RockMySenses

by Lisa Carlisle

  “The final straw was when he grabbed my breasts. I spun around and slapped him, which had the opposite effect from what I hoped. He grabbed me, stuck his tongue down my throat and his hand up my skirt.”

  “Holy shit! I’m going to kill him!”

  “I think Mike already did a pretty good job with that.”

  “Yeah, I heard he kind of went nuts on the guy.”

  “He did.” When I thought about what he’d done, yes, I had to admit it was crazy, but I was touched. Okay, more than a little touched. He was a friggin’ rock star with tons of fans there to see him and he abandoned all that to come to my aid. He leaped into the crowd to do so.

  “I’m so sorry I wasn’t up there with you,” Lily said.

  “That’s okay. I know you’re more comfortable away from the crowd.”

  “This just sucks,” she announced. “Can I get you anything?”

  “I could use a drink.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Don’t make me think,” I answered. I couldn’t make any decisions right now. “Anything.”

  While Lily got the pink-haired bartender’s attention, I scanned the club. The band was onstage, people jumped around and sang along, everything was back to normal. Except maybe me. I was still a little shaken up from the whole experience, despite whatever I kept telling people. Having someone force themselves on me left me feeling vulnerable. If I’d been alone in an alley, I could see, but in the middle of a club, surrounded by people? It was disturbing that it could happen that way. I’d been to dozens of clubs and shows and although men have been aggressive before, putting their hands where they shouldn’t be when trying to dance, it had never been quite that invasive.

  “Here you go.”

  Lily handed me a drink and I took a sip without asking what she picked out. Besides a selection of beers, wines and liquor, Vamps offered a number of specialty drinks with names like Tempting Fate and Fruits of Temptation. This one had cranberry juice and some kind of alcohol I couldn’t place, maybe a mix. Best of all, it was cold and went down smooth. “Ah, this is good. What is it?”

  “A Bloody Carrie.”

  I giggled. It felt good after a rough night, like things would go back to normal soon. “Haven’t tried this one before. I think it has cranberry juice instead of tomato.”

  “I’m glad to hear you laugh.”

  “Me too. What a weird night. I wasn’t expecting it to go quite like this.”

  “What a jerk that guy is. You should press charges. That will make him think twice before he pulls that shit on anyone again.”

  “I think Mike got the message across.”

  Chapter Ten

  Mike

  I didn’t know what was up with this blond dude. Why had he pulled me aside and what was he trying to tell me?

  “What you suspected? What the hell does that mean, bro?”

  “Mike,” he said in a deep French accent. “My name is Danton.”

  “Danton, eh? That would be a sweet stage name. You in a band?” Although my radar was up, I tried to keep the tone light, focused on music.

  “No.”

  He didn’t use my stage name, which is how I was known in this club. “How do you know my name?”

  “I’ve been in this club for many years, watching what goes on night after night.”

  “So what does that mean? You overheard someone saying my name?”

  “Perhaps.” A slight smile emerged. “My sense of hearing is quite acute.”

  What was so funny about that? This guy was some sort of strange egg.

  I narrowed my eyes. “You’re a bouncer, right?”

  “You might say that.”

  “I might say that,” I repeated, growing frustrated with this circular conversation. “What’s up with the cryptic talk? You are or you’re not.”

  “What I have to tell you is—” he paused, waving a hand, and added, “complicated. I come from an ancient family. One that has certain characteristics most people don’t have.”

  “Whoa, dude. Are you on some weird-ass drugs or something?” What the hell was this guy talking about? “I know the club scene is rife with that shit, but I don’t touch that.”

  “Listen to me, Mike. This is serious. What I’m telling you, most people don’t know. They wouldn’t even be capable of understanding if I told them.”

  A shudder crept up my spine. “You’re starting to freak me out.”

  “I’m not trying to frighten you. Now hold on a moment. I’m going to try something on you now.” He stared into my eyes, concentrating as if his life depended on it. “You will turn away and walk back into the club. You will forget you ever saw me.” His eyes bore into mine for several long moments before he blinked.

  “Why are you trying to control my mind with some voodoo shit?” I asked with undisguised annoyance.

  “That’s the thing, Mike. It doesn’t work on you and it should. Mind manipulation is not something you can use carelessly. It’s only warranted in extreme circumstances.”

  Mind manipulation? What a freak! “All right, man. I’ve had enough of your crazy talk. Have a good night.” I spun in frustration and walked away.

  “Wait,” he said. “You haven’t even let me ask you anything.”

  “What?” I turned back to face him, already exasperated with this conversation. I hated drugs, having seen too many people destroy not only their lives, but those who loved them. If this guy was on some whacked-out shit, I wanted no part of what he was offering.

  “The way you leaped into the crowd earlier was not possible by any ordinary human.”

  “It was an effect of all the adrenaline coursing through me.” My explanation weakened each time I was questioned about it. “Some guy attacked a woman I care about. Any guy would have reacted the same way.”

  He shook his head. “No, Mike. You may have had adrenaline in your system, but even so, the distance and the arc is not possible by humans.”

  I didn’t dare blink while I waited for him to continue.

  “I can sense something different about you. Some of the abilities you’ve displayed are characteristic of my kind.”

  “What?” That was the only thing I could think of to say. “What?” I repeated.

  “I think you have our blood in you.”

  “And what kind is that?” This guy may have been out of his mind, but I couldn’t deny my curiosity.

  “Before I continue, you must swear to guard our secret. Few humans are trusted with it.”

  “Okay. I swear,” I said halfheartedly. “So what are you?”

  “A gargoyle.”

  I raised my hands. “Okay, hold up. I was curious up until this point to see what you’d say.” I laughed to mask my uneasiness. “But now I’m convinced you’re either on some whacked-out drugs or you’re downright insane.”

  “I am neither. I am a gargoyle. From an ancient tribe in France.”

  “Yeah, whatever, dude. And I’m Aragon from The Lord of the Rings.” I turned to walk away.

  “You must not leave yet,” he commanded. “We haven’t even begun to discuss what this means.”

  “Oh, I know what it means. You’re insane.” I pointed to him and then at me. “And I’m out of here.” I turned away again and called back. “You should probably tell your stories to a shrink.”

  “I must know who your ancestors are. Tell me your family names.”

  “I’m not telling you anything about my family, weirdo.” I turned back to face him to get my point across. “Nor anything else about me. Stay away from me.”

  “Wait one moment.”

  “Why?”

  “I may appear flesh and blood to you right now, but I don’t always appear this way.” He glanced around backstage to make sure we were alone. “This is dangerous to do back here with so many people around, but I know I must show you what I truly am for you to understand.”

  “Okay.” I folded my arms. “I’ll humor you. What would you like to show me?”


  “Restroom.”

  I followed behind him, but rolled my eyes. “You better not try anything sexual on me, bro. That’s cool if that’s your thing, but I’m into the ladies.”

  “That is not my intention,” he said in a flat tone.

  He entered the bathroom backstage and I followed him. He locked the door behind me and then he removed his shirt.

  “I’m warning you. Don’t do anything creepy.”

  “That will be enough of that talk,” he said, unbuckling his pants.

  “I knew it!” I turned to unlock the door.

  “Don’t assume my intentions are to seduce you in a club restroom.”

  “What do you expect me to think? You lock us in a bathroom and start taking off your clothes.”

  “Because I don’t want to ruin them when I transform. You don’t believe what I am so I must show you.”

  He continued undressing until he was buck-ass naked in front of me. I searched for anything to focus on, anything but his junk, and saw one of our flyers taped on the wall for tonight’s show. It read Velvet Cocks and featured our logo of a scrolled VC with a rooster wearing a smoking jacket. One of our more goofy ideas when we came up with the concept for our band, but it had stuck.

  I glanced at Danton’s face and my eyes almost popped out when I noticed the color darkening. His skin was no longer bronze in color, but more of a grayish hue.

  Gray? The only reason that could explain that was that he was sick. Maybe dying.

  Even more disturbing were his features. They distorted into a parody of what they once were. He was a good-looking dude normally but now his overlarge eyes and wide, protruding nose gave him the look of something far more grotesque and rather sinister.

  “What the hell are you doing, man?”

  “Do not fear me when I change. I am not a monster, I will not harm you.” I watched, transfixed, as his long blond hair retreated into his skull. Black protrusions extended out of his back.

  “What the fuck is growing out of your back!”

  “My wings.”

  “Your—wings?”

  “Stop shouting. You’re going to attract attention.”

  Forget shouting, I couldn’t even speak as I gawked at the rest of the change. He hunched forward onto his hands and shrunk down while his body widened. Then his body stopped reshaping and went still. His skin tone was now universally gray. I marveled at how he could freeze in one position after all the movement.

  “Danton?” I whispered.

  He didn’t reply.

  “Hey. Are you all right?” I reached to shake his shoulder, but once I touched it, I froze myself. He was no longer human flesh. He was stone.

  “Oh my God!” I cried. “I’ll get help.”

  What the hell was I supposed to do? Run to get help? Call 9-1-1?

  I turned to the door but fumbled as I tried to unlock it. On the third try, I turned the lock.

  “No!”

  His command made me turn back. The crouched stone figure was transforming again, the exact opposite of what I had just seen. Within a few terrifying moments, Danton stood before me again as a stark naked man.

  “What the hell, dude? What the hell!”

  “I told you. I’m a gargoyle.”

  He reached for his clothing and dressed, as casually as in a gym locker room. Not like someone who had just turned to stone and back.

  “That doesn’t explain one damn thing.” I turned again and threw the door open.

  “Don’t you want to find out more? Find out who you may be?”

  “I’ve seen enough. And I’m nothing like you. Leave me the fuck alone.”

  Allana

  Mike noticed me at the bar and strode over with haste. Worry lines etched in his face. “We have to get out of here. Now.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Some fucked-up shit backstage,” he said. “I can’t explain it exactly. But we have to go.”

  His urgent tone spurred me into action. I turned to Lily. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  Mike just seemed to notice her. “You and Nico should get out of here too. I don’t know what the hell is going on here tonight but I don’t think it’s safe. Tell John too.”

  He grabbed my hand and led me to the back door. I struggled to keep up with his frantic pace. “Wait, what about your equipment? Your guitar?”

  “The guys who work here helped us load up the van. Let’s get outside. I need fresh air.”

  The blast of cool winter night air hit my face. Mike powered ahead, eyes wide.

  “Mike, slow down. I can barely walk in these high-heeled boots, let alone rush.”

  “Yeah, sure.” He glanced around the parking area, his breath coming in short pants.

  “Are you okay? Your hands are trembling.”

  “I will be. Just give me a minute.” He rubbed a temple with his free hand.

  “Your breathing is erratic. Your body will relax if you slow down and take deep breaths.”

  “What?”

  “Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in through your nose.”

  “This isn’t one of your yoga classes, Allana,” he snapped.

  “Just bear with me,” I said. “It will help you calm down so you can think more clearly.”

  “Okay,” he agreed. His eyes darted around. “But do this quickly. We can’t stick around here.”

  “Close your eyes,” I repeated. “Inhale through your nose. Hold it for three. Now exhale deeply. Let out everything you’re holding inside.”

  He followed my instruction, but opened his eyes while exhaling. “I can’t keep my eyes closed.”

  “Okay, that’s fine. Let’s try it again.” I repeated the instruction for a few more breaths. “Better?”

  He gazed off. “Yeah. I am better now. Thanks.” He pulled out his phone. “I have to tell the guys we’re leaving.”

  He spoke into it, dictating a group text to Nico and John. “Watch out for the bouncer with long blond hair. He pulled some whacked shit on me. Get out of there as quickly as you can. I’m leaving with Allana.” He turned to me and said, “Let’s go. I have my car.”

  “Isn’t your stuff in the van?”

  “I met the guys here.”

  Once we were in his black Mustang, he peeled out of there. “What’s going on? What bouncer? What did he do?”

  Mike gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white. “Everything’s fine, Allana,” he said in a slow, soothing tone. “I’m just a little rattled. Don’t worry about me.”

  “Don’t patronize me. Tell me what happened.”

  He stared straight ahead. “I can’t. I don’t even know how. What I saw I don’t believe myself.”

  “Start from the beginning.”

  He started speaking a few syllables a few times, but then stopped. Then he tried again. “It all started when that guy grabbed you.” He turned and looked at me. “Wait. I haven’t even asked you how you are after all this. Are you okay? Forget about me and my crazy story. Were you hurt? Should I take you to the hospital?”

  “I’m fine.” I coaxed him, “Go on.”

  He spoke through clenched teeth. “Some guy touched you against your will.”

  “And you beat the crap out of him. I’m sure he’ll think twice about doing anything like that to another woman.”

  “I wanted to kill him. Rip him limb from limb.” His jaw clenched, a vein throbbing in his neck. “I still do.”

  “Mike—”

  “If I wasn’t there—if this had happened without anyone else around—he could have…”

  “He didn’t,” I said. “It didn’t.”

  “But—”

  “I’m fine thanks to you.”

  When he turned to me, his hazel eyes were filled with concern. “What happens the next time when I’m not around?”

  “Who’s to say there’s going to be a next time? You worry too much.”

  “The last time we were there a woman bit you. This time some guy forces himself on you. Of c
ourse I’m going to worry about you.”

  “Okay, point taken. Now stop stalling and tell me what happened backstage.”

  Mike exhaled. “Apparently when I leaped into the crowd to get to you, it was, um, not typical.”

  “Not typical? For what?”

  “For humans.”

  “Humans?” I repeated, puzzled.

  “Oh God,” he said. “I’m already talking like I believe what he told me.” He pounded the steering wheel. “Fuck. This is insane!”

  “Mike, it’s all right. Take a moment to regroup and tell me when you’re ready.”

  He stared straight ahead for several moments. I took the time to crank the heat. The biting temperature outside was not compatible with my tiny dress. Clubs and cold weather never seemed to go hand in hand.

  “Do you remember the blond guy who intervened the night you kissed that woman backstage?”

  My cheeks flushed remembering the kiss with Nike. “It’s a bit hazy, but yes.”

  “He was back there tonight.”

  “I saw him.”

  “He told me he saw things in me that he recognized. As part of his kind!” He then laughed as if disbelief. “He said he was a gargoyle. A gargoyle!” Shaking his head, “And then he showed me. He transformed into a stone beast right in front of my eyes.” Mike glanced at me with widened eyes. “I watched him change into a gargoyle statue. And then back into a human!”

  Now it was my turn to take a few relaxing breaths. “Mike, you must have undergone something stressful tonight. What you’re saying you’ve seen is not possible.”

  “Allana—”

  “Maybe you drank something laced with drugs and you hallucinated. In fact, maybe I should drive.”

  “I’m not drugged, Allana. Listen to me! This is real. It all happened. And I’m not crazy. Or hallucinating. Or anything like that!”

  “All right, all right.” I appeased him. “Tell me what happened, from the beginning.”

  Mike pulled out his phone. “I need music on for a minute. It will help calm me so I can talk.” He noticed some texts. “The guys are asking what’s up.” He dictated into the phone. “I’ll explain tomorrow. I’m taking Allana home. I want to make sure she’s safe.”

  Yes, he was out of his mind but I was starting to find the way he wanted to protect me endearing. It made me feel special, different from his catalog of women.