Note from the author: This chapter has a rather -ehem- suggestive theme in it. Seriously. So be careful. Or THINGS might happen. =(
Music and Kain
'Why do I keep getting the impression that Kain wants to hurt Julie?" Jenna wondered to herself as she rested in the shadow of a tree. His last words still rang throughout her head, making her wonder just what it was that he wanted with Julie; she and I have much to discuss. If Julie had indeed met Kain, then something must have happened between them to make him seek her out so. But Jenna did not yet know what that was.
As she rested, Jenna could sense the presence of yet another being around her. She could sense Kain was far away, but this one… this one was very close. Her senses tingled, urging her to seek out who was there. Strangely, this person felt familiar to her, and she soon stood and looked about her.
'Who are you…stranger? Why are you calling to me?" she whispered, hoping that she would be heard. She heard a low laugh.
'Do you mean to tell me that you don't recognize my voice, Jenna?" someone said behind her. Slowly she turned and, while keeping her instant frustration in check, saw that it was the blue creature again.
'You again? What do you want?!" she hissed, crossing her arms in front of her. The creature closed his eyes, shaking his head slowly.
'I should've known. I should've known that you wouldn't remember me." he whispered. His voice sounded so familiar to her, yet Jenna couldn't place where she had heard it. She saw the drape covering his lower face and caught sight of a familiar pattern. Could it be, she wondered, walking slowly to the creature as all feeling fell away from her.
'Raziel…? Is it really you?" she whispered, her eyes filling with sudden tears. The creature looked at her, opening his eyes once more. He nodded slowly, and when Jenna saw this, she instantly fell to her knees, tears falling down her face.
'What…what happened to you? Why…why are you like that?" she whispered as Raziel neared her, kneeling in front of her and laying a clawed hand on her shoulder.
'Kain, Jenna. Kain did this to me. He had me cast into the Abyss, and while tumbling through the water, I became what you see now." He briefly explained. Jenna eyes filled with sorrow as she looked at him, hardly daring to believe that her once beautiful consort had become a derelict wraith.
'My God. Raziel," she tried to say, reaching both of her hands to his face, touching what had at one time been smooth, porcelain skin. 'I didn't know that this had happened… I wasn't there to stop him… I'm sorry.
So, so sorry!" she wept, throwing herself at him while holding his destroyed body to her. Raziel did nothing in return, he only looked down at her while sensing that there was something that Jenna wasn't telling him.
He knew well that Jenna had been very close to him, but not once did he ever question her of it. Kain knew that she was as well, and Raziel also remembered when Jenna had been beaten for having an old tattered banner from his clan. It was hard to say that he felt the same for her since he wasn't interested in women, unless he wanted to feed. But now that he saw her again after so many years, Raziel felt a strange pull to her, a pull that could almost be called attraction.
'Jenna," he began, raising her face to look at him.
'Raziel, before you continue, there is something that I need to tell you." Jenna interrupted before Raziel silenced her.
'There will be another time. For now, there is much that we must speak about." he finished. Taking her hand, he led her away through the forest, Jenna forgetting completely about what Kain had wanted her to do.
~*~*~*~
Little could be said if Julie resisted the temptation to explore Vorador's mansion; in fact, she absolutely itching to explore her new surroundings. She didn't even have to ask Vorador if she could look around, for it was he that told her to explore to her hearts' content.
And Julie did so; she inspected every inch of every room, taking in all that there was to see. She looked at every single shelf in the immense library, noting that most of her favorite books were there. Julie studied every picture in the many art galleries and found at least ten that she liked the most in each. In the gardens, she had her mind tested as she walked about the large hedge maze, remembering the large maze that she and her mother had always played together in when she was a child.
At the large fountain, she caught herself toying with many of the dead flowers, using her elemental power of water to bring them all back to life. Wherever there was a flower, she brought back its splendor by simply running her hand over them. Once the outside was finished, Julie went once more into the patio, noting that all the plant life was also dead.
'Hmm," she wondered aloud. 'I wonder if Vorador would mind if I brought them back like all the others?" With her decision, Julie held out her hands, palms up, and allowed a clear ball to form in each. With a small smile, she brought her hands together, forming the now softball sized spheres together and blowing it to the very center of the patio. Julie snapped her fingers and without stalling, the large sphere burst, spreading its life giving water to every plant. The patio was now, as it was before, a place of lush plant life. Fragrant flowers filled the air, and Julie noticed that many of the flowers that she grew at home were here. She walked proudly across the patio to an open door in front of her, more than eager to continue exploring. For once in a long time, she thought happily, I can honestly say that I'm happy.
~*~*~*~
Vorador had been watching Julie as she explored his mansion, and he was more than surprised when he saw how she gave life back to many of the plants. He couldn't help but note that she was an extraordinary girl, a girl that possessed powers that he could only dream of having. Never have I seen someone like her, Vorador thought as he smiled slightly, Julie's divine beauty sneaking into his mind. I wonder what she would say if I asked her to stay here with me?
Vorador paused for a brief moment, catching himself thinking about Julie again. It was simple for him to say that he was attracted to this Arithanid princess, but there was another feeling that both surprised and scared him at the same time; he was starting to fall in love with Julie. He shook his head, clearing his mind.
'How could a woman like Julie love me, considering what I am and what I look like?" Vorador caught himself saying. He continued to think about this, feeling more and more worthless until the sounds of a piano playing echoed through the halls. Vorador looked to the sound of the music, seeing that it was the haunting tune of 'Unchained Melody'. He slowly made his way to the parlor where the piano had been sitting for many years, its ivory keys having been untouched. Once outside it, he slowly opened the door, seeing that Julie was right there at the piano, her small and graceful hands gliding across the keys as though she were an expert. He enjoyed the sounds of the music, his large ears moving up slightly as she came to the end of the song, not once missing a single note. Julie caught sight of him briefly, but never once did she stop her playing. She glanced back to the keys, continuing the song until it was complete.
'You didn't have to stop playing," he began, seeing that Julie's hands had dropped to her lap. She looked at him, her cheeks turning slightly pink.
'I couldn't resist not playing it when I saw it," she admitted, touching the keys once more. 'It's been so long since I even bothered to anymore."
'You are very skilled at it," he commented, walking closer to her. She smiled with pride.
'My mother taught me," she whispered, thinking back on the days that her mother would take her into her private music room and teach her how to play different songs, 'Unchained Melody' being the first. But there were other methods of playing without physically using her hands, and Julie was obliged to show off her other skill.
Looking at the keys, she used her mind to make the keys play a much lighter song, one that she had written herself. Vorador watched the keys in amazement, stunned that Julie knew how to manipulate objects with her mind. He glanced to her, seeing that she was beaming with pride at her skill. Without thinking about it, he took her hand in his own, noting that Julie did not shy away from him.
'You truly are one of a kind," he whispered, stroking her hand softly with his claws. Julie did not smile fully, but she did let a small one cross her lips as Vorador touched her face softly. For a moment, she thought that he would kiss her as he leaned forward to her as Julie followed suit. Just as their lips were about to touch, the door to the parlor opened once more.
They pulled away right then, and looked to the door in surprise. Julie couldn't help but cringe inside at what she almost did; she barely knew Vorador and she still almost kissed him! She watched as his ears folded back a little, apparently frustrated that he had been cheated from kissing the beautiful Arithanid behind him.
'I'll be back shortly," he murmured, standing and walking away from Julie. 'Continue your playing, my dear. I'll see who it was that caused the door to open." Julie understood his frustration, and, seeing that the piano was tempting her back, began to play once more. This time, she caught herself playing a familiar tune. Quietly as to not be heard, she began to sing along to it;
Lay your head down
And sleep on my shoulder
Lay your head down
And start a new dream.
And for tonight the moment is over
Drift in a lullaby
Here where the stars reside
And angels are always seen...
She stopped right then, sensing that there was yet another presence in the room. She could feel Vorador far away, but this one…this one was very close to her, and whoever it was, they felt very familiar. Julie's hands stopped, poised over the keys as though frozen there.
'Show yourself, vampire," she called, looking straight ahead. Whoever had been watching her entered the room, closing the door to the parlor. Slowly, Julie turned her head to look at the newcomer. With silent recognition, Julie saw that it was the same vampire that she had met in the Sarafan Stronghold.
'We meet again," she whispered softly, turning to look at him. The vampire said nothing as he stared at her, apparently studying her appearance. Julie couldn't help but stare at him in return.
'So we do," he finally replied, walking slowly to her before stopping only two feet away from her. 'And why is it that you never came to the Pillars?" he asked. Julie stared at him for a minute, slightly puzzled.
'Pillars?" she inquired. The vampire stared hard at her, suddenly realizing what had happened.
'The fledgling Jenna did come here to give you a message, did she not?" he asked. Julie shook her head, not understanding what he meant.
'No. I've not seen her in two days. Was I supposed to hear from her?" she questioned back. The vampire, realizing that Jenna had failed to retrieve Julie, crossed his arms across his chest, suddenly angry with Jenna.
'Why did I even entrust her with this?" he muttered to himself. Julie didn't know what to say as he walked away from her to the window behind Julie. She never broke her stare from him, knowing what he did the last time she had her back to him.
'Did you ever consider the possibility that something came up while she was on her way here?" Julie offered. The vampire glanced to her, his golden eyes regarding her slowly.
'Even if something did," he started slowly. 'Jenna should have known to come straight here and then straight back to me." Julie nodded slowly, drawing her legs to her chest as her red dress draped over the bench.
'You seem to hold her in high expectations," she noted, looking back at the piano keys as she touched them gently. The vampire turned and leaned against the window sill, watching her carefully. She looked back at him, staring him directly in the eyes. This irritated him slightly as he had never seen someone bold enough to stare at him as she was.
'Jenna is one of the last vampires, girl, and she is the last of my clan. I would suggest you choose your words carefully before remarking about my expectations." He managed to say. Julie blinked at him, sensing the arrogance coursing through him.
'Well then, that makes it an entirely different situation, which is why you should consider the possibility of her meeting up with hunters. If she truly has been harmed or killed, or anything of the sort, I'm sure that that is the reason that she has not come." Julie shot back, her voice sounding just as arrogant as his. She seemed to have caught him once more off guard, and he glared at her for what seemed to be hours. She smiled slightly.
'You see? One cannot look at only one side of a coin. You must carefully examine both sides before you finally reach a conclusion. But in the event that you look at the edge, then both outcomes can merge into one." Julie continued. Once more, those yellow eyes widened, seeing that she was speaking of a coin.
'How is it that a girl such as yourself can know about-"
'I have a name, vampire. And I would appreciate it if you called me by it. For the record, my name is Julie Dashara."
'So I have been told. But how is it that you know about the-"
'Choices that you had?" Julie finished. The vampire stared at her. 'In case you are wondering, no, I'm not reading your mind. I'm only seeing what has happened in the past and what will happen in the future." The vampire leaned forward, apparently interested in what she had just said.
'Did you just say that you can see what will happen in the future?" he asked. Julie nodded.
'Yes, but only two minutes into the future. If you are wanting me to read your future, then I'm afraid that I will not oblige, no matter what you say…Lord Kain." she said defiantly. Kain stared at her, still interested in her ability to see in the future.
'What would I, a vampire, have to do to get my future told to me?" he asked. Julie knew that he meant that in different contexts. She stared at him for the longest of times before she finally answered.
'You do realize that I can see what you're thinking at this moment, don't you?" she shot back. 'And I'll have you know that I shall do no such thing with you." Kain was once more in awe; apparently this Arithanid was more powerful than he had expected. Quickly, he dismissed all thoughts from his mind, not wanting her to read anymore than she already had.
'Well then, what will I have to do?" he pressed. Julie rolled her eyes, starting to get more than just annoyed at this vampire.
'Didn't I just tell you that nothing you say will make me tell you?" Julie started, standing finally and facing the vampire lord. He stared back at her, seeing that she was being serious.
'And what if I say otherwise?" he pressed, starting to get a little irritated with this stubborn Arithanid. Julie glared at him, suddenly wishing that she had her guns with her or that Vorador was there to defend her. What?! I don't need my guns or Vorador here, Julie yelled at herself, mentally smacking herself. I can defend myself without a man beside me!
'Then go ahead and do what you please, Kain. I will never tell you. Threaten me, kill me, hurt me, no matter what you do, it will make no difference. My answer will remain the same." Julie said boldly. Kain stared at her, apparently amused that she would dare speak to him in that manner.
'Well, if words won't make you say anything, then maybe this will," he started, grabbing Julie by her hips, raising her to his chest, and crushing her lips to his into a bruising kiss. Her eyes widened as she let out a muffled gasp, her arms coming between her and Kain in an attempt to break free, but he only crushed her into his embrace, his strong arms refusing to let her go.
Who the hell does he think I am? A common wench that can be used as he pleases? I should think not, Julie thought angrily as one of Kain's hands glided to her hair, pulling her even closer. She tried to resist, tried to pull away, but it only made him more aggressive as he forced his tongue past her lips, finding that he liked the taste of her mouth. Julie's head was spinning as she felt herself growing weak before she brought herself back from the brink.
Finally, he drew away, still holding her in his arms. Julie glared at him, her eyes shining brightly.
'I should kill you right here and now!" she cried, feeling her rage boil over. Kain chuckled darkly.
'But you won't." he replied, kissing her once more. Julie's stare hardened as her breathing grew faster.
'Don't be so sure about that, vampire!" she hissed, fighting to get away once more. Kain finally released her, but not without purposefully cutting her shoulder with his claw, pulling her right back to him once the cut began to bleed, not giving Julie a chance to escape from him. As he grabbed her from behind, Julie felt something gentle and soft run across her cut. Her eyes went wide as Julie realized that Kain was taking some of her blood.
'Let go," she whispered, her eyes closing as she tried to control her rage. Kain stopped and nuzzled her neck, sharp teeth snapping closed mere millimeters away from her skin. 'Let go of me, damn you!"
'Damn me?" Kain asked, his amusement poking through his voice. 'But Julie, I am already damned. As are you," he added before his tongue ran across the vein in her neck, his lust for this Arithanid growing stronger. Julie wriggled once more, trying to get away as his fangs purposefully glided across her porcelain skin.
'I am not damned, you bastard!" she growled, fighting all the more as her eyes began to glow into a bright red. Kain saw this and chuckled darkly, his suspicion proving him right.
'Yes you are," he pressed. 'You are half Salx, child, and as a Salx, you have a bloodlust that will only show up when awakened." Julie froze for a minute, looking him dead in the eye.
'How the hell did you know that?" she murmured, trying not to let her surprise show in her eyes. Kain laughed once more.
'Because you just told me," he replied, finally releasing her. Julie sank to the floor, suddenly feeling dizzy as Kain knelt behind her and placed his lips on the wound he had inflicted, sucking some of the blood that had drizzled out. Giving her one last kiss, Kain stood and shifted into mist, engulfing her for a moment, and then disappearing through the window.
This won't be the last that you see of me. I'll be sure to come to you once more, he whispered to her. Julie grasped the bench in one of her hands, trying to stop the lightheadedness that she felt. She could still hear Kain's last words to her, still feel his lips against her. It was then that she realized that she was slightly aroused by his kiss, being that it was the first kiss that she had had since she got out of the Eternal Prison.
But Julie couldn't help but wonder if there was a hidden purpose behind Kain's drinking of her blood. Was he perhaps trying to see for himself what she saw in his future? Or did he want to partake of her powers so that he himself could do the same that she did? Julie heard Vorador calling her name, heard him come to her and raise her up to the bench, sitting her down once more before noticing that she was not herself.
'Julie? Julie, are you alright? Please answer me!" he pleaded, shaking her gently. Julie looked at him, nearly passing out before he caught her.
'Vorador….Kain…was here." she managed to say before she drifted away into darkness.
'Kain? He was here? What did he do? Julie!" he shook her once more, but Julie was already passed out. Vorador furrowed his brow, not sure what Kain was up to. Why do I get the feeling that he wants her as his, he thought, gathering Julie once more in his arms and taking her back to her room.
~*~*~*~
Kain was still questioning himself as to why he had taken some of Julie's blood while he traveled back to his mountain retreat. Her powers had intrigued him, yes, but he kept questioning as to what had drawn him to kiss her. Julie was a captivating girl; any man or vampire could see that, but she was something more. There was just something about her, something about her being different that he couldn't pin down. He had also been feeling a bit…flirtatious, and Kain couldn't help but think that he was starting to become attracted to her.
Before he had gone to her himself, Kain took the liberty of learning a bit more about the Arithanids in a book that he had found in Vorador's library. In the context, he saw that while vampires are sterile, female Arithanids could use the sterile seed and conceive a child. Kain had no desire for a child, nor did he want a wife, but there was something that he craved…
It'd been many years since he felt the warmth of a woman's touch, and he couldn't help but think about what it would be like if Julie was his consort, if she was his fledgling. But then his thoughts drifted to Jenna, Jenna the troublesome girl that she was. Jenna never completed any tasks he gave her, and when she did, it was always late. Julie, on the other hand, was just like him; wise, arrogant, cold, and more. She was powerful as he was, and if Kain did make her his, he trusted that Julie would be the best fledgling, second to Raziel.
'Raziel," he thought aloud, remembering the look in Jenna's eyes when she heard that he was still in Nosgoth. Perhaps Julie had been right about him not looking fully into Jenna's absence. Perhaps Jenna had found Raziel and decided to go with him instead of follow her master's order. Raziel had done nothing, but Jenna…her defiance was unforgivable, and he swore to himself that he would punish her for her transgression. But at the moment, he had too much to think about, and Julie was included in those thoughts…
~*~*~*~
Julie woke moments later, the fog around her subsiding as her vision came once more into focus. She could see that she was once more in Vorador's room, sitting in front of the large fireplace. Julie reveled in its warmth as she looked around her, trying to piece what had happened together.
'Welcome back," Vorador's deep voice rang out. Julie glanced about her once more before her eyes settled on the unmistakable silhouette of the vampire. He seemed genuinely concerned for her as he knelt down to one knee in front of her, taking her hands into his much larger ones. 'Do you feel alright?" he asked worriedly. Julie nodded.
'I…I don't remember what happened," she managed to say, looking around her once more. Vorador squeezed her hands gently.
'It's alright. You don't have to tell me what happened, Julie." he replied. Julie looked to him for a brief moment.
'No, I don't mind. But…would you mind if we walked around while I did?" she asked tentatively.
'Are you sure that you're up to it? You still look a little weak, dear- I mean, Julie." he commented. Julie slightly smiled.
'I'm fine, Vorador," she replied, sensing that he was still wary of what he said to her, and with a gentle hand, she touched his face gently. 'You don't have to call me Julie all the time. You can call me whatever you want." Once she said that, Julie, for once in many years, smiled fully, her eyes shining. Vorador couldn't help but gape at her beautiful face, seeing that she was serious. He smiled in return, raising a hand to touch the one that touched his face. Julie flinched slightly, still not used to being touched in affection or admiration, but otherwise, she remained still.
They looked into each other's eyes for a long moment, Julie's dark browns into Vorador's bright yellow eyes. Once more, she caught herself leaning forward, Vorador following suit as they neared one another, their lips touching for the first time. Julie felt her head spinning as her lips moved against Vorador's, her hands coasting down to his neck, pulling him closer to her as Vorador's long arms went around Julie's waist, pulling her onto the floor with him.
Her heart soared for the first time in a long time as she was held close to Vorador, her lips parting slowly as his tongue slid into her mouth, her own sliding past Vorador's lips to deepen the kiss even more. A small moan slid past her lips as she allowed her hands to travel into his shirt, gently stroking his smooth, muscular back and shoulders.
It was then that Julie made up her mind as to what she really thought about this beautiful, kind vampire that had the heart to take her under his wing. She had been contemplating about it the entire day, and once Julie had finally kissed him, Julie realized that there was only one thing that she thought about him;
She, Julie Dashara, the once cold and unfeeling Arithanid, was in love with the vampire Vorador.
