Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ A Matter Of Choice ❯ Dark Secret ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Demetriov finds himself becoming close to his new companion, perhaps too close. What will happen when Torin asks the inevitable question and how will he react when he is confronted with the truth of Demetriov's dark nature?

Disclaimer: This is an original work that has been in progress for nine years. While I have taken inspiration from a number of sources, the characters and plot line are entirely my own. Anyone wishing to use my characters must contact me for permission FIRST.

In later chapters there will be graphic violence, gore and scenes of a sexual nature - both homo and hetero sexual. There will also be character death. I am not responsible if you do not read this disclaimer and do not like the graphic content.

Miscellaneous: Original Stories Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Horror / Hentai | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 03.11.2007 | Pages: 7 | Words: 6.1K | Visits: 168 | Status: Work In Progress

Dark Secret

Demetriov met Torin the next night and the next. Over the coming weeks the two fell into each other's company with an ease that was uncanny. Demetriov felt again what it was to smile and laugh, and found that he was reasonably content with the world. He felt alive again, and glad to be so, despite the means. The dark depressions of these last years left behind, the few weeks spent in this man's company were like an epiphany. As time passed he could see the meaning behind Daniel's warning, he did indeed find himself becoming attached to Torin.

He had hardly left his side since the night they had met, and it seemed that the feeling was mutual, Torin lighting up when he entered the room. Tonight was no different, and currently, Torin was imitating his father.

“You waste your time with these books, these plays!” He barked, striding up and down powerfully. “A worthless obsession. It is almost as bad as you bedding my tenants' daughters at a whim! I've had three more fathers almost knocking the door down, complaining about your indecent behaviour. It isn't right for a young man of such standing to be behaving so! One day you will inherit this, blah, blah…blah, blah…”

Demetriov laughed heartily at his friend's performance. What amused him most was the image that came to mind; Torin sat bored, ignoring his father's tirade. Torin laughed with him, sitting beside him.

“Pompous old windbag!” He laughed.

“I think you are a little unkind to him. He does have a point in some ways.”

“Perhaps.” Torin conceded.

As the evening drew on Torin became progressively more and more drunk. Demetriov found himself fascinated with the change in his companion's behaviour; it had been so long since he had been drunk himself. He watched as Torin's speech began to slur and he was barely able to stand. It was in this intoxicated state that he tried on more than one occasion to stand and recite. Each time Demetriov pulled him back into his seat laughing. As Torin collapsed against him as he pulled him back down for the fourth time, Demetriov decided that enough was enough. Standing he pulled his companion upright.

“Come on.” He smiled gently.

“What? Where are we going?” Torin slurred happily.

“Home. You my friend are very drunk.”

“I am not drunk!” Torin protested, swaying gently. “I can walk as well as any man!”

He promptly started forward, lurching away before Demetriov could stop him. He managed well enough for a few steps before pitching forward, landing flat on his face groaning.

“Okay, I might be a little drunk.”

Demetriov crouched down by his prostrate friend smiling. “Just a little?”

Torin thought about this for a moment, taking his friend's proffered hand. As Demetriov helped him up he almost fell over once more. He laughed as Demetriov helped him to steady himself; as he just about managed to stand alone he gave a little cry of satisfaction.

“Well?” Demetriov asked.

Torin smiled, and then stumbled. “You're right!” he exclaimed. “I'm completely drunk!”

“Stay here.” Demetriov instructed trying not to laugh as Torin swayed. “I'm going to settle your bill.”

“Good idea!” Torin promptly collapsed at the knee.

Demetriov shook his head. He paid the barman a little extra for his trouble and returned to the now semi-conscious Torin. With surprising ease he lifted the drunken man to his feet. He was stronger than he realised, Torin was no lightweight. Throwing Torin's arm around his shoulders and taking tight hold round his waist he propelled the drunken man forward. It was a slow journey back to Torin's home. It would have been so much easier to carry him in his arms but he could not risk being seen, besides Torin would never have tolerated it. Eventually they got there, but now the stairs would be the challenge.

Torin had woken up some by now and was actually making things harder not easier. Added to that the drunken singing and Demetriov was getting nervous. He had no desire to be stopped; dawn was fast approaching as it had taken so long to weave through the streets. It was with relief that he finally brought Torin to his room. He laid Torin back on the bed and turned to go when Torin grabbed his arm.

“Do you have to go?” His speech was clearer now.

“Yes.” He replied softly as Torin encouraged him to sit. “And you need to sleep tonight's pleasures off.”

“There is always room for more pleasure.” Torin grinned, sitting up.

Demetriov laughed, but his laughter stalled as he caught sight of a strange look in Torin's eyes.

“You look different.” Torin mused.

“You're drunk.” He replied simply.

“Yes, there is that.” He put his hand on Demetriov's shoulder. “You are a good friend.”

With that he leaned forward and kissed Demetriov's cheek slowly, Demetriov gasping in shock. The warmth from the kiss seemed to spread across his face. His heart was pounding, confused by the pleasure the kiss was giving him. He stood sharply trying to clear his head, Torin lying back, smiling dreamily.

“I must go.” Demetriov blurted out.

“You're cold.” Came the soft reply.

“I'll be fine.” He almost laughed.

“Wrap up warm.” Torin murmured almost asleep.

“I will.”

Demetriov made his way to his resting place, confused, his head spinning. How could one gesture of affection cause so much conflict within him? As he lay waiting for sleep to come his emotions fought with each other and he knew that it was too late. He was already too close to Torin.

* * * * *

Demetriov stayed away for a few days. He was tortured by his emotions. To take a mortal lover was too dangerous, but to have this attraction to a man… He was confused, unsure whether his feelings showed that he was finally alive again, or whether they were wrong. He had never been attracted to a man when he was alive. Was this a new torment? There was only one thing he was certain of, he loved Torin. The real question was, in what way?

Eventually the need for Torin's company drew him back and things between them returned to normal. As the next months passed he found that his love for Torin grew, but he never gave in to temptation. He came to accept how he felt, and with acceptance he came to savour the strength of his emotions. Through them he felt fully awake in the world for the first time since his change, and every time his friend gave him an affectionate embrace or casual kiss he shivered, burning with his love for this man. He swore that on occasion Torin was teasing him, but one thing was for sure, he was growing suspicious of him. One night Torin voiced his thoughts.

“There is something you are not telling me Demetriov.” He stated plainly in the privacy of his room.

“What do you mean?” Demetriov's heart beginning to race.

“You are so damned elusive.”

“Is that a crime?” He tried to laugh it off.

“Let me lay my cards on the table so to speak. I only ever see you at night, and you will not tell me where you live. Add to that the fact that no-one knows who you are, and believe me I have asked around. I might be being paranoid, but I fear there is something you are holding back from me.”

Demetriov hung his head. He had always known that this day would come, but had hoped against hope foolishly that it would not come to pass. He longed to bare his soul and share his dark secret, but feared the loss of the man that he loved.

“Demetriov?” Torin's tone turned serious now.

Demetriov stood quickly heading for the door, hiding from his companion's inquisitive gaze.

“Don't you dare walk out on me!” Torin rose, anger rising suddenly in his heart.

Demetriov stopped with a sigh, unsure whether he should face him down or walk away.

“You wouldn't want to know the truth.” He replied quietly.

“But I do.” Torin's anger was still evident in his voice.

“No you don't!” Demetriov snapped, turning to face him. “The truth is horrible and ugly. You would scarcely believe it, and I cannot tell you the truth!”

“Why not!” Torin demanded, his expression pained.

“Because I would lose you.” Demetriov whispered, turning away slowly.

He sat dejected, deflated by his emotions. He held his head in his hands. Was this to be the end of his happiest days in centuries? Torin crossed to his side, placing a hand softly on his shoulder.

“No matter what, you will never lose my friendship.”

“You can never say never. You are so confident and sure, that is what I love about you. Do not be so sure my friend.”

“It cannot be that bad.” Torin replied softly.

Demetriov sighed. “Do you really want to know? I warn you, the truth will be hard to accept and is truly awful.”

Torin nodded, though he could see that doubt was creeping into his eyes.

“Then so be it.” He stood gathering his thoughts for a moment. “I suppose you deserve to know, though I fear for our friendship. Meet me in two night's time, the edge of the forest, by the dead oak.”

“I know the place.”

“Come just after sunset. If you change your mind and you would rather not know do not come and I shall bother you no more.” His heart sank even as he said the words, but he knew that would be how things would have to be.

“I will come.”

Demetriov smiled softly, reaching a hand to his friend's face.

“Wrap up warm.”

And with that he was gone.

* * * * *

Torin left early, dressed for the bitterly cold night. He wrapped his cloak around him pulling on some gloves. He walked slowly to the dead oak, which was quite some distance, the sun setting gently behind him. He cursed himself for leaving as early as he stood waiting in the bitter evening. He had to get out of the wind and so sat in the shelter of the roots of the ruined tree. He watched the sun descend, his mind wandering, and slowly he began to doze.

“You shouldn't fall asleep outside in the night.” A cold voice interrupted his dozing. “You never know what's out there.”

Torin started at the sound of Demetriov's voice, more so at the tone, scrambling to his feet. He looked all around him, but Demetriov wasn't anywhere to be seen. Had he dreamed it?

“Demetriov?” He called out cautiously.

“I am here.” His tone was as cold as the wind that was cutting into Torin's exposed flesh.

“Where are you?” He was genuinely bewildered.

“I am right here.”

“Damn it! It's only twilight; I should be able to see you!”

“Don't worry, I can see you clearly enough.”

“Stop this, why are you tormenting me?”

“You wanted to know the truth, so I am going to show it to you, with its true horror unveiled.” There was a definite malice in his tone now.

“For God's sake!” Torin vented his frustration.

He cried out as he found himself slammed into the oak.

“What God?” Demetriov spat with venom, suddenly before him. “He has forsaken me a damn long time ago, much longer than you can comprehend!”

As Torin saw his companion for the first time he drew breath sharply. In the half light he could see the unnatural pallor in his skin; Demetriov had not fed for a few days. His cobalt eyes seemed to pick up every scrap of light and shone out in the darkness. He saw Demetriov's anger in those eyes, and caught a glimpse of the elongated canines, not entirely sure if he had seen them or imagined them. For the first time he felt fear in Demetriov's presence. Sensing it Demetriov let him go turning away from him. Torin stood breathing deeply knowing only one thing; the man before him wasn't entirely a man.

“What are you?” He breathed at last.

“A monster.” Demetriov whispered, hanging his head. “I have been alive if you can call it that for over three hundred years. Most of those years have been spent in despair, and then I met you.”

Torin by now had made his way cautiously from the tree and walked round to face Demetriov, shocked to see the self hatred in his cobalt eyes.

“And what a life Torin.” Demetriov spat with disgust, raising his eyes to the heavens, not quite able to meet Torin's gaze. “To maintain it, I must take the lives of others.” He paused, seeing the shock in his companion's eyes. “But enough talk, to truly understand you must see.” Menace was creeping back into his voice.

With that he grabbed Torin roughly by the shoulder. He half dragged him as he headed for the poorer sector on the outskirts. Tonight would be no mercy killing, If Torin wanted to know the truth, then he would see all of it, not matter how awful. Torin struggled to keep up in silence. In truth he was beginning to regret ever having brought the subject up. They paused in the shadows created by and outhouse.

“Stay here!” Demetriov hissed, pushing him into the darkness. “Watch and do not make a sound.”

With that he turned and strode before the house before him. Torin stood with his heart pounding. He thought he knew what was coming and realised that he didn't want this but he couldn't stop it. He thought Demetriov was going to enter the house when a young woman half staggered out. She was coughing hard and he could hear the wheeze and rattle in the cough from even this distance. She had obviously come out for clear night air but it was to be her undoing. He had heard that cough too many times before, a disease of the poor that was likely to take her life in a few short months if left to her own devices, but it was not meant to be.

He stifled a cry as Demetriov melted out of the shadows and grabbed her roughly. She was coughing so hard that she had no breath to cry out for help. Torin felt her fear and pain as Demetriov dragged her close to Torin's hiding place to give him a better view. He could see the terror in her eyes as Demetriov pulled her into his body, almost growling at her. He gasped as Demetriov grabbed her hair, yanking her head back, the woman fighting against him. Even though he expected it, the moment of the bite shocked him in its violence.

Thankfully it was over quickly and Torin found himself swallowing hard as Demetriov threw down her lifeless body and turned to him.

“You wanted to know the truth, well here it is. I am one of the foulest creatures to walk this earth. What do you think now to your companion?”

Torin was dumbstruck, more than a little afraid of him. He stood in shock, capable only of shaking his head.

“I thought so.” He sighed. “And now you will reveal me, so it is time I left. With that he turned away. “Goodbye Torin.” He said coolly.

It was as he started to walk away that Torin finally found his voice.

“Demetriov wait!” He shouted.

He found that he was relieved when Demetriov stopped, turning towards him once more.

“Please don't go.” He pleaded softly.

He approached him slowly, noticing the little changes in the man before him. The colour of his skin, now rosier than before, the anger in his eyes.

“I won't reveal you, I just need some time. I don't want to part like this.”

Demetriov visibly relaxed, his eyes softening.

“Come and see me in a few days.” He said hesitantly. “Give me some time to think.”

Demetriov nodded, relieved, then turned and walked into a lonely night.

* * * * *

Demetriov was nervous as he approached Torin's home. There was hope, but he wondered if it was foolish to do so. He had shown himself to Torin at his darkest, all too aware of what the consequences might be. He wondered if Daniel had gone through the same thing with Alicia. He wondered if it had been too much but there had been no point in gilding the lily. With a sigh he made his way to Torin's room as arranged. With a sigh he opened the door and received no words of greeting, Torin brooding by the window. He breathed deeply.

“You wanted to know.” He stated simply, now resigned to the end of their friendship.

“It has been a little hard to swallow.” Torin conceded.

“So what have you decided? Will you reveal me now?”

“No!” Torin was suddenly on his feet incredulous.

His reaction pleased Demetriov, hope flaring in his chest.

“No matter what you may be, and how it may have appeared I refuse to believe that you are cruel. Her disease would have taken her anyway. I found your choice interesting. You showed me the worst, deliberately I am sure, and still I cannot believe that you are cruel and callous when you do what you must.”

Demetriov smiled wryly. “You have always been able to see the best in anyone.”

“Tell me Demetriov, I have to know. Do you take pleasure in taking life, or do you do it out of necessity to survive?”

Demetriov sighed. “It is a difficult question to answer. I have never killed for pleasure, only to sustain myself, but it is a pleasurable experience for me none the less. It is that which has kept me in despair for three hundred years. I hate that.”

At this Torin appeared to relax a little. He sat back down heavily, the weight of this knowledge a burden, gesturing for Demetriov join him.

“This is going to take a bit of getting used to.” He smiled, and there was a touch of his old mischief in his tone. “I want to see what it is really like for you, not in your darkest hour. I refuse to believe that is what you are really like.”

Demetriov found himself genuinely shocked. “If you must.” He answered resignation in his voice now.

“When?” Torin was almost childlike in his earnestness.

“It will be a few days.”

“You do not need to… well, you know… every night?”

Demetriov shook his head in reply. “Not anymore. I did at first, but the need dulls some over time. I could easily hunt every night, but when you stop in a small place like this…”

“It would draw too much attention to yourself.”

Demetriov nodded. “I won't deny that it is hard to go so long without it, but I do what I must.”

Torin smiled at him gently. “You remain my friend as always. I hope you can forgive my reticence. I don't doubt that it will take me some time to adjust.”

“Time is all I have.”

* * * * *

So you see now how I became the mortal companion of my eventual quarry. I somehow managed to see past what he was, never knowing what he was to become. I cannot deny that I enjoyed his company and maybe it was that which drew me to him regardless. I did know only too well of his attraction to me, and in truth it was mutual. I had quietly explored this avenue with men before, thought it was not known. If I am really honest they were happy times, and we had many exciting adventures with him, and excitement was what I craved in what were dull days. But good things have to come to an end. And so it came to pass that I left my mortality behind.

Author's notes:

Told you things were starting to get interesting. Okay hands up all those who don't have an idea where this is going? All of you sensible enough to have suspicions give yourself a pat on the back. The rest of you reread the last two chapters! Just kidding, let me know where you think this is going, I am curious to see if I have pitched this right.