The Rapture

A restlessness tugs at me, a familiar hunger gnawing at my senses. As I look up at Arlo as he hands me breakfast in bed. Tonight isn't about quenching my thirst; it's about honing my control. With tomorrow's impending dinner with my parents looming over me like a storm cloud, I crave the reassurance of mastery over my newfound abilities.

"Ready to train?" I ask, a tremor of excitement lacing my voice.

A smile plays on his lips. "Always," he replies, rising from his seat. "I was thinking we could head to the Obsidian Promenade. It's movie night, so there'll be plenty of people to practice your aura control around."

"The Promenade?" I echo, a grin spreading across my face. "Sounds like a date."

Arlo chuckles a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine. "If you consider honing your vampire skills a date, then yes, I suppose it is."

We change into more comfortable attire for the warm May evening. I opt for a pair of loose-fitting linen pants and a simple white tank top, while Arlo chooses a pair of worn jeans and a soft gray Henley shirt.

As we leave the penthouse, a mix of emotions churns within me. Excitement for the opportunity to test my powers mingles with anxiety about the upcoming dinner with my parents. Will they accept me as I am now? Will they even recognize their daughter beneath this newfound vampire facade?

Arlo senses my unease, his hand finding mine as we step onto the bustling promenade. "Don't worry, Evie," he reassures me, his voice a soothing balm against my anxieties. "You'll do fine. Just focus on the present, on controlling your aura and your hunger. The rest will fall into place."

I squeeze his hand, grateful for his unwavering support. With a deep breath, I push my worries aside and focus on the task at hand. Tonight, I'm not just a daughter returning home; I'm a vampire, learning to navigate a world both familiar and strange. And with Arlo by my side, I know I can face whatever challenges lie ahead.

The evening air is alive with the energy of a thousand heartbeats as Arlo and I stroll along the Obsidian Promenade, a symphony of laughter and music drifting from the nearby bars and restaurants. The lights of Veritas shimmer on the water, a vibrant tapestry of color against the darkening sky.

Arlo's hand finds mine, his cool touch sending a shiver of anticipation through me. I'm eager to test my newfound skills.

"Remember," Arlo says, his voice a low rumble in my ear, "focus on maintaining a steady flow. Don't let your emotions spike, or you'll risk attracting unwanted attention."

I nod, taking a deep breath and centering myself. The warmth of my aura radiates outward, a comforting cocoon that shields me from the overwhelming sensations of the city. I focus on Arlo's red and violet aura, its steady pulse a reassuring anchor in the chaotic sea of energy around us.

As we approach a lively outdoor bar, a figure emerges from the crowd, her laughter echoing through the night. Her eyes, the color of the sea at twilight, lock onto Arlo, a mischievous glint dancing in their depths.

"Arlo!" she exclaims, her voice a melodic trill and a French accent, "It's been ages!"

Arlo's shoulders stiffen, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Vivienne," he acknowledges, his tone polite but reserved.

Vivienne radiates an energy that's both alluring and slightly chaotic. Her wild, curly hair spills over her shoulders, framing a face that's both youthful and ageless. She's dressed in a flowing sundress, her bare feet adorned with delicate silver anklets.

"And who is this lovely creature?" Vivienne purrs, her eyes fixed on me. "I don't believe we've met."

Arlo introduces us, his voice is tight with a hint of warning. "Evie, this is Vivienne. Vivienne, this is Evie."

"Evie," Vivienne repeats, savoring the name. "A pleasure." A wide grin spreads across her face as she turns to me, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You know, darling," she says, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "I'm the one responsible for this handsome devil standing beside you." She winks at Arlo, who rolls his eyes but can't quite suppress a smile.

"Oh really?" I reply, raising an eyebrow. "And what was he like as a fledgling?"

Vivienne throws back her head and laughs, a cascade of tinkling bells. "Oh, you wouldn't believe it!" she exclaims. "He was such a clumsy oaf, always tripping over his own feet and spilling blood everywhere. And his first attempts at hunting? Disaster, utter disaster!"

Arlo groans, his cheeks flushing a faint shade of pink. "Must you, and in public?" he mutters, but I can see the amusement in his eyes.

Vivienne ignores him, launching into a series of embarrassing anecdotes about Arlo's early years as a vampire. She tells of the time he tried to seduce a mortal with a poem he'd written himself, only to have her burst into laughter at his clumsy rhymes. She describes, in excruciating detail, the time he got stuck in a chimney while attempting to break into a particularly well-guarded manor.

With each story, Arlo's embarrassment grows, but so does the warmth in my heart. I find myself drawn to this flawed, vulnerable side of him, a side he rarely shows.

Vivienne, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, leans in close to me, her voice a conspiratorial whisper as we continue walking down the promenade. "You know, Evie, Arlo has always had a thing for those shorts of yours." She winks, her gaze lingering on Arlo's back. "They do accentuate you..." she trails off, letting the implication hang in the air.

I feel a blush creep up my cheeks, my eyes darting towards Arlo. I can see his shoulders tense slightly, but he doesn't turn around.

"Oh, don't be shy," Vivienne urges, nudging me playfully. "I'm sure he appreciates the view."

I giggle, leaning in closer to Vivienne. "I must admit," I whisper back, "he does look rather fetching in those jeans. I'm not sure I've ever seen him dressed so...casually."

Vivienne raises an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Just wait until you see him out of them," she purrs.

My heart skips a beat at the suggestion, my imagination running wild. I can't help but steal another glance at Arlo, imagining him without the confines of his clothes.

Arlo lets out a long-suffering sigh, his voice carrying through the noise of the bar. "Ladies," he admonishes, his tone light but firm, "must you discuss my wardrobe choices in such graphic detail?"

Vivienne and I burst into laughter, our eyes meeting. "Oh, Arlo," Vivienne replies, her voice dripping with amusement, "you know we can't resist."

He shakes his head, a fond smile playing on his lips. "I'm surrounded by friends," he mutters, but I can see the warmth in his eyes.

As the night unfolds, we bar-hop through downtown Veritas, Vivienne's infectious laughter filling the air. She orders exotic cocktails, regaling us with tales of her adventures and encounters with other supernatural beings.

Arlo, initially reserved, gradually loosens up, his smile becoming more genuine as he listens to Vivienne's stories. I can't help but notice the way his eyes soften whenever he looks at me, a warmth radiating from him that sends a thrill through me.

Vivienne, ever the instigator, finds subtle ways to bring Arlo and me closer. She bumps into me, forcing me to stumble into Arlo's arms. She whispers suggestive comments in my ear, causing me to blush and stammer. And all the while, she watches us with a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Amidst the laughter and playful banter, Arlo reminds me, "Evie, we're here to work on your aura and hunger control."

Vivienne waves a dismissive hand, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes. "Oh, Arlo, always the instructor," she teases, nudging him playfully. "Let us girls have some fun!"

Despite the lighthearted atmosphere, I start to take my training seriously. I focus on my senses, trying to distinguish the auras of those around us. Humans are the most prevalent, their dull auras flickering like a rainbow of candlelight. A few glints of red and orange indicate the presence of vampires and demons, their auras more vibrant and intense. Arlo and Vivienne, of course, radiate a deep crimson glow, a testament to their vampire lineage.

"I don't see any angels," I remark, my brow furrowing in concentration.

"They're rare," Arlo explains, his voice low and steady. "And they tend to avoid crowded places like this."

"But why aren't the demons and vampires fighting?" I ask, gesturing towards a group of red and orange auras mingling near the bar. "I even see some standing next to each other."

Vivienne chimes in, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "We don't exactly advertise our existence, darling," she explains. "Can't be causing a scene everywhere we go, can we? Besides, some vampires and demons are friends, just as you are friends with humans."

Arlo nods in agreement, but his tone is more cautious. "The key is to know that a demon, when asked, cannot define Lucifer and will kill you if you're in its way or preventing it from doing what it's been sent to do.”

Vivienne quickly interrupts before the mood gets too dark, “But overall, we all get along pretty well, wouldn't you say, Arlo?" she asks, a sly grin spreading across her face.

Arlo hesitates for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Be careful, Evie," he finally says, his voice a low warning. "It's easier to stab a friend in the back than an enemy. You can never trust anyone completely, even other vampires. They cannot go against their creators." He glances pointedly at Vivienne, who bursts into laughter.

"Oh, Arlo," she chides, playfully swatting his arm. "I haven't pulled that card on you in years!"

Her words reveal a hidden tension, a hint of a past conflict between creator and creation. But beneath the surface, I sense a deep affection, a bond that transcends the power dynamic between them.

I then notice a single, golden aura flickers in the distance, drawing my attention. As I focus in that direction I spot a disheveled man holding a sign aloft, his voice booming through the night air. "You are damned if you don't turn to God and Jesus!" he preaches, his eyes filled with a fervent zeal. "He is the only one who can save you!"

As we approach, his gaze falls upon us, his finger pointing accusingly. "The damned walk among you!" he cries. "Turn to Jesus for salvation. The end is near!"

Arlo's hand tightens on my hip, guiding me away from the man. Vivienne leans in, her voice barely a whisper. "That's a knight," she explains. "Humans that the angels use, and give them some of their powers to sway others to the Lord. Some work in the shadows, but others, like that one, are told to give up everything and preach."

Arlo nods, his expression grim. "Like demons cannot go against the will of the Devil, a knight must follow the orders given to it by the angels. They too are humans that have been created and must follow the same rules as us all."

"Will he attack us?" I ask, a knot of unease forming in my stomach.

Vivienne shakes her head, her expression thoughtful. "Likely not. Remember, the war is kept in the shadows. But they can be dangerous, especially when given a direct command."

She pauses, her gaze lingering on the retreating figure of the knight. "A knight told to attack a vampire will do so without hesitation. But words and phrasing matter. In his mind, he may have attacked us by pointing and calling us damned. The phrases and words used to control the created by the bond are left to interpretation."

As the night wears on, Arlo's gaze lingers on me more and more, his touch becoming bolder. I can feel a shift in his demeanor, a softening of his usual stoicism. It's as if Vivienne's presence has awakened something within him, a desire he can no longer suppress.

By the time the crowds start to grow smaller, we reach the final bar of the night, and the air between us crackles with unspoken tension. Arlo's eyes meet mine, and I can see the unspoken question burning in their depths. I lean closer, my lips brushing against his ear. "I think I've learned enough for one night," I whisper, my voice laced with a hint of mischief.

Vivienne's eyes sparkle with mischief matching my own eyes towards Arlo. She leans in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Want to see another lesson, Evie?"

The night has been an exhilarating whirlwind of new experiences and revelations. My curiosity, already piqued by Arlo's teachings, surges at her suggestion. Tomorrow's dinner with my parents weighs heavily on my mind, and the desire to arm myself with knowledge, to feel prepared for whatever awaits me, is overwhelming.

"Yes," I answer without hesitation, my excitement mirroring Vivienne's mischievous grin. "I'm ready for anything."

A wave of worry washes over Arlo's face as Vivienne's eyes flash with a mischievous glint. "Arlo, honey," she purrs, her voice dripping with a sweet venom, "please go jump into the ocean and leave your clothing with me."

Arlo's eyes widen, a flicker of defiance crossing his features. But as he opens his mouth to protest, his resolve crumbles. I can feel the internal struggle raging within him, his aura pulsating with a chaotic mix of resistance and compulsion. Yet, ultimately, he succumbs to the Sire's Command.

With a resigned sigh, he begins to undress, his movements slow and deliberate. The moonlight bathes his chiseled physique in a silvery glow, drawing gasps and murmurs from the growing crowd. Some onlookers raise their phones, capturing the spectacle on camera.

With a final, graceful motion, Arlo leaps over the edge of the pier, disappearing into the dark water below. A collective gasp rises from the crowd, followed by a silence.

"Did you make him do that?" I ask Vivienne, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nods, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "Arlo has always been a fun toy of mine," she purrs. "So glad we ran into each other tonight. It's been too long without him."

My heart aches for Arlo, even as a new respect blossoms within me. He resisted the command and fought against it with all his might. And yet, in the end, he was powerless to disobey. It's a chilling reminder of the power a creator holds over their creation.

“Here is the lesson Evie,” Vivienne’s voice all of a sudden barely auditable even with my enhanced hearing, “The command given can take many forms. Arlo could have jumped in with all his clothing on and then given me his wet clothes upon return.”

I contemplate the meaning of this lesson and how even though you can not defy a command given by your creator you have an interpretation of how to act out that command.

“And now honey you had a good opportunity to look at his ass without these in the way.” She loudly smiles proud of herself, holding up Arlo’s jeans, and then tosses them into the ocean.

I look at Vivienne In shock, but then I spot Arlo emerging from the water, his hair dripping wet. I watch the water slide down his naked smooth skin as he scales the pier's pillars with effortless grace. The barnacles scraped against his skin without leaving a mark. He retrieves his clothes what is left of his clothes from Vivienne.

When he reaches the crest of the rails and returns to us to retrieve his clothes from Vivienne. “Um, Vivienne did you lose my pants?”, Arlo asks in frustration.

Vivienne just smiles and shrugs.

Dressing quickly before the prying eyes of the crowd and the flash of cameras illuminating his rippling muscles and perfect body. His face is impassive, but I can see the turmoil in his eyes. I reach out, my hand finding his. His fingers intertwine with mine, a silent reassurance that despite the power Vivienne holds over him, he's still his being, capable of love, loyalty, and defiance.

“Still a tighty whities guy, Arlo?” Vivienne giggles, “You need to get with the times and covert to briefs.” She chides at him in his embarrassment signalling the end of the night.

Arlo's smile is slow and predatory. "Perhaps," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine.

He then waves goodbye to Vivienne, as she yells at us, “Always a pleasure my dears, I am sure I will see you around. There are other lessons to be learned."