| Chapter 1 The thunder boomed and Brian winced, gripping the steering wheel a little harder. Successively turning his knuckles white. He squinted through the windshield, trying to see the road through the pouring rain. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all," he muttered to himself, as a bolt of lightening flashed across the sky and the car shook with the thunder that followed. It started out as a good idea. His flight forced to land miles from his destination because of the weather, he decided to rent a car and drive the rest of the way. It was only about sixty miles, and surely he could make it in less time than it would take for the weather to clear and another flight to take him. Now sitting in the car, barely able to see past the hood, the idea sucked. He should have just waited. If he did, he would be sitting in the airport right now, instead of in the middle of the worst storm he'd ever seen. "When I make it in, I'm gonna kill Kevin," he muttered, "This is all his fault anyway. What ever possessed him to commit us all to this promotional tour I'll never know." Brian bit his lip, concentrating on trying to see the road in front of him. This was not how he wanted to start out a month long promotional tour, but here he was. He shook his head, hearing Kevin's words, �......... the last album wasn't promoted enough. We need to do this, really hype up the album before it hits the stores and we go on tour. This is our careers guys, and we gotta work on it. We aren't getting any younger.' Brian smiled remembering A.J.'s remark that Kevin wasn't getting any younger, but the rest of them were fine. That sent Kevin into a �respect your elders' speech that lasted another thirty minutes. It was worth it though, just to get under Kevin's skin. Brian laughed, "I swear cuz, I love you, but sometimes I'd like to kick your ass," another flash of lightening streaked across the sky, "Like now." Brian made it into a small town, happy to see the city was only about twenty miles away. The town seemed deserted. No cars on the streets, no lights in the buildings. Of course if the storm knocked out the power, that would explain it. Brian jumped, slamming on his brakes, as a bolt of lightening hit the street in front of him. He blinked his eyes, trying to regain his vision. All he could see was a white streak for a few moments. "Ok, that was way to close," he said, rubbing his face. He looked out the windows of the car, trying to see if there was somewhere he could park and wait the storm out. He saw a parking lot up ahead and pressed on the gas. The car jerked and sputtered, the dashboard lights dimming. "Oh no, come on," he urged, "Just a little further." The car limped into the almost full parking lot, dying as Brian pulled it into a parking space. "Well, ain't this just great," he said, leaning back in the seat. He could faintly hear the sound of music, and turned to look at the large building the parking lot was obviously for. He could barely make out the sign through the rain. "The Dive. Must be a club," he mused. He grabbed his cell phone from the passengers seat, seeing it still had no signal. Dropping it back down in the seat, he shoved the keys into his pocket and pulled a jacket from his bag in the back seat. He held the jacket over his head and quickly got out, running to the entrance of the club. The jacket did little to keep the rain off him. He was soaking wet when he pulled the door open and walked inside. Brian shook out his jacket and hung it on the rack that was next to the door. He ran his fingers through his wet hair, and pulled the soaked material of his shirt away from his body. He stepped from the entryway into the club itself. The place was well lit for a night club. He could see the entire room. The place was packed. People sitting at tables and at the large bar. More where on the dance floor. The music was similar to the European trance music he'd heard. If you let it, it would literally put you into a trance like state. At least it did him, and he made a mental note to ignore it. "Can I help you?" a voice said next to him. Brian jumped, looking over. A very tall, muscle bound man stood before him. Obviously a bouncer. "Um, do you have a phone I could use? My car dyed out there, and I need to call someone to come get me," Brian answered, still wondering how a man of that size walked up to him without him noticing. Damn music. The man studied him for a moment, "This is a private club. You aren't allowed in, unless you are a member." "I won't stay, I just need to use the phone and then I'll leave," Brian said. The man gave him one more look, "Stay here," he said, walking into the club. Brian rubbed his arms, trying to ward away the chills. He was pretty sure he looked like a drenched rat. Even his jeans were soaked. He watched as the man approached a table in the back. A young woman sat there with several men. Brian guessed her to be around his age, very petite, with long black hair, pale skin and piercing blue eyes. Even from across the room, he couldn't miss them. The large man whispered into her ear, and her eyes turned to Brian. He nodded, feeling a little odd when she looked at him. It was like she saw through him. She said something to the man, and he made his way back to Brian. "The mistress will allow you in," he said, "Follow me, and I'll show you to the phone." "Thanks," Brian said, following the man through the club to the back. Brian took in the club as he walked through it. This was no ordinary club. All the furnishings were the finest he'd ever seen. Even in the swankiest hotel suites he hadn't seen this nice of stuff. The bar was stocked with every luxury anyone would want. He thought this was kind of odd, considering the rest of the town, where all the buildings looked to be at least thirty years old and everything looked abandoned. The man stopped ahead of him, opening a door, "Here you are Brian," he said, gesturing for him to go in. Brian stared at him, "You know who I am?" The man smiled, "Doesn't everyone?" Brian chuckled, "I guess so. I won't be long," he said walking into the room. The man shut the door, going back into the club "That's what you think." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian walked into the room, looking around. If he didn't know any better, he'd swear he was standing in a fourteenth century parlor. Heavy tapestries hung on the walls, several small couches where arranged in the room, along with large pillows on the floor. He walked through the room, not seeing a phone. Suddenly chills weren't the only reason he had goose bumps. Fear seized him as he looked the room over again, and again not finding a phone. He took a deep breath, "Ok Bri, just calm down. Maybe he led you into the wrong room? Or maybe he knew who you were cause he's going to kidnap you?" he shook his head, "Don't think like that. Ok, just walk out and leave. I'll walk the rest of the way into the city if I have to, but this place is creeping me out." He turned toward the door, when it opened. The young woman came in carrying a large towel. "Hello Brian," she said, walking toward him, "You looked like you could use this," she said, offering him the towel. He took it, running it over his wet hair and down his arms, "Thanks. Um I think that guy put me in the wrong room. I can't seem to find the phone." The woman smiled, "So he has. Josiah tends to get the rooms mixed up on occasion." Brian's nerves calmed a bit, as he wrapped the towel around his shoulders, "You have a nice place here." "Thank you," she said. "Um, do you have a name?" he asked, a little embarrassed. But after all, it wasn't fair that everyone knew who he was, and he didn't know anyone. She held her hand out, "Raven." "Raven? That's an interesting name," he said, taking her hand. Her fingers wrapped around his as she smiled. Brian found himself lost in her eyes. They had a haunting feature about them, almost like he'd seen them before. She stepped closer to him, touching the side of his face, "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time." The hair on the back of Brian's neck stood on end, and everything in him was telling him to leave, but he couldn't move. It was like he was captured by her eyes, and helpless to look away. "Wh-what moment would that be exactly?" he asked. Raven moved closer, their lips just inches apart, "The moment you came back to me," she whispered. Brian's eyes widened as she leaned in and kissed his lips. It took everything in him to push her away and step back. "Listen, I don't know who you think I am, but you're mistaken. I've never met you in my life, and I'll um just be going now," he said, heading for the door. As he walked past her, she reached out and caught his wrist, stopping him. Brian tried to pull free, but he couldn't. He stared at her. A woman that small should not be able to hold him, but she was. Raven took a deep breath, smoothing the red satin of her dress while Brian tried to pry his wrist from her other hand. She let him struggle for a moment before looking back up, "Are you finished now?" Brian stopped pulling and glared at her, "Let me go." She shook her head, "Sorry, can't do that." Brian yanked his arm with all the strength he had, and only ended up hurting his shoulder. Raven stood there watching him, amused. Fear flooded through Brian as he realized he wasn't getting lose from her grip. "What are you?" he asked. She moved closer to him, snaking her hand around the back of his neck, "I'm your destiny," she answered. Brian shook his head, trying to back away from her, but she held him in place. "Why are you afraid of me, lover," she whispered, pulling him closer to her. Brian's entire body was trembling now, as he felt his feet moving towards her. "I-I'm not your lover," he said, doing his best not to look into her eyes. She let go of his wrist and grabbed his face, making him look at her, "Oh but you were once, and now you will be again." Brian watched in horror as Raven smiled, revealing a set of fangs. She seemed amused by his reaction. Taking her index finger and raking away the tear that escaped his eye. She moved his head to the side and stepped closer. "No ... please," he begged, unable to do anything else. She held him in place and stared at him for a moment before she pulled him to her, sinking her fangs into the side of his neck. Brian cringed in pain, as the tears flowed freely down his cheeks, "Oh God," he muttered. Raven laughed, pulling her fangs from his flesh long enough to look at him, "God can't help you now." Brian whimpered as she returned to his neck. The pain was unbearable. He closed his eyes, praying to God that this was some nightmare. That he'd wake up in the airport, realizing this was all some horrific dream. He felt himself growing weak, barely able to stay standing. The towel that was around his shoulders fell to the floor as Raven pulled him even closer, holding him so tight he could barely breathe. He moaned as his knees gave out and he slumped into her arms. Raven turned and eased him down onto the couch they were standing in front of. He sank into the cushions, fighting to keep his eyes open. He was so weak, all he wanted to do was close his eyes and sleep. Raven seemed to hover over him, his blood staining her lips. "Why do you fight this?" she asked, "It's no use." "Please let me go," he begged, trying to get up, but he couldn't. He could barely move his arms, let alone get to his feet. Raven caressed his cheek, "It's to late for that," she said with an evil smile. Tears pricked his eyes as he watched her bite her own wrist. She pulled his head up, holding her wrist to his mouth. Brian pressed his lips together as tight as he could as her blood dripped down onto them. Raven stared deep into his eyes, "Drink," she commanded. Before he knew what was happening, his mouth was open and he could taste her blood on his tongue. When he realized this, he tried to spit it out, but she clamped her hand over his mouth, holding it shut. "Swallow," she said, becoming annoyed. Brian shook his head, but he could already feel the blood in the back of his throat. Raven forced his head back with so much force, Brian was sure she had just broken his neck, "Swallow!" Time escaped him. The next thing he knew, he was laying on his side, coughing. Raven was sitting on the couch opposite him, a satisfied grin on her face. Brian shuttered, seeing her fangs. They were still crimson from his blood. He moved his hand to his neck, pulling his fingers back, seeing the droplets of blood on them. His hand was shaking, as was his entire body. He was so weak, but he didn't want to go to sleep. Not with Raven sitting just feet away. She shook her head, moving to the floor next to him. Brian noticed that she seemed to glide over, not really walking. She touched his hand, and he pulled it away. "You can't fight me forever Brian," she stated. "Get away from me," he said, his voice small. She laughed, trailing her finger down his tear stained cheek, "Sleep now," she whispered. Brian felt his eyes closing, and fought to open them again. She leaned down and gently kissed his lips, then got up and left the room. Brian fought for a few more minutes, but in the end he couldn't keep his eyes open. This had to be a dream, and when he woke up, everything would be fine. He'd be in the airport, and he'd be fine. As his eyes closed he held on to that hope, letting the darkness take him. Chapter 2 |