Fan Fiction ❯ Daywalker Arie ❯ Tara ( Chapter 1 )

Well here is my(well not mine, my evil twin Jenna's) fic! She based this on a friend of ours who rp's as a character named Arie and Jenna's character in rp is named Tara, so they are both based on themselves. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Blade, I don't own Interview With a Vampire.. I wish I did because there would be a lot of guys locked in my room right now if I did... hehehe

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Daywalker Arie - Chapter One: Arie and Tara

Power.

It was the one thing everyone understood, mortal and immortal alike. That's why places like these thrived.

The vampire clubs, housed in warehouses, behind human fronted stores, butcher shops mostly or underground. They were all operated with one thing in mind.

Power.

It was places like these vampires came together. To feed, to kill, to be vampires. It was places like these that drew the Daywalker. The boogieman to the immortal society. A half-human, half-vampire. Blade they called him, in awe, in fear, in hate, in reverence. But that wasn't the case tonight. No tonight was different.

They had thought he was gone, in hiding or dead, so now they gathered with no fear. But tonight, the terror strikes the vampire world again, for the Daywalker came but it was nothing they expected.

Because the Daywalker... was female.

Arie strolled into the vampire club, the dim light reflecting softly off of her black sword, kept sheathed between her shoulder blades, hardly seen as she kept to the side, just watching.

A soft vinyl coat covered her slender body, not hiding her lush curves but emphasizing them, skimming lightly over her knees. She let it hang open her hands resting lightly at her sides, slightly tensed, ready for any hostile move in her direction. Soft knee length boots hugged muscular legs, showing them off more than concealing, vinyl pants hung low over her hips encasing over her thighs to flare out over her boots. A black, shiny leather top clung to her breasts revealing her midriff, ties crossing over her back, hidden by her coat, concealing weapons she never used, but spelled death for vampires if she did. But she was always prepared.

More than one person noticed her enter, she saw. No, not people, vampires she reminded herself.

Tossing back her thick purple hair that caught the light, cut so it skimmed softly over her shoulders, she surveyed the crowd. She never considered herself pretty, but if she knew what the vampires and mortals that saw her thought she probably would have denied it.

Her features were classical, high cheekbones and oval eyes, colored purple bedroom eyes. Soft full lips and a straight nose made her the picture of a long forgotten princess. Her brows arched jauntily over her darkly lashed eyes. Her hair didn't hide her face, but framed it, lighting it up, anyone looking could see that. She was small, but nicely so, the place around her crackled with energy.

Of course she didn't see that about herself, it was just a fact she chose to overlook. She concentrated on her work, now that Blade was gone she was left alone. So she might as well get started and not mope about it, even thought she was going to miss his guidance.

Roaming her eyes over the corners of the room, automatically looking for escape routes, she slipped into the crowd.

This was too large a crush to take out by herself all at once, at least for now. Now, she'd just take on the lone vamps, and work her way up. That was the smartest thing to do. She didn't want to die, and sticking to the plan was the way to keep from having a dirt nap.

Of course she wasn't sure if there would be a body left if she did die. She wasn't to clear on how it worked.

Sighing she pushed her way though the crowd heading for the stairs not really looking around her. It was no point to it, it was the same everywhere she went.

And that was her thought as she ran straight into a little blond chick in skimpier clothes than she was in.

Tara turned ready to scratch out the eyes of whoever the hell had just run into her. Not that that wasn't normal for a club like this but she was having a hell of a day. First her house had been broken into when she was sleeping, Lucian was being a complete jackass, oh what a surprise, and since she got to the club everyone had stepped on her. Literally.

She glared ready to fly into a fit, hoping to let off her frustration, but stopped as she saw the woman. She was very pretty. Not that slutty pretty that people in this day and age found so intriguing, but that boundless pretty. She was cased in black, like most of the people here, but she shone softly compared to the others. There was just something about her she couldn't put her finger on.

Tara tilted her head watching the girl though soft brown eyes, her long blond hair falling silkily over a bare shoulder. She wore a bright red dress tonight, perfect sarcasm to the whole undead thing, her pale skin clashing nicely with the soft fabric. The dress seemed painted on but flowed softly, the hem brushing softly over her knees, her feet laced into soft leather sandals. The only other thing she wore was a white rose tucked into her hair over her left ear.

She knew she was pretty, but didn't flaunt it like the vampires usually did, her eyes tilted slightly at the corners, fringed by dark lashes. Her lips were unpainted, soft and full, "kissable" as said by Lucian. Jerk. She had high cheekbones and full cheeks, a slight rosy tint to them tonight since she had fed well before she came here.

She wasn't so bad, but not so good in her eyes either.

Switching things in her mind she glanced over the girl again before returning her attention to her purple eyes. Unusual eyes, but lots of things were unusual.

"What's your name, darlin'?" Tara asked, her voice low and smoky.

Arie stared down at the small girl in front of her. She couldn't be more than nineteen, but she was a vampire, her fangs were flashing as she talked. So how the hell could she know her age.

She sighed, she really didn't want to have a confrontation in the middle of this crowd. Might as well play along and slip out without causing anything.

"Arie" she replied simply, hoping that was all she wanted.

"I'm Tara," she lightly ran a hand over her arm. "You're different."

Arie's heart gave a thud, she swore it almost stopped. Could she know? She took firm control of her imagination and let her heart kick into its regular beat. No one knew about her, they still thought Blade was prowling somewhere.

"Aren't we all," she hoped her voice didn't betray anything, like impatience. She didn't feel like making this her big coming out. She just wanted to kick a few vampires around tonight, dust them and then go home.

A grin spread over Tara's face, quick and easy, "True."

A flicker of something in Arie's mind had her looking more closely at Tara. Was she really a vamp? She seemed all too... human. Well not human but.. nice. Weren't all vamps supposed to be sexual and cruel? At least the one's she'd met up with had been. Maybe there had been a memo out to make them stop.

Tara suddenly leaned in and grabbed her chin tipping her face down to hers. Arie blinked in surprise reaching automatically for the sword, certain no one had seen it yet with all the shadows and the strobe lights playing with their eyes.

"Ah, you are a vampire then?" came the soft question.

Arie blinked. Oh, she must have noticed the fangs. Well no sense in letting her secret out so she just nodded straightening back up when Tara's long fingers let her chin go.

Stepping back she gave a slight wave and slipped back into the crowd, and away from the freaky vamp chick who was getting a little to close for comfort.

She didn't notice the shadow following her as she slipped up the metal stairs. It was easy to maneuver to them once she got out of the center of the room and the mass of writhing bodies. The music assaulted her sensitive ears, but she blocked it out intent on her destination. Her boots made soft metallic clings on the stairs as she sprang quickly to the upper level of the club. The place where all the vamps slipped away for the... darker side of the life.

Tara watched her walk away, her eyes tracking her up the stairs.

A slight frown marred her features, one long red fingertip taping softly against her bottom lip before she followed her, eyes narrowed.

She thought she'd seen a shadow follow her new toy. That just wouldn't do at all. The girl had seemed interesting, secrets just waiting to be revealed.

She was just to interesting for her to let anything happen to Arie. With luck maybe she'd even gain something a little more in her toy.

With a wicked grin she continued to follow, her grin slowly melting into a calculating look as she caught a scent on the air when she slipped up the stairs.

Maybe this night would get even more interesting as it wore on.

Arie paused at the top of the stairs, looking down the hallway that stretched out before her. On each side were rows of doors, each one holding a specific purpose.

Some would feed, some would couple, and some would just do things best kept out of her mind. She didn't need images right now.

She walked silently over the wooden floor, her feet making only a whisper of sound. The hallway ended a ways ahead and there were twenty doors all together, if she was going to do this it should be now.

Relaxing into that calm pool inside her, the one that kept her safe in fights, that place where everything was clear and calm. Where there was only instinct. She pushed open the first door slipping quietly inside, her eyes scanning over the dark room.

There were no windows, big surprise there, in case vamps crashed for the night so the sun wouldn't get to them. A large bed stood inside pressed against the wall to her left. The faint scent of blood met her nose as she looked at it. It was fancy, four-poster, curtains, carvings, must be a rich owner.

The only other things in the room were a bunch of half burned candles and the lingering scent of smoke. Whoever had been in here was long gone.

She slipped back into the hallway her coat brushing softly against the door as she closed it keeping to the shadows. No point in being caught by a vamp going to or leaving a room. It would be much easier to catch them by surprise.

Gliding silently down the hall till she reached the next room she kept a sharp eye on the shadows falling around the hallway. Things hid in shadows, and it was better to be cautious then cocky and not scan.

Pushing open the door she poked her head in her eyes swiftly moving over the walls. It was the same as the other room, only weapons hung from the walls.

The scent of blood was even stronger in here.

Arie shook her head, shuddering softly as she closed the door. Vamp's were just evil, all of them. Sending a soft prayer for those who had died in the room she moved to the next. How they did it she'd never know, or ever care. Just so long as they died and couldn't hurt anyone any more.

Pushing open the next door she gave a low growl. God, what was with the vamps tonight? Didn't anyone want to come up and get killed. She came all the way out here for nothing.

Well not nothing, at least now she knew the rooms and the pattern. But still.

Muttering to herself she went on down the hallway never noticing the two shadows that hung around near the end.

Lucian slid easily through the throng of twisting bodies down in the pit. He loved coming to his place, it was always filled with fresh blood. His silver eyes slide over the crowd looking for Tara.

She was certain to be pissed at him for leaving her when they first got here, and for that little incident at her house. He'd deal with it, he always did.

He smiled absently to Lilith, one of his many females. Since Tara he hadn't strayed with anyone, but it was tempting just to see what would happen. No doubt she and her whole gang of she-devils would tear him apart.

He winced at that thought. He'd seen it happen. Those girls were hell when it came to the guy thing. Not that he blamed them he could definitely be a bastard at times, but then she could be a bitch too.

Ah well, he loved her, he'd stroke her out of her bad mood and make it up to her. Just like she did for him. They really were made for each other. Good thing to or one of them would probably be dead.

Lucian smiled as he spotted her moving up the stairs. His eyes narrowed as he realized it was after someone else. Jealousy spiked in his blood as he followed. Yeah so he wasn't with her, she didn't have to move to the next guy along the way. She was a temptress, and a devious one at that. It's what had drawn him to her in the first place, she'd lured him to her bed and he couldn't help but turn her. They'd fought about it for centuries.

She was still the sexy little thing he'd found that long ago day, and he knew she was lusted after, but she'd never been with anyone but him since she turned. And hell if that would change now.

Stalking up the steps he caught up with her just as her companion slipped through a door on the right side of the hallway.

Jealousy gave way to anger. That room was where vampires went when they got a little too much blood in their system and needed to work off the energy. He knew. He'd used it.

Grabbing her arm he spun her around and backed her up into the wall.

"Just where the hell were you going?" his voice was icy.

Tara arched her eyebrow at him. "What's it to you, I haven't seen you all night. What was I supposed to do, just stand around?"

Damn. She had him there. Some of his anger left him.

"No, but you could try to find me. Not go following after someone else."

Her laugh cast away the rest of his anger. "Ah, my love, I think you are jealous. No need, I'm just following my friend, I saw someone going after her. But I think it was only Louie, I saw him disappear down to his room on the right."

"Ah." he didn't know what else to say. He really should be more trusting.

Sliding his hand down to her wrist and gave her a quick kiss, their lips clinging for a moment before he pulled back.

"Why don't you go wait outside for me, I'm just going to grab a bite and then I'll come." he suggested, his thumb sliding over her wrist.

Casing another look to the door before looking at him Tara nodded and slid past him. He watched her walk down the stairs before he turned back around ready to find his next meal.

He paused before he went down though, smelling a human near him. He turned, the light from downstairs flickering over him. If a woman were there she would have sighed. He was handsome, from a world long forgotten, a warrior trained and still living.

He was six foot something, a good foot and a half taller than Tara, and he was all muscle. Broad shoulders that slid into a tapered waist and long muscular legs. He was dressed in black, his shirt opened to reveal his throat and chest. Tan skin met seductively with his black clothes, and it wasn't a wonder why he got the looks he did. His black hair fell to his shoulders, enhancing his sharp cheeks and strange silver eyes. A strong jaw and a scar that ran over his eyebrow completed his picture.

But his looks weren't on his mind right now, food was. He saw a figure slip out of the second room down the hall and grinned, that's where the scent was coming from. Since Tara's friend had been in the first one this one must be someone different.

He was wrong.

He slipped silently down the hall till she had gone in and passed five more doors. Sure that no one was near he slid up behind her and shoved her into the room she was just opening.

He slid inside and pushed the door shut watching her. He switched on the light so she could have a chance, that and when she fought it would give her blood that adrenaline rush he liked.

She was a pretty little thing he saw as he moved to the side watching her through half closed eyes. She was small though, he'd make quick work of her and then leave before Tara had a fit.

Arie stared at the man who had pushed her. He was handsome, that was for sure, but he had that arrogant cock-sure look about him. She really hated that.

She watched him carefully and pulled her sword watching his silver eyes flicker with surprise. Either he recognized the sword, or he was just surprised someone had brought a weapon into the club. Either way it gave her an advantage.

She flew at him, the vampire side of her giving her the speed to match him. Her arm arched slicing down at him as she ducked under his arm. She felt her blade connect, sinking deep onto his side as she spun around for his attack.

She barely had time to defend herself, his fist struck out grazing her chin as she jumped back. Bringing her sword up quickly she nicked his arm.

He gave a roar and flew at her shoving her roughly into the wall behind her. His hand caught her wrist holding the sword and squeezed until she had to let it go. Her bones felt like they would break. His fingers wrapped around her throat holding her against the wall her feet dangling slightly over the floor.

Arie gasped softly, digging her nails into his hand.

His eyes were narrowed on her face searching.

Lucian stared at the woman he held pinned against the wall. She smelled like a human, but she was too strong. Too fast. What the hell was she? Staring at her now, he saw something he didn't before.

Fangs.

How the hell did she have fangs? She couldn't be a vampire.. could she?

"What are you," he asked softly.

"What's it to you," she shot at him. Her skin was warm against his hand. Warmer than the skin of a vampire, unless she'd just fed recently.

"You can either tell me or I can just kill you now"

Her eyes flickered and her jaw slid to one side, setting stubbornly. Well so be it, she should die anyway. She'd got him with her sword for God's sakes.

He growled and leaned in her mouth opening, his teeth flashing in the muted light of the room. his fangs grazed her skin just as he felt a strong hand on his shoulder.

Turning his head he blew out a breath. This was not something he needed.

Louie gripped Lucian's shoulder hard, feeling the bone beneath. He hardly spared the girl he held a glance, but that was only because he needed to get Lucian away from her.

He shouldn't stop him from feeding, but Lucian looked about ready to tear the child apart.

Lucian had turned him, he was far older, and stronger than he was. But he could take him if he had to. Human life was to be cherished, not snuffed out on the whim of someone else. For a vampire these thoughts we're highly unusual.

He was as tall as Lucian was, but pale where he was tan. His skin was a pearl color, blending in nicely with his old world clothes. His black leggings covered muscular thighs, that curved down into his soft leather boots. His shoulders we're broad, his white shirt stretched over them, tucking into his leggings just enough so the shirt still hung over. The ties at his throat were undone giving a glimpse of his chest beneath. His chest was wide, his muscles rippling dangerously under his shirt. His pale blue eyes shown softly in the light of the room, deadly. His muscular arms were tense as he held Lucian's shoulder. His face, usually in set in a friendly expression was grave. His nose was sharp and narrow, his lips full and set into a soft frown. High cheekbones rose over a strong jaw, and his brown hair was tied back at the nape of his neck with a leather thong, giving him a predatory appearance.

Oh yes, he'd definitely fight for that little life Lucian held so cruelly in his hand.

"Let her go Lucian," he said softly.

His eyes grew into slits, centering on Louie. "Why?"

"Just put her down. You are choking the life from her. If you wished to feed there are those downstairs willing to offer you don't need to take against their will. You know its wrong-" He looked to the girl briefly as spoke and stopped mid-sentence.

Louie noticed her fangs along with the rest of her. He swore his heart gave a beat. She was breathtaking. His eyes roamed over her face, she was easily the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. He felt something stir in him, something he hadn't felt since he lost his one and only love centuries ago. He cleared his throat, and instead switched to a subject that was safe. Lecturing.

"Ah what's this? Lucian, why are you feeding off a fellow vampire?"

He dropped his hand as Lucian turned to him letting the girl drop to the ground as he folded his arms over his chest.

Louie could see the muscle ticking in his jaw as he clenched his teeth. Great now he was pissed. Just what he needed.

"Louie just leave," he growled, his large frame blocking the girl from his view.

Eyes narrowed, he tensed slightly bending on his knees a bit ready for an attack. "I can't until you let her go."

Growling Lucian stepped to the side. "Fine she's probably not for my taste anyway."

But she was gone. Both men blinked at the space she had been just moments ago.

Arie slide to the ground as Lucian let go of her neck. Oh yeah he'd be the first she'd kill as soon as she regrouped. Sliding her hand to her sword she picked it up silently and sheathed it on her back again.

Lucian's large frame blocked her view of the other vampire in the room and neither seemed to be watching her. Good. She'd get out easier now.

Standing up she pressed herself to the wall and slid to the door without a sound. Turning the knob she watched the vampires and slid out into the hallway. She let out the breath she didn't know she was holding as soon as she closed the door again.

Leaning on the wall she breathed low and deep wincing as a memory came to view.

Blade stood before her holding his sword as he taught her how to fight. His body moved in time with hers as they went around the sparring area in their HQ in one of the old warehouses. Whistler stood back making some kind of contraption like always, and she was daydreaming as usual.

"Arie," Blade snapped, drawing her out of her thoughts, "concentrate. If you don't you'll wind up dead, or you'll lose a vampire, like last week."

She flushed, it wasn't really her fault the vampires had gotten away. It had been in an alley down near one of the twenty million convenience stores. There had only been two and it was her turn to patrol the area. She'd fought them, just like Blade taught her to, but they'd gotten away anyway.

The image slowly melted away as another took its place. It was the vampire who had stopped Lucian from killing her.

She blushed softly as she thought about him. He was very handsome, in that old world kind of way. He wasn't like the other one, or any other vampires she had seen. He didn't want her killed, and that was defiantly odd.

Something fluttered inside her chest, and she thought her heart warmed a little.

Shaking herself she buried his memory, he was a vampire for Christ sakes. Vampires equal enemy. There is no reason to have romantic notions about them just because they saved your life. Maybe something was wrong with her brain. She should cut out on the chocolate so late at night. It was giving her after effects.

Shaking her head she made her way down the metal stairs. Slipping past a few vamps necking against the walls she went out the side door that led into an alley. Maybe she should just start killing off those that weren't in clubs until she was ready to move up. If someone heard the fighting they could all come running.

Well now wasn't the time for maybes. Rubbing the back of her neck Arie started walking toward the mouth of the alley.

She paused as the shadows detached form the rest of them. She smiled to herself as she heard them approach her, their voiced taunting.

"Well well, lookie here, I guess they deliver now eh?" the voice came form the one on the right. Light from the street and the moon shown on them. He was short, kind of husky, his hair was dirty, and his fangs were yellowy. Ew.

His companion wasn't any better. Only he was tall and thin where the other was short and roundish. Ah, finally a fight. Good.

Turning slightly she slid into the shadows watching them come up one on each side of her. She unsheathed her sword, holding it lightly in her hand. The light caught on her blade flashing across her two attackers.

Their laugh scratched on her nerves. Yeah, she'd enjoy killing these two.

'Round one', she thought as the one to her left leapt at her. She twisted under him bringing her sword up and slicing it down the center of his chest, warm blood spraying against her arm as she did. She straitened twisting to the side watching him fall with a strangled cry. His partner stood, shocked for a minute before he growled and rushed at her.

Arie twisted around backing up from him and swung her sword in a large arch hitting him in his neck as she caught the arm he swung at her face. She watched dispassionately as he crumbled to dust at her feet.

She half turned and fell to the concrete as the one she had wounded tackled her to the ground. Searching inside her coat she grabbed a small vile and jammed it into the wound on his chest just as he wrapped his hands around her throat.

He growled and didn't even get off a scream as he exploded covering the walls of the dirty alley. Good thing Blade still had that stuff his mortal woman had made for him to explode some vampire heads. Whistler had made more after she left. She'd left her notes behind. But not very neat really.

Wrinkling her nose she stood up wiping blood from her clothes.

A noise near the mouth of the alley had her turning, her hand tensing on her sword. Seven more vampires were making their way down the alley. Sweat pickled at her neck at the thought of fighting them.

But lucky for her she didn't have to. A pale hand reached out from a doorway beside her and yanked her inside, the door sounding with a bang.

She tensed as she searched the shadows. Had she just went from one bad situation to another one?

Tara laid her hand on Arie's wrist that held her sword. No need to get swing happy, she liked her head where it was.

"Shh, honey, it's just me. Now do you have a place we can go to before they find us." her voice was soft as she spoke. The girl looked like she'd just been to a massacre. Well, she had kinda. Cept it was only two, but still the girl had some nice moves.

Things were getting more and more interesting. Ah this would defiantly be fun.

"Yes," came the whisper from Arie.

"Its alright dear, I'm not going to hurt you. Now follow me outside and keep close. I'll follow you after that."

she felt rather than saw Arie nod and watched her sheath her sword. Linking her fingers with hers she silently wound her way through the dark building.

It was an old antique store. She knew the couple that ran it, they were nice old people. She made a point of keeping them away whenever the club had its parties. She knew the inside like the back of her hand, every little piece of furniture, ever little cluttered knick-knack.

She heard Arie follow behind her, it was to cluttered to walk side by side, and her grip tighten on her hand. She must have heard the others outside in the alley. They'd be coming in a few seconds after they growled and muttered to each other. Males. Geese.

They made it to the front of the store just as the back door opened. Tara carefully pulled the door open only far enough so the bells wouldn't jingle and slid out with Arie in tow.

Arie slide out after the little vamp chick she had met earlier that night. She remembered her name was Tara, she hadn't seemed all to threatening. And if she was it was easier to take her alone than a group.

Shutting the door behind her she moved closer to Tara and led her down the street, blending into the crowd of humans that milled around. She didn't know why she was taking her with her, she'd already gotten away, but she couldn't really leave her alone to fend them off herself. And she was sure they'd ask questions of the little female. She was the only vampire around that wasn't in the club.

She wound her way down the street to her car that was parked along the street by one of the cafes. Arie let go of Tara's hand, only now realizing she still held it and walked around to the driver's side. She watched Tara slip into her black charger just as she did, the doors closing at the same time.

She gunned the engine and sped out of there. She caught a glimpse of the vampires as they spilled out of the alley, and the little store they had escaped form.

Her mind flashed back to the first time she'd drove. Blade had taken her out one night in the country, letting her race as fast as she wanted to. He'd tried to hide it, but she could tell she had him a little on edge when she did it.

A soft smile curved her lips at the memory. He was a great teacher.

Shaking herself out of the memory Arie focused instead on the road. And the vampire beside her. She didn't seem threatening but it was best to be on guard anyway, and she was probably mad in taking her to her HQ but she really had no choice. She did save her life, she couldn't just let her be attacked by the vampires.

Sighing she shook her head. One of these days her kindness would get her killed. But till then she'd just have to go with her instincts. And right now they screamed for her to get the hell out of Dodge. her and the little vamp chick, who was at the moment playing with one of the automatic windows like she'd never seen one before. Tilting her head Arie studied her in the dim light of the car. She was like a child. Not in body, but her mind seemed to work like a child's would, in that she was amused and interested by little things.

Smiling a bit she turned her eyes back to the road, slowing down to the speed limit. Turning the wheel she took a back alley onto another less used rode and went to the bad part of town.

She still had the same HQ as Blade and Whistler had when they were around. It was easy because everything was already set up, and she knew where it all was so she could maneuver easily. It was home.

She turned into a small darkened alley and guided the car inside the old factory parking it in its usual space. She opened the door sliding out and watched as Tara darted out slamming the door. She winced slightly, man if Blade were around he'd have had a fit about that. Rolling her eyes she walked around the car intending to tell her it was time she left, but stopped. She was looking around the factory in wonder, just like she had the first time she had stepped into this place. When Blade had found her wandering in the alleys and feeding off anything she could get her hands on.

Rolling her shoulders she shook her head and turned, walking into the small section off of the lab. She'd let her look around then tell her to get lost. She'd let her have those few moments she had had once. In the meantime she needed her serum, she was starting to feel edgy.

Tara looked around her in wonder. The place was amazing. It was all shiny metal and dark spaces. It was like a play house, only for a scientist or a modern warrior. Turning her head she watched Arie walk away into the maze of metal and nodded. She was defiantly a warrior, her new little friend, the place suited her.

Turning around in a circle she looked over the place with her eyes. It was a neat place. Turning once more she followed Arie stopping when she saw her inject something into her arm and decided to go a different way. Walking back the way she came she followed a path and stopped in what seemed to be a lab.

Touching a button for the computer near her she watched as numbers and files came up and clicked on one. Her eyes darted over the screen soaking up the information.

'Ooo, how interesting.' she thought. The neat girl had a secret. Well, one she found out anyway, she used serum.. just like Blade. A little shiver worked down her spine at that thought. He still gave her the shivers. Leaning back she studied the screen and replayed the images of tonight in her head. She smelled human but had every vampire advantage. She used serum, and carried a sword she had seen only in small glimpses, but if she weren't mistaken was the same one Blade was rumored to have.

Well, what a nice treat. She was a new Daywalker. How interesting, very very interesting indeed.

She had found a Daywalker. One who killed her kind, and she knew the formula to her serum.. if she just changed a few things she could really have it in her for.

Turning her head she watched the top of Arie's head as she moved around in the lab she was in and leaned her hips back against a metal table. No, she couldn't hurt her new friend. Maybe she was a bad vampire for it, but she couldn't, she hadn't tried to hurt her at all and she'd been alone with her more than once.

She'd just have to make sure she kept her secret. Anyone who found out would likely try to kill her, and herself too for not doing something, but that was beside the point, she'd lived a long time she could die and not really care. Arie was still a child, well a child in vampire terms, she needed a chance to live first.

Scratching her neck she turned off the computer and walked back out to where the shiny car was parked, she didn't know the name, she didn't want to, cars were not her thing. She'd had a fear of them since they were made, but now it didn't seem so bad.

Turning down the small path made between the benches and work spaces she started for Arie again but turned and started up the stairs that led up. "Ooo, what's up here?"

Troting up the stairs quietly, her head turning now and again to make sure Arie didn't notice she was snooping she pushed open the small door at the very top.

"Kinda like an office, only with a bed," smiles nodding at her accurate description. The room was very big, a large four poster bed sitting smack dab in the middle, a dresser pressed up against the side and a mini fridge in the corner.

She walked silently to the dresser pulling open drawers and looking inside. In one of them was just clothes, the second had inside a small box. Pulling it up she sat down her dress sliding up her thighs more than it had during the night from being cross-legged.

Opening it up she saw inside. It was a driver's license with a pretty women in the photo. Touching it softly she tilted her head, she didn't look like someone Arie would know. Shrugging she looked around inside the little box and picked up a ring. It was plain, just a small gold band for a woman's finger, but it held love. That much she could tell.

Resetting the ring she closed the box and gently put it back in its place shutting the drawer. Obviously these things were very precious, so she wouldn't play with them.

Opening the last drawer she widened her eyes and smiled. Inside was a gun, a very large silver one.

"Ooo, shiny," her fingers barely touched it when another hand grabbed her wrist and jerked her back. A soft yelp escaped as she found herself flat on her back with Arie sitting on her, her sword pointed at her throat.

"Don't," she growled low. This was a new side to her friend she hadn't seen before.

Arie stared down at the girl she had pinned under her. She made no move to fight her off, she just laid there staring up at her.

Her sword shook slightly as memories flashed through her mind.

Whistler giving her his wife's wedding ring, almost crying as he did. "You're a daughter to me Arie, I want you to have this for me, and it means a lot to me just like you do." Feeling the ring as she put it on her finger and hugging him close. She swore she could even smell him, with her right now. Like burnt whiskey and lemons.

Blade giving her his mothers ID, telling her she should have it, that they were family. Giving her his gun when he left, the last night she ever saw him.

Her fingers tightened around his sword, the only thing she found of him the next day.

Her attention returned to the vampire under her, laying so still. She wasn't dead just watching her with her wide brown eyes. If she hadn't been a vampire she probably would have been her friend. If she hadn't been a vampire. But she was. Vampires were evil and the Daywalker killed them, she didn't know what she was thinking when she brought her home.

Well, she'd fix that right now. Pressing her sword closer to her throat she watched as her eyes closed and she tensed slightly.

Her hand shook slightly. She wasn't going to fight. She wasn't even going to try.

Another image flashed into her mind. A hand pulling her out of the alley full of vampires, of getting her safely out of the small shop and to her car. Of button pushing in the car just to see what they would do.

She lowered her sword and resheathed it on her back rubbing her eyes. She couldn't kill her.

Tara stared up at Arie, watching her eyes. They were so full of sadness, and confusion. The poor thing. She slowly slid herself out from under Arie as soon as she let go of the sword and hugged her.

She felt her stiffen in her embrace before relaxing enough to hug her back. Her fingers gently brushed through her hair, she imagined it had been a while since she had someone to just be there. Hmm. Odd, Blade didn't strike her as someone to leave another behind. Then again she had never met him so she couldn't be sure.

Setting her chin softly on her head she stroked her back in long smoothing sweeps. The girl really did need someone to watch out for her. Young girls shouldn't be alone, no matter how many vampires they could kill. Well, she'd just have to come back and make sure she was all good.

"Why are you doing this," the words were muffled since Arie spoke into her shoulder.

"Doing what."

"Being nice."

"I'm a nice person... sometimes. Or more realistically, I have no idea if I am nice or not, cause ya know, vampire.. things.. and yeah. But still, not all of us are bloodsucking fiends... just most." That didn't come out right.

Arie laughed softly and lifted her head. "You know, if you weren't a vampire we would probably have been friends."

"Why can't we now?"

"Cause you're a vampire, and I'm-" Arie cut off there and a guarded expression came into her eyes.

"A Daywalker," she finished for her, watching as Arie tried to hide her surprise. "I put two and two together," she nodded, "no worries though, I'll keep your secret safe."

"How can I trust you," Arie asked, her voice thick with suspicion.

"You could have killed me and you didn't, I say you trust me anyway," she reminded her.

Arie nodded setting her chin on her hand.

"We'll be friends, you'll see," and she smiled, her fangs flashing softly. She stood up and stretched. "After the acrobatics," she teased, "I'm gonna need a hot bath, so I'll just head home and I'll stop by after the sun sets ok?"

"Well.."

"I'll do it anyway."

And with that Tara left, leaving Arie sitting in the middle of the room just blinking after her.

Arie stared after the vampire Tara. Hearing her steps on the stairs and listening to them fade away into the night. She was very stranger, but she liked her. For some odd reason. And she wasn't gonna take no for an answer.

"What have I gotten myself into?" her voice echoed back at her in the silent room.

The walk home was nice. It was an unusually clear night, which was good she'd thought the stars had all disappeared. Why Lucian wanted to move here she had no idea.

Why she loved him was a bigger question.

She skipped her way up the walk of her home. It was large, a big rambling Victorian set back in lots of trees. it was all stone and fire, she really did love it. The front walk was stepping stones and night blooming flowers lined the house way back into the garden. It was kinda like a mini castle, with towers and turrets, and big balconies.

She lived the cliché, so sue her.

Humming softly she picked her way over the cool flat stones, her bare feet skimming lightly over them. She picked the key out of her flower pot by the door and opened it up walking inside.

She pushed the door closed turning the locks and was just about to go to her room when light flooded the room as she was pressed back into the door.

She sucked in a breath her body tensing to fight. her knee drove right up into the guys middle and she brought her arm down on her neck with a good chop before she noticed it was Lucian.

"oops."

Lucian growled softly picking himself up off the floor where he had landed with her shot to his neck, and grabbed her wrists as she held her arms out to him pinning them over her head. She tipped her head back to look up into his eyes, with right now were all swirly and angry.

Uh oh. Not that he'd hurt her, but that he was mad. Sometimes he tended to put a fist through a wall. She had repaired more walls that way.

His fingers tightened on her wrists, "you were supposed to wait for me outside."

"I had to do something, its not like you don't know the way home."

He growled, "That's not the point you were supposed to wait, I thought something happened to you when I went outside and saw a few vampire parts all over the walls."

He wasn't angry, he was scared. For her. her heart just went Aww. "Ah love, I'm sorry you were worried but I had to get my friend home before she got hurt."

At that Lucian studied her face, a weird look in his eyes. "What friend?"

What harm could come in telling him her name? It wasn't like he would meet her. "Arie."

He seemed to think about that, his thoughts turning inward as his thumbs lightly brushed over her inner wrists. She shivered a bit, the guy could give her chills without even trying.

'Why don't you invite her to the party tomorrow?" Lucian suggested, pulling her from her thoughts. She smiled at that. Yes! It was a perfect way for her to meet people.

"I will, it's perfect," Tara smiled, at the thought. her smiled died slowly though. Why would Lucian want her at the party? Hmm.

"Go get some rest, tomorrow night you can ask her." Maybe he was just trying to make up to her for tonight. That made her smile again, he really was nice. Kissing his cheek softly she slipped past him when he let her wrists go and hummed all the way to her room.

Lucian watched her go making sure she was in her room before he slipped out into the night. It was still very early, only about two in the morning, but he usually sent Tara to bed early. Well, they both usually did that... activities usually lasted for a few hours.

He smiled one of those very male smiles and wondered what the hell he was doing leaving her in bed alone to go see Lestat. He shook his head of the images that wanted to lure him back home and kept walking. He needed to see Lestat. That was that.

Turning up the next road he looked around to make sure no one was watching and sped off with his vampyric speed. He reached Lestat's in under five minutes. It was much like his and Tara's house, only it was all dark and cloaked in shadow.

Shaking his head, this time at Lestat's oddness, he walked up the flagstone steps and rang the bell beside the door.

The door creaked open a small pixie like girl stood staring at him before she moved aside to let him pass. he walked inside, his footsteps ringing through the house. It was all polish and sparkle, full of old furniture and fireplaces. it was nice, but Lucian didn't want to live there.

Lestat strolled out of a connecting door a woman trailing behind him sipping form a glass of red liquid. The scent was unmistakable, it was blood. His stomach clenched, he hadn't fed this night.

Lestat looked the same. The brat prince. God he'd never forget that time he wanted to be a friggin' rock star. His dark eyes caught and held his, a slow smile curving his lips, his fangs showing in a soft light of the candles. He was almost as tall as Lucian himself, his dark hair brushed over his shoulders, fitting nicely with his leather pants and no top look. He imagined he'd probably interrupted something.

The girl beside Lestat looked at him interestingly, her talons tapped on her glass. Her sleek pale skin clashed with her small leather mini skirt and a dark red spaghetti top, her long hair curling around her small frame.

She was actually very pretty, if he didn't have Tara... then again. her lips pulled into a feral smile as she looked at him and brushed her lips across Lestat's neck before leaving them alone.

"Who was that," Lucian's eyes followed her out of the room.

"That was Lashay, one of my new ones," Lestat said dryly, sitting on a table top. "So what do you want?"

"Nothing, I have just had a bad night."

"And you came here to tell me about it? Hmm, interesting."

Lucian rolled his eyes, sarcasm he didn't need. "It's Tara, and Louie."

Lestat perked up a bit at that, he did love telling Lucian how to handle things. That and he missed Louie. He'd never say it but he did.

"Tara has this new friend of her's, one I am suspicious about, I've very certain its the same girl who I attacked tonight at the club. Which thank you, Louie stopped me from killing."

Lestat arched a brow at him leaning back on his hands. "I don't see the problem."

"Its that girl, something isn't right with her, she's... different. and Tara and Louie have seemed to team up to protect her."

"Hmm."

Lucian sighed, no use in complaining any more than he has. "Want to come to the party Tara is having tomorrow night?"

"I thought she hated me," he said softly, that still irked him.

"She does, but I want you there, so she'll deal with it," he hoped.

"Hmm, alright. Will SHE be there?"

It took Lucian a moment to figure out who she was and then nodded. "I told Tara to invite her friend, if it's the same one it's best to keep an eye on her."

Lestat nodded and gave him one of his evil smiles. "Till tomorrow," he was dismissed.

Lucian turned around and walked silently back outside. Yes, till tomorrow.

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Well there ya have it! If ya really liked it please review and I shall pass your good/bad words onto her! Thnx! Bai Bai