The Wanderer

seven: incognito

"Wow, so much for going invisible. What the hell were you thinking, Alex?"

Akire grabbed her friend by the neck and dragged him towards the very end of the ship. She just managed to side-step a couple of kids chasing each other on the very crowded deck. 

She checked for Sam and was relieved that the kid was still clutching at her jacket and was allowing himself to be dragged along towards the direction she was heading.

"Remember what I said about your temper, love?" Alexis grumbled before he hit the railing of the ship. He looked back and saw the Port getting smaller and smaller. He sighed with relief. At least, they were not followed by any pack members.

"I told you to book us a smaller vessel! Need I remind you that we aren't exactly going on a pleasure cruise?" Akire hissed at him.

He rolled his eyes, thankful that she was not able to see it. "Will you just wait a moment? If you keep on manhandling me and grumbling, people will get suspicious! I booked us on the right ship! The more people the better to hide our scent! Think about it, Akire! This is the perfect place to get lost!"

"Did you think about the possibility that this trip might take a couple of days before we dock? Do you expect me to survive on sea water? Is that it? Besides, you just completely ruined my plan about our tail!" Akire gripped the rails so as not to slap Alexis. 

She had to give it to Alex, what he said made some sense. Still, she would have preferred if temptation was not too close. If she would get crazed by hunger she did not prefer it to be in a vessel  without any way to escape but go overboard.

Alexis sighed and leaned beside Akire casually, making it appear like they were a couple. He pulled Sam closer and tucked him in between their bodies. 

The sun was starting to set and he was feeling better since most of the people in the ship were humans and these humans did not have keen eyesight or heightened sense of smell to spot supernaturals who did not want to be seen or known. The others though were vampires and wolves that just wanted passage.

 As long as they don't know who Sam is. Alexis thought.

"I know you're worried about snacking on these folks. I won't let you okay? I bought you a blood bag before we left. I might sometimes be really slow in the noggin' but I thought this through. First, the ship is owned by a rich merchant who makes a living out of herding cattle."

"Cattle? What? You don't mean..."

Alexis nodded. The vessel he booked them on was a ship heading south filled with people being sold or traded by other Vampire or Werewolf ruled lands in exchange for peace or money. 

It was the perfect place to avoid any interaction with supernaturals who were dangerous or out to make trouble. If there was to be trouble on the ship, the order was to shoot and kill- no questions asked.

"Do these people know they are being traded? Or sent to their doom?"

Alexis shrugged. "What does it matter? Sooner or later they will get hunted for their flesh and blood anyway. I figured some would rather be a human blood bank for some rich, all powerful vampire than run away forever. Some might even hope the disease changes them. But we all know how that happens, right?"

Akired did not say anything but continued to stare at the horizon. She heard news that in some kingdoms, only the old vampire can really turn humans into strong immortals. 

Yes, there were some minions who could change people through their venom but these were weaklings, easily destroyed if put to battle. Since the war had ceased, vampire sire or elders have been creating an army for their specific kingdom. Of course, the front lines were to be represented by the weakest links to the chain and then followed by those that were sired by a master. 

There were still battles raging in different parts of the world but in Europe, the people and the creatures seemed to have settled on a truce. They believed in bringing the old society back where there was propriety. 

She wanted to laugh at how hypocritical these type of vampires were. Did they mean to live their old lives? When they were human? Didn't they know all those who were cursed with the disease or transformed into a monster should die? 

"Let's just keep to ourselves, okay? No wandering off. I need us to be alert and ready in case the spy attacks or attempts to snatch this little guy." Akire said in a more pleasant tone. She reached down to make sure that Sam's hoodie was up and hiding his face. "Did you get us a room or something?"

"Yes. I told you, I thought this through! There were only limited cabins below deck and I was able to barter my gold pocket watch for that room. I figured, we don't really need to tell time that much especially if we're dead meat."

"Stop that! You're scaring the little guy!" She whispered and she felt Sam press closer to her. She could feel the tension in his body. She also noticed that Sam was leaning more towards her as if to avoid touching Alexis. 

Sam still did not feel like he could trust Alexis but Akire wanted Sam to trust her friend because this would mean, she could go back to trusting him completely as well.

"So, are we just going to stand here in the open and wait until something happens? Or do we go down and try to get some sleep?" Alexis asked with a yawn. He stretched his arms and grinned down at Sam. He noticed that the boy did not smile back but instead, just pushed towards Akire's side.

That's it, Sam. Don't trust me. I don't even trust myself fully whenever you're concerned. Alexis thought, his grin fading. 

He told Akire to just play along as he slung his arm around her shoulders and continued acting like they were a family. He wanted to laugh at how rigid Akire was being.

"Really, love. Relax. We're not doing the dirty- unless you want to. I've been always curious about your love life- I mean, before you were changed and then after that."

Akire shoved her elbow at his side and he almost shouted with pain. 

"It's none of your business. Stop trying to be funny and just walk faster, please!” Alexis sighed and opened the door that lead to a staircase going below deck. 

"I say you're still a virgin!" He mumbled and soon he found himself rolling down the stairs and landing with a loud thud on the bottom floor. He grinned and started to laugh as he watched Akire step over him, her mouth in a thin line.

"It's number 171, love. Don't worry, I won't tell a soul!" He called out still chuckling. 

He stood up and followed the pair as they turned the corner. That was when he realized he just gave out their room number and if the vampire following them was anywhere near, he would know which room to attack! 

He hurried to tell Akire of his blunder. He stopped laughing now and turned serious. Sometimes, he was such a stupid jerk.

They reached the door marked 171 and he pulled the key to unlock it, while apologizing to Akire about not keeping it a secret. To his surprise, Akire was grinning. 

She peeked in, scouted the room with all her senses and was satisfied nobody was there. She pulled Sam in and told him to sit on the bed and try to get some rest.

"Why aren't you screaming at me? Shouldn't you be all gung-ho because I gave out our location?" He asked shutting the door securely behind him. The room was not too small or big. 

It was medium sized with a double-decked bunk bed, a small sink in the corner beside what looked like a small lavatory and shower. Not bad! At least, he could shower. Akire was a vampire, they did not sweat or get dirty- unless they roll in the mud. He on the other hand did and he knew he stank!

"It's better if he knows which room we're in." Akire replied, shedding off her coat and letting her hair down. She did not notice how Alexis' eyes roamed at her body. If she did, she would have thrown the dagger that was fastened on her leg while she tugged her boots off. 

"Why is that?" Alexis asked, trying to stop staring at his friend who was semi-undressing before him. 

Sometimes, Akire was so innocent and so complacent about their friendship that she did not seem to remember that he was a hot-blooded guy! He quickly averted his gaze when Akire turned her face towards him just as she finished tugging off her boots and she stretched.

"That way, I know when to keep a look out. I can be ready for him." She replied with a grin. 

Alexis watched as she stretched again. She was wearing a plain white shirt, skin tight trousers that clung to her well-toned body. She had a nice tiny waist, a good sized bust and really nice long legs. Alexis felt heat rising up as his body responded to the sexy female before him.

"Alex?" Akire called out from the bottom deck. Sam was already snuggling into her side as she lay down to rest.

"Hmm?" He absent-mindedly replied, busy thinking about how it would feel to snuggle with her and do all sorts of sexy things to her body. It did not matter if she was a little bit below normal temperature. 

He knew she was still all woman and her body responded the normal way when it came to things like kissing and s*x. In fact, he had a couple of great nights with lesser vampires before.

"If you want to keep your private parts and your working senses? I'd stop doing what you're doing right this moment and see if the bath has a really cold shower." Akire muttered as she closed her eyes. 

She smiled and heard Alexis' heart skip a beat and then accelerate with worry. He fumbled with his pack and then disappeared into the small lavatory to shower.

"Men! Human or not- they never change!" She murmured before falling asleep with Sam safely tucked in beside her body and her Katana underneath the pillow. 

She wasn't that tired and she rarely needed sleep. But for now, she just wanted to relax and prepare herself mentally and physically for the moment that she was going to confront the stranger following them.