The Fury of the Night
Chapter 2. First Meetings
"David…" The sound of his name coming from her lips sounded like the whisper of an angel and he breathed in deeply, feeling as if fire and whiskey and water and wine were all crossing his lips at once. The smell of her shook him, though he showed no outward trace, continuing to stand as if he was chiseled from the same stone as the steps upon which they stood. She was dead roses and fresh rain; fatal and divine. Woman and wild creature in marble flesh that smelled of vanilla and feminine musk and blood of the purest crimson hell. Never had he smelled anything like her. His body protested as it tried to morph in answer to her dark self, but he held it in check, though surprised at the treacherousness of his own shell. She turned then, the velvet of her duster brushing against his leather, her arm sliding against his chest, until they were fully straight with each other. Her head was tilted back to meet his gaze, as at her full height, the top of her head came only to the top of his chest. As he gazed down at her he suddenly knew how snugly her body would fit into his; how her black-maned head would fit perfectly into his shoulder, as if the devil himself had designed them only for each other. For the first time in a century, lust struggled to push it's way forward, and struggled hard. A random snippet of prose flashed through his mind, "What fresh hell is this?" and was gone, making him smile more broadly, dimples flashing, eyes snapping blue fire.
"David…" she breathed again as her eyes and all her senses took him in. She allowed herself a breath and that was all; she was immortal but still a creature much driven by passion, be it blood flowing through warm bodies that triggered it or the irrational pull of the being before her, and she would resist that pull until she understood it more, when there was time to dwell on such matters. For now, there were formalities, settling in, and deep conversation to be had.
"Thank you for welcoming me and making my passage smooth. You are indeed the gentleman I foresaw in my visions." Raven spoke in her melodic tones that once again made him think of angel bells.
"I am glad your travel was easy, and I am pleased that you have chosen to come to me. I've felt the weight of the troubles that are pressing in on you, and hope that I might be of some service. We will discuss all in due time, but for this evening I would introduce you to my coven, my pack, and show you our home, though I know it is not as glamorous as what you are used to, it is offered with complete openness of heart." David's arms lifted and his hands opened in an expression of honest intent, and Raven found herself reaching up and placing her outwardly-looking delicate hands in his.
As she luxuriated in the feel of his leather-clad iron fingers close around hers, she smiled again, delighted in the sense of comfort that came with his touch. It had been ages since she had felt true comfort, or had had it offered to her so sincerely. "To be honest, David, my kingdom of concrete, though it may seem decadent, I fear is sadly lacking when compared to the beauty of yours. I am already enchanted with the smell of your ocean and the clear view of the moon that calls to us both."
Her words made him smile even wider in pleasure and he kept one of her hands captured in his as he turned them both toward the boardwalk. "Come then," his deep voice breathed beside her ear, "and let me show you around".
David walked half a step in front of Raven, keeping her small hand snugly in his as he headed them towards the boardwalk where the shrill sounds of laughter mixed with the various noises of the games and rides. She recognized his courtesy-that half step in front of her meant to keep anyone from jostling her. It was unnecessary as the humans around them could sense it would be unwise to come in contact with the handsome young man and the beautiful girl, even if their rational mind didn't understand why, and the mortals parted in front of them without prompting.
When they came to the carousel, Raven was overcome by glee. She drank in the guileless merriment of the very young riders and she let it carry her soul up. Normally, she would not have given in to emotion, but being here in this place, feeling free, momentarily unburdened, and under safe protection, she gave in to joy. A musical laugh escaped her, making David smile in response to the heavenly sound, his dimples on full display. She squeezed his hand tightly and joyfully exclaimed "Come on!" pulling him along with her as she almost danced to the merry-go-round, gracefully jumping aboard. David let out a low rumble of laughter as he landed only a step behind her and followed her as she wound herself in and out and around the wooden horses and unicorns and other creatures, pausing now and then to grab on to one of the outer poles and lean far out, letting the wind flow through her hair, her face turned up into the wind. He paused, leaning against the back of an unoccupied bench seat, in rapt attention as a small child reached out a hand toward Raven as she passed. He knew the control this magical woman possessed and knew there would be no screams echoing through the night as her "other" reacted to the touch, which would only end with crimson spurting through the air. He watched, blue eyes intensely focused on Raven's face, as she paused and turned back toward the little innocent. She had a soft grin on her face as she reached out and gently brought her hand up to softly caress the cherub's cheek. He saw the little one involuntarily draw back at the unexpected coldness of the hand and saw Raven's hand freeze for the briefest of seconds before she drew away. She flashed him a smile and he returned it before he stepped off the carousel, turning to watch her go around one more time. His eyes took in the sinuous sway of her hips as she wound in and out around the ride and he also noted the stares of a few teenaged boys who were on the boardwalk only to act cool and be annoying to any authority figures who might be present. David watched them as they watched her, this electric young woman with eyes that shone gray as she smiled flirtatiously back at them. With his mind David teasingly reached out to her "? A light snack?" and snorted when her response came back into his own mind jokingly, "Sometimes I just can't help myself". Moments later, he moved to catch her as she jumped from the ride, his strong arms easily taking her sleight weight against his chest and setting her on the ground in front of him. For some reason, he couldn't stop himself from giving the lustful teenagers a look of superiority. The magnificent creature that had triggered their desire was designed for so much more than anything they could ever offer. Their dejected looks brought no spiteful glee to him…he was too old for such nonsense…wasn't he? Bright eyes shone up at him as Raven grabbed his hand once again and breathed "More."
He had walked her around the rest of the rides and they were leisurely strolling down the boardwalk with him answering her casual questions regarding this and that as Marko, Paul, and Dwayne entered both of their senses.
"Come." David commanded as he came aware of their proximity. The three drew near and paused before David, lowering their heads briefly in submission, then raising their gazes a trifle uneasily to the Alpha at his side. David had told them of her coming, but had given no specifics, stating simply that "another like him" was coming for an important talk and would be staying with them an indeterminate amount of time. They each had assumed that the one coming was first of all male and secondly for some reason, somehow "lesser". The creature that had dropped David's hand and now was stepping closer to them was neither of those things. Firstly, her beauty was of icy perfection. Flawless skin over high cheekbones, perfectly arched brows, pouting full lips, and that incredible mane of blacker than black hair…it was too much perfection in one face. Her body, small but with the definite curves of complete womanhood moved confidently, sure of it's place in these surroundings. And then their eyes were called back to hers. Those eyes that now shimmered a dark reddish-maroon. They were full of knowledge. Full of life and of death. They were sure that those eyes had seen more than they ever expected to. The last thing to settle over them was the awareness of how much power was contained in the small frame that stood before them. Power that had come from sources unimaginable. They knew she was vampire, knew she was Alpha, but she was so much MORE. Their senses allowed them only the barest of glimpses into her origins and the hell that flashed out at them caused them to pull their minds back into themselves in a snap, Marko taking an involuntary step backwards.
David watched as Raven stopped before his boys and stood still as she voluntarily let their minds briefly touch hers. He knew this was what they needed to do to come to the basest of understanding of her, but also knew they would not be able to handle much at this first encounter.
Raven reached out her hand to Paul and as he took it, she spoke. "Paul; it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Raven. We have some of the same taste in music, I think." David watched in his own mind the reflection of what she was showing Paul in hers-a room full of vinyl albums, classic rock, blues, r and b, every type of music imaginable. He also felt the emotion she sent with it; one of peace and calm. A small half-grin took David's lips as he saw Paul visibly relax and smile in acknowledgement.
Next, the small woman moved to stand before Dwayne. Again she held out her hand in greeting and as Dwayne took it, she sent him an image of a huge gallery full of paintings and the same small push of peace and quiet and calm. "Dwayne, I am not talented with the brush, but am a great appreciator of art of all kinds. I look forward to many discussions with you regarding…" and at that, the image she shared in her head became a series of paintings, sketches, portraits, doodles, flying past at light speed and a sense of wonderment at each of them. Dwayne smiled broadly, which he rarely did, and at David's delight, actually covered Raven's small hand with his other briefly before stepping back.
David watched Marko carefully as the slight being slowly came to stand before him. He knew she was moving slowly; she knew Marko was still relatively new and though none could doubt his bravery, he had not encountered one like Raven before. She didn't want to make him more unsettled. He also picked up on Marko's thoughts. Marko didn't want to disappoint David. He knew this was someone of great importance and there was something coming that would effect all of them. He only wished to contribute and be a strength to his pack.
Raven probed gently into Marko's mind, bringing calm with her. She browsed for a moment, seeing the details of his becoming, watching his decisiveness in his actions, his devotion to the strength of the coven, feeling the web of bonds that attached him to the others. She pulled back a little and sent him an image of two chairs placed facing each other on top of a hill with a sun sinking low in the horizon behind. "Marko," her musical voice now lower, almost conspiratorial, "When there is time, I promise you a world of answers to a world of questions. IF the questions AND the answers are ones that will serve you well." She then sent an image of herself sitting in one chair and Marko in the other, speaking in unhurried conversation. A final wave of calm went out from her and Marko stepped forward, taking her hand, and looking into those dark red depths, nodded in acceptance.
David was taken aback. He had known of the things that Paul and Dwayne took pleasure in, but had had no idea that what Marko craved was knowledge. Answers. About anything and everything. He had taken responsibility for Marko's life/afterlife and had sensed briefly as he skimmed his mind from time to time that the newest member of their tribe was curious about many things but he had never once picked up on the fact that what Marko truly wanted was the undivided attention of an elder; of someone wise who KNEW the answers to the hard questions and would not blow him off or try to condense things into simple boxes.
David watched Marko and Raven exchange brilliant smiles and as he watched her turn back towards him, he sent Marko a vow to be a better leader. Marko caught his thought and grinned, and as Raven picked the telepathic message out of the air, she smiled at David too. His eyes were drawn to those full lips of hers and he had a sudden insane urge to kiss them. To feel their cold warmth. Instead, he took her hand and raised it to his lips, brushing a kiss across the pale knuckles and rasped, "Now that we're all properly acquainted, I think it's time to take our guest for a run down the beach. What do you say, boys?"
The boys immediately whooped and hollered and turned, racing towards a line of high-powered motorbikes parked in front of a donut shop. David kept Raven's hand in his as he nodded his head in the direction of the bikes.
"M'Lady, shall we?"
Raven felt a fine tremor deep within her as David's deep voice vibrated within her.
"My Lord, I would LOVE to." She replied swiftly and laughingly danced along beside him as he led her towards further adventure in the night.