A/n: I know it's been forever but it's really long!! Enjoy!
A Night in New York
Although every time the rough sound tore from her throat my breathing stopped, the coughing wasn't frequent enough to send me into a panic. The twenty three hour flight had some sort of lethargic pull on Ayanna, she spent the majority of it asleep, curled in the uncomfortable seat, giving me ample time to think. Her history had thrown my mind and emotions into turmoil as they hadn't been for a long time. As I watched her however, a calm feeling overpowered the anger of her past. In truth, we barely knew each other and yet I now knew that going back to any form of my past existence wasn't possible. But, cursing her to a dead existence with the Volturi after us…was that any better than death?
And, if she could hold out for that, would she want such a life? Forever with a being she barely knew. Of course, if I did change her, and she wished to leave, then I would let her. But, could I do it? Her scent was so alluring…the taste was sure to be overwhelming. Could her body even hold out against the venom?
My jaw set. I would get her to the doctor as soon as the plane landed. I would try and keep her healthy until she had decided.
Another rasping cough forced its way past her lips and I froze until it passed. She shifted slightly, coming out of her slumber. I froze again as her hand reached toward me blindly. I held my breath as she touched my arm, the heat from her fingers soaking through the sleeve of my shirt. I watched as her hand curled around the top of my forearm and she used it as leverage to pull herself closer. I stayed still as she leaned against my side, her grip loosening as she tucked her arm through mine and settled down.
Carefully I inhaled slowly, savoring the smell as a fire was ignited in my throat. I wasn't sure how she was comfortable against my rock shoulder but she didn't seem to mind. I fell into a steady pattern of shallow breathing as she dozed off again. I relished in her nearness as my unoccupied arm lifted so I could play idly with the hair that spilled over my shoulder. A smile dominated my face for the duration of the flight.
As the plane reached the end of its descent I gently roused her before the wheels made impact.
"Wha- Oh!" She jumped as the plane lurched.
"I apologize. It would have hurt had your head hit my shoulder." I explained.
"Oh." She nodded and yawned. Suddenly she realized that she had hold of my arm.
"Oh!" she exclaimed and she quickly let go, "I didn't realize."
I smiled ruefully at her, "Had it been unpleasant I would have woken you earlier."
She gave me a shy smile then yawned again, "So we're here…New York?" She asked.
"Indeed. Where is your doctor?" I asked, anxious to find her reprieve.
"At home with his family I would guess. It's nine o'clock, the office is closed." She laughed.
I let loose a low frustrated growl; I didn't think I could handle any more of her coughing, "When does it open?" I asked in a tense voice.
"Eight…" I could feel her watching me, "Hey…" She tentatively touched my forearm again, "I'll be fine."
Carefully I reined in my anger and lightly touched her fingers with my other hand then stood up, "Let's go."
She stood too then waited for me, rolling her eyes as I carried both the bags. AS we stepped out of the airport into the night of New York, with me standing as close to her back as I dared, Ayanna sighed, "I'm home."
o0o0o0o0o
"So you don't need the cloak at night right?" She asked, glancing back at me as I followed her under the overhang that surrounded the airports main building.
"No. It will be fine."
"Even the city lights won't affect you?"
"Artificial lighting is of no concern." I assured her.
A slow grin split her lips, "Great! I know where we can stay for the night that's kinda cheap."
"Money is of no concern either." I frowned at her.
I light laugh was her response, "No need to be wasteful." She murmured. With that she stepped out to the curb and lifted a hand above her head, "Taxi!" A yellow car came to a screeching halt closer to her than I was comfortable with, but Ayanna simply pulled the door open and looked over her shoulder, "Well? Come on!" She said excitedly.
I gave her and the car a dubious look, I didn't like not knowing where I was headed, but I stepped towards her and climbed into the car's backseat with the bags. She slid in after me and leaned up to speak to the driver, "241st street please." She sat back as the car shot off into the night of New York.
It was confining in that hot car. Thankfully the drivers scent was not appealing at all. I watched out the windows warily as lights, buildings and thousands of people flashed by. My gaze flickered back and forth as the sights flew by until I heard one of our bags shift. I glanced at the seat to see Ayanna where I had placed the bags.
"What is it?" Her brow was furrowed and concern washed through me as her azure gaze scanned my face. At my question her eyes locked onto mine.
"It can be overwhelming at first, I know." She murmured, her voice easily covered by the driver's obnoxiously loud music.
"It is…busy, and crowded." I replied, glancing back out the window as I spoke.
"That's New York." Her laughed was interrupted by a cough. "Hey Garrett?" Her next words were slow, I looked back at her curiously, it was not a tone that I was used to.
"Yes?" I urged as she hesitated.
"I know you probably have it handled but…" She licked her lips and looked away for a moment.
As she had done earlier on the plane I gently placed my fingers on her forearm. She looked at it in surprise but didn't flinch away, much to my pleasure, and smiled up at me for a moment. But as she met my gaze it faded as did the warmth in my chest that had accompanied her grin, "What? You can talk to me."
Her lips pulled slightly upward again and she took a deep breath, "It's just…you haven't had anything to drink in a while…and…"She leaned in closer, "Your eyes are pure black, and you told me that…you were dangerous when that happened."
Comprehension took hold of me and I realized that her hesitation had sprouted from not wanting to offend me, not from fear. She was right of course, but I was ashamed to admit that I hadn't quite figured out how to manage my thirst yet. I had limited supply of blood; it required no hunting so I had control of my senses while I was around it. I had never had any reason to act out of the norm while drinking it. The smell, while enticing, had never altered my behavior before so I knew I could drink it around Ayanna without putting her in danger. There were two problems with that.
Primarily, I wasn't sure that I could handle Ayanna's reaction to my sipping the blood of her kind, it was sure to not be a pleasant reaction. So far she'd taken my revelations in stride and I was positive any disgust shown on her part would hurt me. I could drink it as she slept but so far that'd been impossible. The first night I'd carried her while she slept. The second night I had selfishly laid across from her, that was my fault. The third time she had slept was on the plane, not exactly a prime area for pulling out a jar of human blood. It had only been three days but since I was accustomed to having a jar a day three days was a long time.
Secondly, and more serious than my fear of her reaction, was that I only had nine jars left. If I could push myself and only drink when needed then I could stretch my supply, but it still wouldn't last long enough, especially if three days had Ayanna worrying. But how was I supposed to hunt with Ayanna with me? I had to keep an eye on her, especially with this new development in her sickness. And, where? We'd been in populated places since we'd left.
Ayanna's hand curled around mine, drawing me out of my thoughts. My distraction had only lasted a few seconds but compared to my usual immediate replies it seemed that she had noticed the difference. "I'll take care of it." I focused on her face, "I promise it will be fine, I have it under control."
Ever so gently I squeezed her hand in reassurance. If she was going to protest it was cut off my the driver, "That'll be forty eight dollars lady." My brow creased at his poor manners toward Ayanna. I reached my hand out to make him think we'd paid, but Ayanna gently took that hand and pulled it back. She drew money out of her bag and handed it to him.
"It's a hard life, being a cabby, that's their livelihood." She explained in a low voice as we climbed from the car. She bent back in and I swallowed hard; her legs were really too long for their own good. She handed me my bag but when I reached for hers she instead shyly took my hand in hers. "Guys in this part of town aren't as chivalrous as you Adonis. Best to blend in…" She looked at me with a quick grin, "Well, as much as you can anyway."
For the first time I took in our latest surroundings. It was definitely different than where the airport was located…rougher.
A tug on my hand drew my attention again, "Come on, God boy, I don't want the girls around here to get any ideas. There's only enough of you for one."
Something odd in my chest occurred at her words, and I couldn't help but smile in triumph as she turned to walk. We did attract quite a bit of attention, Ayanna as much so as me to my extreme dissatisfaction. Despite the hour there was quite a large amount of humans out on the streets. Eyes followed our progress but Ayanna didn't seem to notice as she led the way. After a few minutes of walking I still didn't see anything that could resemble our destination. All that occupied this street were small, darkened businesses. I was becoming more and more guarded as we continued.
"Ayanna, are you sure this place will be suitable?" I questioned.
She glanced up at me with an amused expression, "Yes, unless you absolutely need a five star resort."
"Anywhere is fine with me, but I am concerned with your safety and comfort." I frowned.
She laughed and glanced up at me again, "Trust me, I've stayed in places worse than where we're going. And, who could hurt me with my own personal, not to mention indestructible, bodyguard?"
I let it lay, my doubts swayed for a moment, but I was perversely curious as to what conditions she had been forced to live in before. Her grip on my hand changed. Her fingers threaded through mine as her pace abruptly slowed. Her gaze had turned wary and she adjusted her bag on her shoulder to sit more securely. I followed her line of sight to a group of darkly dressed people ahead of us, music was blaring from somewhere within them. I could smell them, they were standing in a rough circle and they seemed to be worked up over something they were watching in the middle. The blood was pumping through them, and whether it was from anger or excitement I cursed my thirst as I became extremely aware of a burn in my throat.
"We're gonna go around them, but if they talk to me…just stay quiet." Ayanna's voice was tense.
"Who are they?"
Her reply didn't come for several long moments, "Former acquaintances you could say." She finally muttered.
As we neared them she edged closer to me. The burn increased, but the waves of tension rolling off of her kept me focused. We stepped off the sidewalk to go around the large group. Unexpectedly the music cut off, Ayanna's grip tightened around my icy hand and we continued to walk.
"Ay! That you Chispa?"
Ayanna froze, "Fuck." She cursed under breath. Slowly she turned to face whoever had spoken. "Lupe, how's it?" she greeted tensely. Had I been human I was positive Ayanna's grip would have bruised my hand.
"You wasn't gonna walk by us with no greetin' right?" I could now see a dark haired Latin girl as the group parted. On the surface the words were friendly but Ayanna never relaxed and I could hear the threatening undertone.
"I didn't want to interrupt." Ayanna spoke in a falsely calm voice.
"Where you been at? That guy from your new crew? You know better than to come rollin down our streets after what you done."
"I don't have a crew Lupe, never did," There was a sudden spike in angry mutters from the group, "I left New York."
"Not smart chica, caused a lot a fuckin' trouble for us."
"How's that? I never formally joined your crew, Jesus and I had an agreement."
"You left us hangin'. Lost us big ass money to the Dristal crew, you hurt our rep. We got a bit of a score to settle wit' you Chispa."
The friendly overlay had evaporated and Ayanna's expression twisted in anger, "Shouldn't have taken the challenge, not my problem."
"You know we don't never back down!" The girl stepped forward angrily.
I slid a half step in front of Ayanna as she retorted angrily, "Jesus recruited me, not the other way around. He knew I was leaving, you were lucky I agreed to step with you at all. You got a problem with it then take it up with him." Ayanna's voice was harsher than I'd ever heard it.
The girl released a cruel laugh, "Jesus was gettin' lazy. He got popped for possession two days after you bounced. I run this crew now and I say if you step wit' us then you're one of us and desertin' your crew ain't okay." The threats hung thickly in the air and I barely restrained a snarl.
Ayanna's clenched audibly, "That's to damn bad, I ain't sticking around. I'll be outta here again by morning."
"You won't go nowhere until your debt is paid." The girl smirked and crossed her arms over her chest.
"What the hell do you want from me?"
"The cops been all over lately, we got a drop tonight and you're gonna make it."
Ayanna's stare was cold, "Hell no. I don't use or sell, I won't touch that shit."
A cruel smile twisted the girl's lips, "Then you'll pay up with the induction you skipped."
The group began to slowly surround us. Ayanna's eyes were wide and she spun to face me, I didn't understand what the girl had meant but the sudden fear in Ayanna's expression clarified it well enough for me. We were standing only an inch apart as she whispered quickly, "Take us through the alley, turn left and head for the Mela Motel. Go as fast as you can without looking suspicious, we don't wanna end up on the news."
"Get them." I heard the snap of fingers and Ayanna pressed herself against me as the bodies around us began to close in. They meant to harm her, I understood now that to them the only way to repay her debt was in blood. I picked her up and turned towards the alley as the first human reached us. As he lunged I dropped my shoulder into his chest and he crumpled to the side. I ran then, forcing my way through the mob as Ayanna curled in on herself against my chest. We neared the beginning of the alley and I heard Ayanna scream but I didn't have time to pause. I pushed through the last of them and a scent hit me. I shuddered to a stop in the shadows a predatory growl rippling in my chest.
Ayanna was clutching her upper arm with fear in her eyes, "Let me down Garrett!" She whimpered, reading the bloodlust in my eyes.
I could see it now, the delicious red liquid seeping out from between her fingers. A snarl broke free and my hand came up to grip her throat. I tipped her head back; it was too late, and it would save me from that horrid coughing anyway. Her bag was shoved into my face as she vainly tried to escape her death. Her legs dropped from my hold and her scream of pain as her neck twisted in my grip. Something struck me from behind next. I roared in frustration as I was struck again. I turned, releasing the throbbing neck in my hand and grabbed the two closest men, biting their necks to silence them. Then the screams of horror around me meant nothing as the warm liquid touched my lips and began to soothe the burn in my throat.
o0o0o0o0o
My mind came back to me after the second body was drained. The alley was empty save for the two corpses beside me and the various rudimentary weapons that littered the ground, dropped in the hasty flight of the humans. With a growl I slammed my fist into the wall before me and leaned my forehead on the brick.
Although my thirst was as sated as it could be it had come at much too high a cost. Not only had I taken the lives of two humans but Ayanna had seen it. 'Ayanna… 'I thought miserably to myself, I'd been worried about her reaction to me drinking blood from a jar and now I…I had hurt her. She would want nothing to do with me now and I wouldn't blame her.
I pulled my fist from its hole in the wall and stared at the bodies, disgusted with myself. I'd take care of the corpses, and then turn myself into the Volturi. Ayanna would be better off without me. I used my speed to sneak through the cloaking darkness with the corpses over my shoulder. I chose a car parked deep in the shadows and punched in the window. I set the bodies in seats and hotwired the ignition as a book I had once read had instructed. I drew a lighter out of my bag and lit the interior on fire. Then I gave the car a hard shove and retreated into another alley. With a crash the car hit a wall and seconds later exploded and the bodies were lost in an inferno. Finished I slid my bag off of my shoulders and replaced the lighter. I stared at the contents of the bag for several long moments.
I had all the food. My decision to leave her suddenly didn't seem so wise. An image of Ayanna flashed through my mind: She was hurt, staggering under the weight of her bag as her tired body begged to give into the sickness. I couldn't forget that there were also humans after her. In my mind's eye a man with a baseball bat lifted it as he snuck behind her. I stood quickly and stole off into the alley. Before I relieved her of my presence I would make sure she was as safe as I could make her.
Only minutes later I stood outside the motel door that was heaviest with her scent. I could still smell her blood in the air but it no longer held any draw for me. I closed my eyes for a moment before I lifted my fist and knocked. A sink that had been running inside shut off and I heard slow steps come towards the door. I could hear her breathing as she paused on the other side of the door, a full minute passed and my jaw clenched in self-directed anger. Then I heard metal rub against metal and seconds later her voice carried out to me.
"Garrett!" He voice sounded relieved, for what absurd reason I could not imagine, but regardless the door remained shut, "Are you…okay now?"
"Yes…I'm so sorry Ayanna, I won't harm you." Even I could hear the sadness in my voice.
Silence again before I heard the locks clicking. The door knob turned slowly and the door squeaked open an inch. "Come in." Her voice was hesitant and I resisted the urge to bang my fist against the wall again. I pushed the door open with my fingertips and stepped in. She was several feet away from the door, her legs touching the side of the bed. I shut the door slowly before I looked up to meet her gaze.
She was watching me carefully, "You're really okay?"
I nodded, "I won't hurt you, ever again." I whispered.
Her head tilted to the side and she took a slow step towards me. I grimaced as she limped slightly. Her lips were parted as she even breathed carefully. I made no move towards her as she continued her slow progress towards me. She stopped just inches away and studied my eyes for a moment. I was sure the glistening crimson, more vivid than she had ever seen them, would send her screaming across the room. Instead she let out yet another relieved sigh and her arms surprised me by locking around my waist. My breath caught and I quickly shrugged my bag off and tossed it onto the floor, then I returned her embrace. I felt strange as my chest locked down and my shoulders shook slightly. I buried my face in her hair and suddenly realized what this was; I was crying in the only way a vampire could.
"I was so worried." She whispered against my chest. I froze and gently pushed her away.
"You were worried?" I questioned her sanity with her tone.
"Yes! I was worried; I was so scared you wouldn't come back!" She exclaimed, striking a defiant pose with her hands on her hips.
Slowly I brushed my fingers over where she had bandaged her arm with a ripped shirt. "I shouldn't have." I gently tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at the bruise my grip on her neck had caused, "But I worried about you. Sick and hurt with a New York mob after you."
I blinked in surprise when she laughed, "They won't mess with me now! I have my own personal assassin." Her voice turned solemn, "If you stick around, that is."
"I'll ensure that you're safe from everything else before I leave." I promised.
Abruptly she was furious, "Look here, Adonis, you got me into this and you will not leave me alone in it!" She poked me in the chest with a brandished finger. I gently took her hand and looked at her as I slowly brought it to my mouth kissing the back very softly.
Her lips quivered slightly as I held her hand to my cheek, "I'm safe to be near you right now, but I can't always promise you that, I'll simply turn myself over to the Volturi and you'll be safe to live the rest of your life."
Her jaw clenched and she jerked her hand back from me, "NO! Do you really think that's going to solve anything?! It won't! I still know about you and they're still going to come after me, whether you give yourself over or not!" She was screaming at me but with a few deep breaths she began to plead, "Is it really that much to ask of you? I don't have much time left and I don't want to spend it scared…is it so hard for you to take a few weeks out of your eternity to spend with a sick girl? When they find us I promise I'll turn myself over and be out of your hair but please just stay with me…let me have a bit of a fairytale…just for a little while." She had backed up to the bed and collapsed there when she stopped talking.
It hurt. It hurt more than I would have ever guessed to see her in pain, to hear her plead with me. I couldn't think straight, part of me wanted to give in, to be selfish and keep her to myself forever. But, the better side of me knew that I was dangerous. An angry rumble pushed its way through my lips and my hand came up to my forehead as I thought.
"Please Garrett…it's just a month…"
That did it. I growled at the words but she didn't flinch. "Do you think it's easy for me to sit here and watch you hurt? To know that I can only have you for a short time after over a century of waiting? To know that I can only keep you if I make you like me?! And on top of it all to know that I'm the most dangerous threat around you? A month isn't long enough Ayanna!" I snarled, "But I don't know how to fix it."
She was gaping at me but after a moment she collected herself and patted the bed beside her, "Come here." Silently I obeyed and sat down on the hard mattress, "Please just trust me…we can do this, but only if we're together. Let's just let it play out and it'll work out." I scoffed and shook my head. "Hey, it seems that we both agree that we want to stay together, so why are you going to hurt both of us by taking yourself away? I'm not scared of you. You are what you are and I'm okay with that, so just deal with it." Her tone was playful and as was her intention I couldn't help but smile.
"In the morning you go to the doctor." I said firmly, "Then we run until we reach Alaska."
"Deal." She agreed readily. She pushed off the bed and walked, as fast as her leg would permit into the bathroom. Moments later she came out in her pajamas and crawled into the bed where I still sat.
I shifted to look down on her as she pulled up the sheets, "I know the neck and arm are my fault, what happened to your leg?"
"When I…fell," she hedged.
"When I dropped you." I corrected with a sigh.
"Hey! Be happy! Despite the arguments and slight battle wounds, we made progress today!"
"Like what?" I scoffed.
"Like…" She shifted up into a sitting position and carefully leaned toward me, cautioning me with her opalescent blue eyes, her eyes stayed open as her face neared mine. I held my breath and stayed motionless, not trusting myself as her hands came up to hold my cheeks. Then her lips touched mine. The delicious warmth set my lips on fire that was wonderfully different than the usual burn in my throat. Seconds later she pulled back and dropped her hands, backing away quickly to rest on her pillows, "that."
A/n: Okay, there it is, hoped you liked it! I just want to say, if you have alerted or favorited my story…please review. That means you like it so it'd be nice to hear. And all of you new readers, I'd love to hear from you too!
Thanks to my betas: Tigermoonlight67 and Zoe, you guys are the best!
