Raven’s Song

By Rose Marie Wolf

He dreamt of fame, fortune and bright lights. The songs played in his head. The notes poured from his soul. He was the music.

In his dreams, he ruled the stage. Women screamed for him. Crowds cheered for him. They worshipped him. He was a god!

But every morning he awoke, his dreams faded into a harsh reality. For a moment or so, Raven Thomas lay in a groggy, half-awake state in the middle of his apartment. The place stank of cigarette ash and alcohol.

Lazily, he sat up on the couch and brushed the blanket away from his body. A thin sheen of sweat covered his naked chest. His brow was soaked in it. Entertaining, even in his dreams, was hard work.

Like he always did, Raven came to the grim realization that they were only that, dreams. He tried to shake away the sensations but the lights, the people, the rush…

Grumbling to himself, he climbed to his feet. Last night’s party was still fresh in his mind, and his hangover throbbed angrily. He grabbed a bottle of aspirin and mouthed a bitter handful.

He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the microwave and grimaced. His dark brown hair stuck up. He had a dark range of stubble across his lip, chin and sideburns. The raven tattoo on his arm flexed as he reached for a glass of water on the shelf. It was warm and stale, but he swallowed the pills without complaint.

His guitar rested on a stand across from him. He picked it up. An electric hum sounded from the amplifier. He strummed a few cords. The music sang around him.

Raven saw himself in the dream. He felt the heat of the lights. Sweat dripped down his temple and plastered strands of hair to his face and neck. The crowd was a darkened mass of screams. They were chanting his name. “Raven, Raven, Raven!”

God, if only it wasn’t a dream!

He had only performed at small gigs. But he dreamed of the big time. He wanted a record deal. He wanted people to know his name, to recognize him on the streets. He wanted to be famous.

He moved his toughened fingers along the neck of the guitar and strummed again. The minor chord was dark. He moved his fingers quickly and agilely along the neck. He handled the frets expertly. He picked the notes with wonderful accuracy. The song came to life.

Raven spent the next half hour playing song after song. The lights outside grew soft and dim. The band had a gig at eight. He caught the time when he glanced at his wrist watch. It was six thirty. He better get ready.

He took a quick shower and was getting dressed when his cell rang. He answered it on the fifth ring.

“Hello?”

“Hey, man, you ready?” It was Joey, the drummer of the band. There was a lot of static and Raven adjusted the phone to hear more clearly. “Chris is coming to pick you up. He’ll be there in about ten.”

“Ah, fuck.” Raven cursed. “I’m nowhere near ready.”

“Well, you better be. We can’t blow another gig.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. I’ll be ready.” He shut his phone off with an annoyed sigh and hurried to get ready.

---

The craving didn’t hit her very often, but when it did, it was strong. She waited alone at the edge of the crowds. People swarmed around her and hungrily she watched and waited.

It was pure torture. With so many people surrounding her, so many potential “meals”, she wasn’t sure just how much she could take. The music started and a cheer rose from the crowd congregated near the stage. She turned her eyes toward them and watched the band as they began to perform.

She always loved musicians. They played and sang their hearts out for screaming fans, whether they were loved or whether they were hated. They were passionate and strong.

And not to mention drop dead gorgeous.

The music was heavy and hard, just the way she liked it. The electric guitar screamed. The drums resonated. She was in love.

She found her way moving toward the stage. She pushed through the hot, sweaty bodies of the dancing youth. She stood at the foot of the stage.

The guitarist played his heart out. He swept into an amazing solo. The sound of it swept her away. It was as if she was under some sort of spell, a trance.

The young man threw back his head, exposing his throat. She felt a jolt snap through her. His brow was furrowed as he concentrated on his work, but she could see the smile creeping across his face. He was enjoying this.

So was she.

He was a scrumptious youth. His hard body glistened with sweat. He flexed his arm and the raven tattoo danced.

Raven…

“Oh yes,” She whispered, the sound lost among the screams of the crowd around her. “Raven...”

She stared up at him, longing to meet his eyes. He shook his head, strands of his dark hair clung to his forehead. He stepped back. The lead singer wailed into the mike and continued the song.

“Raven…” She whispered again. She stared at him intently. “Look at me.”

It was as if he heard her voice over the screams and the music. He looked down and their eyes met. A small smile crept over her face.

His eyes were dark pools, almost raven black, like the tattoo on his arm. The color drained from his face. She could see the pale blue veins beneath his skin. His smile faded. For a moment, he lost the beat and his hand grew slack on the neck of his guitar.

He picked up the song rather quickly once the other members of his band threw him dirty looks. They finish the song among tumultuous applause. They were a hit. They exited backstage. This was her chance.

---

“What the hell happened to you, man? You stopped playing before the song was over!” Chris shouted at him. Joey laughed.

“It was just stage fright,”

“Fuck you guys.” Raven said. He pushed past them on his way to the dressing room. He tossed his guitar onto the couch and sat down beside it with a loud sigh. “I don’t know what happened.”

“Forget about it.” Mitchell, the bass player said. He laughed heartily as he lit a cigarette. He reclined in the sofa chair and threw his feet on the coffee table. “We still killed out there. We are going to win this thin for sure. We got the best response, even if you did miss a chord or two.”

“Whatever, man. We sucked!” Joey protested. He groaned and took a seat beside Raven’s guitar. Raven paid them little mind. He was absorbed in his own thoughts.

“Did any of you see that girl?” He asked absently.

“Which one? There were a lot of girls,” Joey laughed. He clasped his hand on Raven’s back. He pulled away and stood up.

“There were a lot of girls,” Mitchell added. Chris was silent. Raven shook his head.

“She was blonde,” He went on, “She had these amazingly bright eyes. She was…”

“She’s at the door.” Chris interrupted. He took a cigarette from the pack in Mitchell’s hand and borrowed a light. He gestured toward the open door.

There she was, leaning seductively against the frame. Other bands and musicians rushed behind her on their way to the stage. They paused to give her a good look over. She ignored them.

Her long, blonde hair cascaded across her bare shoulders and she flashed a bright smile. Her long arms were crossed under her bosom, her breasts pressed against the thin fabric of her sleeveless top. All four of the musicians gaped at her. She was gorgeous.

“Hello, boys,” She said. Her voice was soft and lilting. Her tone was seductive and alluring.

“Hello.” Joey wasted no time in saddling up to her. His dark eyes roamed over her body, resting momentarily at her belly ring and low rise jeans. She smirked at him and raised a slender eyebrow.

“I’m here to see…Raven?” She ventured. Rejected, Joey slumped back against the wall. Everyone held their breath as she pushed by him and approached Raven.

“I’m Raven.” He said as he stepped forward. “It’s you…”

“Of course, it is.” She laughed softly. Her blue eyes darted to each boy in turn. “I loved your show. Great sound.”

No one said anything. She placed a hand on her hip and turned back to Raven. She had a commanding presence. There was something in her eyes and the way she moved them. It was the way she arched her neck and the way she smiled. It was in her walk. Raven found it hard to breathe suddenly. Her hand was cold and her grip strong when she touched his hand.

“I want to talk to you…alone.” She began to draw him away with her. Chris started to protest.

“Where are you going? They’ll be announcing the winners any minute.”

“We need you to do the finishing number if we win,” Mitchell added. “You can’t leave now!”

“Watch him!” She hissed. He voice had an edge to it. The boys backed off. Joey stepped out of the doorway. She smirked at them all as she stepped through the door with Raven in tow.

Chris shook his head. “Who does she think she is?”

“A goddess…” Joey sighed. Mitchell glared.

“Pussy-whipped already.” Cigarette smoke curled around his head. “But there’s something about her…”

“I’ll say…”

“Enough, both of you,” Chris said. “You all know how it is. Hard dicks, raging hormones. Let’s go over our finishing song, just in case.”

“Righto boss.”

Joey tried in vain to crane his head out the door to catch a last, fleeting glimpse of the sexy, mystery girl.

---

Her fingertips were cold as they traced the outline of his tattoo. It made the hair on his arms stand up. The crush of her breasts against his arm was tantalizing.

“Ravens are very powerful and magical creatures, did you know that?” Her voice was low.

“Who are you?” Raven asked. His mind swam. “How did you know my name?”

She laughed. “You may call me Constance. I know a lot of things…Raven…” She added in a whisper.

“Yes?” He barely breathed.

“Powerful magic…The raven tells us that everything that begins must have an ending.” She gripped his arm tightly and drew him very near. The parking lot was far from empty, but Raven had Chris’ keys in his pocket. His car was only a few feet away. They would have some privacy.

“Do you…?” He began. Constance laughed loudly. Her voice echoed and joined the vibrations of the music that blared outside the arena. People turned to stare.

“Yes, of course.” She said, eagerly. Without hesitation, she drew him to the car. Raven was bewildered. He hadn’t told her this was Chris’ car.

“How did you…?” Again, she interrupted him.

“I know a lot about you, Raven.” Her grip was very stronger, stronger than it should have been. It almost hurt to the point he couldn’t stand it. He fumbled with the keys and finally unlocked the door. She slipped into the backseat. Raven followed.

Again, he was distracted by the way she moved. There was definitely something about her. It was in her eyes. It took his breath away. He found himself lost. He sucked in a ragged breath.

She wasted no time with what she intended. She locked her arms around him and pulled him close to her tense body. Her lips were cold and unyielding. The kiss was forceful.

At first, Raven tried to protest. He tried to force her back by her shoulders but she resisted. He tried to pull away but her strong embrace only tightened.

He gave in quickly. Her kisses weren’t so bad. Her tongue was pliant, but forceful against his. He moaned. His hands snaked up the back of her shirt. Her cold skin was resilient.

Constance tilted his head back, breaking the kiss in doing so. She smirked and stroked his hair gently. Raven felt an irresistible calling. Her eyes locked to his.

“Raven,” She said, smoothly. She searched his face. “Eyes as black as the night, as black as the wings of the creature you were named for…”

“It’s only a nick--” A finger to the lips silenced him. Constance leaned into him. Her lips pressed to his neck and he shivered.

“Constance…I really should get back…”

“Why are you protesting?” She laughed against his ear. Once more, Raven felt a chill run down his spine. He tried to slither away from her but she remained close to him. “Don’t you want to be with me?” She asked, her tone seductive once again.

“I don’t know you. The guys…”

“You are much better than they are. I’ve seen you perform.”

Raven felt lightheaded suddenly. Her touch burned. He tried to move away again, but she clung to him. Her breath was cool. “You could be so much greater.”

Raven listened to her, her words shimmering in the foreground of his mind. He tried to shake it away. Her eyes peered into his soul. He couldn’t look away.

“What do you mean?” He asked in a shaky voice.

“You want to be famous, don’t you? Darling Raven,” She crooned, brushing her cool hand over his forehead. Her fingertips trailed down the side of his face and neck. He leaned his head aside. He trembled.

“You want to play your music for the world. You want to be recognized. I can see it in your eyes. I can hear it in the way you play.”

“I…”

“You don’t have to say anything, I know…”

“But…”

“But nothing,” She whispered. She resumed kissing his neck. He did not protest. His breathing was quick. Her touch was light, but strong. He was swept away in a euphoria he had never known.

He felt the smallest of pinpricks against his skin. It was enough to cause him to jump. He gasped and tried to pull away. She pulled him closer to her body. Her lips curled around his neck. There was no more pain.

“What are you doing?” He tried to ask. Raven could only manage a soft moan. He was soon aware of Constance laughing softly in his ear.

“Everything that has a beginning, must have an ending…” Her words resonated in his head. He couldn’t think. He could only feel.

And he was slipping further and further away.

---

Raven awoke in a room he had never seen. It was dark. The only light filtered in through the thin slats of the window at the far wall. He sat up and rubbed his head. He felt like he had when he woke up the afternoon before the gig. But he didn’t have a hang over.

The light hurt his eyes. He closed them momentarily and reopened them. He looked around. He didn’t know where he was.

The room was nearly empty. Save for the couch he rested on and the blind-drawn window across from him there was little else in the room. It was drab and dark. The floor was made of concrete, the walls drywall and unpainted.

Raven stood slowly and walked toward the window. He went to draw the blinds from the window to peer out. Scalding pain tore through his hand. He let out a scream and withdrew it quickly. It was smoking and when he stared at the flesh, it was red and blistered.

“What?” He asked in surprise. He stared at his hand. It hurt like a bitch. He pulled it close to his body and stared at the beam of light until his eyes stung.

What was going on?

“Ah, you’re awake.” A familiar female voice spoke from behind him. He turned quickly to see her standing there, among the shadows. “I was wondering when you would come around.”

“Where am I?” He demanded. “What’s going on?”

Constance took a few steps forward. He could see her pale features more clearly. A smirk was painted on her lips. She did not say anything.

“What’s happened to me?” He stared down at his hand. The skin was no longer red or blistered. It was white and whole again. He stared at it in amazement.

Again, Constance said nothing.

“What is going on!?” He bellowed as he stepped forward. Her laugh from the night before had been enchanting. Now it was annoying. She threw back her head and roared with it.

Infuriated, he grabbed her shoulders. He shook her. Her blonde hair flew wildly about her. Her eyes blazed.

“What is going on with me!?”

“You are my child! You are of my blood! Don’t you understand?”

“Blood?” He released her and stepped back. He remembered something vaguely. The taste of it was coppery in his mouth. Her blood. His blood. She held him close. She fed him her blood. He could still taste it.

“You…” Raven shook his head. He stared down at his hand again, then back to Constance’s smug smile. “You did something to me…”

“I gave you an opportunity.” She said in a soft voice. “I gave you a chance…”

“A chance…?” His hands shook horribly. He felt weak and sick. What was she talking about?

“You know what I am talking about.” She said. Her hand touched his arm. He withdrew from her. “I gave you the chance to fulfill your dream. To perform on stage, in front of the crowds. To play. To be immortal…”

“Immortal?” He repeated the word, unsure what it meant. Constance’s eyes burned with an intensity he had never seen. The color of her eyes danced from blue to green and back again. What was going on?”

“You know what’s going on…”

“Get out of my head!” He screamed. He breathed heavily and clenched his fists. She merely stared at him, her smirk still plastered to her face. Her eyes seemed kind, her smile did not. He tried to calm himself. He shook his head and turned away from her.

“What is going on?” He asked in a quiet voice. “No cryptic messages. None of this shit. Just…tell me.” He glanced back at her.

For a long moment, she didn’t move. She was like a statue made of white marble. Her smirk faded and her face was serious. Her footfalls were loud as she crossed the floor toward him. He watched her, puzzled, as she lifted both hands to his face.

Raven felt a flash, a pain that took his breath away. Something flashed in his mind and he felt a stirring. He saw her, remembering the feel of her lips upon his throat. He remembered the taste of her kisses after that. The blood was coppery, but sweet. Then the pain when she bit him again.

Raven found himself breathing heavily once again. Constance stared into his eyes, her hands still against the side of his face, his head. He felt the pain again and was once more submerged into his memories.

She had cut herself. Her blood poured thick and dark from the wound. He remembered drinking from the fount. The taste of her blood as he drank from her was intoxicating.

“You know what I am.” She whispered.

“You’re a vampire…” He said. He drew away from her. “And…”

“I offered you immortality…”

“You made me a vampire…” Raven’s voice was incredibly low. He couldn’t believe it. “But they aren’t real. They can be real…” Even as he said these words, his memories and intuition told him otherwise. Constance smiled.

“Yes, we are real. I’m real. You’re real...”

“But why? Why did you do this?”

“So you could live forever, so you could have what you wanted. Immortality.”

“I never wanted immortality!” He yelled. Raven stared at her. She did not stop smiling.

“Yes, my dear Raven. You wanted immortality. You wanted people to know you. You wanted people to love you for generations to come…”

“I only wanted to play!”

“Then play...”

The room around him began to spin. He felt dizzy and disoriented. He held out his hands to brace himself. Constance’s face became a blur of white. It disappeared in a shadow of darkness that overtook him.

Raven screamed and hit the ground hard. The room stopped spinning and was still. He sat up, rubbing his forehead.

“Then play.” He heard her say again. He turned in the direction of her voice. She stood silhouetted against a wall of bright lights. It almost hurt to look in her direction. Bewildered he stood. In her hand she held the neck of a guitar.

“What?” He asked as he approached her. She handed the guitar to him. He felt its weight heavy in his hand. She moved aside, revealing an amplifier. Without a word, she plugged the cord into its slot and stood back.

Raven could only stare. Constance took a step back, blending once more into the shadows. He broke her stare to look down at the guitar in his hand. Light shone on it, glimmering from its glittering red surface. He was suddenly compelled to do it. He lifted it in his arms, positioning it. His fingers curled around the neck, seeking the proper strings and frets.

He wanted to play. He brought his fingers along the strings. It sang to life. Music poured out and echoed throughout the room. It sent a delicious shiver through his body. He sucked in a deep breath.

“Play.” Constance whispered. He needed no coaxing.

He began to play. The song was slow at first. The notes were held out, longer than he had ever held a note. It resonated through him. He felt the music, more than he had ever felt it before. It was unnerving. It was an unnatural sound.

Then the song changed. It tore from the stings of the guitar. Raven closed his eyes as he played. The music came from the soul, the screaming chords tearing through his mind and body.

He could not take it any more. The music, the unnatural, vampiric song was the last thing he needed. With a roar of rage, he yanked the guitar from his body. He brought it down hard over the amplifier, shattering the body of the instrument. Splinters and bits of debris sprayed into the air around him. It didn’t satisfy him. Anger tore through him. Every pent up, confused, hurt and angry emotion surged through him.

Over and over again, Raven slammed the instrument into the amplifier. When there was nothing left, he tossed the useless thing aside. He panted heavily, staring down at the broken bits around his feet. He hadn’t even broken a sweat.

He detected movement to the side and he lifted his eyes. Constance neared him. Her soft, cold hand touched his elbow.

“How do you feel now?” She asked him. Her voice was in his ear. Her breath was on his neck. He calmed his breathing, calmed his beating heart. He felt something he had never felt before. He felt calm. He felt right. He closed his eyes for a moment. Nothing else mattered, not his friends, not his band, not his family. He felt a sudden and irresistible desire. He knew what it was.

“Better.” He said. “But hungry.”

She laughed her soft, tinkling laugh.

“That can be remedied…” She took his hand and drew him from the room. Raven followed without word, without protest, while Constance continued, a small smile twisting on her face. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” Raven said. And he was.