A Taste of Life

This week, Angel’s post came first. Read it here…

“A better idea?” My curiosity peaked as I quirked my brow.

“There is human blood in the fridge.”

“Really? Does it taste different than yours?” I wiped my eyes, my excitement growing.

“Yes. It’s human blood. And even that tastes different depending on the human. It’s on the bottom shelf in the fridge.”

I hopped up and ran to the kitchen, a smile spread across my face . Opening the fridge I grabbed a bottle, popped the lid and took a big gulp. Wrinkling my nose, I leaned into the sink and spit it out without swallowing. “Angel! This is gross!”

“Well it is cold.” He chuckled slightly. “You’re supposed to warm it up first.”

“You could have told me that, you know. Besides, yours isn’t warm either. How was I supposed to know?”

“I would have told you, had you waited. And you have never complained about my blood before.”

Because it’s all I have had, remember?” I placed the bottle in the microwave, closing the door. “How long do I warm it up for? Or should I use the hob?”

“Before you do that, how would you like to taste a genuine human’s blood?”

“Really? You trust me with that? A real human? What if I can’t stop? I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“Fenella.” He stood and joined me in the kitchen, pulling me into his arms, kissing me softly. “I will be with you. I can stop you.”

Lost in his kiss for a moment, I finally opened my eyes from what felt like a dream and responded with a smile. “If you trust me, then I trust you. What did you have in mind.”

“I was thinking…” he paused, “we visit a special place here in London. It is made for people like you and I.”

“Hmm, I would guess that makes sense. Should we change or is this okay?” I pulled at my shirt.

He looked me from head to toe. “As beautiful as you look right now, may I suggest you wear something a little… classier? Perhaps in black or red.”

Squealing, I ran to the room where all our shopping had got dumped and dug through the bags looking for the dress I knew he was talking about. “This one?” I asked, pulling out a lace and satin number he picked out for me. At the time I had no idea why he had insisted on it, but now it made sense.

He smiled. “Definitely. I am going to change myself. I need something… darker.”

“Of course my dark prince would wear a dark suit.” I winked at him and hastily pulled my top over my head, wiggling my hips as I slipped off my pants. I dug back in my bags for my new underthings and pulled out a matching black bra and panty set. 

As I dressed, I noticed his eyes never left my body as I slipped off the underwear I had on, and picked up the new things. I glared at him. “Behave Angel. I’m bloody hungry, no puns intended.” I giggled as I continued to get dressed, slipping the dress over my head. “Zip me up please?”

He smiled, a devilish look in his eyes. “And I’m hungry for you, Fen, but of course.” He replied, stepping forward. I felt his fingers touch my skin as he slowly tugged the zip up, then his hands grasped my hips and his lips touched my throat sending a shiver down me.

“Angel, I thought you were changing, too?” I questioned as I turned in to him. “I’m going to put my hair up, I’ll be right back.”

I slipped past him and into the bathroom where the mirror was and pinned my hair up into an intricate updo, something I had done a dozen times over. By the time I had returned, he was dressed in a very well tailored, very sharp all black suit, minus the tie. He was searching in the drawer for one, indecision on his handsome face.

“Need help?” I asked as I sauntered up to him, resting my hand on his shoulder, looking into the drawer with him.

He nodded. “If you would, my love. I’m thinking either black, or a dark red.”

“Hmm, well if you’re with me,,,” I glanced down at my dress, “definitely red.” I pulled a deep crimson tie out of the drawer and slipped it around his neck, flipping up the collar. Tilting my head up at him I asked, “Windsor?”

“Yes. A Windsor would be better.”

I curled my lip at him, “Very well, Windsor it is.” I started the twists and turns on the length of fabric in my hands before pausing, looking up from my hands to his face.

“Is there a problem?” He asked, polite and quiet.

“No, do you want half or full?”

“A full one, if you know how to?”

I smiled up at him and returned to the tie. “Of course I do, why else would I have asked. I learned to tie a Windsor by the age of…” I paused a moment to think, “nine, I think.” Not thinking much beyond that, I finished the intricate twists and turns required for a full Winsor and smiled up at him as I tucked it into his vest, buttoning the front back up. 

I stepped back and took him in. “Damn you look amazing.”

“And you look gorgeous.” He replied, leaning in to give me a kiss that made my knees weaken a little.

I walked back to the bags and pulled out the black stilettos, slipping them on with ease before turning to him, “Ready?”

He looked me from head to toe, and a hungry look of animal lust lit up his eyes. I smiled and pushed him towards the door. “Okay, I’m going.” He chuckled softly.

“Good, cause I’m starving.” My eyes twinkled as we headed out.

The walk across town was quiet, and we drew no attention as we made our way to wherever Angel was leading us. We arrived at a nondescript building, all brick and mortar. “Here we are.”

I frowned, nonplussed, until a man came out of the shadows. “Hello sir. Back so soon?”

“Yes, Neil.” Angel nodded. Neil nodded back and pressed a small button on the side of the door, which popped open. Angel pulled it open and gestured for me to go in first.

I entered, and found stairs leading down into a modern and tasteful room. It was packed full of humans, the cacophony of their speech and their pulses making me cover my ears.

“It’s so loud! The music and the heartbeats! Angel!”

He took my face in his hands, and once again helped me tune out the noise, his head against mine. “Hush, my love. I’m here.”

I nodded, lost in his eyes for a moment before I closed mine and centered myself. “Okay, I think I’m ready now. Thank you, my love.” Opening my eyes once again, I kissed him softly. 

“You don’t need to thank me, my love. Go, have fun and taste some people. There are plenty of volunteers in here for you to feed on. That I am sure of.”

“The question is do you trust me? My..control?”

“My advice, my love, is to take one mouthful from one person. It is much easier and will teach discipline. Besides, I am here and you know I will stop you if things escalate. At any rate, I need to speak to the manager”

I nodded and kissed him in a silent show of appreciation, draping my arms over his shoulders. He ran his hands down my back slowly, gently squeezing my ass. 

“Now, Go, my love. Go and play. Have some fun with the humans.”

I smiled and walked away, almost skipping in glee. He smacked my ass lightly as I turned away. I sauntered up to a booth with a young couple sipping on wine, they watched me approach and began to shift in their seats. “Hi…I’m Ella…may I join you?”

Their heart beats sped up a bit before they glanced at each other and nodded. The gentleman slid out and let me in between them before scooting back in. ‘First time here?” They nodded nervously. “I’ll be gentle…” I leaned back in the booth as the gentleman leaned in, baring his neck to me in offering. 

“It’s okay dear, a wrist will do.” He sat back up and shot his girl a look before producing his wrist. “If this is your first time…then you need to watch so you are at ease. Make sense?” he nodded.

I took his hand in mine and brought his wrist to my mouth. I could suddenly hear the blood flowing through him as the sounds of the club faded away. My eyes grew red as I bit, drawing in a mouthful of his warm life source. I swallowed hard, my hunger growing and I forced myself to stop. Lowering his hand, I made to leave the booth, only to find Angel stood right next to me.

“That wasn’t so bad, now was it?” He smiled at the man, who shook his head with a grin. Turning to his companion, she did the same, and to my confused surprise, Angel leaned over and pressed the thumb of either hand to their wrists where I had fed. When he leaned back, the marks were gone.

We left them soon after and went to the dance floor, where I was hoping the noise of the music would be louder than the heartbeats. As we stood in the middle of the floor, he pulled me into a tight embrace, my arms over his shoulders and his hands on my hips.

“Well done, my love.”

London Calling

By: EmberSkye Savage

Pacing through the courtyard, the grass moved under her feet.  Persephone fidgeted with the edge of her dress, tugging it a little before she exhaled, blowing her hair out of her face.  It had been a long time since she had gone out to do anything fun. Eyes traced up to the sky above as she shook her head in exasperation at herself.  This was the whole point she reminded herself. To live. Have fun. Experience new things. Spring was about change and rebirth and now she was about to move forward with her own rebirth. 

Pausing, she once again smoothed the skirt on her dress before laughing at her own antics. “Come on, it’s not like you haven’t delved into the realm of the unknown before.”  Years of time spent alone in the underworld, she had taken to a habit of talking to herself when she thought she was alone.  

When Selene had last visited, they had wandered through the gardens together,  talking about what they would do come spring. The plan to go out had been like a beacon she looked forward to, that and the visits to Helios made the last few days of winter seem to pass by almost too quickly.  Persephone only hoped she had chosen clothing that fit the club Selene had told her about. 

Selene walked around the corner wearing a short, silver number and stilettos. Her eyes lit up when she saw Persephone standing there waiting for her. “Percy!” she called out, the nickname one she had given her friend over the months of visits to the underworld. “You look amazing!” Taking Percy’s hands, she raised them, taking in her beautiful, pink-flowered number. “It’s perfect! Are you ready?” Persephone smiled and nodded, Selene looked down as she turned to lead the way to her car, and she noticed Persephone wasn’t wearing shoes. “Percy, darling, are you sure you’re ready?”

“Yes, why? I thought you said this was perfect?” she said, following Selene’s gaze. 

“Shoes?” Selene said as she giggled.

“Oh. Sorry!”  She turned and dashed back towards the doors to the god complex, blond hair fluttering behind her.

A few minutes later Persephone returned and they climbed into Selene’s chariot to fly to the airport. “I know it would be faster to go to London in the chariot, but I have been trying to keep it here in Olympus, so we’ll take the jet,” Selene explained to Persephone

Hal, Selene’s private pilot, was waiting for them on the tarmac. They all quickly seated themselves on the plane and Hal took off, landing less than an hour later in London. The ladies continued their conversation as they exited the jet and made their way to Sel’s waiting silver convertible. The wind blew through Persephone’s blonde hair as they drove down the road, a smile creeping across the Iron Queen’s face as the joy of freedom filled her. Sel grinned seeing her friend’s face light up and chuckled a little as she turned back to look at the road. 

The club was one Selene frequented and the owners treated her like she ran the place. To say the ladies were VIPs would be an understatement. 

The sounds of the club filled Persephone’s ears as they made their way past the line, the doorman waving Selene in, to the disappointment of many who waited. Persephone hopped on one foot, then the other as she finished pulling her heels on.  She could feel the beat of the music as if it were in her bones. She held Selene’s hand, letting her friend lead her through the crowd. Everything here was new, wonderful, and a cacophony of beauty, it struck a chord of playfulness she hadn’t felt in years.  

They arrived in a small booth designed to give them a perfect view of the room, and Persephone ordered something simple to start. A light cocktail without the heavy alcohol mortals used to drown out their sorrows.  Persephone’s eyes darted around the room as she watched everyone around her. Singles, couples, and groups danced in joy, celebrating their revelry. It was as if the whole room opened up to call to all that would listen. The people around them were living in the moment and carefree, their faces beaming with pleasure. Persephone leaned over to Selene, trying to whisper, but was quickly drowned out by the heavy bass. She pitched her voice higher to be heard.

“Ok. You were right. I can see how this will be very fun.” The laughter behind her voice conveyed her enjoyment. “I see why you like it.” Her cheeks had warmed, flushing pink underneath her eyes which shimmered with excitement.

The waitress came back over to refill Selene’s whiskey, with a devilish twinkle in her eye she ordered a pomegranate mimosa for Persephone. Selene smiled at her friend as she watched her bounce to the music in the seat beside her. She grabbed her glass and threw her drink back before she grabbed Persephone’s arm and pulled her onto the dance floor. 

The mortals quickly crowded around the two women as they danced and moved to the music. Persephone’s face made Selene laugh as it crinkled in response to the crowd of people suddenly around her. Selene relaxed and felt the auras of the mortals, smiling as she watched her friend begin to ease a bit more. 

After a few songs, Persephone wanted a break and they wandered back to their booth. They sat down and had a few laughs while drinking their drinks. “So, Percy, what do you think?” Selene asked, nodding her head at the drink she had ordered her friend. 

“I like it,” Persephone replied, taking a sip, “It’s pomegranate, right?” 

Selene nodded. “And champagne.”

“Champagne!” Persephone exclaimed, “are you trying to get me drunk, Selene?” 

A Cheshire grin spread across Selene’s face. “Not entirely, just, relax a little, maybe.” She shrugged and looked her in the eye. “Sorry, really. I just want you to have fun.”

“I’m having fun, I just don’t drink as much as you do, Sel.”

“I know. So, wanna dance again?” Persephone nodded and slid out from the booth, walking out onto the dance floor, Selene followed her, grinning ear to ear. 

Persephone felt the music as it surrounded them. The rhythm seemed to echo her own heartbeat, the music a call to memories long ago.  The dancing was much like the revelry in Olympus when they were younger, wild, carefree, with no rules. Persephone felt it overcome her, and with a wild smile of her own, threw herself into the dancing surrounded by the gyrations of the mortals.  She laughed with Selene, it was refreshing to do something different. She imagined this is what the parties of Dionysus must have been like. Time became nothing, as each song passed Persephone felt it all wash away. There was nothing except for the music and herself. Her body swayed and moved until Selene pulled her back to their booth, winding through the dancing mortals. Somewhere between leaving the seat and returning, Persephone had lost her shoes, bare feet making no sound in the powerful party.  She dropped down into the chair and smiled again at Selene. 

“This is amazing. I am so happy you invited me!“ Cheeks flushed from the exertion, the color returning after her stay in the Underworld, Persephone finished off her drink and leaned against Selene.  “Thank you. I have needed something like this for a long time.“

Selene smiled broadly. “Any time, dear friend! I’m so happy to see you truly smile again.”

Persephone is written by EmberSkye Savage. Writing has always been a passion and hobby, “For longer than I’m willing to admit my age.” It’s a good thing that L.L. has always wanted to write for a living because writing is paying the bills as an Instructional Design and Developer. At night Ember runs stories through her head, and is working on the ever present novel that writers always have in the works.

You can find her latest adventures at https://www.inthepantheon.com/author/persephone/ and on Twitter https://twitter.com/Emberskye

A Day Out

I rushed back to his apartment after work. It felt like the longest shift ever. As I approached the door I heard his shower running, paused, then entered calling out, “Angel?” 

I heard him turn the water off, then the door rattled as he stepped out wrapped in a towel. I rushed into his arms and wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him deeply. “That was too long without you, my love!”

“Very true.” He kissed me again, and the warm burn of desire blossomed in the pit of my stomach. I wanted to feel his blood pouring down my throat, his lips all over my skin.

I pinned him against the wall with a forceful thump, snatched his head to the side by his hair and growled. “I’m so hungry…all the time!” 

Angel relaxed his head, not fighting my pull as he bore his neck to me. I closed my eyes, snarled and bit into him deep, drawing him into me with a ferocious moan. Moments passed as I fed. I pulled back, wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

He leaned forward and fixed me with a smile. “What did you want to do today?”

My face fell as I looked down at my coffee stained shirt and tattered jeans for a moment. Angel took my chin in his hand, lifting it to meet his gaze. 

“Fen? What is it?” His voice was soft as concern creased his forehead. 

“I, I just don’t feel like doing anything today…I have coffee all over my shirt and I just don’t wanna be seen this way.”

“Why don’t you change?” 

The question was simple but it hit a nerve and I snapped. “Into what?!” I screamed. I pushed away from him and stormed towards the door. 

Angel caught my arm and pulled me into a gentle but controlling embrace. “Fen, my love, talk to me. I don’t understand.”

I fought against him as I just wanted to run, scream or cry. “I don’t have anything to change into, dammit! Have you ever even noticed I am always in the same goddamn thing?”

He turned me towards him, holding me in his arms as he tilted my chin up to him. “Fen, my sweet, look at me. I just thought it was your uniform. Please. Don’t you have clothes at your place?” 

His face was so utterly honest and perplexed that I realized he clearly didn’t understand I had nothing. Quietly, I looked up at him and answered, “Angel, I don’t have a place,  I stay in a hotel, a few nights a week. My few items of clothes are in a backpack. So no, I don’t have a change at home, it’s laundry day.”

His face completely fell as my reality washed over him. “Oh Fen! I had no idea. Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

“Sooner? When Angel? When I’m at work? When we are here and otherwise engaged? Or when you are sweeping me off to somewhere like Paris?  When exactly did you expect me to tell you I have nothing?” My embarrassment was gone, replaced by anger as I yelled back at him, fighting his grasp again.

“Fen! Stop struggling. How was I to know you had nothing? You were wearing an expensive looking dress when you came to me!”

“You mean the twenty pound sale piece I saved a goddamn month for?” He let me go as I stomped off towards the door. He flash-walked and caught up with me in an instant, stopping in front of the door.

“Fenella, please, stop. Just talk to me. I am at a loss here. Just…just talk to me so I can understand.”

Throwing up my hands, they made a loud smacking sound as they slapped my thighs upon their fall. Exasperated, I fought back, “You’re right! You have no fucking clue! You’re fucking perfect! Living in total luxury without a care in the world, while the rest of us, the ones left in your wake, are here picking up the pieces from nothing.”

“Fenella… I am not perfect. You have no idea about me, just as I have no idea about you. All I know is you came to me, and you took my heart. I am NOT perfect. So don’t talk about things you know nothing about. I am trying to make things right. I am trying to change. Just give me a damn chance.”

Sighing, I paced over to the sofa and sat down with a thud, placing my head in my hands. “Angel, I just don’t understand how you can say you love me when we just met a few days ago. I’m not saying I don’t…nevermind.”

“Fenella, may I make a suggestion?” He asked softly as he came and sat beside me, not touching me.

I peered out from between my fingers, “What?” I asked bluntly.

“Why don’t you let me put some of my wealth to good use? It is early, so why don’t you let me take you shopping? You need clothes, and I like to treat you. Let me do this. Nowhere expensive… you pick.”

I lowered my hands and sat back, glancing over at him. “I, I don’t want to impose on you. You have already given me so much…I…” I paused for a moment before nodding slowly. “Okay, but nothing fancy. I could accept that.”

“As I said, I like to treat you, Fen. It isn’t an imposition in the least, and we will only shop where you feel comfortable… that way, you can choose things that suit you.”

I nodded slowly as he gently placed a hand on my knee. “Okay, but what about my shirt?” I pulled at my coffee covered work uniform. 

He gazed at the shirt for a moment, a small smile crossing his face.

“As much as I would enjoy you walking around without it, you have a point. I think you will have to use something from my wardrobe for now.”

I sought his face as I asked “From yours? You wear suits, what of yours could I wear? I would be completely swallowed by one of your button fronts, Angel.”

“Good point… perhaps I should go and fetch something for you before we go, just for comfort’s sake.”

Biting my bottom lip in thought, I pulled my knees up to my chest. “I guess I could tell you my size.” I swung my head quickly back to him, “But nothing fancy! Okay!? Just jeans and a shirt. Please?” 

“Yes. I know.” He laughed softly. “Your sizes, my sweet…”

I opened my mouth to reply then suddenly felt embarrassed. Worry raced through my mind before I remembered he had already seen me naked, so what did I have left to hide. “I’m an 8 in just about everything. Is that good?”

“That will be enough to go on. I shall also pick you up some underwear, if you wish. Your current things look a little worn, which doesn’t surprise me given what you just told me. Again, nothing too expensive.”

If I could still blush, I would have been a bright shade of crimson at that request. I shook my head fervently. “No, thank you. I can pick those out myself.” I gulped in embarrassment.

He nodded slightly. “Of course. Forgive me. I shall return soon.” He leaned in and kissed my temple then left the flat through the front door.

While he was gone, I slipped into the shower, carefully laying my undergarments out for reuse. The high pressure shower felt divine and I lost track of time, not noticing he had even returned.

By the time the water had begun to cool off and I stepped out, Angel had left a pair of jeans and a pale blue shirt on the bathroom counter. How the hell did I not hear him come in? I wondered to myself.

Pleased with the selection, I dressed quickly and wrapped my long red hair in a towel before heading back out to the living area of the flat. 

“What do you think? They fit perfectly. Good job, Angel.” I beamed, feeling like a million bucks.

“You look gorgeous, Fen.”

His face lit up as he spoke and it renewed my joy and determination. “Shall we go then?”

“Of course.” He stood and gestured for me to go ahead of him.

He took me downtown to the shop. We spent the day laughing, talking and spending way more than I felt comfortable with, but he kept going. By nightfall, we had arm loads and I was completely drained. I finally convinced him to take me back to his flat so I had somewhere to put my new things. 

Dropping onto the sofa with a laugh, “So, what should I wear to work tomorrow? I don’t want to mess up anything nice, but I never got around to doing my laundry today.”

He gazed at me for a moment, a small, puzzled frown on his face. “Do you want to?”

“Want to, what? Work? I don’t have a choice, Angel. I barely keep the room I have with my income. What other choice do I have?”

“You stay here, with me. You don’t have to work, Fen. I am comfortable enough to support both of us. You don’t have to go back if you don’t want to. Not ever again.”

I sat up abruptly at the offer, “What?! Really?! Oh, Angel, I couldn’t accept something like that. I would owe you even more than I already do!”

He took my face gently in his hands, and smiled. “Fen, you owe me nothing at all, absolutely nothing. I would actually prefer it if you stayed here. I want you safe, and I want you happy. And I can tell by the look in your eyes that going back to that job is the last thing you want to do. Am I wrong?”

Shaking my head, I answered softly, “No, not really. Especially after you turned me. It’s so fucking loud. It’s really really hard to concentrate. But I do owe you, and I always will.” My mind wandered for a moment to the night I first laid eyes on my dark prince. He said something I didn’t catch, but it was enough to bring me back to the here and now and I smiled up at him. 

He was looking at me inquisitively, apparently, I missed a question in there. His hand reached out for mine.  

Continuation by Angel…

Back To Reality

What a welcome back, I thought, shaking my head. The first few months of my return to Olympus were unbelievable. The ramifications were still being felt; not all of the titans had been captured and who knew what was still to come? My lab was coming along nicely and most of my staff had started work. I was so pleased with everyone at Crescent Talent Agency. I hadn’t had one hiccup, Tyche be praised, the entire time. That was saying something with it being the heightened frenzy before the storm that was festival season, and then the Coronavirus struck. Coachella, CRSSD, Stagecoach and, of course, Full Moon Party in Thailand, just to name a few of the places CTA was supposed to be represented. My staff had pulled off the cancellations seamlessly, replacing many of the festivals we were to participate in with online events. I was so fucking impressed. Don’t get me wrong, I knew I had hired an amazing team, but this proved to me that my agency is self-regulating and highly sufficient.

I decided if my chariot was good enough for Titan hunting, it was good enough for work, so I let Hal take a month off, paid of course, and flew myself from place to place. I was always careful to fly under the cover of night, and to secure my steeds and chariot in a safe place, using the charms Hekate had taught me millennia ago to hide them.

Raylen and I were headed into the New York office after having spent the evening before together. New York was not one of my favorite places, but it was an entertainment hub, so here I was. The hustle and bustle of the super crowded streets were not as bad as they normally are but still seemed overwhelming to my senses. I was about to be driven a little closer to bonkers when Raylen pulled me off the sidewalk and into a little no-name book store. The sounds were immediately buffered like I had just entered the ocean and swam to its depths. The warmth and smells wrapped around me like a warm blanket, providing the comfort of an embrace. I took a deep breath and let it out again.

“Oh Raylen, this is heaven. Where are we and how did you know I needed a break?”

She smiled at me and winked. “It was all over your face, hun. Plus, I have been dying to show you this gem for a while now.” She took my hand and lead me back to the stacks where she pulled out an old, leather-bound book and showed me the date on the inside of the cover: 1590. I looked up at her with wide eyes. “But how?” She just grinned and flipped through the pages; all were original drawings and etchings bound into a book.

“Thought you may like it in here,” she said with a smug grin. I pressed her up against the shelves and locked my lips over her mouth. A sense of shock ran through me and I pulled back quickly.

Raylen looked at me and asked, “What’s wrong? Did I do something?”

I tried to regain my composure, but the moment had passed and I shook my head in response. “No, no it wasn’t you. I just, I can’t do this…whatever, this is, anymore.” I rushed through the door, leaving an astonished Raylen behind.

Back out in the noise and people, my mind spun in a whirlwind, I felt dizzy all of a sudden and gripped a nearby light pole. What the actual fuck was wrong with me? I closed my eyes and steadied myself before a gentle hand rested on my shoulder. “Arty?” I asked softly as my mind drifted to my friend. The hand withdrew nearly as quickly as it had appeared and I heard a small gasp from behind me. I slowly turned around to find Raylen standing there with tears in her eyes and her hand over her mouth. I shook my head at her and sighed. “I’m sorry Raylen. I told you I can’t do this anymore.” I don’t know what’s changed, but something has.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand before the tears actually spilled out and replied quietly, “It’s not like I expected much to begin with.” She gave a little shrug looking away from my eyes. “You’re a Titan, a goddess, and all over the world in the blink of an eye. I can’t expect to be the only one, much less, enough for you.” I had nothing much to say in response to that, so we continued our walk in relative silence, other than the racket around us.

We reached the office building and rode the silent elevator together. Every time I opened my mouth to say something, I stopped. I felt bad for leaving her hanging, but she wasn’t wrong either. The doors opened and I plastered on a smile as we went our separate ways. The day was filled with planning meetings that I barely paid attention to. My thoughts kept drifting back to Sayeh and Artemis all day. I needed to get back to them…I shouldn’t have left. I’m not needed here. I checked my watch for the millionth time, and another 30 minutes later, the meeting was finally over. Before I excused myself, I told them all how proud of them I was and how well they were doing.

I made my way to Central Park and to my chariot, keeping the charms in place, I took off in broad daylight towards home. Home, I haven’t called any place HOME in centuries. Living a very nomadic lifestyle with no real living space to call my own, now, all I want to do is be back at Olympus with Arty and my family. Yes, my family.

I cracked the reins, which I rarely felt the need to do, and we sped off even faster than before. I arrived at Olympus National Park and let my steeds roam. I headed to the GC and made a few purchases. This was one of those times I wished I had living quarters at the GC. I could have, almost everyone else did, but I used my floor for my lab, so I didn’t even have a shower here like I did at my offices. I walked over to Ares Gym and pestered Reginald, Ares’ secretary, for a place to change. Throwing on the newly acquired t-shirt and shorts from the gift shop and some cheesy sandals, I walked back out towards Hearthfire Catering where I had placed an order when I first arrived. They had carefully packed my food in a nice, sturdy basket instead of a flimsy bag and I was set.

I walked back out to my chariot and dropped my gift shop bag containing my business suit inside before I headed towards the cave where Sayeh and Artemis were staying. At the waterfall, Arty’s head nymph, Iphigenia, came out to see who was there. I nodded in reply and told her I was there to bring Arty some dinner.

“Who is it, Iphigenia?” came Arty’s exhausted voice from within the cave.

“Lady Selene, ma’am,” she replied with her head turned back towards the cave.

“Selene?” her voice seemed to be a little brighter, but that could have been my wishful thinking. “Let her in, you know that she is a friend, Phi, always let her in.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She nodded and stepped back to allow me to enter.

My Maker

One thing is clear…he wasn’t stretching the truth when he said it would hurt more than anything I had ever experienced before. Honestly, the shit I‘ve lived through, I imagined it would have been just another day to write off as hell on earth. I was wrong, so amazingly wrong. As my body shut down, I writhed in sheer agony. I laid in Angel‘s gentle and astonishingly compassionate arms. As my body finally stops quaking, he lifts me into his lap to face him, holding me close.

“Yours…” I gasped as the realization of what I had been searching for for over a decade was finally in my grasp. “Yours…forever?”

He looked me in the eyes and replied simply, “If you want me, dear Fenella.”

I leaned back from his embrace and took his scarred face in my hands, kissing him softly. “That’s all I have wanted.”

Searching my face for what I assumed was truth, he replied with a small grin, “Then it is what you have…”

I laid my head on his still chest, my mind racing as the silence was nearly unbearable. You don’t realize how a beating heart and working organs keep your body in a hum of life until it’s suddenly gone. Silence, true silence is deafeningly loud. Every other noise so intensely acute. The bug in the window, the tires on the car in the parking lot, the.. I groaned as I heard someone in the room next to us, their heart beat pounding in my ears like a symphony of delight.

”It’s so quiet it’s loud.” I said as I shifted my head to look back up at him.

“You get used to it. But unbeating or not,” he placed our entwined hands upon his chest over his heart, “it is yours.”

Hope filled me again as I truly felt he meant it. Something in my very core told me this was truth, not a dream or a fairytale. I smiled up at him, “I hope I make you proud to call yours.” In the few days since I met him, his shifty, moody, air was slowly melting away. Something was changing in him, something I liked. Maybe, just maybe that something more he mentioned was feasible… “NO! Stop going there, idiot! You are still his to command. Literally. He MADE you! He can kill you in an instant. Stay focused. Please him…”

He interrupted my thoughts with, “You will. That I have faith in.” He gently took a single, cool, finger to lift my head to look gaze into my eyes, his expression was one of softness, not control. He leaned in closer then stopped, inches from kissing me.

The sound of the neighbor’s heartbeat filled my ears and a sudden pain in my stomach accompanied the mouth watering sound. “Angel!? Help me? I can hear the neighbor’s heart from here!” I paused, gasping as I swallowed, “I…I need her!”

“Hush, my beautiful vampiress.” He took me in a soft kiss in an attempt to distract me and drown out the overwhelming sounds.

I responded in turn, deepening the kiss, trying to drown out her rhythm to no avail.

“Focus on me. Just me. There is nothing else but you and I.” His voice calm and soothing as he compelled me to focus. I gazed back into his eyes, trying to shut the sound out with a nod of compliance. “Forever and always, just us. You can do this.”

“How…how do I control it?” The ability to focus on anything but the bump bump bump of her heart was failing me when he returned my stare.

“Look at me, and you tell me what you want to do first.”

I gulped, refocusing on his mouth and words, “You mean besides…the neighbors? See the world…”

My head swam and my body ached with need as he responded, “Seeing the world? Where, my dear?”

I gripped him in a pained embrace, any semblance of focus waning, “Europe, England, Scandinavia…” I trailed off as another pang flowed through me.

“How about this?” without letting go of our embrace, he teleported us from the room to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

The mind blowing cacophony made me feel like my head was going to explode. I gasped and cried out, “Holy shit!” As I threw my hands over my ears, the action made no effect on the sounds.

Angel looked out at the cityscape before us with a chuckle, “Paris, actually.”

“Oh gods at the noise!” Shouting over what felt like an avalanche of both heartbeats and unnatural noises. “So many…” I groaned, causing him to finally look back down at me.

“Hush.” He said simply as he looked back into my eyes, obliging me to concentrate on him and his voice once again. “Look at me”

I groaned as I looked up at him, the gaze having no effect on me to aid the noise nor my growing hunger.

His eyes locked on mine in what would seem to be a compelling manner, he asked simply, “What am I?”

“My maker, my dark prince.”

Inclining his head ever so slightly to deepen the intent, “And what are you?”

“Yours.” The word slid out of my mouth like a hot knife.

“Yes. You are mine, I am yours. Say it..”

My head began to clear slightly as I repeated, “You are mine and I am yours.”

His voice still clear and crisp, cutting through the ambience. “Again…”

A little less noise, it was becoming clearer and clearer with each repetition, “You are mine and I am yours.”

Angel made me repeat it until the noises die away, eye to eye the entire time.

I rest my forehead on his and repeated, “you are mine and I am yours.”

“That’s my girl.”

I smile as I begin to let my guard down, truly feeling like he means it. ”Your girl…” Hope swells within my very core, “Yours…forever…”

Angel simply smiles, I don’t think he really realizes what this means to me. How he makes me feel. Finally calm, and a little more focused, I glance around at the view.

As dawn rose over the horizon, my mind wandered back to reality. I was still not sure what was expected of me, so I was afraid to lose my job. “I..I have to return to work soon.” Knowing my shift was quickly approaching.

Without a hint of hesitation he replied. “Say when, and I will return you to it.”

The assurance that things would be somewhat normal relaxed me even more so I rested back against him, taking in the spectacular site.“ I have a bit..if you do.”

He wraps his arm around my waist from behind, resting his other hand on the railing, “All the time in the world for you.”

”It’s incredible from up here!” I turned back to look up into his eyes, “I have to return before I am missed. I will return soon…if you could return me, my Angel?”

“Of course.” He teleports us from the Tower to outside the cafe, “Call for me, my love, and I will come for you.” He kissed me softly as my mind raced behind closed eyes.

”My love?” My hope springing forth like a tulip bud in the spring”

“Yes.” His words so few, so finite.

I kissed him in return, “See you, my love.”

Blowing a soft kiss my way, he vanished.

#######

A few hours later I hear a ringing in my head then clear as if he was sitting beside me, Angel’s voice comes to me. “When you return, I need to speak to you. I have done something that you will hate me for. But I need to talk to you.”

Worry in his tone frightened me and I called out to him, hoping he heard my reply. “I just got a break.” I slipped into the break room and sat in a corner to focus on my mental conversation with Angel.

“I cannot do this in a break. Not with you.”

“Angel?”

“Okay. I am going to say something, but hear me out. Promise me.”

“You are worrying me, my love…”

“Promise me you will listen.”

“I am, but you are right… I need more time than a break. I will be back in about 2 hours…”
I began mumbling to myself about the racing hearts at work as I ran back in to work from the break room.

#######

The rest of my shift was pure torture! Between the hunger, heartbeats and worry, I was an absolute mess by the time I got to Angel’s apartment. He looked up from a bottle of Jager as I rushed in. “Angel! What’s wrong?”

“Come, sit. We need to talk.” He sat me down on the sofa and took my hands in his, gazing into my eyes with a worry and sadness I had yet to see in him before now. “Before I claimed you this afternoon, I spoke to others as I was struggling to think properly. One was my friend, Adara.” He was speaking fast, stumbling over his words with a defeated tone. “I claimed you, and after you left I spent some time with her. One thing led to another, and I did…something to her, but it went no further. If you want to walk away, go, but I spoke to Adara, and it was her that made me realize I want you.”

My mind raced as I tried to imagine what he could have done that would devastate him so. Did he kill her? Turn her? “Angel…what did you do exactly?”

“I did something I shouldn’t have, because I am a blind, foolish idiot.”

I snatch the bottle from his hand, my voice attempting to be playful, “This goes much better with red bull.” I shifted to sit astride him and pull his face to look me in the eyes. “What. Did. You. Do?” I said in a metered stanza.

“I pleasured Adara. Nothing more, because she made me realize that I belonged elsewhere.”

Taking in what he said, honestly not bothered or surprised, I took a swig of the drink. My only real question was who this Adara was. ”And this was what? The way to wash your mouth out before you kissed me with it?” My question is harsh but honest. Clearly he was more troubled by this than I was.

“No. This was me wondering how many a vampire has to drink before he gets alcohol poisoning for being a fucking stupid prick.” he spat back at me, “That’s number nine, by the way.”

I laced my hands behind his head and pulled him into a deep, long kiss. He just sat there, letting me kiss him, unsure how to respond to me. I pulled back from the kiss and rested my forehead on his. “Silly prick..you are mine and I am yours.”

He sighed, placing his hands on my hips, “I am telling you because I won’t live a lie with…” He dropped off the end of his statement.

My voice remained calm and reassuring as I asked him, “Do you really think I expect to be your only one?”

He pulled his forehead back from mine and looked at me, “What…”

“I am not naïve, you are not young.”

His voice becomes unsteady as he begins, “There is one thing I am…”

I raised a single brow in questions, “You are? What?” His countenance shifted and he became visibly shaken. Worry now filled me as I asked again, “Angel?”

He looked up, dead in my eyes and said with a broken voice, any resemblance of the darkness gone, “I am looking at the only woman in 30 years I have desired enough to love forever. I am looking at…” He paused as if trying to find his voice. His vulnerability in this moment is overwhelmingly obvious. “I’m looking at…”

My heart goes out to him and I open my mouth to speak but decided to let him continue so I simply stroke his cheek with the back of my hand gently, providing him with reassurance and care but not interrupting his thoughts or words. His words have yet to register in my head.

He takes my hands in his, returning to my gaze and continues with a renewed passion, “I am looking at the woman I love.”

His words hit me like a ton of bricks as I realized what he was saying. I gulped as my head spun and my metaphorical heart raced, “Angel…I, we just met…” I paused. “I am…speechless.”

“Then don’t speak, listen.”

I nodded shortly, “I am.”

Angel continued, “How else can I say it? 30 years, and in two days I feel strongly enough for you to turn you. I turned down Adara because I told her I was already claimed. And I am, mind, heart, body and soul, by you. I told you all that I am is yours, and I meant it.”

I released his hand and placed it over where his unbeating heart lay, “I am yours and you are mine. Forever Angel.” I paused, “When I say I have been looking for you…I meant it.”

“You need to be aware of something else…since this is full disclosure.”

I nodded simply in response, open and listening for what he had to add.

“I…adjusted the truth earlier, because I wasn’t sure how you would react…to my age..

Seriously, if he thinks age is an issue he is in for a surprise. He’s a vampire…I knew what I was getting in with. I shrugged, “It’s just a number.”

“Even if it is 227?”

I leaned in and kissed the corners of his mouth then grinned, “Even if it’s 1227.”

“Whoa, I’m not that old yet.” He chuckled, “but one day I will be, and with you by my side, I hope.”

As heartfelt as the last moments had been, my newly turned body was beginning to turn on me and I was struggling to focus through my need and hunger. “Angel, I am…still struggling to stay focused…the hunger is…growing.” I gasped out, changing the mood completely.

Angel sat up immediately and bore his neck to me commanding, “Feed. Now.”

My eyes widened as I had never heard of vampires feeding on each other before as I asked, “On you?” I swallowed hard as my stomach lurched again.

“Yes. My blood is yours… all of me is yours.”

Baring my fangs, I ran my tongue along them for the first time before leaning in biting down hard, sucking deeply, my need slowly being quenched as his cool blood fills me. He growled at me animalistically causing me to groan in response.

He whispered in my ear as my moans gave him a different response, “My fangs are not the only thing I wish to sink into you right now.” The growl in his voice and the intimacy of the feed ignited a need within me as well, I gripped his head and pulled him in closer. He gripped my ass as I let my hand wander down his chest, still pulling mouthfuls of his essence into me.

Angel yanked my mouth free from him and pinned me beneath him, the sudden withdrawal from his neck caused his blood to smear across my mouth as I growled back at him, my need not fully quenched yet.

“Don’t growl at me…I am beyond tempted to claim what is mine.” He snarled.

“Claim me…I am yours…take what is yours.” I curled my lip at him in a challenging growl.

…To Be Continued…

https://theryanpeterauthor.wordpress.com/2020/07/16/a-deeper-desire/

HOW TO FIGHT A MORTAL

Guest Author post: Ares/ Teresa Watson

A continuation from my previous Selene post: Scorpio Moon

I led the way to my office, allowing Selene to go in first before following her inside and closing the door. Gesturing to a leather chair across from my desk, I leaned my broadsword against my bookcase, then sat down.

“Nice office,” she said. She glanced around the room, taking in my surroundings warily as she took a seat. She stopped her scan as when she reached my face, and I could see the tension in her shoulders relax.

“How can I help you, Selene?” I asked cautiously.

“I’ve been thinking, Ares, with all that has been going on with the Titans being out and all that, I am, essentially, unarmed. I have my might and power, but,” she gestured with her hands, “I have no weapons, nor the knowledge to use one.” She paused for a moment, trying to gauge my reaction before continuing. “I was hoping you could help me find the right blade, perhaps, and train me how to use it,” she concluded, placing her hands back in her lap, awaiting my answer.

“I didn’t think you’d be that worried about protecting yourself,” I replied sardonically. “I mean, you took Atlas out with one punch.”

Selene glared at me, not happy that I was belittling her capture of Atlas. “I kicked his ass fair and square. I didn’t remember hearing of you catching anyone, God of War.”

I arched my right eyebrow slightly. “A rather lucky punch, I might add. But he has been known to have a glass jaw. And I was busy protecting my father, Titaness. His life is far more important than anyone else’s around here.”

We sat in silence for a minute. “I did not come here to fight. Well, I mean, actually I did. But not verbally.”

“Oh, I can accommodate your desire for a fight,” I retorted.

Sighing, Selene said, “This is not what I had in mind when I came here. Perhaps this was a bad idea.” She stood up.

“What exactly do you want from me, Selene?”

“I want to be able to defend myself with mortals around without going full Titan. The stares I get are very uncomfortable. There are times when I want to go to a club and have a good time. But there’s always some jerk who wants to play grab ass, then there are broken bones, police reports, whispers, stares…” she sighed.

I stood up and walked around the desk, looking her up and down. She was wearing a light pink silk blouse, black slacks and black Louboutins. Hey, when you hang around Reginald long enough, you recognize name brands. The top two buttons on her blouse were undone, and a delicate silver chain hung down to the “v” of her breasts. She wore a silver Rolex on her left wrist. The last time I had seen Selene, her blond hair was much longer; now she wore it at shoulder length. “You have at least two weapons on you right now,” I told her. “Your necklace, for starters. You could use it to choke someone from behind, like a garotte.”

“A what?” she said, gently touching one side of her necklace.

“A garotte. It’s basically a thin wire hit men use on their victims sometimes.” I moved behind her. “Do you mind if I show you?”

“Go ahead.”

I carefully pulled the necklace up, and then held it up against her throat, tightening it slightly. “If you twist it and jerk backwards, you’ll catch them by surprise. Keep applying pressure; your victim will be too busy clawing at their neck, trying to breathe, to fight back. With your strength, choking them to death shouldn’t take long. Once they’re dead, you can drop them to the ground, remove the necklace, and go along your merry way.” I released the necklace and moved to stand in front of her again. “Of course, the same method could be used on you. The only difference is your strength. Breaking such a chokehold would be easy for you.”

“A rather gruesome sounding death,” Selene said.

“Squeamish?”

“Of course not,” she snapped. “What a ridiculous question.”

“Your second weapon is your feet, namely those heels you’re wearing. Drive one of those down on the top of an annoying date’s foot, and he’ll leave you alone. If he doesn’t, take off the other heel and drive it into his eyeball.”

“And ruin a perfectly good pair of shoes?” Selene exclaimed. “Are you crazy?!”

I threw my hands in the air. “You want to defend yourself like a mortal woman, this is how you do it. Do you think they give two shits if there is an eyeball driven through the heel of their shoe if they have survived a violent attack?”

“If they’re expensive like these are, yes!”

My head started to hurt, and I rubbed my forehead. “Do you wear this kind of outfit when you go out at night?”

“No, I usually wear a dress and heels.”

“Come with me.”

I led her out of the office and down the hall to my weapons room. She gasped when she saw the various swords, daggers, spears and guns hanging on racks around the room. “Did you make all of these?” she asked as I walked toward the back of the room.

“Some of them, yes,” I admitted as I stopped in front of an oak cabinet. “Heph made the rest, except for the guns.” Opening the door, I turned and looked at her. “Are you right or left handed?”

“Right.”

“Take off your pants,” I said, facing the cabinet again.

“Excuse me?”

“I didn’t stutter, and your ears didn’t flap. Take off your pants,” I replied as I selected a slender blade from the cabinet.

“Look, I know you have a reputation with the ladies,” Selene said, “but I am not about to sleep with you just to get a damn knife.”

Sighing, I turned around and looked at her. “Selene, I can’t very well select a knife for you if I can’t tell how well the sheath will fit against your leg. Now, are you going to take off your pants, or am I going to have to rip them off you?”

She glared at me for a moment, then without breaking eye contact, she slid the zipper down, unbuttoned them, then seductively pushed them off her hips and let them slip down her legs to pool at her feet. Stepping out of them, she stood in front of me with her hands on her hips. “Better?”

“Much, thank you,” I replied. I walked over and knelt by her right leg. “Spread your feet.” Muttering under her breath, she parted her legs slightly. “A little more.”

She growled as she complied. “Don’t push me, Ares.”

“You’re not my type, Selene,” I chuckled. I tied the sheath around her leg. “Is that too tight?”

“No,” Selene said, shaking her head. “I can hardly tell it’s there.”

“That’s the point,” I said, sliding the knife out of the sheath before standing up. “It’s called a stiletto knife. It’s made of carbon steel, weighs about six to seven ounces, and it’s about six inches long. Double edged and as you can tell, the blade narrows as you get down to the tip. The key thing to remember is to slip it out of the sheath in a way that your attacker can’t tell what you’re doing. Once you get it out,” I took a step forward, “act quickly. If you’re facing him, make sure you keep his eyes locked on your face, then ram it into his stomach as hard as you can. If you can do it more than once, great. But once should be enough, because he’ll immediately grab for the spot where you stabbed him. Shove him backwards and run.”

“If he’s behind me?”

I turned around so my back was to her. “Wrap your arm around my throat.”

Selene chuckled. “You really want me to do that?”

“You really want to try and kill me when I’m the one holding the knife?”

“Good point.” She put her arm around my throat without applying pressure.

“If you’re in this position, once you’ve managed to slide the knife out, stab him in his thigh. It will gush like a geyser. Again, he’ll grab at it with both hands. Once he lets go, run for it.”

“What if he doesn’t let go? What if he tries to make a grab for the knife?” she asked, dropping her arm.

Turning around, I slid the knife into the sheath, then put my hands on her shoulders. “Selene, you are a strong woman. A Titaness. You could snap a man’s neck with your bare hands and not break a sweat. You asked for my help because you didn’t want to do that. You want to be seen as a normal woman, not some freak. I am sure that if you find yourself in a situation where you have to defend yourself, you will find the strength to keep anyone from taking your knife from you, even if that means you have to break a few bones in the idiot’s body. You took out Atlas because you thought he was going to kill you, did you not?”

“Well, I knew he would try.”

“And you found the strength to prevent that from happening. You will do the same again if you have to. Why don’t you remove that knife and sheath from your leg, put your pants back on, and we’ll go back to my office? We can set up some training sessions for you.”

A couple of minutes later, we were headed back to my office. “You’ll need some practice with that stiletto,” I told her. “There are practice dummies in the courtyard training area that you can use. The next time you come, bring a skirt.”

Suddenly, I heard some yelling from the lobby. “Hey! You can’t go back there!” Reginald exclaimed. “Stop right now!”

Selene and I rushed in that direction. As I came around the corner, I collided with someone, and instinctively grabbed them. It was a disheveled young woman, her brunette hair sticking up in all directions, her blue eyes wide and full of fear. Her clothes were dirty and torn in some places, and she smelled of booze and the woods. “Are you Ares?” she asked, grabbing the front of my shirt tightly.

“Yes, I’m Ares, but who are you?”

“My name is Kara. Why the hell didn’t you come rescue me like he wanted you to?”

Then she passed out in my arms.

“A friend of yours?” Selene asked, one eyebrow slightly arched.

I scooped the woman into my arms and looked Selene right in the eyes. “I’ve never seen her before in my life.”

Ares’ Original Post was shared on the Online magazine: In The Pantheon which you can find here….

https://www.inthepantheon.com/how-to-fight-a-mortal/war/triangle/ares/

Other works by this author can be found at….

https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Watson/e/B009OH84HQ?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1593778137&sr=8-1

Awakening

Angel’s continuation… Following: The Test

thedarkerworlds

I heard her before I saw her. I listened to those timid footsteps, the accelerated thunder of her heartbeat, and I almost smiled.

She paused outside the door, last moment indecision perhaps taking hold, but she tapped almost silently on the door. When she received no answer, the doorknob rattled, and the door opened.

I stepped into the shadow in the corner as she entered the living room and watched her silently, my eyes following her as she began to search for me.

“Angel…? I know…I know I am early, but do you need me?” she asked into the quiet, which made me move noiselessly up behind her.

“Need…” I said softly, making her jump and spin around, “is a very specific word”

“I—I felt your pull. It felt like…like you needed me.”

I looked her from head to toe, and at that moment, she looked so innocent, so beautiful…

View original post 678 more words

The Test

Fenella

“I am yours, no matter what. However you want me. Take me.”  “What did I just do? What did I offer? I owe him everything…but fuck, Fen,what did you just agree to?” I thought to myself, slowly losing my nerve.

He looked at me with a smirk, baring his fangs as he grinned, “I would retract that, just a while…you are so incredibly…tempting.” He let the words linger as he leaned in closer.

“Your life, Fen…you owe him your life.” Determination returning, I blushed and leaned back away from him as an indication of offering, “No redaction.”

He looked me up and down in a gesture I knew all too well as he growled softly, “Maybe someday…”

He trailed off without completing his sentence, a pensive look on his face as I let out a playful moan of disappointment and curled up against him.

A smile crept up his face as he quipped, “Don’t moan at me…I will spank you.”

Feeling cheeky after the change in mood, I responded as I bit the air towards him, “Promise?” 

He countered with a sharp smack across my butt, “Play nice.” He grinned.

Squealing in response, I challenged, “What are my teeth going to do? Leave a second mark?”

“Bite me and see what happens.” His snark gone, shifting the mood once again.

He was so hard to read. His mood and attitude seemed to change as quickly as a summer wind. He was like no one I had ever met, that was for sure. I was groomed to read men, to anticipate them. Angel was…as unreadable as his heartbeat. My chest heaved with a sigh as my frustration grew, unsure what mood he was actually in or whether I was making it better or worse. 

I replied, “You got snippy fast.”

“Not snippy. Just playing. Your boundaries are my boundaries.”

“Playing? This was his way of playing? I need to up my game and pay attention more. How have I let myself slip into complacency already? He could kill me and I couldn’t even read him.” 

I shrugged, regaining my focus. “I don’t really have many boundaries.” Which was the flat truth. At this point in my life, there was nothing I hadn’t seen or experienced so my response was crass but honest. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

Swift as a blink, he pinned me down and nipped me, causing a single drop to run down the length of my neck to my collar. 

“That is not an answer. I don’t like being played with. Whether you are more than just a donor to me is your choice…” He leaned back, releasing me as he turned and leaned against the wall. “I could do with something more… nothing intimate, just…”

“More than just a donor? What the hell does that mean? Love?” I scoffed at myself, “no idiot, he wants to fuck your brains out like everone else. Get that thought out of your head, dumbass.” 

I did owe him my life, so if that’s what he wanted…I scooted over to him, “And I want…more. I want what you have to offer. I came to you…remember?”

He gazed back at me, seeming momentarily dumbfounded at my crassness, “When did humans get so brave?”

“When they have nothing left to lose,” I scoffed. “I have been looking for you for years.” I took his chin in my hands, a strange boldness overtaking me in the moment. 

“Do you hear me, Angel? I have been looking for you.” My eyes searched his face for recognition, yet found none. He just peered back at me in silence. Exhaustion from the last twenty-four hours was catching up with me and I had no way to read him. He was so stubborn, yet…something about him was so–enticing.

With a quiet kindness to his voice, he asked simply, “What is it you actually want from me? No questions, no speeches. Just tell me the truth.” He seemed almost tired himself, like the facade was wearing on him.

“What do I want from you?” Glancing up at him in bewilderment, I thought I had made it abundantly clear by now. “You misunderstand. All I want is you. To serve you, feed you, be your companion, yours…whatever you want of and from me. To be needed, wanted, used, drank and…whatever you want. You have so much to offer and teach me…” I trailed off, unsure what else to say. The raw truth in that sentence shocked even myself. 

“Needed…wanted…from him? Was I that desperate? Or was that a glimmer of hope in the back of my fucked up mind?”

His head rested on the wall as he inquired in a quiet, disbelieving tone, “That is what you truly want?”

I stood and gazed back into his eyes, inquisitively awaiting his response. The answer was written on my face.

He met my eyes and stated softly, “I wish for time to think. Not a lot, just…time. I have a small test of faith, if you will.” His face was still blank and unreadable as he awaited my response.

Shifting my feet as I thought of what he could be asking, I nodded curtly, uttering simply, “Anything.”

Lifting his head from the wall, seemingly to gauge my reaction, he quietly said, “Give me your hand, bare your wrist…” 

Making a calculated guess, I reached out with my right hand and presented him my wrist.

“What I am going to do is a little test I saw a few decades back… it was a way to ascertain belief. Or so she said… I am going to bite you, but this one I will not heal yet. If you can, return exactly eight hours from now, and if I am here, I will heal it and give you all you want of me… If I am gone, then there will be something for you to use to heal it anyway.” 

He paused. “You can say no and walk away.” He searched my face, I assume for an adverse reaction.

My mind raced with the figures and I realized I would be at work at the little coffee shop I had recently acquired a job at and may not be able to get away as he wished. “That is within my work hours…but I will return as close to that time as possible…is that acceptable?”

He seemed to look at me as though he was trying to read through me before he replied with a simple, “Yes.”

I made a quick dip of my head in agreement and replied with the same short answer, “Then yes.”

“Okay.” He took my wrist in his cool hand and bore his fangs. “Last chance to turn back.”

I felt like I was at one of those circus tent church things I have visited in the past when I replied with the shake of my head, “No turning back.” 

He took one swift bite directly on the wrist, but didn’t feed. He pulled a silk handkerchief from his pocket, and wrapped it around my wrist, kissing the silk. His gaze never left my eyes and he shifted from my wrist to planting a gentle kiss on my forehead. “See you soon, Fenella.”

I smiled at him, almost enamored by his charm. “Yes, my Angel,” I cooed.

He returned the smile, kissing me briefly on my lips and sent me on my way.

Gripping the scarf, I slipped out of his apartment and headed to work. “What the fuck was he playing at? Did he really think those charms work on women? He must be daft. Even I saw through them.”

All through my shift I was complimented on how stylish my scarf was on my wrist, I tried to blow it off and stop thinking about him, but they were no help. Six hours into my shift and I couldn’t stand it anymore. I felt like he was calling to me. I know…that sounds crazy. It was just a bite…I have watched WAY too much television, but even if it was all in my head, I wasn’t exactly going to back out now. 

I asked for my break and reminded my boss that I was going on six hours so he reluctantly allowed me to clock out. I rushed back to his apartment building and, just like last time, froze outside his door. “FUCK! I don’t have time for this. It takes me nearly twenty minutes just to get here. Just do it already, you big wuss.”  

…to be continued from Angel’s point of view here….

https://theryanpeterauthor.wordpress.com/2020/07/02/awakening/

My Dark Prince

Fenella~

Tonight started out like any other Saturday night. I was out at the club again, hoping against all hope to find him. My dark prince. The one who had saved me all those years ago. I had just finished another martini when I thought I caught a glimpse of him. “No, it couldn’t be! What are the odds that I would actually…”  Just as quickly as he was found, I had lost him in the crowd again. 

“Damnit!” I growled under my breath. I pushed my way through the masses in the direction I had seen him last, stopping short as I caught sight of his form bent over a young woman in a nearby booth. A small trickle of red ran down her neck from what would otherwise look like an innocent necking between the couple. It was unmistakable, and it was him. 

I sat in a nearby booth for the remainder of the night, watching and waiting for him to leave so I could approach him. The scenes from that night played over and over again in my head as I waited; I knew I owed him my life, such as it was, in its entirety.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to follow a vampire home? I have little doubt he knew I was there and played dumb to amuse me. I stopped behind a dumpster and stayed for a good ten minutes there, hoping the stench would hide my scent and he would assume he had lost me. The problem with that plan was, when I looked again, I had lost him. 

I ran headlong in the direction I had last seen him then skidded to a halt when I found him again. He had stopped at a news vendor to pick up the morning post. I nearly ran straight into him as I rounded the corner. “FUCK!” I muttered under my breath, excusing myself and running on past him, trying to act natural. I rounded another curve and hid by a different dumpster, waiting for him to pass by again. Nearly an hour of wait and run elapsed before I finally stopped across the street from the apartment building I had watched him enter. I sat there a while to see if this was where he called home, or if he was simply visiting. I hadn’t seen my prince leave so I took the opportunity to run across the street into the building. While the doorman was busy accepting a package for his tenant, I slowed down to a stroll and casually made my way inside.

“Now, how am I going to find him?” I thought to myself, realizing I had no idea where he went once he was inside. 

Remembering what I had on, I sauntered up to the young concierge, holding out my cell phone and asked in my smoothest tone, “Hey darlin’, I saw a man drop this a few blocks ago and just could not catch up with him in these heels. I do think he entered this building though. Do you think you could help?”

The young man looked me up and down in my slinky clubbing dress and nearly drooled on himself. Stuttering, he replied, “C-can you describe him, ma’am?”

I flipped my long red hair over my shoulder, “Well of course. Tall, maybe a little over six feet, dark hair and dressed in a three-piece suit. Clearly someone important.”

“Oh, yes ma’am, that is Mr. LaChance. He’s in 1F, down the hall there.”

I kissed him on the cheek leaving a red lip mark on him in thanks, continuing to sway my hips as I walked away from him, keeping the boy distracted long enough to not grow suspicious.

That part done, I made my way to a public bathroom and freshened up from all the running. If I was going to present myself to a vampire, I sure as hell wasn’t going to do it sweaty and smelling like a dumpster.

Now that I knew where he was, the reality began to strike me and my nerves took over. I spent hours pacing back and forth outside his apartment before I finally got the nerve to knock.  

“Forgive my intrusion…,” I blurted out when the door opened. “I saw you had…fed…but if you ever need anything…you may call on me.” I stood there, out of words, and out of breath as I looked up at him. His face was twisted in bemused disgust before finally answering.

“A willing donor is always appreciated, won’t you come in?” His voice raised a pitch in amusement before stepping aside to grant me entrance.

“Thank you,” I replied, meekly as I entered his home. As soon as the door shut, I turned and knelt down at his feet. “My name is Fenella…Fenella MacHugh.”

My dark prince knelt in front of me, his face had changed from when I had entered. It was much softer and he seemed to almost…no, he couldn’t recognize me. It was so long ago.

He spoke softly, his voice calm and lyrical, “I’m not a dom. You don’t have to kneel, sweet Fenella.”

I raised my head slightly, avoiding his gaze. “But you are so…so much more than me.” 

He placed a single, cool finger, under my chin, forcing me to look in his eyes, “Immortal, yes. Cruel, no.”

Images of my past flashed before me, followed in waves by the violence I had seen that night. Mingling in my mind in a convergence of pain and fear, I swallowed hard,  “Yy-yes sir.”

My dark prince then did something I had never expected, he sat down fully, on the floor in front of me. “See? Equal level. Do not be afraid of me, child. Others should fear the wrath of a vampire, but those willing to accept the embrace have nothing to fear but the fleeting pain….”

If this was pretense, I no longer cared. He was more gentle than anyone had ever been with me in my entire existence, and I owed him my freedom and my life. “I am willing…quite so.”

“Then let me make something clear.” He continued, his voice soft and reassuring. “In all things involving consent, but in this case blood, I have one rule – no means no, stop means stop. Understand?”

I nodded, still shocked that the monster I saw that night was so gentle with me. Maybe I didn’t find the right person.“Yes sir.” I replied, shakily.

“Good.” He said matter of factly, “I fed earlier, so I am fine for now. Thank you for your offer though. It is gladly accepted.”

“Did he just turn me down?”  I thought, running the evening though my head. “Did I do something? Say something?” Rejection was something I knew well, but never from men. “Was I still rancid from the dumpsters I hid behind?” I wracked my brain trying to figure out what to do next when his voice interrupted my thoughts.

“My coffin is over there.” He pointed to a nice, modern coffin in a sleek polished black, sitting in the corner of his bedroom. “I am staying up a little longer, so feel free to sleep if you want.”

I gulped at the thought of being in a box again, let alone with someone who could kill me in an instant. Tired from the night’s events and the sudden drop in adrenaline, I took a blanket and pillow from his sofa and watched him from a corner not far from the floor where I had first knelt at his feet.

He stood at his window watching as the night passed. My eyes began to drop but from time to time he would look over and I knew he was watching me. Something outside distracted him and I started to drift off. 

What seemed like mere moments later, he came over to me, kneeling before me again. “Ready for bed?”

Frozen in a mix of fear and exhaustion, I simply nodded a reply. He scooped me up in his arms as if I were merely a feather and carried me to his bedroom. 

Laying me in the coffin, he looked down at me, a gentle smile on his placid face. “Get comfy.”

I shifted to my side to make room for both of us and tucked an arm under my head. My exhausted mind was beyond fight or flight and I felt my end was finally near. If the vampire climbing in with me didn’t end me, the heart attack from being in a box again surely would. 

He climbed in and pulled me a little closer, my body quivered against his touch as he pulled the lid down. “Goodnight, Fenella.” 

I rested my arm across him and whispered in the dark, “goodnight…sir?”

His melodic voice responded in what sounded like a smile had reached his lips, “not sir, Angel.”

I nodded as I rested my head against his chest. His lack of heartbeat was surprisingly calming as I closed my eyes, “Angel.”

I woke up with a fright and punched the lid of the coffin as I jumped. Memories of the night before flooded back and my heart began to race. Suddenly, the lid of the coffin creaked open, letting blessed daylight in and making me feel like I could breathe again. 

A smooth voice filled the silence as he opened the lip completely, “hello, Fenella, my dear. Calm yourself.” He said as he gently stroked my cheek. 

Something about his presence and touch made me feel safe, fostering a sense of relaxation. “Thank you, Angel.” I chuckled, nervously. “First time waking up in a coffin, ya know.”

“Only scary if you aren’t with me, child.” His smile returned as he spoke, instantly setting me at ease.

I shifted around in the close quarters in an attempt to get comfortable and asked him, “Hungry?”

I felt his eyes on me in the dark as he answered simply, “A little.” 

“Do you have a preferred location? Show me.” I offered, pondering how the next few moments would go when he replied.

“Oh, I have one. Perhaps too intimate though. Your neck or wrist will do for today. Your choice, my dear.”

 

…To be continued in Angel’s point of view