If My Heart Could Beat

© 2013 by J.A Smith. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/19/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-7885-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-7884-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013912894

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Acknowledgements

I want to thank my children for giving me to the time to write this book; Mommy Loves you. I also want to thank Valerie for letting me read to you everyday until my work was done; now you can stop growling at me to hurry up and write or ask me questions like what happens next, and yes I love you too. To all my friends and family, thank you for your constant support and sarcasm; life would be soo boring without you :0). Thank you Kristie Dill for editing all my mistakes (yes there were many.) A special thanks to Author-House for making it possible for a new writer like myself to have their work published. And a Big THANK YOU to my readers!! A book is nothing but paper and printed letters, it takes people like yourself to pick it up and make it into an adventure.

The year is 1616, I am turning three and twenty this winter solstice. I have waited all my life for this night. Accompanied by my great-grandmother, grandmother and mother, I am ushered to the clearing of the forest where the circle of power is already in place. My mother had been working for weeks preparing for this night to be just right. I have been prophesied before my birth to be the most powerful of the Mohioni witches. I am excited and frightened all at once, wearing nothing more than the thin black robe as was accustomed for the ritual. No one knew what powers I would be bestowed with, but I had been raised to welcome any that Goddess would bless me with.

As I cross the circle every hair on my body rises and I feel the earth tremble at my feet. My great-grandmother Miki begins the chant it is quickly followed by the other women in my family as they clasp hands to form a circle around me. It is a soothing sound calling the elements and spirits to bless me. I feel the earth at my feet beginning to get warm like my mother had told me it would. I slowly untie the robe string from my chest and let the blackness fall to ground to form a puddle at my feet. Lifting my hands I embrace the prayer and kneel, awaiting the spirits to decide if I am of worthy to receive a gift.

Suddenly my body loses its warmth from the Earth, coldness from the grave takes hold, crawling through me like pin prickles of ice. The chanting stops and all I can hear are the swaying of the trees above me in the wind. Now I am frightened, no longer excited as it pauses to inspect its offering; me.

The temperature has dropped so that I can see my breath in the air. I feel the coldness start at my toes working its way up my legs. I feel frozen and half dead but know it is an illusion. I am being tested and I will remain strong not just for myself but for my coven.

The coldness leaks into my bones like the worst winter storms. I miss the warmth already, but refuse to shame my coven and cower. I am at the powers mercy and will show no fear. The cold is not complete but building. I feel as though I am cased in ice, but I breathe, I am alive and my heart still beats, though it is a frantic drum.

Grandmother is asking the spirits to take pity on me in a language older than time. I block it out and begin my own prayer. If my life is forfeit so that the power can be passed onto another; then so be it. I will take the warrior’s way out, my aunt will be proud, for she has traveled from the woman warriors of the East to watch my ascension.

My limbs begin to numb, my knees weaken. My arms are no longer held towards the night sky, but now fully upon the earth so that I lay flat on my palms. I lay my head on the ground and wish my family well, I am in deaths grip.

My grandmother is now holding my mother back from breaking the circle; she does not wish to see her only child die. She does not understand this sacrifice is one of willingness on my part. I can hold on no longer and begin to fade.

When I think I am about to meet my ancestors, I feel the coldness break from its building energy in a powerful explosion. The cold is now like fire eating my soul, I am nothing but pain. I want to scream but have no voice to do so. The wind is now blowing, so hard in fact that the small fire that held any warmth at all goes as cold as I am.

I expected death, but instead I feel the power unleash inside me, causing my body to bow at the spine from impact. I feel rewritten, reborn, blasted from the ice I had been encased in, my voice is found. I scream.

Opening my eyes I see frost on all things living. My Great-grandmother is kneeling. Frozen tears are upon her withered face as she looks at me in relief.

I have done it. I have been blessed by mother Earth, though what power I now will possess is a mystery. I can still feel the coldness but it is a distant thing, like it has found a home somewhere inside my body becoming a part of me.

My grandmother is now closing the circle so that I may leave, but once the last of her words flow from her lips, demons from above descend.

They are faster than anything I have ever seen, skin as pale as the moon and teeth as sharp as the giant cats of the jungle. I have heard of such creatures, but have never encountered one. They are said to be immortals and pray on the weak; Vampires.

My great warrior aunt is no match for the higher beings; they tear her throat out as if she were a doll made of thin fabric. My great-grandmother is sobbing over her only daughter; my grandmother who has bled to death from her fatal injury.

My mother is chanting prayers for the spirits to save us all, none heed her call.

A tall vampire comes walking out of the woods, baring his fangs; he speaks in a language I am not familiar with. My mother does not understand him either, but she is asking for mercy in our native tongue, he shows her none. Casually he walks up to her. I hear my mother’s neck snap as he holds her face, as if he were to kiss her. He quickly lets her go, causing her limp body to fall to the ground in a heap.

The vampire comes closer but stops just outside the circle. I stand frozen in the horror. His eyes are as black as night, hair the color of a Ravens wing nearly touches his hips. I will not ask for mercy, I will not move and anger the vampire, like all predators they enjoy the chase. I will die with my coven, an honorable death. I raise my head as meet him eye to eye.

He is speaking to me again in that language I do not understand and do not try to interpret. With great inner strength I kneel upon the ground, tilting my head to the side awaiting his deadly bite. I am staring at what remains of my coven; the vampires are tossing those I love upon each other, as if they mean nothing. A single flame ignites and my coven begins to burn, I hold my breath not wanting to smell the acrid smell of burnt flesh.

Vampires are lifeless creatures, no souls except those that have been taken from the devil himself. I can feel the cold breath of the vampires as he leans over my exposed neck. I do not flinch when he sinks his teeth into me no matter how much it hurts but a single tear escapes as I watch my great-grandmother burn.

Again I feel the coldness, again I wait for death. The world becomes blurry and I think of happier times, sowing with my grandmother, and cooking herbs with my mother. I can give this monster my body, my blood, but he will never have my soul.

As death begins to claim me completely, I can feel the vampire has stopped his suction, but I cannot move in my weakened state. He again speaks, but I do not think it is to me this time for another Vampire speaks shortly after in response.

I am being held up and something is being poured into my mouth, the metallic taste overwhelms me. I try to spit the warm liquid out but I start choking, it soon begins to taste good. My minds start to feel confused and my body takes over and latches onto the drink. I become briefly aware, I now understand what it is that I am drinking and again try to stop myself, but cannot.

My eyes are heavy, my head rolls to the side, and I can see the sun coming up over the mountains though blurred vision.

Someone picks me up, moving too fast to process anything around me. Closing my eyes I now know what my greatest fear is, and that it has come to pass.

I am a vampire.

Chapter 1

The iron door opens like it does every night; I have become accustomed to the schedule. A vampire, as dark as midnight, by the name of Ghoul comes in dragging a bound human in behind him. I can do nothing, but wait as he brings the human close enough, so that I have to stretch my neck to reach my victim. My fangs are extended as hunger gnaws; I smell the man’s fear, his pulse in his veins calls to me. The chains that bound my hands and feet rattle as I adjust myself. I feel pity for the human to have to die like this, but at least I will make it quick. I cannot say the same about the other vampires; they like to play with their food. I say a quick prayer for the man before his skin is popping beneath my fangs, blood rushes into my mouth quenching my thirst with its sweetness. I make sure to bite on his jugular so that when the time comes for him to be pulled away Ghoul has no choice but to let him bleed out and waste a meal, or to finish what I have started.

I can feel my strength quickening just as the human is pulled from me, I rip the skin under my teeth giving the human the only peace I can.

Bitch, always have to go for the kill don’t you? Ghoul is never pleased when I feed because I don’t let any of the humans live. But he does not waste the blood, sealing his mouth over the wound he drinks until there is nothing but an empty corps left behind.

For as old as you are, I would figure you’d know how not to kill them by now. You are a stubborn woman. He knows I will not speak but gloats me to do so anyways. I am not even sure I have a voice anymore. Here I am, nearly four hundred years old and have not said a word in all that time. Chained to a stone wall never to leave, I have memories I keep close to remind me of what the outside world looks like, false hope but hope none the less.

Ghoul takes the corps out of my rock cell as always, closing the silver door behind him. The lock makes a loud echo throughout the dungeon, but I am used to the sound by now.

The suspension mechanism that holds me tight to the wall is released so that I may now walk around my room.

My chains do not let me reach the door and I have never been at full strength in all my years. The one who ruined me I have not seen since the night he killed my coven, the thought of him chills the blood in my veins. My jailers change every twenty years or so, Ghoul should be leaving soon, thank the Goddess. The man is foul tempered and speaks with a strange accent.

I walk to my cot to sit. The book I had been reading by a man named Shakespeare has caught my attention the past several years, I never tire of it.

As I lie down to read I can feel the pull to sleep as the sun beings to rise.

I start to drift, when I hear the sounds of boots hitting the rock floor. Terror seizes me; this is what I hate the most. Every night a vampire male comes into my cell to take liberties. I gave up fighting years ago; I would never win at less than half strength.

I do not look to see who comes in, just place both palms on the wall, my back to the doorway and begin to relax my body for the invasion that will soon come. A firm hand grips my hair and pulls my head back. I can smell the blood on this one, freshly feed and evil.

My legs are already apart, but he kicks them out more. I do not make a sound as he pushes himself into me. I had been a virgin the first time this had happened, terrified I had screamed and fought. It only made the vampires more brutal, if I hadn’t been dead already I would have died from my injuries that first night. My right leg had been broken, my left hip had been stabbed and I had been almost bleed dry, vampires like to feed while rutting.

Relaxing my body I have learned makes it less painful though not at all pleasurable. The vampires behind me grunted a few times before his body started to shake, and then he strikes. The pain is sharp and brutal as he begins sucking on the bite he has made on the top of my shoulder.

You are a lovely piece of ass, he states when he is finished. He smacks my behind for emphasis before he pulls himself out of me. I still do not turn around or move from my position, doing so only makes them stay longer. The male smacks my other cheek before laughing; I cringe knowing my behind is now a bright red from his abuse and my recent feeding. Still laughing the male leaves and closing the doors behind him.

I sag; relieved it is over. With frustration and hatred welling up I snatch the basin of water I receive freshly once a week, a small wash cloth I take from under my pillow and beginning cleaning off the pink tinted semen leaking from my core.

I know not to get angry because the same thing will happen again tomorrow night. I do believe I died three hundred and ninety-seven years ago in that clearing, because this had to surely be hell. Not wanting to dwell on the incident any longer I lay in bed and wait for the true peace, sleep because death truly wasn’t it.

The sounds of screaming woke me. I roll off the side of the bed until I land onto the floor. Grunts and cry’s echoed above me, swords clash.

Then a giant boom, shakes the very foundation I knell upon. Rock showered down on me, the chains rattled as I covered my head, not that it would likely kill me, but I still didn’t like the feeling of pain. The screams grow softer and softer until there is utter silence. I knew there has been a battle, but I have no idea who from or if anyone has survived.

I wait for what felt like hours until I hear voices echoing off the dungeon walls.

Jesus, I didn’t know anyone still had a working dungeon, sick bastards look at the pile of human remains over there.

You are correct Blaine, I haven’t seen a dungeon like this since the late 1800’s. There was disgust in the males voice as they neared my door.

What the fuck is this? I heard the lock on my door rattle.

That would be a large lock, for a large door my friend. I could hear the humor in the males voice.

Well no shit Sherlock. Think anyone’s inside?

Only one way to find out.

Another boom, sounded as sparks of fire fly from my door causing me to want to cringe, but I would not move from my position. Two vampires dressed in odd clothing stood there staring at me with wide eyes as if they did not expect me to be inside.

Holy shit, the male with blue hair states, looking at me like I was the unusual one.

Go get Wesley. The other male that wore a long coat instructed. Without another word, blue hair gave me a look of pity before racing off in a burst of speed. The male with the coat comes forward slowly as if he might startle me into running off like a scared rabbit, did he not realize I was chained?

Hello, my name is Rick. I am here to help you. I could hear the truth in his words, but I make no movement from my keeling position on the floor. I had heard those words spoken more times than I cared to count.

Rick knelt down just inside the door looking at me as if I were injured. A few seconds later the man with blue hair comes back, followed by a taller man wearing a tight black shirt and odd pants that molded to his lower body. His hair was black with tints of red that fell to his shoulders. The palest blue eyes I had ever seen stared at me much the same way the other two had done. By far he was the most beautiful demon I had ever seen.

The man with blue eyes came in, passing the still kneeling Rick, until he was a few feet from me. I did not move nor look him in the eye again, I had learned the hard way what a mistake that could be.

Hello my name is Wesley, what’s yours? I did not answer him just kept staring at the stone floor trying to figure out what they wanted. Wesley snapped his fingers making me flinch from the unexpectedness.

Holy shit, snapping your fingers scared her? The blue haired one sounded sick, I knew the feeling. The one called Rick crawled further into the room until we were at eye level.

What’s your name sweetie? I promise we are not here to harm you. The one called Rick had kind brown eyes and light brown hair that also came to his shoulders, thought he spoke with kindness I still didn’t trust him. He proceeded to raise his hand and out of sheer fear I flattened myself to the stone floor, arms above my head causing the chains to rattle loudly in the quiet, my knees are tucked up to my chest as I awaited the lashing.

Fuck, she’s chained to the wall. Why is she chained to the wall? The blue haired one named Blaine stated sounding like he wanted to hit something. I truly hoped it would not be me.

I felt a tug on my chains and prepared myself to be thrown against the wall from the force, but nothing happened.

These have a device somewhere in this fucking place that will reel her in until she is plastered to the wall. God she can’t even reach the door, who the fuck does shit like this? Now Rick sounded mad and I believed in that moment I never wanted to get on this vampires bad side.

Find the key, Wesley’s menacing voice growled making me shiver in fear. A few seconds later Blaine announced that he had, Found it.

I need you to sit up and give me your hand sweetie so we can get these chains off you, Rick stated calmly. Since he gave me a command I did what I was told. I sat up straight, handing him both my hands, but my gaze remained steadily looking at the floor. Holding the key to my chains up, he unlocked both my wrist in quick succession.

Dear virgin Mary, look at her wrist. They’ve been branded by these things. Sweetie when were you captured? I still did not answer him. Wesley growled from beside me before stalking out of the room. Rick still held my wrist looking at them like he had never seen anything like it, having slaves was a common thing so I wasn’t sure why he bothered looking guilty.

A moment later Wesley came back in my cell carrying a blooded Ghoul who was bound with his hands behind his back. For the first time in centuries I felt the beginnings of a smile edge my lips.

Who is this, and how long have you had her a prisoner here? Wesley asked almost casually but his stance said he was minutes away from killing someone. Ghoul glared at me but answered the question as best as he could.

No one knows her name, our master gave instructions to never let her loose or let her get to full strength. I am over a hundred years old, and I know a few people that say she has been here for over three, do the math yourself. I didn’t know vampires could become paler, but all three new vampires did as they looked at me.

She’s over three hundred? No fucking way, we would have felt her power by now if that were true, Blaine stated in disbelief

Not if she’s never been at full strength. Rick bring some blood down here and let’s feed her, Wesley all but growled

You sure that’s a good idea boss? Blaine was weary of me, though why I had no idea. Rick didn’t have the same problem; he shot out of the room like he had been shot from a cannon coming back quickly carrying three small clear pouches containing a red liquid. Wesley knelt down by me bringing one of the clear pouches to my mouth. I had no idea what he wanted me to do with it.

She’s only ever fed on humans and a fair warning, she’s a messy eater, Ghoul informed them with a cruel grin. Again the look of shock held everyone as they looked me over, wearing nothing but a loin cloth covering my lower body, my long wavy dark auburn hair was down past my feet but covering my breasts. Dirt caked me from head to foot, if I had been alive I would have had bugs living on my person.

I’ll show you. Wesley stated before bringing the clear pouch to his mouth, his fangs lengthened but instead of biting in to the pouch he placed a clear tube in his mouth and started sucking until the red liquid filled the tube. The pouch emptied quickly, decompressing with each suck Wesley makes, the smell of the contents was blood and it caused my hunger to rise, I held it at bay like I had been trained to do.

See it’s easy, you just suck it like you would a straw. He held a pouch out to me, placing it on my hand that had been resting in my lap. The pouch feels odd, soft and flimsy yet strong enough to preserve blood, weak enough I could penetrate it easily with my fangs. Attentively I picked the pouch up marveling at the contraption. There was a large white letter on it that said A+; I had no idea what it meant. Wesley moved slowly and placed the tube to the corner of my mouth. Now suck.

I did as instructed taking a long pull until cold blood filled my mouth, it did not taste as good as warm blood, but I was hungry and didn’t know when my next meal would be. Pulling strongly I emptied the pouch in seconds, another was replaced until it too was emptied, I had never felt better but was still weak.

Blaine go get three more bags, this girl is starving, Wesley stated.

I drank four more before I was full.

My body felt warm for the first time since I had died, I felt like I could fly, my vision crystallized into perfect clarity, my skin felt nearly sun kissed like I had been in the garden all day with my mother when I had been a child.

I know I could stand without shaking so I did so, a little too quickly, because I nearly fell over with the amount of speed I had used. Wesley caught me by the arm making me hiss and jump back, but the only place to go was against the wall.

Easy, I wasn’t going to hurt you. You’re just not used to feeling like you’re supposed to, it’ll take some time to get used to. Time was all I had unless these men decided I wasn’t worth the effort.

Careful boy’o, we all figured she was rabid. I’m not sure what she’ll do now that she’s free and fed. I had forgot Ghoul was still in the room, my eyes locked on to him from where I stood and I had the desire to rip him to shreds right where he sat. I could smell his arrogance and taste his evilness in the back of my throat.

Wesley snapped his fingers in to my line of sight to get my attention.

Sweetie I don’t believe you are rabid, but keep growling like that and I might change my mind. Can you speak now? I could do nothing but stare at my savior; these new vampires had shown me the only kindness I had ever known since I had been turned all those years ago. I felt no malice come from them, only goodness, I hadn’t expect that from demons.

Myka, I whispered. I was surprised I still had a voice, though it was scratchy from no use. Ghoul’s mouth fell open in shock.

I am Myka Mohioni, my voice was a better the second time around. Wesley smiled as did Rick but Blaine inches towards the door still not trusting me.

Well Myka, would you like to get out of here? Wesley asked kindly, I nodded. The thought of going outside almost made me giddy with excitement. I missed the earth and the way she smelled, how she held all of her children in her embrace. Rick hauled Ghoul up and proceeded to exit the room followed by a weary Blaine. Wesley gave me space enough to walk on my own, but kept checking over his shoulder as I inched slowly behind them.

A long stone hall way opened up to a torture chamber that I had the unpleasantness of visiting in my early years. A large pile of dead bodies sat next to the stone steps that lead up, the young man I had drained earlier was on top of the heap staring lifeless at the ceiling above. I could do nothing for him now, and hoped my prayer for a happier place went with him.

A large oak door was opened at the top of the stairs, rubble of rock was scattered all over the flooring. The ceiling was completely destroyed, opening the building up to the night sky. Stars as far as the eye could see shone brightly, the full moon sat in the sky like a king on his throne. I could not contain my joy any longer. I raced out of the castle until my feet hit grass and I could smell dirt from the solid earth. The men were calling me but I ignored them, I hadn’t gone far.

I lay on my back watching the stars above me, finally at peace. I took a deep breath expecting the fresh air to fill my lungs but the air is polluted with strange smells, I cannot describe the foul odors.

It doesn’t take long for my rescuers to find me. I had been so engrossed in my happiness that I had not looked around; kneeling once more I stare over the valley in awe. I am shocked to see the world has changed. With my clear eye sight I can see not a dirt road and covered wagons, but solid black rivers and contraptions not pulled by horses, lights as bright as the sun shown like jewels in the valley below.

Myka Ricks voice is coming from my left side, but I could not look away from the sights before me. No huts stood with wood from nearby trees or hay, but large solid buildings not made of mud and rock. So many humans walked around, the world is populated to numbers I cannot fathom.

Myka, are you alright? Wesley’s voice comes from my right. I can feel the cold wetness on my cheek and know that I cry. Looking up at Wesley I again find a pitied expression.

What has happened to the world? My voice is weak with emotions. I cannot feel any magic in the air. It scared me to think no witches truly lived any longer. Wesley’s eyes softened as he stared at me.

It has become bigger. A simple answer for a hard question, I wanted to know how much bigger, but was frightened for what the answer might be. Looking again at the jeweled valley below, I come to the conclusion that I didn’t want to know. I am scared in this land of the unknown.

Ghoul is cursing my vampire rescuers somewhere in the distance, a dark thought brought on by the demon I now am demands I kill him to avenge my torment. I can feel the hatred boiling in my veins. I find myself standing and walking to where Ghoul is being restrained by Blaine.

My maker will see you all dead if you do not release me, Ghoul all but growled, he had not been paying attention to me in the least as I approach. Blaine watches me like a hawk watches a mouse on the earths floor. Ghoul finally turns to address me next.

What the fuck are you looking at, he spat. The corners of my mouth tug upward as I look at him, reduced to nothing but a slave he still thought he had the upper hand. I can feel Wesley and Rick’s curious gazes at my back, but I refused to take my eyes off Ghoul for a moment. Skin as black as night, his bald head reflected the moon causing it to shine, eyes as dark as an abyss. He wore no shirt so that his muscular body strained against his bounds, his fangs had lengthened past his lips in his agitated state.

This man had hit me, and at one point urinated on me and now was