"I know I said we all should go out more and show your faces kid of thing. . . I'm not sure if I meant by us going out and partying at bars" Alexander chuckled as he rubbed his head.
"Ugh but it feels so good to be able to drink blood normally again!" Jason exclaimed.
He ran over to the desk to Alexander and I.
"I feel like a refreshed version of myself!"
I covered my mouth trying to hold in my laughter.
"I still think it was a little weird on Ben's part. . . I could be looking into it too much but for someone who in a way just got into this world seems odd. . ."
Alexander leaned against my desk looking through his calendar.
"You never mentioned your concern" I looked up at him.
"It was hard to when I didn't have a reason, like I said I mean seems like an odd big request you know?"
"Yeah but we knew it wouldn't kill us"
"Yeah. . . but was it to test a weakness or what? I don't know something about it rubs me the wrong way. . ." Alexander gritted his teeth.
"Are you saying you don't trust Ben?" Jason raised his eyebrow.
Alexander shrugged.
"I'm not sure, I trust him more than Zadicus though that's for sure"
I huffed.
"Don't get me started. . . do you know how uncomfortable it's been being around him after finding that out?"
"I can only imagine." He admitted.
He closed the book.
"What if. . . you got him out of the house?"
I blinked.
"Are you insane? You want me out in public with that man?"
He turned himself so he was facing more towards me.
"Hear me out, you'd be around more people, you can still do the whole bonding thing and gain his trust"
"Yeah but are we sure he'd think that was a neutral territory? Afterall she kind of killed the whole idea of being safe in public for him"
I rolled my eyes at Jason.
"Him showing me that he can control me puts us on easy playing fields. . . if anything he'll understand why I'd want to be in public instead" I shrugged.
I sighed.
They were right I had to do this. . . I mean he could kill a whole bar if he wanted, but the chances were slim.
"I'll call him. . ." I grumbled.
"Alexander clapped his hands together.
"Perfect! then we can rest easy while you take care of that"
Jason gave me a small smile before walking out with Alexander.
I tapped my pen on the desk and stared at my phone.
Kaiden and Ben were merging now so well it wasn't much longer I'd have to do this. The only thing I wanted to do is be wrapped up in the arms of Jason and Rickey and forget about all this. I had to face it eventually though, and if I wanted us to be able to live freely and safely it's what I needed to do.
I picked up my phone and called Zadicus.
"Hello?" his voice was quiet and seemed somewhat surprised.
"Hey, I was wondering if you'd meet me at this club tonight?"
It sounded so weird when I said it outloud.
It was quiet for a moment and I'm sure it was because it was just as weird for him as it was for me.
"Umm sure, send me the address and the time?" he eventually responded.
"Yeah, talk to you then."
I quickly hung up the phone and deeply sighed once more.
Suddenly the memories of the last time I was at his house came flooding back and I tensed. Suddenly I felt my hand become wet and I shook my head looking down at my hand holding a broken pen the ink covering my hand.
"Shit. . ." I muttered to myself rummaging through my drawers to find something to wipe the ink off on.
It was almost laughable how I was so uncomfortable knowing someone else could control me, but then there was Rickey who I willingly and even had begged to take control of me. No they weren't in any way the same way or type, but still. Sometimes I wondered if that was one of the reasons why I was so attracted to him, he treated me so different. He could make me feel things no one else could.
I couldn't think about that right now I needed to shower and go get to the club.
☾☾☾
"I'll be only a phone call away" Jason said as he pecked me on the lips.
"I know. . . it won't be long I'm sure" I smiled looking up at him.
He looked me up and down.
"You look gorgeous by the way"
I blushed smiling for giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you"
He walked me out the front door to my black ford taurus and opened my door so I could get in.
"I'll see you when you get home."
He shut the door and I started the car.
☾☾☾
The club I had us meet at was a pretty decently crowded one on a Friday night, but not crazy enough that it was too loud to hear anything so it was a good option.
I parked my car and walked to the front showing the bouncer my ID and he smiled.
"Welcome to Ragnatela your majesty"
I put my finger to my lips and laughed quietly he chuckled opening the door for me.
The club's music started to fill my ears as the loud bass blared and the bodies on the dancefloor moved together. The low lit purple blue lighting shined bright on the bar and I made my way to it waiting for the blonde haired male bartender to finish with a customer.
"What can I get ya?" he asked putting his arm on the bar leaning in.
"A shot of fireball and jager please" I responded.
He nodded and turned around starting to make the drinks.
"You didn't tell me we were meeting at a human club. . ." I almost jumped as I heard Zadicus talk into my ear.
"Well of course not, that wouldn't have been fun, it's nice here it's not too crazy we shouldn't be bothered" I shrugged.
The bartender brought me my drinks and I smiled and mouthed a thank you as I slid him some money. I walked away and made my way towards the edge of the bar waving for Zadicus to follow as I downed my two shots before turning around and leaning my back against the bar.
"Drinking already?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Long day at the office. . ." the bitter taste hit the back of my throat and I was met with a familiar warmth from the fireball whiskey.
"I wasn't sure when I'd see you again after that whole talk last time. . ." he admitted.
I looked at him noticing he was in a black dress shirt and some black jeans and nice shoes with a gold watch around his wrist.
I wouldn't say he exactly blended in with the crowd, but he wasn't the worst.
"Well you don't come to the meetings lately so."
"I thought it'd be in your best interest, or at least for the time being I know that's a lot to take in"
I snorted.
"Yeah well wouldn't be the first time I've found out some big knowledge like that and had to deal with it on my own without a mentor."
I hoisted myself up on the bar stool and he moved to sit beside me.
"You know that's not my fault"
I glared at him for a moment before I put my hand up and waved at the bartender who was cleaning up his bar while he chatted with some girls.
He walked over and gave me a smile.
"What can I get you guys? You want another double?"
I nodded.
"I'll uhh have some vodka" Zadicus replied shifting in his seat.
So many bodies in the room gave me a lot of mixed emotions in the air I couldn't tell if he was the one fully uncomfortable or if just a lot of people were.
As the bartender came back and placed the drinks on the bar a arm reached over me and slid a card onto the bar.
"Put her drinks on me tonight, whatever she wants."
A sexy British accent filled my ears and I fought with every part of me not to smile knowing exactly who's voice that was and I turned around and he simply winked at me.
The bartender took the card and Rickey quickly disappeared into the crowd.
He sighed taking the card putting it in his pocket.
"You seem like a nice girl, so I'll be honest with you- I'd stay away from that one, but do enjoy the drinks!"
Here we go again.
"Nice and sweet like a swan maybe. . ." Zadicus grumbled.
"I'm Justin by the way" he reached his hand out to shake my hand and I smiled shaking his hand.
"Luna"
"And this is your. . . boyfriend?"
I nearly choked on my shot as I downed it shaking my head.
"Oh sorry- I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine, can understand the confusion my name is Zadicus" the snake reached his hand towards Justin as they shook hands.
"That's a cool name man, well let me know if you guys need anything" he took the shot glass as I put it down and made his round around the bar.
I brought my second shot to my lips.
"So you did leave some alive"
My hand stopped and I tilted my head back quickly downing it.
"You taught me to leave them if you recall."
He tapped his glass and sighed.
"So you're mad at me again. . ."
"I wouldn't say that."
The answer was I never stopped being mad, but he couldn't know that.
"You invited me out- is this a date?"
I laughed.
"Certainly not, if so wow this isn't going well with you have your date's drinks bought for her by some other guy"
He shook his head.
"So how are things then?" he finally spoke taking a sip of his vodka.
Who sips vodka?
"Small talk? Really?"
He sighed.
"Luna I'm trying, really I am- I don't know what you want from me"
"The truth would have been nice." I said flatly.
"We don't talk, it's hard for me to know what you do and don't know."
He huffed.
"Maybe if you didn't threaten to kill my husband that wouldn't have been a problem" I gritted my teeth.
There wasn't enough alcohol in the world to make this go easier.
"Hey Justin!" I yelled down the bar.
He looked around for a second and then walked over.
"Ready for another?"
"Sure am! give me some absinthe please"
His eyes widened.
"I warned you earlier." Zadicus grumbled and Justin turned around not responding.
"So if we're going to be playing the blame game, are we going to talk about how you know we're supposed to control things together yet you decided to throw that away?"
He shifted his glass around looking at me.
"I grew up with him, I love him, I knew him, sure I knew of you it's not the same"
"I won't disagree with you on that but you didn't even give me a chance-"
"You didn't give me a choice."
I cut him off reminding him.
He bit his lip putting a hand on his forehead rubbing it.
"I explained to you what happened. . . I can't fix the way things happened, and I guess I don't. . ." he hesitated with his next few words.
He let out a breath.
"I don't need him dead, and I never really needed him dead, I just wanted us to control things the way they should be, and I thought the only way that was possible was that way at the time."
He was admitting he was wrong? I couldn't believe it, no way I went this many centuries for him to just admit it like this.
It was silent for a moment between him and I and the loud music started to fill my ears again and Justin brought me over my absinthe without another word.
"I'll admit there could have been a different way for me too, I could have at least been honest about my intentions. . . I didn't want to risk you hurting him though- I didn't know how you'd react and dreamt enough about the bloodshed to know that. . ."
"We equally have dirtied our hands over the years, maybe in some different ways, but none the less we have."
He was right, I wasn't innocent, I killed any person that was on his side at one point. I killed because I wanted to hide, I killed to leave fake trails, I did a lot of things in my short life compared to his even possibly.
"Well, one thing is certain. . . we hold our name high."
I brought the dark green drink to my lips.
"They're a part of us Luna, we may as well have been killing our own kids"
I snorted.
"Imagine that fucking horror. . . Yes I know and it was hard, not once in my life did I think I'd see death like that- let alone so many times"
"Right, because you were going to live your happy little normal life" he rolled his eyes.
"It was, I didn't want this stupid position I had no choice- sure I could have become a hermit like you but what's the point?"
"You're younger than me, you can't even begin to understand-"
"Then make me understand"
I looked at him growing annoyed.
Was this going to even help me? The point was to have him trust me, let his guard down.
"Do you trust me? I know you probably can't completely. . . but do you at all?" he asked quietly.
"I do."
I mean that wasn't completely a lie. . . the info he had about our strength over people has never been wrong, now on a personal level of things I would never.
"I circled the planet practically for you, for years, you were lucky to be second. I had this weird-knowledge-vision, obsession whatever you want to call it ever since I can remember"
He paused taking a big gulp of the vodka.
"In fact, it's the only thing I remember- it's my first memory."
He stayed looking at the shot glass for a moment before he looked up at me.
"I don't know what to say to that. . ."
He shrugged.
"I wouldn't either, I still don't but yes I acted extremely impulsive- it was wrong of me I suppose like you I felt afraid of how you could react."
"Did you see the same things I did?"
I guess in some ways we weren't so different, we were both extremely pressed for answers, but also terrified about what they could be.
"Somewhat, I stopped having them after that night though- you?"
His eyes almost seemed to show some concern.
"Yeah. . . I had one last really bad one but that was it."
He sat up a bit straighter as he looked at me waiting for me to continue.
I didn't know if I wanted to share this with him, but I almost wanted to see his reaction.
"I saw you kill Jason."
He winced before taking the last bit of the shot.
"Well, you can see how that's going."
I move my hands fidgeting with the glass.
"Are you really going to take him from me?. . ."
My voice was so quiet, if it weren't for our hearing he probably wouldn't have been able to hear me over the music.
"Luna. . ."
I tensed not like the way he was starting.
"I just admitted to you I was in the wrong. . . I am trying to find a way for us to. . .to work together"
His jaw clenched.
We were both clearly uncomfortable by this conversation, but I think some part of us both knew that this was going to happen at some point.
"Though I'm not sure how he feels about that. . ."
"Well, you did kill his brother's wife and make him watch and left him there to suffer."
I reminded him.
"Yeah. . . that wasn't one of my better days"
"Better days?"
Now I was angry.
"That's what you call that? Most people have a bad day and get in an argument, go to the bar let off some steam"
"I'm trying not to say things and circles Luna, but you're making this difficult. . ." he sighed.
"You had to of known it would come up at some point."
I took a sip of my drink.
Absinthe was one of the few things that was able to quickly effect us- but maybe that was somewhat still the diet changes as to why it felt quicker today.
I needed it if I was going to get through this.
"You better slow down- didn't you drive tonight?"
He looked at my drink then back at me he almost looked worried.
I laughed.
"That's what drivers are for"
He shook his head.
Justin made his round back to our side of the bar.
"Either of you two need anything? You want a water with your absinthe? Coke or something?"
Zadicus let out a small chuckle.
"She's more of a straight drinker"
Justin simply smiled.
"So I've noticed, I'll get you a shot of jack- on the house how does that sound? If you like that anyway."
I nodded.
Justin walked away taking the empty glass with him.
"I think you might have another admirer"
I look over at Zadicus and scolded him.
"You're so serious, he probably just wants more tips- what are you going to do kill him?"
"No, though I do think I'll be heading out- once I know you're done anyway"
I grinned finishing off my absinthe as Justin slid over my shot of jack and I looked over and gave him a smile.
"And one more to go"
I grabbed the shot and threw it back.
"So you can go now"
He watched me for a moment as if thinking if he should leave or not.
"Alright. . . I'll see you at the next meeting, don't drink anyone on your way home"
He got up putting a fifty on the bar before walking into the crowd.
"Wow, most girls would be nearly on the floor after all that and you look as sober as you walked in"
Justin chuckled walking over grabbing the money off the bar.
"It's a talent" I lied.
"Well you'll have to share it with me some time if you ever come around more"
"Speaking of around- that guy earlier that paid for these? Do you know where I might find him?"
I put my elbows on the bar leaning in.
He seemed like he was almost frowning.
"Assuming he isn't on planning on coming back up here, he'll be downstairs in the dungeon part of the club."
I looked at him puzzled not sure what that meant.
He pointed to the left of me to a hallway that had a green light above it.
"Good luck."
I nodded and waited for him to walk away for a minute before I gave him another twenty and made my way towards the hallway.
When I stood up I could start to feel the alcohol hit me and I bit my lip.
"I'll just go down for a minute tell him thank you and go back home"
I said to myself quietly taking a breath and walked towards the door. When I opened the door the strong smell of smoke filled my nose as well as a lot of other things, It was surprisingly more quiet than upstairs. Aside from the moaning?
I had been to this club quite a few times, but I never knew or went down to this part. Why was Rickey even here anyway?
As I followed the weird cheering and moaning noises I suddenly bumped into someone as I looked around the corner trying to find Rickey.
As I looked in front of me I had noticed quiet quickly given the tall man's outfit I wasn't just in any club I was definitely in a sex club. Which only made me more confused as to why Rickey would be down here.
"Did you lose your way to the bathroom? Or did you come in looking to be claimed?"
The tall man's voice was pretty deep for his soft seeming features. Dark blonde hair, green eyes and a lot of muscle and at least 6'3.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Something like that, now if you don't mind" I went to move around him but he quickly blocked my way.
"No collar means you're open so how about I walk in with you?"
I smiled.
"I think I can manage-"
"Hey Dillion I suggest you head back inside before I get you warned."
That's the man I was looking for.
I looked around the man-Dillion to see a very annoyed looking Rickey with handfuls of money.
"Since when is it against the rules to offer a friend to a newbie?" he huffed moving aside.
"She's claimed."
As Rickey walked around him and over to me Dillion's eyes widened as if almost terrified.
"Oh- oh I see-sorry I'll just go" and off he ran through the beaded doorway.
"Why are you down here Love?"
Rickey looked at me.
"Well Justin said you would probably be down here- a warning would have been nice as to what I was walking into but-why are you-"
He held up the wads of cash grinning before tucking it away in his back pocket.
"Collecting, didn't know you came here- or upstairs rather, saw you were with that asshole how'd that go?"
I shrugged.
He pulled me to him.
"Mm well I'm glad I ran into you then, I was going to call you-something told me I shouldn't but I got something better"
I smiled looking up at him suddenly a loud moan of pleasure pierced my ears and my gaze broke from his.
"We should go back upstairs. . ." he mumbled.
I nodded and turned around and his arm looped around my waist as he walked with me back up the stairs.
"You want another drink or?" he asked as we walked through the doorway that led back to the bar.
"Sure"
What's one more?
It was nice to be able to hangout with Rickey like this, especially in a human place where it shouldn't be such a big deal for us to be close like this.
"Hey Justin, can you get me some shots of jack and tequila?" Rickey yelled over the bar.
Justin gave him a thumbs up without even looking up.
"I'm happy you ran into me here, if I were to be honest I was a little nervous about tonight. . ."
"I've said it before, and I'll remind you every time that I'm drawn to you- apparently a little more than I thought"
He grinned pulling me close look into my eyes.
I couldn't help but smile ear to ear as the music almost seemed to fade as I looked into his eyes.
"I see you found him, this girl can hold her liquor, she even had an absinthe she can drink you under the table I'm sure" Justin chuckled as he brought us our drinks snapping me out of my spacing out.
"Is that so?" Rickey asked as he grabbed two shots and handed one to me.
"I may have had a few, thank you by the way"
"Welp let me know if you need anything" Justin slapped his hand on the bar before walking away again.
I tapped our shot glasses together and I took my shot.
"I know who's certainly not driving home alone" Rickey scolded me.
"Why? I'm being well behaved by myself I think" I pulled on his shirt to bring him close to my face.
"Oh I know you can behave kitten. . . minus your little situation downstairs"
I could feel the sudden warmth and tingle of the alcohol start to finally hit me and I couldn't stop looking at Rickey's lips.
They looked so soft I wanted I just wanted to feel them against mine.
"Alright love, I'm taking this shot and I'm getting you home"
He shook his head and grabbed his tequila shot and threw it back real quick.
I just kept staring at him like an absolute idiot, I couldn't help myself there were at least thirty or so people in here but I couldn't help but just stare at how attractive this man was right now for whatever reason. I never got to see him do business maybe that was why? Maybe it wasn't an office job, but it was a job clearly he was good at it.
"You want me to call her a cab or something?" Justin asked as he gave Rickey his card back.
Rickey stopped looking at me for a moment taking his card and signed his receipt shaking his head.
"I got her, thanks though"
Justin looked at me for a moment almost like he felt bad for some reason.
This was the last man I was worried to be leaving with.
Rickey finally looked back at me and he let out a small laugh I must have looked silly with the way I was looking up at him with this stupid smile I couldn't seem to stop.
"Come on. . ." he shook his head pulling me with him gently through the crowd.
As we moved through the body everything felt so fuzzy and warm.
"I don't know if you want to come out right now"
The bouncer said as we reached the door.
We both looked at each other confused.
"Someone must've seen you and Lord asshole here and told someone. . . shit ton of people out there"
I groaned.
"Thanks for the heads up, it'll be alright"
Rickey looked at me kind of surprised and I put my hood up on my jacket and sighed.
"Lets get home. . ." I started to feel myself already sobering up from being annoyed.
As the bouncer opened the door there were people quickly surrounding us asking if Zadicus and I were on some date or something stupid. I kept my head down and I saw Rickey put up his hood as he quickly moved next to me phones and cameras being shoved closer.
"Jesus fucking christ. . . this is stupid is it really that big of a deal?" Rickey muttered.
I didn't say anything as I looped my arm in his he seemed to tense when I did this as if shocked I was showing him such affection in public.
"No, I was on a date with my boyfriend, now leave us alone!" I yelled before I flashed us both to the back of the building pulling him along with me.
"Did you just?"
He blinked at me as I unhooked our arms and reached into my leather jacket handing him the keys to my car.
"What?"
I walked over to the passenger side and opened my door getting in.
I sat there for a moment before he decided to get into the car and started it.
"You really just let everyone know? You must be drunk- at the least tipsy"
He looked at me shocked shaking his head.
"Are you upset?. . ." I bit my lip worried suddenly maybe that wasn't something I should have said.
I didn't even think it just kind of happened. In the heat of the moment the emotion of the whole night. Shit everyone was gonna lose their shit when I got home. . .
"No, no it's fine I just- wow I wasn't expecting that"
Suddenly I saw flashes of light in the parking lot and I knew they had found out where we were.
"We should go"
"I cannot agree with you more" he laughed.
ns 15.158.61.54da2
