[Draft] Crypt & Key - Chapter 1 (Patreon)

This is the first chapter of my Paranormal Erotic Novel. It is completely unedited and subject to changes and rewrites, so take what you read with a grain of salt. I know there's grammar and spelling and possibly other issues, but just wanted to get out an Alpha draft of the first chapter out to my patrons. :)

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Chapter 1

It was the feeling of being watched that snapped Claire from her dream. Her eyes opened to the darkness, shadows cast on her ceiling from streetlights glowing through her blinds. Sweat drenched her shirt, making it cling to her chest like a film longing to be peeled off. Goosebumps dotted her arm and legs. Shallow breaths and a tight chest made it hard to stay calm but she managed to slow her racing heart by counting the blades of her ceiling fan over and over. 

One. Two. Three. One. Two. Three.

The dream was still fresh, the same one she’d had every night since she was nine. A memory more than a simple dream. But even after all the years she couldn’t tell if she was running from or running towards something. Things became muddled every time she woke.

Sitting up, Claire pulled at her shirt, feeling it peel away from her breasts and stomach. It sent chills down her spine. On top of the unnatural feeling, she could still sense that something was watching her. She brought her knees up and put her forehead against them, her breaths still coming in raggedly. Her eyes burned, unshod tears trying to push through but unable to succeed. A dam had been built, sturdy and steadfast, that wouldn’t allow her to cry. Tears enough had been shed all those years ago and they’d done nothing to solve the problem. 

Finally Claire lifted her head and began to look around her studio apartment. Her bed sat in the far corner away from the door. Along the opposite wall was a small kitchen with an island. In the main space was a small couch with a large flatscreen mounted on the wall. Decoration was sparse, no pictures on the walls, no posters or other random decor, just the simplest of shelves with various books and a small collection of video games. Clothes were strewn around on the back of the couch and on the floor that she’d need to gather and take to the laundry. The windows on either side of the television had their blinds half shut, allowing in the light from the street and also a pair of red dots.

The red pinpricks in the night glittered as a passing car's headlights flashed. Those were the eyes that she felt. There was no doubt. She was on the third floor and was familiar enough with what was outside her apartment to know that those red dots were not normal.

Claire stared back at those unblinking eyes and raised her hand, giving the creature that was watching her the finger.

Get a good look creeper. You get any closer and I’ll give you more than just an insult.

Whether or not the creature watching her could read her thoughts didn’t matter. All manner of monsters would be able to feel what she was thinking. She wasn’t someone to be trifled with. Sneaking a peak at her, being a peeping Tom, was pathetic but for her, harmless. Oh it was an invasion of privacy to be sure, and one she’d had to get used to over the years as she’d grown into and learned more about her Dark Art. Learning that all manner of spirits and creatures were constantly around, most unseen and ultimately harmless, was disturbing, but then realizing that those things were watching her at all times. Big brother had nothing on the things that lived in the ether.

It had taken some time but finally she’d come to terms with the fact that there was no such thing as privacy. So whatever this creature was outside her window, watching her, it could have its fill of looking at her. But if it stepped foot inside her apartment, that’s when things would change.

Sighing and stretching, Claire moved to the edge of the bed and put her feet down onto the cold concrete of her floor. The chill, combined with her still drenched shirt and shorts, made her gasp. Not for the first time she thought about getting house slippers, but the thought quickly vanished just as quickly as it came. She peeled off her shirt and tossed it to the other clothes on her floor. Her shorts were next, leaving her naked in the chilled air.

The feeling of being watched intensified. She flashed the finger again at the eyes and walked towards her bathroom and shut the door firmly. Privacy. Those eyes couldn’t see through doors. That was nice. Claire turned to her mirror. Her emerald eyes were bloodshot, freckled cheeks pale and short red hair plastered to her head. Someone might have said she looked like she’d seen a ghost, but she’d actually seen ghosts before and knew this was not how you looked after such an encounter.

She slapped her cheeks, trying to bring life back into them and also to dispel the last bits of sleep that were trying to hold her down. With a sigh she stepped back and turned on her shower. The water was cold, as always. Her Super hadn’t fixed the hot water yet, or ever, and she’d stop expecting him to. She bounced on her toes for a second, psyching herself up to jump into the freezing fray. Gritting her teeth she hopped in and gasped as the icy water stabbed into her and instantly made whatever fatigue was left flee. Lathering up quickly, she washed off the sweat from her dream. Her fingers lingered on the scar that started on her left shoulder and ended under her right breast. The feeling of it sent more chills through her bones and more memories through her heart than she cared to admit.

The shower was quick, the cold water becoming unbearable after a few minutes and excruciating beyond that. She dried off quickly, wrapped the towel around her for a little added warmth and went back into the studio, stepping quickly to her dresser. The eyes that had been watching her were gone. Good, one less thing she needed to worry about for the moment. She pulled out a pair of dark purple panties and bra, putting them on swiftly and then grabbing a pair of black jeans and white blouse. The digital clock on her stove showed nine PM. She wasn’t supposed to show up for work for a few hours, but it wouldn’t hurt to go in early.

Running a hand through her short red hair, still damp from her shower, she made her way to her door. A mirror hung on it for her to give herself one last look before she left. For a second as she looked at her reflection she considered putting on an undershirt. The tattoo on her left shoulder blade was almost visible, the impression of dark circles and symbols just a shadow under the thin white blouse. It wasn’t anything to be embarrassed about, however it did mark her in a way that drew attention from those that knew its meaning.

She shrugged off the self doubt and grabbed her purse and opened the door. Just outside, a tall man dressed in a dark wool coat stood staring at her intently. His eyes were dark red. A mess of dark curls framed his pale face and his thin lipped smile showed just a hint of his fangs. “Hello.” His words were silky and nauseatingly sweet. Tempting. Inviting.

The door shut behind Claire with a sharp click. She blinked away the dreaming feeling that the creature’s eyes cast and flipped him off.

“Not very ladylike.” The vampire smiled wider.

“I’m not much of a lady.” Claire said and quickly brushed past him. It was like pushing passed a boulder. Vampires were like marble sculptures, chiseled from pale stone with dark veins hiding inside.

The feeling of the creature’s gaze on her back made her stiffen. The Charm washed over her, like a blast of cold air from an open freezer. Her nipples hardened, her blood ran hot and she could feel her stomach fluttering. Her heart pounded faster and the feeling of heat washed through her and converged between her legs. It was wonderful and terrible. The feeling of desire, of need and want, lust was a raging monsoon inside her and she wanted to drown.

Whirling around, she glared at the monster, trying to calm her labido. The heat in her cheeks betrayed her attempts at trying to seem cool and collected. “Shut that shit off before I cut out that poor excuse of an organ you call a heart.” She managed to growl.

The vampire grinned. “My kind can survive for some time without a heart.” His smile was predatory, hungry.

“Maybe so, but I’ll shove it down your throat nonetheless.” She clenched her fist, digging in her nails in an attempt to stave off The Charm.

“It would seem the rumors about you are true.” He said. His steps were fluid as he came towards Claire. He was like a slow moving river, steady and patient.

The vampire exuded desire and hunger like a flashing neon sign. Claire had studied the monsters extensively enough to know that though there were still deep mysteries surrounding them, their nature was mostly simple. Like many other creatures, they put off scents that attract potential mates or prey. A Vampire’s curse was two fold, their prey and their mate wrapped into one package. The blood they consumed was hot and heavy with desire and fear. They were feelings that they provoked and so when they drained their victim, that desire and fear became a part of them. A vicious cycle that made vampires constantly wanting and needing more. Needing blood, contact, sex.

Claire grit her teeth against the palpable feeling of sensual want. She wanted to run to the monster, to submit to its every want and wicked whim.

Take me! Use me! Fill me! Drain me!

The words screamed in her head and in her blood. Goosebumps began to slowly emerge all along her arms and legs, between her thighs. It was as if an invisible hand were caressing her, priming her for more intimate touches. The feeling of heat between her legs, of moisture increase making her groan. Her primitive brain was beginning to overrule her good judgment and common sense.

With a quick snap, Claire unhooked the silver chair that held her purse and wrapped it around her fist. The purse fell to the floor with a loud smack. Feeling the silver in her hand was comforting and helped to dull The Charm washing over her. She spread her feet and raised her fist as if she were ready for a knock down drag out fight. “Rumors never get the full story.” She snarled through bared teeth. 

The creatures hissed at the sight of the silver wrapped around her knuckles. “Calm.” He whispered, and took a step back. “I haven’t come to fight.”

“Could’a fooled me. Peeping on me. Pushing your Charm on me. Was seeing me naked not enough, you wanna touch too?” Her grip tightened on the chain.

He sighed. “My apologies.”

To Claire’s surprise the feeling of The Charm lessened. She sensed real remorse in the steel of the creature’s voice.

“I am what I am. It is difficult, even when I have the best of intentions, to contain my nature.” His smile was less predatory but still chilling with the fangs almost glowing in the low light of the hallway. 

Claire’s blood was still running hot and thoughts that were best left for private moments were racing through her mind unchecked. With an effort she pushed them aside and relaxed her stance, but didn’t lower her fists.

“I didn’t come to feed. Nor did I come to peer at you.” His dark red eyes moved over Claire’s figure. There was truth in the words but his eyes betrayed the deeper thoughts and wants.

“You came for services.” Claire stated. Her eyes stayed on the vampire, silver held tight as she considered the thing standing before her.

He nodded.

“Who referred you?” 

“Word gets around.” He shrugged. “It’s not every day a young mistress necromancer is open to selling their services for…profit?” His eyebrow rose in genuine curiosity.

“I take payment in lots of ways.” She answered simply.

“Money isn’t an issue. I have several liquid assets. I could even get you a new apartment if you wished.”

“Uhuh. I’m sure that place would be covered in secret cameras. Sorry I’m not in the OnlyFans business.”

The creature growled. “I’m no deviant.” A darkness passed over the vampire’s gaze. The lights in the hallway were dim, casting jagged shadows. Typically a vampire didn’t have a shadow, just like they didn’t have a reflection. However if they were angry enough, they became more tangible in the Firm, the world the most living things inhabited. The monster’s shadow was a twisted, gruesome sight. The very visage of a nosferatu from old black and white movies.

Where a mirror reflected their lack of soul. A shadow gave light to their true nature.

Claire grinned. “Broke through that lovely mask, did I?” She relaxed a little more. Cocking her hips, placing the silver chain there, she gave the creature a sly grin. It was nice to get under its skin like he’d gotten under hers. “I hate working with someone that’s hiding something. Ironic considering almost all my clients are Shadow Hoppers.”

“Shadow hoppers?” The vampire’s eyes still had the predatory look but with a curious glint shining through the want.

“My name for your ilk.” She shrugged.

He rolled his eyes and his tone was flat. “Clever.”

“Thanks.” She picked up her purse and started to walk away.

“Where are you going?” The vampire began marching behind her, his voice irritated.

Claire felt the rush of the Charm again and clenched her fists trying to physically push off the way it charged her blood, made her heart beat faster and made her desire twist inside her stomach. “Stop it.” She glared back at him. “I won’t be working with someone who’s trying to coerce me.”

The Charm faded. “I told you I am in need of your services.”

“You did. However, I didn’t say yes to that request. Not that you actually asked me for something specific. Besides, I have to go to work.” She started taking the stairs two at a time.

“You are the owner, you don’t have to go anywhere.” The creature said. The stairwell Claire was descending was on the outside of the apartment building, covered in mesh wiring for safety. The Vampire was on the outside now, floating in the air and following her down as if he were on an elevator. It was a clever trick and he’d done it quickly and quietly, a testament to his level of ability and power. There were numerous ways he could have moved so quickly, changing into a swarm of flies and moving through the mesh, maybe smoke, or maybe he was just very fast. Most books she’d read had various tales of what the vampire could do, but none were concrete. These shadow creatures liked to keep their abilities close to the chest.

“So you have been creeping on me.” She said as she opened the door of the stairwell and walked out into the open night, the doors clanging closed behind her.

The vampire landed on the sidewalk in front of her, making less sound than a moth landing on a blade of grass. Lights cast long shadows but the creature had regained his composure and his shadow was gone again. His eyes were tinted dark, firm, staring into Claire. Its smile was chilling.

Claire folded her arms under her breasts and glared right back, tapping her foot impatiently.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on you. I had to be sure you weren’t a charlatan. Some money grubbing fake like those that work out of the strip malls.” His eyes roamed over Claire’s slender figure. “I would not have shown myself if I hadn’t been pleased with what I’ve seen.”

Her foot stopped. Claire’s cheeks tinted pink unconsciously. “Not a deviant, huh? Maybe just a simple pervert.”

The creature’s smile faltered. “I am what I am. Judge as you will. However, if you had been fasting as I have, then you would look at food the same.”

“Kinda don’t think I’d eye fuck a cheeseburger, but, to each their own.” She grinned wickedly. “Am I supposed to be impressed at your self-control? Do your kind even get fat? I hardly doubt you need to go on a cleanse.”

To Claire’s surprise, the creature chuckled.

“Perhaps I am being a bit aggrandizing. Bragging about my fast. What does the Good Book say? Keep these things private?” The look on the vampire’s face was almost nostalgic.

Claire shrugged. “Can’t remember. Been a while since Sunday School.” Her foot started tapping again. “So, are you gonna finish with the pleasantries and proposition 

me or do I need to knock your teeth in to get you to move?”

The smile on the monster’s face vanished. His face was a pale waxy mask, otherworldly with a tint of uncanny valley. “I need you to help me find something.”

“Tried Google? eBay? Etsy?” Claire pulled out her car keys.

“Those tools won’t be much help unfortunately.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small notebook. It was bound in black leather, cracked and worn, its pages yellow. He opened it to a marked place and held it up towards me. On the left page was a cramped script that was practically impossible to read, especially in such terrible lighting. On the opposite side was the sketch of a skeleton key, its bow shaped like a blooming rose, the shaft a curving stem, and the wards three sharp pointed thorns.

“Pretty.”

“Yes, quite beautiful. I need you to find it.” He tapped the picture with his thin finger, nail manicured and sharp.

“Ever heard of 3D printing?” She jiggled her keys. “You could probably just model it and have it banged out in a few hours.”

The creature glared. “If it were so simple, I’d have done it.”

Claire did her best to ignore the very real feeling of danger that was washing over her from the monster. She was being flippant, but this monster was very much an apex predator. The threat this thing posed was real if it wanted to simply drain her and toss her aside like trash. Silver in hand was a small comfort but not something that would put up any sort of sustained fight. She’d put some small charms in place upon her that would help as well as tried and true silver, but a vampire was as hard to get rid of as glitter.

“Gotta eliminate the simple before you dive into the deep.” Claire shrugged.

“I suppose so.” The monster’s voice was smooth and silky, like a cord attempting to wrap around Claire’s throat.

“So, what’s the key for?” She imagined it was for an old treasure trove. Maybe a magical door to the abyss. Many cliche answers came to her as she tapped her foot waiting.

“A crypt.” The vampire replied.