The First Bite

The First Bite

by K. Winters

©2015

Copyright © 2015 K. Winters

All rights reserved.

All the places and characters in this book have no existence outside of the imagination of the author and have no relationship whatsoever to anyone or any place bearing the same name or names. All incidents are purely fiction and the resemblance to any person, place, or thing is purely coincidental.

ISBN-13: 978-0-9998509-2-3

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

A Special Thank You

To Alex Hazlett for editing this work, his special talent has prevented many of my errors from ever offending the readers’ eyes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

The First Bite

Dawn

Training

Northport

Christmas Day

New Friends

Traveling Home

Meredith

The Dhampir Network

Graduation

Maria

Jon Daniels

The Birth of Twins

Turning

The School

And Finally…

About the Author

PREFACE

Welcome to my world of vampires, dhampirs, and things that go bump in the night. It’s an adult fantasy and readers under the age of eighteen are discouraged from reading this material as it contains adult language, situations, and explicit sex.

Let me take a moment and describe the term dhampir and sort out some of their unique characteristics. My ‘spin’ on the vampire myth is most likely unique among paranormal authors. I find the ability to explore human foibles in a character as complex as Alicia (whom you will meet in a few minutes), appealing. I am attracted, as an author, to strong female characters and a dhampir woman seems to fit the bill nicely, yet, they are human and subject to matters of the heart, which makes this more a romantic romp with fantasy underpinnings.

The word dhampir or living vampire, is an ancient Romanian term, and defines a creature that is the result of a union between a human and a vampire. They share many of the same abilities with their purebred cousins, including incredible speed, strength, and agility, but are finite, neither dead nor immortal as the typical Hollywood myth portrays. Yes, they need to consume blood, but only periodically rather than daily as do their vampire cousins; they just need it for a different purpose. And. to their advantage, their bite disappears quickly owing to the unique properties of their saliva, making them often referred to as ‘ghost vampires’.

In recent vampire fiction, the dhampir refers to any hybrid of one human and one vampire, or in my case dhampir, parent. They are not vampires themselves, but a half-breed of both. I chose this path as it allows me to explore the myth from a human perspective where the dhampir characters contain human foibles because they are, mostly human after all.

Thank you for selecting my work, I hope you enjoy it...

THE FIRST BITE

What’s happening?  Clouded and confused, Jacob Daniels' brain drifted in and out of consciousness. It was as if he was being wrapped in a soft blanket that was choking and smothering his consciousness.  

Jacob shook his head and tried to clear the effects of whatever it was that was suffocating his mind.  He didn't take any pills.  He hadn't had a beer in days.  

What was going on?  He wondered as he struggled to regain his senses. Then he heard a voice inside his head, it was feminine, soft and alluring.  

Don’t fight it little boy; just relax.  Drift with me.  Let me comfort you.  You won't be harmed.  You won't feel a thing.  Just go to sleep.   The voice was captivating, seductive, and sensual.

Jacob shook his head again.  What did that mean, I won’t feel a thing?  Alarm bells seemed to be going off as the hair on the back of his neck stood straight up.  

He struggled to speak.  Wait a minute!  Stop it, whoever you are.  I did not give you permission to do anything to me!

He didn't know why he said that last part but it seemed to be the right thing to say because the sensations immediately stopped.  Maybe it was that stupid vampire movie he fell asleep watching.  Whatever it was, it seemed to work.

That stupid flick, he grumbled, now I have vampires on the brain.

Jacob jumped up and looked around.  The apartment was dark except for the blaring television blathering on about some robberies on the eleven o'clock news.  

He grabbed the remote and turned off the television.  The room was instantly filled with shadows.  The stillness was deafening.   The streetlights in the parking lot outside filtered through the blinds of the windows of his apartment.  Their amber beams crept towards the shadows and then faded.

A woman dressed in black stood silently observing him from the shadows.  She smiled as she watched him scratch his head and look around the room.  He wouldn’t see her, at least not yet.  She was hidden too well for his human eyes to find her, silhouetted in the alcove.

She remembered seeing him for the first time three days ago. She had just arrived in town.  After wandering for months, years actually, looking for a new place to settle.  It was one of those cold autumn days when the rain seemed to fall as if it was dumped out of a bucket.  She had just stepped out of the bus terminal and she slipped in a puddle of water that concealed a pile of trash on the sidewalk.  

A hand seemed to appear out of nowhere and helped to steady her.  She turned to thank the person who helped her and she looked into a pair of cool grey eyes. They captivated her.  They were set in a handsome face with gentle features framed by light brown hair that curled over the top of his ears.  He was tall and athletic looking but not stocky; more like a runner than a football player.  He glanced at her briefly with a half smile as he helped her stand.  

But before she could offer a word of thanks he disappeared.  He walked briskly down the sidewalk and turned the corner.  Gone, before she knew it, as if he vanished in a puff of smoke.  

Alicia stood for a moment dazed then she gathered her wits about her and raced to the corner to catch another glimpse of him but he melted into the crowd beyond.

She searched for him that day and into the next.  There was something about him that drew her to him.  She passed by hundreds of men and women.  She could have had any one of them but none of them interested her like he did.  Those eyes, they were mesmerizing.  It took her two more days to finally find him.

Stepping from the shadows near the foyer, she emerged into the amber light.

Jacob spun around and spotted her near the front door of the apartment. Who are you?

My name is Alicia.  Who are you?

He stood with his hands on his hips. Jacob

I like that name.

Never mind that.  How did you get in here?

Your door was open, Jacob.

His eyes narrowed. Do you make a habit of walking into peoples apartments uninvited?

I’m hungry.

You’re hungry?  What does that mean?

She walked towards him.  It was a slow and seductive walk.  Her high heels clicked suggestively on the wooden floor as her hips swayed in a provocative manner, moving slowly through the shadows and amber street-light.

Jacob began to see her more clearly.  She was remarkably beautiful.  Tall and slender, her lithe body moved gracefully as she walked.  Her golden-auburn hair fell in gentle curves to grace her shoulders.  It framed a beautiful face with a slender nose, arched eyebrows, and full, sensuous lips that held a seductive smile.

But for all her beauty the one feature that held his attention the most were her eyes.  They were luminescent.  Her azure blue eyes glowed brilliantly in the darkness.  It was unnerving.

He began to back up as she approached.  Suddenly, his legs bumped against a coffee table and he began to fall backwards.  

In a blur she raced towards Jacob and caught him in her arms.  His head was inches from the sharp edge of a corner table.  Her lips were a hair's breadth from his.  She smiled seductively as she cradled him in her arms.

Thank you, he murmured.

You’re welcome, She moved to lay him comfortably on the couch then she shifted her body and continued to hover over him. Just returning the favor.

He glanced around; the couch she laid him on trapped him beneath her.

You intrigue me, Jacob.  I don't understand why I can't control your mind.

She looked at him intently, her azure blue eyes still blazing brilliantly.  She began to search his mind more carefully.  But each time she tried to explore it, a solid wall of fog blocked her attempt.

What do you mean, control my mind?

You should be paralyzed, a kneeling supplicant waiting for me to take you.  Your mind should be totally under my control.  And yet, here you are, demanding that I stop what I'm doing as if nothing has happened to you.  It's confusing to say the least.

I heard your voice inside my head.  How did you do that?

It's what I do to soothe and control my prey.  But no one has ever actually heard my words before. They just succumb to my will and wait for me.  You're the first to actually hear me in your mind.  That's why I said that you intrigue me. Her eyes glowed brilliantly.

Who are you?  Or rather what are you? He demanded.

Alicia, still hovering over him, opened her mouth and two pearly white fangs dropped into view. They were ferocious looking.  They were wider at the base where they elongated from part of her existing teeth and they were long, longer than he ever imagined a vampire's teeth could be.  They extended well below her existing teeth and tapered to a needle sharp point at the end.

Fuck.

She retracted her fangs and smiled at him. That's what I meant when I said I was hungry.

Squirming but with little luck for escape. And I'm supposed to be your prey?

Lucky you, she purred demurely.

So, you expect me to sit here while you take a bite out of my neck.  Are you going to kill me?

No, why would you think that?  I just need a little nibble. She added with a girlish pout.  When I'm finished you won't even know I've done anything.

This must be some sort of bad dream.  You're a vampire?  You aren't supposed to exist.  You're a myth. The product of my overactive imagination.  He turned to the television across the room.   I need to stop watching late night TV.

She leaned forward and kissed him seductively on the lips. What do you think of your overactive imagination now?

I think it tastes like peppermint.  What have you been eating?

I took some candy out of a jar in your kitchen. I said I was hungry, didn't I?

She intrigued him. For what?  Blood or candy?

Both.  She offered a coquettish smile then she leaned close to his ear and whispered. Can’t you let me have a little bite?

NO!  Why do you want to bite me? He tried to scoot away from her but his head was up against the armrest and he couldn’t move. Aren't there tons of better looking guys out there waiting for you to bite them?

Doesn't matter, I want you, she purred.

Why?

I can't explain it. Her eyes twinkled with mischief.  I have no idea.  But my heart tells me that I must be with you tonight. Her finger traced along his jaw line then she caressed his cheek.  

Besides, I need blood today. In fact, I need it right now.  My body just went through the ‘cleanse’ and I need to replace what I lost.  If I don't bite you real soon I will fall into bloodlust and I'll not be able to control myself.  Bloodlust is dangerous for a vampire.  I could be discovered and I might be killed.  

She leaned forward and whispered in his ear.  There was a sense of urgency in her voice. Can’t you help me, Jacob?  I really need your blood.

How can you get killed?  Aren’t vampires supposed to be immortal?

Alicia rolled her eyes and moved to sit down on the couch next to him. We’re not immortal, any more than you are. We just live longer, that’s all. She shrugged added an impish smile.

What kind of vampire are you?

The real kind.  Forget the myths, they’re mostly Hollywood hype and almost completely wrong.

Jacob sat up and searched her face looking for a glimmer of deception, there was no one that he could see.

Sunlight doesn’t bother me, I don’t have glitter on my skin, see? She held her arm outstretched. I’m not dead and I can be killed, okay?

What about those fangs?  Do you just drink blood?

I need blood from time to time, yes, but I eat normal human food just like you.  Anything, except broccoli, I can’t stand the stuff.

Jacob sat there and shook his head to clear his thoughts. A vampire who wasn’t immortal, could come out in daylight and wasn’t dead.  This was crazy.

I really need your help, Jacob.  Please?

What's the ‘cleanse’?

Alicia slumped her shoulders in an expression of exasperation. God you ask so many questions!  The ‘cleanse’ is when my body purges old blood from my system.  Vampires like me can't replenish our own blood. We don’t have any bone marrow so we have to take it from some other blood source, preferably human.

She looked at him to see if he understood, but confusion filled his expression. It's like my body is starving for blood and I want some of yours. It won't be much, less than what you might donate to a blood bank.  She paused a moment and searched his face then pouted.  Please?

Humph. Jacob sulked, this has got to be a weird dream.

Oh, come on.  Will it be so bad to be bitten by a beautiful vampire like me?  She brushed a lock of his hair out of his eyes and tucked it behind his ear.

He covered his face with his hands.  He was totally bewildered.  Okay, if this was totally a dream, then her bite won't happen in reality.  It would be just a dream. Right?  Jacob peeked at her between his fingers. You said that it won't hurt and that you won't try to kill me.  Is that right?

Uh-huh, she nodded sweetly.  I promise.

How do I know I can trust you?

Because I'm much stronger than you and if I wanted to ignore my heart and take you by force I could do so with little effort.  But I don't want to.  I want you to accept my word and give me permission.

Why?

I just do okay?  I can’t explain it.  Humor me.

Humph. Jacob sat for a moment and considered her words.  

Alicia looked at him with a tinge of concern.  She didn't want to fall into bloodlust.  She would loose control and if she were discovered she would likely be killed.  But she was near; she could feel it coming on. She wondered what was wrong. Why didn’t she just take him? She never felt the need to have permission before.  Why is it different with him?

Jacob seemed resigned and nodded. Okay.  All right, you can bite me.

She grinned broadly and began to open her mouth.  She didn’t know why his permission meant so much to her at that moment, but it did. Her heart began to beat rapidly and her eyes glowed brilliantly as her fangs started to peek beneath her lips.

But on one condition.

She hesitated.  She began to worry that he would change his mind.

He looked her in the eyes. You promise to go out on a date with me tomorrow.

She blinked, barely able to contain her joy. Really?

He nodded.

I promise, she said sweetly and opened her mouth.  Her fangs dropped back into view.

Don't move, she projected her thoughts into his mind.  If you do, my fangs might tear a gash and it will be much harder to heal.

But... Jacob was interrupted by her thoughts again.

Shush, sweetie.  She projected her thoughts to him again. Just relax.  I won't take much, I promise.

As Alicia sank her fangs into his flesh she closed her mouth around the bite and began to draw his blood into her veins.  The moment she sunk her fangs into him she felt a surge of energy exploding throughout her body.  It tingled as she held her fangs inside him.  Suddenly the tingling gave way to euphoria and her mind began to drift.  

His blood tasted sweet, like nectar.  She had never tasted anything like it.  It was becoming addictive, she didn't want to stop drinking from him but she knew she must. Yet, while drifting in this moment of bliss, she forgot about blood, she forgot about everything except the man she held in her arms. She was in ecstasy.  

Somewhere in the back of her mind she remembered that she needed to be careful and not take too much blood.  Taking too much would be dangerous for both of them and she promised not to harm him. Besides, she really wanted to go on that date tomorrow, although she really didn’t know why, she just did.

She retracted her fangs and used her tongue to clean and heal the wounds on Jacob's neck. She knew her saliva would quickly heal the puncture wounds and within moments all traces of her bite would disappear.

Once his wounds began to heal she leaned back and studied him as she held him gently in her arms.  His tousled hair was golden brown and his lips were soft and nicely defined.  His grey eyes were closed and she could sense that he was drifting peacefully.  She didn't know if it was from her mental abilities or from her bite.  

She wondered if the bite affected him as much as it did her.   In all her life, she had never experienced a moment like this.  No one had ever affected her quite like he did.  She leaned forward again and softly kissed him on the lips.  He opened his eyes and returned her kiss, passionately.

For Jacob, as Alicia’s fangs pierced his skin he felt a momentary flash of pain.  It raced through his body from his head to his toes.  He grabbed her shoulders and held her tight.  Then something marvelous happened.  He suddenly felt like he was floating.  Every cell in his body was singing with delight.  He softened his grip on her shoulders and wrapped his arms around her in a loving caress.

A moment later he vaguely felt her remove her fangs from his neck.  The pain had long since been replaced by such an amazing feeling of joy.  The euphoria gently drew him along, drifting effortlessly along on a river of bliss.  

He felt something soft and warm against his lips.  He opened his eyes to see her beautiful eyes gazing into his.  Her lips were softly pressed against his.  He returned her kiss with passion.

You are amazing," he projected his thoughts towards her mind.  And this is one hell of a dream.

Alicia widened her eyes in shock as she heard his thoughts drift through her mind.  That had never happened before, not from a human.  Never, ever.

How did you do that?  She projected her thought back to him.  

His tongue explored her mouth and he could taste his