The Dark Before the Dawn (Closed for Gladiator)

[isolemnlyswear89]

Rory sighed and stared down at her plate, lost in thought briefly. "He wasn't always a bad guy..." she said with a small smile. "Life just got us down".

She shrugged. "I plan on telling him I'm a server or a bartender here. He will believe it because I've done both of those jobs before. He always considered my dancing a silly little hobby, nothing I can ever make money with." She laughed wryly.

"Not that I was planning on doing THIS kind of dancing with my life" she said, still laughing. "I had always imagined myself on Broadway or somewhere like that. In some famous show as a lead dancer..." her eyes gleamed as she spoke, lost in a far-off dream.

"At least I'm working WITH someone famous though", she grinned, trying to take the edge off of the confession she had just made.

 

[The_gladiator]

He nodded at her words, “Life gets in the way. Sometimes, though, it’s a good idea to move on before you hate one another.” He fell silent drawn into his own thoughts for a moment.

“What keeps you from dancing in a Broadway show?” he asked, reaching out to wipe something off her face with his thumb, not having ha napkin in front of him. It was a convenient reason to touch her though. He merely shrugged her comment about his fame away eyes still on her, curious why indeed she had not gone on to Broadway.


Meanwhile across town, Curt woke with a snort, his own snoring startling him awake. He looked around bleary eyed. Where was she, was his first thought. The apartment was dark. Slowly he got up from his recliner, grabbing a cold slice of pizza as he began to tromp through the apartment looking for her. He ground the knuckles of his hand into his eyes and then stared down at the bedside clock next to the bed she wasn’t in, the blanket all neat still from when she had made it that morning. The little digital numbers read 1:30 what could be keeping her. He didn’t like it when she went out.

Belching, he returned to his recliner. Bars closed in a half hour; she would have to come home then, wouldn’t she? He’d give her a piece of his mind then. Not here to take care of him when he “needed” her, how dare she.

 

[isolemnlyswear89]

Rory laughed softly when Nicholas asked what kept her from broadway. " I just never got the opportunity to get there " she said, giving him a semi-sad smile. " I had to drop out of college in order to work so we could keep our apartment... and then I just had to work, in order to stay ahead. We eventually got to the point where I was able to quit, and I was going to go back to school. Then he lost his job... And he's decided he doesn't want to look for another. So here I am." She said, shrugging, looking at him earnestly.

" I don't know why I'm telling you all of this, I know you probably don't really care. I'm not looking for some kind of a pity party. I just knew that this was a good way for me to make money. If he doesn't like it..." she shuddered almost imperceptibly... "well... I will deal with that when it comes to that time".

She glanced at her watch and winced. " it's getting late, I probably should head home. Is there more that I need to do? Fill out paperwork or anything? Maybe I could come back tomorrow and finish. I need to call a cab because I let my friend go home instead of waiting for me".

 

[The_gladiator]

His eyes grew more and more grim the more of her story that she told. He frowned at her last words, “I would not make assumptions about others.” He said, “One of the reasons I hired…” he paused, “Helped you get hired was because I knew you needed the position, why then would I mind hearing the story behind the need I knew was there?” he asked.

As she mentioned needing to get home he rose and extended a hand to her in silent invitation, his eyes still studying her. “You are good at putting yourself down, aren’t you my lady?” was all he said.

He tugged open the door, “It would be just as easy for me to have someone drive you home, or drive you home myself, if you would prefer.” He offered beginning to lead her from the room.

 

[isolemnlyswear89]

Rory blushed when he mentioned her putting herself down. "I'm not putting myself down, I'm just telling how life is. It's just one of those things, you have to roll with the punches!" She assured him.

She reached out without hesitation and put her hand in his. She was comfortable with him, although she still had questions. There was still something going on that he wasn't telling her, and she wasn't exactly sure what it was. But she figured she would find out eventually, if she was supposed to ever know. She was almost sure it had something to do with the owner of the nightclub.

Nicholas offered to find her a ride home, or give her one himself. "A ride would be nice, money is a little short to call a cab, if I'm being honest. But I don't want you to have to go out of your way".

His hand was warm against hers, the palms rough in a desirable way. She was praying silently that he would be the one to offer to take her home, she would take as much of his company as she could possibly get.

 

[The_gladiator]

Nicholas was not sure why he felt the urge to touch her so much, but her hand felt good in his. So tiny compared to his. His thumb idly stroked over the back of her hand as he led her. “I sort of suspected money would be tight for a cab. You will come early tomorrow, I am sure Abe will want to work you over, and yes there should be some paperwork to complete as well.” He was unsure of the reason for his pull to her, but it was undeniable. Perhaps she was the one who he wanted for a human servant. He shrugged that away this slip of a girl could not be the one he waited for for hundreds of years. He had never taken a human servant, as he had never found the right one. She was special, but what had made him think like that?

A few minutes later, they emerged into a large underground garage, filled with all sorts of vehicles. They ranged from run of the mill SUV’s and sedans to elegant sports cars. There was a lot of money displayed here. “Employees park here, as well as some of the staff keeps extra vehicles here as well.” He explained. He led her to a black motorcycle painted with flames. “Been on a bike before?” he asked lifting her in the air and plopping her on the saddle before he remembered she was in a skirt and heals. “So, maybe we should take a different vehicle.” He offered a hint of embarrassment in his voice as he looked down at her almost exposed as she was legs spread over the seat. He had to admit though she looked good there, all that pale flesh of her legs spread over the black of the bike. He reached for her again a touch embarrassed at his pho pas.

 

[isolemnlyswear89]

Rory followed along beside Nicholas, taking in everything she saw as they walked. He seemed to be lost in thought, and she didnt interrupt him. Finally they approached a sexy black motorcycle and she eyed it appreciatively. Before she knew it, he had lifted her and plopped her down on the seat, causing her to gasp.

She could feel the cool night air travelling up her skirt and laughed at his obvious embarrassment. She shrugged.

"When we are riding, you will be blocking any vital parts from view for anyone else" she said, winking.

She patted the leather seat in front of her. "C'mon" she said, "show me how The Traveller travels".

When he climbed on the bike, she wasnt prepared for the feel of hin so close against her person space again. The smell of him enveloped her and she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Don't dump me off " she teased.

 

[The_gladiator]

He was surprised at her willingness to ride like that. However he relented, swinging one long leg over the bike. Reframing for trying to see another closer look at those said intimate parts. He loved the bike and as he suspected, he could feel every inch of her curvaceous form pressed to his back. He let one hand drop to brush over the top of her thigh. “Don’t burn your legs.” He cautioned.

With that he kick started the bike which came to life with a low growling rumble. He could feel her hands wrap around him hanging on. “I would catch you.” He said. The emotions he was feeling stealing some of the eloquent way of speaking he had shown before, leaving something rawer, full of emotions.

He shifted somewhat uncomfortably as his body again reacted to her nearness. Finally he put the bike in gear and Pulled out of the parking spot. He rode them to a ramp that lead up into the night air, and out onto a nearly deserted street. Belatedly he realized he should have at least found her a jacket. The night air was warm so the breeze felt good to him, but he was wearing much more clothing than she was. He revved the throttle and the bike began to pick up speed. He fought to keep his mind on the road, and not on her breasts pressed to his back, or her hands around his middle.

 

[isolemnlyswear89]

Nicholas's hand was so large it nearly covered her thigh when he touched her and she sighed softly, glad the motorcycle covered up the sound of longing. She was dreading going home. It was extremely late. Curt was going to be LIVID.

Pretty soon, Rory grew a little chilled despite the warm air. She snuggled closer to Nicholas, breathing in his scent, her cheek resting against his shoulders. She gave him directions to her trailer, and all too soon, they got close.

Nicholas pulled over and Rory slowly climbed off, finger combing her hair. She gave Nicholas a small smile.

"Thanks for everything tonight, and the ride home" she said softly.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw a movement and saw the curtain on the front window flutter close. Her heart jumped in her chest and and she took a deep breath. This wasn't going to be good. Fear roiled through her stomach.

With a disheartened wave, she told Nicholas she would see him tomorrow, and walked up, into the trailer.

"I'm home" she called out. "And good news! I got the job!"

Curt loomed from behind her. "And is that the dick you had to blow to get it?" he said in a deadly calm voice.

Rory turned to deny the accusation, saw Curt raise his hand.. and saw stars.

 

[The_gladiator]

He savored every second that she was pressed to him throughout the ride. He would occasionally drop a hand to stroke the outside of her leg at a red light, again with the urge to touch her.

All too soon the ride was ended as he pulled to a stop a bit from her trailer. She climbed off the bike, probably flashing half of the neighborhood to do it. He could sense her apprehension, almost fear from her. He had intended to ask her about the things he was sensing, or accompany her to the door, however his phone rang and as he answered it she gave a wave and promised she would see him tomorrow.

“It was one of his lieutenants. They’d smoked out an undercover cop at the bar and the dancer was a bit shook up. He drove back irritated at the interruption but that was his job to take care of his people, all of them, not just the one he was currently interested in.

Curt stood over her where she sprawled at his feet after his blow knocked her down. How dare she. He took such good care of her, she was his. He’d worked for years supporting her. “Who was he?” He said tone still that dead, empty cold voice as he hauled her back to her feet, slamming her to the wall hand around her throat. “You fucked him didn’t you? You little slut, you put that mouth…that you promised was just for me…on his prick and got him off didn’t you? Are you his little freak whore now?” He tightened his grip witching her eyes widen with the fear. Ah, the fear, he loved it, but she made him do this to him it was all her fault.

 

[isolemnlyswear89]

The back of Rory's head connected with the wall when he slammed her against it and she gasped. Her breath was ragged as his hand closed around her throat.

"I..." she gasped, "I swear... i didnt... do anything".

His hand let go of her throat and she crumpled in a pile on the floor, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes.

"He just gave me a ride home because Laura had to leave the club before I was done filling out paperwork."

She was crying in earnest now, pain radiating from her face, and the back of her head. Her throat was raw and her voice was nothing more than a whispering rasp. Curt reached out and fisted his hands in her hair, lifting her to her feet with it and she cried out in pain.

"If I ever see him again, first I will kill him, then I will beat you until you don't know what day it is" Curt whispered before slinging her across the room, stalking to the bedroom and slamming the door.

Rory stood gingerly, her ankle now throbbing as well from the position in which she had landed when he had thrown her. The thought crossed her mind of how she would dance if her ankle was truly hurt, but she pushed it away. She walked slowly over to the couch and sank on to it, dissolving into silent sobs over what had just happened and what her life had become.

**** The Next Afternoon ****

Rory finished applying her makeup and looked at herself in the mirror. It was the best she could do to hide the bruises that had been left on her cheek and throat. She had a knot on the back of her head, but thankfully that wasn't visible because of her thick hair. And her ankle was still tender, and bruised, but there wasn't much she could do about that. Her plan was just to chalk it up to being clumsy.

Thankfully, Curt had left and went to the bar for the afternoon, after an entire morning not speaking to her. She walked to her car, doing her best to disguise the limp, climbed behind the wheel and drove to the employee parking.

She was shown to where she was to sit down to work on the paperwork, by a friendly bartender. She could see concern in the lady's eyes as she looked at her, and she knew her makeup must not be that good. But there was nothing she could do about that, she just smiled and bent over the paperwork.

 

[The_gladiator]

“You don look good sugar.” The woman Melany said her tone concerned. She stepped away and rushed off to make a report. Melany was no mere bartender; she was the southern bell human servant of Byron. A stranger combination most had never seen. However the almost motherly woman ran the playboy’s life where he couldn’t or more accurately didn’t bother. It was to him who she reported. Thus it was the singer who appeared in the room with Rory next.

“Mel tells me I should see you?” he said breezing into the room and planting a kiss on the hand that he swept up into his, laughing blue eyes complimenting his blonde hair. He had gotten a full report from Melany, but he was pretending he hadn’t. “Tells me everywhere I need to be mind you. I hear welcomes are in order?” he said giving her hand a final squeeze and letting it fall. “I’m Byron of course, we almost met yesterday.” He explained.

As he dropped her hand his eyes swept up to her face and his eyes went dark, all humor disappearing. He had believed Melany, but nothing compared to seeing the real thing. “Someone done went and hit you sugar.” He said voice dropping to a low rumble not too dissimilar to Nicholas’s. He sat down and patted her hand, “You wanna talk about it? I’m sure Nicholas told you you’re one of our family now…right? I don’t let nobody hit my family.” It was clear that there was more to the playboy than originally met the eye.

 

[isolemnlyswear89]

Rory was writing, bent over the papers, when she heard somebody enter the room. She looked up and saw Byron, smiling at the way he waltzed right in and took charge. He was extremely flamboyant in an endearing sort of way. And his nails were impeccable which made her laugh softly.

Then his eyes landed upon her face and she saw the clouds roll in. It was almost as if somebody had turned out the light. His eyes grew dark and stormy and his mouth fell into a grim line.

His voice, which had had a fun tone to it earlier, suddenly grew deep, even dangerous sounding. Rory's eyes widened.

"Its nothing" she said firmly, beginning to write again. "I'm just clumsy, thats all. No big deal, really" she said, pasting a smile on her face and standing.

"I'm done the employment forms... who should i give them to?" She asked, hoping to end the conversation Byron had began.

 

[The_gladiator]

“Yes, so clumsy you slipped and hit your head on a wall a dozen times?” he said somewhat sarcastically. “Did this door you ran into also leave the fingerprints on your throat?” he asked with a deadpan tone, “Don tell me that Nicholas did that to you last night, I’ll kick his ass so hard…” he trailed off fingertips going to her neck as he stood with her. He accepted the papers from her and seemed to be trying to regain his flamboyant state of equilibrium since she obviously did not want to open up to him. “If Nick didn’t do that to you, you wait till he sees you sugar, he’ll flip his lid so hard. You just think I’m joking. He don tolerate his people gettin’ hurt. But if he did, he’d just better watch himself.” He said which unless one knew Byron well would sound somewhat ludicrous since he was so much smaller than Nicholas.

 

[isolemnlyswear89]

Rory's eyes widened almost comically. "No! Nicholas didn't do it!" she almost shouted. "It... i mean... i just had a disagreement with someone, thats all. Maybe you can, that is... Is there a better way to cover the marks? I don't want to show up on the floor my first night here looking like some kind of trailer trash with beat marks all over her".

Rory's eyes were downcast as she spoke. Her eyes slowly traveled up and met Byron's. She was mildly alarmed.

"Does... I mean...why would you think Nicholas did this? Has he... before? To others?"

 

[The_gladiator]

Byron nodded as she spoke being a little more honest about what happened, “Then Sugar, I hope the other guy looks worse.”

“As to your question about coverin’ it up, I’m sure me and Abe will be able to fix something up.” He studied the marks. Byron was about as openly pansexual as it was possible to be. The ongoing joke at Death was that his only requirement for a lover was willing. However he didn’t touch her like he wanted her, He had seen the way Nicholas looked at her, dark with lust and possession he didn’t want to interfere with that.

He was surprised at her vehemence that it wasn’t Nicholas. Could she feel something for his boss? Byron raised his hands placating. “Easy sugar. Nicholas hasn’t hit no one what didn’t deserve it.” Which probably wasn’t as reassuring as she might like to hear, but she could tell it was honest. “I was jokin with you.” He said rubbing her back, “I still would have kicked his ass though.” He said with a chuckle.” He took a breath, “I just knew you were with him last night. Guess I worried he’d been too rough or something.” He said, this time his turn to try to weasel out of a conversation.

 

[isolemnlyswear89]

Rory sighed softly as Byron seemed to backtrack. She had gotten the feeling that Nicholas could be a force to be reckoned with. Byron had just reaffirmed that feeling when he said that Nicholas had never hit anybody who didn't deserve it. She felt a warm feeling towards Byron. Appreciation, the beginning of a friendship hopefully. He seemed as if he could be just as protective and Nicholas.

Rory laid her head down on the table with a light thunk, then looked up at Byron.

"My boyfriend wasn't too happy that I got a ride home from Nicholas on the motorcycle last night. He also thought that I may have performed some... Favors for Nicholas in order to get a job."

"Its okay though, I'm sure he will be calmed down by the time I get home tonight" she said, trying to give Byron a reassuring smile. " Now where can I go to get some good makeup? Where can I find Abe?"

 

[The_gladiator]

Byron listened to her his expression grim. “I could wallop him for not making sure you were safe last night. He is not going to be pleased.” He murmured, somewhat unnecessarily regarding that last bit. His expression suddenly lit up, “Favors you say? Did you?” he said wiggling his eyebrows. “If you got in his pants on the first night you met him and I’ve been trying for all these years I swear to you I’m going to be jealous.” He seemed to be trying to cheer her up, though there was a look in his eyes when he considered the marks on her body that said he may have dropped the subject for now, but it certainly wasn’t forgotten.

Byron considered her. If he opened a vain for her she would most certainly heal, and the healing agent in his saliva that was used to close the bite marks of his fangs could also heal her he was sure, but the latter would take much too much explaining, and the former could be dangerous to Byron’s health. If Nicholas had claimed her in some way the other would not appreciate Byron bonding with her in that intimate of a way. He could not sense any of the 4 marks on her, so Nicholas had not formally claimed her as his servant, but it was clear that he had a special interest in her.

Meanwhile… Nicholas was tuning his guitar humming the pitch and then tuning the guitar to it. Perfect pitch was one of his natural gifts. He looked up at Melany’s approach. She had an uncharacteristically grim expression on her beautiful face, one that was typically reserved for when she was lecturing Byron for insulting someone. In addition to being the daytime bartender on occasion, and sometimes managing the place while the vampires slept, Melany somehow managed to still run the singer’s life. Nicholas had never figured out how such a young looking and beautiful woman could look so motherly, without actually looking motherly he had no idea. Maybe it was her expressions, or her eyes that held wisdom far beyond the years she appeared. Then again she’d been with Byron for easily a few hundred years so he supposed that could be normal, although he suspected she’d been mothering people since she was a child. “Something wrong?”

“Byron’s with the new one, someone done fucked her up good.” He raised an eyebrow, it had to be bad for Melany to swear, and forget to use sugar, or some other pet name in a sentence.

“Bouncers fighting again?” he asked then realized she had said her. “You don’t mean the new dancer?”

“Yeah that’d be her. Rory.” Mel said confirming it for him.

“Who, why… if Byron….I’ll fuck him up so hard…”

She lifted a hand to cut him off, “You know better sugar, Byron didn’t hurt the lass.” Nicholas nodded slowly, he should have known that, but the protective streak of anger had erased his sense for a moment, not unlike how Byron had reacted to Rory moments ago. “I’ll go to her, find out who I have to kill.”

“Peace my lord, Byron’s got her now, you don wanna scare her away, I’ll go back to help them get her cleaned up, I have to bring her some light food anyway.” Nicholas glared clearly not liking the plan, but Melany was right he had to tone down the protective instinct.

“She found them in one of the prep rooms. Byron was filing and painting her nails with the skill of an artist while Abe fluttered around fussing over her makeup, grumbling to himself. “Would just be easier if one of y’all healed her. Why we’re wasting so much product when it’d not take too long to heal it.”

Byron cleared his throat, “Don’t mind him,” he told Rory, shooting the little man a warning look; “He thinks some of us have special powers of healing. I tell him it’s just good genetics.” He said trying to cover it up. He knew Rory would find out eventually what they all were, but not right away. It would save some effort of erasing her memories later, if she didn’t work out. Not that It was a big secret that the club was run by vampires or at least that was the rumor going round, but Nicholas had chosen not to publically declare the business as run by a vampire so it was not registered as such in the human databases. He worried it would make too clear of a target to their enemies.

Melany set a plate of food down. “I see you’re in good hands sugar, they treating you alright? I saw Nicholas, he told me to tell you he said hello, and he would stop by to see you before you went onstage.” She said with a smile, subtly also informing Byron that Nicholas had been made aware of Rory’s injuries.

 

[isolemnlyswear89]

Rory assured Byron that she had not given any favors to Nicholas, laughing as Byron said he would be jealous. No sooner had Rory asked about Abe, then in fluttered the little man, who took one look at her and shook his head, while "tsk tsk"ing. He immediately went over to the vanity and pulled out a chair.

"You need to come sit and let me work my magic" he said, pointing to the chair. Rory did so without hesitation. Abe removed all traces of makeup that Rory had put on that morning.

"I need a fresh palette" he murmured. His eyes traveled over all of the bruises on her face and throat and he sighed, beginning to mumble to himself as he used concealer, toner, and seemingly every other piece of makeup on the table.

Byron came over, sat down, and began working on her nails. Rory felt her face flush slightly. "They're bad" she said softly. "I haven't had a proper manicure in forever".

Byron smiled up at her and winked. "I've got your back, hunny" he said as he filed and shaped. "Do you know yet what outfit you'll wear tonight?" he asked by way of conversation.

Rory smiled. "I saw an outfit back there yesterday that I'd love to try. It was black,the bra was leather, and had a cage-type design to it. Straps all over the place in criss cross patterns. And it had a matching g-string, and black lace stockings".

Byron nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes. I know that outfit well. I picked it out myself" he said laughing. "You will look flawless in that, I'm sure. I think a nice blood red nail will accent that perfectly."

Abe was still working on her face and throat, murmuring as he went. Something about her injuries and how the men should have healed her. Rory turned questioning eyes to Byron who instantly dismissed Abe's murmuring as nothing more than silliness. Rory wasn't quite so sure.

Some things weren't quite adding up here still. It didn't seem like it was anything DANGEROUS, or ILLEGAL. But there were secrets here at this club, and she felt like an outsider looking in. Soon, Melany came bustling back in, with a tray of light food which Rory thanked her for and began to pick at.

Again, comments about Nicholas were made to her, but the comments seemed to have an underlying meaning to them. Rory listened intently, but never commented. She had 15 minutes until she was due to be on stage. She quickly finished eating, went and changed, and fluffed up her hair again, looking in the mirror. Thankfully her ankle was better, she would be able to dance fine. The bruises were almost invisible beneath the thick layers of makeup that Abe had applied. The outfit looked... stunning, to say the least. Her nerves were shot. She knew she could do this, but that didn't make her any less nervous. Sighing, she glanced at the clock and paced the room.

 

[The_gladiator]

Byron nodded as he finished her nails. “The best I can do today. You better stop biting them or I’ll start putting that pepper stuff on them.” He lectured.

Abe had hidden the bruises on her face, however had not disguised all the marks on her throat, instead he had painted two neat fang marks to the side of her neck, so rather than beaten, she looked like she had been thoroughly used, in a positive, darkly sexual way. An idea that was only helped by her choice of outfit. Neither man had told her what Abe had done until Abe had let her look in the mirror at the end. “The crowd will eat it up,” Byron said with a grin, “Seems like everyone’s got vampire fever these days.” He didn’t comment that the fang marks didn’t really look like the real thing, and most good vampires didn’t leave such marks unless it was on purpose, but Rory didn’t need to know that. When Byron had seen the limp he had made no comment had merely went and found a pair of heals with straps that went up her legs, which surprisingly gave more support to the ankle. “Just leave the heals on, you should be fine.”

Soon, they both left her, Byron to warm up, and Abe to god knows where. Nicholas was supposed to be on the stage preparing to play, but he wanted to see Rory. Wanted to be sure she was truly ok. He swept into the room and his face lit with a slow wicked smile, his eyes starting at her feet and sweeping up her almost nude form. His eyes were dark with possession and desire. His eyes lingered on her throat and he first saw the bite mark. A flash of white hot anger jolted through him, instantly thinking Byron or one of the others had touched someone under his protection. He soon realized it was only makeup and then his eyes softened. They only hardened again when he spotted the true bruises, the smudges of fingerprints on her throat. He saw all of them, his eyes finding even the ones under the paint. “Forgive me for not protecting you.” He said softly his white hot rage at her being injured cooling to something almost resembling shame. He had sensed her fear, had known she had a boyfriend when he drove her home, in that outfit spread over his bike like that. Business had called him away before he could be sure she was safe. He stepped to her one hand sweeping around her waist pulling her close, the other tilting her chin up. “Who did this to you.” He said his tone low, barely restrained, though his touch was exceedingly gentle, yet possessive, which he did not have a right to be, though he made no effort to hide it either. He knew the answer, suspected he did at least, but he wondered if she would try to lie to him to spare her slime ball of a boyfriend.

 

[isolemnlyswear89]

Rory felt her mood lighten and her eyes light up when Nicholas walked in the room. What was it about him that attracted her so much? He was extremely hot, and talented... but that wasn't it. She thought it might be the powerful, commanding way that he carried himself. The way he was so gentle with her, yet such a force to be reckoned with, apparently, around the nightclub.

Maybe it was the air of secrecy around him.

Either way... the way his eyes traveled up her body, obviously appreciating every inch of flesh exposed... and even those inches that were not exposed... made her tingle in places that hadn't tingled in a very, very, long time.

Then his eyes fell upon her neck. His reaction was fierce. Protective. Almost territorial.

Then his eyes softened as they met hers, and her heart skipped a beat at the emotions she saw there. He pulled her close with his large hand on her hip, forcing her to look up into his eyes. He asked her who had hurt her. Her first reaction was to lie... but she had a feeling Nicholas would know if she lied. He seemed to sense those kind of things.

"It's nothing..." Rory said, her eyes darting away. "Curt was just... a little irritated... when he saw you bring me home. He thought that I had... umm... bribed you... with pleasure... to get the job. I'm sure he will be calmed down tonight, especially if I bring home enough money" she said softly.

She could sense the anger radiating off of him... it was a scary feeling, even thought she knew it wasn't directed at her. Slowly she put her hand on his muscular chest.

"It's ok, Nicholas" she said softly.

 

[The_gladiator]

“I could kill him.” He growled. His eyes showed that he appreciated her honesty though. He longed to pull her close, to run his tongue over those marks, heal her in that most intimate of ways, or better still feel her mouth on his skin, drinking from him, letting his ancient blood heal her. He held her chin in his hand turning her head from side to side. His expression said that it was clearly not alright. "Favors?" he asked with a snort, "I only wish little one, I only wish."

Melany’s words of restraint still echoed in his mind and rather than a charging bull he played the role of a coiled viper. He would wait, for now, he would be sure that Curt got what was coming to him though.

He felt her small hand on his chest as if to sooth the beast within. He took his hand from her face and covered her hand on his chest lifting it to his lips. “You look lovely.” He said finally breaking the tense silence. “We are not through with this conversation my lady.” He offered, “However I know you will be performing soon, and so do I. Curt will wait till later.” His voice lowered to a dangerous level with that last sentence.

He walked with her to the door, arm still around her slender waist. “Best of luck to you, I am confident you will do well.” He said as they passed through the door and he pulled away, his hand trailing through her hair as he pulled away.

Moments later, He had joined Byron and the other Deadmen on stage to play, his eyes watching the crowd as normal, but also looking for Rory. He wondered again why he felt so drawn to her. He figured it might be time to speak to Byron about how he had found Melany, and how he knew she would make the right human servant. It was such a large commitment, joining them forever more. Unless that was one of them was killed, and the other managed to survive the death. Often master vampires could survive the loss of their human servant. He was unaware of any humans who had survived the reverse. If they had, they would die a normal human span later as their aging would again resume without the vampire’s blood and magic to sustain them. Playing was a good time for him to think. He wanted no further drama at the club tonight, though there looked to be a group of rowdy panthers at one table that would need watched closely. The panthers were his allies, and his animal to call, hence why he’d settled in this particular city, that didn’t mean they couldn’t cause trouble, especially with the group of Lions he could see at another table. Though the local lion pride was much smaller than the panther Lair, the lions were tough fighters and the night could get ugly if someone started a fight.

 

[isolemnlyswear89]

Rory felt her belly quiver when Nicholas told her that they were not through with the conversation. The uneasiness was quickly erased, however, when he walked her to the door and assured her that he was positive she would do well tonight. Nervousness coursed through her veins.

She watched as Nicholas and the other members of the band got on the stage. She was standing in the shadows with all of the other girls who would be dancing that evening. They would make their entrance after the band began to play their first song. Several of the girls were very welcoming and offered tips and pieces of advice, wanting to see Rory succeed just like everybody else. It truly was like a big family.

Only one woman in particular was standoffish. She had platinum blonde hair, and she wore blood red leather. She stood off to the side with her arms crossed, a pissed-off look on her pouty face. One of the friendly girls saw Rory looking, and rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Ignore her... she only got an attitude because Nicholas showed interest in you and she's jealous" the friendly girl, Trina, said.

The band struck up their first song, an upbeat tune that was perfect for dancing. It was one that Rory knew well, and she felt confident as she walked out with the other girls. She moved to the area that she was supposed to cover that night, and begin shaking her hips and other body parts in time to the music. Immediately several men begin to wolf whistle and Cat call. Rory noticed that there seemed to be two distinct groups of men there that night. And it seemed like there was a tension in the air.

As she danced, she kept one eye on the hateful looking woman from earlier. That woman was designated the main stage for that time period, and money was being thrown left and right. She was a good dancer, and it was obvious that she was used to being the center of attention.

One man asked for a lap dance, and Rory focused her attention on her job, forgetting about the other dancers, and doing what she was good at, entertaining.

 

[The_gladiator]

Nicholas soon got his answer as to why there were so many Weres in the club as the dancers came on stage. His eyes tracked to a woman in red leather that took the center stage. His mind supplied the name of the blonde almost instantly, Helena. One of the Lair’s dominants. Dominant as in power level, not sexual, though she tended to do a bit of that as well. She was high ranked among the panthers. Some said she had her eyes on the Alpha female position. A rumor that had gained traction when she had graced Nicholas’s bed for a time a few months ago. They had not been lovers in months, though she was still trying to remedy that.

Her presence center stage explained the reason for the large number of Panthers in the place. Not that seeing a group of them present was abnormal, as they graced Nicholas’s establishments more than any other group, but there were more of them than usual. Was it dumb luck then that all the lions were present tonight as well? That question Nicholas did not have an answer too. He worried though, as Helena caught even the eye of the Lions that just like Helena of Troy, there might soon be a war fought over her.

Glancing away Nicholas found Rory, she seemed to be doing well, and as he watched she got a request for her first lap dance. His body shivered with the reminder of that pleasure given to him by her. He very much wanted to experience it again; sadly there was no further excuse for her to give him one. He wondered how Helena had treated Rory, probably not well, and he had a feeling that that situation would be trouble somewhere down the line as well.

 

[isolemnlyswear89]

Rory continued on her night, aware of Nicholas's gaze on her occasionally. It was like his eyes on her burned into her like a physical touch. Every time he looked at her she could feel a warmth spread throughout her entire body. Several times she caught his eye and they shared an intimate feeling smile.

Warning bells were clanging in her head. Curt would literally kill her if he ever got any wind of how she was feeling. She wished vehemently she could leave him. But he'd never let her. He considered her HIS and nobody else's.

She focused on her customer, feeling a boner growing between her legs , his eyes glazing over in pleasure. His hands were traveling up her body and she deftly moved away while making him feel special at the same time.

"C'mon sweets!" He said. "Lemme feel your body".

Rory smiled tantalizingly at him and wagged a finger. "You can look but you can't touch" she teased him.

Just then, Helena sauntered by, done with her set on stage.

"You can touch ME anytime you want, Bobby" she purred and Bobby's eyes bugged out. He quickly shoved a twenty in Rory's thong and turned towards Helena.

Disgruntled, Rory decided to take a quick break, walking towards the back room just as the band finished up a set.