The Midnight Within

Chapter 34

Tired, sweaty and ready to call it a night, Zakk dropped down onto a black velvet couch as the first strains of " Living Dead Girl " pounded out of the speaker above his head. They had been on the dance floor for almost an hour and his legs and feet were killing him.

" Come on, Zakky! " Daniel said breathlessly as he left the dance floor. " Come dance with me. " He gave Zakk an adorable pout as he grabbed his hand, trying to pull him up off the couch.

" I have to pee. " Zakk shouted without getting up. He had just finished his last free beer bought by some yuppie they had lost as soon as they had beer in hand. He was actually looking forward to heading back to the farm, but Daniel looked like he was still having a good time and he didn't want to ruin it.

" Do you want to go to Bens? " Daniels hair was wet with sweat, his midnight eyes almost glowing as he helped Zakk get up.

" Can we get into Bens? " Zakk doubted it since they started carding people a while back and they had already been to two clubs and it had to be well past midnight. Setting his empty bottle down he left Daniel standing at the railing.

Feeling pretty drunk, Daniel leaned against the railing, watching the dancing people below him. He needed to hit the bathroom himself, but wanted to see if he could score them a few more drinks first. It always been a game to them, scoring drinks from strangers and who knew when he would get to do it again.

" Need another drink? "

Daniel held up his almost empty beer, keeping his gaze on the crowd below. " Do I look like I need another one? " He knew if he came off too cocky or eager the man might get spooked and move on.

" You look like you don't belong here. "

That caught his attention and he glanced sideways, ready to tell the guy to piss off and was suddenly at a loss for words. Something in the man's eyes pulled at him and he found himself ridiculously horny. " Are you buying? "

" If you're thirsty, then yes. " Black silky smile turned up at the edges, the barest hint of white fang points showing.

Daniel was caught off guard, blinking at the stranger who looked only a few years older than he did, but it was really hard to tell in the darkness of the club. " I'm waiting for my friend. Nice fangs by the way. Are they porcelain? "

" Want to find out? " Teasing him, Black walked to the stairs, moving with the languid grace of a large cat he disappeared down the metal stairs and out of sight. Downing the swill at the bottom of his beer, Daniel quickly followed him. There was no way he was going to let this guy go without at least getting his name and where he had gotten his finger armor.

Black didn't need to look back to know that Daniel was hot on his trail. It really was too easy as he made his way down a dimly lit hallway towards the back exit. Outside it was cold damp and deserted. He lit up a smoke as he waited, taking only a few drags before the door opened and Daniel stuck his head out. He looked almost sheepish as he stepped out into the cold.

" That didn't take long. " Black leaned against the brick wall.

" I always smoke out here."

" What do you smoke? " Black held out his joint with a grin. "

" Whatever I can. " Daniel took the offered joint, sucking in the fragrant smoke. He wanted to say something cool and found himself unable to speak. Whoever this guy was he sure as hell was not from here.

" So you like to party ? " Black grinned as he took the joint back.

" Doesn't everybody? " He suddenly wanted to crawl under a rock. Why was he being so dorky, this wasn't his first rodeo. He knew how the game was played. " You know you remind me of someone, are you in a band. "

Black had to chuckle, it was the oldest line in the world and actually true. He had fronted multiple bands, always dying when people got started asking too many questions. It was a steady supply of food and everyone either wanted to be him, or wanted to fuck him. It had been the perfect cover. " Maybe, it was a long time ago. " Black grinned. It was the best time to be anything but mortal. Everyone in the club was a freak and you could walk through a room without someone looking twice at you. Maybe that was why he loved to hunt the dark little bars and clubs of big cities, it reminded him of his rock-star days.

" That's so cool. So you're not from around here then. " He was definitely feeling like an idiot but the guy was grinning at him so it must not have sounded so bad.

" We don't call one place home. Like gypsies we are always on the move. " Black closed the distance between himself and Daniel, his eyes on the boys throat as he talked.

" So your not sticking around? " Suddenly Daniel was interested in where they might be going after they left Minnesota. He liked the idea of hitting the road, not knowing where he might end up.

" It depends... " In one swift move he had Daniel by the hair, shoving him against the wall as his face transformed from human to vampire. His sharp fangs seemed impossibly white in the darkness. ".... on if I don't kill you. " His face was inches from Daniels, he could see the blood rushing in his face, smelled his fear and loved it. " Funny, I came to take your life but messing with your friends is just too much fun. They can't hear the song of the night they way you can. Can't savor the suffering of others the way you can. " He didn't give Daniel a chance to even speak, he sank his fangs deep into the boys throat, drawing out a mixed gasp of surprised lust and pain from his open mouth. It wasn't what Jack wanted but when had he ever done anything that Jack wanted? He had his own agenda and it didn't involve good old Jack.