Shadowed Kisses

Shadowed Kisses takes place in a dark and disturbing world where the things that go bump in the night really do exist. It’s a world filled with vampires, werewolves, and even nastier creatures; all hidden from an unsuspecting world.

Following the eternal love-hate relationship of vampire assassins Aph & Angelo; Shadowed Kisses is filled with twists, turns, and ultimate betrayal.

The following, a sample taken from Life & Death, was originally published by David (writing under a pseudonym) on the 28th December 2004.

Life & Death

Angelo stood outside the entrance to St Mary’s church. The doors were twice the size of him, and carved with intricate detail he hadn’t seen in a very long time.

Aph was late, as always. “That girl would be late for her own funeral”

He smiled as an old memory played out in his mind; she had been late for her own funeral.

Fixing his long black overcoat in place Angelo walked forward, pushing both doors open as he entered the church.

“I know you’re here, so stop playing games and show yourself” he called out, walking down the aisle slowly, footsteps echoing off the stone walls.

“I wondered when you’d show Angelo,” came a voice from the altar.
“Where’s Methos?” he hissed.

There was light laughter as a figure emerged from behind a pillar next to the altar. It was Christophe, an attaché assigned to one of the leading council members. A mortal, who was usually too scared to even look a vampire in the eyes.

“I made sure he was gone long before you showed up Angelo, he was bait, and you’re the catch.”
“Catch?”
“And where is Ms DeSantis tonight?” Christophe asked with a slight smirk.
“Enough of these games!” Angelo roared.

Within a second Angelo had moved from the aisle, to the mortal man, gripping his neck tightly he lifted him off the floor. Christophe just laughed.

“You won’t kill me; I’m on holy ground, so you might as well drop me now.”
“I may not kill on holy ground, but that doesn’t mean I won’t beat you to within an inch of your life now, does it?” Angelo whispered in his ear, tightening the grip around his throat. “Why have you betrayed the council, WHY?”
“The council are weak Angelo…” he was gasping for air, Angelo loosened his grip slightly. “It’s time they stepped down and let a real clan take control…”
Angelo tightened his grip again, baring his teeth in anger. “Then why lure Aph and I here?” he hissed.

There was movement above then something fell from one of the support beams. Aph landed gracefully in front of the steps to the altar.

“Sorry I’m late, traffic’s a bitch” Aph said with a smile.
“Nice of you to join us sugar” Angelo said looking back to her. “Christophe meet Aph, Aph meet Christophe, he was just about to tell us why we’re here” Angelo looked back to Christophe, who had begun to struggle.

Walking to join them, Aph looked him over once, disgust showed on her face. “I’m surprised they couldn’t smell Methos on you, you little worm.”
“Insult me all you want whore, it won’t change the fact that you’ll be dead before this night is up”
Angelo gripped his throat tighter, “Why?”, he hissed.
“You’re the biggest threat that stands in our way, without you…”, he coughed for air, “Without either of you, the council will fall.”

Angelo registered movement and released Christophe who fell to the floor gasping for air.

“Aphie, get down!” he screamed.

The next few seconds seemed to play out in slow motion. A figure appeared at the church doors, still open after Angelo’s grand entrance. Drawing a crossbow he fired a single arrow at Aph.

Angelo spun around, standing between Aph and the figure at the door. The arrow thudded into his chest, and he fell to the floor.

Aph roaring in rage, began to run at her would be assassin. A few moments later, registering the pain from another arrow, she turned to face Christophe, and then slumped to the floor.

Within moments Angelo was up. He looked at the figure at the door, it was clear he was a vampire. Opening his coat, Angelo moved like a blur, removing his mini crossbow from its holster he fired one single bolt. The vampire was dust before he could even register the impact.

Snapping the arrow embedded in the armour he wore under his shirt, “Thank you Robert” he said quietly to himself, walking over to Christophe, who stared with a look of terror and amazement plastered across his face. An instant later the look changed to one of pure pain as Angelo rammed the remaining part of the arrow into Christophe’s neck. He slumped back down to the floor, blood pouring from the wound, dropping the mini crossbow he had previously concealed in his jacket.

Walking over to Aph, he found her slipping in and out of consciousness.

“Aphie, sugar, are you ok?”
“Is that you Daddy?” she asked dreamily.
“It’s ok pumpkin, we’ve just got to get you home, ok?”
“I’m sleepy”, and with that she slipped back into unconsciousness.

Angelo readied his crossbow again as movement at the door sent alarm bells ringing. Robert appeared, running down the aisle. Angelo holstered the mini crossbow, and stood up.

“Get him out of here before he dies” Angelo indicated to Christophe, who somehow had managed to be clinging to life.
“What about her?” Robert replied, looking down at Aph, who stirred in her fevered slumber.
“I’ll take her to the car; we have to get back to the manor immediately”
“Understood sir”, with that Robert moved over to Christophe and began dragging him to the entrance.

Angelo crouched down beside Aphie, taking her in his arms and lifting her from the cold stone floor. He walked slowly towards the door, looking down at her.

Christophe’s fate had been sealed by the arrow to the neck; Aphie’s future however lay solely in the hands of her sire.

—-To Be Continued—-