The Lurkers' Domain

Working over here in this heat was such a far cry from the bitter winds and rain of his homeland, thought Cadhla O'Conner, now ruing the snap decision in accepting a secondment to head up this new overseas expansion programme.

The tight lines of the frown upon his face were all the more apparent for the sunburn that had almost fried him less than ten minutes from stepping off the new Airbus superjumbo. It had been a good flight, with plenty of walking room and air-con that in the end, didn't help him. Stepping from the comforts of business class and into the humid and languidly stifling furnace of meditteranean air, he had almost thrown up on the tarmac.

Now, here in his new office, shaded by the blinds and feeling the cooling breeze of the building units, set to maximum cold, he felt a little more comfortable, but still the sweat poured down his back under the tailored silk suit. Slapping the latest personnel file down and flipping open the light manilla cover, he stared at the grainy passport sized photo for a moment before checking over the details. At twenty five, the young lady in the photo, Adara, the file tells him, had eyes that looked older by far and a slight smile betrayed the beauty of her eyes. The big boss of the company out here, her soft features almost hid the strong determined set of the jaw.

He raised an eyebrow as he read further into the file, family, previous jobs, the usual bumph, until he he stopped. He went back a page and read again- Irish grandmother.
"Hmm." The deep bass from his voice echoing around the newly refitted, yet still empty room.

Wheeling back his plush leather chair, with arms slighty worn, the only item he had arranged to be sent ahead other than his luggage, he stood slowly, still suffering the jetlag, wondering briefly if the bags had arrived at the hotel ok, he pressed the intercom button.
"Er..." An empty silence followed.
"Lara sir." Came the tinny reply.
"Lara, yes. Would you call my hotel for me and check that my luggage has arrived at my room please?" His tone a little resigned to fortelling their loss, as always happens when he leaves his PA's PA to arrange things.

Damn, why couldn't Daniela have come with him? He had begun to miss her anal-retentive organisation already. No matter, he had the perfect way to distract his mind.

Straightening up a bit in the mirror, making sure not a hair was out of place, as is his narcissistic tendancy. His hair, cropped and styled, complemented his chiseled good looks. He took a final glance as he turned away and headed for the door, striding along the bright neon lit corridor, looking about surreptitiously through frosted glass office windows so as not to betry the fact that he was fast becoming lost, he at last caught sight of his quarry and made a bee line for her door.

Watching her staring at the wall, chin on hand, stirring repetitively at her steaming coffee, he rapped once, and entering quickly, glided up to the large antique desk where she sat.
"Good morning, Adara isn't it? My name's Cadhla, Cadhla O'Conner. I'm the new project manager here, over from Eire. A pleasure to meet you." Cheerfully with his lilting broguish accent, extending a well manicured hand and flashing the cheeky grin that always caught the ladies.

Startled by his sudden appearance Adara looks up with dismay. The man standing in front of her is unlike any other she's ever seen; handsome beyond belief, commanding but gentle, intellectual but rugged. Extending his hand to shake hers she quickly reacts from the trance of his glance returning the gesture. Adara stood up and offered him a seat whilst walking toward the door and closing the blinds so they can have their privacy.
A sudden feeling in her stomach that took her by surprise; she wondered for a fraction of a second before starting a conversation with the gentleman at hand.

“Mr. O’Conner?”

He nodded approvingly, a cue for her to keep on.

“Yes, well…I believe one of my men spoke with you previously about your job with us here in the company for the current project at hand starting next month, however…”

As she looked at her files on her yellow manila folder silence swarmed through the room. O’Conner stared directly at her and this made her fidget around a bit.

“As I was saying..”

She was interrupted by Marc, one her top editors in the magazine.

“Adara, come quick, I think Jaime is having the baby!”

They all ran outside to meet with the paramedics and ambulances barging into the glass doors of the 7th floor.

The big men dressed in EMT gear rushed across the marble tiled floor. You could hear the wheels of the metal bed rolling loudly across the main hall and their heavy boots bumping with every hurried step.

Jamie was Adara's best friend and employee; Her top dog in the business. Whenever Adara needed advice, or just someone to bring her back down to reality when her dreams elevated a bit too much, Jamie was there right next to her breaking it down gently because Adara as tough and stern as she was viewed, she was sweet as the honey comb and as fragile as a butterfly.
Adara was godmother to Jamie's oldest son, Timothy; A little 5 year odl terror that made Adara laugh with all his inquiries and michievous deeds.

As Adara ran out the door she glanced apologetically at O'Conner who followed suit with his suitcase and files in hand trying to keep Adara's pace. She quickly held Jamie's hand as soon as she was able to reach her and never let go for a moment until they reached the hospital's Emergency Room. To Adara's surprise O'Conner had followed behind and was probably as much worried as she was for he had never seen such a petit woman scream in pain and cry so many tears as much as Jamie had.

That night the doctors announced that Jamie would give birth the following day, she was not dialated enough to have the baby naturally and that the baby was in no rush to come out.

Adara sat on the bench of the waiting area evidently tired. Her eyes seemed distant from the world and her weary smile lead Cadhla O'Conner to demand she rest for the remainder of the night.

Walking toward Adara holding a cup of coffee Cadhla said to her in the most gentle of words "If I may say, I believe you need your rest for tomorrow, you don't look so well Miss Ramsen."

Surprised at his comment she took a bit of offence but was too tired to even start an argument, especially an argument with a complete stranger.
" You don't have to be here if you do not desire it so Mr. O'Conner, I believe you could've just re-scheduled our meeting seeing as you never bothered to announce yourself with my assistant in the first place and took the liberty to follow us here on your own will."

Surprised at her tone of voice and comment she felt a bit embarassed, but still stood her ground as her post demanded. Being CEO of one of the most popular magazines in the country had taught her never to back down even if she was wrong; she hated it but life had taught her many difficult lessons and she had learned, OH! Had she learned! Especially in the men department, not only were they ruthless business people, but they somehow always tried to make her look bad even in the most miniature of situations, therefore, she was always very defensive.

Looking as him blowing on his burning hot coffee she stood from her seat, wondering what he was thinking, hoping he hadn't taken offence because as tough as she sounded, she somehow had high regards for this man standing handsomely before her. With a last glance she excused herself and walked away. Adara needed to clear her mind, she needed to think and analyze her next step. Walking out of the hospital building and into the darkness of the lonesome streets she felt a current of wind chilling enough to hurt bones.

Eying the dropped shoulders of the back of the lady who had just shown him that the fire in her eyes was not just a trick of the light, Cadhla knew that she was probably exhausted from the stress of the day and despite his own fatigue, walked briskly after her, removing his jacket as he left the building and enjoying the cool releif from the burning sun that the night brought.

Pulling up sharply beside her and swinging his heavy suit jacket loosly over her shoulders and allowing his arm to fall lightly upon her shoulders, he put a little cheer into his tone.
"Sure, you should not be out on a cold night like this without a coat! Please, allow me?"
Wondering to himself whether he should, but gently pulling her in close to his toned body still radiating warmth, he gave a gentle squeeze of her shoulder, allowing the heat from his hand to pass into her and infuse her body through the smooth material of the silk, sending slight pleasurable shivers over her skin.
"Besides." carrying on before she had a chance to reply. "I don't have anything else as important to do right now and you look like you need a break." Thinking to himself that this might be the right time to ask, he mulled for a second, before pressing on.
"Say, I've been thinking. I don't think I'll be liking it here. Not for the company, but the weather, it plays havok with my skin. It might not be the best time to say, but I will be heading back on an evening flight tomorrow night, why don't you you come over with me for a holiday? I can book you an extra ticket." Using the soft slow drawl and tugging gently at her mind with the thread of contact he had made when they shook hands earlier, but feeling a little guilty at using such parlour tricks to help convince her, he leaned a little forward to turn and look her in the eye, wanting not only to gain the full impact of his suggestion, but also, to look again into the soft brown windows of her soul.

The warmth he supplied was soothing although she tried not to feel too comfortable having his arms around her. His notice of departure came as a surprise, she let him finish to hear all he had to say. Then she began. "What do you mean you're leaving?" Trying not to sound to abrasive and bossy. "You can't leave Mr.O'Conner, the project is barely starting and we need you here, not overseas. That is the main reason I had you flown here to Greece." Now face to face the intensity of her stare more powerful he began to reply but she interrupted him and didn't let him finish.
"But" he began, "No buts, I dont appreciate being lied to Mr.O'Conner, we had a deal here and now you want to get out of it simply because the sun is too harsh on you?" Pause. "You know what, maybe you should go" She said, this perplexed him a bit. "Yes maybe you should go, I need someone who gives his word and keeps it, some one reliable for this kind of work" She was trying his patience and she could see him getting offended now. Raising an eyebrow and giving a short hmph she quickly dismissed his coat and headed off into the night. "Have a good flight Mr.O'Conner" She mockingly said under her breath, not wanting him to leave at all.

-Pathetic little me-, she thought briefly looking up at the night sky so beautifully displayed by the stars. -I can't even keep a male partner at work- Feeling the loneliness she shrugged her thoughts away and kept walking ignoring every thought that tried to enter her mind.

As she walked down the street to get to the main street for a cab she heard a rattling sound; This startled her as she hurried her pace. A gentle whisper let out her name into the night. Not wanting to turn back she kept on going. As the street got narrower she told herself this silly thing was just part of her imagination, foolish thoughts caused by stress and a long day at the hospital had gotten her to act a bit delirious. Again, the whisper, this time longer and sweeter. She abruptly stopped becoming enraged, then quickly turning around it just came out "MR.O'CONNER, I REALLY DON'T APPRECIATE CHILDISH GAMES!" She yelled out only to get no response. Looking around to see no Cadhla she found it to be a bit eerie; And just as she turned back to head into the main street there is was, a tall figure with eyes so intense and powerful she could not resist but look into them and feel captured. A shadow overpowered her every will to turn and run away screaming like a mad person would in any perilous situation. Her knees weakend and she felt she was about to head on hit the wet slippery road face first. The shadow kept approaching and those grey cold icy eyes seemed the more intense, suddenly showing a burning firey passion bursting through. and encapturing her in a tumultuous struggle to let go. It was too much for her to handle, her blood was rushing through her veins 100mph and her head began to spin until she lost full consciousness. Now she was in a state of ecstasy and bliss all in a different world. With her last sigh and taken breath only one thought came to her mind...-Her life was finally about change-

Smiling to himself at the fiery temper that could only draw his desire for this young woman with a fresh attitude further from within him, he almost laughed at her false bravado. Reaching out over the already well established link now, he grasped at the threads of her concious mind, all the easier for the subtle hint of desire that showed itself clearly to his own.

As she turned to loom for him, he shifted himself between the shadows of the alleyway and moved silently to position himself directly between her and the main street, waiting for her to turn back to him, he savoured the anticipation of taking this childs life force into him, his hand slowly beginning to open and close with quicking regularity. Thinking to himself of how greatly he will enjoy this powerful blood, the old Irish king's tongue snaked it's way involuntarily between and along the parched and broken skin of his lips.

Adara turned to walk back onto the main drag and that was when he had her, caught now in his gaze, there would be no hope for escape, no hope for repreive, only the depths of his mind into which she now began to sink, slowly at first and then with a rush as though helpless on a rollercoaster that would never end, he could feel her grip on herslef loosening and saw her stumble forard a few paces, so drawn was she. Better than he had possibly hoped for, mused Cadhla, much better.

Seeing the last vestiges of resitance drain from her, he moved in to catch her in strong arms just as she began to fall forward, her knees now jelly, he took up her whole weight with ease that belied his slim and toned figure, a hand behind her back allowing for her head to tilt back, lolling without awareness of what was happening.

Still staring at her intently, he thought that perhaps she reminded him of someone, long dead now, but still, the line of the cheek, the shape of the eyes...yes, something comforting in its familiarity. Smiling broadly now, he allowed one hand to drop and her head fell to the side, totally unconcious of her surroundings now, he was patient in leaning towards her exposed neck, taking in the scent of the expensive perfume, the delicate touch of the hair as it brushed his fast as he moved in closer, his lips alighting upon the soft skin at the nape.

Taking in a short breath, he held it there before breathing out gently against her, feeling the ripple of the goosebumps as they raise up from the coolness. Parting his lips now, he lapped gently at the tight area beneath his lips and with precise care, eased his left incisor into the warm flesh, savouring the exquisite gush of sweet sanguine liquid now flowing rapidly down his throat.

A low growl began to eminate from deep in his chest, a sign of how long he had gone without such quality, such fine reserve of Gaelic heritage. The taste was almost too much for him, his own mind began to spin, no way he could drain her and allow her sweet nectar to be lost to him forever, but there would not be enough time to adjust her memory. Left without choice and not abhoring the decision, he bit deeply with both canines and flowed into her, sending his own precious life to her, pushing the thick viscous liquid through her vains until it reached her heart and with a single heavy thump and a gasp from his new found partner, his blood began is rapid path through her ssytem, mingling with her own and making her an extension of him now.

With a start, Adara's eyes sprung open and wide, shock obvious. "Sleep child, rest and do not worry." The soft soothing tone and hypnotic suggestion coupled with her tiredness allowed for her to fall back to slumber in his arms.

Her head now resting upon his chest, her body limp within his arms, Cadhla wondered what her dreams might be like that night. Holding her tight for protection against gravity, he flew inconspicuously across the city via his now furnished pent house; A shadow, slithering over the lively Greek life that lay under. The old victorian décor let out the smell of ancients as he barged within the conveniently open glass doors located in the balcony; Almost seemed as though he had planned the making of Adara, his now untamed Irish beauty . The view down below was barely visible given the fact that it was the 50th floor. Cadhla preferred high places, everywhere he traveled he always found the highest hotel in sight; This made him feel close to the night, alone, safe, unnoticed.
He now proceeded to place Adara's wilted body against the red and gold soft satin sheets of his king sized bed. Adara now began to moan and figet about, the nightmares in her obscure subconscious began to weep a past so dark and horrifying Chadlha O'Conner shuddered just at the thought of what she was going through. "It is all worth it though" He thought, a bit ashamed of his greedy nature. "Now, I will eternally have you" He whispered slowly.Still a bit weak he plunged right down beside her admiring her beauty, gently caressing her cheeks down to her now exposed breasts all the way down unto her belly button, gradually falling deep in slumber.

A few minutes later he awoke, finding himself wrapped up next to Adara who was still being troubled by history unfolding its secrets within the vast depths of her soul. He quickly stood , took one last look at her laying in bed, and headed out the room closing the double doors behind him.

Stepping into the expansive and opoulantly furnished lounge area, Cadlha headed directly for the old polished mahogany bar and reached over for the decanter of whisky. Removing the stopper, he took a quick waft of it- Jamesons, as he had requested. Selecting a short heavy cut crystal glass and reaching out for a couple of chunks of ice from the bucket, he dropped them with a light chink into the glass and poured himself a large measure.

Wandering barefoot now across the soft deep pile of the carpet, taking a seat upon the soft sofa and staring out the large floor to ceiling windows at the lights of the city, glittering like grains of sand in the moonlight, he turned his thoughts to how he might explain this night to the young woman now traversing nightmares unlike any she had known before. He thought that she would readily be of strong enough mind for her to cope with the change, but whether she would forgive him for it, would be the question.

His own experience, so many centuries ago now was difficult to remember, although, the first moments after opening his eyes for the first time as the creature that he had become, would remain etched forever. He thought of the smell of the fresh sea air, the crashing of the waves and the hardness of the bed upon which he had lain. He winced as he remembered that bed, that which he had shared with his wife. She, fearing his death, had sent for the priest and he could remember hearing them talking.
"For sure, he's gone Mary. There is nothing I can do, his wounds, they...He's lost and I've said the rites." Interspersed with the sounds of her quiet sobbing. He could envisage her ample chest heaving as she tried desperately to be strong in front of the wee ones. The children. Cadlha took a large gulp of the whisky at the thought of them, trying to burn away the painful memories of their death.
"He can't be! It can't! be" He could recall her voice reaching to a wail.
"Hush woman! go to him now, before it is over. I will take the children to their room." The voice of the priest quiet and stern as he was on the Sundays in church, always forcing people to strain to hear him fully.

Mary came into the bedroom then and closing the door behind her, the click of the latch made him open his eyes. She came close, not looking at the pallid face, afraid to see death upon it, she knew not that it was her death that would come that night. It was done before she even realised he had moved, so quick was he for a man dying, the shock and surprise turning to horror before the gurgled scream was cut from her throat before it had hardly begun. Her eyes were lifeless in moments, so hungry was he on that first night, the need came upon as it never has since.

The brief cry had brought the priest stumbling into the room. "Mary, what?" Was all he could say before a hand gripped his face and ran it back into the stone of the walls of our cottage. The sickening crack as the skull smashed under the strength of the thrust, even though he had intended only to knock him unconcious, he knew that he too was dead before he let go and the body slumped to the floor.

Cadlha tried to erase the memory as it came flooding back to him, having moved back to the bar for another drink, he half filled the glass and took a deep swallow, gripping the bar as he thumped the glass down, spilling it over his hand, yet ignoring it as he fought against the memory of the death, no, it cannot be denied to the self, it was the murder of his children, by his own hands. He drained the rest of the glass, the tears of blood now pouring from him and ruining the expensive italian suit, he was lost in the moment before he heard the knock at the door, dragging him back from his own private hell.

Delirious and weak she managed to fight the rage of nightmares and shadows lurking within her. Adara slowly opened her eyes to find herself in an estranged room. She felt pain, extreme pain and an amazing hunger/thirst.
Managing to stand up and walk towards the huge doors she couldnt help but think the place was gorgeous and dark. Adara felt almost as if she was traveling through history just by walking down the enourmous hall. She saw a light through the glass doors of what seemed like a room ahead. Tumbling and struggling against the walls she finally got to the room. Feeling herself faint and flaccid she saw a figure of a stong built man; the only name coming to her mind was Cadhla.

"Mr.O'Conner?" she whispered slowly. The low whisper lingered in the air. As Cadhla saw her standing about to hit the floor he quickly went to hold her. In his arms she looked into his eyes and a single tear drop ran down her pale cheek. "W...wh..what have you done to me?" she asked "shhh, rest now, we'll speak later" he said trying to keep her from using her energies. "What are...are you?" she asked, then licking her lips she continued "I'm really thirsty" she said reaching with her hand to touch his face.

With a sigh he knew it was time to let her taste. Laying her delicately on the leather sofa he slowly cut his wrist with a silver blade.
As her lips touched his sensitive skin now dripping blood on her, he leaned a few inches forward to watch this newly born beauty taste life from his veins.

Startled by the bedroom doors opening, Cadlha rushed in making Adara comfortable on the sofa while he gave her just enough to bring her to alertness. The knocking on the door to the suite came again, more insistant this time.
"One minute please!" The calmness of his voice belieing the tension he felt at the situation.
Looking about the room quickly, there was no way to disguise either the cut of the condition of his 'guest'. No other option...

As he opened the door to see the small and pretty young girl, wearing the garb of a cleaner, he allowed her to enter as she stated that she needed to change the towels, but stood between her and the languid form of the newborn vampire, her senses now surely detecting the fresh blood to have entered the room. Leading her towards the bathroom, he felt the rush of air as the streaking form of Adara flew past him in search of her much needed sustenance...

The cleaning lady only felt something slam into her from behind. Knocking the wind out of her, they fell hard on the floor. She remembered vaguely her head hitting the wall hard, then realized it was the floor board of the livingroom and blood smeared on floorboard and white carpet.

She fought, kicked, screamed trying in vein to push the attacking beast off of her. For a moment she recalled her screams choked with blood.

It was not fast, it was not quick, there was no mercy.

Then lathargy crept over her. Unconsciousness came slowly. Her eyes closed still feeling the bones of the fangs digging deeper, cracking her neck bit by bit.

Thoughts of her children at daycare with no one to pick them up washed over her as she took her last breathe.

Blessed blackness finally as the death rattles took over.

Staring blankly at the prone form of Adara feeding frenzidly upon the slight frame and slowly quieting form of the cleaner, Cadhla simply watched, amazed at the view, though he himself had done this a thousand thousand times, it never ceased to shock him, the ferocity of the hunger, the burning need that so often had led him to tragedy, despite all of his best efforts at retaining control.

It was some minutes before the legs of the young girl stopped twitching, the new born vampire taking her sweet time to enjoy her first feeding.

It was not until she finished that she had realized what she had done. Beastiality blinded her, clouded her mind and every rational thought.
Adara, all full of blood, had made a mess and committed a crime! She looked up at Cadhla and charged his way, pushed him with all her force to the floor and pinned him down. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!" Her eyes full of rage and at the same time full of fear. Her grasp was so strong her nails caved in on his chest where she had hold of him. Tears now flowing from her eyes, she softened her grip on him trying to understand the gravity of the moment. She slowly walked to the glass window on the corner of the room. Cadhla stood up and didn't say a word, he just looked at her from afar. A few minutes of silence and the only question in her mind was blurted out in a quiet whisper, "why?".

Feeling the slow trickles of blood running down his chest fast congealing and the soft itch as the wounds knitted themselves back together, Cadlha glanced down at the lifeless form of the young girl, her eyes still open in a rictus of horror. A slight pang of sadness, of regret, passed through him quickly as he thought of who might miss this person, who's only mistake was to be the victim.
"Would you rather that you were dead, like her?" He said gruffly, waving his hand vaguely at the now cold body.

A sharp death look was shot at Cadhla. Adara quickly turned and slowly walked up to him.
"I WOULD RATHER BE NORMAL! I WOULD RATHER BE IN THAT ALLY WALKING HOME TO TAKE CARE OF MY BUSINESS SO THAT THE NEXT DAY I COULD SEE MY BEST FRIEND'S NEWBORN SON! YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO TURN ME INTO THIS BEAST, THIS MONSTER THAT I AM NOW! YOU HAD NO RIGHT!...I THOUGHT YOU WERE DIFFERENT, BOY...WAS I RIGHT ON THE MONEY, YOU'RE A FREAK AND NOW YOUVE GONE AND TURNED ME INTO ONE TOO! I KNOW I WISHED FOR A NEW LIFE, BUT THIS WASN'T EXACTLY WHAT I HAD IN MIND! I CURSE THE DAY I MET YOU, I CURSE THE DAY YOU WALKED INTO MY OFFICE AND TOOK MY BREATH AWAY, HATE YOU!"
He stood there speechless as she stormed out of the room. Halfway into the hall with tears streaming down her eyes she came to a suddent stop. Wiping her tears away to see him standing there, Cadhla was right infront of her.
"I killed them" he said in a low voice, his eyes eyes, his body was there but he seemed far away.

Sniffling Adara managed to ask "Killed who?"

"My family" He said. She could see he had hidden secrets, she had seen them in her nightmares. She felt his pain.

He kept going. "I was normal just like you were, I wasn't always like this. I had a family; A wife, she was beautiful and devoted...and I killed her with my own hands, i sucked her dry" He spoke through his teeth now , holding back the little pain he could feel. She could see him flexing his muscles in rage.
"Then I went for my children..." He looked away and Adara could understand as she had seen the even take place in her nightmares. She went to put her hands in his shoulder when all of the sudden there was a knock at the door. Panic shot through her and he could see it in her face.

"Don't worry. We're hunters of the night. It's in your blood and your instincts will guide you" He felt it was his duty to protect her from harm now that she was under his responsibility. He quickly turned another person; his eyes were icy blue and his muscles loked bigger as if there were going to explode through his clothes.

"Go to the room" He ordered her and she did not argue this time.

30 minutes and she was going insane in that room without notice. She had washed up quick and put on a big shirt of his she found in the closet. She hid the blood filled clothes in an empty drawer and sat next to the window, looking up at the sky. All of the sudden the doors opened and in walked Cadhla.

"Time to leave. We will stop by yer home and pick up things you want to keep." Was all he said, his face stern and eyes cold and hard.
He strode purposely back into the main lounge and fixed another whisky at the bar. Adara glanced at the small carraige clock on the bedside table: 4.10am.

"Where...Where are we going?" the nervous stammer evident as she looked around for the body that she herself, yes, she had...killed, murdered a young woman right there, next to the door of the en-suite. Where was the body? The sickening pit in her stomach opened up and threatened to swallow her whole- the utter revulsion making her gag slightly as the compehension of what she had done, what she had become, began to sink in.

"Away from here." Came the gentle reply, so quiet that she could barely hear him.
"I booked the first flight out. It's a charter, a small lear, we will have it to ourselves and time to rest then." Cadlha finished his drink and moved into the walk in cupboard of the bedroom to retrieve his own holdall, still packed.

"But...work? My family...how?" The words could not come fast enough for Adara to make sense of them.

"It'll be an urgent business trip, it can be arranged, no more questions, think on what you want to take with you, you might never get another chance to return home." The tone of his voice, the finality of the statement struck Adara hard, making her legs buckle slightly as she grasped the doorframe for support.

Cadlha was already at the door, handle turning. "Come on, you need to switch on and learn to move fast, if you want to survive out there."

Somewhat confused by this statement, Adara hurried to the door and it seemed like she had barely taken a step before she was already in the hallway, the soft diffused light from the wall lamps enclosing her in a warm glow that seemed to comfort her somehow, perhaps it was just to have left the scene of her ghastly crime.

They took the elevator to the lobby and Cadlha checked out quickly and without fuss, the area eerily silent and not at all busy at this time of morning. Outside, a local taxi was already waiting and the driver hauled the heavy bag into the boot before opening the door for the both of them in turn, she first. Such uncommon courtesy from a cab driver unnerved Adara a little, but she let it pass as the began to move through the quiet city streets in the growing dawn light.

It was a fair drive to the airport and she felt herself becoming more drowsy as they neared the neighbourhood where she spent so many of her days walking to school, playing in the sun...The slight jolt as the taxi stopped suprised her, as she had not recalled telling him that this was her house. Getting out of the taxi, feeling more tired as she tried to stay standing, she heard Cadlha call from the taxi. "Take what you value and can carry and be quick about it!"

Standing in front of the old house, the thoughts of what she should take still whirling in her mind, Adara stepped up to the door for the last time.

Through the doors of Cadhla's lush Suite, Dufniall Stonespear enters. He is an enormous man, the perfect exemplification of how a true Viking Warrior would be like.

Built with a huge frame, he stood easily 6' 2", with long flowing black hair tied back with a black leather strap. He wore black leather top to bottom, complete with an intimidating 55" 'Great Sword' carried on his back in a black leather scabbard.

He roams the hastily vacated room, seeing the contents in the crystal decanter still stirring. The smell of fresh blood obvious, satin linens still warm on the bed.

Rushing to the window, with one fluid motion, he looks down seeing his target getting into a cab with a carry-on bag.

"Airport" he growled to himself. Satisfied he won't soon lose him, the sun so close to rising, it would prove interesting to see what Cadhla's plan would be, if he cared.

Quite hesitant at the front door of her home Adara turned the crystal knob on the antique finished bronze doors. A scent of sugar vanilla invaded her nostrils as she opened the enormous entry.

Watching the back of Adara as she approached the door, Cadlha wondered at the uneasy feeling he had been getting since the hotel. It was not like the usual urgency of escaping back to the isle, it felt, different somehow.

Slowly streaming through the halls of the empty space, it was as if she was somewhere strange. It wasn't the same as before, she didn't feel at home any longer. At the entrance of her chambers, she turned the lighting dim on the chandelier above her canopy bed. This gave an eerie look to the place she seemed to enjoy. As she glanced around for what to take she thought of pictures and souvenirs, but she had no time to waste. Aware of Cadhla’s rush she tried to hurry her pace, but even a lady vampire had things to tend to, needs to be taken care of.

The gentle thrum of the engine turning over was soothing to him and he could feel his eyes closing as he saw the light turn on in the elegant old house. Checking his watch again, he saw that time was moving faster than he liked and almost had the urge to leave the cab and hurry the young vampiress along, but resisted, as it would most likely cause more delay.

She quickly grabbed a picture frame of Jaime and her sons and tucked it in the pocket of her bag. On her way out encountering a pen and paper she wrote a brief note

"Dearest Jaime,

I am out on emergency business travels; I am leaving you and Marc in charge of the magazine as you both are the only persons to trust in this matter. Please take care of yourself and I will contact you when possible. Best of luck, I love you and the kids.

-Adara"

She knew her friend had just delivered a baby, but by the time they found this letter she was probably going to be fine, and it wasn’t like Marc couldn’t handle the business by himself if in case Jaime was to go on maternity leave. Adara had trained them well, well enough to fight the witty editorials of the metropolis.

Seeing the slight figure of Adara through the glass of the main doors, the relief of tension from his muscles was obvious. What was the matter with him? It was unusual for him to be so impatient, there must be another reason, but he is in Greece and no-one knows he is here beyond his PA and a few people at the office, all of them trusted. Cadlha started to drop into deep thought again, a sign that he was ready to sleep.
A plethora of thoughts began to rush to him- the ranging possibilities, simply tired, still distracted at the turning of this young and powerful woman or the bitter memories that surfaced at the event...or...something more sinister?

Waving from afar to let him know she was done, Adara closed the door behind her with a force that almost shattered the portions of glass on the door. A bit taken aback by her new found strength she let go and stepped back slowly. Looking at all her hard work and effort, which was the 1.5 million dollar house she was leaving behind, Adara took one last look at her old life and stepped into the new world that awaited, full of unknown mysteries, with her newfound companion.

The sense of urgency was becoming overwhelming now, the need to get on that plane was making his hand flex over and over. Definitely something wrong here, he thought as he saw her coming back towards the taxi. As soon as the door was closed behind her, he urged the driver "Go. Airport as quick as you can, I have a flight to catch."

As the taxi driver floored the gas pedal, Cadhla noticed Adara never looked back at all she was leaving behind…not even for a second did she look at her expensive luxuries she had acquired with her humanly strengths; This was something that impressed him because not many people could indeed accomplish all she had done in so little time. She was young and beautiful with the brains to match, and he somehow admired that, but kept quiet. She turned to him and caught him staring, a grin forming in his succulent lips as he never budged his glance.

“Where are we headed?” she asked. “At least allow me the courtesy of such information please?” she continued.

He was surprised by her diplomatic tone. Just as he was ready to answer the taxi’s tire exploded sending Adara right on him as he was somewhat laying down. Grabbing her close to him, protecting her from being jerked out of the car, he thought to himself “Great, just what I needed”. The cab driver brought the car to a stop and proceeded to the back of the car to quickly change the tire because time was running out and they had a flight to catch.
Mumbling under his breath he cursed his luck, but was enjoying his company curled on top of him as she had taken comfort of his grasp and the warmth his body provided.

The breeze was getting humid and the clouds above them were cloudy and heavy. They knew a storm was coming and Cadhla’s senses could keenly suspect trouble approaching. Adara saw him eager and perturbed and placed her hand on his shoulder as if to comfort him and maybe ease the situation.

Her needs for blood were intensifying, and the fire in her eyes burning bright. With all the preoccupations in Cadhla’s mind, he couldn’t ignore the fact that she was newly made vampire and needed as much feeding as she could get. He knew he needed strength for whatever was coming for them but there was no food for miles and they couldn’t feed off of the driver and raise more suspicions as to their whereabouts. He slowly sliced his wrist and offered to her. Adara hesitated for a second, and then showing her fangs she latched unto his wrist and drank that marvelous blood that excited her whole. A connection deeper than the depths of the universe was felt by both, and neither could ignore it although both decided to do so at that particular moment.

Dufniall drove his 2005 pitch black Mustang along the main road towards the highway, which traveled through the ritzy part of town. Blinking his eyes, he slowed to the curb, leaned back and couldn't believe his eyes. Ahead of him was Cadlha with a young woman, obviously a newborn, in a cab with a flat tire. Still blinking, he couldn't for the life of him believe the dumb luck, for hunter AND pray. Not to take advantage of the opportunity, he would rather battle Cadlha on more honourable ground, he past right by them, smiling as he looked through the rear view mirror.

Heading towards the airport, the violet colored sky announced plainly that Cadlha and his new ward were running out of time.

Dufniall parked at the airport. He flipped through his glove compartment and pulled out an aviation pilot license. Popping open the trunk, he reached in for a handsome navy blue flight coat. Smoothing the jacket, pinning his badge of ID, he walked up and asked "The O'Connor flight?" With a smile the lovely lady directed him over to flight 12.

Unpinning his pilot ID, safely placing it inside his breast pocket, he waved over to the seasoned pilot who was fidgeting with his last minute flight details.

"Hey bud, O'Connor flight right?"

"Yeah, come on in. He's late as usual. Lucky for him this time, we are going to miss a storm by minutes looks like."

Sitting next to the pilot in the cockpit "Cadlha does seem to be one of the lucky ones today boy."

The pilot finally looks up at Dufniall "What can I do you for son?"

Reaching out to shake his hand "Commander Arlington, you can call me James. I'm from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center of Herndon, Virginia. I'm here looking for situations that will create bottlenecks or other problems in the system, then revising the management plan. What destination are you heading for?"

With a knod and smile "Edinburgh Scottland. Sometimes we hop to other destinations. I'm not aware if he'll do it this time. Other than that we stay at the Hilton Ediburgh Hotel, while the plane gets serviced. Is there anything wrong?"

Grateful for his cooperation "No none at all. You've been more than helpful. Thank you."

Dufniall reached out to shake his hand for the pilots cooperation.

As their hands met, a hyperdermic needle injected a condensed poison designed especially for such needs. It was done so efficiantly the aged pilot didn't even realize what had happened until Dufniall pulled away the needle, it was already running in his bloodstream.

Knocking him unconscious, he shoved him into the closet and locked the door. Replacing his pilot badge once again, Dufniall sat patiantly in the pilots chair waiting....watching the sun nearly rise along with the impending storm.

Shortly after, a hurried cab came driving right onto the runway, as if hells demons were chasing it. They knodded to the pilot, and they were off down the runway, into the sunrise.

Cadhla and Dufniall went way back; An Irish family feud that has lasted for generations of generations. 16th century Ireland had a king unknown to many today, his name was Loarn MacKay. MacKay hold a powerful empire after his father reigned; this empire lasted only 4 years at the most. During this time Ireland was powerful and at its peak. The economy blossomed and MacKay stood a tall and handsome king whose people loved and admired; Until Cadhla lurked like the shadows and invaded the house of Nobles with his hypnotizing charm. Cadhla, according to Dufniall family history had lured MacKay into a false trustworthy bond of friendship; Cadhla in other words was his best man within the court. MacKay then only relied on Cadlah O'Conner's advice on war, commerce, even family related issues.

A beautiful lady by the name of Adharah Conchobair of the house of the Conchobair Nobles was a blossoming and popular maiden at the time, who instilled smiles all around the court or wherever and whomever she attended and befriended.

Loarn, the king or Ireland courted Adharah and they were to be married, but only when she felt ready for such a life. Loarn was unlike many kings before him, he was generous and understanding and unconventional in his ways but not in a unpleasant manner. He made her, Adharah, the matron of the court.

Cadhla had taken in his power to court Adharah and have her to himself. He was a young vampire at the time and was accustomed to having his way, only this lady was unlike any other he had ever met—she was extremely loyal and loving towards her future lord and husband.

Cadhla began to woo and seduce Adharah by using his hypnotizing powers, even this did not work. Finally MacKay and Adharah married to have a beautiful son. This still never stopped Cadhla, and on the eve of war against the English, he finally won Adharah’s love against MacKay.

Returning home, MacKay became suspicious of his lady and his best friend, sending out O’Brien, his cousin, to follow her every step. O’Brien accepted of course, jealous and envious of Cadhla's good looks and reputations—he wanted him dead, he wished him ill with great hate.

Cadhla would come into Adharah’s chambers late at night since the king and queen slept in separate quarters and different wings of the castle. But one cursed night Cadhla went too far and his hunger got the best of him, once more against the people he loved. Adharah never knew of his real identity, but tonight she was to find out and see her fate crumble within his hunger for her blood, her passion, and her desires. Cadhla laid her within the furs of their illicit alcove where they consummated their adultery. The fire burning brighter and stronger and hotter than ever within the fireplace before them, he wept silenly deep within. Her body was warm still, her hair moist and still over her face, and her hands hanging from the bed lifeless …all hope was lost; This was the sight that welcomed the king as he broke down the doors of his Queen's chambers.MacKay rushed in the door with 4 of his best knights ready to annihilate the bastard traitor. Cadhla grabbed his mighty carved and detailed silver sword and sliced them one by one without hesitation and effort, all in cold blood. His only remorse was his lover lying astray within the cruel reality of his eternal curse.

MacKay’s cousin O’Brian Dufniall made it his passionate obsession to hunt down Cadhla generation through generation to be slayed by his own sword, the sword he left behind that fateful night. Son by son by son was to avenge the death of King and Lord Loarn MacKay and his lovely Queen; They had left behind their son, the heir to the throne of an empire that ceased to exist long before he would even have sense of memory.

This story was told to Adara by her father and was made to believe it was just a fairy tale love within the family. She shrugged it off as just another folk tale to put kids asleep and let their dreams of knights and kings run wild. Adara MacKay was her name and her resemblance to her great great great grandmother was remarkably astonishing. Adara was never told of about her Irish lineage exactly; nothing was ever recorded in history about this lost empire so rich and envied by many in its own time. He father’s side of the family was always secretive and distant, they all lived in Ireland, and she never took the time to bother finding out about it. To her all it ever was was something to talk about and be proud of when the time was right. She was Irish/Greek with more Gaelic blood in her than she could have ever imagined. Her heritage had just wedged itself within her life and was about to unfold right in front of her eyes. Her future was unknown, and her fate a mystery. Adara must now face her next of kin not as family, but as part of an ancient feud where she is considered to be the lethal enemy.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Now entering upon the white small airplane with his initials on the side in giant letters she felt a hint of dizziness fall upon her. Cadhla helped her to her seat and fastened the belt around her waist, everything was going to be fine now he thought to himself...but yet a hint of doubt lingered in the back of his mind. He then proceeded to the kitchen to get himself a drink.

And they were off...Soaring the mighty skies, yet something didn't sit quite right.

Almost thirty minutes into the flight, Cadlha was on the verge of sleep, his new companion, Adara, a lovely name, was already soundly resting on the big leather reclining chair, the brown tanned hide buttery soft and well padded.

The lights were down almost to nothing now, though this presented no problem for one such as he. Relaxing in his seat, the drink long empty, his thoughts drifted and he wondered what it was he was doing, taking this young lady from a successful career and family, from life and into a dark world of carnal pleasures and nightly dealings with mistress death.

What made him do it?

Perhaps loneliness, perhaps a need to sate some stirring in him that cried out for satisfaction.

Perhaps...was his last thought as he drifted to sleep.

That was when the first dream began.

At first it was nothing more than a vague sensation of falling, but then, he realised, he was falling from a tall building, but, he was not he, he was looking into the face of the falling figure now and it was the face of a young woman, screaming.

The sensation of her terror came into him then, the bottomless feeling of the gut in which turns the heart to turmoil brought the dread specter of death to his vision, yet, it was over and here he stood now, slightly in the shade of tall dark and brooding shapes as though magnificent towers of dark blue crystal had grown out of the very earth, itself flat and daull, absorbing the little light which filtered though the gaps in the structures surrounding him.

Over there, to his right and back, stood... someone. Tall and imposing, balding or shaven clean and holding a staff of some stoutness, this figure seemed to motion, not to follow, but, to direct. And so, Cadlha went forth and after a time, turned a corner where stood the woman whom he had felt fall. Alone, her arms wrapped around her for comfort, she seemed not to notice him, at least, not at first.

When a bright crackle of energy threw its coils in a square prison around the now startled young woman, she looked up and saw. She rushed to the edge of the barrier and appeared to scream, yet no sound came to his ears.

Looking back to the figure that had shown him to here, he wanted to ask 'What is the meaning?', but, the figure spoke before he could utter his question.
"I am closing the temple now." In a heavy, almost resigned, yet strangely echoed voice. He then turned to leave and faded as he took a step away from the now intensely curious Cadlha.

With a start, he woke, his belly on fire, he knew something was very wrong.

Within her dreaming nightmares a flash of fire and lighting striking the plane shook her to no end, an image of her great great great great grandmother appeared before her. She opened her eyes but still her vision proceeded her. Standing in front of her was the woman whom she was anmed after, voicing words that seemed empty and hollow. Adara's ancestor seemed petrified and scared out of wits, like warning her of something that was about to happen. Rubbing her eyes did no good, as the vision still lingered on the plane. A cold hand on her shoulder brought her back to reality.

"You ok?" asked Cadhla who was sweating and flushed.

"Im fine" she gulped, "the question is, are you okay?" she asked feeling his forehead.

"I thought monsters like us couldn't catch fevers" she asked.

This made him chuckle.

The large airplane cabin, comfortable with its plush luxuries began to permiate an odor of death from the little broom closet next to the fridge. Subtle at first, then slowly it became unavoidable. Demanding.

The captain in the cockpit seemed very at ease with his normal duties, all seemed normal enough. A soft sound, very similar to a gun being cocked came from the cockpit, then the rustle of the captain getting out of his chair walking into the lavoratory.

"Hush now." Came his response, two soft and well manicured fingers brought to her lips.
The urgency in his eyes was clear to her. A problem. But what? The flight seemed smooth, but for the intensity of her dreams.

Moving quickly over to unstop the decanter for the whisky and taking a short sniff, Cadhla frowned and reset it back on the low table.

His head turned sharply back to face forward to the cockpit, concern growing on his features, yet somehow, there remained an underlying sense of utter and total confidence in himself, his every movement appeared judged to correctness of the moment, as though he acted according to some unseen script in his mind.

Reaching under his discarded coat on the seat next to him, he rummaged for a few moments before producing a small black cylindar, not much larger than a biro.

With a raised hand and a glance back to Adara indicating that he wished for her to stay back, he turned and headed forward with a stealthy, almost animalistic stalking.

she took a step back, but without hesitation started behind him. he shot a dirty look at her and motioned for her to sit back down. not listening, adara followed. something about letting cadhla face danger made her want to keep him safe, protect him from danger. as she walked down the aisle, a horrorific feeling washed upon her, her nightmare was unfolding right before her eyes. and just with one gesture she let cadhla know what exactly was going to happen, as if they were both connected mentally.

It was then that a wave of nausea hit upon her as turbulence began to shake the flying bullet soaring the skies.

The pilot, hitman, walked back to the cockpit working methodically, automatically as if his actions were performed over a million times. Doning his sunglasses, the sun peered over the horizon in all its red golden blazing glory.

Pulling out two cigar sized cylindars, he placed one over the control panel, the other over the automatic pilot. Making the final adjustments to his own parachute, he notes that there is one parachute remaining, obviously one for the pilot and the other for the copilot. This gave him a sick satisfaction that he gives Cadhla an honourable chance, slim but a chance nonetheless. What he does with his new ward is up to him to decide. Either way he will meet him on the ground, if he or they survive somehow. Aimed his gun, which was nothing short of a bazooka, at the cockpit door.

With a horrendous explosion of glass shattering and metal twisting, the cabin lost pressure immediately. After jumping clearing the plane in seconds he pressed the remote detination button.

Just then within a heartbeat the planes controls explodes.

Cadhla heard the cracking pop of the gunshot moments before the the low thump of the depressurising cabin whisked the sound away and out into the freezing clouds.

Hearing a second, more muffled explosion, he felt the door to the cabin begin to bulge inwards slightly, a squealing erupted from the other side of the door as the plane suddenly lurched forward from it's buffeting gait and plunged him through the door with a harsh splintering and a heavy weight upon his back: Adara!

Twisting his body around a one-eighty and shooting out a fast jab into the ceiling with his right hand, gripping a torn piece of girder, he wrapped his left arm around the body of his lady companion, preventing her from being whisked away from the now hurtling aircraft, the steadily rising whine of the engines only serving to add to his sense of urgency.

Grunting slightly as he fought to climb back into the fuselage, he caught sight of the spare parachute hanging on the copilot side. Adara followed his gaze as she too sought some kind of purchase and seeing the 'chute, she grabbed it with her flailing free hand, slamming it into both their bodies as she hauled it over.

Smiling at her and taking a firm grip on both her and the single chute, he shouted. "How much do you weigh!?" into her ear, loud enough to be heard of the roaring rush of air.

"About one-twenty!" Came her somewhat quizzical reply.

With a broadening grin, Cadlha pressed himself down and letting go the plane, sprung out into the open sky...