Chapter 6

"Ow!" Ruby hissed as Aghony pulled a piece of glass from her thigh. She sat on iAm's desk with the first aid kit splayed out beside her while Aghony was working on the damage to her leg.

"Sorry, but I have to" he said tilting his head apologetically.

"It's okay" Ruby said sighing "It's what I get for trying to be a hero."

"You were a hero" Aghony said pulling another piece out as fast as he could. Slower hurt her more, and although he liked the way she moaned after each tiny piece, it was not out of pleasure.

"Yea right" Ruby said rolling her eyes.

"It's true" Aghony said bandaging her leg up "Ruby Marvel, defender of vampires."

Ruby suddenly stared at him dead after hearing the words come out of his mouth. Aghony suddenly felt his skin prickling and realized what he had said.

"Uh" he said looking up, eyes wide with terror.

"Did I hear that right?" Ruby said squinting her eyes. Aghony didn't answer her but like lighting her fingers were in his mouth splaying his mouth wide. Ruby saw, but she didn't want to believe. Two fangs, right there in front of her. How in the hell had she missed that.

"Wow..." she said as she slowly pulled back. He was a vampire...All of them were.

Aghony watched as Ruby's thought process ran across her face like a movie. First was complete surprise, then there would be panic, and fear and major hostility. Great...the one girl he was really interested in and she was going to freak because she was human and he wasn't.

"So like.." she said trying to put her thoughts into words. Her hand steadily went out and pushed him for a minute just to be sure he was really there "You are completely serious?"

Aghony was trying so hard not to blush "Afraid so."

Ruby suddenly started laughing "Jesus well that explains a lot! No wonder you all look like you came from some model company, your freaking vampires!" She started to laugh louder and after a few good wheezes for air she settled down.

"So..."Aghony said testing the waters "You believe me? And you are okay with it?"

Ruby simply shrugged her shoulders and smiled "Whatever" she said "Stranger things have happened in this world. Who am I to judge? Just promise me you won't drain me dry after I leave."

Aghony shook his head and smiled "We don't feed off humans, just our own kind. Believe me, you are safe."

Ruby suddenly realized she didn't even know what this geek god's name was.

"I have really got to quit calling him that" she thought to herself.

"So mister tall, pale and dead" Ruby said teasing him "Do you all have a name? Oh wait! I bet it's something old fashioned and mysterious, like...Fredrick or...Edward...or what about Damien!"

Aghony laughed at the names drops "No, we have stranger names to you humans. My name is Aghony, and my father's name is Phury."

Ruby liked the way his voice pronounced his name and wanted to twirl it in her mouth "Aghony.." she said "I like it, but it seems a bit dark. So does Phury."

"We all have dark names" he said "It's to strike fear in the hearts of our enemies."

"Well call me stricken" Ruby laughed.

Aghony realized he loved the way she laughed, how it was deep and pure, not a lighthearted laugh that would be delivered to anything. Ruby stared at her handsome god for a second and took him in fully. He really was handsome. Not hot or sexy or anything you would say to describe a typical guy. And the simple way his wavy hair fell into his face while those dark jade green eyes stared down at her, it made everything in her body hum.

"Now your the one who's staring" Aghony said wrapping the last bandage around her leg.

"Can't help it" Ruby said "It's not everyday I meet a real vampire."

"Well you are all fixed up" he said helping her down off the desk "For the most part. I'd re-do the dressings every few hours, just so the cuts will heal right."

"Thanks" Ruby said giving him a big smile "I appreciate it."

Aghony walked her out of the room, inhaling her scent one last time before they rejoined the others. Sal's had been pretty much destroyed decoratively after the fight, but after a little clean up, it didn't look that bad. Slap some new wallpaper and fix the broken furniture and all would be well.

Ruby realized all eyes were staring at her now. She realized in that moment she was standing in a room full of vampires and a thought of fear crossed her mind for only a second.

"Oh shit you told her" Vishous said shaking his head.

"I figured it out" Ruby said covering for Aghony "It isn't every day a fight like that happens with just anyone. Plus you boys don't hide your fangs well" Ruby said giving him a wink.

Vishous gave a genuine smirk as they all gathered around her.

"So his name is something dark and weird" she said sticking her thumb behind at Aghony "What's everyone else's?"

The group of gods looked at each other hesitantly, not really knowing whether to tell this tiny female their real names.

"Oh come on" Ruby said owning up to the fact that even if she did know, she had a good feeling she wasn't going to remember tomorrow "I swear when you erase my memory I'll try my hardest to forget."

The group suddenly got wide eyes staring at the human female who for some reason knew their little trick at keeping themselves known to humans.

"Vishous" said the tall one with the crazy tattoo on his face.

"Qhuinn" said the other tattooed one "And this is Blaylock" he said pointing at the red head.

"You can just call me Blay" the red head said shrugging.

"Bruhtal" the huge one said flexing his crossed arms at her.

"Hhate" the Asian one said giving her steady eyes.

"Tohrment" the bigger military dude said giving her a wink.

"And I'm John" the other one signed at her. She was thankful for a second she knew a little ASL.

"John?" Ruby said smiling "Out of everyone you have the most normal name?"

"He was given it at an orphanage" Tohrment said "His real name is Tehrror."

"Oh" Ruby said giggling.

"And I'm" the tan one said taking her hand in his quickly as he planted a light kiss to her skin "Faolan. And baby, I'm way more than a vampire." Ruby's eyes got wide as she looked into his golden ones that were now glowing bright.

Aghony quickly grabbed Faolan's wrist and gave him a warning look "Mine" he whispered. Faolan only winked at him and strutted back in place like nothing had happened.

"Well it was great meeting all of you" Ruby said placing her hands in front of her shabby apron "But I am merely a mortal and need some sleep."

"I'll walk you home" Aghony said automatically

Ruby smiled at him "Okay let me just grab my jacket." Quickly she walked out of the main room, her footsteps trailing lightly behind her.

"You asshole" Aghony sighed turning to his best friend "Why'd you have to go and do that?"

"I like fucking with you" Faolan said laughing "Besides, the female gets flattered when he male defends her."

"Just watch it man" Aghony said shaking his head "I can't control myself when I'm around her."

"Chill Aggie" Vishous said clapping him on the back "But you know you are going to have to do what she said. We can't have a human running around town knowing about us. Sure it's fine if they are at the mansion, but out in the city it's different, true?"

"I got you" Aghony said sighing "I just don't want to believe it."

"You are going to have to" Torhment said "If the king hears about it, we are all in deep shit."

Aghony looked at the wise Brother and nodded his head.

"I feel for you my man" Tohr said shaking his head slowly "She's one awesome female."

Suddenly Ruby busted in and took Aghony by the arm "Ready?" she said looking up at him.

"Ready" Aghony said brushing past the group. Nothing felt more right than Ruby's arm laced around his, even if it was for only a few moments.

"See you guys!" Ruby said waving "Or whenever you decide to have another fight!"

As Aghony walked out of the door with the female Faolan felt bad for his friend and what he had to do...he just hoped he could do it.