The Dark Rose

by Ramsey, Valentine

  “Let’s go,” he said.

  Taking her hand, they ran along the steep wall covered in roses. Stopping, Dom leaped. Pan looked around hoping no guards had spotted his blurred form sailing through the air.

  “Quickly,” he urged, reaching down for her. “Borrow Cupids wings my love.”

  Pan jumped and he caught her hands. With a small tug Dom had her up on top of the wall. Pan wasn’t athletic unless she had to be, but she was graceful. She knelt to prevent sky-lining her body while Dom dropped to the other side and reached up for her.

  Pan dropped, amazed how she trusted him completely, her love making it deeply. Dom caught her easily under the arms. He held her for a second, gazing up at her then lowered her to the ground. Cupping her cheek, he kissed her.

  “God,” he said against her lips. “It’s frightening how much I adore you.”

  Taking her hand again they were off running, Pan carrying her ballet flats. They had escaped the grounds but they had yet to escape her territory. Rose sentinels avidly scouted this side of Verona Blvd. for Gray’s that had strayed and if they spotted her, there would be no hesitation in killing Dom no matter if she was running with him willingly.

  Dom expertly snuck them through the opulent neighborhood until they were ten streets over. He paused a minute, his body shielding hers as he held his face to the wind.

  “We’re clear,” he said.

  They emerged from the shadows into the moonlight illuminating the street. He pulled her in the direction of a car parked at the curb. The wan moonlight shone off the black paint setting it agleam like black diamonds, the midnight purple and blue flames crawling up the sides nearly disappearing in its darkness.

  “What kind of car is that?” Pan asked in awe.

  It was clearly a muscle car. Names of those she wasn’t schooled in as her father saw too it she only rode in cars of the elite. This one was intimidating and a little scary with a big bump in the hood. The only way she could think to describe it was a predator that would devour any lesser machine.

  Dom twirled the keys on his finger. “It’s a 1972 Chevy Nova SS Pro-Street,” he said proudly. “My father bought it for me for my birth—er…graduation into Vampirehood.”

  “Can you race it?” Pan asked, trying not to feel or sound stupid by her lack of knowledge.

  “You can, though I haven’t had the time. But if I did the nitrous oxide in the trunk would turn the engines purring rumble into a roar.”

  Pan bounced excitedly. “Are we going to race it there?”

  Dom looked at her like she was crazy. “Race with you in the seat next to me while you’re human and fragile?” He laughed. “I think not.”

  “Being vampire you’d win,” Pan said, putting a little pout behind it. “No one could beat you with your reflexes and instincts.”

  “True.” He said nothing more as he led her to the passenger side.

  As he made to open the door Pan leaned against it, hands behind her back, stopping him. He smiled like he knew what she was doing. Maybe he did, but she was still going to do it anyway.

  “I know I sound stupid, but what’s the thingy on the hood called?”

  Dom’s grin widened as he stepped into her. “You don’t sound stupid and it’s called a cowl hood so you can see the engine underneath. It’s not native to the original make.”

  “Oh.” Pan looked down at her bare feet.

  Holding her waist, Dom pressed into her. Pan looked up at him from under her lashes.

  “Are you trying to seduce me with those big beautiful chocolate eyes to get your way?” His smile was amused.

  Pan tried not to smile, but the corner of her lip twitched. “Maybe. Is it working?”

  He leaned in as if to kiss her, but instead yanked open the door so she bounced forward and thudded into his chest.

  “Get in and find out,” he said, hovering dangerously close to her mouth.

  Not taking the bait, Pan tucked her baby-doll dress under and sat, pulling her legs in. Her dress was the color aqua covered by purple mesh and scattered sequins with jewels around the middle. Closing the door, in a flash, he was around the car and climbing in the driver’s side. He turned the ignition and the car growled, rumbling to life.

  “This things a monster,” Pan said. The seats were like spaceship seats with over the head buckles; there were levers and dial gages on the dash. “Whatever happened to the good old Mercedes or Jaguar?”

  Dom laughed. “A Princess through and through and because of that—you deserve a ride in a real car.”

  Pan didn’t care what she rode in as long as it was next to him.

  “Does that mean we’re going to race?”

  “I suppose it means it’s going to turn into a bad habit of mine that we’re not even married yet and I already indulge you in everything you want.”

  Pan sat smugly as he drove off. They were going to race.

  She couldn’t stop laughing as they reached the fair grounds. They had gone so fast, tires screeching as they whipped around sharp corners, swerving in and out of traffic on the expressway.

  “That was amazing! We have to do it again!”

  Dom looked at her amazed. “Doesn’t anything scare you?”

  Still laughing, Pan shook her head no.

  “My fearless fiancée,” he said with impress as he followed where the man with the glowing wands directed them to park in the field. “Loves to speed at a hundred and ten miles per hour, laughs as we nearly sideswipe a car, could care less she’s vowed to spend her life with the enemy—” He gave her a pointed look.

  “You are no enemy of mine,” Pan said, sobered, reaching to stroke his cheek. “You are my one and only love.”

  “Fortunately for me.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “But unfortunately for me your bravery is something I think I am going to have to start worrying about.”

  “Don’t take things so seriously. I never do.”

  Jumping out of the car, Pan skipped ahead. Unable to stop smiling, she wondered if her cheeks would begin to hurt.

  “Hold on,” Dom called, jogging up to her and wrapping his arm around her waist. “I have to pretend to be human remember?”

  “I’m just so excited!”

  “I knew you would like it.”

  Pan stood on her toes and tilted her face up. He immediately obliged her lips kisses. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wound his around her waist, lifting her off the ground. Pan laughed, raising her legs.

  “It hardly seems fair,” he said. “I get that delicious kiss and you get this.”

  He may easily describe the carnival as “this”, but to Pan it was bliss. Everything sparkled like a magical fairy utopia. People walked around in fantastic costumes so whimsical Pan would have sworn they were creatures of the mystically divine. She tried to look everywhere at once as fire breathers, sword eaters, gibberish talkers, stilt walkers, casts of the freak show strolled about looking to entertain with their grisly acts and multiple piercings, tattoos, and abundances of hair. The air smelled of yummy deep fried treats and sugary sweets; candy apples, elephant ears, freshly made cotton candy and funnel cakes with powdered sugar.

  They rode on rides, laughing with thrill and terror like everyone else. Pan cherished it all so perished all her worry of before. She had never felt at such ease. Fleeting it would be, but she was so pleased to pretend to be normal.

  On the merry-go-round, Dom lifted her atop a horse and stood at her side, holding her waist.

  “What if it was to fall?” Pan asked, leaning back.

  “Then I would catch you. But first I have to let go for you to fall and that’s not going to happen.”

  Next they headed into the funhouse. Pan found it hilarious as stupid humans came out the spinning tube and fell, rolling like the Pillsbury Doughboy. Entering the maze of distorted mirrors, Pan went around one corner only to retrace her steps and find Dom had vanished.

  “Dom?”

  Pan looked around at all the laughi
ng faces. She didn’t like the way strangers were watching her, looking at her funnily, their distorted images leering at her. Never allowed to leave the house without a bodyguard, she was beginning to get scared, the lore of independence scary at its core.

  Every time she thought she had found a way out it was a dead end. Panic setting in, Pan began to run through it. Spotting an opening ahead she ran for it, but the walls shifted and it closed. Pan pushed on them, but they wouldn’t budge.

  The automated sound of a laughing clown, screaming people and the bells and whistles were blurring into one droning mind trip. She couldn’t get a grip!

  Pan ran down another hall, her image rippling and growing and shrinking in the mirrors around her. The walls felt like they were closing in and when her sides bumped into them she realized they were.

  “Dom!” Pan called, frantic.

  She stumbled out the other end, tears beginning to fill her eyes. She gave a small sob. Where was he? He wouldn’t have left her in here, would he?

  “Hey, hey,” said a concerned man not much older than her. “Are you okay?” he asked, lightly taking her arm.

  “I’m lost,” Pan said, looking around. “I…I can’t get out.”

  Pan hated how weak and pathetic she sounded, but everything was just bombarding her, confounding her, she couldn’t get her bearings.

  “I’ll help—”

  “Take your hand off of her,” Dom said, suddenly appearing out of a hall.

  His expression was utterly terrifying, non-death defying. Pan had never been so relieved to see such a sight it erased all her fright. Taking her arm, Dom pulled her to his side and shoved the man in the chest. He had been gentle as the man only stumbled back rather than dropped dead of a concaved chest though Dom’s expression said he wouldn’t be again.

  “Geez kid, what the hell’s your problem? I was just trying to help.”

  Aquamarine eyes glowing, Dom snarled, his lips peeling back to bare his lethal fangs. He looked truly predatory. Pan couldn’t help but gaze at him admiringly. The man staggered back, eyes wide in terror. Letting out a cry, he took off into the maze.

  Turning to her so his body blocked hers protectively Dom said, “I’m so sorry, Pan.” His hands were frantic as he didn’t know whether to hold her arms, her shoulders, frame her face.

  “I just couldn’t find my way out.”

  He chose to wipe her tears. “Alright, let’s get you out of here.”

  Sliding his arm behind her back, he scooped her up. Pan hid her face in the crook of his neck, embarrassed as people stared at them. Effortlessly finding the exit, once outside, he headed for the dark back, stepping over wires running along the ground.

  “How did you find the exit?” she asked.

  Kicking over a crate, Dom knelt, setting her on it. “I could smell the fresh air.”

  Pan sniffed, wiping her face. “I feel so stupid.”

  “Don’t.” He pushed her hair off her shoulder and held her neck, stroking it with his thumb; the small gesture soothing in its measure. “It’s my fault. I should have been more aware that you don’t have much experience in the outside world and what you do have you’ve always had someone there to look out for you. I shouldn’t have wandered. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry for behaving like such a wimp.”

  And she was feeling that self shame, having only herself to blame. Vampire Princess? If indeed. She hardly deserved such a title.

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” Dom pulled her into his arms. Grateful for his strength, Pan rested her head on his shoulder feeling safe. “We can leave if you’d like.”

  “Please, no, I don’t want to.”

  He stood, pulling her up with him, rubbing her back. “Let’s walk a little. The open air will make you feel better.”

  With his arm around her shoulders they strolled along.

  “You want to get something to eat?” Dom asked.

  “Ooo, something sweet.”

  They headed over to a concession stand. Dom bought her an elephant ear and himself a box of Cracker Jacks. Vampires could eat food, but gained no nutrition from it so why bother when they had the richest gravy, the most succulent nectar, the sweetest desert, to dine on.

  “A gift for you.”

  Pan looked to see a compass dangling on a red string from his finger; the prize in his Cracker Jack box.

  He draped it over her head. “So you can always find me.”

  Pan held it, the needle bobbling. She had been given treasures, jewels, ancient artifacts, furs, an exotic feline, but nothing compared or meant as much to her as this. Pan pushed up on her toes to kiss him.

  “Yum,” he said, licking his lips. “You taste like sugar and spice and everything nice.”

  Ready for another ride, they hadn’t been in line long when Dom went rigid. Pan frowned, looking up at him. He was gazing dead ahead, his face hard, his eyes and jaw tense.

  Searching for the cause of his sudden edginess, she scanned the crowd and the many smiling faces until she found it; the one unsmiling face that held no humanly grace. His nasty scowl and vivid red hair distinguished him like a grumpy old bear. He was with vampires she recognized from the Gray Prince’s party.

  “Let’s skip this ride and walk somewhere a little less crowded,” Dom suggested.

  Pan didn’t have time to protest as he quickly steered her away.

  “Why?” she asked, as he hurried her along.

  “More romantic,” he said, rushed.

  Going along with it, Pan noticed he kept her downwind as he headed to the field bordering the forest. The further they walked the carnival sounds faded and the air became more refreshing, the scent of the ocean carried upon it as it was on the other side of the forest by the cliffs.

  Glancing over his shoulder, Dom slowed as they reached the border of the near pitch black woods.

  “You seemed really anxious to get me away from those vampires,” Pan said. She watched his face to see his reaction. He now betrayed nothing but ease and relaxation. Grabbing a small sapling, using her weight for momentum, Pan swung around it fast and bumped him chest to chest. “Who were they?”

  Dom grinned, running his hands down her arms. He lowered his face by her neck and inhaled.

  “Mm.” He placed a lingering kiss on her neck. “Some very bad Gray’s who would hurt you if given their way.” His voice was smooth velvet. “I couldn’t put you in danger.”

  As he made to kiss her, Pan ducked, dancing away into the forest.

  “Ouch,” he said with laughter, touching a hand to his heart. “What a tease. Come back here now and put my heart at ease.”

  Pan smiled coyly, looking at him over her shoulder. Moving behind some thicker trees, she peeked out at him. He wore a smile but was watching her intently. Skipping a little away, it was like hide-and-go-seek as he stalked.

  “A taunting mischievous forest nymph born from the God Pan himself,” Dom said.

  “Whatever shall I do?”

  Pan skipped further ahead. “What about you?” She stopped to look back. “Are you dangerous to me?”

  In one fluid movement he leaped high to land on a fallen tree propped up against another, balancing perfectly. “Do you want to find out?” Dom’s teeth gleamed wickedly beyond his grin.

  Holding her hands behind her back, Pan walked along. “Maybe.” She glanced at him shyly. He sank into a low leonine crouch, eyes glowing with the intent of a far superior predator.

  “How fast can you run?”

  A shiver of thrill shot through her at the threat of being killed. Knowing she couldn’t hesitate or he would catch her instantly, Pan burst out running. She was fast, faster than the average human, but there was no way she could outrun a full grown vampire so she had to be swift, calculating.

  Dom gave chase, flashing in and out of the trees. He leaped. Pan caught the movement out of the corner of her eye and turned the very last second safety provided, avoiding capture. She laughed with delight at his near miss.

&n
bsp; Seeing that it was lighter ahead, Pan knew the forest was about to end. Reaching the border, she ran into the tall grass of a field.

  Dom sprang and caught her waist. Pan flew forward, but he rolled to take the hit as they landed. He rolled her onto her back, the sparkly stars and moon above his backdrop. Pan couldn’t stop laughing.

  “That was fun,” he said breathlessly, a lingering human reaction. “I am not the least bit dangerous to you,” he said in answer. “But you—my lovely temptress, my lovely Princess, are an extreme danger to my sanity.”

  Cheeks flushed, Pan parted her legs for Dom to lie between her, his arms braced on either side of her. He lowered to his elbows so he was laying flush against her, the weight of him pleasing against her core, the ultimate score.

  “Amazing,” he said in marvel.

  Pan smiled. “What?”

  “I feel—” He closed his eyes as if savoring something. “The beat of your racing heart against my chest, the feeling like…fluttering butterfly wings. Amazing,” he said again. “To feel the life of that you love.”

  Pan pushed his silky black hair back. In the silvery light of the moon both their skin shone ivory. Oddly though, as he was the one undead, she was fairer than him. He appeared more human than she, the actual human, did.

  “You are my existence now,” he said, grazing her cheek with his nose.

  The way he said it made it a simple fact. She was his existence. A necessity to it as air was still to her. And he was her existence. Life before had been a mere dream. Now awake, she didn’t know how she could ever survive without him. Only she did. She couldn’t live. Couldn’t bear eternity alone in this cold and lonely home as she knew she would be if he wasn’t by her side along for the ride.

  “Kiss me,” Pan said.

  Dom raised his head and met her mouth. Unable to take it slow, Pan deepened it. After a minute, mindful of her need to breathe, he transferred his lips to her neck. Tilting her head back, Pan shivered.

  “Do it,” she whispered, her lips slightly swollen.

  Dom met her eyes. The look in them said the offer had been previously unobtainable and now that it was before him he didn’t know if his lust was containable.

  “You don’t know what you’re saying.”