Here is chapter 3. Just so you know Chapter 4 will be written, but it might take a bit longer to post because of time constraints. I'm pursuing a new degree, and I need time to focus on it. I apologize in advance.
There is sex in this chapter, and all of the characters are above the age of consent.
This is self-edited and I know there may be some errors. I ran this through spell checker, but alas, I'm not perfect. I hope any errors you find don't distract from the story.
Please leave feedback. I would love to know what you think. If you hate it, fine. If you enjoy it, great. Just please tell me why.
Note: Thanks Anon for your suggestion. I never saw the connection until you pointed it out to me. This chapter is dedicated to you. I hope you enjoy.
*****
Chapter 3
Uncle Gernick, Uncle Garrick, and Uncle Kale, Uncle Christophe all examined her to make sure she was uninjured. Aunt Brenwan was so proud of how brave she was. Yet Aunt Nicolette was reserved. Somehow she must have disappointed her. As the others talked amongst themselves, Christina walked over to her. Dropping her eyes, she whispered. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be evil."
"Stop it. You are no such thing. You are brave, a warrior. I knew he would not harm you. You are prepared for whatever challenges come at you. This thing, this evil is not you, and you will win, Christiana. No one is more deadly than you are, or more skilled. I'm here to help. Never, drop your head in shame. You did nothing wrong." Nicki hugged her. "I'm so proud of you." She whispered.
Christiana smiled, and for that moment basking in her aunt's approval everyone was stunned at her beauty.
Navarro admired her, as his other half glowed with pride. His mate was a formidable foe. As long as he believed no other man would hurt her every again.
Cantar joined them, hugging her daughter as they soon vanished. They were about to leave when Christy asked that they stay at least a while longer. Mother needed rest.
After that, Navarro reached for her hand. He did not let go. His message was clear to all males in the vicinity. Christiana Darksky was claimed.
"Are you ready?" he asked after her parents were settled. She nodded, and their day began.
"OK, let's go" Christiana whispered as she took Navarro's hand and they walked out together.
"What are you?" she asked.
Navarro smiled, "I'm a vampire. I'm also Hualapai. What was that? That thing at the cabin?"
"You don't beat around the bush, do you?" Christy smiled. "I am not sure. When he tried to rape me it came out Most of the time, I can keep it contained. This was the first time, it tried to take over. It's always been a part of me. That's why I stay by myself mostly." She looked at him. I'll understand if you don't want to get involved with me. It's no big deal."
Navarro smiled. "You're powerful and it's not evil. It's a gift. Those who don't understand think its evil. It can become evil if it's not nurtured. Your grandmother, she possessed the same gift?"
Christy nodded. "She hurt so many people. The spirit showed me something. My mother tried to kill herself. That's why I fought it back down. It hurt Momma so much. I can't let it near her again." Christy explained.
"Christy, listen to me. It can be destroyed. I know. My people have banished demons before. Come." He extended his hand. Don't think about her any more. This is our time." Christy smiled and they drove off in his small car.
Navarro waited. Years ago, he visited home, right before his uncle died. His uncle feared him, and when he left he vowed to never return.
"Your people, you mean the tribe here?" Christy asked. A few years ago, he received a letter from his cousin Oman, asking him to come home and visit. He needed to connect with those in his family. Navarro refused. He was alone. His mother was banned when she married his father centuries before. Even though she told him of their bloodlines, the Hualapai people feared vampires. So he stayed away. Years ago, he tried to go home, but alas he did not stay long.
He knew, he knew his people had the knowledge to ban a demon, and now he had to go there. This monstrosity would not take Christy away from him. Tonight he would call Oman.
Christy was silent but she reached for his hand. Navarro pulled her close. "It's Ok, babe. I promise you. It will be OK."
Christiana looked at him, curiously. "So, you are vampire? How did you hide so well? Most people here had no clue."
Navarro laughed, glad that she changed the subject if only temporarily. "Mr. Fashion and his wife knew. I thought I'd fooled them but he busted me yesterday." He added smiling. It felt good not having to stay hidden.
You're different. I've met many vampires, but something about you is unique." Christy added.
Navarro looked away. He was dually gifted. He was vampire, but also gifted with psychic abilities. He could not predict the future, but he was able to sense when something was wrong and prepare for it. He knew that Draven was up to something He never expected him to be a centuries' old vampire with a fetish for his wife.
Navarro went silent. Christy paused. "You don't want a wife, do you?' She asked.
"No, this complicates things." Navarro answered.
"I don't want a husband." Christy whispered.
"Ok, what if we decide to be a different type of husband and wife. We can join but live our own lives. Once we join that eliminates the threat of someone trying to claim either of us, and we can then be free to live." Navarro suggested.
"Wait, what females are after you?" Christy questioned. If some woman thought to claim him, she'd disabuse her of that notion immediately.
Navarro laughed. "You'd be surprised how many women have tried to trap me. The false paternity suits alone have made me remain celibate."
Christiana was upset, "I don't want to hear about those women." She declared. "She shook her head,. "If we marry, you can't sleep with anyone else." She explained.
Navarro sighed, "Neither can you."
"We will have a true marriage then." Christiana declared.
Navarro smiled and took his bride into his arms. Pulling her close, he whispered, "I wouldn't have it any other way." Then he kissed her soft supple lips. Christy had to hold him, as she returned his kisses. Her body was alive with tingles as she held on to the one man created for her by the fates.
Damn, he's a great kisser.
She thought, as he deepened their intimacy nibbling on her lip.
Soon, they hesitantly ended the kiss, but did not let each other go.
"Christiana, you are my wife. I want to do this right. We won't rush, but get to know each other. When I take you to my bed, you will know that I belong only to you Christiana, and no one else. Give me these three days to win you heart." Navarro whispered.
Christiana smiled, "I am yours." He had to taste her lips once more as they shared a powerful, and passionate kiss, once gain.
The two talked some more, until dusk. Navarro was working these last two nights at the gala and he had to report in. They returned to the mansion.
*****
Cantar sat staring outside. Her body was present but her thoughts had traveled back to a time she would never forget.
Corliss couldn't take the anxiety he felt emanating from his wife.
Taking her hand, he kissed them and brought her attention back into the present.
"Talk to me. Tell me." He whispered.
Cantar exhaled, "My mother is her own enigma. Where do I start?" She exhaled and began to pace. Corliss watched her. Everyone had gone. Christophe wanted to stay, but he assured him they were fine. His brother was so protective of Cantar and Christiana. He knew once he returned home, mother and father would be told about the kidnapping.
Cantar had stopped and closed her eyes. Through their bond, Corliss could feel her heartbreak at the memories. She continued. "She hated me. She hated all of us. She hid it well though. I don't know how, but she did." Cantar exhaled. "When Kale and I were small, she often told us about our other brother. She claimed that he hated her, and would one day try to hurt us. Garrick wouldn't listen, and defied her often where Gernick was concerned. Every time Garrick went to see Gernick, mother would react negatively."
Corliss had heard stories of his mother-in-law, but to listen to his wife now, and hear the pain in her voice, he wished he could get his hands on that woman. Cantar continued. "I grew and over time matured, but I still stayed close to her, accepting that she just wasn't very affectionate. She was so critical. But I knew it was just to make me better. Besides, we know our people are extremely reserved. She cheated on father and I hated it, but she reminded me that her marriage was not my business. So I stayed out of it. Father knew, but he loved her too much to send her away." Cantar took a deep breath.
Corliss hated seeing her this upset, so he tried to stop her from remembering. "Sweetheart, you don't have to remember this. It's upsetting you. She's gone. She can't hurt you anymore." Corliss whispered, doing everything he could to ease her pain.
"No, mother died, but that evil thing that lived inside of her still exists. I saw it. Christy resisted it this time, but it's not done. Maybe I could have saved her if I had known, but I didn't. I watched it control my mother, but it won't take my baby girl." Cantar vowed.
Corliss stood frozen. He agreed with her completely. They would protect their daughter from this entity.
"Cantar, what happened with your mother?" He asked knowing the key to stopping it was learning all he could about it.
"The first time I saw it was when Gernick found love." Cantar explained. She exhaled and walked to star across the beach from their room. "Things turned deadly when Gernick met Nicolette. I remember mother being upset that some woman dare align herself with such a heartless creature. She was angry, but not completely evil then. She went into her work room and I spied on her. A dark shadow surrounded her as she talked to herself. It scared me, and I called out to her. It vanished, and she chastised me for interrupting her work."
"Time passed, later, she became more malicious, darker, more evil, but I just figured she was just unhappy. I saw the shadows returned as she made her elixir. She started giving the mixture to father and told me it was herbs. When I found out she was poisoning people, I told my brothers and she was so upset." Cantar faced her husband. Her face awashed with tears. "Corliss, she tried to kill me. She left me for dead, and that was when I realized what she had become. My mother no longer existed. When she died, I thought that ended it. But a spirit cannot die. It changes and waits. It cannot take my little girl. I won't let it."
