Sara Humphreys: Tall, Dark, and Vampire

Doug watched as the soldiers took her family out of the club through Olivia’s office. He turned his attention back to Zhao, who stood ramrod straight with his hands folded in front of him. He looked like a politician but without the bullshit. He strode to the center of the dance floor and looked around, appraising the space. Doug and Olivia followed him as he continued to speak.

“New vampires should be made only with great thought and consideration. Becoming immortal is a privilege and should be given as a gift, not used as a virus to annihilate the world. Augustus was aware of what his son, Brutus, was up to, and that kind of enabling is dangerous and unacceptable.”

“Not to sound like an ingrate,” Doug began, “but why would you come here and deal with this yourself? Why not just send the hit squad?”

Zhao clasped his hands behind his back and nodded. “I must take blame for this mess. I permitted Augustus to forgo the execution of Brutus when he created the rogue nightmare in Las Vegas. Olivia disagreed, but to her credit, she followed the orders she was given.” He took her hands in his and kissed them regally. “I should have listened to you, Olivia.”

Olivia looked as surprised at the gesture as Doug did. “Thank you, Emperor Zhao.”

“The two of you will take over New York City and the rest of the northeastern territory as of tomorrow.” He held up one hand to silence them before they could ask anything else. “I am making you co-czars for three reasons. First, Olivia has the required experience as a sentry and the wisdom that comes with it. Second, Detective Paxton, in addition to your experience in law enforcement, you have proven yourself to be loyal to our people and have adapted to becoming vampire in a remarkably short amount of time, which is likely a result of your angel bloodline.”

A smile cracked Zhao’s face, but Doug and Olivia looked at the emperor as though he’d stripped naked and done a jig.

“What did you say?” Doug looked at Zhao as though he’d lost his mind. “Angel bloodline?”

“Yes,” Zhao said with a faint smile. “You have angel blood in your lineage, and it is that unique heritage that has allowed you to transition seamlessly into our world. It is what kept you from being glamoured during your first human life with Olivia all those years ago.”

“Angels?” Olivia said with genuine wonder as she linked her arm around Doug’s waist. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful, emperor, but are you sure? I mean, how do you know that?”

Emperor Zhao threw his head back and laughed heartily.

“Have you not studied our origins, Olivia?” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “The first vampire was a fallen angel, cast from heaven when he swore that man would love him more than God himself.” Zhao turned his dark eyes to Doug. “He gave some humans eternal life and allowed them to drink from the immortal blood of an angel, but as with many privileges, the gift has changed over time.”

Sadness washed over him, but he straightened his broad shoulders and continued.

“The blood of our forefathers, the blood of our very origins, runs in your veins, Detective Paxton. Who better to watch over one of the greatest cities in the world?”

Doug and Olivia clung to one another.

“I’m no angel,” Doug said on a laugh.

“Perhaps not, but your ancestor was,” Emperor Zhao said with a knowing grin.

“This is nuts. How the hell can you even know that?”

“You have an aura around you, a pale blue light, which is a dead giveaway to your heritage.” He turned to Olivia. “Your progeny, Pete—his demon blood gives his light an amber hue.”

“A light?” Olivia looked at Doug and shrugged. “I don’t see it.”

“You’re far too young, my dear.” His smile faded. “Augustus saw it, which was why he was so quick to agree to take your life in exchange for Maya’s. As bloodmates and daywalkers, you will have more freedom to manage the territory and maintain control over this part of the realm.”

“But.” Olivia’s eyes widened. “We—I mean— I thought that you hated the idea of daywalkers and that the elders viewed us as a threat. I heard that the last time a bloodmate pair revealed themselves, they were targeted for termination.”

“Not by me,” Zhao said in a voice tinged with sadness. “Regrettably, some vampires do fear it, and somewhere in the rumor mill, it has been assumed that I do as well. I think I have been removed from the governing of our people for too long, and my absence was perceived as apathy, but hopefully my actions tonight will change that. I have been alone for three millennia, and that isolation is not something I would wish on anyone.”

His mouth set in a thin line, and he paused. “I do not fear that you have joined as bloodmates… I envy it.”

Emperor Zhao bowed. Doug and Olivia did the same. Moments later the club’s house lights went out, and the strobes and lighting flickered to life.

Through the flashing lights, Doug saw a sly smile on Zhao’s face. “I will expect the two of you to meet me at the Presidium offices at sundown so we can discuss your new stations.” He winked. “But for now, I leave you to enjoy the day.”

Then in a shimmer of red smoke, Emperor Zhao vanished into the air, leaving Doug and Olivia alone. Doug turned to Olivia and found her looking at him with a wide smile, which prompted him to do the only thing that came to mind.

Kiss her.

He captured her lips with his, tenderly at first. He intended to kiss her sweetly and cherish the fact they hadn’t lost one another. However, when her soft, plump lips melded with his, and her cinnamon tongue explored eagerly, there was no holding back the flood of need that consumed him.

Lust. Relief. Passion. Love. Desire.

Olivia.

His mind touched hers as he tangled his hands in her red curls and kissed her greedily. This woman, the woman he dreamt of and longed for, was here in his arms, and no one would take her from him.

They shed their clothing, frantic to get closer and feel skin pressed against skin. Weapons clattered to the floor as their coats and ammo belts were cast aside. Olivia broke the kiss and pushed him away as she peeled her catsuit and boots from her beautiful body. She watched through heavily lidded eyes as he did the same and threw his clothes on top of hers.

She moved toward him, her pale skin glowing as the lights flickered, revealing her body in rapid-fire bursts. He reached out and took her hands in his, pulling her nakedness against his own. Her breasts crushed against his chest as she kissed him in a rush of lips, teeth, and tongues. He groaned and ran his hands down the beautiful curve of her waist as his erection pressed against her belly, and all he could think about was being inside of her.

He picked her up in one swift motion as she wrapped her legs around his waist, clinging to him and kissing him desperately. As Doug walked her to the VIP tables, his hands cupped the smooth skin of her ass, and his fingers pressed into the tender flesh. Olivia suckled his bottom lip and broke the kiss as she wiggled against him temptingly.

“I want to taste you,” he murmured against her lips as he placed her on the edge of the table. “Lie back.”

Olivia complied and lay with her arms stretched out over her head. Doug dropped to his knees as he wrapped his arms around her thighs and dragged her to him, trailing butterfly kisses along the quivering flesh of her inner thigh. She squirmed, eager for more, as the pounding music surrounded them.

Her musky scent filled his head as he kissed the soft flesh of her thigh and worked his way up to her hidden treasures. She bucked as his mouth found the sweet spot, and his tongue dove deep, tasting every bit that she gave. Doug groaned as her juices flowed into his mouth, and she cried out as his tongue worked the tiny bundle of nerves mercilessly. Sensing she was close to the precipice, he pulled back and kissed his way up the curve of her hip and along her rib cage.