shadows…

Blood was still pouring from my open wounds, and the burning had intensified, but still numbness had fallen over me.  My days were numbered, and my number was almost up.  I pushed out to my balcony and beneath the clouds, I dry-sobbed heavily.  I was still here.  I could not escape – I was trapped.  
My tears ran into my blood, and I felt so alone.  Turning roughly from the cityscape, I glared teary-eyed into my loft.  I finally allowed myself to admit that I missed Heaven.  I missed the smells, sounds, and especially God.  My knees began to give way, and I felt myself slide against the railing of the balcony, until I sat in a ball, alone and in the dark where I could not find the light.  Lucifer would not give up, and I could not escape.  Not to mention that the vampire was still a problem.  His eyes had held something I had never seen, and the unreadable gaze scared me.  
In the deafening silence, a single drop touched my head.  As I gazed up, still resting my head on the bars of the balcony, I watched more raindrops fall.  As the rain fell, the drops became fat and plentiful, until a downpour broke loose, drenching me in the process.  Still I did not move from my spot, but soaked up the cleansing rain, allowing my own salty tears to erupt; crying more heavily then I had even done before.   
Tears poured down from my eyes, and they stung my injured face, but I allowed them to fall freely.  I was falling into the shadows, unable to catch myself.  I had hit rock bottom, and bruised and hurt I would stand, and wait to fall further.  Turning my eyes to the sky, I roughly sobbed aloud, knowing that no one knew or cared.  The cold wind picked up, beating my face with my wet hair, and firing icy bullets of water into my wounded body.  There was no shield to protect me now.

The sun was rising over the horizon when I finally lifted myself from the balcony.  Morning painted fragrances, and I felt slightly calmer.  The rain had ceased after midnight, but still I had cried.  
I entered the cozy living room of my loft, and decided to wash my face, hoping to remove the tear stains.  I brashly entered the bathroom, and snatching a washcloth, I dabbed my face with warm water.  My eye burned as it came in contact with the water, and I frantically remembered the wounds on my face.  I caught sight of my honey eyes in the mirror, and I stifled a gasp as I gazed upon the black scar that tore directly over my eye.  The opposite cheek bore another blood-crusted scar.  I quickly touched my back, and upon finding another sore, moaned in horror.  This one was going to be impossible to cover up.  Ideas began to race frantically in my head – I could stay home from school.  
I shook my head in frustration.  I needed to get away from the loft – I would cry depressingly if I remained trapped in this building.  I decided quickly that I would make up a lie on the way to school, that morning, but I would only offer it out if someone asked.  Wetting the washcloth again, I dabbed my cheek and eye, and quickly set of to cleaning my arm, which I could later bandage.  My back was a little harder to clean, but I quietly bandage that wound as well.  I walked quickly to my balcony, where a flock of birds was gathering.  
Softly I called one, and watched with joy as a little sparrow came over.  I slowly bent down to pick it up, hoping not to scare it.  The small bird crept willing into the palm of my hand.  Smiling quietly, I carefully stood, and leisurely I began to rub the tiny bird’s head.  As I caressed the little bird, I hummed softly to myself.  The sparrow chirped in response, and I found myself pleased beyond all measure.  The tiny sparrow was so happy and vibrant, and I held the bird close to me, struggling desperately to secure the bird’s happiness.  In a few deliberately slow movements, I found my thumb and middle finger still slowly rubbing the little bird’s temples.  The little sparrow never felt a thing.  A small crack erupted from the tiny creature and the animal fell limply in my hand.  A blue mist was released from the sparrow’s breast and sharply I reached out to catch the tiny soul.  ‘Breakfast of champions,’ I thought quietly.  Laying the tiny bird on the ground I watched as it slowly became transparent.  Without its soul it ceased to exist and slowly I turned back into the loft, returning to the bathroom mirror.  
My cuts had faded slightly, although they were still extremely vibrant.  Shaking my head solemnly and refusing to kill another creature, I left the loft and proceeded to school.  I limped slightly and I found the cut on my leg also stung with the re-growing of skin.  The cuts would never be the same, but I doubted I would live long enough to really notice.  The cold air whipped along the streets as I reached the alleys behind the school, blowing traces of snow into my wind-blown hair, and icily stinging my frozen cheeks.

Classes came and went without any odd looks, until lunch.  I walked out into the cafeteria with my arms crossed expecting to be ignored, until a high pitched scream reached my ears.
“LANI!” Kristi shouted from across the room, attracting the attention of everyone.  My face burned as the eyes of every student reached my cuts.  Kristi immediately rushed over while everyone continued to stare.  For the first time in my life, I was in an extremely crowded room and all the attention was on me.  Panic flashed through my veins.
“Dear,” Kristi said in a motherly voice.  “What happened to you?  You look like you were in a serious fight.”  Concern painted her voice, but I was too concerned with the eyes of the others.
“It was nothing,” I said quietly, hoping to drop the attention.  “I am fine.”  
“You are not fine!” Kristi shouted violently grabbing my hand.  “Just look at you!”
I grimaced when Kristi touched me.  “That is hard to do without a mirror,” I mumbled meekly, carefully avoiding Kristi’s gaze.  She heaved a rough sigh.
“You,” Kristi began in a distressed voice, “are all covered in bruises.  There is some kind of major gash tearing through your eye, and you are limping horribly.  You look scared, almost like something is stalking you.  Last week you came in with other cuts, and all of them are black.  You looked scared then too, by the way, and you avoid all conversation that even briefly talks about these ‘accidents.’  Your eyes are swollen, sleep-deprived and darker than normal, and to top it all off, you are extremely pale, as in whiter than you usually are!”  Kristi was breathing heavily with the accusations.  “I worry about you, Lani,” she said in a much gentler tone, but still Kristi sounded genuinely concerned.
Smiling as best I could, I calmly reached out and placed my hand on her shoulder.  “I will be fine,” I said softly.  “I am just…clumsy.  I cannot help it that I fell down the stairs at my apartment.  I just lack a keen sense of bal—“
“Oh no you don’t!” Kristi shouted brushing my hand off her shoulder.  “You are the most graceful person I’ve even met, so don’t try to blow this off by saying you’re clumsy, cause you’re not!”  Kristi’s gaze began to penetrate my smile, and slowly I felt my façade disappear.  
“I fell down the stairs, okay?” I said again menacingly, but Kristi did not back down.
“You didn’t fall!  Stop lying to me!” she said harshly.  Quickly I seized my opportunity and grabbed Kristi’s arm, proceeding to drag her somewhere more private.  Every set of eyes watched us leave, and Kristi drew more attention with her petty ‘ouch’s.’  People stopped to stare at us as I drug Kristi through the crowded halls, desperately reaching my destination.  No sooner had we reached the dark corner, I roughly slammed the little, blonde body against the wall, and bearing down on her, I angrily restated my excuse.
“I fell,” I said darkly as I stared at Kristi’s cowering form.
“You…you,” Kristi began with difficulty, “you did not fall, Lani.”
Furiously I expelled the cold air from my lungs.  “Just drop it, okay Kristi?” I said in a defeated tone, and calmly I pushed off the walk, and started hobbling away.  Kristi caught my arm, and pulled me to face her.
“What is going on?” she asked me, her voice tinted with hurt and burning with concern.  
“It’s nothing,” I said humbly, keeping my eyes lowered.  My affairs could never be voiced aloud to human souls, and corrupting Kristi’s was not on my agenda.  
Kristi kindly patted my arm, and I realize I had misjudged her terribly.  Maybe she was not the most considerate person, but she had a good heart – a good soul.  “You can tell me, Lani,” she offered gently, but once again I had to defer her help – she should never be forced to comprehend.  
I inhaled deeply preparing to drop the matter, but Kristi stopped me.
“Is there someone doing this?” She said staring firmly into my cold gaze.  I smiled and began to speak, but once again Kristi cut me off.  “You don’t have to protect him.  If your boyfriend is beating you like this, then there is no need for you to stay with him.  Believe me, I know.  I was there once, and my cousin has been there twice.”
I stared at her with disbelief.  Kristi had unknowingly fed me an excuse I had never thought of: battery.  Now I could not help but genuinely smile as I exclaimed with a great new enthusiasm, “Yes.  Yes that is what is happening.  I broke up with my boyfriend about a week ago, and he came over last night to get some of his things.  Before I knew it he was on me, and when I finally got him off me and out the door, I called the police.  They said he should not be bothering me anymore.”  Kristi’s gazed softened with my false confession.  “I had no idea anyone else knew what it was like to be in this kind of situation.”  Kristi nodded happily, and with a small pout she linked her arm with mine.
“Of course I know how you feel,” Kristi said sweetly.  “You’re nothing special.”  Concerned, protective Kristi was gone, and in her place stood the girl I met on my first day.  Legitimately laughing, I strode back down the hall with Kristi and once more all eyes turned our way as we entered the cafeteria.  Kristi soaked up the attention, but I watched the floor as I walked to our table sitting down the moment we reached it.  I was glad I did not live in the spotlight – it was way too dramatic for my taste.  I began to pick at my food in a content fashion, and I watched as Kristi, still standing, look at me disapprovingly.
“Dear,” she said discerningly.  “A bad break-up is no cause for anorexia!”

As the final bell rang signaling the end of lunch, I quickly collected my untouched food, and proceeded to the exit.  I was about to reach the hall when Mrs. Twinkles step out from the serving line and right in front of me.  
“Alana Catazin,” she said sweetly.  I smiled kindly back, and little Twinkles beamed.  “Hello dear,” the small woman said in a motherly tone.  “Mr. Wood needs to see you.”  
Mr. Wood was a stout, little man whose receding hairline created an almost perfect circle on the top of his hair.  He always seemed angry at someone or something, and the unhappy man had a very intimidating air.  Without much thought, I benevolently thanked Mrs. Twinkles and advanced to Mr. Wood’s office.  
The little man was waiting for me with a scowl on his face.  I slowly walked in, and cautiously asked if he wanted to see me.
“I did indeed, Miss Catazin,” he said crossly.  “Sit.”  With the one syllable word my knees bent and I found myself planted in a chair.  Before I could say anything, Mr. Wood began his monologue.
“Miss Catazin, it has been brought to my attention that you have a tendency to skip school.  You leave at random times during the day, and while you always, eventually, provide a note, this behavior is unacceptable.  You have been informed on numerous occasions that your skipping is disruptive.  I am extremely disappointed in you Miss Catazin.  This is a direct violation of school policy and this issue has gone on long enough that I am now forced to inform your parents.  I am now giving you a note that I expect you to hand over to your parents.  I trust you Alana, and if this continues, I will be force to enact temporary suspension.”
I sat staring at Mr. Wood dumbfounded, before I began addressing his accusations.  I had once received a law degree from Harvard University, so I felt the lawyer in me could take dictator in him.
“Firstly you accuse me of skipping school for petty reasons.  Do you know what my reasons are for leaving?  Have you ever considered reading my excuse notes?  Secondly, I have never received any notice that my not being here was a problem, nor was I informed that disciplinary were to be instated if the problem continued.  Thirdly, how is not being present disruptive?  Lastly, if you main objective is to keep me at school throughout the entire day, what good will come of my suspension?”  I had addressed all the necessary falsehoods, and calmly I awaited Mr. Wood’s riposte.  The little man stared at me blankly, his little face looking flabbergasted.  I smoothly attempted to initiate speech by saying, “I believe the floor is yours, Mr. Wood.”
“Yes I do believe it is my right to speak,” Mr. Wood began harshly, “at all times.  Because of this insubordination it is my belief that temporary suspension will be enacted now.  You are released for the rest of the day, although I expect you here tomorrow.  Also, Miss Catazin, you will need to make arrangements to stay for a few hours after school to perform numerous acts of community service. This instatement will remain for the remainder of the week.  You will also be made to make up all work you have due during the remainder of today.  All of your assignments are due Friday, and all should be made up during the morning hours considering that you will be working afternoons.  You are free to go, Miss Catazin.”  I stood angrily from my seat.
“On what grounds, Mr. Wood,” I began shouting, “do you grant me such an unfair trial and punishment?”  I stood waiting, but Mr. Wood merely raised his head to stare at me.  
“This is not the Supreme Court Miss Catazin,” Mr. Wood said pressing a red button that sat on top of his desk.  I bell rang, and no sooner had he released the switch did Mrs. Twinkles rush into the office.  The little woman had a massive amount of strength, and she quickly tugged me from the room.
Dragging me to the front desk, Mrs. Twinkles sat and wrote me a note of suspension.  “This will need to be signed by your parents by tomorrow, Lani,” she said in a stern voice.  
Roughly I grabbed the note, and I quickly turned on my heel and out the door of the main office.  I walked heatedly down the main hall and Kristi caught me as I rounded a corner.
“Lani!” she said surprised.  “Where are you off to?”  I continued my irritable march down the hall, but light little footsteps kept up with my pace.
“I have been suspended,” I said furiously.  Kristi gasped.
“But we have a test today!  You can’t miss it,” Kristi squeaked, still suffering from shock.  “Why did they suspend you?”  I shook my head irately.
“For skipping school,” I said in a toneless voice.  “They had, however, no grounds to back up their accusations and when I informed Mr. Wood of this error, he told me I should leave.”  Kristi stopped baffled and I quickly rounded another corner and left her and the rest of the bustling school.  Almost running, I flew past the janitor’s closet and quickly found the exit I used most often.   
I stormed out the back door, and a loud clatter echoed noisily throughout the alley as the metal door smashed angrily against the wall.  A heavy, penetrating fragrance hit my nostrils as I sucked in the cold air, and a small cough came from a corner of the alley behind me.  
“Go away,” I said recognizing the scent immediately.  My animal instincts were already taking over my mind.  I quickly began to limp away, but a strong hand caught my arm.
“Lani,” Daniel's voice said pleadingly.  He gently pulled me around to face him, and I watched solemnly as Daniel stifled a gasp.
“What?” I asked harshly attempting to break free of his hold, but Daniel's grip tightened.  I turned me head desperately as a pale hand reached out catching my chin.  
“What happened?” Daniel asked concerned.  His long white fingers tenderly caressed my cuts and bruises.  As his strong hand touched my torn eye, I shuddered violently.  Daniel recoiled at my pain, but still he held tightly to my arm.  Smiling as best I could, I managed to respond through the pain.
“Well,” I said with false enthusiasm.  “This big, bad demon leapt from the shadows, and let my have it.”  With a smile glued to my face, and pain painted in my eyes, I broke free of Daniel's iron grip, and quietly I began to hobble down the alley.
“Hey!” Daniel said in a disheartened anger.  I keep my back to him, but he persisted by catching the small of my back and placing himself in front of me.  “I’m sorry.” He said in a monotone voice.  “I did not mean to hurt you.”  A second hand found my shoulder and Daniel slowly hunkered down to look into my eyes.  
“Not you!” I said angrily trying to break his hold on me again.  “You could never hurt me.”  
Daniel's iron grip tightened as I struck his arms powerfully.  A low growl rumbled in his chest, and I glared up at Daniel hardly believing his audacity.  
“Get out of my—“
“No!” Daniel snarled fiercely.  I stared at the demon before me, and I quickly began plotting my escape.  I knew I was not strong enough to hold him off for an extended amount of time, but I also knew I had to try.  Daniel moved closer to me, and I quickly tried to push him away, preparing to defend myself, but Daniel chuckled darkly.
Releasing all hold on me, the pale vampire walked to the alley wall, and seizing my opportunity, I began to walk away as best I could.
“Please Lani,” Daniel's voice spoke angelically.  I stopped at looked at him, but the sight that greeted my eyes was not what I was expecting.
A broken man sat on the ground where a ferocious demon stood only moments before.  Daniel’s elbows were rested on his knees, and his fingers gently massaged his temples.  He looked so desperate that I could not help but walk closer to his upset form.
“What are you doing anyway?” I asked jokingly.  “I thought vampires explode in the sun.”  I watched Daniel smile from beneath his hands.  
“Common misconception,” Daniel said with a hint of laughter in his voice.  The pale vampire never moved so I walked closer and eventually sat beside him.  He was much taller than me, even when we were sitting.  The gust-filled air kept Daniel’s fragrance at a tolerable state, and I slowly began to study the tempting vampire.  He was incredibly handsome and his forearms were shaped with muscles.  Daniel possessed a sharp jaw-line and his white t-shirt clung to his sculpted torso.  He wore a black, long-sleeved that was unbuttoned and the sleeves were rolled to below the elbows.  As I studied the striking demon, I heard myself ask a question in a toneless voice.
“What makes death by direct sunlight a misconception?”  I could not tear my eyes away from Daniel’s impressive form, but his eyes never lifted and I was allowed to gaze without judgment.  
The kind voice of Daniel floated sweetly to my ears.  “We do not burst into flames,” he said with a hint of amusement.  “We appear…different from humans in direct sunlight.”  
“Stakes?” I asked quickly prying.
“Myth,” he responded chuckling.
“Holy water?”
“Huge myth!”
“Crosses?”
“Myth, although I have never been a fan of them myself,” Daniel said pensively.
“Fire?”
“Now that is true,” Daniel said in a serious manner.  Daniel then asked my in a confused tone, “Why so many questions?  Are you planning to murder me?”  He now laughed.
I too found myself chortling.  “I am just curious,” I said with mild excitement.  “I have never really gotten a chance to talk to a vampire.”
“So,” Daniel began mockingly.  “You just try to tear them apart, and then run for your life.”
“No!” I laughed a little insulted.  “I tend to win my fights!”
“But that was before you met me,” Daniel said jokingly.  He playfully hit my arm and I quickly grabbed his hand.
A chill ran down my spine and for the first time since our conversation began, Daniel looked at me.  His gold eyes stared boldly into mine, and I noticed for the first time the flecks of blue that tinted them.  He was beautiful.  Daniel simply watched me, but the chills in my spine pulse rapidly.  Very slowly, Daniel began to lean closer to me, and I sucked in the air around me.  His aroma reached my lungs, and the beginnings of my transformation occured as venom slowly began to run down my throat.
Rapidly and without warning, I jerked back from Daniel, dropping his hand immediately.  I felt as though I had received an electric shock, and I watched as Daniel paled immensely.  The fragrances of our skin were tainting the air.  I quickly stood up, and proceeded to turn and walk away.
“Daniel,” I said in a hurried voice.  “I am so—“
“Wait!” Daniel shouted catching my hand.  I froze.  “Go to dinner with me.”  Daniel’s eyes stared hopelessly into mine, lowering himself to my power.  It was my decision, and I was stronger; I could walk away unhurt.  This needed to stop.  We were putting God’s children in harms way, and I would no longer participate.  “Please,” Daniel murmured desperately.  His voice cracked weakly as he spoke, and sorrow dripped through my veins.
“Dinner?” I asked questioningly.  I watched dejectedly as Daniel’s eyes lit up, but in a small part of me, I felt hope, and happiness.
“I hear,” Daniel said in a relaxed manner, “that is what people do to get to know each other.  They eat and talk.  You can eat and I will watch and listen to you talk, and then I will question you, prompting you to enter a new conversation.  You will laugh and gladly change topics, and I will launch into more of personal details, allowing you to discover more about the undead.”  Daniel’s smile sparkled widely, and I could not help but laugh.  It was obvious he had not found any factual information concerning fallen angels.
“You have this all figured out, do you?”  
Daniel almost blushed, his beautiful eyes glancing down with pride.
“I do in fact,” he said, chuckling to himself.  “All except for your responses, to this question and all the others I have.”  The sincerity caught me off guard.  Strength to resist left my body, and his smoky eyes burned deeply into mine.
“Of course,” I said quietly.  I caught myself smiling as Daniel’s head shot up, and his white teeth dazzling in the bright sunshine.  
Faster that lightening, Daniel jumped to his feet.  He came so close, that I staggered slightly.  Daniel grabbed both of my hands, and squeezed them tightly.  
“Tonight at seven, meet me on the corner of Broad and Prestige, by The Pyramid.”  Suddenly he let go of my hands.
“What pyramid?” I shouted, never moving my head.  I heard the answer carry softly to my ears, as though he had shouted it from a good distance away.  
“It is a local club.  I’ll take you there sometime.”
My hands felt strangely empty and cold.  The wind was beginning to howl again, and the sky darkened rapidly.  I lifted my eyes silently, thinking of the progressing evening.  
A soft aroma reached my nose and realization entered my mind.  The rain was coming.   
      
Æ

I slowly made my way to the little club.  I had spent the majority of the afternoon in the park, catching birds and devouring their souls.  I did not want to be hungry around Daniel.  We were taking a huge risk by allowing ourselves to be in around the other’s delicious fragrance.  Tonight we would simply enjoy the bouquet, and I wanted no reason to wait restlessly for a moment to strike.  The sun gradually fell, and I watched as darkness invaded the once lighted world.  
The Pyramid sat on the corner of the busy street, its dark lights and music beckoning the human race inside.  I caught myself watching them intently, but before I could jerk my head away, I noticed a small blonde girl rush to the entrance.  
Kristi walked in a strutting manner, dressed to the hilt and seemingly prepared to dance.  I watched her meet up with two other girls, and enter the dark club.  Out of the alley beside the club, walked Daniel, wearing a dazzling white open-button shirt.  
I shyly hide a blush, for I too had attempted to dress nicely.  I wore a long-sleeved blouse, with a handkerchief skirt.  Both were black, but the skirt also possessed pieces of white crinoline, placed meticulously around the hem of the skirt.  I had gone on a quick shopping spree that afternoon, and had even managed to find a pair of black pumps, all for less than 50 dollars.  A century of nothing had made me a smart shopper.
I watched Daniel’s eyes carefully, waiting for any sign of distaste.  I only found the glimmers of shock, but I still stood, carefully analyzing Daniel’s facial expressions.  
He had restyled his hair, and his partly buttoned shirt allowed the exposure of his extraordinarily pale chest.  As he walked towards me, a new, unfamiliar smile flashed boldly across his face.  I timidly lowered my eyes, an action I was not use to performing.  
“You,” Daniel said with a hint of laughter, “look amazing.”  The strikingly handsome vampire came closer to me.  I realized I only came up to his shoulder as he bent down to look into my eyes.
“Plum,” he said smiling sweetly.  Confusion covered my face, but Daniel quickly added to his statement.  “Your eyes are plum colored,” Daniel said.  “They change everyday, and right now they are plum.  Do you mind?”  He said as he sniffed the air.  I rapidly shook my head, and watched helplessly as Daniel’s beautiful face bowed closer to mine.  
I gasped as he breathed into my ear, and the delectable aroma washed over me.  
“You smell amazing!” I said breathlessly, and I felt Daniel’s face break into a wide grin against my neck.  The touch of tender lips against my cold skin startled me, and for the first time that I could remember, my frozen heart fluttered slightly.  
“You too,” Daniel said drawing back from his soft embrace.  As I gazed around, I noticed that everyone was still as I had last seen him or her.  “Time stands still,” Daniel spoke in a rich voice.  “Or maybe we demons can freeze time, and just have not realized it yet.”  I said nothing as Daniel caught my hand, and began to lead me away from the club.  I jumped slightly as a cold hand slid onto my back, ushering me away from the loud crowds.  The touch was icy, but it felt good against my pained back.  My limp was much less noticeable than it was in the morning.  My supernatural being healed quickly, and the cuts that painted my face were already starting to fade.  
Daniel and I walked in silence, although his hand never released my back.  He casually pushed me forward as we left the populated corners of the city.  Daniel gently turned me down a darkly lit alley, and I shifted slightly becoming mildly uncomfortable.  In the tight alley, Daniel’s fragrance began to entangle itself around my sinuses.
I thought at one point that I felt a raindrop, and I began to wait for the oncoming ran to dilute the intoxicating fumes.  I became quietly stronger, but I did not allow myself to face the handsome vampire.  For his sake I needed to remain moving.  The smell was taking over, and as we rounded the corner, I struggled to hold on.  Glancing at Daniel, I saw to my amazement that he was still calmly focused on dinner.  The smell was not bothering him, but it was tearing out my insides.  His hand tightened on me as I almost stumbled, but I did my best to ignore the burning sensation in my stomach.  
‘Conversation,’ I thought rapidly to myself.  ‘I need to keep him talking in order to focus on the fact that he is God’s child.’  I closed my dark eyes, blinding myself to the world around me, and slowly I watched as Daniel’s face swam into my mind.  I could fight this, and I could win.  I would not give in to the demon that threatened my existence, and Daniel would never need to worry about death by my hand.  I would never destroy this demon, and fear of death would never be caused by my existence.  I did not know his story, but the presence of something greater than what I understood floated strangely on the outskirts of his aura.  He had something other vampires did not possess, and he owned no warrant of death.  As we turned the next corner, walking deeper into a darker alley, I came to the understanding that this creature would live.  Daniel would live as I had always been refused to live.   
“Where are we going?” I asked, attempting to lure Daniel into small talk.  The attractive vampire simply pushed me forward, and I suddenly felt suspicious shivers run down my spine.  “Where are you taking me?” I asked again suddenly, this time allowing some panic to slip into my tone.  Adrenaline pumped faster in my veins, and the smells started to tear through the borders of my mind.  Daniel’s soul was also in a rush, and that was not normal.  Something was happening, and it had Daniel excited.  “Let me go Daniel,” I said quietly, growling slightly.  Daniel’s hand slid from the small of my back and clutched my waist.  His fingers dug deeper into my skin, and I too began branching my talons.  “Daniel—!” I began harshly.  
The stone vampire grabbed my other hip and flung me against the alley.  Before Daniel’s torso could touch mine, I threw the balls of my feet up and against his chest.  Catching Daniel’s upper body, the delectable vampire released my hips and instead grabbed my wrists, pinning my arms against the brick wall.  I bore my teeth fiercely as Daniel’s face loomed rapidly toward mine, stopping a mire inch from my face.  His smell washed over me, and snarling deeply I let out a warning hiss.
“Lani,” he said somewhat stunned by my reaction.  His voice was straining to remain calm, and came in harsh whispers.  “Stop talking,” he said.  “Your words are filling the air with your scent, and this is also a rough part of town.  If someone were to jump out to mug us, I am not sure I could avoid eating them, and possibly killing you in the process.”  The vampire breathed heavily into my face, and I began to understand the feelings of hunger and worry.  Daniel’s face was close to mine, and I nodded my head in agreement, I noticed that our foreheads almost touched.  Daniel’s hands moved lightening fast to my hips and icily from Daniel’s torso to the ground.  His iron grip quickly released me as I reached the ground, and I slowly consented to begin lead away from the alley.
As we rounded a corner, I found we were once again on a dim road.  The restaurant’s name shined brightly in the night.  I smiled as I recognized the restaurant as one that I had known in the early 1920s.  Pinchelli’s stood gleaming neon in the darkly lit street of New York City.
“This has been here for ages,” I said reflectively.  Daniel rubbed my back and spoke into my ear softly.  
“I remember too,” he said in a lusciously seductive tone.  I laughed softly and proceeded to the entrance.  Daniel opened the door, careful not to touch my cold skin. I too slide by him afraid to touch him.  He was iron, and it scared me slightly to know that his strength matched mine.  
The small Italian restaurant had not changed since the 1920s, and the heat from the candles embraced us as Daniel and I entered.  The soft hum of Italian music caressed my bruised body, and for the first time in a long time, I did not feel as though I was trapped in the wrong time period.  I had once traveled to Italy when I was still an angel, and the small dinning area in Pinchelli’s brought a piece of sanctuary to my heart.  Daniel noticed the change in my energy, and sweetly his thumb rubbed my back where his hand still rested.
“I hoped you would enjoy this,” Daniel said with a certain pride.  He was searching for a feminine gasp and perhaps tears of joy and relief, but I quickly set in mind he would not receive anything of that degree.
“It was very well thought out,” I said simply.  Daniel, whom I expected to react dejected, ushered me to our table, seeming proud to just be holding my hand.  
As we sat down, a small blonde waitress rushed to our table.  
“Hello,” she said enthusiastically.  “Can I get you guys anything to drink?”  Daniel's eyes shot to me waiting for me to take the lead.  The waitress noticed and she too shifted her gaze to me.  Hardly knowing what Daniel would want to drink, I quickly glanced at my menu.
“Umm,” I stuttered unsure of what to say, “I think I want a…uh…tea.  Sweet tea.”  That sounded realistic enough as I assured myself.  Daniel quickly followed suit.
“I too would like a sweet tea,” he said flashing a dazzling smile at the waitress.  The little human immediately lost grip with reality, and I watched as she too began to stumble on her words.
“Do you already know what you would like to eat,” she said as soon as she recovered.  This time I was prepared.  Catching Daniel ‘s eyes and smiling I waited for him to order his food first.  He immediately caught my intention and I watched in amazement as Daniel ordered without ever glancing at the menu.
“I want the lasagna with garlic mash potatoes,” Daniel said, his eyes never leaving mine.  I blushed and released his gaze, looking shyly at the waitress.
“Make that two,” I said softly.  The young girl nodded her head, obviously at a loss for words, and as she bustled off to relay our order, I turned to confront Daniel.
“You are mean,” I stated bluntly.  Daniel flicked a smile at me questioningly, almost laughing.
“What?” he asked honestly.
“You should not do that to innocent people,” I explained.  Daniel’s eye still held mine, and I watched a genuine confusion washed over them.
“I am afraid I do not understand what you are accusing me of doing to ‘innocent people.’”  Daniel stared at me eagerly awaiting my response.
“You should not…dazzling them,” I said searching desperately for the right word.  “When you smile at her, I think the waitress forgot to breathe.”  Now Daniel laughed at my statement.
“I swear I didn’t even notice!” he said still chuckling to himself.  “I was too busy watching your nervous face order.  You seemed terrified until I ordered.  Have you never ordered food before?”  I lowered my eyes quickly, my cheeks burning, praying Daniel did not notice.  Apparently vampires ate human food and I did not want to seem…abnormal.  A silly concern to care what someone thought about one, but I found something inside me feeling genuinely concerned.  I did not care if Daniel liked me, but I did care how he perceived me.
“I don’t eat out much,” I offered hoping Daniel would believe me.  Daniel stopped smiling and stared at me intently.
“You can’t eat either,” he said in a calm voice.  It was not a question but a statement.  
“No,” I said my tone melancholy.  
Daniel startled me by smiling widely again.
“Well that is a relief,” he laughed.  I could not help but stare at him confused.  “For a minute there I thought I would have to take you out to eat more often!”
“What do you mean?” I asked, beginning to laugh myself.  
“I can’t eat!” Daniel exclaimed happily.  “I brought you on a dinner date and neither of us can eat.  Do you not see the humor in that?”  By now we were both laughing and I heard myself exclaim above the laughter, “It’s a perfect date!”  
Our amusement slowly lowered and I found Daniel asking what I wanted to do.  “We will still need to pay for the food that we cannot eat,” Daniel said matter-of-factly.  I softly pondered how we should respond to the awkward situation.  Finally, I found the best solution possible.
“Can you not eat, or does it just taste like dirt?” I asked looking for Daniel’s limitations before I proceeded with my plan.  I knew my plan was a success when Daniel grimaced.
“I was awful in hopes you could not eat at all, but obviously you are like me.  Food tastes like dirt,” Daniel confessed sorrowfully.  I smiled mischievously watching Daniel’s face morph into horror.  “No!”  He exclaimed reading my mind.
“Why not?” I asked still grinning.  “It is the perfect plan.  We can play it up if you want.”  I knew I had won, and I began laughing again as Daniel rolled his eyes.  We only waited a few minutes longer before our food came to us steaming hot.  
The aroma was almost nauseating and as I coughed, Daniel picked up his fork, smirking.
“Just remember,” he said piling his fork full of lasagna, “it was your idea.”
“Dig in!” I said in a chirping manor.
The food was more disgusting that I would have ever guessed.  I quickly closed my eyes almost choking, but I heard Daniel doing the same, I found myself laughing hysterically.  I quickly popped in another bite of the revolting food, now forcing my eyes to remain open in order to watch Daniel’s disgust.  Once again I found myself laughing.
Without warning Daniel’s hand came shooting across the table, and before I knew what was happening, his loaded fork reached my already open mouth.  I began to sputter, still laughing, and I too feed Daniel a portion of my nasty meal.  His face was highly amusing and I suddenly realized how hard we were laughing.  
Luckily only one other person was in the restaurant with us, and he was much too focused on his food to care about our loud laughing.  As Daniel and I played, the waitresses brought more bread, and the candles burned endlessly.  I could not remember having that much fun in such a long time.  
Finally, Daniel and I ceased eating the sordid dinner, and we began to talk quietly.
“Why did you bring me here?” I asked suddenly.  Pinchelli’s was not well known unless one remembered the era when it was created.  
“Well,” Daniel said carefully pondering the question.  “I, of course, was here when the doors of this little restaurant first opened, and it is still here.  It had a good beginning, and for a first date, I felt somewhere with a good beginning was a great sign.”  I thought deeply for a moment.
“This is not a real date though,” I stated calmly.  Daniel’s eyes caught mine sternly.
“Yes,” he said seriously, “this is what I would consider a date.”
“No Daniel,” I said rising immediately.  “This is not a date.  You did not say this was a date.”
“You would have never agreed,” Daniel said strongly catching my arm, pulling me gently into my seat.
“For good reason!” I exclaimed in horror.  “We are demons, Daniel.  Happiness is not waiting for us, nor will it find us.  We have wronged the humans and G—,“ I stammered quickly catching myself.  “He,” I corrected myself, “is punishing us waiting for us to redeem ourselves.  He will not lay out a plan for the damned, especially if it involves happiness in any way!  Our destiny is to suffer.”  I was breathing heavily as I finished, and Daniel was staring at me in disbelief.
“What are you talking about?” Daniel asked.  “We can find happiness.  We are destined to remain from holy contact, but we are destined to be alone.”
“You don’t understand,” I said frustrated.  “That is my destiny.  I am to be alone until I am destroyed.”  Daniel looked at me with a concerned face.  Finally the handsome demon took my hand, sending a chill rushing through my entire body.
“Okay,” he said standing easily.  “Obviously I have stressed you out and I think you should go home and get some sleep.  I will go pay and meet you at the door.”  His icy skin left the confines of my hand gently.  
I quietly gathered my emotions.  I had apparently concerned Daniel by telling him the truth, and I quickly vowed silently to never speak another word involving my destiny to Daniel.  I watched the graceful vampire cross the room and place his hand on my back again.  As we entered the icy air, I felt Daniel breathe onto my neck.  “This was a date Lani.”
“Why?” I asked violently turning to confront him, still walking backwards.  “Why did you bring me on a date?”  
“You are just overstressed Lani,” Daniel said quickly changing the subject.  “We can talk about this another time.”
“No!” I said coming to a dead halt in the middle of the dark alley.  “Talk to me now!”  I watched as Daniel roughly heaved a sigh.  Without warning, Daniel’s hands clutched my freezing shoulders.
“You and I have…good chemistry,” he said stumbling slightly over his words.  “I wanted to get to know you.”  I stared at Daniel blankly reading his eyes.
“Okay,” I said calmly.  “That was sweet.  Now tell me the truth.”  Daniel’s golden irises darkened immensely and I knew I was going to get the truth.  
“You fascinate me,” Daniel confessed difficultly.  “Your smell the night of Kristi’s party, and your amazing eyes.  When I saw you the other night, your blood racing, I could hardly stand the desire.  Your skin smells so…wonderful!  I felt if I got to know you, the feeling of hunger would slowly disappear, and then tonight,” Daniel said smiling and breathing deeply.  “You looked so pretty laughing and I wanted to—.”  Suddenly, Daniel stopped talking.  
Daniel pulled himself closer to my cold figure, and his hands slid smoothly down to cling desperately to my arms.  His aroma floated dancingly around my nose, and I could not help but inhale sharply.  Daniel seized the opportunity to lock my eyes into a deep gaze, and I found my head tilt backwards in the unbreakable gaze, watching his dark eyes intently.
Daniel’s body pressed fully against mine, and venom began to drip down the back of my throat.  
My wings pulled at my back and Daniel pressed himself closer.  I felt his short breaths on my skin as they crept closer to my mouth.  Daniel’s hands held tightly to my arms and I powerfully pulled myself to his ear.  His body tensed against mine, and two lips brushed my jaw; I tensed as well.
“We can’t,” I said in a mix of pain and longing, and Daniel deafly released his hold.  Quickly and quietly I turned around, walking away in silence.  I heard the quiet flutter of graceful footsteps behind me, and as I wordlessly glanced behind me, I found myself alone.  I stopped walking and a cold breeze softly enveloped my body, twisting icily down my spine and entangling itself in my veins.  Daniel was gone but his scent still lingered.  I stood firmly, allowing the dark alley to comfort me.  He had left like I asked him to, but suddenly I wanted him close again.  Forcing myself, I turned around breathing harshly, and waiting for reality to hit.  We could never be together, even if we tried relentlessly.  Lucifer was bent on destroying me, and with the attack from Aseana, I realized that hope of escaping was gone.  I was finished, and Daniel should never need to see my defeat.  Inhaling deeply I placed one of my feet in front of the other, and I convinced my other foot to follow suit until I began to round the corner of the alley.  Out of nowhere, I turned and almost running I returned to the spot Daniel had been.  Pausing only to inhale, I allowed thoughts to rush through my mind, and in a split decision, I sprinted through the appetizing aroma.  I ran as fast as a streak of lightening, tearing through the darkening clouds of the oncoming storms.  

~*~

I slowly came to a stop in front of a beautiful complex.  I entered into a magnificent lobby, created using a crème colored marble and shinning brightly under massive crystal chandeliers.  Quickly I made my way to one of the glossy golden elevators, and soon found myself in its mirrored compartment.  As I reached for the floor buttons I stumbled unknowingly onto a new dilemma.  I had no idea which floor I wanted.  In rash aggravation, I pushed all twenty-six buttons and leaning against a rail attached to the back mirror, I contently began my assent.  
Upon the opening at each floor, I inhaled deeply, searching for the telltale scent.  My technique worked perfectly until I reached the eighth floor.  The mirror-paneled doors opened to find a short, balding old man waiting on the arrival of the elevator.  The older gentleman stepped onto the elevator with me, and I watched as confusion reached his eyes.
“How did—?” he said pointing perplexed to the lighted buttons.  I straightened immediately, stumbling rapidly for a plausible excuse.
“Oh, you know,” I said in a forced calm voice.  “Crazy kids.”  
The old man stared at me, and then a look of understanding brushed his face.  Without warning the old man stepped forward and pressed a red button.  All the lit numbers turned off and with a happy stare the man looked at me.
“What floor?” he asked politely.  Blown away by the unexpected action, I leaned frustrated back onto the railing.  
“Top floor,” I responded without enthusiasm.  The man beamed, pressed the button, and he too leaned against the rail.  
The old man’s soul screamed at me with sadness and excitement, and I finally I allowed myself to enter his soul in order to read his story.  I quickly discovered the tiny man was seventy, had lost his wife of forty-five years to pneumonia a year earlier, and was going on a blind date.  He was excited about meeting the new woman, but thoughts of his first love swam through his mind.  She was a beautiful woman and together they had been very happy raising their two children.  They had suffered through their fair share of tragedies, losing one of their children in an automobile accident, but together they had remained strong, even down to her final days.  He missed her, and as he ventured out into the world again for the first time since her death, he could now help but think once more on their life together.
I had never understood the remorse of death.  The old man and his first love would meet again one day.  I had never hurt for anything such as that because death was far from destruction, as I would suffer.  Humans cannot see that way though.  They long for what they should wait for, and they hurt for things they cannot control.  Death is simply a boundary place between the living and the departed, but it is a boundary that we all cross once in our life.  Humans cannot see as I, and as I stood beside the tiny man, I felt an unexpected wave of frustration towards the ignored of the human.  
A small bell brought me back into the elevator shaft, and I quickly thanked the man, stepping out of the elevator.  The wave of anger confused me immensely and I began to wonder if the stress of the world around me was making me loose control of my emotions.  I was so lost in thought that I hardly noticed an older woman rushing toward the closing elevator door until she brushed the scent by me.  Without thinking, I grabbed the elevator door with lightening speed, startling both the old man and the old woman.  Both stared at me as the elevator door reopened, and the old woman thanked me kindly, still slightly scared.  As the shiny gold door closed I heard the old woman say, “She must take yoga.  I hear yoga is good for the reflexes.”  I also heard the old man respond in wonder.  “Really?  That is fascinating!  How do you know that?”
    As the babbling couple descended I walked quietly down the hall.  I had landed on the correct floor by some miracle, and as I reached room 2615, I realized I had also found the correct room.  I easily turned and walked quickly towards the elevator shaft again.  As I stretched my hand to touch the down button I realized that less than a minute had passed.  The voices of the old couple were still prominent.  Without another thought I retraced my steps down the hall with the intent of using the stairs.  Suddenly a thought occurred: my scent would give me away.  
Almost running again, I raced towards the stairwell, and upon reaching it, I found myself throwing open the heavy, steel door as though it weighed no more than a feather.  The moment the door opened, the fragrance rushed into me, almost knocking me down in the process.  
‘I should have taken the stairs,’ I thought frustrated.  I sprinted down the flights of stairs, never breaking a sweat.  I reached the lobby just as the old man and woman stepped from the elevator.  The two were talking rapidly – both emitting happy souls.  
I swiftly shot out a side exit and allowed my wings to tear open, launching myself in to the icy air.  I flew intently around to the backside of the building and found the penthouse of the building.  My reckless flight pattern smoothed itself gently as I flew backwards, landing softly on another, slightly taller, building.   
Daniel stood on the balcony staring blankly into space.  His soft eyes blinked unseeing toward the harbor, the darkness of his eyes shifting slightly in the night’s sky.  Suddenly the pale vampire’s nostrils flared, and his head shot forward as he smelled the breeze eagerly.  I quickly ducked behind a ledge, and pressing my back against the brick, I held my breath.  As the moments went by, I held perfectly still, not even allowing myself to blink.  I eventually noticed a small peephole in the ledge, and in the seconds following, I allowed myself to lean over, gazing keenly out at the frightening vampire.  Daniel was looking down at the people below him.  He finally inhaled deeply, appearing to smile slightly, and I nervously watch as he squared his shoulders.  Daniel turn strongly into his apartment, and I watch him flick on the lights, illuminating a magnificent complex.  
I found myself turning to face the ledge, and lifting my head above the brick, anxiously searching for a coffin.  The room only held a normal bed, which was placed behind a big window adjacent to the balcony.  Daniel’s layout was similar to mine, but in the place of my breakfast nook stood a beautiful baby grand piano.  Even in the dim lights, the glossy black surface of the beautiful instrument shinned darkly.  As I eagerly gazed into the cozy apartment, I noticed Daniel was nowhere to be seen.
Without warning a hand rested on my shoulder.  I quickly jerked around preparing to attack, but a young man stood solemnly behind me.  The man was around the age of twenty, and his eyes were brightly burning red.  He had short, spiky blonde hair, and his pale face beheld a smirk.  His rich voice cut the silence.
“Go home, Lani,” he said darkly.
I stared at the strange man, his aroma dancing around my nose in a familiar routine.  The man’s scent was as rich as his voice, and although I new I had smelled it before I could not place it.  I quickly realized he was not human.  As I sat frozen to the ledge, the creature stepped closer to me.
“Go home,” he repeated, eyes blazing blood red now.  In a sudden swiftness, he turned and I watched confused as the strange creature walked away.  
I quietly turned around, and gazed into Daniel’s apartment.
The handsome vampire was wearing a pair of red flannel pajama pants and a fitted black tank.  The black knit fabric clung to the contours of his muscled body, and I gasped slightly as my heart fluttered, a feeling I had not experienced in over a century.  The strange man was right; I needed to go home.  My mind fill with thoughts of hope, joy, anger, and desperation, and I rose from my hiding place, realizing that nothing good would come of knowing Daniel.
I lingered only a moment longer, but it was long enough for the perfectly designed creature to raise his head.  His sweet golden eyes stared intensely into mine, and I watched him begin to draw closer.  Wordlessly, I turned away and as I walked, never looking back, I felt the fluttering in my chest cease.  
Slowly I faded into the shadows.