Need

[Orithyia]

I had noticed but it wasn't my place to inquire about the private matters in one's mind. "I can't blame you. With everything that has gone on since we met..." My thoughts fell away as I remembered the week long threat that wasn't far from thought. I shook my head and kissed his cheek leaning into his touch. "Ask and I will answer." I replied leaving my first sentence unfinished.

We were seated the moment we were seem even thought there was a line of waiting people. "Your table." The hostess waved her hand at the table and gave us a set of menus. "Your server will be here momentarily." I nodded and took the seat that faced the room on habit. I wasn't sure what Jake would be asking and it made me nervous and I slipped into old habits.

 

[musicankane]

We were shown to a nice little table, the entire restaurant had a nice quiet vibe to it that I liked. The menus were slim and to the point. Apparently they had steak here and little else. If you didn't like steak, this wasn't the place you wanted to go. I smirked and looked across at her, then pointed at the menu. "I think I'll have a steak." I teased.

The waitress came over and we ordered drinks then I set the menu before me and smiled across at her. "Althea, you are an amazing woman. You are beautiful, sweet, and have been nothing but nice to me." I reached over and took her hand. "I really really like you. I would love to be with you for all time. Today has been an adventure."

"But you have not been honest with me about who you are." I said leaning back. I shrugged, "You need me to love you, and I want to love you. But how can I fall in love with a lie....or a half truth?" I looked into her eyes, "Who are you Althea?"

 

[Orithyia]

"They have surf and turf, see so that means shrimp and fish and chips." I defended with a smile. He was right though, other then that it was stake and two dished of lamb. If it was more winter there would be a one pot with a little mix of everything with crispy bread. But I was distracted by Jake talking, this sounded like 'it's now, not you' speech and I was grinding me teeth waiting for it.

I hated Mark then. It was his fault he was asking these questions. But even as I cursed the tailor in my mind I knew that one of theses days I would have to explain the history of my life.

"It's a long story." I sighted swirling my glass of water so that the cubes of ice clinked together. "My Father was a twin. A rarity for a people who fought to have one. The fact that both children lived was even more of a miracle." I set the glass down when water spilled from the rim and splashed over my hand. "Back then we were Spartans. Before that Atlanteans." This was a very long story but there were points that needed highlighting before I told it. "My father was the first born but the gentle child, where as my uncle was loud, rash and reckless. They fought their entire life and in the fight was large enough that my father split from Sparta and took those loyal to him. As first born to the King the birthright was his but his brother fought for it and unwilling to kill his younger brother my father gave it to him and left." I stopped there figuring that the rest was obvious. But I realized that it wasn't. So I opened my mouth to fill in from there to now.

"The Greeks feared the 'God given' powers of the Spartans and when my father came to their leaders and King they almost refused him. The woman who stopped him was my mother, the only daughter of the King. She was touched with the 'sight' and gifted by the Fates and she called the halt to my sword that would have 'killed' my father." I was uncomfortable with his history mainly because the legends of the modern world and how this story seemed to clash and mix what they perceived to be right. "Anyways," I sighted picking up my fork to spin on it's tines. "They were soul mates and it was clear to all the moment that my father first saw my mother. They ruled together after the death of her father and they side-by-side fought the many wars and battle that broke upon their doorsteps. But they grew tired of it and appointed my mother's cousin as Queen, a near twin in looks and left to travel the world. Many years later my Uncle died and with it the fall of Sparta."

"When the wars stopped my kind grew and flourished but they had no one to lead them and my Grandfather was nearing his end and was seeking the void. So my father stepped back in." Ah there was so much to explain! "My father rules and governs all of Europe. And parts of Asia. South to Yemen, East to India along the boarder of China and half of Russia the line drawn at Mongolia." I shrugged looking away.

"I never lied to you. I am Althea Methoni from the town I was born in. As my Father's daughter I act as his Judge and am titled from both sides of my family as far back as our blood runs. Mark teases because he is a citizen of the Empress of Africa and a ruler in is own right if he were ever to go home." I let the fork drop to the table with a dull thud. "My Father had powers over the seas and the sky, my Mother over the mind and the twist of luck and I can manipulate time and space. Because of who I was bore to I carry more power in my blood then is normal. No one thought I would find a soul mate because he would have to be able to match me in every way." I told him in what I hoped was a short story that didn't leave much out. "That I found you is as great as the Sea Empire rising again."

Just as I finished my tale the waiter came over and took Jake's order, he already knew what I wanted as confirmed that with "The normal?" And I nodded my head yes and he left to put our orders in. "I didn't mean to be dishonest, if that is what you took it to be, I just had no reason to bring up my family rankings. Telling you how old I am was bad enough." I laughed trying to direct the conversation a different direction.

I was sure now would be the moment that Jake would run. I mean how much could a human take before they broke? So lets make a list; I'm a vampire, I'm 1600 yrs old, I have powers he only thought as fiction, I live in a world of werewolves and that wasn't the only thing, I want to drink his blood and bind him to me because he's my soul-mate and I love him and without him I will never have children and will lose all the beauty of the world and lets not forget that there is another vampire that is after me and will kill Jake in a week if I don't bind him to me and now to top it off I just told him I'm a princess. If that didn't open up a whole new can of worms I don't know what will.

 

[musicankane]

I sat there, listening intently to every word of her story. As the tale went on I found myself able to picture these events occuring as if I was watching a movie in my head. I liked hearing about her past, the tone in her voice told me it was sad events but in truth they really weren't. People were cruel, and in past ages it seemed even harder because there was no due process. The tale made a lot of sense though, and I even thought I remembered some events from history class.

What got me the most though, was the part about her being a Princess. A vampire of almost unequaled power. The kind of power that meant she would never get a mate because noone would be able to match that power level. Except apparently me. But what power did I have? What was special enough about me that I was capable of mating with the vampire who was never supposed to mate. For eternity she was doomed to bare the price of solidtude in return for her power.

Then she found me.

How horrible and wonderful it must have been for her at the same time. I could never imagine the emotions that must have run through her.

The waiter came over and we ordered, or well I ordered and the waiter seemed to know what Althea wanted already. After he was gone I looked down at my hands, fiddling with a napkin then I spoke, "You know as a kid in high school. I mean as a horny teenager in high school, the ultimate desire was to one day fuck a cheerleader. I dreamt about it a lot, that one day I would get to fuck Lindsey, or April from the squad. Be able to lift up their skirts and just drill them under the bleachers."

I looked up at her and smirked, "But I suppose, if I was a common man born in the age of kings and queens and knights of the round table and all that. That same fantasy would have been to fuck a Princess. Take her in a dirty back alley and leave her wanting for my cock."

I reached out and took her hand, "I guess I got to live that fantasy, 1000 years too late."

Then I dropped my smile and became serious. "Thank you for telling me. Althea I know your past might be hard for you to think upon, you can afford to forget about things because you have so much more to look forward too. But I can't know who you really are if you don't share that stuff with me right? The more I learn about you, the more fancinated I become with you. And the luckier I feel that you are mine."

I bit my lower lip and looked down at my hands again, "I think you are without a doubt the most wonderful woman I will ever meet, even if I live forever. I want to fall asleep against you and wake up with you in my arms." I sighed, "The urge for the wonders of being yours, and the urge for a wife and the american dream are somewhat conflicting. I don't know which one I want anymore, but I think I want you. Every fiber in my body has wanted you fromt he moment you entered my life.....umm yesterday I guess. And that's what scares me, I have learned a lot about you, and everything about my world has flipped in a mere 24 hours."

"There is still one thing I need to see from you though. If I am to love you completely, and I am in love with you. I can see that now. I can feel my heart beating for you. But in order to make sure I can commit to that bonding thing. I need to see the worst part of you. I need to see you at your most vampiric, I suppose is the word. You tell me you don't drink blood but that's a lie, you said you hunger for it, that you take some once in a while. I need to see you take some. I need to see you hunt."

 

[Orithyia]

I didn't like hearing that there were women out there that Jake wanted or had wanted and I felt my jealously flare and considered finding these women and weighting them as threats or not. I don't know what I would do if I did see them as threats but it wasn't likely to be good. I looked away knowing that the gold in my eyes swirled and glowed and felt the burning in my fangs to claim him now. The only thing that stopped me from leaving the table now was Jake's smirk and the hand that reached out to me. I knew then at his touch that I would have killed the woman I saw as a threat and I was glad that I hadn't done anything that stupid.

Before I had gained control of my powers I had walked the villages where the dead laid where they were killed. Men, women, children, the young and old the warriors had no care for who their swords claimed just that all were left dead. I had felt the anguish that my father felt and knew every step he told and every thought he had. I was him in a time before my birth and it was the reason for many of my nightmares as a child. I didn't know if this was the stuff he wanted to know and it was hard for me to guess at when everyone was cautious about what was safe to tell or not. The more you told the more things could be used against you. "I will try to share with you the things of my life. Past and present." I promised squeezing his hand gently.

I shook my head. "I never tasted blood from anyone but my parents and you." I hunted but it was a different kind of hunting. I hunted the worse of my kind and was the judge to the most complex of trials. "All blood calls to me but I have never hungered for it like I hunger for yours. The want is always there but to be a Hunter and Judge I can not take from others what is not mine." I tried to explain. Drinking from him was different in a way that we were mad for each other in many ways we were one. He was my anchor to the light and good of the world. But I understand what he was asking for.

"I understand what you are asking for." I sighed. I wanted to shield him from this part of my world but he was right, again, he needed to see this to understand all of me. "I was called a few days ago to return home. I will show you the killer that I can be." When I said the words they were hard. There was a trial claiming a bounded male of being a slayer a killing dozens of humans in the city that they lived in. There was no proof other then the dead bodies and the change in the male but killing him meant loosing his mate and she was with child. Either way the man would be held and the judging could wait but if it was what Jake wanted to see, I would show him.

I saw the waiter bring our food and I nodded in his direction. "After dinner I'll take you to my home and show you all of my world." I was quite as the waiter placed our food before us asking if we needed anything. I said no and he waited for Jake's answer before leaving the table. I cut into my steak and started eating. I didn't want to talk anymore, my mind was heavy with the things that would be coming up and the possible problems that would arise from it.

 

[musicankane]

It was obvious that she didn't like it. But she agreed to it, because she knew it must be done. I wondered what kinds of things I would see in her home, the people I would meet, her father, her mother maybe? I would see a rogue vampire who would be judged by the other vampires of higher function. I was confused as to why she wouldn't want me to see it. Maybe she didn't want to see what the worst of her kind could become, but if she never became that, then why would it matter.

I felt blood thristy for asking it of her. Felt like someone asking to witness death first hand in order to get a cheap thrill. I looked from her to my food and swallowed hard. I would deal with it when I saw it.

I started eating and as I chewed I moaned a little. Mostly because I was trying to lighten the mood that had become like a dark cloud over us. But also because the steak was fucking amazing. I smiled at her and winked, then I scooted over to her in the booth wanting to be closer.

I took another bite and grinned, "Amazing steak." I told her. "Look Althea, I knew there are things you want to forget and things you'd rather just ignore. But you can't hide them from me forever. Don't be so dark about it, we'll go and I'll see shit and then I'll turn to you and give you a big kiss. I might even cop a feel of your ass, then we can go back to America because I still have to do my Dentist thing."

My elbow nudged her, "You still want to be my receptionist? Even though you clearly have more money than I'll ever imagine. I know it isn't as exciting as being a Princess, but at least you'll be with me right? Besides, I may ask you to dress up in something princessy so I can see what it's like to have sex with royalty." I teased.

 

[Orithyia]

As heavy as my mind was Jake was my happiness and I caught myself pushing aside my thoughts to smile with he moaned. He was trying to lighten the mood and I felt guilty for allowing the night to sour into this. I moved into him when I felt him move towards him. Part of me was still mad that he would ask to see a drunk man at his worse but I put it away for the night. What would come next there would be enough dark and heavy to last a life time.

"Yes their stakes are pretty good." Now more then ever I wished he would have eaten the meal I made for him but there would be other times to cook for him and show him my skills. Skills that I added in my mind would make me a good wife. I laughed. "A kiss and an ass grope." I smiled and kissed his cheek. "Expect me to return the favor if you do." I teased turning around my mood.

I guess if he still wanted to be a dentist he could. It was what he had spent his whole life working for and I couldn't blame him for wanting to keep it. But... I hated to think it but I had more then enough money for the both of us to last for as long as we choose to life, wouldn't he rather travel and see the world? Still if he was going to be there I was going to be there. "Of course. I had to go thru that interview and fill out all your papers what would make you think that I wouldn't still want the job?" It meant spending more time with him and getting him farther away from Fionn but in turn that brought us closer to Mac and his pack. I still had that to deal with.

"Something princessy?" I asked with a lift of my eyebrows. "What does that mean?" In my mind I could see him pulling out some Star Wars Princess Leia outfit or even worse some kind of Disney princess thing. "Please tell me it's not Star Wars or Disney and I think I'll be able to handle it." I was laughing and almost in a fit as I saw him dressing opposite in part to what I was wearing.

I coughed, cleared my throat and got control of myself and my laughter. "You know." I whispered. "Many royals in my time walked among their subjects with nothing but the glittering of jewels and gold to cover them. Other then that they were bare for all to see how God-touched they were." I teased back.

 

[musicankane]

I turned to her and tried to picture her wearing nothing but jewels and I shrugged, "I guess you guys must have been cold all the time." I told her with a smirk and a gentle nudge. "Oh don't worry, I'm not a Star Wars guy. I was thinking some kind of elegant dress or something I dunno. It's a fantasy it doesn't mean anything."

I focused on the meal a bit and then glanced I my watch. The face was broken and I took it off. "I have a vampire question for you Althea. Do you actually need sleep? Or can you sleep? I mean I'm starting to feel like I need a really good nap, and if you bond with me are you going to have to stand around or something while I'm passed out?"

I realized then that there was still a lot of vampire lore that I wasn't sure of. I felt bad about sitting there asking her questions that she probably thought were stupid. I figured that if I became her mate, eventually I would just see everything she could do over time. I just couldn't help but ask stuff, I mean this was a creature that I thought only lived in literature and film. Can't blame me for being a little overly curious.

 

[Orithyia]

I had just taken a big bite of stake when he asked me his question. I chewed quickly and swallowed nodding. "Yes I need to sleep. When I'm hurt or stay in the sun too long I get tired and need to rest. Or if I do too much, fight, use my powers or-" I let my eyes drink Jake in from head to toe. "allow my desire to have it's every need." I purred leaning close to him. "I can go longer then a human between the times that I need to rest but that means I'll eat more to make up for the extra use of energy." I took a smaller bite and chewed slowly to get the most of it's flavors. "When we bond you'll still need your sleep but it won't be as often." I used when as if there was no other option in my mind and there wasn't even if in Jake's it was still an if. "As long as we are safe I will always use the chance to lay with you."

I was glad that we had moved from the unappealing parts of my life and moved on to something easier to talk about. I trailed my fingers down his face staring into his eyes. "I wonder what you will gain." I was talking about the powers or abilities he would get when we bonded. It was always exciting to see how a mate fitting into a person's life. I could feel that he would be powerful but how powerful. Would it be all strength and physical might or would his mind sharpen and expand so that powers might form. My fingers followed the curve of his jaw and fell off his chin.

"I like it when you ask me questions. I might not be so happy with having to answer then but I love that you are enough to ask."

 

[musicankane]

I shrugged, "I can't help but feel like some sort of inquisitor, asking all these questions." I sat back and took the last piece of my steak and popped it into my mouth. "I think I'm going to let it be for now, and simply just enjoy spending time with you."

Once I was full I settled against her and a thought occured to me. "Say back in the bedroom, when we had that amazing sex, did you see my pants go into the fire by chance?" I asked looked at her. "I only ask because if my pants burned, so did my wallet and all my credit cards, money and the works."

It was kind of funny when you thought about it. The vampire with endless funds would have to pay the check and I felt bad about it. Call me chivalrous or whatever I always felt that the man should pay for a date. She had already bought me clothes, I had fucked up her Ferrari, and now I couldn't even pay for dinner.

"Maybe you can port us out of her while no one is looking. They'll never catch us." I teased, and shook my head. "Kidding, only kidding."

 

[Orithyia]

I like the sound of that. Just spending time with me. I finished off what was on my plate and relaxed back against Jake. It occurred to me then that this was my first date. I mean there was that time that we had gone to the pool hall but with the way that had ended I couldn't really call it a date.

"I think the tattered remains of your pants are on the floor. Hold on." I pulled away from Jake so that we weren't touching and left his side in the blink of an eye. I was gone for about twenty nine seconds and I was back holding up his wallet. "Here you go. Sorry for not thinking about it beforehand." I handed him his wallet. I could have take Jake with me like he said and just ditched out on the tab but Douglas was a small city and I didn't want even a single missed tab to put hard times on a single person.

"So is there anything that you want to do before we leave?" I was looking forward to Jake meeting my parents but I was more then happy to put off having to work.

 

[musicankane]

I laughed when she blinked back to my side with the wallet. I took it from her and took out money for the bill and set it on the table. "Well I will say this Althea, the 'I forgot my wallet' excuse would never work with you. You'd just teleport and bring the wallet to the guy." I laughed picturing a scumbag trying to pull that trick on his date only to have her disappear and pop back with his wallet going, 'here asshole.' That would ruin anyone's chance at getting some pussy.

I looked at her and put my arm around her shoulders, "I don't think there is anything left to do." I yawned, "I am exhausted though. Can we just zip to your place and go to bed?" I asked her, wondering if she would feel just as good simply snuggling against as she did actually being inside. Stupid thought, since everything about her was amazing.

I thought about saying we should go like planned to her parents place so I could meet a real vampire couple, but I was only human and I was having a problem keeping my eyes open. I yawned again and slumped against her a little, "Jesus it feels like it's been a long day. Good day, but long." I mumbled.

 

[Orithyia]

"I wouldn't be with a guy who tried." Not that I cared. If I was given the 'I don't have my wallet' excuse I would just pay it and leave without the guy and never see him again. I would rather be asked to split or even pay for it then to be conned in such a way.

I was glad to put off home for another day and getting the chance to snuggle with Jake for another night before the horrors of my world scared him from me. I remember what he had told me about a kiss and ass feel but how much could he take? I wasn't sure where his limit was but I was scared that the day was drawing near. "Yes." I simply answered as I held him. He felt so tired and human at the moment as he yawned a slumped against my body.

"Let's go to bed." And with that I left the restaurant and took us to a different bedroom. I wondered if Jake would notice the difference as tired as he was. I had taken us to the house built high on one of the summits of Mount Olympus. This house acted more or less as our ruling house and from here it would be an easy flash to where the trials were being held.

I had teleported us straight into the bed and the room was again lighted by candles that littered level surfaces and the chandelier that hung form the ceiling. "Would you like a change of clothes or can I just undress you and be warmed by your bare skin?"

 

[musicankane]

There was a whoosh and the sensation of incredible speed, then I was in a bed. The room struck me as different right away, because I could smell the cold stone structure around us. She had taken us to different home it seemed, but I would explore it later, I was beat. I yawned against and smirked enough to start to take my shirt off.

"I will never refuse the offer of being naked with you Althea, that's a promise." I told her. I peeled my shirt off and watched her undress for me. She didn't seem tired at all, her eyes watched me with perfect clarity. She was alert and very much aware of everything around us, probably even than I would ever fathom.

Once we were naked, we crawled under the covers and I felt her snuggle against my back, her firm full breasts pressed against my skin. I closed my eyes and was gone.

* * * *

I woke in pitch blackness. I was dressed in a tuxedo but everything around me was black. From the darkness, I heard a voice. "So you are the one to claim the great Althea." I turned toward the voice but couldn't make anything out in the black.

It came again from a different direction. "Such a pathetic human form. You don't deserve her. Greatness is in her blood nad you are little more than an ant in the river of time. You are nothing, you deserve nothing. You know not the world you enter. Go back to your life human. Enjoy what microscopic amount of time you have on this Earth while you still can."

* * * *

I jerked away, my limbs failing and I screamed in panic. Althea wasn't in the bed thankfully or my failing would have smacked her. I sat up and shivered, "What the fuck was that?" I panted.

 

[Orithyia]

I had woken up early and ran into my mother. "Oh good I was looking for you."

My mother stood before me with a knowing smile. "Pants Althea?"

I should have known better. "You're going to make me change before you even talk to me, aren't you." I questioned already knowing the answer.

She smiled and kissed my cheek. "Come I have something for you."

The sigh was loud and it didn't matter. She knew I would cave and I did following her to her room.

A few minutes later I was in a deep royal purple modified chiton dress. It hung from a single band of gold around my shoulders. From there it hung in two drapes that made a failing pass at covering all of my chest to a tie around my hips that gathered and crossed the two strips of fabric so that they could fall as they willed where they gentle brushed and danced over the floor. The resulting effect left my back bare of anything but the band of gold around my shoulders and the purple tie around my hips that the rest of the dress tucked into so it didn't show off my backside.

"So now can we talk?"

"Of course." My mother smiled moving across the room to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I see you have found someone."

"That's part of what I have to talk to you about."

An hour later and we had moved into the kitchen and were laughing so hard that unshed tears made my eye glassy. "I remember that." I clutched at my side and took deep uneven breaths to calm myself. "But aside from the story and to answer your're question, I don't know and I'm not too sure that I want to do what needs to be done." The corners of my mouth turned down and my brows crinkled.

"I'm not worried." My mother patted my hand. "Althea." She almost sighed my name. "Either choice will be hard but it needs to be made but more importantly your father and I will be here for you no matter what."

There was comfort in knowing that I wouldn't lose them, but- "I'm not arguing it's just that-" A cry from Jake cut me off. "I have to go." While she didn't hear the scream she saw the concern and fear in my face and guessed at it's source. "If you see father before me tell him, ah, well tell him I'm home." And without delay I ran to my room.

"Jake!" The free hanging material of my dress swirled around me and my hair that my mother had braided in a complex pattern down my back hung loose and threatened to come apart. "Are you okay?" I crossed quickly to the bed and sat down reaching for him the moment that I was close enough to touch him. "What happened?" I scanned the room for danger but saw nothing.

 

[musicankane]

I blinked and looked up at the sound of the door opening. Althea was there, rushing to my side like a mother after a child who had cried out in the night. Concern crossed her face as she looked me over. I looked up at her and struggled for a moment to swallow. The dark images of the dream still beat against the backdrop in my mind.

"I," I panted, "It was nothing...Just a dream. A fucking crazy dream. I saw another.... I guess it was another vampire. He told me," I looked up and met her eyes, "He told me to stay away from you, to give it up because I don't deserve your attention."

I sighed and slumped back on the bed and shook my head. "I guess I'm awake now." I said, rubbing my eyes. I was begining to see just how special Althea really was, people were fighting to keep me from her. Mac, this other vampire, who knew who else, all trying to pull her away from me. And for the first time since this all began I was starting to realize how much I didn't want to let her go. I wanted her right by my side everyday and every night.

I took her hand and smiled, "I don't want to go though. I don't want to stay away from you. Stupid dreams can't tell me what to do." I told her and pulled her fingers to my lips, her soft skin felt great in my hand. I kissed her fingers and smiled, "Should I get dressed before I meet your family?"

 

[Orithyia]

I was glad that it was just a dream but it bothered me that he dreamed of one of my kind. There were some out there that could dream walk and it chilled me to think that someone had gotten such a strong hold on him. I didn't want to worry him with the possibility, more then likely it was just your normal run of the mill nightmare with none of the otherworldly could be's.

There wasn't sweeter words then what came out of his mouth. "Oh Jake." I smiled and my heart bloomed in my chest with warmth and the feeling of love. "I wouldn't let anyone keep us apart." And then I thought of Fionn and his threat and how I had been thinking of walking away from him to keep him safe. I frowned, did I just lie to him? I didn't think so but if it was a choice between my life and his I would gladly give up mine to save his. I have lived a long life and I would make sure that Jake would get to see the end of his with or without me.

The light kisses on my fingertips called me back from my thoughts and I stared at his naked body. He would have to dress before seeing my parents but it didn't have to be now, did it? I returned his smile. I pulled my hand from his and crawled onto the bed to his side. I fitted my body against his and leaned over to kiss his lips softly. "I don't see why you would have to get dressed now." My hand trailed patterns on his chest, circling around his nipple and down to his naval. "No one is waiting for us so there's no reason to rush." I whispered my lips finding his again as my hand moved to gently cover his privates.

 

[musicankane]

It was in that moment that I was the most relaxed. Althea lay over me and I was embraced by her body, and her gentle lips pressed against mine. Her touch was so gentle and pleasing with me, her hand held over my crotch stroking me. It was exciting to know that this gentle touch could also be so powerful if she wished it. Althea was a creature that any sane man should fear, but I knew that would do everything in that great power within her to keep me safe.

Yet the vampire that had entered my dreams terrified me. What would happen if he got ahold of me for real? It would only be a matter of time, a brief moment in which Althea was caught off guard and the vampire would have me. I cursed my fragile human body then.

My hands came up and stroked through her hair. "Althea, if something happens to me. I want you to know that I have enjoyed the time I have gotten to spend with you. I wouldn't trade the things you have shown me for anything else in the world." I told her softly, kissing her deeply.

 

[Orithyia]

My body was warming to Jake, my heart quickening in excitement of what I thought was coming. But when he spoke I stilled. 'If something happens to him.' My hand pulled back from him and I leaned my body away. "Nothing is going to happen to you." I talked over him. I didn't want him to say these things. I didn't want him to say more but yet I heard what he was saying and it was like cold steel plunged into my gut.

I turned away from the kiss and say up. There was something wrong. There had to be. You didn't say things like that without reason. "No." I said flatly refusing and rejecting his words. "Nothing will happen to you, I give my life to that promise." I said strongly. I didn't feel the warm or glowing tingle in my body anymore. His words made me scared and I had turned into the predator that I was bore to be. I threw out my senses seeking the dangers that make Jake say these things. "Our time is not up and for as long as I am alive you will be too." I promised. How did he not see that? How did he not understand that his life was more important then my own. "And there will be no treading of anything for what we have shared." I heard my father in my tone and I stood up from the bed. I wasn't in the mood fear still clutched at me and feeling nothing that could be a danger to him just put me on edge more.

"Come." I said my voice softer as I held out my hand for him. I was going to bring him before my parents and see how that went. "Mark sent over some clothes that he made for you." I pointed to a large bundle wrapped in heavy brown paper and tied with twine sitting on a chest against the wall nearest to the bathroom. "I'm not sure what in it but he assured me that you would like it."

As much as I tried to be calm and easy my mind was whirling. I had a feeling Fionn had something to do with Jake's words but I didn't feel him and there was no way that I could prove that. Six days left. My heart both melted and steeled at the thought. One way or the other something big was going to happen and I prayed that it would be in my favor.

 

[musicankane]

I didn't like the fact that I had kind of ruined the mood with what I had said, but I wanted her to know how I felt. Love was such a strong word for a feeling about a person I had just truly met. Time was moving in a strange way around her, but h I was still pretty sure it was only Sunday after meeting her two days ago. Yet with all that I had learned, all that she had revealed to me, I couldn't help but have feelings for her.

I sat up and slid from the bed, looking at the bag of clothing and I nodded. "Alright, cool." Thankfully it was comfortable looking clothing inside the bag. I pulled on a pair of black slacks that fit loose pretty much everywhere, which was great. Yet they fit nicely around the waist so there was no droop. I pulled on a flat dark blue shirt made of a very soft fabric and turned back toward Althea. "I guess it is time for me to meet the folks."

* * * *

Darius Methoni had ruled his territory for centuries. There were many things he was on the look out for at all times. There were things he was to be mindful of and fearful for, especially his daughter. Poor Althea had not found her soulmate in such a long time, that it worried him. When the news reached his ears that Althea had found the one, Darius was relieved.

The past few years he had seen a decline in his daughter's demeanor. She was loosing the pleasant cheerful heart that beat within her eternally. She was becoming short with people, and even gotten in trouble with unlucky humans on more than one occasion. It was hard to spend eternity alone, and in this Darius was powerless to help his daughter.

Finding a soulmate was something that couldn't be forced. It just had to happen, and it made Darius sad that his daughter must ride the wave of time alone.

The door opened and Darius couldn't help but smile as his daughter walked into the chamber for the first time in as long as he could remember with a smile on her face. "Althea my dearest daughter."

 

[Orithyia]

It didn't seem to matter what he wore, everything looked good on him and I drank in the sight of him. It was true that Mark could make clothes that would make most anyone look great but it was Jake in them that did it for me. Hearing Jake speak and realizing that I was staring I shook my head and nodded. "Just remember," I smiled trying at a joke. "They don't bite."

As much as I missed my Father and wanted to run into his arms like a child the want to be by Jake's side was stronger. "Father." Just seeing him made me feel safe and warm and I smiled with my heart. When we were close enough that it wasn't a matter of leave Jake's side I gave my Father a large hug. "I've missed you." I whispered to him stepping back. I had been avoiding home for that last handful of years. As much as I love my Mother and Father seeing them in love after so many years, being around them just hurt. I had wanted that so badly but I refused to show how much it hurt to be alone, how much the wronging sadness in me tainted and shadowed everything in my life. But now that I had Jake I didn't look at their relationship with cold almost bitter longing but understanding. "Father let me introduce to you, Jake Dawson." I reached for Jake's left hand as I introduced him without even realizing it and laced my fingers in his. "Jake Dawson, my Father, Darius Methoni." I stood proud and pleased at being able to introduce the two of them, but where was my- and just as I thought is she walked in. "My Mother Hemera." I finished as she walked past me with a knowing smile to stand beside my Father.

"Jake Dawson." My mother took in her song like voice. "A pleasure to meet you." Fabric swirled around her as if on it's own air as she moved to give him a hug and to kiss his cheeks. I had already stepped aside, releasing his hand knowing what she was going to do. "It took you a while didn't it." She smile pleasantly stepping back to my Father.

I wanted to sigh and shake my head. Of course I told her the hardships of our bonding and the threat on his life but I had censored it in a way so that when she repeated it word for word to my father he wouldn't get ahead of himself and call for blood as the protective man that he is. But that didn't matter because my mother could guess at the full story and when her eyes flicked to me for just a second I saw worry, sadness and an endless amount of hope. In my mind the worse was yet to come. Tonight Jake would see the monster that I am and that, because nothing else had yet to, would be the thing to drive him away in fear of me. The remembrance of why we were here soured the meeting and I turned my head away to hide my feelings.

 

[musicankane]

Darius had never seen his daughter so happy. Though through that happiness, he could see the air of nervousness in her. A tension as if she expected her mate to be taken away from her at any moment. Darius shook hands with the man and gave him his best smile. This was going to be a very big night for him, a night for him to truly see what a vampire was all about. The last thing Darius wanted to do was set him at anymore unease.

"It has been a long time coming for this moment Jake. We've waited a long time for Althea to meet someone who can make her blood sing. It is truly a miracle to have you here." He told him.

* * * *

Althea's parents where not normal people. Even I could tell that they were something far more than they seemed. Something about them hinted at incredible age, like they were from another world. Still they smiled and did their best to move casually around me. I wonder how afraid they were of scaring me away. The tension in the room, the way they seemed to be walking on eggshells told me a lot more than I thought it would.

The importance I held for Althea's life. The very fate of her eternity rest on my shoulders. I don't know if I liked that kind of pressure. I looked at Althea, took in her beauty, that pristine illusion that covered a wonderful person underneath. Though even under that, there was something I have yet to see.

The vampire.

I took a deep breath. "Well so far I have met four vampires that I know of. Only one of which wants me dead. So three outta four aint bad." I said.

I shook my head and waved, "It's great meeting you guys. The two of you feel more like gods than anything else. My skin in all goosebumps. So I think I need to see what I am here to see, so I can knowing everything about this world I'm looking to step into. I've seen the shallow end of the pool. Let's see the deep end."