To Defend And Protect (Master Raven & darkangel76)

[darkangel76]

Bodies shuffled past in a daze, their gazes in a trance as the lights of the shadowy cement slabs called buildings blazed in bright neon shades. The air was stifling in its heat, the ripples coming up in waves from the black pavement while flying cars and hover bikes zipped by. Starla heaved a sigh, her hand reaching up to brush her dark hair away from her face, which had managed to plaster itself against her porcelain pale skin. It was hot, stiflingly so as she sucked in a sharp breath as she approached the seedy club she'd been tipped off on going to.

'Phantasmagoria'. Rumor had it that occultists frequented the dive, a place known for its dangerous patrons where more than a few fights ensued. Despite the heat, Starla shivered as a chill ran down along the length of her spine. As she stared at the flashing pink sign, the weight of the air suddenly felt heavy against her chest.

"Don't get jittery now, Starla," Starla scolded herself as she raked a hand through her dark tangled mane. Her nerves were soaring, her knees beginning to wobble as they weakened making it difficult to stand. She rubbed her hands against her jean-clad thighs and took a deep breath trying to ready herself. It was now or nothing.

Starla shook her head, her dark hair whipping against her pale cheeks before she finally flicked it over her slender shoulders and pulled it up, revealing a tattoo on the back of her neck. She then adjusted her top, her bare midriff starkly pale against the black material she donned, but it allowed her to show off more of her 'art', a hand moving from her dark tresses to trace one of the tatted patterns on her flawless flesh as she stretched. Her eyes shifted and she glanced at the colors swirling about her left arm. Looking up, she stared at that flashing sign—Phantasmagoria.

She could do this. She had to. Starla knew that this was for Chris and she owed it to him after all that he'd done for her while growing up... and afterward. He'd sacrificed everything for her. Everything! Somehow she knew this and she was tired of feeling alone and frightened and in the dark. And she was tired of seeing the media tarnishing what she felt in her gut was a lie.

It had to be a lie!

Starla gulped, her mouth suddenly dry. She blinked her blue eyes and finally took those reluctant steps forward into the club. Pushing the door open, she walked inside, immediately feeling the air shift and change the moment she crossed the entrance way. Somehow it became harder to breathe, colder. To think only a week or so ago, she probably wouldn't have noticed the subtle shift. But now, she could feel it with every fiber of her being, to the very depths of her soul. She had to wonder if Chris felt this way every day and every where...

As Starla pushed her way in, she could feel the weight of eyes, so many staring, their gazes boring holes as if trying to penetrate her soul. She gasped as a tiny whimper erupted from her lips, goose bumps forming over her skin as she trembled. Without thinking, she rubbed at her bare arm, her pale eyes scanning the area for something... anything.

The further Starla made her way into the club, the more her body tensed. Her hands balled into fists at her sides and she suddenly remembered the knife she had concealed in her back pocket. She just hoped she wouldn't have to use it, though the strange looks she was receiving as the crowd seemed to grow, she found herself worrying she might. Biting down on her lower lip, she eyed the various patrons, some of them looking at her with hungry eyes causing her to flinch and wince. Turning to look at the floor, she wondered if it had been a bad idea coming to the club, especially alone. But... this was for Chris. She owed it to him.

She was tired of running, of not knowing.

Chris' final words had been so cryptic, his death so sudden and abrupt. Starla knew that her brother wouldn't leave her for no reason; wouldn't die willingly without a fight. She needed to know why he left her alone... or did he? 'Defenders protect all. Defenders protect Starla." Just what did that mean?

Suddenly an icy caress played against the back of Starla's neck, the touch feather-light against her skin. She shivered, her blue eyes fluttering shut as a wave of fear coursed through her veins. She heard what she could only assume was a chuckle, a soft hiss through lips that undoubtedly quirked up into a sinister smile. Darting out her tongue to lick at her lips, she dared to glance behind herself. But when she did, she was met with nothing but shadow and the kiss of a breeze causing her hands to shake, her body to tense. Something was wrong, off.

Again, Starla felt the touch against her neck, firmer, determined. "I remember you," came a whisper, a breath against her flesh causing her skin to prickle. She could hear the distinct sound of a breath being drawn in from behind and against her ear. "Your scent is not easily forgotten." That chuckle again! She felt her breath hitch as the room began spin.

"D-do I know you?" Starla whispered, her voice barely there. Her heart pounded as a knot formed in her tummy. Her instincts went on full alert though her body seemed rooted to the spot, unable to move. It was as if she was frozen in time while all eyes watched—mocking, laughing—and she was helpless to do anything but stand there. She longed to reach for the knife—Chris' knife—but what good would it do her now? She wouldn't know what to do. And could she draw blood?

Just then Starla heard that chuckle, that sound that made her insides twist. "I know your scent," came a hiss. "Luscious, enticing..." She felt a tongue flick against the shell of her ear, her body shaking at the sensation as her eyes clamped shut. "I saw you while I fed," the voice—male—became husky, more forceful. "Your heart sung while you watched," he said, his words dripping from his mouth against her ear. "Tell me, did you like what you saw?"

Starla swallowed hard, her knees ready to give out as she felt what she was certain were teeth grazing her ear. She shook her head, her eyes shut tight. "No," she said. "No. No, no, no..."

 

[Master Raven]

"No."

"No...No."

"NO!" His body shot upright from the comfort below him. His breathing was ragged and heavy as through he had just run twelve miles non stop. His limbs were heavy as he shifted tossing the blankets to the side. The air was thick and stale in the room of his third floor one bedroom apartment. Corvo's right foot touched the wooden floor sending a chill up his spine. "Another sleepless night." He muttered to himself and he put his entire weight on his legs and feet. This hadn't been the only time he woken up this way, no this was a reoccurring process for him and what's worse it was random.

His steps were considerate of his neighbors, though they weren't overly polite to where he was tiptoeing through his home. He went into his bathroom turning on the light. The sudden change blinded him for a moment as his pupils contracted to filter the the level of artificial sunlight. Once he was able to see Corvo splashed some water on his face from the sinks faucet. Green eyes peered back at him in the mirror gazing over his medium length black hair that was currently a mess, water clung to his goatee and the stubble on his face.

His bare torso collected the drips as he stood and the last thing he seen in the mirror before turning away was the tattoo on his left pectoral which read "Defenders until the end." in a police style badge. He walked to the shower turning on the hot water allowing the water to run over his bare body. He had never been able to understand why he had dreams like that and why it was always the same one. The absolute worst part was as soon as he woke up he forgot everything that transpired so he could never talk to anyone about it besides saying that t was a nightmare.

Strong hands moved the bar of soap over his lean muscular body. He had to remove all the grime on his body that the dream had caused. the water got hotter and steam began to fill the room of the bathroom, some of it seeping through the cracks of the door to spill into his bedroom.

---

The black clothing illuminated as the sign 'Phantasmagoria' flashed in it's three second pink intervals. His boots made a small bit of sound with each step on the concrete sidewalk. A rush of wind from a hovercar ruffled through his swept back hair which caused him to adjust it with his right hand. The transition style sunglasses were nice for this type of setting they adjusted to the light and the bright neon made it to where the glasses were dark enough to where someone could barely see his eyes but not for his eyes to go crazy from the flashing neon around him.

He walked into the Phantasmagoria and ordered a bottle of vodka. This was his usual routine when he couldn't sleep at night.

"Trouble sleeping again Mr. MacLeod?" Asked the bartender. She looked like she couldn't be over the age of fifteen but mostly everyone that was a regular knew she was actually in her late twenties. She always seemed so upbeat and there were even a few of the more regulars of ill repute that were attracted to her and always hitting on her.

"Yeah, so here I am once again." He half smiled the girl was nice and sweet and there was a mild attraction there for her but he never cared to pursue it because see deserved someone who could treat her properly and never have to worry about. He took the bottle from the smiling bartender and move to his usual table right next to the bar. He began to think about everything he could trying to get the details of the dream but they eluded him just like every other time. He almost had some of it, there had been another voice in the dream female. That all he got before he heard something from his left.

"No," she said. "No. No, no, no..." This was similar to how he had woken up, a nightmare for whoever was saying the words; except this was no dream. He was silent standing to his feet, his movements were casual as he was stepping towards the bar. But before he got there he stopped a few feet from where the woman was held in place.

"Today isn't a good night for me why don't you let the woman go before I decide you're going to be the one I take my anger out on?" Granted this was a club and bar and fairly loud, but that didn't change the fact that this had started only ten feet away and had gained his attention. "I'm not in a good mood I suggest you leave." Corvo's eyes looked and analyzed the man that held the young woman. His eyes noted the claw like nails on his hands, and the lustful tone. The icy aura about the man is what clinched the theory, a vampire. A grin slowly appeared on MacLeod's lips.

"And who the fuck do you think you are to interrupt me?" Rhetorical really as the man didn't care who anyone was they were all beneath him and a mere human was trying to stop him. "Begone." He turned his head back towards the woman one of his hands moving to trail down the front of her body while the other kept a firm grip on her. He dipped his head a bit and ran his snakelike tongue over her neck where he had intended to bite.

The grin grew wider as the vampire turned his attention away. He moved swiftly and snatched the vampire holding him by the throat. "I'm just a nobody, a figment of your imagination, and your death." His eyes flash red suddenly and he twisted his wrist just slightly giving the hidden blade in his sleeve to launch out and impale the vampire turning him to ash. The blade was swift and retracted just as swift putting itself back into the wrist blade sheathe.

Corvo's eyes returned to normal and noticed that nobody was really paying attention, besides the woman who the vampire had targeted. "Are you alright?"

 

[darkangel76]

The words were like a broken record in Starla's mind, monotone and on repeat as she mumbled them over and over again. She could feel those wretched tears pricking at her pale eyes, no doubt piercing in the hazy darkness of the club as the music thumped and that hot breath continued to wash over the flesh of her neck. She shivered against her will, a tiny shudder as the chill ran along her spine.

"No, no, no... don't do this," Starla begged, her face twisted as panic rose, her heart pounding hard. She could feel the pulse in her mind, blood rushing with every heartbeat, with every quickening breath. There was that tongue, warm and soft as it darted out and sampled a taste, teeth gently grazing the skin, making it tender and sensitive.

Again, Starla shivered, her body becoming pliant against this creature that stood behind her. His hands snaked about her torso, gripping her tightly, bringing her ever closer to his body. He was hard and cold... so very cold. More than anything she wanted to reach for the knife in her back pocket. But it was no use. There was no way she could reach it and even if she could, this creature would surely disarm her in a moment. Besides, what good was a knife against such power, such darkness?

Just then, Starla could hear a hiss followed by a rich sounding chuckle. Had she amused him? Probably. Whimpering, she wished she was strong enough to hurt this being that held her too tightly, making her blood turn cold, her body tremble so helpless in his grasp.

Vampires. She hated them. She always would.

As fear washed over Starla's body, her knees growing weaker, almost unable to support her weight, she heard a voice that made her start. Her blue eyes shifted and sought out the face of the man who'd bellowed in her direction. He sounded irritated, annoyed. No, such descriptions hardly did him justice. If she truly tried, she dare say he sounded pissed off! Her blue eyes locked onto his as she stood there, helpless in this creature's clutches, his silky voice a discordant, yet sweet and beckoning melody as he spoke against her ear, a hand trailing softly, seductively along the length of her body.

The hatred coursed harder, more fervently. How she wished she could somehow stop this.

Starla looked at the man who'd approached and dared to speak up. Oh, he had guts. If only he knew what he was talking to! Fortunately, he seemed capable enough, strong, his wits about him. Maybe it was the way he was dressed, the way he walked. But whatever it was, at least it made the vampire take pause. As she watched him, her knees shaking as she felt her body begin to slump, her heart suddenly stopped. It might have been a trick of the light or the strange affect that this vampire was having over her senses. But she could've sworn the man's eyes were shifting colors. Blinking rapidly, she didn't have time to think. Before she knew it, the grip that had been holding her loosened, the arms turning to flaky ash as they fell into a pile on the cold, hard floor.

"I..." Starla stammered. She nearly toppled over at the suddenly loss of the vampire's weight, not realizing just how much he'd been keeping her body upright. Looking over at this strange man—just how did he know she was being held by a vampire?—she swallowed hard, her tongue peeking out to lick at her dry lips. "Yes," she said.

Starla eyed the man carefully, her shaking hands moving to touch her back pocket—a need to make sure her knife was still there and ready. When she felt the handle sticking out of her jeans, she let out a tiny puff of breath and bit down on her lower lip, her eyes moving to stare at the pile of ash on the floor about her. Had anyone even noticed the commotion? Had they noticed anything? As she lifted her head and glanced about herself, it was clear that everyone was too entranced by the music, by the sweat and heat of so many bodies clustered together to even care. They were too wrapped up in themselves, in their high.

"Who are you?" Starla then asked, her voice clipped and cautious as she took in the sight of the man before her. He'd just saved her, but how did he know... how did he know of vampires? There was only one answer and she knew it in her gut as it knotted up, her muscles clenching as her adrenaline pumped with every heartbeat, with every pulsing thump of the music that blared in the club. "You..." her thoughts went to Chris, his death... to that fateful night she saw that beast who'd just held her but now was reduced to ashes had gulped and slurped on an unsuspecting victim.

Could he be a link? There was only one way to find out.

"Do you know about the Defenders?" Starla asked, daring to take a step over the ashen pile, her legs wobbling as she fought to stay upright and not give in to the fear that threatened to consume her.

 

[Master Raven]

Her words came into his ears asking who he was to which he gave no reply, and then the other question. It struck a cord deep within his being one that left the taste of copper in his mouth. 'Defenders.' The emotion of hatred ran through his eyes and his lip curled slightly in a sneer that group had nothing to do with what he did, and he refused to allow himself to be considered one of them.

*CHA*The sound echoed deep within his mind as the woman practically fell to her knees after He dispatched the vampire. "Novice can't even defend herself, and she even has a pig sticker! And she's looking for the defenders?! HA!"

The voice was completely ignored save for the minor information that had been revealed. "Knives won't do anything to them, and the one you have isn't designed for close range combat." His voice was hauntingly knowing and he hadn't even shifted to glance at her backside or the knife in her pocket. She clearly didn't have the strength or will to actually kill someone, even if she knew what they truly were. "You're inexperience will get you killed." His right arm shot up from his side and took a hold of her neck just as he had with the monster that held her. "Or is that your plan to be bitten and become one of them." This was the only real way to get truth from people intimidation. Too many times had a soft heart nearly gotten him killed. His eyes narrowed cold and hard as steel ready to send the signal to his muscle, the muscle that would fire the blade from the sheath if she gave the wrong answer.

He did not give time for words to be exchanged Words held lies and nuances which allowed for truth twisting and cunning tongues to engage in in a battle of wits and elegant sword play. Now eyes spoke much louder and were much clearer on ones true intention, so he peered through the window of her soul for a good solid minute letting all the terror and regret wash over them. Finally he dropped her unharmed beside the lack of oxygen which he had constricted from her, at least she wasn't stupid. "You'll only die if you continue your fool hardy venture." His words were just as cold as his eyes were they cut to the bone sharp as a eight hundred year old well maintained katana. PSHHHHH!!!! The air of the place grew heavy and a light vapor like mist filled the room. Everyone could still see properly but the Mist had special properties He had stayed too long and now this young woman was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Awe Come'on let's have a bit of fun tonight or should I just do it all myself?" The mental image of his tongue darting out of his mouth and licking his lips ran through him a dark twisted thought of what he could do if he didn't contain himself locked away deep within the recesses of his mind, and soul. Corvo thought he heard a sound of defiance in the young woman's voice but the loud sound of the mist machine had drawn his attention away just long enough to miss her words. There wasn't much time to think only to act at this point. He grabbed her wrist firmly and hauled her out onto the dance floor near a cornerstone of the building and in a secure corner. Corvo spun her around and pulled her close against him his body flush against her back his lips near her ear.

"You're going to have to trust me. When it kicks in you're going to want to go to the first person you feel and join in the 'festivities'." That was the only word that could come to mind The drug would be kicking into her system any minute now. 'Phantasmagoria', a delectable play on words, two words in fact blended together and and scrambled in the title. 'Phantom Orgasm', or IPO as as it was called on the street; a new cut of ecstasy refined for inhalation, it had been on the market for a little over a year now and nobody caught that this was the source. What was left of law enforcement thought that there was a pill being passed around within the confines of the clubs, nobody had even suspected that it was designed for breathing in and absorption through ones skin, well except those that came for it or learned of it by mistake. The outfit in which Starla had chosen to wear this evening was not a good choice for this building nor was her already weakened state helping. He held her firmly from behind his lower body pressed against the conformed rear of her jeans, at least she would be safe and away from the mass orgy that would ensue. All he had to do was ensure he didn't give in and they'd both come away clean.

 

[darkangel76]

Starla just stared at the man, her blue eyes fixed on his, as he stood there so still and seemingly calm. She had no idea how he could just carry on as if what he'd done was so casual, so natural when he'd just dusted some creature who'd been ready to bite her and do who only knew what. Her thoughts went dark as they drifted, thinking on just what that vampire could've done had he not been interrupted. Sure, she thought she'd been ready, prepared for anything. But the reality of it all was that she was far from it. Though after what she'd seen in that alley a couple years back, she supposed she should've known better. There was still much she didn't know or understand. So much Chris had hidden from her.

Damn him!

And now Chris was gone. Dead. Leaving her all alone with no answers except a cryptic message she didn't even understand. Suddenly, Starla's eyes widened, tearing up as the man's hand went about her throat. She gasped slightly, her desperation that he not squeeze any harder more than evident. It was a silent plea as she begged he believe her that she was in the dark about so many things. In the dark, alone and now... very frightened. As the moments continued to pass, she started to wonder if she'd gotten in over her head. Just what had Chris gotten himself into?

Shivering, the man finally released Starla's throat and as he did a fine mist began to filter into the main room of the club. She looked from left to right, up and down. The room was becoming hazy as the mist grew thick, the patrons crowding about more and more as their laughter and voices grew louder. All of it made her senses go on full alert, made them feel... heightened. She tilted her head, her dark hair falling brushing against her shoulders, her face—the sensation rather pleasing as the heat of the man who glared at her consumed her whole. Swallowing hard, she found herself moving toward that heat as he spoke against her, further beckoning as if she were a moth and he the flame. She clamped her eyes shut for a moment, but her thoughts were getting muddled, difficult to sort. Just what was happening and why did the warmth he was emanating feel so... good? They were all questions she was starting to ponder, thoughts of Chris and the Defenders moving into the background. After all, they could wait for a moment.

At least until later. Yes, later.

Suddenly, the man pulled Starla to him causing her instantly struggle. She hadn't expected him to grab at her to touch her. But that heat. It felt so good, better than she'd expected. Just what was going on? She rested her head against him as he spoke against her ear, the sensation overwhelming, causing her heart rate to speed up, her breaths to quicken the longer he held her.

Starla finally nodded. "All right," she whispered, giving this strange man her trust as she followed his lead, her body pressing close to his as he led her toward a dark corner of the dance floor. For some reason it felt nice the closer she got. Why was that? Everything seemed so hazy, so... She let out a tiny groan as she wriggled and writhed against him. Something clearly affected her—mind and body.

Turning around, Starla's blue eyes looked up into the strange man's. She gave him a smile, as her face flushed, her skin breaking out into goose bumps. Leaning close, she draped her arms about him and shivered.

"You're so warm," Starla giggled, her earlier thoughts temporarily forgotten. "Has anyone ever told you that?"