Chapter Ten (Adam)
I didn't like this.
I didn't like this at all.
I mean, I never liked it in the beginning. I had no problem with Julian being a vampire, of course. While it was complicated, it was incredibly sexy too and sexy always beat complicated. It was the whole thing of Julian having a parasite in his head that pissed me off.
This thing was causing more trouble than Newell and Xed being around. At least Newell took responsibility for his actions. The demon didn't. And the fact that Julian tried to defend the thing both pissed me off and concerned me.
Newell had said the thing would begin to become apart of Julian.
They would share a conscious.
I didn't fall in love with a demon.
I fell in love with Julian, and I wasn't about to let some parasitic demon thing ruin that. I wanted to ask Newell if he could think of a way to get rid of the demon, but he didn't look to be in the mood to talk and trying to force him would make him get snippy and whiny. He could try and convince everyone he was an adult all he wanted, but he was still a brat.
I needed to talk to someone who knew about the demon and wanted it out as much as I did. I almost thought of Declan Calhoun, but after hearing Vladimir and Newell talk about him, it made me question the guy's loyalties. I only had one person I could turn to and I had a feeling I was going to regret it, but it was worth a shot.
I waited until Julian was asleep on the sofa beside me. He laid on his side, pressing up against my back with his arm draped over my side. He was fast asleep, breathing quietly. I wanted to stay beside him and just sleep with him, but I had to move fast before I missed my chance.
I silently crept from the bed, listening to Julian sigh sleepily and curl up into a fetal position under the blankets. I left the living room, moving silently down the dark hallway where everyone else's rooms were. Julian's parents were already fast asleep, their bedroom light turned off. The lights were still on in Vladimir and Alexander's room, as well as Newell and Xed's.
I hesitated outside Alexander's room before rapping my knuckles on the door. I waited a full minute before the door opened to reveal Vladimir in a pair of black jeans that were partially unbuttoned, his black hair slicked back from his face, blue eyes staring at me.
"Can I help you?" He asked, hardly looking interested in any problems I'd have brought to him. I narrowed my eyes, unamused with his nonchalance as I folded my arms over my chest.
"Not you, but your husband." I answered. Vladimir looked at me suspiciously for a moment, then opened the door wider to the guest room. Alexander was sitting on the king sized bed, changing channels to the flat screen across from his bed before he looked up, brushing his wet blonde hair out of his face.
"Adam?" He asked. Could he say my name with anymore disdain? I ignored his tone, though, because I was here on important lover business, not to tease him no matter how tempting it was.
"I need to talk to you about your research." I stated. Alexander frowned instantly and glanced at the time, then turned back to me with a droll stare.
"It's past your bed time. You should--"
"Don't think you can talk to me the way you talk to Julian," I interrupted him sharply, making him blink in surprise, "I'm not gonna stand around and let you step on me. I'm a man too. And I want to keep my lover safe. I want that parasitic piece of crap out of Julian's head as soon as possible. I hate knowing that thing is inside him. He's gone through more shit than you could imagine. I know you didn't exactly have the easy life either. Your mom already told me about Nicholas." Alex paled and Vladimir's eyes darkened.
"We prefer not to talk about him." Vladimir muttered. Alex gave him an uneasy stare before looking back at me.
"I have no idea how to get that demon out of Julian," He replied honestly, his expression disheartened, "I've looked at all the data and I keep coming up with the same stuff. All we know is that the demon is a mass in Julian's head, causing him to have traumatic visions and telekinetic abilities. We wanted to take a biopsy, but my parents don't like the idea of opening up Julian's head-- and neither do I. That's my little brother you're talking about."
"And that's my lover." I answered heatedly. Alex frowned and opened his mouth to speak, then stopped to stare at me in disbelief.
"Wait, you two have...?" His voice trailed and I raised an eyebrow.
"We're eighteen. We passed the legal age of consent two years ago," I replied dryly, "And that isn't what this is about. It's about Julian. There has to be something you can do to remove it. Have you talked to Newt? He acts like he knows something about it." Vladimir came over and sat on the bed, folding one leg over the other as he picked up a towel off the bed to rub his hair dry.
"Newell knows a lot, but I know he doesn't know how to remove the demon. At least, not scientifically." He explained. I frowned, glancing at him.
"Can't we just do what Newt did to make his demon go away?" I asked. Vladimir shrugged, flipping his hair out of his face and leaning back on his hands.
"Sure, good luck trying to convince him to kill his own father." He answered. I glared at him. Alexander gave Vladimir a disapproving glare before turning to look at me with a concerned frown, his arms folded over his chest.
"I have no doubt in my mind that Newell will try and suggest that we go to Ikuto for help, but I do not trust that man to help me save my little brother. Ikuto was one of the men that sided with Zephyra before Newell killed Edward. He tortured me and Vladimir and he kidnapped Storm. I don't even like thinking about the fact that he pretended to be Julian's teacher." He responded bitterly, looking away in dismissal. Vladimir glanced at him, then looked at me and shrugged.
"So what," I started, my voice rising, "You're just going to sit there in your pretty little lab coat at your parents pretty little hospital while your brother is slowly being devoured by a powerful parasite." Alex blushed and shot me a dirty look.
"And what do you want me to do? Pull results out of my ass?"
"That sounds like a good start."
"You little--"
"Alexander," Vladimir said in a warning tone, making Alex scowl and look away, then Vladimir turned to look at me with a frown, "And what about you, Adam? What are you going to do to try and help Julian?" I stared at him for a moment. I couldn't do much, admittedly. I wasn't a scientific genius like Alex or Newell. I wasn't ancient and all knowing like Vladimir. And last time I tried to protect Julian from Zephyra, I was shot and had to spend weeks in recovery.
But that didn't mean I was useless.
I had to do something. I was tired of seeing Julian in pain. He was only happy today because Seth and Kipp were finally starting to accept him for being a vampire. What would they think if they knew about the parasite? We would have to go through this all over again and Julian would start crying against because his friends hated him.
And I couldn't stand seeing him cry.
He didn't do it often. He held it in a lot. I'd seen him break an arm and get his face slammed into the pavement. I had to keep an eye on him to make sure the brats at school didn't pick on him. I watched him get rejected in the past, watched his parents chid him and tell him to practice the piano more, more classical music, even though Julian loved rock.
And none of it made him cry as much as knowing that the people who were supposed to be there for him, weren't.
I wasn't going to be like everyone else. I wasn't going to be like his parents and ignore his wishes. I wasn't going to be like Seth and Kipp and doubt him. I wasn't going to give up on him like Alex and Vladimir.
"I'm going to find Ikuto," I said at last, making Alex stare at me incredulously, "And not just because it pisses you off and it's funny to see you shriek like a girl, but because I love Julian more than anything in the world. And I'm not going to let you get in my way of saving his life. So, good-fucking-night, Alexander Lee Grey, and fuck you." I turned and left the room, my blood boiling. I wanted to stay and punch him in the face, but I knew when enough was enough.
And the fact that Vladimir could break my neck without touching me was also kind of a turn off.
I had promised Julian I wouldn't die. I wasn't about to die because I was too stupid to control my temper. Although, I made a mental note that if anyone ever smacked Alex, I'd happily stand by with a camcorder.
I came back into the living room to see Julian hugging the blankets close to him, squirming uncomfortably. He was sweating and breathing hard. I frowned, crawling onto the bed and reaching out to touch Julian's shoulder. As soon as I made contact, his eyes flew open and he flashed his fangs, grabbing my arm to twist it, but I swung my arm around and caught his instead, whipping him around onto his stomach and twisting his arm behind his back. He hissed for a second in alarm, then relaxed when he saw me staring down at him.
"Adam?" He asked nervously. I frowned, slowly letting go of his arm and letting him sit up on his knees, rubbing his wrist. I sat in front of him on my knees, peering through the dark into his face to see him shivering.
"Are you all right?" I asked. Julian nibbled his lower lip, nodding slowly at first before vigorously shaking his head. Even though I couldn't see him well, I knew he was crying. I sighed, reaching out and pulling him into my arms, holding him tight against my chest. He suddenly felt smaller, fragile.
He was falling apart.
This demon thing was tearing him apart from the inside out. If what Newell said was true, Julian would cease to exist unless someone did something about it.
And if no one else wanted to fight for Julian, then fuck them because I was gonna bulldoze every fucker in my way just to see Julian smile.
I cradled him in my arms for a while, listening to him sniffle. He didn't talk about his nightmare or vision or whatever it was, so I didn't pressure him. If he wanted to talk about it, he would talk about it. And right now, he seemed just happy to be near me.
"I just wanna fall asleep without any dreams." Julian choked after a while, pulling back to wipe at his eyes. I reached up, finding his face in the dark and wiping the tears off his cheeks before I pulled him in for a small kiss on the lips.
"You will," I promised quietly, my lips grazing his as I spoke, "Just give me more time. I'll do something." Julian whimpered, squirming a little from my hands before coming back into my arms, burying his face against my chest.
"I don't want you to die," He sobbed, gripping me to him tightly, "Every time I close my eyes, those stupid visions happen and when I try to talk to Daimonas, he won't listen to me. He won't talk to me or help me or anything. But the visions are still there."
"I won't die," I whispered, stroking his hair, "I already told you. I won't die. I won't let myself die."
"You can't promise--"
"I can promise whatever I want. And I promise not to die, Julian. I swear." I told him firmly, grasping his face in my hands before pulling him in for a hard, hungry kiss. He seemed against it at first, trying to push on my chest before he gave up and melted against me as I leaned against the back of the sofa, letting him crawl into my lap.
I slipped my tongue into his mouth, moaning at the taste of him, how hot and wet his mouth was. It made my blood burn with desire, rushing right down south. I ground my hips up against him, making him purr into my mouth before he pulled back, a string of saliva breaking between us as he gasped for breath.
"My mom is gonna hear us." Julian breathed at last. I rolled my eyes before reaching up to take his face in my hands.
"Then you'll have to keep your voice down." I murmured against his lips before capturing them again, sucking his tongue into my mouth, rolling it against my own. He moaned and once again melted like chocolate in my arms.
Unfortunately, he was right. I wasn't about to piss off his mother of all people who would easily make me break my promise of not dying. So we didn't go as far as I would have liked, which was actually started to annoy me. I was hoping that living with Julian would give us a chance to have sex more often, but his family hovered like mosquitos, making sure all we did was cuddle and kiss. Even kissing made Mrs. Grey curl her lip at me. I was surprised she hadn't neutered me in my sleep.
Julian and I eventually went to bed and woke up in the morning to the thick smell of roasted coffee beans for me and steaming O positive for Julian. I let Julian shower first before I went in, then changed into a pair of black jeans and my matching jacket over a camo long sleeved shirt. I was hurrying and I knew it. I wanted to get to school, quickly, for once.
I was going to find Declan Calhoun and I was going to force the little snot to talk. He knew where Ikuto Takahashi was. And even if I had to beat the living crap out of the guy, it didn't matter to me. So long as I found out where Ikuto was. I'd find him and ask him how his progress was with the research, and if I could do anything to help. I had to do something, anything.
I wasn't going to sit around and wait for a miracle, or a curse.
"The expression on your face is scaring me." Julian said as we walked to school, seeing as Mrs. Grey had to go pick up Amber and Mary-Kay from the airport. Apparently they were coming in from vacation and going to have Julian's parents drive them home after Julian's birthday party.
"How is it scary?" I asked as we walked, hand in hand down the icy sidewalk. Julian scrunched up his nose adorably, reaching up to shrug his back pack onto his shoulder more securely.
"Dunno. It's one of those don't fuck with me today looks. Is it because we didn't finish last night?" He asked, looking a little embarrassed and guilty. I smirked inwardly at that, shaking my head as I tilted my head to the side, kissing him on the cheek before looking away.
"No, just suddenly in the mood to smash some skulls. I think it was the coffee. I feel jittery." I replied, although, I felt odd lying to Julian. I'd done it before, but now, it felt more wrong. I shouldn't be lying to him, but it was best I didn't get him involved with anything else. Seeing him blow up at Declan Calhoun the other day made me realize that Julian was incredibly stressed. He was on the verge of a break down and dragging him into a fist fight with a shapeshifter and hunting down a vampire scientist would only make his life more difficult.
"Well, so long as you don't smash in Kipp's. I think his dad is already worried about brain damage from all the fighting." Julian pointed out with a wicked smirk. I chuckled at that and Julian brightened, tightening his hand on mine. We approached the school and Julian looked hesitant about still holding my hand in public, but I didn't dare let him let go. We walked onto school property past the crossing guard who wished us a good day. She just smiled and waved, didn't say anything about us holding hands.
A few guys at the school gave us odd looks, but one glance at them from me and they went about their own business. They knew very well not to start any shit with me, especially today since I was apparently wearing my don't fuck with me today look. I hadn't known I had such a thing, but I suppose that's what kept people off my case most of the time.
A few girls giggled and waved at us, probably getting some kick out of seeing me hold Julian's hand. For some reason, they really liked gay guys. It didn't bother me, though. I just hoped they knew that Julian wasn't available, for anything, including some sick twisted threesome fantasy.
We walked into the school, relieved by the warmth inside. I walked Julian to his locker and he popped it open to take out his books when someone walked us, giving him a bump on the ass to make him fall head first into his locker. He fumed, whirling around angrily as Walter's ex-friends scurried by, snickering and laughing. Julian blushed furiously, clenching his fists.
"I'm going to smash their heads through a wall." He seethed hatefully. And while most people would just see it as an idle threat, I knew fairly well that Julian could literally put someone's head through a wall-- plaster, concrete, or brick. You name it.
"Ignore them," I replied, "They're meatheads."
"Meat bags." Julian agreed bitterly, turning back to his locker. I cast a quick glance over my shoulder at the retreating band of ingrates. I made a mental note to jump them after school. I wouldn't let anyone get away with treating Julian like garbage, or touching him. Touching him was my job.
Yes, I was possessive.
No, I didn't really give a shit.
Julian was mine.
"Ah, shit," Julian muttered, making me glance at him, "I forgot I have to tell the office I'm leaving school early to meet up with Amber and Mary-Kay. Did you wanna come too?" A get out of school free card?
"Yeah." I answered. Julian nodded and started to walk past me, then stopped and came back to stand in front of me. He kissed me on the lips, a quick peck, before he took off down the hallway to the office. I smirked, watching him leave as I shut his locker for him. A couple of girls walked past me, giggling flirtatiously, but I ignored them and instead followed a green sweater that was moving through the crowds of students. Just before he could pass the bathroom, I caught him by the sleeve and threw him in head first. A few guys were coming out and stumbled back before scurrying out, leaving me alone with my victim.
"Hey, what's the big idea?!" Calhoun whirled around, baring his teeth angrily for a second before he realized it was me, his snarl turning into a flirty smirk as he folded his arms over his chest.
"Well, well. You're pretty brutish, aren't you?" He asked teasingly. I glared at him, slamming a hand into the wall beside his head, making his eyes flicker at it before he looked at me.
"I want to know where Takahashi is." I stated. Calhoun blinked, looking at my hand, then at me again before he gave me a weary smile.
"You know I can't do that. Ikuto will kick my ass if he finds out you even know about my stalking you," He answered, then paused and held up a finger, signalling his chance to his Declan personality, before his expression became relaxed, "Ikuto didn't even want us to have contact with you. We were ordered just to watch you and take notes. And so far, there's nothing interesting to report."
"I don't really give a shit what you or that crazy guy wants," I answered dryly, making Declan's mouth work into a frown, "I want to know about his progress on his research. I need to know how close he is to discovering a way to get rid of the demon in Julian's head." Declan's eyes glowed and he held up two fingers before a wicked grin crossed his lips.
"Ohh, and before you were all whiny about Julian asking us. What changed your mind, stud? Not really in the mood to watch your lover's head explode?" He mocked. I grabbed his head and slammed it into the wall, making him yelp in pain and drop into a crouch, his hand clasping the side of his head. I stepped back, glaring down at him as he peered up past his hair, eyes sharpening.
"I'm not here to play games," I spoke icily, "I'm here to find a way to save Julian. Tell me where Ikuto is or the next time I slam your head into the wall, you won't have a sassy mouth to reply with." Calhoun sighed, frustrated as he got to his feet again, touching the side of his head where it connected with the wall before he glanced at me, holding up a finger as his expression became pinched.
"You know, hurting him hurts me," Declan muttered bitterly, rubbing the side of his head, "And you really do not want to get close to Ikuto. He's running from Zephyra too and they're closer to him than they are to you right now. Going to see him now will only put you in their line of fire. And I highly doubt your precious Julian will appreciate your body delivered to him piece by piece." I narrowed my eyes at him, but said nothing at first.
This was dangerous, I realized in irritation. I had figured I'd easily be able to find Ikuto, talk, then leave, but I had forgotten Zephyra was eager to get their hands on Ikuto as his research too. They'd be looking for him, and the closer they got to him, the closer they got to us.
This would definitely involve some ass kicking and maybe blood. And I had promised Julian I wouldn't die.
No, I told myself. This is the only way you can help him. Ikuto as more information than Alex does, or at least different information. If I could talk to him and get out fast, maybe Zephyra wouldn't get to me first.
"Oooh, you're thinking," Calhoun cooed, making me shoot him a dirty glare, so he held his hands up in defense before folding them over his chest, cocking his hip to the side, "You can't see Ikuto without seeing Zephyra, and you can't see Zephyra without them putting a bullet in your brain... or a hacksaw to your genitalia."
"What if I brought someone with me?" I demanded. Surely I'd be able to convince Xed to come along with me. His fight with Newell would probably give him the need to disobey Newell for once.
"No," Declan answered, his expression firm, "Ikuto will probably only be mildly angry if I brought you to him. If I brought two people, he'd kill me. I fought too hard to die now, especially by the hand of a vampire." I sighed, frustrated as I rubbed the back of my neck.
Talk about tough choices...
But this was for Julian. I couldn't give up on Julian like everyone else.
And I wasn't going to die either.
If worse came to worse, I'd have to use Declan Calhoun as a shield against Zephyra. I was smart, I wasn't dumb. I knew full well I'd encounter Zephyra by seeking out Ikuto. And once Zephyra caught wind of me, they'd hunt me down and use me to lure Julian in.
But that was if they caught me.
And I could be a slimy bastard if I wanted to be.
It was just a matter of being slimier than Zephyra...