* * * * *

Beyond the carefully molded community of her town, far away from any noise of car or bus or engine - indeed it seemed they had stepped into another time altogether - stood a natural cavern, what appeared to have been an old mine. It was cleverly concealed beyond a tall wall of foliage, which dripped with moisture. The air here felt so close to Raziel's skin, he wanted to tear the stupid janitor shirt off.

The mine stared at them. From its depth, Raziel percieved the essence of vampires. The stench of it was unmistakeable - this place was the equivelent of a rathole, crafted for vampires.

"It isn't as bad as it looks... this is merely where we meet. To remain as inconspicuous as ghosts." Darius led them into the cave. Amanda stopped at the mouth of the mine, watching Raziel move on ahead. After a moment he stopped, hurrying back over to her with a measured leap. He grabbed her hand, forcing her to hold onto his arm.

"Stay close to me," Raziel hissed into her ear. "No matter what."

Cold rippled through her, followed by warmth which made her shake more. It was an irresistible quaking, as though someone were peeling back layers of clothing and exposing her to the chill air and then throwing a warm, fire-heated blanket about her shoulders. She decided she liked the sensation and tried to prolong it as she held onto Raziel's claw, following them into moldy shadow.

She trailed a hand across her hair, trying to see past it into the gloom. She swore someday she'd get it trimmed again, but had sworn to someone else that she'd try to grow it out. But, she realized, for awhile it would have to stay in her hair unless she learned how to stylishly clip them back which was too much effort on her part.

Being called a dyke was what made her indecisive.

She remembered the last dream she recalled upon waking. She was walking down a stairway or a tunnel, not unlike this one actually... The walls were dripping blood; stiflingly hot. Everything was, and then cold stole into her body draining every living cell out of her and replacing it with stagnant death.

Suddenly she didn't like this at all. A soft whimper pushed through her closed throat.

"Don't worry," Darius sang, and suddenly as they reached the end there was light. The ceiling was not jagged stone but wood, arches of firm huge wood too old and straight and identical in size to be new. Pillars held up the earth in case it decided to crumble in. The walls were furnished with dark, stained wood, and wall-hangings covered nearly all of that anyway.

Amanda's discomfort only increased as she looked around at the large couches. It was built for comfort, large sweeping doorways, with cast-iron doors, leading into seperate chambers. Her skin felt like paper, slowly burning, wrinkling and stiffening to frailness. The longer she stood in the room, the more the discomfort began to make her squirm. Darius had vanished behind a thick red velvet curtain to another end of the room.

A shrieking hellion exploded from the cushions slightly behind them, launched like a missile at Raziel. Claws first, it intercepted him and send all three figures tumbling backwards against a stack of pillows. Screaming, the creature attached itself to Raziel. Beneath the combined weight of them, Amanda was crushed. Her lungs burned for air and her shoulderblades throbbed.

Raziel bunched his legs, setting his claws against the other vampire, and pushed with all of his might. It - she, rather - flailed wildly as she sailed backwards through the air and landed with cat-like agility on her hands and the balls of her feet. She sat on the floor, hissing, fangs gleaming and rubies shining in her slitted eyes.

Raziel rolled to his feet and rose slowly, claws outstretched. He struck a beautiful figure, in spite of ridiculous janitor clothing. Amanda sat up, gasping and rubbing her chest. She watched his hair fall across the middle of his back, not quite its full length, and across his eyes. For a moment, she saw within the wasted beast that he had been before.

Darius showed himself again, reaching down to pull the female vampire up by her arm. "Stop! They're guests, Kafele," he admonished playfully. "And as such, they should be treated kindly."

"I sense hospitality is somewhat lacking of late," Raziel spat, not relaxing an inch from his attack position. The female vampire did neither. She stood up on her tip toes, craning her neck to see around Raziel, wrinkling her nose at the sight of Amanda.

Amanda caught her gaze and almost growled. "Woof," the teenager smiled, all teeth.

Kafele narrowed her eyes, her mouth tightly closed and lips hardened in silent rage.

"It's no fault of ours entirely," Darius supplied with sadness, sitting down after forcing Kafele to do the same. "Humans are coming too close to us. Not here, but at our main hiding place. I won't disclose its location to her." Darius jerked his head politely toward Amanda, who merely rolled her eyes.

"I don't even have a freaking visa. Wherever it is, I'd have to walk there and I'd probably fall over exhausted before ever getting there."

"But you have a tongue. And words can go pretty far. If you really want to know, I can make you a mute. It won't hurt, I promise..." Darius chuckled, ignoring Raziel's irritated scoff.

"Why am I here?" the soul reaver demanded, moving backwards and looking around. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw eyes gleaming in the darkness, twin points of eerie light. Shapes flickered in the darkness, peering around the edge of the thick, dust-laden drapery

"Understandable question... you're obviously not from around here. You don't want blood, yet you seem to crave something. I can see it in your eyes. A hunger," the vampire continued with a sliver of fear.

Raziel couldn't help a small smile at his response. Any vampire of Nosgoth's past that still retained their former humanity would have regarded his existence the same way - with terror and hatred. The unfamiliar would always frighten those who knew nothing of it. And as for his unholy soullust... somehow, every creature could sense that, too. And run for their lives, or lash out in rage.

"But as to why you're here, you can ask your human friend. For now, consider me your friend. I have no reason to kill you and no desire to do so."

"Then why did you threaten Amanda?"

"And try to maul me in janitor closet?" Amanda piped cheerfully as she tucked her knees up to her chest.

"Because, when threatened, I must do all I can to stop something rather unpleasant from happening... I never meant to hurt you," Darius answered apologetically, transferring his gaze to the attitude-distraught girl. "Only frighten you. And you did just as I thought you might."

"How good of you. You're welcome."

Darius sighed, crossing one leg over the other, folding his hands over his stomach. Kafele watched him, her eyes softening as she reached to caress his shoulder, her nails flashing slightly as her fingers kneaded carefully into the fabric of his coat. Her voice was very soft, timid. The words were lost even to Raziel. He didn't recognize the words. It sounded like another language altogether.

Raziel sighed. This was going to be awhile. He didn't want to waste time... he needed to return to Nosgoth. The desire was powerful and undeniable - he literally needed to return there. Not only was he aware that he frightened these people, he realized that this world frightened him terribly. Everything about it was unfamiliar and terrifying.

Except Amanda.

Suddenly Darius spoke. The shapes in the shadows became people. Vampires, too. Young boys.

"Manu. Mosi. Fetch our guest some clothes, for pity's sake... I'm growing ill just looking at him in those horrendous clothes!"