AU Fic: [NIGHTQUEST] Night In The City Of Angels, ch.2
[NIGHTQUEST] Book1: Night in the City of Angels, 2/10
American Idol, David C./ David A | Kris A./ Adam L., NC-17 (for the entire fic)
Disclaimer: This is just fiction, none of the contents are real. I do not own the characters and the concept used in this story. No profit was made.
A/N: I re-wrote this chapter because the one I wrote previously didn't do well with the story flow. Since I only finished until half of chapter 3 and would need to re-write everything from chapter 2, I decided to use this as my NaNoWriMo entry. I'm not sure if all 3 books will reach the required 50K words, so I'm writing an original fic alongside this to see which one would reach 50 K.
For more info: MASTER POST
Chapter 2
Dave had imagined there would be fire and brimstones or… or thunder and lightning, perhaps. But there was just the quiet ringing in his ears and the vertigo that swooped down and made the world tilt for a second.
There might have been thunder and lightning if he didn't feel so detached from his emotions - so detached from everything else. It was like he was stuck in a limbo. Cold blood rushed through his veins. His heartbeat slowed down and he could hear every 'thump-thump' echoing in his head.
The weight that seemed to have settled on his shoulders was lifted. Eventually. Everything around him changed. All the colors - from the warm blue and sea green patterns on his bed sheet, to the vibrant red flowers and yellow vase on the oil painting hanging on his wall, to the brown leather cover of the wing chair at the corner of his room - gradually receded, dissolving into a matte of gray and white and black.
Dave was prepared for this. Or so he thought. He was well aware that once Carpathians reached their two-hundredth year, they would lose touch of their emotions and the ability to see everything in color. But Dave never imagined it would be like this - that he would turn into nothing but an empty shell.
*
Mist crept along the narrow road where Daughtry lived. Gray shadows hovered close to the cobblestone street. The sudden chill that brushed against Daughtry's exposed skin made him stop in his tracks.
The street was empty. But he could feel the weight of someone's eyes on him. Lights from the lampposts cast eerie shadows against the ground. The mist was drawn into a spot near the entrance to Daughtry's building and soon took shape of a man.
Daughtry tried to walk past him but a hand suddenly clasped around his arm.
"It's been a long time, Chris," the vampire said, almost growling against his ear.
"What do you want, Constantine?" Daughtry yanked his arm out of Constantine's grasp. The vampire's presence made Daughtry's chest twist in disdain.
Constantine's laughter brought chills down Daughtry's back. "Is it so wrong for me to visit an old friend?"
"Don't fuck with me." Daughtry shot Constantine a deathly glare. "I know exactly what you came here for and I'm telling you now, as I have in the past, that you're just wasting your time."
"Really." Constantine moved around him, literally breathing down his neck. "I thought you would have reconsidered by now. Pity…" the vampire tutted annoyingly, "you could be an excellent asset to the clan."
Daughtry could feel control slipping away. His whole body shivered, his resolve weakening.
"Think about it," Constantine said insidiously. "You have nothing left here. "
"I…" Daughtry's hands clenched into fists at his sides, desperately keeping himself anchored - refusing to be lured to the darkness. He shouldn't let Constantine get to him. He shouldn't.
"Leave him alone." A voice that held an air of authority pulled Daughtry out of his daze. The hypnotic veil shrouding him was lifted almost instantly.
Dave crept out of the shadows, face masked with malice and threat. His predatory gaze never left Constantine even when the vampire stepped away from Daughtry.
"I was just paying my old friend a visit," Constantine said while backing away.
"Screw you. I know what you're trying to do." Dave was vigilant knowing that Constantine was full of tricks. He could pull one out of his sleeves any time.
Constantine just slunk further away, lips stretched in a cold-hearted smirk. Without blinking, Dave watched the vampire shift into a bat and only moved when the creature faded into the night sky.
"Are you okay?" Dave asked Daughtry cautiously.
"Yeah." Daughtry ran a hand over his face and took a deep breath. "Yeah."
Dave eyed Daughtry warily. He could feel the anxiety resonating from Daughtry's body, could hear the rapid beating of his friend's heart and could see Daughtry's eyes clouded with uncertainty.
It took a few deep breaths and several seconds before Dave's presence registered in Daughtry's conscious thoughts. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"I was in the neighborhood. Feeding." Dave lied but he knew Daughtry was aware that Dave had been watching him like a hawk for the past five decades. Daughtry gave no indication that he knew the real reason why Dave was there though.
"Wanna come inside?" The hinges made a noise when Daughtry pushed the wooden door open but he barely had a foot inside when he saw something move behind Dave through the corner of his eye. "Dave! Look out!"
Dave spun around with his arm stretched out. His fist slammed hard against the side of a vampire's face.
Two more vampires appeared out of nowhere and Dave jumped one of them before he could attack. He swung his fist across the vampire's head and drove the other right against the vampire's jaw.
Daughtry held one by the throat but the vampire was too strong that he was able to slip out of Daughtry's grip. The creature struck Daughtry right on his abdomen with an open palm that sent Daughtry hurling towards the building's wall.
"Chris!" Dave cried out but his eyes were still on the vampire, watching the beast's nails protract. He leaped out of the way when the vampire tried to claw at his shoulder. It was a fraction of a second too late before he noticed another vampire behind him and Dave felt cold metal plunge through his side before he could whirl around and grab the other vampire's throat.
With a flick of his hand, Dave snapped the vampire's neck, his thumb digging right through the carotid artery. Blood spurted out, the acidity clinging to his skin, burning like shit. Then he plunged his fist through the vampire's chest, pulled the heart out and tossed it in the air. Lightning swooped down rapidly and struck the organ, incinerating it.
Daughtry yelled, "Behind you!" but before Dave could pivot, the other vampire had struck, fingernails scraping like blades against the back of his neck.
Dave aimed for the vampire's chest but the sharp sting on his wound was distracting enough to slow him down. The vampire turned to mist, gray shadow billowing through the night air. When he spun around to check on Daughtry, he saw him pushing a metal rod straight through the vampire's chest and the creature burst into dusts.
"Constantine's minions, no doubt," Daughtry said, eyes burning with rage.
"I should have killed that son of a bitch," Dave spat. He itched to get his hand around Constantine's heart. "You okay?" he asked for the second time that night when he noticed that Daughtry wasn't moving from his spot.
Daughtry jerked out of his stupor. He flinched when he met Dave's gaze. It felt like Dave's eyes were trying to dig deep into his soul.
"Yeah," Daughtry started but he knew Dave would see through his façade so he dropped his guard and sighed, "no, I uh… I felt it, Dave." He raised a shaky hand to his hairless head and rubbed against the smooth skin. "I felt the darkness it… it just grabbed at me and I uh… I almost fell into its trap."
"Hey." Dave closed the distance between them and placed a hand gingerly on Daughtry's shoulder. "You did well fighting it, my friend. Don't lose hope."
"I know." Daughtry took a step back causing Dave's hand to fall. "I know." His gaze dropped near Dave's hip and saw that his gray shirt was soaked. "You need help in healing that?"
Dave followed Daughtry's gaze. "Nah. I can manage." The injury made by the dagger didn't burn as much as the lesion at the back of his neck. "The sun will be up soon. Go get some rest. I'll see you tonight."
*
A murky atmosphere greeted Dave when he entered his apartment. He made a beeline to the bathroom and ignoring the chill, he peeled his shirt off on the way.
He tossed the blood-soaked shirt on the hamper sitting near the bathroom door and reached down to feel the wound on his side with the tip of his fingers, willing it to heal. The cut wasn't too deep and he could feel it gradually mending.
With a damp cloth, he wiped off the blood around the wound then brought it up against his neck. "Ugh," he hissed, the sound echoing across the hollow space. He was certain that the vampire's nails were coated with poison and it was slowly seeping into his flesh, draining him of the last layers of his consciousness.
The faint glow of the morning sun peered through the thin gap of his drapes when he stumbled into his bedroom. He didn't bother to close it. The rays wouldn't reach his bed anyway. Once Dave had his back pressed into the mattress, his eyes slid close and he began to chant the healing ritual, doing his best to stay awake long enough for him to heal.
The poison is too strong though and he didn't think he could stay conscious any longer. Maybe he shouldn't fight it. Maybe he should let himself slip into that tranquil place.
No! Don't fall asleep.
Dave's eyes snapped open. Instinct kicked in and he closed his mind, raising the barriers around him.
Are you alright? You seem hurt.
Dave didn't recognize the telepathic imprint so he wondered who could get through his mental path without him allowing it. Curious, he sent out a thought. Who are you?
Oh my gosh. You can talk to me through my thoughts.
Apparently. Dave could sense that this stranger was young. He held back any snide remark when he realized the most probable reason why this stranger could link to his mind.
How is it I can hear you in my thoughts? I mean, this is amazing, the stranger said, mind clearer and more open now that Dave could sense him, but he had to make sure his theory was correct.
What's your name? he asked, ignoring the stranger's question.
Nothing but silence followed and Dave wondered if he had lost the telepathic connection. Then he sensed uncertainty from the stranger before he felt the mind touch - hesitant, subdued and wary. David. My name's David. Archuleta. What's yours?
Male, Dave thought to himself. Young.
Excuse me?
My name is David, too. David Cook. Most people I know call me Dave though.
This is weird. Even weirder that we have the same name were the thoughts that were pushed into Dave's mind.
There was a sudden shift in the telepathic link and Dave could sense David's discomfort. I have to go. I mean, it's weird because, well… never mind. Will you be alright though?
The worry that thrummed from David's thoughts was palpable so Dave felt inclined to assure David that he would be fine.
Well, it was um… nice talking to you. There was a vivid coyness when David said, Maybe we can do this again some time, which Dave found endearing.
Sure was all Dave was able to send out before he felt the loss of the mind link. "Fuck," he spat and forced himself up, hissing when he felt the sharp sting on his nape. He needed to find a healer. Fast. If he had just been able to share a mental path with a complete stranger, it could only mean that he had found his lifemate. Hope ignited deep within him, ignoring the fact that his lifemate was male.
*
"David?"
David was startled out of the mind link when his mom, Lupe, knocked softly before pushing his bedroom door open
"Yeah mom?" The anxiety of being able to communicate with someone telepathically still thrummed in his chest but David did his best to push it aside and look as innocent as he could.
"I was calling you down for breakfast. I thought you had to leave early today. Come down before your bacon gets cold." Lupe left without giving David a chance to respond.
A blanket of silence draped over his room and the only sounds David could hear were the faint clutter of kitchen utensils, birds chirping outside his window and his heart beating like a tribal drum. David pressed the heel of his hand against his rib cage, willing his heart to calm down.
A lot of weird things had been happening lately but this certainly took the cake. Not only was David able to lock minds with a complete stranger but he also felt Dave's pain, felt Dave's consciousness slowly slipping away. It almost felt like David was likewise wounded and he could feel the pain at the back of his neck. He wondered if Dave was seriously hurt. Impulse prompted the need to contact Dave but his mom's voice yanked him out of his rumination.
"David!"
"Coming Mom!" David pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind, making a mental note to try and reach Dave telepathically when he was back at his dorm, hoping his roommate wouldn't be back yet.
Right now he had to focus on acting normal. At least he was in college now. A few kids back in high school treated him like he was some kind of freak, claiming that they could hear him in their thoughts. What made the taunting worse was when the school bullies locked him up inside the janitor's cabinet and he (accidentally) broke the door down, shattering the wood into pieces.
David cleared his head, willing the bitter memories away before he rushed out of his bedroom.
*
"You think he's human?" Andrew settled comfortably on the couch, his arms tucked behind his head. He had just returned from Europe where he had to go and meet with clan leaders in Dave's stead. Lazing around his brother's apartment seemed like the perfect way to wind down.
"I don't know." Dave stopped pacing, his gaze sliding over to Andrew. "His telepathic link was too strong for a human."
"Well, if he is your lifemate, that would explain it." Andrew could see the distress swirling on the surface of his brother's eyes. It had been a week since Dave heard from this stranger - this… David - and he'd been nothing but a wreck even after he had healed from the wound that the vampire had inflicted. "If he isn't human, then there's a large probability that he's one of us. But you said he seemed astonished over the fact that he was able to talk to you telepathically."
"Yeah." Dave ran a hand over his face and started to march back and forth across the room. "I was thinking that he was probably raised by humans and had no clue about his nature."
"Possibly." Andrew moved his shoulders in a shrug and pushed himself upright. He was getting sick of watching his brother practically burn a hole on the floor. "Have you tried to contact him lately?"
Dave shook his head as if the idea was absurd.
"I don't wanna scare him." The agitation Dave sensed from David was intense enough that Dave didn't want to provoke the feeling any further. He would wait for David to reach out to him.
"Fine. Be modest or whatever." Andrew waved his arm around, gesturing over to the door. "But please stop brooding in here and go out, feed, do whatever, and stop pining over some stranger who probably just tripped over his extra sensory perception."
"You don't even find this unusual?" Dave eyed his brother, his gaze shielded with layers of incredulity.
"What? That your lifemate is male?" The skin between Andrew's eyebrows furrowed. "My dearest brother. You actually think I have forgotten? I remember a hundred years ago that you preferred to fornicate with men than women."
Dave felt his mouth twitch and he thought it was futile to fight it so he let the smile slide on his lips.
Andrew was quick to add, "And I know for a fact that for the past five decades, more of our people have found lifemates of the same gender," before Dave could utter a word. Andrew seemed to be more aware of the past and recent events than Dave did and Dave couldn't help but think that Andrew was probably more worthy to govern their people.
"I can hear your thoughts, brother," Andrew interposed. "And don't you dare think about dumping your inherited responsibilities on my lap. The trip to Europe was hell enough. I'm happy with my immortal life as it is."
Dave snorted. He sauntered over to the coat closet to grab his leather jacket.
"Where are you going?" Andrew called after him when Dave was halfway out the door.
"Out, obviously. To feed. You were right. I shouldn't wait around and sulk here." Dave let the door slide close behind him.
~ tbc ~
American Idol, David C./ David A | Kris A./ Adam L., NC-17 (for the entire fic)
Disclaimer: This is just fiction, none of the contents are real. I do not own the characters and the concept used in this story. No profit was made.
A/N: I re-wrote this chapter because the one I wrote previously didn't do well with the story flow. Since I only finished until half of chapter 3 and would need to re-write everything from chapter 2, I decided to use this as my NaNoWriMo entry. I'm not sure if all 3 books will reach the required 50K words, so I'm writing an original fic alongside this to see which one would reach 50 K.
For more info: MASTER POST
Chapter 2
Dave had imagined there would be fire and brimstones or… or thunder and lightning, perhaps. But there was just the quiet ringing in his ears and the vertigo that swooped down and made the world tilt for a second.
There might have been thunder and lightning if he didn't feel so detached from his emotions - so detached from everything else. It was like he was stuck in a limbo. Cold blood rushed through his veins. His heartbeat slowed down and he could hear every 'thump-thump' echoing in his head.
The weight that seemed to have settled on his shoulders was lifted. Eventually. Everything around him changed. All the colors - from the warm blue and sea green patterns on his bed sheet, to the vibrant red flowers and yellow vase on the oil painting hanging on his wall, to the brown leather cover of the wing chair at the corner of his room - gradually receded, dissolving into a matte of gray and white and black.
Dave was prepared for this. Or so he thought. He was well aware that once Carpathians reached their two-hundredth year, they would lose touch of their emotions and the ability to see everything in color. But Dave never imagined it would be like this - that he would turn into nothing but an empty shell.
*
Mist crept along the narrow road where Daughtry lived. Gray shadows hovered close to the cobblestone street. The sudden chill that brushed against Daughtry's exposed skin made him stop in his tracks.
The street was empty. But he could feel the weight of someone's eyes on him. Lights from the lampposts cast eerie shadows against the ground. The mist was drawn into a spot near the entrance to Daughtry's building and soon took shape of a man.
Daughtry tried to walk past him but a hand suddenly clasped around his arm.
"It's been a long time, Chris," the vampire said, almost growling against his ear.
"What do you want, Constantine?" Daughtry yanked his arm out of Constantine's grasp. The vampire's presence made Daughtry's chest twist in disdain.
Constantine's laughter brought chills down Daughtry's back. "Is it so wrong for me to visit an old friend?"
"Don't fuck with me." Daughtry shot Constantine a deathly glare. "I know exactly what you came here for and I'm telling you now, as I have in the past, that you're just wasting your time."
"Really." Constantine moved around him, literally breathing down his neck. "I thought you would have reconsidered by now. Pity…" the vampire tutted annoyingly, "you could be an excellent asset to the clan."
Daughtry could feel control slipping away. His whole body shivered, his resolve weakening.
"Think about it," Constantine said insidiously. "You have nothing left here. "
"I…" Daughtry's hands clenched into fists at his sides, desperately keeping himself anchored - refusing to be lured to the darkness. He shouldn't let Constantine get to him. He shouldn't.
"Leave him alone." A voice that held an air of authority pulled Daughtry out of his daze. The hypnotic veil shrouding him was lifted almost instantly.
Dave crept out of the shadows, face masked with malice and threat. His predatory gaze never left Constantine even when the vampire stepped away from Daughtry.
"I was just paying my old friend a visit," Constantine said while backing away.
"Screw you. I know what you're trying to do." Dave was vigilant knowing that Constantine was full of tricks. He could pull one out of his sleeves any time.
Constantine just slunk further away, lips stretched in a cold-hearted smirk. Without blinking, Dave watched the vampire shift into a bat and only moved when the creature faded into the night sky.
"Are you okay?" Dave asked Daughtry cautiously.
"Yeah." Daughtry ran a hand over his face and took a deep breath. "Yeah."
Dave eyed Daughtry warily. He could feel the anxiety resonating from Daughtry's body, could hear the rapid beating of his friend's heart and could see Daughtry's eyes clouded with uncertainty.
It took a few deep breaths and several seconds before Dave's presence registered in Daughtry's conscious thoughts. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"I was in the neighborhood. Feeding." Dave lied but he knew Daughtry was aware that Dave had been watching him like a hawk for the past five decades. Daughtry gave no indication that he knew the real reason why Dave was there though.
"Wanna come inside?" The hinges made a noise when Daughtry pushed the wooden door open but he barely had a foot inside when he saw something move behind Dave through the corner of his eye. "Dave! Look out!"
Dave spun around with his arm stretched out. His fist slammed hard against the side of a vampire's face.
Two more vampires appeared out of nowhere and Dave jumped one of them before he could attack. He swung his fist across the vampire's head and drove the other right against the vampire's jaw.
Daughtry held one by the throat but the vampire was too strong that he was able to slip out of Daughtry's grip. The creature struck Daughtry right on his abdomen with an open palm that sent Daughtry hurling towards the building's wall.
"Chris!" Dave cried out but his eyes were still on the vampire, watching the beast's nails protract. He leaped out of the way when the vampire tried to claw at his shoulder. It was a fraction of a second too late before he noticed another vampire behind him and Dave felt cold metal plunge through his side before he could whirl around and grab the other vampire's throat.
With a flick of his hand, Dave snapped the vampire's neck, his thumb digging right through the carotid artery. Blood spurted out, the acidity clinging to his skin, burning like shit. Then he plunged his fist through the vampire's chest, pulled the heart out and tossed it in the air. Lightning swooped down rapidly and struck the organ, incinerating it.
Daughtry yelled, "Behind you!" but before Dave could pivot, the other vampire had struck, fingernails scraping like blades against the back of his neck.
Dave aimed for the vampire's chest but the sharp sting on his wound was distracting enough to slow him down. The vampire turned to mist, gray shadow billowing through the night air. When he spun around to check on Daughtry, he saw him pushing a metal rod straight through the vampire's chest and the creature burst into dusts.
"Constantine's minions, no doubt," Daughtry said, eyes burning with rage.
"I should have killed that son of a bitch," Dave spat. He itched to get his hand around Constantine's heart. "You okay?" he asked for the second time that night when he noticed that Daughtry wasn't moving from his spot.
Daughtry jerked out of his stupor. He flinched when he met Dave's gaze. It felt like Dave's eyes were trying to dig deep into his soul.
"Yeah," Daughtry started but he knew Dave would see through his façade so he dropped his guard and sighed, "no, I uh… I felt it, Dave." He raised a shaky hand to his hairless head and rubbed against the smooth skin. "I felt the darkness it… it just grabbed at me and I uh… I almost fell into its trap."
"Hey." Dave closed the distance between them and placed a hand gingerly on Daughtry's shoulder. "You did well fighting it, my friend. Don't lose hope."
"I know." Daughtry took a step back causing Dave's hand to fall. "I know." His gaze dropped near Dave's hip and saw that his gray shirt was soaked. "You need help in healing that?"
Dave followed Daughtry's gaze. "Nah. I can manage." The injury made by the dagger didn't burn as much as the lesion at the back of his neck. "The sun will be up soon. Go get some rest. I'll see you tonight."
*
A murky atmosphere greeted Dave when he entered his apartment. He made a beeline to the bathroom and ignoring the chill, he peeled his shirt off on the way.
He tossed the blood-soaked shirt on the hamper sitting near the bathroom door and reached down to feel the wound on his side with the tip of his fingers, willing it to heal. The cut wasn't too deep and he could feel it gradually mending.
With a damp cloth, he wiped off the blood around the wound then brought it up against his neck. "Ugh," he hissed, the sound echoing across the hollow space. He was certain that the vampire's nails were coated with poison and it was slowly seeping into his flesh, draining him of the last layers of his consciousness.
The faint glow of the morning sun peered through the thin gap of his drapes when he stumbled into his bedroom. He didn't bother to close it. The rays wouldn't reach his bed anyway. Once Dave had his back pressed into the mattress, his eyes slid close and he began to chant the healing ritual, doing his best to stay awake long enough for him to heal.
The poison is too strong though and he didn't think he could stay conscious any longer. Maybe he shouldn't fight it. Maybe he should let himself slip into that tranquil place.
No! Don't fall asleep.
Dave's eyes snapped open. Instinct kicked in and he closed his mind, raising the barriers around him.
Are you alright? You seem hurt.
Dave didn't recognize the telepathic imprint so he wondered who could get through his mental path without him allowing it. Curious, he sent out a thought. Who are you?
Oh my gosh. You can talk to me through my thoughts.
Apparently. Dave could sense that this stranger was young. He held back any snide remark when he realized the most probable reason why this stranger could link to his mind.
How is it I can hear you in my thoughts? I mean, this is amazing, the stranger said, mind clearer and more open now that Dave could sense him, but he had to make sure his theory was correct.
What's your name? he asked, ignoring the stranger's question.
Nothing but silence followed and Dave wondered if he had lost the telepathic connection. Then he sensed uncertainty from the stranger before he felt the mind touch - hesitant, subdued and wary. David. My name's David. Archuleta. What's yours?
Male, Dave thought to himself. Young.
Excuse me?
My name is David, too. David Cook. Most people I know call me Dave though.
This is weird. Even weirder that we have the same name were the thoughts that were pushed into Dave's mind.
There was a sudden shift in the telepathic link and Dave could sense David's discomfort. I have to go. I mean, it's weird because, well… never mind. Will you be alright though?
The worry that thrummed from David's thoughts was palpable so Dave felt inclined to assure David that he would be fine.
Well, it was um… nice talking to you. There was a vivid coyness when David said, Maybe we can do this again some time, which Dave found endearing.
Sure was all Dave was able to send out before he felt the loss of the mind link. "Fuck," he spat and forced himself up, hissing when he felt the sharp sting on his nape. He needed to find a healer. Fast. If he had just been able to share a mental path with a complete stranger, it could only mean that he had found his lifemate. Hope ignited deep within him, ignoring the fact that his lifemate was male.
*
"David?"
David was startled out of the mind link when his mom, Lupe, knocked softly before pushing his bedroom door open
"Yeah mom?" The anxiety of being able to communicate with someone telepathically still thrummed in his chest but David did his best to push it aside and look as innocent as he could.
"I was calling you down for breakfast. I thought you had to leave early today. Come down before your bacon gets cold." Lupe left without giving David a chance to respond.
A blanket of silence draped over his room and the only sounds David could hear were the faint clutter of kitchen utensils, birds chirping outside his window and his heart beating like a tribal drum. David pressed the heel of his hand against his rib cage, willing his heart to calm down.
A lot of weird things had been happening lately but this certainly took the cake. Not only was David able to lock minds with a complete stranger but he also felt Dave's pain, felt Dave's consciousness slowly slipping away. It almost felt like David was likewise wounded and he could feel the pain at the back of his neck. He wondered if Dave was seriously hurt. Impulse prompted the need to contact Dave but his mom's voice yanked him out of his rumination.
"David!"
"Coming Mom!" David pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind, making a mental note to try and reach Dave telepathically when he was back at his dorm, hoping his roommate wouldn't be back yet.
Right now he had to focus on acting normal. At least he was in college now. A few kids back in high school treated him like he was some kind of freak, claiming that they could hear him in their thoughts. What made the taunting worse was when the school bullies locked him up inside the janitor's cabinet and he (accidentally) broke the door down, shattering the wood into pieces.
David cleared his head, willing the bitter memories away before he rushed out of his bedroom.
*
"You think he's human?" Andrew settled comfortably on the couch, his arms tucked behind his head. He had just returned from Europe where he had to go and meet with clan leaders in Dave's stead. Lazing around his brother's apartment seemed like the perfect way to wind down.
"I don't know." Dave stopped pacing, his gaze sliding over to Andrew. "His telepathic link was too strong for a human."
"Well, if he is your lifemate, that would explain it." Andrew could see the distress swirling on the surface of his brother's eyes. It had been a week since Dave heard from this stranger - this… David - and he'd been nothing but a wreck even after he had healed from the wound that the vampire had inflicted. "If he isn't human, then there's a large probability that he's one of us. But you said he seemed astonished over the fact that he was able to talk to you telepathically."
"Yeah." Dave ran a hand over his face and started to march back and forth across the room. "I was thinking that he was probably raised by humans and had no clue about his nature."
"Possibly." Andrew moved his shoulders in a shrug and pushed himself upright. He was getting sick of watching his brother practically burn a hole on the floor. "Have you tried to contact him lately?"
Dave shook his head as if the idea was absurd.
"I don't wanna scare him." The agitation Dave sensed from David was intense enough that Dave didn't want to provoke the feeling any further. He would wait for David to reach out to him.
"Fine. Be modest or whatever." Andrew waved his arm around, gesturing over to the door. "But please stop brooding in here and go out, feed, do whatever, and stop pining over some stranger who probably just tripped over his extra sensory perception."
"You don't even find this unusual?" Dave eyed his brother, his gaze shielded with layers of incredulity.
"What? That your lifemate is male?" The skin between Andrew's eyebrows furrowed. "My dearest brother. You actually think I have forgotten? I remember a hundred years ago that you preferred to fornicate with men than women."
Dave felt his mouth twitch and he thought it was futile to fight it so he let the smile slide on his lips.
Andrew was quick to add, "And I know for a fact that for the past five decades, more of our people have found lifemates of the same gender," before Dave could utter a word. Andrew seemed to be more aware of the past and recent events than Dave did and Dave couldn't help but think that Andrew was probably more worthy to govern their people.
"I can hear your thoughts, brother," Andrew interposed. "And don't you dare think about dumping your inherited responsibilities on my lap. The trip to Europe was hell enough. I'm happy with my immortal life as it is."
Dave snorted. He sauntered over to the coat closet to grab his leather jacket.
"Where are you going?" Andrew called after him when Dave was halfway out the door.
"Out, obviously. To feed. You were right. I shouldn't wait around and sulk here." Dave let the door slide close behind him.
~ tbc ~