Photographs Part I

*A Few Days Later*

Eva sat in her office writing feverishly on her monitor. For the past few days, she’d been full of ideas, a story developing right in front of her on the screen. It was the only emotion she could conjure up. When she wasn't writing, the numb feeling immediately returned.

*He caressed her face, the storm in his eyes telling her everything his mouth couldn’t. “Little One…” His voice husky against her skin, “Do you have any idea how I feel about you?”*

“And insert infamous sex scene.”

She twisted her lips upward in thought. That interestingly enough was the part she was having a hard time with. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could envision was Alaric’s silk sheets against her bare flesh, his hands running up her body-.

“Fuck me,” she groaned hitting her head on the desk for the twentieth time.

“Hmm, straight to the point with it, I like it.” The amusement on Tamera’s face, caused her to roll her eyes. Waving her in, Eva shut off the monitor giving her, her full attention. "You know what I’m about to say.”

She sighed, “Still haven’t been able to get in touch with him Tamera. Look, I know you want Alaric for the cover, but maybe we should get someone else.”

Shaking her finger in her face, Tamera took a seat in front of her. "I want Alaric Eva. He is*Something Wicked*.”

*You have no idea.*

They’d been at a deadlock for the past few days. “And since you won't allow me to use the original test photo or book, we’re going to need him for this new shoot and a few promotional shots.”

“Tamera-”

“End of discussion Eva. I don’t care if you have to send carrier pigeons. Find the Alaric that’s on the front of that book and have him at the studio by the end of the week.” Tamera left her office, and Eva hit her head on the desk once more. She had no idea how she was going to get out of this mess, especially since she couldn’t find Alaric.

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Alaric stormed into Raien’s office interrupting his work. Hands to his temples, he glared at him. "Can you please knock it the hell off.”

Standing Raien walked over to him and grabbed the side of his face. Studying him, he jerked his face away repulsed. "What drugs are you on?”

Alaric smiled, "Shorter list would be what I’m not on.”

Shaking his head, Raien took a seat back at his desk. "Do you not want your wings back Alaric?”

“Actually, I’ve become quite attached to this hell of a place. I think maybe I’ll just stay here.” Raien ignored him, and this time Alaric shook his head. “Just knock off the voice. It’s messing with my vibe.”

"I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Alaric grumbled, "The one that sounds like Eva calling me.”

Leaning back in his chair, Raien clasped his hands together. "Has it ever occurred to you that maybe if you’re hearing her calling you, then she is?” He hadn’t considered that. Since the day she’d asked him to stay away, he’d made it his mission to obey. Adjusting his jacket, he turned to leave.

"Get off the drugs Alaric, they won’t do anything to help you with your redemption.”

His body stiffened, "And what is it again that I’m exactly being punished for?”

"You know Alaric, let's not play games.”

He turned to face Raien and pointed his finger to the air. "Right…for killing Eva’s parents. I’m the reason as you said *she doesn’t have them*. Tell me something Raien, have you ever asked my father about that night-or is that too above your pay grade?” Raien sat in silence, while Alaric chuckled lightly. "Yeah…I thought so. Maybe you should break the rules for once. Take a peek then tell me if I should give a shit about redemption.”

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"Here you go handsome.”

The vampire waitress cooed in Alaric’s ear, as she connected her lips with his. Opening his mouth, Alaric took the slip of Tye Fin from her tongue allowing her to deepen their kiss. He leaned his head back onto the couch and closed his eyes as the drug began to course through his system. He felt her nude wrist on his lips. Exposing his fangs, he sank his teeth inside causing her to moan. Inserting his fingers inside her, he drained her blood while inhaling her sexual energy. Her wetness on his fingers and the concoction inside him, made his pupils dilate.

"Are you having a good time?” Drusilla groaned out to him as she sat on the table and held another waitress's face between her thighs. Eyes as red as his, she smirked as the same waitress she held, grinded onto his manhood.

"I-”

*“Alaric, I need you…”*

His sentence stopped short, as Eva’s voice pulled through again. No matter what he tried, he couldn’t ignore her or get the same high he’d gotten from her blood or kiss. He tightened his eyes and removed his fangs from the waitress. Digging his nails in the other’s back, he clenched his teeth and thrust hard inside.

"Ohhh...” she moaned, the sound muffled as Drusilla pushed her face deeper between her thighs. Eyes locked, Drusilla and Alaric ravished the waitress together.

*"Alaric…please…I need your help”*

He hated hearing her voice. Hated that she was calling him and that so badly he wanted to go.

*Not like this*

He was on a binge. Reaching for the other waitress, he pulled her to his chest. Sinking her fangs in, his eyes dilated again as he felt his release near.

*“Never mind…”*

Alaric’s eyes widened, and immediately, he tossed the two waitresses to the floor. Stumbling to stand, he snapped returning his pants and jacket to his body, before exiting into the night.

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Eva took her time applying her lotion after her shower. Mind still racing, she tried her best to put it on pause.

"You need to sleep.”

She laughed at the fact that she was talking to herself. Placing her robe around her body, she hit the light and quickly retreated to her bed. Looking at the ceiling, she thought about how quiet her house was. It had only taken her a few days to replace a lot of the things that reminded her of Charles. Her new bed, for example, was something she’d always wanted and now it was finally hers. Designed for people just like her, who suffer from an overactive mind. Before she could even count, she felt herself slowly begin to drift off. "Damn this is a great bed,” she murmured in her sleep.

"It really is,” a deep voice called from the darkness. Eva’s body stiffened. She watched in horror as a muscular arm tossed itself over her waist. "Baby would you stop moving around so much, I’m trying to sleep.” Eva turned her body. Getting her best footing, she kicked with all her might. "AGHHHH WHAT THE HELL!” Alaric screamed as heavy light poured into his eyes.

"THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM?!”

A blurry Eva glared at him. He rubbed his eyes. "Your room, I’m not-” He looked around before smiling sheepishly, "Oh…would you look at that?” She didn’t find it funny. Standing, he grumbled, "You still didn’t have to kick me.”

"I THOUGHT YOU WERE A MURDERER.” He grinned and she sucked her teeth.

"You rang?”

"What?”

He dramatically waved his hand while as he spoke, "You called saying you needed me."

Eva stared at him in disbelief, "I called for you days ago.”

"Oh-sorry. I’ve been busy.” He could see her eyes widened as she stared at him.

"I see.” From behind her through her vanity mirror, he could see what she meant. Fang marks, lipstick and hickies covered his entire chest. He sat in silence watching her eyes glass over before she quickly closed them and turned away. "I’ll be back,” she said before walking towards the bathroom.

"Stop Eva.” He ran his hands through his hands in frustration, though not at her, but at himself. "What did you need?”

She turned to face him, her disgust evident. "From you?” She cut her eyes. "Nothing.”

He wished he would have let her walk away.

"Little Human-”

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!” She pounded against her chest. "My name is EVA. E-V-A! EVA! EEE-VAAA!” He could hear her screaming in anger, but her eyes said something completely different. It was the same look she’d given when he'd choked her. The one she’d given when he pushed her away. The same look she gave over and over every time he'd hurt her. Closing her eyes, and inhaling deeply, she put her hands to her lips. "I apologize for yelling at you. I needed help with my job, but I understand that I can’t expect you to drop everything just because I call.”

He'd rather hear her scream. At least there was emotion behind it. Now it was like a switch had flipped. Her words, like her eyes were ice, completely void of emotion. "I can help Eva,” he matched her coldness.

Eva slowly counted in her head.

*30…29…28*

She made it to twelve before she was able to speak again.

"Somehow my writer’s block is gone and I have all these ideas. I’ve been writing a lot and Tamera wants to use Something Wicked as my next book release.”

"You want to show the world my book?”

She shook her head, "Of course not. I want to write something very loosely based on you.”

He nodded in understanding. "What do you need from me?”

"I need you to take some promotional shots and another for the cover. I tried to get Tamera to use someone else, but she says it has to be you.”

Sitting on the edge of her bed, he smirked at her, "I am Alaric after all.”

Eva pursed her lips, "It’s in three days so if you can’t make it-”

"I’ll be there,” his abruptness caught her by surprise.

"Alaric, I have a lot riding on this. Are you sure?”

"Eva…I will be there.”

Eva closed her eyes and nodded. Walking over to him, she grabbed his face between her fingers. She stared at the redness of his eyes, and he could see her lip quiver slightly. "I don’t ever want to see you like this again. Do you understand?”

Before he could process it, she kissed his forehead and walked into the bathroom. Alaric huffed his eyes traveling to the light under the door. He knew she wasn't talking about his chest, and that tore him apart. Even completely numb, she managed to still care about his wellbeing.

"Number six,” He mumbled shaking his head before vanishing from her room.