The meeting

She sat staring as rain splashed against the window with a bit of force, she hated the rain, she hated how it made her feel and the memories it brought up. She played with her wine glass, slowly tracing the circle opening of it. It rang beautifully against her light touch, tipping it slightly as she rounded the top. She liked wine, she had learned to like it over the years, but tonight she wasn’t in the mood to drink.

“You ok?” her friend leaned into her, the noise in the bar was horrendous and hurt her ears. Snapping back into reality she smiled. The bar itself was dimly lit, which she liked, hid her unnatural paleness. It was loud however, some band she wasn’t up to date with slamming tunes into the air like she wanted to do to their heads. She heard the heartbeats of everyone in here, and smell the blood from those that had minor cuts or abrasions, it was driving her desire to the point of no return. 800 years and the desire never faded. She hated this life, yet loved it all the same.

“I’m fine” her smile faded as the sudden, uneasy feeling of being trapped engulfed her senses. She hunkered deeper into the chair. The bar now seemed darker, deadlier, more grave like than she felt comfortable with. Her eyes widened as his smell entered her nostrils. It had been almost 800 years since she had seen him. They had not left on good terms, and being opposites of survival, they were not about to stick around and chat with each other. She turned quickly looking for the nearest exit, a moment to late. Her gaze went to the door, fear screaming through her veins. She hated that feeling,
she was a predator, and she always felt like the prey when they were around. Her friends gaze followed, and there he stood.

“Oh my god” she said quietly “who is that?” she smiled and adjusted her hair her eyes never leaving the man at the door.

Valeera took a drink of her wine, gulping it down she cleared her throat, looking away, not wanting to draw his attention.

“His name is Ashton Holden” she stared at him, his presence was more than she could bear right now.

“So you know him?”

“Aye” Her friend looked at her a smirk crossing her face.

“Aye? What the hell is aye? What are you a pirate now?”

“Sorry, yes I do know him” Valeera sat up straight in her chair, she knew it wouldn’t be long before he felt her, if he hadn’t already. She watched him, carefully. He was here with friends and she knew that would be to her advantage, as just like her, his need to fit in was greater than anything else, it’ what kept them alive. They laughed as they sat in chairs. She took another large gulp of wine, it had no effect on her, and she wished it did. As always he was the life if the party, joking with everyone he came into contact with, she watched as the waitress brought them their drinks, she eyed Ashton, hungrily. Valeera smiled to herself ‘Oh sweetie, you have no idea’ she kept the thought in her head, but with grace and ease, his head came up and his fell directly on her. If she had a heart beat, it would have stopped. They locked eyes for a moment, she held up her glass and toasted him. Grabbing his drink he walked over. Her friend squirmed in her chair, Valeera chuckled to herself, humans were so easy.

“Hello Valeera” his voice was calm and soothing, she could get lost in that voice. She couldn’t help but love the hidden growl it held.

“Ashton” she nodded “this is a friend of mine Anna”

“A friend?” a bit of shock in his voice, Valeera glared at him “it’s a pleasure to meet you Anna” he took her hand and bowed slightly. Anna giggled like a child, taking his hand. Valeera could hear her heart beat increase at just his touch, and she couldn’t help but miss it. A bit of jealousy entered her and she crushed it with pleasure. It had been 800 years, it was not about to win out this time.

“Oh it’s my pleasure I’m sure” Ashton smiled lightly at her, nodded lightly and then turned his attention to Valeera.

“You’re looking well” tonight she had opted for jeans and a blouse, a ruby red color that looked good against her pale skin, her hair down in waves.

“As are you” she wasn’t lying. How could she? He was almost every woman’s fantasy in flesh and blood. He had cut his hair to fit in better, but it was still the deep red she loved. His body was massive, intimidating and welcoming all at the same time. She took another gulp of wine, trying to suppress the attraction. He watched her a moment, his eyes playing over hers. There was still something there, that they could not deny, but they hid it rather well. His face suddenly changed to that maw, saliva dripping,
his eyes raging anger. His body soon followed, His maw suddenly snapping at her face. She jolted lightly coming back to the reality of the situation. He turned lightly as the whole table of his friends watched her with eyes of steel. She recognized Cole and Ank. Cole was calm, his head cocked to one side. His black hair was neatly cut and he was in a business suit, which seemed odd for him, but really how would she know. She’d only met cole once. Then there was Ank. A beautiful red head,
green eyes that pulled almost any male in, not to mention a very close friend of Ashtons. She smiled lightly at Valeera and nodded her head in a greeting. Valeera returned the gestures as the fear played around in her body. She knew they could smell it and it irritated her. Ashton looked back to the table and then back to Valeera. He smiled softly.

“It is good to see you again Valeera. This was an unexpected pleasure.” he looked to Anna, his smile widened. “It was a pleasure to meet you as well Anna. I am sorry that I do not have the time to chat more with you two astounding ladies. I do however, have prior engagements.” His eyes found Valeera’s once more and he stood suddenly. “I do hope we’ll meet again soon.” With that he walked back to his friends, but she could see him watching her from the corner of his eyes.

“Valeera?” Anna’s puzzled look and voice brought Valeera’s attention back. She smiled at her friend and shook her head.

“It’s a family name, and old fashioned, which is why I go by Vale” finishing the wine, she stood. The waitress had gone back to the table, and was eating up the attention that Ashton gave her. Her hand found his arm, his muscle flexed for just a moment, but she saw his eyes betray what his body was speaking. Valeera watched for a moment more, the waitress was pretty, petite with a nice body. Her blonde hair was short exposing her neck, as she played with the necklace she wore, Valeera breathed
deeply, she could almost taste the waitress on her lips. She was hungry and weak; she had not fed all day.

“You ready?” Anna had stood now too, gathering her purse she looked at Valeera ‘Oh wow, are you ok?”

“Yeah I’m good” Valeera took another moment to relish in the waitress then gathered her things and walked past Ashton, he smelled her as she walked by, and smiled. She looked over her shoulder to him, their eyes locking again. Her senses were honed and she easily sidestepped those that were in her way. Her eyes flashed sudden red as an unknown male touched her arm and swung her around towards him. Ashton’s full attention was suddenly on her, though Valeera couldn’t see it. Her anger surged, a sneer crossing her lips she suppressed the instinct to rip his throat from his neck. She pulled her arm free of his grasp with a bit of force and shot Ashton one more look. She was furious, the darkness inside of her grasping, clawing, aching to get out and extract it’s revenge. She heard the male mumbling something, but cared little for what he had to say. She turned gracefully, every single one of her muscles flexed and ready for action. A false adrenaline rush was never good for the instincts, and if she didn’t hurry and get away from the temptation, she’d have to give in. She looked suddenly to the
man that grabbed her, making a mental note of his face. He was going to feel wrath tonight, and she was gonna taste his fear. She walked to the door where Anna was waiting. She threw her jacket on, still feeling the eyes of Ashton, and she knew he was smiling. The stare went away as soon as she turned to look at him one more time. He was laughing with his dogs, and that waitress. A twofer was not out of the question this evening.

She walked with Anna silently, the rain had let up a bit which Valeera was thankful for. Anna broke the silnce
“So how do you know that guy?” Valeera could feel her heart race again
“We go way back, old old friends” she smiled at the joke
“How come I have never seen him before then?”
“Cause it’s been 800 years since I saw him last” mostely to herself, catching it “It seems, it seems like 800 years” She was thankful they had reached Anna’s apartment building, the subject of Ashton was never an easy one for her.