"Well. . . I talked to Zadicus about why I didn't like being here. . . so he has offered to let me go home."
"How'd he take it?" I know he was trying to sound nice about it. I knew deep down however he hoped for nothing but a bad answer.
"Surprisingly well I suppose. . ."
He let out a huff.
Yep there it was.
I shook my head. Don't get me wrong I completely understood, but it didn't mean I wished at least one out of the three of us could somewhat bare it better.
"Did Rickey call you? He stopped by with Jarred earlier."
He finally broke the silence changing the subject.
"No he didn't, is everything okay?"
"Yeah as far as I know, just wondered. As much as I love you and missed your voice I have to go help out Jarred with a thing. . . but let me know if you're coming home early okay? I'll come pick you up"
I smiled.
"Okay, I love you. . ."
"Babe. . . you can breathe it's okay, the guy is right next door to you I don't think he can magically appear over here I'm okay" he tried to give a little laugh.
Deep down I think he knew I was still confusingly still scared.
The call ended and I fell back onto my bed sighing and started to dial Rickey's number next.
The phone almost went to voicemail before he answer.
"Hey love, how's Italy?"
I smiled once I heard his voice in my ear.
"It's okay, Jason said you stopped by earlier so I thought you might be free to talk"
"I always have time for you doll" I could hear his smile in his voice.
I giggled.
"You're such a flirt, that's not true because sometimes your horrible boss man is rude and interrupts" I pointed out.
He laughed.
"Yeah he does have some bad timing. . . equally I can be just as bad of a cock block to him though so"
I could hear some sheets rustling in the background as he let out a sigh of content.
"I miss you. . ." I said softly.
"Mmm, I miss you, every part of you right now"
I felt my cheek heat up and I shook my head smiling again. He was always a smooth talker, but once we started our. . . issues we had decided to try not to have sex in efforts of him recovering.
"You're a terrible tease" I quipped.
"Oh I promise I'll reward you baby, come home and I'll show you just how much" his voice almost purred and I could feel in my core I was getting bothered.
I shook off the images that filled my head of him deliciously filling me and pushing me into the sheets with each rough thrust.
No, no we said we would take things easy.
I reminded myself.
"You know you're only making this harder on yourself" I finally said.
"Trust me I don't think I can be any harder" he groaned in annoyed tone.
I giggled.
"Is that what this is about?"
"I wish I were trying to be sexy right now but honestly my dick is so fucking hard it hurts, I keep jerking off and it's not doing shit" he let out a ragged breath.
"You got this-we got this"
I reminded him.
"I know, I know"
"But also. . . you don't need to change for me- I love you either way you know"
It was silent for a moment and I heard the sudden movement of his sheets again so I knew he was still there.
"I know, but I hate that it affects our relationship because I'm stupid about it. I mean fuck I'll marry you, I promise"
He said flatly.
"I know, which is why I agreed to help you even though- wait, are you being serious right now?"
I bit my lip.
Was he really asking me to marry him like this? Was he serious about marrying me in general?
There was a pause on his end too probably deciding on how to respond to my question.
"I mean. . . I do love you" he said softly.
So he wasn't being serious. . . I wasn't really sure how to feel about that honestly. This conversation had turned really awkward.
"I love you too"
"When do you come home?"
"Not sure yet. . . Jason said he'll pick me up though whenever I do land" I rolled the sheet between my fingers trying to distract myself.
"Well . . . if he can't I will- maybe we can pick you up together?'
I smiled.
"I love the sound of it all."
"Good, I should go before my dick starts talking for me again though" he chuckled.
God I loved his laugh. His accent was attractive, but his laugh was just as intoxicating.
"Okay, I love you."
"Love you too"
The phone call ended and I curled up with one of the pillows closing my eyes.
I wanted so badly to just sleep and make the time pass.
☾☾☾
After having a shower and doing my hair I grabbed a bag of blood from the fridge and grabbed a knife poking a hole in it to put a straw in it.
"Well that's an interesting method"
I looked up hearing Zadicus's voice as he walked in from the living room area.
"It's more fun, you should try it"
I shoved the straw in and took a sip giving him a big smile as the sweet liquid touch my tongue.
"Maybe. . . did you want to go for a walk?"
I stopped sipping from the bag and looked at him confused and a little bit surprised really.
"A walk?"
"Yes, you know that thing you do with your legs and sometime you want to do when it's late"
He shook his head.
"Uh. . . sure- I'll tell Alexander to put on some shoes"
I looked around for him but realized he wasn't around at least that I could see.
"I told him to watch Jennifer. . . are you okay with that?"
I wasn't really sure to be honest. Though I didn't have anything else going on and a late night walk would be nice.
"Yeah we can go."
I quickly took my last few sips and threw away the bag and slipped on a pair of black tennis shoes.
In case I need to run.
I shook my head at my thought.
He opened the door for me and I walked out.
"What if the press see us?" I looked at him as he shut the door behind us.
He shrugged.
"I can do what I did earlier"
I looked at his eyes and they were still pretty red showing he still hadn't fed.
"You sure?. . . "
I followed him as he led the way out of the hotel.
He chuckled.
"Are you worried about me? That's a nice change. . . yes, I can manage it trust me"
I guess I had to just take his word about it.
The streets were pretty empty and quiet. The ocean breeze still filled the air as we walked and I took in a small breath. However as he turned to go down a small alley way My vision became patchy and my heart was racing as memories of that night started flooding my head.
The darkness consumed me and I suddenly felt like ice.
"Luna? Luna are you okay?" Zadicus's voice filled my ears and the memories slowly faded and I blinked shaking them away.
He was halfway down the alley and I was frozen at the beginning.
"Uh yeah. . yeah I'm fine" I lied.
I slowly took a few steps and he watched me carefully and he tilted his head for a moment before looking around us.
"You know I know you're lying. . . I can smell how tense you are- you're afraid"
I bit my lip.
I hated that he and I shared that. Most of the time when I lied to him I was able to manipulate my own feelings but not right now. I was clearly too distracted.
"Luna. . . that part is long over, and I'm not taking you anywhere. . ." his voice was calm and quiet.
I took a step back.
"Why are we really alone then?"
He didn't move he just watched me.
"Because I wanted to go for a walk. . . we can take a different route if you prefer."
He offered.
All I wanted to do was run back. My instincts were telling me to run again. Was it actually my instincts or was it my paranoia?
I took another few steps back.
He sighed before walking back to me then past me rounding the corner.
"Alright I'll choose for us then, another way it is."
I blinked and shook off my fear and started following him again.
"I'm starting to realize that you going home really is the best thing I think" he mentioned after a few minutes of silence as we walked down the quiet streets passing closed restaurants, bars and shops.
"I want to be able to do my job-"
"So you admit you do have trouble" he cut me off and I gritted my teeth.
"Yes, I have horrible memories here and every time I think I get a little better about it something happens. They were nightmares as a child and they are nightmares now"
"You know I never meant to make you feel that way. . ." he tried to sound apologetic but I doubted it.
"Was that before or after you threatened Jason? Or wait after you came back some time after and killed his brother's wife" I sneered.
How many times were we going to have this conversation?
"I'm sorry for the way it happened. . . I was very. . . focused on the goal I had and I lashed out in ways I shouldn't have and I have admitted that to you"
We were making a circle back to the hotel and we were halfway at most so I was relieved to know this conversation wouldn't have to last long.
"I'm trying my best to prove the mistakes I've made to you, Hell I don't even dare try to ask you about your new relationship- let alone your other because I know how defensive you are about it"
"You made it that way" I reminded him.
"I did. . . I know I did, I made you have to protect a lot of things- in some ways I guess we both managed to make our lives Hell, even though we've been given a gift to make it like Heaven"
I huffed.
"That's one way to put it. . . I love my life. It's not perfect- let alone normal but it's a life"
"We don't get normal lives Luna"
I laughed.
"Believe me I know. . . besides it's better than the human life I probably would have had- minus Jason I mean"
Which was true. I was poor, I was marrying into his family so our family could have money. I loved him though. I loved him more than anything so that was fine with me. In the end though I was just a pawn otherwise- Jason and I both were to our families.
"Well, humans can be just as cruel if not more you know" he said quietly.
"That they can. . ."
I had remembered how my family had turned on me when I came home that night. How angry they were. In reality I knew why they were mad. It hurt to admit, but I knew it was because I was their hope for a better life. Now that I was being taken from them so was their chance.
"Did you ever visit them?"
I looked at him.
It was like he had read my mind for a moment but I could swear I still had it blocked from him.
"Who?"
"You don't interact with humans much, so I'm assuming you're talking about your old family and friends- more so your parents though I assume"
I shook my head.
"No, never cared to look back, I visited my own grave once though- last time we were here."
He looked at me and raised an eyebrow.
"Do you, maybe want to?"
"Why?"
Did he really need to torture me more. This was stupid. I would rather have my nails ripped off one by one.
"I don't know- we can go during the day if that'd make you feel better- or when we get back to the room I can teach you how to sleep?"
"Maybe, but the other sounds amazingly refreshing" I perked up.
He gave me a small smiling before nodding and continuing are way back to the hotel.
When we reached the steps of the hotel there was a very angry Alexander waiting for us.
"Why are you looking at us like that?" I tilted my head to look at him.
"So you pawned me off on your servant to take her god knows where to do-"
"She's alive, I didn't take her I asked her if she wanted to go on a walk and now we are back" Zadicus continued walking until he was in front of Alexander towering him slightly.
He let out a low growl.
"She- you both are my responsibility you know that Sir" Alexander said through clenched teeth.
I walked quickly behind them both and stood at the front doors.
"And we are both fine, now if we could please all get along Zadicus was about to teach me how to nap and I would love that right now so if you would be so kind as to escort us"
They stared at each other a moment. I could feel the heat in the air, but neither of them spoke another word before Alexander turned around leading the way back inside. When we made it back to the room he shut the door locking it.
"I'm not leaving the room for this though, I will stay here until she wakes" Alexander walked towards us.
"Understandable. . . lay down on the couch, now I will warn you it may not be the most pleasant the first time. . ."
I walked over to the purple fabric loveseat and laid down after removing my shoes. What did he mean by that? If it was a miserable experience why did he do it so often? My face twisted in confusion at the thought.
"The first dream is usually a series of different events-being that I'm the only one who can do this I don't know if all are the same, but they are your own events- so they aren't normal dreams I guess" he sat across from me in a chair and Alexander leaned against one of the walls.
"How long do you think I'll be out?"
He shrugged.
"I can't tell you for sure- I know that sounds alarming but again my knowledge is limited. . . Alexander will be here though"
I was surprised he didn't mention himself in that. Even though it was a given I was expecting him to make it sound like he had comfort to offer.
"So what do I do?"
"Close your eyes."
I did as he told me and pulled one of the silk pillows down so it was underneath my head.
"Now, imagine a light veil being lifted off you in nothing but pitch black. . ."
I did as he asked as his words seemed to get quieter as he spoke until there was nothing.
The blackness was suddenly gone and I started feeling and remembering things from the very day things had changed. It seemed like that was all I could ever remember anymore. . .
It felt so real, the smell of the morning air from that day. The laughing of Jason's family at the dinner table that night down to even the taste of the bread we ate. The way Jason had given me one last kiss goodbye and the tingle it had left. . .
But then it started to fade again and an all familiar color of crimson revealed itself. I was looking down at my hands as they were covered in the liquid, dripping onto a bare cement like floor. I couldn't place this memory. My body felt like it was on fire, smoke clouded the vision and I could see Jason walking through the clouds of smoke, I wanted to reach out and try to touch him I was so curious as to what else I could do. Something felt horrible wrong though. . . and his perfectly fit grey tshirt started to be consumed by that same crimson liquid from earlier. When I started to feel like I could actually move it watched as his body was knocked back.
Suddenly I jerked out of my daze with a scream and I felt a set of arms wrapped around me.
"Shh. . . it's okay, it's okay" Zadicus was the one who had me.
My heart was racing. I was panicked, but a concerned Alexander was just at the foot of the love seat.
I felt a weird slippery feeling on my left hand and the scent of blood hit me and I blinked looking down and around me.
It wasn't mine, but it was Zadicus's. My eyes finally met with a gash on his torso and a few around his wrist.
"You alright?" Alexander finally asked.
"I think so. . ." I whispered.
"What happened?" he asked.
"It was just. . . a lot at once I guess I finally felt like I could move and then I woke up" I glanced at Zadicus's eyes as he released his hold on me, but he remained beside me.
"Sorry, but you were thrashing. . . I knew you would be upset if you hurt him so I took it" he glanced at my bloodied hand.
I laughed.
"I think I'm the one who needs to apologize. . . you're the one hurt"
His wounds had healed, but still, his shirt was torn and his wrist was still red.
"I'm healed, wasn't too bad- just a precaution, I'd ask how it went but. . ."
He looked down to his tattered shirt.
"How long was I out?"
"About five hours."
I blinked.
All the things I had seen maybe felt like only an hour two at most.
"You were quite peaceful for a while there"
I sunk back into the couch nodding.
"I made a decision." I cleared my throat changing the subject.
They both looked at me confused.
"I'm staying until things are settled."
Alexander got a very prideful grin and sparkle in his eyes.
Like he was happy to see me back to how I normally was. Fearless and ready for any obstacle.
"I'll let everyone know then."
He bowed his head before walking out of the room.
"You must be okay if you're wanting to stay"
Zadicus commented as he sat in the chair across from me again.
"I made a promise to our people- for a lack of better word anyway. . . I will make sure you and everyone else is comfortable with this arrangement before I leave."
He smiled.
"Well I'm glad to see you're feeling better then- was it something to do with the dream you had? if I may ask"
"Somewhat I suppose."
He cleared his throat.
"I must be honest with you, I had a peak for a moment when your mind lapsed- you seemed quite happy. . . I wouldn't have but it's a little hard not to when I never get the chance to. . ."
Part of me wanted to be upset, but then I also knew how something you can't reach is so tempting when you can. That first time I had fed from Rickey was nothing but pure carnal need for it after holding back for so long. The fact that it wasn't allowed for a while only made the moment more delicious.
"It was, I don't know what I was expecting to see, but it was nice"
"So what happened in the end?"
I had to assume he only wanted to know because of my reaction.
"Was yours unpleasant too? When you woke up for the first time"
He nodded.
"Believe it or not, I had died- don't know to what though. . . as I was sucked into the black hole of it all I woke up"
He rolled his shoulders as I noticed him shiver a bit with discomfort.
"But after that I haven't had anything dark at all"
He smiled relaxing back in his seat.
"Thank you, for teaching me- and for uh restraining me I guess"
Shit the blood.
I lifted my hand and checked to make sure I didn't get any on the couch. Thankfully it was just a little bit on the carpet. My instincts took over and I brought my hand to my mouth and flicked out my tongue tasting the almost cinnamon like tingle from the blood licking the few drips clean.
I blinked when I had realized what I had done once I snapped out of my haze.
"I thought I was the one who needed to feed" Zadicus remarked.
"I uh"
He shook his head.
"You don't have to say anything"
I gladly shut my mouth.
"I have some notes I want to write before the next meeting. . . you're good then?" he glanced at me.
"Yeah I'm fine, thank you"
He nodded before getting up and walking through the joining door to our rooms.
I curled up on the couch rubbing my head against the pillow. I did feel refreshed, and super calm which is never something I thought I'd feel being here. That didn't mean I wanted to take back what I had announced though. However- at least I could now do it in a more prideful way.
"The house knows we'll be here another day or two, you alright? Need a drink or something?" Alexander asked as he walked back in.
I shook my head.
"No, thank you though- I'm sorry I put you through that"
He sighed sitting at the end of the loveseat.
"You'd think seeing you die a handful of times would make something as small as a nightmare seem so easy. . .but in reality I guess it's still a little hard to. . . trust him"
I understood that feeling all too well. Those around us knew too, Jarred, Rickey and even every guard.
"Forgive me. . . but I think this is a good step for you"
I laughed a little.
"Still so formal. . ." I mumbled.
"I can't help it, it's been my job for forever you know that" he gave me a small smile.
"Besides, it's a little tricky when he's around, I have to switch it on and off" he reminded me.
"I can understand that, I guess I didn't think about it at first- after all I don't have to worry about such formalities."
Also to be fair though I just didn't respect him enough for them.
☾☾☾
I could feel Giovani grow uncomfortable under my grip as I lick a few more drops from the bite mark I had given him on his forearm. His muscles twitched under my fingertips and I pulled myself away with a sigh.
"Thank you, you have no idea how much I needed that after yesterday"
"I can't believe you finished your whole supply in just a day. . ." Zadicus muttered as he shifted in his seat. Clearly uncomfortable in some way about witnessing me feeding. In jealousy or just the sheer fact that I was feeding off our own council members I wasn't sure.
I licked my lips taking the last small bit onto my tongue before going back into my seat in the meeting room.
"It is our honor to fulfill your wishes" Giovani bowed his head down as he rolled back down his sleeve.
Zadicus let out a small laugh shaking his head.
"I know we have power over you all to make you fall into submission but she doesn't even have to use it does she?"
Giovani gave him a confused look.
Zadicus's look changed when he realized maybe the translation was a little strange.
"lei ha il potere di farti piegare, ma lo fai volentieri, vero?" he switched the languages so easily, sometimes I had wondered just how many he had learned over the years.
(she has the power to make you bend, but you do so willing don't you?)
He had a slight Italian accent still, but there were some others mixed it that made it hard to tell.
Giovani looked at me then even more confused.
"Sono nei guai?"
(Am I in trouble?)
I shook my head.
"No, probabilmente è solo geloso"
(No, he's probably just jealous)
I smiled.
Zadicus only looked at me before shaking his head.
"Can we go ahead with the meeting now?" he asked.
I nodded.
☾☾☾
The days had gone by fast and the jet ride home even faster. I felt as light as a feather after everything that had happened. Which was beyond shock and surprise but none the less I welcomed it. Whether I was truly over it or not, I felt better about things. Even if it were progress I was more than happy to accept it.
Alexander and I waited outside of the jet patiently waiting for Jason to arrive. Zadicus had left as soon as we landed. Understandably considering he hadn't had anything to feed off of the whole time. Though I was surprised when Jennifer stayed behind. Maybe he had ordered her to take a separate plane or something. I wasn't too sure. Nor did I really care after such a rude encounter though anyone close to him I should probably be more interested in, but I knew Alexander would do that for me.
As I saw the black suv pull up I felt a smile tug on my lips and Jason stopped the car and stepped out opening his arms. I ran to him as if had been longer than just three days. It had felt like weeks. I felt his arms wrap around me pulling me into his chest as he nuzzled next to my ear.
"I missed you, and that beautiful smile of yours" he whispered.
It only made me smile more before I pulled away placing a quick kiss on his nose.
"And I missed you too, now lets not be rude and take up the landing area"
I laughed as I tugged on his hand towards the backseat.
He smiled ear to ear as he opened the door for me and allowing me to slide in and Alexander got in the driver's seat.
"You love birds are like watching some sappy romance movie" he chuckled.
"It's only amusing and funny considering you two could switch at the turn of a switch"
He wasn't wrong. As loving and as doting as we were about each other- and now Rickey. If you crossed us or did certain things that were upsetting blood was easily spilled between the two of us. We snuggled up in the back and I gently grazed my nose against his collar bone noticing a different scent then normal.
"You changed your cologne?" I asked placing my chin on his shoulder to look at him.
"Mhm, why you don't like it?"
He frowned.
I took another small breath of it in, it was more of a darker scent, a little earthy maybe even, but it had the slightest bit of sweet to it.
I shook my head.
"No I like it, just was surprised is all"
He bent his head down to take my lips into his ever so softly. We so rarely spent time apart the past few years the days seemed far more outstretched then they were. So the small moments like this we cherished whenever either of us would come back.
The car ride home wasn't as long as normal the traffic seemed forgiving today. Jason had filled me in on how everyone reacted to us being gone. How he laughed at the fact that he was so calm for the first time in ages. He must've realized way before me he knew he was safer than ever at that time. He might have been worried about my safety, but he wouldn't show that to me if it took me away from my other burden. On the drive I had explained everything that had happened in more detail than I had been able to earlier. Even down to the part where I got to take a nap for the first time in ages. He was fascinated and was clearly excited for the new knowledge and chance at trying the same too.
As we approached the house his hand never left mine as Alexander pushed opened the big doors.
"Home sweet home" he yelled before sighing, clearly pleased the trip went as well as he had planned.
I could only imagine him the whole week prior and even during since this whole thing was his plan after all. A big and bold one at that, even for him having his new found freedom of sorts.
"You two act as if you were on vacation" Jason chuckled.
"I mean- it went rather well considering the whole big surprise"
I shrugged.
"Though I do admit I was upset at first."
"She doubts me at times still somehow and I will admit it hurts" Alexander looked back at us giving an exaggerated wounded look on his face before grinning.
"Well congratulations on making it happen as always seamlessly" Jason complimented and Alexander bowed his head.
"That's why he's the boss!" Joshua shouted as he and Rickey walked in the room. Joshua was chewing on an apple and Rickey stood beside him in a pair of grey wash jeans and a v-neck black t-shirt his hair styled to perfection as always.
Within the blink of an eyes he was gone and I felt a warm breath behind my ear.
"Welcome back, love" I shivered and got another stupid big smile on my face just the same as when Jason had come to pick me up.
His arms laced around my stomach as he pulled me against him.
"Welcome home indeed." I said softly.
"Hey I missed her too you know, you ass" Jason tugged free his hand from mine and went in front of me to wrap his arms between me and Rickey.
I was completely sandwiched between their two towering bodies and it had given me such a giggly warm feeling and I was loving every second of it. I had missed them so much and though I may not have wanted them both sexually together or anything I did love being as close as possible to both of them.
"Hey you got to pick her up from the airport" Rickey reminded him as they kept me enveloped between them.
"That is true"
"Well- Alexander and I have some catching up to do we'll leave you three to. . . whatever it is you do"
I had completely forgotten that Joshua and Alexander were still in the room. Not that I cared, but I didn't mean to seem so rude. I wasn't really in any position to talk right now considering my face was buried in Jason's chest. They didn't move or speak for a while, I was curious to know if they were looking at each other or where their eyes went when I was between them. Was it weird sometimes?
"Why does she smell so different? did you change your perfume too?" Rickey started to pull his hands away and I felt them slip back to my waist.
"It's his scent."
Jason spoke flatly. Which made me wonder how long he'd noticed, he didn't seem angry at all earlier, the air didn't seem to smell with anger either. It was still as blissful as ever.
Rickey stayed silent I assumed Jason was giving him a look that was telling him he was going to explain more.
"I'd know that mix of scent anywhere- she drank his blood, but it's just barely there- so as curious as I may be, I think it's best I don't ask. She was drenched in the smell when I picked her up the one day- that day she went with you that first night. . ."
I could tell that part of the reminder had made him uncomfortable as he explained.
Suddenly I felt a vibration of a low growl come from Rickey against my back. I knew that fucking growl anywhere. He never let such a growl out of the bedroom though. . . And being that I wasn't exactly open with how we were intimate we were it did worry me of his actions right now. It was a difficult situation to explain when I knew how Jason already felt about the idea.
"You good there bud?" Jason chuckled, but something in his tone told me Rickey must have looked a little upset.
"Hey guys, do you mind not squishing me any longer?" I said muffled into Jason's chest.
He chuckled in response and placed a kiss on the top of my head releasing me.
Rickey kept his arms around me though he had even tightened his grip on my hips he had kept his hands on.
"Go take a shower- please" he said into my ear quietly before releasing me.
I knew he wasn't angry with me. He could have been mad at Zadicus that part I didn't know. Whatever was going on that was making him this way was such a weird new turn on though.
"She can shower all she wants, not gonna go away with it bud, it comes out of her pores practically- wow if still had some doubts about you two you are proving me wrong"
Jason said surprised.
I rolled my eyes at him after shooting him a glare.
"I'm gonna go take a shower. . . then I'll come back down" I grumbled.
"How do we make it go away?" Rickey asked.
"She just needs to feed off someone else is all, goes away pretty quick then within a few hours"
I made my way upstairs to Jason and I's bedroom as they continued with their conversation on what we were all going to do tonight.
ns 15.158.61.5da2
