Bat out of Hell
by Ella Vines
Copyright 2012
To Tamara, who wanted a vampire story...
Prologue- 1820
He found himself again in that place where he had only been once, right after his turning.
The vault scorched his skin, but it was a delightful heat.
“ What are you here for? ” The shimmering angel stood before him, and Gabriel Dunning couldn't help but notice his luscious, white neck. Lust rose in him at the beauty of the creature before him, but his mind went back to its North star: Ava.
“ I need to see Maura. ”
“ Who are you? ”
“ Gabriel Dunning. I was here years ago. I'm a vampire, and she knows me. I helped her out once. ”
Their history went back some time, and desire twisted in Gabriel's stomach at the thought of Maura's flowing black hair and lavender eyes. He wrenched his mind back to the present and to Ava. The switch in his thoughts proved easy. Ava's face glimmered in his mind's eye, her supple cheeks and ready smile. She was his love now and forever, and he would do anything to return to her. Their time together had been too short — a simple meeting of chance or the hand of fate. Either way, he had been smitten with her as a young woman, lost in the woods, wandering to his door just weeks ago. . .
“ I'll be back. ” The angel swaggered away, tight muscles in his legs twitching.
Everyone here is gorgeous.
Gabriel remembered that from his last visit.
“ Don't get sidetracked, ” he whispered to himself. Any passing twinge of lust evaporated at the thought of Ava's body beneath his own.
“ Can I help you? ” An angel appeared at his side, startling him out of his reverie.
“ No, I'm here to see Maura. ”
“ If you change your mind, you can find me in the chapel. ” She swaggered away, her fine backbone making him shiver. Anything mortal or immortal that could be wished for was here, but it meant nothing to him now.
The angel strode back into the room. “ Maura will see you. Follow me. ” He crooked a finger toward him, and Gabriel walked behind him through a door, sparkling with thousands of colors.
His mind nearly fractured at the beauty and heat of the sanctuary. Angels, demons, fairies, satyrs and everything in between roamed freely. Some coupled in corners on cushions, and some sat and talked with drinks in hand.
Behind a bar that seemed to stretch on endlessly, Maura stood. Gabriel would have known her anywhere. Her black hair flowed down her back, and a heart shaped face belied her toughness.
“ Gabriel, what brings you here? ” She stepped like a panther from behind the bar, and he noticed her pale skin against chains, studs and black leather that fit only in Hell's Sanctuary. He had never seen a woman wear anything like it in the everyday world. She licked full, red lips.
The magnetism she exuded pulled him toward her, but her charms had none of the permanence of Ava's.
This place would tempt even a saint.
“ I'm in love, but it's all gone wrong. She's dead. ”
She laughed, throwing her head back and exposing her sweet neck. “ Sorry to hear that, but I guess it happens. ”
He licked his lips, his gaze on the creamy expanse of her neck.
Maura's gaze latched on to his. “ Don't even think about it … yet. ”
“ I wasn't. ”
“ Good. So what do you need me to do? ” She put a hand on her hip, her shape alluring.
“ Send me to her in the future, so I can bring her back to me. ” He knew it was possible. A Dunning family gift was clairvoyance, and another Ava would live.
“ What are you going to do for me? ” She moved close and pressed her body against his, never breaking eye contact.
He faltered at her touch, and he
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