by Brooklyn Ann
By the time Jayden was dressed and she and Akasha were loading up in the car, Razvan returned to slide in beside her. As they set off, she stared at his handsome profile, wondering if he sensed that she had been in his mind. She doubted it. He would have said something. Excitement and trepidation of the upcoming concert warred within as she stared out the backseat window of Silas’s ’68 Barracuda.
“Are you certain you want to do this?” Razvan asked again.
She nodded. “It’s not like I’ll get another chance to see my favorite band in concert, much less with backstage passes.” She managed a wry smile. “Besides, it’s too late to go back. Akasha will freak if there’s another delay.”
“Damn straight,” Akasha said from the passenger seat. “It’s bad enough that we have to take Highway 54 and go through Hauser, instead of a straight shot down 1-90.”
Silas moved his hand from the stick-shift and patted his wife’s thigh. “You know that if we go through Post Falls Selena will find some way to make things ugly for us.”
Akasha sighed. “I still think it’s bullshit. I miss that seafood and smokes store on Spokane Street. They have damn good chowder.”
Jayden continued to watch the waxing moon hovering over the tall pine trees. Soon the trees gave way to vast prairie. The giant sprinklers in the hay fields cast sinister shadows, or maybe that was just her mood. Tonight was the first time she would be in a public situation since she lost her job. The visions were almost always magnified when she was among crowds.
Would the shielding techniques Silas taught her be enough? Or would all of her hard-won control shatter before the music started? She flicked a glance at the car’s other occupants. If she lost it in front of Razvan and her new friends, the humiliation would kill her.
They got back on I-90 shortly after they crossed the state line into Washington. The car seemed to hurtle closer to the Spokane Arena and Jayden’s mind raced over all of Silas’s lessons. It seemed they reached their destination in seconds.
“Well,” Akasha said as they locked up the car, “at least the traffic wasn’t too bad.”
Jayden’s legs felt wooden as they crossed the parking lot and got in line. Silas, Razvan, and Akasha surrounded her like an honor guard and her heart swelled with gratitude.
“Breathe, Jayden,” Akasha said as they made their way to their seats. She reached out to maybe pat her shoulder then snatched it back.
Jayden managed a wan smile and took a deep breath as she struggled to keep her mental shield in place. With a crowd this size, it was hard. As with every Rage of Angels concert, the Spokane Arena was packed. Random visions of dirty secrets flicked through her mind like a television weaving in and out of reception.
A guy a few seats to her left worried about the results of his HIV test. A woman to her right had an argument with her husband earlier today. The husband told her that if she didn’t get off the meth he would leave her and take the kids. She knew he was right, but the addiction had her enslaved. She also worried about what her friends and family would say if she checked herself into rehab.
But it was the girl directly three rows in front of Jayden that was the loudest. She was fifteen years old, pregnant and contemplating an abortion. The girl was certain that if her pregnancy was discovered, her eighteen year old boyfriend would go to jail and her mother would lose custody of her and her little brothers.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t like crowds much either,” Akasha whispered from the seat next to her, interrupting the psychic onslaught. “I mean, I’m not getting any visions from it, but things like this always make me a little claustrophobic. It’ll get better once the show starts. And if doesn’t, I promise I’ll take you backstage.”
“Thanks,” Jayden murmured weakly. Her nerve endings felt like they were being prodded with a taser. Razvan placed a hand on her shoulder and she felt a small measure of comfort.
I never should have come. Max had stayed behind, declaring himself to be “too old for that shit.” His gruff company was more desirable than ever right now. But Silas and Akasha had worked their charm on her. Silas said her training had gone well enough that she should test her abilities out in a public place. Akasha had spent the week regaling her with stories about the times she had spent with Rage of Angels.
“They were the first friends I ever had,” she’d said with a far off glimmer in her eyes and a soft smile. “I can’t wait until you meet them.” The adoration in her voice was impossible to resist. As was the moment when Akasha turned toward her with a speculative look and said, “You know what? I like you, Jayden. You’re easy to talk to.”
The way she said it as well as from what she knew of Akasha’s cynical demeanor told Jayden that Akasha didn’t like many people, but she would hold undying loyalty to those who earned her regard.
The opening band came on and it was all she could do not to scream from the noise and vortex of energy assaulting her senses. She clung to Razvan’s hand and bathed in his strength. The lead singer was actually pretty good. From the octaves he was able to hit, it was apparent that he was a trained opera singer. Still, he was no match for Xochitl’s powerful vocals and she couldn’t help but feel impatience for the act to finish. When at last the band left the stage, Jayden applauded along with the audience and fought back guilt for her relief that they were finished.
The lights dimmed and the crowd roared as four figures emerged on stage through a mist of manufactured fog. As Aurora Lee began a primal and impossibly fast drumbeat, Jayden forgot about her surroundings as she was transported into the awe of the performance. Aurora Lee was the fastest drummer in the world, made even more impressive since she was the only African American female to drum in a famous heavy metal band. Still, until she saw the incredible blur of Aurora’s hands on the drumsticks, Jayden had thought the percussion had been digitally altered.
Beau’s bass thrummed a compelling rhythm soon punctuated with Sylvis’s and Xochitl’s guitars.
Jayden blinked. It seemed that she could see faint lines of force linking the band members together. Was it a stage effect, or a vision?
Xochitl opened her mouth and sang in a powerful soprano rivaling those of the greatest hair bands of the eighties. Goosebumps rose on Jayden’s arms and she fell under the spell of the music until the song ended.
Xochitl yelled out her greetings to the audience. Her black and purple hair waved around her like a live thing as she bathed in the crowd’s cheers. The next song began, transporting all into a place of blissful energy. Jayden had always felt better after listening to their music, but that was nothing compared to this live performance. All of her troubles seemed to drift away as the melodies carried her into symphonic ecstasy.
***
Razvan took Jayden’s hand as the song ended and the crowd around them surged with applause. Her skin was clammy and trembling in his grip. Silas was wrong. She wasn’t ready to be out among the public just yet. Her mind was still too fragile to withstand the energy of such a seething mass of humanity. But he was unable to leave her behind. Not only did he not trust Max to make sure that she stayed put, Akasha had whipped up Jayden’s enthusiasm so much that the she wouldn’t hear of not attending this concert.
His gaze flicked to the stage and the singer’s inhuman power seemed to lift every hair on his skin with her voice. He was usually pleased to see Xochitl and her companions, as he’d had a hand in the development of their success, but not this time. The situation with Jayden made their visit unwelcome. They would stay with Silas and Akasha for a week and Razvan was worried that Jayden’s mind would be unable to withstand Xochitl’s power.
Jayden squeezed his hand as another raucous shout from the audience pierced his eardrums. He looked at her and noticed that though she was pale and trembling from the psychic onslaught, her lips were curved in a genuine smile of enjoyment at the show. His heart surged at her bravery. He struggled to tamp it down. It wouldn’t do to get too attached to this woman. Not with his luck with females. His la
st long-term lover had been Selena…before she lost her mind. And Jayden was far more powerful than Selena had been….and more beautiful.
His eyes took in her glorious hair. It was a far deeper red than his former lover’s, which faded to a dull orange without henna treatments. Her legs were longer, her lips more generous and soft, her breasts more…his cock stirred with arousal and he fixed his attention back to the stage. He would enjoy her while he could and do his best to keep her safe from Selena’s cult and ensure that she didn’t go mad. But he must keep his emotions under control and remember that this magic between them could not last forever. The best he could hope for was that once she regained her sanity and had control of her powers, her infatuation with him would fade and she would leave him peacefully to make her own life.
Through the remainder of the performance, Razvan kept a close watch on Jayden for signs of distress even as he fought his attachment to her. When the show neared its conclusion, he realized that someone else was watching her as well. Surreptitiously, he scanned the mass of heads turned to the stage to see which were not. All were captivated by the show. He pretended to yawn and turned to observe those meandering in the area behind the seats. There they were. Two vampires bearing Selena’s Mark stood by the exit. Their heads were bent towards each other, no longer looking at Jayden as they spoke in hushed voices. Though vampires from other territories were welcome in his city to attend public events such as concerts, the Post Falls vampires were banned as long as Selena reigned.
Those two were disobeying his decree. He bared his fangs for a moment at their insolence then suppressed a chuckle. They must believe they were safe as long as they remained in view of mortals. Well, they would learn. He sought out a few of his Spokane vampires and issued silent commands. Silas caught his eye.
What is going on, Razvan?
Razvan telepathically explained before they escorted their women backstage.
***
The backstage area was crowded and noisy, but it was still an oasis of peace compared to the arena. Jayden stepped back from the rush of people heading towards the refreshment tables and took the air in deep, easeful gulps. Razvan placed a possessive hand on her shoulder and she leaned into him, grateful for the secure stability of his presence.
Suddenly, the incessant buzz of conversation bled away. The door opened and the hairs on the back of Jayden’s neck stood up. The four band members entered the room, energy thrumming from them like an electrical storm. She shivered and pressed closer to the vampire, momentarily overwhelmed. Perhaps coming here had been a mistake.
“’Kash!” Xochitl Leonine cried and ran towards them, black and purple hair flying.
As the singer hurled herself into Akasha’s embrace, Jayden flinched. Most of the energy was coming from her. She was like a walking live wire. Xochitl was not human. She wasn’t a vampire either. Whatever she was, she vibrated with enough power to level mountains, despite being even smaller than Akasha.
“And this is Jayden,” Razvan was saying as the creature hugged him.
Xochitl turned to face her. As honey colored eyes met hers and perfect lips curved into a smile that could beckon the dawn, Jayden took an involuntary step back.
Oh God, please don’t let her touch me! If she touches me, that power will surge through my brain and make it explode! Oh, God if she touches me, I’ll either go insane or die!
“I’m h-honored to f-finally meet you,” Jayden stammered, struggling to smile and keep her shield in place. She hoped she just sounded star-struck instead of revealing her terror.
“So Razvan finally got a girlfriend?” Xochitl said. Was it her imagination, or had the smile dimmed a bit?
Razvan put his arm around Jayden and drew her close. She leaned into him, grateful for his protective presence. “In a manner of speaking,” he said.
Xochitl blinked at him in confusion. “Well, you’ll have to tell me the whole story later.”
“How long will you be staying with us?” Silas asked, changing the subject.
“Only a week. We gotta be back in Seattle in time for the Halloween concert at The Mortuary.” She glanced at the line of people forming behind her. “I gotta go sign autographs and stuff. Talk to ya later.”
Jayden’s mouth went dry. A week? How the hell would she be able to stand an entire week with her around?
Something cold touched her hand and she jumped. Akasha was handing her a bottle of water.
“Here, you look a little pale.” Her amethyst eyes were wide with concern.
Jayden took the bottle gratefully. After she uncapped it and took a big swig, she gasped, “Oh my God, Akasha, she’s not human!”
Akasha and Razvan nodded. “We know.”
That knowledge gave her a semblance of relief. “But what is she?”
Silas answered, “That, lass, is something we’re not quite sure of.” He had his own bottle of water and sipped it pensively. He kept glancing at Razvan as if he were trying to send him a message.
“But she’s good, Jayden,” Akasha said fervently. “I promise. It’ll get easier once you get to know her better. Now, remember, Xochitl and the others can’t know about vampires. Delgarias forbids it.”
Jayden nodded, only half hearing her as she focused on the vampires. Razvan seemed to get Silas’s signal and they both headed away. They probably needed to feed. Akasha didn’t seem bothered, so Jayden decided everything was okay.
“Come on, let’s go meet the others.”
Jayden realized that the other band members had been swarmed by fans before they could reach Akasha. Xochitl was the only one who wasn’t. She noticed now that the singer’s line of autograph seekers was smaller than those of the rest of the band. And each person looked almost scared of her and they were being extra careful not to touch her.
Whatever it is, they sense it too. They know somehow that she is different. Xochitl’s eyes had darkened to a puppy-brown. She seemed hurt by their trepidation. Jayden felt a wave of sympathy for her. She must be very lonely. As if sensing her scrutiny, Xochitl’s eyes met hers. Jayden smiled. Xochitl smiled back.
“Akasha, look,” Jayden said. “They act like they’re almost scared of her.”
“Yeah,” she agreed. “At first I thought it was because some how they know she’s not human. But now I’m pretty sure it’s not that. If they really knew her they’d want to fall to the ground and worship her.” Akasha shook her head. “No, I don’t think it has anything to do with her genetic difference. It’s more that she’s one of those people that are truly great. I’m damn sure plenty of people were scared of Da Vinci, Ben Franklin, Tesla, and Einstein.”
“Wow,” Jayden gasped, overcome with the depth and insight of Akasha’s statement. “That’s….”
“Hey, ‘Kash!” a voice interrupted.
Aurora Lee left her group of fans and enveloped Akasha with muscular brown arms. “I’ve missed you like hell, girl! How’ve you been?”
“Pretty good,” Akasha answered. “Shop’s making money. This is Jayden, Razvan’s… er, girlfriend.”
Before Jayden could pull back, Aurora’s warm hand gripped hers and shook it. “Pleased to meet you. Jayden’s a pretty name.”
Jayden got a glimmer of information from the drummer before her shields went back down. She had a fight with her mother today. She hates Aurora’s music.
“Beau, Sylvis! Come here,” Aurora called. “Akasha wants you to meet someone.”
A pretty young man with spiky burgundy hair and a tall woman with a blue bob-cut came forward.
“Hey, baby,” Beau said as he kissed Akasha on both cheeks. “Long time no see.”
Sylvis grinned and shook Jayden’s hand as Aurora introduced them. No visions came, to Jayden’s profound relief. Sylvis was the comedian of the group. She’d hosted Saturday Night Live last week and Jayden had nearly peed herself laughing. Akasha swore up and down that her performance was a hundred percent improvisation.
“Razvan’s girlfriend, huh,” Beau said. “
And here I was hoping he’d swing my way. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to move on.” His gaze swept over her. “Has anyone ever told you that you kinda look like Tori Amos?”
Jayden flushed at the compliment. Akasha was right, Beau was a sweetie.
The bassist grinned. “Speaking of Razvan, where is he? And where’s your sexy husband, ‘Kash?”
“Oh, they’re around somewhere,” Akasha said with a shrug. “Are you coming to the Powder River with us after this?”
A look of boyish shame came over his face, “No, I already invited Eric out for drinks. We’re going to stay in Spokane for the night and go to Dempsey’s.”
“Who’s Eric?”
He pointed. “That roadie over there. Isn’t he cute? Anyway, the Powder’s not really our style and…”
Jayden didn’t hear the rest of the conversation. She sensed she was being watched. Sure enough, there were two vampires not ten feet from her. She reached out to tap Akasha’s shoulder but one of the vampires, a large male that somehow resembled a cowboy, shook his head and spoke in her mind.
“Don’t be afraid. Razvan sent us to guard you ladies while he and Silas take care of some business.”
“What business?” she asked silently.
He flinched in mingled surprise and pain at her response. “Jesus, woman, you don’t have to yell. Tone it down! They didn’t say. I just take orders. Now go back to your friends before Silas’s woman notices.”
Slowly, Jayden turned back to Akasha and Beau. Sylvis and Aurora had gone back to signing autographs. Xochitl had more people surrounding her than earlier, and not so many looked scared. “It’ll be easier once you get to know her,” Akasha had said.
“So this is what has been occupying the master lately.” Jayden heard the voice in her head. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the second vampire guard, a tall, but voluptuous blonde. “She looks pretty scrawny to me.”
“Yeah, but she’s damn powerful,” the other vampire answered.
Jayden realized she was somehow eavesdropping on their conversation. She took another drink from her water bottle and studiously focused on Beau’s chatter. Her hackles rose at the blonde’s possessive tone when she’d said “the master.”
