Chapter 1: Rendezvous Under a Bloody Moon

Oh great. A dingy, humid nightclub. Just the sort of place you wouldn't expect them to be at. But hey, maybe they've developed a sense of humor. Yeah, right.
I snorted unbecomingly into my drink. At least this was a break in their usual pattern of frequenting Gothic cafes or graffiti-ridden warehouses. At least this place had an almost passable bar. Almost.
I checked my watch for the fifteenth time, and waved the waitress over for another drink. She smiled invitingly at me, but I didn't notice. I was too busy watching and waiting for them to come out and perform. My drink came and I downed half of it in one gulp. As the alcohol fizzed through my veins, giving me a pleasant buzz, I ran a hand over my long, dirty-blond hair kept back in its ponytail, impatiently. I was anxious to go home and sleep until noon tomorrow.
Suddenly, psychedelic lights swam out over the appreciative, Gothic crowd, and the vampires came out to play for us. They looked a little different, as they always do each time I see them.
They had acquired yet some more body piercings and tattoos. Black kohl was smeared around their hypnotic eyes. All of them wore their long, luxuriant hair framed around their beautiful, androgynous faces. Their faces were as pale as the moon, but they didn't use makeup for that.

They were called Utopia's Nightmare, and played dark heavy metal. The lead singer had a huskily silky voice full of darkness and desire. The worst thing to do when watching them was to look into their eyes. If you did, you became enchanted and their dinner.

"Secrets of the midnight sun,
Calling to us and everyone,
I hunger for your nightly rounds,
To bring us all the nighttime sounds."

They always begin a gig with "Midnight Sun", their ode to the moon. I noticed many of the crowd looking enchanted, and myheart went out to them. For some of them, this concert would be their last.

Sometime later, the band was done, and they exited out the back door to put their instruments in their van. Afterwards, they would come inside and have a drink, conversing with the crowd. I wanted talk to them privately before they came back inside. So I nonchalantly stood up and walked out of the club. I strolled down the length of the club and rounded a corner where their van was parked. They were waiting for me.

"Awesome show tonight, wasn't it Adrian Connor?" said the silky-voiced lead singer, Cris.
"Stimulating, as usual."
"We are so glad that you made it. We were worried that you wouldn't show tonight, and miss our spectacular performance," hissed the willowy, raven-haired drummer Trent. The other three members of the band, Ivan, Gabriel, and Colter, grinned and nodded sleepily, still drunk on the night's performance.
"All right, all right. Enough pleasantries. Just tell me, once and for all, where your Master resides, and what his name is."
"The Master? Why do you ask now? We've seen you at all our shows and only now do you approach us, wanting the name of our Sire? Do you want to kill him?" Cris sneered with contempt. I felt a change in the air, and all of them were radiating hostility towards me.
"Can you blame me? I'm a Vampire, Lycanthrope, and other Supernatural Creatures hunterexpert. I've gotta do my job."
Ivan reluctantly stepped forward to answer my question. He pushed his curly brown hair out of his blue eyes, and looked queasily at his band mates, then at me.
"Since you've shown remarkable interest in us, we leave you with this: the Master is very close, and awaits you 'till the time is right."
And with that, they melted back into the cloak of darkness that was their daylight.

As I walked away from the club with an unsettling feeling, I heard a howl, followed by whimpers to my right, in a dark alley. I whirled around, and assumed my fighting position. When I was sure that the thing in there wasn't going to disembowel me, I stepped into the alley.

In it, there lay a wounded dog. Or, at least, it seemed like a dog. It could have been a wolf, but it was too dark to tell.

"Hey there, fella. Are you all right?" Of course it wasn't all right. It seemed to be dreadfully hurt, and I hoped it wasn't dying, or else I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, being consumed by guilt at not being able to save it.

I must have drowned my common sense in alcohol at the club, for the next thing I did was very dangerous and stupid. I picked up the big dog, it was surprisingly light for all its size, and brought it up to my apartment. My apartment wasn't very far away, so it was an easy trip. When we reached it, I kicked the door open, and laid the dog on the couch. I didn't have to worry about bloodstains showing, for my couch was black leather. I'll worry about it later.

After I made sure the dog was safely secured and comfortable on my couch, I undressed and fell onto bed. Too soon, though, I was consumed by nightmares of the most unforgiving kind.

"Oh, Adrian, this party will be all right. If I promise not to drink or take drugs, will you be OK with it?"

"What if something happens, Damian? You're only 14. The News even said to take precautions tonight around the city. Vampires were sighted around the park. I'm not sure I want you out there at this time of night."

Damian then laughed at my maternal speech. So young, so free, so innocent he was. His cornflower blue eyes were always twinkling happily in his angelic, babyish face. I loved my little brother so much; he was the light of my life in my sullen teenage years.

He then walked out of the front door for the last time. For some odd reason, I followed him out. When he turned around, I saw that his eyes were a demonic red, and blood was pouring down his mouth and neck. He beckoned to me with a bloodied hand.

"Come, my brother. Join the Undead with me. We can drink from the fountain of Satan together, forever."

I woke up drenched in sweat. My breath was coming in harsh pants. I laid my head in my hands, and tried to dissolute my panic. God, not that bloody dream again! I had thought I was free of it once I completed college. But, sometimes it sneaks up on me, like an unseen blow to the head.

I decided to venture into my kitchen to fix myself a cup of hot chocolate to soothe my nerves and the pain in my heart. As I passed my occupied couch, I noticed that the occupant was no longer a dog, but a human. A male, it seemed.

"Of all the bloody luck in the world." I knelt by the couch, switched on the lamp next to it, and looked at my occupant for the first time. He seemed to be incredibly young, and in great pain. His long blond hair was tangled and matted with blood, as was his whole slender body. I pushed the hair back from his face, and gasped. He was beautiful. Even the blood and bruises on his face could not hide his innocent, angelic beauty. The pink, full lips; the perfect nose; the long, soft eyelashes; and the smooth curve of his cheekbones. I let out a breath I had unknowingly held. I was afraid to see what his eyes had in store for me.

"Hmmm. Where am I?" Then, he opened his eyes, and I gasped again. They were deep lavender, and seemed otherworldly; it was as though a mythical Greek god was lying on my couch. I tried to speak, but it was too difficult. He had captivated me with his eyes and his smooth, warm voice.

"Who are you?" Well, he did have a right to know.

"I-My name is Adrian Connor. I saw you in an alley. You were hurt, so I took you home. I'll admit that I was a bit drunk at the time, but that has nothing to do with this. But, um, you were a dog when I got you, and now you are a human." Oh good job, Adrian. Fumble up the introductions, why don't you.

"Oh, yes, I remember now. I got into a fight with another wolf. A bigger one.

Thank you for saving me." He slowly sat up, trying hard not to wince.

"My name is Ulysses. Oh, have you been crying?" He reached a hand to touch my cheek, which was probably all puffy and red from my dream. My breath caught as he looked deep into my eyes, and it seemed as though he was committing my face to memory. His fingers were soft and felt like velvet on my skin. As he swept his hand across the region of my cheek, I closed my eyes and enjoyed being touched.

"Ahhhh! God!" His hand fell as he collapsed off my couch, doubling over and retching in pain. I didn't care about my rug; I only cared about the angelic creature in pain.

"Shhh. It's all right. Everything is going to be fine. I'm here now. I'll take care of you." My strong arms encircled his slender shoulders, and I held him. After a while, the pain and retching stopped, and he lay back in my arms with a sigh of contentment. I stiffened; desire and surprise running through me like a current.

"I suppose I better clean you up and take care of your cuts", I whispered in his ear. He nodded. I gently carried him to my bathroom, and laid him in my bathtub.

"Not too hot, please," he whispered. I smiled and told him I wouldn't burn him. He managed a small grin, and my heart tightened in my chest. As he lay there in water, I cleaned him gently. Underneath all the blood and dirt, he seemed to be quite a strong, muscular young man. He even had a bellybutton ring, something I found to be strangely enticing. His cuts were deep, but not deadly unless they became infected.

"Whoa!" All of a sudden, his cuts closed up, and his bruises began to fade. I had forgotten that lycanthropes healed quicker than humans did. Ulysses still seemed pretty weak. I drained the dirty water out of the tub, and refilled it with clean water.

"Here. Just rest. I think you need it."

"Thanks. I hope its not too much trouble."

"No problem." As I got up to leave him, I caught sight of my face in the bathroom mirror. My long hair was draped around my face. Haunted gray-green eyes stared back at me in a face that people say seems to be carved out of marble, and that still has the flush of youth. Past lovers have said I was beautiful and handsome, but I had always believed that I looked cold or haunted. Well, it doesn't matter right now anyway. I have a "patient" to look after. I left the bathroom to make my hot chocolate, but my thoughts never left it.

Ulysses still occupied my thoughts after the hot chocolate was made and I sat at the dining room table. Why does he have this effect on me? It was vaguely embarrassing. I am no longer a teenager with raging hormones; I was a 28-year old man. Some time later, Ulysses stepped out of the bathroom clad in a towel. He was all clean and wet, and the sight of him standing there sent thrills through me.

"Um, can I borrow some clothes? I seem to have lost mine somewhere. If that's all right with you, I mean," he blushed. It was very hard at that moment to push thoughts of "Aww, how cute!" out of my mind.

"Oh, yeah, sure! That's fine. I think you can fit into some of my clothes." I went into my room, and fished out some plaid pajamas that my mother had given me before she died. He took them graciously out of my hands.

"Here, you can use my bed. No, don't protest. I think you should get some sleep," I said. I had to clean up the living room anyway.

"I don't think you know how much this means to me, Adrian. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. See you tomorrow morning," he said, quietly. His deep lavender eyes held enormous amounts of gratitude. I nodded and closed the door. Now I must conquer the living room.

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of bacon. I sat up on the couch, and stretched, yawning like a great bear. As I heard the toaster pop up, my stomach growled in excitement.

"Oh, good. You're awake. I started breakfast. I hope you don't mind. It was the least I could do to repay you. I also cleaned your kitchen. It was frightfully messy," said Ulysses, coming out of my kitchen in the pajamas I lent him to wear. He was also clad in my apron. I made a strangling noise deep in my throat. I really liked the outfit.

"That's fine, but you didn't have to do all that. I could have made breakfast for us."

"Oh no, I wouldn't have let you. Here, breakfast is ready. Come eat, Adrian!"

Ulysses set breakfast on the table. He had made pancakes, bacon, toast, and eggs. I'm guessing that he was very hungry too.

"Wow! This is really good! My compliments to the chef!" Ulysses blushed again as I devoured almost everything on the table. I was so hungry!

"You know, Adrian, I was thinking that in payment for you saving me, I could be your maid. Well, not your "maid" since I'm a guy, but I could clean up your apartment. I could sleep on your sofa."

Oh my god, Ulysses in a French maid outfit. My imagination began running away with me again, but I quickly squandered it.

"Well, I would have to buy a sleeper-sofa so you could be comfortable. But, I don't know anything about you. How do I know that you won't steal my things?" I wiped my syrupy mouth with a napkin, and waited for his answer.

"You're right. I'm sorry if that sounded obnoxious. Okay, let me tell you about myself. I'm 19 years old, I am a werewolf, and I work as a stripper at a club downtown. My parents died when I was 9, so I was shuttled from foster home to foster home until I turned 18. Then I got a place of my own over the club where I work. I like sweet things, cooking, art, reading, painting, working out, romantic movies, and music. I've never been in jail, and I've never had any trouble with the police before, so you don't have to worry about that. I can cook for you, and clean up your place. I just need a place to stay. I was evicted from my apartment a few days ago because I couldn't pay the rent on time. So there you have it. That's who I am."

Gee, what a story. I mean, I had a tough life, but my parents died when I was in college. I was really inclined to let him stay, but I can't help feeling suspicious. I don't want to put him in danger because of my job. But might as well try it. God knows my heart wants him to stay.

"All right. You can stay. But I think you need to know about me. I'm a Vampire, Lycanthrope, and other Supernatural Creatures experthunter. I have a dangerous job, and if we need to leave town, then we will. Are you going to keep your job? I usually work at night."

"Oh. About that, I'm going to quit. I can get a job at a restaurant or bookstore, or something like that during the day. Part-time, I mean so I can work here."

I finished the last piece of bacon, and looked at Ulysses. His eyes were full of hopelessness and pleading. This really was going to change my life, having him here I mean. I don't like sharing my life, much less my apartment, with anyone else for fear of endangering them. But, might as well try this out.

"Okay. That's a good idea. So, you can stay. After breakfast is cleared up, lets go get you some clothes, and anything else you need. Do you need to go back to your apartment?"

"No. All my things were thrown away or lost somewhere. But, it would be nice to get some things if you're okay with that. Oh, let me clear the table, and then we can go." He began putting everything in the dishwasher as I went to get dressed. I chose some black leather pants, a tight black shirt, my black boots, and my leather jacket. I dug my wallet up from the junk on my dresser, and stuffed it into a pocket. Also, I began to brush my hair, and then I put it back into a ponytail. There, I was ready.

"Hey, Ulysses? What kind of clothes do you want to wear? I've got leather, jeans, cotton."

"Um, how about some leathers pants and a T-shirt? That would be okay with me," he called from the kitchen. Well, I'm very happy that he likes leather too, because that is almost all I have. I have a whole bunch of shirts, jackets, and sweaters in the upper-body department. In the lower-body department, I have leather and a few pairs of jeans. Leather, to me, is easier to move in. It also makes me look spanking good, if I may say so myself.

Ulysses finished in the kitchen and got dressed in my clothes. He needed a belt for the pants since his hips were slimmer than mine are. He borrowed a pair of my boots, and luckily his feet are only a little smaller than mine are.

"How do I look?" Ulysses asked, standing in the doorway of my room. He was wearing black leather pants, my old Sex Pistols shirt, and a black jean jacket.

"Gorgeous-I mean, great," I stammered. He smiled and blushed, pleased with my reaction. We left my apartment, and went down to the complexes parking garage to get my car. My car is a sleek, black old Jaguar. I was able to pay for it when I destroyed some vampires that took over an old millionaire's mansion. The man was so happy, he gave me a bundle of money. Of course, I was really happy as well.

"Okay, here we go. We're going to the mall downtown. That was where I got all my clothes. Great stores down there, you know. Do you want to listen to some Husker Du or the Replacements?"

"The Replacements?"

"Yup. The best band ever. They were really popular in Minnesota in the

80's. They play garage-punk, and are my favorite band."

"Cool, let's listen to them."

I slipped the CD in. Then, "Left of the Dial" started playing. This was the special two-disc CD that collected all their best songs. I still think they missed a lot of songs. Ulysses seemed to enjoy them, so I was glad.