Irish Vampire Blues

by ifItsallthesametoytoyou

Summary:

There it was, another bouquet left on your desk.

Chapter 1

There it was, another bouquet left on your desk; they had been rather frequent as of late. Odd, since you and Michael had broken off your engagement not too long ago.

The break had come as a surprise to you since you had thought everything had been going well. You had met while working alongside each other for years, began dating, and soon became the office power couple; always teeming up to produce exceptional results on your projects.

Engagement seemed like the obvious next step; yes the communication between you two had gotten stale and yes you didn’t make love as often as you used to, and there had been that feeling of standoffish on Michaels part whenever you both showed up at office parties.

But you had chalked it all up to pre-wedding jitters, that was until you had caught Michael and Sara the intern, right out of high school (building experience for the real world until something better came along as she had put it) in the copying room, Sara’s throat too full to fake embarrassment and Michael looking less ashamed and more annoyed.

He looked at you as if you had been a stranger at the train station forcing him to take out his earbuds to answer an annoying question just as the song was getting good.

You remembered it as if it was yesterday instead of several weeks ago, the obnoxiously loud pop Sara’s lips made as Michael removed her, Sara bumping into you as she left, not being able to hide the smirk on her lips.

Then the letdown coming from his - “I just need time to see where I want to be...” You threw your engagement ring in his face and watched as it bounced off of his head - who the fuck did he think he was, Donell? nah fuck all that noise.

It had taken every ounce of your will power not to make a stop by his cubicle and delete every file on that bitch; instead you walked back to your desk, sat down, set up a meeting with your supervisor and you explained why you wouldn’t be able to work alongside Michael. It was understood all you needed was the rest of the day off.

You were willing to forget Michael existed if only for your career. It hadn’t taken long for you to remove all your items from his apartment and his from yours; maybe the fact that you never fully moved in with each other had been a sign that this relationship had been doomed from the start. It was stupid to think that way, but the ‘whys’ did keep you up at night for a while - nothing a little time at the shooting range wouldn’t fix - and you were able to keep it together. There was only one problem - the bouquets never stopped showing up.

Was it guilt on Michael's part that compelled him to send out a bouquet of flowers every week, or had he forgot to cancel his subscription to flowerdelivery.com? Either way you weren’t going to make it your problem so into the trash they would go just like the last ones and the ones before that.

The sun had set though you hadn't noticed until you felt a tap on your shoulder; you jumped slightly out of your seat - it was Michael.

Giving you a weary smile, “It’s getting late, I wanted to know if you’d like me to walk you to your car.”

The way your face twisted must have made him realize where you both were professionally, because his brain must have kicked into over drive stumbling over his words, “I don’t mean anything by it I just remember how you hated walking through the parking garage alone and since I’m going there anyway I thought maybe...”

It was true you had hated the big wide underground parking lots after seeing a movie about a parking lot serial killer when you were young. Walking alone in them made the hair stand up on your neck, the echos of your shoes adding to the anxiety, knowing that even if you screamed that no one could even reach you in time before you were victim number six on some sick fucks list and you know the police would never find you, if they looked at all - they rarely if ever care what happens to black women.

So yeah, you were scared of underground parking lots at night, you had been making a point of leaving earlier with the rest of your coworkers to avoid this situation, but today you needed to stay later than usual. So just for today you’d take him up on his offer; you prayed that you wouldn’t make a mistake like this again.

You turned back around in your chair closing your computer, you grabbed your work bag from under your desk and your blazer on the back of your chair and motioned for the door, “After you.” Instantly perking up - you guess accepting his invitation to walk together gave him the idea that it was okay to talk to you.

Only half listening you pick up on the end of his ramble “I’m happy that I was able to walk you to your car, things have been rough lately and actually would you mind looking over this proposal for me, I’m kinda drowning.” Ah there it was, he needed something from you - something that he couldn’t get from the perky tit’d intern that had been a good enough lay to ruin everything you had together.

You began picking up speed since you were close to your car. Sensing your irritation and his only chance at salvation slipping through his fingers, he sped up, grabbing your hand as you reach for the handle and pushing you against the car.

Shocked, you look up at him in disbelief as his face screws up with frustration anger and anxiety, “Listen I’m sorry, is that what you want me to say? I’m sorry, I was wrong I was wrong about everything, I need you or I’m going to lose my job. Is that enough for you or should I crawl and beg on my knees?” Yanking your hand away from him -

“Wasn’t me throwing away all of the flowers you sent me enough for you to get a fucking clue?” looking confused he tried to cut you off “I never...” Balling up your fist, anger that you had been holding on to for so long began pouring out. “No, you listen for once in your entitled fucking life - you will be getting nothing from me ever again so get the fuck outta my way. If you can’t figure out how to save yourself from drowning maybe you deserve to drown.”

His face was full of shock - you had never raised your voice at him, never said no, but now you were here in all your glory looking like vengeance herself, and he couldn’t form a sentence. The silence was deafening - a car alarm on the other side of the lot went off making you both jump. Looking in his eye, in a low tone you only had one word to say to him “MOVE”.

You get in your car, quickly fastening yourself in, barely giving him a chance to move before you’re peeling out of the lot. On the way home you hit the car wheel until your palms hurt, like when you were young and scraped them up in a nasty fall. Then you screamed - “fuck him fuck him fuck! fuck! Fuck!!!” - just trying to release all the sadness you had been holding on to, pent up as fuck because you had a job to do and had no time to grieve, to fuckin’ heal.

You make it home, you don’t know how with the tears fucking up your vision, you park and make your way to the elevator closest to your apartment. Pressing up, you wait for it to open - once the doors open you burst in, moving quick enough that you don’t notice the man already in the elevator.

Bumping in to him all you can think is - great, why not add a knot on the back of my head to end the day just right.

But before you can fuck your shit up, the stranger grabs hold of you with his two hands gripping your hips, and while still holding on he takes a good look at you - “Now, may the devil punish whoever made an angel like you cry.” With one hand still on your hip he grabs a handkerchief in his breast pocket making the motion to wipe your tears away but thinking better of it and handing it to you.

You graciously accept it, too worn out to turn down the help you usually would. “All better now sweetheart?” you nod and move to hand his handkerchief back to him. You finally get a good look at him and you can’t help but snort a little - he’s dressed up like someone from peaky fucking blinders

“What’s wrong, Mo mhuirnín?” he tilts his hand to the side with a smile on his face. You can’t help but cough trying to keep your laughter to yourself; the last thing you want to do is offend some guy on the elevator, especially while he’s being nice. Coming to your senses, you turn around crossing over him to press your floor number. Since he was nice enough to lend you his handkerchief, you think "what the hell" and decide to converse with him, throw him a bone “So where ya from?”

“North Carolina” he answered, looking overjoyed to get another chance to talk to you. He takes off his hat placing it against his chest.

“Do all North Carolina people dress like, uh” you gesture to his three-piece tweed suit, “I like it, it looks good on you, Uh”

“Remmick, my name's Remmick, I guess I’m just a man set in the past” he replies, preening from the compliments. “But enough about me, let’s talk about who made a sweet thing such as yourself cry tonight.” The light from the elevator flickers, giving Remmick’s eyes the illusion of deep red pupils - did he have eye contacts? You try to shake off the feeling that you saw something you shouldn’t have but the feeling of danger lingers.

“Ding!”

Happily you arrive at your floor. You make your way out of the elevator, already walking in the direction of your apartment.

“Until next time -” He shouts your name loud enough for you to hear him but not loud enough to bother the neighbors. 

“Until next time Remmick” you reply, not wanting to be rude - other than the last bit he was the perfect gentleman, though he could work on his personal space.

It's not until you’re slipping your keys in your lock that you realize you never told Remmick your name.

Notes:

How you want a bitch that you don't deserve? - Plan B by Megan Thee Stallion

Chapter 2

Your mind goes back to the night before - not the argument with Michael, but your run in with Remmick.

How had he known your name? Maybe you had met before and told him, but that wouldn’t make any sense - you would have remembered a man dressed up as if he belonged in a Carol Dickenson novel.

Maybe one of your other neighbors had mentioned it - wouldn’t be hard to point you out; black workaholic female, always in a rush.

But there had also been his eyes - you had chalked it up to contacts, but something felt wrong.

Before you could dive into that odd sensation, you came into view of officers at your cubicle.

Slowly walking toward them, they asked for your name and if this was your desk; you answered truthfully - they informed you that you would need to come with them down to the station.

Michael had been found dead in his apartment and from the footage on your workplace's parking lot cameras you had been the last to see him alive.

Too shocked to argue and not wanting to make a scene at your place of work you quickly follow them out, noting that Sara didn’t seem to be in the office today.

You had given them your work bag that had held your little handgun, told them your name and some basic info before being placed in a room with a desk and two chairs.

You took the one facing the door, before a cop with light dirty blonde hair and a nose you assume had been broken at least twice in his lifetime, came in with two cups of coffee and a manila folder under his arm.

Placing the cup in front of you he wasted no time, “Let’s cut to the chase, you were the last to see your Fiancé.”

“Ex-” you gritted out.

“Ma’am try not to interrupt me again.” Giving you a stern look as if it was supposed to reprimand you, he continued, “You were the last to see your EX fiancé.” He emphasized the ex as if to mock you. “And from our record you left the office parking lot in a hurry, angrily if I may add.”

Moving the chair across from you until it sat almost touching your knee, he groaned as he sat next to you, placing the manila folder in front of you.

The officer opened it up to pictures of Michael splayed across his living room floor, his guts looked as if they had been ripped from his body and stuffed down his throat, his hands were laying on his stomach, while his arms were a few feet away.

Whatever sick fuck did this hated Michael more than you ever could.

Seeing the distraught look on your face the officer closed the folder and instead inched closer to you, “Look I understand, several officers including myself saw the footage - does he often put his hands on you?” Placing one of his hands on your thigh he could feel you tense as he moved closer to your ear, “Scum like him, men who abuse women, they deserve what they get.” As his hand slowly moved up your thigh his breath got heavy, “I could protect you - a beautiful thing such as yourself needs it, just confess-” he purred in your ear.

Against your better judgment you slap his hand away making a sharp sound that echoes around the room.

“Woah there Sheba, don’t forget we got cameras in here. Assaulting an officer on top of murder is not a good look.” He said this with a threatening tone meant to come off as a joke, but you knew better and the way he looked at you meant he knew you knew better.

‘Fuck the cameras that were probably condemning your every move. While excusing his.’

“Camera” the word slowly fell from your lips.

“What was that, Sheba?” Thinking that he had you spooked he gave you a smirk.

That was it - you had camaras in the parking lot of your apartment building - they would back up your story.

“I can prove where I was, there are cameras in the parking lot of my apartment building, and I live on the 21st floor. I couldn’t have left without going out the front also-” You were going to tell them about the man you had met on the elevator; maybe Remmick could corroborate your story, but the way he had looked at you - it was no worse than the cop - but there was something wrong with him, and at the moment it just wasn’t worth having to see him again.

Waiting for you to continue he gave you a nod

“And I was asleep all night long.” that wasn’t completely true you had been crying most of the night only passing out after a headache started to form.

Frowning, he stood up to leave, but not before giving the back of your neck a light squeeze - leaving you in the room by yourself.

Wait, they had made you wait for hours before coming back to talk to you. You knew how this worked for the most part - you had grown up watching cop shows on your grandmothers old tv while your mother would be at work. You don’t know why you hadn’t thought about this before, but now was the time to act - so as soon as he decided to grace you with his presence again you blurted out what you hope was confidently, “I want to remain silent” and “I want to talk to a lawyer.” before he could get a word.

“Be cool,” the light-haired officer said hand gesturing in a calming manner. “Good for you for knowing your rights,” he said almost condescendingly. “But your alibi matches what we saw on the cameras, you're free to go.”

You began to walk towards the door when he stops you by placing a hand on your arm, "I hope there’s no hard feelings between us - as a cop I sometimes have to lean into my role - you know how it is," giving you a smile that barely contained his lust. His hand moved up your arm and on to your shoulder “How about I drive you home, going home alone from this part of town can be dangerous for a girl like you.”

You wanted to snap at him, tell him he’s the one making it dangerous, but you held your tongue. You were almost out of here and hopefully you would never have to see this creep again.

“No thank you, it’s kind of you but I’m sure I'll be okay.” Trying to keep a smile on your face, you reach for the door handle, but before you can turn it, he places his hand on top of yours.

“Here take this just in case you’d like to go for a coffee one of these days.” It was a card with his information - was he fucking serious? You wanted to spit in his face but instead you smiled and nodded, taking the card and wishing him a good day.

Once outside you noticed how dark it had gotten - the sun was slowly setting across the buildings. It would take you hours to get home if you waited for a taxi, but if you walked, you’d be back in no time.

You didn’t want to walk, but with the way that cop had looked at you it may be for the best. Plus, you had a lot to think about with Michael.

Fuck!, you had missed a whole day of work and... Michael was dead - if asked which you cared more about, you’d plead the 5th, and maybe that was another reason in the bucket of why y'all never would have worked.

Aside from being a useless cheating sack of shit, no one deserved to die like that though- well maybe someone, but not Michael - not for being a subpar worker and a horrible fiancé.

At a steady speed you began walking in the direction of your apartment letting the landscape change.

The sun had fully set and even though the only light source you had around was the sprinkle of lamps that graced the sides of the benches in the park, you had idiotically decided to walk through just to save a few miles.

You tried to stay positive - you were close enough that you could basically feel the comforter that sat lazily on your bed, and in your mind, you were already home. But not really - in reality you were in a dark ass park with shitty lighting.

You held your work bag closer to your body - you read somewhere that most murders happen when you’re closer to home, so if anyone decided to jump stupid you’d see how far they could jump.

The sound of humming brings you out of your paranoid train of thought.

“I will build my love a bower.” It was dark enough that you could only see his shape and the outlines of his face, but that voice,

“By yon clear and crystal fountain.” It was him - the man from the elevator, Remmick.

As he got closer you caught view of his smile; it unsettled you - an eerie thought came to mind - was he waiting for you? He hadn’t done anything wrong per se, but as he got closer a chill ran down your spine. You don’t know how, but you knew something was wrong.

You slowly unlatched the closer on your bag - you didn’t want to hurt anybody, but you had to be cautious.

Stopping in front of you Remmick looks at you like he was seeing a long-lost lover.

“Well, hello my darlin' I had a feeling we’d be meeting' again.”

Trying to relax and at least be cordial you smiled back at him, “And how did you know that?”

“Fate, my dear.”

You wanted to scoff and tease him for his generic pick-up line but then he continued.

“I knew that once things had fallen into place, we could be together, of course I didn’t expect you to get questioned by the locals-”

Your blood ran cold, “r-Remmick what do you mean-”

Placing one hand on your cheek he looked deep in your eyes.

“I was gonna let him live, I swear it, it was enough that he was out of the picture but then I saw how he hurt ya and I couldn’t let him hurt what was mine.”

Shaking now, your mind was going haywire - what the fuck was he saying? He killed Michael! Fuck, fuck, fuck - the fear overtook you and tears began to form in eyes,

“Oh, don’t cry Mo mhuirnín, we’ll go home rinse your body of this day and you can tell me all about it you can eat then I can eat you, how does that sound?” he said, smirking at his own little joke.

His words rolled off his tongue so naturally like you had known each other for years and loved each other for a lifetime, and if that were true what he was saying would sound amazing.

Instead, you saw it for what it was - this Buffalo Bill, Son of Sam, son of a bitch was going to kill you, rape you, and skin your body - and if you were lucky - in that order. You couldn’t let that happen. You didn’t want to, but you knew what you had to do; your hand slowly reached in your bag - you trembled even harder.

“Oh my love, You must be scared out of your wits, I hope you know it was never my intention to get you caught up, who was the one who did this to my wife, my family?”

Too blinded by his own desires he doesn't hear the hammer click. Stepping closer he brings his nose to the side of your neck, deeply breathing you in, giving a disapproving huff - he must have not liked what he smelt.

The feel of his breath on your neck and the slick feeling of his spit touching your throat makes you shiver - you look over to him to see drool dripping down his chin.

You almost recoil in disgust before you see it.

Had his teeth... had they always been this sharp, long...? Unearthly - his fingers, now unmistakably lengthened, found the side of your face again.

His teeth bared, he pulls you closer - you can feel his teeth lightly scrape at the side of your neck, almost playfully - like a cat playing with its food before it takes a bite.

“I can smell him on you, you know - I’ll have to kill him too, but after that everything should be-” BANG! One, you tighten the grip on the handle, two, three, Four, BANG! you hit him center of mass Five times until he’s slumped to the ground and your barrel is empty.

You almost lose all the strength in your legs - your hand burns from the force of the gun, making you want to cry out, but instead you take a deep breath and run. You could go to the cops, but you knew better, and with the way that officer had treated you before you were sure they’d be happy to see you again.

What could you even tell them, that some monster with the hots for you killed your Ex then tried to make you into his monster bride? No one would believe you, so you ran.

Your life was over, in the eyes of the law you were a killer - a murder, and you had to get away. You couldn’t go home - if you had any real chance of disappearing you had to leave tonight without stopping by your apartment - you could worry about that later. Once you hit the edge of the park you flagged down the nearest taxi - you could hear the sound of sirens in the distance.

Someone must have heard the shots. The further you got the easier you could breathe, but the more your body shook. Everything you worked for was gone, but what was worst is that you found out something that you shouldn’t have - there are monsters on this earth.

Notes:

What references did you notice

Chapter 3

It hadn’t been too hard to get away you had boarded multiple trains still you hadn't gone too far you just needed to lay low for a while.

At first you had stayed at a motel you had good sense to stop by a local 24h and grab some spare clothes, you showered under cold water and shitty water pressure and afterward you changed into your new clothes.

looking in the mirror you looked so tired, weary, full of trial and tribulations ‘and why wouldn’t you be?' you saw something that you weren't supposed to, you reached across the supernatural veil, and it had grabbed you.

The clothes you had been wearing before reeked of sweat and no matter how much you tried to ignore it fear.

You had eyed a coin machine operated washer and dryer to the side of motel on your way in it was a long shot but you picked up your work bag scrounging through it, just hoping to find some coins or maybe a couple dollars you could exchange for coins but instead you found Remmick's handkerchief, you had hand washed and ironed it, planning to give it back to him if you ran into him again, unfolding it you took a better look at it.

‘Flowers’, flowers graced the edge of the cloth flowers just like the ones that were sent to you every week, you gripped the handkerchief as tight as you could, how long had Remmick been watching you?

You angrily shove the handkerchief back into your bag, wanting to throw it away, but you knew you needed to keep it, you needed something to reminded you of what had happen some poof that you hadn’t lost your mind and that Remmick had existed.

Thankfully finding some loose change and a few singles you go to wash the few items you came in with, there was no noticeable blood on them but they were drenched in sweat and what seemed to be Remmick’s saliva

You threw the clothes in the wash and pondered on what to do next, if you were lucky his body will have turned into dirt or ash, maybe he crawled back to wherever he came from you had seen many films like that, where a monster seeps back into the depths of hell after being killed.

If that was the case you could go back home and just forget about everything, sure you now knew that monsters roamed the earth but if Remmick was a good example of what to expect you should be fine, he went down with only five shots, 50 cent took nine and he’s still walking around so they can’t be that strong.

But if you’re wrong.

If Remmick's body is discovered...

Shaking your head you try not to worry about that, instead you move your clothes to the dryer taking a mental note on what to do first thing in the morning.

The first thing you did in the morning after waking up from the worst sleep you had ever had was contact your Manager, you had explained to them that you needed a couple of weeks off they had sounded audibly worried, in all the time that you had worked there you had never asked for a day off not even a sick day, you had planned to use your vacation days for your wedding and honeymoon but since that hadn’t worked out they had been tucked away

You received no push back from them, in fact they sounded sympathetic more sympathetic than you would have expected, as if your request for time off was anticipated it took a second for you to catch up, but you finally realized that word must have gotten around to them about Michael you decided to lean into their line of reasoning.

It couldn’t hurt, especially if the cops decided to cruise back around, coming off as grieving rather than paranoid could definitely work in your favor.

Sighing with that done you just had to do one more thing

“Hello, granny...” it had been years since you had saw her, you had always been so busy, there had always been one more project and then you started dating Michael, all your excuses stayed nestled in your throat so instead you just listened and listened and listened.

You listened until you found yourself on your grandmother’s doorstep then in her home, after a while it felt like your home.

Time had passed, at first you had planned to stay for just a couple of weeks, just until you knew were things stood on filling some demon’s chest full of lead, after those weeks had passed it seemed as if you had been correct whatever he was he must have slumped back to hell.

As far as you knew no one was looking for you in that time, you also found out that you could do your job completely remote which worked in your favor, you just couldn’t deal with the stares of suspicion and the looks of pity.

You had a pretty good idea how this all looked, jaded Ex out for revenge maybe the people higher up had felt the same way, they made no fuss about it as long as your results never wavered why should they care.

After a while your landlady had caught wind that you had been away for a while she offered to cut your rent in half.

“Just for you Hun, an angel’s special discount” your landlady could only be described as a fire ball with materialistic intent so her behavior to you was obviously suspicious.

She had never been known to be generous and you didn’t think you were that close even after all these years, "Just let me know when you come back we’ll go out for drinks, your treat".

She laughed but you could tell that she meant it.

You couldn’t decline you still had a whole life left in that apartment and to be honest the idea that when you came back everything would be the same as you left it was comforting.

So, time passed.

Passed so quickly it felt as if the troubles of the world had decided to leave you be, maybe it was because you had become a spectator to something truly abnormal or maybe the universe decided to give you a break, let you be happy for once.

You had felt as if everything that could hurt you had been sated with that one evil encounter.

So, when you walked into your grandmother's home groceries in hand and found her resting on her favorite chair, the first thought in your head wasn’t to call the coroner it was to smile, put the groceries away and then give her kiss on her cheek to wake her up.

She had been alive when you left, she had been sitting in that chair. You

So confused you had been at first, in the movies and in literature when someone is dead the writer often talks about how cold they are but that wasn’t true, you could feel the warmth on her skin, and she didn’t feel stiff at all.

At first you tried to give her a small shake maybe she was in a deeper sleep than you thought, you stopped when her body began to droop forward you know that it was illogical but you dragged yourself to her television set, it was the same one she had while you were growing up and was probably older then her.

You turned it on and turned the dial.

A stout detective with a disheveled appearance popped up “Oh, there's just one more thing...”

You sat on the floor next to the base of your grandmother's chair laying your head on her hand.

“Oh, I didn't come to ask any more questions. I came to arrest you.” the TV played you listened, and you wept.

She was laid to rest not long after, a lot a people showed up, so called family you ain’t seen in years and you know ya Granny ain’t seen either.

They were trash only concerned with their own lives, but shit you weren’t no better than them.

The only reason you ran your ass back to granmama’s house is cause you were scared to go home, you used her and she forgave you for it.

She once told you “Child you keep on working hard as you do, you gon' end up like ya mama” she had passed from stress, working three jobs a day all she wanted more than anything in the world was to not be dirt poor and to not be treated like it.

Your mother passed down that obsession to you and as the funeral came to a close, you found that everyone in your family seemed to hold on to the same sickness.

Granny had left everything to you; you had gotten the foulest looks from members of your family before you let it be known that you wanted nothing in the house and that if they wanted anything there, they could come and pick it up and they did

They stripped the place bare it hardly made a difference to you though, before they had even arrived for the funeral you had stored away what you wanted to keep Your grandmother's wedding rings, her chair, TV, and wedding dress all wrapped up nice and tight in the back of an old powder blue truck you had gotten to run errands everything else wasn’t worth fighting for.

They came and left happier than a clam lookin’ like a they got one over on you, only a handful had asked about the house itself, it seemed no one wanted to deal with a house that looked like it hadn’t been renovated since the early 1800’s and they hadn’t offered to help so you replied with the same answer every time “I’ll figure it out later”

You hadn’t wasted much time locking up the house and hitting the road once the last family member had left, you had once been told that a funereal could last for days but y'all wasn’t that kind of family.

They had moves to make and two years ago you wouldn’t have begrudged them for leaving a quickly as they did but now, something had changed in you maybe your priorities, you don’t know all you knew was that you couldn’t sleep in granny’s house, not without her there so you made your way back from where you came from.

It hadn’t taken you too long to get back you’re almost ashamed that the sun is still up when you arrive, all those years you could have gone to see granny but just like everyone else in your fucked up family you put profit before family.

You hope you can grow from this, but you’ll need time and maybe coming back here can help you grow from your grief.

You park your beat-up truck in visitor parking, your original car is in tenant parking you had it towed here after running to granny, you grabbed your bag with the keys to the apartment and began walking to the lobby.

You saw your landlady walking through, she was probably doing a maintenance checks around the building.

Y’all wasn’t that close in the first place but the look she gave you stopped you in your tracks it was of pure dread.

Before she could say something to you tried passing by her, whatever her problem with you was today was not a good day to handle it, but before you get on the elevator she jumped in front of you.

Sweating and slightly out of breath she looked you in your eye with a panicked fever “We need to talk.”

Leading you to her office she offered you a seat and something to drink, the first thing you noticed as you walked through the door of her office was that it had been renovated, she even had some new tech on her desk even the chair felt more expensive she must be doing good.

She noticed you looking around at the new decor and looked even more nervous than before “So how do you like new wallpaper”.

“It’s nice you must be doing well lately” her nervous behavior was now making you anxious.

She laughed, not a ha-ha laugh but a ‘I fucked up’ laugh “The wallpaper and actually everything in here is why I need to talk to you” she took a deep breath and told me exactly what she had done to be sweating so hard.

“So let me get this straight you sublet MY apartment without telling me” You couldn’t believe what you were hearing, you would cry if you didn’t find it all so fucking funny.

“IT’S NOT MY FAULT” realizing how stupid she sounded she lowered her voice “You were supposed to tell me when you were coming back...”

You really wanted to cry now, first your grandmother now this when it rains it pours “And what about all my stuff did you just throw it out!?”

Scoffing “No of course not I would never do that that would be ridiculous” she turned around trying not to look you in the face “I’m renting it as fully furnished as a premium”

“YOU WHAT!?” you jump from your seat “The least you could have done is put my items in storage, that would have at least explained why I’m still paying rent...” the gears spinning in my head “Fuck you’re still making me pay rent!”

“It’s not that bad” gesturing to calm you down “It’s not like I made you pay full price, and the tenet was very happy with your design choices I don’t think he changed a thing, I’ve never even seen him throw anything of yours away”

“Tenant, do you hear yourself right now? that’s not a tenant that’s a squatter that you now have to deal with” crossing your arms you could feel your anger began to overflow “TODAY, cause I won’t be sleeping anywhere but in my bed tonight”

She gave you a pleading look “Don’t do this to me”

“Do what? You're the one that got greedy” a couple of years ago you would have been able to understand but now the madness that came with greed only made you angrier since you knew that if given the chance in the past you would have done the same thing.

Desperation in her eyes she began to wring her hands “Maybe you could work something out with him, he seems like a nice guy, always pays on time”

Your face screwed up you couldn’t believe her audacity “You're going to send me up to fix your fuck up!?”

She lifted her hands in surrender “Look I admit I fucked up but if you don’t fix this, I'll lose my business license” she looked at her hands as if something was slipping through them “I’ll be forced to sell the building and whoever buys the property-”

“That’s not my problem” you huffed out.

“It will be when you and half the people who live here are kicked out and replaced with a home hosting service!... Look just do this for me and I’ll keep your rent halved for the rest of your lease” Grasping at straws she put her hands together pleading

“A quarter.”

“Be reasonable”

“You first, all I’ll lose is a great apartment unit, but you’ll lose your license then the building”

Seeing you meant business she relented “Okay, okay but he can’t come down here trying to sue me” She gestured for you to hold out your hand “Here” she placed a new set of keys in your hands you looked at her with confusion “What? It’s company policy to give new tenants a new set of keys if the old ones can’t be recovered”.

You wanted to scream he wasn’t a tenant, but you held your tongue giving your landlady a quick glare, you leave her office door wide open as you leave ‘for the pettiness of it all’ and make your way towards the elevators.

Pushing elevator button 21 you ascended; everything feels surreal as if you’re on TV.

You make your way to the end of the row of apartment which wasn’t a lot, family units were reserved for the first few floors, ‘children make noise’ or at least that was the landlady’s reasoning.

You go to knock on the door but stop yourself, ‘This is your apartment you shouldn’t need to’ you also shouldn’t invite yourself to get shot but your convictions had you by the throat ‘Fuck it’

Slotting the key into the lock you turn the handle and gently push the door open “Hello?” you couldn’t help but wince you sounded like the dumb bitch that dies first in every horror movie.

The floor length black out curtains in the Living-room blocked out any sun that might seep through, ‘well that was new’ the only light that seemed to be on was the one in the bedroom and the one in the kitchen, with purpose you walked towards the bedroom missing the red eyes that followed you.

Chapter 4

Pushing open your bedroom door the one that was currently being enjoyed by some random you noticed that nothing had been touched.

You felt like you were walking into your bedroom after a late night at work the only thing in this room that had changed was you and that would be slightly comforting if not for the fact that someone was supposedly living here.

You nervously walk to your closet not wanting to be found stooping through someone else’s items, but there was just something you had to figure out, opening the closet door you found your answer.

There they were all of your cloths just the way you left them, your Jewelry, and the photos you kept of your family nothing was out of place and nothing was added.

If someone was living here, like you were told they were, there would be some signs of their presence, there hadn’t even been a sock outta place.

The sirens in your head were blaring now, something was not right.

Before your run-in with Remmick you would have made excuses for this kind of abnormality, your brain would have made up all kind reasons, because nothing could explain the supernatural.

Holding your bag tighter, you make your way back to your living room you didn’t know what was happening here, but you knew that you were in danger and at this moment you needed to be anywhere but here.

Almost at the door you hear the creaking sound of the chair you had kept in the corner of the room away from everything else.

You think back to how Michael had wanted you to get rid of it he had told you it was ugly and that you shouldn’t go picking furniture off the curb just because you thought it was comfortable.

You had never told him that it had been your grandmother’s chair, a twin to the one you had brought with you the one that lay in the truck right now.

Against all reasoning, like a victim in a horror flick you looked back and like that victim maybe it was just in your nature to do so.

You remember those eyes, the ones that belonged to something you didn’t think you could call a being, you wanted to scream that he should be dead, that you killed him but you didn’t need another reason to agitate him.

You wish you could be surprised but just like evil, this fucker seemed to never die.

You had once heard that you’re never supposed to turn your back on a dangerous animal, so as he stalked closer, you moved backward making sure your eyes never left his.

Waiting for him to pounce on you, you felt your back hit the door.

Clumsily grabbing for the door handle you finally grasp it, yanking it open with all your might you run out of the apartment door towards the elevators.

Spotting your old neighbors In-front of the elevators you try to scream pleading for them to run, that something horrible was on it’s way to do whatever fucked up things they could think of but as they turned around, those pleas die in your throat.

Your body felt like it had broken out in a cold sweat, their eyes shining just like his, they didn’t need to say a word for you to understand, so they had just stood there smiling like a fucking 60s sitcom family.

Covering your mouth, you choke back a sob wrapped up in a scream there was a reason he hadn’t ran after you, he had you exactly where he wanted walking backward hands still touching your lips.

You don’t need to turn around to know who it is when your body bumps into their chest.

He begans to breath you in “Oh... Mo mhuirnín” you could hear and feel a purr reverb throughout his chest “Mo mhuirnín, how I’ve missed you.”

Running his hand down the side of your body “Darlin, I had a feeling we’d be meeting today”

Scoffing you smile like you did years ago this time with tears in your eyes, your voice trembles, neither of you are sure if it's from fear or rage “And how did you know that”

“Fate, my dear”

Maybe he expected it, but he didn’t fight you as you turned around using all your strength to push him away and pulled your bag towards you.

You ran your fingers over the closer to your bag, quickly shoving your hand in it looking for the thing that had saved your ass the first time, but the only thing that you grasped was air

The memory of granny making you leave your gun in the glove compartment of your car because she was scared it would go off in the house, the car that was downstairs right now ran through your mind like a freight train.

Fuck, you had planned to morn your granny for a long while, but it now looked like you’d be seeing her sooner then you figured.

Hand still in your bag you felt the soft linen of the Handkerchief he had given you, pulling it out you let out a light sob that turned into a laugh ‘maybe it was fate’ anything else is just a game of the devil.

All the fight in your body began to slide out of you like a cup that had been filled with too much water and was now overflowing, “Fate, huh” you smiled dropping your bag, you bring the cloth to your lips, you can feel the embroidered flowers under your lips.

His eyes light up “You kept it” you could see from his expression he had expected you to empty your bullets into him just like last time, you don’t know why but the thought that you could surprise someone, ‘something’ like him gave you a tickle

Letting your hand fall to your side you had a question to ask “Why are you doing this, Remmick”

He hummed at you saying his name it had been so long, at least for him “I could ask you the same thang, you know” slowly walking toward you he placed both of his hands on your shoulders.

You couldn’t stop the shiver that came from your body.

He took one of his hands tracing it from your shoulder to the side of your neck and finally to your face, softly dragging his knuckles across your cheek.

“I can see how engulfed you are by sadness, how you purposely drowned yourself in stress so thick that you didn’t even notice you were lonely” pulling you closer he slowly tilts your chin so that you’re looking in his eyes.

“Why am I doing this?” he scoffed “Why are denying yourself what only I can give you, I know you’re tired, the world has been so unkind to you darlin, why don’t you let me take care of you” you let him press himself against you rubbing his body on yours as if he wanted to get your scent on him.

Remmick moves in to press his lips against yours but before he can you turn your head looking over your shoulder at your neighbors, or what use to be your neighbors with that uncanny valley smile still plastered on their faces.

“Can we go back to the apartment?” resigned to your fate you look up at him with questioning eyes.

Looking behind you a look of realization reaches his face “Oh Darlin, you don’t have to worry about them” smiling he waves them off.

You watch as they go back to their respective unit

“But if it makes you feel any better of course we can go inside” placing his hand on your lower back he gently guides you back to your apartment.

As if he’s afraid that you may run away again his hand doesn't leave your body until your both inside.

Inside he begins to walk towards the far end of your living room but stops when he doesn't sense you following him

Remmick quickly places his hand back on you when you turn towards the apartment door

You can feel his body bristle; you turn to look at him he looks unsure of what you’ll do his jaw tightens as if he’s getting ready to drag you back in if you even think of leaving.

Smiling back at him you lock the door.

Visibly relaxing but not completely confident in you yet he immediately steers you to the back of the living room, setting you in the chair that your grandma had personally given you.

He goes to the record player; you had found it at a thrift store.

He keeps looking back at you nervously, when he sees that you're not running away, he places the needle on the correct track and turns to smile at you.

You wondered what Remmick would play, you had barley used it while you were here, but you did own a small collection of records that you’d play when the mood was right.

One artist you really loved was Luther especially on rainy days, he always seemed to lift your mood.

‘If this world were mine, I would place at your feet all that I own you, you been so good to me’

You look up at him and he looks so vulnerable.

Getting on his knees he lays himself at your feet placing his head on your lap like a pet starved for affection.

Hesitating you place your hand on top of his head stroking his hair as he nuzzles deeper into your lap his hands slowly move up your ankle then to your leg until his hands are fully covered by your dress.

His hands leave the sensation of circles and spirals in their wake until he gets to the side of your thighs giving them a good squeeze.

Remmick reaches for your panties trying to peel them off you.

You stop him by placing your hands on of his.

He looks like a starving dog and like any staving dog he starts beggin’ “Oh, now Darlin please...”

You tilt your head watching him go through stages of grief, you wonder how much sway you have over him.

You can’t deny the feeling is intoxicating, especially when he looks like he’s on the verge of tears.

You decide to put him out of his misery.

Biting your lip, you tell him “The panties stay on”.

He looks dejected until you hike your dress even higher, lifting your legs he finally catches on.

“Oh... Oh! I can work with that”.

'And I feel so much sensation... When you squeeze me’

Leaving trails of kisses on your inner thigh, kissing and sucking on your lower lips until your completely aroused.

You’re not sure if you’ve ever been touched like this, but you felt as if your body was on fire from Remmick lapping at your body

You felt as if you were losing your mind and he hadn’t even touched that bundle of nerves.

‘Whoa, oh-oh-oh, You know I need you, honey, You know I need you, baby’

As if he had read your mind, he placed his tongue on the underside of your clit, giving it continuous light licks until you were sobbing.

Pulling at his hair you tried to back away from the stimulation, but he just pulled you closer putting a vice grip on your hips, until you can’t stop yourself from grinding on his face.

‘The world, the world would be yours’

When he finally wraps his lips fully around your nub, through the thin piece of cloth you ascend to what surely must be heaven.

‘Yeah, yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah, yeah) Yeah, hey (mmm-mm)’

Bucking off the chair you come pulling his head closer, gripping his hair for dear life all the while looking him in the eyes, he was truly the devil.

‘Ooh, ooh...It would be yours...If you'll believe’

Chapter 5

Remmick’s handkerchief bit into the flesh of your palm as you held on to it for dear life.

What he had done to you had given you an out of body experience and with the way he looked at you, you could tell he enjoyed every moment of it.

Eye’s blown with a mix of you and saliva dripping off his face he looked as if he was in a trance as if your pleasure alone was enough to bring him to completion.

Moving your legs from his shoulders to in-between his legs you took the handkerchief and slowly wiped the mess from his face.

Not content to just sit still he moves closer trying to kiss your hand as you work.

Trying to get him to stay still you grasp one of his shoulders moving further in between his legs you accidentally rub your leg against him.

Remmick lets out a hiss gradually drawing his hips back.

You quickly look down, an apology on the tip of your tongue before you realize what your leg connected with.

His swollen member twitched beneath his slacks, he must have enjoyed you more than you had previously thought.

“Remmick, do you love me?”

Your question catches him off guard, he takes a second to recover “More than all the stars in th-” his eyes go wide as you place your fingers on his lips

You look him straight in the eyes “Yes or no”

“Yes” he looked at you as if all the mysteries of the world laid themselves on your lashes, you doubt he understood the difference between love and obsession.

Nodding you lean back removing your heels you place them at the side of your chair.

He watches you intently as you slowly raise your foot, confused but curious.

Thoughts played at the back of your mind ‘Could it be that he didn’t know what a foot job was?’ you lightly rub the shaft of his dick.

His hips buck as the filthiest moan you ever heard comes tumbling out of his throat, moving forward he tries to chase the warmth of your sole.

Quickly moving your foot back removing any friction he could steal “Sit back, don’t move”

Maybe it’s involuntary but his hips buck as soon as your foot return.

Moving your foot back again “Do you want me to stop?” you don’t return your foot until he understands.

“Fuck.. no, please” he looks as if he’s going to break into a sweat, delirious from your presence.

You bring your foot closer watching his reaction.

He takes a deep breath bracing himself.

As you place your foot back on his body you can hear a whine slip pass his lips.

When Remmick had first attacked you years ago you had though he had to be an unhinged monster that couldn’t be controlled no matter what.

Curses slip off his tongue as you speed up your movements, his hips perfectly still not willing to test your patience.

The pieces of the puzzle begin to form, Remmick’s not the final boss in a horror movie he’s a pathetic, lonely, touched starved loser with separation anxiety that hadn't stopped pining for some human bitch he used to stalk.

Twitching underneath your toes you could tell he was close.

Your opinions of him may be harsh but with all the bullshit he put you through combined with the loss you suffered, you were tired of everything and if that made you a bitch woof, woof guilty as charged.

His eyes shined with nothing but lust, panting deeply with every stroke.

‘How deep did his obsession go?’ you knew that he would kill for you, but could he obey your wishes even against his own desires.

Giving him a firmer press you watch as his eyes roll into the back of his head, repeatedly panting out “Mo mhuirnín” unable to stop himself from shivering his mouth falls open, fangs pronounced he looks almost ethereal.

You’ll find out soon enough if this dog could be trained.

Tilting your head to the side, you watched as a very noticeable damp spot appeared on the crotch of his pants.

He whined from the over stimulation.

You were tempted to continue rubbing just to see how far you could push him, but you were already in a deficit when it came to trust.

You removed your foot; you would need to earn his trust while working on his separation anxiety, maybe dog training articles could help you, but first you needed to get cleaned up.

Still riding the high you gave him; he bristled at you getting up looking more confused by the second as you grabbed your heels.

His eyes followed you as you placed your shoes near the entrance, only relaxing when you start walking towards your bedroom.

Pulling your curtains to the side to gauge the time you became slightly annoyed it was already dark outside.

You hadn’t gone back downstairs to update your landlady on the status of things, but it seems like she didn’t particularly care if you were alive or dead.

The lack of her presence makes that evident; though maybe it’s best that she didn’t check on things.

You walked into your closet and began to grab something to change into.

It wasn’t hard to find what you were looking for.

Remmick really hadn’t changed a single thing, you even found some of Michael’s old items.

Just a few undershirts and bottoms that you had forgotten were there and that Michael couldn’t be assed to pick up.

Looking over your shoulder, you could feel him starting at you.

Making your way out of the closet you can see him peeking around the doorway, gripping at the frame.

Remmick seemed to worship you but was downright volatile to others or maybe his disdain came not from other people as individuals but their relation to you.

“Now sweetheart, what do you have there?” he was trying to sound suave but his attempt only made you want to laugh

You had seen how he had lost all inhibition at the promise of your touch, how quickly he had become undone with just a couple of strokes of your foot.

Smiling you intertwined your fingers with his, noting even that was enough to make him smile.

“I need to wash the day off of my body, and it looks like you do too” you say smirking at the spot on his slacks.

Pulling him to the bathroom you began to undress; you only stop when you notice he’s not undressing with you.

You pause giving him a confused look, then gesture towards his body.

He looks down at his clothing “Together?” slightly taken back when he realized what you meant, unsure of your intentions.

When you had first met, Remmick had been dressed to the nines, you wonder if that had been on purpose for your first meeting, a costume to get you to lower your guard.

Right now, he was dressed in a plain linen shirt, with suspenders holding up his slacks, you had only just realized that he was barefooted as you took him in completely.

Starting with his suspenders you slowly roll them off his shoulders.

Your eyes make contact as you begin to unbutton his shirt, tension slowly building you made short work of his trousers.

Trying to keep things playful to hide the disdain in your voice you tease him.

“You said you’d take care of me, but it looks like I’ll be taking care of you at least for now, huh”.

Scandalized he grabs your hands, stopping you before you can finish pulling off his pants.

“I meant it, I can feel all the burdens you carry... the sadness in your heart and I plan to take that all away” his eyes start to gloss over a slight tint of red bleeding in, just like that night you blew him away.

You try to pull away from him, but he holds you even tighter.

“We can build a community, right here full of love, understanding, and contentment” as if he was trying to unravel some secret desire you may be hiding.

He continued spouting out words until something stuck, “No more greed, no more loss”.

You thought to yourself ‘Is that how he had gotten around all this time’ you knew that humans were simple by nature you were only animals after all, food, money, love.

Offer them that and they’d sell their soul; it didn’t take much to entice a person.

He could guess well enough maybe deduce somethings here and there, but you didn’t think he could read minds.

From folk lore to horror movies there were thousands of monsters that existed so what kind was he, knowing this would be more than helpful in the long run.

He was starting to look a little intimidating, trying to stay calm you stopped trying to pull away from him, you needed to divert his attention from whatever his true goal was.

Pushing yourself as hard as you could against him, you pressed your lips on his, deeper and deeper until he let go of your hands.

He grabbed your hips pulling you closer to him.

‘This was getting dangerous’ You didn’t know how crude he could get but you noticed something he had a hard time with bluntness.

Throwing caution to the wind you say the first thing that comes to mind, mentally throwing out a Hail Mary just in case.

“Just say you want to fuck me; you don’t have to sell me anything”.

That stops him in his tracks, he looks like he’s blue screening while he works through how to answer you.

You decide to dig in deeper “You have fucked before, haven’t you?”.

Looking indignantly, he scoffs “Of course I have, I was once married”.

You want to tease him for his chaste answer, but you keep your tone neutral, free of judgment “Oh, when was that?” you feign interest.

It takes him a few beats trying to remember when that might have been.

You wave him off before he can continue that line of thought, in the long run it didn’t matter how he answered.

You had one thought on your mind, surviving.

You continue where you left off, removing the last of his clothing.

Guiding him under the shower head you watch as he lets the water fall off his body and into the drain, while his mind is still spinning you take this chance to wash him off using a hand towel, this must have been new to him, but he doesn’t stop you.

Finally, you dampen his hair by aiming the shower head at him, you tell him to close his eyes, and he surprisingly does it with little fuss.

Hands lathered with shampoo you massage his scalp you can see him visibly relax from your touch, then you do the same with the conditioner.

He doesn’t realize you’re using redirection on him, even when you kick him out of the shower, telling him to dry off and put on the clothes you left him on the bed.

Finally alone as you’re able to be with him in the apartment, you try to relax scrubbing the weariness and the anxiety from your body.

The mantra survive repeats throughout your mind, even as you’re stepping from the tub.

You had to survive, you didn’t know if he could be killed, but maybe you could guide him away from whatever he wanted to do to you.

You had an inkling of what his plans were for you after seeing your neighbors, they seemed almost like puppets.

Unable to control it your body violently shivers.

You couldn’t let yourself end up like that.

You had to save yourself, use damage control to foil his true plans.

In a way your goals at this moment are the same as when you first moved to the city ‘Survive’

Making your way back to your room you find Remmick sitting on the edge of your bed, he was giving you that used car salesman smile, as if he was trying to figure you out.

Beating him to the punch you speak first not giving him time to hit you with his Jim Jones spiel.

"What's wrong sweetheart" you try to say with as little venom as you can.

He tilts his head still smiling at you “You know darlin' I’ve been thinking”.

‘Great just what you needed’ “Thinking?”.

Happy to have been given a chance to advertise his services “If you knew how much I knew you, how much I under-”.

Slowly raising your hands in front of you, you gesture for him to stop, even though it might be futile it was taking all the energy you had not to strangle him.

Smile leaving his face from being interrupted he gives you the look of a kicked puppy ‘you wish you could kick him’.

You were afraid you could only distract him so many times before he dropped the kind salesman act and went full biblical.

“How about we make a promise?” you give him a shy smile, trying to give off an air of innocence.

You watched his smile return brighter than before “A Promise?”.

‘Ohhh, he seemed to like that’.

“If you can convince me that your way of life is better than what I want out of life I'll put up no resistance”.

Your voice began to tighten “I'll join your happy little cult with a smile on my face for all the heavens to see, but until then lets just enjoy each other's company, now how does that sound?”.

“Each other’s company, huh?” extending his arm he gives you a wolfish grin “Shake on it?”.

You start to extend your arm in kind but remember something “Give me one second”.

You walk over to your nightstand, lighting six candles with the matches that laid next to them; in the top drawer there was a letter opener that you had won at an office party, the same office party Michael had probably started banging that intern ‘what was her name?’ at any rate, it was supposedly priced at almost 2k.

At the time you would have preferred the money, but maybe it was as Remmick would put it ‘Fate’.

“Fate”.

The word had slipped past your lips as you turned off all the lights in the room.

You turn to look at Remmick but for once he isn’t looking at you, he’s looking at what’s in your hand.

He looks nervous as you walk over to him.

“Remmick, you have told me multiple times that it was because of fate that we met and to be honest I’m starting to believe you”.

He smiles tightly at you “Now, sweetheart what are you doing with that?”.

For once you can feel fear coming off of him, and it is intoxicating “You said you’d be willing to make a promise with me, and that’s just what I aim to do, hold out your hand”

Not moving immediately, you decide he needs a little more coaxing.

“Love” he finally makes eye contact with you, entranced from your use of endearments “You said you’d do anything for me”.

“And I would Mo mhuirnín but-”.

“And I want to believe you, but to do that I need to trust you, and I need for you to trust me too, hold out your hand”.

His hand quivers as he lays it bare before you.

The short screech that comes from his mouth is almost inhuman as you slice through the fat of his palm with the letter opener, a light smoke left in its wake.

You watch as his blood pools.

He looks like he wants to jump up and attack your hand when you do the same thing to yourself, but holds himself back when he notices the grip you have on the letter opener.

You hold both your wounded palms together gripping them together tightly until you’re sure that your fluids are mingled together.

“From this moment under the eyes of our ancestors, we both willingly are making a promise, that If you Remmick can convince me to join you and your family, I'll put up no resistance and join you without question, but in exchange you cannot force that choice upon me, if either one of us breaks this promise they will die”.

The candles on your nightstand all blow out at once.

While you’re sitting with Remmick in the dark, you can only hope you made the right choice.

You just need more time.

Notes:

How we don' so far?

Chapter 6

Things had been quiet after the promise you made with Remmick.

He seemed on the edge which you weren’t sure was good or bad yet. He looked paler than usual as if something was haunting him.

So, when he disappeared out the door mumbling about getting some fresh air, you had decided to get some sleep, but the habit of getting up for work had never left your bones and you ended up waking up before the sun.

You put the electric kettle on to make yourself something warm to drink. While waiting for the water to boil you go to open the long thick ass curtains Remmick must have had installed.

You look out into the skyline; the reason you had chosen to live so far up was to see the beautiful sight of the sun peeking over the buildings. When your career became more demanding you had found that luxury more and more unattainable.

A knock came from the door just as the kettle finished boiling the water. You had assumed that you had seen the last of him but there he was.

He slowly walked through the entrance as if he was unsure of where he was supposed to be “The door was locked, are you trying to keep me out?” his voice sounding dejected.

Maybe there was something you were missing but you just sighed waving off his dramatic shift in mood "There are worse things out there than you Remmick, I’m just trying to be careful.”

Nodding along to your words he just stands there quietly observing you

You notice a light smoke coming off his body and glance to the window then back to him "Is something wrong?"

He holds out the bag you had dropped in the hallway

“Close the curtains”

His voice is vacant of emotion

“Are you in pain?”

“Do you want me to be?”

You take the bag from his hand and without answering and walk over to the windows tightly gripping the curtains. You ponder throwing them open even farther; the sun seems to hurt him.

Would it be enough to kill him immediately? You doubt it, and by the time he even got a tan he would have them closed. And you weren’t sure how forgiving he was right now, so you close the curtains.

You throw the bag on your couch before walking back over to the kitchen to make your drink.

He doesn’t say anything, just stares at you, blood smudged on his lower lip.

You take stock ‘Blood on the lips, aversion to sunlight, active during the night’ you didn’t have to be Karen Jenson to figure this shit out.

“So, are you like some kind of like, Vampire or something like that?”

Finally giving you a smile cocking his head to the side “I’m a lover, a friend... but yes I have also been known to be called something like that."

Bringing the cup to your lips you Humm, “Is Vampire like a slur to your kind?”

Tilting his head, giddy at the implications, he squints his eyes while slowly shaking his head and gives off a huff of laughter “Why would it be, it’s just another label.”

“Do you plan to turn the whole building?”

He scoffs at you like you’re being facetious.

“I’m serious - what the long-term goal here?”

He smiles “I’m just trying to spread love, equality and understanding by forming a community of like-minded individuals?” giving you a toothy grin

“By giving them a full-frontal lobotomy?” You take a sip of your drink “At a certain point you’re just playing with yourself.”

He gives you a piercing look; you seem to have struck a chord.

You don’t avert your eyes but the look he gives you does make you pause.

Realizing he must be making you uncomfortable he turns his head to the side and walks in a small circle like he’s trying to cool himself off; he stop becoming fixated on a corner of the room and just stares at it.

You place your drink on the counter and walk over and stand beside him; you try to figure out what he’s looking at, but you see nothing there.

He watches as you give him an inquisitive look, clearly not understanding what the problem is.

He lets out a weary laugh “You can’t see them, can you?”

You want to tell him It’s just an empty corner, but instead you just slowly shake your head, Remmick has been acting odd (at least from what you’ve seen of him) since the promise.

“You don’t even know what you’ve done,” he sounds exasperated. “They’re waiting for me to fuck up so they can drag me straight to hell.”

You look down at the wound on your hand - what had you summoned?

He grabs you by your shoulders and looks deep into your eyes. "After they get rid of me, you’ll live your life however you want but, in the end, they're going to take your soul."

Your eyes go wide, what did he know, was he even telling the truth?

“You didn’t you think you’d get something for nothing, did you My Sweet?”

Pulling you close enough to see his blood-stained teeth he tries to make you understand, "If you come to me willing, we could get rid of them.”

There’s a frenzied look in his eyes now -

“Oh Girl, I knew you were one of a kind when I saw you, but if you can do all this on accident, only those up above and down below know what you could do with my guidance.”

Fingers are caked with blood, he doesn’t seem to notice the smears he’s leaving on your shirt, but you do.

“They’re waiting for me to fail, but I’m not afraid because I know that in my heart that you’ll see the truth."

His grip softens but the look in his eyes is no less wild, “The only way you're truly going to be free is with me.”

He said he wasn’t afraid, but you knew fear when you saw it. He begins to stroke your arm in a comforting manner.

“Ah, but even if you don’t decide to join me on the other side so to speak, I’ll stick around till the end of yours.” he sounded delirious.

“I promise, my treasure,” leaning in to kiss you, you stop him in his tracks; the look of rejection shows clearly on his face.

“It’s not you Remmick it’s just...” you make a motion towards his face pointing at the blood caked to his face.

The last thing you needed was for him to feel a certain way around you; you still need to find a way to manage him.

“Ah, well silly me - I’ll clean myself up first, so don’t go anywhere,” he was smiling but the end of that sentence sounded dangerous.

As soon as the water in the shower turned on you sprinted to the curtains shoving them open.

Next you run to your closet, tossing off the clothes Remmick got blood on and slip on a sundress and grab your bag from the couch.

Moving quickly towards the entrance you grabbed the first shoes you could get your hands on, which were unfortunately the heels you came in yesterday with; ‘fuck it’, you’d put them on in the car.

Closing the door behind you, you sighed in relief to see the hallway was empty.

Jumping in the elevator you pressed the lobby button holding your breath the whole way down. You didn’t know how many floors he had turned; you could only hope that you reached your destination before then.

The first thing you see when the elevator finally touches down is the landlady. She looked nervous, had she been worried for you?

"How did things go? No lawsuits I hope."

‘Of course you should have known better’

'If you cared about that maybe you should have stopped by.' You don’t stop walking, if she notices your bare feet she doesn't say anything.

"Who am I to interfere in how you get things done? All that matters is that you got it done, right?" She says while looking down at your feet.

‘Ah, she had thought you fucked, the unwanted house guest into submission. While her assumption wasn’t wrong in itself, she shouldn’t look at you like that when she was the one to ask for a favor’

“Yeah, No lawsuits” ‘for now at least’ you so badly wanted to say.

"See, I knew I could put my trust in you."

'If you say so.'

You continue walking past the landlady. You didn’t know how much sunlight Remmick could stand but you didn’t want to test that by having a whole ass conversation, especially not so close to home.

Walking to your truck and opening the door, you jump in, putting the heels on before buckling in.

It should be impossible, but you can almost feel Remmick's anger from where you are.

Doing your best to ignore the sound of sirens going off in your head, you peel outta the parking lot.

You end up at a library flipping through books about dog training.

The more you read the more worried you became.

It seems like you already fucked up, but if Remmick was serious about hanging on you for the rest of your life you’d have plenty of time to train him.

You think back to how afraid he had looked. You don’t know what he saw in that corner, but you knew that it had given you some more time.

You had no reason to fully believe Remmick when he told you that the spirits or whatever they were wanted to take your soul, isn’t that what he had wanted all along?

You had grown irritated by the thoughts that raked your mind and decided that you had learned all you could for the moment.

The spirits had given you more time and seemed to be keeping him in check; that’s all you could ask for right now.

Making your way to the nearest cafe you sat down to relax. In the books you read it had warned against leaving your dog for too long, ‘but what the hell - in for a penny in for a pound.’

You had a feeling you wouldn’t be going out in the daylight anytime soon after your little prison break, so you decided to enjoy yourself. Letting the vitamin D hit your skin you feel your muscles relax.

You don’t realize you’ve dosed off until someone's rubbing your arm to wake you up. You blink, rubbing your eyes until they adjust. Finding a blond guy in front of you, you're confused at first at why he was blocking you from the sun.

Until you see the badge on the side of his hip.

“Hey, where have you been? It's been a while,” placing his hands on his hips he looks you up and down lingering on the parts he finds appealing. “It’s good to see you,” you can tell what he means even though his smile is tight.

Looking over at his gun you try to act polite - the last thing you need is a cop having a grudge against you.

“I was staying with a relative, but she recently passed.”

Nodding along, but not really listening.

“You know it’s funny that you should bring up someone passing away, do you remember an intern by the name of Sara?”

Not knowing what could be funny about someone passing you nodded along.

“She ended up being convicted of your fiancés murder - crime of passion, something about him not taking responsibility for knocking her up.”

You hadn’t known that she was pregnant; he could tell you didn’t know by the look on your face, but instead of asking if you were okay, he just continued talking.

“Took a plea deal,” a smile began to form on his face. “Too bad she tried to run when let out of the courtroom - I had to put her down.”

‘Was he looking for praise?’

“That’s horrible.” You hadn’t liked her, but she didn’t deserve to die.

He shrugged “Either way we can’t just let a killer run around, now, can we?” he gave a little chuckle.

Your disgust at his nonchalant tone kicked him into gear instead of cooling the mood - like he got off on you being uncomfortable.

“You seeing anyone?”

You almost chastise him for his flippant response but then remember who you're talking to.

“Am.. I.. How about you, you’re such a charming guy you must have cuffed someone by now,” Instead you try to redirect his attention while letting him down.

You didn’t want to answer him, you could see he was obviously psychotic.

Either he was dense or just pretending to be, but he seemed to be loving how uncomfortable he made you.

“No, I just couldn’t get a certain black beauty off of my mind.”

‘Was he out of his fucking mind; was that supposed to be a compliment?’

‘Black beauty, what are you a fucking horse?’

“Oh, that’s too bad I’m sure there’s someone out there for you,” hoping he finally took the fucking hint, you aimed your body away from him.

“Yea, and I think they’re closer than they think, what would you say to that?”

“I would say It’s great that you’re able to stay so optimistic,” your mask slipping by the second.

Your patience was wearing thin, he looked like he was going to hand out another horrible pick-up line but before he did you abruptly stood up.

“Well, I hope you have a good day; I should probably get going.”

“You still live in that apartment of yours?”

“Uh..” the air left your lungs all at once ‘why did he want to know that?’

“Maybe I’ll just stop by one of these days.”

“Have a good day Officer,” you try to walk past him, but he grabs you by the arm.

Lowering his mouth near your ear you can feel his breath on your neck, as he gently traces the wound on your palm "Please call me John, and remember to stay safe, life can be dangerous for a girl like you.”

The way he talked to you reminded of the interrogation and the way he subtly threatened you back then.

“Okay John,” you said just wanting the conversation to be over.

He let your arm go smile still plastered to his face as if he hadn’t unsettled the fuck out of you.

You could feel a headache forming; you should have left earlier but you had wanted time alone, but your alone time turned into a verbal fight to the death.

Getting in your truck you can see Officer John still watching you, “Fucking creep.” You couldn’t help letting the expletive slip pass your lips, but he really was a fucking creep.

Notes:

I don't want peace, I want problems, ALWAYS

Chapter 7

Notes:

Hush now, don't explain Just say you'll remain I'm glad you're back Don't explain - Billie Holiday

When you pull up to the apartment the sun had almost finished setting.

Even though you had been in a rush to get away from John, that didn’t mean you wanted to go home immediately.

When you first bumped into Remmick he had been wearing a suit that was obviously bespoke. You're guessing that he never got to replace it after you riddled it with holes; it wouldn’t make up for it - and you’re not sure why you’re trying - but you bought him some clothing.

Nothing special like his bespoke suit but something nicer than that little house on the prairie outfit; just a couple of black track suits to make Him stealthier, bloodstains less noticeable and it’ll be easier to clean.

You pause - by the gods you can’t believe your aiding his lifestyle, but it’s better than having that shit lead back to you. Also got him a couple packs of underwear and shirts - you did not want him free balling all over the apartment.

lastly, at least when it came to clothes, a robe. The material felt amazing, so you got one for yourself while you were at it. He’d need some socks and shoes, but that could be ordered.

There was one item that wasn’t a piece of clothing, and that had not really been a necessity.

You had saw it in an old antique shop - you don’t know what had compelled you to enter the shop in the first place, but it felt like fate.

As you wrapped your hand around the Mandolin, it felt right; you never played yourself, but Remmick had to have picked up something after all these years. So, you bought it, even had it wrapped up - it hadn’t been cheap, but it was beautiful.

You were surprised that he hadn't swarmed you when you first entered the parking lot. It was dark enough for him to do so, but instead he had sent his little puppets.

They instead of Remmick stood at the entrance; ‘romance was dead’, you joked to yourself.

Stepping out of the truck you walked over to them.

They seemed nervous for the most part, no longer sporting the tv dinner smiles.

Your neighbors had been kind enough when they were still alive; you wonder what Remmick’s influence would do to them.

“We were told to bring you upstairs,” the male with long red hair stated; he looked as if the bluntness of the request made him uncomfortable.

“It’s good to see you’re back safely,” the female with the ponytail uttered as if she was trying to be nice despite her orders.

“Is he angry?” you asked

They looked at each other then to you “Maybe it would be best if we hurried.”

“I’m not trying to resist but do you mind helping me bring some items upstairs? My grandmothers chair and a few bags with some personal items.”

They perk up at this.

“We’d love to be of service; we’re a community, aren’t we?”.

You just nod not knowing what to say.

“Please make your way up stairs and leave this to us.” they said smiling ear to ear.

The only thing you grab is the Mandolin. The rest is handed over to your neighbors.

Walking towards the elevator, you hold on to the Mandolin with consideration, doing your best to treat it softly; you could only hope that he liked it.

The elevator doors close and it feels like they take eternity to open back up.

You make your way to your apartment, opening the door with ease. You notice he didn’t lock the door; you take off your shoes leaving them by the door.

Besides one floor lamp the entire apartment’s dark.

Placing the Mandolin on the nearest table, you flick on the lights. Looking around the living room he wasn’t there, so you make your way to the bedroom, leaving the instrument on the table.

The door is ajar - you slowly push it open, stepping inside.

The light behind you spills into the room. The first thing you notice as you stare into the darkness are a pair of shining eyes staring back at you.

You think of going back out but the growl that emits from Remmick's chest stops you in your tracks.

He lifts one finger beckoning you to him; you slowly move closer.

As you slowly walk towards him you think of the spirits’ protection and what it covers.

Mulling it over, you think that if Remmick wanted to he could snap your neck without any repercussions; you were protected from turning, not extreme acts of violence.

The darkness had made it hard to see at first, but the closer you get to him you realize he’s naked, apart from a bath towel wrapped loosely around his hips.

When you finally make your way over to him, he stands, turning on the lamp next to him and letting the towel drop to the floor.

You expect the worse, but he wraps his hands around your body.

“Mo shíorghra, you played a trick on me.”

“No.”

“You left.” he sounded somber

“I was going to return,” you say hurriedly.

“You didn’t last time.”

His words hit like a punch to the gut, taking the air straight from your lungs, that’s right - y’all been here before but last time it ended with you leaving.

‘Had he waited for you just like this the entire time’.

Pulling you in closer, he wraps one of his arms around your body, bringing the other to lay his hand on the side of your face, burying himself in the crook of your neck.

He breaths you in letting out an annoyed huff mixed with a low growl.

“So that's who you went to see,” accusation thick in his voice as if he expected it.

When he got like this you noticed his Irish brogue was much more pronounced.

“Just like last time; If I knew he was gon’ be a problem I would have found him the first time.”

“It wasn’t on purpose; he bumped into me” you tried to calm him down

As if he didn’t hear you, he continued talking.

“Dressed like this I’m guessin’ he could barely keep his hands off you.”

Moving his hand from your face to your neck and then farther down, he slips the straps on your dress down your shoulders one by one, letting his fingers trace over your skin.

You shiver at his teasing.

“Have you taken a liking to ‘em?”

The question takes you so off guard that you almost ask him to repeat himself.

“No, nothing like that he’s just some creep that’s-” slowing down your speech; if Remmick knew that John had been harassing you, what would he do to him and what trouble could it bring?

Remmick was listening intently to you, his teeth starting to sharpen - blood lust clouding his eyes; you didn’t want John to be killed, at least not in your apartment. You needed Remmick to understand.

“He’s made it obvious how he feels about me, and I’ve turned him down every time even before I left.”

Noddin’ along with your words, this seemed to appease him.

“Please don’t kill him. It’s not that I care but he’s a cop and doing that could bring trouble for us, so for us I’m beggin’ you.”

He brought both of his hands to rest on your shoulders.

“I can do that for you, for us, but this is the second time I’ve smelled him on you; there won’t be a third understood?”

You nod; there was no arguing with him.

He begins to pull your dress down until it hits the floor.

He bites his lip while taking in your full figure.

“No bra no panties, seems like you were in a rush to get away from me.” he says with a bit of a bite.

“No, I-”

“Don’t explain.” he says bringing his finger to his mouth in a hushing motion.

He pulls you gently out of the bedroom and into the bathroom shower. He nods towards the shower, so you walk over and turn it on you hold your fingers under the spray of water until the temperature is just right.

You watch as he closes the bathroom door letting the bathroom fill with steam. Entering the shower, you look back to see him watching you.

His eyes now dilated they follow the drops of water that slowly rolls down your body. The side of his lips start to glisten, worried you call out his name,

“Remmick?”

At the sound of his name, he quickly wipes the side of his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Are you going to join me?”

Slowly nodding he walks over to you blocking the spray of the shower head with his back. He begins to hum a tune you don’t think you’ve heard before.

“Hush now, don't explain Just say you'll remain I'm glad you're back Don't explain.”

His hands travel from the side of your face one hand going to your neck as he softly sings to you.

You watch as he leans in closer; you close your eyes, feeling the texture of his lips on yours.

You don’t know if it was your encounter with the Officer or his promise to visit against your wishes, but being here with Remmick made you feel protected. The feeling of safety makes you reciprocate even more fervently.

He must not have expected you to respond so eagerly, but once you do his hands began to explore your body; brushing his fingers along your nipple earns a gasp from you. As he lets his hand drop, he keeps eye contact as he slowly drags his tongue against your nipple.

You can’t hold in the shiver that your body releases.

You watch as he slowly trails kisses down your body until he’s on his knees looking up at you.

“You know that I love you and what love endures, all my thoughts are of you for I'm so completely yours.”

With your back flush against the shower tile you let him lift your legs one by one placing your thighs on his shoulder. Placing kisses on the lips between your thighs, he angles your body hitting all the good spots with his tongue.

Your hands travel to his head; your fingers tangle themselves in his hair to keep you balanced; as you arrive closer to your peak, you can’t help but pull his hair.

The feel of you tugging on his hair makes him moan sending vibrations throughout your body. Throwing your head back, you don’t know if it's the heat from the shower or the orgasm he’s giving you, but your head feels light.

Looking down at him still between your legs, you watch as he gives you one last lick. His face grows serious, saying his next words slowly but firmly.

“Mo fhíorghrá, the next time he ‘bumps’ into you he’s going to be exiting this world.”

You’re head foggy all you can do is nod. You try to move off his shoulders, but he grabs your thighs giving them a firm squeeze.

While looking deep in your eyes he needed for you to know he was serious.

“Do you understand me?”

He waits, not willing to budge until you give him an answer.

“Yes, Remmick” Your head struck with vertigo.

He rubs your thighs where his hands had gripped them, giving each one a kiss before setting your legs down softly.

You both finish up washing and make your way back to the bedroom, Remmick holding your hand the whole time, as if you’d slip through his finger as soon as he turned around.

Entering the bedroom, you considered grabbing the gift you’d planned to give Remmick, but decided that it could wait, right now what the both of you needed was certainty.

You needed the certainty that everything would be okay in the morning, and he needed the certainty that you would be there.

Notes:

You know that I love you and what love endures All my thoughts are of you For I'm so completely yours - Billie Holiday

Chapter 8

You wake up with Remmick's arm draped over you; you had expected him to be gone but there he was. It was dark in the room, but enough light seeped through the bottom of the curtains for you to see that Remmick’s eyes were closed. When was the last time you slept long enough to miss the sunrise?

If you weren’t aware of his true nature, you would say that he was quite handsome, with a face that you could even see yourself falling in love with. The truth felt almost unfair; you imagined how things could have been if Remmick hadn’t been a blood thirsty vampire that had disemboweled your ex, but instead a handsome stranger that you had bumped into on the way home, who also just happened to live in the same building as you.

Would you have gone on date, trips and vacations, gotten married in his hometown, (where was his hometown? matter a fact how old was he?) new house, new kids the whole nine yards?

But then, you wouldn’t have had the chance to be with your grandma in her final years. You wouldn’t have grown as a person that could put someone before their career. Had Remmick’s actions made you a better person? You don’t know, but what you did know is that it had fundamentally changed the way you thought.

Would this change last, or would you revert to the personality that you felt had been built into your hard drive. On paper you were perfect, a highly educated person with a great paying job. But in truth you were a crippling workaholic, that had put friends and family last. A fake and a coward, you had been angry at Michael for using you to further his career, but you had used him too.

The whole office power couple thing, you knew how it looked like to corporate; a reliable duo, soon to be tied together, who would be a shining example of what workers should look like. Dependable, essential legally bonded couple, who looked amazing together and would forever be loyal to the company that had brought them together, how cute.

Did Michael know that you were using him, is that why felt it was okay to cheat? That didn’t make it okay but, in a way, you could understand. Looking back, the past you in the long run might not have even cared if he cheated, as long as he kept up with the façade of the happy lovesick fiancé, soon to be husband.

But he was sloppy, fucking at work like an idiot. Truly your only mistake was choosing the wrong partner in crime. But still, he didn’t deserve to die, at least that's what you tell yourself.

Thinking back, to be honest you don't even remember caring all that much about his death, you had been more irritated that you had missed a day of work than finding out he had been murdered. Angry that his death would leave a stain on your great attendance, you were one cold bitch.

You had no friends, no family to rely on, even now that you had supposedly changed there was no one in your life. So, the fantasy of meeting Remmick on an elevator by chance and falling in love fell apart. The reality is that he would have fallen in love, and you would have given the bare minimum to keep him around.

How long until he was sick of being pushed to the side? Your career would have always come first, and if it wasn’t to make you look better you wouldn’t bother doing anything with or for him.

Remmick didn’t seem the type to cheat, not like Michael, but instead he would give you a look that said ‘It hurts to stay but I can’t leave’. He would suffer, and you wouldn’t care as long as it was silently.

Of course, there was still the sex. Sex with Michael hadn’t been bad, it was just average to be honest, but it hadn’t been good enough to pause work for. With Remmick... dear lord above, you were truly a sick little puppy to be comparing your ex’s fucking to that of his murderer, but the way Remmick made you feel, it was different.

You might not have known each other long, but you felt like when it came to sex and work Remmick wouldn’t have tried and failed to pull you away from it for a subpar quickie, but instead he would have slowly eaten you through your panties while you worked. He was very accommodating like that.

You don’t know if Remmick’s skillful tongue would have been the glue that kept y’all together, but you knew at the moment how the thought of him lavishing your body with kisses licks and sucks lit a fire in your body, you burned so hot that you had to rub your legs together just to lessen the ache.

Deciding to deal with it now while he seemed to be resting, you move your down your stomach towards your mons but before you can go any farther Remmick grabs your hand.

“Oh, Now Darlin' what are you doing?” he gives you a wolfish grin eyes following the destination of your hand. Had he been up the whole time, did he notice how you squirmed next to him in need?

He brings the palm of your hand to his face, kissing the scar that lays on top of it, proof of the promise you shared with him. You grow hot at his gaze and look away. “No need to feel embarrassed sweetheart, just let me help.” It sounds if he’s almost pleading.

He waits for you to give him the okay, so you nod letting him know you’re ready. He places your hand down, keeping eye contact with you as he slowly moves his hand under the sheets and towards your pussy. He softly teases your lips until your nice and slick, then sinks his fingers into your core making a come-hither motion, finally he lays his thumb over your clit rotating his thumb in perfect time.

Thoughts go through your mind, wondering where the fuck he could have learnt to do that, he had been so shy before, you lift your hips off the bed meeting his motions.

With the way that he’s playing your body, you know he’s going to play the mandolin just as well; never stopping and with perfect pace, he could easily milk an orgasm out of you, but you wanted something else. Putting your hands over his, you motion for him to stop.

“What’s wrong baby, did it not feel good?” he looked unsure of himself as if this was his first time.

You couldn’t believe how insecure he sounded; you were hesitant to boost anyone’s ego, but you couldn’t help yourself, “Oh, so good honey, but right now I need you in me.” your words came out needy, dripping of too much honesty.

He smiled eagerly nodding while slipping his fingers out of you, he wasted no time positioning himself in front of your entrance, looking you over, it felt like it took ages for him to sheath his dick inside you, moaning your name the whole time.

The feeling of being stretched around him felt euphoric; fate was so cruel, why couldn’t things have been different, why couldn’t they have been like your fantasies?

Instead of falling in love and being swept off your feet by some beautiful stranger, you were getting your brains fucked out by your ex’s killer, and to add insult to injury it had to be the best fuck you’ve ever received.

As he attacked your g-spot without mercy, a hot white feeling enveloped your body as you came on his dick, your pussy squeezing him for dear life. You grip the back of his hair, pulling him forward into a passionate kiss. While rubbing your tongue over his teeth you accidentally nick yourself on one of his canines.

Your eyes widen as you watch him become frenzied trying lick the blood dribbling off your tongue. Lips smeared with blood you can feel his dick pulse, as he pounds into you at earth shattering speed, ‘Fuck, what have I gotten into’.

Seeing the panicked look on your face he pulls himself from your lips, pushing you flat against the bed, with his hand on your chest he slams deeply into you as he comes.

The urge to bite you becoming too strong he opens his mouth wide, his fangs sharper than you’d ever seen. You close your eyes in fear as he lunges forward with his bared teeth.

You wait for a bite that never comes. You slowly open your eyes to see Remmick with an expression of bliss mixed with immense pain, his teeth wrapped around his arm in a brutal bite.

You could now see the spirits all around, they looked like shadows. They had stayed out of your view until now, but in their righteous anger they wrapped themselves around Remmick’s body, ready to impale him at the insinuation of him breaking your promise.

Breathing hard he removes his teeth from his arm. You shiver as blood begins dripping down onto your body, you want to scream but instead place your hand over your mouth not making a sound.

Panting while trying to wipe the blood off your body in a panic, he's body shutters “Fuck, sorry baby I didn’t go out last night”.

Smearing his blood all over you and dripping all over the blankets.

You place your hands on top of his urging him to stop. “Please” your voice comes out shaker than you mean it to, the sound pissing you off for some reason.

“I’m sorry, couldn’t leave-”.

You snap at him “Why not, it seems like it’s important!?”

He looks away looking ashamed and irritated.

“I was worried” he huffs out.

Face losing its scowl your voice softens “Worried I would leave?”.

He nods like a child looking over at you, but not looking at you.

You trace the wound oh his arm, it was healing but still covered in blood and marked by his bite.

Placing a hand on the side of his face, you can feel blood under your hand “I promise I won’t run away anymore; just promise me you’ll take care of yourself”.

He leans into your hand he silently nods, taking your hand from his face, kissing the scar on your palm. You are both quiet after what transpires.

You make your way back to the bedroom naked, after you both wash up.

You are greeted by your neighbors, stripping your bed of its sheets taking care to remove the pillows from the pillowcases.

They look over to see you hiding behind Remmick, giving you a wave. When you don’t wave back, they look to each other with confusion.

The lady with the ponytail is quicker to pick up your discomfort and quickly turns around, the guy is less so. Looking over to see that he still hasn’t turned around, she stage whispers to him. “She’s naked Daniel”.

He gives her a ‘that’s obvious’ look “I can see that Lorena”.

“Then look away, you’re making her nervous!” she hisses.

He looks to Remmick who just shrugs, moving his finger in a circling motion signaling Daniel to turn around. The fact that you might have social boundaries seemed to dawn on both a little late. Turning around while still holding the bloodstained bedding he uttered an apology.

Lorena is the first to speak up in a most cheerful voice, “We came to drop off the clothing you had us grab from the car last night, we gave them a wash and dry and placed them in the closet”.

You hurry pass Remmick going into the closet to grab the robes you had bought for the both of you. Handing Remmick his robe you drape yours over your body, tying it as tight as you can. They turn around once you’ve indicated that your covered.

“Who told you that you could just walk into my home without my permission?” anger seeping from your words.

Looking prideful Dan decides to speak his mind “Listen, Remmick gave us permission while you were gone so-”

Not liking his tone, you can’t help yourself from cutting him off “No, you listen here Dan! Remmick lives with me not the other way around; unless you get permission from me, I never want you walking around my apartment without me knowing!” you bite out, astonished that Remmick had left them with enough gray matter to even argue with you. “Do. you. understand. me.”

Averting his eyes he looks to the floor “I... yes of course, ma’am. I’m sorry, we’re just trying to be neighborly, and keep it tidy around here.” arrogance knocked out of him, he looked like a sad wet dog.

You wince at his sudden servile behavior, remembering that someone had to have kept the place clean in your absence, and you doubt that Remmick had been focused on dust bunnies.

You dial back your anger “You don’t have to call me ma’am, we’re a community after all, right?” you try to humor them “just call me by my name”.

Visibly happier they both nod their heads, grabbing the bedding they wave goodbye promising to replace the sheets later. You wave them out thanking them as they leave out the door. Remmick looks troubled by something but waves you off when you ask.

You had a feeling it had to do with Daniel and Lorena but when you ask, he stays quiet. Maybe some things are just better left for later.

Chapter 9

Remmicks pov

He watched as shadows played on the walls taunting him.

From the first day he had saw you he knew you were the one, he could feel the deep pain laid upon your soul and he had planned to fix it.

Even before that other guy had fucked up so wonderfully, he knew all he had to do was wait you and him were fated.

He really hadn't planned to kill the guy, but how could he let him live after making you cry.

He had gotten rid of the ex, and you were supposed to run into his arms, but you had ran away smelling like some fuckin' random, so he had waited he had to trust fate that you would return.

And you did, just as breathtaking as you had been when you had put those bullets in him, he had thought you were aimin' to do it again when he saw you grabbing for your bag.

Instead you had pulled out the handkerchief that he had given you to wipe your tears away, maybe you had missed him as much as he missed you.

You didn't know how much it pained him not to find you in the middle of the night and rip you away from wherever you were.

But he had to trust that you would come back on your own, and you did fallin’ right into his arms, letting him play with your body.

Confessing his love for you, everything was perfect he had planned to turn you that day and in the night, he'd take you on your first hunt, but then you had caught him off guard and done something almost unforgivable.

With just a few candles and a promise you had chained him, the confusion had kept him quiet.

Something was very wrong he could no longer reach his hive through thoughts alone, he had tried, and no response did he receive.

When he checked up on them, they seemed easy enough, but the connection had been severed and by the looks on their faces they could tell, 'had they been conjugating with the shadows' and if they had what did they talk about?

When he had returned in the daylight he had tried to explain to you, only to find out you couldn't see the shadows nor did you even know what you had done, he wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, you were amazing without even trying and you were fated for him.

Despite what the shadows told him the thought that you would run again never crossed his mind, but when he had returned from his shower to say that he wanted to kill every living being in the apartment complex would have been an understatement, and without the connection of his community he couldn't stop you from leaving.

When you returned walking through the door dressed like the angel you were, the anger he had been holding onto for all those hours dissipated instantly, but then he breathed you in and couldn’t believe it.

You came home smelling just like you did the first time you had run from him, with some strange fucker's scent lingering on your body, it made him feel a level of insecurity that he had never known before.

His insecurity would not allow him to leave your side for even a second, he would push aside his hunger as long as he could if it meant you couldn't leave his side.

Everything had been going well, you had even made love but when your blood hit his mouth the fog of hunger had made him lose his mind. You had tasted better than anyone he had ever tasted, and at that moment he realized how cruel fate was.

The shadows had been so eager to take him away, he could feel them all around him, but his eyes were focused on only one thing and that was the fear in your eyes as your blood smeared your faces.

Your fear snapped him out of his trace, forcing him to bite his arm to calm down, it was all too much at that moment, he knew what heaven felt like with you wrapped around him, but the shadows reminded him of how close to hell he was.

You had promised to stay and for now that was enough, it had to be if he was going to survive this with you by his side.

Mr and Mrs Hobbs had showed up unannounced, while y'all had washed up he had not asked them to, whoever they took their orders from it wasn't him, was it the shadows?

He had grown tense at their presence, not even being able to read their minds nor direct them was bothering him, they seemed to listen well enough, but he couldn’t understand why. He wasn't sure what their intentions where, he would have to watch them closer from now on, they didn't seem malicious but if even you could figure out something was wrong with them, something may have to be done to them and the rest of the community.

You had been fidgety after they left if they made you uncomfortable, he could just kill them, they definitely made him nervous, so he only needed a reason. But the reason you were actin shifty wasn't because of the Hobbs it was that you had bought him new clothing.

He had visited his homeland once before, but he had to be honest with himself it was no longer the land he had loved, she was someone completely different, so he had decided to come back, with the feeling that fate had something else in mind for him, and it was you.

The clothing you had got him had reminded him of what the gang members back home would wear nowadays, you were so excited for him to wear it, something about stealth and cleaning.

He was hundreds of years old, and had no interest in wearing the latest garb, but one look at her face filled with excitement, he'd wear anything she told him.

If she had been excited about the clothing, she was almost jumping out of her skin to get him to sit in the living room, he noticed that an identical chair had been placed next to the old one, his love had explained its origins he nodded along it seemed to mean a lot to you and the way that you were opening up to him meant everything to him.

When you grabbed the box that had been sitting on the table, his curiosity had been peeked was it more clothing? He hadn't been too excited about the track suit but he had loved the matching robes you had gotten for him and you, it had made him feel more connected to you. He watched you lifted the box prepared to see a pair slacks or somthin' alike, but this had been something completely different.

As his fingers brushed the strings on the mandolin, he could feel all the love and care that had gone into bring her before him just like you.

He tuned the instrument, plucking and strumming it to perfection, he looked over to see you beaming at him, but there was still a darkness that overshadowed your heart.

You had told him about your grandmother what she meant to you, and how she left this world, he couldn’t bring your grandmother back, but maybe a song could help heal just a small part of your hurt.

He had offered to sing something for the dearly departed, he waited until you sat down than began to pluck out a tune you wouldn't have heard before.

“May the wind be always at your back.”

“May the rains fall soft upon your fields”

“And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

A Irish blessing

He watched as the tears welled up in her eyes, there was nothing more he could do for her at the moment, but that didn't stop him from trying, laying the mandolin down he pulled her into his arms and let her weep. He wasn't sure if he had done anything substantial, but he could feel the pain in her heart lessen if only just a little bit.

When darkness blanked the whole town, she had dressed him in the tracksuit she had gotten him, promising to get him some shoes to match with the outfit.

A part of him still didn't want to leave, but he had to trust her, that was the only way he would be able to keep his hunger in check and keep her by his side, but he swore to everything that had made him this way, if she tried to run again he'd chain her to the wall.

He stopped by the Hobbs apartment with their link broken he had to command them manually, he opened the door to their apartment to see something he didn't know how to describe and that made him tilt his head to the side in confusion.

There they were Lorena and Daniel Hobbs seated at a table surrounded by shadows playing a fuckin' board game.

“What the fuck is goin’ on here” more than anger there was confusion in his voice.

Lorena gave a big wave “Well hello Sire we're just playing monopoly” too immersed in the game neither Ena or Dan picks up the anger in his voice “If you want to you and the Missus can join in we still have the car, the hat, the sho-”

Quickly losing his patience, he puts up his hands gesturing for her to be quiet “Why are you playing games with the shadows?”.

Lorena looks over to Daniel who looks over to the surrounding shadows.

“We work for the same people” Dan says matter-of-factly.

Remmick’s voice goes cold “And who might that be” ready to rip out Dan’s throat if given the wrong answer.

Dan looked over at Remmick “You and the Missus?” as if that was the obvious answer.

“They don’t work for me!” frustration now even more evident in his voice.

“Well... yes and no” Ena’s voice teetered back and forth unsure of how to state her thoughts.

“Explain” he barked.

Dan took the initiative to give his opinion as always “The way we see it, we work under you and the Missus, and they work under the missus which makes us kinda like co-workers”

The shadows nod along agreeing with Daniel’s logic.

Remmick was losing his mind a being older than the sun was playing board games with his childes, who it considered to be co-workers with, what the fuck was going on.

He hurriedly makes his way back to his love finding her laying on the couch reading, she follows him when he urges her to walk with him to the neighbors.

Ena greets her with just as much glee “Hey there did you come to join in?”

Remmick watches you observing the scene In-front of you, waiting for you to back him up, this was not okay.

Your fingers placed over your lips in contemplation, you just shrug “Why not”.

Remmick double takes at your answer “Not you too Mo ghrá”

Not responding to his dismay, you sit down grabbing a token.

Standing there unsure of what to do next he waits there until you look back up at him, you look over at the clock on the wall then back at him.

“Remmick you should leave soon; you’re running out of moonlight” turning your attention back to the game.

“Then I guess I’ll be going now?” pointing to the door behind him.

“Uh huh, have fun” you reply not even looking back up at him.

He closes the door behind himself not sure if this was a good thing or not.

Chapter 10

After finding out the shadows enjoyed playing board games with the hive, you had gotten into a grove.

You'd wake up with Remmick glued to your side, go to the living room to work, then Remmick would follow you where you were where, you'd talk or sometimes he'd play you a song while getting a far off look in his eyes, night would come and you'd go over and converse and play games with the Shadows and the Hobbs for a few hours, then take yourself to sleep doing it all again in the morning.

As the months had passed Remmick seemed to be content in the routine that had naturally been created, but as of late he seemed to be sleeping in more often which you hadn't even known he needed. You grew even more concerned the night you had noticed he had bags under his eyes. "Remmi is everything okay?" Using the pet name you had given him (you haven’t shown him the movie about the rat, and you weren't going to).

He looked embarrassed as if he only just noticed you standing beside him, he tried to play it off "Oh, my love how could everything not be wonderful when I'm in the presence of my Nubian Queen" laying it on way to thick you wanted to tell him to dial it back, something was definitely wrong. It seems like he was keeping a tight lip about what had him looking so haggard. You nodded giving him a false look of appeasement ‘Looks like I'll be getting my info from the next best source’ you thought to yourself.

Ena gives you a wide smile as she hands a can of lima beans to you while Dan crosses it off the list. You didn't always just hang out at their apartment when Remmick left out, you also went shopping together, having found a good size 24/7 to grab groceries at. Remmick hadn't been too keen on you leaving out without him, but you had convinced him that Ena and Dan could protect you "Besides we're a community" you said sweetly. In the beginning those words would make him smile but instead of agreeing like he always did, he looked frustrated, but he relented leaving you to your own devices.

"Remmicks been tired lately" aiming your question at Ena you tread lightly not knowing how much information you could get from them before Remmick reeled them back in.

"Makes sense he's been trying to visit as many of us as he can" she says looking for the next item.

"Why?" You keep your questions short and simple as to not trigger their flight reactions.

“Well... he's our sire so it's kinda his job to make sure we at least survive in some compacity” nodding along you decide to ask what has been plaguing your mind since you first saw the Hobbs, though they seem different then when you first saw them while running towards the elevator doors "How does it feel to be connected to Remmick, you know the whole hive mind thing" you motion towards your head with both hands.

Pausing while stroking her chin Ena tries to explain "Well for me it was kind of like being in a chatroom" taking to time to massage her temples she waves her words away "No maybe that's not the right way to describe it, it was like taking down all the walls down in a house".

Handing you another item then checking it off the list Dan speaks up "For Remmick it was probably like downloading a book into his mind".

"Was?" your confused why they keep speaking in pass tense

That's when they both give pause, they give each other a tense look before Dan exhale touching the back of his neck like he’s just been caught up on some bullshit.

Looking at you he says "Fuck it" furrowing his brows “If you don't already know this then we're probably not supposed to have told you, but in for a penny in for a pound" he shrugs "after the shadows showed up the hive mind was kinda disconnected".

"Kinda, disconnected? but if Remmick has no power over you why don't you just run away" you felt like what you had said was the obvious conclusion. Your words make them stop walking "Where else would we go?" while you're in this isle, Ena grabs another item off the list.

While checking it off Dan looks at you "And it's not so bad, before this Ena was sick but now.." His head drops, you had never seen him so emotional.

Ena grabs his hand "Now we have more time" she says as he kisses her hand. Ena gives you a smile full of affection "Plus it's nice to live next to another married couple".

You could see where she would come to that conclusion, but you just playfully wave her off "We're not married".

Dan gives you an inquisitive look never one to hold his tongue "Hmmm is that so that's not what the shadows said"

The shadows had attached themselves to you, not wanting to be left out of the action it moonlighted as your silhouette, as of late it's been gaining more of a personally, you blame game night with the Hobbs and afternoon reality T.V "A vow is, vow, tied forever" it says doing it’s best to mimic every movement you make.

Letting your frustration show you give a dramatic huff "So you just interpreted our promise however you wanted".

"Why not you called, forgotten how fun life is” it shrugs breaking out of character on the grocery store floor.

Speaking up, Ena sounding unnaturally serious steps closer to you, leaning over to whisper in your ear "Since were on the topic, of penny/pound" she moves her hand in a so-so gesture "You should know that Remmick has been trying to keep the others in line, but has had to cull some of us, I don't think he ever thought he would have to manage us all without the mind thing"

That explains his dark circles, If things kept going the way they were it could only lead to riots. You knew almost nothing about vampire lore, nothing that some regular person off the street couldn't find out with a library card, but you did know about corporate staff retention and your major prepared you for situations like this, a plan was forming in your head.

Why Remmick was trying to manage things on his own you had no clue, but you knew that if you didn't nip this in the bud something bad was going to happen, not just to Remmick but to everyone around. Finishing up your shopping trip you make it back home with the help of Ena and Dan you put everything away. They're confused when you don't immediately say goodbye for the night, but instead grab your work bag from your table and follow them back to their unit "I need your help" you began setting up a workspace for yourself “I need the number of people in the community, where they stay, and where they work”.

Neither wanting to speak up Dan gives you the usual attitude "And why do you need all that" they had been so talkative before but now were wary to tell you anything that might bring more trouble to their door, Remmick could be unkind to those he thought betrayed him.

You look up at them with a tired expression "Remind me what you both majored in". Happy to change the subject Ena happily answered, "I majored in Political Science and Dan majored in History". Nodding your head you cross your arms while slowly leaning back "Good then I don't have to explain to you what will happen if we don't change the way things are as soon as possible".

Looking at each other than to you a light bulb goes off in their heads The Death of Caesar by Fridz & Joznez playing through their minds as they both scramble to get you the information you need.

In the end you had a good idea of what you were working with, you would need to talk to the community, but Remmick couldn’t know if he did, he may try to stop you or worse intervene. You would set up the date time and place but you needed to spread the word “What I’m about to ask of you could lead to disaster if not done correctly” they both seem to lock the fuck in at the gravity of your words “Comb the city, get the word out that there will be a gathering, I need every childe at this event do you understand?” they both nodded “Now this is the most important part” you lean in close to them “He must not know, make sure that this is known” you grab both of their hands “You are my most trusted kin I would trust no other to execute this task” Ena looks like she’s going to get emotional and Dan looks more determined than ever.

The conference would be in three days that would give them enough time to gather everyone under Remmick's nose, you also tasked them with finding out what discontentment plagued the community, you had to be ready with solutions.

The Hobbs would talk to you while Remmick was out hunting Hunger, shelter, lack of purpose this is what plagued the community, it reminded you that Maslow's Hierarchy is universal no matter what or who you are.

You spend the nights brainstorming after Remmick would leave and before he would return, he looked a little less tired lately, word from Dan was that the community was falling in line now that talk of change had begun, they want to be there to witness it by not evoking Remmick’s ire.

All this planning was tiring but you had to admit it lit a fire in you that you had forgotten, maybe this was the fate that Remmick would wax poetically about, maybe this is why you were here taking charge like this made you feel alive.

Doubt would sing through your mind in the daytime; you would look over at Remmick and wonder if you were doing the right thing but then you remembered how tired he had looked and the chaos that would unfold if you did nothing at all, and your resolve would come back in full force.

When the night of resolution came you had left the apartment after Remmick, with the Hobbs by your side a question ran through your mind that only Dan could answer, Ena would tell you what she thought you wanted to hear but Dan told you what you needed “Daniel, what do you see me as?”.

Taking a second to think it over he spoke in a matter of surety “If Remmick is our Sire then you are also our Sire you may not have turned us like Remmick, but you embraced us like family”.

“How sentimental” you tease “Are these felling mutual among the colony or are you speaking from a place of fondness”

Looking insulted at the insinuation “Though they don’t personally know you like we do; you are held in high regard, you are known as the one that freed our minds”.

‘Fuck it was going to be that much worse when you disappointed them’

Seeing the look on your face Ena grabs on to your hand giving it a reassuring squeeze “And it’s true”.

If they saw you as their liberator, then that's what you'll be; a resolution is needed.

Before entering the building where the conference was being held you asked the Hobbs to give you a second alone with your shadow.

You looked down at it, in all of its sentience, with all the reverence you could muster you speak to it “Remmick once told me that my ability to call upon you was proof of my greatness, if this is true, then I'll need you more than ever in there, will you protect me?”

It seemed to grow excited at the chance of being let out to play “You me, connected, my power your power, simple”.

Slowly nodding at it you felt the connection it spoke of grow even stronger between the two of you, lifting your hand you focus that power to a nearby tree the shadow rushes towards it on command leaving a noticeable hole in it as if it was stabbed with a lance.

“Okay I think we’re ready” you rejoin Ena and Dan making your way down, you didn’t plan on hurting anybody, but it never hurt to be prepared.

Chapter 11

You hadn't known what to expect when you walked into the conference hall, maybe looks of anger or disgust, maybe even contempt; but all you saw as you looked out at the sea of people were a flock of sheep that had lost their Shepherd, misplaced and unsure of what the future held for them.

It had been Explained to you by Ena and Dan that Remmick had been trying his hardest to guide the flock, but they had gotten too big and without the connection they were unmanageable.

You keep your back straight as you walk to the podium, taking note of all the groups you saw there, letting them know they were seen. They must have realized who you were because they started to notice you. You could see the uneasiness on their faces and even their posture; they wanted change, they wanted guidance, and more than anything, like you when you first landed in this city, they wanted to survive.

You tap the mic testing its feedback, you can hear the shushes all around you from sporadically placed vampires, urging their kin to quiet down so they could hear what you had to say.

"Looking out at the crowd today, I see that you came here wanting change, but more than your hunger for change, I can see the hope in your eyes, the hope that I can help you; I came here today baring my heart and soul to you to let you know that I can't".

The sound of despair and discontent is deafening to your ears, insults and accusations thrown in your face. You're unsure how you withstood it all, but instead of buckling under the pressure, you hold up your hands in a calming gesture, and in the crowd you hear someone say "Let her finish!".

"Like I was saying, I can't help you, but I can help you help yourselves and to do that I need you to help me. Listen, I don't know what each of you were told, but at the core you were promised a community, and that's what I'm going to give you; but you can't just expect to take from the community and not give back, it doesn’t work that way so help me help you".

There is a pleading look on your face that seems to break through to them, for the first time during your speech you hear someone speak up.

"A lot of us have nothing to give, some of us are unemployed graduates, with no experience and now most likely never will." Voice trembling, they looked like they were on the verge of tears.

“Well then let's get you some experience” you say as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

You hear someone from the other side of the room huff out angrily “Ohhh how silly of us why didn’t we think of that before” sarcasm dripping from their tongue “Just how are we supposed to that when we can’t even go out in the morning, you batty bitch!”

“Hold your tongue you fucking swine” You had never seen Ena so angry, you almost jump at the deadliness in her voice.

You place a hand on her shoulder to calm her down “No, it's okay, I understand how you feel but I'm here now”. The last thing you needed was for a fight to break out, not when you were so close to healing things.

“You're letting memories of the sun block your future in the moon." You pause, looking out at the crowd and how they hung on your every word. "Eternity without purpose is just purgatory, let me give you a purpose," you see some heads nodding along. "How many lawyers do we have in the crowd?" a few hands raise up "Any people who've worked on a non-profit?" triple the hand are lifted "Any one in the medical field? or maybe construction" more hands than you thought you'd see, you gesture for them to lower their hands.

"You know what that sounds like to me, people that have something to give, you have skills and know how; use those skills to help me help you find your purpose. I have plans for everyone here, I promise you that." while they're still engrossed in your words, you decide to tackle one of the root problems here.

"How many have you gone hungry, focused more on how you'll stay homed and safe from the light?" Too many hands are raised at once, one of them being the graduate who had confessed their struggles, and for a second you grow hot with anger 'What the hell had Remmick been thinking letting this go on for so long?' though you were partly to blame, if you hadn't made that vow- you just wish it hadn't gotten this bad.

"See this is a problem, if even one of you goes hungry, I see that as a personal failure. My ignorance isn't an excuse but a reason, I hope moving forward you can not only forgive me but trust in me. I promise that today will be the start of a new beginning, not only for you but me. I've neglected you and a queen cannot live without her hive, but a hive cannot run without its queen". You hear the sounds of agreement in the crowd.

"Every single one of you are needed for this community to thrive, I'll tell you my plans right here and now so that you don't think I'm feeding you lies. We're going to house anyone and everyone that asks for it, we are going to assign jobs to everyone who will work, and we are going to setup a blood bank so no one goes hungry". The part about blood seems to really get them going, they must be really starving. You see more than one wet chin in the crowd.

"Like I said before I can't help you, at least no on my own but baby, there's enough blood out there for all of you, you just need to know how to get it" You look out in the crowd and it's no longer filled with lost sheep but instead ones that are finding their way home "Enough foreplay, let's get to work".

You start by separating the vampires into their fields of interest, hopefully they will refine their skills.

You go to count the amount of people who need housing, then you gather those needed for the blood bank; Bankers, lawyers, phlebotomists, business majors, accountants, cleaning staff, ect.

It’s not something you had even talked about tonight, but there were some true believers in the crowd that had money but no direction, they needed a leader more than anything and were willing to give to the community to show their loyalty. You had also found out that it hadn't just been from a lack of skill, that members of the flock weren't eating. Without the suggestion of Remmick's hive mind many couldn't kill on their own, they were happy for a chance not to get their hands wet.

After bidding the flock goodnight with the promise of meeting again, the first thing you do with the money you had amassed was visit someone who could help you with your housing problem.

You hadn't waited until the morning light to see your landlady Ms.Angel, but instead knocked on her door as soon as you returned from the conference. She had been perturbed at your late-night (early morning) arrival but once she saw the numbers you had to offer, she had plenty units ready and open.

On your way back home, you stopped by the Hobbs’s apartment, they were your partners in crime. You had all agreed that for everything to go smoothly you'd have to tackle three things; communication, financial independence, and community trust. You and the Hobbs had agonized over every little detail. The money was there but you had to be careful, spend too much then someone would come knocking.

You were close to fixing one of the problems that had been talked about at the conference; housing. In the morning you'd make sure the units were ready for the new tenants. Flying higher than a kite, nothing that you did in your day job could compare to the rush you had felt helping your flock. You were so on top of the world, that you hadn't noticed Remmick sitting in a chair in the corner.

"Where were you love?" Blood caking his chin and fingers, you almost jump when you hear his voice. You glance at the clock on the wall; he shouldn't be home yet. It usually takes him all night to get back; that's when it dawns on you, there was no flock for him to shepherd so he came home early. ‘How long had he run around looking for a flock that wasn’t there?’.

"I was out with the Hobbs and the Shadows", you take off your shoes leaving them at the door, then hang your bag up on the hooks above them. Remmick gets up from where he's sitting and begins to walk towards you. "Is that so, my love" he brings you in for a hug, dried blood faintly smearing on your coat “Is that all?” Nodding, you didn’t want to lie to him, but it was too early to tell the truth. Breathing you in he sighs in contentment and for a second you feel safe.

"You know the funniest thing happened today", your body goes rigid as he begins taking off your over coat, it was starting to get chilly outside but still not cold enough for anything other than a light jacket. He slowly slides his hands down your body letting the coat hit the floor. "I took ah stroll ‘round town" his natural accent seeping through as his mood begins to darken. Taking his time he starts to unbutton your top "I looked around for my childe but couldn't find a one." His hands stop at where your shirt is tucked in under the skirt; vision clouded by lust and suspicion, he grips your hips "You know no matter how many years go by it always amazes me how the most beautiful things can be a lie".

Your blood runs cold as you pull away in defiance, "Why would you need to look for them, aren't you connected, one big happy family?" Venom mixed with sarcasm hangs heavy on your tongue. You can't help being petty, how dare he question you when you're the one cleaning up his inadequacy, he should be thanking you; instead, he's giving you the third degree. You must have hit a nerve, you find yourself bent over the dining room table, his body pressed tightly against yours as he leans over you, he snarls directly in your ear. "Now I'm going to ask you again, where were you, girl" bucking his hips forward you could feel him enjoying his little power trip.

You hadn't meant to, but he had really lost his mind treating you like a fuckin ragdoll; using the power of the shadows you plow him to the floor. Teeth bared he tries to get back up but is pushed back down. Remmick might have been able to put up some kind of fight before, but being disconnected from the flock seems to have made him weaker, unable to tap into certain abilities.

"So this is it" he spits with as much vitriol a guy glued to the floor with a hard-on can. "First you take my connection to my childe”, struggling against the shadows, “then you get them to conspire against their sire". At this point you're not sure if he's talking to you or the shadows; looking down at him you can see now how exhausted by paranoia he was.

"Remmick, what the fuck are you talking about" you lay next to him on the floor. "Mo ghrá, it's manipulating you" he stops struggling laying his head flat on the ground. "Remmick, no one’s manipulating me". He closes his eyes, turning his head away from you.

You sigh, "I know about your connection severing from the flock” he turns his head in your direction, “I know you've been running yourself ragged to keep things together, and failing". He looks like he wants to bust out in tears, "I'm trying my best, but I don't know what they want, they need me, and I promised so much, but without the connection..." His breath shakes as he tries to get his words out.

"I know it's just a matter of time before they come to hurt me and to do that, they'll come for you first, I can't lose you." The shadow overcome with secondhand embarrassment awkwardly slumps away. Limbs freed Remmick curls into you. You hold him in your arms, "Oh Remmi you idiot, why didn't you just come to me." Your fingers brush against the damp hairs on the back of his neck, trying to calm him. "Didn't want to chase you away, wanted to take care of you", he says meekly, hiding his embarrassment in the crook of your neck.

Chapter 12

Notes:

Not even if my boss should call
The world it seems so very small
Cause nothing even matters, at all -
Nothing Even Matters by Lauryn Hill

You and Remmick had laid on the floor and talked for hours feeling each other out; it had occurred to you that you both might have had a warped view of one another.

Remmick had definitely had a warped view of the Shadows; he had saw them as an omniscient being that had taunted him, but in reality it had was a collective of shadow spirits that had banded together, latching onto the strongest being it could find just at the right moment, just so it could watch BET Uncut.

The Shadows’ supposed ‘taunts’ that you were leaving him, had in reality been a heads up that you were leaving, but would return later.

His beef had been a one sided paranoia fest, which had driven the shadows to hang out with the Hobbs.

It thought its absence would calm his nerves, but when he had found out about game night between it and the Hobbs, he lost it; worst of all you had decided to join them.

Paired with the constant need to micro manage his flock to the best of his abilities, and the Shadows influence over you, (its friendly demeanor?) paranoia had over taken him.

You think back to when you were dating Michael. He would give up at the first signs of resistance, pushing his problems on to you; and you always fixed them.

It had been what you thought a good partner would do, and at first it felt good to be needed in such a way.

The novelty wore off pretty quickly; you were no longer a partner he could go to but instead a machine that printed out the solutions to all his problems. In the end he still couldn’t even be damned to change your ink storage, the least he could have done was try to maintain your relationship; but instead he let himself get caught fucking the copying machine.

With Remmick it hadn’t felt the same. Yes he was highly incompetent when it came to managing his flock without the uses of collective intelligence.

He tried the best he could, but ultimately he began to fail, but not once did he fold.

He wasn’t going to give up on his flock, and he wasn’t going to push that responsibility on to someone else, and for that you admired him.

Together you had washed the day off of your bodies, you watched the tension leave his face and muscles, relaxing as the blood washed off his body, circling into the drain.

As you washed your own body you had wondered what kind of life had he lived before becoming what he was, where in Erin’s Isle had he lived and what had been the profession that had given him that body. You hadn’t meant to stare, but you had to admit, he was attractive.

He had caught you staring as your eyes drifted south, you had expected him to give you a cocky grin or even initiate sex, but instead he became timid and looked away. This confused you; after becoming untethered from the collective he had slowly become more reserved, as if he had been hit with a factory reset, this piqued your interest.

You dried yourselves off, you had put on your hair bonnet and you both had put on the matching robes you had bought.

You laid on the couch and he followed your lead as you started work, he was quiet as you tapped away at your laptop. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be resting when he heard you log out of your computer and began putting it away, he looked at the clock, it was much too soon for you to be finished.

“Is everything alright?” his face full of concern, he hoped he hadn’t been bothering you while waiting for you to finish, he knew how much your career meant to you.

“I quit my job, effective immediately, no two week notice.” You said nonchalantly, you even had a slight smile as you said it.

“Has something happened?” he pulls you over deeply inhaling your scent “You’re not sick,” he said as a statement and not a question.

You just smile at him “You know something Remmick, before I met you my career was everything to me.” he slowly furrows his brows, tilting his head and squinting his eyes mocking you for stating the obvious.

You ignore his sassy behavior, opting to just continue what you were saying ”In a way you saved me” He looks up at you, that wasn’t what he was expecting you to say, he places the back of his hand on your forehead to check your temperature.

You playfully swipe his hand away, “I’m serious, you were right when you said there was a deep sadness in me, a loneliness that I drowned by keeping busy” you pause not even knowing where all this was coming from, “After getting to spend time with and then ultimately having to say goodbye to my grandmother, I had an epiphany; I didn’t like who I was as a person.” You look him in the eyes “I want something different from life.”

You sit on his lap taking the initiative and kiss him first, moaning into your mouth he wraps his arms around you to bring you close.

“I want to help manage the community.”

He nods focused on feeling your body “Of course Sweetheart”

You lay little kisses on the side of his lips; you can feel his length began to grow underneath his robe as you rub your pussy against him.

He leaves kisses on your neck then on to your titties, he reaches to loosen the knot on your robe for better access.

Placing your hand over his you pull away to look him in the eye “When’s the last time you got your dick sucked?”

He pauses “Uh, I…” he looks like he’s solving multiple equations at once.

“Have you never had a blow job before?” your eyebrows crinkle waiting for him to answer.

“Of course I have.” he looks insulted by your insinuation that he hasn’t “...it’s just been a while…”

“What do you consider a while?”

He gets a far off look before answering “It had been spring… I think”

You raise an eyebrow in question “Spring of what year?”

“Actually it was the end of summer before my embrace, I remember now cus that was around the time I got marri-”

Your eyes go wide “Remmick you haven’t gotten a blow job since you were human?” he nods watching you become more animated, “And how long have you been...” you had never asked but now you were curious to know.

“Oh, I stopped, uh counting after the first thousand years” smiling at you, determination coursed through your blood as you laid kisses on his body.

“Oh sugar what are you doing?” He said, enjoying the attention you were blessing him with.

“I’m rectifying that right now, It’s a damn shame for your only dick sucking to come from some random you met before you got married.”

His next word came out slow, as if he didn’t particularly know how to word it, “Actually…” Touching your temple with your fingers, you try to process what he’s about to tell you. “Don’t tell the only blowjob you received was from your wife, over a thousand years ago.” He nods.

Placing your hands on his chest, you motion for him to lean back as you slowly roll off his lap and on to the rug placed at the base of the couch.

He slowly opens his legs giving you room to sit between them.

The thigh length robes hide almost nothing, his dick is hard as a brick before you even touch him.

He gives you one of his filthiest fucking moans, as you grab his dick bringing it to your lips to give the tip a lick.

“Oh fuck, Mo Ghrá.” tilting his head back he tightly closes his eyes. You remove your lips from his dick.

“Remmick look at me.” He focuses his eyes back on you and you put your lips back around him while pumping his dick in your mouth, your lips start to move further down until you notice his eyes are closed again.

Confusion paints his face as you pop your lips off his dick, gripping him tightly while you stroking him up and down, “If you take your eyes off of me one more time, I’ll stop completely.”

You can hear the muffled whine of your name while he bites his knuckles ”Oh, Heavenly father.” It sounds like a curse falling from his lips. He drops his hand locking his eyes with yours, “You evil woman” he says while gripping the side of the couch to brace himself.

Remmick watches as you toss off your silky pink bonnet, giving him access to your hair (don’t try this at home) he can’t help himself as he grips the back of your neck, his fingers brushing against the baby hairs on your nape.

His hips lift off the couch as you slurp on him while using both hands. You began rubbing his dick in a circular motion, from the tip to the base and back, sucking and licking the tip.

He tries to speak but it comes out incoherently at first, so he tries again “Fuck! baby girl, I don’t know the etiquette of all this” he let’s out a moan, ”I’m close” he gently gives you a nudge of warning.

Instead of pulling away from you to let him finish, you pick up the pace and in one fluid motion make contact with the base of his dick and back up to his tip, giving it a nice long slurp.

“Fuck, baby” his eyes never leave yours as he coats the back of your throat “Fuck, you are truly the goddamned devil.” You smirk, your lips still wrapped around him; it’s funny how the roles reverse.

Panting hard he looks delirious as you continue sucking getting every drop outta him. “Oh Fuck” he shivers as the last drops of come leave his nut sac “Marry me Darlin’.” You look at him, giving him one last lick from the base then giving the tip a kiss.

You get off your knees, they’re a little sore but the results were worth it. “I’ll forget you said that” gesturing your hands to say no hard feelings.

There’s a fire in his eyes, “I meant it.” You were trying to keep things cool and give him an out.

“Look Remmick many men have proposed while in the throws of passion, that was probably how you got married the first time.” He looks alarmed as you cross your arms sounding more accusatory than you meant to.

“No,” he says as you look down at him “It was an arranged marriage, millers daughter and a farmers son,” his eyes lower to the ground “It hadn’t fully been our choice... I don’t even remember her name.”

Now you felt bad. Remmick never gave you a reason to be weary of him, at least when it came to matters of the heart.

You walk away from him not saying a word. You had put it away as soon as you could; not wanting to lose one of the last things you had of your grandmother. Grabbing the box, you put it in the pocket of your robe.

You come back to find him with his head in his hands, he wasn’t crying but he was going through it, he lifts his head to see you walking towards him,

He stands up trying to apologize “I won’t ask for more than you’re willing to give, just please, please don’t lea-” You place a finger on his lips, and move your hand to caress the side of his face, you watch as he leans into your touch.

“I promised I wouldn’t run away, remember?” You pull out the box in your pocket “I have something to show you”.

Placing the box in his hands, you watch as he opens it. “Before I came back my grandmother had left me everything, but I only wanted a few items including these rings.”

He holds them in his hands with the same softness he holds you. “The next time I get engaged I want my fiance to use them.” He looks at you, hunger in his eyes.

“So ask me again.” Quickly getting on one knee, he looks up at you as if nothing else matters at all.

“My love, Will you marry me?” You nod as he slides the ring on your finger.

“Yes, yes, yes” you can’t hold back the laugh that erupts from your chest as he begins to lay kisses all over your body.

You’re both brought out of your hallmark moment by a knock at the door. Remmick grows tense; you assume he was irritated from being interrupted, you give his shoulder a pat.

“Give me a second to answer that.” Glancing at the entrance you smile ‘That must be the Hobbs; y’all still have to get the apartments ready for tonight.’

You skip to the door excited to tell them the good news. You don’t think to look out the peep hole.

Your blood runs cold as you stare back at a blond haired blue eyed demon. Hands behind his back and badge on his hip, he smiles at you while showing off his canines “Wow I would have Visited earlier if I knew I’d get such a warm reception”.

Notes:

I sometimes have a tendency
To look at you religiously (baby)
Cause nothing even matters, to me -
Nothing Even Matters by Lauryn Hill

Chapter 13

Pulling your robes together tightly, he was definitely not who you were expecting to show up unannounced.

John's eyes slowly move up and down your body, lingering on your lips, his gaze clouded with lust. “Haven’t seen you out and about lately. I get it though, an office girl like you must be busy.” He looks down at you. and you can see the condescending smirk on his lips.

A look of ‘How the fuck did you find me’, must be evident on your face because John wastes no time letting you know. “You’re probably wondering how I’m here. I was worried about you, sooooo I pulled some strings, and was able to to get your address from when you were last at the station.” Leaning on your door frame he towers over you, “So I was thinking we could go out and I could buy you lunch.” Biting his lip, he looks like he can barely control himself. “But we can stay in if you want.” not waiting for you to answer, he tries to walk past you, “May I come in?” he tries to push the door open.

He doesn’t get far before a hand appears on the other side, fingers griping the edge of the door, stopping it from moving.

You hadn’t known Remmick was beside you, as he moves into view with a smile on his face, he stands closely behind you, “Well hello there friend, now who might you be?” His accent thick.

The color drains from Johns face, he glaces from Remmick to you and back, trying to play off the fact that he had tried to force his way inside, probably hoping to force his way into your panties.

“Officer Williams, Officer John Williams” officer Williams moves to place his hands behind his back, brushing his fingers against the gun in its holster, he looks down at Remmick.

‘Was he trying to intimidate Remmick?’, you almost laugh at the thought. If five shots couldn’t kill him fifteen wouldn’t either, and even if he did subdue Remmick, between the shadow and the Hobbs he’d be fucked if he let that thing loose.

But so would you, you didn’t know who knew he was here, but someone must know that he was looking for you.

John had made it clear that he had at least bribed someone to release your information to him. ‘Had he been seen coming into your building?’ He couldn’t die, at least not here.

“Our girl here didn’t tell me she had a boyfriend.”

Remmick gives a lighthearted chuckle obviously not amused at Johns grand delusions of what the cop meant to you “Oh I’m not her boyfriend.” Gently grabbing your hand, he kisses the ring on your finger. “I’m her Fiance.” Johns smile is tight enough that it almost looks like a snarl, “Woooow, Fiance aren’t you two just lovey-dovey. What a unique accent you have there, where did you say you were from.”

Remmick begins to slowly run the tip of his fingers from your thigh and up, giving your hip a squeeze, you can’t stop the moan that escapes your lips. Johns eye twitches at Remmick’s public display of affection “I didn’t” he says all his attention on you, you tilt your head back laying it on Remmick.

His lips brush your neck “What’s wrong Darlin’ back to bed?” you can feel Remmick’s dick grind against your ass while a soft moan leaves his lips, the corner of your lips turns upwards as you glance over your shoulder, slowly kissing Remmick on the lips while nodding. John stares as you practically make out in front of him in your matching robes. The grimace he gives you both when he thinks your not looking is sharp as knife, and if looks could kill, no less lethal.

“Weeelll, would you look at the time.” Clearly uncomfortable, “Us tax payers are always busy busy busy!” ‘What was he trying to imply?’ “You uh, you have a nice day.”

You watch as he speed walks towards the elevator, clearly pissed off. As you close the door, Remmick traps you between his body and the door, rubbing his length against your ass.

"I'm going to Rip his throat out." You nod "I know that scent, he's the one I smelt on you before." Anger and jealousy was rolling off of Remmick, Johns fate was sealed the moment he walked his dumb-ass in your building. It was obvious what he had planned to do to you, and you wonder how many times he's done this before, “He's going to die, let's make it messy. Did you notice that he was trying to force himself inside?" grinding right back against Remmick, you watch as his face screws up in pleasure and in fury "If you hadn't been there to protect me, he would have taken what was yours.” He lifts your robes above your waist, slowly sliding into you. "Your mine" you nod your head against him, as he pounds into you hitting your spot each time he slides out and then back in. “I'm yours” you moan “are you mine?” You could feel your walls tighten around him. “Fuck, so hot” moaning in your ear you can feel he’s close “So wet, girl, just yours, I’m yours.” his pounding becomes erratic “aAh fuck, Remmick, just yours, fuck, I love you.” As you come on his dick you can feel it twitch as he fills you up “Fuck, oh my girl!” He lingers in you, holding you close he moves you from the living room entrance to the bedroom bed.

Pressing deeper in you he tries to stay in you long as he can, but eventually slips out of you, he holds you close. “Mo fhíorghrá…” you already know what he’s going to say, so you say it first. “He needs to die” just as things were looking up John, had to come and complicate things.

You couldn’t let him ruin the day, you still had a few hours left until the new tenants arrived, and you need to make a trip to one of the furniture stores before it closed.

You would need an ass load of drapes before the sun rose tomorrow so this couldn’t wait.

You shower up and get dressed to go; As always Remmicks not happy you’re leaving, but after explaining that this was for the flock he quieted down a bit, giving you those puppy eyes as you walked out the door.

You hadn’t gotten too far into your drive when you see him in his car driving behind you, ‘Had he been waiting for you to leave your apartment?,’ he followed you closely until you reached the store; opting to park in the back of the parking lot while you parked up front.

You had planned to take your time and decompress, but the thought of him sitting there waiting for you made the hairs stand on your neck. You finish quickly, declining help from the store clerks to load your car. You’re not surprised when you find him leaning against your car, he smiles at you like he hadn’t just tried to force himself on you, and was now stalking you.

“Now I understand why you were busy, engagement parties and wedding planning.” he tries to hide it, but fails to cover up how bitter he sounds, almost as if you were cheating on him.

You smile and start to fill your car with the ass load of drapes you bought. ‘Engagement party? you hadn’t even thought about doing anything like that, it wasn’t if you had any family to party with, well there was the flock and you considered the Hobbs and Shadows to be trustworthy companions, you bet given the chance they’d love to rip into this asshole’ Pausing ‘Actually that could work, you could rent a place out and throw him to the wolves so to speak, the police can’t convict anyone if they can’t find a body. But how would you get john there?’ still talking you only pick up on the last of his sentence “-That fiance of yours seems foreign, not that there’s anything wrong with short foreign men, just didn’t think that would be your type,” He chuckles uncomfortably.

That’s when it hits you, you don’t have to try too hard, he’s completely thinking with his dick. You finish loading your car then walk in front of him making it a point to lean into him, you take your tongue and slowly roll it across your lip that gets his attention he becomes focused on your lips as you talk.

“Maybe your right John,” He shivers at your familiar use of his name. “I’m only saying this cause we’re friends, but to be honest I haven’t gotten that far in the planning, actually my thoughts have been lingering on someone else lately.” Nodding along he crosses his arms in front of him, he can’t help rocking back and forth on his feet, giddy from what you’re saying, trying and failing to hide how pleased he is.

“I don’t know maybe I just need to fuck the doubt away.” You give off a light chuckle, as if what you’re say is in jest. “I could help you with that.” he quickly says, sounding slightly out of breath “Oh no, I couldn’t ask that of you, you’ve been so supportive of me even going so far as to check up on me at my apartment” you feign gratefulness.

“No, I insist and beside what are friends for, lots of women end up regretting not having one last send off, let me do this to- for you.” Did he really think you were friends that quickly, and that you would consider him fucking you a favor? “Well if you’re up for it, but we have to keep this quiet, also I have to warn you, I have an oral fixation” You place a finger on your lips. He nods all too eager at the promise of your lips around his dick. “Can I have your number, when I get things ready i’ll need to send you the place and time.” He pauses giving you a tight smile. “I gave it to you before, did you forget to program me in.” you look at him coyly trying to hide your disgust. “With all the moving around and my grandmother's passing, I had been too preoccupied, but I won’t forget this time.” The truth is you tossed that shit as soon as you got out the building, he writes it down handing you a card with his work and personal number.

He places his hand on your arm, and you want to recoil in disgust “How about a goodbye hug? you know since we’re best-friends.” You hope the look of bewilderment dosn’t show on your face ‘how the fuck did he jump from friend to best friend, this fucker was a whole ass nut ball.’ Nodding while keeping a smile on your face you let him embrace you, a light moan leaves his lips “This is going to be a wonderful friendship.” You feel his length bump into you before he lets you go making you almost gag.

Smiling wider than ever he waves you off, you want to set him on fire, but instead wave goodbye to him, he looks happy enough to fly into the sun, and you wish he would. You get in your car and begin driving, this time without him trailing behind you. You get home right as the sun is halfway through setting, you stop by the land lady’s office picking up all of the keys to the apartments you reserved, before she lays down for the night.

Heading upstairs you just need to be in Remmick’s arms at the moment, once you walk through the door he rushes towards you holding you in a deep embrace. He smells John scent on you immediately, stepping away from you, you watch as his teeth elongate in anger.

“Again? Fuck this, he dies now!” he moves to leave out the door but you shout grabbing his arm “No!” he gives you a look of betrayal “No!?” Remmick can’t believe his ears what the fuck do you mean no.

“Do you trust me” your question seems to calm him down a bit, more than anything he wants to trust you, nodding but not saying anything, he waits for you to continue.

“How do you feel about an engagement party” your question catches him off guard, he answers you cautiously.

“It would be my first...” not quite sure where your going with this.

“I want to invite John to our engagement party, I want to introduce him to the whole family.” His face scrunches up in confusion before it dawns on him. “Oh” smile widening at the realization of what you’re proposing he gives off a little chuckle. “The more the merrier Darlin’.” Pulling you in he lays kisses on your body, from the living room to the bathroom trying to replace Johns scent with his. You only have short time before the flock show up, but you let Remmick wash John off your body, you need this just as much as he does.

Chapter 14

Remmick had to admit these new shoes you had gotten him had made it easier to scale buildings. He could fly but that wasn’t always the stealthiest option, like right now as he watched officer fuck face plunged into into something that held a few of your features at a quick glance but under closer scrutiny was a poor replacement.

Listening in Remmick can hear the conversation taking place “Oh I’m sure shes having second thoughts” Remmick rolls his eye’s ‘And I’m sure she’s fakin'’ Remmick mocks, referencing the especially bored looking lady underneath the cop.

“As soon as she gets a taste of pure American perfection, she’ll leave the foreign creep” with a long groan he empties himself in the girl under him, “Of course since that time is fast approaching, I won’t be needing you anymore.”

His hands move up her body “I hope you know this is nothing personal.” Then Officer Williams does something that even Remmick doesn’t expect, he snaps her neck. Grimacing Remmick looks on as he drops her body to the ground “This fucker is truly deprived.”

Remmick watches as John walks away with a pep in his step, not even giving the girl a second glance, and not noticing that she wasn’t completely dead.

Jumping from the ledge of the building Remmick waste no time giving her a second lease on life, sitting with her until she stirs awake. “It’s not your time yet little dove, what’s your name?” Her voice comes out raspy, before she coughs out it out. “Jonah”, nodding he smiles down at her, “do you want revenge, Jonah?” she nods still in shock of the evil that was done upon her. “Good because you are needed”.

Remmick brings her straight to the apartments, setting her up with one of the units you and the Hobbs had set up. You take a long look at her face as you hand her a set of keys, if you hadn’t been sure of your lineage you would have questioned whether or not you two might be related. You and Remmick give her directions around the building and she’s silent for the most part while you talk, but her eyes never leaves Remmick’s face.

You’ve seen that look in the pass but can’t place it, so you finish up the tour leaving her to her own devices but the look she gives you when Remmick puts his arm around your shoulders was one of confusion, like a person that suddenly doubts their place in life, you pay her no mind, the nights been long for her so you let her settle in.

When you get back to your apartment Remmick had talked about how he found her. So it hadn’t been in your mind, John had used her as a replacement for you, then killed her when he thought you were in his grasp. The fucker was a sick puppy, Remmick wasn’t sure how long they had known each other, but she would be the perfect card to play when the time was right and you agreed with him. There was something in her eyes a hunger to succeed, that you yourself had been very familiar with when you had gotten your first chance to prove yourself.

She showed up to the weekly meeting. You held it just to keep everyone updated, it wasn’t mandatory, the only mandatory meeting was the one at the end of the month. Where the leaders of the all the factions would voice their needs and complaints, but the turn out had been good. Moods where lighter and a new sense of purpose had been installed in the flock.

She silently watched you in the back as you listed off every minuscule problem that had been brought to you. Jonah seemed to be confused at your strong presence in the flock and the respect that you not only demanded but was happily given to you “Respect is not expected, but it's given 'cause it's real”.

You and the Hobbs had been quick and efficient in everything you did, and honestly you know that without them things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. From setting up the blood donation center, to getting the flock careers within the hive and recruiting those that were deemed to be useful, but you had to admit it may be the optimist? Opportunist? in you, you believed everyone had a purpose and you were good at find it, looking over at her you hoped Jonah allowed you to find hers.

After you’ve finished updating and handling any problems that couldn’t wait but were simple enough to rectify almost immediately in the flock, you call her over with the help of one of the childe. They whisper in her ear and she makes her way to you from across the room, “I hear you’re taken to the lifestyle like a duck to water.”

Her face lights up “Is that what Remmick said?” you give her a smile you find her need for validation cute, you give her a nod and she seems to preen at this, you look behind her to see Ena frowning. You let it slide for now but would talk to Ena later, she was a confidant and you would always be there to help her with whatever was distressing her.

Remmick had been taking Jonah around town, showing her the ropes like he did with every new recruit it’s what kept him busy for the most part, he had given her extra attention for the role she would play in John’s early retirement. Remmick had been so excited when he talked about how quick she had been on the uptake, that her usefulness would really shine when our plans were put in motion, you just hoped that Remmick wasn’t asking too much of her by working her beyond her abilities. You have you’re own scars from chasing that high and they have taught you a couple of important things, one is that the feeling of purpose is intoxicating and another is that validation can be life threatening.

Remmick arrives and Dan is the first to notice, “It’s the sire madam.” You look over in the direction he’s pointing to see Remmick waving at you, so you wave back at him just as enthusiastically. Taking the world off his shoulders had him thinking clearly, gone were the dark circles under his eyes and the paranoia that plagued his every step.

Those around him were still a little wary of him, after he was forced to cull some of them you were worried about grudges, but for the most part he was getting along fine with the flock. Jonah tries to wave at him too but he turns around before he can see her, you feel bad for her. You know how it felt to not be acknowledged by your superior, so you throw her a bone. “He’s probably here for your training you should go to him.” This seems to perk her mood right up. You try to bid her a “Happy hunting” but it seems she didn’t’ hear you focused more on getting to Remmick.

You look down at the ink that stained the floor, “Shadow can you give Remmick something for me?” It lifts it’s self up until you’re almost head to head. Holding the shadow close and giving it a peck on what you could assume to be its cheek. You watch as it slides across the floor, quickly passing by Jonah, and wrapping it’s self around Remmick, giving what looked more like a snuggle than a kiss on his cheek.

He still didn’t completely trust the shadows, but the meaning was still well received. You could see as he smiled back at you, you could also see the displeased look on Jonah’s face, she must be one of those people that hated public displays of affection.

You could understand, you were cutting into her training and time waits for no one, you turn around before you can see the scathing look that she sends your way, but Ena sees it and her eyebrows knit together. Looking over at Dan to ask if he saw what she saw he doesn’t say anything but nods giving a slight grimace.

You may not have noticed the look that Jonah gave you, but you did notice how she wrapped her arm around Remmick’s, trying to pull him towards the door, as he looked back at you. Blowing a kiss at you while being pulled away, you return his kiss but then it dawned on you where you knew that look. The look that Jonah had been giving Remmick since she arrived, and the one she left out the door with. It was one you had ignored in the past because it didn’t serve you to dwell on things that didn’t benefit you, plus you had trusted your fiance in the pass, so you couldn’t see the harm in a little crush.

You had been wrong though, there was probably nothing you could have done to stop Michael from cheating, but you could have gotten out of the relationship sooner instead of enduring loveless days and nights. Though at the time you had to admit you hadn’t noticed those days and night too much, you had been too busy building your career and keeping Michael’s afloat to be bothered. But it’s not a surprise to you, a couple of days later when you’re dropping somethings off at the new girls unit that she decides to talk at you.

You decide to deliver the items yourself due to your strong sense of leadership, you also came alone cause you knew that if you brought Ena with you she’d dog walk Jonah if she saw her talking back at you, and if you brought Dan along he would tell Ena behind your back, and she would come Jonah’s unit alone and whoop her ass. You couldn’t even bring your Shadow, if the Shadows saw Jonah disrespect you it would go straight to the Hobbs to tattle, then Ena and Dan would come to Jonah’s unit and Dan would watch as Ena beat Jonah’s ass, If he could he’d probably film and sell it too, handing out disk like a failed sound cloud rapper in the 2010s.

She tilts her head squinting her eyes at you when she finally decides to open the door for you. “You’re just a human, why did he pick you?” She doesn’t offer to let you in, or make room for you to walk in own your own. You prefer it this way, you had no plans of staying long enough to get comfortable.

Ignoring her accusatory tone, you instead decide to keep things light, “That’s not how I would put it, but I honestly have no Idea, if you ask him I’m sure he’ll be happy to tell you.”

She looks happy at the chance to share some time with Remmick, “You must be uncomfortable being around an apartment full of us.” Her tongue lingers on the ‘Us’ as if to imply you weren’t a part of the family.

You give her a smile not impressed with her games. “Not at all, if you want the Hobbs, the Shadow, and I have game night two days out of the week, movies on Mondays, and shopping on Sundays, we’d be happy if you joined us”

“Will Remmick be there?”

“Not most of the time, no, but other childe are known to pop up.”

“Then I’ll pass.” She dismisses any thought that she maybe here for anything other than Remmick.

“Lovely.” You click your tongue and hand her a welcome bag.

She grabs it, roughly looking through it. “What’s this” sounding as if you just handed her trash.

“Just a little welcoming gift simple stuff toiletries, socks, underwear and a little allowance to get things for your unit”.

“Do you know where Remmick stays?” She was a bit clumsy with her delivery, but you had to respect her boldness.

“My fiance is usually home for most of the day were I have him in bed, or conversing about the flock, you can sometime be a handful” you’re more tired than anything when you admit this.

Looking like she solved a particularly slippery riddle her eyes light up, “So that’s where you get your power, I thought you were just his servant, but now I see, the others only respect you because you’re Remmick’s-”.

You don’t really mean to but you can’t help but to laugh in her face, you watch as the light in her eyes become dim. “I was the queen of this hive before, I was his fiance, so no that’s not why the flock listen to me and he’s definitely not where my power comes from.” You wonder if she knows how rude she’s being but you tell she’s having a hard time grappling with the information that she’s receiving

A pout formed on her face, “Queen? but you’re still just a human, what you have won’t last long...”.

Your smile never wavers, “Maybe, either way have a nice day Jo.” You walk away before she can bother you more than she already has. You hadn’t been threatened by her, you found her determination cute, to be honest even her pouting was cute to you.

She’s like a child who hasn’t leaned how to tie their shoes yet, but she’d learn soon, you’d make sure of. She was smarter than Sara had been, she could still be of use if she ever got over her silly savior crush, and you hoped she would you kinda liked her.

Chapter 15

Game night with the Hobbs, the Shadows, and whatever childe that wanted to stop by was always enjoyable for everyone involved, but they didn’t just play games. Ena and Dan would take that time to also network, put their ears to the ground so to speak.

They in their own right, had become an information guild of sorts, so it hadn't been too surprising when Jonah had walked through the door. Ena had recoiled when she saw her, turning her back to Jonah.

Jonah hadn’t seemed to care though, scoffing at Lorena's childish behavior. “Is that any way to treat your sister? Besides I come in peace, I just want some info on Remmick and your Queen,” Dan quickly recognized the way she worded queen as disrespect for you.

“Get out,” he said calmly.

“Why? Why are you so loyal to her? I don't think you understand, she's human, how long do you expect her be around?” Lorena looks over her shoulder giving Jonah a scathing look. Jonah puts her hands up in surrender “I don't plan on hurting her, but once she's gone Remmick will need a new Queen and you're looking at her.”

“No it's you that doesn't seem to understand. There is nothing that you could say that could get us to betray our Madam,” even Dan was having a hard time staying civil with what he was hearing.

“Who said anything about betrayal? Listen to yourselves; you sound more like slaves than subjects.”

Dan finally raises his voice, though it still felt too tame for how angry he was, “No you listen, it is because of our Madam that we aren't slaves. We were told to give you grace since you're new, inexperienced-”

“By Remmick?” Her face lights up, from the thought of being fussed over by Remmick.

Dan rolls his eyes “By our madam” he sighs but continues to try to explain to her. “You've never tasted the hive, reading the Sire's thoughts as if they were your own. Doing his bidding without a thought to your own wants, so you don't understand, you just can’t.”

She rolls her eyes right back at him scoffing in his face. “Aren't you being a little over dramatic, Remmick speaks fondly of the days when your minds were connected, it sounds kinda nice.”

Dan bristles at her words, “We don't know what you've been told, and we don't want to know. Our Sire's machinations are his own, but I have a question for you. What do you expect to happen once you have served your current purpose?”

She furrows her brows, she hadn’t thought about it but she supposes, “Whatever Remmick wants to happen.” She smiles.

Dan harrumphs at her, there's displeasure in his eyes but pity too. “There are things that we will always be grateful to our Sire for, but we are no longer deluded about his true nature.”

“True nature? What do you mean?” She sneers at Dan.

Lorena finally turns around with less contempt in her voice than expected, but not completely devoid of it. “It must be hard for you to hear, but you don't have to listen to us. There are dozens, even hundreds of others that will tell you the same things; so go, go into the night and ask the questions you want to know.”

Leaving Daniel and Lorena's unit Jonah glances down the hall, to were Remmick lived with you. Focusing, she tries to expand the range of her hearing, like Dan had said, she was new. Even Remmick had said that her abilities would be weak at first, but this shouldn't be too hard.

“Are you aware of her crush?” Were they talking about her? She smiled; it was nice to know that even you were aware of the competition her mere presence posed.

“Oh love, are you Jealous of our little pigeon?” The way he called her a pigeon made Jonah reel back; why did his words sound so acidic?

“No I just find what you're doing to be cruel,” What were you doing sticking up for her? was it just a ploy to look like an angel in front of Remmick?

“Don't worry my love once everything is settled she can be removed,” Removed? what did he mean?

“What do you mean?” Was that anger or disgust in your voice? At this moment Jonah can't tell, all she knows is that it's real.

“I can't just make her walk in the sun like before, but it wouldn't be hard-”

“Stop! Don't talk about her like she's disposable”

"Why, she was always just a means to an end...”

“You may not see it, but when I look at her, I see all her possibilities. If someone with that much potential is disposable to you, then so am I.”

“What are you saying, My love.”

“All I'm saying is don't try to flatter me by bringing her down, all I can think of is how you'll treat me just the same when I'm no longer useful to you.” The sound of Remmick's footsteps echo from the sound of him approaching you.

“My love your words wound me, you and her are nothing alike.”

“The only difference between her and me is that for the moment, you love me.” Jonah can hear you scoff at Remmick “She's wasted on you, and the quicker she realizes that the better,” You thought she was wasted on Remmick?

“Ah, my love is too kind” his voice sounded too dismissive. He had been called out on his behavior and was now trying to lick his wounds.

“Not too kind just aware-” You don’t get a chance to finish that sentence.

The sound of him kissing you is loud enough to make Jonah's heart shatter, 'He must be saying all this just to appease you, this can't be how he really feels about her.'

She listens as you pause for air, mocking him, “Ah my love is too affectionate.”

“Not too affectionate, just aware of a little birdie eavesdropping” His voice sounded playful, but she could hear the threat in his voice. How long had he'd known she was there? She doesn’t rush to the elevator, that would take too long if he decided to chase after her, but instead leaves through the fire escape.

As she flees from the apartments, it hits her that she had no true place to go, no group of her own.

She had spent most of her time training beside Remmick and neglected getting to know anyone else, or join any groups, but there were a few places she knew were the Childe of Remmick would hang out. Ones unlike her, who had been a part of the hive mind once.

The club filled with techno mixed with hip-hop; she moved past the strobe lights and bodies glued to each other on the dance floor, to the more secluded part of the building where the music was loud enough to hear, but not have to shout over.

She asked her questions, Remmick's personality, his leadership his wants, what defined him; and she got the same answers over and over, violence and his love for you.

She stands around a group of guys happy enough to tell her what it felt like to be in the hive mind; she listens intently as they each give their own accounts of how things were and how things had changed, after you had saved them.

In the middle of the second to last guy trying to explain to her what it felt like to be 'Unplugged and how deep the rabbit hole went', the guy next to him who had been slowly growing more and more agitated pipes up.

“Can you shut the fuck up with the Matrix references!? This is probably how he got your dumb ass, I swear to the higher planes of existence, that you probably thought he was going to give you the pill speech, ya fockin' idiot!” She watches as they squabble, finally coming to blows. They wrestle on the floor as she makes her way out the back door of the club into the alleyway.

She had learned all that she needed; the housing, the blood bank, even the chance at a semi normal life with the promise of a career. It had all been you, not Remmick, like she had once assumed. She was starting to understand who the real leader was. Behind every great man and all that shit, and from the sound of it Remmick hadn't been so great.

The sound of humming could be heard from the entrance of the narrow path before her; she sees the silhouette of the man she had been asking about all day, a memory passes by.

A memory of one of the childe telling her about Remmick's culling the childe that didn't fall in line, right after their liberation. Usually she would run to Remmick, but the vibes that were dripping off of him made the hairs on the back of her neck stand. She tries to turn back but the alley is dead ended, and the door back into the club is locked.

She thinks again about the fact that all this time she had relied on no one other than Remmick for companionship, she had to wonder if that had been Remmick's plan all along. Unlike everyone else in the flock, she had no one to speak out or even mourn her name if Remmick were to decide that she was more trouble than she was worth. He would kill her right here in this filthy fucking alleyway, just like that officer that had used her as an obvious replacement.

Remmick was using her for his own plans, she wasn't blind to the fact that you and her shared certain features. It was the reason she died the first time and was also the reason she was born again.

She could hate you for this, but instead she understood that it wasn't you that had put you both in the Madonna-Whore intricacies of men like Officer Willams and Remmick. The virgin, The whore. Her back hits the alley wall trying to escape from inevitability. She wants to plead for her life but her pride won't let her; instead she gets angry with every step closer he gets.

“You said I was needed” accusation dripping from her tongue.

“You are needed, to make my wife's life easier.”

“You offered me revenge” tears well up in her eyes

“For the safety of my wife”

Fed up with Remmick’s dismissive answers her face screws up, sticking her chin out while looking her nose down at him. “She's your fiance not your wife.” She states coolly, tears finally dropping down her chin.

At that he rushes towards her, getting inches away from her face. “She has always been my wife; I don't need a piece of paper, a ceremony, or her to even know it for this to be true.”

Fear strong enough to lock her in place, courses throughout her veins, but still her tongue moves, even at the risk of it's removal. “You're crazy.”

He smiles at her revelation, “You were never part of it so you wouldn't know how it feels to tap into the hive, but even now I can remember the memories, emotions and proclivities of everyone of my childe. And while a lot of their predilections may have shaped me in the past even to the point of my dear wife taking notice of their absence, one thing about me has never changed, and If I remember correctly has been with me from the very beginning, and that is my lust for blood.”

The face she makes is one of disgust. “You talk about her safety but you're the biggest threat to her lif-”

He wraps his hand around her throat, slamming her head against the wall. She feels a wetness slowly run down the back of her neck, and wonders for a second if it was starting to rain. But soon realizes the moisture is coming from the back of her head.

“Now listen here childe, if my wife ever has any reason to doubt my love for her,” He bares his teeth at her in a threatening matter, “Or the safety I bring her, and it happens to be your fault, I will make you rip off your arms and eat them. "Are we understood little girlie?”

She nods feeling his grip tighten around her throat, ready to snap it if she continued to test his patience. Dropping her on the floor he looks down at her with so much loathing she can feel it on her skin. “Good, never test me, and never listen in on me and the missus again.” he walks away without looking back, just like-.

What had just happened, was this the real face of their Sire, is this what everyone had tried to warn her about? She slowly moves her fingers from her neck, to the back of her head, softly assessing where the smell of copper that coated her hand came from.

The delusion had finally been broken.

Chapter 16

Officer John Williams POV

When he had first saw her at the precinct he knew that she was the one, the beautiful exotic complexion of her skin, with an ass that sat nicely in her office slacks, so nice that he knew that her pussy could only be better.

He wanted her, so he would have her, this wasn't his first rodeo with a jungle bunny, he had dabbled with the pepper when was younger, and inexperienced. He had learned that they need a firm hand, guidance to make up for the father figure they lacked in childhood.

John’s almost too embarrassed to admit how his first black girl got away from him. Dumb slut had ran screaming to her family, with a dramatized story to get him in trouble when things hadn’t gone her way. ‘I mean how long did she think he was going to wait for her to get a clue.’ Her family wanted him charged with assault, among other things.

Yes, she had said no, but he knew what she really wanted, what she needed, and he was willing to give it to her. She could have been his, he could have saved her from that shitty hole in the wall she called home.

Though it hadn't really mattered in the end, no one believed that little porch monkey, or her tree dwelling family. When their house mysteriously set on fire, all the charges were dropped, and everything was swept under the rug. Nice and clean, his parents had made sure of it.

Unfortunately her and her family did end up moving away, so he never got to reprimand her for her bad behavior. But again he was young and inexperienced, he thought he deserved a little grace on the matter because of it. He would never make the same mistakes with you, like he did with her. Either way, it didn't matter anymore, not when you were standing there with that wet monkey mount.

Your pussy would have been worth the charges that other bitch had accused him of. You were smart for a black girl, well-educated, and well spoken. The kind of girl he wouldn't feel embarrassed to bring around his family, once you had been trained properly of course. He had waited for you to get in touch with him, but then you had just disappeared.

When he found out that your ex fiance had been cheating with some little bimbo from work, he had been insulted on your behalf. He thought planting some evidence on her, and getting her locked up might catch your eye. The fact that he would be the one to put the slut behind bars, would put him in your good graces, you’d fall right into his arms.

But her trial hadn't been a good enough reason to bring you back from wherever you were, So when he had promised to get her off if she got him off, it had been easy to pull the trigger as she ran towards him in anger. He just couldn't believe she was stupid enough to believe him, he wasn't even put on leave for emptying a clip into her. He just claimed she was running away, he even had witnesses to prove it

If he was honest with himself, your absence took a toll on him. He even started fucking some low-level prostitute, just because she looked enough like you from the back. She wouldn't have worked well as a true replacement, she was just something to play with.

She was also a good listener just like he knew you would be. He had thoughts of getting back out there in the dating pool, maybe finding a nice Christian girl who was obedient, who was aesthetically and socially superior to you.

But his heart just wouldn't let him move on, he was a gentleman and a hopeless romantic, someone who still believed in true love. When he saw you napping at that cafe, he knew it was fate, destiny had given him a second chance, and he wasn't going to lose it.

Ghetto girls like you were all the same though, you hadn't texted him or called him in all that time, and still hadn't now that you were back. He was going to have to take things into his own hands, and as you stood there in barely anything at all, he knew he had made the right decision.

That was until some wretched little foreign trash, had the gall to show itself behind you. Touching and pulling at what was his, ‘Is this what you liked, is this what you preferred? Foreign trash over American perfection?’ He knew it wasn't your fault, many women culturally superior to you had also fallen for the foreign Casanova.

As a red-blooded American he knew it was his duty, his purpose, to save you. He waited for you to come downstairs, which had taken a bit of time, but in the end you did. The plan was to help you into his car after you finished loading yours, with a suspicious amount of curtains (in his opinion).

But then you had shocked him, confided in him about your misgivings, your doubts about your foreign captor. You were screaming for him to help you. You had obviously been too prideful to ask for help, like most black women, so you had acted coy.

This was a step in the right direction for your relationship, you had talked about discretion and all that but he understood why.

If that foreign brute found out that you were on your way to something better, he might hit you, like all foreign men did to their women.

If he hurt you John would have to put him down, true he had already planned to kill him, but that was besides the point. The cherry on top of your parking lot date, was when you hugged him, almost pressing that hot mons against him, he had to hold himself back from groping your ass, just to get a little bit more pressure.

Instead he gave you a nudge with the old pecker-wood, just to show you what you could be looking forward to later. But just like before, later seemed to never come, a month went by and no call, not even a text. He understood discretion but this was borderline disrespect, he had been close to going back to your apartment, and setting up a murder suicide with you and your little foreign freak of a fiance.

But then you texted him, and his anger quickly dissipated. You wanted him to meet you the next day, at some hotel venue a couple hours away, again he understood discretion but it was kind of far, and on such short notice. He offered to let you come to his house but you declined, again with the bossy black bitch act, he'd train it out of you soon.

His dick got hard just thinking about it, and for a moment he kind of regretted killing that prostitute, if he had known it would take so long to get your lips wrapped around his dick, he would have let her live just a little while longer.

The day arrived and to be honest he was a little nervous, he had been planning this night so long. Usually he would take the company vehicle to save on gas money, but he didn't want to leave any footprints, even paid with cash at the gas station minimizing his paper trail.

John didn't want to hurt you, but if you were disagreeable, or simply couldn't be trained. Which he had no doubt that you could, but if you couldn't he had to be prepared. He couldn't afford to make rookie mistakes, not like with his first black beauty, and yes you could call him paranoid. What he really was was an overachiever, who had great preparation skills, ‘Plan for the best, prepare for the worst’. You would understand that as a working girl.

You and him were destined to be together, and once he got you to quit your job you could get married, he'd keep you plump and pregnant, you’d be the perfect picture of New America. Yes, he might keep a few girls on the side, but it would only be to spread his seed into genetically superior women, to pass on the right kind of genes.

But he would love you, and that's all that really mattered, and he knew you'd understand. He parks his car in the hotel parking lot, taking notice of how packed it was. 'There must be a big event happening nearby.'

He made his way to the front desk, with his overnight bag slumped over his shoulder, filled with a couple things that should come in handy, in case things went south. He had asked about you at the front desk.

“John Williams?”

“Yes?”

"Looks like your companion has already checked in, here's your keys, elevators to the left just take two down, and your room will be on the right, have a good night sir.” No wonder you picked this place, no questions asked, quick and easy, maybe in the future he’d utilize it’s services.

The first thing he hears as he enters the hotel room is the sound of water on flesh, you must be in the shower getting ready for him, ‘Such a good girl’.

He lays his things on one of the tables in the room, as the voice from the shower asks him if he wants to join her.

The voice doesn’t sound even remotely like you, uncertain of what to do he calls out, “Are you okay, your voice sounds a little off?.

It’s silent long enough for him to be worried that he may be in the wrong room, he reaches for his bag intent on leaving and chewing out the desk attendant when the lady in the shower speaks, “I’m sorry John, it’s my throat.” he can hear the sadness in her voice, “Remmick was a little angry when I told him I wouldn’t be home for the night.” He smirks at that, ‘Looks like the Foreign brute is showing his true colors.’

“My throat still has a few bruises, I hope that doesn't turn you off.” It didn't, in fact it had the opposite effect.

"Remmick? so that's his name?, look if you want I can deal with him, a man should never put his hands on a woman.” His hands go to unbuckle his belt, pulling his pants down until his dick springs from his underwear, excited to join her in the shower.

Pulling the curtain back, he sees the tight ass that he’d be sliding in tonight, he eagerly wraps his hands around her waist, rubbing his hands up and down her body.

”You do that for me?” kissing her neck, she was saying all the words he wanted to hear. “You wouldn't believe the things I'd do for you” His hands slowly descended making their way to her hot little pussy, he was going to let her come at least once tonight, he was a gentleman.

But before he could dig into her she turned around with a smile that felt almost uncanny. “Oh Johnny, I didn't know you cared so much!” Pulling back away from her, he falls out of the shower, head whacking against the tile floor, “h-How, I killed you” He doesn’t notice the blood dripping down his neck from his scalp. “It’s okay Johnny, I’m all better now.” He can feel himself losing consciousness, but fights to stay awake, ‘I can’t die here.’

"What's wrong Johnny you look like you've seen a ghost?” He could have believed she was really concerned, if She hadn’t smiled wide enough to show off her row of sharp teeth. Slowly crawling backwards he finally gets onto his feet, he doesn't think to grab his gun or even his pants, he just yanks the hotel door open, and runs out of the room.

John immediately noticed that something was deeply and truly wrong, the lights that had lit up the hallway on his way here, were now gone. Replaced with a darkness so deep, that the only thing he could make out in the hallway was an exit sign to the emergency staircase.

He quickly makes his way to the staircase, frustrated that it was pitch black inside, he'd have to be careful, he was growing dizzy and the last thing he needed, was to fall down the stairs. John just needed to get upstairs, there had been plenty of cars parked in the parking lot, if he could just get help, everything would be okay.

He makes his way up two flights of stairs, not stopping just in case she was behind him. when he broke through the emergency exit door, only to be met with more darkness he wasted no time sprinting to the hotel exit. He tried to push the door open but it was locked, becoming more frantic as he heard footsteps making their way towards him.

Slamming his shoulder against the hotel door, he tries to break it down, but it still doesn't budge, letting out a shrill shriek as a hand reaches out to get him to stop.

“Sir are you okay?” It’s the receptionist that had been at the front desk when he got here. “I'm sorry Sir but there's been an outage, so I have to ask you to go back to your room.” Feverishly shaking his head he refuses, “Please you have to help me, someone's trying to hurt me.” The receptionist doesn't look like they believe him at first, but as long as they took him somewhere safe he didn't care. “It's okay Sir, if you follow me we can get you cleaned up, with something comfortable to wear.”

Looking down at the state he was in, he suddenly becomes embarrassed, “I'm an Officer, Officer Williams." “Okay sir, we'll just stop by your room and grab any necessity.” “No, we can't.” “Sir?” “There's something, someone in my room.” Fear dripping off of every word he uttered, “This is serious.” The Receptionist pauses for a beat. “I’ll call security, and have them remove the problem.”

John is on the verge of pulling his hair out. “No you don't understand, this person should be dead, I killed them!” The Receptionist tenses, looking back at John with mistrust. “These things happen while on duty Sir, I'm sure it wasn't your fault.” They sound like they’re trying to calm John down, but it was only making him angry, ‘Of course it wasn’t my fault!’.

He was just doing a little street maintenance. ‘If anything she should be thanking me for saving her from a life of hardship, instead of coming back from the dead to bother me’. “It wasn't.” John says defensively. With that same air of disbelief as before, the Receptionist tries to calm John down again “Of course sir, we're almost there.”

When they finally arrive he expects to have been brought to an office or even another suite, but instead he was standing in the middle of the hotels kitchen. Looking around he turns to the hotel receptionist, to ask them what the fuck was going on. Before he can open his mouth, there’s a sharp sting to the back of his head. His vision fades to black.

Chapter 17

“Well hello neighbor, names Remmick.” That's what he told Dan, when he had first moved into your apartment. Remmick said that he was taking over your lease, “Yeah she took a little bit of a vacation, but she'll be back soon.” Remmick had talked as if he had known you for years, so much that his false familiarity with you, had lowered Dan’s guard.

You'd always been a good neighbor, you weren't loud, and no weird smells ever came from your apartment, so he assume that you are a clean and tidy person. Dan and Ena, had never spoken to you before, but he had known that his wife had wanted to get to know you, but was often too sick to get out of bed, and since he was too busy working and taking care of her, he didn't have the time to introduce you.

You seemed like a busy woman, he looks back and wonders if You would have even taken the time to get to know Ena. He knew your type, and he didn't fault you for your nature, time was money after all, and money was power, and when it came to time Dan felt powerless. Dan and Ena had known each other since they were children, each in their own way they had gone through so much bullshit.

Now that they had finally gotten out, Ena had gotten sick, life was a joke, and it was laughing at him. You may have assumed, that it was Ena that had let Remmick in, but it had actually been Dan, Ena had been too sick to even come to the door. When Remmick had begun talking about everlasting life and love, Dan scoffed at him, but Ena looked so tired, Dan was too, but he wasn't ready to let her go, he just couldn't.

He could take a guess that Remmick was some kind of monster, perhaps the Devil, but none of that mattered cus’ he said he could save her, so Dan let him in. Ena had been so scared, so fragile as Remmick sunk his teeth into her, all Dan asked was for Remmick to be gentle with her, and he seemed to have granted him that one wish.

As her heart beat settled, the look that she gave Dan wasn't one of betrayal, but of acceptance and trust, even if she didn't survive, even if Dan had been hoodwinked, and lied to, she wouldn't hate him, because he gave her the one thing that she had wanted, rest.

Remmick had Stood there, letting Dan cry and weep at Ena’s deathbed, holding and kissing her hand, until that limp hand begin to softly grip his. “Oh baby, what you crying for, I’m right here.” She was back with him, she was sitting right there smiling like she used to, not tired or sick anymore. He didn't care about the hunger in her eyes, or how sharp her teeth were, he went to her happily and laid himself in her arms, letting her have her fill of him, heaven or hell they'd be together, and that's all that mattered.

He doesn't remember much after that, a command here, and a feeding there, for the most part they spent their time keeping your apartment clean. Remmick never brought anyone into your space, but sometimes he would leave traces of a hunt in your bed, or on the days when he truly yearned for you, something else.

Dan and Ena would clean it up, stripping the sheets from the bed and replacing them with clean ones. There was always a mustard seed of doubt, that was constantly being suppressed within Dan's mind that you would never return, and he hoped you wouldn’t, for your sake.

He wished he could have told you to run, but while his sire's thoughts were not always accessible to him, his thoughts were always accessible too his sires, Any thought of helping you, in any way that didn't align with Remmick’s wants, were easily suppressed.

Dismissing Dan and Ena, you were brought back home, and they waited, they waited hours to feel your embrace, they had felt their sires anxiety, his euphoria, and his fear but not your embrace. The pain of being reborn, their eyes had finally been opened and they knew you were the reason.

They could no longer hear their Sire’s thoughts, but neither could he tap into theirs, their thoughts, their emotions, were no longer suppressed, they were free. That morning after coming back from a hunt, Dan and Ena made love for the first time in a long time, without the tickle of their sire's presence in the back of their minds, without the distraction of the hive buzzing.

later on in the day, their sire came to their apartment in nothing but a towel. Informing them that you had run away, played a trick on him. Though he hadn't truly come to keep them updated, not really; What their sire really wanted to know was if they'd fall in line, and without question they did.

Dan had been silently happy, you had freed them of their mental prison and were also able to get away, but that happiness soon faded. You had showed up again, you didn’t even try to fight, and he couldn’t understand why, ‘Were you an idiot?’ his anger slowly dissipated as You spoke to them. You must have still been under the impression, that Dan and Ena we're under the influence of the hive, but you talked to both of them with dignity, respect and understanding.

When the morning came, Dan’s stomach dropped. Blood was everywhere, all over the sheets and blankets, ‘Had Remmick embraced you during sex?’ The smells of your bodies still hung tightly to the sheets, Ena must have been just as disturbed, but didn't say a word, instead she began doing what they’d always done, clean up Remmick’s mess. When you walk through the door, looking fresh out of the shower, both him and Ena give you a small wave, it's not like before when they could just share memories, but when you don't wave back, and instead hide behind their sire they become worried.

Dan's the most surprised, so surprised he can't look away from you, he's afraid that his attitude might have set the tone for your relationship, but at that moment the respect he felt for you was immense, you had survived.

Dan and Ena had slowly made friends with the Shadows. It had first showed up at their apartment, complaining to them about their sire’s steady mental decline, and how he creeped them out by staring at them all the time. While you seemed to enjoyed Remmick’s company, the Shadows couldn't deal with hearing you bump and grind, the more it became sentient, the more awkward it had become to sit around You and the Sire.

Ena would put the television on for it, The shadows loved reality television, and playing board games, and that's how Remmick finds them, playing Monopoly. Dan thought it might be the end of them, until you show up, and the friendship Ena had wanted before, but was too sick to pursue becomes reality.

They had heard through the shadow about your really awkward argument, after coming home from your speech. Everything Remmick had said, had given it such second hand embarrassment, that it had quickly slunk over to their apartment, and refused to leave until called back. Dan honestly felt kinda bad for it, sometimes.

The engagement hadn't been much of a surprise, only you and the sire could argue and come out of it engaged. What had surprised him was the plan to kill Officer Williams, but what had been an even bigger surprise, was the bootleg version of you suddenly walking around as if she was the sire's chosen one. If she had known the sire like he did... like all Kin born before the awakening knew Remmick, she would have known that she was being used.

He hadn't truly felt sorry for her until she had showed up with blood dripping from the back of her head, Remmick must have shown her his true face, the proof of this showed in her demeanor, no longer boastful or arrogant she was reserved, but seemed to be without purpose. Ena told her that if she was looking for purpose, to go to you.

Dan didn't know what you told her, but she had become a new woman, she felt more authentic, and whatever she did to scare the police officer, must have been something beautiful. Ena had wanted to play the role of the receptionist, but Dan was chosen, he wore his heart closer to his chest, and was able to guide John into the trap that was Jonah, and into his death.

John hadn't been killed immediately, just put to sleep, the Shadows made quick work of him, wrapping his body up in clear stretch wrap, making it impossible for officer Williams to move even an inch, then dosing him with blood thinners, before wheeling him in front of the flock. Making everything to come, so much easier.

It is when John is finally put in position that he starts to wake up. His head hung over a fountain, as if he was getting his hair washed, unable to move his body he instead moved his head from left to right. On the left of him is his mother, and on the right is his father, at first he's confused at how both of them can be so calm at this moment, that is until he sees a deep red gash from ear to ear on each of their necks, they were dead, murdered by the sick fucks here. His breaths become shallow, ‘Had they done the same to you?’, his mind is going over how they probably stole your phone, or worse kidnapped and killed you to get him. He quickly morns not being able to feel your lips around him, that is until he hears your voice.

You look out into the sea of creatures you call your people, your flock, your hive. Placed around are fountains, filled with a red thick substance. The blood bank had kept your flock fed, but the banquet in front of them, left their lips dripping with anticipation. “Thank you all for attending our engagement party today, before you is the blood of the precinct where officer John Williams is employed, or should I say formerly employed.

Officer Williams has made his living by terrorizing the locals, and the precinct that employed him, has turned a blind eye to the murders and assaults that Williams has kept himself busy with.” You can see Jonah near the doors of the reception hall, her face screws up in a grimace when you mention John’s sins, remembering her own murder at his hands. “Of course not all the fault lies with John's friends and coworkers, I would say the main culprit to all this are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Williams,” Pointing out into the crowd you motion to the dead bodies next to John.

“I wish John had gotten a chance to say goodbye, or at least watch them bleed out.” You say mockingly, you had done a bit of digging on Officer Williams and found that John’s parents had been just as bad if not worse than John, the fact that they had burnt down a black families home, just to intimidate them into dropping assault charges against John, was enough to put them on the chopping block in front of you.

But you had dug further, and found out that same family that had been terrorized by the Williams, hadn’t just move to a different state, but had gone missing. They burnt down the house to protect their fucked up son, they lynched a black family for the fun of it.

“I’ll wrap up my speech, cus’ I tell y’all are eager to get acquainted.” You hear a few giggles and claps in the crowd, but mostly see spit covered smiles.

“This isn't about playing judge and jury, we are all sinners here, this is about simple revenge.” Pointing to the woman by the door, you beckon Jonah over. Like those around her she seems confused by the sudden attention, She reaches the stage standing beside you.

“For those who are unaware, this is Jonah, she is the most recently turned, personally by your Sire, and one of the many assets to our community.” You turn to address her away from the mic, “I believe you were promised revenge, is that right?” She nods, still not understanding where you’re going with this. “Do, you still want it?” John had taken her over a garbage bin then snapped her neck, leaving her to die among filth, her eyes bleed red with anger. “More than fuckin’ anything.” You nod, “Good.” You place a beautiful ceremonial dagger in her hand, and watch as she makes her way to her prey.

Turning back to the mic, you address the mass in front of you. “Tonight, that revenge belongs to your Sister Jonah, when she slits the throat of that swine among us.” You point to John who is now begging, crying, and shaking. “Give her thanks, for the part she played in bringing you a drink so sweet.”

Remmick comes to stand right beside you, softly holding your hand as you and everyone around, watches Jonah take the dagger that was given to her, and whisper in Johns ear before she runs it across his neck, smiling as his blood falls into the fountain below him.

Unable to hear her, you turn to Remmick. “What did she say?” He smiles and leans to whisper in your ear. “I hope you know, this is personal.”

Chapter 18

Exiting out the side door of the hotel, you needed a breath of air. After the main event, where the blood had flowed so freely, those around looked drunk off it, you weren’t quite sure what the effects of blood had on vampires, but it must be intoxicating.

Stepping outside, the door shuts behind you, and you feel the cold air hit your skin making you shiver, before you can think twice about going back in, a leather jacket is placed over your shoulders.

Looking around, you see a few young adults, still in their early 20’s standing around, taking a smoke break. You hadn’t known that vampires still had vices like smoking, but you suppose it made enough sense, if they still desired activities like sex, why wouldn’t they indulge in other earthly pleasures, it’s not like it would kill them.

The group consisted of two women, one with blue hair, and the other blonde, and two men, one of them kinda reminded you of Dan, but had a more robust frame, with pink hair instead of red, he stood to the side with the women, the three huddled together, gave you a look of uncertainty.

Taking a pull from his cig, the one that placed his jacket on your shoulders, smiles as smoke leaves his lips, he was tall, and kinda lanky, with dark hair that stood out among his friends lighter colored hair.

“Hello,” He says your name, and that would be alarming if he hadn’t been part of Remmick’s hive mind, and even then you were the only human who wasn’t dead, it wasn’t hard to figure out who you were. Voice deep as hell, he introduces himself to you. “Name’s Peter, and this,” Pointing to the people standing around, “Is our band.”

You wave to everyone around, before your eyes settle back on Peter, “Thank you for the jacket, It’s a pleasure to meet you Peter.” Smiling, sometimes your corporatesona leaped out of you, you raise your hand to give him a handshake.

Realizing how silly it must look, you giggle in embarrassment, and try to lower it, but he grabs your hand giving it a firm shake, before letting his arm drop to his side.

“Is it now?” He smiles as his eyes shine at you. Was he flirting with you, or was he still thirsty, it was hard to tell with vampires. “Of course Peter, I’m happy to see everyone in the flock. You all hold a special place in my heart.”

You smile, looking around, you notice that the rest of the band looks a little uncomfortable, “But I don’t expect, those same sentiments, to be shared with everyone.” You look back at Peter, whose eyes never leave you. “Maybe I should go back inside.”

He waves you off, taking another pull of his cig, “Nonsense, everyone here loves you.” Looking down at you, Peter cocks his head to the side, while stepping closer. “I think that some of us, are even, in love with you.” He looks like he wants to reach for you, and you knit your eyebrows.

“Peter!” The girl with the blue hair hisses at him, trying to stop him before he goes too far, she glares at him, then looks apologetically at you, but he just smiles while chuckling, flicking the rest of his cig on the ground.

“Gotta get back, we’re up next.” He smirks, letting the rest of the crew go in before him, they each wave goodbye to you, and you wave back.

Peter stops at the entrance of the door, looking back at you, “Hey, the next song will be dedicated to you, so when we’re up on stage, spare me a glance.”

You nod, expecting him to rush back in to join his group, but instead he holds out his hand for a handshake, and force of habit sees you place your hand in his.

Instead of shaking it, he places his lips to the back of your hand, and your heart sinks.

Peter slowly lets go of your hand, while walking backwards, his eyes linger, raking across your body, with pure need. “You really do look beautiful tonight.” He turns around, letting the door close behind him, you wait a few minutes to follow, his jacket still on your shoulders.

When you finally get back to your place next to Remmick, and sit down, Peter and his band are already on stage, and are in the middle of introducing themselves. You had taken off the jacket as soon as you entered the building, placing it on your lap. Remmick moves to kiss you, but stiffens once he notices the Jacket, almost pulling you off your seat, he buries his nose into your neck, a low growl shakes throughout his chest as he lets you go.

“Like a few of you, including our Sire, we’re not originally from here, and it got us, me especially, thinking about how life is just a lottery of random happenstances, and sometimes you win the jackpot.” Peter looks at Remmick, eyes heavy with envy, making Remmick lean forward, Peter averts his eyes, and his band members look uncomfortable.

Peter pauses, taking a second to look out into the crowd. “But sometimes.” He chuckles. “Most of the time, like the rest of us poor fucks, you watch the guy in front of you win.” Your breath catches as he looks straight at you, and smiles. His lips almost touching the mic, his fingers strum at his guitar.

“The world was on fire, and no one could save me but you”

You could feel Remmick’s eyes on you, your body burned with embarrassment, as you heard murmuring around you, this wasn’t a song, one played at an engagement party.

“It's strange what desire will make foolish people do”

Peter’s jacket on your lap, and the smell of smoke on your skin painted an incorrect, but vivid picture of what you were up to while getting ‘air’.

“What a wicked thing to do to make me dream of you”

You turn your head to the side, gripping Peters jacket you try to bury your face in your hand.

“I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you”

You can feel Remmick and Peter’s eyes on you, jealousy and envy making your heart race.

As you and Remmick sit through the bands set, you can’t help the sigh you let out when it’s over, you glance over to see Peter exit the stage, and at that moment your eyes connect. Peter smiles and winks at you, before disappearing behind the curtains, and out the back door. That’s the last straw for Remmick, he rips the jacket off your lap and follows after Peter.

You follow after him as quickly as you can, pushing the door to the exit open, you hear Remmick shout, “Hey, Fucker!” All you see is Remmick’s fist connecting with Peter’s nose, as Peter goes down, Remmick throws the leather jacket at his face. “Did you think you could try and fuck my wife, and get away with it!?” His band mates are standing back, trying to look away as Remmick’s foot connects with Peter’s stomach.

Nose broken, hand gripping where Remmick’s foot connected with his body, he cries out, “Wait, please, fuck, I was just looking, I wasn’t going to do anything, fuck.”

A sob can be heard from the pink haired guy, now being consoled by the blonde; The girl with the blue hair, who had tried to warn Peter, looks unimpressed as Peter gets the shit kicked out of him. None of them dare get in between Remmick and Peter, and Peter doesn’t look to any of them for help, not wanting to make things worse.

Claws extending, Remmick was growing more feral by the second. “What teh’ hell do you mean, lookin’?”

Sensing the end of his life, Peter rolls his eyes to the side, wipes his mouth off, then scoffs, “Since you turned us, you’ve broadcast your thoughts about her, 24/7 for the past two years, is it surprising that I fell in love with her.” Peter looks so tired, as he confesses his feelings for you. He looks at you, then closes his eyes in acceptance.

Levitating, Remmick plans to put all his strength into the next hit, and end Peter’s existence. Before he can raise his hand to finish the task, you jump in front of Peter, “Remmick, stop!” You shout, shocking everyone around.

Feet touching the ground, his hands ball into a fist as his fingers return to normal, “He!”

unable to hold back his emotions, Remmick lets out something resembling a low growl, of frustration.

You place your hands in front of Remmick, trying to calm him down. “I know, but he’s just a kid with a stupid crush, Remmick, enough, he’s learned his lesson.”

Looking past you, Remmick bares his fangs at Peter, when he sees him now looking at you, making Peter whimper, flinching away from Remmick’s sharp glare, he tries to make himself smaller.

Letting out a frustrated huff, Remmick watches as you slowly turn around to check and see how bad Peter’s injuries are, you reach out to touch his nose, but before you can help the poor kid on the ground, Remmick grabs your arm pulling you towards the baby blue truck, that you had bought back when you stayed with your granny.

Opening the tailgate, he lays you on the bed of the truck, crawling towards you, you let him pull up your dress enough to roll down your panties, not wasting anytime, he was on a mission, by now he knew what you liked, and how to pluck an orgasm right from between your legs.

He lets his tongue speak to your body, in a language it understands, and in a conversation you have both shared, many times, when the moment was right and nothing needed to be said. An orgasm covers your body like a blanket, but soon your head begins to clear, after he strokes the orgasm out of you, while he’s still licking the honey off your lips, you let your curiosity get the better of you.

Lifting your torso off the steel body of the truck, you peek over its side to see peter still standing there. You could only make out his silhouette in the darkness, but you could see him making a motion to wipe tears off his face, and damn do you feel bad for him.

Remmick’s hand covers the middle of your chest, pushing you back down, eyes still deep red with jealousy. “Only, me.” Unbuckling his belt, he pulls himself out hiking your dress up even further. “Please, Mo leannán, only me.” He holds your hips down and you watch as he slowly enters you.

Begging through his moans, “Please, my heart, my soul, only me, only look at me.” You throw your head back, as Remmick rocks back and forth, pulling moan after moan out of you. He whimpers your name, “No, one, else.” Softly grabbing the side of your face, making you look in his eyes, “Only me?” It was a question.

“Only you Remmick.” You moan as he speeds up. “I love you Remmi.” Pressing his lips against yours, you shudder as you come on his dick, he doesn’t slow down, instead he grabs your legs, placing them on his shoulder, as he plows into you, making your eyes roll back.

The truck wasn’t that far away from the entrance of the hotel, if anyone came outside, they would immediately know what was going on. Your mind drifts back to the silly blue eyed singer, who’s voice sounded like wood burning on an open fire, way too deep for his age, probably still standing there, ‘Poor kid.’

Remmick speeds up, as if he knows where your mind is drifting. He feels you clenching around him, moaning out your name, he fills you to the brim, as you come undone underneath him. Tears run down your face from euphoria, and Remmick kisses your tears away.

Chapter 19

The ride home had been quiet, Dan and Ena hadn’t needed to be told to wrap things up. Remmick’s outburst had spread quicker than fire throughout the colony. Sentiments ranged between sullen acceptance, to shock. Acceptance that Peter would die for flirting with you, and shock that he was still alive.  

Rumors begin to spread that Peter’s continued existence was all due to you sacrificing your body, (In more ways than one.) to save him; How you had made a big speech about everyone in the colony holding a special place in your heart. Soon gifts began showing up at your apartment with letters of gratitude and adoration.  

Letters containing forwarding addresses, begging for you to send autographed pictures, and requests for you to pose for paintings. You had only recently realized how respected you were within the colony, but now it seems like you had become a living saint.

Talks about the colony had led to small arguments with Remmick, mainly about not reading your personal mail without permission and not opening the gifts you recived. Though you had to admit some of the gifts were a bit much, like the lingerie set with a note attached begging you to keep their Sire well sated. 

The letters you wanted to keep, they made you feel connected to the colony. You hadn’t meant to take the whole queen of the dammed thing this far, but now that you were here, you wanted to do right by them; in a weird way they had become your family. 

Before, the colony may have only looked to you for guidance, but now they looked to you for protection. You make Remmick promise he won’t hurt anyone in the colony without reason, or he could sleep on the couch.  

“No Remmick, infatuation is not a reason to play jump rope with a certain young vamps' guts.” Huffing and puffing, he was getting scuff marks on the floor from pacing back and forth in your apartment. “Baby girl, why are you taking their side? I’m the injured party.” Folding your arms you suck your teeth at Remmick. “I’m not taking sides, and what do you mean injured party? Like I’m some object that can be stolen away.” 

Realizing his mistake, he holds his hands up trying to placate you. “Now, now baby, that’s not what I meant.” Turning your back, you look over your shoulder. “You think you’re the only one to feel jealousy, you think I didn’t feel jealous with Jonah wrapped around your arm?” Stuck Remmick begins to stumble over his words. “t-That’s completely different, you know I would never-”  

Turning around you almost right hook him. “And I would!?” Breathing in and out you try to calm yourself down. “I was just as jealous, the only difference between me and you is that I used my mind instead of my fist; I saw past my jealousy and saw her potential.”

Looking Remmick in his eyes you wonder if you should say your next thoughts. “Most of all I trusted that you would honor our love. You know I’ve been hurt in the past, but I still chose to trust you.” Remmick walks over and holds you tight, understanding how fragile you can be in moments like this. 

“I just want you to get along with the colony. Listen Remmick, managing and keeping track of things is what I excel at. I'm happy to run things right by your side, but I need you to be able to direct the colony.” He tries to explain that he does but you cut him off.  

“Not with fear, I want them to be able to come to you with questions; I want them to respect you, not fear you. Fear and Respect are not the same thing.  

With Remmick still trying to comfort you, you try to tell him how you feel. “I'm not a vampire and I have no idea what it means to be one, all I know is that the only way that they can learn and grow is through you.” Grabbing his hand you place your lips to the ring on his finger, giving it a kiss you look lovingly into his eyes. “Please my love, make peace with our colony.”  

That's how he ends up in the back of a club staring down a multitude of vamps too afraid to make eye contact with him; the same club he had ‘corrected’ Jonah at. Even that home-wrecking fuck Peter is there trying to make himself disappear within the crowd. A voice whispers silently, but not silently enough for Remmick not to hear. “Oh, fuck, what’s Mr. paranoid doing here?”

Remmick’s head snaps to the vamp too stupid to hold his tongue, “Paranoid, am I? Was I paranoid when I made the correct assumption that Peter wants to fuck my wife?” Peter suddenly gets up to leave not wanting a repeat of the last ass whooping. Remmick points at him. “If you make your way to that door, I'll beat you unrecognizable.” Peter quickly returns to his seat, opting to focus on the wall to the side of him instead of Remmick’s gaze, as if it'll protect him. 

“That goes for everyone here.” One of the vamps brave enough to voice discontent yells out. “Why!?” Not expecting there to be questions Remmick gives a look of irritation. “Why? Why will I only beat you till an inch of your life?” They yell out again this time it sounds more like a sob. “Why are we being held captive!?”  

Another vamp growls in frustration, Remmick can smell the uncertainty and fear on them. “Why are we talking to him? Someone call Lorena so she can tell the Queen to get him.” Remmick sees a few cellphones appear in the crowd and puts his hands up in defeat, looking panicked at the threat of you showing up and taking him to task, just cause some small misunderstanding.

“w- Whoa there put those phones down, I uh just want to talk.” Still looking uncertain they slowly lower their phones but don’t completely put them away. Placing a hand on his chest, he tries to come off as sincere. “I’m you’re Sire. You ain’t got nothin’ to fear from me, also if I kill any of you it'll put me on the couch.”  

Something must have dawned on the vamps sitting before him, as they get a bit bold. “Why don't you trust us?” Remmick was caught off guard by the question, it sounded so vulnerable but at the same time accusatory, as if it was Remmick’s fault their relationship was strained.  

Frustrated with them always treating him like the villain, he throws their question back in their faces. “Well, why don't you trust me?” Sighs and moans of irritations rang throughout his colony. “You were killing us!” Already at his wits end he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Not being able to hold himself back anymore, he bares his fangs to them, with more aggression than he means to.  

“I was doing what needed to be done at the time, or do you not remember?” Remmick’s voice grows hard and cold. “You all may not remember but I do, some of you were downright evil, disgusting!” Remmick shutters looking away from his childe. “I wouldn't have just killed y’all for the fucks of it, how safe would it have been for my wife, your queen that you claim to love oh so much, to walk the streets with vamps like that?”  

Getting a far-off look Remmick cocks his head to the side. “When you were still connected to the hive I could.” He doesn’t say it, but the words dance in the air. ‘I could control you.’ Remmick sneers instead, leaving certain things to be implied. “How could I trust any of them?” Pointing to the crowd in front of him he throws out his own accusations. “I don't remember any of you jumping in to help, I dealt with it like a sire supposed to, and what do I get? Discontent, mutiny, trying to fuck my wife?”  

Peter finding his voice turns back and yells out. “I wasn't trying to fuck her!” A dark skinned blue haired girl Remmick knows as Ramona shouts back at him. “Oh, shut the fuck up Peter, you fucking creep.” Turning to the brown skinned blonde next to her who Remmick remembers as Caroline she continues to complain. “Does Peter think we’re fucking stupid; you saw his dumb ass right?”  

Nodding while they both stare daggers at Peter, the blond turns her nose up at him. “What a fucking idiot.” Peter panics at being put on the spot, and looks to his Sire who has his arms folded, staring at Peter in annoyance as the girls throw him under the bus. “It’s not like that, Sire I swear!”

Looking just as unimpressed as when she witnessed Peter getting his ass beat, Ramona throws Peter the snarkiest tone she can muster. “Naw, it’s just like that. Where else are we supposed to get a singer Peter?” Caroline folds her arms mirroring their Sire while mumbling under her breath. “Alex had a panic attack, should have let the Sire finish.”

Remmick smirks, looking proud for once at his little bats. “Thank you Ramona and Caroline, for validating my displeasure.” The girls look taken back, glancing at each other than to Remmick in disbelief. “What, you're surprised that I know your names? I remember every single one of you; how could I forget you? I personally chose each and every one of you.” Looking a little embarrassed to admit his next words, he tries to find the right way to word it.  

“Though the ones that were culled were embraced more out of necessity than admiration.” Peter sounds timid when he speaks up. “You admire us?” Putting his hands in his sweatpants Remmick rolls his eyes while he shifts back and forth on the balls of his feet. “You’re still alive ain't you, what more proof do you need?”  

Ramona tilts her head to the side. “So, like family?” Remmick’s eyebrows shoot up, not expecting her to say that. “y-Yea like family.” Caroline chimes in glancing to the vamps around her then to Remmick. “You’re like old as dust right?” Remmick puts up a finger to correct her, but she keeps speaking. “So, you're like our dad?” Pupils dilating, Remmick buzzes with excitement as most of the colony nods along.  

Mouth slightly agape, glancing shyly at all those around him he stumbles over his next words. “i-If that's what you want.” Ramona points at Peter while sneering at him. “So that makes what he did even more disgusting, nasty ass.” Busting out laughing Caroline holds the side of her stomach as she howls out. “Mommy kink looking ass!” Remmick, watching the rest of the colony erupt in laughter, tries to cover his mouth as he lets out a light chuckle.

Peter cries out, trying to make his voice heard over the crowd. “She's only a couple years older than me!” The room grows quiet; everyone glances over at their Sire including Peter, who realizes that might not have been the best thing to say.

“I mean... I don't have a mommy kink.” Remmick tilts his head to the side, leans forward and sighs. “Yea…Yeah, you do Peter, that was one thing your consciousness was quite vocal about.” Remmick holds a hand out towards Peter. “I didn't come here to judge you, just stay away from my wife with that.”  

Embarrassed into submission, Peter lowers his head and nods keeping his eyes to the ground. Silence hangs thicker than a winter blanket as Remmick and the other vamps try not to make eye contact, almost everyone looks sorry for Peter. 

Caroline jumps back to the main conversation, trying to bypass the now awkward mood. “So, you're our Pops right? But Dads are supposed to teach you things.” Looking affronted Remmick places a hand to his chest. “I taught ya’ how to hunt, how to survive, what more could you want?” Putting her hand on her hip Ramona pops it to the side. “What can you teach us?”  

Arms crossed with his legs slightly apart Remmick looks at her with uncertainty. “What do you want to learn?” Without missing a beat Ramona blurts out. “I want to know how to fly.” Others nod along voicing their agreements in the back. “Dead ass that would be cool as fuck.” Caroline perks up throwing out a request. “I want to know how you do that long nail thing.”  

Requests pour in from the back. “I want to learn how to jig” “I want to learn how to play an instrument” “Honestly I need more pointers on hunting” “I want to learn how to pull a woman so far out of my league that the gods themselves scratch their heads in confusion at how it happened.” Remmick screws up his face at the last question, but reluctantly answers. “Flowers.” 

Chapter 20

Alex’s eyes can’t leave Jo’s form as soon as she walks through the door. You had been right in your assessment that the pink haired boy that you had saw that night standing next to the Blue and Blonde-haired girls was Dan’s little brother. Dropping off your grandmother's wedding dress to be refitted and altered by one of the colony members Ena was familiar with, you had walked in to find him sitting on Dan and Ena’s couch.

Alex had politely introduced himself, and a little while later Jo had walked in. Alex had seen Jo at the engagement party, but this felt different, real. Before he can introduce himself, she gives him a scathing look, “What the fuck you lookin’ at?”

Shocked at her language, he rubs the back of his neck, “Nothing.” She screws up her face as if she had been insulted, “What!?” Now at a loss of words Alex trips and stumbles over his words, “i-I mean.” Taking pity on the boy, you speak up for him, “Jo be nice that’s Dan’s lil’ brother” Folding her arms in front of her she lets out a huff, “Fuck I care?”  

‘Was she embarrassed?’ “Jo…” She rolls her eyes facing away from Alex “Tell him to stop staring.” Trying to calm her nerves Alex tries to explain himself. “i-I’m sorry I didn’t mean to...just.. beau-” As if she knew exactly what he was going to say next Jo puts up a hand stopping him in his tracks, “Just stop talking.”  

Standing up Alex moves towards the front door, “...Okay I'll just go...” That must have not been what Jo wanted cause the panic in her voice makes even Dan take a glance at her. “Sit down!” She’s grown but you still try to remind her that she’s in someone else's home; everyone around may not understand the intricacies ‘AKA lower your muthafuckin’ voice.’, but you knew she would. “Jo…” Now fiddling with her fingers, she does her best not to make eye contact with you or Alex. “I mean you don’t have to leave, just don’t stare.” Alex nods while slowly sitting back down. 

You could slice the awkwardness with a knife; you decide to put everyone out of their misery, “You don’t usually stop by, what’s on ya’ mind?” Determination filled her eyes as she straightened her spine, “I want a seat at the table” Leaning back you look her up and down; you’ve already know what you’re going to tell Jo but you want her to sell it, just a bit. “You just got here.”  

Trying not to let her nerves get the best of her, her voice never wavers, “I want to be one of the main leaders.” Jo hurriedly places a folder in your hands. Flipping through it you look up at her, “What’s this?” Jo’s eyes light up excited that you’re giving her a chance to explain herself, “Club locations where people I used to work around would frequent, and hotels with need of minimal repairs to do business at, just hear me out-”  

Holding up a hand you turn the folder over to Ena and she hands you an envelope filled with several signed checks and a black card. “Here.” Jo’s hand begins to shake as she looks in the envelope, “Just like that?”  

Cocking your head back you look at her with a respect she never thought she’d receive, and she hadn’t, not while alive. “I'll always trust you to make something from nothing, all you need is a chance.” Jo looks away emotions getting too much for her. “Go and do what you were meant to, cause nobody gon’ look down at you ever again.” 

The smile that creeps through Jo’s tough exterior makes her look her age for once, her eyes are wet, but she never sheds a tear even giving a little leap of joy as she blows a kiss to Alex, “Bye, bye lover boy.” He points to himself in disbelief and Jo nods while waving goodbye to everyone, skipping past Remmick as he makes his way in. 

You expected her to cower away from him after what the Hobbs had relayed to you but instead she shocks everyone in the room by flicking him off and sticking her tongue out, She giggles giving his shocked face a once over, cackling all the way out the door, down the hall and to those who could hear her, out the fire escape leaving you pleasantly surprised.  

Remmick shakes his head closing the door behind her, “She's a menace.” Tilting your head you smile at Remmick, “She's a breath of fresh air.” With no filter Alex sighs, “She’s quite beautiful isn't she.” In the most animated voice you had ever heard Dan express, he sounds like he’s going to throw a tantrum, “Oh God no! Fuck, I knew it!” Startled Alex’s pink hair sways to the side, like a Revlon hair commercial, “What?”  

Placing his head in his hands Dan looks so put out, “I knew as soon as she walked through the door, and with you sitting there with that goofy look on your face!” Now seeing where this was headed Alex tries to get Dan to correct himself, “Goofy?” Huffing he looks at Alex like he’s and idiot “Do you know the line of business she was in?”  

That seem to set Alex off as he sits up straight, “I don't care, and who am I to judge, I didn't know you to be so judgmental, her body her choice and all that you know.” Dan folds his arms in disagreement. “I'm not sure that means what you think it means.” Now pointing at Dan, Alex looks like he’s on fire, “And like I said I don't care, she deserves respect no matter what.”  

You tilt your head while leaning your cheek against your chin. “What's the first thing you noticed about her?” He smiles, happy to end his quarrel with Dan, and looking a giddy to talk about Jo. “Her nose... then her eyes, they're very beautiful shade.” Ena looks confused and can’t help blurting out, “They look nothing like the Queen’s.” Now also looking confused Alex throws her a look then glances to you, “What does Jo have to do with the Queen?”  

Ena now looking unsure of herself looks around for confirmation before she gestures to you. “Jo looks like…” While Ena begins to feverishly motion towards you, Alex looks at her like she’s ill. “She does?” Giving Alex a smile you find his ability to see the stark difference between you and Jo heartening. He gives you a slight smile but, in the end, furrows his brows in disbelief. “I’m sorry I just don’t see it.” 

Ena throwing up her hands in surrender, goes to stand by Dan looking for comfort, making your smile widen. You tell Alex, “I for one think you should go for it, just cause you’re immortal doesn’t mean you’re unkillable; life is always shorter than you think it will be, and a chance at happiness is worth a lifetime.”

Smiling from your encouragement, his smile slowly fades as he scooches back on the couch he’s sitting on, and hugs one leg against his chest to lean on. “I just wish I was in her league; how does one even get a girl that far out of their league?” Dan looks at his sire who quickly looks down, sweat dripping on the side of his face. 

“Smart, sexy, confident, I’d look like a dog just standing next to her.” Ena’s head snaps in Remmick’s direction. “Though I wouldn’t mind if she put a collar on me...” Now looking alarmed everyone stares at Remmick, who’s been actively ignoring what his childe has been saying by counting the ridges on his shoes.

Weak to your unwavering gaze, he finally looks up to see everyone staring at him, everyone but the one who caused all of this; the bag in his hand sways as he becomes frustrated. “What? What’s everyone lookin’ at me for, I just came to pick up me’ wife.” You sit up straight looking him in the eyes. “Remmick…” “Honey boo can we go home, look what I brought on my way back.”

He holds out a convenience bag packed to the brim with things you loved. “Stopped by the corner store and got some of ya’ favorite snacks; look, I’ll run you a nice hot bath with some bath bombs and essential oils and then give you a pedicure while you watch your re-runs, just please.” He looked like he was seconds from dropping to his knees, but you give him the saddest look ever while pouting. “Remmi…”  

Without another word Remmick finds himself walking over to Dan and Ena’s cabinets quickly pulling out a pen and paper without being told where they were, as if he’s lived there all his life. Alex looks uncomfortable as Remmick, the one who had not too long ago beat sense into his band’s singer Peter, walks up to him shoving the pen and paper into his hands.  

Remmick points at Alex like he’s a child, “Write this down and commit it to memory, I will not be repeating myself.” Holding out his hands Remmick begins listing his thoughts off like a to do list. “Find out what her favorite flowers are, give her those flowers, let your intentions be known, competition and exes, kill them.” Glancing over at you Remmick looks nervous when he sees you eyeing him back, and you have to wonder if his reluctance to help Alex had to do with your presence.

Sighing he turns his focus back to Alex, “Ask her to help you pick out a collar,” Remmick takes his wallet out of his pocket, pulling out a few hundreds and handing them to Alex. “Make sure it's of good quality, her favorite color and that it has a matching leash.” Folding his arms Remmick looks sternly at Alex, “Now this is the most important part, accidentally leave that leash at her apartment and every time you visit make sure to always forget to take it with you.”  

Nodding along to everything Remmick had said Alex tries to write it all down, underlining the word collar. Alex is slightly startled when Remmick places a hand on his shoulder, seemingly trying to comfort him. “Listen kid, in one month I want to see you with a collar around your throat, and if it's not there by the end of that month I'm going to start breaking bones in your body.”  

“Remmick!” You try to chastise him, but Remmick just gives you one of his goofy smiles that he’s very well aware makes you melt, “Just kiddin’ baby girl, gon’ say your goodbyes. Imma’ go set you up a charcuterie board with your favorite snacks.” Leaving out the door Remmick gives Alex a look that said failure wasn’t an option. 

Soon you get up from where you’re sitting and try to assure Dan’s pink haired baby brother that everything would be okay. “I’m sure he doesn’t mean it but either way I’m rooting for you.” He nods giving you smile that says, ‘Thank you but I’m sure the end of my life is fast approaching’, feeling bad for him you pat him on the shoulder and bid everyone a good morning.  

Stepping in your apartment you find Remmick in the kitchen arranging your charcuterie board; he looks up at you with so much love and care, sometimes you forget he’s a cold-blooded killer. “You go and jump in the shower, and I’ll get the tub ready so you can soak as long as you want, k’ darlin?”

Agreeing, you jump in the shower. Feeling the hot water splash against your body, you let any fatigue clinging to your body exit via the shower drain while exfoliating your skin. Remmick joins you mid shower; feeling his chest against your back you lean into him, letting yourself relax. Finishing up your shower, you slowly put your feet into the hot bath waiting for you, allowing Remmick to lay on top of you as you both soak in Remmick's bath bomb creation. 

Playing with the natural curl of his hair you kiss him on the top of his head making him purr. “What was your first wedding like?” The purring stops as he looks up at you with a confused smile, “Now why ya’ askin’ a thing like that.” You shrug, not meaning much by it, just wanting some guidance in the matter, “This is my first.” He quickly corrects you, “Your only.” You roll your eyes while wrapping your arms around his shoulder, “My only wedding.” 

Remmick sighs as if he’s recounting an unpleasant memory or maybe one so old it wasn’t even worth remembering, but then he softly smiles, “It was a big celebration, whole village and whatnot’, kinda late bloomer I was, when it came to getting married.”  

Pausing Remmick softly grabs your hand kissing your fingers one by one. “So much that the bride had wanted to see if I was…” Laying his head flatly on your chest he looks for the right words to say. “...Defective in some way, she had asked to meet me in private without the knowins’ of our parents... and well you can guess what happened next.”  

Placing a hand over his face, you don’t think you’ve ever seen Remmick so embarrassed until he gave a light chuckle, “I didn’t even last a second, at first I thought she might be disappointed but now looking back I think she was just happy I could get it up.” You nod trying to understand her logic. “It makes sense, having kids was probably really important back then, especially for a soon to be farmers wife.”

Remmick gives you a light breathy laugh, “After that I had been too embarrassed to even look at her, and at the wedding only danced with her once.” Looking down at his hand he clenches his fist, and you can feel a shift in his mood as the air grows tense, “Though none of it mattered in the end.”  

Leaving gentle kisses on the top of his head you speak to him in hushed tones, “I’m sorry.” Softly peppering kisses on your wrist, his lips tickle you as they move on top of your skin, “Shhhh my love don’t be, in the end it was all due to fate and I could never hate fate; it brought you to me.” Laying quick kisses on the side of his face you watch as he stands up, giving you time to relax alone.

Drying off, Remmick points to the hallway, “I’ll get everything in the living room set up,” draping himself in the robe you had gotten him. Nodding, you watch him walk out the door, and you take a moment to think about how your life would have been if you hadn’t met Remmick.

Still too career focused, if you were lonely, you wouldn't have noticed, or you would have actively made sure to ignore the loneliness by drowning yourself in work. In the end you might have just met a smarter Michael, someone who was smart enough to hide their dalliances and finish their own projects without your heavy input.

Feeling your skin pruning, you sigh and get out of the tub to dry yourself off, lightly moisturizing your skin, then putting your robe on; you find Remmick in the living room turning on the Stereo TV you had gotten from your grandmother. 

Pillows blankets and snacks laid out, you get snuggled in as Remmick begins massaging your feet and for once you thank fate. Glancing down at the man knelt before you, a thought comes to mind as you smile at him, and he smiles back. “Remmick, would you like a collar?” 

Chapter 21

“When was the last time you got the Misses flowers?” Looking from Caroline to Ramona, Remmick takes a second to think before dropping the body he had been currently drinking on to the ground.  

Per one of your suggestions, Remmick brought a group of fledglings up into the mountains to practice learning how to hunt.

Ramona had tipped him off that there was going to be some kind of bonfire get together, so Remmick brought the girls to help supervise, while he delt out the lesson. 

You had been the one to teach Remmick the benefits of sharing responsibilities in the colony, one of those benefits was getting home to you sooner, which he loved but there were also downsides. 

Caroline and Ramona’s tongues were as sharp as razors with minds to match, and no matter how young Remmick still looked, they reminded him how old and out of touch he really was. 

Remmick’s fingers on his chin he begins to ponder, ‘When was the last time I gave her flowers?’  

Fingers smearing blood across his face Remmick begins to stroke his chin, it had been over a year ago since you’ve been back, and before that...  

Glancing back at the girls that were starting to give Remmick looks of disapproval, he turns his head in embarrassment. “See the thing is... it’s not my fault-”  

Caroline throws her blood-stained hands up in the air, “Please don’t tell us that the last time you gave her flowers, was when you were stalking her!” 

Pouting Remmick folds his arms in front of himself, “Stalk is a strong word, I prefer the word courtin’.” 

Caroline scoffs, rolling her eyes, “Yeah, as in if you had been human she would have TAKEN, you straight to court.”  

Wiping her hands off with a wipe, after ‘helping’ the last person that had been at the bonfire party off the ground.  

Ramona looks over at Remmick with her usual unimpressed stare, “Well at least you take her places.” 

Remmick doesn’t reply feeling himself sweating from the inside. “...” 

Ramona gives him a suspicious look, “When was the last time you took her on a date?” 

“...” 

“Please tell us you take her out on dates.” 

“You see the thing is-” 

Caroline looks like she wants to cry as she gestures to Remmick, “God you’re older than dust, how do you not know to take your girl out!” 

Ramona sneers at him, “I can’t believe we thought you were cool.” 

Remmick’s brows furrow in disbelief, “You thought I was cool?” 

Caroline gives a full body shrug, “Kinda...” While Ramona moves her hand in a so-so motion, “Eh...” 

Ramona massages her temples, trying to get the conversation back on track, “That’s not the problem right now.” 

Caroline as always is animated, putting her whole body in everything she says, “You’re telling us throughout your whole relationship, you’ve never once taken her on a date!?” 

Still pouting, Remmick tilts his head to the side, “What do you consider a date?” 

Ramona wants to ask him what kind of question that is, but holds herself back, “I don’t know, movie and a dinner, maybe going to a concert to listen to music.” 

Perking up, he gives them a wide grin, “Then we’ve done that plenty of times, though she’s now changed her sleep schedule to keep tabs on the colony, we still do what we used to.” 

All their faith in Remmick leaves their bodies as he continues to talk. “I’ll get back from a hunt...”  

“We’ll wash up, I’ll watch her eat, we’ll watch one of her favorite shows, then I’ll pull out the old mandolin, and serenade her until she’s ready to cuddle.”  

Remmick looks giddy as he finishes his sentence, unaware of the horror on the girl’s faces. “Then we fall asleep, wake up and do it all again.” 

Caroline is losing her absolute shit as Ramona pulls a wet wipe out of her pocket, and places Remmick’s hand on top of it. “I’m gonna hold your hand with a wipe when I say this, that isn’t a date, that’s just a regular day.” 

Remmick pulls his hand away with a hiss, “Naw y’all don’t know non’ we’re happy, she comfortable with me!” 

Ramona looks unimpressed at his sudden outburst, “Confort kills attraction.” 

Remmick gives her a sour look, “What do you mean by that!?” 

Caroline gestures wildly at Remmick, “She’s hot, crazy smart, and unbelievably dedicated to the colony and your-” 

“What?” 

Ramona, “Short.” 

Placing a hand over his chest he looks offended, “I was the tallest in my village.” 

Caroline, “Swagless.” 

“You said I was cool.” 

In unison, “Unrepentantly boring.” 

As Remmick loses it his accent gets thicker, making the other fledglings throw him uncomfortable looks. “I’m in tae middle of the fuckin woods teachin’ all y’all ungrateful brats what my Sire made me figure out on my own, and this is the thanks I get!”  

Folding her arms in front of herself, Ramona turns her head away from Remmick, “Oh wow…” 

Caroline stage whispers in Ramona’s ear, while she nods along. “Shadow is right, he’s no good at taking criticism.”  

Throwing up both his arms he turns to leave, “Tats it I’m going home!” Placing both his hands in his pockets he stomps away. 

Caroline giggles while skipping after Remmick, “Wait we’re just trying to help.” Ramona glides over to where both of them are standing, feeling a bit smug from her progress. 

Placing a wipe on Remmick’s shoulder, Ramona tries to give him a comforting squeeze. “Caroline is telling the truth; we just want to help.”   

Remmick looks at Caroline then to Ramona, folding his arms in front of him he’s back to pouting. “Then help, and stop pickin’ on me.” 

looking him over, Caroline grabs him by the shoulders then gives him a quick spin. 

Looking at Ramona she points at Remmick. “The gaudish look is on its way back, maybe we could outfit him in gold chains and rings.” 

Ramona nods, “Maybe a grill.” 

Scoffing, Caroline rolls her eyes, “Naw he’s an old ma-” 

Growing tired of the girl's antics he’s close to losing it again, “I thought we were talkin’ about me takin’ my wife on a date, what’s this about changin’ my wardrobe?” 

Ramona squints her eyes, “What wardrobe?” Letting out a long huff, Caroline pokes at Remmick’s jacket. “All you do is wear the same track suit.” 

More gently than he wants, Remmick slaps her hand away, dusting off any make-believe grime she may have left behind.  

“I’ll have you both know that my beloved wife picked this out for me.” 

In the flattest tone she could utter, Ramona looks straight in Remmick’s eyes, “That’s not the flex you think it is.” 

May his darlin’ Wife forgive him, but he was going to have to fight these lil’ girls. “The, what!?” 

Placing an arm around his shoulder, Caroline leans on Remmick. “Listen Pops, if you want to have a successful date that will sweep her off her feet, remind her that you’re the only man in her life, and the king of the colony, you’ll let us help you.” 

Ramona steps closer to Remmick without touching him, “If your presence in her life is weak enough that Peter decided to shoot his shot, I’d say some change is in order, yeah?” 

That seemed to get to Remmick as he nods along, “Alright then.” 

Placing her bare hand on Remmick Ramona smiles, “I knew you’d make the right choice.” Looking over at Caroline she nods, “Call Lori and tell her to get the Queen ready, we should be ready by midnight.” 

Hand gripping Remmick’s shoulder even tighter, Ramona’s smile grows wider, and he won't lie, for a moment she scares him. “Now let’s get you all cleaned up.” 

“He looks a little young to be your dad.” The girls had run Remmick through the town, nails, hair, and now clothes.  

They didn’t have time to walkout with anything bespoke, but they did throw some orders in for him. 

Hair styled and dressed in black, Remmick couldn’t deny he was feeling himself as the stylist placed cufflinks on his wrist. 

Sucking on a lollipop, Caroline nods, “He’s a slut, knocked up a bunch of girls around the state, even has kids in different countries.”  

The girls had been introducing Remmick as their father everywhere they went, and when his age was put into question, Caroline jumped at the chance to let everyone know how much a slut Remmick was. 

Hissing at her he was tired of the disgusted looks he was getting from those around. “Stop tellin’ people that!” 

Caroline plays innocent, “What’s the issue?” Looking at the stylist she smiles, “At least he’s not a deadbeat, he even took us hunting recently, it was fun.” 

Remmick rolls his eyes and walks away, choosing to stand by the entrance. 

Noticing a change in the air the stylist grows nervous, “How lovely, so as I mentioned before the tailor isn’t in today, but I’ll give him your order and have him call you when he’s ready for your ‘father’ to come in for a fitting.” 

Looking up at Ramona a sliver of saliva runs down her chin, “You disconnected the cameras and closed the blinds yet?” The Stylist turns around to see the blinds to the Tailor's shop shut tight, and begins to sweat, stricken with horror.   

Nodding Ramona slowly steps back, “Just thought I’d let you finish your convo.” Ramona watches as Caroline gently sinks into the young man’s throat, trying her best not to get blood everywhere. 

Walking over to an impatient looking Remmick they both smile, Caroline places a hand on her hip and gestures towards Remmick, “Well goddamn, you look like an actual man.” 

Fiddling with his cufflinks he looks a bit nervous, “What do I usually look like?” 

Looking at Remmick and then at each other they speak in tandem, “A wet dog.” 

Lorena and Jonah wasted no time moving you around like a life size doll, bringing several vamps from the colony to pamper you until your skin was silky smooth, radiating in a way that was only heard of in fairytales. 

The colony, with the help of Lo and Jo, dressed you in something that hugged you in all the right places, you felt sexy... maybe too sexy. “You don’t think it’s a little tight?” 

Jonah looks you over, her eyes lingering on your breasts, “That’s the point, your tits look amazing.” 

Usually happy to disagree with Jonah, Lorena instead nods with approval. “Jo’s right, you look amazing.” 

Jonah pushes you down in a chair, “Can I ask you a question that's been buggin’ me?” Not waiting for you to agree or disagree, Jo continues talking.  

“You’re hot and smart, like really, really smart, other than the whole vamp thing... Remmick gives off a wet dog feel, and even then; you don’t seem interested in being embraced.” 

Rolling your eyes, you look down at Jo whose deciding what shoes you should wear, “Do you have an actual question or...” 

Putting platforms on you but then deciding against it, Jonah picks out another pair then looks up at you. 

“What made you get with Remmick? Even when I had my eyes on him it wasn’t attraction, just hero worship mixed with a thirst for power.” 

Lori shocked at Jonah’s bluntness, tries to get her to dial it back, “Jo!” 

Shrugging Jo finally picks out the ‘perfect’ pair, and stands up facing Lori, “Just being honest.” 

Standing up, you feel like you’re walking on a cloud as you try the shoes out, Jonah really knew her stuff. 

“Thank you for your candor, Jo, if you must know, even though your Sire has put me through a bit, Remmick made me realize that work isn’t everything... He also gave me the chance to say goodbye to someone very dear to me.” 

Giving a little twirl you pat yourself down, trying to get out any wrinkles you might have made, “Though of course, I wish I didn’t have to fill Remmick full of holes to get there.” 

“You what!?” Jo lets out an overjoyed squeal that leaves you rubbing your ears. 

Shocked by Jo’s excitement, you just smile, “Yeah, I didn’t know what he was, but I wasn’t going to let some peaky blinders enthusiast...” 

“...That I admittedly found very attractive, murder me in the middle of an empty park like a sacrifice in the beginning of a horror flick.” 

With stars in her eyes, Jo looked genuinely impressed. “Wow and here I thought you were just some weak goody two shoes.”  

You give Jonah a bored look before smirking at her, “Oh, my dear Jonah, don’t mistake my cordial nature for weakness, and never forget, I let you kill Officer John not from fear, but as a favor, ya hear?” 

Smiling Jo look’s almost smitten with you. “I hear you loud and clear, angel with a shot gun.”  

You roll your eyes, “It was a revolver." ‘Looks like her hero worship transferred somewhere else.’ 

Lo’s phone chimes and she looks at you with uncontained glee, “He’s waiting for you downstairs”

 

Inspiration for Remmick's outfit

 

Notes:

Not a lot of you know this but I'm in college and trying to maintain my 4.0 but now that the semester has ended I'll be getting back on schedule. A big thank you to everyone that's stood by me this entire time, and a thank you to all of you who just got here, I hope you have a wonderful week. xoxo