Forever Viper

by Sammie J

  The night turned into one of the best shows of our tour. The number of fans that turned out is down, but it felt more intimate. Cruz sang his heart out without messing up and we made it all about the music as it should be. When we left the building questions are shouted out at us and it appears the word has spread about someone trying to destroy the band.

  As Cruz is the front man, he turned around to the press and fans before he stepped any further into the van and said, “Read the newspapers people, before it becomes tomorrow's fish and chip paper.” He climbs in and shuts the door and takes in our what the fuck faces and shrugs, “What, I’ve always liked that saying.”

  Saul let Cruz know he did a good thing by asking Donald for help and Cruz tells us we have them for the rest of this week so hopefully that is the end of the troubles. Cruz drops us off at Jade’s. I asked him if he is coming inside, but he gave some excuse about there being too many holes to fill and his dick is the perfect thing to fill them.

  As soon as my feet hit the floor my body inflames and the connection lights up like a firework going off in the sky. Peppa is here and everything inside me cries out to rush in there and show her how much I love her. To take them both in my arms and tell them I will never lie to either of them again. I’m hit by a wave of lust and love and my dick hardens instantly. I start walking towards the front door, but then somewhere in the back of my mind a voice tells me she didn’t come here for me, she came to see Noah. I didn’t have the right to go in there and disturb them. I picked up words that Noah projected and I have to leave. I can’t stand there and know he is about to touch her, to make love to her, when it is what I crave too. I didn’t want her to leave because she didn’t want to see me; they deserved this time together no matter how much it hurt.

  Saul asks if I am coming inside. He saw my hesitation, because I haven't moved from the same spot. I tell him my reasons and he understands. I run to Dolly and fed from her. I find myself sitting with her for the next couple of hours, spilling my guts about what is happening in my life. I wish she could give me advice on what to do, but she just oinks at me and lets me lean against her to take some of the weight of the world I'm carrying.

  I head back to Jade’s thinking Peppa would have left by now, but I'm wrong, she is still there. I can tell she is sleeping. I decide to take a chance to get a glimpse of her, which is better than not seeing her at all. I silently creep into the house and when I enter Noah’s room they are cuddled up on the bed together.

  Noah shifts his body and slowly moves it away from Peppa’s to come and stand butt naked in front of me. The smell of sex and blood is calling to me and I reach for Noah to pull him closer into me, so I can capture her scent. I have to stop myself from getting on my knees and licking their combined cum off his dick, so instead I snog him and taste Peppa’s blood while doing that.

  I break the kiss and say, “You Entwined with her?”

  He nods his head, “Yes, I asked her and she agreed.”

  I‘m glad he asked and didn’t take it like I had. I have no right to feel the flash of jealously that reared inside so I squashed it before Noah felt it. “We talked Juan and when I told you I'm going to fight for us, I meant it. I’m giving her my letters to read and she will see and feel everything we have these past weeks. She has to come back to us then, she has to.”

  I swallow whatever words I am going to say as the tears run down Noah’s face. He brushes them away and I notice his features turn angry, “I want you to take me to see my father first thing when we awake. I can’t let his treatment of Peppa carry on. I’m not backing down on this Juan, so don’t bother with your shit about me not being fucking ready. Because I am, and my father and I will be having words.”

  Peppa lets out a moan in her sleep and we both turn to look at her. I stride over to the bed and let my eyes roam over her beautiful face. With a shaky hand, I brush away the hair that has fallen into her face and I lean in and place a barely there kiss on her lips and whisper, “I love you.”

  Noah comes up behind me and puts his arms around my waist, placing a kiss to my neck, and whispering into it, “She loves you too, and so do I.”

  I turn in his arms and kiss his forehead. “I should go. Be ready as soon as the sun sets.” I place a swift kiss on his mouth, step away from him and leave, feeling lonely once again.

  Chapter 17 (NOAH)

  My name is Noah Donald Blaise and I’m in love with a man and a woman, who have just taken it upon themselves to walk away from me. To leave me to deal with this alone, but I’m not a quitter. If they think this is over, they don’t know me at all. I can still sense Peppa in my arms, even though she isn’t in them. My lips still tingle from the feel of hers pressed to mine. Her words ring in my ears and my worst fears have come true as she tells Juan she doesn’t think she can forgive him. Juan once told me that I'm not the third wheel, but right now slumped against the wall with my head in my hands, that’s exactly how I feel. I’m piggy in the middle who shouldn’t even be here, but I am and I’m willing to fight for what’s mine.

  A hand comes to my shoulder and my body is nudged from the contact of someone sitting down next to me. I lift my head to see Jade sitting there with a face full of sympathy. She smiles at me when our eyes meet, “I’ve never met anyone like you Noah. For a newly turned vampire, your strength and courage is phenomenal. You amaze me with your determination and the way you face everything head on. Don’t let what happened here tonight phase you. Love knows no bounds and is stronger than life itself. Together is where you all belong and forever you will be.”

  My eyes close and I fight back the tears, “Maybe you should tell that to the other two. I know what I want. I just need to figure out how to make it happen. How do you get it through to two thick headed, stubborn people that what we have is worth all the pain and heartache?”

  Jade sighs, “That’s a good question. The answer being time, understanding and love. No matter how hard it gets, just don’t give up on either of them.”

  I straighten my back and lean my head back against the wall. I clench my hands together to try and control the anger that still boils away inside of me. “I have all three and I know we all have our own ways of dealing with our problems. Peppa is usually the one to walk away from the situation and needs time to think everything through. It killed me to let her walk out that door. I’m so angry at Juan, I understand his pain, I fucking felt it but to leave me like that and not say a word fucking hurt Jade.”

  She pats my arm, “I know, but try and see it from his point of view. I’m guessing he feels like he has lost Peppa and has driven her away from you too. Juan is like a sponge, he absorbs every emotion. Trying to deal with it on his own, trying to protect his loved ones. He needs to know he is loved and wanted. Right now he doesn’t feel that because the shame of his lies has caused a rift between you all.”

  I slowly blow out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding and push myself away from the wall to stand. I turn back to Jade and reach out a hand for her to take and she does and I pull her to her feet. I smile weakly at her and say, “Thanks for talking with me. Can vampires suppress their feelings once you are fully Entwined? I can detect some of Juan’s, but I’m just wondering if he lessens them so I can’t sense everything.”

  She nods, “Yes, with age you learn to tamper them down. Some can even switch them off.”

  I nod my thanks. “I have a lot to think about so I will see you later. Thanks again Jade, for everything.”

  She says, “You are more than welcome.” And I manage a half-hearted smile.

  Once back in my room and trying hard not to let matters fester, I decide to do the one thing that seems to calm me: I pour my heart out in words to Peppa, waiting for Juan to show his face. I fall asleep alone worrying that Juan won’t come back for me. The bastard isn’t here when I awoke either, which pisses me off. I can hold off on my hunger for a little while. I just have to hope he will show up to feed me or I am on my own.

  I take a shower
and make my way out to ask Jade if she has heard from anyone. I find Saul sitting on the sofa instead, “Hi Noah, how are you?”

  I take a seat next to him, “Things could be better, have you heard from Juan? He didn’t come back last night.”

  “No, I texted him, but he hasn’t answered. I have a feeling he will be at Peppa’s.”

  I rest my head back on the sofa and sigh, feeling some relief that Juan is hopefully sorting matters out with Peppa.

  Saul frowns at me, “Noah do you need to feed?”

  I shake my head, “I’m fine for the moment, but I hope he isn’t too long.”

  Saul tries to take my mind off my concerns by talking about the tour and how well that is going. I notice him checking his phone from time to time and I can tell he is worried about Juan too. I take the plunge and ask the question that has plagued me since last night, “He will come back won’t he? He can’t leave me alone like this. I need him.”

  Saul’s arm snakes around my shoulder and I’m pulled into him, “He loves you Noah. There is no way on this earth that he will leave you alone. I wouldn’t let him anyway, because you are now part of my family Noah, and I look after my family members.”

  Saul eases my worries. At least I have someone I can count on. My anger is getting the better of me and my hunger rises. I start to pace the room trying to keep it under control, “I don’t know how much longer I can hold on Saul, will you take me out to feed?”

  Saul pats the seat next to him and I walk over and take it. “Do you want my wrist?”

  I shake my head, “I can’t Saul. I only want Juan’s and Peppa’s blood, but you can take me to Flora. I can feed from her.”

  As I say this, I sense the connection flare and a knock comes to the door. Juan can’t even look at me and I sense his pain as he explains to Saul that he needed to see Peppa and tells us what happened there. His eyes finally meet mine and the fucker is backing down as he tells me he told Peppa not to blame me, the stubborn shit. Oh fuck, did that piss me off. He’s not the only one who can be stubborn and I get in his face and tell him a few home truths. I need to feed desperately and with the way I feel, I can’t take from Juan’s vein so I ask him to take me to Flora.

  Things are strained between us while we are out, but I try my damn hardest to make sure he still feels my love and I take his hand in mine when we head back to Jade’s.

  The next night Juan didn’t seem to have time for anything, so I feed from him quickly and get an 'I might come back later' from him, before he is gone again.

  Once again I find myself writing to Peppa and that’s when a plan starts to form. I know she isn’t the type of woman who likes everyone in her face, telling her what to do. She's the type of person who needs to work her concerns out for herself, but it can’t hurt to have evidence of what actually happened. I wasn’t sure when I wanted her to read my letters at first, but now I know she has to read them and soon.

  I'm left fuming when I receive a text message from Saul asking if Juan is here. I answer back saying no and what the hell is going on. When he told me what Juan said, I am left devastated and so fucking angry. How can he even think we would be better off without him? I lost it then and I rushed for the front door to go and shake some sense into him, to let him know we will be nothing without him. I can’t open the door because I'm lost in my emotions, I didn’t realize Jade is standing there blocking my way out.

  It isn’t until she speaks that I glanced down and notice her, “I’m sorry Noah, I can’t let you out. We can’t take the chance in case your hunger rises and you attack. I know you are strong, but don’t you think there is enough going on without you going AWOL too.”

  My head falls to the door and I bang it a few times, “I don’t know where his head space is at or if he will do something stupid. You say I’m strong, but right now, I’m falling apart. I’m scared Jade.”

  Her hand comes up to rest on my cheek, “Saul will find him. Noah, when you Entwine with someone, you can’t stay away from that person. Only death can keep you apart. I promise you, he will come back.”

  Jade has become like a sister to me so I kiss her on the forehead, not knowing what to say and make my way back to my room. I know she did the right thing stopping me from leaving and I let her words sink in. I know deep inside he will come back, but that didn’t stop the tears from falling as I just lay there waiting for him.

  An hour or so has passed and my rage begins to take over. By the time I feel the connection, I'm seething and I let it all out by punching the crap out of him. He manages to get me to listen to what he has to say, but then Saul crashes the party before he gets anything out.

  Juan apologies to his brother and my father’s name is mentioned, which has all my senses on alert, however Peppa’s name comes out. Saul lets us know she is ok and tells us what I know already, that she needs time. Then the conversation is steered around to my father again and what I hear makes me shake with anger. The man, who calls himself my father is very close to being disowned by me. I wanted to shout out my wrath until my throat runs dry. I started to pace the room so they can’t see the tears waiting to spill from pure hate towards my father.

  After Saul leaves us, I let Juan know that I’m glad he was smart enough not to play into my father’s hand and he did the right thing by saying he is no longer with Peppa. I know my father will back off until he figures out another way to get her out of my house.

  I also let it be known that it is time for me to get out of this fucking room. We agree that Juan will take me out so I can interact with people. With Juan lying in my arms, my thoughts turn to Peppa as dawn approaches. I'm going to fight harder for her, I'm going to conquer this hunger so I can deal with everything and then Peppa will be sleeping between us again.

  Everything proceeds to go wrong when Juan takes me to the park. I'm coping just fine until all the women that walk past remind me of Peppa and it makes me want to go after them. I can hear their blood rushing around their bodies flowing in and out of their veins and I want a taste. Even when my fangs drop, I fight it with everything I have. It is then I smell the perfume that Peppa wears that I lose it and I run after the woman. I don’t want to hurt her and I guess, to Juan, it looks like I am going to bite her but he talks me into stepping away from her. I was only sniffing her and imagining it is Peppa standing in front of me.

  After using mind control on the woman, Juan takes me back to Jade’s and I feed from him. Guilt at what could have happened tonight makes me ponder Juan’s words as he lets me know I need more time. After he leaves I’m left angry at myself, which makes me more determined.

  A couple of hours later, my business mind is needed as Viper finds themselves in the shit again. Someone has caught on to our plan and I’m frustrated at not being able to do my job properly. It should be me phoning people to set matters straight but there is only one way forward now and I let the others know. “As your boss, the only thing left is to tell the truth. Let the world know that someone is out to ruin Viper.”

  I stare over at Cruz because he is the other business man in the room. He rubs his chin, “It will certainly back whoever is doing this into a corner. I can’t see another way of them coming at us if we lay it all out on the line.”

  Our heads snap to Saul when he speaks next, “We can use the sympathy vote and get the fans back on our side, and they will see it isn’t our fault. Good idea Noah.”

  Phone calls are placed next and I felt the right decision is made. After everyone called it a night, I made a beeline to Cruz before he left, “You need to phone my father and ask for backup at the venues. Threaten to quit if he refuses.”

  Juan is in bed when I make it to my room and I climb in. I decide to let Peppa know how I feel by sending her a text. I'm hoping my words will make her want to come to me, but I will wait no matter how long it takes. Juan has turned to face me and I lean down to place a kiss to his lips and say, “I have a plan, it might take a while but trust me.”

  His eyes shine with
hope and we cuddle together clinging onto that. When we awake I take a little blood from Juan as he is taking me out again after the gig. We walk in on Saul and Jade, who are having a moment, which I find turns me on and I let Juan feel that, but then my eyes fall to the newspapers on the table. I roll my eyes when I read the headlines and show Juan the photo of Cruz on the front. Viper doesn’t need these sort of headlines. I guess the papers held off with the news we gave them last night; they know they will sell papers with this kind of news. But tomorrow will be different and today’s news will be old news.

  I do have a moment where I worry about Devil Records but I have faith. I guess Juan picked up on my thoughts as he left me with a knee bending kiss and telling me I have nothing to worry about.

  I have a quick conversation with Jade. She tells me she is happy Juan is spending time with me and that he seemed to be in a better place. I agreed with her, but of course I know different because I can sense his suffering. He is putting everything into Viper, hiding behind it, if you like, but he needs something and Cruz and Saul seemed to bring the real him back to the surface. I excuse myself to read through the papers to see if there is anything else that needs my attention.

  Twenty minutes later a flow of heat rocks my body and I sense her. Adrenalin and excitement makes me rush to the door and Jade stops me again, “Peppa’s out there Jade, I promise I won’t go anywhere. Please let me get to her.”

  Jade’s eyes widen and a smile spreads across her face as she steps to the side, “Who am I to stand in the way of true love?”

  I open the door and my legs buckle at the sight of her. I pour all the love I have for her out through our connection and call out to her. She’s here, she’s really fucking here. She isn’t moving so I go and get her. There is no way she is getting away from me now. Everything vanishes around me. I don’t hear anything but her heartbeat, I don’t see anything but her amazing, beautiful face.