Chapter Eight
Carlisle would really have preferred to avoid the convoluted topic of Edward's transformation for the remainder of the trip and focus solely on the present, but Edward, now rabid with curiosity, refused to leave well enough alone.
"Tell me about my mother!" He prompted at the dinner table.
Carlisle wished that Elizabeth Masen had lived long enough for him to have some idea of what she was like. He wished he had thought to ask her more about her son.
Why oh why couldn't he have met the boy and his mother under happier circumstances?
But, then, he wouldn't have Edward sitting across from him if the situation hadn't been so thoroughly bleak.
"Edward, I don't want to. It will only make you sad again. It was a terrible time."
"Then tell me about me!" Edward, like all young people, was completely egocentric, and perfectly happy to abandon one topic for another so long as it still concerned him.
Hmmm let me see... Carlisle found it hard not to smile at the boy's unabashed enthusiasm. "The first time I saw you, you had just caused an upheaval in my ward. When I arrived, the head nurse informed me of your escapades and told me acidly that I would be unable to miss you as you were certain to be mobile.
"They had transferred you to my care after the previous doctor had given up and the nurses were threatening to tie you to the bed." He added by way of explanation for the nurse's behavior.
"Why?" Edward was genuinely surprised.
"Because you weren't doing what you were supposed to be doing at a hospital - resting in bed like all the others dying!"
Carlisle busied himself buttering a roll (The secret, my Edward, is that the longer you spend playing with the food for your consumption, the less you actually have to consume. Observe how frequently they simply move the substance from one side to the other, leaving a significant portion of it spread around the plate.). Edward paused long enough to marvel at his mentor's ability to keep the bread in one piece; he mangled his bread no sooner than he picked it up.
"What was I doing?" He returned to the more interesting matter at hand.
"Wandering the corridor. Demonstrating your fundamental disregard for protocol and utter inability to sit still!" Carlisle feigned an exasperated sigh. If only I had paid attention to the warning signs...
How tranquil my life would still be!
"You mean 'boring'." Edward corrected automatically. "Why was I sent to your ward?"
"With the hope that I might be able to reason with you. I have a reputation for super human patience, if you will forgive the pun."
"I don't." Forgive the pun. He always told Carlisle his jokes were terrible. "And did I do better with you?"
"I got lucky!" He said caustically. "You were getting weaker with each passing day and couldn't fight back. Much."
"Much?" Edward entreated, hoping he had done something dreadful.
You were still a problem. Sigh. Damnable boy! But he followed the thought with a genuinely loving smile and his eyes and feelings were soft.
"What did we talk about?"
"Mostly, I brought you books to read. We talked some about that. Towards the end, I read to you. You were too tired then to even hold the book..." He trailed off, remembering.
Funny, he didn't feel sad at all, when at the time he had felt certain that his dead heart would break watching Edward's demise. He knew that the sick feeling of panic each time he rushed back to Edward's bed to ascertain if he was still alive had left him on tenterhooks for days before he finally broke down and made the decision to take him. So completely happy was he now, he could not even fathom that emotion.
"What did you read to me?"
Carlisle laughed. "'The Wizard of Oz'. It was the only non-medical text I owned in English!" I read French and Italian novels to you when I brought you home.
"Did I like it?" He couldn't recall it at all and his brow furrowed from the effort of trying to remember.
Edward, you were weak and exhausted and in a lot of pain. I don't think you noticed anything much. Mostly, I think you simply appreciated my attention.
"Why did you like me?" He really was much, much too curious about that and almost immediately wished that he hadn't asked the question.
Well... Carlisle thought for a moment before saying truthfully. "I admired your tenacity, your independence, your commitment to your family and your ideals, your intelligence."
"My body..."
"Probably, but I like to think I was more professional than that!" He chortled, grateful that the pain of Edward's suffering, as well as his own, was long buried and he could reflect on the matter without thoroughly depressing himself.
Edward glowered at his dinner. He was trying to mimic Carlisle's adroit maneuvering of his fork as he shifted food around his plate to avoid having to eat it. Edward's fork was constantly changing shape; the silver simply wasn't strong enough to tolerate his frustration, and he was currently engaged in battle with it, grousing each time he had to straighten it back out.
Carlisle smiled affectionately at him. Give up. Find something that doesn't require utensils.
"Like the human across the way?" Edward gibed sweetly, intending to provoke Carlisle.
Carlisle meant to give him a baleful look, but went rigid with shock as soon as he met the boy's gaze.
The young vampire's eyes were completely black. They hadn't hunted since before they left home, over a week ago.
Edward regretted the comment about the man across the way even before he said it, because no sooner had the words formed in his head than he suddenly found himself unable to think of anything else. The world around him faded silently as all of his six senses fixed on the body mere feet away. He could hear the steady, pleasantly heavy thudding of the man's heart and follow the tranquil flow of his thick, sweet, oxygenated blood as it traveled from his heart down the little red lanes that traversed his body. He was acutely aware of how fleshy the human's throat was, how intoxicating his breath, how soft his muscles! Why, his teeth would slice through them like Carlisle's knife through the butter. He found himself slipping into a fantasy - leaning across the aisle, pulling the man tenderly into his arms, licking his neck, drawing his lips back to expose his razor sharp teeth...
He swallowed hard, twice, in an effort to rid his mouth of the free-flowing venom threatening to drown him as he subconsciously bent his body towards the man.
Carlisle, watching him, drew a sharp breath.
Damnit! Carlisle's careful hand crushed the handle of the knife he was holding, reducing it to a fine powder. How could he have been such an idiot? Edward was still young and volatile, unable to go more than a few days without feeding. Caught up in the heady excitement of passionate love (lust), Carlisle had completely forgotten his mate's much more fundamental, and dangerous, need.
And now they were trapped in the stifling heat of the dining car surrounded by appetizing humans, all mildly inebriated and freshly fed, which only made their aromas all the more delectable.
Carlisle allowed himself three terrifying seconds of sheer panic before assuming mastery of the situation.
Edward! Look at me NOW! His mind was all but shouting.
Edward reluctantly pulled out of his reverie and half-focused on the older vampire. His head was still spinning with bloodlust but he was well accustomed to following Carlisle's commands..
Get up and walk back to the room! I am right behind you. Do not look at anyone! Hold your breath and clutch your stomach as if you are ill.
Do it now, Edward!
With a sigh and manifest reluctance, his mind still contemplating the human that might be his dinner, Edward obeyed, a little more focused when he felt the strong weight of his sire's hand on his back as he stumbled past the ignorant diners to the empty sleeper car. Carlisle swiftly unlocked the door, pushing him through and closing it firmly behind him. The older vampire gave a quick sigh of relief, but they were not out of the thick of it yet. Edward was still very volatile.
Carlisle rapidly removed his jacket and pulled his shirttails from his pants. We won't be able to hunt right now. We can leave the train later, after dark, but you must feed now before you lose control of yourself. I won't be able to stop you if it gets that far.
"No!" Edward hated even considering the idea, knowing how vulnerable it made Carlisle. He looked furtively around the cramped quarters for a way to escape.
We don't have a choice. We waited too long. Come. Carlisle had opened his shirt and held out his arms to him.
Edward backed against the window, shaking his head and keeping his eyes downcast to avoid looking at Carlisle. He felt silly for having even considered the possibility of attacking the man earlier. How weak Carlisle must think him! As if he had not spent the past year-and-a-half surrounded by people and their savory odors. He knew he was strong enough to wait a little bit longer now that he was away from the man with his warm, succulent blood flowing just under the surface of his soft, tantalizing….
A growl broke involuntarily from his lips and he shuddered violently, his eyes rolling to the back of his head.
Edward, now is not the time to worry about me! You must feed before something much worse happens. Carlisle had cornered him and pulled his head towards his bare chest. Edward shook his head stubbornly, unable to back up any further. Yes, Edward, before you lose yourself.
Edward groaned uneasily, smelling Carlisle, feeling him, knowing his blood was so accessible. And having started down that path, he was unable to stop. He felt himself slipping once again from his rational state, moving his mouth closer to the other man's torso, allowing his tongue to run across the surface. He snarled savagely, brusquely shoving Carlisle backwards to the floor with enough force to rattle the walls of the car. He crawled quickly on top of him, pinning him, then running his nose over his side to find just the right spot - where he bit down hard.
Carlisle gasped, panting a bit as Edward's teeth tore through his skin and muscles, sending stinging venom into the open wound where it torched everything in its path. He had to fight hard to pull himself into a sitting position so that he could grasp Edward's head, ready to wrestle him away before he drained him. The younger vampire's newborn strength was not what it had been, but he could still easily overpower Carlisle. If those teeth came anywhere near his throat…
Carlisle tightened his hold on Edward's head, imagining that his extremities were already starting to turn numb. He took several deep breaths to quell the fear and suppress the sensation of pain.
Edward was sucking furiously, ripping the hard muscle that obstructed him, a low, steady rumble in his chest; one hand gripped Carlisle's side while the other continued to push against the man's chest, forcing him further down. His entire body twitched and writhed in the unadulterated ecstasy of feeding. Carlisle didn't need to look down to know the boy was aroused, and struggled to redirect his thoughts so that he could remain coherent and halt the frenzy before he became too weak to fend Edward off.
Edward's pelvis rocked inwards, seeking friction for the swelling between his legs. Carlisle groaned, shifting to free one hand to reach down and touch the boy. Edward instantly responded, arching up into Carlisle's hand. In his overwhelming desire for relief, his mouth released its hold, and his face fell against Carlisle's stomach, his cheek sliding over the wound and smearing blood everywhere. The sight and smell of the blood augmented his arousal; he was completely oblivious to the well-being of his mate trapped under him as he panted and moaned, trying to meld his body to the one trapped under him.
Carlisle cried out, struggling to push the boy's mouth back to the gaping hole in his side (away from his neck!) while his other hand continued its caress. Edward was far too excited to resume feeding, but Carlisle's incessant pressure on his head to force him back to the bleeding site finally succeeded in holding his attention long enough for him to draw a few more mouthfuls of blood before giving himself over entirely to the steady motion of Carlisle's hand on his penis.
He shoved Carlisle down hard so that he was on his back, his mouth again perilously close to the latter's neck. Carlisle flung one hand up to seize Edward by the throat, his only recourse in the event the younger vampire attacked him. He thoroughly regretted his actions now that he was precariously positioned underneath the stronger creature.
Edward was far too fixated on alleviating the pressure in his groin to notice Carlisle's defensive position. He reached down to pull his pants open, clawing at Carlisle's as well.. He sat back, opening Carlisle's legs and moving between them. Vastly relieved by the reduction in proximity from his throat to Edward's snapping teeth, Carlisle lifted his legs and wrapped them around Edward's torso, allowing him easy access. And without further ado, Edward slammed into him, throwing back his head and howling as the pleasure consumed him.
Carlisle grunted a little at the abruptness of the forced entry, but willed his body to relax, allowing his hips to rock against Edward as the latter began to move in and out of him with so much force, Carlisle found it difficult to breathe.
Edward was lost in the waves of ecstasy, in the feeling of Carlisle wrapped around him like a warm, yielding blanket, a sanctuary from the overwhelming intensity of his desires. He thrust harder and harder as he sought his release. Carlisle gave in to the moment, recognizing that Edward's primal focus was entirely elsewhere and that his neck was safe for now. The older man reached down to grasp himself and began hitching into his own fist, marveling at the sensation of being taken.
They continued for what seemed like an interminable length of time, both vampires sharing open mouthed kisses and trading blood and venom as they soaked up the luscious, voluptuous sensations of their rabid coupling and unceasing climax.
It was midnight before the realization that they had other needs came to them.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The two shadows sprang softly across the tops of the cars before gracefully alighting to the ground. They continued to travel alongside the train until they overtook and then quickly passed it, at which time they abruptly turned left and disappeared into the night.
In the morning, they reappeared at their usual table, their eyes now liquid amber, their bodies relaxed and sated.
"Coffee, please." Carlisle said absently to the waiter, smiling across at the boy whose golden eyes burned bright with love for him.