Prologue

Wall to wall people were pressed as they jumped in time to the music. The lights flashed in the dark overhead lighting each sweaty face as it scanned the room. On the far side a DJ sat behind a large table beginning the next song. As the tune changed from the fast paced techno to a slow tempered melody, most people left the black glass floor to find comfort at the bar which stretched the back of the busy club.

Spinning on the stool I stared at the glasses that lined the shelves behind the bar. They were lit with neon lights, sparkling as the glass caught the shooting lasers on the other side of the room. The bartender sauntered towards us and reached for his rag to dry his hands. Cocking my head to the side I quickly thought of drinks while my companion ordered, when he looked to me I smiled and offered “Captain and Cola”.

“Blaise, will you for once in your goddamn life stop sulking for one minute. It’s not your bloody fault that no one but me wants you around. Now what I want you to do is down this drink and find a nice fuck. Cop a feel with that little red head that’s down at the other end of the bar, she’s been eyeing you up.” Indeed there was a woman there but even without the lights I could sense the underlying layer of her sham of appearance. Her tight skin stretched over her face but it was pale and sickly, her long red hair was split and in a mess, who would want her?

Sighing quietly to myself I flashed him a small smile, my teeth barely showing. “My love life is none of your concern Allister and if you must know I did have a lay last week. I will try to have a good time tonight but as I told you hours ago, I am not in the mood to mingle with morons.” Half of the human population was such, their heads stuck in the clouds otherwise simply brain dead from their booze.

“Promise me you’ll at least ask one woman to dance with you?” He stared at me with his large guppy eyes and I nodded releasing him to his frolicking.

My drink came and I swirled the glass in my hand, my head was cloudy and I was all too tired. Tipping the glass back I watched as the redhead walked behind me and sat in the now vacated chair. She smiled softly as she sipped her martini, her eyes dancing as they ran up my muscular body. Her hand drifted towards my leg where it rested firmly on my thigh. Her red nails were long and chipped, the nails needing to be filled badly.

She was shallow, I could tell from the first glance but seeing her closer only confirmed the first impression. “My name’s Alex and I am completely in the mood for one hell of a night, aren’t you Mr. Pretty Boy?” She laughed coyly, her eyes watching mine.

Stretching to a stand I grabbed her hand. My head was too cloudy and I’d complete my promise before shooting out the back door where Allister would less likely spot me. “Come on doll, let’s grind.” The way her face lit up made me feel pity. She was clueless and it was hard to believe that she’d even think she was good enough for me.

The girl couldn’t have been older than twenty, her eyes were too young to show the age that she strived to achieve. She was not mature nor was she sexy. Leading her to the black glass floor, we stopped in the middle where she spun to face me with her coy grin. Matching her minx of a smile I let her dance with me. Any on looker would probably say she was rather dancing on me; no matter the case we moved to the music. With her short arms she wrapped herself around me, trying to make us as close as possible. Her body was warm; however the small chest that rubbed against my own gave me no pleasure. Yet the smell, I stopped moving all together as it reached my nose. The woman made no notice or didn’t care, she continued on to dance herself.

It wasn’t this woman; her hair’s odor gave off the smell of rotten lilacs in the sun. It repulsed me to no end, the vomit was held into my chest. Heat exploded with a collision as another body behind me brushed against my arm and in an instant my head whipped to the side. Just behind me danced a girl, younger than the one wrapped around me. A boy and this girl danced together as quick as the music’s tempo allowed; her long brown hair flowing with her hips.

I wanted to reach out and touch her, to feel her hair and find if that was truly the source of the heavenly scent that reached my nose. My mind couldn’t wrap itself around her, was this Aphrodite? No, she was the Holy Grail; life would pour from her lips. If only he could touch them. They would be as soft as a petal, I’d run my fingers over them before devouring them with my own lips. If only I could see her face.

“Baby,” the woman around me brought the world back to me; she pressed her hand against my body softly giving me no satisfaction whatsoever, “Why aren’t you dancing?”

I shook my head, the thoughts too clouded by this girl. “No reason, I’m going to head back to the bar.” Shaking her hands off me I squeezed through the crowded dance floor to find a new empty bar stool. The woman followed; apparently she was hoping that the night would not be over so shortly for her and I.

“Baby, want to come back to my place? I’ve got a small apartment just a few blocks away where we can be all alone.” Her seductive voice brought nothing to me, not once single ounce of pleasure or excitement. She ran her finger down my chest while giving me a pathetic come hither look.

The bartender was behind me and I ordered my drink, hoping she’d just go away. Instead this woman sat down beside me, her eyes glued to my face. “Well?” she asked expectantly.

“No,” was my simple reply. She let out a huff, her hands closed into tiny fists of fury and she left without another word. There just was no point in aimlessly sleeping around like I use to. It’s almost been twenty years since I’ve felt the need for this change, perhaps it is simply because after years of living the same lifestyle it gets dull.

Was it wrong to wonder if that girl’s voice was seductive? Turning in my chair I scanned the dance floor for her. I didn’t expect to find her again, I didn’t even look at her clothes or face before, yet when I saw her brown hair I stopped breathing. She still danced with the boy, a skinny pale thing with no style. His face was decorated in spots of acne and a large pair of black rimmed glasses sat on the bridge of his nose. His arms were wrapped around this goddess making my blood boil. Why should he be allowed to touch her? What makes him so worthy?

Closing my eyes I prayed to not lose control tonight, to not give in to the inner beast. Already my hands were shaking from the stress of containing it. Counting to ten I let myself calm down and then opened my eyes.

Immediately my eyes landed upon the girl, her face still away from me. She wore a simple black shirt which illustrated every curve, every perfect feature of her small body. Her hips rolled with her tight pair of blue jeans; the legs hidden behind the fabric were strong and the curve of her back side left me breathless. I could all too easily imagine myself behind her holding her close to my own body.

I needed air. If I didn’t get some I’d be in trouble, what was happening to me? Allister appeared beside me on an empty stool, his face wild. “How’s it going you old dog? Got yourself that lucky lady yet?”

“No,” I grumbled with unease, “and I think I’m just going to head back to the hotel. There’s nothing here for me.”

He smiled and took a sip of my untouched drink. “No? Well perhaps I’ll just take that girl home then.”

“What girl?”

“The one you can’t keep your eyes off of. It’s been at least five minutes, you should be happy she didn’t catch you doing that.” His coy smile grew as he caught onto my unease. With one hand he picked up my drink, with the other he grabbed my shoulder. “We’re demons Blaise! Mind control, seduction, and killing are just some of the things we do best; so go out and get your girl!” He pushed me from the bar stool.

Frowning, I instead headed for the back door which led to the alley way. There were a few people outside smoking with their drunken haze. Rubbing my fingers over my forehead I breathed quietly to myself. Allister was right, yet I wouldn’t do that to this one. She was different, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.

Allister quickly emerged from the club, the door swinging as he threw it open. My eyes drifted behind him towards the dance floor where I immediately picked the girl out from the rest. Her face was to me now, her soft eyes hazy and clear, innocent. She really was Aphrodite. The round face was perfect, her cheeks were red from the warm dance floor and her lips were pressed into a soft smile. Her lips were just as he imagined soft as petals; now he only needed to touch them to prove it.

“Fine, give me a few minutes to cool down and then I’ll go get her,” I spoke quickly to Allister as the door swung shut. He smiled and crossed his arms over his chest. Breathing quietly I promised myself that I wasn’t going to mess this up, not today. “Allister,” I breathed through my mouth, “I don’t understand what’s going on.”

He shrugged his shoulders and pulled out a cigarette. “Maybe it’s your inner beast acting up again, once you want something it’s hard to tell you no. You’ve been getting worse lately.”

“It’s not like you’re fully in control of your demonic mind all the time,” I muttered knowing very well that I was getting out of hand. My inner beast was ruled by instinct, yet what instinct did this girl hold that I would need?

Again he shrugged. The light of his cigarette glowed from his lips. “No but I’ve never been this bad. What’s got your boxer’s in a bundle?”

“Maybe its briefs,” I cracked out with half a smile.

Allister laughed, throwing his head down to slap his knee. “We both know that ladies prefer the boxers man.”

“I can’t believe we’re even on this topic,” I muttered with a laugh. Shoving my hands into my pockets I sighed and looked around at the nearly empty back alley. “I don’t trust myself with her.”

“No?”

Shaking my head I couldn’t help but think I was being silly. I wouldn’t hurt her, I won’t hurt her. There is an instinct to protect her inside myself; yet, I still don’t know how I will react to this angel. “It’s nothing, never mind.” I pulled open the door with my right hand and slipped back inside to leave Allister with his smoke.

With great fear I searched the dance floor for her only to find her missing. She was nowhere to be found. My heart leapt with anxiety; if she left I may never see her again. In my panic I rushed towards the restroom. The two doors were near the bar and when the woman’s door opened I couldn’t smell her inside. Closing my eyes I cursed, she was gone, I’d waited too long. Opportunities come and go and I just let this one slip through my fingers.

Sitting back down at the bar I leaned forward to rest my head in my hands. In the counter of the bar I could see my reflection in the surface. Disappointment was etched into all my features. I could see her face beside me in the reflection, it just as disappointed as me. Her face swelled with tears and only when I saw the liquid fall to the wood did I realize that it was her. My heart leapt with fear, was it like this when I only had just begun to date?

Sitting up I examined her sad face. She was crying, her soft angelic face was warped into depression. I wanted to simply reach out and hold her to me until she was better. How could something upset my angel so?

“Can I help you?” she spat out as me, her eyes glaring at me with a hard stare. Her voice was angry, rough from crying with a hint of softness. Using the back of her hand she rubbed her eyes trying to remove of the evidence of her tears. Her wrist was fashioned with a twenty one and under bracelet to identify her age.

Smiling softly I moved her hair behind her ears. The tips of my fingers brushed against her skin softly sending electric currents down my spine. “I believe that is the question I should be asking you. What has upset you?”

Her face was flush, her embarrassment bright. “That is none of your concern.”

I gave her my hand which she shook with hesitance. “Perhaps introductions are in order. My name is Blaise.”

I was on the tip of my seat in anticipation for a name, a name to the face I would never forget. She was the net and I was her fish. “I’m Faye. I know it’s an odd name. My mother said that it actually came about because she was in the middle of reading a book about fairies just before she went into labor.”

I didn’t think it odd at all, I was in love already. My heart swelled and I was fearful for what I would do to this girl if I was left alone with her. Flashing her a gentle smile I ordered a drink for myself and offered her something of her choice. She kindly declined and only mentioned briefly that she was waiting for a cab.

“A cab?” I laughed at the thought, “No, let me drive you home. I have a convertible if it makes it better.”

She stared at me fearfully. “I don’t even know you, I’m not going to jump into a car with a stranger. No, the cab will be fine.”

“Fine.”

She sighed, looking around the room in disappointment. “I’m sorry, that was rude of me. It’s just been a tough hour for me. I come all the way out to this club even when I don’t want to just to be rejected because I don’t put out. You see, I came here with a boy from my school thinking it would be a fun night and he wouldn’t stop trying to push himself on me. He finally became so fed up with me that he left! So now I’m stuck getting a cab to get home.”

Her eyes were shallow. “Faye, I know you don’t know me so this probably won’t mean anything coming from me, but I’m sorry. That guy is a prick’ I’d beat him up just for you if you wished.” Every nerve in my body was itching to go find this boy who upset such a perfect angel. I wouldn’t stop at beating; I’d kill him no doubt. A news team would cover the disappearance of the boy and the body would show up months later, no trace to me.

“I lied, I will take your offer if it’s still on the table,” she spoke quietly. She played with her thumbs in her lap, a game of thumb war against herself. She wouldn’t look at me now, her face hidden behind a wall of hair. “I know it’s terribly shallow of me, but cabs are so expensive. I don’t have that much money with me and well I wouldn’t mind your company for awhile longer.”

Smiling, I covered her hands with one of my own. “You can trust me, I won’t hurt you.”

“When do you want to leave?” Still she would not look at me, her face hidden.

I wanted to say never, I wanted to stay with her forever. Forever was impossible to ask for, but I had all the time in the world. “We can leave now if you wish.” She nodded and I smiled as she finally met my eyes. Screw Allister, he could walk back to the hotel tonight.

I held her hand as I led her to the exit; my heart beat was erratic in my chest. I couldn’t slow it; my inner beast was slowly taking over my emotions completely. Once outside, the cold weather stirred my thoughts as it nipped at my nose and my instinct was to warm this girl, my Faye.

Shrugging off my jacket I laid it on her shoulders. She gave me an inquisitive glace but made no comment, only slipping her thin arms into the sleeves. I showed her to my car, the sleek silver glowing in the street lamps. Being the gentleman, I opened her door and helped her inside before climbing in myself.

“I like your car,” she whispered to me in the quiet car. I stuck the keys in the ignition lighting up the dashboard. Her face now glowed with the soft color.

I couldn’t breathe enough, her scent was over powering. It spun my head in a sick motion; I was on a trip which I never wanted to end. “It gets me around.”

“What do you do for a living?” Her lips were pressed into a thin line as she examined my folder of compact disks; she scanned several artists before picking one out and slipping it into the player.

“I travel,” I answered, unsure of how to answer. Smiling, I pushed the car into drive. “Actually, I have several investments that keep me funded sufficiently.” That was the best way to put it, since I did have several investments made; however, she has no idea how long this money has been building up.

“That must be nice.” I looked over to see her leaning against the door, her head against the window. With my hand I brushed back her hair so I could view her face. She blushed, her eyes glued outside. Quickly she changed the topic to directions and pointed out the road I should take.

It would be all too simple to stop the car and recline her seat backward and have her right there. Closing my eyes I let out an aggravated breath and took the next turn she pointed out and we were on the busy highway. “So what do you do?” My voice was shaky, rough and I prayed it did not frighten her.

She bit her bottom lip and ran her fingers through her hair so that it was no longer tucked behind her ear. “I go to school. I’m in my senior year.”

“You’re only in high school?”

She nodded, chewing on her lip. If only I could do that, my insides were turning with desire, I needed this girl. I would ruin her innocence, I was a monster but all I could think of was what that small black shirt was covering up. It’d be easy to remove; I’d simply slide it over her head.

“How old are you?”

I laughed, turning off the highway as she directed. “I’m old enough,” I muttered with a smile. She didn’t need to know the rest. “Are you hungry?”

“A little,” she whispered, her voice growing warmer.

Down the road I spotted a small restaurant that was still open into the late hours of the night. Parking, I walked around to her side and opened her door for her. “It’s my treat, order whatever you want.” Grabbing her hand I helped her out of the car and walked her inside, her hand still in mine. The feel of the small piece of flesh drove my insides wild; it was so soft and warm.

The small room was warm, the tables scattered around it. Three of the four walls were painted red and decorated with lively pictures, copies of famous paintings one would find in the Louvre. We were seated near the front before the large glass windows that looked out onto the street.

Across from me she sat with her menu in hands, studying the lists with great attention. Barely glancing at my own I ordered the first thing I saw, she got a sandwich. We stared at each other, she wasn’t afraid to look at me now. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it and looked out the window.

“Is this a date?” she wondered out loud now that she wasn’t looking at me.

Blushing I laughed aloud. “It certainly feels like it. It’s got that awkward feeling to it doesn’t it?”

“Yes, I hardly know what to say,” she admitted. She smiled at me and blushed herself. “I have had horrible dates before. Once I went out with this boy from my math class freshman year. He was handsome; he was on the swim team and football team. Well he took me out for a night of ice skating and it was terrific fun, he held my hand and got me hot coco.”

“That doesn’t sound horrible,” I smiled and placed my napkin on my lap as an appetizer of bread arrived.

She blushed and took a small piece of the bread. “No, let me finish silly!” She took a sip of her water wetting her small round lips, my throat going dry staring at them. “Afterwards we went downtown to walk around. Everyone was out that night even though it was the dead of winter, even his friends. Oh, I should first tell you we went to a café where his friends were. He ordered me another hot coco, and when I saw ordered, he ordered it without even consulting me. Then I go off to the bathroom and I can overhear him talking to his friends through the ventilation system. They weren’t being quiet about it. He was telling these boys how he was going to sleep with me and have me wrapped around his finger.”

Smiling, I gave her another piece of bread when I noticed she had torn the one in her hands to shreds. She laughed and pushed the crumbs into her napkin. “I guess the memory got me a little mad,” she apologized, “but he was a jerk. So when I came back from the bathroom my drink was ready. I wasn’t a very nice person but I was just so angry. I took the drink and poured it in his lap and left. He was cussing and screaming but I just ignored it.”

“Ouch, hot coco in a guy’s lap is not very kind. Plus, if he was really unlucky it probably burned him,” I smiled.

She nodded, “It did. He was in school the next day and yelled at me in front of everyone in math. It only made him look like an idiot but I did feel bad.”

The waitress came and placed our meals before us, tucking the bill at the end of the counter. We ate quietly, exchanging stories of horrible dates as well as just simply getting to know one another. This was it, this was what I wanted. No, this was what I needed. There was a feeling in the pit of my stomach that urged me to touch her, to make her mine.

She finished her meal quickly, excusing herself to the restroom. When she was gone I paid the bill, waiting for her return. I was fearful to be alone with her again; would I stop the car on the side of the road this time? Or maybe I would take her back to my hotel room; she’d enjoy that much more than the car.

“Ready?” I turned to find her behind me with a smile.

I nodded, holding the door open as we walked outside. “Faye, I think maybe we should-

“Do you want to watch a movie?” she broke in.

I was smiling like an idiot. “Yes.”

“Well the movie theater is closed now, but my parents aren’t home so we could watch one of my DVDs in the living room. My father bought a big screen for his mid life crisis, not to mention a new car and some miracle cream for growing hair that only made his scalp orange for a month.” I laughed, opening her car door once more to help her in. “Or if there’s something you want to watch we can go to the movie rental store and rent one.”

I started the car and pressed a kiss to her lips silencing her. “No, we can just watch whatever you have at your house.”

“Okay,” she breathed, stunned. I was stunned as well, I kissed her. Her lips were wonderful, soft and moist.

Like a babbling idiot I opened my mouth. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to kiss you. I just thought, well I wasn’t thinking.”

She was blushing now, her fingers hovering over her lips. “It’s fine, really.”

The drive to her house was quick; her directions were easy to follow as she pointed out each road in advance. Our conversation was light; she probably was having second thoughts on inviting a stranger to her house.

When we arrived at her house I was nervous. She got out before I could open her door and waiting for me at the front of the car. I locked the doors and met her there, smiling softly. Her house was small, one story with red siding and white shutters. The front porch was older, the wood warped in places. The garage was connected to the house. The garage door was white, chipped in places.

“Come on in,” she smiled, taking my hand to guide me to the front door. From her front pocket she pulled out a small key and unlocked the dead bolt. “It might be a little messy; I wasn’t planning on having company over.” The house wasn’t messy; instead the living room was welcoming. Two couches sat in the living room, both white with no stains. They faced the large flat screen. She sat me down on the loveseat and went to play with the DVD player.

My hands grabbed at the fabric of my pants, I could feel the change coming over me. My other side was showing; now instead of my normal round finger nails there were sharp jagged claws. Inside my mouth I could feel the teeth, the sharp razor teeth cut my tongue sending the taste of blood bubbling down my throat.

“What kind of movie do you want to watch?” she asked with bubbly enjoyment. She sat with her back to me as she sorted through boxed cases. “I’ve got a bunch. Oh! This one’s my favorite, want to watch it?” She flashed me the case and I nodded in agreement, not caring what it was. “Let me dim the lights and I’ll join you.”

I was relieved to know that she wouldn’t be able to notice my new features in the dark. I’d hide them and she would never know the difference. The lights dimmed and we were left in the dark as her movie began. Next to me she threw down a blanket and curled up to my chest. In an awkward movement I wrapped my arm around her, all the while hiding my hand.

“As first dates go, I think this is one of the best,” she sighed.

Closing my eyes I tried to keep my breathing normal. She smelled sweet; I wanted to eat her up. “So you want to go on another date then?” Just the thought of seeing her again sent me over the edge.

“Yes.” She leaned up and kissed the bottom on my chin. My jaw went ridged, the razor teeth slicing deeply into my tongue. I was a fool but I didn’t care anymore. Rolling my body around I wrapped both my arms around her and pressed her back into the couch. The movie played forgotten, only our eyes had sights for the other.

I nuzzled my face into her neck, placing light kisses into her collar. She giggled, her hands winding into my hair to press me deeper into her. With my knee I spread her legs apart, her body fitting to mine perfectly. She froze; her body no longer moving. “Maybe we should slow this down, I don’t want to do that yet.” Yet her heart was beating wildly, her body warm and responding to me.

“Hold still,” I whispered, and she froze with fear. My teeth ran against her precious skin and for one second I thought of what I was doing, if it was what I wanted, and then I let my instincts go. I bit down on her neck ripping into the flesh, the soft metallic liquid seeped into my mouth. Licking the wound I smiled with satisfaction. “Mine.”

Her hand flew to her neck, her fingers prodding the sticky liquid. “Oh God! You bit me! What kind of twisted freak are you!”

“This twisted freak is your mate,” I growled, kissing her forcefully.

She pushed my chest, crying in freight. “Get off of me! Get out! Leave me alone you horrible monster!” When I scrambled away from her she fled to the other side of the couch huddling into a little ball. “Are you going to kill me?” Her voice wavered as she watched me carefully.

“No, never, I’d never hurt you.”

It hit me then, the realization of what I’d done. I’d only thought of what I wanted, not what would happen. I needed Allister, I needed to fix this, I needed her but now she’d never let me in. She was right in calling me a monster.

“Please, let me explain,” I pleaded, but she only gasped as she caught the glare of my teeth in the glow of the television. My outstretched hands showed the claws that grew from each finger tip and I knew there would be hell to pay for this night. “I love you, you must understand.”

“Go away,” she screamed, throwing a pillow at me. I let it hit my face, falling to the ground.

“Please,” I whispered.

She shook her head, burying it in her legs as she laid there in a ball. I stood, walking to her. I leaned down, kissing her forehead gently. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, brushing her hair away from her face, “I wasn’t thinking. Just give me a chance to explain everything.”

“Go away, just go away,” she sobbed now.

“As you wish, but I will be back,” I promised, kissing the top of her head several times, “and I hope you’ll try and give me another chance. I love you.”

I fled the house and rushed to my car. Throwing it quickly into reverse I sped out off her driveway. I could see her watching me from the window, her face stained with tears and her neck covered in blood. I had to get away, I had to find Allister and fix this. She was now my mate, my life, and to forget her would be no easy task.

A/N

Overall this works out better for me. I like the added interaction between Faye and Blaise, yet at the end I made him out to be more of a serial killer. I couldn’t help but think of Arnold Friend when I was finishing this up. What I do want to do is make the ending longer if possible, maybe add in more details, but for now it works. Depending on the length of the entire story it might be fine to leave it this short; I just felt 5000 words wasn’t enough.

The demon factor has really yet to be gone into. I think in the first story I lacked depth into the demon half so I’m trying to work that in subtly. Blaise also is getting more past worked into this story. The part about his lifestyle chance about twenty years back does relate to Faye, if anyone caught that. Like their souls called out for one another, he couldn’t find anyone else as appealing as she would be. I probably will actually go into that more with an Allister/Blaise conversation somewhere down the line.

Faye is still for the most part, Faye. She will be the naïve high school girl with no idea what to do with her situation. But I like Faye the way she is, I don’t need to change her.

So this is the re-write, I hope you all enjoy it. Nothing new yet, nothing out of the ordinary, just a new face on an old story. Hope you enjoyed, leave a review if you want and let me know if you like it more than the other version. Grammar wise it was way better of course, I just get better with that stuff as time goes on; but plot wise and character wise I do need the most input.