Chapter 15 - This Ain't No Wonderland.

Kyron winces at the question. "Errr, I don't know okay? He's pretty pissed about it all."

I chew my lip, that wasn't a fair question to ask Kyron to be honest. We should really think about getting him back to his own world. Glancing over at him I realise that I'm putting him in an awkward position right about now. He's sat there looking down into his hands, his dark brown hair covering his emerald green eyes. He's about 6ft tall but sat hunched over on the bed there, his slightly smaller frame than mine looking like its pulling in on itself. He's wearing jeans and a nice purple shirt, as well as trainers. Bit unorthodox for going exploring in the woods, but I'm not exactly Davey Crocket myself.

"Kyron, I need to go talk to my alpha and Soothing. Will you be ok here? There's $20 here, can you get some pizza ordered or something for Rain and yourself?"

"Sure."

"Great." I hand him the $20 and slip out of the room, heading over to Wyrmripper and Soothing's door and knocking gently.

"Come in Alex."

I opened the door and found Wyrmripper sprawled out topless on one of the beds, Soothing sitting on the edge of the other.

"Hey. How'd you know it was me?"

"Smelled you coming. What's up?"

"Nothing exactly. Just guess I needed to fill you in about Kyron. He's a member of Colt's new pack, I met him when I was in my world. Don't know an awful lot about him, but I know that Running Claw trusted him, so I think he's okay enough for now."

Wyrmripper nods at me and sits up on the bed, his abs creasing very nicely at the effort. Leonis' used to do that too. I flinch at the memory and shake my head to try to get that thought from finishing.

"S'up gayboi? Bit too much man here for you?" Wyrmripper flexes his arms with a big grin on his face.

I try to smile back condescendingly, but my mind won't leave that other thought alone. My Leonis, my love. He's dead, he's not just dead, he's un-dead. A walking monstrosity and mockery of the gentle giant he was previously. I'm making assumptions here I know, but that's because it's easier for me to be angry about it than break down yet again. I can't do anything about it right now, but I will do something about it.

"Yo, Alex. Earth to Alex, come in Admiral Anal." Wyrmripper's voice breaks through my thoughts.

"Wha... Admiral Anal? Really?" I say. Wyrmripper grins, he must be thinking that's a good one.

Soothing has been watching me quietly and looks between me and Wyrmripper.

"Seriously, not in the mood boss wolf...."

"Jeezus Alex. What's with the sourpuss attitude. Anyone would think someone died!"

Soothing slaps his forehead and groans. I look at Wyrmripper with a combination of shock and anger that he'd say something like that right now. How dare he?!

Wyrmripper is looking from me to Soothing and looking a bit confused.

"Dude, has someone died? Did I just make a serious foo paw?"

The anger that had been coming vanishes in a flash of irritation at his massacre of the term faux pa. But before I can say anything, Soothing speaks up.

"I didn't get chance to mention this to you, but the one called Kyron brought news that Alex's husband has been killed and turned into a vampire."

Wyrmripper's face falls and he looks at me.

"Fuck, I am so sorry."

I wave my hand and gulp down the lump that's formed in my throat. I wouldn't cry right now. I have time for that later.

"I'll deal with it. Kyron looks like he's stuck here for the time being so I'm going to need to sort him out somehow. Not sure exactly how. I'm sorry that I got you guys lumbered with the extra passengers."

"We'll deal mate. Listen, I'm sorry, I was just trying to lighten the mood. I didn't mean anything by it."

"Thanks boss wolf. It's fine. If it's any consolation, I was enjoying the view of you and it triggered a memory of Leonis, s'why I was off in la la land."

Wyrmripper grins and flexes again. "Worked hard for these bad boys, I'm glad someone appreciates the view!"

Soothing smirks at that comment and looks at me. "Seriously, you gonna be alright?"

"Fuck no, but I don't have a choice in that matter. I'll deal. Right now there's..."

A WHOOMPH noise cuts me off and a crackling comes from outside. I bolt out just in time to see a thin purple line in the middle of the car park vanishing and on the floor appears to be a piece of paper. I walk over to it and read it. It's a note to Kyron, it says for him to be ready in 1 hour to be here as they're gonna open the portal again and pull him back.

Well that's daft, why leave a note here where anyone could find it? How can they tell if he'll get it or not?

"Alex?? Do you have a note for me?" Kyron says as he heads over.

"Yes, but how the fuck did you know I had this?"

"Mind speak of course. I got a message from Greytears to get my ass here as there's a note."

I hand him it, he scans over it.

"Fuck, and I just ordered pizza too. Ah well. I'll say hi to Colt for you."

"No you bloody will not... Hold your horses here. I need to get a pen and some paper."

I dash into the office and manage to beg some paper and a pen from the lady working behind the counter with a little bit of a charm and a flirt. Heading quickly to my room I start writing two letters to Colt. One of them is short and sweet, telling him I'll come back to take care of Leonis and that I didn't want anyone else knowing where I was. It also said I'd understand if he didn't want to read the other letter.

The other letter takes me the best part of an hour to write. Telling Colt how sorry I am for everything I put him through and what has happened to me. I manage to put down my honest feelings for once, letting him know that I was Alex again, that I still loved him and that I'd always love him, even when I die for real this time.

I got the better part of what I felt into the letter and just prayed, my tears slipping to stain the bottom part as I fold it over and write 'Colt' on the front of both of them. I head back out to find Kyron had been chatting away with Rin and Rain. Soothing and Wyrmripper were there too, Wyrmripper still sans shirt, I wasn't complaining at the moment.

"Kyron, please, give these to Colt. I need you to not tell anyone about what you've seen here please, other than Colt himself. I will come back when I can and I will take care of Leonis. I'm the only one who can do it without the Assamites coming to take revenge."

"Errr, okay..." he takes the letters looking confused. A few moments later an oval of purple light appears and a voice shouts through.

"Come on Kyron!"

He gives a little wave/salute, and dives through the oval, which vanishes straight away. I sigh softly, I didn't want to deal with this. But I guess that's just how life goes. I don't think that Colt will read the second letter, but I had to send it anyway. God, I do not want to deal. Maybe I could get drunk? Yeah, cos a drunk werewolf who hasn't learned total control yet seems like a REALLY good idea.

I turn and start to slink off to my room, just as the pizza guy appears. The smell is delecious. I haven't had pizza in ages! Well, at least there's comfort food! I hand him the money and promptly hear behind me.

"Hope there's plenty to go around!" I look behind me, everyone is there. I look at them all, my new friends, my new brother. The tears tug at my eyes again, I'm so happy and yet so sad at the same time.

"Course there is. Come on in guys." I open the door, balancing the stack of pizza's in my left hand and head on in.

"There you are old chap!"

I nearly shit myself as Mortimer is just stood inside my room. Only Rain's hands grabbing at the pizza boxes stops me from launching them into the air. Christ, I'd forgotten what it's like to get close to heart attack.

"Jeezus Mortimer! Please don't do that, I'm not used to living yet but I certainly don't want to die of a heart attack!"

"Sorry about that m'lad, but I came to collect what you owe me. Though I just got a ripple of something messing about with time and space which I find most intriguing."

"Oh, that would be Kyron going back to my world. He dropped in, literally."

"My, you do certainly seem to stumble across the oddities. I see you also have some new recruits?"

"Hrm? Oh! This is Rin and Riyada. Rin, Riyada, this gentleman is Mortimer Tempus a mage of impressive intellect and not too small skill."

Mortimer grins and gives a little bow at the waist, tipping his hat.

"Good evening to you and thank you for the flattery Alex."

I grin at him. "Okay, well you're welcome to join us for pizza and I do owe you some explainations I guess. Though if it's not too much trouble, I should really explain mine and Rain's situation to everyone here, so far only Soothing knows the full story."

"I have no problem with that and if there might be some tea I would be glad to partake in your repast old chap."

I get Rain to go grab cups from the other rooms and am rather grateful to discover the little travel kettle in the room along with teabags. Everyone gets settled in the room, Rain and Rin sat on the floor together, Soothing sits on my bed as Mortimer takes a seat on the chair in the room. Wyrmripper and Riyada sit on the other bed in the room. I get everyone settled with food and drinks before repeating my tale of my life whilst a vampire and how I became a garou.

It must have taken a few hours to cover everything and I could see that Rain and Rin were leaning heavier on each other, they must be tired as well as enjoying the contact.

"Well! That is certainly an extraordinary tale! Certainly more than worth the price of admission." Mortimer smiles.

I smile back, but then my smile falters a little. This world won't have had the Tremere in it, not the way they were in my world anyway.

"Mortimer, I need to give you a little more information, well, more like a warning tale here."

He raises and eyebrow. "Oh?"

I nod gently and take a deep breath.

"In my world, there is a line of vampires known as the Tremere. Does that name mean anything to you?"

"Tremere... Yes, he was quite a powerful mage, one of the best of his time."

"Ah, so he's passed away in this world?"

"I believe so old chap, however you say in your world there's an entire vampire line named after him?"

"Not just named, they are made from his blood originally. Tremere in my world is a powerful vampire who used his magic arts to make himself immortal by becoming a vampire. Before you get too interested in this, I'd like to point out that he made a big mistake."

I have Mortimer's complete attention at this point.

"The head of my line of vampires was a vampire known as Saulot. He was seen as the kindest of all vampires. The closest thing we had to a saint as all vampires from his line had strong control over life and the soul. We were able to drive corruption from the body as well as heal ailments. Many centuries ago, Saulot had gone into a deep slumber we call torpor. Tremere found where Saulot was and from what little I know, he used a potion to consume the blood and soul of Saulot. A process we know as diablorie. In doing so, he became immortal alright, but as a vampire. He lost a lot of his powers in the process, as did all who followed him. They later learned that they could use blood for a lot of their magic, but they weren't even as close to being as powerful as they were previously. The Tremere then led a campaign of hatred against the remaining descendents of Saulot, the Salubri, and convinced the vampire world that we were soul sucking demons. We were hunted to near extinction. This is all just a major warning to be honest because if like Kyron can fall through to this world, then there's a chance vampires will too. They are dangerous. Their blood is the source of their power and it is a very dangerous substance. You must take great care in dealing with anyone who has it. Humans who have consumed it are stronger than you'd imagine, faster too. They also do not age. If you consume vampire blood, you will develop powerful feelings of attachment and love towards the vampire. A mage who consumes vampire's blood does not receive the strength of it, but will suffer the addiction and attachment."

Mortimer nods along with this, Soothing and Wyrmripper too have paid attention. Riyada looks very thoughtful and I notice that Rin and Rain have fallen asleep against the foot of the bed. A soft smile crosses my face.

"I think these two have the right idea. Sleep is for the best right now."

"Indeed old chap. Thank you very much for that information, I will make sure that I pass it along to my colleagues." Mortimer smiles and stands up, tipping his hat towards me then the others. "Good evening to you all." and is just gone. No black smoke, no flash of light, not even a breeze. He's just there one minute, then gone the next.

"That's disconcerting. Oh well. Soothing? Can you help me lift these two into my bed, they look adorable together."

Soothing gently picks up Rain and I take up Rin, laying them atop my bed.

"They'll be fine like that I think." I turn to Riyada "You wanna grab that bed and we'll just swap rooms?"

He nods and smiles as well, looking over the sleeping pair. I take the keys from Riyada and follow Soothing and Wyrmripper outside.

"That's cute. Well, at least somebody is getting a happy ending!" grins Wyrmripper.

I give him a shove, feeling the thick muscle slide under my hand. That prompts a reaction that I haven't had in a while. It's now time for me to leg it I think.

"Sleep well you two, gnight!" I say and quickly make my way to the other room. Diving into the door I'm blushing as I realise just how aroused I got from touching Wyrmripper's muscled body. Fuck. Sex was always a bit of a joke with vampire cos you could do it if you focused pumping blood there, but it wasn't the same. However we could take the piss of mortal males because if they were a little turned on, they'd pop a boner. Not dissimilar from the one I'm kinda sporting now. Whoops. There's another thing I'm gonna need to get used to. Random hardons. Yaaaaay.

There's a knock at the door and it opens with Wyrmripper saying "Hey Alex, I just wanted to say sorry again."

Before he can get the door open I dive stomach first onto the bed, cursing in my head at his timing, so that by the time he's walked in, I'm laid on the bed, concealing the evidence.

"Huh? Oh, it's fine Wyrmripper. I know you didn't mean to do it."

He sits on the other bed across from me. Oh this is not fair, I've got a half naked muscled guy wandering around my room and I'm not allowed to touch. Is it me, or does it make it worse when you 'know' you're not supposed to touch?

"I just wanted you to know, I know how you feel. My wife... We had an argument the night she found out I was a werewolf. She ran off from me and right into a group of femori. They left the body for me to find. I killed them all, but I still miss her and I never got to say I was sorry."

I wince, it never occurred to me that he might have been sympathetic to me because of a similar situation.

"It gets easier as you go along. I'm glad I got with my pack because it gave me a good reason to keep going. I'm glad you came to that conclusion by yourself as well. I just came in to make sure you're okay with me because you kinda just ran off there."

I blush again, I can't move right now still.

"No no, sorry. I didn't mean to make it seem that way. Just needed to be alone for a bit."

"Ah I get ya. Well, long as we're good?"

I smile up at him "We're good."

He smiles back and then opens his arms out for a hug. My stomach does a fucking loop the loop. How the fuck am I going to get out of this one?

"Come on bro, I know I said your quota was given, but I think the circumstances permit it."

I'm blushing heavily and can't move, arrrgh!

"Alex... Are you alright?"

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! "I err.. I.." I have no idea what to say!

He's really looking at me now.

"Alex....?" but there's a smile on his face, fuck I think he's got me figured out!

I lunge up and grab the pillows, one launch at him and the other I pull over my head. Oh my god I'm so embarrassed!

He starts laughing "Oh my god, you're trying to hide a woody aren't you! You ran off cos you got a boner!"

Fuuuuuck! "Shut up! Dammit all!"

I curse into the pillow as Wyrmripper's laughter turns into guffaws.

"Oh my god! I was worried you were upset with me, but I didn't realise that you needed 'that' kind of alone time!"

My blush is burning my face, screw this, I might as well try to salvage some of my confidence cos I'm embarrassed as hell right now. I throw the pillow off and roll off the bed.

"Gimmie the damn hug will you and bugger off before I pass out from the blood rushing to my face and other head."

He gets up off the bed and gives me a big tight hug. It's seriously nice, but the embarrassment from my boner is killing the situation for me. Oh, and the fact he won't stop fucking chuckling.

"Is it even remotely possible that you could keep this to yourself please?"

"It's possible."

" What about likely?"

"Not very."

"Dammit. At least please for now? I'm not even used to getting boners again, when I was a vamp, that didn't work unless I made it."

He grins and steps back. "Really? Sounds shitty to me."

"Yeah, I guess it was. Huh, guess this means I get to try the real deal again, no more cold corpse syndrome."

"Dude, so when you fuck you're still cold like a corpse when you're a vamp?"

"Yeah."

He shudders "Fuuuuck, creepy."

"It's like getting a beer, you're just cracking open a cold one."

"FUCK! Aw man! You just spoiled my next beer asshole!"

"And you just embarrassed the fuck out of me, I think we're even." I stick my tongue out at him.

He smirks and slaps my back. "Sleep well dickhead."

"You too meatman."

He grins and gives another flex as he walks out the door. I fall back onto the bed and grin myself. I'm gonna look forward to being in this guy's pack.