by T. Styles
“Yeah, I’m good.”
She gazed at Farah and walked away.
****
Farah, Shadow, Mia and The Fold sauntered into the dining room where the chefs prepared a display of fruit in large crystal decorative bowls. Sustenance was always plentiful at the mansion, with the members believing the healthier the body the sweeter the blood.
Dr. Weil sat at the head of the table and the others perched in their regular seats. He was a character in and of himself. A handsome black man with large muscular arms, his eyes were baleful and he always looked as if he were up to something. As usual he had two beautiful women flanked alongside him wearing lipstick the color of blood.
After enjoying the delicious fruit Dr. Weil got down to business. “Now I know our line of work usually pertains to making things disappear, but this is a bit different. This client is a dirty politician who decided all of a sudden he wants into the drug game. The person he’s meeting doesn’t respect him so he needs muscle. This is where we come in.”
“Why would he get into a business if he isn’t received well?” Mayoni asked. “Seems like a foolish move to me.”
“Since when do we give business consultations?” Dr. Weil snapped. “If he’s paying we’re working.”
“Sorry, sir,” Mayoni said looking down at her fingers. “You’re right.”
“She didn’t mean it that way,” Carlton said coming to the rescue. A small part of his nose was missing due to being shot in the face one night because of the beef in the street Farah had with the Bakers. Unfortunately for Carlton he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was given a permanent disfigurement.
“I’m talking to her,” Dr. Weil said forcefully. “We need this money because very soon we have to find another home. We need more space which we all can agree.” He paused and looked at Bones. “Now who do you want to take with you on this job?”
Bones observed the table. “I’ll grab Mayoni, Carlton, Farah, Zashay and Lootz.”
“What about me?” Shadow asked, heavy with attitude. “You love picking my sister when she shouldn’t even be out on the street. Remember? The point is to keep us inside the mansion right?”
“I don’t think it’ll be a good idea if you go,” Bones said.
“I heard all that, slim, but I’m asking why Farah can go and I can’t?”
“Because as long as she’s with me she’ll always be safe. In the mansion or out.”
Shadow laughed. “This some bullshit.” His fist slammed against the table.
“Shadow, please don’t do this,” Farah whispered. “I can stay with you here if you want. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“That ain’t the point, sis.” He yelled. “I’m tired of being in this house. All I’m saying is if he needs muscle and some eye candy to boot, you can sign me up too. Instead of treating me like a stepchild.”
“Let me make this clearer, Shadow,” Bones said pointing a stiff finger into the table. “You’re not here to help us. We’re here to protect you. Know the difference.” He exhaled. “Now if you can find another solution that works I can understand. Be free. But Farah stays.”
Shadow looked at Farah who remained silent. He then observed Dr. Weil and everyone else before standing up. “You know what, fuck this shit. All ya’ll bloodsuckers can suck my dick.” He stormed out.
Bones looked at Zashay. “Go talk to him.”
She pushed back in her chair, rolled her eyes and went to fetch.
Farah was about to follow too when Dr. Weil said, “Farah, come back.” She stopped at the door, looked out into the hallway and focused back on him. With a deep breath she took a seat.
“The meeting is adjourned,” Dr. Weil continued.
When Bones remained Dr. Weil said, “You can leave too.”
“Sure, uh, send for me if you need me.” He walked over to Farah, kissed her lips and gazed at Dr. Weil before bopping out.
“Come closer, Farah.” He pushed out a chair that was next to him. “I don’t bite.”
She smiled and obeyed.
“How are things here?”
“Sir?”
“Are you comfortable?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Good, because I need you to talk to Shadow if you want to remain. Now I don’t mind him staying because I know security is tough for you out in the world. But with Bones making sure things run smoothly with The Fold and business, we need as limited drama as possible in our home. In other words he’s my anchor.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I think you do.” He looked into her eyes. “I treat everyone here medically because of their past mental conditions. They may look well but they suffer, even to this day, young Farah. That includes Mayoni, Carlton, Lootz, Zashay and Bones. Bad energy of any kind can throw off what we’re building here. Fucking with them fucks with my money and my people and I can’t have that. You understand now?”
Farah moved uncomfortably.
He was right.
She had to get Shadow under control and quickly. “Yes, sir. I do.” She was about to exit when she remembered a question that troubled her since she arrived. She took a deep breath. “I have Porphyria which started my thirst for blood. But the others…how did they start?”
He laughed and leaned back in his chair. “You mean Bones didn’t tell you?”
“No.”
“In that case I feel honored.” He folded his legs in the manly way. “When we first left Crescent Falls in my haste I didn’t bring medicine for their mental conditions. It was foolish and because of it we paid a heavy price— fights among the group erupted and persistent anger. What I also noticed was the increase in headaches due to medication withdrawal.” He took a sip of wine. “But headaches have always been an enigma to me because the brain has no pain receptors.”
She frowned. “But I have a headache now.”
He chuckled. “And I’m sure you do but what you’re receiving is a message from another area of your body. All the brain is doing is transposing it as pain. You’re free to look in my library but the brain is nothing more than a bundle of highly advanced nerves. This is fact. So what causes this perceived pain? A lack of blood within the body.
“Understand that while the brain is in “pain” for a lack of better words, blood necessary to make the rest of the body operate is essentially unavailable,” he continued. “So what happens if we drink blood? That is what I sought out to find.”
Farah’s eyes widened.
“I started with Bones which is another reason I value him so much. Using my own blood I gave him one vile a day for a week. At first I noticed his skin was highly sensitive to touch and sunlight bothered him a bit.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Like in the movies?”
“Please never use that analogy again. It’s disrespectful to vampires to be compared to anything in the movies or fiction.” He pointed at her. “This is a scientific fact. Do the research yourself. You give the body more blood and it draws to muscles making it highly sensitive. In four days Bones’ headaches were gone but he also developed more power.”
“So he has superhero strength?”
He laughed. “Almost, except this ability is available to us all. Take the mother for instance who picks up a car off her child. This has happened many times in real life. To help her plight, blood from other parts of the body rushes to the bicep muscles to give the mother the power she needs to act.” He clapped his hands together. “But if you have a constant blood supply as we do here, this feeling is available to you always. You can use it for strength or sexual prowess. It is always your choice.”
“I get it now,” she grinned, recalling how powerful she felt in the bedroom while drinking blood.
“We taste blood not because we can. But because we need it to feel more like who we are.” He paused. “Now leave it to Bones and his sexual appetite to couple the sensation of orgasm with pain, resulting in the method we use to obtain blood today. But it is always, always, done so
that we can be who we are born to be. Immortal.” He clutched a fist.
****
Mayoni, Carlton and Bones were in the lounge area in Bones’ bedroom, on the sofa next to the fireplace. Out of all of the rooms, with the exception of Dr. Weil’s, his was the most luxurious room.
Before speaking, Mayoni took a deep breath. “Are you happy, Bones?”
Bones leaned back, looked at Carlton and Mayoni again. “What the fuck is this really about?”
“Easy, man,” Carlton said. “All she’s doing is looking—”
“But I don’t want ya’ll to look out for me.”
“Bones, Dr. Weil has made it clear many times that the connections your parents have due to their ties in politics is the main reason we’re successful and can get away with so much. If you stray than what will happen to us? We don’t have anywhere else to go. It’s not—”
“So this is what it’s all about? My parents? I don’t even see them niggas no more.”
“But they’re a phone call away. You know that,” Mayoni persisted. “How many times have they apologized and begged your forgiveness? Dr. Weil knows that and he’s using you and taking the rest of us along as sidekicks. If you leave to chase after her we all lose.”
“Listen, man,” Carlton started, “We know we brought her here, Bones. But I thought she would add to the experience not take from it. We figured since she resembles your ex-girlfriend, you would be happy. But it’s not looking that way.”
“So let me get this straight, Farah’s making things worse by being with me?”
“She’s making things worse because you’ve become undone,” Mayoni continued. “I can tell in a little time you will be totally indebted to this woman and for no reason. We don’t even have fun anymore! What about Shikar?”
“She’s right, even the blood parties have stopped,” Carlton added. “Lootz is the only one who still Trails for Givers but I heard you telling him yesterday that he couldn’t bring anybody back or hunt. And it’s all because of Farah. I want what we had, man. I want The Fold back.”
“What is the problem?” Bones yelled, arms flaring. “Ya’ll want me to be with Zashay again?”
“Of course not!” Mayoni yelled. “You never loved Zashay. I’m talking about the other one. The one that put you in Crescent Falls and drove you mad.”
“Now I know you like Farah, we both do,” Carlton said. “But I don’t see the benefit by keeping her here anymore. Look at my face.” He pointed at his nose as if anyone could miss it. “I was shot fucking with her. She’s bad news.”
Bones walked away and flopped on the edge of the bed. As much as he hated to admit they were right. Lately he’d been consumed with Farah and they warned him constantly to make sure things didn’t go off like they did with his ex-girlfriend before Zashay.
His pushy behavior with the woman he called Secret was the reason he was placed in Crescent Falls, a mental institution, where he met the other members of The Fold. Back then Bones treated women as property, which he loved inflicting pain on for his personal gratification.
The last time Bones saw Secret she was brought close to death because he wrapped a tie around her neck and pulled tightly. Luckily Secret’s mother walked in and he was arrested before she was murdered.
Although Bones’ parents could’ve gotten him help by way of outpatient therapy they chose Crescent Falls, and their heavily medicated program to hide their shame.
The rest is vamp life.
“I know ya’ll care about me, I do, but if you want me to be happy that means letting me be with the woman I’m falling for,” he said firmly. “I can’t make it much clearer than that. You’re either with me or you’re not. Decide.”
CHAPTER FIVE
MIA
“What Better Way To Cool A Hothead Than To Toss Him A Shot Of Pussy?
“Shadow, you have to calm the fuck down,” Mia whispered harshly inside of his bedroom. “What you trying to do, get us thrown out this bitch?”
Shadow ambled toward the other side to get away from his oldest sister who was digging into his shit about his behavior. “If you think I’m gonna stay here and keep biting my tongue like I’m chewing it you don’t know me, Mia.” He sat on a chair he kept in the corner of the room. “I want out.”
Mia flopped on the edge of the bed. “If you feel that way why you still here? They’re helping you not holding you hostage. You heard the nigga Bones.”
“Because I have to keep an eye on my sisters. I made a promise after Chloe died that I was going to look out for my family to dad. So that’s what I’m doing.”
“That’s sounds all well and good but what’s the real reason you snapping in there?”
He sighed and wiped his hand down his face. “I just said it. I can’t stay in this place forever.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Yeah, it’s hard living in a house with an indoor pool, outdoor pool, bowling alley—”
“Cut it out, Mia.”
“Let’s not forget the unlimited access of pussy, food, money and safety at your disposal.” She paused. “Shadow, we need these people right now. And even if we don’t Farah does. So I’m asking for once that you think of somebody other than yourself.”
“You sound stupid.”
“And you must want me to slap the shit out of you,” Mia snapped.
Shadow groaned. Both of them knew he could roll her under the bed, heavy weight and all, but he also respected her dotage. “I’m not about to—”
“Hey, Shadow,” Zashay said hanging on the doorway. Her long cascading tresses draping her shoulders. “I’ve been looking all over for you. What you doing?”
Mia rolled her eyes and looked up at the ceiling. “He’s talking to me. Can’t you see that?”
Zashay sighed. “How about you let him tell me that for him self. He’s out of pampers you know?”
Shadow rose and smiled goofily. Mia was right about some of her points, the best thing about staying at the mansion was the unlimited pussy that was constantly flung his way. And in that arena Zashay was a star. “I’m kicking it with, Mia. But what you ‘bout to get into?”
“You.” She licked her lips. “If you let me.”
“Bitch, get your dumb ass out of here,” Mia said fanning her off. “You can get up with him later.”
Zashay rolled her eyes and unbuttoned her blouse, revealing the top of her large breasts. “When you finish playing games with big sis, come fuck a winner. The pussy is already baked and ready.” She winked. “I’ll be waiting in my room but not for long.”
When she left Mia stomped up to him. “You don’t even see what’s happening do you?” She pointed at the door.
He was still grinning. “What you talking about now?”
“Why all of a sudden that chick is so attracted to you she can’t help herself?”
Shadow walked over to the mirror and smiled. “Because a nigga fine as fuck that’s why.”
“No, because they know you a hothead. And what better way to cool a hothead than to toss him a shot of pussy?” She paused. “Think about it, every time you get mad you get a bitch.”
He laughed. “You may be right, Mia. I can’t even call it right now. What I do know is this— I’d rather get pussy than to pass the time than food.” He pinched her plumpness. “You picking up every pound you lost at the Lofts. Better do something about that instead of worrying about my dick.” He gripped it and walked out the room.
****
Naked from the waist down, Zashay attempted to catch a quick nap because she and Lootz planned to hunt later. Bones was clear that no member was allowed to Shikar until the beef with the Bakers blew over but she was good at disobeying.
Most were tiring of the tranquility that Farah’s presence brought and longed for the renewed excitement. Now that Bones had Farah it was as if he didn’t care about anybody and Zashay was beside herself with grief and jealousy.
She missed him.
Terribly.
Zashay was dr
ifting off to sleep when suddenly a warm tongue trailed the middle of her ass cheeks and awakened her from her slumber. Lying on her stomach she moaned as it slid up and down before penetrating the walls of her tight asshole.
She smiled and whispered, “Now that’s how you say hello.”
He gripped her ass and continued to work, electing not to speak. As juicy as it felt he could go at it all night if he desired. His tongue grew pointed and wet and suddenly her pussy awoken. Placing her fingers on her clit she flipped her button repeatedly before she came sooner than she wanted.
Hearing her moan he stopped and said, “Damn you must’ve—”
Abruptly he was tossed face up on the bed because now it was her turn to please him. She yanked and prodded at his jeans until his large dick stood tall before her. She hoped he’d be rough like in the past and force his dick between the plushness of her lips.
As if he could sense her desires Shadow grabbed her by the hair and tossed her on the bed so that she was face up on her back. Wasting no time, he squatted over her face and plunged his dick deep into her throat.
His aggressiveness turned her on as she slurped, squeezed and sucked him like she was rousing another orgasm for her self. Shadow fucked her face so hard that his balls slapped against her lips repeatedly until he exploded his toasty salve down her throat.
She swallowed his cream before wrestling him again until he was on his back and she was straddling him. Turned on still, she removed a razor from her bra strap preparing to slice into his waist to lap at his blood until he snatched her wrist and flipped on the lamp. “What is up with you niggas and the creepy vampire shit?”
“Come on, Shadow, let me taste it a little.” She licked her lips. “I promise it will feel good.”
He lifted her by the waist and tossed her next to him causing her body to bounce on the mattress. “You not about to suck my blood.”
She giggled. “How is it possible that your sister, the almighty Farah Cotton satiates her thirst but you don’t?”