In Any Life...A Little Rain Must Fall
1993 Words
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He did not divulge his identity.” Christopher ignored the younger Vampire’s entreaty. “It was discovered by accident, and as I said...”
“Then he,” it was spoken lowly, “should have eliminated the threat immediately. It is the Code."
“What are you talking about?” Alex demanded answers. He disliked the fear in Annie Callahan’s eyes. The eyes that had moments before been dancing with mischief and joy. “Who are you? What is it you want? If someone has a problem with me, let them face me directly!”
The being remained silent, uncommunicative.
“If they, or you, are concerned that Annie will reveal facts about our Society...” Alex tried again.
“I am not concerned.” The icy emptiness swept over the female. “She will tell no one.”
Alex felt Annie’s terror, reaching his hand back, his fingers intertwining with her suddenly chilled ones. “I don’t know what the hell is going on, but if you want her?” Alex motioned with his free hand. “You’re going to have to go through me first.” He set his mind. “Bring it on!”
“...Excellent.” The being nodded imperceptibly. “I had hoped as much.”
A rather loud, undignified clunk disturbed the brittleness of the moment. All present turned their attention to the source of the disturbance.
The blonde female groaned loudly, having fallen heavily from the upper portion of the ledge that surrounded the building.
She rolled about the imported marble stones for a second then lay back heavily, her body stretched out comically. She stared at the night sky for a goodly while, moaning softly.
At length, she struggled to a half sitting position. Her long blonde hair was in complete disarray, messy tendrils falling from the carefully arranged top knot. Dirt smudged her lovely porcelain skin. Lots of it.
“Oh, don’t be so stuffy, Hans!” the female snapped peevishly, glaring at the burly being who stood directly before her. “Why must you be so f*****g melodramatic?”
Alex blinked, his senses getting a workout this night.
He watched as the woman rose. She tugged at some unseen material under the long black dress she wore. Had the man not known better, he would have sworn she had pulled on her panties to situate them better.
“What the hell?” The large being’s tone held a genuine annoyance now, Alex noted, where before nothing had seemed to unsettle it, “are you doing here?”
“I can be wherever I want. You aren’t my boss!” The woman had stepped right up to the gigantic being, for he seemed to dwarf her size. It was almost a good head and a half taller, after all.
He glared down at the petite person with ill-concealed hostility.
“And how did you get down off that damned roof top! Look at my clothes!” She held the dusty fabric up for inspection.
“They’re ruined, and it’s all your fault!”
The immaculately kept finger nail pushed into the stout chest area of the being. “You’re replacing these shoes! They are my very all-time favorite ones...so...” she sought the correct word, “so...there! And for God’s sake! Use the door, can’t you? Why must you always make such a Grand entrance?”
Alex was dumbfounded, clear and simple. He stood, trying to make heads or tails of what had just transpired, but came up empty. He glanced over to Christopher Colton.
The other Vampire seemed somehow relieved, of all things.
“I am so telling Dad!” The apparition turned up her nose and stalked away from the It.
She smiled amicably, her arms spreading wide as she approached. “Christopher! How delightful to see you again! I have missed you terribly! Have you missed me?”
Christopher welcomed her into his embrace, smiling genuinely upon the pretty, if smudged features. “You have dirt on your nose.”
“I have dirt in places you would not wish to know about.” She philosophized, moving from his embrace slightly. “You’re looking older.” She scrutinized the Vampire critically.
“I’m looking just fine, thank you,” Christopher corrected. “You liar.”
She cut light gray eyes to... “Old Hans giving you hell?”
She made a face at the one in question who stood now, seething and silent, his eyes dark sparks of icy disdain. “It’s what he does best, besides murdering things. I bet he could kill a plastic plant. What d’ya think, Hans? Could you? Are you that good? Or is it all boast and brag with you, like most males?”
She smiled brightly at the being. “He can be so uncivilized at times, but then...” her eyes swept the being’s form appreciatively, “I so enjoy uncivilized, do I not, Hans.”
“It’s good to see you, Althea.” Christopher grinned at the exchange, even if the one it was directed at obviously found nothing whatsoever amusing about it, were his features any criteria by which to judge.
“I know it is, Christopher. Has your one and only stirred from that nasty little coma you put her into as yet?” She blinked innocent eyes up to his slightly scolding ones. “That was so tacky on your part, wasn’t it? Still, she will probably forgive you eventually. I know I would.”
“Nice to see you, too.” Christopher had narrowed his gaze a tad at the not-so veiled insult.
“Have I missed the party?” Althea queried those gathered. Her gaze landed on Annie Callahan. "Apparently not." she mused. “You’re still in one piece. Hans can be so physical at times.”
"Althea!” Hans grated his growing fury.
Christopher noted the long ‘A’ sound at the end of the name. He thought it sounded rather lyrical when said so, well, harshly.
The woman turned an inoffensive look. “Yes, Hans?” She answered obediently, her own tone inoffensively sweet and demure.
“Return to your Sire! This instant!”
“It’s boring there.” Althea crinkled her nose. “And you left without even saying goodbye. I was deeply hurt, beloved, deeply!”
"Obey me!”
Althea closed her eyes, sighing happily. ”Oh, I love that tone! Say something else... something provocative!”
“You b***h!” Hans grated; his emotions just barely contained. “Must I throw you off the balcony myself?”
The woman shook her head woefully, explaining to the others who had stood by, blatantly listening in on what was transpiring. “He loves to throw me off things. Last time? It was a gloomy cliff off the edge of some Spanish town.” Althea glanced at the object of her report, her expression a fond one. “The old grump. I emphasize the word old.”
"Leave!”
The humor died in the gray eyes, and the young female vampire turned slowly to face her demon. “...No.” She stated quietly.
Han’s face was masked with genuine anger. “Then stay.” He hissed venomously. “The outcome will be the same. If you truly wish to witness it, so be it!”
“Move carefully, my pet.” The teasing quality was absent from the woman’s tone. And her manner had chilled decidedly. “Do you truly wish to test Papa’s power? I am nothing but ...he?"
The silence was devastating.
“Do you like this female?” Althea inquired politely, never taking her eyes from the real danger.
Christopher prompted Alex to reply. Nudging him sharply in the side.
“Who...eh, yes! Yes, of course I like her. She’s my friend, and means no harm to–”
“I mean...” The woman sighed heavily, “do you like her in the Biblical sense, because if you do? I shall champion you.”
“Are you f*****g insane?” Hans moved a threatening step.
Althea held up her hand. “It is your Code... not mine! It is allowed, yes?” She questioned airily. “Nor do I delude myself that you cannot best me, but then you would have dear old Papa to consider, wouldn’t you. He will avenge my untimely, not to mention tragic demise.”
She smiled wistfully. “He might even shed a tear or two. He did for Olivia, but he always liked her best, truth told. Don’t you think?”
"Papa would be the first to throw you off the f*****g balcony! Do you seriously think he will approve of this farce?” Hans did not frighten so easily, apparently.
“How you paint him. Nevertheless, I think they make a cute couple, and I am a hopeless romantic. You would know that if you ever bothered to actually listen to anything I say.” Althea waved the matter aside. “I absolutely forbid you to harm them. Go away now. Go back to whatever rock you slithered from beneath.”
"You?” Hans was more than livid. ”You... forbid!”
“Are you raising your voice to me?” The thought seemed an incredulous one to Althea, her eyes wide with wonder and amazement. “How dare you!”
“You would be surprised at what I dare.” The being managed between clenched teeth.
“Now you are simply being unreasonable.” Althea sighed heavily. “I know the rules and you must obey them. So, go off somewhere and obey them. I shall see you back here at sunset, Eastern Standard Time, please. I’m a late riser.”
"f**k you!” The being turned with a swirl of the heavy cape, stalking to the balcony, vaulting onto the railing, stepping off into the silence of the night.
Annie cried out her alarm, rushing to Alex’s side. “Oh, my god! He jumped!”
“If only.” Althea practically snorted. She turned about, spreading her hands open. “Christopher? Do you see a drink in my hands?”
Christopher smiled tightly, crossing to prepare the concoction she enjoyed. “Thank you, Thea.” He looked up, halting his actions of dropping an ice cube into the frosted glass. “For what you did.”
The female looked at the other two occupants of the room. “This is another fine mess you’ve gotten me into, Christopher. Don’t think old Hans will be waylaid for long, either.” She predicted.
“I trust you have a plan to appease the Council. I can annoy him for just so long before he stakes my ass...or worse, knowing him.”
She crossed to Annie, lifting a lock of blonde curls, examining the texture of the fragrant tresses absently. “I bought you some time, but an Enforcer cannot be deterred. Like your infamous Mounties, they always get their man...or woman.” Althea smiled pleasantly at Annie.
“Don’t be morbid. I thought you outgrew your Goth period.” Christopher teased in open affection, having noted her attire.
“Black is slimming.” Althea frowned over at Christopher. “You know you adore me in black.”
“I adore you out of it more. Talk to your father.”
“You know how he feels about humans, and... us.” She rolled her eyes. “The only thing he ever truly cared for was taken from him by a human. I can talk to him until I’m blue in the face. I would be a freakin’ Smurf before he would lift a finger to help. No offense, lady.”
“Then tell me who I can talk to.” Alex demanded. “There has to be a way to deal with this.
- Writer
