1. The Meeting

Demetrius

I kick a pebble and watch as it skips along the dark cobbled street. My hands are stuffed tightly in my pockets like they are searching for something. I’m in a real mood tonight. Another night in this meaningless life. Restlessness has taken over, guiding me to this place for reasons unknown. I drown out the noise and voices around me, not wanting to deal with the petty issues of humanity. Their problems seem so feeble and unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Why had I decided to come here at this hour when it was so very clear I shouldn’t be around anyone, especially any humans? Disgusting things. But I did know why. I was searching for something, anything different than what I was accustomed to. Maybe I can get into some trouble, maybe I will find a woman, or maybe I will do both. Vampire women are so boring and I’ve already had my share. Even though I didn’t like humans in general, taking one to bed every now and then at least allowed me some reprieve from my thoughts. I needed something new and fresh, and they seemed to be spilling out of the bars everywhere full of alcohol and eager for a night with me. I’m sure the assumption of my wealth played a factor in that. I was in fact wealthy, but no mere mortal woman would get their hands on any of assets, or any woman for that matter. Gold diggers. All of them.

Okay. So maybe I was scarred. Years ago, I had given my heart to someone only to have it ripped out – metaphorically speaking, of course, otherwise I would not be here. Even though my kind can withstand severe injuries, a heart ripped from the chest would mean certain death for us. But still, that’s what it felt like. Letting your guard down for someone, only for them to do what you fear the most and betray you, well, there’s no worse feeling in the world. So now in the place where my heart once existed, is just a hardened, black muscle. I don’t care for many. Now I am merciless and cold-blooded. That is the only way to be in order to protect yourself. I will never be so weak and trusting again. Still, I can’t help to wonder, is this all there is to life? There has to be more, right? Otherwise, what is the point of being an immortal if you can’t enjoy it?

Maybe the humans I despise so much are better off than me. Enjoying life to the fullest every day because you never know which day is your last, now that was living. What I’m doing… it just isn’t. Each passing day is the same. Nothing to look forward to. Nothing really excites me anymore. I feel numb. It’s as if I am living in a world of black and white.

So here I am immersing myself in the company of those I hate just to spice my life up, forever on the hunt for that bit of color. How very basic of me. Have I fallen so far?

My eyes dart up ahead as I hear a door swing open to see a man being tossed from the other side. Drunken fool. The man who did the tossing yells some words I tune out before slamming the door behind him. I step over the man who’s been tossed, and he mumbles some vulgarity, but I pay him no mind. As bored as I am, fighting a drunkard is no fun.

“Hey, I’m fucking talking to you.” He yells louder grabbing my ankle. I turn over my shoulder with a raised brow.

“Yeah, you. Fucking pretty boy. Don’t walk over me like that. You young bastards have no respect.”

Young? Pretty boy? If he only knew how far off he was. I go to him with lightning speed crouching closely to his face. Even in his drunken state, he’s smart enough to be afraid. My eyes blaze red, my fangs elongate, and my face distorts revealing the monster within. “Tell me, how pretty do I look to you now?” I snarl. I tolerate disrespect from no one.

He crawls backwards in fear. “What the -- please, man. I didn’t mean anything by it. Please don’t kill me.” His hands go up to guard his face as if that would do anything to stop me. I scoff. Pathetic.

“You aren’t even worth the time. Now be gone before I change my mind.” He gets up, and I’m confident the buzz he had has worn off. I’m not the type of vampire to kill for any reason. I take blood when I need it, but I’m rather picky about the source. Blood is what sustains me, it’s what keeps me alive, but I can go without it for some time. So when I do indulge, I am careful about what I’m putting in my body. I’ll never drink from someone who abuses any type of drugs or alcohol. Back home, we have willing blood donors who my people ensure are in tip-top shape. They are healthy, exercise, and eat well-balanced meals. So spilling blood for no reason would just be a waste to me. I know other vampires who might disagree and would eagerly kill a human simply because they can. To each their own.

I continue walking down the long strip trying to decide what I’m even doing. I should just go back home. I’m not really in the mood for a woman anyways. They only seek to darken my mood. I don’t feel like going to a hotel or their house where others have most likely lied. They always seem so shocked when I leave after I’m finished and I’m unsure why. What else could they have to offer me?

My ears pick up on a conversation I am about to tune out before they perk up. It isn’t the words that are spoken, but the voice that speaks them.

“Xenia, come on. You seriously can’t be mad about this. It was nothing.”

“Yeah? Well, why was she all over you like that?”

“Babe, she was drunk. I don’t know her. What did you want me to do?”

“Anything other than what you did. You seemed pretty comfortable with your hand resting so close to her ass. It’s just disrespectful.”

“I’m sorry. Don’t be mad. You know you’re the only girl for me.”

How cliché. I didn’t have to see him to know there was deceit in his words. Whoever this person was, he was lying. None of my business, though. But the woman he was talking to, this Xenia, her tone, even though she was upset, it was pleasant to my ears. Odd.

I stop in front of the entrance contemplating my next move when suddenly the door swings open, and someone rushes out not paying attention when they run into me head first. The short figure with brown hair and a heavenly scent bumps into me like I’m a brick wall before bouncing back.

“Oh, shit! Sorry! I –“ she stops abruptly finally looking up to meet my gaze as I stare down to her curiously. Her mouth gapes open and it’s obvious she is upset as I can see the lines on her face from what I can only assume to be dried tears. Something in me wants to console her, but I am confused by this. Why do I care if she’s upset? She’s just a human.

“I’m so sorry. I clearly wasn’t watching where I was going.” She finally finishes stepping back. I stare at her blankly and she frowns. She is… lovely. “It’s fine. But you should be more careful,” I want to tell her everyone is not as forgiving as I, but my eyes look past her at the man that’s quickly approaching.

“Babe, what’s going on?”

“I’m leaving, Aiden. Is it not obvious? And stop calling me babe.” I smirk and step back allowing them space. Although I feel like I’m intruding, I also don’t really care. I can’t look away and I’m curious as to how this will play out.

“Don’t go. We were having a good time.”

“Really? You call that a good time? You’re the only one having a good time. How would you feel if I had a man all over me?“

“Why do you always have to be like this? You’re acting like a bitch for no reason.”

“Oh, I’m always like that? Are you seriously trying to flip this on me now?”

Anger suddenly takes over as I fight to calm myself, caught off guard by the sudden feeling. I never have an issue controlling my emotions. I’m not the most chivalrous being in the world, but I don’t like the way he’s talking to her.

“Is that how you speak to a woman?” I find myself blurting out. I can’t believe I’m inserting myself like this, but too late to take it back now.

They both whip their heads to me in shock as if they had been unaware of my presence. I cross my arms waiting for a response, daring him to test me.

“Who the fuck are you?”

I step to the man ready to let him know exactly who I am before the short woman steps between us. “This is my friend, Aiden. He’s taking me home. Carry on with whoever that was inside. Don’t bother calling me.”

She looks back to me with this pleading look in her eyes, asking me to go along. Usually, I could care less about relationship squabbles, but something about this woman is intriguing me and I don’t like the Aiden person. I nod to her, and she exhales in relief. We turn to leave -- to where I have no idea -- when he grabs at her wrist.

“You’re not leaving with him!” He yells.

“I just caught you with a woman all over you. You don’t get to tell me what to do. Let me go!” She makes good points, but I’m no longer focused on her words, just the hand that holds her wrist.

Another surge of anger courses through me when I grab his wrist jerking it from her. Turning to him peering into his eyes with mine now flashing red, I almost tear his arm off. “Leave now.” I lean down to whisper in his ear that he won’t remember that part. The command is forceful. I watch the struggle and confusion in his eyes, but he can’t disobey. He turns in defeat and leaves as I turn back towards her. She looks at me wide-eyed, but I have composed myself.

“You’re pretty fearless, huh?” She says thoughtfully. “Thank you for that. He’s such a dick.”

I look down to her in amusement. She is different than the human women I have known. I can’t place my finger on it.

“That seems to be an accurate description. Come now. Let’s get you home.” She stops beside me crossing her arms and I turn to look at her in confusion.

“That’s just something I said to get him off my back. You’re not coming home with me. I don’t even know you.”

“Hmm. You are right. I suppose you should get yourself home then on this late, dark night with who knows what out there.” My inference seems to stir her as her eyes dart around realizing her surroundings. I take a step closing the distance. “I wish you no harm. You can trust me. I will get you home safely.”

I surprise myself because my words are truthful, and I’m not sure why I even offer. Just because I don’t harm without cause doesn’t mean I care about people’s safety. But still, I feel the need to ensure hers. I suppose witnessing what I had and seeing her flustered state has me feeling pity for her. That is all.

She seems to contemplate my offer until finally she relents. “Okay. I’m only 10 minutes down the road. Don’t even think about trying any funny stuff, though. I’m always carrying and my dad’s a cop.” She taps her purse making me chuckle an actual laugh out loud. Not that that could stop me if I did mean harm, but the seriousness on her face was comical. She’s like a little firecracker.

I put my hand to my chest feigning shock. “I wouldn’t dream of such a thing. Shall we?” I motion for her to lead the way and we begin the walk to her place. I am a little concerned in how quickly she trusted me, though. I didn’t mean her any harm, but did she know nothing of the predators that roamed the night, the creatures that thrived in it like me and others? Those who would love nothing more than have a taste of someone like her? The thought disturbs me. I should warn her about being so trusting, but that’s not really my job. Me escorting her home alone was already doing too much.

“So who is this Aiden?” I ask, my curiosity getting the best of me. She sighs deeply and I realize it’s a touchy subject for her. She turns to look at me and now under the streel lights, I’m able to see her face better. She’s more than just lovely. She’s beautiful. I’m taken aback at that thought. Her face is soft and blemish free, she has a unique green and blue hazel eye combo. Light makeup graces her face aside from a bright red shiny lip shade that draws my attention them. My gaze stays there until she replies, and I wonder if she noticed. Oh, well.

“Aiden is a mistake. He’s my ex. We were trying to work things out, but that was clearly… well, a mistake. Some drunk girl was all over him, whispering in his ear and he didn’t do a thing. He looked like he was enjoying it. Asshole. If that’s how he behaves when I’m around, I can’t even imagine what he does when I’m not. I’m just sick of this. I feel so stupid. I should never have even given him another chance. He’s my ex for a reason and – oh, shit. I’m sorry. I tend to ramble when I’m upset, but I’m sure you don’t want to hear all that. Don’t mind me. I’m just wallowing in my sorrows, slowly on my way to the depths of despair.”

The depths of despair. She gives me a small smile, and I’m not sure if that was meant as a joke or not, but that’s exactly how I feel. “I know what you mean. Don’t worry about it. I’m happy to listen.” I give her a small smirk and her smile widens. “As I said before, you should be more careful. Everyone is not deserving of your time.” She nods her head in agreeance looking down in shame and I feel bad. I want to tell her she has nothing to be ashamed of but before I do, she stops.

“Well, this is me.” She points behind her to a brick multi-story building. I eye the place. Not my style, but it seems decent enough. “Seriously, thank you for getting me here and being a gentleman about it.”

Gentleman is not the way I would describe myself, but I guess she was seeing a different side of me. Might as well play the part. I grab her hand and kiss the top of it. I can feel her tense up and this makes me smile. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Xenia.” I stare into her hazel eyes momentarily before I finally turn to take my leave before she calls behind me.

“Wait. I didn’t get your name!”

I continue walking away thinking about if I should give her my name. Why not? I most likely will never see her again. “Demetrius,” I respond. She repeats my name in a whisper that I know was meant for her ears only, testing it out on her tongue, but with my hearing, I’m able to pick it up. The way my name sounds on her lips is so natural. I make my way home now in a much different mood than I had been only a short while before.