When feeding, Big Band music is optional.02:23 Oct 06 2008
Times Read: 1,308
I was in the library at my desk going over accounts when my cell phone rang. I saw that it was an incoming call from Ankh-Re, of all people. I was tempted not to answer him, but did on the fourth or fifth ring.
'Hello' I said, with a sigh.
Well...hello, Isis" came the familiar deep-voiced reply. His perfect American accent annoyed me, especially since I never could master it myself. "How are you, love?" he asked.
"I am fine" I replied. "How may I help you?"
Ankh-Re chuckled. "Such coldness! You sound like a goddamn robot. I think you 'may help' me by joining me for a night out on the town. You know, dinner, dancing, music...whatever else we'll have a mind to do. What do you say?"
There was silence between us for about thirty seconds. I finally said "I am not sure, Ankh-Re. I am rather busy, and to be frank, I never know what mayhem you will cause."
Ankh-Re laughed. "Good grief, woman - I'm just trying to be sociable. We are old friends, after all. I'm also inviting your donor-pets. They'll be safe. C'mon - let's go out tonight!"
Against my better judgment, I caved in to the invitation. "When shall we be ready?" I asked.
"I'll pick you all up around nine, okay?" Ankh-Re sounded positively delighted. I did not know how to take his cheeriness - it sort of 'creeped' me out.
I presented the evening's plans to David and Robert. I noticed a look of apprehension in David's green eyes. Robert noticed David's nervousness and asked "What's up?" David looked at me and blurted out "That's the crazy guy, right?" I nodded my head and patted him on the shoulder. "It is, but do not worry. I trust him with my life and yours."
"Crazy guy?" interrupted Robert. "What happened?"
As Robert was relatively new to the household, I told him of the incident in the kitchen where Ankh-Re held David up by the shirt collar in a jealous rage. Robert's calm response was simply "Oh.''
By nine, Ankh-Re arrived as scheduled. His driver pulled up in a 1933 oxblood colored Duesenberg that was customized with added seating in the back. Still the show-off, I noted.
Ankh-Re was out of the car before his driver had time to open the door for him. He was resplendent in a black suit with an oxblood colored silk shirt. Instead of a tie, he left a few buttons of his shirt undone, to show a glimpse of an ancient gold garnet-encrusted collar. His black curls cascaded over his shoulders.
Making introductions between the three men was a bit awkward, but nowhere near the mess I had anticipated. "Nice threads, guys" Ankh-Re remarked. David wore a navy blazer over a white silk shirt, with boot-cut Levis and black hand-tooled cowboy boots. Robert wore a marine blue suit with a black shirt, tie, and shoes, which suited his mahogany skin perfectly.
Ankh-Re turned towards me and stepped aside as I entered the car. "You look absolutely stunning, my dear" he said. "We're almost matching." We were matching - damn it. I wore a simple knee-length long sleeved black silk sheath, a dark red Pashmina shawl, ruby jewelry, and my favorite pair of black Christian Louboutin pumps. Reading my thoughts, Ankh-Re snapped "No - you don't need to go back in and change. We have a full agenda tonight, and we must get going." He then eased himself next to me, while David and Robert sat next to each other across from us.
Our destination was San Francisco, which was about twenty miles away. While there was some small talk between the three men, I preferred to stare out of the window at the moon and the night sky.
Our first stop was dinner at SF Asia, where we had an interesting Asian fusion meal, complete with drag queen servers and entertainment. Ankh-Re sat next to me, and I could sense his need to feed. It was almost over-powering - as if he had not had any blood for several days. This made me anxious, to say the least. Why would Ankh-Re put off feeding for so long? I looked away from the stage show into his handsome face - he winked.
After spending about two hours at SF Asia, we went to a jazz club - I do not recall the name of the place. Ankh-Re made sure that David and Robert had unlimited drinks. I only had two mojitos - I wanted to keep my wits about me, since nothing could be worse than being a drunk vampire.
"I like jazz" said Robert.
"Me too, of course" replied Ankh-Re. The house band was playing their rendition of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five." They were very good. As the band played on however, my feeling of dread grew. David glanced over at me nervously. Robert was a little uneasy as well, but masked it better. I took one of David's hands in mine to calm him - and myself. Ankh-Re noticed the exchange and smirked before finishing his third claret, which resembled blood in his glass.
"Well - it's time for us to go dancing!' he exclaimed, slamming the glass down on the table.
Our third destination was to another club I was not familiar with - I will admit that I do not go out much. It was called The Blood Crypt - it took all that I had to keep from laughing uncontrollably at the absurd name. There was a long line of fashionable Goth-types waiting to get in. Of course, with Ankh-Re and his connections, we were ushered in immediately down a flight of stairs into the 'Sanctuary', the main bar and dance floor area. The place was swathed in red and black velvet, with matching sofas and ottomans. Most of the patrons matched the decor. I wanted to laugh again, especially since I was wearing similar colors, but I kept myself in check.
There was a reserved velvet-swathed nook awaiting us, so we made ourselves comfortable. On the table was an ice bucket with a bottle of cheap champagne and four glasses. Ankh-Re lost no time in opening the swill, and poured us each a glass. David gulped his down immediately, while Robert sipped his cautiously. I did not touch my glass. Ankh-Re looked at me and rolled his eyes. "Well, I gotta' do some dancing." He sauntered away from the table, scoping out the women. Patrons from all directions were staring at him. The women - and some men - seemed to be holding their breaths, waiting anxiously to see whom Ankh-Re would choose. To break some of the electric tension in the air, I told my donors to go out and dance. They both declined. We three watched The Ankh-Re Show instead.
Several women got a turn on the dance floor, and were absolutely taken with Ankh-Re...it was my turn to rolled my eyes. He eventually came back to the table with a pale black-haired woman on his arm. She was a typical Goth chick. I did noticed that her hair was naturally black, and she had bright blue eyes, which were her own as well. Pretty, but overall, from a cookie cutter.
"Everyone - this is Alanna Rain - Rain with a 'y'." (Obviously, not her real name). Ankh-Re made the introductions. Alanna Rayne seemed nice enough - silly, but friendly. I really could not fault her for her behavior towards Ankh-Re; I was that same girl over four thousand years ago.
Alanna Rayne stared at me for a moment, then stated "You are absolutely beautiful!" I thanked her for the compliment. Ankh-Re looked at me and grinned. I could sense his intensified need and lust for blood - there was actual heat emanating from him. He purposely starved himself to really relish a feast later on, it appeared. This was not good.
After about another hour of being in the club, I declared to everyone that I was not feeling well. "I am sorry to be a party pooper, but I feel a bit out of sorts" I said. Ankh-Re pouted like a child, but agreed to take us home. "There is just one quick stop that we have to make, and then we go home - I promise" he said. "Can you deal with another forty-five minutes or so?" I begrudging said that I could. He knew that I was lying about feeling sick anyway - what vampire gets sick?
Ankh-Re pulled out his cell phone and made a discreet call to his driver. When we took the flight of stairs back up to the street, the Duesenberg was parked right in front of the club. Alanna Rayne let out an exclamation of pure delight. I did not notice that she had also come up with us. I looked at Ankh-Re and he simply stated "Yes - she is coming with us." We got into the car - this time Ankh-Re seated himself between me and Alanna Rayne. He began kissing her, and I began grinding my teeth. Both David and Robert stared out of the windows at the now foggy sky.
We ended up at Twin Peaks, where we got a fog-enshrouded panoramic view of San Francisco. I was surprised to see that no other cars were there. It was very quiet and still, with the exception of an occasional gust of wind.
'Isn't this beautiful?" asked Ankh-Re, to no one in particular. He had his driver put on some music - more jazz. Benny Goodman's "Sing Sing Sing" began its thumping beat. He looked at his driver and said - "Tony - why don't you go take a cigarette break or something?"
Tony did as he was told, and disappeared into the fog. David and Robert were seated on the trunk of the car, talking and drinking Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame - good champagne. I stood near the front of the car, watching the dim twinkling lights of the city. I heard Alanna Rayne moaning from whatever Ankh-Re was doing to her in one of the back seats. I grounded my teeth some more.
Shortly, they both emerged from the car, looking a bit disheveled. There was blood on Ankh-Re's lips. He pulled Alanna Rayne's back to his chest, and said "Boys - is Isis a good teacher? Have you fed yet?"
I angrily interrupted him. "Ankh-Re - you know they have not fed - They are donors! It is too early to decide on whether they feed or not. Leave them alone!"
Ankh-Re laughed. Alanna Rayne actually pouted and stomped a foot on the ground; the stupid little bitch actually thought that she was in store for an orgy with three men, playing at being vampires.
I looked at Ankh-Re and telepathically begged him to stop. "Please, let her go. Drop her off somewhere. We should just go right now. You know that you will not die from lack of feeding on her."
David and Robert stopped talking and drinking. Ankh-Re was not going to heed me at all. He pressed Alanna Rayne closer.
"Isis thinks that I should let Alanna Rayne go...what do you boys think?"
Neither David nor Robert said a word. Alanna Rayne giggled and reached back to grab Ankh-Re's crotch. Ankh-Re became more aroused, and his eyes glowed yellow in the dim moonlight.
"Well" Ankh-Re purred. "Isis doesn't take full advantage of her power. She is a politically correct goody two shoes." He brushed back hair from Alanna Rayne's throat. "Me?... Not so much." He plunged his fangs into Alanna Rayne. She let out a muffled scream, as Ankh-Re had one hand firmly over her mouth. Alanna Rayne's body jerked uncontrollably, in time to the wailing horns and pounding drumbeat of the music that was still playing. I heard glass shattering as it hit the ground, and retching.
Even though they were both clothed and standing, Ankh-Re was having sex with the woman while he was killing her. It was really too much. I had to avert my gaze when Alanna Rayne weakly held out an arm, beseeching help. As the life drained from her, her once lively bright eyes glazed over to a dull dead stare. When he was done, Ankh-Re let Alanna Rayne's lifeless body slip to the ground in a delicate heap of black velvet. There was silence. There was no music - and no more Alanna Rayne. The stupid girl.
© MFH 2009 (revised)
The late Alanna Rayne...may she rest in peace
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