Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. I am however trapped in this world and I rather like it.
This is the next event in my Moonlight world. Remember that it's now 2013 and I had this idea from a comment that Mick made to Beth in episode 3. He told her that vampires had been hunted for years, so I thought I'd explore what might happen if one such family had a grudge against Mick and Josef. I hope you enjoy it.
An Eye for an Eye
Chapter 1
The hot August night was held at bay by closed windows and air conditioning in Josef Kostan's house. The only light shining in the billiard room was the stained glass lamp hanging over the green felt table. The multi-colored balls clicked against each other as the two men exchanged shots. With great concentration, Mick smoothly slid his stick back and forth and sent his final shot into the called pocket.
"Nice shot," Josef whistled in appreciation. "I see I have to work on my game, you should not be able to beat me."
"You, my friend, are distracted," Mick accused. "I love winning buddy, but I prefer to do it when your mind is in the game."
"My mind is in the game," Josef protested, but could not keep his eyes from straying to the doorway.
It was quiet now but earlier there had been frequent peals of laughter from the room next door. Beth and Rayna were watching a recent comedy but for the last fifteen minutes there had been only silence. Josef looked at Mick guiltily.
"They've gotten awfully quiet," he mumbled.
"I've learned that's when Beth is the most dangerous," Mick grinned. "Who knows what they are planning."
Josef remained silent, not rising to the bait. Mick focused on his friend, a look of concern on his face.
"Hey man, what's wrong?" Mick pressed.
"Nothing."
"I know you better Josef," Mick chided. He leaned on his stick and stared down the older vampire. "Spill brother."
Josef became even more uncomfortable, as his eyes darted everywhere but at Mick. He placed his stick in the rack on the wall and went to the bar. Pouring a glass of scotch, he swallowed half and refilled it, then took a seat in a leather chair against the wall.
"Josef………." Mick prompted and laid his stick on the table. He got himself a drink and then took a seat in the chair facing Josef's. He took a sip of his drink and looked at Josef expectantly.
"What's your opinion of marriage?" Josef asked suddenly.
"Marriage?" Mick asked almost choking on his drink. He swallowed and paused a moment to decide how to answer that question. "I've been married and we all know how that ended."
"And you want me to believe that you have no desire to marry Beth?" Josef asked skeptically.
"We've discussed it," Mick admitted reluctantly. "Beth wants to wait."
"Do you mean to say that you've asked Beth to marry you and this is the first I'm hearing about it? Mick, I'm wounded," Josef mocked.
"I didn't ask. Beth brought it up and we talked about it. She wants to wait…..get past the fledgling stage," Mick stumbled through the explanation. He looked pained. "She wants to be on more equal footing."
Josef grinned at his friend.
"I would have sworn our little newbie would see her turning as a prelude to marriage. It's been a year; she's past the fledgling phase. What's holding things up?" Josef enquired.
"We're together Josef, I'm happy with that," Mick said contentedly. He looked at Josef shrewdly. "We aren't talking about Beth and me, are we?"
"I don't know what you mean," Josef said innocently.
"You are the one who brought up the subject of marriage, not me. I doubt you really care if Beth and I are tying the knot. This is about you and Rayna," Mick said smugly.
"And if it is?" Josef said defensively. He shifted in his chair.
"The thought of Josef Kostan considering marriage has left me in a state of shock," Mick chuckled. He got a kick out of seeing Josef squirm. "What has happened to even make you consider taking this step?"
"I'm not talking about a human marriage. I'm thinking about a vampire union," Josef said avoiding Mick's last question.
Sitting straighter in his chair, Mick looked completely confused.
"A vampire union? What is that?" he asked. "I thought a wedding was a wedding. Coraline never said………."
"Coraline forgot to mention she was a vampire before the big day. She had to go through the human ceremony or you would have run screaming in the other direction," Josef chuckled and took a drink. He looked at Mick soberly. "There is a custom, mostly practiced among the old ones in Europe; it's more of a commitment ceremony than a marriage."
Mick ran his hand through his hair, trying to absorb this information. He glanced at the doorway and then back at Josef.
"You still haven't said why you are even considering this step. What's up Josef?"
A look flashed in Josef's eyes that caught Mick by surprise. He couldn't believe it but he saw fear in his friend's expression.
"Rayna is searching for something new to occupy her time. In the past that has always meant she is moving on," Josef said in a low voice. It was clear that this possibility disturbed him.
"I can't see her leaving you, Josef. It's clear that Rayna is happy here," Mick disagreed. "She loves you."
"You don't know her like I do. When Rayna decides to reinvent herself, she changes everything. I'm afraid she will leave," Josef confessed.
"Has she said she's leaving?"
"No. But she wouldn't want to tell me, she has no desire to hurt me," Josef tried to explain. "I know I don't make sense, I just know how it has always been in the past."
"I think you are borrowing trouble," Mick said finishing his drink and setting his glass aside. "Beth would know if Rayna was planning to leave and she hasn't said anything to me."
"Rayna is probably telling her now," Josef said jerking his head towards the door. "That's why it's so quiet."
"Josef, Rayna left all those other times because she didn't know you loved her," Mick reminded him.
With a final swallow of his drink, Josef set his glass on a table and tried to look nonchalant. Inside he was twisted in fear that Rayna was making plans to leave him. He wanted to believe Mick's reasoning.
"Talk to her Josef," Mick suggested sternly.
"Now why didn't I think of that?" Josef responded sarcastically. "I should give her the opportunity to stomp on my heart. If I don't ask, she won't know I'm afraid she'll leave. And if she agrees to the union, I'll know she'll stay."
"If she always leaves, why would the union change her mind?" Mick argued. He was beginning to find this amusing. Josef had worked himself into a frazzled state trying to outguess Rayna.
"Tell me more about this vampire union. Is it binding? Why haven't heard of this before?"
"In the old days if two vampires wanted forever, they knew there was no church that would approve. Since Rome wouldn't give its blessing to two vampires marrying, they created their own ritual."
"They would not have had to reveal their vampirism," Mick pointed out.
"There was a lot of resentment toward organized religion back then," Josef answered. "Over time the ritual has slipped out of use, times have changed. The world doesn't hold marriage to the same standards anymore and forever tends to be too long for many of us." Josef's lips twitched. "If anyone wants marriage they usually use the human system."
"I still think you are worrying for nothing," Mick replied. He thought this might be the perfect option for Beth and him. He'd get more information and discuss it with Beth later, when the time was right. Now he should help his friend get things straightened out with his lady. "Talk to Rayna," he insisted.
Josef sighed, Mick was right. The only thing holding him back was his fear of Rayna's answer. Josef Kostan; 400 year old vampire was not afraid of much but one pale blonde had him tied in knots.
Mick understood Josef's worry. If Beth were to consider leaving him, the pain would be acute. He would try anything to keep her with him.
It was that moment when a loud shriek echoed from the other room. Both men were on their feet in an instant.
End chapter.
Well, let me know what you are thinking. Reviews are always appreciated. I hope you aren't tired of my stories. Thanks.