painting the night with brush strokes of gray: (Closed thread)

[SandS13]

Imogen sat back down at Gabriel's urging. She relaxed as he washed her hair. "You said that bonds get stronger over time. We both have time to learn and grow. Your hand was forced but..." She turned to face him, hair full of suds. "I do not think it was wrong. I think I am scared and a lot has occurred but with you things are right."

Imogen sunk down under the water rinsing away the majority of the shampoo. She surfaced and smiled shyly as she flicked a little water at him. "You could have come in with me..."

 

[The_gladiator]

“How could I refuse a request like that,” he said as he slowly began to take off his clothes, unveiling himself to her eyes. “I was working on self-control,” he said as he stepped into the water. His body’s excitement at the sight of her already visible.

As he joined her in the water, he began to wash the rest of her, hands sliding over her skin, lifting each part out of the tub to wash, then dipping it back in the water to rid it of the suds.

 

[SandS13]

Imogen watched him as Gabriel undress and climbed in to join her. She shifted so that she was between his legs and relaxed as he washed her body.

She returned in kind, washing down his legs, his arms and his torso. She took her time but did not stray to far down. He said he was working on self control and she thought, for the moment to help.

Her body faced him, kneeling between his legs. Imogen took his hands in her and placed them on her face, one on either side. "I wish to show you something. Last night...he showed me Catarina's memories but when he ripped my mind open he also found memories that I did not know were there. Things from my childhood...things I have no recollection of at all. I told you that I had a bad memory, you said you thought Morgan blocked it. I think you are right. There are holes in my past that were shown to me last night. You said you said you would know all of me. I want to show you."

Her absolute fear of opening her mind willingly radiated off of her. She was doing this, not because he was forcing her but because she wanted to take the steps to open herself and give all of herself to him.

Imogen closed her eyes. Her breathing slowed and she pulled him into her mind.

They stood and watched how a young Imogen hid in the little closet in the hallway. It was her hiding place. She looked to be no more than five. The sound of a fight, crashing glass. Imogen peaked out of her hiding place and saw her father lying in the hall, blood pouring out of his neck. Her eyes lifted and Dimitri lifted her mother up in the air, slashed at her neck and then pulled her in to drink from the wound.

The door was opened and hands pulled the little girl out. A hand clapped over her mouth and she was shrouded in darkness. Morgan had taken advantage of Dimitri's feeding to steal the girl away. They watched as little Imogen looked up at Morgan, crying and Morgan pressed a hand to the little girl's head. It was clear this was the first time Morgan had tampered with her memory.

The scene shifted. Imogen sat in a hard chair, no more than eight years old.

"She doesn't speak. At all. She doesn't sleep and when she does it is in her clothes and hidden in the closet. We can't cope. We want to give her the best but she is too lost in her own world."

They could see through Imogen's eyes, she could see the adults auras around them. She knew they did not want her. She had known when she first met them. She didn't look like what they were expecting and had 'issues'.

Just like the rest. No one wanted the strange little girl who seemed to see everything but said nothing. It was that day that Imogen learned to close off her feelings, tuck them away deep within herself. As she sat on that hard chair her aura changed, dimming before their eyes.

The memory shifted and Imogen was in an office that looked oddly familiar but different. She was laying on a couch. It was clear the young girl was nervous. Morgan came to sit in a chair near by. "Now, close your eyes and let's get to work. I want you to count backwards from ten and when you wake we will be back in your childhood home...." They watched as Morgan closed her eyes and looked to be concentrating.

"And now you will wake and we are back in my office." Morgan sighed softly. "I am sorry to say we were not able to tap into those memories still. Another appointment, two weeks time." She stood and brushed her fingers on Imogen's face. "Don't worry we will get to the bottom of it."

A wide eyed Imogen nodded up to the woman. It was clear now that Morgan had tampered with her mind.

Again the scene shifted. Now, a teen aged Imogen was sleeping on the street, hiding in dark corners. She used her ability to read people to help her steal food and things she needed but never more than just what she needed. As the memory played out there was always what seemed to be a large dog just out of line of sight.

Imogen reached up to take his hands from her face. She was breathing unevenly. "Now you have learned things about myself as I am learning them." Her voice was soft.

 

[The_gladiator]

Gabriel enjoyed her washing of him and bent in to kiss her softly. When her expression grew more serious, he nodded his consent to learn what she wanted to show him. He did not take for granted what she was offering him.

He reached out and joined with her, “I am here little one,” his voice breathed into her mind filling her with his soothing feelings of joining with her. Gabriel watched the images of little Imogen, of the first time Morgan tampered with her memory. It reminded him of his painting, of the fear he could remember but he couldn’t remember specifics, it made him wonder if someone had tampered with his mind as well. If so, it was startling how similar their paths were.

As more and more unfolded he grew more and more troubled, at what Morgan had done to this little girl. This beautiful woman now.

He watched the teenaged Imogen forced to steal. He was curious what the dog signified. As she brought him back with her into reality, he pulled her into his chest and asked. “Morgan’s actions though disturbing are nothing beyond what we expected. Can you explain to me the dog in your memories? It seems to be close, always close to you.” His hands caressed her back, touched that she had showed him things in her mind. He knew that he would need to open up to her, and did not know that he had the strength that she did.

 

[SandS13]

"Dog?" Imogen seemed genuinely confused. "I did not see a dog." She leaned into him, her head going to his shoulder. With a noise of frustration, Imogen moved and climbed into his lap no longer content to kneel between his legs. She needed to feel him around her.

"Morgan...I never knew I had met her so many times. She was present but...wiped it from me." She curled up against his chest, relishing the feel of him. My Gabriel...

"I hope that helps you know me a little more..."

 

[The_gladiator]

He was surprised by her mentioning not seeing a dog. How was it that he had seen it? Something they would need to continue to explore. He cuddled her closer. “Morgan has much to answer for, that’s for sure. It is clear she has run your life for many years.” He kissed her softly on the forehead.

He nodded to her question, “It does help me know you better. Does it help you know yourself better is the more important question, though.” He replied. She was so brave to show him those things, he could sense how scared to do so she had been, yet she had done so, had challenged herself.

 

[SandS13]

"I am still coming to terms with the pieces of me I have never seen. I knew I lived on the streets, hiding away but I have never seen it like that and I do not remember details. I never remember the details...."

Imogen looked up at him. "As you have seen...as we have seen I was a strange child and led basic life on the streets. Morgan took me in and now...here with you." Her hand moved up his neck. "I am glad you can know this of me."

She had made herself open and vulnerable. Gabriel had barely batted an eye.

 

[The_gladiator]

He kissed her softly on the forehead. “I can only imagine the pain of that little one.” He stood slowly reaching for a towel to begin to dry, and sliding it around his waist he offered her a hand to get out of the tub. When she was out, he offered her a towel, wrapping it around her form. “We see now that I was right about why your memory is so poor. In a sick way you owe your life to Morgan, yet, she also seems to have messed with your mind and that in the beginning seemed to be for your safety, but beyond that was it necessary?” he asked.

His face was serious, contemplative. “I fear that something similar was done to my memories,” he admitted finally. “We knew of the blocks, but as I reached back this morning to my childhood, there are things I do not remember. I dismissed it as time, but there are things from my youth that I remember like they were yesterday, suggesting the fog over other things is tampering.” He let his fingertips trail over her bare skin as he passed her to hang up his towel, leaving him naked once again. It was like he could not be near her and not touch her. “How similar we really are little one,” he finally added.

 

[SandS13]

Imogen studied him for a moment. "Morgan tried and could not get to your memories. It stands that things are being kept from you as they were kept from me. I do not know why though..."

She was staring at his naked form, drinking him in. She licked her lips before walking away to the bedroom once more. Imogen stood at the end of the bed, still wrapped in the towel. "We need to learn more about you memories. But first..."

Imogen dropped the towel. She stood there naked, clean, hair dripping. "You said you planned to claim me...as you mate...as yours...do you still desire to do so?"

Her breasts rose and fell enticingly. "Do you need to show self control now? I would not have you do so..." She knew he would be able to smell her arousal. She wanted to feel him hard and insistent above her. She needed him to banish the memory of Dimitri, of Daniel's touch. She needed him to take her as his once more.

 

[The_gladiator]

“Yes, I tried to paint from my memory. I came up with some sort of bizarre image. I have no idea what it means. I can only think that when my memories are restored it will make sense to me.” As he spoke, he neared her. His eyes never left her, drinking in every moment.

“It is difficult to function with how much I need you little one,” he admitted. The beast within wants to claim you savagely, to prove to itself that you are mine.” His hand slid around her waist pulling her against him, “But the life mate in me needs to show you that you are cherished, that I won’t hurt you, that you are my precious little one,”

He dipped his head down capturing her lips. He growled at how good she felt pressing to him. He could smell her arousal, taste the unique flavor that was her. He resisted the urge to throw her on the bed. Instead he took his time kissing her thoroughly as his hand slid down to hold her throat, a possessive touch, demanding and possessive, yet the way he did it was so tender and protective.

 

[SandS13]

Imogen was breathing hard as he drew close. She moaned as his hands touched her. Her arms wrapped about his neck and pressed her body closer to him.

"Banish their touch from my body, from my mind..." It was whispered against his lips. Her tongue then sought entry into his mouth. Imogen kissed him deeply. "I need you. I need to feel you in me, on me...mark me with your touch, your scent...make it known I am yours alone."

She wasn't sure if she was appealing to the beast or his tender side but she needed him desperately.

"I know you will not hurt me. I want you to give in...show me I am yours."

Imogen touched his face, making him look at into her eyes. Once more she pulled him into her mind.

See how I desire you...see how I want you...see that I am falling in love with you...

 

[The_gladiator]

He entered her mind as he urged her legs up around his waist, hands like iron bands beneath her ass. He perched her on the edge of the high bed and drove himself into her with one swift motion. He stood between her thighs and took her hard and fast.

He had planned on being gentle and caring, but her words urged him on, made him want to give in and just claim her. He let his tongue dance with hers as he flexed his hips driving through her folds and deep in her core. He finally broke the kiss and pulled her head to his chest as he drove into her. It was a blatant invitation for her to sample his blood, to make their exchange a part of their bonding. His ancient blood would continue to strengthen her, and join them closer. His hand was on the back of her head as he offered himself to her, even as he joined them with pleasure between their legs as well.

 

[SandS13]

Imogen sighed as he gave him. She felt Gabriel's hands take her, squeezing her ass hard. She let her head go back as he began to move in her. It was hard, deep...fast. It was what she wanted, what she needed from him.

Her mouth met his, tongues dancing as Gabriel fucked her hard. She didn't hesitate. Teeth grew long and sunk into him with little fanfare. She needed him just as he claimed to need her.

Imogen let her mind open before him as well.

Claim me. I am yours.

She took from him, sealing the marks with her tongue as she orgasmed. Imogen cried out with the intensity of it. Her nails raked his back.

 

[The_gladiator]

Her feeding from him was electric and it sent pleasure spiraling through him. He fought to hold off his orgasm, he was not yet finished with her. His grin was savage with pleasure as she orgasmed around his shaft.

He leaned her back and his teeth sunk into her breast. He drew at her blood as he found his own release. When he pulled back to kiss her, he had only partially healed the mark. He left his mark on her left breast, just over her heart. It was a clear indication that she was his, and he had left it in such a place that most would see it if she wore anything revealing. It was as clear a visible claim as he could have chosen. She was his and he wanted everyone to know it.

He kissed her with a fervent passion as he wound down from his powerful release. He could taste their mingled flavors in their kiss and it was just proof of their bonding of their fit together. “You are mine little one, and now everyone will see that.” He said sounding a bit self-satisfied with what he had done.

 

[SandS13]

Imogen gasped as he sunk his teeth into her breast. She felt him pull from her and as Gabriel came, so did she. He aroused her like no other.

Her kisses matched his, her hands moving to hold him close as they both let their pleasure wash over them. She nuzzled his cheek. "Yours."

Her hand moved over the mark he had left. "A love bite as it were?"

 

[The_gladiator]

He smiled as he took in his mark on her. He nodded his agreement with her question. “Yes, and they will be able to tell you are claimed, and most will sense even that it is mine. Though, there will be some that will criticize how… public I made the mark,” he said with a small smile, remembering that he was to see Nicholas that night. “It might keep Byron from hitting on you though, that man does not do subtle hints,” he said with a chuckle as he kissed her.

It was clear from his tone that he was anxious to see his friends. He pulled her up into his arms hugging her tight. He could not resist the urge to kiss her again, tilting her face up to his.

 

[SandS13]

Imogen wrapped her arms about him tightly, kissing him back. "You are like a drug. I cannot get enough of you." She whispered it against his lips.

She sighed into his neck. "Who is Byron?"

This was perfect being in his arms. She planted soft kisses on his neck. "I want to see this painting you did. Maybe we need to see about having someone else try to go in your mind. Someone who isn't Morgan."

 

[The_gladiator]

“Byron is a foppish shameless son of a bitch who would hit on a rock if he thought it was willing. I can also guarantee he paints his fingernails more often than you do.” Was his surprisingly dry reply, though clearly said with fondness. “He’s the singer for the Deadmen,Nicholas’s current band.” He looked down at her, “They are completely made up of vampires. Real subtle name, right?” he said also dryly.

His humor faded away as she mentioned his painting and his memories. “I may ask Nicholas to take a look, not sure he will go against Vlad though, if Vlad put the blocks in place. Nicholas is technically not a sentinel any longer, however he is very protective of anyone he cares about. If he truly feels the blocks are there for a good reason, he may refuse,” he said contemplatively.

 

[SandS13]

Imogen pulled away and untangled herself from him. She moved behind him, her fingers moving from his shoulders down to his ass as if memorizing the terrain of his body.

"All we can do is ask him. If not him than we will have to speak to Vlad. I feel it is unfair that others have decided what we should and should not remember."

Imogen pulled away and moved to the other room. She stood before the easel and pulled the cover off. She let out a strangled cry, hand over her mouth as she backed away.

"How? How did you know what they looked like?" Her voice was shaky. It was clear that the painting had shaken her to her core.

 

[The_gladiator]

He nodded his agreement with her words. “It’s true, even if they feel they are doing right by us.” He shivered at her touches as he pulled the jeans on. He then tugged on the black t-shirt he had ordered brought to him.

He heard her strangled cry and was at her side in an instant. The features of the figures looked vague to him, clearly a male, female and 3 children, though the configuration of how they were positioned was very clear. “What do you mean. I have no recollection of what they looked like. It’s all so foggy. I do not know why this image came to me. You act like it means something to you?” he asked as he rubbed her back gently startled by her words.

 

[SandS13]

She was still naked and now she felt as if there was ice in her veins. As Gabriel came to her she pressed against his body.

"It is Catarina, Dimitri and their three children." She managed to just get the words out.

Imogen focused on his presence. Her hands went under his shirt to touch his stomach and chest. She needed his warmth, his strength to anchor her to the present.

"I saw the children. I saw...no felt them as they were born. I saw her- me -she gave one of the boys to another to protect. The other boy -" She sobbed. "He was gone. Dead. The girl..."

She slowed her breathing and divided the memories. She was not Catarina. She had seen her memories but Imogen had also seen her own, ones she did not know existed. She was two souls at war for space but Imogen's was stronger.

"How do you know what the children looked like?"

 

[The_gladiator]

Gabriel listened to her words and filled in the gap when she mentioned the girl, “The girl was Gabriella, she died some 200 years ago now. She was the only child of Dimitri and Katarina to survive to adulthood.”

“That cannot be Dimitri in the painting though.” Here he pulled out the painting from the day before. “Though I cannot see the resemblance between Dimitri and I as you say you see, I can see this male is not Dimitri, it’s someone else.” He looked at her, “You said she gave away one of the boys… Could this be the man she gave him away to? Why would she not give away both boys for safe keeping?” he asked then seemed to remember her words about one of them being dead. “Our women are so rare, why wouldn’t she have sent away the daughter?” he frowned, “The legends say that Gabriella the daughter was present when Marco killed Katarina. Dimitri prevented him from killing her. Though got there too late to save Katarina.” Abruptly his analysis faltered. “If this is what is going on in this painting. If it is at least Katarina and her children… why did I paint this. Why would this image be embedded in my mind?”

 

[SandS13]

"Oh god...it is the one she gave him to." Imogen shook her head. "He is similar to you both, you and Dimitri but darker eyes. Such dark eyes. She couldn't save the other boy...it was too late."

Imogen shook her head. "I-I don't know. Not all the memories have come to the surface."

She pulled him close. "Did you see this in my mind last night? How do you have this memory? Were you there too?" She reached out to touch his cheek. "We need to have you mind opened. Someone had hidden important things from you."

A shiver moved through her and Imogen slowly pulled away and knelt by the table. She pulled her bag out and rummaged through it. She pulled out something green. Standing she pulled it on as one might a robe and tied it at her waist. The green sweater dress was tied to show off her small waist, short to show off her legs and low cut to show off her cleavage. Even without a bra her breasts presented a tantalizing sight in the green wool. His mark was just visible when she moved. She found a black thong and pulled it up under the dress. Barefoot she moved back to Gabriel.

Her eyes were on the painting. "I do not understand it but that is the last time she saw her children and the first of their deaths. This one" She pointed to the other boy. "He was taken to safety."

 

[The_gladiator]

He listened to her questions but he didn’t have answers. “She meant to send both boys away.” He said softly finally almost like he was musing aloud, less to her and more just to the universe. “Marco wanted the boys dead more than the daughter; he swore that he would not see little Dimitris running around.” He spoke like he was lost almost in a trance. “The blood, the blood when the boy was killed, just when he was almost to safety. The other boy crying seeing his brother die like that.”

He seemed to shake himself and was back with her. “It’s all there in the painting,” he said and it was true, Gabriel had painted the blood around the infant on the ground, and the other crying clearly looking back, reaching out, not for his mother as Gabriel had originally thought, but for his brother. Somehow those conclusions felt right though. “I must have seen this in your mind.” He said shrugging at her questions. He seemed willing to accept that as the easiest explanation.

His eyes moved to her and he seemed all too willing to be distracted by her beauty. His smile of appreciation was slow and seductive.

_______

In a neighboring town Nicholas loaded his guitar onto the bus. He was troubled by the summons he’d received. Not necessarily that Gabriel had reached out to him, the kid had relied on him as an almost secondary mentor/ older brother for years. No, it also startled him to get a call from Morgan, master of a neighboring city. It was common knowledge that Morgan wasn’t overly fond of Nicholas, and Live After Death, Nicholas’s bar, was probably the biggest competition to Blood Moon, which Morgan owned, in the entire state. Both catered to the supernatural community, though the clubs were fairly different. Morgan had invited him to come play shows. She had been clear that she wanted him to bring some of his best people, but had been somewhat secretive about the reasons behind her request. Unfortunately, Gabriel hadn’t been much clearer. Nicholas had a bad feeling about it all. But he couldn’t refuse the request from either of them, not especially together like that.

“Ready to go boss?” Nicholas turned at the upbeat tone that roused him from his grim thoughts. He nodded to Byron. The blond-haired vampire flashed a smile at him. Fool was Incorrigible. “Never thought we’d actually take the deadmen on tour,” Byron offered. “Speaking of such, were you able to get ahold of the travelers like Morgan asked. That’s some serious star power she wants. What kind of major concert is she having there anyway? It’s not every day she asks for a travelers reunion.”

“Reunion?” Nicholas asked his second, “To my knowledge they never broke up, I just left,”

“Yeah, but since you’re the traveler himself, I’m calling it a reunion.” Byron said to which Nicholas could only roll his eyes and shrug. “You said Gabe’s there too?”

“Yes, but I wouldn’t call him that if I were you.”

“What, not another one of you grim don’t have a sense of humor types.”

“Yes Byron, He’s a sentinel.”

“Thank god you pulled that stick out of your ass.”

“Did I, though?”

“Good point.” Byron harrumphed. “So, did you reach the Travelers?”

Nicholas nodded, “Ehlana said they would come. Darian also acknowledged.”

“Did you call them, or just do your jedi mind tricks.”

“You say that like you don’t have the same powers,” Nicholas said dryly.

“Yeah but they’re nothing compared to your mental abilities. I’ve seen you mindwipe an entire bar full of humans. These aren’t the droids you’re looking for…” Nicholas rolled his eyes at Byron’s comment complete with jedi focusing gesture.

“Are you bringing Melany?” Nicholas asked changing the subject.

“Of course, you think I can function without that woman? Don be silly my man.” And Byron’s accent that came and went seemingly at a whim returned.

“Right wouldn’t want you to go sticking your dick into something you shouldn’t.” This comment was spoken by Axle, the drummer for the band as he lugged a few more drums onto the truck.

“Seriously my man, are you jealous?”

“I didn’t say that… That woman is a saint for putting up with your sleazy ass,” was the muttered reply. Nicholas just shrugged his shoulders and walked off to leave the other two to their banter. As he stepped off the bus, he encountered Melany, Byron’s Afore mentioned human servant.

“Evenin sugar, don’t you look handsome as always.” And Nicholas obediently stood there while she straightened his shirt. Melany wouldn’t be happy if she wasn’t mothering someone, Byron took most of her fussing, but even Nicholas wasn’t immune.

“Evening Mel.”

“Byron givin you trouble dearie?”

“No more than usual.”

“Isn’t that the truth, he would try the patience of the pope, or probably a Saint.” Nicholas snorted a laugh and patted her hands.

“We leave shortly can you make sure everyone is ready?” he asked. Daytime manager of his club she was used to wrangling people and willingly nodded.

________

An hour or two later, Nicholas strode into Morgan’s office. He was flanked by Byron and Axel. Both contrasted with Nicholas, but in very different ways. Byron was wearing more makeup than Morgan, and his nails were painted. He was fair of hair and eyes. Axle was built like a beer keg stocky and was honestly one of the heaviest male vampires most had seen. He looked like he should be playing football or rugby. Nicholas hated this part, the formalities. He bowed his head to Morgan. “Thank you for inviting us to your fine city.”

“We did not realize you were such a fan of our music,” Byron chimed in, earning a slightly dirty look from Nicholas. Not that he disagreed with the statement, just the informality of his friend.

“What my friend is trying to say is are their other reasons that you wanted us here at this time?” he asked. Pretending for the moment that Gabriel had not reached out to him also.

 

[SandS13]

Imogen ran a hand through her still damp hair. "Must be it..." She was less convinced now. He seemed to 'feel' the memory in a personal way. She said nothing though, Gabriel seemed content with the notion that it was her memory.

"We should finish getting ready and go see how the brothers are doing before we speak with Morgan. I think we need to speak to her. I do not like that it seems as if she is working on plans without our involvement. She tried that once. You would think she would have learned."

Imogen went back to her bag to find her brush and other toiletries. Fifteen minutes later she was slipping on her heels, the only shoes she had brought and was tucking her bag back under the table. She had not bothered with make up and jewelry, she wasn't working. "You know I planned for only four days. I will have to get some other clothes from my apartment...later, it is of low priority."

Imogen looked at Gabriel. "Ready?"
---
Morgan gestured for them all to take a seat. "You are here because we have a rather large problem to deal with and myself, Gabriel and the Angeles brothers are not able to handle it on our own."

She adjusted in her seat. "You are familiar with the story of Dimitri and Catarina? How he bonded with her and it started a war. Her human husband hunted them, killed their sons. For Dimitri's part he slaughtered two of Catarina's human children. Six remained. Gabriella was killed...The last of the vampire children. Catarina was murdered by her former human husband...We all thought Dimitri dead."

She waited and let it all sink in. "Well he is alive and has been killing for centuries. He is trying to track down Catarina's blood line, wipe from from the earth and search for her. We have found her."