Thank you so much Lynn for the fantastic pic of the girls!
As Catherine started to speak Mick looked up at her. Disbelief spread across his face as he heard her words and watched Ben jump to his feet. It was almost like slow motion then; the look of incredulous denial for a moment on his face, the glass slipping out of his hand as he stared at his mother and then Mick who quickly looked down, humiliated that it had all came out in that manner.
Josef’s only reaction was a slight raise of his eyebrows; it hadn’t surprised him much because Cat was always direct. She knew her son better than anyone else here and since this was how she choose to tell him it must be the correct way to do it. Still, the room’s awkward stillness brought an engaging smirk to his face. He really did love awkward.
Cat knew that she had just turned Ben’s world upside down, but she also knew that trying to approach the subject in a more delicate manner would only have pissed Ben off. He was just as direct as she was, one of the strong characteristics he’d gotten from her and she knew that he’d begin to process it quickly. And have questions…
To the vamps in the room the sound of Ben’s heartbeat was pounding like tympani and Beth immediately started sending him calming thoughts, reminding him to breathe and to sit down. She could only hope it would work.
He looked around the room, at each of the people who were all staring at him, except for Mick who was looking down, a horrified grimace displayed across his face. His grandfather? A vampire? It was true, it had to be because his mom wasn’t joking about it all. But how the hell could she sit there so complacently? She hated her father and here they were having dinner with him. With vampires?
Didn’t vampires eat people for dinner? Or blood anyway? Vampires, third-rate horror icons existed? He sucked in a couple of deep breaths and began to feel a bit calmer and his jumbled thoughts started to take a more coherent form.
Cat reached down and picked up the ice cubes that lay on the Aubusson rug that was undoubtedly several hundred years ago. Josef rose from his seat and took the glass from Catherine, both of them glad that all that had been left in the glass was the ice cubes. Nothing that his staff couldn’t handle later.
Ben didn’t know what was more shocking; the fact that Mick was his grandfather or how that was possible. He decided to start with the latter part of that thought and see where that went.
“Vampires? For real? How is that possible?”
It was Josef who answered, instead of Mick. As Ben listened to his answer the same thought crossed his mind whenever he was around the man - there was something about his voice that puzzled him.
“Ben, vampires have existed for thousands of years. We exist among humans and hide in plain sight.”
“How? Don’t you kill people for their blood?”
“Well, we have to have blood to exist, true. We generally get it from donors, or blood banks or even the morgue.” Josef cast a strange look at Mick as he spoke the last word.
“Donors? People actually just give you their blood?”
“Not give; we buy it. A simple business transaction.”
Ben looked at his mother, suddenly curious about her knowledge of it all. “How do you know about all of this?”
“Molly worked for Josef when we were in college. I got to know Josef back then,” she told him, smiling at him reassuringly.
“Aunt Molly? Sold blood to vampires? To him?” he asked, skewering Josef with a scathing look. “How old are you anyway?”
“I was born in 1599,” he said, watching shock spread over Ben’s face. “Some vamps are older than me, some younger, like Mick.” Josef knew that Mick was dreading talking about it but sometimes it was better to just get it over with.
Ben’s piercing gaze focused on Mick then. “So, you were actually born in 1922?”
The sharp words were directed at him and Mick looked up, his face a wash of sorrow. He hated that it was all coming out like this, that there had been no time to make the knowledge of vampires a bit smoother for Ben. The man who was staring at him with hostility was his grandson and he knew that they would never share any type of familial relationship, it was apparent on Ben’s face.
“Yes, I was. The night that I married Coraline Duvall she turned me into a vampire. I had no knowledge that they even existed before then. After she turned me we just disappeared because I couldn’t go back to my family.”
“Coraline Duvall, the woman you left my grandmother for, made you into a vampire and you had no idea of what she was? My grandmother who was pregnant I might add.”
“Coraline had never told me. I want to tell you that I loved your grandmother Ben; Coraline, well I wasn’t really in my right mind when I married her.”
“Ben,” Beth spoke up for the first time, “What Mick isn’t telling you is that vampires have a gift, or power called allure. They can make humans do what they want them to do and the human never realizes it. Some vampires are really good at it and others not as much. Coraline was very skilled at using allure.”
“So she just mesmerized you and you just did what she said to do?” He accused Mick; his words were said derisively because he obviously didn’t believe it.
“I know you find it hard to believe Ben, but it’s true,” Beth said. She focused on him and said, “Ben, why don’t you walk around the couch three times and then take your shoes off?”
Ben rose from the couch and said, “I’m sorry, I just don’t buy it. Maybe the Amazing Kreskin can do that, but I don’t believe that vampires can control people like that.” He finished his third turn around the couch and sat down before taking his shoes off.
Josef, Cat and Mick all watched as he’d done exactly what Beth had suggested. It was a bit eye-opening to all of them. She was excellent at the skill and Ben had no clue what he’d done.
Cat said, “Ben, what are you doing?” looking at his feet.
He looked down, clearly puzzled. “What the hell? I don’t know why I did that.” He slipped his shoes back on, embarrassed about it all.
“You did exactly what I told you to do Ben; walk around the couch three times and then take your shoes off.”
Beth looked at him kindly and it suddenly occurred that she too was a vampire. He felt a shiver crawl up his spine as her instructions came slowly back into his mind. “You? You’re one too?” He knew she must be and what had just happened had shaken him to the core. If it was that powerful, it could be true, about Coraline Duvall.
“Yes Ben. I was turned the night before we went to Seattle and I quit my job. I was attacked on the beach and Mick turned me, to save me.”
“This - I, I need to think. Mother, I need to get out of here.”
She nodded, knowing it was probably for the best. “Okay. Benjamin, there is one more thing about all this; you cannot tell anyone, ever. Keeping this secret is the most important thing you’ll ever do. Can you imagine the panic that would spread across the world if everyone knew?”
That much he got, for damn sure. He thought about it all the way home in fact. Chaos, that’s exactly what would happen if others knew. He’d keep the damn secret, he didn’t have a choice.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Beth looked in the mirror as she put her earrings on and then tried to pull her hair out of the way so she could fasten the matching necklace into place. She loved her hair but sometimes she just wanted to cut it off.
Mick stepped into the room as she struggled and grinned at her, taking the necklace from her and murmured, “Let me.” His nimble fingers had the catch fastened in no time and he leaned down and placed a quick kiss on her neck and met her eyes in the mirror. “You are beautiful Beth. You sure you really want to go to the club?”
“Forget it St. John, I’m going. Girls night, remember?” As his face changed she watched uncertainty wash over it. “It will be fine Mick; we’ve done this dozens of times. We’re not there to pick up men you know.”
He sighed and lightly pinched the bridge of his nose. “I know that Beth but I can’t say that I have that much confidence in the guys who will be there,” he answered honestly.
Beth turned in his arms and pulled his head down to kiss him softly. “You’re the only guy for me, you know that. And Mick, I am a vampire now; I can handle whatever happens.”
After seeing her display the night before with Ben he could well believe that but still, in his day men were meant to watch over their women. This would be a true test for him. He couldn’t imagine why Kevin would even suggest this.
They both heard the knock on the door; both had been so preoccupied that they hadn’t heard the elevator. They walked down the stairs hand in hand and opened the door, welcoming Robbi and Kevin.
Kevin was going to hang out with Mick for the evening and both men were actually looking forward to the opportunity to get to know one another a bit more. Beth hugged them both and the sight of the girls together caused Kevin to let out a low whistle.
“Whoa, you two are going to rock that club tonight! Wow!” he said, appreciation showing in his smile.
“Thank you,” Beth said with a laugh. “Just don’t say that too much; Mick is a bit uncomfortable about this.”
If he could have blushed he would have; he wanted to vehemently deny it but then he just laughed because there was no way he could deny it. “Yeah, well…”
“Lani is meeting us there; she’s driving in from the beach house,” Robbi said. “So, I guess we’re ready!” Her quick laugh expressed her excitement and Beth joined in.
“Okay, let’s go then.” She leaned up and kissed Mick one last time while Robbi did the same with Kevin. In vamp tones she said, “It will be okay Mick. I love you.”
He nodded and as the door closed he stared at it for a moment and then turned around to find Kevin watching him curiously.
“You really are uncomfortable with this. Sorry Mick, since I suggested it. But the girls have gone dancing lots of times, they just hang out together and never even pay attention to the guys.”
“How do you know that Kevin?”
Kevin grinned and said, “I never said that I hadn’t checked it out in the past. I trust the girls completely - it’s all the horny guys that I don’t trust!”
“Yeah, my thoughts exactly.”
“Beth’s a vampire now; Robbi said she can do all sorts of things. They’ll be fine.”
“Some things could get her in trouble if she did them. She’s not experienced enough in the vamp world to know when or how to pull her punches, so to speak.”
“So, we give them like a 15 minute lead and then follow?” Kevin laughed.
“Fifteen minutes it is.”
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Ryan was on watch duty this evening. He didn’t mind the club scene and he watched as Lani waited at the door for her friends to show up. It wasn’t a long wait and all three women were waved in by a very appreciative doorman. Al Chiaro was a popular dance club but it was only 8:00, still early for the partying crowd which is why the girls came so early.
Just as Ryan was ready to head in his phone rang; he grimaced when he saw it was Josef, probably wanting an update on what was going on.
“Hey Josef.”
“I’m going to be watching her tonight Ryan. You can stand down.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Are you questioning me?” Josef was a bit amazed; his head of security never did that.
“No, but it’s a club; loud, crowded, all that. Not your scene Josef.”
“I’ll manage. I’ll be there in about 15 minutes.”
Ryan heard the line go click and shrugged. Whatever the boss wanted he decided. He was standing by the hood of his car when a familiar car pulled in; St. John’s old Benz rolled to a stop in a parking space and he and another guy got out, heading for the door. Ryan watched as they spoke to the doorman briefly and then were admitted. So Josef wasn’t the only one who wanted to keep an eye on the ladies! Glad he didn’t have a girl to worry about, Ryan waited patiently for Josef to arrive.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
The girls found a table on the lower dance floor and all of them ordered club soda, with lime twists. They all knew from past experience that dancing was sweaty work and they wanted to be prepared. Besides, they weren’t in college anymore and hangovers weren’t as cool as they used to be. Well, they’d never been cool but they were a sort of badge of honor on the college scene.
“This place is amazing,” Lani said as she scooped it out. Al Chiaro meant ‘Full Moon’ in Italian and the décor fitted the name. Full, bright moons decorated the walls along with neon signs for alcohol of all types. The music was just starting, the DJ spinning some techno pop and all the girls headed out to the floor and danced, losing themselves in the beat and laughed as they all realized how out of practice they were.
Mick and Kevin found them dancing and paused for a moment as the girls laughed as Lani was showing them a new dance step. They headed up the stairs and found a seat between a full moon and a bright neon palm tree. Kevin ordered a beer and Mick a scotch and watched the floor below them.
Beth knew immediately when the men walked in and she shared the news with Lani and Robbi.
“Do we let them sit up there and stew or do we go and get them?” Robbi laughed. “You know Kevin used to follow us sometimes in the past?”
“Yeah and it’s not surprising that Mick is here now,” Beth said. “Let them sit there - this is girls night!”
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Josef pulled into the parking lot at Al Chiaro in a very nondescript black Lexus sedan and Ryan had to suppress a grin. That was Josef’s idea of being incognito but here in this parking lot, it definitely looked out of place amongst the younger sets Toyota’s and Chevy’s. As he climbed out Ryan offered a, “Hello, boss.”
“Ryan,” Josef said with a nod. “Everything quiet so far?”
“Oh yeah. And uh, you should know that Mick and another guy got here a little bit after the ladies.” He nodded to the green Benz sitting on the back row of the parking lot. He also saw Lani’s Maserati and thought it stuck out like a sore thumb.
Ryan looked Josef up and down and smiled. As usual Josef was dressed in Armani; a gray wool pinstripe and a steel gray shirt, silk tie and Gucci loafers. Josef’s idea of casual actually, but not the usual club attire. “Uh Josef, you’re kind of over-dressed for this place.”
Josef took in Ryan’s black slacks and cobalt blue shirt, no tie. “I’m sure they must have a dress code.”
“Probably…” Ryan murmured, thinking that it likely didn’t include Armani. “Yeah, well, you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes. You can go now.” Josef abruptly turned around and headed for the door. The clubbers were beginning to form a line now but he didn’t head for the queue; instead he headed for the doorman himself.
The doorman looked at Josef and pointed to the back of the line, “Back there dude!”
“Dude? I am not a ‘dude’. Let me through.”
“Back of the line and I’m only going to tell you this once.” The bouncer didn’t know who this guy was but he obviously thought he was someone special, but then this was LA and half the city thought that. As if he was going to get in anyway, dressing like that! This was a dance club, not a board meeting.
Josef looked around him; the crowd was beginning to stir and he could hear nasty comments about line cutting and such. Discretion being the better part of valor he moved to the end of the line and waited his turn and discovered it was moving fairly quickly to his relief.
When he got to the head of the line he tried to step through the gate and the doorman held his arm out, baring the way. “Sorry buddy, no can do.”
“Excuse me?” Josef asked.
The people behind him were grumbling again and telling him to move. The doorman looked him up and down. “There is a dress code here and it doesn’t include cheap knock off suits.”
“Cheap knock off suits? You mean like this Armani? The suit that cost more than you’ll make in 6 months?”
“Yeah, well it looks like you’re heading to a funeral, not the club. Move on now before I have to get nasty.”
The jerk thought he had the advantage; he was at least 6’3 and 225 lbs. A big guy to be sure and enhanced muscles helped to make him look intimidating; it would probably work, if Josef wasn’t a vampire.
Josef stepped closer and whispered into his ear, “I’m done playing with you.” He pulled his head back far enough and the Brawny Man saw silver eyes and sharp, pointy fangs.
Oh shit, one of those!
“Uh, sure. Sorry…didn’t realize. Go on in. Sir…”
“Thank you. Have a nice evening,” Josef said, grinning broadly as he stepped through the gate. Inside he paid his cover and headed into what could only be described as a swirling pit of hell. Loud, raucous people and even louder music, over-laid with the scents of too much perfume and cologne and sweaty bodies. Great, just fucking great he muttered.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
The girls were taking a break at their table and sipping water when Lani stiffened. “Josef is here.”
“Are you sure?” Beth asked, looking around the club. There were a few other vamps here she knew because she could scent them but she didn’t catch Josef’s scent anywhere.
“Yes, I’m positive. I don’t know how I always know, but I do. If I go and talk to Mick do you think he’ll ask Josef to go home?”
“Maybe, but he’ll hate getting caught himself.” Beth shrugged, realizing how uncomfortable Lani suddenly was. “Go ahead. He and Kevin are that way, between a full moon and a palm tree,” Beth said, nodding towards the right and up the stairs.
Lani walked to one of the staircases and hoped that wherever Josef was he couldn’t see her. She found Mick and Kevin exactly where Beth had indicated and was amazed by it. Lani could sense Josef, but she couldn’t tell where in the heck he was. She circled around the people standing at the railing watching the dancers and came up behind them, causing Kevin to jump when she laughed.
Mick looked at her, his face looking a bit sheepish at being caught. Kevin couldn’t stop laughing and said, “Hey Lani. You look great tonight!”
Her eyes narrowed for a moment at his attempt to distract her and then she laughed too. “Thanks, Kevin. As if you haven’t stalked us at the club before.”
It was Kevin’s turn to look embarrassed and Mick rolled his eyes in irritation. His vamp senses hadn’t even picked her up. Too many people and other vamps around also were distracting.
“Mick, Josef is here.”
He should have known; after all, it was what he was doing. “And you want me to find him and send him home?”
“Yes, please,” she answered. “I - I just feel a bit uncomfortable. We’re having dinner tomorrow night, but tonight, I just don’t want to deal with it. Please?” she asked again.
“Alright, I’ll get him out of here. And tell Beth there are other vamps here so she needs to stay alert.”
Lani nodded and said, “Yes, she knows. But I’ll tell her anyway.” She smiled brilliantly at him and then headed back downstairs.
“You want company?” Kevin asked as Mick stood up.
“No, it will go better if I handle it alone. He’s going to be pissed.”
Kevin nodded and took a sip of his beer, prepared to wait it out.
Mick scented the air, trying to locate Josef. He circled the back of the crowds, his senses on alert and he finally spotted Josef, holding a scotch tightly but not drinking. He looked uncomfortable as he tried hard to blend in with the crowd but dressed like that Mick knew he stuck out like a sore thumb.
“Josef,” Mick said and watched as Josef’s fingers tightened alarmingly on the glass. Mick pried it out of his fingers and added, “What are you doing here?”
“Same as you I imagine.”
“You’re obsessed, you know that, right?”
“Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black, Mick? I seem to recall…”
“Okay, fine. It’s just, this isn’t like you. And you could maybe use a few pointers. She knows that you’re stalking her you know.”
“She knows?”
“Yes, she just came and asked me to talk to you. Go home, Josef, she’s fine. Kevin and I aren’t going anywhere.”
“There are other vamps here,” Josef said stubbornly.
“And Beth knows that. Look, they’re just dancing and having a good time. It will be fine, I promise you. I have this one brother,” Mick added softly, meeting Josef’s brown eyes.
Josef looked at Mick, and finally nodded. “Damn music is too loud anyway. How the hell does anyone enjoy this?”
“I don’t know. It’s terrible,” Mick laughed. He touched Josef on the shoulder briefly and added, “I won’t let anything happen to her, I promise. Don’t blow this Josef, you’re really close to getting it all worked out.”
Josef picked up the tumbler of scotch and downed it with a grimace. “They said this was the best they had.”
“Yeah, well, it probably was. I don’t think anyone is here for the drinks.”
Josef nodded and slipped into the crowd. As he got outside and walked to the car, it suddenly occurred to him to wonder how Lani knew he was there. She must have saw him he guessed. Not a very good stalker are you Kostan, he laughed wryly.
Inside, Mick was wondering the same thing as he made his way back to Kevin. He wasn’t at the table and Mick finally spotted him at the railing, a dark frown marring his face. “What’s going on?”
“Some asshole is getting his freak on, or trying to with Robbi.” Mick saw the guy trying to grind his hips against Robbi’s. She stepped away and said something to him but the guy only grinned and kept moving closer. Then, Mick saw the look of concentration on Beth’s face and knew that it was going to be okay.
“Beth has this one,” he said with a grin.
“What the hell do you mean?”
“I don’t know for sure, but look at her face. It probably ain’t gonna be pretty.”
Both men watched as suddenly the guy stepped back and started to do the robot dance, his body and limbs jerking in imitation of how a robot moves. He realized what he was doing and stopped for a moment as the people around him started laughing. He waited for a moment and then started dancing again but the only dance he could do was the robot. All three girls joined in the laughter and the guy finally retreated, swallowed up by the crowd.
“I don’t know what the hell you did but that was cool Beth,” Lani laughed.
“Yeah, it was. You know what? This is the best evening we’ve ever had I think,” Robbi said.
“Best evening? No way! Beach party, 1999. Dancing under the stars to Every Morning!
“You mean drunk and dancing,” Beth added.
All three girls started singing the Sugar Ray tune, Every morning there’s a halo hanging from the corner of my girlfriends four post bed…
“Yeah, well drunk or not drunk, I don’t know what I’d do without the two of you,” Lani stated, hugging both girls. “Sisters forever!”
The cry was echoed by Robbi and Beth. The wall was down and the seas looked like smooth sailing ahead. Life was good.
To be continued…
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