The Rapture

The car glides to a stop in the dimly lit parking lot behind the Crimson Veil, the thumping bass of the music barely audible through the thick walls. I glance down at my outfit – the white tank top, red lace bra peeking through, the black shorts that barely cover my cheeks, the flannel tied loosely around my waist. "I'm not exactly dressed for clubbing," I say to Arlo, a hint of self-consciousness in my voice.

He turns to me, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're perfect," he assures me, his gaze sweeping over me appreciatively. "But it doesn't matter if we're not dressed for the occasion, for two reasons. One, it's my club," he adds with a wink. "And two, it isn't where we're going... well, not yet."

Excitement bubbles up inside me, a mix of anticipation and curiosity. Arlo leads me further into the depths of the parking lot, away from the vibrant lights and pulsing music. The darkness thickens, the shadows clinging to us like a second skin. If I were human, I'd be struggling to see anything at all. But my vampire senses heighten, adjusting to the dimness, revealing the outlines of parked cars and the looming silhouette of an old, rusted water tower.

Arlo stops, pointing towards the imposing structure. "That," he says, his voice a low rumble in the stillness, "is where the Nexus point for Veritas resides."

My dreams of a grand palace or some awe-inspiring monument crumble as I stare at the rusty behemoth. "Um... really?" I blurt out, unable to hide my disbelief. "I don't want to doubt you, but... really?!"

Arlo nods, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Some Nexus points, like the one in Neo-Edo, are breathtaking. The one there is at the top of the Skytree, nestled within an eternally blooming cherry blossom tree that radiates a pink glow." His eyes sparkle with a hint of nostalgia. "Others, like this one, as you'll see, are less grand."

He gestures toward the water tower. "This is partly because it's controlled by the humans, who have no idea of its existence. The truce of Veritas doesn't allow any one faction to control it."

I can't help but feel a pang of disappointment. The idea of traveling the world through magical portals hidden in awe-inspiring locations had captured my imagination. But this... this rusty old water tower felt like a cruel joke.

Arlo's smile widens, a touch of amusement in his eyes. "It will make more sense when we're inside," he assures me.

I raise a skeptical eyebrow, gesturing toward the towering structure. "But that thing can barely support its weight! How are we even going to climb inside?"

Arlo doesn't respond, instead, he simply turns and walks towards the water tower, slipping through a gap in the broken chain-link fence. He pauses, looking back at me with an expectant grin.

I shake my head, a chuckle escaping my lips. This is going to be interesting, I think to myself as I follow him, ducking under the rusted metal barrier and into the shadows.

With a resigned sigh, I place my hand on the first rung of the rusty ladder, its metal cold and rough against my skin. Of course, it's a ladder, I think, rolling my eyes. Why wouldn't it be?

The climb is surprisingly steady, the old metal groaning but holding our combined weight without complaint. As we ascend, the anticipation builds within me, a mix of trepidation and excitement.

Finally, we reach the top, and my breath catches in my throat. The interior of the water tower is illuminated by a soft, ethereal blue light, emanating from a swirling vortex of energy at its center. The rusty walls and grime fade into the background as the mesmerizing light captures my full attention.

Arlo gestures towards the glowing vortex. "That's the Nexus point," he whispers, his voice hushed with reverence.

I step forward, drawn to the pulsating light like a moth to a flame. The air crackles with energy, a tangible hum that resonates through my very being. The transformation from the mundane exterior to this hidden marvel is breathtaking.

"Ready?" Arlo asks, a playful glint in his eyes.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the unknown. "Ready," I echo, my voice filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

But before I can take a step toward the swirling vortex, Arlo's hand gently rests on my arm, halting my movement. "Not quite yet, Evie," he says, his smile fading into a serious expression. "We're not going in. Not yet."

Confusion clouds my features. "But... why not?"

Arlo sighs, his gaze fixed on the Nexus point. "You wouldn't make it anywhere in particular," he explains. "You'd end up at a random location in the world."

He turns to me, his blue eyes filled with a gentle concern. "To use a Nexus point for targeted travel, you must have already visited and seen that specific Nexus point."

My heart sinks. Another setback, another reminder of my limitations. "So I can't just... go anywhere?"

Arlo chuckles, shaking his head. "Well, not controlled anywhere. You could go anywhere," he clarifies with a playful grin. "But with time," he promises, his eyes sparkling, "we'll visit all of them together."

"Have you visited any other Nexus points?" I ask, curious about his travels.

A flicker of sadness crosses his eyes, but he quickly masks it with a composed smile. "Just Neo-Edo," he replies, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "I lived there for a while in the 1930s, after the market crashed."

I can sense a reluctance in him, a closed door he's not ready to open. Respecting his boundaries, I smile and change the subject. "Well, let's head to that club then. The one that rich jerk owns."

Arlo's lips curl into a playful smirk. "Lead the way," he says, extending his arm towards the ladder.

As we leave the Nexus point and head toward the music and lights of the Crimson Veil, Arlo's voice cuts through the night's stillness. "Do you want to do more training tonight?"

I nod eagerly, my heart pounding with the desire to hone my newfound abilities. "I want to be as good as I can be," I say, a playful smile curving my lips, "maybe even the best." The self-doubt lurking beneath my bravado is quickly overshadowed by the thrill of the challenge.

"Alright," Arlo agrees, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I promised I wouldn't use my aura on you, your friends, or family, and I won't. But sometimes, the only way to practice is to do it. I'll ask my friends at the club to test your aura control. They'll know you're coming, so it'll be more difficult than normal. Your goal is to have them give you a picture of their wife. Then they, and other vampires, will try to weaken your resolve, dangling a picture of your bare chest as a reward. Once this little game is over, we'll see who wins."

Intrigue mingles with apprehension. This sounds...intense. But the allure of proving myself, of pushing my abilities to their limits, is irresistible.

We step into the Crimson Veil, the music washing over us like a tidal wave. The club is a dimly lit labyrinth of velvet and leather, a playground for the creatures of the night. Amidst the swirling crowd, I spot a familiar face – Vivienne, perched on a plush velvet couch, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

My gaze then falls on two more familiar figures. Benji and Sarah, my best friends from medical school, are laughing and clinking glasses at a nearby table. The sight of them fills me with a warmth that momentarily eclipses the anxiety of my impending training. They must be here to celebrate our graduation, I realize with a smile.

Vivienne saunters over to Arlo, a playful pout on her lips. "Took you long enough," she teases, her voice a sultry purr.

Arlo chuckles, gesturing towards the VIP lounge. "Wait for me there," he instructs a hint of authority in his tone. "I'll be with you shortly."

Vivienne acquiesces with a mock salute, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yes, boss," she replies, before disappearing into the shadows.

I turn to Arlo, excitement bubbling up within me. "My friends are here!" I exclaim, pointing towards Benji and Sarah.

Arlo's smile widens. "I'll text you descriptions of the vampires," he says, his voice low and conspiratorial. "But they'll be vague enough that if you're not using your aura, you might accidentally target a human. Wouldn't want to get them in trouble with their spouse, now would we?" He winks, a playful glint in his eyes.

With a final squeeze of my hand, he turns and follows Vivienne into the VIP lounge. I watch him go, a mixture of nerves and determination coursing through me. It's time to put my training to the test.

The dance floor pulsates with energy, a kaleidoscope of swirling bodies and flashing lights. Lost in the rhythm, I twirl and laugh with Sarah and Benji, a sense of carefree abandon washing over me. It's a welcome respite from the complexities of my new life, a chance to simply be Evie, the friend, the confidante, the newly minted doctor.

As the night wears on, we retreat to a table near the dance floor, our bodies buzzing with the afterglow of exertion. We each order our drinks, and I can't help but chuckle when Benji mistakenly takes my drink to be a Bloody Mary.

"We saw you running out of the graduation ceremony Tuesday evening," Benji says, his voice laced with concern. "We were worried something happened. Is everything alright?"

I take a sip of the blood-red cocktail, its familiar tang is a bittersweet reminder of my transformation. "I was upset with my parents," I explain, choosing my words carefully. "I just had to get away for a while."

I glance at Arlo, who's observing us from the VIP lounge, a subtle smile playing on his lips. The warmth in his gaze sends a flutter through my chest.

"But we've since reconciled," I continue, my voice steady. "I'm living on my own now, with my boyfriend."

My mind racing as soon as I say it. I only said it to not be questioned further. But as I say them, a sense of rightness settles over me. It's only been five nights, five nights of stolen glances, whispered secrets, and a connection that defies explanation. Yet, 'boyfriend' feels like the perfect word to describe the inexplicable bond that's already woven itself between Arlo and me.

"Boyfriend?!" Benji and Sarah practically shout in unison, their eyes wide with surprise. They lean forward, their curiosity piqued.

"Girl," Benji drawls, his voice laced with playful excitement, "you have to spill the tea!"

Sarah nods enthusiastically, her usually reserved demeanor replaced with a giddy anticipation. "Yes, Evie," she urges, "we need dets!"

I take a sip from my glass, letting them assume it's liquid courage fueling my forthcoming revelations. In reality, the cool blood slides down my throat, a stark reminder of the secrets I'm keeping.

"His name is Arlo," I begin, choosing my words carefully, "and he actually owns this club, of all things." A flicker of amusement crosses my face. "We've been dating for a few days now, just barely met."

As I speak, I recall Vivienne's lesson about the power of phrasing and Arlo's warning about angels and their manipulative truths. I'm weaving a narrative that's technically accurate but carefully omits the supernatural details.

"He's incredibly kind and patient," I continue, my voice softening as I think of Arlo's gentle guidance and unwavering support. "And he's got this quiet strength about him that makes me feel safe."

My cheeks flush as I recall our kiss, the memory still fresh and exhilarating. "And he's an amazing kisser," I add, a shy smile gracing my lips.

Sarah's eyes widen, a knowing grin spreading across her face. "Oh, girl," she exclaims, "you got it good! You're in love!"

“You have to tell us more,” Sarah asks. “Where does he live, have you two had sex, what are his favorite positions, and is he good at cunnilingus?”

"Sarah, slow down!" I chuckled. "We just had our first kiss tonight before coming here."

Sarah giggled, "So?"

Benji grinned, "Slut,” as he jokes with Sarah,” Let's go dance some more."

The three of us headed back to the dance floor, the music pulsing through us, the energy of the night electric. Benji and Sarah reluctantly check their phones for the time. 1:01 pops up at both of them as they groan.

They both said their goodbyes, hugging me tight. "It was so great running into you tonight, Evie," Sarah said, her smile warm and genuine.

Benji echoed her sentiment, "Yeah, it was a blast. We should do this again soon."

I returned their hugs, feeling a warmth spread through me. "Definitely," I agreed. "Let's stay in touch."

As I see them leave and return to our table alone I feel the buzz of my phone, one after another.