Don't talk to me, I might lose it
Walk this, night on broadway lights
I want you to come undone

Don't leave me now, you have delusions
Keep me, bleeding with the crucified
I need you to come undone

I lie to myself
I long to be someone else

Livin' on the edge, I got used to the pain
Too much heart only drives you insane
And I want you to come undone
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another night, another turn of this dance, this "will I? won't I?" of the hunger. The Tiger is stirring, and I have to decide whether I'm going to ride or hide.

Rousing myself out of my room, I head downstairs. The Playground is quiet this early in the evening, and I hover restlessly near the bar. The first glass of Rotgut goes down far too fast, leaving me sated and edgy.

It doesn't take long for Angelo to turn up, and from the gleam in his eye, I know what he wants. As he walks up to me, I open my mouth to tell him... what? No? Yes? Maybe? I haven't decided. But he speaks before I can get the words out.

"Don't say a word, kaloz mou," he whispers. (No arguments tonight. Just come with me.)

What choice do I have, really? I want him, and he knows it. I don't want to be alone. Not tonight. The only other option is to play the game by his rules, to ride the Tiger with him, and see how far we'll both go.

He's got something in mind already, I realize, studying him. He's not letting me know what, yet, so he probably thinks it's something I'm not gonna like unless I'm too close to the edge to argue.

Fuck it. Two can play this game, and it sure as hell doesn't have to be by his rules. He's not the only one who can push buttons. We'll just see who gives in first tonight. But I don't let him see my decision. Instead, I just nod sullenly and let him lead the way out of the Nocturne.

He leads me to a club that doesn't look like much from the outside. Can't hear what kind of music they're playing from here on the street, and there's no line-up to get in. I shoot a skeptical look at Angelo, but he just grins.

(You'll like this. Trust me.)

Turning to mist, we drift in through a back wall of the club, avoiding both the cover charge and the bouncer. We move like shadows, unnoticed, along the edges of the crowd. It's not a busy night here yet; there's only maybe 50 people in the small dance area.

(It's a goth club,) Angelo explains. Like I can't see that. Everyone here is in black, with white to catch the black light. It lights my hair like a white neon torch when we move too close to it. Thin, pale bodies are draped in fishnet, latex and leather, chains and handcuffs.

(Those who want to be Children of the Night,) he adds, his smile predatory. His eyes are roving the dance floor, already searching for the mark.

Ah, so that's the game. Tease them with the knowledge that we exist. Right before we take away all hope of them ever becoming anything in life.

The music is heavy, dark, trance. A strobe light high in one wall flashes constantly against a mirror ball hung from the ceiling above the opposite wall. It gives the dancers between the two lights a strange flickering, stop-action motion look, like only half of each of their movements is being seen. It makes them graceful, in a robotic kind of way. Some of them dance almost entirely with their hands, like they're creating images out of the light and shadow, shaping it with their fingers.

Licking my lips, I focus on a pair of boys at the edge of the dance floor. Their hands are touching each other as much as they're touching air. The shorter one is slender, blond, and obviously the dominant one. His partner -- no, lover, I decide, watching them a moment longer -- is taller, dark-haired and... not exactly happy to be here. Hmmm.

(How about him?) Angelo asks, pointing out a delicate, but feisty looking boy across the room. I barely spare him a glance.

(No. Them.)

A flash of irritation on Angelo's part is quickly doused as he looks at the pair. (Are you sure?) he asks.

Sure of what? That I want to play with two? I wouldn't have suggested it if I wasn't. Or does he mean sure that I want to contradict him?

(Only if you like them,) I reply, slipping around behind him to nuzzle at the nape of his neck. My movement also gives him an unobstructed view. Let him think that he's still in charge, but this is my game tonight.

They're both pretty enough for his tastes, and mine, without being femmy. And if they're here tonight, they have some attraction to death, and to what they think our kind are. They look just bored enough to be willing to leave, too.

(Mmm. Let's see if they want to play.)

Hiding a smile of triumph in his curls, I nod and let him lead the way over to the pair.

It doesn't take them long to notice us, though of course they pretend not to. Angelo and I sidle up to them as if glued together at the hip, and the blond smiles sensuously at us. It's next to impossible to talk in here, I realize suddenly. It's not a problem for Angelo and I, but we can hardly go mindspeaking to these two.

(Divide and conquer, love.)

Ah. I suppose that's as good a tactic as any, though it annoys me that Angelo thought of it first. Dropping his arm from around my waist, he tilts his head and raises an eyebrow at the blond. Not to be outdone, I smile sweetly at the taller boy, rubbing up against him as his partner steps away.

"Isak," he protests, the single word almost inaudible, but the blond just grins as he steps away, pairing with Angelo for this dance. Looks like I get the real challenge then.

"A lover of death, mm?" I ask, leaning in close so I can whisper in his ear.

He pulls back enough to study me, and shakes his head. "Not death," he answers, closing in again. "Just darkness." A long moment passes before he adds, "And blood."

Oh, yeah! The stutter light flashes off my fangs as I let them drop for just a moment and smile broadly. His eyes widen, surprise quickly followed by fascination. Now he's interested, and presses up against me.

"Nice mod," he whispers. "Who did it?"

Writhing against him in time to the music, I don't reply right away. His breathing quickens, and I can feel his interest -- in more ways than one. "A friend of a friend," I say finally. "Maybe we can work something out, if you want to play tonight...."

Much more of this and I'm afraid he'll start drooling on me. But I have him, it's that simple. And now if Angelo has played his game right....

"Jens, love," someone says brightly, and loudly. My new friend steps away suddenly, edging towards the voice. I turn and find Angelo looking way too smug as he stands beside the blond boy.

Introductions are made, with Angelo and I giving false names that aren't important, cuz we won't need them after tonight. The blond is Isak and the dark-haired boy is Jens. They don't give last names, and we don't ask.

"I was just suggesting that the four of us might... entertain ourselves tonight," Angelo says.

Isak smiles, reaching out to grasp Jens by the wrist. "We have our own place to play," he whispers, his voice smoky. Beside him, Jens flinches ever so slightly. Isak doesn't seem to notice, but Angelo and I do. "Shall we show them, Jens?"

The dark-haired boy nods, keeping his eyes on the floor. Playing the submissive, or is he really? I wonder. He wasn't half so shy with me.

"Lead the way then, sweetling," Angelo says, smiling charmingly. Isak practically melts at the sight. Jens will be a tougher nut to crack, I think, but worth it.

Their place turns out to be a converted office space above an abandoned warehouse. These boys definitely like things dark. There's bondage gear hanging from the ceiling: a spreader bar with locking cuffs at either end. In~teresting.

Isak notices me noticing it, and smiles. He probably thinks it's a predator's smile, but compared to what I'm used to, it's the grin of an stupid puppy. "Jens likes to be tied up, don't you Jens?" he purrs.

Jens forces a smile to his lips that makes me wonder just what kind of blackmail or sweet-talk Iask is using to make him play. He's obviously not happy about it. Time to sweeten him up a little.

"And you like to be in charge, don't you, honeychild?" Angelo murmurs, licking at Isak's ear.

"You said you had a new game," Jens says suddenly, sounding sulky.

"Oh, we do," Angelo replies, as I sidle up to Jens, letting my hands roam over his arms and chest. "Isak and I are going to watch while you and Jamie play. I think we'll all enjoy it, don't you?" His smile is sharp, almost nasty, and for a moment he lets the red glow light his eyes. But not long enough for them to be sure of it.

"Sounds lovely!" Isak gushes, trying to lead Angelo to the bed.

Of course Angelo won't be led. He gets there first and settles himself on the queen-size four-poster. Piling the pillows behind him, he leans back against the wall. Only then does he let Isak get on the bed. He pushes Isak down in front of him, so that the other boy is sitting between his legs, and Angelo can watch over his shoulder. Very comfy. Also very convenient for teasing Isak from behind. And Isak is already getting hot and bothered.

In a sudden flash of empathy, or insight, or whatever you want to call it, I know exactly how these two normally play together. Isak is addicted to spice; he gets off on hurting Jens. And Jens? He lets Isak play rough, because he gets off on Isak getting off on hurting him.

Twisted. Kinky. I love it.

Too bad we have to kill them.

"There's toys in the box over there," Isak says helpfully.

Toys? I take a quick peek. Oh. Whips, paddles, more rope. Nah, I don't want to bother with that.

"Jamie doesn't need toys," Angelo whispers. His arms encircle Isak's chest, his fingers reaching up to play with the boy's nipples through the fabric of his shirt.

"No?" Isak pouts a little. "What's he going to use then?"

I grin at him before turning to help the reluctant Jens out of his clothes.

"Just his nails... and his teeth," I hear Angelo reply. Waves of pleasure and excitement spill out from Isak as Angelo lets his own teeth graze over the boy's shoulder.

Hmm. Where to start with Jens? He keeps sneaking looks over my shoulder, at Isak and Angelo. The sight of them is obviously turning him on -- he can't hide that as I peel his velvet pants off -- but he can't seem to just watch.

"It's alright," I whisper, cupping his upper arm in both hands, and sliding my hands down to his wrist. "Watch all you want to."

He shoots a strange look at me as I raise his wrist and fasten it into the cuff above his head, but he does give in and keep his eyes fixed on the bed. The look makes me wonder even more about these boys' relationship, though. Maybe it's a permission thing. Maybe Isak forces him to beg all too often. That's about the only thing that would make that look he gave me make sense.

Trailing my fingers back down his arm, I let my nails dig in, raising ridges of flesh. Jens shivers, his body straining toward me.

"Yes, hurt him," Isak pants. "I want to see you hurt him."

It'd be so easy to tap into all that sugar Angelo's stirring up, but that's not what I want. Not by itself, anyway. Instead, I make tracks down Jens' chest, leaving marks that are not quite gouges. Not yet. I step aside so that Isak can see what I've done as I take Jens' other arm and cuff it above his head also.

I don't need to look to know that Angelo has his hand down Isak's pants. My lover's not really hard, though. All of this is amusing him, but it's not getting him hot and bothered. I'll have to do something about that.

There are cuffs anchored into the floor as well, to keep Jens from kicking, I guess. After a moment's debate, I move back to his chest and start working my way down his torso. This time I don't hold back. My nails can be like claws, and I leave thin trails of broken skin in long strips. When I reach his hips, I ignore his straining cock, and instead make circles around his waist, his hips, his thighs. His body quivers beneath my touch and I can feel the tension in his muscles as he tries not to react. The waves of pleasure from the bed are cresting -- Isak's about to come already. I just hope he's not a one-shot, cuz Angelo doesn't seem inclined to stop him.

(Don't worry about that,) Angelo says drily. (You know better.)

True. Angelo can do wonders for a person's stamina.

And I've gouged a hole in Jens' thigh just thinking about Angelo. Blood wells to the surface, beading bright against his pale skin. Licking my lips, I leave it there and continue my trail-making all the way down to his ankles.

There's a scuffling noise on the bed, and Jens whimpers faintly, rolling his hips in a circle. I turn my head to look and I'm not surprised to find Isak on his knees while Angelo tugs his pants down.

"Stay there," Angelo hisses when Isak tries to move back to his previous position. Kneeling behind the blond, he forces Isak to his hands and knees.

(Is there a collar in that box, lover?)

(Pick a color,) I retort, rising gracefully to my feet.

(Black, then.)

(Ooo, what a surprise.)

His reply is the mental equivalent of smacking my ass, but I just grin at him. It's not hard to find a collar, and leash, so I pull out a set and toss them over to the bed. They land smack in front of Isak's nose, startling the hell out of him. Angelo doesn't give him time to think about it, but quickly fastens it around his neck and lets the chain leash trail over his back. Jens takes a quick hissing breath, his excitement visible.

"Turn about's fair play, isn't it?" Angelo asks sweetly.

Isak doesn't like this one bit, but Jens does. Moving back over to my plaything, I step up behind him and start working on his shoulders. It's not quite a razorblade massage, but that's the closest metaphor I can come up with. Over his shoulder I can see Angelo shortening the leash, forcing Isak to keep his head up.

We shoulda tied Isak up. The fear and arousal rolling off of him is the sweetest sugar-spice yet tonight. And there's this look in Jens' eyes....

Reaching up above his head, I unbuckle one wrist, bringing it slowly down to touch my lips. A lover of blood, he said. Time to see how deep that runs. Letting my fangs drop, I bite into his wrist, tearing enough to draw steady blood, but not ripping the vein. The Tiger rouses, stretches, threatens to take me... and him... but I stuff it back in its cage. For now. Raising my head, I turn and press my bloodied lips to Jens'. He sucks them hard, biting at them as he pulls at his bonds, trying to rub up against me.

"Here," I say, breaking away and offering him his own wrist. It'll distract him while I untie him.

Angelo has guessed what I'm up to and forces Isak over to us. The would-be dom mewls pathetically, demanding to know what's going on, insisting that this is not the game he'd had in mind.

Angelo's patience snaps and he jerks Isak to his feet, then off the ground, holding him up by the collar. "This isn't your game," Angelo drawls. "You're no gamer. Just a pathetic shit who wouldn't know power if it bit him." The last is hissed through bared fangs.

Isak nearly shits himself.

I laugh as I undo the other wrist cuff. Jens steps free, already reaching to take Isak from Angelo. There's a wild look in his eyes.

(Like you freed a tiger?) Angelo says drily.

Shit. I hadn't even thought of that. That's what he meant when he asked if I was sure, back at the club. Jens is a Sleeper. The Sangsue in his bloodline is almost not worth mentioning, but he has the taste for blood. And now Angelo's one jump ahead of me again.

Isak's shaking like a druggie in need of a hit, making it kinda hard for Jens to tie him up. I give him a hand, but Angelo, folding his arms across his chest, just watches. A strange little sardonic smile plays on his lips. Fuck it. This is still my game. I'm not gonna let him steal it all. And the next move is mine.

Jens wants to tear into Isak, shred him into small pieces he knows he can't devour. But that wouldn't be half as exciting for us as what I have planned. With whispered promises I manage to convince Jens to leave Isak alone for now. The blond boy whimpers faintly as I lead Jens back to the bed and Angelo joins us. The three of us stretch out, with Jens in the middle, like a trio of sleek cats. Isak has the best seat in the house, and I'm gonna make sure he appreciates it.

Angelo wastes no time in sweetening Jens. His lips trace a line down the boy's neck and chest and fasten onto his left nipple. Jens moans, deep in his throat, and starts to reach for Angelo, but I catch his arm.

"Just relax," I murmur. "Let us pleasure you." Taking the leash that was clipped onto Isak's collar a few minutes ago, I wrap it tightly around Jens' wrists and stretch his arms up above his head. It's just long enough to clip onto one of the rungs of the headboard. Perfect.

Sliding back down beside him, I nip at his neck, then start working my down. Angelo's still teasing Jens' nipple, his fangs starting to draw blood now. Not like Jens' is protesting. He's so far gone already, riding the pleasure-pain wave that Angelo's stirring.

I'm not gonna let him have all the fun.

Turning myself around so that my head's near Jens' crotch, I nibble at the insides of his thighs. He writhes beneath us, his hips straining to force his cock into my mouth, but I won't let him. Taking his balls in my mouth, I suck them hard, rolling them between teeth and tongue. Jens shudders, and I can hear Angelo breathing as he moves to tap from his favourite spot. Releasing Jens' sac with one last little nip, I shift my attention to the vein on the inside of his thigh. Our fangs sink in at the same time and Jens comes suddenly, his cock throbbing against my cheek.

His blood is like honey on my tongue, sex sweet and hot. It's Angelo's favourite flavour too, and his excitement amplifies mine until we're both ready to boil over. But first there's this delicious treat to devour. Jens makes a faint sound, almost like a purr, but he goes quiet pretty quickly as our hungry mouths suck him nearly dry.

"What are you doing? You freaks are like him, aren't you? Bloodsuckers... you're going waaay too far," Isak says, his voice rising on each syllable. His voice is shrill, painful to the ears, but it doesn't break us away from Jens.

Hmm... so Isak knows about Jens' taste for blood. Bastard probably blackmails the boy with it, too. You know, I think the rules of this game need to change again. (Let's leave him alive.)

(Why?) The idea surprises and distracts Angelo.

(More fun this way...) and I let him have a glimpse of what I have planned. It's enough to make him agree.

That moment before death is coming too quickly since Angelo and I are both draining him. We have to stop now if he's going to be alive enough to watch. Pulling away, we reach for each other, our movements sharp and violent as we devour each other's mouths. Is it cruel to leave Jens just barely alive? Maybe. But I want an audience for our game with Isak. And I think Jens'll appreciate it. Breaking away from Angelo for a moment, I glance at Jens. He's smiling.

(There's still the other one,) Angelo says, grasping my chin and forcing my mouth back to his.

(Unhunh.) Like I could forget. Isak is chanting something under his breath. I don't bother trying to make it out. Angelo's tongue darting around my mouth, licking Jens' blood away, is way more exciting. Isak's fear is almost drowning out his arousal, but not quite. He hates himself for being turned on by this, but he is. Oh, he definitely is. His cock's standing up straight and hard even if the rest of him is covered in fear-sweat.

(Want him,) I add, trying to pull away from Angelo.

His arms tighten around me. (Want you,) he growls.

Twisting free, I smile promises at Angelo. (Him first.)

Like he's so reluctant to agree.

We descend on Isak like a pack of ravenous wolves -- if two can make a pack. So close to going feral, but not there yet, not letting go, we bite and suck and devour him. Our mouths ravage his skin, teeth and nails ripping, leaving him bleeding everywhere we can reach. Isak's voice spirals up into a wordless scream and then settles into a faint but lingering whimper as Angelo and I take turns building and cooling the sugar-spice fires he's fighting. He wants to come, but can't, cuz every time he gets close we cool the sugar and boost the spice, leaving him dangling on a razor edge of almost. Sexual frustration is one of the sweetest pains going, not that Isak's in any space to appreciate it.

Angelo slips around behind him, his teeth grazing at Isak's neck as I slide down between his legs, my mouth going back to that sweet spot on his thigh. We pause that way for a moment, letting Isak take a breather from the onslaught, though it's more about building our own anticipation than giving him any relief. My mouth is tingling, hungry to finish him off, to take everything from this fucker. Angelo's all for it, too; the rasp of his heavy breathing is sexy as hell right now.

Then this voice cuts through the red haze, a voice so soft a Breather couldn't possibly hear it.

"Don't... kill him... yet... please...."

My mouth snaps shut and I hear Angelo hiss in surprise as I turn to face the bed. It's Jens alright. Somehow he's managed to get himself mostly sitting up, his arms stiff but trembling, his palms braced against the mattress. There's a red glow in Jens' eyes, and I can feel how much he wants to join us, wants to be the one to finish off Isak.

(I thought....) I don't know what I thought. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

Angelo's frowning, studying Jens over Isak's shoulder. (He's not Awakening,) he says slowly.

(Then what.... Oh.)

We both come to the conclusion at the same time, knowing how powerful a need such a force can be.

Revenge.

(Help him up,) Angelo says, but I'm already on my over to Jens.

Easing him to his knees on the floor, I help him shuffle over to Isak. He kneels at Isak's feet, panting, trembling on the edge of passing out, but manages to hang on somehow. Placing his hands on Isak's thighs, he braces himself there and stares up at the blond boy who had been his lover. Outright terror has Isak's eyes rolling white, but Angelo is quick to douse it as much as possible, keeping him coherent and not shitting all over the place.

"Isak," Jens hisses. His voice is something otherworldly. It makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. "This is for all the times you teased me with your blood... times you threatened to tell everyone... times you took advantage of me...." He wraps one hand tightly around Isak's stiff cock, holding it firmly in place. "And this is for all the times you fucked me without even asking what I wanted."

His mouth closes over Isak's cock and I wince as his teeth - not sharp enough to do it properly - start chewing into the soft flesh. It's so wrong it's right, beauty in the horror of it. Angelo's teeth sink into Isak's neck and he juices even while he's boosting that sugar-spice for Jens.

We both know - even if Jens doesn't - that this will be his first and last juicing.

There's blood running from between Jens' lips. His eyes close, a serene expression slipping onto his face. Moving behind him, I press up against him and take his cock in my hand. Might as well make this as enjoyable as possible. Isak's whimpering stops, though he's not dead yet. The only sounds in the room are suckling noises and heavy breathing.

(He's close,) Angelo says quietly as he releases Isak.

Jens is still sucking, determined - I think - to suck out every last drop of Isak's life. It'll make him sick, or would if he was going to live that long. Pumping his cock faster, I feel that moment when the life flickers out of Isak's body followed immediately by Jens coming hard and fast. Exhausted, he sags against me, letting the ruin of Isak's dick slide from between his bloodied lips.

"Thank... you..." Jens says, or tries to. Angelo and I understand, hear the words even if he doesn't quite put air behind them.

Angelo moves slowly to stand on Jens' left. His eyes are dark, so dark, as he stares down at the boy. (We have to do this,) he says, grasping Jens' chin in one hand and the back of his head in the other.

(I know.)

That doesn't stop me from shuddering when he snaps Jens' neck. Jerking to my feet, I wrap my arms around Angelo's waist, burying my face against his neck. I don't know where the tears came from, but they're there suddenly, spilling down my cheeks when I blink. Shit, I don't want to be crying, don't want to piss Angelo off.

But he pulls back far enough to raise my chin and lick the tears away. His eyes are broody, but understanding.

I can't stop the tears, so I let them fall, since he's accepting it at the moment. It's all too much. A different time, a different place, that could have been me....

(I'm so glad... so glad....) I can't get the words out. Angelo's patience surprises me as he strokes my hair and waits. (So glad you found me!) I blurt out finally.

His lips cover mine, sticky with blood, but gentle. And then there are no words, only our bodies, hands, tongues, teeth, moving together in that primal dance we know so well. It says everything we need to as we fuck in a desperate, needy, loving way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I lie to you now
I long to walk on a cloud

Livin' on the edge, I've been livin' a lie
Too much heart's always been denied
And I need you to come undone...

~Cloud Nine~
by Alan Frew
from the album "Hold On"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

04.04.03 Tavam