Bliss (The Custos) Read online

  In the kitchen Preacher and Cacius sat at the table waiting for me. Both of them had mugs in front of them, and both had fangs on display. I had to stifle my laugh, Preacher in all of his beauty placed his 'Denny's' mug to his lips, Cacius’s mug read 'I'm with stupid' and an arrow pointing at Preacher. The two of them were like Harold and Maud. "Nothing like a hot cup of O Neg to start your night."

  Preacher laughed and sipped from his....beverage but Cacius just looked at me a knowing look but said nothing. "So got anything for the humans here?"

  Preacher smiled and stood, "I see ya finally free of infatuation? I’m happy for ya Cookie." I liked Preacher more and more.

  "It usually takes Humans longer to get out of it." Cacius said

  He said human like piece of shit. I rolled my eyes and sat at the end of the table. "Well I had a nice little dose of teach em' a lesson to get me through." I said feigning relief. I looked at Cacius for any sign of acknowledgement but he was strait faced.

  Huh, hard to get. Too bad I love that game.

  The kitchen was the same as the rest of the rooms all dark floors and walls and drapes, dreary dungeon is what the Style channel would call it. Smiling at my own joke I took the bottle of Evian that Preacher handed me.

  "Classy Preacher." I said meaning the water of the rich and famous.

  "Water is essential to us so we accept only the best." Preacher seemed to be a fountain of information while Cacius still watched me his smile reminded me of Sylvester when he chased Tweedy Bird, and I liked it.

  Damit.

  My hormones would make this situation a real bitch.

  "So Vampires need water? I thought it was a strict diet of AB and O Neg only?"

  Preacher stayed quiet waiting for Cacius to reply but when he didn’t Preacher went on. "The older we get the more we need. I myself am still young by Vampire standards I’m a teen in Vampire years but Cash here, he is a Pappy."

  This made me laugh and the water I was drinking spit out but the moment was classic."Jesus lighten up." I said to Cacius when he didn’t find the joke funny.

  "I’m surprised you can laugh considering the danger your life is in." His smile was now a knowing glare but I swear I think he was fascinated by my attitude.

  "You’re right, sorry. I’m sure when I’m old I'll be just as pissy as you are." Not bothering to talk to him anymore I turned my stare to Preacher but I felt Cacius's eyes on me like a brand and I couldn’t hide the blush in my cheeks. Why did he have to keep that cocky smile in place? He was getting off on what he said through the door jam and he loved trying to make me squirm.

  "We also need other vices." Preacher said trying to break the tension that was strictly sexual and I silently cursed my hormones for betraying me.

  "Like what?"

  "It's a long story that you would benefit from but I ask you take it seriously." Preacher was scary when he had a point to be made and I nodded for him to continue all jokes aside.

  "I'll be getting weapons ready while you tell the tale." Cacius said to Preacher then looked at me. "I'll be back in a few minutes and give you the basics in Vampire defense." The way he looked at me I swear I'm not crazy, it was passion filled. But before I could answer he left the room leaving me with my traitorous thoughts.

  I knew I shouldn’t care that he hated me, I was certain that he did. Why else would he like watching me suffer through this Infatuation? He got off on knowing I wanted him. When this was all over he would want me, I would make sure of it. But the truth was I did want him and I did care what he thought. The truth was that I wasn’t sure if it was Vampire Infatuation or that I simply hated that he didn’t care if I were dead or alive.

  "Story version or the facts?" Preacher asked.

  "Story please. If it's as scary and crazy as the rest of this shit than I want a version I'll remember."

  He simply nodded and began. "Millennia ago before Christ the Greek gods were believed to have ruled all races and the earth. There were three higher beings, Leuccetta, Viccini and Darcallion all servants of Zeus. The Christian God, our Father in Heaven smote the Greek Gods to eternal solitude in the constellations from which they came from. He swore to send his one begotten son to lead the way of the world and that any that disgraced his plan would also be smote."

  "Kind of like the war in heaven?" I asked.

  "That very one only the Christians tell it differently as you will soon see why. Viccini, Leuccetta and Darcallion told God that they would choose him and his unborn son, but they were foolish because our God knows all things and he knew that the three higher beings were lying. They had planned to enter the kingdom of heaven and demand that Zeus and his Pantheon be released. God allowed them in but once there the three were frozen in time. Years and years passed and Jesus was born and walked the earth but upon his death the three higher beings repented in seeing the glory through there stone stare.

  "God released them from their granite prison and made them angels, wings and all. The three were named The Cado, a secret service of Angels per say, Gods own small army. All wanting to be flesh of his flesh and divinity they asked to be given a vessel. Within doing this they were given the freedom to choose as all his children were and the angels accepted. God created full bodied men and that their duties were to the helpless but they failed. They were all three cast out for committing a deadly sin. Leuccetta raped a woman who was blind and God smite him to never be human again. Darcallion became a drinker and thief of red wine that formed an addiction he refused to accept so God smite his soul. Viccini killed a man because he was deformed and it frightened him. God smite his soul.

  "The three begged for a future with his kingdom and asked for forgiveness which he gave but he denied there return. They cursed God and damned themselves. Satan however made them an offer for a lifetime of service. They would work for him. He could not take what God had deemed true so he made what now they would forever be. Because of Leuccetta raping a blind woman the Nex and their followers would never again see the sunlight. Because of Darcallion’s obsessive need for red wine at any cost even stealing they were forced to drink blood of the living to survive. And because Viccini killed a deformed man in fear The Nex and their children would be discernable by color, fang and sight.

  "And now?" I asked not sure if I wanted to know more.

  "And now they have an entire race that they rule."

  "But you and Cacius, you seem...I dunno...not evil."

  Preacher laughed though it creeped me out. "Well that’s where the story changes; see around 700 ad Christianity was in full bloom and the more Vampires The Nex Sired the more that we rebelled. People were no longer willing to risk their soul for immortality and the Custos like Cacius and I, well we had our reasons just like the other Custos we fight with."

  "Can I ask your reason?"

  "Of course you can, but you won’t get an answer."

  "Fair." I said and left it at that.

  "Now Cash and I work for the Custos Nex, Guardians of death. We are Mercenaries and trained to kill it's that simple. We choose to fight on the right side though we are not sure if we have a soul when we meet our eternal death. We save people like you some Vampire and some human."

  "So what you stalk the night looking for people to rescue?"

  "No not even close. We get orders from the Dominus, our leader or Master. His name is Leushus. We get the info on the mark,- he paused to look at me- that’s you, and we find them before the Nex do."

  Now I was confused. "Why are the Nex looking for me?"

  "That’s what we are going to find out tonight." Cacius said as he entered the kitchen and tossed a Kevlar vest on the table in front of me. He strapped one on himself and handed one to Preacher. Next were weapons and Holy shit the weaponry. I was shocked at the array of death tools.

  "I take it I get to tag along?" I asked sarcastically but neither one laughed.

  "You’re the bait." They said in unison.

  *

  Chapter Six

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  Great I get to be bait. I wasn’t happy about baiting myself for murdering fiends and in that moment I vowed to never fish again, it suddenly seemed wrong and really mean.

  "So ok what does bait due and do not say nothing but look like food or I swear I'll scream."

  Cacius shocked me when he actually laughed. "Scream all you want not a soul will hear you." He smiled at Preacher so I assume he meant it as a joke but I thought it was tacky.

  "Little tip Cacius, telling a woman she can scream to her heart’s content but nobody will hear her is scary and it makes me want to run as far from you as I can get."

  "Go ahead you’re not my prisoner but if you do I will find you."

  I looked at Preacher as if asking for help. "He doesn’t get it does he?"

  Preacher closed his eyes and frowned while shaking his head no.

  "Look fear is a weapon if used the right way. Fear for your own death fear for your loved ones that emotion is a tool. To fear your attacker....." Cacius shook his head and in a flash he had me on the ground his dagger a centimeter from my heart. "Fear your attacker and your dead."

  For an instant his eyes met mine and my breath hitched but I felt everything like slo mo. My hair as it fell from my shoulder to my back, his hand as it pressed harder against my back, my arms of their own accord as they slipped around his neck. I told myself it was to steady me but I knew it was to touch him, his skin against mine and immediately I checked my hormones and cleared my throat. "Ok Rambo I get it. Can I get up now?"

  He said nothing as he righted me on my feet again as if I weighed nothing and later that would so stroke my ego but for now I struggled to catch my bearings. "So really how am I bait?" I asked now more serious than ever about getting it all over with so I could leave.

  "You get to mingle." Cacius said as he threw a leather coat on over his cream colored thermal that was just snug enough to see the contours of what had to be a perfect male physic. His casual no big deal Bravado back; even though seconds ago he was serious and inches from killing me.

  "Mingle?" I asked.

  "Yeah. Mingle. Walk around meet people and have some drinks, let us read the minds. This place is major Nex territory and they can’t know we are with you."

  "What if I get bitten?" I was suddenly sick to my stomach and the fear was winning by a landslide. I’m a strong woman but this was suicide mission stuff and I was scared shitless.

  Cacius walked towards me and came in close to my side until my thigh stopped him. The shot of lust from such a simple brush was terrifying in its own right. Two seconds ago I was scared for my life now I wanted to open up and say Aah. "Liston Princess...." He said his raspy voice smooth and calming. "Nothing will harm you I swear and so does Preacher. I'll cover all the signs in the Van."

  I knew I had a choice here. I could trust Cacius and Preacher and do everything they tell me to or I could run as fast and far as possible and hope to make it, but I knew I would choose them, I would choose him. "OK, I trust you."

  "Good Princess, very good."

  Cacius

  London sat in the back with me while Preacher drove to Cally Tavern, a shithole rundown bar in the desert. I took the opportunity to discuss what to look for. It was that or sit and fantasize of all the ways that bath tub scene could have traded the X rating for a XXX. Damn, but she was beautiful. She had the thickest shiniest deep brown locks and she smelled of jasmine and vanilla, the soaps I gave her.

  For some reason the fact that she used what I gave her made the cave man inside of me puff out his chest and pull a Tarzan. But it did that when she said she would trust me to keep her safe. God I was in trouble with her. Get in get out damit.

  Yeah get in was all I cared about.

  Feeling my cock wake up and demand attention I decided a quick change of subject would kill my mood.

  Vampires’ mood enhancement: forget Paxil and Prozac, we have liquid silver, UV rays and a wooden stake through the heart. Side effects: Flaccidity.

  Ding ding ding.

  "Ok there are signs of vampires and good or bad they are all the same. The older the Vamp the harder it can be for a human to sense but I will be near and so will Preach."

  I looked at her eyes bulging from her head as she listened with the intent of a virgin in a whorehouse.

  "So here is a list for you to keep with you. Study it, learn it but make sure you know it."

  "1- A male Vampire will always mark the infatuation immediately, by touching an arm or hand, hair ect. This contact when applied directly will enhance the humans need to listen and obey because the touch will always feel sensual and erotic, even if they are smacking the life out of you all a human will feel is bliss, absolute erotic bliss."

  "So wait why when I was attacked did I feel such immense fear?" Fuck. I forgot about that. Fuck Fuck Fuck!

  "I'll explain in a minute." Before I could continue I caught sight of Preacher as he looked over his shoulder, his look said what I knew. I had to tell her that we met before the attack. Even without drinking from me, my infatuation was still a stronghold on her and Jack and Ripper couldn’t over power what I had on her. To her, they were simply monsters, bad guys. Had she not met me that night..... I didn’t finish the thought. I knew she would have been dead, she would have welcomed it.

  "2- A Female Vampire will most likely take a mild approach, most females stay with male humans for the attention but if a female should try and infatuate a human the key points are as follows. They will not touch, simply talk close to the ear or neck, eye contact will never falter and a human would find it impossible to look away. If a female were to touch a human female it would feel warm and comforting the infatuation taking a different roll towards what a human female may feel towards an actress or famous person ect. The feeling would be star struck and wonderful happiness, even if they were killing you."

  I looked at her briefly but she seemed to have no questions so I moved on.

  "3- They will always have a scent that is unlike any other. Vampires do not wear perfumes or colognes because of the strong sense of smell they survive on. While you are with us we ask that you not wear any but also be careful with soaps and hairspray. Our senses are too keen and they could get smothered at the wrong time. We can smell fear, sadness joy any emotion but if you are doused in perfumes we may not catch it if you are in danger.

  I paused again to look at her and I smiled as she sniffed her shirt. "Your fine now Princess, we took anything that would have been too strong."

  "These scents are unusual scents that most humans use to make a home smell clean and fresh inviting. They are usually earthy for males, as you stated before I smell of Thunderstorms and the forest. A woman would smell like jasmine or peaches. The key point will always be to try and filter the scent of alcohol from the Vampire, a human will smell of liquor, a Vampire will not it’s a dead giveaway no pun intended."

  "Why liquor? Is that what Preacher meant earlier about other vices?" God damn it she made it hard to think. She was too close and I wanted desperately to mark her. I was so fucked here. I rubbed my hand over my face before answering.

  "Yeah. Custos are technically do gooders but we need help. Alcohol or if your Preacher; drugs keep us from bloodlust and it lessens the Infatuation. It mellows us out but without it, we would be mobbed. I drink Jim Beam and Preacher smokes weed."

  She gasped in air before tsking Preacher. "Preacher I’m shocked."

  "It's from the earth Cookie, wine and liquor is not."

  Not wanting to get Preacher started I went on.

  "4- If they want to feed from you, they will definitely ask to go talk somewhere private. In this situation humans do the same thing when intrigued by one another so always always always be armed."

  Before she asked I stopped her. "You'll be armed well and dangerous, just wait." I said and continued.

  "5- Garlic, holy water and crosses are of no importance to Vampires, they will make you look stupid and ultimately get you killed. What does kill us is any form
of UV rays, wood through the heart and silver will weaken us, killing us if enough silver penetrated the heart. Liquid silver is key for a human to arm with; Vampires consider it cheating and weak to kill one another so quickly. At the end of the day we are all evil, some just fighting for the good and evil likes to drag death out, silver is quick but cheating and a Vampire who uses it will be marked as a coward."

  I looked at her to make sure she understands and she smiled nodding her head. "Speaking of wives tales and your immunity’s I have a question."

  "What is it?"

  "I assume you have no reflection? That or you despise the sight of it."

  I laughed and I could feel her shock. Fuck was I that terrible? "We cast a reflection if we want. Preacher doesn’t have mirrors because he never has cast one. It's by shear will but he believes it's magic and he doesn’t believe in magic."