Evil In My Blood

Evil In My Blood
Written By Jade & CC

Chapter 11 - Jade

As he heard the scream, Sandman put the car in drive, and took off like a bat out of hell. "What the hell was that for?" Jade asked. "I heard CC scream." "Nikki wouldn't..." Sandman cut her off before she could finish. "No, he wouldn't feed from her. Not unless she wanted him to. He wouldn't risk damning her to our type of life."

Once he laid eyes on the three in the alley, he pulled over. "You get CC. I don't want to risk scaring her. She's already seen what Nikki is." Jade silently asked how he knew. "Just trust me. I can't cut this mind reading thing off, and it isn't focused just on you."

Sandman ran over to them, and pulled Nikki away from Kyle. "What the hell is wrong with you!? I told you to behave." "He's trying to take CC from me!" "Try to read his mind, you dumb ass! She turned him down!"

Jade walked over to CC, and put her arms around her shoulders. "CC? Are you alright?" "Nikki's... he's a... They're both..." "Calm down, hunny. I know what they are," Jade soothed. CC broke free of her friend's embrace, and turned on her. "How the hell can you be so damn calm!? I'm covering a story on a woman whose death looks like a vampire attack, and come to find out, we're dating vampires!" "Yes, we are. Neither of which has fed on living human blood for over a century." "Tell that to Janet Hiller," CC said in an icy tone.

CC turned and ran. "CC!? Damn it, get back here," Jade yelled. Seeing that she wasn't going to stop, Jade took off after her. After running a few blocks, she lost her. "Goddamit!" She leaned against the wall, and bent over with her hands on her knees to catch her breath. "I should have quit smoking years ago."

As a shadow came closer to her, she looked up. The man was nearly seven feet tall, and dressed all in black. What frightened her were the glowing green eyes from her nightmares, and his preditory gaze was fixed on her. "Undertaker, " she merely whispered. He gave her a crooked grin. "I suppose your man has told you about me?" She wanted to run, but her body wouldn't move. 'SANDMAN!' her mind screamed. "By all means, call your lover here to save you. We'll be gone before he gets here."

Sandman heard her cries. He grabbed Nikki's collar, and pulled him to the car, disregarding the still shocked Kyle. "Thanks to you, we have to go find both of the ladies," he hissed. "What?" "CC took off running, and Undertaker has Jade. If I lose her because of your stupidity, I will make your eternity a living hell!"

CHAPTER 12 – CC

`Where the fuck is she' Sandman thought. Nikki was still breathing

hard and trying to comprehend everything that just happened. "I'm

sorry," was all he could say. His hands shook as he pulled out a

cigarette and lit it. Sandman kept driving. Visions of Jade being

tortured and lying in a pool of her own blood haunted him. They drove

in silence looking for the girls, but to no avail. Nikki couldn't

stand the heaviness that settled in his heart. "Stop the car." Sandman

looked at him. "I need to be alone. Please, don't ask me anything

else." Nodding his head, Sandman pulled over. Nikki opened the door as

the first tear fell on the wet pavement. "Hey," Nikki turned to look

at his older brother, "We'll find them. Just be careful" Trying to

smile, Nikki closed the door. Sandman watched his baby brother as the

fog swallowed him whole. He could feel Nikki's pain and the blame he

was placing on himself. Sandman sighed and pulled away from the curb.

********************************************************************

Undertaker slammed Jade down onto a bed of pillows. He swung one leg

over her, trapping her with his weight. "Now, maybe you'll stop

fighting me." Jade brought her hands up to hit him, but he was too

fast and grabbed her wrists. He forced them down above her head and

bared his fangs, "Don't make me hurt you." She winced in pain and

thought it best to give in. Smiling, he leaned closer to her face and

whispered, "That's better." She saw the tips of his fangs tainted red

and closed her eyes. A deep demonic chuckle escaped his ruby lips,

"Does my appearance offend?" Jade said nothing. "Answer me." For the

first time in her life, she was speechless. Becoming disgusted with

her fear, he placed both of her wrists in one hand and wrapped his

free hand around her throat. "If you aren't going to speak, then I'll

have to give you a reason not to speak," and he tightened his grip.

She could feel his frigid hand tighten for every second of silence.

Finally she screamed, "What do you want!?" Leaning into her until his

lips were inches from hers and as strands of his jet black hair

caressed her face, he said in a deathly tone, "Sandman."

**********************************************************

By 3:30AM, Nikki's anger was at a boiling point. "Who the hell does

she think she is," he screamed out loud. How dare she go out with

another man. Nikki looked up and found himself at CC's house. His lips

curved into a sadistic smile as he turned himself into a stream of

steamy mist.

CC was fast asleep and moaned as she felt something under the covers.

She turned on to her back as Nikki re-shaped himself at the foot of

her bed. With his eyes black as coal and his fangs gleaming in the

moonlight, he removed the sheet that covered the curvaceous body he

loved so much. His eyes followed his fingers as he started at her

painted toe, gently moving up her leg. She let out a small moan, as

she slowly opened her eyes. Nikki swiftly moved on top of her and

forcefully held her down. "Let me go," she pleaded. He shook his head

and as he lightly brushed his lips with hers, he whispered, "Never."

His eyes danced with an evil she had never seen before. Gathering her

strength she questioned, "What the fuck are doing?" "I should be the

one asking you," he hissed. Confused she replied, "What are you

talking about?" His blood was seething as his memory took him down

memory lane. The laughter, the hand holding, the proposal, it was too

much for him to bear. Before he even realized what he was doing, his

hand grabbed her throat and squeezed. "I watched you tonight. What

the fuck were you doing out with another man? Hasn't this past year

meant anything to you?" His grip tightened as he continued. "Or was

this just a game to bide your time until someone better came along?

You said you loved me or were those just more mortal lies?"

His strength was overwhelming as her eyes began to water. He intently

watched as one tear escaped. Following its trail, Nikki's own eyes

began to shine. Looking deep into her hazel eyes, he couldn't take it

anymore. He had to know the truth. Loosening his grasp, he quietly

asked, "Do you still want me?" She looked at the creature that lay on

top of her, his messy long hair, his eyes black as night, his fangs,

sharp and ready to take the soul of any being, yet through it all, she

didn't know why, but she found herself saying, "Yes," without any

hesitation. Nikki looped his finger around her hair and violently

pulled her into a passionate kiss.

Chapter 13 – Jade

As she stared into the eyes of evil, Jade wondered if she was going to die that night. Undertaker gave her an evil grin. He petted her cheek, knowing it only upset her. "Why would I kill you tonight? If you're dead, what reason would Sandman have for coming to me?" "I hope I get to watch when he rips your fucking head from your shoulders," she growled. "Don't worry. I plan on letting you watch me kill him. Then, you'll be a creature of the night, just like me." "You can turn me, but I'll never be like you."

His internal clock told him the sun would be rising soon. "Now, what should I do with you while I rest?" He flashed a vision in her head of what he had planned. Her breath caught in her throat. "Couldn't you just chain me to a wall or something?" "Face it, you need your rest as well." "Then chain me to a fucking table or bed! You're not getting me in that damn thing!"

He stood, easily lifting her with him. "I don't believe you have a choice, my dear." He threw her over his shoulder, and carried her to the bedroom. He set her down, and opened the lid on the coffin. "Oh, hell no!" She darted towards the door, but Undertaker beat her to the door. "Let's not make this any harder than it has to be. If you continue to fight me, you'll be on the bottom." She swallowed hard, knowing his weight would nearly crush her.

************ ********* ********* ***

Sandman shook the deceiving images from his head. He was finally able to connect with Jade's senses. He saw through her eyes as Undertaker climbed in the coffin, then pulled her in on top of him. His anger reached new levels as he felt Undertaker's arms go around her body, and hold her to him. 'Don't worry, my love. I will be there as soon as I can,' he sent to her. He read her thoughts, telling him to be careful.

************ ********* ********* ****

Nikki felt his inner alarm going off, but he refused to leave CC. "If you still want me, why were you with him?" "I work with Kyle. We went to dinner as co-workers, atleast from my view. When he started coming on to me, I made it clear that I was seeing someone." "'Was seeing someone'?" She sat up. "Damn it, Nikki... Don't turn my words around on me. You know what I mean."

She glanced over at the alarm clock. "The sun will be up soon. Shouldn't you be hiding?" "I can't. Not until I know I actually have a reason to hide from the sun." He stared her in the eyes. "If you still want me, why did you run from me?" "What did you expect me to do when I saw you that way!? I didn't even believe vampires existed until last night. Then, to see that my lover, the man I've been seeing for a year is a vampire, bared fangs and all... I was scared, and I paniced."

He laid his hand on her cheek. "I would never hurt you." As she tossed the covers aside, and stood, she said, "you have a funny way of showing it!" "I'm sorry! I saw you with another man, and you ran from me. I was scared, too! Scared that I was losing you!" She sighed. "You're not losing me. I just wish you could have told me." "Would you have taken it any better if I had?" She shook her head. "I don't know." "Besides, Sandman and I have to be very careful of who knows. If too many people found out what we are, or that we exist, it would cause a panic."

Nikki stood from the bed, and went to her. He wrapped an arm around her, and laid the opposite hand on her cheek. "I realize how it sounds, but I wasn't sure that I could trust you with that kind of information. Now, I know I should have." He leaned down, and softly claimed her lips. As they were deep in their passionate kiss, she heared a sizzling noise. She pulled away, and saw the smoke rising from his hand. "Oh, shit! Nikki, you have to hide! Get in the closet!"

CHAPTER 14 - CC

Wincing in pain Nikki asked, "Promise me I'll see you later." CC

tenderly smiled, "I promise, now get in." Nikki grabbed her by the

throat and pulled her into the closet with him.

*******************************************************

Sandman was exhausted, but made it home just in time. He reached for

the remote control and closed all of the windows. "Nikki, are you

here?" he shouted. Silence met his ears and his heart began to race.

His mind went searching and then a smile crossed his lips when he

finally found him. `As long as you're safe little bro,' he thought to

himself. His head felt light and his stomach was churning as he

realized he hadn't fed all night. He opened the fridge and reached for

the bottle that would quench his thirst. "Come to Papa," he growled as

he drained the container. Trails of crimson fluid ran down the corners

of his mouth and splashed his chest as his head titled back.

"AAAAHHHHHH," he contently sighed. With his eyes closed, he bared his

fangs as his blonde mane spilled down his back. He set the container

on the counter and swore out loud, "I will find you Undertaker, you

here me! And when I do, you are going to wish you had never started

this game."

***************************************************************

Lying in his coffin with Jade securely on top of him, Undertaker

chuckled at Sandman's threat, and simply stated, `You have to find me

first. In the mean time, I will make sure that all of Jade's needs are

met, all of them,' as a sadistic laugh rose from his throat.

***************************************************************

Around 2PM, CC was driving to her next interview. Her thoughts were

consumed with this Undertaker character and where the hell Jade was.

There had to be some kind of connection, but what? Maybe Nikki could

tell her something. A smile crossed her lips as she recalled their

rendezvous in the closet. Unfortunately, they couldn't talk about his

past because she had to go to work, but that would all change when she

got home. She pulled up to the curb and put the car in park. A chill

ran up her spine as she noticed the dark mansion that lay before her.

"First vampires, and now spooky old mansions. How did I ever get

myself into this mess?" she said out loud. She grabbed her briefcase

and as she stood out of the car, an icy wind whipped through her body

and a deep baritone voice whispered, "You're next." She tried to shake

it off and proceeded up the hill.

The floorboards creaked as she reached the door. CC noticed the brass

knocker. It was in the shape of a lion's head with bits of brass worn

off. "How cliché," she nervously laughed. Taking a deep breath, she

used the knocker. It echoed throughout the house. The door slowly

opened as the butler nodded. "May I help you?" CC introduced herself

and was escorted inside. She looked around as she noticed all the

curtains were drawn. She was led down a long corridor whose walls were

adorned by tapestries depicting ancient times. CC felt a cool breeze

and could have sworn that she felt Nikki by her side. Looking around

she admired the antiques that filled the immense room. She glanced

over at the fireplace and noticed a small golden dragon holding a

crystal ball sitting on the mantle. CC couldn't help but be intrigued

by the tiny figurine. She walked over and studied it. She became

entranced by all of the tiny prisms cut into the crystal. She

re-gained her senses and knew she wasn't alone. She turned and there

he stood. Mr. Hiller himself, the widow and owner of these foreboding

grounds. He gestured to an overstuffed chair and said, "Please, sit

down." CC smiled, and sat. "Thank you for taking the time and allowing

me to interview you, Mr. Hiller," she said. He looked at her and

nodded. "I have to admit I was surprised to her from your station that

you wanted an interview." CC looked up from her briefcase and asked,

"Why is that?" "Because I know your News Director doesn't believe in

the Supernatural." "I don't understand, what are you saying?" He

stared at her for several seconds. Then, with piercing eyes, simply

stated, "Vampires, Miss CC, vampires."

CHAPTER 15 - Jade

CC nervously laughed. "You don't honestly believe in vampires, do you, Mr. Hiller?" She swallowed hard, knowing he had every reason to. "Yes, ma'am, and I believe you do as well." "What makes you say that?" "The way you looked at me when I said vampires. Almost as if you knew one." "I'm sure if I knew one that "Ripley's Believe It or Not" would pay handsomely to see it." He gave her a sideways grin. "The eyes tell no lies."

CC shook off the uneasiness the man gave her, and pulled her list of questions out of her breifcase. "Mr. Hiller..." "Please call me Mark." She looked over her notes. "I thought your name was Frank?" He gave her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yes, of course, but my friends call me Mark." The uneasiness came back in full force, nearly making her shudder. 'This guy is fucking strange!' she thought to herself.

************ ********* ********* ***

Nikki tried to rest, but the growling in his stomach wouldn't let him. 'Oh, dear God... I should have fed before I came here.' He writhed and groaned as he held his stomach, willing the nausea to subside. 'Damn it! Don't you two even have one mouse in this house!?'

"Nikki, feed off of your wrist for now. It's atleast something in your stomach," came his brother's voice. "You can feed when it gets dark. I'll bring it to you."

He stared at his wrist for a long moment, before pulling off the leather band he kept snapped around it. 'This is going to hurt.'

"Stop being a pussy, and just do it!" Sandman demanded.

He sunk in his fangs, and only drank enough to get his stomach to quiet down. Feeling light-headed, he curled up as best he could, and let sleep claim him.

************ ********* ********* **

Once Jade finally fell asleep, she was seemingly dead to the world. Instead of the hellish nightmares of the man she lay atop of, she dreamed of her lover. She lay in the middle of a large canopy bed with red satin sheets. Hanging from the canopy was a black filmy material. And at the foot of the bed stood Sandman, only in his jeans.

As her dream became erotic in nature, she moaned and writhed within the confines of the coffin. As she ran her hands over Sandman's body in the dream, her hands were actually roaming Undertaker's body. It took him a few moments to realize what was happening. He gave himself a sideways grin, as he moaned.

"When was the last time you gave this girl the ol' high hard one?" Undertaker sent to Sandman.

"That's no business of your's!" he sent in return.

Undertaker sent him the sights he saw of her caressing his chest, then moving down to his manhood through his jeans. "She is just begging for me to give it to her."

Sandman connected with her eyes, but only saw black. So, he connected with her mind, and saw her dream. He smiled for a moment, before seeing that her slumber would cause her real torment. "JADE! WAKE UP!"

She awoke with a start, hitting her head on the coffin's lid. "OW! Fuck!" "If you'd like me to..." Undertaker said. Remembering where she was, she let out a scream.

CHAPTER 16 - CC

On the way back to the station, CC couldn't get the interview or Mark

out of her head. `There's just something not right,' she thought. She

pulled into the parking lot, gathered her belongings and as she

stepped out of the car ran right into Kyle. "Jesus Christ!!! You

scared the shit out of me!!!" "We need to talk." She pushed him aside,

closed the door and set her briefcase on top of the car. She tried to

explain, "Look, about last night…" "You don't need to remind me. CC

what the fuck is going on? Was that your so called boyfriend who was

choking me?"

CC didn't have to say a word, he just shook his head. "What the hell

is the matter with you? That man or thing or whatever he is. He's

dangerous, he could have killed you, let alone me." "Kyle, it's been a

long day. I just found out myself. I know this isn't fair of me to ask

you, but can we just keep this to ourselves? Kind of our secret,

please? I have a lot to think about." His eyes softened as he gently

touched her shoulders, "Yeah, sure. You know I'd do anything for you.

Just be careful, okay?" CC nodded and as they hugged, she slowly

closed her eyes feeling his warmth.

************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* *

A devilish smile played across Undertaker's lips when he tapped into

CC's whereabouts. `I wonder if Nikki knows about them?' he thought and

scanned Nikki's vulnerable soul. A sinister plot entered Undertaker's

iniquitous mind as Nikki continued his tormented sleep.

************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* *

At 8PM, CC walked through the front door. With a smile on her face she

said, "Home Sweet Home." She turned on the light, set her things down,

and headed into the kitchen. As she reached for a glass, she felt a

presence zooming up behind her and instantly felt a cool hand wrap

around her throat. "Welcome home, dear." CC jumped as the glass fell

from the cabinet and shattered into a million pieces. "Nikki?" she

timidly asked. He leaned into her back, slowly closing his eyes as he

took in her heavenly scent. "Expecting someone else?" He whispered.

Burying his nose in her hair, his grip tightened. "You were with Kyle

today." Nervous tension filled her soul as she kept quiet. He

continued growling, "I can smell him. He's all over you." His breath

was hot against her ear. She leaned into his chest as her breathing

became labored. Visions of Kyle and CC embracing, undressing, and

fucking danced through Nikki's mind, as his grasp became unbearable.

"Nikki, please, you're hurting me." CC exclaimed trying to pry apart

his fingers. "I warned you, but you didn't listen. You're mine, alive

or dead, you will always be mine."

CC fell to the floor. "Are you okay?" Kyle asked. "Yeah, I think so,"

she said looking around. "Here, let me help you." And he offered her

his hand. She took it and sat back down. "I must have been dreaming,"

she said running her fingers through her hair. "I guess so, you want

to talk about it?" "No, I'm fine now. I just need to go home and get

some sleep." "Are you okay to drive." "Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks,"

and she grabbed her stuff and headed towards her car.

************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ******

Jade stretched out and as she awoke she realized she was handcuffed to

a brass headboard. `At least I'm out of that coffin.' She thought.

Jade looked around and noticed in one corner of the room there were

clippings of newspaper articles taped to a mirror. The mirror was

completely covered with these news items that dated back hundreds of

years. "There's nothing like a good cup of Joe and a morning paper to

start the day," boomed Undertaker's voice from the opposite corner of

the room. Startled, Jade asked, "You drink coffee?" Chuckling at her

sarcasm he replied, "No, but you do," and he set the cup down on the

night stand.

She shifted to the other side as he sat down next to her. He looked at

her with fiery eyes, but spoke gently, "Your stay here doesn't have to

be unpleasant. I am reasonable, you know." "Then, why did you kidnap

me?" "I did what I had to do to get what I want. This isn't my fault.

I'm not the one who lied to you about what I am." Jade was quite. He

was making too much sense. Undertaker continued. "I have no intention

of hurting you, unless you give me a reason to." Jade sank back into

the pillows. "Now we can do this the hard way or you can accept your

situation and allow me to be your host until I am ready to release

you." Jade looked at the coffee and thought about what he said.

Feeling the sting in her arms while her nose was teased by the

wonderful aroma of the coffee, she decided she had no choice. She

raised her hands and Undertaker smiled. As he leaned in to unlock the

cuffs, he glared at her and in a deadly tone warned her, "Don't make

me hurt you."

************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* **

CC unlocked the door and threw her stuff down. "Nikki! I'm home," she

shouted. CC faintly heard moaning upstairs. "Nikki," she yelled.

Nothing. She ran upstairs to see what was wrong. As she opened the

closet door, he rolled out doubled over in pain. "Oh my God, Nikki,

what's wrong?" She exclaimed as she bent down to be by his side. His

body was slightly convulsing and as she pulled some of his hair away,

all she could see were the whites of his eyes. Slapping his face, she

screamed, "Nikki, talk to me, what can I do," His eyes slowly rolled

back into place as he reached with a shaky hand to caress her cheek.

Slowly, in between growls, with his fangs bared, he explained, "Feed,

I need to feed." Without any hesitation she rolled up her sleep and

offered her arm to him. Hungrily he took it, like a starving child,

and bit into the tender flesh. CC cried out as she felt the blood

surging to the top of her arm. Nikki kept the pressure steady as the

blood continued to flow. She leaned against the wall as she felt her

life slowly being drained. Slides of her life passed before her in

fast motion as she wondered how things ever got so complicated. Was

this is her destiny? Or was this just a one way trip to hell.

Chapter 17 - Jade

As CC came closer and closer to hearing the death bell toll for her, she became dizzy and confused. She felt her grasp on reality slipping into madness. She became giggly as a song she didn't care for, but had heard several times in Jade's shop, played in her head. Nikki watched her as she began to sing the My Chemical Romance song while he fed. "Give'em blood, blood, Gallons of the stuff. Give'em more than they can drink, and it will never be enough. So, give'em blood, blood, blood! Grab a glass, because there's going to be a blood."

'She's slipping into insanity, Nikki. Seal her wounds, and lay her down in bed,' came Sandman's warning. 'I'm on my way, but if you ever loved her, do as I said now!'

Nikki pulled his fangs from her arm, and licked the punctures to keep anymore blood from flowing out. As he stood, he lifted her off her feet, and carried her to the bed. As he laid her down, he sat beside her. He softly petted her cheek, as he gazed down at her. "You risked your life in feeding me... Why?" "Because I love you," she whispered. "I love you, too. And now, I will always carry a part of you with me."

************ ********* ********* ********* ********

Jade stared into the Undertaker's eyes while he worked on the other cuff. "Thank you," she whispered. He merely nodded. Once freed, she swung her legs over the side, and grabbed the cup of coffee. She took a sip, then looked at him. "May I read the articles on the wall?" "I'd rather you didn't." After a moment of silence, she said, "they are about your victims, aren't they?" He gave her a sideways grin. "I am what I am, and I have to eat."

She took another drink of her coffee, hoping to swallow her fear of this man along with the dark black liquid. "Do you feel remorse for feeding on innocent people?" "Only about the first hundred times. Then, I began hunting for those that weren't so innocent. After a few mornings where I went to bed starving, that had to change." "May I ask how old you are?" "Yes. I am seven hundred forty-five years old."

She became somber as she stared into the coffee cup. "May I ask why you killed their mother?" She looked up at him, and noticed his questioning look. "Was it just to feed, or was their another motive?" He sighed. "They had no idea what kind of pain she was in, or that she didn't have much longer. I could hear it. I could hear her hold her breath when the pain gripped her. I could hear her heartbeat slowing. She was resting when I found her. The way her muscles ached when she lifted the basket, she wouldn't have made it to the next bush..."

"Is that why you are called Undertaker?" she whispered. He nodded. "My companion, the one Sandman and Nikki killed, gave me the nick-name for ending the suffering of the weak, and sending them to their grave." Feeling a bit bolder, she asked what she thought CC would. "What about Janet Hiller?" "She had leukemia. She had just found out she was in remission, but one of her marrow donors has AIDS."

************ ********* ********* ********* ********* **

'I don't like this,' Sandman thought as he walked up the steps to the house. He had been listening to the lies Undertaker was telling Jade, and knew she would come to defend him eventually. Without knocking he walked through the door. "Nikki!" "Up stairs, to the right." He followed the directions, and found his brother sitting beside CC on the bed.

"How is she?" he asked in a whisper. "She's fine. A little weak, but she will be alright. Do you have any idea where Undertaker has Jade?" "At his house. Is she awake?" "Yep." Sandman sat on the other side of CC. "CC, this murdered woman that you are reporting on, where was she found?" "In Rosemont, in a ditch," she weezed. "She was two blocks from her home."

Sandman could see the interview playing in her head with the victim's husband. "Please, call me Mark." "I thought your name was Frank?" "The Hiller house! Come on, Nikki." "I'm coming, too," CC said as she sat up. "No, babe. You need your rest," Nikki said. Her eyes narrowed to slits as she stared at him. In a deathly tone she said, "that is my friend he has, and come hell or high water I will be there." "We don't have time to argue. Help her up, and let's go!"

To Be Continued

CHAPTER 18 - CC

CC listened as Nikki and Sandman described their morbid past. When

they were finished, silence filled the car. With her head still

swimming, she said, "I don't know what to say. I never believed in

vampires, I mean, I knew they existed in books and everything, but in

reality, they just didn't exist." Nikki studied her closely, he had to

tell her the truth. CC felt his eyes on her and as she looked into

his, he revealed his true inner feelings. "I've known you a lot longer

than you think. I saw you years before we met. You were on location,

in New Orleans. I don't know why, but I instantly fell in love with

you. I know it sounds ridiculous. You ever experience seeing someone

you never met, but you just feel connected to them, like you know

them, but in reality you don't?" CC nodded. Nikki continued, "That's

how I felt with you. I just didn't know how to approach you and then

there's the whole feeding at night thing, you know what I mean. So, I

just watched you from a far."

"That was 5 years ago. You've been watching me for 5 years?"

"Yeah. Then, when you and all of those people were held hostage in the

liquor store, I knew that was my chance to finally meet you." CC was

dumbfounded. Sandman could tell she was already going on overload and

decided to switch the focus of the conversation. "Okay, I don't mean

to change gears here, but we've got to save Jade and we need a plan.

Now, this what I propose we do…."

*************************************************

Jade glanced at Undertaker while sipping her coffee. She didn't know

whether she could trust him or not. He seemed so sincere and so, well,

so gentle. Was this really the man that Sandman loathed, or was this

some kind of sick twisted chapter in Undertaker's book of Revenge.

"What other questions do you have for me? As you can see, I have

nothing to hide." "I just don't understand this whole feud between the

three of you. It just doesn't make any sense." Undertaker softly

smiled as his fingers lightly stroked her cheek, "They killed my

companion, Ariel. She was the light of my life. It doesn't matter how

or why they did it, the truth is still the same, nothing will bring

her back. You of all people should understand that. How did you feel

when you saw your brother Alan being shot to death? Did you ever

question their reasoning or did you just want them to pay?"

Tears began to fill Jade's eyes as she finally understood his point of

view. His eyes darkened as an old familiar feeling washed over him. He

slowly bent his head and brushed his lips with hers. "Now, if they

aren't anymore questions, I am hungry. There is food in the cabinets

for you." And with that he was gone. Jade's fingers touched her lips

as she found herself completely confused. No one, not even Sandman,

knew her like Undertaker.

*********************************************

Sandman pulled into the driveway and headed straight for the front

door. CC stopped in her tracks as she watched him go right through it.

Nikki glanced at her & smiled. She shook her head and said, "I don't

think I'll ever get used to the two of you." Nikki grabbed her hand

and laughed. Once inside, Sandman knew exactly where she was, he could

smell her intoxicating scent anywhere. He opened the door for Nikki

and CC as they followed him downstairs.

**********************************************

Jade kept glancing at the newspapers as they were beckoning her. She

couldn't take the suspense anymore. "Fuck curiosity and the cat," she

said and walked over to the mirror. Her eyes scanned the articles and

widened as they came across one that enclosed a gruesome picture. She

winced and couldn't believe that this was the sadistic work of the man

who just left her. She read another article that was just below it.

The same thing. All of these articles were nothing but gory stories of

how innocent people were torn apart by this sadistic savage. Her mind

became suspicious of him once again and her stomach turned at the

thought of his bestial lips on hers.

She jumped when she felt pressure on her shoulders, "You son of a

bitch," she screamed and as she whipped around, she slapped the

intruder. Her hand covered her mouth as she realized it was Sandman.

She began to cry, as he pulled her to him. "It's okay," he whispered.

Jade looked deep into his eyes and pulled him into a passionate kiss.

Sandman became nauseous as he tasted Undertaker on her lips. As he

pulled away from her, CC and Nikki pounded on the door.

"Why isn't he opening the door?" CC asked. Nikki shrugged his

shoulders and instantly turned into a foggy mist. She watched as he

slid under the door and then heard the lock move. She bolted through

the door as Sandman was staring at Jade. "I'm sorry," was all Jade

kept saying. Nikki ran through Sandman's mind and thought,'Oh shit.'

He stepped between the two of them and tried to reason with them both.

"Look, we don't have time to deal with this now. Let's get out of here

and talk about this someplace else, okay?"

"No, it's alright. I understand," said Sandman with his head hung low.

He raised his eyes and glanced to Jade, "It's over."

A sinister laugh came from the doorway and Undertaker stood proudly as

he announced, "Yes, it is over."

The door slammed shut as Sandman and Nikki stood in front of Jade and

CC. He looked at all four of them and smiled. His eyes set on CC and

asked, "Did you enjoy the dreams as much as I did?" Nikki clenched his

fists. "God, you were so beautiful and you felt incredible," he turned

to Nikki, "Too bad you couldn't join us." CC refused to be intimated

and held onto Nikki as he started to lunge towards him. CC stepped

aside and asked, "Did you kill Mr. Hiller, as well as Janet?"

Undertaker just laughed. He stepped towards her and was impressed when

she stood her ground. He lifted her chin with his nail and whispered,

"He wore out his welcome." And he flicked his nail away leaving a

small trail of blood. Undertaker tasted her blood on his nail and

said, "Tasty, but not as much as this one," as he turned to Jade.

Sandman did nothing. He couldn't feel anything. It wasn't the fact

that he tasted Undertaker on Jade's lips, it was how she felt. That no

other man, but Undertaker, understood her. She could never be more

wrong. Nikki felt his brother's pain and tried to get through to him,

but nothing could penetrate his dark soul. Sandman wouldn't allow it.

CC wasn't finished with Undertaker just yet. She had more questions

that needed to be answered. "Why did you kill Janet Hiller?"

Undertaker turned back around and headed straight towards CC. Nikki

tried to move, but was immobilized by Undertaker's powers. Undertaker

backed her into a wall. He placed both hands on either side of her

head, and in a lethal tone told her, "You're really trying my

patience." Jade spoke up in hopes of saving her friend.

"She had leukemia. She had just found out she was in remission, but

one of her marrow donors had AIDS, right?" CC looked at Jade and

asked, "That's what he told you?" Looking at Undertaker she said,

"Should I tell her the truth or do you want to?"

Undertaker looked at CC with darkened eyes and bared his red stained

fangs, but said nothing. "Fine." CC's eyes turned back to Jade and

continued, "The only truth he told you was that she was in remission.

She never received any tainted blood, but I'm not surprised he told

you that. Because that's the kind of man he is, vicious, cold, cruel,

and heartless. That's how he got his name you know." Jade looked at

him. All of her suspicions were confirmed. Nikki could feel

Undertaker's power lessening, but stayed put.

"ENOUGH!!!" Undertaker rumbled. He gave CC one more deadly look as he

pushed himself off of the wall and slowly walked up to Jade. Gathering

all of his strength to remain calm, he ran his fingers through her

silky hair as he explained, "I'm afraid she is right, but as I have

always told you, I do what I have to do to get what I want." He

glanced over at Sandman and continued with a smile, "The fact hasn't

changed, I still know you better than anyone else." Jade just looked

at him and swallowed hard. Nikki knew there was only one person who

could get through to Sandman and he prayed that she would or it could

mean the end of all of them.

Chapter 19 - Jade

Jade leaned into his touch, and closed her eyes. All the while, the anger grew within her. "You lying sack of shit!" she thought. Undertaker's hand clamped around her chin, and forced her to look in his eyes. "Get angry with me. It will make you taste all the sweeter when I make you my new companion." "When hell freezes over, jackass!" She raised her knee to catch him in the family jewels, but it stopped just short. "Can you deny that I have been civil, and generous while you have been here? Can you deny that in twenty-four hours, I learned more about you than your lover has in one month?" "Can you deny that you have lied to me? Can you deny that you invaded my privacy by reading my mind?"

Before she knew what was happening, Undertaker spun her, trapping her in his arms, and forced her to look at Sandman. "He lied to you about his true nature. You could have been his dinner at any point." "But I wasn't, nor do I believe I would be unless I allowed him to." Her eyes pleaded with Sandman to forget the assault on her lips by the mad man, and what she felt for a few fleeting moments. She just wanted to be safe with him.

CC and Nikki were unable to do anything as Undertaker tried to change her mind by softly running his lips over her collar bone. Tears welled in her eyes, as she silently begged Sandman to help her. "You don't want me, so why should I help you?" "Because I love you. You're the only man I need or want in my life," she sobbed. He felt the impact of her profession of love. As he watched Undertaker's fangs lower, he knew what was to happen next.

Sandman grabbed one of the bed posts, and easily broke it off of the foot board. "Let go of my woman," he growled. Undertaker laughed. "She appears to be mine, now. And, once I turn this one, I will take your brother's woman as well. Then, we can truely be even." "Oh, hell no!" Nikki said. Finally free of the spell Undertaker held over him, Nikki took a fighting stance.

Undertaker chuckled. "Fools! Neither of you are strong enough to do anything about it." "Jade, drop!" Sandman yelled. She did as told just seconds before the bed post connected with the side of Undertaker's head. As he was sent reeling, she scurried away. She grabbed CC, and pulled her out of the room. "Hey, CC? You awake?" "Yeah. Are you ok? He didn't do anything to you, did he?" "No. Help me find something for the guys to use." "Like what?" "Look around for the usual stuff; wooden stake, holy water... Hell, garlic, if ya find it."

Their attention was drawn back to the room as they heard a loud crash. Sandman was thrown into the mirror, and Nikki was charging towards Undertaker. That's when Jade saw it. She grabbed the bamboo rod, and went through the door. "Sandman!" When he looked, she threw in to him. "It's atleast something!" He nodded. The bamboo splintered with a loud THWACK across his back. "Here we go," CC said from behind. Jade turned and saw the samarai sword. "Holy shit! What the hell?" "I dunno, but I'm sure Nikki could use it."

Undertaker stood between the two men, swinging his arms and trying to dodge their shots. CC drew Nikki's attention, and threw the sword in. Unfortunately, Undertaker got it, instead. He held the blade to Sandman's neck. "I could end your miserable existance right now." "NO!" Jade cried. She rushed in, and clutched her lover. Sobbing, she said, "I will give myself to you, Undertaker, if you let him live."

"You know I won't let you do that," Sandman sent to her. "I was counting on that." She sent him her plan, hoping Undertaker was too deep in his own thoughts to read her's. "You have to give CC the sword, first." He smiled, as he slowly handed it to her. Jade stepped back from Sandman, and found herself back in Undertaker's arms. She closed her eyes and swallowed hard as he brushed the hair away from her neck. "I love you, James," she whispered.

As Undertaker bared his fangs to sink them into her soft flesh, CC handed the sword to Nikki. He plunged the sword into Undertaker's back, until it came through his chest. Nikki withdrew it, as Jade moved toward Sandman, and with a swing of the sword, cut off Undertaker's head. They watched for a moment, until the body turned to a pile of dust on the floor. Sandman pulled Jade to his chest. "I don't know if that was brave or stupid of you, but I love you, too."

To Be Continued

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Part 2E-mail Lady B at taker123@yahoo.com.