The Blood Raven

Chapter 2

She tossed and turned in her sleep only a few times rolling over to face him. Her arms wrapping around him tightly as she clung to him softly. Her face a hair's breadth away from his. He actually would start to warm up and be almost a normal temperature as she was like a mini heater now that there was nothing to blow her natural body heat away. She purred gently into his face as she nuzzled him, a soft deep purr of a happy content cat. The sunlight slowly peaking in the window curtains as she nuzzled his nose with her own in her sleep.

Nicolas opened his eyes at feeling her breath, A curious look on his face as he watched her 'Weird little one. Even after one night, she seems so content.' He thought before starting to sit up. "Alright. Wake up little one... the time for sleep is over” he said as he softly shook her “... It's time to get up and get ready to meet with the day... we have a big day today." he said.

She opened her eyes and realizing how close she was she gulped and blushed hard "Mo..Morn... Morning Sir.... big day?? what do you mean " she sat up and started to stretch and her left cat-like ear popped out, unknown by her, from her hair's headband, and stood straight up as she stretched her back as it popped like rice crispies cereal.

"Yes, I plan on taking you out into town and treating you to some clean clothes. I also need to stock up on food. While I can last a month at most on one feeding. You need three meals a day to survive." Nicolas said as he got out of bed and went over to his closet to grab some clean clothes.

She nodded and then noticed her ear was out and panicked and started patting it down and getting it back under her hair and headband so that it couldn't move again. She also checked that her tail was still in place so that it wasn't noticed or moved. Sighing in some relief she got up and went to her backpack in the other room and pulled out a fresh pair of semi-clean socks and put her tattered shoes on.

He looked over to her and sighed, "You know you don't exactly have to hide what you are. Mortals have a certain scent about them, a scent that you don't exactly have.." he spoke as he pulled out a clean shirt and some clean pants to change into. "Purring, Chittering, your ears, not to mention the way you stretch. It's all more cat-like.."

She gulped and looked down "B... but I do ... mo.. most people freak out around me .... it... it's why I have been on the streets so long. I can't get a normal job because people don't think I am human and they tend to stare .... so.. .so I got used to hiding what I am...."

"Humans are just afraid of those that are different. Hiding doesn't make it any better. This whole city knows what I am, and yet I don't mind. Some are fearful, others learn I mean no harm. Unless you cause issues in my territory I won't act." Nicolas said as he began to go over to grab his jacket to put it on.

She watched and followed him, pulling a jacket from her pack that had seen better days but it was warm. She put it on and followed him to the door. "Hiding has kept me safe ...." she muttered softly under her breath.

He looked over to her as he finished getting ready, "You're under my protection now. So now you are safe, no matter how far you go. No matter the number of enemies... I will find you." he spoke, putting his hands in his pockets as he left the bedroom and began to make his way over to the front door.

She smiled looking at him her eyes searching him as if wondering why he is being so nice to her. She has never had anyone be this caring towards her and she wondered why he, a stranger, of all people would do this for her. " Thank you, Nicolas." She also couldn't help but mentally shudder at the thought that he would be able to find her no matter where she was, that thought was a bit unsettling.

"It's no trouble... Though I should go ahead and say this, You're more than likely going to have questions. So if you do, I will do my best to answer them." Nicolas said as he began to walk out the door. "First we should see about getting you a warm meal...Rather than just one of day-old bread..."

She blushed hard. "A.. .alright .. and thank you I ... I do have questions but I am not sure how to ask them as I don't want to seem ungrateful." She looked down as they exited the house and Nicolas locked the door. She was extremely nervous about asking questions as she didn't want to be annoying.

As they began walking down the street Nicolas chuckled "I have heard them all.... What clan am I from? What am I doing here? How can I walk in the sun like a normal person?" he said pausing a moment. "Nothing is abnormal, Humans really read to much into the horror novels."

Her eyes widened as chuckled softly, “um no that's not what I was wanting to ask,” she blushed deeply. “I... I am just wondering why help me? I... I am just a stranger to you and I have no way to pay you back.”

He stopped walking and looked at her "Why help you? A girl who would fall victim to the elements or worse if I hadn't intervened. Perhaps it's all the years of being alive that has caused me to grow a heart. Or perhaps, I would rather see more interesting faces around. One thing is for sure, I hate seeing others struggle.." Nicolas spoke before continuing to walk down the street.

She was taken aback by this as she never thought of things like this. She always heard vampires were creatures with no heart or soul. Creatures to be feared not befriended. She smiled and purred softly as she had to sprint slightly to catch up with him. Instinctually she tucked herself up under his arm holding him as if he was her boyfriend or something, nuzzling into him and smiling happily...." Thank you y.. you are the first kind person I have met in a very long time...."

He glanced to her curiously, though shook his head. Nicolas had led her to a small cafe to get her some breakfast. "I grew up with three elder brothers, two younger brothers, and one older sister... I know how to be kind yet stern." Nicolas said. "I will say this if at any point you want something... and I mean anything. Just tell me... whether at home or out and about.." he spoke firmly looking into her eyes.

She smiled listening "I had a mother and father I was the only child... till I was thrown out... then they had another kid. Who I guess was normal as I did check on them from time to time and he seemed human, not like me....." she nuzzled him almost as if trying to seek a little comfort but shivered at his firm tone."I understand. Breakfast is all I am needing at the moment " She leaned up and softly kissed his cheek as they walked to the cafe.

Nicolas blushed a bit when she kissed his cheek. "Alright." he said "Well, You have nothing to worry about at the moment. You will be well taken care of." he said, going over to the door of the cafe and holding it open for her. She walked inside, and as if instinctual, even though she was clean she took a seat near the back of the cafe so that they would have fewer eyes on them. Sitting down she carefully took her jacket off and placed it around her lap, as she grabbed the menu to look it over. He followed her over to the table, taking a seat next to her and picking up a menu himself. "This may be an interesting experience for you." he said giving a bit of a chuckle as he debated on something for himself.

She looked at him curiously for a moment then looked over the breakfast menu and deciding on the biscuits and gravy for her meal with a side of sausage and hash-browns and sweet ice tea for the drink. She looked up waiting for the waitress to come over to get their order. He looked over the menu a bit longer before deciding on what he wanted. Looking over to the waitress catching her eye and motioning her over to the table. As she smiled and arrived she noticed the state of the woman sitting with Nicolas and grimaced slightly.

“What can I get you, good folks, today?” she said with a slight southern twang.

“I'll take the blue plate special.” Said Nicolas ordering his meal, “And a cup of tea to go with it please.” Then he handed over his menu to the woman.

The waitress then turned her attention over to the woman with Nicolas and smiled gently trying to hide her disdain, "And what may I get for you?" she asked.

“I will take the order of biscuits and gravy with a side of sausage links and hash-browns, with a sweet ice tea to drink please “ she smiled softly to the waitress and actually for the moment felt normal and not a pariah. There was a bright sparkle to her eyes that showed her happiness, as well as a bit of a soft glow from her skin that only Nicolas seemed to have noticed as he watched her closely. As he wanted to make sure she would order what she wanted and not hold back.

Nicolas looked over as the waitress walked off with their orders. "I'll have to admit, I have never seen that before," he spoke as he relaxed back in his seat. "I think there are a few things we will have to look into once we find out exactly what you are."

As she looked at him and the glow dimmed to almost disappearing "Huh? what.?.... seen what before?" she said not understanding " look into what?" she tilted her head curiously and actually would look like a cat in that aspect as she watched him and his eyes curiously.

"You were glowing slightly, So I became rather curious. We may end up finding out what you are later down the line." Nicolas said as he began to cross his arms. "For now it will be a mystery."

She looked at him like he had just grown a 3rd head.... " glowing? are you sure...sure that it wasn't just a trick of the light?" she chuckled thinking he had been seeing something. As she chuckled her ears twitched a bit and she reached up to hold them down to keep them from popping out.

"I know what glowing is.." Nicolas stated bluntly. His attention going over to the waitress as she came back with their drinks.

"Here are your drinks, and your food will be out in just a few minutes." she spoke before leaving the two alone as she shivered walking away. Nicolas chuckled as he watched the waitress leave, then picking up his cup of tea and starting to drink from it.

She shrugged " I have never noticed myself glowing before, I've had fireflies around me at times in the fall and summer but that's it ...." she said as she sipped her sweet ice tea and shivered smiling happily trying not to purr.

He chuckled as he watched her "Well, it just means your learning a thing or two about yourself that you never knew about. It will be nice to learn as much as we can."

“Aye that is true ...” she said sniffing the air "god this place smells good all the food smells just make me even more hungry”

"Stay calm. They need to make sure everything is prepared correctly before serving it," he said. His attention going over to the waitress as she soon returned with their plates. "Or they could be finished," he said shrugging. The waitress began placing their plates down in front of them. Nicolas with his blue plate special, and her biscuits and gravy. As she saw the biscuits and she wanted to just dive in, but she took a deep breath, taking in the smell. Then she carefully picked up her silverware and began to eat like a normal person, verses how she would have with just her hands had they been alone. As she started to eat the tips of her catlike ears poked up out of her hair as she was trying to curb her wild instincts.

He smiled a bit as he began to eat his meal, entertained by just watching her enjoy some decent food for possibly the first time in so long. He thought, 'Nothing a hot meal can't fix Though I can't take her out every day but I can brush up on my cooking skills...' As she ate softly and slowly despite her body wanting to literally just dive headfirst into the plate of biscuits and gravy it was about ten minutes before she started on the hash-browns and sausage savoring their taste. As she ate again there was a bit of glow this time from her eyes, but only for a split second then it was gone. Fifteen more minutes go by and she's just about done eating.

Nicolas would soon enough finish his meal, working on his drink as he waited on her to finish with her food. 'After this, we will go get her clothes.. then we can head home...Then just let her finish settling in.. no use in taking her all over the city in one day.' he thought to himself.

She slowly finished her meal and held back a soft burp as she giggled gently and finished her tea relaxing into the chair "W.. wow its been a long time since I have eaten like that." she patted her belly softly as she felt more than just full she felt a little bloated as well.

"You will be eating like that from now on. No need to worry about when your next meal comes. You're going to be eating fresh foods from here on out." he said as he placed his empty teacup onto its saucer, and reaching into his jacket pocket to pull out his wallet to pay for their meals. She smiled tearing up she thought to herself 'Is this really happening is he... really this nice or... or is he only doing this so he can feed on me from time to time?' she gulped at the thought and blushed as she wondered what it would feel like. He looked over to her as he got up from his seat. "You look like you have an interesting question on your mind...Want to ask it?" he asked as he waited for her to answer.

She blushed bright red and shook her head getting up from the table and putting her coat back on, then drinking down the last of her tea. As she started walking with him to the counter so he could pay for the meal, she tried to change the subject as they turned to leave the cafe. "It's nothing just a curiosity and I ... I don't want to embarrass myself...."

"Is it about feeding?" he asked, starting to walk towards the door. "It's not that embarrassing, to be honest... I have answered that question so many times I always have the answer ready." The waitress takes the payment thanking them and as they left she scoffed and went to clean up their table.

She blushed hard nodding "I. I am kinda curious what it f... feels like...." she gulped hoping she didn't just say something stupid.

Nicolas smiled a bit at hearing her "It is different for everybody, Where one person may feel panic... another may feel ecstasy. Maybe if you like... I will give you a small bite.."

She gulped listening nodding shivering rubbing her neck a little bit " I... I'll think about it..... " She blushed hard really hard, walking ahead of him a bit letting the cool air brush against her skin as she wanted to try and not feel as flushed as she was.

He easily caught up with her in a few strides. He then looked to her through the corner of his eye, sensing her becoming flustered. "If you can hold off till we get home, I will bite you then if you want. I will let you know, Unlike the legends, a Vampire's bite does not turn one into a vampire...We are born just like any human. However, we can turn others.... it just requires the sire's blood.."

She blushes starting to shiver more and leaning into him again as if trying to cool herself on his skin "We.. we can wait as long as you want I'm in no hurry, and I didn't know that. But to answer an unasked question no I d... I don't want to be turned.... as I... I don't think a vampiric cat would be a wise thing" she chuckled nervously.

He raised a brow curiously, stopping them for a moment, to lean down and place his face between her neck and shoulder, inhaling her scent, Nicolas couldn't help but chuckle lightly. "Your body isn't agreeing with you on this.." he teased her with his seductive tone.

She shivered listing to him curiously and as she felt his nose and lips near her neck she gulped as her heart began to pound fast if her ears were not pinned down they would be flat in a bit of both fear and curiousness. Holding her breath as she heard his words, she was literally frozen in place. Nicolas shook his head and lifted himself up. "No need to try and hide anything from me.. simple things like your scent can give things away."

"W.. what is my scent saying? " she said looking up curious and the look on her face of cluelessness and then she started to sniff him.

"Other than the obvious things... Your flustered.. and your body heat is rising.. you could be feeling a bit of lust if my hunch is correct.." Nicolas said. His scent gave off the air that he was a calm and composed male who had seen just about everything the world had to offer. Though he looked young his wisdom seemed to show how old he truly was.

“Flustered yes cause I can't let my curiosity get the better of me and with you, I feel strangely safe and like I could let you do anything and I would be fine. I also know how dangerous that can be. But um lust? what's that? “ she looked at him with a serious look she shivered at his scent and almost melted into him as she felt him hold her a bit closer as she nuzzled into him.

"Lust is...is a desire that goes beyond means and needs of food or water... it's a desire to have someone be with you in a way that only they can be with you. Not as we are now though.." he explained. "It's sort of like a primal instinct..." he continued as he held her. "Tell me.. do you feel...odd anywhere?... Just whisper it...I can hear it as clear as you speaking normally...One of the special benefits of being a vampire."

She thought for a moment as they walked and talked “my chest but that's because my heart is beating a million miles a minute. I guess cause part of me is still a little scared and worried.” She shrugged slightly as she nuzzled into him as they walked relaxing again.

He raised a brow, bringing his hand up and gently petting her head. "Well, it will possibly calm down soon. You know I mean you no harm. Come, let's get you some clothes and new shoes as those are ready for the trash then we will head home." Nicolas said letting her go and starting to walk towards the nearest clothing store.

The moment he had touched and started to pet her head her legs instantly went all wobbly and she had to hold onto him to keep from stumbling and she blushed a little harder and bit back a soft moan of pleasure. She nodded " o... okie..." she stammered but as they started to walk she composed herself blushing looking down at the sidewalk as this was the first time in a long time she felt 'that' sensation and she wasn't expecting it.

He couldn't help but grin a bit as he watched her. Making a bit of a mental note of her reaction. Going over to the boutique Reign Couture and opening the door to let her in. "Go ahead and pick out what you want... At least enough clothes and Pj's to last you one week," he said. "If you need any help do not be afraid to ask." he said.

She nodded and started looking through the clothing racks. She found seven outfits easily as she was so small that shirts were not a problem, pants on the other hand she had to be creative with so that she could hide her tail comfortably. Once she found that she searched for undergarments and she found some bras and underwear enough for the week and even a few thin nightgowns that were actually on sale. She then began looking at shoes she found a pair of sneakers and house slippers that fit and put it all in the cart looking over at him smiling softly. “ I... I hope it's not too much.”

Nicolas smiled a bit as he waited for her next to the cashier, Watching her go through the isle of girl's clothing before making her way over to him. "Looks like you found everything that you needed." He said as he got up to get in line with some of the other customers. "I think today was possibly the best day of your life." he said giving a bit of a chuckle.

She smiled nodding " it.. it has been the best day of my life and I am grateful to you for it."

She started to take the hangers off the clothes and place them on the counter to be rung up and smiled softly to the cashier as her ears once again popped out from under her hair.

"I'm sure things can only get better from here. Depending on how everything works out from here is up to the fates..." he said, looking to her as her ears popped out. "Good looks like your relaxing now."

She smiled nodding to the first statement and then realizing her ears were showing and she gulped looking around hoping no one other than him noticed......"St... still not used to having them out.. they tend to twitch and pop out on their own at times...."

"It's fine. Just relax and ignore the stares. Don't let them get to you." Nicolas said as he took out his wallet to pay for her clothes as the cashier scanned the items. She nodded and tried to ignore all the stares from everyone, especially the cashier. As she fidgeted lightly in her spot behind the cart and gripped it soundly. Her silence showed her uneasiness more apparently as she held the cart to keep from bolting from the store. He sighed, Finishing with paying and wrapping his arm around her and holding her close. "Calm...Take your mind off of it...breath in...breath out..." he whispered.

She looked to him nodding and calmed down slowly, his embrace helping to calm her, much like when she was falling asleep with him the night before. She began to purr and nuzzle into him all the while curling into and holding him tenderly. Anyone that didn't notice the ears would have thought 'awww what a cute couple.' She slowly breathed in his scent helping to calm her more for some reason and she closed her eyes as the cashier handed him the bags as her hands start shaking slightly.

He nodded taking the bags and looking at her, "come on... it's time to go home." he said, gently tapping her shoulder so they could leave the shop. "I will gladly satisfy that curiosity of yours when we are settled in."

She nodded and held him walking taking some of the bags from him as she followed him now a little calmer but flattens her ears once outside as the wind in them made them ache slightly. " Thank you, Nick..." she said softly as she turned and began heading back towards the house.

"It's no trouble at all...I made a promise and I intend to keep it.." Nick said as he walked in the direction of the house "It would be a waste to make a promise only to break it..."