The Healer's Guardian

Watching the Ghosts

If I was your vampire, 

Certain as the moon, 

Instead of killing time, 

We'll have each other 

Until the sun

I sat in a back room of the club that I ran. I had turned Blood Reign into my haven and a safe place for all species. True, it had been quiet recently because of the summer weather but it still ran smoothly. Of course, the ranks of the Angels with Scabbed Wings were empty aside from me. It was unfortunate really, that the town had become so unpopulated with those who believed in the existence of the night creatures. Even those who discovered our existence mocked us because of the recent vampire fad that had spiraled out of control. It portrayed vampires as brooding creatures that held convictions about taking human blood and sparkled in the sun. I sneered disdainfully at the thought. It was disgusting. We are proud creatures, and these new vampires that the human mind has created only serve to anger the population and make humans less vigilant to the predators lurking in the shadows. I hold no malice for humans; I regard them as friends yet these ideas that they come up with are deeply disturbing.

I stood from the lounge chair. I needed to walk to rid myself of the agitation. Besides, I had business to attend to. I walked into the crowd of people that populated the club. Assorted girls reached out and ran their hands down my arms and back, attempting to get me to join them and dance. I smiled charmingly at them before moving on. I had a very important visitor on the way. I reached the door as soon as officer Hanley appeared at the door. I bowed with a flourish, mimicking the old customs of the court jesters. I smiled crookedly as I did so. "Why officer, what a pleasant surprise. Have you decided to finally let loose a little and have some fun with us?" I straightened, knowing very well why he was here. He shook his head in an exhausted manner. "Cody, you know very well why I am here." I sighed, a little disappointed. "I see, the same old business. Come with me." I led him back to the room where I had just been. We did this every month and every month he steadfastly dodged my offer to join in the fun. I counted out the sum of money that had been agreed upon years ago, rubber banded it and handed it to him with a smile. 'You know Cody, you might want to keep an eye on the ungrouped vampires that roam around here. People are beginning to get suspicious." My smile fell and was replaced with a look of concern. "Oh?" Hanley nodded. "I'm having trouble convincing them that the recent deaths are not connected to you. Your livelihood could be in danger." I nodded gravely. "I understand. I will look into it." "See to it that you do." Hanley made to leave before pausing with a final message. "I might stop by in soon to check on you. Can't have you getting too lonely." I smiled as he left. He had been the buffer between me and the anti-vampire groups these last few years. He knew that my business depended on me being able to keep in good spirits.

I returned to the crowd outside the room and sat on a corner of the bar. I enjoyed seeing these people happy and it was a problem that lesser vampires were putting that in jeopardy. I took stock of the people who were of mixed species on the floor in front of me. Anybody who didn't know me wouldn't be able to tell me from them. I was dressed in a black button down shirt and dark jeans. I didn't dress lavishly or out-of-era. I liked to be part of the fun.

Death waits for no one 

Hold my hands 

Across your face, 

Because I think 

Our time has come

Steeping out of the shower there was a wisp of cold that touched my pale skin. It was hard to make out the reflection in the fogged mirror. Taking my hand to it I wiped away the condensation in once spot. At the edge of the circle pattern the fog pooled together and ran down the mirror in a tear like fashion. The sight caught my attention for only a moment, not much longer after that I turned my gaze back to my reflection strongly displeased by the makeup-less thirteen year old appearance I saw. Ugh it amazes me how cruel genetics can be... In one swift motion I grabbed a towel and wrapped myself in it to dry.

What seemed like a hour later my hair was dry, my makeup was on and I was headed to the club Blood Reign. It was my home away from home. The beat was always loud and just my style. For the most part others avoided me, or rather as I avoided them they wouldn't bother me. In a dark pair of skinny jeans and a black graphic tee with white wings on the back was ready to just let the weeks stress melt away.

When I entered the club I was swept in by the music and lighting immediately just as every time before. Quickly I milled to the back where it was still loud enough to hear but not as populated. The ritual movement began and my senses to the outside world were no longer on duty. At least no other sense but my hearing which was currently taking in the welcoming sound of the clubs music. Big blue blind black bird 

standing by, behind a breeze of boasting 

Big blue blind black bird 

standing by, under the sun you're roasting 

Big blue blind black bird

I pushed myself off the bar. The girls were beckoning me to come dance with them. I never danced. Odd that I would choose a night club as my home but dancing wasn't my thing. Yet, I still let them pull me out to the floor. Thankfully they had placed themselves near a wall that I could lean against. I was happy here, it pleased me that I had created a place that provided so much entertainment for so many people. I was able to pick out different individuals of each species and I knew most of the regulars. Most of them however, had no idea that I was the owner of the establishment. I made it a point to try and get to know the regulars without them finding out I ran the place. I was abruptly brought out of my thoughts when a girl ran into me, flattening my back against the wall. She wrapped her arms around me, giggling uncontrollably. I sighed mentally. Hybrids. Often thought they were God's gift to vampires. Wrong, very very wrong. Most hybrids I could tolerate but it was the young ones that made me want to hold them under the water until the bubbles stopped. Even though it would take eons.

I gently pushed her off of me with a smile. Time to move. I walked along the wall until I noticed what seemed to be a regular I had not spoken to. Very flashy, and hard to miss. I meandered my way to her, curious about why I had not spoken to her before. It looked like she was alone. Very strange. I quickly spider walked my fingers across her shoulders to get her attention. "What are you doing here alone, sweetheart?" I smiled devilishly, making sure to keep the fangs hidden. Fangs. Must. Not. Be. Seen. I had made that error to many times in my ventures. I leaned delicately over her shoulder so I could see her expression. I placed my hands in my pockets, not wanting to seem threatening.

Standing by, beyond the bathroom window 

Big blue blind black bird 

standing by, you hide behind the rainbow 

Fly away from me A nearby eruption of giggling caught my subconscious attention. It wasn't like I wanted to hear it, but it just couldn't be ignored. I just turned to face a direction elsewhere so that when I opened my eyes there was no chance I would see the owner of the obnoxious sound. There was a chance to save my peace time, that was until a gentle stroke of fingers over my shoulder; followed by a voice that was too suave to belong to anyone I would have known.

"Sweetheart? Umm I think you have the wrong girl."

I pulled away from the stranger only to see that for a creeper he was rather attractive, all the more reason to be weary of his actions. Although I was sure he had the wrong person it was highly unlikely that he saw my pink hair and mistook me for one of his bimbo friends.

I almost wondered for a second if it would be better to just leave all together, but it's not like I had anything better to do. Which is why I was inwardly hoping deeply that he would just leave an pretend he had not come up to me at all. Three Evils

I smiled in an almost predatory manner. She was gonna play the tough one. Well fine, I'll just push harder. I had the strange ideal that when a challenge was presented, I was required to take it and win. Therefore, I would not allow myself to be denounced quite so easily. A fight she wants, a fight she gets. "Oh, I think not, Doll. I'm pretty good at identifying people. I just noticed that you come here often but you always come alone." I was typical vampire. Everything about me screamed, 'Don't trust me!' in the loud obnoxious voice. It was often hard to convince a prey item to be your friend. Even if they had no suspicion of the existence of vampires, natural instinct told them to stay away. This one seemed to be an out-of-the-box type so maybe she would give me a chance.

"Would you like to come sit with me for a while? Try giving some company a chance maybe?" I probably seemed extremely forward for a stranger but that was my personality. Can't live forever and be shy at the same time. But then again, being too outgoing can get you in trouble too. Or arrested. Then you have to go through all the trouble of filing forged documents and handing over a driver's license that has a birth date 500 years behind. Oh joy. I didn't want tonight to end like that. Besides, I hadn't visited my friend who arranged for my documents in a while anyway. Probably not the best idea.

Embodied in Love and Shadow I hadn't known him for long, but I could already feel my anger rising chiefly due to his forthcoming personality that he had chosen to express no more the ten seconds after meeting me. I kept to myself for a reason.

"Okay look pal I was going to try and be nice about this but you clearly have not even the faintest concept of subtle leave me alone lines, so let me try again. No I do not want to sit with you, you pompous jackass..."

If I would have had a jacket or something to grab I would have simply to turn tale and leave with a more dramatic manner. Not to make a fancy exit like the plastics, but more so to make a final closing point.

Once outside I could feel the lack of sun allowing the temperature sit at a more comfortable level. My night at the club had been ruined, but that didn't mean I had to go home just yet. Wandering the streets at night seemed more appealing than sitting at home or going back to Blood Reign where the charming creeper would no doubt keep creeping.

Why is it so hard for me to meet normal people.

I took up a lock of my once brown, but now pink hair wondering if maybe changing my appearance back to something more normal would give me better luck with people. It took a moment before I let the lock fall back to its resting place once more.

No I won't do that...I refuse to change for anyone but myself.

The night was still young but that guy back at the club had filled me with such unpleasant emotions that I wasn't sure if there was a chance to save the night. Mutilation's the most 

Sincere form of flattery 

If you want to be me, 

Then stand in line like the rest. 

Now, do you know what I mean?

Inside my mind, her personality created a major car wreck. I sighed mentally, I always seemed to pick the ones with disgusting personalities. I had thought this one would be friendly, could hold a decent conversation without flying off the handle. Wrong. I wrinkled my nose in distaste as she left. If she wanted to be alone, why the hell was she here? People don't come to clubs to be alone, they come to socialize and meet people. I made a mental note to not try and talk to teenage humans anymore. Too much angst and arrogance for my taste. To say that I was irritated would be a small understatement. People like that could chase away my customers with their bad attitudes. Not something I would tolerate.

I returned to the back room and put some paperwork in order. It wasn't something I often did because it was tedious. After a few minutes, it seemed like a good idea to take care of the idiots hanging around Hanley had told me about. I couldn't have rumors like that floating around. I went through a door in the back room that led to the alleyways behind Blood Reign. It wouldn't be hard to pinpoint the location of the intruders. As I walked through the alleys, I noticed that the usual people who would stay back here were missing. They were just humans who found slight refuge back here and didn't bother anything so I let them be. However, they were not here. I got back out to an empty street. It was dark and devoid of cars. The surrounding buildings were abandoned. I caught a slight movement behind me but ignored it. Whatever it was, it wasn't a hybrid or vampire and therefore was no threat to me. I leaned my back against a wall, taking a moment to scan the rooftops, looking for the source of trouble.

The young get less bolder 

The legends get older 

But I stay the same 

As long as you have less to say 

Do you think that I wouldn't say this? 

You know that I play this better than you For a long period of time there was a lack of traffic passing by and it created a horror movie like scene. There was too much silence in such an open space for my taste and although usually I was not the typical scared child this current moment in time was a lot less then desirable.

In the back of my mind I could almost sense someone lurking in the dark, but that was simply too common to be anything of serious danger. All sorts of homeless folk and other stereotypical characters roamed the streets at night, none of which were reason to worry.

I could hit the park...sit under a tree and watch the stars...maybe even get a wish out of one of them. I pulled my arms around myself all the while forcing myself to believe it was for heat. The truth was I just needed some comfort. Being alone all the time was not really fun, but it was all I knew. I was sure to spend the rest of my life as such and that was fine.

With another block down my paranoia grew so I started to search the alley ways, which I soon found to be a bad idea. It was the second one I looked down that caught my attention. Leaning on a wall was the guy from the club, but what he was doing out here was what had me curious.

I stopped short of passing the alley way and just stared at him. There was nothing to say yet given my scene earlier. I was still miffed, but his company was not the worst I could think of given where I was. Here in this town, safe and guarded 

We call it home, a feeling that we share 

Now leave this place, clinging to hope 

In this midnight prayer 

If we hold our breath, float beyond this 

We'll be reborn

I sighed, obviously the intruders were hiding well. They probably had left the area since there had been activity here recently, with Hanley coming up and everything. I glanced briefly to the side, just to check that area when I saw something that caused me to do a double take. It was the girl from earlier. Despite the fact that I was still irritated with her, I was concerned that she was walking around here when there had been recent attacks on humans. I turned to face her. "What are you doing down here?" I made sure the question sounded concerned so she wouldn't take it the wrong way. I had read an article that Hanley had left and there had been three found dead in the area. No doubt vampires or hybrids. I was annoyed because this was my territory and they were causing problems. Especially if they ate my customers.

I stepped out of the alley a bit so she could see me. I could see fine in the dark. Humans, not so much. If whatever was out here was still prowling, she would never see it unless it walked right up to her. I had thought that by now, horror movies had taught people that it's a bad idea to walk down empty streets at night. Especially when there were reports of killings in the area.

Are you still alive? Are you scared inside? 

Providence is blind when you're terrified 

Are you still alive? Are you scared inside? 

When we've reached the end of the road 

I will carry us home Before having been asked the questions I thought I knew the answer, but now I wasn't so sure anymore. What was I doing out here? What possible reason could a 19 year old girl have to be wandering the streets at night?

"Well I thought I was taking a walk...but now I'm not so sure."

His demeanor had changed from the club and it was almost eerie given the setting. Could it be there was something I was missing? Earlier I couldn't stand to look at him but now I was hesitant to look away. Could it be the fact that he seemed a lot less like every jerk I knew to be the male race.

"May I ask what you're doing out here?"

It wasn't every day that I spoke with someone twice that wasn't my boss from work or my parents. Human beings and I didn't mix, not one bit. Still falling 

Breathless and on again 

Inside today 

Inside me today 

Around broken in two 

Til your eyes share into dust 

Like two strangers turning into dust 

Til my hand shook with the weight of fear 

I could possibly be fading

I shook my head. "It's not the safest place to be alone." I had seen the dark stains on the pavement in the alleys. Places that had been roped off with yellow crime scene tape. They would never find who did it, they were in and out faster than the police could arrive. No fingerprints, no evidence other than a drained body left behind. That's how I knew that it was a younger one though. The older ones were smart enough to hide a body because the vampire hunters get suspicious. They know all the signs and how to track us down. They employ hybrids because they have more of a chance of catching us. Leave too many bodies behind and they start to catch on. The last thing I needed was a crazed group of vampire hunters snooping around Blood Reign because some young blood decided to walk where he wasn't welcome.

She asked me a similar question to the one I had asked her. I thought quickly and decided to give her as much of the truth as I could without revealing too much. "Checking the alleys outside of Blood Reign. There's been some trouble and I don't want them to bother people going to my club." I couldn't tell her that they were likely young vampires known as 'Young Bloods' or that I was concerned because I might be blamed. I could tell that she likely had no knowledge of the existence of vampires. In some ways that was good, but in a lot of ways it was bad.

Or have something more to gain 

I could feel myself growing colder 

I could feel myself under your fate 

It was you, breathless and torn 

I could feel my eyes turning into dust 

Into strangers, turning into dust Wait...hold on...you're the owner of Blood Reign?"

My mind came to a complete halt. There were no actual words to describe the sinking feeling my stomach got when I heard the words come out of his mouth, the ones that told me that I had called the owner of my home away from home a 'pompous jackass'. Of course I wasn't going to grovel or ask for his forgiveness. There was no room for regret because at the time calling him unnecessary names is what I wanted to do.

On the other hand, now armed with the knowledge I was able to see why he had been so forthcoming and friendly before back at the club. It wasn't a matter of him trying to get anything, he was just getting to know his regulars.

"Well then I guess I've become one of your more undesirable visitors then."

For a second I took to chewing on my bottom lip while wondering what to say next, granted anything was to be said.

"If it counts for anything I'm just generally unplesant...or so I'm told. Needless to say you're not the only person I've flipped out on."

I wanted to walk away now and go bury my head in the soft comfort of my pillow at home, but for once I was being forced to own up to my mistakes, something that was not only scary to me, but also sort of humbling. Wrap me in a bolt of lightning 

Send me on my way still smiling 

Maybe that's the way I should go, 

Straight into the mouth of the unknown 

I left the spare key on the table 

Never really thought I'd be able to say 

I merely visit on the weekends 

I lost my whole life and a dear friend

When she stammered out her realization, I nodded solemnly. I lowered my eyes to the ground. "That I am. I try to not let people know because they treat me different. I want people to know me for me, instead of knowing me for my business. It's no way to make friends. But, as I'm sure you saw at the club, some people already know who I am. Those girls act that way because they think they'll get something special from the owner, they don't actually know me." Over the years, I had found it very troublesome when people found out who I was. They always ended up wanting favors. "I figure I can trust you with the information, you don't seem the type to ask too many favors." I looked back up when she started talking again. I smiled sardonically and shook my head. "Not so much undesired. You're a bulldozer speech demon, doesn't make you any less of a good customer. Just tone it down a little, you'll scare people." I meant the last part as a joke, but in truth I was curious about what she came to the club for if she just wanted to be alone. I sighed. "You may not be so much unpleasant as misunderstood and quick to misunderstand, if you don't mind me saying so." A lingering dislike of the area we were in nagged at the back of my mind. I couldn't concentrate on her and a possible threat at the same time. Not to mention, if the intruders showed up, the cat would be out of the bag within seconds. No more closet vampire. I didn't think it was entirely necessary to scar this girl like that yet. "Now, shall we try this again? Would you like to come sit with me?" I held out my hand in a welcoming manner and desperately hoped for a better reaction this time.

Call me a sinner, call me a saint 

Call me your favorite, call me the worst 

It's all that I can say. So, I'll be on my way I had been told all the time never to talk to strangers, but how was one to make any kind of a friend without first sharing exchanged dialog with a stranger. Perhaps I had up until now taken my parents preachings to heart on a level further then necessary. The stranger in front of me in a matter of minutes went from being the kind of creeper I was supposed to avoid to someone I almost felt I could trust and one day become friends with so long as his current demeanor was not indeed a facade.

It was not often that someone experienced a full on fit of mine and then held their hand out to me with a second chance, especially not anyone that mattered. In retrospect I could have handled his hospitality better, but I let my ill-guided temper get the better of me. In this new setting I could see he was older and thus more mature, something I think I needed in my life, which is why this time I planned to take his company into a much greater consideration then before.

"I don't see why not...you have after all given me a second chance."

Tagging an awkward little smile onto the end of my statement I slowly reached out to take his hand. Even without the pressure of it being a romantic gesture it was still relatively nerve wracking to be taking the hand of someone that was in fact not a member of my family. I was for what ever reason worried about whether or not my hand was sweaty or gross. I was also concerned with how I should go about holding it and for how long.

"So this mutual kindness thing is totally uncharted water for me...and I'm kind of nervous about it if you didn't already know."

And that was the final stage...I was now spilling my guts to someone I barely knew, and I'm sure it was totally undermining my mean girl image. Not that I was worried about it anymore. With arms wide open 

Under the sunlight 

Welcome to this place 

I'll show you everything

I took her hand and gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm pretty well known for giving second chances. And third, and fourth." I pulled her hand gently, tugging her delicately into to protective curve of my arm. I was still concerned about the intruders, and at least this way, I could put myself in the line of fire instead. I hope she didn't take the gesture wrong. If I could make some sort of positive impact in her life, I would be happy. I didn't want the appearance of my kind to spoil something like that.

When she told me she was nervous, I smiled charmingly. "Don't worry, sweetheart, I don't mind. Humans are naturally nervous around me." Seconds after I finished speaking, I mentally kicked myself for forgetting that she wasn't aware of my secret. Yet. If I didn't learn to be more subtle, she might be aware in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, it seemed that I had a habit of divulging that kind of information unintentionally. And once that kind of secret gets out, there is no talking your way out of it.

Of course, there were some dangers to letting someone know too soon. Like something I liked to call 'panic mode'. It consisted of the person screeching loudly like a parrot before fleeing and notifying the nearest paranormal hunter. This was soon followed by me moving locations. I had grown to really enjoy Blood Reign and its inhabitants. Really would be a shame to have to leave. Of course it's pretty hard to convince them that you're not going to hurt them. The whole 'I'm not going to eat you, just other people like you' line doesn't go over too well.

I'll take a breath, I'll take her by my side It was more then enough to make me smile, hearing that I had picked one hell of an awesome person to have my random freak out on. Of course it didn't make it any less of a mistake knowing that he was so lax, it just made it more bearable. I was contemplating bringing up a cliche topic like hobbies and interests but before I could get a word out I was being pulled closer to him. With arm draped over my shoulders I felt a flock of butterflies well up. It was a boy and he was holding me near, if that didn't get a girl to feel nervous I didn't know what would.

"Sweetheart?"

I kept my voice low to avoid sounding like I had taken offense to that statement.

"Humans?"

This time I didn't avoid looking up to him. That last bit was a little to strange to miss, even in my stupid girlie like stupor. No amount of mental swimming was going to make that sound normal.

"Do you mean people?"

It was plausable that he slipped up, in fact that seemed logical. The very fact that he was being so incredibly nice to me was some sort of proof that he had some kind of mental impairment. 

Sing it for me, 

I can't erase the stupid things I say 

You're better than me, 

I struggle just to find a better way

I smiled wryly at the way she questioningly said the word. I gently rubbed her shoulder, hoping to reassure her. "Yes, sweetheart. Because, I am sure that under that wall of machinery that you have around your heart, there is a very kind, sweet person." I meant these words with all sincerity. I was notorious for speaking my mind and not holding back my thoughts, no matter how intimate they may seem. I liked to connect with people because I had realized that they will only be around for so long. It was tantamount that I get the most out of every relationship because humans are very fragile. Every day they are exposed to disease and sickness, the possibility of accidents, not to mention the malicious humans and those of my kind. Over the centuries, I realized that I will be around forever but these people won't and that I have to make the most of it while I can. No second chances.

I breathed a slight sigh of relief when my slip-up caused less of a stir than I expected. "Yes, I meant people. I do that occasionally, a throwback to being foreign I suppose." It wasn't a completely bold-faced lie. My dad had been French and had taught me the language. I occasionally spoke in Frenglish, a strange twist of French and English that for some reason, a lot of people found charming. I gave her a charming smile as we neared the door to my back room.

You wouldn't like me 

Keep moving on until forever ends 

Don't try to fight me Leaning into the man at my side was no longer and implausible idea. I had myself convinced at this point that what was happening now was nothing short of a very vivid dream produced by my very lonely subconscious. After some time everyone had dreams such as this one, and now it was my turn. It never crossed my mind what I might do were I to find out this was all completely real. While in the moment I planned to milk it for all it was worth, and if that meant cuddling up to an almost complete stranger then so be it.

"You're sweet to say that, but I assure you it wilted a long time ago...I'm just meant to be alone and miserable for the rest of my life."

A ghost of a smile crossed my lips as my more playful tone of voice leaked out into my words as I spoke. No sooner had I started to lighten up my new male companion informed me that he did in fact have foreign roots of some sort. I may come off as a hard core hater of all things, but a foreign guy was totally hot no matter who you were.

"Yah know something just dawned on me...I don't think I know your name."

I pulled my head away just the slightest bit so that I could look up into his eyes. It would be much easier to see what kind of reaction he would have to the question before he even answered. Maybe he didn't want me to know, perhaps that would be getting to close. If I were in fact just a one night plaything a name may be more then what I was allowed to have. I was sure his eyes would say it all, and at this point I was sincerely hoping for a good sign. You're so cold 

Keep your hand in mine 

Wise men wonder while strong men die

I whisked her inside my room at the back of the club and closed the door, surreptitiously locking the door so that we would be safe inside. I pulled her against my chest and wrapped my arms around her. "Excuse me for being forward but you're cold." It was quite cold outside tonight. I hoped that she wouldn't notice the absence of a heartbeat beneath my ribs. That would be a very difficult situation to talk myself out of. I focused my dark eyes on her when she spoke and quirked a smile. "Stop lying, it's very unbecoming of a lady. No one is meant to be alone, not completely." I remembered when I had once thought that I too was to be completely alone. My new lifestyle opened the door to new possibilities but it deepened the loneliness in another way. No matter how good of a friend you made, if they were human, you would be required to leave them in a few short years. It wouldn't take them long to realize that you were not aging. Then, it was time to leave, no matter how much your friendship mattered, you would have to destroy it to ensure that they did not follow you. It was a painful process and brought a new understanding of the word 'alone'.

I released her as soon as I thought she was warm. I took her hand in mine and a crooked smile crossed my features. I was almost positive that my outward appearance countered my personality in a way. Covered in tattoos and adorned with a lip piercing, I probably appeared much scarier than was necessary. All the same, I appreciated each and every tattoo and piercing because each was a part of me from when I was human. Retention of those memories was important; I didn't want them to fade with time. When she asked my name, I kissed her hand with a bow resembling that of a court jester. "Forgive me, my lady. I am Cody." I stood back up, smiling. I am odd, to say the least.

Show me it ends, it's alright 

Show me how defenseless you really are 

Satisfied and empty inside 

Well that's alright 

Let's give this another try Any cold that may have been present in my face was quickly replaced by a wave of heat that was surely making my face red. I blinked rapidly a few times trying so very hard to wrap my head around just what was going on and more importantly why I had no desire to respond as I surely would have any other time. My nagging unpleasant nature was always so quick to make itself known when anyone entered my personal space without any kind of invitation. But in this instance the little voice was silent and I was calm.

"Unbecoming of a lady huh? Well then I guess I should work harder at becoming a lady...I have to be honest it's been a long while since anyone has called me out on it."

Once I was free, I was able to better observe his features. The lighting provided a better look at just whom it was I was dealing with. Outwardly there was a sense of intimidation. But by now I knew just a little bit better. I couldn't be totally sure that he was safe but until I was given reason to think otherwise he was someone I could hang with.

"Cody huh? Well I'm Alyson, it's nice to formally meet you."

Something in my mind almost had me curtsying even though I was not wearing proper attire to do so. His mannerisms were so out of date it was almost comical, and were it not for the fact that I was so unsure of how to respond properly I might have expressed my amusement better. Instead I was at a lack for actual conversation, and the best I could come up with was small chat.

"So Cody, when did you come to own Blood Reign? Was it passed onto you by a friend or did you buy it and make it your own?"

My gaze moved about the room slowly while I engaged in conversation. It was not every day I got to wander behind the scenes of anything. This was no time to be totally swept away, at least not until I had something to remember the night by. Something that I could claim was real in the morning, if I could force myself to believe it that was. And If They Get Me, And The Sun Goes Down 

And If They Get Me, Take This Spike And 

You Put The Spike In My Heart

I was still holding her hand and gently spun her as a dancer's spin into my arms. This way I could smile openly as I talked, not having to be cautious of my pointy friends showing too much. I had found that most people would ask me if they were Halloween props and it was another situation I would have to talk myself out of. "Well then, I am glad to have the privilege to be your mentor now." In all honesty, I wouldn't mind keeping her around. She was a challenge to me, unlike the other girls in the main room who only wanted my attention. Maybe, if I worked hard enough, we could be friends.

I spun her lightly away from me again, as we were in an intricate dance all our own to the music in our head. I still held her hand in the palm of mine. My dark eyes focused on her, my hand tightening on hers slightly. "The pleasure is all mine." I could feel the warmth of her hand in mine, a sharp contrast to my icy skin. I always chalked that up to bad circulation. I'm sure my mannerisms confused her to an extent, but most believed it was an eccentricity of mine. Little did they know, I had learned it while in a vampire court with my mentor. Their ancient customs branched generations and they followed the ways of the medieval courts in most situations. That included how you approached the king and queen of the court, how you danced, and how you behaved with others. However, being with humans for so long now, some of their mannerisms integrated as well.

I tugged on her hand gently in the direction of the sitting room part of the room. I had black leather furniture situation around a stone coffee table. "Come, sit with me." I picked my glasses up of the table and put them on. I was in different company so I was sure she wouldn't mind if I bettered my vision. "When I first came here, I bought it and turned it into this. I like the type of crowds around here." Not only did the building serve as a night club, but it had an underground part that was fashioned into a vampire court of which I was sovereign. Being so new, the court was empty, a fact I hoped to change very soon.

 

And Now The Nightclub Sets The Stage For This, They Come In Pairs She Said 

We'll Shoot Back Holy Water Like Cheap Whiskey They're Always There 

Someone Get Me To The Doctor, And Someone Call The Nurse 

And Someone Buy Me Roses, And Someone Burned The Church 

We're Hanging Out With Corpses, And Driving In This Hearse 

And Someone Save My Soul Tonight, Please Save My Soul The suddenness of the spinning caught me off guard, but it didn't take much effort to keep on my feet. While standing so close to Cody's being it was obvious that the chill I had felt earlier was in fact not from the outside for the cold was still clinging to him. It was especially clear in his hands. There was something about this level of chill that was almost related to illness or being dead, neither of which seemed to be right.

"So not only do you run your own club, but you also know how to ball room dance."

There was a swimming feeling in my head, I was almost drunk on the one surprise coming about right after another. If this were to keep up any longer I would have to consider turning in early to better avoid a miscalculation on my part.

I took Cody up on his offer and sat down. When I looked back towards him I saw that he had suddenly acquired a pair of glasses that made him seem so much farther from intimidating. It was really hard not to smile while looking onto his new appearance.

"Is this part of the secret life of the club owner, you wear glasses? When were you planning on telling all your little fan girls out there?"

I casually arched a head in the direction of the public area of the club filled with all of the girlies ready to jump on Cody were he to walk out from the back. I leaned into the chair a little more about the time I looked back at Cody. Slowly I pulled one leg over the other and clasped my hands over them.

"I can't lie, tonight has been....something else. If I may ask, what's with the strange olden day behavior? Did you live in a colony before coming here?"

I kept any malice out of my voice to avoid offsetting the light mood that had filled the room. You're a diamond, how I found you I still don't know. 

But now I got you and I'll never let you go. 

If your hearts a pocket looking for some change. 

My heart makes lots of sense 

Just stay quiet, Breathe deep, Breathe out, Breathe slow. 

Don't say a word. 

Let our eyes speak and they will tell you...

I winked at her. "I'm a Jack of all Trades. You never know when ballroom dancing can come in handy. I've heard that certain people find it charming." I bit lightly at my lip ring, spinning it slightly. The ability to dance had been a necessity in the vampire court. It was used as a way to meet people and you did it with everybody, regardless of whether you liked them or not. We would often spend hours of the night doing it, with each night having a different theme. If the king and queen were entertained and thought you were talented, you might rise in court. However, if you frequently tripped over your feet and did not move fluidly with your partner, it was believed that you were unrefined and might be sent away from court, possibly to a lesser extension of the court elsewhere. The main court was used for delegations and they did not want someone who was going to be clumsy to be seen by another court.

I laughed at her comment on the fan girls. "I have bad eyesight, not a death wish. I have a feeling I would lose favor with a lot of them if they knew. Better business for me if they stick around because they like me and think they have a chance." I smiled crookedly. Truth be told, the girls out there frightened me a bit. Their behavior resembled that of a mob at some times. Reminded me of the movie scenes where the entire town set out to stake the vampire to death.

Her next comment made me curious. "Is it a good kind of something else?" I genuinely cared about what her answer would be. I'd noticed that despite being surrounded by people constantly, I was actually quite isolated from them. Her next question startled me a bit. I gave a half laugh before answering. "Something I picked up from a mentor. I spent quite a few years with her and she designated it necessary.'' Not a complete lie. She had been part of the court and in bringing me in, it was necessary that I learn everything. While in all actuality the few years was more like a few decades.

I'm a fool with dreams, and not a lot of things. 

I swear that I will be all you need. 

Don't give up on me. 

Give me one more day. 

Don't give this all away. 

We'll be fine, you'll see. 

Just don't give up on me. The bit about the girls thinking they have a chance came off sounding a bit rough to swallow. Up until then he seemed like an almost genuine guy. But then again what could I have possibly gathered in the very little amount of time that I had spent with him. On the other hand the fact that he had brought me into his part of the club and more importantly decided it was okay to wear his 'lady replant' around me made it seem less like and insult and more like a compliment of some sort.

"Well Mr. Jack of all trades, to answer your question, yes it is a good something else. Nothing about tonight has been similar to any night before and I really enjoy the change of pace."

While pushing a lock of my hair back I unfolded my legs and pulled them up into the chair with me. Resting my head on my arms atop my knees I silently wondered more about his mentor situation. I wondered what sort of family one would have to come from to end up having to deal with someone like a mentor.

"So what kind of lady was she? I mean was she one of those uptight, hawk looking ladies with a bun wrapped so snug at the top of their head that it pulls the skin on their face back?"

I watched Cody's reaction closely hoping my comment hadn't offended him by speaking harshly of his mentor. It was moments of that exact nature that I wished I had a better mind to mouth filter. Fangs were flying, capes were torn 

Hell hath no fury like a Vampire scorned

I realized belatedly that my comment about the girls may have seemed callous. "They don't have a chance because they don't care about who I am as a person. They see my image and find out I run the place and it's chaos from there. I get lost in the shuffle and become an idol to them even though I'm not what they expect. My heart may be dead, but it still feels pain." Her comment about it being a good something else made me smile. "That means a lot to me. I like to be different but not different from myself." I wasn't sure if I was making sense anymore. Sometimes that would happen if I dived too deep into the recesses of my brain. It started pulling up strange comments and ideals.

Her description of what she thought my mentor looked like made me laugh. "No, she was not at all like that. She was only a few years older than me." In all honesty it was more like centuries but her appearance allowed for a little leeway. "It was a lot like having an older sibling really except that we were very formal with each other. She helped me redefine the way I lived. Taught me a lot about the ways of the court." As soon as I spoke the sentence, I bit sharply down on my tongue. Time. To. Shut. Up. about that. "She had dark wavy hair, and angular features. Not very tall, maybe 5'5". I always thought she looked very delicate even though she wasn't." It was odd to describe her. I remembered her clearly, but I had not thought much about her appearance. Nor had I realized how much of an effect she'd had on me.

The number one rule in this game: 

Never call one by his real name I could feel butterflies break loose in my stomach when Cody laughed at my sad excuse for a not so planned out joke. The fact that he had a sense of humor was a big plus to me, most of the characters I was forced to deal with on a daily basis couldn't take a joke to save their life.

"I'm an only child so my knowledge on siblings is very limited. I only know what I read about or seen in movies or on TV."

Outside the room the beat of the bass changed and I could almost make out the song. At first it had my feet bobbing up and down on the side of the chair. I was content with the small range of motion while listening to Cody explain more about his mentor, but when he finished up something in me was ready to do more then just wiggle like a moron in the chair. My original reason for coming here was to dance the night away.

"Okay that's it, I can't sit here while there's music playing...it's making me...well crazy."

I placed both my hands on either side of myself to take hold of the arms of the chair so that I could propel myself up and out. With a little more effort then I had expected I got both my feet planted on the floor to avoid falling. I stood before Cody with my hand reached out to him this time hoping he wouldn't mind taking it even though he didn't need it to stand.

"We don't need to go out there...I would hate for you to be attacked by hormonal fan girls ready to jump out of their pants when they see you."

My face scrunched up briefly in distaste of the mental image. Some girls had no sense of personal respect and it disgusted me greatly. I was always so careful to present myself in a way that would garner respect, but in return I got nothing. It was always the girls with the least amount of dignity that got all the attention. On the other hand, the sort of attention they were getting was not the kind I wanted anything to do with anyway.

"Besides, you look nicer with your glasses, and if the toll to leave this room is the loss of your frames, I would much rather stay in here."White walls surround us 

No light will touch your face again 

Rain taps the window 

As we sleep among the dead

I quirked a smile. "I would much rather stay in here if that's okay with you. I'm not sure if I can tolerate them screeching 'OMG!! Who hit him with a geek stick?!?!'" I shuddered at the thought. I could even lose business. I guess the idea of the 'mysterious owner' had some kind of allure. "But I'm warning you, whichever we choose, I'm not a dancer." In a way, I had contradicted myself. I could ballroom dance, no problem. However, as much as I liked the music of this age, there was no way I could dance to it. The rhythms were uneven and difficult to move to, rendering it impossible. I did, on the other hand, like to observe others and see how they interpreted it.

"I would greatly dislike being attacked myself. They are quite annoying, honestly. And so fake, such a waste of time." I shook my head. I truly had trouble understanding humans sometimes. Their theories didn't make sense to me. Such as the idea that you must be confident but not arrogant. Does confidence not come with a little arrogance? Or require it to some degree? Yet it was a sin listed in their bible, a book which technically ruled out my existence. I thought their theories were interesting to study, but usually impossible to follow. It was difficult to understand why they went so far to impress each other. So far as to even alter their own personalities to suit someone else. Such strange ideals.

But then again, vampires had strange habits too. By some perspectives, we behaved quite like animals. We were highly territorial and wary when coming upon a strange member of our kind. We would behave cautiously until we were sure that the other was not a threat, much the way that dogs act when meeting another strange dog. Also, when we would fight, it was not in the way of humans. Fights were death matches, no questions asked. Vampire life was quite brutal, with stringent hierarchies that must be followed. However, if you challenged and were able to defeat one of higher rank, then you got his place, just like a wolf pack. The behavior of vampires is quite complex and intrigued me just as much as that of humans.

I brought my thoughts back to the present. "Am I intimidating without them?" It made me curious how people saw me. Depending on how they acted around me, they may get a different side, as this girl had.

Days go on forever 

But I have not left your side 

We can chase the dark together 

If you go then so will I "Well if I can be frank, yeah you look kind of creepy without them, which is why I mistook you as a pedo earlier this evening."

It took no effort at this point to smile; on top of that it came naturally. Being away from the eyes of all the other much more judgmental females that were currently infesting the club helped with my current mood greatly. I couldn't really say I blamed Cody for the company he kept; it was just the sort of people that chose to come to his club. And by the sound of it he didn't much like to keep their company anyway. Things kept looking better every second.

It was almost an afterthought, something about the declaration of not being a dancer didn't quite register until some time after he had addressed it.

"Wait so you own a night club...but you don't dance to its music?"

I playfully tsk'd a few times before making some sort of demonstration out of the current beat of the song playing. I wasn't anything of a dancer either, but what I considered to be dancing was a very loose definition of the term so any movement to the beat counted in my book.

"There's nothing to it, you just have to move to how the beat makes you feel."

I kicked it up a notch for a second, pulling away from Cody just a little so that I could avoid running into him granted my "dancing' got out of hand. It was all just a bunch of small feet movements and rocking around, but it worked with the music, and perhaps more importantly it was easy.

"C'mon Cody try it, who knows you might like it."

I stopped flouncing around so that I could better observe Cody's next choice of action. Whatever he decided to do was going to no doubt be amusing, and I didn't want to miss it. I used to be someone 

But I grew to be something that I'm not 

It feels like I'm cornered 

By everything that you really want 

Why are we here in this same old room

I sighed heavily. "Oh well, being creepy comes with the territory I guess." I flashed a mysterious smile. I was dropping hints and I halfway wondered what she thought of them. What idea came to her mind because of the words I was saying? What image did it present to her? I wished that I could be like the vampires in the novels, with the ability to read a persons mind. It would make something like this so much more simple. I wasn't sure if she would panic if she realized what I really was or accept it without a ripple to the pond. It was hard to tell, but I really hoped it didn't turn out to be something like earlier in the night.

I bit my lip, a sly look on my face. "Yes, I am quite the contradiction. I like the music but I find it impossible to dance to. There is no sensible rhythm to it and half the dances that are devised for the songs are distasteful." I wondered if my archaic jargon would be lost on her. I noticed that my mannerisms were hard for others to understand simply because of the time gap between the way I acted and what was acceptable now. Honestly, in a way, I preferred some of the courts ways to the humans nowadays.

I laughed at her explanation. "The beat doesn't make me feel anything. It's the words that move me. The meaning behind the lyrics and the power of emotion that the songwriter puts forth through them. That's why I like the music. If a song can move me, whether it be happy or sad, then I am likely to favor the song. However, if it is nothing more than noise and a rhythm to follow, I have trouble sticking to it. But then again, I can listen to classical music and it can move me as well. It has to have feeling for me to like it, not just a beat to follow." I smiled wryly. What a strange way for a person to think, even though I am more than just a person.

We stand here, with damaged hope 

But still we carry on 

We both know and always will 

It cannot end like this 

We still have a long way to go Many thoughts now weighed on Alyson's mind. For instance what did he mean "being creepy comes with the territory"? He was the owner of a club so it seemed counter intuitive to want to appear anything relevant to the term creepy. Who could come to a club that belonged to an outward creeper. Secondly what was with the manner of his speech? He couldn't possibly be anywhere over 25, so why was it that he was speaking like someone out of her history book that she never really bothered to crack open as often as she should.

"So if that's how you feel then why open up a joint like this? Wouldn't you feel more at home entertaining a generation that shares your same interest in music?"

Slouching back into a sloppy sitting position in the oversized chair Alyson allowed her gaze to fall on and remain on Cody while the Q and A session proceeded.

"Sure you wouldn't see as much of the under dressed female population anymore but at least you'll have your music right?"

Without really thinking about it Alyson had been staring at Cody, when she realized that she was doing it she was quick to correct it, but he had no doubt noticed. Enemy of mine, I'm just a stranger in a strange land 

Running out of time, better go 

Angel or a demon, I gave up my soul, 

I'm guilty of treason, I've abandoned control

I gave a breathy laugh at her question. "You would think so. However, the generation that thinks of music the way I do no longer exists. I opened Blood Reign because I like people and you meet all kinds this way. But you get the bad mixed in with the good. It's impossible to avoid. Just like going to a music concert. You go to hear your beloved musician but you get the other crazy concert-goers as well. Life is too much of a gray area. They say not everything is black and white. Nothing is black and white. Just shades of gray.

I wasn't sure if I was being too philosophical. My logic was severely warped due to my extended life. Humans would see this as a lifetime career that I would hate parts of but I saw it as a short bout of fun until I was forced into something new. Anything unpleasant mattered very little in the long run.

I smiled at her second comment. "I'll always have my music but by secluding myself, I may miss out on someone with a truly unique personality. Such as yourself. Trust me, I don't do it for the girls. I could retreat to my home and live as a recluse but then I would be alone, without my friends and unable to meet anyone new. Sounds quite dull, wouldn't you say?"

In fact, I had tried the seclusion thing. It hadn't gone over well, nearly causing me to lose my sanity. The extreme boredom and lack of diversity had whittled at me slowly, driving me farther and farther from my true self. I never wished to go back to that. I had always wanted a companion but it was very difficult to find one. Vampires could be territorial and usually grew tired of each other after a few centuries. Humans were good companions with poor longevity. I had never befriended a hybrid; the situation had never presented itself to me.

The end is coming, 

Everybody run now, 

We're gonna live forever, 

Gonna live forever tonight, 

Tonight It wasn't Alyson's place to say that Cody was right or wrong for thinking the way he did. And even if it were okay to do so she coudn't really come up with an intelligent argument for her case anyway. It was taking all the metal capability she had to keep up with the refined and long lost manner in which he spoke. Most guys today could drone of for hours and say nothing at all, where as Cody would say one thing and it meant many things.

"So wait you think I'm interesting? If that's the case you need to come out of your back room more."

Of all the bits that stuck out in her mind it was the portion of his conversation that entailed the idea that she was, in his eyes, interesting. To be called such was far more flattering to her then any term along the lines of "hot" or "cute". Those terms were only used when a member of the opposite sex had nothing better to do then find a cut-corner way to get what every guy actually wanted. And even though she was trying to play off the cool act her face betrayed her by getting warm and causing her cheeks to flush ever so slightly.

"And....you're right. Being alone all the time does not in fact sound all the appealing so I can see why you would choose to deal with the bad in hopes of finding some good company as opposed to avoiding it all to together."

Again Alyson's gaze was on the move. This time she was in search of a clock of some kind. As she was not keeping track of time there was no way to be sure as to how late it was. As much as she prided herself on being independent, she had no intention of angering her parents, especially over something as simple as curfew.

"Well Cody I hate to ditch while in the middle of our talk but I should be getting home. I still have folks whom will waste no time tearing out what little hair they have left if I'm not home in a timely manner. But it was nice to meet you."

Standing up quickly once more Alyson crossed over to where Cody was to maybe shake his hand. It was strange but she didn't want to just walk off without at least some gesture of thanks. Human connect to human 

Boy meets girl, know what to do 

Human connect to human 

How can I connect to you?

I nodded calmly. "Compared to them you are. They are all cookie cutters, trying their best to emulate people who are famous. They have no personality of their own. They're just clones. You are different." I noticed the flush on her cheeks and lowered my eyes to hide my smile. She was too good a person to get involved with me. Too young to be involved with me too. I wanted to know her better but at the same time, I felt I would be robbing her of something. I couldn't give her the kind of friendship another human could. Unless I let her in on my secret, there would forever be lies and excuses for why I was different and why she would only see me at night.

I get out of my back room enough. I spend time in the main room of the club too." I had deliberately put a play on her words, to see if she would rise to my challenge. I looked at her over the top of my glasses, an intense stare. I quirked a brow, giving her a playful smile. I had my moments when I could be extremely detached from a conversation but here she had captured my attention quite well.

I noticed her glance around looking for a clock almost causing me to grin maniacally. I didn't keep clocks for the simple reason that their constant track of time irritated me. I did, however, have a cell phone. I surreptitiously flipped it open to check the time. I had no idea her age, but I suspected she had other engagements tomorrow that she would need to be rested for. And it was late after all.

When she brought it up, I stood and took her hand. "The pleasure was mine." I bowed in a mock of olden times, tilting a smile her way. I straightened, keeping her hand clasped in mine. "Would you like for me to take you home? It's not exactly safe around here." I hinted subtly at our 'adventure' earlier. I knew very well what walked these streets at such hours.

Let me interact, how can I connect? Cody's hand was cold even after having been inside for so long and that drew a hint of concern to Alyson. There was no way someone healthy could still possibly feel almost dead-like after being indoors for so long.

"Umm well are you sure you shouldn't spend your time visiting an ER instead of driving me home? You are really cold..."

Alyson looked down to the clasped hands then back up at Cody's face hoping he was going to take her seriously. There was no reason that she couldn't walk home by herself, even though she had a serious desire to see what the owner of a clubs car looked like.

"I mean I could ride along if you want...if I have a good reason to be out I'm sure my folks will live."

Alyson started to tug at Cody as she started to lead to the door they had come in through. She had no idea where the car was, but there was a potential hypothermic case attached to her and her good samaritan side was not about to let it get any worse so long as she could help it. Well, I swear to God we've been down this road before 

The guilt's no good, and it only shames us more 

And the truths that we all try to hide, 

Are so much clearer when its not our lives 

When we don't face the blame

I smiled crookedly at her comment. "No worries, sweetheart. I just have bad circulation." It wasn't a lie, I was just bending the truth enough that it snapped on its own. Circulation was no longer necessary when your tissues were dead. Therefore, my circulation was just about as bad as it could get.

My expression fell into a more serious tone. "Besides, it's dangerous here at certain times. I have discovered some... things today that make it very risky for certain persons to be caught alone." I squeezed her hand lightly, hoping she would take my warning seriously. I usually tried to stay out of matters with others but they were in my territory and I wasn't interested in cleaning up their messes. Especially if those messes consisted of the remains of my new friend.

"Ride along if I want? I insist." I took the lead as we walked out the door. I locked the door behind us, ensuring that no one would mess with the club's workings from the inside. I preceded to scoop her up and carry her bridal style. "Come along, Princess. Time to get you home safe and sound." My car wasn't far, parked in the private section of the club's parking lot. I put her down on her feet next to the passenger door of my bl ack Nissan GTR. "Your chariot awaits." I dug the keys out of my pocket and unlocked the doors, surreptitiously glancing her way to see her reaction.

Believe 

In this lie with us all It was hard to say when the whole situation changed. On second there as a sure fired trip to the ER in the near future and then the whole night took a more Cinderella-esque feeling. Once more the, becoming more general, term sweetheart came up and after that Cody was in the lead.

"Wait do you mean there's like a prowler on the...."

Before there was time to finish Alyson was begin scooped up like a new bride and carried to what she assumed to be the car. When her feet left the ground she made a small 'eep' noise that ended any questions, comments. or concerns that she had thought about expressing. Her hands were tightly latched to whatever part of Cody's top she was able to take hold of. He made it seem effortless, but she was never very trusting when it came to being carried.

Naturally after not much travel Alyson's feet were back on the ground and it was then that she had to force herself to release her death grip. The "carriage" in front of her was a car she could only hope to one day posses. It was sleek and black and just her style, to say the least she had now another reason to be speechless. In fact it wasn't until she was in the car that she could talk again.

"Cody...your car...it rocks."

Turing to face the princely character next to her she was wondering why she hadn't bothered to pay much attention to older guys before now. Sure there was the idea that they might not look at her any different then there younger sister, or something close to that nature, but why was that ever enough to stop her from trying to find someone like she had tonight?

"Can I just say that you are NOT what I expected at all. It makes me want to pick your brain a little."

Alyson leaned towards him not really trying to hide that she was. It was dark and she couldn't quite make out his expression, so moving over was the only way to correct this issue. I hope time can stop, it's hard for me to breathe 

She's really walking over here to me 

What should I say? What should I do?

I shook my head. "Not exactly a prowler. Much more unpleasant. And plural." I didn't like the idea of risking anyone to these intruders. Since they had not contacted me, it was pretty obvious that they did not have friendly intentions but instead wanted to see if they could get an easy ride off of being here and blaming me for their actions. Her death grip made me smile. It was next to impossible for me to drop her unintentionally. And I had no intention of eating her or anything, despite my species. She seemed much too interesting for that.

I started the car, and turned on the neon blue ambient lights inside the car. One part of club life that I liked to keep with me. Neon lights never got old. It left the car with an ethereal look on the inside, everything bathed in electric blue. Her comment made it obvious that she was impressed. "Thank you. Part of the reason I chose to run a club. I can make enough money to have toys like this." Thinking about my current occupation made me curious about what she was bound to do for the rest of her life. I decided to move on from that topic. I didn't plan on integrating myself into her life in any way.

I smiled at her last comment. "I pride myself in being unpredictable. Pick away." I would have to remember not to go too far with the information I gave her. I could very easily drop too many of the wrong kind of hint and lose my secrecy. She leaned a little closer to me, causing an unusual tingle to go up my arm. I realized I had no idea where she lived or where I was supposed to go so I just took a scenic route toward the residential area of town.

This is not my strongest point that she knows, 

she pardons me for stepping on her toes, 

I heard she's a pageant queen 

So what's she doing dancing with me? Aku had been wandering his way from city to city, lurking in the shadows as he passed breathlessly by all of the people. He hated the life he led, wanting something more worthwhile. Something he could do that wouldn't disgust him at every thought. Being a vampire was bad enough in his eyes, but wanting-no, needing to feed off of your own kin was another matter all together.

The Trench coat he wore wasn't much of a fit-in-with-the-crowd kind of git-up. Almost gathering more looks than he wanted to receive. He let his mind wander a moment. trying to think of somewhere he could possibly go. He heard music in the distance, perhaps a club. but why would he go there? Probably nothing but losers out to get laid. but then again, he'd been to a couple exclusive places just for vampires.

His thoughts were blotted out as a girl smiled at him after poking his shoulder.

"Sir?" she asked. "Would you like to come to a club with me? All my friends have boys to go with them, but I don't. so I was wondering if you would be so kind as to come with me as my date?" she looked up at Aku with bright green eyes, he had to think about it for a moment. Did they mean the club nearby? Couldn't hurt, but what would he gain out of this? Probably nothing. But he could at least attempt to be normal. Even though that was a dream so far pitched that a super hero couldn't even catch it. Aku passed a glance at her friends and their dates, who were all rather punkish looking, spiked hair, piercings, The whole set up of a trouble maker. Aku looked back at the girl, and nodded. She jumped up clapping her hands.

"I knew you would Sir! My Friends said that no one would come with me. but I knew Some one would..." she rambled on and on. "OH! I almost forgot to tell you my name." she held out her hand. "I'm------" Aku didn't really care who she was. They arrived at the Club, after a tedious walk.

The club's name...Blood Reign... 'Great...' Aku thought to himself with a bit of distaste. On their way inside Aku found no bouncers...odd... but all of them were let in freely. Inside the actual club, He was overpowered by the mingling scents of alcohol, Vampires, humans and Hybrids alike. even more odd... 

All of them were dancing, and the music was terribly loud. Aku sighed, he would have to get used to the human world. So full of idiots. Ryne walked down the street toward the loud club music. She has had a few incounters with some vampires, even though she is not one of them. 

She was dressed in her usual tanktop, half leather jacket, and her jean shorts. Her hair fell down in black waves to her waist. 

When she got to the door, she didn't mind that there wasnt bouncers at the door. She just smiled, walked in, and nodded at the bar-tender. 

Heading over to the bar, she got jut one shot of Jack Daniels. Leaving the shot-glass at the bar, She danced over to a dark corner and leaned against the wall, smirking slightly. 

Ryne ran a hand threw her pitch-black hair, watching around for anything-or anyone.... William Thricehaven sat in the corner of the club, with a half-full glass sangria. When he walked in the door, everyone looked and stared as he glided through the building.Probably my sword, Raphael, thought Thrice haven. 

William interlocked his fingers and began to scan the club. So many possible meals tonight, Thricehaven smiled and chuckled to himself, what would I have this night, human or hybrid? Either one would be easy to persuade to the mansion, to get them in the living room, and, well, the rest is self explanatory. Maybe it would be easier to walk down a dark alley and pick a fight with a drunkard. 

How dull had William's life become in the last five decades. Parties less elegant and self abuse than for social status. What is my life coming to thinking of only how to survive, thought William in a depressive moment he has come prone to in recent years, maybe I should try to work the government from the shadows and give myself some purpose again. With the invite to pink his brain I was now at a loss of how to go about doing so. I mean would it be okay to ask him how old he was or where he came from? We were only strangers to one another, but on the other hand people posted way more incriminating details of their life on Facebook now adays so maybe it wasn't as awful an idea as I originally prospected.

"Maybe you can start by telling me how old you are or where you grew up?"

I didn't really bother looking over at him. It wasn''t like he could go about making any kind of return eye contact. Unless he had plans to run his very nice car into a guardrail or something unpleasant like that. The idea of harm coming to this car almost made my physically sick. Even if I worked all day every day I wouldn't be able to afford something this nice for possibly years to come. Soul walked in to the club following the odd mix of scents, never had she seen or heard of a place that vampires, hybrids, and humans mingled. Looking at her outfit, a torn denim skirt, leggings, halter top and heeled boots she sighed hoping it was okay. Hesistently she walks to the bar looking around for potential escape routes and studies her surroundings.

Author's Note

ignore grammar problems, what do you think of the dialogue