Hmm so I'm coming up short on reviews and it creates less steam for me to continue. I have lots planned for this series but it will only happen if people are actually reading and reviewing. Please let me know what you think!
Baron turns his attention away from the petite hostess and turns back to his men. The goal of his glare was to detour her from him for his own benefit. The fear of growing a liking to a mortal made him ill. Everything ached and he felt like he had just suffered a severe ass kicking. Earths hours must have been getting to him more than he anticipated.
"So what has she heard?" he asks Cardinal who still had the blood stained shirt of the hostess on. The smell of her blood inside her body was intoxicating enough; it was even more enticing in the open. He didn't know how Cardinal could tolerate it.
"Not a lot!" River says with a grin before Cardinal could reply. Baron rolls his turquoise eyes to the roof.
"You didn't have to wait for my permission to inform her. Now we're wasting more time." He says irritably. He would willingly die for any of his brothers but at the moment they peeved him with there impertinence. He had hoped the difficult conversation of their true nature would have been handled before he returned. The idea of revealing his true identity of being a Vampire to her seemed inappropriate and unappealing.
"Well you're here now, so let's get this over with." Cardinal says carelessly. He seemed either unaware or disinterested in Barons discomfort which irked the hulky vampire even more. Cardinal seemed indifferent when being placed in a situation with mortals while the others stayed rather apathetic. Was he the only one feeling disgruntled?
"Can someone please tell me what is going? This whole conversation you're all having while pretending I'm not here is disarming." A tiny voice with irritation says. A few of the men look to the girl and she shrinks into her seat while managing to keep up her stare.
"Look Rose; what we have to tell you will probably sound imaginary but it's necessary that you heed our words." River says, stepping up to the plate. When circumstance called, River could act very mature and resembled a born leader. The only problem was he liked to focus more on getting women under him than taking charge. It was a dear waste of passion.
"I really don't care to who informs me, just so long as I can leave before dawn." She says with uncertain eyes.
Baron clears his throat while the others look sympathetic. They would most likely come out of this situation with this woman hating them. Vampire or no it was still a travesty to pull her away from her life and none felt too comfortable with the idea.
"You won't be going home tonight Rose." Baron says in a deep voice. All of the steam she held previously seemed to deflate from that one statement. She showed great fear for him suddenly and it threw him off balance. Early on she was a spit fire and now she was acting like a frighten puppy who was accidentally stepped on. Weakness and fear; two qualities he didn't hold in high regard. Still, the idea of her thinking he would put her in harms way bruised his ego. He was gentle to woman; mortal or supernatural it didn't matter.
"But why?" she whispers. He prayed she didn't start crying right here. Hysterical women were something he felt discomfort around. It would be up to Cardinal to console if the worst happened. The other brothers felt much the same when it came to a sobbing woman; their patience would grow thin and eventually a box of tissue would be throw the woman's way before a curt farewell was bid from the brother.
"Earlier, you told me about your special problem. What you think is a disability isn't anything of the sort. You're quite important to us Rose." River explains.
"How do you mean? Am I like…a mutant or something?" she says with some disgust while a disgruntled look takes to her face.
Tristan snorts at the table. She glares his way in which he replies as a challenge with a frosted look making her turn away. Tristan's two favorite things were killing and frightening women. It was his pleasure and he got off on it like a good snort of cocaine.
"You are gifted but you just haven't discovered your powers yet. We can help you there." Cardinal says offering.
"How can you help? Do you have the same problem as me?" she asks with a small frown while crossing and uncrossing her legs with anxiety.
"Not exactly. We're special too but in a different way." River says brushing off the subject.
"It is irrelevant for the time being what we are. This is about you; are you going to agree or not." Baron barks. She looks at him with keen interest at his sour attitude. He continues to look at her as a parasite in his life.
"I don't think I want to have powers. You're right River, this does sound imaginary and I would like to leave now." She says standing.
"That's just not an options for you sweet pea." Tristan patronizes while walking over.
A cold sweat forms over her body while she looks to the large group of men. Each one stronger than the last and as vindictive as they come. They seem to close in around her and bolting to the door seemed like an unviable option at this point.
"How can you prove to me this is real?" she asks in a shaky voice. Evidently she had judged her circumstance to be useless.
"Well for starters; we didn't save you tonight. You saved yourself before we got there." Cardinal puts in from behind.
"How did I do that?" she says crossing her arms in disbelief.
"Your blood is toxic to Demons. By the time Baron and I arrived, he was clutching his throat while girdling on your blood." Cardinal indicates to his throat while explaining.
"Did you really just say a Demon?" she says exasperated. She couldn't believe the words coming from their mouths. It felt like she was placed in a farce or gag TV at least.
"Let's just take her back to Max." Tristan says annoyed while shooting her a look.
"Who's Max?" she asks concerned. No one bothers to spare an answer for her.
"Kane, just do it." Baron says talking to the Red headed man. He approaches her and she was uncertain of what he was going to do. He stands very close to her; right in her personal space and leans into her ear. She doesn't understand the words uttered but suddenly she feels very sleepy and soon her eyes close.
Kane catches her and holds her steady. "I put a simple sleep spell on her. It should wear off in a few hours. Let's go back already, and someone take her from me, I refuse to carry her all that way." Kane says while trying to pass her off to another brother.
River rolls his eyes in annoyance. "Fine I'll take her, you immature pricks." River takes her from Kane and swings her over his shoulder which earns a look from Baron.
"Hey, you could have offered." River says with a head shake. He looked like Tarzan while carrying her in a brutish way like she was Jane.
"Why would I want to do that?" Baron scoffs. River would do anything to handle a woman so it wasn't unnatural. Still, he felt uneasy and something else unexplainable towards his comrade when seeing Rose in his arms instead of his own. He frowns at his own insolent thoughts.
"I'll check out of the hotel. I guess the rest of you will go on without me." Tristan says to break away from the group. He was still acting under bazaar circumstances; even on Vampire levels. Tristan had weird enough habits as it was. He would rather see a woman in fright before him than smile. God help the poor women who would attempt to run from him. He had a sick enjoyment out of people's attempts to elude him. It was a grotesque way to behave and yet he felt nothing wrong in his perverted nature.
"Still being a loner I see." River comments while walking to the door. "Wouldn't he rather have sex than kill someone?" River goes on while snorting at his own words.
The others ignore the dribble coming from Rover's mouth while leaving the hotel room. The easiest way to shift back to their world was from the roof tops. Baron skulks behind River while watching Rose's sleeping face. Her dark hair hung across her features in messy waves and would sway back and forth with every step in his comrade's arms. She was shorter without her heels and everything else about her was equally tiny. Her scent was driving him up the walls while his brothers seemed immune to it's spellbind. There must have been a reason behind his weakness and he would look up on it when they returned.
"So what do you think tight ass will say once we return?" River asks the others.
"Who Sterling? I had almost forgotten his absence until you brought it up. He was probably kept busy with the Casino." Cardinal says with a shrug.
"You worry about what he does too much." Baron says to River.
"Nah, I just think he needs to be kept in line like the rest of us. We're all equals here and I get sick of his pompous attitude quick." River says, opening the door to the roof.
"Watch her head." Baron scolds, when River almost raps her head of the stair banister.
River pauses to turn. "Are you sure you don't want to take her?" he says with a raised brow.
"No, I'm perfectly well off." Baron says irked.
"Then I don't want to hear your complaining." River says in a snooty way while returning to the stairs. River kept to his candor attitude often and was a champion at annoying people. He was a nice face but after awhile even women grew tired of his antics.
Baron seethes while watching River walk away. Cardinal pats his shoulder. "Easy Baron, he's just messing with you."
"Exactly and it's infuriating. No wonder Sterling disapproves of his behavior often times." Baron combs an angry hand through his light brown locks.
"You are agreeing with Sterling? Did you hit your head?" Cardinal jokes while walking past Baron.
True he and Sterling did not get along well even at the best of times, but the man was reliable and silent; something Baron needed more of right now.
He continues the rest of the way and meets at the top of the roof. The night was wearing thin as the sky was growing lighter. Little stars burned bright in the navy blue horizon and the city was still active with cars. Kane is the last to join them while they prepare to leave.
"When do you think we'll see Tristan again?" Cardinal points out.
"Let him do what he wants. I'm not going to lose sleep over his problems." Baron says disinterested in his comrade's behavior.
"Let's get going than. My arm's getting tired from all the weight." River says sarcastically. Baron glares once more and River finally stays silent.
The feeling starts again; the dark chill that rattles the bones and burns the muscles as they prepare to shift. Baron wasn't entirely sure the effects the shift would have on Rose but he hoped because of her Light Bearer blood that she would fair well in the journey. Materializing was always a different feeling the first time.
His dark lashes rest on top of his cheeks as his eyes close. If he had a heart, this would be the part were it pounded in adrenaline. All that was left was a hollow organ that did not beat. He often marveled at the humans when he would walk too near and would get the jolt and sounds of a beating heart. Sometimes he would feel envious but than really it was all very silly to wish for something as simple as a beating heart was it not? A beautiful and melancholy thought. Humans always portrayed the heart as the symbol of love and peace; he could only speculate what that was like.
The maelstrom of force hits him back into coherence and the rushing feeling of leaving earth collides into his very being. His body feels like it is being contorted into a very tight space as times speeds by. In a matter of seconds he lands onto his feet, looking up at the bright lights of the Crimson. The lights were on inside and peoples laughter could be heard along with the clatter of drinks and shuffling of cards. The others land coincide with him and all look to each other once for reassurance before going back to their establishment.
Baron pushes through the gold doors and shoves through the crowd, wasting no time in the drunkard atmosphere. Sterling is surprisingly no where to be seen but he had no time to ponder that now. He pulls out his card key and unlocks the back room with the others following.
River drops Rose none too lightly on the red, velvet sofa while looking satisfied with his job. Everyone else unloads their gear on the table.
"Someone should inform Max." Cardinal says looking around.
"Not until she is awake. You know he would be ticked if we brought him here for no conversation between her." Baron instructs while covering her with his large jacket.
"Than what now Boss?" River says kicking back nonchalant in a chair.
"Go out and do what you normally would. No sense in pretending otherwise." Baron says blatantly. He sometimes envied Rivers calm demeanor though even River had skeletons in the closet; way back and he did everything to forget. It made Baron stop and think before ever lashing out at his comrade. Baron was guilt free unlike River and it was comforting.
"Sweet, I'll look for Prince Charming in the process. Anyone else notice his absence in there?" River remarks while creating a jibe about Sterling.
"It was noted on my part but I have more pressing matters to attend right now than Sterling's mood." Baron replies rudely.
"Alright well if I don't find him then I'll most likely harass some helpless female." He jokes before correcting his suit and taking off out to the Casino.
"Unless I am of any use here, I will retire to my research." Cardinal says to Baron.
"What could you possibly have to research now?" Baron asks with a cynical brow.
"I'll try to find out more on our dear little friends power." He says gesturing to Rose before dispatching in a black puff of smoke. The only smell left behind is of a sulfuric powder from the jump made by Cardinal.
Kane looks to the girl once before leaving the room without a word. Baron heaves a sigh once alone. He rubs his face and looks at the sleeping figure of Rose. She was fair skinned in contrast to her dark hair. Her lips were a pale tulip color and she had a tiny button nose. She looked very much at peace right now and he hoped he would not be the one to disturb it. Feeling anxious, he decides to leave the room for a shower in his room while she slept. If Kane was correct, they still had a time before she would awaken once more and the questions would begin.
Rose moans in stiffness. She was having the deepest sleep of her life and it was a shame to come out from it. She could tell from the awkward position of her legs that she was curled up on a sofa. Her neck was craned against a hard arm of the couch and she was covered in some make shift blanket. Peering her eyes in a dim lighted room she could make out that it was a mans jacket. Her mind felt blank and she pondered where she was. She gasps while shooting up and remembering the group of men in the hotel room. The red haired one had approached her and she blacked out after that. They had been coming up with some nonsense of her being special. She let's out a scoff while sitting up and running a hand through her head.
Sensing another presence with her she looks up and around the room. It was gothic style with crimson walls and velvet furniture. The table and chairs where of sturdy chestnut where a man is sitting while playing with a deck of cards. He had dark, combed back hair that was cut just above his neck. He had an old fashion pinstripe suit with a red bow tie, looking very aristocratic. An air of confidence hung about him while he had a stoic expression plastered on his face. She tried to think back if his face had been present in the hotel but he had not so she thought of him as a new comer.
"Did your mommy not tell you it's rude to stare." He has an accent almost sounding British in his deep baritone vocals. His words held bite as he acted abrasive.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't fully aware someone was with me in here. Wherever here is." She adds as an after thought.
"Poor advisers my comrades make." He says with a condescending chuckle.
"Who are you?" she asks lightly. She combs through her hair while straightening her dress. She felt a little intimidated to be in his presence.
"You must not ask things that do not pertain to you Rose." He says smartly. She watches the lines of his face lift in triumph while he holds back a smirk.
"How is it, everyone knows my name?" she asks more to herself.
"Because you are what the entire fuss is about. A real gem is more like it." He says with a sneer.
She crosses her arms with a scoff. "You don't have to be rude you know. I didn't ask to be special."
"And yet you revel in the idea. Even now I can see the glow of your ego swelling. It must be such a burden to be chased after a group of men." He says with a knowing look to her. She shrinks back from his penetrating stare. His eyes were a lovely shade of sea green with dark black irises.
"Well since they are no good at filling me in, perhaps you'd like the honor to do so." She says with a slight tremble to her voice. He turns away with a smirk.
"And why would I want to do that?" she watches in fascination at his shuffling skills. The cards seemed to float in mid air while he tossed them idly on the table.
"How long were you in here?" she asks curiously.
"I don't see how that is relevant but more than an hour." He says carelessly.
"Than you watched me sleep for that long, you might as well wait a little longer to at least explain things to me. Unless you consider your time to be too valuable?" she says challenging.
"I consider to never wasting time. If you are so set to get information than I suppose I can give it to you, but for a price. Nothing comes free love, especially knowledge." He says with a teasing wink which heats her face up.
"Umm, okay what do you want?" she asks hesitantly while calming her hormones.
"Don't look so aquiver I only want a small fee. Perhaps one drop of your blood?" he inquires.
"My…blood?" she asks uncertain.
"Yes just one harmless drop. Do we have a deal?" he says standing.
"Alright, It's not like I need all of my blood anyways." She says with a shaky laugh while rubbing the back of her neck absently. Man she could use a drink right now.
"You can hurry up now. Your time can be wasted but I have more important things I'd like to get to." He says annoyed while leaning against the large table. He lights a cigarette that illuminates the contour's of his face with the glow of the embers. The room seemed pitch black without it's light.
"What are you?" she asks instantly.
"They didn't even explain the basics to you? How uncommonly cruel." He says clicking his tongue. "What do you think I am?" he says mischievously.
"Well what I am to purpose will sound juvenile but you asked for my blood. I have to assume you're a Vampire." She says with a shrug.
"Are you certain Vampires are real?" he says emotionless.
"Well apparently Demons do, so Vampires must be on that list too. I figure it harmless to guess."
"You make an adequate guess. I am in fact vampiric." He says slyly.
"Do you have fangs?" she asks cryptically.
He snaps them out and she gasps while a frightened look takes hold on her delicate face. They were pearly white and deathly sharp.
He grins while hiding them again. "How I love that look on a woman's face. The instant look of terror and the thoughts that race through your mind at what I might do. I can hear your heart thundering in your chest from here." He says cleverly with a hint of danger.
"What do you do with those?" she asks in a whisper.
"Anything I want to, or anything you'd like me to do." In an instant he is sitting right next to her on the sofa with a confident smirk. "What would you like me to do with you Rose." He whispers while inhaling her scent. He had long snuffed out the cigarette in an ash tray and now his hands were free, only she couldn't make out any details of his face with the embers glow.
She shudders with passion and fear. He was good looking and dangerous; a lethal combination. She felt light headed from the closeness he was creating. He felt like poison and smelt like heaven. A masculine scent that was spicy and musky with the hint of smoke off his jacket.
"Can you tell me where I am?" she whispers again. His hand runs through her hair and down her shoulder to her hand where he caresses her fingers. Each digit he touches feels on fire and leaves tingles in its wake. His hands were pale and smooth like flower petals. She wanted to move but was struck immobile from his lingering gaze and fascinating touch.
"Far from home my love. I'm afraid you may not be returned for quite some time." He stays oblivious to the things he was stirring up inside of her. He was overly confident and obviously had this effect on ever other female. She felt a burning sensation between her thighs as he continued just to play with her hand.
"I can smell your arousal too. It is a sweet thing. I wonder what else you would like me to do?" he says softly. He moves her hand closer to his mouth and her eyes become hooded with lust. The snapping of his fangs can be heard and she feels a prick on her index finger. He holds out a smile vile while collecting a drop of her blood while looking satisfied.
"I figured it would be easier to do the deed this way rather than to tell you were you would be aware of the pain." He says frankly while dropping her hand and corking the vile. She feels a flicker of disappointment. Clearly he liked to play head games and had no interest in her. She opens her eyes and kept her gaze down.
"Thank you kindly Rose. I feel we could become very close." He says with a dark look before rushing out in a flash through the door. She sits stunned on the sofa. Her heart was still pounding long after his departure and she was left unsatisfied and longing. He was a tease who stole her blood she thought bitterly. She was enveloped in a cold sweat and she leans back into the velvet couch with a wry grin on her face as realization donned on her. She hadn't even learnt his name.
Things will start to pick up from here as relationships start to develop. Baron is trying to be tactic by pushing her away but how long can he last? Next chapter she will meet Max while being more introduced to her new found powers. Acceptance may be hard to come by but she will learn. Tell me what you think of the men so far so I can start to plan my others stories after this one! Reviews would be nice!