"Love, is a Gamble Worth Taking"

[Athanase]

There was something driving Athan now, more than he probably even realized himself but the force and motivation was there. Aly was certainly a large part of it, not just their bet, though that was a welcome incentive to live and not be maimed least it ruin the plans they had set. It was beyond carnal delights and pleasures, even if he did enjoy those moments, this was something more.

Shots rang out at him as he dove behind a wall, back pressed again the hard surface as his chest heaved from the exhilaration. He tumbled from behind cover, letting off a few rounds before he rolled up to his feet to watch as the gangster fell to the floor dead. This was his chance, his chance to prove to those who thought he was young and powerless. A Gangster from his left charged him and it was without a second thought that he drew the finely crafted broad sword, the gift from his sire and sliced the man in two. The hot spray of his blood as it splattered onto his face, just heightened the experience for him.

Two bodies later and he had the keycard for the next floor and it was with the same vicious and calculated skill that he had the floor prior Athan made short work of the enforcers that he came across and it was only on the second one that he found himself another key to the next floor. Third floor, one more step closer to the boss, another step toward his goal with Aly and another step closer to showing that he was indeed strong.

A growl spilled from his lips as he slid along the floor, letting off round after round, ending the life of one Enforcer, as he slid into another. The sword was drawn in time to block the attack from the knife that the Gangster held. Which he soon dropped, as Athan's blade pierced his stomach. “Another one....another one closer to my goal....” he whispered into the fading eyes of the gangster that he held pinned to the wall. As the man's dead body slipped from his blade, he flicked it to the side to shed it of any of the excess blood and gore, before he sheathed it.

Perhaps that was the reason behind it? Being unarmed seemed like the best moment to attack anyone, so Athan should not have really been surprised when the Gangster rushed him and tackled to the ground. Hours spent killing things, had begun to ware at Athan, not to mention his lack of blood from feeding. Though this mattered not and he bared his fangs with grim determination. He struggled and fought the best that he could, landing a couple of good shots but it was to no avail as he was knifed good in the gut and only managed to escape.

Now outside the building, with a load of loot and a stomach wound Athan decided he wanted only two things at the moment. A shower and to see Aly. He summoned his thrall to him, the poor human smiled with instructed happiness, eager to please their Master. Athan was not cruel though and he was quick to make the pain fade and left the thrall pleasantly dazed. On the mend and seeking to lighten his load of loot Athan made his way to the nearest shop. The girl behind the counter, easily manipulated into cutting him a great deal. Athan walked and counted his cash, not really thinking or caring about someone trying to rob him. Call it cocky arrogance, or just the fact he was still riding on his high from the raid, Athan truly did not think that anyone was ballsy enough to attack him.

As he walked into the bank, Athan had just about mentally tallied up his funds and it was with a bit of nervous excitement as he wrote out the deposit slip and handed his money over to the teller. When she handed him the slip with his balance, he was barely able to contain himself as he looked at the balance.

“I did it....I actually did it....” he whispered to himself before he left the building with an energy of excitement that was nearly palpable.

With his business conclude and everything arranged and set up, Athan called Aly, “Hey sexy, what you doing and what you wearing?”


Aly was infuriated with herself.

No, more than infurated; Disappointed. She'd gotten cocky, overzealous about how she was doing in the raid. She thought that she was going to make it to the end, that she had it in the bag. One gangster down with the swish of her sword, blood spraying all over her form. Another gangster dead without so much as a thought. One after another were falling at her hand, collecting odds and ends they had on them.

But that was where she got too cocky. She'd engaged in another gangster, their bullets whirling passed her, and didn't even give it a second thought. Melee was fine; Screw bullets. She'd heal. ...And then they landed a few in her face...and then in her chest...and were pounding her face in. Barely able to get away, she clawed at the floor, shaking her body to dislodge them, making a break for the outer door as she panted against the building, the bullets she'd received slowly working their way out of her body.

****! she thought angrily, slamming a fist into the cold brick exterior. It wasn't that she'd lost the bet to Athan; That she could live with. It was that she'd gotten her *** handed to her, had let her confidence run away with her and it was her undoing. Swearing profusely, she started walking for the wilderness, knowing she could find something to kill that would rebuild her confidence. Had it not been for the text from Athan, she'd have done just that.

“Looking to kill something that I can actually handle, and blood stained jeans, and a newly Swiss-Cheesed shirt, also bloody. Why?” she sent back almost immediately, picturing a ****-eating grin on his features.

"Awesome. I need you to go get yourself cleaned up, buy something new and sexy. Then meet me at the Library, ok?" His tone was teasing as if he was merely cashing in his bet with her.

"Cashing in already?" she asked with a sigh, her steps turning to trudge off to a store to find something suitable. "Can't I have time to breathe and relax?"

"Just do as I say, it is not like you won't enjoy it too," he continued with the tone. "I promise you will not be too uncomfortable, ok? Love you, see you in about an hour." Then he ended the call so that she could go shopping and that he could finish getting ready.


...That ******** hung up! she thought angrily, glaring at her phone before shoving it hard into her pocket. The entire time she was wandering for a new outfit she was grumbling about how he was being inconsiderate, and how he was just going to rub it in her face that he won; Wouldn't even care she'd just had her *** kicked up one side and down the other, because he had the full gloating tone already and she knew it'd be even worse in person. So, with that angry mindset in mind, she sought out something to wear, determined to go more conservative just to be spiteful.


The call was made, the meet set and all Athan had to do was time it all perfectly. Having the thrall helped as he was able to delegate the plans which afforded him time to get himself ready and to make sure it was on in place for her when she arrived. Needless to say, Athan was nervous, more than nervous, because even though this was something that they had been planning and something that they had talked about it was still a huge step in their relationship. He wanted it to be perfect. He wanted for when it all went down, for her to be happy. Genuinely and completely happy. That is all he ever wanted for her.

The time passed and she arrived on time, as he knew that she would, though she had made it a point to not dress in anything sexy. Though that was not a big deal to him, she was always sexy to him. Always stunning, beautiful and breathtaking. Everything he could ever want in a woman and then some. Athan would never know of what one good thing that he did to deserve her, but he was thankful for it each and every night.

The look on her face made this night even more memorable, just because he knew what was in store. He spared a moment to text his thrall, before he focused back on Aly.

“You look amazing,” he said as he approached her and leaned in for a kiss, though she quickly denied him. That did not wipe the smirk from his face as he held up the black silk scarf, “If you would please?” then he stepped behind her to tie the scarf over her eyes. His hand slid into her's, so that he could begin to lead her to their destination.

“I take it that you were unsuccessful in the raid?” he asked almost as an afterthought as he walked her toward their destination. “I had a rather productive run, made it all the way to the third floor, then tripped and was jumped. No biggy really, I got my prize in the end,” he squeezed her hand as if to say that she had been his prize, more pointedly that their bet was what he had been after in the first place.

Into the elevator he guided her, pressing the button and standing beside her, while he let the silence fill the small cube. They arrived at their floor and he walked her out into the hall, “I hope you are ready for this...” he teased her, while he stood before the door, the sounds of keys in a lock and a door opening.

There was nothing else said, before he guided her forward. “Today, I got done with the raid and there were only two things that I wanted to do more than anything else in the world,” he whispered as he stood behind her. “I wanted a shower and I wanted to see you,” he said as he continued on, a brief pause to build a bit of the tension. “But, I then remembered that I needed a place to shower....soo....” his hands undid the scarf to allow her to see their new home. “I bought us an apartment,” his spoke these words just barely above a whisper before he stood back to allow her to take it all in.

It was of course bare of any furnishing, but at the moment it was being lit by several jarred and flickering candles that spelled out just one word.

“Home”

I'll show him. Hang up on me and go around being an assuming ***. I put up with a lot of ****, but that is not going to fly.

Her thoughts were frustrated as she went into the first dress shop. Drawing uneasy looks from the humans that had been perusing, she charmed them, forcing them to leave the shop without so much as a backward glance at her, along with the attendants. One of the was posted to the door, ordered to keep everyone out, except for a male, preferably someone who looked too cocky for his own good. Dark hair and light eyes was a plus. Everyone else was set to the task of finding her a dress.

It was a long process, eating up valuable time in that hour he'd afforded her, but she wasn't going to budge an inch. He always wanted her legs showing, to see more skin though have it remain tasteful...For the most part. If it really was for his bragging, then she doubted he wanted actual clothing at all, so she was going to get something more covering, more modest. But, for all she was worth, she couldn't force herself to get a dress that wasn't her usual style. The ladies held up a few that they thought were modest, but all Aly could see when she looked at them was “Little Old Lady” or “Sunday School”.

Nothing that really had her name written on it, so she decided to change her game plan. She'd get whatever dress she liked, though a bit less revealing if she could help it, cover up in a coat, and not let him see anything; Couldn't touch her either.

That in mind, she found a dress, just as some poor sap was yanked inside, and the door locked behind him. Aly strode over, her appearance disheveled which drew a confused look from him. Pressing a finger to his lips, she felt a sadistic sort of grin slipping over her features, her blue eyes sparking in fury for a moment. “...This'll only hurt a little,” she cooed, before her fangs extended, a hiss escaping as she yanked his head to the side and sank her fangs in.

There was no finesse, no charm. His yells echoed through the mostly empty clothing store, body struggling against her, which only fueled her anger. Her teeth ripped into him a bit more, drinking heartily from him as they cut deeper. Only when he was on the brink of death did she pull back, letting him drop to the floor, anger temporarily sated.

I should probably compel him... she thought, bemused that her work had to go forgotten. Lowering to her knees, she cradled the side of his face, his eyes trying to look anywhere but at hers, though her voice was enough. Slowly, his tears stopped, his fear diminished, and he was calm, left in a dazed, happy state as she sealed his wound and sent him on his way with an escort.

Dress in hand, she worked more of her magic on an attendant to get the keys to the girl's apartment, planning on taking a shower there. Falling into an autopiloted routine, she got ready, using her makeup, going so far as to commandeer her full length pea coat on the way out the door. You better have a damn good explanation for your ****, Athan, she thought vindictively, her steps carrying her to the library; The thought that continued on in an angrier tone when she saw him and he was texting. Better be an important text, or your phone's getting broken.

Dodging his kiss, she didn't dignify his words with any sort of acknowledgment, her body rigid as he tied the scarf about her eyes. She refused to hold his hand, fingers limp in his hold as he pulled her along, remaining silent all the while, though her inner monologue was on full rant.

Of course it was unsuccessful, you ***! You know that, otherwise you wouldn't know that I was to be your slave for the next couple days! And you have the nerve to rub it in because you made it up the floors?! You ******! Am I ready for this?! You better be ready for a swift kick to the ***, you self-obsessed, cocky, ignorant, son of a-!

She had more thoughts, more angry names to spout at him, but the minute the blindfold was pulled away she was given pause. The candles read “home”, but what had he said? “I bought us an apartment”. A few more times the words rang out in her head, turning back at him with her indignant accusing eyes, finger poised to poke him hard in the chest, only to falter and whirl back around, the words finally ringing true and connecting with what she'd set her eyes on. “You bought...?”

There was no getting the rest of the sentence out, her lips parted as she wandered further in, eyes looking hither and fro taking it all in, almost forgetting to breathe. He...he bought us...an apartment... Aly thought, blinking as she spun in circles, trying to envision it all, moving a few more steps in as she felt the smile on her lips growing wider. “You...You have an apartment? You bought this??”


The anger that she felt for him had rolled off of her in waves, that crashed into Athan relentlessly. It took just about everything he had to remain as cool, cocky and arrogant as possible because he knew that once it was over it would all be worth it. The waves of anger just seemed to melt away when he took the scarf away and what this place was sank in.

Athan merely stood by the door, his eyes on her form, his body nearly trembling from the excitement that he felt coming from her as it mixed with her own.

“No,” he began as he took slow measured steps toward her, his hands in his pockets. “We have an apartment,” he said as he pulled a keyringfrom his pocket, from which dangled a single key.


When his voice rang out, she had to fight to tear her eyes away from the apartment, the distinct feeling it was a dream fairly overwhelming her. Despite the excitement that was welling inside, the way her anger had completely disappeared as nerves and happiness took hold, she couldn't believe it was real. If her run of luck ran true, as it always did, she'd look away and that'd be the moment she woke up.

Glancing back at him hesitantly, a look lingering in her gaze that told of her disbelief, and her fear that it wasn't real. Only when he produced the keyring did her eyes slip from his, somehow widening all the more as a trembling hand took hold of it with a sense of awe. Feeling writing on the keyring, she read the text, her tongue darting over her lips, pulling the lower in to nibble on happily as she glanced back at him.

There were no words, nothing to explain exactly how excited she was. So she instead did the one thing that came to mind in crystal clarity: Jumped at him, arms locking around his neck as she hugged him tightly, body shaking even as she continued to jump a bit, too excited to stay still.


The play of emotions across her face, not to mention the ones that were radiating from her had Athan feeling rather good about himself. When she jumped at him, his arms wrapped about her waist and held her against him as best he could with her bouncing about.

“Now, you and I can rest safely together,” he murmured softly to her. Then with a teasing tone and smirk, “I bet you thought I was being a grade A prick when I called you, huh?” He leaned back just enough so that he could look her in the eyes, the smirk there still as he regarded her expression for a moment before the smirk faded into a more caring and sincere look. “This is our home, regardless of how it came to be, it is our home. Not mine, but ours. Right now it is empty and honestly I would be fine if it stayed like this and we merely slept on the floor holding one another. Because without you this would not be a home, it would just be some empty room. Just how I would not be whole, if you were not in my life,” he said to her with complete honesty.

Athan had never felt like this with anyone before, all of his time spent as a flirt, a playboy. Doing whatever he wanted, with whomever he wanted. There was no care to who he hurt, as long as he had a good time Athan was fine. Now, things were different. There was someone he had connected with, someone who did not buy his lines and was able to give him as much smart *** remarks back as he gave them. Someone who cared about him and not because of who his parents were, or how good he looked. He could actually feel the love that Aly had for him and it was flooring to one who had thought for so long that love was a joke.

Aly had no words to describe what it meant to her, how they had a place of their own. That they could be safe.

Safe was a word she didn't think she'd ever feel. Not really. With how she'd led her life, with the amount of enemies she'd gathered between Braxton and Noelle, the idea of being safe didn't seem possible. She'd been on her own, never sleeping, moving from place to place and remaining in the shadows as much as was possible for an Allurist. Going so far as to vanish from the face of the earth for a while, compelling people to feed from and then disappearing to her solitude once more. The word safe was a fairytale, an impossible dream.

But Athanase...he was giving her safety, security, a place where she could be herself and not feel exposed.

It was a touching moment to her, one she'd have happily replied to in some sort of poetic manner, had he not commented on how much of an *** he'd been. Releasing hold of his neck with one arm to playfully hit him in the chest, she narrowed her eyes. “A prick is putting it lightly,” she snorted out, eyes narrowing again though the smile never truly left her features. “I was so upset that I took it out on some poor cocky guy with dark hair and light eyes...Just because he had a vagueish resemblance to you if I squinted and tilted my head a bit. I ripped into his neck and would have drained him dry had an attack of conscience not kicked in.”

Her tone dropped off a bit at the end, guilt and a bit of remorse tinging her words. “I was livid. You'd hung up, were acting so cocky, and all I wanted to do was stab you. Repeatedly...”

Letting out a light sigh, she allowed her head to drop, resting her forehead against his shoulder as she held him, her bouncing having long since stopped as she just rested against him, soaking in the love and caring that poured off him in waves. “...You have no idea how much this means to me; How much you mean to me, Athan,” she whispered, pressing a light kiss into his shoulder before pulling back to look at him once more.

“I don't know how I got so lucky...I don't know how I got your attention enough to make you stay...but I wouldn't have it any other way...And I don't care what I'm sleeping on, as long as you're beside me, in my arms, even just holding my hand; I'll be the happiest girl in the world.”

[Athanase]

Excitement. That is what he felt, that is what coursed through him at this moment. After what had felt like forever he was on his way home to see his parents;the only real family that he ever had. To make it all the better, Aly was with him. The woman whom he loved more than anything else in the world, the woman who completed him and made it possible for him to dance. Dance like his mother danced, with light steps, power and so much emotion. It was as it he had been about the world half done, incomplete and then he died, only to be come back and find that which completed him.

Now, they were going to meet his parents and they would know about the wedding. Meet Aly and love her as much as he loved her, that he knew without a doubt. It was the whole, vampire thing that was giving everyone pause.

There was just something in him that knew it would be alright. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that he was their only child and that if they could not accept this, then he would be dead to them. It was a cold thought, cruel even, but it was the truth. This is what he was now, a creature of the night, blood drinking monster that was in the technical sense of the word dead. Yet, he was not at the same time. It was his hope that his parents could handle the news and accept him and Aly for what they were. Because, despite that he was still their son, actually he was better than he had been. At least, in the personality sense. Kinder, less of an ***, he was better, more like his father.

It would be alright. It would all be alright

The plane touched down and there was a near mad dash to get in a cab and have it rush to take them downtown. Athan was on the phone, a smile on his face as he chatted up old contacts, brushing off their inquiries as to where he had been. At least he got them to understand that he was somewhat jet-lagged and would tell them about where he has been at another time.

The night lights of the city were like stars overhead as the cab made it's way through the city. To Athan it felt like he slipped on an old though favorite jacket. The energy and atmosphere of the city were already washing over him and making him feel more alive. It was like a tingling sensation that just traveled throughout his body. Old stomping grounds, his territory, his home. It felt good to be back. Even his inner beast was pleased, he could feel it practically purring inside him at the familiarity of being back in the city. At least now he had one less thing to worry about, with that part of him being soothed and pleased it would make the whole trip a lot better.

At the Four Seasons, they were warmly greeted by a man whom had seen Athan several times, and it had been him that Athan called when booking their room.

“Monsieur Durant, it is so happy to have you back with us,” the man exclaimed as he came from behind the desk to shake his hand.

One of Athan's arms had been around Aly's waist, his free hand was extended as a extended with a smile, “Antoine, it is great to see you again. I do hope it was not a bother to get me a room ready?” Athan asked in a serious tone.

“For you, Athan? No, of course not” Anotonie practically exclaimed with a dismissive way of his hand. “Who is this lovely, woman?” he asked as he extended his hand to Aly. Should she give it over to him he would bend down and kiss the back of her hand.

“This, is the woman who has made me the happiest man in the world. By agreeing to be my wife,” his tone was full of love and joy. “It is my pleasure to introduce you to Aly, my fiancé ,” there was only happiness in his voice as he spoke, his eyes a lite with an inner energy that made the other man give a knowing smile.

“Aly, the pleasure I assure you is mine,” he would say as he kissed the back of her hand, yet again. “The suite is ready for you, both. Let me get a bell boy to fetch your bags...”he began to signal for one when Athan interrupted him.

“That won't be necessary. We did not bring anything, plan on going shopping in the city tomorrow,” the explanation was given as Athan gave Aly a smile.

“Then I will just give you your key and bid you bonne nuit,” he was shorter than Athan, but carried himself with an air of authority that made him appear taller than he actually was. It was evident in the way the other desk clerk was quick to get out of his way when he went to behind the desk.

In no time they had their key card and was heading on the elevator to the top floor. Back in the world of the living Athan now had access to this family funds again. There were mix feelings about that, as he had enjoyed the sensation of working for his money and contributing to the relationship with Aly. It was just for this moment, just for now, for this trip.

The elevator stopped and Athan took hold of Aly's hand to help with her down to the door that was to the penthouse suite. The key card slipped in and he opened the door, stepping to the side to let her walk in first before he followed behind her. Once inside he turned on the lights to their suite.

There he would stand and allow Aly to look about the room and take it in. Gradually he would make he was over to one of the windows, there he would stand for a moment, his eyes cast out at the bustling life of the city below. The moving lights of traffic and the random pedestrians, performing a familiar dance.

The orange of the sun had started to peek on the edge of the world, but he resisted the urge to go to bed. At least for a few moments more.