Two days passed, during which he managed to barely conceal his irritation of Mathius' presence. For his part, the man didn't bug Horatio all that much, unless he was talking to him about a case he left him alone. The wave of animosity and annoyance that came from Caine smacked his senses in the face full force. He had to admire the detectives ability to give off such a display of anger, yet still keep that perfectly charming smile on his face.
Horatio panicked inwardly the first few days, panicking his team'd ask about the whole running and throwing up display Delko had been witness to.
But they acted as normally, and he slowly relaxed. The cases that came up progressed as usual. Mathius followed him to the crime scenes, and would whisper little hints to H if something smelt funny, or if the suspect reeked of lying his ass off. While he never even believed him completely, he would often keep on a suspect if the vampire seemed so certain the person was lying. Scarily, he was often right.
"Do emotions smell or something?" Horatio asked him quietly as they watched a suspect being cuffed and lead away.
"In a way yes."
"Then what do you smell now?"
Mathius made a joke of sniffing the air "pepperoni? sorry, that's someone's lunch." pretending to quail under Horatio's unamused glance he chuckled "im getting a whiff of "scared outta his mind" from your perp there, don't think he's looking forward to prison, im getting mixed moods, some happy, some worried, the usual. And then there's a powerful odour of annoyance...oh wait, that's YOU detective!"
WHACK. Horatio thrust the folder at him, muttering "file this", and walked off, his expression still set to that neutral look.
Mathius laughed to himself. Sooner or later the dear detective would HAVE to smile, and he'd be around to see it~
Calleigh watched the exchange from a distance. Clearly the new guy was very interested in studying Horatios methods of interrogation. He also always seemed to be laughing, he was quite a cheerful guy, good sense of humour. He and Delko got along great at any rate..
Thankfully, Horatio noticed, Mathius didn't come barging into his home anymore. No more random flowers and people putting blankets over him if he fell asleep on the couch. The frosty, nay Antarctic reception he'd last got upon stepping into the detectives home had been enough to make him back up a little.
Horatio for one was glad of the peace and quiet. If he thought hard enough, this whole farce didn't seem so ridiculous. Sooner or later, if this was, an elaborate prank it had to end right?
By the third day he was almost back to his usual stoic self. His charming attitude that automatically endeared people, and kids to him returned. Calleigh took this as a sign he was all better now, and was reeived as everyone else to see it. Seeing Horatio all tired and ill had been worrying to them all, but now he seemed to have bounced back better.
But sadly, Horatio's plan to brush the whole affair aside was doomed...
That same day he noticed the vampire was yawning constantly.
He told him to sleep, otherwise he'd botch his work.
Mathius stared sleepily at him, then shook his head and muttered an apology and drifted off down the hall.
Horatio frowned, this was odd. He wasn't being his usual too-close-and-clingy self today. Was this a tactic to make him feel awkward for snapping at him?
He growled in annoyance, the guy was full of these little jokes, this was just another one.
But as he sat down at his desk the thought niggled at the back of his head. He decided to go round and see him after work. Then he could really have it out with him.
He was working a double shift himself, so the vamp went on home some hours ahead of him, still zonked out.
As soon as his shift was over he hopped into his car and looked down at the address he'd gotten from the application file.
It wasn't that far from his own address, typical. With a resigned sigh he set off. No doubt this would be the crowning glory in Mathius' plan. Act dopey all day to lure him round, then he'd be all smiles and clingy-
This self imposed rant was interrupted by the realisation he was there. Parking the 4x4 he normally drove, emblazoned with the CSI lab logo, he checked the building number and jogged up a small set of stairs to get to the door. It was on a vaguely empty street, not many houses lived in. A new development property, Horatio recalled, it had once been a series of posh houses but had since been razed to building modern stylish single person apartments. Quite pricey too.
He knocked lightly, keeping a straight face, trying to hide his annoyance. There was footsteps, then a THUMP sound.
He frowned, rapping at the door again, calling the mans name.
No answer. Shit, this wasn't good. He thought about calling an ambulance, then realised that may not be such a good idea.
Well, only one thing for it, break the door down. He tried it first, to see if it was locked. It sprung open to his surprise. Then he realised, the vampire had no doubt been waiting for him to come, no doubt as part of the days little "make-Horatio-Caine-feel-guilty" prank.
Slipping in, he shut the door behind him, and felt a stab of panic. In a flashback to how he must've looked, the guy was sprawled out on the floor, white as a sheet.
"Hey, HEY!" he called crouching down beside him, shaking his shoulder. No response. Crap, he'd fainted or something. What as he supposed to do?
Oh wait...vampire, right...maybe the smell of blood would snap him out of it.
He looked around for a knife, or something sharp. On spotting one in a block along with its siblings, he was halfway to the counter when the door suddenly rattled in its hinges. Ducking instinctively he pulled his gun from its holster, holding his breath for a moment, then he began to speak;
"Who's there-" BAMBAMBAM.
The door rattled even more violently in its hinges, and he swore he could hear something snarling outside.
Quickly he grabbed a chair and jammed it under the door handle, followed by another, and a side table he spotted.
This seemed only to make whatever was on the other side mad.
"I can smell your blood, little human...open the door and let me in. that fool cant help you know...I know you're afraid of him.."
The voice sounded like someone speaking through treacle, it made a shudder run up Horatio's spine.
Deciding at last, he put the gun down beside Mathius and ran for the kitchen knife, closing his eyes and dragging the serrated blade across his palm. Warm blood gushed out of the wound, and he dropped the knife with a hiss of pain. That would have to do, the door frame was splintering as whoever or whatever was outside continued its barrage of attacks.
Crack, another hinge.
Quickly horatio knelt down by the vampire, waving his hand at him, hoping the smell would entice him to wake up and deal with the unwelcome intruder.
CRASSSH. The door flew off its hinges and hit the ground inches away from where Caine crouched beside the unconious figure. At the same time the door hit the floor, Horatio felt a funny sensation in his hand, like....he was being nibbled on. That same dizzying, nauseating feeling was back. But he didn't look round, he didn't need to. Well, he couldn't.
His gaze was transfixed by the creature in the doorway. It looked vaguely human, like some kind of muscle man. But there the resemblance ended, its face looked more feral, red eyes glinting in the artificial light of the apartment. Its skin looked dark, with shifting patterns he took to be blood vessels shifting under its skin.
Quickly Horatio shifted how he crouched, so that the thing couldn't see his hand being nom nom'd on.
"What're you...?" he asked at last, not taking his eyes off it "stay back!"
"Don't bother reaching for your gun, it wont work little human.." he eyed Horatio, then sniffed the air deeply. Then he let out a deep laugh.
"What a scent, ive stumbled on the jackpot here! To think that fool hasn't asked you for blood yet. Ill just have to do it for him!"
Horatio literally DID try to run then, or back up at least. But the man in the doorway moved with a speed that belied his bulk. Somehow he covered the space between himself and Horatio in a split second, his clammy hand snapping around the detectives neck. With a scary ease he lifted him up off the floor.
Struggling to breathe Horatio vaguely seen something glinting. Fangs. Oh crap. he struggled even more, but air was running out...
"Time for lights out, human!" it spat, pulling the flailing Caine closer towards him..
He laughed as Caine attempt to kick him in the chest, but it didn't even bother him..
He leant ever closer to the mans neck, the temptation so strong, and such intoxicating blood. He could feel the blood vessels pulsing beneath his fingers, could feel the mans pulse weakening, like a butterfly flapping against a window blind. And it was getting weaker..
Then an abrupt pain tore through his arm and he was forced to let the human go as he screamed in rage, trying to pull the bloodied knife out from his wrist. Looking up he seen the other vampire was wide awake. He'd caught Caine just as he fell, and was propping the dazed human up against him, holding him to his chest.
The attackers attention darted to the humans bleeding hand. So that's what he'd been doing, the little wretch. he'd been letting the other feed the whole time he'd been crouching on the floor, seemingly afraid.
Mathius smirked, holding protectively onto the human.
"You're not having him Rylam, im afraid this sweet little morsel is mine~"
Stuck in the middle Horatio began to feel like a piece of food, not a living being.
"Your pathetic Mathius, you haven't even drained him yet....what a waste, you having such a delicious morsel, you'd be better off handing him over to me.."
"And let you kill him, in your dreams!" Mathius laughed, holding Caine even tighter. His head resting against the other's shoulder Caine tried to speak, but his brain was all jumbled up from nearly being choked to death. He could still feel that cold hand around his neck like a noose of ice..
Craning round he could see his gun on the floor at his feet..
While the other two made bravado-infused smart ass comments at each other, he nudged it with his foot, managing to lift it off the floor and onto his shoe. He had only one chance at this..
Gathering as much energy as he had he broke free from Mathius' hold, kicking to gun up in the air with his foot. It spun lazily in the air, before falling back down and into Horatios waiting hands. He raised it and fired right at the things face.
It roared in rage but Horatio just kept firing, emptying the whole clip into its face. He was a master marksman if nothing else, one shot hit the thing directly in the eye. The other shots clipped his ears and had, one even smack right into his shoulder.
Blood spurted to the floor and the thing staggered back. It glared balefully at Caine with its good eye
"You'll regret that, you wretched little human!" he hissed.
Even though his heart as pounding like a jackhammer, and he knew he'd probably be in shock later, Horatio kept a calm face.
"LEAVE." he hissed in icy tones.
The thing, named Rylam it seemed, threw backs his head and roared with laughter, "you've got some guts for a human, and next time I catch you, ill tear 'em out!" he looked at Mathius "without concentual blood donation you cant hope to protect him, next time you leave your little human alone, ill be there!"
Then he was gone, haring away into the night.
Horatio stood where he was, gun still aimed at the doorway. Mathius moved quickly and shut the door. Well, crammed it back into its holdings at any rate, then repropped it with the chairs..
"We got lucky, im the first person to move in here....I doubt anyone heard the shots, I put a few old charms around the place to keep myself off the radar..." he stepped up beside Caine, who was still staring at the door.
"Detective..?" he queried, brushing a hand along Horatio's cheek gently, the man felt cold to the touch. Horatio jumped, finally breathing again, he jolted away from Mathius, staring at him like he was mad.
"Easy detective..." the vampire soothed. "he's gone, I think that little show of bravado scared him off." he looked admiringly at the human "you got guts, standing up to someone like him. Remember those memories I showed you? Well he's responsible for some of the newer ones. He's a real bastard and no mistake. He's been busting my back since he found out I don't tend to kill my prey. Says im a disgrace. Pfft, screw him I say.."
Horatio just nodded, dumbfounded. Truthfully he barely even believed he'd just done that. Closing his eyes he quelled the urge to be sick AGAIN. A few deep breaths and it felt better...
Someone pressed something cold into his hand., Opening his eyes he seen it was a glass of water. gratefully he drank the whole thing in one go, sighing in relief.
"Thas' better..." he mumbled, then cleared his throat, looking at the vamp dead on "what as he talking about, "Concnetual donation?" What does it mean?"
Mathius winced "right to the point as ever detective" he sighed "making you pass out in the car park was only a way of marking you as potential prey. For you to be completely safe, a target has to willingly surrender it.."
"Why didn't you mention this? And why were you out cold on the floor? Were you supposed to have had something to drink before now?"
Another guilty wince "well, yes. Ideally its every 2nd day, just a small amount. We can stretch what we drink out to a maximum of 4-5 days, but I guess I ran down faster then usual.."
"Then why didn't you say something?" Horatio said fiercely, almost annoyed "you go to all the trouble of hunting my work and home down to get me to agree to you staying here, then you just say nothing?!"
Another sigh "well, you seemed pretty cranky about the whole business. I figured id leave it awhile before asking you, you didn't seem too enthralled at the prospect the last time we spoke about it.."
Agh, more guilt. Was this guy trying to be nice or was this another guilt trick?
"This is insane..." he muttered, "vampires? Special blood? Surrender?" he closed his eyes, rubbing his forehead with one clammy hand, realising his nerves felt like they were shot "I always knew Miami was full of darkness underneath the glitter, but not THIS! THIS is.."
"..nuts, right?" Mathius finished. Caine nodded, looking for a split second hopelessly lost, then the facade of calm sprung up again.
"Exactly.." he said bluntly. "this is nuts."
The vampire sighed "don't you ever let the guard down detective? You smile and smile at people when you talk to them but its all a front.." he tilted his head to the side, watching Horatio, who'd backed up subconsciously and was standing there with his arms folded around his slender frame. The gun was still clutched in his hand, although he knew it to be empty.
"Detective?" he asked again. Horatio jumped glancing back up at him "sorry. I was...thinking.." he said at last.
The human was silent for a few more moments, then he spoke "how long will a full feed last you?" he asked.
"Uh...providing there's not too many fights with el dirt bag from earlier. About a week? maybe less..." he finally surmised. "why?"
Horatio sighed, shivering slightly, whether it was annoyance or unease he didn't know. But he kept arms folded and at last spoke, still staring at the wrecked door which had been propped up in place. "Then do it."
Mathius raised an eyebrow, was his dear detective actually willing to trust him?
"You're sure detective?" he said, eyebrows raised "how do you know you can trust me?"
"I CANT!" Horatio snapped, then calmed himself "but i..i don't want to die, I have too many people to take c are of. And if this means your not quite friend cant get too close to me, to my LAB, my CSIS, then ill do whatever it takes. Besides." another soft sigh "you'll end up dead without it. Even I can see this is serious.."
He wandered over and flopped down on the couch, the gun clattering to the hardwood floor. Letting his head rest in his hands he sighed. How had his life become so complicated. Well, it was complicated before. But now it was just madness. It sounded like a cheesy sci-fi horror movie..
The sensation of the couch cushions shifting slightly announced the presence of the vamp beside him. A pale hand brushed strands of strawberry blonde hair away from his neck. He fidgeted again, but forced himself to stay still.
"Your sure my little detective..?" came the questioning voice again.
Horatio sighed, he wasn't sure, no. But he hadn't a choice. If a THING like the attacker could get so close to HIM, imagine what'd do if it ever found the lab.
It looked like he literally DID need Mathius' help.
But at last, he nodded again, saying one word; "yes."
He kept his gaze on the far wall, all too aware of what was about to happen. But his stomach still lurched at the first contact, the sensation of sharp pinpricks breaking the skin. Then the world seemed to blur into a mass of colours, then the lights began to fade. He was passing out again. Whether this was a part of the process of it was his body responding to hid blood vanishing he didn't know..
He thought he was going to fall off the couch, but a strong pair of arms attached around his waist and held onto him as he drifted ever closer towards sleep..
"That's enough, my little detective.." he heard the voice say, but he was too light-headed to reply. He just felt like a rag doll, incapable of moving his own limbs.
"Whoops, looks like someone's a little drowsy...sorry my little detective...I didn't mean to draw quite so much.." he heard Mathius saying again. he tried to dismiss the notion he wasn't OK, but that just made his head spin. Then the blurry colour room took a disturbing tilt as he felt himself being picked up in those same strong arms.
"C'mon. bed for you I think.." the far off voice said. Horatio tried, really he did, to object, but then the whole world went black and he passed out again.
Birds chirping brought him out of the haze he passed out into. For one second he thought he'd gotten so drunk he'd passed out, and that this was merely the mother of all hangovers. Then it all came flooding back and he used language that would make a sailor blush.
"Morning," a voice beside the bed remarked, Making Horatio bolt out of the bed and away from the voice so fast he actually fell out the other side of the bed. Perched on the edge Mathius couldn't help but laugh a little as Horatio dragged the top half of his body back into the bed to glower at him.
"Sorry, sorry.." he apologised to the peevish human "but that was kind of funny.." he tugged Horatio back onto the bed and put a hand on his forehead, "hm, temperatures fine. You may feel a little tired but you'll be fine, just take it easy OK?"
Horatio half heartedly batted the hand away. Embarrassment coursed through him, he'd passed out on someone else's bed. He hadn't even retained the sense to get home.
"Don't look so down, its not like I did anything while you ere asleep, I was sleeping on the couch in there!" the vampire added, thinking that was the reason behind Horatios silence.
But Horatio was lost in his own thoughts, --Oh yeah, after what happened last night you ere seriously gonna drive? In the state your nerves were in youd've probably crashed the car..-- a chiding voice said in his head. He let his head rest on his knees, asking "what time is it?"
"Time to go work...the shift starts in an hour...hey were you going?" Mathius trailed off, for the detective had hopped off the bed and was weaving his way towards the door.
"Ima go get my car...ill see you at work." he said bluntly, followed by "don't even mention that whole mess, get me?"
"As if I would.." was the answer, and Horatio stumbled down the steps. The fresh morning air cleared his head a litter, and he sighed. Getting into the car he spotted the arks from Mathius biting him. It looked suspicious, so he quickly located a band-aid in his cars first aid kid and used it to over it. If anyone asked, it was just a scratch..