Cassandra's Curse Ch. 05

Cassie watched as he leaned back some, her eyes slowly taking in his form ... he looked human enough. If it wasn't for that one time she had seen his facial features change and his fangs elongate, she might have forgotten that he was a vampire and started to trust him. He was cute enough ...

He sighed and reached up to rub his eyes a bit. "When the council threatened to kick him out, everything changed. We just ... can't be as close as we were is all. If the council knew I was still around there'd be a whole new hunting frenzy for me."

She nodded some, listening to his story as she watched him. "I'm sure that is why Nigel keeps his distance ... he's a rule follower, you know." She couldn't help but roll her eyes a bit at that even as she smiled. It was quite endearing, actually.

"Uh ... yeah, I know he is. He's a good guy that way."

Cass laughed, probably for the first time he had known her, the sound reflecting in her emerald gaze as they glimmered a bit, finding humor in the stiffness of their conversation and finally relaxed a bit as she leaned against the couch.

Raj blinked and looked over at her. At least the emotionless face had changed a bit. He looked confused. "What was that for?"

Cassandra smiled, seeing a look she finally could relate to cross his face. So ... he DID have some kind of emotion. "Nothing," she said, shaking her head even as she continued to grin some.

"Uh huh ... sure. I call it bullshit."

She laughed again, turning her gaze back towards the fire again as she relaxed even more, a soft sigh releasing from her lips finally as she just let it all go. No use in fighting something she couldn't control. "Nothing really ... I should call Nigel, I suppose."

"Eat first ... then call him. He can wait a few more minutes. You've let your sandwich get cold."

She turned her gaze back to the vampire sitting just inches from her and smiled genuinely at him. "You sure are pushy" she stated.

"We get that way," he simply stated, showing no hint of a smile.

"There is no way I'm eating a disgusting cold bacon sandwich but thanks ..." She just grinned at him some and stretched, reaching for her cell phone on the coffee table just out of her reach, pulling it towards her and making a face at all the missed calls and messages that waited for her.

Raj shifted to sit back against a chair and pulled his knees to his chest. Beneath the trench coat he just hugged into a ball, setting his chin on his knees and sat quietly.

She glanced at the vampire as she hit the programmed button for Nigel's phone, holding the flat flip phone to her ear as she waited to see if he picked up, her thoughts scattered about the man sitting across from her.

On the other end the phone rang a few times before Nigel did finally pick up. "H-hello?" he sounded kind of flustered. Raj was just kind of eerie ... he didn't seem to breathe or even move as he sat there, gazing into the flames of the fire in front of him.

Cassandra watched the vampire and then, hearing Nigel's voice, rose to her feet and walked slowly back towards the tall uncovered windows that gaze out onto the street and the wooded park beyond. "Nigel? It's Cassie ..."

"Cassie! Oh God, hi! Um ... are you alright? Where are you? I've been trying to get a hold of you for days! I um ..." There was a crash then Nigel cussed. The base of the phone had crashed down from the counter it was set on. "Oh ... sorry. I've been so worried about you! Are you alone?"

Cassandra stopped before the windows, chuckling some as she heard the phone crash, pulling the receiver away from her ear, making a face and then gingerly listening again, only to grin at his words. "I'm fine ... don't worry and no, I'm not alone" turning her head some to look at Raj sitting before the fire.

Nigel took a few breaths before speaking again. "Cassie ... I've got to say one thing ... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to confuse you like I did." There was a pause before he asked, "Who's with you?"

Turning back to look out the windows, took a few more steps away from Raj as she lowered her voice some. "Don't worry about it ... I know you didn't mean to confuse me. It's not your fault." Stopping further down the windows, she glanced back at Raj a moment before whispering into the phone, "Raj is here."

Raj looked up as she tried to whisper but he didn't say anything. Instead he reached toward the flames with an open hand as if he were a child feeling the heat of fire for the first time. Nigel didn't speak for a second or two. "I ... I'm sorry for sending him to you, Cassie. I was just so worried and you wouldn't talk to me, so I thought maybe you would ... well, talk to him. Is everything alright?"

She shrugged some as if he could see her, turning her gaze back to the window as she reached out with a finger to trace patterns in the dew forming on the window from the condensation from the heat inside the apartment in contrast to the chill outside. "Don't worry about it ... I'm sorry I ignored you these past few days. Everything's okay."

"No ... it's okay Cassie. Would you like me to come over or just see me tomorrow? We can talk things out."

She smiled some into the phone, pulling her finger away from the drawings she had traced onto the window. "It's late ... we'll talk tomorrow, okay? I just wanted to let you know I was okay."

"Yeah ... okay. Take care of yourself, alright Cass? Get some sleep and I'll see you tomorrow. Hey ... Tell Raj hi for me, would you?"

Cassandra nodded and then turned some to look at the vampire as she spoke into the phone "Do you want to talk to him? I could give him the phone."

"No ... no. That's fine. Just tell him hello for me. That'll do. I'll see you tomorrow, Cassie." His voice seemed a bit down, like he was fighting something internally and about ready to cry. "Goodnight Cassie." With that the other end clicked, soon followed by a dial tone when Nigel hung up.

Cassandra blinked some at the dial tone, her eyebrows furrowing as she detected a hitch in her Watcher's voice and flipping the phone shut again, she turned to look at Raj curiously for a moment before saying, "Nigel wanted me to tell you that he said hello."

Raj sat back against a nearby chair and nodded. "Yeah ... I'm sure he did." A shadow of a smile flecked across his face.

Cassandra took a seat again but this time on the thick bear rug spread out on the hardwood floor before the hearth of the fire, her legs folding cross-legged as she ran her fingers through long strands of raven-hued hair, catching the smile that barely flickered on Raj's face as she just regarded him for a long moment.

"He owes me one." He leaned his head back and if he could have he would've sighed and just closed his eyes lightly. "You should get some sleep Cass. It's late."

She just watched him for a long moment and then leaned back on her hands that moved back behind her on the rug, her arms stiff as she stretched out her legs some. "Probably ... I'd say the same about you but do y'all sleep?"

He chuckled a bit and looked at her. "If you can call it sleep. More laying there when the sun is out; feels more like being dead than anything. There are times that I still dream."

Cass smiled some as she listened to him. "Well that sounds ... interesting. What kind of dreams do you dream?"

"Oh ... all kinds of things. Sometimes random ... sometimes not. Mostly memories." He looked at her a long moment before adding, "It keeps the human side of me alive."

She nodded some in understanding as she just watched him. She had gotten out of the habit of sleeping at night and it was starting to become a weird feeling ... usually this time of night she was out and about, hunting but lately, she had enjoyed the safety of just being at home. Normally she would want to be alone but for some odd reason, Raj's company was ... comforting

"You seem so... human ... at times. It's hard to keep you straight from the other ones."

Raj grinned again. "Don't try ... I'm not like they are. One, I'm loyal to the wrong side. Two, I don't feed on what they do. I can't. It's all part of the curse."

She crossed her ankles as her legs stretched out, shifting her gaze to glance down at her unpainted toes. It didn't seem that long that she used to do all those girly things ... painting her toes, doing her nails, getting her hair done and lately, she had been so wrapped up in her new "job" ... she hadn't really thought of being girly. What reason did she have to do it? It's not like she was trying to attract someone of the opposite sex. All she dealt with anymore were demons and vampires.

Raj leaned his head back again to relax. It felt rather nice to be in a "normal" home for awhile. "And she goes quiet ... what are you thinking about over there?"

She glanced up as if she suddenly remembered that he was here, a wry smile flickering on her lips as if she had been caught thinking about something that she really didn't need to be thinking about anymore. She didn't have time for a relationship that much was obvious. No sense lamenting about it. "Nothing."

"I call bullshit."

Cassandra couldn't help but laugh some, her green eyes twinkling in amusement as her gaze followed the lines of his face. He wasn't bad looking actually but he was still ... a vampire. Tilting her head to the side some she just smiled and replied, "Nothing you'd be interested in, trust me." Then glancing back to the fire a moment, spoke softly "You hungry?"

Raj shook his head. "Not for what you're thinking about, no. I'll be fine. Your sandwich is cold."

She wrinkled her nose some at the mention of the sandwich and then looked at him for a moment. "Well what DO you eat?"

"Rats, mostly. Sometimes feral cats or dogs when they get out of hand ... nothing really of notice to anyone else."

She couldn't help but make a face at that. "You mean to tell me that you can't have any kind of FOOD food at all?"

"Oh I can have food ... but it does nothing for me."

Cass nodded some in understanding as she listened to him, somewhat fascinated and at the same time, somewhat disgusted.

Raj chuckled at the expression on her face. "Disgusted at my taste in sustenance? Don't worry, most of my own kind are too."

She couldn't help but laugh some at that. "Yeah ... I guess so. They are considered delicacies in some countries ... or so, I heard."

"Yes ... in Romania of all places. And some areas of middle Europe and Africa."

Nodding some, she rolled over and with an agility that still amazed her sometimes, suddenly moved into a crouching position before the fire and used her poker to refuel the flames, adding another log to the burning embers. "Well then, you are in popular company there, I suppose."

Raj chuckled. "I'm originally from what you call middle England. We liked rats."

She turned some to regard him and then stood, moving to the plush leather couch, worn looking in its appearance and sank down into the cushions to listen to him. "That's just ... wrong."

His laughter was somewhat contagious and made her smile to hear it. "To you maybe. Folks didn't really know better back then." He looked at her out of one eye and just grinned at her

Cassandra laughed softly, crossing one leg over the other and swung it haphazardly. "Yeah, I suppose but ewwww ... just eww."

Rolling his eyes, Raj then closed them again as he spoke. "They're what I survive off of. It's better than killing innocent human beings. Just the idea of it makes my stomach roll."

She sighed softly and nodded before laying her head back against the back of the couch, clearing her mind of that for a moment as she listened to the crackle and pop of the fire. "Nigel seemed ... weird tonight."

"Isn't he always weird?"

She laughed softly and nodded some before turning serious. "This seemed ... different."

Raj opened his eyes to look at her, getting serious at her tone. "How so?"

"I don't know really ... he seemed ... sad. And then hung up on me. It sounded like he was about to cry or something."

"Hmm ... wonder why. He and I haven't talked in awhile ... well, seriously, anyway. What was he talking about?"

She shrugged some, trying to remember his words before speaking. "Just said that he had been worried and that he was sorry."

"Hmm ... I know he didn't really like the idea of sending me here."

Her eyebrows narrowed some as she gazed at him. "Why not?"

"Hmmm ... long story," he trailed off.

She smiled some before speaking. "It's not like either one of us has a place to go."

Raj chuckled. "Pushy, ain't ya?" He opened his eyes again to look at her.

Cassandra grinned at him. "Yeah, sometimes."

"Well ... you know Nigel and I were really good friends. I caused him a lot of problems." Cassandra just nodded some, listening to him. "We went our separate ways after all was said and done. Our parting wasn't the sweetest of things. The Council washed his brain with lies about me ... told him I was a liar and a skank trying to spy on the council. He started to hate me as much as the council wanted him to."

Cass listened to him, tucking her feet beneath her as she curled up on the couch, her eyes taking in the vampire as he spoke about his past with her Watcher.

"Well ... he tried to kill me."

Frowning some, Cassandra continued to listen, fascinated with the story though.

"We ... didn't part too well after that. I stayed here ... he went to England."

"I knew that much ... but I don't understand why he is so sad right now."

Raj shrugged before continuing. "We were best friends. He tried to kill me because the Council wanted me dead. He did it for show ... I didn't know that until he had me on my back and told me he'd let me go." He stopped for a long moment, caught up in the memory of it. "I should have died that night. Nigel should have killed me ... but he didn't. Instead we parted on the agreement we wouldn't speak ever again."

"Oh, I see ... so you haven't spoken again until now?"

"Pretty much. The fact that he was sent back to England for the Council to "re-train" him ... and they did. He's ... different. I didn't know he was back until that night at the cemetery."

Cass nodded in understanding as she listened to him, letting it all sink into her mind as she watched him closely. For some strange reason, she felt drawn to him. It was odd because she didn't really view him as a vampire even though, in all reality, that's what he was.

"Anyway ... he came to my doorstep asking me to help him out. If the Council ever catches word of him talking to or interacting with me ... he's gone."

"Still?" Cassandra looked dumbstruck for a moment.

"I'm supposed to be dead, remember?" At her nod, he continued, "The council sent him to kill me ... and he didn't. They know I'm alive because of the stunt Nisus pulled ... but I was supposed to be dead."

She turned on the couch some, watching him as her cheek pressed to the back of the couch, listening intently to him speak as he shrugged a bit. "I've cost him enough problems as it is. Our friendship was the cost of what had to be done. Nigel is loyal to the council, the council doesn't like the whole idea of an ensouled vampire because they believe it's a farse, and he had to do what he had to do."

Sighing gently, she reached up to rub at her forehead some. "So how come he sent you to talk to me then?"

"Because he thought I could get through to you. And I apparently have."

"Yeah but how come? And how did he know?"

"I ..." he paused dramatically a moment before continuing with a grin, "have a way with women. The whole sex appeal pheromone silky tone kind of thing."

She couldn't help but laugh some, jaded eyes twinkling. "Ohhhhhhhhh ... is that what it was?"

Raj grinned and nodded. "Yep."

Cass just laughed, looking at him. "That's ridiculous ... I am sooo not attracted to your pheromones!"

Raj playfully arched a brow at her. "And you weren't thinking of jumping my bones just a few minutes ago?" He grinned at the look on her face. "Yeah ... thought so."

She just blinked at him a moment, a look of shock crossing her face before she burst out laughing. "Dream on" she retorted playfully.

"Mm hmm ... you were. Admit it; I'm too sexy for you. You couldn't handle me." He winked playfully at her and then gazed toward the fire.

Cassandra laughed, grabbing a pillow from the couch before throwing it at him, watching it hit him in the shoulder before grabbing another pillow and hugging it close. "You're full of it."

Lerajie laughed as he caught the pillow. "And you're stubborn as hell. Tell me something I don't know."

Her mouth opened dramatically before she chuckled good-naturedly. "I am not," she retorted, hugging her pillow close.

"See? Arguing ... that's an aspect of being stubborn."

Cassie laughed softly, resting her chin on the pillow as she glanced back at the fire. Damn, he had hit a nerve. Now she couldn't help but ponder on just how sexy he was.

He glanced at her, seeing the look in her eyes. "See? Told you you were thinking about me."

She shifted her gaze to him for a moment, staring at him as if she hadn't quite comprehended what he had said, her thoughts on other things other than the words that had come out of his mouth before shaking her head slightly, her eyes blinking. "Huh?"

Grinning, he shook his head. "Nothing. Nevermind. So ... anymore questions about me? You seemed so curious earlier."

She cuddled with her pillow some, the warmth of the fire lulling her more into a euphoric state of consciousness as she relaxed around him. There was just that something about him that made her feel at ease. "Uhmm sure ... do vampires take mates or is that all just a movie thing?" And then she wondered where in the hell that question came from.

Raj grinned. "We can. It's not like we're broken or anything. Everything works properly. We ... just don't breathe." He laughed, seeing the look on her face. "Don't ask me how it all works. I don't know."

Cass couldn't help but laugh at the whole "everything works properly" comment, her face taking on a soft blush before she glanced back at the fire. "Well so then ... how come you don't have anyone?"

"No desire, really. She died, actually." He stopped speaking for a moment, his tone darkening a bit.

She turned her head some to look at him, a frown marring her features before her eyes turned cloudy. "I'm sorry ... it's ... none of my business."

Shaking his head, he continued quietly, "It was a long time ago. I ... shouldn't have ever gotten attached, let alone love her."

Cassandra nodded in understanding as her gaze turned back to the fire. It had been a personal question and one she shouldn't have asked. "So," she said, trying to change the mood some, "Where do you live?"

Lerajie looked at her out the corner of his eyes. "You think I'm dumb enough to give a slayer the whereabouts of my roost?"

She turned her gaze back to him with a smile. "You think I'm going to come kill you during the day? I could have done that here ... tonight."

He eyed her a bit. "It's out of town a bit. Straight out from 49th street."

Nodding, she bit back a yawn as she curled further down into the couch ... it was nearing the early morning hours. If they stayed here talking too much longer, he would be stuck here. She knew he couldn't walk out and about during the day. She secretly hoped he stayed even though she would never admit it to anyone. "That's not a bad neighborhood."

"Eh ... not too bad. It used to be where the high mucky mucks used to live. There's still those sort up my way, but they leave me alone. They don't seem to like my abode."

Cassie chuckled some, twisting some to scratch at her lower back and then got up, heading towards the kitchen. All the sudden she was hungry. "Well you know those snobby types ..."

"Well ... the ladies don't like to get their dresses dirty. And nobody goes anywhere near the old haunted Anderson mansion."