Thread: To Defend And Protect (Master Raven & 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 manjust 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 pocketa 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.