A disclaimer: Kim Harrison owns the series the hollows and its characters. I'm just using some of them to tell my version of the story.
After finishing reading pale demon I got so pissed off that I decided that I wanted to make my story.
NOTES: I'VE STARTED THIS STORY FROM SCRATCH SO I CAN'T PLACE IT BEFORE OR AFTER ANY OF THE BOOKS.
I SERIOUSLY HOPE YOU ENJOY IT. I KEPT SOME THINGS CHANGED ANOTHER LIKE: NO ROSEWOOD SYNDROME FOR
RACHEL. SHE'S NOT WITH THE I.S AND OTHER STUFF.
ENJOY.
I'd like to thank agmartin40 for the help she gave me correcting all the grammar and for the tips.
Thank you
A few minutes ago Jenks told me that Ivy called and asked us to meet her at Piscary's for some pizza, I was feeling curious and nervous at the same time, but I really need to talk to Ivy and will mostly likely meet her master tonight as well, not really interested in that part to be honest but I still have seven hours before the meeting so I had plenty of time to prepare. It was almost one and my eyes were hurting, I needed a break from all this "studying" so I sat up, went to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water and drank it until its last drop.
"Man that hit the spot, Bis…" I called. He came flying from the other side of the room.
"Yes, Rachel, something wrong?" he asked in mid air with his wings waving up and down.
"I have some books I want you to take a look at, it's basic stuff. Jenks told me you conjured a circle to protect us until the ambulance arrived." I looked at him and he nodded scratching his side.
"I see you have the potential, but not enough training to control it, so I want you to read these books and memorize their concepts it might save your life one day." I went to my bookshelf I took three books and gave them to Bis.
"One is "History of Magic", the other is "Control and Magic Ethics" and finally "Protective Magic", if you have any questions just ask me. I'll be here." I offered him with a little encouraging smile.
"I will read them fully, I'll be better, more powerful in no time. I promise you, Rachel, I won't fail you again." He answered excitedly taking the books carefully in his claws. He flew to the kitchen table and started reading them. Too bad I didin't remember anything about what happened after Ivy bit me, I would have liked to watch Bis in action. I also gave Bis a notebook and something to write with just in case he wants to take some notes. I left the kitchen area and went to my car's trunk to refill my backpack. I noticed that I no longer had my daggers. Jenks told me that the I.S took them as evidence that I had to go there and claim them back. I had to do that today because I don't really like having my stuff laying around and especially in the hands of some I.S agent or whatever. I took the backpack inside, but before stepping inside my kitchen I remembered Ivy gave me that book about vampires so I went back to my car to grab it before coming back inside.
Bis was still on the place I "left him", he looked so focused and determined to learn as much as possible, that put a smile on my lips. I sat back on my computer desk and took a look at that book, the one Ivy gave me. I'll admit I'm a little curious.
"If your vampire lover is sated and won't be stirred, try wearing something….." my reading was interrupted by screaming and giggling coming from outside the kitchen window. I looked at Bis and he glanced my way curiously. He went to the kitchen window and stood there for a few seconds.
"What's going on out there?" I asked him in a soft yell.
"Jih is unleashing hell on her siblings…." He chuckled all the way to the table while I smirked to myself focusing back on my "other" reading.
"If your vampire lover is sated and won't be stirred," I read, "try wearing something of his or hers. It won't be much, perhaps, as little as a handkerchief or tie. The smell of your sweat mingling is something even the most restrained vampire can't resist. Often the mere washing of your clothes together leaves enough of a scent to let your lover know you care." I scrunched my brows a bit closer, certainly Charlie never let me know this bit of information.
"If your vampire lover moves to a more private location in the middle of a conversation, be assured that he or she isn't spurning you. It's an invitation."
Really? Most people would just consider it rude. I remember she was pissed when I accidently fell asleep when she was talking to me. Like that was my fault…I thought feeling a bit affronted. Vampire behavior wasn't like human or witch behavior obviously.
"Go all out. Take some food or drink with you to get the jaws loosened up and the saliva moving. Don't be a flirt. Red wine is passé. Try an apple or something equally crunchy."
"Not all vampires are alike. Find out if your lover likes pillow talk. Foreplay can take many forms. A conversation about past ties and bloodlines is sure to strike a chord and stir pride unless your lover is from a secondary house."
Interesting….
I kept browsing through the book until I reached the illustrated part. OH. MY. GOD. Ivy's book has pictures? Page after page I tried to understand the…"concept" but it only made me more confused and a hint… of… curiosity? I moved on from page to page until I reached page forty-nine, my jaw almost hit the floor.
"What the hell is this?" I turned the book sideways trying to understand something… anything but then I hesitated, squinting as I became confused again. Was there a third person there? And what the hell was that bolted to the wall? I tried to look away, but curiosity got the better of me, I ignored the picture reading the small print under the cheerful "how to" instructions. My face went cold and my stomach knotted. It was a warning to not allow your vampire lover to coerce you into it until you had been bitten at least three times. Otherwise, there might not be enough vampire saliva in your system to overwhelm the pain receptors, fooling your brain into thinking the pain was pleasure. There were even instructions on how to keep from passing out if you indeed didn't have enough vamp saliva and you found yourself in agonizing pain. Apparently, if the blood pressure dropped so did the enjoyment of your vampire lover. There was nothing on how to get him or her to stop, though. I felt nauseated. Had Ivy ever done any of these?….Never mind.
"Rachel?" Jenks came in flying and I slammed the book shut.
"What?" I asked nervously trying to hide the book away under some of my own.
"What were you doing'? He asked, hovering close to the table smirking on his Peter Pan pose, with his little fists on his hips.
"Nothing." I said nonchalantly
"You look guilty as hell…" he kept smirking, pixie dust just pouring from under him.
"Shut up..." I stood up, took my books and left for the living room. I hid Ivy's book under a couch and placed the remaining books on a bookshelf. I grabbed my phone looking for David's number to dial. He picked up after two rings, a few minutes of small talk later we agreed to meet at the Were bar in an hour. I went back to the kitchen and Jenks was still there the only difference was now he was bothering Bis.
"Jenks, I called David, we'll meet him at the Were bar in an hour, I still need to go to the I.S and claim my daggers." I announced the plan.
"Get ready you two, that bartender is going to spill the beans. One way or the other." I almost growled the words. Just thinking about what that filthy blood mage did to my panther makes my blood boil, I'll be sure to pay him a visit too. Jenks came flying and stoped in mid air with a smug smile.
"What?" I asked, annoyed. His smirk grew in size.
"Marshman went to see you at the hospital." He said studying me with narrowed eyes, searching for something undoubtedly.
"Yeah so?"
"Oh, nothing." Playing coy with me? He was fishing for something. I narrowed my eyes at to lose my patience.
"Are you two a 'thing'?" he asked curiously.
"Seriously?" I asked incredulously.
"Seriously, you did sleep with him; that makes him Rachel candy." The pixie baited me with the tone and the phrase itself.
"WHAT? He is not a popsicle." Oh, now I'm pissed.
"I'm the one supposed to be telling you that. I'm just sayin', he keeps coming back for more, would you be so kind to put him out of his 'misery' We both know he IS Not the one you really want." He accused me poising his fists on his hips again.
"That is...not…that's not your business, stay out of it. I'm not misleading him; yes, we slept together, so what? We were recovering from a bad break-up; it suited our needs…at the time." I declared in a stern voice.
"Hmm mhmm" Patronizing piece of…
"Bite me." I hissed at him and he chuckled.
"I would but it wouldn't be as good as Ivy's bite." He smiled in a not-nice way. Turning as if to leave, he added.
"Oh, Oh, I know a good joke about candy. Wanna hear it?'
"No."
"One PAYDAY wanted a BIT-O-HONEY so he took miss HERSHEY'S behind the POWERHOUSE on the corner of CLARK and 5th Avenue. He began to feel her MOUNDS with his BUTTERFINGER. That was pure ALMOND JOY. It made her TOOTSIE ROLL and he let out a SNICKER as she screamed "OH HENRY" while squeezing his PETER PAUL and ZAGNUTS. Miss HERSHEY'S said: you are even better than the 3 MUSKETEERS. Soon she was a bit CHUNKY and nine months later had a BABY RUTH. Tadaaaa, so what` you think? A mouthful, huh?" He laughed and so did I. Great, now I have the munchies for a snickers bar.
"Not bad, but Jenks that's way too sweet for my taste." I folded my arms across my chest smirking. He calmed down from his fit of laughter and then continued.
"What are you going to do about that?" He pointed at my neck. I still had the bandage covering Ivy's bite mark.
"What do you mean?" my hand went instantly to my neck.
"Covering a vampire's bite mark means you are ashamed of him, in your case her." Jenks continued.
"Oh." I said, flushing and ran to the bathroom. I could hear Jenks laughing from behind me. How does he know that? Asshole. I definitively need to read that damned book quickly or I will offend Ivy again without even knowing how. Once in the bathroom, I took a look at my neck. I wondered how it looks. I removed the bandage and there it was two small holes close to the artery. They seemed almost healed, the red around it was almost gone and I didn't remember healing this quickly before, probably because of my new "gift". David did mention that I would start feeling the effects of the change with the coming of the full moon. Maybe it's already starting. I ran my fingers along the length of my neck, my thoughts lost in that night, the night I almost lost her to that waste of space. Man, I would love a few minutes alone with him, blood magic is strictly forbidden and punishable by death, it's an abomination to creation, the natural order of things.
After recovering my daggers from the evidence room at the IS headquarters I went to Clarrisse's office hoping to have a talk with her. I knocked on her door.
"Come in." She allowed aloud, I got inside her office, she pointed to the chair and I sat down. Jenks and Bis stayed with Margaret, she said she had something to show them so it was ok, it's better this way.
"What's going on, Rachel? You have something to report?" She leaned back in her chair letting me see the nice and very low cleavage that her black silk blouse had. Nice, very, very nice, I could see part of a healed bite over the round and perky form of the inside in her left breast. A sight that almost got me out of my purpose in here, almost… I felt angry at myself, I really liked Clarisse, yet again, I really liked Ivy as well. I forced myself to focus again in the reason I was here.
"The bloodmage, I wanna see him." My tone was somewhat commanding and …angry. She raised an eyebrow at me. Only thinking again in the creep my anger took off on its own again.
"Why is that?" she asked, I realized she noticed my accelerated heartbeat.
"I have a few questions for him." It took almost all the strength in me not to growl those words.
"Just talk?" she asked, smirking leaning closer and folding her fingers together. My jaw clenched, my fists folded into fists, my shoulders stiffened and her smirk grew even wider.
"Off course not." I stood up violently and walk around the room.
"I want to rip him to shreds…" I growled menacing at Clarisse and she chuckled.
"What's so funny?" I asked annoyed, I saw Clarisse's smirk fade, the spark in her eyes also vanished. I witnessed her green iris have been replaced by terrifying pitch black holes. She stood up and walked around her desk to approach me with a predatory look on her face. My heart was still pumping faster, I could feel the adrenaline flowing through me, I really wanted to put my hands on him. She stopped inches away from me, she was smirking again, I could see her canines which she was making no effort to hide.
"She bit you…" she stated closing her eyes and scenting me. I could smell something, something sweet in the air and in the back of my tongue.
"What is that smell?" I asked trying to figure out what the taste and smell were. Clarisse raised an eyebrow while looking at me curiously.
"Rachel, what are you feeling right now?" she asked, emphasis on the last words. Her voice was melodious, just not as silky as Ivy but close enough to drive anyone crazy with want.
"Anger, frustration, I'm pissed off…" I state angrily breathing hard. Her curious look grew.
"She bit you, I can smell her bite on you, it's realllly fresh, an unclaimed bite is…"Clarisse almost moaned, she came closer and raised her hand to my neck, her finger traced the scar Ivy left on my neck.
"Clarisse what are you doing?" I ask nervously, grabbing her hand calmly, she chuckled and backed away from me, with an amused grin on her face.
"What an interesting turn of events and the results are ….most intriguing….." She went back to her chair and started writing on her computer.
"You didn't answer my question" I huff and she smiles.
"Which one?"
"The blood mage I want to ask him some questions…."
"No"
"What do you mean no?"
"Rachel he is not here"
"What do you mean not here?"
"Rachel when you two fought did you noticed anything unusual?" She asked
"What do you mean?
"Did you see any markings, signs, anything?"
"No, why?"
"Because in the cell he was in there was a reversed pentagram and other symbols written in the wall in blood, his blood and an obnoxious smell of burned flesh." What the f#$%?
"You have got to be kidding me, now what? He's dead?" I asked wide eyed.
"Yes, the other witches we secured, you know the ones that were with him, they claimed not to know anything that went on for the last 6 months." Seriously?
"Oh, that's a bunch of bull crap, it suits them, that's why they are saying that." I said angrily at being denied of any way to questioning while giving the bloodmage a lesson he wouldn't forget if he lived forever.
"They are being seen by specialists at the moment, we will see if they are lying or not." The vampire tried to soothe me with an empathizing tone and voice.
"Wait, six months, that when that serial killer started abducting his victims." Clarisse just nodded.
"Clarisse why did you ask about markings?" Clarisse gave a folder with pictures inside, those pictures were from the blood mage, he had a reversed pentagram carved on his chest and his forearms had some strange writings on.
"What are these writings? Do you know?" I glanced at Clarisse and she sighed.
"Not yet, I have some people looking into it." She said warily, she didn't like not knowing the same as me and anyone in our line of work. Knowing facts was always good and expedited things.
"These pictures were taken before he was taken to his cell?" I asked her and she nodded.
"Can I have these?" I had to investigate it on my own.
"Take them, I made copies." She nodded frowning a bit, she knew I was going to look into this and she didn't like it more than Ivy would.
"Do you know anything about him? Is there a record, something, anything?" I asked and she offered me another file.
"Mathias Blackwell…" that name is familiar…. Clarisse noticed my sudden change of emotion.
"Do you know him?" she asked curiously.
"I heard rumors about the Blackwells, most of them are black magic practitioners, there was one seated at the council of mages a few years back, he filled for retirement from the Magistry after rumors of satanic rituals being performed by members of his family, the rumor was never confirmed but it created a lot of bad blood among the family and anyone else involved with them." I explained.
"And where is that council member now?" she asked interested in my story.
"Dead, he died a hundred years ago….After his death, his family went bankrupt after being discovered that his eldest son, Julian had been caught summoning demons. This originated a witch hunt, a hunt many mages talk about, every story is slightly different, but there is one thing that remains the same."
"What is that?" she asked
"Julian Blackwell swore revenge on the Magistry, specifically the Arch-Mage that sentenced him and all members of his family charged with associations with demonic magic and black-magic to death by fire."
"Interesting story. " she folded her fingers together and eyed me for a few seconds.
"Yeah, I'm not sure it's just a story, but….we use to take these types of offenses very seriously." I sighed, feeling frustrated.
"I'm sure…" Clarisse said with a contrite tone, of course every race had a hard face to their transgressors
"How did you get his name? With all the bad blood his family had, I'd doubt he'd be around shouting his real name to the sky."
"He was under a different name, but after we analyzed the blood on your daggers we could truly identify his real persona."
"How?"
"You see, when we brought him in he was magically shielded somehow, we couldn't take his prints or DNA samples and your daggers kept glowing at his presence, an agent tried to grab one of your daggers and it turned to stone, both of them did actually, but the tip of the dagger was still bloodied so we analyzed that and viola a name popped."
"His cell, were there no cameras, no guard..?"
"Rachel, the I.S knows how to deal with these type of witches, his cell was properly secured, with magic, the problem was he somehow managed to find some kind of weakness and exploited it…" I growled at her and she sighed.
"That monster is NO WITCH, witches respect nature, that thing is NO WITCH, was no witch…" I growled upset at her, she raised her hands up in surrender and smiled.
"Sorry, I meant no offense to you, witches..." she stated and I relaxed a bit, the stiffness around my shoulders eased a bit.
"No, I'm the one who should apologize, I took it too far." I recognized sheepishly.
"No harm done, I understand." Clarisse was gracious in the form of accepting the bad apology, letting me now again why she had a job managing people and sensible information.
I shifted my weight from foot to foot embarrassed by my lack of control and then continued trying to ease the mood.
"Is the Ministry informed about this? This needs to be reported immediately." I warned
"I already took care of it, they are sending someone tomorrow to inspect the cell and all the evidence, don't worry, Rachel, we will take care of this." She assured once more.
"I know, Clarisse I'm not saying the I.S does not know how to take care of problems like this one, it's just that witches are better prepared for this type of thing and the Ministry has special units for… situations like these."
"Witches like you?" she asked amused.
"Yes, witches like me, my major was defense against the black arts so I know what I'm doing, I took him down, didn't I?" I asked her folding my arms across my chest.
"Yes, you did…." That was all she said, eyeing me up and down.
"I'll try to translate these myself, does Ivy knows about all of this?" I asked rubbing the back of my head.
"She does, she was briefed while you were at the hospital, I'm sure she will tell you if she found out anything. You two are meeting tonight, aren't you?" she asked teasingly and I just blushed.
"How do you know that?" I asked, but she didn't answer.
"I'm sure you will meet the master as well, let me know how it went. I'm extremely curious and don't cover your scar unless you are ashamed of it, that is." She said, settling back in her chair and grimacing at the corners of the office, I just rolled my eyes at her and she chuckled.
"Control your temper tonight, Rachel, for your own good….." she said quietly, almost caringly.
"Whatever, later." I left Clarisse's office and went back to Margaret, Jenks and Bis were there with her they were talking and laughing, it seemed they were having a great time.
"Sorry to interrupt your fun, but we gotta go." They frowned at my words and I just laughed.
"C'mon, we still have to meet David." We said our goodbyes to Margaret and left for the Were-bar.
I told both Bis and Jenks about everything Clarisse and I talked about, Jenks was upset, obviously, I was pissed, we hit a dead end, unless those witches remembered something this case will be closed. I wondered how many other Blackwells were around, if they started showing up the Magistry was going to have a lot of problems dealing with this blood magic outburst.
David was already at the alley where the Were bar was located, I parked outside of sight just in case the guy would recognize my ride, he would not run away.
"How do you want to do this?" David asked and I growled.
"I hope he runs." David chuckled.
I've sent a text message to Ivy saying that I was on my way to the restaurant. Fortunately, there was no line when I got to Piscary's Pizzeria, I noticed that Ivy was already there because I saw her bike parked a little to the right of the entrance. I yawned while exiting the car and Jenks chuckled.
"You are awfully calm for someone who is about to meet Ivy's sugar daddy." He teased hovering around my ear.
"I'm trying to keep my cool so back off." I warned him with my tone and clipped retort.
"We'll see how long that will last." He just couldn't understand, I sighed warily.
"Bis this place is an Inderlander restaurant which means there will be a lot of different species walking around, I imagine gargoyles are a rare sight here so don't draw attention to yourself and remember you are my familiar." I instructed my little bodyguard.
"Don't worry, Rachel, me and Jenks have been talking, he taught me some things, I guess tonight is one of those times when being invisible equals smart and alive." I smirked at Bis's retort.
"Good work Jenks, that's a life lesson everyone should learn, shame many don't understand it." I smiled at them.
"You are talking about you, right?" Jenks laughed and I hissed.
"Let's go." Jenks landed on my left shoulder and Bis on my right one. Time to face the heat.
A truck entered the parking lot and held an empty space on the opposite end. My attention jumped from it to the well lit window of the deliveries. While watching, another pizza delivery was on its way out, I saw the car speed away quickly, indication of an experienced driver.
Pizza delivery men were making good money since they started pressuring their bosses into receiving a subsidy of risk. From the parking lot I could hear the soft slap of water on wood. Long strings of light shined on the Ohio river and Cincinnati's tallest building reflected in broad strokes in flatter areas. Piscary's Pizzeria is across the river, located in the heart of the more popular area, surrounded by clubs, restaurants and nightclubs. It also has a pier where customers who travel by yacht could tie their boats. However, getting a table, facing the dock area, at this time would be impossible. In front of me a group of Weres entered the restaurant, but surprisingly, the last one held the door for me to enter.
"Thank you."
"No problem." He nodded, smiling. I noticed he is the same Were I saw talking to Steve at his shop the day I tried the memory spell. He kept his eyes on me for a few seconds, I knew that look, a question will pop any second now.
"You are Steve Mitchel's friend, are you not?" His eyes were still on mine, a hint of curiosity about them.
"I am…" Grimacing, he looked down.
"Something wrong?"
"My name is Laszlo, I apologize if I was somehow rude back then, I was just trying to find out if Steve was adapting to his new home." Steve is from out of town? Since I met Steve I noticed he was not the type for words so I didn't push the issue. I liked my privacy too, so I respected his, if he wanted to talk about it, I would listen if not It didn't matter.
"No harm done, my name is Rachel, this is Bis, my familiar, and Jenks my partner."I introduced both my associates to him and he nodded politely at them and then looked back at me.
"We have something in common then, we both care for Steve enough to make sure he is ok. I like him and will make sure he is safe, all the time." I wanted to sound non threatening but I think I failed miserably. I could swear I saw his irises turn bright yellow just for a sec, he smirked showing his canines. After scratching the back of his neck, he took a step forward.
"It's good to have friends that are willing to take risks for us, who believe in us, I'm sure you are that type of person Rachel, and I'm glad Steve has someone like you to watch his back." He said sincerely enough for me to buy it.
"Hey, Laszlo, are you coming or are you flirting with that nice piece of ass all night long? Get a room will you?" One of his friend shouted from behind him, I locked eyes with the Were and he smirked. I heard Bis growling and Jenks laughed softly.
"Forgive him, he is just playing, It was nice meeting you Rachel I'm sure we will meet again, soon." He took my hand and kissed it locking his eyes with mine, and left towards his friends.
The music and conversation slipped outwards, ceasing when the door closed again. I sighed, it looked crowded, most likely have to wait for a table. Piscary's had the best pizza in town and they didn't take reservations. The heat and the noise helped me relax a little, the thick rough cutting support beams seemed to hold the low ceiling and the rhythm of " Rehumanize yourself" by Sting descended the wide staircase filling the air, across the staircase, wide windows showed the blackness of the Ohio river.
Attached to the pier was a three storey yacht, obscenely expensive, docking lights illuminate the name on the bow, Solar. Beautiful young college students swayed around in their tight uniforms, some more suggestive than others since vampire employees served the upper floor where supervision was bigger. The host's eyebrow rose when he saw me approach with a pixie on one shoulder and a baby gargoyle on the other. I realized he was the host due to the badge he had on his shirt, the name tag spelled Greg.
"Good evening, ma'am." Ma'am? Do I look that old?
"Good Evening, I'm meeting Ivy Tamwood, she invited me." I explained to him and he smiled.
"Are you Rachel Morgan?" he asked eying me up and down discreetly. He had a few scars on his neck, his shirt was slightly opened.
"Yes, I am."
"Ivy instructed me to be on the lookout for you Miss Morgan, I'll let her know you have arrived. In the meanwhile, have a drink at the bar while you wait, it's on the house." He directed me to his right.
"Thank you." I headed to the bar.
"What do you think, Jenks?" I asked him scratching my hear.
"Meh, not my type of thing, but it looks calm enough, what worries me is the top floor." I glanced around the room, I saw witches at a table on the further left and the Weres, I encounter earlier at the door, further down the room. I saw Laszlo and he saw me too, nodding politely at him I smiled. His friend sends me a wave and a full grinned look I just gave him my middle finger. He blinked a few times looking between me and Laszlo, I noticed Laszlo was laughing at my reaction; his friend just looked like I had kicked him in the family jewels.
Jenks laughed, I could hear his wings clapping at full speed. I couldn't lose my cool here, it would be disastrous, this type of behavior could trigger a massive chain reaction of anger, there are not only Weres and vampires here, there are others, and when I mean others I mean undead vamps, witches and who knows what else. Mixed places like this one require a special license, it's called MPL (Mixed people licensing). Which politically speaking means no shed of blood allowed, since the Turn this allowed a social accepted environment for several species to mingle together without trouble since shedding blood and alcohol don't mix very well.
There are some places without this license, these places, unfortunately, don't make that much amount of money and aren't as popular either. Humans enjoy these licensed places so they can flirt and enjoy themselves without worrying about someone turning into a murderous monster out for their blood. The bartender handed me a drink, before I could take a sip a sudden warm breath on my neck made me turn.
There was a man behind me, tall, blond short hair, blue eyes showing loads of mischief. Nicely dressed too, his pants and shirt showed he keep himself in shape. I'm not going to lie he was handsome, very handsome. My protectors were hovering next to me, one on each side. He eyed them then shifted his gazed back at me.
"Good evening, love." He whispered on a fake British accent, his eyes amused for surprising me.
"You pronunciation sucks, go away, come back when you learn it properly." I turned again, Bis and Jenks laughed.
"Properly? He asked raising his hand to his heart pretending to be hurt. "I think I spoke it perfectly."
"You want to hear it perfectly?" I turned, smiling, facing him.
"PISS OFF." He raised an eyebrow at me smirking. I turned, sat back on the bench and sipped on my drink. My Irish in heritage taking the better of me, he chuckled.
"Forgive me, love, let's start over, my name is Kisten and I'll be your host for the evening, I'm entirely at your service." He came closer to me and licked his lips suggestively. Bis and Jenks got on his face.
"If you don't scram I'm going to pixie you so bad you'll be scratching your ass off for the rest of your miserable existence."Jenks threatened and I chuckled.
"Are these your body guards?" He asked, curious and I nodded.
"I had no idea that the great Rachel Morgan was in need of protection if I knew I would have gladly volunteered." My eyebrow rose and frustration escalated a few notches, he was pissing me off.
"You know my name?" I asked, folding my arms together across my chest.
"I know more than that…I also know….." he was coming closer again, but before he could say anything I heard her.
"KISTEN." It was Ivy, my panther was coming our way, damn she looked upset. She was wearing her common black leather pants and a silk shirt that gave her a tall, lean and predatory look. The only color on her face was the red lipstick on her lips a black gold chain hangs around her lean neck.
"Ivy, dearest, you are here, look who I found, she….." He opened his arms to her, but all he received was a poke in the side, which made him squirm and giggle. She passed him walking towards me.
"Rachel…" I smiled at the sound of her grey silk voice.
"Panther…" I approached her and took her in a warm embrace, burying my head on her neck, she hugged me back tightly scenting me. I loved her perfume, her sweet aroma mixed up with vampire incense and wooden ashes, mhmmm delicious. I felt her relax against me, I felt her hands on my back, holding me, comforting me.
"How are you? I was worried sick….Are you ok?" I squeezed her a little, she did the same with me, a small smile spreaded across the thin line on her lips.
"I am now..." She's blushing….that's so cute.
"I'm glad…" I sighed contented walking out of her embrace, she let go reluctantly.
"Because I'm gonna kill you…..twice..." I said cooly, she raised an eyebrow at me.
"What were you thinking about going against a whole coven of black witches by yourself?" I growled rather loudly, my outburst of anger got us some attention from all sides. Jenks was in mid flight next to me and so was Bis. Ivy looked at Jenks blinking a few times.
"Don't look at me, keep me out of this…" Jenks raised his hands in surrender and flew off back to the counter followed by Bis.
"Rachel, please not here, not now…." Ivy sighed heavily, Kisten just stood there with an amused grin on his face; apparently he was enjoying the show.
"Our table is ready; let's go before it is handed to someone else." Ivy decided and I growled frustrated stepping real close to her only stopping inches away.
"Fine, but this isn't over." I left the bar area and walked to the dining area, there was only one table available, I just hoped this is the one because if it's not I'd make a fool of myself. I sat first Jenks and Bis followed and finally Ivy. She hesitated a little before speaking.
"Rachel, I'm sorry, I know what I did was stupid, but….I'm glad you are ok."I blushed at her concern and gave myself a mental high five.
"I thought you were dead, you bloody vamp, even Arcane witches have difficulty matching black magic. A vampire holds no chance against that type of power, maybe one or two black witches but a whole coven? And a blood mage?" Ivy sat down and started playing with her fingers, I placed my hand on hers she looked back at me.
"Don't scare me like that again….please?" I pleaded and she smiled.
"Ok"
"Good now that we have this settled are we going to eat or what?" Jenks mouth got the better of him, Ivy and I looked at each other and before we noticed we were laughing. I stood up and took off my jacket, putting it on the back of my chair, my panther followed my every move, her gaze lingered to my neck, to her bite mark, the same bite mark I made no effort to hide, while I sat down again in front of her.
"What?" I asked her and she looked away.
"Nothing."
"Have you ordered?" I asked her.
"Yes, I took liberty of doing so, I hope you don't mind."
"No problem, I'll have whatever you are having." She smiled contented and so did I.
"Rachel about that…" She pointed to my neck.
"Don't worry about it, I have no regrets, you needed me and I was there for you, that is all I'm saying." I saw Ivy playing with her napkin; I noticed she was nervous, so I grabbed her hand, gently.
"Hey, it's ok, I'm here, you are here, we're good." I noticed the tension in my panther's shoulders ease a bit.
"This afternoon we went poking around that Were bar..." Her eyes went high " Before you freak out hear me out, a guy named David Hue went to visit me at the hospital to ask me some questions about what we were doing there, he told me he was also looking for Markus Vessio, that's the dead Were I found with Steve at the were-house, you see David is an insurance claims adjuster, he was also there looking for Steve."
"Why?" she asked, leaning in, clearly interested in the development I had on my own.
"He said something about their papers didn't add up, he called their families, but they couldn't give a satisfying answer, they simply didn't know where Steve and Markus where. So David went looking for them being their friend and all." A waiter passed us by with a tray of pizza, damn it smells heavenly.
"Mhmmmh, that smell is great…" I moan.
"Rachel focus..." Ivy snapped her fingers at me and I fell back to reality.
"Right, so this afternoon we went back to the bar looking for the bartender and we made him spill the beans." A smug smile came easily to my lips.
"Rachel beat the crap out of him…" Jenks laughed.
"Did not…." I hurried. "I called the I.S and they took him, he is accessory to murder, several murders, he is going to jail for that." My panther nodded looking pleased.
"Ahem, as I was saying, I took a picture of the blood mage that attacked you and he confirmed that he went there with another man, a human, six months before and offered a huge amount of money to him in case he kept quiet, all they wanted were some "volunteers" for their science project, people that would not be missed." I continued with my discoveries.
"That is vile." I saw how Ivy stiffened a little, her fingers clenched.
"Then I threatened to call the I.S and he offered something interesting." I continued.
"He said someone gave away amounts of Brimstone in exchange for blood "donations", substantial amounts of blood "donations""." Her eyebrow arched and she almost stopped breathing.
"Did you also know that the local blood bank reported a large amount of blood stolen, two nights ago?" My stomach growled loudly in the middle of the phrase, I blushed heavily.
"Wow, what was that?" Jenks teased me.
"Ivy dearest!" a strong voice was heard from the side and we all turned our eyes to it. A short, robust man, with a Chef's apron gracefully approached us."My sweet, you are back and you brought friends." He continued her greetings.
I glanced at Ivy, surprised to see a reddish touch on her pale features.
"Ivy dearest? What the hell is that?" Jenks asked rather loudly. Ivy stood up to give the strange man an awkward hug. He was a few inches shorter than her, he responded with a paternal slap to her back. Black eyes glared at the cook.
The smell of tomato pulp and blood slid up to me, it was clearly a vampire, however, I couldn't figure if he was undead or not.
"Hello Piscary." Piscary? Master vampire of Cinci Piscary? I have never met a master vamp so…so..hum….Me and Jenks exchanged looks.
"Piscary the owner?" I asked and the vampire smiled showing his fangs. They looked longer than Ivy's and brighter than his skin tone.
"Yes, the restaurant is mine."His voice so deep contradicted his small bearings. Ivy clears her throat, making me look away from his eyes. Strange, I was expecting him to be completely different, kinda threatening, maybe, but that doesn't mean the monster isn't there.
"Piscary, this is Rachel Morgan, Jenks, her partner and Bis her familiar." Jenks and Bis landed on the table and received a nod from the master vampire before he focused his black eyes back at me.
"Rachel Morgan, I've been waiting for my sweet Ivy, to bring you here to meet you. I think she's afraid I might tell her you two cannot play together anymore." His lips curled up in a smile. He had a narrow nose, almond shaped eyes and thin lips, attributes that had to his exotic appearance. His pants and shirt, showed a middle class man, simple but tasteful. I also noticed an accent, Piscary ruled Cincinnati's underworld , but looking at him like this, looking so common, I wonder how. My normal distrust of undead-vampire became a caution suspicious.
"Charmed." I held my breath while he held my hand, bringing it up to his lips so he could kiss my knuckles. His black eyes were locked on mine, he inhaled deeply, he was scenting the blood coursing through my veins. His eyes were pure black ice, he was trying to bespell me, just like Rynn and Clarisse tried. Should I tell him it's not working? No, I'm not going to tell him.
I couldn't imagine the things circling his thoughts, I kept quiet. Chuckling Piscary let go of my hand and sat next to Ivy. She was looking at me, I can't tell what's going through her mind right now, but one thing is very clear she's afraid of him, fear mixed with admiration and guilt? That's odd, I wonder where it comes from.
"You should have told me you were coming I would have saved you a table." He reproached softly.
"It was easy to get one." Ivy retorted in kind.
"Bring me a bottle from the Tamwood cellar." He shouted at the bar.
"Your mother won't miss it." A mischievous smile across his face while he said, like it was a little mischief more appropriate for a teen than a very old undead.
"Have you ordered?" he asked her.
"Yes, an extra large..."
"With everything except peppers and onions…" he finished her sentence smiling fully.
"I'm experimenting with a new ingredient a new cheese from the Alpes, since the recipe I tried last week was a success I thought maybe a new ingredient will be too…" I looked sideways to Ivy she was smiling like a ten year old.
"Ah! I'll make you dinner." He offered and Ivy kept her smile on.
"Thanks, Piscary I'd appreciate that." Piscary smiled hearing Ivy's content.
"Off course, something special, something new and bold. I'll give it the name of your shadow." Shadow? He was talking about me. What the hell is that? This is vampire talk, i won't know what they are talking about until i read that book fully.
"I'm not her shadow, whatever that is…" I said bluntly, I notice Ivy's smile disappear in thin air, she seemed uncomfortable.
"Really?" he asked and Ivy tensed even further. Piscary grabs a chair and sits next to Ivy, he runs the back of his palm over Ivy's cheek, she leans into it and he smiles, a smile of pure satisfation.
"Then, if she is not your shadow, what are you doing with her, Ivy girl?" he takes back his hand, she kept her eyes on the table, refusing to lift them up, I smelled guilt again and fear. Did i just see her shiver? Piscary turned his attention back at me, I kept my cool, my hands were on my lap and my breathing was normal. Another scent hit my nostrils, the same sweet smell I noticed in Clarisse's office. He raised an eyebrow at me.
"That's an interesting scar you got there, was it a vampire?" he asked curiously eying it for a few seconds longer than I expected. He has an animalistic glare, hungry and wild.
"Yes, Ivy did it." I said nonchalantly. He smirked glancing sideways towards my panther with a raised eyebrow. Both Piscary and Ivy were very close together, Piscary looked calm and poised, Ivy on the other hand...
"I heard about that, my Inana was very careless, so that explains why her scent is all over you, you saved my sweet Ivy from that blood mage that attacked her, thank you."
"No problem, she needed me and i was there, I didn't want her to die so i reacted." I say locking my eyes with him. A waiter comes by our table and leaves a bottle of wine, Piscary takes it and pours some wine into our glasses. The wine was good, I'm not a fan of wine but this one was good, very smooth and it flowed like water, a dangerous quality.
"Indeed you did. Tell me how's the investigation going, I know you two are working together on a case." he quickly changes the subject folding his arms across his chest.
"It's going fine, we have new leads, but I can't discuss them, not here, not now. I'm sure you understand, too many eyes and ears". He smiled showing off his long canines.
"You are right, there is no way of telling who our enemies are, especially when they can wear any roll."
"Agreed, I fully understand, that's why I prefer to keep my enemies closer than my friends." He chuckled loudly, Ivy looked back at me with a terrified look on her eyes. I notice her grip on the wine glass, i see her hand shake a little and my jaw clenched tightly. I smell fear again and worry, master vampire or not , he doesn't scare me...I will not be bullied, keep your cool Rachel, i hate mind games, cynical comments and chit chat, i'm starting to feel uncomfortable with all this attention i'm getting from him.
"I like you Rachel Morgan, please come back anytime, you are very welcome." he sat back up and he left towards the kitchen area, but not before receiving some nods and handshakes from a few of the customers, apparently people like him.
"What in the Turn were you thinking?" Ivy grabbed my harm forcefully.
"Ow, you are hurting me, let go." I hissed and she just pulled it slightly to her. I could feel her breath close to mine.
"Don't do that again, you have no idea with who you are messing with, he is dangerous, you have no idea what he is capable of…" She warned me with a growl, her eyes were pitch black, and could see her fangs when she curled up her upper lip.
"Let go of me, I can take care of myself…" I growled back and grabbed a fork, but before trying to pock her hand with it she let me go. I rubbed my arm and glanced back at her, she was still staring at me in a threatening manner, growling.
"So, you want to tell me, why the hell he thinks I'm you shadow? What the hell is that?" I hissed and her stiffness eased.
"He just assumed we were...it's nothing forget about it." I could smell the guilt again.
"Riiiight, I see…" pissed off I leaned back in my chair and folded my arms across my chest.
"Jenks why don't you look around, see if you hear of see anything?" I whispered to him, leaning down at the table.
"He will get caught, besides Piscary already saw him here." Jenks hissed offended.
"Go turn yourself, vampire." He took a red ribbon and circled it around his tiny waist, it was like a white flag, it meant I'm here in peace and mean you no harm, and flew off. Leaving Ivy, me and Bis at the table.
A few minuts after leaving, Piscary came back with a large tray of pizza, it smelled amazing and looked amazing too.
"There you go, I hope you enjoy it." Piscary smiled, he slid the first slice to Ivy and then one for me. I took a look around , there were a few people looking our way. Both me and Ivy grabbed the slices and started eating, the strong smell of cheese and spices was melting any brain functions I had.
"Mhmm, it's good, I love it."I moaned and he grinned wiping his hands on an apron he had on the side of his pants.
"And you Ivy, my sweet?" he squeezed her shoulder a little.
"Good enough to come back from the dead." The old vampire sighed contented.
"I'll sleep well knowing that you both enjoyed it." Ivy looked at the kitchen door.
"Where is Jenks, he should be here for this."
"My people are playing with him, he will get out soon." I looked back at the people around us, some were still looking at our table, whispering and giggling, Piscary noticed and chuckled.
"I get the feeling you don't like to be the center of attention, Rachel." He asked amused and I frowned. No I don't.
"Now it's late for regrets, my dear." I did not enjoy his patronizing tone. Ivy kept quiet eating her slice and drinking her wine. I don't like the way he looks at her and the way she reacts to him, it feels wrong. Everything about him feels wrong.
"Well, I'll leave you eat in peace..." he came to me, again the smell of tomato sauce and blood hit me. His black eyes locked on mine once again. I felt like all the sounds, all the people around us were gone and it was just me and him. I smirked, I couldn't help it, he raised an eyebrow at me looking shocked. I took the glass and drank the wine, what was left of it and looked away to Ivy. She was eyeing me, incredulous and amazed by my lack of fear, i don't know what the big deal is. Piscary leaned closer to my panther, and she tensed.
"Go talk to your mother, she misses you." Ivy huffed and took another slice and started eating it.
"This isn't working, Ivy girl, control your pet or I will." I felt myself stiffen, what did he mean by that? I'm NO pet. Ivy didn't answer she just stayed there, seated. A sight that not suited her a bit, I didn't like to see her so vulnerable, so docile. I said nothing I wanted to but I didn't, I need to ask around about this guy, I don't like this…submissive roll my panther plays around him, she's better than that, I know she is.
"Come see me tomorrow my sweet, we have much to discuss." He looked back at me, nodded and left. That was a threat in itself, and nothing good would come of the meeting the next day, Ivy could be punished because of me, but I couldn't reign in my temper, nor I was guilty of resisting his powers. I hoped Ivy wouldn't have it too bad and that he wasn't ordering her to leave me or worse….
Jenks came back from the kitchen.
"What did I miss?"
Sorry for the long wait i had a few personal problems to deal with...
So what do you think? The restaurant scenne was something huh?...lol, let me know what you think, the next chapter will be posted soon... review away, the more reviews i get the sooner i'll be posting new chapters, later.