Good evening,
I hope you enjoy.
Oxford Not Brogues
Haunted
Part One
1999
After a long, stressful day at work, Seras' friends 'kidnapped' her to have a fun night out on the town. Despite her being exhausted, the small blonde ended up having a lot of fun. She had a couple of drinks and danced with her friends at a new club Vixen had recently discovered, which turned out to be a lot of fun. After dancing, downing glow in the dark drinks, and playing with neon paint and glow sticks, the starving group decided to grab food at a nearby bar. A third of the group was excited to learn that it was karaoke night at the bar and eagerly put their names down on the waiting list. Seras, on the other hand, wasn't as excited. She liked karaoke just fine, but only in the presence of friends, not strangers. Though, it did make her feel better knowing that a lot of the people singing and listening were pretty smashed. While they waited patiently for their names to be called, Seras and her friends enjoyed several drinks and ordered rather large burgers with chips. A rather perfect meal for drunks. In Vixen's words, 'it would help soak up that alcohol, so they can drink more'.
One by one, their names were called. Vixen and Brianna did a duet of "Nothing's gonna stop us now", which wasn't half bad. Rachel did a version of "Crying in the chapel". Then Vixen shot back up on stage to sing "Africa". And then, much to Seras' displeasure, her name was called. Dropping her head into her hands, she gave a deep sigh.
"It's alright!" Vixen laughed as she scooted closer towards Seras in the booth. She then slid a shot of tequila over. "Here, down this shot, get up there, and sing your drunken heart out! We'll be here, cheering you on!" Anxiously, Seras grabbed the shot her friend offered and shot it back. But it wasn't enough to give her the courage she needed.
"I'm really nervous." The small blonde admitted to the rest of the table.
"I don't get why." Vixen responded. "You're a good singer."
"Thanks, but…I don't like singing in front of people." Seras murmured as she wrung her hands. Once again, her name was called to come to the stage or her spot would be given away. Brianna slid out of the booth from across Seras. Holding out a hand, the tall woman with ebony skin gave her friend a warm smile.
"Come on," Brianna whispered. "I'll go up with you." Surprisingly, this did make Seras feel better. Going with a friend was definitely better than going up by herself. Smiling bashfully, the small blonde took a hold of her friend's hand and got up from her seat. The two girls headed to the back of the bar where there was a small stage, some lights, and a lonely microphone on a stand. Off to the side of the stage was a man on a laptop, waiting for drunks to request what song they wanted to sing so he could play the music over the speakers.
"I'm Seras," The small blonde told this man as she gave him a small, awkward wave of her hand.
"Great," He replied kindly as he tapped a giant binder in front of his laptop. "If you don't have any idea what you want to sing, then you can look through this. We have a large selection."
"Actually, I think I want to sing 'Stand by Me', by Ben E. King." Seras responded.
"Good choice," The man commented with a bright smile. "I was afraid it was going to be 'Time after Time' again. You have no idea how many times I heard that song tonight, and none of them were good." He laughed while he searched for the song she had requested. After finding it, he glanced back at the two ladies in front of him. "But…you guys do know that 'Stand by Me' isn't a duet, right?"
"We know," Brianna answered. "My friend is just a little nervous, so I'm going up with her."
"Thanks, Bri." Seras whispered, truly grateful for having a friend who understood her social anxiety and was extremely supportive.
"No problem, Ser." Her friend replied as she squeezed her hand to give her extra assurance.
"Alright, you're all set. Whenever you're ready." The man informed them as he gestured at the stage.
"Thanks," Seras murmured. The two girls stepped up onto the stage. The bar was pretty full and a bit noisy. Every table and booth was occupied and there were only a few people seated at the bar. Despite it being full, Seras felt better when seeing that hardly anyone was paying attention to people singing karaoke. Most people were just waiting for their turn, talking to others, eating dinner, or too drunk to even know where they were. When the intro to the song played overhead, Seras mindlessly held Brianna's hand a little tighter.
During their first week of freedom, after the Hellsing Organization was attacked by an army of ghouls and vampires, Alucard and Sebastian took full advantage of everything. One of the first things they did was satiate their hunger. That first night of freedom, Alucard had drained the bodies of three young girls while Sebastian consumed the souls of several different people. The second night of freedom, they focused on other needs, which was far more fun. The monsters managed to bring four women and two men to a penthouse they were temporarily staying in. It was a long and eventful night that left them briefly satisfied. On the third night, the men looked for something to eat or fuck, perhaps both. To find horny, willing humans that drunk themselves into a stupor, Alucard and Sebastian came to a popular bar. While the men worked their charm around the bar, flocking to different men and women to see who would take the bait, they were caught off guard by someone singing.
"When the night has come, and the land is dark."
Sebastian's eyes widened as his very heart stilled in his chest. He had been in the middle of seducing a young woman, but stopped mid sentence when hearing that angelic voice.
"And the moon is the only light we'll see."
"What were you saying?" The woman he was talking to previously asked. But the demon ignored her as he lifted his head to look at the stage. There the angel stood.
"No, I won't be afraid. Oh, I won't be afraid."
The woman singing was a short blonde with spiky hair and large blue eyes that glimmered with purity, warmth, and shyness. She had a perfect smile on her pink lips. His eyes took her all in, drinking in every inch of her absolute beauty. She looked so pretty in her dark blue dress, even though she had splatters of neon paint on her.
"Just as long as you stand by me. Stand by me."
"Excuse me?" The woman he was talking to scoffed. "You're being rude."
"Nevermind," Sebastian murmured before he walked away from the woman, so could focus entirely on the angel on stage. It was evident how nervous the little angel was since she held her friend's hand so tightly. Was she trembling? It awed and made him sympathize for her, making him smile softly. She was so nervous, the poor thing. Did she not know that her voice was capable of bewitching the strongest and most stubborn of men?
"Oh, darlin', darlin', stand by me. Oh, stand by me. Oh, stand. Stand by me. Stand by me."
Sebastian knew then and there that he had fallen hard for that little human. He wanted her. He needed her. For the remainder of his years, he needed her by his side.
"If the sky we look upon should tumble and fall. Or the mountains should crumble to the sea."
"Gorgeous," Someone whispered beside Sebastian. The demon didn't dare take his eyes off of her; he was far too captivated and didn't want to miss a single second. But he knew who was there. He recognized the voice and presence. From the sound of Alucard's voice, he could only imagine that the elder vampire was just as entranced as him by the angel's voice. Both men stood absolutely still as they listened to her sing.
"I won't cry. I won't cry. No, I won't shed a tear. Just as long as you stand by me. Stand by me."
"I love her." Sebastian admitted softly to Alucard. "She will be my mate."
"And darlin', darlin', stand by me. Oh, stand by me. Oh, stand now. Stand by me. Stand by me."
"Shame really." Alucard responded as he folded his arms over his chest.
"Why is that?" The demon asked.
"Now knowing that you have claimed her as a mate, I'm guessing that I have to respect that she's off limits. I can't partake of her throat or fuck the little beauty, even if I keep her alive?" The elder vampire asked.
"And darlin', darlin', stand by me. Oh, stand by me. Oh, stand now. Stand by me. Stand by me."
"Are you claiming that you are just hungry and aroused or have you developed feelings for this little human as well?" Sebastian asked.
"Feelings?" Alucard snickered in amusement. "No. I'm suggesting we share her for a night and then you can have her." The demon sighed as he considered if for a moment. He wasn't thrilled by the thought of sharing his angel, then again, he did love a threesome; it made the experience more thrilling.
"Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me? Oh, stand by me. Won't you stand by me?"
The music faded and the song was over, causing Sebastian to frown in disappointment. Would she sing again? He watched her carefully as his nervous angel left the stage with her supportive friend…or who he hoped was her friend. Hopefully that girl wasn't his angel's girlfriend.
"Well?" Alucard asked as he glanced at the demon from the corner of his eye.
"We'll see," Sebastian murmured. "Only if she's comfortable doing such a thing." Needing to hear her sing again, the demon walked to the back of the bar as his angel went back to her table to meet up with the rest of her friends. That gorgeous smile on her face widened when seeing her hot food waiting for her. Ignoring the man on the laptop, Sebastian instantly grabbed the clipboard with the waiting list. He located the name that was recently crossed off because she just had her turn. "Seras," The demon whispered under his breath. He scanned the rest of the list to see if she would sing again but didn't find her name.
"Dude, just put your name down. Three people are up before you." The man on the laptop informed him. Sebastian proceeded to ignore him as he wrote down Seras' name and then passed the clipboard off to the staff member. "Why don't you go get a drink or something to eat? It'll be a couple of songs before I call you up." Again, he was ignored as the demon turned to look back at the angel who looked to be greatly enjoying her meal. Seras, her name is Seras. Sebastian reminded himself as he stared at her, purely mesmerized by that smile and look in her eyes.
"Is it me or are these chips so fucking good?" Vixen practically moaned as she stuffed another hot, salty chip into her mouth. She then gave a deep, sensual moan. "Holy fuck!"
"It's all really good." Seras agreed. Setting her delicious, juicy burger down, she reached for her margarita to take a generous sip from it.
"Okay. Game plan." Vixen announced after licking her fingers clean. "We finish eating, have a couple more drinks, sing a few more songs, and then we have a movie night and sleepover at my place."
"And what about Gabriel?" Brianna asked with a raised brow while she finished off her margarita.
"That I don't want to get into. It's complicated." The redhead laughed as she ate a couple more chips.
"Trouble in paradise?" Bri pushed.
"Not really," Vixen muttered while she frowned at her food. "You know that…Gabriel and I have…an open relationship, right? But…we normally do…that stuff together." The sadness only grew in her eyes. It was the first time Seras actually witnessed Vixen looking so upset instead of her normal cheery self. "Recently…Gabriel...requested that he shag some girl…alone. I know that you guys don't really understand our relationship…but…this is…abnormal; it's weird. I'm normally not a jealous person, but…I'm…insanely jealous." Realizing that she just spilled her guts about her issues, the redhead perked up and looked at her friends in horror. Embarrassed, she cleared her throat and proceeded. "Anyway, Gabriel is staying the night at…some girl's place. So…we have the flat to ourselves tonight." Rachel, Brianna, and Seras looked at each other in discomfort. They certainly didn't judge their friend or her relationship or the fact that she flirts with every guy she sees. But how could they comfort their friend when they barely understood the relationship she had with her boyfriend? What do they even say? Fortunately, Brianna was on top of it.
"You need to be honest with him, Vixen." Bri whispered before she leaned forward to cup a hand over Vixen's. "Tell him that you're not comfortable with him sleeping with this girl. If he truly cares about you, he will understand and respect that."
"What if…he loves her more than he loves me? What if he doesn't love me anymore? What if…this is the start of us breaking up?" The redhead asked worriedly. "I'm scared. I…love him. I don't want to lose him."
"I know it's scary," Seras was speaking before she realized it. Her heart immediately dropped when hearing what she was saying. Who was she to be giving any type of advice when she's never had a boyfriend or a serious relationship? However, she pushed herself to keep talking. "I know that you don't want to lose him. But…won't it be best to learn who he is now before going any further in life with him?"
"I don't think we ever truly learn about the people we're dating or marrying. We all have secrets. We all try to hide our flaws and the worst parts of ourselves from the people we love." Vixen responded while she thoughtlessly played with the silverware on her napkin. "Most of us take a leap of faith and blindly trust the person we're with, hoping that they are who they say they are. I'm just hoping that Gabriel honors our agreements to this open relationship and respects that I don't like what he has going on with that other girl. I hope he breaks it off with her or…involves me at least. And I will continue to hope that he doesn't see her behind my back. All I can do right now is blindly trust him. And…if he…chooses her over me…" The redhead trailed off and gave a heavy sigh. "Yes, Seras. I suppose you're right. Good thing I learned now before getting my heart even more severely broken in the future when I marry the idiot." Before anymore could be said, Vixen stood up. "Excuse me," She murmured and then left the table.
"God, I feel terrible." Seras murmured under her breath. "I shouldn't have said that. I just upset her more."
"It's alright," Brianna replied as she subconsciously rubbed over Seras' back, though she didn't take her eyes off of Vixen. The redhead was in the back of the bar, appearing to be putting herself back on the waiting list to sing another song. "She just has a lot on her mind, and you're right. It's better she learns now." Seras just about jumped out of her skin when a waiter unexpectedly set a drink down in front of her. In a tall, stemmed glass was a deep red margarita. The rim was covered in salt and there was a strawberry wedge hanging on to the side. Seras blinked at it for a moment before glancing up at the waiter.
"I-I didn't order this." The small blonde murmured as she pointed at the drink. The tall, brunette server gave her a handsome smile.
"The gentleman at the bar ordered this for you. He said that he deeply appreciated hearing you sing and wanted to give you something in return." The waiter informed her. Seras' eyes widened and her cheeks darkened with a blush. The stranger liked her singing? "He also said that he has a strong feeling that you like strawberries, so he ordered you a strawberry margarita."
"I love strawberries." Seras agreed with a bright smile and a twinkle in her eye.
"Hold it," Brianna spoke as she gently gripped her friend's arm. "Did the 'gentleman' have access to her drink at all?" She asked suspiciously.
"No, ma'am. I made it and brought it straight over. If you need extra assurance, one of the waitresses on break watched me make it. I promise, no one else had any access to it." The server promised.
"Which gentleman?" Seras asked as she looked at the men seated at the bar. The server turned to point the fellow out, but ended up frowning. He took a quick look around, but the bar was so crowded that he couldn't find the man.
"It appears he left, ma'am." The waiter answered.
"Well, thank you." The small blonde replied with a soft smile. "And if you see the gentleman, could you thank him for me?" The server nodded and then left. Looking similar to a little kid who just received a pile of candy, Seras happily took a sip of her strawberry margarita. "God, that is delicious." She licked over her lips, enjoying the flavor that was bursting in her mouth.
"It's a shame you don't know who sent it." Rachel commented while she and Brianna smiled at the cute blonde.
"Yeah, he likes your singing and had a feeling that you would like this drink?" Bri added. "It sounds like he has a crush on you."
"Woah!" Vixen exclaimed when she finally returned to the table. "That's a fancy drink. I know that costs more than a regular margarita. Are you sure that you can aff-"
"A guy bought it for her." Brianna interrupted before Vixen could finish that sentence.
"Oh!" The redhead chirped as a smirk graced her lips. "Well, who is he? What does he look like?"
"I don't know." Seras answered with a shrug. "He supposedly left before the waiter could point him out."
"And he appreciated her singing." Bri giggled.
"Damn! Too bad he bolted!" Vixen responded while she anxiously looked all around as if she would be able to spot the stranger. Maybe she'll find someone gawking at Seras. "Why aren't you looking for him?"
"Clearly because he doesn't want to be found." Seras laughed as she watched Vixen search for this poor man.
"But don't you want a boyfriend or to at least get laid finally?" The redhead asked.
"Laid?" The small blonde snickered before taking another sip from her delicious drink. "Of course I want to get laid eventually, but it's not on the top of my list, Vixen. Right now I just want to focus on my career."
"That means no boyfriend?" Vixen asked.
"For now, yeah." Seras answered.
"But what if you meet Mr. Right? What if you reject him and then you have to settle for someone else in the future because you didn't take a chance now?" The redhead asked.
"It wouldn't hurt to play the field and go on a couple of dates, Seras." Brianna agreed. "At least by doing that you'll learn what you like and don't like in a man, and you learn how you want to be treated in a relationship."
"Or you can meet Mr. Right!" Vixen repeated.
"Vixen's right." Rachel laughed. "The first man I ever dated turned out to be the right man for me. I'm not saying it's going to be like that for you, everyone is different, but you never know. The man you reject or choose to date could be the man of your dreams; the one that's for you. Your soulmate."
"I don't know about soulmate, but yeah, there is a small possibility he could be the one for you." Brianna replied. "It won't hurt your career if you date a little, Seras. You don't have to marry the dude. Just…"
"Take a chance!" Vixen finished for Bri. "Take a leap of faith!"
"I'll think about it." Seras promised, hoping that they would drop the matter. But it did make her wonder. Has she met Mr. Right already and rejected him? Had she lost her chance of ever having the best relationship in her life? The only relationship that would really and truly matter?
"Seras," Her name was heard on the speaker overhead. Seras furrowed her brows before she glanced towards the back of the bar at the stage.
"What?" The small blonde murmured. "I didn't put my name on the list. Vixen, did you?"
"I…didn't think that I did. But…maybe? Honestly, I can't remember." The redhead admitted as she turned in her seat to stare at the stage. "I'm…sure that I didn't. God, I must be drunker than I thought."
"Seras," Her name was called for a second time.
"I don't know if I want to go back up." Seras muttered nervously. "I don't even know what I would sing."
"Seras, it's alright. If you don't want to go up, you don't have to. Remember, we're just having a fun night out. No need to be so nervous or scared, especially of what others think." Bri assured her. "If you do decide to go up, I'll go with you again."
"Thanks," The small blonde whispered and gave her a small smile, feeling slightly better. "I am…having a lot of fun tonight. And…karaoke is fun. I guess one…more song won't kill me." She muttered bashfully. She then held out a hand to her friend. "Let's do this."
Alucard pressed a young woman up against the wall as he lathed her throat in kisses. The drunk girl wrapped her arms around his neck as she gave deep moans and whimpers. He grazed his teeth over her flesh, aching to bury his fangs in her veins and drain her dry. His hard, needy cock was pressed against the girl's thigh, though that arousal was hardly for the woman in his arms. That erection was for a different human, one that was currently forbidden for him to touch because that damn demon claimed her first. Mate? Alucard thought angrily. Was Michaelis really in love with a human? My, how the mighty have fallen. What could he possibly see in her? Then again, he hardly had any room to talk considering that the human had bewitched him with her voice, made him hunger for her blood, and stirred a deep craving in him for her body. He wanted her, and he probably would have turned her to. Before his Hellsing days, he probably would have made that little human his bride. But a mate? How was Michaelis so sure that she was meant to be his mate?
Music played overhead, but Alucard hardly paid any attention to it. As he bared his fangs with the intent to bury them in the human's throat, he found himself spellbound once more. Every muscle tensed and every limb froze as if he had turned to stone. His eyes widened when hearing a familiar little songbird singing.
"Some say love, it is a river. That drowns the tender reed."
Alucard gasped before he turned his head sharply to look towards the back of the bar. It was her! The little human was back on the stage with her friend, singing a new song in that lovely voice that gave him chills.
"Some say love, it is a razor. That leaves your soul to bleed."
"Hey," The woman he had been necking whined as she pulled on his coat. "What's wrong?"
"Some say love, it is a hunger. An endless aching need."
Alucard unraveled his arms from around the human.
"Hey! Where are you going?" The woman asked as she went to grab for him.
"We're done," The elder vampire told her, using a strict tone. Turning, he walked away from her.
"Are you fucking serious?" The woman grumbled angrily, but he didn't care.
"I say love, it is a flower. And you, it's only seed."
Alucard absent-mindedly headed for the back of the bar, drawing closer towards the little human who captivated him and made his very soul tremble. Purely mesmerized by her, he kept his red eyes trained on her.
"It's the heart, afraid of breaking. That never learns to dance."
When reaching the back of the bar, Alucard found Sebastian sitting at a small table. The demon was grinning from ear to ear while he listened intently to his little angel sing. Silently, the No Life King joined the Prince of Hell at the table.
"It's the dream, afraid of waking. That never takes the chance."
"Absolutely divine," Sebastian whispered.
"How can you be sure that she's your mate?" Alucard asked.
"It's the one who won't be taken. Who cannot seem to give."
"Every bit of her is calling to me. Her voice has power over me. Her scent soothes me. Her eyes…Those eyes are enchanting. They whisper silently to me, assuring me that everything is fine as long as she's here with me. Just looking into her eyes…I know she's meant to be mine. I love her." The demon described the feelings inside of him the best he could to the clueless vampire.
"You sound more like an obsessed stalker than anything." Alucard chuckled. "I think you're fixated on her, not in love, Michaelis. Truly, this is sad." But Sebastian ignored him. All he wanted to hear at the moment was her.
"And the soul, afraid of dying. That never learns to live."
The No Life King wasn't able to ignore what the demon said. Much like Sebastian, Alucard was also enchanted by her voice, her scent, and even her eyes. Looking into those deep ocean blue eyes of hers, he felt…comforted. Her scent, along with that faint scent of her strawberry shampoo, calmed Alucard greatly. All he could envision was holding her close to him with his nose buried in her hair, and being lulled to sleep by that beautiful scent and melodious voice.
"When the night has been too lonely. And the road has been too long."
Alucard couldn't help but wonder if this little human would understand him; accept him for who and what he is. Could she ever love him? Was this little human his mate? He felt so incredibly charmed by her, but he was hesitant to dissect or accept what he was feeling towards her. The last time he started to feel this way for someone…it didn't end well.
"And you think that love is only for the lucky and strong."
When it comes to love, Alucard hasn't been very lucky so far. But, according to the song she was reading, anyone can find love, even the unlucky. Did she even believe in the words she was singing? Or was she unknowingly feeding false hope to him?
"Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows."
Feeling uncomfortable by the foreign feelings stirring inside of him, Alucard quickly casted away those ridiculous thoughts of love. She wasn't his mate! Stop being so foolish! What he was feeling was nothing more than lust! All he desired was to drink her blood and to feel her gorgeous legs wrapped around him while he fucks her hard into the mattress. That was the only thing he desired.
"Lies the seed that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes a rose."
Sebastian applauded her performance along with two of her friends that sat at their designated table. There were a few other claps, but it was sparse. As the little human was placing the microphone back on the stand, her eyes flitted up for a split second to meet Sebastian's gaze. Immediately, the smile fell from her face and her eyes flickered back to look at him. Looking as if she was in her own trance, the human stared openly at the demon. Smirking at the beauty, Sebastian gave her a small nod of his head. Her eyes widened and her cheeks heated with a blush. From where he sat, he heard her heart rate pick up. His smirk widened while a knowing look appeared in his eyes.
"Seras?" Her friend spoke and she placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder. "You alright?" Emerging from that trance, Seras blinked and pulled her gaze away from the demon's to look at Brianna.
"I-I'm fine, sorry." His angel murmured.
"Come on," Bri whispered as she led Seras off the stage. The small blonde took a quick glimpse at Sebastian one last time before returning to her table.
"My little angel was ensnared when locking eyes with me." The demon spoke out loud as he subconsciously watched her, making sure she got back to her table safely. He wanted to be sure that no male bothered her. "Her eyes even dilated from arousal. In that short moment between us, I believe her very soul quaked. I hope it did." Glancing over at Alucard, Sebastian noticed how unusually silent the elder vampire was. There was a distant look in the No Life King's eyes, and he looked…miserable. "You…like her." The demon realized while he studied the other make. Alucard looked at him from the corner of his eye. "More than you let on. This isn't just sexual feelings, is it?" The No Life King scoffed and looked away. He was not eager to have this discussion, but he knew the demon was going to push to have it.
"How are you so positive that she's your mate? How could you possibly know when you haven't spent a single moment with her or even talked to her?" Alucard asked.
"I'm…not sure." Sebastian admitted, but a warm smile spread across his lips. "When I first saw her, I just knew. I know I've never met her before, but…when seeing her, it was like I already knew her. It was like seeing an old friend again after such a very long time. Every bit of me told me that she was my mate. How can my instincts be wrong? They've always been right so far." The elder vampire's frown deepened when hearing this. "What?"
"This is nothing like how I felt with Mina." Alucard admitted softly. Before the demon could ask, he proceeded. "This is much stronger and feels more real. I like how this little human makes me feel."
"Seras," Sebastian told him.
"Seras," Alucard repeated and a grin appeared on his lips. "Despite these…feelings, I'm hesitant to act on them."
"Alucard, I know that the reason why is because the last time you had loved someone, you got a stake through the heart and we both became slaves to a family of vampire hunters. But you shouldn't compare Seras to Mina. It won't be the same." The demon explained. "Firstly, she isn't involved with vampire hunters. And secondly, Seras is actually your mate, unlike Mina. If you're too afraid to act on these feelings, then you're choosing to stay miserable for the rest of eternity. Isn't this existence hell enough for you? Don't you think it would be a little more bearable if she was in your life?"
"I suppose it would be." Alucard responded as the grin widened on his face. "However, there still lies the issue of her accepting us for what we are. When should we intend to tell her?" Sebastian automatically frowned and gave a heavy sigh. Lowering his head, he thought about it for a moment.
"I haven't decided yet. I would prefer being forward with her and reveal what we truly are right away. But I believe it would be easier if we got her to fall in love with us first before revealing ourselves." The demon considered their options.
"But she may feel deceived if we wait too long to show her our true selves" Alucard brought to his attention.
"Yes, I know." The demon murmured while he thought about it carefully. "Quite difficult,"
When Seras returned to the table she took a large gulp from her margarita to help cool down her suddenly burning body. Who was that man? The second she laid eyes on him, her entire body stiffened and her heart pounded so hard in her chest that it actually hurt. Almost instantly, she felt a powerful sensation between her legs that nearly made her knees buckle. Even now, there was still a tremble in her nether regions, making her take another large gulp of the alcoholic drink. Seras had never been aroused by anyone ever before, and it was because of a complete stranger of all things?
"Take it easy." Brianna laughed as she patted the blonde's arm. Those dark brown eyes of his were still so clear in her mind. Why did that arousal come on so strong from a single look?
"Sorry, I just…" But Seras was interrupted when an older woman in her forties approached their table. All four girls looked at her while she stared intently at Seras. She was a short, pudgy woman with frizzy blonde hair that she wore in a half up ponytail. There was a glimmer of fear and deep concern in the older woman's eyes.
"Uh? Can we help you?" Vixen snickered at the strange woman. The woman snapped out of it and blinked as she looked at the redhead and then back at Seras.
"Excuse me, sorry." The woman trailed off as she tried finding a way to explain to the small blonde of why she approached her. "I'm Melina. I'm a Medium." The woman informed her, hoping this will help. "And…" She was interrupted by the redhead.
"Really?!" Vixen exclaimed with a look of excitement in her eyes. "That is so sick! Can you read our fortunes? I've got money!"
"I don't read people's fortunes." Melinda corrected her. "I'm more attuned to the spiritual realm. I can sense spirits, angels, and…even demons." Her gaze flickered back to look at Seras. "I often travel all around the world to help cleanse places or even people."
"I'm sorry, but why are you telling me this?" Seras asked as she set her drink off to the side.
"I come here all the time, and this is the first time I've sensed a malevolent entity present in this building. When I saw you up there singing, I…sensed that…" She then sighed before pushing herself to answer. "It's faint, but…I believe that very dark entity has attached itself to you." Melinda warned the young girl.
"Wait, are you saying Seras is being haunted by some scary ghost?" Vixen snickered as a wide smirk spread across her face.
"No, something much darker. I believe your friend is at risk of being possessed. This…entity that's attached itself to her, it's never been human." The Medium further explained.
"So a demon?" Rachel murmured with a deep look of concern. Subconsciously, she grabbed the cross that was hanging from her neck.
"Yes," Melinda agreed with a nod. "I can help. I can cast away this entity. I can cleanse you and your home so the entity can't return as well. Please, let me help you."
"I'm sorry," Seras interrupted with a wave of her hand. She then gave the woman an awkward smile. "I'm sure you mean well, but I don't really believe in that stuff. Thanks though."
"This isn't a gimmick and I'm not charging you for my service. I insist that you let me cleanse you so this entity doesn't follow you home or put you at risk of getting possessed in the future. Please, let me help you." Melinda begged.
"I'm sorry," The small blonde repeated. "But I don't want to be cleansed. Thank you." The Medium stood there for a moment and studied Seras, looking so very disappointed. Eventually, she gave a nod of her head.
"Very well, that's your choice." Melinda murmured while she pulled a card from a purse. "However, if you change your mind, I'll leave you my card." She placed a small black card down beside Seras' hand on the table. "In the meantime, I'll pray for you." With those final words, the Medium left. Vixen was quick to snatch the card off the table to read it.
"What the hell was that?" Brianna laughed. "A dark entity, really?"
"I guess Mediums will do or say anything for a quick buck." Vixen giggled.
"We shouldn't mock her or the entity." Rachel retorted. She still had a firm grasp of her cross. "I think she was telling the truth." She then looked over at the small blonde. "Seras, I know that you don't believe in this stuff, but it wouldn't hurt to be cleansed."
"She did say that she would do it for free." Vixen added.
"I'm not getting cleansed." Seras laughed at the ridiculous thought. "I don't need to be cleansed either. It's just a bunch of hocus pocus." She took another sip of her drink.
"Oh! I just thought of something!" The redhead exclaimed before she eagerly sat forward. "New game plan! We go to the Black Cats & Broomsticks Shop, buy an ouija board, and then head over to Seras' place to see if we can contact this thing that's attached itself to her!"
"That sounds like fun. I'm down." Bri responded.
"Man! I haven't played with an ouija board in forever! I miss doing it so much!" Vixen laughed as she went back to studying the Medium's card.
"I guess that's alright." Seras murmured with a shrug. "I know that I don't really believe in any of this stuff, but I have always wanted to participate in a seance. Could be fun."
"No!" Rachel raised her voice. "You're just going to provoke and anger whatever is attached to Seras! Or worse, you're going to summon something darker in her flat! Hell, you're all putting yourselves at risk! Something can attach itself to each of you, follow you home, and torment you and your family! I am not doing this!"
"Rachel, it's fine. I am giving them permission to do this. If something happens, it's my fau-" The small blonde tried explaining but was interrupted.
"You guys can do it if you want, but I'm not. I'm going home." Rachel retorted as she anxiously opened her pocketbook and took out the appropriate amount of money to cover her meal and drinks. "Please, move." Vixen didn't argue. She slid out of the booth, allowing Rachel out. Then, their friend left; too angry to look or speak to any of them.
"What's her problem?" Vixen scoffed.
"Don't mind her. She has a deep fear of the occult and anything spiritual." Brianna answered with a wave of her hand.
"Vixen," Their friend's name was called for karaoke.
"Oh! It's my turn!" Vixen exclaimed before she threw down the Medium's card on the table. "I'm going to go sing. Let's then finish up our meals, so we can do our seance."
End of Part One
I hope you enjoyed the first part.
Oxford Not Brogues