The Guardian of the Clan By Shadylady

Disclaimer: Happy Halloween.  This is a continuation of the Halloween story written last year, Princess of Darkness.  It is the tale of the near demise of a way of life and the eternal craving to keep hope alive.

Thanks to my beta S. Padgett.

Feedback welcome: Shadylady.

Clouds scurried briskly across the dark night sky, occluding the light from the moon.  Shadows deepened as the night darkened.  Nocturnal creatures climbed from secluded burrows, venturing out upon the world. Unrecognized forms skittered throughout the varied shades of darkness as activities increased. 

Sharp, piercing sounds rang out raucously splintering the silence of the night.  Answering calls filled the heavy air as the night creatures looked for targets in the blackened surroundings.  The speeding figure of a black cat could barely be detected as it darted through the midnight woods.  Branches cracked and leaves rustled as quick feet scurried along the path trying to reach the dull lights filtering ghostly from dingy windows into the coal black night. 

The Guardian watched as her beloved favorite companion followed the young woman scurrying home along the shadowed path.  She watched as her slave pounced upon the mortal woman and tasted her female essence introducing contamination into her own body.  Any bodily fluid except for blood introduced mutation and foreign microbes into the clan, weakening its physical constitution.  Death was the penalty for consuming any liquid but blood.  No sooner did her favorite take the soul of the woman she devoured than The Guardian, with great reluctance, struck with her sword and smote to death her favorite member of the clan. 

The deed was done.  The slave dissipated into the night, leaving only a wet but drying puddle upon the path.  The young woman lay lifeless with unseeing eyes directed toward heaven.  Her soul was gone.  Her flesh was cold and turning blue.  One more life needlessly wasted.  The black cat darted out of the shadows and sniffed the body one time before turning his penetrating silver eyes toward The Guardian and sending her a silent message that only they understood.  It paused only seconds before jumping back into the underbrush and disappearing once again. 

The Guardian looked upon the scene with growing despair as she realized her clan was dwindling in numbers.  She lifted her body into the air and slowly drifted back to the cave deep inside the mountain hidden in the shadows of trees.  Her eternal soul ached, as she knew without a doubt the very existence of the clan was at stake. 

The Present: 

The cacophony of sound overpowered the young woman as she darted from one side of the road to the other.  She dodged speeding cars with one purpose in mind, to reach the other side.  To make matters worse, rain thundered heavily from the gray skies as lightning and thunder filled the late October afternoon air.  The woman did not have an umbrella nor, was she protected in any way from the rain.  As she neared the curb, a large black, solitary car raced toward her.  As it pulled along side of her, it hit a large puddle of rainwater, causing muddy red stained water to splash over her body. Dirty rivulets ran from her clothing to drop anonymously into the gathering pool of water beneath her feet.  She turned back to glare at the passing car.  As she turned, the car stopped and slowly rolled backward until the back door was even with her wet and steaming body.  The door slowly opened and she was able to see into the interior of the car. 

The Guardian, Clarimonde Warda, sat on the dark leather seat with her cloak wrapped tightly around her body as though the cold wet air was capable of penetrating her already lifeless body.  Her long dark hair whirled and swirled around her beautiful face as with icy blue eyes she looked out of the door at the young woman she had nearly run down.  She smiled tightly at the look of chagrin on the woman’s face and saw her dark beauty beneath the rusty stains of muddy water still dripping down her face and body.   

“I am so sorry.”  Her hypnotic voice wafted through the downpour to reach the angry young woman.  “Please, allow me to assist you.” 

She pushed the door wider as her melodic voice floated softly through the turbulent air to reach the young woman. “Come.  Join me inside where it is warm and dry.”   

The young woman was powerless to do more than stand and stare as she looked at the beautiful woman shrouded in darkness sitting before her eyes.  The woman’s voice coated her cold, shivering body like a downy blanket wrapped snuggly around her.  She was drawn to the sound of her voice as if she had no willpower of her own.  Without thought, she stepped forward and moved toward the open door.  Their eyes locked as she walked closer.  She could see the burning stare of the crystal blue eyes watching her every move. 

As the young woman leaned down to climb into the car, the Guardian quickly removed her cloak and with lightning speed, wrapped it warmly around the shivering woman, drawing her deeper into the limousine.  No further words were spoken as their eyes locked and once again, the car began to move forward. 

The Guardian had not been drawn to a woman in many years, but there was something about the young woman that instantly ignited her senses and made it impossible for her to drive on without contacting her.  Perhaps it was the dark appearance, which nearly echoed her own.  The eyes were a bold shimmering emerald instead of the icy blue of her own.  Beneath the muddy stains on her arms, her skin was a soft burnished tan, radiating vitality and her love of the outdoors.  Her hair was straight,  dark, chestnut brown, with finely arched eyebrows that drew attention to her sparkling, lively eyes.  Her nose was delicate with a slight pixy tilt at the tip.  However, her lips drew the Guardian’s attention.  They were full and luscious with a delicate pout looking as if they were just waiting to be kissed.  The vibrant rosy color enhanced her sexy look.  The way the young woman unconsciously ran her tongue over her lips to moisten them, only caused them to shimmer more in the artificial light of the limo. 

“Thank you,” the woman replied as she reached up and grasped the edges of the cloak tight beneath her chin.   

“I am so sorry I splashed you as we drove by,” the Guardian spoke in a low, husky voice.  “My name is Claire Warda.  What is yours?”  

The young woman leaned toward The Guardian to catch what she was saying before answering, “I’m Gwenn Alarch.” 

Their eyes engaged and The Guardian passed an undetected message through their locked eyes.  Her voice was enchanting and seemed to pull deep into the woman’s soul as its hypnotic tone soothed her troubled spirit.  She drooped back against the seat as the warmth of the cloak and the limo pushed her into a deep lethargy.  Before long, her eyes had closed and she sank into a mystifying unnatural sleep. 

The Guardian leaned forward and tapped lightly on the window separating the driver from her and her passenger.  The panel slid open a crack and a single word was spoken by Claire, “Home”.  The limo picked up speed as it circled in the narrow street and headed back out of town the way it had come.  The Guardian looked over at the sleeping woman and feasted her eyes upon her loveliness.  Reaching out she softly ran the back of her hand over the young woman’s cheek, feeling its lively warmth beneath her cold, lifeless fingers. 

The limousine drove slowly through the steady downpour until it turned onto a gravel road far out in the country.  It crept steadily deeper into the woods as it followed the twisting gravel lane.  In front of the limousine, at the end of the lane, a three-story dark brick house stood shrouded in darkness.  A single light burned near the entryway, casting dark shadows onto the stairway leading up to the main door.  The house looked like it was brooding and inhospitable, nearly deserted in its morbid look.   The driver pulled the car along side the stairs leading to the entry before coming to a complete stop.  She opened her door and walked around the limo to the passenger door closest to the house.   

Claire reached out and held onto Gwenn’s arm, holding the sleeping woman in place as the door was opened from outside.  The driver, a big Amazon woman with massive arms, reached inside and gently lifted the subdued woman into her arms.  Once she had her cradled against her body, she stepped back as Claire slowly climbed out of the back.  Claire walked regally up the stairs knowing that the driver would follow with her precious cargo.   

Claire pushed wide the front door as she stepped through, flipping on a dull hallway light, casting more shadows than light.   

“Guardian, where do you want me to place her?” the driver asked as she stepped into the hall. 

Claire reached around the driver and pushed the door closed as she answered.  “Upstairs.  The spare room will do.” 

The driver walked quickly up the stairs in a tireless manner as if the woman in her arms weighed nothing at all.  She turned toward the first room on the left where she walked over to the bed and lay Gwenn gently down upon the counterpane.  She stared down at the dark beauty wondering why after so many hundreds of years her Mistress was bringing home one of the ‘Others’.  She knew better than to question The Guardian as she had seen in the past the swift actions The Guardian was capable of when she felt her clan was threatened by insurrection of its members.  She kept her thoughts to herself as her Mistress entered the room.   

Claire glared into the darkness and her eyes blazed with silver light as she looked at the figure lying on the bed.  Her heart raced at the thought of the changes that might shortly be occurring within the clan.  Finally, after many years of searching, this single young woman could be the beginning of new life for the clan.  Without new life, the clan would not last much longer.  Its total number of members could be counted on one hand.  Time was growing shorter and without new members, the clan would soon die out. 

The Guardian turned her eyes to the driver and saw the questioning look in her yellow glowing eyes.  “You may go now.  I’ll call for one of you if I need any more help.” 

“Yes, Mistress.”  The driver turned without another look and quickly left the room. 

Claire walked closer to the bed and looked down at the wet woman lying on the bed.  She was once again overcome by her dark beauty and could barely wait to see how she looked cleaned up.  She reached out and trailed her fingers along the side of Gwenn’s face while calling her name.   

“Gwenn…..Gwenn.   Come with me, Gwenn.  It’s time to take a warm shower and clean up.” 

Gwenn slowly opened her eyes, still not fully coherent.  She remained in a fog like state as she sat up on the side of the bed.  Claire reached out her hand and drew her to her feet.  Still holding her hand, she turned toward the bathroom and walked toward it while pulling Gwenn along with her.  Once inside the room, she dropped Gwenn’s hand.  Gwenn stood quietly with a blank look still on her face as she waited quietly for Claire to reach for her again. 

Claire ran the water in the shower, reaching out to make sure the temperature was tolerable before turning back toward Gwenn.  She took the two steps toward Gwenn where she stopped and slipped the cloak from around her body, letting it drop to the floor behind her.  Claire gently unfastened Gwenn’s blouse and bra, pulling the bottom out from her pants as she pushed them off her body.  Next, she leaned down and unfastened the button and zipper on Gwenn’s pants as she pushed the soaking wet garments down her legs. 

“Lift your feet and step away from your clothes,” Claire instructed Gwenn as she stood back up and took a step backward.  She ran her eyes over Gwenn’s body while waiting for her to finish removing her pants.  She slowly nodded her head in satisfaction that she had finally made the right choice.  Her eyes ran over Gwenn’s near nude body as Gwenn stood back up, waiting for further instructions.   

Claire looked at the svelte curves making up Gwenn’s body.  Her breasts were pert and definitely more than a handful.  The nipples were rosy and at the current time, standing out from her body due to the cold and rain that Gwenn had been exposed to.  Her abdomen was flat and smooth with a slight indention around her naval.  Her panties covered her silken mound and Claire yearned to reach out and rip them from her body but she didn’t want to awaken Gwenn from the semi-trance she was in at this time. 

“Come Gwenn, drop your panties and step into the shower.  The water will warm you up and make you feel better.”  Again, Claire held out her hand to guide Gwenn into the shower. 

Gwenn dropped her silk panties and completely nude, reached out for Claire’s hand as she stepped into the shower. Within minutes, the rainy mud that had been splashed on her ran in quick rivulets from her body, leaving her golden tan prevalent once more.  She tilted her head back as the heat of the water warmed her body and eased the chills that she had been having.  She was still dazed enough that she was not fully concerned with where she was or why she was naked in a stranger’s bathroom. 

Claire reached behind her back and pulled a big white fluffy towel back around in front of her.  She stretched out her arms, beckoning Gwenn to step out into the towel.  Gwenn followed the unspoken directions, carefully stepping out of the shower into Claire’s arms.  Claire wrapped the towel tightly around Gwenn as she led her back to the bed.   

Stopping beside the bed, Claire dropped the towel from around Gwenn and simply stared once more at her body.  With trembling fingers, she reached out and touched their tips lightly against Gwenn’s skin.  She ran her hand down the front of Gwenn’s chest, feeling its warmth and softness.  She watched Gwenn’s skin pucker with the sensation of being touched.   Her fingertips slowly circled Gwenn’s nipples, causing Gwenn to tilt back her head and moan softly deep in her throat. 

Reaching around Gwenn, Claire leaned down and flipped back the covers on the bed until the dark blue silken sheets were visible.  Rising back up, she reached out and placed a hand on Gwenn’s shoulder, pulling her lightly toward the bed. 

“Lie down,” Claire spoke softy into Gwenn’s ear. 

Gwenn blinked but did as asked.  The sheets slid beneath her newly warmed body and added an erotic dimension to the sensations she was beginning to feel.  In the background, a clock chimed the eleventh hour as midnight was fast approaching All Hallows Eve.  The storm whistled loudly outside the window but the glass panes protected them from its cold, wet tendrils as water whipped sharply against the panes in a series of surreal tinkling notes.  Only the frequent flashes of lightning sending its silver rays into the blackened shadows illuminated the room.   

Claire leaned over Gwenn and softly kissed her warm ruby lips as she began to prepare Gwenn for her induction into the clan.  Gwenn reached up and loosely wrapped her arms around Claire as the kiss deepened for both of them.  Claire had never felt the passion and excitement of joining that she was beginning to feel with this stranger, a stranger who seemed to be a counterpart of her own being.  Claire could feel the cold fluid within her own body beginning to circulate as her soul soared with the inbred knowledge that this was THE ONE.   

Gwenn opened her mouth and allowed Claire to press deeper as her warming body grew hotter with passion, a passion unlike any she had ever experienced.  She gave into the wondrous glow that infused her limbs as the kiss deepened.  Claire’s body slowly sank upon her naked skin and she was once again chilled as cold flesh met burning flesh.  Her warmth began to sink into Claire’s body, warming them both. 

Claire could feel the flame burning hotter through Gwenn’s body as she lay chest to chest.  Slowly she kissed her way down toward Gwenn’s core of desire, needing to complete the ignition of fire within Gwenn’s blood to complete the transformation.  She parted Gwenn’s legs, dipping lower to stroke Gwenn’s nub, sending streaks of blue white desire coursing throughout her body.  Gwenn arched into her mouth as she keened aloud the sensations she was experiencing.  Claire continued stoking the flames higher and higher as Gwenn’s blood pumped faster and richer throughout her vessels.  Claire was playing with molten lava, as she knew a single drop of Gwenn’s essence would poison her own system.  She needed to have Gwenn at her highest peak to make the transformation final.   

Gwenn arched into Claire’s mouth as her breathing became more rapid.  Her heartbeat quickened, and she could feel her blood rushing forcefully through her arteries.  Her arms and legs tingled as the sensations increased. She could feel every sensation in her body focusing on the heart of desire between her legs as Claire continued to stroke it harder, driving her higher into an orgasmic culmination of their joining. 

Claire felt the increased pulsation in Gwenn’s nub as she began to peak against her tongue.  She drew back moving quickly up Gwenn’s body, replacing her tongue with her rapidly moving fingers as she slowly sank her face down against the side of Gwenn’s neck.  Just as Gwenn’s orgasm broke and flooded Claire’s fingers, Claire bit into the bounding vessel beneath her tongue.  As Gwenn’s womanly essence flooded onto Claire’s hand, her blood burst from the two puncture wounds into Claire’s mouth as she drank upon the cascading flow of blood enriched by the passionate response emanating from within Gwenn.  Claire’s saliva mingled with Gwenn’s blood.  The microbes from Claire’s mouth entered Gwenn’s body completing the cycle of change as Claire inducted Gwenn into the Clan.  Gwenn became the first new member in hundreds of years, and gave hope to Claire that finally; the Clan would live on and not pass into extinction as all others of their kind had done centuries ago. 

Claire held Gwenn tightly within her arms as the organisms soared throughout her body, transforming her into Claire’s mate, the new Guardian of the Clan.  The time for change had come, and Gwenn would be the perfect replacement to lead the Clan into the future.  Claire wrapped her arms tighter as she felt the warmth of Gwenn’s blood slowly fade to become as ice cold as the fluids that circulated within her own body.  As their breathing matched, Claire rose from Gwenn’s side and looked down upon the other side of her soul.  Gwenn looked back into her eyes.  The emerald glaze now burned a bright unnatural silver as the transformation completed.  Gwenn looked into Claire’s eyes and Claire could see all the knowledge she had carried within herself had also been transported into Gwenn’s body as the microbes transformed her from earthly being to supernatural spirit.   

Gwenn looked upon Claire and smiled as she acknowledged with a slight tilt of her head that all was well.  She rose naked from the bed, took Claire by the hand and walked over to the windows to look out upon the still turbulent night. Gwenn wrapped her arms around Claire as she laid her head against her shoulder, watching the storm moving off into the distance.  Behind them, the clock struck midnight as the Guardians of the Clan bonded for the rest of eternity encircled within one another’s arms.

Feedback welcome: Shadylady.

Copyright © Oct 2004 by Shadylady. All Rights Reserved.

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