The Darkness Comes (closed)

[heartofcourage]

The house was quiet as Rosie stepped from the upstairs bath and moved down the hallway. He would be there very soon and she was running late as usual. Another client had taken his sweet time earlier, leaving her with little time to bathe and dress before he arrived. The other girls that lived there were otherwise occupied, out on the town or simply resting. She would have joined them, save for the appointment that she never missed.

Closing the door to her bedroom behind her, Rosie quickly moved to her mirror. Looking back at her was a beautiful woman, one that had seen and done many things in her life. At 24, she was still young but she felt old. Her long red curls were pulled back in a becoming style, her bright blue eyes lighting with a bit of excitement. At her throat, a gold rose pendant flashed in the light. She had worn it ever since the day he had given it to her. It was a precious object, one that she treasured dearly.

She had first met him a few months ago. She had no idea what she was getting into with a man like him, but she was happy that she had someone she could count on now. He came for her once a week like clockwork. They would laugh, have a good time, sometimes find passion, but mostly they would talk. She had never met a man like him before who simply wanted to talk with her.

Her favorite rose perfume was placed behind each ear as she made sure that there wasn't a single thing out of place. She demanded perfection of herself, even if he did not. It was part of her life as a high priced prostitute. She was to create an image that was pleasing and would bring the highest price. With him though...none of that seemed to matter.

"A moment, please." Rosie called out in her soft voice as a knock sounded at her door.

A dab of perfume on her wrists and she was soon turning to open the door, smiling as she caught sight of just the man she was thinking about.

Rose "Rosie" Burton: http://data.whicdn.com/images/7361833/large.jpg

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

Edward Delano walked briskly, his shoes tapping a rhythm against the cobblestone streets as he made his way towards Rosie’s place of residence. He checked his pocket watch, he was running late, as much as he held himself aloof from the rest of humanity Rosie was another story. He valued her companionship and very much enjoyed the time they spent together, though he was always careful about letting her know the full extent of his history.

He drew up to the door and knocked once, wiping a drop of blood from his lip. He always fed before seeing her, he hated to talk to her while hungry, it distracted him, and she was one who deserved his full attention. His last little morsel had been a rapist further down the street, he loved to taste fear in those who instilled it.

“a moment please”

He heard her voice, soft and clear behind the door. A moment passed and he was greeted again with Rosie’s smile, a light in the darkness of his long existence, all 500 years of it. He returned the smile , bowing slightly, his voice deep and melodious.

“Ah Rosie, it is always a pleasure to see you”, He looked up, his pale blue eyes glowing slightly despite the darkness. “May I”? he gestured inside.

http://i.imgur.com/oyuqS6A.jpg

 

[heartofcourage]

"Of course." Rosie murmured as she stepped aside to let Edward into the home. "If you would give me a few more moments, I'll be ready to go. Wherever you would like to take me this evening."

She gave him a smile as she moved past him to finish with the last few touches before they could leave. Edward was always surprising her, taking her places that she had never been before or simply enjoying simple things like walks along the river. The city was normally quiet that time of evening and it was like they were the only two in the world.

"I know you had mentioned the opera last time, but perhaps we could do something much...quieter." She murmured, glancing over her shoulder at him as she placed a few more pins in her hair. "I don't know about you, but I don't know if I have it in me to try and follow a story tonight. Much less one in Italian or French."

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

"I know you had mentioned the opera last time, but perhaps we could do something much...quieter".........

As she spoke he chuckled, then once she had finished replied “I assure you Rosie tonight will be something much more suited to your language”.

He quickly checked his watch then glided silently over to her, of course she didn’t see him in the mirror and he gave her a small fright as his hands touched her hips. “The carriage will be arriving soon, if you are prepared we can depart to somewhere much more…...quiet”.

He drew away as she turned and offered his arm, she took it and they stepped into the cold night air as carriage drew up in front of them.

 

[heartofcourage]

"My language? What language would you be referring to, Edward?" She asked him as he was suddenly there, his hands touching her hips and making her jump.

She turned to look at him, giving him a slight smile as he mentioned the carriage arriving any moment and them departing to other things. She laughed softly as he drew away from her and offered his arm. Taking it gladly, she grabbed her cloak off the peg next to the door as they left into the cold night air beyond the door. Still grasping his hand, she stepped into the carriage with a sigh, looking around the richly appointed interior as he got situated and the carriage was suddenly off.

"You're likely to spoil me if you keep all this up." She teased him with a smile as the darkness around them was broken from time to time by the gas street lamps. "A bottle of my favorite perfume. This beautiful necklace. A carriage ride. Most men don't work this hard for me."

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

He laughed as she spoke of him spoiling her ......”most men don’t work this hard for me”

He looked into her eyes as the carriage rattled forward and turned a bend, his smile dark and sensual “Rosie, you of all women should know I am not like most men and I have told you on many occasions that you are not like most.....human.....women”.

His eyes turned forward to the road “you have given me your time and your secrecy, I value these things greatly, and so you should be rewarded in kind”

The carriage turned another corner and drew up, he stepped out and around lifting her by her hips as if she weighed no more than a feather. As her feet touched the ground she looked where they had arrived.

It was the river Thames, however sitting on the river was a large steamboat, windows lit and music emanating from somewhere within, its motor rumbled as the captain stood next to the gangway smiling and bowing.

“Shall we”? he enquired.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I enjoy your company, Edward." Rosie said with a smile as she glanced towards him while he mentioned she had kept his secrets. "Besides, who would make me smile if you stopped coming around every week? You are the highlight of my life right now."

She had been on her own for a very long time and it was very true that Edward played a large part in making her happy. She enjoyed the time that she got to spend with him, even more so now that they knew each other very well.

When the carriage stopped and she found herself lifted from the inside like she weighed nothing, Rosie gasped when she noticed the steamboat waiting on them. It would have cost him a fortune to have something like that for her, but he acted as if it were nothing.

"Really? All of this for me?" She asked him with a large grin as she looped her arm through his own and allowed him to escort her on board. "It's truly too much, Edward. Thank you."

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

He smiled as he listened to her talk about how happy she had been since he had begun these weekly visits and outings, she went on about it all being too much, she was always so modest. In truth he had amassed a fortune in his 500 years on earth and a small thing like this meant nothing when compared with everything she had done for him. He had been alone, without friends or fellow creatures like himself for a few centuries now and it gave him great comfort to have someone to confide in once more, someone who did not shy away when told about his true nature.

“Come Rosie” he took her arm “this is nothing really, after all you did say you’d been to the opera a few too many times, this time I have made sure it is just the two of us”

They walked arm in arm down the gangplank, the captain hoisted it up, and they walked along the deck as the boat set sail. The night was still and dark but for the low hum of the engine and the crescent moon reflected off the water as the dim light city passed them by. He led her up to the second floor of the boat and at the front of the deck was a table set with two wine glasses and just one plate, a string quartet situated slightly further from the table played a soft tune.

He let go of her arm and walked to the table pulling out a chair “Please, sit, as you well know due to my……..disposition…...I am unable to ingest human food, however arrangements have been made”

 

[heartofcourage]

Rosie had never seen luxury quite like this before. When they had first met, Edward had been mysterious and that had attracted her immediately. He had paid her handsomely for companionship but over time she started to develop real feelings for him. He had never once frightened her. He was incredibly kind and caring and she found herself wishing that he would come around more than once a week.

"It's a pity. The meal smells absolutely delicious." She murmured as he pushed her seat in towards the table and she gave him a wide smile. "What was the last meal you remember enjoying?"

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

“The Last meal I enjoyed? a good question” He said as he took his seat “The one which stands out in my mind is at the age of 18 going to visit my mother in Italy, She made a wonderful chicken with fennel, and for dessert rice pudding with almond milk. I cannot remember how it tasted but I remember eating too much of both and getting scolded” He chuckled “You aren't usually so interested in my life before I became what I am, why the sudden interest?”

As he asked this he snapped his fingers crisply and a waiter walked over from the nearby door, as she ordered he studied her, as he told her she was unlike any human woman he had met, so understanding that she would take everything he said no matter how gruesome with a courteous nod and then ask another question, so curious. She had become something of an anchor for him, and he found himself enjoying her company more and more, he smiled as she looked over.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I guess I'm just curious." Rosie said with a smile as Edward got the waiters attention and soon she was ordering her meal.

Chicken with vegetables and rice. Simple, delicious, very much like Rosie herself. She gave the man a smile before she turned back towards Edward and found him looking at her with an expectant gaze.

"You're...odd. In the best way possible. I want to know all there is to know about you." Rosie finally admitted as she reached across the table and placed her warm hand over his own. "I miss you when you aren't around. I say that as a friend and not because you pay me."

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

She wanted to know everything? he laughed, that would take some time.

“There is a lot to know about me Rosie, much more than can be talked about over the course of a year, some things I have held back for your own sanity but the more I share it with you the more you questions you seem to ask”

He took what looked like a wine bottle from his coat but the liquid was deep red and viscous he poured it into a glass then laid his hands back on the table. Then her hand was on his, he had forgotten how warm she was, and how cold he was, she said she missed him and then assured him it came from a place of friendship not because of all the gifts he had lavished her with.

His eyes looked her over then locked with hers “I believe everything you say is from the heart, I think we have passed the point where you say or do things simply because I pay you” He leaned forward, his hand curled around hers and his left eyebrow rose “Do you feel I shouldn't pay you”?

 

[heartofcourage]

"All the time." Rosie said in and honest tone as his cool hand wrapped around her own and he asked if he shouldn't pay her. "This is my livelyhood but I cherish our friendship, Edward. I would gladly see you any time and any place without money involved."

She gave him a soft smile, the rose pendant at her throat twinkling in the light. She had worn it constantly since he had placed it around her throat one evening. It was her most cherished possession and she told him that frequently.

"You make me feel like I'm human. The other men simply make me feel like a possession." She said in a soft voice, letting him see how wounded her heart was. "I know one day I won't be doing this anymore. Where I go from here...I don't really know."

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

”all the time”..... Her honesty was always refreshing as she talked about seeing him without money, agreements and other such annoyances. As she talked the light caught the pendant he had given her, it was around a hundred years old and many times she had convinced him of its significance to her, he did admit he enjoyed seeing it around her neck. As she spoke of her indecision about the future he had to agree, where would she go from here?

The food was served and Edward mulled it over as he watched her eat. He knew if she chose to stay by his side it must be of her own volition as the work he was currently undertaking was dangerous beyond compare, she was strong enough to face the challenge that was clear. It became apparent to him exactly how much she cared for him, perhaps more, he however was still unsure of how he felt about her, they had shared in each other's passions but still he only saw her as his friend and confidant, but such things as this were precious to him…..

“Rosie, as it’s been a year since we begun these meetings, you’ve spoken to me a few times in the past about your future, and so I would like to make you an offer” he took her hand in his and tenderly kissed it while his other hand took from his jacket pocket a large square box “As I have said on many occasions you are unlike any woman I have met in both form, feature and disposition and so I would like ask you if when next we meet it will be without these monetary constraints”

He opened the box, inside was a bracelet, set in the top was a blood red garnet surrounded by silver and gold that weaved into each other and down each side to form the circle stopping just before it touched at the bottom.

“This is the last payment I ever wish to give you, as I no longer wish your services as a lady of the night, but your companionship as Rosie”

 

[heartofcourage]

Rosie ate as Edward seemed to be mulling over something. She hadn't meant to dampen his mood, but he was very aware of what she did. She was a prostitute. There was no other way to put it delicately. Men paid her for services and she did her best to make sure that they were not disappointed. She paused as he reached out and took her hand, talking of their time together. Her mouth went dry as he pulled a box from his coat and kissed her knuckles briefly before showing her the beautiful bracelet that would be his last payment to her.

"You mean...you want to see me beyond this?" She asked him in a soft voice, a little frightened at the prospect but so eager to say yes. "Edward, you don't have to give me pretty little trinkets like this. It is very lovely and I will cherish it, but you never needed to give me things like this."

She truly meant those words as she allowed him to place the bracelet about her wrist. It glittered in the light and she smiled, looking at him for the longest moment before she pulled her arm close to admire the jewel closely.

"You know I can't stop doing what I do." She said in a soft voice. "Would that upset you?" She still had to make a living some how, even if they did continue on a path beyond that of a prostitute and her client.

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

He smiled as she went on about not needing such gifts and trinkets, she was always so humble, he slipped the bracelet on and looked intently at her as she admired it glowing in the lamplight. He face turned serious as she talked of not being able to leave her profession.

Though he had come across many prostitutes in his time the term didn’t seem to fit with her, still he understood that she was someone who accepted things as they were. Rosie choosing to continue her work as a prostitute was something he had foreseen, however it was her choice to do so, he only cared that they met as people, well, as human and vampire.

“Rosie, this bracelet is more than a trinket, it is a treasure symbolising my trust in you” As she finished her meal and delicately wiped her mouth he drank the last of the blood he had brought with him.

“Of course you are free to continue your work, to do what you wish, I only ask from now on that you are wholly yourself when next we meet” he smiled “that is not to say that you haven’t been” he stood and offered his hand “come, the night is young and I have much more….activities….for us to indulge in”

 

[heartofcourage]

"Edward, we're on a boat in the middle of the Thames. What more could you possibly have for us to do?" She asked him with an indulgent smile as she took his hand and allowed him to help her to stand. "It has been a lovely evening so far, though. Thank you."

She would never be able to thank him enough. Now that they had decided to be friends outside of the current situation, she most definitely would continue to thank him for his time and his generosity. Even if he didn't want to hear it from her, she was forever grateful for him.

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

He chuckled a bit as she stood and talked, unbelieving that he had anything else in mind.

"Edward, we're on a boat in the middle of the Thames. What more could you possibly have for us to do?"......

She further complimented him on the evening and as they walked down turning into one of the doors, he stopped in front of it before turning to her, he reached up his hand and ran his thumb along her cheek, so warm…….he opened the door.

Inside was a large room complete with a dresser with mirror, closet and a large four poster bed, a thin gossamer material hung from the top corners. He led her in and shut the door behind them.

“I realise it is not often that we share in each other's passions, but I feel tonight is special” he took her hands kissed each one “shall we”?

 

[heartofcourage]

Rosie looked into his eyes as he guided her throat a doorway and stopped to stoke her cheek gently. His skin was cool, but she didn't think to shy away from him for a moment. When he opened the door and showed her the beautiful room, she was in awe. It was gorgeous she thought to herself as he closed the door behind them and took her hands, kissing each one as he spoke about sharing that night with her.

"How can I say no to a man as charming as you." She murmured softly as she gave him a warm smile. "I do have one request though. If you decided you need to...bite me...give me some warning first?"

The only time that she had ever been truly scared of him was the first time he had bitten her. It had been unexpected and a moment of passion. She had found herself paralyzed beneath him, wondering if she would survive the next few moments, but he had cared for her like the gentleman that he was. It had gotten easier since then, but the moment still staggered her.

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

He smiled as she agreed and then asked him to be more careful of his fangs this time, he was fascinated to hear that she was comfortable with it after the events of last time, if only some warning was given this time around. He moved around her and planted a kiss where her shoulder and neck met.

“Should my blood lust rise again I promise I shall let you know my red rose” He said, affectionately using his pet name for her as he removed his jacket and waistcoat.

He worked to undo the straps from her dress and it fell to the floor, he stood behind her, close, his hands stroking her shoulders following their curve down her arm to her hands, coming to rest on her hips.

 

[heartofcourage]

His red rose. He had started calling her that the moment that he had given her the necklace that was still around her throat. She liked the idea of having a name that only Edward knew and called her. It made moments like this incredibly special.

Rosie didn't move as he unlaced her gown, letting it pool around her feet as he stroked his cool hands over her shoulders and down her arms before he rested his hands on her hips. She glanced over her shoulder at him, giving him a gentle smile before she tilted her chin and pressed her lips against his own. She sighed at the contact, a soft whimper leaving her lips.

Kissing him was a secret joy. Making love to him was even better. He was the kindest man that she had ever known and he never made her feel like a whore. It never seemed to matter if she had been with another man only hours earlier...when she was with Edward it was simply the two of them living in the moment.

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

Edward wrapped his arms tightly around her as she kissed him and heard her sigh, a soft whimper issuing from her throat, he took great pleasure in hearing her small moans and whimpers when he kissed her.

His hands wrapped tight around her before he broke the kiss and he undid her bodice lifting it off. Turning her around he drew her close, reveling in the taste of her as they kissed.

His cock stirred and he felt his desire rising within him, he took off his shirt and grabbed her lifting her up, walking towards the dresser he sat her down and lifted her shirt off being careful to leave the necklace on, a small groan issued from his mouth when their skin came in contact and he held her tight, his nails running gently down her back, he was careful not to break the skin.

 

[heartofcourage]

His hands never stopped working as he undressed her. Rosie sighed softly as he turned her around, kissing her deeper as the moment turned passionate. She could feel his cock hardening in his pants, pressing against her as he pulled off his shirt and lifted her by her bottom, carrying her towards the dresser. It groaned beneath her weight as he placed her on the wooden surface, pulling her shirt off before their naked skin pressed intimately together.

Her hands reached to cup his cheeks, pulling him in deeper to the kiss as she felt his nails running gently across the naked flesh of her back. She shivered under the contact, pulling back from his kisses to suck in a deep breath to steady herself. Edward threatened to consume her, body and soul. She had to be careful around him that she didn't completely lose herself.

"Kiss me again." She whispered in a breathless tone as their lips crashed together once more and she felt her legs starting to wrap around his hips, granting him access to the cradle of her hips.

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

He groaned as her legs wrapped around him pulling him towards her, he answered in kind, his mouth locked with hers their tongues dancing. His head moved down kissing her chest, between her breasts. Finding her nipple he licked and sucked as he gripped her underwear ripping it down, his passion starting to take hold.

He had to be careful, at this point if he lost himself in his desires he could hurt her, or worse, bite her and suck her dry. His hand found her slit, wet already, he stroked it and smiled as he felt her shiver and squirm in his hands, his mouth finding hers once more he took by one arm and lifted her up carrying her to the bed.

 

[heartofcourage]

Rosie moaned deeply as Edward's lips trailed over her throat and to her breasts. He licked and sucked at her dusky nipples, making her squirm as the pleasure arrowed straight to her already damp folds. The sound of tearing fabric filled the air and she realized that he had shredded her undergarments, leaving her bare and incredibly turned on.

"Edward." She panted, looking down the length of her body as his cool fingers stroked her heated folds, the wetness gathering on his fingertips as he grinned and then kissed her again.

Before she knew it, he was lifting her up like she weighed nothing at all. Her arms wrapped around his neck as he carried her towards the bed, lying her back on the silken sheets to continue their erotic dance.