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… ENTERING THE DARKNESS ...
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It was one of those nights where you just knew something really strange was going to happen. The air was charged with electricity as unshed tears from heaven hung in clouds over the city, and ozone rode the air. You could feel a storm brewing, but you just didn't know when or where the sky would rip itself asunder and pour the lifeblood of the earth upon the cold, hard ground to try to wrench whatever life it can from the skin of the world. Yeah, it was one of those nights where all you really want to do is just curl up under the covers to hide from the chill in the air and make sure there's a warm fire going in the fireplace to keep away whatever winter sprites or goblins may try to get you by coming down the chimney, or you make sure the heat is turned up on high so the furnace can keep the frost from forming on the windows.
But they were not somewhere that they could be protected from the elements. SHE was not allowed that luxury because at this moment, they were headed to somewhere she really didn't want to go. Dmitri had said he would meet her at the Council house, because she knew they would expect her to dress the part. She'd given him the address and went back to her hotel to try to find what she needed, and when she finally pulled up to the gate, she could see him standing there, looking out into the night. His hair was blowing in the wind, and she knew if she cracked the window, she would smell his scent on the air, and it brought a low growl to her throat. She couldn't understand why the attraction towards him was so intense. She was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, and she'd finally decided she would stop fighting it when this happened. And now, she was once again in crisis mode, trying to fix someone else's mess. She's been drawn into drama which she knew was partly her fault, but she's got the strength in her spine to deal with it. And deal with it, she shall.
She knew he thought that this was about her love for Michael, and in a way it was. She and Michael had something that was intense, but as things had progressed, she knew it wasn't healthy. She'd never thought he could have such an addictive personality, where he would put his own life on the line like this. And to make matters worse, he'd dragged his little sister into his insanity. She knew she wanted him safe, but at the same time, she wanted to strangle him!! She wanted to slap some sense into his head, but first she had to find him. She'd promised him that she would keep him safe, and she'd protected him as long as she could, but once he chose the venom over her, she knew deep down that it was just a matter of time that she'd found him dead or worse. So here she was, about to put a part of her soul on the line to protect him, and he would never know just how much what she was about to do would actually end up costing her in the end.
She parked her car on the street, then stepped out of the car, slowly approaching Dmitri as his scent was lifted on the wind and wrapped itself around her body like a warm blanket. She didn’t have an explanation for why when she smelled him, or looked into his eyes, she simply felt like she was home. It didn't matter if he was drenched in sweat after a match, or if he was fresh out of the shower, all she wanted to do most days was just to touch him, and feel his scent on her flesh. She was so attracted to him that in some ways it frightened her, but in that exhilarating way like a roller coaster makes you feel just before the drop. She can feel his eyes on her, and knows he's watching her every move like a hawk watches it's prey, and it made goosebumps break out all over her flesh.
She knew he would be impeccably dressed as always. He had on a dark blue shirt under a black sports coat with matching pants. His shirt was unbuttoned just enough to reveal a hint of the fine hair that covers his chest and his hair was unbound, the soft waves shining softly in the moonlight. His shoes had just the right amount of polish on them to give a hint of sparkle in the darkness, and the sight of him made her knees weak, but she would not let him see it. She also saw the spark in his eyes when he took in her form, just as she'd hoped. She knew when she went to see the Council, they had certain expectations, so she'd had to change out of her normal clothes and into what she was currently wearing.
The black and purple stretch mermaid dress was just the right amount of formal to appease the Council, but with just enough sexy to pique the interest of the man in front of her. She'd wanted to look good for him, not just the council. The black of the dress almost appeared painted on and moved to show the curves of her waist, hips, thighs and butt, clinging to her almost like a second skin. The dress flared out just below her knees and twirled when she walked with the hem coming to her ankles, so she didn't have to try to hold it up as she moved. The sheer purple bodice that covered the front of her was just thin enough to show the skin she wanted, from her belly button up to her decolletage and throat, as the collar was hidden behind a band encrusted with diamonds that went completely around her throat. The purple fabric continued down to her wrists where she had matching diamond bracelets, and she'd painted her fingernails and toes a purple so dark, it almost looked black in the low light. She'd piled her hair up in soft curls up on top of her head, and used diamond tipped pins in a row down the back of her head to hold all of the unruly curls in place, and she'd opted for earrings which looked like teardrop diamonds dangling from thin ropes. The black strap sandals were hidden under the bottom of her skirt, but played peek a boo as she walked. She knew the look was one that she looked stunning in, but the look on Dmitri's face as she walked up to him spoke volumes.
"You look... Well, amazing doesn't quite grasp the description."
She blushed as he offered her his arm, and she took it with a sheepish grin.
"What, this old thing? I only wore it cause I knew if I didn't, the Council wouldn't see me. Sometimes they can be some real stuffed shirts. They're old fashioned, and think that women should always be in evening gowns."
Dmitri nods and continues to look her up and down slowly.
"Well, in this moment, I'm glad that they do because I got the chance to see you look the way that you do right now. Even if it's not for my benefit, I can still appreciate the end result."
Gothika tightens her hand on his arm, and he looks her in the eye.
"And what makes you think that this outfit is not for your benefit, even in part?"
Dmitri frowns slightly, and is about to speak, but he's interrupted as the gates swing open of their own accord. Dmitri looks back at the gate and growls low in his throat, but Gothika pats his arm gently.
"It's ok. They were expecting us."
She leads him through the large wrought iron gate and up the walk to the large palatial home as the gates swing closed behind them. Dmirti looks to her with a frown.
"And we didn't drive up to the house because..."
Gohtika take a deep breath and lets it out slowly.
"Because this is not just the Council's house. It's the home of the Head Council member of Chicago, Vinaco and she doesn't like the smell of exhaust around her home. Everyone must approach the house on foot. Besides she thinks it makes the house more defensible if the need arises for something like that to happen."
The house looked more like a medieval castle, sitting ominous in the dark. The dark grey stone looked black in the night but most of the windows were lit with soft yellow light. As they're walking, Gothika clears her throat and speaks with a huff.
"Listen Dmitri. I know how much you wanted to team with me for the Blast From The Past Tournament. Just as you know how much I wanted that too. But what makes it worse is the fact that we have to face one another in the first round."
Dmitri nods slowly, not wanting to reveal much of what is in his mind at this time. Gothika throws her hands up in the air and crosses her arms over her chest.
"I just don't get why we had to be in this position in the first place. They let SOME couples be in the tournament together..."
Dmitri shakes his head and sighs heavily.
"But that's just it my dear. Technically we're not a couple. You're still with Michael somewhat, or you wouldn't be this upset over what he's going through right this moment."
Gothika frowns and shakes her head slowly.
"That's not fair!! You KNOW what my feelings are for you."
Dmitri stops walking and looks at her intensely.
"Do I?"
Gothika turns and throws her hands in the air.
"How could you not know?!! I thought it was written on my face every time I looked at you."
Dmitri shakes his head slowly.
"Then why are you so upset over Michael's disappearance?"
She opens her mouth to speak, but closes it and takes a deep intake of breath, then she sighs.
"Because I love him."
Dmitri feels the knife dig deeper into his chest and he nods slowly before turning to continue to walk towards the house.
"Which is exactly my point. You love him."
Gothika shakes her head and puts her hand on his arm, stopping him, turning him back around to face her."
"But that's NOT it! OF COURSE I love him!! We have been a couple for YEARS now! You can't just turn love off at the drop of the hat!! Regardless of if it's old love..."
Dmitri's chin has sunk down to his chest as she's speaking, and she lifts it up with a finger so she can look him in the eyes.
"Or if it's new, true love can't be switched off like a light. I love him, yes, but I'm not in love with him anymore. What he and I have is toxic, and I know that. But he's in this position because of loving me, and I have to make sure he's found and saved. After I know he's safe, THEN we can work out everything we need to work out, and you and I can have a very long talk about us. But since we're dream fasted... You know that you can never be quit from me anymore. Fate will have it's say in the dance that is you and I. And even if it's not at this moment, we are destined to be together. That you can be sure of. And when the time is right, I will move hell or high water to make what I want to come to pass. Do you believe me when I say this?"
Dmitri nods and lets out a breath he'd been holding slowly.
"I do. But every fiber of my being wants you right this moment. You know that."
She nods and sighs softly, biting her bottom lip.
"I do. Which is why I am continually trying to distract you with the tournament. You know that no matter what happens, you and I will be good. Win or lose, nothing will come between us. It's the way that my friends and I look at things. So I hope that you can feel the same way about it."
Dmitri chuckles and puts his hands on her cheeks and pulls her close, kissing her forehead gently, inhaling her scent.
"If we are destined to be together, then as you said, nothing will come between us. Not one of us beating the other in this tournament, or anything else."
She nods and smirks.
"I've seen how much Orchid is looking forward to teaming with you. She's a beautiful girl, and she may even be interested in you."
Dmitri chuckles and kisses her cheeks.
"You know that I have eyes for none other save you."
Gothika grabs a handful of his hair and pulls him closer as he gasps at the intensity in her face, growling softly. She gets her lips to a hairsbreadth from his and whispers against them, her breath teasing his flesh.
"Good. So then you won't mind if I beat her senseless and pin her."
He smiles and strokes his finger against her lips gently.
"Only if you don’t mind if I beat the Dark Defender."
Gothika chuckles and nips his fingertip, making him gasp and grin.
"Good luck with that. I know how good you are in the ring, but I've gone back over some of his past matches, and you're in for a treat. This guy is much better than everyone thinks. Plus, you know I can team with damn near anybody. Having your partner switch out on you frequently helps to keep you on your toes. And even though it's usually either Diamond or Raynin, the switch is enough to make you change your game plan. So I'm flexible... AND in more ways than one. Some of which, you'll find out about after we have our little talk."
She swipes her tongue across his lips so quickly that he was not prepared for it. The intimate contact of her tongue on his flesh left a line of fire which made him tremble. She suddenly hears her stomach rumble, and he looks down at it with a frown.
"Have you not fed?"
She shrugs and rubs her stomach.
"I've eaten, but I've not had any of the red in a while."
He pulls back and shakes his head confused.
"You don't have a Sire torturing you and starving you like I have, and yet, you starve yourself? Why? What possible reason would you have for doing something like this to yourself?"
She closes her eyes and wraps her arms around herself hugging herself tightly.
"Because, my thirst frightens me."
She turns away from him for a moment, trembling as her stomach rumbles again loudly.
"I have problems with stopping myself once I start. When my hunger gets going, and I finally to give in to it, my blood lust is... INSANE is the only word that fits! My world turns red, and I almost black out once I start. I will rip through anyone and anything to get even a drop of the red, and I dance along the edge of that when I am about to go into a serious match. It adds a bit more savagery to my wrestling. It makes me more... monstrous I guess is the only word that fits. And in the ring, I have to admit, I like being seen as a monster. Even if I AM a monster with a heart of gold, that fear in my opponent's eyes just helps to fan my desire to compete. And I've seen fear in Orchid's eyes before. It's a beautiful look which I can't wait to see once more."
Dmitri runs his hands down her arms gently, and her entire body thrums with the feel of his touch. She leans her body back against his, and the heat from her fills his senses.
"You're so warm! You're burning up!!"
She nods and spins in his arms, looking up at him, biting her bottom lip again.
"I know. It's you. I told you that I'm not a normal vampire. I'm a living vampire. My body temperature is hotter than normal, and they say it's part of why my blood lust is so much more intense than others. But when I'm near you, when I see you, I touch you, hell, when I smell your scent, it's like someone throws gasoline on a lit match. You ignite something deep within me, and I know for a fact once I'm in the ring against Orchid, and I see you on the ring apron, it will cause an inferno to rage within me. Feel truly sorry for Orchid, because I don't know what I'm going to end up doing to her when the bell rings."
She lays her head on his chest, and pulls him close, and he can feel her heart racing against his, while his own heart thumps louder than it has since he had been turned. He could feel her heat warming his body, chasing away the normal chill which filled his flesh, and it took everything he had to not grab her and run off with her at that moment. She felt him sigh against her body, and pull back. She felt him shake his head to try to clear the intensity of him out of his own head, and she swallowed a lump in her throat.
"We should get on to the house. The night won't last forever."
They reach the house and the doors swing open slowly as they climb the steps of the porch. She stepped up first to the vampire that stood in the doorway sighing heavily as she looked in his eyes. She lifts her wrist to his face and he inhales her scent slowly before he bowed slightly at the waist towards her.
"Hello Lady Damia. It's good to see you again.'
She smiled softly and nodded to the vampire whose eyes looked washed out almost to white.
"Hello Grigor. I'm here to see the Council. I've come requesting assistance with a matter of utmost importance."
He stepped back and gestured into the foyer.
"The Master and the rest of the Council are in Chambers. They are addressing other matters, but they will speak with you shortly. Please make yourself comfortable in the sitting room and I'll come to get you when they are ready. Refreshments have been laid out for you and your gentleman."
Grigor walks off and Gothika leads Dmitri towards a room at the front of the house. Upon entering he sees young women and men wearing loin clothes and sarongs are seated on the couches around the room. They each have empty looks in their faces and IV's in various places on their body. The IV's are connected to long tubes that are hooked to a table against the back wall where their lifeblood flows up to a fountain which has crystal goblets arranged around it. Dmitri walks towards one of the women and she lifts her wrist to him. Upon her flesh he can see various bite marks at varying stages of healing. He looks down with a frown then back up at Gothika.
"What is this?"
Gothika takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
"Blood whores, some. They pull them out of the various clubs after they've gotten them hooked on being bitten. But most have never been out of this house. They’ve been bred to serve as food for the vampires that live here. What is left over is packaged or made into blood wine and sold throughout the city and to those who visit. Vampires like me and like you if you were being helped by the Council. It's a way to feed without killing, as well as without hurting those who don't want to be a part of our lifestyle. They always put out those of the same blood type with each serving and they're all the same age. I've been told that if they mix blood types it makes things taste weird."
She walks over to the fountain and holds one of the goblets under the flow and brings it to him, sniffing it for a moment before she holds it out to him.
"It's B negative today."
He takes the glass and sips it, then his eyes go wide and he drains the cup quickly, growling as he licks his lips.
"This is delicious!! How did they get that flavor into it?"
Dmitri goes to get another glass as Gothika watches him. She smirks and shakes her head.
"They're fed a specific diet which adds that flavor. Even so they choose this life. Or that's what I want to believe."
Grigor comes back to the room and bows low.
"The Master and the Council are ready to see you Lady Damia. Do you need me to escort you to Chambers?"
Gothika shakes her head as she watches Dmitri down another glass of the red.
"No thank you, Grigor. I'll go myself. You know how I like to make an entrance."
Grigor nods and brings her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it softly.
"As you wish my Lady Damia. As always, it's a pleasure to see you."
Grigor walks off and Gothika takes Dmitri's hand, pulling him away from the table, placing the goblet back down. Dmitri looks back over his shoulder longingly at the table before he turns back around and follows Gothika out of the room. They walk through a few twists and turns and then Gothika stops and hold out a pair of bracelets to the camera men.
"Bruno, Steve, you both need to wear these. They will keep you safe in this house. When I tell you to leave out of the room, you leave out and wait by the front door. The Council will let you in for a short time, but that's it. It'll be only for a short time. Please, promise me you will do as I say?"
Both of the camera men nod and, she stops in front of a pair of large wooden doors with a huge crest carved on them. She steps towards the doors and they open on their own. She walks through and motion for the camera men to stay just on the outside of them. Dmitri follows a few steps behind her as he looks at the masked men and women who are sitting around a a large table made into a half circle. She stands in front of the table taking a deep breath. She's holding her head up regally with her shoulders back and when she speaks her voice is just loud enough for it to resonate throughout the room.
"I thank you for your gracious offer to see me tonight. I come to request your help. A vampire has gone rogue and stolen what is mine. I would like your help in finding him."
One of the masked men on the end clears his throat and speaks.
"We have watched the show that you are on. We know that you had sent the man away from you before he was taken."
Gothika growls and shakes her head.
"Councilman, I sent him to rehab only. I was nice and did not report those who were feeding from an owned human when they knew they were not supposed to. I could have run through your clubs and ripped the throats out of each and every one of the idiots who touched him. You know I could have picked them out by their scents, and yet I did not. You've let Dmitri's sire torment him for months now, knowing that you could have and should have intervened, especially with my urgings of you to help. I've been calm through it all, and now there is this!! You owe me!!"
The councilman brings his fist down on the table sharply, growling back.
"We owe you NOTHING!!!"
Gothika suddenly appears at the table and brings her fist down on it right in front of the councilman, her eyes bled do an ice blue so pale they seem to glow.
"YOU OWE ME EVERYTHING!!!"
She breathes deeply, trying to get control of her breathing. She does and she looks around slowly, then she points to Dmitri.
"You owe HIM everything as well."
A councilwoman on the other side of the room speaks out.
"And why do we owe either of you anything?"
Gothika stands and walks back to the center of the room.
"Because we're dream fasted. Which is a trait that only the royal bloodlines carry."
Dmitri frowns and looks at Gothika confused.
"Wait. What did you just say?"
Gothika takes a deep breath and shakes her head slowly.
"Yes, that means that either you or I are descendants of vampire royalty. It's a blood trait passed along from parent to child, not from sire to progeny, and I believe that is why Ekaterina is so hell bent to have you."
Dmitri shakes his head slowly.
"Wait a minute. Are you trying to say that I'm some kind of vampire prince?"
Gothika nods slowly.
"It's possible. Or I'm a vampire princess. We haven't been able to figure out which yet, but because of that, the Council must protect you from Ekaterina. Isn't that right?"
Gothika turns and looks around the Council chambers as the Council members simply stare at her. She clears her throat and squares her shoulders once more, glaring down at the others in the room.
"I said, isn't that right? Or shall I walk over to the cabinet in the back and show you all the passages in that hallowed book of The Law of the Council of Thirteen that you're always waving about?"
The Council woman in the center of the half circle lifts her hand with an almost regal air.
"There's no need for that Lady Damia. Everyone in this room knows what the law says. And you are correct. Dream fasting can only be done with one who is of the Royal Bloodline, and if this is the one you're speaking of, I can sense great power in him as I do in yourself. Even if you ARE tainted, if you are the Royal, you have the potential for greatness in your womb. I would like to see what would happen if a Dhamphir such as yourself should be able to conceive with one who has already been turned. So, if you wish our help with this Michael business, you shall have it. IF we hear anything, we will pass along whatever information we gather. That is about the extent of the help we can offer. As for the Ekaterina situation, we will definitely start an investigation. After seeing this one and feeling his powers, if he's being mistreated by his Sire to the extent which you've spoken of, then there is definitely something that needs to be done."
Dmitri spins slowly, looking at each of the Council members and he starts to chuckle.
"You think that you can protect me from Ekaterina? You all are like sheep to her wolf!! No, you can't protect me! No one can!!"
Gothika walks over to him and takes his hand gently, stroking the back of it.
"That's only what she WANTS you to think!! You're stronger than she is!! She's just brainwashed you into not realizing your own power or the power of those around you! Ekaterina may claim to be an Ancient, but simply being old doesn’t give you power if you're from an inferior bloodline. Many of the Council Members are purebloods. Born vampires from the lines of very powerful vampires. They have more power than you think."
Vinaco lets her fangs drop and you can see them even from behind the mask. Her eyes turn a red so bright that they look like a pair of rear lights from a car, and a wash of power fills the air so thick and heavy that the building actually starts to tremble at the strength of it. Dmitri looks at her in shock and shakes his head.
"Where in the hell did THAT come from? Just a moment ago, I could not feel even a drop of power coming from you?"
Vinaco smiles behind her mask, and retracts her fangs, her power retreating back into herself slowly.
"When one has powers such as mine, if they're advertised, then everyone who thought that they might be strong would come and try to take what is mine. I learned at a very young age to hide what I can. Much like your young whelp there. IF I compare it to something more main stream... It's like when a... What are they called..."
Vinaco snaps her fingers, and one of the other Council members speaks.
"I think it's a Saiyan Lady Vinaco."
She nods and turns to the Councilman with a wave of her hand.
"Yes, that's it... Thank you Lord Ansul. When a Saiyan warrior hides his true power level so that he can't be found, or his powers read until the last moment he decides to strike. That's what it's like."
Gothika chuckles and shakes her head slowly.
"I see you've found out about Adult Swim, Lady Vinaco."
The head Councilwoman nods slowly with a smirk.
"Yes. That and, Netflix I believe it's called. It's quite intriguing to see what has come from out of Japan these days. As I was saying, if you want to be protected from your Sire, there is something you must do. You must give testimony of her crimes."
Dmitri looks to Gothika and steps forward.
"You mean there's hope?"
Gothika nods and strokes his cheek gently.
"Yes. There is. I told you there would be."
She steps back and gestures towards the table with a nod.
"Just tell them what she's done. All of it."
Dmitri nods and steps towards the table, but Vinaco holds up her hand.
"Before you speak, please tell me Lady Damia, if those two with the cameras are going to be a gift for us? Because if not, you know they are not allowed for testimony."
Gothika steps up and shakes her head.
"No Lady Vinaco, they were just about to step out to the foyer to wait for us."
Vinaco takes a deep breath and pouts a bit.
"But they smell simply delicious. Do you think it's wise for them to be alone in the foyer?"
Gothika motions towards the camera men, shooing them towards the doors.
"Oh, Grigor said he would keep watch over them. They wear my totem of protection, and everyone knows what will happen if they touch something of mine while I'm around."
Vinaco waves her hand and nods.
"Very well then. So, if there's no other business at hand, we shall get onto the testimony of Dmitri."
Vinaco waves her hand towards the large doors, and they start to swing closed on the camera men, shutting them out of the Chamber. They look towards one another.
"What now Bruno?"
"She said go to the foyer, Steve. I think we should go..."
As they turn around, they find that a large group of vampires has gathered around them. One steps forward and runs her tongue over her fangs slowly.
"Mmmm, has someone left a couple of lost lambs here for us to enjoy?"
Bruno lifts his wrist to show the bracelet that Gothika gave him.
"Um, we're here with Lady Damia. Grigor's supposed to be coming to get us."
Another vampire steps forward, and he reaches out a hand to glide his finger down Steve's cheek.
"What Lady Damia doesn't know won't hurt. If you say yes, then I can make it feel so amazing."
Steve shakes his head, his hands trembling.
"No, I'm good. I don't get down that way."
Another vampire steps forward and grabs Bruno's jacket, pulling him face to face with her.
"Or we could just eat you and be done with it!!"
Suddenly the house starts to tremble again, and Grigor simply appears beside the vampire and grabs her wrist, causing her to shriek as the bones in her arm are crushed in her grip.
"I was kidding Grigor!! I promise!! It was just a joke!!"
Grigor lets the vampire's hand go, and they all scatter. Once the two camera men are alone in the hallway with Grigor, he gestures towards the hallway which leads to the foyer.
"Follow me. I have refreshments laid out for you in the sitting room off of the foyer. No one will come near you again."
The camera men nod and take off behind the tall vampire as the scene fades out.
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