Love Bites

I don’t know how long we tried on dresses. None of them appealed to Oliver. At first, I struggled with taking off my bra before he threatened to rip it off, as we couldn’t find a proper fit with it on and “what’s the point of a strapless dress if you’re wearing a strappy bra?” “I know what’ll make him shut up”, Maria muttered, ripping the clamps out of the dress I was in. We were back in the fitting room, disapproved dresses lying all over the floor like slain warriors in battle.


“Maybe I’m just not supposed to have one”, I said. “I mean, Oliver only got the idea after I admitted I liked that dumb gypsy wedding show.”


Maria frowned. “Thorne, every girl has an Elizabeth Taylor inside of her. It’s just a matter of finding the right way to bring her out”, she said firmly. “Now, I have something back in the office that I’ve been working on for a while. It’s…well, you’ll have to see.” She walked out of the room, leaving me half naked in the pile of dresses. After a glance in the mirror, I grabbed my flannel and threw it over myself. Hopefully Maria would be back soon. I don’t know why Oliver kept rejecting all the dresses. They were all so pretty and I honestly felt comfortable in them (minus not being able to breathe but it was worth it). He just had this look about him, like he knew what he wanted and everything Maria and I had shown him wasn’t right.


“I just know she has something better”, sighed a low cockney voice, coming down the hall. I poked my head out of the door and saw Oliver, obviously bored and wanting to talk. “Thorne, my lovely blood siren, I promise it’s not the dress. It’s just you.”


“Well, gee fucking whiz, Oliver. Thanks”, I sneered. He held up his hands defensively and pushed himself into the fitting room.


“I didn’t mean it like that”, he whined, hugging me like a ragdoll. “You don’t make the dresses look bad. You’re just better than the dresses. And I know Maria’s gotta have something better for you.”


“What if there’s nothing here?” I asked.


Oliver pulled away and shrugged. “Maria will just have to make something then, won’t she?” he replied. “And by the way Thorne…nice panties.”


Before I could smack him, Maria came back and reached over the folding door to bop him on the head. “Oliver, out of my God damned dressing rooms!”


“I just wanted to see my-“


“And cover your eyes! This one is a surprise!” Oliver scowled but squeezed his eyes shut and marched back to the sitting area. Maria produced a pure white mermaid dress with a small strip of matching roses that fell down one side. If the dress was yellow, it could be a modern day Beauty and the Beast gown. The roses though, had an almost frosted look since they were lightly dusted in silver glitter. Some of the dress’s ruffles seemed to shine with the same silvery light. Maria brought up the train and looked at me. “I thought the white would look good with your skin. You’d look nice and…I dunno. I thought it would look nice. Now climb in. And take that dumb shirt off. I’m here to make you look good, not look like Kurt Cobain.” I did as she told me but kept my boobs covered until I could hold the dress up while she clamped the back together.


“With some silver and black accents, this could really work, Thorne”, Maria sighed, staring happily in the mirror. I felt a tad washed out- grey eyes, pale skin, white dress, but Maria seemed to like it. “The bodice has whale bone in it, so it’s legit. There’s the sweetheart neckline Oli wanted and adjust your tits. Your train isn’t detachable but the silk is a lightweight material that I found so assuming that nobody steps on it, it should be easy to move in. The only heavy make up I want you in is bright red lipstick. A little mascara, light eye liner, but hooker red lipstick. Thorne, your lips are gorgeous.” Maria trailed off before clapping her hands. “Time to go show Oliver! Come on, get moving.”


The dress was a bit long but she assured me that with heels it would be okay. Awkwardly, I picked up the skirt and followed her back out to the wannabe stage by the sitting area. Oliver sat up, putting his elbows on his knees to examine the details. “Well?” I shrugged, waiting for a response from either of the creatures staring at me.


“Thorne. This”, Oliver said, bouncing his index finger. “I like this. Maria, why didn’t you bring this out first? We’ve wasted so much time here only for you to bring this out last.”


“It’s been a personal project”, Maria argued as Oliver stood up. He walked around me, letting his eyes linger in different spots to examine the detail. I held my breath, biding my time until Oliver made a decision. He said he liked it but then again, Oliver could just as easily demand that Maria find something he’d like more.


“We’re getting this one”, announced Oliver, much to my relief. I loved all of Maria’s dresses but I was getting tired of climbing in and out of them. “How much is it?”


“I haven’t even put it on the floor”, Maria stated. “So-“


“So it’s not priced so we get it for free”, Oliver reasoned. “Being the kind soul I am, I’ll give you 500, plus whatever Kellin gives you.”


“Oliver, you can’t just-“


“I don’t see a price tag”, he sang. Maria didn’t argue with him as he pushed me back to the fitting rooms. “She’ll have to take some of this in”, Oliver mumbled, pulling off the clamps that held the dress up. “It needs to fit.”


“What’re you wearing?” I asked, reaching for my bra before anything else. Oliver didn’t eyeball me this time, just hung the dress back up on its hanger.


“You know. Clothes.”


“What kind of clothes?”


“You’ll have to find out, won’t you?” Oliver teased. I rolled my eyes and yanked on my jeans and my shirt before he stopped me. “Anyway, I seriously think this one is the best on you. You looked…well, you looked quite radiant in this one.”


“Thanks”, I murmured awkwardly. Oliver’s body blocked the way out and even though I tried gesturing for him to move, he didn’t seem to notice and kept talking.


“I know the idea of being at a party with the likes of me probably isn’t the most enticing idea for the likes of you”, he continued. “But I’m glad you’re willing to do it. I haven’t had a real friend in ages, you know. I mean, I’ve had friends, but not a proper one since Ballsack’s mate offed Mitch.”


“I’m sorry about him”, I mumbled. “I can’t imagine going through all those losses.”


Oliver sneered a little and shrugged. “It just comes with the lifestyle, love”, he whispered. “But I really do like you, Thorne. And I don’t want you to think I keep you around because you smell delicious.”


I snorted. “Um, thank you?” I replied.


He laughed and shook his head. “No problem, blood bags”, Oliver scoffed. “C’mon. We need to leave.” With a turn of his heel, Oliver led me through the hall and through the store back to the front counter where Maria was.


“I want more from Kellin”, she pouted, ringing Oliver up.


Oliver wagged a finger and grinned. “Ah, ah, ah, Brink. You never agreed to me paying a price. Thus, I can charge whatever I want for this dress. I think 500 is quite generous for something I’m supposed to be getting for free.”


Maria made a face but kindly bagged the dress for us anyway and took the money Oliver offered her. “500 is only generous since you don’t have a job”, she grunted.


He folded his arms sternly. “I’ll have you know that I’m a co-owner for a voodoo store…that’ll be opening here”, Oliver informed. I smirked at him. How was Valerie going to feel having a coworker or moving her store here? “You just wait, Brink. Give me about a week and we’ll have a grand opening.”


“People only come here for commercial voodoo”, the blonde pointed out. “They don’t care for real things-“


“Until they see them and compare them to the cheapy commercial crap. Anyway, we’re off”, Oliver said, linking arms with me. “You just wait and watch, Maria. Toodaloo, love!” I waved at Maria as Oliver dragged me out of the store, muttering under his breath about still needing to sign lease forms.


“You know, Valerie would-Oliver!” I gasped, pulling away as he tried putting his hand over my mouth. “What’re you-“


“Shut up”, he growled, eyes turning nearly black as he looked around. Without a warning, he reached down and slammed his lips to mine. I squeaked involuntarily as he pulled me flush up against him, hungrily licking my bottom lip like he wanted in. Oliver of course, didn’t wait for my permission but pushed his way through anyway, sweeping pathways through my mouth. In the hot Louisiana sun, Oliver’s cold hands felt like an electric shock against my hips. Somewhere, there was a small clicking sound from boots that I didn’t think much of, probably like how the people walking around us didn’t think twice about us making out on the bridal shop’s stoop. The clicking wasn’t important until Oliver pulled away from me.


“Sykes”, purred Andy, approaching us with another man dressed in black similar to himself.
“And Thorne.” His eyes flickered as he lit a cigarette. “What’re you doing here?”


“Shopping. Obviously, Ballsack”, Oliver grunted. “What’re you doing?”


“Just looking around with Jake”, shrugged Andy, gesturing to his friend. “Thorne, this is Jake. A close friend of mine. Jake, this is Thorne-“


“My girlfriend”, Oliver interrupted, pushing me behind him. “I’m pretty sure if she could figure out Ballsack, she can figure out you too, Jake, so don’t get any ideas.” Girlfriend? What the Hell? When did Oliver and I start dating? I liked him sure, and he was cute, but he could be pretty freaking annoying too.


“Oh, I didn’t have any”, the one named Jake said. “But thanks for giving them to me.”
“Thorne, can I talk to you for a moment?” Andy asked, exhaling a cloud of smoke. I glanced to Oliver who shook his head.


“No you may not, Ballsack”, the Brit snarled. “I don’t know what you’re here for but you’re not here for Thorne. She’s mine and you can just leave.”


“So she is yours?” mused Jake. “Fantastic. We have something for you then.”


“And just what does that mean?” snapped Oliver. I looked to Andy for answers. His face fell and he became suddenly interested in his lip ring.


Jake reached into his leather jacket to produce a small envelope. “Cerulli received a complaint or two about your pet-“


“She’s not a pet. She’s my-“


“The Right of Blood has been declared. You know what that means, Sykes.”


Whatever it was, it didn’t sound good and I felt my stomach drop. Oliver reached for me as he took a step back. He didn’t look as upset as Andy. Andy looked genuinely concerned. Oliver on the other hand looked like he was on the verge of turning again. His hair became unrealistically disheveled as his hands grew almost claw like nails. Colourless eyes stared at Jake and Andy over a suspiciously pointy-toothed sneer. “No. No, that can’t be done!” Oliver barked. “I’m part of the fucking Council. How dare Cerulli do this to me?!”


“Not even the Council is exempt from the Right and you know that”, grinned Jake. “The game board is set, Sykes. Deal with it.”


“I can and I God damned WILL!” yelled Oliver. “You twats think you’re so much better than everyone. You’re nothing but traitors. You’re sub human. You lack the experience to challenge someone of my stature-“


“How can you call us sub human when you yourself died long before us?” questioned Andy. Oliver bristled dangerously.


“I might not pump blood anymore but I’m not low enough to hunt my own fucking brethren”, Oliver hissed. “You. You’re the real scum. You continue to fight a never ending battle even after you’ve become a member of the opposing team. You continue to butcher people who are just. Like. You and yet it still doesn’t satisfy you. You’re the sick ones-“


“You’re using Thorne as a human shield”, Andy stated, taking a daring step closer to Oliver. The Brit quickly drew his hand and smacked Andy so hard across the face that he fell back.


“Don’t say that again”, Oliver whispered. “And the game board might be set, but I always win, Jake. Don’t you dare forget that.”


“Game on”, Jake retorted. Oliver growled and spat on the stone by the pair of slayers before dragging me through the crowds of people.


“Ol-Oliver”, I gasped, trying desperately to keep up with his speed. “What is the Right of Blood?”


He stopped dead in his tracks, causing me to run into his lanky torso. “Thorne”, he sighed, haggardly. The sun was already starting to exhaust him and I’m sure being in a state of pre-transformation didn’t help. “Some things aren’t best discussed in the daylight. We’re going to go shopping and we’re going to have fun dammit. When we get home, I’ll…I’ll try explaining everything to you.”

Notes

Hopefully the spacing takes. For the life of me, I tried copying and pasting Bhudda knows how many times (and normally it WILL take) so I had to do it manually.

Anyway, I'm writing a Draco Malfoy/ Harry Potter story on Wattpad! Check it out? :D

https://www.wattpad.com/story/88165361-archers-goblets-and-draco

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