This is my baby, a project that I have been dreaming up for a while. A few characters are based lightly on certain Charlene Harris characters. Warning some defiant steaminess ahead; not for the faint of heart. Hope you enjoy! ;) As always, please comment love to read what everyone thinks.
I watched him walk away knowing this would be my only chance for escape. I stood up slowly severely hoping that he didn't turn back around. I felt like the worse sort of person for skipping out on a blind date, but if I had to hear one more fact about how cheese was made I was going to combust. I shuffled around the overly cluttered Indian restaurant making my less than perfect exit. I shuttered as the cold night air struck me making me really hate the fact that I hadn't drove. In all honesty had only been one of the many bad decisions that I had made tonight. I clenched my coat tightly around me taking in my ominous surroundings. Street lights flickered and shady characters lined the streets huddled in small groups. My morbid mind pictured them plotting my destruction in various ways. Night was defiantly not the best time to be walking around this part of New York City that was known as one of the worst crime areas. I rummaged around the inside my purse digging for my cell phone so that I could call a cab to get out of this hell hole. Shit! I forgot my cell phone. How could I be so freaking scatter brained? I cursed myself.
"Hi, there sexy." A dark lurking male figure called from the distance in front of me. I hoped that he wasn't talking to me, so I decided to turn and go the other way hoping to defer him. I grabbed my mace from inside my purse glad that at least I had remembered to grab it. Ready, and willing to use it on the stranger. Just then I looked up to see the very angry face of my blind date leaving the restaurant. Shit, shit, shit I was foxed in. I looked around trying to find a way out. I noticed to across the street the booming sound of a night club. It seemed like a hole in the wall with metal siding like someone had turned an old warehouse into a club. It seemed at least tidy on the outside if that could be considered an asset for a night club. I normally wouldn't be caught dead in any club, but I figured that right now my odds were better in there than out here. Plus maybe they had a phone, and I could get a cab out of here. I longed for my comfy pajamas and warm cozy bed. I just wanted this nightmare of a night to be over.
I darted across the street slamming through the double doors of the club like it was sanctuary. I was surprised by the large amount of people that seemed to be squashed inside. Most of those people were now staring at me as I tried to find an open stool to sit down. I couldn't really blame them I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was dressed in my usual faded holey jeans, and thin grey cotton band shirt. My dark chestnut hair fell in loose waves down my back. Hey, they had said dress casual for my blind date at work. This was casual for me. These people couldn't really be considered to be dressed any certain way, because they were barley dressed at all. The woman all seemed to be wearing micro miniskirts like they had all been purchased together in bulk in a variety of colors. Men swayed behind them their hands roaming freely across their bodies to the sensual music. The whole place basically smelled of sex. Power to them I guessed. At least someone was getting some. Let's just say that whole area for me was a dessert right now. I mean I knew that I was pretty; some might even say I was beautiful. Not that I was conceited I was just aware of myself. It was my oddness that seemed to throw men off my tracks. I had the worse habit of saying the first thing that came to mind, and I had a warped sense of humor. Those two things were not a good mixture for attracting men. That's probably why I had taken Kami up on her idea to fix me up on a blind date. I sighed heavily finally finding a stool in the middle of two couples making out.
"What will you have, hun?" A Barbie look like said all the while managing to chomp away at her gum.
"Pineapple and Malibu, please." She gave me a fake smile before she turned around to make my drink. "Do you have a phone I could use?" I asked Barbie as she quickly placed my drink down in front of me.
"Don't you have a cell phone?" Barbie asked.
"If I had one with me I wouldn't asked to use one." I laughed, hoping that she was joking. She turned reaching under the bar grabbing the cordless than sitting it roughly down in front of me. I guess she hadn't been kidding. Well that's what I did best strike a nerve in everyone. I finally got a hold of the cab company and they assured me that they would have a car sent over in twenty minutes flat. I could have cheered I was so grateful at the thought of this night finally ending. I handed the phone back, and looked around the club watching the intensity of everyone around me.
That's when if drawn by some unknown magnetic force my eyes were drawn to him. He sat in the corner of the club the shadows eclipsing most of his face keeping him well hidden from everyone else. I could feel his eyes on me, devouring my body. I stared back completely unashamed. He leaned forward revealing eyes the color of hard steel. He reached out his hand gesturing me over with his fingers in an easy swift motion. I noticed that he had large rings on his three middle fingers that had symbols I had never seen before. Still I crossed the room making my away across the dance floor to him ignoring my screaming conscience.
The closer I got the more magnificent he seemed to get. He looked like a dark gypsy with his sharp facial features and deep olive skin. Disheveled long coal black hair was cropped right above his shoulders narrowing around his face as remained hidden from the rest of the club. All the while drawing me near to him his expression gave prelude to an inner angst, and mystery that I might never know. It was safe to say that I was way out of my comfort zone approaching him. I couldn't help it though it was if I was in a trance. I was drawn to him by some strange powerful magnetism.
"Hello." He flashed a charming smile.
"Hello." I said fighting the urge to bolt.
"Please sit down." He stood pushing out my chair for me. I eyed the chair wondering if it was such a good idea to stay. Well he had pulled out the chair, and said please that had to stand for something. He had qualities that I hadn't encountered in my less intimidating dates. I finally sat down shifting my eyes trying not to meet his haunting gaze. There was just something so familiar about him that left me anxious, yet wanting more.
"You look so nervous, don't worry I won't bite. Well that is unless you want me to?" He gave a devilish laugh. I flushed, which only made his mischievous smile broaden even more.
"Well my name is Kalen, what's your name?" He leaned back against the seat never losing his calm composure.
"Ella, I like your rings." I said nervously finally finding my voice. For a second his eyes searched mine looking unsure. Then the mask was back up making me wonder if I had imagined it.
"Thank you, Ella." He said choosing not to elaborate about the rings. "You are very beautiful Ella." His voice was sultry as reached over a smoothed a loose piece of hair. I knew that my mouth had to be hanging open, so I quickly pressed my lips together. Did he really just say that he thought I was beautiful? It's one thing to think that an average person to think you're beautiful it's another thing to think this man that looked like he just stepped off GQ to think that you're beautiful.
"Would you like to dance?" I heard myself asking not completely understanding myself. Yes, I was a little scared of dancing with some strange man in a club that I wasn't really positive that I knew the name to. I also knew that this was one of those moments in life that if I didn't take action, and take advantage that I would always regret it. I had always lived so safely never really stepping outside of my neatly packed box. Well tonight I wanted to live a little on the wild side. He stood taking my hand and guiding me onto the dance floor.
Strobe lights flashed making the dancing bodies appear as if they were dancing in slow motion to the frantic erotic melody. I shivered as the tips of his fingers grazed my neck as he brushed my hair to one side standing behind me. I had to remember to dance swaying my hips in small circles as his hands continued their welcome assault. He could have been Houdini for how quick his hands disappeared and reappeared on a different body part. A warm sweeping heat spread through my body as I was left with a desire for this man that I had never felt before. I felt his hardness as he pressed himself closer into me, and I moaned. God, I was shameless.
"Miss, you're cab driver is looking for you?" Barbie said suddenly directly in front of me. I had to force my mind into the present.
"Yeah, thank you." I pulled away, but he only turned me around to face him.
"Let me take you home?" His hooded eyes held promises of sensual delight. If I was going to be bad I might as well fully commit to it.
"Yes." My voice cracked. "You can take me home."
As soon as the words were out of my mouth he was pulling me off the dance floor, and out of the club. All the better I guessed, before I could change my mind.
The parking lot was dark, but there were fewer cars than I had expected. I guess they had all carpooled. I joked to myself. Kalen led the way stopping at his large black Harley. What could I say I hadn't really expected anything less? It fit him so well it was almost a cliché. He got on the motorcycle bringing it to a full thundering roar as he waited for me to hop on.
"Wait, where is my helmet?" I said like always putting safety first.
He laughed. "Trust me you won't need one with me. Perfectly safe." He said trying to reassure me. I guess all forms of safety were going out the door tonight. I hoped on the back of the bike wrapping my arms around him. Something told me he was going to be worth it though.
Within minutes we were pulling up to my average New York City building. He had no problems with my loudly yelled directions over the motorcycles hammering loudness as he weaved in and out of traffic. He parked off the road in the narrow parking space helping me off. I guess there were some pluses to having a motorcycle in New York. He stayed close behind me as I lead him up the winding stairs to my apartment door.
"Ella, I got your mail." My next door neighbor Zach said stepping out of his door. Zach's eyes met Kalen's and took on an odd possessive glare. That was strange Zach had never really showed any interest besides when our mail got mixed up.
"Uh, thanks" I took it from him deciding just ignore it. I had more pressing issues at the moment like the loss of my sanity. I turned the key opening the door giving Kalen full access to my apartment. I severely hoped that it wouldn't come back to bite me in the butt.
I put my keys in the bowl next to the door feeling a little nervous not really knowing where to go from here.
"I like your apartment it is small, but it works for you." I wasn't sure if that was a complement or insult so I just nodded.
He approached me slowly resembling a panther stalking his prey. I couldn't move as I remained frozen watching him slip off my shirt then his own.
"I have been dying to do this." His voice was thick as I felt the hard cold steel of his rings glide up my bare hips to rest on my shoulders holding me to him leaving chill bumps in his wake. The heat of his lips finally pressed against mine tantalizing me as he deepened his kiss letting his velvet tongue flick against mine. My hands found their way into his dark thick hair realizing the resistance was futile. Hell, it wasn't even needed. I wanted him plain and simple. His nimble hands managed slide back down grouping my ass pressing my center against his hardness. I groaned needing him fiercely. He leaned forward swinging my leg around his waist shoving me against the wall. He pinned me against the wall using the weight of his body to hold me tight.
"I have also been waiting to do this." He forced my arms above my head holding them tightly. I tried to move but it was useless his grip was like steel. At first I thought he was just getting a little kinky, then his grip begin to burn around my wrist. I looked down at him growing panicked. How funny I had first thought that his eyes were the color of steel now he held me in his grip of steel now. Some would call that irony.
"Tell me how is it that you smell of Sidhe, but you taste mortal? Tell me what you are, and I might let you live?" His once sensual eyes were now full of cold malice. What was he talking about?
"Oh my god, you are a complete crazy person. I knew the first time I do a little something out of my comfort zone I go and get murdered. No simple sex for me, no I have to go off and pick the first murderer that I see." I rambled incoherently. I knew that it had been too good to be true, and had fallen completely in his trap. Damn, Johnny Depp look alike.
"I'm the crazy one? You're the one talking to yourself. Just answer my question, and we will see what your fate holds." He said coolly though a little annoyed.
"I have no clue what you are talking about, and I'm so not the crazy one buddy." I said simply, if he thought I was the crazy one than he was also delusional.
"I'm threating to kill you, and all your concerned about is that you're not the crazy one? Just answer my questions." He said growing restless. I had that effect on people.
"I told you I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know anything about Seelie, or even what it is. So please just let me go, and I promise to never do this again or tell anyone ever." I shook my head hoping that my repeated nodding would convince him.
He looked deeply in my eyes for what seemed like forever trying to tell if I was being honest. "You're telling the truth?" He asked one last time.
"Of course, I'm telling the truth." I was getting fidgety.
"Here is the way this is going to go so listen closely. I'm going to let you go, and we are going to have a long conversation about something you needed to be told long ago." He glowered down at me staring deeply in my eyes making sure that I got the point. Yeah, I got the point he was bat shit crazy. I had all intentions of going straight for the phone to call the police to hall his ass off to the looney bin.
He slowly let me down but before my feet could touch the floor I was being thrown across the room by him landing against the couch. A blinding light flashed followed by dry wall exploding into tiny pieces landing across the living room. I gaped as Zach stepped through the wall his eyes glowing bright blue completely shirtless.
"She is not yours dark one! She belongs to the king." Zach growled.
"Hmmm that's funny; I don't smell him on her. That would be just like my brother claiming things before they are rightfully his. That one never much of a sharer; maybe I need to teach him a lesson?" He laughed deviously his eyes now glowing the same incandescent blue.
"I can't let you take her, I have orders." Pure radiant light exploded in his hands taking the shape of a spear.
"Oh come on, I dare you?" Kalen said palming energy in his hands until it blasted into two spears that seemed to light up the room. Zach looked worried for only a moment then placed his mask of hatred firmly back on charging forward. I had called him a panther earlier, but now realized that was like calling a Camaro a Ferrari. He moved so swiftly it was as if he vanished in midair making Zach pause long enough to search for him. That was a big mistake because he reappeared right behind him swiping his feet right out from underneath him. Kalen held his spear pointed at his throat.
"Why does he want her?" Kalen snarled from above Zach looking fiercer than I could have ever pictured him.
"My existence is now lost anyway, why would I tell you anything dark one?" He didn't squirm he just laid there waiting for the end.
"Let's see maybe, because I can make this hurt like hell or it can be quick and easy." He said seeming rather chipper at the sound of torture. I thought I was the odd one, he likes to torture people. Zach's eyes flashed fire, as he shifted under the spear that held him to the ground.
"Do you have no honor?" Zach spit out.
"My honor died long ago." He pressed the tip a little further into his neck a trail of light ooze seeping down his neck.
"He wouldn't tell us much; just she is destined for greatness. That is all I know, now make it quick." Zach grumbled then looked away. Kalen shoved the spear through his neck and Zack burst in into a thousand shards of light that fell to the floor and disappeared.
I was in complete shock my world being completely flipped upside down from everything that I knew as normal. I clutched the couch for balance as I fought to make sense of something or anything about what had just happened. Kalen turned around taking in my rattled expression.
"What are you?" I asked him trying to understand.
"I'm dark Fae or Sidhe, whatever you choose to call me." He absorbed the light of the spears back into his body.
"You're a fairy?" I sat down in the floor feeling like I was going to pass out. Tiny winged fairies from Disney movies flashed through my mind. No that defiantly didn't suit him.
"I'm not a fairy, I do not sparkle." He looked offended at the name. Oh well, it's not like I had ever contemplated the correct terminology before.
"Wait he said dark one, does that mean that you are the bad guy? Did you just kill the good guy?" I tried to wrap my mind around this, hoping that I hadn't just let the bad guy win while I just sat here gaping. Part of me even after everything had happened hoped that he wasn't the bad guy.
"Why does everything have to be so black and white with you mortals? There are many shades in the spectrum to go form black to white. If I am bad is neither here nor there, you understand?" He said bending down in front of me.
"I understand completely, you're the bad guy." I shouted.
"You are impossible." He threw up his hands in frustration. "Let's just say I am the best bad guy that you have on your side right now. If I know my brother his guard will have heard the flash and be here soon. Let me get you to a safe place where I can explain all this better?" He offered me a hand off the floor.
"How do I know that I can trust you?" I said softly not likening the idea of more Fae after me, but was he really my better option?
"Well you don't know for sure, but I can tell you that after this if my brother gets to you he will not let you go. He will lock you in a tower with all his other valuables until you become useful. I on the other hand offer to protect you and give you freedom as soon as I figure out what you are, and why he wants you." He said logically.
I pressed my lips together weighing my options. Well being trapped in a tower defiantly did not seem to appealing. I glanced at him again, wither it was wanted or not I flushed with heat wanting him all over again. Being with him didn't seem that appealing either, not knowing if I could control these feeling that I had around him. I guess for now he was my best chance or as he put my best bad decision.