Hello Readers welcome to this new story!
Legal: I own nothing but the idea.
Important things to know before reading:
*This is a slightly A/U future fic.
*We start our story nearing the end of Clare and Adam's junior year of college.
*Clare did have cancer but was never pregnant.
*In this story there were never Ice Hounds and thus no Becky.
*This story is about many supernatural elements including vampires, were-creatures and superhuman abilities as well as many others.
*If some elements of this story sound familiar it's probably because I was inspired by the SVC (Southern Vampire Chronicles A.K.A. Sookie Stackhouse) books while plotting it
That does it, everything else will be explained in this chapter or throughout the story.
Ch. 1 Quarter Moon on a City Growing Thick
(CLARE)
"We should do something tonight. If we don't take a break from studying we're going to burn out," I comment to Adam.
"I was just going to say we shouldn't spend our Saturday night studying. Finals don't start until Monday and we are as prepared as we can be. Of course, we'll still quiz each other all week," Adam comments with a sardonic grin.
"Of course," I giggle.
"So, what should we do?" Adam questions.
"I heard about this new club in Scarborough, Club Crimson, it's supposed to be good."
"You want to go to a club?" Adam questions with a dubious tone.
"A couple girls in my criminology class were talking about it, they said it's more upscale and harkens back to the clubs of the fifties and early sixties. It's worth checking out right?"
"Cool, let's go," Adam smiles.
We both change and get in Adam's car; I pull up directions to the club on my phone. Adam parks and we get in line for the club. It's a long line and the club seems pretty busy. I'm wondering if we'll even get in, but then suddenly a bouncer is standing next to us. It's like he just appeared there and it startles me to suddenly have this large shadow looming over us.
"You two, step out of line and follow me," the guy says. He's very large and rather intimidating, I exchange a look with Adam, but we go under the rope when the guy holds it up. Adam and I are both worried that we did something wrong. We follow the guy around the line and the doorman holds open the door for us, we follow the larger bouncer inside and then he walks off.
"They must have cameras outside and look for people in line that they want in the club," Adam comments.
"And they chose us? If you're going by looks we don't stand out compared to some of the people in line. Several of them look like they could be models," I remark. I'm a bit astonished that someone picked us from a crowd.
"Let's go find somewhere to sit and order drinks," Adam shrugs.
As we walk along the edge of the club where there are tables I feel like we're being watched. I look around but don't see anyone watching us, I shrug it off and decide it's just the amount of people in here. We find a booth and sit down; you order drinks via a touch screen at your table. I get a strawberry daiquiri and Adam orders a bamboo, a few minutes later a waitress brings them to our table. We sip at the drinks and watch people dancing, after finishing our drinks we decide to dance, so we leave the booth for the dance floor.
We dance for a couple of songs and then Adam says he needs to use the washroom. I tell him I'll meet him back at the booth, I sit down and order another drink and an appetizer for us to share. When Adam doesn't return after ten minutes, I figure there must be a long line for the washroom. When he doesn't return after twenty minutes, I text him, I wait five minutes for him to answer my text and when he doesn't, I go looking for him.
I walk back toward the washrooms; this hallway seems to be quite the maze of doors. It looks like there's a VIP room and four other doors, not including the washrooms. I do find Adam though, leaning against the wall making out with a girl with long black hair. Making out with a random girl in public is very unlike Adam, something I expect of Drew and Owen, but not from Adam. He looks happy though and this is basically a miracle for him. The type of girls that would generally go for something like making out in public don't have that type of interest in Adam. He looks happy, he doesn't look like he's getting attacked, so I leave him be.
I return to the booth and continue sipping at my drink, and nibbling at the food I ordered. I expect Adam to return at any time with a huge smile and a great story. After an hour he still hasn't returned, and I don't want to wait anymore. I'm really not having a good time anymore, sitting alone I'm attracting the attention of many guys, and a few girls. I've turned away at least ten for dances in the last hour, and I get more annoyed each time one of them comes over.
I decide it's time for me to go home, Adam drove us here, so I have to find my own way home, which is fine, probably better he has the car anyway. I could hang out and dance, order some more drinks, but I've already had three drinks and several glasses of water. I don't feel much like dancing, and despite not seeing anyone I can't shake the feeling that someone is watching me. I just don't want to stay here by myself any longer, and I don't know when Adam is coming back. I go looking for Adam again, it's been over an hour, maybe he and the girl are now dancing or something. I find Adam in the same spot, making out with the same girl, and I don't want to disturb him. I take a step back to turn around and bump into someone, someone male by the hard chest I bump into.
"They're enjoying the night," says a deep male voice.
"Yes, very much so," I reply and turn around to see that I bumped into Lucas Valieri. "Lucas," I say surprised to see him. He pinches his eyebrows together trying to place me. "Clare, Edwards, Darcy's little sister," I remind him.
"Right, I remember you now," he smiles but it's almost sinister. He inhales deeply and I get a chill racing down my spine. He wants to harm me, I can see it, his emotions and intent are all red, and kind of frenzied. I also see a connection to blood, my blood. I don't react on the outside, but inside I'm screaming to get out of here.
"It was good to see you again Lucas," I say cautiously. Lucas has me on edge, it's not as though I knew him very well or at all really. I'd never spoken a word to him, but I have been in the ravine with him, near him and though I never really liked him I never felt this sense of danger from him. All I see around him now is pain and blood, and I want to be away from him. "My friend is having a good time and I'm going home," I tell him moving past Lucas. He lets me past him but then begins to follow me.
"He and my sister are having a good night together," Lucas comments, I look back and realize it is Jane that Adam is kissing. "Can I give you a ride home?" Lucas asks. I shiver as I instantly see death.
"No, I have a ride thank you," I reply. I walk fast weaving my way through people and when I reach the front door Lucas finally stops following me and disappears into the crowd.
I release a breath when I'm finally outside, but stay near the club doors on the side opposite the line. I lean against the wall wondering how I'm going to get home. Even if it wasn't after midnight I couldn't call my Mom she moved away the summer I graduated DeGrassi. Actually, not many people I know are still in town, at least not ones I feel comfortable calling for a ride after midnight. There is one however, I pull my cell phone from my purse, scroll through the names and click on his contact.
"Clare? Is Adam okay?" Drew answers.
"He's fine, he's making out with a girl. He has been for more than an hour, I don't want to disturb him because this is so rare for him, but I don't want to wait here for him."
"You called me for a ride home?" Drew questions with a tone I can't quite place. Suddenly I feel stupid for calling Drew and not just calling for a cab. Our breakup was nasty, it's only been in the last few months we've even begun speaking again.
"Sorry, I…I'll call a cab."
"No that's okay, Owen and I are just hanging out, where are you?"
"Club Crimson in Scarborough."
"We'll be there soon," Drew says and hangs up. He's going to make Owen come with him so that we're not alone in the car together. I stay leaning against the wall, watching for Lucas and waiting for Drew's car. When I see his car pull up I get in the back seat, as soon as I'm buckled up Drew starts driving.
"So my brother was making out with a girl?" Drew questions.
"Yeah, with Jane Vaughn," I tell them though I don't think Drew knows who Jane is.
"Seriously? Jane Vaughn?" Owen asks.
"Yeah, I didn't realize it because I couldn't see her, didn't even know it was her until I bumped into Lucas and he pointed it out. Lucas offered to drive me home, but he seemed to be…I'm not sure but I didn't feel safe with him."
"I'm glad you called," Drew says looking at me in the rearview mirror with a grin and I grin back. The rest of the ride is silent.
"Thanks for the ride," I say when they pull up to my building.
"No problem Clare," Drew smiles as I grab my purse, "I'll call Adam in the morning."
I smile at them, punch in the door code and go inside and up to my apartment. I wait for Adam to return, I can't sleep, and the later it gets the more I worry. I pace the apartment we share together thinking of my best friend, remembering all the times we've spent here together.
I remember it was nearly a year ago that Adam and I both found out we were accepted to Ryerson and began discussing getting an apartment together. While my dream had originally been Columbia that all changed when I got cancer. I went into remission, but fear of a relapse kept me in town, I wanted to stay near my doctors, near a cancer center I was familiar with. I knew New York has good doctors and cancer facilities, but it wouldn't be the same.
I don't know how happy Drew was that I stayed in town, or that Adam and I moved in together. At that point we couldn't even look at each other. I do know that Drew was happy when Eli returned to New York in August. Drew also stayed in town, he got an apartment with Owen, and they only live a few miles from us. Owen also goes to Ryerson and we see him around campus sometimes. Drew goes to Centennial, so I don't see him around campus. He did help Adam move in, but couldn't even look at me. It was very painful for several months, but at least around Christmas time Drew and I started speaking again. Not sure we had a choice as we both spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
When the club has been closed for an hour and Adam still isn't back I call his cell phone. It goes straight to voicemail and now I'm really worried. I consider calling Drew again, but I don't want to worry him. Adam is probably fine, still with the girl and his phone died. I try to track his phone but it's off or dead, it does show his last location as the club, nearly two hours ago. I spend all night unable to sleep and worried about my best friend.
(ADAM)
I come out of the washroom and a girl with long black hair, and a somewhat exotic look steps right in front of me. I almost bump into her she moved in front of me so fast, instead I back into the wall. She locks her eyes with mine and I get this odd sensation coursing through me.
"Hi, I'm Jane," she smiles.
"Adam," I reply.
"Make out with me," she says. It's not quite a demand, but more than that. I can't refuse, nor do I want to, my arms go around her and our lips crash together.
It's like we go into this bubble, almost like being underwater and hearing what's going on above, but not really hearing it. I hear other people in the club, moving past us, I feel them bump into us. At some point I think I hear Clare's voice, but it's all fuzzy and far away like we're in another world. At some point we move so she's against the wall. I become totally unaware of time and pretty much anything else, and suddenly Jane pulls away but keeps a hold of my hand.
"The club is closing, let's go upstairs," she says.
"Closing? I should find my friend," I reply.
"Come upstairs with me," Jane says looking in my eyes again and again I can't resist her.
"Okay," I reply. I want to go with her, but at the same time it feels wrong somehow. I follow her upstairs to a room, she closes the door behind us.
"Take off your clothes," she says, locking eyes with me again.
I start unbuttoning my shirt, but I'm resisting because I know what she's about to find out and how this is going to go. "You should know that…" I begin and she smashes her lips to mine.
"I know what you are Adam, I want you," she says when she takes her lips away.
I must have had another drink or something because the next few minutes go really fast. Jane gets totally undressed, and I undress except for my compression vest and boxers. Jane smiles and has me lie on the bed, and then I'm pretty sure she bites my inner thigh. After that everything is black until I wake up the next morning.
I'm in the bed next to Jane, the room is so dark I think it's night time still. I get out of bed and feel around for my clothes. I find my shirt, and shoes, then my jeans, my wallet and my phone are in my jeans, along with my keys. My phone however is dead, I'm sure I have a bunch of missed calls from Clare. I get dressed and Jane doesn't even stir, I find the door and leave the room. The hallways is also dark and I have no idea where I'm going. I walk one way and come to a dead end, so I turn and go the other way. Eventually I'm able to find my way downstairs and out the backdoor of the club.
When I come through the door the bright sunlight is startling. If the door hadn't closed and locked behind me I probably would have gone back in the club. It's got to be at least seven in the morning, and the sun seems exceedingly bright this morning. It's almost painful, and I think is making me more tired. I make it to my car and unlock it, the drive home seems to take forever. I finally make it and go up to the apartment unlocking the door.
"Thank goodness! I've been worried all night," Clare exclaims, throwing her arms around me as soon as the door is open.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you, or stay out all night. My phone died at some point," I tell her with a yawn. When she lets go of me I lock the door, drop my keys and wallet on the table by the door. "Do I owe you for cab fare?" I question sitting on the sofa.
"Drew and Owen picked me up," she tells me. I'm happily surprised to hear this as she and Drew have only been on speaking terms again for a few months, and were still having trouble being in the same room without glaring at each other. "What happened last night? I saw you making out with Jane and thought I'd let you have a good time. You haven't made out with a girl like that since Maya," Clare comments. It doesn't even occur to me that she knows Jane's name without me telling her. Clare is right though, Maya and I dated for the better part of my senior year. I've been on a few dates in college but even in college most girls feel differently when they find out I'm FTM.
"I'm not exactly sure, Jane was there when I left the washroom. She introduced herself and I introduced myself and then she told me to make out with her and I did. Everything else seemed to disappear, I think I heard your voice at one point," I tell Clare and she nods to indicate I'm right. "Next thing I'm really aware of is Jane pulling away from me. She told me the club was closed and we should go upstairs, I followed her as though I had no choice. Suddenly, it was morning," I say deciding to skip over the more intimate parts with my best friend.
"Are you sure you didn't have another drink or four in that time?" Clare asks.
"I don't remember doing so, but I must have or something," I yawn. "I don't think I slept much, I'm going to go lie down," I tell Clare.
I get up and go to my bedroom, I slip off my shoes and fall onto my bed. I'm so exhausted I fall asleep almost instantly, a deep sleep and all I dream of is Jane. Kissing her, being with her, and her biting me.
(CLARE)
"Hi Drew."
"Adam's phone keeps going straight to voicemail," Drew says. When I saw his face flashing on the screen I knew he was calling about Adam.
"He came home this morning, a little after 7:30. He was tired, a bit confused, but he seems fine. He's sleeping, he has been since shortly after he got home."
"So, what did happen last night?" Drew asks. I tell him everything Adam told me. "I can't believe Adam went upstairs and spent the night with a girl he doesn't even know, that's so unlike him. I'm proud of him," Drew says. I hear the grin on his lips, pride in his voice and I shake my head.
"I'll have Adam call you when he gets up," I tell Drew and hang up my phone.
I eat breakfast, do some studying and take a nap, and still Adam is not awake. He doesn't rise until nearly four, he sort of stumbles sleepily from his bedroom. I tell him that Drew wants him to call and he stumbles sleepily back to his bedroom. When he comes back out several minutes later he says he's hungry and we order food. We watch TV and wait for the food. When the food arrives Adam makes sure it's our food before opening the door. After getting our food onto plates we eat and watch TV, it's a quiet afternoon. At nearly the moment the sun has entirely disappeared there's a knock on our door. I try to see who it is, and I believe it's Jane, so I get up and answer the door, indeed Jane is standing on the other side.
"Hello Clare, it's good to see you again, Lucas said he saw you last night. I didn't know you and Adam were so close," Jane says.
"Probably, because we barely talked last night," Adam comments coming to my side. When Adam appears Jane smiles big, she's very happy to see him. From the corner of my eye I see Adam smile as well, yet he also stiffens slightly. He's happy to see her as well but also a little afraid.
"Hello Adam," Jane purrs, "My boss would like to meet both of you. Clare, he saw you last night and was very intrigued by you," Jane says. I wonder if her boss is the one I felt watching me last night. "Adam I also told him about your situation, being in the body you don't feel is yours. He can help, if you're willing."
Adam looks at me, he wants to know if she's being honest, I see that she is, she cares for Adam I can see that, she wants to help him. She doesn't mean either of us any harm. While she intends no harm for either of us I do see connection to dark and blood, whether that's her boss or Lucas I can't be sure without being in the same room as all of them.
"Okay, when does your boss want to see us?" Adam asks after I nod slightly to show Jane is being truthful.
"Right away, I have a car downstairs, I'll wait down there while you get ready," Jane says closing the door as she leaves.
Adam and I change into better clothes and I get my purse. We lock up the apartment and go downstairs together. Jane is leaning against a car, a driver is behind the wheel, Jane opens the back door for us and we slide in. The driver takes us back to the club which is just beginning to open. The driver parks behind the club and then gets out and opens the door for us. Jane leads us to a back door and we follow her inside. We go up a staircase to a set of double doors at the end of the hall, Jane opens both doors to reveal a lavishly decorated office. It's almost the size of our apartment, dark wooden shelves line the walls, and they are filled with books. Dark wood floors are softened by luxurious rugs, dark wood and antique looking furniture decorate the office. At the end of the office, which seems to have no windows, sitting in a high backed chair, almost throne like, is a man.
Even sitting down I can tell that he's tall, he's lean, but even in a suit jacket I can see that he's muscular. His dark brown hair is long, pulled back into a ponytail. His eyes are dark and he watches me intently. As he watches me walk toward his ornate and lavish desk his lips stretch into a smile. I smile back almost out of habit, but I can see there is something very dangerous about this man. His intent with us is hard to read. I don't see that he wants to harm us, but I can't see him as easily as I usually can. I feel a little uneasy, but whether that's the man smiling, or that Lucas is standing near him with his arms crossed and grinning at me I'm not sure.
"Hello Adam," the man says turning his attention from me, "I am Leland Winter. Jane told me that you are on hormones and are hoping to have the surgery soon."
I see Adam stiffen a little next to me as he becomes nervous.
"Yes, that's true," Adam says after a few seconds.
"No need to be nervous Adam, we don't wish any harm to you or Clare," Leland assures him as Jane links her arm with Adam.
"Sorry, it's just I don't remember telling Jane that last night. Actually, last night is kind of fuzzy," Adam says.
"We talked about a lot things Adam," Jane tells him.
"If you are ready to change, to be who you truly are inside I know a doctor that can help you now," Leland informs him.
Adam instantly brightens and relaxes, this is something he's wanted since before I've known him. "I was always told…"
"Forget what you were told, I know the best of the best. Are you ready?" Leland asks.
"Yes, yes, more than ready," Adam grins excitedly.
"Then I'll arrange for the doctor to come this Saturday, you'll be done with school by then. You will have to take some time off work, five days or so. You must be ready, entirely and whole heartedly ready to make this transformation Adam. It is no surgery, there are other ways, but I promise you will come out of it as the man you've always known you are."
"I'm ready, I've been waiting for this all my life," Adam says. I can see that he is, that this is what he's always wanted, but no one else sees what I see, they never do.
"Lucas and Jane have told me they went to school with you for a short time. Jane especially has told me how intelligent and courageous you are," Leland says looking at me with admiring eyes and I can't help but blush. I don't know what to say or how to reply to him though. "I invite you to enjoy the club tonight as my guests, drinks and food are on me," Leland says.
"Let's go dance Adam," Jane insists pulling at his arm.
"Lucas please escort Clare to my private booth," Leland instructs him.
Lucas nods to Leland and offers me his arm. I don't know that I can trust Lucas completely, but I can see that Lucas will do as Leland says. Lucas escorts me to a private booth at the back of the club with a clear view of the entire club as it's on a pedestal. A platform really about eight inches above everything else. Lucas helps me up and then stands there like my body guard, it's a little odd. I order a glass of wine and watch Jane and Adam on the dance floor. I can still feel someone watching me, Lucas is watching everyone else, but I'm convinced Leland is somewhere watching me.
I sip at my wine and watch the people, watch Jane and Adam, they both look very happy. Every now and then Lucas will turn his head and sniff the air in my direction. It's creepy but he won't hurt me, his intentions are dark but Leland doesn't want him to hurt me, so he won't. That much I can see.
After dancing for a while Jane and Adam come and join me in the booth. Adam orders water and drinks for him and Jane. Jane links her arm through Adam's and runs her nose along his neck. When she inhales deeply I see red, blood. I shiver instinctually, but I don't think Jane wants to hurt Adam, her feelings for him are real. She looks so happy when she looks at him, it is very strange that she and Lucas inhale deeply when around me and Adam.
We stay at the club until it closes, Jane and Adam dance most of the night. They bring me out to the dance floor a few times, but I mostly spend my time in the booth with Lucas standing guard, and the feeling that Leland is watching.
"You should stay here tonight," Jane tells us when the club is closing, "there's plenty of room."
"Thanks but we have finals all week and we have to be at school early," I reply. I don't feel safe staying here tonight.
Jane looks disappointed but escorts us to a car and tells the same driver to take us home. She kisses Adam deeply and then opens the door for us. We don't talk in the car, I don't like what I see in the driver.
"I've been thinking about this most of the night, we shouldn't tell anyone else about next Saturday," Adam says when we're alone in our apartment.
"Don't you think they'll notice?"
"If it works yes, but Leland said it wasn't surgery, that there were other ways. I hope this works, and he's right, but if it doesn't work, if it's not a physical transformation, then there will be nothing for them to notice. We don't know what's going to happen, and my mom will try and stop it."
"Okay, I won't say anything. It's not like I talk to your family very much anyway, and we only have a week."
"You talk to Drew," Adam replies.
"I called him for a ride home and spoke to him when he couldn't get a hold of you," I retort and then yawn.
"You should get to sleep, you've been up a long time," Adam says.
I kiss his cheek and go back to my room to get ready for bed. I fall asleep with thoughts of Leland, Jane and Lucas on my mind. Waking to my alarm the next morning and groaning because I don't want to get up. I have a final at ten and I felt a lot more prepared for it before Saturday night. Now all I can think about is Leland, Lucas, Jane and what will happen to Adam next Saturday.
Adam and I spend all week either taking finals or studying for them. Adam also spends all week very excited and very nervous for Saturday. Adam has dinner at his parents Wednesday night, I'm always invited, but never go because I don't want any tension with me and Drew to disrupt their dinner. Adam hasn't told his parents about Jane, but he does tell me he gave Drew a guarded version.
Thursday night Adam and I go out to celebrate being done with finals. Friday we don't really do anything, we wake up late, watch TV and order food. Saturday, is different. It's June 1st, a new month which seems fitting for a new beginning. If it is truly a new beginning for Adam.
All day there seems to be an energy in the air. Adam wavers between buzzing with excitement and mired with trepidation. At times he can't be still and is moving around the apartment cleaning and other times he just sinks to the sofa and stares blankly at the TV. As the sunset is waning and the sky is growing darker there's a knock on the door. Adam opens it to find our driver is on the other side, waiting to take us to the club. I lock up the apartment and we're taken down the car, he opens the door for us and then gets in the driver's side. Our driver, whose name I still don't know, is intimidating and scares me a little. He's a very large man, tall and very muscular, and dark. I don't mean his skin, his skin is a light olive, lighter than Drew's. I mean him, his intent, his emotions, are dark and connected to dark. When we reach the club it's dark and there's already a long line around the block to get in.
"Welcome Adam," Jane grins opening the door for us. "Come Clare, you'll be so surprised to truly see your friend when this is all over."
Our driver offers me his hand to help me out of the car and I follow Jane and Adam inside. I know she wants nothing but the best for Adam but something about tonight feels very strange.
In case you're wondering where Leland came from he is a mix of Leland Chapman and Eric Northman from the SVC books (not the show, books only). So that may help you picture him.