Sunday, February 17, 2013


The women landed at Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in all of Europe. The city lay on a narrow piece of land surrounded by water. To the west lay the Mediterranean Sea, on the East a safe harbour. It had been founded by the Phoenicians in ancient times, inhabited by the Greeks who claimed it as the site of one of the Twelve Labours of Hercules. It was ruled by Carthage and Rome for 800 years and had seen many wars. As the principal port of the Spanish Empire in the Americas it had been very wealthy a benefit which still persisted and to the delight of Cassandra,  boasted a large Irish enclave.

There were of course many older vampires within the city but Sabine felt the two of them could hold their own should any hostilities commence. They need not have worried. The ancient vampires required little blood and there was plenty for all.

They quickly found some ancient crypts in some of the cities old ruins and by nightfall on their second day they found the cities nightlife in the bars. They were looking for a little blood after their ocean voyage and male sex would be a good way to satisfy several urges at once. The dark men of Andalucia held an immediate attraction for Cassandra. She had never seen so many in a single place and had never been with any other than the fair men of the Britain and France.

The men were from Madrid and staying at a local parador where Cassandra and Sabine joined them in their separate rooms. Miguel, the man that went with Sabine was very macho and led her by the hand into his room and quickly closed the door. Once inside he grabbed Sabine and pulled her close, kissing her hard on the mouth. at the same time he twisted her arm behind her back and pulled up, causing Sabine a bit of pain. She enjoyed the roughness of his manner and when he released her, he pushed her down on the bed, tearing the shoulder of her blouse. It would have been alright had he not slapped her face and yelled “¡En tu puta espalda!” On your back, whore!” The slap could have been fun but no one called her a whore.

“¡Hijo de puta, chingate !” Fuck you you son of a bitch!” In a flash she held Miguel in her deadly embrace, a hand at his throat. “You like to inflict pain, do you? Let us see how you take it!” Miguel wet himself as he looked at Sabine’s glowing green eyes and exposed fangs. She pushed his head to the side and with her hand over his mouth to stifle his screams, she sunk her teeth into him. After a few swallows she remembered Cassandra in a room with the other Castellano. If she killed this one they would have to kill the other one, too, then dispose of the bodies. She stopped and making a scratch on her finger she used her own blood to seal the wound. She glamoured him to sleep but left the memory of the attack in his mind. He would think twice the next time. Leaving him asleep on the floor she went to find Cassandra.

The following night night they went to another inn, this one frequented by Romany, Gypsies, whom they heard did a fabulous dance called Flamenco.

They entered the room where the dancers lined the walls of the room. In the stood centre a man in tight black pants and vest. as black as the hair on his head.  He also wore a white shirt, ruffled at the front up to the open collar.  He made rapid steps, creating a loud tapping sound with the broad high heel of his leather shoe. A woman in a bright red dress with three ruffles around the skirt and one at the hem advanced toward him and replied with her own stamping steps. He took her hand and around the room they whirled stopping with the music and repeating the stamping steps, advancing on one another, closer and closer until they were practically wrapped around one anotherr. As the music came to an end the man dipped the woman backwards until her long braid touched the floor. The room applauded and the pair left the stage only to be replaced by another pair of dancers squaring off as if preparing for a fight. The music started and off they went, whirling around the room.

Cassandra and Sabine were fascinated by the beauty of the steps. Cass had always loved to dance. Perhaps she could persuade one of these beautiful men to teach her how to do this Flamenco dance. When the musicians took a break the two of them worked the room in search of and eventually found the man who did the wonderful dance.  His name was Daniel, Daniel Flores.  They decided he would fulfill all their there desires for this night.  After last night’s fiasco neither wanted a repeat. Let a single man think that tonight had been very fortunate for him.
They let Daniel think that he had charmed them both and convinced the blancas to come see the harbour on this beautiful night and who knows what else may happen later?

They were moving toward the door, Daniel making his goodbyes to his admiring male friends as they did. Without warning, one of the women dancers in a long grey and red skirt grabbed him by the arm and pulled him away from the women. Sabine and Cassandra thought it must be a wife or fiance and were shocked when she shouted at him, “Aléjate de los dos! ¿No ves que están muertas? Get away from those two! Can’t you see they are dead?  Son ángeles del infierno aquí para llevarte de vuelta con ellos! " -  They are angels from Hell here to take you back with them!”
A deafening quiet came over the room that only moments before had been full of laughter and the sounds of merry making. Now all eyes were on the fair women near the door.

Nothing like this had ever happened to them before. They backed slowly toward the door. Speaking in English so as not to be overheard Sabine said to Cassandra, “once we make it to the door, run to the right, toward the center of the city.” They heard the sound of swords being drawn. “This is getting dangerous,” said Cassandra remembering all too well the vampire Sabine had decapitated back in Dublin so many years ago.

“We may be able to take them but one or both of us could be killed if the swordsmen are lucky. Let’s break to the door. I’ll meet you by the church we passed just up the street.”

They ran, breaking the door into splinters as they passed. Looking back from the church where they stopped, 400 meters from the cantina.  They turned and were surprised to see the Romany in pursuit. The woman with the sight was in the lead. They heard her “¡Ahí están las mujeres muertas cry there they are!” and the crowd came running for them

Cassandra looked up and Sabine caught her meaning. They turned on the, crowed, spread their great black wings and took to the air. as they gained altitude they heard what sounded like incantations and a force seemed to be pulling them back toward the ground. Embracing eachother and flapped their wings in tandem with all their might and finally broke free of whatever was pulling them back. Once they had altitude they turned north and headed for Seville.

Safely away from Cadiz and the Romany they found an ancient crypt below a church to spend the day in. Once they had settled down, Sabine began to speak. “Witches! That woman was a witch and gifted with the sight. She can see what we are and is powerful enough to impede us from flight. Had one of us been alone it would surely be the day of her true death. We were fortunate this time but if there is one witch there are surely more. A full coven of thirteen working together would be the end of us. We must leave Spain as soon as we possibly can. They know we are here and will surely come looking for us.”.

“But there are others of our kind, many in Cadiz. Why do they not go after them?”

“They must have some agreement where they leave each other alone. The Romany loot the Spaniards for booty and the vampires take their blood. If only we had known.”

It was not yet dawn when they heard the door to the crypt opening. They blew out their candle, and took positions on either side of the entrance ready for mortal combat. They heard the soft footsteps of a single person. A woman’s voice spoke, “You need not fear me for I am not Romany nor a witch. I am like you, vampire.” The woman lit a candle and before them stood an elegant woman dressed in Spanish attire.

“Who are you?”

“You have some cheek! You come into my land, set the the natives in an uproar and then try to interrogate me? The question is who are you!”

Sabine took a step towards the woman when Cassandra put out a hand and bade her to stop. “Please, begging your pardon, dear lady. We have had quite a fright tonight and I fear we have lost our manners. May I present to you Sabine Metzger of Lower Saxony. I am Cassandra Flynn, late of Dublin Ireland. May inquire who you might be?” She gave a curtsy as she finished

The lady smiled, curtsied and said, “I am Angelica, Angelica Rylan, late of Sweden. I speak for the vampires of Coastal Andalucia. I have come to discuss the trouble of earlier this night. I wish you had come to us upon your landing. While there is plenty for all in our land there are certain rules we all follow. The most important is to stay away from the Romany for the reasons you discovered tonight. They have sight and they know how to use magical powers. Had you actually killed one of them we would all be in trouble.”

“It was never our intent to kill anyone we were simply looking for a man to play with. Daniel is handsome and strong we would have taken nothing more than a taste and given him a night he would have cherished the rest of his life.”

“Esmerelda, the witch you encountered tonight is very angry. She want’s tribute to assuage this insult to the Romany people. Her words, not mine.”

“And what would it take to soothe her anger?” Sabine jumped in.

“That diamond necklace your friend is wearing would probably do it. Oh, they also want you to leave Andalusia forever.”

Sabine laughed, “Forever is a very long time. Far longer than she’ll be around. I believe those terms are agreeable to us, Cassandra?”

Cassandra nodded her head in ascension.

“Good! The time till dawn is short. Would you be so kind as to allow me to stay with you for the night?”

“Of course you may! Sabine and I usually lie together. You can have a tomb to yourself or join us.” Sabine invited.

“Together sounds wonderful!” chimed Angelica and began to undo the buttons on the back of her dress.  Soon the three of them were naked.

Soon all three were naked and had used straw and some blankets to fashion a crude bed. and lain down, Angelica extinguished her light. Had anyone been listening, giggling, cooing and the sounds of passion would have been all they heard.



Black September - The view from Rome Summer 1853

Cassandra and Sabine enjoyed the summer and the men and women of Rome. The summer heat allowed them to be in close physical contact with humans without raising questions about why their lovers were so cold. They had decided that should war break out in Europe they would go. The great quantities of blood would make them invincible.  Even to Gypsy witches.

In addition to Italian lovers they met some vampires that were very old and seen much of the world. Men and women that remembered when Julius Caesar and Cleopatra led a triumphal procession through the streets of Rome. Watched in amazement as the people of the city abandoned their ancient gods and goddesses for this strange new god from Palestine.

By the light of the full moon Sabine and Cassandra explored the city. They walked through the ruins of the Roman Forum. Stood by a crumbling triumphal arch that commemorated a victory in a long forgotten war.They took in the view on the Domus Augustana atop Palatine Hill, the home of emperors now in ruin. They looked out over the city to the Circus Maximus. These were the relics of a people that once ruled all of Europe but now didn't even control Italy The women felt humble in their presence and wondered what strange world they would see in another 2000 years.

On one of these excursions they encountered another vampire, a male, beneath the remains of a two lonely columns and cornice, They stopped and he turned to face them. They assessed each other and once all were satisfied that no one meant harm to another Marcus the man stepped forward and bowed low. He rose and introduced himself, “I am Marcus the Roman. I have not seen either of you dear ladies in the city before this night. What brings you to this place? Do you plan on staying?”

“No kind sir,” Cassandra spoke first, “We are only here for the summer and we shall be leaving before the winter winds begin to blow. And I am Cassandra and this is my companion Sabine””

“Pity you're not staying. I could do with some fresh company. Even the latest arrivals I've known for centuries. Do you mind if I ask from whence you come?”

“We have come from Ireland, Dublin specifically. That is the birthplace of my friend. When alive I was born in Saxony. I was born to darkness in Wallachia.”

“You are her maker, Are you not?” Marcus asked Sabine. “Many vampires bear great animosity toward the one that brought them to darkness. How is it you two are so...close?”

“ Becoming a vampire was my choice. I was laying in the street dying when Sabine found me She gave me tthis other kind of life.”

The two of you must be quite old. I sense great power within both of you.”.

Cassandra laughed, “ I am not yet a hundred and Sabine a mere three hundred fifty.”

“We gained our power by following Napoleon all the way to Moscow and then back to Paris. There was no shortage of blood on those fields of battle. We gorged ourselves every night! That is how we came to our power.”

“How very clever of you both. Where are you staying in my Eternal City?”.

“We are in a family chapel. At one of the churches”

“May I then offer my hospitality two the both of you. I have a palazzo near the heart of the city. I've owned it for centuries. I have a full household staff and all the amenities two beautiful women deserve.”

The idea of sharing a real bed, a bathtub and all of the other things they missed was very appealing. Then again, Sabine at least knew that vampires rarely did anything out of the kindness of their cold, still hearts. She needed to confer with Cassandra alone which she could not do here or in Marcus's home. “We have our things to collect before we can make any move and the night grows old. May we call on you tomorrow in the early evening?”

“An excellent idea. I am hosting a party tomorrow night. I would be delighted if you would come.”



* * * * * * *

Marcus did not exaggerate when he said it was a palace. The cream of Roman society was in attendance. A full orchestra played the dance numbers as well as entertainments from stars of the Opera and a piano recital.

The crowd had thinned out by the small hours of the morning when Marcus approached Cassandra and Sabine, “So, will you ladies be returning to the church for morning prayers, or will you accept my hospitality for the night?”

“The offer is very tempting Marcus and we would of course be honoured to be your guests but I can't help but wonder the reason for your generosity?”

“This is a very large house and you would not be my only guests. A number of the people of high birth will be staying for the night. I have put aside a large interior bed chamber for the two of you in case you decided to accept my offer. You could lie together in each others arms in warmth and comfort for the day. I can guarantee your safety

The reason I offer this to you is frankly, I am bored. Bored with these humans, the local vampires, everyone in this town... except you. I am sure you have great tales to tell as well as being beautiful and charming. Beyond your company I expect nothing in return.”

“Is there a bath adjacent to our room?” asked Cassandra, with her mind on comforts as usual.

“There is indeed!, shall I have the servants draw you a nice hot bath?”

Cassandra looked plaintively to Sabine, who with a moments hesitation said, "Yes. That sounds lovely" and offered a tentative smile to Marcus.

“Excellent! I shall see to it all your needs are met. Let me show you to your rooms.”

They were shown to a large bedroom with an equally large bed. Adjacent there was a ladies' sitting room with elegantly upholstered wing back chairs and a fainting couch as he stood in the doorway, Marcus said, “When you are ready, pull the cord in the corner. I have alerted the lady’s maids that your needs have priority over other guests.”

After he left, the women embraced, Sabine spoke first, “With all our travelling I had forgotten what it would be like to be in a real home, with servants to attend you and all the comforts of our home in Ireland.”

“And that bed. It seems like forever since we've had a place where we could truly enjoy each other.”

With that, Sabine pulled the cord and shortly there were two lady’s maids in the room, helping them undress. Once naked, Cassandra led Sabine to the bath and a night of leisurely and passionate love making.

The sun was low in the sky When Sabine awoke. She put on a morning robe and went to the door, planning to watch the sun disappear from the sky. She opened and went to step in the hallway and found she could not. She tried again and began to panic “Marcus! Come let us out of here! Marcus!”

The shouting woke Cassandra up who added her voice to the cries. Moments later Marcus appeared in front of the door. He spoke words in a language they did not understand and made a large upward sweep with his hands.

The women emerged in a fighting stance and took positions for combat..  Marcus backed away saying, “Ladies, Ladies I meant you no harm.  I just put up wards to protect you after you retired for the evening.  I only meant to assure your safety!”

The 2 women eased off on their stance.  Sabine spoke first, “Ward?  What is that?  I’ve never heard of it.”

“Of course you haven't.  Wards are ancient magic.  I learned it from the Sidhe, faye people of the past.  They disappeared from this world long before either of you were born.  Occasionally one is spotted but it is rare.  Only the pookas remain, delighting in the mischief they cause humans.”

“I recognise the words.  It comes from Irish fairy stories.  You mean there were such creatures?”

“If you’ll remember, my dear Cassandra, there was a time you didn't believe those such as us could exist.”

Marcus began, “We are not he only magical creatures that have lived on Earth.  It really wasn't until Christians came to power that others began to fade.”

"How did they fade?  Where did they go?", Cassandra asked.

“To some other world alongside ours.  People believe their god and the souls of the dead dwell in such a place.  Why not elves and fairies?.

“While they were still here they taught me some of their magic.  Specifically magic for protection.  What you encountered this evening was a ward, a magical spell to protect you from intruders,  It may prove useful in your journeys to the East.  Would you like me to teach it to you.?”