Chapter 4
He was being paranoid. All through out the press conference, he kept looking for something, anything to report. Much to his dismay, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He answered numerous questions, all the while keeping his attention focused on everything around him. It was driving him crazy, he didn't really know what to look for. There were a few pale people, but they weren't wearing sunglasses. Then there were people wearing sunglasses, but weren't pale. Then again, who'd wear sunglasses inside? Quickly he reached up and pulled his glasses off to a collective gasp from the audience. He leaned forward to talk into the microphone.
"I love to surprise." He grinned, winking.
The conference went on smoothly, nothing out of the ordinary happening, AJ was almost disappointed. After that it was off to a photo shoot and then back to the hotel to prepare for the concert that night.
After the concert...
He made his way back into his room, his body still wired from the performance. He never grew tired of performing or seeing the expressions on the faces of his fans. He thanked god everyday for the opportunity. He was lucky, very lucky.
"Yes you are lucky."
He whirled around and there she was, she brought the sent of the night in with her mingled with her own distinct fragrance. He wanted her so bad.
She stopped her movements toward him. He wasn't aware that she could hear his thoughts, they couldn't communicate telepathically. That was the second time he'd said something like that, and the second time she'd been caught off guard. Those feelings were back again, and no matter how much she tried to ignore them, they wouldn't go away.
"I, I didn't hear you come in."
She just smiled at him as she moved closer.
"Umm, I, I don't have anything to report. Nothing out of the ordinary happened today at all. I'm sorry."
She tilted her head. "Nothing to be sorry about Alex."
"Yeah but, I'm not helping."
"You are, just looking and being aware is a lot of help." She smiled.
He cleared his throat, if she only knew the thoughts running through his head at that moment. He walked over to the bed and sat, she followed, sitting next to him, a knowing smile on her lips.
"So, did you sleep well today?" He was making small talk, he never made small talk.
"I did thanks."
"Good, that's good. Have you seen anything suspicious tonight?"
"Not yet, I've been told there've been some sightings though."
"Really? Damn. Oh, have you reported to your society yet?"
She hesitated.
"Aradia?"
"Yeah, I did."
"And?"
"Well that's where I found out about the sightings."
"Oh. Well did you tell them about me?"
She was quiet, how did she tell him?
"Aradia, did you tell them about me?"
"Yes, yes I did."
"Well, what did they say?"
"They thought it was a good idea."
"That's good to know."
She bit her lip.
"Alex, they want to meet you."
He turned to look at her. "What?"
"They want to meet you, they insist. They want to make sure you're not working for Jareth."
"I'm not! I'm human for god's sakes!"
She looked at him.
"What?"
"They, they don't know you're mortal."
"What!? Aradia!"
"I never got to tell them."
AJ sighed. "Fine, then I guess I'll go."
"It's not that easy."
"What now?"
"They don't allow mortals into the society. You wouldn't be allowed below."
"Ok so they want to meet me, but they can't cause I'm human? So what now, how do I meet them then?"
She looked over at him. He stared at her, his face paling as the realization hit him. "You mean I have to, to..."
"No, we'll do a blood exchange."
"Huh?"
"Well, you take from me and I take from you. It'd be like changing you, without actually changing you."
"I don't get it, I wouldn't become a vampire then?"
"No. The blood exchange has to happen three times for that."
"But since I'm not a vampire yet, how would I be let in?"
"You're in the process, you can't do it all at once. They'll do a scan of your body and once they sense that our blood has mixed, they'll see you've started the transformation."
"Oh."
"It should work."
He shook his head. "So, what's the process? What happens?"
"It's quite simple really. I feed from you, and then you feed from me. I don't have to take a lot, just enough to mark you, to get your blood in my veins and for you to have enough of my blood in yours."
"Whoa! I'm supposed to drink vampire blood!? You're fuckin' kiddin' me right?"
"No. Look it's not that bad."
"Shit! Will I, feel different?"
"Not really, you may have a slight problem with sunlight and loose your appetite a bit. Nothing major and it won't last."
"Does it hurt?"
She smiled, he sounded like a scared little boy. "It stings a bit, like you're getting a shot. It's not that bad. You'll be a little weak afterwards, so I suggest we do it on the bed so that you can rest a bit before we leave."
"I don't have a choice do I?"
"No. They know about you and they won't accept your help until they meet you."
AJ took a calming breath, he couldn't believe this was happening. He nodded, he was going to do this.
"Fine, just uhh, don't take too much please."
She chuckled. "Don't worry, I fed before I got here. You'll be safe I promise." She moved up to lay beside him. " I promise to try to make it as painless as possible for you. Just relax, it's a lot easier if you relax. Do you want me to help with that?"
"No! I mean, no it's ok. Just do it and get it over with."
She nodded, swinging her leg over to straddle him. He looked up into her eyes and she stopped. She could see the fear, but also the determination in his eyes and she felt something close to pride well up in her. After this, they would be able to hear each others thoughts, it would be imperative for her to not reveal too much. She leaned down, a small smile on her lips. "Now, after I take from you, you have to hurry and take from me. I won't take a lot, but it'll still be a shock to your system. Don't hesitate Alex, when I tell you to, do it. Ok?"
He nodded, rubbing his hands on the spread below him. "Ok."
She nodded. "Ready?"
He took a breath. "Ready."
Tilting his head to the side, she could hear his rapid pulse, she could feel it through her body, the same way she had many a times. The sound as familiar to her as the beating of her own heart. Closing her eyes, she placed her lips on his neck, trailing her tongue out over his smooth skin, wanting to comfort him slightly.
The fear emanating from him was great and she knew she was only making it worse. She pulled her lips away, she could feel her canines growing, taking a breath she lowered her mouth to his neck, sinking her teeth into his warm flesh. She felt him start slightly, and she moved her hands down to his waist, holding him still. She felt the rich blood start to pour into her mouth. It was sweet and intoxicating, just like she knew it would be. She drank cautiously, as she felt his body go limp, no longer tense.
A soothing warmth took over his body. He could no longer feel the stinging sensation, just her. She was trying to make it less scary for him, trying to ease his mind. Her presence was everywhere. Calm and soothing. He wanted to wrap her in his arms, but he could no longer feel them.
Suddenly he was falling. She could see the thoughts racing through his mind, hear his frantic pleas to try to understand what was happening. She could feel the tears falling down her cheeks at the pain that harbor beneath those dark eyes. It was so unlike anything she'd ever experienced before. Almost hesitantly, she pulled away.
The wounds closed quickly and she looked down at him, he was slightly pale, his eyes fluttering. "Alex, listen to me. You have to drink, now." She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him up to her body. Tilting her head to the side, she sliced the side of her throat making a small cut, the blood starting to flow. She brought his head to her neck. "Drink baby...please..." She heard herself whisper. She bit her lip as she felt AJ's lips close on her neck, sucking weakly. She held him tightly as he drank from her. All she could focus on was the feel of his lips on her skin, warming it, caressing it.
She stifled a moan, wanting a deeper contact. She could feel him, feel him reaching out for her and she fell into his arms, the warmth surrounding them both. She could feel her body starting to tremble and she gently pushed him away, carefully setting him back on the bed. The cut healed almost instantly, but her eyes were fixed to him, watching his breathing. She reached out and licked a drop of blood from his lips, wanting so much more than she could have from him.
She moved away from him quickly. She was weak, but it didn't matter, her strength would come back momentarily. For AJ, it would take just a little longer. She lay there, waiting for him. A few minutes later, his eyes opened slowly and he looked around. "How do you feel?" She whispered.
He yawned. "Sleepy."
She smiled. "Yeah, that's normal."
He looked up at her with a new awareness. It was almost as if he could feel her, hear her thoughts.
"You can."
He looked at her. Was she talking to him?
"I don't see anyone else here Alex." She chuckled.
"What..."
"Shh...talk like this. It'll be easier for you now."
"How...what's going on?"
"Get some rest, I'll explain later. I'll take you to meet the society tomorrow ok?"
"But Aradia, I just..."
"Alex, sleep, you need to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow night."
And just like that she was gone and he drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
