19 | bloodsucking wizard

Tony

I stayed up all night searching and picking up what turns out to be a rare supply of vervain. Then I proceeded in just figuring some stuff out about the so-called 'nightwalkers', whether it be from research, legends, folklores, and anywhere I can get answers from. In the same books, they also mention other popular creatures like werewolves and witches.

Honestly, my brain is about to explode. Not because of the vast amount of information about the general topic of the supernatural world, because clearly I still have a lot of storage in my brain left to occupy. But the fact that all of these, or at least some of these are true is making me see things slightly differently.

Maybe the world's not all about science after all. It is, but with a hint of something magical.

"Still no ID?" I asked J.A.R.V.I.S.

We have been trying to identify Night Jaywalker, who's still sound asleep by the way. I guess they don't need the coziness of their coffins, after all.

"Still none, sir." He answered. "I'm starting to think that the girl is unidentifiable."

I closed my eyes and sighed deeply in frustration. I have been up all night. The sun had risen, and I could already hear my stomach growling. Just the thought of a hot piece of cheeseburger is currently enough to make me drool.

"I'm gonna order a cheeseburger." I said, informing J.A.R.V.I.S. of my breakfast.

I stood up and smooth down the wrinkles of my shirt as I was about to head to the living room to get my telephone. I stopped just right in front of the door of the basement when I tilted my head and squinted my eyes in curiosity.

"Vampires can still eat human food, right?" I asked J.A.R.V.I.S., getting him to confirm what I think I read from some of the books about vampires still able to consume human food. I think I remember reading they still can, it just won't satisfy their 'hunger'.

Now, that word is tainted to me.

"Indeed, sir. Do you plan on ordering some for her?" He asked.

I pursed my lips and shrugged my shoulders. "Why not?"

—

It didn't take long for my order to be delivered to my door. The savory aroma of what was inside the brown paper was already a treat. If cheeseburgers were not made, I would not have survived this life. Cheeseburgers represent everything I'm grateful for.

While I was walking towards my room, I overheard J.A.R.V.I.S.'s voice coming from the guest room where the vampire girl was staying. As I was about to reach the doorway when the sound of a woman's voice blessed my ears. She's awake.

"You keep mentioning Mr. Stark, who the hell is Mr. Stark?" said the woman.

I made a bet with myself while I had spare time and wiped the blood off her face and arms that when she's healed and she's opened her eyes, those vivid blue eyes would be even more mesmerizing than before.

I was right.

"That would be me." I answered.

I seemed to have startled the woman because as soon as she whipped her head towards me, she immediately came at me. I wasn't even given the chance to register what was happening before I felt her arm pushing against my neck, rendering me almost unable to fucking breathe.

Damn, this woman is freakishly strong.

"I-Is this how you say...good morning on your planet? 'Cause it's interesting." I managed to say. I basically choked it out because the more I talk, the more she's pressing her arm against my throat.

Not gonna lie, she might be trying to kill me right now, but she's gorgeous.

I might have a thing for dangerous women...or woman. She's been the only one this dangerous. I could literally die in her hands. Or fangs.

Damn it. Now, I'm thinking about her fangs in my neck and I find it hot. Somebody's gotta stop me. I've literally developed a fucking new kink overnight.

"Who are you?" She asked.

Uhm...say what now?

"Geez. I'm offended you had to ask that." I responded.

I really am. Even a vampire has access to news, right? I'm not being cocky or anything. But my name is basically plastered all over America, if not the entire world. The only reason anyone wouldn't know me is if they live under a rock.

My remark must have angered her because as soon as I said that, she shoved her arm further against my throat, cutting off my air supply almost completely.

I'm really gonna die in her hands. But if someone's gonna kill me, I would prefer it to be her.

"Tony! My name's Tony Stark. Goddammit, woman, you're super strong!" the hoarse sound of my voice was proof enough that the woman is this close to strangling me to death.

I take it back. Can I not die now? For the love of God.

"Why am I here?" she asked.

I should be asking her questions, not the other way around. But I get the feeling that she's used to torturing people to get what she wants. And I prefer myself to be intact while I answer her questions and vice versa.

"Can't we just do this like normal people? I ordered cheeseburgers." I lifted the paper bag I was holding.

I watched as she ripped her gaze away from me and began eyeing the paper bag I was holding. By the looks of it, this woman is famished. As much as I enjoy a good, sexy breakfast, I don't think that we'd have the same idea if I ever brought it up.

Finally, she released me from her grasp and I immediately sucked in as much air as I could to make up for the whole 30 seconds I was lacking it. My hand made its way towards my neck and I caressed the spot where she held me while slightly glaring at the woman.

"I feel dirty." She stated.

You and me both...although, surely, not the same.

"Bathroom's right over there, and wardrobe's in the room next to this one." I just said.

She simply nodded at me rather coldly before going into the bathroom.

That went well, I guess.

—

Okay, so obviously, she's not telling what she is anytime soon. I have been sitting here munching my cheeseburger just like she is, while also calling her an alien. I mean, obviously I know she's not. But I'm trying to get her to admit what she really is and she is not talking.

The only thing she's interested in is how 'cheap' the cheeseburgers are. Does she have really expensive blood burgers in Viva La Vampira or something?

"Speaking of 1994, here." I took out the paper I got from her last night signed by this unknown K.P. and handed it to her. "This fell out of your jacket last night when I took it off to make you comfortable." Yes, I did that, you little ungrateful, hot, Lady Dracula. "I couldn't help but snoop. Weird message, though."

She took the paper and opened it. This girl is not good at concealing the shock on her face when she reads the message inside.

"Is K.P. your boyfriend? Is he an alien, too?" I asked.

I wasn't gonna disclose the fact that I know things. I'm dealing with a vampire here. It's the reason why I just drank a vial of vervain as soon as I got them. If I'm going to get her to confirm our theory without her knowing, then I have to play it smart.

"Stop with the alien thing." She said. The woman then stood up and turned around, about to walk away from me. Hell no. She's not going anywhere until I get something out of her, and I really don't mean that sexually.

"I will, as soon as you explain to me." I demanded as I also stood up and tailed her.

I really hope this vampire does not have any anger issues. Because when people talk to me, they tend to get annoyed. I don't know, it's a natural talent.

"I don't owe you an explanation." She reasoned out.

We reached my second living room. For whatever reason, the woman simply waved her hand and TV fucking switched on...

Okay, is she really a vampire? Because the last time I checked—and I was very thorough—vampires cannot do that!

The news immediately came on and she simply stared at the screen while I stood behind her. What the hell is she doing? Trying to know if any of her victims are already reported?

"Okay, it's either you are a fucking alien or a wizard." I said.

I can already tell that the woman is growing tired of me. She really groaned in annoyance as she turned around to face me. Damn, those blue eyes are alluring. It's hard to hate her completely when her eyes are just that captivating.

"Like I said, I don't owe you an explanation." She repeated before trying to all past me.

I wasn't gonna just let her walk away after she just stumbled into my life in all her vampire glory. No, I'm not gonna let this go. I need answers. I need confirmation. I don't care if it will get me into bad situations. I hate being left in the dark.

I grabbed a hold of her wrist and pulled her back. I could tell she was shocked by my actions when she looked up at me with it plastered across her face. Her rage hiding behind her gentle blue eyes.

"Actually, you do." I argued. "I'm not dumb nor am I insane. First of all, I was supposed to take you to the hospital last night. But one little command from you and I was driving back home with you in my backseat because I don't know where else to take you if you didn't want to go to the hospital. Now, if I didn't know any better, I'd say I'm just submissive. But I know that I'm really, really not. So, the alternative is that you mind-controlled me."

I was barely keeping it together. There's turning back from this. I'm already in this deep. And I'm not gonna let her walk away without knowing everything. For all I know, this part of the world she's gotten me into can get me killed. I need all the information I can get.

"Second, look at yourself right now. Hours ago, you were riddled with a generous amount of toxin enough to kill you. And might I remind you that I accidentally hit you with my car? You're supposed to be crippled by now. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that you're not. But looking at you right now, it's like that didn't even happen. I may not be an expert in the medical field, but I'm sure as hell nobody heals that fast." I explained.

All the words that are popping into my brain are going straight to my mouth, firing point after point at her. I don't know how long we have been standing there with just us staring at each other while I was catching my breath from all that rambling. Then she spoke again. But this time, she really spoke.

"You don't remember anything from last night and earlier today." I started. "You never met me. You will go on with your normal life and forget everything that you've known since I came. No aliens, no wizards. Nothing. You were tired. You went home and did the usual. Do you understand?" She said all while her mesmerizing blue eyes were boring into mine.

This was it. She's trying to compel me...and I didn't get affected like last time because of the vervain in my system. It's confirmed. She's a fucking vampire.

"I understand." I answered. I really do understand.

I watched her while she gulped and sighed deeply before pushing away my hand from her arm. She looked at me for a few seconds further, then she turned around and tried to walk away.

I would love to see her face when she finds out that her mind trick did not work on me.

"I understand perfectly." I added. "Because you just confirmed my theory."

When she faced me again, a wave of satisfaction washed over me as I saw the stunned expression on her face and the way her body language just screamed the same. She was practically nailed to the floor.

I tried to hide the victorious smirk on my face by turning around and walking towards the kitchen, grabbing the glass of scotch tainted with vervain. When I came back, I stood in front of her, held her hand with her palm up and poured some of the scotch over her hand.

It was fucking difficult to keep a straight face when internally, I'm jumping all over the place. And it was because the moment the liquid touched her palm, it practically sizzled. It stung her palm and it reddened and even smoked before she withdrew her hand, but without showing me a little wince.

I'm standing in front of a vampire.

She must be very confused right now.

"Last night, while eagerly trying to figure out whether or not you were an alien, I stumbled upon a book—a very old book." Well, books and research papers, but I don't need to express how I'm obsessed right now. Maybe later. "One of which said that vervain is a herb poisonous to...certain creatures. In addition to that, ingestion of said vervain as its liquid state would inhibit the effects of one of the useful tactics those creatures use. Mind compulsion." I explained.

I watched her expression, held her gaze while I placed the glass on a table near me. All of this is real. This is serious.

"You're a vampire." I said. I think that's the first time I've said that out loud without cringing.

Once again, satisfaction swallowed me like a tidal wave when I saw her widen her eyes and clench her jaw at all the things I know.

"Like I said, I'm not dumb." I pointed out.

The two of us just stood there, our eyes locked on each other. My heart was beating so fast not because I was nervous—well, maybe I am a little bit—but because of the excitement. Adrenaline was rushing through me like a fire in the field of wheat.

She's a vampire.

Uhm...she's a vampire...for a second there, I felt so triumphant that I actually forgot the actual meaning of the word 'vampire'. That, admittedly, they are far more superior species than a mere human like me. And I got my first example.

Out of nowhere, she grabbed my hand and spun me around, leaving my hand pressed against my back at a rather very uncomfortable position.

"Ow!" I complained. Then the next thing I knew, I felt like my breath was knocked out of my lungs when everything became a blur and I suddenly felt the cushion of a couch after throwing me on top of it.

Did she just...use her vamp speed and dragged me across my house?!

"That was—" I was cut off when she suddenly muttered something under her breath.

I don't know what that was, but after she did it, my arms stuck to my side and my body felt incredibly stiff as if I was tied up.

I'm magically tied up, aren't I?

"This is—" again, I was unable to finish my sentence when she said something that I couldn't understand. And then the worst happened. My mouth was sealed shut.

"This is...what?" She mocked me, her eyebrow cocked and her lips slightly curling up into a smirk.

Goddammit. Why does she have to be pretty? Like, she's actually hot right now while she has me tied up and sealed shut.

"Don't worry. In a few hours, the vervain will pass your system and after that, I can compel you again and leave." She said before plummeting down onto the couch across from me.

—

I don't know how long it has been since I was tied up against my will. All I've been doing was watching the woman, who I still don't know the name of, fiddle around with my things.

"Hmm. It'll be over soon." I heard her mumble before she looked at me and muttered another set of words.

After that, I felt my face shift, and just like that, I have my mouth again.

"Thank fuck." I breathed before flexing my jaw. That made my face feel stiff.

She then just sat across from me with once again, an eyebrow raised at me. I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes at her before I spoke.

"I treated you, tucked you in, bought you new clothes and a cheeseburger. The least you could do is tell me your name." I suggested

"It's not like you'd remember it once the vervain in your system passes," She just responded. "Can I talk to the robot?"

Did she just call J.A.R.V.I.S. a robot? Now, that's insulting.

"He's not a robot, he's an AI. And no, you can't talk to him." I snapped. I hate it when people do that.

I saw her roll her eyes at me. Well, she's feisty, kinda has some spunk in her, too. She then roamed her eyes around the room as if searching for something.

"J.A.R.V.I.S.?" She called.

Don't you dare answer, J.A.R.V.I.S.

"Yes, Miss?" He answered.

And here I thought he was on my side.

I watched as she smiled and glanced at me, as if trying to tease me. Sometimes, she's attractive, sometimes she's just downright annoying.

"Can you pull up any murders that happened in Portland, Oregon?" She said.

Murders in Portland, Oregon? Why? Did she come from there? Did she go on a murder spree or something? 'Cause I wouldn't be surprised. The way she's looking at me earlier was murderous...or maybe that's just because it's me. I get that look a lot, you know?

"Why, did you do any bloodsucking there?" I asked.

She looked at me and did that thing with her eyebrow again. She always does that. The way her eyebrows would arch when she's trying to look badass. It works though. I like the eyebrow thing.

"I'll suck yours if you don't shut up." She threatened.

That's...hot.

"I know I shouldn't be turned on right now, but those words combined with me being magically chained up to this couch is kinda hot." I admitted.

She then rolled her eyes and looked away. This woman is really annoyed by me and I'm enjoying annoying her. She looks cute when she's annoyed, even if there's a chance that she'll murder me if she gets too angry.

Would be the best way to die, though.

Would you look at that? I'm attracted to the bloodsucking wizard. Of all the women, Tony.

"There's a family massacre on May 9th." J.A.R.V.I.S.'s voice came through the speakers with answers that the woman asked for. Traitor. "Four children were found brutally murdered and one left for dead in the home of the Parker Family. The murders ranging from drowning to stabbing and hanging, the incident was described as 'unfathomable'. Their brother was declared missing, Malachai, aged 22. He's still missing and they have not found the one responsible."

What the...

"Did you do all that?" I asked immediately. She muttered something earlier before I spoke, but unlike her, I don't have super vampire hearing.

Just imagining the bodies scattered around that family house was disturbing me. If she has anything to do with that, shouldn't I be scared? Why am I sitting here and having a casual talk with a vampire when she's probably killed people like me? I swear, I have a death wish.

"I'm not a murderer." She answered.

I wish it was that easy to convince me.

"And I'd believe that, if you weren't a vampire and you're not keeping me here against my will." I said.

"I don't hear you complaining."

"Do you want to hear me complain?"

"I'd rather not."

"Then tell me your name."

Frustration was already visible when she ran her palms down her face and groaned. She's gonna kill me before the vervain passes in my system. I have to stop teasing her, right?

That doesn't round right, though.

"I won't." She said.

Why won't she tell me her name? It's not like I'd remember it later on. She'll compel me to forget. I just wanted to know before I go back to my incredibly normal life. If she won't tell me, then I guess I should just make up a name then.

"Fine. I'll call you Spunky, then." I stated. She's got spunk.

She closed her eyes and buried her face in her palms as she whispered to herself. I'm guessing she's already cursing at me.

"You won't tell me your name, so I gave you one." I said, shrugging my shoulders.

"Is there an end to your stubbornness or is it simply infinite?" She asked.

"I'd say the latter." I said, a smirk forming on my lips.

"Should I put an end to it then?"

"You said you're not a murderer."

"You make me want to be."

I actually enjoy arguing with her. She's rather competitive. I am too. That's what makes it so fun.

But our fun argument was cut short when the alarm went off, the one she set to alert us when it's time for...well, I think it's obvious.

The vervain has passed my system. I'm compellable again.

"The vervain should be out of your system by now." She stood up and walked towards me.

This wasn't how I pictured everything would turn out to be when I found out about this side of the world. I've always pictured only two ways this could end. First one is me going through all of it either with flying fucking colors or horribly. Second is with me dead.

Me forgetting everything and living my life not knowing that this side of the world exists, is not an option that I'm willing to consider.

When she reached me, she bent down and put two fingers under my chin, lifting my head to meet her gaze. There they were again. Her vivid blue eyes, so blue and so crystally, that sometimes I think that someone stole the most beautiful blue diamonds in the universe just so they could be her eyes.

But those same blue eyes are now capable of making me forget them. That made me anxious.

Because I don't want to forget her eyes. I don't want to forget her.

"It's Andrea." She whispered.

When she said that, I thought an angel was talking. Because she was looking at me differently from how she was looking at me before. Earlier, she was annoyed and her gaze was always stern. Sometimes, she's just straight up glaring.

But this one. This one was gentle.

And Andrea? The sound of her name suddenly put me at ease. I thought it would be something badass though to accompany her toughness. But the name Andrea with the gentle look I see on her right now, now that name really suits her.

Andrea. I just wish I could—

Wait...what happened?

I looked around the living room. No...no way. Did I just fall asleep?! I have a seminar to attend to. Obie would kill me if I'm late.

"J.A.R.V.I.S. why didn't you remind me about the seminar?!"

"You were busy."

I furrowed my eyebrows. I was barely doing anything. How was I busy?

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "Never mind. Just call Obie."

"Right away, sir."

A seminar. Ugh. Since when has my life started to become this boring?

—

Anddd he has forgotten about Hope...but as we all know, not for long.

I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas!