Across the Miles
02:51 Jun 12 2007
Times Read: 644
Across the Miles
Footsteps echoing lonely in the night seemed to carry across the water as the dark figure made its way toward the dock. Eyes watched from hidden alleys and windows but none made any attempt to approach the person. If ever a body gave off an aura of keep back this one did like a huge flashing Danger sign. Only someone very foolish would ignore this warning and at this hour, in this place, no one that foolish survived.
Reaching the last pier next to a small-motorized yacht, manned by one easily bought Captain, the figure stopped and paused for a few minutes looking out to sea. Those close enough would later gossip that the person held their hands out toward the ocean as if a supplicant to it. Others laughed at this, sure that dangerous seeming person wouldn’t be worshiping the sea.
Huddled inside her dark trench coat Marisa Denny looked neither right nor left as she stalked down the pier toward the yacht she had leased along with a Captain that for the right price could be bought along with his silence. She had paid for both. Feeling the eyes upon her, she felt a faint smile touch her lips but no fear. She had learned at a very young age how to defend herself upon streets much more dangerous than these and some lessons you never let yourself forget.
Reaching the end of the dock she turned toward the ocean and to make a final check of her destination. Reaching into her pocket she removed a small vial and pocketknife. The vial was of amber colored glass and had intricate gold worked all around it, even just a glance screamed antique. She opened the blade of the knife, which unlike the vial was a cheap discount store find. She quickly pulled the stopper from the vial being careful that none of the precious liquid inside was lost then made a quick cut in the middle of the palm of her hand and as her bright blood welled up from the cut she poured just one tiny drop from the vial. The dark thick fluid slowly dripped onto her palm where an immediate reaction began taking place. The dark blood quickly absorbed her fresh blood and sealed the wound on her hand, leaving only a small pink line that would be gone by morning. The drop hovered for a moment then began to change shape until one end was narrowed to a point and it rotated along her palm toward an unknown destination, somewhere out to sea. She used the vial to scoop the treasured blood back inside before replacing the stopper and then hanging it about her neck on a fine chain, underneath her clothes. This would be taken from her only after her life was gone first.
She moved quickly to board the yacht and on into the cabin where she found Captain Rollins, awaiting her orders. His maps were spread upon the table, as she had instructed and she quickly found their location and then pointed toward the direction she wanted to be taken. He confirmed that several small privately owned islands lay in that direction and suggested they head toward them as a heading until she knew otherwise. She agreed and went below to store her things as he got the boat underway. Done she made herself comfortable and tried to rest not sure what the next step in her journey might bring.
In the darkness ahead lay a private island where at that very moment a tall man stalked upon the shoreline. Taber Warwick felt sure that tonight his Marisa would find her way to the island fortress where he’d been forced to wait these many months by the Council of Elders. The dictates that ruled them upon finding a Blood Mate were very obsolete but still enforced. During these long months of separation they had both been tempted by others to stray from wanting only their mate. When Taber had refused he had then been forced to undergo physical and mental challenges and training to prepare him to change his Blood Mate into one of their kind. Unlike the Hollywood version there was much more to it than an exchange of blood 3 times. It was both a physical and mental exercise that if the vampire were unequipped to complete would result in the loss of both lives. As he waited he recalled his first meeting with his Blood Mate.
Marisa worked the late shift as a door person, at a Gothic dance club not too far from the University. When she applied for the job the manager had her spar with the head male bouncer. She agreed and while he won, it took him a few minutes and cost him some pain. The manager hired her right there and when she asked if that was all he said “you held your own long enough for more help to have arrived against the best I’ve got”. The pay was decent and she could catch classes of a day.
He came into the club with several other good-looking people, both male and female. His hair was shoulder length and a beautiful mix of browns and blonds probably a dozen colors all, but together they wove into something extraordinary. When he turned, she saw his eyes were the color of sherry with the sun shinning through it. He was dressed for the club in black leather pants and a black shirt with the requisite black boots. The only color about him was a large ruby earring in his lobe and on an exquisite gold chain about his neck hung what appeared to be an amber glass vial wrapped about with gold scroll. She remained at her post as he and his party moved on into the club.
Taber and his party found a table and set out to enjoy the scene. They hadn’t seen each other all together like this for several decades and were determined to enjoy it. The cute little Brunette working the door dressed in her tight black t-shirt with the club’s name emblazoned across her generous breasts, together with her curved backside in a pair of black denims was a major distraction for him though, he wouldn’t deny it. There were too many people here but he would love to spend some time with her alone. The thought was enough to put a smile on his face, looking up his eyes were caught and held by the woman filling his thoughts. Deciding to find out more about this lovely lady he sought out her thoughts only to meet a blank wall. He pushed a bit harder but could not read even the most surface of thoughts. A soft smile crossed the face of the brunette and he felt a connection to the woman that he’d never felt before but had heard spoken of on very rare occasions. He spoke softly but his companion heard him with ease “Teresa, see the pretty lady working by the door? Could you see if you can read her thoughts? I seem to be blocked.”
The lovely blond vampire that he’d know for nearly a century turned toward him and laid a hand on his arm, “Oh Taber, Really!” then she followed his eyes to the woman and slid into her mind. A slight giggle escaped her then both of the women suddenly frowned and the brunette staggered slightly. Teresa turning back to Taber, who was demanding, “What is it?” “It’s all right Taber, She just sensed me and pushed me out of her mind. But not before I picked up a huge tide of jealousy about me touching you. The binding has already begun for her. Congratulations old friend, you’ve found your Blood Mate!” The others all began pounding him on the back and offering their congratulations but his eyes were still caught by the brunette who was now talking to what appeared to be a manager and before he could get free of his friends she was taking her coat from behind the counter and leaving out the door. “I’ve got to go after her, see you later everyone!” He shot from the table and headed out the door, determined not to lose the woman now that he’d found her.
Marisa didn’t know what had caused her sudden sick headache but she only hoped to make it home quickly. She never saw the shadow that followed her the 3 blocks to her small apartment. Tabor followed until she reached the steps leading to her 2nd floor apartment and then saw her stagger again. He was there instantly to keep her from falling catching her with an arm around her waist even as he said, “Let me help you, Miss.” Marisa looked up at the person helping her and found the man from the club. “It’s you,” she said, feeling stupid even as the words left her. He smiled and she saw her hand rise of it’s own accord and cup his beautiful face. He helped her on up to her apartment and then inside using the key she still had clutched in her hand.
Marisa knew in it wasn’t a sane decision but looking into his eyes she had never felt more sure and safe. He helped her to the couch and urged her to lie down while he fetched her a glass of water and some aspirin from the kitchen. She told him where to find the glasses and pills and did as he bade her. He returned shortly with them and she took them from his hand and swallowed then when he sat down at her feet on the sofa she asked what she had to know, “Who are you? Why do I feel I know you and I trust you already? This isn’t like me so what’s going on?”
A man with his experience should have been much smoother but he would always claim it was the surprise of finding his Blood Mate that made his explanation so humorous when they would later speak of it aloud. It took him many hours to explain who they were to each other and the bond between them even after he proved to her that he was a vampire. Luckily she didn’t scream and faint as women always used to do according to the older vampires of his acquaintance. Instead she displayed an unusual curiosity toward it until a glance at her bookcase showed many novels by popular writers of paranormal fiction, gave explanation.
By the dawn he was gone leaving her with the sure knowledge that her heart and future lay with him and the amber vial that he had worn was now around her own neck. They would be separated for eight months while both would be tested for the strength of their bond to each other. If she still felt the same way, then she would have to come to him. Use the vial containing a small amount of his blood as a beacon to aid her in finding him. He would be waiting for her, tested and prepared to complete the ceremony joining them as Blood Mates forever.
2007/DD
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