by Pepper Pace
I threw in my matching Victoria Secrets undies, my perfume, I wanted my jewelry but I didn't want to take the time to go digging in my jewelry box past the silver and the crucifix so I just placed the entire thing in my overnight bag.
There was a picture on my nightstand of me and some family members. Fighting back sadness I reached for the picture to tuck in the bag when Zing! I felt like I was electrocuted.
"Ahh!" I screamed and plunged my fingers into my mouth. Silver. Damnit! I forgot that it was in a silver frame!
There was a flash of movement that I more sensed than saw and Tony was standing in front of me. He took hold of my arm and yanked my hand out of my mouth.
"What happened?!"
"Silver. I accidentally touched it." I cursed again. Tony exhaled a breath. I wondered why when he didn't even have to breathe. He was still holding my arm and he examined my fingertips and grimaced.
I grimaced, too. They looked like seared sausages! It hurt worse now after seeing it. "Oww, Oww, Oww!" I cried.
He immediately placed them into his own mouth. I could feel his tongue moving gently over my fingertips.
Oh my my my. The pain disappeared immediately to be replaced by a warmth that spread slowly throughout my body. Each time his tongue moved over my fingertip it almost felt like it was moving low over my body. My mouth was hanging open and I remembered to snap it shut.
Tony released his grip on my arm. "Better?"
All I could do was nod. I looked at my fingertips because they really didn't hurt anymore. Hey! It was healed.
I looked at Tony curiously. He had a strange smile on his face.
I needed some air. My life-or whatever you wanted to call it-was taking a strange turn and I just didn't need the complication of ...WHAT? What is this? We're both dead. I choked on the thought and Tony patted my back.
"Let's just go." I said moving away from him.
When we walked out of what was left of my door I sighed (Yes! Even though my lungs were lifeless!)
Tony propped the door up into the jam so that if you didn't look too close you wouldn't know that it was busted out. I had a heavy door but he lifted it as if it were a toy. I headed to my car but noted that Tony wasn't following me.
"What?"
"We don't need a car to travel."
Can I fly? Or did I turn to mist...Oh no, not a bat! I didn't want to turn into a winged rat!
"Tony, I'd rather just take the car." Tonight I simply didn't think that I could take another revelation.
Tony shrugged nonchalantly. "We'll need to drive quickly then. I won't have very much time to get you settled in before dawn. And I'm driving."
He took the keys from my hand and moved smoothly behind the wheel. I reluctantly slid into the passenger seat. I wondered if I was making the biggest mistake of my unlife.
CHAPTER 4
We drove in silence for the first two or three miles. Tony had turned the radio to a hip hop channel, then he spotted my C.D.'s. He put in some old Earth Wind and Fire. I was surprised when he started singing September. How in the hell could I expect to believe that I was anything but me when I was sitting in my car with a sharp dressed man who sang Earth Wind and Fire?
"So what is your house like?"
"You'll see soon enough."
I tried to think of something else to break the silence. "How long have you been a Vampire?"
Tony hummed for another second or two before answering. "Since 1929."
My eyes practically bulged. It was difficult to think even imagine that this man was nearly 100 years old!
"I'm relatively young. Especially for a Council member."
"You'll have to tell me more about the Council, but not now. I want to hear more about you. You were in Harlem during the renaissance?"
"I was a teenager during the Harlem Renaissance. By the time I was 29 I was a partner in a night club." He smiled to himself. "It wasn't the Savoy- we did more Lester Young and Charlie Parker then Dizzy Gillespie."
Tony seemed to remember suddenly that I was there. "Dizzy was like R& B where Lester Young was like Hip Hop."
I crooked my eyebrow at him. "Tony, it might surprise you to know that I love Jazz; from Miles Davis to Coltrane. But I like the new Jazz, too, like Boney James."
He just nodded.
The remainder of the drive was spent talking about music and 1920's Harlem. It seemed that Tony was less scary to me since I could put a history behind him. He wasn't Tony the Vampire; but Tony Yates from Harlem, who regularly saw Billy Holiday, hung out at the Harlem Opera House, and was friends with many poets—who I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never even heard of. I came to realize that Tony was more than just a council member with a handsome face.
After a while we were turning off to a private wooded drive. I wasn't familiar with the area but there weren't any other houses in the vicinity.
Finally after 4 or 5 miles of additional driving, we got to a nice condo. Odd having a condo in the middle of no where.
"Nice condo" I said looking through my window.
"This is not a condo. This is my house."
My mouth made an O. "Oh." Vampires had money, apparently-although the Vampire that had made me had not seemed to be rolling in the dough with his unkempt appearance.
Tony opened my door before I even knew what he was doing. When I reached for my over night bag he already had it in hand. He did hand me back the keys to my car.
The condo was very modern. It was chromed out with lots of glass. Hmmm. Glass meant sun. Odd. When we got to the big metal door it swung open on its own just like it had at the Council meeting. Tony walked in just as William had; knowing that it was going to open.
Something occurred to me suddenly.
"Tony, did you open that door with psychic powers?"
He glanced back at me in confusion. "No. Mei Wah opened the door."
Embarrassed I saw a little Asian man standing just inside the door way.
"Mei Wah is my assistant. Vampire's do have a psychic link with their assistants." He glanced at me with a slight smile. "Don't worry. We'll discuss it later." I nodded gratefully.
Wow. Just from the entryway I could see light marble floors with a lot of dark wooden pieces. It was awesome!
Tony handed my bag to Mei Wah, who promptly disappeared with it. "Let me show you around. We won't have time for a complete tour. But I'll get you acquainted with where things are." He gestured for me to follow him into the living room.
It was decorated in earth tones but with splashes of crimson and cobalt blue. His style was decidedly African with wonderful sculptures and artifacts. I wanted to really take the time to look at the pieces but after a brief pause he led me to the next room.
It was a dining room. It was definitely large enough to accommodate a party of twenty five or thirty. Again it was tastefully decorated with touches of tribal artifacts. The table was already set with gold plates and crystal glasses...I didn't know why since apparently we couldn't eat or drink.
"Tony, why all the windows?" Both rooms had floor to ceiling windows that were focal points of each room.
"Ahhh, the magic of modern science. Special windows that block the harmful rays of the sun."
"But you're asleep by the time the sun comes up. Why windows when you can't even see out?"
Tony looked at the window. "No. Right before sleep takes me I can see, for just the briefest moment, dawn's first pink glow."
He shook himself visibly. "I should show you to your rooms or we'll be asleep right here in the middle of the floor."
He led me down a corridor whose walls were lined with beautiful paintings; mostly of beaches and beautiful natives with children frolicking in the sunshine.
The corridor led to a large heavy wooden door. The door led down a long, stone stairwell. It reminded me of the stairwell in the Council house and thinking about that made me instantly wary.
Tony led the way but he kept looking back at me as if he thought I was going to chicken out. Hell,
at this late hour I had no choice but to trust him.
Finally we got to the bottom of the stairs. The temperature was much cooler and it was definitely underground. But you didn't feel like you were in a cellar. As a matter of fact the space was very comfortable.
The stairs opened up into a spacious room that had the feel of 1001 Arabian Nights. There were satin cushions and settees. Silks hung from the ceiling and walls. Colorful pendant lights provided splashes of brightness. The stone floor was covered in expensive throw rugs that at first glance appeared haphazard but were actually very artful.
"Wow..." I said, mouth hanging open. "This...is....Wow." A fireplace was burning against the far wall and above it was suspended a plasma t.v. I wanted to sink into the satin cushions and let my naked feet glide across the cool fabric. I wanted to sink into them with the heat of the fireplace to warm me.
Tony was watching me intently. I gave an embarrassed smile. "It's great."
He nodded. "I'll show you to the bedroom." Another door that was arched and intricately carved led to another room just as large. My eyes grew wide. This room had a ceiling of gold that glowed like the sun but not quite as bright. It was arched and it was BEAUTIFUL! The floor was covered in wall to wall carpet of the most plush white wool. The center of the room held a bed that was covered in white fur. Pillows of the palest satins were piled high on it. Fabric of the most delicate material draped the bed from invisible hooks in the ceiling.
I inhaled the fragrance of fresh flowers. There were vases of gardenia's on the white dressing table, on the bedside table, even on the floor in the corner. It was so white in pristine that I barely wanted to move forward.
"Tony..." I whispered breathlessly.
He took a step back, away from me. It was my turn to look at him curiously.
"You'll find a bathroom through the next door." With barely a glance in my direction he dropped my bag on the floor. "If you need anything, just pick up the phone and dial 9. Mei Wah is at your service." He turned and walked out of the room, speaking over his shoulder. "We'll talk again tomorrow." Then he was gone.
I followed him with my eyes until he was out of sight. I shrugged. One minute he was all smiles and courtesy, the next he seemed bored with it all.
I dismissed him and spent the next few minutes exploring my new quarters. Well, definitely no crypt!
CHAPTER 5
My eyes opened to what at first appeared to be the sunshine. I blinked in confusion and then my vision cleared and I knew that I was in a room, although I didn't immediately remember where.
It was when my fingers brushed the soft fur of the comforter that I suddenly remembered the events of the previous night. Tony Yates. This was his house. I sat up and allowed my legs to swing over the side of the bed. It had to be the most comfortable bed I had ever slept in, although I only had a few moments to enjoy it before sleep overtook me.
After Tony had left the night before, I couldn't resist taking a quick bath in the spa-like tub. Again there was tons of marble and glass. Gardenias decorated every available space. Even fearful of falling asleep in the tub didn't prevent me from quickly stripping out of my clothes in luxuriating in the Jacuzzi tub. There were bottles of bath oils and soaps that given enough time I would have tried each. But as it was, the night was coming to an end. Somewhere deep inside of me I could feel the dawn approaching. It felt like a heaviness weighing at my limbs, not much different then when I drank too much.
I quickly dried off, thinking that it would serve me right if I woke up the next day floating face first in the tub and wrinkled like a prune! I pulled on my gown and barely had time to sink into the silky sheets before I was out cold.
Now I was dressed and examining myself in one of the many mirrors. My eyes weren't as vibrantly gold as the night before but definitely still other-wordly. Damn! But I was loving this hair color; two toned gold. My skin had even taken a slight golden sheen. I didn't need even a touch of makeup. I couldn't help but to rub my hands down my toned belly and thighs. I did a little spin to admire the shape of my butt.
Someone cleared their throat from behind me. And how the hell did I not hear that with my new hearing.
It was the Asian Council woman; the one that had called me out for using the word Vampire. Uh oh.
"Can I help you?" I said, making sure to put a bit of attitude in my words to mask my unease.
She looked at me intensely from my feet to my hair then to my eyes. It took a pretty minute for her to appraise me and meanwhile I did the same to her.
She was dressed in a cream colored evening gown that brushed the floor. It shimmered as if it were made of little diamonds. It had a simple neckline, not too risqué which made it all the more sophisticated. Her hair was up in loops that reminded me, for some reason of Princess Grace. And her make-up was tasteful and flawless.
Me I was wearing the black jeans that I had carelessly packed so that it was a bit wrinkled, and the button down silk blouse that was meant to be both casual and dressy depending on the accessories. No amount of accessories would even put me in the same league as Girlie.
"I see Tony put you in my old room." She finally spoke. "Were you comfortable?"
Her old room? She lived here? I paused and glanced around. "I thought the ceiling was a bit gaudy, but it'll do."
She turned instantly dark, that's the best way to describe her look. She didn't frown or move in any other way, but the blood must have rushed to her face because she was 3 shades darker. Even with her too pallid skin, that look wasn't complimentary.
I instantly braced myself to jump; either in her ass or out the door.
"I see." She said, barely moving her lips. She turned her head away from me and walked across the floor to the dressing table. I had placed my lotion, deodorant, jewelry box and perfume there. She gazed at them with a distasteful look on her face.
I folded my arms. "Did you want something?"
She ran her fingers over the items on the dressing table. "Just to welcome you," she spoke. "We were a bit...hard on you before." She glanced at me to gage my reaction to her description of their attempt to murder me.
I smiled. "No harm no foul...well Johan might not think that." Then I smiled even brighter.
I don't really know why I was tripping. But somehow I sensed that Girlie was looking for my weakness and I wasn't about to show her any.
I could see her steel herself as if she wanted to strike out at me but something held her back from doing it.
She glared at me no longer pretending to mask her dislike. "Johan was a founding member of the Council. He has ruled over 1300 Neratomay. His lineage can be traced back to Cesar." She gave me a contemptuous look. "And you," she almost spat, looking me up and down, "are just little Kim Russell from Cincinnati, Ohio."
"More than that." I allowed my expression to turn that careful cold that I'd seen Tony do so well. "I am bad enough to kill a Neratomay that could trace his lineage back to Cesar, that HAD ruled 1300 Neratomay and that helped found your Council. And I've been a VAMPIRE less than 48 hours." I made sure to stress the word Vampire. I swore that I would never refer to them as Neratomay again. They were fucking Vamps—WE were fucking Vamps!
"So you believe yourself more skilled than Johan?" I could hear the angry tremor in her voice.
"I told you then like I'll tell you now. Bitch, I'm from the hood and I'm going to do what I'm going to do."
She took a step toward me and I suddenly felt my gums tingle. My teeth lowered to dangerous points.
She snickered and with her index finger tipped over my favorite bottle of perfume. The lid was on so it didn't spill but she watched me amused. I didn't move a muscle to stop her, if that was her game.
She lifted the lid of my jewelry case still staring at me. Her hand reached inside, most likely to criticize its contents. The majority of my jewelry was silver. I hadn't had a chance to weed it out from the rest of my items. I was really happy that I had gotten preoccupied.
No sooner did her fing
ers make contact with the contents of the jewelry box then I heard a loud crackling; almost like a lightening strike, then sizzling. Her fingers were only in the jewelry box for a split second but the effect was instantaneous.
She screamed and yanked her hand away spinning away from the dressing table in a very inhuman way. She looked like she was on rotors! She then hissed and there was nothing human about the sound. Chills ran up and down my arms and back. She was clutching her hand to her still hissing and screeching.
Damn. It hurt but why all the theatrics? She ran in my direction but not at me. She was trying to get out of the room. Before she disappeared out of the door I caught sight of her eyes.