damon marcello

Chaos. Is it bad that I miss it? The times have changed from when Isolt and I ran a tavern and a vampire coven and had to deal with disgruntled warlocks, witches and fae on a daily basis. We both took a hiatus from Red on the Water after everything happened with the coven who kidnapped her and all the....unfortunate aftermath, but the coven fell by the wayside. I should be happy. No more politics or having to play nice (definitely not my scene). But the fighting? Yeah, I could use a way to let out some of my pent-up emotions. When we lost the baby, I devoted my days and nights to Isolt. She spiraled so far into depression. I've never been so terrified. In fact, I've never really been terrified, period. Yet somehow Isolt has a way of bringing it out in me. I worried that one day I'd find only a pile of ash where she used to stand, just a memory of her gorgeous smile, her intelligent blue eyes, her breathtaking alabaster skin. I didn't sleep during that time. I didn't eat. I couldn't risk leaving her alone for one minute, hell, one SECOND, for fear she'd throw those damned doors open and give herself up to the sun.

If I were human, someone probably would have thought I was on acid if they saw me. I didn't care what I looked like and my thoughts were a scattered mess. More recently, things have started to look up. Isolt was getting better, more like her old self. There were still times when I would look at her and see the haunted shadow in her eyes. I knew then what she was thinking about and every time, I could feel the panic rising up inside me all over again. I've lived through a civil war and yet leave it to me to get PTSD from losing a child. No, from watching my wife lose our child. After the triumphant night out at the club, I've gotten the first traces of hope that we might be actually getting past those dark times. But I still can't quite give in. It almost feels too good to be true most of the time. Like if I actually release the breath I've been holding since that tragic night in the hospital, then I'll lose her before I can draw the next one. And so I continue to hold it.

Clenching my jaw, I close my eyes and try to relax my shoulders, just a touch. This isn't going to work if I don't look dead. After walking around with all that tension, I never thought it could be so hard to relax for once. It used to come so easy for me. Finally, I feel myself fall into the old habit....and let myself go. I crumble to the asphalt as the vibrations get more pronounced. Holding my eyes closed, I force them to stay relaxed as the blinding headlights hit the back of my eyelids. Not a muscle twitches as the engine revs, and I start to feel the stirrings of regret. Did I wait too long? What if they just go around? But years upon years of discipline and practice keep me patient and waiting. Finally I hear the engine sounds grow lighter as the headlights get brighter. I can smell her before the car stops. Her heart is racing in growing panic and indecision. She's alone and doesn't quite feel safe in this part of town. Smart cookie. But not smart enough to stay in the car. I hear the groaning of older metal hinges as she opens the door and the soft foot falls of her tennis shoes as she steps closer.

"M-Mister? Ar-are you okay?"

Her voice is shaking. Her fear is tart on my tongue, but also a heady aroma. I can smell her perfume mixed with her own unique smell, citrus and hibiscus. My mouth is already watering, especially when I hear her heartrate only increase as she draws closer. If I were to open an eye, I'm sure I'd be able to see her carotid vein throbbing with invitation, plump with all the blood racing to her brain as she tries to understand what's happening. But it will be too late before she does. Even as the foot falls stop somewhere by my head, I hear her ragged breathing as she slowly crouches down and reaches out, presumably to feel my neck for a pulse. Just for shits and giggles, I wait as she presses her soft fingers to my skin, searching the cold surface for something that hasn't been there for centuries. There's a soft gasp, and right as she jerks back with her discovery is when I finally move. My eyes open and she opens her mouth to scream but I'm already behind her, cradling her in my lap as I cover her mouth with one hand and use the other to gently slide her hair away from her neck. Her breathing stutters as she tries to comprehend, her eyes wide and petrified as she stares at me, or rather, my extended fangs that seem to draw her attention.

"Just a taste..."

I murmur the words as quietly as prayer, my gaze already drawn to the supple line that pulses along the side of her slender neck. Leaning over, I let the tip of one fang trail slowly across her skin, taking pleasure in the uptick of her heart beat as she realizes she's going to die tonight. She's a young thing, probably just a hair past twenty. Her hair is a rich copper and the waves are soft silky tendrils that glow in the moonlight streaming overhead. I can hear her trying to speak around my hand now, her voice soft and squeaky with fear as she tries to beg and plead. The sound is almost grating and it's enough to make my jaws tighten. Her voice cuts off in another gasp as my fang penetrates into her soft flesh, drawing a single trickle of rich red blood. Eagerly, I let my tongue follow the red trail, lapping it up even as I make a satisfied noise in my throat.

"Mmm..."

It's been a long time since I've tasted something so divine. Sure, I can get blood bags any time I step into a vampire bar, but there's just something about blood ripe with fear that does something else to the taste, makes it more pure. So distracted am I that it's not until I feel the sting of her own teeth that I realize she's not giving up so easily. It's more from surprise than actual pain but I loosen my hand just enough for her to slip around my arm and stagger to her feet. Catching her breath, the girl lets out a scream that could wake monkeys in the Amazon before darting toward the open door of her car.

"Help! Help! Somebody help me, please!"

She screams into the night, but as she reaches her door and goes to slide into the seat, there's suddenly a solid wall taking up the space. A smirk tugs at my lips as I cross my arms and arch a single brow up.

"Going so soon?"

Letting out another blood curdling scream, the girl jerks back, turning to race back across the road, and right into the darkness of the forest. Was it all part of the plan? I'll never tell. But you can bet, the fun is just beginning...