*Chapter 6*
They would find an oil station, most likely, where they could buy some booze and cigarettes with dead Barry's money. And then they would drive through town, till they found some backyard bar where they served cheap alcohol, where the air was full of gray swirling cigarette smoke and too loud music, where tough guys were wielding the billiard cue, oozing testosterone out of every pore of their bodies.
Yes, that was where they were going.
Nothing had to bite his disappointment back as he got up and started struggling with his clothes. It was somewhat of a struggle to tug himself back into his tight pants, and it was far from a painless experience to walk back to the driver's seat and bite it down. No way was he going to admit to Zillah just how uncomfortable this was, because he just wasn't ready to give the smug vampire that kind of satisfaction.
His nipple was throbbing painfully, but that part only excited Nothing more, and he managed a pretty smug smile when he finally settled in the drivers seat. He had turned out to be a pretty good actor when he really put his mind to it, and he didn't want to give Zillah the satisfaction of seeing him squirm. He started up the engine and pretended that everything was completely normal when he turned the van around and turned towards Zillah with an almost provocatively lazy expression, waiting for Zillah's instructions.
"So, where do you want to go, daddy?" His voice had the perfect blend of youthful innocence and corrupted knowledge, and his dark eyes were shining in both admiration and challenge. Two could play that game…
"Get us to that town," Zillah replied in his own languid voice, seemingly unaffected and not very impressed. Inwardly he wasn´t so indifferent however. He was a schemer, a manipulator and he didn't like it when he was being denied his amusement.
The van drove backwards over dried needles and was soon back on the road. Again the endless band of the road stretched before them and silence engulfed them. Unnerved, Zillah pushed the broken button of the radio, some jazz music filling the silence between them. Nothing hadn´t even asked what Zillah's new plans evolved around... Well, he would know soon enough. It was a mystery to Zillah why Nothing affected him so much. Was it really just the bond of the blood they shared? He didn't know. He didn't want to think about it either. Things were the way they were and naturally Zillah didn't trouble himself much (even though Nothing was troubling him quite a lot). For a moment Zillah was wondering what Christian and Molochai and Twig were doing, but the thought slipped his mind all too soon.
The lights of the city had come closer and closer until they could make out the first houses. Somewhere, a dog barked. They passed a forgettable 'Welcome to ...' sign, Zillah didn't pay any attention too, and followed the main street to the center of the town that looked like all the others around here.
"Drive slower," Zillah instructed, his eyes scanning the dark shops and houses that flanked their sides. There was almost no one out on the streets at that time of the night, but the ones who were surely had a goal, and it would most likely lead Nothing and Zillah to the right place.
Of course Nothing's curiosity was efficiently peeked, and it was a struggle for him to keep his questions to himself, but he was determined not to let Zillah have everything for free. Nothing loved him unconditionally, but he wasn't a puppet – or at least he didn't want to be, so he was determined to make Zillah work for it, too.
He drove the car as instructed and tried to keep his curious glances at Zillah to himself. It gave him a weird sense of pride to be able to agitate Zillah, mostly because he knew that Zillah very rarely let anybody get to him. He was the unconditional leader of their group, and not even Christian was able to defy him. So yes, it made Nothing tingle a little to know that he had that effect on Zillah sometimes. Mostly because it was evidence to the fact that Zillah wasn't as cold as he liked to let them all believe. And Nothing would do anything to mean something to Zillah.
"Where are we going?" he finally asked, as he could see that they were somehow following a group of young people. "Are you still hungry?"
Zillah's features relaxed just in the tiniest way, almost unnoticeable, if not for those who knew him.
"You will see..."
Zillah's eyes were focused on the few dark shadows on the scarcely lighted street. The tone of the city had changed; they were in an area with old, abandoned warehouses, patches with burnt grass, littered with old bottles and trash easing the sight from the dark, run down houses. From a distance the wind carried the faint sound of raw music.
"Park the van over there," Zillah instructed, waiting for Nothing to struggle with the big vehicle. Driving down a straight road was very different from trying to get through two very close standing shacks...
Eventually, they made it though, even in time before Zillah could impatiently snap at his son, and they left the car, walking down the empty street. There were no street lamps here anymore, but that was no problem for vampire eyes. Their ears lead them surely towards a run-down biker bar anyways, lots of motorcycles lining up before them.
"Did you take the money and the gun with you?" Zillah asked, casually, but in a low tone so no one heard them. The door of the bar just burst open and a bull of a man, blood streaming from his head, stumbled into the dust. A few others, standing around in groups with beer bottles in hand laughed at him.
Nothing stared at the bleeding man, his instincts not failing to make his mouth water at the smell and sight of fresh blood despite his full belly. But he stayed close to Zillah, enjoying the confident air surrounding him. Despite Zillah's lithe form and short stature he matched and radiated the confidence of every single biker present, and Nothing felt nothing but pride as they walked past the confused, bleeding man.
Nothing knew that they could easily get in trouble at a place like this, so he didn't regret stuffing Barry's gun in the back hem of his pants.
"I got what we need" he said to Zillah, staying close but not showing any signs of uncertainty. Despite his youth he walked with a proud expression, knowing very well that according to this lot he was a pretty boy, and that although they would never admit it, a huge temptation to claim and dominate.
"What's your plan, daddy? They're looking at us like we were candy."
"Funny, hm? Since they are so much more... delectable..." Zillah licked over his sharp teeth as they walked past the drunk, bleeding rocker on the dusty ground. The smell of deep crimson was curling up into his nose and Zillah's long lashes fluttered. However, he forced his burning, green eyes away. They were not here to drink, at least not blood...
When they entered the bar, only a few heads turned, languidly, as they expected just one of their comrades. The music was loud and shrill, and absolutely lovely. A few more heads turned, people were muttering and laughing at them, but it was not enough yet to make them the center of attention. They probably looked to the bikers like two gothic kids that had decided to play hard guys or something; amusing at best, annoying at worst.
Zillah didnt care; his relatively small stature towered protectively over Nothing, as they walked through the smokey, steamy hot bar towards the full counter. Some bikers were playing billiard, darts, or cards, there was loud laughter and heated screaming and discussing. It was cramped in here, and sweaty, hot body rubbed against sweaty, hot body, but unconsciously, a small path opened for Zillah and Nothing to walk along and reach the counter without having to bump into anyone or push them away.
Confidently, Zillah leaned on the spotted, splintered sticky wood, demanding "Tequila. Two of them."
The bartender looked at Zillah and Nothing for a bit with a scrutinizing eye. He was wiping a glass off with a questionable looking towel, not really seeming to give a damn.
"Aren't you kids a bit young to be in here?" he drawled, letting his gaze wander from Zillah to Nothing. "You're not allowed to bring your puppy in here" he added, looking at Nothing like he was indeed a piece of candy that could be devoured with the eyes alone.
Nothing's eyes turned darker as he narrowed his gaze and stared back at the bartender fiercely.
"I'm not a puppy!" he spat angrily.
"You sure look like one, doll" the bartender replied unimpressed. He let his gaze wander back to Zillah, and at least they had to give him credit for his bravery. He didn't even flinch as he looked into Zillah's burning green acid gaze.
"Alright, he's got balls, the little one. I'll serve ya, but I don't want any trouble in my bar." He reached for two shot glasses and poured the tequila.
"We wouldn´t dare," Zillah chirped, as he got the two shots, and pushed the second one towards Nothing.
"Here, have some, puppy," the elder smirked, actually liking the name. Zillah downed the shot without neither salt nor lemon, just letting the burning alcohol roll down his throat. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a group of bulky men, looking at them and shaking their heads in disapproval and he was almost certain that he had heard the word 'kindergarten' being spat. Unimpressed, Zillah turned back towards the bartender, the blinking Budweiser sign behind the man drawing green shadows onto Zillah's face, melting with the green of his eyes.
"Another two. And a pack of cigarettes, if you may please." This seemed the right man, the one who knew the scene, the one silently in control here. This was his bar, judging from the easy and somewhat loving way he moved behind the counter; too carefully for it to be just an employee. Zillah just had to ask the right questions - after he got another drink.
Nothing took the tequila shot and swallowed it down, trying not to wince. The strong liquor burned his throat and made his head tingle for a sec, but he was used to the buzz and could hold is own.
The bartender smirked as he saw Nothing place the glass on the counter with a sharp sound as if the young boy was trying to insist on being tough – which he probably was, since he was here at this hour.
"What brings you two to these parts?" he asked as he poured a second drink and fished out a fresh pack of cigarettes and slid them across the counter to Zillah.
"We don't see a lot of your kind around here." He smirked again secretively, not really revealing exactly what he meant with those words.
"We were just being curious." Zillah ripped the pack open with his long nails, putting a cigarette between his lips that smelled a lot stronger than the stuff they normally smoked. He lightened it while elegantly stepping aside as one of the biker fell from the barstool beside them, mumbling drunken curses.
"It is the puppy´s birth day tonight and I want something special for him." Off-handedly, Zillah put the lighter away after a brief, appreciative look at his son. The dim light suited Nothing so well. Turning back towards the barman, Zillah smiled, showing a bit of his sharp teeth and asked, amused, "What kind do you think we are?"
The bartender's gaze wandered to Zillah's sharp incisors for a second, lingering there until a small smile spread on his lips.
"The only right kind" he said then, putting his towel away and resting his hands on the smooth surface, leaning closer over the bar.
Nothing stared in amazement as the bartender locked eyes with Zillah, like some kind of soundless communication, and a moment later the man behind the bar discreetly revealed a pair of perfectly shaped fangs, just like Christian's.
"I suppose it's customary for me to ask how you come?" the bartender whispered, letting his gaze move to Nothing for a moment. "Congratulations on the happy occasion, puppy."
Nothing felt the bartender's eyes bore into him, in a somewhat similar way Zillah's did, although not as strongly. But there was no question about it – this man was a fullblooded vampire, no doubt about it!
Nothing let his eyes roam over the vampire's features, now that the man suddenly wasn't just a nobody. The most noticeable thing at first was his eyes. They were a pale blue that seemed to be the same color as ice, and they stroke Nothing as truly beautiful, reminding him of winter and cold, clear nights. His face was smooth, his jaw firm and sculpted with high cheekbones and a single black tear was tattooed below his left eye.
His hair was tied in a loose ponytail, hiding its actual length from sight, and the darkness of the bar hid its color. Nothing got the feel that seeing it pool around his shoulders would make goosebumps raise on his skin, and he kept wondering if he was just imagining the amazing silver shine the caught when a certain stray of light hit the bartender's head from somewhere in the bar.
Nothing wondered how he hadn't noticed the obvious beauty to the bartender as soon as they entered the place. Maybe it was the lighting, or the way the bartender held himself halfway in the shadows most of the time. Maybe he had just been judgmental because of the raunchy place and the disgusting clientele. But now it occurred to him that the bartender truly had a rare appeal that he just seemed very, very cunning at concealing until he chose to let it out.
The darkness hid the rest of the bartender's body from further assessment and Nothing forced himself to concentrate on his second drink, reaching for it and gulping it down greedily before he reached up and snatched the cigarette from Zillah's lips to have a deep drag himself.
"What's your name?" he asked with a nonchalant gaze, his dark eyes at one time curious and challenging.
The bartender smirked at Nothing, definitely not missing the beauty of the young boy. "Gideon" he answered before he poured another drink for the both of them.
"Gideon, I see," Zillah purred, but his eyes had gone colder. Nothing seemed to be awfully interested in this man now, which, in all actuality, Zillah did not appreciate.
This place was a stinking, disgusting hellhole anyway, and now that they had found their source there was no need for sweet talk any longer.
"We need a piercer." Zillah's long nails impatiently drummed on the counter, before he roughly snatched the cigarette back and blew blue smoke into Gideon´s pretty face. Under different circumstances (Nothing not being with him), Zillah might have appreciated a bit of talking, blood sharing and maybe even a fuck (he didn't doubt that it´d be a worthy struggle for domination he would win, despite his smaller statue), but he didn't feel like it now.
Gideon raised an eyebrow as he watched Zillah's frown. He didn't seem the least bit phased by Zillah's rude behavior, and he definitely didn't miss the unspoken claim in the air.
"You look like you think I'm going to claim your charge, green eyes" he said, thoroughly unsatisfied with Zillah's rude ignoring his question about their 'diplomatic' intentions. "May I remind you that you ventured into my territory, and that I have been nothing but welcoming so far." His brows were furrowed and the pale blue in his eyes seemed to turn almost silver.
Nothing sensed the warning in Gideon's appearance, and he shrugged a little. He knew that he had triggered Zillah's outburst, and that it had been a mistake to even pay Gideon this much attention, despite his fascination with meeting one of their own kind. The last thing they needed was a vampire as their enemy.
"What do you want with a piercer in the middle of the night?" Nothing asked, looking at Zillah and completely ignoring Gideon's fascinating gaze. "Didn't you play enough already?"
Zillah lifted a brow at Gideon, holding his finger up in a gesture to tell the man he should wait a minute and then turned towards Nothing, wryly lifting a brow. "Since when do I have to justify my actions before you?"
The brow arched higher, and another lungful of smoke was slowly dragged from the cigarette. "Thought so. Now, you remember that you promised to do something for me, don´t you?"
His long nailed finger was still keeping Gideon waiting, as Zillah was about to finish that father-son-business first. It was to irritate that annoying vampire they just met, because clearly, he couldn´t just come up, stick his ugly nose into Zillah's business and expect to get the attention he didn't deserve. And on the other hand, Zillah just hated it to be questioned, especially in front of other people of their kind. Nothing was undermining his authority, and Zillah wouldn´t have it!
Nothing felt that flare of rebellion spark in his stomach. He didn't like to be berated like that in front of Gideon, one of their own kind, and stand out like a fool for it. But he also knew that he was threading on thin ice. Zillah could get really cruel if he set his mind to making his point, and Nothing didn't want to provoke Zillah in front of Gideon. After all Zillah meant everything to him, and he wanted him to look good. The way Gideon was looking at him he might as well make it clear where he belonged anyways, so Nothing bit back his urge to rebel and nodded instead.
"Yes, daddy" he replied submissively and bowed his head a little in silent surrender. "What is it you wish me to do?"
Gideon watched the powerplay unfold before him and raised an eyebrow. Nothing had struck him as a wild and rebellious little one, so to see him surrender like that surprised him a little. On the other hand he wasn't the least bit surprised to find Zillah stake his claim right here and now, since Gideon had already challenged him a little. Hmm… A feisty one, possessive and beautiful to boot, this Zillah. Not the worst combination Gideon had ever come across…
"You´ll see in time." Zillah's face did not show any expression at all, it was as cold as carved in ice. His inward gloating might only have showed in his brighter shining, acid eyes. Great, now that they had settled this, he could focus on the other matter. At least he had the decency to not interrupt them...
His finger curled down, as he turned to face the man, aware that a few of the bikers observed them, but over the loud music that drowned out every other sound to a dull whisper, their conversation would be relatively safe.
"You must apologize," Zillah purred with a toothy smile that didn't reach his eyes, finally taking the time to size the man in front of him up and down. Not bad, actually. Not bad at all.
"My son just hit puberty. Kids." He rolled his jade eyes a bit. "We come in peace, actually. We are just looking for someone who can do a decent piercing job. You seem like a man who would know..."
A slightly flirty, suggestive purr had crept into Zillah's voice, the one he used to entice people of all races, to catch them in his sticky spider web and let them dance like puppets once they got entangled.
Gideon looked into Zillah's eyes, and he certainly wasn't blind for the lure here. Zillah's beauty was stunning – otherworldly even – but Gideon had been around for a long time, and he knew how it worked. But despite his awareness of it, it was very easy to be lured by that soft purr and those piercing acid green eyes. Despite his efforts he couldn't shake it completely, despite his own equally mesmerizing gaze.
"You need to see Giribaldi downtown" he said without breaking eye contact. "He will do a good job and he keeps his place clean. You got a place to stay for the night?"
Nothing was relieved to see Zillah address Gideon in a somewhat civil manner, and he wondered if they would get a chance to get to know Gideon better, or if Zillah would want them to move on without making any closer acquaintances. But he would leave it up to Zillah to decide and see what part Zillah wanted him to play. This conversation was grown-up talk, and instead Nothing leaned against the bar counter and looked around the bar.
"No, not yet. Are you offering one?" Zillah's lashes dropped just slightly, as his gaze fell onto the small bowl of salted peanuts in front of him, picking on and sneaking it from between his fingertips with a sensual lick of his tongue. Just a second later the small crunching noise of it being crushed between sharp teeth faded into the music.
His hand dived into the bowl again, holding it up for Nothing to catch it. Zillah was very well aware that in these circles such behavior was not usually tolerated; it was 'gay' and the tough guys didn't like it, of course. However, Zillah didn't give a flying fuck, he was a superior being to all breathing things in this room.
Nothing didn't give a shit either, and he didn't hesitate to reach up and lick over Zillah's offering, sucking in the small peanut and along with it Zillah's fingers which he laved with his eager tongue and wet lips in the most sultry manner.
Behind the counter Gideon swallowed hard as he watched the provocative display of affection before him, and he could feel the mood in the bar shift. This was dangerous and he knew it, but oh god it looked so good, and Gideon felt his libido come to life.
In his mind he saw vivid, sexual images of the pretty young boy writhing in pleasure beneath the beautiful green eyed vampire before him, and maybe even himself, but before he could zoom in on the fantasy he was called back to reality when several of the patrons in the bar started to scramble up from their chairs.
"Such a couple of faggots!" shouted one while others gathered behind him.
"Stupid thing to come here and advertize your little fuck toy, stranger!" added another.
"Come here, boy, lets show you what a real man is!"
Laughter roared from the bikers and slowly they stepped closer to the bar counter.
However, Gideon was in no mood to have his bar smashed up, and before anybody got any further, he pulled out a shotgun from below the counter and loaded it with a loud snap.
"Knock it off!" he shouted, his voice loud and clear and not wavering even the slightest. Gideon was a confident man and used to handle the rough crowd. "Get out of my bar before I call the cops or take matters into my own hands!"
It seemed like Gideon had a lot of authority here, because most of the crowd dissolved immediately and several of the trouble makers went for the door. When the crisis was averted Gideon put the shotgun away and looked at Zillah again with a serious glint in his pale blue eyes.
"If you decide to visit Giribaldi tonight, I advise you to be on alert. This ain't no pretty neighborhood. But yeah, I'm offering. I live upstairs and you're welcome to join me at my place."
"Excellent."
Not in the least bit fazed, Zillah pulled his finger from Nothing's mouth, to give it a long suck himself, before getting of his barstool, taking one last, deep drag and pushing the cigarette out in the overflowing ashtray.
"We will see you in a bit then... Gideon. Let´s go."
The last part was meant for Nothing and came out a lot more ordering and less sweet. Zillah had noticed the fire starting to burn in the vampire´s eyes when he and his son had been playing. Well, the night was still young and Gideon was beautiful enough. He´d make for another great pet.
The unfriendly, and occasionally hateful glares went ignored as Zillah and Nothing left the bar through a path that opened up for them, flanked by unamused looking bikers. Now they were the center of attention, all right. Zillah held his head high, appearing much taller than he actually was, and escaped with Nothing into the cool, fresh night again without any incidents.
Tbc
AN: Sorry for the long wait, but we´re almost finished with the story (at least we wrote 99% of it, there´s still a few chapters to come). To spice things up a bit we created a new character, Gideon, to see where it would lead us. We thought that surely there must be more vampires around... He´s a bartender like Christian, though their personalities are quite different^^ We hope you liked the new chapter and we´d love to hear your opinion on it!
bonjourmeadow: Sweet! Yes, violence isn´t everyone´s cup of tea, though personally I think it spices a story quite well^^ On the other hand... Lost Souls wasn´t that violent, was it? Well, there´s vampires who drink blood, but otherwise...
PyroRoxas: Yay, I´m glad you got some much needed sleep, it´s very important and fun to sleep XD I guess Zillah´d totally agree with me on that, for some reason I think he´s a pretty lazy person when he´s not being evil and bitchy XD
alexholly: Thank you so much for the compliment! Since we really put a lot of effort into keeping the characters and the mood true to the book we are very happy that you think we succeeded. Hm, I have Exquisite Corpse lying next to my bed, and I will definitely start to read it, once college stuff calmes down a bit *sigh* But I am very much looking forward to it! So far the only other book I read was Drawing Blood^^