A gentle reminder this is an AU story.
Marko proved understanding about my wanting to go back to work. After a quick meal he brought me back to my trailer. A peck on the cheek, advice to keep my door locked, and he left me and my bag on the front porch.
I unlocked the door and stepped inside.
The interior, while undisturbed, felt completely alien.
Wiping a hand over my face, I set my bag on the sofa. "There's no place like home."
A gentle knock sounded on the door.
I frowned and crossed the room.
There illuminated by the porch light stood Dr. Aronsky. For the first time I noticed he was bald by choice; the shadow of a recent shave was glaringly obvious. A pair of sad, tired dark eyes met mine through the glass and held.
Opening the door, I managed a smile. "Hey," I made sure to block entrance inside with my body. "Thanks for helping me out the way you did."
Aronsky nodded; his expression grim. "Can I have a word with you?"
Fear crawled in my gut. "Um… sure."
He gave me a dead stare. "Inside may be better."
A nervous laugh escaped me and I stepped aside allowing him to enter. "Sorry! I'm feeling a little under the weather still."
Dr. Aronsky stepped inside and stood awkwardly in the center of my living room. He was dressed in jeans and a camouflage Henley. There was an expression of such seriousness on his face it made me want to rip the front door open again and flee into the dark.
"That sunburn must hurt like a bitch," he remarked.
Luckily I wore a long sleeve cotton shirt and jeans to the beach. My face and hands suffered the brunt of the sun's wrath. Some aloe gel from Laddie had taken the bite out of the pain but it still hurt. "Well it sure doesn't feel good."
Aronsky nodded. "At least I know you're still untouched."
Confusion overtook me. "Pardon me?"
He drew in a deep breath through his nose looking for all the world like an old soldier. "Are you familiar with the term Nosferatu?"
I blinked. "Uh – vampires, right?"
"That is correct." Aronsky gestured to my sofa. "You may want to have a seat, Miss Martin."
Folding my arms over chest, I stood my ground. "No thanks, I prefer to stand. I don't know why the subject of vampires keeps coming up…"
"Vampires are real," he stated with such bluntness I took a step back. "Santa Carla is crawling with the undead. I thought it was bad as a kid – I can't believe the cesspool it is now. Werewolves, ghouls, witches, warlocks, and even demonic activity are every day phenomenon. You are in danger of losing your very soul."
A frown crept over my face as worry cascaded over me like a rainstorm. "Horseshit," I pronounced with venom. "Look, I don't take kindly to having my leg pulled. Life is short…"
"Not for you, not if Marko is involved."
I froze. "You know Marko?"
A solemn nod and he continued. "I've been acquainted with your boyfriend since 1987."
Cold crept up my spine sending shivers across my skin. There was something in the man's dark eyes that spelled out he was speaking his truth. "That's not possible – Marko is twenty-two."
Aronsky smirked. "You're sadly mistaken, Miss Martin. He's probably old enough to be your grandfather."
"How the hell do you know all this?"
"My name isn't Ned Aronsky," he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm Alan Frog. I grew up here in Santa Carla. In 1987 my brother Edgar and I sniffed out a pack of vampires. We tried to snuff them in '94 and it didn't work."
I stared. "You're completely nuts."
Alan/Aronsky released a harsh, short bark of laughter. "I only wish I was. The last thirty years of my life have been dedicated to staking vampires. My brother Edgar died in a cave out at the point…"
Goose pimples broke out across my skin. "Please leave."
"Marko and his buddies are responsible for murdering Edgar," he pronounced with absolute certainty. "God knows how many hundreds – if not thousands – of people over the decades have disappeared in order to feed their unholy appetites."
I stomped to the door and threw it open. "Get out. Now. Please don't make me call the cops."
Alan/Aronsky passed me in silence. He hesitated on the stairs with his back to me. "Marko and his buddies are feeling you out. They'll play some mind games with you to see if your worthy of being made one of them. In the end if you don't start drinking garlic smoothies it's going to be your funeral."
I slammed the door in his wake and quickly bolted the locks.
"What the hell is up with all the crazy people in this world?"
The next day Laddie and I worked side by side at the shop. He manned the register and waited on customers while I sat at the wheel creating. The sun made me feel strangely sleepy as though I needed to crawl into a corner for a nap.
As day drew down into night, I only became more tired.
Stretching as Laddie closed up, I wandered the shop floor marveling at the high volume of sales. A yawn escaped me and the teen noticed. He turned from the register with a grin. "Someone is tuckered out."
I laughed. "Yeah, I think I stayed up past my bedtime the last couple of nights."
He smiled while filling the night drop bag. "Marko keeping you up?"
The hint of mischief in his voice drew a laugh from me. "That's private, kiddo." A merry spark danced in Laddie's eyes. "How long have you known Star and the others?"
He froze; his smile slipped. "We've known each other a while."
The evasiveness in his answer set me on edge. After dealing with Alan - or Aronsky or whoever the hell my neighbor really was - any bullshit pissed me off. I leaned against the counter and stared him in the eye.
"How long exactly?"
The sun had gone down.
Laddie cast a grateful look at the darkness beyond the window.
I jumped as the bell over the shop door chimed.
David, dressed all in black, stepped inside with his cool blue eyes searching the room until they landed on Laddie. "How you doin'?"
Laddie smirked. "Every night is a great night to be alive. Is Dwayne home?"
"Yeah, he's working from home," David confirmed. "Some jackass stockbroker tried to screw us over on a trade. Dwayne is taking care of it."
Excitement lit up Laddie's face. "He promised to play Medal of Honor with me." He gave me a quick wave and grabbed the night drop bag. "See you tomorrow evening Grace!"
I smiled and returned the wave as Laddie ducked out the door beside David.
Silence reigned between me and my visitor.
"How are you feeling, Grace?" David asked lazily.
I forced my body to remain still despite my urge to fidget under his knowing gaze. "Fine," I retorted.
He raised one eyebrow imperiously. "Marko had to drive to San Francisco to pick up a special paint order. He asked me to let you know."
"Thanks," I replied as my palms began to sweat.
David smirked. "You're welcome." The door slammed in his wake startling me.
Running my hands through my hair, I released a pent-up breath. "Oh crap. I am not listening to crazy Alan's theories! Vampires my ass!"
The next week passed in relative peace.
Marko and David were still busting ass on that customer order so Marko only called me. In fact, I didn't see Star, Paul, or Maria and Dwayne even once during this time. Laddie I saw every afternoon since he was working for me.
The teen was polite and scrupulously private. Laddie talked about general topics like the weather and local news but avoided any subject which might give me inroads to asking personal questions.
I got the hint by that next Friday – mind my business.
Since fatigue now constantly stalked me, I ended up at the trailer on a perfectly good Friday night. I should have been out enjoying life but the mere thought of going anywhere only made me more exhausted.
The bruising now spread like tendrils of an octopus across my abdomen.
I lowered my shirt and stared at my face in the mirror. "You're dying."
The words spoken aloud for the first time shocked me.
Running my hands through my hair, I decided to ignore the evidence. I needed to have a relaxing night in.
Two hours later I had a large bowl of homemade spaghetti on my lap as I sat cross-legged on the floor. Music filtered from the radio – I turned the dial to KTSC93 needing to hear some decent music for a change.
The DJ was playing a barrage of 70's tunes.
I imagined my mother and father would have loved this!
Pulling out my phone, I dialed someone I hadn't spoken to in quite a while.
'Hello?'
A smile tugged at my lips. "Hey Dad! How are you?"
My father chuckled. 'Lost a marlin today in the Gulf! My buddies bought me a round of beers so it all balances out.' He hesitated. 'How are you? Tourist season must be drying up with October around the corner and all.'
I swallowed the mouthful of meatball I'd been chewing and licked the marina sauce from my lips. "Actually the shop is picking up steam! I'm shocked to be honest. We have a lot of customers from the newly minted Silicon Valley nouveau riche."
'Good! I remember the days when Santa Carla rolled up the financial rug once Labor Day weekend passed by. Are you making enough to live on? I can send you a few dollars to help out…'
A laugh escaped me. "Nah! I'm doing fine! The first couple of months I had to pay my rent and bills from my savings. Now I'm making enough to pay for my house rent from the shop. How is Liz?"
My father had met a woman his age in Florida. She made him happy and I was thrilled.
'Liz is great. We're giving some thought to moving in together.'
Surprise and pleasure coursed through me. "I think you should do it!"
Dad gave a hearty laugh. 'Thanks for the support, sweetheart. When do you think you might come out for a visit?'
The golden question had arrived.
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. "I'd like to get out there for Easter." We needed to have the talk about my condition and I wasn't looking forward to it.
'Sounds good,' Dad released a sigh. 'Keep safe, Grace. I've been reading some damn terrible things in the Santa Carla Bulletin.'
The internet was both a blessing and a curse.
"I'm being careful, I promise."
We said our goodbyes and I hung up. No sooner than I shoved my phone on the sofa did a familiar voice pour out of the radio.
"It's time for some damn fine Rock 'n Roll music ladies and germs," Paul enthused; his tone playful and smooth. "I'm gonna start out with a special request from my best bud Marko for his lady Grace."
Even though I was alone, I blushed beet red to the roots of my hair.
"Here it is," he murmured as familiar music started. "Enjoy everybody."
The music rolled softly over the airwaves creating a daydream-like feeling.
Nights Are Forever Without You by England Dan and John Ford Coley filled the empty space around me and for just a moment I felt Marko's presence as though he were right next to me.
The song was almost done when a knock sounded on the door.
My heart leapt with hope and I set aside my abandoned dinner before racing to the door. "Hey!" I greeted with a broad smile as I threw the door open.
The small porch was empty.
A frown slowly etched across my mouth as I stepped into the darkness. My crazy neighbor – Alan or whatever – was gone as were the rest of those on my cul-du-sac. No one was around. No one.
The sense of stillness and absolute solitude sent a shiver down my spine.
I stepped back inside and closed the door; swiftly locking it. "I'm finally going around the bend."
Shaking my head, I decided it was time for bed.
Sleep eluded me at first before I finally drifted off into fitful rest filled with disturbing dreams of a living darkness writhing around me like a snake. I twisted beneath the sheets with fear pulsing in my veins.
"Grace?"
The voice calling my name was familiar and much desired.
My eyes fluttered open in confusion.
Marko was standing illuminated in a pool of moonlight beside my bed. He was wearing dark jeans and a scarlet shirt with the sleeves pushed up to expose his strong forearms. His hands were shoved deep in his pockets as he watched me.
The silvery moonbeams gave him an unearthly, pale appearance.
I went into a sitting position. "Marko, how did you get in?"
He nodded toward the window. "You didn't lock up." Marko's gaze was intense as he took a step closer. "Come to me," he held out his hand. "I want you."
My pulse quickened as my hand moved of its own accord. His skin was cool as my fingers skated over his palm. Marko's hand closed over mine and he pulled me easily to my feet. I felt a burning attraction moving me toward him which set my blood to coursing madly through my veins.
His hands feathered up my arms and I shuddered in response.
"Let me taste you, baby," Marko whispered hotly against my ear.
I whimpered low in my throat, "Yes."
Marko kissed me; his lips demanded, conquered before he nipped my bottom lip playfully. His hands turned my body and he swept my hair back exposing the right side of my neck. He circled one arm around my waist and pulled me back against him.
He was hard against my rear and the sensation pulled a moan from the depths of my being.
Marko's mouth ghosted against my shoulder before kissing my nape. Again and again he pressed burning kisses against my neck before nibbling the skin. The feel was sensual, erotic even despite the fact our clothes were on.
I whispered his name as Marko bit my nape.
He groaned in response against my neck.
The pulling sensation started; a suckling sound echoed in the room.
Weakness started in my knees before creeping upward and loosening my muscles so my legs buckled.
Marko only tightened his arm around my waist and held me against him with ease.
As the pleasure in my body mounted, I cried out in ecstasy and the world disappeared in a shower of black sparks…
Light teased me back into consciousness. The blush of dawn colored the sky outside my open window.
Moaning softly, I struggled to sit.
My nightgown was still in place and my panties but I could smell Marko's scent on my skin. We may not have had sex but he had definitely been here. My interaction hadn't been some kind of wet dream but real.
I stumbled into the bathroom and switched on the light.
My reflection was wan with large dark circles beneath my eyes. I pushed the hair away from my neck to expose the tell-tale bruise Marko's kiss left behind. It was larger than the last and an angry deep purple color.
A sigh escaped me. "What is going on?"
The memory of my kooky neighbor's words came back uninvited, 'Nosferatu.'
I laughed and shook my head. "You're just tired and need to spend more time with Marko. Don't lose it."
Yet some tiny part of me wondered why Marko and his family were so nocturnal. Why did they spend their waking hours at night instead of during the day like everyone else?
Determined to not go over the edge into madness, I set aside the bizarre thoughts and began getting ready to face the day.
I'm not going crazy. I. Am. Not.
I want to thank FlowerChild23, Erzsebeth Bathory, LostInSantaCarla3, AngelaAngieAng, Chantal, xXx Tinkies xXx, Lyanna L, and Liz for reviewing! Thanks as well to those following along.
