She reached up to undo the tieback that held heavy black velvet curtains to the ornately carved bedpost. She crawled out from under the pile of covers to do the same at the foot of the bed. The other three sides had been closed the night before so that she wouldn't freak out when she woke in the morning. Gabriel had grudgingly agreed. It was cold outside the blankets and her blue silk nightgown did nothing to retain heat. It was nice to escape back to Gabriel's waiting arms. "Did I tell you that you look really good in that?" He said as he kissed her.
"Only a hundred times, but you can tell me again," she replied happily. As she snuggled up to him, Alexia mused over how things had changed in the last month. She had met the man who was her father-only to loose him in less than an hour. Then again, she was happy that he was dead. He had been an ass. Things at home were much different now. Kiree no longer pretended that she had a job, and was much more pleasant because of it. Kaeli was also around more. Alexia didn't know if she just liked to visit, or if she was worried about how Alexia was reacting to all the changes.
Gabriel had quit his job at the construction company. He was more relaxed around her now that he no longer had to hide the truth of what he was around her. Consequently, they spent even more time together than before. Last night he had finally allowed her to stay at his house for the night. She had been there a couple times, but never for long. She had been surprised at the house. Gabriel had taken the largest bedroom for himself. The walls were crimson, all the woodwork and furniture was made from ebony, and the carpet was cushy and black. Velvet curtains hung at the large windows and around the massive bed. There was a plush velvet chair in one corner that was currently buried under a pile of clothes and other things. His tool belt was thrown beside the chair and forgotten about. Stubs of candles littered the top of the dresser. The mirror was dusty, but still there. Alexia wondered why he kept it.
The attic had become Vitaliy's lair. She had only been up there once. The long room had been divided by curtains in a few places. Unlike Gabriel, Vitaliy's curtains were made from white linen. The walls had been painted white. He and Gabriel were the same in that the carpets, woodwork, and furniture were all black. She hadn't been able to see more than that.
These areas weren't what surprised Alexia. It was their roommate, Fritz. He was shorter than the other two-he only came up to Vitaliy's shoulder- and had a completely different temperament than the brothers. He was hyperactive and obtrusive. His flame red hair and freckles didn't help people to take him seriously. All she had seen of his basement room was the rainbow of colors that dominated it. She had seen that from an open window that was half-sunk in the ground. Several layers of brightly colored silk had floated up towards her as she walked by to the front door. Gabriel had walked wide to avoid the colors as if they would contaminate him with whatever made Fritz so irritating to them. He had this annoying habit of-
"Gabe! What's going on?"
-showing up where he was most unwanted.
According to Gabriel, he was really young. He had only been changed three years previously. They had met him at SingleEarth and taken him in six months ago. Now they were starting to regret it. "Don't call me that again or I will hand you what is left of your brain," Gabriel growled.
"Anyway, what's the plan for today?" Fritz continued.
"I'm going to pretend that you don't exist, and then I'm going to spend the day with Alexia. Go harass Vitaliy."
"I can't," Fritz sounded sad. "He kicked me out last night and locked the door. Then I think he left. He hasn't come back yet."
"I'm about to kick you somewhere," Gabriel threatened.
Fritz got the hint. He disappeared. "Remind me again as to why I haven't evicted him yet?"
"Because you feel sorry for him," Alexia answered. "And besides, I think you really do like him."
"Oh no I don't," he answered quickly. He kissed her before she could comment again. "But I will tell you what I do like."
"And what's that?" She replied coyly.
"You. Especially in this nightgown. I'd love to see what you look like under it," he murmured.
"So why don't you," was not the reply that he had been expecting to hear.
"Are you sure?"
Alexia nodded. He had just begun to slide the material off her body when Vitaliy flung the curtains open. "God damnit! Can't anyone knock around here?" Gabriel exclaimed.
Vitaliy took a step back. He obviously hadn't known that Alexia would be there. "Oh, um.. Hi Alexia," he stammered. "I swear this is really important!"
Alexia glared at him. "It had better be."
"Okay, you've been around Kaeli too much. She looks at me just like that when she's about to flay something. Anyway, I kinda screwed up. A lot," he was speaking so fast that Alexia could barely keep up with him.
Gabriel stared coolly at his little brother. They must have been exchanging thoughts. Alexia wished that she could hear them. She jumped when Vitaliy staggered a bit. "You did what?" Gabriel roared.
He jumped out of the bed to grab hold of Vitaliy and confront him. Alexia had to giggle. She couldn't bring herself to fear a vampire who was wearing boxers with little pink and purple hearts on them. Vitaliy, on the other hand, was very much afraid. The hearts must not have even processed. "How in the hell could you have been so stupid? What possessed you to leave Nicole alone with Jeshickah?" Gabriel was yelling.
Alexia blanched at that. "What did you do to my best friend?" Her voice was shaking.
"I didn't mean to! She wanted to see Las Noches, so I took her. I didn't think that it would be very dangerous this time of day. I turned my back for two seconds and that bitch took her!" Vitaliy yelped as Gabriel lifted him by the front of his shirt.
"Where is she?" Alexia asked softly in the quiet that ensued.
"Midnight," Gabriel replied just as softly. "Damn little brother, you did screw up this time."
"I know. Help me get her back, please?" Vitaliy's eyes were pleading.
Gabriel swore. "Kiree is going to kill us."
"Why?" Vitaliy asked.
"Because I can only think of one way to get into Midnight."
Vitaliy looked past his brother to where Alexia lie on the bed. "Oh."
Gabriel sat in the drivers seat of Alexia's black Celica. Alexia had asked to at least sit in the passengers seat, but that just wasn't possible. Vitaliy sat there instead. Gabriel glanced over his shoulder. "Are you sure about this?" He asked for the hundredth time.
"Yes, I'm sure." Her normally bright eyes were cool with determination. Her dark hair was pulled back into a simple braid, but a long strand had escaped. She tucked that behind one ear. After Vitaliy confessed his stupidity, the boys had dressed. They now wore matching black slacks, dress shirts, and steel-toed boots. Vitaliy had unbuttoned his sleeved and rolled them up to his elbows. His long black hair had been tied back. Gabriel had put on a necklace: a black leather chord from which a pewter disk about the size of a quarter with the rune kenaz stamped into it hung. The necklace fell right below his throat. He had dampened his short hair in an attempt to control it. He knew that it wouldn't help.
After they had gotten ready, Gabriel went to Alexia's and brought back appropriate clothing. He came back with black slacks, low heeled boots, and a black blouse with three-quarter length sleeves. She dressed and he had told her to remove all her jewelry, including her watch and earrings. Her left wrist now felt naked. Even worse, he wouldn't let her wear the knife that she had taken to carrying since the run in with Luke. "I hope this works," Vitaliy said.
They were about to pull out of the driveway when Fritz bounded up and knocked on the window. "Where are you going?"
"Nowhere," Vitaliy answered.
"Ooh! I love nowhere! Can I go? Please, please, please?" He was practically hopping from one foot to the other.
"Sure, as long as you can get us into Jeshickah's private slave quarters," Vitaliy answered sardonically.
Fritz's eyes got wide. "You're going to Midnight? Oh no, that's a bad place. You can't go there. Midnight will kill you. No, no, no. Don't go to Midnight. She'll take Alexia and break her. Don't go."
"You've been to Midnight?" Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
Fritz didn't answer. He suddenly became very interested in Alexia. "Oh no. She won't believe that you're broken. It doesn't matter how calm you appear, She will know. Although, if there was a bruise there, and there, and there... Maybe a few cuts or welts... But She knows. She knows," he seemed to be in his own world.
"I have to say it V, but I think he's right." "Can we ask the 'slave' before we start bruising?" Alexia leaned between the front seats.
"No one is doing any bruising. You'll have to stay here," Gabriel sighed.
"I'm not staying."
"There are three ways for you to get into Midnight. As a vampire, a blood-bonded servant, or a slave. I'm not going to blood-bond you. You're not going to pass as a slave, and I refuse to hurt you so that you will," he didn't have to say anything about changing her, they all knew that it wasn't an option. "It's not going to work."
"She has Nicole, doesn't She?" Fritz said quietly.
Vitaliy nodded. If possible, he was paler than usual. "She took her."
"She took me from my family. I can't let that happen to anyone else. She broke me, and changed me, then let me go when she thought I wouldn't survive one my own. You guys saved me. It's my turn to help you. I'll be right back," Fritz announced. There was no bounce in his step as he walked into the house. He seemed a completely different person.
He emerged from the house a few minutes later. He had changed from his red t-shirt and jeans into an outfit of all black. He carried a black and silver case under one arm. His steps were purposeful. Without a word, Gabriel get out of the car to let him into the back. They began driving towards Midnight. The case held a wide assortment of theatre make-up and things to apply with. He took Alexia's chin in his hand and began to apply the make-up to her face. He moved down to her neck, then forearms and hands. When he was finished she had a black eye, and several cuts on her face. Bruises riddled her neck. Small cuts and bruises appeared on her arms and hands. Fritz had talent. Alexia studied her hands. "Don't touch them, the paint isn't dry yet. When it is, they still might smudge a bit so you'll have to be careful. She still might know. But it's the best I can do."
Alexia nodded. "Thank you."
Fritz nodded and closed his case with a snap. He didn't say anything else. "What exactly is going to happen?" Alexia asked.
"I'm not sure. I've only been to Midnight once and that was a few hundred years ago. Actually, I haven't been to this new Midnight. I'm assuming that it's the same as it used to be," Gabriel answered.
"New Midnight?"
"The old one burned down. I don't remember who did it, but it was completely in ashes. Midnight is a haven for slavers. The kidnap humans, or breed them, and then train them one way or another. I never cared to be involved with it."
"So why did you visit?"
"I was curious."
"Okay... You still didn't answer my question."
"All I know is that we're going to try and get inside and get Nicole out. I'm going to try and pass you off as a newly acquired slave that is semi-broken. This means that you need to pretend to be very obedient. Keep your eyes down unless told otherwise. Don't speak unless spoken to, and always refer to a vampire as 'Master' or 'Mistress'."
"It would probably be a good idea to kneel if Jeshickah comes around," Vitaliy added. "She might not take it well otherwise."
"And how am I supposed to know who she is?"
"You'll know. She usually wears thigh-high boots with heels so high that she is completely on her toes."
"The bitch in bondage boots, got it."
"Don't say that in Midnight," Gabriel advised.
"I won't. I'm not stupid."
"I thought that Jeshickah wasn't involved with the new Midnight," Gabriel said after a long period of silence.
"She wasn't until very recently. She doesn't approve of how Jaguar is running it," Vitaliy answered.
"What else do you know?"
"Um... He bought two new pets yesterday, so he'll probably be distracted. He shouldn't be a problem."
Gabriel nodded. "That'll make things easier. We still have a couple hours left Alexia, why don't you sleep?"
She shook her head. "I doubt that I could sleep right now," the idea was contradicted by Gabriel's slight pressure on her mind telling her to sleep. She fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.
Vitaliy was apprehensive. He hoped that Nicole was okay. If Jeshickah had harmed her at all, he would kill her himself. Or so he hoped. The closer they got to Midnight, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. Alexia was deeply asleep at Gabriel's command, and Fritz seemed paralyzed in fear. Gabriel was concentrating on driving and wouldn't speak. He had also repeatedly told Vitaliy not to turn the radio on. The silence was going to drive him mad. He concentrated on the landscapes that they flew by. The Celica must have been doing nearly one hundred miles an hour. Vitaliy had to admit that the little car handled well. He still didn't see the wisdom and taking this instead of Gabriel's four-wheel-drive truck. Who knew what they would have to do to escape Midnight. Then again, the flashy little car helped their image a little more. He imagined what a group they would make when they arrived at Midnight. He hoped that everything would go all right.
Alexia moved in her sleep, and her knees dug into his back through the seat. He tried to ignore it. Outside the window, it was a gorgeous summer day. The bright green leaves were dancing on the warm summer wind. The perfect blue sky overhead laughed at his dour mood. It would have been the perfect day to spend wandering the woods with Nicole. Now there's a heart-wrenching thought, little brother, Gabriel's voice floated through his mind.
Stay out of my thoughts. I can't when you broadcast them so loudly. You need to try and ignore what you're feeling or someone might pick up on your thoughts and ruin our little scheme.
Vitaliy slammed mental walls into place, more to keep Gabriel out than anything. Unfortunately he was right. He knew that they weren't far from Midnight. The air was viscous with magics and the forest was no longer beckoning. Behind him, Alexia stirred awake. "Where are we?" She asked groggily.
"Not too far now," Gabriel answered. Vitaliy noticed that he gradually let the car slow down so that Alexia didn't notice how fast they were going. Alexia would most definitely try to kill him if she knew that they'd been going well over one hundred at one point.
She stretched as well as she could to remove the kinks in her muscles. There was a series of small pops as she twisted in the seat to crack her back. "Ah, that felt really good."
"That sounded painful," Vitaliy observed.
She shrugged. A quick glance at her arms showed that her "bruises" hadn't smudged. "I hope this works," she said.
"Me too. I can't believe I was so stupid! I never should have taken her there. She probably hates me now," he berated himself.
Alexia put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about that now. What's done is done. There's nothing else you can except get her back. And that's what we're going to do. Got it?"
Vitaliy nodded. He didn't trust himself to speak anymore. They came around a corner to see the new incarnation Midnight looming before them. The imposing building hadn't changed from the last. Black and red walls surrounded by a heavy iron fence, overgrown burgundy ground cover that he couldn't identify, the white marble path, and the black roses. He had a brief image of Nicole leaning over to smell the roses on their bushes. The black petals against her ivory face and white-blonde hair. Her mouth forming a surprised "o" as a thorn pricked her finger. He quickly banished that thought from his mind. It wouldn't help to keep thinking of her; Jeshickah was much stronger and would be able to read his thoughts with a whim.
"Ready?" Gabriel asked. A chorus of nods answered him. Alexia lowered her eyes as she had been instructed. Her demeanor went from strong and predatorial to meek and demure. She wasn't broken, but she would pass as a tamed slave. The change in Fritz was just as amazing. The normally hyperactive and annoying vampire now stood with his head held high and confidently. His cheeks were flushed with nervousness, but he seemed determined not to let that bother him. Vitaliy decided that he liked this new side of their roommate. Briefly he wondered what could convince him to act like this more often.
They fell into a loose formation as they came up the marble path. Gabriel in Vitaliy walked side-by-side, nearly identical in their bearing. Fritz walked slightly off to the right of them. Alexia fell into step exactly two steps behind them and to the left. Visible but ignored, just as a proper slave should be. A teenage boy greeted them as they neared the building. He couldn't have been more than fourteen. "Good day masters, what brings you to Midnight?" He asked brightly.
"We've come to see about acquiring a new slave. To whom would we speak about that?" Gabriel answered confidently.
The boy paused at that. "Follow me."
He led them inside and through the corridors. Vitaliy noticed that the interior décor had changed. Oaken floor, paneling, and chair rail were accented by a honey colored paint. Jeshickah definitely had not chosen them. They were as opulent as she liked, but too friendly. The boy introduced himself as Eric, but didn't say anything further. He paused at a door. "May I inquire as to your names, masters?"
"Gabriel and Vitaliy."
Eric stared at the answer for a moment. Either one of the names had taken him off guard or he had been expecting them to announce Fritz as well. He didn't comment, but turned to knock on the door. A stern voice bade him enter, and he fell into a kneeling position just inside the door with his eyes on the floor. "Master, I apologize for interrupting, but these gentlemen have requested to see you. They wish to inquire about purchasing a slave."
"Very well, show them in," the male voice answered.
As they entered, Eric introduced the brothers. Fritz stood beside them. Vitaliy was relieved when Alexia imitated Eric's pose. She fell to her knees beside Gabriel. Jaguar was sprawled shirtless on a leather couch. "Gabriel, how are you doing?"
Gabriel's voice was cool as he replied. "I am fine, and yourself?"
"If Jeshickah would leave me alone I would be much better. But, that can't be helped," he waved a hand in annoyance. "Brandon, I didn't believe that I would see you this soon."
Vitaliy wondered who she was speaking to until Fritz's posture changed. His confidence fled, leaving a shell of a vampire behind. "I go by Fritz now," he said in a faint voice.
Jaguar ignored him. "I recognize this girl. Luke's get, I believe."
"Yes, that is his daughter. Her name is Alexia," Gabriel replied.
"That's right. How is Luke?"
"Dead."
"He should have been that a long time ago." Vitaliy found himself nodding. "Yes, he should have."
"I never thought that I would see you two dealing in slaves. Especially this one. After all, you did save her life, didn't you? She would fetch a good price if you're willing to sell though."
"No thanks, we're here to buy," Gabriel took over before Vitaliy could say anything. "My brother has seen the advantages of having a slave and would like one for himself. Fritz may also be interested, but he hasn't decided yet."
"Of course, of course. Will you be staying long?"
"As long as it takes."
Jaguar nodded and sat behind his desk. He gestured for the men to seat themselves so that they could discuss the matter further. He dismissed Eric, and bade him take Alexia with him. Unless, of course, Gabriel felt he needed her close. Gabriel allowed her to go.
Alexia's neck was beginning to hurt from staring at the floor and there was nothing she could do about it. She was trying not to betray herself. It was much harder than she thought to remain motionless and perfectly obedient, but she was never very good at either. She was eternally grateful when Gabriel said that she could go with Eric. She hoped that she would get a chance to find Nicole. Hey, try and do some scouting or get some information if you can. Just don't get caught! Gabriel floated through her mind. She was still getting used to that. She rose to follow Eric out the door. "Alexia, try not to do anything stupid. I don't want to have to apologize for your idiocy," Gabriel said in a dry tone of voice that she had never heard before. It made her shiver to hear it.
"Yes Master," she heard herself say. She inclined her head in a half-bow and trailed Eric out the door. Surprisingly, Eric was very chatty after they left Jaguar's office. He nattered on about Jaguar, himself, and life in general at Midnight. It wasn't the slave den that Gabriel had described to her. In fact, there were only twenty other slaves in Midnight right now, not including Eric. They paused when two girls passed. Neither seemed to be more than six years older than Alexia. Eric introduced them as Audra and Ravyn. Alexia nodded as she was introduced. "New slave?" The one called Ravyn asked. Her cranberry colored eyes and hair unnerved her.
"No, old slave. My master's brother decided that he needs a pet too," Alexia lied, rolling her eyes as she said so as if it were an everyday occurrence to discuss such things.
"Who's your master?"
"Gabriel."
Rayven's eyes widened slightly. "Oh?"
"Not your Gabriel," Eric said.
"There's more than one?" Alexia asked before realizing that it wasn't all that uncommon of a name.
"Of course, your master chose not to be involved with Midnight as it was. I don't know why he chose to now. Although, you are quite a fine specimen of a slave. I can see why he keeps you around," a voice behind her said.
She turned to see who it was. When she realized that the speaker was a vampire, she immediately lowered her gaze. She debated whether or not to kneel, but decided against it as the others hadn't.
"Gabriel," Ravyn cooed. She moved towards the vampire.
"Hello Ravyn. Shouldn't you be cooking something?" He replied dryly.
Ravyn spat at him before spinning on a heel. He was beside her in the blink of an eye. Alexia had seen vampires do that before, but to see them move over such a short distance was more than slightly disconcerting. Eric pulled her back the other way. "Jeshickah brought a new slave in yesterday who probably needs tending to. Would you like to help me?" His eyes were pleading. This new slave must have been a real mess.
"Lead the way," she gestured.
The room that he led her to was cold and stark. The walls were plain, the white linoleum floor was cold, and one end of the room had been transformed into a cell. A figure lay huddled in the corner. Alexia bit back a gasp when she recognized the battered form. It was Nicole. Blood was dried on her clothes and her right forearm was bent at an impossible angle. Nicole didn't stir when Eric unlocked the door to the cage and let himself in. Alexia followed him silently. She immediately knelt beside her friend. "Nicole?" She begged.
Nicole moved slightly. Her entire body shuddered with pain even at that. "Alex?"
Eric was horrified at the exchange. "You know each other?"
Alexia nodded. She refused to say anymore than that. Let him think whatever he wanted. "It's okay Nicole," she whispered to her friend. "I'm going to help you sit up, okay?"
Nicole moaned slightly. Alexia took the frail girl in her arms and moved her into a sitting position. She knew that Nicole's arm was broken, so she moved it as little as possible. Nicole seemed to be in a state of shock because she didn't scream when Alexia moved her arm. "You said that you were going to tend her. What are you going to do?" She asked Eric.
He stood frozen. "She screamed for the first fourty-five minutes, then she was silent. Jeshickah was really angry. I guess she... Nicole?...fought back. I didn't stick around. As mad as Jeshickah was, she'd have killed me if she caught me lurking around..." He rambled.
"Eric! What can we do for her?" Alexia snapped.
"There's nothing you can do. I see that Jaguar is letting his pets roam around again. I really do need to break him of that habit," the speaker made a move as to strike Eric, but he had just dropped to his knees and managed to avoid the blow. Alexia moved to kneel as well. "I don't know who you think you are, but you will leave my slave alone. She is being trained and does not need this interference. Leave, immediately!" The woman barked.
It tore Alexia's heart to do so, but self-preservation forced her to flee with Eric at her heels. She wondered how Vitaliy and Gabriel would take her news.