Obsidiana

Night and Blood

My wonderful beta: hurdygurdygirl – Thank you so much for your patience and generous help in this story!

AN: I'm sorry it took so long to release the conclusion, but I was really in doubt about the final chapter. I created a few possible ends to our heroines, until I could be actually satisfied.

I have finished this tale for now, but the story is still so alive in my head. I don't think I can say goodbye to my dark creatures so soon…

I'd like to thank everyone who followed and commented "Night and Blood". Your support made the experience even more fun.

Chapter 17 and Epilogue

They were expecting fight or at least some resistance while they crossed the silent and dark hallways. The house was old and decorated in classic style – the wood covering the walls giving a somber aspect to it. Miranda was guiding the group, Tiberius and Nigel right behind her, Serena and Emily guarding their back. As they approached the room where she knew she would find her lover, they were not stopped, but the creatures surrounding them had a dangerous look in their faces, as if waiting for the right moment to placate their instincts. Besides Andrea, she could feel sixteen creatures in the house, most of them young, still suffering from the thirst. Honestly, Miranda couldn't understand why Jacqueline was surrounded by such a small and weak group. Casting a silent warning to her clan, she halted in front of a carved wood door, touching the surface in an attempt to feel whoever was inside. She made visual contact with the others, opening the door.

A large hall poorly illuminated by candle lights guarded three vampires and Andrea - beautiful under the moonlight. The dim lights coming from outside, accentuated the shadows around them, but Miranda could easily recognize Christian, Daniel and Jacqueline, dangerously close to her lover. Andrea was sitting in a wood chair, wearing a white old-fashion dress that made her even more similar to Madeleine. Behind the chair, holding the young girl's neck in a possessive manner was Jacqueline. Miranda restrained her first impulse to attack when her eyes, now perfectly adapted to the dark, could discern Andrea's scared ones. She lost her balance when she saw Daniel's face after all those decades of absence. His gaze was lost, defeated, only a shadow of the young energetic young man that had been the second most important being in the world for her. He was looking for Andrea, as if trying to understand the meaning of the scene before his eyes.

The door behind them closed and Miranda's brain worked fast to understand the situation. Tiberius was the strongest vampire in the room followed by Jacqueline, Daniel, Miranda and Nigel. Christian, Emily and Serena were too young to make any difference in a real fight – they would be destroyed in a matter of minutes. The advantage she had with Tiberius by her side, was compromised by the fact that Andrea had her human fragile neck firmly held in Jacqueline's hand and the vampire could extinguish her life in a second.

Andrea had an interesting look on her face, a mix of fear and anger – her moves restricted by the vampire's claim over her. Miranda looked at her lover's eyes, trying to reassure her silently. Observing their exchange, Jacqueline smiled at Miranda, pressing even more of her body into Andrea's back.

"My darling Miranda, it's so good to see you after all this time. You're even more beautiful than I remembered and I missed you terribly. Isn't this a wonderful reunion? I took the liberty of bringing your beloved Andy to our new house. Now our family is complete."

Miranda couldn't believe in the tone of affection coming from the odious creature. Jacqueline held an ironic expression on her face, her teeth dangerously exposed.

"Jacqueline, I demand that you take your hands away from Andrea. Right. Now."

"Oh, darling, why are you so mad? Aren't you happy to see us again, your lover and your brother? Your family"

Miranda offered a feral smile, her temper escalating to a dangerous level.

"My lover has your dirty hands around her neck and that creature hasn't been my brother for a long time."

Her words seemed to take Daniel away from his stupor and he looked from Miranda to Andy, tilting his head in a strange way. Jacqueline laughed again.

"Oh, I can see you haven't lost your lovely boldness, I can't wait to taste it again."

Andy's nostrils flared and no one in the room would doubt the look in her eyes – jealousy. The young woman was in a fragile position and remained quiet, but her eyes held no defeat or fear. Without taking her eyes from her lover, Miranda decided to prolong the argument with the purpose of gaining some time to decide what to do.

"Jacqueline, you know how I hate to wait or repeat myself. I demand that you explain your objective with this pantomime. Do you really believe that after all this time I would come back to you?"

Jacqueline seemed surprised for a moment.

"Darling, I know we had a few misunderstandings in the past, but there's no reason to keep this stupid resentment between us. You know that I can offer you the world: money, power, position, blood – whatever you want from me. All I want from you is that you assume your position beside me. You were transformed by a reason, I choose you! You're my consort, you're mine! Why are you avoiding your fate?"

Nigel approached Miranda, giving her a silent support. Miranda could hear his thoughts clearly.

"Miranda, don't infuriate her until her hands are not that close to Andy's neck. If we could take her away for a second…"

Miranda avoided the acid remark. "Jacqueline, I'm not interested in those things anymore, I desire to follow another path. I'm not here to fight, I just ask you to please, give me back Andrea and leave us alone. You can have anything in the world…"

Jacqueline looked again to her, a hurt frown changing her face.

"The only thing I truly wanted has been denied to me – Your affection… I know I've been possessive and destructive around you, but you have to understand that I love you. I changed in these decades we've been apart, I'm different now, and things can be different now, you see? In the past I was stupid, I should never have killed her… I never thought I would cause you so much pain. I just wanted you, completely. You must understand that things will be different now, you can have her, she can be your pet, I won't interfere…"

Miranda closed her eyes to control her nerves. The situation was so unbelievable that she had to contain the urge to laugh hysterically. That creature talking about love had destroyed her life, murdered her soul mate and condemned her to suffer eternally. Jacqueline had always been self-centered and that cost Madeleine's life. She was unable to hear anything or anyone around her – claiming what she believed was hers at any cost. Miranda wouldn't repeat her past mistakes – she would save Andrea even if that meant having to play that sick game. Faking a calm she didn't feel, she asked.

"Jacqueline, I'll do what you want, just let her go…"

Andrea nodded and closed her eyes as the vampire behind her gave a satisfied smile. "Darling, don't be so defeated… It's simple: I'll give you back what I took from you and you give me back what you took from me. Everybody will be happy."

The silver-haired vampire narrowed her eyes and moved two steps in Jacqueline's direction. Christian stood, but her master gave him a silent nod. "I don't understand what you are saying. What do you want to give me back?"

Jacqueline pulled Andrea in her direction, forcing the brunette to stand from the chair. With this movie, Andy's back was fully pressed against Jacqueline's body, the vampire hot breath caressing the sensitive skin of her neck. Andy body became rigid as Jacqueline licked a sensitive spot between her shoulder and neck. Miranda's eyes held a furious murderous look, but Jacqueline didn't seem worried.

"Don't do anything stupid Miranda, I have your pet right here where I want her… You don't want that in a careless movement I break her neck…"

"Jacqueline, I'm warning you: if anything happens to my mate I swear to you that will have no place in this world where you can hide from me!"

The woman's laugh sending a cold shiver all over Andy's body, "Your mate? I am your mate Miranda! This woman can be your pet, your playmate and of course I'm intended to share this beautiful body with you. Understand one thing: I'm being very generous with you, but stop testing my patience!"

Jacqueline caressed Andy's breasts and belly. "She's beautiful indeed, very desirable. I'm going to give her to you, as a proof of my intentions. She will become one of us and you can have her as long as you can… I have nothing against playmates; God knows I have a good number of them… Don't worry darling, your Andrea won't suffer…"

Suddenly, Miranda understood and a painful howl left her lips. Jacqueline would transform Andrea, not to give her to Miranda, but to keep the young woman bounded to her. The transformation process would create a bond between them and even if Andrea would be strong enough to break the connection as Miranda did in the past, she would need Jacqueline in the first years, until her hunger subsided. Jacqueline intended to keep Miranda connected to her, using Andrea.

Everything happened in an incredible speed. In what appeared to be a second, the room was full of vampires, attacking Miranda's small pack. Andy felt when her skin was broken by a painful bite as her blood left her body. Fighting for a few seconds, she tried desperately to ease the iron grip on her neck, but her hands were not strong enough. She saw when Miranda jumped toward her, just to be intercepted by Christian's form. With her vision blurred, Andy saw when Nigel came to Miranda, helping her against Christian. She saw Tiberius incredible straight as he destroyed so many creatures. She heard Emily's cries when a young vampire hit Serena, throwing her across the room. She saw everything and then, suddenly, she saw nothing more.

Miranda felt tears in her eyes as she witnessed Andrea's face becoming pale, the blood drained from her body in a matter of seconds. Fighting to get to her lover, she cried, smashing young immortal bodies with her powerful hands. She was aware that time was against her Andrea when she saw her beautiful body hit the floor unconscious. Jacqueline knelt beside her, looking directly into Miranda's eyes, as she bites her own pulse, breaking the skin. Miranda looked around frantically, fighting to get to Andrea, but knowing that the number of vampires around them would delay her actions. In a corner, oblivious to everything around him, she found Daniel - his inexpressive eyes showing no reaction to the action around him. Miranda looked at her brother and he seemed to sense it, moving his sad eyes from Miranda to Andrea's lifeless body, lying just a few inches from him. Miranda shouted as if her heart was being torn from her chest.

"Daniel, help me!"

In a swift movie, that remind Miranda of a viper attack, he jumped grabbing Jacqueline's neck and everyone in the room felt the wave of surprise and rage coming from the old creature. She tried to disentangle from his grip, but his actions were moved by an unexpected force, like a beast waking stronger after a long period of hibernation. The balance between the opponents changed. Even with Emily and Serena out of the fight, Tiberius had destroyed Jacqueline's acolytes leaving Nigel and Miranda to deal with Christian, who fled from the house as soon as Daniel attacked his master. Nigel, now free from Christian's attacks ran to help Daniel, but before he could get to them, the dispute was over. Covered in blood, Daniel held Jacqueline's head in his hands, snarling to Miranda.

The silver-haired vampire was kneeling beside Andrea, her desperate sobs echoing in the chamber. Dropping the disgusting bloodied head, Daniel tilted his head like a curious animal, as if trying to understand his sister's pain. He approached, kneeling in the other side Andrea's body as his eyes looked for Miranda and his pale hands touched the cold skin of Andy's neck. Nigel, Tiberius, Serena and Emily were silent, fearing that it was already too late for the human. For a long moment that felt like a century, nobody moved and Miranda cried even harder as her arms held Andrea's body close to her chest. A silent tear fell from Nigel's eyes as he understood that Miranda was reviving the past, crying the death of her soul mate for the second time.

Nigel saw Tiberius moving by his side, already acting to clean the mess of bodies and blood covering the room - the vampires should be burned faster, to be completely destroyed. While he was still deciding if he should help Tiberius or support Miranda, Daniel surprised everyone, grabbing Miranda's wrist, before bringing it firmly to his mouth. Miranda's blood flooded through the broke skin and Daniel guided the red fluid to Andrea's mouth.

…..

Epilogue

She opened her eyes, adjusting her preternatural view to her surroundings. The place beside her was empty, but she could still feel the sweet scent of her mate surrounding the confined air of her vault. She stretched her legs and smiled, feeling the soothing presence of her lover as she could hear her footsteps outside her shelter. I dim light enfolded her when the locked door opened to reveal the bright blue eyes that could read her soul. She extended her hand to touch the face above her, more beautiful than ever, now that her eyes could see beyond the limitations of flesh and blood. Smiling she opened her arms, only to be involved in the most passionate embrace. Miranda's arms were heaven around her, her hot skin - an obvious result of fresh blood in her veins – making Andy hungry for her. Sharp fangs came down breaking the ivory skin, seeking the precious source of life that would keep Andy's hunger tempered until she could hunt.

Miranda insisted, since her transformation, that she should be Andy's first source of blood night after night. The necessary measure avoided the usual painful hunger, so common in young vampires. She would always be the last one to wake and that would give Miranda enough time to feed properly, filling her immortal veins of blood that would feed her beloved.

Andy rolled her eyes as she drank, moaning from pleasure. Miranda held her head in place, caressing her hair as she whispered soft words of encouragement and love. "Yes darling, drink…take everything you need…"

Miranda's sensual voice inflamed the young vampire, who held her mate with renewed strength. Miranda smiled at the sweet sounds coming from her lover's lips, while her hands caressed Andrea's body.

"Oh, please Miranda, please…"

"Please what, darling?"

"Oh God, I need you, take me, fuck me baby."

Miranda's held Andrea's head with both hands, looking deeply in her red eyes. Smiling to her mate, she bit Andy's neck, drinking her sweet essence as her right hand found Andrea's hot center. She entered her with two fingers as Andrea's hips bucked frantically against her hands, rubbing her swollen clit in Miranda's palms. Now, that they were the same, there was no concern about her mate's fragility as they made love, so Miranda didn't restrain her need. Andy, still not familiarized with her new body and needs, claimed her lover with the ferocity of a newborn vampire – to Miranda's delight. To a vampire sex and blood were intimately connected, so night after night, since Andy's transformation, the feeding process became a heated lovemaking scene, that would have no end, until both of them were satisfied.

Their bond was undeniable. Miranda felt alive again, her chest burning with happiness to have her sweet love back in her immortal life. Andy came hard and Miranda held her body tenderly, caressing her soft strands. Their kisses were languid, a deep exchange of blood and affection. Andrea nibbled her ear, whispering.

"Hmm, your blood is so sweet my love. Can we stay like this forever?"

Miranda smiled at the unguarded lovely expression on her mate's features. Andrea was eager and bold, in the way that only young creatures would be. During the first year, the hunger would be her most faithful companion. When fed, the vampire's attention would come back to the world, to the incredible sensations evoked by the new body, so everything around would fade. Miranda would be her truth connection to the clan.

"I would love to be like this forever… but you must feed, hunt, and learn to deal with your new body. Besides, the others are eager to be with you, especially Daniel and Serena."

Andy smiled, remembering for the first time that night that they were not alone in the house. "Daniel… Do you think he will ever come back from his nightmares?"

Miranda kissed Andrea's forehead, thinking about her brother, lost in his own painful memories. Andrea seemed to be the only bridge between his foggy brain and the world around him.

"I don't know my love. I have no idea of what kind of torments he was subjected all those years. He is safe now, but it could be years before he connects to us again. I feel that he is happiest around you. He loved Madeleine and he recognizes her spirit in you. Everything is fine now, it's just a matter of time, until he understands he is safe, that he has his life back – that we are together again. A new beginning for all of us…""

They remained embraced, feeling completely at peace for the first time - Andrea's soft whisper solidifying their faith in the future.

"A new beginning indeed and all I need is you, the night, and blood."

The End