Dark Desires Ch. 14
Driving through her little town, Ruby couldn't help but feel a bit sad that this would be the last time she would be driving through here, at least she thought it would be, but who knows, maybe one day there would be an issue with a vampire that would need to be handled. Chuckling at the thought, a vampire in Lake City, Minnesota.
Stopping at the light, Ruby looked around, it seemed like she was in another world, everyone walking down the street, smiles on their faces, waving as she passed by. While the population was about 5400 or so, the people that lived in town new each other or at least recognized one another.
Making the turn into the high school, Ruby felt a little anxious, while she loved her job, it was no longer something that she could do here, perhaps in a few years, she could consider going back to teaching but that was a thought for another day.
Stepping out, Ruby looked around the campus, at the moment no one but the teachers were here. Moving towards the front office, Ruby could hear the other teachers talking about the upcoming year, what they did for income over the summer, and things of that nature, it really brought a smile to her face knowing that their lives were still so simple.
Walking through the halls was bittersweet for her, it was hard work to becoming a teacher, but more so than helping students realize their full potential, she loved being of service to them, hoping to inspire at least one student to love learning the way she did. She just hoped that she did, but alas she would never really know now.
Walking into her old classroom, Ruby looked around, seeing the desks all lined up and ready to go for the upcoming year, walking passed them she lightly touched the desks, and for the first time since meeting Deacon regretting that she couldn't finish out the year.
Moving towards her desk, she sat down, looking over the classroom, wiping her face, she was surprised that she could even shed a tear. Reaching into her desk, the only thing that was on her desk that was needed was a picture of Julia and her when they went to college together.
Touching the image of her face, "I wish there was something more I could have done for you." Letting out a long sigh, "I would have had you turned if that was what you wanted." Shaking off her emotions, Ruby really needed to get a grip, while she was in decent enough control with her cravings, too much emotion could trigger a more violent response.
Standing up, Ruby walked out, turning one last time and shutting off the light, moving towards the principal's office, she lightly knocked and waited to be let in. Snorting as she heard the conversation between him and his wife, her yelling at him for not cleaning the gutters.
"Come in."
Opening the door, Ruby smiled and took a seat across from him, smiling as his wife started yelling about him being lazy all summer.
"OK, Sweetie, I have someone in my office, I will call you back as soon as I'm done, love you."
Ruby watched as he ended the call and looked up at her, "How was your summer, Dave?" she asked him.
Looking at her, Dave couldn't help but lick his lips, Ruby was always beautiful, but looking at her now as she sat in his office, she had an air of confidence about her that he didn't notice before. "It was good, spend a lot of time cleaning up the house." Giving her another once over, "I'm sorry about Julia." It was the gossip of the whole town, Julia wanted to surprise Ruby but ended up dead.
Closing her eyes, Ruby needed to center herself, "Yeah. Me too." Opening her eyes she found him staring at her chest, resisting the urge to hiss, she cleared her throat, "Look, Dave, after what happened, I realized that life is too short to just stay in Lake City forever," reaching into her satchel, she pulled out other letter of resignation, given that the school year didn't start for another 3 weeks, she felt it was enough time to get a sub in her place. "I'm resigning. I'm going to see the world, after I spread Julia's ashes."
Taking the letter, he carefully opened it, smiling at it. Ruby was always so professional, "Damn, you're the best English teacher that we've ever had, but I get it." Pulling up her information on the computer, he put the everything in, and added the letter to her file. Extending his hand, "If you ever want to come back, I will have something for you."
Gently taking his hand, "Thank you." Standing up, "Have a great school year Dave." With that Ruby walked out of the school, and towards her car. As she shut the door, she let her head drop onto the steering wheel, a wave of sadness hit her, she felt like she was going to hyperventilate.
Ruby took a few minutes to get herself under control, the urge to reach out to Deacon was strong, but she didn't want to wake him for something so silly. Letting out another breath, she started her car, and made her way to the lake, she wanted to make sure that she spread Julia in her favorite spot.
It took a good 20 minutes to get where she was going, but soon she found the trailhead, and parked her car. Normally Ruby would never walk into the woods alone, but she knew that now that she was a vampire, she really didn't have much to worry about.
Taking out the urn, Ruby stepped out of her car, and started down the trail, keeping her eyes and ears in tune with the world around her. While she wasn't afraid of something killing her, she didn't want to get trampled by a moose or anything. It took a good 30 minutes of walking at a normal pace to get to the edge of the lake.
Taking a second, Ruby pulled the top of the urn off, kicking off her shoes and socks, Ruby walked into the cold water, pleasantly surprised that the temperature didn't bother her. Looking down as she wiggled her toes, Ruby couldn't help but smile at it, knowing that if Julia was a vampire like she was, she would have enjoyed this immensely.
Looking over the lake, the sun was starting to set which made the lake look like glass, it was beautiful, and if she ever met her final death, she would want whatever ashes that were able to be collected to spread here.
"Julia, you were my best friend from the moment we met in 9th grade until your untimely murder. I wish there was more I could have done to protect you or change you." Clearing her throat, "I don't know if it mattered, but the man that killed you, I found him, and killed him for you, and if you must know, I don't regret what I've done to get you justice." Ruby wiped her face when another tear slid down. "I wish you could have met Deacon; I'd like to think that you wouldn't have hated him, but who knows, he can be such a dick to people sometimes." Taking a second to center herself, "I promise you this, regardless of if I'm alive for a decade or eternity, I will never turn my back on who I was, I want you to know that."
Lifting the urn to her lips, Ruby placed a kiss on the top, and gently started to pour out the contents into the water, gently swirling the water to make sure that they floated away. Crushing the porcelain urn, Ruby couldn't help but cry, "I love you so much Julia. Perhaps we will see each other again." Taking a few steps back, Ruby sat on a rock watching the sun start it's decent behind the horizon.
Ruby wasn't sure how long she stayed in that spot, but by the time she stood and put on her socks and shoes, the moon was high, and stars were shining brightly down. Running Ruby moved quickly through the forest, her eyes taking in every little thing, from the owls flying through the forest and the coyote's trying to catch a rabbit, it was strangely beautiful.
It didn't take her more than a few minutes to get back to her car, moving towards the trunk, she grabbed the specialized cooler that Deacon gave her, opening it up, she bit into the bag, while the cold blood tasted like crap, it soothed the ache that was starting in her throat. Finishing it up, Ruby locked everything up and started the process to head to her old home, she would give her mother the night and the day tomorrow before she left again, but that was all she could offer her.
Driving towards her childhood home, Ruby was lost in thought, it was the sound of the cellphone ringing that brought her back to the present. Reaching into her bag, Ruby smiled at the caller ID.
"I was just thinking about you." She said.
Deacon smirked, "Of course you were sweetheart, you miss this face and this cock." He teased. "How are you holding up?" he asked, concerned about her wellbeing.
Letting out a sigh, "I had a moment earlier, but I'm OK." Clearing her throat, "I spread Julia's ashes at the lake, and now I'm starting to make my way to the house. How are things in New York?" she asked, curious about her family.
He wished that he was able to go with her, even if he stayed hidden, he was needed here, until their House was officially running, there was so many little bullshit things to do, "I'm glad you were able to do that for your friend." His eyes finding their family watching, knowing that they wanted to check on her, "Things are good, when you get back, we will start discussing how to go through the bitten community and take out those that are abusing their power."
Pulling up into her old driveway, she couldn't help but snort, he really was looking forward to a little bloodshed, "Well, I look forward to being able to help this time." Chuckling when she heard him hiss at the idea, "I'll have to convince you when I'm home."
Growling into the phone, "I'm sure you will. I love you, Ruby." Missing her dearly and hoping that this would be the last time that they would be apart from each other.
Closing her eyes, "I love you too." Her eyes could see her mother's shadow walking from the kitchen back to the living area, "I just pulled up at my old house, let me handle my mother, and promise me when I get back, you'll distract me with amazing sex." Hoping that would lighten the mood.
Chuckling into the phone, "My goddess, I have plans of fucking you into a coma." Smiling at her gasp, "Go, handle the mother, I love you, hurry home."
Smiling into the phone, "I love you too. I'll be back soon." Disconnecting the call, Ruby looked back at the house, doing what she could to mentally prepare herself for the drama that was about to happen, looking in the rearview mirror, "Ruby you are not a child."
Stepping out of the car, Ruby shook off the last bit of nerves and walked up to the porch, while she could have just opened the door and walked in, she didn't let her mother know that she was coming, and she was certain if she scared the woman she'd get shot. Knocking on the door, Ruby could hear her mother huffing as she got out of her chair. Some things never change.
Judy was annoyed, who would be knocking on her door so close to 10 o'clock? She thought to herself. As she approached the door, she looked through the peephole gasping when she saw her daughter. Damn near ripping the door of the hinges, "Jesus Ruby, where have you been? I have demanded you home over a month ago, what took you so long?" she barked out.
Rolling her eyes, "Mother, I was on vacation as you know, I told you I wasn't coming back until I wanted to. You told me that I wasn't welcome in your home unless I followed your rules, and only in the last couple weeks you started to demand me back."
Grabbing her by the wrist, Judy attempted to yank her in the house, but was surprised that Ruby stood still. "You get in this house right now young lady." Dropping her hand and stepping aside.
Feeling her fangs, Ruby took a second to close her eyes, she needed a moment to center herself or she was going to rip her throat out. Stepping inside, Ruby took inventory of everything, things were the same, except for the smell of a man. Looking at the door as her mother shut it, she could see a pair of work boots in the shoe rack. Tilting her head, she could hear her mother's heart, as well as the lull of another. "Mom, who's here?" she asked, pointing to the shoes.
Judy was nervous, of course her daughter would notice something. Swallowing, "Ruby," pointing to the dining room chair, "sit please." Hoping that the next few words out of her mouth were met by an obedient daughter.
Ruby could smell her fear, quickly scanning the house to make sure that there was no one else in the house. Taking another deep breath, making sure that there were no other vampires that have been in the house, but as the smell of her home invaded her nostrils, she only got her mother, the man upstairs, and nothing that seemed out of character.
Moving to sit, her eyes never leaving her mother, "So, I'm sitting. Who is in this house mom?" she asked again, her voice brokering no room for anything other than the truth.
Sitting down across from her, Judy cleared her throat, "Ruby, it's time that you stopped all this silly travelling, and start thinking about your future." Locking her eyes with her daughter, "Kyle Lockhart is sleeping in the guest room, in the morning you'll meet him."
Blinking at her, Ruby heard what she said, but couldn't believe her. Tilting her head back, Ruby couldn't keep herself from laughing out loud, wiping her eyes, "You actually think I'm going to what, meet him, love him, make babies with him?"
Judy slammed her hands on the table, "YOU will do this young lady." Standing up, "It's the least you can do, I am your mother, and I am telling you this is as your mother, you will be nice to that man upstairs." Doing everything she could to stare down her daughter.
Locking eyes with her mother, she could see that she was trying to do what she could to intimidate her, and at one time that would have worked, but that was the old scared, obedient Ruby, but now she was a highly trained vampire mated to an even deadlier vampire. Standing up slowly, Ruby could feel her fangs itching to sink into her neck, but no matter what she said or did, her mother wasn't worth the guilt she would probably feel later.
Moving to stand, Ruby leaned over the table, "Let me be clear, you are no longer in control of who I am or what I do. So, if you promised that man anything, that is on you." Shaking her head, she made a move to leave, but her mother grabbed her hand.
"Ruby, you are being ridiculous." Attempting to pull her hand back, she found herself being pushed back." RUBY!" she yelled.
Instead of moving in to intimidate her like her instinct dictated, Ruby took several steps back, "You can yell and scream all you want, but fuck this, and FUCK you." Turning herself towards the door, Ruby made her way to the door, as she wrapped her hands around the know she heard the vase come flying at her, moving quickly, she turned to see it shatter against the door.
Judy covered her mouth as the vase broke across the door, "If you walk out that door, you're dead to me."
Shaking off the shock that her mother would throw something at her, Ruby could hear someone walking down the stairs, her eyes clocking him. Slender build, brown eyes, 80's porn mustache, and wearing just a pair of boxers.
Kyle looked at the women in the room, he knew Judy, but the sexy little blonde was new. Rubbing his face, "Please tell me that's your kid." He said, his eyes roaming over her in that cute little sundress.
Rolling her eyes, "I am, but I'm leaving." Her eyes finding her mothers, there was nothing more to say to her. Opening the door, she could hear the man moving towards her, she could feel his hand moving towards hers, quickly turning her caught his hand and twisted behind his arm, "I suggest you keep your fucking hands to yourself, or you may find it removed from your body." Shoving him towards the ground, Ruby stepped on the glass, letting it crunch underneath her feet, her eyes boring into him, smirking as she smelled their fear.
Looking up at her mother, she reached into her pocket, and took off her house key, tossing it at her feet. "You and this shithead deserve each other." Turning on her heels Ruby jumped into the car, and turned to leave, as she backed out of the driveway, Ruby drove off heading towards the airport. Her time in Lake City was finished, there would never be any reason for her to want to come back.
Pulling out her phone, she called the cop that Deacon said was on Alexander's payroll in St. Paul, Minnesota.
"Captain Brass."
"Good evening, Captain, I'm Ruby, friend of Alexanders, I was told I could call you if I needed a favor."
Clearing his throat, "Yes, of course, how may I help you, Ruby?" he asked, hoping that it wasn't another body dump.
"I'm leaving Lake City now, about an hour from St. Paul, meet me at the airport. I'll be waiting for you at the private jet terminal. I would suggest bringing a friend."
Disconnecting the call, Ruby drove her car towards the airfield, her mind racing, she knew her mother was always a little whacked in the head, but this was a whole new level of insanity. What if she wasn't a vampire, and that man grabbed her, would she have let her daughter be assaulted by him?
Unfortunately, the only answer that she could come up with was yes. Her mother wanted to control every aspect of her life, and anytime that she even tried to rebel was met with a severe punishment, guilt, and anything else Judy Edwards could think of to keep Ruby under control.
After a while, Ruby just stopped trying, it wasn't worth it in the end. Closing her eyes, she could feel herself wanting to give into the rage, the urge to turn the vehicle around and kill them both was strong, but perhaps that's what she could do, find someone in St. Paul before she flew, someone that she wouldn't feel guilty for killing.
By the time she was at the airfield, she could feel her vampire side coming through more, there would be no hiding it from the men. Putting the car in park, she could see two men standing near a police issued Trailblazer.
Jumping out of the car, she made her way to the men, tossing them the keys, "Brass?" she asked him.
Looking down at the small woman, he swallowed in fear, her eyes were glowing, and her teeth were fully elongated. "Yes. Ruby?"
Nodding to him, "I just left my human home for the last time, make me dead, no body obviously, but I died, don't care how, just do it." Seeing him stiffen, "Then make the obligatory house call, in a day or so."
Looking at his second, sharing a look, turning back to her, "Of course, the river is rather high, and your car veered off the road, you tried to get out, but was swept down river. Does that work?" Hoping to keep her from killing them, but they were Alexander's familiars, she wouldn't dare.
Smelling their fear was almost too tempting, but seeing Alexander's glyph, was enough to keep her from snapping. "Yes, just make it believable."
Moving towards the trunk, she grabbed the blood, and a few things that she needed, but she left her purse, clothes, and anything that would help sell her untimely death. Securing the picture of her and Julia, Ruby rushed onto the plane, putting everything away, by the time she was done and changed into something that she didn't care got a little blood on herself, her car and the cops were gone.
Looking down at the phone, she sent a text to Alexander.
R: I'm in St. Paul, and in desperate need of fresh blood, if I hunt here, will I be stepping on someone's toes?
Alexander was in the middle of a meeting, hearing the phone chime, he looked down smirking at the ID. Chuckling as he read her message, even at her worst she was better than all.
A: No, you'll be fine. Head towards Thomas Dale, it's densely populated with an extremely high crime rate.
He knew that she would never intentionally harm a person that was just walking home.
Looking down, Ruby smiled, grateful that he was pointing towards the crime.
R: Thank you. Have a good evening.
Putting the phone into her pocket, Ruby looked at the pilot, "Get the plane ready, when I get back, we are heading home."
"Yes, ma'am."
Jumping down, Ruby ran as fast as she could, heading towards the lights of the city, getting herself onto the rooftops as soon as she was able to do so. Her eyes scanning the signs, following them towards this Thomas Dale, after another 10 minutes of running, she found herself in the middle of some tiny warzone.
Looking down on the street, it was filthy, people of all kinds looking somewhere between dealers and addicts. The homeless were just bundled up long the alleyway just trying to get some rest, shaking her head, while her urge to kill something was strong, none of these people met the criteria she was looking for, being poor wasn't a crime, it was just a fact of life for some.
Keeping to the rooftops, she watched as a young lady, probably around her age get off the city bus, her shoulders were weighted down from the bags that was on them, Ruby could see that she was just trying to go home. As she was going to move to a different corner, she could see a dark shadow move out of the corner of her eye, and it started to follow the young woman.
Hissing, Ruby watched as the guy started following her, by the way his body was moving, she knew that he was going to hurt her. Jumping across the street, she followed him as he started walking faster to keep in step. Her eyes scanning the woman, who was very aware that someone was following her. Keeping herself still, Ruby watched as the man ran up on her and pulled her into a dark alley, his hand covering her mouth to keep her from screaming.
Peering over the edge, Ruby watched as he pushed her against the wall, hearing him groan as he pushed his body onto hers. He was her victim, but it was his words that he spoke that was going to ensure that his death would be painful.
"You're mine now bitch." He growled into her ear, enjoying how she was crying.
Angela was terrified, she was just getting out of night classes after a long shift at the diner, and now this. She really hated this fucking place, but until she got her degree she was stuck. Closing her eyes, she just hoped if she just let him do whatever, she'd survive.
Ruby scanned and didn't see anyone else in the alley, jumping down she grabbed him by the back of his neck tossing him into building on the other side of the alley. Turning her eyes towards the young woman, who was crouching down, "You need to leave." Not wanting to scare her any further.
Angela slowly stood up, her eyes locked onto the blonde who was standing in between her and her attacker, but as she was ready to run, she saw the guy pull out a gun and point it at her, "WATCH OUT!" she yelled, her finger pointing to the man.
Ruby turned quickly, seeing the gun being pointed at her face, moving faster than he could track she grabbed the hand with gun snapping his arm. Enjoying how he screamed out. Placing her hand over his mouth, Ruby bit down, being mindful not to get splattered with his blood, and drank.
Angela watched as the woman bit the guy, she heard rumors on the street that there were vampires, but seeing it was completely different. Refusing to move, she kept her eyes closed, knowing that the woman was going to kill her too, while she didn't want to die, it was better than being raped. A few tears ran down her face, but not too many people made it out of this neighborhood, why would she be the exception?
Hearing his heart stop, Ruby dropped his body, feeling better now that fresh blood was coursing through her system. Wiping her face, pleased to see that she didn't get any blood on her face, as her body started to come down from the initial high of the blood infusion, she could smell fear and tears, turning her eyes to the young woman curled up, Ruby took a second to think of what she needed to do.
Grabbing the body, she picked it up and tossed it into a dumpster, giving a quick look around she found a bottle of very cheap but potent alcohol, dumping it over the body, she tossed a match in, watching it go up in flames.
Turning her attention towards the young woman, she moved slowly, crouching down, "I know you must be terrified of me, but I'm not going to hurt you." Hoping to God that she didn't emotionally damage the young woman.
Angela turned up her eyes to see the young vampire watching her, "Why?" she asked, more curious than anything.
Giving her a small smile, "Because, I don't like hurting people unless they deserve it." Her eyes turning towards the fire. "We need to go; this will bring too much attention." Standing up, Ruby extended her hand, "Please."
Not knowing what else to do, Angela put her hands in hers, and found herself standing on a rooftop. "OMG." She breathed out, her eyes coming back into focus.
"Sorry." Looking down, she could see that she was a little dizzy, sitting on the ledge Ruby waited for her to catch her breath.
Taking another moment, Angela looked at the women, "It's fine." Peering over the edge, she could see the fire started engulfing the body, "So, what happens to me?" she asked, not wanting to die, but she needed to know what happened to her, while the chances of her leaving this neighborhood were slim, she wanted to take her shot.
Ruby watched her, something in her bones telling her that she wanted more than this life, "What do you want to do?"
Clearing her throat, "You mean, now or for my life?" Hoping that this wasn't some cruel trick.
Smirking at her, "You're cautious, I can appreciate that, but I'm not going to hurt you." Seeing her relax a bit, "If you want to go home, I'll get you there safely."
Angela watched her, being raised in the ghetto and working her way through high school, doing everything she could to keep herself fed, learn, and not become a victim to the streets, but here she was walking home from her class almost raped in an alley. "I want to get out of this shit town, I want a real life, fall in love, you know normal shit that people take for granted."
Folding her arms over her chest, Ruby looked at the young woman, taking a deep breath she couldn't smell an ounce of fear, something inside was telling her that she was going to be important. Moving to stand, "You're smart, I like that." Letting out a sigh, Ruby tilted her head, extending her hand, "Ruby Edwards, Lady of House Vangr."
Looking down at it, Angela looked up into her intensely green eyes, "Angela Phillips."
"Well Angela Phillips of St. Paul Minnesota, I have a suggestion, unless something is holding you here, you could always come to New York with me. I will ensure you get an education, are protected." Hoping that she would consider the option. While she was sure Deacon would freak out a bit, it was her right as a Lady to have a familiar of her choosing.
"What's the catch?" she asked, knowing that nothing in this life is free.
"You swear your loyalty to House Vangr, become a familiar for our house, and if you it's your desire to, earn your place as a vampire." Smirking at her face.
Angela took a second to really think about it, she never knew her father, her mom was dead, no sibling that she of, she was a waitress at a shitty diner, realizing that there was nothing worse than her current situation, Angela took her hand, "OK, but I'm not getting rid of bodies or anything like that."
Tilting her head back, Ruby couldn't help but laugh, "Good to know." Hearing the sirens of the fire department, "Let's getting your shit from your home, and head out of here."
Taking a deep breath, Angela nodded and gave Ruby the instructions to get to her house, one way or another she was either going to love her choice to trust her or she was going to become a meal, but there was only really one way to find out.