The rain began to fall. Soundlessly.
This New York City night, like all other winter nights, smelled of urban
noise, human heat, hard liquor, and bleak coldness. The blazing neon lights
seemed to bear an unspeakable weariness in the freezing wind,
I once knew that world. I once knew what was it like to behold the sluggish
sun rising above horizon. I once knew what was it like to play soccer in a
hot summer afternoon. I once knew what was it like to walk into a bar,
filling myself with drink after drink and flirting with all the girls.
And now, as I was lingering outside of the front door of "Cup Perfect,"
impassively watching mortals going in and coming out from the bar, I felt the
first drop of icy moisture falling onto my hatless hair.
"It's raining again," whistled a young woman standing beside me, her hazel
eyes heavily lined and her attire leaving nothing to the imagination.
"Sweetie pie, do you need a place to warm up? There're many good bars in
this area."
I flashed her a small smile. "No thank you. I've had quite enough for a
night."
That was the truth. Darren could be such a satyr without even trying hard.
I smiled again, this time at the memories. The exquisite blood kisses at my
neck, the eager tongue warring with mine, the nimble hands roaming all over
my aroused body, sending a thousand shock waves, a thousand electric currents
through me. I was flying high on love and lust, my body empty and my mind
burned with rapture. The pleasure of mortal sexual encounters amplified a
hundred-fold by the preternatural blood.
"Are you sure?" her voice dragged me back into reality.
"Yes, sorry. Next time maybe," I lied, "you're a pretty lady."
Pouting, she walked away quickly, only to stop and talk with another
potential client over the corner of the street.
The rain began to pour down. The street became almost empty except for
horning cars as people retreated into the nearest building possible--be it a
topless bar, a mystic bookstore, or a federal building. Rock music blasted
forth furiously, attempting to overpower the symphony of nature. The neon
lights persisted, but behind the curtain of water and mist they appeared to
become a ball of distant star fire.
Fire...I stared at the rain absent-mindedly. Yes, fire. That was what his
red elixir felt like. Liquid fire flowing through my veins, my skin, my
body, scorching my overloaded sensory neurons.... Almost unconsciously, I
licked my lips. The sweet taste still remained.
Then why am I here? I questioned myself yet my mind refused me an answer.
Darren would be probably awake now, and I didn't even leave him a note. It
just seemed unnecessary.
***********************
I woke up before him, still locking him tightly in my arms. His lips curled
up in a sweetest little smile made of content. His beautiful body, covered
only by a fine sheen of blood and half-transparent black silk sheets, was a
feast for the eyes. His scent filled me. Rich, ethereal Dazzling Silver it
was, made all the more intoxicating by the crimson
He stirred the very beast within me. I craved to crush him with my wild
kisses, to hold him like a little doll...and he might as well had been one.
I mean, he just looked so bloody INNOCENT!
Still cradling him, I heard myself sigh. A feathery touch on the lips, I
released him from my arms, letting him sink back into the pile of softest
silk. I got out of the bed and quietly dressed myself, then drove away in
our beloved black 1999 Ford Taurus.
***********************
Thunder.
I awoke from my trance. The storm had grown worse. There wasn't much time
left for me tonight. The drowsiness had yet begin to claim my limbs, but my
Swiss watch told me it was exactly an hour and half before dawn. I climbed
into the car.
Maybe, just maybe, it was time to go home.