Neither Heaven Nor Hell: Reflections of Darkness

By Ann Drighton

More than a millennium ago, a young priest is seduced by a female vampire. As he begins to die, he must choose either to let his guardian angel carry his soul to heaven or surrender to temptation and stay on Earth as a vampire. After he rejects protection from his guardian angel, he quickly realizes he made the wrong choice. When his tormented soul falls into the gates of hell, he longs for what he discarded. Unfortunately, it is too late. To his dismay, he soon falls in love with a human woman. Now he must decide whether to turn her, kill her, or let her go. After seducing and nearly killing her because of his uncontrollable bloodlust, he chooses the latter. When the vampire discovers an angel turned incubus also loves her and will stop at nothing to make her his, he must work with her guardian angel to protect her. But the angel has a past not just with him, but also the demon. Whose love will she choose?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Jul 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684705979

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PROLOGUE

The Vampire’s Birth

It happened that fateful night, a little more than a millennium ago. I had just been ordained a priest in the Catholic church. As far back as I could remember, I’d had a calling to serve God. It was my one desire in life to serve the Lord, as well as my fellow man—or so I thought.

Come in out of the rain, my child. We wouldn’t want you to catch cold.

Thank you, Father, she replied. It is kind of you to take pity on a troubled soul, even though it is just after midnight. I need help, Father. I need to confess my sins. You are the only one who can help me.

She was beautiful, and her eyes pierced my own soul. True, I had taken a vow of celibacy. But I was still a man, a sinner, an imperfect beast. I had no intention of acting upon these desires. But if she had been a man, I would not have been so lacking in judgment. In my heart, I knew there was something not quite right about the situation.

You’ve come to confess your sins? At this hour?

I’m sorry, Father, she replied. If this is a bad time, I shall leave.

No, if you need my help, then I will help you.

I don’t know where to begin, for I am truly a sinner, she said. I would not blame you, or God Himself, for turning me away because of my sins. I am afraid that I may already be damned for all eternity.

Don’t be afraid. This is a house of God. No one shall judge you here.

Thank you, Father, she replied with an alluring smile.

Well then, let us begin. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned, she said. It has been twenty years since my last confession.

I see. Yes, it has been a long time since your last confession. What would you like to confess, my daughter?

I am coveting one who is forbidden to be desired, she told me.

Is this man you covet a married man?

No, Father, she answered. I’m afraid it is much worse than that. The object of my greatest desire is a young priest.

Her words sent chills down my spine. I never dreamed I would ever hear a confession such as hers. I almost didn’t know how to respond, but then I remembered—judge not lest ye be judged.

Yes, I can understand why you might find that troubling. How long have you been coveting him?

I’ve been in love with him for a year, she told me.

Have you or this priest succumbed to this lust? Does he even know?

No, Father, she replied. We have not succumbed, for I have not told him.

Well, I must admit, I’m relieved to hear that. I’m glad you came to me when you did. I can absolve you of your sin.

I’m afraid you misunderstood me, Father, she replied with longing in her eyes. I have not come here to be absolved of my sins.

Wait … What? What do you mean you didn’t come to be absolved of your sins?

She then smiled and began to laugh maliciously. It’s you, Father, she replied with a wicked grin. You are the one I love, and you are the one I claim.

My eyes widened through both shock and terror at her words. She kept making her way closer to me, and that was when I realized she wasn’t human.

Stop that! Stay away from me! What are you doing? Dear God! What kind of creature are you?

You already know what I am, Father, she told me. I’m a vampire, and soon, you shall be one too.

A vampire! No! Don’t come near me!

I grabbed a crucifix, hoping that it would deter her. It didn’t. Her only response was to let out a wickedly triumphant laugh. Terror engulfed my entire being. Why did it seem as if God was betraying me? Had I not been his faithful servant? I was not ready to die.

Why isn’t this crucifix protecting me? Dear God! Help me! Don’t let her kill me! Don’t let her turn me!

And those were my last words as a living human. I had been foolish. The crucifix didn’t protect me because I had rendered myself powerless. I had invited her into the church. When you invite a vampire into your dwelling, even a house of God, you have no way to protect yourself. Once she was inside, I was helpless. I should have known better. I thought it was odd that a young lady would arrive at the church at midnight during a thunderstorm. That was a time when my very existence was dedicated to saving souls. But that was at least a millennium ago. And I am no longer a naïve and foolish mortal.

As she bit me, I could feel my soul leaving my body. But I could also feel my warm blood running down my back. Instead of her bite being painful, it was … orgasmic. I had never felt so much intense pleasure in my life. As I had just become a priest, that was an experience I had never felt before. And I wanted more.

When her sharp fangs pierced my neck and she began to drink my blood, a strange occurrence unfolded. It was as if our minds had become one. It was more intimate than any sexual experience I could have even imagined. We knew each other’s thoughts and memories. She even unlocked forgotten memories that were buried in my subconscious. Yes, I wanted more. I wanted her, and I wanted to live. As a living, breathing human, I had dedicated my life to serving others as well as the church. But she had shown me another way, and now I wanted to live only for myself and for my own pleasure.

Drink from me, my love, she whispered in a seductive voice. Drink from me, and be mine forever.

I could smell her blood. It was so enticing. I hungered for it, for her. And that was when I saw him. My guardian angel had