I attempted to move around him into the safety of the bathroom, but Dana grabbed onto the back of my hair, causing me to abruptly halt, snapping my head back. After a brief moment of tug of war, she released her grip, and my head fell forward and I kept my gaze fixed at my feet, taking a deep breath before mustering the courage to meet his eyes.
His expression remained devoid of any emotion, his gaze empty and impenetrable, refusing to offer even the slightest hint of his thoughts to me. He had become quite adept at shielding his emotions from me, just as he had become accomplished in abusing me with them. His poker face left me unable to decipher what he desired or why he was here to begin with.
Caleb was clad in a pair of my father’s old blue jeans and a black tee shirt, they clung snuggly to his large, muscular frame. To complete his ensemble, he wore the construction boots I had found for him at the thrift store a few weeks ago, for which I was immensely grateful he hadn’t donned his hand made boots. Strangely, that one common item amongst the boys of this town help Caleb blend, despite his otherworldly ethereal aura about him.
It had taken a considerable amount of effort on my part to convince him that wearing his clothes and boots from Ella would cause people to question his sanity. He was okay with the clothing however, after wearing the new boots for just one day, Caleb had developed some pretty bad blisters, causing him to adamantly refuse any footwear at all and walk barefoot for the next three days. I got him a pair of sneaker that he liked much better and didn’t hurt his feet nearly as much.
When he puttered around the barn doing small tasks that every farmer needs to do he eventually gave the boots another try and he admitted that they were good for work and provided a sense of security for his feet. Being outside and tinkering in the barn or working on fencing was the only thing that kept him happy most days. And blissfully away from me.
Caleb’s muscular shoulders and arms were sculpted perfectly in all the right places beneath the cloth of his shirt. His cream-colored skin was perfection and only blemished by the thick black tattoos crawling up his arms and out of the collar of his shirt like several small snakes liquid in motion when the lights of the dance floor danced across his skin.
He hated them, and rightfully so, they were not art to him but a spell that was slowly poisoning him. The train of hieroglyphs to the average person in my world would actually be considered quite beautiful by those who loved body art. Because even though I knew what they were and what they were doing to him a part of me found them irresistibly attractive. Maybe it was part of the spell, I don’t know, but I loved when he wore no shirt and could admire them without him suspecting I was ogling him.
The boys of Nistra were subjected to an edictal fate, as the spells were cast on all newborn sons in service to Nistra. If the infant survived the night their parents were paid with a lump sum and then maintained with a small stipend once a year on the child’s 19th birthday if they were still alive and the poison had not taken them. If they were fortunate to live past the completion of the spell on their 19th birthday their last task was to complete a two-year training camp called The Trials, after which they were assigned a station of the King’s choosing and they become a member of the Nistra Vanguard. The parents would be paid 10 gold pieces at the secession before the young man became the owned property of the crown.
It was an ancient tradition, a dark ritual that marked their bodies and bound them to the Kingdom for the duration of their lives. Any male child born within the protective walls of the city was eligible for the king to harvest or at the discretion of his casters if they sought a particular breed found a worthy candidate. Parents, living in desperate situations could also sell their sons to the crown with the hopes that they would survive and they could profit off of their lives. Most did not.
When the tattoos completed their cycle the boy had one moon cycle to return to Nistra to be casted again to save their lives or the poison would kill them. It was a painful reminder of their indentured servitude to Nistra, a binding force that would forever tie them to the crown, no matter who sat atop the thrown, they were owned with only the illusion of freedom and stature.
Once the spell was completed, and they were sealed, no man could refuse their duty, even if he desired to live a different life. The brands held them captive, bound by an unbreakable oath forged from the very essence of their blood. The king alone possessed the power to summon them to him, and those who defied his command would suffer a slow and agonizing death as the ink ate away at their flesh, eventually dissolving their bones into ash.
It was a grim reality for most young men of Nistra, and the thought that had plagued my mind for most of my friendship with Caleb. I wondered if the king would subject his own son to such a fate, should Caleb fail to return home in time. Could the king stop it, even if he wanted to? All things I had never dared to ask Caleb, afraid his answers would be just as I had imagined to be.
Caleb didn’t have any documents that we could get him an ID with when I went and got my driver's permit last week. He had no plans of staying in my world so I didn't push for us to figure it out. He was angry that I had even gone through the trouble of getting mine.
Tonight his locks still remained disheveled uncut because he had been too much of an ass for me to offer to cut it for him lately, yet it added to his brutish appeal, cascading over his enigmatic blue eyes and grazing the tip of his nose when it fell forward, giving him an undeniably hot and effortlessly untamed appearance.
Delicate wisps of his midnight hair playfully curled at the nape of his neck, a perfectly intentional shield, to hide some of the mystic marks on the back of his neck. The faintest hint of black stubble adorned his chin and upper lip, completing his aesthetic, and causing every woman in the dimly lit nightclub to marvel at his presence. Even I swooned a little bit in my intoxicated state for a moment before I remembered I was still mad at him.
His appearance blended so seamlessly into this vibrant atmosphere. After all, it was a throwback to the 90’s night at the Seawall Club, before Grunge got out of hand. But I knew the truth. Concealed within the confines that beautiful face and perfect body, was a shape-shifting vampire. And I had to stifle the urge to laugh out loud at the unsuspecting crowd around me. I haphazardly wondered if they discovered his true nature, would they all still be so captivated by his beauty or sharpen their stakes and chase him out of town?
“Well hello, there,” Dana chimed in breaking the awkward standoff we were having with her girlish giggle, her grip tightening around my arm, a clear indication of her excitement.
I nudged Dana a few times to try and get her attention. She playfully swatted at me to stop, so I pinched her in the side and she snapped her eyes at me in anger. I quickly glanced towards the bathroom, silently pleading for her assistance in aiding in my escape. However, she rolled her eyes and let my arm go, beaming a perfect smile in Caleb’s direction, even smoothing out her top probably in an attempt to get him to look at her breasts.
I braved a step in a slow retreat, hoping he would be too distracted by Dana's flirtatious non verbal communication to notice my escape. He was a guy after all and Dana was a hot girl. Maybe I could find an open window in the restroom to crawl out. Two steps were all I managed when I was abruptly halted by an arm wrapping around my waist and pushing me back into Dana. Our heads collided with a resounding thud, causing us both to yelp in surprise. Our unknown assailant behind us erupted into a fit of laughter.
“Ow,” I muttered, rubbing the side of my head as I struggled to break free from the unwelcome arms. I was growing tired of the boys and their intrusive hands, especially now that Caleb was present and in full-on judging mode with those cold blue eyes of his.
“Ladies, I’ve been searching for you everywhere,” the boy said. I did not recall meeting this boy tonight. I cast a sidelong glance at him, but he was a complete stranger to me and I was no longer that drunk. The club had quieted down considerably since the DJ had taken his second break of the night, leaving only a handful of people still dancing and singing along to the radio the DJ put on so the kids wouldn’t get board and leave.
The brown-haired boy, playfully squeezed himself between me and Dana, his arms securely wrapped around each of our waists holding us snuggly. With a mischievous grin, he planted a kiss on my cheek, causing Dana to instinctively turn her head towards him. Little did she know that he apparently used me as a distraction to catch Dana off guard so he could plant a full kiss on her lips. His arm released me, encircling her into a tight, all-encompassing embrace as I stumbled off to the side. I was grateful to be free from the boy’s embrace but now I was worried about my friend.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Caleb watched the boy manhandle my friend in confusion and I put a hand to let him no to stop. Dana pushed the boy away and slapped him hard, across the face. It was so loud, that even those across the room on the dance floor turned to look at the source of the noise.
The boy brushed off the slap as if it were an everyday thing between the two of them, adding a chuckle before pulling her back into his embrace to prevent her from striking him again. Even in the dim light, I could see the red marks appear on the boy's cheek and I just stood there my mouth askew. Dana struggled momentarily, pushing against the boy’s chest in an attempt to break free. I observed Caleb's muscles contract, unsure of the situation had become intrusive enough that he should intervene.
In Ella, he would have flattened this boy the instant Dana showed any signs of distress. However, he had come to understand that appearances can be deceiving in my world, and it was necessary sometimes to pause and assess a situation before acting all gallant. Police and jail time would not improve our current situation that was for sure.
Coming out of my stupor, I positioned myself between them, preventing Caleb from having easy access to the boy. He’d have to go around me which would have been easy enough for him but my movement was enough to bring his eyes to mine for a moment and I shook my head again to let him know he needed to stay out of it.
A flicker of understanding was there until Dana squealed when the boy lifted her off the ground causing her to lose one of her heels as she kicked at the floor for footing. Placing my hand on Caleb’s chest as he took a step forward, I acted as a physical barrier, even though I knew I couldn’t stop him if he truly intended to beat the kid's ass. Dana pleaded with the boy to release her, but he stubbornly refused, laughing as he tried to kiss her again and she turned her head my way, "help me." she growled.
I pushed on Caleb’s chest to try and regain his attention knowing it was a false plea for help from her as her lips had curled up into a small smile before she turned back to the boy. Caleb’s focus was over my head, his eyes darting back and forth as he tried to figure out what was going on.
I thumped him on the chest with the heel of my hand and he finally dropped his eyes to meet mine and I gave him another wide-eyed, shake of my head. With another few taps of my hand on his chest, he finally settled back onto the balls of his feet and relaxed his posture. With his retreat, I was finally able to let out the breath I had been holding, and dropped my hand to my side. Though, that would have been a fistfight to remember. The way this guy took that slap from Dana without so much of a grunt was impressive. The boy could surely hold his own in a fight by the looks of it.
How the hell did he even find me? It’s not like I walked here and he could follow my tracks, like we were back in Ella.
I turned slightly to find Dana reciprocating the boy’s affections once their mock struggle had concluded. Amidst the sound of wet kisses, the boy repeatedly apologized for some past transgression, that I didn't care to know about.
“You’re such a jerk,” Dana playfully taunted, her words resonating loudly. Startled, I lifted my eyes from the floor and looked at her afraid there would be another slap and Caleb would get all worked up again.
Dana seized the boy by his hair, rocking his head back and forth as if attempting to shake some sense into him. His face was flushed with his arousal, as the boy’s gray eyes flickered with lusty desire, his tongue moistening his lips with anticipation of tasting her mouth again. Eagerly, his hands explored her curves, before pressing his privates up against her and moving in a circular fluid motion. Dana gave him a little shove so she could trail one hand down the boy’s chest, disappearing down into the valley between them until it reached his groin, her hand cupping his private parts, she squeezed. A pleasure-filled groan escaped the boy’s half-opened mouth, causing my face to burn hot with embarrassment. I felt mortified that Caleb had witnessed Dana's very public display of debauchery.
She turned in the boy’s arms, leaning into him gleefully as she rolled to face me, with an all-knowing smile dancing on her lips before she turned her attention back to Caleb.
The boy's arms circled Dana's waist, as he leaned into her neck and gingerly nibbled as she ran her fingers through his hair guiding his mouth to the places on her throat that probably made her thighs burn with delight. Dana's arousal swam out, across the distance and danced up and down Caleb's body as if her eyes could taste every inch of him. The boy lifted his gaze for a moment and locked eyes with mine. He lifted a lip into a snide smile before taking Dana’s hips into his hands and pressing her bottom against the bulge in his pants moving back and forth to some unheard melody, all while he smiled at me making me as if he was trying to make me jealous.
I stood there, frozen in an awkward standoff as the boy used my friend’s body to tease me as Dana eye fucked Caleb. My perfect night had just turned to shit that was for sure.
The boy moaned, as his repetitive, granulating motions flushed his body a prickly pink, as a sheen of worker sweat appeared just above his lip. He was acting as if he were alone in the room with her and they had no barrier of clothing to speak of, completely oblivious to mine and Caleb's comfort level, as Dana enjoyed putting on a show for us.
The tick of time stretched and it wasn’t until the DJ turned down the lights again and readied to start the last set of the night that Dana tugged at the boy’s hand and made him stand at her side cutting him off just short of a climax in my opinion. The boy pushed at the hardness in his jeans to adjust himself and groaned in disappointment.
“This is Kevin,” Dana said and took a quick step back and shoved him towards me. He stumbled into my arms and we almost fell to the ground but we managed to steady each other awkwardly before I extended my hand for a brief handshake not knowing what else I could do after what I just witness between the two of them. I couldn't wait to wash my hand, not knowing where this boy's depraved hand had been before meeting up with us.
“Nice to meet you,” I said, my voice projecting a little too loudly in the absence of the overhead music, deepening the red glow I could feel hot in my cheeks. The quiet of the room, after everyone stopped and stared, was overwhelming, and my discomfort was only amplified by the volume of the first beat of the DJ’s song, quivering my insides.
Overwhelmed by the tension, my mind drew a blank, leaving me speechless and desperate for a way out. I pivoted on my heels, determined to make it to the restroom this time however, I didn't even finish a full step when a gentle, yet commanding hand took my arm, halting me in my tracks.
Denied again.
Introducing Caleb to Dana and Kevin was the last thing I wanted to do, so instead I just stood there, my eyes glazed over as if lost thought. With a mischievous smile playing on her lips, Dana posed a question, her eyes darting between Caleb and me. “Do the two of you know each other?” she asked, wagging a finger in my face, making it abundantly clear that I was not going anywhere without her.
I avoided looking at Caleb’s but did not attempt to free my arm from his hand either. Instead, I simply blinked at Dana, my mouth half-open in foolish silence, before closing it again without offering her any words. The restroom sign taunted me behind her, its bright flickering unsteady light amplifying my already frazzled state of mind.
“I’m Caleb,” he said, extending his right hand in a gesture mirroring the greeting me and Kevin had performed just moments ago. The two boys shook hands, Kevin briefly acknowledging Caleb’s greeting with a casual “Sup?” before releasing his hand.
Caleb extended a hand towards Dana, who eagerly clasped it, relinquishing her hold on Kevin’s arm to fold it over the top of his, trapping him in her grip. Caleb tried to release her hand after they shook but to his surprise, Dana refused to let go, her smile widening with each passing awkward tick of a clock.
Uncertain of the proper etiquette in this peculiar situation, Caleb stood there bravely, his left hand still gripping my arm Dana’s hand in his other. I caught a wave of discomfort as if he was searching my soul for instruction, but I chose to ignore him. It was his own dumb fault for showing up here like some big brother chasing his bratty little sister for sneaking out of the house without her parent’s permission.
Dana’s curiosity piqued, “Do the two of you know each other?” She asked again, tugging him closer to her. She surprised him with her boldness and he had to take a few hesitant steps towards her so he didn’t fall, unintentionally freeing me in the process, thank God.
Caleb’s mouth opened and then shut. I could tell he hadn’t really thought about what he would say to people if they asked him any questions. I had done most of the talking on the few trips to town when he came with me. I almost wanted to laugh at him for thinking he was so clever that he could handle any situation.
“I am Elizabeth’s Promising,” Caleb stated, standing taller as the idea formed in his head. I blinked at him in disbelief, several times in fact, as I turned to look at him in utter confusion. He did not just say that. Please for the love of all that is holy and good in the world, he did not just say what I thought he said, I must have heard him incorrectly. But this time it was he who wouldn’t meet my eyes when I gaped at him in search of a silent reply.
I sobered up immediately.
What in the actual Fuck?
“Promising?” Kevin asked, jealousy pulling Dana away from Caleb, she had no choice but to let his hand go or all three of them would have collided and tumbled to the floor.
“Promising,” Caleb said louder. He seemed perplexed by their need for repetition. It was at least good that Caleb’s speech was proper and had an unfamiliar underlying accent to it, he could almost pass for an Englishman, I guess.
“She is to be my wife,” he added for clarification.