Revised 4/23/05

It was pink. Bright. Flamingo. Pink. The walls of my new office blinded me. I could NEVER work; much less spend time in this monstrosity. I hate pink. I despise the color. Even Easter is hard to bear with all of its pinkness. I felt a headache coming on, so I quickly averted my eyes away from the torturous walls to face my boss who actually painted my office without me knowing. His black hair flopped into his deep green eyes, and he was looking at me innocently.

“George, I refuse to talk to you ever again, you know that, right?”

“Sadly, yes, I do know that, Tira.”

“Good. Get out.”

Thankfully, George knew to get out of my way when I was mad. I trained him to be like that. I looked around at the walls and told myself to paint the walls lime green when I had the chance. That would get George in a tizzy for sure! I knew why George did this to me. It was revenge for when I accidentally totaled his car. Oh, well. He’ll have to face me mad, not my walls. Sometimes I wonder why he was my boss and one of my best friends. I grabbed my purse and left, telling myself that I would flip through the paperwork on my desk tomorrow.

“Bessie, I’m going to meet with Mr. Adrian Bessle. I’ll be back soon. Take care, and tell George he is doomed.”

“Alright, sweetie. Have fun.”

Bessie was our sticky sweet secretary who loved jellybeans and tripe. Not together, mind you!. Her half-moon glasses sliding down her petite nose as she read some letter of some sort was a sight we never grew tired of seeing. She was like the mother hen of the office; everyone loved her. Also, she LOVED pink, much to my dismay. But, she was still nice, and could get you out of a jam when you needed help. So, I got into my car and was on my way.

Mr. Adrian Bessle was an anxious man. He used to be one of the best Lycanthrope hunters around here, but one day while on a hunt, he got lost in the woods where he was tracking his prey. He stayed in there for quite a few days, and when he came out, he was the mess of a man that he is now. I feel pretty bad for him, considering his wife left him right after he came out of the woods. He never told anyone what happened to him in those few fateful days he spent in there. Now, he kind of helps me and George with business.

I climbed into my new and sped toward A Spot of Coffee Café, an old hot spot for coffee. It had a rather homey feel about it and I regularly go there. They have great Mochas.

The thing is, Adrian has a lead on a very vamp we’ve been hunting. He’s an extremely powerful Master vampire, one of the youngest around. This vamp supposedly knows where and who the Council of Undead are. They are the ultra-secretive and powerful leaders of all the vamps.

I parked my car in front and walked in. Adrian looked up and waved at me, I walked toward his table and sat down.

“I’ll have a White Chocolate Mocha, oh, and a caramel brownie, please.”

“My, aren’t you hungry.”

“I had only an energy bar for lunch. So, what can you tell me? I’m dying to hear it.” Yes, it’s a bad joke, so sue me. I did get a faint chuckle out of it, though. Adrian’s balding brown, scraggly hair, nervous eyes always twitching about, and round glasses told me that he still wasn’t over what happened. I had thought that his psychologist was really helping him, but maybe I was wrong. He was still as tense and edgy as ever.

“His name is Dominic, and he currently resides below the Dancing Corpse club in the Vamp district. I told him you were coming at 9 tonight. Ok?”

I sighed, I did want to get a full night’s sleep, but oh well. I told him all right, finished my mocha and brownie, and sped out of there. It was 6:57 on my car clock, so I had to kill a few hours. I might as well go home and take a shower, change, then make myself some ramen soup and go to the club. Thankfully, it wasn’t far away from my place, about 10-15 minutes away. I’m going to have to bring my supernatural creatures gear, because he might be dangerous. All I wanted to talk to him about was his life, his power, and what the Council of Undead is. Where’s the harm in that? Hopefully nowhere.

I parked my car, and hurried up the steps to my condo. It is rather large for one person, but it works. I stepped inside, put my coat and bag down, and headed immediately for the shower. Incidentally, I decided to take a hot bath and soak myself for a very long time in Gardenia-scented bubble bath. When I was done, I decided to wear my olive green jeans, and green and white striped t-shirt, complete with my pair of classic Vans, the checkered kind. I looked into the mirror and stared at my reflection. My chestnut brown hair with natural copper highlights (my hair looks more copper than brown) was pulled into a messy bun, so I let it loose. It looks better that way, I think. My large hazel eyes stared back at me in a moderately freckled face. The lipstick had smudged off my full, red lips, but that didn’t bother me. I never really liked lipstick anyway.

My soup smelled very good to my hungry stomach, and soon enough, it was ready. I ate quickly, put on my cloak, took my keys, and sped down toward my car. I was a little nervous, but who wouldn’t be when meeting a centuries-old vampire?

I pulled into the parking lot for the Dancing Corpse, and got out of my car. Sure enough, the stereos were blaring loud dance music as I walked toward the door. I entered, went through the weapons check, and asked the hostess where I could find Dominic. Her eyes narrowed and she asked for my name. I told her.

“Oh, he’s expecting you. If you could wait a moment for the bodyguard to come down, we would greatly appreciate it.”

I muttered my thanks and waited. Then, a big man with bulging muscles came to take me down to Dominic. We started walking down the stairs and into the dark hallway when he finally spoke to me.

“My name’s Bacchus. What’s yours, little lady?”

I raised an eyebrow at him. Little lady?

Looking him over, I decided that he wasn’t half-bad. His black spiky hair and wicked smile were relatively human, but his gray eyes told a different story. I could tell that he was a new vamp; maybe twenty years old or so. Tight leather pants and black t-shirt accentuated his finely shaped muscles and he moved with the grace of a leopard. He had a fine-featured face, with full pink lips and high cheekbones. I could almost see dimples peeking through as he grinned.

“Hmm? I said, what’s your name?”

“It’s Tira to you buddy, not little lady.”

He spread his hands out apologetically as we walked down the hall. “I meant no offense; it’s just a pet name.”

“You don’t even know me. What gives you the right to give me a pet name?”

“Maybe I just want to get to know you better. Who knows?” His eyes twinkled mischievously and I was suddenly glad that there were no elevators over here; I wouldn’t want to be in one with him.

We turned a corner and stopped in front of a solid oak door. Bacchus knocked, softly saying, “It’s me, Master. I brought the woman who wanted to see you.” There was a muffled reply from within, and Bacchus turned to leave. He stopped midway down the hall and turned.

“It was nice meeting you, little lady. We’ll see each other again; be sure of it.”

I rolled my eyes as he left, waiting for Dominic to open the door. My nerves were totally out of control. I could hardly think about what I was going to say to him when he will open the door. Then, it opened.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Standing in the door way was the most handsome man I have ever set eyes upon. His long chestnut brown hair was swept into a ponytail, and there were a few strands flopping into his deep midnight blue eyes as they twinkled merrily. An adorably lopsided smile framed his sensual lips. He had a lean, tall figure, slim hips, and a little muscle. His skin seemed almost porcelain white as he leaned himself against the doorframe; he was clad in a black dress shirt with a few buttons left open and leather pants. Of course, he clearly had class.

“Hello, I-I’m Tira O’Connell. I was wondering if I could speak to you about, um, the Council. If that is ok with you, your vampireness.” I was scared out of my wits. Not only was he a powerful vampire, he was also beautiful beyond belief. He chuckled, not an unpleasant sound, and let me in.

“Sure, it is fine with me. You know what I am, I suppose.” he replied, with a French-like accent as smooth as butter. Just hearing it made my insides melt. I told him I did, and sat on a black velvet couch in a large living room.

“My name is Dominic, and please make yourself at home. It is spacious, so we will not feel cramped. I rather like this part of Seattle; it is quiet and very private. Quite perfect for our purpose, is it not?” He said with a mischievous smile. He was right about the quiet and privacy of our area. That was probably one of the reasons I like it so much over here.

“Yes, I agree. So…um…Dominic, what do you know about the Coucil of Undead? I mean, what can you tell me about it?”

“Why so curious, Tira?” He had disappeared behind the bar and was getting some drinks.

He had a mischievous smile playing across his gorgeous face. I sighed and began to tell my tale. It wasn’t an easy feat because Dominic would probably hate me after this.

“You see, I’m a Supernatural Creatures expert/hunter. It’s not an easy job, but someone’s gotta do it. Now, don’t go thinking that I will try to stake you, I won’t, but I just want to know where this Council will take place so I can go watch it. They might not like me intruding on them, considering what I do. All I want to do is talk to them, not hurt them. If I found out more about vampires, then maybe we can figure out ways to compromise together. Humans and vampires. Fighting one so you can stake it doesn’t give you as much info as watching them. I hope you don’t mind.”

He had sat down while I gave my speech and his face betrayed nothing, but his eyes looked faintly interested. I hoped he wasn’t mad at me.

“That was an interesting speech you gave, Tira. I am not displeased with you, don’t worry. Just…….intrigued.”

Hmmmm. Interested, I cocked my head to the right. Looking him straight in the

eyes, I had the strange inclination to know more about this man, wait, vampire. The air around us suddenly seemed too warm and I found myself falling falling into those eyes of his as he sat down next to me. Was he weaving his magic in his enchanting gaze to make me feel this way? I don’t think I’ll ever know. Then, he leaned in close, very close………..

…….and kissed me, closing up the space between us. His mouth was warm, but

had an otherworldly feel and taste to it. I could feel his vampiric power pulsating while we

kissed. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced.

He pulled back and chuckled appreciatively. I felt all warm and tingly inside.

“Thank you, Tira. I hope to see you again sometime. How about dinner tomorrow

night at 9? At Aporgio’s?’

“Of course! I mean, yes, thank you. I would be delighted. How ‘bout we meet

each other there?”

“Yes, that would be fine. Tomorrow night it is.”

I was terribly flustered and blushing wildly as Dominic led me to the door, and held it open for me like the gentleman that he is. I just love being appreciated. Just as I was walking out, he grabbed my hand and kissed it, long and sweet.

“I cannot wait,” he said breathlessly. I almost melted right on his floor.

I had the most wonderful dream that night after I got home from Dominic’s room. He and I were waltzing across a marble ballroom floor, and all eyes were on us. It seemed as though we traveled back in time to the Victorian Era. It was almost like I could feel the tightness of my corset, safely hidden underneath my burgundy satin gown, as Dominic twirled me around. He was wearing a splendid silk deep green suit, and was smiling and gazing openly into my eyes. Then he muttered the words, “Don’t get too close or you might burn”, and I can’t remember anything more.