Chapter One (I love the night life....)
A lone figure walked the paved path. The full moon shadowed his every graceful move. There was no haste to the purposeful gait. But, that this being had a destination, it was clear. He moved through the night as if he were a part of it's secret intricacies. As if he..belonged there. Among the shadows and darkness.
Another watched his progression. A slender, almost ethereal shape. She watched..and waited.
The room was lit with a cheerful ambiance. Although the lighting was soft, there was a festive feel in the air. Beth Turner could not stop admiring all the wondrous objects found in the many nooks and grannies of the ultra modern motif.
"You have excellent taste, Josef." She smiled up into the dark brown eyes that watched her so disarmingly..had now, since her arrival a half hour ago.
"You should have known him a few centuries back." Mick St. John had leaned conspiratorially to the woman's vicinity, his tone one of teasing affection. "He came from the lower end of..."
"That's enough information." Josef Kosten cut his friend short. "You know how nosey reporters are. Give them an inch.."
"Hey!" Beth felt at least a modest protest should be voiced. "Inquiring minds want to know.. It's part of my charm."
"It definitely is that." Josef bowed minutely, lifting his glass in a mock toast.
"Speaking of which..." Beth felt a little of that 'reporter' coming to the fore suddenly.
"See?" Josef shrugged well developed shoulders, his smile only just held.
"Is this really your birthday?" She asked, making it known, that was all..she had been about to ask. "That wasn't SO nosey now..was it?"
"Josef celebrates anything and everything." Mick found a chair, parking his ass in it's comfortable contours. "Any chance to fabricate an 'occasion'? He'll take it."
"How do you know this isn't my birth date?" The question seemed viable to the older vampire. "You haven't known me for all that long a period, you young whipper snapper, you!"
"But, remember..you celebrated your birthday a couple months ago..around Halloween, wasn't it, which.." Mick made mention. "Seemed somehow appropriate to me. I don't see my gift displayed prominently either..just to let you know." The younger being glanced around the rooms aimlessly. "A little tacky, if you ask me."
"A black lace teddy doesn't fit into my recurring theme."
"Since when?" Mick grinned then at Beth's lifted brows. "I got him a toaster."
She laughed musically at the being's wit.
"What are you complaining about..the celebration is on me. A toast then.." Josef held up his glass, the red substance swirling elegantly in the crystal of the glass. Beth was growing accustomed to the reality that..the 'substance' was not wine. She was always very careful not to react or show emotions with these beings. "To good times and old friends.."
Mick inclined his head to his friend's 'honorable mention', lifting his glass to 'salute' such regard.
"And..new found ones." Josef included Beth Turner in the moment.
"I feel honored." The woman smiled brightly, unsure exactly what she was feeling these days, were she honest with herself. Her emotions were tangled and confusing since she had learned these creatures actually existed..her thoughts jumbled and perplexed of late.
Her usual clear headed, precise thought patterns were a thing of the past in most aspects of her life..except work, of course.
Mick St. John could sense her turmoil. It was a natural process, however. It had taken him several months to resign himself to ..what he was. To acclimate..to accept. He could respect her state of uncertainty.
"A night of merriment and frivolity!" Josef was continuing, having bowed formally to Beth's statement. "That is what we are promised. Dinner for the lady, in a most chic, not to mention..over priced, establishment."
Beth giggled infectiously, trying hard not to be charmed by all the attention Josef lavished upon her this evening, but try as she might, she found herself enjoying herself completely and liking the company immensely.
"Followed by tickets to the exclusive.." Josef wanted to impress this woman. Not for his sake, but that of his friend, whom..he knew was very fond of the human, in more ways than Mick St. John would admit just yet.
"Not to mention..sold out." Beth's mouth was agape for she had read the 'event' on the stubs she had been handed. "How did you EVER..."
"Child's play...child." Josef waved such a rhetorical question aside, feigning boredom. "Where was I before she so rudely interrupted my eloquence?" He found he enjoyed making the female smile. Mick seemed to be in a good mood as well. The stress of the last few weeks finally melting away.
Coraline had been one hell of a bitch of late. The least Josef could do, he felt..was to offer a little light source of amusement for these two. If any two individuals ever needed it..
"He knows people who know people." Mick crinkled his nose at Beth's inquiring stare. He was enjoying her 'enjoyment' just as much as she seemed to be. He was fishing for another giggle. His reward came and he was hard pressed not to chuckle with the woman.
His senses tingled and he seemed to vibrate to her very being at times, in spite of a stern warning to himself to..be more circumvent in his reaction to her. He could smell her essence..her scent. It surrounded him and he felt..great!
"The 'must see' show of the year!" Her eyes were wide with wonder and delight.
"The 'decade'..easily." Josef corrected with tainted modesty.
"Oh yeah.. 'decade!" Mick agreed whole heartedly, feigning amazement.
"Well it IS!" Beth could find no fault in Josef's statement.
"A female after my own heart..." He glanced at Beth Turner. "Although, you might be hard pressed to find that particular organ after so long a period of 'inactivity'. My other 'organs' are in perfect working conditi.."
"Josef." Mick scolded superficially, not certain that was a place to go so early into the evening's celebration.
"Ahhh." Josef took the veiled 'hint' gracefully. "He says I have on my very best behavior tonight...bummer, huh?"
Beth laughed throatily. "So out of character, Mick..why torture the poor man."
"Ohh, I like her." Josef walked away, searching for more refreshment.
Beth grinned over at Mick St. John.
"I am truly impressed..not to mention a little intrigued." She told the truth, sensing the repore between the two beings. "Not to look a gift horse in the mouth.."
"Does she mean me?" Josef asked pleasantly from across the room.
"Had she said..horse's ass.." Mick shrugged playfully.
"One for the 'whipper-snapper'." Josef poured his 'beverage' delicately so as not to 'bruise' it's flavor.
"Why me?" Beth asked. "Why was I chosen to accompany two such handsome, urbane gentlemen on such an auspicious occasion? Not that I am complaining..not at all!"
"Oh, this is merely the 'prelude'." Mick arose, stretching his lanky frame out to it's full height. "He likes to start slow and ..build. This all ends days from now in an 'orgy type' scenario with cops and call girls and a really good video release on YouTube."
"I'll be famous!" Beth quipped. "Get my good side."
"All sides look good to me." Josef mentioned, sauntering across the ridiculously expensive carpet. "My 'toga party' days ended in..." An attractive scowl touched the intelligent forehead. "..well..the Sixties, actually. I am much more refined now. My tastes have..matured."
"Which means a weekend at the 'Chicken Ranch' as opposed to the Playboy Mansion?" Mick questioned innocently.
Beth bit her lip to keep the smile from her full lips. She cut amused eyes to her 'host'.
"How you paint me, Michael."
Both being's smiles faded instantly, as the feeling swept through their psyches. Josef's body stiffened as the 'scent' carried on the night air. Mick hastily sat his drink aside, his entire person poised and alert...for what? He could not have said.
Josef's dark eyes scanned the area, his manner quietly intent. He sat his glass aside more slowly, moving closer to the human, his senses strained..attuned.
Beth watched the two individuals, uncertain of what was coming down but she knew..something was terribly amiss.
"..What the hell.." Mick had no clue as to what he was feeling. He only knew, his entire nervous system was on 'overload'. "..Is it?"
He looked to his friend for answers.
Josef's eyes were guarded..his posture..defensive.
Josef snapped his head sharply to the balcony area.
Mick had not heard a sound but..followed the being's 'stare'.
Beth's eyes widened in shock.
Josef stepped around the female, placing himself between the newly arrived menace and the frail human. Mick noted the uncharacteristic gesture, his senses reeling with dread, suddenly. He forced his attention back to the balcony.
It had dropped silently unto the terrace, landing on it's hunches then arose gracefully..eloquently molding into a dark silhouette complete with billowing cape and dark, penetrating stare.
It was taller in statue than Mick, with a more stocky build. A suppressed power imitated from the being.
"Why are you here?" Josef seemed more tense than usual but other than that, his demeanor stayed calm and collected. Mick took hope from the fact. He had broken the eerie silence.
"...You know the 'why' of it." The deep, chilling baritone was almost soothing to Beth's ears. It sent a tingle down her spine, causing her to catch her breath in her throat. There was an ominous 'threat' to the sentence .
The creature ..moved forward slowly.
Mick instinctively retreated a step to better access the situation before he reacted. He took in the opponent's size and steely manner. Mick sense danger. There was a dark quality about this being. A ..foreboding. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as the empty, brooding stare was transferred to...
Beth drew in a hasty breath, a feeling of terror washing over her. The 'look' had made her blood run cold, her heart beat wildly in her chest cavity. She moved closer to Josef and was happy when Mick moved closer..to her.
"She has known for months." Josef snapped his waning patience. "The 'Masters' are not so stupid to think..she could have revealed our existance many times over had she wished."
"Masters?" Mick had heard the rumors. These things did not truly exist, surely. And what could they want with his Beth if they did? He sought out the older Vampire for instruction and information.
"I do not question...I only obey." the cold gaze shifted to Mick St. John. "The blame lies with..this one! The fault is his!"
"He did not divulge his identity." Josef ignored the younger Vampire's entreaty. "It was discovered by accident and as I said..."
"Then 'HE'..." it was spoken lowly. "should have eliminated the threat immediately. It is the 'Code'."
"What are you talking about?" Mick demanded some answers. He disliked the fear in Beth Turner's eyes. The eyes that had..moments before, been dancing with mischief and joy. "Who are you..what is it you want? If someone has a problem with me..let them face me directly!"
The being remained silent, uncommunicative.
"If they..or you..are concerned that Beth will reveal facts about our Society.." Mick tried again.
"I am not concerned." The icy emptiness swept over the female. "She will tell..no one"
Mick felt Beth's terror, reaching his hand back, his fingers intertwining with her suddenly chilled ones. "I don't know what the hell is going on but..if you want her?" Mick motioned with his free hand. "You're going to have to go through me first..." He sat his mind. "Bring it on!"
"...Excellent." The being nodded imperceptibly. "I had hoped as much."
A rather loud, undignified clunk disturbed the brittleness of the moment.
All turned their attention to the source of the disturbance.
The female groaned loudly, having fell heavily from the upper portion of the ledge that surrounded the building. She rolled about the imported marble stones for a second then..lay back heavily, her body stretched out comically. She stared at the night sky for a goodly while, moaning softly.
At length, she struggled to a half sitting position, her long blonde hair completely disarrayed, tendrils falling from the carefully arranged top knot. Her face was smudged with dirt. Lots of it.
"Oh...don't be so stuffy, Hans!" The female snapped peevishly, glaring at the burly being who stood directly before her. "Why must you be so fucking melodramatic?"
Mick blinked, his senses getting a work out this night. He watched as the woman arose, dusting her self off absently. She tugged at some unseen material under the long, black dress she wore. Had the man not known better, he would have sworn, she had pulled on her panties.
"What the HELL..." The large being's tone held a genuine annoyance now, Mick noted, where before..nothing had seemed to unsettle it. "Are YOU..doing here???"
"I can be where ever I want..you aren't MY boss!" The woman had stepped right up to the gigantic being, for he seemed to dwarf her size..he was almost a good head and a half taller, after all. He glared down on the petite person with ill concealed hostility. " And..HOW did you get down off that damned roof top! Look at my clothes!" She held the dusty fabric up for inspection.
"They are ruined and it's all YOUR fault!" The immaculately kept finger nail pushed into the stout chest area of the being. "You're replacing these shoes! They are my very all time favorite ones..so...so..." She sought for the correct word. "...there! And for God's sake! Use the door, can't you? Why must you always make such a 'grande entrance'????"
Mick was..dumbfounded, clear and simple. He stood, trying to make heads or tails of ...what had just transpired. He had ...nothing. He glanced over to Josef Kosten. The other Vampire seemed somehow..relieved.
"I am soooo telling Dad!" The apparition turned up her nose and stalked away from the ..from..it. She smiled amicably, her arms spreading wide as she approached... "Josef! How delightful to see you again! I have missed you terribly! Have you missed me???"
Josef welcomed her into his embrace, smiling genuinely upon the pretty..if smudged features. "You have dirt on your nose."
"I have dirt in places you would not wish to know about." She philosophized, moving from his embrace slightly. "You're looking older." She scrutinized the Vampire critically.
"I'm looking just fine, thank you." Josef corrected. "You liar."
The light grey eyes were cut to... "Old Hans giving you hell?" She made a face at the one in question who stood now...seething and silent, his eyes dark sparks of cold disdain. "It's what he does best..besides..murder things. I bet he could kill a plastic plant..whatd ya think, Hans..could you? Are you that good? Or is it all..boast and brag with you..like most males?"
She smiled brightly at the being. "He can be so..uncivilized at times but then.." Her eyes swept the being's form appreciatively. "I so enjoy..'uncivilized' do I not, Hans."
"Hello Althea." Josef grinned at the exchange, even if the one it was directed at obviously found nothing what-so-ever amusing about it, were his features any criterion by which to judge.
"Why, hello Josef. Has your one and only stirred from that nasty little coma you put her into as yet?" She blinked innocent eyes up to his slightly scolding ones.
"..Nice to see you too." Josef had narrowed his gaze a tad.
"Have I missed the party?" Althea queried, seeking out those gathered. Her gaze landed on Beth Turner. "Apparently not.." She mused. "You're still in one piece. Hans can be so...physical at times."
"ALTHEA!" 'Hans' grated his growing fury.
The woman turned an inoffensive 'look'. "Yes..Hans?" She answered obediently.
"Return to your Sire! This instant!"
"It's boring there." Althea crinkled her nose. "And you left without even saying 'goodbye'. I was deeply hurt, beloved...deeply!"
"OBEY ME!"
Althea closed her eyes, sighing happily. "Ohhhh...I love that tone! Say something else..something..provacative!"
"You BITCH!" 'Hans' grated, his emotions just barely contained. "Must I throw you off the balcony myself??"
The woman shook her head woefully, explaining to the 'others'..who had stood by, blatantly listening in on what was taking place. "He loves to throw me off things. Last time? It was a gloomy cliff off the edge of some Spanish town. "The old grump."
"LEAVE!"
The humor died in the grey eyes and she...turned slowly to face her 'demon'. "...No." She stated quietly.
Han's face masked with true anger. "...then stay." He hissed venomously. "The outcome will be the same. If you truly wish to witness it...so be it!"
"Move carefully my pet." The teasing quality was absent from the woman's tone. And her manner had chilled decidedly. "Do you truly wish to test Papa's...power? I am nothing but ..he?"
The silence was devastating.
"Do you like this female?" She asked, never taking her eyes from the real danger.
Josef prompted Mick to a reply. Nudging him sharply in the side.
"Who..eh...eh..yes! Yes, of course I...I like her. She is my friend and she means no harm to.."
"I mean..." The woman sighed heavily. "Do you like her...in the Biblical sense, because..if you do? I shall champion you."
"Are you fucking INSANE?" 'Hans' moved a threatening step.
Althea held up her hand. "It is YOUR 'Code'...not mine! It is allowed..yes?" She questioned airily. "Nor do I delude myself that you cannot best me but..then..you would have dear old ..Papa to consider, wouldn't you. He will avenge my untimely..not to mention..tragic...demise."
She smiled wistfully. "He might even shed a tear or two. He did for Divia, but..he always liked her best, truth told, don't you think?"
"Papa would be the first to throw you off the fucking balcony..do you seriously think he will approve of this farce?" Hans did not frighten so easily, apparently.
"How you paint him..never-the-less, I think they make a cute couple and I am a hopeless romantic. You would know that if you ever bothered to actually listen to anything I say."
Althea waved the matter aside. "I absolutely forbid you to harm them. Go away now..back to whatever rock you slithered from beneath."
"YOU???" Hans was more than livid. "YOU...FORBID??"
"Are you raising your voice to me?" The thought seemed an incredulous one to Althea, her eyes wide with wonder and amazement. "How...dare you!"
"You would be surprised at what 'I dare'..." The being managed between clenched teeth.
"Now you are simply being unreasonable.." Althea sighed heavily. "I know the rules and you must obey them. So go off somewhere and obey them. I shall see you back here at sunset..Eastern Standard Time please. I'm a late riser."
"Fuck YOU!" The being turned with a swirl of the heavy cape, stalking to the balcony, vaulting onto the railing, stepping off into the silence of the night.
Beth cried out her alarm, rushing to Mick's side. "Oh MY GOD..he JUMPED!"
"If only." Althea practically snorted. She turned about, spreading her hands open. "Josef? Do you see a drink in my hands?"
Josef smiled tightly, crossing to prepare the concoction she enjoyed. "..Thank you, Thea." He looked up, halting his actions of dropping an ice cube into the frosted glass. "For what you did."
The female looked to the other two occupants of the room. "This is another fine mess you've gotten me into, Josef. Don't think old Hans will be waylaid for long either." She predicted.
"I trust you have a plan to appease the Council? I can annoy him for just so long before he stakes my ass...or worse, knowing him."
She crossed to Beth, lifting a lock of blonde curls, examining the texture of the fragrant tresses absently. "I bought you some time..but an Enforcer cannot be...deterred. Like your infamous 'Mounties'..they always get their man...or woman." Althea smiled pleasantly at Beth.
"Don't be morbid..I thought you out grew your 'Goth' period."
"Black is slimming." Althea frowned over at Josef. "You know you adore me in black."
"I adore you out of it more. Talk to your Father."
"You know how he feels about 'humans' and...us." She rolled her eyes. "The only thing he ever truly cared for was taken from him by...a human. I can talk to him until I'm blue in the face..I would be a freakin Smurf before he would lift a finger to 'help'....no offense lady."
"Then tell me who I can talk too." Mick demanded. "There has to be a way to deal with this. I'm not going to just stand here and let them hurt Beth."
"Ok, good luck with that." Althea nodded. "I'm off then." She brightened, turning to Josef. "See you guys on the morrow, as old Hans would sa..."
"You owe me." Josef stated quietly.
"...You would put it on those terms?" Althea was indignant.
"Decidedly."
"Well, that's not very gentlemanly!"
"Ain't no 'gentleman'...if you will recall?" Josef lifted noble brows.
Althea...smiled...happily. "....I remember."