"Glasspool"

Mirror could smell the musk of sex before she heard it. She paused for a moment on the rusting fire escape and listened carefully. The grunts and soft pants of pleasure where definitely coming from Glasspool’s apartment. Mirror chewed at her lower lip as she pondered if she should wait until Glasspool’s client had left.

Glasspool’s high, reedy cry cut through her indecision. Mirror leapt forward, jumping down the last flight of stairs to the platform below Glasspool’s window. The window to the apartment stood open expectantly. Mirror crouched in front of the open window and peered in at the scene set before her in Glasspool’s bedroom.

Mirror’s eyes easily traced Glasspool’s lean tan frame spread out beneath another male on the queen sized bed. Glasspool was arched up on his hands and knees, his head bowed as the other man thrust into his body, rocking Glasspool. Mirror bit her lip again as she watched silently, fascinated by the grunts emanating from the client as he pushed into Glasspool’s tanned body with fervor.

The client’s hips snapped forward with an exceedingly hard thrust, drawing a sharp cry out of Glasspool. The young man threw his head back, tossing the inky black strands of hair from his face as he bowed. Glasspool’s handsome face was twisted in a grimace of pleasure, his mouth hanging open as tiny pants crept over his lips. A thin trickle of blood speckled the corner of his lip and dribbled down his chin. Glasspool moaned loudly and dropped to his elbows, arching his hips upwards to meet his client’s next thrust. Glasspool moved his hips in a primal rhythm, his thighs trembling with every erratic plunge. Mirror watched, enthralled by Glasspool’s body as it moved.

The other man grunted suddenly and pulled out of Glasspool’s body. He grabbed Glasspool fiercely by the shoulder with one hand, his other hand moving down his body to wrap around his cock. The client growled and threw Glasspool on to his back before he pounced on the younger man, pinning Glasspool down to the mattress. Glasspool seemed oddly serene as the grunting man loomed over him, jerking his cock in a broken rhythm, his eyes clenched shut. Mirror grimaced as she watched the client grit his teeth as a keening wail slid out of his chest as he burst over Glasspool’s belly. The client’s hand jerked between his thighs for a moment longer before his entire body deflated and fell against Glasspool’s chest with a wet, hard slap.

Mirror tried to ignore Glasspool’s wince as he pushed up against the client’s broad white shoulders. The client let out a tired groan, moving his weight achingly slow from off of Glasspool’s chest. The man forced himself up on to his hands, his hips still planted firmly between Glasspool’s thighs. The client held himself there for a long second as he studied Glasspool with a curious eye. Mirror knew from experience that Glasspool hated when clients took their leisure after sex on top of him. She watched as Glasspool averted his eyes under the veil of his long, black lashes, a wanton little smirk pulling at his lips in a feign. The client seemed pleased as he moved a hand up to caress Glasspool’s prominent cheekbone with a strange delicacy.

“You’re rather pretty for a whore,” the bigger man said in a sex roughened purr, his fingers brushing over Glasspool’s lower lip tenderly. Glasspool’s forget-me-not blue eyes flashed open wide, drawing a heavy gasp from the man’s chest even as Glasspool drew his lingering fingers into his mouth teasingly. Mirror had seen this post sex ballet played out by Glasspool many times before. The steps were well practice; a heated look, a suggestive tease, and the silent promise of pleasure to come to a repeat customer. Judging by the client’s fevered grin, it was working well. He pulled his fingers from Glasspool’s mouth with a quiet pop before he swiftly thrust his mouth forward. Glasspool moved faster, turning his head aside so the client’s mouth landed sloppily against his jaw in an ill formed kiss.

Mirror flinched as Glasspool’s brilliant blue eyes landed on her. Glasspool glowered at her even as his body moved methodically against the client, pushing him away. Mirror guiltily inched backwards, hiding behind the window frame but she didn’t stop her observations. Her eyes remained fixed on the client as he levered himself off of Glasspool, a heavy frown written over his face. Glasspool laid spread out on the mangled bed sheets, the picture of lazy sexual satisfaction. Mirror watched the client stand and shuffle around for his clothes. Glasspool rolled on to his side, putting his back to the window as he watched his client rummage around, collecting the pieces of the tailored suit he’d flung about the bedroom in his haste. Mirror’s eyes moved from the client’s bumbling search to study Glasspool’s back. A dappling of bruises, some fresh and some healing ringed the honey brown skin along Glasspool’s lower back and hips. A rather nasty red bite mark marred the skin below Glasspool’s left shoulder blade.

“Here,” the man muttered gruffly as he flung a few credit clips on the bed beside Glasspool. The man hastily left the bedroom without a backwards glance. Mirror held her breath, her ears straining to hear the telltale click of the front door closing behind Glasspool’s client. Glasspool let out a wretched groan as the front door to the apartment slammed. He flung himself backwards onto the rumpled sheets, pressing his palms tightly over his eyes.

Mirror took this as her cue to slip silently into the apartment window. She moved with a self-confidence through the bedroom that she had lacked on fire escape. First she went to the small bathroom adjoining the bedroom. She returned to the bedroom a moment later, a wet washcloth in hand.

Mirror moved with a solemn, practice ease that she knew Glasspool appreciated. She kneeled beside Glasspool on the bed, sweeping the credit chips aside as she leaned over the young man. Glasspool kept an arm flung over his eyes as Mirror moved the washcloth over his chest and abdomen, cleaning away the remains of the client’s spent passions on Glasspool’s body. She moved with tenderness to clean his thighs, her eyes averted from his still aroused member. Glasspool held very still as Mirror swept away any traces of his client from his body. Mirror finished cleaning Glasspool and returned to the bathroom. She emerged a moment later carrying a red silk robe. Glasspool had levered himself up into a sitting position by the time Mirror came back to his side, holding the robe open expectantly.

“Thank you,” Glasspool whispered huskily as he stood and let Mirror wrap the silk robe around his nude body. She kept her head bowed as she diligently tied the robe’s sash in a careful knot over Glasspool’s flat belly. Mirror froze in her well-practiced movements as Glasspool’s gentle brown hand curled under her chin and lifted her face upwards. She blinked up at Glasspool, noting the smeared black kohl under his eyes and the tired tilt of his mouth. The corner of Glasspool’s mouth pulled up in a drowsy smile as he leaned down and pressed his lips to Mirror’s in a chaste kiss. Mirror felt her eyes flutter close against her will as Glasspool’s cool lips moved against hers tenderly. Glasspool pulled away with a sleepy sigh and stroked Mirror’s cheek until she forced her eyes open again. He smiled and patted her on the head affectionately before he left the bedroom.

Mirror pressed a hand over her breast and silently ordered her heart to stop jumping up and down in her chest. Glasspool acted funny sometimes when he was very tired. Mirror shook her head fiercely and hurried to finish her chores. The bed was stripped with deft hands and remade and the credit chips dutifully stowed away in the cigar box on Glasspool’s dresser. Mirror moved around the bedroom blowing out the candles that illuminated the room. She paused in the dark, letting her eyes adjust before she looked to the open window. The night was still a thick blue-black outside but Mirror could feel the approaching dawn in her bones. She hurried to pull the shutters closed on the window and bolted them before pulling the long black curtains over the window as an extra measure. A complete darkness enwrapped the silent bedroom. Mirror let her hand skim across the wall as she walked the bedroom’s length and returned once more to the bathroom. A single candle still burned on the counter of the sink.

Mirror let her thoughts wander to Glasspool’s kiss as she began to fill the tub with hot water. Her body moved on its own accord pouring the sweetly scent oils into the bath as she pondered Glasspool’s kiss. It was something simple, silly even for Glasspool. He’d kissed Mirror a handful of times before, always with the same sleepy innocence as the kiss they’d just shared in the bedroom but Mirror liked to think they were special. Glasspool never let his clients kiss him on the mouth, even when he allowed them full reign of the rest of his body. Mirror smiled to herself and let her fingers skim softly over her lower lip as she remembered how Glasspool’s cool lips felt.

“Daydreaming Mirror?” Glasspool purred in her ear, making her start. Mirror whipped around to face Glasspool, her cheeks flushed and her mouth parted in a silent cry. Glasspool’s blue eyes flashed hungrily to her heated cheeks. Mirror bowed her head quickly as Glasspool giggled. Mirror tried to pretend her face wasn’t burning up as she hurried to finish her task.

Glasspool sunk down into the tub’s warm, scented waters with a satisfied sigh while Mirror fussed over hanging up his silk robe before she turned back to him, her eyes wide and expectant. Glasspool smiled sleepily, his handsome face lighting up as he motioned for her to come near. Mirror grinned and slowly pulled off her own clothes, folding them and placing them gently aside before she slipped into the tub with Glasspool.

Glasspool’s arms enfolded her the moment her pale body had slipped into the water, drawing her into his chest. Mirror closed her eyes with a smile, curling her body up against Glasspool’s chest, her head tucked under his chin. His hands lingered on her arm and thigh, pulling her insistently closer to him as he nuzzled the crown of her head. Mirror shivered despite the warm water. Glasspool’s body was solid and cold against her thin frame, his arms forming an icy cage around her. Glasspool sighed into her hair, his nose brushing against her ear as he spoke.

“Do you remember the day I found you?” Glasspool murmured, his hand moving in little circles on her thigh. Mirror nodded mutely. Glasspool smiled and kissed her temple. “I remember it clearly, as if it hadn’t been seven years ago. It was raining and I was on my way back from meeting a client at one of those swank bars up in Bromley Towers. I was coming down 5^th Avenue, fingering the credit chips in my pocket and thinking about buying myself a ticket off-world when I pass this by this little boutique and there you were, sitting in the window. I remember thinking ‘I wish I could have an advanced gen with blue hair like hers’. Your hair was the color of sapphires and it was in these little ringlets all around your pixie face. I thought you might have been a doll until you looked up at me and blinked those big, empty eyes. I was so shocked, I started laughing. Right there in the middle of the avenue and the pouring rain ‘cause this little girl had these big empty eyes. I swear there was absolutely no color in your eyes, just these two empty mirrors staring up at me. I knew then I had to have you, I’d already named you. My little doll, Mirror. I resolved to go into the boutique and bargain with the owner, maybe offer my services, anything to buy that little girl in the window,” Glasspool murmured against Mirror’s ear tenderly.

Mirror smiled and forced herself a little tighter against Glasspool’s sinewy chest despite the cold. She felt herself being swayed to sleep my Glasspool’s soft voice. Mirror rubbed her cheek against his shoulder in a loving gesture, urging him to continue. Glasspool chuckled and squeezed Mirror’s arm affectionately.

“You must imagine my surprise when I ask about the girl with the blue hair in the window that the owner told me I didn’t want that girl. My little blue haired girl had been returned after her last owner treated too roughly and broke her. Now the little blue hair creature couldn’t speak, just blink those big empty eyes. I was so disappointed, I nearly pouted. I told the woman I wanted that girl and only she would do for me. I’m sure the owner thought I was one of those pity cases that took in all the little broken creatures. She dropped your price so low I felt like I was robbing her, even if it did cost me every credit I had. I still remember that moment though, the first time I picked you up in my arms like this,” Glasspool whispered and demonstrated, curling his arms protectively around Mirror’s thin body, “I cradled you to my chest and whispered in your ear, ‘Hello my little Mirror. Let’s go home.’ Now look at us. I don’t even mind anymore that you can’t speak.”

Mirror flinched, her uncolored eyes flashing open as she guiltily pulled away from Glasspool. Mirror feigned a silent smile for her owner as she leaned over, picking up the washcloth she’d left out on the side of the tub, and dipped it into the water. She brought the washcloth out of the water and brought it to Glasspool’s face, cleaning away the smeared eye makeup and sweat from his handsome brow. Glasspool purred as Mirror worked with her affectionate thoroughness until every inch of his body was cleansed. She cleaned herself with a shy, swift manner as Glasspool dozed in the cooled waters. Mirror pulled herself out of the tub first and dried herself off before she shook Glasspool awake. Mirror stood aside, a towel in hand as Glasspool stepped out of the tub. She allowed herself to marvel at him as she pat him dry and helped him slip into his silk robe. Mirror motioned to Glasspool to lean down so she could reach his face, both of them familiar with this routine. Mirror gently swiped her fingers across Glasspool’s startling blue eyes, dislodging the contacts to reveal the luminescent amber eyes below. Mirror never let Glasspool know, but she had preferred his golden eyes. His vampire eyes.

As soon as Glasspool’s eyes were unshielded, he drew back from the sputtering candle light and into the thick shadows. Mirror shivered as his body disappeared but she could still see the glittering gold eyes peering at her through the darkness, shimmering like cat’s eyes in the dark. Mirror had drained the tub and stowed away Glasspool’s contacts when she felt him blow out the candle as his arms came around her. He lifted her again like he was cradling a small child and carried her into the dark bedroom. Mirror couldn’t see anything but Glasspool’s golden eyes in the dark, watching her as he laid her down in the bed. A moment passed in silence before Mirror heard the soft hiss of silk falling to the floor. The mattress shuddered and squeaked a protest as Glasspool threw himself down beside her, his arms automatically seeking her out and pulling her to his cold, nude body. Mirror spooned herself against his body, shivering as Glasspool’s heavy breath brushed across her throat. His hunger held over them like a heavy tension, but this too was routine.

Glasspool’s arms caged her in, one hand snaking between her breasts to lay over her heart even as the other gripped her hair, pulling her head back, angling her to his desires. Mirror closed her eyes as his mouth sealed over her jugular first with tenderness, but tenderness was quickly cast aside for need. Mirror winced despite the familiarity as Glasspool’s fangs sank into her throat, as his tongue lanced over the wounds and drew her blood into himself. Mirror let herself slid into the familiar dizziness and lethargy that came from feeding. Distantly, she heard the church bells all over the city begin to ring their warning as dawn approached the city of the dead.

The Corner Window

Based on turn events. (Sorta)

-Scene One-

[Opens up to a corner room, a quad on the second floor facing out over the patio of the Fickes dormitory. Trees obscure most of the view but a white spire of a chapel is visible through the windows. Seated on the floor are the room’s occupants playing a game of Apples to Apples.

First is the level headed and sage-like Allaire. Allaire is carefully debating over her cards. Her roommate, the bubbly and girlish Amanda, is tapping her long nails on the floor as she waits for Allaire to make her selection. Seated with them is the animated Maria. Maria is shuffling through her cards, pulling one out excitedly, looking down at Amanda’s card, shaking her head and putting it back in her pile before shuffling again. Amanda blows out a frustrated sigh.]

Amanda: (snappish) Come on, pick faster. I have to be in Calculus in fifteen minutes.

Maria: (shuffling and selecting a red card uncertainly) I don’t know…

Allaire: What’s the word again?

Amanda: Luxurious: lavish, lush, opulent, or sumptuous.

Allaire: (distracted) Okay… (She selects a red card and lays it face down in front of Amanda.)

Maria: (worried whimper) I don’t know but…(puts a card face down on top of Allaire’s red card) Here you go.

Amanda: (sotto voice) Finally! (picks up the cards and reads, her face twisting into a scowl) James Bond and mud. Seriously!

Allaire: James Bond wears a tuxedo, that’s lavish.

Maria: Yeah, well… mud is used at spas!

Amanda: (still disappointed) SERIOUSLY? That’s the best you have?!

Maria: (reluctant) I did have diamonds but I thought…

Amanda: Agh! You should have gone with diamonds!

Allaire: Too late.

Amanda: Fine, James Bond. (throws the green card to Allaire)

Maria: (picks up a green card and reads aloud) Patriotic: loyal, nationalistic, devoted.

[Both Allaire and Amanda slap red cards face down in front of Maria so quickly she jumps in surprise. The roommates look at each other grinning and giggling.]

Maria: (smiling excitedly) This should be funny! (picks up the cards and immediately frowns) Liberals and the Right Wing. Seriously?

Amanda: Hey! What’s wrong with Republicans!?

Allaire: (grumpy) What’s wrong with Democrats, huh?

Amanda: (rolling her eyes) Where do I start with those socialists?

Maria: Now that’s not true…

[Maria is interrupted by the dorm room door flying open. The overly dramatic and terrified Melissa stumbles in, wheezing. She looks wildly about the room then runs for Allaire’s closet]

Melissa: SHE’S GONNA KILL ME!

[Everyone blinks as Melissa slams and locks the door to the closet. As one they turn back to their game.]

Allaire: (continues like nothing happened) Democrats are not socialists.

Amanda: You say ‘Democrat’ but I say ‘Communist’.

Maria: (shaking her head) I can’t decide. Eenie, meenie, minie, moe. Democrats.

Allaire: (grabs the green card victoriously) HA!

Amanda: Whatever…

[The door to the room is thrown open once more and a murderous eyed Sam charges in. Gripped in her left hand is a glass bottle. Her eyes go around the room, her teeth gritted.]

Sam: (hissing) Where is she?!

[Amanda and Maria point to the closet immediately without looking up]

Allaire: (observes Sam for a moment) That’s some Jeffery Dahmer shit right there.

Sam: I’m going to kill her this time. I actually mean it!

Allaire: (picking up a green card nonchalantly) Scary. (pauses) ‘Sam with a glass bottle’ for the win.

[Amanda and Maria laugh while Sam stomps over to the closet and pounds on the door]

Sam: I can hear you breathing!

Melissa: (in terrible Spanish accent, panicking) No, no Mr. Superman not home? No habla English? Housekeeping?

Sam: You have only yourself to blame, Melissa!

Melissa: (dropping the terrible accent) Ninja’s are assholes! You can’t kill me for the truth!

Sam: (punches the door) I can kill you for whatever I want to! I’m the goddamn Batman!

[Sam turns and studies the other girls before walking over to them and sitting down, setting the glass bottle in arm’s reach. She appears frighteningly calm now]

Sam: Mind if I join?

Allaire: (covertly moving the glass bottle out of Sam’s reach) Sure. (Allaire picks up the red cards Maria and Amanda have set out) Cockroaches and blank.

Maria: Sam with a glass bottle.

Allaire: (chuckles) Ah, yes. Sam with a glass bottle wins.

Amanda: What about Sam with a glass bottle full of cockroaches?

Sam: (deadpan) Terrifying. (picks up a green card) Doomed. Melissa for the win.

Amanda: (laughing in disbelief) You’re kidding, right? There’s no ‘doomed’ card.

Sam: (shows Amanda) No, it’s a blank one but I feel it’s appropriate, given the situation.

Allaire: What exactly did Melissa do this time?

Maria: (giggles) What hasn’t she done to piss off Sam?

[Everyone stops to ponder for a moment but they are unable to answer Maria]

Allaire: Touché. Well, I guess it’s time to discuss who gets Melissa’s things.

Amanda: Dibs on her Gackt DVDs!

Maria: I want that 10 bucks she owes me.

Allaire: (huffing) I guess that leaves me her movie collection.

Sam: I want first pick on her DVDs as service fees for exterminating her.

Maria: ‘Eviscerating’ would be a more appropriate word, I think.

Amanda: ‘Annihilate’.

Allaire: ‘Eradicate’.

Melissa: (from the closet) I can still hear you!

Sam: (grabbing a shoe sitting on the floor near Allaire’s bed and chucks it at the closet) Shut up. You don’t have an opinion until I beat it out of you.

Melissa: (meekly) Okay.

Amanda: (whines playfully) Aww Sam. Beat her anyways!

Melissa: Hey!

Allaire, Amanda, and Sam: SHUT UP MELISSA!

[There’s a terrible sound of crashing and a loud moan from the closet. Everyone turns to look at the still rattling door, waiting. A tense minute passes.]

Melissa: I’m okay!

Allaire: I’m more worried about my stuff! Is anything broken?

Melissa: Well, my finger is looking a little swollen but I don’t think really Gubler’d it.

Allaire: No, I meant anything in the closet, not you.

Melissa: Oh…umm…..

Allaire: (bounding to her feet and running to the closet door) MELISSA?!

Melissa: I mean some glue I’m sure will fix it. This is your iron, right?

Allaire: (relieved) No. It’s Rai’s.

Maria: (changing the subject) Hey, how’s Sarai doing? I haven’t heard from her in a month.

Amanda: We haven’t seen her in two weeks.

Maria: Aren’t you worried?

Amanda: Nope.

Maria: Huh.

[They return to their game]

Sam: (reading out loud) Doomed. The Leftist, Graverobbers, and Strawberry Shortcake.

Melissa: Oh! I could go for some shortcake!

All: NO!

Melissa: Aww man.

Sam: Graverobbers.

Amanda: Yes! Okay, that’s it for me. I’ll see you in an hour.

Allaire: We’ll be here. (pausing) Well, Melissa might not be with us anymore.

Amanda: (flatly) Mmm, pity. Well! I’m off.

[Amanda leaves.]

Maria: (looking at her watch) Hey, I need to meet with Kerri in the theater. Is it okay if I stop by later?

Allaire: Oh yeah, not a problem.

Maria: Cool! See you later Allaire! Bye Sam!

[Sam salutes Maria then starts putting the board game away. Maria leaves.]

Allaire: Alright, give me the rundown. What did Melissa do?

Sam: Well, I was watching ‘Ninja Assassin’ and Melissa came back to the room and started bitching about how Rain is an asshole for letting the chick get stabbed before he went all Jedi on his sensei.

Allaire: (shaking her head) You two fight every time you watch that movie. I think you two should just stop watching it together.

Sam: I try to watch it alone but then she shows up and starts talking. She always talks. She even talks in her sleep!

Allaire: (exasperated) I know. Melissa was born without an off switch.

Sam: I intend to remodel Melissa’s face and give her one.

Allaire: (ponders the possibilities) Tempting….

Melissa: (from the closet) Allaire! You’re supposed to be mediating a peaceful surrender, not getting me killed! By the way, do any of you have ice?

Allaire: What do you need ice for?

Melissa: I think I did Gubler my finger after all.

Sam: (going to Allaire’s frig and pulling out an icepack) That too! She’s always talking about the Gube. It’s ‘Gubler this’ and ‘Gube that’, like a fucking stalker.

Allaire: (taking the icepack from Sam and slipping it under the closet door) She is a stalker.

Sam: Well…yeah.

Melissa: (from closet) I really am.

Allaire: (knocks on the closet door) Are you done in there yet?

Melissa: Does Sam still have a murderous look in her eye and an empty bottle?

Allaire: Mmm…. Well Sam doesn’t have the bottle anymore….

Melissa: What about the murderous look?

[Dead silence]

Melissa: Right, I’m not coming out.

Allaire: (in a demonic voice) Get out of my closet, Melissa.

[The door to the closet bursts open and Melissa tumbles out, pulling dust bunnies from her tangled red hair and kicking a plastic bag that’s tangled around her sneaker. She trips and falls flat on her face. Sam and Allaire make no move to help her.]

Melissa: I’m okay!

Sam: (deadpan) Yeah, I wasn’t actually concerned.

Melissa: Oh. Cheers then. (She tries to stand up but trips and falls again)

Sam: (trying not to laugh) I’m gonna go now.

Allaire: (exasperated) I think it’s for the best, Sam.

[Sam leaves]

-End scene one-

Lost Haven - The Wraith II

Jae couldn’t help the grin that pulled at her mouth as she crouched on the ledge of the building beside Wraith. Her blood was singing in her veins and the wind was tousling her hair and everything just felt right for once. She could hear everything from up above. The whisper of the misting rain that was still slicking over the night, Wraith’s eager little pants as he gazed down at the street, a distant car alarm, and the palpable thump of her own heart. It feels ridiculously good, Jae thought just before she tried to tamp down on the sensation.

Jae glanced at Wraith from the corner of her eyes, smirking slightly at the boy’s obvious enthusiasm. She could only make out the excited gleam of his green eyes and the crooked arch to his mouth from below his mask but his stance practically screamed for action. Admittedly, she was as eager as he was for something, anything to happen, but she was hiding it better. At least she hoped she was.

The backdoor to Jezebels lay right below them. The door opened up onto an alleyway with only a single light hanging over the door, casting greasy yellow shadows in a ten foot perimeter. Jae could hear the muffled ruckus of the barroom from their position. Seedy music and boisterous, drunken laughter cuts through the damp night with an eerie indignation.

Wraith squirmed beside Jae, his eyes flicking over her as that crooked smile leapt to his wide mouth again. Jae couldn’t restrain her answering grin, her fingers tightening reflexively on the rough brick of the building. Wraith leaned in closer to her, his grin hitching up a little higher until it was almost manic.

“Not really what I call a first date but not so bad, eh?” Wraith hummed, laughter tinting his voice. Jae’s smiled dropped from her face instantly. A cold sense of dread weaseled into her gut even as she felt the blood rising to her cheeks. Her reaction must have been obvious because Wraith’s smile lost a few degrees of tilt as he eyes suddenly searched her face with uncertainty.

“This isn’t a date,” Jae hissed, not actually meaning to make her voice that cold. Wraith’s smile fled completely from his face, disappointment flickering to his eyes.

“But back in the alley,” Wraith murmured anxiously, his hand motioning in the air like the words had failed him, “Weren’t we flirting?”

“No,” Jae gasped, her cheeks burning. Her heart beat a furious tempo in her chest, making her head swim.

“But I thought-”

Wraith’s question was cut off by as the backdoor to Jezebels slammed open. Jae wasn’t sure if she wanted to thank the three toughs that exited for interrupting Wraith or curse their perfect timing. Jae settled on focusing the majority of her attention on them even though her body was rapidly becoming acutely aware of Wraith’s every movement.

Jae’s eyes narrowed as she studied the alleyway like it’s a crime scene photo, every detail imprinting into her mind. Four men had exited the bar, the three muscles and Eddie, who looked scared shitless. One of the big toughs had Eddie by the back of the neck as he marched him into the alley, flanked by his partners.

Eddie trembled as the larger man flung him against the brick wall of the building Jae and Wraith were perched upon. Jae winced sympathetically. Eddie threw his hands up over his face as he cowered.

“I told you guys the truth! I was ambushed by a kid in a skeleton costume and a girl that was glowing blue!” Eddie squealed. The three tough guys snorted, exchanging a scornful look between them. The one nearest to Eddie cracked his knuckles threateningly as he leaned over Eddie, dwarfing the teenaged thief.

“Shut up Eddie. The boss told you to get his money and bring it back and you fucked up. Now you want us to believe that a skeleton and a chick that glows in the dark attacked you? You know what I think?” the big guy snickered and grabbed a fistful of Eddie’s hair, yanking the teen’s head back sharply, “I think you got greedy and took the boss’s money. Now either you start telling us the truth, or Pat and Elmo here are gonna make you remember.”

“I told you everything already, Don!” Eddie whimpered. Don shook his head and stepped back.

“Okay boys, let him have it,” Don sighed. Pat and Elmo snickered, lurching towards Eddie. Jae’s eskrima whistled through the air, shattering the light and sending the alley into darkness. The eskrima dropped to the ground with a hollow, metallic thud.

“What the fuck was that?” Don snarled, his eyes moving up and down the alley. Pat and Elmo grunted. Eddie sobbed.

“Oh God, it’s them,” Eddie sniffled.

“Shut up, kid,” Don snapped, edging his way towards the door.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you…” Wraith’s sing-song voice hung in the dark air. Eddie screamed and threw himself to the ground. Jae grinned as she slithered the rest of the way down the drainpipe and dropped to the ground silently. Her eyesight in the dark was far better than a human. She could see Wraith drop to the ground on the opposite end of the alleyway, caging the four men in between them. Jae crouched, twirling her remaining eskrima as she waited for Wraith’s signal.

The three tough guys were blindly edging back towards the door. One of them tripped over a trash can and went sprawling to the ground. Don gulped and panicked, rushing for the door. Now, Jae thought to herself and let the blue, glowing energy burst from her hands and light up the alleyway. Don wailed as he threw himself backwards, away from Jae. Jae grinned and took a menacing step towards him, the light in her hands crackling like lightning.

“Oh my God!” Don whimpered, shaking his head, “The kid wasn’t lying! You fucking glow!” Jae laughed at the man, which seemed to send him into an even greater panic. The distraction was all Wraith needed.

Wraith’s movements were lightening fast as he pounced on the first tough guy. She snickered as the guy let out an undignified squeal just before Wraith’s elbow met his nose with a sharp and sickening crunch. The tough guy screamed and grabbed at his face, clutching his broken nose. Wraith moved with an eerie, fluid silence worthy of his namesake and brought the big guy down with a blow to the solar plexus. Jae felt a little thrill rush through her veins as she watched the costumed teen twirled around the first tough guy and leap at the second man that had tumbled backwards over the trashcans.

Jae’s attention flitted back to Don just as the man’s chunky, shaking hand slid into the front of his jacket. Jae didn’t think as she burst into motion and closed the distance between Don and her in the blink of an eye.

Time moved slowly as she kicked Don under the chin, sending the man’s head snapping back and sending his arms flying to his sides. The pistol in his hand went flying, skidding across the wet asphalt. Jae’s eskrima sang through the air, catching Don across the jaw and sent him spiraling into unconscious. The entire process took a matter of seconds.

Jae’s head snapped up as she heard Wraith grunt. Her eyes tracked the costumed teen as he gripped his ribs and fell backwards against the building. The last tough guy standing had Wraith cornered as he threw meaty, bone crushing punches at Wraith. The teen dodged the first fist, letting it hit the brick wall behind him. The pain seemed only to enrage the big man and his next blow connected hard into Wraith’s belly, bring the kid to his knees.

Jae roared as she leapt forward, launching her whole body at the last guy. His movements seemed infinitely slow as Jae soared through the air at him. Jae’s eskrima snaked out in a vicious backhand and caught the big man across the face. He stumbled backwards, his eyes rolling back into his head. He toppled over unceremoniously to the ground.

Jae landed in front of Wraith, her body crouched with catlike grace, her body still singing for action. Wraith scrambled to his feet, edging to the side of Jae. He gasped, holding his ribs, his breath coming in little pants. Jae flicked her eyes at him, assessing him as she rose up from her crouch; the glowing in her hands flickered out. Wraith grinned up at her, but his jaw was tense with pain. Jae moved forward without thinking and slid her shoulder under the arm not cradling Wraith’s side and let the older teen lean his weight on her.

Neither teen spoke as they moved silently through the darkened alley; skirting Eddie’s whimpering form and pausing only for a moment to retrieve Jae’s eskrima from the puddle of shattered light bulb.

Wraith’s arm was heavy and warm across Jae’s shoulder as she retraced their mad dash until she found an acceptable nook in an alleyway to release Wraith. The boy leaned backwards against a building with an appreciative grunt. The city sounds seemed distant to Jae’s ears as she studied the alleyway, forcing herself to calm down. The blood in her veins sang with adrenaline, her skin prickling with excitement. Every sense seemed heightened. She could smell Wraith’s sweat and cologne on her jacket along with the fainter, tackier scent of blood. Jae tensely listened to the winded pants falling from Wraith’s mouth and something else. Jae craned her head to the side, listening intently to the sound. It was odd, out of place in the dingy backstreets. The whispering catch and rasp of heavy fabric filtering down from above them. Jae looked upwards just in time to see a slash of crimson and black flash across the rooftops. Jae felt her jaw drop open as her eyes made out the silhouette of a man against the gray storm clouds. For the briefest second, Jaelyn could have sworn the caped figure was looking directly at her.

“Ah, so you saw him, huh?” Wraith laughed in a strained voice. Jae snapped her mouth shut and glared at the teen. He winked playfully and jerked his chin back up to the rooftops.

“You know people can go their whole lives in Haven and not see the Blackbird once,” Wraith murmured conversationally, but there was a touch of wonder in his voice. Jae smirked. If only he knew who her mother was.

“How many times have you seen him?” Jae asked, still watching the sky for any glimpse of the masked vigilante. Wraith hissed in pain as he tried to shrug.

“Only a couple of times,” Wraith hummed, pulling up his shirt to examine his chest in the dim light of the alley. Jae hissed at the bruise blooming across the teen’s stomach and chest. A small globe of blue light flickered to life in the palm of her hand. Jae held it out cautiously to Wraith, illuminating his pale skin.

“Thanks,” he laughed a little breathlessly, his eyes skipping over Jae thoughtfully. Jae kept her eyes locked on Wraith’s exposed chest. The bruises were going to smart, but nothing appeared broken. Wraith cocked his head to the side, a little smile tugging at his mouth, “You know you’re pretty handy…for a girl.”

Jae snorted, closing her hand over the ball of blue light, extinguishing it. Wraith made a little noise of displeasure as he slid his clothes back down over his pale, thin chest. Jae snickered as she slid in under Wraith’s arm again, helping him up.

“You’re not so bad yourself, Wraith,” Jae whispered playfully, “For a skinny kid.”

“I’m not skinny,” Wraith whined half heartedly, his arm squeezing Jae, “I’m wiry.” Jae giggled, rolling her eyes as they started off again. Wraith seemed to be walking more on his own power, leading the way, but he kept his arm looped around Jae’s shoulders. Jae blushed, but didn’t shrug his arm off.

Jae tensed under Wraith’s arm as she finally realized where they were headed. Jae flinched away, letting Wraith arm drop to his side. He hissed out a little cry, clutching his side again. Jae backed away from him, wide eyed.

“What’s the matter?” Wraith asked, glancing between Jae and the guard’s post of the Tieran Quarter.

“How did you? I never told you I… You don’t know me….” Jae felt panic rising up in her chest as her words jumbled. Wraith sighed, inching closer to Jae.

“You didn’t say anything to give yourself away, kid. But just so you know, most human girls don’t glow in the dark,” Wraith teased lightly. Jae flinched again. Wraith reached out, grabbing Jae’s wrist and pulling her in towards him. She knew automatically that should break his hold, could hurt him if she wanted to, but she hesitated and let him draw her towards him.

“I won’t ask questions,” Wraith murmured, his hand sliding up her arm until it settled on her shoulder affectionately. Jae blushed and looked away. Wraith’s hand moved from her shoulder and suddenly there was the sound of fabric being pulled aside. Jae blinked and looked up. Wraith leaned forward at the same moment, pressing his lips against Jae’s in an awkward kiss. Jae fumbled for a moment, taken aback by Wraith’s sudden advance.

And then it was as if something clicked between them. Their movements synchronized with each other just as they had during the chase. Jae’s eyes flitted close as she tilted her head to the side. Wraith reached up to cup the back of her head and leaned into her. Jae tried not to study Wraith’s movements too closely as his lips slid across hers, but she couldn’t help noting the cold touch of metal studs on either side of his lower lip, or the heat radiating off of his unmasked face. Jae sighed as Wraith pulled away, ending the kiss.

Jae opened her eyes in time to watch the bottom of Wraith’s face disappear below his mask again, but not before she noted the red flush in his cheeks and the snakebite piercings. The costumed teen shifted nervously as he stepped away from Jae, a wry grin on his face.

“Just so you know, you might not have been flirting, but I was,” Wraith murmured. Jae grinned awkwardly and gave Wraith a light shove on his shoulder.

“Whatever Wraith,” Jae paused, her teeth worrying her lower lip, “Will I see you again?”

Wraith blinked at Jae owlishly. She mentally berated herself until Wraith’s mouth burst open into an enthusiastic smile, his green eyes twinkling.

“Sure!” Wraith squeaked then coughed to clear his throat. “Sure,” he tried again, “I’m usually haunting the warehouse district.”

“I’ll keep that in mind if I ever need another thrilling, adrenaline filled date,” Jae joked. Wraith’s eyebrows shot up under his disguise.

“Oh, so it was a date, huh?” he purred, his smile sharky. Jae rolled her eyes as she turned away from the costumed teen. She bite her lower lip to hold back her laugh as she felt Wraith’s eyes follow her all the way to the guard’s post.

The two Tieran guards on duty recognized Jaelyn instantly and jumped to their feet, saluting her. Jae nodded casually to the men and glanced back over her shoulder. Her eyes met Wraith for a brief second before he melted away into the shadows. Just like a ghost.