Amalgam

Chapter 3:

Doubles

She found it rather difficult to focus for the majority of the day. Her mind seemed to ping pong between Damon-she really would like to see him again-and the crow-whom she'd seen on at least three more occasions today.

Her reasons for thinking of Damon were pretty simple for her to understand: he was incredibly delicious. She couldn't quite get the remembrance of his face out of her mind, it was like it was burned into her-and she was rather pleased to have it there. Not to mention, they'd had absolutely amazing sex-something she hadn't had in a long time-and she wouldn't mind getting herself some more of it.

She knew that all of this was highly superficial, but she rather enjoyed his company as well. He was clearly very arrogant and dark, but that black energy he created around himself was hypnotizing. She couldn't help but want to relish it as it coursed out of his eyes and shot right into her soul, making her want to do very bad things. She'd always struggled with her deep seeded desire to cause trouble and walk the fine line between good old fun and complete immorality and when he was around she found it harder to fight against-which was kind of invigorating. And she found his forthright, witty and sarcastic responses both hilarious and refreshing-she was tired of the stuffy and self-righteous reactions of the majority.

And then of course there was the fact that she had no way of fulfilling her need for him, whether it be for company or as a lover, because she didn't know where to find him. She didn't have a number or an address, all she had was a name-one very dark and sensual name-and her memories of their night together-all of which were electric. She'd never been in this predicament before, normally there was something she could utilize if she wished to see an interesting man again but this time, when she was truly wanting to get a second taste, she had nothing tangible.

Her infatuation with her crow was a bit different. The first time she saw him she'd thought perhaps it were a different bird then the one that had perched on her window that morning, but upon investigation it was painfully clear that it was him and he'd even came close enough to let her touch him again, but only once. She'd been able to push the bird from her mind after she saw him the first time, but now it was nearly impossible to do that because she couldn't place a definitive meaning on his constant resurfacing.

First of all, it was a rather peculiar crow because crows normally traveled in groups but her crow was always by himself when she saw him. The last two times she saw him she'd made a point of looking for at least one more bird, thinking that perhaps he was the scout bird and there were others perched in a tree somewhere watching and learning from him, but there never was. Secondly, he'd allowed her to touch him on two occasions now, something that even some domesticated birds had issues with seeing as fowls weren't generally very cuddly. And thirdly, and perhaps the most perplexing, he seemed to be following her and not only that but watching her, not surveying the general area but rather fixated on her-which she knew had to be absolutely ludicrous but it was just the way it felt.

It should have felt very Albert Hitchcock but his presence didn't really bother her, even though it probably should have-he was a scavenger and a fairly old omen of misfortune and it wasn't as if he were something less sinister such as a dove, yet she was content with his eyes on her. She'd actually found him too beautiful and his watch over her too powerful to be frightened of him. This oddly at ease feeling he gave her drove her to investigate the various beliefs about this particular fowl.

At first it seemed that she were some kind of anomaly because nearly every culture saw them as an omen as wicked as it's larger counterpart, the raven. They were said to be ghosts of murder victims, souls of the damned or a presage of death and damn near every culture believed that the only crows that were a good omen were the dead ones.

But just when she'd decided that she was more psychologically warped then she'd originally thought for feeling at ease with the bird she found a site about Cherokee Indian animal totems in which the crow was depicted much differently. The Cherokees acknowledged that the crow was sly and deceptive but that they did it as a mean of self-preservation. They believed them to be keepers of knowledge because nothing escaped their keen eyes and that listening to the crow, who's vocabulary is said to be rather extensive-each caw meaning something different-can teach you how to hear the truth of what is really being said. They also commended their tendency to foresee danger, warn other's less perceptive of said danger and their ability to adapt to and survive any situation.

They went on to explain that the black that cloaks them is the color of creation. They said that black, the color of the darkness, represents how night gives birth to the rising sun of a new day-neither able to exist without the other. They said the fact that the crow is diurnal served as a reminder that magic and creation is always present in both darkness and light. They also believed that the crow could shift between the known and unknown world, representing great adventure and a new journey and that it is associated with magic, unseen forces and spiritual strength. They advised that: "if a crow flies into your life- get out of your familiar nest, look beyond your present range of vision, listen to its caw and act accordingly for a new journey has truly begun."

She pondered these notions as she sat cross-legged on her bed with her laptop atop her thighs. Well, she had to say she was much more satisfied by the Cherokees take on the fowl, it seemed that out of all the vast amount of cultures they were the only ones who got it right. Or perhaps, their altered psyches due to massive consumption of marijuana and opiates before becoming philosophical was just in correlation with her distorted view of the word in sober mind-whatever it was, she felt they were spot on for her feelings on the matter.

As she scrolled through the webpage, running through the literature about her crow one last time she was interrupted by the boom of a heavy fist on her front door. It startled her slightly, she hadn't been expecting anyone, and she composed herself, running her fingers through her hair and readjusting her tiny, tight black t-shirt and dark denim jeans as she moved towards the noise and called out, "One minute."

She unlocked the deadbolt, slid the chain lock back and pulled the door open slowly, peering out onto the dimly lit porch as she cracked the door open enough to see who had come to her. Her heart started racing instantly, pounding hotly within her ears in excitement as she took in clad black beauty before her, his weight resting on his forearm which was propped on her doorframe as a devilish smile beamed across his mouth-Damon.

"Hello Morgan," he said in that velvety smooth seductive tone that had seemed impossible to be his normal speaking voice at first, but she was beginning to believe that luckily for her it just might be. She pulled the door open more and her own wicked yet pleasantly surprised smile crept out as she responded in her own sultry tone, "Hello Damon-I hoped I'd see you again." She could see the satisfaction sparkle in his smile, extending up into the darkness of his eyes as he responded, "I'm certain you hoped for more then just seeing me again."

God, she loved his cockiness, she was fully aware that he had every reason to be and she didn't mind encouraging it when it was so beautifully justified. "Of course I did," she said arching a single brow as she bit her bottom lip, causing a flare in his confidence to project itself in his body language just as she'd wanted-she enjoyed knowing that he was certain that he'd satisfied her immensely the night before. "And all the cards were in your hand today and you played them so beautifully by coming back for me- so, obviously you want more then a look as well," she said as she let her own tone show it's own level of arrogance.

"I can think of far more productive things we can do together," he said leaning forward onto his forearm to bring his face closer to hers as their eyes smoldered on one another. "As could I," she said closing the gap between them further for a several scorching moments before she pulled away and tilted her head, her tone less seductive as she smiled vindictively, "But even though just the fact that you're standing here wanting me is hot enough to make me want to strip you down and do all the dirty things we did last night all over again-I take just a little more courting then that Mr. Salvatore."

He tilted his head respective to hers, lining their mouths back up so that they could almost touch each other as he spoke in a husky whisper his eyes lingering on her lips, "Don't go ruining the beautiful thing we have darling, I rather like the way you taste." "As do I," she said before brushing her lips softly to his and speaking against them in her own whisper, "But sometimes a girl needs to be shown how much she's wanted in ways that don't involve her taste so that she is more generous with her favors."

He sighed against her mouth and pulled away slightly to gently grip her throat in his free hand, tracing a line with his thumb up the outside of it, arching it tenderly up to her jaw line, along it and up to her bottom lip, his eyes burning on hers as he spoke in a whisper that was strong despite it's pitch, "And what does this girl consider courting?"

His gentle touch despite his rough and dangerous appearance made her body quiver slightly, as the thoughts of all the amazing things he could do to her surged through her mind-which she was sure was his intention, but she welcomed it anyhow, it didn't change that she would make him work for her just as she had last night. "Food is always a strong positive, she's sort of a fat kid at heart and nourishment means more stamina for her repayment," she said softly against his thumb which still lingered on her swollen bottom lip.

"If you weren't so delicious: I'd walk away," he said his tone showing signs of annoyance that he was going to give in. "And if you weren't equally as satisfying I wouldn't be entertaining the thought of another night when you mouth ends up right back here," she said pulling his hand from her mouth, trailing it slowly down her body as she spoke to bring it to the mark that was on her inner thigh.

She felt him shiver slightly in pleasure as his eyes reflected a hunger so strong that she almost forgot about dinner all together while his nails dug into the denim of her jeans. She had to fight back the shiver in her own body, and even though it almost hurt to do it she managed so she could maintain whatever level of control she had over herself, as she backed away from him slowly, the smile of a vixen dancing on her lips as she spoke in a tone that matched it, her eyes holding his passionately, "I'll get my jacket then."

She could see him struggling with himself, both physically and mentally as he tightened his jaw and held her eyes, straightening his stance in the doorway while he spoke in a tone that was both a threat and a playful remark, it sounded like he wasn't quite sure which it favored more, he wasn't used to being on that side of the reins, "Make it quick or I might change my mind."

She winked to push him towards the latter as she slipped into the same dark gray hip length trench coat she'd worn last night-which reminded her she didn't make it home with anything other then that, her bra and panties and her shoes last night, she couldn't believe she'd left his house so unclothed. She put on her knee high black leather high heeled boots, zipping them over the bottom of her jeans and grabbed her purse, making slight hast to be sure that he knew she was just as excited to get back in between the sheets with him as he was. She hit the lights as she moved, leaving pitch darkness behind her as she worked her way back to him, a smile on her mouth at the thought of it.

When she finally made her way to the doorway, he motioned her respectfully to pass before him and she nodded at him in thanks as she smiled and closed the door behind herself. While she was turning the key in the lock, he grabbed her shoulders, spinning her towards him with a passionate force that probably would have hurt if it were anyone but him, and slammed her against the door. Her keys fell to the porch as he gripped her wrists harshly and forced her arms against the door as well while he pressed his body hard against hers and slammed their lips together, the desire and hunger in them matching the look he'd had in his eyes when he'd dug into her thigh.

His hot mouth moved from her lips to her jaw, his teeth scrapping it sporadically as he worked his way upward towards her ear. Once he'd finally made his way all the way to her lobe, he nibbled it as his sultry, slightly edgy and fierce voice seeped out against her ear, "Don't you forget who's in charge here."

She couldn't fight the shiver this time, it erupted through her with a force that had her eyes fluttering slightly in pleasure as a weak and satisfaction soaked breathy response broke through her trembling lips, "Never." She absolutely loved the way he was dominating her and she couldn't think of anything she wanted more then this-he could always be in control if this is the treatment she got when he was. "Good," he said in almost a growl before nibbling her lobe softer this time, his hands loosening on her wrists and slipping up to lock with her, their fingers linking as his mouth worked it's way back towards hers, his body still pressed against her holding her to the door motionless. When their lips finally met again, she couldn't get enough of how phenomenal the hot black electricity that seeped from him into her felt. She needed her fix of the addiction he'd created last night; she'd remembered this feeling all day long, couldn't get the taste of him out of her mouth and yet here with him now it seemed even more tantalizing then she had recalled.

And when he pulled the drug away from her finally, she found herself trying to chase after it, arching her now even more swollen lips towards it, hungry for more-just one more hit and she'd be okay. "Oh no you don't," he said moving one set of their linked hands from the wall to press his index finger to her lips as he spoke in a condescending yet sexy whisper, "You said you needed courting for a taste, so you don't get anything else until after I've courted you-no take backs."

She felt a stab in the chest as she realized that she wouldn't be getting another hit until sometime after dinner-damn her big mouth! She held his eyes as she sucked the tip of his finger into her mouth momentarily before responding in a very smoldering whisper against it as it continued to linger, "Who said courting couldn't involve some of that?" He pulled his finger from her lips letting their hands fall away as he leaned back in, nearly kissed her and just when her eye started to flutter slowly closed and she was sure she could have her way all around he spoke quickly, completely dashing any hopes she'd had for a fix, "You."

Before she was even aware of it, all the pressure of him holding himself against her was gone, her other hand released and a distance between them that was respective of his determination to make her regret the insistence on not moving right into the sex. He bent to retrieve her keys, holding them out to her as he smiled in dickish manner and motioned towards the street with this other hand, "After you." She held his eyes from under her brow, her expression accepting of his challenge as her smile mirrored his and she resituated her twisted shirt and hiked her purse back up onto her shoulder while she spoke in a playfully respectable tone, "Thank you."

She started down the three steps and had to fight to keep her game face unchanged rather then let her awe show as she took in the high polished sleek black paint of Damon's Ferrari parked on the curb which stopped her dead in her tracks. He crossed in front of her and pulled the passenger side door open as an all too satisfied smile flashed all the way up into his eyes while he held his hand out to her. Yes her frustratingly scrambled memory had served her right-his car was black, sexy, fast and foreign, so fitting.

He shouldn't have let her get away with that stunt she'd pulled earlier in the evening-she was his damn prey after all, she didn't get to call the shots. When she'd hindered his plan of satisfying his hunger for her by saying she needed courting he should have acted on his gut instincts that gave him two options: one, cut your loses, this chick isn't worth it, and get the hell out of here or two, proceed in the good old fashioned way of force and compelling. Damon was a predator, a highly sensitive, amazingly in tune hunter who could utilize one or several of his finely tuned skills to take what he desired. He could use the cloak of darkness to stalk her, could use his speed to catch her off guard and could use his strength, both physical and mental, to overpower her; it would have been painfully easy, she would have had no hope of fighting him off.

Yet, here they were, riding side by side in his Ferrari after he'd just treated her to an expensive dinner at a local Italian restaurant, having consumed an overpriced meal that did nothing to help his real hunger. It's not that he couldn't afford it, he could afford to fly her to Naples just for authentic cuisine at the finest villa with an endless amounts of their best fermented wines if he wished, it was that he'd actually given into her-he'd let his control slip.

That seemed to happen far too much for his liking with her, he constantly found his strength to resist her suggestive nature and raw appeal falling out from underneath him. He also found his strength to rein control of the situation back in faltering longer the more he was around her. He didn't much care for it, yet he had no desire to put distance between them-which he told himself was because he could easily take over her mind and dictate the outcome of their time together whenever he pleased. Yes, he decided that was exactly why he was ignoring every part of his instinct that told him she was unsafe for him to be around and that in the interest of survival it would be best for him to find someone else to feed from.

It was also why he'd allowed for their talk at dinner to be slightly exploratory on her part. He let her feel him out while she asked things to help her decide whether she wanted to keep him around for more then her own primal desires. Even when they were discussing things that were fitting of two people trying to get to know a little about the person whom they were repeating an escapade with she didn't pry, didn't ask for details other then those that were strictly crucial.

He'd asked some of his own subtle questions, trying to piece together what it was about her that kept him fixated as well, but he didn't pretend to be interested in the trivial things that most men who took women out on date were; because one, he wasn't anywhere close to being like most men and two, he wasn't entirely sure as to what it was he himself wanted from her. All he knew was that he needed her thick and glorious blood to fill his senses again soon, he had to try and decipher it's fascinatingly unique allure.

She leaned across the car towards him, breaking his concentration as she slid her hand up and over his thigh while she spoke in a tantalizingly sexual tone, "What do you have planned for me now?" "Oh the things I have planned for you are best left unsaid, it makes them all the more exciting when I spring them on you," he said holding her eyes as a devious smile spilled out onto his lips, exposing his teeth. He wanted to sink his teeth in her right now, it'd been far too long since he'd fed and the blood he'd consumed throughout the day had done damn near nothing to sooth the ache in his jaw in comparison to what she had to offer.

She smiled back, pleased that the courting she'd requested was almost at it's end-she wanted the normalcy of standard human etiquette yet he could see that darkness in her that she herself probably didn't even know the depth of. "Delicious," she said with intrigue as she flashed her own smile. "My thoughts exactly," he said as he ran his eyes over her, taking in the physically appetizing sight of her as the thought of how she looked exposed and naked at his disposal and the thought of her taste seeped back into his mind made his jaw throb.

He accelerated, pushing his car to respond to his reaction time so they could get to their destination quicker-he needed her. No, he didn't need anyone, he reminded himself as the desire for her forced a frenzy through him. The only need he had for her that of pure survival, he needed her life force nothing else. He didn't get attached, he wasn't Stefen. He ground this into his mind repeatedly, almost believing himself as they sped down the empty road that led to the boardinghouse.