HONEYTHIEF
Chapter
Six
"Even with all my flaws, and my bad examples, you surprise me with just how perfect you are" – Honeythief, Halou
)O(
Robin knew he shouldn't have raced after the three girls. He knew that he was playing with fire by following them into the storm. But he needed to. They had answers he wanted. Turning? Mates? Unclaimed male? Those were terms they tossed around casually, as if they used them often. Robin knew that they had to be significant to him, but he didn't know what they were, or even why they were so important.
He splashed through a deep puddle, but it didn't matter, the rain was already coming down in buckets. What was a little more water? Through the downpour, he saw the unusual girls up ahead, huddled under a small overhang and talking quietly to one another. Lights from a neon sign cast strange shadows over their bodies, making them look more mystical than they already were.
Robin couldn't lie to himself; the scent of them drove him close to insanity. They smelled sweet, like fresh mint and honey. Even in the thick, city rain they still smelled of the clean but heady scent that made him want to bed one as soon as there was a chance. It felt more primal than logic, it felt like instinct. It felt like the only option he could chose when he was near them. His vampire side wanted to grab one and claim it as his, but he never did. It was as if there was an angel on his side, or more likely, a demon.
Having Raven close to him and supporting him, even though he wasn't always the best patient, had leashed the strongest desires. It allowed him to think with some reason, even if it was only a little. She leashed everything in him and kept his head clear, and for that he was grateful. But having her around felt a bit like he was playing poker for two people, and he wasn't sure who's hand was which. When he looked at his vampire cards, being with Raven made sense, it was perfectly logical. But when he picked up his human hand… well… the two hands were slowly becoming one and he wasn't sure what cards belonged where any more.
"Robin!" He heard the familiar sound of melancholy wind-chimes and Robin felt his fingers twitch. Should he continue on to get his answers, or should he face the girl who was fighting so hard to keep him safe? She was behind him, so close he could feel her worry, her sadness, her anger, and her jealousy? That caused more questions than anything else. What reason would he have given to make her jealous? She called to him again, her voice sounding desperate. "Robin!"
He felt his feet stop, but he didn't turn. He wasn't sure if he had the bravery to face her just yet. Not after his insanely stupid idea to chase three vampires, all of which he didn't trust… oh, and there was the whole mating fiasco he had to think about too. He looked up in enough time to see the three girls stop talking. They looked at each other before turning their gazes toward him. They didn't say anything. It was as if they were waiting for someone else to make the next move.
"Robin!" Raven closed the space between them and he felt her cold, wet fingers closed around his arm. He was going to have to look at her eventually, even if it was his greatest fear. He's made such a stupid mistake. Sighing, he turned and faced his pale demoness. Plum tendrils of hair clung to her face and her cheeks were flushed with the chase. For a moment he felt his heart turn over at the sight. She shook his arm a little, bringing him back into the present. "Robin, where on earth are you going?"
He pointed to the girls and Raven frowned, her eyes narrowing in frustration. "You were following them… because…?" She let the question hang in the air between them, waiting for his answer. She was angry, and Robin couldn't blame her. He hadn't really given her any reason to trust him or his decisions.
"Answers." Robin managed to bark out his garbled response, and she let go of a breath she'd been holding, looking relieved.
"Answers. Good. Just answers." She pushed her wet bangs out of her face, then her hands moved to her hips, and she gave him her best cold stare. "Well, next time you decide to go on your quest for obscure knowledge, will you at least tell me before hand, that way I'm not stuck with a pink-headed brat to deal with?"
That's right. Robin, in his brash decision, did not stop to think who would have to pick up the pieces left by him and Jinx. He cringed as he thought about what might have ensued after he left. Knowing the way those two girls fought with each other, he wouldn't have been surprised if the whole building had come tumbling down. Although, if Raven was here… where was Jinx? He stared at her for a moment before managing to grumble. "Where?"
Raven grinned like a cat who was finally going to eat the mouse it caught. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about her for a while. It'll take her a few days to figure out how to get out of that particular dimension." Robin wasn't sure if he wanted to ask any more questions. Raven had her own flair when it came to dealing with anyone who thought it wise to cross her.
"Robin, was it?" Robin started in surprise, and turned to stare the three vampires across the street. Beatrice nodded and motioned for the two to come underneath the overhang. "Come here and get out of the rain, you'll catch a cold."
Robin wondered if it was possible for him to catch a cold, or if Beatrice was just looking for an excuse to bring them over. Raven gave a slight wave and started over to them, Robin in tow. For a moment he found it kind of amusing how he had been the one seeking answers, but she was the one taking initiative. That was Raven, always first to help him out… Robin stole a glance at her, and felt his heart turn over for a second time.
He didn't deserve a friend like her. He barely deserved life after what he put her thorough. His stomach turned to lead as he thought about his selfish actions. He had tried to push them to the back of his mind, claiming that it was out of necessity he had attacked her, that if she hadn't come to his rescue he would have sought out an innocent human. But then he thought harder, why wasn't Raven innocent? She didn't ask to become his food source, nor did she deserve it.
"Thank you." Raven's calm voice brought him out of his thoughts. He watched as she ran her fingers through her drenched hair, and wrung the strands dry. For the first time since he left, Robin realized Raven was barefoot and still dressed in her pajamas. She must have been in too much of a hurry to bother. Robin felt the cold tendrils of guilt slip through him. She took care of him far too much. If it hadn't been for him, Raven would still be warm and cozy in the tower, not chasing him through a monsoon.
"I appreciate the opportunity to talk with you. If you don't mind, we have some questions." Raven spoke softly, her eyes glancing around for any eavesdroppers. Robin, highly doubted there would be any one out in this weather right now, but he couldn't blame her for being cautious. Raven turned back to the girls. "Do you have a minute or two?"
"Of course." Christine nodded, her lips turned down in a slight frown. "We've been talking. About your friend Robin."
Raven rolled her eyes, and Robin felt compelled to reach out and stop her from saying too much. She was edgy right now, and the slightest insult could turn her words into weapons. That was an aftermath he didn't have the energy to deal with, especially now. She took a deep breath and continued. "We were wondering if you could help… explain what exactly is going on with my friend, and if there's a way to reverse it."
Beatrice chewed on her lower lip, looking as if she were deep in thought. "Perhaps…" Pause. "Why don't you come inside our shop, and we'll see what we can do for you. I understand this isn't the easiest thing to deal with." Beatrice opened the door behind her and motioned the two of them inside. Robin looked around in mild surprise. It was a posh, upscale coffee shop decorated in fine fabrics and expensive paintings. Ester locked the door while Beatrice went behind the counter to make coffee and Christine made herself comfortable at a table.
"As a rule female vampires are not allowed to turn human males, and vice versa. So, you can see why there are so few of us. No self respecting vampire would change a human, knowing the pain and anger and frustration they've had to deal with… Jinx was… another story." Christine started without preamble, forcing Robin's attention on her. Raven sat down at the table and Robin sat next to her, wondering if he had the strength to know the truth. There was so much mystery shrouding what he was, that he didn't even know if there was any real truth left, or even what that truth might be.
"Jinx was always a little bit violent and unusual. If any one were to break code, it would have been her. Rather than form companionship with women of her own kind, she chose to live with villains, and act out her feelings. It was very foolish of her."
"Then you knew Jinx before? Has she always been so…" Raven struggled for the right words, Robin couldn't blame her. It was hard to pick an adjective that would sum-up everything Jinx was or wasn't.
"Ridiculous and Stupid?" Ester blew out a puff of irritated air and her eyes rolled to the ceiling. "Unfortunately, yes. She's always had the idea that the rules don't apply to her and she is exempt from any of the codes that we've worked so hard to keep in place."
"Why were the codes put into place?" Raven looked more interested in the story than in helping Robin out, but he couldn't blame her. This was her element, and learning about new, dark things must have brought some kind of odd joy in her life. It was worth it, even if it was at his expense.
"The codes were put into place because of things that were discovered. Odd things about changing humans and how specific it has to be." Christine paused and frowned, but continued with determination. "When a female vampire turns a male human it does something strange to your genetic make up. There's something about it that makes you… unstable. It makes you different than normal vampires."
"We can tolerate only a little sun, and it has to be very early in the morning or very late in the evening. Food, we have to stay away from. There are a few things we can bear, like coffees and teas, but other than that our bodies reject all other forms of sustenance except for blood." Ester placed a cup of tea in front of Raven and a cup of coffee in front of Robin. She bent down and stared him in the eyes, making Robin feel as if she were scrutinizing his every feature. "Can you go out into the sunlight? Eat food? What about strength?"
Robin nodded, but didn't speak. It still hurt too much to communicate. A car drove by and the headlights shone brightly threw an opening in the curtains. The lights hit a small portion of his neck, showing the damage Jinx had done. Ester made a noise of surprise and Christine gasped, her hands going to her own throat. She blinked a few times before speaking. "Is that how she changed you? By nearly killing you? No wonder you speak so little!"
Raven put down her cup of tea, looking as if she might have found the cure for him. She turned around and faced Beatrice, who was walking towards them with determination. Hopefully that was a good sign. "He can communicate with short bursts of words, but nothing more… is there anyway to fix it?"
"Let's see." Beatrice's eyes narrowed as she placed two fingers underneath his chin. Robin squirmed. Being this close to her was making him uncomfortably hot. Unconsciously, his hand reached out and grasped Raven's under the table. He needed support if he was going to be this close to sweet honey. All he had to do was flick his wrist and he would have brought her down.
What was he thinking! He had to stop those thoughts now, or something irreversible would have happened. His fingers weaved in between Raven's, and she held his hand tightly as Beatrice pushed up on his jaw. "Tilt your chin up and let me have a look."
Robin looked up at the ceiling, feeling exposed under the four sets of eyes. He knew his throat was a ragged mess of scars and lines, and didn't look as if it were in workable condition, let alone in good condition. Robin coughed, which sounded like an odd grunting noise, as Beatrice placed her fingers on the scars. "Good Goddess! That's just plain brutal… I think there may be something I can do." Beatrice placed her warm palm over his Adam's apple, and whispered a few words under her breath.
Robin sat there for a few seconds before his throat grew warm, all the muscles in his neck seem to loosen and relax. As strange as it sounded, his vocal chords felt like they were healing, moving and shifting back to where and what they used to be. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Raven watching him intently. He had to hold in a smirk, of course this would be fascinating to her, how often did she get to see vampire magic? Robin watched the clock as the minutes passed. The three minutes felt like an eternity before Beatrice removed her hand.
"There… how does that feel?"
"Better." Robin pressed his fingers to his neck, he could still feel the raw, red scars on his neck, but at least he could speak. He opened and closed his mouth several times, feeling everything move properly. He didn't feel the strain from his throat, and his vocal chords moved the way they were supposed to. His voiced sounded deeper, a bit harsher than it had before, but he could speak without pain and that was all that mattered at this point. He smiled up at Beatrice. "I can't thank you enough. It gets pretty difficult trying to explain yourself through paper and pen."
"Good thing I can read your face like an open book." Robin didn't even have to turn at look at Raven to know she was smirking. Well, at least she was feeling better enough to joke around with him. That made him feel better. Robin looked down and noticed his fingers were still intertwined with hers and he snatched his hand away, feeling color rush to his face. Raven frowned, but didn't say anything.
Beatrice looked at Raven with a stern eyes, but had the politeness to not draw attention to the action. For that, Robin was grateful. Raven had trouble admitting anything that wasn't already common knowledge, including any relationship, platonic or otherwise. Beatrice turned back to Robin and cleared her throat. "Is there anything else you'd like to ask us? Now that you can speak properly?"
Robin thought for a moment, trying to ignore the beast inside him whispering tales of sin to him. Even Raven could tell that having Beatrice touch him sent him near the brink of insanity. He sighed and shook his head, trying to still his body. He couldn't let this happen. "No. Not now… I think I just need to go back to the hotel and… think. Or Rest… or both."
Raven cocked her head to the side, as if she were going to ask a question, but decided against it. Robin had the sudden feeling like he needed to get away from her too. That if he stayed this close to her, something terrible was bound to happen, and he would carry the crime forever. She breathed in slowly before speaking with the three girls. "So… what happens now… exactly?"
"It's hard to tell." Ester swirled the contents of her teacup, frowning. She looked up, her dark eyes boring into Robin. "What can you do exactly?"
Robin started and blinked a few minutes before he registered the question. "In terms of what?"
"In terms of sunlight?" Christine watched his expression with such severity, Robin was concerned for her. "Food?"
"Both… I tolerate both. "
There was a long pause, and in the silence Robin could hear more questions than answers. He was beginning to find he was an enigma even to the vampires, which concerned him. If there was nothing like him before now… how was he going to fix his problem? And furthermore, was there an actual solution? Christine spoke again. "And blood? How often do you need to drink?"
"I don't know… I…" Robin searched for the right word, not wanting to inadvertently offend anyone. Giving up, he looked over at Raven for help.
"He fed last night." Raven jumped in, saving him. "Are you hungry again?"
The question wasn't meant in any other way than practical. She needed to know in case he needed to feed… it wasn't an invitation. Even though part of him wished for the invite. "Not… yet." Robin felt color flush to his face and he looked away, clearing his throat. His head needed to get out of the gutter before he said something stupid. "I have the feeling I will be soon."
"Hm… so you can tolerate sun and food?" There was a long pause and the question Robin dreaded hung unspoken in the air. "And your more carnal desires? Are they vampire or otherwise?" Beatrice crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back into her chair, knowing she had hit a soft spot. Did she really have to ask that question? And in front of Raven, no less?
"Er… both… I guess." Robin turned his red face away from Raven, trying to ignore the sound of her heart. It picked up speed and thrummed against her ribs. Robin knew this was all his fault. He wanted to protect her against every terrible thing that was with her now, including him. For the first time in a while, he wondered if he was her enemy more than her friend. And, for the first time that night, he didn't want an answer. Not to that question.
"I… have to contact Cy, Robin…He's been worried about you… I'll…" Her heart thumped harder against her ribs as her voice broke. She cleared her throat and looked away. Robin got the distinct feeling that she was going too run as soon as she got the chance, he wouldn't put it past her, but he couldn't let her go. She was the glue that held all his mismatched pieces together and he needed her. Robin wanted to reach out and comfort her, but he knew that would probably upset her more, so he just let her go to the door. "I'll be back in a second."
Robin sighed, and let his head hang. What had he done?
"Mm…" Christine watched Raven leave and then looked back at Robin, blatantly judging him. He had the strongest desire to smack that condescending look off her face, but he couldn't. These girls had done too much for him. "Does she ground you?"
"Ground me?" Rabin raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"
"Keep you… in line. From choosing a mate of your own species…" Ester chewed on her lower lip, looking like she was thinking carefully about what she was going to say next. Her dark eyes turned to him. "We can feel the change around you, it's calmer, as if you make more precise decisions. You trust her with more than just your keeping, Robin. If you know what I mean."
Robin flushed and stood up, needing to leave. He couldn't face those emotions, not just yet. Raven deserved better than whatever he had become; she deserved someone stronger. "I appreciate the help you've given us, but I think it's time we leave."
Beatrice nodded. "I understand. If you have any questions, we are here in the evening."
Robin forced a polite smile and started for the door. "We'll be sure to return when we need your help, thank you." Robin turned away and walked outside. Raven stood under the overhang, yelling into her communicator.
"What do you mean she got out!? That little pink-headed dork with cotton candy with brains got out?" Raven stomped her foot, splashing dirty water over the sidewalk. "Where is she now?"
"I don't know, Rae." Cyborg's face fell and he sighed. "She split the moment she realized you weren't here. She's looking for Robin."
"Figures." Raven rolled her eyes, and rubbed her forehead, looking like she was fighting a headache. Robin reached out and touched her shoulder, she tried to smile at him but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thanks Robin… so, what should we do now? We can't go back to the tower, and we can't go back to the hotel… I guess that only leaves one option then." Raven's shoulders fell, and she had an expression of complete disappointment.
Robin tried to smile to comfort her, but it didn't work and she glared at him more. Robin sighed and shook his heal. "Well, at least Bruce will be happy to finally meet you."
)O( )O( )O(
Sorry it took so long to get out, I hope everyone enjoyed it! And the next chapter should be out soon. If you have any questions, comments, concerns… drop me a line! And as always, leave a review, I love to hear your thoughts!
Xaph.
