When darkness reigns

Chapter 6

Mia haphazardly threw groceries in a basket. Milk, eggs, cereal, pasta, fresh fruit... She would need to make another trip, or several, knowing full well she had to stock up. Moving into a cold, baren apartment had more than one downside apparently. Starting a new life from scratch was anything but quick and easy.

As she shopped, a man argued with a member of staff, swearing loudly whilst clutching a bottle. She looked away, embarrassed by the scene. Was everyone around here like this? Were there any decent people left in the town at all?

Paying for her items, she smiled and kindly thanked the girl behind the cashier. The girl seemed genuinely startled by her politeness. "Have a good evening hon. Get home safe now." Leaning in, her next words came out hushed. "avoid the main strip if you can help it."

Mia walked quickly back to her apartment block, clutching her heavy bags with white knuckled fingers as she moved through the streets, head down, avoiding everyone in her path. That was, until she stumbled into a wall of muscle wrapped in leather and smoke. She stumbled, loosing her footing and prepared to hit the ground in a humiliating display, but strong hands reached out quickly, gripping her elbows to steady her with immediate effectiveness. She slowly raked her gaze over her obstacle-turned-hero and her breath stuttered when she took in his features.

Electricity snapped through the air, making her heart skip. He was beautiful... but no less intimidating. He was fierce looking and huge, utterly dwarfing her frame. He wore bones and teeth and kept his hair long and wild. He was completely shirtless, exposing himself with obvious pride and not an ounce of shame. Jesus... She oggled him for a beat too long, finally managing to pull herself together when she felt his thumb softly brush her elbow.

"I'm so sorry - I didn't - I didn't see you... Are you ok?" She stammered out apologies, but oddly didn't pull back from his hands.

He looked amused, like her floundering was cute rather than embarrassing. "No harm done love... You looked like you were running from someone. Did something spook you?" His voice rumbled, deep and warm.

"No - not really... I mean, I - kind of... I'm just trying to get home before more mayhem breaks out." She nodded her head behind her, back towards the center of the boardwalk.

His eyes narrowed into a frown, following her gaze back towards the rowdy boardwalk. "You're alone out here?"

"I- yes, but someone's waiting for me..."

He tasted the lie in the air. She was truly terrible at it. "Let me walk you."

Mia's heart raced, flattered or fearful she didn't quite know - maybe a bit of both?

"no it's quite alright, I don't want to be a bother and I don't live far. Thank you anyway." Stepping around him, she flushed at the intensity of his stare, he opened his mouth but before he could say anything more three other boys stepped out of the shadows.

Paul jumped over a railing, landing in her path with a pitched laugh. Smile wide and sharp as he observed Dwayne's fixation. "Hey baby, whatcha got there?"

She stumbled back, avoiding the hands that reached for her bags, pulling them to her chest.

"Aw don't be like that, help a guy out babes." He pouted as she narrowed her gaze at him.

Marko appeared out of nowhere, circling her like a shark, eyes lit with never satiated hunger. "Where ya goin' sweet thing?"

Dwayne growled. The sound low and threatening. He took a step closer, ready to pull her away from his brothers.

"Paul - Marko, enough." David stepped out of the fog then, appearing like a spectre. His sharp, calculating gaze took on a look of distaste as he took in the girls primal fear, her thoughts loud and screaming.

Every instinct in her body begged to run, but her legs stayed rooted to the spot, useless. She was trapped. Surrounded at all angles. "I really need to go home..." She barely whispered. Her hair fell into her face, as she stared at the ground, wishing it'd swallow her whole. Fingers, cool and grounding stroked her jaw. She instinctively flinched, but something about the touch brought her an odd sense of comfort in a place where there should be none.

Dwayne gripped the girls chin. For the first time in his unnatural life, hating the scent of spiking fear. "Let me take you home."

The look on her face was raw. Real. Eye's glassy and wide, lip pulled between her teeth as she looked at him. So open, so lost, so hopeful...

"Yeah, let him take you home darlin', he don't bite... Much." Severen stepped out from the tree line, eyes dancing.

She flinched, hard. Backing away from his fingers, from him.

"Well I'll be damned. Ain't you just the prettiest lil thing I've seen all night?" Severen drawled, his tone all syrup.

"where ya going beautiful? Care for some company? You look real lonesome." He mock bowed, holding out a hand she would never take.

"That's enough! She's going home." Dwayne practically snarled, angling his body between her and Severen, blocking her now trembling form from the view of the others.

"ain't we all?"

Dwayne's composure stayed true, even though he felt his temper fraying at the seems, he held strong. "No. Now leave."

Severen's smile didn't waver, instead it grew, sharpening like broken glass.

"Naw... your no fun tonight Dwayney." His eyes shot to her again. "I'll be seeing you around missy." Tipping an imaginary hat, Severen sauntered away, whistling as he went.

"Dwayne." David's eyes were sharp and knowing. "Take the girl home." His eyes roamed her panicked form, disliking the circumstances that lay before them. "Apologies. The boys have no manners."

He spun on his heel and stalked back into the darkness, dragging a disgruntled Paul away whilst Marko lingered a moment more, his eyes sharp with curiosity as he eyed the pair before finally leaving himself.

Silence lingered for a spell, before the air lightened around them.

"Sorry about them." He glowered into the darkness, following their retreating forms. "please, let me walk you home."

Mia shakily nodded, not having it in her to argue or deny him after that.

"Here, let me take those for you." He carefully pried her fingers from the taught plastic handles before ushering her along. "Lead the way."

Sleep didn't come for Dwayne that morning. He lay awake, staring at the crumbling rock walls around him, thinking over the nights event's.

After he had walked her home, she hadn't invited him in, much to his displeasure.

He'd wanted to seat her somewhere comfortable, talk to her properly. But instead she has stammered out pitiful thank yous and apologies at her door, fumbling for her keys before practically pushing him away. He hadn't even had the chance to fix what his brothers had broke.

Her face lingered in his mind, beautiful, innocent, sweet... The scent of peaches and cream clung to his senses, making him salivate... but the spike of her fear had cut him to the bone, souring the moment. Fear of him, fear of his pack - his family.

He cursed.

He had a feeling what this was, but he dared not hope to loudly. But clarity was hitting him harder than ever and for the first time in months, he stopped longing for something he couldn't have - because he was damn sure he had just found it.

Mine. The word repeated in his mind, full of possession already. He didn't even know her name.

He rose earlier than the others, adrenaline making him pace the deep tunnels long before the sun set. He pictured the giant four poster bed that sat abandoned in the main cave with anticipation now, visualizing a certain soft, sweet girl curled there waiting for him. Offering him the care and attention he craved after a night of rebellion... he smiled to himself, raw and genuine.

Soon.

@callisoapy @carla-coast-creature

@cr-8-on @venusmoon01

Which vampire queen wins though?!

Santanico from Dusk till dawn. (My personal favourite) - first girl obsession. She's a fricken 100/10 😈🥵

Or Akasha - Queen of the damned. Another absolute worldie that has stayed buried in my fantasies forever 🤩❤️

When darkness reigns

Chapter 5

(POV change!)

Santa Carla was different now.

No longer was it the charming, yet slightly disconcerting seaside town she had frequented for summers as a child.

It had transformed into something else entirely.

It was now a Mecca for the worst humanity had to offer.

It was truly, terrifyingly dangerous.

It had always been a tricky town with it's own problems, it's reputation had been fuelled by childish rumours and sensationalised headlines, labelling it as murder capital of the world for quite some time - but now? Now it was a true horror show. A black hole that sucked people in but refused to spit them back out - instead it kept them trapped. Caged in it's vortex - left to decay whilst the rest of the world turned a blind eye.

She couldn't believe what the once cool and quirky tourist attraction had become.

It was heartbreaking.

She was silently glad her mom wasn't around to see what her beloved hometown had been reduced too.

The sound of sirens was a constant, gnawing earache, the accompanying sounds of shouts and hollars echoing throughout the streets. She'd heard numerous gunshots ring out in her short time here, which in itself was terrifying. Peace seemed to be a foreign concept here... Gang affiliated tags, threats over territories lined every wall, every building. Trash covered the streets like fallen leaves and in far too many doorways, addicts slumped against broken glass, eyes dull and empty.

The sun was high in the sky, melting the asphalt with it's unrelenting heat. The not-so-distant smell of burning rubber and something else she couldn't name penetrated the air, foul and rancid.

It was like stepping into hell.

Out of place and out of her mind, she clutched her newly acquired keys to her chest and moved with quick, jerky steps towards the only semi descent apartment block left in the ruined town.

Apon entering her new apartment, a relic of the past left for her to take care of, Mia flipped the various locks and chains into place, securing herself inside with as many precautions as she could manage. She finally released the breath she'd been holding, wondering with growing despair how she was going to survive this place.

She'd heard Santa Carla had changed, and she'd heard talk of it's rougher crowds, but she could never have guessed it would have become this. If she had, she never would have come back - inheritance be damned.

But, she didn't know the severity. And she was here now, with little option but to make the most of the situation before her.

Stealing herself, Mia set to work, organising the bare space, unpacking her belongings and setting up home - assuring herself it was only temporary.

Flicking the switch to her radio, she adjusted the station, the familiar vocals of Kate Bush greeted her ears, and she allowed herself to smile softly for the first time since arriving in this dire place.

Rolling up her sleeves, she got to work.

A week later and Mia was sat idle. Bored, anxious, half listening to the radio in her small kitchen.

"…authorities are urging residents to remain indoors after sunset…" The mans voice continued, smooth and practiced. "…a recent spike in gang-related violence has prompted increased patrols along the boardwalk and surrounding districts. Officials maintain there is no immediate cause for alarm, though residents are advised to travel in groups and avoid poorly lit areas…"

She switched the radio off, no longer wishing to hear the depressing news.

"easier said than done mister..." She muttered to the empty space.

As much as she would love nothing more then stay hidden away in the faux safety net of her apartment, reality had to set in at some point. Flinging on a light jacket and slipping into some sandals, she left the building before she could chicken out once again.

The air buzzed with noise as she made her way through the lively streets. Roaring engines, manic laughter, music, and a thousand different voices all clammaring for attention. It was pure chaos.

She told herself she was invisible as she passed a particularly intimidating group. Repeated it like a mantra inside her head.

Sadly, she wasn't.

Eyes followed her, burning holes into her back as she walked towards her destination. Her legs feeling weaker than she was used to.

The feeling of attention remained long after as she disappeared into the brightly lit store.

Dwayne felt her long before he saw her. A ripple of... something new and wholly thrilling surged through the air when he had awoken days ago. But he couldn't place it - for nothing seemed out of the ordinary at all. Every night had been the same, but the feeling of rightness - of impending joy, lightened his chest.

But frustratingly, with each passing hour, he couldn't place why.

And then, when he least expected it, he found the answer to his turmoil.

She meandered through the boardwalk, entirely out of place. Radiating nerves, wearing her fear on her sleeve for all to see. But under all that, there was a simple, endearing quality. She oozed serenity. A simple, wholesome calm. A balm for his soul.

She passed right by them, head low, her fear spiking. He could have reached out and touched her, she passed so close. But the frightened lamb physically trembled as she passed him by, and that stilled his instincts.

Her scent hit him hard and fast, dizzying him for a beat too long. Peaches and cream... By the time his senses came back, her steps had picked up and she was scurrying into a local grocery store as if the hounds of hell were nipping at her heels.

Hunger entwined with something else, something ancient and heavy. Something he couldn't name.

Mine. His voice whispered seductively in his head. Take her.

But he didn't move towards her. Not yet.

Not when David stared with such obvious curiosity, his eyes boring into him like homing beacons.

Marko and Paul scrapped on the railing, caterwauling as they so often did, barely paying attention to much else, but still, their ears pricked as if picking up on a hushed conversation.

But it was the newest member of the pack that concerned him the most. He was still too new, a wildcard.

Severen said nothing at all. Feigning ignorance.

But behind his back, Severens smile spread wide, showing too many teeth for it to be natural. His eyes glittered with malice.

Things never stopped being interestin' round here.

@callisoapy @cr-8-on

@venusmoon01 @carla-coast-creature

Let me know if you want tagging in future uploads x

Part 2

Belle pottered around her slightly less dilapidated store, trying her very best to reorganise the chaos in her wake. Stacks upon stacks of books were piled high around her as she tackled the deep cleaning of the neglected yet grand shelves.

She had spent the last two days scrubbing the place until her fingers were raw, dusting, polishing, and sweeping away the thick grime and the even thicker cobwebs. The work was honest. Repetitive, but oddly comforting. She enjoyed it because it was all hers, and honestly? She’d always relished a fixer-upper.

Every so often she paused, rubbing the tender spots of her neck and shoulders with sore fingers, attempting to release the building tension in her stiff muscles. With a flex of her knuckles, she continued on, rubbing beeswax into the mahogany wood, bringing the solid structures back to their former glory once more. The rich scent surrounded her, a comforting reminder that her hard work was not in vain—that this place was all hers.

She was working on restacking the shelves, organising the adventurous, romantic novels she so adored, humming quietly to herself when she suddenly became aware of just how uncomfortably silent the store was. Not a creak, not a breath of wind, not even a muffled voice echoing from the boardwalk—nothing at all.

The sudden, prickling sensation of her hair raising without provocation made her drop her perfectly organised stack of books, the ruffle of pages and a resounding thud breaking the unnatural stillness.

But as quickly as the sensation came, the air changed once again, almost like a switch turning on, lighting up the room with bright, familiar light after a sudden blackout.

Belle shook off the slightly disconcerting experience, putting it down to exhaustion and nervous jitters.

She was hardly superstitious after all.

In retrospect, the store was both a blessing and a hindrance. After her great-aunt Edith’s lawyer had managed to track her down, delivering the news of her elderly aunt’s passing and her consequent inheritance, she had immediately left her life in the picturesque city of Bath, England, to board a plane and immigrate to the Sunshine State. She wasn’t exactly weighed down in the UK, having opted to live a life of freedom while she was still young, travelling and working in different locations across Europe and Asia over recent years. Life was too short, and the human body too fragile, to stay stagnant in one place for too long. She did, however, decide that once she had received this inheritance, putting down some roots for a little while wouldn’t be so offensive.

California held ample excitement and opportunity, after all.

It was evident that Great-Aunt Edith had let the once-quaint bookstore fall into a sad state over the years, not to mention the little house she had also left behind—although the house was at least in a liveable state in comparison to this. It didn’t surprise her, though. Poor Edith had been a bit of an “old maid.” Never marrying, never having children… so by the looks of it, by the time she had come to the end of her life, there was nobody around to care for her let alone to take over the running and maintenance of the store.

Belle shivered slightly at the thought, her fingers curving tightly over the spine of a book, a bit of apprehension niggling away. If she continued on her current path, was she destined for the same fate? What would be the point of it all if she was to end up all alone at the very end, with nobody to turn to when her legs became too weak to carry her, or her eyes too glassy to see?

Freedom was something she craved. But solitude - isolation - came dangerously close if one wasn't too careful.

A cluster of shadows passed over the front of the store, causing Belle to still for a moment—heart thumping, breath catching. But nothing happened. No knock. No intrusion. Being independent and adventurous was something that had forever thrummed in her blood, but maybe—just maybe—it wouldn’t hurt to attempt to find a companion to do those things with.

She suddenly wondered what the dating scene in Santa Carla was like…

Her mind betrayed her. The memory of eyes the colour of shining obsidian. A wild mane of midnight locks. A low, velvety timbre that both infuriated and invigorated her. A dark vow spoken in the guise of friendly caution.

Shaking her head, Belle scoffed at herself. The man was as handsome as the came, but looks like his could easily disguise a monster within.

Well... Monster might be a bit harsh - but he was most definitely a bit of an ass.

As the moon rose higher into the night sky, Belle rose from the ground, dusting off her aching knees.

Surveying the shop, she smiled at her progress. The store already seemed so much more welcoming to the untrained eye. She still had a long way to go, but seeing the space already clean and decluttered filled her with personal pride.

She could make a life here. She could make this work…

Meandering around the darkening streets, Belle popped into the local café, picking up her usual as she made polite small talk with the warm, elderly couple who ran the establishment. She left the building with a basket full of baked goods and a takeaway cup of cocoa.

Walking through the lively boardwalk during the evening was an entirely different experience than it was during the early mornings. The town and pier were absolutely packed with revellers desperately clinging to the last dregs of summer. Finding a bench, Belle took a seat, people-watching with rapt attention as she nibbled away at her croque monsieur before it became too cold to enjoy. She sipped at her cocoa and pulled out her latest novel, sighing contentedly as she finally allowed herself the grace to relax.

Little did she know, she was being observed herself. A group of leather-clad immortals eyed her with keen interest as she sank back into a dangerous false sense of security in the murder capital of the world.

Hunger gnawed at Dwayne’s guts, his throat scorched and aching, not unlike a hot blade running through his oesophagus.

A pain he had grown accustomed to over the years.

He needed to feed.

The problem was, he had no intention of leaving his mate out in the open like this.

Unprotected. Naïve. Vulnerable.

Surrounded by predators.

The coastal town was packed to the rafters, causing a million potential scenarios to enter his mind as he observed her sitting so innocently against the seafront.

“That’s her? Fuck… congrats, man.” Paul’s arm draped over his shoulder as he leaned in to peruse his unclaimed mate with keen interest. “She’s gorgeous. Looks hella smart too. She’s just your type.”

“Anyone with a book in their hand looks smart to you, Paulie,” Marko quipped, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he eyed the new girl.

“Hey! I read!”

“Comic books don’t count.”

“Then why are they called books, dumbass?!”

Dwayne drowned out his brothers’ bickering, only having eyes for one person in that moment.

His legs carried him towards the bench, long strides swallowing the distance between them within seconds.

Vanilla, parchment, and wild roses engulfed his senses the nearer he drew. He loomed over her for just a moment, taking in her relaxed posture with unnatural, predatory stillness. Seating himself next to her, he allowed his leg to softly brush her own, startling her back to reality and away from the realm of dragons and knights she had been so absorbed in.

Beautiful, honeyed hazel eyes met his own, and he revelled in pride when recognition hit. He stayed silent as various reactions passed behind her gaze - surprise, joy, uncertainty, annoyance…

She quickly recovered, finding her voice and with it, her unique brand of charm.

“Do you often make a habit of appearing where you’re not welcome?”

His eyes didn’t betray him, but his lips twitched into the ghost of a grin. “It’s… an entirely new experience, I can assure you.” His gaze flickered to the book cradled protectively in her hands. “Howard Pyle?”

Her face instantly morphed, a stunning smile lighting it up, making her eyes shine brighter than any light on the boardwalk. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for a follower of the classics…”

He scoffed, only slightly offended but willing to play along.

“You don’t know me at all—unless you’re basing my reading abilities on my appearance, which is poor form on your part, new girl.”

A rosy glow inflamed her cheeks at his quip. She stuttered before clearing her throat. “My name is Belle… but okay. I suppose I don’t—and no, I’m certainly not basing my assumptions on your appearance. Merely your age! Most young men are interested in anything but reading, especially the classics! I apologise if I caused offence.”

Urgh. The customer service spiel. He didn’t want her false niceties—he wanted her fire.

“Maybe if you took your nose out of fantasy land for a breath, you’d realise that some young men enjoy many pleasures in life, huh?”

That did it.

Her pretty face broke, a harsh frown line cutting across her brow. Her knuckles turned white before she slammed the book closed with a finalising smack.

“You are… you-”

“Me? I’m what?” he goaded, his voice laced with teasing amusement.

“You’re a piece of work!”

“Go on…”

“You know something? I don’t need to assume a damn thing. From previous experience and tonight, I can deduce that you are a complete asshole!”

He internally celebrated. His insides twisting and turning with restrained excitement.

“And you’re absolutely breathtaking when you’re angry, Belle.”

The air froze, charged and electric. His eyes flickered to her suddenly racing pulse point, the vibrations a thrilling stacato for him to memorize.

She sputtered and abruptly stood, storming away from him with an offended, or perhaps embarrassed, flounce, angrily cursing him in French as her cheeks darkened even further, the blush skating dangerously down her neck.

The boys howled and cackled with obvious delight, having heard every exchanged syllable, every breath, every raised beat of her heart. David silently applauded, a steady clap of his gloved hands accompanying his proud smirk. Dwayne silently rose, glancing at them with a victorious grin before following his girl from a safe distance until she arrived at her home. She slammed and bolted the door behind her, cursing in her native tongue all the while.

There. Safe at last.

Producing a single, delicate rose from seemingly nowhere, Dwayne placed the delicate bloom inside the weary looking mail box, a genuine smile curving his face when he envisioned the reaction it would garner from his fiery bride.

Now he could hunt without worry.

oh Marko 🙏😻

thank you 😘 he's living rent free in my head right about now and I can't find enough fics about him to satisfy..

Yes! Absolutely love it. Jamie is a GOD 🥵