As Kevin mentions Rayne’s eyes being silvery, Sandy widens her eyes before looking around the restaurant which is pretty empty, concerned there might be ears listening to what she is about to say.
“Kevin, did you say silvery eyes? I recall something about that but was not sure if it was with the experiments they had done, those were more described as red type eyes. In either case, those sound frightening. They mentioned something about mind control that these things seem to be able to do. Are you certain that Rayne was normal?” playing with her fork, hoping the guy did not take offense at her inquiry about his friend.
Kevin lets out a nervous laugh. “Well, as ‘normal’ as girls get I suppose. She acted like Rayne...not all bitey or anything. Even her eyes looked normal again.” He pauses as he vaguely remembers something. He was pretty sure he purchased contacts for Rayne just the other day. He finds it odd that the memory seems a bit hazy. He had bought other things for her too…hadn’t he? He takes another long pull on his beer, finishing it, then setting the empty mug on the table. “It’s funny, I remember her stopping by my house a few nights ago...and she was all mysterious and shit. And I went out...shopping...and when I came back she was still there, waiting for me. I even turned on the light to see her better. But, damn, things aren’t so clear. Kinda like remembering a dream...it fades with time.” He shrugs, then looks at Sandy again. “Probably not important...but yeah, she was normal again. Maybe I was high or something.”
Sandy looks up and is about to speak when her head suddenly looks toward the window as a scream is heard in the parking lot. Sandy inhales deeply as the first gunshot is heard followed by a second, then a third. She gasps out
“My god, Kevin, go in back and call the police ... “ as she reaches in her purse pulling out her service Beretta .380 that she had never fired in actual field necessity.
The front door to the restaurant opens as a woman with a torn coat staggers inside, the brown coat has blood dripping on it from the gash on her face. Her voice incoherent mumbling
“My husband ... he’s not my husband... “ as she comes a few steps inside before falling to the floor.
The other couple in the restaurant get up from their table making their way to the back exit not wanting anything to do with whatever the shooting was about. Sandy holds the .380 in her hand shaking looking to the woman as the front door opens again, a man entering, his eyes a silvery glow looking toward the downed woman hissing
“Hu-Mon, you are mine..”
Kevin jumps up, not moving to the back as instructed, but moving forward with Sandy, standing a little behind her. He pulls out his phone, dialing 911 as the creature enters the restaurant. He barely has time to think of what he is going to say, when a voice comes on the line. Without thinking he yells into his phone, “Vampire! There’s a fucking vampire at Vancite’s. Send a bus...send the whole fucking squad!” (so sue me...he’s dramatic) He grab’s Sandy’s arm and leans close to her. “Bullets don’t stop them, we have to get back.”
As Kevin is on the phone, the waiter rushes the vampire. As he raises his arm back to punch the creature, the vampire swings his own arm at the waiter’s neck at blinding speed. The waiter drops to his knees as his throat is opened up, only a gurgling sound is heard as he falls forward to the floor, his own life flowing out onto the floor in a pool of blood.
As Kevin holds her arm, Sandy has already extended her shaky arm toward the vampire discharging one shot, at the same time Kevin let’s her know that bullets are ineffective against the creatures.
The creature turns now focusing his attention upon Sandy and Kevin. He locks his gaze on Sandy as she exhales softly. The vampire holds his hand out toward them taking a step toward the two, Sandy captivated in his gaze, he hisses
“You too shall be mine Hu-Mon... “
Before Sandy or Kevin have time to react or process what is happening, the temperature in the restaurant drops 15 degrees instantly, the vampire moves his head back and forth opening his mouth as though trying to have words escape however remains stationary, a look of pain on his face. The silvery eyes now seem to glisten as does his entire visible skin. The lights flicker slightly as there is a crackling around the ceiling above the vampire, as static electricity drawn from the electrical grid seem to form a narrow circular spiral. Suddenly from the spiral, a brilliant blue arc of created lightning streaks from the spiral encompassing the frozen vampire. There is a thunderous explosion as the vampire is literally vaporized. The lights discontinue flickering as the distant sound of siren’s break the otherwise quiet of Carter Lake at night. As the lights resume normal illumination, the temperature returns to normal as well. The waiter lay deceased on the floor near the entrance as the woman who first entered was passed out in the middle of the restaurant.
“Holy fuck!” are the first words which come out of Kevin’s mouth when the vampire turns to ice then disintegrates. Everything had happened so fast that he did not have time to duck or move out of the way. He turns Sandy around and looks her over quickly. “You okay? Are you hurt anywhere?” he asks, not sure what has just happened, but the sound of the sirens snap him into action. He steps over to the unconscious woman on the floor and checks her pulse. With a glance at the cut on her face, he calls for Sandy to get him a cloth. He repeats the procedure with the waiter, not expecting to find him alive, but checking just the same.
As Kevin is kneeling on the floor, other employees start filtering in from the kitchen and adjacent dining area. One woman faints and another lets out a strangled cry before rushing to the bathroom. Kevin starts to yell at them to help him out when the restaurant’s front door opens and an officer enters, gun drawn.
Deputy Larson is the first to enter the restaurant with her service weapon out kneeling next to the waiter. She doesn't have to check for a pulse to realize the man is dead. A quick sweep of the interior she and two other officers do clear the scene. Holstering her weapon, she steps over toward Kevin, her eyes narrowed, tone firm
“Besides the shots fired calls that poured in, dispatch indicated incoherent party calling from inside, why am I not surprised to see you here. Want to tell me something believable about what went down? We don't have a dead window, we have a dead man inside and two others outside. I don't have the patience for sci fi crap, what happened?”
Kevin straightens up from his position beside the woman and turns to stare hard at the deputy after her questions. He shows her his empty, yet bloodied, hands. “As you can see...ma’am...I am not carrying a weapon, but that call to dispatch was me requesting assistance. Sorry I was a bit hysterical, but some thing was busy tearing open throats and making threats. ...and I was not the only one who saw something this time.” He glances at Sandy and offers her a nod before returning his attention to Larson. “What would you like me to say? It was a mad drug addict...or a crazed convict. Sorry to say, your perp just disappeared in a misty spray. Maybe you can tell me what happened? Or better yet, you can sweep up the moist droplets and do a damn DNA test on them. Cause it sure as shit looked like a vampire to me!”
As Karin was about to respond to Kevin, Sandy had her hand by her purse sooo wanting to open the flush side pocket containing her credentials and put this cop in her place. She folds her arms across her chest, her eyes burning a hole through the woman deputy, sarcasm dripping off her words
“Well just fuck me with a rusty spoon, we are Sooo sorry for pulling you away from Dunkin Doughnuts to come to a mass murder scene. I would like to tell you what happened here, but you would need to pull your head out of your ass long enough to drop the fucking predetermined shit you already think. I saw this fucking shit and I have a hard time comprehending what I know I saw. My IQ is higher than my bra size so I know I'm smarter than you!”
As Karin is about to respond, Lieutenant Holtz from Carter Lake PD enters announcing in a gruff tone to the officers on scene “Okay all, you know the drill, no further processing or questioning, Homeland is taking this and are enroute.” He nods in Sandy and Kevin's direction “Secure the witnesses but no questioning.”
Karin stares back through Sandy “We'll have to finish this conversation at the diner. What crawled up your panties..” grinning glancing toward Kevin “..or in them.” before stepping away.
“Wow,” is all Kevin says at first as the deputy moves away, looking at Sandy with admiration. He moves closer to her allowing himself to be ‘rounded’ up for questioning. “You were great! Didn’t know you had that in you,” he adds, his voice lower now so as not to be heard. He smiles at her despite the situation, trying hard not to think about her bra size or her panties. “I know this is inappropriate timing, but after this is under wraps, would you consider going out on another...date...like in a few days of something?” He grins shyly then winks. “I can’t promise it will be as exciting, but I know a great theater where they have plays if you are into that.”
Sandy smiles “I love the theater, didn't think I would ever watch other than the empty seats around me. And not to worry, I hope we don't have future dates like…” her words freeze as she looks to the door as Pam enters with G. “Oh god.. I am so fired..” biting at her bottom lip.
As Pam enters and looks around, she ticks her lips like she is calling a puppy looking at Lt Holtz motioning with her finger
“Over here boy.. momma is here now, just tell me what your guys did then get out of my scene.”
Lt Holtz heads over giving her a quick briefing before he clears their people out. Pam then takes her phone out tapping a text ~okie dokie, now girl~ and sends.
A moment later Denise still in the head to toe black one piece enters the front heading straight to Pam.
“The kid and your agent were the only ones that saw. I did it from outside so no one saw me. I can take care of the kid if you want to control your agent.”
Pam looks to Kevin and Sandy curiously asking
“You mentioned they looked like they were on a date date thing?”
“Yea, your agent seemed to light into the cop that was talking to them.”
Pam smiles “Well, why not let me start with it, you can always get the kid later if necessary.”
Denise giggles “Sure thing newborn.”
Pam lightly laughs “Thanks 700.” before wiping any emotion from her face walking toward Kevin and Sandy while looking up at the ceiling. As she is close, to herself for them to hear “What a wild freak electrical malfunction we had here.” before directing her gaze at the two
“Sooooo kiddos, pretty freaky night with all this malfunctioning stuff around, don't you think?”
Kevin looks to Sandy, then Pam, hesitantly nodding his head. “Uh huh...pretty freaky. Like an electrical storm, only on the inside. Lots of sparks, lights flickering...that sort of shit. Does that about sum it up?” he asks as he tries to play along with the agent’s nonsensical explanation. He already knows her level of crazy and doesn’t want to get into any more games of persuasion tonight. He briefly glances at Denise then quickly averts his eyes...another psycho to add to the books. “Sandy and I can just be on our way if you don’t have any more questions. I can drive her to her car and you can let me know the official story and I’ll stick to that. I’m all about playing nice.” He gives Pam his most sincere smile, hoping she is in a charitable mood. “You could just call me and tell me what to say...or stop by if you prefer. But can we leave Miss Chen out of it?” He never thought he would pick Pam over anyone...funny how things are working out now that he is in the frying pan.
As Kevin speaks, Sandy simply stands with her arms folded across her chest, too pissed to speak, Pam is forcing her guy to keep quiet momentarily blushing at the thought of assuming she and Kevin were a thing yet.
Pam on the other hand has a subdued smile thinking she might finally have this guys kryptonite, unintended as circumstances were, have her agent and this boy grown close? As Kevin mentions ‘Miss Chen’ she gets a cat ate the canary look on her
“Oh my, seems someone has been a talkative kiddo..” looking to Sandy “..but sure, why not, we need an electrician more than a witness for now. Yea, you kiddos can scoot along, I know where to get you if I want.” waving to G to allow them to leave. As they leave, she looks to Denise
“Looks like my agent might be a chatty Cathy, did you ever give the boy your name?”
Denise smiles “Just my first name. Think the important thing to keep focus on is we seem to have leverage on the boy now. So, when are you going to let me see the newborns?”
Pam laughs again “Okay already, when my brother wakes, you can come over for the family discussion. They may as well know of your kind in person.”
Outside the restaurant, Sandy leans her head on Kevin's shoulder “She is using me against you, isn't she? Like you said earlier, maybe as a joke to make me feel better, about quitting, seriously, if I do quit, she won't have that over you.” as she slips her credentials from her purse “..wait for me a moment, I'm going back in to let her know where she could shove this.”
Kevin puts a hand on her arm, “Wait,” he says, “...I’m not sure that is the best idea. It was you that said quitting was not an option. That something bad could happen to you...that you know too much.” He goes to stand in front of her, to look her in the eyes while talking. “If it isn’t you, it will be someone else they use to try to shut me down. It’s not worth the risk. I’m not willing to have you take the risk. Please. Sleep on it. Weigh your options. Just don’t do it tonight in haste.” He takes her hand in his, gently removes the cards from her grip. “For me?”
Sandy doesn't try to hold on to her crecredent wallet with FBI badge attached, she just rests her head into his chest closing her eyes whispering
“I'll sleep on it .. for you .. I still don't think that is fair at all. Just what was that, do they think those things are just going to disappear by burying their heads in the sand of cover up. And what was that crap..” she bites her lip “..sorry, stuff about freak electrical stuff. How am I supposed to just close my eyes over that. I know this is a lot to throw at you, I have a deeper appreciation over how you must feel having them do that all the time to you.” as she slowly wraps her arms around his back stepping closer to him worried about forcing a hug.
Kevin wraps one arm around Sandy’s waist, putting his head on hers. He breathes in her scent, feeling light headed for a moment when her body presses against his. ‘Is this really happening?’ he asks himself, afraid to say anything and have her let him go. “Maybe we should get in the car?” he says despite his fear, immediately regretting his words, but not wanting Pam or Denise to see them and come outside. “We can talk in there..don’t want your boss to join us again.”
Sandy pulls into Kevin closer now holding him softly, her breathing heavier as she softly
“The car is good..” taking a leap of faith she is not misreading these feelings as she softly presses her lips tenderly to his neck for a brief kiss. Nervously she slightly separates waiting for how this guy reacts, what he thinks of her.
Taking a deep breath, Kevin looks at Sandy and smiles. “I never imagined this,” he says, “...that you would ever feel anything for me.” He reluctantly moves away from her embrace so he can take her hand and lead her to his car. When he opens the door, he leans over and kisses her lightly on the lips. “I hope that’s okay?” he says anxiously. “I don’t want to rush anything or scare you away.” He hands her back her wallet as she sits down, shutting her door before making his way to his side.
Sandy waits for Kevin to get in the car, offering a soft smile
“You won't scare me away, I was worried I might drive you away. I do like you, why wouldn't I. You are always sweet and despite what you said when in the cafe, I saw through you, you - the nice guy who always treated me with respect. I am not a girl that looks at bodybuilders or tv stars, I am falling for the actual you. I agree, let's go slow. Honestly knowing ‘me’ and me knowing ‘you’, we might not end up liking each other. I am liking who I am with. I only hope the real me doesn't disappoint you. I can be moody, you already know I sometimes come apart and say hateful things to people. Don't worry about scaring me off, I want to try this with open eyes and without unrealistic expectations.” as she slips her credential case back in her purse.
Kevin reaches over and takes Sandy’s hand. “You won’t scare me off either,” he says with a laugh. “I already know I like the girl that works in the diner...and if you are anything like her, I am smitten.” He smiles mostly to himself as he starts up the car and pulls out of the parking lot. “After tonight, almost anything we do will be tame in comparison, I hope I can live up to your expectations,” he says with a laugh. “Jesus...vampires. ...and what was with the whole freezing thing...and the lights going all crazy...and then the vamp-sickle just exploding into nothing. Honestly, this town just gets crazier every minute.” He gives her hand a squeeze then pulls into Jackie’s Diner next to her car. “If you are working tomorrow, I will be in for breakfast. If you're not working, you could join me? I just really want to see you again real soon.” He manages to keep the desperation out of his voice...just barely. He is still in awe that this pretty girl is sitting next to him by choice.
Sandy takes her keys out of her purse letting out a giggle as Kevin talks about the Vamp-sickle “Yea, that icy blow upie thing was rather freaky. As far as work tomorrow, I am doing a late shift so I would love to see you for breakfast. Maybe we can compare notes on just what is going on around here. Whether they realize it or not, I have a brain and not just their mind numbed data mining robot. That thing that was at the restaurant was not our imagination, and what happened to it ... gawd, I want to know just what the fu.. heck was up with that... “ she gives him a soft smile “... have to get used to this Kevin, unlike the girl at the diner, I do have an inquisitive mind and don’t take the PR BS they feed us. I will be thinking about you until breakfast tomorrow.” as she starts toward her car.
--------------
As dawn breaks, Rayne awakens, her body’s internal clock aware of the time even though the light inside the tunnel has not changed. Claudius kneels before her, his hand on her abdomen, her shirt moved upward to allow him to touch her bare skin. The contact he has made is feather light and whether it is this or the time that has awoken her, she is not sure. She remains perfectly still, intimidated and a bit fearful, her eyes on him until he turns to meet her gaze, a smile on his lips.
“She is maturing well. Healthy. She will be like you, but more, and you must prepare for her. No humans must see her birth.” His expression is soft as his hand is lifted then placed upon Dave’s forehead. “Awaken child, you must feed.” His words are spoken aloud and inside Dave’s mind. He places his other hand on Rayne’s arm, closing his eyes as he enters her mind to bring her a sense of calm in his presence. Her absence for the last part of her transformation has left her apprehensive in his presence, something he can correct now that she is here.
Dave’s eyes slowly open aware of his surroundings more than when he first entered the mine. The thought of feeding resonating through his mind yet a confusion on what he needs. A soothing feeling has replaced the apprehensiveness from his first entry, as he looks toward Rayne, a smile forms on his lips. He reaches his hand toward her before looking toward Claudius, his tone with respect
“I am awake, I see so much with a new appreciation.” looking toward Rayne again “We are with child, will our child live?” not fully aware of the impact Rayne faces bearing a child.
Standing, Claudius looks at Dave with the eyes of a father, patient and adoring. “Your child will live a long and healthy life. But she will be born of my race, not that of the humans. When Rayne came to me to transform, her child was dying, a human fetus can not live into the womb of a natural. I had to change her, advance her growth, to keep her alive. She will be stronger than many, perhaps even myself. An anomaly amongst even her own kind. And you and her mother will be given the honor of raising her and keeping her safe.” He smiles again as he draws his nail across his wrist. “Now, you must feed, and when you awake again, you will be complete.
He lowers his wrist to Dave, offering the blood to him. As soon as his child feeds, he will allow the pair to sleep, perhaps for a few days before he will rouse them. He has sensed an elemental and hopes to connect to her before she leaves the area. It has been a long time since he has touched minds with such a creature and the thought stirs emotions in him that he has not felt in a while.
As Dave drinks and drifts back to his transformational slumber, the mist drifting through the mine floor starts to swirl close to Claudius. Within a moment, Denise appears before the elder, she wears a white robe of olden times which highlights her tan complexion. Her eyes pure white as she takes a knee before the elder even to her. Her tone with the most utmost respect
“Master elder, word I hear on one developing conceived pre birth. Forgive thy unannounced intrusion elder, I desire to feel the child. Legend speaks of such happening on rarity, never have I chance to witness such ultimate creation. Know dangers the child face from human kind.” as she looks in Rayne’s direction inhaling with pleasure “Master elder, without touch, I sense strength within the growing child. Please take not offense, know not all on your history, Elemental myth speaks of rare happenstances of Naturals with Elemental gifts.”
Denise pulls her sleeve of her robe up extending her arm to Claudius “I have not ability to cause my blood to flow, I wish to offer the child to take my essence so to allow the fetus chance to possess Elemental abilities as well. I would be honored if thy feel I am worthy to provide my blood so the child might fulfill rarely spoken on legends. I sense the child may already surpass her mother and father even without my essence, would you consider allowing the child Elemental gifts as well Master Elder?”
Claudius takes Denise’s wrist in his hand, his other he places upon her forehead, his eyes closing. When he opens his eyes he smiles, nodding to the woman. “You are worthy,” he says, “..but your gift will pass to both mother and child. There is no other way. Rayne will suffer another transformation, but she will be here for us to guide and when her mate completes his change, hers also will be finished.” He looks at the raven haired beauty, his head tilting in question. “Do you wish to proceed?” he asks.
Denise lowers her head respectfully, her voice reflects nothing other than respect “Hope I held that the child’s mother would hold both gifts too, need that strength as her child grows, agree I do Master Elder, remain to help guide the mother on her new abilities I will.”
Claudius nods his head, then looks to Rayne, deciding against allowing her to have a say in this decision. As her sire, he is her will at present and makes the choice for her. With a swift draw against her skin, he opens Denise’s vein, then goes to Rayne, touching her mind with his to make her susceptible to drinking the offered blood. There is resistance at first, which does not surprise him, to drink from a sire and a dam is not a normal practice, the body resisting the foreign fluid in a manner of self preservation. The second transformation will be difficult, taking both beings to complete. A risk he is willing to take to create such a strength as would be present in the child.
As Rayne consumes her blood, Denise partially transforms mystifying slightly allowing her essense to blend with Rayne allowing Rayne’s antibodies to lessen the attack on the foreign substance introduced to the natural newborn. The consumption of her blood combined with her partially mystifying to merge the two into almost one would be draining on both, having the Elder oversee the process would be imperative for both to survive. Denise feels the pull from Rayne’s mind as she tried to understand what is happening, Denise allows her mind to remain open giving Rayne an understanding of her own history and abilities. As near half of Denise’s blood is consumed, so as to allow both the benefit of her gift, Denise lowers next to Rayne whispering “You and the child’s journey is beginning, you will have two forces helping and guiding you along this journey my sister.” Denise’s mystification discontinues as she is being drained of her blood. She weakly speaks “Elder, it is complete.” waiting for Claudius to separate her arm from Rayne.
With a nod, Claudius places his hand on Rayne, her body immediately going slack with his touch. Her eyes roll back, her lids closing as she is pulled into sleep. His attention now turned to Denise, he lifts her gently, carrying her to a small antechamber off the main tunnel. He places her on a bed of furs, smoothing her hair around her face as he sits by her side. “We have but a few hours before her body starts to change. We will both need to be present for her. Do you need my assistance in regaining your strength?” he offers.
Denise sits as her strength restores offering Claudius a smile
“Thank you Master Elder, I regain fast, though not as you, I am of 675 of human years, I do regain quickly. Allow me a moment... “ as she closes her eyes, the air surrounding her blending into her as she absorbs the natural elements around her. Within a moment she opens her eyes “Master Elder, I am ready to assist in guiding the newborn to her new transformation. She is of yours so advise how I can aide you.” while she stands. “I trust you may have questions and conversations as our kinds do not always have chance to speak. When the child is within safety, I too desire conversation and wisdom with you Master Elder.” Denise places her hands behind her back respectfully bowing her head to the Elder before her “It is sad that humans do not have the respect we have Sire.”
“Mmm...indeed. Humans lack refinement is so many areas. They are an inferior species.” He looks at Denise with a curious air. “Yes, we shall share words after the child is out of danger. I have missed intelligent conversation. My life is a lonely one.” He touches her arm lightly, leading her from his retreat. “The little pale ones will aid us in keeping the two safe from the hybrids that inhabit this mine with me. I find their presence to be comforting--that of both of the man-made species, but the little ones are tame and easy to control. The others...they may have to be dealt with soon. The humans are not safe from them...and they are hunted often.” Standing before Rayne and Dave, Claudius senses the beginning of turmoil inside the female. He reaches for Denise and brings her closer, placing her hand against Rayne’s stomach. “You may need to touch the child...physically...the woman will heal...keep its heart beating.” He places a knife of silver into her hands, then places both his palms on Rayne’s chest, connecting mentally to her and controlling the beating of her heart. When it starts to falter he looks to Denise, “Can you send a pulse?” he asks mildly, more afraid for the child than the mother.
With that Denise calmly speaks “Know I need not speak words to you Elder, it is more for you to share with the newborn and child should I not return. Should a choice need be to made, keep the newborn and child safe, allow my essence to return to the elements for their future is of more importance. I will phase and allow my essence touch upon the two. This is why I spoke of the newborn as a sister. She, as well as the child, will hold a trace of my being with them. That is the safest for them though it holds a risk to me. This I do willingly for the future Master Elder. Should I continue, I shall help protect and guide the two as I would for my own family.”
With that Denise lays along Rayne and begins to phase so to allow Claudius to merge her essence with Rayne and her child for a less traumatic transformation on Rayne's part.
With eyes narrowed, the elder removes one of his hands from Rayne’s chest and places it within the particle field produced by Denise’s phasing. Concentrating, he connects the elemental’s essense with that of Rayne and holds it there. In the span of a few moments, Rayne’s heart rate returns to normal, the fetus’ following shortly afterwards. Patiently, he allows the two to remain intertwined, controlling her breathing and keeping her in a near coma-like state.
The hours pass by slowly, Claudius using his strength of mind to hold the women’s bodies together, making them as one. It is only when Rayne and her child reach a steady state that he finally allows the bond to break, releasing Denise from her state of phasing and allowing her to reassemble the particles that make up her being. Rayne continues to sleep, her body worn out from the internal struggle and her mind reshaping to her new combined form.
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