Renegade's Revenge - Dark Love 2

CHAPTER 3

'Okay, so now I know' . William glanced over at the man in the car beside him. 'My life could get real interesting from here on out. I wonder if I'm as straight as I have tried to tell myself all these years'.

"Stop it William." Zak's soft, amused, voice seemed to wrap itself around him in a warm, loving, pink cloud. "You must listen to me on this. You know how you naturally react to feedings, correct?" He waited until William nodded. "Well tonight I not only fed from you, but we bonded as well. Even if we had not been friends, and I had not earned your love, you would have been the same. Our love is not like others. Nor do I think you would ever want a man who was not as I. Surely by now you have come to terms with the fact that I am different from other mortals." He took his hand and kissed the back. "You mustn't feel embarrassed at the pleasure we shared. I am and will always be your friend, first. I will never take from you what you do not offer.

Comforting words, but after what he had just experienced, how could he not offer? A blush crept over his face. He didn't want to remember that hour, not now, later in the privacy of his own bedroom, maybe. But right now all it made him want to do is turn the car around and go home, back to the bed, back to the total openness that Zak had shared with him . * There is one small added plus to all of this . * His mind touched Zak's . * Speaking like this, it isn't so scary anymore . *

Soft lips on the pulse of his wrist, * I am glad, my friend. I would never violate the secrets you hold. You know that now. I am grateful for the trust you have placed in me . *

"If I can convince Rob to trust you, I can guarantee she's going to love this part." He winced noticing for the first time in his life how hard his voice sounded. "That is if we can convince her to share this with us." They had talked as they lay together afterwards. William convincing Zak that it was best if he tried to seduce her. It would make feeding from her easier, and wouldn't bother him in the slightest.

"And then I will not only have you, my most loved husband, but a trusted companion as well. Yes, I feel that if she is willing to trust, that I have indeed been fortunate."

William reached out and stroked his cheek. "She'll trust you, it may take a few hours to convince her. But I promise she'll either trust you, or at least promise not to betray you. We don't knife our friends."

A soft chuckle "no, but I bite mine."

William joined him in the joke. Zak was a funny guy when he chose to be. It would be the thing that would win her over, his sense of humor. "Got a question for you." He blushed again, amazed that he couldn't leave it alone for now.

* No love, I, do not, have, to feed to make love, and yes I would greatly love to feel you as just my lover as well. * The touch on his mind was light and held serious erotic overtones. William felt his groin tighten. * Do you find my offer to be one that you can live with ? *

"Yeah, go on twist my arm." He grinned over at him. "But what about, what if you." He couldn't believe he was having trouble with this. "We only fooled around tonight, what happens when you take it all the way?"

"William," again that soft voice, "I have never hurt you, intentionally. There will be no pain. It is the only time I would ever use my powers on you, and only that first time. Now perhaps we should discuss this at a later date. We have to meet your young friend and convince her of my good intentions."

"Yeah, happy, happy, joy, joy."

* * *

There were times when having a vampire for a friend could be awkward, this was one of them. William had to convince a good friend that she was safe. That not only would Zak never hurt her, but that he could protect her better than anything else living could. He wasn't worried about Robyn betraying him, it just didn't happen, but he was concerned that once she knew the truth, she might throw him out and never speak to him again. Oh well, life is full of risks.

"Now, let me do the talking first, okay?" William rang the doorbell. "And don't do anything, no matter how she reacts. She won't hurt me." It was the one thing he had purposely tried not to think about. Robyn could be quite dangerous all by herself, and the last thing he wanted was 'his' vampire lover trouncing 'his' best friend.

"Understood. Relax Will, I won't harm her."

* * *

Her head still hurt. The doctor said the pain should fade in a few days, but until then he had given her a script for it. Right now she wished that she had taken one or two, but wanted to be fully there for this interview. "Yeah, who is it?" She wasn't opening the door to anyone.

"Hon, it's me. I brought the protection you asked for." Will tried to put on his most friendly face, which fell as soon as the door opened and he got a good look at his friend. "Damn." She looked like hell.

Both eyes were swollen and bruised. Her nose and lip were stitched where someone had torn the rings from them. There were scrapes and lacerations over most of her face. She really did look like an extra from a snuff film. "Baby, are you all right?" He offered her his chest as he pulled her into his arms. "You should have called me last night. I'd have been here sooner."

"I'm all right, it's not as bad as it looks, hell maybe I'll scar." It was good to have him here. "Come on in, I need to sit down, my head is killing me."

"Robyn, this is Zachary Forrest, Zak to anyone who knows him. He's the best I got," his words were cut short by two low threatening growls, as both Robyn's Rottweilers suddenly appeared. "On shit, I forgot."

"Yin, Yang, stop this." Robyn looked down at the dogs confused. They were well trained. It was not like them to behave like this. "Down, sit." But they refused to obey as they planted themselves between her and her new bodyguard.

"Move aside William." Zak's voice was soft. "I am a stranger, another hunter in their territory. Let them get to know me." He knelt before the dogs, locking stairs with one then the other, calling up his power to sing in his veins as he faced the dogs. "Ssshh, good boy, good girl." He reached out slowly, as their snarls quieted. "I am a friend. I will not harm your Mistress. No, ssshh, come here, smell, know me." He extended a hand palm up to one then the other, before beginning to pet them. "You have fine beasts here Milady, they would have died to protect you."

"Died?" Robyn looked at him. "Honey, they would have ripped you to pieces, but" she stopped looking at her two as they fought for attention from him. "They don't behave like that. I've never known them to threaten anyone without my order. And how did you calm them?"

"William cleared his throat. "Maybe you should take a seat. I have something to tell you."

* * *

"He's a 'what' ?" Robyn wasn't sure if she should laugh in his face, or begin to worry. "William Andrew. Are you trying to tell me that you hired a vampire to protect me?"

"No. You asked for the best I had, and it just turned out that the best I have is a vampire." Okay, so she wasn't screaming, that was a plus.

Robyn looked the new fellow over carefully. He didn't look like a supernatural creature, other than the fact that he was simply gorgeous. "Willie, are you trying to pull my leg. If this is some kind of joke, it's not a good one."

"No, Milady, William is not joking." Zak's voice was very soft. "I would be willing to prove his words, but I do not wish to frighten you."

"Frighten me?" She shook her head. "Please, give it a rest. Vampires, G'damn, William what gives? I can't believe that you, of all people, would come over here after the night I just had and give me some story about vampires." Her temper was rising to add more pain to her already aching head.

"William." Zak held out a hand. "Come here my friend. I am sorry, I do not mean to tease you, but I dare not take more than a sip. I have fed off of you once this night."

"It's okay." He looked at Robyn. "Watch Robby, I can't believe you would ever think that I would lie to you." He let Zak pull him into his lap. "Go on, I trust you." And he lifted his head, exposing his throat as his fingers tangled in his hair guiding him down.

It was a little bite. Zak did not dare take more than a sip or two. His friend and lovers life was too important to him. But it was hard to pull away as William clung to him, giving himself over to this totally now. With, no fears or reservations. They had all been dealt with earlier.

Robyn's jaw dropped as she watched William not only crawl into this guy's lap, but he--he-- " 'Goddess' !" The color drained from her face. "You're--you're"

"A vampire." Zak smiled at her softly, fangs showing, as he cradled William in his arms. "Please, I have not hurt him. Do not be afraid." It had been a long time since he faced fear like what was in her eyes.

"You...." She couldn't breath. There was a real, live , vampire in her living room. "Yin, Yang," she cowered there, truly afraid for the first time in her life.

The dogs responded to their, mistresses, fear growling at Zak again.

"Robyn." William was a little worried now. "Cool it, he's a friend of mine." He sat up, but didn't leave his lap. "Come on girl."

"Will?"

"I'm fine. Zak's been biting me for over four years now. He isn't like the movies, really he isn't."

She didn't know what to say. William was her friend, her best friend. They had known each other for most of their lives. "You mean to tell me, you've had a 'Vampire' " her voice rose on the word. "For four years, and you've been letting him bite you?"

"Yeah, it's actually a lot of fun." He tried to smile. "Please, Robyn, calm down. You called me, asked for the best I have, well he's the best I have."

"But he isn't human." She was having a very hard time with this.

"Yeah, but neither are the animals that are beating up on you. Come on girl, I've seen some of your friends. He really isn't so different from some of those New Age psycho Twinkies you talk to. You know the ones that won't eat meat, and pray for forgiveness every time they eat a vegetable? Or those who debate if bathing is morally correct because you are killing living organisms on your skin every time that you do." He grinned. "Or that girl you used to hang with who thought she was from Atlantis?"

"Yeah, but he doesn't think he's a vampire. He is a vampire." After the initial rush of fear, common sense rose to weigh her reactions. "Where the hell did you get a vampire from?"

"You remember Cindy?"

"Yeah, good kid." She looked confused. "What has she got to do with this?"

William sighed and told the story again, adding the new information Zak had given him so that the story was complete. "And so after she died, I inherited him. He has to have a place to live. Someone to be with, it's what keeps him sane."

"Now let me see if I got this straight." She was relaxing. The absurdity of the situation was wearing off. "Cindy's old man finds a vampire. Takes it home, and after he dies Cindy gets him, and he takes care of her till she dies, and then he's pawned off on you?"

"Excuse me." Zak's voice was tight. "I am not a piece of furniture. Martin became my friend, helped me to live in this time, just as I took care of Cindy after he left this world. William is my friend. I am here because of that friendship. He cares for you. Does not wish to see you hurt anymore. I understand your fear, I am something out of your nightmares, but I will not be talked over or around." There was a bitter coldness to his tone that threatened mayhem.

"Zak, don't." William looked from one to the other. "Robby, he's a friend of mine. If you don't want his help, fine. I'll get you someone else, but don't treat him like an outsider. You have friends I can't stand, but I'm cool with them."

Somewhere deep in her mind, part of her that kept her alive and moving when she wanted to quit. Looked on. And with insight she didn't know she had, she sighed and nodded. "Point made, okay peace." She ran a hand through her hair. "Sorry Dracula, I just never expected you."

"Do not call me that!" He rose, throwing William into the floor. "I am a monster, yes. The beast lives within me. But I have never killed for pleasure. Have not taken a life in over fifteen years, would not ever unless there was no other way. Call me a creature, a nightmare, a beast if you must. But do not ever call me 'Dracula' ."

"Hey," she held up her hands. "Down guys, sit." She reached out. Eyes still locked with Zak's and pulled the dogs away. "It was just a joke man, sorry. It's cool, won't happen again."

"Zak, you're being unreasonable." William was trying hard not to laugh. "Keep it up Fang's and you will end up eating a stake, now cool it."

Zak rounded on his friend, anger clear in his eyes. "She called me--"

"Dracula, as in Count Dracula, the legendary vampire from Brom Stoker." He shook his head. "Remember I took you to see the movie. When you say vampire, to most folks that's what they think. I didn't make the mistake because Cindy warned me."

"Will," Robyn was definitely beginning to worry. "Has your 'friend' had dinner? Uh, look, I know I said I wanted the best, but I don't know about this. He doesn't like me, and I'd just as soon not end up the daily special."

"Zak you promised. You are over two hundred and thirty years old you knew she would not take this well at first. Look at her man, she's had a real hard time of it as of late, she's not going to be the friendliest of people." He grabbed his arm. * Please Fang's, to hurt her you will have to go through me. You promised. *

Zak's head slowly turned to gaze at William. His friend who only a short time ago lay with him locked in passion. * I am sorry my love, you're right, she is of course, going to be like this. Forgive me . * He sat back down and looked at her. "I am sorry, I should have expected this. Please sit, I will not hurt you, ever."

William let out the breath he was holding. "All over?" They both nodded. Robyn looked horrible. "Baby, you wanna lie down there? You can talk horizontal as well as vertical."

She looked first at him then at Zak. Did she risk it, would lying down be an invitation? "Zak, right?"

"Yes, do as William says Milady. If you faint on me right now, I will live the next twenty years feeling guilty. Please, you are quite safe. I am here to protect you, not to kill you." He pushed just a touch; things were not going well. It would be best if he helped to defuse the situation just a little.

Robyn lay back, grateful to be able to. "My head hurts so bad Will." She rubbed a knot gently. "I," she turned to look at him. "I don't know what to say."

William shook his head, tisking over her. "Didn't they give you anything for pain?"

"In the kitchen, on the counter." She turned a little, whimpering at the pain. She shouldn't have gotten so excited. "I wanted to be awake for this. I didn't figure it would look good to be doped out of my head. I had wanted to make this look right for you. How the hell was I supposed to know you were bringing a ' vampire' ?"

Zak touched William's arm. "I will go and get her some medication. I can feel her pain clearly. If it is hurting her badly enough for me to sense it with no blood link, the child must be in agony." His words were soft, almost a whisper. "Milady, I will get you your medication. Do not feel that you must suffer to prove that you are anything but the person that you are. I do not need displays such as these, you are William's friend, and he is mine. He has told me of your loyalty. Rest now. Believe that you are safe. Let me take care of you."

After Zak left the room, Robyn looked at William. "Willie, I want it straight up. Since I know about him, I can only hope that you are telling me the whole truth about him not doing me damage."

William knelt beside her and kissed her forehead. "How long have we been friends, pretty girl?"

"Since the fourth grade." She pressed her head against his hand. It hurt, but felt good at the same time.

"Have I ever let anyone hurt you if I could stop it? If I had thought for a moment that Zak would hurt you, I'd have never brought him anywhere near you. Believe that. He took care of Cindy after her father died, for six years. I saw him at the end, when she was too weak to eat, to do anything. Hell, he changed her diapers. Believe me, he's one of us."

"How long have you been letting him feed off of you?" She winced a little as he touched her lip.

"Well you see, ever since the funeral, he's had to. You see he has to have someone who cares. He doesn't really take much at all from me, a little more than half a cup a week. I eat well take vitamins. See he's not looking for nourishment from me he's looking for friendship, for trust. I trust him with my life, with my car, and with you, who mean more to me than anything else I got."

She smiled. "Thank you, Will." If it had been anyone else, she would have never believed it. But it was William, her best friend, and partner in crime and occasional fuck buddy. "Is he gonna bite me?"

"He'll have to Hon, he won't be able to slip out as often as he'd like. I'll come over and help with that, I'll have too. But you're going to have to trust me enough to trust him. If he's working here and living with you, he'll have to. It's got something to do with the way they are. It's more than just the blood, it's," how to explain it? "It's a way of expression for him too. He trusts you with his very life everyday as he sleeps, and you trust him by believing that he won't kill you either."

"Does it hurt bad?" She couldn't believe she was having this conversation.

"For a second as he bites, but after that." He blushed. "You saw me. It's addicting. It's a deeply sexual feeling. Trust me, he'll try to seduce you before he does it, it makes it," he looked away briefly. "It's great, I've never felt anything like it before. He gives himself to you. You can hear his thoughts know his feelings, his joys, and his pains. He's really more human than most folks I know are. Please Robby, trust me. He'll keep anyone from hurting you, ever again. And he'll give you a friend that will never betray you."

Robyn listened to his words, catching all the half-said statements. "You're sleeping with him?" It was a question, not an accusation. She didn't care who slept with whom.

"Yeah, I did for the first time tonight. Before now I was afraid. Afraid of what that made me, afraid that if I did I'd be loosing my last hold on normalcy. But you wanna know something? I'm still me and he's still him, and the only thing that changed is when he calls me 'my friend' , I know what he really means."

Zak stood there above them, smiling at William's soft words. "Milady, if you do not wish to take these, I can help with the pain." He held out two small white pills. "Or if you do not feel ready to trust me that far, I can lessen it until the medication takes effect."

"You can make the pain go away?" There was hope in her voice. The pain had been the worst part of it all. She could live with the assault; the violence would fade eventually. But the pain made her feel helpless.

"If you will allow me to take but a few sips of your blood to form a link, I can bar the pain. If you are not ready for that, I can if you allow me to control you just a touch, lessen it some until the medication takes." He sat on the edge of the couch. "I have fed well tonight, there is no danger, believe me. There will never be any danger." He reached out and touched her cheek. "I will never take from you without your permission, freely given. The beast within me, you will never see it, I promise. Let me help you, I know you have no reason to believe me, no reason to trust a creature such as I, but I speak the truth."

Robyn had lived all her life by her instincts. It was her instincts that had taken the inheritance she received on her eighteenth birthday and, turn, it, in less than six years, into a fortune. It had been her instincts that had saved her life more times than she could count, and it was her instincts that allowed her to nod her head slowly, looking up at his unearthly beautiful face with half hope, half trust.

Zak laid the pills and the glass on the end table. "William, would you help her up?" He held out his arms as his friend helped to pull her up so he could lift her into his lap. "Your hair color becomes you, blue is definitely you color."

"Thanks." She smiled at the lunacy of the situation. She was sitting in, a vampires, lap, and he was complimenting her on her choice in hair dye. "What do I do?"

Zak pressed his lips against her forehead, inhaling the sweet, salty, iron scent of the blood within her. He had felt assured he had told the truth, had fed well today, but it was like the finest of wines, one could never refuse just one more sip. "Close your eyes my pretty angel. Relax, lean against me, I will not let you fall." He tilted her chin up to expose the soft white column of her throat. "Such sweet beauty." Cool breath on her neck as he planted soft kisses there. "Ssshh," he felt her stiffen. "Relax, I won't hurt you, ever, just relax." His mouth opened as razor sharp fangs pressed down into the flesh beneath them.

"Ow," she stiffened again with the first sharp pain, then it was bliss. Her body was caught up in a wave of heat and sound. Color, light and sound flooded her mind and flowed over her body. She moaned clinging to him as he took slow, small sips of her precious life. Slowly letting her feel all he could offer for now, reaching down to caress her breasts and belly through the thin cotton shirt. Feeling her body give itself to the pleasure he offered.

"Oh," she lay back against him as he pulled away. "Wow."

"Did I hurt you Robyn?" His hand still stroked her gently. "Tell me my pretty one."

"No, I mean yes, but then . . ." she suddenly froze. "What happened?"

"It is like that when I feed. As I told William, it is why I chose to use seduction. At the right moment, I could intensify the pleasure many fold and my lover need never know what I have done. Did you find it to be pleasant?"

"If my head didn't hurt like this, you would be in serious trouble." She blushed. Orgasms were never easy for her. Turning over control like that was hard with most people. Other than William, there had only been one other guy. Daniel, who she had ever trusted enough too fully let herself submit to the joys of total surrender.

"I only took tiny sips. Just enough to form a link." He cupped her face as his power washed over her, stealing away the pain. "You will not hurt anymore."

Robyn shook her head. There was no pain. It was gone. Beyond all rhyme and reason it was gone. "I'm sorry for doubting you, William." Then to Zak, "and you too, Zak." She touched her face nothing hurt. "G'damn, if you could bottle that, you'd make a fortune." She tried to sit up, noticing for the first time that he was still touching her body. "Uh, Zak?"

"Yes, precious?"

"Are you planning on going something with this, or is it just something you do when your hands are free?"

"Forgive me." He stopped, realizing that he was going too fast. "It's a bad habit, I love touching people."

"Well I didn't mind, but Will is sitting over there watching. And I'm under the impression that the two of you are lovers. Well he and I go back a ways, but I don't take what isn't offered."

It was William who laughed. "Offered? Robby the man has four or five folks he keeps company with it keeps him fed. No, by all means, if you plan to let him protect you, then go ahead. It will make things a whole lot easier."

"But?"

"I'll visit, I have to. So as long as I am welcome to join, I don't care. Just remember he, was, mine first. I don't mind sharing as long as it's with you."

"Well I guess I got myself a body guard." It was wonderful. The pain was gone, totally. And she felt closer to this creature than she thought possible. "I even know where you can sleep out the day. My basement is below ground, totally. I even have what used to be a large darkroom empty now. We'll just shove a bed in there for now, until I can order some furniture."

"Then it's a deal?" William held out a hand.

"It's a deal." And the handshake sealed it.