Chapter 7: The Rainbow's End
A middle-aged looking man with silvery-grey hair shook the raindrops off of his jacket before he entered the lobby of the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Posh and welcoming even at this absurd hour of the night, a concierge nodded in greeting as the man passed by his desk.
"Good evening Mr. Louvel, did you enjoy your evening?"
"Oui, it was a very productive night." Emile Louvel winked at the concierge and patted his coat pocket, implying that he'd had a very fortunate night gambling. "Has Mr. Langhorne returned to the property?"
"No sir. He left a message for you." The concierge scrolled through a list of messages for their guests. "Yes, he said he was going to take in a show and get something to eat. He promised to be back before daylight. It sounds like he knows how to have a good time."
Emile smiled slyly at the boy's commentary. Then the young man took in Mr. Louvel's damp appearance.
"You should have called us, Sir. We could have sent a car over so you wouldn't have had to walk out in this weather." Emile glanced at the concierge's name tag.
"Nonsense Jeffrey, it was just a fine, misting rain. Rather refreshing in this heat." The older man pulled out his key card and waved Jeffrey off. "Bonne nuit, dear Jeffrey. I am going to retire for the night."
"Good night sir."
Emile boarded the elevator and arrived a few minutes later on the floor that led to the elegantly furnished suite he was sharing with Eric. Once in the room he pulled back the curtains to gaze at the brilliant lights of the boardwalk below. Yes, it had been a very productive night.
Witches. Eric's mother-figure of a vampire had employed witches to enchant the home of his former lover. It wasn't hard to figure out, at least for him. He could see where a less experienced werewolf could be easily confounded by the dizzying sensation of the spell that blocked the scent of the prey. But too many Weres rely on their noses only for tracking. They don't even consider utilizing their other senses.
It was simple enough. Plot out everywhere the sensation of vertigo would initiate, and once a mental map of the area was made, it was only a matter of locating the center point. He'd pushed through many a spell over the decades, enduring the nausea and confusion the enchanter meant as a deterrent.
Once he found that Hardy boy's home, he waited, listened, and observed. Sure, Emile was strong for his age, and he could very well charge in and drag the boy out. But then he'd caught the scent of the vampires Eric warned him about. And they kept the company of a slayer too? Oh, this just got more interesting by the minute.
Emile Louvel was a different breed of werewolf. He'd long grown tired of the hunt outright. Emile liked to play, and draw his prey out. And as he dashed away from the house once he realized he'd been noticed, a plan began to formulate in his mind. Eric would fight him for sure, to be so close to his prize only to turn away. But anything worth having was worth waiting for.
…..
"I swear Amy, I would never have called you if I wasn't sure!" Ezekiel insisted.
"Calm down little one." Amy soothed, knowing that the young vampire did not like to disappoint her. She, Ezekiel and Biff were several miles outside of Bayport now, the heavy rain having all but washed away the scent they were tracking. Biff was now examining a print in the mud that was being obscured by the downpour every second he stood there.
Why the hell had a werewolf been in such a suburban area? The den he was familiar with stuck to the countryside where deer, beaver and rabbits were more abundant. Judging by the size of the print, it was a fairly large Were. Surely squirrels and stray cats would be a complete waste of time for one this size. So what was the point?
Something in his brain suggested it was way too much of a coincidence that a werewolf would be spotted just a few blocks from Frank's house. But if it was after Frank or Phil, how did it get around the enchantments? It was time to pay Stanley Woods, the local den leader, another visit to see if there were any shenanigans going on in the pack.
Finally Biff's keen eyes spotted a single hair. He gingerly lifted the three inch long strand and stood to inspect it.
"Amy, do you mind?" He held the hair out to her and Amy rolled her eyes.
"Do you know how long it took for me to finally get that smell out of my nose last time?" She huffed, but accepted the hair and inhaled. "Well, that is different."
"I could barely smell the "Were-ness", but it definitely looks like a wolf hair." Biff admitted.
"Baking soda, Lavender, Oat, and something herbal… Oh! Whew! There it is. Uff!" She shoved the strand back for Biff to take, her nose wiggling. He withdrew a tissue from his pocket and tucked the hair in the middle.
"The Were covered its scent. That must be why I didn't notice it until it was close enough for me to detect its movement." Ezekiel rationalized. Amy put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I'll take this with me when I talk to Stanley." Biff turned to the vampire duo.
"I don't know about you two, but I'm ready to go home and get dry."
"Agreed. We will see you again tomorrow night at Frank's house. Ten o'clock." said Amy.
"You know, some of us have to get up and go to work in the morning. Eight thirty."
"Not dark enough. Nine thirty."
"Nine."
"Quarter after nine. And that's final!" Amy turned on her heel. "Come Ezekiel. We have several more hours before daylight that we can use to patrol. And Allen needs his beauty rest." Suddenly they were gone, leaving Biff alone on the country road.
"Good bye!" he called out to no one. "Nice working with you! I'll just walk home from here... In the rain. No problem."
…..
Frank woke up before sunrise Saturday morning feeling like a new man. His leg didn't hurt, he didn't limp.
"Let's go to the beach this morning." Frank suggested as he woke Phil.
"Urff, no… the surf'll be too cool after that rain last night." Phil protested and snuggled deeper into the covers.
"We could go for a run, I haven't stretched my legs since before Christmas. I can't run here yet, too soon, the neighbors will think it's kind of funny that I was hobbling yesterday and jogging today."
"Mmmm…" his fiancée grumbled.
"Phiilll…" Frank pulled the covers away from Phil's face and batted his dark eyelashes, throwing the dark haired boy his most pleadingly innocent look.
"Oh G-d Frank! Alright, alright!" Phil huffed, but he was happy to see Frank excited about doing something for a change. "If we leave now we'll get there just before sunrise."
The cooler morning air felt heavenly compared to the oppressive heat from the days before. The refreshing sea breeze whipped through Frank's chestnut hair as he sat on the hood of his car, his charcoal grey Impala. Thankfully Phil had been driving the vehicle at least once a week to keep it running properly. Frank had giddily climbed into the driver's seat and rolled the windows down for the drive up Shore Road to their favorite stretch of beach. Now sitting on the hood with Phil by his side they watched the sun breach the horizon, painting the sky in warming orange and fuchsia hues.
"I'll never get tired of seeing this." Frank said quietly. Phil squeezed Frank's knee in understanding.
"Ready to start stretching?" Phil asked as he dismounted from the hood. Frank nodded and proceeded to bend and flex his muscles to loosen up for the run.
"Okay, to the lighthouse and back?" Frank suggested, but Phil shook his head.
"Why don't we just aim for that fourth lifeguard chair? You don't want to over do it."
"What? I feel like a million bucks!" Frank and Phil began at a slow trot, heading up the shore.
"Yeah, but you're not going to feel worth a plug nickel if you strain your muscles. When that stuff wears off you're weaker muscles are going to feel it." His fiancée warned.
But Frank just smiled and continued to pick up speed, his body beginning to recall the familiar rhythm and pace of his old routine. It was exhilarating, his feet pounding on the firm sand, the lung-cleansing salt air, the squawk of seagulls overhead and the thundering of the incoming tide.
The two young men ran along in silence as they passed the first of the life guard stations. A young woman in a red tankini top and shorts waved casually as she opened the doors and windows on the small wooden building. They met a few more joggers along the way, until finally they neared the fourth chair.
"Do…you want to… stop and catch your breath?" Phil asked while he ran.
"Nah… I'm good." Frank said. When they got to the chair Phil stopped and turned to head back but Frank kept going.
"Frank!" Phil called. "C'mon Babe!" But he could see where Frank was headed.
"Eeyngeshparter!" he hollered as he followed Frank toward the lighthouse. The brunette broke into a sprint, gaining several yards on Phil. As he approached the part of the beach that became craggier and laden with large rocks that made up the terrain that lead up the lighthouse, Frank spread his arms wide and whooped in sheer delight and joy.
"Woo! Yeah!" He bounced and pumped his fist in the air. "I did it Phil! Did ya see that!"
He launced himself into Phil's arms as he caught up to him. Phil lifted Frank up into a jostling bear hug.
"Yeah you stubborn pain in the ass! I see that!" But he was smiling as he admonished his lover. He lost his footing and they both tumbled onto the sand, Frank quickly braced himself to ensure his full weight didn't land on Phil. Phil was momentarily winded, but as he recovered he noticed the breathless look on Frank's face.
"Kiss me you hard headed fool." And Frank obliged.
…..
Hot, sticky, and now gritty with sand, Phil made a bee line for the shower when they got home.
"Mind if I join you?" Frank asked as he removed his contact lenses over the bathroom sink. His eyes stung a little from the sunblock that had mixed with his sweat.
"Sure, but give me a minute, trying to get he sand out of my hair." Frank ignored him and stepped in behind Phil.
"Lemme help you with that." He said huskily, placing light kisses on Phil's neck and shoulder. He wrapped his arms around the curly-haired boy's waist. One of Frank's hands traveled up the planes of Phil's chest, the other skimmed over the happy trail below his fiancee's navel. Phil could feel Frank's hardening member brush against his ass while the other boy's hand traveled further down, encircling the base of his cock.
Frank pulled himself closer to Phil's body until their bodies were flush together while he stroked his lover to complete hardness. Phil's could feel his body relax into the care Frank was giving it. He leaned slightly forward and rested his hands on the shower wall. This exposed his toned back to Frank, who delighted in kissing and nuzzling his spine, dipping ever lower until he had to drop down onto his knees.
"Ah! Frank, baby, are you sure about that? I got so hot and sweaty…" but his protests were cut off as Frank spread the globes of his ass wide and swiped gently with that hot tongue.
"You're fine… you always smell and taste so good…" He pressed with his tongue again, a little harder, making his lover gasp. Phil took himself in hand and stroked his now neglected cock lazily, relishing in the attention Frank was giving his entrance. He leaned forward again, resting his head on the arm that was supporting him against the wall now. That made him push his ass out further, and Frank took that opportunity to breach him, the wily and firm muscle massaging sinfully.
"Shit… Babe that's … Mmmm…." Frank was kneading his ass, pushing further in and then pulling out. It was driving Phil crazy, his knees began to tremble and shake. Soon Frank withdrew his tongue in favor of his fingers, easily stretching Phil, preparing him. He rubbed up against that magical bundle that he knew would drive Phil nuts and was rewarded with a low keening sound from above. He knew Phil would be getting close, if the way he was clamping down on his fingers were any indication.
Frank stood up, more gracefully than he ever could even before the vampire disaster, and turned his lover to face him. He attacked Phil's mouth, delving inside and dueling with his tongue. Frank ran his fingers through Phil's wet wavy locks, still feeling the grit of sand. Oh yeah, forgot about that, he thought, but dismissed it as Phil grasped his cock to tug and stroke.
"Grab something." Frank warned and before Phil realized what he was doing, Frank had grabbed the back of his thighs and hoisted him up. Instinctively Phil wrapped his legs around Frank's waist. His back slapped the shower wall and he clutched Frank's shoulders, the press of the tip of Frank's cock teasing his entrance.
"Fuck yes!" Phil cried. Frank kissed him again.
"Are you ready?" the brunette asked. Phil looked at him like he'd fallen off the turnip truck.
"Now! Fuck me…" Frank thrust up as he pushed Phil's hips down, cutting Phil's order off and in turn they both moaned. Frank's hips pistoned up and down, the angle just right for running over Phil's prostate. He hardly noticed the fingers that were digging into his shoulders, all he cared about was the babbling that Phil was doing, watching Phil removing one hand from his shoulder to pump his own cock, his head thrown back in his own world of pleasure.
Frank had never felt so strong or powerful during sex in his entire life. It was thrilling, empowering … healing. Phil had been so patient, gentle when he'd needed it, firm and controlling when Frank had needed that too… And now Frank could return the favor, to allow Phil to just let go and let him to the heavy lifting. His heart swelled with love, and as Phil cracked his eyes open and gave Frank a sultry and yet trusting look, an incendiary feeling consumed his chest and groin. He thrust once, twice more, and then he roared as his orgasm hit him so hard. Frank felt the warm splash of Phil's cum coat both of their bodies as those inner muscles clamped down on him.
Frank buried his head in the crook of Phil's neck and shoulder, panting harder than he had after their run from the lighthouse. He was aware of Phil's harsh breaths, and the hot hands that grasped the back of his neck and shoulder.
"That was…"
"Yeah…"
"Think we better wash up before the water gets cold?"
"Then a nap, definitely a nap."