Vampire’s Feast
He saw it appear in the distance. A pale shape slowly gaining refinement on the horizon. The pirate fortress; the secret floating city known as Ship Wreck Cove appeared on the horizon, back lit by the late afternoon soon.
Jack could see it more of it through his telescope and felt himself smiling, even though he took a shaky inhale and exhale of breath. A breath the vampire didn’t require. There were so many churning emotions upon seeing his old home...and the ultimate vampire nest. At least for sea-faring pirates who had been turned. In the paling sky above them, nearly lost in the soft dusky powder-blue atmosphere he spotted the pale face the moon beginning to rise. Now it was a pale ghost but soon...soon it would shiny rusty red with blood.
He knew what would happen then. The reason for the return to the nest. The reason for the revelries that would come tonight. The Blood Moon was rare and sacred occurrence to vampire’s. A night when they were at the height of their power. He was compelled to return home, to join the others like him in their festivities. Weeks had gone into the planning of this...his father; Captain Teague would have been part of the preparations. He should have been exciting for a night of decadence, debauchery and reveling in blood.
But there was one thing that held him back. The man beside him, who was watching the horizon as surely as he was. Kili had been his prisoner; yes. But the hunter was more than that now. Jack bonded with him. Not just through blood and their frequent couplings either. The hunter was more...he was a companion. He was...a reminder of the humanity he had lost. And he wanted to protect him. He held that duty, as his master, to care for the man in his charge. Tonight worried him and excited him all at once.
There were such delights and such pleasures to be had tonight. Pirate society--especially for those who had been turned--was full of things that mere mortals dare not experience. He wanted to share those things with Kili...it was what came after; the madness...
But Jack had been working on a plan to protect his lover. And himself. From being utterly lost. He could only pray it would work.
He turned to Kili, lowering the eye glass and stroked softly along the back of his neck and down his back. “You’re about to experience a rare treat...not many humans have been awarded the honor what you’re about to see. Only promise me...” he turned so he could see Kili’s eyes. “That you’ll stay close. And heed any warning I give.” He looked at the other sincerely and then kissed him softly. “Promise me that. And I will keep you safe.”
Below them; the crew was teaming and anxious. Many gathered to watching the growing island in the distance. They sang and some danced. It seemed a merry occasion indeed and certainly it was. It was release from hunger and the fear of being hunted. To feel their full strength if only for a night. Unfortunately that strength could be monstrous when left unchecked.
Jack pulled Kili too him and nuzzled softly at the claim marks, which were closed and clean. He’d not tasted him in more than a week. He needed the man strong for tonight. While the bond between them was new, it was growing stronger; more secure. “I’ve treats in store for you. They’re inside the cabin. I had Gibbs lay them out.”
