Chapter 1
Chapter One
“Order for Vincent!”
The booming voice echoed through the bustling café, and I scrambled from the small table, clutching a book under my arm. The man extended his thick arm to me, his sausage-like fingers clutching a brown paper bag. “Thanks, Louie.” I smiled and took it from him.
“Almost yer birthday, isn’t it?”
I nodded. “Tomorrow, although I don’t know why we keep track anymore.”
We both laughed. I’ve been coming to this same coffee shop for years, and Louie was always behind the counter. He might appear mean with his bushy eyebrows and droopy mustache, but anyone who knows him well is aware that he’s a big softie.
Two men in black tuxedos, each with guns strapped to their backs, approached the counter.
With their black hair parted in the middle, high cheekbones, and pointed chins, it was hard to deny the striking resemblance between them.
It was as if they were cast from the same mold, hinting at a close familial bond.
Their seemingly serious dark eyes held a playful glint, hinting at mischief lurking beneath the surface.
“Hol’ on one sec.” Louie put one finger in the air and sidled over to the men to take their order.
I smiled and nodded, watching the men order their food with a casual familiarity, even though I’d never seen them here before.
I couldn’t tell if I was drawn to their physical features or simply captivated by the mystery of someone unfamiliar.
We don’t get many newcomers to this café, but I always take notice when we do.
After they finished ordering, they smiled at Louie, their pink lips parting to show a row of white teeth before thanking him.
“So Vinny, any plans for yer birthday?”
The two men trailed behind me, their footsteps echoing softly on the tile floor. They settled to my left, with one leaning against the pastry case, patiently awaiting their order. My ears perked up, eager to catch every word of their hushed conversation.
“Are you thinking of going to The Carlton tomorrow night?”
“Thought about it,” the other responded. “It’s only open once a month, so why not?”
“I heard one agent is bringing some people from out of town.”
I stole a look at the two of them, and after hearing the news, the one man’s eyebrows shot up so high they nearly touched his hairline.
“Really?” he asked. “It would be fun to meet someone not from…here.”
The laughter that tumbled from their lips was a joyous blend of anticipatory glee and playful mischief, like two boys on a playground.
Louie waved his hand in front of my face. “Hello? Vinny, you in there?”
Their conversation captivated me so completely that I drifted off, my gaze fixed on nothing in particular. I shook my head to gather my thoughts. “Sorry, yeah.” I laughed. “No plans for my birthday that I know of.”
He put his hands at his waist. “If I know Gabe like I think I do, he’ll be plannin’ somethin’ fun for the two of yeh.”
“Maybe.” I feigned a smile. Gabe’s not the most imaginative guy, and romance isn’t exactly his forte, but watching Louie’s reaction to us, you’d think we were the most perfect couple on earth. “Thanks for the sandwich, I’m going to head to the grocers before they close.”
“See yeh tomorrow?”
“Only if you have my coffee and muffin waiting.” With a wave, I said goodbye and paused before leaving the shop. I took a quick look back to see the two men grabbing their food from Louie, with one question running through my mind: what was The Carlton?
This morning, I woke with a chill and knew a hearty, comforting meal was just what I needed.
A small grocery store, just a couple of doors from my apartment, was my go-to spot for ingredients when I wanted to cook.
Tonight, I was determined to recreate the creamy pasta dish my mother would only make on special occasions, the aroma I still remembered from childhood.
As I meandered through the aisles of the store, I couldn’t stop thinking about the two men.
What was The Carlton? Why were they excited for out-of-towners to be there?
Typically, only appointed officials are allowed to leave and enter our living area, so my interest was piqued. I wonder if Gabe knew.
“Hey, Vinny!” A man in a black tuxedo waved to me. “Happy early birthday!”
“Thanks, Jack.” After waving back to him, I grabbed a red pepper and placed it inside a plastic bag. I knew everyone here, and they all knew me. We see each other every day, and you learn a lot about them during idle conversation.
After gathering the last of the ingredients, I clutched the heavy bag of groceries to my chest as I waved to the store owner, Antonia, and headed back to my apartment.
Walking down the road, I strolled past the clothing store and waved to Claudine, the head seamstress, who was busy crafting beautiful dresses by hand.
Across the street, Kenny sat in his ice cream shop, watching the world go by with a bored expression.
Each of the businesses was overflowing with patrons, all clad in black tuxedos and carrying assault rifles strapped to their backs.
My apartment was just a few steps away, but I stopped quickly to press the closest elevator button. The doors remained stubbornly shut, and no lights flickered on the panel.
It was worth a try.
I looked back at the long hallway of shops and businesses on the floor to my apartment.
The soft glow of neon signs above each entrance cast a colorful light against the polished floor.
The businesses were designed to give the illusion of freedom, but behind the facade of open doors, their owners cater exclusively to the powerful—appointed officials, law enforcement, and me.
This carefully constructed illusion offered only a deceptive taste of freedom.
My world barely extended beyond this floor, and at night, I was trapped within the confines of my penthouse suite.
It was the perfect gilded cage. And I was its only prisoner.
After putting the groceries away, I grabbed a long-stemmed wine glass, pulled on a plush white robe, and uncorked a fresh bottle of rich, deep cabernet.
I took a sip of the wine, savoring the intricate notes of fruit and spice as I gazed out the floor-to-ceiling windows of my penthouse.
The sun sat low in the sky as if it were too lazy to reach higher, but nevertheless, its rays lit the barren wasteland below.
The sight before me was a stark reminder of winter’s harsh embrace: frost-kissed fields, skeletal trees, and a desolate village seemed to echo with the silence of forgotten lives.
That’s the thing. After an apocalypse, nature will always carry on.
Despite the discovery of a cure for the devastating sickness sixty-five years ago, the world still descended into the chaos of The Great World War.
Those who survived the pandemic were not spared from the devastation of the nuclear attacks.
There was a winner who emerged from the war—my father.
He used the war-torn world as a platform for his capitalist ambitions, creating massive Elysium structures to attract the wealthy and powerful.
Each of the large buildings was encased in a special film designed to absorb nuclear fallout, offering a safe haven for its inhabitants who were equipped with all the necessities for life.
These sprawling buildings provide safe and comfortable living quarters for every cured person with the financial means to reside there.
America, am I right?
Though I live in the world’s grandest and most protected Elysium, my view is mainly limited to the confines of my opulent penthouse, rarely venturing beyond its walls. My father makes sure of that. His overprotective nature keeps me confined to my floor, never allowing me a moment of freedom.
A muffled knock, followed by the electronic beep of a key card, breaks the quiet of my apartment. Sipping my wine, I continue to gaze out the window beyond the large stone wall that protects us, knowing the small number of people with access to my penthouse couldn’t possibly pose a threat.
An annoying squeak from the door made my jaw clench, a sound I’d grown weary of despite my numerous requests to the maintenance team for repair.
Within moments, strong arms wrapped around my waist, their grip firm and reassuring, and a hard chest pressed against my back.
An intoxicating scent of vanilla and sandalwood filled the air as a head of slick brown hair brushed my shoulder.
Two soft lips met the curve of my neck, and a warm caress melted me into the moment.
“Happy birthday,” Gabe cooed in my ear. Goosebumps sprang up on my arms as the frigid air from his breath brushed against my skin.
“Not quite,” I corrected, my body leaning into his. “The first frost always comes on my birthday, half a week before winter.”
Gabe nods, his chin resting on my shoulder, following my gaze. “I felt it coming in the air, the chill always bites before it comes.”
When my father and I were released from the hospital, Gabe was already ill, and tragically, his parents both succumbed to the same sickness. We wept together, hearts heavy with the loss of our parents, but I was determined to use the newfound cure to save him.
And I did.
When I moved into Elysium, Gabe asked my father if he could be my personal bodyguard; no one else would do a better job at protecting me than him.
My dad wholeheartedly agreed, and I couldn’t imagine anyone else living in this fucked up world with me.
Over the years, our relationship only deepened, growing ever more entwined as we spent so much time together.
The sex is an added perk.
I spun around, turning to face Gabe. His glittering brown eyes and playful smirk made my knees weak.
His skin was a mixture of rich brown hues that gleamed in the sunlight, and his physique was practically divine.
I was pulled into his embrace, the strength of his arms surrounding me with one hand resting on my back, while the other gently lifted my chin.
His touch sent shivers down my spine. Our lips met, delicate and sweet, but then quickly blossomed into a ferocious intensity as his tongue danced with mine.
His hand tightened on my back, pulling me closer, while his other hand gently brushed a stray strand of black hair from my face. Our tongues wrestled and intertwined, a passionate battle fought within the confines of our joined lips.
I loved kissing him. I couldn’t get enough of it.
A mischievous glint crossed his eye. “Do we have time?”
I nodded, and a wide smile formed on his lips as he pushed me against the dining room table, his groin poked against the inside of my thigh.
My body trembled thinking about him, yearning for him.
Our lips remained locked as I frantically tugged at his shirt, pulling it over his head.
The afternoon sun painted his skin, highlighting every contour of his body.
I put my lips to his chest, his nipples hardening with the cool of my breath.
I tugged at the sash of my robe, the fabric bunching in my hands.
With a final, frustrated jerk, it gave way, tumbling to the floor and revealing my naked form to his gaze.
A look of lust crossed his face, and his eyes gleamed with desire as he scanned me.
Leaning against the table, I slipped my fingers into the waistband of his pants and drew him closer between my legs.
I knew in this moment that I was his god.
And he worshiped me.
With a deliberate tilt of my head, I let him know exactly what I was searching for.
Desire coursed through me, leaving a tingling trail of electricity along every nerve.
The soft touch from his lips brushed my neck, followed by a sharp sensation as he sucked until my skin turned purple.
I needed this. A strangled moan escaped my lips, and I knew he heard it because immediately after, his teeth sank into my flesh, piercing my fragile skin with agonizing sharpness.
Did I mention we were vampires?
“Suck me,” I whisper, letting it come out as almost a breath, or else I’d let out an almighty moan from the back of my throat.
Gabe didn’t need further prompting. His fangs sank deeper into my neck, drawing a crimson trail that painted his mouth.
Every cell in my body thrummed with a primal fear, drawn towards the sharp, metallic bite of the fangs that were draining me.
It was as though a thousand tiny insects were crawling under my skin, each one a whisper of pure delight, their movement an intoxicating wave of ecstasy.
Gabe wrapped one strong hand around my cock and began stroking.
The rhythmic friction paired with his fangs in my neck caused my breath to deepen, and I closed my eyes, sensing all the blood flowing to Gabe’s member.
His manhood gradually swelled until it was fully erect, sending shivers of anticipation through my body.
A smirk played on his red-stained lips as the weight of his thick cock pressed against me. Lifting me, his fingernails dug into my lower back. The sharp sting of pain was a welcome distraction from the intoxicating thrill I just savored.
“Do you want this dick?” Gabe’s voice growled in my ear between his heavy breaths.
After an affirmative moan escaped my lips, he flipped me onto my stomach, my hips resting precariously on the edge of the dining room table, the cold wood pressing into my skin.
Hearing the familiar click from a bottle of lube, he grabbed the base of his cock and entered me.
Stifling a moan, I bit my lip as he eased his way into my core.
“What a good boy you are,” he cooed.
Whenever we were intimate, Gabe’s approach was direct and focused, without any unnecessary delays.
Vampires often feed while engaging in sexual activity because their arousal diminishes once all the blood collected from their host is consumed or redirected.
The quick and intense lovemaking was aimed at reaching climax before losing arousal.
Once he was fully inside me, Gabe’s eyes rolled in his head, taking a few intentional strokes. Immediately after, he pushed against me forcefully, extinguishing any sense of romance or desire. I knew every move he was going to make by the sound of his breathing and body language.
I stole a glance back and saw his mouth wide open, occasionally biting his lip as he continued to pound me. I wished the intense passion we had before making love lasted throughout the entire experience. I’m not sure what making love actually feels like—this is all I know.
This is what I accept.
I carry on, I carry on.