A crack of thunder echoed as Zodiac opened the front door to her town house. Her black stiletoes hit the wood floor and she continued down the hallway into the kitchen. A tall, onyx haired man followed her into the house and retrieved her shoes from the floor. He brushed a wet curl out of his eyes and picked up Zoe's sash from down the hall, then her bag from the kitchen doorway.
"You really should take better care of your things, Zoe." He placed the things on the kitchen table and walked to her side at the sink, his arms encircling her waist. She set her glass down and spun to face him.
"You know I don't care about anything but you, and you know what else?" She was staring into his soft blue eyes.
"What?"
"You shouldn't tempt me like this." She smiled and freed herself from his arms, then retrieved her things from the table. Walking gracefuly towards the stairs she turned to look over her shoulder and dropped her sash on the floor again.
"Oops." she playfully bit her bottom lip and rushed up the stairs. The dark haired man followed, picking up the sash once again with a sly grin on his lips.
*****
Her long long golden hair was stained with mortal blood, her armor scrached and worn. A woman lay in her arms, a friend, and she had been badly wounded. Just one, she thought, it would only take one bite. The battle raged on behind them, metal clashing aginst metal. Though she couldn't see the womans face clearly she knew she didn't have any more time. Just one. She felt the swift pain of her teeth bursting through her gums, needle sharp points, ready for what was to come next. She lowered her head to the woman's neck. One bite, she thought again, then the scene withered away only to be replaced by darkness.
*****
Zoe woke with a familiar taste in her mouth, it was warm and metalic. She quickly sat up holding the blue sheet up to cover her chest. Her wide eyes searched the room, franticly looking for her partner. Panic stricken she jumped out of the bed and threw on a purple silk robe.
"Van, Van where are you?" She searched each room, finding nothing of Van or the nights events. She at least knew he was still alive, sighing she sat on the pristine white couch and threw her head into her hands.
"Oh, God." She opened her eyes as the front door unlocked, soft footsteps echoed on the old wood floors. She leaped from the couch and ran into the hallway. The tall, curly haired man stood in the parlor with a bag of groceries in one hand and two dozen red roses in the other, both dropped to the floor when she flung herself into his arms.
"Oh my God, I thought I...I just..."
"Shh, I'm fine but apparently your not." He slowly lifted her off the ground and she wrapped her arms around his neck, sobbing into his chest as he set her on the couch, no tears came out. He knelt infront or her and removed her arms from his neck, kissing her hands, then her forehead and removing a hankerchief from his jacket pocket. He pressed it against her soft lips and kissed her forehead again.
"I'm okay, I know what you're thinking and it didn't happen, see." He removed the now crimson stained cloth, "All you did was bite your lip." He offered her a comforting smile, "I told you, I'm alright." she draped her arms around his neck and began to sob again.
"I'm so sorry, I just thought I might have--" She was cut off by his lips against hers. "Please, Van not now." She turned her head and stared at the pillow beside her. Van lifted her hands to his lips and lightly kissed each finger, then left to clean up the front hall. Zoe thrust her face into the pillow, only to turn and stare at the black marble fireplace. She brushed a strand of chestnut har out of her eyes, she heard Van turn the kitchen sink on then drifted back off to sleep.
*****
Her long, black hair spun and swirled around her hips as she glided gracefuly across the floor, the incredibly attractive man guiding her around the circle.
"You look beautiful tonight." He said quietly, twirling her around.
"Thank you, it must be the beautiful dress my friend bought me." She smiled and squeezed his hand.
"No, I belive it is the striking woman in the dress that makes it sparkle like it does. Your friend must be heartbroken to see her dancing wth me in the dress he bought her."
"No, I don't think so. If he is as I know him to be he is having a lovely time."
"That he is." The song finished and the man led her off the floor. He reminded her of someone, she realized, someone close. "I think your friend would like to show you something, will you go with him?" He smiled, his teeth gleaming beautifuly in the candle light.
"Yes," she agreed, "I think I would very much like to go with him." He pulled her through a door.
*****
When Zoe woke again she sat up on the couch, letting the blanket slide to the floor. It was now dark and the heavy curtains where open. Van was reading in one of the wingback chairs across from the couch. She stood and walked over to him, he pulled her into his lap and set his book on the table in one fluid motion. She rested her head on his shoulder and he pulled her closer to him.
"I'm sorry," she whispered in his ear, he said nothing but rested his head on hers. "I just thought I might have bit you. I didn't remember it but I tasted the blood and never once thought it could have been mine." She paused to look up at him, "Do you still want that kiss?"
"I would love one." His voice was as soft as the kiss that followed. After a moment she pulled back some.
"Are you hungry?"
"No, why?"
"I just thought you might be, if you where I could get dressed and we could go somewhere."
"Ah, I see." He paused and pretended to stroke his imaginary gotee. "I guess I could get hungry...unless I just eat you first!" He playfully nibbled at her neck, she giggled and pushed him off.
"Let me go get ready." She glided up the stairs and into the large bedroom to find some clothes, a smile still on her face.
