Excerpt: Blood Lust

November 1, 1849

It was cold. Colder than it had ever been in that little England country side, where houses were few and far between. Wind galloped through rows of plants, shaking off leaves, and fruits. Night had fallen, a full moon gracing the skies, watching over the land below.

Everything was well, or so it would seem. All the creatures were sleep, except a lone bat. The beautiful, dark creature fluttered through the air, the seemingly sole observer of the land below.

The peace was disturbed by a young man, no older than 26, dashing from one house, clutching a white scrap of paper. Behind him, ran a woman, shouting at him to come back. But the man didn't stop. He didn't even look back. He did not stick to the roads. No, he was in much to great a hurry to care about the muddy ditches he slid through. In one such ditch he fell, splattering his finely made trousers with scum. His ankle buckled beneath him.

But nothing could stop him on his quest. Within seconds he was back up, sprinting towards his destination.

"Open up!" he shouted at the door of another fine mansion, as he pounded on the door. "Let me in!" The door opened to a sleep mused butler.

"Master Owens? To what purpose do you call? Surely you can not wish to visit at such an hour," The butler stifled a yawn.

"I must speak with Alexander," Charles Owens, heir of the Owens family, said, "This is urgent."

"But the master is asleep. Perhaps it would be best for you to return in the morning," The butler began to close the door, but Charles just pushed it back open and strolled in.

"If he is really asleep, then I will appositive for waking him," Charles held his head high as he walked past the common man, "However, this is a matter of urgency. It can not wait. Don't worry, I can show myself to his chambers." The butler made to follow him, but one good glare from those chocolate brown eyes caused him to turn directions and head back to his own warm bed.

As soon as the butler could no longer see him, Charles burst back into his sprint. He ran through hallways, slipping on rugs, and almost sliding into a priceless vase - a gift to the master of the house from a member of royalty!

"Alexander!" Charles pounded on a thick oak door as soon as he reached it. There was no reply. "Let me in now!" Still no reply. Charles grimaced, trying the door knob. It was unlocked.

A sandy haired man jumped as the door swung open. This man, younger than Charles by a few years, was the master of the house, Alexander Clark. When he jumped he knocked over a small pot full of dried herbs.

"Charles! What the devil is wrong?" Alexander hissed, immediately dropping to the floor to retrieve ever single dropped leaf. "Why are you calling at such a late hour?"

"You send me this note, and expect me not to come?" Charles ranted, waving the paper in the air. "You can't seriously be trying this."

"Why not?" Alexander questioned, rearranging the refilled pot.

"Because of God! What of values? Morals? Heaven? Do you really wish to throw it all away?"

"God?" Alexander laughed, still not stopping his work. He now was going over a complex array on the floor, checking for any inaccuracies. "As if such a thing existed. No. Charles there are just lies we are feed to keep us from achieving greatness. Nothing is going to stop me now. There is so much to learn, so much to achieve."

"But Alexander, to call upon Satan himself?" Charles pleaded, "What if you're wrong? What if there is a God? Are you going to risk eternal damnation for knowledge and greatness? Alexander, look at me." Alexander looked up from the book of ancient text he was comparing notes on.

"What? Spit it out quickly. I wish to get this done now."

"Please don't do it."

"Charles," Alexander sighed, "I have nothing to lose. Unlike you I have no wife, or children. No commitments. All I have is this house and the servants. Why should I not try?"

"Alright," Charles finally sighed, "But let me stay with you. Someone has to be here to clean up the mess you'll leave."

And so the ceremony commenced. Charles followed every order issued by Alexander, not wishing to become a soot mark on the wall. He shook as Alexander carefully stated the words. Words that he wished would not bring forth a foul beast of hell.

The temperature dropped. The fire went out. A strong smell of sulfur filled the room, along with a sudden gust. Candles were extinguished, and knocked over. Bowls of carefully arranged incense were knocked over carelessly, their contentce scattering across the room.

"Who dares to call upon me?" A deep voice boomed from all corners of the room. Through tearing eyes and smoke Charles could swear he saw an owl sitting on the back of a chair, but the second time he looked the bird was gone.

"I... I did," Alexander spoke. "I call upon you, great Stolas, to do my bidding." The demon just laughed.

"And what makes you think I will?" He retorted, "I have better things to do than pretend you pety mortals have power of me."

"Told you this was a bad idea," Charles muttered.

"Shhs," Alexander hushed, "But dear sir, are you not bound by my summonings to do my will?"

"I came of my own accord," Stolas huffed. "You have no power over me." to prove his point a mighty gust blew around the room, nearly knocking Charles off balance.

"If you refuse then begone," Alexander growled.

"Such awful manners," the demon tutted, "and for that you shall pay dearly."

"What do you mean!"Charles shouted, but it was too late. with one last gust of wind, the candles returned to lit, the pots righted themselves and scattered herbs returned to their resting place. Just like that the demon was gone.

"I told you this wouldn't work," Charles stated, walking towards Alexander. The other man just studied his feet.

"We met a demon," He muttered.

"Yes, and I'm surprised he didn't attempt to smite us! What were you thinking? This is honestly one of the stupidest ideas I have ever participated in!" Now he was close to Alexander, practically yelling in his best friend of who knew how many years face.

It was then that Charles felt it. Overwhelming arousal. They were close. Too close. He took a step back, and it just got worse. He could feel his blood heading south, pooling in his gut.

"Ch...Charles," Alexander stuttered, taking a step closer into his friend's personal space. His sweet eyes were clouded with lust.

"Y...yes?" Closer still.

"This is the demon's work," Alexander commented, his arms wrapping around Charles' neck, his warm breath fanning across his face.

"Punishment for summoning him," Charles continued, his hands finding steadiness on Alexander's waist. Alexander reached up, pressing his lips into those of his friend.

"This is an abomination," Charles muttered, pulling back slightly.

"Don't care," Alexander murmured, going back in for another kiss. "We just summoned a demon. This couldn't possibly be a worse sin." This time Charles' lips came to meet his.

It was tentative. Neither of them had ever kissed another man. They didn't know what to expect. Or what to do. All they knew was a burning desire. The kiss grew in intensity. Charles' tongue, slipping out to taste Alexander better. Hands began to wander up and down, growing accustom to the other male's body, and they slowly stumbled back to the bedroom, for a night filled with lust.