The Fury of the Night
Chapter 13: Ferality
When the screams and growls had first began, Star had awakened immediately and cowered fearfully in her bed, not recognizing the sound of night beasts engaged in fierce intimacy. When multi-colored flame had burst forth from the passageway leading to David's room, she had not lessened in her anxiety. Star knew Raven was with him, but were they fighting? …Fucking? She only knew it would not be wise of her to inquire either way and slid further down on her mattress. Sometime after, just as she was slipping back into sleep, the temperature of the cave seemed to climb rapidly, making her kick back her covers in frustration. She sat up like a shot when the whole cave seemed to tremble and small rocks fell from above as grit and dust filtered down, the very earth seeming to groan beneath her. As shrieking and growls and howls coming from David's passage became low yelps and moans and sighs, she realized that whatever had occurred was coming to a close and laid back. In a few minutes, just as her mind was quieting, it all began over again. The best Star could do was bury her head beneath a pillow and hope the rest of the day would pass quickly and night would come soon so she could slip away. She finally did sleep, but it was an uneasy rest filled with bloody screams and flashing red eyes.
As David fell back against the pillows clutching Raven to him, he felt completely at peace. They had taken their pleasure of each other all throughout the day, and as he reached out for his cigarettes, he felt Raven's body slide limply against his side. He reached out his mind to hers and found she had rapidly entered into a deep resting state. He let out a low chuckle and knew he should rest as well, but he wanted to think. Releasing smoke into the air, he watched it rise and spread. He was going to ask her to become his mate, of that he was sure. How or when, he did not know, but sooner rather than later felt right. Then there was the matter that had brought her to him. It must be addressed. His other houses must be brought in and a council held. With that thought, he let out a little sigh. David held a position of power and held it tightly, but there were a few members of his outlying covens that were trying at times and he would be in no mood to deal with them. Perhaps that was just as well, he thought. It had been many decades since he had needed to display his full power; it would do them good to be reminded who held reign over them all. A smile came over his face as he thought of how they would react to the small creature at his side. Most would be enthralled, he knew, but the same few who had entered his thoughts moments ago would no doubt question the power she held. Just then Raven growled lowly in her throat and her lips drew back over her teeth as she snapped at empty air, her eyelids fluttering wildly. Orange flame snapped for a brief second in the air, tight over her body, then winked out. David smiled again, then took a deep drag of his smoke. She was quite capable of handling them, he knew. Handling them well. He put out his cigarette and his last thought before he let his mind go black was that they would stay in this evening and dedicate time to his boys and to Star, so that they might be better prepared for things to come. His boys would come to understand much about himself and Raven both, and hopefully come to recognize better their own roles and responsibilities of the night. As for Star, he would give her the leniency to leave if she felt she could not take in the knowledge, but he would let her know as well that her time was almost up.
Dwayne's eyes were the first to open that evening, and he immediately recognized thirst burning deep in his throat. There was something else as well; some kind of electric energy seeming to snap in the air around him, making him feel uneasy. He dressed and made his way to the main cavern where his attention was drawn to where Star lay, twisting and turning in her bed. Every now and then, she let out a low mewling sound and reached out her arms as if she were fighting against something. Dwayne went to her side and kneeled lightly on the bed beside her.
"Star…Star; wake up." he gently prompted her. When the girl did not respond, he reached out and placed a cool hand on her shoulder, shaking her slightly.
"Star! Wake up." he exclaimed more forcefully. Her brown eyes snapped open and she immediately withdrew from his touch. Dwayne sat down beside her slowly as she slid backwards across the bed.
"Hey; it's just me. Are you okay?" he asked in as soft of a tone as he could.
Star stared at him for a moment as wakefulness came slowly to her. She looked around the chamber and then back at him. Finally, she spoke in a weak voice.
"Yeah…yeah. I'm okay…"
Dwayne was unconvinced as he watched her look warily around again.
"Bad dream?" he questioned.
"Yeah. Real bad. I don't remember much of it." she answered slowly.
"Wanna tell me about it?" he gently probed, reclining back on his elbows.
"I…it was…I don't know. It was weird. Just blood and…and something watching me. Lots of blood." Star sighed heavily.
"Is that surprising considering you're living in a cave full of vampires and you drink blood yourself?" Dwayne asked in a teasing voice.
Star gave a half-hearted smile and replied, "No, I guess not." She then reached out to touch Dwayne lightly on the arm, appreciative that he had woken her and cared for her well-being. He gave her a smile and left the bed then.
"I'll get the fires going good for you. Music?" he asked as he grabbed several chunks of driftwood from the floor on the other side of her curtained space.
"Yes please. Anything." Star answered, rising from bed to change quickly. She emerged from her space moments later, wrapped in one of her blankets, and moved to hover around one of the fire barrels.
Paul came into the cavern then and immediately ran to shove Dwayne away from the boom box.
"What the fuck, man?" Dwayne snarled.
"I've got the tunes, dude." Paul snarled back, beginning to flip through CD's without even looking at them.
"Don't fucking shove me." Dwayne snarled again, shoving Paul back.
Star was looking on in surprise. The boys constantly were rough-housing and shoving each other but in teasing fashion. This was different. Never had she known them to enter into a real fight against each other, but before she knew it, they were locked in battle. Real faces came forth and razor-sharp fangs snapped. The sound of stone against stone echoed as they exchanged blows. Star began to slowly move towards the passageway that led to David's space as Marko shot into the room, already phased, fangs flashing. He looked to the situation and indiscriminately launched himself into the middle of the fight, not caring to take a side. He began snapping at both Paul and Dwayne and the three of them flew through the air, all of them crashing into a stone wall making a huge noise that ricocheted through the cave. At that point, Star turned and ran down the passage towards David's room, screaming his name.
David's eyes came open at the sound of the crash, then his ears caught the sound of bare feet running fast through the passage and his name being screamed out. Raven awakened immediately beside him and threw her mind out alongside his, searching for the source of the loud noise. As he viewed the cause remotely, he let out a loud sigh and covered his eyes with one hand, pulling Raven closer into him with the other arm. Their ears then picked up a shrill cry as Star fell heavily in the darkness. Raven let out a small giggle of amusement and David rolled over onto her, placing his forehead against hers.
"The boys are awake." he said in mock merriment, raising his eyebrows devilishly.
"Everyone's awake." she laughed in delight as he settled himself down upon her. She threw her arms around him and held him tight against her as he lowered his lips to hers.
"Mmmmm." David moaned against her lips. "You taste of darkness and desire."
"And you of pain and fire." Raven whispered back. They were beginning to lose themselves to each other yet again when a voice cried out.
"Help! Please! David!" Star called out desperately, lost and in pain in the darkness.
Raven reluctantly pulled her lips from David's and held out one arm, a ball of bright orange flame bursting into existence. With a casual flick of her small hand, she sent the ball out into the passageway, bouncing and dancing in the air. David had moved from atop her and settled back against the pillows once more, not willing to move from the place of profound pleasure quite yet. Raven turned towards him, burying her face in his side, enjoying the smell of old leather and manly musk that he emitted.
Star saw the tunnel becoming lighter and suddenly a ball of brilliant fire floated before her in the air, shedding light all around her. She climbed to her feet quickly and took off running once more toward David's room as the fireball flew through the air before her like a magic flashlight. There was more crashing and loud growling coming from the main cavern behind her and she was glad to duck through the rock arch into the space David had made his own. The fireball floated high in the air giving light to the room and Star laid her eyes upon the figures in the big bed. Her eyes widened in shock at what she took in. The bed sheets had been shredded to pieces and hung at odd angles with pillows strewn all about. The smell of blood was in the air; she recognized it as David's at once, and her throat tightened, but there was a second essence added that was indescribable. It was sweet and sharp at the same time, like cinnamon, she thought. She had stepped forward without realizing it, her nose slightly raised.
Raven let out a small laugh as she turned over in David's arms, coming to face Star.
"Well, Star? Do you find my scent appealing…or not?" she teased the girl mercilessly, knowing Star was already in a state of upset. David chuckled lightly, turning so he rested on his side behind Raven, placing an arm casually over her hip.
Star snapped from her enraptured state, focusing on the two forms in repose, and then her eyes widened and she took an involuntary step back. David had a deep bite mark on one shoulder and lacerations that showed muscle striped his chest. There were what looked to be dozens of smaller but deep punctures and tears in his skin. In whatever had happened here, Raven had not faired any better, Star saw. The fiery woman had a flap of flesh torn above one breast and she too was covered with deep scores across her pale skin, red showing through. She sucked in a deep breath and took another step backwards.
"Star." David's voice cut through the air. "What is it? What do you want?"
Star blinked her eyes, still looking at the bite above Raven's breast, and finally was able to answer.
"The boys; they're fighting. For real." she managed to get out.
"I know. We'll be there in a minute. Go now. Stay out of their way." he commanded even as further sounds of rock crashing into rock and roars floated through the air. He then placed a kiss to Raven's brow. She flashed a grin at him and threw back the remnant of sheet that covered them. Star gasped as the small form rose from the bed and moved toward the dresser, Raven totally unconcerned with her own nakedness. Even more damage to the fire woman's body was revealed to Star's shocked eyes. Deep gashes were across her hips and thighs, and as she turned her back, Star saw long claw marks crossing down her shoulders. It looked as if blood should be gushing from them, but there was none. It was if each wound had been neatly cauterized from within at the moment of injury, leaving the flesh to gape open.
"Star!" David said harshly. "Go…NOW." He ended on a growling note. With that, Star turned and quickly fled the small cavern. Raven flicked a small wrist in the air and the fireball dancing at the ceiling suddenly split in two, with one half chasing behind Star to light her way, the other providing a soft glow to the rocky place of rest.
David arose from the bed and moved to stand before Raven as she pulled a black camisole top over her head. Reaching out, he mournfully caressed the soft skin around her breast, noting that it was healing already but still upset with himself that he had caused damage to her. Raven knew his thoughts and placed her own hand over the savage bite on his shoulder.
"Do not do that to yourself. It is a wound of great pleasure and I will display it with pride, knowing it came from you." she said softly, looking deep into his blue eyes.
He moved his hand to cover hers where it rested on his shoulder and squeezed it gently. "I will do the same." They smiled at each other then as yet more sounds of battle came from the cavern.
"If they break anything of consequence, I will bleed them dry." David smirked.
"You had best get there soon then, M'lord." Raven teased, pulling a pair of tan leather pants over her hips. David winked at her and dressed himself quickly and they headed to the main cavern together.
Paul, Dwayne, and Marko were still in full-fledged combat when the pair emerged and Star was cowering in a niche in the stone wall. David immediately flew into the fray, grabbing Paul by the throat and slamming him down to the floor, then doing the same to Marko. Dwayne would have grabbed him from behind but Raven intervened, though needlessly-David could protect himself from a whole horde without difficulty-, and tackled Dwayne, slamming him against the wall, then mercilessly tossing him to the rock at her feet. David let out a roar that bounced back off the cave walls and the boys froze in place, their heads lowering in submission. David moved to sit on his throne and beckoned to Raven to join him. She chose to gracefully jump onto the high back, perched like a bird of prey, her bare toes gripping onto the chair, her arms wrapped about her lower legs, eyes of crimson flashing.
"COME." David harshly commanded, and the boys arose and moved to kneel before him. He leaned forward slightly and in a dangerous voice asked, "What IS this disruption?"
The boys remained quiet as they knelt, barely having been aware of their own actions.
"Do not make me ask again." David growled, leaning further forward.
"I felt funny when I awakened." Dwayne finally spoke. "I felt jittery. I talked to Star a little; she had bad dreams; then I was going to put some music on. Paul attacked me."
David looked at Paul. "Truth?" he asked.
Paul replied at once. "Yes. I don't know why. He did nothing wrong. I felt angry when I awakened."
David nodded once and looked at Marko. "And you?"
Marko answered, "I woke up in vampire form. I was thirsty and angry. I attacked them both for no reason."
David looked to where Star still cowered and called to her.
"Come here."
Star rose and came to stand beside where the boys kneeled.
"These dreams you had. Tell me of them."
Star stammered and then managed to get out, "It was just a continuous nightmare. There was blood and dark and…and…." Star trailed off, afraid to speak.
"And what , Star?" David asked impatiently. Star looked at him, fear evident across her face.
"Her." she said, her eyes moving briefly to Raven, perched on the back of the throne, then back to David. "Her eyes; in the dark…" her voice trailed off.
David sat silently for a moment, then reached up behind him. Raven at the same time reached down and they joined hands. David squeezed hers briefly, then let her loose as they exchanged telepathic knowledge of what was happening.
"Rise." he said, and the boys came to their feet, heads still down. "Dwayne, fetch the bottle."
Dwayne moved at once to do as he was bid, returning shortly with the jewel-encrusted bottle. The boys had returned to human face and looked up guiltily as David spoke.
"Drink."
One by one, the boys all drank deeply and a feeling of calm spread throughout the cavern. Marko had moved to hand the bottle to Star, who would have refused as she felt no thirst, but Raven's voice startled her.
"Drink of your creator and let your mind be at peace. There is much you will hear this night that will give you even worse nightmares if you do not." Raven said sharply.
Star took the bottle and raised it to her lips, taking a huge drink, then moving to hand it back to Dwayne who placed the stopper back in it and returned it to it's place.
The boys remained before the throne uneasily, unsure of what was to come. Star was fidgeting, pulling at the beading on her skirt, her eyes moving back and forth between David and Raven, trying to decide who posed the bigger threat and finally realizing it didn't matter; they were both deadly to her.
"You are not in any trouble." David's voice rumbled. "We spoke of this before, of the possible consequences to you resulting from the coming together of Raven and I. Marko had a light taste of it the other night. Now it would seem you all have felt it. It's nothing to be concerned about; the intensity of it will pass over time, but remain aware. If you experience the slightest feeling of being "off", for lack of a better term, come to me immediately so I can set you right. If you try and fight it, you will not be successful."
Raven had lowered a hand and began combing through the long hair at the back of David's head with her fingers as he spoke. He reached up and captured her hand, rubbing her knuckles across his cheek and continued.
"Boys, you've all gone just a little bit feral. As I told you before, it happens. And Star, you're in a terrible place."
Star's head snapped up and her eyes widened at his words.
"You're in a nest of vampires who do not have full control of themselves. And in your current state, you are defenseless. It would be wise of you to make a kill. At least that way, you would have some power. You are not only defenseless against them, but susceptible to my Dark Bird's energy."
David paused, looking up over his shoulder at Raven who met his eyes then turned her gaze upon Star.
David continued, "She carries the night and all it encompasses within her, and it is dark and full of terrors, none of which you yet know. Completing your change will make it more comfortable for you to be in her presence."
Star gave a small nod of acknowledgement, coming to realization that she was being backed into a corner quickly.
Raven grinned slightly as she picked the thought out of the girl's mind. "At last, a little reality." she thought to herself.
"Now," David said lightly, "Stoke the fires, light the room, and take a place at the table. We are staying in this night to talk. You will learn much and will be grateful for it later."
Paul, Dwayne, and Star moved to do his bidding, but Marko was looking up at Raven.
"What happened to you?" he asked with an uneasy look on his face, his eyes moving to the wound on display on her chest.
Raven and David exchanged an amused look and David spoke for her.
"I am afraid I was overly-amorous with our Midnight Bird." he said, dimples showing in a grin. "Trust me, Marko, it was not a one-sided event. She gave as good as she got."
Marko looked between them, a smile forming on his face. He turned away and Raven laughed, the sound lightening the atmosphere much.
She launched herself from the back of the chair up to the chandelier and stood, holding onto the massive chains that it hung from. David watched her watching the boys and Star and for the ten millionth time, thanked the dark gods for bringing her to him.
When the fires and candles were lit and the others were seated at the table, David raised himself from his throne and moved to stand beneath Raven. She dropped lightly to his side and they moved to the table hand in hand. He took his seat at the head of the table and Raven chose to seat herself at the other end, not in a chair but sitting atop the table, her legs crossed beneath her.
"Let us begin, then." David spoke, and all eyes turned to him.