Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 10:01:10 -0800 (PST) From: JMH Subject: The Mark/The Others chapter 4 Well it has been a while but here it finally is... chp 4 of the Others. Sorry it has taken so long, have been busy working on The Centurion, another sci fi novel. If you have any questions about it feel free to email me. trandar2002@yahoo.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/adultwritingworkshop/ http://www.keepitcoming.net/centurion.html *********************************************************************** When news came that the family was moving to Vassar City, Thomas had looked on it as a chance for him to explore but then he was given the bad new. He and Jacob would not be going. That was the last straw for Thomas. He couldn't take being sheltered any longer so he did something he never thought he was capable of; he used his talent to put Jacob into a coma. It was the only way he could see to give himself enough time to escape Jacob's grasp. He waited until the house was asleep and then snuck into Jacob's bedroom. As soon as he felt he was in range , he pushed Jacob into a deep sleep that he was sure would take him a week to come out of unless Travis came back to take him out of it for only Travis was strong enough to compete with him. He then spent a few minutes openly apologizing to Jacob for attack him, his own father. He left a note explaining what he did but not what he was planning to do. It was easy for him to escape the notice of the guards and soon he was in Burlington taking the train to the city just as Scott and Jacob had tried to do so many years ago but once in the city, Thomas went straight to the vampire control office and turned himself in as an out of control feeder. The workers there looked at him in disbelief but the rules stated that any vampire who felt out of control had to be sent to Exile so that is where they sent him. ****************************************** Andrew woke in Ed's arms in a tent where the Hunters had made camp. He had a headache and when he tried to remove the crown on his head he found that his mind wouldn't let him. "Shhh, it's ok Andrew. They told me that you can't remove the crown. It's supposed to block your telepathic talent but it also prevents you from going into spasms again when they turn on what they call the psi field." Ed explained. "We've been captured, haven't we?" Andrew said in defeat. "Yes but things are not that bad. They plan to keep us together for now. They know that I'm your boyfriend so they think they can keep you happy by letting me stay with you. Cool isn't it." "But what do they plan to do with me?" "I don't know but from what I can tell, you are a big deal. They're planning to make a lot of money of you." "Great, so I'm going to be sold." "Looks like it bud but as long as we are together I'm happy." Ed grinned. "Well at least one of us is." Andrew pouted wishing his headache would go away. It was at this time that the man with the crown came into the tent and threw them a pair of flight suits. "Good you're awake. Put these cloths on. You've been sold to an important bidder so I don't want you to give me any problems." He said before leaving them. "Where do you think we are going?" Andrew asked Ed as they began to get dressed. `I don't know but he said it was an important bidder. Only place where there are important people is in the cities so I guess we are going to a city." Ed said using what logic he could. "I guess so. Never been to a city. I only have heard bad things about it" "Same here but remember where we learned all that shit from. It's not like we Wilders don't have a grudge against the city dwellers." "True." "Think of it as an adventure." Ed said in an attempt to raise his friend's spirit. Ed was excited; he was being allowed to stay with Andrew and going to a place where he could finally express his feeling freely. Andrew though was worried about what would await him with his owner when they finally arrived. Ten minutes later the man with the crown came in and escorted them to the waiting helicopter that would take them to the airfield. From there the two were sent directly to their new owner waiting in Vassar City. ***************************************************** Randal was scared out of his wits when he entered the dark levels of Exile. Except for the resting areas for the human slaves there were no windows, only darkness broken up by the red glows of the vampires' eyes. When he first arrived he was paraded with the other new slaves around the new prisoners. The new vampires would have to fight amongst themselves to see which of them would get which slave but that would happen latter in the week. The first few days were spent teaching the slaves the rules of Exile. First, when they were finally assigned to a vampire their body and most importantly their blood belong to that vampire. Other vampires would try to seduce you to take it but if your master found out then he had the right to kill you. Randal also learned that whatever food he was going to be fed had to be won by his master. Just as the master had to fight for his blood they had to fight for the upkeep of their slaves. Finally Randal was warned to never get attached to his master for at any time he could be defected in the arena and Randal could find himself belonging to another person. If he showed resentment to his new master then that master might decided to kill him out of spite. It soon became clear to Randal that his world was going to be one of constant fear. It was while he was in the slave quarters that Randal dared to make a friend. His name was Louis and he was a stringy youth of around 19 years of age. He had been sent into Exile because he had killed a hunter trying to capture him. He had no idea what sort of world he had entered for as a Wilder he had no contact with vampires until now. So Randal, while scared out of his wits himself tried to take care of the younger man as best he could and found comfort in it for while he could not control anything else in his life he could still effect Louis. As a result, Louis stuck to Randal like glue... that was until selection day. One by one the slaves were brought into the middle of the arena. Any of the new vampires who wanted the slave would jump into the ring and fight until only one was left standing. It was a tricky game. If you went after a slave that too many people wanted then you run the risk of being injured and too weak to get any of the leftovers. Before Randal turn, very few of the vampires entered the pit, only the weaker ones fought. It was as if they were waiting for something and that something turned out to be Randal himself. When Randal walked into the middle of the pit that made the arena, nearly a dozen vampires jumped in leaving nearly no space for Randal. Knowing that this was going to be a major fight, the foreman pulled Randal into an alcove to keep him safe as the free for all began. Within seconds two vampires fell down, their bodies impaled by the fists of others. Anther fell when one of them snapped his neck. During the whole fight there was one man who made no move to attack, or defend himself, but whenever a vampire approached him they would be stopped as if they had hit an invisible barrier. The man caught Randal's eyes as he looked different from most vampires. First his skin was gray. He also had slanted deep set eyes and drew Randal into them. For some reason, Randal hoped that the strange man would win. In the end only two remained the strange man and a bull of a man who had taken out most of the others by breaking their necks. The larger man circled around the gray skin man looking for a hole in the barrier. He was just attempt to rush it when the barrier fell and the vampire stumbled, right into the arms of the stranger who in one motion broke his neck. The cold, calculating manner in which the gray skinned man made his kill sent shivers down Randal spine. Now he was unsure that he really wanted the vampire to be his master. Now that the fight was over, the foreman grabbed Randal by the arm and dragged him toward the gray man. A hot brand was taken out and was pressed on the gray man's left arm. During the whole time the hot iron was on his skin he didn't move or make a sound. The iron was then taken back and reheated. When it was brought back, the foreman's helpers grabbed Randal and held him in place as they branded his right arm with the same mark. Randal screamed and tried to flinch away but the vampire guards held him in place. When they were done, Randal's face was wet with tears and sweat as he continued to sob. The gray man then took hold of Randal's shoulder and led him out of the arena. It was custom that when a slave was won in combat, the new master would feed off him soon after. The gray man didn't do that, instead he led Randal to his private cell and led him to the bed. Randal's heart began to beat wildly, instead of taking his blood, Randal feared that the gray man wanted his body. Randal shook as the gray man joined him on the bed and wrapped his arms around him but instead of undressing him, the gray man began to cry uncontrollably. "I didn't want to kill him.' The gray man sobbed. "I thought I could win without killing." It was not only the gray man's tears that confused Randal but it was also his words. Vampires sent to Exile were here because they were killers. Why was this vampire showing remorse for an act he must have done many times before. But as Randal was in the gray man's arms, he sensed that he was in the presence of an innocent. The gay man was not a cold killer but an unwilling one. Randal was indeed lucky to be where he was. ********************************************************* The fleet finally arrived at Antarctica. Helicopters began to move supplies and equipment needed to build the base camp. Not because he was cold but to help ease his children's fears, James was dressed head to toe in thick furs. Walking with me was Nathan and Landon smiling and making jokes as usual. "Hey dad, how large of a snowman do you think we can make with all this white stuff." Nathan laughed as he threw another snow ball at Landon. "Not too large, the weight of all the snow would cause it to collapse on itself." Landon said to punch a hole in his brother's idea. "Hey!" Nathan said offended. "Landon... be nice to your brother. We all know you are smarter then him, but you shouldn't show off." James laughed, zinging both his kids in one blow. "How are you feeling Dad?" Landon asked concerned. "I feel fine son so don't worry about me falling asleep on you." James said as he gave Landon a hug. "Yes!" Nathan cheered as he joined them. "Group hug!" "You two never change." James sighed. "Is that a bad thing?" Landon asked with worry in his eyes. "No, it's not. I just worry that since you two never change you won't be able to handle anything bad happening." "Nothing bad will happen. You always take care of us." "I know son." James replied. He just didn't have the heart to ask his kids what they would do without him. The fear that they had shown when he had gone into a deep sleep proved to James they were not ready for it. But When would they be able to take it, he didn't know. For while James felt more awake then he had in years, he could sense a change coming and this time he fear it would take him away from his family. "Gosh Landon, why do you have to be such a worry wart." Nathan complained. Between the brothers, Nathan had always been the more outgoing. Landon responded by sticking his tongue at his twin brother who was also his lover. "No," James thought. "These two would never change." They were stuck in an eternal childhood and for their sake James would do what he could to stay with them. ****************************************************** When Andrew arrived he saw signs that had to be writing but never learning how to read, he couldn't make sense of them. As soon as the plane had landed, Andrew and Ed were put in a car and driven to the five towered building that had the letter C-L-U-B in gold on the front entrance. Once in the main lobby, they were guided to the tallest of the five towers and taken to what Andrew believed had to be the top floor. Looking out the window lined corridor made Andrew dizzy from the height and Ed turned a shade of green. When they arrived at a pair of large oak doors, they were stopped and left to wait. After several minutes of fidgeting, Andrew and Ed jumped to a start when the large doors slowly opened. Out stepped a man with black hair and one with light blond. They walked holding each other's arms and Andrew could see they were in love with each other. "Hello, I'm Alex and this is my husband Ryan." The dark haired man said in making introductions. Andrew remained silent but Ed was able to squeak a soft hello. "It must be you Ryan." Alex laughed. "They must know you are a Vassar and are terrified of you." "Stop that." Ryan blushed from his husband's teasing. "I think most Wilders don't even know about my family." "A Vassar?" Andrew said not knowing the significance. "See I told you he has no idea." Ryan said showing Andrew's confusion as proof. "OK hon, you made your point." Alex apologized. "Welcome to our family." He said turning his attention back to the two young men. "Family?" Ed said confused, he had thought they were going to be slaves. "Yes, we decided to adopt Andrew here and as his boyfriend we decided to take you in as well." Ryan explained. "What's the catch?" Ed asked suspiciously. "Well... we want you two to be a good friend to one of our relatives. You can come out now Will." Andrew called out to the doors." Ed took on an ugly face suspecting that Alex wanted Andrew to be more then just a friend. Andrew for his part was nervous until he saw the young, gray skin man step out from behind the doors. At once Andrew felt an attraction as his heart began to flutter on seeing Will's exotic look. Will walked to them slowly as if bashful, his green eyes glowing faintly. "Hi... my name is Will Keller." He introduced himself in a quiet voice reaching his hand to both Andrew and Ed. Ed didn't make a motion to take the hand but that turned out not to matter. Andrew extended his hand, taking Will's grasping it firmly. Will's face took on a smile as both his and Andrew's eyes flared up brightly. Alex and Ryan looked on with grins on their faces. Everything was going as planed. *********************************************************** When Randal returned to the slave quarters he found that it was now half empty. Nearly all of the slaves were exhausted from the feeding their masters had done. Only one was awake and he was sobbing. Randal went over to the sobbing voice who as curled up in the corner of the room and saw that it was Louis. He had a black eye and his neck carried a large bruise where the vampire had bitten him. On seeing Randal, Louis wrapped his body around Randal's leg, clinging to him as he continued to cry. Seeing the caked blood on Louis's neck, Randal had to pry him off him so he could go to the bathroom and wet down one of the towels there. He then returned to Louis and began cleaning him up. "He hurt me Randal." Louis wept. "I know hon. It'll be ok." "No... I don't think it will." Louis said in disbelief. `He said I was ugly and when he wins a better slave, he will kill me." "He won't kill you. Why would he kill a cute guy like you?" "I don't know. That's just what he told me." "Well once he gets to know you I'm sure everything will be ok." "Alright... What did your master do to you? He was really scary." Louis asked as he began checking Randal's neck for bites." "He didn't bite me." Randal said when he noticed the surprise on Louis's face. "He didn't... then what did he do with you?" "He held me. He wanted someone to hold while he cried." "Vampires don't cry." Louis said in disbelief. "Well he did. He felt sorry for killing in the arena." "Sure..." Louis said in disbelief. "No really... I felt sorry for him." "Well you're really lucky that you got him then." Louis said not without a hint of jealousy. "Hey, how about I talk to my master and see if I can get him to fight for you. We can then be together. "Really?" Louis said with some hope. "Sure." Randal said to boost his friend's spirit. Just then, one of the guards entered the room and nodded at Randal. "Get your things, your master has decided to have you live with him." Randal gulped, slaves that lived with their master rarely got much sleep but he grabbed his things quickly and waved goodbye to Louis before he was led back to the vampire half of Exile. He could see red eyes follow him as he moved down the broad corridors. They had a predatory look that sent shivers up Randal's eyes but soon he was at his master's door, labeled with the same mark as the brand that still hurt Randal's arm. The guard pushed Randal to his knees and knocked on the door before leaving. Randal looked straight to the ground but he could feel shadow creeping on him. It was just as he was about to jump up and scream that the door opened. Randal jumped into the light room, right into his master's arms, escaping the vampires that had been slinking toward him. Randal cried against his master's chest as he was lead away from the now closed door and to the bed. "Are you alright?" His master asked once Randal had settled down. "Uh huh." Randal replied. He was still shaken but now he was starting to feel embarrassed in acting like a scared child but by the way his master would stroke his hair and cradle him it was hard not to feel like a kid again. "That's why I had you brought here. You're not safe among the vampires. I need to keep you where I can watch out for you." The way his master had referred to "vampires" Randal almost thought that his master did not count himself among them. But, when Randal looked into his master's eyes, the red glow erased any doubts on what his master had to be. "Why are they after me?" Randal asked confused. "They sense that you are special but I'm the only one who knows what you really are." "What am I?" "You are a Bride... a vampires bride. The moment I saw you I knew you had to be because... because I have lived with one." "That is what my father said just before... before the accident." "I didn't want to scare you on your first night but I need to feed. May I?" "Yes master." Randal replied as he leaned his neck to one side. "Don't call me that." The master demanded as he forced Randal to look into his eyes. "That is what I'm supposed to call you." "I'm not your master. I'm... I don't want you to call me that. Please call me Thomas." He pleaded. "Yes master Thomas." Randal returned afraid. "No... just Thomas. I want... I want you to be my friend and we can't do that if you think I'm your master." "Yes Thomas." Randal replied with the same tone as if he had said "master". Sensing for the moment that that was the best he could get at this junction, Thomas sighed before he began kissing Randal's neck, preparing him for feeding. Unlike with his uncle Scott, Thomas could now exercise his desire to express love before feeding. He licked and kissed the entire side of Randal's neck, making love to it. He then looked into Randal's eyes one more time, made a nod of his head, waited for Randal's response and then began to feed. Randal exhaled when he felt the teeth break his skin. This was nothing like when his old master and fed off him. Instead of gentleness focused on minimizing pain, Thomas fed to give mutual pleasure. Randal felt a warm hand slip under his shirt and twist his nipples as another unbuttoned his pants. He was soon lowered onto his back, Thomas's mouth never leaving his neck. Randal began to feel lightheaded as his blood flowed out of him. This dizziness only added to Randal's arousal, as his mind could not anticipate what Thomas was going to do next. When Thomas finished feeding, Randal was erect but close to passing out. It was then that Thomas did something Randal would of never have guessed. Thomas gave him the blood kiss. It started with a couple gentle kisses but then grew to a hard one that opened Randal's lips wide to the blood pouring from Thomas's mouth. Randal felt his strength return to the point where he grabbed the back of Thomas's head, making the kiss harder. Eventually the blood began to trickle and Thomas ended the kiss. Randal felt as if his body was on fire, causing him to squirm as Thomas held him. When Randal had settled down, Thomas let go of him and went out the door. He quickly came back with Randal's things and put them on the table to go through them. Randal lifted himself up on his elbow and tried to figure out what Thomas was looking for. It turned out to be a mirror. Thomas brought the mirror to Randal and handed it to him. "Look at yourself!" He said eagerly. Randal took the small hand mirror and brought it to his face. What he saw almost caused him to drop it. His once brown eyes were now a glowing blue. "What does this mean?" "It's what I told you. You're a bride. When a bride is given the blood kiss their eyes turn blue verses the vampire red." Thomas grinned as he sat behind Randal and drew him into a hug. "You mean I can't turn into a vampire?" Randal said in disbelief. "Nope." Thomas laughed. "I've been a fool then." Randal berated himself. "Why do you say that?" "Because all I ever want to be was a vampire... a master. Now I learn that I can't become one. I wouldn't be here if I had not foolishly perused that impossible goal. "It's ok hon." Thomas tried to comfort. "Want to tell me why you were sent here." "If you tell me why you were... you don't act like any vampire I know?" Thomas laughed at that comment and began the story of his unusual birth from an egg to his running away from home ending him here. Randal didn't believe half the stuff Thomas told him especially the parts about the egg and him being raised as a member of the ruling Morgan family. But once Thomas was done, Randal didn't ask any questions. He went right into telling his own tale. He told about living in a vampire household, that his father had a privilege position of being the master's favorite. He told Thomas of his dream of becoming a vampire and the night he had let his ambition take over his good judgment, leading him to be sentence to Exile. By this time, Randal lay underneath the large frame of Thomas, as Thomas listened to him. For the first time since he learned of his sentence, Randal felt safe. Thomas would protect him from the predators. All Randal had to do was love Thomas in return. He was half way there. ****************************************************** Another person falling into love but more troubled by it was Andrew. Will was a fun person to be around. While Andrew expected Will to be the expert in living in the City, he learned that Will had really been raised in a cabin, not too different from the way he had been raised. Together, with an unhappy Ed, they explored what the city had to offer. They spent the first weeks restricted to the Club as Alex and Ryan taught them about acceptable behavior, money, and technology. It was Ed who had the hardest problem with money, as he felt nothing wrong of taking anything that fancied his interests. Ed had a lot of problems. He didn't like covering himself up with cloths. He became frustrated with all the eating utensils at the formal dinners they would take them to. He didn't like the restricted space in living in rooms, regardless how large they were. He didn't like "no entry" signs, "stop" signs, and crosswalks. He hated the rules but what he hated most was Andrew's obvious affection for Will. Unless Ed insisted on it, Andrew would always want Will with them. The two could just look at each other and burst into laughter, an inside joke that Ed could not be a part of because he was not a telepath. Alex and Chance could see that Ed was unhappy and they tried to help him feel apart but since they too were telepaths Ed rejected their attempts, not wanting to be pitied by the enemy. The last straw was when Ed woke from a nap and found Andrew laying on the sofa by Will, while Will ran his finger through Andrews long blond hair. "Get away from him you freak!" Ed stormed into the room, pulling Andrew off the sofa. Will looked shocked, almost hurt but Andrew became angry and pushed Ed away. "He's not a freak!" Andrew shouted at his old friend. "He's special!" "Look at him Andrew! I know that you too, are a telepath, but look at his eyes and skin... that's just not normal!" Ed returned. Will, now crying jumped off the sofa and run to his room slamming the door. "That's right, run away you freak!" Slap! Andrew hit Ed. "He may look different but that does not make him bad. You and I should know how it feels to be different. I had to hide my gift for years and we both had to conceal how we felt about each other." "Gift! Now you're talking like them. Telepathy is not a gift, it's a disease, a disease that has led to our slavery." Andrew became very sad in hearing those words from his lover. He lowered his head before speaking. "I'm sorry you feel that way and I'm sorry if you feel I'm spending too much time with Will but he's the first telepath I've had the chance to get to know. He's gotten me to see being a telepath as a good thing, something I should not hide. If you can't accept that... I don't know what I'll do. Now if you will excuse me, I need to apologize to Will for your behavior." And with that, Andrew left for Will's room where sobbing could still be heard. Ed stood stunned, not sure if he should follow and try to apologize but deep in his heart he felt he was right and so went back to his room to brood. ********************************************************** Nathan and Landon were on a mission. They were finally going to get dad after many centuries of failed attempts. This time they were going to succeed for this time they had Jason on their side. The plan was for Jason to feed off James, leaving him tired and weak. Jason would then tie James up before coming to get them. The two twins could barley hold back their giggles when the door finally opened. "You can come in now." Jason whispered. Using their hands to muffle their laughter the twins entered the dark room. They could see the outline of their dad on the bed and the glint of chains. They were just about to pounce on their dad when all of the sudden they were pressed down on to the bed, chains wrapping around them. When the light turned on, Jason and James were hovering above them as Chance, Jason's First, pulled the covers from over his head, "Hey... you tricked us!" Nathan shouted, turning his anger on Jason. "No you fooled yourselves in thinking I would help you seduce your dad." Jason corrected. "Dad!" Landon pleaded with puppy eyes. "Oh no, you are not going to get out of this." James grinned. "Why do you two keep on trying to get me in bed?" "Because dad we've gotten everyone else in the family." Landon explained. "But why have the two of you perused your family members." "Ummm." Both brothers stumbled. "Is it because ya'll still feel guilty about being both brother's and husbands?" James asked knowing. "Hey you read our minds!" Nathan said, feeling violated. "I did not; I just know the two of you too well. Now tell me why you both feel guilty after so many years." "We don't feel guilty... It's just... It's just that we know each other so well." Nathan struggled to explain. "Go on." James encouraged. "There is nothing that we don't know about each other. We can't surprise each other any more. I guess you can say our goofing off has just been a sad attempt to keep the excitement alive." "Ok... but why do you go after other family members?" "I guess because it gives us the good of both worlds. We feel close to them as they are family members but since they are not our twins, they are not as predictable as we find each other." "Are you telling me that the two comedians of the family are bored?" Jason laughed in disbelief. James saw the sad expressions on his sons and gave Jason glare that cut off his laughter. He let go of he chains that held his sons down and lifted them up, one in each arm. The twins continued to cry as they kissed their father's neck as James returned them to the bed, him on top of them. He let them unbutton his shirt and take it off. They then sucked on his nipples as if they were babes. It was only when Nathan tried to take his father's pants off that James stopped them. After being stopped that one time they didn't try it again, contenting themselves to their father's upper body. That is how they fell asleep, happy that they had finally had the chance to be with their dad. James stayed with them for several minutes until he was sure they were truly asleep. He then untangled himself from them and watched as the twins embraced each other in their sleep. He picked up his shirt from the floor and pointed the door to Jason who had watched everything that had happened. "Jason... it looks like we need to find them a boyfriend." "Do you think they'll accept one?" "If we can find the right person I think so. They still need each other but... they need someone to look out for them also." "James... what is wrong. You are talking like we won't be here or them." "That is what I'm afraid of." James replied. "Are you feeling sleepy again?" "No... but I sense change coming." "Alright... do you have any names in mind?' Jason said willing to play this through. "Yes... I want you to give them Chance." "My First!" "Yes... Chance loves the twins, they have similar senses of humor, and he almost family but not." "Yes... but something tells me you are suggesting Chance for another reason." "Yes... if anything happens to us... Chance will still have someone to be with." "James... you really are starting to worry me." "I'm sorry Jason but I just can't get rid of this feeling that something bad is about to happen that will take us away from our family." James had these premonitions before. He had predicted the rise of the drones and Saul's capture. If James felt something bad was bout to happen, Jason had to take it seriously. He hugged his husband to comfort him. Regardless of what was to come, Jason was not going to let James leave without him.