Chapter 20

She slipped from beneath him, strength beginning to race through her veins. Standing she moved to the mirror and looked and sure enough saw a matching reddish tinge on her lips. "I can't BELIEVE you!"

Richie watched her "Wha? I had to do it darlin, you were half dead, mic said..." he trailed off as he detected her anger was about to jump off the scale.

She wiped a hand over her lips and turned. "Mic said, God, You did this based on a best friend's worry?"

Richie jumped back "It wasn’t a worry she was genuinely concerned for you as was I darlin, she knew this would help and it appears she was right" as he watched her fire start re burn from her soul.

She sighed as she watched him. "You're so new to this Richie, you don’t know the ramifications of doing something like this, NONE of us do. I just.. " She stood watching him, and couldn't be angry. "You're too sweet, you care too deeply, but what if you've screwed something up in your life?"

"Gia, if we don’t know what I have screwed up then we don’t know that I have, I had to, something deep inside me drove it, I coudn’t stop it. I don’t care what the consequences are, we will get through them, no matter what" he said softly as he licked his lips dry.

How could you fight with logic like that? And they called him evil. Well the Rom were stupid. He cared more for her well being than his own. There was nothing evil in that. Shaking her head a grin began to play on her lips. "What the hell am I gonna do with you Rockstar?"

A loose grin slipped on his lips. "Bite me?" he teased.

"Don't tempt me big guy I don’t have sharp fangs, it might hurt."

He moved himself closer to her, seeing her color restoring to her face and feeling that familiar warmness of her being returning to her. "Do you feel better now baby?" he asked as his hands slid down her arms and rested at her hips.

She wrapped her arms around him while laying her head on his chest, the sound of his heartbeat a simple song of reassurance. "Yes damn you, I'm still angry at you though."

He chuckled as he held her close, relishing her warm mould against his own, bringing him some form of comfort. "I know you are, but I have a way to make that better" he lifted her chin and kissed her on the lips, this time with a dangerous urgency as he scooped her back up in his arms and walked towards the bed.

She pressed a kiss to his chest as she murmured, "Why do I think you're gonna be hell on wheels once you get a handle on your abilities?? You're already deadly."

He murmured as he placed her down and bent down kissing up her arms, his fangs already prevalent so he slowly tickled down her arms with them.

She moaned softly at the scratchy feel of fang sliding along her arms so tenderly, her body slowly beginning to writhe beneath him. "Have mercy.."

"Only if you beg he huskily whispered as his kisses scathed around the nape of her neck and then down her chest pulling her top up to reveal her bare skin. His lips honed in and made their way to her breasts, as he lavishing licked and teased the flesh around them before preying on her pink rosy nub, carefully lifting it into his mouth he sucked contently

Her back arched as a whimper left her. "You're being naughty."

Richie groaned as his hardness was starting to become evident below his denim.
"I'm always naughty" he whispered switching to her other breast and paying it the same respect.

His hand slid down her body and her own jeans, finding the fly he unzipped it letting his hand flow freely inside, her need was slick and aching for his touch.

Slender hands couldn't be still as they roamed up under his shirt, pushing it up as she kissed the skin being revealed. "I like naughty."

Richie finally pulled away "We're wearing far too much clothing here darlin" he wrestled his shirt off and shucked his jeans away before sliding her own off and assisting her top to be discarded to the floor.
"That's better" his mouth found its guilty pleasure roaming her skin once more as he ignited kisses all the way up to her mouth.

One slender leg rubbed against his side before curling over his waist, her lips pressing to his. "Definitely better." Her hands slid through his long brown locks and held tight as she bucked up against him urgently.


He slid inside her with ease as his arms rang across her body spreading his feeling across her. "Giaaaa" he hauntingly called as his thrusts rolled into her.

She rose to meet his length, the fire inside of her beginning to rage out of control as her hands urgently slid along his sweaty skin. Full lips slid over his chest as she gathered his salty taste on her tongue, a soft growl of need vibrating in her throat.

His hand slid down as his thumb feathered against her clit gently, his tongue sliding along her body tasting every available inch. His hardness pressed into her hip teasingly as his raging need for her broke down the steel walls of control he had worked so hard at achieving. "Goddd darlin, you drive me insane."

She flexed against him, her inner walls clamping down around his hardness as a soft cry flew from her lips. "Richieee.. please."

"Soon, darlin, soon, " his rich and raspy voice promised heaven as his cock was milked by her satin walls, taking every inch from him. "Damn girl, fuck," he spluttered as her lust and desire washed upon his soul to mix with his own sending him reeling into unbridled pleasure as he spilled inside her. "Giiiiiiiiiaaaaaaa" his mating call sounded.

She held tight to his shoulders as he seated himself deep inside of her, his hot seed spilling into her and sending her over the edge of reason. The slightest brush of his thumb over her core had her screaming as her body pulsed in time with his. "Richieee.. yesss."

Pleasure kicked his instinct into overdrive in as he slowly bent down to her neck and lathed his tongue across his favorite spot on her body. He gently began to tease and torment the pulsing vein before sliding lower along her shoulders.

Chapter 19

Jon walked by Gia to set up his first shot. As he leaned over the table he lightly brushed against her arm. Making the shot he stood and grinned as he sank two balls on the first shot. "Beat that!"

Gia closed her eyes and paled slightly, ok standing here had been a bad idea. She took a deep breath and counted to ten before opening her eyes. She'd move as soon as her head quit swimming. Hell as soon as her brain started working she was telling Mic to get Mr. Lethal some control.

Jon bounced over to the side of the table to set up his next shot. Damn he felt good, buzzed almost and he hadn’t even finished a beer yet. Lining up his shot he sank another ball and flicked a victory symbol up. "Yeah I'm on fire tonight!"

Mic's eyes grew as round and saucers as she witnessed exactly what was happening. Jon was feeding off Gia, siphoning the deep soul energy right from her, and he didn’t even know. Holy fuck, he was sucking her dry of everything. She recognized the look Gia was sending, get him to stop it.

Mic walked around in between where Jon and Gia were and grabbed Jon's arms as the shockwaves bolted through her body, shit he was hot to touch even."Jon, I really wish I had a diet coke about now babe" she smiled hoping he'd get the hint.

He glanced at the table then at Mic, damn his mama always taught him to be polite. "Don't let anyone fuck the table ok babe?" He turned to Gia and tapped her on the shoulder, "You need anything?"

Gia shook her head as her knees started to wobble. "Ahh no thanks."


Jon shrugged and called out a be right back as he nearly bounced to the bar.

Richie watched as Jon raced off to the bar. "Gia baby? What's happening here? " he said as he grabbed her to hold her steady.

Mic came over "Jesus, you need to get her away, Jon's taking energy off her without knowing and sucking her dry, I need to stop this, I think he can feed from me and it wont have the same effect, if I am right. Richie I need you to take her to the car, and shit Richie, I need you to give her your blood, pierce your wrist and make her drink it."

Richie's eyes widened "You have got to be kidding me?, Are you serious?" he asked flabbergasted.

"It’s the last resort here Richie, I am serious you need to do it. Take her to the car, more privacy, blue Toyota" she said handing the keys to Richie.

Gia shook her head, "I'll be ok, Mic don't ask him to do that.. don’t make him do that." She closed her eyes and tried to breathe. That would finalize things, she knew that would cement the bond and she wouldn't do it to Richie, not for all the gold in the world. "Its ok."

"Gia he has to, look at you, you don’t know his pull, Richie can take your blood, but Jon's taking your soul energy, and that’s harder to get back. You know its already set, deep down you know Gia" Mic reasoned.

She shook her head no, "Me knowing and him knowing and accepting.. its different Mic." She pushed off the wall and straightened, or tried to. "It will be ok."

Richie looked at the girls. "Look I will do it if I have to, is it paramount she has it?" Richie asked Mic.
Jon bounced up and handed Mic her coke. "Here ya go baby." He whirled and took Gia's hand and stuck a coke in it. "Brought ya one anyhows good looking."

Gia blinked and faded back against the wall. "Thanks," was the whispered reply.

"Fuck" Mic muttered as she watched Jon again feed off her friend, now more than ever this had to be done.

She took a deep breath and pulled Jon in for a long kiss, the shock waves sent down her body were explosive but she knew if she was right she could take it and she did to calm him down a few notches.

Jon’s arms went around Mic's body as he pulled her closer. Damn if he'd argue a pretty girl giving him a kiss. His tongue slid along her lower lip then in to tease her tongue with flickers of brilliance.

She pulled away shaking as the energy flowed through her. Shit, she took it, and she was still standing. "Jon, we're going to need to talk later, there’s something you gotta know"

He wrapped his arm around her and gave her a lazy grin. "Sure thing babe, but uhh this time you’re saying you agree to start with."

Gia's hand's fisted as she drew ragged breaths in to stay on her feet. This was insane.. what did she have a glowing neon sign for vamps over her head saying *EAT HERE?* She knew if she tried to move she'd be on the floor, so she kept her eyes closed and prayed for strength to return. At least hungry boy was occupied with Mic.

Mic watched Gia and turned to Jon "Sure thing, I agree, to anything I promise, I was a bitch last night and I apologize" she rambled off, anything to shut him up.

Richie drew Gia in closer to him, Mic nodded at him, he had to do this. "Gia, I don’t mind doing this darlin, I am going to take you to the car" he whispered in her ear as her limp body seeped into his arms.

She whispered softly as her arms slowly moved to anchor around his neck. "you don’t have too ok? you don’t.."

Jon's brow winged into his hairline as Richie scooped Gia up and began to move off. Well hell be rude why don’t he? Shrugging he turned his attention back to Mic, at the moment she was a damned sight more preferable.

"She's just not feeling the best, Richie's just taking her to the car for a minute, so I guess you're stuck with me for the minute" she wrapped her slender arms around his waist feeling the brilliance of his force flow thorugh her, this time it was easier to take.

Richie carried her out to the car and soon found it the way Mic had described it, lifting her gently into the backseat he climbed in beside her and closed and locked the door.

Shit, now what? He knew the only way his fangs came out was when he was near her neck. Cradling her ever so gently he kissed her on the lips and flicked his tongue along her cheek then down to that pulsing point of life that drew him in.

She whimpered as his lips touched hers in a gentle kiss that sent shivers racing along her arms. She pulled away and leaned back against the seat. "Dunno what Mic said to you, but you don’t have to do this."

He could hardly move the back seat was cramped as his legs couldn’t fit it. He was going to have to take her back to the hotel.

"I do have to, arguing it wont change it darlin. Its too late Gia, I am going to drive to the hotel and we will get you sorted, I don't mind at all, no arguments" Richie's could feel her fear, damn he could just about taste it. He knew she was weak, he could feel it radiate from her. He got into the front seat and drove back to the hotel as fast as he could.

Once there he carefully lifted her out of the car and carried her into the room he shared with Jon. Placing her neatly on the bed, he was starting to panic at how lifeless she was, he wished Mic was here he had no idea how to do this, he get his fangs out and fast. He lay over her and brushed back her hair and kissed her forehead.

She looked up at him and saw the worry and fear in his eyes. A weak smile slid onto her lips. "Hey big guy, not so worried ok? I'll be right as rain with a little sleep. really..

Richie watched her and his mind started to penetrate her own, he was inside a chasm of fear and exhaustion that he could feel to his very own core. She wasn’t alright, she needed this, Mic was right.

Richie bared his teeth but nothing happened, Shit, is there a magic word or something when you're not horny? Fuck.

Richie bent down beside the bed and gazed at her. There had to be a way to do this just had to be, He closed his eyes and centered himself around her, Gia beautiful Gia, Taking a deep breath he concentrated on her beautiful body and soul and let his need rise. As his need began to flare his fangs began to descend slowly.

She slid back, angling her head and body away from his. "NO RIchie, I'll be ok." She tried to move, but it was damn near impossible with his body hovering over hers. "You don't get it, you can't.. I won't let ya."

Richie leaned forward and his lips brushed against her ear. "You're weak, I can feel it baby, I won't let you fade, I just wont" his voice laced with husk.

She struggled for a breath and tried for a reassuring voice. "I just need some sleep. It's not your responsibility to fix all my problems."

Richie kissed her neck lovingly, the brash feeling his fangs sweeping across her supple skin "I know its not but I want to." Richie brought his wrist to his mouth.

She forced her hand to rise and grabbed his wrist. "NO Richie." She couldn't let this continue, she had to stop him, he just didn't understand, hell she didn't either. It was too fast, too soon. He had too much living to do as a man to cement a bond so blithely. "NO."

"I have to do it Gia, you know I do, I don’t care what the circumstances are"
Richie's priority was to bring her back, he could feel her slipping somewhere but didn’t know where and what it meant.

She shook her head, the worry over what a bond meant zigzagging through her mind like a hot knife. A soft whimpered sob broke over her lips. "You're already forming a connection with me, what if I'm not the one you should do that too? I can't let you risk it." Her mouth closed as her eyes fluttered shut. No matter what it meant to her she couldn't risk it.

Richie’s voice was low and soothing, "So we will have a bond, it wont be that bad, really Gia, there are worse people I could be bonded with ya know, its not a big deal, I promise you" Richie could see she wasn’t going to take his blood willingly so he'd have to try something else. He bit down on his tongue with his left fang, slightly wincing as he felt the warm sensation of blood fill his mouth.

She was so tired, she wanted to just sleep, a good year or two would be a nice start. Shaking her head her eyes stayed shut as she tried to reinforce her decision.

Richie leaned over her as soft as a feather his lips brushed hers "Ok darlin I will let you rest" as his lips connected with hers and his tongue plummeted into her mouth as the warm life from his own body flowed into hers. His tongue swirling gently around her own to mix his life’s blood with her mouth’s moistness.

She groaned softly as his tongue teased hers, the glory of his kiss giving her strength to wrap her arms around his neck. His kiss was different this time, the taste of feel of him had changed. As his hand reached up to rub her throat she felt her throat contract and swallow and her eyes opened, only to catch a satisfied grin playing in his eyes.

As he deepened the kiss she whimpered, the coppery taste waking up her senses quickly causing her to pull away from the kiss as she watched him reach up to wipe his lip of the offending red tinge. "You sneaky son of a....."

Chapter 18

"You sure you feel ok?" Mic asked as she pulled away from the house. Gia hadn’t been feeling too well all afternoon. Mic knew why but also didn’t say too much. She knew how Gia felt about being too young for relationships, and especially this one.

She slid the sunglasses back up her nose and nodded. "Just a bit weak still Mic. I'll be fine." She closed her eyes behind the shades and fought the urge to rub at her chest. No need to give Mic more ammo in her *Richies' your soul mate* argument. "Shouldn't take too long to get to Danny's."

"God I hope not, this headache is going to drive me insane. I swear to god if he's all arrogant tonight god help him" she glanced over at Gia and shook her head. She'd learn in time.

She watched as the car ate up the few miles to Danny's and almost whimpered in relief as they pulled into the lot. "Well Mic, lets so see if they actually show."

Mic pulled into the parking lot and got out of the car the place seemed packed already. She straightened herself up fluffing her hair over her shoulder. "Well come on you, lets go see if fangalicious and spandex boy is there"

Gia slid from the car. "Don't call him that , Jesus what if you forget and say it in front of someone?" She laughed and sauntered towards the front door, feeling almost perky for some reason.

Richie brought a round of drinks over to Jon and company and placed them on the table. Richie's own mood had perked up and he felt like they were near, he could sense her, her being, his Gia. Fuck why was he thinking of her as his? Shaking his head he glanced at Jon."How's the head man?"

Jon glanced up from the beer he'd been nursing since they'd arrived. "It's easing off finally. I might actually be able to shoot pool."

"Yeah maybe you might be half decent for once," Richie jested

Jon shook his head, "I beat you every time man, don’t get cocky." He glanced up just in time to see two girls enter the place, One lithe and sandy blonde and one with hair the color of the brightest sun's rays. "Man the chicks have arrived."

Richie looked up and in a second he was behind Gia, his hands slipping around her waist as his lips met her ear "Good evening darlin'."

"I guess they'll...." Jon's voice trailed off as Richie had just vanished into thin air. "Fuck, where'd he.." He glanced over to the door and the girls and saw Richie's long body wrapping around the tiny sandy haired girl, "How'd he get over there so fast?"

Gia jumped slightly as arms went around her waist. Glancing up, expecting some odd drunk pervert she laughed suddenly when she saw who it was, "Shit warn me next time."

"Couldn’t resist," he said, wiggling his eyebrows at them both.
He placed a kiss on her lips longingly as the heat and need began to swirl in the pit of his belly.

She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as her lips slid over his, the tightness in her chest relaxing for the first time all day. "It's good to see you too Richie."

"You too Gia, you too" he sighed into her hair as his own strength and sense of well-being came flooding back.

Mic watched them both and saw their soul's damn near refresh each other, this was bad. She went to squint into the bar but she realized her headache had subsided as she cast her gaze onto Jon. Watching him hold the pool cue she felt herself calm instantly as the three of them walked over.

Gia studied the one that flipped all of Mic's switches. She grew still as she felt all that the man was flooding into her awareness. He was a force of nature, wild and untamed yet had a firm grasp and control of himself and his surroundings. He had talent and knew it but bristled at how he was seen.

She inhaled deeply as it hit her, he knew his charm, he knew how to work it, he KNEW he fed off the energy of the people. He'd put it down to talent and working a crowd, he didn’t realize what it really meant, but he KNEW and he used it to get girls and give a good show. Flying fuck he instinctively knew.

Her eyes flew open and she nearly took a step back, stopped only by the band of steel around her waist. "So umm, hi Jon. Fancy seeing you here."

Jon nodded Gia's way and smiled. "Yeah really, who woulda thought it eh?" He glanced over at Mic and nodded casually, his eyes moving back to the one who had Richie’s arms firmly wrapped around her. What was it about this Gia chick??? She made his hair stand on end, it was if she could see straight through him. Clearing his throat he smiled. . "So, what you ladies up to?"

Mic smiled taking him all in, but the heat of his body was radiating out to her making her skin tighten. It was almost like being on fire as she stood less than a foot away from him. There was something so strange and yet inviting about him this time around, her need to be repulsed by him was simply gone. His guard was still up though she could feel his caution, his wariness. "We're here to play pool I believe and kick some ass."

Jon glanced over at Richie and Gia, His friend damn near wrapped around the lil blonde. "Well I’m ready to kick some ass in pool, but I don’t think that what those two are planning." He stood and moved past Richie to offer his hand to Mic, "Wanna play?"

She chuckled "Sure why not, can’t hurt." She reached out her hand to his and in that instant it was like a thunderbolt had hit them she snapped away her hand in fright staring into fired blue eyes.

Jon shook his head to clear it and nodded to the table. "This umm, way. Yeah, this way." He quickly moved to a free table and started racking the balls, anything to keep his mind off the pure stream of energy that had rattled his very soul.

Mic's heart pounded in her chest. This couldn’t be. She had to ask, she had to know. "Jon did you have a headache today by any chance?"

Jon glanced up from the pool table a quizzical look in his azure eyes. "Yeah killer headache, took all day to get rid of too. Why?"

Mic let out a soft whimper. She nodded "I did too, a killer one, I just thought it coulda been something from last night that’s all."

Jon nodded, "Probably all the booze baby, tends to do it all the time." He glanced over at Richie and grinned, "So you two gonna fuck right there or are we gonna shoot some pool?"

Gia pulled away from Richie as her cheeks flamed scarlet. All he'd been doing was kissing along her neck, why'd he’d have to yell that? She took a deep breath and walked to the table barely brushing by Jon as she went. "Rude much asshole?" Her voice was soft as she leaned against the wall, her eyes closing as she tried to pull her suddenly scattered senses back around her.

"You ok darlin?" He glanced at Gia as she tried to hold up the wall, a small flicker of worry sparkling in his dark brown gaze. His concern was evident as looked back at Jon glaring. "Was that necessary?" he asked Jon rolling his eyes.

Jon shrugged, "What?? Shit Bro, where's that sense of humor of yours?"

Gia tried to take a breath and trembled, there was no doubt about it now, she'd felt the effect, he was definitely what they thought. Looking up at Richie she managed a smile and lied her ass off. "I'm fine really."

Richie let it go but wasn’t convinced, he knew she was lying what the hell had happened, she'd brushed past Jon but that was it?

Mic watched quietly. Shit, it was true, he was a PSI god damn it. She knew she couldn’t leave this issue too long. Jon needed to know what he now was before major damage was done, before HE did major damage to someone unaware. She gave Richie a reassuring nod to let him know she knew exactly what was going on and she’d explain later.

Chapter 17

Mic watched as Richie left with the promise of seeing them tonight. Just great she thought, just who she wanted to see so soon. She rubbed her temples as her damn headache was still running rampant in her skull. She looked up at Gia exasperation in her gaze. "Holy shit."

"I couldn't have said it better myself Mic." Gia wandered into the living room and turned the stereo on and yelled into the kitchen as she flopped down on the couch, "Gonna tell me all the parts you left out now?"

Mic raised an eyebrow at her as she followed her and sat in the opposite armchair. "Why would you think I did that?"

"Because I've known you all my life? OR maybe its because I happen to be a seer and can TELL when someone's holding back?" Gia shook her head and laughed, "I Shoulda gotten a job as a lie detector; seriously who has ever been able to lie to me girl?"

Mic smiled "Yeah all of those reasons are good ones, damn. Well Gia, I hate to tell you this, but I seriously think you're his life mate, I dunno I just this feeling as well as the fact he bit you, and I’m picking a vibe up from you there's something else"

Gia reached for a magazine and flipped through the pages a study in nonchalance. "Oh really, what vibe is that?"

"That you already know this, how do you know?" she asked watching her intently.

Gia tossed the magazine back onto the coffee table with a sigh, "I don't know a thing, sometimes the things I see or feel don't mean what they seem to mean. I doubt seriously a one night stand could be anything other than a one night stand. Jesus Mic, he’s a fucking rock star, and Upier to boot, a nice one no doubt, but still, his life style isn't conducive to long term relationships."

"Gia he may not realize it now but he will in the future. He has no choice in the matter, plus he likes you I can tell. At least you get a nice one," she grumbled.

Her brow arched as her voice went silky smooth, "What is little Michaela not telling her friend?"

Mic leant back in her chair and closed her eyes. "I think I just fucked up big time, I can't be sure, but how the hell do you explain I can suddenly make shit appear out of thin air since last night, and that oh god, when we were, well you know.. it was electric, so much energy god dammit"

Gia's eyes widened, "Holy hell, you don't think?"

"What that I'm his life mate? Yeah that's exactly what I think, but I'm hoping I'm wrong, I really am, but my head, shit it hurts, and don’t you think its a little odd that we both meet two guys on the same night ... Jesus Christ, Gia I can't stand him, he makes my skin crawl. I mean he's hot but he infuriates me."

Gia leaned back and closed her eyes again, the urge to either run or hit something overwhelming her. She'd seen a piece of herself inside of him, she felt its absence even now. Rubbing her chest she sighed, "It's the damnedest coincidence ever created that’s for sure. Mic we can't let the elders find out. They'd try to kill them you KNOW it."

"God no, they'd probably prosecute us for finding this shit out. And we're not sure yet. We need to see what happens and then decide what to do, but I ain’t looking forward to that at all. Noo way"

"To say the least it will keep him safe. He's not evil Mic, not one inch of him is. Why would the Rom lie? Why would they suddenly stop a relationship that had went on for centuries?? I just don’t get it." Gia shook her head as she worried over the thoughts, her hand still absently rubbing the ache she couldn't reach. "Do your parchments explain that?"

Mic nodded "It appears, as I explained earlier, we had a good relationship with the Upier. Something happened, not sure what, But a Romany's Upier was captured along with one of our people. What it came down to was that she chose for her life mate to live which caused the deaths of some Romany. From that point on they were considered off limits and evil..." Mic explained.

“Seems unreasonable to ostracize all of them over one situation, but then when have the Rom ever been anything other than hot headed? OK so what else Mic, don’t leave anything out."

Mic sat back "That's essentially the facts, I just need to research more around the PSI stuff and also I need to see what will happen of you and Richie don't stay together. Shit, its just a nightmare of scenarios to consider and Jon, god, Jon, I mean what if its really him? He might not understand, he has no idea" she rambled.

She didn’t want to examine the implications of her and Richie. It had to have been just just a one night stand. She'd done what she was supposed to, she'd guided him into understanding. That was all she usually did, so dammit why'd it hurt and why god why was she still visualizing that flickering flame in the center of his soul? She took a deep breath and managed to smile.

“He's not that bad, you're just mad cuz you gave in Mic. Don't damn him before ya know him eh?"

Mic sighed "I know, I am angry more at myself and now that I realize it, if this was him, I was completely aware of what happened, I can remember it all now dammit, so he didn’t take advantage of me." She sat back and scanned her mind and looked at Gia.

"I'm not convinced you're telling me the truth, you're hiding something from me, tell me"

She stood and fiddled with the channels of the stereo, "what could I be hiding Mic? Hell its not like you didn't walk in on us. I can't say it didn’t happen and act innocent."

"You saw something in him, you gotta tell me, it will help me work out all this shit" she pleaded.

Gia's eyes wandered the room before settling on her friend. "I saw strength, kindness, humor. I saw a decent guy who wasn't evil. I saw confusion, talent desire, charisma, shit he’s got that oozing from his pores." She stopped a moment and considered her next words. "I saw a thirst for knowledge for, I dunno what."

Mic nodded "AND what about you.. you saw something in him to do with you didn't you? Gia tell me dammit!"

Gia shook her head, "It had to be a visual, not real ya know? It couldn't be what it seemed to be it couldn't!" She rubbed at her chest distractedly. "It's not possible, really, its not." She glanced up at Mic, her eyes shadowed with doubt, "I saw my soul inside of his.. well a piece of it, like a flame. It's not possible, it's just not."

Mic gasped "You didn’t, oh god Gia, and look at you, you've rubbed your chest ever since he god damn left, Holy shit!" Mic had read about this, there was no doubt now in Mic's mind that she was his life mate, hell not just life mate, there was soul involved too. There was no doubt in her mind now.

"It's just an itch or something Mic." Gia refused to believe it was anything important. It just couldn't be. Her thoughts began to tumble as the worry grew. She was too young, he was too, it just wasn't possible.


~~~~

Richie arrived at the hotel and unlocked the door only to find pitch blackness."Kidd? are you in here man?" Richie fumbled around for the light switch and flicked it on.

An arm flung itself over his eyes. "Cut the fucking light out man."

Richie turned off the light "What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked throwing the key on the table.

Jon groaned at how loud his friend seemed, "I'd call it a hangover but I didn't get that fucking drunk. Just a killer headache man."

Richie chuckled casting his mind back to Mic who kept rubbing her temples all morning. "Well if it helps ya, Mic's feeling the same way, remember her?"

Jon nearly growled, "I remember you got the better end of the deal. I bet your fuck of the night didn't accuse you of doing her without her consent."

"Hey she wasn’t just my fuck of the night, she's a nice girl too ya know, and so is Mic if you took five minutes to get to know her. Besides, I told her you wouldn’t take advantage of her." Richie growled not intending too but the need to defend Gia roared within him.

Jon snorted then started to laugh, "Hell all the groupies are nice, nice and juicy, nice and easy. Fuck of the day man. Jesus don’t grow morals on me now." He rolled over and threw his head under the pillow. "Fucking headache, had it since that girl left."

Richie felt his fist tighten and his blood slowly boil, Jon was right, it had always been this way, that was the deal, why did he feel so strongly now. He sat down in the dark on the bed as he felt a little light headed and lay back. "I know what they are, but she's a nice girl, they are different Kidd, she was amazing last night," his mind twisted off.

Jon turned over and looked in the direction of his friend’s voice. "You sound a bit unsure man. God she musta been a really good fuck. What'd she do, give you head?" A weak grin coasted onto his lips, he knew not many girls even attempted that one on his friend.

Richie watched the smirk on his friends lips, woah he could SEE that smirk even in the dark? "Fuckin cut that out Kidd, no she didn’t for that matter." Anger began a slow build inside of him and he was glad it was dark when the tingle of extending fangs became evident. Richie forced his anger into submission he wasn’t ready to tell Jon what he was, not yet and especially with the mood he was in.

Jon stood and shambled towards the bathroom and his travel bag. "I gotta have some damned aspirin in here." He looked into the mirror bleary eyed, If Richie wanted to get in a twist over a chick that was his call, they'd be leaving town tomorrow as it was. Finding the aspirin he swallowed a couple quickly and went back to his bed. "Wake me up tomorrow man."

"We're going out tonight with the guys, remember? I invited the girls along, they're both coming , even Mic, don’t ya wanna see her again?" Richie teased his friend, hoping to get a rise from him.

Jon groaned, he had forgotten all about tonight. "Fuck, I forgot. and I couldn't care less if I saw that groupie again, or her cute little sidekick. She’s got attitude."

Richie laughed, he agreed Mic did have attitude but she was so Jon's match, he thought for a second before speaking, "Yeah she has, she told me you wouldn’t come if you knew she was, said your ego would be too bruised" Richie lied but knew Jon would never leave it at that.

"Oh did she? We'll I'll be there and we'll just see whose fucking ego gets bruised. Til then I’m sleeping off my headache man."

Richie grinned, he knew it. He lay back feeling suddenly like his body was parched for something itself, his mind closed around the sandy blond that had haunted his dreams and now haunted his reality. Richie couldn’t put his finger on it, but she was different, and he was so oddly drawn to her more than most woman he's been with before. He took his mind back to Mic's statement about the PSI Upier and had to wonder if there was a connection there. Tonight was shaping up to be very interesting indeed.

Rubbing his chest, his thoughts suddenly zapped miles away as he felt a disturbance in the pit of his soul, a disturbance that brougth emerald green eyes and a sweet smile floating into his memory.

Chapter 16

Just the thought of how he'd supply his needs had her belly curling into tight little knots. "Seems like you need to practice on that pleasure aspect then." She walked to the fridge and pulled out the fixing's for breakfast, hoping to settle her rattled nerves. He wasn’t hers, it was just a momentary fling. He'd go off to the next town, next concert, next girl and at least they'd helped him.

She quickly had a nice breakfast plated up and indicated he sit as she slid into her own place, handing Mic her plate at the same time. "At least you know what you need to do now."

"Yeah I guess so, its all so life changing, I mean why me? I don’t get it" he pondered. He watched Gia just know how he would supply his needs in the future and couldn’t help but feel she was holding back something, he'd only just met her but yet he felt so close to her already, maybe it was just simply because she was so accepting of his new form of life.

Mic ate her breakfast in silence all the scenarios flying through her head, with Gia and Richie, this was bad very very bad if they were bound, and they fought it, she hadn’t been quite so honest about that from her reading but would confirm it more before speaking with Gia.

And Jon, shit. If he was in fact this, she would have to find a way to keep him as normal as possible. And prayed to god, he wasn’t one, or she wasn’t his intended life mate. She couldn’t be she was no one special and she didn’t even like him, least she could see the attraction so clearly now as she hadn’t before, between Richie and Gia. It was there, no doubt about it.

She ate quietly, her eyes shuttling between the two people at the clock. "Um Richie do you have a concert tonight?"

"Nah not till tomorrow in Costa mesa, we're here all day" Richie eyed them both.
"Hey why don’t you both come hang with us tonight? We’re just gonna shoot some pool and have a few drinks. "

Gia offered him a gentle smile. "You don't have to pretend it was more than what it was Richie. I do need to take you to wherever you're staying, or you can call a cab if you like, whichever makes you more comfortable."

"Ladies please, you have both be so kind to me, and Gia, I know I can't offer much at the moment but I would like us to be friends ya know, I really would" he said sincerely his brown eyes shining.

Gia nodded and stood. "Well, I'm um, glad we could help you Richie, really. Learning all you did has to be well, hard to deal with. Of course we'll be here for you if you need any information or help."

"Thanks, but please come and have a few drinks with the guys, they are good people and you'll have fun, even you Mic" he teased.

Mic didn’t want to go anywhere near Jon but she knew this may be her chance to figure out some more things between them all studying the interactions.
"Ah, yeah ok if Gia comes, I ain’t coming alone"

"Gia?" Richie asked, deep down he wasn’t ready to say goodbye to her just yet.
She glanced at Richie quietly, "Ok, we'll go hang out with you all."

"Fantastic you wont regret it ladies, well I best be getting back, I have some band stuff we need to go over" he said standing up putting his plate down.

Gia snorted, "So I'll ask again, you need a ride or you calling a cab?"

"I'll call a cab darlin, you have done enough for me already today" he said with a wink. He couldn’t help but think to himself how beautiful she looked even so pale.

Her lips curled into a gentle smile as she nodded. Reaching for her cup she took another deep pull of coffee. Wasn't exactly the thing she needed to calm nerves, but it kept her hands busy instead of reaching for him like she wanted to do more intensely than she'd wanted anything to date.

"Ok well we are staying at the Plaza, but if you like we can meet you at Danny's at six?" he said as he watched her drink her coffee intently.

She glanced at Mic, who was still engrossed in the parchments before looking at the man standing by the sink. "Danny's at six, gotcha." She took a deep breath as her eyes skimmed over his lean muscular body. He'd be something else once he learned to control all he was.

Richie called the cab "See you tonight then.," Richie said as he left the house. Once outside he breathed in the fresh air. This was insane, the way he looked at things was even different as if it had been reborn or something. He looked back longingly at the door before finally the cab arrived and took him back to the hotel.

Chapter 15

Mic blinked, the blinding headache was stretching back across her forehead. "Ah I think so, what the hell was that all abou-" Mic looked down and saw that in front of her lay an ancient looking scroll. Her eyes widened. "Where did that come from?" she asked Gia's brow arched as she studied her friend, "It wasn't there before?" Mic just stared at the dusty scriptures and unraveled them, they were etched in ancient Romany text. "Okkkk," Mic said scanning down the pages. Richie watched on amazed, how did she do that, and where did they come from? Gia slid closer to Richie, the look on Mic's face giving her pause. She'd never had powers, NEVER, especially a wish power. Fuck, and after being with Jon? this was sooo not good. Well that was one thing she wasn't gonna even mention, at least not right now what with the way Mic was feeling about Jon. Her arm slipped around Richie as her emerald gaze studied her friend, now engrossed in the old parchment. "Well? what the hell does it say?" Mic squinted her eyes as the text was almost faded, she read it through her eyes growing wider."Um okay, it seems that hundreds of years ago the Upier, were protectors of the Romany, as they were their preferred food source. It appears that in some instances a powerful Upier would pick a Romany mate simply for the qualities we possessed as gypsies," she read further on. "And Upier are not turned into vampires like in movies, but are born that way. They are just a human, like everyone else but they start to develop and gain their powers and instincts by the time they are around twenty-four or twenty-five. It also says here that you will age slowly, oh yes..." she moved down the page sweeping away the dust steadily, as she read intently. "Speed, you have the ability to move at the speed of light if you instinct tells you too, you will be able to sense emotions, particularly fear, passion and desire from other beings.... ahhh.. sunlight doesn’t effect you like others, you prefer to wake around noon and go to bed late. Hmm this is interesting, you are likely to form a bond with a PSI vampire, who feeds off of energy and people's emotions rather than blood, so be on the lookout for that," she joked as she turned over the pages. Richie just listened as the abundance of information was read to him, and tried to take it all in. It didn’t sound as bad, well not all garlic and stakes thought the hearts. "Wow, um, I don’t know what to say? PSI Vampire? I don’t know anyone that does that," Richie admitted. Mic just shook her head "Its not always a fact though, but you just might notice someone that can command an audience or charm a.." her mind trailed off. Nooooo, he couldn’t be could he? She shook the assumption off and continued reading. Gia snorted, "Sounds a lot like Jonny boy there. Richie does he ever get all growly if he’s not on stage?" Richie nodded "Hell yea, the boy cant sit still for one minute, and he hates being alone, got to be with people our Jonny" he chuckled. Mic just stared at the paper, if this was true, and what she had just done.. oh dear god. She would have to research that later. She leaned her head against Richie's shoulder her nose wrinkling as Mic got a rather strangulated look on her face. "Ok you're not happy with what you're reading.. why?" She stuttered before continuing "Um, nothing nothing, it also just says here Richie, you may prefer it cooler than most." Her eyes scanned down the parchment where it had detailed information about their life mates. "It just says here also that an Upier's life mate is bound to them forever, and if they fight it, it doesn’t bode well for either of them. A Upier’s life mate is the only one that can bear his children, and satisfy his true need of blood, or energy source, dependant on which one you are," her mind drifted off as she read the next part. "How the Upier and his mate bond can happen in many ways, although biting on a regular occurrence seemed to be the most popular way at least for the blood vamp. It was thought that three bites in a close chamber of time would seal this," Mic felt a pit form in her stomach as she realized that this was possibly what had happened with Gia and Richie. As she read on "Or in the instance of a PSI Upier, sexual -" Mic stopped reading and blinked. No fucking way, there was no way in hell she would be bound to him, no way in hell. She breathed out, it wasn’t even confirmed he was one so just calm down Mic. Richie watched on "You ok?" noticing she was shaky. She smiled "Fine, but that’s what it basically says about you, now that I have some leads I can find out more, as this is so not what we were told was it Gia?" she shook her head trying to remain calm. Her best friend tied to a fangalicious mate and the dread that she may be to an arrogant asshole. Gia closed her eyes and saw again that small flickering flame inside of Richie. As she opened her eyes she snorted in derision. "Seems the Romany somewhere along the line decided these Upier were bad news, because all I've ever been taught is stay away from vampires they are evil, or kill it if you can." She risked a glance at Richie. "I wouldn't worry too much about that biting thing, old texts can be notoriously off about such things too. RIGHT MIC?" She turned and gave her friend a you better agree with me look. Mic picked up exactly her friend's sentiments "Oh right exactly, I need to re read it all anyway some of its missing words. But at least you now know the basics" she nodded. Richie just watched the two girls "Ok, well how would I know if I found my life mate?" he asked them both curious now. Gia's eyes were steady on Mic's, her body tensing up as she sent wave after wave of be careful thoughts towards her friend. "Ya know Richie, your what barely 25 years old? You got ages before you have to worry bout settling down right?" She managed a laugh as she stuffed her own ideas down deep. Mic nodded in agreement "Exactly you have only just started this journey, I don’t think you'd be that lucky to find that straight away ya know, besides as a rock star I am sure you both have some wild oats to go and sew" Mic tried to keep it light. In the back of Mic’s mind, if this was all true then Mic knew it would only be a matter of time before Richie would start to see the effects of being away from Gia, and god forbid, Jon away from her. Gia swallowed hard then put a smile on and changed the subject. "So does it say there how often he needs, umm, well non food nourishment?" Mic nodded "Oh yeah, ya fangs, you will be able to control them over time by the way, for when you need to use them, not just because you are horny" she winked. "Soo it says dependant on the blood you are drinking you wont need to feed for a couple of days, once you find your life mate their blood may tie ya over for a week" Richie just nodded, so this meant on tour he would have to go out and find blood every few days? Good lord. How the hell would he disguise that, there really was only one way.

Chapter 14

She graced him with a smile, then walked away and into the shower. Turning the water on to a moderate temperature she stood under the spray as the thoughts she'd pushed away for hours began to crowd her mind.

After shampooing her hair and washing she stood under the spray , her thoughts circling over what little she knew. He was warm, he had a heart beat, he was gentle, kind and a terrific lover. She stilled under the spray as that special part of her winged its way towards him and slipped inside for a look.

He wasn't evil, to his core he was gentle, and more human than most normal mortals she knew. He was a strong one who could handle the stresses of being what he was and do it in a high profile lifestyle. She saw his humor, his love of life and she smiled, but when she saw the tiny flickering flame at the center of his soul she slipped to the floor of the tub and curled into herself with a quiet whimper.

The flame wasn't there last night, the center of his soul had been dark and empty, but now it shone with the brilliance of its glow. It was her, a piece of her own soul now living inside of him. Holy Fuck, what did that mean?

~~

Richie followed Mic out to the living area, his mind still fogged with the reality of who he was. He watched her pull two aspirin from the cupboard and a glass of water. She smiled ruefully.
"Hangovers, got to love em" as she took the painkillers.

Richie sat down, he could murder a cup of coffee, did he still drink coffee? he wondered. A slight fluttering in his head disturbed his thoughts, as he felt a shiver run over his body.

Mic watched him "What is it," she asked noticing he was clearly uncomfortable.

"I dunno, something, is happening with Gia." He got up and walked back into the bathroom the pull of her fear guiding him. His eyes rested on her slumped in the shower.

"Jesus Gia, what’s wrong?" he asked as he bent down to help her, seeing her pale and shaking.

Mic watched him disappear into the bathroom. Well now that was strange, he could read her all of a sudden. Mic shook her head as she walked over and picked up her work in progress thesis and flicked through the pages, this was so outside what she'd been taught but so right on to what she presumed

She felt a cool breeze as the door opened and lifted her head to register Richie in the doorway, a tremulous smile on her lips. "I'm ok, really."

"I I felt it, what were you doing? Scanning me?" he asked as he gently pulled her from the floor to her feet.

She looked up into his eyes, caution warring with embarrassment. "I didn’t mean to, sometimes it just happens."

"That's ok. I just felt you withdraw all of a sudden," he said softly.

She shivered, "Seeing things, or feeling things can be well an odd experience." She reached for a towel and wrapped it around her before smiling. "You just wanted to see me naked again."

Richie's eyebrows crooked up "Well that was an added bonus I must admit," his lips brushing gently on her forehead. "I was just worried about you."

She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I Know this is all a bit much for you to just take in, yet you seem to be so unphased by it all."

"I wouldn’t say unphased, I would just say trying to make sense of it all, I don’t understand why I am like this, or why I didn’t ever know, and what happens now, all those things are in my mind, as this changes everything that I knew up to now, I just don’t know exactly what" he admitted. Would life with Jovi would stay the same? if his family life would? would Jon ever accept what he was? Sure the questions were there plaguing his mind but 'd been trying to remain calm until he knew exactly what he was in for.

She reached upwards, her hand settling over his heart. "You'll figure it out and you'll deal. It's a part of who you are, that ability to calmly accept and do what’s needed."

Her hand slid from his heart to his hand as she laced her fingers through his. “Come on, you fix us a cup of coffee while I dress.” At his questioning look about the coffee she grinned. “You won’t know that you can until you try.”

Richie chuckled raising his eyebrow, about to ask how she knew but he just accepted it as it was becoming the norm it seemed, and it was something that he needed to ask Mic.
"Ok I'll be right in there with the knowledgeable one" he winked as he walked into the living room where Mic was rifling through a bunch of papers, she looked up.

"Everthing ok in there?" she asked

Richie nodded "Yeah, they are, something odds happening, but I guess you're going to tell me all about that" he said walking over to where the coffee was already brewing.

"So I take it you don't like my band mate very much" he teased as he poured two cups.

Mic's eyes fired as she spoke "No, I do not, never in my life have I met such a self centered asshole, wanted me to admit I enjoyed it before I left, I mean what the hell.." she said turning her back to the papers.

Richie chuckled, she had a fire about her, just like Jon. It oughta be interesting when he spoke to Jon later, as he sensed there was some unresolved emotions there.

She stepped into the bedroom and quickly dressed. Giving her hair a cursory swipe with the brush she glanced over at her make up and thought of covering her paleness with a bit of liquid beauty then shook her head. Turning she moved to the kitchen just in time to see Richie lift the cup of coffee to his lips.

Richie took in the coffee and it tasted just the same, thank fuck. "Ahhhh perfect Columbia" he breathed as he watched a visibly paler Gia come back in the room.

She chuckled as she watched the pleasure of the caffeine hit his system. "No nausea or urge to hurl?"

Richie shook his head "Nope none at all" he looked at Mic "Is that normal, will I be able to still eat?" he asked her.

Gia poured herself a cup of coffee and took a dip. God it was good, the jolt of caffeine sent her trembling nerves into a sweet jolt of wakefulness. Damn thats good."

Mic nodded "From what I have read you will still need to eat and drink as a human does, but you will need to feed from blood to survive. You will learn in time how to control that though" she picked up the papers frustrated as what she had didn’t really tell her much, or it contradicted everything that she had been taught.

"Dammit I wish there was some decent text around this" she exclaimed frustrated as her eyes flashed a bright green.

Gia's eyes widened as she listened to Mic and watched her eyes flash. "Well that's new. Mic you ok?"