The next evening began with a soft knock upon Rachel’s door, with a servant bearing a silk gown for her and an invitation to dine on the woman’s neck for breakfast. Rachel did feel slightly hungry, and even though it felt rather strange she graciously accepted the offer and drained about a pint.

After her breakfast, Rachel went downstairs to find their hostess relaxing in one of the parlors, smoking a cigarette in a foot-long holder that brought to Rachel’s mind the character of Holly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Clarisse beamed at her and put out the cigarette, remarking “Nasty habit I picked up in the roaring twenties but I still enjoy it, occasionally. So, good morning, Rachel, and Maria! I hope that you slept well and enjoyed your breakfast?”

Rachel returned her smile. The woman had an infectious joyful attitude that was hard to ignore or to not reflect. “We slept well, thank you. And thank you for the breakfast, which was very thoughtful of you.”

Clarisse could tell that Rachel had answered, rather than Maria, from the inflection and faint American accent. “No thanks are necessary! You are my honored guest, and I am thrilled to have you here! I hope that you will stay a good long time! Several decades, perhaps?” She giggled, but Rachel knew the woman was at least half serious in her invitation.

She beckoned Rachel to follow her over to the divan and they both sat down.
“Let us continue from where we left off last night, yes? I told you that I had been making plans, and our conversation touched upon them all, in truth.”

Rachel nodded and smiled, waiting to hear what Clarisse had in mind.

“I have been pondering turning a woman for some time. As I told you last night I have been so lonely and wanted another vampire as a companion, and a sex partner as well. She would be someone to help me face these Hunters and perhaps end them as well. I’d been searching for just the right woman in the last few months.”

Rachel cocked her head slightly and asked Clarisse in her usual straightforward way, “So, you’re a lesbian, then?”

Clarisse giggled and shook her head. “No, Rachel, not at all. I am happy with either sex, you see? Yes, bisexual as they call it. No, I just wanted a close friend and companion to share my life with and a woman would be the first choice for that — the sex would just be… how do you say it? A fringe benefit, yes?”

Rachel nodded, thinking that fringe benefits with Clarisse might be a fun thing to experiment with. Maria snorted but offered no comment.

Clarisse continued. “More to the point of our discussion, I even considered raising a small army of vampires to combat these Hunters and finally put a stop to all of this nonsense. Your appearance has made me think more on it all and I have high hopes that together we can come up with a good plan. Would you want to help turn a few humans and then begin fighting back? Or do you agree that maybe that is not such a good idea?”

Rachel and Maria were both impressed with the woman’s thoughts, and it must have shown in her face because Clarisse started laughing. “I am not just another pretty face, mon ami! I hold three doctorates and there is much more going on beneath this blonde hair than most would think!”

This made Rachel laugh and give Clarisse a hug. She was starting to like this woman. “I am sorry! I did not mean you to think that I considered you some blonde bimbo and act all shocked when you make intelligent plans!”

“I get that all of the time from people when I speak my mind, do not worry! So, what do you and Maria think? Is it a workable plan or, perhaps too long-term?”

Maria answered at once. “It is a bit too much time to invest to build up a small group of us, Clarisse. They would take a few years to reach their full potential. Meanwhile we would still be dealing with the Hunters. And if we settle here with you to do this, I am sure they would start sending larger teams.”

“Exactly, Maria! That was one of my concerns, but I wanted to share it with you both and hear your thoughts on it, regardless.”

Clarisse poured some wine for them both then clapped her hands together, once. “So! We call that Plan B, and we come up with Plan A. And I think Plan A would be a frontal assault by the two of us, but the question with that is — could we pull it off?”

Rachel nodded thoughtfully. “The first step would be the one we have been stuck on all along. We need to capture one that actually knows something, especially where these people are based at. Then we could plan the assault and cut the head off the snake.”

Clarisse smiled and agreed. She thought that what Rachel had said was coming from both of them rather than one, and was delighted that they said she was right when she asked.

Maria formulated and offered her version of Plan A and Rachel was happy with it, as was Clarisse. They spent several more hours going over various what-ifs and how they would react to each. As to where they would execute it, Clarisse had a suggestion.
“While we wait for them to appear again, we might as well have some fun! Have you ever been to a nightclub, Rachel?”

Rachel had to explain, a few minutes later, why that question had her falling over laughing herself silly.

“Well, we shall have our fun, and if our Hunter friends show up, we will be ready for them. If not, we all love to dance, so it still works out well!”

~o~O~o~

One of the most popular nightclubs in London, known far and wide as a place to rub shoulders (and other body parts) with the wealthy, the up-and-coming, and the famous, was packed on this night. The line to get in the door stretched for half a block, and a trio of bouncers worked the door keeping the undesirables at bay.

A gleaming limousine pulled up, and one of the bouncers went and opened it. He smiled and greeted the blonde who got out first, as she was a regular here. He looked impressed at her designer dress, mink stole, and her overall regal bearing. He was no less impressed with the brunette temptress who came out next, wearing the latest designer fashion, and wrapped with a chinchilla stole.

Expensive, and very real, jewelry dripped from their ears, around their necks, and wrists. They looked like royalty and took in all of the stares and pointing as their due. They were escorted in the door and they leaned close to each other in the foyer.

“Wow, Clarisse, you sure know how to make an entrance!” Rachel remarked.

Clarisse grinned and flashed her bright smile. “Ah, I have had a lot of practice, since I come here often. I enjoy the attention, and I do adore the finer things in life, as well. Let’s dance!”

Rachel and Clarisse danced for over an hour, and both snacked on a man, each.

Clarisse was dancing with her chosen prey while Rachel sat at a small table to relax for a few moments. Maria didn’t let her relax for long.

Tell me, Rachel. Why do you disapprove of Clarisse’s lifestyle? I have felt disdain from you regarding her servants, her decadent ways, and even her expensive collection of designer outfits and furs.

Before Rachel could respond, Maria went on.

I have also noticed that you look down upon the nobility, and the wealthy people. Are you at heart one of these communist people we have read about? Or perhaps your American egalitarian views color your view of Clarisse and even me?

Rachel pondered her questions for a few minutes before responding. First of all, Maria, I do not look down on you at all. I look up to you, as my friend, mentor, and I suppose you could say soul-mate?

Thank you my dear, I feel the same about you. But please answer my question?

Rachel sighed. I don’t much like decadence or displaying wealth, yes. And being American might have something to do with it. The very idea of servants, to me, is kind of unreal and somewhat appalling. I would prefer a world where everyone had whatever they wished and the rich could not lord their wealth over the poor and the starving, you know?

Before Maria could reply, Rachel went on. However, having said all that, I am not a communist or anything like that. The old me was a bit more of an ascetic, and disapproving of all these kind of things. The new me is enjoying living the lifestyle, and I am quite impressed, honestly, by the charity I see you display from time to time. That tells me that even the rich can be good people and their wealth doesn’t make them evil.

It is good that you are seeing that, Rachel. Even I agree that Clarisse is a bit too decadent for my tastes, but I think that at heart she is a person of good character. She is filled with fun, laughter, and a great love for life. Much like me in the latter!

Rachel focused her gaze on the vampire in question and quickly found her on the dance floor, moving her body in ways that made the men around her openly stare. Clarisse had a huge smile on her face as she danced, obviously having a great time.

I find it ironic that the first two vampires I know love life so much.

Not at all! We are not creatures of death, Rachel! Even though we bring it to some, or at least have before, at times. We are creatures of life, and celebrate life in all ways that we can. I think that you are learning this, yes?

Rachel nodded. Yes, I have to agree with you. And I do like Clarisse, so far. She seems a lot like you in some ways, I think.

Hmm, yes, I think you are correct. And, I’ll say this on the subject of Clarisse. Rachel felt strong amusement from Maria. She wants to play with you, or us. It is your decision, of course, whether to encourage or rebuff her. I am happy regardless of your decision.

Rachel blushed and stared at Clarisse, dumbfounded. She’d not picked up the slightest clue, but then again she had not the experience or wisdom of Maria either, she ruefully thought.

Wow, I had no idea, Maria! I’ll… have to think about that. I do feel some attraction to her, but I hadn’t considered acting upon it.

Maria laughed. No, really? I had not noticed, Rachel. She pronounced Rachel’s name as Clarisse always did, “Ray-shell”, then dissolved into giggles.

Rachel rolled her eyes and headed back to the dance floor, where she and Clarisse danced together for the rest of the night until closing. Clarisse seemed to especially enjoy the few slow dances with Rachel, and held her tightly through each one.

~o~O~o~

Clarisse and Rachel left the building separately, as part of Maria’s overall plan. They had agreed to rendezvous at the limousine from different approaches, hoping to catch one or more of their annoying hunters. Rachel arrived first, and looked carefully about, extending her senses to the limit and relying on Maria to sound an alarm if anyone approached.

Unfortunately, nobody did, and within a few minutes Clarisse joined her and they crawled in the limo and snuggled on the way back to Clarisse’s estate.

Clarisse put an arm around Rachel and hugged her. “Do not be disappointed, Rachel! They will appear in good time, and when they do… we shall have them!”

Rachel returned the hug and settled back in the seat, agreeing that if not tonight, then sometime soon they would have their chance.

A few moments later, Clarisse leaned close to Rachel and whispered in her ear. “May I kiss you, Rachel?” Rachel nodded, unsure of what to say.

Clarisse tenderly touched her lips to Rachel’s and the kiss grew firmer by the moment. She took Rachel in her arms and their kissing became more and more passionate and urgent. This went on until both were extremely worked up and filled with lust.

“Rachel I have been so lonely for companionship and love. My thralls are nice but I have wanted to be intimate with our own kind. Many is the time I have almost turned a thrall just to have this intimacy. But, I also feel strongly that I should not turn someone just because I want sex with them. Do you see?”

Maria answered, rather than Rachel, who was still quite fuzzy after the heavy petting. “Clarisse I must say that I respect your decision! Turning someone should never be lightly done, and I applaud your restraint.”

“Thank you, Maria. You see now why I have hesitated at creating more of us just to fight the Hunters? I could not justify it to myself! Vampires are immortal and powerful creatures. Just creating vampires for the sake of foot soldiers in some war… non.”

Maria nodded and said “I agree with you there, as well.”

Clarisse smiled. “Would you like to share my bed today, Rachel and Maria? I would very much like to share it with you!”

The blatant and sudden invitation bowled Rachel over momentarily. But she finally regained the power of speech and said “We would love to share the bed of such a beautiful and elegant woman such as you, Clarisse!”

Maria was smug. I told you so, Rachel!

~o~O~o~

Clarisse took Rachel by the hand when they entered the mansion and practically drug her along to her bedroom. She sat down on her king-size canopied bed and patted the spot beside her with a grin. Rachel joined her and soon they were taking up where they had left off in the limo.

After some time they removed each other’s clothing and things began to heat up beyond any level that Rachel could have ever imagined. Maria had been with women before and knew what to expect. Rachel had, too, in her previous life, but to her this was a brand new experience indeed. Soon Clarisse had Rachel on her back while she pleasured her American friend in every way that she knew.

She nipped Rachel’s breasts, licked at her nipples with her tongue circling the aureoles until Rachel was driven frantic. At one point she playfully bit into her breasts with her fangs and sucked a small amount of blood, then licked the wound and then her lips while staring into Rachel’s eyes. As she pressed forward and kissed Rachel passionately, she worked a finger up into her and began searching for the right spot. It was not long before it was found.

As Rachel’s back arched and she moaned, Clarisse grinned and began to massage in earnest, driving Rachel wild with lust. Rachel stuttered “P-please…” and Clarisse giggled and relented.

She trailed kisses down Rachel’s chest, stomach, and soon homed in on her target. Rachel screamed in ecstasy as Clarisse gave her mind-blowing orgasm after orgasm. Rachel felt that she was in the presence of some kind of sex goddess.

Then, it was Clarisse’s turn to be attacked by Rachel. She duplicated Clarisse’s efforts but after a time let Maria take over. She wanted the more experienced woman to drive Clarisse into the same frenzy that they had just experienced, and Maria was more than happy to return the favor. Rachel just enjoyed watching Maria in action as she drove the elegant woman into a total frenzy.

Clarisse was soon screaming herself as the experienced Maria used all of her tricks to drive the blonde vampire over the edge repeatedly. Soon they both collapsed on the bed, completely spent but both feeling a glowing happiness that each felt should be visible to anyone.

~o~O~o~

Clarisse lay snuggled up against Rachel as they did some pillow talk before sleeping. She’d called for servants and they had both snacked. Rachel felt incredibly good, probably the best she’d felt since waking up in this body, and she told Clarisse so.

Clarisse beamed at her new lover. “It is always good with another woman, Rachel. And I could tell that Maria has had her share of experience with women, yes?”

Maria nodded and replied. “Oh, many times, Clarisse. I love men, but I also love women. I am not picky!”

They both giggled and shared a kiss. Clarisse offered her a sip from her wine glass and she took it.

Rachel was a bit star-struck and quite infatuated with Clarisse, and Maria was nothing but amused by the situation. I agree that she is incredible, Rachel. I like her! But this was two friends sharing each other. Do not get too crazy for her right now. We still have a large threat hanging over our heads.

Rachel came to her senses and blushed slightly, but agreed that Maria was right.

Clarisse pulled out a cigarette holder and inserted one into it and looked at Rachel. “Do you mind, darling? I really like to, after good sex!” She grinned.

“I never liked smoking or being around it, but please, go ahead if you want. It won’t bother me at all right now!” Rachel smiled at Clarisse and motioned for her to go ahead and enjoy herself, and she did. “Does it do anything for you, like it would a human?”

Clarisse nodded slightly. “Somewhat, but it is very faint. Our bodies just shrug off toxins and chemicals and drugs that would addict or even kill a human. For instance, I’ve tried cocaine, but it was a very faint rush and I did not have any great desire to do it again, after. I tend toward the more classic vices, I suppose.”

“My vice, before all of this happened, was junk food. Luckily I had a high metabolism, or I’d have likely weighed three hundred pounds!”

Maria cleared her throat and shared what was on her mind, ending their discussion of vices. “Clarisse, I have been thinking about what you said about converting some humans to build our own army. We agreed that it was not a good idea. But, why do we not build an army of thralls instead? I know you have quite a few here, and many of them are guards. We could both work and build up some more?”

Clarisse nodded thoughtfully. “Actually I often do have to recruit more after one of their tiresome attacks. They decimate my guards every time they come here in force. Yes, I like your idea, and I know just the place to recruit a good-sized force!”

“Where did you have in mind?”

Clarisse smiled a mysterious smile, and then laughed. “I have a friend in the Foreign Legion; he is Commandant of a Battalion and has often sent me soldiers who wish to retire from the Legion or sometimes he even assigns active soldiers here as duty. He would be ranked a Major in your country, Rachel.”

Rachel nodded thoughtfully. “That would work, Clarisse! How many do you think we could get? And would we have to ‘talk’ to each soldier, right?”

Clarisse shrugged. “We shall have to ask him and see. I’ve never asked for more than three or four, at most, at any one time. But this time I think a dozen would serve us well, do you agree? And yes, I always have a special chat with the ones he sends so that they do not note or remember anything that they might witness here.”

“Does this Commandant know of your nature?”

“Oh, most definitely, Rachel! We were sweethearts for a time, and if circumstances had been different I might have turned him. But, alas, they were not.” She went silent and looked sad, and neither Rachel nor Maria wanted to pry.

Maria and Rachel both thought that this was an excellent number to counterbalance the groups of four to eight they’d encountered previously. Maria shared her thoughts with Rachel and Clarisse. “We must overwhelm them with superior force, and capture as many as we can. We must find out more information. I do not like being blind and deaf in this matter!”

Clarisse frowned and shared something that was troubling her. “One thing I have found on the few occasions that I could enthrall what was obviously a group’s leader was that the two I have managed to capture were always very resistant to my mesmerizing. I had to put a great deal of effort into it. And, unlike with most humans, it wore off!”

Maria frowned and shook her head. “That is unheard of, Clarisse! Oh, I believe you, my dear. I have just never experienced such a thing. For sure, some humans are more resistant than others, but I have never had any thralls actually break free of my will!”

“It is all too true, yes, Maria. The first time I thought that maybe I had been careless, but twice marks a real problem here. I have some cells in the basement that I had constructed back when these Hunters started to pester me. We can store any prisoners we capture there.”

Rachel suddenly had a thought, and asked a key question that was bothering her. “When exactly did they first start pestering you, Clarisse?”

“The first one was not that long after I was turned, when Napoleon was down adventuring in Egypt. It was the summer of 1798, and it was a lone Hunter trying to stake me. I handled him without too much difficulty, and thought nothing more of it at that time.”

She shifted on the silk sheets and sighed. “Unfortunately, soon there was another about a year later. That was, hmm, not long before the Corsican was appointed Consul, in 1799. He was quite determined but I fought him off. I tried to enthrall him but he was forewarned and avoided it.”

Rachel nodded and spoke out loud for Clarisse’s benefit. “Maria, did any Hunters come after you in this era?”

Maria nodded excitedly. “Yes! Yes, indeed. It was around 1800 that I had a series of men try to kill me. It was in my little village that I have told you about. One of the killers was quite clever. He killed one of my male thralls and tried to impersonate him to get close to me. It did not work, but he came closer to killing me than any others.”

All three went silent, digesting the import of this clue they had discovered. Rachel voice what they were all thinking. “So, the Killers started their vampire hunting around the year 1800. So we know when all of this started. We don’t know what triggered their hunting, but at least we know when they began.”

Clarisse spoke before Rachel could get out her next sentence. “And now we turn to the Kidnappers!” She grinned at Rachel, knowing that she had leaped ahead of her next topic. “My first attempted kidnapping was just after spring in 1877. The Monarchists wanted to put a king on the throne but the Republicans did not. It was quite the governmental crisis — I was a Monarchist, of course. Anyway, five men came to my home in a carriage and tried to chain me up! I killed four and one got away. There was no chance to enthrall one, as they fought like wildcats against me.”

Maria became animated. “It was June of that year, and Romania had declared our independence from the Ottomans in May. The Russians came in on our side and that was when they captured me. I always blamed the Russians, and thought that it was the Priests of the Russian Orthodox Church who captured me! I thought that because two of my captors were indeed priests. It appears that I was wrong!”

Clarisse hopped off the bed and began pacing in her excitement. “It was providence that brought you to me, mon ami! Sharing our knowledge will help us figure out these crazy people at last!”

Rachel scooted to the edge of the bed and addressed her excited friend. “So, the Killers started around 1800, and the Kidnappers in 1877. We don’t know for sure if the two groups are related but they seem to at least know each other.”

Maria nodded, and shared their encounter with the English-accented man who had stabbed a Killer and then tried to lead them into an ambush.

“They do not like each other at all, our Killers and Kidnappers,” Clarisse stated, in response to what Maria related.

“No, they certainly do not. Maybe we can use that, when circumstances allow,” Maria replied.

Clarisse walked over to the windows and looked outside. The sky was slightly light to her eyes, so she knew that dawn wasn’t far away. “It is false dawn, my friends. Let us sleep and continue our plotting in the evening, tomorrow? And we can arrange to visit my friend and perhaps recruit some soldiers for our cause.”

She pressed a button and segmented metal curtains descended over the windows and clicked into place, blocking out the world outside. She then walked over to her bedroom door and slid a heavy bolt into place.

“I see you are big on security these days, Clarisse. I like what you have done here.”

“One cannot be too careful, and my servants keep the rest of the house quite secure as well. I know these measures would not stop a determined group, but that is not their function. They simply slow them down and give me time to awaken and ready myself. I have vowed that these Hunters will not catch me by surprise!”

She glided over to the bed and Rachel crawled back to the head of the bed to join her. They snuggled together under the peach-colored silk sheets and Rachel had a final thought for Maria. With her help, I think we are going to put an end to these people chasing us!

I hope that you are right, Rachel.

Clarissa closed her eyes and murmured “Bonne nuit, my friends!”

Maria and Rachel did not sleep quite yet. Maria wanted to chat for a bit. So, you really like her, eh?

Yes, I do, Maria! She is enchanting and very intelligent as well. The only thing I’ve not liked about her so far is her smoking, but she does it so rarely I that don’t mind, really.

Maria gave a mental shrug. I do not care about that at all, Rachel. I do agree with you about Clarisse, though. She is a good friend, and is an able ally for us. I think that with her help we may be able to finally free ourselves of this relentless pursuit and then find a place to settle down in peace. That is my utmost goal, to settle in a happy and secure home as I once did. Do you agree?

Most definitely, Maria. We are in harmony on this goal. I wonder if, after this is finally over, we might settle here with Clarisse, or maybe entice her to come to America with us when we go there.

I would welcome her company just as much as would you, Rachel. But I do not think that we should settle in London. I long to see your home country, and I have felt your homesickness many times since we joined together. Once this is over, let us ask her if she will come with us, if not forever then at least for a time?

I completely agree, Maria! Good night, my friend!

Rachel slipped off to sleep, still snuggled up against Clarisse as the sun rose.