The Celebration

*Two Week Later*

Tamera rushed into Eva’s office excitedly waving an envelope. Slamming it to her desk, she urged her to open it. Pulling out its contents Eva's mouth dropped as she stared at her body with a model’s face superimposed over it. “They did a great job!” Tamera shouted excitedly, but Eva continued to stare at the photograph in silence. Alaric muscular frame leaning over a woman who wasn’t her.

*Well, technically it is me.*

That did nothing to make her feel better. There was something about it that really bothered her. Swallowing her spit, she regained her composure. “Ye-yes they did.” Tamera smirked, pulling out the last photo. “I made them keep the original one for this.” Her hands wrapped in Alaric’s hair, his body pressed against hers, their lips connected. The image was extremely erotic, and her face immediately reddened. “Same thing I did when I saw it. You guys look hot together.”

She knew what Tamera was doing and without warning, the switch flipped again. "Throw it away.” She said flatly.

Tamera rolled her eyes. "Girl if you don’t put this in the bottom of your drawer and save it for a rainy day. I’m sure Charles has porn all over that you don’t know about.” That wasn’t necessarily untrue, though he’d never hid his. A large chunk of her money had in fact been spent on his addiction.

"I don’t care, I don’t want the picture.” Her voice didn’t sound like her own.

Tamera collected the other photos before standing. "Well, you do with it as you wish.”

“Hey Tamera?”

“Yeah?”

“How about you come over tonight to celebrate? They really are nice pictures.”

Tamera gave her a small smile. "See you tonight.” She exited the office, and Eva found herself looking at the photo again. Her lips parted and she ran her tongue against the bottom one.

“Is that what we look like together?” Alaric’s breath on her neck gave her a jump. Reaching forward, he touched the picture, the fabric of his jacket brushing against her. He ran his thumb over hers. "Can I keep this Little Human?” A lump formed in her throat, as the stubble from his chin brushed against her face. She stood and ripped the photo’s to shreds, before throwing the pieces in the trash.

"I asked you not to call me that.”

Alaric huffed, taking her place in the chair. "That you did.”

“What are you doing here?” Her voice was cold, and Alaric knew she’d put her walls up again. Tapping the monitor, he trained his eyes to the screen.

"Just making my rounds.”

She scoffed, “I’m fine.”

*No you’re not.*

He wasn’t going to press. His eyes traveled to the screen, and he sat quietly reading. After a moment, he looked up.

“You wrote this?”

"Yeah…” He scratched his head and Eva cut her eyes, "What’s wrong with it?”

“It’s boring.” He saw her lips part and he leaned back in her chair.

"Excuse me?”

“I just like your other stuff better. This has no soul, no originality. The beginning yes, but this part…eh.”

Eva felt the anger in her cheeks, mainly because she knew he was right. She hated what she wrote this week. It was bland, and she knew it but that still didn’t give him the right to judge it. She glared at him.

"Who the hell are you to tell me anything? At least I’m being productive. When is the last time you’ve done anything as socially acceptable as reading? You’re a Heaven cast out who spends his time fucking and getting high, so don’t come in here trying to give me any damn advice.”

It came out so fast, she didn’t even know where it came from. Alaric sat in silence, eyes red in fury staring at her. She backed away and he snapped his fingers locking her in place. Standing, he slowly walked over to her.

"Oh how the people talk"
"Oh how they seem to shout"*
"Of all the things that frighten them"
"Of what may come about"
"And as I listen to their words"
"I can't help but smile in glee"
"For the thing that will soon kill them all"
"Is none other...than me."*

Eva's eyes widened. He smiled devilishly but it didn’t reach his eyes. "I’ve read EVERY single book you’ve ever written. Binged them actually and I have to say, I quite enjoyed these lines the most.” He moved in close to her and stroked her face. "The fact that the very thing that they confide in, trust, seek solace in…is the VERY thing that will be their demise. You have to wonder…how many others find themselves in such threatening situations?”

"I-I didn’t mean-”

He interrupted her. "That’s what I enjoy the most about your books. The anger and passion. All your other creatures are so dark and terrifying. It makes me wonder. Don’t you find me…*a real creature*…terrifying?”

She swallowed her spit. "Yes.” Alaric snapped releasing her, and she collapsed to the floor.

"Then tell my story and tell it right. While I may be a Heaven outcast who spends his time *fucking and getting high,* I’m also a mixture of every monster you’ve ever written about. Read the inscription, my wings weren’t blackened for nothing.”

Vanishing into the air, Alaric left Eva clutching her loudly beating heart.

---------------------------------------------

"Let's have a toast to the good life.” Tamera said raising her glass.

She was on her fourth drink, and Eva knew she was drunk. “ Are you alright? We were supposed to head to the club tonight.”

Tamera shook her head yes. She clinked her glass with Marks, sipping everything until it disappeared.

Eva found herself unable to partake in the celebration, her body felt opt to emotion. Hoping that the alcohol would be the remedy, she found that it only increased her feeling. Walking into the kitchen, she started to wash the flutes.

"Hey, are you okay?” Mark said joining her, and she promptly nodded her head. "It’s just that you seem a little out of it. We can postpone the club and everything else.”

"No, I really want to go, especially with my separation from Charles.” She still couldn’t believe she’d lied to her friends, pretending that she and Charles just split.

Nodding his head, Mark leaned into her, "Well, I certainly look forward to dancing with you.” His hand on hers, he leaned in further, lips to lips Evie prepared herself to be kissed. "WHAT THE FUCK?!” Mark screamed as a pot hit him on the back of the head.

Eva apologetically stared at him. "I’m so sorry. Let me powder my nose, and I’ll be out in a minute.” Walking to the bathroom, Eva placed her hands on her hips, her anger at an all-time high.

"ALARIC GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE.” She screamed.

"You rang?” He appeared yawning.

"Why do you keep attacking Mark?”

"Because I don’t like him.”

Eva rolled her eyes. She was royally sick of his shit. Scary or not, he was pissing her off. "I like Mark so leave him alone. He has been the nicest guy I’ve been with for a while.”

Alaric glared at her, "I DON’T LIKE HIM.”

"Why?”

"BECAUSE HE KEEPS FUCKING TOUCHING YOU!” Eva found herself caught off by his aggressiveness. Closing the space between them, he locked eyes with her. "I don’t want anyone else touching you.”

"What?”

"You heard me.” His voice was steady, "Tell them to leave.”

"No, you leave.”

"Make me.” Running his hands through the back of her hair, Alaric brought his lips within inches of hers. "You don’t feel anything when he touches you. Tell me that when I touch you, it’s the same and I’ll leave.”

Eva’s mouth dried. "I-I”

He shook his head, "Come on Little Human, you let your feelings be known the other day. Don’t shy up now. Tell me that you don’t feel anything and I’ll leave.” She couldn’t. Alaric had woken something inside her, a feeling that she thought was dead. Connecting their lips, Alaric picked her up and placed her on the sink. "All you have to do is tell me to leave Eva and I will.”

"I-I’m not one of your many.”

He shook his head. "I haven’t touched another woman since you asked me not to.”

"I didn’t-” He tilted his head, and immediately Eva silenced.

"Besides, it’s not like I’ve been able to get the same feeling since I’ve had your lips." He kissed her again, exposing his fangs. "And your blood.”
Eva felt her body in a frenzy, wanting nothing more than Alaric to continue. "I find myself at a loss.” He tugged at her blouse, releasing her breast. "I want you so badly, I can’t stand it. Even though you piss me off.” Alaric popped her bra and took one of her breast in his mouth. Eva groaned in excitement. Pulling his face up to hers, she connected their lips again. Eyes dilated, he looked at her. "I’m not going to stop myself this time Little Human. You need to tell me to stop if you don’t want this.”

Eva placed his hand on her skirt, and he lifted it up. He pulled her forward, his hardened manhood throbbing against his pants. Moving his hands to the outskirts of her panties, he rubbed her clit. Eva retched her head back, and Alaric stuck two fingers inside. Teasing her with his fingers, he brought her close to a climax.

"No…” She moaned out, removing his fingers, and tugged at his pants. Alaric snapped his fingers, removing his pants, and released himself from his briefs. Pulling her even closer, he entered her wetness, groaning in her ear. "Mmmm…” She moaned, his size filling her completely. Alaric placed his head in the crook of her neck. Each thrust Eva stifled her scream, the pain, and the pleasure hitting her all at once. She could feel his fangs scathe her again, and grabbed his hair, burying his face further into her neck. "Please…” Her body was on fire. Alaric didn’t hold back. He sank his teeth deep into her neck, grabbing her by her hair. "Fuc…” Everything hit Eva again. Her orgasm, the pain from his bite, and the pleasure.

Alaric felt her tighten her wetness, her orgasm filling him. "Eva…” He murmured out, releasing inside her, his fangs still draining her blood. Satisfied, he released her and they looked at one another breathless comprehending what just happened. He caressed her face, and Eva turned her head jumping from the counter.

Pulling down her skirt, and fixing her blouse, she tapped him on the shoulder. "That was amazing, thank you.” Her cold nature returning.

"Where are you going?”

"Out with Mark.” Alaric fumed, his eyes reddening. "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?”

She smirked, "Please, let's not pretend I wasn’t another one of your rotation. It was amazing, but I need something stable Alaric and you can’t give me that.” She saw his eyes return to normal, and for a moment she thought she saw hurt.

"Right…as you wish Eva,” he said before vanishing once again.