Fan Fiction ❯ Kiss Me Hard ❯ Banquet--And Vincent Val'core. ( Chapter 8 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Azure_Wolfane
...First off, I need to give you all a HUGE apology. oo
I am so unbelievably osrry for how late this chapter is. I've been so busy lately with my brother's grad and exams, I kept putting this off. But finally, I can post it. ^^ It's fairly short though, I'm working on chapter 8 right this moment.


Darious suffers from a repeated nightmare--Scott steps in for a banquet--and chemistry surfaces between Cassia and the most unlikely person. Read more to find out.

Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 06.28.2006 | Pages: 6 | Words: 7.5K | Visits: 181 | Status: Completed

Chapter Seven
 
“Darius?” A voice called to a young boy hiding in his room under his bed. His body trembled in fear as his eyes remained locked on the door he pushed his some-what heavy dresser in front of.
“Darius~” the voice chimed in a taunting tone as they walked closer to his door. He could hear them. Their beating heart—heavy breathing. They're clenched hands, and shifting feet.
He could hear it all.
A shiver coursed through his body as he closed his eyes. The figure knocked on the door lightly, then tried the handle.
All of a sudden—
 
Silence..
 
The young boy opened his eyes. His tousles of black hair fell over his eyes, obscuring his yellow gaze as he fixed his gaze on the door again.
The dresser was moved, and the door was open.
Suddenly, a voice came from beside him under the bed.
 
“Found you.”
 
“Geh!” Darius bolted up, blinking.
He looked around him and noticed he was in his room. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath to calm himself down before running his hand along his neck till his two fingers ran over two scars. He ran two fingers over the scars lightly and frowned.
A sigh left him, before, suddenly, a thought hit him and he looked down beside him as he felt the bed move a little. He raised both eyebrows—Noticing Nicole was asleep beside him.
She had her shirt off…
But! Her bra was still on.
`Oh yeah…' He thought quietly, `I had to check her shoulder.'
Shaking his head, he sat up completely so his back rested against as goosebumps formed on he skin from the soft breeze that swept into the room by the windowed roof above that seemed to be constantly dark.
A small shiver coursed through his body from the slightly cool breeze. However so, he did not reach to pull up the blanket. He just let his hands rest in his lap.
He kept in mind that Nicole slept beside him, and that if he moved too much, he could wake her up.
Darius started to drift off to sleep again, when he felt a hand grasp his—then suddenly, a pair of soft lips press against his own in a soft kiss.
He kept his eyes closed, raising a hand to grasp the figures cheek gently, before he broke the kiss and opened his eyes so they were slits of brilliant yellow gazing into the mere slits of deep emerald before him.
He smiled softly as he took in the figure of Nicole whom sat up, still grasping his hand gently.
“I heard you in your sleep…” She whispered softly, “It sounded like you had a nightmare—Darius, are you okay?”
Darius hesitated, before nodding, “Of course.” He smiled a little—before frowning.
“I didn't wake you up, did I?”
Nicole shook her head, “No, of course not. I've been up for a while. My shoulder has been hurting me, so I couldn't sleep.”
Darius nodded a little, before sliding the hand that was on her cheek, to her side, and sitting her up properly, “Lemme have a look, Eh?”
“Sure…” She said softly as she sat herself so her bare back was resting against the backboard behind her.
She shivered lightly as the hard wood touched her skin, but gently eased herself back till she was flat against the board.
Darius moved so he was sitting in front of her with one leg hanging off the bed, and one folded.
He hesitated, before reaching forwards and gently removing the bandage to inspect the wound.
“Hey, It's looking good.”
Both of them turned their head to see Scott, whom stood at the end of the path with a grin on his face.
“Both of your shirts are off—I assume your having fun while `checking up on her', Darius?”
Nicole blushed immensely at his words and bowed her head a little, while Darius glared at his brother.
“No, it's not like that. She just asked me to sleep with her.”
Silence fell, as Scott's grin only grew bigger. Almost catching himself immediately, Darius quickly corrected himself, “I mean--! Sleep next to her. You…You knew what I mean, You pervert.”
Scott laughed and walked up to the bed and stood next to Darius, whom turned around to examine the wound again.
“Well, at least I was right. It is looking better.” Scott concluded, looking at Nicole whom turned her attention to her shoulder.
“Yeah, I guess it is looking better.”
The wound did indeed look better—however so, It wasn't completely healed.
`At least it isn't bleeding…' she thought quietly to herself.
Suddenly, as she looked at Darius whom still examined her shoulder, she noticed there was still a gash. It didn't bleed anymore, but it wasn't healed at all.
She frowned, and reached forwards, gently running her fingers over it.
Darius blinked, looking up at her, “Something wrong?”
She looked at Scott, “Can you dip the cloth in water and pass it to me?”
“Sure thing.” Scott said simply as he stood up and grabbed the cloth on the table. He leaned down, dipped it in slightly cool water, wrung it out, and then handed it to her, before straightening up, stretching, and looking at the two, “Darius?”
As Nicole placed the cloth on her thigh and looked at Scott, Darius lifted his head and looked at Scott.
“Yeah?”
“Dad stopped by…”
Darius fell dead silent, before looking at Nicole again. He grasped her shoulder gently, so he could looking into the wound and make sure nothing was in it.
“He wanted to know if one of us would go to a banquet with him…”
“Uh-huh.” He muttered, frowning as he used his fingers to remove what appeared to be a piece of wood.
“I said I would go…”
Darius paused to look at his brother, “You didn't have to—“
“You need to stay here and look after Nicole…I'll be fine.”
Darius sighed, and nodded, “Thanks, Scott…”
Scott smiled, before bowing slightly to them both and vanishing upstairs.
Darius turned to Nicole again, “We'll have the house to ourselves.” He said with a slight grin that made Nicole blush.
He laughed, “I'm teasing, Nic.”
Nicole chuckled softly, “I know…Now, hold still.”
He blinked. But before he could pull away, Nicole grasped hold of his shoulder and yanked him forwards, then gently started to wipe away the blood on his cheek, cleaning the gash.
The two fell silent as she worked; Darius' watching her intently as Nicole focused her attention on his wound.
Suddenly, Darius moved closer to her, gently grasping her wrist and pulling her hand away.
Nicole blinked, slightly confused.
“I didn't hurt you, did I--?”
He cut her off by pulling her into a soft kiss. A blush emerged on Nicole's cheeks as she returned his kiss, then pulled back as he went to kiss her again.
“Darius, I…Need to finish…cleaning your, uhm, cut…”
Darius chuckled softly, holding her hands, “I'm fine. It'll heal soon…”
“Why hasn't it healed already?” She quirked an eyebrow, tilting her head.
“Because…did you see how her sword was made, Nicole…?”
When Nicole shook her head, Darius smirked and continued, “Cassia has a special weapon. Just…Think of it this way. A modern stake. She owns a katana that's made with Silver. It has a think vein of wood running down the middle. Even the handle is made of wood—wood wrapped around in white ivory.”
Nicole just stared at him, quirking an eyebrow, “Why silver? Doesn't silver affect Werewolves, not vampires…?”
“So it's legend. But it will effect us just slightly. Not enough to kill us—but enough to keep a wound from healing fast like usually. Now…she has two small knives that are locked to her wrist. When she flicks her wrist a little, the knives with slip between her middle and index fingers on both hands, and when she slaps someone, she can cut their face over…The knives are her twins. They are designed like the katana. She cherishes all her weapons, but the knives are probably used the most…”
Nicole nodded a little, staying quiet, till he coughed lightly, “That's why my wound's aren't healing fast—like they usually do.”
“I see.” She whispered softly, before reaching forwards and gently running the cloth over the gash on his cheek, “I guess that makes you like me, then.”
Darius laughed a little, and she smirked, “Makes you human, almost…”
He fell silent at her words, and she cupped his wounded cheek gently after dropping the towel and continued, “You were right, though. You shouldn't be ashamed of who you are…Darius, even though you are vampire, your going through what an average human goes through—as in, when we cut ourselves…we don't heal right away…That makes us different from your kin…”
Darius nodded a little, and Nicole smiled, “Are you still sure you wish to be mortal again?”
Darius smirked, “Every minute of my life have I wished I was living. That way…” His smirked softened into a small smile as his voice grew gentle, “That way, I could grow old with the ones I care about…”
Nicole smiled a little, grasping his hand gently.
She didn't say a word. Neither of them did. The two just sat in silence, gazing into each other's eyes, before Scott coughed at the top of the stairs—breaking their moment.
Both turned their head to, once again, look at Scott.
“Uhm…” He looked down at himself, “How do I look?” He looked up at them again.
Nicole smiled, and Darius smirked, “You look ridiculous. Doesn't suit your usual laid-back impression…”
Scott shrugged a little, grinning, “Your right. This is more your style—so shut up and watch me be you for a night.”
Darius laughed as Nicole stood up, shaking her head as she walked up to him after pulling her top back on.
She walked up to him and studied him from up front.
“You look good.” She concluded, nodding as she fixed his jacket a little.
Scott grinned again, “What do you think, Nic? Could I be Darius for a night?”
“Well…Now that your in a suit, I guess you do kinda look like him.”
Scott smirked, and Nicole continued, “Well, seeing as how you are him for the night, I guess I better wish you luck.”
Scott laughed a little, before blushing immensely as Nicole gave him a small kiss.
Darius blinked, and Scot stared at her—while Nicole grinned this time, “Good luck.”
Finally, Scott cracked a huge grin and wrapped an arm around Nicole's waist, turning them to face Darius.
“Now THIS is what I call being you. Ah-hah! I just got kissed by your girl, Man. That has got to hurt.” Scott grinned as Darius shook his head and walked up to them, wrapping his arms around Nicole and pulling her away from Scott, “Beat it, tough stuff. Have a good time picking up woman at this fancy ball.”
Scott nodded, smiling a little. He turned, and walked down the path.
He paused at the door and turned to look at Darius, “Do you have a message for Dad?”
“Yeah…He can go fu—“
 
“Darius says Hi.” Scott said cheerfully as he sat next to his father in a car.
His Father was cloaked—as always. A scarf was wrapped around his neck, and covered half of his face. The hood was pulled up to conceal the rest of his face in shadows—Except for the glimmering yellow eyes that shone mischievously in the dimming street lights that flickered as the car drove down the barely populated street.
His father didn't speak. Instead, he simply smirked at Scott's words—as if he knew what he said already.
They fell silent for what seemed like 40 minutes before the car pulled up in front of a large building.
The building had the front of a castle, with two large oak doors.
Many cars were parked outside, and people were walking into the building.
“What is this…?” Scott heard his father mutter.
“Haven't been out much, father?” Scott asked, as the driver parked not too far from the building.
His father looked at him, “No…I don't go out much…don't have the time anymore.”
“I see…” Scott muttered as he opened the door, “Banquets aren't like they used to be back in your time, dad. Banquets now are like…balls? Dances?”
“Uh-huh.” His father muttered, before opening the door of the car and stepping out into the rain.
He closed his eyes and raised a hand, pushing back his hood to reveal his face.
The rain droplets streamed down his smooth cheeks, and got caught in his scarf.
He closed his eyes, before turning and watching Scott, whom stood leaning against a pillar that stood proudly by the doors.
With a nod from him, Mr. Val'core started up the stairs, passed his son, and walked through the large oak doors.
By the door, stood two men cloaked just as heavily, their arms crossed. When he passed, they nodded to each other, and entered along with Scott.
 
 
Cassia fixed her dress and looked in the mirror. He hair was pulled back into an elegantly messy looking bun. Two loose strands were permitted to loosely frame her face.
Her skin was still pale, no foundation was smeared on to smoothen out her skin color.
Silver eye shadow sparkled in the dim candlelight as her crimson painter lips glistened.
She was wearing a revealing black dress that draped down her elegant frame and down to her feet where it `hovered' above her feet that were encased in high-heeled black stilettos.
Her dress was daringly revealing—hugging her shoulders securely, and draping about her nape in a soft arch.
On her neck, she wore a silver chain with a small `blue flowered' gem encased in silver.
The gem got it's name for the fact it was cut in the shape of a wildflower. And it was deep-sea blue.
She shivered lightly as goosebumps formed on her bare skin.
Her gloved hands rubbed up and down her bare arms to create friction—and therefore, also create heat.
Her hands were encased in elegant black gloves that reached up to her elbows.
After a moment, there was a knock at her door.
When she turned around, she smiled and nodded to the figure at the door, leaning against the doorframe.
“Joseph—“
“You look beautiful, Cass…” He murmured, smiling softly.
He held out his arm, and Cassia strolled over to him—being careful not to trip in her pointed-heeled shoes.
She linked arms with him, and studied his attire.
He was wearing a simple black tux. Nothing out of the ordinary.
His brown hair was washed, cut, and combed neatly.
His hands had white gloves on them.
His eyes shone brilliantly in the dim candle lightly.
He escorted her down the hall, then down the aisle. A small smirk crawled onto Cassia's face as she dared herself to think about how ironic this was.
A young woman in black--being escorted by a young man in a tux. Down the aisle of a church.
When she stepped outside, she looked up at the sky that clouded over. Raindrops started to fall from the sky, splashing against the cement one on one, till they started to fall in sync with each other.
Joseph stopped her before she walked out in the rain, and grabbed his umbrella he had been holding in his other hand.
He smiled at her a little, “Wouldn't want you to be wet and uncomfortable all night.”
Cassia nodded slightly, and Joseph opened the umbrella.
Holding it over them, the two set out into the rain as a black car pulled up.
The driver in the car opened the door for the two, and after Cassia got in, Joseph closed his umbrella, and climbed in after her.
The second the door slammed shut, the car set off down the road.
Soon after their departure from the church, the car arrives at the building in which the banquet was being held at.
People climbed out of their cars and entered the rather large building. Joseph looked at Cassia, whom was staring ahead of herself at the seat.
He smiled a little, “Nervous?”
When Cassia shook her head and looked at him, he nodded, and stepped out of the car again.
He opened up the umbrella once more, and walked over to her side of the car and opened the door, holding the umbrella over her as she climbed out as well, and stood by his side.
Linking arms once again, the two waited for the car to drive away, before crossing the street and up the stairs.
Once they neared the doors, he put down his umbrella, hooked it over his other arm, and entered the building through the great oak doors.
Cassia followed after him.
When they entered the building, they first entered a vast hall that was highly decorated with vintage objects and furniture.
Couples sat on couches, men talked amongst themselves here and there.
Joseph turned to look at Cassia, “I'm terribly sorry, but I must leave you here and go off to speak with the council. I will meet up with you again at dinner.”
With that, he kissed her hand gently, and departed from her.
Leaving her standing in a sea of unfamiliar faces.
“You look to be as lost as I am, M'lady…” A voice hissed in her ear from behind.
Shivers coursed down Cassia's spine as she felt the figures breath upon her neck. She turned and found herself facing the towering figure of—
“Mr. Val'core.” She whispered softly.
He chuckled, “Please, Miss Turcotte. No need for last names. Call me Vince.”
Cassia nodded, “Hello, Vince.”
Vince smiled a little, bowing slightly, “Hello, Cassia…I didn't think this would be your calling…You didn't seem like the kind of woman to play escort to impress her boss.” He paused, and crossed his arms, his eyes wandering over her body briefly before coming to meet her gaze again, “But then again, you do look impressive enough in such a dress as the one your wearing now.”
Cassia blushed faintly, and coughed lightly, “I'm not playing escort to Joseph, Mr.Val—Vince.” She quickly corrected herself.
“He asked me to dinner, and I accepted.”
“This is quite more then a dinner, dear.” He whispered softly, gently grasping her arm and pulling her away from the crowd.
He led her through a doorway and down a barren hall. The floors gleamed from the filtered moonlight that shone through the large paned windows.
He finally let go of her arm, and stopped, turning to look at her as he leaned against the window sill next to him, “Your at a banquet with high ranking guests…”
“Are you trying to say I don't belong?” Cassia asked, acting as if she was insulted.
“Do you feel like you belong?” He countered her question with his own.
After a moment, Cassia frowned, and bowed her head slightly, “No…I don't.”
Vince smirked a little, reaching forwards and placing a hand on one of her shoulders, “Your not the only one. I myself feel that I don't belong here—But then again, I'm a Vampire amongst a sea of slayers. For all I know, each one of you could have your intentions tonight focused on killing me and my son.”
Cassia went quiet for a moment, before parting her thin lips to speak.
However, Vince already knew the question.
“Not Darius.”
“Oh…” Cassia muttered, “Scott then…”
“Yes. Scott is the only son brave enough to stand by my side and act like he loves me. Darius on the other hand…I can't say I blame him for hating me.”
“He said you were dead.”
Vince laughed a little, “Because I was. To him…To him, I am no longer his father—but merely a gene he can't extract from his blood.”
“I see.” Cassia whispered softly.
Vince nodded a little, before changing the subject.
“Do you like him? Joseph, I mean.”
“I don't know…” She whispered, “I mean, I owe him my life—“
“But that's not what I asked.”
“I know what you asked—“
“Then answer.”
Cassia quirked an eyebrow at his demanding tones, and smirked lightly, “Why do you want to know?”
“Because you do not seem like one who would suit his matching.”
Cassia crossed her arms, “How do you know? You don't even know me—“
“No, But my son did.”
With that, Cassia fell silent. She didn't speak, but instead crossed her arms and bowed her head a little.
Finally, she spoke in a whisper, “I hold Joseph as someone close to my heart, but not close enough to love him. I owe him my life—but I will not bind myself to someone who cannot bind themselves to me and be loyal…So no…I do not like him…”
“I see. Well…That was well put. Joseph is a man of…many faces, I suppose you can call him that.”
“And what are you, Vincent?” She asked, keeping her head bowed.
“A cold blooded killer.” He replied coolly.
Cassia smirked, “Thanks for being honest.” She said simply, before blushing as she felt two fingers slip under her chin and tilt her head up.
He looked into her eyes, standing close to her.
He whispered his words.
“But how do you know if I'm truly being honest—and not just telling you what you expect to hear…? What if I'm a compassionate man who kills his prey by tricking them into thinking I'm kind and caring…”
“Then I would be dead right now, wouldn't I.”
Suddenly, he pressed himself against her and her against the wall behind her. Pinning her there as he looked down at her.
His hands both sat against the wall over her shoulders, as their eyes locked.
“Would you kill me like this?” She whispered, looking up at him.
He didn't speak, but just continued looking down at her.
Suddenly he leaned down, and kissed her softly.
Cassia blushed immensely, but placed a hand on his cheek and returned his kiss none the less. Her other arm wrapped around his neck, as she pulled him yet closer to her, deepening their kiss.
He closed his eyes completely, his hands sliding down her sides till they came to rest on her waist. He then slid a hand up to her cheek and cupped it as he kissed her passionately.
Finally, after a moment, he broke the kiss gently, and looked down at her through half lidded eyes.
Cassia felt her heart pounding. Her hand gripped his back slightly as he other hand ran over his cheek lightly.
He finally spoke again in a strangled whisper.
“Did you kiss me like that because I am who I am…Or did you kiss me because me and Darius look a like…?”
“I'll admit that you two look alike…But no. There is a certain charm about you that I…I…”
Cassia fell silent for a moment, before smirking, “Vampire Seduction…”
Vince grinned a little as he slide a hand to her lower back from her waist, resting it there as he pulled her closer against him.
“How're you sure that's what it was…?”
“I felt a sense of security fall over me when you kissed me…you could've bitten me while you kissed me, and I never would've thought anything of it…Your good. I'll give you that…”
Vince leaned down and kissed her softly.
“Ah, your right…I could've.”
“Why didn't you…?” Cassia asked curiously, looking up at him as he pulled back to gaze down at her.
“Cause, perhaps, I am the compassionate man who uses kindness to trick my enemy…I never rush…”
“But why tell me…?” She whispered, but already knew the answer.
“Because…what would be the use of lying to someone about certain death…? There's nothing they can do to avoid it…”
“Certain death…”
 
Silence fell over them as Cassia gazed up at him, frowning.
 
“So you do plan to kill me like this…”
“You're not my Victim, Miss Turcotte.”
“Who is…?”
 
“Joseph.”