Part 25: Bloodlust

"Shadow?" Raven knocked on Shadowcobra's door. It was already late in the evening and the Snake Knight was the only one who wasn't up. She felt strange whenever she was with Shadowcobra. At times she was enjoying the time they had together, although she would never admit it, and at other times he annoyed her when he was trying to flirt with her. However, she felt that Shadowcobra would at least open up to her a bit. Sure she never opened up to people, but the others did. It just helped to know that the person you were trusting your life with was at least truthful

With a sigh, she punched in the override codes to open up the door. She then saw Shadowcobra, still in bed. His body was wrapped in his blanket and he was lying on his side. She could only see the back of his head and the hair that matted it. Slowly, she walked up to Shadowcobra. To her surprise, her empathic powers picked something up from the Zodiac Knight. It was fear. He turned to the other side so she now could see his face.

When she got close she saw that Shadowcobra had a pained expression on his face. Beads of sweat were forming and trailing down his pale skin. Raven extended her hand to try and rouse him.

Big mistake.

Shadowcobra eyes slammed open, startling Raven. He then shot his arm out and grabbed Raven by the throat. He then slammed Raven onto the bed. The fingers on his other hands were curled up in a claw. His nails were long and sharp like claws and the hand itself was glowing black. The look in his eyes startled Raven. They were glowing red. His teeth were gritted and she saw fangs.

"Shadow!" Raven rasped, trying to pry his hands off her throat. She continued to struggle, but she was running out of air. "Shadow! Wake Up!" she tried again. It worked.

Shadowcobra slowly let go, the red glow of his eyes disappeared and he shook his head. His eyes blinked in confusion. He then saw Raven on his bed and staring at him. That was when he recalled everything.

"Raven! Did I…? I'm sorry! Did I hurt you? I could've killed you," he apologized.

Raven gasped, inhaling some air before sitting up. This was when she noticed that Shadowcobra didn't have a shirt on. She blushed. She replied, "No. It's my fault, I shouldn't have disturbed you." She got off his bed and went to the door. She turned to face him before exiting, "It's already past 6 pm. You should wake up." She walked out and the door slid close.

Shadowcobra sat there and stared at his hands. He had almost killed Raven.

Shadowcobra was walking up the steps leading to the roof of Titans. His unarmored costume comprised of a full black bodysuit and a black cloak with matching gloves and boots. The collar of the cloak was meant to be pulled up to his nose to cover the lower half of his face. It did have a hood, but he rarely used it.

Like everyday since he began living in the tower, he had gone up to the roof to relax doing what he loved most, gardening.

Shadowcobra had a lovely bush of black, red and white roses, which he planted the second day he moved to the tower. They had grown quite beautifully since he gave them tender loving care. It was strange to see the cold and creepy Shadowcobra to take care of flowers, but not plain Shadowcobra.

He remembered one time when he showed Raven the roses. It was supposed to be their usual meditation session. Shadowcobra showed Raven his own brand of meditation

Flashback.

"And a little snip here and you're done," he instructed as he snipped a branch off his rose bush. Raven was with him.

"I would never consider this a type of meditation Shadow. It just seems a bit unpractical," she said.

"To me, it is meditation. The key to meditation is to calm ones spirit and balance ones emotions. Doing this keeps me calm," he explained. "Here, your turn," Shadowcobra offered, handing her the scissors.

Raven looked skeptically at the small pair of scissors in her hand. With a sigh, she began snipping. Unfortunately, she accidentally snipped off a rose. "Sorry!" she apologized, eyes wide.

Shadowcobra didn't say anything. He simply picked up the rose and placed it in Raven's hair. He stroked his gloved fingers through her lavender hair. "Lovely, the rose really helps bring out the blue in your eyes," she blushed from the compliment.

"At least," he continued, "You didn't burn it to the ground like Draco."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "He burnt down your rose bush?"

"Not exactly. It was actually a bonsai tree I took care of to calm me down. My first meditation plant. One day, Draco had a bad cold and was sneezing everywhere. He released a small fireball that burnt my bonsai tree, turning it into a bon-fire tree."

Raven said, sympathetically, "You must have loved that tree, huh?"

"My mother gave me that tree and I took care of it for 5 years before I met him. After that, I made sure that Draco remains as far away from my plants as humanly possible!" he swore.

"If he ever burns down this rose bush, let me at him first," she said.

"Deal!"

End Flashback.

Shadowcobra opened the door and was surprised to see Starfire sitting on the roof. With shrug, he walked towards his rose bushes and proceeded to water them and snip off the uneven leaves and branches as well as the dead and wilted flowers and rosebuds. As he was spraying some weed killer and insecticide, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Shadow?" it was Starfire

Shadowcobra turned around. "Yes, Starfire?"

"What it is you are doing?"

"Meditating."

Starfire held a confused expression on her face. "But is not meditation when a person sits cross legged and chants?"

Shadowcobra chuckled and shook his head. Starfire was always so clueless and naïve about a lot of things. But, that was what made her so cute and lovable. She acted like his mother, a lot, that it reminded him of her.

"Starfire," he began, "There are a lot of different types of meditation. When I'm with Raven, yes, we do sit together and chant. When I'm alone, I like to do this."

"I see."

"And besides, the Tower is a bit too noisy now. Beast Boy, Pluto, Cyborg and Terra are playing videogames while Robin's in the training room. Jinx had somehow convinced Draco to go with her to one of those dark cafes she likes so much," Shadowcobra said.

"Do you not like videogames or training?"

"Videogames are pointless entertainment devices created by companies to hypnotize and turn people into mindless zombies addicted to their games so they'd buy more," he told her. Starfire laughed. "What?"

"You sound very much like Raven," she smiled.

"Maybe that's why we're a good match," he smiled back at her.

"Friend?"

"Yes?"

"May I try?"

"Try what?"

"Try and do your kind of meditation."

Shadowcobra raised an eyebrow at her, looking at her skeptically. "Very well." He handed her the scissors. "Imagine the dead flowers and uneven leaves and branches as bad memories you want to get rid of while imagining the beautiful roses as the good memories you hold dear," he instructed. "This will help you balance out your emotions and thoughts as well as calm yourself. Understand?"

Starfire nodded. She started snipping, but then saw a pair of dead and wilted white roses. She frowned. "Why do these flowers die?"

Shadowcobra stared at her as if she asked a stupid question. "Everyone and everything dies eventually. You just have to learn to deal with it, that's all."

Starfire reached out with one hand to touch one of the flowers. Suddenly, they came back to life and bloomed, spreading their petals wide. "Oh my…"

"Interesting," Shadowcobra said, sounding impressed. "It seems the flowers favor you," he said, smiling at her. He picked one of the roses and planted it in Starfire's red hair. "Lovely."

Starfire blushed and looked away. She had never noticed how handsome Shadowcobra looked up close without his armor until that day in the mall. "Thank you." She smiled. "I think I like your kind of meditation, friend Shadow."

"I'm glad you did."

Starfire then hugged him tight. Shadowcobra gladly accepted until he felt a crunch in his spine.

"Starfire…" he struggled, "Choking…not breathing…"

Suddenly, Shadowcobra saw Raven coming up from the stairs. She saw Starfire hugging Shadowcobra and immediately turned around, "I see that you're busy." She then walked back down the stairs.

Raven heard knocking in her room. She sighed as she got off her bed and walked towards the door. She opened it a little bit to reveal Shadowcobra.

"What do you want?" she asked, annoyed.

"I want to know what's wrong," he demanded.

"Nothing," she was about to close the door when Shadowcobra held it open.

"I don't think so," he told her. He then forced the door to open all the way. He walked in, "We need to talk, Little Blackbird," He smirked as he advanced.

Raven was backing away from his. She didn't like the look in his eyes. "Stay back!" she held up her hands, "I'm warning you!"

"And what will you do, Little Blackbird? Throw me into a wall? Hm? Send me into another dimension?" he mocked. "Try it and you'll regret it and enjoy it as much as I will," he grinned

"You asked for it! Azerath Metrion-"

"Yamikage!" He shouted and five black tentacles of shadow energy rose up and surrounded Raven, neutralizing her powers. "Forget I can neutralize powers, Raven? Please say you do, because I would like to show you how," he smirked evilly. He waved his hand and sent Raven flying back, right on her bed.

Not good! She thought panicking. She felt the mattress shift and saw Shadowcobra crawling towards her. Really not good.

He was on top of her. She struggled, but could not break free. He snickered, "Struggle all you want, little Blackbird, but it won't be any use," he laughed, revealing his fangs for the first time.

VAMPIRE! Her mind screamed.

Shadowcobra chuckled, removing his cloak, his eyes glowing red with lust, "You are quite right, Raven," he admitted, obviously he heard her thought. "At least, half right," he placed his mouth near her ear, "I'm hungry Raven," he purred, nibbling on her ear. She moaned, though a bit muffled. His mouth was close to her neck. She shut her eyes. Minutes later, nothing happened, she opened her eyes to see Shadowcobra clutching his skull.

"UGH!" he screamed, "AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Throwing himself off her bed. His shadow tentacles left her and she could feel her powers returning. She turned to glare at Shadowcobra then froze at what she saw.

He was screaming bloody murder, rolling on the ground, clutching his skull. The color of his eyes shifted from red to blue, over and over again. The mark on his forehead flashed violently. It seemed as if he was struggling.

"No! I won't hurt Raven! I won't feed!" he yelled, eyes blue.

"You have no choice!" he screamed again, eyes glowing red. Raven then realized that she wasn't the only one with a demon inside her. Shadowcobra was more alike to her then she realized.

She then, slowly, approached the raving mad half vampire and threw her arms around him in an embrace. He struggled, going wild. She tightened her grip, "Shadow," she coaxed, "Calm down, please."

He then relaxed in her arms. She looked down to see that he had a scared expression on his face and was sweating profusely. He looked into her eyes, then looked away in shame. She let go of him and he helped her up.

He then ran out of her room, phasing right through the door. Raven decided that she needed to follow him.

On the roof, Shadowcobra was looking over the city. Actually, he was looking at his hands. He had almost killed Raven and only because of a fit of vampiric rage. He was only able to control himself before he did the unthinkable. Meditation was the key to keep the urges at bay, but for how long? One day he may attack Terra, Jinx, Starfire or Raven.

He could never fathom hurting either of them. Starfire was like a sister to him and Raven…He placed his hand on his chest…He was slowly falling in love again. The reason the urges were coming back was only because of that particular emotion.

Love.

"I could never love anyone, being what I am," he said sadly.

"Being what?" Raven asked, walking towards him. He turned around to look at her, but instead averted his eyes from her.

"A half vampire," he answered, sadly.

"So it was true," she said.

"What?"

"I always sensed there was something about you that was off. It wasn't the whole look it was that…"

"I have a monster in me waiting to feed and commit murder for blood?" he continued, "You were right." He turned away, "I don't belong here."

Raven sighed, "You're not the only one," she walked up to him. "It's okay."

"Raven, I almost killed you, twice, in the same day. How is it that it can be okay?"

"Because I know what you're going through," she admitted, sadly, "You're not the only one with a darker half."

"Everyone has one," he told her, "But mine is darker." He placed a hand to his heart, "Deep inside, I'm a monster that would do anything to taste fresh blood. I did everything to curb it; blood packs in my room, meditation. That all only left it at bay, not totally annihilated the urges."

"I have a darker half too," she told him. Raven admitted, "I'm a half demon."

Shadowcobra turned to stare at her, not totally shocked by her confession, "Why do I feel this is going to be a lecture about me acting like an idiot."

"Because you are!" she shouted. "I meditate everyday to control my abilities and powers. Do you see me crying about it? No. I continue to live no matter what I am."

"And you say I should too?" he shook his head, "Raven, a half vampire like myself doesn't belong with humans. One day, I may betray, or worse, kill you all." Tears fell from his eyes, "I don't want that…I don't want to lose anyone anymore," he whispered.

She took his arm, "Let's go back in the Tower."

"Are you going to tell the others? Not even Pluto and Draco know what I am," Shadowcobra told her.

"You haven't told them?" Raven looked at him incredulously.

"Being a half vampire is not exactly something you can bring up in normal conversation," he laughed bitterly.

"Living here is anything but normal. It wasn't easy telling my friends, either, but sooner or later they'd find out."

"Please Raven," he begged her, "No one else must need to know."

"I have to tell them something."

"Please, don't tell them. Promise me," he begged her again.

Raven sighed, "Fine. I won't but they would need to know if anything happens."

"I would never have it any other way," he smiled.

"Now come on before I drag your unconscious body in," she pulled at his arm.

"As you wish, little Blackbird," he smiled at her. And maybe I'll be able to tell her more of myself, and vice versa.

Raven surrounded the both of them in her soul self and teleported to her room.

"Raven?" he questioned.

Raven reached up to the clasp of her cloak and removed it, allowing her cloak to fall down her shoulders until it was around her ankles. Shadowcobra stared at her perfect curves and struggled to breath. His heart was beating fast. What was she doing?

"You need blood? Right?" she asked, walking slowly towards him. He nodded. She placed her hand to his cheek. "Take mine," she offered.

"Wh-what?" he questioned, shocked by her offer.

"You said it yourself you need fresh blood to control yourself. Take mine. I doubt anyone else in the Tower would be in their right mind to do it."

"Are you sure?" he asked. She nodded. "Very well." He swept her off her feet and cradled her in my arms. "Let's get comfortable." He slowly walked towards her bed, carrying her in his arms. He laid her over the covers before he crawled on top of her. He leaned down, his lips to her ear. "Forgive me." He opened his mouth to reveal his sharp fangs.

"Will this hurt?" she asked, slightly frightened.

"Only a little." He pressed his fangs to her neck, causing her to gasp. He then bit down, piercing the skin and drawing blood.

Raven moaned in pain. But the pain went away only to be replaced by intense pleasure. She moaned as he slowly drank her blood. Her blood was sweet and Shadowcobra had to use all his willpower as not to drain her dry. His hands moved up and down her curves as he continued to drink.

After a few short seconds, he was done. He licked the wound close. Raven was panting with beads of sweat forming on her face. He bent down and licked the sweat away. He whispered, "You are very sweet, my little Blackbird. Yes…" he hissed.

"That was…unbelievable," she managed to say as she struggled to sit up.

"Hush now. Rest…" he told her. Raven's eyes slowly closed and she lay back on the bed. He placed her cloak over her like a blanket.

"Sleep, rest," he gave her a little squeeze and kissed her forehead before leaving her room.

To be continued…