(A/N: Disclaimer; I do not own any characters created by the imagination of Anne Rice. I only own those I have created from my own thoughts and imagination.
Secondly, I do not own Evenescence, or any of their songs.)
Reine drove down the various roads, watching the life of the night rush past her in a slight blur. Even after so many years of living in the darkness, it still amazed her how beautiful the night could be, even in the city. She had loved seeing the stars above her, and the city lights ahead; they created a very beautiful setting for a world secretly coated in vampires and human deaths. One would think, being human, Reine would despise the thought of her own kind being drained of their life source in order to be the life source of a vampire. But the truth of the matter was that she found her own "kind" to be rather ignorant of the things that went on around them. They were too concerned about their own lives that they didn't worry about the world around them. So in a sense, she felt that they deserved what came to them; harsh, yes, but being raised around vampires can do that to a person.
It wasn't long before the sleek black car slowed before a parking lot that led to a very active club. Her car turned into the area, and instead of parking where the clubbers were, she pulled around to a gated area, reserved for personnel and VVIP's; very very important people. Reine counted for both, so clearly she was allowed to park where she pleased. Some wondered what made Reine so important in a club such as this, but to those who knew of it's secret, it was quite clear. The man who owned the club, wasn't a man at all; he was a vampire. Harlen was a man who knew how to run a business and saw the opportunity in a club. Certainly the money was a perk to his business, but that's not why he created such a place.
Harlen's club attracted the slums of the city; drunks, sluts, whores, perverts, the like…And while that might have been bad for most clubs, it was good for his in the fact that vampires could find easy prey. All of his employees were vampires as well, from the bartenders, to the waitresses, the bouncers, the valet, the cleaning crew…all except for Reine. However, Reine was more of an entertainer than an actual worker, and refused to be paid for what she loved doing. Even though Harlen offered time and time again, in respect of what her father had down for the vampire community over the years, she respectfully declined, and only asked that she receive free drinks and they would be considered even. Thus, the two became good friends, and he allowed her to perform whenever she wished.
Reine slower got out of the car, sliding a black bag out with her, before locking the door and closing it lightly. She smiled to the bouncer at the gate, and made her way around towards the front where a multitude of humans and vampires alike waited to gain entry. However, instead of taking a place in line, like most people would, she proudly walked passed all of them towards the bouncer at the front. She thought it was funny that the bouncer looked very stereotypical for being a bouncer, but not for being a vampire, but at any rate, he was a nice man. And as Reine walked up to him, she could hear a variety of groans at the fact that they have to wait in line, while she got to skip ahead to the front. The bouncer shook his head, "You do know you can enter through the back right?"
Reine smiled at him with a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Where's the fun in that?" He laughed at her for a moment, before lifting the rope and letting her into the club, thus causing more groans and curse words to fly from the line of people. She merely smirked at them, and made her way inside, where the music seemed to pulse through the very ground she walked on. She glanced around, easily pinpointing who was vampire, and who was not, and carefully maneuvering her way through the tightly packed crowd of moving bodies.
Reine could see the stares of vampires, longing to sink their teeth into her skin (but knowing they never could) as she walked by, and she tried to keep her distance from them as much as possible. What didn't help her situation where the stares of hungry men in her direction as well. She could never see why any male would want to waste their time on a troublesome girl such as herself, but she had come to realize that most men were out to fulfill their carnal desires, and had to be avoided as much as possible. It was no secret that Reine knew how to protect herself, but she would rather not experience attempted rape while she was out living her life. In retrospect she was glad there were vampires about in the room. She knew a good hand full of them, and she knew they would come to the rescue if things took a turn for the worst.
Just as her thoughts stopped, a male put his hand on her shoulder, stopping her from walking further. She turned to him and ripped herself from his grasp. He didn't seem fazed by it as he smiled optimistically. Reine was really not in the mood, but apparently he couldn't tell that feature on her face, for his eyes were scanning the frame of her body. "Damn, baby…How would you like to spend your night with me?" Reine's face contorted in disgust as she took a step back, holding her bag behind her so he could not grab it to keep her near him. "Why don't you try to find an easy drunk girl…I'm not available to assholes like you." Being an egotistical male, he didn't like her answer, and he tried to grab at her again. Reine quickly grabbed his wrist and twirled about his form, and before he could even comprehend what was happening, Reine ug her knee into the small of his back. Immediately the male fell to the floor, and Reine twisted his wrist to the point before breaking it. A howl of pain was barely noticed as Reine twisted his wrist ever so slightly.
Leaning in ever so slightly, she spoke to him in a demanding manner. "Alright, listen to me you sick fuck. No, means no, and if I ever catch you even looking at me, I will rip your eyeballs from your face and shove them down your throat. GOT IT?" The man whimpered a yes beneath her, before she gave him a harsh twist before letting him go. She didn't even have time to adjust her blouse before the male scampered out of the club, pushing anyone and everyone out of his way. Feeling very proud of her impression on him, Reine picked up her bag, which had fallen to the ground in her moment of anger, and continued on her way to the back of the club.
The halls were painted a deep red, and there was only a minimal amount of light that shined along it. There were several doors leading to VIP rooms, which was basically code for "feeding rooms", but the room she was looking for was for performers. It seemed to take forever for her to reach the room of her destination, but that was only because of the multiple turns she had to take to get there. She hated having to travel so far back, but it was closest to the stage this way, and that she was grateful for.
She opened the door lightly, closing and locking it behind her. She then placed her bag on the vanity-type counter and opened it to reveal her "costume" for the night. Using her feet to get her boots off, Reine began to pull out bits and pieces of what she would be wearing, one at a time. She unlaced the corset from her bodice, and slowly she took off her peasant top, before pulling on a top that showed a great deal of her midriff. The top was leather as well, with half inch straps that went over her shoulders. After adding on some gothic styled jewelry, she began to apply some make-up. Reine used dark grey eye shadow to make her eyes pop, before applying some highlights to it, and some dark red lipstick upon her pouty lips. Finally, Reine slipped on another pair of boots that reached up to her knees. The boots had a multitude of straps and buckles, and had wedged heels.
Reine inspected herself in the mirror, and after a moment of seeing if she should add anything more to her ensemble of Goth, she put her clothes in a safe place, and made her way towards the stage. She would, of course, wait until they were ready for her to perform, which she was sure wouldn't take long at all. Despite being the daughter of a very powerful vampire, she was actually liked as a performer. The DJ seemed to enjoy her numbers and even had a number of instrumental tracks for when she took the stage and hypnotized the crowd with her dark and entrancing voice.
She bobbed hr head to the music, as she glanced around the club, and at the dancers on the floor in front of the stage. She turned her gaze to the DJ, who happened to notice her presence there. He nodded in her direction, and she mouthed something to him, in which he responded with another nod. Once the song died down, he began to speak. "Fellow Damned, and Not so damned, we have a special event tonight. Be ready for something dark and seductive, and try to keep your carnal pleasures to yourself." He smirked as the lights died out suddenly, and the music started dark and slow.
With a microphone in hand (one which was put in her hands in the dark, she began to sing.
"Long lost words whisper slowly to meStill can't find what keeps me here…"
A red spot light came upon Reine, casting a dark shadow about her person, as she made her way towards the stage.
"When all this time I've been so hollow insideI know you're still there.."
She climbed the stairs of the stage and walked to the center of the stage, briskly, er head pointed downward. Suddenly, the lights shoot up, and Reine began to dance.
"Watching me, wanting meI can feel you pull me down.."
Reine's hand rolled in a fluid motion, moving down to her hips, which moved in time with the music.
"Fearing you, loving youI won't let you pull me down…"
Reine dropped to the ground, her right leg kicking out, and her hand holding her weight in front, giving her the appearance of a spider, her eyes glancing darkly out at the crowd, which were dancing wildly to her song."Hunting you, I can smell you - aliveYour heart pounding in my head.."
Slowly, Reine lifted herself from the ground, moving her body in a suggestive way, but in such a way that it left the audience to their imagination."Watching me, wanting meI can feel you pull me downSaving me, raping me, watching me…"
Reine danced faster and faster, her movement becoming move urgent and showing the climax of the song. She twirled, her hand above her head and running through her hair. She continued to dance through the guitar solo, drawing the audience's attention close to her, before she burst back in, the audience joining in the background singing."I won't let you pull me doowwwn."
Reine's hand shot up in the air, her eyes stone cold in the view of the audience, the lights cut out, giving her enough time to flee from the stage, before the lights came back on, followed by an applaud. She smiled, and made her way towards the bar, ready to hydrate herself with some nice alcohol. She sat down on one of the stools, and the vampiric bartender handed her a glass of UV grape vodka. She nodded in thanks, taking a sip of the drink before her.
Even though she knew everyone was watching her, considering she was made the center of attention with her performance, what she didn't realize that specific pair of eyes were watching her intently from afar, trying to pinpoint where he recognized her from. It would help this figure more if he had seen her with less make-up, but it was in his experience that such things hindered the way people really looked. None of it mattered to him though, humans were humans either way. No one was significant, even if they thought they were. But, he still couldn't help but wonder why a human girl was performing in a vampire run club. Being the curious vampire he was, he had to investigate.
The room was still fairly dark, considering it was the theme of clubs such as this, but he easily made his way over to the bar, where the dark beauty sat with something…grape smelling in her grasp. He sat down, quietly, turning towards her slightly. "You are a marvelous singer…who is your teacher?" He figured that was a normal enough way to start a conversation. He didn't really know if she knew of vampires, or not, but it was better not to risk it just yet.
Reine turned in her seat towards the individual who decided to start conversation with her. By the way he spoke, he was not human. Reine had come to learn that vampires had a more seductive and charming tone. A tone that made someone want to fall to pieces on the spot and melt forever more. Yet, it was infested with dark promises never kept, and death hidden in every vowel. None the less, she smiled at him, not seeing his features s well as she would have liked. "Oh, I'm sure you wouldn't know him…He's quite the ancient." That notion alone told the vampire next to her that she was not dumb enough to fall for any of his tricks. Not like he could bite her neck anyhow.
The vampire was really interested in what she had to say now. An ancient teaching a young girl the way of the arts? Who was this girl? Who was she connected with? What made her so damn special? "Ancient? Please, indulge me." He leaned in a little more, trying to keep the persona of a seducer up front to hide his true interest. Reine wasn't falling for it. She chuckled slightly and took another sip of her drink. "His name is…Marius." The vampire next to her leaned back a bit, his hand going to his chin. "Interesting…" Reine turned towards him more fully. "Oh, so you know him?" The vampire chuckled at her and leaned in close to her ear, and out of her line of vision. "He made me."