Disclaimer: Again, the only characters that belong to me are the adult vampires, minus Grace and Athena. I don't own the Newsies, thank God, could you imagine how hard it would be to try and keep the lot of them under control. The other characters in this are owned by their respective owners. If you own someone you know who you are.
A/N: Yeah, moving it up to R because there's going to be a bit more violence than before, and swearing and just all around… yeah. So it's 'R' now.
Last Chance
The Second Line: Leith's Line
Hotshot
Jack sat at the bar with a shot glass next to him as the band played onstage. The mood and the lighting in the club were both dim and dark. The music was bland and the band not particularly lively that night. They'd come in at the promise of cash, coke and sex nearly a week ago. Now they were drained, those same promises -minus the cash- kept them there. They were, well, instruments to put it metaphorically. The elders supplied them with all the drugs and the girls provided other services, and in return the musicians provided a crowd every night and their own blood afterward. Jack licked his lips; the lead singer was particularly delicious.
The place was beginning to empty, only the lucky ones actually escaping. By now most regulars were drawn back because the vampires forced it. The band members were slowing down. Their set was nearly over, and tonight would be the last night for the bassist, perhaps the drummer as well. Jack licked his lips again. He was hungry, damn it.
A sudden vibration on the small two-person table brought him back to reality. He glanced up to find the roguish smile of one of his close friends. The shock of nearly white hair stood out drastically from the bar's dark interior.
"Close your mouth, Jack," he said, "You're starting to drool." He took a seat.
A growl emitted itself from deep in Jack's throat, "Don't talk to your elders like that."
The blonde only rolled his eyes.
Jack grinned, "So Combat, how many tonight?"
"Two. One of the groupies, he's been here all week. And did you see that blonde in the red bikini top thing?"
Jack nodded, groaning with want. "How was she?"
"Good," Combat decided. He nodded toward the band, "So who do you claim tonight?"
"The bassist," Jack downed another shot as the waitress placed it on the table beside him. "He looks ready to go. Barely able to play tonight as it is."
"Think anyone'll mind if I take the drummer?" Combat asked. He looks like he'd be able to withstand a little time with me before he goes."
Jack grinned, Combat and his sex toy types. He soon noted that others were coming in from their late night feedings, and Ian had taken the stage to see if his voice could lure anyone back in, or newer people out from the streets.
The table he was sharing with Combat quickly became overcrowded as several others pulled chairs up. Shock, Snoody, and David pulled up chairs, as well as some of the girls, Flash, who chose to share with David, Cora, and Temptress, who moved herself as close as possible to Combat. Wick was busy chasing Boots upstairs. Sundance was at the bar and Itch was trying to be the loner she really wasn't. Blink would have joined them except he spotted the waitress he'd been eyeing all month unattended. She was one of the few human ones that quarter, and Blink was in full out lust after her. He was sitting in one of the booths, with her almost in his lap. His mouth was on her neck, red droplets occasionally finding their way down her pale throat.
Jack sat transfixed on the site for a moment before the girl's hands dropped from gripping Blink's shoulder to lay limp in the air. He turned back to the group where they were all admiring Flash's new tattoo. He looked as well.
A halo rested slightly crookedly at the base of the girl's neck. Huge wings stretched across her shoulder blades and downward. The rest gave the illusion that feathers were being lost and falling down her back. Jack had seen it before, the fallen angel illusion, but never as all out as Flash had done it. The tattoo covered her entire back.
Blink and Ian reached the table at the same time. Ian licked droplets of blood off of Blink's neck and lips. Blink did little to push him away. This group of vampires was rather accepting. After being around for so long they were happy just to be passionate about someone else, or most of them anyway. Blink was straight, both before and after death, but he allowed Ian to do whatever. Even Jack had let his opinion shift a little. Right now he wanted that bassist.
In the middle of a conversation he hadn't been paying attention to he stood and began toward the stage. Combat and several others stood up to follow. The band members were putting away their instruments and didn't resist when vampires began to grab at them. Jack took firm hold of the bassist and followed Combat who was pulling the drummer toward one of the rooms off the bar's back wall.
The four beings entered the room and Jack spotted the body of the blonde girl Combat had taken earlier draped against a wall. He glanced quickly around to find Combat already upon the other boy. He himself ignored any foreplay and pushed the boy to the ground.
"Any last words?"
The boy opened his mouth to speak and Jack sunk his teeth into the soft flesh of the neck. A shudder rippled through the other boy's body and a sloshing sound escaped his throat. This was what Jack wanted and what he lived for. He didn't numb the bassists mind as he had done all other nights. Instead he let him feel all the pain and the life draining out of him. The body under his struggled but was already to weak. After less than a minute the entire body went limp in Jack's arms, and Jack drained him.
Jack threw a quick glance at Combat who was very 'busy' with his boy. Jack decided not to leave and instead leaned back against a wall. He stared out the small window leading to the street. It was fun to have the weak, near death human's fight in their last moments of life but what Jack really wanted was another vampire.
Another vampire might have the ability to fight back and be an actual challenge. And when Jack won it would be all the sweeter a victory. He wouldn't kill them of course, oh no, just drink enough of them that so he would have a permanent claim to them. He knew exactly whom he wanted too. Spot Conlon. They had a hate-hate relationship with less than a mutual respect for one another. Fights between them had been few and far between and never pretty. Nothing would bring him more happiness than being in control of Spot.
Just as he was beginning to plot some sort of attack plan the door opened and light spilled into the dark room. Jack looked over to find Draven standing in the doorway. The dark skinned man looked as though he hadn't fed in days and his patience was obviously wearing thin.
"Come," he said, "Leith shall be here soon?"
"Why is he coming?" Jack asked.
Draven shook his head, "No one knows yet. He's got some kind of announcement." He looked over at Combat who hadn't moved since he'd entered the room. Draven was Combat's sire, and being such there was a certain bond between them. "You need to come as well," Draven told him.
Combat got up and walked to the door where he hugged Draven. The two had a relationship somewhere between brothers and lovers. Jack was confused by it sometimes, but everyone loved Draven and no one had seen him in over a month so even Jack was happy to see him.
Draven hugged Combat back and carefully tipped the boy's head to the side and dug razor sharp fangs into his throat. Combat let out a small moan of pain and closed his eyes, letting Draven drink his fill. Jack knew he'd probably sneak out again to feed later.
The situation, however, did make him uncomfortable. Sires were allowed to feed off their 'offspring' whenever they wanted to. Some were nice about it and some weren't. Jack was one of Leith's direct offspring and Leith barely touched him. It only happened when Leith sensed power in him. Jack has taken quite a few tonight so who knew. All he was sure of was that Leith scared him a bit.
Once Draven was finished his meal he looked a little better. Combat didn't look drained but he was obviously tired. The trio walked deeper into the building and Draven closed the door to the meeting room behind them. All of the teenagers were there as well as most of the adults, not all whom Jack knew. Regn, Cyrus, and Vickhan, along with Draven were Leith's appointed guardians to the teenagers living there, along with the women; Ventra, Lislotte, Grace, and Athena, who were busy lecturing Blink about killing the help before their contract was up. He recognized faces but could not put names with many of them.
Temptress all but pulled Combat into the chair next to hers, and Jack almost felt bad. But Cora was sitting on his other side and Combat deserved it for being so god damned cocky all the time.
He took an empty seat next to David and across form Draven. Next to him, at the head of the table sat an empty chair that Leith would fill once he arrived. Nervous conversation and glares were shooting across the room. Not all of the adults were that pleased with what they referred to as children being there
Suddenly the whole room fell deathly quiet. Jack's head whipped around to find the black robed figure standing a few steps behind the chair. He looked not unlike Jack himself with glowing brown hair and dark eyes. However, Leith was a man of imposing aura and someone no one messed with. It was unknown when he'd been created but he was the oldest of the three leaders in New York. He was imposing and Jack couldn't help but gulp.
"My brethren," he pulled back his hood to reveal a travel-tired face. He looked young but his face still showed age. He took tired steps forward and one vampire moved to pull back his chair for him. Leith nodded and the other man sank back into his chair. He put a hand on Jack's shoulder and Jack couldn't help but stiffen.
"There will be time for talk," He said solemnly, "Draven, I don't know what you were thinking bringing the children. Go to bed all of you."
Jack was terribly glad to get up and leave but everyone else began to complain and the entire group had stopped by the time they reached the next room. The door was still open and he could hear Leith addressing the group.
"We shall get down to business in an hour or so. I must gather my sources, and check for any last minute changes in the news. I've been traveling for a few days so I think I may find something to eat." He lowered his voice, "And I think it may be best to postpone this until the children go to sleep. Everyone knows they'll find some way to listen."
Laughter rang through the room of adults.
"Now those of you who know I need your help, why don't you head to my study, I'll be there momentarily. Start working. I just need to find something to eat."
As several rose from their chairs Jack made a beeline for the stairs. Maybe if he could get away fast enough Leith would go hunting instead of calling upon him.
"Jack," the voice echoed flatly through the room and all of the teens froze. Several looked at either Jack or Leith, and Jack could feel the man's eyes land on him. The imposing figure walked toward him and Jack could have sworn was there too quickly to have walked. An iron grip came down on the back of his neck and he almost winced.
"Come to my room, will you?" Leith said.
Only the few who really paid attention or cared would see that as not a question but the order it was.
Leith released Jack and Jack followed him dejectedly up a flight of stairs and into his room. As the door to the room closed with a click that seemed rather final Jack began to inwardly shake.
"You look well," Leith commented.
"Thank you," Jack replied, "You look horrible."
"Do the others your age take that tone with you?"
"All the time, Leith."
"Good." As if hearing his name had flicked a switch. He moved so that he could see Jack and Jack noticed the two canine teeth poised for feeding.
"Must we?"
"Take off your shirt and lay down on the bed, Jack?"
Jack took several steps backward very quickly, only stopping when he hit one of the solid wooden dressers. He was outwardly shaking by now; you would have had to be blind not to see it. "Leith, please don't…" he begged. Normally the action was below him but being Leith's dinner wasn't his idea of a good night.
The old vampire sighed, "Jack…" His voice held warning.
Jack gulped. Leith could make this a very painful experience if he wanted to, and if he had to force Jack to obey him it would be even worse. Yes, Jack wanted dominance over some other vampire victim, just not when Leith was doing that same thing to him. It had been almost half a century since the last time this had happened and the pain was still fresh in Jack's mind.
"Please," Jack begged again.
"Jack, now."
It was a very final warning. Jack reluctantly began to undo the buttons on his shirt, though his fingers shook so much that it was difficult to undo them. Older hands pushed his away and undid the buttons for him. Jack reluctantly pulled the shirt off and tossed it onto a nearby chair before climbing onto the bed. He lay on his back and focused his eyes on the ceiling. He let out a groan of recognition as Leith touched the carving on the left side of his chest. It was some kind of rune or ancient symbol, and Leith added another line to it every time he fed off Jack, starting way back the night Jack had died. Tonight would be number seventeen for markings on him and Jack felt that Leith would be there for a while and he could expect more.
"It's necessary," Leith hissed, examining his artwork, which stretched from Jack's chest to his shoulder. His hand on Jack's shoulder sent a shock through him that calmed his shivering.
"Then why won't you tell me what it means?" Jack asked.
"I've told you before," the elder hissed, "but Jack, you must learn to listen at the right times."
Without another word he brought a hand to part of the design and dug a sharp nail into the skin of Jack's chest, at the same time releasing the hold he had that kept Jack from feeling pain. Jack sucked in a deep breath and winced. He bit his lip hard enough to draw blood but would not cry out.
The line Leith drew across his skin was small, but deep and painful. He brought his mouth to the cut and began to feed off of it. He was there for only a moment before pulling away and letting blood seep out of the wound.
Jack's gaze remained focused on the ceiling as Leith prolonged the wait for more pain. He drew a cold hand over Jack's chest and stomach, as though he were trying to buy time. Jack shuddered as cold hands touched his chest and the fresh cut.
"I'm going to be giving you information tonight Jack," he spoke slowly and deliberately, as though weighing each word. "As I eat you will get information from me. The other elders may not see it as an important step for the younger vampires to know what is going on but I do. If I give you this information Jack I know very well the others of this line will know by midday tomorrow, and by nightfall it will be spreading through the other clans."
"Why are you telling me this?" Jack gasped. Even by merely touching him the older vampire drew away his strength.
"Because I want you to know what that you're supposed to tell them." He removed his hand. "And I suppose because I'll be here for a while. Months perhaps. I'm going to need to feed off you more often, Jack; I'm not so fond of hunting around here. I warn you Jack it's going to be painful and draining tonight. Draven is accompanying Combat in going hunting. They'll leave something here for you." He maneuvered Jack's chin to look directly at him, "Do you understand?"
Jack couldn't have lied to prolong his tortures start if he'd wanted to. "Yes sir." His breath came out raspy and tired.
"Relax," was the next word that came out of Leith's mouth.
Ha, Jack thought, easier said than done. As usual though, at Leith's order he found all the muscles in his tensed body relaxing and he took a deep breath as Leith's hand slid behind the back of his neck and pulled upward, baring his neck from many angles.
Leith's fangs felt like daggers and burned as they penetrated the skin of Jack's throat. Jack let out a loud scream that was undoubtedly not enough to get through the soundproof walls. He struggled but after so many years knew it was useless. The pain made him arch his back and try to get away. It was worse than he had ever remembered it being. His blood was draining and he felt like something were flooding into his mind and pushing all his thoughts out of the way. The swirling mass of his mind made him want to die rather than being where he was right now. As the pain began to lessen he knew he was loosing consciousness but did not bother trying to fight it.
Leith continued to drink as the body he held went limp on the mattress. He drank until he felt strength return to his body and gave enough blood back to keep Jack alive until the others brought him food. He dropped one of the heavy blankets over the boy and left the room to meet his fellow brethren downstairs. He shot a quick glare at the few straggling teenager he saw awake in the halls.
"To bed with you," he snapped.
Combat begrudgingly released the young woman from his hold and left through the back door to the hotel bar. Draven and the others were waiting for him outside. Combat could understand why he had brought Cora; he was her sire as well, but Dice, well Dice wasn't always someone you wanted around.
Draven began to walk back through the mapped alleyways, looking for something. They all knew what it was, but it was late and no one wanted to bring the subject up.
"We should bring back something for Jack and Leith," Draven said.
"You're right," Cora agreed easily with her elder, "Leith didn't look that good before we left."
"Big Fucking Deal!" Dice broke in. "We all know Leith was up there sucking most of the life out of Jack so can we please, please, just find the freak a passed out crack whore on the sidewalk and get back."
Leave it to Dice to be that blunt.
Draven patted the girl on the shoulder and spoke to all of them. "Well you heard the lady, let's get to work."
Combat was about to mutter something about 'what lady' when Cora pulled him down an opposite path to look. It wasn't too long before they stumbled across a girl sprawled out across the brick and dirt.
Combat leaned down and checked her neck for bite marks, as they were not on their own territory and felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked at Cora and followed her eyes to the end of the alley. There stood two boys, both tall and lanky, but also most definitely vampires. On had a length of shocking blonde hair and the other spiked brown. Both looked slightly imposing. This was definitely their territory.
The brunette looked as though he were going to speak but then changed his mind and the two turned tail and left. Combat glanced back to see Draven and Dice had come up behind them. Though it was their territory the two vampires had been mere teens like himself, nowhere near a match for a seasoned vampire like Draven.
Draven seemed not to notice them. "Good," he said scooping up the girl and throwing her over his shoulder. Without another word they started back across the city to their territory.
It wasn't long before they'd reached the bar and made their way inside and back into the common room area. Leith was at the door of his study and called for Draven to join them. Draven passed the girl to Combat and nodded toward the stairs as though Combat should know what to do.
"Make sure to tie her to the chair in case she wakes up," was all he said before striding into the study. The door was slammed shut and the three of them were left standing there in the middle of the room.
"Go to bed," Combat told the other two, "I'll take care of this."
The three of them climbed the stairs and parted at the top; the girls going one way and Combat another. He somehow managed to open the door to Leith's room and unceremoniously dropped the girl into the chair Leith had left next to the bed. He tied her arms and legs to it using the supplied cords and focused only on his task as hand.
When he was finally done the girl was no closer to awakening than Jack was. Combat turned and gazed at his friend. Just seeing him made Combat shiver. Jack's skin had gone from its usual glistening tan to a very pasty white that even made Combat question if his friend were still alive. The only thing that relieved his worries was the blood seeping from a fresh scratch that joined the others on Jack's chest. That scar earned Jack respect, though Combat knew it must be painful. He really wondered about Leith's coming back now. Now that he'd nearly drained Jack's entire life. Whatever it was they were talking about downstairs it had to be big.
Jack woke several hours later. Without looking around he could tell it was near dawn, if not after. It was a sixth sense he had even though there were no windows in Leith's room. All else he knew was that he needed to feed. His hunger was pulling at everything, not even allowing him to recognize his surroundings or think about what had happened the previous night. That was when he heard it. There was a slight groaning from the other side of the bed. He rolled and found a barely awake girl lounging in the chair next to his bed.
"Hey maaannn…" she drawled, "Got anything you wanna share…"
Jack didn't even have to see the scars on her arms or powder to know she was a drug addict. That stood out though he didn't particularly care at the moment.
With a questionable strength he stood and moved to her, violently ripping her head backward and biting hard into her neck. She screamed. In fact she screamed a hell of a lot, and her screaming was fucking loud. But that made no difference. Leith's room was made to be soundproof.
When there was no more blood to be taken he dropped her body to the ground and stretched his aching muscles. As much as he wanted to go back to sleep he couldn't quite then. Using bandages from the bathroom he wrapped his shoulder to cover the new scar and rubbed at the aching holes in his throat. There was nothing he could do for those; they would hurt until they healed fully.
Another growl escaped him as the previous night hit him like a ton of bricks. Along with it came the information Leith had given him. He understood quickly what Leith wanted him to do and who to tell.
But screw him, Leith could wait, Jack was exhausted. He crawled back into the bed and pulled the blanket over his shivering body, promptly falling back asleep.
A/N: Very disappointing reviews for the last chapter, only two. I love you Froggers and Sinhe. You're my favorites. I hope you guys like this chapter better. And Shade you adored this one right? So you better review it. I like the evil!Jack I'm creating, though I'm still not one hundred percent sure where I'm going with this entire storyline. Again, Shaders, you need to get online and brainstorm with me.
Well, I guess I hope you guys liked this chapter better than the last one. Don't worry, I'm not offended if you didn't review, I wasn't that partial to it myself. But I will be very offended if you don't review this chapter because I wrote it on a sugar high and I love it.
-Review Me!-
~Hotshot~~~