Chapter 19 - Auðr

I don’t like that cop. I don’t need to know him. I don’t care to know him. He cockblocked. He implied that I have an STD or am at least a carrier. I’m a vampire. We can smell tainted blood, and don’t mess around with that. All of that aside, what has put that wolf on my shit list is that he embarrassed and upset Sage with his nonsense.

I needed space between us and that pack. My hotel room was the most logical destination. We shouldn’t be interrupted there. And while my dick’s priority has been fucking Sage since they climbed on my lap and started grinding themselves against it, sex doesn’t have to happen. If Sage’s interest has fizzled by the time we get to my room, it’ll be fine. Sage did say they are demisexual, so I was not expecting a consistently high libido.

I didn’t want to start a serious conversation during the drive. Talking about what happens if Sage takes Steelcrest’s offer sounded like a one-way ticket to not getting laid. I turned on the radio to avoid a mood-killing conversation, only to wrinkle my nose at some teenie bopper garbage offending my ears. I went to cut the music, but Sage stopped me.

“Focus on driving. I can handle the tunes.” Sage lightly knocked my hand away from the dial.

“Fine.” I conceded, bringing my hand back to the wheel.

I don’t know much about Sage’s taste in music beyond that they like Immortal Eclipse. From the corner of my eye, I watched them on their phone. They tilted the screen just enough so I couldn’t tell what they were doing. This should be interesting or terrifying. I guess I’ll find out. Sage smiled, proud of whatever playlist they created as they connected their phone to the car’s Bluetooth.

I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel, enjoying the instrumental intro until I recognized the chord progression seconds before my voice came out of the speakers. I turned to look at Sage as King of the Night, a song from when I played in Velvet during the 1930s. Sage just grinned, laughter in their amber eyes and poorly contained laughter shaking their body.

“When the sun goes down, that’s when I come alive. In the shadows I roam, where the restless survive. I don’t need no light, no bright city glow. ’Cause the moon’s my guide, and the stars, they know.”

My speaking voice hasn’t changed since I was turned, but my singing voice I control. I never wanted to sound the same when I reinvented myself and the band. So, while I knew it was me, Richie Germaine, my stage name back then, sounded younger compared to how I sang in other bands and even how I sing now. But to a trained or supernatural ear, they’d know it was me. Sage was enjoying this new form of torture.

“Come on, you must know this one.” Sage laughed.

“Sing a few lines.” Sage nudged me.

“I live for the darkness, where the silence sings. I’m the king of the night, wearin’ shadowed wings. Where the world slows down and the heart beats deep. That’s when I find what I need to keep.”

I sighed, rolling my eyes as the chorus played. Sage pouted, giving me puppy eyes. I wasn’t getting out of this trip down memory lane without singing. So I conceded.

“In the alleyways dim, where the streetlamps flicker low. There’s a rhythm in the dark that only night owls know. I don’t walk with the crowd, I drift on my own. ’Cause the night is my kingdom, and I sit on the throne.” I sang along.

With my voice in line with how I sing for Immortal Eclipse, it made for an interesting duet with my younger self. Sage perked up, not simply amused as they’d been a moment ago. They were intrigued. They likely noticed the difference in my singing voice on the recording and in the car.

“I live for the darkness, where the silence sings. I’m the king of the night, wearin’ shadowed wings. Where the world slows down and the heart beats deep. That’s when I find what I need to keep.” I continued to sing along, turning to watch the road.

“Let the rest chase the dawn, but I’ll stay where I’m free. In the cool of the night, there’s a place just for me. It’s a world made of whispers, of secrets and flight. And that’s where I find my purpose in the night.” I sang the bridge, ignoring how closely Sage was watching me.

“So let the moonlight shine, and the midnight grow. ’Cause in the arms of the night, I’ll forever go. Yeah, I’m livin’ for the darkness, and I’m home at last. In the arms of the night, I’m free from the past.” I finished the song, glancing at Sage, the words having a new meaning next to me.

“Wow…” Sage blinked. “How is your voice so different? I expected you to sound the same in Velvet as you do now. You don’t age, so your voice shouldn’t change.”

“It’s tied to my vampirism. One of my powers is something called the deep song. I can influence listeners with my voice, and a subsect is that I can change my singing voice.” I explained.

“It worked in my favor to make sure that when I had to reinvent myself, I would sound different. Is that a problem?” I asked.

“No, not a problem. Very interesting, in any case. I can’t wait to see how you sounded in the other bands.” Sage smiled as Shinning in the Shadows started to play.

Of my long music career, Stellar Awakening and its glam rock style was the one I regretted. It was so far from what I was about. Silas Reid was publicly not anything like me. Women threw themselves at me in ways they hadn’t in Velvet or Pantheon. It’s likely because the era was so full of sex and drugs. I didn’t care for it, and beyond feeding on a groupie, I’d pass them off to a band member to get fucked while I sought the sexual fulfillment I wanted. There were always men who pretended they were straight ready and willing for a secret rendezvous with a musician. Sometimes, they were even the husbands of the women I passed over to Rune and the boys.

“Am I seriously going to listen to a playlist of my old songs?” I asked.

“I threw some other bands in there, but yep.” Sage grinned.

I sighed, shaking my head as the song faded and Billie Holiday’s Everything Happens For The Best started playing. I smiled. I remembered Billie fondly. She was a good person with a beautiful voice. I cocked my head slightly as I heard Sage singing along. They weren’t on key, but I wouldn’t expect most people to. It was cute. They know Billie Holiday songs.

Outside of hearing songs from my old bands, the drive was enjoyable. Sage really, and I mean REALLY, gets into songs. I’m not talking, just singing or bobbing their heads to the beat. I mean full-body dancing in their seat. It was adorable.

“Oooo, the Ritz-Carlton. Fancy.” Sage whistled as I pulled into the parking garage and scanned my room key to get in.

“It’s what the record company booked.” I shrugged as I found a spot. “Let’s head upstairs,” I said, cutting the engine.

Sage was quick to jump out of their side of the car. I chuckled, pulled my shirt back on, and grabbed my fedora from the backseat. Léonel can at least rest easy knowing I didn’t have sex in his rental car. It’s not like he ever pays any additional cleaning fees the times I have. That’s charged to the label. Yet, it doesn’t stop him from lecturing me about it.

What is the best part of the parking garage under the hotel? You have to be a guest to use the garage. When famous people, not that I truly consider myself very famous, the hotel is careful in keeping away reporters and paparazzi. As much as some things and people are stuck in the stone age, being out as a gay musician isn’t as frowned upon as before. As such, I didn’t think twice about putting an arm around Sage’s waist as we went inside.

Sage leaned into me as we passed the front desk. I shot the staff a narrowed gaze as they were about to gossip to each other. I kept Sage tucked against my side as I called the elevator and guided them into the first one to open. I swiped my card and selected the 18th floor. I nodded to the couple and their kid, who stepped in after us. And there went my plans of getting Sage back in the mood on the elevator ride to my room.

It was a quick ride up. The family exited the elevator at 10, so we were alone for the remaining floors, which wasn’t very long as these elevators moved fast. I smiled when the doors opened, leading Sage into the hall.

“My room is this way,” I said, taking my key card out again.

“Is it weird that I’m nervous but excited to be alone where no one can interrupt us finally?” Sage asked.

“Sounds normal to me. I’m excited to get you alone, too. Nervous? Not as much, but I think that’s because I’m older and more experienced.” I assured Sage with a kiss to their temple before scanning my card and opening the door.

I was ready to finally be alone with Sage. Instead, we walked in to find the lights on and everyone but Léonel sitting on the sectional sofa with a bunch of drunk humans who’d been used as tonight’s meal. Everyone turned to look at us in surprise. My bandmates at least had the sense to look worried. The humans, however, were laughing as they stumbled to stand up.

“Join the party!” a woman laughed as she stepped forward, only to stumble and spill red wine on the carpet.

“GET OUT!” I bellowed.

The humans were startled and suddenly sober—well, not sober- under my vocal command. They mechanically grabbed their things and hurried out of the room.

“We can explain…” Zeke started, but I cut him off.

“Shut up. I don’t want to hear a word from any of you. You will leave whatever key you used to access my room on the table and walk out. We will discuss this tomorrow night when I’m not in a murderous mood.” I instructed.

There was some grumbling, but they walked out, each putting a keycard on the table. They ALL got keys to my room!? Yeah, that shit is not going to fly. I came here to be alone with Sage. They are all going to get an earful from me tomorrow about this bullshit.