The Undead Meets the Living Dead

By Darrel Day

The Undead Meets the Living Dead is the first book from the series Legends of the Living Dead. Mia, a nearly three century old vampire stumbles across a man. Not just any man; Michael is the creation of Bokors, witches, gods and voodoo legend that goes back a thousand years. He is cursed to walk as an undead in a world that wants him gone from the face of the earth. Mia wants to learn more about this fascinating creature. To do so, she must escape the vampire that made her and claimed her as his own. An unlikely team, Michael and Mia must battle both vampires and the spirits that are the Islands. Tiaton, a powerful mix of Bokor and voodoo gods wants Michael for her very own. She will call upon the most powerful voodoo gods to help her make Michael possession. The undead and those that are called the living dead will encounter hatred, love, death and spirits that are only read about in spooky tales. Someone is going to die! The islands hold many secrets that whisper of zombies and witches and vampires. They tell of creatures thought only to exist in old wives tales and folklore. They are more real than a mind might wish to know. This story contains many true rituals and gods that are a huge part of the voodoo belief. It will fascinate you and intoxicate your mind.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Darrel Day
• Release date: Oct 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311148766

Darrel Day

Darrel Day is a 12 time published author of suspense thrillers, short story collections and biographies. His books are available in both print and on all e-readers.  Residing in a smalltown in Iowa, Darrel enjoys the outdoors where he gathers inspiration for his writing.

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The Undead Meets the Living Dead

Written By Darrel Day

Copyright 2015 Darrel Day

This is the first book in a series that has more to come.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the following people for their never-ending dedication to my writing and the editing of my novels. Without their help I might never see the light at the end of what sometimes seems like a very long tunnel.

To Beverly Morse and Samantha Walker; I say thank you from my heart for your hard work editing my novels. I know the time and effort that you put into the editing is at times tiring and long. You always give to me your very best and although Thank you seems small at times; it is from my heart that I say this.

To my wife, Heather; I thank you for the greatest of encouragements that you give to me. At times when I am uncertain if I am where I should be as a writer, you always give me the feeling that I am right where I should be. Your encouraging words give me the want and strength to continue doing what I love most of all; writing.

To my readers; I thank you for supporting my writing and for taking the time to read my novels. Without readers, an author is just a writer of words. It is when I have touched your soul in some way that makes me more. Thank you for your loyal support.

And I say thank you to God for the gift of being able to transfer my thoughts to paper. It is one of the greatest joys of my life.

Thanks to all of you that take the time to read my stories. That is a thank you straight from my heart.

Prologue

The wind should have been cool on her skin tonight. She wished that she felt the need to get a sweater and place it over her shoulder. The wind blew her long auburn hair around her face as she looked out over the town. Her emerald eyes once sparkled in the moonlight and she breathed an audible sigh. Now it was the glow of red eyes that shone in the darkness.

Rain began to fall from a clear sky and she wondered what unseen cloud had found her. Streaks of lightening now lit the sky and thunder echoed into the balcony she stood on. The rain felt refreshing as she stripped her clothing from her body. Droplets fell on her face and neck, slowly cascading down her throat to her cleavage. The rain was warm she was sure as she watched it move over her belly, past her navel. She wanted to bathe in its warmth and forget that the world existed for just a moment.

How long had it been since Mia had felt the warmth of someone’s body against her naked flesh? Time went by for her without even being noticed. The changing of seasons no longer held the excitement for her that they had once. Winter mingled with Spring as did Summer and Autumn. She understood the process of the falling leaves, drifting lazily to the ground below. She related to the long sleep the trees would have only to be reborn and awakened by the new Spring. She too had slept the winter sleep before she was woken and reborn. The difference between her and the trees was simple. The trees would be the same as they had been before their sleep. Mia would never be the same person she had been before her sleep.

The rain fell harder and soaked her body; its wetness now seeping into every curve and valley of her beautiful body. She trembled at its touch and tilted her head towards the darkening sky. She reached down and pressed her palm to her skin moving the water across her body. With her eyes now closed, she remembered how wonderful it felt to be touched by a man. She let the moment take itself and savored the memories as the thunder exploded in the sky. The balcony lit up as if it were day time to the perfect rhythm of her movements. Boom after boom, flash following another flash, the storm became a symphony for her to enjoy. Lost in her own pleasures, she failed to see the man below her. He didn’t exist in the world she was in right then. Not until he called out did she know anything except for her existed.

I don’t know what you are into lady but whatever it is, don’t stop now. You are stunning and I would love to join you.

Mia pulled her hand up her belly and hissed at the man looking at her. She felt anger replacing her ecstasy as she reached back and put her robe on. The man had no idea what he had just invited himself to. Mia smiled as she motioned for the man to come upstairs and join her. She could satisfy two needs at the same time. She walked back into her room and waited for the knock at her door. She didn’t need to wait for long as the man had found his way to her quickly. She dropped her robe and opened the door. The man froze, mesmerized by the beauty that stood before him. Her long torso and ample breasts greeted him and he wasted no time in pulling her to him. The man was warm and she allowed him the freedom to explore her body with whatever means he chose. He touched his fingertips to her chin and tilted her head back, exposing her neck. He kissed his way to her mouth and leaned in to kiss her deep.

No! she spat out as his lips touched hers. Do not kiss me or I will send you back to where you were a moment ago. Have every part of me but do not touch my lips.

The man looked at her for only a moment before returning to her body. What lay in front of him was inviting enough for him not to need to kiss her. He was a good lover; a giving lover that brought her to peak after peak and then, he satisfied himself. As he slowed his motions Mia dug her nails into his skin. The man cried out as the blood trickled from the wounds. She watched the blood as it slowly found its way to her lips. He felt her snake-like tongue lick the blood from his shoulder. The tip poked at the incision, pushing against the open flesh. He felt his skin lay back as the scratches were opened wide. More blood flowed from his body as she raised herself to place her mouth fully over the bleeding slice.

Jesus woman, what the hell are you doing to me? For the pain that you are inflicting on me, the excitement is more than worth. Fulfill your pleasure but do it quickly before the ecstasy is no longer more than the pain.

At his words, Mia leaned her head back for just a moment and then she pressed her mouth tight to his wound and bit. Teeth, razor sharp, dug deep into his shoulder. Moving her head from side to side, she cut through his skin until she found his throat. She could feel the man tense and knew he would begin to struggle now. Holding him tight with strength he could not have known she possessed, she sliced through to his jugular and drank. His screams were muffled by the blood he choked on. She held him inside of her as his body involuntarily responded to her. She pumped him in and out of her as he swelled and released himself inside of her again. The intensity of pleasure was far better than the first time he had let go inside of her. She growled and sucked harder on his throat. His blood was sweet and life giving. His kicking became weaker as she drained his life source from his body. She released long enough to look into the man’s eyes. Fear mixed with confusion stared back at her.

Don’t be afraid. It will only be a little longer and then, you will feel nothing. This is why I did not want you to kiss me. I didn’t want to hurry things too much. Did I forget to mention that this is how I like to kiss? It should not surprise you at all. After all sir… I am a vampire you know.

Mia emptied his body and then pushed it onto the floor. Fulfilled in every way, she walked out to the balcony, the storm still raging on. She lifted her face to the rain and let it wash the blood from her lips. Yes, he had been an excellent lover and a part of her wished she could have kept him a while longer. Her hunger had been too great for both sex and nourishment. Perhaps another time with another man she would have better control, but not tonight. She stood on the railing that circled the balcony. Lifting her arms to the sky Mia pushed away with her feet. Airborne, she laughed as she circled the town below. She felt free and wanted this night to not ever end.

Chapter 1

{Two hundred and twenty-five years ago}

Born Mia Marie Sanchez, she had been blessed to be born into a wealthy family. Her family had come to America from Spain; her father finding wealth as a blacksmith. He had trained horses as well as been a caretaker to one of Spain’s royal families. When fighting broke out, her father had enough clout to purchase a place on a ship going to the Americas. Not knowing what was waiting for them in America, they settled in for the long passage across the ocean. Delays brought on by storms and sickness had left them adrift for over a year. Mia celebrated her eighteenth birthday before her family saw land again. They stepped onto dry land in what is known today as Florida. Her father heard of work in New Orleans and moved the family in 1760.

Two years passed before the country began to fall victim to a smallpox outbreak. Having traveled to Boston with her father, Mia returned to New Orleans not knowing she and her father had carried back with them Smallpox. She was engaged to a man that she thought she would spend the rest of her life with. He was a kind man and gave to Mia everything her heart desired. He owned a plantation where her father could both work and raise horses of his own. Older than her by ten years, he wanted nothing more than to spend his life with Mia. He had tasted of the fruit and found it pleasing. Mia had no way of knowing that she would be responsible for not only her mother’s death but also the sad loss of her beloved.

Within a very short time, she had buried her father, her mother and the man she loved more than life itself. Discovering who the Pox had been brought in by, the town became like killers searching for witches. Mia sought refuge where ever she could. Most of the people that she knew locked their doors in fear of becoming ill. She realized that she was a carrier and would live while infecting others. That was perhaps a fate worse than dying. Living to watch everyone that she ever loved die was a fate she wondered what she had done to deserve. Surely God had turned his face from her and left her to stand alone. She had once wanted to live forever but now, she wanted only to die.

Mia traveled east towards the Pox. She thought if she could mix in with those that were inflicted she might not be so hated. Her family had left behind wealth that would sustain her until her death. She hoped that far enough away from her home people would not know of her. It took very little time for her to find that she had been marked with carrying smallpox. She was not so different from Typhoid Mary. Neither would die from their illness but would infect most everyone they came into contact with. That was more than Mia wanted to live with.

She wasn’t truly hungry and yet she fed again. She recalled suffering from the same issues that she did while she was alive. Mia remembered running to the refrigerator every time she was lonely or depressed. She ate to fill in the gap of time when she sat alone in her tiny apartment. She used food to replace companionship and forced herself to exercise to combat the weight issue that would have surely been a problem for her. The difference between then and now; Vampires don’t need to watch their weight. She could eat until her appetite was content and never gain a pound. Her appetite now was for survival but the loneliness was not different.

Standing up and looking down at her dinner, she shook her head in disgust. She hated what she had become and wished, just for a moment that she had said no. She thought that her life would be different if she had the freedom to go where she wanted to go. She could travel the world, seeing things she could only have dreamed of as a warm- blood. She could meet new people and enjoy the company of kings and queens and anyone else she desired to meet. She would no longer have to watch people die simply because they were near her. Her life wasn’t anything like she had thought it would be.

She ran her fingers over her lips and then slowly suckled on the tips. The taste was not unpleasant as she closed her eyes to savor the sweetness. The taste differed from person to person, much like that of cattle, depending on geographic locations and what the people consumed. She had her preferences of people just as others had for certain cuts of meat. The Orientals had the sweetest of blood and the Americans possessed the thickest and most energy giving blood. She laughed to herself at her comparison of taste and then wriggled her nose. The woman lying at her feet was nothing more to Mia than a meal. When had she become so callous and cold? She could remember the day that she changed as if it were an hour ago.

Mia had discovered a new world when she was changed. She found that the night held many secrets; some of them not so very pleasant. Things thought to exist only in ones imagination were very real. Warm- bloods closed their eyes at night and dreamed of the nightmares that she now knew were real. Vampires existed as did zombies. She had heard stories from her mother about the zombies in Haiti. There were stories of rituals by medicine witchdoctors that raised the dead. Mindless and useful only to the one that had brought the creatures back, the mention of them sent chills down the backs of warm-bloods. She now knew that the zombies were far more than just creatures raised from the dead. If left living long enough, they could develop thoughts and desires as if they had never died.

Mia leaned forward and lifted the body that had been her dinner. She pressed her mouth to the cadaver’s wrist and bit down. She drew in a breath and suckled finding nothing left for the body to give. Once again, feeling angry at her own self, she tossed the body to the ground like a rag doll. Behind her she heard the sound of shuffling feet. She did not need to turn to know what the sound meant. Like vultures waiting for lions to finish filling their stomachs on an unlucky Gazelle, the zombies moved in to devour the flesh of the woman at her feet. They fought amongst each other for a taste, the strongest of them taking the largest portions. She watched as they scratched and bit at one another, her disgust causing her to turn away. She quickly stepped back as she found herself staring into the eyes of one of the zombies. He stood alone, not even trying to find a place at what was once a human body. He nodded as if to greet her and managed a smile.

What the hell are you smiling at, you mindless idiot? It must be some involuntary reflex.

I do not think of myself as mindless in any way. You speak as if you understand what I am.

Mia stared for a while at this abomination that spoke to her. All of her education had told her that zombies did not speak. They did not have the mind capacity to allow them such a luxury. She found herself unsure as to what she should say. This one was different from the others. His clothing was fresh and he had the appearance of someone that had never been dead. How was it possible for him to have the ability to speak?

How is it that you are not trying to gorge yourself on the remains? You don’t appear to be anything like your gross friends down there on the ground.

I am wondering the same of you. Why do you not run away from me? People see us and they run screaming for help. Most of them are laughed at or thought to be crazy. That works well for us as public knowledge of our existence is not something we wish to happen.

How is it that you can speak when your sidekicks obviously are the very creatures I thought defined what a zombie is? I do not run from you because I do not fear you.

She watched as the zombie breathed in her fragrance. He tilted his head as if trying to process what his senses were telling him.

You do not smell of warm blood. As you have asked me, I will ask you how it is you are alive.

Mia studied the man in front of her before answering. She hadn’t gotten past the fact that he was talking to her. What should not be was standing three feet away from her. She was intrigued by his very presence.

I have no warm blood flowing through my veins. I am a vampire and therefore do not have a need for the blood in my veins to be warmed. I exist as you do; only in the minds of those that believe I exist. We both live in a world that passes us off as only a story told by writers and movie-makers. It is good because if they thought us real we would be hunted like the witches of old Salem. Others like me might find your being here as something very wrong. You came from a grave and I was created by the vampire that took my life. Never has my body seen the dark side of the underground. I was not placed in a box and lowered into a hole in the earth.

I came to be because someone called me forth. The witch thought to control me but I was strong; stronger than her magic and I killed her. I partook of her flesh and somehow absorbed her life. I can’t explain why I became what I am any more than you can tell me how it is that vampires exist. I only know that it is what it is.

I am Mia and I have been as I am for a very long time. I have seen two centuries come and go and shall see many more. The world has changed since I first drank of another’s blood and not all for good. Though there are many of us in the world, we stay secretive lest the deaths be thought of as more than some religious cult.

My name was Michael when I lived amongst people. I died while trying to make a new life with a woman. She lived and I paid the price. Perhaps that is why I was allowed to become more than a… well, more than I was. I search for answers to my questions.

"The day is dawning and I need to leave. I don’t want someone to find me here. Your friends have made it so that I need not worry about a body being found. I wish for you only the best that can be yours. Maybe we will meet again one day. Be safe and stay hidden."

I will do that and you stay safe as well. We live in a world of people that would destroy us if they knew we were here. I hope that you are never seen by angry eyes.

Mia walked away, still not certain that the man she had just met could truly exist. She had seen him and heard him speak and yet…

Quietly she slipped into the empty building that she had made her home. She could hear others moving around the upstairs rooms. She hated that there were others with her. She wanted to intertwine with warm-bloods, not the undead. She wanted the life back that she had, lonely as it may have been.

Mia, you seem to be distracted for some reason. Are you alright?

It was Sebastian that spoke to her. He had been a vampire for two hundred years longer than Mia had been. He had found her hanging from a rooftop; her sadness and hatred of the life she was living destroying her soul. She had not worried over heaven or hell because she believed that God had forsaken her. Sebastian had been searching for blood when he smelled her warmth. Thinking to drink from her, he saw her eyes open as she kicked. He felt immediately intoxicated by her beauty. He wanted to make her like him. He wanted to spend an eternity looking into her emerald eyes. Mia was reading his thoughts as he remembered.

You forgot that by turning me I would lose the emerald eyes you fell in love with. I was content to die that day but you gave me something more than death. It is bittersweet when I think of that day. I thought perhaps in death that God would see me and save me. I wanted to go to where ever my parents and my lover had gone. Perhaps you saved me that day from an eternity in Hades.

That is something we will never know Mia. I took you from that rooftop and brought you here. I told you of a better way than dying.

I still died, Sebastian, I just died in a different way. My life was forever changed when you sucked the life out of me. You stayed with me until I woke as a vampire. My hunger was so fierce that I nearly killed you. All I wanted then was blood and I cared not at all whose blood it was.

Yes, your eyes changed but your beauty remained. I was so in love with you when you came to me. We spent days and weeks making love as you turned completely. Your power was beyond what I had imagined and before long; you rose to the top of the chain. You had a gift that vampires only dream of. You could control the world around you and caused kings and queens to serve you. Sometimes I think you forget that it was I that gave that life to you.

I think that you forget that I never asked you for that life. I was prepared to die and you took that from me. I loved you only long enough to serve a purpose. You have served that purpose now and you need to move on.

Sebastian was filled with rage at Mia’s words. He moved with the speed of a cat and was upon her before she could turn away. His long fingers slid up and down her throat, nails sharp as a razors edge. Slowly he moved them up and down her body stopping only to cup her breasts. She tried to pull away from his touch but he was strong. He licked her neck with his snake-like tongue tasting her body as he did. With a hiss he bit deep into her flesh smiling as she cried out. He drank from her just enough to make his body feel her.

You bastard; I wish you were truly dead!

But I am not and neither are you, Mia. When I am finished with you, you will have enjoyed me as you always have. Your body betrays you so that you cannot even lie to me. I feel your quickening breath as I touch you in your intimate places.

Sebastian pushed her to the floor and stripped her clothing off. He held her to him and kissed her mouth. He pulled his tongue out as quickly as it had gone in.

Curse you woman; you bit me! He slapped her hard and spit blood from his mouth. You could make this so much easier if you would stop fighting me! I will have you and you cannot stop me! I will pleasure you and then be done.

She knew that she would lose the struggle and have bruises to show for it. She thought better to let him have his way and then he would be gone. She opened her legs wide and let him inside. She gasped as he pushed all the way inside of her. She could not deny that he always felt good once he was there. She bit into his shoulder and scraped his back with her nails. He growled like a wild animal as she bled him. He slowed for a moment and she flipped him to his back.

No damn you… if you are going to have me then I want to feel it fast and hard! I will show you how your little Mia likes it, vampire! Stay where you are and feel what it is you wanted so badly.

She pushed herself onto him, impaling herself as far as she could. She moved with the fury of a wildfire out of control. Over and over she slammed down on him until she felt his hands grip her arms tight. One last time she fell as she felt his body give in and fill her insides. She let herself go and soaked his body with her own lusting essence. She collapsed on top of his body, trembling from thighs to her neck. Each time he moved under her she shook harder. Just his movement was enough to bring her to her peak once again. Exhausted, she fell off to one side of him and lay on her back. She moved her legs slowly up and down, savoring the feelings. Like drinking water after a wine drunk, she was revisited over and over again.

There now, my sweetheart; that wasn’t so bad after all was it? I think you enjoy the fight as much as I do. Like a cigarette is to a man after sex, I too now have a need. Would you care to join me in an after-sex drink, my dear?

Mia lay motionless as she listened to the bragger. She wanted nothing more than to kill him at that moment. She hated him for how he made her feel. She would not go with him tonight or any other night.

You go and enjoy, Sebastian. I wish to go back to my home and rest now. You have drained me and I need to sleep.

He stared into her eyes searching for something he could no longer find.

Why is it I can no longer hear your thoughts, Mia? I once knew everything your mind knew, sometimes even before you realized it. I knew where you had been and who it was you saw. If not for the scent on you, I would not have known you had another man before me tonight. What has changed in you that I can no longer feel your thoughts or movements?

Perhaps time has simply lessened our bond, Sebastian. I do not have an answer for you. I will take my leave now and we will meet again soon.

He waved her away as he climbed to the windowsill. She watched him as he leapt into the air and disappeared. She picked her torn clothing up from the floor. She thought of slipping on one of Sebastian’s shirts until she got home. She crinkled her nose and shook her head.

No. I do not want to have anything on me that will remind me of this night, she whispered. It is good that you cannot read my thoughts anymore or you would know how much I hate you. You might also find that I will one day find a way to make you very dead!

Naked and angry she flew into the night letting the rain that was still falling wash him from her body. She rubbed the rain over herself as if she were soaping her body in a shower. She was hungry but wanted only to be alone in her room. She would replenish her body after the thoughts of Sebastian had worn off. She would find even less enjoyment in feeding now than she did normally.

Her room was quiet except for the radio playing when she entered. Sometimes she left the music on just to give her the feeling she was not alone. The Beatles sang to her about a hard day’s night and she nodded. She leaned in and ran the bath water, no need to undress. Sebastian had taken care of that task for her. She grimaced at the very thought of him as she touched her fingers to the water. She laughed out loud as the warmth ran up her fingertips. She thought of a book she had read once while vacationing in the Bahamas. Had the author ever even met a real vampire? Surely if he had he would not have written the things he did.

Perhaps I should have paid Mr. Stoker a visit before he died, she mused. I bet he would have written about vampires in the daytime instead of always hiding from the sun. A good bite on the ass might have been just what the doctor ordered. She smiled.

The water washed over her curved body and the remembrance of what a hot bath felt like rushed her mind. Brahms had not been wrong about that issue. She did not feel the warmth of the bath on her body as the warm bloods do. Only her mind gave way to the feeling but after more than two centuries, it was better than nothing. She laid back, the water covering all but her face and she tried to cry. She missed her family tonight. She missed them every night but tonight she wanted to be with them no matter where they were. She closed her eyes and went back to the day that she met Sebastian. The rope had tightened around her neck. It was supposed to snap her neck and end it all. That did not happen and she found herself kicking and trying to breathe. She had not been certain whether she was kicking to end her life or to be free of the rope.

She remembered opening her eyes and seeing Sebastian floating in front of her. She thought perhaps he was the angel of death. Not even for a moment did she imagine he was from heaven. She had been taught from a very young age that suicide sent you straight to hell. The closest to an angel he might have been would have been one sent from Hades to collect her.

Sebastian’s glowing red eyes told her he was not a good anything. He had smiled at her. His teeth were longer, sharper than they should have been. They glistened in the light from the balcony above her. She remembered being afraid of what purpose he served in her death.

You are beautiful, young lady. I cannot watch such a creature as you finish your life in a box. If I promised you immortality would you accept it from me?

The rope tightened around her neck; her own body weight being the strangler. She tried to process the words spoken to her but she was in and out of consciousness. Her life was slowly slipping away.

You do not need to speak aloud to me as I can hear your thoughts. You are nearly gone and must decide quickly. I will not take you unless you say yes.

Mia did not know how this creature could do what he was proposing. She wondered if she might be making a deal with the devil himself. Did it matter, she wondered? She had been responsible for her entire family’s deaths. How much worse could a deal with the devil be?

I will accept your offer, sir. Give me eternal life so I can make amends for what I have done.

As she felt the life flowing out of her body, he came to her. She felt his touch as he tilted her head. His hand was like an icicle that made her entire body cold. He ripped at the rope that had chewed its way into her skin. Blood trickled from the cuts as the creature leaned forward. He pushed his mouth to her throat and for a moment, Mia was afraid.

After today, you will feel no more pain. You will be simply undead. I will coach you in the ways of the vampire.

She stiffened her body when she heard the word vampire. She had long believed that they were only tales told at gatherings. How could this thing possibly be here? She struggled to pull away from him but it was too late. He pressed his mouth to her throat and suddenly she