The Making of Vampires Ch. 02

Chapter 2: August's Beast Chooses

August had not seen his wife, Direca, other than in passing, since the war began. Now, things had settled down and families were reuniting. He would do the same. He remembered the words of his brother, Gabriel, that love would keep the vampires grounded in humanity. He would need his wife more than ever now, but he didn't know how to tell her of his transformation. Maybe that secret could wait.

August would need to move his wife into the formal home of the city ruler, the mansion his father had established. Soon after his father had died, a messenger delivered the news to his wife, Direca, that August was the new city ruler. Due to the war, she was unable to move into their new home.

He looked forward to seeing his son, again as well. Marcus was such a clever and joyful boy. The child would have the finest tutors, as with all children of his station. His tutors though, would do more than teach scholarly lessons. They would help prepare the boy for the mantle of leadership. Marcus was even more precious now that August could not have any more children.

Opening the door to his old home, August discovered that all was quiet. He wondered of the location of his wife and son. He expected to find his wife sitting in the garden sewing at this time of day. He would go there to see her. Direca would also know the whereabouts of their son.

He heard her voice, first, then he saw her sitting on the grass. Marcus laid beside her. August sighed with relief because he was with his family now.

His son looked tired and August had a feeling that Direca was trying to make the little guy take a nap. He stood and just watched the scene unfold.

The boy fidgeted and kicked his feet. Although, he looked tired, Marcus had difficulty keeping his eyes closed. He breathed in great gulps of air, failing miserable at creating a convincing sound of someone snoring. August couldn't help but burst out with a laugh.

Marcus jumped up, "Daddy!" and ran to his father. Direca looked up and smiled at her husband. August held his arms out to his son and caught the child in a big hug. Marcus giggled planting kisses on his father's cheek and hugging his father's neck with a four year old's clingy grip.

"I missed you, Daddy." Marcus squealed as he buried himself deeper in his father's hug.

August held his son tight not wanting the moment to end. "I missed you too my little soldier." The war had been relatively short, but too long to remain away from one's family, especially a son such as his.

Direca walked to her husband and kissed the top of his head. "I'll never get him to sleep now. He will be too excited."

August stood and returned the kiss to his wife's cheek. "That's okay. I could do with the added distraction."

Direca took her husband's hand in hers and led him into the house, "Are you hungry? I can have Marienta cook something for you."

August didn't need to eat food any longer, but he discovered that being a vampire meant that he enjoyed the sensual aspects of life, including the taste of food. "Yes, I would very much like that."

The happy family walked into the house. August took Marcus into the dining room to wrestle with him on the pillows and Direca walked to the kitchen to tell Marienta to cook something for her husband.

Direca entered the room to see her husband and son wrestling on the floor. Smiling she said, "So August, do you think that your little soldier can give you a reprieve from battle to allow us to discuss plans for moving?"

August rolled, arms wrapped around his son, onto his back. He stopped so that Marcus was on his chest. "So little man, do you think that your mom and I can talk about big people stuff?"

Marcus rolled off his father. "Sure Dad," and ran out of the room. "I'm going to play outside!" he hollered over his shoulder and then disappeared through the doorway.

August chuckled. "Are you sure he still needs a nap? He seems to have plenty of energy and appears fine to me."

Direca placed her hands on her hips. "Well, dear husband, I need him to take the naps so that I might have some energy. I can't keep up with him anymore. He wears me out and I'm the one who really needs a nap, but there is no time for such luxuries for me."

Smiling, August reached for her hand, kissed her fingers, and pulled her onto his lap. Chuckling August replied, "I'm truly sorry, dear wife. I had no idea he was such a handful for you."

Direca sighed. "He is much like his father." She raised her eyebrows. "I know you want to talk of the move, but I need to tell you how sorry I am of your parents' deaths. The rumors say it was your grandfather, Pleotis, who killed them. That can't be true."

August didn't look at his wife. The wound of their deaths remained raw having occurred only a few weeks prior. "I'm afraid it is. Pleotis is insane and cannot be trusted. You and Marcus are never to go near him again. I fear he will kill all that he can."

Direca stiffened. "He used to be such a gentle and caring man."

August nodded. "But times of war will change a person, even if that person isn't fighting in the battles." He sighed and shook his head as if trying to shake away the memories. "Now, let's discuss the move."

Direca kissed his cheek. "Of course. I already have the slaves and servants packing crates."

August pulled her closer. "Good. The quicker you and Marcus are packed, the quicker you can be by my side."

She asked, "Are we going to take our servants and slaves or will they be dismissed and sold?"

August thought a moment. "I think it is best that we bring them. The servants at the mansion already have plenty to do taking care of the daily stuff and tending to the soldiers. Gabriel has moved back since losing his wife and home, adding to their burden. You and Marcus might be more than they can deal with, especially if Marcus is as full of energy as you say."

Direca laughed. "Then please, may I hire additional help." Her face slowly sobered and her smile faded. "Is Gabriel okay?"

August shrugged. "I think he is doing as well as what can be expected. He keeps himself busy, but he doesn't talk about Eviena's death."

August heard the approaching foot falls. He expected someone to walk in with food and someone did. He looked up and felt a jolt of energy deep inside as if something had awakened. His fangs grew. He had to place his hands over his mouth to hide his growing teeth as he looked upon his wife's slave, Marienta.

Marienta was a Nubian captured during a slaver's travels. August bought her because she appeared so docile and meek in her shackles. Although, her beauty was an added bonus. August liked to look at pretty things, as he believed most men did.

Marienta's features were exotic. Her blacker than night hair curled in big loops on her head showing some mixing of race in her family's past. The richness of her skin was so intense that it appeared purple in just the right light. Her most remarkable feature were her eyes. Those eyes were a sparkling shade of jade contrasting to her skin in a dramatic fashion that made one forget to breathe.

Something about her stirred something deep inside him. Her presence calmed him and made him want to protect her from any sadness or harm. He also wanted to provide for her and make her make her life comfortable. He wanted her to smile. He needed so see her smile. She had lowered her eyes and they remained so.

August desired to hear her voice. He must have heard it before, but now he couldn't remember the sound. She had been with them prior to Marcus' birth. His wife's pregnancy was the reason for Marienta's purchase. Yet, he could not remember ever hearing her speak. He remained awestruck and couldn't look away.

Marienta placed the platter of food on the table with lowered eyes. Her master had gazed at her intently. She thought his teeth had grown. She gave a respectful bow and waited for her dismissal. And waited and waited. The master didn't say anything so she remained with her gaze to the marbled floor.

It was the harsh sound of Direca's angered voice that snapped August from his musings, "Marienta, you may leave us."

The Nubian slave woman bowed and said, "As you wish, Mistress." Then she quickly left.

August turned to his wife and saw her angry scowl. "Why were you mean to her?"

"I was mean to her? A lowly slave seeking the attentions my husband. How should I have acted?" Direca asked placing the full blame on her slave.

August's first instincts told him to defend Marienta. He didn't like the way his wife referred to her as a lowly slave, but as a leader, he knew when to proceed with caution. He messed up. His wife caught him gawking at another woman. He wasn't a fool, but he needed to placate her so his actions would be forgotten and dismissed.

He shrugged, "Sorry. After witnessing the men fighting fiercely against the enemy, I am unused to anyone so timid, but as you said, she is a slave. I should expect little more. I am used to the forthright servants in the mansion and the bold soldiers under my command. Her behavior seems odd to me, now."

Direca relaxed against his arm. "Well, husband, perhaps you shouldn't stare at any women. No matter how odd you think them to be."

***

Marienta sat on her bed trying to slow her heart. Her master had a presence like no other time before. Her heart raced when she entered the room. Then she saw his teeth extend beyond his lips. She knew what that meant. Her village had dealt with their kind before. They were vampires. Her master was a vampire.

She should tell someone, but she wouldn't. She couldn't. Her heart wouldn't let her. She wanted to keep her master safe and protect his secret. That was the duty of a loyal slave. Yet, it was more than that to her. For some reason, she felt an unusual sense of loyalty to him now and she didn't understand why.

Marienta realized it was daylight. Her master should be burning from the sun. She shook her head. Maybe he wasn't a vampire. Maybe he was something else. Something that wasn't evil or dangerous. She lay back on her bed staring at the ceiling. She grew more confused.

Marienta wanted to be with her master and please him with her body. She wanted pleasure from him, too, but that wasn't the kind of man he was. That was why she felt safe living there. He wasn't like some of the selfish masters using their slaves and forgetting they were people, too. Despite all that, she couldn't get him out of her thoughts or those improper things she wanted to do with him out of her mind.

She felt the longing for him grow in her chest. Her heart fluttered and her breath quickened. Marienta felt her nipples harden through her filmy gown that now felt too rough and heavy. She lifted the gown from her body and delighted at the cool air soothing her flesh.

She traced her fingers lightly along her arms watching as bumps rose, a reaction to the tingling sensation on her skin. She massaged her neck trying to relax. Her hands dropped in a slow path tracing lightly over her hardened nipples. She needed more. She pinched the pebbled nubs moaning from the delectable sensation.

Pushing one of her large breasts up, she sucked the hard nipple through her lips and bit down gently with her teeth. A heat exploded in her core forcing one of her hands to plummet into her depths. Finding the bundle of nerves in the valley between her legs, she slowly caressed as the wetness coated her fingers. She needed more. She rammed them deep, in and out, moaning as the need for release escalated. Still, she wanted more.

Her eyes searched her room passing over a thick, unlit candle on her table. Her attention refocused onto that candle. She grabbed it pushing the blunt end into her slit feeling a delicious sensation from her core. Her legs parted on their own accord and she worked the golden beeswax candle in and out of her hole with increasing speed.

She bit tighter onto her nipple and rubbed her clit faster. She felt so good. She didn't want this to end. Touching herself had never caused such a consuming flame to burst within her body. Then she heard a deep intake of breath and looked over to see one of the male servants watching her, an erection already formed between his legs. He stepped in and closed the door.

The man untied his trousers and pulled his hardened shaft free. He stroked his cock and gazed upon her naked body. He groaned as he watched the candle move in and out of her wet slit. He took a step closer, but stopped at the look on her face.

Marienta shook her head slowly, her nipple still held between her teeth. She didn't want anyone to touch her except August, only August. His face flooded her mind and she closed her eyes to think of him. She imagined him standing there watching her pleasure herself. With that thought, a sensation of electricity shot from her clit piercing her hole and rushed to her nipples. The sensation left her breathless.

She moaned louder as wetness pooled between her legs. The man groaned as if pained. Her movements grew erratic. She lifted her hips to pummel her pussy with the candle. The man cried out in ecstasy. She imagined he was August cuming for her and she tumbled over the edge of the bed screaming as she felt her release.

The male servant walked over, pulled the candle from her hole, and left with it, as she lay helpless and panting.

***

August finished eating and wiped his face and hands with the napkin. "I want our house guards to move to the mansion as well. They will be responsible for guarding Marcus, you, and our rooms. No need to have just anyone walk in to our private chambers. We need the additional security and we can afford it now." He stretched. "Besides. The active soldiers will feel insulted if relegated to babysitting services to a four year old. I won't have any feel slighted or insulted in anyway. I wouldn't trust an angered soldier to keep Marcus safe."

Direca nodded and waited. She had expected her husband to include her safety, as well, in his concerns, but he didn't. She tried to ignore the hurt, but quickly it turned into anger as she remembered the look on her husband's face as he gazed at Marienta. She feared a hidden meaning in that look.

August laid back on the pillows and continued. "We don't want Mom or Dad's rooms used by anyone. We are sealing those rooms to all but a few. We carefully selected servants to clean the rooms and keep the linens fresh. The jewelry and other valuables have been locked away."

Direca tried to keep the frustrated look off her face, but August saw it.

"What is it?" he asked.

Trying to hide that she coveted her mother-in-law's jewelry, she said, "I was just thinking of Marcus. He may find something of sentimental value from his grandparents. He shouldn't be denied any access to their rooms, especially since they were taken so suddenly from us. He may need that in order to better remember them by. After all, he is their only living grandchild."

August shook his head. "There is no need for that. My brothers and I discussed it. The wounds are too fresh and we want time to grieve. Besides, he is only four. Marcus is too young to appreciate any items from his grandparents and to understand the sentimental value of those items. He has no concept of materialistic value. He can wait." Then he added. "Marcus isn't the only heir. Martinelli will have a child soon. Depending on if it is a boy or a girl, which will determine inheritance for Marcus as well. Either, he shall share Father's belongings with a boy cousin or he will have it all if he has a girl cousin. We decided that a girl cousin shall get all of Mother's stuff."

Direca didn't like hearing that none of the jewelry would be available to her. "Husband, that seems wrong. What of other babies to come? You should divide the inheritance equally among you three sons. Each of you getting a third of your father's belongings and each getting a third of your mother's belongings. Then you can pass the riches down to your children and not have to worry about future cousins. It seems only fair. With the current plan, Gabriel's children get nothing." She really hoped to sway her husband. Her mother-in-law had some of the city's fanciest jewels, incredibly valuable and envied by many. She wanted others to envy her as she wore those gems.

August turned slowly to his wife and in a deadly calm answered, "No."

Direca opened her mouth to argue her point, but he silenced her before she could say anything else. "I'm going back to the mansion." August stood exiting quickly from the room. He stepped into the hallway and heard noises coming from the study. Wondering if it was Marienta, he walked to the open door and glanced in to the room.

He saw three servants cleaning the room. Nothing happened to his fangs. He felt nothing stir inside his body. He watched each woman and he didn't find their shapely bodies interesting in any way. He wondered why Marienta had affected him so.

August craved for her. He wanted to look upon her face again. He wanted to feel the calm that her presence gave him. Instead, he decided to look for his son, Marcus, to say good-bye. He walked down the hall to the garden door opening it. Marcus spun in circles on the grass giggling. August couldn't help but smile. Any child filled with joy would bring a happiness to an adult, but this was his son. Marcus had a special way of warming his heart and giving him hope for the future. He especially needed that reassurance now since he and his brothers had turned into vampires.

August felt a hand grasp his. It was his wife. He knew her touch. He refused to look at her. He was still angry and he wouldn't forgive her so easily. He didn't like or trust her interest in his parents' belongings as their inheritance didn't concern her. They weren't her parents.

"Come lie with me, my husband. Let me take the war weariness from your body." Direca pulled gently at his arm. She wouldn't allow him to leave angry with her. She wouldn't allow him to deny her the beautiful jewelry of his mother.

August acquiesced and followed to her room. She laid down on the bed and patted the goose down mattress. He joined her wrapping his arms around her, but something didn't feel quite right. She kissed his lips and he tried to kiss her back, but his lips wouldn't part. This was wrong. He felt it. Everything felt wrong. She felt wrong. It was as if he was with a stranger instead of his wife.

Direca thought her husband was stubborn and showing his displeasure for her prior behavior. She would allow the insult for not much longer and she continued to curry his favor. She would leave her gown on for now, go slow, and play at his game.

She gently grasped his hand and placed it on her breast. August flew off the bed. He felt a deep inner revulsion that made him nauseous. He examined her body with horror on his face. This was very wrong, but he didn't understand why. He just knew he couldn't touch her. He couldn't make love her to her at all.

Direca saw the look of disgust on her husband's face and could no longer contain her anger, "What's wrong? I'm not a slave?"

August didn't take the bait and calmly replied, "No, you're a manipulative wife who wants access to my parents' belongings." Direca's mouth dropped open from shock. August turned and left her room without another word closing the door. He hoped that placing a barrier between them would ease his tension. It didn't. He distrusted his wife's motives and he certainly didn't understand his own or his behavior.

August walked to the garden. Marcus sat on the ground poking a stick at an ant hill. August called, "Hey, little man, do you want to stay with me a while at the mansion?"

Marcus beamed a smile at his father, "Sure! Is mom coming?"

August shook his head, "No." He purposely did not give any indication if or when she would join them. He had no idea what was going on. He had to ask Gabriel. Maybe his brother knew what was happening.