Steven felt a lot better, just by stretching out his legs. She carefully removed his brace. She massaged his thigh; her icy fingers were incredibly strong.
“I suppose it's stiffened up; I haven't done my exercises.” Steven explained.
Lilith didn't speak; she just continued to massage his thigh until the knot was gone, then she began on his knee. He was afraid, but she didn’t hurt him.
“I think you got it,” he said softly. It felt incredible; he didn’t know exactly what she did, but it was the best his knee had felt in weeks. She could be a very caring person.
He couldn’t run; maybe he could gain her trust...
“Why did you stop John?”
She gave a shrug, “I kind of know how you felt; that’s the last thing I would have wanted to happen to me. I went through some really tough withdrawals. Thorpe was right; I am an addict. I quit cold turkey.”
“It's for the best,” Steven remarked.
“Yeah, well I hate it! I hate being sober! Sobriety fucking sucks! I hate feeling like this!” Her voice softened. “I hate feeling like this, everything hurts. I just want the pain to go away. I just want to feel normal again.” She gave a soft laugh, “But I don’t remember what ‘normal’ is.”
“Look, I don’t really know how your withdrawal was, but mine was horrible. Hell, I was in agony for weeks, months, years. After a while, things do get easier. You realize that you can handle anything without being high. It takes time; you have ups and downs, good and bad. How long have you been sober?”
“Six months.” She said softly.
“That’s great! It’s a real milestone. Just hang in there, it will get better.”
“Maybe you’re right. Do you want your breakfast?”
He nodded; he hoped that it wasn’t a trick. She returned with it, “I hope that you're coffee isn't too cold.”
He ate quietly; it was a good, hearty meal. She sat on the edge of the bed, sipping out of her bottle; her face cringed with every drink.
“It's kinda early, isn't it?” Steven remarked.
“What this?” she held up the bottle. “It's my meal: blood.”
“Oh. Don’t you like it?”
She sighed. “It’s that damned phosphorus poison; I feel like I’m drinking acid. The blood burns my mouth and throat. That’s why I’ve lost so much weight. Normally, I would have three bottles a day, but now, I’m lucky to finish one.
“Do you like your meal? It isn't fancy, but I haven't cooked in a long time.”
“It's very good.” He finished his meal quickly.
“Now, don't you feel better?” She said as she removed his tray.
“Yes, Lilith.”
She smiled, “You can stay here,” she brought out manacles. She fastened his ankles to the footboard, and his hands to her headboard. He was outstretched, basically in the middle of this huge bed. He was still her prisoner.
“I don't think I can outrun you,” Steven said.
“I know you can’t; I just like to have men tied to my bed.” Lilith gave him a wink, then sat on the edge of the bed and removed her boots. Then she curled up beside Steven.
He was slightly shocked, but remained quiet; Steven sat up as far as he could. He looked over at her; her eyes were closed. “Lilith?” he softly spoke.
“Steven?” Her eyes opened.
“What did you do to him? John?”
“Oh, we’re back to that! Let’s just say wood chipper versus body of John; guess who won? Nobody ever pisses me off, especially hired help.”
He was repulsed by her nonchalant manner, but he was the one that asked.
“Thanks, Lilith. Thanks for stopping him.”
“No problem.” She sat up on her elbows, “My friends call me Lil.”
“Thanks, Lil.” He gave her a slight smile.
She slowly ran her long tapered fingers over his tattoo, “Funny how plans change, I figured I'd have you in absolute agony by now. You'd be begging me to kill you,” she leaned closer; she ran her hand through his hair. Her fingers then moved to his neck, “You have such a fine neck. Such a splendid specimen!”
He looked at her; Tom was right, she was beautiful. Yes, she was much too thin, but she was still a striking woman. She couldn’t help the way she looked; beauty comes in all different shapes and sizes. She could never hold a candle to Teresa, no one ever could. Teresa was his soul mate, but there was something about her-something exotic, something so dangerous.
He couldn’t resist.
Steven leaned, and kissed her on the lips. It was a cautious one, and then he stuck his tongue in his mouth. She tasted so strange; he’d never tasted anything like it, she was almost like candy. She was cold; he couldn't help but to tremble. The two of them: he was fire; she was ice.
“You're so warm!” she exclaimed, “I'd forgotten how warm a mortal man can be.”
“When was the last time you were with a man?”
“Too long!” she exclaimed, then continued kissing him. “I only practice Tantric sex; sex is only great if you wait it out.”
His interest was peaked. “Oh, baby, really?” He loved Tantric, but most of the time he couldn’t hold out.
He smelled her hair; it was gardenia. He’d always loved gardenia. Lilith kissed him; he could feel her sweet tongue exploring his mouth. He wasn't sure if he was pretending anymore. He could feel his pulse quicken, he could feel himself being aroused. There was something erotic in her icy touch. She caressed his back, as they shared deep passionate kisses.
Lilith ran her hands over his chest, and unbuttoned his shirt, and pushed it off his shoulders. She ran her hands under his arms, and then to his nipples, then she kissed them. She did everything with such a smooth, effortless motion, nothing startling. It was as if she knew exactly where to touch him, as if she knew every inch of him. She was driving him wild.
She was kissing his shoulder, Steven lips made their way down; he kissed her neck, which made her moan, “Bite down hard! Bite me, Steven!”
He gave her a little bite; she loved it. Her head whipped back; her eyes flashed gold, the fangs returned. It was as if she was already at her climax. It only lasted a few uncomfortable seconds. She stared him in his eyes; he tried not to flinch.
Damn! It was wrong! He knew it. He could hear Joey bitching him out. He didn’t care. Steven broke the silence, “Lil, I like being tied up, but,” he looked at her shirt, “Let me undress you.”
Her eyes narrowed, “Why?”
“C'mon, baby,” he kissed her, “We can have more fun naked.”
She pulled away, “I don’t think you’d like to see me naked.”
He frowned, “Why?”
“I’m so thin,” he could see the sadness in her eyes, “I’m hideous, Steven.”
“Oh, Lil, you’re not hideous! I think you’re beautiful!”
“Really? You think I’m beautiful?” Her voice was frail.
Steven nodded; he snuggled his head into her neck, “Lil, let me touch you. It’s not fair; baby, I wanna hold you.” He knew that his voice had a bit of a whine to it, like when his kids begged him for a toy.
She gave a slight smile, and unfastened his hands. He sat up and unbuttoned and gently pulled off her shirt; she had nothing else on underneath, she really didn’t need anything.
She was built like he was: She was thin, yet she was muscular. He cupped her breasts in his hands, pressed, and kneaded them; she moaned again. He felt her nipples harden. He ran his hand up and down her back; he could feel every rib and vertebrae in her. He held her tightly in his arms; her body was so cold next to his.
Steven caressed her, she kept her arms wrapped around him, he could feel her nails in his back. They continued kissing, now in a ferrous manner; he snaked his tongue around and inside her mouth; then she licked his face.
She pushed him onto his back; she sat beside him. He kept staring into those unbelievable eyes; they were black as night. He couldn’t break the stare if he wanted to.
Lilith unfastened his ankles; he was free. Then she unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans. She slowly pulled them off. He braced himself; he didn’t know what to expect. He had his hopes, but she was in charge.
She grasped his shaft in her cold hands and fondled him. Steven couldn't help but let out a moan. Her head leaned forward, and she gently kissed his stomach, his cock, his thighs, and his balls. She kissed, sucked, played and pulled him until he was hard as a rock. He sat up.
“Steven, you're magnificent!” she said between kisses. “I knew you would be!”
“Oh, my God!” he moaned again. He knew that he had pre cummed. He ran his hands through her silky black hair. “Lilith, you’re incredible!”
She was good, very good. She teased him; her tongue wrapped around him. She kissed, licked and sucked his helmet, his shaft, and his balls. She’d go at it like there was no tomorrow.
She could tell that he was ready; she made him beg for her to finish the job. He wasn’t getting it that easy. She would take him to the very edge then she would let up enough that he wouldn’t climax, waiting for him to relax, then to go at once more. Every time he would groan with delight. They played this game over and over.
He was, again, nearing his climax. He’d begged before, but this time he meant it. His hands rubbed her shoulders, “Lil, please! I’m beggin’, baby! I can’t take anymore! Oh, Lil, please, I can’t wait any longer! Swallow me!”
She knew it; she couldn’t hold out either. She placed him completely in her mouth; and swallowed him. Her throat was velvet…
He could feel his back arch, his muscles tightened. “Oh, Lilith! Yes!” he screamed in ecstasy. His hands grasped the bed. He was sweating, moaning and groaning; trying to catch his breath. He could hear his heart pounding.
He thought that he was reaching the end, but it was just the beginning.
She pulled out all the stops and sent him into more orgasms-deep hard orgasms. He could feel his body quiver with delight. Wave after wave went over him; he screamed louder with every orgasm. They were so hard; some of the hardest ones he’d ever experienced. He was in agony. He loved it. She didn’t stop until she knew he was satisfied.
It was over; she removed his limp cock, and gave it one last lick. She just sat there, almost dumbfounded at what just occurred. “So, is that why they call you the ‘Demon of Screamin’?”
He laughed his deep throaty laugh. She looked exhausted; he felt like he’d just run around the stage for two hours. He gently pulled her to his chest, and kissed her, he could taste himself. He couldn’t believe that she was the same woman that he’d feared.
“Lilith, please, I want to make you happy,” he moaned. He brushed her hair out of her eyes; she was still in a daze. He wanted to take her to the same heights she had taken him. He was certain he could.
He kissed her again; deep kisses. He gently rolled her onto her back. He unbuttoned her jeans, and pulled them off, and slipped his hand over her abs. He ran his hand over her inner thigh; it was pure muscle. His mouth found her nipple; he liked licking and sucking it. He caressed her, he was trying to hold out as long as possible. That’s what she wanted; it had to be worth the wait.
“Oh God, Lilith, I want you so bad. I want to be inside you.” He had to have her: He didn’t care; cock, tongue, or fingers, he was going in. He groped and rubbed her hard. He stuck his fingers inside her; she was a tight one. Her eyes widened.
He moved lower down her body, licking and kissing her thin frame. He spread her legs, and licked her, he felt her twitch, and he heard her gasped. His tongue played its way around her clit, and into her. She was so incredibly tight; he had a hard time fitting his tongue in. She was so sweet; he couldn’t believe it! He wanted to eat her up completely.
“Steven, I don’t like that.”
He broke free, “Why not? I’ll make you love it.” He licked her hard, trying to prove his point.
“Steven, please don’t.”
He was almost in a Zen like state of mind, but he heard her. He was disappointed, but he obeyed. He positioned himself on top of her. He decided that the good old-fashioned missionary style would work. She done all the work last time, and his knee wouldn’t hold out for anything too wild.
“Steven-”
“Yeah, baby, I know what you want.” Steven purred. He took a good size piece of her neck and bit her hard. She cried out in ecstasy.
He felt her mouth on his neck; then suddenly, she pushed him off.
“What the hell? Lil, did I do something wrong?”
“No.” Her voice was shaking.
“I don't understand?” Steven really didn't.
She shook her head; she began to dress. “You couldn't possibly understand. You’ve played with fire; I can’t control myself. I almost bit you!”
He frowned. She continued. “Physical love, actual sexual intercourse between a vampire and a mortal is basically impossible. I can fuck you all you want! But if I want a real, true, orgasm, I have to have your blood, and to have that I have to kill you.” She looked at him and added, “And, I could never take you into the circle, because you are an addict. Either way, one of us is destroyed.”
She hurried out the door. Steven he heard a strange noise, he dressed quickly, and pulled his brace back on.
He figured out what the noise was: Lilith was kneeling beside the toilet, vomiting. She let out a whimper. Quickly, he moved to the door. “Lil, you OK?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine; it just burns coming back up, too.” He could hear pain in her voice. She tried to stand, but went back down. She vomited again.
Steven cautiously looked in the bowl; his stomach flipped. It was filled with blood and cum. He flushed it before he got sick.
“It’s nothing, really.” She said; the pain was still there. She looked terrible, blood ran down from her eyes, and blood rimmed her mouth.
“Are you sure?” he put his hands on her shoulders; she was shaking like a leaf, he noticed that she was warm.
“Yeah. It’s normal. My body can’t handle semen.”
He just stared at her. She quickly added, “I’d get just as sick if I tried to eat your food. You’d probably get sick if I fed you a bottle of blood.” She stood, and wash her hands and face.
“If you knew this would happen, then why didn’t you stop me? Why did you blow me? I didn’t know I’d hurt you like this!”
“It’s alright, Steven.”
“No it’s not alright! Why?”
“I owed you. I thought about it, a lot; I went too far, using you. And Joey, that damned John nearly killed him.”
“Baby, you should have spit.”
“That’s rude.”
They returned to her bed, she curled up on her side, and Steven put his arm around her. “Can I ask you something?” he said softly.
“Yeah.”
“Were you crying blood?”
“Yeah. It’s a vampire thing. Blood’s such an important block of our make up. When we cry, it’s blood; we sweat blood, too. That’s why you never see any of us in white. It’s just a part of our-” She covered her eyes with her hands, and let out a little cry. She started breathing heavily.
“Lil!” He sat up, and ran his hand over her forehead. She was hot.
“It’s just a headache.” The pain returned to her voice. Blood tears flowed out of her eyes; she was breathing harder, it seemed to keep up forever. He remembered what John had said, about her terrible headaches.
Finally, she began to calm down. “I’m really tired. I’m still not as strong as I should be. I’m going to need to sleep.” She seemed to be fine, he ran his hand over her arm, again she was ice. Steven wrapped himself around her and softly hummed a tune he’d been thinking about.
Steven gave a chuckle, then silently smiled, she looked over, “What?”
“I was just thinking you finally bagged one of us!”
“Darling, I got all of you!” She exclaimed, “You were the last one!”
“Huh? The last?”
“Yeah, I got Tom first back in 1971; before Terry. He was easy, since he loves brunettes. Then I got Brad, he was between wives, and so he was a pushover too.
“Then I got Joe, he was in his band. Man, I got a buzz off him for three days. So I waited a while, I got Joey two days before he noticed me. That's when I decided that having all of you for eternity wouldn't be such a bad thing. And now, you.”
Steven stared at her, in disbelief. There was that eternity thing again. “So, you made them forget you?”
“Yeah, I did. None of them recognized me, did they?”
“What about eternity?”
“I can't, you're addicts, I would fall off the wagon.”
.He thought about all the people she’s met; all the history that has past before her eyes. Another thought occurred to him. “Lil, what if I talk to Thorpe? Maybe I can explain to him that this is all a huge mistake, Joey’s accident was just that. That you’re really dead.”
“But I have to kill him.”
He had enough of this. “When the hell will you stop this? Why? Why do you have to kill him? Why does he have to kill you? Can’t you two just drop it? You’ve forgiven me; you’ve forgiven Joey, yet you can’t forgive him?”
She was silent for a minute, shocked by his tone, “I’ll sleep on it. Okay?”
At dusk, Thorpe met Nicholas they watched the bar together. There was some activity in the place; there shouldn’t have. “I see what you mean.” Thorpe finally said.
“Is she here?” Nicholas asked.
“Yes, I know she’s near, yet it’s different.”
“Different?”
“It’s Lilith; but it just seems a little strange. I don’t know. After I go in, wait five minutes; if I’m not out, come in.”
Thorpe crossed the street, looked around; he quickly picked the lock and entered.
Steven woke up; he heard the most incredible blues song. Lilith was standing in the doorway.
“Steven, let’s go.”
“Go?” He sat up and wiped his eyes. “Where?”
“I’m taking you home. I slept on it; you’re right. I’m tired of looking over my shoulder, I just want to be left alone.”
“So the feud’s over?”
Lilith nodded. “I think so. It’s over for me, anyway.”
Steven stood, then he listen to the song, “So who’s CD is this?”
“Oh, sorry. Is it too loud?” He followed her into the studio.
“No; loud is good!”
Lilith laughed, “Do you like it?”
“Yeah, it’s great. Never heard them before.”
She stopped the CD, and put it back in its case. “It’s Bloodline.”
“What?” Steven was shocked. “That’s your guitar? You’re fucking great!”
Lilith smiled, then handed him the CD. “Keep it.”
“Thanks,” he flipped it over; the band consisted of two women and two men. “So you’re the only guitar?”
“Yeah, I play lead and rhythm.” She pointed out the members. “This is Eric Morgan, he’s the singer, and he’s also my master. This is Richard Crane, our drummer, and this is Ophelia Throb, the bassist. We’re all vampires.” Lilith was called ‘Lily White’
“Ophelia Throb?” Steven couldn’t help but smile as he repeated it.
“Yeah, it’s her real name. I think her parents were pretty damned cruel.”
Lilith’s eyes suddenly narrowed. She spun around; in a flash she drew a gun from her waistband. Christian Thorpe stood in the doorway. He held his gun.
“Mexican standoff.” Thorpe declared.
“Christian Thorpe: I didn’t expect to see you. I thought it would take you a couple of days to figure it all out.”
“I want Steven Tyler over here, right now.”
“You seem different, Thorpe-” Thorpe silenced her by leveling his gun at her.
Steven took a step forward, “Listen, Thorpe, she’s changed! She’s not evil! She didn’t hurt me at all-”
“She got into your head, just like before.” Thorpe was trying to be as strong as steel. Then Lilith did something that he never imagined she would do.
Lilith took her gun and pulled out the magazine. Then emptied the bullets into her hand. She let the bullets hit the floor one at a time. Then she tossed the gun in the corner. She simply stood there, arms at her sides, looking at him.
Thorpe saw that Steven was right: she was different. She looked horrible. He was startled to see how emaciated she had become. It was due to the phosphorus, there was no doubt about that. She wasn’t the same; the anger had left her. There was no evil. He noticed her wrists were bandaged.
“What happened to your wrists?” Thorpe asked.
“It happened about a year after I took you into the circle. Your Uncle Thomas, he was responsible for this. He was the one that tricked me. He said that you wanted to talk to me, I walked right into a trap.”
Thorpe walked a little closer to her; his gun went down.
“There was a band of hunters, in this abandoned church. They really took me by surprise. I was whipped, beaten, burned, made to drink lamb’s blood,” She stopped for a moment; Steven could tell that she was trying to pull herself together. “I was crucified. They nailed me to a cross; nailed, through the wrists and feet. He told me that it was my punishment for destroying you. They left me there to die.”
“How did you escape?” Thorpe asked.
“I pulled myself off. I have never been in such agony in my life. You can’t be damned and holy at the same time. That’s how my addiction happened! I had to stop the pain; I had to find some sort of peace. It wasn’t because I needed the thrill; I needed it to survive.
“I became an outcast, my old friends deserted me. They feared what I had become; they didn’t understand. I needed friends more than ever, but I stood alone.”
Thorpe kept a sympathic silence. He knew all too well; he was an outcast in the world, too. Not many hunter want to talk shop to a vampire, and no vampire would ever trust a hunter. Nicholas was his only true friend.
“I didn’t hurt Steven.” She finally said.
“She treated me very well,” Steven added.
“Nicholas told me that you went out and got groceries. I was hoping that you were taking care of him, but that bit about his widow had me scared.”
Lilith gave a half-hearted smile. “I had to make sure you’d come.”
“ It worked.”
She gave a slow nod. “I’m sorry about Joey Kramer.”
He frowned; she was ‘sorry’?
“If I could change the events, I would. I was blinded by hate, I said things, and John took it literally. He was stupid enough to follow out orders that simply didn’t exist.” Lilith took a step closer to him.
“I did all this to try and kill you. You know, Christian, I really wanted to kill you, but I just can’t. I can’t kill anymore; I’m tired of killing.” She looked at her wrists.
“I wanted revenge; I was so consumed with hatred, I knew how you felt. I know why you tracked me for years; that hatred, some days it kept me going. My friends tried to talk me out of this whole affair, but I wouldn’t listen. Steven told me to try and forgive you. I have. I guess I have made peace with you, and with what happened.”
He didn’t know if he could believe her or not. He really wanted to, but he was cautious. She was Lilith; there was no question of that, yet she had changed; her eyes were softer. It was horrible for him to kill her once; now he didn’t have the heart to do it again.
“I fell into a depression after I killed you,” He was actually surprised by his own words, but he had to say it. “Actually, I’m still there. It’s like I’ve fallen into a bottomless pit; it won’t ever end. I think I’ve hit bottom, but there’s always something worse.”
Now she frowned.
“I thought destroying you would cure everything; I pinned every problem I had on you. I was wrong. I know that you won’t believe me, but it was hard for me to kill you.”
“Why? I thought that was your duty?”
“Because I love you, Lilith.” There! He admitted it to her! It felt wonderful! “I wish that you loved me half as much as I love you.”
Lilith’s eyes widened, she was shocked at this revelation. “Why did you push me away?” she asked.
He remembered that moment. He had only been a vampire for a few days; he was at her home, recovering when she told him of the blast, and what she had done to save him. He was furious at her, he cursed her, and made his vow to destroy her.
“I was hurt. I let down my family’s name.” He dropped his gun at her feet. He went down on his knees; his shoulders sank, his entire body seemed to collapse. “I can’t go on like this. I can’t live this lie anymore! I can’t keep acting, acting like I hate you! I know that you hate me, and it’s tearing me apart.” He saw his gun. It was in her reach; she could very easily pick it up and blow him away. He knew it, he wanted it, he waited for the bullet to rip through him.
Lilith looked at Steven; he raised his eyebrows. He knew that Lil’s heart had been touched by Thorpe’s words. This wasn’t an act, or else this guy deserved an Oscar!
Lilith sighed. She knelt down in front of him. “We’re two of the biggest fucking fools in the world!” Her hand reached out to his face, “I hoped that you loved me. I wish you had said it. I lost hope of you ever loving me a long time ago, but I’ve always loved you, Christian.”
Their eyes locked. Steven could see the electricity between them. She never saw it coming. She fell forward, into Thorpe’s arms. Steven took a step forward, looked up and saw Nicholas standing in the doorway, his gun still smoking.
Thorpe laid her on her side; the bullet entered her back, into her left shoulder. He went into action. He ripped her shirt away, to reveal the entry wound. He took his pocketknife and stuck his fingers into the wound. She moaned. Lilith was still awake; her eyes looked to Thorpe.
“I have to remove the bullet.” He explained, then he looked at Steven. “Hold her steady; I don’t want her thrashing around.”
Steven did. He could feel every muscle in her arm and torso tighten up; he looked at her legs, they were shaking. She coughed; bright red blood came out of her mouth.
Thorpe skillfully cut her front, and began searching for the bullet.
“Oh, my God!” Nicholas entered, keeping his gun trained on her. “You’re going to save her? Are you insane? She’s tried to kill you, us! I heard everything you two said! Now everything’s fuzzy bunnies and lollipops?”
“Nicholas, help me!” Thorpe hardly looked around, “Hold her legs!”
Nicholas replaced his gun, and did what he was told.
Thorpe removed the shattered bullet, the wound healed over slowly.
“She did get some phosphorus, it shattered her bone.” Thorpe stared at the bullet. Steven knew it wasn’t good; the bullet was mangled.
He now directed his attention to Nicholas. “Nicholas, you know how I feel about her! How could you do this?”
“She’s Lilith! I thought I was helping you, Thorpe. I thought she had tricked you. I’m sorry, Christian.”
“I understand.”
Her head came up.
“Lilith, can you hear me?” Thorpe held her head. He wiped the blood away from her mouth.
“Christian, I’m back to square one! Just as bad as when you shot me,” her voice weakened. “I can’t go through it again. I can’t fight the pain. Please kill me. I won’t come back! I promise!”
“You’re going to be fine, Lilith, I’ll take care of you!” He removed a small case from his pocket, and opened it. There was a single use hypodermic needle. He adjusted it, and plunged it into her neck. She fell into unconsciousness.
“Christian, what did you just do?” Nicholas tone was exasperated.
“I gave her the antitoxin.” He scooped her up, carried her to the bed.
Nicholas walked to her bedside. He was about to protest, when he realized that it was fruitless. “Well, if you need me, call.” He left; Thorpe knew he was pissed.
“He thought he was helping, it’s not his fault. For years, he’s heard me rant on about how horrible she is.” Thorpe made his excuse for Nicholas. “He meant well.”
Steven stood at the foot of her bed, “Will she survive?” he asked.
“Yes. With the right care, she should be fine.”
“Do you really love her? Or were you just trying to fool her?”
“Everything I said was the truth. I do love her, Steven.”
“Would you have shot her again?”
“If provoked, yes.” He hoped that he could have been so sure. “You and she, something happened between you two.”
Steven looked down, “How’d you know?” He made himself look Thorpe in the eyes, “Yeah, we got pretty physical. But it just happened; it was just a glorified one-night stand. I love Teresa.”
“The way you look at her; the way you’re looking at her right now. I knew that something happened. Steven, I’ll take you home.” Thorpe said.
“Hey, don’t worry about me, I’ll get a cab.” He shook his hand, “Thanks, for everything. You know, you should hear with your ears, but listen with your heart.”
“I will. Are you sure about a cab?”
“Yeah, I think you’d better stay with her. Bye.” Steven walked out of the studio.
The cab pulled into Steven’s driveway. He breathed the night air; it was heaven.
He entered his house; he was home. He really didn’t know what he’d tell her certainly not the truth.
Steven saw her; her blond hair loosely pulled back, white tee shirt, and faded blue jeans. He fell in love again.
“Steven!” Teresa rushed to him and threw her arms around his neck, “I thought that you-”
“I just need some time alone, I figured everything out.”
Teresa smiled. God she was beautiful!
“I made some vindaloo, if you want some.” She said.
“Great baby, I’m starving!” He put his arm around her, and walked into the kitchen.
Thorpe had taken care of her for days; he was getting pretty good at placing her on the floor of the shower stall and bathing her. He did this every few hours. The phosphorus was leaching out of her skin; if not wash away it would be reabsorbed.
He was glad that she didn’t see him cry as he dressed her welts and burn marks that covered her back. He had never seen wounds return, and such horrible wounds. No wonder she lashed out at everyone.
He was rinsing her hair, when glanced down. Black ringlets framed her face; they made her look so innocent. Her eyes fixed on him. She looked like a frightened rabbit.
“Lilith, are you awake?” He turned off the water.
“Yes,” her voice was weak, full of terror.
“I’ll dry you off, and put you back to bed.” He took the towel and did that. It seemed a little strange, touching her while she was awake. He knew that she was embarrassed; he was too. He loved her, but to get through these past few days, he had to convince himself that she was just like a doll. He didn’t focus too much attention to what he was doing; just do it, so she can get healthy. She was weak as a kitten; she could hardly keep her head up.
“Do you remember what happened?”
“Actually, pretty good. I don’t have a headache. Nothing hurts.” She looked down at herself, “What happened? I’m not a skeleton anymore!”
“I’ve been giving you the antitoxin,” He explained, “The poison’s worked its way out of you. I’ve been feeding you, and your bout of stigmata is almost cured.”
He picked her up and carried her back to bed; he placed her nude body onto the bed and pulled the sheets over her.
“There.” Thorpe had to fight back his tears; it was hard to see her like this. She was such an independent woman, reduced to this. She fell back asleep.
He left her, and called Nicholas; he gave him the next list of things he needed for her. He wasn’t gone for more than twenty minutes.
He stopped in the doorway; she was standing at her closet door, with her back to him. She was wearing black pants, but she was topless. She finally pulled out a black silk shirt. She put one arm in, but she didn’t have the strength to pull it around. He walked to her. “Do you need some help?” He said softly.
She seemed startled, “Yes,” she dropped her head down, “I can’t do it.”
He knew it was hard for her to admit it. “You don’t have to dress, in fact, it’s easier for me to take care of you if you are nude.”
Her silence spoke volumes. He knew he should have phrased it better. He carefully pulled it around her, he put her other arm in the sleeve, and he buttoned it for her. He was glad that his hands didn’t tremble.
He asked, “Are you happy with this shirt? It’s not too hot?”
“It’s fine,” she turned away. He could tell that every step was sheer agony. She walked as if she were walking on eggshells; so slow and deliberate.
“Do you want something to drink? Some water?” He asked.
“Well, I’m actually hungry.”
He was glad to hear that; it was a good sign. He went into her small kitchen; he pulled a bottle from her fully stocked cellar. He reached for two wineglasses, and then he remembered her hands. She couldn’t hold a wineglass! The woman couldn’t even put on a shirt, let alone hold a thin-stemmed glass! She had already been humiliated twice today; she didn’t need a third time.
He returned with the bottle of blood and two coffee mugs. She was sitting on the bed; she already looked stronger. He sat down beside her, poured, and handed her a mug. She held it with both hands.
“Oh, it’s very good!” He could feel his heart begin a regular beat.
“I’ve been trying to get a better stock.” She took a sip; she looked at him. “You can call me Lil, if you want.” Her voice had some hesitation to it.
“Lil.” He smiled at her. “I will, but only if you call me Chris.” He’d only ever let another person call him ‘Chris’ and she was just as special as Lil was. She promised to wait for him; they were to be married after he returned from the war. She ended up marrying a doctor; she died in 1951. He finished his drink.
“Chris,” she repeated. “I like that.” She sat her mug down; she’d only drank half.
She looked at him, “Look, Chris, I want-”she stood and paced. “I just-”
Christian Thorpe faced Lilith; he’d secretly wanted this moment for years. He didn’t care anymore; maybe she’d kill him, but he’d die happy and that was much better than living in this misery.
“I want you to know, I didn’t take advantage of this situation, I didn’t touch you in any inappropriate manner.”
“I know, Chris. You would never do something like that; you’re such a gentleman.” Lil put her head on his shoulder; he put his arm around her.
He didn’t feel like a gentleman. He had all sorts of thought running through his mind. He wanted to undress her; he wanted to touch her. He wanted to prove his love to her; he wanted to hear her scream his name.
He knew that she wasn’t strong enough for that. He waited over eighty years; he would wait until she was ready. He wanted to say so many things to her, but he just didn’t know where to start. He ran his finger over her jaw line. He decided to let his heart talk, instead of his mind.
She continued her thought, “I just want to know if you really love me. I have to know; I think you do, but I want to make sure. I want to make sure that I didn’t dream it.”
“I love you, Lil.” He now held both of her hands, “You won’t ever have to stand alone again.”
Her eyes filled with tears, she dropped her chin on her chest. “Thank you. Thank you for caring for me, nobody ever has-” Her voice broke. He lifted her head; she smiled. It was a true smile.
He ran his thumb over her soft lips; she shuddered at his touch. “You’re so beautiful when you smile, Lilith. You should smile more.”
“I just haven’t had much to smile about.”
“My angel has returned. You’re that angel I saw on the battlefield.” He held her head in his hands. “You aren’t the evil woman I shot.”
“I was sick. You were right: I was going to use them and throw them away. Maybe take them into the circle, maybe not. I just needed a fix; that’s all I was worried about. If it will ease your mind, I forgive you.”
It felt like a weight had been taken off his shoulders.
“I love you, Chris. I never thought it was possible to love someone as much as I love you. Please don’t ever push me away again.”
She looked at him, he got lost in her eyes; they were so incredible. Things just didn't matter right now; they were here, together. He gave her a kiss. It was better than he’d imagined. He already felt complete.
“Do you think we can make up for those lost years?” he whispered.
“No. I think that we can start over.”