Electrickery

Unlike Alex, Nykolae's heart was ready to beat out of his chest. When they eventually slowed to a stop, Nykolae leaned his back against a wall and took huge gulping breaths as he rested his hands on his knees. He was far from being exhausted as the stance suggested. He was more overcome with fear than anything else and he was attempting to bring himself back from a panic attack. His arm felt strange, dead even and it confirmed his fear of it when Alex gasped and took his arm, peering at the burnt dead skin. It still wasn't healing. Behind them, the waitress reappeared, this time with two goons in tow and Nykolae had never felt the overwhelming need to run before. But his sudden need to protect Alex overcame his need to run and he stayed where he was, holding his breath as she spoke to the guys at her side. "I don't like this, Alex. We need to go!"

One man pulled out a .45 and aimed down the alleyway, shooting carelessly in their direction. Nykolae swore loudly as the brick and mortar above him shattered above him at a near miss. Once more, he grabbed Alex's hand and took off, hoping to keep the line of sight between them far from a straight line. He could hear the waitress screaming angrily at the man with the gun about wanting him alive. Why? First it was Kaia who had sought him out, even bringing him to her by force and now it was this crazy bitch and her touch seemed to bring death. She was certainly someone he didn't want to get involved with. However, while his mind was wandering, he'd accidentally turned down a dead end alley and Nykolae, once more, let out a curse, dropping Alex's hand as he turned, the two goons skidding to a halt at the entrance of the alleyway. The one pointed the .45 at Alex and Nykolae froze, not daring to move. At the sound of heels, the woman rounded the corner, resting her hands seductively on the shoulders of the two goons, a vicious grin on her face. "If you would have just come with us quietly, we wouldn't have to go to such drastic measures. Now, be a good boy and come alone or your little friend here will be just another splatter on the wall." Her voice was silky smooth and charming but her face was as poisonous as a snake. Nykolae would rather run back to Kaia then this crazy bitch.

He'd opened his mouth to say something, to stop her from doing exactly what she did but he didn't have the time. In no time, the alley was filled with the sounds of gun shots and Nykolae covered his face and head as his ears rang. Stupid! They were just after him! If she hadn't decided to play hero, they probably could have avoided any incidents! Of course, he wasn't afraid of her dying. That was vampire 101 but he certainly didn't like the situation. As soon as the gun fire ceased, he let his arms down to see Alex go for the goon that had original shot her and was quickly surprised by her ferocity. She'd seemed so cute and lovable lately he forgot she was the daughter of Andrei. He supposed it was only natural she'd go ape shit when she was pissed off too. Her scent of blood was strong and it immediately caught Nykolae's attention. He looked down at his feet to see a great pool of it where she had stood and he felt a chill go up his spine as he looked back up at her. With that much blood loss, ever for a vampire, she wouldn't be able to last much longer without a fresh scent of blood. 

The second goon was already moving before Alex had a chance to get to him and Nykolae gasped as he saw him throw up his hands and stop Alex mid stride where she covered her ears and fell to the ground. Anger rolled up inside him and he felt himself moving before his mind caught up with his stupidity. He reached the second goon from the side, unaffected by whatever he was doing and grabbed his elbow, forcing it upwards till there was a resounding crack and he dropped his arms with a scream. But he didn't pause to admire his work. As the goon turned to face him, Nykolae, in one fluid movement, grabbed the gun from the guy's belt and, using his special skill, quickly knew everything he needed to know about the firearm and raised it between the man's eyes and pulled the trigger without even looking at him. In the same fluid movement, he moved his arm, the one holding the gun and held it to the woman's forehead, pushing her back against the brick wall, his other hand wrapped around her throat. "Touch me with your creepy hands and I'll blow your brains out." His voice was low and deadly and there was a red hue in his eyes as the blood spattered on his face brought out his inner vampire. "What the fuck do you want with me?"

The woman's eyes were wide with fear and she listened to his threat, keeping her hands down by her sides. She answered without a hitch. "I was hired to obtain you because of the blood in your veins. My master needs your blood for a ritual and only the blood of Oliver Hannibal will work." It seemed the air around Nykolae was suddenly sucked away and time seemed to slow down. His father? He'd only recently learned of his father from Kaia but she hadn't told him much about him in general. This bitch that dealt death with a simple touch couldn't have a very nice master and the need for his blood certainly wasn't for a looksie under a microscope. "Why?" he growled to her. 

But she finally regained her composure and started to laugh, her eyes filled with darkness. "My master doesn't reveal his plans. You are nothing but disposable!" She raised her hand, a heavy power emanating from it and Nykolae didn't hesitate, pulling the trigger and letting her body drop to the ground. Not even caring that he was covered in blood, he dropped the gun onto the ground and went to Alex. "Are you okay? That was stupid." he added, pulling up what was left of her shirt to take in the damage on her stomach. "You'll need those dug out right away in order to heal." he advised her. "Here, sit down over there and I'll make it quick." He offered, pointing to a spot in the alley that wasn't covered in blood.

He followed her down to the ground and knelt next to her. Soaked thoroughly, he pulled his shirt up and over his head and used his bare arm to wipe most of it from his face before he helped himself to ripping her shirt open to lay bare her stomach. He placed his bloody shirt on her lap and, with eyes bright red from fighting temptation, he dug his fingers into the first bullet hole. He turned his attentions from Alex from 'wanting' her to a brotherly protection but with the heavy scent of blood and how close she was to him, he was finding it even harder to contain himself. He focused his attention on finding the first bullet, which he did, and dropped onto the shirt. He looked at his fingers, her blood dripping from the ends and he felt his desire become insatiable and he brought his fingers to his mouth, licking her blood from his fingers. He instantly felt a buzz through his veins and it was enough to jolt him back to reality and he cleared his throat, letting his hand drop. "Er, sorry. Haven't eaten in awhile." He started on the next hole, this time, holding his breath. As long as the smell of blood wouldn't permeate his mind, he'd be able to treat Alex properly. When she asked her question, he felt his insides freeze and he frowned. "I'd be afraid to have you drink from then." he said, nodding his head to the goons and woman behind him. "Not sure what they were but I'd hate to get sick. I'll have to find you some random human. You'll have to compel them though. I never actually learned how." He said, ignoring her question entirely. He wasn't ready to talk about his father or Kaia or his whole fucked up life. He was more worried about getting the bullets out and getting her blood so she could heal. 

He made the mistake of looking up at her once more and, like Kaia had done to him once already, he felt his body grow rigid and he was unable to look away from her. Her words spoke in his ears and in his mind and he felt his mouth move without his agreement. "Oliver Hannibal is my father." And as soon as the words left his mouth, he was released from her compulsion and his lips became his own. "God damn it." he growled, glaring at her. "Am I not allowed to keep secrets?" He knew, deep down, that, in reality, it was her right to know what had just happened. After all, she had just taken a couple bullets for him. He busied himself with pulling out the next few bullets, his frown deepening as he thought back to the three goons. His arm, since taking a bit of Alex's blood, had started to heal, looking more like a nasty bruise from finger tips to elbow but at least it didn't look dead anymore. He was also beginning to get feeling back in it. The woman had had a smell of death about her that had made even his vampire side repulsed. What did she need Oliver's blood for? Once vampires were dead, they disappeared, as far as he knew. Of course there would be nothing left of his father except the blood in his own veins but what made his father's blood more important than say, Kaia's or Alex's?

Since he'd already opened the door, he might as well share the contents while he worked. It was easier than the uneasy silence between them. "I didn't know of my origins. I grew up in an orphanage in Italy because my mother died giving birth to me and the nuns refused to turn her. But when I started growing faster than the other children my age, they sent me to live on the streets and I was tortured and chased, called a monster and even nearly killed by vampires who didn't know how to stop drinking my blood. For so long, I had only relied on the blood bond I felt with my father. I may not have known him but I always knew he was alive. Then one day, I knew he'd been killed. It was so sudden, so soul shattering, I'd wanted to die. It was then I realized I'd always held hope I'd see him and just like that... It was gone. I was hateful, selfish and merciless. I didn't care who I hurt, I didn't care what I did, just as long as I could make the pain go away.

"Centuries went by before I realized it. I'd ended up in New York, free loading off of anyone who would put up with me, drinking too much blood, fucking anything on two legs." he looked up at her sheepishly. "Sorry. And then, one night, I was dragged from my apartment and thrown before Kaia Rion, the vampire Original of all people." Here, he yanked out another bullet, looking hatefully at the thing before dropping it onto his shirt. "Long story short, I've become her new plaything, I suppose. I've been forced into her service until she releases me. It was also she who told me about my father. Apparently, long ago, he'd been one of her progenies and also her lover." he glared here, at nothing in particular as recent memories surfaced he didn't wish to tell her about. "But she didn't tell me much more about him. I just know his name and a past connection. What they wanted his blood for, my blood, I couldn't tell you. I don't even know what they were."

He pulled out the last bullet and sat back on his heels with a sigh, resting his elbows on his knees as he let his blood soaked hands hang before him. He needed to find a place to wash off before the scent of blood kicked him over the edge. Kaia had done a damn good job on keeping him starved of fresh blood and now, when it was literally all over him, he was having a hard time controlling himself. The red hue in his eyes, however, would not go away. "Come on." he said, holding out his hand to help her up. "Let's get you someplace safer and we'll find someone for you to happily munch on." he teased her, giving her a playful smirk.

When she stumbled, he reached out with both hands, one holding her hand while the other grabbed her around the waist. But when she reached up and held onto the wall, he released her waist, not liking the feelings he felt when touching her. In fact, he even managed to tear his eyes away from her. He needed something to eat now... He felt an animal-like hunger come over him and he didn't want to be forced to drink from those three in case their blood provided something toxic. They didn't smell intoxicating like Magi; just deadly like death. I'll be fine until I can get home. He suddenly turned to her, alarmed. Not only would they have to walk through crowds of appetizing humans but they were also covered in blood and he was shirtless. And if she really wasn't going to eat before she started the trek home, she wouldn't be able to control herself among the crowds on the strip. He was honestly surprised the gun shots and screams hadn't attracted any attention as it was. 

"Whoa there!" he said, putting his hands on her shoulders. "You aren't going out there without eating something and certainly not when we look like this. No offense but if you go bat shit crazy hungry out there, I won't be able to stop you." He pointed to his chest where his heart beat against his rib cage. "Half human remember? You'll throw me aside like a pesky bug and I'm NOT explaining to Andrei why his progeny is rampant on the Strip. No, you stay here till I get you something. You need to at least get enough to finish your healing process or you'll go into animal mood." Like he had room to talk. Right now all he wanted to do was lick the blood off of her. "I'll also find you some clothes. I can steal some from a shop along the strip and-"

"What the fuck happened here?!" The shout came from the mouth of the alley and Nykolae turned with surprise to see a uniformed cop standing before the scene of what clearly looked like a bloody crime scene. His immediately turned towards Nykolae and Alex and his human mind quickly deduced that Alex was a victim and Nykolae the perp. In a second, the cop had his gun out and Nykolae threw up his arms.

"Whoa! Wait! This isn't-"

"Shut the fuck up, dirt bag! Back against the wall!" 

Nykolae complied with the cops, his heart beat speeding up as the cops scent washed over him. Fresh blood. The adrenaline was making the cop's heart pump faster and the blood flow more and Nykolae was beginning to zone out, the cop's heart beat beating in his ears. Wonderful. Here he was lecturing Alex on control and he was losing it. He made a mental note to thank Kaia later for her wonderful treatment. As the cop reached for his walkie, Nykolae acted without realizing. He moved from the wall and was in front of the cop before the man realized what happened. Nykolae didn't hesitate. With his own blood roaring in his ears, he sank his fangs into his neck, allowing the fresh blood to explode into his mouth. The sheer pleasure of his feast took away from the pain of his gut as he felt the bullet pierce his skin. He barely heard the shot, barely registered what happened. Fresh blood raced through his veins, revitalizing him, awakening him. It wasn't until the cop crumbled to the ground and Nykolae wiped his mouth with the back of his hand did he feel the pain and warmth spreading down his abdomen. The fresh blood was keeping him from weakening but he backed against the opposite wall of Alex, beside the body of the woman from the restaurant and slid to the ground. All he could do was laugh. Fucking unbelievable. He actually lost control of himself and because of that, he'd failed to realize the dangers. He looked down to inspect his wound and was actually glad to know that it had gone all the way through the soft flesh of his side. Any further to the left and it probably would have hit a vital organ or lodged and he'd never heal without digging it out. Lucky for him, he would only need a moment's rest to heal. 

"Like I said." he joked across the alley to her. "We can't go out looking like this. We look like we just mascaraed a whole bunch of people." he laughed. "Well... I guess we did..."  

He watched in stunned silence as she sank her teeth into the cop's wrist. He'd watched, before that, the emotions shift across her face; uncertainty, fear, hunger. But what ever she had been thinking about, she overcame them and fed. He felt his heart sputter at watching her feed and realized he felt mildly turned on. He quickly looked away. They'd already established a relationship that was strictly friendship. Anything different now would just be awkward. Instead, he let her feed in peace as he tended to his wound. Without his shirt, which he'd left on the other side of the alley with the bloody bullets he'd pulled out of her stomach, it was easier to see his wounds as the skin knitted back together. Lucky for him, the cop's blood was still fresh in his system and by the time the wound had healed up, he felt as he had done before he'd fed. However, unlike Alex, he'd be able to resist temptation when walking through the crowds on the strip. He was, after all, a lot older than her.

It was her voice that had him looking back up at her and he smirked, standing himself up by using the wall as leverage. He walked over to her and held out his hand to help her up. "I think I can treat you this time." he told her. He looked down at the cop, his walkie full of static and panic quickly overcame him. The cop had called for back up. It wouldn't be long till this alley was full of cops. He quickly bent down, unbuttoned the cop's uniform and pulled it off. Same with the pants and the utility belt, leaving the cop in nothing but his boxers and undershirt. Nykolae stripped, not even caring if Alex saw or not. The blood was pounding in his ears as he quickly became aware of how much time he was wasting standing there. When he was fully dressed, he reached for her hand again. "Come on. We need to get inside quickly."

Nykolae returned her smirk, a playful look in his eyes. "Cops get donuts all the time. You really think it would be that hard for me to get a few for free? You apparently don't know me very well." he teased. When she quickly pulled what little shirt she had left in front of her, her cheeks reddening he felt a twinge of guilt and surprise. Not only did he feel bad she was standing covered in blood and barely any clothes but he was surprised he hadn't taken advantage of checking her out. It was so unlike him. He blamed it on the fierce brotherly protection he felt for her. He bit his lip and glanced over his shoulder at the alley entrance. He needed to move the cop, for one. He turned back to her. "Are you able to stand on your own okay? The blood should be rushing through you by now, giving you strength. You'll be back to normal here shortly." Not waiting for her to reply, he let go of her and rushed to the cop. He grabbed the man's ankles and yanked him further into the dark alley and away from prying eyes. This was a fucked up situation. Nyk had never let things like this get this out of control. He truly did look like a serial murderer.

When he'd finished moving the bodies, he peered around the corner of the alley that led back towards the strip and turned back to her. "You think you could compel someone if I brought them here?" he asked her. "You need some new clothes and I don't think a cop can walk into a clothing store and steal women's clothing without being noticed. Just wait here. I'll get you some clean clothes." And without waiting for her answer, he disappeared around the corner. Only moment's later, the sound of sirens drawing closer became apparent. The "back up" the cop requested was well on their way. Moment's later, Nykolae returned with a girl about the same age as Alex and dressed in short shorts, a plaid throw over and a pink undershirt. She was flirting rather heavily with Nykolae who immediately looked up and locked eyes with Alex. The girl turned as well, catching a glimpse of Alex and paused. "What the fuck is this?" she asked, fear edging into her voice.