Crimson Dreams

I could hear a faint thumping sound and with each thump I felt the world rock. I could hear men yelling but I couldn't make out what they were saying. I tried opening my eyes but found I couldn't pull myself out of sleep. Someone grasped my shoulders and started shaking me hard.

"Wake up damn it." He shook me with each word. "If you don't want me to kill them then you need to wake up."

"Goddamn creature bit the shit out of me."

I finally opened my eyes but they were heavy. I kept closing them trying to go back to sleep. I got another shake and then was pulled into a sitting position. I forced my eyes open and looked out the window. I was still in the car. Satan was sitting on the hood of the car with his teeth snapping wildly while he tried clawing through the windshield. In the drivers seat was Polo and red ruined his white shirt. Logic finally sank in and I woke up fully.

"Sorry." That was all I said before getting out the car.

I was still a little disorientated but I had to calm Satan down. I shut the door behind me a held my hand out to Satan. He jumped off the car and ran to my hand, pressing his head to it before giving a gentle caress with his tongue.

"It's okay Satan. They are friends." I leaned down and kissed his head before turning back to Polo. "You can get out of the car now. But don't come into the house yet."

I went to the front door and unlocked it. I looked over my shoulder to see Marco and Polo easing out of the car. Satan’s tail was wagging wildly as he watched them. They didn't look comfortable but they weren't going to show they were afraid of the dog. I smiled as I walked into the house. Vlad was sitting on the floor at the door. I bent down and picked him up.

"See them?" I asked Vlad. He hissed and started spitting at Marco and Polo. "They are friends. No attacking." He instantly started purring and rubbed his head against my chest.

I motioned for Marco and Polo to come in. They both looked at each other but started toward the house. Satan marched at Marco's heals and occasionally his head would bump Marco's leg. Marco finally gave in and reached down to pat Satan on the head. Satan barked and Marco laughed. He was rubbing behind both of Satan’s ears and the dog was letting out sounds of pleasure. Polo shook his head and stopped in the door way with me. He leaned against the door frame on the opposite side of me.

"He's like a kid who just discovered pets are fun." He remarked, before looking at Vlad. "What did you do to them?" He asked me.

"Rescued them. They were both pretty banged up so I gave them some blood to heal them. I am going to have to introduce them to our friends. They won't attack a human."

He reached out and stroked Vlad's head. The side of his hand grazing the top of my breast. Polo was who trained me to fight with my vampire side. Occasionally our sparring would turn a little sexual and we would spend hours just kissing. That was as far as I ever got with Polo. I still wondered how things would have turned out if I hadn't gone to Nathan's that summer.

"They are stronger due to you giving them your blood. It is also why they are so loyal to you." Polo was still petting Vlad. "I have heard of demons taking familiars that carried some of their power. The bond between the demon and animal become so strong that the demons can sense things through their familiars."

"I didn't know that."

"I didn't think you did. Just a warning that these animals may become more to your demon, than pets."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"You should go back to Nathan and let him train you more on demon ways."

I closed my eyes at the thought of going back to Nathan as I pressed a kiss to Vlad’s head. Vlad must have sensed my unease because he hissed against my neck. I shook my head to Polo but Vlad calmed down as well. "I won't go back to Perry for anything." I said flatly.

"Then have Nathan come here." Polo pushed. "We all know you are leaning more into your demon side and we want you to survive. You can't do that if you aren't trained in their ways."

"I just want to go to bed." I sighed before pushing Vlad into his arms. "If anyone comes by that's a friend, make sure to introduce them to Vlad and Satan." I caught the quirk of his lips as I said their names. Maybe I should have named them something else. I kissed Vlad’s head and the action brought my face close to Polo with my head resting on his shoulder. I pulled back and started towards my room without looking at Polo.


I took my blood stained clothes off and tossed them to the corner. On my bed was a little box that hadn't been there before. I opened it and smiled. I would have recognized the smell and knew who it was from with out ever reading the note. My knives and hair clips were in the box. Each was individually wrapped in tissue paper like some morbid birthday gift. I set the box on the floor and opened the note.

You left some things behind when you left my home.
Get some sleep Alex.
I will see you tonight.
- Alex

I smiled and laid the note on top of the box before sitting on the bed. I didn't bother to redress or shower. I just lay back on the bed and let sleep take me under again. This time I wasn't going to get up until I was ready. Marco and Polo had the house under control and I was safe for now. I closed my eyes and heard the alarm being set as footsteps echoed down the hall.

"...she's sleeping now..."

**********************************************

I opened my eyes to the pure darkness of my room. I was rolled tightly in the blankets and I could hear people talking in my living room. It sounded like more than just Marco and Polo. I stood up and pulled out the first pajama set my hands touched in my drawer. It was a short and tank top set. I shrugged and pulled them on. The shorts were more like panties and the shirt stopped at my belly button. These were comfortable. I would have to sleep in these from now on. They were better than the ones I had at home with Ethan. It was like wearing nothing at all and walking through air made of silk. I could feel the silk around my skin but I wasn't cramped and being held by it.

I opened my bedroom door and listened for a minute. Yep. More than just Marco and Polo here. I didn't hear anyone fighting with Satan and Vlad so I guess they too trusted Marco and Polo. I ran my hands through my hair and walked to the kitchen, bypassing the living room. I wanted food before anything. Coffee was already freshly made in the pot and a coffee cup was sitting out beside it waiting for me. While stirring my coffee I decided to go ahead and put the dishes in the dishwasher. I had only been here a day and already had a load. I bent over and pulled the dish soap out from under my sink.

I felt the power of his aura before I turned to see him directly behind me. Alex stood in the door way to the kitchen looking me. He had that guarded look that I felt was reserved only for me. He didn't say anything so I went back to what I was doing. After putting the soap back under the sink I opened the fridge and pulled out two eggs.

"Any humans out there?" I asked him.

"Two." He replied.

"Do they want an egg sandwich?"

"There is food in the living room. I stopped by to feed them and decided you would need food as well."

I nodded and put the eggs back in the fridge before picking up my coffee cup and walking towards Alex. "Thanks."

"You can go get dressed. The food will be waiting for you." He said without moving from the doorway.

"I am starving. I will get dressed when I am done eating." I leaned against him so he would get the hint to move.

This time I seen the anger in his eyes but he moved out of my way. If it ever came down to him and me fighting he would win. I could not fight him for more than just the fact I loved him. He could kill me before my body caught up to registering I was about to fight. Despite that I knew he could kill me, I did not fear him. Not yet anyways. Eventually I would push his patience for me too far and he would lose his control.

I walked into the living and looked around. Marco and Polo were playing with Satan. They were the only ones who didn't turn to look at me. There were six vampires and two humans in my living room. That wasn't counting Alex, Marco and Polo. Sherri waved to me from the far corner. I ignored everyone and walked to her. She had bright pink hair this time. Last time I had seen her it was blue. Her red skirt stopped about two inches from her knees and her white shirt was tied just under her breast. She held out a bag with what smelled like hamburgers in it. The seats beside her were taken so I moved to the couch arm beside her and sat down. She pulled my legs over her and put an arm around my back to help me keep my balance.

Sherri was new to Alex's line when I first came around. She wasn't one of Alex's though. He had battled for her about a year before my mother was killed. She was only 16 when she had been turned so the two of us hit it off really well. I pulled my burger out and started eating while her hands made small circles along my back. Marco and Polo were kneeling at our feet still playing with Satan. Polo looked up at me and his eyes roamed my body the way they used to before he turned away and focused on Satan. I didn't pay any attention to anyone and just leaned back against Sherri's arm and ate my burger. I had missed something important and I wasn't ready to find out yet.

"Sire, we need to know what happened last night." Charles was the first to break the silence and everyone turned their attention to him. "We need to know how it played into what happened this morning."

"It didn't." Alex said. He still hadn't moved from the doorway and his eyes were still on me.

"I was told by Patrick they were looking for a girl. And that a vampire named Raphael wanted to challenge Alex for Macon." I said.

"Raphael?" This came from Jason.

"Leave us." Alex said.

Everyone stood and started filing out the house except Sherri, Alex and I. Sherri wasn't going to push me off her, but I could tell she was ready to leave as well. I sighed and stood up so she could leave.

"Polo, can you take Satan and Vlad for a walk?" I asked.

"Sure thing." He whistled for Satan as he picked Vlad up off the floor. "Do they need leashes?"

"No. They will listen to you."

He nodded and walked out the door. I sat back down on the couch and pulled my knees up to my chest. I looked up at Alex. He hadn't moved yet. He was still staring at me.

"What else did you find out?" He asked.

"Patrick worked for a demon named Pyro. As did Asmoday. He was Pyro's second in command. Patrick was getting information from a vampire named Rani who was here to scout you out. Patrick said they were looking for a child. But Asmoday said she was no longer a child and would be just able to drink."

"Is that all?" Alex grabbed a blanket off the back of the chair and threw it over me. I didn't say anything but I did snuggle down into the blanket. He then went back to standing in the doorway. I got the feeling that he didn't want to be near me.

"He thought I was a human hyped up on vampire blood. And I had to eat his heart."

"My men never heard the fight. Never heard you call. Why didn't you call for them?"

"I did. I just passed out before they got there."

"You never called for them. When David went to pick you up at 1 a.m. and you weren't there he called me. I came and searched the woods. When I found you, your pulse was weak and you were barely holding on." He sat down beside me and pulled the blanket up to my chin. "I thought I was going to loose you. If I had been any later you would not have lived."

"But I did so let’s move on."

"Raphael was your fathers’ best friend. I think your father knows I let you live and he wants you dead or he wants to use you."

"I would never turn against you like that."

"I know. And he will kill you for that." He ran his hands through my hair gently. "I want you to back out of this and go stay with Nathan until this is over."

"What?" I stood up and looked down at him. "No. I will not go into hiding and I will not go back to Perry. I have always wanted to find my parents but if they think I will turn against you then they can die by my hands. I have not forgotten the promise I made to you and I will follow through with it."

"I can't change your mind and it seems you have already made it up. Cody was sent here by his master who is named Hayden. Cody is the blonde guy from the coffee shop. Cody informed me that you are the one the vampires are looking for. Cody had already told Hayden where to find you. I want you to pretend you don't know this and let him into your life. He is one of Raphael’s people"

"How did they find me?"

"You look just like your father. It wouldn't be hard to identify you."

"So you want me to fuck around with this Hayden guy and draw my father out?"

Alex moved in a blur I couldn't follow and was standing in front of me with his hands tightly on my shoulder. I moved my shoulders trying to loosen his hold some but he just squeezed more. I relaxed and looked into his green eyes.

"I do not want you to fuck anyone. I just want you to draw your father out by making him think that Hayden has turned you against me."

I just nodded. Apparently sleeping with his enemies was one way to make him snap. Alex pulled me up so that I was standing by my shoulders. He stepped to me and started pushing me towards my room. He pushed me into the room and used his foot to close the door behind us. He turned me so that my back was pressed to the now closed door. He leaned his body against mine as he nuzzled his face against my neck. I didn't move. I had wanted him to treat me as a woman for so long that now I was afraid if I moved he would stop.

"I have had to watch you leave the bed of human after human and smell them on you when you came home. You tried to shower the smell off you but I would still smell it in the air of our home. I always stayed up waiting in my room for you to come to me. I see it in your eyes that you want me and I smelled it when you were 17 but yet you have never came to me. And then you wear something like this and I have to sit and watch my people lust after you." His fangs grazed my neck softly. It was true. I had always wanted him but I always stopped myself.

I wrapped my arms around his neck as I turned my head so he had better access to my neck. He had fed from me before and it was always so sexual but he had never gone any further.

"Tell me to stop and I will, Alexandria."

I said the only thing I could think of.

"More."

He placed his hands on my waist and pulled my hips to press against his firmly. I was running my hands through the ends of his hair when I felt the first press of fang against my neck. I shuddered against him and closed my eyes just as his fangs broke the skin. The first pull of his mouth tore a moan from my lips. He only took a few pulls before he pulled back to look at me. His eyes heavy with wanting as he turned away and lead me to the bed.

I laid back against the pillows with my arms above my head and one leg bent up while the other was straight out in front of me. Alex un-tucked his shirt slowly before turning his attention to unbuttoning it. His eyes never left my body. I thought of how Nathan would strip me naked and lay me on the bed just to look at me. Before I finally slept with Nathan I was completely comfortable being naked in front of him to the point he had to remind me to put clothes on when someone came around. Demons weren't really affected by someone being naked around them but Nathan didn't want it getting back to Alex that I was running around his house naked.

My experience with Nathan taught me to never be naked with anyone ever again. My thoughts of Nathan were cut off when I felt Alex's weight on the foot of the bed. I opened my eyes to look at him and my breath caught at the sight of his naked body crawling up between my legs. He wasn't circumcised and it threw me for a minute. How far back did circumcision go? He pressed a kiss to my knee that was bent up before running his hand up the same leg from ankle to knee.

"Forgive me for loosing my temper in the sitting room. I could smell you had nothing on under what little clothes you were wearing and it was driving me insane with jealously knowing everyone else could smell you as well."

He was laying in a push up position above me now. He dipped his head and pressed his lips to mine very softly. I closed my eyes and tensed as I tried not to pull away from his kiss. He pulled back and I felt his gaze on me. I didn't open my eyes. I didn't want to see the look on his face.

"I will not force myself on you Alex. You told me more and I am trying to give you more yet you tense now. Do you wish me to stop?"

"No. I just don't like kissing."

"But you kissed me this morning." He pointed out.

Oh yeah. I forgot about that. I didn't have an answer to that so I just shrugged. "As long as we don't kiss then I am fine."

He nodded before kissing my stomach. "As you wish." He whispered against my stomach.

He pulled the thin material of my shorts down to my ankles before pressing a kiss softly to the upper most part of my thighs. I felt that longing jerk in my stomach. His tongue glided along the soft flesh and sent a shudder through me. His tongue probed deeper until he reached that tender nub. His tongue was tracing circles but I felt nothing. I never did. I could fake it with human men. They could never tell a real orgasm from a fake one if it jumped up and bit them in the ass. That's why I didn't sleep with vampires and demons. They could smell that I was not near orgasm and my pretending would only offend them.

I hadn't felt anything but the pain when Nathan took me as well. When he was done he tossed me a towel and told me to clean up. He removed the tape and told me I was too easy before leaving me to my own. After I had cleaned up I went to look for him. How I found him was the real reason I had left. Despite everything he had done up until that point, when I opened that door and seen what he was doing I broke down and ran away.

A hand running through my hair brought me back to the here and now. Alex was lying beside me on the bed with that guarded look in his eyes. I still had my top on and he had replaced his pants. When had he stopped? I reached down and pulled my shorts back on.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I couldn't go on when you were getting nothing from this." He rolled onto his back and closed his eyes. "I learned something from this. You sleep with humans so you can pretend. You couldn't fake it with me so you didn't try. For that I am grateful. I wish I would have made the move before that guy did but you were so young and I didn't want to take from you."

He stood up and finished getting dressed. His boots and socks first and then he started buttoning his shirt up. "Get dressed and meet us in the sitting room. We have much to discuss." He kissed my forehead lightly. "I hope you find peace from what’s troubling you. Even if it is not with me."

Just like that he was gone. I sighed and mentally railed myself. Why couldn't I get over this thing with Nathan? He had hurt me in more ways than six and yet I was still in love with him. No one else had come close to making me feel the way he did. He still haunted my dreams and every time I felt a demon I held my breath praying it was him. I have thought of Alex in so many ways and when I finally got him it was not enough to push Nathan out of my mind. Maybe I needed help.