77Summary: In Victorian England, Anakin Skywalker is part of the Holy Jedi Order that works to exterminate vampires. But whenever he has a break from missions, he sneaks away to spend time with his lover, Marchioness Padme Naberrie. However, Anakin is unaware that the ruler of the vampires, Darth Sidious, plots to have Anakin join the ranks of the vampires.
AN 1: I do not own Star Wars.
AN 2: This was done for a Star Wars FanFic Secret Santa I hosted that I advertised on my discord channel for Star War Fan Fic writers and readers as well as on my tumblr. So this fic is gifted to MissChrisDaae, who is only on AO3. If you are a fan of Anidala / Vaderdala, I highly recommend checking out her stuff on AO3.
Rated M for some sexy (but not explicit) times and some violence.
- - Chapter One: The Hunter - -
Leaves under Anakin's boot crunched loudly. An early frost had come in and cast everything in a layer of thin ice. It created a stillness and silence to the woods, but it trumpeted his every move. Not that it mattered. He knew his prey was already here; His prey knew he was here. All that was left was to lure them out.
There was a rustle of leaves and a soft crunch of frost. Barely audible, but Anakin caught it. He turned just in time as a figure dropped down on him. He jumped to the side and swung out his hand that was holding the small bottle of holy water. The water splashed across the figure's face. Instantly, the water started to sizzle and sear the pale skin. The figure dropped to their knees and clawed at their skin. The screams filled the dark woods.
Anakin wasted no more time. He pulled out his holy sword. The blue crystal blade shone a bright blue. He stabbed it into the chest of the vampire. The eyes bulged out as the screaming stopped. There was a gurgling sound followed by the sound of burning paper. The vampire disintegrated into a pile of ashes. Holy blades were made from kyber crystals, which were able to store the light and power of the sun. The sun which killed vampires instantly.
Anakin spun around. He held his sword up as his eyes scanned the dark trees. There were still two more vampires out there. He could feel their eyes on him. A brush of air against his face gave their attack away. They had come at him at the same time in an attempt to overpower him. One managed to rake their long claw-like nails across his arm and shoulder as he dodged the fatal attack to his neck from the other.
He rolled on the cold hard ground and jumped back up. He swung his blade forward right as one of them lashed out. They screamed as their arm fell to the ground and instantly turned into ash. The second one came in undeterred. Anakin ducked and avoided their deadly nails. He slammed his elbow into the chin of the bloodsucker. They tumbled over, and Anakin wasted no time in stabbing his sword into their back. In seconds, they were a pile of ash.
The pain that seared across his back caused him to gasp and stagger forward. He stirred up the human-shaped pile of ash. He spun and barely managed to avoid a second attack by the one-arm vampire.
"Die!" it screamed as it slashed at him.
The injury to his back had slowed him. He had managed to evade a blow to the stomach, but the nails sliced through his side. He was getting weak, but he managed to jab his sword directly into the face of the vampire. As the ash fell to the ground, he leaned over and took several deep breaths.
It was done. His job was done. These three were the last members of the local coven. He could finally return to the Order's headquarters. He could go home.
There was still some light left in the sky as he snuck through the gate and across the dark garden. The sounds of busy London, the clopping of hooves, the rolling of carriages, and the distant murmur of shouts and conversations, hid any noise he made. The gate key with the white ribbon tied to it was still in his hand as he looked up at the warm lights in the windows. He stopped at the garden door, knocked and waited. He heard the locks being undone. Then the door opened an inch and a woman peered out.
"It's me," he said.
There was a soft gasp and the door swung open.
"Mr. Skywalker," the servant woman said. "My lady will be so glad to see you."
"Good evening, Ms. Karté," he said as nodded and walked in.
He paused to pull off his boots and hang his coat by the door. He felt awkward keeping his sword still attached, but he couldn't leave it unattended. Even here. Karté escorted him up a flight of stairs. As they entered the hall, Anakin stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. She stopped and looked at him. He put a finger to his mouth in a sign of silence, smiled, and then nodded to the open door. Karté got the message. She smiled, nodded, and turned to go back downstairs. He continued alone.
He paused in the doorway of the drawing room. Padmé sat on a couch near the fire reading from a book. Her hair hung in loose curls. She was wearing a green dressing robe with fine details of embroidered branches, leaves, and flowers. Some of the finer details were accented in beads that caught the light and glittered.
He couldn't help but lean against the door jamb and smile. He wasn't even sure how long he stood there simply watching her before she finally looked up. Her eyes grew wide as she saw him. Her book was instantly cast aside as she rose and hurried across the room with her arms open wide. He grew impatient, rushed across the room, and met her halfway.
"Anakin," she said as she buried her head into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. Her arms tightened around him. He buried his face into her soft silky curls.
"Padmé," he murmured.
They held each other for a long moment before she finally loosened her hold and leaned back. She rested a hand against his face.
"You look tired," she said.
"I am. I had to rush to catch the first train to London, but it was worth it. The Order isn't expecting me back until tomorrow. Tonight I'm all yours," he said.
Her smile grew and she leaned in. It was a moment he had dreamt about on that long cold train ride. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. A wave of relief and joy spread through him. Her hands cupped his face as her lips parted for him. He eagerly explored her mouth as she did his.
"Oh!" a soft voice said.
Padmé and Anakin instantly parted. Their cheeks both burning bright red. Moteé and Ellé stood in the doorway. They were the youngest of Padmé's maids. The first holding a large white ceramic tub filled with steaming water; the second holding a large tray of clean towels and soap. Their cheeks were also red.
"Forgive us, my lady," Moteé said with a small bow. "We thought you might want these."
"Of- of course," Padmé said. "Please set them next to the fire."
The girls hurried past them and placed their items down. Moteé paused as she reached Padmé on her trip back. "Eirtaé is warming up some food," she said softly. "And Saché is preparing some tea."
"Thank you," Padmé said. "Shut the door on your way out, and have the food left at the door when it's ready."
"Of course, my lady. Will you be needing anything else?" Moteé's eyes flashed to Anakin.
"No."
"Have a good night, my lady."
There was a soft giggle from the girls as the door finally closed. It didn't take long to get Anakin undressed. His holy sword leaned against the sofa as he sat on a small stool near the fire. Padmé washed his back with the warm water from the tub. Anakin winced when she brushed against the still fresh cuts from the vampire hunt a few nights ago.
"How many were there?" she asked.
"Three," he said. "But I handled it. I always do."
He heard her pick up a small jar and unscrewed the lid. She gently rubbed the ointment on his cuts in small circles. He hissed.
"Stop squirming," she said. "This will make it heal faster."
Once he was cleaned, he slipped into a silk dressing robe Padmé kept just for him. She brought in the tray of food and tea the maids had left. The two sat next to each other as they enjoyed a late meal. Her hand laced through his damp wavy hair.
"How long will you be in London?" she asked.
"I don't know. I'll find out tomorrow if the Order has another mission lined up for me," he replied between bites of a buttered piece of bread.
She sighed and leaned against him. She pulled down his robe so his shoulder was exposed and kissed it.
"I always worry about you," she said. "Whenever I ask about you, the Order tells me nothing. Sometimes I'm able to invite Ahsoka or Obi-Wan to tea and they'll tell me bits and pieces. But, oh Anakin, I worry so much that one day you simply won't come back and they'll never tell me."
He turned and wrapped his arm around her. With his other hand, he cupped her face. She leaned heavily into it. Her large brown eyes stared up at him.
"I will always come back," he said. "I promise."
He closed the distance between them and once again his lips met hers. He sighed as he opened his mouth so he could lick at her plump pink lips. Her arms wrapped around him and she held him tightly while they kissed. Her lips had opened for him. His hands were sliding through her hair, and he was starting to warm up. First his cheeks, then his mouth, and now there was a burning growing deep and low inside of him.
He moaned as his hands slid down her neck to her shoulders. "I think it's your turn to get undressed," he said huskily.
She answered him by pressing her lips harder against his. Their lips barely left each other as they worked to free her from the dressing robe, gown, and undergarments. She wrapped her bare legs around his waist and his hands gripped her wonderful rear. She arched her back, which caused her body to press against his. He was already fully turned on, and her body grinding against him was driving him wild.
Slowly he lifted her up and slid off the couch. He carefully made his way across the drawing room to the door that led to her boudoir. He walked across the boudoir and placed her on the bed. Her hands slid down to his manhood. He groaned as her cold silky hands touched him. It took a lot of effort to pull away from her hands.
"Mmmm," she whined. Her hands grabbed on to his arms and tried to pull him down on to the bed. Down on to her. But he let himself slip away.
She gave him a teasing pout; he only smiled at her. She spread her legs out wide and arched her back, fully displaying her amazing body.
"You're so beautiful," he said.
"Don't just tell me," she said. "Show me."
He grabbed her knees and bent forward. He kissed the inside of her thigh. She squirmed, but he didn't stop. He left a trail of kisses up along her thigh until he reached the middle.
"Anakin," she pleaded.
He chuckled as he pushed his face forward and started to please her.
Anakin pulled his jacket on. He had lost his hat during his last mission. He'd need to get a new one. He looked over at Padmé. She was leaning against a wall watching him. She was only wearing her dressing gown. He knew there was nothing underneath. She had wanted him to stay and eat breakfast, but he had to get to the Order before they grew suspicious of where he was.
He stepped forward and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "I'll come whenever I can sneak away," he said. He turned away, but she grabbed his arm.
"Anakin," she said. He looked back at her. "I love you."
He froze. He knew that, but when had she ever said it like this? In such a bold declaration outside of the privacy of her bedroom?
"I love you, too," he replied. It felt stiff and lacking.
"I don't know if I can keep doing this," she said. "All this sneaking around."
He wrapped her up in his arms, and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"What would you have me do?" he asked softly.
"Have you ever considered leaving the Order?" She looked up at him. Her eyes were so large and round. "You could stay here. Every night."
"I'm sure that would cause some rumors."
"Not if we got married," she said.
"And you think Duke Palpatine would allow you to marry such a man?" he asked. "Padmé, the Order is all I have. I don't have money or land or a title."
"I already have all of that," she said. "I don't need more. But I do want you."
His heart was pounding in his ears. He was torn. He wanted to be with her. He loved the idea of them getting married, but . . . But he couldn't be in the Order and be married. The holy knights of the Order were banned from marrying. They had given a sacred oath to God. They were to serve Him in all his glory. To do His work by destroying vampires. Only if he left the Order could he marry her.
"Think about it," she said. "You don't have to reach a conclusion. Not yet." She pushed herself up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. "Come back."
"I always do," he said. He gave her a quick squeeze before he finally let her go.
He slipped out of the back door, walked across the garden, and used the key to go out the back gate. The city of London was a blur around him as he made his way to the Order's headquarters. He kept thinking of Padmé and her proposition. She wanted to marry him! To be with him! And he wanted the same. He wanted to marry her and be with her . . .
But he also wanted to be a part of the Order. He wanted to serve God and do good. And he really wanted to rid the world of vampires. He had grown up on a blood farm. Nothing more than cattle used to harvest blood for those infernal leeches. Those monsters had killed his mother. She had finally gotten free of the farm. Had married. Had a life. Then she was snatched away by the Tusken Raider Clan and slowly draining of everything she had for over a month. He found her in her last moments. He still recalled seeing her thin and pale form.
He shook his head to clear his mind. He didn't need to dwell on that or on how he had murdered the entire village in his grief and rage. Not just the vampires and their families, but also the dying cattle and the human servants. It was his darkest moment.
And Padmé had been there. She hadn't gone with him to the village, but she was waiting at the Lars farm for him. He had been assigned to be her bodyguard as vampire assassins were targeting her due to her support of the church and the Order. She had taken him into her arms as he grieved and confessed his sins. And like a priest, she had forgiven him.
Chanting brought him out of his thoughts. He was approaching St. Paul's Cathedral. There was a group on the side of the road handing out flyers and shouting about the evils of vampires.
"Don't give in to their sinful and deceitful ways!" one man shouted.
"Beware of exposing your neck!"
"Wear a high and proper collar!"
Anakin ignored them as he walked on. He crossed the street at the cathedral and then turned down a narrow alleyway. He walked down a few steps to a door that receded into the building. It was a large metal door with no door handle on the outside. Anakin knocked and waited.
"State your business!" a muffled voice shouted from the other end.
"Fives? Is that you on door duty? It's me, Skywalker."
The door swung open.
"Skywalker!" a young man shouted. His arms were out wide as Anakin stepped forward and the two shared a brief hug. The guard patted Anakin on the back. "Thought we'd have to send a body retrieval team after you."
Fives was part of an experiment done by the Catholic Church. They were trying to make a holy army to rival that of the Crusades. But this time it wasn't to reclaim the holy land, though Anakin suspected they may eventually try to do that. Right now they were raging a war on vampires, which outnumbered the Holy Order's knights. There were strict guidelines on who could become a knight. They had to have a strong connection with God, and through Him, they were able to feel the world around them. They called it the Force.
Anakin wasn't completely sure of the details, but he knew the church had tried to force God's blessings to make more knights. This obviously didn't work. So if they couldn't get more knights, they focused on making an army for the knights to command. They experimented with maturity rates and had some secret scientific formula that allowed a baby to be a full-grown man in ten years.
Fives was one of those experiments. One of the Order's soldiers. These soldiers weren't even given names. Instead, they were given numbers to be identified by, though many of the soldiers picked nicknames for themselves such as Fives.
Anakin left Fives at the door and continued down the thin hallway. It led down a few flights of stairs. It had grown colder the lower he went, but Anakin was used to it. He had lived in the underground Temple since he was nine. As he neared the entrance, he glanced at the walls, which were covered in murals. It was a recording of the Order's history and their fight against the vampires. His eyes skimmed over most of them except for the very last one.
It was brighter, fresher, newer. It showed the current vampire lords. Many of which Anakin had encountered, but had yet to slay. There was Darth Tyrannus, who was once a human named Count Dooku. There were the demon brothers Darth Maul and Savage with their red and yellow skin tattooed in black tribal patterns. The monstrous hellspawn Grevious. He scowled as he saw the painting of Ventress, a she-witch who had given Anakin the scar next to his right eye.
He paused as he came to a figure completely covered in a black cloak. Nothing was seen of the figure underneath, only two yellow glowing eyes peered out from under the dark hood. Darth Sidious. He was the leader of the vampires. The one who had started this war. Anakin slammed his fist against the painting. One day Anakin would be the one to kill him.
Before he moved on, he glanced at the figure standing to the right of Sidious. It was a woman with a perfectly white face. Her top lip had been painted red with only a strip in the middle of her lower lip. There were two red dots on her cheeks. She wore an elaborate gold headpiece that came off her head in three pieces. Her dark brown hair was wrapped through the headpiece and wrapped around her head as if in some mockery of a halo. As if she was an angel. She was dressed in a bright crimson red with black fur trim and a sash down the middle with gold demonic symbols embroidered on it.
There wasn't much known about Lady Amidala. She was high up in the vampire hierarchy, higher than Ventress. But was she higher than Dooku, who was Sidious' right-hand man and second in command? The Order didn't know. Sightings of her were very rare, but the vampires adored her. She was like their Holy Mother Mary, an icon they could worship.
Anakin, disgusted, huffed and moved on. Finally, he reached another door. Two guards stood outside. They were the same type of soldier as Fives. The experiment soldiers all looked alike. Tan skin, black hair, and similar large builds.
"Boil. Waxer," Anakin said nodding his head to both guards.
"Skywalker. Welcome home," Boil said as he knocked on the large door.
It swung open and Anakin walked into the underground temple and headquarters of the Holy Jedi Knight Order.
The carriage came to a stop, and the door opened. Padmé accepted the coachman's hand as she stepped out. She wore a fine dark purple dress with a high collar. White lace draped down her chest from a large gold and amethyst brooch. White lace also decorated the cuffs of her sleeves. She wore white gloves and a white hat that had purple silk flowers and a large white feather.
A large city manor stood before her. The windows were all aglow against the twilight purple sky. She made her way up the steps and through the already open door. She handed her hat to a servant and then made her way to the library.
"Marchioness Naberrie," a servant announced her.
"Duke Palpatine," Padmé said with a small curtsy.
"Padmé, my dear, please come in," the duke said from behind a large desk. "No need for such formalities between us."
She gave him a soft smile as she crossed the room and took a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
"I've heard Skywalker has returned," he said.
She nodded. "He came to see me last night."
Palpatine smiled. "Good. Good."
A servant entered the room holding a silver tray with two wine glasses filled with red liquid. They handed a glass to Padmé and Palpatine before retreating once again.
"I suggested that he leave the Order and live with me," Padmé said as she gently spun the glass in her hand.
Palpatine took a long sip of his drink. "Soon we shall have Skywalker join us. He will make a fine addition to our ranks." He smiled showing off two long pointed teeth stained with blood.
