1

A SCARLET NIGHT

Sensing a powerful energy source approaching, Serena opened the door and stepped out of her cabin and onto the front porch. She stood, scanning through the blackness beyond the trees in an effort to locate the source. A snapping branch sounded to the left and she turned her head towards it right before a flash of light to the right snapped her attention back.

She sneered, SHIT!

She shifted on her heels, bracing herself as the bright red blast shot at her and lifted her hands out of reflex. Though the approaching wave was fast, she had more than enough time to throw her aura in front of her in a defensive orb. As the scarlet wave collided with her shimmering purple shield, a violent flash of light illuminated the woods and everything in it.

Except the source of the attack…

Cursing under her breath, Serena jumped from the porch, her aura poised to defend against another attack, and started in the direction of her unwelcome guest. As she crossed the threshold dividing the clearing from the dense forest, she felt a spike of energy and saw a dark blue aura swirl in the distance.

Stop right there! A deep male voice called out past the glow.

Oh? And why should I do that? Serena asked, doing nothing to mask her snide tone. As the sound of heavy boots on the forest floor advanced, her lip curled at the familiar energy, and she let her aura whip out and tear a portion of a nearby tree trunk as a warning. Leave now, mister mystery-vamp!

The intruder growled at her hostility, and the blue aura coiled and spiked with his aggravation. No! You’re coming with me! Then, as if as an afterthought, … Serena.

You sound pretty confident there! she mocked, smiling and licking her parched lips as the smell of fresh blood wafted from the stranger, "Tell me, have you fed from a human? You know that’s a criminal offense, right? She smirked, Wouldn’t want to see you fall on the wrong side of our kind’s law."

"I am our kind’s law! A roar bellowed from his chest, And I don’t answer YOUR questions!"

He took one final step towards her, and she fought her body’s urge to swoon. He was gorgeous! His skin, now lit under the glow of the moon, seemed to break through his inky mane, which spilled onto his shoulders. Over his brow was a sharply-contrasting streak of silver hair—like a sliver of moonlight in an otherwise dark sky—that hung over his forehead and between his piercing gaze.

His gaze…

Each of his eyes was unique; a bright and piercing blue on his left and a ghostly pale right that shimmered like a pearl. She grinned as his aura spiked impatiently as she continued to take in the sight.

Had your fill yet? He frowned.

Not just yet, she chuckled, making a show of looking over his form one last time, "But you do seem to be in something of a hurry. Maybe later I’ll let you tie me to the train tracks, eh Snidely?"

Enough stalling! He growled, his fists clenching at his sides, One way or the other you’re coming with me, and. I don’t want to have to hit you, he narrowed his eyes, So don’t make me have to!

Her smile widened and she licked a fang, continuing to undress him with her purple eyes, "Oh you are kinky! I only hope you hit better than your friend throws! she frowned, wondering where the source of the red aura had gone to. Not wanting to break her composure, she forced a coy smirk and wagged her hips, Now, if you’ll excuse me—she smiled and turned her back to him—I was just about to catch my dinner."

She felt his icy gaze chill her back and his heavy boots followed, daring her to continue. She rolled her eyes and turned back, lunging at him.

Enough of this!

Wai—

His speech and his advance ceased as he was taken off guard and she took the opportunity to jump up and shoved both of her high-heeled boots into his chest, rocketing him through the forest and sending him crashing into a nearby willow tree.

She landed with cat-like grace on her feet and began a cocky swagger towards and then past him. His mismatched and bewildered eyes followed her, taking in her teasing wink as she disappeared.

Dinner time! she purred.

The city was still several miles south of the cabin she was staying at—or, rather, had been staying at. Now that she’d been found by someone that wanted her she'd have to find a new home.

She sighed, On the road again… she shook her head as the vampire’s shocked face bobbed into her mind. That bastard!

You hurt him pretty bad, you know. Devon chided her.

So you finally decided to come out, huh? She smiled, not bothering to glance over at her ghostly companion.

The warmth—an ever-constant reminder of his presence—wrapped around her. She exhaled, enjoying the otherworldly embrace for only a moment before looking over at him. Even as a ghost, he retained his beautiful looks; an eternal mirror of how he was—thankfully—before the accident. He smiled warmly at her. Despite everything she’d done to him, he was still so kind to her.

And that hurt more than he knew.

I'll find a body for you, Devon. I promise. She said, biting her lip.

That's not what I said, his voice hardened.

She nodded, I know what you said. Doesn’t change the fact that I’m going to find you a body.

She had been looking—always had been—but, whenever she found a suitable human body, Devon would always stop their impending deaths and discourage her at the last minute.

Serena, you know how I feel about that, Devon said.

She ignored his words. Nothing he’d said or ever could say would sway her. She wanted to feel him again; be able to enjoy his physical embrace and not just some warm air. He was, and always would be, the only one for her. Hell, she’d give up drinking blood and start gagging down that synthetic crap if he asked her to. He was the only one to see her as her true self because she refused to show it to any other.

Devon, I want to be with you again, she finally said, stifling her enroaching tears before they could spill down her cheeks. She wouldn’t let him see her cry. She knew how much that hurt him. "To really be with you!"

She paused beside a sapling and enjoyed a cool summer night’s breeze as it wrapped around her, teasing her senses as it mingled with Devon’s warmth.

Devon's unwavering warmth…

No matter what, she knew that he would always be there for her. Not even the fire could stop him from finding his way back to her three years earlier. She looked down and shook her head.

She wanted to fix it…

She wanted to stop it!

Waves of intense heat pushed her back; pushed her away from him. Still down on one knee, Devon was unable to move fast enough to save them both. The hollow, echoing taunt of his offered ring hitting the floor chilled her heart as he stood and planted himself protectively in front of her.

Serena, I’ll always love you.

His last words, spoken moments before the fire had started, were already growing cold with grief as he'd used the last of his strength to push her into the tugging hold of the fleeing crowd. There was no pulling free from the combined force of the group as they unknowingly dragged her out of the ballroom, crying and screaming as the roof collapsed behind her and taking her happiness with it.

She blinked, still feeling the phantom flames burn through the fabric of time, and wiped away the tears. She couldn't stop them that time around. Not that she wouldn't have tried, but it was useless. When the memory surfaced, her awareness sank. Devon’s aura, knowing and sympathetic, was already wrapped tightly around her. And though it was comforting, it wasn't enough for her.

Approaching footsteps sounded from the clearing and instinctively brought out the fighter in her, the trails of tears drying up on cue.

There, standing and watching her with those wonderfully mismatched eyes, was her attacker.

Though his face didn't show it, his slouched body, weighed down with agony, was in so much pain that it hurt her to see him. Frowning, she looked away, realizing then just how much damage she’d inflicted.

What do you want? she made no move to fight, having no strength or desire to do so.

He stayed quiet for a moment and the breeze from earlier came back, colder than before. She frowned at the sudden chill; Devon and his warmth had disappeared, leaving her alone with the vampire.

I-I… n-need you to come with me, his voice cracked, and, though Serena wanted to believe it was from the pain she’d dealt him, she could see that it was something else.

Something darker.

And that’s when she noticed that his tattoos were glowing.

For a moment he was silent as he worked to steady his labored breathing, the glow from his tattoos dimming. Then, as the tension in his body melted away, he locked his mismatched eyes on her. You need to come with me, he said, You’ll be safe.

Despite the confusion she felt from his words—and from the unnerving growl in his voice that carried them—she was surprised to find that she believed him.

Against every instinct she'd ever learned, she stepped towards him, still staring into his eyes.

More than anything else she needed Devon. But, feeling a whole new type of warmth emanating from those eyes, she realized that she needed something else.

Something more than just warmth.

Serena, the mystery vampire called to her, his voice no longer his own. She took another step, driven by that voice and the promises behind it, something in that voice made her want it all the more. Serena! he called again, the tone and pitch cutting through the haze of arousal and startling her with the now-obvious truth.

She faltered, nearly collapsing, and stared with wide eyes at the suddenly rigid vampire.

Devon?

The vampire’s face twisted for a moment, experimenting with its own expressions before settling with a wide smile and nodding. She noticed, along with everything else, that the black tattoos on his body were once again glowing.

But… how? she stammered, still staring.

His guard was down, he explained, The gate was open so I… I just took it. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to hold it, but for now… he bit his lip and blushed; his flood of emotions assaulting his stolen body’s cheeks.

Stolen or not, she rushed to him, wrapping her arms tightly around the broad back of the stranger that now housed her lover. Despite everything, with her eyes clenched and buried in the body’s chest, she could feel him there.

Her Devon!

Even in a different body, it still felt right.

Large hands met her face and lifted her chin, a flood of his classic warmth and that of the new body’s natural heat seeped into her as he brushed her cheeks and she closed her eyes to savor the feeling. Devon lifted her face further towards him and pressed his new lips to hers. Ignoring the subtle differences, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, turning the kiss from an exploration to a fierce, passion-filled attack.

She’d been so damn starved for it that the first taste had awakened a hunger she’d long since forgotten.

She forgot how to breath then, but soon found it as he trailed kisses down her chin and a desperate gasp ripped from her burning lungs. Lips still wet with their combined moisture brushed down her neck. Another gasp seeped out, reaching a peak as his tongue ran across her collarbone.

Her senses grew more receptive to everything as their auras collided and mingled, creating a bright and pulsating wave of multicolored light that expanded and contracted rhythmically around them. Devon eased her to the forest floor, the gentle-yet-firm hold the same as she'd remembered it. He pulled away then, beginning to peel the shirt from his borrowed torso, and she reached out to trail her fingertips across the strong, tattoo-covered chest as it emerged. She wanted to reach past the flesh and into Devon, feel everything with him. Even after all those celibate years their passion proved strong, and she was willing to look past the flesh to once again experience who they had been when they had become one.

He began to explore her body all over again, clearly reminding himself of the dips and curves he had not traveled in so long, and she gasped and arched against the static shocks that lit up her nerve endings with each inch he took. Pressing his every essence into her, they once again became one.

Serena explored the new body, rubbing her hands across his entire being as he continued the dance above. The bliss was too much for her and soon her climax reached. As the sounds of her cries filled the forest she felt his body release as well, together finally.

As their bodies entangled on the forest floor, their cries sounded together as they climbed their way to pure ecstasy.

WHAT THE HELL?

Serena blinked at the outburst, shaking the sleep from her system as she sat up in a daze. For a moment she was reminded of the previous night as the body heat from her partner’s naked body seeped into her own. Then, as her eyes finally met his mismatched own, she was thrown off of him and onto the dew-coated grass. She cried out as the chilled moisture assaulted her bare skin.

Ow! You asshole! she glared, trying to ignore the burning of her cheeks as she realized her situation.

What did you drug me with? he jumped to his feet and began snatching up the clothes that lay scattered all over the clearing and throwing what didn't belong to him in her direction. God dammit! he snarled, yanking his pants up, Where the hell is my belt?

Probably in the tree where you threw it last night, you dick! Serena retrieved her clothes and began to slip into them, keeping her eyes on his chest and the large tribal designs and fresh scratches littered about thereon. Only when his glare returned with laser-focus on her did she avert her gaze, And for the record, I did NOT drug you!

He glanced skyward, his shoulders sagging as he spotted the length of leather dangling from a branch. Trying to remain intimidating, he hid his growing sense of defeat, failing to control his aura’s all-too-clear reaction. Then why, pray-tell, am I waking up NAKED with you? Why can’t I remember anything from last night?

Serena clucked her tongue, unsure of how to explain the situation without sounding like part of a strange, ghostly date-raping.

"Look, call me ‘old fashioned’, but I make it an effort to remember how I come to be naked with somebody!" He gave up on retrieving his belt and ducked into his jacket, a growl emerging from his throat.

Oh? I'm so goddam sorry to have interfered with your obviously detailed and intimate list of skanks and whores! she countered, I'm sure it’s very confusing to wake up in this sort of a situation and not have to PAY your partner!

You bitch! he bared his fangs, I can guarantee that they’re a better lay then you could ever hope to be!

Serena's breath caught in her throat at that and she bit her lip, looking down.

He paused, his enraged features softening as he took in her reaction. After a silent moment, he cleared his throat and calmed his tone, So, did we…?

We… Serena blushed and dared a glance at him, seeing his confusion and understanding his apprehension. She nodded once, Yes. We did.

Dammit! He rubbed the back of his neck and turned away from her, This was not supposed to happen!

I… I’m sorry. If it makes you feel any better, it wasn’t exactly planned. The sincerity felt strange to Serena. I mean, I don’t even know your name! A morning breeze began to pick up and the vampire looked over to meet her apologetic gaze; a gaze she had a hard time maintaining. She had no right to blame him for his reaction. There she stood, still smelling like him and not even knowing his name!

Zane, He said with a sigh.

Her eyes shifted back towards him, Wh-what?

My name. It’s Zane. It’s only right that you know that much. He frowned at her confusion. He frowned and glanced towards the shadowed depths of the forest, growling. We're not alone.

Serena turned in that direction and squinted against the rising sun, feeling the familiar itch as the sun beamed on her sensitive skin. Then she noticed it:

At that moment, four therions—already shifted into their bestial bodies and snarling through dripping fangs—leapt into the clearing and raced out towards them.

Zane solidified his stance and bared his fangs, "STAND DOWN OR I WILL EXECUTE ALL OF YOU!"

The four snarling beasts didn’t falter; didn’t even respond—not even on an auric level—to the threat.

Shit! They’re not stopping! Keep your guard up! Zane growled, his eyes narrowing and his body shaking with rage as the familiar energy flared up.

Serena stared for a moment as his tattoos began to glow brightly, mirroring his growing rage. R-right! Serena nodded, mimicking the action with her purple energy and taking a fighting stance.

The nearest therion focused on Zane and pounced, leading with its massive claws and coming down in a vicious arc with its unnaturally large fangs gaping and snapping hungrily in anticipation of his flesh. Serena gaped as Zane hissed—baring his fangs as his face started to warp and shift and his tattoos glowed brighter—and pulled back his hand. As Serena watched, Zane elongated and locked his fingers like the tip of a blade and drove it into his attacker’s throat. As the beast’s momentum forced it downward, Zane’s hand sank deeper and deeper into its body and Serena watched in stunned awe as it collapsed to the ground with her ally’s arm buried inside it to his elbow. Slowly and methodically Zane withdrew his hand and tore the fallen therion’s still-beating heart through its chest and back out through the wound. Appalled by his own prize, he threw the organ to the