This story will be intertwined with N'awlins Exotica the story with my twins Ryland and Ryder Durand.
One solitary
light shone from the ceiling in an otherwise dark filled room in a fancy
penthouse above a busy street. Cool breezes flowed through the window, making
the space chilly but still comfortable on this late summer night in Chicago.
“Another night,
another soul I’ve enjoyed draining the life from,” Valios smirked to himself,
wiping his mouth of the excess spirit he’d drunk from this human he’d had his
eyes on for the better part of a week. “You’ve been a good man, Marcus, very
good. You tasted even better!” While he buttoned his black shirt, he enjoyed
the sight of the human’s frail frame. Gone were the colorful tattooed muscles
this young bodybuilder possessed; the very thing that attracted Valios to him
in the first place. Instead, a pale, lifeless, torso lay on the bed, amidst
blood red sheets strewn about the mattress. Marcus’s tight brown curls were plastered
to his head from sweat after their wild romp. His blue eyes bulged out of his skull
and his mouth gaped wide open. He appeared to have enjoyed his last kiss
although it was one that ultimately cost him his life.
“Lovely.” In his
mind, Valios believed his method of killing was a work of art, only to be appreciated
by those who loved the darker sides of life. Death and sickness. They could be so beautiful, leaving behind a
picture perfect sight of suffering only the demons of death could understand.
Oh and those wretched humans who called themselves goths. Yes those, who
embraced the seedier sides of human existence and embraced the ideals of
pestilence, looking forward to their last days on earth. Such posers, who only
wanted to be part of something when it was nothing more than pretending. True believers in the beauty of death didn’t
wear all black clothing and visit graveyards for fun! Valios found these
people to be most annoying and vowed to rid the earth of them when he received
the ultimate gift from his maker.
For now, however,
he’d go on enjoying the life his father Death had set out for him to do. Taking
pleasure in his existence, doing the work of a vampire but with oh so much more
flair. No melting in the sun for Valios and others like him. They combed the
world, far and wide, seeking out humans whose souls begged to be taken. How
could they tell? Soul catchers, the group that Valios belonged to, had the
distinct power to recognize a crying soul of a human who wished for happiness
on the other side. Perhaps something ailed them, they might’ve been terminally
ill, or they had a deep secret that couldn’t be told to loved ones. Whatever it
was, Valios and his companions found it. And when they did, they gave the human
what they asked for. Death. In peace. Silence. Leaving them completely lifeless
and without soul. For the most part, these individuals went to the maker to be
eternal slaves in his army. In other cases, the soul catchers or other demons
would take those men and or women for their own personal gratification.
Valios found
himself in this predicament right now; wanting a soul, a human he could call
his very own. His time on earth for the past three centuries proved to be most taxing
on him. A bore. He needed someone to give him the zest and the inspiration he’d
once had.
Continuing to
dress, he recalled the last few prospects he’d entertained to be his eternal
mate. One man was a gay CEO of a large company with everything to hide, all the
money in the world, but too full of himself. Valios figured only one man in this
relationship would be able to carry on in that manner. So instead of making him
his eternal lover, he enjoyed the night with him and took his soul with no
remorse.
Another one was a
painter, someone Valios just knew he could appreciate but the man was too moody
and even though Valios had powers, he wouldn’t be able to change the attitude
of the man he decided to settle down with.
I’m
a demon not a miracle worker!
“Pah!” After
finishing his task, he slipped his bare feet into his loafers and slid his
jacket over his shoulders. To admire himself, he turned to the mirror just
across from the human’s bed, noticing his own reflection in the glass. Another
thing he could do that vampires couldn’t. Seeing himself through the cut clear
glass and venerate the being looking back. Valios did this on a regular basis,
enjoying his long brown curls, his muscular body which everyone held in high
regard and desired to covet.
Remembering the
past war between heaven and hell, he ran his fingertip lightly across the scar
beneath his eye and scowled at the memory knowing it was the only blemish on
his otherwise perfect flesh. While adjusting the lapels on his jacket, his lips
curled into a wry smile. “You are still lovely, Valios. Any man or woman would
want to have you regardless.” He blew a kiss at his reflection and then to the
lifeless body he’d leave behind. With a wave of his hands, he turned the scene
in Marcus’s room into something less gruesome to the human eye. When the
authorities found Marcus Light, he’d be dead, giving off the notion he’d died
in his sleep.
Only soul
catchers could appreciate the true beauty of a blood-drained frame. Most humans
wouldn’t accept that as a work of art for it was against the very laws of
sensibility the Creator instilled in his followers.
“Farewell,
Marcus Light. It was my distinct pleasure knowing you and owning you for these
past few days. I shall see you on the other side as I promised before you took
your last breath!” After plopping the black top hat onto the messy mop on top
of his head, he winked and waved goodbye to his latest victim. And in a flash,
he disappeared into the dark night air.
*
* * *
Shrouded by
darkness and kneeling in a deserted alley below, Calisto retched repeatedly
after taking pleasure in too much of the earthly libations he was given.
Despite his perfections which had dwindled since he was kicked out the heavens,
Calisto could not handle the amounts nor the mixes of liquors he’d partaken of this
evening and now he was paying the price, much like any normal human would when
consuming too much.
“Ugh…I…” he
wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve, attempting not to hurl once again.
The bile settled in his stomach, causing him much discomfort in his abdomen, and
his head spun as if he’d been on a ride that would not cease. “God…you…”
Calisto held onto his midsection, cursing his maker with every sharp tinge. “I’ll…I
shall become…great once again…” In seconds, his wings disappeared, melding in
with his skin underneath the large overcoat. The feelings subsided slightly,
giving Calisto little relief as the change from higher angel to fallen servant
began. Calisto breathed a deep sigh and curled up in the fetal position,
leaning against the cold wall. His eyes widened and a stray tear fell from his eyelid.
“Thank you for having mercy on me…somewhat. I suppose the archangel takes great
pleasure in my demise but…” Calisto moistened his chapped lips and swallowed
hard, still fighting the boiling liquid in his stomach. “As I said, I shall
rise again. Not as one of yours but perhaps one of his?”
The moment he
finished his statement, the white clouds in the dark night sky turned grey, and
the air quickly transformed from modestly cold to bitterly chilly. Small
raindrops fell from up above, pelting the ground and creating puddles on the
pavement.
Calisto flashed
a sly grin and blew hot air on his cold fingertips. “You don’t like that do
you? Well…” Calisto chuckled to himself and rubbed his hands together. “Too bad,
my dear Creator. We have come to an impasse that cannot be solved any other
way. If you wish to kill me, strike me down now but know this. In this life or
the next, I shall be mighty again!” Calisto shook his fist at the sky as if he
were mocking God. Knowing this kind of action could be penalized by eternal
death, Calisto closed his eyes and braced himself for God’s wrath to come upon
him. He wrapped his arms tightly around himself and lowered his head between
his knees, teeth clenched, preparing for the swift blow the creator could have
in store for him. Instead, nothing happened. Only flashes of lightning bolts
above his head, causing the earth to shake slightly below him. A rumble obviously
felt by human passerby, sending them into small panic.
Surprised,
Calisto slowly lifted his head and nibbled on his bottom lip. “So you are giving
me another chance? May I ask for what oh great one?”
He waited for
the answer to come telepathically into his mind and when he heard it, he only
nodded and immediately hopped to his feet. “You really do care don’t you?” The
strength of his maker returning to him, adrenaline flowed through his veins,
and all hurt was taken away in just that small span of time. “I thank you for
this. You are indeed the most
forgiving,” Calisto bowed his head and made the sign of the cross over his
chest. “And now I shall attempt to find what is missing in my existence but I
cannot do this in my current state.”
Once again,
Calisto lowered his lids and breathed in deeply, transforming himself from
angel to human within seconds. His body shuddered and Calisto’s muscled shoulders
hunched over invoking much pain in his biceps. His chiseled jaw and otherwise
clean shaven face became fleshy with a full-fledged beard and mustache above
his lips. The bags under his eyes doubled and the well-defined frame changed to
a somewhat bulkier one. A body he was never accustomed to.
When he
finished, he looked down at himself, shaking his head in disgust. A burly bear, hmm? I’ve never been attracted
to men of this sort but perhaps this special someone will be.
Calisto pulled
the jacket tighter around him and cleared his throat to begin his journey
across town. Exactly where he didn’t know but in his heart of hearts, he was
following a certain individual. A being from his past he’d always had affection
for but could never bring himself to love.
That being was
the soul catcher. Valios. The one he fought in the last war between heaven and
hell. This was what caused the argument between him and the Creator.
Calisto desired
to have one night with one of the deadliest beings to ever roam the earth.
*
* * *
Once Valios left
the penthouse, he headed to the place he’d taken up residency in for the last
twenty earthly years. This was his sanctuary, the environment he felt most comfortable
in as well as finding any and all capable victims for himself and his fellow
soul catchers. Lost souls made this
their haven, their nightly destination to enjoy drugs, lewd sex acts, and a
wide array of liquors that claimed to cause anyone to forget their problems.
Here, Valios set up shop, hiding himself behind the guise of wealthy club owner
instead of demon looking to drain the blood of men and women for his own
pleasure. This place, the Depths, was something he himself created and could be
proud of.
Due to the aura
and the mystery of the old haunted house it replaced, very little trouble
occurred here. Humans were afraid of waking the spirits that once roamed old
Priestly manor in Bucktown. No one wished to witness the ghosts that claimed
this mansion almost two hundred years before.
Admiring the
place he called home, he turned the key, opening the back door and was
immediately greeted with bowed heads by his security guards he’d personally
employed. No one was to enter through the back, only through the front by
password, not even others who worked for him. In Valios’s mind, this was how he
kept un-desirables out of his place of business.
“Good evening. A
rather stormy night outside, gentlemen.” Valios grinned and shook hands with
one before doing so with the other. He tipped his top hat, and marched on to
his private quarters.
Valios removed
his leather gloves as he strolled down the long hallway, only lit with wall
sconces filled with red tea light candles. Like a vampire, Valios appreciated
the dark more so than the light, only part of the reason he named the club, the
Depths.
Smells of
marijuana and cigars filled the air, bringing a small smile to his lips. He
knew this was a place for humans to unwind, to let their hair down and forget
all their cares, unafraid of the outside authorities and what they might do.
The Depths provided its own set of rules that Valios himself put in place;
simply to enjoy oneself and take pleasure in the finer things of life not so
highly regarded by the so called Christian hierarchy. In other words, anything to piss off those who called
themselves religious.
When thinking of
the past, he released a deep breath and admired his work on the old house,
changing it from unwanted and rundown abomination to a welcoming home for those
who enjoyed the dark side. He’d worked hard to build the reputation for himself
and this place. He knew for years to come he’d be able to look back on this as
one of the finer moments of his existence.
Still, a part of
him was missing; a special someone to inspire the dark soul within. As he came
to the large black doors with gold handles, he gripped them tightly until his
knuckles turned white. “Where is he? Where is the one to make this dark soul
sing?” One hand released the knob and removed the hat from atop his head. Valios
wiped his brow with the back of his sleeve and shook out his hair. “Something
tells me tonight I shall find him. He’ll come into this club and ask for the
strongest drink behind my bar. I will oblige him and I’ll know right away he is
the one I seek.” Satisfied with his
affirmation, Valios pushed the doors open and walked inside his office. He
removed his coat and clapped his hands, lighting the small candles on his desk
and inside the wall sconces. The fireplace flames came up immediately, making
the cold room he called his personal quarters a lot warmer in the span of a
couple of short minutes.
Scents of fine
Italian leather filled his nostrils as he gazed upon the black chair behind his
cherry wood desk. On top of it, a few folders he’d yet to file away, containing
his personal log of souls he’d collected as well as potentials. None of them piqued
his interest as of yet but he still kept them close by to have another look.
Settling in, he
sat on the leather recliner and sank into the cushions. The feel of fine
leather to his hot skin soothed him. He leaned back and laid his arms on the
covered rests. Comfortable and content, he gazed at the ceiling, admiring
colorful pictures of various humans in states of unrest and gruesome depictions
of death. Stabbings, mauling by dogs, beheadings, all things he enjoyed
witnessing in person as the child of death and a lover of chaos. While he
continued to behold the artwork, he snapped his fingers once, starting the
sound system in his quarters. In seconds, a somber piano and cello sounded through
the overhead speakers; a far cry from the loud racket played by the deejays in
the main parts of the club. Valios enjoyed it all because he just loved music.
Art in pretty much any form pleased him, as long as the mood carried a dark
theme.
“Ah, classical
music at its finest.” Valios waved his finger to the slow beat and softly
tapped his foot in rhythm. He glanced at the clock which read two seventeen
a.m. Almost time to meet the minions. The
Depths remained open until dusk and every evening, Valios himself would go out
amongst the revilers and have a drink or two while seeking out his next victim.
He’d also spend time behind the bar, serving customers just about anything they
could possibly ask for. Valios spent a fortune making sure he had the finest wines,
liquors, and whiskeys from all over the world. Top shelf, not cheap nor well
drinks. Everything in his place was top notch and Valios remained committed to
keeping it that way.
Once the song
ended, he grinned to himself and sat upright, looking over the folder lying on
top of the pile. He opened it, perusing over the lists and crossing off the
name of Marcus Light, his last victim to date.
“Who’s next in
line for me to enjoy or better yet, take as my own?” Valios had no clue but was
almost positive the gentleman would show his handsome face tonight before dawn.
*
* * *
With the soul
catcher Valios on his mind, Calisto stalked the busy streets of Chicago’s near
north side alone. On this late Friday evening, many of the city’s residents
enjoyed what was the human’s favorite day called payday, going in and out of
bars, hopping out of cabs or their cars in search for the next party. Due to
the impromptu rain shower caused by the Creator and Mother Nature, many of the
town’s inhabitants were underdressed for the night. No jackets, head wear, and
shoes either open toed or of the summer variety. It was late August after all
and no one expected the temperature to drop as sharply as it did. This time of year,
the temps stayed in the low eighties or high seventies but now, with the brisk
air and downpour it felt about twenty degrees colder.
“Mhmm…good
evening.” Calisto nodded to passerby some of the female variety who gave him
more than a look. Although he himself wasn’t very enamored with his own
appearance, the women seemed to give him plenty of attention. He hoped for the
same to occur when his senses would lead him to Valios for a meeting of minds
and bodies. The feelings for Valios ran deep and he desired to explore them
further.
Upon reaching
the intersection of North Avenue and Damen, Calisto lifted his nose to the air,
enjoying the faint smell of burnt flesh. It could only mean one thing; his
desired demon was in the area or an out of control fire was raging through a
household in the neighborhood.
Calisto licked
his lips and removed the umbrella from over his head to glance at the sky.
Raindrops pelted his face, leaving a trail of moisture on his forehead and
cheeks. Despite this, Calisto folded the accessory, tucking it up under one arm
to take pleasure in the shower. The sweet scents of rain whiffed through his
nostrils, mixing with the earlier stench he enjoyed.
This was Mother
Nature’s way of cleansing the earth of all that was impure. However, it
wouldn’t rid the world of everything considered unseemly. The demons, namely
soul catchers, walked about untouched, and because of his admiration for
Valios, Calisto was most thankful for the obvious over sight.
“You must be
near to me, Valios. I can feel you but you can’t feel me.” Calisto ran his hand
over his scalp, now soaked with rainwater. He pulled the strands in back to
squeeze out the excess liquid. He tugged at his lapels and continued the walk
across the street, following the faint smell of flesh, and the trail of
footsteps only he himself could see. When in search of a demon, those with
supernatural powers could detect them by the red glowing prints on the
pavement. The closer he got to the end of the block, the warmer the air had
gotten.
Hear
me Valios, I’m coming for you now! In reality, Calisto
didn’t want to send the signals to the soul catcher to inform him of his
arrival but he desired to see his one-time foe yet again.
The trail led
him down a narrow alley to a black set of doors in the rear of a huge house
sitting on the end of a cul-de-sac. Cars of all types and sizes lined the
streets and the other homes were more than ten feet away from this
establishment.
Calisto peered
at the sign above that read in bold letters, ‘Priestly Manor, come home all wayward souls.’
“Valios,” he
smiled to himself and removed his gloves. “You have made this way too easy for
me to find you. A house you’re staying in asking for wayward souls? Of course,
just so you can catch them in your filthy little hands and suck the life out of
them. Quite clever,” he chuckled and leaned against the back door. He heard
nothing which made him all the more anxious to hurry to the inside.
Anticipation rising within him, he rubbed his hands together before sprinting
to the other side of the grey stone building. When he arrived, he saw another
set of doors, same black color with door knockers towards the top made of pure
gold in the shape of monster’s heads.
By this time,
the heat increased around Calisto, so much so he was able to remove his long
coat and carry it on his arm along with the parasol. The rain also subsided,
leaving behind a thick fog over the city streets, making visibility nearly
impossible. Good thing he’d made it to his destination in enough time since
Valios’s prints would’ve been harder to spot. Calisto might’ve needed his
supernatural abilities to pick up his trail which also would’ve made it easier
for Valios to sense him.
After clearing
his throat and saying a couple of words to the man above, he grasped the door
knocker, hitting the fine wood twice. The moment he finished, a small stout
gentleman slightly opened it, just enough to stick his head out. “And who might
you be?”
Calisto
collected himself and changed his facial expression to moody. “Cal Daniels,” he
said in an alto tone. “I am told this is the place all wayward souls are
welcome.” He hoped his words would suffice as he searched the man’s mind for
additional information.
“Yes indeed it
is. And tonight’s word?”
Calisto sighed
deeply and cocked an eyebrow. “Potential.”
The gentleman
smiled slyly and opened it wider. “Welcome to the Depths. Please, watch your
step.” He waved his hand in and welcomed Calisto into the club.
Relieved he’d
found the right answer he breathed out silently and sauntered into the dark
hallway, only lit with small candles on the walls. The gentleman walked in
front of him and clicked his heels once. “Please make your way to the main area
where all potentials go,” he grinned.
“Perhaps you’ll get lucky and find the woman or man of your dreams.”
“Yes, I hope so,
thank you my good man. And your name is?” Calisto was curious to know if he
also were human or demon. He didn’t wish to use any more power this evening.
“Geoff is my
name sir, but don’t repeat it to anyone outside of the club. It is top secret.”
“Yes sir, I
shall respect your wishes.” Calisto bowed in his direction and made his way
down the long winding hall until he arrived at a downward slope. There, the
floor turned from grey tile to pure black. In this portion of the hall, the
lighting was nonexistent with only spotlights shining from the room ahead.
Calisto took a
deep breath and headed for those glass doors, anxious to see the interesting
world behind them. Knowing Valios wasn’t too far away, he quickened his pace
and yanked on the bars. Instantly, his eyes roamed about the rooms grey marble
walls and large white pillars throughout. A long bar stretching from one side to
the other and a dance floor, so large he was sure it could accommodate a large
gathering of people. Surrounding it, rows of small tables with tiny tea light
candles in all different colors sitting on black cloths lined in gold trim.
Sitting at those tables, people of all colors and creeds, enjoying various
libations and talking loudly to one another. Clouds of smoke from cigars,
marijuana, and cigarettes filled the air, leaving behind a mix of stench that
made Calisto’s eyes water. “Ugh. Obviously the recent smoke laws aren’t
practiced in here?” He choked and covered his mouth. Just as he collected
himself and stopped coughing, a hand whacked him on his back and rubbed his
muscles. The touch of this individual sent electric shocks to his brain that
traveled to his nipples as well as his groin.
Valios.
Calisto shifted
his body to behold the individual in front of him and it was indeed his desired
man.
“My friend, are
you all right? You look like you could use a drink,” he grinned. His pearly
whites blinded Calisto but also warmed his heart. Who would’ve thought a demon could flash such a beautiful grin? Valios’
brown hair just kissed his bare shoulders. His hazel eyes, speckled green,
blue, and a tinge of yellow, almost glowed in this dimly lit room. The perfect
face, oh that face, only marred by the scar Calisto himself inflicted on him
all those decades ago and yet, Calisto wasn’t deterred, nor was he intimidated
by the long scratch underneath his right eye. Instead, it aroused Calisto,
knowing they’d once been that close to one another in the heat of battle.
Before he could apologize, his desired flew away in rage.
Love.
Oh my love.
“Would you like
something from the bar? And please, tell me your name? I haven’t seen you
around here before.” Valios laid a hand on Calisto’s shoulder, gripping it
tightly under his strong hand
Once again, the
man’s touch sent chills up Calisto’s spine. He shuddered slightly and bit his
lower lip until he winced. “I…yeah, I could. The name’s Cali… Cal Daniels.”
Calisto had to stop himself from saying his real name.
“Cal, what a wonderful
name and you must be new to my establishment. I am Val. That rhymes doesn’t it?
It’s short for Valios,” he laughed in a giddy manner. “Cal and Val. So tell me,
what would you like to drink?”
Calisto looked
up as he tried to compose himself and contain the excitement within. He was
once again meeting the man he’d desired for the better part of a century. His
nemesis as well as his eternal love whom he never sought to hurt but was forced
to in the heat of battle between heaven and hell. His eyes roamed the muscled
body through the black clothing Valios donned. A wife beater, his broad, tattooed
shoulders peeking from the sides. Valios’s nipples poked from underneath the
spandex and an obvious erection was standing at attention under his black
trousers. Gazing at the handsome man in his midst, Calisto’s mouth watered and
he wished to feel that taut, hard body underneath his fingers. He swallowed
hard, finding it almost impossible to speak due to the pressure on his lower
extremities. “Give me the strongest drink you have, my good man. The stress has
gotten to me and I need something to coat my throat as well as heal my soul.”
*
* * *
Valios cocked an
eyebrow and could barely contain the excitement within. Yes this is him, this is him. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d
encountered an individual that made him feel the electricity, the energy that
lit a fire this strong underneath him.
Cal.
Cal, the perfect
name for a drifter and the face and frame fit the bill. Well dressed, about six
feet in height with wild brown hair just past the back of his neck. Right then,
Val desired to run his fingers through the loose curls that framed his
perfectly round face. Ah, and the
stubble. Oh the hair on his jaws, chin, and right under his nose, the same
color but a tinge of grey underneath his bottom lip. Chocolate brown eyes, wide
as saucers. He’d do anything to get lost in them.
A beautiful man,
bulky in all the right places, clothed in a perfect suit and Valios could only
wonder what surprises lay under that fine Armani suit.
Valios nodded in
agreement and didn’t remove his hand from the man’s back. “My good man, you’ve
come to the right place. This is where all wayward souls come to unwind and
relax. Come and follow me to my bar and I shall serve you the strongest
concoction money can buy.”
Cal bowed his
head in appreciation. “Lead the way, sir.” Cal adjusted his grey tie and
unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a small amount of tanned flesh just below his
Adam’s apple. He shifted his coat and umbrella to the other arm and nodded at Valios
when he was ready to go with him.
“Allow me to
take your coat and umbrella.” Valios almost never took anyone’s coat because he
felt it was beneath him. However, something told him Cal was just that special.
Someone he wouldn’t mind bending his own rules for. This surprised even him. Who is this man that causes me to act in
this manner? His mind frantically searched for answers as he carried his
belongings underneath his arm.
In moments, Valios
had all the information he needed on Cal Daniels in his brain. He went over it
carefully while leading his potential lover to the bar for the drink he’d
promised. Details about the man didn’t really thrill him but it didn’t matter,
the electricity occurring between them did.
Cal
Daniels, age thirty-six, independent contractor, builds houses, a carpenter,
good with his hands, newly divorced, and recently coming to grips with the fact
he is gay.
Good.
“Thank you, Val.
Much appreciated. It’s been a long one and I only want to sit back and relax
for the rest of the evening.”
When they
arrived to Val’s desired destination, he turned to Cal and pulled out a stool
for him to sit. Again, his willingness to serve this human shocked him.
“You are most
welcome. Please, have a seat and let me place your belongings in a safe place.”
He pushed the
door to go behind the bar and hung up Cal’s coat on a rack behind the glass.
Once he did, he inhaled the scent of his strong cologne, enjoying the manly
smell of perspiration and aftershave. “Mhmm, all human and all mine,” he
whispered to himself and wrapped the string from the parasol around the top of
the hanger. Before he headed back out, he lifted his phone from his side pants
pocket and dialed one number. “My dearest Geoff. My potential has arrived. Please get the main quarters prepared for me
and my guest for the duration of this evening. Thank you kindly.” A small smile
crossed his lips when he thought of the next couple of hours getting to know
Cal before he drained him of all his life’s energy.
“Oh yes, my dear
Cal, you shall relax tonight, you should sleep well once I take your soul and
spirit to keep for my very own.” Valios blinked twice and left the back,
grabbing the bottle of the strongest whiskey he only served to special clients;
a top shelf Scotch with a tinge of his own magic potion inside. This he’d
hardly given to on anyone but he felt Cal to be the correct individual to serve
this one of a kind drink to.
“And here we
are.” He reappeared behind the bar with crystal tumblers in hand for both him
and his guest.
“Good. I was
starting to get worried that you’d deserted me,” Cal retorted with a wry smile.
“So this is the strongest you have to offer?” Cal took the glass and placed it
underneath his nostrils.
“It is my dear
friend. It is the best Scotch money can buy, rare vintage from the late
1950’s,” he lied. Actually it was the highest priced Scotch imported from
Europe and made in the late 1990’s. Still top shelf and highly regarded.
“Ah. I love
Scotch. The smell is rich, intoxicating.” Cal held up the glass in a toast.
“This calls for celebration, Val, my new friend. To new friendships and possibly more!”
“Here here…” Valios
nodded and clanked glasses with Cal immediately. He loved Cal’s affirmation and
wished to make his statement more of a reality. Valios was sure within the next
few hours, he would make Cal Daniels his eternal partner to recreate the spark
he’d lost several years ago. His potential list had worn thin anyway and it was
about time to wind up his lifelong search.
*
* * *
Calisto
swallowed a bit of the Scotch and winced when he finished. The slow burn hurt
like hell going down his throat and into his stomach. Sort of like a fireball
or a meteor blazing through space. Still, he had to keep up the act and pretend
he enjoyed it, even though he could barely think about drinking another glass.
“Ahhh…good,” he sighed and attempted to clear his throat. He wished he could
ask for a chaser like cola, ginger ale, or even some kind of seltzer water,
anything to make this drink a bit easier to swallow. He hit his own chest with
his palm and coughed. “Whew, that’s real good stuff, Val. It’s strong indeed.
Been around for over half a century you say?”
“Yes Sir,” he
grinned in response and poured Cal and himself another glass much to his
chagrin. “The best in the world, my friend. Only that for a good looking
gentleman as yourself.”
Calisto tried
hard not to blush. Real manly men don’t
do such a thing! Calisto realized Val desired a man much like himself. Not
pretty or dainty but instead a macho man, burly, husky, whom he could
roughhouse with. He recalled that Valios chastised him about his femme looking
appearance when they last met. That was what caused their personal battle in
the first place and yet Calisto was convinced Valios did feel something deep
down for him but didn’t want to admit it. When they argued back and forth, they
drew their swords and Calisto was tormented by fellow angels to kill the demon
by beheading him. Instead, he sliced his face leaving an indelible scar and
caused Valios, the most beautiful of the soul catchers to wither away never to
be seen close to heaven again. Calisto truly felt sorry for what he’d done to
him and now he was looking to make amends.
Valios brought
Calisto out of his trance by touching the back of his hand and urging him to
take another drink of the lethal concoction. “Have another on me, Cal. Once you
finish, I’d like to invite you to my private quarters so we can talk more
freely.” Valios flashed a wicked smile and picked up his glass with the other
hand that wasn’t covering Calisto’s.
Damn.
Calisto’s cock
stirred in his trousers. Now he knew why his heavenly father didn’t want him to
be with this man.
With bated
breath, Calisto did as asked and gulped hard, knowing this second drink might
be just as bad or worse than the first. Just
let me be coherent when we make love! “That would be wonderful, Val. And
just what are we toasting this time?” Calisto collected himself to endure the
burn once more.
“Nothing in
particular, Cal. Just to us, hmm?” Valios traced his knuckle with the nail tip
and raised the glass in his direction. “You’re my guest tonight, by the way, so keep your money.”
Calisto’s breath
hitched and he leaned in closer to Valios. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Calisto tried his best to keep the alto tone he’d used with Geoff earlier but
it was becoming harder and harder by the minute to stay focused. The scents of Valios’s
flesh filled his nostrils along with the strong smelling cologne he was
wearing. If they didn’t make love soon he’d spontaneously combust. Literally
and figuratively.
Time
to move this along.
In a rush, Calisto
threw the contents down his throat and gulped it down as quickly as he could.
He wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve and winced only slightly. “I’m
ready to accompany you now, Val. The stool is getting a tad uncomfortable.”
Valios grinned
after drinking his Scotch. “Of course it is, my friend. I assure you my private
room is a lot more cozy.”
Calisto nodded
once and got up from the stool, pulling his hand from underneath Valios’s. He
stayed in his same position, hiding the tent arising in his black trousers.
“Good then, take me there. I’d like to kick off my shoes and put my feet up if
that’s all right.”
Valios flashed
his wicked smile once more. “Not a problem. We’ll chat and turn on some
soothing music so you can relax. Would you like more of the scotch?” He held up
the bottle.
“No, no, not at
all. That won’t be necessary. Perhaps just some brandy would be good?” Calisto
wouldn’t be able to handle another glass the strong liquor.
“All right then.
I have some top shelf brandy in my room. It is a wee bit strong, huh,” he
laughed heartily and grabbed Calisto’s hand again.
“It is strong
but good. Thank you for the kind gesture.” He allowed Valios to lead him from
in front of the bar.
“You’re
welcome.” Valios pulled him in and kissed his hand lightly. “Is it all right if
I leave your coat and umbrella here?”
“Yes that’s fine.
I won’t be needing them now will I?” Calisto stepped closer to him.
“No you won’t my
friend. The clothes aren’t necessary either,” he added with a wink.
Good
Lord!
Calisto drew up
his lips and gripped Valios’s hand tightly. He couldn’t even come up with a
clever response to Valios’s subtle flirtation.
What he did know
was, he needed to be in this man’s bed right now; the pressure on his groin
mounted by the minute. He yearned to feel Valios’s body on top of his.
Within moments, Valios
pulled him along and they were out of sight from onlookers. The hallway here
looked much like the one he walked through when he entered the club. “Wonderful
design of this place, Valios. Did you come up with it yourself?”
“Yes I did. Wait
until you see my quarters though. The club itself is lovely, but my personal
haven is a paradise.”
“I’m sure it
is.” Calisto picked up the pace and kept his eyes on the object of his desire.
Valios pressed
his lips on the back of his hand once again. “You are amazingly beautiful, Cal.
Why hadn’t you stopped in my club any sooner?”
“Not sure but at
least I’m here now, right?”
“Yes and a good
thing you are, too.” Valios let go of his hand and opened another set of black
doors with gold handles. He waved Calisto into the room.
“Wow.” Calisto’s
eyes roamed around the room enjoying the décor of Valios’s quarters. Italian
leather furniture, a fireplace with grey marble in front, high ceilings with very
gruesome artwork but still lovely in detail. “Fascinating.”
“You like?” Valios
lit the candles in the room and picked up a small remote.
When he did, a
soft cello and piano sounded from the speakers.
“I do.
Magnificent art on the ceilings, Valios. Who painted them for you?”
“Oh…a friend…”
he stepped closer and dragged his finger against Calisto’s lapel. “We can talk
more about that later, Cal. As much as I’d like to chat with you about interior
design, I’d much rather enjoy feeling your flesh underneath mine. Are you still
in need of that drink?” Valios slid the jacket from Calisto’s shoulders.
Calisto allowed
it to fall to the floor. Again, his breath caught in his chest and he wrapped
his arms around Valios muscled torso. “No that won’t be necessary.” Calisto
lowered his lids. “Valios, please, do… do what you will with me,” he stuttered.
Calisto’s cock throbbed and his body ached to be filled by Valios.
“That I shall,
lover.” Once he finished his statement, he crushed his mouth on top of
Calisto’s, tangling tongues with him leaving Calisto breathless, wanting more.
“Mmmphh…”
Calisto yanked the tank top from over Valios’s head and reciprocated the kiss.
In response, Valios
pulled his tie from around his neck before prying his shirt open, breaking the
buttons apart.
Feverishly, the
two of them fought for position in each other’s mouths while they worked on
removing one another’s trousers.
“Valios, oohhh…”
Calisto broke the embrace and pushed Valios’s pants down his legs, revealing
his shaft, beautifully uncut, surrounded by a patch of black curls on top and
underneath his balls. The helmet head swollen pink and purple, and leaking
pre-cum from the slit. Calisto fought every urge to drop to his knees and suck
him off. “Lovely.” He’d never wished to make love to anyone more than he wanted
to now.
Valios nodded in
agreement and tore the pants off Calisto. “Sorry, I’m a little anxious. I
suppose I could loan you one.” He removed his trousers from around his ankles
and slipped out of his shoes.
Calisto did the
same. “I’m not thinking of later, Valios. Make love to me! I want to feel you
inside me,” he offered, breathing hard. He reeled him in and covered Valios’s
lips with his own.
Calisto only
wanted to focus on his desired lover right now. If he waited any longer, Valios
might find out his true identity.
*
* * *
“Mhmm, Cal…” Valios
reluctantly pulled away and grabbed his hand again to lead him into his
bedroom.
Without a sound,
Cal followed him into the boudoir. Once there, Valios kissed him once again
before pushing him lightly on top of the mattress. His eyes feasted on the
beautiful body before him. Cal’s nipples perked on his chest and the treasure
trail leading down to his dick, nestled in a bed of fine brown hairs. Valios
hissed silently at the sight, wanting to bury his head into Cal’s crotch. “You
are so gorgeous.” He hovered over him, rubbing his own erection against Cal’s.
“I want to be inside you, Cal. Right now!” And he did, but something prevented
him from doing it.
Conscience?
Since when?
No way was he letting
something interrupt his moment with the man he wanted. What it was he didn’t
know but he shrugged it off as indecision. “I’m clean, Cal, tested regularly.
No barriers between us, lover. I want to feel you around my cock!”
“And I want the
same,” Cal breathed and leaned into him. He arched off the mattress and opened
his legs wide giving Valios easy access.
Yes.
Valios pressed
his lips against Cal’s while shifting his body directly over Cal’s. With the
head of his dick right at Cal’s entry, he grabbed the lube from underneath the
pillow and rubbed some on his fingertips. Even as he prepared Cal, something
continued to eat away at him and he wasn’t sure what it was.
Leave
me be! He is the one, I know it!
Valios ignored
his inner feelings and slicked his erection with the lube. Once finished, he
slowly slid into Cal’s canal, penetrating him as he wanted. “Yes, Ohhh…” The
adrenaline flowed through his veins and excitement burned like a live flame
within him. “Cal… ohh…”
“Yes, Valios.
Ugh, yes… more…faster…” Cal met his rhythms and dug his fingers into Valios’s back.
Valios pressed
on and with each thrust fell deeper into the abyss of love. He’d said the man
he ultimately wanted would walk into his place of business tonight and he
couldn’t have been more right. He nuzzled the side of Cal’s neck and licked a
spot on his throat in which to claim him later on. He inhaled his manly scent,
enjoying the ardor and taste that was his new man, Cal Daniels. He was definitely
the one; the missing piece in his life. Deep down he wanted to continue making
love at the slow pace but it was becoming harder not to come.
Cal met his
thrusts and licked the side of his ear. “Yes Valios, please. Come for me, make me
yours,” he whispered.
The soft words
urged Valios to do exactly as his new lover commanded. In moments, he quickened
his movements and clenched the bedsheets underneath his fingers. Again, he
kissed him passionately, wrestling Cal’s tongue with his own. “Mhmpphh, Cal, I
want to come inside you.”
“Do it, Valios.
Make me yours, damnit I want you so badly!” Cal tightened his buttocks around Valios’
cock.
Valios enjoyed
that affirmation and pressed harder into Cal. Bracing himself for the
explosion, he closed his eyes tightly and covered his lips with his once again.
Spurts of hot liquid spurted from his dick into Cal’s ass and Valios broke
their kiss.
I
have to have him, I must take him.
Valios wanted to
suck the life out of his man right now and not wait until dusk. While he tried
to collect himself, he opened one eye, and glanced at the window and then the
clock on the wall. Not dusk yet, no
matter. Valios attempted to regulate his breathing and moved slightly to
claim his lover’s mouth once again. Lightly, he ran his hand over Cal’s head,
tousling the brown curls underneath his fingers. However, for some reason, they
seemed a lot silkier than he’d felt earlier. He kissed him again and met his
gaze.
What
in the?
Valios’ eyes
widened as he watched a transformation take place in his bed. The man who was
underneath him wasn’t the beautiful Cal he’d brought to his quarters, instead,
a being he noticed from his past, someone he had not expected to be in his
club.
Gone was the
stubble on his jaws and chin, well-muscled body, and brown eyes the size of
chocolate pools. Instead, they were replaced with a well-toned, lithe frame,
long brown, curly hair that reached the middle of his back. Eyes, oh his eyes
so blue like the color of the oceans. A clean shaven face, chiseled features. “Who…what…”
“Valios,” Cal
said silently. “My dearest friend…”
“No…I…” Valios
interrupted him, hopped out the bed, and stared in shock at the man he’d
brought inside his quarters. “No…no, not you…not…” Valios pointed at him, his
brows furrowed and his shoulders squared. “No, not you… I couldn’t have, how
could I…”
“You did,” he
grinned and patted the seat next to him. “Come to me, Valios.” His blue eyes
turned a shade of crimson and his flesh flushed red from Valios’s touches. “I want
you, Valios. Need you…” Billows of smoke came from his mouth as if he were
standing out in the cold. He held his arms out, welcoming Valios back to bed.
“No…no… how did
you get in here? How did Geoff allow you in?” Valios cursed him while the other
held onto his midsection. Surely this would be grounds for extinction when his
father found out about his faux pas. Sleep
with an angel? The one angel he despised almost as much as the Archangel
Michael? The one who lifted his sword and scarred his beautiful face?
Valios dropped
to his knees and tears streamed from his eyes. “How could I have been so
careless?”
“No Valios, not
careless. You wanted someone to love and I gave you that, Valios. I want to be
your lover and your friend. Please…come
here, let me…”
“No,” he
snarled, his nostrils flared. “In no way, shape, or form will we be together,
Calisto! You tricked me into bed! There must be a law against that in the
Creator’s large book of rules, isn’t there? I won’t, I will not…no…no…” Valios
stood quickly and raised his hands to the sky. Instantly, he was shrouded in
darkness and the black wings sprung from his back.
“No, Valios,
please don’t leave!” Calisto jumped from the bed, in all his naked glory,
obviously not caring about his current state of undress. “I want to be yours, Valios.
You want me, I know it!”
“No…” Valios
stood still, waiting for the powers to consume him. Despite his inner feelings,
he needed to leave, right now before he did anything rash. Flames rose around
his feet and in moments, a hole opened in the ceiling. He looked up and allowed
the opening to suck him in, taking him away from this wayward angel.
Please…please
father, forgive me!
Silently, he
cried to himself, hoping Death would have mercy on him for cavorting with an
angel, namely Calisto whom he fought with nearly a century before.
If
only I hadn’t been so careless this never would’ve occurred!
*
* * *
Calisto watched
his desired leave the room. “Father, please…I love him, I…” Calisto’s own white
wings appeared from his back and fluttered behind him. “I must find him,
father. He is the one for me… I am
sure you don’t approve!”
In the Book,
angels mating with demons was strictly prohibited but the Father allowed
Calisto to do it most likely thinking it would be a one-time occurrence.
Instead, Calisto
wanted more, craved a lot more than the Father could understand and at this
juncture, he no longer cared about the consequences. He only wanted Varios to
be his eternal lover, and it didn’t matter if they were on opposite sides of
the spectrum.
But how would
that work? Surely the Father wouldn’t allow this to happen without either of
the men submitting to the same side.
Somehow Calisto
had to find a way to make this a reality, but first he had to find the love of
his life.
With his wings
spread and arms outstretched, Calisto closed his eyes tightly and released a
deep sigh. Now would begin the long search for his lover to be. “Valios, I’m coming for you and when I find
you, you will not leave my side ever
again!”
**** Check in tomorrow for the Wednesday Briefs where I continue this story of Valios and Calisto.
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