by Nadia Heaton
“You stomp around on your high horse like you’re better than the rest of us,” he started again, “But you’re exactly the same. You’re a monster and yet, people love you and hate the rest of us. What makes you so special?”
“Nothing,” Cedric replied, Jericho finally stepping from the treeline.
“What?”
“Yes, nothing. You carry this weight on your shoulders that you have to be a bad man because you’re labelled a monster. You were raised to believe creatures of the night must be terrible because of what you’ve seen on your television set coming up as a child,” Cedric replied, gearing for a fight. He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt cracking his neck from left to right; three loud clicks rung out.
“I don’t understand how you can have such a lax attitude towards this whole thing. We are monsters, we hurt people to get their blood and to fuel ourselves,” Jericho replied.
“No, you do. I only take from those that are willing to give and if not I will happily go hungry,” Cedric replied, “But that’s the problem with youth among our kind. You don’t understand hardship because we live in a terrible society.”
In a clearing stand’s a fighter and a boxer by his trade.
Cedric didn’t know why those lyrics came to mind now. Perhaps it was the imagery that the old Simon and Garfunkel tune brought him, now standing in a clearing of his own preparing for another fight.
Don’t get distracted, Cedric reminded himself.
“No one teaches you how to do this shit though,” Jericho returned.
“Have you ever asked anyone to teach you? Or have you always felt like a lone wolf?”
“I guess I’ve always felt like a lone wolf,” he chuckled.
“That’s where your problem lies, Jericho. You don’t think beyond yourself and you don’t want to believe that things can be better if you ask for help, rather than bringing in children that will do anything for a taste of power. How many have you turned in your life?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Answer the question,” Cedric insisted.
“I don’t know, don’t keep count. Something like twenty or thirty people?”
“Do you know how many people I’ve turned in my life?”
“How many?”
“Two,” Cedric replied, “I’m half a millennium old and only two people have ever been deemed worthy to become vampires. You’re what? In your twentieth year of being a vampire and have thirty under your belt?”
Cedric paused, realizing that this was turning from a battle of fists to a battle of words.
“Do you see the difference?”
“Yes.” Jericho walked closer.
Cedric let him come near. He showed no signs of fight in him, even as Cedric looked on at him walking, he could see that the strong façade he carried was gone. He was coming to Cedric man to man. Maybe to learn, maybe because he knew if Cedric laid into him there would be no way that he could take him on and he would just have to accept a beating which was in no one’s best interests.
“But no one cares about the new bloods as you call them. Anyone older wants power, anyone younger doesn’t know anything. We’re wayward,” Jericho added.
“You’re wrong but that’s the problem with this entire generation. You feel lost because fifty years ago your parents could by a house and support a home with a single job. That carries over into our vampire societies too, for some strange reason. You think we had it easier, but we had it so much worse than you could ever know. We laid a groundwork for the future, and those who were brought into it collapsed what we worked for. You say I’m on my high horse? How about you stop feeling so entitled to everything because you became a vampire, and you learn humility?”
Jericho fell down on his ass, looking up at Cedric. “Will you be the one?”
“The one for what?” Cedric ran a hand down his face, feeling the rough, caking blood splattered over his face.
“The one to teach me?”
“All you had to do was ask,” Cedric replied.
“Go back and enjoy your evening,” Jericho said, defeated where he sat.
Cedric nodded and turned away, walking back in the direction that he came from.
“Oh, and Cedric,” Jericho interrupted.
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
6
Marianne
Against Marianne’s better judgement – which she was learning to realize was a prominent issue in her life – she chased after Cedric as he ran out into the night. She ran fast, but even with the adrenaline that pumped through her veins couldn’t nearly match the speeds that the vampire could attain.
Still, she somehow managed to come up onto Cedric as he met with Jericho in the clearing. She didn’t catch the whole conversation, wondering if it was going to turn into a fight somewhere along the line, and yet as she listened on she learned that maybe Cedric was just a good man, not putting on a show to impress her. He had everyone’s best interests at heart, he just suffered a beating that would have killed any normal man, took it in his stride and now was willing to offer an olive branch to he who orchestrated it all.
A pool of emotion swirled inside of her as she watched on. He was her saviour; he was a gentleman, he was happy to let bygones be bygones so long as there was change in those he let go.
Cedric King was everything that she wanted in a man and more. He still had that vampire element in him, which was what she was after. A romantically charged supernatural life that was filled with excitement and adventure.
When Cedric stepped away and she was sure that their conversation was over, she stepped out of the clearing, eyes fixed on Jericho who picked himself up from the ground and walked off in an opposite direction.
“You got here fast,” Cedric said.
“You know, need to get that late night run in sometimes,” Marianne replied.
“Sorry about that,” Cedric replied. “I wish you didn’t have to see it.”
“Don’t apologize, you didn’t do anything wrong. Hell, I was expecting to watch you whip his ass, not let him off and take him under your wing.” She chuckled.
“That’s what I do, though, and it’s something you’ll learn about me if you choose to stick around. My family is comprised of many wayward children that have no place in this world and will die on their own. I do anything and everything in my power to give them a chance at life beyond that which they know,” Cedric replied.
Marianne huffed. Each and every word that came out of this man’s mouth led her closer and closer to falling in love with him in that very second. He was perfect in every way.
“You’re too good for this world, Cedric King.”
“Not at all, I just understand the value of making it a better place,” he extended a hand, and she took it.
They walked on back to where Cedric’s jacket and Marianne’s bag and shoes were left in near complete silence apart from the crunch and splash of the damp grass beneath their feet.
Under the moonlit sky, she could see his face was covered in blood from the altercation between the three men.
“You’re hurt,” she said, gently stroking his face.
“Not at all, the wounds are already healed, this is just the residual that hasn’t come off yet,” Cedric replied.
“Yeah, that makes sense,” she replied, gesturing that he sit and Cedric followed. Marianne fell back onto his lap, pulling her bag up from where it lay and ruffling inside to bring out a small pack of baby wipes. She peeling the packet back, bringing out one and slowly started to wipe it over his face to take off the caked blood.
Cedric just looked on at her as she did so, slowly peeling back the layers that covered his face. She wondered what was running through his mind at that moment but said nothing to keep these precious seconds special. When she was finished, she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek before pulling off of his lap. Before she could go completely, he brought her back down and gave her another kiss there benea
th the stars, knowing that they would be leaving after.
He rested his hands on the small of her back again, holding her there in a softer, more loving embrace than the more passionate they experienced earlier that night. Like two lovers that shared those special, unique moments that could only be solidified with a kiss. When it was over, Marianne rested her forehead against his; staying there a moment and both just took one another in. Their hands raced up and down one another’s bodies, feeling each muscle, or curve, just comfortable to be there.
“I know you said you only feed when you have permission,” Marianne said suddenly, “And you lost a lot of blood. If you need anything, use me.”
Cedric chuckled at the comment, “I’m happy to know that you’d be willing to give me your blood, but that’s not for the open central park for all to see.”
She nodded her head, pulling herself off of him and he pulled himself up from the ground.
“Then I guess we should be heading back home so that you can… feed,” she wasn’t sure if the night was ruined now or if she was stepping over a boundary by trying to add any kind of flirtation in, but she also knew that this was the best way for her to find out.
“Well, don’t mind if I do,” Cedric replied, sliding a hand around Marianne’s waist, taking a cheeky squeeze of her ass.
“Naughty boy,” she said in feigned disbelief to what he did. “Weren’t you just lecturing a young man about that?”
“Oh yes, but I’m the kind of do as I say not as I do leader.” Cedric laughed.
They were still on track. Not even a beating would stop him from wanting her that night.
7
Marianne
Cedric and Marianne walked arm in arm or hand in hand out of Central Park, hailing a cab to take them back to her place when it was all done. They spoke of sweet nothings and basked in one another’s company as they went from the park down the many avenues back to her home.
This was the first time in a very long while Marianne felt so comfortable with a man. Not since Charlie did she believe that anyone could love her or want to be with her in this capacity. Charlie was a good man, once; she told herself but knew deep down that this was a lie too. He was terrible for her and would never be able to amount to someone like Cedric.
Still, he made her feel special in those moments that they were together.
The cabbie played good music as they drove a few of the classic rock hits that would put the cherry on top of their drive. The night was precious, even with this outsider interrupting it slightly.
“You two from out of town or residents of the city?” he asked.
“Residents,” Marianne replied.
“Nice, you guys make a really good couple.” What a strange comment, she thought, but indulged the cabbie knowing that he must have been so bored. It was nearly 02:00 AM now, and he’d probably started a shift somewhere around ten. A little bit of company from the strangers that he drove had to be the highlight of his evening.
“Thank you,” she replied.
“Is that a picture of your wife?” Cedric asked, gesturing towards the picture of a thirty-something-year-old woman on his dashboard.
“Yes, sir,” the cabby replied, looking back at Cedric through his rearview mirror, “the love of my life. We used to hang out and laugh like you two do now. But you know, life happens and sometimes things get tough.”
Marianne hoped that this wouldn’t into another dampener of a story that may potentially ruin their night further. Why would he even bring up things being tough when he saw them so happy?
“But I don’t want to get into those details, it’s not really one for tonight,” he smiled, fixing his eyes back onto the road, taking the last turn onto Marianne’s street.
“Things will get better for you, I promise.” Cedric extended a hand and rubbed the man’s shoulder. “All bad things come to an end and all good will prevail.”
“You got that right, boss. You can only have bad for so long before something sweet knocks on your door,” the cabbie replied, smiling back through the rear view.
Yet another moment of purity from Cedric, she thought. How was this man so chipper in every waking moment? It didn’t make sense to her that he could be. Sure enough, he lived a long life and must have gone through highs and lows, but he was willing to give words of inspiration to anyone and everyone that came in his path.
The longer she considered it the more she realized that this man was unlike any she could have hoped to meet. Each and every second she spent with him gave her new meaning to be a better person, to pursue any dreams she may have had no matter how difficult they would end up making her life.
It was all just so beautiful.
“Are you sure this is the right address?” the cabbie asked, breaking her from her thoughts as he pulled up to the book store.
“Yes.” She laughed.
“It’s a bookstore,” he replied.
“There’s a one bedroom apartment above it,” she replied, and the cabbie nodded.
“Makes sense, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this before though. Sorry if I came off a little rude,” she could hear genuine remorse in his voice.
“Don’t be sorry, friend.” Cedric cut in. “How much do we owe you?”
“Twenty dollars and forty-eight cents. Call it twenty and we’re square,” he replied.
“How about we call it two fifty and you promise to take your lady out for a night on the town tomorrow?”
“What?” The cabbie nearly jumped in his seat.
“Like I said, everything gets better,” Cedric replied, pulling his wallet out and handing over two crisp hundred dollar bills to the cabbie.
“Thank you so much, sir,” the man replied, looking over his shoulder to Cedric. Cedric in turn, just tipped his head to the driver and hopped out of the car, walking around to open the door for Marianne.
“You have a wonderful night now, Martin,” he said, catching the cab drivers name on the front of his shirt.
“And you two also,” he said, clearing the meter and waiting for the door to close before driving off again.
“That was really sweet,” Marianne said, as both looked on at the cab driving off.
“Sometimes a little bit of kindness can change a man’s life completely.”
“You’ve been doing that a lot tonight.” She wrapped her arm around his waist.
“Maybe it’s all just a set up to make you think I’m something special.” Cedric laughed.
“Well, it’s damn well worki—”
“Marianne,” she recognized the voice instantly as it called her name. Charlie cut in from behind.
Not tonight, she thought, nerves gripping her to the core.
8
Cedric
“Charlie, what are you doing here?” Marianne asked the man who called her name. He looked this Charlie over; once, twice and then a third. He was a thin man, gangly in proportions with a stylistic messy haircut, sunglasses wrapped around his V-neck shirt, scruffy stubble that again – he probably intended for and an outfit that must have come straight from a J-Crew catalogue.
“I wanted to come to see you. I want to know if it’s mine,” Charlie replied, his hands extending out towards Marianne, who ignored his advances.
“If what’s yours?”
“The baby?” he replied, attention finally breaking from Marianne and turning to Cedric.
“Who the hell are you? She’s not into just fucking random strangers pal, you best get on your way,” Charlie said.
“Marianne, is this a bad time?”
“No, Cedric. This is just a minor inconvenience.” Marianne shrugged her shoulders.
Cedric knew what he had to do. He could feel the rumbles from Marianne, she was panicked, she was uncomfortable and she didn’t want this man here. Whatever he was saying about a baby didn’t concern Cedric, because he knew that there was no life within Marianne’s belly.
Cedric stepped forward, half in front of Marianne, bloc
king Charlie from her view direct line of contact. She stepped back behind him and he knew that she wanted him to get involved. A little smile tugged at the corner of his lips, which Charlie immediately picked up on with his eyes locked to it.
“I do believe that you should leave now, Charlie. It would be in your best interests not to bother Marianne again,” Cedric said.
“And who are you exactly?” rage was growing more evident with every second that Cedric blocked Charlie’s direct channel to Marianne, but he didn’t care all that much.
“I don’t think that has very much to do with you,” Cedric returned.
“Well, she might have my kid in her so I’d like to know. I want to be there for it,” Charlie said. He looked Cedric over once, twice and then a third just as the vampire had him a moment before.
“I’m a changed man, baby,” Charlie tried getting Marianne’s attention again. “I promise.”
“People don’t change, my friend.”
“I’m not your friend, pal,” Charlie said, his intentions set back on Cedric.
“There’s no kid, Charlie, I just don’t want you rocking up at my door anymore. I’ve moved on from this whole world. I’m with Cedric now and we’re happy. I just knew that you wouldn’t be able to let that go,” Marianne finally chimed in, stepping further behind Cedric.
In the pale light of the streetlamp that hung above their heads, Charlie’s rage reached an unnerving point. He wanted to scream out, he wanted to swing out and if given the opportunity he probably would have wanted Cedric dead.
Cedric couldn’t tell if it was because Charlie was upset about her fib regarding the child or if it was because he realized he’d lost here.
“This prick isn’t right for you. Look at him, he’s prim and proper. Those are the ones that really have the darkest secrets. Isn’t that right?” In some vain attempt at getting Marianne to think further than Cedric just being the charming gentleman, Charlie shouted out whatever he could to try and claim a win.
“Don’t come running back to me when he breaks your heart,” Charlie said again, looking at Cedric before him.
