Crimson Dreams

I was sitting in the coffee shop where Cody had told Hayden I came every morning. Cody had told us that Hayden knew when I came in and that the human who worked behind the counter was my boyfriend. The plan had been to take Ethan and bring me to them. When I attacked the humans trying to take Ethan, Cody made the call that I had figured it out. Hayden was coming in to finish the job. Alex let the rumor get out that I got trigger happy and killed the blonde and he needed any information on the man. Hayden believed I killed Cody before I could get anything out of him so he was coming here personally for me.

Behind the counter was Julian, a human friend of Alex's. He was going to watch over the situation in the coffee shop. On the ride over here I had sat in his lap and rolled myself around on him like a dog to get his scent all over me. Just in case Hayden wanted to smell it for himself that I was rolling around with Julian. Alex and I made a scene as I got out the car to come into the coffee shop. He screamed at me and told me I had to leave my human behind or I was going to get myself and he killed. He swore he would no longer protect my human pets anymore. I screamed at him for treating me like a child and informed him I was not his responsibility and that I never wanted to see him again. Alex made a show of telling his people to longer protect me and my human pets and then they left.

Now here I sat crying at the coffee shop. Julian had come to me a couple times and brought me coffee. It wasn't hard to make myself cry. I just tore the bandage off my wounds over Nathan and let the water works flow forth. I think I was really starting to worry Julian. Maybe he thought I was getting to into character or something but I kept my tears coming. I would get up and go to the bathroom for more tissue and wash my face. The last time I went I came back to my table only to find another drink on the table. I took the lid off to add sugar. Inside the lid was a little note that I cut my eyes to read while adding sugar. That had been Polo’s idea for how we could relay messages. He and I used to do it all the time when we were sneaking around kissing.

He was here

I put the lid back on my coffee and took a swig. I resisted the urge to look around for Hayden and just hung my head to start crying again. I stood up and walked very controlled like to the counter where Julian was taking some ones order. After he made their drink and sent them on their way the coffee shop was empty again. Time for the show to begin.

"I'm sorry Ethan." I said. My voice cracking with unshed tears. "We can't see each other anymore."

"No. Alex. Please. This is because of him isn't it?" Julian asked me. His voice was starting to crack with unshed tears as well.

"It's not like you're thinking."

"Really? What? Are they better in bed? He said he was done with you. You can't dump me and then go crawl into his bed."

"I am not going back to him, Ethan. I am going to take my chances on my own."

"I'll come get my things from your house later."

"They will be boxed and on my front porch. Good bye Ethan."

I turned and walked out the coffee shop. As soon as I stepped into the parking lot I felt his power. It was nearly choking me. He had heard everything that happened in the coffee shop just like we had hoped. I didn't turn to look in his direction. I just started walking home. Since I had ridden here with Alex and I was no longer talking to him I didn't have a ride. Guess we didn't plan this all the way through. I started crying again and sat down. I pulled my cell phone out and called Alex. Voicemail.

"Alex it's me. I broke up with Ethan and now I need a ride home." I hung up and kept crying.

Ten minutes later my phone started ringing. I got it out of my pocket and answered it quickly.

"Alex?"

"I told you we were through. Let’s see how well you survive on your own. Walk." He said.

"Please Alex. I am sorry. I broke up with him."

"Come back to bed baby." I heard Sherri say. I almost laughed but I stopped myself. I had to keep this show going.

"Who is she?" I asked. Crying harder now.

"Grow up or die. Leave me alone." He hung up his phone.

I screamed out in frustration before throwing my phone as hard as I could against the wall. The phone shattered into little pieces. I stood up and started toward home.


I had walked two blocks crying when the car swerved and pulled over in front of me. The drivers’ door opened a man stepped out. His power made air around us crackle with what felt like static electricity.

His blonde hair was cut short and spiked up on top. His eyes were so deep a blue they looked navy. He was wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt that fit him tightly and outlined his sculpted chest. His ears were pierced with little silver studs and he wore two rings. One on each thumb. He wore a trench coat that stopped just short of the ground. His black boots laced up the front with silver ends. He was absolutely breath taking. There was no facial hair except his eyebrows. He looked like one of Gods angels had been turned into a vampire and sent to kill me for my sins.

He walked to me with a lethal grace that promised pain and pleasure at the same time. His stride was confident and if he hadn't been sent here to kill me I would have been excited to be alone with him. I took two steps back and put my hands up.

"I am no longer one of his. I just want to be left alone." I said. Letting fear leak into my voice.

"I heard the arguments and seen you start walking home. A lady as beautiful as you should not be walking alone." His voice rubbed along my skin as warm and welcoming as my favorite blanket. "Besides, it's going to start raining soon and then you would be walking all the way home wet and cold. Least I could do is give you a ride."

I looked up at the sky and seen the hazy clouds for the first time. I had forgotten about it raining today. What he offered would have sounded good even if it wasn't what I was hoping for. I was going to the "Ashley" home and it was a good thirty minute drive from here. I looked back at Hayden and took one step forward.

"What’s your name?" I asked.

"Hayden, but everyone calls me Cal." He held his hand out to me.

"Alex." I took his hand gently expecting a handshake. Instead he brought my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles.

"Pleasure to meet you Alex." He said my name like it was sexual and then he let my hand go. I had to fight not to rub it on my pants. I could still feel the tingle on my hands.

"As too you. May I ask why you are here?"

"I am trying to escape my master so I have come here hoping he won't cross into another’s city." He opened the passenger door for me. "Any thing good to do around Macon?" He asked as I slid into the seat.

"I don't know. I generally read or go to the theatre."

He slid into the drivers’ seat and smiled at me. "Want to go to the book store?" He asked.

Actually I did. My favorite author had just released a new book and I wanted it. I had forgotten all about that due to all this stuff with coming up. I gave him a smile of my own.

"Mr. Cal, are you asking me on a date?"

"I don't know anyone here and I like to read as well. I have nothing else to do if you don't."

"Bookstore it is." I laughed.

"You'll have to tell me how to get there."

I nodded and started giving him directions to the book store. I had never really been on a date. Though this was still a job it was the closest I had been to be being on a date. The men I have been going home with were people I met in a bar the night before and then gave them my number so we could hook up later. Not wanting to get attached to them I would have them pick me up and then act like I couldn't wait for them and they would take me straight home. If they didn't then I would leave them where ever we were.

"Why don't you challenge your master for freedom?" I asked. It was direct and slightly rude but I wanted to know how well thought out his cover story was.

"I can't defeat him. He is more powerful than I am."

"Why not ask another master to protect you?"

"I don't want to belong to anyone’s line anymore." He shifted slightly before he spoke again. "So that’s all there is to do in Macon? There's no clubs for our kind?"

He had changed subjects. His story wasn't well thought out apparently. Good thing I had a reputation around here for being ignorant and that Alex kept me out of the lime light. In fact I really didn't know much about Alex other than he saved my life, avenged my mother, and trained me to kill. I knew more about his people than I did him and that scared me.

"I don't know. Alex kept me locked in his home like a child. I didn't even go to schools. He would come in and teach me himself."

"And yet you stayed with him? Why didn't you just go to your mother or another human?"

"Can I tell you a secret?" I asked.

"Who am I going to tell? I am on the run and I won't be staying here long."

"I am a mix breed. My mom was half demon and half human. My dad was a vampire. I've been Alex's whore for far too long." I let my face and neck be touched by a blush. When he looked towards me I looked out the window. "I have no idea why I just shared that with you." Of course I did know why. It was make sure he understood he had the right girl.

"Someone to talk to."

The rest of the ride was silent and I didn't intend to break it.


We were sitting in the parking lot of the book store. I didn't wait for him to say anything else before I opened the door and got out the car. Hayden was already at the door to the bookstore holding it for an older couple. I looked back over my shoulder as I crossed the street. As I entered the store he pressed his hand to my back lightly. It was almost possessive. I headed straight to the back of the book store and to the sci-fi section. There was a display set up near where her books were always located. I smiled and practically ran to pick up the book.

I held it to my chest and spun around happily barely containing my squeal. The sound of someone clearing their throat brought me back to the situation on hand. I blushed for real this time when I looked at him. I held my head up and tried to regain my steadily slipping dignity.

"Sorry." I mumbled. "I have been waiting for this book for a year."

"That’s okay. I rather enjoyed the honest look of happiness on your face."

"Please don't remind me of this moment ever again." I said.

"What ever the lady wishes." He laughed and pulled the book from my hand. His eyes raked the cover and his eye brows shot up. "And this is about?"

I looked at the cover which was a just enough to hint at what the book contained inside. The closest to pleasure I got from sex was the way I felt when reading this particular authors writings of sex. Sad I know but it was all I had and it got me through my loneliness. Of course I wasn't about to share this with Hayden so I chose to ignore his question and walked to the kids section. I picked up a basket as I walked through the little tree canvas that let you know you were in the kids section.

I grabbed a handful of every book on the first two shelves. Some for boys and some for girls and all for the children’s hospital as well as the abused and battered women shelter down the street from my house. I hadn't stopped by in about a week so I am sure they were missing me. I had four baskets with me and Hayden was carrying another twelve. He had insisted on holding the baskets for me as I filled them but after twelve he had run out of place to balance them.

When the lady at the register read out my total the man next to Hayden and I practically fainted. I swiped my card and smiled to him with out hesitation, entered my code and then put my card away. I was a usual here so none of the workers batted an eye at the amount I had just dropped in a book store. Two boys were sent to help carry the books to the car while Hayden made a purchase of his own. I didn't see what he bought. It was probably something on how to lie to and kill women.

I was sitting in the passenger seat already on chapter two when Hayden got in the car. He shook his head and started the engine.

"What do you want to do now?"

"I need to go home so I can deliver these books before the places close." I stated.

"I will take you. Tell me where to go."

That was something I hadn't counted on. I really didn't want to include him in this part of my life but it seemed he was determined to get really close to me. I had to think fast or else I would be taking my killer to important parts of my life.

"I appreciate the offer but you would just be bored to a more final death and I really couldn't intrude on your day like that."

"You're the only person I have met since I got here. I have no where else to go and nothing better to do. And you can't bore me 'into a more final death' - as you so nicely put it - anymore than staring at a wall." He said.

"But it's still daylight. Don't you want to get some sleep?"

He considered that for a minute while he put the car in reverse and pulled out of our parking spot.

"The day is still new. I can sleep later." He put the car into drive and started toward the exit. "Where am I going?"

Well fuck a duck running. He wasn't going to give up. I shrugged and told him how to get to the children’s hospital.


We pulled up to front door and two security guards walked out. As soon as I stepped out the car they gave genuine smiles and waved. I waved back as I walked to the trunk. Officers Charles and Cliff were always here. They dedicated their lives to protecting children from kidnappers and pedophiles.

"Whatcha got Ms. Blane?" Officer Charles asked.

"Books. How many we got?" I asked him. He knew I meant patients. This was a normal routine for us.

"About forty. Mostly boys." Officer Cliff stated.

"Claire still here?"

"Been asking about you all week. She made some new friends she wants you to meet."

Officer Cliff was handed a bag from Hayden and then I grabbed my own bag of books. I added a special book from my purse to the bag as I watched Hayden pick up a bag.

We followed the officers to the elevators. Once the elevator door closed officer Charles informed me that the mood was kind of somber due to a child’s recent death. I sent a silent prayer for that child and the family.

"This is Hayden." I told Officer Cliff who was giving the man a burning stare. "He's a friend dedicated to the same thing as I."

"I would shake your hand but I am little bogged down." Officer Cliff nodded towards him.

"Same here. There will be time later."

The elevator dinged and the doors swung open. I could see the kids sitting in the day room watching cartoons. All faces turned towards the elevator as we filed out.

"Alex!" Claire called my name.

"I am so sorry I am late Claire. I got caught up at work."

"You came." She smiled at me. "That’s what counts." She looked at Hayden and blushed. I couldn't blame the girl there. "Is he your boyfriend?" She asked.

"No." I said quickly. Her remark left me blushing. "Just a friend from work."

I sat the books down and gave Claire a hug with a promise I would hang out with her for a little bit after I handed out the books. Officer Charles and Cliff had gone to give books to the children who weren't permitted or able to leave the room. I had learned long ago that I couldn't go there. I didn't have the emotional control for that. Instead, Hayden and I passed out the books to those in the sitting area. He handled the boys while I took on the girls. When all the kids had books and the officers left us to take their post again I turned my attention back to Claire.

"I want to show you something." She told me.

"Alright." I sat down across from her. "You have my full attention."

She pulled out the little boom box I had brought on my last trip here and plugged it up. She grabbed two of the new girls and went to the middle of the floor where they were the center of attention. One of the girls pressed play and I couldn't help but smile as I heard my current favorite song being played. Last time I was here I taught Claire a dance to this song. Now she showed me how she learned the dance and then taught the rest of the kids.

"Dance with us." She said while pulling on my hands.

I stood up and started going through the motions with them. They took turns with me spinning them around like little princesses before we finished with the splits. I was laughing before it was all over.

"So how are the bad things?" I asked her.

"I am in remission." She practically squealed. "Doctors say I may be able to go home soon. But I heard mommy tell daddy she didn't think I was ready."

"I think you're ready if the doctors think you're ready honey. And don't blame mommy. She is just worried about you." I said to her.

"I know." She looked to the floor before looking back at me. "Did you get it?"

I nodded and pulled the book out of the bag. I had picked this up for her the night I went out with that guy. Actually that was where I had met him. It was a book on coping with cancer. A bit out of her reading range but I figured she could handle this one. "Go put it in your room away from everyone else." I told her.

She grabbed the book and ran off towards her room. I watched her get stopped by a nurse who told her no running in the halls before she disappeared around the corner. I hoped the cancer was gone for good. For her sake. She was only 13 and had her whole life ahead of her. She still had prom and her first boyfriend to conquer.

"Slipping contraband to the kids?" A voice said softly behind me.

I actually jumped. I had forgotten he was even here. I made a point to avoid him after the whole dancing thing. This wasn't what I had in mind when I was trying to figure out how to get him in my life where I needed him. I pictured a few movies and then kill him when he tried to kill me. I would have to get a hold of Marco and tell him to put surveillance on the hospital. I shouldn't have let him come with me. I let my guilt over not coming last week get the better of me and now these kids were in danger.

"Nothing that bad."

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

We spent another hour or so with the kids until officer Charles was sent up to tell us visiting hours were over for non family members and we had to leave. There were hugs and promises to come back as we tried to make it to the elevators. When we finally did make it to the cars I rounded on Hayden with pure hatred.

"I may not belong to Alex anymore but I know something big is going on. If you are up to something then leave those kids out of it. I swear to God if you or anyone else hurts those kids then I will kill you but you will beg for death long before it comes. You understand me?" My voice was pure acid as I poked a finger into his chest.

"If I was planning something against you then it would be with you. Hurting children are number one on my never to do list."

I didn't sense a lie but he could be powerful enough to hide it from me. Still; I had to cover this up.

"I don't know who to trust anymore. Alex has left me on my own and you're all I have got. And I just met you. I feel like you fell into my lap at a pretty convient time."

"I swear if I decided to kill you that I will not come after the children. I swear by my blood."

I flopped down into the passenger seat and nodded. It would have to work for now. I needed to keep him close so I could make sure he didn't get to these kids. But short of throwing myself on him I could not think of anything that would keep him with me. We were already pulling off onto the main highway. I gave him directions to the women’s shelter absent mindedly. I was trying to come up with a way to keep him close to me so I could watch him.

When we finally got to the shelter I told him to stay in the car. I gave him the excuse most of these women were running from abusive husbands or boyfriends and having a man around would not be a welcoming thing. He agreed and stayed in the car while I took the books up to the font desk. Cathy was sitting there showing off pictures of her new baby. She had just gotten back to work from maternity leave. I smiled as I looked at all the pictures. Pretty baby girl with an ugly world ahead of her.

"You don't have to be alone all the time Alex." Cathy whispered to me.

That's it. I was alone. That’s how I could get him to stay with me. I am alone and he is alone. He could be my company. I nearly jumped over the counter to give Cathy a big kiss. I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote her a note before leaving. As soon as I got outside the door I started crying and staggered over to the car.

Hayden looked at me and shifted uncomfortably. All he seen was a girl on an emotional roller coaster. And I laid it on thick as I went into hysterical sobs.

"Anything I can do?" He asked.

"I-I'm all a-alone and I ha-have never b-b-been al-alone be-be-fore." I sobbed out. "I-I don-don't want t-to be alone."

"It's not so bad." He patted my arm softly.

"I have an extra bedroom. Could you stay the night?" I asked. I was still sniffling but I made a show out of stifling my sobs.

He looked out the window and seemed lost in thought. Shit. He was going to say no. Now what genius?

"I mean on-ly if you have" Sniff. "no where el-se" Sniff, sniff. "to go."

He looked me up and down before he nodded. "I didn't have anywhere else to go and you don't look in any condition to be left alone. I have seen vampires kill themselves out of loneliness and wished someone would have been there for them." He shook his head. "I'll stay the night and then we will go from there."

I nodded and kept quiet except when I told him where to turn to get to my house. When we pulled up to my house I prayed Cathy had gotten my message through.

Text my emergency contact:
Bringing home a new friend. Clear out in ten.

I was someone the shelter called in when there was a problem at the shelter and I occasionally taught self defense there. I had been called in a handful of times to escort an abusive husband or boyfriend away from the property. The shelter had my number and one emergency contact number. Polo was my emergency contact and it seemed fitting to have him clear my house out before we got there. I had figured out that Alex had wanted me to get the pets so that they could hide the scent of vampires in my home. Did I mention he was a smart man?