**Author's Note and Content Warning: I'm playing with my vampire series again since I've been lacking motivation to write after the holidays. "Vampire Lineage" is a sexy, over-the-top indulgence for me. Some areas lack depth, but I think the story is good. I honestly think this chapter can be enjoyed without the backstory. The vampires in this tale are not the classic (dead human) kind. I've re-imagined them as another race similar to humans while maintaining their typical powers. So, the story has lots of dominating, supernatural sexiness without the dead parts. This chapter mostly involves reluctance in the face of supernatural seduction. It's a 'sex-with-a-vampire' fantasy with nonconsent and a little bit of blood. If you don't like that kind of fantasy, you don't have to read it. For those that do, I hope you enjoy it.**
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A Gift Through Time
Emma had been dreading her summons to Gabriel's study. She didn't dare disobey the ancient vampire in his own home. It was in her best interest to please him. Ivan had already warned her not to piss him off. She took a deep breath when she arrived at the study door. Before she could knock, Gabriel called for her to enter. She gulped and stepped into the attractive room. It looked like a small library. The furniture was a mix of dark stained oak and green velvet upholstery. Sunlight spilled in through the patio doors between wall-sized bookshelves, making one corner of the room glow and the rest feel sleepy. Gabriel was sitting in an armchair with an old book in his lap. The sight of him made Emma's insides flutter. He always looked elegant and superior, like an exiled king that outlived his empire. His shiny blond hair fell in attractive locks over his temple and ears. Emma had often wanted to touch the golden strands. His face was youthful despite his antiquity, and his heady scent lingered in the air, making Emma's mouth wet, not to mention other areas.
"Good afternoon, Emma. Please, take a seat," he instructed as he motioned to the large ottoman in front of his chair.
Emma nodded and crossed the room, keeping a nervous eye on Gabriel as she sat down in front of him. His pale blue eyes followed her every move. She was sharply aware of him. There was an energy between them that constantly fueled her unease.
"Would you like something to drink? A glass of wine, perhaps?"
"No, thank you. I'm alright," she said softly, not wanting to raise her voice.
A smile brightened his handsome face as he admired her.
"Do you know why I asked you here?"
She shook her head.
"Do you remember what I said about you at the cabin?" he continued as his eyes drifted back to his book.
"A little. You said I might be a field flower."
"Indeed. Do you know what that is?"
"Not really."
"I'll explain its history then. Flowers of the Field are comparable to Grecian sirens. Instead of luring their victims with songs, field flowers lure with beauty, smell, and taste. They became an irresistible bane to vampires. A creature so seductive, it could enslave the ancient ones of our race. My delicious flowers were worshiped in the secret harems of Constantinople. It was a magical time for the empire. Humans and vampires thrived together. I often long to go back to the 12th century and indulge in Byzantium opulence."
He closed his eyes and smiled at the pleasant memories. Emma gulped at his words. It wasn't every day she spoke to someone that could reminisce across millennia.
"That's amazing," she breathed. "I must ask, why do you call them your flowers? Did you own them?"
"I created them, so yes. They were my daughters. Sons were rare, but there were a few. The male hybrids were often stillborn, but the females were strong. Impregnating a human with a vampire hybrid could awaken magic in them. It often drove the mother mad, and I would have to put them out of their misery. But, if she survived bearing a hybrid and kept her sanity, the child would thrive. Those mothers became powerful witches. They often remained my allies to protect their children and grandchildren. My hybrids were an addictive delicacy. They were my clan's priceless treasure, and we guarded them as such. When the rest of the ancient ones discovered how irresistible they were, they vowed to destroy them. That declaration caused violence between clans that eventually spilled over into human affairs. The Flower Culling triggered Constantinople's fall from glory. I had never seen such violence. The blood was excessive even for my tastes. In a desperate move to save my clan from the elders, I agreed to assist in the culling. It was the worst thing I have ever done," he whispered.
Emma could see the pain in his expression as he stared at the book in his lap.
"I'm sorry it ended that way. Did you love all of your flowers?"
He met her eyes for a moment, and she could see the answer in them before he spoke.
"I did."
"Forgive me if this is a rude question. Did you... sleep with your daughters?"
"When they came of age, yes. I wanted to experience their magic. Intimate relationships within vampire families aren't considered taboo. We are more like gods in that respect."
Emma gulped and nodded. She finally understood what Gabriel thought she was and what he wanted from her.
"And you think I'm your descendant?"
"That's why I requested this meeting. I need to know if you're my distant daughter. If you are, I want to protect you. Your resemblance to my darling Irena is distracting."
"Irena?"
"The daughter I loved the most. She was spellbinding," he said as he handed her the book.
Emma gasped as she admired the detailed pencil sketch of a young woman that could easily be her twin. She was resting naked on a bed, propped up on a stack of pillows. She was twirling a pale strand of hair around her index finger as her familiar eyes gazed at the person drawing her.
"Beautiful, isn't she?" Gabriel asked as he watched Emma for a reaction.
"Not to sound conceited, but yes. She's enchanting."
She slowly turned the page to find more nude drawings of the woman from different angles. Emma figured the book was created to record every notable detail of Irena's seductive body. Her heart began pounding when she noticed a familiar freckle on Irena's right hip, then a little mole below her left breast that matched her own. She quickly closed the book and gave it back to Gabriel, hoping the similarities were simply coincidental.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"I... I'm just nervous. These past few days have been strange. I was almost killed by a vampire, and now you're telling me I might be related to one. I'm still trying to convince myself that all this is real."
"I'm sorry we haven't made you feel at ease. Whatever I discover doesn't change your protected standing in my home. You are Ivan's subjugate, and you've bonded with him. He will suffer if anything bad happens to you. I don't intend to hurt him or you, but your unnatural pull on him cannot be ignored. Vampires simply don't fall in love with humans, so it's my duty to discover why my adopted brother has fallen in love with you. Now, stand for me, Emma. I would like a closer look at you."
She nodded and stood in front of the ottoman with her stomach fluttering. Gabriel set his book on a side table before he slowly approached her, holding her in his demanding gaze. His eyes had an irresistible draw about them. They were pale, beautiful, and fierce, fitting for an ancient predator. Emma's insides felt shaky as he grabbed her chin. He slowly turned her head to different angles. She watched his eyes as they examined every line and curve. He raised her chin and examined her neck, sliding his fingertips over the muscles and tendons. He leaned in and trailed his nose into her hair close to her temple, breathing in her delicious scent as his fingers slid around the front of her throat. She tensed when he gently squeezed her windpipe. He chuckled at her reaction, and his hot breath tickled her ear. He released her throat and slid his fingertips down her chest and along the collar of her blouse, tracing her cleavage. His touch, smell, and proximity were provoking warmth and tingles all over her body. She didn't want to feel that way towards him, but she couldn't stop it.
"Your scent is delicious, Emma," he whispered as he trailed his nose down her neck.
He pulled her collar away from the nape of her neck and breathed her in.
"Mmm," he moaned before he licked the tender spot, causing an ache of arousal to steal Emma's breath for a second.
She hadn't expected her meeting with the ancient vampire to involve licking. She feared biting would follow.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist," he whispered as he drew away and searched her eyes.