CH 12: We'll Meet Again

Esme quickly got settled into her new room, cringing at the sight of the pathetic choice of wallpaper. She snapped her fingers and just like that all her furniture from her room in the tower was transported into this one, everything appearing just as it was before. She sighed and wrapped her curls into a tall ponytail, changing into a black tank top and green shorts for the evening. She's making some final changes in her room when she hears a knock on her door.

When she opens it, she sees Angel on the other side, "You live here now?! What the hell happened, you left the Vees?!" He storms into her room.

Esme sighs, "It was a long time coming Angel, believe me." She says, going through the outfits in her closet to organize them.

"So, what does this mean? What happened in the studio when we left?" He follows her to the closet.

She doesn't answer at first, feeling small static on her neck. It didn't hurt, but was just a daily reminder for her of who she belonged to.

"It's done..." She whispered.

"What?"

Esme turns around, looking at him, "You're free, bambino..." She whispered.

His eyes widened and small tears formed, "W-What? What are you saying? You better not be lying."

Esme chuckles, "Do you think that little of me that I would joke about t-"

"How!?"

"Now, don't yell....it was a simple deal really.."

Angel's took a step towards her, "No...please, please don't say you took a deal with Val."

She smiled sincerely, "I didn't take a deal with Valentino, you need not worry about me." She turns back to the closet. "He traded your soul contract to me, and in my eyes...." She looks back at him, "You're free."

There's a moment of silence before Angel rushes to her and hugs her tightly, "You're amazing.." He cries.

Esme smiles sadly and wraps her arms around him, "I will always be here for you....no matter what it takes...."

~ The Next Morning ~

Esme gets up early the next day, dressed in her usual green strapless dress and heels, and heads to the kitchen to see what she can have for breakfast. She isn't interested in many of the choices in the fridge or in the cabinets, having a need to consume a bit more fresh meat.

She sighs and uses her magic to conjure a water bottle of blood to snack on in the meantime. She desperately needed a trip to cannibal town to stock up on her usuals. Her hunger was ravishing through her, making her act more on her siren tendencies, both violent and provocative.

To make matters worse, there was this sickeningly sweet scent in the air that drove her absolutely feral. The same scent she would catch every now and then at those meetings. It called to her like a magnet.

She hears the incoming static walking into the kitchen, and she turns just in time to see Alastor walk in, "Mornin'~" She smiles brightly.

"Good morning, my dear." He responds calmly, secretly damning his decision to venture to the kitchen so early in the morning. "Did you sleep well?"

"I guess so, it's always a bit odd sleeping in a new space. I hope I didn't make any disturbing noises~"

He didn't answer, just calmly poured himself a cup of coffee and went to walk out the door.

There's that scent again...

Esme's eyes narrow behind him as she trots close behind, "So, whatcha doin' today?" she chirps, taking a sip out of her water bottle.

"If you must know, I'm visiting an old friend of ours."

"Rosie?" Esme beamed, tilting her head to the side slightly.

"Mhmm." He hummed, taking a sip of his coffee.

"What a coincidence! I'm in dire need of some refreshments." She smiles. She taps his arm lightly, "I can be ready in an hour!" She heads to the staircase, slowly climbing up, making a point to sway her hips a little more than usual.

~ Alastor's POV ~

What just happened?

She's coming with me....splendid! She's quickly become glue to my side ever since she arrived less than 24 hours ago.

The truth was, she did make several disturbing sounds throughout the night that, if I did sleep, would've kept me up all night. She would hum to herself to soothe herself or get ready for bed, but in that haunting melody that would drive any man insane.

See, I'm already insane, so that says a lot.

There was a part of me, however, that was happy to have her here. To have her...home. To be able to see where she was, in front of me, at all times. It was refreshing, but was torture at the same time. If she turned her head to the side at the right angle, her gash would peer out from behind her hair, cursing me every time it met my eyes.

It was the worst mistake I ever made in my life.

I finish the last of my coffee, calmly looking out the window, when I hear small steps coming down the stairs. I turn and oh my.....she....she is exquisite. I know I just say that a lot, but there really are no other words.

I'm not sure what trick she has up her sleeve, but she's in a completely different outfit than she is usually seen in. A skin tight black bodysuit with lace all across her chest, going up her neckline in two small straps on her shoulders. She had green dress pants and black heels. She watches each step carefully as she walks down.

I can feel my face growing flushed and those dreaded antlers growing slowly. I swallow the frog in my throat and pull myself back together.

She gets down the stairs and quickly trots over, smiling, "Ready?" I nod and she skips to the door, opening it for me.

"No, my dear, after you." I pull the door away from her hold.

"A gentleman~" She winks as she walks underneath my arm to exit.

Wink at me one more time, see what happens. I dare you.

The walk there is quite enjoyable, having her by my side for the first time in 9 decades. As we walk, several sinners scatter. No one wants to be near either one of us. She must find this amusing, because she starts to chuckle.

"What is it?" I question.

"Nothing, just wow now I know what it's like to be the great Radio Demon~" She says playfully.

The compliment is nice.

"Why, thank you my dear, but you forget...they're looking at you too~" I wink and she turns away with a small blush.

Exactly, you're still in there.

~ Time Skip to later that evening ~

We both sit by the fire, her filing her nails and me reading a book. She leans in towards me and my breath hitches in my throat, "Whatcha readin'?" her eyes roam through the pages.

"Gatsby..." I smile, knowingly.

"Ooh that was such a classic!" She exclaims, taking the book out of my hands and looking through it. She instinctively turns her body towards me and throws her legs over mine to get comfortable.

Get....off......of.....me...

I don't protest, just stiffen at her gesture. She leans in slowly, "Here....I shouldn't hog it..." She whispers, dangerously close to my chest.

This has to be part of her siren nature, but I'm not one to crack so easily. I take the book back and open it so she can read along. We sit there for hours, until many of the patrons have gone upstairs to their rooms. It's just the two of us in the dark, by the fireplace. Oh, how those flames perfectly rest in the reflection of her skin. She doesn't budge, just continues to read every word on the page as I move along.

I wonder....

I telepathically turn on the nearby radio, a familiar tune broadcasting through the room, which snaps her out of her focus.

We'll Meet Again; Vera Lynn 🎵

We'll meet again,

Don't know where,

Don't know when,

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day....

She freezes and her breath gets caught in her throat, but she eventually turns her body towards the radio and subconsciously begins humming the tune. It was like she recognized it, which I knew was impossible, but immediately there was this response that made me question it. 

Did she know I listened to this everyday when she died?

I chuckle and close the book, standing up quickly and reaching down for her, "Would you care to dance, dear?"

She hesitates, but eventually smiles warmly and accepts my hand. We sway softly.

Keep smiling through,

Just like you always do,

'Til the blue skies chase those dark clouds far away....

~ Esme's POV ~

All day I had been trying to grow closer to him, to find his weak spot, and see through the cracks but he made it extremely difficult. With every joke, every light touch, every outfit change, every seductive look, he always managed to keep a calm demeanor. I wondered if it was getting to him at all. I usually don't have that much of an issue with men.

But, when that song comes on, something in me feels like it's been woken up. I feel my blood inside my veins moving to the melody, swishing back and forth to the tempo. My eyes stare at the radio across the room, feeling a strange dizzying sensation as it continues to play. He reaches out for my hand and pulls me into a dance. I stare at his crimson eyes the entire time, and the more I look at him, the more his face seems to become imprinted into my mind. 

There's a strange sensation across my legs, a cold dark force bringing me closer to him, tunneling forward. 

And I will just say hello,

To the folks that you know,

Tell them, you won't be long,

They'll be happy to know,

That as I saw you go,

You were singing this song.....

I can't stare into his eyes anymore for whatever reason, so I turn my head away and place the side of it against his chest as we sway. I can tell he appreciates this gesture, his grip on me tightens slightly. But, there's that scent again, and then I realize....it's him. It's his heart, his blood, he...he smells heavenly. Like a forbidden fruit I must not taste, not even for a second.

But, all of those feelings don't seem to matter as that music plays. I begin to sing softly with the track, I don't know where I remember this from...but there's a deep ache within me.

We'll meet again,

Don't know where,

Don't know when,

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day...

I sniffle and look back up at him, his gaze softens and his ears lower the slightest bit.

"I -" I pull away, dropping his hands, "Thank you for the dance....but I must go." I turn away without any explanation, and head back up to my room. 

🖤Words: 1851🖤

~ Artemis 🦌💗