Living For The Night - Chapter 3

When Flame awoke, she found herself in the arms of Tariq. At first she was alarmed; her mind was drawing a blank as to what had happened the night before. But as it all came back to her, a wave of heat smothered her. Images of the fiery passion they had shared filled her mind, and she settled back into the warmth of his arms. She lay beside him and watched him sleep; the rhythmic up and downs of his broad chest, and the way his eyelids seemed to flutter. She studied every detail of his handsome face, and she ran her hand through his spiky brown hair. As she was about to kiss his full, red lips, the door flew open. 1

“Tariq! I need to talk to…” Luke stopped, his eyes focused on one person. “Flame? What are you doing here?”2

Tariq slowly opened his eyes, and when he saw Luke he smiled. “Well hello Nightstalker. It’s such a pleasure to see you.”3

Luke’s normally pleasant face fell as he took in the whole scene. “Flame. What are you doing here?” He repeated.4

Flame shifted a little, letting the sheet slip. “I don’t really think that’s any of your business.”5

Tariq reached for Flame and pulled her against him. “Is there something important you wanted to tell me? Because if not, then I’ve got better things to do.” He pinched Flame, and she squealed and wiggled in his arms.6

As Luke witnessed this, his stomach churned and he could feel his cheeks reddening. They were making him feel like a five year old walking in on his parents. “I’ll, uh, talk to you later.” He slowly backed out of the room, noting the content look on Flame’s face. His heart feeling torn in two; he went to his room and shut the door. 7

Flame watched Luke leave with rage. She didn’t want to see him, let alone talk to him. And yet, something inside her was hoping that he would’ve fought for her, or at least have been extremely jealous to see her in the arms of another man.8

Tariq wasn’t stupid. He knew that Flame still wanted Luke. And he knew Luke wanted Flame. He knew that Luke was in his way of getting Lilith. The wheels in his head turned as he thought of a way to further his plan. He had hoped one night would’ve been enough, but clearly it was not. As the plan grew more advanced in his head, he realized he was being quiet, and Flame was starting to get dressed. 9

“Flame, baby, come back to bed.” Tariq patted the bed beside him. 10

Flame shook her head. “Look Tariq, thank you for the distraction and all but this shouldn’t have happened.”11

Tariq grinned and then put on his best puppy-dog face. “Wasn’t I good enough for you?”12

Sighing, Flame sat down on the bed beside him. “That’s not it. You were…amazing…to say the least.”13

He turned to her with fake confusion. “Then what is it? I’m confused. I thought you liked me. I thought you wanted to be with me.”14

She took his face in her hands. “Tariq, I do like you. I just like someone else more. And if I keep this up, it’s not fair to you. Plus, we only met last night.” She gently kissed him on the lips, unaware that such an innocent act would cause her body to quiver. She pulled away quickly, alarmed at the effect the kiss had on her.15

Tariq noticed Flame quiver, and used this to his advantage. Taking her into his arms, he laid her down, knowing she wouldn’t resist him.16

*~*~*17

Luke paced his room, enraged at what he had witnessed. Granted, he had done the same with Lilith the night before, but at least Lilith and he had history. As far as he knew, Tariq and Flame had never met. He knew that Flame could do whatever she wanted; after all she didn’t belong to him. And yet he felt somewhat betrayed, as if she owed him some sort of loyalty. He had a wonderful previous night with Lilith, and she promised him many more to come. But deep down he knew that the gratification from Lilith would only be temporary, and his need for Flame would grow stronger by the day. He sighed and sat down on the edge of his bed. As he did so, the door suddenly flew open and Lilith appeared in the doorway. 18

“Nightstalker,” she purred. “I’m surprised you’re awake so early. I thought you’d be worn out.”19

Luke rolled his eyes. “I don’t sleep. You know that.”20

Lilith grinned. “Well after last night you might need to regain some energy.”21

Luke suddenly stood up. “Lilith, what did you come in here for?”22

Surprised at his tone, Lilith backed away. “Just to see if you had a good night last night.”23

“Well I did, okay?” Now can you please leave me alone?” He sat back down, and put his head in his hands.24

“Fine. But don’t expect anything from me tonight if that’s how you’re going to act!” She stormed out, slamming his door as she went.25

Luke was happy she was gone. He didn’t even want to look at her. Even though Flame and he were not a couple, he still felt guilty for his night with Lilith. As silly as it was, he felt like he had cheated on her. There was no denying their chemistry. He just hoped Flame knew that too. 26

Flame indeed did know. And as she awoke once more in the arms of Tariq, this time she did not stay. Slipping carefully out of his arms, she quickly dressed and exited his room. Noting the darkness outside the windows, she realized that she had spent almost twenty-four hours with Tariq. She also realized how hungry she was. Entering her room, she glanced in her mirror. She was caught off guard by how she looked with fangs and wings. She didn’t look like herself, but rather like a true immortal. She walked over to her window and glanced down at the many vampires heading out for their nightly feed. For the first time, she longed to be joining them. 27

“Let’s go.”28

Shocked by the sudden voice behind her, she spun around to find Tariq. “Tariq! Do you spend your life following me?”29

Tariq laughed. “No, but I do spend my life watching you. You want to be out there. I know you do. I see the longing in your eyes.”30

Flame glanced out the window once more. “I can’t…I’ve never done it before. I’d just embarrass myself in front of them.”31

Tariq took her hand. “I’ll teach you. We’ll go in the opposite direction of them. Come on Flame…It’s been long enough. You need to do this.”32

Flame shrugged. “Okay. But as long as you show me how.”33

“I promise.”34

Tariq opened her window, and they both stepped out onto the porch roof. Grabbing her hand once more, he flew her off towards the woods, instead of towards town like the rest. As they glided across the treetops, Flame reveled in the beauty of her view. This was the first time she was flying, and she loved it.35

Standing at his window, Luke saw Tariq and Flame fly off. Alarmed at where Tariq could be taking her, he flew off into the night after them.36

After what seemed like hours, Flame’s energy began to dwindle, and her wings began to sag. Grabbing Tariq’s arm, she slowed him down. “I need to stop. I can’t fly much longer.”37

Tariq scanned the area. “Okay, I see one. We’ll head down right here. But remember, be quiet.” He quickly soared downwards, and Flame followed suit. Landing silently on the ground, Flame stepped behind Tariq. He turned and put a finger to his lip, and then pointed.38

Flame followed his finger, and her heart dropped when she glimpsed the prey. A girl, maybe sixteen, lay sleeping on the ground. It was such a peaceful sight; Flame couldn’t bear the thought of breaking this poor girl’s innocence. She quickly grabbed Tariq’s hand and pulled him a few feet away. “Tariq! I can’t do this! She’s just a girl! It’s not fair to steal her life away!”39

Tariq angrily shook her off. “No Flame. You’re not going to back out of this. It’s time you learned how to turn your emotions off and feed when you need to feed.” He grabbed her arm and dragged her closer to the sleeping girl. “You’re going to do this.”40

Flame tried to pull out of his grasp, but he was too strong for her. “No, I’m not. I can’t do this.”41

Tariq shook his head. “If you won’t, then I will.” He glided over to the girl, slowly picking her up off the ground. As he did so, the girl’s eyes flashed open in fear. But before she could utter a word, Tariq extended his fangs, and sunk them into her pure and flawless skin. 42

Screams filled the air, but they weren’t from the girl. As Tariq sucked away at her neck, Flame screamed at the horror of what she was witnessing. A memory rushed back to her as she pictured herself in the arms of a vampire, and knew what that girl was feeling wasn’t pleasant. 43

“Tariq! Stop! Please!”44

But it was too late. As Tariq dropped the girl, he turned back to Flame, blood dripping down his chin. “Now it’s your turn.”45

Flame wasn’t listening. She fell to her knees beside the girl’s lifeless body, and started to sob. “How could you do this to her?”46

Tariq dropped down beside her, and grabbed her shoulders. “Listen to me. You are a vampire. This is what we do. We don’t care how old they are or what gender; they’re food, nothing more.”47

Flame gasped. “How could you say that? Don’t you remember being a human? I do.” She tried to wiggle away, but Tariq held her tight.48

“No Flame, I don’t remember. Nor do I want to. I like what I’ve become. It’s time you did too.” He pushed her head to the girl’s neck. “Bite Flame. You have to.”49

“I won’t do this! It’s wrong!” Flame struggled against his hold. “No!”50

Tariq forced her head even closer. “Smell it Flame. You know you can’t deny your body this pleasure any longer. You want it. You know you do.”51

Flame knew Tariq was right. As she smelled the sweet scent of human blood, her mouth began to water and her head automatically bent lower towards the girl’s neck. Yet every part of her knew this was wrong. “Tariq! Please! Don’t make me do this!”52

“Hey! What’s going on here?!” Luke landed and ran towards the pair. “What are you doing to her? Get off!” he pried Tariq’s hands off of Flame’s body and pulled her towards him. “Flame. Are you okay?”53

Flame pulled away from him. “Luke what are you doing here? I can take care of myself.”54

Tariq walked over to Luke and pushed him to the side. “Nightstalker. I’m not surprised you showed up. You certainly have a knack for showing up at the wrong time.” He grabbed Flame once more. “She’s doing this.”55

Luke tore her away from him. “No she’s not.”56

Flame stepped away from both of them. “Leave me alone! I’ll do what I want!” Glancing between them, Flame quickly decided what she was going to do. Dropping down beside the girl once more, Flame abruptly sank her fangs into the girl’s neck, imitating the sucking motion Tariq had demonstrated moments before. At once her body grew stronger than it ever had, and the taste was delicious. When her hunger was fulfilled, she stood up, licking the blood off of her lips. While Tariq was giving her an approving smile, Luke looked furious. Remembering his betrayal, Flame didn’t care what Luke thought. “What’s wrong Nightstalker? Don’t like my sudden taste for blood?”57

Luke shook his head. “Who are you turning into?” Without another word, he turned and flew up into the night sky.58

Flame watched him go without regret, and turned to Tariq. “Thank you for showing me how wonderful being a vampire is.” She leaned up and drew him into a long and sensuous kiss. When their lips parted, she smirked at the girl’s body and took Tariq’s hand. “Let’s go home.”59