All right I finally got part 2 out! It's not as long as part one but I thought that since its been so long and I've had quite a few of you guys wanting more that I'd post this. I'm very happy with the way that this is turning out and I hope that you will be too. I've had the worst writer's block for this story and was relieved when I finally got past it. Hopefully it wont take me as long to get the next part out but then again I do have 5 other different stories that I'm working on. Talk about swamped but hey I love to write! A huge thanks to all that have commented on this story, you guys keep me going and inspire me to write more. Please enjoy part 2 and tell me what you think.
Circumstance
Part 2
The sheets on the bed were tangled around pale legs as its occupant restlessly slept. Images of silver eyes, blood, Alexandra standing on the bridge's edge her eyes glancing back with unshed tears. "Careful Frank, we're all around you!" she warned.
Flames flickered consuming her and then she fell. Crying out in horror he lunged forward, too late.
Body jerked, his eyes opening to the scarcely lit apartment. Sitting up he ran his hand through his sweat soaked dark hair. Frank's body shivered, chilled to his soul. The images and her words were still echoing within his mind. Numerous times he had this nightmare but those words that Alexandra spoke were new, different.
The shrill of the phone caused him to start. Blindly he reached for the receiver cursing whomever the caller was timing. "Yeah!" he bellowed in the receiver not bothering to cover his irritation.
"Frank?" he heard his partner, Sonny, on the other end.
"Sorry… What is it? Its…" looking over to his alarm clock noting the time, "Shit! I'm late."
"Really," an amused Sonny answer, "I didn't notice."
"Oh, ha ha! I'll be down as soon as I can." Hanging up the phone Frank stumbled out of his bed cursing yet again as his toe hit the wooden leg of his bedpost. Hopping on one foot he raced to the bathroom for a quick shower and a shave.
After rushing to work and getting drilled by his chief about being late, Frank found himself and his partner on another call. A few bodies had been found in the back of another club murdered and they were assigned the case. His gut was telling him that what they were going to find was going to be the same MO as Sandra Blake's murder.
As he drove up to the familiar yellow tape the feeling of déja-vu was unmistakable. Looking sideways at his partner, they both shared the same suspicious look to one another just before exiting the car.
Sonny could smell the scent of blood as soon as he had opened the door. As they approached the crime scene he grimaced at the sight. Amongst the flash of photography lights laid bloodied sheets covering three bodies. His jaws tightened at the scene as his partner, Frank, pulled back one of the sheets.
Removing one of the sheets from the victim's body he forced his eyes closed when Sandra's face had looked up at him. Shaking his head he opened his eyes once more and the face was now an unknown young woman staring blankly up at him with her throat torn out. Dropping the sheet he rested his hands on his legs, as he remained crouched by the body.
"Same MO?" Sonny asked even though knowing the answer.
Shaking his head Frank answered his partner, "Yeah, only this time who ever is doing this has decided to expand on their body count!"
This had been the third crime scene that they had visited with the same MO only this time the number had grown from one to three. "Whoever or whatever is doing this needs to be stopped and we're no closer than the first case!" Frank stood running his hands through his hair with frustration. From the body count lied out before them he was having a strong suspicion that there was more than one involved.
Sonny could not argue, not only were they still in the same spot as the first case, the Gangrel had yet to find the one that was most probably responsible for these attacks. Whatever Clan they belonged too they were obviously trying to get everyone's attention. If things did not die down soon they would most probably gain the attention of the Hunters.
The night was quiet, the clear sky making the night seem magical in its splendor. It was nights like these that pulled Melissa outdoors. Lying on a blanket within the yard, Melissa's hazel eyes were transfixed on the star filled sky, her mind on a certain individual that had recently entered her life.
For so long she had been alone, keeping herself from getting involved with anyone in fear that her heart would be broken. Julian Luna had suddenly stepped into her life, awakening passions within herself that she never thought she would ever experience. When she was with him she felt more alive and free than she had ever felt in her life. It was frightening, but in a good way.
Melissa was finding it harder and harder to resist the temptation to allow him to be her first. A part of her feared the intimacy that it would involve and another part of her was afraid of letting that part of herself go. What if he was not the one? Once she gave that part of herself away there was no taking it back. She wished that she had someone to confide in, to give her advice on what she should do.
A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she wished for the millionth time that she could talk to her mother. Melissa wondered if she would have any words of wisdom to share. Deep down she knew that her mother would have told her to follow her heart.
Melissa swallowed back her tears, she had been spending too many nights crying and refused to allow herself to do it again. The sound of rustling brush startled her out of her reverie. Sitting up she surveyed the back yard, about to shrug it off as nothing she heard it once again. Rising from the ground, Melissa nervously looked to the side gate to the backyard where the sound was coming from. Biting her bottom lip Melissa made her way to the gate.
Wanting to get this over with she quickly opened the gate and screamed out, "Oh God! You scared the bejessus out of me!"
Julian chuckled, a grin on his lips, "Sorry, I saw that your light was on but you didn't answer when I knocked."
Sighing heavily, she motioned for him to come in the back yard, "I was star gazing. It's a beautiful night and the sky is perfectly clear."
Sliding his arm around her waist he brought her closer to him, he noted the blanket on the ground and nuzzled her neck just below her ear, "May I join you?"
Eyes closing against his touch she breathed heavily his scent, he smelled so good, "If you insist."
Julian smiled against her warm inviting skin, he was thankful that he fed before coming over tonight or he would have been lost. Every time he was near her he wanted to just lose himself in her embrace. She was a welcoming distraction from the problems that were currently invading his Kindred world. They had still yet to capture the two Kindred responsible for the murders and it seemed that one of them might be interested in the very woman in his arms. He would do anything to protect her and kill anyone that would dare lay a hand on her.
Leading her towards the blanket they both kneeled down together, still in each other's arms, as they slowly lay on the ground. Melissa gazed into his eyes and smiled, hands brushing against some of his hair that had fallen into his face she whispered, "You know if you keep this up I wont be able to resist your charms."
His lips captured hers in a soft enticing embrace, his arm pulling her body closer to his. Pulling away slightly from the kiss he whispered against her lips, "You've found me out then."
Melissa could not help but to laugh at that, "You…" he didn't allow her to finish her sentence as he kissed her thoroughly again. She did not mind as she found herself lost within his arms. Her eyes closed as she felt his touch against her skin, his hands snaking underneath her shirt. She wanted to lose herself completely in his arms and never stop. As things were progressing she pulled slightly away, "I'm sorry…I…"
Julian pressed his fingers to her lips, "I'll wait as long as you wish me to Melissa. Only when you're ready."
They both laid back, Julian's back pressed against the blanket and soft earth as Melissa laid on her side her face resting against his chest. Hands entwined as they silently enjoyed each other's presence. They stayed like this for quite some time both not saying a word.
Melissa was in deep thought, 'Oh God I want to but…I don't know why I keep holding myself back. Oh yes you do! You don't want to get hurt again, like so many other times you've gotten close to anyone; they always seem to abandon you in some way or form. I don't think that I could handle it if I lost him.'
Turning to face him she saw that he was watching her causing her to smile shyly, she almost lost the courage to say what she was thinking, "Julian, why are you still with me? I mean I…" Melissa pulled away as she sat up and looked down to him, he watched her running his hand soothingly up and down the side of her arm, "Any other guy would have given up on me and moved on by now."
He rose beside her caressing her cheek, "Melissa all I want is you! You are all that I can think about, your smile, the way you always treat others with kindness, your sense of humor, the way you move, the way you think. Being intimate with you is not the only reason why I'm with you. There is so much more to our relationship than that."
She bit her lower lip as she felt hot tears swelling up in her eyes, a response to such words sticking in her throat. What can you say after an admission like that? She clutched his hand that rested against her cheek and closed her eyes, a lone tear escaping her closed lids.
Melissa whispered, "You mean so much to me Julian that I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you."
Julian pulled her into his arms, "You won't, that I promise. I would wait forever if that's what it would take."
A silent laugh left her lips; "Well, hopefully it won't be that long!" her response made him smile.
Casually leaning back in the red cushioned seats of the booth Lillie watched the patron's of her club conversing as they sat at tables drinking. They were a mixture of Kindred and humans, though most were Kindred. Wineglass in hand she allowed the dark liquid to swirl about before bringing it up to her red lips.
Lillie usually would be enjoying this but not tonight, tonight she was consumed by Julian's lack of attentions. It was not like Julian did not have affairs with other women but this one was different. This human woman had a hold on her Prince and she found that she did not like that in the slightest. Julian should be sharing her bed not that human's, though she could not help but to like Melissa.
She wondered if Julian would choose to Embrace her. Not really tasting the wine she gently placed down the glass resting her hand on the table beside it. Fingers tracing the outline of the glass base her eyes focused on the entrance door. Her lips edged into a sensual grin as she recognized the individual that had just entered.
Frank didn't know why he was there, he knew the place was crawling with Vampires but he needed a drink. The crime scenes that he had visited the past week were starting to get to him and he needed a distraction, a break. That woman, Sandra Blake, her image would not stop invading his mind! It was starting to frazzle his nerves and make him wonder if he were not on the verge of a breakdown.
Ignoring some of the heated glares he received from, whom he presumed, vampires or Kindred as they are liked to be called, he headed directly for the bar. Sliding into the stool he was greeted by a beautiful tall woman with short black hair and creamy dark skin behind the bar, "Corona?"
She nodded, a smile on her lips, as she reached behind the bar pulling up a glass filled with his ordered drink, "Sir"
Pulling out his wallet from his back pocket he was stopped as a slender hand touched his. Looking up he saw Lillie Langtree smiling at him, God she was beautiful. 'Careful there, she might be beautiful but she's also deadly, not to mention Julian's. Yeah, like that stopped you before!' he grinned with the last part of his thoughts.
"First drink's on the house," Lillie told the bartender. Leaning against the bar she looked over Frank's form, she could sense his attraction towards her and weariness. Whether that weariness was towards her and the fact that he knew she was Kindred or something else entirely she could not be sure.
Lips curving into a seductive grin she leaned towards him slightly, "What brings you to the Haven detective?"
Frank smirked, bringing the beer to his lips and taking his first drink of it, enjoying as the cool liquid slid over his tongue and down his throat. Placing the beer back on the bar he answered, "A much needed break."
Her brows rose at this answer, it wasn't the answer she was expecting, "Job getting to you Frank?"
Resting his arms on top of the bar he fingered the outside of the cool glass wetting his fingertips. His eyes were focused on the golden sparkly liquid as he answered, "Yeah, you could say that."
Wrapping her hand through his arm she rested her chin on his shoulder her other hand resting against the side of his arm, "That bad?"
Frank tensed slightly at the contact but soon allowed himself to relax, "Yeah, that bad."
"Come, sit with me?" she invited.
Frank Kohanak glanced at Lillie, she had spoken with him before but there was something different in her voice. Her invitation was welcomed and he found himself following her to a booth where he slid in after her. The eyes that were focussed on them both were not entirely unnoticed by Frank and Lillie but both choose to ignore it.
Lillie was not at all fazed by the stares received by the other Kindred within her bar. As if to defy their obvious disapproval she snuggled closer to the detective her fingers lightly tracing his large hands that were resting on the table in front of them. "So Frank, how do you like my club?"
Frank felt hypnotized by her touch as his eyes were locked on her slim fingers that were currently tracing his hands. In the back of his mind he was asking himself what the hell he was doing but a large part of his self really didn't care. Clearing his throat he shifted a bit nervously in his seated position, "It has good atmosphere though some of your customers don't approve my being here."
She grinned as she noticed his nervousness, "Do I make you uncomfortable Frank?" she asked as she snaked her hand over his upper leg her motions hidden from the table.
"N…no," Frank just about squeaked as he stopped her hand from going any further upwards. Oh she was good, he'd give her that, "Aren't you with Julian?"
At the mention of Julian her eyes darkened slightly, "Right now I'm with you. He's found someone else to occupy his time."
"Oh, so you…" he was being distracted as her hand continued to move seductively over his leg.
Leaning into Frank she set her chin on his shoulder snaking her other hand over his chest, "I don't want to talk…about him." She grinned as she could hear his heart racing, "I have a room upstairs. Care to join me?" Lillie watched him closely as she could sense that he was wanting to but was reluctant. "I promise that I won't bite…if you don't want me to that is."
Oh he wanted too, Kindred or not, Lillie was the type of woman that you did not want to say no to. Julian would definitely not like it. The corner of his mouthed edged into a grin, "And what about…" he nudged his head towards the crowd within the club, "them?"
Pressing her lips at the spot just under his earlobe she answered with a purr, "I don't care about them. Why, are you afraid of what they might think of me bedding you?"
Frank swallowed at this, meeting her eyes with his, at that moment he could see a need, a desire and it was for him. She wanted this as much as he did. Taking her hand in his he kissed the back of it softly, "No, but I'd would rather not do it this way. How about dinner tomorrow night and then we'll see?"
A true smile formed on her lips, she could see why Alexandra had fallen for this human. Lillie was not at all insulted by his refusal of her offer, but was intrigued by it. It would be nice for someone to take her out and treat her like a woman; it had been so long. "I would like that."
The wind tossed his short dark hair about as he gazed calmly out at the city bellow. The nightlife was in full swing and he enjoyed the sounds and the smell of the city. Soon all before him would be his. The Ventrue Prince had no idea what trouble he was bringing.
Content from his kill of the night Devin's dark eyes looks sparkled with his hunger for power. He could sense his Childe standing slightly behind him, "You've been keeping an eye on that woman that got away. I've heard that the Prince has taken a liking to her. You risk getting captured if you continue this obsession you have with her."
Ted smirked, his blue eyes distant as he ran her image through his mind, "I can take care of myself. I want to finish what I had started with her. Maybe we could use her against him. His feelings for this human are a weakness that we should take full advantage of."
A grin edged the corner of Devin's lips, there was good reason why he chose Ted to Embrace, "True, but do not make a move for her just yet. We have to be smart in this and wait for the appropriate time." Finally turning from his view his eyes looked coldly to his Childe, "Maybe we'll add her to our little family, well, after we play with her first."
Laugh menacingly escaping from his lips Ted smiled darkly to his Sire, "I will enjoy breaking her in. She did taste extremely sweet." Both Kindred looked back over the city their eyes sparkling from the city lights.
It was so dark and cold. She could feel their eyes watching her waiting for her to approach. Melissa stood frozen in place unable to move, to flee. Her heart pounded furiously in her chest as she saw them, those silver eyes that glowed within the dark.
A hand to her arm made her start but she could not run or shrug off his grasp. Eyes darting about her dark surroundings she slowly turned to see who it was that held her.
A man with blond hair and blue eyes, the one she had seen at the party, the one that scared her. He was looking at her with those silver eyes his mouth edging into a cruel and deadly grin.
Body jerking out from her sleep she almost screamed when she felt strong arms tightening slightly around her. Remembering that she had been lying on the blanket in the back yard with Julian she allowed herself to relax.
He felt her stir, could sense her fear and tightened his hold to comfort her. Sensing her relax he stroked back her dark hair and asked, "You all right?"
Melissa shivered but it was not from the cold, "I…I must have fallen asleep." Pulling herself up from her laying position on the ground she took in her surrounding taking comfort in it familiarity. That dream chilled her to her soul and she could not shake the feeling that it was somehow some type of warning.
Julian sat up as she did, his hands still holding hers, he could feel her heart racing, hear it rapidly beating beneath her chest. Looking to her with concerned it gently asked, "What is it? What's wrong?"
A nervous laugh escaped her lips, "You think I'd be use to these nightmares I keep having."
"Want to talk about it? I heard it helps…" he watched her closely as she avoided looking within his eyes and started to stand.
Standing she wanted to get rid of the images that kept playing within her mind; first Sandra's ghost haunting her and now these nightmares. Melissa could not really think of the last time that she had a decent nights sleep. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she leaned against him, finding comfort in his presence, "They're just dreams but I can't stop thinking that they're warning me about something. It's stupid I know!"
Walking her back into the house he hugged her to him, "It's not stupid at all. Want to tell me about what they are and maybe I can bring in some insight? I'm a good listener."
A smiled tugged at her lips, she felt so safe with him, as if she could trust him with her very life, "It's dark and I can't move. I can feel them watching me and then I see silver eyes glowing in the darkness and then someone grabs my arm and when I turn to see who it is it's that blond guy. You know, the one from the party that said he was a reporter." Melissa felt herself shiver at the memory, it felt so real, "The way he's looking at me... It scares me and then I wake up."
Kissing her temple Julian pulled her to him as they sat down on the couch, "It's only a dream. Maybe he had scared you at the party more than you had realized and it triggered these dreams."
Melissa shrugged against his chest, a contented sigh escaping her lips, "You're probably right. It's just not only that though…Do you, do you believe in ghosts, souls that can't rest because of an untimely or wrongful death?"
Julian looked down to Melissa who had pulled herself away from his chest to look within his eyes. Pushing back a strand of her hair he knew he had to choose his words wisely, "What brought up that question?"
Sitting up she pulled one of the couch pillows into her lap and hugged it to her tucking her hair nervously behind her ears, "I think that Sandra's ghost is haunting me. I don't know why, but she seems to be asking me for help. Maybe if I had gone with her to the club and not stayed at home I could have prevented her murder. What if its my fault?"
Removing the pillow from her lap he pulled her into his as he wrapped his arms around her and brought her back against his chest. Softly pressing his lips to just underneath her earlobe he gently replied, "Or maybe if you had gone you would have met the same fate as your friend. Don't blame yourself Melissa; the only individual's fault is the one that killed her. Maybe Sandra needs for you to stop blaming yourself and to let her go."
Allowing her body to melt into his embrace she could not help but to think that he was probably right. His words sounded and seemed reasonable but Sandra's image came to mind as she had stood in front of her pleading for her help…but what could she, a normal woman, do about any of it? She was no detective!
About to comment they were both startled as they heard a crash coming from upstairs. Melissa instinctually gripped Julian's hand in fear, her eyes darting to the stairs that led up to her bedroom.
He could not stop the back of his hair from standing on end as the sound was heard and felt Melissa gripping his hand like a vise. It was a wonder she was getting any type of peaceful sleep. Standing from the couch he motioned for her to stay seated as he refused to allow a few loud noises to intimidate him in any way.
Melissa bit her lip nervously as she watched Julian slowly go up the stairs. She didn't want to stay here on the couch by herself. What if she came to her when she was alone? Hesitating for a moment more she quietly followed Julian's path hoping that it was nothing but maybe a cat getting in her window and knocking something over. Problem was, she did not believe for a second that her wish was going to be granted.
As he ascended the stairs upward toward her room, Julian could feel the sudden drop in temperature. He had read about things like this happening, but had never experienced it before. Senses heightened his hackles rose as he entered her bedroom. The room was eerily still, not a sound heard. Eyes scanning the room, he could see nothing out of place.
The flickering of the bathroom light caught his attention, driving him forward. The room dropped several more degrees, and he knew that if it were necessary for him to breathe that he would have been able to see his own breath. Entering the bathroom he looked around and felt himself thrown back hitting the wall of the bathroom painfully hard.
She watched as Julian entered the bathroom, her hands rubbing her arms in desperate attempts to warm them. How it had gotten so cold in her room she had not a clue. Melissa sucked in her breath as she watched Julian thrown back and ran forward without a second thought.
As soon as she was in the doorway of her bathroom she saw Julian pressed firmly against the wall on the floor, "Julian!" she cried as she ran to him, "Are you…"
Her eyes widened as a cold chill ran down her spine and she turned to look behind her, immediately throwing herself to Julian's side. Julian's arms automatically went around her pulling her protectively behind him.
The mirror of the bathroom fogged, Sandra's image coming and then fading from view. Quickly the mirror was fogged completely, words emerging, "Stop them and Protect her!"
Suddenly the room went back to its normal temperature, the sound of her door being knocked in meeting their ears. Seconds passed and Cash's figure stood in the bathroom doorway with gun drawn. The sudden appearance of the bodyguard made Melissa cry out in alarm, her body trembling from what had just happened.
Cash quickly holstered his gun coming to his Prince side, "What happened? I heard a crash and had to bang down the door to get in!"
Melissa clung to Julian's arm her eyes wide in fright as the message on the mirror stood fresh in her memory. Stop them and protect her were the words scribed. Why would she need protecting? And who the hell were they?
Julian stood, pulling Melissa into his arms he softly spoke soothing words into her ear until he could sense her calming down slightly. He walked her past Cash and into the bedroom where he guided her to sit on the bed. Turning to Cash he approached him, "Get the car ready. Melissa is going to be staying at the mansion." Whispering so that she could not hear he continued, "She's in danger and I will not allow anything to happen to her."
Cash did not argue as he nodded and headed out of the door. Whatever had happened he was sure that Julian would tell him later.
Arms protectively wrapped around herself she watched as Julian spoke with one of his bodyguards and overheard him saying that she was going to stay at his place. Usually she would have argued about not being asked to go stay at someone's house but after what had just happened she did not want to spend another night here alone.
He approached her as soon as Cash had left the door, "Where are your bags? I don't want you staying here alone."
"The…the closet," she stuttered. She watched as he made his way to her closet starting to pull out her bags. A soft whisper met her ear as a soft and caring caress to her cheek was felt. Heart lurching, Melissa immediately bolted off of the bed and ran to Julian grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the door, "Um, lets just come for my things later!"
As they exited the room Julian stopped her, "Melissa, what is it?"
Really not wanting to stay in the house she pulled for him to go, "Okay first off I got Sandra popping in and making an appearance, then she throws you against my bathroom wall and leaves a message that I'm in danger and to stop them, whoever the hell that is! Just a few seconds ago I heard her whisper my name and caress my cheek! I'm scared shitless right now and want nothing more than to wake up and this be nothing but a damn dream!" Melissa stopped, breathing hard her whole body trembling in fear.
Julian pulled her to him as they made their way down the stairs, "I will not allow anything to happen to you. I can send for someone to get your things later." He could feel her trembling within his arms, sense her fear as it radiated off of her in waves. She had every right to be frightened. He could not sense anything dangerous about Sandra's spirit and it seemed as if she was trying to protect her friend more than frighten her. Still the event in the bathroom was something that took him completely by surprise.
From the shadows he watched as Julian Luna, Ventrue Prince of San Francisco, walked a frightened Melissa Davidson out of her house to his car. What ever had occurred within had not only shaken her immensely but had caused quite a stir outside. He had seen the Gangrel bodyguard push and shove at the door with all of his strength but it would not give before it took him and his other companions a combined effort to break down the door. It was as if something was blocking the door.
Eyes flashed with silver before his body shifted from his human form to that of a black wolf. It's soft padded feet silently bet against the ground bellow as he headed away from Melissa's house. Indeed there was much more to this than met the eye and he was going to find out what. This Melissa would indeed be an interesting investment.