Chapter Twenty-Three – We Meet Again
"Well? What's your answer?" Ichijou asked nervously, swearing that his heart would skip a beat if it could. He certainly felt like it was pounding. His palms were sweating slightly as he awaited the human's answer and tried not to get his hopes up. John stepped closer to the edge of the flat rooftop and looked out across the grounds. The sky was a deep shade of red from the setting sun and his hands were jammed in his pockets nervously.
"Sorry…I still can't give you an answer." John replied awkwardly, knowing that Ichijou was angry without needing to look. Tonight had been the deadline. He couldn't just say he was indecisive and think that was good enough. "I know…You don't need to say it." The exorcist added before Ichijou could berate him, his heart pounding nervously as he waited for something to happen. Nothing will happen! Ichijou said he wouldn't make the first move this time.
"I see, so you'll continue to toy with me?" Ichijou retorted bitterly. John turned to face the blonde boy with a look of remorse, while the vampire looked across at him reproachfully. The human paused, unsure what he was supposed to say. No? Yes? But he knew neither answer would be good enough. A decision had to be made, and the only course to follow that he could think of was Monk-san's advice. I can't! It's wrong! It's disgusting! But who decided that really? I never used to think that until the bishop…
"I just…need a few minutes." John sighed as he turned his back on Ichijou to continue his internal argument on the rights and wrongs of loving a male vampire. He kicked the edge of the roof lightly, the rhythm helping him to order his thoughts. There would be no problem or conflict if he couldn't go through with it, or if he felt nothing when he did. But I would be willingly kissing a boy…a vampire…
"Why are you looking at me like I'm infectious?" Ichijou demanded as he stepped closer to the human boy, who noticed the blue eyes peering at him over his shoulder. Ichijou was dressed ready for school, his white jacket left lying to one side in the nervous heat. John was wearing a simple white shirt with black trousers, the top few buttons undone to leave his throat on display. Ichijou couldn't help but think the human was toying with him by doing so.
"I didn't mean to! I was just…thinking." John replied awkwardly as he turned away once more, Ichijou sighing as he looked down at the human's feet. He found them far too close to the low walled edge of the rooftop for his liking. Stepping forward, Ichijou reached out to pull him back by the shoulder. Crystal eyes widened as John turned in surprise, his legs tangling.
"John!" Ichijou cried as he reached out with inhuman speed to grab the teen's arm. The exorcist leaned back off balance over the ledge until Ichijou tugged his arm and found the teen in his arms once more. "You need to be more careful." Ichijou chided lightly, knowing he really shouldn't be holding John like this, not until he'd had his answer.
"Ichijou…" John breathed, the vampire's blue eyes widening slightly as the human looked up with determined eyes, his hands reaching up to cup Ichijou's face gently. The vampire waited as John moved closer, their eyes locked together as he did so. John hesitated an inch from Ichijou's lips. Can I close the distance? John wondered, his stomach fluttering as he leaned a little closer, feeling Ichijou's lips just brush his. The vampire's warm breath sent shivers through his human body. I can't do it! John thought as he scrunched his eyes and pulled back, stepping away with a hand over his mouth, his chest heaving as he looked at the door back inside.
"You're running again?" Ichijou asked in annoyance, watching as John's hurried steps faltered. "Coward." He added, surprised as the human whirled round and hurried back, their mouths connecting almost painfully as their teeth clicked. Ichijou put hesitant hands on John's shoulders, easing the human boy back slightly to look at his stunned expression. He'd moved on impulse, not even thinking about it in the moment.
"I'm not a coward." John announced with flushed cheeks as he looked up at Ichijou with embarrassed blue eyes. Ichijou's expression softened at the childish expression. "I want to try it…Properly this time." The exorcist decided, Ichijou making no move to stop him as the human moved closer. He was clearly lost. It had been a while since he'd made a move on anyone. I never really did in the first place…There was determination on his youthful face as he hesitantly reached up to rest his hands on Ichijou's small but strong shoulders, tilting his head to the side slightly as he leaned in.
John closed his eyes as he allowed himself to move forwards, feeling Ichijou's mouth against his, the warm lips making no move of their own. This time John was in complete control, his tongue licking Ichijou's lower lip. The vampire opened his mouth obligingly so that John could deepen the kiss. Ichijou moaned lightly as John pulled him closer, enfolding him in his human arms. His confused emotions washed over Ichijou intimately as they kissed. Finally John pulled back breathlessly, his cheeks flushed as he stared at Ichijou with wide eyes.
"Well?" Ichijou pressed nervously, unsure what the human had been looking for. John was too stunned to speak as he stared at Ichijou as if for the first time. The world seemed to stop in that moment, Ichijou tilting his head endearingly as he waited for John's answer. John's voice stuck in this throat.
"Indeed, do give the boy his answer." A new voice pressed in amusement, John feeling ice trickle up his spine at the sound. He hadn't heard it in over a year, nearly two, but it was the same elegant, finished and precise voice that it had always been. John barely dared to look over his shoulder, already knowing and dreading what he knew was there. His long silver hair billowed over his shoulders in the breeze as he walked forwards, John turning to face him with a burning hatred.
"Farringdon." John hissed, reaching for his waist before remembering that he wasn't wearing his daggers. He didn't have his holy water, or anything else. I'm defenceless! He realised, and he wasn't the only one. Lord Farringdon grinned, though it looked slightly different. The burned skin had healed flawlessly, but it was paler than his natural tone, the splashes from the water still clearly visible.
"Forgetting something?" The pureblood mocked as he stepped forward with his cane, but he made no move to draw it. Ichijou watched as the silver haired vampire's eyes glowed red, the burning orbs shifting to him, drowning him. Restrain this human. Farringdon ordered, a spike of desire burning through Ichijou at those words. He had to obey. It would please the Lord. He must do it without question.
"Ichijou? What are you doing?" John demanded as he felt the blonde vampire grab his left wrist and hold it up, his free arm wrapping around John's torso to pin his other arm and hold him steady. "Ichijou!" John cried as he struggled, catching a glance of the vampire's blank expression as he turned his head. What's wrong with him? Is he enchanted?
"Oh, he can't hear you…That's the thing with being a pureblood. We have a huge influence over…well, just about anyone." Farringdon purred as he stepped closer, stroking John's cheek with his scarred hand and enjoying the cold shiver that ran through the human. He could feel it, even though John tried to hide it. The chilling fear, the absolute terror, at being so close and so defenceless.
"Leave him alone!" John demanded, the pureblood letting a full laugh break free. John's head snapped to the side as the vampire slapped him. He felt fuzzy after that. The strike was much harder than any human hand, almost like a brick hitting the side of his face. His head swam as he screwed his eyes shut and clenched his teeth against the pain.
"You're in no place to make demands…Now…What to do with you…" Farringdon mused as he circled the pair, watching in amusement as John continued to struggle against Ichijou, who was as strong and still as a statue. "I think…I might enjoy you." Farringdon decided finally as he paused in front of John, taking in his horrified expression as he tried to figure out exactly what the vampire meant by enjoy. "I have been so lonely since dear Jemima left me…I hear you found her in fact." He added, John's fear fading to absolute loathing as he tried to head-butt the silver haired noble.
"Bastard!" John cursed as he struggled against Ichijou's hold, forgetting about his own predicament for the moment until Farringdon leaned in and inhaled. A cold hand reached up, stroking his cheek almost lovingly. His head pounded as his body froze, the noble leaning right down beside his ear and breathing him in.
"That's not what you'll be saying once I've taken you." The pureblood purred, his breath hot on John's ear. John's eyes widened as he looked sideways into Farringdon's deep crimson eyes. The noble drew back with a smug expression as he snapped his fingers. "Ichijou, be a dear and turn his head." He ordered, John crying out in alarm as Ichijou pulled his head sideways by the hair, fully exposing his throat to the gloating vampire.
"No…No! Ichijou!" John screamed as he tried to pull away, terror running through his veins like fire as he tried with all of his strength to break free. He hissed as he felt a muscle in his neck pull painfully in the process. Shifting his blue eyes to Ichijou's face he could see a single tear fall, the hand holding John's wrist shaking slightly, enough for John to get loose.
"I don't think so." Farringdon stated, catching John's arm with ease as he stepped forward, running his nose along John's wrist and breathing deeply. "The scent of your blood is truly divine." The older vampire sighed as he leaned in closer, running his tongue over John's throat, enjoying the thrill of fear as he let his fangs press teasingly against the surface of his skin. All movement from John ceased in that moment. "You know what happens once I sink my teeth in…don't you?" He purred, the intake of John's breath enough of an answer.
He wouldn't…would he? John wondered, his blue eyes wide with fear as he looked at the silver head resting on his shoulder. One of his hands held John's wrist while the other tugged at his shirt to reveal more of his pale throat. Farringdon's hot tongue lapped up and down John's neck and shoulder teasingly. Sometimes the fangs would dig in, just enough to make John tremble before he went back to lapping. Farringdon pulled back and looked at John with deep red eyes. Foreplay was over.
"No!" John screamed, letting it fade into a regular cry of agony as Farringdon bit down on his throat, tears streaming down his cheeks as the pureblood drank from him. Along with the pain of his own blood being sucked out came another pain, like ice was being poured into his veins. The area around the bite burned like ice fire. "Kill me! Just kill me!" John screamed, his voice pleading as the pain spread no more than an inch. By the time it had encompassed his whole body he was sure he'd die from the agony.
"Where would the fun in that be?" Farringdon asked with a smile as he stepped back and clicked his fingers. "Sleep." The noble ordered simply. Ichijou immediately released John and fell to the ground with him. John clutched his throat and fell to his side, writhing in agony, screaming for the pain to stop. He didn't care that Farringdon was his enemy, he didn't care that he had killed his wife, he was the only one who could bring John release from the pain.
Farringdon hissed as a high pitched whistle sounded, five small balls of light flying out of nowhere to attack him. They burned him, but not enough to do any real damage. They were like wasps. He swatted them and turned to the source of that power. Lin grunted as an invisible force swatted him into the wall like a fly, his shiki breaking off their attack to shield him protectively as he lost consciousness.
"Get away from him!" An unpleasantly familiar voice ordered, the green light hitting him like a bullet train. Farringdon glared up at the ebony haired boy, rage filling him as he got to his feet and grabbed him by the front of his black shirt before he could fall to his exhausted knees.
"You! How many times do I have to kill you?" Farringdon demanded as he lifted Naru off the ground and looked up at him, seeing confusion in his cobalt blue eyes. He lowered his arm slightly as he got a good look at the boy, almost certain that it was the same one. "I see…A brother!" He stated, almost laughing as he lowered the boy to his feet and pulled him closer.
"You…killed Gene?" Naru demanded weakly, his only support being the vampire holding him up. Farringdon could see the rage in the ebony haired boy's eyes, so different from the surprised fear of his brother. This one was colder, stronger, but still not strong enough. His human body couldn't control or sustain all that power he had.
"I…devoured him." Farringdon purred as he lowered his mouth towards Naru's pale unmarked throat.
"Naru!" A new voice cried, Farringdon watching Naru's blue orbs widen at the sound. Not her! Not now! He pleaded as he shifted his gaze to the open door of the roof to see Mai standing breathless in a pink strap top and white skirt. Her chest was heaving as she looked at the scene with wide eyes, Farringdon's calculating gaze sending a cold shiver through her. "Let him go." She stated, unsure herself whether it was an order or a plea.
"How interesting, love's young dream has arrived." Farringdon stated gleefully as he loosened his grip on Naru slightly. Mai took a hesitant step forward, inching her way closer as the vampire made no move to stop her. Once she was close enough Mai gripped Naru's arm tightly, his blue eyes looking up at her unfocused. His arm reached out to rest on her chest, trying to push her away feebly.
"Run…" He urged weakly, Mai shaking her head tearfully as she continued to grip his arm. Farringdon watched enthralled as she raised those honey eyes to him, slightly red and watery as the tears began to fall. She tried to tug Naru away.
"Please…Let him go." She pleaded, the silver haired vampire smiling charmingly as he obliged and lowered the boy to the ground, watching Mai fall down beside him. "Naru!" She cried as she shook his shoulders, his blue eyes begging her to be anywhere but there.
"I do adore a love story…Very well. If I give you your prince, what will you give me in return?" The pureblood bartered, his red eyes blazing as he looked down at the pure innocent girl. She was so perfectly naïve as she fawned over her fallen prince, so much like a princess in a fairy tale. She looked up at him with determined hazel eyes as she released Naru and got to her feet, squaring her shoulders as she looked up at the silver haired monster.
"Me…You can have me, just don't hurt him." She replied, her body stiffening as Farringdon reached forward and took her in his arms, turning her away so that she was looking down at Naru, who shook his head desperately. He clutched his heart as he tried to sit up, Mai's breaths shivering as she waited. She felt Farringdon's arms wrap around her almost lovingly, his breath hot on her shoulder as he looked down at the horrified ebony haired boy.
"Remember young Davies...This is your fault." He warned, Mai shaking her head at Naru who looked up with helpless blue pools as he watched Farringdon lower his mouth to Mai's throat. He watched Mai close her eyes tightly as he lapped her pale neck, a mixture of pleasure and terror ripping through her at the action. A pitiful small cry broke free as his teeth finally slipped into her neck. She gasped as she leaned back into Farringdon's arms, her hand reaching up to pull him closer, her cheeks slightly flushed at the feeling. Farringdon almost smiled as he devoured her, tempted to finish her off, but that wouldn't be as much fun.
"Mai…" Naru breathed as he looked up at her, barely able to move a muscle from using his powers again so soon. Farringdon was right. He couldn't do anything with his power, not without risking his life. He was weak. He was helpless. He watched Mai writhe in Farringdon's arms, the lord being especially gentle so that his bite didn't hurt, at least not until the venom took hold. Naru watched the gasps turn from pleasure to pain as the venom hit. Farringdon released her and disappeared.
"Mai!" Kaname exclaimed as he caught her and lowered her to the ground, examining her throat almost shamefully. He got to his feet and moved to John, who was a shivering wreck as the venom coursed through his body. The pureblood's jaw tightened as he moved to Ichijou and laid a hand on the unconscious boy's shoulder. "Ichijou…Awaken." He ordered, the blue eyed vampire stirring before lurching across to John and turning him on his back, apologies falling from his lips in a torrent of tears.
"Can you help them?" Naru asked weakly as he forced himself to sit up, reaching across to grip Mai's hand as her body trembled. Whimpers fell from her tightly closed lips almost constantly. Kaname hung his head, trying to contain his rage as he looked at the sins Farringdon had wrought. It was a crime to turn a human involuntarily, and it was a crime to use your powers over another vampire so wrongfully. It was unacceptable.
"I can stabilise them once they've turned…For now we must wait…To survive longer than a few months they will need Farringdon's blood. If they don't drink from him by then they will drop to level E." He added calmly, pity and compassion clear in his eyes as he knelt down beside Mai. "We'll take them to the Moon Dorm…They'll be safer there." He added, Naru nodding mutely as Kaname closed his eyes. Kain and Shiki appeared moments later. One look at the scene told them all that they needed to know.
They followed Kaname's orders as he told them to take John and Mai to the Moon Dorm and confine them to separate rooms with a guard. He would take care of the humans with Ichijou before going to see Cross. It was time to put an end to Lord Farringdon.
