Bliss (The Custos)

by Melanie Walker

  Preacher had told me, about a thousand times and I knew he was right. Vampires had a crazy sniffer and by parking far from the club my scent would dissolve outside unless I were bleeding, let alone inside where hundreds of human females would be and my scent then becomes untraceable. Only Cash or Preacher would pick up on it and that was because Cash had fed from me, he would always know where I was and because Preacher and I were so close, my scent had become part of him.

  Kind of creepy for how well it kept me safe.

  Over the last few weeks I had come to enjoy these club walks with Preacher. He would tell me stories about Vampires and some from his human life. It depended on his mood, when he was really high or if he were blue he tended to go for his human tales, when he kept his weed in check and was all together good old Preacher, he talked Vamp all the way. Tonight he talked about his wife again.

  He lit his second joint, the first he smoked in the car on the way here. He said that infatuation was powerful in a strip club and without a good high we would be mobbed by strippers all night. Taking a drag he asked. "Did I ever tell you what my wife did before she met me?"

  I watched as the same sadness that night in the van swept over his features, my answer was simple. "No."

  Preacher stopped Next to a fire hydrant and fought with himself, not sure if he trusted me enough to let me in. I had heard once that drug addicts and alcoholics tended to accept their disease easier when they were lead by someone who had been in their shoes. Thinking it couldn’t hurt; I looked at Preacher and spoke.

  "Do you know why I was at the bar that night?" He shook his head no but kept his eyes on his shoes. "I was being angry with him, I had spent so much time angry and hurt that I did things to embarrass him. I’m shallow, I know I am but I took shallow to the Next level when it involved him. That night before I left he slapped me across the face and in that moment I knew I couldn’t do it anymore. I had finally had enough and I was leaving. I was planning on moving to Seattle and making it on my own. I had dreams of meeting friends, real ones who didn’t know who I was and how rich I was. Then I met Cash and even through the infatuation I knew that if he didn’t know who I was that I would maybe have a shot, fool him and I could fool anyone."

  I reached for his joint and met his shocked look as I took a drag and continued, half choking. "I didn’t fool him though, he found me out and followed me, tracked me like prey. The whole time I was in the van I dreamed of this dark angel that was trying to save me and all I wanted was out of his grasp and to find a new life. Then three days later I woke up and you know what I seen?"

  He looked at me then and I knew he was reading me but I had to say it anyways. "It was you Preacher. I was so scared of Cash and I was confused and didn’t know what was real or fake. Do you know that had you not been there when I woke up, I think I would be dead right now, Cash would have killed me before Conlin had a chance." I said laughing. "You were the first friend I ever made in my entire life. You aren’t scared to put me in my place and you never judge me on my clothes, or my vanity, you and Cash saved me. Even if Conlin gets me and kills me, I finally lived my life because you guys loved me." I didn’t say anymore on the subject because I wasn’t a very emotional woman, as most women went anyways. I reached for the joint. "Puff, puff give mother fucker."

  That made him laugh and start walking again, handing me the joint. "Thank you London, I’m glad that you let me be your friend.”

  "I’m Cookie or Princess not London, and you Preacher are my best friend, and best friends share secrets and I want to know yours."

  He walked silently and I handed the joint off, the slight buzz was great but any more and I would be sick. "She was a prostitute, she came to confessional every week and one day, I don’t know, I had to see her face. I was a goner when I did, she was beautiful. I knew then that my faith could never hold a candle to her." He lifted the sole of his boot and stubbed out his joint before placing it behind his ear. I never really looked at Preacher but tonight I did. He wore a Mariners cap with a white T shirt and faded blue jeans. He was as beautiful as Cash, but he carried such sadness with him, it weighed him down.

  "She wanted to go back to the streets when the times got hard and I couldn’t let her. I never judged others, but with her I did. I loved her when she was a whore, but I couldn’t let her willingly do it. Deep inside I was ashamed of her past as a prostitute, though she wasn’t. She told me she would never regret it because it brought her to me. I took the job with Angelo because I couldn’t let her do to other men what we did together. She swore it wasn’t the same and said she couldn’t bear to watch me struggle with my soul and faith while working for Angelo. I told her it would be worse if I willingly sent my wife out to be a whore."

  I knew he was hurting so I put my arm through his letting him know I understood, he never meant to hurt her and I knew how badly he hated himself for that remark. "The night she died I had gone to confession and begged for forgiveness for what I was about to do. I was giving in, I would have let her do it, because in the end I loved her regardless of who she was and I knew it would never be with them what it was with us. Mary Magdalene was a whore and Jesus watched as she was stoned on the streets her sins were on display for the world to see, regardless of why she did it, they judged her the same. Jesus walked up to Mary and stood before her protecting her. He picked up a stone and asked the towns people, 'He who hath not sinned, throw the first stone.' How could I judge her? That night, they were dead when I arrived at home and Cacius and Leushus found me, waiting in the snow behind the warehouse where Angelo and his goons were setting the score for the night.

  "They knew my plan, and they watched as I paced waiting for the door to open so I could unleash my pain on them. I would have lost because that was the night I learned that Angelo was a Nex and it explained the bloodbath he created when he took them from me. Cash and Leushus were there with a few other Custos scoping the place waiting for the right time to bust in. Instead Cash offered to Sire me, he said he could feel my pain and he knew how badly I hurt. Either way I was making a pact with the devil, die as a human today and burn in hell for the loss of my faith or live forever and avenge them. I chose Cash and in that moment he saved me, just like he saved you." Preacher sighed just because he felt like the moment needed a sigh, he was cool like that. "Jealousy and vengeance, one ruined my life the other saved it."

  I knew he was done talking and the bass from the club was noticeable so I knew we were close. "Thank you for trusting me Preacher, and for being my friend."

  "Thank you Cookie, for letting me." We came around the corner and the Giant neon sign cast a red glow on both of us and I smiled, Vegas rocked, it simply rocked. Only in America would you find a city that was a giant party 24/7.

  "Hey what was the good news by the way?" I asked, completely forgetting that he said there was good news and bad.

  "Cash will be home tonight."

  I didn’t hold back my scream, how could I. I had spent the last three weeks missing him and knowing that in a few short hours I would see him and could touch him was overwhelming. I looked at the bar and now the idea of partying seemed useless, I would only check the time every five minutes, but I was not going to be the friend who dogged out for a guy. I may be new at friendship but even I knew that was harsh.

  "Cookie...." Preacher said and tugged my hand breaking the battle I was raging inside. "Would you rather go home?"

  "No let’s get a drink, I promised you a night out and damit we are gonna have fun."

  "Cookie, I have no desire, nor have I had one at all tonight to go clubbing. What kind of best friend would I be if I kept you from your Vampire?"

  I smiled because Preacher new I liked calling Cash my Vampire, and also because he was being a good friend. "Are you sure Preach, because the nights still early?"

  Tugging my hand he started walking towards the car. "Cookie shut up."

  I smiled, and shut up.

  Back at Cash's house I paced wondering when he would g
et here, it was almost two Am and Preacher was driving me crazy trying to keep me busy and occupied. I finally told him the only thing that would occupy my mind was a pint of Ben and Jerrys Chunky Monkey. He was more than happy to go to the store, he said he needed to feed anyway but I was pretty sure I had driven him mad when I asked what time it was every other minute. Now alone I was going crazy, every car that drove past I dashed to the window looking for Cash, but nothing yet. If Preacher were here he would give me a lecture on Patience being a virtue and I would give him a lesson in return about how he should shut the fuck up. He would only laugh at me, and I would try to not slap him.

  Fucking Preacher.

  Hearing a car door slam I knew it had to be Cash, running for the door almost tripping from shear excitement I pulled the door open and halted when a young man maybe twenty was about to knock on the door. Stepping back I asked. "Can I help you?"

  He smiled and seemed a little startled by approach. "Sorry to bother you so late Ma’am but my car died in the intersection and I was able to push it to right there." He pointed down the long driveway and I could see the tail end of a Volkswagen Jetta. "I was hoping it would be ok to leave it there while I walk to a pay phone and call for a tow. These neighborhoods tend to be a little more cautious than others. I won’t be more than an hour or so."

  I really felt for the kid, the plates on the car said Wisconsin and here this kid probably barely 21 and in Vegas for a good time when his car dies. I couldn’t let him walk to a pay phone when I had a phone in the kitchen so I told him he could use the phone and wait inside for the tow truck. At least he would occupy a little of my time.

  "Thanks ma’am." He said and stepped inside. Walking past me I could smell his scent, he had over done it with the Stetson cologne, like showered in it and there wasn’t a Vampire on this earth, not even Leushus who was practically compost he was so old, that could handle being with in fifty feet of anyone that badly drenched in cologne. Their senses were far too sensitive and they would have gotten sick. Feeling better knowing he was a human like me I relaxed and sat down.

  He called the tow company that AAA had referred and smiled when he took a seat at the table. "The tow truck should be here soon, about fifteen minutes."

  "So did I read your license plate right? You’re from Wisconsin?"

  "Yea, born and raised. I just turned twenty one last month and I couldn’t wait to see the bright lights of Vegas."

  I smiled. "Me too, only I cheated and came when I was eighteen."

  He laughed and we fell into small talk. "Where are you from?" he asked me.

  "Texas, but I am actually moving on, not sure where Next but I know I’m not going back." It was true. Even though Cash and I spoke every day, a few times every day we still hadn’t discussed what we were doing once the threat with this Conlin guy was over.

  "Any siblings?" he asked and looked at his watch.

  "No, only child." As I answered his question a look of amusement crossed his face.

  "Oh my God, are you London Chase, the London Chase only daughter of Walter Chase?" He said my name like he was saying porn star and I cringed inside but kept my smile in place.

  "One in the same."

  "Holy shit, this is out of control. Me and my friends are huge fans of yours."

  Was this kid serious? Granted my antics had my name plastered on magazines and newspapers, but this was a first. I actually had a fan. "Thanks, I guess."

  "You’re like that Hotel Heiress but like ten times hotter."

  I really liked this kid; he was smart and had remarkable taste in the ladies. "Well now you know my name, what’s yours?"

  "Jerry, sorry my manners are off. Jerry Freebold." He put his hand out and I accepted as we shook but the chill down my spine was real. In all my life I had never met a Freebold. I only knew of one and she was dead, it was my Mother Regina Freebold.

  Before I could ask if there was any relation I heard a loud horn honk and seen the orange flashing lights of the tow truck. "Thanks again for everything London and whatever happens with your move.... I’m certain that life has a lot in store for you."

  He left and I locked up behind him, shaking off the feeling of discomfort I couldn’t place I sat on the couch and found reruns of America's Next top model.

  My buzz from smoking with Preacher must have had some remaining affects because I fell asleep before the opening credits.

  *

  Chapter Thirteen

  London

  I woke up to Cash shaking me on the couch. In my dream state I didn’t have the wits to bitch at him for waking me so rude, instead my excitement in seeing him was back in full force and I flew my arms around his neck. I breathed him in and let the fresh rain scent smother me as it always did. God I really missed him and my memory did me no justice because he was way better in real life. "I missed you...." I whispered into his neck as he held me tighter.

  "I've never been more scared in my long life as I was just now. Are you ok? What happened and how did he get in here?" His raspy voice was like a lullaby to a newborn and I could have swayed to it had he not just confused the hell out of me.

  "Who? What are you talking about?" Now more awake I sat up and looked at him, he looked terrified.

  "There was a Vampire here, not long ago I can smell it." He stood and walked around the room checking locks and other busy body things to keep from screaming. He was wound so tight I was actually nervous. But even then I knew I was safe and I couldn’t help but let my eyes drink him in while he paced back and forth. He was so tall, and so defined. Even in a simple black T shirt and his tell tell faded worn out jeans he looked as devastating as he always did.

  "Focus Princess, I missed you too but I need to know what happened." He came and sat beside me, his fingers in my hair he pulled me to him and breathed me in as I had done with him moments before.

  "The only Vampire that was here tonight was Preacher." I said looking at him.

  "No, I know Preacher and this vampire was young, a few weeks old maybe more and cologne too, heavy on the cologne."

  My mind immediately went to the kid from earlier, Jerry but he was human. It was impossible that he was a Vampire. "A kid came by earlier, his car broke down and I let him use the phone, but he was not a Vampire."

  I actually cringed when Cash looked at me, he was furious. "Where is Preacher?" He asked standing up and going to the phone to smell the receiver.

  I stood because I wasn’t about to sit like a child on time out while my dad yelled at me. No. Way. "He went to feed and I asked him to bring me back Ice cream. And to answer you from earlier, unless a Vampire came in while we were gone, only humans crossed that threshold tonight." I said pointing at the front doorway.

  "Tell me Princess what the hell made you so damn sure that this kid wasn’t a Vampire?" He said kid like fuck you and I was getting a little pissed off. This is so not how I planned our reunion.

  "Well for starters he practically showered in cologne; I felt nothing but sympathy for the kid, no infatuation no attraction what so ever and he made no attempt to seduce me or bite me and left the second the tow truck showed." I didn’t bother telling him that the kid was a huge fan of mine. By the way he looked I might be taking that one to the grave.

  "What was the wipper snappers name?" Cash asked pointedly.

  "Jerry, Jerry Freebold." If it were possible for a Vampire to lose color Cash did. "What? Why?"

  "Because we found out tonight that Conlin, your determined and creative stalker is your brother, your birth mother, Regina Freebold’s son. Congratulations, it’s a boy and he is riled the fuck up." Leushus said as he walked in the room, his movements not matching his tone. He walked with purpose, but at his own speed, while his tone was laced with anger and disgust.

  I wanted to throw up, I wanted to pass out and I wanted to slap Leushus for telling me because damit, I just didn’t want to know. "I’m sorry London, I am. I can’t imagine this is easy for you." Leushus said shocking me with his kindness.
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  "Thank you." I croaked and sat on the couch. Cash came over and pulled me back up so that I stood, but in his embrace.

  "Leush can we have some privacy please?" Cash asked, even though it was his home.

  "Of course, make sure she gets some sleep. All of this can’t be fixed tonight. I'll come by at sundown tomorrow but call me if anything happens." He said with utter sincerity and dematerialized from the room.

  "Come on Princess, off to bed we go." Cash said and walked me to the stairs, down the hall and into the room that I had been sharing with him, though alone these last three weeks. The fact he was here now was completely tainted by all of this crap.

  In that second I knew I could kill my Father, literally kill him. Why did he need to take such a drastic measure? Why, if he wanted me gone so badly, did he not ask me to leave? I would have, without a fight. To kill me seemed so....mean. And at the risk of sounding spoiled, hello? I was an only child and I was so not pumped about having a baby brother.