Forbidden Fangs

Chapter 16

“This is… fascinating.” Kylie said. “Did you know that the vampire Alvernon, the one who was captured, actually developed a taste for pig blood? They kept him alive for-”

“Over a year, of course I know,” Logan said “otherwise they'd never have gotten so much information out of him. It's not like we would have given him human blood.”

Kylie closed the leather bound book she was reading.

“You don't have to be snippy,” she said.

“Sorry,” Logan said. He groaned and stretched and took a sip of the same drink he'd been nursing all night. “I'm pretty tired. That's actually an excellent book for you to be reading. It goes on to talk about much of what we learned from Alvernon, such as the details of the Wythirian neural technology. Up until then we thought they actually had supernatural powers.”

“I can see why,” Kylie said with a shiver. “The way Luchaver just phased through the ceiling really shook me. Wait… what's to stop him from doing the same here?”

“There's a special poly-mesh installed in the walls and door,” Logan said soothingly, touching her shoulder. “You couldn't be any safer than here. Look,” he put down the book he was holding and stood, crossing to a computer terminal. “I've got the entire vicinity wired with motion sensitive cameras and microphones. If anything gets within a hundred yards of us, we'll know about it.” He scrolled to a screen which showed a variety of angles around the house externally and internally. “See? As long as we're here, you're completely safe.”

“Maybe we should call for reinforcements then,” Kylie said, shivering again and hugging herself. “Who knows what other kinds of technology the Wythirians might have developed over the years? Luchaver might be able to pass through your walls like any other. And if we are safe… I can't think of any good reason to leave.”

“What about our responsibility to the people of Earth?” Logan asked. “Kylie I know you didn't choose this… but especially with your resistance to Wythirian compulsion, I would say it chose you. You are picking up everything so fast. I think together we can take this bastard down. I know we can.”

Kylie sighed and pursed her lips. Logan clearly had something to prove, perhaps to his parents or even just to himself. Or perhaps he was really trying to live up to the legacy left to him by the slayers of old. She shivered a third time, at the thought of facing an alien vampire in medieval times.

“Are you cold?” Logan asked. He slipped off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders like a shawl. The butt of his gunblade protruded from its shoulder holster.

“Thanks,” Kylie said. “Can you take that thing off? I mean, if we're safe here…”

“What? Oh, of course.” Logan shrugged out of the harness and slid the weapon out of sight beneath a cushion. “There, all gone.” He smiled and stretched again, laying his arms along the back of the couch.

Kylie slid over and cuddled up beneath his left arm, nuzzling into his chest.

“I hope you don't mind,” she said, “I like this. It makes me feel safe.”

“Of course not,” Logan said. One of his heavy hands stroked her long blonde hair. Kylie loved that feeling. “I want you to feel safe.” He said. “Keeping you that way is my top priority. But I really do believe we can best this vampire on our own.” He cupped her chin gently. “I wouldn't be as confident by myself. But you give me an extra boost. I know it's scary but trust me… you're a natural at this.”

Kylie put her hand over his and pressed his rough palm harder against her cheek. She leaned forward and kissed him tentatively on the lips, tasting his tongue deftly before pulling back and looking up at him.

“I'm sorry,” she said, “I… I don't really know what I want. I just… feel the need for some comfort. It's not fair to ask that of you.”

“Ask whatever you like of me,” Logan said, lifting her chin again. His dark brown eyes met hers, steady and strong. “I'm here for you, Kylie.”

She hesitated a long moment and then kissed him again, with such passion that she pushed his head back. She climbed into his lap, soft murmurs escaping the seal created by their lips. Her hands explored his face, his hair, his chest, while his arms wrapped around her and held her close. Safe. Secure. She wanted to forget all the bad things and just be lost in that moment, for as long as it lasted.