Running. Sparring. Ettiquette. Using her senses. Damn table manners.
Rashel felt like she'd been run through a washing machine and hung to dry. Her entire body ached - she didn't even know vampires could feel continuous pain like this. It almost made her hope that in the past, she hadn't let any of them suffer that long. Almost.
She didn't know how much more she could take. All of the vampire in the mansion were taking it upon themselves to help Rashel pass herself off as an older vampire, one that could be useful to Hunter Redfern alongside Quinn. Delos was the master at etiquette and manners - apparently old vampires were a snotty bunch. Quinn helped her the most with her body - moving, sensing things, hunting for animals in the forest (but never eating them). Those lessons weren't bad. James and Poppy helped the most in the library, where they poured over map after map of the area around Hunter's island.
It was the sparring that killed her. Jez and Morgead were great - no, not great. Rashel knew they really were the best. They moved like lightning, and knew so many different offensive and defensive maneuvers it made her head spin. They made her practice fricking acrobatics until her body instinctively knew them. They fought with bare hands, and with sticks. It had been four days, and she had yet to gain the upper hand on either of them. Quinn often watched the sessions - every now and again, he jumped in for a match or two, but something felt strange about fighting with someone your connected with mentally. They both broadcasted so loudly while fighting it was impossible to catch the other off guard. So instead, he called out advice as she sweated through match after match.
"Your letting your left side fall," Jez snapped, whacking her hard arm with the stick. Rashel hissed - an automatic reaction, and she tried to move on the offensive. Jez parried her blows, and thrust the stick into her stomach. The air left Rashel's chest as she flew backwards, landing flat on her butt. She scowled at Quinn, who was surpressing a grin.
"How do you think you'll make it if you can't even fight me?" Jez asked, getting frustrated. She threw her stick down, "I give up. Your a lost cause, Jorden."
"The hell I am. Get back here!" Rashel yelled, suddenly furious. She needed Jez, she couldn't let her walk away. Quickly, she added, "Unless your too scared to fight me hand to hand. I almost had you last time."
"Yeah, you think so?" Jez turned, so that she was sideways to Rashel. She held her body like she was floating on air - Rashel bent her knees, waiting for Jez to attack. This time, she centered herself, wondering if zanshin would still work. She hadn't tried it yet, because it was her last hope, and she would have been upset to find out it didn't so early in her training. Now, she took a deep breath, focusing like she had all those years before. She watched Quinn sit up a little straighter - as the calm energy flowed around her, she knew Quinn could feel it too. Aha. She grinned to herself. Her zanshin was back.
"You'll regret that.." Morgead was chuckling, watching his soulmate knowingly. Jez crouched suddenly, but as she attacked, Rashel was one step ahead of her. She sidestepped, spinning around to kick her ribs hard as Jez missed her body entirely. The only sound was a gasp from Jez as something crunched in her chest, and she flew forwards, falling flat on her face. Morgead was at her side in an instant, and Rashel turned towards her, breathing slightly harder. Zanshin was gone, but she had a feeling she'd finally won.
"What was that?" Quinn asked, walking over. Rashel gave him a wry smile, and said, "Zanshin. It's how I used to be able to fight our kind so well." She walked over to Jez, and crouched down beside Morgead, "She ok?"
"Healing already," Jez said from her back on the ground. She shot Rashel a full grin, and said, "You might stand a chance, Vampire Hunter." Rashel rolled her eyes, but grinned back. Since Morgead insisted Jez lay flat until she was fully healed, Rashel and Quinn left the sparring area.
"Hungry?" Quinn asked suddenly. Rashel frowned - something in the way he asked sounded off. She nodded slowly, "A little." He stopped, and stood in front of her, his hands resting on her shoulder. Quietly, he said, "Your not going to like this."
"What?" She asked, very cautious now. Quinn looked hesitant, but he finally said, "We all think it would be a good idea for you to feed from a human before you go into Hunters. You might be expected to there - you can't refuse. You know that." Rashel's eyes were wide, and she shook her head, stepping back, "I'll deal with that later. Talk my way out of it.."
"That might be a test, Rashel. You won't be able to live if you don't do it," Quinn said, pleading with her through the bond, 'There are ways to do it do that the human does not get hurt, and does not remember. You need to learn this before we go, and learn how to hide it so Hunter doesn't suspect any pity for the human.' Rashel could feel that he totally meant was he was saying, and she swallowed hard, her already pale face going much paler, "I hadn't considered that before."
"Look. I'll be there with you - you won't be able to hurt anyone. I just want you to do it once - fresh human blood is entirely different then the blood bags. Doing it more then once would be best, but I'm not stupid enough to push for this."
"And Thierry okay-ed it?" Rashel asked skeptically. Quinn nodded, and she felt his truth. Her heart sank.
"Where do we go to.. you know.." she trailed off helplessly, at a complete loss of words. He raised an eyebrow, and said, "To do the deed, you mean?"
Nod.
"We'll go to a club. Not the one downtown that Ash is watching, but a different, more, ah.. seedier one. It's right on the strip, and it caters to every type of Night World and human imaginable." Rashel nodded, not daring to open her mouth in case it betrayed her and started to protest. Her entire body was already screaming at how wrong it was. How could she actually do it once she got there? Her mind mulled things over as they walked inside, and Quinn hesitated at the kitchen door.
"You probably shouldn't eat right now," he explained, "You will tonight, and if your full it will be much harder."
"Your the boss," Rashel smiled, albeit weakly. She knew Quinn could sense her disgust at what they were going to do that night, and she appreciated the fact that he studiously ignored it. Instead, she watched him open his blood bag, the tips of her fangs poking into her bottom lip. He glanced over, and grinned, "Go upstairs for awhile, and get dolled up. Might as well use this as an excuse to go out for awhile too." She understood that he wanted her out of the room while he ate, and she scowled, "Fine. But I don't have anything to wear."
"Go ask Jez - I've gone out with them before. I'd like to see you in one of her dresses."
For some reason, she didn't like the sound of that.
When it was time to leave later, Rashel felt ridiculous. She knew that Quinn was waiting for her downstairs with Jez and Morgead, but she couldn't make her legs move down the staircase. She was worried everyone would see her downstairs if she did.
Jez had healed well from the rib injury, and she lent Rashel some clothes with a warning not to get blood on them. Jez was taller then Rashel, which is why the demin mini skirt was threatening to reveal the parts it was supposed to hide. She had received a white, lacy camisole to wear on her top - hell, she felt like she was in her underwear. She'd gotten Mare's help with her hair - it was down, and slightly wavy thanks to a cool blow dryer setting. Then, Hannah'd shown up with a breifcase full of makeup. Scary makeup.
She felt like a barbie doll as she walked down the stairs, turning slightly to protect any modesty she could get out of this outfit. She knew when Quinn saw her first - a rush of heat tingling over their connection. Her eyes met his, and she smiled, unaware of how enticing she looked. Quinn's eyes darkened slowly, and he followed her every step closely. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, Morgead jerked his head towards the door, "Let's go, the cars out there." He and Jez went outside, and Quinn waited for Rashel to approach. He was shielding his thoughts from her, and she scowled, "I know it's a stupid outfit, I tried to tell her-" Quinn cut her off by grabbing her hips and dragging her against his body, kissing her thoroughly. Her eyebrows were raised as he pulled back, and gruffly said, "Come on."
'So.. you like this kind of outfit?' Rashel thought, wondering if this is the type of girl Quinn went for before she came along. In response, Quinn snorted aloud, and thought, 'I didn't have a kind. But yeah. I like the outfit.' She felt the want for her underneath his words, and shot him a knowing grin. It felt good to be wanted.
As they drove from the outskirts of Las Vegas into the tourist center, Rashel asked, "So, what is this club called?"
"Gravedigger," Jez grinned from the front seat. Morgead rolled his eyes, "It's human ran, but it's a hot spot for Night Worlders too." Rashel nodded, looking back out the window. She was trying to keep it from Quinn, but she was freaking out. Seriously freaking out.
Her body kept anticipating blood, but her mind was screaming and screaming against it. She felt like half of her was on one side, and half the other. The angel and devil on her shoulders. She sighed, slumping back into the seat.
"We're here," Quinn mumbled, sensing Rashel's distress but not commenting. They climbed out of the vehicle, and rather then wait in the lineup of humans, they were able to walk straight in once Morgead flashed his ring. Vampire status, Rashel mused, as they entered a huge room with throbbing music and strobe lights. Her fangs were out slightly - she wasn't used to being this hungry yet, and all around her bodies full of warm blood were pulsating to the music.
"We'll wait awhile. It's easier once they're tired or intoxicated," Quinn mumbled in an undertone. Rashel nodded sharply, turning to look at him.
He had taken off his jacket, and underneath he wore just a black tank top and his dark blue jeans. His hair was a bit messy, and his eyes had cat-shaped irises. A jolt of lust ran though her, and over the bond to Quinn. He smiled, flashing his fangs as he pulled her closer, nuzzling his cheek against her head. He sent her a picture of how she looked to him, which shocked her. She looked smooth, graceful in her outfit, and her cat-eyes were sparkling with the lights. The tiny, uncontrollable tips of her fangs were apparently pretty hot as well. She met his eyes, and offered him a half-grin, thinking 'Wanna dance, then?' He nodded, and pulled her close again. While they had done that, the crowd had encircled them, spilling off the dance floor as it got too full.
Rashel shifted closer, aligning her body once more with Quinns. It felt so right, she nearly groaned as they started to move like the humans were. Dancing had never interested her before, but she supposed it might be because she never had a hot guy to do it with. And, yeah. Quinn was smokin'.
His lips found her neck, placing a tender kiss over her mark as they moved as one, hips grinding and hands moving. Rashel turned, rubbing her back against his solid chest. His hands caught her hips, holding her firmly in place as he pressed himself as close as possible. Their bond was wide open - it pulsed with the music, a mixture of lust and enjoyment.
Just as Rashel turned, really getting into dancing, Quinn whispered, "Girl or boy?"
"What?" She mumbled, staring up at him with lidded eyes. He leaned closer, biting her lip softly, and he whispered, "Would you like to feed from a female?" Rashel hesitated, looking around involuntarily.
"Female," she finally nodded, feeling like it would be less sexual if she fed from a girl then a guy. Quinn nodded, and he kissed Rashel once more, before leaning back and telling her, 'You need to glamor someone. Remember what I told you?' Rashel nodded. Stare into their eyes. Use a strong, firm voice. Convince them of what you need them to believe.
"Happy hunting," Jez's cocky voice smirked, from where she and Morgead were dancing nearby. Rashel shot her a look, but then turned, rubbing her back against Quinn once more as she scanned the crowd.
Her eyes landed on a punk, a girl who couldn't be much older then the legal drinking age here. Hell, maybe she was younger then that - Rashel doubted they cared who they let in at a place like this. The girl had on heaps of dark makeup, and had straight, long blonde hair. Lots of piercings and tattoos, but the thing that caught Rashel's eye was the fake fang marks she'd stuck to her neck, and the fake blood trickling from them. If she had to bite someone, at least it could be someone who pretended they got bit anyways.
Quinn nodded as he read the logic in her mind, and nudged her with his hip, "I'll be around, don't worry." Rashel nodded. Her heart was beating fast - god, she didn't want to do this. She slipped into the group around Punk Girl, and pulled her close, dancing with her. The girl had very loud thoughts, and Rashel picked up that Punky thought she was pretty hot, and that she didn't mind dancing with her in the least. And that she hoped maybe Rashel would want to go smoke with her in awhile.
As if on cue, Rashel leaned forwards, and breathed into the girls ear, "I need a smoke. Come?" Punk Girl nodded, following Rashel through the crowd to the back exit sign. As she walked through, they emerged in a dark, narrow alley. The door close firmly behind them, but Rashel could feel that Quinn was nearby. She bet he ran out the front as soon as they started to walk at human pace towards the back.
"Got a light?" The girl asked, not looking at Rashel too hard. Rashel could see the constant pulse in Punky's neck. Her fangs emerged fully, making her mouth and throat thrub. She stepped closer, Punky finally looked at her. And screamed.
Rashel was on her in a moment - a day without feeding had left her hungry, and a little desperate. She pinned the girl to the wall, and mumbled, "I won't hurt you.." She ripped down Punky's collar, and cast a quick glance behind her. She could see Quinn leaning against the opposite wall, hidden in the shadows. He gave her a nod. Determined, she looked back at her, and said, "You won't remember this. You'll think you fell asleep while having a smoke." She waited for an affirmation, and that was all the urging she needed. She leaned forwards, hesitating only once before sinking her fangs easily into the soft flesh. Punky groaned - pain or pleasure, Rashel was too caught up to tell. The coppery tang of blood reached her mouth, warm, etc fluid coating her throat. She felt like she was Punky for a moment - she could feel her emotions, see her memories, hear her thoughts. Then, Quinn's voice urged, 'Step back from her mentally, and it will be easier for her to forget.' Rashel listened, thankful that her mind was still being rational when her body was so out of control.
She kept waiting for the disgust. Instead, she felt like she was drunk. She couldn't seem to draw enough of her blood fast enough - as she bit harder, she felt a hand on her arm, and Quinn tugging at her to stop. She snarled, shoving back at him as she kept drinking. She knew she had to stop, but her body was beyond her. Only the sharp ache of pain in her stomach made her stop. She lifted her head, eyes wide.
Quinn stood there, rubbing his now-sore knuckles from giving her a good whack in the ribs. He shrugged apologetically, "It was the only way." She remembered what she was doing, then, and promptly dropped the poor girl to the ground. Reaching up, Rashel touched the still-warm blood that lined her lips.
"Can vampires puke?" She asked bluntly, as Quinn positioned the girl more comfortably in the alley. He winced, and nodded, "Kind of." Rashel turned around, and threw up. Quinn waited patiently for her to finish, before he wrapped his arm around her, "Home?" She nodded, unable to speak. She couldn't get the taste of copper out of her mouth. They made it to the vehicle and left without informing Jez or Morgead - Quinn had already informed them they'd be running home. Not that they minded.
"You okay?" Quinn asked, driving slowly in the heavy traffic on the Strip. Rashel sat, silent and unmoving. Giving up, he gently touched her mind with his, letting her know he was there when she was ready. He erected a light wall after that - he didn't want Rashel to feel how sick he felt. Not from her doing it - he was proud that she got through it. But he was sick that the world was coming to a point where his soulmate had to do something she imagined to be the worst possible thing. He sighed, barely watching where he was driving. The Circle owed her big time.
