“Gah!” cried Caitlin, turning in her seat to her assailant. “Angelus, why must you scare me so?” She asked, clutching her breast.

“My sincere apologies Caitlin, ‘twas never my intention to scare ye.” He answered, a smile playing on his lips as he rubbed her shoulder where he had touched her.

“And yet you always seem to manage it.” She said sternly but unable to keep the smile from her own lips. It didn’t quite have the chastising effect she was after. “How are you this evening?”

“Very well, thank you my lady, and yourself?”

“Quite board, I must say.”

“That will never do.” He said. “I shall rectify the situation immediately.” He offered his elbow for her to take. “Lets us proceed to something more fun.”

Caitlin smiled. Angelus was a rogue but a loveably one. She didn’t know how she would have survived these months in Ireland without him. “I wish I could but I must finish these scriptures by tomorrow.”

Angelus looked over her shoulder. “They have you copying the bible now?” he asked. “Why they don’t just shoot ye I’ll never know.”

“Hence the tedium I spoke of.” Replied Caitlin. “However if I do not perform well here they shall surely tell Father and he will send me to finishing school in France.”

“France is lovely this time of year. I say to hell with the scriptures. Lets have some fun!”

“I wish I could but fathers threat isn’t an idle one. The thought of spending time with those…. People is unbearable. I must do as he says.”

“Caitlin, your father will never know if you take one night off.”

“But Father Kennedy will and he will tell my father.” Caitlin cast a longing look over Angelus. “I fear I must refuse your kind offer Sir. Perhaps another time.”

“You can count of it.” Angelus took her hand and kissed the back of it causing Caitlin’s pulse to race. “Until next time.” He turned and left, blowing her a kiss before closing the door after himself.

Caitlin stared after him for a while, unwilling to return to her studies. She just couldn’t understand why her father had sent her to this god-forsaken place in the first place. In London she had friends and balls to attend. Here she had study and Father Kennedy assigning her chores like she was some servant.

Sighing deeply she turned back to the scriptures.



“Caitlin.”

She turned, startled, to the voice. “Angelus, once again you scare the wits out of me.” She whispered.

“Perhaps if you weren’t somewhere you shouldn’t be I wouldn’t have scared ye.”

“Perhaps.” She was forced to admit.

“What is it you have there?” he asked, pointing to the blanket she had hurriedly placed over something.

“Promise not to tell?” he nodded. “I have the Book of Kells. The father wont let me see it but he had me clean his office today and he gave me his keys. I simply couldn’t resist a look.” She withdrew the blanket and Angelus stepped up beside her to look. “Isn’t it beautiful.” She asked.

“Not as beautiful as she who holds it.”

Caitlin blushed. “You flatter me sir.”

“I flatter no one. I speak the truth.” Caitlin refused to meet his eyes; gently he took her chin and titled her head to look into her eyes. “You are one of the worlds most beautiful creatures Caitlin. Can you not see it?”

“I see nothing of the sort Sir. My father says I shall be lucky to find a suitor.”

“He lies Caitlin. Why do you think he has you hidden away here for the last year, he fears that anywhere other than a religious enclave you would be snapped up in a second. Caitlin, darling, you are a precious gift to this world, it’s time you stopped hiding.”

Caitlin blushed and looked down at the book.

“What do you think of it?” he asked, gesturing to the book she held.

“It’s wonderful, so intricate and beautiful. I only wish more could see it.”

“‘Tis a shame to hide something of such magnificence.”

“It is indeed.”

Angelus once again took her chin and tilted her head up. His look told her he had been speaking of both the book and herself.

“I would love to go with you Angelus, I simply cannot. Your visits are all that has sustained me these last few months but you ask too much. I am sorry.”

“Caitlin, how can I prove my devotion to you? Anything you ask, I shall do it, if only you would come with me. I can show you the world Caitlin. Let me, please.”

Caitlin shook her head and closed her eyes as tears stung them. “Please sir, do as I ask and leave me be.”

Angelus leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. Her eyes flew open and she looked into his deep brown orbs before looking back at the book.

“Which is your favourite?” he asked, referring to the drawling.

“This one.” She pointed to a gryphon. “The way his legs cross reminds me of an A which reminds me of your name.” She said softly.

Angelus kissed her cheek and left without another word. He stood outside the door and listened to her softly crying.

She was in such despair at having been kept in this prison for over a year now. He offered her hope yet she was too afraid to take it. Soon he would take her from here though; she would be his forever.



Angelus first noticed her six months ago as she shuffled through the Dublin streets at dusk. Carefully he orchestrated her fall and he was there to help her up.

She was spectacular. Her beauty and breeding evident despite no regal gowns and her innocence was tangible. She refused to meet his gaze but her ankle was twisted. She protested but he carried her back to Trinity College where she was staying. He was invited in and offered thanks for his good deed. He wanted no thanks however, he wanted her. He began visiting her after dark, building her trust and telling her of life outside the college walls.

So far she had resisted his efforts but tomorrow she would leave with him. He was certain.



Caitlin awoke to a tapping on her window. Throwing back her blankets she shuffled to the large window.

“Angelus!” she exclaimed softly. “You cannot be here, if father finds out…”

“Hush Caitlin. He shall not harm you.”

“Why are you here?”

“I came for you Caitlin, I must leave and I want you to come with me.”

Tears pricked at her eyes again. As she began to speak Angelus held his hand up. “Wait. I need to show you something.” He climbed into the room and pulled his shirt off, showing Caitlin his back.

“My, it’s beautiful.” She said, stepping up and lightly running her fingers over the tattoo. “You even added the A.”

The touch electrified him. “It’s to prove my devotion to you, my love.”

She looked from the tattoo, to his face, to the door of her room. “I…”

“Please Caitlin, do not deny me.”

Her tears streamed down her face. “I’m sorry Angelus. I cannot see you any more.” She sobbed. “Father Kennedy discovered me with the book last night and he… he… I’m sorry but I dare not anger him more. ”

Angelus pulled her to him and cradled her as she sobbed, cooing to her. Her pain was delightful to him but he had to wonder why she refused him when she was so besotted. And why was she crying so hard?

Once her tears subsided he titled her face up again. “What happened?” he asked.

“I… he told me I was sinful. He.” She swallowed. “He punished me.” She said softly.

Angelus’ brow creased. “Show me.” He demanded. He should have hid the anger in his voice but he couldn’t. He was furious at the thought someone had dared touch his prize.

Caitlin slipped her nightdress off over her head and held it in front of her body; protecting what little dignity she had left. Angelus turned her, appalled by the bruises that marred her perfect flesh.

His anger boiled over into rage that the hand of man should blemish his first glance upon this beauty. He tried to conceal it from her but wasn’t successful as he ordered her to get dressed.

Shaking, and doing her best to hide her body, Caitlin pulled some work clothes on. Without another word Angelus rushed away with her over his shoulder, whether she wanted this was irrelevant now.



Caitlin awoke in the morning to see Angelus washing, his naked back to her and his tattoo rippling as his muscles flexed. She sat up, staring at him, at his perfection. He was the first male she had ever seen in such a naked state. Why he wanted her still remained a mystery but she wasn’t sorry to be free of Father Kennedy. She knew not what her future held but she trusted Angelus completely.

“Mornin’, sleep well?” he said, making her jump.

“Fine thank you Sir.”

He turned to face her. “How do you feel?” he asked. His expression was oddly blank.

“Relived. Thank you Angelus. You saved me.”

He came over and sat next to her on the bed. Leaning in close he inhaled her scent. “You smell beautiful,” he purred.

Caitlin stiffened; he was too close for comfort. “Thank you sir.”

“No, no sir’s Caitlin, we’re too close for that now.” He began caressing her back and nuzzling her neck. “We’re made for each other.”

“Sir…. Angelus…”

“What Caitlin?” his other hand began caressing her leg.

“I cant sir.”

“Cant what?”

“You want to… And I cant.”

Angelus’ tone changed now, his voice took on a hard edge. “It’s time to pay the piper Caitlin. I freed you, some might say you belong to me.”

His hand snaked under her skirt and he caressed her skin. Her tears fell and began rolling down her cheeks. Angelus kissed them away.



Caitlin lay in bed, curled into a ball. Her tears long since dried, she had nothing left to cry with.

He was out but he would be back soon. Caitlin considered running but she knew so little of the world outside. Returning to Father Kennedy was out of the question now her innocence had been taken from her, she was resigned to stay here. As he had said, he owned her and there was nothing she could do about it.

She jumped as the door opened and he returned. He didn’t speak but he sat beside her on the bed and gently brushed her hair out of her face.

“How do you feel my love?”

She didn't answer.

“It’s not that bad is it?”

Angelus smiled. She was broken. Alone in the world with no one but him. He pulled the blanket back, off her body and gazed down at her.

Her bruises had increased but only slightly. Physical pain wasn’t his style; her mental anguish was much sweeter. He ran his hands over her body.

She shook slightly as her tears returned. She was amazed to find she had any left.

“Hush Caitlin, this will all be over soon. Look at me.” She remained still. “Look at me!” he demanded more forcefully.

Dejected and broken she looked at him; looked into two deep amber eyes.

Her sharp inhalation of breath was all that betrayed her shock. Angelus leaned down and began kissing her neck. She was beyond shock now, she was crushed. It was time.

Biting down on her neck he elicited a sharp cry from her but she didn’t offer any struggle. Slowly he felt her life leave her, her pulse slow and her limbs grow weak. Setting her down on the bed he bit into his wrist and held it over her lips. The blood flowed over her lips and into her mouth until she passed out. Angelus stood and kissed her on the forehead.

“Sleep Lover. I have a surprise for you tomorrow.”



Caitlin awoke to peace, total peace. No screams echoing in her head, no heartbeat thumping in her chest. Silence.

She took a breath and realised that she didn’t need it. But she could sense so much with it. Her scent, the smell of blood and sweat, his scent and something else. She opened her eyes to find she could see perfectly, despite the gloom. Sitting up she surveyed her surroundings.

A wicked smile spread across her lips as she saw him, tied to a chair in the centre of the room.

“Father Kennedy?”

“Free me my child, I beg you, before he returns.”


Angelus heard the scream as he entered the building and chuckled to himself. Opening the door a crack he saw her sitting on the fathers lap, her head buried in his neck.

She looked up as the door opened and smiled, blood coating her lips and teeth.

‘The innocent ones always make the best vampires.’ He thought as he entered the room and closed the door.