Warlord Metal (19 page)

That was easy, Jordan mused as she took the dark woman by the hand and led her out of the studio. Wonder what else I can get away with?

The rest of the studio inhabitants watched them go. The techs in the control booth were openly gaping. Hampton surveyed the drummer, checking his response. Middlestead was a little grim, but he continued to eat his hamburger.

The teenager allowed herself to be led towards the women's room. Sometimes this was the way things were with Jordan. The redhead would get a wild hair and Sonny would find herself being ravished in all sorts of places. It was exciting and dangerous and the dark young woman enjoyed it immensely.

Which was her reason for being embarrassed. Sonny had been raised in a house that frowned on blatant displays of sexuality. Jordan's 'free spirit', as she called it, had fascinated her from the very first. For some reason, it had never occurred to Sonny that by virtue of being Jordan's sexual partner, she'd be treated in much the same way as all the other women she'd seen. Not that it wasn't welcome, just unexpected.

The two women entered the bathroom, a single little room with a toilet and sink. Jordan led the way, tugging the teenager behind her. As Sonny got past the door, the redhead pushed it closed, and then trapped her lover against it until it was completely shut. She hit the lock as she pressed firmly against the dark woman, pinning her to the cool wood.

Mere seconds swept past and Sonny's tank top had been pushed up to her chin, her bra following close behind. Jordan attacked a nipple with voracious intent, teeth biting down, hands roaming the writhing body, a strong thigh clamped against the teenager's center.

The dark woman groaned at the sudden infiltration, moving against her lover. It was always this way with Jordan - a sultry look followed by a passionate strike that left her breathless and wanting more.

Jordan transferred to the other breast, treating it in the same manner as she rubbed against the taller woman's thigh. There wasn't going to be much time for more, but the redhead had to take the edge off her ravenous sexual appetite or go insane.

A hand buried in red gold, Sonny arched into the eager mouth. Her right hand convulsively grasped the demon-eyed tattoo. The teenager's center throbbed in time with their movement and she bit her lip to keep from crying out. Hands fumbled at her shorts, opening them, delving inside.

The guitarist was able to reach her goal, feeling warm wetness on her fingers. But the angle wasn't right for anything further. She growled in frustration. Releasing the dark woman's breast, she pulled back and grasped the flared hips. With a quick movement, she spun Sonny around and pressed back up against her from behind.

The younger woman found herself pushed against wood, it's gentle chill against her cheek and breasts. Again hands slid nether wards and she gasped and moved at the contact.

Atkins was walking down the hall towards the studio and food, nerves relieved now that he'd had his nicotine fix. As he passed the restrooms, he heard a slight thump against the door.

With a frown, the tall man stepped closer to listen. The sounds of apparent movement, heavy breathing and soft moans reached his ears. He grinned a little and shook his head, resuming his walk.

"You are so hot," Jordan grated. Her hand was buried in the teenager's warmth and she humped the firm derriere that was available. Her other hand had snaked up to massage a breast, hardwood brushing against her knuckles. "You drive me crazy with need."

Sonny let the words wash over her, exciting her, drawing her closer to the edge.

"All I can think of doing when you're near is fucking you." There was an answering moan. "Like now," Jordan whispered.

The woman against the door redoubled her efforts, the flesh beneath her lover's hands reaching the pinnacle. And then she came, almost explosively. She could feel the shorter woman thrusting harder and harder against her rear until she climaxed as well with a deep growl.

They stood there, holding each other up for several minutes, catching their breath.

Jordan's forehead was leaning between the dark woman's shoulder blades. She shook her head slowly. "What you do to me, woman," she murmured, not altogether happy.

Sonny smiled in contentment.

Atkins entered the studio and made a beeline for the piano. "Looks like they're at it again," he announced, scooping up a container of French fries.

"Kinda figured," the drummer said in a low voice. "I mean, when aren't they?" He sighed deeply, wishing things were different. I'm not cut out for this parental shit, he thought. Knew that when Mom and Dad died. But Hampton's older sister, fresh out of law school, took up his banner and won him custody of an eleven year old girl. I just hope things work out for her.

Sep 14, 2001

Warlord's almost finished with the CD. I've heard part of it.... Of course, it sounds great! Mike Hoffman, the producer, says that things are going along smoothly and it's been a snap working with the band.

I was working on my photo portfolio while they were recording. Mike saw all my pictures - not just the artsy fartsy ones, but the ones I have of the band. He's going to look into what White Horse has scheduled for a CD cover. Maybe my photos will be added! Cool!!

The band's playing at Satyricon this weekend. It's an early gig and they should be finished around ten p.m.. Jordan's going to take me dancing! I've never been in a gay bar before. It should prove to be interesting! I can't wait!

Things are still a little strained between Jordan and Tom. I can't blame him.... He's been raising me since I was a kid. It's gotta be tough. I'm just glad that he's not being a jerk about the whole thing. He's just being protective of his little sis.

I've seriously been considering getting a tattoo or something. I'm not sure I want to pierce my nipples or anything, though Jordan's suggested it. She says that it increases the sensations in them.... But, jeez, it musta hurt! She says that it did, but not for a long time. I dunno... Still gives me the shivers, just thinking about it!

Roads to Madness

Queensryche

Most of this is memory now.

I've gone too far to turn back now.

I'm not quite what I thought I was but

Then again I'm maybe more.

For now I'm standing here -I'm awaiting this grand transition.

The future is but past forgotten

On the road to madness.

Time's measure rusts as it crawls.

I see its face in the looking glass - stop!

This screaming laughter hides the pain of its reality.

Black, the door was locked. I opened -And now I've paid that price ten-fold over.

Knowledge - was it worth such torment, oh,

To see the far side of shadow.

Oh, I think they've come to take me.

I hear the voice, but there's no-one to see.

I can't scream, too late, it's time.

Chapter 6

Popularity

Walk in the Shadows

Queensryche

What? You say you're through with me,

I'm not through with you.

We've had what others might call love.

You say it's over now.

What's done, what's through?

You can't stay away.

You need me, I need you.

When the fire starts the pain's too much

For your mind.

You need attention.

What's good is only mine.

I can cure the hunger that burns in your heart.

Just come to me,

I'll take you home.

Chorus

We'll walk in the shadows,

By day we'll live in a dream.

We'll walk in the shadows.

You say you don't feel safe alone tonight

Cause you feel the pressure building in your head.

Our secret's safe for one more night,

But when the morning comes remember,

I'll be with you.

Chorus

One day you'll be with me,

If only you believe.

"Mitochondria," the Hispanic man across from her stated, his book held across his chest.

"Small granular bodies found in the cytoplasm of the cell," Sonny responded. The woman next to her scribbled furiously in her notebook.

Reynalto turned to the other woman at their table. "Mitosis."

Hazel eyes rolled and she nervously tucked short brown hair behind her ears. "Oh... man! I'm gonna flunk this final, I just know it!"

The man sighed and reached forward to snag a French fry. "You will with that kind of attitude," he predicted, readjusting his wire frames as he glanced back into his biology text.

"How do you do it?" the woman asked her dark companion. "How do you remember all those technical terms and stuff?"

Sonny shrugged and finished her carton of milk. "I dunno. I've just always been good with tests." She wiped her mouth with a paper napkin. "Have you ever thought of taking one of the study skills classes, Miranda?"

The woman shook her head. "You think I should?"

Shrugging, the teenager answered, "It couldn't hurt."

As the trio took a break from their studies, another young man approached. He dropped a heavy shoulder bag on the only empty chair. "Sorry, I'm late," he apologized, grabbing another chair from a nearby table for himself. "Had to finish that term paper for Writers Comp." He straddled the folding chair and rested his elbows on the back.

"S'okay, Steve," Sonny said. "It looks like we're taking a little breather."

"Frigid!" Steve said. "In that case...." He pulled a compact stereo and a CD case out of his bag. "I just picked this up before class today. I've been wanting to hear it."

As the new arrival set up the music, Sonny's brow furrowed. She picked up the now empty case and studied the familiar cover. "Hey," she said with a grin, "that's my brother's band!"

"Warlord?!" Steve asked. "Rock on! They're hellacious!"

"No way," the other man scoffed. "Your brother isn't in Warlord."

"Yes, he is. He's the drummer. Tom Middlestead." The dark teenager handed the jewel case over to her friend. "Check the credits."

The young man adjusted his glasses again as he scooped up the case and pulled out the inner front cover. Meanwhile, Steve had set up his player and began the disc, strains of a guitar swelling in the immediate area of the college cafeteria. Hampton's voice began singing.

"As you woke up this morning

and opened up your eyes,

did you notice the tear-stains

lining your face were mine?"

"Wow, he's good," Miranda commented, eyes wide.

"They're kickass," Steve agreed. "My friend got it last week - that's where I heard 'em." Turning to Sonny, he asked, "Think you can get me autographs?"

The teenager almost choked on her sandwich. When she was able to speak, she exclaimed with amazement, "Autographs!?"

Steve shrugged. "Yeah. If these guys do well, it'll be worth some money, ya know?"

"Hey," the other man interrupted. "It says here that photo credits go to Sharon Middlestead." He looked at the teenager across from him. "Who's that? A sister?"

Sonny blushed. "Me. It's my real name."

"Sharon?" the woman beside her blinked.

Pale eyes rolled. "Yeah. My nickname is Sonny. You know, the first and last two letters of Sharon." Damn! I wish I'd have caught that!

"How much did they pay you for the photos?" Steve asked.

"Two hundred and fifty dollars."

Reynalto looked sour. "Well, that ain't much."

"No," Sonny agreed. "It isn't. But, the band's not really big, yet. As they get more popular, my pictures will sell for more."

"How about an autographed picture?" Steve asked.

The dark woman chuckled. "Okay! I'll see what I can do!"

"Cool!"

"Now, can we get back to work? We've got a test on this in two hours."

With good natured grumbling, the group returned to their studies.

Middlestead looked up from the music magazine that he was reading when the front door opened. His sister stepped in, dropping her pack and the door with a sigh.

"How'd it go?" he asked.

Sonny nodded her dark head speculatively. "Not bad." She tossed herself onto the couch. "Had a little trouble with cell separation, but that's about it."

"And that was your last one?" Middlestead set the magazine down on the coffee table, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Last one," the teenager confirmed with a grin. "No more headaches for two weeks."

"Great."

The siblings sat in silent contemplation.

Suddenly, Sonny sat up with a broad smile. "Hey, can I get the band to autograph a picture for me?"

"What?" The dark man frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"An autographed pic! Some guy at school wanted to know if he could have one."

"You're shittin' me, right?" Middlestead asked with a grin and a raised eyebrow.

The teenager shook her head with a smug look. "Nope. He bought your CD and we were playing it while we studied."

"Huh." The drummer contemplated the news, a mixture of suspicion and joy flowing through him. "Well, I don't see why not," he finally allowed. "I'm sure the other's will go for it."

"Great!"

There was silence again. Middlestead was shaking his head slightly in wonder. His sibling sat back and propped her feet up on the edge of the coffee table.

"Have you seen Jordan, yet?" Sonny asked.

Middlestead shook his head no. "Not since last night. I think she's still in bed."