Chapter 2

“Daniel!” he yelled, cupping his mouth. “Daniel! I’ll find you, baby. I’ll find…”

A great force hit him from behind, winding him, and as he struggled to get his breath back, he was lifted off the ground. He looked down, watching the road and his truck grow smaller and smaller. For a moment he struggled to free himself, but the creature’s powerful arms were secure around his torso. With a bit of effort he managed to twist himself around and look upon the face of the creature that held him in its grip. The eyes were black and dead, its nose no more than two folds of skin in the centre of its face, and when the creature grinned at him, its long fangs glistened in the moonlight. Vampire!There had been rumours, and he’d seen pictures. How could it be anything else? Suddenly it became difficult to breath. The smell of death and decay was strong in his nostrils. He could feel vomit biting the back of his throat, but he swallowed it down. He had to be strong. For Daniel.

His instinct for survival kicked in, and once more he struggled to free himself, yet it was useless. The vampire’s arms were like metal bands around him. Even when he tried to swing his legs forward, trying to work up enough momentum to give the creature a good kick, he failed. The vampire barely noticed his efforts, and he’d exhausted himself to the point of giving up the fight.

They soared over farmhouses and patches of forest, over a hamlet and a small river that he recognised as the river that marked the boundary between counties. The wind was harsh against his face, making his eyes water and drying the back of his throat. He swallowed though the action brought him scant relief; there was no saliva to lubricate his mouth.

Finally they began to descend. Below them stood an imposing granite mansion which stood on the side of a large, lonely hill and was, for the most part, hidden behind a grove of ancient oaks. He guessed that they had arrived at their destination.

The breeze from the vampire’s wings rustled the leaves as they came in for a landing, and Karl’s feet dragged along the treetops. Their landing was smooth, but the minute the creature let go of him he balled his hands into fists and spun around, taking a swing at his kidnapper. But the vampire was too fast and too strong. As he slammed into the vampire’s hand, he jarred his arm, and when the vampire’s hand closed around his fist, he heard his knuckles crack. He cried out as spears of sharp pain shot up his arm.

“Don’t be a fool,” said the vampire, his words coloured by a thick eastern European accent. “I could crush your head now and suck out your brain.”

“Do it,” said Karl defiantly, his eyes fixed on the black eyes of the vampire.

The vampire regarded him through narrowed eyes. Its nostrils, mere pits protected by folds of reddish-pink flesh, flared wide.

“I smell your fear,” said the vampire coldly. “Your words are brave, but your galloping heart betrays you.”

The vampire picked him up by the back of his jacket with one hand and pushed the door to the mansion open with the other. Once inside the giant entrance hall he was released. He took a tentative step forward, his eyes scanning the grandeur of the enormous space. Original works of art hung on every wall, and there were small groups of well-padded chairs standing on expensive Persian carpets. Two handsome, well-dressed men sat chatting to Karl’s left; both glanced up at him as he took a second step. Another younger man, no older than twenty, walked into the room and draped himself over the railing at the foot of the grand staircase, resting his head on his arms and looking thoroughly bored.

“Ah, Vadim, you’ve arrived with your prize.”

Karl watched a second winged vampire descend the stairs.

“Yes Jasper. He’s a fine specimen, too. Full of spirit.”

In the blink of an eye, Jasper was in front of him, sniffing him, inspecting him.

At seven feet Jasper towered over him. His dark brown hair was slicked back over his skull, accentuating his heavy brow. His purple lips were thin and cruel, and the flaps of his nostrils flared as they took in his aroma. Tucked neatly behind him were two massive wings, black and leathery with age. The creature’s chest was muscular and looked as though it had been chiselled from white marble, the illusion only broken by a small patch of dark hair which sat in the centre. And through the fabric of his tight black breeches, Karl could see the outline of his sizeable cock.