The Fury of the Night
Chapter 20: Pleasure
At long last, after many sighs and languid caresses, David and Raven were able to separate. They threw clothing on haphazardly and made their way hand in hand to the main chamber where the boys and Star were just up and about. Music was coming from the boom box, a heavy rock tune from the '70's, and Raven who was bursting with energy after being newly regenerated, began to sway and shake her hips with a smile on her face. David watched as she danced across the huge cavern, his lips curved in merriment. It was hard to contain all the refreshing energy that bounded through them both, as was common after a strenuous healing had concluded, and it was to be relished. He himself strolled to his throne, taking his ease upon it and lighting a cigarette, his eyes following her with sparkling delight. She had accepted his proposal of life eternal at his side and his mood was joyous.
"Goddess! You look so beautiful!" Marko was the first to exclaim as Raven twirled around him. "Even more than usual!"
"Why thank you, Marko. And you are handsome as ever." Raven smiled, grabbing his hand and pulling him into her dance. The Lost Boy was charmed by her magnetism and laughter spilled from them both as they boogied about.
"My turn!" Paul said, cutting in and capturing Raven away from Marko into a spin. He held her closer but respectfully and moved her into a tango that he made fit the beat of the music. David simply shook his head and grinned as his boys made a fuss over his woman of fire.
Dwayne was not to be denied either, as he had been deeply concerned over Raven's state when he had laid her on David's bed early in the morning. He stepped forward and clamped one strong hand on Paul's shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.
"May I cut in?" his deep voice interjected, his eyes twinkling as they met Raven's.
"Of course, My Protector. I would be honored." Raven's musical voice chimed, and she smiled as Paul reluctantly let her slide from his arms into Dwayne's.
Dwayne kept the fast pace of the music yet moved Raven in a manner so that she was always within his safe grasp. She leaned closer, bringing her lips to his ear and said softly, "Thank you for your assistance this morning, Dwayne. It was most foolish of me to cause injury to myself and to your creator as well and I am truly grateful for your help. I will not forget it."
Dwayne grinned and as the song ended, he moved her into a deep dip. He replied, moving his own lips next to her ear. "It was truly my pleasure, though it distressed me to see you so injured. You look beyond well now, though, Mistress of Fire."
Raven smiled and as he raised her gracefully to her feet, she placed a small kiss upon his cheek. He in turn took her small hand and brushed her knuckles with his lips and then loosed her with a smile.
"Ahem. Is there something I should be worried about?" David's deep baritone cut through the air in a jesting tone.
"Not at all, my Night King. You know better." Raven winked at him as she began to spin and move to the music again.
Star had been watching her raptly from her seat on the edge of the fountain, and she stood as Raven danced closer.
Raven felt the girl's inquisitiveness and spun to a stop before her.
"You are curious?" Raven asked, looking into Star's eyes. Star was quiet a moment then answered, "Yes. You were so…damaged. Are you completely healed? Are you well?"
Raven spared a quick glance at David, who was watching her, aware that her reaction to Star could still go either way, though she had been increasingly tolerant of the half-being Star remained. She then turned back towards the girl and stepped even closer.Raven reached out a handand placed it on Star's cheek, causing the girl to gasp at both the touch and the freezing coldness that Raven's newly generated flesh put off.
"See for yourself. Feel for yourself." Raven said with a small grin. She then took one of Star's hands and placed it on her own cheek. Raven felt Star tremble as she touched the cold marble cheek of the fire woman but she did not pull away. Raven moved Star's hand gently, letting her feel for herself the icy perfection that was not flawed. She then tipped her head back and put her arms out to her sides. Star's hand was hesitant at first, but she gained confidence as she moved it down over Raven's throat and her graceful shoulder. There were no flaws, only icy skin over marble as she let her hand trail down Raven's arm. Raven watched Star's eyes as she let her explore, and then took both her hands in hers.
"See? I am well, Star. So is David. But do not forget what you saw this morning. The sun is our enemy and I, who know full well it's power, should not have been so careless. It only goes to show that immortal as we may be, we are never too old to be reminded of our first lesson."
Star nodded and gave a small smile. David chose that moment to interject, "Even if you were momentarily distracted by this." He tossed a small object to Raven who caught it deftly in one hand. She opened her palm and began to laugh. It was the bullet that had been lodged in her lung.
"You kept it?" she laughed, looking at David where he lounged.
"Of course. I thought it a unique souvenir of the night." he smirked in return.
"What is it?" Paul asked, moving forward to look at the object held in Raven's small hand.
"It's nothing," she laughed, "Just an unexpected projectile that caught me by surprise."
"That's a fucking 9 millimeter round!" Marko exclaimed, looking in wonder at the bullet which had been distorted into a twisted chunk of metal after it's journey through the dense matter of Raven's chest.
"It was rather annoying. Itched something awful until I coughed it up." Raven said nonchalantly and skipped over to the throne, settling herself on David's lap. David wrapped one arm about her and took the twisted metal from her hand as he drew in on the cigarette held casually in his lips.
"I feel very badly about it. It was my fault that you were wounded." he growled softly, holding the metal up to watch the firelight shine off of it.
Raven nudged him in the chest with her elbow and replied "It takes more than a bullet to cause my surrender, M'lord, as you well know." She lowered her lips to his ear then and whispered, "The wounds of love I bear when you take your pleasure are far more intense…"
At both the feel of her ice-cold breath in his ear and her words, David snarled, and flinging both his cigarette and the bullet away, he grabbed her with both arms and crushed her to him, claiming her lips savagely. Raven's body reacted immediately, making her moan loudly with pleasure as brilliant blue fire erupted from her. David's strong hand slid up her side and over her breast, kneading it and running his thumb over her taut nipple even as she turned in his arms and thrust her fingers into his hair, keeping him captive against her lips. His fangs descended and he tore his lips from hers to run them across her jaw. Shallow furrows appeared and before blood could even begin to bead, the cuts knitted together and disappeared. Raven snarled in pleasure and sunk her own fangs into David's cheek, barely being able to touch bone before he had grabbed her long hair and jerked her head back roughly. The two sat with their faces inches apart, panting with lust and pleasure, venom flooding their mouths.
The boys and Star had begun to discreetly exit the chamber to give the two privacy but David's voice commanded them to stop. His eyes remained locked with Raven's as he spoke loudly so that they might hear.
"Forgive us if we lose ourselves to each other now and again. I think it no secret that my Beautiful Bird of Darkness and I have a certain….fondness….for one another. We will attempt to restrain ourselves…for a time, anyway." David ended with a chuckle. The boys laughed and Star smiled as she turned back toward the throne. Raven pulled in a breath that was scented with her Dark King's essence of old leather, smoke, and ocean and sat up in his lap, noticing the large bulge in his jeans as she did so. She moaned low in her throat and he gripped her hips tightly as she slid over him to stand.
"Temptress. No teasing." David said so low that only Raven could hear. She laughed aloud as he slapped one tight ass cheek before she launched herself up to the chandelier.
"What do we have planned for the night?" Marko asked in David's direction as he leaped up beside Raven who in her excess energy had began to swing the chandelier back and forth while holding onto one of the huge iron chains it hung by. She reached out and grabbed Marko's hand and he added his weight to hers to make the old decorative light swing even faster and higher.
"You're both going to end up on your asses when that thing breaks loose." David said dryly, suppressing a grin as he watched the two swaying back and forth, laughing like naughty school children.
"Can we go eat? I'm hungry…like really, really hungry." Star interjected.
David cast his glance to the girl. He sometimes neglected her human needs and felt momentary chagrin at his own failing.
"Of course. We need to refill your pantry as well. I've been neglectful, Star. You have my apologies." he said sincerely. The girl looked down at her feet. David had never apologized to her for anything before.
Raising her head, she quietly replied. "It's alright. I always make do."
"You should not have to 'make do'. You are ours; mine; to care for. I will do better." David replied in a quiet tone. He then turned his attention to Paul and Dwayne who were pitching an old football at each other with force, aiming for each other's heads. Marko and Raven were now performing trapeze feats on the huge chandelier as it groaned in protest.
"It would seem everyone has an excess of energy this night." he announced. "Let's put it to good use. Go get cleaned up and we'll be off to town shortly. We'll feed our Star, then you can all go tear up the boardwalk while I make some calls. Before all of that, though, we will take to the table for a few moments."
Dwayne captured Paul in a headlock and the two scuffled and wrestled their way to the table where they parted with mock threats to the other before taking their seats. Star went to her chair at once and smiled when Paul took her small hand in his, promising her a fun ride into town on his bike. David stood and watched as Marko performed a backflip down from the chandelier and moved to the table. Raven remained on her perch a moment longer, looking down at David. His white-blonde hair shone brightly in the firelight and was a little mussed from their earlier interaction in bed. He had thrown on an old flannel shirt that had been left casually unbuttoned showing his broad chest and bare feet were firmly planted as he looked up at her with a half-grin on his sensuous lips. She felt a rush of lust all through her body. Her red eyes were near black with desire when David held out his arms for her to jump. She leaped gracefully and as David caught her, she turned and wrapped her legs around his waist tightly. He rumbled low in his chest as she pulled his head against her breast and he reached out his tongue to caress the icy paleness.
"My Dark Knight, I know it is the worst of timing, but your body calls to me. I need to…I…I'm going to…." Raven's breath came in gasps against David's ear as he felt her body begin to tremble.
"Don't worry, Beautiful Bird. I've got you." he whispered. More loudly, he said in the general direction of the table, "Excuse us a moment. We'll be right with you."
Before the boys or Star could even look in his direction, black flames threaded through with thin veins of the brightest orange whooshed into existence encircling David and Raven and swirling around them fiercely until it looked as if a tornado made of black fire had swallowed them. Cold air whipped around the cavern sending errant papers flying and causing the fire in the drums to dance like wild things. A deep thundering sound was building in the air all around causing Star to place her hands over her ears as she and the boys remained in their chairs looking at each other in wonderment.
Safe inside the whirling darkness of David's fire, Raven leaned back in his arms slightly and crushed her lips to his. Her legs tightened even further around him as he grabbed onto her slender hips and began to slide her up and down over his granite-like cock. It would be easy to lower her to the floor and take her but this was not for him. It was all for her, for his Midnight Raven, his Goddess of Fire who had come into his life and made him feel. He planted his legs even more firmly as she began to move herself against him, grinding and moaning and snarling.
"Yes, Princess. Cum for me. Cum for me now." he growled lowly against her head. Raven became even more frenzied as his voice vibrated through his chest to her body and she knew she was there. As the last word left his lips she flung her head back and a scream that came from the very fires of hell was loosed as her body locked and then spasmed against the solidness that was her Night God. David held her tight against him as she finally went limp, completely sated, her body becoming like a rag doll. Her legs fell from around his waist and her feet dangled well off the floor as he continued to hug her to him. Her arms were limp and her head lolled against his chest. He could feel her mind, spinning out in the galaxy, starbursts and explosions beginning to slow and as she felt him looking into her, she struggled to come back. Her arms flailed weakly against him but he only tightened his hold, rocking her from side to side slowly.
"Shhhh. I've got you. Shhhhhh, My Darkest Angel. Relax. Enjoy it." He placed a tender kiss upon her head and continued to rock her until he felt her come back into herself. Her arms came up and encircled his neck and he gently set her down upon her feet as she rested her cheek against his chest.
"Mmmmmm. Thank you…My Blackest Heart…thank you." she breathed heavily, pressing her face into his chest. "I do not know what came over me."
David could not help but smile against her hair. "I do not think I will question it, Little Bird. I am just grateful for it. Knowing you desire me is like the kiss of the sweetest, most lethal poison. Mmmmm." he hummed against her while she breathed in his scent. At last, she was able to stand straight on her own and took a step back, holding on to his large hands.
"The others? Did I make a scene?" Raven asked with a ghost of a smile upon her lips.
"We are quite safe in here." David replied, looking up and nodding to the black whirlwind of dark flame that still encircled them. "They could neither see nor hear a thing."
Raven nodded her head and twisted in his arms to look about her at the swirling black fire.
"It is beautiful. Why do you not use it more often?" she questioned, looking back at David. He raised one hand to brush a long lock of black hair back from her face and frowned slightly.
"I suppose it is because there has been no need for so long. It stays buried inside me. Before you came, it had only been used in battle. Then, the other night on the cliff, it showed itself in response to you. My flame felt the pull of yours. Now, this night, I have found another purpose for it, it would seem. Perhaps you are a bad influence." he grinned and kissed her nose.
"Perhaps I am a good one." Raven giggled and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. David held her in turn, clasping his arms securely around her. He had never shown so much physical affection to any being ever before, nor had he had such affection showered upon him. He had forgotten the simple pleasure of a hug or of the feeling of another's hand clasped in his. "The joy she brings," he thought, "the energy, the life in this death she shares with me is marvelous." He placed a kiss upon her forehead when she loosed her arms from around his neck and slid an arm around her waist. Immediately, the swirling cyclone of black flames became less and less dense and the wind circling the cave died down. As David and Raven walked to the table, a few of the dark flames reached out and flickered over his body, seeming to acknowledge their source before finally winking out. David pulled a chair out for Raven and then moved to claim his own seat. The others had their eyes trained on him when he spoke.
"Thank you for your patience. There was a matter to be taken care of between Raven and myself that required absolute privacy." he spoke calmly, lighting a cigarette. Raven did not react outwardly; she did send him a mental 'thank you' for keeping her need a secret and caught the subtle nod of his head in acknowledgement. David, though he carried eternal youthfulness on the outside and would still indulge in adolescent rowdiness when he felt like it, was still an old soul. He had no shame in claiming what was his in public, but he still felt very much that there were times when private things should remain private. He had felt her try to quelch her desire even as she had stood above him before dropping to his arms. She had not wanted the others to know the desperateness of her need as it might be perceived as a weakness. She had been a warrior always and thought like one, never giving any other even the slightest chance at knowing anything of her emotions. But she was here with him now, vowing to be his mate one day, and she was trusting him. He would honor her in whatever way he could.
"I wanted us to meet briefly for two reasons. The first is to give answer to a quest for counsel brought to us previously." David blew smoke casually into the air and then laid his cigarette down in an ashtray on the heavy table. He folded his hands before him and spoke again, his tone deep and serious. "Raven Nightwalker, Death Dealer of the House Abaddon, this coven has chosen to give you council in the matter of war."
Raven's back straightened and her crimson eyes settled on David. She had not sought in his mind for anything related to the decision; it would be prying and rude. Knowing he would give his answer when he was ready, she had patiently waited. Whatever the decision, she remained who and what she was and would make the best of what she had to deal with, as she always had. Her decision to become mated to him had nothing to do with this matter and she cleanly closed off that part of their association in her mind as she awaited his next words.
David looked around the table and then settled his gaze back on Raven. "After reviewing the dilemma presented to us, it is our counsel that you take your case to LeStat."
Raven showed no emotion as she continued to hold David's eyes. Her mind remained open; there would be good reason for the decision, she knew.
"War has uncertain outcomes, especially this one. I do not know enough of this Kraven to predict his strategies, but do believe he is foolish enough to amass a newborn army and unleash it on a heavily populated city. I also believe that his wanting of you is secondary to his want for your kingdom and that you would be an acceptable loss to him. You could defeat him as an Underworlder, so that is another possibility. You know certain permissions are granted in special cases. I have seen in your mind that going before Abaddon is not an option to you, though in this case, perhaps it should be. Our dark masters, though they do not like to be troubled with such matters, are not without reason. You have standing in your house, and I would be willing to stand in testimony with you."
David gave a half-grin then as her thoughts burst into his head at the same time the words came forth from her mouth.
"No. It is not acceptable to me. I will not trouble Master with such a ridiculous problem. Your offer to stand in testimony is appreciated, however. But no. I will fight fairly, as I have always done to honor my own house." Raven's words were sharp and short, though she was not angry. It simply was not an option for her and it needed to be laid to rest.
David nodded his head at her. "Very well. Understood. Our council is LeStat then. He is not an unagreeable being, but he is wise and cunning, and there is always something in any deal that works to his benefit. We, along with a large guard, will accompany you. You, of course, will want your own guard from your home as well. Plans can be laid quickly at your acceptance. My house stands with you, whatever your decision."
Raven took an unneeded breath, then spoke firmly. "I accept your council, David of the House of Destroyers, and of your coven. I will meet with the elder vampire, LeStat and lay my situation before him. Indeed, I am grateful for your council and for your offer of guard. It is my preference to proceed with the matter as soon as possible, so that it may become settled in whatever fashion the Fates would lead it to."
"It is settled then. I am placing calls to my other covens this night and they will be here with us in the next night or two, so that we may all meet and strategize as best we can." David said, his deep voice holding a commanding tone.
"I must place calls this night as well." Raven spoke. "I need to check on the welfare of my own covens and put word out to my lieutenants to begin preparation for our journey to the south. And I must check on my thrall as well."
Star had been sitting quietly in her place, but now she piped up, her voice questioning.
"What's a thrall?"
David chose to answer the girl's question himself. "A thrall is a mortal who is psychically bound to a vampire. They are to be treasured as it is extremely rare for a mortal's mind to not collapse after being shown the reality of a vampire in the flesh, so to speak. Sometimes there is an emotional bond as well which puts the mortal at even greater risk. A human will become so consumed with the desire to serve their immortal master that they will neglect their own self. They will forget to eat or sleep and neglect their human lives all together until they run their bodies down to an unusable state. It is sad, as when there has been decline to that state, the good and faithful servant has to be put down, and all because of devotion."
David looked at Raven, not wanting to push, but he had sensed the slightest softening of her tone when she spoke of her thrall. He knew instinctively that she cared for whoever it might be, as she had kept her thoughts of the individual closely guarded in her mind, even from him.
"My Magda is indeed a treasure. We are bound each to the other very deeply." Raven spoke in a low tone. "She holds a warm place in my cold heart. I would kill for her. And have." she ended with a flash of fire in her eyes and a cold note in her voice. The temperature in the cave suddenly dropped a few degrees and Star gave a shiver as she sat back in her chair.
The girl contemplated how it would be, to be a human and be in Raven's service. And more yet, to be so…cherished…by the fire woman. She had so many questions, but rightly sensed that this was not a topic of discussion Raven would enter into with her.
David received an image of a woman with blonde hair wearing a red dress standing in a huge garden full of flowers, her face blurred as though the air in front of her was somehow distorted in that particular spot. As he watched, the vision suddenly zoomed back away from the woman and heavy stones slammed down from the sky causing dust to fly. Though it was a mental image, he could feel the grit hit his eyes and momentarily closed them as he sat absolutely still in his chair at the table. The stones crashed into each other, settling into their spots perfectly, quickly forming a tall wall that stretched into the blue sky and out to each side, encircling the garden. He opened his eyes and met Raven's unwavering stare. She had not threatened him, but yet had made known that her thrall, the blonde woman in the red dress, was so important to her and that there were feelings associated with her that Raven was not open to revealing, even to him. Not yet. He accepted the fact without hurt or upset; they both had lifetime upon lifetime of things that were unknown to the other, and they both had eons to spend together sharing them.
David gave Raven a slow smile that she couldn't help but return. She was thankful for his age and maturity. He knew she hadn't meant the vision as a warning; only a simple statement of how protective she felt of her human. He rapped his knuckles on the table to refocus the boys who were beginning to get antsy and said, "There is an announcement also that I wish to make." The boys and Star looked at him expectantly.
"It is one that I had never given thought to making before our Dark Bird appeared in my kingdom, however it has been in my thoughts almost since the moment I laid my eyes upon her." As he spoke, his voice softened and his eyes moved to rest again upon the crimson-eyed night creature at the opposite end of the table. Raven gave him a gentle smile in return for his tone and his words touched her. "I have asked Raven to become my mate, to be joined to me for eternity. She has said 'yes'." At his words, the boys all erupted into cheers and whoops and shouts of delight, leaping from their chairs onto and over the table, moving to clap David on the back as he sat smiling, accepting it all good-naturedly. They then turned their attention to Raven, each lining up to kneel and kiss her hand. She affectionately ruffled Marko's curly hair and gently touched Paul's cheek. When Dwayne would have knelt, she grasped his arms firmly and held him in place. When he looked at her in puzzlement, she softly spoke. "I do not wish you to kneel. Only to stand at my side in times of need." The Lost Boy, following his instincts, lifted her hand and kissed it, then went to one knee anyway.
"I will stand beside you always whenever you have need. But I will kneel before you now in celebration and respect that my creator has made the wisest decision of his life." Dwayne said sincerely. Raven placed her hand under his chin and whispered "Thank you, Dwayne." David had watched and heard their exchange. There was something a little extra between Raven and Dwayne, he had picked up on it before. Perhaps it stemmed from their mutual admiration of Camille Monet. Whatever had prompted it, David knew that Dwayne would always try to ensure Raven's safety, though the fire woman needed no protection. Perhaps he might even have become her lover if things had gone differently, he mused, then suddenly frowned and shut the thought from his mind. It was unacceptable to even think of anyone else having her.
Raven shot a look at David as she caught the surge of emotion coming from him and wrinkled her brow as if to ask "what's wrong with you?". He simply shook his head quickly and flashed her a smile. Star had come around the table and hesitantly approached Raven with a smile. She wanted to show joy and acceptance at the announcement as well but was unsure how. Raven read her mind and opened her arms to the girl. Star found herself caught in an embrace of freezing marble covered by pliant flesh and found it pleasant. She wrapped her own arms around Raven's small body and leaned her cheek into the mane of thick black hair. As Star breathed in, she became acutely aware of Raven's scent. It was vanilla and musk with a little burst of cinnamon, plus something extra left from her earlier encounter with David-a delightful smell of something burning, of passion that only needed a spark. Unthinkingly, she turned her head so her nose was buried in Raven's hair, taking an even deeper breath. Raven had caught on to the girl's movement and slowly began to caress Star's back with one small hand while continuing to hold her tightly with the other. Her hand continued caressing Star's back and she began to whisper. "It's all right…this is one of the pleasures awaiting you. Do not be afraid of it…breathe me in. Breathe me in, let me in…"
The boys were continuing to congratulate David and jokingly talking about the "bachelor party of the century" and David was good-naturedly joking with them when he caught Star and Raven's prolonged embrace from the corner of his eye. He didn't want to draw attention to them, so he maintained interaction with his boys while casting his mind out to Raven. She felt him slide into her head and said, "I know she is yours and I will not interfere, but I think she is drawing closer to her choice to become."
"It would seem you are capable of something I can not offer her, and at this point, she needs to choose quickly before she becomes sick. I do not think of it as you trying to sway her; only as you allowing her to see another benefit of being as we are. Continue if it pleases you to do so." David's words were soft in her head and he bowed out quickly leaving Raven to make the choice.
Raven turned her head slightly so that her lips grazed Star's ear. The girl took in a sharp breath and began to pull away, but Raven seized her head and held it to her own. "Shhhh…it's all right. No one is looking. No one knows. Just breathe….breathe, Starlight. It's just you and me. Smell me…breathe me in. Feel my hand on your back. Feel my hand in your hair…."
The noises of the boys and the natural noise of the ocean breezes through the cavern fell away as Star could only hear the soft velvet voice in her ear. The things it was saying…she couldn't even make out the words anymore, but it didn't matter. The sensation of the voice was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. It slid into her ear then seemed to slowly dance through her head, leaving a feeling of utter weightlessness behind it.
"Let yourself go, Star…let yourself fall…fall back…let go…." the voice whispered, and Star did. She felt her mind detach from her body and felt herself floating in dark space, completely safe and free from any earthly attachment.
"See? Feel how wonderful it is….this is a pleasure you can know. This feeling. And even much, much greater things…you only have to choose." Star heard the last word…choose. It sounded long and drawn out as it first entered her mind: choooossse. Then it shortened and became sharper and sharper. She jerked back into herself with a start and would have pulled away from Raven in confusion and fear, but Raven continued to hold her tight.
"You're okay. You're okay, Star. Star, look at me." Raven commanded. The girl brought her big brown eyes to focus on Raven's bright crimson ones. "You're okay. You are so close to making your choice, and I can feel wanting in you, Star. You want it, our life, our pleasures, our freedom. You are the only thing holding yourself back. I only wanted you to experience the feeling of peace you can have when you are fully vampire. Right now, you are trapped in the worst hell; somewhere between life and death and you cannot remain as you are. I'm sorry if you think this was cruel of me; it was not meant to be so. I only wanted to give you the smallest sample of what you can have. Do not be angry with me."
Raven loosened her arms from around Star and the girl stepped slowly back.
"I'm not angry. Thank you." the girl said simply and then to Raven's surprise, stepped forward again and hugged her once more. "Congratulations." she said with a smile, then turned and moved to join the boys, giving David a small kiss on the cheek.
He sensed there was no disharmony between the two females and watched as Raven turned to him, shrugging her small shoulders slightly as if to say "I don't know what will happen." He tipped his head to her and then rapped his knuckles on the table sharply.
"Thank you all for your congratulations. We are most appreciative. Now, this meeting is concluded. Go get ready; we'll ride into town soon."
Star gathered a small bundle of clothing from behind her curtains and headed down the narrow passage toward the shower. The boys were shedding clothing even as they flew from the chamber, preparing to wash in the ocean. David held out his hand to Raven and she took it, relishing the feel of his sturdy fingers interlaced with hers even as he admired the delicateness of her hand.
"I know a place, if the ocean is acceptable, M'lady." He grinned.
"The ocean is indeed acceptable, M'lord." she replied, and after gathering clean clothes to take with them, together they exited the cave. David took them down the shore aways away from where the boys were trying to drown each other, though it was technically impossible, and thoroughly enjoying their energy.
David and Raven landed on soft sand that was almost white, and wasted no time in shedding their clothing. Raven ran and dove into the waves, relishing the feeling of the water crashing over her. David leisurely took his time, wading into the surf while watching Raven break the waves and then dive again. He had felt thirst within her when they had reached the beach and his own was growing as well. There was time, he thought. They would first see to Star's needs and take her to get some nourishment; in a nice place, he thought. Not the usual taco stands and fast food that were so abundant on the boardwalk. Then the vampires could seek their own meals while he made calls to his outlying covens.
He and Raven played in the dark ocean for a while, and when David felt lust growing within him at the repeated site of his beautiful girl rising from the water, her pale breasts exposed to him, he quickly reigned himself in and they returned to the cave to meet the others who were ready to go.
It wasn't long before Raven was perched on the back of David's powerful bike, her leather-clad legs squeezing his hips as they tore into the night, smiles of delight at the wildness waiting in the shadows. The boys raced along beside them, Star firmly settled behind Paul, who popped wheelies to make her scream in delight and laughter. The boardwalk had no idea what was coming toward it at breakneck pace, snarling and howling with fangs flashing in the bright moonlight.