V
The wind had started to die down. Every now and then a lost paper would blow across the empty streets. Heading towards the cemetery, D'Artagnan's mind was swarmed with thoughts of Raiyne. Her sarcasm and boldness had caught his attention. If only she'd been a vampire. But how was her being a human going to stop him from being with her. This was the New World, no longer was he going to hide. If someone caught him feeding, he would just shrug it off. Humans now a days didn't fear the creatures that go bump in the night, like they use to. People were becoming harder to scare. If anything, they'd ignore his existence all together. But this girl…D'Artagnan shook his head, trying to rid his mind of her. How could he let a small girl get to him like this? Pushing open the iron gate, he walked silently among the graves. His wandering mind left him unaware of his surroundings. When he passed a large tomb, much like the one he came out of, a shadow fell across the stone. Stopping, D'Artagnan stood straighter, waiting for whomever to appear. Hands tense at his side, he assumed for them to come from behind.
"Well, well…" A snide female voice reached his ears. A confused look crept up into his expression. That voice was so…familiar. "What have we here?" The woman walked up behind him and wrapped an arm around his waist. She pulled him back against her, grinding her hips into him. Leaning in, she ran her tongue along his neck, up to his earlobe. White fangs glistened in the dying moonlight. D'Artagnan shivered and grabbed the hand around his waist. Spinning the woman around, he pushed her back to the tomb's wall and pinned her arms above her head.
"Lenora…" He whispered, surprised. A clever smile came across her face.
"Hello to you too," Lenora said in a sultry voice. D'Artagnan released her hands. He stood in front of her, a stern look on his face. Stepping towards him, Lenora put her arms around his neck. "Don't be too glad now." Uncaringly removing her hands from his neck, D'Artagnan pushed her back. Lenora's eyes flared for a moment at the rejection. "No wonder you're so grim this evening," Her words caused D'Artagnan to look at her perplexed. "They say mortals aren't much company if kept alive." Quick as lightning, D'Artagnan had her by the throat. Lenora struggled a moment but smiled in triumph. "Oh, a sore spot."
"It'd be best to know your place," He released her roughly. "Lenora." He snarled and turned away quickly. His eyes had already begun to turn to an icy color at his anger. Standing up tall, Lenora shouted after him.
"I know my place," She retorted. "But do you? You can't be with her D'Artagnan." She laughed at a sudden thought. "Mortals don't live forever." Wheeling about, D'Artagnan turned on her.
"You'll not lay a hand on her!" He stated. The teasing smile on Lenora's face made him sick.
"I could always use another toy, love." With that, she disappeared into the shadowy graveyard. D'Artagnan was left alone with is thoughts and anger. Calming himself down, he noticed the suns arrival only a few hours away. Lenora could get to Raiyne tonight, so she'd be safe.
"What am I thinking." His eyes darkened as he looked at the fading moon. "Why is it I feel like this for…her." Sighing, he walked to the crypt that held his coffin. Perhaps he could sleep off the attraction of Raiyne.
It was the early hours of the morning and already New York was coming awake. The rumbling traffic and voices from the crowed streets, seemed to float up into Raiyne's bedroom. Echoing car horns and raised voices woke Raiyne. Stirring at the unpleasant sounds, her eyes fluttered open. The open curtains let in generous amounts of glorious sunlight. Shielding her eyes, she sat up. Events of last night danced about in her head. It throbbed and Raiyne massaged her temples. Groaning, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat. "What a night. My dreams are becoming all to..." A black trench coat, lying on the floor, caught her attention. "...real." Pushing herself off the bed, she walked over and picked up the coat. Images flashed through her mind from last night. That uneasy, lovesick feeling in her stomach returned. Her alarm on her dresser began to go off. It startled Raiyne and she glanced at it. "Oh my god, I don't believe it." Raiyne exclaimed. She dashed from her bed to her dresser. "It's already six-thirty." Quickly stripping off her PJs, she slammed her fist on the alarm clock, to shut it off. "Stupid, slow ass clock." Raiyne grumbled.
Raiyne had to open the shop at seven. It'd be a miracle if she got there in time. Digging through her drawer, she pulled out some 'unmentionables' and socks. She went over to her closet to find some pants and a shirt. Grabbing a traditional pair of low, black work pants and a button-up white blouse, Raiyne ran to the bathroom. For once in her life, she was only in the shower for about five minutes. Quickly throwing on her clothes, she threw her hair into a messy ponytail, put on some make-up and left to find her shoes. Slipping on her sneakers and grabbing her keys, she was out the door.
"You met a boy?" Tara asked excitedly. Raiyne and her were working at their store, Celestial Nights. Tara sat behind the counter. Outfitted in a maroon, button-up shirt and charcoal work pants, she looked must more sophisticated than last night. Her hair was coiled up into a tight bun. In front of her, Raiyne sat on the floor. She was busy restocking the lower shelves. Celestial Nights was layout like so. When you enter there are two round tables and a long oak table to your left. Both the left wall and right wall, along with the adjacent southern walls, are lined with books. An L-shaped counter is against the back wall. As you walk to the counter there are three bookshelves to your right. The first one holds ingredients, the second is instruments and the third is more books. At the counter there are charms and incense. Raiyne stood and smoothed her pants. She gathered up the empty box on the floor and headed to the storeroom, near the back.
"Not a boy, Tara." Raiyne called over her shoulder. "You make it sound like he's twelve." Stacking the box atop many others of its kind, Raiyne spun around and left the room. Hoisting herself up gracefully, she sat on the counter. Drawing her knees up to her chest, she watched Tara. Tara was reading through one of the newer spell books. Her finger kept her place as she scribbled down notes. Raiyne's mind began to wander, as she watches the pen dance across page. Her eyes dulled and clouded as she daydreamed.
"So," Tara said. "A man then." Shaking her head, Raiyne cleared her thoughts. Tara looked at her with a sly smile on her face. Raiyne blew out a breath. She'd mentioned D'Artagnan accidentally and now there was no chance of distracting Tara from the topic.
"If you want to call him that." She commented and slid off the counter. Walking over to one of the table, she began to wipe it off.
"Really now," Tara came around from behind the counter. "Come on, Raiyne. You have to tell me." She crossed the room and stood in front of Raiyne. With pleading eyes, she tried to catch her gaze. Doing her best to ignore her, Raiyne finally gave in after making the mistake of looking Tara in the eyes. She had a gift with getting her way, by making puppy dog eyes.
"Must you meddle in my life?" Raiyne asked. Tara laughed and slid into a chair.
"Of course," Tara remarked. "Someone has to keep your life in check."
"Can't I do that?" Raiyne sat down, opposite of Tara.
"No." Tara stated flatly. "Because you'll mess it up. Without 'my' help, you'll let this mystery man go." Raiyne sighed. She couldn't argue with that. "Now, who is this man that, you suggest, isn't a man?" Massaging her temples, Raiyne leaned back. "How am I going to explain this?" Tara leaned on the table, eager to hear what Raiyne had to say. This man sounded quite intriguing. And any man who could catch Raiyne's interests was defiantly a fine catch. Many times before had Tara hooked Raiyne up with a man. Each one ended in a swift knee to the balls and Raiyne storming out. She was a hard nut to crack. But of course, if you were left alone at a young age you would be too. Tara had to be the only family Raiyne ever knew. One thing was for sure, she was the only one Raiyne let get close to her. If this guy could really affect Raiyne like this, then damnit Tara would make sure Raiyne stayed with him. Tara just now realized that Raiyne looked a little uneasy. "Well? What's wrong hun?" "It's...a little complicated." Raiyne's eyes darted about. "This guy, D'Artagnan, he's...a...you'll think I'm nuts." Tara smiled evilly.
"I already do." Raiyne glared at her but said nothing else.
"Thanks, love you too." She growled.
"Anytime, love." Rolling her eyes, Raiyne took a deep breath.
"Well," She began again. Looking at Tara, she found her watching her intensely. "He's a vampire..." Tara's eyes began to widen and her mouth made a big 'O'. Raiyne waited for her laugh and show something that led her to believe that Tara thought her to be joking. Much to her surprise, Tara looked quite happy. She sat smiling and Raiyne raised an eyebrow. Leaning back, Raiyne just studied her. "So...you're not...surprised."
"Wow...a vampire." Tara said in a dreamy voice. "When do I meet him?" Raiyne was caught off guard and fell back. Her chair toppled at the sudden distribution of weight and collapsed backwards. Crashing to the ground, Raiyne shut her eyes tightly. Pain shot through her back and she opened her eyes, dazed. Tara was quickly out of her seat and at Raiyne's side within moments. Helping her up, concern was evident in her blue eyes. "Are you ok? Perhaps acrobatics isn't your area of expertise." Groaning, Raiyne sat up. Her head swam with pain at the sudden movement.
"Smartass. Oooh..." Blinking a few times, her headache began to ease. "You can't meet him." Tara frowned and her lip quivered. "Oh no, not the guilt trip act."
"Why not?"
"Because he's not some circus act on display, Tara. He's not a new toy I want to show off." She snapped, immediately sorry at her agitated response. Tara looked as if she was about to cry. "Oh she's good." Sighing, Raiyne pushed herself all the way up. "Oh fine, you can meet him. Just come with me after work. I have a distinct feeling he'll be back tonight." Tara jumped up and threw her arms around Raiyne's neck.
"Yay!" She squealed. "I love playing with new toys." Raiyne's eyes widened at the thought of what she had just gotten D'Artagnan into. "So? He deserved it." She thought bitterly. The two of them spent the rest of the day, selling a few items to customers. Business was slow but profitable enough for them to support themselves. Either way, Raiyne's mind wasn't focused on the doings in the store.