Vampyre Blue (Alternative Women)

by Davena Slade Nicolaou

  Eliza had had a few boyfriends in her life but they were always bad for her and fleeting. She was happy in her own company, she didn't need anyone else. Don't forget that she always had somebody with her. To this day she swears her sister is always by her side and that in itself is quite a tall order for any prospective partner to swallow.

  Cleo was the most grown up eleven year old Blue had ever met. Cleo Rose must have been bossy from the day she was born, Blue was sure. Cleo always had that grounded together feel of an old soul in a young body. She knew what she wanted, how to get it and how to get other people to get it for her.

  There is no wonder she was recruited to become an undercover agent. An assassin, dropped into situations, exploiting the marks, gaining unrivalled intelligence and then executing her mission and whomever she was instructed to terminate. Agencies that didn't officially exist recruited graduates from colleges and universities all over the world, MI5, MI6, CIA, KGB, the men in black that make what they want disappear. She was highly trained and extremely dangerous.

  Her latest assignment was to become (as mentioned earlier) the wife of a Mafia boss, Valentino. She became the wife expected of her, by Valentino and the agency. The trouble started when she fell in love with him and got pregnant – the agency said it would be more convincing so they made her keep the baby. She wanted to run when the baby was born, she wanted out of this crazy situation with her new little boy. Within three months she was pregnant again. Valentino was extremely pleased, the agency were happy, they had an agent in deeper than ever before.

  Cleo on the other hand was in bits. Her clean-cut, crisp assassin lifestyle of travel and luxury had completely ceased and her priorities had been turned on their head. She had two little people whom depended on her, looked up to her for everything, she became aware of the situation she had put herself and her children in. She had to make a choice, whichever way she would go it was time things changed.

  At school she was class president, prefect and head girl. She knew everything that was going on. Blue guessed that’s why she chose the career she did.

  She was switched on. Even back then the teachers didn't run the school, she did.

  Jayne Green always wore black for as long as Blue could remember and as far as she could recall never smiled – not once.

  Not a happy child – always looking awkward and uncomfortable. She was never comfortable in her own skin. It took Blue a while to find out why. When Jayne was a tiny baby, she'd had problems with her bones and muscles. The doctors had butchered her in an attempt to make her infant body more comfortable. The downsides to her comfort and lack of excruciating pain, were huge scars all over her body. So she went from being physically uncomfortable to being mentally so, she has joked about it in her twenties, she said she looked like Frankenstein's monster. She’d had a hard time of it growing up though. Always thinking she wasn’t good enough.

  Actually Blue could recall the first time she saw her smile, it was at the reaction of her dressed as a zombie nurse. She had painted blue over her exposed skin, which was plenty with the tiny nurse outfit. She looked absolutely gorgeous! Even with her scars emphasised to horror Movie standards. It was for a Halloween party Star had organised when they were all about eighteen, still at school doing their A levels.

  Jayne with her melancholy aura attracted like-minded sombre types. They talked incessantly about how wrong the world was, confessing their secret desires for the planet, the end and everything else that could put a fluffy pink bunny in a suicidal mood. Star, Cleo, Eliza and Blue included, didn't appreciate Jayne's minion friends. When she decided to hang out with the girls her shadowy companions would disappear as if vampires hiding from the sunshine. In retrospect Blue found it amusing how ironic it really was. Jayne went on to become a Philosophy Lecturer – in effect she gets paid a decent wage for being herself – weird and melancholy!

  Jayne skirted into the girls lives through Eliza – Eliza took her in, took care of her when she started at Boarding school, as she was the year below them.

  She was the only eleven year old invited to Stars thirteenth Birthday Party. She was invited but she remained impartial to the whole event. She just stood on the side lines smoking cigarettes, dressed in black, looking like a mini mod. That was pretty much how she went through the entire time at Boarding School. Wearing tight black clothes, smoking continuously and lets not forget, talking. Talking incessantly about every theory worth a thought, like a good philosopher would.

  Jayne wasn't into the guys, she preferred the girls. She's never let anyone that close, never intimately, she still had her guard up, brick walls that were impenetrable. The girls were her closest friends and she barely let them in. It was only since she'd become a lecturer she'd slept with loads of students, but they would never know the real Jayne either.

  Chapter Four.

  Kissing her neck, he held her tight, she felt warm to his touch. She felt secure in his grasp, he started moving from the kisses on her neck to kissing her ear then her mouth, she gasped beneath him. His tongue caressed hers, more kisses, passionate, she had shivers going down her spine, she felt alive, her hair stood on end, he smelt divine to her. He smelled ancient and musky, his strong muscular shoulders were under her hands, she felt them and then she was swept up into them. She couldn't open her eyes, but she still felt safe, his voice was warm, yet strong and powerful, he spoke in French to her, 'Je t'aime.' His voice both calmed and soothed her. She was held close to this mystery man, he kissed her neck again, biting, sinking his sharp wonderful teeth into her inviting irresistible flesh. Despite the bite she retains the safe feeling wrapped beneath the strong arms, her whole body shuddered with pleasure, the bite of ecstasy, a whisper in her ear in a voice so deliciously golden 'Mon Bleu. My Blue. Vous l'aurez compris assez tôt. You'll understand soon enough. Je t'aime. I love you. Au revoir mon doux. Goodbye my sweet.'

  Blue woke with a jump, half expecting to see a muscular version of Pierre laid next to her in this huge bed at Stars, but alas she was alone. Instead she heard the distant sounds of women gibber jabbing, busying themselves by organising things. Blue couldn't quite put her finger on it but she just somehow knew that something big was happening. Blue was still taking it steady, still getting to grips with the whole Vampyre thing and still not working at all. It was late September, four months since she was bitten, but she had been completely out of it for most of that time.

  She got herself up out of bed, put on her pyjamas, flattened her hair down from the complete mess it had become whilst in the throws of her passionate dream, she wiped her eyes with make-up removal wipes, then looked in the mirror, grimaced, put on some moisturiser and thought to herself 'That'll do'. She walked down the sweeping stairs into the main reception area in Star’s now busy Mansion. Blue walked up to Star gave her a big hug and told her in a hushed whisper about her horny dream with the mystery guy.

  'What! Again?' She pronounced in her loudest voice. Blue raised one eyebrow,

  'Don’t give me that look!' Star exclaimed, she carried on in rather hushed tones,

  'You’ve been having these sexy dreams for weeks since you were bitten.' Star knew, Star knew everything, she actually suspected Blue was a Vampyre from the very beginning, it was confirmed when poor Colin had gotten himself cut and she kissed it better.

  'Anyway, enough of the Vampyre talk.' She gave Blue a sly wink, 'We’ve got to get you up and back with it!' and then announced, 'We my dearest Blue are throwing a Halloween Masked Ball in your honour!'

  Before she had even realised Blue's hands were grasping her head in an Oh My God expression.

  'Come on Blue! I haven’t had a party here, in, well, EVER!' She was pretty when she sulked, like the little princess she was, 'I’m getting rusty at the organising, and you missed my birthday in June, you were still out of it for Cleo’s earlier this month, Jayne’s is two weeks after Halloween. Come on, its an excuse for something lavish, you know I can afford it. Let me do this for us all, we need a pick me up
and what’s better than Pagan New Year? Not to mention the fact that we are all in need of some male attention, well of course, Jayne excluded, but she sure as hell could do with some new ladies to gaze at. And she'll be back from Paris any day now.' She smiled at Blue with her warm eyes, and gave her a smile that could melt the coldest heart. Blue didn’t stand a chance.

  'Fine, okay.'

  Star's Mansion was busier than a spring time Bee Hive the weeks leading up to Halloween. Slowly over the weeks the house was becoming a Gothic Delight. She'd gone the whole black and orange route. It wasn't just the usual tacky temporary Halloween decorations, there wasn’t any of that. Crafts people were brought in to carve sculptures from wood, stone, as well as inspirational classic pumpkin heads. Decorators were painting rooms black and orange, light fixtures were replaced with more Gothic candelabras and chandeliers. The drapes and furniture were changed too. Even the outside was getting a makeover. Colin the gardener was put in charge of the whole exterior, he'd gotten grave stones, dry ice (for the creepy smoke) and candles in lanterns, sign posts with macabre writing and comments, as well as directions for guests. The whole massively Gothic look was being taken to the next level, the Star level.

  Star interviewed D.J.s, cabaret acts, magicians, illusionists, contortionists, burlesque dancers and performers. She'd secured Dita Von Teese and the Foo Fighters amongst others. Waitresses, waiters, butlers and ladies in waiting were hired to dress as required and cater for the whims of the guests.

  Star was acquiring masses of entertainment for the extravagant event. She had also created the guest list, ordered the invitations, but had not yet sent them out. The final guest list was still to be confirmed.

  The invitations were on black card with orange and silver writing with embellishments in the same colours. The cards were placed in black boxes filled with shiny black spiders, bats, shiny orange pumpkins and iridescent star confetti. The black boxes had a bright orange ribbon wrapped around them and to finish the whole package the ribbons were tied in a fabulous bow.

  Once the guest had gotten inside all of that, the invitations read:

  'Dear Guest & One,

  You are invited to attend a spectacular event,

  the Halloween Masked Ball of Mistress Star Gaise

  In the Honour of Mistress Ajia Abdiel (Blue)

  at her summer residence, Bracken House on

  Friday the 31st October 2008.

  The event and festivities will start at 7pm promptly.

  Miss Gaise looks forward to seeing you there.

  Xxx Star.'

  The amazing thing about Star was her ability to attract the celebrities and film stars. Her parties were so fabulous that people would auction off their own mothers for invitations or tickets to any one of her events.

  As soon as the invitations had gone out, the gossips and glossies were all over the event. All the journalists were clamouring and grasping for information and pictures. For basically anything that was slightly news worthy. Hello and OK were vying for exclusive pictures, bidding against each other to cover the events photography.

  Star didn't go for any of the bait, she held out, everyone that had been to the house had been sworn to secrecy – and because they'd all been hired, they all held out too, everyone that was involved had put in far too much effort and were way too excited about the party to spoil it by letting the media in on it, ruining the night before it had even happened.

  And so the media silence held. The anticipation grew and grew. Ladies and Gentlemen of the rich and famous ordered their ball gowns and costumes of splendour from the elaborate boutiques and fashion houses dotted all over the world, Masks were ordered from Venice, no expense was spared.

  Star had commissioned one of her good friends, Monsieur Jean Paul Gaultier, seeing as she had the heads up on the event and had her pick of designers before anyone else even had chance. She contacted Ms Vivienne Westwood to design Blue's outfit, Jayne chose the now late dear Alexander McQueen, Cleo went for a Chanel original and Eliza was fitted by the house of Dior. Star paid them all an absolute fortune. The colour scheme – Black and Orange. Amazing is not the word – unbelievable is the word, breathtaking even. Dresses of art, Haute Couture, clothes fit for Queen Cleopatra herself.

  The shoes were a whole other ball game, Christian Louboutin, Irregular Choice, T.U.K, Red or Dead, Miu Miu, KG. Star spoke to all of these asking for exclusive shoes that they could launch later. Exclusive Shoes! Blue picked out the Irregular Choice one’s complete with Spiders and webs between the heel and the main shoe. They were amazing, her little eyes lit up when she first saw them.

  Halloween Day came, bright sunshine in a beautiful blue cloudless sky, the autumnal leaves were just starting to gently fall to the ground. The girls had all been awoken around nine in the morning, invited to breakfast in the main dining room. Star must have been up hours already, if she had even been to sleep at all. She had been organising the staff and getting the house polished to perfection.

  'Right then girls, the plan for today is that you four lovely ladies are going to the Spa next door to relax. I will be joining you later, however at the moment I have far too much finalising to do before I leave it all in the capable hands of my darling No.1 whom will be in charge this evening. So I will be able to actually enjoy this creation with you lovely ladies of mine!'

  The evening started a little before seven, Star had gathered Blue, Cleo, Jayne and Eliza up to greet the guests. There were celebrities and up and coming new faces that were this minutes hottest young things. They all looked beautiful, everyone had gone that extra mile to look extra special, even though they had masks that covered most of their faces (although most women had opted for the masks that were held up to the face, rather than attached).

  Blue's favourite celebrities had been invited, she was really in awe of Star's capability to fill a venue. They had all RSVP'd quickly and had attended, Johnny Depp and his beloved Vanessa, Kyle, Angelina and Brad, Quentin Tarrentino, there were celebrity designers, presenters, comedians, chat show hosts, radio D.J.s and the powerful unseen. The P. R.s, editors, photographers, make-up artists, everyone it seemed was welcome. It was the who's who and the people who actually made everything happen. Star really did know how to invite the real money to her events.

  There was only one photographer taking pictures, any other form of camera had been banished from the party, (even cell phones) they were all locked in lovely secure lockers before they got to the house. The keys given to the guests. The photographer took pictures of the guests as they entered the mansion, and the rest of the night he took flattering shots, good shots, he made everyone look as good as they could, no horrific pap shots to ruin careers. All of the guests were to be captured in an album of the wonderful night, priced at a ridiculously inflated price. The profit from the albums would go to several charities and the guests would be able to purchase the albums a week or so after the event.

  There were a few guys that caught Blue's eye on their way past the entrance, their blood smelled clean to her, free of any additional toxic chemicals, tasty potentials for her everlasting life source. The drug free blood tasted better to Blue, even alcohol made the host's blood taste a bit stale and nasty.

  The girls were still in the welcoming queue shaking hands and air kissing the guests, Blue thought it was a complete load of pompous nonsense, but then Star suddenly grabbed hold of her arm, pulling Blue close to her, it surprised Blue,

  'Ow!' Blue lied,

  'Blue, Blue!'

  'What's up?' She quietly shrieked back, with a frown.

  'Look over there, that guy, the middle eastern guy, LOOK, LOOK!' Blue looked over in his direction.

  'Look What?!? Who is he? Why are you so bothered?'

  Star looked at her as if she has just joined planet Earth,

  'You are so out of touch!' Then added, 'He is only the Crown Prince of Dubai! He's so rich he could buy me thrice over!'

  'And!?!' Blue probably shouldn't have said that, she reg
retted it as soon as the sarcastic words exited her mouth. She gave her a look of disdain, quickly checking herself as he closed in, she whispered to Blue,

  'I didn't think he would be so hot in person!'

  As he shook their hands he didn't seem to look at Star at all, his eyes were burning into Blue's, Star was gushing, Blue frowned at him – he smelt funny, ancient, an impossible smell, the smell you would smell if you were to visit the mummified corpses at the British Museum, only fresher, sweeter, like the elixir of life. This prince smelt like a thousand summers to Blue. But she was unsure of him, she didn’t find him physically attractive and with that thought in her head, it was as if he were reading her mind he turned his entire attention to Star. Star hadn't noticed the swift change of focus, Blue did, Star certainly appreciated it though. The prince kissed Star's hand and told her he would see her later. Blue didn't know what to make of him, this brief moment was certainly weird to her. Blue was happy that he was one of the last guests to arrive. The girls were allowed to move off into the party and join the other guests in the main hall. Despite the Cypriot wedding like welcome queue the party had well and truly started.