Such kind reviews I got last chapter! Thank you to all of those people as well as the new readers who added this to their alerts/favorites list. The story is starting to pick up more now and we learn more about the characters.
Sterling holds the tiny glass vile in the light of his room with a look of utter satisfaction. Her small drop of blood sloshed around in the bottom while staining the glass a light red. The naïve girl was very easy to play; almost more than your average mortal. Of course, Sterling knew she was much more than that. While reading over old texts from Cardinals study, he had come across an interesting piece about supers and the effects of their blood. He was curious to what power she held within. He had no interest in the war brewing between worlds and held even less interest in this supposed savior found in a small hostess. Still, she could prove valuable to him and he may keep on good terms with her yet. Deciding on his next move, he sits at the desk in his bedroom and starts to go over readings about Light Bearers.
Rose stares around the dark room for another countless time. Her legs swung ahead of her carelessly on the velvet sofa where she had yet to move. She was afraid her legs would be too weak since she was feeling aquiver. Her bones felt as strong as jello at the moment and it was painful just to raise an arm. She felt like a prisoner and she still hadn't found out her location. The sly devil or she should say vampire, had come and gone for what seemed like minutes. She could still smell his scent and felt his lingering presence next to her on the sofa where he had sat short hours ago. A small whisper in the back of her mind hoped he would return but clearly he used her just for her blood.
Not that she was getting any closer to believing in this vampire nonsense anyways. His fangs had looked so real and felt like knifes on her index finger. She studied the broken skin of the pad on her digit. There was barely a trace to show he had been guilty of anything. Smoke and mirrors Rose, is what she kept telling herself.
Looking around the room once more, she admires the old fashion décor. The maroon velvet lined cherry wood chairs around the table looked pricy and welcoming. The small crystal chandelier was set on low while the light reflected off the crimson colored walls. It was stuff you would see in really expensive home magazines. The type of thing she could never afford, not even in her dreams. Every so often she would detect laughter coming from the oak door that she suspected, lead to an upstairs.
Starting to feel antsy, she makes the decision to stand and walk to the door. She grips the arm of the sofa and puts all of her weight on her feet. She stands with shaky uncertainty and her first step sends her to the floor. She braces herself with her hands to sit up on the cold floor. She felt like an infant again though her pride kept her from crawling. She huffs with annoyance. What was wrong with her? Had they done something to her in her sleep? She had not eaten in their presence so maybe it was by injections. But than when she first sat up from sleep she felt fine, it was the after effects of waiting that started to take hold. Not wanting to be seen as a slob on the floor, she decides to attempt walking again incase someone decided to return, though the event seemed unlikely. It took huge strain but she managed to get back on her feet, making herself short of breath in the process. She looks down at her feet while lifting it slowly off the ground in a small step. The progress was slow going but she had all the time in the world. The door seemed like an abyss away when she finally reached it.
The handle was dark iron and much to her dismay, locked. She scowls while pulling at it. Did these people always want to lock her in a room? At least she had the company of River last time. She thought he was funny and slightly missed his juvenile sense of humor and boyish charms. She was positive he turned many heads but she had not once felt attracted to his exterior; maybe in a friend way but nothing more.
Losing interest in the door, she looks around for another escape or at the very least a form of entertainment. A cart that was holding glass bottles looked promising. Perhaps they held something to drink, she was parched and anything would do; even alcohol to relieve her stress. Letting go of the door, she makes quicker steps to the cart while feeling her strength regenerating. She grabs the cold metal of the cart while looking over the contents of the bottles; it looked like wine. The glasses were crystal stemware; something her mother had never approved of. Heaving a shrug, she decides to pour a glass; thinking it harmless to at least help herself. They were holding her captive after all and they wouldn't miss the absent liquid.
She is careful not to spill while watching the red liquid drip into her glass. She puts the glass stopper back on the bottle and holds back the glass to her lips. The taste is bitter and salty on her tongue and she spits the contents from her mouth while choking back the disgusting bile, threatening to spill over. It was the farthest thing from wine in those bottles. She drops the crystal glass to a shattering wood floor while wiping her mouth in disgust. She had let blood enter her mouth and it made her ill. Were they really vampires, or was this more trickery to add to the farce.
She shrieks when she feels an arm on her shoulder. Turning around in a flash, she meets the eyes of Cardinal.
"Oh, I guess I should have announced my presence. Sorry for frightening you Rose." He says sincerely. He studies the spilt liquid on the ground and the broken crystal on the hardwood.
"It's alright, I was just looking for something to drink." She says, slightly irked from being snuck up on. She rests her hand on her beating heart. He had changed his clothes since their last meeting. He was in black slacks and a green silk shirt fitting loose on his firm frame.
"I see you tried some of River's stash. It was not to your liking evidently." He teases and she scowls.
"No that's gross." She says in a huff.
"You're probably wondering why we have blood here." He starts.
"Actually no. You're vampires after all."
He looks stunned to hear her say this. "Who told you?" he asks speechless.
She contemplates on telling him about the dark stranger. Maybe he would know who it was, but than maybe she didn't want to know the truth. She decides against asking.
"I guessed. You have blood here and you had told me Demons exist." She says nonchalant.
"An educated guess. You must have an active imagination to guess such an unrealistic event to occur." He says skeptically. He knew she was lying but he was too damn polite to say so.
"Can you tell me where I am? I haven't guessed that far." She says, genuinely curious.
He seems torn to tell her. "I'm afraid I cannot. But do not fret; all of your questions will be answered. The others will arrive soon and you and Max can have a talk."
"Who is Max? Can you at least tell me that so I don't make an ass of myself." She says annoyed.
"All I can say is that he is Prime Minister."
"Prime Minister of where?"
He shakes his head, keeping silent earning an eye roll from her.
"How are you feeling?" he asks softly.
She eyes him curiously. "I felt horrible earlier. Did you do something to me?"
"Heavens no! It was just…a long journey here and we worried for your condition."
"My condition? Are you a doctor or something? I remembered you bandaged my wound." She says touching the same spot subconsciously.
"Yes I am. It is my passion to work with medicine." He says earnestly.
"I bet you've been to medical school more than once." She jokes.
"Actually I have. Your world's technology moves so fast and every few years I pop back to catch up."
She feels bashful for making a joke about his endless age. Of course, this was assuming Vampires really do live forever.
He was about to ask her something else but pauses with his mouth agape when the door opens. It was Bus God or rather Baron returned from what looks like a refreshing shower. She could smell his masculine soap and his hair looked slightly wet at the tips. She longed for a shower to clean her matted hair. She runs a comb through the tresses with her fingers. He looms her way and she feels like hiding behind Cardinal.
"You are awake." He says bluntly.
"Yep, as awake as I'll ever be." She says with a nervous chuckle; her light attempt at humor.
He raises a critical brow while Cardinal spares a harmless smile her way.
"Cardinal, go get Max. He can decide what to do with her." Baron instructs to his friend.
He nods before turning to Rose. "You'll be fine here Rose." He says comfortingly before materializing in a puff of black smoke. She didn't feel as much comfort as she had hoped from his words. The way Baron talked about Max dealing with her sounded bad for her.
She backs away from the sulfuric smell of the cloud. Baron eyes her with some interest. She looked well rested though slightly peaky. Her hair was wild and she looked more like a pixie than a Light Bearer at the moment. She looked frail in the dark light before him. She seemed to look everywhere but at him and he was irked by her fear; almost offended.
"You may have a seat here." He says pulling out a chair at the table while offering a hand gesture.
"Umm alright." she says while pattering over with short, ridged steps. She plays with her hands nervously while looking at her feet the whole way over.
He rolls his eyes behind his dark frames. He grips the wood of the chair so hard in grasp, he thought it would snap. She eyes him quickly once before placing herself in the chair. He walks around to settle himself across form her. Max would take the head of the table. He was certain it would be a short meeting and only him, Rose and Max would be present. When he sits in the chair he pulls off his shades in respect for Max. It looked rude to look upon your leader with nothing but your own eyes.
"Had Cardinal informed you of any else?" he asks in his deep vocals. She looked stunned that he was addressing her.
"Well, not really. I would like to know where I am but no one will answer me." She says slightly peeved though her tiny face in a frown was more cute than terrifying.
He gives a deep chuckle. "And I see you fixed yourself a drink."
She turns red from embarrassment. He can hear her heart race pick up as she looks down at the table. "You Vampires don't have real food?" she asks in a whisper.
He takes her in with a new light. So she had discovered the truth and yet she hadn't tried to bolt. Not that she could go anywhere but her resolve was admirable.
"We don't require the same energy as your kind." He replies.
"How will I survive here?" she asks in wonder.
"We can make an exception just for you." He says passively.
"Wow, thanks." She mutters with a slight sneer. He couldn't understand her stand offish behavior. She was quick to talk with River and Cardinal. He wondered if he would even want to answer her after awhile. Making conversation was not a harmless act after all. It leads to connections and he wanted nothing from her.
A black puff returns in the centre of the room and Max returns while fixing his golden hair behind his ear. His suit was black including the dress shirt underneath. He had a red carnation placed delicately on his lapel while his shoes shined from a new coat of polish. He first looks to Baron than Rose. He gives a toothy grin when seeing her.
"My dear, it is a blessing just to be in your presence." He says approaching her. He takes her hand and places a chaste kiss on her knuckles. The act baffles her and she looked stunned when her hand is returned. She studies her own skin with fascination.
"I'm sure you are not accustomed to such a chivalric way to greet someone, but as you know old habits die hard." He says with a shrug before sitting.
"You must be Max." she concludes while meeting his eyes.
"Ah so you've heard of me." He grins slyly.
"You look like a Max." she says with a graceful smile.
"It is the first time I have ever heard that. Your smile warms my cold heart like rays of the sun used too. You most certainly are a Light Bearer."
"A…what did you call me?" she asks with a raised brow.
Max spares a quick look to Baron before continuing. "Such a tragedy. You do not even know how special you are. My dear you have the power to be capable of wondrous things."
"You are a Light Bearer Rose. We are asking for your help." Baron puts in impatiently. Max was always the type to beat around the bush, making people uncomfortable in the process.
Max frowns at Baron darkly before completely ignoring him. "You must forgive my friends insolence but he does not take into consideration, others emotions. I'm sure you are curious to what a Light Bearer is, are you not?"
"If it applies to me than of course I am curious." She remarks as if it were obvious.
"Cardinal tells me that your blood almost killed a Demon." Max states.
"It's true, I was there." Baron tells her.
"Well than I guess that's true. But what does that prove?" she asks crossing her arms.
"Your blood is toxic to their kind. You can also see when another supernatural enters your world."
She thinks back to her killer migraines and the flashes of light. Could it really have to do with what they are explaining now? This was the second time she heard the expression "your world." Where was she than?
"I can tell by the look on your face, that I'm right. But you can do more than just see flashes in the sky. I propose the idea that we help you along with your gifts." Max offers.
"In exchange for what? I know nothing is free." She fires back cleverly.
Max squints his eyes in annoyance. "Clever girl. In return I ask for your allegiance and help if we should face war."
"A war; against who exactly?"
"Against the Demons of course. They too were looking for you. It was no mere coincidence that they too found you." Max points out.
"But I…I'm just Rose. I don't think I'm capable at what you ask." She answer hesitantly in disbelief.
"That is your feeble human mind talking. You have to put aside the impossible to create the possible." Baron instructs.
"Do I have your complete devotion Rose? I am a busy man and I can't afford to wait all night for your decision." Max says impatiently.
"I suppose, I mean I'll try my best." She says cryptically.
"Than I must ask you to sign this." He holds out his hand and a gold scroll appears in his hand in a flash. He hands it to her along with a flashy pen.
"Is this a contract?" she scrutinizes.
"Unfortunately yes. I am a business man after all and I like to protect my investments. Just one tiny signature to ensure your cause in the war is all I need."
"Very well Prime Minister." She says snidely. There was too much writing for her to read it all. She felt hesitant to sign, but if she didn't there was no promise they'd let her leave. Baron seems passive to the idea while Max drums his fingers on the cherry wood.
"Can I have one promise made to me in return before I sign?" she asks first.
Max lolls his head to the side. "I suppose that is fair. Name your price Miss."
"If the impending war does happen and I help you come out victorious, I wish to be returned safely to my home."
"A fair deal. Alright I accept to your terms." He says with a stoic nod. She quickly pens down her name on the gold paper before it vanishes is the air. She felt like Ariel in the Little Mermaid when she signed away her voice for human legs.
"I look forward to watching your progress Rose. Until I return, I hope you have a wonderful stay. Baron I trust you can look after her from here." He says turning to the blue eyed vampire.
"Of course Sir. All of her needs will be met and her progress will be ensured." Baron says submissively. It was strange to watch the large man bow down to the other. Max talked to him like a lesser being and it seemed insulting.
Max gives a crooked grin before reaching for Rose's hand again. "Farewell Darling." He leaves another chaste kiss on her hand before materializing. The smell of the sulfur would take some getting used to. She scrunches her nose in disgust.
Baron sighs to himself. He was certain the Light Bearer would be Maxes problem from here. How very like him to dump the problem on the brothers. As if they didn't do enough for him already with what using their bootlegging money for his elections and other social events.
He looks to the girl who is staring at him with curiosity. She looked like a deer in the headlights with her large doe eyes.
"I suppose I will find you a room upstairs. You can come with me but stay close. The others will be attracted to your scent." He says walking to the door.
She gives a blank stare. "My scent?"
"Your blood Rose. Vampires can drink you dry without being poisoned. That trick only works on Demons unfortunately for you."
"Oh." She says shocked while scuttling to her feet to follow him. She wasn't too fond of his bluntness but she supposed it was to be expected. He holds the door for her as she ducks under his arm with ease. The staircase was spiraled and leads up to another door.
"What is through there?" she asks when hearing the large crowd.
"This is a casino owned by River. We reside in the rooms on the top floor. It's almost like an extravagant hotel, only the patrons are all vampires." He informs while keeping his gaze ahead.
"Oh I see. Can you tell me where I am now?" she says while trying to catch a glimpse of his blue eyes behind his once again shaded eyes.
"Not until we find you a room. I'm certain you have many questions but I want to get you through the crowd before we draw too much attention."
She nods while staying silent. With every step, her heart pounded harder. She was nervous to what awaited her behind the door along with the answers to her questions. They stop at the closed door and Baron reaches for the handle.
Her senses are bombarded with laughter, card games, smoke, alcohol and lights. A jazz record is playing its heart out on a needle record in the corner. There was a bar with a waiter in a red and white pinstripe shirt serving drinks. It looked like alcohol but other glasses held red liquid to which she could venture a guess as to what it was. It felt like she was in Vegas only everyone looked like they came off a Milan run way. Never had she seen so many beautiful people packed into one room. She catches River's white hair instantly and he sends her a smile when parading over with two women hanging off his arms.
"So you're staying with us awhile longer?" he asks with a grin. Half of his shirt buttons were undone and he looked disheveled. His hair was messy from having women run their fingers through it and he had lip stick marks over his collar.
"I guess so. You look loosened up." She notes.
"Yep the night is young and I have yet to wreak more havoc." He says with a grin. "You two should stop and play a few rounds of craps. I bet I'd win a ton if I let you blew on my dice."
The two women glare her way before Baron steps in front of her. "Actually I still have more to explain, maybe later." Baron says gruffly.
River raises a comical brow. "If you say so, just don't hog the savior for too long. See you later Rose." He says before he walks away with the two women falling over him.
"Is he always like that?" Rose asks up to Baron.
"Pretty much." Baron huffs before grabbing her arm and dragging her through the sea of people. Many of the women ogle him but he tends to ignore them. She could never be as pretty as them and she sighs slightly, feeling amateur against the crowd.
They reach a brass elevator in a hallway that is many absent of people. She stands next to him while he drops her arm. He had a rouge grip and she had to hold back from rubbing her sore arm. The door of the elevator dings open and she steps in next to him.
The floor of the elevator was a white marble with a black pattern. Apparently River must have saved up money a lot of years to open up this fancy place. She had never traveled much with her parents, except to Disney land once but the hotel looked nothing like this. The room had been Aladdin themed and the beds looked like magic carpets.
She studies the light up buttons on the elevator wall before Baron presses the one leading to the tenth floor.
"So, will I have a chance to talk to the others again?" she asks.
He looks to her quickly. "I suppose, why do you ask?"
"Well it's nice to have company and I sort of got alone well with Cardinal and River."
Baron twitches his nose once but doesn't answer. Was he too not good company to have? Women would get in line to spend one minute with him and she was already brushing him off. He tabs his foot in irritation. He keeps his hands poised behind his back while silently seething.
The elevator halts at the top floor and the doors reveal a carpeted hallway. There were few doors to enter and he leads her down the hall and to the left. Room 10D was where he was taking her. He inserts a card key before the light on the lock changes to green. She goes into the room first where the lights turn on automatically.
It was a large living area; bigger than her apartment by a long shot. The kitchen was white and completely finished while the floor was hard wood. A Persian rug lay in the centre with a coffee table and flat screen television mounted on the wall. The sofa was a dark printed fabric with two round cushions on each arm. She longed to see out the window but the thick shades were drawn shut.
"This is lovely." She comments.
"It is my room but I won't be needing it for a time so you can stay here until I find more suitable accommodations. The bedroom is down the hall attached with an ensuite." He says stoically.
"I appreciate your generosity." She prances over to the couch before plopping down. She taps her bare feet on the rug while looking around innocently.
"I will return shortly, for I have some things I have to do first. You may have a shower to freshen up but don't leave this room." He says sternly.
"I can't look around the hall even?" she asks.
"No, stay put and I mean it Rose. I had not planned on looking after you for this long but the circumstances have changed and I'm forced to cooperate with them. Do not answer the door either. I have my key and I can let myself back in." he says before turning swiftly to leave. He slams the door with great force that knocks a picture off the wall.
"Jeez someone's grumpy." She mutters. She did not like how he treated her as a child to look after. She didn't want to burden him and she hoped she could find someone else to look after her here.
Sighing, she stands and walks over to the large set of curtains. The fabric was thick cotton with gold draw strings. She pulls them apart and peers outside. It was nighttime and the only thing outside was a parking lot filled with old style cars from the twenty's era. A road let away from the casino out passed a forest. From there her vision couldn't see any further.
She closes the drapes and walks back into the room. The surroundings hadn't given her any clue as to her whereabouts and she felt distraught again. He had told her the shower was free and it sounded like an inviting idea. Warm water would be enough to pull her out of the slump she was in.
The hallway to the bedroom was short and she found a linen closet filled with towels. The bedroom she stepped into was a dark chamber that looked medieval. The bed was a dark oak four poster bed; easily kind size and it looked to fit a very large person. The sheets were a dark silk beneath an earth green comforter. There was a large chifferobe that likely held an extravagant wardrobe. A set of armchairs were placed next to a chesterfield by a fireplace. It would look cozy if it was lit but she didn't want to bother with that now. There were no other personal affects to give her more insight on Baron unfortunately. He was an ignorant brute but she was also curious to learn more about him. Most likely things he would never openly share.
The ensuite attached to the bedroom was tiled with roman beige. A large claw foot tube sat against one wall while a stand up shower was across from it. The porcelain of the tub was egg shell white with gold taps and encrusted feet on the floor. The counter had two bowl sinks with decretive soaps that smelled of lilac. She decided to snoop around under the sink in the cupboard. Only more towels and soaps could be found. She went through the different types of shampoo and found one that didn't smell too masculine. She places her new towels on the closed toilet seat while peeling off her worn out dress. Her skivvies are next to hit the floor and she was uncertain of what to put on after. She was certain Baron could share one of his expensive shirts and if not it would be funny to engage in his reaction.
She takes a careful step onto the checker tile before closing the glass door of the shower. It didn't take long for the water to heat up and fog out the bathroom. She wasn't sure why but she felt oddly calm about the whole ordeal. Maybe it would take time to sink in. She worried about Donatello back in her apartment. He needed to be fed and her family and co-workers would be concerned about her disappearance. Maybe the vampires had taken care of that problem already.
After spending a whole hour in the shower the water starts to freeze and she turns the taps off while steeping out into the bathroom while grabbing for her towel. The mirror was still fogged up so she wipes away the steam to see her new reflection. Her face was clean again though rather pale from the stress. Her hair was no longer matted but she had no styling tools to use so she'd have to go natural for now.
She goes back into Barons sleeping quarters and opens his wardrobe for a shirt. They were all so beautiful that she was almost jealous of his clothes over hers. She picks out a black silk one while putting back on her discarded underwear. The bra was uncomfortable so she keeps her skin bear underneath. Hopefully they had a mall near where she could get some clothes. Maybe something similar to the garments they all seemed to don here. She folds the towel in her lap while using the other one to dry her hair. It was already starting to turn wavy. She had no lotion or deodorant here and Baron had nothing of the sort stowed anywhere either.
There was a knock at the door and she pauses. Baron had told her not to answer. Another knock comes again and she bites her nail in contemplation. She hated to leave a door unanswered and she doubted any danger would come from checking. She walks through the apartment in the overgrown shirt to answer the door. Thank heavens Baron was so tall; the shirt went way past her thighs and the sleeves had to be rolled up to her elbows. The wood of the door pounds when she arrives and she looks at the knob deciding what to do. It could possibly be River come to talk or even Cardinal and the thought seem relieving. She reaches for the handle slowly and pulls back the door. She jumps from a start at what she sees.
Another cliffy to keep you guessing at who or what is at the door. I hope more people are taking the time to read this, I have so much planned and I truly enjoy writing for these characters. Leave a review please!