and she calmed her obvious excitement.

She looked over at the man noticing his pale face was deathly paler then usual, his hair wiry and worn from the trip and probably very hungry too. She opened her mouth to say something but her door opened surprising her.

“Welcome home Ms. Angela,” A hand met her face and she grabbed it with her own using it as leverage to get out of the old car. Her sneakers hit the cold ground and wind hit her face, she shivered pulling her sweater tighter around her, the long hours in the car made her completely forget how cold it really was outside.

“Are our rooms ready?” The man spoke again appearing next to her. She felt a protective arm on her elbow and she didn’t look up to him. The fearful expression on the driver was enough for her.

“Yes sir, Mr. Gabriel, everything has been prepared to you’re specification sir.” The driver said bowing his head of gray hair shakily.

“Has my brother arrived?” Gabriel asked his voice never leaving that cold dark tone.

“Not yet sir, but I believe Ms. Myra is on her way sir.”

“Very well,” Gabriel’s tone was short. “Inform me the moment someone arrives, come Angela.”
He pulled Angela by the elbow as he began walking to the large ominous looking double doors of the castle like building. He turned back around before they entered.

“Please see to it Angela’s meal is being prepared, and make sure the servants have turned down her room I’m sure she is exhausted from the trip.”

“Yes sir.” The gray haired driver bowed again and before Angela could take a breath they were inside the some what warmer castle the door shut tight behind them. She tried not to obviously shiver against Gabriel as he seemed to be unaffected by any temperature in the human world.

“Odd Marcus has not arrived.” Gabriel said into the dark but she knew he was addressing her.

“Yes it is,” She agreed unable to keep an almost violent shiver run through her body. “I did not feel him on our journey, he must be far behind.” She felt him tighten his old on her, a strange instinct of his after their years together.

“Expected I suppose,” Gabriel said stepping away from her examining the upkeep of the castle. “He was in Germany this past few years I’m sure he got held up.”

Angela swore she heard wind howling somewhere close by along with a familiar clattering sound coming closer to them. As he continued to survey the upkeep Angela’s attention turned to the now thundering noise headed their way. Her heart leapt and a smile brightened her face as she turned her head to the east corridor just in time to see two very large dogs running their way. One black and one white, both the equivalent size of a wild wolf and all the muscle and power of one as well. Angela however, bent her small form to her knees as the beasts got closer stretching out her arms. The beasts stopped short on reaching her before attacking her gracefully beautiful face with their very pink wet tongues. Angela giggled hugging and petting each of them, obvious glee on her face.

“Oh you good dogs you!” She said her voice high and playful.

“They have been well kept.” Gabriel said above her as the two dogs respectfully licked his hand before he went to scratch their ears. She could feel his gaze on her but as she had taught herself to do; she ignored it as best she could. Gabriel liked to stare at her, for one reason or another.

“They missed us.” Angela said going for the white dog again. “I missed you to Tasha!” She then reached for the back one. “Were you good to Tasha, Leon?”

In response the black dog dubbed Leon licked her face and she giggled again.

“Come Angela, I am tired.” Gabriel said beginning to walk and Angela followed a step behind him, the dog’s one step behind her.

Gabriel walked briskly through the large foyer and up the stone steps and to the right as he split at the top of the stares. They walked a long dark hallway which was surprisingly still drafty considering the heat down stares. They walked in silence until they reached the end of the hall and a very large double door of dark wood staring back at them. Gabriel opened the doors entering first, Angela behind him and the dogs running to their vacant beds near the entrance. It seemed they missed this room, the master’s room.

The marble floor was black with white cracks in it from age only adding to its beauty. The floor looked cold and Angela swore she felt it through her the soles of her sneakers. Away from her Gabriel went around the room turning on the lights and lamps eliminating the dark and ancient looking furniture from the dark love seat by the large window to the king sized four poster bed lying in wait in the middle of the room at the top of more steps. He went to the window drawing the dark black curtains down over the window before the morning dawn could peek through. He then went to the fire place adjacent from the bed and put three logs in; grabbing a long match near his foot he lit them.

“Come on.” He said not looking at her making his way to the bathroom and Angela followed obediently with out a word.

Gabriel’s bathroom was the grandest in the house, which was always some what ironic in Angela’s head. Despite the indoor pool of a bathtub he had, he really had no other use for it. The black marble continued into the bathroom making it look much to dark for a bathroom but it also fit Gabriel, something dark and almost dangerous looking. The water was already filled in the tub with steam hovering just above the water line.

“Undress,” He said with out looking at her near the other end of the bathroom getting materials ready.

Angela moved with out thought taking off her sweater and shirt along with her jeans and shoes. She stripped off her socks trying not to wince at the cold floor under her bare feet but she heard Gabriel chuckled near her.

“The floor should be warmer by tomorrow.” He said suddenly standing behind her his cold hands on her bare stomach making her suck in a breath. “I forget you can still feel the cold.” He said a strange bit of humor in his voice.

“Funny how you can forget,” Angela said as his finger trailed her neck and down her shoulder taking a bra strap with it.

His hands went to her back unclipping her white cotton bra, and then to her hips snaking down her white cotton panties until she stepped out of them. She stood completely naked in front of him in the cold black cracked marble bathroom. Her face was as empty as the stone she stood on a she stared at her, his hands on her skin only making her close her eyes at the stiff coldness of his skin.

“Undress me.” He said dark and low in her ear, and she did.

Her slender finger removed his shirt reveling his perfect porcelain, unmarked skin underneath; a body muscular and lean in every perfect way, a true beauty in its most perfect form. Her hands went to his pants unbuttoning them letting them fall to his ankles along with his underwear soon after.

With an unsaid command she took his hands in hers leading him to the heated pool. She stepped in first still holding his hand sighing at the wonderful warm water on her cold feet and skin. He followed smiling darkly down at her when her blue eyes met his of dark onyx. The water stopped just above her waist, she wanted to dunk herself completely, savor in the warmth of the water on her cold and tired body but she waited. She waited until he sat and motioned for her to sit between his legs her back to his chest. She sighed when the water touched the rest of her skin and she heard him chuckle, she knew he loved her noises.

As she sat silently her back to him she felt his hand take her thick dark hair now half soaking wet from the water, pushing it aside giving him a full view of her neck. He bent down licking her neck from her shoulder to her ear and she shivered at his warm breath. She wanted to laugh at her self, she was supposed to get used to this, but really even after over a hundred years could you really get used to something so intimate and taboo?

Suddenly she felt the sharp points of his teeth graze her skin and she sucked in a breath. His hands grabbed hers and she squeezed them tightly giving him a sign she was prepared. He bit her. She felt the pain of his teeth breaking her skin, his tongue dancing over exposed wound licking up the warm liquid as it spilled out. She hiked her breath trying not to move until he was finished, and finished he was in a short amount of time. Soon the wound did not ache at all and she knew it would only be a few days until there wasn’t even a scare in its place. She felt a warm confident breath at her ear and she relaxed in his arms. As deadly as this creature could be she knew he would never mean to kill her, he would not live without her.

“Bathe me.” He commanded into her ear and Angel preformed with out hesitation.

Grabbing the sponge close by she dunked it in the warm water now smelling of sweet fragrances she hadn’t noticed before. Once the sponge was heavy with water, she hovered it over his shoulder pouring out the water, he watched her intensely in every move she made. She almost shivered all over again. She was about to bring the newly filling sponge to his head when he spoke to her.

“Angela,” He said softly making her stop with his tone. She didn’t ask she only looked at him obediently.

“I have a proposition to ask of you.” He said and a smile quirked her full lips.

“A proposition? Really Gabriel, after all this time you and I both know there is no such thing.” He met her eyes with an amused expression and continued.

“Eden is different then it was almost two hundred years ago. I need you to go in town tomorrow, bring back anything you might feel is interesting for me or the rest of us.”

“Is there something specific I am looking for?”

“I trust you,” He said his hands going around her bare waist pulling her close, his tounge licked her flat stomach giving her butterflies. She sighed at his touch and before she blinked he had her on her back against the side of the large tub.

The sponge forgotten Angela put her hands on his shoulders as he touched her body. She felt his large hands run over her shoulders, her breast, stomach, hips, legs and calves. She saw him lift her legs around his waist with an almost dangerous smirk on his face and she knew her own clouded with lust. She gripped the edge of the tub only a moment before she felt all of him thrust almost painfully inside her.

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She went to her own room dressed in an elegant black robe and slippers to keep her feet warm. Behind her Tasha and Leon followed closely keeping a watchful eye for anything they would see as a threat. Her room was not the biggest but was still very lavished considering she wasn’t a blood drinker like the others. She hadn’t seen it in 150 years, she was surprised how kept up it was. Gabriel was right, the place was well cared for.

Her bedroom set of her own four poster bed, heavy red wood furniture and a Victorian vanity was perhaps a hundred years out of style but it was hers just as she remembered it. The heavy green and gold sheet set and comforts with seven pillows was not stiff or moth smelling as she expected when she sat on her old bed. The lamp was still on her nightstand along with the book she had been reading the last time she was here, she picked up the French titled book and for the life of her cold not remember what it was about. She set the book down and sighed, she was home again.

She saw the beginning of sunlight drift there her large windows. She curled her knees up to her chest on the bed staring out. She should get supplies ready for those who weren’t of the undead race living in the large castle, but she was awfully tired. There was a knock on her door and whoever was there waited until she got off her large bed to answer it.

“Ms. Angela.” Said a pretty girl dressed in the drag gray and black uniform.
“Yes?”

“Breakfast ma’am, Mr. Gabriel requested it ready for you by sunrise.”
“Yes thank you…what is you’re name?”

“Sophie.” The girl said not making eye contact; did she think Angela was one of them? That was odd, she surely didn’t look like one of them.

“Sophie,” Angela said and smiled at the scared girl. “Do not be afraid of me Sophie I am not one of them.”

“Ma’am?” Sophie said her wide brown eyes looking confused, but Angela didn’t want to explain she was sure the girl would figure it out on her own eventually.

“Good day Sophie, please see to it I am not disturbed.”

“Yes Ma’am.” Sophie bowed and was on her way before Angela closed the door balancing the tray of fruits and nuts in her free hand.

Not feeling an appetite she put the tray by the table in her sitting area and went back to her window. Looking out she the dawn beginning to turn into morning. The dark hills were getting light from the east showing the beginning of a cold autumn with possible snow on the tops of the mountains surrounding her home. She heard the dogs begin to bark and snarl as a car crept up the iron gates and the servants opened them. When the car was parked in the front of the back door slammed opened and a small figure with a head of blonde hair bolted out. A pair of intense eyes met hers through the window and Angela felt an uncomfortable shiver run through her body. She knew it was coming, she knew everyone would be under the same roof again, she had been preparing for it, but really who could prepare for living with a castle full of old as sin vampires?

She grabbed the curtains from each side of the large windows drawing them closed. Instantly the large room got dark the mix of the long travel and her time with Gabriel had finally caught up with her tired body. Suddenly feeling heavy she went to her bed tying her robe tighter around throwing back the heavy blankets. Both Leon and Tasha jumped on her bed taking their usual spots she reached over petting Tasha before letting her self fall off to sleep.

Her sleep was deep and undisturbed just as she had asked. When she woke up both her friends were still on her bed sleeping comfortably probably too happy to see her finally home. She didn’t understand why Gabriel had the dogs sent before them with all their luggage since they were meant to protect her. Then again she didn’t understand a lot of what Gabriel did though she was never allowed to ask anyway.

Still a bit groggy she sat up in her dark room. She didn’t know what time it was, she asked not to be disturbed but it couldn’t be evening Gabriel would have woken her up if it was. It must have been sometime in the afternoon; meaning she and the servants would be the only ones running through the house at this hour.

At the sound of her stomach grumbling she got out of bed walking zombie like to her too big walk in closet. As far as she remembered the weather was getting colder this time of year so she was not surprised when her winter wardrobe was set out in her closet from her jackets to her boots and hats. In the back of the closet stood a large mirror and her very impressive jewelry collection from around the world and through time. She was a fan of silver but being where she was it was banned in the house replaced with white gold as a satisfying substitute. White gold bracelets, earrings, and necklaces encrusted with priceless jewels welcomed her. Her position certainly had its number of perks

Standing in the closet it took her a long time to pick out a pair of jeans and a suitable top for her day in the town. It hadn’t taken her as long as she thought to always come around to new styles, and she had to admit that over time showing her body was becoming very easy. A pair of Italian leather boots completed her ensemble as she made her way to comb out her hair and apply her make up. In the room Leon and Tasha woke up knowing she was getting ready to leave they stood ready at the door.

“Just a quick look in town guys,” she said to them with a smile as she applied her lip-gloss. Giving her self one last vain look in the mirror she tossed up her hair, grabbed her bag, and quickly left the room.

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Alexander spent his fifth day in Eden begging to loose hope. He had followed all the clues and went over them every night in a different city making sure he was on the right track. It took him the better half of five years but he managed to get here, here were the clues stopped. Eden.
“Here you go.” A red headed waitress with amazingly blue eyes and pale skin smiled as she handed him a cup of hot coffee, he was surprised at her English.

“Thank you.” He said smiling at her taking to notice she smiled a moment to long again. It was his fifth day here, his fifth time sitting at this small little table in the out door café under the fresh morning going over his notes.

“Yes?” He asked again when he noticed she hadn’t left.

“I was just wondering what you were working on?” She asked leaning over and he was amused how bold she was, then again he had noticed most of the residents of this town were very friendly some even to an almost frightening point.

“Just a little…something I was working on and seem to come to a dead end.”

“Like a story? Are you a writer? I’ve heard a lot of writers go to those chain café’s to write.”

“No I’m not a writer…” He looked up at her blue eyes again and smiled.

“Maybe you could help me.”

“Oh sure,” She said brightly taking a seat. “Or at least I can try right.”

“Yeah, okay so I’m looking for this guy. His name is Gabriel.”

“What’s his last name?” The girl asked.

“Well the funny thing is I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” She tilted her head. “You’re trying to find someone and you don’t even know his last name? What kind of detective are you?”

“Oh I’m not a detective,”

“Then what are you?”

“That’s a personal question,” He mused. “I don’t even know you’re name.”

“I’m Jackie.” She smiled.

“Alexander.”

“Alexander,” She repeated. “Who is this Gabriel and why are you looking for him? Or is that too personal to ask too?”

“He’s a…well, he’s sort of knowledgeable with the occult. My note’s have lead me here but for the life of me I can’t figure out why, not the kind of place I’d think of something like him living in.”

Jackie didn’t say anything but something flickered in her face.

“Good luck Alexander, I should get back to work.” She got up and hastily left.

Alexander went back to his coffee dismissing Jackie’s abrupt departure. He finished his coffee leaving the money and a tip and left the café. It was late afternoon and even though it was only his second day it he got the feeling he was at another dead end or another hoax.

He was walking out when something very peculiar caught his attention. It wasn’t just the two large dogs walking off a leash in the middle of town, but rather the small framed girl with the two dogs walking in the middle of town with out a leash. He was not the only one who noticed and it seemed the girl either didn’t care or didn’t notice.

As he admired the sight a memory flicked in his head; a memory of an old and almost silly legend of large dogs. Large dogs like that of wolves always keeping a close eye on their kind. Always found where they were, always protecting their eternal masters.

Alexander did not want to jump to conclusions but it was hard to ignore the legends he had read late at night and what he saw before him. There was no way those beasts were domestic animals, nor was it possible or even fathomable to believe such a small girl could control them on her own.

She got closer to him stopping short at one of the street venders who eyed her almost fearfully. He saw she was a beauty, breath taking even. Her hair was black as midnight, long and flowing down to her waist, her skin was like ivory and just as flawless. Even from as far as he was he saw the radiant ice blue of her eyes, and when she glanced his way something in his chest skipped.

She purchased something at the vender getting a small back and handing it to the white dog who took it obediently in its mouth as she walked on. She looked around herself and even smiled at many people who gave her strange and almost frightening looks. When she got closer Alexander vaguely heard one of the men in the café say something in Italian before he saw him move toward the girl. She saw him before he approached and Alexander wondered if he was the only one who saw her gently touch the large heads of the two dogs.

She was close enough for Alexander to hear her exchange words in Italian with the man. He heard her voice, it was light and sweet nothing he had ever really heard before. He watched as the dogs took two very protective steps in front of her between the man. The man backed off putting his hands up and she shook her head with a some what sad looking smile before walking away again. In their wake Alexander saw the bag was left on the ground. He saw an opportunity and took it.

Running to get the back and turned calling to the girl and her dogs who turned slowly to look at him. He held up the back she had dropped and she quickly made a turn. When she was close enough she took the bag with a hand of long graceful fingers and long perfect nails.
She said something in Italian and he only looked at her. When she said it again he shook out of his trance.

“I’m sorry I don’t speak very good Italian,”

“Oh, you are American.” She said in sudden perfect English with no trace of an accent left from her Italian speech just moments before.

“Yes…are you?”

“No, I was born here.”

“Here?”

“Yes here, but I have been away a long time.”

“Oh where were you?” He asked unable to stop the oncoming conversation with this mysterious and intense beauty. It was true what they said about Italian girls after all.

“Across the seas,”

“School?” He asked guessing her age from her young appearance.

“No, not for school.” She said only giving him more questions he wanted to ask. “Thank you again for reminding me.” She held up the bag and he smiled.

“My name is Alexander.” He said extending his hand. She looked at it for a second, a smile gone from her face, her wide eyes looking at his hand.

“Angela,” She said finally accepting it and behind her they heard a growl.

“Protective aren’t they?” Alexander said letting go of her hand quickly.

“Yes, very.” She agreed but turned toward the animals.

“Thank you Mr. Alexander and good day.” She began walking away and before he could think of anything to really say she had gone too far to start up another conversation.

He turned around deciding to return to his room and go through his research once again before trying again later. The thought of another dead night was depressing to him but then again, if he had to stay here for much longer perhaps it would not be so bad if he saw Angela again.

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She carefully opened the large door letting herself creep silently in. Shutting the door behind her with a quick click of the lock she led her bare feet up to the steps and onto his bed. At the sight of his sleeping form she already felt drunk off the lust, her mouth almost salivating.

“Myra it is not nice to sneak up on me.” His voice rang out coldly through his dark room and she laughed a low breathy laugh.

“Come now cousin, it has been too long since I’ve seen you.”

She crawled on top of him as he opened his eyes to look at her. Her hair was just as perfect and blonde as he remembered; her curves were exquisite and soft, still visible under her thin green robe. Her frame was petite and her arms and legs possibly smaller. Her eyes were bright with something so familiar to him.

With out a word he reached up grabbing her face pulling her down into a long deep kiss. She moaned in his mouth as he grabbed her hip with his other arm and pressed her body down on his crotch. Breaking the kiss he stared into her eyes, matching each other intensity.

“It has been too long.” He said stripping away her robe and not wasting a second before tasting her flesh.

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TBC - Chapter Two: Night Life