Tall, Dark & Lonely (Pyte/Sentinel 1)

It was too late to do anything now even if Madison decided to terminate the pregnancy. He could smell the change from here. The womb in a matter of speaking had shut down. The baby’s DNA triggered something in her body and there wasn’t a weapon on earth that would be able to penetrate that womb. Their child was protected from outside interference. Its mother was a different story.

This should have been done months ago. Then he wouldn’t have to worry about her day and night. It was frightening to think of all the little ways a human could come to harm. He’d never given it much thought before, because frankly he couldn’t have given a damn.

Humans were disposable and easily replaceable in his eyes. They all died at some point or another. It was inevitable. He’d sat back and watched countless generations be wiped out only to be replaced by new ones. There was nothing he could do so he never bothered on an individual level. The only time he stepped in to help was for a monumental injustice.

The American Civil War had him traveling as a ship’s cook to Boston back in 63’. After the war he stayed in Boston and took his first policing job. When he couldn’t stay any longer he returned home to take up a position with Scotland Yard where he stayed until that one little mishap in November of ’88.

He f**ked up big time. He was supposed to make the arrest not drain him, but what else was he supposed to do the bastard when he was covered in blood? A mistake, it had been a huge mistake to go on duty without eating first.

They stationed him in Whitechapel to keep an eye on the girls. He meant to get a bite to eat before his shift, but thanks that notorious little shit all the working women were hesitant to go off into the dark with a man. So, when the little shit he was looking for literally stumbled into him what was he supposed to do? He drained him and tossed his body into a pauper’s grave. After that he was too disgusted with his lack of restraint and gave up his human façade.

From there he hid out in vampire covenants, trying to figure out the meaning of his life. He was searching for something or someone. If he had only known the person he was looking for wouldn't be born for another century he would have done a lot of things differently.

He went from war to war, touring the world, looking for the one thing missing in his life. After the second war he found himself traveling back to the states where he’d been ever since, taking up rooms in boardinghouses all over the country. It wasn’t much of a life he was now realizing. Things could be so different for him now and he knew the reason.

Madison.

She could be with him from now on along with the children. They could enjoy life and travel the world. They could make a real difference in this world along with the Sentinels. He could be happy. They could be happy. He’d been so stupid to wait this long.

Now it wasn’t just his happiness at stake, but Madison’s life was very much on the line. She was in so much danger and not just from the birth. Caroline was a vindictive bitch as well as a collector. She hadn’t taken rejection well all those years ago and his obvious affection for Madison just threw more gas onto the fire. She would not stop now until she had Madison and his son under her thumb.

He couldn’t allow that. Madison was everything good in this world. She deserved a long happy life. She wasn’t going to pay for his mistakes or suffer alone for their love. He had to fix this now.

She might hate him after this and he couldn't blame her. There was a very good possibility that she would never talk to him again. It would hurt like hell, but at least she would be safe. She would be alive and well. That’s all that mattered. She could go on with her life and find another man, live her life and do whatever she wanted. It would hurt every second of every day, but he would find peace in her happiness.

He loved her too much not do this. One day she would understand. She would understand that he did this not only for her, but for their child as well. Their son would need her and he couldn’t think of a better mother than Madison. There was no choice, he decided as he brought his wrist to his mouth and sunk his fangs in.

*******

Soft lips moved against Madison’s. She opened her eyes and smiled. Ephraim was kneeling in front of her half na**d and healed. Not a bad way to wake up, she thought. He pulled his head back and looked into her eyes. He looked so serious, too serious.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” she asked, moving into a sitting position.

“Do you know how much I love you?” he asked softly.

“Yes.” She ran her fingers along his jaw. “I love you, too,” she finally said the words. Instead of the reaction she expected, him taking her into his arms and making love to her until morning, he nodded stiffly.

“You do know that I would never do anything to willingly hurt you or put you in danger, don’t you?”

He felt guilty over her abduction. She should have known he would. “Ephraim, it’s okay. We’re fine.” She took his hand and pressed it to her abdomen. “We’re all fine.”

His hand gently caressed her still flat stomach while he spoke. “Madison, I have to do something for you. I need you to understand that I’ve been planning on doing this for a long time now. I should have done it long before this happened. If I had you would have been fine. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

She didn’t. “No, what’s this all about, Ephraim?”

“You may hate me after this and I want you to know that’s okay I just need you and our son to be okay. Just understand that please,” he choked on the words.

“Son?” Her eyes watered as she gave him the sweetest smile. She leaned in to kiss him, but he turned his face away.

“Please, Madison, don’t make this harder for me than it has to be. I’ll already be in hell after I do it.”

Things he was saying started to click. “You’re leaving me, aren’t you? You think if you stay she’ll be after me so you’re going to leave?”

“No, baby, I would never leave you. Besides, leaving you would only clear the way for her. Caroline is coming back for you there’s no doubt in my mind. She’s more determined than ever now.”

She laid her hand over his. “So, we’ll sit down and figure something out. We’ll figure it out together.”

His eyes met hers. His brilliant baby blue eyes darkened into the fiery red she’d come accustomed to during their love making. “I’ve already figured it out. I should have done it months ago.” He kissed her nose. “Remember I love you, Madison. I love you enough to risk losing you.”