Bad Blood

Framed in the doorway, Adam stood statuesque, still facing away from Ava.
"No, you don't see shit....go back to sleep."
He responded sardonically.

Undeterred by his usual cold demeanour, she reached out and flicked on the Makintosh, Art Deco Lamp that stood on her nightstand.
"True I don't see shit, I see you Adam."

He could detect the grin in her voice, and rolled his eyes in their sockets with exasperation. There wasn't time for him to respond however, as she suddenly sprang from the bed with little effort, almost playfully wrapping her arms around him tightly from behind. She felt the muscles of his body instantly tense, but chose to ignore it.
"You, should go back to sleep too...what are you doing awake?"

"I was hungry but I've suddenly lost my appetite."
He attempted to sound callous, but she didn't seem at all fazed as she clung to him unashamedly, resting her head against his broad back in a most innocent manner, clearly oblivious to the inner battle that was raging within him.

"We can feed together when it's time to get up, but you need to rest..."
She persisted, and now attempted to pull him towards the bed,
"...come on, let's try and get some more sleep."

"You're pushing your luck Ava..."

"Oh yes, I forgot you don't like being told what to do...unless it's by Eve."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
He demanded, disentangling himself from her arms, whilst ensuring his gaze remained fixed on the floor, as if fascinated by her threadbare Axminster carpet, but his pretence was a lame effort.
"And for Christ's sake put some fucking clothes on, will you?"

"Fine, whatever. You're such a fucking prude!"
Snatching her floral patterned silk robe from the wardrobe door, she slipped it on and then gripped him by the arms, forcing him to face her.
"Relax, take your jacket off, you need to loosen up a bit. What do you think I'm going to do to you?"

Her casual remark was innocently meant. Indeed, as manipulative as Ava could be, there was also a genuine naivety about her. She radiated a juvenile innocence that was both exasperating and, on rare occasions, almost endearing. But as he turned to look at her now, he was more inclined to believe that she was the one who ought to be concerned about what he might do to her. Gorgeous flowers bloomed across the sheer and utterly alluring chiffon robe she wore, which was framed with elegantly flared sleeves. In the glow of the soft lighting he could easily trace the outline of her beautiful form through the material, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides for want of reaching out to touch her.

She all but threw herself back down onto the soft mattress, watching him as he begrudgingly shrugged out of his black leather coat. Feeling tired and decidedly weak, he lacked the will to argue so sank down onto the bed, and did not protest as she pushed him to recline.
"Just chill, Adam."

He heaved an over-exasperated sigh, but instantly stilled as she protectively placed a slender arm over his chest, as though he were some skittish, untamed creature that may be startled at any moment and slip from her reach. Burying her face into the curve of his shoulder, she involuntarily breathed him in. He smelt musky and spicy like leather and cinnamon, and she was briefly transported back to Paris, his scent hadn't changed. He still smelt utterly delectable.
Painfully aware of the closeness of their proximity, and the soft push of her breasts against his chest, Adam struggled to steady his breathing. Ava was tactile by nature, and completely unabashed by physical contact. He recognised how some men could mistake her affections for flirtation, but he was not as misguided. He was less accustomed to her tentativeness, but being more reserved he was less inclined to respond to her touchy-feely habits. But having her hold him now felt dramatically different. It was personal, and bordered on a level of intimacy that was alien to him. Her touch was somehow strangely comforting, and his pulse was misbehaving. Along with his mind, which was filled with unwanted, and highly inappropriate thoughts.
He lay still for what seemed like an eternity, though in reality couldn't have been any longer than about fifteen minutes, but the tremors in his fingertips had begun once again. The hunger was increasing, and beginning to gnaw at him from the inside out. Like an addict experiencing withdrawal symptoms, eventually the trembling would become unbearable, and it would be almost impossible to keep still. Until the weakness took hold, making his limbs feel like lead, and each movement feel like wading through quick drying cement.

Ava appeared to have drifted off again, and in her slumber she moved, bringing her silky leg up, entwining it around one of his own. Swallowing hard, he tried to ignore the quickening of his heart rate, brought on by the teasing graze of her thigh resting atop of his. Fortunately, he was evolved enough to be able to control his primal instincts. Desire and hunger were a dangerous combination, and he could not and would not allow himself to act upon the dual sensations that were wreaking havoc within his system. Bloodlust. This was all wrong. Utterly, and undeniably messed up. He was not primitive, the zombies were slaves to their emotions but he wasn't and hadn't been for as long as he could recall. Perhaps he was losing his mind? He was certainly losing his grip. He could feel his stone-like resolve dissolving, and for a moment he actually thought he might be melting. Leaving nothing but a black puddle on the sheets where he lay. Beads of sweat were forming on his brow and he screwed his eyes tightly shut, desperately trying to focus on something....anything...else. Willing his urges away, his teeth clenched in agitation as his imagination began running riot, an unwanted image of her stretched naked on the bed flashed through his mind's eye. With her curtain of golden hair draped over one bare shoulder, exposing her slender neck...inviting... welcoming. The sound of his heartbeat thundered in his ears, and his chest began to tighten in panic. Unable to stand it any longer, he sat up abruptly, causing her limbs that had encircled him to fall away roughly. His brusque movements were enough to wake her, and she made a small inarticulate noise in protest as he rose shakily, having to place a large hand on the bedpost to steady himself.

Rolling over in the bed, she opened her eyes, which were still blurry from sleep.
"Adam? What's wrong with you?"
Seeing him stood shaking and sweating at the foot of the bed, she crawled towards him in the manner of a curious child, watching with growing confusion as he hastily pulled at the buttons on his black shirt, in an attempt to cool the fierce heat that seemed to be engulfing his body.
Kneeling up, she brushed his tousled hair aside and pressed her cool fingertips to his damp forehead.
"Oh my god Adam, you look awful."

As usual, the skin on skin contact sent a shock through him but this time he did not pull away. Instead he apprehensively allowed his eyes to meet with her's, and she was startled by his expression, which now bore more resemblance to a wild animal than a man. His flinty eyes had darkened and narrowed, assuming a feral look as they stared hard at her, fierce and frightening. His breath was ragged and the sight of his bare chest, shimmering with sweat as it rose and fell with his hampered breathing, caused her alarm for more than one reason. She felt it, deep down inside. That familiar, yet unfamiliar feeling stirring within her. That was impossible to deny. As though a sudden flame had been ignited in her belly, sending waves of heat outwards. All at once she now became very aware of her body, and her senses went into overdrive. Having to remind herself to breath as his hungry eyes lowered, coming to rest on her heaving bosom she became both transfixed and terrified in equal measures. The feel of the soft silk robe brushing against her skin, coupled with the heat of his heavy gaze, was surprisingly arousing yet intimidating, and she had to suppress a girlish giggle due to the sudden, unexpected nervousness she felt.

Fighting the temptation to pounce on her like a wolf does it's prey, Adam attempted in desperation to cling to the last shreds of self-restraint he possessed. Gripping the bedpost so tight his knuckles turned white to the point of looking translucent, he willed his carnal desires away. But the invisible force pulled harder, dulling all coherent thought and suddenly he was above her, threading his ams beneath her shoulders and hair, causing her to exhale shakily.
It seemed only a second had passed, so fast she didn't know how he got there and didn't even consider analysing it. He was so close she couldn't even think, all she could do was feel, as a bolt of exhilarated fear shot through her. She had no idea what he planned to do but was dreading he'd come to his senses at any moment and not be able to face doing any of it. Whatever it happened to be.

His hunger for her needed to be sated, he was greedy for her. His want had long since been replaced by need. He needed to devour her, to fill her, to take full possession of her body and consume her completely. But he daren't. Did he? This was Ava. His unruly sister in law, whom he barely tolerated at best. To surrender to his longing now would be admitting defeat and acknowledging the unthinkable. Unsure of whether he wanted to avoid potential disaster and humiliation, or prove to himself that he still possessed a fraction of self control, he moved away from her hastily. Recoiling like a wounded cobra. His haphazard movements caused an ottoman stool to tip over in the process, which served to catapult him back to reality with a serious jolt.
"Shit!"

Watching him recover the stool, Ava opened her mouth to speak but for once in her long life words failed her. No sound came out. She was still quivering and stood stunned like a deer that had been blinded in the headlights of an oncoming car. For a brief moment, he'd almost been hers. She had felt it. And yet it was not meant to be, his love for Eve was still evident. And as much as she revelled in the thought of having him for her own, she had no desire to be used. This was Adam. Brooding, melancholy Adam with his careless hair and magnificent stormy eyes. Her one true weakness. Any entanglement with him was guaranteed to leave her feeling churned up and wanting more. And he had never had eyes for her in Eve's presence. She wouldn't be his second choice, or just a temporary destraction.

Just then the unmistakable sound of someone rapping heavily on the front door echoed through the old house, the sound reverberating through the walls, making them both physically jump.
"Who's that?"
Adam demanded, visibly unnerved by the sudden interruption, yet secretly grateful for it.

A spark of recognition crossed her face, and she smiled wryly,
"Ooh, that'll be Tom..."
She supplied, and in the next instant she was moving towards the door,
"...I forgot about him."

"Tom?...Tom who?"

He was following her now as she made her way down the stairs, flicking the lights on as she went,
"He's amazing!"
She continued almost distractedly, the enthusiasm evident in her voice.
"He's an actor, you'll love him....he's like, super smart and really famous."

"Great. Another famous zombie, just what the world needs. And I fail to see how this will endear him to me."
His pessimism did not waver, as his apprehension grew,
"Ava, can't you fix me up first? I really need some more...stuff."

"You'll just have to hang on a minute, this is more important. I have to let him in."

Adam's brow furrowed further, his dark brows beetling together in bewilderment and indignation,
"Why? Ava, you know how I feel about my privacy...and you're not even dressed."
His tone was tinged with disapproval but his protesting was in vain, as she now reached the hallway and began the lengthy process of unbolting the front door which resembled Fort Knox.

"Because, it's his house..."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Nope."
She replied breezily, then immediately became defensive once she registered Adam's thunderous expression.
"What? I never said I owned the place, did I?"

There was no time to respond, instead he fell silent, loitering uneasily on the stairs as she opened the door to a tall, lithe man with long limbs and dark blonde hair that was trimmed shorter at the sides, but perfectly coiffed on top. His megawatt smile displayed a set of dazzling, perfect white teeth.
"Hello darling."
His almost musical voice echoed from the darkness of the entrance,
"I'm so sorry to bother you. I'm not disturbing you am I?"
Having noticed Adam lingering in the shadows, he shot Ava an apologetic look.

"No of course not sweetie, I just forgot you said you were stopping by."
She spoke reassuringly, affording him a winning smile to match his own.

The man looked almost troubled, as if he was somehow responsible for her forgetting,
"Oh, sorry."

"Stop apologising all the time. Come in."
She gestured eagerly for him to enter, and for a moment it looked as if he was contemplating her offer, but glancing again at the somewhat darkly intimidating figure of Adam, he appeared to think better of it.

"Honestly Ava, I see you have company and I wouldn't want to impose."

"Don't be silly Tom, you're not interrupting anything..."
She attempted to convince him, and following his eye line she gestured towards Adam almost dismissively,
"...take no notice of him, it's just the brother in law."

Quickly taking in Ava's revealing nightwear, he then deliberately averted his gaze. A noticeable blush tinged the man's neck, which didn't go unnoticed by Adam.
"Pleased to meet you, I'm Tom."
He forced an awkward smile, but Adam was noticing the way in which he seemed to register his open shirt, with more than just a fraction of suspicion readable in his twinkling blue eyes.

"Adam."
He responded flatly. Seemingly incapable of mustering an ounce of politeness for this introduction.

Not missing a beat, Ava smiled mischievously at Tom,
"Yeah. We're a very close family."
She giggled playfully, placing heavy emphasis on the word 'close' and then seeing his blush deepen, she placed her hand delicately on the shoulder of his Armani suit.
"I'm joking Tom! Aww, you're so adorably cute."

Forcing a strained laugh, Tom seemed to fidget nervously with the sleeves of his white dress shirt, whilst Adam impaled him with his sharpest glare. He didn't quite know why he felt such inexplicable animosity towards this painfully polite, inoffensive zombie. But he did. Regardless of how impressed Ava was by him, he had no desire to share in her adoration.
"Was there something you wanted?"
He cut in bluntly, not giving a damn about whether he owned the house or not. He wanted him gone.

"Um, yeah. Sorry..."
Tom stammered, seemingly embarrassed but clearly taken aback by Adam's bluntness.
"...I'm sorry to be a nuisance Ava, but Mrs Butterworth has been in touch with the letting agent again, complaining about your deadly nightshade."
He gestured towards the front lawn, and made a point of keeping his eyes on her face now.
"I'm afraid it's going to have to go darling."

"Oh, but I love the little bell shaped purply-green flowers, and they smell so beautiful."
She whined, almost sulkily.

Even from his position on the stairs, Adam could perceive her disappointment. Her bottom lip came out, and as ridiculous as it was her pouting over some toxic shrubbery, he could not prevent himself from voicing his opinion.
"Atropa belladonna? There's no harm in keeping those as long as you don't eat the berries."

"Yes, I am aware of what belladonna is.."
Tom responded, a subtle tone of irritation now audible in his buttery smooth voice,
"The problem is Mrs Butterworth next door has children, so you have to see her cause for concern-"

"No not really..."
Adam persisted defiantly,
"...those plants are behind a wall. So for the neighbourhood kids to reach them, they'd have to be trespassing."

"Yeah man, but you know how it is. You can't be too careful. Kids will be kids..."

"Then they'll be dead kids."
Adam retorted coldly with a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders,
"Which is their parents problem if they get up to shit they're not supposed to."

Tom was staring at him now in what could only be described as disbelief and disgust, his nose scrunched up and his fair eyebrows dipped to meet in a deep frown.
"Listen, with all due respect, I'm trying to discuss this matter with Ava-"

"No, how about about you listen or better still, you make Mrs Butterscotch listen. If her kids are so hungry that they go scavenging for food then perhaps she ought to try feeding them better.."
He hissed, his patience all but exhausted now as a result of his rapidly increasing need to feed.
"And if they like eating bloody foliage so much, tell her to grow some foxglove as a precautionary measure. Then if they poison themselves the little brats have a tried and tested ancient antidote to fall back on."

"Adam!"
Ava piped up now, looking at him almost aghast, she brought her hand up to her mouth as if shocked, but really she was desperately trying to hide the smile she was struggling to suppress.

"No, it's fine Ava..."
Tom insisted now, turning his full attention back to her,
"I wasn't suggesting that you get rid of it anyway, merely move it to the back garden."

"Tell Butterscotch to move."
Adam's voice rang out relentlessly down the hallway. He was on a roll now and had quite forgotten just how amusing it could be,being blatantly rude to someone you disliked. Being quite so short tempered was rather out of character for him, but he wasn't feeling himself.

"I'll call over again and discuss it with Richard and yourself, once he's back."
The irritating man was saying now, having wisely chosen to ignore Adam's clipped remark.

Mumbling what sounded like an apology for her brother in law's behaviour, Ava hastily bid him goodbye. Closing the door behind him, she leaned back against it and affixed Adam with a stern look. Something which was most definitely out of character for her. And for a moment he pondered over the possibility of having slipped into some bizarre, parallel universe where Ava behaved sensibly and he, exceedingly badly. Although a pathetically minor dispute over some potentially deadly plants paled in significance compared to the type of bad behaviour he could've been tempted to engage in. And the uncomfortable, and undeniably real feeling of temptation clawed at his insides once again.
He had reached the bottom of the stairs now, and she wasted no time in unleashing the relatively mild anger she felt, upon him.
"What the hell was that? You do know he could throw me out thanks to you stirring up trouble."

"I'd personally call that poetic justice, for all the times you've dropped me in the shit."

"That's so unfair Adam."

"Well, I wouldn't worry 'darling'..."
He mocked, forcing a tight smile in an attempt to imitate Tom's expression,
"...if he's so sweet, he isn't likely to evict your sorry arse, is he?"

"Which is more than what can be said of you.."
She quipped, scathingly.
"And I didn't say he was sweet. I said he was cute. Which he is....and he reminds me a lot of you. Except he's nicer."

Halting as if someone had just nailed his feet to the floor, Adam scoffed loudly, feeling surprisingly and monumentally offended.
"Nicer? Well, good for him. But seriously, have you been at the AB again? You should never trust a man who continuously smiles...He's nothing like me-"

"You actually look very similar. So much so that it's almost scary. He's so beautiful."
She sighed, hesitating briefly in the doorway, a strange whimsical expression crossing her face like a hint of sunshine creeping out from behind the clouds, then her face clouded over again.
"But you're right he's nothing like you. You're so god damn boring. The two of you are like October and April."

"Is that just a seasonal reference or something more poignant that I don't get? And as for the big fella, I know nothing of God but I'm pretty sure he damned me long ago."

"Facetious smart ass."
She huffed almost impatiently,
"I just don't understand why you'd be so hostile. He's a nice guy."

"Who, God? Or are we still talking about Tom? If it's the latter then I'm inclined to disagree, and it's getting monotonous now....Do you desire him?"

"What?"
She whirled around to face him, unsure of whether or not she'd just heard him correctly. What kind of question was that? Why would he want to know such a thing? And then it suddenly struck her. Was this a trick question? Could he possibly be challenging her? She'd never hidden the fact that she found him mouth-wateringly handsome. Now having just admitted that Tom reminded her of him, was he, for whatever unknown reason trying to coerce her into vocalising her secret longing. The yearning she persistently fought to conceal, but continuously struggled to mask it. Especially after....well, whatever the hell that was which had taken place upstairs just a short while ago.

"You heard me!"
He snapped. Though he was reluctant to hear the answer,
"Do you want him?"
He could have quite literally slapped himself in the face for allowing such a question to spill from his traitorous mouth. His self censor was growing increasingly skewed and off kilter. Balance needed to be restored. He could no longer rely on his senses to not betray him. The truth was he'd almost felt a strange kind of adrenalin fuelled charge from challenging the overly jovial Tom. He was too chirpy, too friendly, too...full of life.

Ava had, infuriating as it was, hit a raw nerve. The two men were different. Polar opposites in fact, like oil and water. Or October and April, as she so eloquently put it. Part of him resented the man for having so much to smile about, because once upon a time that had been him. He too had shone like a rising, bright star. Career wise, and in every aspect of his personality. In his glory days, people had been drawn to him like fireflies to the glow of candlelight. But the shooting star he once was, tearing through life shining brightly for all to see, had gradually become a falling star. And in reality, a star was after all, nothing more than a gigantic incandescent cloud of gas that has collapses in on itself. And he had, quite befittingly, collapsed in on himself. The smile had faded from his lips, his dreams had long since died, his heart had grown increasingly heavy and now there was just a vast amount of nothing left inside. Or so he used to think...

But something had and was changing. A shift had somehow and somewhere along the way recently taken place. He was beginning to feel again. Emotions that he initially hadn't even realised he'd lost. The kind of which he poured scorn on the human race for feeling, such as jealousy for one. He hadn't even been jealous of Eve growing increasingly smitten with Youseff. Yet he was jealous of some toothy, grinning, sickeningly charming zombie named Tom, who seemed perfectly amiable but he did not like the familiarity between him and Ava. Just like he hadn't like her flirting with Ian back in Detroit, or her going on a date with Leon. The cause for such jealousy was too sickening and sobering to give serious consideration to. These damned unruly emotions were running amok. And yet whilst he feared exploring the basis of them more in depth, he was feeling almost new. So yes, he would relish and suffer the bittersweet resentment of having to bear witness to one such as Tom out-dazzling him. Because he was, the sullen, dark and languorous Adam. Too self absorbed to focus on what really mattered in life. Which was to live. And this was as close as he'd been in as long as he could remember, to feeling alive.

"Adam?"
The distant sound of Ava's voice resounded in his ears, pulling his focus back. He'd been, to his horror, standing staring at her blankly like a vacant imbecile.
"What is going on with you?"

His eyes scanned her lips as they moved, and he subconsciously licked his own at the distant but tantalising memory of having them pressed against his. Damn. Had they always been that full? They were mesmerising, but now more so than ever, and he found himself battling his raging libido once again. A war which, may well result in the vampiric death of him. Or rather it would if that was somehow possible.
She was staring back askance at him now, as though he'd finally tipped over the edge of insanity. Was this sweet, wicked temptress aware that she was the one who drove him to the brink?

Struggling, stumbling, searching frantically for something to say in order to break the awkward silence, he ended up saying the first thing that came into his thought befuddled head, under the pretence of having been in silent contemplation all along,
"Who's Richard?"
He asked, relieved that his sharp mind hadn't on this occasion failed him. Although he hadn't given it any further consideration at the time, now it suddenly popped into his head like a gift from the gods, and would serve as a suitable excuse for having been so distracted.

"My husband."
She answered plainly, as she continued through into the kitchen. Then it was her turn to mentally kick herself. What had she just said? Her stomach instantly dropped, making her feel instantly nauseated.

"What did you just say?"
He demanded, like a verbalised echo of her own thought.

"He was my husband."
She quickly corrected, though she knew such a lame attempt to save her from this mother of all faux pas would not wash with him. Her mistake would cost her dearly. She'd said it now and couldn't take it back. Much to her eternal, soul crushing dismay.

"No, no, no..."
He was saying now, shaking his head and pointing at her with his long index finger, accusingly,
"Nice guy Tom said he'd call again once Richard was back, in order to speak to you both. So what's he intending to do, hold a seance?"

"No, he must've been-"

"Don't lie to me!"
He roared fiercely, and for the first time ever she found herself feeling genuinely afraid of Adam. She'd seen him angry before, but this was something else entirely. His eyes bored into her, as though telepathically drilling two holes into her skull with his retinas, in the hope of seeking out the truth.
"Don't you fucking dare! He isn't dead at all, is he?"
He spat, grinding out the words through clenched teeth.

Blinking rapidly at the sight of his jaw setting so tight it looked like his slim face might actually crack, she backed away from him hurriedly, almost tripping over her own feet as he advanced towards her.
"Sorry...."
Was all she could manage feebly,
"...but I can totally explain..."