Xander definitely had him outclassed when the man showed up, right on time. Xander wore a silk shirt, the same shade of gray as his eyes, tucked into tight jeans. Only a hint of skin showed with the top two buttons undone. Soft golden-brown strands of hair strayed across his face, screaming to be played with. Adrian behaved, keeping his hands to himself as Xander drove them to the restaurant.
"How did you get into the ghost business?” Xander showed a genuine interest in learning more about him.
"You could say I was born into it and didn't mind. I've had the ability to see them since I was a kid."
"Didn't that make it kind of hard for you, Adrian?"
"Some, but I ignored my mother, and it never really bothered me.” His mother could be hell on wheels when it came to his guide ability. Relaxing in the seat, Adrian explained a bit more about his work. “Ghosts are drawn to people like me. It doesn't matter whether a guide knows about their own ability or not, and usually the ghost won't realize why either. A wraith's state of energy recognizes my power, and it unfailing draws them."
"Yeah, I know guides aren't born knowing what they are or how do rituals. But the ability does show at a young age."
"It used to upset my mother to no end to find me talking to people she couldn't see when I was five. At first, she dismissed it as an imaginary friend stage, but when it became obvious I was a seer, she did her best to suppress and deny it. If I tried to say anything, I was told to stop making things up.
Eventually I learned to shut my mouth. It wasn't until I was twelve that I met Dakota. He'd seen me playing in the neighborhood park, surrounded by wraiths. It didn't take him long to realize what was going on after he spent a few minutes talking to me. Without my mom's knowledge, he taught me everything I needed to know."
"I take it your mom didn't appreciate it."
"She still doesn't, but in a lot of ways, it's more of a choice for me. I enjoy what I do. But what about you?” Turning the tables, Adrian was just as interested in learning about Xander.
"I've spent the last few years getting a degree, Egyptology.” Xander's voice carried what seem to be an ironic note, and it puzzled Adrian. “Not much call for an expert in that area. The museums are all full up right now."
"Is that why you're at the club, Xander?"
"Gabriel has an extensive collection of Egyptian art. I catalog and take care of it, plus advise a few others on new purchases or existing pieces that they have. Sometimes I find pieces and whatnot."
"I've always enjoyed reading what I could about ancient Egypt. Anything past 1840 doesn't much interest me history-wise, only Egyptian, Roman, and Georgian.” Adrian laughed before adding the last part. “Odd span there, I know."
"Did you study some of it?” The warm smile Xander gave him had the oddest tingling effect on Adrian.
"I took a couple of courses in college. Nothing extensive, but it's an interest. How'd you get into the field?"
"You could say I was born into it, too, Adrian.” There it was again, a dry ironic inflection that spoke volumes that Adrian didn't understand. “My mentor was the one who suggested college. When I was growing up, it was the one era I felt comfortable with, and it seemed natural to get a degree."
"How about your parents?"
"They died a long time ago.” Xander shrugged, but Adrian caught a glimpse of pain before Xander looked back to the road.
He understood. It wasn't a subject to touch. Adrian could be the same way about his dad.
"Gabriel does have some extraordinary pieces. I'll have to take you through the collection sometime. I think you'd be interested in it. Most of it is housed outside of town."
Adrian figured he'd enjoy seeing it as long as he didn't run into Gabriel. “We'll have to do that someday. I'll see what I can free up with Charlie."
"Another date with me already, Adrian?” Xander appeared to very much like the idea. Parking the car, he switched off the key.
"If you're interested, that is. Seems you made the offer first, as I recall."
"I believe I am, and I did.” Xander gave Adrian a quizzical glance, as if asking ‘is that a problem?'
For the rest of the evening, Adrian enjoyed himself more than he had in a long time.
After that first night, it became habit to go out with Xander when he had some time off. Over the next week, Charlie kept giving him the serious eye every time Adrian wandered into work. The simple fact that Adrian took a few nights off had Charlie's full interest. Usually Charlie was the one who had to force them into Adrian's schedule. Charlie wanted to know what was going on, and Adrian wouldn't tell him.
Each morning, Adrian's phone would ring just as he got ready to crawl into bed, and Xander's voice had the ability to relax him no matter how tense the night had been for him. A guy really could get used to this.
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Chapter 9
After he canceled his date with Xander, Adrian fell into bed. For the last few days, he'd been feeling like he was coming down with the flu or something, but he was hungry all the time. Even after he ate. No matter what he ate, or how much.
He drew his knees to his chest, hugging his arms around his legs. Cramps rolled through him, sending intermittent pain across his gut. His arms tightened around his legs until they passed. At this rate, Adrian would have to call in sick to work. Charlie would love that. Looking at himself in the dresser mirror, he could see that he looked like he felt. His features were tight, paler than normal, and he was hungry. He shouldn't be at all, having eaten just a few hours ago.
Flipping off the light switch, Adrian curled on his side into a ball. The faint glow of the moon lit the room, speckling across the floor from the bay window. He closed his eyes, trying to relax; the steady tick of the clock finally lulled him to sleep.
A faint whisper echoed within his thoughts, but Adrian couldn't grasp it right away. Layers of warmth shrouded him; all he wanted to do was sink deeper, clinging to them.
But the soft drift of whispering called him to wake up. Stretching slightly under the covers, the pain brought Adrian's attention back to it. Now he felt worse. Why am I so hungry?
"What the hell is wrong with me?"
"You are hungry, Adrian.” The silky heat of Gabriel's voice rippled through the answering whisper.
Adrian's eyes flew open, body tensing, as his hand went for the staker on the nightstand.
Gabriel moved faster, taking it from his reach. He put the staker in the drawer of the nightstand so Adrian couldn't get to it. “No need for that. I won't harm you, you should already know that."
Trying for normal, Adrian commented, “You're not supposed to be here.” The words sounded stupid even to him.
Gabriel reached over, turning on the lamp. His voice held a comforting note. “I am here because you are hungry."
Gabriel's hand moved to Adrian's face as he sat down on the edge of the bed. His slender fingers brushed back loose strands of hair and caressed Adrian's cheek.
Adrian could use some comfort, but he didn't view Gabriel as a likely source. “What did you do to me?” Suspicion flooded him. Unfortunately, just waking up wasn't a good time for his brain to function.
In answer, Gabriel withdrew his hand and sliced a fingernail across his wrist. The action shocked Adrian, but he lost the feeling when the scent of Gabriel's blood hit him. He barely had time to wonder how he could smell it before pain skittered through him in a ravening hunger. The scent of it smelled so sweet.
Without thought, he took Gabriel's hand, pulling it to his lips. The hunger hurt so much that instinct kicked in. Adrian's mouth fastened to Gabriel's wrist and he drank as deeply as he could. The taste pooling on his tongue was incredible. The finest wine had nothing on this, and it made Adrian whimper with the need crawling through him.
A low growl sounded from Gabriel in reaction to the heat against his skin. His soft voice seemed as enticing as the darkest night, filled with erotic promises. “The hunger will be gone soon. Take what you
need. My blood is yours, Adrian."
Adrian heard Gabriel, but it seemed to be from a distance. The gentle touch of Gabriel's hand brushed against the side of his face and then downward as Adrian drank Gabriel's blood. Adrian felt as if he couldn't get enough of the taste of Gabriel until the pain slowly eased, releasing him from the craving. He could feel the oddest awareness of the power within himself, his body absorbing it internally. Adrian let go of Gabriel's hand, opening his eyes to find Gabriel staring down at him. A languid satisfaction spilled over him, making it difficult to even want to move.
"You are my ghoul now. My Favored One. You have been for almost two weeks. The night you turned down my offer, I wasn't very worried about it. The tomato juice in your refrigerator had already been laced with my blood before you even entered the club. My insurance that, no matter what you said, you would have my blood. The hunger you feel is because you need to feed from me every week. And it's almost a week past the time to feed you."
The soft, lilting tones were like a physical caress to Adrian's senses. They warmed his body, along with the blood that assuaged his hunger, keeping it at a low thrum. He closed his eyes, listening to Gabriel's voice until anger started boiling. It replaced the lethargic mood when Adrian realized how he'd been tricked. Horrified, he tried to speak.
Something shadowed Gabriel's eyes before Adrian felt a burning sensation beginning in his head. Fuck, he would try to put me under, and there are no ghosts nearby to bail me out. Unresistingly, Adrian's mind gave in.
As if feeling the sudden compliance, Gabriel's thoughts whispered to him. Need washed over Adrian with the whispered command in his mind. His anger disappeared, and Adrian felt nothing but the desire to kiss Gabriel. Nerveless fingers drew Gabriel's head down to him; Adrian's lips opened eagerly to the vampire when Gabriel's tongue probed between them. Gabriel's fingers tangled tightly in his hair as he delved deeper into Adrian's mouth. Each stroke of his tongue received an answering response from Gabriel.
When Gabriel finally drew back, Adrian felt too overwhelmed to instantly react. He couldn't get anything else out, but the name. “Gabriel."
Desire intensified the blue of Gabriel's eyes as he pressed a finger to Adrian's lips, silencing him. “Listen to me, Adrian. I will ask nothing more of you, not this way. I want you to come to me willingly.” The tip of Gabriel's finger rubbed slowly across his lower lip.
In response, Adrian pressed a kiss to it. Why am I reacting this way? I don't understand.
As if he could read the thoughts, Gabriel answered, “You are under my power, and you are feeling what I feel right now."
"Stop it, Gabriel.” Adrian knew he was begging, but he couldn't help it.
"Adrian, feel no anger for tonight. Tomorrow you may rant at me all you wish.” The unbearable emotions slowly lifted from him as Gabriel freed him from the power.
"Why did you do this to me?” Adrian's anger felt like a distant emotion to him. He could still feel it, but he couldn't access it.
"The others wanted you hunted down, and they would have killed you. I couldn't let that happen. Ghouling you was the only way to stop them.” Gabriel wore an odd smile Adrian couldn't understand.
"I won't drink from you, I don't want to.” The words were definitely easier to say when he wasn't acting like a beast controlled by his hunger.
"Yes, you will, or this will happen again. I would enjoy that, personally.” Gabriel very much looked like he would, too.
That comment brought Adrian up short. No way in hell will I do this again. His mind searched frantically for an answer he could accept, and it didn't take long to find it. “All right, Gabriel, I will drink your blood.” He paused, smiling his own little smile before adding, “From a glass."
He'd found out some ghouls took their blood that way. The disappointed look Gabriel gave him made Adrian chuckle. He still felt ahead somewhere in the game, sort of. He could do nothing about being a ghoul, but he could control Gabriel's part in it.
"Checkmate, Adrian. I wonder when you will give in to me?” Amusement laced Gabriel's soft tone.
"Hell hasn't froze over yet, Gabriel. Catch me when it does."
Gabriel's rich laughter had the effect of making Adrian shiver. It felt that good as the sound of it spilled over him. Adrian wished it didn't feel like that.
"Stop that.” Adrian frowned, trying to put some emphasis into the words.
"Stop what?"
"Just go home and go to bed, will you?"
It was easier falling asleep after Gabriel left. The pain had gone, and Adrian ignored the multitude of thoughts milling around in his head, in favor of getting the rest he needed.
Several hours later, the sound of the phone ringing woke him up. The minute he heard Xander's voice, he started in on the man. “Did you know Gabriel ghouled me?” He prayed Xander wasn't behind any of this.
A few seconds passed before Xander answered, “No, I had no idea, Adrian, but I'm not surprised. He never discusses the things he does with me."
Adrian had tried to bury the suspicion before he went to sleep, but it welled up in him and wanted answers. Without him really meaning it to, his tone sounded accusing. “Are you are dating me because of him, to keep an eye on me? Are you, Xander?"
"No, that's not true. I go out with you because I want to, because I enjoy being with you. I was supposed to keep watch on you, but that didn't include dating you. This has nothing to do with Gabriel.” There was a long pause before Xander asked, “Will you stop seeing me?"
Adrian heard the note of disquiet in Xander's question, but paid no attention to it. Adrian was angry with both of them, but more so with Gabriel for starting all of this. His feelings toward Xander were more complicated. He felt betrayed, but he tried not to. Part of him knew none of this was Xander's fault. All he could say was, “We'll talk later, Xander. I need to get ready for work.” Then Adrian hung up on him.
Adrian knew work would have a numbing effect on him, keeping his mind too occupied to dwell on everything else. Charlie had scheduled a meeting with Sylvia at ten p.m. so Adrian could talk to her. When she showed up at the office, it didn't take Adrian long to explain to her she possessed guide ability. Luckily, it didn't seem to bother her, and Adrian agreed to take her along for the night to test her ability. She definitely showed promise as a natural talent. He knew before he finished the first job that she'd be worth training and hiring, if she was interested in the work.
During the appointments, Adrian took the time to explain the ropes to Sylvia. Unfortunately, there were no colleges or classes to teach one how to be a guide, as there were only about five thousand of them around the world. Any training came from other guides, the way Dakota had taught him. The Guides’ Guild had been built as a loosely-based organization, and Adrian belonged to it, but it offered no formal training. It was a ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ type of learning.
"Being a guide does make one a busy person. Sometimes the newly dead will make their way to us to get to the great beyond. Other times, it'll be a family member or friend who happens to be a seer. More often, a wraith has no such luck in having a seer nearby. So they float around until a guide chances across them."
"Do you lay them to rest as well, Adrian?"
"Anybody I come across who wants to be laid to rest. Generally, it takes an hour to do the ritual. I do it in less than thirty. I don't get the same enjoyment most guides do with the ritual; I have more of an affinity with the dead beyond seeing and putting them to sleep. It's a burden for them to be around the living. The majority want rest, not pomp and ceremony, so I try to give that rest as quickly as I can."
"I don't think the pomp and circumstance interests me, Adrian. Every time I deal with a ghost, I want to help them. I just don't know how."
"That's what I can teach you, Sylvia. It can take anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks for the newly dead to understand what's going on after they die. A lot of them eventually make their way to the place they lived, but after a time any fun ha
nging around the living tends to wear off. Yeah, it's nice to see the spouse and the kids, until it sinks in that they can't even touch them. They can't control anything and don't even get to enjoy the simple things they had while they were living. The longest I've ever seen a ghost last in that situation is a month. And it's worse for the ghost who has no seers in their family."
Sylvia listened attentively as he rattled off some of the things it would help her to know.
"Once in a while, there are wraiths that either hang around for revenge or get some kind of kick out of spooking mortals with the moaning and chains bit. In the former case, I usually force them to rest, in the latter I just ignore them if they aren't really bothering anybody. There are also movers, screamers, etc.; it's a long list."
"And you've dealt with all of them?"
"Pretty much. However, most guides don't have the ability to handle unwilling ghosts. That's something we'll test you on later. Right now you have enough to learn.” Parking the car, he grabbed his pack from the back seat and prepared for the next appointment.
"According to Federal law, guides can't do more than ten wraiths a night; supposedly, any more is risky. I think the guides’ loosely organized union has something to do with that. They told the officials ten a day was the limit, and none of us have gone out of our way to tell them any different. So Charlie will never schedule you for more than ten appointments. However, what you decide to do on your own time is your own business."
* * * *
By six a.m., they headed out to the last appointment at the old cemetery on Hill Road. Normally, Adrian worked from people's homes or his own. For some reason, this client took exception to having the ghost of his father in his house. He wanted it laid to rest where they had buried the body. Adrian had charged him a thousand just for being an ass. The cemetery was filled with mostly older gravestones, but there were some newer ones here and there. Believe it or not, he had never been in a cemetery. No reason to go to one as his work came to him.
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