Since my chapters are so long, I decided to break them up so that they wouldn't be as hard to get through all at once!
*kicks herself for being dumb and accidentally deleting the story when trying to update it* Eeks! Anywho, if you reviewed before and would like to, go ahead and if you haven't reviewed yet, what's stopping you? ^_^
And now, the story....
~*~
Kiree enjoyed her perch in the rafters of Las Noches. It was always an interesting bar to watch. There was always some form of entertainment to be found. There were fights but it was usually nothing big, but occasionally it was serious. She double checked her knives to be sure she had them. It was an odd mix tonight. Mostly vampires like herself but humans and witches were mixed throughout the crowd. Her midnight eyes scanned the crowd below for a familiar face. Seeing none, she leaned against a support and dangled her legs on either side of the rafter. It was quite comfortable. She laughed slightly at the antics of the crowd below.
Her rafter shook as the door was slammed open and she almost lost her balance. She looked directly below her to see what the commotion was about. A very young vampire had tried to make a grand entrance. Unfortunately for her, she had succeeded. Kiree dropped lightly to the ground and landed in front of the newcomer. She gasped slightly in surprise. Then she looked more closely at Kiree. Long reddish-blonde hair, black eyes, pale skin and slender. It didn't hurt that she was wearing a black skintight tank top and leather pants. To the new girl, Kiree looked like a whore.
Kiree laughed as she read her thoughts. "So you think I look like a whore, do you? Well let me clue you in that the feelings are definitely mutual. But then again, you're too ugly to be a whore. I also think you are annoying, conceited, and insignificant. And yet, you haven't even opened your mouth. That's sad. You must be new," she said with contempt dripping from her voice, "so I'll give you a little tip: Never draw attention to yourself. You are a vampire now. A creature of the night, a keeper of the shadows, you kill people to survive! How on Earth do you expect to do that if you're constantly drawing attention to yourself? All that will get you is trouble, nothing else. If I were you, I'd take my advice."
The new vampire glared at her. "And just who do you think you are? Telling me what to do like you own the place. Nobody tells me what to do. Ever."
Kiree laughed. "You obviously haven't been around long. If you had, you would know who I am."
"And why is that? Because you are rude, obnoxious, and stuck on yourself? I don't care who you are. Now get out of my way before I have to hurt you," she tried to push past Kiree.
She didn't get far. Kiree grabbed her by the arm. By now a small crowd had gathered. They all knew that Kiree was not someone to cross. Although she was small, she was one of the most powerful vampires in the area. She also tended to have a short temper and an affinity for causing pain.
"What is your name, child?" Kiree asked.
"Child? How dare you call me a child!" The new one was nearly yelling.
Kiree just shrugged. "Oh I dare." With that, she reached into the mind of her opponent and tore out the information she wanted. "Now Jenni," she purred. "We have two options. One, I give you a warning, and two... Well, two is a little more painful. Two is where you don't make it out of here."
She locked her stony gaze onto Jenni. The girl stood her ground. Kiree began flipping her favorite knife- which she had just pulled from the sheath at her waist- into the air and catching it while she waited for an answer. "Well? What's it gunna be? Personally, I don't care."
"You can't hurt me! I'm immortal now. And, come on, look at you! You're a lot smaller than I am!" Jenni said defiantly.
"Stupid girl, of course I can hurt you. Just because you're immortal doesn't mean you can't feel pain. Being smaller than you means nothing. My mind is definitely stronger than yours. It is you who are weak, Jenni. I really should destroy you here and now, but I'm feeling generous. I'll let you off with a warning this time. Cross me again, and you'll regret it." With that, she drew the blade of her knife from the corner of Jenni's right eye to her chin. The girl hissed with pain.
Had Kiree's knife been a normal blade, the wound would have healed instantly. Unfortunately for Jenni, the knife had been made by a witch. Magick had been woven into the blade. It was acidic to a vampire's skin. Jenni's eyes flashed and she ran at Kiree. Kiree easily held her back then used her mind to propel the girl out the door she had come in. You wanted a grand entrance, she told Jenni with her thoughts, but your exit caught more attention. Kiree laughed then turned to lean on the bar. To her surprise, Luke faced her from the other side of the bar. She jumped back. "What the hell do you want?" She snapped, her drink order frozen in her throat. She wouldn't trust him to find prey for her, let alone mix a drink.
"Chill! I just want to talk. Can't a gorgeous guy like me buy a beautiful girl like you a drink?" He held his hands open in a gesture of peace. His dark hair was tousled and his skin was flushed. He must've come from a hunt.
"No, because I know you have an ulterior motive. Now cut the bullshit and tell me what it is."
Luke stepped back a bit. The venom in her voice nearly wounded him as much as her knife had. He had a scar from a fight they'd had a few years earlier. He despised that knife. "Kir, you know what I'm going to say. Why won't you listen to me for once?"
"Why should I listen? Like you said- I already know what you're going to say. It's a waste of my time. You of all people should know what I do not enjoy having my time wasted. You know what my answer is. It's not changing. Now, if you'll excuse me..." She trailed off and turned to leave. He now blocked her passage.
"Very good, you've finally given into your nature. It took you long enough. Now, if you'd be so kind as to get. Out. Of. My. Way." Her last words were spit through clenched teeth.
Luke wasn't moving. "I'm not fighting with you Kiree," he said softly.
"Then what the fuck are you doing Luke?"
"I told you, all I want to do is talk and have you listen for once."
"No," with that simple word, she closed her eyes and brought herself back to her house. It was calm and quiet here, just as she liked it. She could hear her "niece" rummaging around downstairs, looking for something. Kiree wondered what she was doing home so early. She almost called out, but then she realized that she was supposed to be at work. It wouldn't do for her to be here and the car not to be. Besides, Alexia would have already come up here and seen that she was not home yet. With a soft curse she brought herself to the park-and-ride lot where she usually left her car. Somehow no one ever seemed to notice that she appeared out of nowhere. Things would be so much easier if she could tell Alexia the truth, but that was impossible.
Kiree started the car and drove home. She pretended to be surprised when she saw Alexia sitting at the kitchen table when she walked it. "You're home early, aren't you?"
Alexia took a sip of coke before answering. "We ended up not going bowling. she shrugged.
"I'm surprised that Gabriel isn't here with you." Kiree said as she grabbed a coke from the fridge. It was the one soda that she could drink without shuddering. Sometimes it was such a bother to have to pretend to be human.
"He said that he was hungry. He and Vitaliy went to go 'hunt down' some food. They're going to come by when they're done."
Kiree had to bite back a comment. How Alexia hadn't figured anything out about those two yet was beyond her. After all, they spent all their time together. Fortunately, they rarely fed off humans, and never killed. They had probably gone to SingleEarth to feed. "Is Nicole with them?"
Alexia nodded. "Is she ever not? She and Vitaliy are attached at the hip."
"And you and Gabriel aren't?" Kiree raised an eyebrow.
"Not lately. I feel like he's hiding something from me," Alexia shook her head.
He's hiding more than you know, Kiree thought. Before she could say anything, Alexia spoke again. "Some guy named Luke called and left a message. Is he a friend of yours or something?"
"Or something," was all that Kiree would answer. She was saved by the sound of Gabriel's truck pulling into the driveway. Alexia ran out to meet them. Through the window, she saw Gabriel sweep the girl into a hug. Kiree slumped down in her chair, glad that Alexia hadn't had time to ask anything else about Luke. How would she react, knowing that he was her father? Perhaps it was better that Gabriel and Vitaliy were almost constantly with her. At least they would keep her away from Luke. They hated him as much as she did. The fact that Alexia and Gabriel were dating was slightly disturbing, but it made sense. After all, Gabriel had saved the girl's life. Thankfully, Alexia had only been an infant at the time.
Kiree hadn't seen Gabriel or Vitaliy in fifteen years until they had shown up three years ago. Vitaliy had pretended to be sixteen and a transfer student and become a student at Alexia's school. Gabriel had come to her house that day, warning her that Luke was back in town. Then he had taken a job on one of the many construction crews in the area. Kiree didn't know how he could work in the sun all day long. She shrugged and stretched her senses. The foursome hadn't yet wandered far and she was hungry. Hey, keep her away for at least an hour. I'm going to hunt, Kiree whispered into Gabriel's mind. When she got an okay, she brought herself to a club downtown and searched the crowd. One particular asshole was harassing a group of teenagers. He had to have been at least forty. She spent the next half hour convincing him that they should go find a hotel room. He finally agreed. Unfortunately for him, he never quite made it to the hotel. He ended up lost in an alley somewhere. Somehow she didn't feel bad about leaving him for the rats.
~*~
Alexia grinned as Gabriel took her into a hug and spun her around. "Hey baby," he whispered into her ear. "I missed you."
"You were gone for all of half an hour."
"I know," he grinned. "But I still missed you." Secretly, Gabriel was glad that Alexia hadn't wanted to come along when they said that they were going to go get food. He still would have been hungry. He knew that his brother had the same sentiments. Nicole had gone along for the ride, but she knew what was going on. Surprisingly, them feeding never bothered her. Gabriel wondered if she would become blood-bonded to Vitaliy or if he would change her. Or maybe nothing would happen. He looked over at his younger brother. Nicole was sitting on the edge of the truck bed. Her white-blonde hair reflected the moonlight. Vitaliy was staring into her light grey eyes, as usual. It was weird to see him dating a human. His brother's pale skin was nearly the same shade as Nicole's. However, Vitaliy's black hair and eyes contrasted sharply. As he looked at Alexia, he mused that it shouldn't be so weird. Then again, Alexia is different, he reminded himself. He longed to tell her the truth, but Kiree would flay him if he did. That was not an experience he wished to have.
"Okay you two, quit making out over there," Nicole called from the other side of the truck. "Why don't we go down to the creek? It's a gorgeous night!"
Everyone assented. Alexia ducked into the house to tell her aunt where they were going. She didn't get a reply, so she assumed that Kiree was taking a shower. The group walked down the road to the woods, and into the woods to the creek. It really was a nice night for a walk. Gabriel put his arm around her waist as they walked, holding her close. He knew there wasn't anything dangerous in the woods, but he liked to be sure. He grinned when she likewise slid her arm around his waist. It was just a nice feeling.
He wondered briefly if Alexia had ever noticed that he didn't have a heartbeat. She hadn't said anything about it yet. He hoped that she hadn't. Breathing was a human habit that he had never given up, but you couldn't make a dead heart beat no matter how much you wanted to. "Whatcha thinking about?" Alexia purred beneath his arm.
"You. What else do I ever think about?" He replied honestly.
Even in the darkness he could tell that she was blushing. "What's that?" Alexia pointed to a large shadow beneath a tree. Gabriel almost dismissed it until it stirred. "I don't know...." He trailed off. "Wait here."
He crept up to the thing, making sure that he had enough room to get away if it came after him. He felt Vitaliy doing the same behind him. "Any ideas V?"
"None," Vitaliy shook his head, black hair flying about his face.
The thing jumped at them both, and the boys dove for cover. Laughter erupted behind them. "It's just a dog. You're such a wuss," Nicole petted the beast on its side.
Vitaliy didn't trust the dog. Something about it's aura was just wrong. You feel that? He silently asked his brother.
Yeah, that's not just a dog. I'm not sure what it is. Shape shifter maybe? Gabriel moved closer to Alexia so he could protect her if he needed to. They went down to the creek as planned. Much to the vampires' discomfort, the dog followed. It gave no hint as to its true intentions. The girls drooled over it the whole time. "It's so cute!" Alexia exclaimed. "Do you think that Kiree will let me keep it? I've never had a pet before."
"I don't know. You'll just have to ask," Gabriel lied. He knew the answer. It would be a resounding "hell no." Even if it really only was a dog, the animal would know something was different about Kiree. It would avoid her. Come to think of it, the animal should be avoiding he and Vitaliy. My, the vampire has a brain, a feminine voice cooed through his mind.
Who are you? Gabriel demanded.
I'm not telling. You're prey is calling, better tend to it.
"Gabriel? Hey! Gabriel!" Alexia was trying to get his attention.
"Yeah, baby?"
"Did you want to head back? I think V and Nicole are going to go home. Maybe we can get some time together," Alexia sounded hopeful.
Gabriel didn't know how to answer. He wanted to be alone with Alexia more than anything, but he was hesitant. What if she noticed something? If you don't say yes, I'm going to strangle you when I get home! Vitaliy threatened. "Sure, lets go," he agreed cheerfully. He hoped the dog would stay, but he doubted that would be the case. Sure enough it followed them back.
Nicole and Vitaliy climbed into her car as soon as they got back. Gabriel recognized the look on his brother's face. He hoped that Nicole wasn't too worried about getting any sleep. "Goodnight y'all!" Nicole called. "Don't do anything we wouldn't!"
"Which is what, exactly?" Alexia retorted.
Nicole paused. "Not a whole lot."
"See you," Gabriel waved. Don't you dare- he started to say to Vitaliy. Don't worry, I won't. He interrupted, knowing full well what Gabriel was going to say. He said it every time.
The green Honda backed down the driveway and disappeared down the dark road. Alexia started dragging him into the house. Gabriel knew that he wouldn't be able to come up with an excuse to get out of it without hurting her. The dog sat outside the door. "You can't come in," Alexia told it.
They found Kiree sitting at the kitchen table. She was reading a book. "We're back. We found this really cute dog in the woods. Can I keep it? Please?" Alexia immediately started pleading.
"What if it belongs to someone?" Kiree countered.
Alexia deflated. She obviously hadn't thought of that. It doesn't, Gabriel told her. I think it is someone. It's sitting outside if you want to go talk to it. Careful, she's a bitch.
Kiree raised an eyebrow. She? She sounded amused.
Yeah, she said something rather snotty to me in the woods. "What's so funny?" Alexia asked when Kiree laughed.
"Nothing," Kiree replied with an almost straight face. "I'll go outside and look at it. We'll see."
Alexia agreed happily. She really wanted to keep the dog. As soon as Kiree went outside, Gabriel wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. Alexia returned the kiss. "Want to go up to my room?" She asked hopefully.
"What's Kiree going to say?"
"Nothing. She likes you. She won't mind."
Gabriel allowed her to lead him to her room. He suspected Kiree would say something, but it wouldn't be anything that Alexia could here. He felt Kiree come back inside, followed by someone else. He assumed it was the dog. If Kiree had deemed her harmless he could relax. Sure enough her voice broke his thoughts, telling him he'd better be a perfect gentleman. He didn't plan to be anything but.
~*~
End part one!