Past Lives
Raven gazed up at the monolithic house and whistled softly. It sure as hell didn't compare to the broken down two story she called home. Grand and marvelous, sweeping and huge, were words that came quickly to mind. Strangely enough the words sad and lonely also came. There was a cloud that hung around this place, something that tickled her skin and sent off her warning bells. She knew it was a bad place to be for too long and it made her wonder why Sasha was here.
Standing before the cut glass door she knocked and felt her heart rate jump. How many times had she stood on a girls step and knocked. This time the door opened and her heart relaxed.
"I am here to Sasha Luna."
The man stepped aside and let her in. Raven took in the vast sweeping luxury of this one room and felt a sharp tingle go through her. She turned and recognized the man from last night. He didn't look pleased to see her and that concerned her.
"Sasha will be down in a minute. Would you like to wait in the sitting room?" His voice was edged and harsh.
"Lead the way." Raven followed after him and was taken back by the whole place. "This is some house."
"Mr. Luna has good taste."
Raven smiled slightly, " He sure does."
The young man stopped short and turned on her. Raven didn't flinch at the look he leveled on her. She had had met up with former boyfriends who were angry with their girlfriends. But there was however something slightly different about him.
"I don't know how you know her, but Sasha is his niece. She is family."
"I hear you loud and clear lover boy." Raven held up her hands as he glared at her. " Just take a chill pill. I am here because she asked me to come."
He spoke in a forced whisper. "Just keep your distance is all I am saying."
Raven felt her good will vanish and her true self showed through. " I do what I like."
He took a step toward. " Not with Sasha you won't."
"That is between Sasha and I, not you."
Raven was fully aware of the alarm bells screaming in her head. She was also aware of the rush that was filling her skin. The prickling wash of power and the full understanding of what she would do it he touched her.
"Cash."
He jerked his head up at the warning tone. " Lilly."
"Julian wants you on business."
He glared at Raven before stepping around her and stalking off.
Raven slowly unclenched her fists and closed her eyes against the nauseating after-rush. Strong hands grabbed her arms and kept her from falling. She opened her eyes and stared into spring-blue depths and a radiant smile. The woman nodded to the door Cash had been leading them to and they entered.
"I saw you at the club last night." Lilly said gently as she crossed to the mini bar. Quickly pouring a drink as Raven sat down in one of the chairs. " I haven't seen Sasha so animated in months."
Raven regarded her with cool eyes. The woman was gorgeous; full figured, feminine, alluring and stylish. Her skin was the color of pure snow, eyes like summer skies and hair the color of golden cinnamon.
"Yeah well, I have that effect on people." Raven said lightly. Keeping her tone level and steady. " So that was your place?"
Lilly nodded as she came over and handed Raven the drink. " How do you know Sasha exactly?"
Raven smirked. " We go back a while.
The woman seated herself across from her and watched her closely. " You care for her don't you?"
Raven concealed her surprise at the question by taking a sip of her drink. " Why do you ask?"
"Anyone who is willing to stand up to Cash like that must have a reason." Lilly tilted her head to the side as she smiled. " I haven't felt a real psychic in years."
The drink almost crashed to the floor as Raven was startled to her bones. She stood up and began to move quickly around the room.
"I've upset you." Lilly watched her with out moving in her chair. " I am sorry, it was just an observation."
"How'd you know?" Raven paused by the window and gazed out at the sunlight.
"I know many things." Sadness coated her words. " I know something about you."
Raven turned to face her. "Like what?"
"You are here for Sasha." Lilly met her eyes. " You want her back."
Raven smiled gently. " I never had her in the first place. What's your name?"
"Lilly."
"You look like one." Raven turned away and ran her hand through her hair. " So are you warning me off too?"
"Unlike Cash I don't have any reason to be jealous. I am just concerned."
"Why?"
Lilly stood up smoothly and joined her by the window. " Because as splendid as love is, it can also be fatal." She looked very steadily at Raven. " You are prepared to die I can see it in you. But Sasha isn't. Don't drag her down with you."
Raven gazed at her and smiled gently. " You are a very perceptive lady."
"I am that." Lilly gave her a light smile. "Sasha will be here any moment."
Just on cue the door opened and she walked in.
Raven drew in a breath and was keenly aware of the warm glowing sensation that was filing her system. The burning tingle of joy and the complete and total loss of her senses. Her hands shook with the emotion and she could only smile.
"I am sure you will have a good time bike shopping or whatever it is you call it." Lilly left the room and Raven drowned her feelings.
"Shall we?" Sasha nodded to outside and Raven followed her. " Do you want to take my bike or yours?"
"We'll have to take yours. I let Cleo have my bike for the day."
The sunlight was warm on her skin as Raven crossed the open courtyard to the garage. The whispering of fountains and the song of birds. A beautiful day. She watched Sasha as she walked and felt like laughing to herself. She was hopelessly caught by this woman and it was a hopelessly dead end. Oh well, her life was constantly like that.
"Cleo seems nice." Sasha said carefully as she opened the garage door. " How'd you meet?"
"She showed up at an Empowerment Ritual and then I punched her date out in a bar fight a few days later. She asked for my number at the next meeting." Raven didn't bother to keep the steel out of her tone.
Sasha paused in the muted sunlight of the garage. " You are still head of that group?"
"Yes. We even have a name now, the Summer Circle Coven."
"You like your work with them?" Sasha asked causally as she perched on a nearby Jaguar.
"I do. They are my friends." Raven gazed at the insides of a vintage car."
Sasha watched her before she asked, "You don't love Cleo do you?"
"I only have one heart to loose and I lost that years ago." Raven spotted Sasha' bike and grinned. "Still riding around on that old thing? No wonder you need a new one." She crossed to it and ran her hand over the familiar lines. "Feels like home."
Sasha couldn't fight the blush that rose on her face. " So Cash really doesn't like you does he?"
"You know about that? Then I guess you know the answer." Raven looked up at Sasha, her hands resting on the handle bars. " So?"
"So what?" Sasha was uncomfortable with the heat in the garage as she stood staring at her bike.
"What's with you?" Raven asked critically.
"What does that mean?" Sasha felt anger rise and it helped battle the confused feeling in her head.
"Sasha come on. Last night you deliberately baited the guy using me. What do you hope to get out me?"
"I don't....I don't want anything from you." Sasha stammered and knew it wasn't true.
"Yes you do or you would never have brought me here." Raven crossed her arms and regarded Sasha carefully. " Now what is going on?"
It all hit her in that moment, she did want something from Raven. She wanted to be alive again, she wanted to take the spirit of her death and exchange it for life. She wanted....to be human.
"You wouldn't understand."
Raven dropped her arms and crossed to Sasha, her fingers lightly brushing back her hair. The warmth in the garage built up and this time Sasha didn't care. She let Raven explore her hair, at first lightly, as though expecting to be pushed away. Then more fully as no punishment came. Sasha trusted Raven as her hands worked expertly through the curls, not catching or tangling in them. She was careful and slow. Not like Cash who had been wild and fast. Raven's hands touched her shoulders and stopped.
"Don't-" Sasha murmured.
"Don't what Sasha?"
She opened her eyes and realized that her hands had been following Raven's. They rested on the girls shoulders, tight and fierce as if afraid she would disappear otherwise.
"Don't stop."
Raven watched her carefully for a long moment. Her thoughts showed in her eyes as she considered and carefully rethought everything. Sasha felt a wave of need smash through her trembling insides and it seized her. She pulled Raven down and kissed her deeply Sasha's hunger rose up at that feeling of the warmth and she could taste Raven's life. Strong, vital and full of starlight. Sweet with magic and hot with the power that flowed in the girls blood. She was cool and hot at the same time. Innocent while being knowledgeable. It all tasted like vanilla and something stronger, something warmer. It was the taste of humanity.
"Sasha..." Raven's tone was rough and heavy, " This isn't the best place for this you know."
Sasha pulled away and realized she was right. It was not comfortable making out on a motorbike. Giving Raven a liquid smile, Sasha grabbed her hand and lead them out of the garage. Her feet stopped dead at the sight of Cash and two of his friends. Raven came up short behind her. Sasha felt Raven's hand tighten on hers and she drew Sasha close.
"What?" Sasha snapped as her Brujah blood rose to the surface. "Don't you have an errand to do?"
Sasha lead Raven past them and into the house. Once on the stairs leading to the second floor she stopped and turned to Raven. Tracing the shape of her face with both hands she smiled again.
"What happened out there?" Raven asked softly. " There was a total change in you."
"Later." Sasha grabbed her hand and hurried to her room.
Once the door was securely locked she turned and once again regarded Raven. She stood in the room totally comfortable and watching her with guarded eyes. They had done this five years ago and Sasha had pushed her away. She had shattered Raven's heart and knew it. Now here they were again. Human, Kindred and they were a moment away from repeating themselves. Raven knew it and the information showed on her face.
"Do you want to stop now?" Sasha asked quietly.
"No, I never wanted to stop. Do you?" Raven kept her tone absolutely neutral. Although her desire made her words heavy.
"I've always regretted that night." Sasha crossed slowly to Raven. Her hands tracing lines along Raven's arms, they kept still by her sides. " I have always wondered if things would have been different had I not pushed you out."
"And your conclusion is?"
Sasha gazed into dark blue eyes and grinned. " You'll have to remind me of what I gave up."
A slow, wicked smile curled Raven's full mouth. " That I can do."
The rush that came with the first kiss was enough to make Sasha dizzy. She tumbled into her need and drifted away on glowing clouds of pure joy.
Raven gazed up at the monolithic house and whistled softly. It sure as hell didn't compare to the broken down two story she called home. Grand and marvelous, sweeping and huge, were words that came quickly to mind. Strangely enough the words sad and lonely also came. There was a cloud that hung around this place, something that tickled her skin and sent off her warning bells. She knew it was a bad place to be for too long and it made her wonder why Sasha was here.
Standing before the cut glass door she knocked and felt her heart rate jump. How many times had she stood on a girls step and knocked. This time the door opened and her heart relaxed.
"I am here to Sasha Luna."
The man stepped aside and let her in. Raven took in the vast sweeping luxury of this one room and felt a sharp tingle go through her. She turned and recognized the man from last night. He didn't look pleased to see her and that concerned her.
"Sasha will be down in a minute. Would you like to wait in the sitting room?" His voice was edged and harsh.
"Lead the way." Raven followed after him and was taken back by the whole place. "This is some house."
"Mr. Luna has good taste."
Raven smiled slightly, " He sure does."
The young man stopped short and turned on her. Raven didn't flinch at the look he leveled on her. She had had met up with former boyfriends who were angry with their girlfriends. But there was however something slightly different about him.
"I don't know how you know her, but Sasha is his niece. She is family."
"I hear you loud and clear lover boy." Raven held up her hands as he glared at her. " Just take a chill pill. I am here because she asked me to come."
He spoke in a forced whisper. "Just keep your distance is all I am saying."
Raven felt her good will vanish and her true self showed through. " I do what I like."
He took a step toward. " Not with Sasha you won't."
"That is between Sasha and I, not you."
Raven was fully aware of the alarm bells screaming in her head. She was also aware of the rush that was filling her skin. The prickling wash of power and the full understanding of what she would do it he touched her.
"Cash."
He jerked his head up at the warning tone. " Lilly."
"Julian wants you on business."
He glared at Raven before stepping around her and stalking off.
Raven slowly unclenched her fists and closed her eyes against the nauseating after-rush. Strong hands grabbed her arms and kept her from falling. She opened her eyes and stared into spring-blue depths and a radiant smile. The woman nodded to the door Cash had been leading them to and they entered.
"I saw you at the club last night." Lilly said gently as she crossed to the mini bar. Quickly pouring a drink as Raven sat down in one of the chairs. " I haven't seen Sasha so animated in months."
Raven regarded her with cool eyes. The woman was gorgeous; full figured, feminine, alluring and stylish. Her skin was the color of pure snow, eyes like summer skies and hair the color of golden cinnamon.
"Yeah well, I have that effect on people." Raven said lightly. Keeping her tone level and steady. " So that was your place?"
Lilly nodded as she came over and handed Raven the drink. " How do you know Sasha exactly?"
Raven smirked. " We go back a while.
The woman seated herself across from her and watched her closely. " You care for her don't you?"
Raven concealed her surprise at the question by taking a sip of her drink. " Why do you ask?"
"Anyone who is willing to stand up to Cash like that must have a reason." Lilly tilted her head to the side as she smiled. " I haven't felt a real psychic in years."
The drink almost crashed to the floor as Raven was startled to her bones. She stood up and began to move quickly around the room.
"I've upset you." Lilly watched her with out moving in her chair. " I am sorry, it was just an observation."
"How'd you know?" Raven paused by the window and gazed out at the sunlight.
"I know many things." Sadness coated her words. " I know something about you."
Raven turned to face her. "Like what?"
"You are here for Sasha." Lilly met her eyes. " You want her back."
Raven smiled gently. " I never had her in the first place. What's your name?"
"Lilly."
"You look like one." Raven turned away and ran her hand through her hair. " So are you warning me off too?"
"Unlike Cash I don't have any reason to be jealous. I am just concerned."
"Why?"
Lilly stood up smoothly and joined her by the window. " Because as splendid as love is, it can also be fatal." She looked very steadily at Raven. " You are prepared to die I can see it in you. But Sasha isn't. Don't drag her down with you."
Raven gazed at her and smiled gently. " You are a very perceptive lady."
"I am that." Lilly gave her a light smile. "Sasha will be here any moment."
Just on cue the door opened and she walked in.
Raven drew in a breath and was keenly aware of the warm glowing sensation that was filing her system. The burning tingle of joy and the complete and total loss of her senses. Her hands shook with the emotion and she could only smile.
"I am sure you will have a good time bike shopping or whatever it is you call it." Lilly left the room and Raven drowned her feelings.
"Shall we?" Sasha nodded to outside and Raven followed her. " Do you want to take my bike or yours?"
"We'll have to take yours. I let Cleo have my bike for the day."
The sunlight was warm on her skin as Raven crossed the open courtyard to the garage. The whispering of fountains and the song of birds. A beautiful day. She watched Sasha as she walked and felt like laughing to herself. She was hopelessly caught by this woman and it was a hopelessly dead end. Oh well, her life was constantly like that.
"Cleo seems nice." Sasha said carefully as she opened the garage door. " How'd you meet?"
"She showed up at an Empowerment Ritual and then I punched her date out in a bar fight a few days later. She asked for my number at the next meeting." Raven didn't bother to keep the steel out of her tone.
Sasha paused in the muted sunlight of the garage. " You are still head of that group?"
"Yes. We even have a name now, the Summer Circle Coven."
"You like your work with them?" Sasha asked causally as she perched on a nearby Jaguar.
"I do. They are my friends." Raven gazed at the insides of a vintage car."
Sasha watched her before she asked, "You don't love Cleo do you?"
"I only have one heart to loose and I lost that years ago." Raven spotted Sasha' bike and grinned. "Still riding around on that old thing? No wonder you need a new one." She crossed to it and ran her hand over the familiar lines. "Feels like home."
Sasha couldn't fight the blush that rose on her face. " So Cash really doesn't like you does he?"
"You know about that? Then I guess you know the answer." Raven looked up at Sasha, her hands resting on the handle bars. " So?"
"So what?" Sasha was uncomfortable with the heat in the garage as she stood staring at her bike.
"What's with you?" Raven asked critically.
"What does that mean?" Sasha felt anger rise and it helped battle the confused feeling in her head.
"Sasha come on. Last night you deliberately baited the guy using me. What do you hope to get out me?"
"I don't....I don't want anything from you." Sasha stammered and knew it wasn't true.
"Yes you do or you would never have brought me here." Raven crossed her arms and regarded Sasha carefully. " Now what is going on?"
It all hit her in that moment, she did want something from Raven. She wanted to be alive again, she wanted to take the spirit of her death and exchange it for life. She wanted....to be human.
"You wouldn't understand."
Raven dropped her arms and crossed to Sasha, her fingers lightly brushing back her hair. The warmth in the garage built up and this time Sasha didn't care. She let Raven explore her hair, at first lightly, as though expecting to be pushed away. Then more fully as no punishment came. Sasha trusted Raven as her hands worked expertly through the curls, not catching or tangling in them. She was careful and slow. Not like Cash who had been wild and fast. Raven's hands touched her shoulders and stopped.
"Don't-" Sasha murmured.
"Don't what Sasha?"
She opened her eyes and realized that her hands had been following Raven's. They rested on the girls shoulders, tight and fierce as if afraid she would disappear otherwise.
"Don't stop."
Raven watched her carefully for a long moment. Her thoughts showed in her eyes as she considered and carefully rethought everything. Sasha felt a wave of need smash through her trembling insides and it seized her. She pulled Raven down and kissed her deeply Sasha's hunger rose up at that feeling of the warmth and she could taste Raven's life. Strong, vital and full of starlight. Sweet with magic and hot with the power that flowed in the girls blood. She was cool and hot at the same time. Innocent while being knowledgeable. It all tasted like vanilla and something stronger, something warmer. It was the taste of humanity.
"Sasha..." Raven's tone was rough and heavy, " This isn't the best place for this you know."
Sasha pulled away and realized she was right. It was not comfortable making out on a motorbike. Giving Raven a liquid smile, Sasha grabbed her hand and lead them out of the garage. Her feet stopped dead at the sight of Cash and two of his friends. Raven came up short behind her. Sasha felt Raven's hand tighten on hers and she drew Sasha close.
"What?" Sasha snapped as her Brujah blood rose to the surface. "Don't you have an errand to do?"
Sasha lead Raven past them and into the house. Once on the stairs leading to the second floor she stopped and turned to Raven. Tracing the shape of her face with both hands she smiled again.
"What happened out there?" Raven asked softly. " There was a total change in you."
"Later." Sasha grabbed her hand and hurried to her room.
Once the door was securely locked she turned and once again regarded Raven. She stood in the room totally comfortable and watching her with guarded eyes. They had done this five years ago and Sasha had pushed her away. She had shattered Raven's heart and knew it. Now here they were again. Human, Kindred and they were a moment away from repeating themselves. Raven knew it and the information showed on her face.
"Do you want to stop now?" Sasha asked quietly.
"No, I never wanted to stop. Do you?" Raven kept her tone absolutely neutral. Although her desire made her words heavy.
"I've always regretted that night." Sasha crossed slowly to Raven. Her hands tracing lines along Raven's arms, they kept still by her sides. " I have always wondered if things would have been different had I not pushed you out."
"And your conclusion is?"
Sasha gazed into dark blue eyes and grinned. " You'll have to remind me of what I gave up."
A slow, wicked smile curled Raven's full mouth. " That I can do."
The rush that came with the first kiss was enough to make Sasha dizzy. She tumbled into her need and drifted away on glowing clouds of pure joy.
