Colin's Conquest

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Colin's Conquest Bloodseeker 1

Lisa Rene Smith LPUBLISHERL Dreamspell www.lldreamspell.com Copyright ©2006 by Lisa Rene' Smith First published in 2006, 2006

Colin's Conquest Book One of the Blood Seeker Series By Lisa Rene’ Smith Published by L&L Dreamspell Spring, Texas Cover and Interior Design by L & L Dreamspell Copyright © 2006 Lisa Rene’ Smith. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except for brief quotations used in a review. This is a work of fiction, and is produced from the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real people is a coincidence. Places and things mentioned in this novel are used in a fictional manner. ISBN-9780978772352 **** Visit us on the web at www.lldreamspell.com **** Published by L & L Dreamspell Created in the United States of America

One Something is out there watching me... The downy hairs on the back of her neck stood erect jutting from her skin, a lightning bolt about to strike and an anxious tide of goose flesh followed, down both arms then her bare legs. Joanna peered into the darkness, searching for eyes watching her under the shadowy cloak of the dense forest surrounding her. The lake and the surrounding woods no longer appeared comforting and serene, on the contrary, every tree hid a demon and the moonbeams reflecting off the still water cast menacing shadows into the small clearing. A chill passed through her as she spun around to face the woods. Some ... “thing” is STILL out there watching me.... Panting, her pulse racing out of control, she clutched her chest, trying in vain to slow the pounding there. Searching the trees, she saw nothing out of the ordinary, no glowing eyes, no swaying branches, no movement in the underbrush ... nothing. Seeing nothing, she cocked her head to one side and listened close to the sounds of the thicket. The evening choir of crickets and tree frogs should be reassuring but now it only intensified her fear. So disconcerting to be unable to find the source of her anxiety! She could neither see nor hear anything out of the ordinary and yet ... she just knew something was out there, something bad. As if nothing were the matter, she rose from the sandy shoreline, dusted off her khaki shorts, stretched both arms over her head and faked a wide yawn. It took every ounce of courage she possessed to keep herself from running the sixty or so yards to the cabin door, but walk she did and at a slow pace, no less. She had never let anything spook her in her beloved woods and she was not about to start being frightened by every shadow just because she was alone up here. After entering the cabin she turned and bolted the door, then darted to the window and peered out at the close wall of trees. The blend of hardwoods, pines and vines intertwined to form an almost impenetrable barricade for humans, but other creatures more adapted to the thicket moved freely and thrived in this luscious setting. Parts of the old folklore came to mind as she stared out at the trees ... mysterious animals living undetected in the denser knots of woods never discovered by man, people disappearing without a trace, criminals hiding out in the thicket to avoid prosecution, and on and on. An entire book could be written on the folklore alone and who knew how much of it was actually true. Ignoring the ball of fear still in the pit of her rumbling stomach, she turned around to survey the cabin. Her beat up old suitcases sat beside the door where she dropped them when she arrived this afternoon. Threadbare bed sheets of violet and green floral print covered the furniture as makeshift dust covers. In the middle of the kitchen table, her sleepy parrot in his pagoda shaped birdcage sat under the watchful eye of Patches, her calico cat. The cat's tail twitched back and forth and cleaned a nice half moon of dust off the table. Neither one of her pets seemed nervous or alarmed so she began to feel silly about being afraid of nothing. She smiled, lifting one corner of her mouth as she saw Patches sneak a paw through the bars of Pete's cage. "Patches, you leave that bird alone!" Her soft voice seemed to her to be a booming bellow echoing through the thicket and she clamped her lips shut, still uneasy about attracting any visitors, real or imaginary. She sighed and strove to relax herself. Sliding in a CD she turned the volume low and listened to the lilting piano of Lorie Line on her “Songs for the Earth” collection. The music floated around the room, filling every corner and chasing away those jangled nerves with the first few notes. Feeling her chest swell with the joy of the music and the joy of being back at the cabin, she smiled, ran her fingers through her long hair and glanced around the neglected room once more. Good memories surfaced of past trips here with her family ... her grandmother at the stove making breakfast tacos for the entire family, her Dad and Grandpa out in the woods searching out good spots to build photo blinds for her younger sister the photography buff, and one of the most amusing memories, her mother out at the lake as soon as the sun came up trying her best to catch a fish. She laughed because her poor mother never once caught a fish out of that lake. After she left home, the family trips became few and far between. Oh how she missed coming here! Removing the dust cover from the armchair with an exaggerated flip of her wrist, she flopped like a rag doll into the chair.

Stretching her legs, she placed them on the padded footstool and sighed again. Now this is better ... Joanna laid her head back and closed her eyes, glad to be here, glad to be away from work and home. Ah, so pleasant to just sit and relax. Patches jumped in her lap, purring and kneaded herself a nice warm place to sleep in her favorite naptime spot. She knew her human would stroke her from head to tail and scratch behind her ears. It was kitty heaven and she purred her contentment as her big copper eyes closed for another catnap. **** He gazed through the window at her, his mouth filling with saliva that threatened to run down his chin if he didn't swallow fast enough. Delicious, this woman, Ben thought, as he gulped and swallowed once more. Her head thrown back, blouse unbuttoned enough to see her collarbone and her long slender neck, the pulse beating under her jaw, he could almost taste her from where he stood, so tantalizing she appeared. Her short blouse did not cover her midriff and the smooth skin of her belly beckoned to him as much as the length of her throat did. He swallowed again and felt his fangs fall into place beneath his lip as his heart marched in triple time against his ribs. A riot of lovely colors, this young woman, from the sun kissed blush on her cheeks to her luxurious dark hair and those vibrant green eyes that he glimpsed before she dropped her lids. Nature's child, no doubt, her khaki shorts and rich pine green shirt accented her glowing tanned skin and long black hair. Even her choice of music matched her earthy appearance. He wanted to touch her, to visit her like an exquisite landscape that one never forgets. The creator forbade him to enter her home. He knew this, but even with those archaic rules running rampant through his mind Ben so wanted to taste this woman. Colin's words, spoken so long ago, sounded in his head as if he stood right next to him. “Kill only the fools or the evil ones. Leave the innocents alone. Never enter a secured home without an invitation.” Hmm. Despite the possible repercussions, he could break the rules, just this once. How would his creator know anyway? Holding his breath, he eased the window up with one finger. Delightful! The latch no longer worked. Ben's cue that he should lift the window farther. The heat from the stuffy cabin seeped from the cracked window, burning his eyes, and he reached to lift the glass higher letting in the cooler air from outside. How could she stand that heat? "Forbidden!" The growled censure startled him and for a moment, he didn't know if the growl remained inside his head or if the woman in the cabin heard it also. He dropped his hand from the window and spun around as he felt someone watching him from the woods. He saw nothing and now he knew how the girl had felt when she sensed him watching her from the woods earlier. He saw no one there, but yet, he knew someone or something watched him. He tried, but couldn't detect Colin's presence or that of another human either. The sensation bothered him, but his preoccupation with his future conquest distracted him so. Finally he shrugged his shoulders and turned back to the window and the vision just on the other side of the glass. He smiled with relief when he heard the sounds of a four footed creature moving away through the thicket. After all, four-footed creatures posed no danger to his kind. The breeze off the lake lifted the lemon yellow gauze curtains away from the window. If she opened her eyes, she would see him staring in at her. He didn't even care. To hell with the rules, he wanted this woman to see him. He wanted her. She was different, so alluring and he could not resist her. Just a taste, what would it hurt? I won't kill her, no, not her. **** The brush gave way as she moved, with silent footsteps, through the woods. Forbidden? What did that mean and why did it spring into her mind? She knew nothing but feral instincts until she came upon the young un-natural by the lake. He seemed somewhat familiar and memories tried to surface, but she pushed them back and continued her hunt for a meal. She saw countless humans during her lifetime and she avoided them with some inborn instinct of self-preservation. This one, not human though, and she sensed no danger from him, but more of a longing that she could not appreciate and did not want to understand.

She stopped to scratch her fur where a deer tick stabbed its hateful head into her skin. A startled gray squirrel bounded across the forest floor and she took off after it, all four paws scrabbling for footing, to catch the foolish rodent before it could get back into the trees. **** Joanna awoke with a start when Patches growled, hissed and jumped from her lap, leaving two long stinging scratches on the back of her hand. "Ow! Dammit Patches! What the hell is wrong with you?" Right away, blood began to well up out of the cuts and she shook her hand as if to shake off the pain. Standing on wobbly legs, she hobbled over to the bathroom to clean up her wound. The door stood ajar so she pushed it open with her hip and flipped on the light. A pale hand appeared inches from her face and she leapt back in fright. The hand held out a bottle of peroxide and attached to that hand, an extraordinary male body, out of place in her bathroom, but there, nonetheless. "Can I help you with that?” His deep and downy smooth voice caressed her with fingers of chilling terror. She caught a glimpse of a handsome boyish face, dazzling blue eyes and sandy blonde hair before the mustiness and the heat of the room enveloped her and she dissolved into a puddle of unconsciousness. He caught her with ease and carried her over to the bed, placing her on top of the spread. So romantic! This is perfect. No need to hypnotize, I can do what I want and she will not know! He sat beside her and stared down at her stunning face. He so wanted to examine the lush green color of her eyes, but it seemed a sacrilege to move her long lashes away from her cheeks where they rested with such serenity. With the most tender of touches, he brushed the curve of lashes and smiled with the sheer joy of touching her. There was something different about this one, but try as he might, he didn't know what it was. What was it about her that attracted him so? She had normal human scent but there was something more, he just couldn't put his finger on it. He had also developed a bit of a headache, a buzzing pain, right in the middle of his brain that worsened as he moved closer to her. Odd, yes, but not too painful and easy to ignore in his excitement to taste her. He wet his lips, bent to her throat and kissed the throbbing pulse there, then he ran his tongue down the length of her neck delighting in the brackish but honeyed taste of her skin. Ben pulled away from her throat and lifted her injured hand. Lifting his upper lip, he deepened the cat scratches into furrows with his honed teeth and nicked the vein running across her hand. As the thick blood began to flow he watched the trickle and savored the anticipation of tasting her. Then he moved his tongue over the wound, again and again lapping at the blood before latching on with his lips to suck with gentle care from her damaged vein. Divine blood. Besides the Creator's it was sweeter, better than any he'd ever tasted. He couldn't control the moan of pleasure deep in his throat, but he watched for signs of her awakening. He wanted so much to play the sandman, a foggy dream that just tickled her consciousness. As she began to stir, he removed his mouth and held his hand tight over the wounds. Within minutes the bleeding stopped and he forced himself to leave her side. As an afterthought, he turned back and knelt beside her to whisper in her ear, “forget me." Before she opened her eyes, he vanished, speeding through the woods towards his hidden lair in the depths of the mysterious Big Thicket. Stopping, he realized that he had one more errand to run before he returned home. The post office was not far out of the way and he needed to check his box. When he arrived at the small building that housed the postal boxes, he checked first for humans around. Finding none he walked right in, picked up one of the numerous large mail tubs and went straight to his box. Holding his breath, he inserted his key into the lock and eased the door open.

Empty. He released his breath in a long sigh and stood staring at the inside of the box, all shiny and metal and spotlessly clean. It seemed even worse that it was the largest box available at the post office. In his anticipation of tons of mail, he had scoffed at the smaller boxes and rented the very largest one. His shoulders slumped in disappointment and Ben let the mail tub drop to the floor with a depressing thump. He expected something back from his latest venture by now. The main doors swung open and Ben spun around sure that Colin had caught him. Relief washed over him when he saw the older gentleman and he laughed out loud. Just a normal human being, no supernatural fiend here to catch him unawares. The man went to his box, opened it and removed handfuls and handfuls of mail that he bundled into his baggy sweatshirt. Ben watched with growing exasperation as the old man filled his arms full of mail, fumbled to close his box and left the post office. He thought for a brief moment of chasing the man down and cracking his balding head like an egg, but he knew his rage was not directed at that shuffling old being. He glared back at his empty box, kicked the mail basket and set it flying across the room, then slammed the box door so hard that it flew back open and smacked into his forehead. Mortification! Glancing around, it thrilled him to see that no one saw his fit. Nothing as important as that. With great care, he closed the door again and locked it, then turned to leave the post office. He caught his reflection in the window glass and his face flushed with embarrassment, camouflaging the angry red lines across his forehead. Oh, his childish temper! His resilient body healed even as he watched, the welts fading so that no one would ever need to know about his little tantrum or the consequences from it. Ben set out posthaste to make his way back through the woods. Maybe he would beat Colin back from town and he could work on a new system to amass his wealth. But then again, he sure wanted to peek in at his newfound plaything, the pretty lady by the lake. What did she think of when she awakened to find herself in bed? Did she remember him at all? He hesitated, trying to decide to do either the smart thing and return home or the fun thing instead. He wanted to go back to the beautiful black haired woman, see the shock on her face, see her bright green eyes widen with surprise when she saw him. But no, the creator would return soon and he didn't want to explain his obsession with this human girl. He couldn't explain it even to himself. He just knew that he would visit her again even though this was the wrong time for him to be socializing. Next week, he could woo her all he wanted with no worries. He definitely planned to bite her ... at least once. He continued through the dense thicket towards the cabin and what an ordeal the Big Thicket proved to be, even for him with his strength and flexibility. But Colin, the genius, used the vines and underbrush to his advantage and built the cabin deep in the middle of these east Texas woods, virtually inaccessible to humans. No trails leading to their lair, no driveway, no roads, not even a deer path! Too bad Ben didn't see how Colin had the cabin built but Colin had lived here many years before he came into being. What a marvel to behold, a typical woodsman's cabin, but on a grander scale. The ideal night stalker's sanctum sanctorum with its reinforced shutters bolted from the inside, dead bolt locks on both steel doors and double thick fire proof inner walls. As he approached the back door he dug into his slacks pocket and removed his keys, eyeing his black slacks with distaste as he unlocked the door. How he hated wearing black, but the creator insisted upon proper attire during the full moon. What difference did it really make? No one ever saw them until it was too late anyway, so why not wear plaid or neon pink for that matter? Colin kept the cabin cool inside and if felt wonderful after being out in the warm evening air. He didn't know what he disliked more down here in Texas, the extreme heat and humidity in summer or the bone-chilling damp cold in the winter. But, here in the midst of the towering pines, what vampire in his right mind would complain? Quiet and cool, two of Colin's favorite things and it showed in the way that he built his house. Fans whirred on the ceiling in every room. No carpet graced his floors; instead, natural wood glowed with a rich polished sheen, so polished in fact that you could glide like an ice skater across the floor in your stocking feet. Ben thought it best, however, to restrict this activity to the times that Colin stayed away from the cabin. Colin kept his floors immaculate as well as the rest of his roomy cabin and he passed that habit on to him. Or rather, he demanded the same from him. The Creator taught Ben from the beginning to practice cleanliness at home and then during feeding as well. Nothing as bad as leaving a mess on your prey, but it took practice to get it right, so practice he did. Even though Colin hated taking human life, he may very well have taken Ben's life if he defied him! Ben did like the sport. He loved

the chase ... the ultimate high, the romance of sinking his teeth into a beautiful young girl's pliant throat, then leaving her in a swoon from which she awakened remembering nothing. He had to admit that he found most humans beautiful in some way and he didn't need Colin's nagging to protect that beauty from himself. It was of the greatest importance to him, but regardless he enjoyed the chase and secretly scoffed at Colin for drinking plasma from a wineglass and spending his time at home, cleaning his already spotless house. No matter. Loving his life, he would never dream of defying his creator. Nope, never happen. This week, the week of the full moon, totally sucked. He hated it and felt like a monster bent on stealing human lives, one after another. He couldn't control himself, no matter how hard he tried. He took one life every night and in the beginning sometimes more than one body fell due to his terrible hunger. Colin told him that it could not be helped and to learn to deal with it, so he tried to adapt just like he did to the detestable black clothes and the rich blood diet that sustained his life. "What say you, Ben?” The deep soft spoken voice came from right behind him and he spun around to greet his creator. The blood rushed to his face, burning his cheeks for he was more than a little embarrassed, taken unawares, caught daydreaming. "Good evening, Colin.” He smiled up at the taller blood seeker, his affection for his elder obvious on his blushing face. "Did everything come out all right for you tonight?” Colin's words a melody to anyone's ears, immortal or not, and Ben always loved to hear his carefully modulated voice. His articulations so precise, it made him think of restrained awesome power. He gave a small laugh at Colin's pun, relieved to see the twinkle in those deep brown eyes that proved Colin was in good spirits this evening. "I'm glad you're in a good mood tonight.” Ben followed his dark mentor into the library. He could not believe his eyes. Colin had a bounce to his normally staid step. "All right, spit it out. What's with you tonight? The full moon usually puts you in a foul mood, and I could swear that I almost saw you smile!" Colin stood with his back to his young apprentice, his eyebrows drawn together, a hint of a smile on his lips. Running his long fingers through his hair, he tried to put his tousled curls into some semblance of order. How could one appear menacing with these damned ‘Shirley Temple’ curls sticking out all over his head? Before he turned to face his curious friend, he set his features into his best, expressionless, blood-seeker face then he spun on his heel to catch Ben staring at him. His sky blue eyes burned with curiosity and Colin couldn't help but to tease him a little. "Ah yes ... inquiring minds want to know." To his credit, the younger one stood his ground. "You have to admit, Creator, you are not your usual solemn self. So I'm nosey, so beat me, but first enlighten me please, Colin.” He dropped to his knees and clasped his hands together in front of his face mutely begging for an explanation. In a split second, Colin placed his foot on Ben's knee, and with the smallest of nudges sent his pupil sprawling on the floor. "Clown! I should beat you senseless, should I not? But then again you are already quite senseless, so what is the use I ask you?” They both smiled, then laughed at each other as Colin towered over his young one, daring him to start any more melodramatic antics. With no more silliness forthcoming, he turned away. Folding himself into his favorite armchair, he sighed and waited for Ben to do the same before he spoke again. "If you must know, I am bringing in another this week.” Colin spoke with no more emotion than someone reading a grocery list. "But, Creator! Am I not pleasing you? Give me another chance, please, Colin." "Stop! It should not be in your nature to be presumptive. Remove your heart from your mouth my zealous protégé and listen to me.” He cleared his throat with deliberate meaning and ran his fingers through his tousled curls once more, and then he went on.

"It is my chosen one that I must bring in this week. It is time." "What do you mean your chosen one?" "My mate, Benjamin." "Oh." "No more questions. I would like to finish this book.” He waved his hand at the earmarked book on the table beside him. “You should, perhaps, read one also and leave me in peace." Ben bowed his head in acquiescence, staring at the tips of his hated black loafers. "Yes, Colin.” He knew to argue would be futile, because once Colin had his nose in a book he didn't want to be disturbed. Woe be to the one foolish enough to interrupt him. Having felt the creator's displeasure before he would rather not be the source of it again. What mate? He hadn't even been dating! Ben slunk from the room and went to his own bedroom. His vault. It's fireproof walls and steel door reminded him of a bank vault, but he didn't mind. After all, it was safe, very safe. Colin had the vault-like rooms built so they could not be attacked or destroyed by fire during their time of weakness as they slept. Of course anyone, blood seeker or not, felt weakest while they slept, and humans went to bed in normal bedrooms. Arck! Did he just think that? Boy there would be hell to pay if he did not change his attitude. Ben knew he should feel grateful to have such a creator to protect him, even though he doubted that anything could ever really destroy them. He closed the heavy vault door shutting himself away from the rest of the world. He could turn on his stereo as loud as he wanted without disturbing Colin. Sound did not penetrate these thick walls. Colin would have to purposely listen in to hear anything in his room. With the press of a button, the harmonious voices of the Oak Ridge Boys floated into the room from the hidden speakers. "From her silky long hair to her sexy long legs..." With an exasperated moan he flipped the stereo back off, and in a fit of pure humanism he flung himself on the bed and lay staring at the ceiling. He couldn't get the girl by the lake off his mind. Her long black hair, her bright green eyes, wide with shock ... her blood.

Two Colin woke the following night ravenous, and his stomach rumbled as he put on his dark suit to go out for the night. Hearing Ben's door open, he dashed to his doorway and stepped into the hall to face his young friend. "Good evening, Benjamin." Colin stroked his chin in slow, even strokes with his forefinger and thumb, as he stared across the hall at his fidgeting, uncomfortable neophyte. Ben rocked from foot to foot, back and forth, swaying as if the floor grew hot beneath his soles. The longer Colin stared the more Ben squirmed until, without saying a word he turned and bolted down the hallway to escape Colin's scrutiny. Colin laughed to himself and darted around him, using all his centenarian speed to beat the young one to the back door. When Ben rounded the corner, Colin stood waiting, leaning against the doorframe, nonchalantly studying the label on the laundry soapbox. He heard the muttered oath that slipped from Ben's lips and he felt the nervousness laced with a touch of fear emanating from his pores. Fear of him? But why? He had never been cruel to his young companion. In a soft friendly voice he asked, “How is it that you accumulated so much extra poundage while you slept this day, Benjamin?” He let the corners of his mouth lift just enough to let Ben know that he was not angry with him, but just curious. What could that boy be up to this time? "Uh, Creator..." Ah, he uses ‘creator’ when he fears displeasing me even though he is aware that I dislike the overuse of that word almost as much as I loathe the word vampire. "Yes, Ben?” His eyes traveled up and down the nervous blonde's padded figure. "Creator ... It's just that..." Colin interrupted by clicking his tongue on the back of his teeth. "Remove your outside layer of clothing, Benjamin." He heard another muttered oath from his obstinate pupil despite his attempt to muffle it. "What was that, Ben?" "Nothing.” Ben stared at his wing tip shoes, unwilling to look into Colin's face again. With reluctance, he unbuttoned his pressed black slacks and let them drop to the floor, then glanced back up at Colin. Colin leaned back, his feet crossed at the ankles, hands in his pockets, a picture of tranquility, watching Ben with half closed eyes. Ben was not blind to the slight heightened color in his creator's cheeks that belied his calm appearance and he decided he'd better hurry and comply with Colin's demands before he grew angry with him. With arms as weighty as granite, he pulled the dark blazer off his shoulders and started to throw it on the floor in a fit of annoyance. But when he glanced up and saw Colin's stern expression, those dark eyebrows drawn together, he changed his mind and just tossed it over his forearm. He prayed that Colin wouldn't notice what he had under his shirt but after meeting his eyes, he knew he wouldn't be so lucky. Why did his creator have to be so damned observant? A blue t-shirt with red lettering was visible through the thin material of Ben's white dress shirt, but Colin couldn't quite make out the words behind the row of buttons on his outer shirt. Ben's discomfort over his small disobedience was quite amusing and Colin found himself enjoying this confrontation. Raising his eyebrows and widening his eyes, he stared at the row of buttons until Ben groaned and unbuttoned then removed his white shirt.

"There! Are you satisfied, Creator?” Defiant, he stood before Colin, a perfect foil to his black power suit clad, dark-haired, darkeyed creator. "Benjamin, you know perfectly well I prefer you wear proper formal garments during the week of the full moon, and yet here you stand in your faded jeans and t-shirt. I am not going to even mention the words printed on that shirt. I believe it goes without saying why you must remove it at once!” After his stern command, he spun around on his heel to hide the smile he could not suppress. Only his neophyte could discover a t-shirt stating, BLOOD DONORS NEEDED. He did not want Ben to know he found it so humorous. Without turning around, he spoke. “Why do you defy me, young one?" "Colin, I didn't mean to defy you, I intended to wear your definition of proper attire to hunt, but uh ... I..." Before he could utter another ‘uh', Colin spun around, moved to within inches of him and stood staring down at his reddened face, his all-seeing eyes radiant with an inner glow. "You what?” Colin's voice was no more abrasive than the scratch of an owl's wing through the air, but his words rasped across Ben's eardrums like coarse sandpaper and he couldn't help but wince. Backing away from his powerful maker, he stumbled over his discarded clothing like an intoxicated human, then struggled to right himself and bolster his courage to face Colin's wrath as he gave his explanation. Ben drew a deep breath, held it, then released it in a rush. “I'm going to see a girl." It was a relief to get it off his chest and he smiled wide enough to flash his dimples at Colin. "A pretty one.” Ben raised his right hand, index finger up and shook it back and forth ... “But not to kill ... to play with." He searched his mentor's face for some sign of emotion, but as usual Colin's features remained frozen into an expressionless mask, only one eyebrow twitching for a moment. Colin moved to exit the house then stopped, with his hand still on the doorknob and his eyes met Ben's. “Step lightly, my friend, for I will not bear my rules to be tread upon.” Then he was gone, a blur even to Ben's keen eyes. Colin sure said strange things ... it wasn't so much what he said, but the strange way he said it. Ben sighed, relieved. Smiling to himself, he made his way back to his room to change out of the offending t-shirt. He should've known he wouldn't be able to sneak by Colin, but at least he didn't explode and throw him across the room when he saw it. Lucky for him Colin remained in a good mood! Colin traveled like a blur through the thicket, his predatory instincts tuned to his surroundings, the thirst driving him toward his next victim. He didn't need to go to the city this evening because a small group of boisterous, foolhardy humans camped in a secluded area near one of the thicket's numerous man-made lakes. He glanced with distaste around the area. They littered their crude little campsite with debris from their night “roughing it.” Strewn beer cans, candy wrappers, cellophane, Styrofoam cups and plates and cigarette butts transformed a beautiful natural setting into a literal dump. He waited with the seasoned infinite patience of one of his species, watching the group from the perimeter of the firelight. Ah, his favorite way to hunt, the waiting ... as it gave him time to envision the moment when his fangs entered the yielding flesh of his quarry's throat. Not only his means of survival, but a very sensual act for him. All his senses blazed for that brief moment until it all turned to ashes when he took a life. That part, however, stayed far from his mind at this moment as his mouth flooded with his potent saliva and his heart raced in anticipation of the lethal bite. Soon his patience earned a reward as one of the women rose and stumbled away from the others into the woods. She giggled and yelled back over her shoulder, “Y'all don't peek now! She tramped so far into the darkness that no one in the campsite could see her even without the trees blocking their view.

Colin heard one of her male companions tell the others in a stage whisper, “Who would want to peek?” and they all snickered at his snide remark. Such compassion for their companions. Colin shook his head and went after the doomed girl. So easy to be a predator in this decade! People felt little love for each other and lived their secular lives alone, quaking with the fear of lethal diseases transmitted by human contact. He wondered how long it would take the group to notice one of its members missing, if in their intoxicated state they noticed at all. Standing within two feet of her, his arms crossed, he waited for the woman to see him. She hooked her thumbs in the waistband of her knit shorts, about to pull them down over her ample hips, when she stopped. The downy hair on her arms stood on end as she raised her head to meet Colin's gaze. She tried to speak, but strangled on her words and swallowed, then she tried again. "Who are you?" He said nothing and took a step towards her. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound left her lips as his powerful hand clamped over her gaping mouth and he pushed her to the ground. She began to feel real fear, her eyes wide with shock as she stared into his dark, handsome features. His voice sounded like a sweet lullaby when he spoke, caressing her into a serenity she had never before felt. "Do not be afraid. Do not move. Do not scream." The silky ambrosial words reverberated through her head and her heavy limbs fell to the ground like dismembered parts of a forgotten dream. Her body no longer responded to her commands even if she had any thoughts other than the billowy clouds floating with carefree bliss across her mind. Removing his hand from her mouth, fingernails lightly grazing her skin, he brushed the ash blonde hair away from her neck and pulled her peasant blouse over exposing her shoulder. Colin allowed his adoration for her to show on his face for a brief but interminable moment, and then he turned her head to the side with his index finger. She lay as quiet and trusting as a babe in the crib. In one rushed movement, he bent over her and thrust his sharp fangs into the pliant flesh at the bend of her neck and shoulder, not spilling a drop as the hot blood jetted through his teeth and into the back of his throat. She gasped as his teeth entered her, but she didn't cry out. No, instead she sighed, relaxing as his lips locked to her throat and he drew the sustenance from her veins. She gave up her life without a struggle, and as usual, her death left a bitter taste in Colin's mouth. Ashes. Ashes, and more ashes. It did not matter how many hundreds of years he lived, he would never enjoy death and never is such a very long time. He dug a shallow grave with his bare hands, and covered her drained body with dirt, twigs, and pine needles, smoothing it out so that the ground did not appear disturbed. The human law officers would search for the unfortunate woman for a few days then write her off as another victim of the thicket, swallowed up by the infamous, vast woods, never to be seen or heard from again. Those oblivious lawmen never knew that the thicket did not swallow up all those victims, but a very fastidious hunter of humans, one that never left behind evidence in his own backyard, helped many foolish people disappear. Once again disgusted with himself for killing an innocent person, he bowed down beside her hidden grave and stared unseeing at the ground.

"So sorry...” Then like a faint breeze in the heat of summer, he disappeared, as quick as he had appeared. Speeding back towards his lair, Colin felt a glimmer of his young one's presence. Benjamin neared the thicket. He must have already made his kill in the city. Good. The ceiling fans needed dusting, and Ben could do that while he re-waxed the den floor. He wanted his cabin to be presentable when his chosen one called his name. After all, he didn't want her to think they would live like animals! Ben entered the woods in a flurry. In his haste, he chose his quarry with no regard to safety or cleanliness as he usually did. Street drugs flowed through the vagabond's veins and now his too. He tasted the poison in the man's blood, but he ignored it in his quest to quench his thirst and return to his beautiful lady by the lake. Never before had he fed in this haphazard fashion. How human to let lust rule over his mind! Now he suffered the stuffy-headed drunken vertigo that humans sought after with gusto, but he detested. Oh to be a Creator himself so things like this would not affect him. "Dammit all!” Ben stumbled through the dense undergrowth, a tangle of thorns snagging his stupid black pants. Too bad. Colin wouldn't allow him to wear slacks with tears in the fabric. Yeah, too bad. One of the sticker vines captured his ankle, and in his inebriated state he didn't catch himself before he fell to the ground. Ben remained still for a moment, his chest heaving, trying to gain control of himself before he exploded with frustration. His supernatural liver filtered the poisons from his blood stream, but even his body had limitations! It would probably be half an hour before the effects of the drugs were gone. Damn! If he waited that long she would already be inside her cabin, under the artificial lighting, and that would not do during this week when he sported the complexion of an invalid! Ignoring the broiling in his stomach he rose and charged through the trees, breaking limbs and tearing vines in his haste. Finally! He found the tiny road leading to her cabin and there she sat in her usual spot down by the lake, swatting at the endless army of mosquitoes. She draped her bare arms around her unclad legs, her chin resting on her knees. As before, she sat staring out at the lake, seeming to absorb the light from the full moon. This time his heart raced instead of hers as he gazed at that tantalizing bare skin. He felt with a mixture of human and blood seeker emotion that he wanted to caress her, to make her want him, to charm her and oh yes, to taste her. He sighed with disappointment. It would be too easy. With his preternatural gaze, women and men alike fell at his feet with the slightest glance from his captivating baby blues. Most humans gave him no challenge, no sport. He would really enjoy a good chase and tussle, how invigorating! He smiled watching his quarry grow more irritated with the pesky mosquitoes. She squirmed, slapping her own skin with more than enough force to kill the tiny bloodsuckers. Look up, my beauty and see a bigger bloodsucker to pester you! His smile grew broader as he moved to within a few yards of her hot body; her denim clad derriere sinking deeper in the sandy shoreline as she wiggled and swatted her exposed arms and legs. He stood waiting for her to turn and see him, a talent he picked up from Colin. He had to admit it was fun to see how long it took for her to notice his presence and he almost giggled. His feet planted apart, arms crossed over his chest, one hand in a fist propped under his slightly pointed chin, and his eyes fixed on her long luxurious mane of hair, he waited. He stood still, so still one would think him a wax figure in a museum that you stared at long and hard to see if it would blink or draw a breath. Yes! He knew she sensed his presence when her muscles tensed and she stopped squirming to listen. All at once, a rash of goose bumps broke out over Joanna's body, and she had the terrible feeling that something crouched behind her. She fought the almost overwhelming urge to jump up and run, like during childhood when she had to get up in the middle of the night. On the way back down the long dark hallway, she always imagined someone crept along behind her and she sprinted back to bed and dove under the covers to escape. Only then, that tingly feeling on the back of her neck dissolved away. At this moment that tingly sensation covered her entire body! Turning her head, so slow, so afraid of what she might see, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted her intruder. She sighed with

relief. Her tense body slumped for a moment, then she gathered herself and stood to face him. Only a man, and a very young one at that. "What are you doing here?” She threw the words into his grinning boyish face with the rudest tone she could muster. While waiting for his answer she inspected him, her gaze traveling from his head to his feet and back again. A full head of shiny blonde hair just touched his broad shoulders. That longish blonde hair framed such a baby face with smooth rounded cheeks that he would never look old. His clear and rather pale skin seemed to reflect the moonlight. Oily skin? Perhaps he needed an astringent. His rather thin lips curved into a smile, although he seemed perplexed by her simple question as he drew his high eyebrows together and his piercing azure eyes bored into hers. Such peculiar clothing! Black slacks, single breasted black jacket, worn open and a white dress shirt, with the first three buttons undone. The part of his chest exposed in the V of his shirt was as hairless as his soft young face ... no surprise there. His shoes also appeared to be better suited for office wear, the black tips peeking out under his starched black slacks. No one in their right mind would wear dress shoes out here, but there they are. How strange to dress in such a manner for a stroll in the woods! Already the slacks sported damage to one leg. Maybe his car broke down on his way to Houston or something. She wanted to think that, but the way he watched her every movement, her every breath, worried her. She broke away from his stare, walking to his left so he wouldn't block her path to the cabin. Growing more and more uncomfortable, she gathered her fading bravado and looked down her nose at him. "What part of, ‘what are you doing here’ do you NOT understand?” Surprised at her own impoliteness but proud of the strength in her voice, she frowned and crossed her arms in front of her chest. He continued to stare back at her without answering for so long that she began to think that maybe this guy couldn't hear or speak or maybe he was just retarded. That would help explain the odd dress anyway. Joanna started to turn away and go back into her cabin when he quickened, blinking his big blue eyes then moving his head to and fro as if in disbelief. With that same aggravating little smile still planted on his lips, he spoke, his voice low. "Hunting." Joanna's heart skipped a beat. "What?" He tilted his head to the side, looking at her as if trying to understand her. “Are you hard of hearing or just retarded and don't understand?" Joanna gasped. Could he hear her thoughts or was it just a coincidence that he said those things? Either way, she grew more frightened, her pulse accelerating until she heard it pounding through her ears, like the heartbeat of doom. It dawned on her how peculiar it was to meet anyone this deep in the woods at all. No other cabins for miles and no major roads anywhere nearby either. He cleared his throat and she watched as his tongue swept across his lips, wetting them before he smiled again and took a step closer to her as he began to speak. "At any rate, you asked what I am doing here and I answered, simply enough ... hunting. You asked me what and I imagine that meant you want to know what I am hunting. I wonder, do you really want to know?" She moved away from him, backing up until she came up against a tree, her eyes searching him the entire time for weapons. She saw none, unless he had something tucked in the back of his pants, but somehow she just knew he needed no weapons, he reeked of strength. That baby face of his disguised his true nature, she knew that now. Her injured hand began to itch and she rubbed the healing scratches against the rough bark of the tree until she felt the warm blood

oozing down her fingers. Raising her arm, she stared from her bloodied hand to the handsome young stranger, then back again to the opened cuts. A spark of recognition flared and at once, she knew. The grin vanished from his face, and in its place a grimace, but a grimace from what ... pain? ... hunger? He put his hand to his forehead and pressed like he was in distress, but his eyes never left her face. He lowered his hand until it again hung loose and limp at his side, then he took another step towards her. She bolted like a frightened deer in the direction of her cabin. But of course the hunter beat her to the door and stood waiting for her with open arms and a wide grin. Sliding to a halt at the porch steps, she screamed and froze. "Come to me my pretty little doe, I won't hurt you.” Soothing her with his voice, he came down the steps. She turned to run, but his arms enveloped her from behind in a loose comforting hug. Oh yes, Ben had her where he wanted her now. No way she could resist, despite her earlier unpleasant thoughts about him being retarded. He wouldn't hold that against her. He wrapped his arms around her warm, sensuous body and pulled her close to his chest. She snorted in a very un-ladylike manner and elbowed him in the stomach with the strength of four grown men. He released her as the air rushed from his lungs and he could only watch through pain filled eyes as she ran into the woods, without looking back, pumping her legs faster than he thought her body could move. Unprepared for a blow to the stomach, his blood filled gut rebelled, emptying its contents in one violent gush. He doubled over on the ground trying not to vomit all over his clothes so Colin wouldn't find out that he puked his dinner. He couldn't endure Colin knowing that this happened, so much worse than the vomiting itself. He would blame it on the poisons that he consumed earlier and not mention the fact that the woman struck him. How embarrassing! How weak she made him feel. Damn her. Now she would pay and pay dearly. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Her lungs hurt with every ragged breath she drew and the pain in her side grew worse with every step, yet on she ran dodging trees and scurrying through the underbrush. After several minutes hearing no footfall behind her she chanced a look over her shoulder. Nothing behind her! She almost laughed with relief, but still she kept running. She ran right into his arms. He held her in a lover's embrace, cooing to her as she struck out with both fists at his face and kicked at his dense legs. The buzzing headache that he felt earlier returned, but his lust overpowered the mounting pain and he ignored it with ease. Despite his previous anger, with a tender touch he smoothed the tangled hair away from her ear and whispered his message, the warmth of his breath moistening her ear canal. "Oh yes, kick at me, wiggle your body! Do it, do it! Your struggling only serves to excite me more so by all means continue to fight me, little wild cat. I love it." She stilled and stood shivering with anger and frustration in his arms. She would not give him the satisfaction of struggling more. Her efforts excited him. He made that very apparent as he rubbed himself against her hipbone. His long hardness moved up and down her side and she swallowed the bile that threatened to creep up her throat. Ben eased her away from him, holding her by the upper arms so he could look into her flushed face. With all his hypnotic power he peered into her blazing eyes, calming her, reassuring her, seducing her. His confident manner infuriated and disgusted her at the same time and she could barely restrain herself. She wanted to blurt out how stupid he appeared with his eyes all dreamy looking and that she would rather be anywhere but here with him. To her own amazement, she held her tongue and bided her time. With exaggerated slow movements, he bent his head down to hers and pressed his lips to her soft mouth. Then just when he thought she surrendered to him, she snapped her teeth on his lower lip. He cried out more from surprise than from pain and

instinctively pushed her away from him as he grabbed for his throbbing lip. The little human woman had drawn blood from him! Enraged, he turned to give chase to that she-devil, but he took only one step when she sealed her own fate. In her panic, she stumbled over a fallen branch and crashed headlong into a rather large pine tree, rendering herself unconscious. She lay sprawled at the foot of the tree, her arms outstretched in front of her as if she tried to catch herself at the last moment, but her heightened fear and her momentum proved too great. The tree did what he wanted to do when she bit him, only now he could do what he wanted to anyway. Too bad she couldn't hear him laugh ... he really wished she could.

Three Warmth and wetness on the back of her hand. Slurping. The cat? Why did Patches lick her hand? The dream hurt! She struggled to swim through the thick blackness, her limbs sluggish and numb, wanting to give up, but she persevered and broke through the surface. Her heavy lids lifted and through the small slits she saw him, the young hunter, right in front of her! He raised his eyes to meet hers. Oh those blazing blue eyes! Finally she awakens. He began to think he would have no fun with her at all before he killed her. The corners of his mouth lifted in a slight smile, breaking the suction on her hand and the deep scratches began to ooze, flowing down to her wrist. Weighted, powerless, in a dreamy state, she seemed unable to move. His smile still in place, he stuck out his tongue and ran it over her hand, licking the blood from her skin, a look of intense pleasure on his luminous face. He bent so close to her that she saw the blood sliding over the tiny bumps on his tongue, mixing with his saliva and spreading over his tongue onto his teeth and farther into his glistening mouth. The wounds closed, her blood clotting and he lifted his upper lip revealing two long eyeteeth, white and shiny. Her dream state vanished in an instant. Her eyes flew open wide and she struggled to sit up, jerking her hand away from his mouth and those keen teeth. She stared into his pale face, her body trembling... "Holy shit, are you for real?” Her broken whisper fought to escape through her swollen lips. His head began to ache, right behind his eyes but he tried to hide it from her, difficult as it was. Her blood sang to him and distracted him from the pain that grew more intense as Joanna became more lucid. He shook his head several times as if to flip the hair back out of his eyes, but it didn't help. Willing himself to forget about the headache, he gazed back down at his captive audience. "Welcome back Joanna! I'm so happy to see you're awake!” His soft, singsong voice danced from his lips but it didn't charm her at all. In fact, her pale face turned a bit green then she recovered in a flash. "How do you know my name?" She gawked at him, her eyes traveling from his mouth to her wounded hand and back again to his sensuous mouth. "Your wallet, of course.” An obvious lie. The real danger of her situation blew away any remaining fogginess in her brain and the fight or flight response kicked in with a vengeance. She would not go down without one hell of a fight. "I've got good news for you, little wild cat." As soon as he started to speak, she rolled away from him and attempted to flee. Without even pausing in his sentence, he extended one powerful arm, pushing her back down onto the bed, holding her there with ease. He sighed and shook his head. “I'm trying to talk to you and I'd appreciate it if you would lie still and be quiet." "Go to Hell!" She gathered her strength and packed it into one great kick with both her feet. It felt like kicking the side of a house! Her attacker didn't move, didn't even flinch, but instead continued grinning down at her as he slid his body over hers. His movements seemed effortless and fluid, like water flowing over a cliff. He lay prone on top of her body holding her still with his extraordinary strength and continued speaking to her as if nothing had happened, the epitome of serenity. "As I was saying before, I've got good news for you."

"What are you?" He ignored her question. "I'm not going to toy with you like I had originally planned. Although I have to admit, you squirming around beneath me is highly stimulating." "Get off me you asshole!" "Since you are immune to my hypnotic powers..." "Fuck your powers!" ".... and recently you've developed such vulgar language, I've decided you are too much of a pain in my backside to continue dallying with you." She attempted to spit in his face, but not a drop of moisture remained in her mouth, dry as the Texas prairie in August. She could swear she even tasted the dust. "Let me go, you lunatic!" Again he ignored her remark and smiled down at her, his lips wide, teeth bared. Could those be fake fangs? What a pervert. But they look so realistic ... oh shit ... oh no ... they are real! Oh shit, he is real! The first twinges of hysteria gathered in her gut as she realized that rape may not be the only thing this man planned for her, though that alone frightened her enough. On top of that, was he even an actual man? Would he call himself a vampire? Her eyes bulged from their sockets as she stared at his formidable fangs, real fangs, and for the first time in her life, she found herself at a loss for words. But on the other hand, she fought to prevent an out of control giggling fit as she imagined him leaned back in a dentist's chair having those teeth cleaned. With slow, almost demure movements, the vampire/man/lunatic settled closer and her panic rose, the serene look to his features more frightening than a scowl. She struggled with renewed vigor, kicking and screaming to a deaf audience. His tranquil expression never wavered as she fought in vain and with little effort, he nudged her head over with his chin as if to kiss her ear. "I did tell you that it excites me when you struggle, so please continue to do so. I love it, really, I do." His muscular arms and legs locked to her body, preventing any movement, and his crushing weight barely allowed her to even draw a breath. Only then did he drive his fangs into her neck, hitting the pulsing artery. The twin shafts of burning pain seared into her and she could feel his pull all the way to her fingertips as he siphoned the blood from her protesting veins. "No!" He stopped and whispered against her skin, “Yes ... oh yes!” The movement of his lips sent chills down her arms and she knew he saw the gooseflesh because he snickered. "I knew you would enjoy it, wild cat.” He locked his lips back to her throat and moaned in ecstasy as his mouth filled with her intoxicating blood. She wanted to tell him revulsion caused the chills, a far cry from pleasure in her mind, but queasiness kept her from speaking or even struggling. Joanna's head lolled to the side as she weakened under the blonde vampire's onslaught. The front door stood open

and through the screen she saw the full moon hanging low in the sky. The sight of the moon somehow revitalized her for a brief moment, and seconds before she fainted from the loss of blood, her mouth flew open of it's own volition and she called out loud and clear. "Colin!" Ben recoiled, leaping off the bed to stare slack-jawed down at her. Her once golden complexion faded to a sickly pale yellow and her chest barely rose with each shallow breath. As he stared the thirst in him broiled, demanding the satisfaction that only her death would bring. Fighting his nature, he grasped her by the shoulders, shaking her, screaming in her face. "Why did you say that? Why did you say the name, Colin? Who is he to you? Answer me damn it! Wake up.... wake up!" He growled in frustration and hunger. The woman would not awaken and the thirst became a pain gnawing at his insides. How could she know his Colin? It had to be a mere coincidence. Probably her boyfriend's name, so many Colins in the world. Even as the thoughts crossed his mind, he knew he fooled himself. He just knew she called Colin, his creator, Colin... Ben's gut instinct screamed for him to run far away from this woman, but the primal urge for blood defeated his conscience and fangs distended, he bent to her throat once more... "Benjamin! NO!” He felt the mighty hand on the back of his neck and his feet left the floor. It could only be his Creator. He knew before his feet again touched the floor what he would see when he turned around. They stood facing one another, Ben fighting the thirst with all his power as he stared into Colin's dark smoldering eyes. It's over now. He thought for sure he would soon be destroyed. Colin's punishment would be severe. Amazed that he drew breath still, he clutched his stomach to squash the pain and watched with total surprise as Colin turned away from him to look with tenderness at the woman he almost killed. Shit, it is her, this Joanna, she is his chosen one, that extra something he sensed but could not categorize, Colin's touch, his mark. How could this happen? What were the odds? Why with all the victims in the world that he had to choose from had this one woman been the one? Death, he deserved it. Through eyes clouded with thirst, he saw his creator's long elegant fingers trail down the side of the woman's face and neck, stopping at the puncture wounds, circling them, first clockwise then counter-clockwise. Ben felt the violent urge to be sick. "What have you done, young one?” The anguish and the restrained fury evident even in Colin's quiet words and Ben's heart froze with dread ... leaden glacial dread. Joanna didn't stir, her skin pale, except for the hollows under her eyes where the blue tint marred her marble complexion. She appeared to be near death and Ben felt overcome with shame. How could he not know? He wanted to go to Colin and apologize, beg forgiveness, but terror kept his legs stiff, refusing to obey, to move towards him and grovel. A good thing, the terror ... it also kept the raging thirst reined in, even as it ate him alive from the inside. The curse of immortality. The curse she brought back to the surface when she elbowed him in the gut and made him lose his previous meal. He didn't mean for this to happen at all. Damn her. She was supposed to be his conquest, his lover, not his meal. With a quick twirl on his heel, Colin spun around to face him. Here it comes, at least make it a quick death. The expression on Colin's face was, as usual, unreadable. To Ben's amazement, his features softened as he examined him. Could it be that the powerful Colin sensed his neophyte's anguish and understood? "How were you to know, Ben? She did not even know herself that she is my chosen one.” His soft-spoken words had a calming effect, but Ben still doubled over and groaned as the gnawing in his gut grew more ferocious. Colin's gentle touch on his shoulder brought him around. He raised his head to see Colin's arm extended toward him, palm up, his sleeve rolled back to expose the extraordinary veins pulsing in his wrist. "Come, young one, I will ease your suffering."

After all I've done ... drink from you? Ben stared at the throbbing bluish veins with hunger then he met Colin's luminous eyes ... the almost imperceptible nod of his creator's head, answering his unspoken questions. "You must hurry, Ben. Joanna needs me also." Ben needed no further prompting. Holding Colin's arm with reverence, Ben brought the wrist to his mouth, hesitating as he felt the raw power surging through the elder blood seeker's body. Heart swelling with love as he drank, Ben cradled Colin's arm against his face. Colin, his creator, his savior.... Something broke into his swoon. Colin's other hand rested on his head and he eased his wrist out of Ben's grasp. Don't let it stop! Please! "No more Ben. The Creator spoke in his ear as he patted him on the side of his head and left him to minister to Joanna. Joanna, Joanna ... a pretty name, a happy name. How he hoped she would live to continue with her pretty, happy name. Ben prayed she would survive and he prayed she would not remember him. Her life and his also would never be the same again. He watched as Colin leaned over the bed where Joanna lay unconscious, and then he closed his eyes and prayed to every god, goddess and omnipotent entity he could remember. Lifting the limp Joanna in his arms, Colin could not resist holding her close to his chest and listening to her labored breathing. An unexpected tender feeling of protectiveness washed over him as he examined her pallid features. Her dark hair and lashes struck a vibrant contrast to her creamy pale complexion. Fighting a spark of anger, Colin addressed Ben without lifting his gaze from Joanna's face. “You are never again to touch her, understand my neophyte?” A deaf man could hear the restrained fury behind those words. Without waiting to hear Ben's nervous apology, Colin shifted Joanna's weight to one arm, pushed open the door, then stopped to turn back into the room. He surveyed her small cabin. Suitcases and personal articles strewn about, the cat hiding under the bed, the bird sitting, without a care, in his cage on the small round kitchen table. A slight frown upset Colin's otherwise bland expression then he grabbed the birdcage off the table, disturbing the parrot within who squawked a loud protest. From the porch, he called back to Ben. "Benjamin, bring the remainder of Joanna's belongings, including the frightened feline, to our home ... then I want you to go grocery shopping for our guest. I believe we have no human sustenance at our home, and she will need it to regain her strength. Do it posthaste Ben, my blood will not hold you for long, then you must find food of your own.” His last words floated back to Ben from the woods. Colin started back to his cabin at a dead run. In her dream, Joanna felt cold on one side and warm on the other. She snuggled closer to the warmth in her floating state. The clamminess of her skin faded as someone held a warm drink to her lips. She drank long and deep, feeling warmer with every swallow, and stronger... Opening her eyes she glimpsed the twinkling stars above, peeking through the treetops. To her left a pair of blazing orbs studied her then left her face to scan the darkness ahead. She sensed the menace, the strength, in those eyes, but when they veered her way, she felt a dreamy contentment, oblivion, then nothing. Colin strode into the house, dropping the bird off in the washroom, and then carrying his unconscious handful into the guestroom. A guest in the guest room, there's a first time for everything. With infinite care he placed her on the bed and removed her dirty blue running shoes. He pulled the blanket over her and gazed into her shadowed face. So still, so close to losing her, but she would make it, through this and through the transformation, he would see that she did! She moaned, a small sound that clutched at his heart and her face grew flush as his infusion reached her bloodstream. Padding across the room, Colin retrieved a damp washcloth from the adjoining bathroom and brought it to her bedside. She

seemed to relax some as he applied the cool cloth to her cheeks and forehead, and her soft moans ceased. Reminded once more of how close to death she came at the hand of his own foolish pupil, he clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth together in fury. Just a few more moments and Ben would have drained her. Any blood seeker, no matter how young, could empty his quarry in a matter of minutes. As he gazed upon her fragile form Colin forced himself to be calm, to cool his ire. His young Ben was too inexperienced to recognize the touch of a creator on his chosen one, and he must be forgiven for his mistake. Colin had no idea if even he would recognize the touch of another creator on one he had chosen to recreate in his image. The young one had not abused her. He simply fed on her, the forbidden blood irresistible to him. Even the wound on her hand appeared clean, placed with care to achieve maximum blood flow with the least amount of tearing in her delicate feminine skin. Colin heard the subject of his thoughts approaching the cabin. The lock turned, the door opened, and he heard the soft sound of the cat's agile paws hitting the floor as Ben entered their lair. Seconds later, he came into the bedroom, his arms full of Joanna's things. His glance flew to the girl's face as soon as he entered and Colin could see some of the tension leave his pupil's body when he realized she still lived. "Did you expect any less of me, young one?" "No, oh no Colin,” Ben whispered so he wouldn't wake Joanna. “I'm just surprised she's not up dancing about the room by now!" Colin frowned but said nothing, purposely making the young blood seeker nervous once more. Ben cleared his throat and looked around the room, anywhere but at Colin's face. "Well, it's off to the supermarket I go.” Ben turned with supernatural speed to leave the room. Mortal eyes would not have seen him leave but Colin did, and he saw the slight frown marring Ben's usually sunny smiling face. He sighed as he went back to tending Joanna's wounds, all anger at his neophyte gone for good. Ben wouldn't be so worried if he knew how much his creator loved him, but that was something he would never discover because Colin kept his feelings well hidden, buried beneath his cool emotionless facade. After cleaning Joanna's wounds and daubing them with iodine, he placed gauze on her neck and hand then fastened it in place with strips of white first aid tape. Although unnecessary to prevent infection or stop bleeding, the bandages covered the lacerations and punctures so she wouldn't see them and become even more frightened. Ben's extraordinary saliva killed any germs in the wounds, but Colin enjoyed ministering to Joanna in this manner. Joanna awoke but didn't move or open her eyes. She luxuriated in the sensuous pleasure of gentle fingers brushing against her throat. Curious to see the administrator, she cracked her eyelids just enough to see without alerting her medic. Peeking through her lashes she caught a glimpse of the most gorgeous man she'd ever had the good fortune to meet. I must have suffered a severe head trauma. No real person looks like that. I'm seeing things, that's it! The moment he entered her line of vision it almost took her breath away. His face, so ... perfect, lean but not emaciated, with high cheekbones, a straight nose and strong angular jaw. The pale skin flawless, no blemishes, no pimples, no razor stubble and it appeared almost translucent, such that it seemed if she stared long enough she would look through it at the muscles and tendons beneath. With her eyes cracked open, she couldn't tell if his dreamy eyes were coal black or the darkest of browns, but they did cast a radiance not unlike the glowing embers in a dying campfire. She resisted the urge to reach up and touch his hair to see if the long black curls felt as soft as they appeared. As she examined his hair, she felt a fleeting spark of recognition, too fleeting to be believable. How could she forget meeting this handsome creature? No way! "Do you like what you see Joanna?” Whisper quiet words, but he startled her nonetheless. Her eyes flew open at the sound of his voice, her temples throbbing with the accelerated beat of her heart. "Relax little one...” His words floated around her, touching her skin with light, misty strokes.

"Relax, you are safe...” To her surprise, his soothing voice worked better than sedation, calming her anxiety, reining in her racing pulse to a slow trot. She inhaled and blew out, then gazed up into those deep brown eyes, yes they were brown, she could see that now, a beautiful shade so deep that it was almost black, but the way they glimmered it brought out the deep chocolate luster. She could lose herself in his eyes. She had to jerk her head away to stop staring at them. "How did you know I was awake?” Amazing that her voice only trembled a little bit as she spoke. He reached for her uninjured hand and held it in a loose grip, giving it a light squeeze before he smiled down at her. “I am very observant." Once again his eyes captured hers and she couldn't tear her gaze away from his handsome face. She didn't realize that her mouth hung open until she heard his soft laugh. Her face flamed and she snapped her mouth shut, but still she watched his every move. He gathered up his medical supplies and stood towering over the bed observing her as she watched him. It made her dizzy to look up at him so she finally had to break the stare and look away. Joanna struggled to sit up, but found herself too weak to rise. Is this a hospital? It sure didn't look like one. "Where am I?” She labored to sit up once more. He pushed her back against the pillows and said, “Do not attempt to rise." Ignoring him, she managed to prop herself up on her elbows and craned her neck to see out the door. Again he pushed her back down on the bed and held her there with one hand. "Where am I?” She demanded this time. A look of irritation stained his features, eyebrows drawn together, lips tight, but it vanished so quick she didn't know if she saw it or not. This time he spoke with a deep melodious diction that she deducted was his natural timber instead of the light airy soothing voice he used with her before. "You are at your new home Joanna." Her eyes grew wide and she began to sputter. "Wha.... wha.... what?" He continued to hold her down on the bed, exerting little effort, her attempts to rise as ineffective as a kitten's. "This is my home, and Ben's, and now yours too." He gave her a lopsided smile, then his gaze traveled the length of her body, stopping to watch her chest rise and fall with her angry breathing, then rising to her face where their eyes locked. Lost in the rich dark caverns within his eyes she ceased her struggling with a sigh. "Do not attempt to rise.” His words rang in her ears like the note of a miniature gong. “You will find that you are physically unable to leave this bed." His command had been simple and low, yet firm. A voice of authority, a voice that expected to always be obeyed, a voice that she was determined to defy, no matter how gorgeous the owner. He lifted his hand, releasing her, but she remained still and that seemed to please him. She watched as he crossed the room and turned back to her at the doorway.

"I must go, but I will return soon. Try to get some rest." No sooner than the words filtered through her stuffy ears, he disappeared. She listened for his return. Hearing nothing, she put all her energy into getting out of the bed. Her body failed to cooperate but she continued to try until she panted with exhaustion and one foot made it to the edge of the bed. Joanna choked on her own saliva when the gorgeous one appeared beside her bed again. "Did I not just tell you to get some rest? Are our definitions of rest that different?” The irritation in his voice grated across her already frayed nerves and she flinched when he bent at the waist to bring his face close to hers. His mouth turned down at the corners as he scowled at her. Anything she had been about to say died in her throat when her flashing green eyes met blazing brown ones. "Go ... to ... sleep." Colin stood over his slumbering future mate, watching to make sure his hypnotic suggestion stayed with her. Then he went to the kitchen to see what Ben purchased in town. "I bought a little of everything so I hope she finds something she likes,” Ben said as Colin entered the room. No response from Colin. He turned to face him and noticed his creator standing at the refrigerator, his face as black as the back of his jacket. "What is it? What's the matter?" Colin sighed, lifting his hand to run his fingers through his hair several times before he opened the door to look inside the fridge. Satisfied with the contents, he nodded his head and closed the door before he met Ben's curious gaze. Resting his teeth on his bottom lip, he seemed to be deep in thought but then he wet his lips with his tongue and pressed them together, making a smacking sound before he smiled. "I fear there will be trouble ahead for us, my unlucky protégé,” Colin shook his head. “Yes, loads and loads of trouble.” Then to Ben's utter amazement, Colin laughed.

Four "Wake up little wild cat ... wake up! Come on, you've slept the whole day away. Joanna, wake up sleepy head." Someone sang in her ear, shook her arm, then sang again. Too tired, don't want to wake up. "Go away!" "Wake up, wild cat." That irritating musical voice would not turn off. If she had the strength she would konk him one, right in the mouth. Oh please let this all be a dream. Turning her head towards the voice she cracked open her bloodshot eyes to see him, the boyish blonde who attacked her last night. "Oh shit.” Joanna squeezed her eyes shut. He laughed right by her ear. “I'm still here." She glared at him. If looks could kill, he'd be one dead son of a bitch. He ignored her killer stare and squatted down beside the bed, grinning at her like a halfwit. "Good evening, wild cat. Remember me?" Her eyebrows shot up. “Asshole?" He laughed again. He had a nice laugh and nice face when he didn't show those horrid teeth that she remembered so vividly. "Yes, yes, you remember you naughty little wild cat. You know we really must work to clean up your language." The asshole stood up and she saw a pretty little Corning Ware bowl in his hand, steam rising from its’ contents. Joanna tried to sit up and found to her horror that she still couldn't lift her head, even though she felt stronger now than she did before. "I've brought you some chicken soup. Isn't that your human cure all?" She didn't answer, but continued to glare at him. At least, she didn't act like a simpering ninny. He admired her courage, even though she maddened him beyond measure! Happy that he spared her life and didn't savage her, for Colin's sake, he still had the sinking feeling that he'd wish he could kill her in the next few days. The stubborn set to her jaw gave him a sense of foreboding he couldn't shake. Ben's gaze drifted over her figure. The sheets outlined her slender body almost as if they were form fitting. Damn it all, he found her so appealing! He had to will himself not to swell with desire. That would not be advisable. These thoughts must not enter his mind! Colin would rip out his heart and eat it if he knew! With chagrin he recalled rubbing his lust against her struggling body ... hell ... he hoped that she would not remember that! Her face, as she glared up at him, shone with a defiant light. No doubt, she longed to leap from the bed and scratch his eyes out. Ben imagined her hands like claws as she prepared to attack him. He anticipated their future altercations even though he valued his body parts. "Are you hungry, my little wild cat?” His voice dripped honey. He held the bowl out closer so her puny human nose could pick up the scent of the chicken broth. She lifted her hand to swat the bowl away, but he was faster and had already stepped back and stood there moving his head back and forth like an angry parent with an errant child.

"I am not your little wild cat! And, how can you possibly expect me to eat? In the first place, you ass, I can't even sit up, and in the second place, I'm a prisoner in the home of two uh.... uh.... two uh,” she hesitated, staring at his mouth. He pressed his lips together, one corner lifted in a crooked smile. He enjoyed her discomfort, that much she could tell. With a little less bluster, she spoke again. “You are the only two, aren't you?" He continued to smirk, his face unchanged, but she thought he might have nodded in answer to her question. An almost imperceptible nod, and maybe just wishful thinking on her part. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, despite the aggravating smirk he still wore. "You stand there grinning like a fuckin idiot at me ... I want to go home ... I won't stay! You can't make me!" Her voice grew shrill and she saw him wince, although he tried to conceal it. He walked with measured steps around the bed to place the soup on the nearby dresser, and then he stood for a moment with his back to her, collecting his thoughts. Through his white undershirt she noticed the rippling muscles in his back clench and relax, clench and relax. Then without thinking about what she did, her eyes dropped to his very nice backside covered by the familiar black slacks with smooth high slits for pockets that took away nothing from the appearance of his firm behind. Even those muscles hardened as he rotated back towards her. When he turned to approach he did it with the same restrained movements. Like a pit bull on a leash, he seemed to be holding himself back. The first taste of fear entered her mouth, as caustic and bitter as biting down on a pickled lemon wrapped in foil. She tried to sink farther into the mattress, to widen the distance between them. Placing a hand on each side of her body, he leaned over her and stared into her flushed face. His features lost all signs of boyishness, his shining baby blues deepened to a glowing navy and his nostrils flared. The thin lips that seemed so charming in a smile changed into a terrifying grimace allowing a brief glimpse of the glistening fangs inside. "Now you listen to me, Joanna. We are vampires if that word suits you and you would be a fool not to be afraid of us.” He paused for a moment, closing his eyes and letting his features relax. When next he lifted his lids, his eyes changed back to the paler azure and the boyish good looks returned. "I allowed you to live only because Colin commanded it Joanna. So you should fear him even more than you fear me.” He watched her for signs of resignation and still saw none. Ben didn't know that Colin's small infusion last night made her more astute than even she realized. Annoyance replaced her fear as she realized his bestial transformation had been a ploy meant to scare her and nothing more. Her medic of last night, Colin, would not allow this one to harm her. She vowed to get this young one back for his display! Maintaining a mask of fright proved no problem for an actress such as she, so she laid there playing helpless and afraid just for him. "You can't get away from here so don't even waste your precious energy worrying about it." His scowl appeared funny to her, but he tried being so serious with the corners of his mouth turned down and his eyebrows drawn together for emphasis. Nothing amusing in his expression, on the contrary it appeared he was doing his best to put forth his most disagreeable image. His superior attitude began to irritate her though, and it became more and more difficult to control the laughter hiding just beneath the silly petrified expression she wore plastered on her face. He didn't notice the facade she kept up for his benefit as he reveled in his own supremacy. He sure acted like a typical, macho-type man! Rising up from her bed, he stood with his arms crossed in front of him, his expression grim. "Do as you are told and you won't be hurt. Disobey and you will wish you'd never been born.” After issuing his empty threat, he gave her one more menacing glare, rounded the bed then exited the room with an impressive display of his supernatural speed.

She gave the pompous vampire ‘the finger’ and muttered “asshole,” under her breath. Laughter echoed down the hall and her cheeks reddened when his voice reached her ears. “I heard that!" She almost jumped out of her skin when the asshole's head appeared around the corner of the door, his pale fingers clutching the door jam. A broad smile stretched across his face. “My name is Ben, not asshole." She felt the heat emanating from her skin and she slithered down farther into the bed, pulling the sheet up to her nose, hiding her blazing cheeks. His eyes twinkling with merriment, he watched her growing discomfort until she tried to hide under the sheet, then he threw back his head and laughed like he hadn't laughed in years. He left her to head toward the kitchen when he heard Colin enter the back door, his laughter trailing him through the house. "What is it you find so amusing, Ben?" He sobered up when he saw the Creator's inflexible features. Something about Colin's expressions could wipe the smile off even the Cheshire cat's face. "It's nothing really, Colin, I was just telling our uh, guest, my name. She had me confused with someone else, someone by the name of, ah let me see, yes ... it was Asshole, I believe.” Ben thought he saw a glimmer of emotion in Colin's dark eyes, but his pale angular face remained expressionless. "Yes, I see where her confusion lies.” Colin opened the refrigerator and retrieved a canned soda, examined the label, then popped the top and brought it to his mouth. He saw Ben's mouth drop open over the length of the bright red soda can. So he had never drank anything in Ben's presence but blood, why should anything he did shock him so? He finished the drink in one long swallow and flattened the can in his left hand. "Aaaahhhhhh.... I have no idea why I ever gave cold beverages up.” He tossed the empty can to his still gaping apprentice, then left the room. "How are you this night, Joanna?” The unexpected male voice breaking through her silent thoughts nearly made her wet her pants. "Can't you knock?” She snapped before she glanced up to see the dark-haired one, not the nettlesome Ben, standing in the room beside her. Her heartbeat quickened and she gazed up at the awesome figure looming over the bed. This one she did fear even though he'd been nothing but kind. He carried an aura of omnipotence and perhaps even menace and without being told she knew that he held her life in his hands. "You are stronger now, would you like to sit up?” He pulled her up to a sitting position and propped pillows behind her back. He didn't give her time to answer his question, indeed it hadn't been a question at all, just a nicely phrased command. With unbreakable integrity, his long immaculate fingers gripped her upper arms and she knew that his grip could tighten to the point of snapping her fragile bones in two. But he wouldn't hurt her would he? "Only if you force me to...” His voice startled her. He answered her unspoken question, but his unearthly features remained unchanged. His mouth never moved! In a blur he moved to the dresser, retrieved the bowl of soup, and brought it to her with quick, unnatural movements. No question in her mind about his humanity now. Like the other one, Ben, a vampire, but much more powerful. He radiated incalculable strength. She saw it there in his deep sepia eyes. Her close scrutiny disproved the human visage, the preternatural glimmer in his eyes, the faint phosphorescence of his skin, the

awesome restrained energy in his poise. Almost funny that she thought those words, words she read in a vampire novel, and in his case those eloquent expressions were not entirely accurate. His eyes did gleam, his skin unnaturally white, not glowing, but so white that he appeared more like an albino human than a supernatural being out of a book. The uncomfortable ball of anxiety in the pit of her stomach grew as she stared at him. It spread to the rest of her body and insidiously transformed into terror. She gulped and tried to scoot away from the vampire, but nowhere to go, her back already against the wall. How could this be true? How could beings like this exist unbeknownst to the world? Because anyone with the knowledge dies... Colin warmed his hands with the soup bowl, watching her delicate features as the reality of his existence and now her own hit her full force. Her fear upset him, yet it reassured him at the same time. He didn't wish to frighten her, but she must not delude herself about her situation. Fear would make her cautious, careful in her actions, and that was good. But terror was not good, hysterics he would not tolerate from his chosen one, for she must be strong. "Joanna.” He bent to catch her eye. “Do not fear, no harm will come to you here." His soothing voice calmed her and she didn't know why she had been afraid of him before. His expression didn't look menacing and his attire appeared neat and very business like, nothing monstrous about him. The deep black of his impeccably kept suit made his colorless skin gleam next to the collar and his dark curly hair blended in with the jacket so that his hair never really seemed to end, just change textures. All lines of black and white, black jacket, white skin, white shirt, black kinky hairs peeking out from his unbuttoned shirt, black cuff, white hands, but then she looked to his face and all of the disciplined black and white ended there. Uncommonly pretty eyes, though using the word pretty in reference to this being seemed ludicrous. Staring into those entrancing brown ovals of his she felt a sudden empathy for him, for his constant self-restraint and discontent. His countenance softened for a moment and she thought he might touch her, but he jerked his eyes away and his body tensed, the tenderness gone in an instant. Without another glance at her, he placed the bowl of soup in her lap, and backed up a few paces. “Eat your soup now." The liquid in the bowl only served to remind her of the discomfort her full bladder caused, and she lifted the bowl to cross her legs. The movement only made it worse. In the process of leaving the room, Colin stopped at the doorway and turned back to peer at her. She didn't want to look up, didn't want to ask for his help. Just too embarrassing. "Joanna.” His soft voice turned her name into a hushed lullaby. She would not look up. "Look at me, little one." She lifted her eyes to his. "You may leave the bed now if you wish.” He held her gaze for a moment more, then shifted his eyes to the door in the left-hand corner of the room. He looked back to her and allowed his lips to form a slight grin that grew into a genuine smile as her face reddened. Then he turned and left her. So embarrassed! With renewed strength, Joanna slithered from the bed to hobble to the bathroom unaided. In the darkened library, the two blood seekers conversed in quiet tones so Joanna would not overhear. "Why did you save her from me Colin? She is no ordinary mortal woman! Her anger overrides her fear of us." "Do you honestly believe I would choose an ordinary woman as my chosen one?" "But Colin, she will never be willing, we should kill her now before she does you harm."

Colin's face changed in an instant, his cheeks flushed with a flood of color like a dangerous crimson tide coming to swallow him whole. Ben's body shook as he realized that he argued with his own creator. How could he have the audacity, no, the stupidity to do such a thing? Too late now, the words already spoken, and by the look of Colin's ruddy face and flared nostrils, he made a terrible mistake in saying them. "You think me so pathetically weak?” Colin shook his finger in Ben's alarmed face as he advanced upon him. "I am the Creator here and you will obey me without question! You keep your hands ... and teeth away from her!” His voice broiled with anger and yet the volume remained low, making him even more terrifying in his restraint. How much did he hold back? "Understood Benjamin?" Ben bowed his head. “Yes, Colin, as always, I obey and I apologize for my brash behavior." Colin nodded his acceptance of Ben's sincere apology, knowing that the boy meant what he said, but also knowing that it would happen again ... and again ... but what would Ben be without his impertinence? Not the Ben he knew and loved anyway. Anger did not stand a chance against the real love he felt for his young companion and his ire cooled at once. He turned away from his young friend, flipped on the lamp, and settled into his favorite armchair, raising a book to his face to avoid Ben's barrage of questions, for a few minutes at least. He knew from years of experience that Ben would not be able to control his boundless curiosity for very long, no matter what Colin's mood happened to be like. His creator knew him well, for Ben wanted to know why and how Colin picked Joanna out of all those hundreds of human victims. But he had enough sense to be anxious about pursuing the subject further and angering Colin again. Glancing over at the curly head immersed in the old book, Ben noticed that he took an abnormal amount of time on that one page. He watched out of the corner of his eye for several minutes and Colin never once turned the page. Had he fallen asleep? Not likely, he probably thought about ... her. He banished the jealousy as soon as it reared its ugly head. She became part of the family now and he should be pleased. But how did this all come about? He squirmed like a bored child on the sofa, moving his finger along the lines in the fabric, first one way then choosing another shade of green and following the line until it hit another color in the tweed fabric. He rearranged the pillows that Colin positioned along the back of the sofa. First placing all the like colors together, then separating them into groups, then piling them all up in the center to form a pillow tower. Resting his head on his hands atop the pillows, he watched Colin and waited to see if he would notice. He didn't seem to even know that Ben remained in the room. Colin felt Ben about to explode, but he still chose to ignore the rustling of his young friend until the young one spoke up, no longer able to hold his curiosity in check. He so needed to learn patience! Ben didn't disappoint his creator. A few long minutes later Colin heard Ben clearing the nervous tension from his throat as he crossed the room to lean against the mantle, facing him. "Have you love for this human, Colin?" With exaggerated slowness, Colin lowered his book, then lifted his eyes to stare at his anxious student. He sighed, closed the book that he had not read a single word from, and spoke to Ben in his soft, seductive voice so close to a whisper. "Come to me, my curious young one, if you must know. Kneel by my chair.” His hushed words beckoned to Ben, and he followed his creator's instructions and sank to his knees by Colin's feet. How he loved Colin's melodramatic manner. It was so, well ... Colin. "We will not make a habit of this Benjamin” He rolled up his sleeve, baring his wrist.

Five "Look into my eyes, Benjamin, look deeply. Do not look away and sip with the greatest care from this willing fount. You will walk in my footsteps and see as if you were me." "You can do this? Send images with the blood?” Ben's voice grew thick with awe. "Again you doubt me! It is not solely the blood my inquisitive young one, but in what other way could our souls be linked so?" Filled with wonder, Ben gazed up at his regal maker, staring into the ‘Alice in Wonderland mirrors,’ those deep, dark, shining eyes. He never doubted Colin, not once, not ever. Colin rested his head against the chair with his eyes unfocused, one arm extended towards Ben, waiting to send the images with the power of his potent blood and his even more powerful pineal gland. His eyes still locked to Colin's, Ben rested his lips on his creator's wrist before driving his fangs hard into the resilient flesh. With the first entrancing spurt of blood, the room faded and he found himself moving with great haste through a forest. Despite the thick vines and underbrush his body slipped through the branches like a slithering reptile without hampering limbs. An unusual sound stopped him in his tracks and inflamed his insatiable thirst. Human heartbeats. One a sleeping child, the small beats slow and unchanging, the other a young adult. He veered toward the sound, his own heartbeat quickening in anticipation. He found the adult seated by a small campfire in a tiny clearing. She seemed young, no more than sixteen years of age. She sat reading a book, a look of enjoyment on her youthful features. Once in a while, she glanced towards the little tent and the sleeping child, then returned to her reading. When he saw the title of her book he almost laughed out loud. The sweet irony of it! Bram Stoker's Dracula of all things! Maybe her thoughts of vampires drew him to her like a moth to flame. He could not resist toying with her, confronting her, breaking his self-imposed rules and letting her see him for what he was. Never one to let vanity surface before he could not resist the temptation and he crept towards her with silent footsteps until he stood within three feet of her. Several minutes passed without her eyes lifting from the pages of the novel. He found the situation quite amusing ... standing there in front of a fully aware mortal and she would not even look his way. He laughed. She stiffened, her pulse accelerating but still she would not look up. He knew she heard him despite his quiet chuckle. "Excuse me, ma'am, is that a good book you are reading?” Colin's stilted voice came from Ben's mouth, his soft words drawing her attention. She looked up from the printed pages. Large, shimmering green eyes met his and he was stunned for a moment when he saw Colin's reflection there. Then Ben remembered the blood and he latched onto Colin's wrist with a passion. Ben had to see more! He lapped at the rich flowing blood, savoring it, and he became Colin once more, smiling down at the beautiful young girl. He expected her to jump up and run, but she remained in place, staring up at him with her mouth hanging open. "Do you believe vampires exist?" She snorted and curled her lips into a condescending sneer before she answered him. "Of course not." Oh, but I beg to differ little mortal.

He seated himself beside her, his back straight and regal, turning only his head in her direction. His gaze revealed his hunger ... as apparent as the leaves on the trees, as the log on which they sat, as the book in her hands. Much to his surprise, she remained calm, and did not grow frightened. She examined his pale face, still bloodless from lack of sustenance, and then she asked if he suffered from anemia. Anemia of all things! A blood seeker seated beside her and she inquires about his health! He laughed. He roared. He laughed until he cried. What a strange feeling, to laugh with a victim by his side. What she did next shocked him even more. This scrappy little human scrunched up her face, balled up her tiny fist and struck him! As ineffective as a gnat brushing his supernatural flesh, her blow, but still it shocked him out of his laughing fit and he wiped his face dry with his immaculate handkerchief. After regaining his composure,he asked her name, willing her to answer, even though she did not wish it. "Joanna, and what's yours?" Why would she want to know the name of her death? Contrary to his own set of rules, he revealed himself to her. "My name little one, is Colin, and I am about to prove to you that your fabled vampires most certainly do exist." Her pulse quickened as the fear took root. He calmed her with a few hypnotic suggestions and pushed her, with tender care, onto her back. Straddling her body, he peered into her eyes rendering her immobile with his mesmerizing stare... The tingle started ... first between his eyes, then behind them and farther, deep into his brain. The girl's eyes widened at that moment as if she knew she caused his discomfort. For a brief second, he felt as if she entered his mind. He shook his head trying to stop the tingle and succeeded to some extent, but a mild headache remained behind to distract him. He refused to be swayed! Ben felt the headache and same confusion that Colin felt when the event actually happened. It distracted him for a moment also but the blood called him back ... into Colin's past. Baring his fangs, he moved towards her neck expecting to see revulsion or fear on her face. What human would not be repulsed once they discovered his true identity? This one. She smiled up at him, her eyes a bit glazed and her smile lopsided, too deep in his trance. "Joanna, I am a vampire.” Amazed, his voice rose. She lifted her arm with great effort, breaking through the trance, then touched his hair! "UGH!” He grunted when the tingle returned full force and vibrated his skull. She caused it, no doubt about that now. Amazing! Examining her lovely face up close, something warmed inside his chest and he almost felt like crying. So many years without tender human contact... He remembered something his creator told him, when the right one comes along you will know without a doubt it is she. If there were a female on this planet with the genetic anomaly, he would know it. Could the tingle he felt be his signal? Was that what Linnea meant? Was Joanna one of his kind? Could she be transformed as Ben was transformed? Did her young pineal gland produce the special hormone that would allow her to become immortal? Just looking into Joanna's eyes, he knew that inside he would find her personality as lovely as her physical appearance, and he decided in that instant to do it. In a flash, he unbuttoned her blouse to expose the tender flesh above her heart.

"You are my chosen one, Joanna." Then he bent and drove his fangs through the skin above her left breast and drank, his saliva entering her bloodstream with his first swallow. Ben fell over on the floor. Blinded, he groped for the blood source he had lost. "Benjamin! Come around!” The creator's command brought him out of his swoon and he sat up, blinking his eyes as Colin's face came into focus. "But the story.... it hasn't ended.... how does it end? How am I able to know your thoughts as well as see your actions? Please allow me more...." "You were draining me, young one. The hallucination was too strong and you were drawing from me as I did from Joanna. Too much of my centenarian blood will make you ill, as you are but an infant in our world." Comical, the extreme disappointment on his young one's face. If anything ever defeated him, it would be his curiosity. "I will tell you the rest, Ben, if you wish to listen." Perking up, Ben smiled and clamped his hands together. “Yes, yes, please do!" Colin leaned back in his comfortable armchair, lowering his sleeve over the puncture wounds as he spoke. "I left her with enough blood to live. So strange, I had no need to kill that night, even though it was a full moon. The drink from her contented me, filling me as never before. Then, I removed her memory of me but commanded her to return here to the thicket ... thirteen years from that night, during the week of the full moon. I buried the command in her subconscious. The part of the command that you witnessed, when my name came unbidden from her lips, was the moment the moon became a true full moon. She was told to call for me by name at that time and it was a bizarre coincidence that you had your child fangs in my chosen one at that moment." Colin sighed, burying his momentary resentment. “A bizarre coincidence indeed." Ben tried to hide his discomfort over his horrible mistake by adding a cheery lilt to his voice. “But why did you wait so long? Thirteen years?" Colin sighed again. “You are really too young for this information.” He gazed into Ben's open face and could never imagine betrayal there. Even the young one's accidental taste of his chosen one could be forgiven, had been forgiven, so why not pass his secret on? "Have you ever noticed the absence of female blood seekers? Most likely you would not have because you have not seen many of our kind. Females almost always die when conversion is attempted. The lonely male centenarians, myself included, make other male children to keep them company until those children leave the nest as centenarians themselves. This information must not leave this room Ben. The others would destroy you and everyone around you for it." He paused, watching his child to make sure he understood the real danger in this knowledge. Then he shifted in his chair, recrossing his legs and brushing a bit of lint from the knee of his tailored black slacks before he went on. "I know of one female in existence." Ben's eyes grew large. "She is very old and very powerful and much sought after by the older males. Jealous centenarians who wanted her for themselves destroyed her own mate and maker. Linnea told me how her creator made her and that it must be the only way to convert a female. He chose her at a young age like Joanna, but when he came back the next night for the second bite, she fled. Being very strong-willed, she overcame his mental block and recalled everything, so she fled before he returned for her the next night.

She traveled the world to escape him and relentlessly he followed. Jeremiah was a very determined centenarian and he was determined to have her. Finally, thirteen years later, he caught up with her, here in this wild and untamed land that we now call America, and as you young people would say—he got her good. He drained her to a very weakened state and brought her to his home. He would not rely on hypnotism this time, so he kept her prisoner until her strength built up enough to bite her the subsequent times and infuse enough of his saliva in her bloodstream to keep her alive through the metamorphosis." Ben listened, his face rapt with excitement. It was rare for Colin to talk for any length of time, but when he did it was utopia. Colin could feel Ben's excitement and he felt the thrill of Jeremiah's conquest himself as he told the story. "She fell in love with her vampire captor and she feels that this love pulled her from the jaws of death as she lay drained of blood.” Colin's voice dropped to a whisper and he stared through the doorway towards where his chosen one lay waiting. Would it work for him, or would she die like all the others? "But still, Colin, what has the thirteen years have to do with her survival? Is it a magical number? Lucky for us as it is unlucky for humans?" "We can only guess that in females, the estrogen which of course is in lower quantities in males, binds with our lamiartis since the two hormones are closely related. I have discovered much about this since my original meeting with Joanna. Over the centuries, Linnea studied our physiology. I cannot discuss her methods with you, but believe what I tell you for it is true. Is that understandable to you, young one?" Ben stood and stretched his cramped legs as he turned towards his creator. "So really what you're saying is that this female vampire, Linnea, thinks estrogen kills our vampiric hormones, what did you call it, lamiartis? And, that means we are vampires because of a hormone?" Colin stood also and looked down at Ben. "Can you think of a better explanation?" Walking over to the mantle, he rested his elbow there and ran his fingers through his mop of black curls. "I knew Joanna was the one for me when she broke through my spell and touched my hair, a strong will. Plus, she gave me the headache." "The headache?" Drawing a deep breath, Colin approached him and touched his forehead about an inch above his nose. "Your blood seeker's soul is here, Ben. We feel each other here as well, the third eye, the seat of our souls, the pineal gland where lamiartis is formed. Without this, no human could become as we are. You had it or you would not have survived. Little is known about the pineal gland in humans and what purpose it serves. We know, however, that it lacks the gene that makes us what we are and without it we would not be here." He paced the room, agitated by something. Ben could see the muscle working in his creator's jaw, a sure sign that something made him uneasy. "What's the matter, Colin?" Running his fingers through his hair again, he turned to Ben.

"Even though I know this, there is still only a small chance that Joanna will make it through the transformation. I have done everything that my creator instructed me to do, but how will I make her care for me, that stubborn woman in there? Your chosen one must give herself to you body and soul. She must love you even though you are a killer of her kind, a vicious, bloodthirsty night stalker. She must offer her life's blood to you simply because she loves you more than life itself or there is no chance for transformation." Ben chuckled, forgetting himself. “Now who's being melodramatic?" Colin pursed his lips and was about to retort at Ben's unwise remark when a loud crash echoed through the house. Looking at each other, the two sighed at the same moment, then turned to go to Joanna's room. The dance begins again.

Six Colin stared, enthralled with the daintiness of her limbs and her sluggish human movements. He could not remember ever seeing a woman so perfect before. Many a beauty had passed before his eyes, but none to equal Joanna. The way she moved, the way she spoke, the way she thought, those were the things he saw when he gazed at her. Kneeling, she piled the smaller pieces of the broken bowl into the one remaining large piece, unaware of her silent audience watching her from the doorway. She finished her task and glanced around for something to put the bowl fragments in, her eyes jerking to and fro, like a thief watching for the police. She looked past the door once without seeing them, intent on finding a hiding place for her accident. Then, she did a double take and turned back to the door, crushing the shards of stoneware against her blouse in an attempt to shield them from their view. The adrenaline flowed in her bloodstream, increasing her heartbeat and respiration. "I'm sorry.” She stuttered, her breath catching in her throat. “I fell asleep ... the bowl was in my lap...." Without warning, Colin felt the vibration in his forehead, starting as a dull ache that intensified as Joanna grew more frightened. She didn't even realize her own power. He winced from the pain, squinting at her through crinkled eyebrows. "What is it?” Close to panic now, her face blanched. “What's the matter?” Joanna panted, her fear escalating. "COLIN!" The now pounding headache and the sound of his name distracted him from the divine smell of her fresh blood. He shook his head from side to side and backed away, one slow dragging step after another, pulling Ben with him until they stood once again in the doorway. The pain in his head lessened as they moved farther away from Joanna until it just vibrated behind his sinuses. With his hand still gripping Ben's elbow, Colin lifted his arm and pressed the captive elbow to his forehead. Ben winced from the pain of having his arm in such a position. At least it distracted him from the smell of Joanna's titillating blood fragrance. Her blood attracted him like no other had before. Nothing normal about her at all. Colin lowered Ben's arm, looking at it like he had no idea how it managed to be in his hand, then lifted his eyes to Joanna's frightened face. "Joanna.” Colin's voice a silken thread of sound that coaxed her into compliance with the simple use of her name. "Joanna, your hand, you have injured your hand." Still she crouched unmoving, her eyes wide and staring. A tear slipped over her lashes and slid down her cheek and the blood seekers both heard the faint whimper forming deep in her throat, although no sound left her lips. Colin clicked his tongue against his teeth, then spun on his heel and pressed Ben out of the room. "Please leave us Ben. Wait for me outside.” Colin's gentle words took the sting out of his request. With a curt nod of his head, the young one complied. Colin moved toward Joanna, taking small steps to avoid startling her. He kneeled in front of her frozen body, his movements slow ... reassuring. The headache roared but he ignored it, knowing that if he calmed her fears, his headache would also lessen. "Here, let me see.” With gentle care, he pried her rigid arms away from her chest and removed the broken bowl from her bleeding hand. Colin tossed the fragments on the floor out of her reach without letting go of her forearm, being very careful not to bruise her with his immense strength. Despite his tenderness, Joanna stared wide-eyed at his hand like it would devour her. "Everything is all right, Joanna. Your blood indeed sings to me, but we are not savages to lose control over a small cut.” One

corner of his mouth raised in a half grin when she lifted her head to meet his gaze. With tender strokes, he pushed the hair out of her face and continued crooning to her as he dropped his hand from her face to her injured hand. With his gaze still locked with hers, he brought her bleeding hand up to his lips. A small, but deep cut oozed from the tender area between her thumb and forefinger. Watching her expression, he licked the trails of blood from her hand, then locked his mouth to the wound and sucked, moaning with pleasure. His buzzing headache vanished. A slight smile touched her lips and she relaxed against the bed, laying her head back on the mattress. The sensual movement of Colin's lips on her hand sent goose bumps up her arms, and despite her prior fear she found that she loved to feel his mouth touch her skin. All too soon, he dropped her hand and pulled away. She frowned at him as he stood and pulled her to her feet. "I must go.” With a gentle touch of his fingertips on her lips, he left her room. "You bit her again didn't you creator?” Colin ignored Ben and pulled his keys from his pocket, locking the back door. Turning, he saw the hunger in his eyes as Ben smelled the lingering blood on his lips. "I felt the tingle ... here.” Ben touched his forehead with awe. “Did she cause this?" "Yes, yes she did. She does not realize what she does. She uses her pineal gland without even knowing. You do the same, young one." "Huh?" "We hunt together tonight. Let us be off,” Colin took off through the trees towards town. Ben said nothing about his creator's abnormal behavior. They never hunted together, choosing instead to space the kills far apart to avoid arousing suspicion. Tonight the blood lust grew strong, Joanna's small wound had inflamed their senses and the thirst raged. As they ran, Colin's voice drifted back to him over the roar of the wind in his ears. "I cleansed her wound, Ben. Nothing more. Jealousy is virulent, infecting you and those around you ... No more..." A strange odor distracted Colin and he stopped to get its bearing. Burning hemp ... and foolish humans. The blood seekers closed in on them, following their scent though the woods. At that distance, their human odor would go un-noticed, but he found it easy to pick up the heady, distinctive odor of their marijuana. Unwise for them to be out in these woods at night ... after all, people always got lost and disappeared in the Big Thicket. Too bad for them. Ben snickered when they had them in sight. “How convenient, one for me and one for you." The thin lanky human passed the burning cigarette to his companion. "That's some good shit man! Where'd ya.... hey Bud ... check it out man!” He slapped Bud's leg and pointed toward the front of the truck. Bud scowled and slid off the hood of the truck, putting the joint out on the fender and hitching up his droopy pants with the other hand. He cleared his throat and spat on the ground by his feet. "Looks like fair game to me, Steve." Following his friend's example, Steve jumped off the hood of the truck and stood to face the two dark clad intruders. "They might be cops, Bud." "Bullshit! We'd be in cuffs by now if they were. They're probably a coupla faggots wantin’ to poke your skinny ass!” He laughed and took a step towards the two strangers.

"We're gonna fuck you up, you coupla.... you coupla penguins!” Steve snickered and stepped up beside his friend, retrieving a large branch from the ground and swinging it with menace at the two strangers. Bud charged at the two silent fiends and swung his meaty fist at the taller of them, expecting to knock him out with one mighty punch and rob him as he lay unconscious. With lightening speed, Colin caught the man's fist in mid-swing and broke his forearm in two as easy as snapping a dry twig. Big bad Bud dropped to his knees crying, clutching his fractured arm. Colin pushed the man prone to the ground with one hand and held him there as he drove his fangs into the side of the man's thick neck. Bud whimpered, then cried no more. Steve watched as Bud fell to the ground with the stranger at his throat. Then, with a painful knot of pure terror twisting in his gut, he turned his gaze back to the other man in black. He stood as he had when Steve first saw him, except now, his burning blue eyes bored right into his face and now he grinned. He smiled wider still as Steve watched, his lips drawing up over the two long canines that shone in the moonlight ... terrible white instruments of death. Steve's legs trembled. “Oh shit.... “He spun to his right and ran into the woods faster than he'd ever ran in his life. He raced through the thicket, heedless of the branches tearing at his arms and face, then he stopped short and screamed. There stood the very same creature! Swallowing his scream, he spun about and ran away again, but there he was standing in front of him again. Steve fell to his knees bawling like a little girl. Ben grabbed him by the hair, pulled him to his feet, then slapped his face. "Come on Stevie boy, stop your whining and walk back to the clearing so I don't have to carry your body.” Ben's soft voice should've terrified him, but it didn't. Docile, without hope, he trudged back through the trees into the clearing and into Ben's arms. He cried without sound, his mouth gaping, as the blonde man's arms encircled him and he felt the hot breath on his neck. For the first time in Steve's life, he didn't need the drugs to escape reality ... he escaped reality this time, forever. "Ben! We must go back. I am sure our guest has escaped and we must retrieve her." "How..." "I just know. Hurry now." They buried the bodies, leaving no trace of their existence. The truck they left parked where it sat. Damn fools must have wandered off and couldn't find their way back out of the thicket. What a shame. **** Joanna stared at her hand, and the cut where Colin's mouth had been. The numbness in her limbs had worn off and the fog lifted from her mind. Those two fiends left the house, she felt the emptiness the moment the door closed. She should get out before they returned and they would never be able to find her in the vast woods. As soon as the sun came up, and she got her bearings, she would find her way back to her cabin. She thought of going to the police, but who would believe her? They would lock her up instead! With slow movements, she pulled herself upright and on shaky legs Joanna stumbled to the door. Unlocked! Not believing her good fortune, she stood staring at the knob for several minutes before she shook herself and opened it. Peeking her head out she saw what must be the den at one end of the hallway, and two closed doors nearby, at the opposite end. Panting with nervousness, she sprinted down the hall into the vast, almost empty den. An immaculate room, and the heavily waxed floor shone with the small amount of light spilling in from the other room. It only took a few moments to find what she searched for. The front door! She found the deadbolt locked but giggled with anxious glee when she saw the key dangling on a hook nearby. A perfect fit, and the well-oiled lock turned with ease. Relief flooded over her when she swung the door wide and stepped through, finding herself on a quaint wood planked porch, complete with a porch swing like her grandpa's.

"Not such smart vampires, are ya guys?” She pulled the door closed and skipped off the porch into the nearby trees. She admired whoever built the cabin for they must share her love of the trees. No real clearing separated the home, just the woods and the cabin, coexisting as one. Her next step brought her sock clad right foot down on top of a young pinecone and she winced with the pain. She hadn't even thought to look for her shoes. She stared at her socks, indecision eating away precious time. Should she go back in and look for her shoes or just take her chances without them? She could travel quicker with shoes on, but what if she couldn't find them? Deciding to go for the shoes, she ran back up to the porch and inside the cabin. Glancing around the large open room, she spied the doorway leading back to the bedrooms and sprinted for it. With her first full step, the rug flew out from under her feet and went sailing across the room. Joanna fell flat on her face on Colin's over-waxed floor. Grunting from the impact, but injured, it was apparent that fright makes a person clumsy. Despite the screaming adrenaline rush coursing through her body, she rose and picked her way across the room with care to avoid any other rug mishaps. The two demons might return at any moment and the urge to run almost overpowered her. But, she made it to the bedroom where Colin kept her the previous night. She found her shoes tucked under the bed, scooped them up, then ran from the place as fast as her trembling legs would allow. Carrying the shoes in her arms, she didn't stop until the woods surrounded her, and the house no longer loomed like a sentinel waiting to give its master a full report. Sitting on a fallen tree, she slipped her shoes on over her dirty socks. Before now, doing that would seem repulsive, but how silly it seemed to her now. Standing again, she tested her still quivering legs for strength and she felt invigorated, triumphant in fact. Joanna drank in the night air. Thrilled with her escape, she had to bite her lip to prevent herself from squealing in delight. How glorious to be out! Wonderful to be among the buzzing mosquitoes and chirping crickets. HA! Those vampires underestimated her strong will, her stamina. Did they expect her to cower in that bedroom and await their return? "Fools!” She shouted back at the cabin, then plunged into the underbrush, putting as much distance between herself and ‘hellhouse’ as she could. Because of the almost total darkness in the dense woods, Joanna groped her way from tree to tree with arms extended to avoid walking straight into something. She tramped along that way for what she figured to be a few hours when she heard a rustling noise nearby. Oh shit! Had the vampires found her? Making herself as small as possible, she crouched down beside a tree trunk and waited, holding her breath. She peered into the darkness searching for the source of the crackle. As he passed under a slight opening in the treetops, a thin sliver of light shone on his head and she saw him. A lone armadillo shuffled by, nosing in the fallen leaves in search of a snack then moving on. An enormous weight lifted from her chest and she could breathe again. She sighed with relief and stood. Dizziness assailed her when she gained her feet and she stumbled back several paces bumping into a tree. Reaching behind her to grip the trunk and regain her balance, she felt not rough bark, but the smooth texture of cloth. Her heart jumped into her throat. She prayed that she only hallucinated, but with a sinking feeling she knew it was real. The tree at her back was too soft and ... breathing! In a final desperate attempt to escape, she leapt away from the thing at her back and ran ... right into another one. "Oh man.” All she could manage to say as their arms wrapped around her and lifted her off the ground, carrying her back to their lair. Through a break in the trees she caught a glimpse of Colin's stern face and decided against struggling. Neither one of them said a word to her, but their powerful grips on her body said all she needed to know. She would not escape, or so they thought. No more than fifteen minutes later, they put her feet on the ground at the back door. What the heck had she done? Circled around the cabin?

They released her arms and that very instant, she bolted back into the trees. Colin and Ben both just stood and stared, stunned by her tenacity. Unbelievable that she would run again when they found her with ridiculous ease the first time. Ben looked up at Colin expecting to see anger there on his face and it surprised him to see amusement instead. What was that sound? Colin laughing? Yes! The deep chuckle sounded deep in his chest as he shook his head back and forth then smiled at Ben. "Let her go.” He took the keys from his astonished neophyte and unlocked the door. Colin stepped inside and beckoned for Ben to come in also. "Wha...” Ben's mouth hung open. Colin laughed again and placed his hand on Ben's shoulder. “Do not worry, I fully intend to go after her." "Will you punish her then?" Colin nodded his head. “Oh yes I will punish her. You are correct about that.” Squeezing then releasing Ben's shoulder, he smiled even broader. “I will enjoy her punishment immensely in fact." **** Joanna stumbled through the underbrush, thorns tearing at her hair and scratching her arms and legs. She paid no attention. She'd get away this time and not repeat the mistake of traveling in a circle! Stopping for a moment she listened for the sounds of someone following and heard nothing but her own heart pounding in her ears. Oh hooray! She needed a place to hide until sunrise. Scouring the area, she found nothing to hide in or under, so she kept moving, trudging through the endless thicket in search of a hideaway. It dawned on her that trees surrounded her, so why not climb one? A good candidate stood not too far off, a huge Magnolia with a split trunk. Joanna climbed into the fork, put her back to one side and planted her feet on the other, scooting up the tree until she got as far as her reach would bring her. Uh oh. Stranded with no branches to grab and her legs spanning two trunks, she sighed in frustration. Relaxing her legs she started sliding back down. Her shirt rode up on her back and the smooth bark of the Magnolia peeled a layer of skin off her shoulder blades. By the time she reached the ground, her back felt like fire danced across it and she gained nothing. As she stood flexing the muscles in her back, trying to ease the raw skin away from her shirt she noticed the downed tree not too far from her. Toppled by a recent severe wind, the great roots lay exposed, leaving a briar-covered crater in the ground. She could push through the weeds and thorns and hide in the crater! **** Ben watched his enigmatic maker through his lashes as he polished the coffee table over and over again like he had all the time in the world. Why hadn't he left to re-capture that incorrigible woman yet? Humming to himself, he pushed the soft cloth around and around the table. At last pleased with the wood's intense sheen he took his time walking back to the pantry to put away his polishing supplies. With every nonchalant step he took Ben's stomach knotted even more. How could he remain so damned calm? Colin returned to the den with a deck of cards and folded himself into the chair beside the table with the finely polished surface of a glacier. Ben choked on his own saliva and went into a coughing fit when Colin began to deal himself a hand of solitaire, then proceeded to start building a house of cards with the remainder of the deck. The table was so slick that the cards fell as soon as Colin stood them up but he continued to place the cards on their sides with composure that would make the queen jealous. Ben could take it no longer. "COLIN!" "Oh all right then. I shall retrieve her now. Calm yourself young one!"

Colin raised his eyebrows and grinned. "I did want to give her a hope of escape. It will make her capture even more titillating and my punishment for that escape justified." Ah. Ben understood Colin's demeanor and his knowing smirk as he left the cabin. Unusual for him to enjoy the sport, the playing with humans that Ben loved so much, but there it was. Colin enjoyed every minute of Joanna's little melodrama. **** Joanna settled herself in the crater, just a little repulsed by the spiders and insects sharing the ground with her. Sunrise couldn't be far away. It seemed that she walked for hours though she had no way of knowing. She felt very well hidden amidst the trees and the undergrowth and smiled to herself. Those sharp-toothed kidnappers wouldn't find her here! "Joannaaaaaa." Her smile disappeared and the breath caught in her throat as that deep voice drifted to her from somewhere in the nearby woods. She didn't know whether to stay put or to break out of her hiding place and run, run, run! "Oh Joannaaaaa." The voice sounded closer now. Too late to run, he'd hear her clumsy attempts to get through the underbrush. So she cowered in her hiding place, hoping he would pass her by. "Peek-a-boooo, I see youuuu.” The soft words spoken right beside where she lay hidden surprised her more than if he'd shouted them out. Though frightened, she remained crouched, unwilling and unable to move. "Game is over Joanna,” His soft voice dripped honey. Then louder and harsher, “YOU ARE IT!” She gasped and trembled but still wouldn't leave her hiding place, nor did she make a sound. Colin perched on top of the fallen tree's root ball right above where she lay hidden. He broke pieces of the brittle roots off, dropping them one by one on top of her, laughing to himself when she startled. From his vantage point, she lay exposed in her refuge, with brush surrounding but not covering the crater. No matter how many times his root missiles hit her, she did not look up at him. She remained on her knees with her body bent over, her face touching the ground. From where he sat it did not appear to be a very comfortable posture. Propelling himself from the top of the root ball he landed in the crater right beside her head. When he reached down to grab her by the back of the neck he got a response out of her, though not quite what he wanted. She threw his hand off her neck and jumped to her feet. Still bent over, she rammed her head as hard as she could straight into his groin. She caught him by surprise and he fell over from the intense though brief pain that traveled from his injured groin to the pit of his stomach and dissipated there. He righted himself at once, but she had already bolted. As he picked the thorns out of his sleeves he grew more and more irritated. Damnation! That woman not only bested him but also made him tear his best jacket. Sniffing the air he caught her scent, and in moments caught up to her. This time he held her tight, with both his arms wrapped around her and her back pressed against his chest. Applying more and more pressure, he held her until she stopped struggling and grew still in his arms. Listening to her raspy breathing, he heard the frustration in her very breath. Not fear, no, but irritation that he had once again caught her! Oh but she needed a good lesson to bring that fear back. Bending his head down to hers, he kissed her cheek and let his sharp fang teeth just touch her skin. "You have been a very naughty girl, Joanna.” He caught her ear lobe between his teeth before he moved his lips to her thundering pulse. The sharp points just broke the skin, tiny dots of blood oozing only to be swept away by his tongue. Just behind where they stood another fallen tree made a perfect spot for what he planned next. Lifting her off her feet, but not relaxing his hold on her he stepped over to the tree and sat down, flipping her sideways and dragging her across his knees, rump up.

"Let me go!” She renewed her struggles to get away. Kicking her feet and beating her fists against his legs did nothing but tire her out. Colin remained unaffected. His brawny arm held her shoulders down with the weight of a cement truck and he hooked one leg behind her ankles, trapping her in a very undignified position. Watching her wiggling derriere, Colin found he enjoyed himself again. Her muscles clenched and unclenched as she tried to get away, but she would not get away again, he would see to that. "Yes, you have been a very naughty girl.” The first smack hit her bottom. Another stinging slap and another and another followed the first. Joanna was stunned from the first swat and the others followed too quickly for her to recover. One slap after another, he kept on and on spanking her until her rear end was on fire and then it still continued. She screamed one obscenity after another, calling him every loathsome name she could think of. The slaps never slowed, never ceased. She couldn't scream or fight any longer, but she wouldn't whimper for him to stop. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. On and on the swats came, again and again and again and again. At long last, the punishment stopped! Relieved, but still so furious that the words flew out of her mouth before she could think about it or stop herself. "Thanks, you prick." She wanted to just crawl in a hole and die. Colin's loud sigh burned her ears, the sound of retribution, the echo of punishment to come. He released her in one fluid motion. Flipping her over, he unzipped her blue jean shorts, jerked them down along with her panties and flipped her back over before she could even protest. Her blazing bare bottom now shone, totally exposed. With the first searing smack on her bare skin Colin spoke. “You will not call me rude names.” SMACK. “You will not shout obscenities in my presence.” SMACK. “You will not strike me again.” SMACK. “You will not run again.” SMACK. “You will do as you are told.” SMACK. SMACK. After every sentence that he spoke, she got spanked again on one cheek or the other or both. Her butt felt like raw hamburger searing on the hot grill. As suddenly as the spanking had started, it stopped. "Have you had enough?” He slid his hands over her very warm and very red cheeks. She moved, just a bit, but the movement suddenly seemed very sensual to him and his arousal grew. he squeezed her burning buttocks. “Have you had enough?" Much to his surprise, she still had some spunk left. "Have you?" SMACK! He rewarded her for that smart remark with the hardest swat she'd received so far. "Yes! Yes! Please stop!” She now begged. Colin rose and stood her on her own two feet. He watched as she struggled to pull her short pants back up without them touching her burning buttocks. An impossible task of course, but it still amused him to watch her try. "Would you like to sit down and rest a while before we head back to the cabin, my naughty one?" "Uh, no I think not. Can we just please go?” She laced her request with as much humility as she could muster.

Every step increased the pain in her backside, but she hid it from him. She would not have him know that her butt flamed because of his horrendous and endless spanking. This time, Colin allowed her to travel at a normal pace with only one hand on her biceps to restrain her and it still didn't take long before they arrived back at his sturdy cabin. When they walked up to the cabin Ben threw the door open wide and stood just inside, grinning like a fool. She wanted to die or better yet, kill him. Colin guided Joanna in with his hand in the small of her back. Once inside, she broke away from him, ran through the kitchen and living room then into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. She expected Colin to follow and punish her again, but he didn't and some of her anxiety faded away. Now she felt helplessness and despair. He found her so easy and his punishment had been so severe! She would feel the effects of it for days. Oh well, a spanking she could handle. Painful, yes, but not life threatening. If that was all she had to fear then she would be fine. Would she ever be able to escape or would she be forced to remain here until they suck her dry? Somehow, with that in mind, the spanking seemed paltry in comparison. She fell on the bed and lay unmoving, staring at the wall. Tears came unbidden and slid down her cheeks. She heard footsteps in the hall, shook off her self-pity and dried her face with the bedspread. The last thing she wanted to do was let one of them see her crying like a baby. She was stronger than that dammit! The footsteps paused outside her door then continued on down the hall. What a relief! Sitting up on the bed despite the lingering burn of her buttocks, she squared her shoulders and straightened her spine. She wouldn't give up! After she regained control of her emotions, she decided to keep a cool head and figure a way out of this predicament. No man would defeat her! Nor would these two. Ben said they were vampires, so she compared everything she'd read with what she'd witnessed. Vampires, hmm, supposed to sleep in coffins, have no reflections, can't stand garlic, crosses or sunlight, smell like death, turn into mist, wolves or bats and all their victims become vampires too. Most of it had to be crap. Colin smelled wonderful, even as he spanked her backside. She saw no coffins in the house though she wanted to search further for them. Neither one of the guys had left their human form. Even though she had no true belief in it, she wore a small cross necklace, in plain sight, and it hadn't frightened Ben or Colin away. She didn't know if that was because she had no belief in the cross or if the cross just had no effect on them. She had been bitten and yet she remained human. Mirrors hung on the walls. She saw that as she darted out of the house earlier. That left only the garlic and sunlight. The garlic thing seemed silly, but neither of them had appeared during the day. That was it! She would bide her time and wait for daylight to escape, then they couldn't chase her. Maybe, if she acted scared and defenseless they would think her will was broken. She didn't stand a chance against her two ‘princes of darkness’ at night, but wait till morning. Footsteps echoed down the hall outside her door again. Her heart hammered in her chest and she held her breath, waiting to see if one of them would enter the room. She didn't release that breath until the footsteps retreated down the hall toward the main part of the house. When she heard no further sounds, she slipped off the bed and went to the door. Easing the door open, she pressed her ear to the gap and listened, trying to locate the others in the house. Faint noises could be heard from a distant part of the house. Grateful for well-oiled hinges, she opened the door further and peeked out. No beings in sight so Joanna crept into the hall. Her athletic shoes squeaked on the polished floor! She froze. Eyes wide, she stared straight ahead and tried to slow her breathing. Nobody came. The shoes had to go. Balancing on one foot she fumbled with the laces and removed her shoe. Grimacing at the filth on the bottom of her sock, she removed it too and shoved it into the shoe then tossed them both back through the door. Like a crane, she stood on the now bare foot and removed the other shoe, lost her balance and hit her elbow on the doorjamb. The grunt of pain muffled easy enough, but the bang her elbow made must have echoed through the house! Again, no one came. Maybe they were too busy to take notice of her or they ignored her on purpose. Either way, she was relieved. Now with both shoes off she padded barefoot to the end of the hall toward the two closed doors. Turning the knob with shaking hands, she opened the door closest to her own. Too dark inside to see anything. An alluring aroma permeated the air, a

spicy male scent reminiscent of the piney woods and her dark-haired captor and she knew without a doubt that this room belonged to Colin. Try as she might, she couldn't work up the nerve to enter his room so she eased the door closed and tip-toed across the hall. This door stood ajar and she pushed on it with the tips of her fingers to open it wider. A small earthenware lamp glowed atop a cluttered desk at one end of the room, a picture of serenity. Beside the desk sat her bird cage on a small table, her parrot ignoring her as he munched on a peanut. A rush of irritation flashed through her mind as it did nine times out of ten with that bird. The most significant thing that she noted was the definite lack of a coffin. Almost disappointing to see a normal bed in a normal room. She couldn't resist snooping in what she assumed must be the infuriating young Ben's room. Junk mail covered his desk yet he'd opened all of it and even filled out some forms. Looking closer she read, ‘Earn wealth beyond your wildest dreams with our secret formula’ on one brochure. She almost laughed out loud. "AHEM.” Ben cleared his throat right behind her. She jumped and spun around to face him. The horror of being caught reading his mail, in his room! He stared down at her, his arms crossed and a most stern expression cemented on his face. She couldn't even formulate an excuse so she just darted around him, ran from the room back into her own “cell” and slammed the door. Fumbling with the doorknob, it only took a moment to realize that she had no lock. So she stood trembling on her side of the door, holding it closed with her body weight. Her nerves were frazzled and the sweat on her back soaked her shirt and dampened the wood. "Snoop.” A low voice spoke just on the other side of the door by her head, then laughter when she squealed with dismay. Joanna pushed away from the door with such force that it made her dizzy and she sank down on the bed once more. Damn him. Damn that, that ... creature. He was just insufferable! His annoying laughter trailed him all the way down the hall, but at least he moved away. Clenching her fists and gritting her teeth, she flung herself against the pillows and glared at the ceiling. She forgot about her injured buttocks that now roared with pain from her fit and she blamed that on the young blonde too. Grrrr. Bunching up the sky blue comforter in her hands she pretended it was Ben's neck. Gritting her teeth with pleasure, she squeezed and squeezed until when she did let go, the bedcover remained in the twisted cone shape. Oh the satisfaction it gave her just to imagine Ben's neck not only in her hands but this shade of blue as well! If nothing else about this situation drove her insane, HE would! She reached to give the comforter one more delightful squeeze.

Seven Bacon? In this house? Joanna's empty stomach growled in response. She rolled out of bed and saw that again night had fallen. She might as well get up and join them in the kitchen, or she could sit in this room and starve. Hmm. Decisions, decisions. For a fleeting moment, she considered starving herself, but the frying bacon smelled divine! Joanna stopped short in the kitchen doorway, thinking that she had somehow dropped into the twilight zone. Colin stood straight and tall at the stove, holding his nose with one elegant hand as he turned the bacon with the other. Over his black suit, he wore a bright yellow apron with ‘Kiss the Cook’ printed in bold red letters across the front. Ben sat at the bar, a look of intense concentration on his face as he tried over and over to pick the pieces of eggshell out of a bowl of raw eggs. She had no idea how her cat got there, but Patches stood on the bar, her tail swishing back and forth as she prepared to lunge at Ben's bowl of eggs. She thrust her paw right in the raw eggs then pulled it out with a quick jerk, splattering egg yolk across Ben's face. To her surprise, Ben grinned and wiped his face on his shirtsleeve then patted the cat on the head before he scooped her off the counter and placed her on the floor. Joanna's fear of the blonde vampire dropped to a new low when she saw his tenderness with her mischievous cat. Meanwhile, Colin released his nose and without turning to look at her, he said, “Come on in, Joanna.” She was so busy trying not to laugh at Ben that she didn't listen to Colin's quiet invitation. Before she knew it, he stood at her side, his hand on her elbow. "Come on in, Joanna,” He guided her into the kitchen, his fingers stroking her skin as he directed her to the bar and pointed to the vacant stool beside Ben. "Have a seat, if you can. As you can see we have gone to great lengths to prepare you a proper meal." She ignored his snide remark referring to her possible problem with sitting. Leaving her standing at the bar, he returned to his now crispy bacon and removed it from the pan, placing each slice parallel to one another on a folded bit of cloth that appeared to be an old t-shirt. These two were sorely lacking when it came to the kitchen. They didn't even have a table. Colin crossed the room again and lifted the eggs out of Ben's clumsy hands. He stopped beside her on his way back to the stove and whispered in her ear, “I trust you are none the worse after your bout of exercise last evening." He stepped back to the stove and poured the eggs in the pan on top of the bacon grease. She glared at the back of his head until he cocked his head to meet her gaze. He mocked her! An illusion? But she saw it in those dark eyes. His handsome face remained unchanged, but those sparkling eyes danced with mirth. That ass wipe! She bit her tongue to prevent the appropriate, but uncivilized retort that sprang to her lips. Instead, she replied, mocking Colin's formal speech. “I am so glad I could provide you with some amusement last night.” Marching like a stiff-legged wind-up toy, she went around the bar to the empty stool beside Ben, who was trying not to burst into laughter. Joanna hesitated, rubbing her sore behind, then climbed gingerly on the stool. She leaned close to Ben, careful not to touch him. “What the hell are you laughing at ... asshole?" Colin dropped his spoon in the glass bowl and the resulting clatter made Joanna almost jump out of her skin. Ben snickered again until she gave him a swift kick in the shin, then he just stared at the bar, his face devoid of expression. Did she really just kick him? Even more unbelievable that he sat there and took it! The feeling of being detached from reality flared and she felt stuck in a nightmare that she couldn't wake up from. But, looking at the two of them now, they appeared so human in their awkward domesticity, that Joanna relaxed and almost enjoyed their company. Almost. Colin stirred the greasy eggs around in the frying pan with a tablespoon, his brow wrinkled as he concentrated on his task. Something about the entrée didn't look right, but the disgusting looking slop was cooking and that's all that mattered to a hungry

human anyway, or so he thought. "I'm not ungrateful for your efforts, really uh ... Colin.” Joanna paused, unsure of how to continue. “But uh ... what are you fixin?" Slowly he turned his head and looked at her like she should be wearing a dunce hat. With exaggerated syllables, he answered her as if he spoke to a six-month-old baby. "Scram ... beled ... eggs ... dear." "Well, shouldn't you scramble them first?" Ben burst out laughing but stopped when Colin glared at him, and then he and Joanna both stared down at their hands to avoid Colin's glare. Everyone jerked their heads up when they heard the tinny laughter coming from another part of the house. Joanna recognized her parrot Pete's silly laugh then she blushed with embarrassment since she had last seen him in Ben's room right before he caught her snooping. "As I am sure you are already aware, your bird is in my room.” Ben laid on the sweetness so thick that she thought she would barf. "You may visit your pets after you eat your meal.” The voice of authority dictated as he dumped the runny egg mass onto her plate and brought it over to the bar. Joanna stuck her tongue out at the back of his head when he reached back for the bacon and almost bit it off when he whipped around to catch her in the act. Oh please floor, open up and swallow me. Colin cocked his head and stared down his nose at her, but lucky for her he said nothing. He placed the bacon and the so-called eggs on the bar in front of her and handed her a spoon. Right away she pounced on a piece of the crispy bacon and chewed with gusto, the crunching filling her ears. Glancing up, she caught both vampires staring at her. She looked from one absorbed face to the other and back down at her plate. Surely the food wasn't poisoned, what would that reasoning be? After swallowing her mouthful, Joanna peered at them with guarded suspicion. "Aren't you gonna have any?” Ben shrugged his shoulders at her question and looked away and Colin just stared. Then he spun around, went to the sink, and began scrubbing the greasy pan with so much enthusiasm that he removed part of the Teflon too. She thought twice about her second question of ‘Why?’ and decided it might be better just not to ask. Colin seemed so irritable! Noticing the spoon lying beside her plate, she turned to Ben. “Do you suppose I could get a fork?” She asked him rather than Mr. Moody at the sink, because at least Ben smiled sometimes, and she almost enjoyed his giggling. Even though she whispered, the cranky dishwasher heard and answered for Ben. "We have none. Eat your food with the utensil provided." Did he have to be so commanding? The utensil? To her he was acting like a drill sergeant, so she saluted his back and jerked the spoon off the bar, glaring at him the entire time. The eggs looked gross, but not wanting to raise the ire of Mr. Cranky Pants by refusing to eat them she took a gulp of air then shoveled a spoonful in her mouth. They didn't taste as bad as they looked ... and she could tilt the spoon at an angle and let most of the grease drip out. In the corner of her eye she glimpsed Ben falling forward onto the bar. His ivory face flushed red and his hand clamped over his mouth. She started to call out to Colin for help, but he'd left the kitchen before she said anything. Plus, Ben shook his head no. Then he held up one finger in front of his mouth. Finally it dawned on her ... suppressed laughter turned his face that lovely red shade. "What...” He clamped his hand over her mouth and shook his head again. Looking her in the eye, then glancing toward the doorway, then back again to her face he shook his head again and waited to see if she understood and planned to keep quiet.

Removing his hand from her mouth, Ben pointed to the doorway and made a stern face, imitating Colin. Then, he mouthed the words BAD TEMPER to her. Joanna rolled her eyes making a big “duh” face. Colin gave the words bad temper a whole new meaning in her opinion! "Do you have any Coke?” She changed the subject. "I assume you mean the carbonated beverage?" She wheezed, offended. "Of course you ass.... er, I mean, Ben." He handed her a cola from the refrigerator and she pulled the tab and guzzled the drink. "Ahhhh. Thanks. I think I'm addicted to these things.” She took another long drink then she twisted her stool around to face him. "How did my animals get here?” He gave her a look she couldn't decipher, but then he answered. "We brought them, of course." "Why?” He seemed to be annoyed by her question and he snapped at her, reminding her of Colin and his bad temper. "Maybe so they would not starve to death alone in your cabin, Joanna!" Something in his expression made her feel like she should apologize, but that would be stupid. They kidnapped her! Why shouldn't she think the worst of them? They were vampires! They couldn't have feelings. Then why did she feel like she should say she was sorry? She was about to tell him so when he began speaking. "Ask me no more questions. Anything you wish to know, you must ask the creator.” The creator? What a crock of shit. She almost gagged. "Are you finished with your meal?" She nodded, one eyebrow cocked as she glanced at Ben with a sarcastic sneer curling her top lip. "Come along then, I'll take you to the library.” He held out his hand to her, and when she hesitated he sighed and grabbed her hand, pulling her off the stool. "Come on, Joanna, now is not the time to turn squeamish." He was right, but why did she feel like he led her to the slaughterhouse? They had fattened the calf by feeding her, now what? Dinner for two? The library proved to be a more comfortable room than the remainder of the house. Well furnished with two couches and several arm chairs and a fireplace at one end of the room, which of course had no fire in it in the middle of summer. Books covered an entire wall the length of the room from floor to ceiling. Small tables with spindly attached lamps dotted the room and on top of each, magazines and books appeared to be arranged to look casual. At the far end of the room sat a huge old-fashioned desk, roll top part of the way down and inside she saw a computer monitor! How bizarre. She didn't expect to see that here with this stuffy, very old-fashioned vampire. Colin reclined in an over-stuffed chair near the fireplace. He glanced up when Joanna and his protégé entered the room. "Make yourself at home. Feel free to read any book you desire.” He beckoned to Ben and ignored her, so she walked over to the bookshelf as naturally as possible on languid legs and pretended to peer at the book titles.

Ben and Colin conversed in low voices and no matter how hard she strained her ears, she couldn't hear what they were saying. After a few minutes, Ben left Colin's side and made his way out of the library. Joanna peeked at him as he went by and he had the audacity to wink at her! She averted her eyes, but he knew that she saw him, and she heard his laughter as he walked away. She busied herself inspecting the book titles on the library shelves until she was sure the blush was gone out of her cheeks, then she stole a look at Colin. He was engrossed in his book, his long fingers turning page after page as he read. He was so attractive and yet repellent at the same time. If it weren't for his pallor, he would look like an ordinary man sitting there. Well, a man, but definitely not ordinary! Her gaze drifted towards the doorway when she heard tapping sounds echoing through the cabin. She wondered what Ben was doing and if she would get killed for leaving the room to find out. "He is doing some remodeling.” Colin's voice broke into her thoughts and startled her. “Do not stare at me as if I had two heads, Joanna.” She hadn't realized she stared at all, and she chose to look at his hands instead. "I know how inquisitive you are. Come over and be seated, perhaps I will answer a few of your countless questions.” He placed a marker in his book and put it aside, then he positioned his hands in his lap, crossed his long legs at the knee, and sat waiting for her to sit down and speak. She burned with curiosity, but still fearful of him, she sat on the couch at the far end of the room. "I could get to you in the blink of an eye no matter where you are, so you might as well come over here to the chair beside me. It will save you from straining your ears to hear me speak." She sat on the edge of the couch, watching him, trying to decide what to do. "I detest raising my voice." Remembering his bad temper, she jumped up and moved to the chair indicated. She didn't like being in such close proximity to him. His extraordinary magnetism affected her like that of an undertow, invisible on the surface, yet strong and lethal underneath. Examining the fringe on her blue jean shorts, she started to question him. "Why am I here? How long must I stay?” She glanced up to his expressionless face. "You are here because I wish it, and you will remain here as long as I wish." Some answer. She tried again. "What about my clothes? I can't wear the same clothes every day. Can you imagine how I will smell?” She grew more upset by the minute. “Why can't I go home?” She whined now, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Do not be so upset.” He gave her his crisp white handkerchief and placed his hand on her leg. He squeezed then released her and sat back in his chair. "Your clothing is here. You have your own bathroom so you can shower any time you like. You may not go home. This is your home now, for you are my chosen one. You may do anything you wish here in the cabin. If there is some other thing that you want, you need only ask and I will send Ben at once to obtain whatever you desire." She watched him now through teary eyes as she asked her next question. "Are you gonna kill me, Colin?” He met her gaze for a moment, running his fingers through his curly hair before answering. "That is a difficult question for me to answer truthfully, Joanna, and I do not wish to lie to you. I can say that I will protect you from harm by anyone, including Benjamin, but as for myself, I cannot say." He paused, rubbing his lips with his fingers, then reached under the table and drew out a tube of lip balm. After applying some to

both lips, he smacked them together and returned the tube to its cubbyhole. He saw Joanna's astonished face. “Chapped lips." She had never expected a vampire to suffer from something as mundane as chapped lips! Heartburn maybe, or sunburn more likely, but chapped lips? "Back to your question. If I felt it was in my best interests to kill you, I would do so without hesitation." Joanna had moved as far away from him as she could in her chair, and she stared at him with a horrified look plastered across her face. His voice grew louder than he'd ever spoken to her before. “But, for the present time, you are much more valuable to me alive." Was that supposed to make her feel better? What a reassurance. "Do not anger me, Joanna, just do as you are told and you will be fine. Now, have you any more questions this evening?” She gulped several times before she could speak, and then her voice squeaked. "May I open the shutters in my room?” He appeared dumbfounded for a moment, but recovered his expressionless facade in an instant. "We shall see.” He rose from his chair with almost fluid grace. He stopped in front of her chair and gave her a partial bow. “Excuse me for a moment.” Then he left the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts. What should she do? In many ways the vampires acted considerate. They brought her clothes and her pets with them, oh yeah couldn't forget that crazy bird. They gave her food and didn't attack her when she cut her hand and she could tell they wanted to. Colin tended her wounds for her. Ben made her laugh even though she found him very annoying. On the other hand, Ben attacked her with the intent to suck her dry, and Colin brought her here and made her stay, and he said he would kill her without hesitation. Ben was nice to Patches. Colin said she could have anything she desired, except freedom. These two were an enigma. She pressed her fingers to her temples, mashing harder and harder as she rocked to and fro. She had to stop this jumble of thoughts. Her head would burst at any moment! "Oh God, I'm losing it ... I'm losing my mind!" "No you are not. Stop it this instant.” Colin stood at the foot of her chair, holding a wine glass out to her. "Drink this." "Oh my God, it's blood!" "Stop the theatrics, Joanna. It is only wine. Must I slap you to settle you down?” His words worked as well as a slap and she stopped her hysterical behavior. "No.... no.... I'm fine.” She took the wine from his hand, sipped it and found it to be quite good, so she downed the rest and handed the glass back to the surprised vampire. "May I have another glass please?" "Of course ... should I bring the entire bottle to save myself another trip?" She couldn't tell by his face if he joked or not. “No, thank you, one glass will be fine." When he left she glanced around the room again, her knees bobbing up and down in time with her throbbing temples. Her eyes

settled on the fireplace. Could she climb out through the chimney? Jumping up, she darted to the doorway and looked out for signs of either one of her captors. Not seeing them, she tiptoed to the fireplace and bent down to peer up the chimney. It looked wide enough. Too dark to see very far, but it seemed large enough for her to get into anyway. Pulling the chain to open the damper, she crawled into the empty fireplace and stood up inside the dirty flue. She tried to hold back her coughs, but they escaped her lips anyway and she blew even more dust into the small space that her head occupied. Reaching up with her hands, she quickly realized that her body would never fit through that opening. Her heart sank. Utter disappointment immobilized her for a moment then her fear returned when she figured that Colin probably stood right there watching her feet in the fireplace. That fear prompted her to slither as quick as possible back out of the flue. How fortunate, neither vampire had returned to the room so she ran over to the chair and plopped down in the same spot she occupied before Colin left, just in time for him to walk back in the room. He stopped short, staring at her with obvious astonishment. "WHAT?” She laced as much righteous indignation into that one word as possible and tried in vain to make her heart slow back down. Colin came closer, setting the wine bottle down on the table without lifting his eyes from her face. Such a peculiar expression on his face for a brief moment then it blanked, devoid of emotion ... like staring at a Halloween mask. Not saying a word to her, he strode to the chair and sat down facing her, his legs crossed at the knee with elegant grace and continued to stare. Her discomfort increased as the silence grew thicker and thicker still. Finally she could take it no more. "What the hell are you staring at me for?" Colin cleared his throat, grimacing when she raised her voice, then leaned forward as if to share a secret with her. "Did I not just tell you it would be wise not to anger me?” Joanna's eyes widened, then dropped to her lap. It was then that she noticed the black smut all over her hands, arms, and chest. Oh shit. What was she supposed to say now? A sudden burst of laughter startled her and she looked up to see Ben in the doorway, looking right at her, laughing his head off. He couldn't help himself. There she sat covered with black grime trying her best to appear innocent. Black smudges even covered her face. And to make matters even funnier, Colin sat across from her watching her ... his creator vampire facade plastered on his features. Too funny! He roared with laughter made even funnier yet when she squirmed in discomfort. "You tried to climb up the fireplace didn't you?" Joanna had never felt so stupid. Searching the area for something, anything to throw at Ben, she grabbed one of the cushions off the couch and flung it with all her might at his laughing face. Of course she missed and instead knocked an ornament off the shelf, which fell to the floor and broke into several pieces. Ben's laughter died in an instant and she heard him mutter, “Uh oh” as he beat a hasty retreat. Colin's face never changed, but Ben's quick exit confirmed Colin's displeasure well enough. Urging her limbs to move, Joanna jumped up from the chair and bent to pick up the pieces of the broken horse. The mirrored base of the statue remained unbroken, and in that mirror a blackened face stared back at her. Just lovely. Now what could she say? Colin cleared his throat and stared at her, hiding his amusement as her face flushed red under all that soot. "I trust our chimney met with your approval."

His velvety voice traveled along her spine like a caress and a rash of goose bumps broke out on her skin. He kneeled down beside her, his leg brushing against her thigh and her heart raced out of control. "S..ss..sorry about your statue.” Her head felt light and her fear of him grew so strong that even she could smell it so she knew without a doubt that he knew of her apprehension. How could he not? Trying to remain sane, she examined the pattern of the rug that she kneeled on, following its intricate patterns with her eyes. He knelt beside her, not saying a word, not moving, just staring into her filthy face. Joanna was just as determined not to look up at him as he was to stare her down. Snapping out of his control she tried to push him over so she could flee. All she managed to do was break a nail as it snagged in his pants. Mortified, she stood up fast, dropped the statue and stumbled away from the silent vampire. With effortless speed, he caught her by the neck and held tight. His long fingers fit all the way around her throat, but he restrained himself, not squeezing to the point of suffocating her, but just tight enough to rein her in. He knew hysteria swelled in her chest and he found himself tightening his grip as she opened her mouth to scream. "No! You will not scream." A gargled squawk left her lips anyway, and he did squeeze then ... a bit too hard. When she went limp, he regretted his anger and lifted her like an infant and draped her across the sofa. She only fainted, but nevertheless, he should not have been so brutal. Fear was normal after all and he should not let it disturb him. Arranging her limbs into a comfortable position and her head on one of the many soft gray pillows, he allowed his gaze to wander down her body and back up to her exposed throat. Had he done that on purpose? That positioning of her head so that the entire length of her lovely neck laid bare and enticing? Ben returned to the room and caught Colin standing over Joanna as she slept on the couch. His creator, bent at the waist, his arms hanging as if attached by rubber bands as he gazed at the woman he'd mesmerized. Colin seemed annoyed that Ben disturbed him, but he pretended he didn't notice the drawn eyebrows and narrowed gaze from his maker. Heedless of any warnings Colin may have been giving him he padded across the thick rug anyway, and stood beside the now very annoyed older blood seeker. They both remained standing over her, neither one speaking or moving until Colin heard Ben's breathing quicken. Glancing into Ben's face his fading annoyance returned threefold. Ben peered at Joanna's exposed neck, hunger in his eyes, his juvenile thirst flaring. The bend of her throat reflected the puncture wounds inflicted by his fangs and he ached to re-enter them. "I believe she is a lost cause for you Colin. She'll give you nothing but trouble. I say we drink her now!" "Benjamin! Control yourself! I know you are not that foolish!" Knowing that he screwed up, Ben backstepped. “Please accept my most humble apologies, Creator. I will restrain my compulsion with your chosen one. I vow...." "Never mind, Ben.” He glanced at his neophyte. “Draw in your fangs, you insatiable leech!" Ben covered his mouth with his hand and tried to comply at once. "Sorry.” Ben hurried from the room before he did another stupid thing to annoy his creator. "Just a moment.” Colin's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Yes?” Ben said without turning, his hand still held over his mouth and stubborn protruding fang teeth. "Keep the keys to all the locks in the house on your person as I will mine. My Joanna is very crafty and she will search for them. I would bet my eye teeth on it."

Colin smiled at his own joke and looked down at his sleeping human guest. He anticipated his next battle with her. Instead of waking her, he slipped his arms under her slight body and carried her to bed. She never stirred as he laid her down and covered her with the light cotton blanket. She could wash the soot from her body and her bedding when next she awoke. He watched her sleep for a long while, reveling in her peaceful features. The color already returned to her pale face. Such a strong woman, perfect for his needs. "Dawn approaches, little one, I must retire. Things will look better tomorrow.” He touched her hair and rose to leave her. “Things will be very different tomorrow as well, you shall see."

Eight Joanna awoke with a start. The sun burned hot on her skin and the room seemed warm and uncomfortable. She kicked off the blanket and stared at the ceiling. For a moment she didn't know where she was, but the disorientation evaporated as the fogginess of sleep lifted. Oh ... What a bummer. She closed her eyes tight and tried to forget again, but too late, reality came screaming back with a vengeance ... vampires are real. With a huff she sat up and surveyed the room. "Pete!” Her parrot's cage sat on the dresser beside the window. Pete perched on his swing, basking in the sunlight, ignoring her as usual. Someone covered half of his cage with a large towel that he had already chewed holes in. She wondered if either one of the vampires knew anything about birds. Maybe they did since the towel blocked the sunlight in half the cage. The sunlight! No shutters! She scrambled off the bed and dashed to the window to grab a thick wrought iron bar in each hand. That devil granted her wish and opened the shutters, yes, but he installed bars on the window to prevent her escape! Pushing the small bedside table over to the long horizontal window, she stood on the table and tried shoving her head through the bars. Joanna shoved and shoved until she bruised her head but she wouldn't fit through the bars. Giving up, but not admitting defeat just yet, she searched for bolts on both ends. There were bolts, yes, but there appeared to be no way to remove them. These bars would indeed be a fire trap should the house ever be engulfed in flames. There went her idea for burning the house down too. After jumping down from the table, she kicked it back to its place beside the bed, then decided she better arrange it like she found it so Colin wouldn't know she tried to shove through the bars. It felt so strange to think of him by his name. Colin, and the young pain in the ass, Ben. They have names. It didn't seem like they should, unless they went by Dracula or something ... or Nosferatu even better. Her silly thoughts amused her and distracted her from the truth of the situation. "Hello!” Pete shouted at her and she smiled at her bird and imagined that he smiled back. "Hello Ben." "Arrrggggghhhhhhhh.” Joanna inhaled saliva and went into a coughing fit. "Hello Ben ... Hello Ben ... Hello Ben..." Still coughing, she ran into the bathroom and slammed the door. That traitorous bird! He stays with Ben for two days and he's already saying his name. "Traitor!” She called to the bird through the closed door. In response, she heard his silly canned laughter. Joanna sighed and leaned against the counter, staring in the mirror. “I'm surrounded by smart asses." Dark circles and a tiny bit of soot stood out in stark contrast with her pale skin, but she didn't look half bad, considering. Good to just be alive especially since her last memory was Colin's hands around her throat. Looking around, she noticed several additions to the elegant bathroom. Those two kept themselves busy last night. A beautiful, realistic undersea world shower curtain stretched from wall to wall beside the bathtub. The sensation of being underwater with the swimming fishes overwhelmed her and she found herself holding her breath. She stretched out her fingers to touch the water, just to confirm to her senses that it was only a vinyl curtain. She pulled back the curtain to see a clear bottle of blue shampoo and new bar of pale blue bath soap waiting for her on the recessed shelf above the sparkling tub. Everything in this bathroom was color coordinated right down to the blue water in the toilet bowl. Incredible, yes, but so ... Colin. She just knew Colin decorated this bathroom with all its blue accessories. He couldn't know that blue was her favorite color, or could he?

Her lips curled with distaste as she peeled off her filthy clothes and folded them into a neat stack on the toilet. It would be a desecration to toss dirty clothes on his immaculate floor. The shower felt wonderful. She didn't remember ever feeling as clean as she did now, wrapped in a pretty powder blue towel, with a matching smaller towel on her head. Opening the bathroom door, the glare of the sunlight blinded her for a moment, then revitalized her. She felt stronger now, and with the bright sunshine outside she could make her escape! Colin said her clothes were here. She hoped he told the truth because she would rather go nude than put her smelly clothes back on. She would tramp through the woods in a towel if she had to. In the top dresser drawer she found Pete's food and treats arranged in a neat row. The second drawer held her socks and underwear. She blushed at the thought of their masculine hands on her panties. She found nothing in the remaining two drawers. Where did they put her clothes? She spied the closet. Did they hang them up? She folded back the closet doors and her mouth dropped open when she saw all her clothes. Every article of clothing with the exception of her underwear hung in a neat row, one item per hanger. Someone spent a lot of time folding each pair of short pants and draping them on hangers. Her t-shirts and blouses alike occupied their own hangers. Blue jeans, sundresses, and skimpy little tube tops made a colorful assortment of different attire hung with military precision in the wide closet. The contents of her two small suitcases had been stretched out into eight feet of closet space. She couldn't believe her panties and bras weren't in there too, hung on individual clothes hangers. At the bottom of the closet, she found her suitcases and her tennis shoes and sandals, all in a neat row of course. She dressed in a hurry, then pulled the suitcases from the closet and tossed them on the bed. The latch made a loud pop when she opened it and the breath caught in her throat. What if they can move about in daylight? Colin would kill her if he caught her trying to escape, or at the very least hurt her ... again. Pete picked that tense moment to start singing in his loudest voice. "Yankee Doodoo went to town..." "Shhhh! Pete, shut up!” The knot of tension in her gut grew. She ran around the bed to cover his cage so he would hush and in her haste, whacked her toes on the bedpost. Hopping around on her uninjured foot, she held her throbbing toes in her hand and moaned through clenched teeth. The parrot's maniacal laughter filled the room and for one insane moment she wanted to shove his head into his water dish and see if he could laugh underwater. With that murderous thought, she dropped her foot and stood, stock still, staring at everything she prepared to take with her on her trek into the thicket. "Oh get a grip!” No way could she carry a large bird cage and two suitcases, plus her cat and some food. With a groan she flopped down on the bed, despondent and unsure of what to do next. Nearly half an hour later, after staring with unseeing eyes at the tiled ceiling, Joanna rose like a somnambulist and placed the suitcases back in the closet. Then she went back to Pete's cage. "I'll come back for you Petie bird. I promise. I'm going for help.” She checked his food and found it full. They had even placed several chunks of grapefruit and banana in the bowl for him. Someone knew how to care for birds in this household. Good. She just prayed Colin wouldn't kill her pets in a fit of anger when he found her missing. It was a chance she had to take. She had no choice! "Bye Bye, Petie. See ya soon.” With one longing glance back at her parrot, Joanna fled the room. She ran straight for the front door and saw before she got halfway through the den that the key no longer hung there by the door. "Dammit!"

She ran from window to window, finding them all covered with locked shutters and no keys evident. The back door! She covered the distance between the front and the back of the house in seconds. The first thing she noticed when she reached the small washroom was the new pet door they'd installed. On the floor nearby sat her cat's bowls. Both food and water bowls were full. She smiled. Those two monsters had cared for her pets well. They didn't have to do it. They could've left them behind, in Ben's words, to starve to death alone in her cabin. Her smile vanished when she saw the new dead bolt shining above the door knob ... no key in it, of course. She kneeled down by the cat door and attempted to crawl through it. Joanna tried forcing herself into the tiny opening until the thought of herself stuck with her behind in the air when the vampires arose, stopped her. She searched the entire house and found no other exits and no keys. A prisoner! All the shutters firm and locked, so breaking a window wouldn't help, except in her room and the assholes had installed burglar bars there. If she just had a hacksaw, she could saw through the locks. It would take time, but what other hope did she have? She didn't even have that hope. She saw no hacksaws or any other tools when she searched the cabin, with the exception of one Phillips screwdriver in the kitchen drawer. She sighed and leaned on the windowsill, her hands gripping the bars like the dejected little chimpanzees do at the zoo, staring out with no hope of escape. She froze, her heart pounding, her chest swelling with excitement. THE SCREWDRIVER!! Stifling her delighted squeal, she ran down the hall into the kitchen, slipping and sliding on the waxed floors. She skated to the drawer and ripped it open, propelling the entire contents of the drawer to the front. There it was, her savior, the shiny black and yellow handled screwdriver, waiting to liberate her from her formidable captor. Oh please be the right one! Praying the whole way to the back door, she held the tool in her hand like an idol. Yes! Yes! The deadbolt was installed with cross cut screws! Within fifteen minutes, she had the entire mechanism removed and the back door open. "Ha! I outsmarted you again ... Creator!" She rushed back into the kitchen and retrieved another cola from the fridge to take with her, then hurried out of the house. Guilt gnawed at her for leaving Patches and Pete behind, but she vowed to bring an army back with her to rescue them, during the day of course. When she entered the woods she hesitated, remembering what Colin said just last night. ‘Do not anger me', and ‘kill you without hesitation’ raced through her mind over and over again like an endless loop tape. A lump of fear surged in her gut. What if he catches me? They couldn't come out in the daylight, right? Charged with fear, she broke into a run, dodging trees and underbrush and strangling vines that threatened to hang her if she didn't pay attention. She ran, then walked sipping her cola, then ran on and on until her sides ached and nausea gripped her gut. Joanna could no longer go on and collapsed on a half-decayed log. Then she vomited the entire contents of her stomach. Her legs drew up against the log and she rested her head between her knees as the spasms continued. The tree rolled each time she heaved and at one point she felt the bark cut her on the back of her ankle. She ignored the stinging until later, after the vomiting stopped. She hopped up off the log and wiped her mouth on her sleeve. The burning pain intensified and she peered down at the back of her ankle to see how bad the scratches were. No scratches at all! Just several groups of loosely spaced dots right above her shoe. "What the hell?" Glancing at the log, she saw nothing extraordinary. Dreading what she might find, visions of millions of giant worms crossing her mind, she stood as far back as she could and pushed the log over. The pain in her leg increased and the sun had already dropped behind the trees. She almost didn't see him, even with his beautiful coloration ... the worst worm of them all. A snake, a small banded snake lay almost hidden by the rotted wood. It appeared to be a milk snake, with red, black and yellow stripes. It couldn't be a coral snake. The bite wasn't swelling or showing signs of discoloration.

She thought back to her Girl Scout days when she'd learned a chant to differentiate between the similar snakes. “Red and black— hurts like a tack, uh ... red and yellow—kill a fellow.... yeah that's it.” She stared down at the snake. Dusk had fallen, she had to strain to see. But see them she did, and the once beautiful colors now morphed into a horrifying sight. Black, yellow, red, yellow, black, yellow, red ... a deadly coral snake. "Shit! Shit! Shit!” She screamed to the treetops. “What next?" Moving well away from the log and the dangerous snake, she sat down and removed the shoelace from one of her shoes then tied it under her knee as a tourniquet. Coral snakes were known to be docile. She must've been standing on the poor thing when she puked her guts out. There's no telling how many times he bit her. She hadn't noticed until at least ten minutes later when the bites began to burn. At least it didn't look swollen so the snake hadn't injected much venom. That's what she kept telling herself anyway. Glancing around at the advancing gloom, she knew she had to get out of the thicket right away or she wouldn't be able to see. She could manage no more than a slow trot, but determination propelled her onward, as far away from the vampires as she could get, snake bite or not! Before long, it grew too dark to see more than a few feet ahead of her. Shivering and weak, her body slowed down of its own volition. She continued plodding along until she collapsed on a bed of pine needles and didn't have the strength to get up again. It felt like her bones had elasticized or were no longer there. She was a formless invertebrate lying in a heap under the whispering pines. She needed to release the tourniquet for a moment but she couldn't sit up to reach it. Her leg throbbed and she had developed a headache as well. What the hell, take two aspirin and call me in the morning. What she wouldn't give to be back at her own cabin, swallowing a couple of aspirin to cure a simple headache. Overcome with weariness, she stared off into the tops of the now dark trees, never leaving consciousness but incapacitated just the same. All sense of time stopped and there was only the pain and this incredible lethargy. Colin's ethereal face floated above her, his features stained with fury. If she had to hallucinate, why did it have to be his mad face that the venom conjured? "Joanna." Could an apparition talk? He bent down closer to her, peering into her eyes, his angry expression gone. She felt his fingers brush her knee as he untied the shoelace tourniquet then retied it again. Then he removed his jacket and placed it over her cold body. "Dammit, Joanna!" Oh no, mad again, probably kill her this time. Her face felt stiff, she couldn't move her jaw, but she struggled to speak. "Don be ma at me Ca..in." His mouth fell open when she attempted to talk, just when he thought she could shock him no further. How could she speak? Her blood pressure was so low he strained to hear her heartbeat. "Joanna! Can you hear me?” He lifted her head, resting it in his palm. She held her eyes open, but it did not appear that she could focus on anything. "Joanna, listen to me. I am going to place antivenin in your mouth. You swallow it."

He brought his wrist to his mouth, and just like in the classic movies bit into his own vein, then pushed his bleeding wrist against her lips. Nothing happened. With his thumb, he pried her mouth open and let the blood drip on her tongue. She swallowed. She swallowed again, then locked her lips to his wrist to catch the flow directly from the fount. In a few short minutes, the wound in his wrist clotted and healed, and he withdrew it from her mouth. With tender care he rolled her over onto her stomach, and examined the wounds behind her delicate little ankle. From the spacing of the tiny teeth marks, he deducted she received three bites from the venomous snake, a potentially fatal situation. Why had she let the small snake bite her, not once, but three times? Suicide? No, not her. He stared at the pulse beating just beneath the skin behind her knee. With a groan, he bent over and lifted her leg to his mouth, driving his fangs into her vein. She stiffened and uttered a feeble no but the vampire's euphoria relaxed her in an instant. Her blood tasted bitter with venom, but he kept drinking knowing that it would have little effect on him, although it would more than likely have proved fatal to Joanna's slight form. Just a sip from here ... then he removed his fangs and placed her leg back on the ground. One hand on her hipbone, and one on her shoulder, he eased her onto her back. Her eyes closed and she didn't appear to be in pain any longer, but it could be his narcotic saliva working its magic on her. He should drink again from the afflicted leg. He moved to her feet and spread her legs apart, then kneeled and once again sank his teeth into her flesh. This time he tapped the vein from her inner thigh, hoping to remove more of the venom before it traveled to her heart and the rest of her body. For a moment he lost himself in the rhythm of her heartbeat, the blood lust demanding all she had to give. Nothing existed but the blood, flowing hot and bitter into his greedy mouth, more and more blood. Joanna moaned and his trance was broken. He withdrew and clamped his hand over the puncture wounds to prevent any needless blood loss. With his hand still clamped to her thigh he stretched over her legs and sat beside her. It would not do for her to awaken and find him on his knees between her outstretched legs. Bit by bit she came out of the swoon, and a ghost of a smile crossed her face before she fell asleep again. Colin sat beside his mortal woman watching her beautiful face as she slept. From where had all these emotions surfaced? Being with Joanna made human emotions return to him, and just like a human, they changed quicker than the Texas weather. He had been so furious when he awakened this evening and found her missing that he was determined to go ahead and kill her when he caught up to her. Enraged that his attempts to keep her captive failed again and unsure of how long she had been gone, he headed out into the woods after her. Not long after entering the woods in his pursuit a feeling of dread had washed over him, so strong that is caused his blood seeker skin to prickle. Something felt wrong, very wrong, and his anger dissolved in a skipped heartbeat. He had picked up his pace, following Joanna's trail away from the lair at an alarming speed, almost flying through the trees. When he drew close enough to hear her feeble heartbeat he experienced a long dormant emotion ... fear. Fear for Joanna ... fear of losing her ... afraid he was too late to save her. But he had saved her, and she would now live to torment him another day. Good. He would enjoy the torment. It made him feel alive. For over an hour he sat unmoving, like the trees in the forest, with Joanna's limp fingers clutched in his own. Then Joanna's hand clenched, her nails digging into his thumb. Was her grimace from dreams of the colorful snake, or was it him that haunted her nightmares? Colin's all-consuming thirst now returned, gnawing at his intestines and he knew he needed to bring her, with haste, back to the cabin and go out to hunt, to glut himself on human life. He rose, lifting Joanna in his arms as easily as picking up a pine bough from the forest floor. She weighed next to nothing and seemed a perfect fit in his embrace. He could hold her all night, but no, he had to go kill. The full moon and his preternatural hormones demanded it, and they could not be denied. Many times he tried, but always the blood lust drove him out before dawn, to rob some unlucky mortal of his or her life's blood. To coin one of Ben's quaint

expressions, ‘what a bummer.' **** Ben thought the same thing, what a bummer, after checking his post office box and again finding it empty. He just didn't understand why his new campaign didn't work like the advertisement said it would. He followed the instructions to the letter! He would never amass great wealth at this rate. Perhaps it was time to try another approach, another system. He had several other programs on his desk at home that he planned to try. He had his doubts though because this one guaranteed it would work. He sent out the letters and reports just like the literature demanded he do and despite the company's promise of $2500 per week, he received nothing! Ben sighed with disappointment and slammed his box closed. He'd better hurry away from this area before Colin caught wind of his secret. Ben so wanted Colin to be proud of him and see that he too could amass great wealth. He knew nothing about the stock market or such things that Colin made his extraordinary wealth with but he too could do it! He would do it! **** Her long hair swung with Colin's steps and she felt the movement even before she awoke. Without opening her eyes, Joanna knew that she rode in Colin's arms. Blanketed with his warm strength, she felt safe and secure wrapped in his jacket and held tight against his rippling chest. It seemed she always awoke in his embrace ... vampire arms holding her. A vampire carrying her through the thicket ... again. Vampire ... vampire ... Colin. Jingling keys woke her again as Colin shifted her weight to one arm and unlocked the door. Uh-oh, he only unlocked the doorknob. The dead bolt must still be dismantled. Chancing a glance at his face, she sighed with relief to see that he looked over her at the door instead of down at her. His expression remained stony and unyielding, showing no emotion or vitality until he cocked his head to peer down at her. Those splendid eyes brought vigor to his otherwise lifeless face. A beautiful shade of brown the color of semi-sweet chocolate, his pupils invisible in those dark irises making his eyes seem larger and somehow softer. With a touch of envy she noticed his eyelashes were longer than hers, thicker too. How could she think of something so silly at a time like this? How could she think at all? What a paradox, this creature Colin! A ruthless killer, and he just saved her life, even though she defied him yet again by escaping. By all rights, she should be dead, but on the contrary, she felt better and better by the minute. Colin brought her into the library, placed her on the couch and left the room without a word. "Well!” How rude! Just as she settled back against the pillows he re-appeared, holding a glass of orange juice out to her. "Drink this.” He wrapped her hand around the small glass. Bending at the waist he peered into her face, searching her features. What he looked for, she had no idea. "Do you require anything more?” His words soft and warm as melted butter, dripping with concern. He acted so strange. Nervous, she shook her head no. He straightened to his full height and stretched his neck from side to side. "I must leave you now. Do not leave this cabin, Joanna.” He turned to leave, but her question stayed him. "Where ya goin'?" He stared down at her, his arms crossed in front of his broad chest. "Must I tell you? I am a blood seeker, you know, Joanna." She felt her mouth drop open as he answered her inane question. Why did she have to ask? She found it hard to remember him as

a monster when he appeared to be a normal man suffering with a pale complexion. If she stared at him long enough she observed he wasn't really human, but he remained handsome to her anyway. He started out of the room and checked himself, hesitating a moment as he brushed imaginary lint off his jacket, the same jacket she had worn only minutes ago. "I do not enjoy it, I do what I must to survive.” After delivering that telling statement he vanished from the room, once more leaving Joanna stunned and speechless. How was she supposed to feel now? Was she developing Stockholm syndrome? Being attracted to her captor? Why did she not feel repulsed by him? By all rights, she should. Maybe she had lost her mind. She knew she should attempt escape again, but exhaustion invaded her body attempting to change her agenda. No, she would not succumb to the lethargy, she had to try anyway. Rolling off the couch, she crawled to the back door and managed to stand by using the washer to pull herself up. The world swam around her and for a moment she thought she would pass out, but after the initial vertigo passed, she felt strong enough to open the door and walk out into the night air. Something tickled her leg and glancing down she noticed a thin line of blood running down her calf. The puncture wounds where Colin bit her to remove the venom had reopened. He saved her life! But he could take it as well. In a way, He had already done that by taking her away from the life she had always known. Without even thinking about what she was doing Joanna bent down, dipped her finger in the blood and put it into her mouth ... then her knees gave out and she fell to the ground. The swoon threatened to overpower her but she remained conscious by lying very still until the dizziness passed. But the blood ... so intoxicating! No way she could escape right now ... just no way, but it was imperative that she get back to the sofa so HE wouldn't know she made the attempt. Let him believe that she'd given up. Let him believe that she was content to stay his captive. Let him believe what he wanted to believe! Then maybe she could be persuaded too. Vampires don't exist! She must be living out some long nightmare because everyone knows that there are no such things as vampires. "No such things as vampires, no such things as vampires,” she repeated her mantra as she pressed her fingertips to her closed eyes. "Then how do you explain me?” Ben's voice ... so startling Joanna almost screamed and pushed her eyes out of their sockets. "How do you explain the fact that I can hear the rapid heartbeat in your chest?" She didn't care for his amused tone one bit. Joanna glared at the perky Ben. "Why must you always sneak up on me, Ben? Do you wanna scare me to death?" "Scare you, yes ... to death, definitely not!" Looking into his grinning face, she saw nothing to lead her to believe he was anything but a man. He stood around six foot tall, not quite as tall as Colin, but a nice height anyway. This blonde devil with the cheeky baby face had extraordinary good looks, but then again, not quite as handsome as his maker. Colin's face was harder, and more angular, raw power covered with splendid flawless skin. "How old are you, Ben?" He crossed the room with unhurried steps, seated himself in the chair nearest to the sofa, and examined his fingernails, making her wait before he answered. "I'm twenty-nine this year." She gawked in amazement at his youthful face.

"But you look so much younger!” He chuckled and preened, combing his hair back and flipping his head until she laughed also. "I'm serious.... Colin converted me when I had just turned twenty years old. As blood seekers, we age very slowly, or maybe not at all, because, I haven't noticed any changes in my appearance. Except of course, that I grow more handsome each day." Joanna gagged. The strangled sound that flew from her throat struck her as hilarious and she started laughing, harder and harder, tears drowning her view of Ben as he tried so hard to remain stern in the face of her mockery. "S ... S ... Sorry.” She hiccupped and giggled once more. "Really, I'm teasing. You are very handsome.” Joanna's voice dripped with honey and it had the desired effect. Ben grinned back at her, his chest expanding before her eyes. "Please don't make me gag again." "Speaking of gagging, would you like something to eat?" Joanna stared back at him, her eyes wide as she remembered the bacon and so-called eggs. "Uh,” she started, then clamped her lips together. He left his chair, glanced into the kitchen then back at her. "We have soup and a microwave." Joanna relaxed, and grinned up at him as he towered over her, holding out his hand to help her up. "Thanks, Ben. That would be great." Ben helped her to the kitchen with an arm around her middle, his hand on her hip, but she said nothing. She planned to pay him back threefold when she no longer had to fight dizziness with every step. He left her after showing her where they stored the meager kitchen supplies and she nuked her soup and ate it in peace. After washing her bowl and leaving it on the counter to dry, Joanna made her way, on her own, back to her room for a nice hot bath. She had to admit, having the comforts of home made her imprisonment much easier to bear. As he neared the cabin, Colin's anxiety bloomed. What if that stubborn woman had crawled away in another hopeless escape attempt? Entering the kitchen, he listened for her and yes, two heartbeats within. His spirit soared. Following the steady beat, he found her lying across the bed, her hair wrapped in a towel, wearing the new bath robe that he left hanging on the back of the door for her. For a moment, he thought about waking her but changed his mind and just lifted the comforter up to her shoulders. Leaning over her, he put one hand on each side of her body and bent down to her flushed face. Inviting lips, oh so inviting! He could not resist touching his lips to hers, the most delicate of kisses ... she reacted and kissed him back. Jumping away, he stared down at her, amazed. Sound asleep and dreaming of her boyfriend, he told himself. Spinning about, he left her room and dashed to his vault, ripping his clothes off as he made his way to the bathroom. Jerking the handle right off the wall, he turned the taps on full blast and jumped in the shower to endure his first cold shower in over two hundred years.

Nine "Yuckkkkk!” It felt like someone sprinkled sand in her eyes and shit in her mouth. Joanna sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes as she struggled to wake up. Glancing out the window, she noticed that once again, she slept the entire day away. She needed a watch, with an alarm on it. "It is about time you woke.... “Ben broke off in mid-sentence, stared for a moment, then hurried to turn away . "Pardon me...” He made a hasty retreat from her doorway. What was wrong with that bewildering young man? What was he staring at? Did she look that awful? When she glanced down at her lap, she knew why he ran away. Her face flamed with embarrassment. She sat there naked from the waist up, her bathrobe crumpled around her hips. Joanna jerked the robe around her and thrust her arms into it as she made a dash to the dresser and the closet for some clean clothes. Then, she bolted into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her. She had no idea how she ended up in bed halfnaked. She couldn't remember anything past climbing in the bathtub. A knock at the bathroom door startled her and she missed the leg opening in her underwear and fell against the wall. "Joanna? Are you all right?” Colin's voice! Her heart began to race. “I ... I'm fine." "Are you quite sure? Do you need some assistance?” He rattled the doorknob and she missed the leg opening again. "Damn! I'm fine, Colin. Really. I'll be out in a minute." He didn't say anything for several minutes, but she knew he still stood there just on the other side of the door. She could feel his presence as tangible as the floor beneath her feet. "Come into the kitchen when you are finished in there, Joanna. Make haste, for your dinner grows cold." She froze. Oh No! She groaned and pulled her clothes on, praying the entire time for a bowl of soup. Maybe she could hide in the bathroom until they left! But Colin would probably come in after her. Filled with dread, she edged the bathroom door open. No one there. She sniffed the air before she left the meager safety of the bathroom and relaxed a little when she didn't smell bacon frying. Thank goodness! As she approached the kitchen, she overheard Colin talking. "Why not? She slept for over eighteen hours. Do you not remember the human appetite? She will be famished." When she saw the paper sack on the counter, her stomach convulsed with hunger. She ran through the kitchen and dove into the bag, treating Colin with an ear to ear grin. "Oh thank you, Colin! I'm starvin'. How thoughtful of you!" The blood seekers exchanged glances over her head as she devoured the burger and fries in record time. She couldn't believe she slept an entire day away. At least she felt much stronger now. Colin watched her with a strange expression staining his features. "What's wrong? Do I have something on my face again?"

At once his face lost all expression and his cold mask dropped into place. "It is nothing. I am pleased with your ... resilience." She eyed him, her head cocked to the side, but said nothing. She hated that blank facade he chose to hide behind, like it shamed him to have any feelings whatsoever. "May I have a Coke?" "Of course. You do not have to ask for food or beverage in this house, Joanna. Get whatever you desire." She had to go around Ben to get to the refrigerator, and he averted his gaze from her, his cheeks tinged pink. He was more embarrassed about seeing her naked than she was! She saw her chance to get him back for some of the frights he gave her, and she took it. Instead of going around him, she stopped beside him. "Are you O.K. Ben? You look a little flushed." His blush deepened. She would be willing to bet that he hadn't told Colin anything and didn't intend to. Grabbing his wrist, she held tight and stared into his face. "Do your eyes hurt? They look a little, uh ... strained. Oh my, your pulse is positively racing, Ben!” He jerked his wrist out of her grasp and she snickered then whispered in his ear. “Gotcha!" In a blur, he spun about and left the kitchen, Joanna's laughter following him like an inescapable shadow. She opened the refrigerator to get her Coke and noticed several stacks of parcels wrapped in white paper at the very back of the top shelf. "What was that all about, Joanna?" Closing the door, she turned to look at Colin. “Oh nothin, I was just pickin on Ben. What's in those packages on the top shelf?” Another strange look crossed his face. "Microwave food, for Ben and myself." "What kind of..." "Never mind. Please join us in the library, Joanna. I have some work to do.” He took her elbow and lead her out of the kitchen without giving her a chance to argue. Dropping his hand from her arm when they reached the library, his fingers brushed her hip and the electric shock from his touch shot all the way down her leg and flew out from her toes. Joanna jumped away from him as if she'd really been electrocuted. She watched Colin's reaction and of course, nothing showed on his stoic face. He crossed the room with long purposeful strides and opened his roll top desk, then sat in his swivel chair and started pecking at his keyboard without a glance back at her. Joanna stood just as he left her, staring at his back, waiting for the spasms in her muscles to stop. So unfair that he made her feel like this! "Joanna." The back of Colin's shirt blurred before her eyes and naughty visions of him striding toward her wearing nothing but a toothy grin wisped through her mind. "Joanna." His muscular legs seemed molded of liquid fire ... a fire that would burn her as those legs entwined with her own. "Earth to Joanna!” Ben spoke into her ear and she jumped so hard that her shoulder hit him in the chin. He grunted and backed

away a bit, stroking his bruised face as he scowled at her. "I'm sorry, I was wool-gathering. What did you say, Ben?” She picked up a magazine from the nearby table and fanned her hot cheeks with it. Rubbing his chin a few more times, he looked her over, watching the movements of her hand with the magazine like a cat stalking its prey. In an instant, the magazine disappeared from her hand and he stopped her arm with a hand on her wrist. "I'll take care of that for you.” He placed the periodical back in the precise spot she removed it from. "Now then, I asked you a minute ago if you want to play chess but you were too busy lusting over Colin to hear me." Gasping, she shook her head no, denying his allegations. "I was not!” Joanna blustered, trying to convince herself, as well as Ben, that she did not lust after Colin. Ben rolled his eyes, but said nothing further. He sat down by the game board, staring up at her, waiting for her to join him. "Sorry. I'm just not a chess player." "Come on, Joanna. Be a sport." "Benjamin, I will play you. I think you owe me a game.” Colin spun around in his chair to face them. Though he spoke to Ben, he stared into Joanna's face at the same time. She felt the color rise in her cheeks again. "I think I'll go to my room and play with Pete.” Joanna backed toward the doorway expecting one of them to follow her but neither of them did. She didn't know if she felt more disappointed or relieved. But now that the two of them seemed to be occupied, she could do whatever she wanted for a change so she went to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator for another Coke, she spied the white parcels again. He said they were microwave food. It wouldn't hurt to sneak a quick look then would it? On tiptoes, she went back to the kitchen doorway and peeked around the corner. They seemed occupied with their chess game so she crept back to the open refrigerator and removed the top box. Whoa! It's heavy. Careful not to tear it, she un-taped the paper, slid the box out, and opened the lid, exposing the contents. "Ooooooooooo gross!" Inside, she found plastic bags of blood on top of a thawed ice pack. Afraid she would get caught, she replaced the lid and slid the tray back into the paper. The tape wouldn't stick when she tried to re-tape the wrapping, so she lifted the other boxes and put the open one on the bottom of the stack. Her anxiety abated somewhat when she placed the parcels back the way Colin arranged them before she nosed into them. Wiping her sweaty palms on her shirt, she stepped back, flung the refrigerator door closed and found herself ‘face to chest’ with a tall silent figure. "Oh hell.” She stared at his buttons until they blurred out of focus, then little by little, she lifted her eyes from his chest to his stony face. By his grim expression, he must've been standing there the entire time. "You exasperate me, woman. You have violated my privacy.” He drew his eyebrows together, crossed his arms, and let out a dramatic sigh. "Must I punish you as I would a meddlesome child?" Her behind felt warm just thinking of his last punishment. She once again stared at his buttons, her discomfort growing heavier by

the second. Several retorts crossed her mind: No ‘keep out’ signs on the packages, no ‘do not open’ labels, plus, he'd said himself that she could have anything she desired. Joanna wanted to say something, anything, but her lips felt too big for her face and she imagined that if she tried to talk, the giant lips would flap together and make farting noises. After standing in silence for several long minutes, Joanna risked a glance at his face. The big lug grinned down at her, loving every minute of her discomfort! "You ass!” She pushed against his solid chest and when he didn't move she tried to go around him. She just had to get away before her face burned into spontaneous combustion. With invisible speed he caught her in his arms, lifting her off her feet and holding her close to his body. She felt the soft rumbling in his chest of his silent laughter. "Ah, Joanna.... You are a breath of fresh air in my closeted life." Colin set her back onto her own two feet. She tilted her head back and stared into his face. He no longer smiled ... instead he stared back at her with smoldering eyes. When she ran her tongue over her dry lips he groaned, bending down to wet her lips with his own. Patches shattered the moment by tearing through the kitchen, right between their feet, in pursuit of her invisible prey. Joanna hiccuped, swallowing her disappointment. "Crazy cat!" "Indeed.” Colin sighed. “Join us in the library.” He put his arm around her and led her out of the kitchen. "Whatever.” Her deadpan tone stopped him and he turned her body around to face him. "Joanna, is it so boring here for you?” She shook her head but he continued anyway. "Tomorrow evening, we will go shopping. The three of us will go to the big mall and you may choose whatever you desire." Her eyes lit up. “A television set?" "Anything." "Great! I look forward to it! Is it O.K. if I go to my room now?” He hesitated, searching her face. "Of course you may. You are free to do as you wish, as long as you do not attempt to leave here." "I'll see ya tomorrow then. Good night.” She shrugged his hands off her shoulders and left the room, leaving Colin standing there bewildered. What ever was she up to now? He doubted that he could ever guess. So they were going to the mall, huh? She would almost be sorry to escape from him. It would be better for her to get away from the two vampires as soon as possible though, because as much as she wished to deny it, she already liked them both. For the time being, she needed to keep her distance and succeed in her next escape attempt. Colin returned to the library where Ben waited for him at the chessboard. He was only one move away from winning though Ben had no idea. As soon as he sat down, Ben met his eyes. "You do know that she will try to escape again, don't you?” Colin lifted the corner of his mouth in an uncharacteristic smile. “Perhaps so, but my punishment was severe for her latest jog in the woods. She will consider that before she attempts to escape me again." Ben laughed. “I doubt it!” His laughter continued even though Colin glared at him. He watched the elder's face grow dark until he bit his own lip to hold back any additional mirth. Colin looked as if he might scalp him.

"Sorry Colin. Don't kill me. I just think that you are underestimating her stubbornness. That's all. I meant you no disrespect." "This is good young one. And checkmate.” He removed the last opposing rook and moved his pawn into place beside Ben's king. He won the game with a pawn! Ben's incredulous look was enough to put Colin back into good spirits again and he smiled as his opponent's mouth dropped open. "You still have not learned to be wary of the most innocent players, Ben." The young pupil moved to the other side of the room where he stared out the door into the main area of the house. He ran his fingers through his hair like he saw Colin do so many times when he worried about something, then realized what he was doing and stopped. The last thing he wanted was for Colin to think he mocked him. Still, he could not stop himself from voicing his thoughts. "And you, my revered teacher should be watchful of your queen."

Ten "He loves me, he loves me not.” She pulled the delicate white petals off the tiny wildflower, one by one. “He loves me, he loves me not. I knew it, he loves me not.” The last petal floated to the ground and she tossed the stem down beside it. With a heavy heart, she gazed at the broken flower, its petals scattered like the fragments of her life. Would she ever be able to return to her normal life after this experience? Somehow she doubted it. What would Colin do when she escaped from him? She would have to move, maybe to another state. But then her entire family would be so far away. With a long sigh she fell onto the porch swing and rocked back and forth, her bare foot pushing against the wooden planks. Colin was such a perfectionist that his swing didn't even squeak. It was as silent as his lithe movements. She shook her head, angry with herself for dwelling on the mysterious Colin. I've got to get away.” She groaned and stretched her arms over her head. Then she stuffed her hands in her shorts pockets. Her right hand closed on a slip of paper and she drew it out of her pocket. Smiling, she un-crumpled the paper and re-read the note she found taped to the refrigerator earlier this afternoon. Colin's bold script flowed across the page with the same easy rhythm of his speech. "Joanna—As you will no doubt notice—the key is in the back lock—Be careful when you explore out of doors—If you happen to lose yourself in the woods, have no fear, for with my keen lupine senses, I shall find you with no difficulty— Until tonight.... Colin" Joanna stared down at her bare feet. A twinge of pain tugged at her heart as she thought about her Mom pitching a fit if she saw her outside without her shoes, even if she never left the porch. She missed her over-protective mother, and her Dad, and her little sister. Oh well, she'd go visit them all tomorrow, after she left Colin and Ben in her dust at the mall tonight. Would anybody believe her when she told them that vampires really exist? Hell no! She didn't even believe it herself when she was faced with two of them. No, this secret she'd keep to herself, or risk being committed to the nearest loony bin. Inside the cabin, the sense of awe overpowered her, the cool air, the quiet ... the closed doors at the end of the hall. She had to get back out, spend as much time in the sunshine as possible, anywhere but in the dark cabin with its sleeping vampire inhabitants. She craved the real world, a world free of the supernatural and things that go bump in the night. Being here was like living in another dimension! How could Colin just walk in that busy mall undetected? Regardless of the consequences, she would get away from him during this shopping trip. She'd been working at that mall for years, and knew all the back hallways and service entrances. Not a chance that he could find her. His sensitive hearing wouldn't help either. With thousands of footsteps and human heartbeats, and no way to differentiate between them, it will be so easy! She planned to be so sweet and compliant that they wouldn't suspect anything until it was too late and she was gone! "Hello Joanna. Sexy voice by her ear. She grunted in surprise and bolted out of the porch swing. She would have fallen flat on her face, but his quick response saved her skin from wood splinters. Colin caught and held her with little effort. "I apologize for frightening you. I spoke to you twice, but you did not hear. Were you ... ah what was the word? Ah yes, were you wool-gathering again, Joanna?" Still in shock, she couldn't meet his eyes. Instead, she chose to stare at the patch of deflected sunlight dancing on his bare forearm. Sunlight on his arm? "Oh my God, Colin, what are you doing out here?” Frantic, she pushed against his chest and then pulled his arms toward the cabin door. "Colin! Get inside, you fool!” She continued to pull on him with all her might, but he just stood there, watching her grow hysterical.

She tried pushing again. "Colin, you ass! The sun is still up. It's not dark yet!" Ben stepped out the door and stood watching her with the same calm expression as his creator. Finally, she stopped trying to get Colin inside and stared back at them. "O.K. then, both of you can burn! See if I care!" Ben smiled at her and went back in the cabin. Colin sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. It was one of his habits that Joanna found quite endearing. "Do not believe everything you read in your horror books, Joanna. But, then again, do not discount anything either.” He rubbed his forehead and squinted at the sunlight. “It is best to believe only what you see with your own eyes and even then, look twice to make sure you are not just seeing what you thought you believed." He left her standing on the porch, still trying to decipher what he just said. She heard his voice calling to her from inside, “Prepare yourself, Joanna, we are soon to depart for the shopping mall." She shook her head and followed them into the cabin. Colin stood leaning against the kitchen counter, his long legs crossed at the ankle, talking in his quiet way, to Ben, as the younger one rinsed out a clean juice glass. Looking closer, it dawned on her that their appearances were now altered ... they looked so ... human! Neither one of them wore black, plus they glowed with health and vitality. Gone were the pale shut-in complexions. From his shiny black curls to the tips of his tan suede shoes, Colin was all male, all human male! His denim Dockers molded to his hips, nice hips, and an abundance of black chest hair sprang from the v-neck of his baby blue polo shirt. For some reason, she never thought of body hair on a vampire. Ben looked young and athletic in his blue jeans and red sweatshirt with the sleeves removed. His feet sported dirty white running shoes. They acted so normal, appearing comfortable with the way they dressed. Amazing! She darted past them to her room and changed into jeans and her sneakers, the best clothes for her escape! "I'm ready to go.” Joanna stopped outside the door to wait, but they already flanked her and each one of them held one of her arms as they led her off the porch and into the trees. "Hey! Wait a minute!” They picked up their pace. “How are we supposed to get there?” Colin ignored her, instead watching the woods before them. "We run!” Ben snorted at her. "What?” She screamed as her feet left the ground. They moved so fast, her surroundings blurred into streaks of color. Their strong grips felt reassuring on her arms and she found the speed exhilarating! All too soon, they slowed and stopped close to a narrow dirt road. A thick growth of trees and underbrush lined both sides of the road. Joanna panted, still trying to catch her breath and regain her footing when Colin released her arm and disappeared back into the woods. Ben slid his arm around her waist and held her up. Glancing sideways at his glowing face, she saw that he did it to help instead of being suggestive, and at the moment she welcomed his help. He noticed him watching the side of the road where Colin had vanished so she followed his example. The bushes and vines parted and a dusty black Mercedes pulled out of the woods with Colin at the wheel. "Can you stand?” Ben glanced back to Joanna. She nodded her head, “Uh huh.” Ben released her and went to the trunk of the car and removed a large cloth. With efficient speed, he wiped the dust off the car, revealing a beautiful shine.

Joanna hadn't moved an inch. She stood there like a zombie, stunned. What else can these vampires do? "Come along now, Joanna.” Colin urged. “Do we need to get that jaw checked? It seems to be loose and apt to fall open quite often.” He pushed her chin up to close her mouth. Colin led her to the car and then hesitated, looking from the bucket seats in front to the back seat, then at her face. After a moment, he guided her to the passenger seat and stepped away so she couldn't hear him talking to Ben. Then, he climbed in and started the car, its engine purring to life with the first turn of the key. Ben hopped in the back seat behind her, and off they went. "Fasten your seat belt, Joanna.” Colin's eyes traveled her flushed face, as if he knew she had just been thinking about how easy it would be to leap out. “I would not want you to fall out of the car.” His feigned sweetness turned her stomach. Ben snickered and handed her the shoulder harness. When she wouldn't take it from him, he bent over the seat, his chest brushing her face, and fastened it for her ... nice and tight. "Thank you, Ben." He spoke right behind her head, “You are most welcome, Colin." She ignored them both. Let them have their fun, because she would have the last laugh when she escaped their clutches ... damn them both. Even as they drove through the gorgeous woods and countryside, she kept her eyes downcast, staring at nothing until her gaze strayed to Colin's seat. Oh my word! Her cheeks blazed as she tried to look away from the huge male bulge in his lap. His pants seemed snug, but not formfitting and everything shifted over to one side as he drove. The man must be hung like a horse! "Joanna, What do you think of that enormous stallion?" "WHAT?” She choked on her own saliva. Joanna felt the blood rush to her face, sure she blazed a vivid red. "It's a massive beast isn't it?” Ben piped up from the back seat. She just wanted to crawl in a hole and hide. They'd read her filthy mind. Now what would she do? How could she deal with this? "What do you think he is? A Clydesdale? You know like the beer wagon horses.” Ben sounded like an enthusiastic little boy. "Well you are not going to even see him if you do not lift your head, Joanna. We are almost too far past the pasture." "What? Where?” She looked out the window to see nothing but some cows and lots of trees. Thank the stars that they weren't reading her mind after all! How ironic that Colin tried to point out a real horse at that very moment! She couldn't help herself, she laughed. Glancing up at Colin's baffled expression she laughed even harder. He had no clue! So pleasing to her, she loved the fact that he had no clue! Now if she could just tear her eyes away from his crotch, and keep them away. Argh! She couldn't stop herself ... She looked again! The giggles at least had died in her throat as the breath caught right behind that last giggle and hung there. His position hadn't changed and the immense bulge in his pants stayed quite evident. She would love to lay her head in his lap and feel his bulge under her cheek. Pressing her fingers to her temples, she tore her shameless gaze away from Colin's pants to stare out the window at the passing countryside. This attraction to his obvious endowments was an even bigger reason that she needed to get away from these two! Now why had she thought of it as a bigger reason? Colin and Ben kept their comments to themselves after her rather strange laughing fit. The long ride progressed in silence. Colin hadn't exaggerated about the city being far away. Once they did reach town, the car stopped for a stoplight and Joanna's hand crept to the door handle. In an instant, Ben's cool hand landed on top of hers and Colin held her other wrist with his unrelenting grip. She rolled her eyes and gave up.

They arrived at the mall without incident and Colin parked the car. Then he turned in his seat to face her. Ben got out of the car, opened her door and kneeled down beside her. Their stares gave her an uneasy feeling. It was as if they knew something that she didn't and she hated it. "There are a few rules I must give you before we enter the mall. Listen Joanna, for I will not have you claim ignorance if you break a rule. Do not give me that rebellious look, woman. If you defy me you will be punished ... no exceptions." Colin stared hard at her until she dropped her obstinate expression, then he continued. "You will stay between us at all times, act normal, and if someone you know speaks to you then you may answer. But do not initiate a conversation with anyone. Do not attempt or even contemplate escape. If you expose Ben or myself to anyone that person will die, and you will watch it happen. Do I make myself clear to you?" She listened with half an ear until his last two sentences, then she felt the blood drain from her face. An inkling of fear crept into her stomach. She had lost the fear for her own life, but she hadn't thought of innocent people dying because of her. He had to be bluffing. He had to be! He hadn't killed her yet, and she defied him several times. No, she had to go on with her plan to escape. She met Colin's ebony eyes with a glare of her own. “Yes, you make yourself perfectly clear ... Master.” He nodded and got out of the car. Ben offered her his hand, then when she refused to reach up to him, he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her from the car then shut the door, just missing her rear end in the process. Colin armed the car alarm and they walked toward the entrance. People searching for parking spaces drove past the trio, but no one saw anything amiss. Her stomach churning, Joanna entered the busy mall with a tall virile vampire on each side of her. People everywhere. Talking, shopping, people-watching, and some walking with brisk steps for exercise. The crafty pair smiled saying, “How are you,” to blend in with the human crowd. Colin and Ben both received inviting stares from appreciative female shoppers. A few men eyed them too! It was enough to make a knowing person gag. Rolling her eyes so many times she made herself dizzy, Joanna now found the situation so funny she started to giggle. Those stupid people were envious of her! Not a single person saw anything abnormal about her escorts. How could they not notice the air of supremacy that oozed from Colin's every pore? The way he carried himself ... the very oddness of his extraordinary good looks and vitality ... his obvious power? Before long, every time someone looked her way Joanna choked on her own spit then burst out laughing. Colin grabbed her arm after a very loud burst of laughter and spun her to face him. "What is wrong with you? Are you becoming hysterical again?" "I can't help it, Colin. Look around at these stupid people! I'm walking through a mall full of people with a vampire on each side of me and nobody knows it! Real Vampires! Don't you get it? Half these girls in here are drooling over you and want you to jump their bones!” She started giggling again. “If they only knew!” She laughed so hard now that tears poured down her face. Colin glanced over at Ben, sighed, and ushered Joanna over to an alcove designed for a public telephone. Still laughing, she coughed and held her stomach then laughed again. Colin took hold of her shoulders and shook her. "Snap out of it, Joanna!" She hiccupped and trembled all over. He started to slap her, but a better idea came to mind. He pulled her into his arms and bent his head to her throat. "Owwww! You bit me!” She brought her fingers to her neck then pulled them away to look for blood. “You bit me!"

"Oh, did I?” He lifted his eyebrows in mock surprise. She glared back at him, all laughter wiped away. "I had to get your attention in some way, and it worked, did it not?” She touched her fingers to her neck again and still found no blood. "I did not extend my fangs, Joanna. I simply bit you to stop your hysterics.” He pulled his collar aside and smiled. “Would you like to bite me in return?" "NO!” She snapped at him. Ben giggled and she reached over to slap him on the head. He didn't flinch, but he did stop his snickering. After wiping the tears from her cheeks, she straightened her clothes, composing herself. "All right, let's shop, y'all." Colin nodded his agreement, took her arm and led her out into the throng of people. They purchased a television set, a radio, some forks and several throw rugs Joanna insisted she had to have. Colin bought her a wrist watch, which she put on right then. Her dark escort held her hand as they walked the mall from store to store and Joanna had to fight having a fit of hysterical laughter every time someone smiled to acknowledge the ‘happy couple.' Several times she tried pulling away, but every time his grip tightened to a painful squeeze before he relaxed his hand again. She got the message after the third time her knuckles crunched. He wasn't letting go! She nodded and smiled at the appropriate times and even said thank you to a young sales clerk when the girl told her that her husband was very attractive. Joanna knew he heard the infatuated girl's whisper. The conceited pig had the nerve to tell her, “See how fortunate you are ... wife?” She squeezed his hand as hard as she could, hoping to break a few bones, but he only laughed and pulled her toward another store. When she saw which store he chose, she balked. "Colin, I can't go in there!” She stopped in her tracks. “I work there! Richard works there! How am I supposed to explain to my boyfriend that I have a new master now? Oh yeah, Richard, by the way, don't piss him off or he'll suck you dry?" He stared hard into her face. "Silence, Joanna.” He peered over her head at Ben, then he released her hand and walked off without her. Now's my chance! She watched Colin's retreating back for a second, then her gaze traveled to the exit doors. "Don't even think about it.” Ben's long arms snaked around her shoulders. He rested his chin on top of her head and held her against his chest, keeping her in place with little effort. She tried to struggle, but he laughed and held her tighter ... she couldn't even breathe. As soon as she stilled he loosened his hold, but only enough so she could inhale. "Let me go, you asshole." "Hush now, Joanna. If Colin finds out you disobeyed his command he'll be very angry ... and you know he's much stronger than I am." She reconsidered making a scene, and it was a good thing she did because Colin already returned to them. Was that a smirk on his face? When he drew near, Ben removed his arms and stepped away from her.

"It was good for me, was it good for you?” She tried to elbow him, but he moved too fast, so she contented herself by shooting him the finger. Colin carried a bag from the pet shop. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him coming toward them. "What did you buy?" "Food for the parrot.” His answer stunned her for a moment but she recovered and couldn't help but ask even though she had a feeling she would not like the answer. "How did you know which one to get for him?" What a strange smile. What had he done now? Colin shrugged. “It was relatively simple. I asked Richard to help me choose." "Wh ... wh ... what?" "You know, the thin young man with the unkempt appearance, Richard.” He hesitated, still giving her that strange look. “It is rather peculiar. It seems that he has forgotten all about you Joanna." "What did you do to him, Colin?" He smiled at her with that same odd expression and extended his arm. When she didn't move to take his hand he sighed and grasped hers. "Come along now, Joanna. It is time to go home.” He pulled her with him like she was a reluctant child. Damn him. They picked up their purchases and made their way out of the large anchor store. A way to escape popped into her head as they passed the customer service hall. "Uh.... Colin? While y'all are loading this stuff in the car, I'm gonna go to the restroom. See, there's one right here close to the door.” He looked at her with obvious suspicion, his forehead creased with several worry lines as he squinted down at her. "Oh come on! It's right there in that hallway.” She pointed to the door and flashed them her most innocent smile. Both of them stared back at her as if they had no trust in her whatsoever. They had good reasons to doubt her, still they thought of themselves as superior ... why worry about one little woman? "Ben will bring our purchases to the car, and I will go with you to the restroom.” Ben left with the packages and Colin took her arm to lead her to the bathroom ... as she expected him to do. "Colin!” She gaped at him in pretended astonishment. “You can't go in the bathroom with me. It's a ladies room!" "I am aware of that, Joanna. I am not of inferior intelligence. I will wait for you here. Make haste, or I will come in after you." Turning away so that he couldn't see, Joanna mouthed ‘whatever', rolled her eyes and entered the restroom. She turned on one of the faucets and a hand drier to cover the subtle noise of the salon door opening and closing. The store's beauty salon was next to the bathroom and they shared the same restroom with their own door from the salon. She knew that, but Colin didn't! He waited in the hallway by the public door for her to come out. Wait in vain, Colin. Joanna crept through the salon, her pulse thundering in her ears. It took all her will to maintain a normal pace and not run until she made it out. She didn't want to attract undue attention. When she reached the mall common area, she headed for the first service hallway, then she ran. Within minutes she made it to the outside door. Hesitating with her hand on the doorknob, an uncomfortable

feeling of foreboding flooding her senses. What if Ben parked out there waiting for her? The door flew open from the outside and she nearly choked with fright, swallowing a huge gulp of air that settled right below her breastbone. Only a mall employee coming in to work and she breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at the teenager. "You scared me to death!” Her nervous laugh echoed back to her. He stared at her like she was a senile old fool, the way teenagers look at anybody over the age of twenty-three. "Oh, sorry.” He side-stepped around her and went down the hall. She changed her mind about going outside and chose a different corridor, leading farther away from her captors. Shaking with the constant flow of adrenaline in her veins, every sound she heard startled her, increasing her already rapid pulse. She knew Colin had discovered her flight by now and he would be seething with fury. If she could just make it around to the security station and solicit their help Colin couldn't do a damn thing to her in front of that many witnesses! Halfway down the third service passage she heard the main door at the opposite end open. She dashed into the nearest doorway, flattening herself against the cold metal. Holding her breath in terror, she waited ... no footsteps. Almost fainting from lack of oxygen to her brain, she heard the door close with a loud click. She drew a ragged breath and slunk to the end of the hallway. Peeking outside she recognized the two broad backs, not twenty yards away ... she bit her lip to squelch her scream. A security guard questioned them. What did they do? She really didn't want to find out! Joanna eased the door closed and ran like the wind to the other end of the hall and out the delivery door. One of the red security Blazers cruised by on his routine car theft patrol and she sprinted for the vehicle. "Hey! Hey! I need help! Help me!” She ran out in front of the truck as she yelled. The guard slammed on his brakes to avoid hitting her. She didn't give him a chance to get out of the truck, but ran up and jumped in the passenger door, slouching down in the seat before she would tell him anything. The young guard stared at her in shocked silence, not knowing if he should handcuff her or comfort her. "I'm sorry, but I've been kidnapped." "Kidnapped?" "Yes! I got away, but they're still out there looking for me. They'll kill me if they catch me! You've got to help me!" "O.K ... O.K., relax lady. I'll take you to the security office.” He sounded bored! This kid didn't even care! But at least he planned to take her to the office. She ignored his lack of compassion. "Thanks.” She could relax ... a little. As soon as he pulled up outside the office, she leapt from the Blazer and ran inside, repeating her story to the group of guards in the outer office. They all listened without saying a word until she grew quiet, then an older man with a head full of white hair stepped forward and placed his hand on her shoulder. "You're gonna be just fine, miss. Nobody's gonna hurt you. All right?” He looked into her face with such pity. At least she found someone that cared! "Why don't you step into my office and rest?” He guided her into the small room. “I'll be right back.” He closed the door behind him. The door on the other side of the room started to open as soon as the one behind her closed. Filled with dread she backed up, trying to escape. The knob wouldn't turn ... they locked her in. Seconds later, Ben stepped through the doorway opposite her. He shook his head to and fro, his eyes downcast. I'm going to die and my executioner is on the way.

A few scant moments later Colin entered the room and with slow, deliberate movements came at her with his head down. Joanna's knees buckled, and she felt the urgent need to urinate as he drew near. He came within inches of her before he stopped, glaring at her with eyes burning red with rage. Grimacing, his prominent eyeteeth gleamed white against his flushed skin. She wanted to beg for her life ... for forgiveness, but terror choked her. She let out a pathetic whimper and tried to run past him. A low menacing growl rolled from his throat as Colin did what Joanna and he himself feared most ... he lost control. He snatched her off her feet and threw her against the door. Then Ben moved to stand at his creator's side and they stared in absolute silence at the girl's still form. Colin looked to Ben and nodded, then opened the door to face the curious crowd of security personnel. "Is everything all right, Doctor?” The white-haired guard showed genuine concern, his bushy brows drawn together over wrinkled, kind eyes. "Yes, yes, thank you for your help. She has been taken care of and I can guarantee this will not happen again. Please forgive us for the intrusion." Colin held the door open for Ben and waited while he carried Joanna's limp body through the door, then before anyone could question them further, they were gone. The security guards stared at each other, everyone thinking, but no one speaking until after a long tense pause, one of them spoke up. "She sure didn't look like no paranoid schizophrenic to me." The man standing beside him snorted. "How do you know what one looks like?" A few guards snickered. "Well smart-ass, what makes you so sure that he was a real doctor?" No one laughed any more.

Eleven Colin crammed the key into the door lock and yanked open the door, gritting his teeth when the alarm shrieked. In his blind fury, he forgot to disarm the blasted alarm. Nobody even glanced their way, despite the shrill alarm and the unconscious woman in Ben's arms. In an uncharacteristic, clumsy move, Colin dropped the keys. When he reached down, he bumped them even farther under the car, then dropped to his knees, searching for the control so he could shut off the alarm. Broiling with anger he bellowed at Ben. "Throw that damned woman in the back seat and get in the car!" Ben obeyed, tossing Joanna's limp body into the back seat. He jumped in the car even though at the moment he felt more like running. He seldom saw Colin so furious! The hands holding the steering wheel shook and Colin's chest heaved as he drew ragged, angry breaths. Joanna not only escaped again, but she made a fool of him, leaving him standing outside the women's restroom. Ben had no doubt she'd suffer for what she did, and he felt sorry for her. Colin drove without saying a word, looking straight ahead, his nostrils flaring and his lips taut. His chin moved back and forth as he gritted his teeth. Ben knew better than to mention Colin's speeding ... enough to attract human police. Lucky none pulled him over or he would've killed them. When they arrived at their hiding place for the car Colin revved it through the brush then slammed it into park. He took a deep breath before getting out and opening the back door. Ben watched his hands tremble as he stared at Joanna's still form. Colin bent to drag her out of the car then an odd thing happened. As soon as his hand touched her arm his expression softened, and when he lifted her he wasn't rough ... didn't toss her over his shoulder as Ben had expected. Without uttering a word he turned and started carrying her through the woods toward the cabin. Ben still sat there in the passenger seat of the car, stunned. Colin never ceased to amaze him! He'd expected him to kill Joanna as soon as they left the city behind. Snapping out of his revere he got out of the car, locked the doors and camouflaged it in the thicket. He didn't want to go home just yet so he decided to return to town and check his post office box again. By now something should have arrived for him. He found the box empty time and time again and he grew weary of it. But even if it was empty tonight it beat the hell out of going home. **** Joanna's body burned Colin's skin everywhere that they made contact. Shifting her weight to the other shoulder, he noticed the silky softness of the exposed skin on her back. His hand slid across her slim body feeling all the bones of her spine one by one. His fury cooled by the moment. The thought of breaking every bone in her body one after another, seemed repugnant when just minutes before he had savored the anticipation of snapping her puny mortal bones. Colin stopped his rapid march through the woods and let Joanna fall to the ground amidst the dead leaves, pine needles and underbrush. He stared down at her like he did not know how she got there. What the hell was wrong with him? He had been ready to kill her just an hour ago, for humiliating him at the shopping mall and running away. His cheeks blazed as he thought of himself standing outside the door, waiting. And getting concerned he had entered the women's bathroom to find a door leading into the hair salon. He grew angry again remembering the hairdressers’ surprised faces and their laughter at his discomfort as he said excuse me and walked out through the salon. Oh yes, that did it. His anger returned as he thought about her escape, but nowhere near the level it was earlier. Joanna would be punished, but he knew he could never break her bones. Injuring her that way was out of the question ... but debasing her ... hmm, perfect. When she awoke there would be a great deal in store for her. He stared down at her unconscious form and smiled. Her body lay sprawled out in the leaves, unmoving, no awareness whatsoever. He felt a slight twinge as he watched her shallow breaths, the almost indiscernible rise and fall of her chest. But her heartbeat sounded strong and steady ... she would recover. With his unshakeable patience, he could wait for her to awaken. Colin jerked Joanna from the ground by her arm, tossing her over his shoulder again. He started towards the cabin and this time he made sure not to touch her bare skin to his ... anywhere.

**** Ben entered the post office in a foul mood. He worried about Colin and his unconscious chosen one. He planned to stay far away from home for a long while, giving his angry creator time to cool off and be finished with his punishment of the disobedient Joanna. It surprised him that he didn't want to see it. A young woman stood at the far end of the building with the door to her box open. Ben frowned as he watched her remove envelope after envelope from the box and put it in her cloth carry bag. She smiled at him as he walked up and opened his own box, then she went right back to emptying her own slot. His blasted box had one single piece of mail in it, but it excited him nonetheless. At least it broke up the emptiness inside the vast cavernous space! His smug expression melted into a frown when he read the envelope and realized that it didn't belong to him after all. Someone else's mail ... and it appeared to be a credit card bill too. Wadding it up he tossed the unwanted mail into the trash container and turned to the young woman as she passed behind him on her way out of the building. "Hello.” He drawled out his “o” into a caress. She smiled back at him, a bit apprehensive, and quickened her pace. Ben moved with ease to intercept her. Placing his hands on her shoulders he gazed into her now frightened eyes "It's okay, I mean you no harm. Relax.” He spoke with a gentle drift of sound, no more than a heated whisper. As he knew they would, his words put her at ease as he mesmerized her with his steady gaze. Still holding her shoulders, his eyes left her face and searched the post office building for a dark corner. None there. Glass panels made up the entire front of the building and anyone pulling into the parking lot could see everything that went on inside. "Is that your vehicle parked outside the door?" Her soft brown eyes glazed over but she understood his question and nodded her head. Ben led her outside, stood beside the car and took the keys from her pliant fingers. After opening the door, he folded her unresisting body into the driver's seat and bent down beside her, kissing those soft full lips before he moved to her neck. The breath caught in her throat as his sharp fangs sliced through her skin and hit the throbbing vein but she melted into the seat as the euphoria overcame her. After just a small taste, Ben removed his fangs and licked at the wounds until the bleeding stopped. He drank just enough to appease his appetite and make her lightheaded and drowsy. He kissed her ear and whispered his command. “Rest a while then go straight home" Before he left her, he couldn't resist taking the bag from her and looking through her mail. When he saw the personal missives from a dating agency, he thought for a moment that he should follow her home. No doubt she lived alone, but no, he wouldn't do that to her. Ben kissed her again on her damp forehead and put the mail and her car keys in the seat beside her before locking the car door, shutting her inside. **** Colin paced the floor beside the still unconscious Joanna. His indecision really irritated him, being so abnormal for his disciplined nature. The fact that his captive remained unconscious worried him also and it rankled him that he cared at all about her. The punishment for her offense would have to be extreme but he found himself wondering if she would even remember the misdeed after this long state of oblivion. What would he do then? It did not change the fact that she not only ran from him yet again, but she shamed him too. For that she must pay. Kneeling down beside where he tossed her upon arrival, he gazed at her ashen face. Reaching to touch her jaw with his fingertips, he turned her head and saw the imprint of the rug on her cheek. His thoughts raged inside his troubled mind and he realized how uncomfortable he was squatting here in the middle of the den floor. So for his comfort, not hers, he lifted Joanna from the floor and brought her into his bedroom. He would not give her the security of her own bedroom and her own bed. No, she would stay in his sight, in his room and she would have no clothes to cover herself with. Yes! That was a good start for her punishment. Her nakedness would make her feel even more vulnerable and embarrassed.

Placing her on his bed, he jerked her shoes off without untying them and dropped them to the floor, then removed her socks and placed them inside the shoes. Her limbs flopped like a doll's with no resistance, no life. Her bare feet felt cool to his touch and he could not help but rub them to try and get some warmth back into them. Then he realized what he stood there doing and dropped her feet back onto the bed. Such small feet! He could fit his hand around her entire foot. He scowled, ran his fingers through his tousled hair and drew in a deep breath, holding it, then releasing it in a slow stream. This turned out to be a more difficult task than he expected. His hands shook as he unzipped her jeans and slid them down her hips and off her body. The delicate underwear he ripped off and tossed down, not even looking at her exposed skin as he did so. She still showed no signs of awakening, even though he stripped her naked from the waist down. Sitting beside her on the bed, he pulled her up by one arm, propped her against him, lifted the shirt over her head and then let her fall back to the bed. Her face remained blank and pale. Her hair had fallen over part of her face and her shoulder and the rest splayed across the comforter in total disarray. He noticed a few leaves and twigs trapped in the long tresses and he reached to remove them before pushing the hair back out of her face. Then as if he had forgotten his purpose, he shook himself again, snapped the bra straps with two fingers and removed her last article of clothing. Forcing himself to remain detached became more and more difficult but he must persevere, he must not lust over her delectable flesh and he must make this hard arousal go away. She lay there like an inanimate goddess, blanched and still. Colin jumped to his feet and stood beside the bed, staring down at her, making his vision blur and wondering if perhaps he had made yet another mistake by removing her clothing. But it was already done. Resolved with his decision, he picked up all the pieces of her clothing and took them into the guest room. When she awoke there would be nothing for her to cover herself with. He would force her to spend the rest of her time here nude, as she deserved no clothes to cover herself with. Smiling for the first time since this fiasco started, his choice of punishment pleased him. Not only would it cause her unbearable discomfort, but oh how delightful for him. Even though he decided not to return to his room, he found himself back there again, staring down at her luscious body, aching to touch her. This time though his carnal thoughts were interrupted when he heard Ben come in the back door. NO! At once he knew that he did not want Ben also staring at his chosen one's nude form. What a mistake! Grabbing an undershirt out of his drawer, he ran to the bed and dressed her, pulling the shirt down to cover her thighs. Damnation! What a fool ... to even think of letting her walk around with no clothing in front of Ben, who already lusted after her. Colin knew about Ben's infatuation, even though Ben did his best to hide it. Glancing at his bedside clock he noted Ben had been gone for hours. That meant Joanna had been unconscious for hours too! Too long, something must be very wrong with her and it was his fault for losing his temper! Punishing her did not seem so allimportant any longer. What happened to his rage? What happened to his sense of justice concerning her? It had left with her clothing. There had to be a solution, a perfect solution that did not leave him standing alone with an aching groin. A purplish tint crept below the hairline on her forehead. With his hypersensitive fingertips, he examined her skull for fractures and found none. He hoped he did no damage to her delicate brain when he tossed her across the mall office. In a way, though, it was a good thing ... her unconscious state. Back in the office, while she remained on the floor he had gained control over his temper enough not to strike her again. And now, lucky for her she remained in this coma-like state so he could get over his anger and not feel the need to punish her more. If she were lucid now her mouth would get her into more trouble. Now he stood over her, listening to her soft moans as consciousness returned little by little. He couldn't blame her for trying to escape. A weak-willed woman would be of no use to him. He had to respect her ingenuity at managing to elude Ben and himself at the shopping mall. He would keep telling himself these things until he believed them! He had underestimated her. It would not happen again. A smile touched his lips as he pulled the sheets—his sheets, up to her chin and tucked them around her beautiful neck and shoulders. Lifting her right arm, his smile grew wider as he snapped the cold metal bracelet on her wrist and ran the chain down to

the bed frame. He looked forward to her outburst when she awoke to find herself chained to his bed wearing only an undershirt from his wardrobe. "Colin?” Ben whispered from the doorway. "Enter.” He never lifted his eyes from his captive. He felt, rather than saw his neophyte's presence at his side. His nostrils flared as the warm scent of the nightcap filled his head. Taking the glass from Ben's hand, he sipped its contents. "Perfect. Just the proper temperature." "Why thank you, Colin." They stood staring at Joanna, sipping their O-negative cocktails in silence until Ben spoke. “She has been out for a long time?" "Yes." "Is there some sort of damage?" "I do not believe so." "What're you going to do with her?" Colin didn't answer. "Are you gonna kill her?" He turned his head to see Ben's worried expression. “Am I gonna kill her?” Colin mocked his words, words he picked up from Joanna's informal speech. Ben blushed, his cheeks tinged rosy red. "Have you grown fond of this troublesome human, Ben?” When he saw Ben's blush deepen, he laughed. “You like her. Do you not? You like her!" "Don't laugh at me, Colin. You like her too, or she would already be dead!" "Yes. Unfortunately, you are correct. She tends to grow on you. Does she not?" "Yeah, like barnacles.” Ben snorted. “Would you like another drink?” He took Colin's empty glass. "No thank you. But would you prepare a plate of cold cuts and cheese for her?" Ben nodded his head. “Of course. Will she awaken soon?" Colin trailed his fingers across her bruised head. "I hope so." Cold and pain ... the first things Joanna became aware of. Her head ached and her limbs felt frozen and numb. She found herself in an unfamiliar room lying on a huge bed. No doubt a masculine chamber with a large beautifully carved chest-of-drawers and rolltop desk of rich dark wood. The door in the right corner of the room stood ajar, but the she saw light spilling out from under the closed door in the left corner of the room. Hearing the rattle of the doorknob, she turned her head to see who opened the door and the intense pain shooting through her head made her retch. She tried to lift her right hand to her throbbing temples, but it was trapped under something and she couldn't move it far enough. Colin came towards the bed still adjusting his pants ... he'd just left the bathroom. Joanna saw him and gagged again. Her head

shifted on the pillow with the spasms and throbbed even more, choking her with nausea. She squinted up at him and vomited all over the pillow. "Help me.” Tiny, pain-filled voice ... begging him. He stroked her face and stood right there by her side while she threw up on herself. If she weren't so miserable, she would be embarrassed. He placed the ice pack on her head and bent down to stare into her anguished eyes. "Joanna ... go to sleep." She obeyed and fell asleep in an instant. She didn't feel him washing her face, or removing the pillow, or brushing the hair back away from the lump on her head. He thought for a moment about the best treatment for her pain and nausea. His own blood seeker's serum would work best, but how could he get enough into her bloodstream without sinking his fangs? An idea came to him. After replacing the ice pack on Joanna's wound he went to the hall closet and pulled out the black case, removing a six cubic centimeter syringe and a twenty-two gauge needle. Syringe in hand, he strode back to Joanna's side. He did not know if what he was about to attempt would work, but it could not cause any more damage than he had already inflicted on her. Running his tongue along the roof of his mouth, he searched for the pocket of serum that connected to his feeding fangs. He found the spot he sought and slipped the needle into the flesh beside his tongue, filling the syringe half way with the clear serum. Removing the needle, he held his tongue against the hole in his palate until it closed on its own. A very powerful narcotic, his serum, and it only took a minuscule amount to produce the mind numbing euphoria. He clamped his hand around her biceps until the veins in the crook of her arm became distended then he released her and slipped the needle in the largest vein. Blood flowed into the syringe, stirring his thirst, but he ignored it and pushed the plunger in, sending the serum into her bloodstream. In mere seconds, her facial features relaxed and all the tension left her body in a rush. If the serum prevented her from awakening when he reversed his hypnotic suggestion he would know it worked. "You may awaken now, Joanna.” She slumbered on. Success. Easing his body down on the bed, he sat beside her and stared un-seeing at the bedspread. The geometric shapes blurred into a shapeless mass. How could he be so cruel? No ordinary human, his chosen one, and he tossed her across the room as if he had no regard for her life whatsoever. Nothing could be farther from the truth. He cared for her more than he wanted to admit. He must learn to control his anger. The diamonds and pyramids jolted back into focus when he heard the soft tap on the door. Ben entered carrying a tray heaped with crackers, sliced cheese, and assorted cold cuts. He stopped short when he saw Joanna in repose and gave Colin a scowl. "I apologize, Benjamin. She will not be in need of your carefully prepared platter. I put her to sleep." "You put her to sleep?" "She is resting. It was necessary for she felt great pain.” He lifted the ice pack to examine her wounded head and found that the swelling abated a little. She would be just fine. After replacing the ice pack, he smiled up at Ben, waiting to see what his next question would be. To his surprise, Ben didn't ask anything. "I'll bring this back to the kitchen.” Ben left the room and pulled the door closed behind him. Stunned for a moment, Colin let his head fall back against the headboard of the bed. His mind in turmoil, he closed his eyes. His life was so routine, so blasé before he brought her to his lair. He knew what every night would be like, and every day. Even Ben's minor transgressions did not upset his life. Ben obeyed.

Joanna did not obey. He never knew what to expect from her. He never knew what the next hour would bring, much less the next night! His mind drifted, dreams not far away ... human dreams, dreams of great desire, of cuddling with a woman, of sultry green eyes gazing up at him in adoration. He awoke with a start, his hands tangled in Joanna's long hair. She had turned over in her sleep and nuzzled her head in his lap. Her hand still manacled to the bed, she pulled the chain taut, her arm twisted behind her back. How could she sleep like that? In addition to the painful position of her arm, she had the hard evidence of his carnal thoughts stabbing her in the cheek. Although he would love to leave her head right where it rested in his lap, he eased her over to his side. Colin felt guilty for chaining her like an animal to the bed and he slid his hand into his pocket, retrieving the key to unlock the cuffs. As soon as he removed the cuff, she brought her freed arm over her body and hit him right in the groin with a loose fist. He felt the pain as it gathered into an angry mob in the pit of his stomach and with a silent groan he willed it to disperse. For a moment he thought she intentionally struck him, but after tuning in to her deep, regular breathing he knew that was not so. He cradled her torturous fist against his cheek, spreading her fingers to kiss her palm. Then, he moved his lips to her delicate wrist where he felt her pulse with his tongue. Her soft skin felt cool to his mouth and he followed the pulse with wet kisses up her arm, stopping to suck at the bend of her elbow before his tongue slid wet and warm, up to her shoulder. He could go no further while she still wore the tee shirt, and the piquant taste of her skin lingered on his taste buds like an appetizer, leaving him unsatisfied and wanting more. Employing all his immortal stealth, he peeled the covers from her body and gasped with pleasure. Countless times, he viewed her legs, her entire body, and never had she appeared so appealing, so exquisite. Without warning, she turned on her back reaching for sheets that were no longer there and kicked out with her foot, just missing his already swollen groin. Before she could inflict any more damage, he straddled her legs and lifted the over-sized shirt, running both hands up her smooth stomach to cup her luscious breasts. Her skin flushed with a rash of excitement as his mouth followed, blazing a moist trail across her midriff. She stirred, running her fingers through his hair as he claimed first one tawny breast and then the other, suckling, nipping, licking, and then sucking again. His fangs descended in his excitement, but he nipped with care, not wanting to break the skin and his tongue darted between the elongated teeth to circle her pert nipples. Lifting his head to gaze through passion filled eyes at her face, an icy shame washed over his heated body as he realized Joanna remained asleep. Had he become an incubus? Having sex with a woman while she slept? Disgusted with himself, he started to leave the bed when Joanna snuggled her head down deeper into her pillow, moaned, and turned her head to the side, exposing the long curved column of her appetizing neck. He caught himself drooling over her throat and he bit down on his bottom lip in an effort to gain control over his raging hormones, but alas, he could not. His mouth closed on her throat and he nearly lost control and melted into his underwear. Touching her torrid body now ... more that he could bear! Throwing back his head, his eyes squeezed shut, he gasped, sucking in huge gulps of air to rein in his runaway ardor. The aching pain between his legs lessened and he let his head drop back into a normal position. He found himself staring straight into the sultry green eyes from his dream. She wet her lips, inviting his kiss and he needed no second invitation. Their lips met and bonded, demanding more as their tongues greeted each other like life long friends. Without breaking the kiss, his hand explored her quivering body, her taut nipples, the gooseflesh on her arms and torso, her athletic thighs, her furred pelvis, and below. Her legs entwined with his, squeezing him when his fingers entered her molten body. She kissed him with animal-like abandon, tearing at the buttons on his shirt. then she cried out when he bounded off the bed to tear his clothes off. He returned in seconds, warm and nude. Joanna wrinkled her pert little nose as his thick black chest hairs tickled her face and he smiled. Colin held himself poised over her, his knees nudging her legs further and further apart. She squirmed until they were touching, male to female, firing his desire for total fusion. "Are you aware, Joanna?” His voice was husky with restraint. Staring into his beautiful dark eyes, she saw the real concern there, even though he was about to self-destruct with longing. Did he think she didn't know what they were about to do? Reaching up to touch his eyelashes and the tiny wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, she whispered, “Oh ... I'm very much aware."

She reached between them and grasped him in her hand, squeezing and pulling until he growled with pleasure and ground his mouth against hers in a savage kiss. His lips drifted over her face and neck as he mouthed her flesh and caressed her sex with his free hand. Colin panted as his breath grew short from her stimulation and he removed her hand to bring it over her head. He did the same with the other, until he clutched both her hands in his. He bent his head to her throat at the same time he moved to enter her inviting body. When he drove into her scalding tunnel he sank his fangs into the soft flesh of her neck. Slow thrusts at first, then his speed increased as he also drank from her throat. As soon as he released her hands, Joanna grasped his body, digging her nails into his back in ecstasy. Removing his teeth, he licked her small wounds until she no longer bled. His thrusts grew wilder and harder until Joanna cried out and he followed her, clenching his jaw to hold back his own shout. Breathing hard, he lay still, his arms quivering as he supported his weight on his elbows. "Am I too heavy for you?" "No.” Her strained answer almost made him laugh out loud. He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "Oh, but you lie.” Rolling to his side, he gathered her in his arms and stroked her back. Joanna listened to his strong, steady heartbeat under her ear and enjoyed his chest hair cushioning her cheek. His muscular physique and sexual prowess proved to be a pleasant surprise. Compared to her dark complexion his skin seemed rather pale, but it didn't come close to the pallor depicted by the movie vampires. His touch made her stomach do flip flops, and when she peered into his eyes she had to take deep breaths and look away for fear that her chest would explode! She giggled and turned her face to muffle the sound. "What is it?" "My headache is gone." His chest rumbled under her face with his laugh. “I know all the best home remedies." "Colin.... I'm sorry I ran...” She apologized to him? He held her close, cutting off her words. "It is forgotten." They lay wrapped in each other's arms enjoying the companionable silence, both submersed in their own thoughts. Joanna broke the silence. “Can I look at your teeth?" He chuckled, but opened his mouth wide and watched her with amusement as she inspected his teeth. No fangs! Except for the sharpness of his eyeteeth, she found nothing unusual about his mouth. Closing his mouth, he smiled at her perplexed expression. "My fangs are retractile. They descend when my pulse rate accelerates, for whatever the reason. When my heartbeat returns to normal, so do my teeth!" "How come you don't make a mess like the movie vampires? You know, they get blood everywhere.” She couldn't believe she just asked that! He sighed and ruffled her hair. "You should know by now that most movies you see in cinemas are false. It attracts more viewers to have blood running everywhere. As civilized as humans pretend to be, they flock to see blood, the more the better. You see, all humans have hidden

so-called vampiric traits." She wiggled in his arms and he turned her over to fit her back against his body. Bending his head to her neck, he kissed her smooth skin again and again, but he had to break off when his pulse quickened. He began talking to distract himself. "My fangs are hollow, like straws. I can insert them into a victim's vein and draw the blood out, but it is slow and I prefer tearing the vein with my teeth and swallowing large draughts. A real blood seeker attack is so swift and clean that it would appear unreal to humans. If I allow my quarry to live, the punctures are rarely discovered. That is why we can exist undetected in the midst of the mortals." "You said mortals. Does that mean that you are immortal?" She showed genuine interest in what he had to say and it surprised him that she showed no revulsion by what he told her. "I believe so, yes." "How old are you?" He lifted her hair to his cheek, feeling the silkiness of the strands and smelling the light fragrance of his own body lingering there. "I am young, only three hundred twenty four years. Do you really wish to hear all this, Joanna? Would you not rather go to sle..." "Don't you dare hypnotize me again, Colin! I hate it when you do that! When I'm ready to go to sleep, I will. Don't make me avoid your eyes all the time." In one smooth motion, he rolled over, pushed her onto her back, and stretched out above her, his weight resting on his hands so that he could look into her face. She wouldn't meet his gaze, keeping her eyes down and averted. He curled his lips into a smile. “I meant only to make a suggestion, not to use my powers on you. Come on ... look at me.” His voice dropped to a near whisper. “Look at me." When she lifted her eyes the tenderness she saw there evaporated any remaining doubt about him. In slow motion, he lowered his lips to hers. She felt the repressed power in his kiss, the very power that frightened her but yet also attracted her. He left a damp path of kisses from her mouth to her ear. "I need not look into your eyes to spellbind you my lovely one. It is my voice that does it. Listen to my voice echo through your mind. It floats there, infiltrating every part of your being, becoming one with your consciousness.” He stopped his whispers to slide his tongue into her ear and nibble her ear lobe then he smiled when he heard her breath quicken. "You feel it do you not? The heaviness of your limbs? With a few uttered words, you are completely in my power.” He rose to look into her glowing face and the corner of her mouth lifted just a bit as she met his eyes. "I only make you look into my eyes to reinforce my commands. You are very ... uh, difficult to control.” Her smile grew wider and Colin could see the imp in her just by looking at her face. "Colin, I am in your power without your silly hypnotic suggestions.” She giggled when his eyes rounded in disbelief. Wrapping her arms around his virile body she hugged him, putting all the feelings she had for him into her arms and her hug. As he allowed himself to be pulled down into her embrace she heard him mutter, “Silly?” Laughing into his neck, she squeezed tighter and kissed his throat like he did hers so many times. She grinned with satisfaction when she felt him grow hard against her thigh. Perhaps it was not he that had the power over her, but the opposite instead. "Oh, Colin, what have you done to me?" "Nothing that you have not done to me also."

Twelve Joanna ached all over when she awoke, the stiffness in her limbs adding to the discomfort and pain. The sensuous odor of Colin's body filled her nostrils as she became fully aware. His heart pounded under her head with the resonance of a church bell tolling from the bottom of the ocean. The sound pleased her, making her soreness seem less severe. She disentangled her limbs from his body and eased off the bed. Stumbling in the direction of the bathroom, hoping she could make it in the dark, her left foot collided with Colin's immense chest of drawers. "Dammit!" "What is it, Joanna?" "It's too damn dark in here!” She growled as she hopped on her uninjured foot. Diffused light flooded the room. She glared at Colin, but he lay unmoving as if he still slept. "How did'ya do that?" He sighed as if she asked the most inane question. "Remote control.” He cracked an eyelid and ogled her. “You look lovely in that suit, little one." She realized she stood there naked and burned with embarrassment. She turned and ran to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. No surprise, another beautiful bathroom. Recessed shelves lined one wall and lush green plants cascaded down from them giving the room a jungle-like appearance. An enormous marble tub dominated the far end of the room and it beckoned to her. She couldn't resist a nice hot bath, and she filled the tub almost to the very top with steamy water. Testing the temperature with her toe she decided it felt just right, then slid into the big tub like an alligator slithering into a swamp. Running her hands down the side of the smooth marble she discovered several tiny holes and upon further inspection she found the little openings all the way around the tub ... a whirlpool! Excited with her discovery, she reached for the controls and flipped all the switches until she found one that filled the tub with millions of tiny bubbles. Stretching out full length she sighed and closed her eyes, enjoying the gentle massage. The warmth of the water and the jets eased the ache in her muscles and bones. Images of the pleasant interlude she shared earlier with Colin floated through her mind and she smiled. But the smile disappeared when the uncanny tickle on her nose made her feel like something was about to touch her face. She eased her eyes open and jerked with surprise. Colin crouched over her, his nose inches from hers as he grinned down at her. "Mind if I join you?" His soft utterance sent chills down her wet arms while at the same time it warmed her torso from the inside out. "It seems to me you already have." He kissed the tip of her nose and settled himself beside her. "Colin! I'm taking a bath!” Gaping at him, she showed her outrage. The smile didn't waver from his face as he stroked her slick thigh up and down. "I don't have any clothes on!” Her voice grew shrill. He gasped in mock dismay. Then acting as if he hadn't noticed her lack of dress, his fiery eyes traveled down the length of her body and back up to her reddened face. "Colin!"

"Do not be so shy with me Jo." He called me, Jo! "I have viewed your delectable body more than once in the past. I know every inch of your skin as well as I know my own.” His voice caressed her as well as his gentle fingers sliding down her waist. "For instance, how did you acquire this scar on your midriff?” His fingers circled the tiny mark on her skin. Crossing her arms to cover her breasts she stared into the bubbles avoiding his all-seeing eyes. She felt different in the dark while in the throes of passion. Now she felt overcome with shyness, her face a livid pink. She sat embarrassed and naked, and in the tub with her sat a naked “vampire-man” ... his obvious affection for her sticking straight out, bouncing in the turbulent water. "I did it climbing a tree when I was little. I can't believe you even noticed it.” Maybe he wouldn't hear the nervousness in her mumble. Cutting a glance at him, she saw that he still smiled and watched her with interest. “Why would you be interested in something so trivial anyway?" With delicate feathery strokes, he pushed the strands of wet hair away from her face and tucked them behind her ear. "I am fascinated with every word you utter, Joanna. I love to hear about your mortal life and nothing you say is trivial to me.” He touched her chin and turned her to face him. For a moment she thought she was in a movie. How could real life be like this? "You know what I am, do you not? I have all the time in the world." "To tell you the truth, Colin, I find it hard to believe what you are. I mean, to me vampires only existed as characters in movies and books. And, to be quite frank ... it felt good when you bit me. Well, not at first, but afterwards ... I'm almost ashamed to say it, but it was rather pleasurable." "There is no reason to be ashamed, Joanna. A blood seeker's saliva is filled with an organic drug that produces instant euphoria in humans." "But, Ben's bite didn't give me anything but pain and fear." "Hmmm. A creator's chosen one must be immune to any other blood seeker's magic. That is why he had to take you by force. It is not that way with other donors." Joanna's face contorted with pain. "Oh God, Colin, am I one of your victims?" Placing his hands on her shoulders, he straddled her shivering body and gazed into her eyes. "No, Joanna, you are my chosen one. I chose you long ago and I have not forgotten even though you have.” He followed his hushed words with a kiss on her lips that smoldered there as the fire grew between them. She wrapped her thin arms around his neck and in one fluid motion he lifted them both out of the tub and carried her hot, dripping body to the bed. "You are incredibly strong, did you know that?” He silenced her with his kisses as his hands roved her body, leaving a blistering trail of delight on her fevered skin. "I find you irresistible. Your blood, your light, your very soul.” Lowering his mouth to a spot above her left breast, he whispered against her skin. “Enchantress ... siren ... witch, you drive me wild with desire and I cannot stop myself. Just a sip, little one.” He drove his sharp fangs into her flesh. Running her fingers through his silky curls, she held his head to her breast and moaned. She relished the feel of his soft vampire mouth moving against her skin. It titillated her almost to the point of screaming, and she wrapped her legs around his hard body,

squeezing him to her with all her might. In mere seconds, he withdrew his teeth. "No! Colin, don't stop!" He heard her whispered cry and almost complied, for the blood lust demanded the same thing. But he would not do such a thing. "I must, little one, I must." He licked the drops of blood from the puncture wounds, then his tongue slid down to her nipple, circling it for awhile before returning to the bite wounds to suck on them until no more blood seeped out. Although in a stupor, Joanna managed to slap Colin on his behind for withdrawing. "I told you not to stop.” Her speech slowed until she almost lost her voice. "Are you sleepy, little one?" "I feel wonnerful and numb." Colin smiled at her slurred speech and ruffled her hair. "The effects of my bite ... you probably will not remember any of it." "No! No! I want this memory!" "Relax, relax. Perhaps I can give you something better to remember.” He ran his tongue over his lips and grinned. She knew what that look meant! She giggled as his mouth descended to her throat and he ran his chin across her breastbone tickling her. He lay, spent, listening as Joanna's respiration deepened with the coming of sleep. "I love you, Colin.” She closed her eyes and nodded off. For one brief second, his heart stopped. Then he realized it was just another temporary effect of his bite. Holding her close to his chest, he reveled in her human softness. Her skin emitted a light tropical fragrance all her own and he wished he could breathe it forever. Would he ever be able to take that away from her, that essence of mortality? Would she ever wish for the gift of immortality? To spend eternity walking the earth with a detachment from human life, and a thirst for blood too strong to deny? In an attempt to violate the blood seeker precept, he tried again and again to suppress the insatiable craving for human blood. Each time he pitted his will against the drive, the drive proved victorious and over time he stopped trying, giving over to his blood seeker nature but never losing his high regard for human life. Men and women became prey instead of people, quarry instead of acquaintances, but never did he enjoy killing. Never did he take pleasure in the fading of human life ... never would it get any easier. **** Joanna sat up, glancing around Colin's immaculate clutter free bedroom, noting at the same time the absence of her clothing. Shrugging her shoulders, she pulled the fragrant sheet from the bed and wrapped it toga-style around her body. She padded across the plush carpet and reached to open the door only to find the deadbolt locked. The blood rushed to her face as she realized that he locked her in. "Colin!” She screamed as she pounded on the dense metal door. She couldn't hear her own fists striking the door, and she doubted that he could hear her either, but nevertheless she continued to beat on the door and holler his name.

"You better run and unlock that door lest she discover she is being punished!" Colin glared at his grinning protégé. "Her head wound was excruciating to her and I could not bear to cause her more agony. She is only human after all and a very delicate one at that! I need not explain myself to you and I would appreciate it if you would refrain from listening to what goes on in my room!" Spinning on his heel he strode away from the still grinning young buffoon, ignoring the laughter that Ben tried to muffle. He smiled to himself as he unlocked his bedroom door, for not even Ben's jest could darken his mood. With striking swiftness he entered his vault and stopped beside the bed where Joanna sat brooding over her confinement. Her human senses did not perceive his presence until he spoke. "Wake up on the wrong side of the bed, dear?" She startled when he spoke, but recovered right away to stare up at him with eyes filled to the rim with defiance. "Why, might I ask, am I locked in this airless room?" Oh, so stilted and oh so angry. He drew in a long audible breath. “You may ask, and this room is far from airless.” Placing his hands on her knees, he bent down, bringing his face even with hers. “And you know as well as I do that you are confined because you disobeyed me." Examining his face as he filled her ears with his lyrical timbre, she noticed a slight difference in his usual stony expression. It had to be something in those deep, dark eyes. Maybe, they had lost a degree of their previous coldness or perhaps an added spark flared somewhere in their depths. She studied his handsome face so intently, she didn't realize he had ceased talking and began ogling her, staring at her nipples, visible through the thin sheet. Crossing her arms in front of her breasts, she scowled but then changed her mind and smiled lifting one brow. "Wanna bite, Colin?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she wanted to swallow them ... take them back. His face changed from human to vampire before her eyes. His lashes fluttered against his pallid cheeks and then the lids lifted to reveal angry glowing eyes. The sounds of his ragged breathing filled the room. Aside from her own thundering heartbeat it was the only thing she heard. His pale lips peeled back unsheathing the gleaming pointed canines that he normally kept retracted. She couldn't tear her eyes away from those dangerous teeth. "Is this such a joking matter to you? I find nothing amusing about the struggle for life and death! Do you not understand that within minutes I could leave you limp and bloodless?” His voice remained low but so menacing in his restraint. "But..." "No! No buts. Never joke about what I am. Do you understand, Joanna?” She nodded her head. She felt so ashamed, so utterly stupid. And his mean words cut her to the bone when she meant nothing by her ignorant comment, nothing more than seduction. Tears welled up and ran down her cheeks in heart breaking rivulets. Colin's fingertips grazed her wet cheek then he vanished ... the brief stirring of the air around her the only evidence that he'd been there at all. Damn him. Colin stood just outside the door, his hand on the doorknob, listening to her soft sobbing. For the first time he had hurt her feelings and this pain, her pain and his also, he could scarcely tolerate! All the other things he did to her, the capture, the punishment, the

physical pain, none of it hurt her like this. Oh but he could not do this to her! He would not. Staring down at the teardrop-speckled sheet she paid no attention to her surroundings. Patches jumped up on the bed with her and purred, rubbing her head on Joanna's elbow. After settling herself in her favorite human's lap the feline nudged her hand until she began to stroke the cat's soft fur. In a sudden moment of clarity, it dawned on her that Patches was in the room with her. That must mean Colin left the door open! Yes, it stood ajar. Colin must be losing his mind as well as driving her right out of hers. One minute he is yelling about punishment and the next minute he leaves the door unlocked. She knew he did it on purpose because he never did anything accidentally, or did he? Ben sat observing his creator from across the room, noticing he'd read the same page of his book for half an hour. "Is that a good book, Colin?" He didn't answer, didn't blink an eye, he appeared inert. "Did you know that your human has left your room, Colin?" He exploded from the chair, dropping the book. For one terrifying instant Ben thought he came for him, but Colin stomped over to the fireplace, running his fingers through his hair with his head back, staring at the ceiling. "I left the door open for her.” His strained words little more than a whisper, not uncommon for Colin's speech, but still Ben knew that something was amiss. "What is..." "I have decided to keep her captive no longer." Ben had been about to leave his chair when Colin's statement knocked him off his feet and he fell back into the recliner with a thud. So shocked that he couldn't make his gaping mouth form words, he sat there like an idiot watching his creator pace the floor. "I am setting her free. I refuse to keep her imprisoned like an animal." Ben managed to make his tongue functional once again and he spoke up, albeit with trepidation. “I seriously doubt that you will have a problem keeping her here now, Creator." "No. She must return to her home." "Convert her then!" "I cannot. I will not. I refuse to extinguish the fire that is her very human essence. I care for her and I will not be this selfish.” Colin's voice trailed off as he gazed toward the bedrooms. His heart heavy, Ben rose to face his beloved creator and touched his arm. "We must kill her then, right? I'll do it for you if you want.” Ben released his arm like it was hot coals when he felt the terrible trembling begin in Colin's body. Teeth clenched, Colin glared at him. "No! No! No! It is my wish that she be free and you will follow my wishes, will you not, my neophyte?" In a rush of anxious words, Ben strove to reassure his creator of his loyalty, but at the same time voice his doubts. "Yes, of course, Creator, I always do as you ask, but aren't you worried that she might expose us?” To his surprise, Colin stopped his pacing, his face blank, and then he laughed.

"You are forever underestimating me, Ben. Joanna should be the least of your worries. She will not disclose our identities to anyone, besides, even if she did tell someone, do you honestly think they would believe her?” He smiled, but like the earlier laugh, it was forced and did not reach his eyes. "As always, you are right. I didn't even believe you myself until your fangs were in my vein.” Ben sighed, the weight of the truth on his shoulders. “We are taught from infancy that there are no such things as ghosts or witches or vampires, so our parents can get a good night's sleep. Yeah, you're right. No one will believe her, but of course, you're always right." "No, that is not true, Ben. I have been wrong about one thing..." "What's that?" They both turned at the sound of her voice. Then, they stared at each other in amazement, for neither one of them heard Joanna's approach. "Why are you staring at me like that?.... What is it?" They glanced back at her and then back at each other again, as if they could converse with their eyes. Colin broke away and spoke after what seemed an eternity to her. "It is nothing, Joanna. Are you hungry? Ben prepared a platter of cold cuts and cheese for you last night, but you were otherwise engaged.” He grinned ... a knowing little smile just for her. She smirked, mouthed “smart ass” at him, and turned on her heel to go to the kitchen, but he was too quick for her. Bowing like the most gallant of gentlemen, he extended his arm to her to escort her into the dining area. "Why thank you ... kind sir” Despite her dripping sarcasm, she took his offered arm. As soon as they left the room, he leaned down to her ear . "You did not have to change, you were beautiful in what you had on.” When she didn't respond more than a sidelong glance at him, he went on. "I apologize for snapping at you earlier. Am I forgiven?" "Yeah, sure." Frowning at her abruptness, he had a hard time believing she had forgiven him and he wondered what she had on her mind. "Thank you so much for your forgiveness, Joanna.” His sarcasm fell on deaf ears, for Joanna busied herself in the refrigerator retrieving the platter of cheese. Leaning against the counter, she fixed herself several mini-sandwiches with the ham, cheese and saltine crackers. Although she didn't want him to know, she watched Colin with close interest, out of the corner of her eye. At the moment he stood with the refrigerator door ajar, his back to her as he poured something into a glass. Without warning he stood up and caught her looking at him, and she swallowed an un-chewed bite of her cracker. It scratched her throat all the way down. In pain, she reached for the glass that Colin just sat on the counter and downed its contents. Setting the empty glass back down she coughed a couple of times and glanced at Colin to see if she made him angry with the theft of his beverage. So amusing to see what her expression must always look like on his face! His chocolate brown eyes were round and large and his mouth hung open like a pair of long johns with the buttons missing in the seat. She almost laughed as his gaze shifted from her mouth to the empty glass and back again, that astonished look still on his face. "Uh.... Joanna.... uh"

"I didn't know you stuttered, Colin. What is it?" "That was my glass you drank from. Did..." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and interrupted him. "Yeah, So?" "Did you not notice what you were drinking?” She didn't want to look back at the glass, but she had to and there she saw the remnants of the red fluid in the bottom of the glass. Her face a blank mask, she looked back at Colin. "It was blood, Jo. You drank a glass of blood ... cold blood." He grabbed the dishtowel off the counter in preparation for her vomiting, but he was in for a surprise. She just stood there, gazing without expression for a moment, then she shrugged her shoulders as if to say ‘so what’ and left the kitchen by way of the back door. Colin was flabbergasted. The towel still in his hand, he remained standing stock still. She had not even gagged! As soon as Joanna stepped out the door and slammed it shut behind her, she gagged. Her stomach lurched into her throat, and she spit out all the moisture in her mouth again and again in an attempt to remove the lingering taste from her tongue. It didn't help at all. At least she hid her revulsion from Colin. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that she screwed up. Let him think she did it on purpose! Frantic now to get the taste of the blood out of her mouth, she ripped some leaves off the vines growing near the house. Stuffing them into her mouth she chewed with gusto to saturate her taste buds with their flavor. The leaves tasted awful, worse than biting into an aspirin and her tongue begun to burn. She spat them out on the ground and glanced back at the vine she pulled the leaves from. Oh No! Poison ivy! Joanna ran around the cabin looking for a hose bib. Surely Colin installed a water hose somewhere. On the side of the house, she found the valve for the water, but no hose. Making a mad dash for the valve, she turned it on and fell to her knees to put her mouth directly in the water spray. Water sprayed her face, her shirt, her hair and she didn't care as long as she put out the fire burning on her tongue. After he overcame his shock, Colin followed Joanna outside. His chest filled with tender feelings when he saw her sitting on the stump near the corner of his cabin, gazing out into the woods. The strongest human he had ever encountered, his Joanna! She showed not a bit of concern over drinking blood from his glass. He walked up to her side. “The woods are beautiful, are they not?” When Joanna turned his way, he saw the tears in her reddened eyes, her damp face and hair. “What is it, Jo? Why do you weep?" He thought she was crying! Men are such gullible fools at times! Her first attempt at answering him started a coughing attack as she tried to expand her still clenched throat to speak. At once he came to her aid, slapping her on the back and asking if she needed something to drink. Remembering what she drank before from his glass, she declined his offer with a shake of her head and got the coughing under control herself. "I'm fine now, really, Colin. I just wanted to wash my face and I didn't realize the water would spray out all over me.” She prayed that he couldn't hear the lie in her voice. He didn't suspect any untruths because he nodded his head in agreement and sat down beside her, taking her hand in his. Good thing she washed her hands in the water too! With his other hand, he pulled up a weed and stuck it in the corner of his mouth, like a farmer with a stick of hay. "You know, you should watch what you put in your mouth out here." He removed the weed and examined it. Then he tossed it on the ground. “I suppose you are correct." "You suppose?" He stood and pulled her to her feet, escorting her to the soft grass near the back door. He encircled her with his arms and hugged her, caressing her back like he couldn't keep his hands off her. When he realized that she couldn't breathe, he released her with a

small laugh. "Yes, little one, I do suppose." Enthralled by his dancing eyes, she wondered what she did to turn him on this way where before he seemed so cold! He looked so human! "Colin, why haven't you been going out lately?" He traced the shape of her lips with his index finger as he spoke, his eyes blazing in their intensity. "I do not need to." "Why?" Why. The simple word that fills the world with questions and explanations, and one of Joanna's favorites. "We do not have to hunt every night. Only the nights during the full moon does the thirst send us out ... the relentless drive to feed." "So you are a normal man the rest of the time then?” Joanna giggled at her own question and when he lifted one eyebrow, looking down at her with his ‘superior man look’ she giggled harder. "Okay, I take it back, you are anything but normal.” She slipped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his firm chest, loving the exotic smell of his body. "I can't imagine anyone stronger than you.” For the first time Joanna heard his pulse quicken as she touched him! Bending her head back to tell him that she could hear his heart, his lips covered hers, cutting off any further words. Then she forgot all about saying anything as he stretched her out on the ground beneath him. With his shirt for a sheet, she lay staring up at the treetops, thankful that Ben had not come out the back door and seen her in all her glory. Although at the time, she could care less if he sat right beside them and stared. Colin had to be the best lover in the world! No woman could possibly live through any more than he gave. Turning on his side, he watched her with such an odd expression. She couldn't quite fathom it, but he looked so sad. Leaning over, he kissed her on the lips and then trailed his kisses down her throat. He moved lower pushing her shirt aside to kiss the punctures above her heart, soothing the soreness away with his tongue, and tickling her breast with damp eyelashes. Warm drops fell on her skin moments before he drove his sharp teeth into those same puncture wounds. The jabbing pain shot through her breast, but disappeared in an instant, replaced by that same wonderful euphoria. Wrapping her arms around his head she held him close and stroked his soft curls as he sucked on her flesh. With a jolt, she realized that she loved him, even as he drew the blood from her veins ... she loved him with all her heart. He drank longer than he ever had before. She weakened, her eyelids growing heavier and heavier until she could no longer hold them open. She felt thousands of tiny hooved animals trampling all over her body, their little hooves causing a tingling that gradually grew fainter, and fainter still until only a numbness was left. The faint heartbeat that she could still hear grew more distant until it was only a buzzing, and then nothing. Colin felt like he had just died. He almost wished that he had rather than go on knowing she would no longer be at his side. Why had he done this to himself? Why had he done this to her? Filled with shame, he buttoned her shirt over her pale flesh and pulled her shorts back up and fastened them at her waist. Then he picked up her limp body and hugged her to him, clinging to her, not wanting to let her go ... but he must. All his years and all his strength could not prepare him for this terrible pain! He could not imagine ever having to do something so difficult in his life. This was the best thing for her. Telling himself this over and over, he trudged through the thicket carrying his cherished chosen one.

He regretted ever bringing her to his cabin, ever bringing her to him. What a grave error he made in thinking he could make her love him, but remain detached enough to bring her over into this life. **** She watched with canine interest and something more as the un-natural made his slow way through the woods. He carried a human woman. Not good. Something wrong. Something very wrong. As the un-natural passed close by her hiding place, her head ached, a spear between her eyes. Her feral instincts deserted her and the something more took hold. Time to leave this form, and soon.

Thirteen Sunlight streamed in the open window of her cabin and a fan whirred overhead creating a comfortable breeze. Nothing seemed out of place, and yet somehow everything felt out of place. Patches sat on the foot of the bed, grooming the fur on her front legs with lazy abandon, and Pete buried his head in his food dish mumbling to himself as he munched on his safflower seeds. On the kitchen table, beside the bird cage ... oh she had to get up and get to that table, and the bucket of icy slush with cold drinks soaking in it. Condensation ran down the sides of the frosted metal bucket and pooled around the edges. Her dry mouth contorted as she saw the half melted ice cubes and the floating colas. Joanna heaved her heavy body off the bed and tried to stand. At first her unwilling body would not obey, her arms and legs anchored to the bed, but with her increasing thirst driving her to the table and the cold drinks there, she managed to get up. The frosty cola traced a cool course down her throat and into her stomach. The entire drink disappeared in a matter of seconds. She could never remember being so thirsty before and the cola didn't even put a dent in her terrible thirst. After resting for a moment, she reached with her left hand for another can. The sparkle of gold on her wrist caught her eye, and she stared in amazement at the watch she never saw before gleaming there. Why couldn't she remember her vacation? A black void filled her mind. Thinking maybe she'd had a head injury, she searched her skull with both hands for sore spots. She confirmed her suspicions when she touched the area on her temple and pulled her fingers away as the light pressure caused considerable pain. That explained the emptiness in her mind anyway. She found no explanation for the hollow feeling in her heart. The best thing to do would be to pack up and go home. The mysterious watch on her arm told her the date and that she had one day left before she must return to work. As she drove away from her Grandpa's cabin, an anxious fluttering settled into her gut like she left something very important undone. Stopping on the narrow road leading away from the cabin she almost turned back to check everything once more, but she shook her head and drove on. After all, she had already checked the entire property three times before she was satisfied that it was all in her mind. She thought she should be thankful for something being in her blank mind, even neurotic thoughts. The urge to look over her shoulder nagged her until she turned off the narrow private road onto the paved public street. She never saw the tall, dark-haired soul watching her from the lengthening shadows of the tall pines bordering the road. The trip home proved to be almost unbearable with the sounds of the passing vehicles amplified in her ears and the drone of her own truck grating on her nerves. The stench of her Blazer's exhaust and many engine fluids sought out her nostrils until she thought she could taste it as well as smell it. Such a miserable drive. The pounding of her heart kept perfect rhythm with the throbbing of her headache and she couldn't get enough to drink. Joanna poured can after can of soda down her throat and soon she had to pull over to relieve herself. All that liquid had to go somewhere so she kept an eye out for a place to pull over. The rest stop loomed before her, dark and deserted. Not another soul in the section designed for cars. Farther to the back, secluded by a patch of woods, the hum of diesel engines droned through the night as the truckers caught up on a few hours sleep. Something didn't sit well with her but she needed to pee so she ignored her sense of foreboding and got out of the Blazer. Eyes upon her, she felt it. Joanna picked up her pace and raced to the bathroom. Nothing out of the ordinary inside the restroom. She left the building, alert to her surroundings, and on the walk back to her truck the danger she sensed earlier seemed to have vanished. From the woods, she watched the chosen one as she got back in her vehicle and left the park, then she growled deep in her chest and finished feasting on the bad man who meant to do harm to Colin's woman before she even had a chance to fulfill her destiny. The thug's blood made her stronger, but she needed more. Her mind cleared by the moment and very soon she could manage leaving the woods and entering mainstream life once more. She stretched her arms high over head and stood, ah ... such a long time since she walked the earth on only two feet.

**** On autopilot, Joanna drove the remaining miles home. The joy she should feel upon arrival evaporated when she turned into her driveway and her dark, uninviting mobile home exploded into view. As appealing as a coffin, a large rectangular metal box on wheels, and she lived in it. After toting the animals into her dismal home, she left the rest of her belongings in the Blazer and went directly to bed. At least that way she didn't have to think about anything. Sleep overtook her as soon as her head hit the pillow, but dreams upset her rest throughout the night. She awakened with a start, the dream hovering right on the edge of her consciousness, tormenting her with its closeness and yet remaining elusive, just beyond her grasp. Colin knew he should not be there, and yet he stayed, watching as she tossed and turned in her fitful sleep. It pained him to see her turmoil, for he knew the cause even though she did not. Playing the phantom in her bedroom was foolish, but he was drawn to her like a mouse to the cheese in a mousetrap. A subtle difference in her breathing alerted him and he fled the room. Before he left her home, he placed all the money from his money clip on her kitchen counter, under the cat food bag. Then he crept through the shrubbery outside her window and gazed in at her sleeping form. Oh but his soul ached so to leave her. With heart in hand, he sped away, visible to human eyes only as a streak of light. Immersed in his own thoughts, he flew along the old ghost road almost sailing right past Ben as he waved from the side of the road. "Colin!" He circled back to see what mischief his pupil got into this time. "What ever are you doing out here, Ben?” What a wicked grin he displayed. "You want to play ghost? This is, as you know, the Saratoga ghost road." "Would you care to get to the point some time this century?" Ben knew just the thing to brighten his creator's black mood. "Are you thirsty, Creator? Wouldn't you like to have fresh blood instead of the refrigerated stuff?" "Are you offering me your immortal neck? It is about time that I be your pain in the neck as opposed to you being mine." He almost smiled when Ben gulped and stepped back in shock. He would never learn to gauge the seriousness of his creator's tone. "No, no, look to the road. See the car headlights just turning on the road? It's a group of young ghost hunters on their way to walk the road. I overheard them daring each other in town. There are four teenaged girls in that car, Colin. All yours for the taking. They'll never know what bit them." A sly smile did touch Colin's solemn face at Ben's eagerness to please him. The car approached and they melted into the woods. The girls hid their nervousness from each other with casual comments. “Do y'all see anything? Turn out the lights, Jody." "Did anybody bring a flashlight?" "This is a bunch of shit. There ain't no ghost out here." "Come on you chicken shits, I brought a flashlight. Let's get outta the car and walk. It's the only way the ghosts'll show up.” The girls emerged from the car and pushed the doors closed. Arranging themselves in a tight group, they started walking down the eerie dark road. No one said a word and the only sounds to

be heard were the crickets chirping and their own shallow breathing. Jody stopped in her tracks, pointing to the road ahead. "Look..." Moving at a rapid pace down the center of the road came an ethereal sphere of light, glowing with a phosphorescent luster. As it grew near, the teenagers lost their composure and scampered into the trees lining the road. "Oh shit, oh shit, oh..." "Shut up dammit! Do you want it to hear you?" The luminous apparition hovered for a moment adjacent to the group of breathless teens then continued down the desolate road. They breathed a collective sigh of relief as it disappeared from view. "Tammy, turn on the flashlight ... Tammy? Tammy, where are you?” She didn't answer. She didn't want to answer. She would do anything the deep melodic voice told her to do. Moist lips brushed her skin sending prickles of sensation coursing through her body. A stabbing pain on the back of her neck and shoulder followed, but vanished as rapturous languor washed over her. His whisper in her ear soothed like the fondest words of love. "You will remember nothing of this experience. Go get in the car, now." Like an automaton, she rose from the ground and stepped out of the trees, past her friends and into the road towards the car. Enthralled by the handsome young man that appeared out of thin air before them, the remaining three teens paid no heed as Tammy shuffled around them. Ben smiled wide, knowing they could see his fangs gleaming in the feeble starlight. Nervous, her knees shaking, the taller of the three stepped forward. "Are you a ghost?" He chuckled, and stretched out his arm to her. “Here, take my hand ... don't be afraid." Staring at his open hand she hesitated, then reached for him, just touching his fingers. In a flash he clasped her shaking hand and held her, pulling her closer and closer into an embrace against his very real body. Colin held the other two girls in check with a hand on their shoulders. With gentle but unrelenting power he pushed them to the ground. "Relax ladies, your turn is yet to come." The taillights on the teen's car disappeared around the corner and Ben smacked his lips. "I wish that it could be like that all the time.” His features crumpled into a somber frown. "No more than I, Ben ... no more than I." Examining Ben's face, Colin wondered what could give a carefree soul such a troubled expression. "Do you ever regret your transformation, my young one?" At first he appeared surprised, then he showed Colin a half-hearted grin. "Not for a minute. I have never grieved for my human life. You know I wouldn't have lived another six months when you found me anyway." "I must be forthright with you, Ben. I pray that my honesty does not hurt you, but I drank from you just to quench my thirst. I did

not expect you to live through the change." Ben grabbed Colin's arm and stared into his melancholy face. "But you still gave me the chance! You could've left me there drained, but you didn't. For that I am eternally grateful." "What is it then that pains you?" Looking away, Ben answered. “Nothing pains me, Creator.” Meeting his maker's eyes again he felt his heart wrench. "It is your agony that I feel, Colin. You grieve for the loss of your chosen one and I feel your sorrow too." "You should not share the burden of my anguish.” Colin touched Ben's handsome face with feather light strokes as if he could take that feeling away with a touch of his fingers. "Let us return to the cabin now. Can you bear a game of chess?" **** Her head pounded as she raced toward the noisy city. Too many thoughts tried to sneak their way into her tired brain, pounding, pounding, at her consciousness with relentless tenacity. After a while she had to stop and catch her breath. Pressing her forehead with the tips of the first three fingers on both thin hands she tried to staunch the flow of thoughts. Now she remembered the main reason she chose to leave this life behind. Linnea cringed in the doorway of a deserted quickie mart. The putrid odor of rotting food emanating from the dented cans at the curb tickled her nostrils and she felt for a moment like she would heave. She had not thrown up in over a century, but yet the tight feeling in her throat and queasiness was there as real as the fingers still pressing on her forehead. She hated the city. She would only do this for her favorite, her Colin. As she thought back on when she last saw him, the pounding in her head eased and the voices dimmed, almost unheard. He did it ... He brought his chosen one to him and she would not allow him to fail. Linnea grew weary of being hunted and the only female of her kind. She came out of her form of hibernation just for Colin. She could endure the torture of ‘being aware’ for her beloved child. The risks he faced, that they both faced, were high and she knew that he would indeed need her. It felt good to be needed. Humans approached from her left and the heady aroma of their combined life forces replaced the stench of the garbage in her olfactory senses. Her fangs descended on their own volition. It surprised her at first. Such a long time since she shifted back into this world and after the initial shock it delighted her. Vestiges of her other form remained with her and she growled, low in her throat, the vibration rippling through her chest... Nuh! Too many for her to take one without notice so she fell back into the shadows and let them pass her by. Forcing her breath to slow, each draw and each release timed and precise, she calmed herself and closed her eyes as she melted into the shadows. Her time as the wolf helped her gain composure that she never would have thought possible in this anthropomorphic form. The wolf practiced patience, or died of hunger. She waited, crouched and ready to spring, for her prey to come close enough for the kill. If she springs too soon, the quarry is alerted and she goes hungry for another day, another week. As the wolf she had none of the problems she faced now. Even in this cruel world, animals had an easier life than humans did. In her human form she faced such complications! Forming relationships, craving power and wealth, bowing to authority, clothing ... and she did not like it. She craved the uncomplicated world of the wolf. Her whole purpose then, to exist. Linnea lifted her face to the wind, she sensed the coming storm, smelled it's wondrous clean scent as it approached. She waited for it, waited and then the rain fell. With a girlish giggle she stepped into the rain and lifted her face towards the sky. Drenched, the water dripped from her hair and plastered the stolen shirt to her human form. Oh how she loved the summer rain. Every nuance of the storm pleased her ... the deep rumble of thunder, the flash of brilliant light as lightning streaked across the sky and the steady beat of the rain. In the wild, rainfall was a song, best listened to from the safety of her den but it was also a lifesaver. The precious

water meant the difference between lying sunken and weak or running free through the woods, fully hydrated and bursting with vigor. Her thirsts in this form differed. Water would not satiate this thirst that grew stronger with just the thought of the warm refreshment she needed. Linnea put her head back down and sniffed the air, searching with her eyes as well as her proficient sense of smell for the quarry she needed. Although not the week of the full moon, she was beyond that anyway, she still needed nourishment. Her normal menu of blood relatives might be difficult to find and she was simply too starved to be picky. Sensing no one stirring, she walked through the city in search of a lone human. It seemed the storm drove all the humans inside their shelters and her stomach growled. By concentrating on just her hunger, she kept her jumble of thoughts in order, almost as if she still maintained the wolf persona. Moving deeper and deeper yet into the bowels of Houston, she found what she sought. A lone human trudged through the rain, kicking up water as he plodded along. His trousers hung low on his hips and she almost laughed at how ridiculous he looked with his underwear sticking so far out of his pants. Instead of laughing, she sighed as she watched the water wash over his dark skin, highlighting the muscles in his arms and broadcasting the smell of his blood to her greedy sinuses. Appearing at his side, she nudged him over to the alley between two tall buildings with no protests from him. She knew he felt no threat from her small female form and on the contrary, her attention excited him. "Hey Baby.” He flashed her a sly grin, his single gold tooth glistening in his mouth, a gauche status symbol that instead made him look rather foolish. His dark eyes roamed down her lithe frame. She noticed the heat in his eyes as he saw that she had very little clothing on ... a large man's shirt soaked by the rain the only thing covering her naked human flesh. Although the shirt hung nearly to her knees it was almost transparent when wet, and it was indeed wet. She might as well have been nude. She smiled back, stretched up and pushed his head to the side, touched his neck with her lips and pinned his arms down to his sides. He started to laugh, a nervous titter, but she cut off his sound when her fangs drove through the tender flesh on his throat. His laugh strangled into a soft grunt, then a sigh as he slid down the wall with Linnea still attached. She meant to stop before she emptied him, but it had been too long for her. She drank and drank and drank until the human's heart stopped and even then she was reluctant to leave him. Moving down his lifeless body, she searched for more blood pooled in other parts of his body. His arms, his legs, his chest.... she bit and sucked and bit until he was an empty vessel, a dry husk that had moments before been human. Only then did she gather herself and leave him behind in the alley. Unfortunately for the lone members of the city, she wanted more.

Fourteen Early Monday morning Joanna drug her weary body in to work. Before she could even get the door unlocked her sense of smell convulsed as the familiar animal scents invaded her nasal passages. The stench of various animal excrements reared up like an angry cobra and spat in her face. Fighting the rising bile in her throat, she entered the store and ran to flip on the ventilation system to air out the unpleasant odors. After turning on the air, she left the store and walked the mall waiting for the smells to disperse. Her chest began to ache as she glanced in the little shops. She wondered if she had a heart problem, but this wasn't that sort of pain ... more like she left a piece of herself behind in each store and she experienced separation for those forgotten pieces. Her soul ached with emptiness beyond her understanding. Returning to the store, she found the air much easier to breathe. Thank goodness for that efficient ventilation system. Cathy walked out of the office with her coffee cup in hand. Joanna saw her shocked expression. "Oh my God, Jo! You're as pale as a ghost! You better sit your ass down, now!” Joanna smiled at her friend's concern and shook her head. "I feel fine, really I do.” Cathy put down her coffee and moved closer, examining her face. "You look like shit." "Why thank you, Cathy. And you look beautiful today too.” She didn't even smile at Joanna's joke, but took her arm and felt her forehead for fever, her mouth drawn into a frown with worry for her friend. "I think you should go see a doctor, Jo. Today." Joanna snorted. “I told you I feel fine! I just didn't sleep too great last night that's all! I kept having these weird dreams, but only when I woke up I couldn't remember them. Know what I mean? Anyway, I can't afford to miss any work. Did Richard miss me?" Cathy looked back at her as she rambled until she mentioned Richard, then her face blanched. "What is it? Is he all right?" "He's fine, Joanna." "Then what the hell is it?" "I don't know how to tell you this.” She squirmed, looking with obvious distress at Joanna's terror stricken face. "It's hard to explain. He just changed one night like someone had flipped a switch in him. He didn't flirt with any of us anymore and he didn't mention your name, even when we did!" Joanna squeezed her bottom lip between her thumb and forefinger until she felt the pain and let go before it burst and splattered blood in her friend's face. "So where is he this morning? Aren't Mondays his days to open?" Cathy dug a chocolate bar out of her pocket and unwrapped it shaking her hand at Joanna's disapproving expression. "Hush! You may want some too when you hear what I've got to say.” She bit off a chunk and savored it a moment, then she went on. “Four days ago, he left town with the manager of the music store.” Joanna's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "Timothy?" Nodding her head, Cathy sighed. “You never know these days, Joanna. I guess he just decided to come out of the closet.” She

reached for Joanna's hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Look, I've got to go count the drawer. Sure you wanna work today?" She stared at the back of the door behind Cathy's head for a moment, then nodded yes, and turned away to feed the puppies. Her boyfriend had turned into a homosexual while she was on vacation? What else could happen? "Joanna?” The store owner's voice. "What do ya need, Sonny?” He had to hear the hesitation in her drawled words. "I just wanted to see how your vacation went.” Uh oh, a wide smile, too wide. He wanted something and he didn't want to ask. Leaning against the counter, she crossed her feet at the ankle and watched him out of the corner of her eye. "My vacation was short. Now what do you want? Don't tell me, nothing. I can hear your heart racing all the way over here." Her statement stunned him, but then the too wide smile fell back in place and he sauntered over to her like he intended to hug her, but changed his mind. "You know I wouldn't ask if I could've found somebody else, Joanna." "What the hell is it?" She didn't feel like playing guessing games this morning and it showed on her face as well as in her tone. She began a staccato tapping with her fingertips on the counter top until he decided to speak. "Would it be possible for you to work Richard's hours just for a few days?” Her eyes grew wide. "Just for a few days until I can get someone to replace him. Nobody else can be trusted to close up and you know I trust you. Melissa will clean up the shit for a few days. She'll be here any minute.” He could see her waning defiance and drove his point home. "It looks like you could use the rest this morning, and I'll buy you dinner tonight. So, how bout it?" She chewed her lip, in deep concentration, then answered. “Dinner every night. What happened to him opening on Mondays? Oh never mind it doesn't really matter." It wasn't really as bad as she thought, working the evenings. She slept late every day, and when she did have to go in she felt more rested. The only thing that dampened her spirit was the recurring dream she experienced every night. Sad, yet compelling at the same time. A handsome man with raven hair and ebony eyes, standing beside her bed, motionless, watching her sleep. His forlorn countenance tore at her heart. She wanted to hold him against her breast and soothe his troubled soul, but as she struggled to get to him, arms outstretched, he'd disappear. Her sobs woke her, then she'd lay awake long afterwards, thinking of him... On weekdays the store wasn't crowded. She had plenty of time to think about her restless nights and mournful dreams. Holding one of the many cuddly guinea pigs in her arms, she stroked his soft hair while thinking about the man in her dreams. Lost in thought, she startled when the cavy squealed and scrambled to get away, just as a small dark-haired woman appeared at her side. "Good Evening.” Joanna used her most business-like voice. “Are you looking for a great pet? Guinea pigs are a wonderful choice for children and adults too.” She hid the long scratches on her arms. She got no response from the woman, who continued to stand next to her and stare down at the scampering cavies. Joanna glanced sideways at the golden-skinned woman, noticing her odd expression. "Is, uh, is everything all right?"

The stranger sighed and continued to stare at the small animals as she motioned towards them with her hand like they bewildered her. Why would guinea pigs puzzle anyone? Joanna covered her discomfort with talk, her natural defense. "These adorable little creatures are cavies, more commonly known as guinea pigs." "I do not believe that is what we called them. As a matter of fact, it would seem that when I was a child my mother cooked these things for our dinner. Yes, I am certain of it, we consumed these creatures." "Wha...” Joanna's mouth fell open. "I must go, it was nice speaking with you ... Joanna.” The woman spun around and left the store. Stunned into silence, Joanna stood and watched the enigmatic lady leave the store without another backward glance. It didn't even dawn on her until she stood there alone again that the woman knew her name. She wore no nametag or any other identification and she'd never met the dark-eyed woman before. Joanna wouldn't forget golden skin like hers. Hecklers and fools were not uncommon in the pet store, but this woman seemed very serious and it didn't seem that she said what she did to annoy Joanna at all. Joanna encountered no other odd people all week even though many times she had the strange feeling of being watched. Her last evening on the schedule rolled around quicker than she expected. Another slow night, no customers. Finishing her third Coke she now needed to pee, and with nobody in the store she removed the key from the register and ran for the back. Returning to the sales floor she glanced up at the checkout counter and spotted a tall blonde-haired man leaning on the chew bone display, waiting for her. "Coming!" At the sound of her voice his head snapped around and he stared at her, eyes blazing. The intensity of his gaze shocked her for a moment ... then he looked away. A hint of familiarity, did she know him from somewhere? She figured from his demeanor she'd better not ask. She'd treat him like any other customer. Nearing the front counter she set her features into a bland, professional expression, almost bordering on rude. Try as she might to retain the indifferent facade, as soon as their eyes met she felt a jolt of recognition that she couldn't keep hidden. He stared deep into her eyes ... like he was trying to look inside her brain. She cast her eyes aside. "Don't I know you from somewhere?" He pushed his purchase toward her and shrugged his shoulders, mumbling something incoherent about the creator. Not knowing quite what to think, she reached for the product and assumed her business-like attitude once more. After scanning the cat food, she snapped her head up and caught the man smiling at her, his boyish face alight with something, she didn't know quite what. "Ben! Your name is Ben isn't it?" Handing her a twenty-dollar bill, he never removed his eyes from her face. When she reached for the money he caught her fingertips and held them. "Is that all you remember about me, Joanna?” That voice ... like thick oozing honey. She jerked her fingers from his grasp, not answering, not meeting his intense blue eyes. Making change, she slid it to him over the counter to avoid any chance of touching him. Such contradictory instincts, both attracting and yet repelling her. He picked up the cat food, but left the change on the counter and fled the store so fast it appeared he had vanished into thin air. Her vision blurred out of focus as she stared at the bills and shiny coins lying beside the register. Now where did she know that young fellow from? And how did her know her?

"Earth to Joanna.” Sonny's voice startled her out of her reverie. It seemed she spent a great deal of time lost in thought these days. "Oh, is it that time already?” She checked her watch. Even looking at her watch gave her an uneasy feeling! What the heck was wrong with her? Maybe she should take Cathy's advice and go see the doctor! "I'll get the door, if you will bring your drawer to the back and lock it in the safe. Hurry up, I'm starving.” Sonny pulled the big rolling door down and put the locks through the pins. Like a somnambulist, Joanna nodded her agreement then shuffled to the back and locked the money away in the safe. Hmmm. Her stomach growled but she couldn't think of anything she wanted to eat. Her boss kept his word, buying her dinner every night, even though she only picked at her food. "What do you feel like eating tonight, Jo?” Gentle speech ... the worry plain on his kind-hearted face. She shrugged her shoulders and frowned. Knowing he worried about her, she tried her best to think of something appetizing. "Steak it is!” His enthusiasm warmed her heart and she couldn't help but lift the corner of her mouth, just a little, in response. At the table, she picked up her menu, making a sail out of it over her place mat, wishing she could sail away instead of sitting here trying to decide what she wanted to eat when nothing appealed to her. With Sonny watching her across the table she tried in earnest to find something on the menu and made a snap decision when the waiter arrived to take their order. "I'll have a rib eye, very very rare." "Do you mean pink in the middle, ma'am?” The waiter stood with his pencil hovering above his notepad. "I mean red in the middle. If it's overcooked, I'll send it back so you better tell the cook to do it right the first time.” Her request came out rather rude, but the deed was done. She hoped they wouldn't spit on her food in the kitchen. Must be lack of sleep causing this irritable mood, or maybe the nonstop disturbing dreams. She was even tired of her own bitchiness! The waiter approached the cook in the back of the restaurant, a lopsided smirk on his face. He was sick of the customers treating him like shit. He was an actor, dammit and deserved to be treated better. "We've got us a real she dog out there who wants her steak very rare and she says she'll send it back if it's overcooked. Just wave it over the grill and let's see how she likes it!" The cook nodded his head in agreement and pulled out one of the thickest rib eyes and flopped it on the grill. "One steak coming up, still mooing!" The waiter returned to their table, a twisted grin on his face. No doubt something was up. He gave them their plates and stood nearby, watching as Joanna picked up the knife and started to cut her steak. Blood ran out of the meat turning the creamy white mashed potatoes to a diseased pink. Her stomach growled. Despite all the prying eyes she lifted the platter to her mouth and sucked the blood right off the plate ... heavenly! Licking her lips she tore into the steak, ravenous for the first time in days. Sonny and the waiter stared, slack-jawed, as she gobbled up the raw meat. **** "I'm telling you, Colin, she knew me as soon as she saw me! She said my name and she had a queer look on her face when she touched my fingers. She hasn't forgotten us." Ben's voice had a nervous trill to it and it irritated him. Colin paced the floor, rubbing his temples as if it would help him think. "No, Ben, she will never forget us completely. I am not capable of stealing memories, only burying them deep in the victim's

subconscious. No normal human would be capable of summoning them to the surface, but she is a most unique human. Do you not agree?" Clasping and unclasping his hands in agitation, Ben sat staring at the tiny horse emblem on Colin's shirt. "Forgive me, but I just don't understand why you didn't convert her, Colin.” His sooty eyebrows drawn together, Colin scowled at his young friend. "You know the risks involved. Besides that, even if she did live through the change, she would hate me for making her into one of us.” He slid his hands up and down the arm of the chair and sighed. "I could not stand the thought of her dying at my hands or of her spending eternity hating me." "How do you know she would hate you, Colin?" "Because she is so full of life! She makes the best of any situation." Ben snorted. “Forgive me again, Creator, but listen to what you just said! She makes the best of any situation. You saw how quickly she adapted to being here with us.” He crossed the room to stand in front of Colin. “Plus, she is enchanted by you.” Ben folded his arms in front of his chest and stared at Colin's fly with a smug smile. Colin leapt from his armchair and brushed past Ben to stand at the fireplace with his back to him. When he spoke again, his voice was harsh. "Aside from that, it is the fact that she only stands a slim chance of living through the conversion. I say why risk it? Nevermind. I am going for a walk." Hearing the authoritative tone in his creator's voice, Ben knew better than to argue. With a curt nod he left the library. After the young one left Colin stared hard into the mirror above the fireplace ... a troubled face stared back, so unlike him. For a moment, the thought crossed his mind that he had made a mistake by letting her go free. Would she mind being a blood seeker and sharing her life with him forever? Of course she would not want that! He left the cabin in a rush and his wanderings took him to the very same place as they did every night. This night, her home was not in total darkness as was her norm. With silent footsteps, he approached her window and peered in. The television cast the only illumination in the room. The flickering lights and shadows danced across her half naked body and beyond to the dark paneled walls. His knees grew weak and rubbery as he absorbed every detail of her appearance. Forgetting himself, he moved to within inches of the windowpane and stared in. Engrossed in the movie, Joanna failed to notice the pair of radiant eyes at her window. Colin tore his gaze away from her to see what enthralled her so. A dark, handsome man on the television screen caressed an innocent young girl's face with his long fingers, then bent to kiss her throat. The man threw his head back, sprouted fangs, and sank his teeth into the girl's shoulder. Trickles of blood ran down her bare back as the movie vampire sucked on the wound. Colin almost laughed out loud when he realized Joanna had on a vampire movie, but the chuckle dried up in his throat when he looked away from the set to her. Eyes wide, she sat bolt upright and brought her hand up to her own throat. Then she tore off the over-sized t-shirt, and touched the spot above her left breast where he had sunk his own fangs. The glass steamed up from his breath as he pressed against the window ... he wanted her so much! Joanna's svelte body glided from the couch to the wall of mirrors and she stood there gazing at the tiny spots on her chest. Out of the blue she grabbed both sides of her head and screamed at the top of her lungs. Startled, thinking she must be in great pain, he moved to go to her. Then she stopped, dropped her hands back to her sides, and threw herself onto the tweed sofa. As she sprawled there he crept back up to the window, reveling in the sight of her. His burning gaze traveled the length of her body, from her short white crew socks up to her dark red bikini panties, her flat stomach with the tiny scar, and farther up ... to her heaving breasts with rosy nipples, erect as she shivered with cold.

Her muscles came alive as she sat up and reached for the discarded t-shirt and pulled it over her head. Sitting back against the couch cushions, she stroked the small emblem on the left side of the voluminous shirt, a dreamy smile touching her lips. The blood drained from his face as he realized what seemed so familiar about the shirt she wore. His shirt! The emblem she stroked was the tiny “C” that he embroidered on all his undershirts! How had that little vixen slipped that shirt in with her own belongings? And on top of that, why didn't Ben notice it when he packed her clothes? Maybe he left it in there on purpose. He would soon find out! Lost in his own thoughts, Colin almost failed to notice Joanna turning her face towards him in the window. Without time to compose his limbs for a rapid flight, he stumbled backwards to escape discovery, landing on his rump in her yellow rose bush. Instant rage ... clumsiness so unlike him. If this woman reduced him to this, a bumbling human travesty, then he would be better off far away from her! The eerie feeling of being watched faded away and she turned from the window to glance around her gloomy mobile home. So empty ... so lonely. She felt hollow inside, like a jack-o-lantern after Halloween, used and ready to toss in the trash ... gutted. That summed up her feelings. Rising from the itchy old second-hand couch she walked over to peer out the back door. Nothing out of the ordinary in the back yard so she stepped out, oblivious to her semi-clad state. Standing on the patio, she stared out into the darkness. The bushes rustled near the side of her trailer so she went to investigate. "Patches! What have you done?” The cat dug furiously at a fresh hole in the soft earth. It appeared that she had dug up a rose bush but Joanna glanced around the yard and didn't see it. Someone stole a rose bush? How odd. Shrugging her shoulders, she picked up her dirty cat and headed back into the house. She just couldn't seem to summon up the energy to look for the bush, or even care that it disappeared. Joanna ran her fingers through the cat's fur, then stopped and buried her nose in the large black spot on Patches’ back. An alluring aroma lingered there ... pleasant and familiar. Someone else had been holding Patches! "I can smell him!” Gasping, she hugged the squirming cat even closer. How could she smell anything at all other than dirt, much less a man's scent? She still felt dead sure of it. Questions went round and round through her mind, and if she didn't get answers soon she'd lose what little remained of her reason. Coming to a snap decision, Joanna turned Patches loose and headed for her bedroom. She started throwing clothing into her suitcase and packing all her essentials for a trip back to the Big Thicket. She felt light-hearted and happier than she had all week. After packing she'd need to do one more thing. Dreading it, though not wanting to bring the animals on this trip, she'd have to call her nosey sister to pet-sit. Sue answered on the first ring. "Hi, Sue. Listen, I don't have much time, but can you come over and check on Patches and Pete for me for a few days?” On came the avalanche of questions. Joanna smiled ... she knew the perfect way to shut her sister up. "Sue, I just need some time alone to think about things. I guess you heard that Richard left me for another man?” She heard the quick intake of breath on the other end. "I'm going back up to Grandpa's cabin for a few days, you know, to get my head straight.” Sue's voice gushed with sympathy as she agreed to watch after the animals and told Joanna to take as much time as she needed. Her ploy worked! In truth she really didn't give a hoot about Richard. She did need to get her head straight though, so the story wasn't a complete lie. Within an hour Joanna sped down the road toward the thicket fighting the urge to put the pedal to the metal, in her excitement to reach the cabin. Her exhilaration grew as she neared her destination and inhaled the wonderful fragrance of the multitudes of tall, proud pines lining the street. Warmth spread throughout her chest as the aroma filled her lungs and joy filled her heart. She belonged here ... this place felt like home, not that dump she'd just left.

Jumping from the truck as soon as she pulled up to the cabin, she kicked off her shoes and ran down to the shoreline to dig her toes into the warm sand. Bent over, resting her hands on her knees, she tried to catch her breath and calm down. A sudden flashback frightened her ... of meeting someone ... here on this strip of sand. Glancing around at the surrounding woods she eased her body upright and backed toward the cabin. Not watching behind her she backed into a tree, scraping her elbow and knocking some sense back into her addled mind. "Oh hell!” Shaking her arm, she strode up to the cabin and unlocked the door. Entering the hot, musty cabin her shirt plastered itself to her sticky body and she raced to open the windows and let in some fresh air. A nice cool shower was the next thing on her mind as she opened the bathroom door. On the counter sat a plastic bottle of peroxide and as soon as she set eyes on it powerful memories blasted into her mind. Her knees buckled and she dropped to the toilet with a thud. As she massaged her aching temples, she remembered the blonde-haired man from the store, Ben. He'd been in this very same bathroom holding this very same bottle of peroxide! She cringed as the memories of him and what he did to her seized her with taloned fingers. Could it be possible that Ben was the mysterious, elusive lover in her dreams? It didn't seem so. No, her dream man was dark and more frightening than Ben could ever be. But was her dream man just that—a dream man, or was he a real person that she had forgotten about? Standing under the shower spray, she let the water beat against the base of her skull as she tried to remember her vacation. Like butting her head against a brick wall ... it gave her nothing but a headache and distorted vision. After a long, cool shower, she pulled on her faded terry bathrobe and went out to the front porch swing. So peaceful here in the piney woods, except for the mosquitoes buzzing around. About to retreat indoors to avoid bites she realized that none of them pierced her skin, or even lighted on her. Could it be that there were no females? Maybe the soap she showered with repelled them. No matter the explanation, it was a pleasant break from the never-ending attacks of the tiny blood thieves. The gentle swaying motion of the swing helped her relax. She could now open her Chakras, go deep into her subconscious mind, and manipulate her life force energy. The book about getting in touch with your Ki that she read during her breaks at work really helped. She'd clear her “third eye” Chakra blockage, and then perceive the knowledge of whatever or whoever had intruded on her mind. Once she opened her Chakras in the meditative state she started to clear the mental block. She imagined herself standing before a brick wall in a vast, obscure place. Even without light she could still see in the darkness. The red brick wall stood solid and steadfast in its place. Too bad ... no wall could block her stubborn streak! Stretching to the top of the imaginary wall, she tugged with all her might at one brick until it broke free from the structure then she flung it into oblivion. Brick by brick she tore the wall down, until she picked the last brick up from the black floor and flung it into the void. When the block cleared she felt a sudden surge of power, and memories flooded into her mind. Colin! She resented him for trying to block her memory. Vampire god or not he didn't have the right to make such a decision without consulting her first. He'd underestimated her own spiritual powers, and now she vowed to find that hidden house deep in the heart of the thicket ... and give him a much deserved tongue lashing with a slap or two thrown in for good measure. How dare he throw her love away. Ah. Someone out there... "Come on out, Ben. I know you're there ... I can smell you.” She spoke as if to a person sitting right next to her, but she knew he would hear. A slight smile touched her lips as he approached the cabin and hesitated with his foot on the first step. How she missed his adorable face! Noticing the shiny new cowboy boots on his feet, she laughed. "Cowboy boots, Ben? Well at least they're black!” She laughed even harder at his sheepish expression. “Don't tell me you bought a horse too! Ben the cowboy. Sorry, I can't see it!” Tears flowed down her cheeks as she laughed ... pure joy to be teasing him again. He stared hard into her laughing face, happy to see that she recognized him, but worried at the same time. He'd missed her bantering, but what would Colin do now? She continued to stare at his feet, and he felt the need to defend himself like he'd done so

many times when she lived with them "I wanted the sales girl, and what better way to get her alone than to buy her wares? Anyway, they feel comfortable. I like them!" "O.K., O.K., I was just kidding! Come on up here and sit down. You've already fed tonight, right?” She giggled at the way he crossed the porch, tapping his heels to hear his new boots on the wood. In many ways he seemed so young, but then she met his intense blue eyes and saw maturity there. Taking his hand they entwined their fingers, pushing the swing together, enjoying the companionable silence and each other's presence. Ben spoke with a quiet, timid voice. “Do you remember everything about me, Joanna?” He hoped with all his heart she didn't recollect all that transpired between them. He'd grown so fond of the fiery little human. "Yes, I do." His face fell when she answered. "But, I forgive you. As a matter of fact, I like you, Ben.” She saw the corner of his mouth lift in a smile. Then a worried look washed over his face. "Do you remember everything?" She hesitated before answering, staring at the blue veins in the back of Ben's hand. “If you are referring to Colin, then yes I do, and I'm mad as hell at him for dumping me. I don't understand.” She caught herself about to start whining and changed her tone of voice. "I thought he cared more about me than just as his next meal, that's all." "Joanna, if I tell you something, will you vow never to tell Colin?" "But..." "No, you will see him again, of this I'm certain. Do you promise? He is a Centenarian and I am only a very young apprentice. I'm not allowed to speak of him and I have no idea what the consequences would be if he found out I defied him." Joanna gasped. "Ben, I don't want you to be hurt!" "No, don't worry about me. I think because I am so young I can get away with a lot, but it's only because Colin has such compassion. Still, I don't want to risk raising his ire. You've seen for yourself what can happen." Knowing without a doubt he referred to her escape attempt at the shopping mall she nodded in agreement. How ironic, her situation. Back then all she thought about was getting away, and now all she wanted was to get back to him ... to Colin. "I swear I won't say a word to him, Ben. O.K?" He glanced around, his movements nervous, worried. Then when he spoke, he did so in an almost inaudible whisper. "I fear that he may be close by." Joanna jerked her head towards the woods, listening to the sounds of the thicket, her gaze darting into the darkness in search of his tall form. "Colin did what he did because he cares for you and he feared for your life.” He paused to rub his nose with the back of his hand. "Do you need a tissue?"

"For what?" Widening her eyes, she glared at him for a second then she sighed. “Never mind, please go on." Shifting his boots across the wood planks once more, he continued. “As you may already know, when he brought you to our lair he intended to convert you into his life-long mate. The thing is, when the time came he couldn't go through with it." "But, why?" "You don't understand! In order to change, your heart must stop from lack of blood before he can give you his own blood back. Don't you get it? You must die and be brought back! That is why there are so few of us in this world today. Most humans do not revive and women almost never survive the metamorphosis." Joanna felt his words like a kick to her stomach. "He doesn't want you to die by his hand, Joanna, and he seems to think you would hate him if you did survive and turn into one of us." "That's a bunch of shit! I thought Colin was smarter than that” She spat fire with her words. Ben grabbed her upper arm and shook her. "Don't say such things about the Creator! It's your fault! You have awakened human emotions in him and now it clouds his judgment!” His punishing grip on her arm hurt and she winced as she tried to pull away from him. "I'm sorry, Ben. Really I am. I forgot he was not a normal man. Please let go of me before you break my arm in two.” Releasing her, he left the swing and walked to the stairs leading down from the porch. He paused as if to say good-bye. "Stay away from us, Joanna. All too soon it will be the week of the full moon.” He took off at a brisk pace toward the trees and she jumped from the swing and ran to the steps to yell after him. "I would gladly die for him, Ben. Do you hear me? I would do anything..." **** Camouflaged in the gloom of the towering trees, the swaying hammock's green and brown splotches blended in with the surrounding foliage. Colin lounged motionless on the canvas hammock, his long denim clad legs crossed at the ankle. Although his mind churned in turmoil, his body stayed relaxed ... hands behind his head and eyes closed. In the distance he heard his friend moving through the thicket with exceptional speed. Soon, the young one approached, oblivious to Colin's presence. "Where have you been, Benjamin?" Colin's voice startled Ben, and he felt like a child who'd just been caught doing something wrong. If he lied Colin would know ... by his vocal inflections. And he refused to tell him of the faux pas, talking about his creator to another person. He shuffled pine needles about with the toe of his boot, his voice a nervous murmur. “Uh, Joanna is at her cabin by the lake again. I saw her." Colin opened his eyes, watching his neophyte's face. “You spoke to her?" Ben drew several deep breaths to steady himself before meeting Colin's intense gaze. "Yes sir, I did ... I happened upon her by chance. On my way past the area I spotted her on the porch. She called out to me, Colin. She said to come on out, that she knew I was there. Uh ... she ... uh ... she said she could smell me, Colin."

He had a difficult time suppressing the laughter that swelled in his chest as he watched Ben's growing discomfort. The young one's face flushed and he averted his gaze to a point somewhere on the forest floor. "Have you been neglecting your toilette, Ben?" Flustered, Ben could do no more than utter a simple, “No." Unable to suppress it any longer, Colin burst out laughing. “I think, perhaps, she was teasing you my sensitive friend." Ben replied with an airy laugh of his own. “Yes." "She must have overcome the mental block from my hypnotism. Correct? She obviously knew you." Lifting his eyes to Colin's, he nodded. “That's right. But, not only does she remember me, she knows everything that transpired between us.” He hesitated, the uneasiness ... an ache in the pit of his stomach. "She remembers you too, Colin.” He watched his creator's face for reaction and saw none. His features were etched in stone and unreadable. "Thank you, Ben. Would you excuse me please?" Colin kept his indecision and confusion hidden from Ben, who slipped away, knowing he couldn't do or say anything to help Colin right now. Damn her for complicating his life so. Before the encounter with her, his heart served as just another organ, a muscle with the singular purpose of pumping his vivifying blood through his veins. Now, these warm sensations consumed him, the passion burning within and radiating from his swollen heart. His decision to release Joanna was a difficult one to make ... so much easier to love her from afar than to risk her life. Now it seemed she would risk her own life to be by his side. What to do ... what to do? Rising off the hammock in one swift motion he sped through the woods ... he could not stop himself, he had to see her once more. She left the windows of her tiny cabin open, as he knew she would, and he removed the screen with ease, pulling the tiny curtains aside. She lay sprawled atop the covers, flat on her back as if she had flopped down with exhaustion and fallen right to sleep. Colin feasted on her slumbering body with his eyes. Heat flared in his chest as he gazed in at her ... she wore his undershirt again, and it quivered with every beat of her heart. An involuntary thirst welled up in Colin's parched throat and his mouth watered. Disgusted, he tore himself away from her window and wiped the drool off his chin with his shirtsleeve. His fangs tickled the inside of his lip as they retracted. Grimacing, he swiped at his mouth with the back of his hand. He wouldn't allow himself to look at Joanna again, and he replaced the window screen. Even more depressed than before, he made his way back to his own cabin. No more proof needed ... he must keep her away from him, allowing no contact between them, none at all, and he must make her forget him. Though he could never forget. Hypnosis failed. Now he would do whatever it took, no matter how outlandish the method, to make her forget him once and for all. Colin knew he must also leave the thicket and leave it now ... or else...

Fifteen "Pack your bags, Ben.” Colin entered the house shouting. Ben pushed out of his desk chair and sent it sailing across the room, slamming into his dresser. The mirror fell and hit the floor, shattering into hundreds of glittering pieces. Ben felt his heart dissolve into molten lead and he felt sure that it was about to fall out of his chest, right through his intestines to form a new exit from his body. Clutching his chest, he peeked out of the bedroom door to see Colin barreling down the hallway. In a panic, he looked around the room, knowing before he even did that there was no escape. He couldn't believe Joanna tattled on him! That had to be the cause of Colin's uproar! "Ben?” Colin stopped in the doorway. “What are you doing standing about like that?” He stared into his face waiting for an answer. Ben stood like a deaf/mute staring back at Colin, his heart thundering in his chest until he realized that his creator's relaxed posture held not one iota of malice in it. He wanted to say something, anything, before Colin did get annoyed with him, but sound wouldn't escape his tightened throat. Guilt did this to him. Guilt at talking about Colin to that woman! "Are you in pain, Benjamin?” His gaze drifted around Ben's room, noting the broken mirror and overturned desk chair but he said nothing about the damage. "Pack your bags, young one, if you can manage to leave your stupor. We are going on a trip. Pack light and pack for warm weather, unless you prefer to remain here alone for several weeks?” But he knew even as he said those words that he would never allow Ben to remain alone for that length of time ... too dangerous for one so young. Colin's eyebrows rose with his question, those dark jetties that outlined the shadows of his fathomless eyes ... the movements of those expressive eyebrows many times the only indication that Colin didn't wear a somnambulist mask. Ben averted his gaze before he became entranced and finally he managed to speak. "Creator, where are we going"? Shamed by the pathetic squeak his voice came out as, he tried to clear his throat and apologize but Colin spoke first. "I have decided to take a little journey into the Amzon rainforest before the week of the full moon is upon us again. Before you ask, I have an acquaintance down there who knows more about making humans forget than anyone else on the planet.” He paused, one finger stroking his chin as he considered something that appeared to bother him. "Our only problem may be finding him.” His muttered words trailed behind him as he spun around and left Ben's doorway. Ben stared at the spot on the rug where his creator had stood, relieved that Colin didn't find out about his loose tongue, confused about this sudden trip, and even more confused over the reason for the trip. Never impulsive, to Ben's knowledge, Colin did nothing without careful and meticulous planning well in advance. Shaking his head, he composed himself and moved to clean off his desk before he began the tedious task of packing. He did want to finish filling out this request for more information on a new company though. It really sounded like it could be the one. He would be getting in on the ground floor of this brilliant new multi-level marketing company and the promises for huge returns sound very impressive! He finished filling out the form and sealed the envelope. He would just have to take it with him and hope that they were near a post office or postal box at some point and he could slip it in the mail without Colin noticing. Fat chance, but he could always hope. He would rather cut out his own tongue than have Colin catch him trying out all these schemes. But no matter right now, he needed to get packed. Having traveled with his enigmatic creator in the past, he knew better than to ask much, but why the rainforest of all places? Colin enjoyed the creature comforts as much as he did. He could think of no reason other than what Colin told him of the acquaintance that could make humans forget. Of course it was Joanna that he wanted to wipe the memory from, no doubt about that. She was such a pain in the ass! Even as he thought that he smiled, almost laughing out loud over his own fondness for her. Now they would be traveling to the jungle, stumbling through the dense dripping wet vegetation and suffering from the stifling heat because of her. He could just choke her. Pulling his heavy-duty hiker's backpack from the closet, he eyed it with distaste. They'd never used their backpacks before and he

could not even remember why Colin bought them in the first place. What a pain. Not that he was lazy by any means, but hiking through the rainforest? Not his cup of tea. There would be nothing easy about it, even for Colin and himself. Again he thought of choking Joanna. Hmmm. Maybe he should just stay behind ... but he knew Colin would never allow it. Colin packed his underclothes and shirts into his backpack then stood back and stared in the closet at his assorted slacks. The thought of his legs baking in those pants as he tramped through the sweltering jungle was repugnant at best. Neither he nor Ben owned a pair of short pants either. They would have to stop and purchase some for this trip. Hiking boots were another necessity for the rainforest that neither of them owned. Oh how he hated to be so ill prepared. "Ben!” Colin bellowed, his irritation flying like a bright red flag. He heard a crash following his exclamation. Hmm, the second time today that he startled his neophyte. Breathing in and blowing out, long deep breaths, he calmed himself and went to Ben's room, stamping his feet to warn of his approach. Ben faced away, but Colin knew he was aware of his presence. The thin shirt revealed Ben's back muscles tensing in nervous spasms. When Colin spoke he used a kind tone, with obvious affection for his friend. "I am sorry. I did not mean to startle you and I should not inflict my irritation on you.” Bending down beside his silent blonde companion Colin helped him pick up the pieces of the mirror, wondering what troubled him so. Not the fact that he had startled him again, causing him to drop the broken mirror he had just picked up. Reaching out for Ben's face Colin stopped and let his hand drop. Ben would not appreciate being treated like a child, however young he may still be. "Look at me." Ben worked his jaw back and forth grinding his teeth together. He stared at the mirror fragments in his hand, refusing to look up. "Look at me.” Colin spoke with a little more force, this time placing his hand on Ben's shoulder. To his surprise, Ben trembled! Very subtle, the shivers, so much so that he failed to notice when he came in and bent down so near to his young one. Now he knew something was wrong, very wrong. Ben lifted his head and Colin was taken aback at the haunted sky blue eyes that met his. His ashen face a mass of worry, wrinkles appearing even as he watched, on his forehead and at the corners of those sunken eyes. His full bottom lip quivered as he began to speak. "It isn't your fault that I'm so jumpy, Colin." He drew a deep breath and watched as those delightful eyebrows of Colin's shot upwards and his eyes widened. Ben teetered and caught himself with one hand on the floor as his knees gave out. Leaning back against his bed, he sat on the floor, putting as much room between them as he could without making it a distinct act. Colin never moved ... that same puzzled expression stayed on his face as he knelt in the middle of Ben's rug, one knee up and one knee level with the floor. His body presented a series of flowing curves, down his back, around his behind, over his knees and past his bent ankles. An uncomfortable looking position, but he stayed that way with no apparent discomfort or unsteadiness. So unnerving ... Colin's total stillness. He hated that. Ben cleared his throat, his eyes focused on Colin's flat-heeled shoes. When he tried to speak his voice came out as a pathetic squawk once again, and this time he cleared his throat so hard it gave him a momentary twinge of pain. "Creator. I have done a forbidden thing." Colin said nothing. When Ben raised his gaze from Colin's shoes to his face he felt chilled to the bone ... an unblinking, lifeless expression, black eyes boring into him. Oh nooooooo. Colin re-animated and in one fluid movement drew up next to Ben, pulled him to his feet, then flopped him onto the bed. Towering above him, arms crossed, he waited for him to continue speaking. If Ben had taken Joanna he would have to kill him, even though he did not want to do it. He hoped this was not the case, for he loved Joanna and Ben both. Holding his anger and dread in check he waited for Ben to tell him what he did not want to hear, praying he would not be forced to destroy his young companion.

He is waiting for me to sign my own death warrant. Ben had no idea if he could ever get his voice to work again. The very formidable being towering over him had stolen his voice away with the power of his stare. Colin glared and Ben trembled for what seemed like hours, then Colin broke the silence. After drawing a very audible deep breath Colin spoke. “Do not be afraid. Please do go on.” Gripping Ben's leg right above the knee he bent to stare into his face. "Do it, now." Ben gasped. “I'm terribly sorry, please forgive me Colin. I swear I'll never do it again. Please don't slaughter me.” The hasty words gushed from him like floodwater through a swollen valley stream. "I knew not to talk about you. I knew you would not like it. I knew all the while even as I spoke to her that you would be furious. I know this. I am sorry. Have mercy, please Colin, I beg you. I will never utter another word about you I swear!" Colin wore his blank mask so often it was easy to maintain, but he almost laughed with relief at Ben's over reaction. How could he be so terrified of his own creator? Perhaps it was an act, brought on by guilt ... easier to believe than the terror Ben displayed. Aside from that, he could not pass up this temptation to use Ben's fake hysteria to his advantage. He rose to his feet like a decrepit old man on the frozen tundra, too stiff to move at anything quicker than a snail's pace. Ben's heartbeat quickened and became more erratic in Colin's ears, and he almost chose to stop listening to the sounds, afraid he might feel compassion for his terrified child and not teach him the lesson that so needed to be taught. The more he thought about it, the more he felt certain Ben put on this act in hopes that he would be forgiven and not punished. What a crafty man-child! Of course he fooled himself that he did not already feel great compassion for his pretending Benjamin. He broke the rule about keeping the secret of his existence, well Joanna already knew of his existence, but Ben still should not have spoken to her about him at all. Worst of all, Ben knew this the entire time he spoke to her. His overwhelming guilt made that evident. Hmmm. What did he tell her? Nothing he could say to her would affect him. Nevertheless, Ben needed the punishment to get over his own guilt, perhaps that's why he felt the need to get it off his chest and purge himself. Colin lurched forward and grabbed the collar of Ben's shirt, tearing the garment off his body. Without even an instant for Ben to react he bent his head and sank his teeth into the young one's shoulder ... no injection of his blood seeker's narcotic to dull the pain. Withdrawing after only a sip he again jabbed the youthful flesh with as much savage strength as the previous bite, and drank a huge draught of the adrenaline-laced blood. Ben gasped, his face contorted with pain. He didn't resist, and fought to keep his muscles pliant as Colin pushed him over on the bed and crawled on top of him, his teeth still embedded in his shoulder. No blissful euphoria, only terrible wrenching pain ... he had no idea that a bite could be like this from his maker. Colin ripped his fang teeth from Ben's flesh then drove them into the muscle of his shoulder again. This time Ben couldn't stop himself from crying out in agony. Colin removed his horrid punishing teeth and ran his tongue over the savage wounds he had inflicted. He did not enjoy torturing his own offspring this way, but rules must be followed and Ben must realize that there are always consequences for his actions. Colin knew he had been far too lax in the past. Not moving from his position on top of Ben he whispered into his ear. “You will never speak of me to anyone again. Do you understand?" Ben nodded his head, just a bit, but enough for Colin to know that he did indeed understand. Colin rose to a sitting position and gazed down at his beloved companion. Lifting his hand to stroke the hair from Ben's watery eyes, he hated to see Ben's face twitch as he flinched and the muscles in his neck tighten as he fought the instinct to draw away from his creator's hand. With infinite care he placed one of his strong hands on each side of Ben's head, running his fingers through the soft, silky blond hair,

capturing some in each hand. He tugged just a bit and smiled down into this face that he loved to look upon so much. "Your punishment, dear boy, is over.” Ben's features sagged with relief. "However, you are not to speak at all, do you comprehend this, Benjamin?" Ben's blue eyes rounded and he pursed his lips, about to ask why when Colin interrupted. "Eh! No speaking at all or you will be soundly paddled like a guilty student in the principal's office.” He released Ben's hair and left the bed with a single bound that brought him almost to the doorway. Turning once more towards his now baffled companion, he spoke before Ben could seal his own fate again. "Do not force me to do this Benjamin. I do not enjoy punishing you, but I do believe I would truly enjoy paddling your backside. Remember, no talking ... at all." "But Colin, for how long?" Freezing in place, Colin glared at him. Then without saying a word, he turned on his heel and left the room. Ben imagined that like a grotesque comedy, all the organs in his body withered, did an abrupt about-face and abandoned him. The sickness in him spread from his groin all the way up to his throat and he choked on it. Realizing that his creator planned to paddle him, all he wanted to do was flee so Colin would have time to cool off. His shoulder throbbed, and he didn't need a sore butt to go along with it so he slithered off the bed and ran for the back door. He made it as far as the kitchen doorway before he felt the hand clamp to his wrist like a manacle of pure iron. His racing pulse screamed in his ears drowning out Colin's uttered words. In Colin's other hand hung the longest most wicked looking wooden paddle that he'd ever seen. "You forced me to do this, my errant son. Do not make it harder on yourself by struggling. Bend over, grab your ankles and take it like a man." Getting sicker by the moment, he clutched his stomach, groaned and prepared to have his anus blasted up into his mouth by Colin's mighty blow. Assuming the humiliating position that Colin demanded, the blood flooded his face more with embarrassment than the actual position he posed in. His hands locked around his ankles, he squeezed trying to prepare himself for the beating. Seconds went by and nothing. Still more seconds ticked by and nothing. Wishing to get this punishment over with, Ben took a chance and looked back between his legs to see what took Colin so long. The upside down view of his creator standing there, arms crossed, the enormous paddle sticking up between those arms like a sacrifice to the buttocks god nearly brought him to tears. A decadent smile spread across Colin's face and when he saw Ben peeking between his legs, he laughed, then laughed even harder when he didn't get up but continued staring at him from his undignified bat's-eye view. He saw the foot coming towards his rear end, but he couldn't stand up in time to get away. Colin nudged him over and laughed again, his delightful tenor mirth echoing through the empty kitchen and bouncing the melody back to him. Putting the evil paddle down on the counter, he extended a helping hand down to his baffled but disciplined young apprentice. Colin pulled Ben to his feet, that same devilish grin curving his lips. "Come now Benjamin, I may drink blood and on occasion kill people but I am not some deranged pervert." Ben still seemed a little leery about saying anything, but his blank stare spoke volumes. Colin gazed into those open blue pools, his own eyes twinkling. Even when he let his gaze travel down Ben's hairless chest and back up to the hideous wounds on his shoulder his mood did not sour. "Surely you do not think that I delight in seeing your narrow hips flaunted in the air in front of me much less derive joy from bruising them with a polished tree branch."

When Ben did speak, Colin thought he might just run to the toilet and empty his stomach. "Well, I am ever so pleasant to look at and even more pleasing to touch." Colin's face collapsed in on itself like he just swallowed something rotten, the corners of his mouth pointed straight down towards his ankles and his bottom lip sucked in. Thoughts of visiting the toilet stayed with him for several long moments until he shook himself and chuckled over his feigned Ben inflicted nausea. "If you think your head will fit back down the hallway, go ahead and get your backpack and whatever little things you wish to bring. We will have to stop and purchase appropriate clothing for our Amazon adventure." Ben rolled his eyes before he even thought about how disrespectful that action would seem. “The rainforest, Colin, why the rainforest of all places?" Stopping in his tracks, Colin turned back to his mutinous young protégé and with the softest of voices he answered. "There you go again, questioning me and my motives." Ben's heart skipped a beat. "No, no that isn't it at all, Colin." "Oh, so then you are just whining?” Colin spoke in that same soft silky voice. He must not be irritated with him, but Ben knew better than to continue complaining and risk raising Colin's ire, yet again. It seemed he made a habit of annoying his maker ... not a wise or healthy practice. So he thought better of opening his mouth further, flashed a smile at Colin and went to his room to throw his underwear in the dreaded backpack ... for the dreaded trip ... to the dreaded jungle.

Sixteen—The Amazon Adventure Turbulence on the small private jet down to the Amazon may have made Ben sick, but this crazy canoe ride might just kill him! Colin sat in front, paddling their dugout canoe down the tributary. Oblivious to his own rain soaked clothing, he didn't even notice Ben's misery. Ben's new safari clothes adhered to his body, sticking to skin he didn't even know he had. He should have tried on these damned cargo shorts before buying them ... way too tight, creeping up to give him a wedgie and strangle his crowded privates. Damn it all! And Colin didn't look the slightest bit uncomfortable. The canoe rocked and Colin turned back to see what disturbed his companion this time. Ben wiggled around, pulling at the crotch of his short pants. Colin tipped his hat back, just a bit so that Ben could see the laughter in his eyes when he looked up. Poor Ben looked like a drowned blonde rat with his damp hair plastered to his head. Colin did tell him to pick out a hat, but Ben chose not to wear one and ‘mess up’ his hair. Heaven forbid that he be seen with hat hair. Colin would be willing to bet that he regretted that choice now. Ben got his shorts situated the way he wanted then noticed Colin watching his every move. Eyes crinkled with merriment, mouth taut with the corners raised, on the verge of uncontrollable laughter, but he didn't laugh. He cocked his head and smiled a little wider. “Comfy?" Ben swiped the wet hair out of his eyes and glared at him. Colin laughed. He laughed hard and long despite Ben's continued glare. Tears slipped from his eyes and he wiped them on his sleeve, then seeing Ben again, he laughed even more. River water suddenly smacked into his face from Ben's oar. Instead of splashing him back, Colin roared with laughter, spitting the water from his lips as Ben stood and continued to splash him with all his might. Then, Colin grabbed both sides of the canoe and leaned hard to his right. For a brief moment Ben's eyes went wide with shock as he lost his balance, then he flew out of the canoe and into the brown water with a hideous splash. Funny that he could hear Colin's laughter even under water. He lost all remaining dignity when Colin hauled him out of the water by the collar of his new shirt, but he had long since given up on retaining a speck of self-respect on this trip anyway. That was only the beginning of his misery. After leaving the canoe behind to tramp through the tangle of forest, he longed to be back in that canoe, soaking wet or not. The sun glared high overhead though the damaging rays did not reach them under the dense forest canopy. Still, the oppressive heat and the dank moisture everywhere from the soil underfoot, to the dripping foliage, to the very air they breathed made everything difficult to deal with. Ben found himself panting as he fought to keep up with Colin. "Creator, please, may we slow down for awhile?” Not waiting for Colin to answer he stopped, dropped his backpack to the ground, then sat on it and breathed a sigh of relief to be off his feet. Colin stopped walking but did not turn back, instead he cocked his head and closed his eyes, listening for something very far in the distance. Ben heard nothing other than birds and a few monkeys, and the insects. He leaned against an enormous tree, with leaves large enough to protect him like an umbrella if it stared raining again. "Remain here and rest,” Colin called back to him. “I shall return for you soon.” Giving him no time to respond, Colin took off, hacking the vines out of his path as he made his way through the jungle. In moments he disappeared from view, the jungle closed in like he had never passed, never even existed. Ben stretched out his legs, glad for the chance to rest. Subtle noises piqued his curiosity ... something large, moving closer ... the rustle of leaves ... then he saw it move. "Well hello snakie...” The huge head rocketed towards him latching onto his upper arm. Too tired to move out of the way in time, he felt no alarm as no animal alive could harm him.

The hungry constrictor mustered her strength and coiled around her victim's chest and lower body, pinning his other arm to his side. The arm she held in her grips she left free of the coil, but she embedded many sharp teeth in his flesh and she wasn't about to let go. It had been months since she'd last eaten. Ben laughed at his predicament. “Oh you are tickling me, you silly sna..." Her coils tightened and his voice choked off. Drawing a ragged breath, he began to struggle. Her coils tightened more and with steady pulses, she squeezed until Ben could not move his chest to draw a breath. His heartbeat slowed. The snake squeezed. He fell to the ground and rolled trying to dislodge the snake. She squeezed even harder still. He could no longer breathe ... his heart could no longer beat! As repulsive as he found cold blood he had no choice. Bending his neck as far as he could Ben tried to drive his fangs into her enormous head, but his fangs wouldn't extend! He tore at her multi-colored scales with his teeth, biting off small chunks of flesh as he pulled on her body with his free hand, trying in vain to make her uncoil. If he could use telepathy he'd tell her to leave him alone, he wasn't food! The lack of blood flow to his brain left him addled and confused. Sheer desperation drove him to a last surge of strength, a do or die struggle for his very life. Focusing all his power down into his pinned arm he managed to loosen the coils enough to suck in a shallow breath. The snake hesitated, now unsure whether this was a suitable meal for her or not. The prey should've been dead by now and it wasn't. She relaxed her grip and started to uncoil. "Benjamin, quit playing with that snake and come along now.” Colin acted like he found him wrapped up in snake coils every day! Ben gasped. He drew ragged breath after ragged breath and pushed the snake off his body, shoving her heavy body into the undergrowth with a scowl ... but he watched to make sure she crawled away from him. He'd gained a healthy respect for the large constrictors. He had no doubt that if he were human, he'd be in that snake's belly by now. Waiting for Colin's response to this screw up, he knew it was coming as sure as he knew his own name. Avoiding Colin's gaze would be good. Disappearing would be even better. Beam me up, Scotty... "There are easier ways to become one with nature, Ben.” Colin's hand appeared in front of his face, palm up, to help him to his feet. Still not meeting his eyes, he put his hand in Colin's and rose to his feet. His legs were still a little numb and there were marks on his left arm from the snake's body. Doubtless there were marks all over his body from his bout with the hungry snake. Curiosity got the best of him and he just had to look so he lifted his shirt and sure enough he had light bruises already forming in stripes across his stomach and chest. He flinched when Colin's fingers brushed the worst of the welts. It didn't really hurt, but he sunk to a whole new level of mortification over the whole incident. Colin chuckled. “I just cannot take you anywhere, can I young one?” Laughing without sound, he went on. “Nor, can I leave you alone." Ben just stood there. For once in his life nothing he could say, nothing he could do to defend himself. Head down, hair hanging in his face, the picture of dejection. Whether intending to garner pity or not his posture brought out intense feelings of love and Colin gathered him up in a warm embrace. A father consoling his son after he had been lost at the zoo. He just wanted to see the snake! The arms felt good, the warmth, the wonderful love. "Have you rested enough to go on?” Colin released his crestfallen child and studied his face. He did look haggard indeed, but it had become a necessity that they continue and soon. He brushed the hair back out of Ben's face and touched his cheek. "I am sorry, my beloved boy, but we must reach the territory of the chameleon people by nightfall." Ben's eyes grew round. “The chameleon people?" Visions of half-lizard, half-human abominations filled his head. After his bout with the constrictor, he was leery of anything in the least bit reptilian. Colin smiled, knowing what troubled Ben. Lowering his hand to brush a speck of dirt from his shirtsleeve, he glanced back toward the jungle.

"An ancient tribe, the chameleon people. They know the answers to secrets that humankind can only imagine. No human has ever laid eyes on them so they themselves are a hidden treasure.” He paused, taking off his hat, running his fingers through his hair, wiping the sweat from his face on his sleeve then examining his pale green safari hat as he held it in his hands. "I chose the name chameleon people for them because they can blend in with the rainforest so well that we may walk right past them and never even see them. I do not know what they call themselves, if anything. They have no spoken language that we can comprehend." He cocked his head, listening again. Ben heard nothing. Placing a finger in front of his lips Colin motioned for silence, listening to the boundless voices in the mysterious forest. "The problem we face...” Colin dropped his voice to a whisper. “...is that these are not the only archaic peoples to exist here.” Meeting Ben's eyes, he continued. “We are in danger because they know of us, our ancient breed, and they know what powers are bequeathed with our eternal blood. They would take it if they could, our blood..." Ben's jaw dropped. He wanted to ask if the tribe knew he and Colin were here, but was afraid to make a sound. He mouthed his question instead, his lips forming the words. Colin shrugged. So he didn't know if they were aware or not, and judging from the way Colin kept gazing around he didn't know if they were approaching either. It seemed that creatures far more dangerous than a simple snake lived in the rainforest. "Come.” He beckoned for Ben to follow as he slapped his hat back down on his head and turned to plunge through the jungle once more. Travel was tough and it took hours to cover little ground. The jungle seemed to start thinning out near the forest floor, and they could move faster through the enormous prehistoric plants that invaded the open spaces without the usual choking tangle of vines and invasive flora. Overhead, the forest canopy blocked most of the sunlight with its lush green cover. Beautiful, this bouquet of rich greens, yellows, reds and all the sunny colors in between and the magical browns of the many tree trunks that seemed to grow right up to the very heavens. Flying rainbows hopped from branch to dripping branch, flapping their glorious wings and calling to each other as the day wound down and began to slip into night. Nightfall in the rain forest came in an instant. One moment, daylight filtered through the treetops providing a subtle glow and the next the jungle plunged into inky darkness. Colin closed his eyes and drew a deep breath, revitalized by the night air and the lack of the oppressive heat. It would be a relief if he were not so worried by the danger that could be stalking them even now. If only he could hear them, for he knew he would not see them before they attacked. So, he listened. He listened to every sound and every lack of sound. So far, nothing to indicate an imminent attack from those fabled killers ... those who practiced human sacrifice just like their primitive predecessors. What a powerful aphrodisiac it would be for them to capture a member of his species. He almost wished they would show their faces now. His hunger flared. Humans would be so much more appetizing than animal blood. "Come out, come out, where ever you are..." "Colin! Have you lost your mind?” Feeling like he was ten years old, he moved closer to his maker and squeezed himself between Colin's back and the rough barked tree he stood by. He didn't care how timid he appeared. Better to shame himself this way than to be devoured by the savages that Colin taunted with his little song. "Benjamin, there is nothing there. I wish there were someone there, honestly, I do." "Why?” Ben's nervous question sounded gargled, as if the word choked him and he had to spit it out. Colin laughed, the rumble deep in his chest. "Well, the simple fact that I get very cranky when I am hungry should be ample reason for you, Ben." "But you said that we must reach the chameleon people..."

"I have changed my mind.It would be most rude of me to feed off the very people that I wish to seek help from, and I am so very hungry that even you look appetizing.” Turning to peer over his shoulder, his eyes roamed over Ben's quivering body and back up again to his startled face. A frenzy of natives erupted from the forest to surround them. They had no chance to defend themselves, no chance to flee, no chance to do anything at all other than gape at the tribe ... at least fifty strong. Their nut-brown skin, camouflaged with various greens and darker brown dyes from the forest palette blended in with the surrounding plant life. No wonder they had not perceived the tribe's presence earlier. Stinging shame at being caught unaware flooded Colin's features. Even worse that he had no idea what tribe he faced, friend or foe, so he had no idea of how to react, if at all. If they escaped and these were the chameleon people after all, their entire trip was wasted. If they chose to remain and these were not the chameleon people then their eternal lives were in danger. Colin backed up, keeping Ben between his back and the huge tree, guarding him with his own body. Glaring, silent sentries. What could Colin say? He had the sinking feeling he would be wasting his breath to say anything at all. Staring, painted faces ... betraying no emotion ... motives unknown. Colin raised one hand without menace, palm up to show his submission, like a wolf exposing his belly to the alpha wolf. When he got no reaction from the natives he let his hand drop. Fresh blood scent filled his nostrils and his hunger flared. One of them had a fresh, open wound. Searching the circle of male natives he saw no flowing blood, nothing to prove his infallible nose correct. Then the circle broke and from between the army of soldiers stepped a beautiful maiden, fresh blood streaming over her naked breasts. Colin's nostrils flared and he threw his head back, hitting Ben on top of his head. He had forgotten that Ben stood so close behind him. The blood beckoned to him, then her hands lifted and she gestured for him to come closer. Eyes moving from him to Ben who peeked around his broad back, she motioned for them both to approach her. Open slashes flowed above both her breasts and she invited the blood seekers to suckle with her expressive hand motions and the thrust of her breast. It did not take a second invitation. Colin moved first, pulling Ben with him. They nestled in for their blood meal, drinking great draughts of her vital fluid. Hunger made them bold and careless. Pin pricks ... one after another. First he ignored them, but as more places on his body felt the sting Colin lifted his head and saw darts sticking out of his arms, legs and his side. A few darts pierced Ben's arms and legs as well. The native men! Shooting darts through bamboo blowguns. Several struck the woman and she fell to the ground. Colin smelled the slight tarry odor of the poison ... curare. No doubt they dipped the tips in the potent poison to kill them. His face frozen but slack, Ben tried to cry for help, but nothing happened. His eyes wouldn't move! His neck! His neck would not turn! Colin stared at him in horror as he folded in on himself and collapsed on the ground beside the very dead native woman. These natives were not the chameleon people! Colin struggled to lift Ben as the warriors pelted him with dart after dart. Ben's weight felt tremendous, but he managed to lift him and carry him through the natives, kicking them out of his way as they continued to dart him. He vowed to kill every one of them after he got Ben to safety. But as he stumbled into the forest, his legs stopped working and his arms grew weak. He lost his grip and Ben slipped to the forest floor amidst the dead leaves and scattering insects. Rubbery legs would no longer support him and he toppled to the ground beside the cherished child he could no longer protect. The tribe came for them, lifted them, with great effort, to their shoulders and carried them away. Though paralyzed, Colin still felt the movement for a while and then his leaden world dimmed, until nothing of him remained. Colin's struggle ... lost.

Seventeen Joanna's dark blue backpack lay unzipped and gaping open amidst an assortment of food and camping equipment on the kitchen table. She tossed a folded blanket on top of the hodge-podge, almost knocking over the Coke sitting on the far end of the table. Catching the can with cat-like reflexes she averted a near disaster. The warm afternoon caused condensation on the chilled soda can, and Joanna lifted it to her flushed face to spread the cool wetness on her hot skin. Lifting the long mane of hair off her shoulders she held the dripping can against her neck. "Aaahhhhh." To combat the heat she fixed her hair into a ponytail and braided it to keep the heavy blanket of hair off her body. Glancing down at her denim-clad legs she thought of putting on shorts, but remembered her experience with the coral snake. She donned pastel pink ankle socks to match her faded pink oxford blouse, and pushed her feet into her favorite pair of used-to-be-white Keds. After threading her thin leather belt through the loops she added the sheath for the sharp hunting knife. Satisfied with her vampire hunting attire she began the arduous task of stuffing everything on the table into the small backpack. Staring at the mound of supplies strewn across the tabletop she considered leaving it all behind. Then she'd have to return to the cabin every night ... that would never work! She had a better chance of finding a polar bear in these east Texas woods than she did of discovering Colin's lair, but she enjoyed a challenge, and this was a big one. Comparing the size of the backpack to the variety of supplies on the table she knew it would take a miracle to get all this stuff inside. Sorting the necessities from the conveniences she made two piles—necessities to the left, conveniences right. She began by sliding the blanket to the left and the Ding Dongs to the right The compass she'd put in her hip pocket created an uncomfortable bulge, so she moved it to the voluminous pocket on her shirt. Not as safe, but much more comfortable. Pushing the soft pack cooler containing her cherished Cokes to the right, she changed her mind and slid them over next to the blanket. She considered Cokes a necessity! After she managed to cram everything into the backpack, she settled her sunglasses on her face, hefted the pack onto her back, locked up the cabin and set out on her search. She started out with a light step, her flushed face a mask of determination as she checked the old compass for the proper direction. As a young Girl Scout, she won a merit badge at camp by using the compass to find her way out of the woods. Now, with the help of the same device, she hoped to win more than a patch. She had to win the missing part of her heart back. Before long she lost sight of the cabin. Even though she had a compass she knew to blaze a trail. The Big Thicket was so dense, impassible in some places so it was best to know which way to turn. Withdrawing the foot long hunting knife from the leather sheath with great care she remembered her granddaddy had always called this knife a machete. She drove its glistening blade into a tree trunk with a downward motion, then once again in an upward motion to form a shallow yet visible notch. Every ten yards or so she notched another tree, always at eye level, to leave an easy trail to follow. She trudged through the trees for almost two hours before she stopped to rest and have a drink. Her shirt dripped with sweat and her bra had chafed the skin around her midriff. Pulling the hated undergarment away from her body, she rubbed at the raw skin underneath. Then she thought, “Who's gonna see me?" Dropping her gear she unbuttoned her blouse, removed the offensive bra, then hung it from a nearby tree as an added trail marker. Instead of re-buttoning her shirt she tied the tails into a square knot under her breasts, allowing air to reach her sweaty back. Removing one of her beloved soft drinks from the pack was no easy feat, they were way down on the bottom. It was worth the trouble to displace everything else in the backpack, the chilly cola felt wonderful running down her throat into her stomach. She forgot to eat again, but didn't feel hungry. More than anything she suffered from an almost unquenchable thirst, consuming quart

after quart of liquid every day. When she reorganized her backpack she put the clothing, toiletries and blanket near the bottom, and the cooler and snacks on top. Anxious to be on her way she donned the pack and reached in her breast pocket for the compass. Not there! She dropped her supplies in a panic and searched the area. Without the gadget she'd get lost or go around in circles. The position of the sun would be of no help with the dense canopy of trees overhead. Dropping to her knees she scoured the ground, pushing aside undergrowth and overturning leaves. A glint of metal caught her eye, lying in the brush beneath the great double-humped arrow of her discarded bra. Relief flooded over her. She held on tight to the compass as if it might try to escape again. Bowing a thank you to the bra, she slipped on her backpack and headed north. In the heat of the day no other living thing moved about except pestilent insects. The drone of cicadas rang in her ears, the never-ending buzz of summer. Today's sweltering heat burned her lungs as she drew each breath. Even in the shade the lack of a breeze gave her the sensation of being baked to a delicate crunch, like one of her favorite baked cheese puffs. By the end of the scorching day, bone tired, Joanna smelled like a soured washcloth, and felt like she had gained nothing with this hike and never would. A perky Mockingbird sang his wide variety of birdcalls from a branch overhead, ignoring the human girl sprawled under the tree. The small gray bird's lively singing did help to lift her spirits some. After all, she made it this far without any mishaps, snakebites, broken bones, or any of the other calamities that she expected to befall her. Joanna cleared an area of all sticks and pinecones and spread out her faded violet blanket as her bed for the night. Gazing up at the darkening treetops from her makeshift bed she thought of Colin, and his asinine decision to send her away. She couldn't wait to give him a good wallop for treating her this way. As thoughts of getting even ran through her mind exhaustion took over, then she forgot everything. Several hours later Joanna's eyes opened and she sat bolt upright in alarm, awake in an instant as she became aware of a presence. Holding her breath, she tuned into the sounds of the night ... a bird of prey leaving his roost, a symphony of crickets, the buzzing of mosquitoes. Then she heard a large four-legged creature ... panting ... drawing near. Staring into the woods, she searched for the beast. Flipping on her flashlight she saw it ... a pair of radiant gold eyes ... moving closer and closer. Making out the canine form she wondered if it was a dog or a wolf. Motionless, she waited to see what it would do, the flashlight beam pulsating as her hand quivered. She pressed the switch to turn off the light. The animal disappeared! Fumbling with the flashlight she tried to switch it back on but her fingers failed to cooperate. It took several attempts, but she got it to shine again, and yes, the animal had disappeared. Shining the light all around she couldn't find it. Joanna fell back on her blanket, relieved. Straining her eyes she noticed creatures flitting about in the treetops. What kind of bird flies around like that at night? It couldn't be owls. No, only one type of creature is that skilled. "Bats! Cool." Her voice seemed so loud to her ears, but the bats didn't notice. Jumping to her feet she repacked her blanket to make a hasty retreat. She'd never get back to sleep now, so why waste time trying? Traveling at night without the sun beating down was much more comfortable. Heading east for a few miles, she made good time. She noticed more palmetto fans, big and beautiful, giving the woods a jungle-like atmosphere—a touch of the Amazon. Struggling through lush vines growing on and between the trees on the soft ground, majestic Cypress began to replace the pines, their ancient trunks dwarfing their human visitor. Through a break in the brush, Joanna glimpsed a clearing, the moonlight flooding in the gap in the treetop canopy. Accelerating her pace, she plunged into the clearing before she realized it was a swamp and she stood up to her knees in the mud and warm stagnant water. "Shit."

Standing like a dolt in the water, staring down at her legs, she could manage to say nothing else. She had found an acid bog and there were probably all sorts of creatures in the water with her. Her imagination ran wild: nutria rats ... yuck, snakes, poisonous ones ... yuck, alligators, big ones.... big red crawdeads, yuck. At that moment a soft splash nearby signaled something entering the water! The mud sucked at her feet like some powerful entity determined to drag her down into the predacious bowels of the swamp. Stumbling through the mire, falling to her knees in the water, she fought to gain stable footing in her panic. Gaining a measure of control over her shaking limbs, Joanna leapt up and out of the bog, flinging slime, mud and putrid water with an explosion of flailing arms and legs. She ran, toppling over fallen tree branches and protruding Cypress roots only to gain her footing and run even more until she reached the point of collapse. With a dismal sob, she fell to her hands and knees then flat on her face, gasping for breath and holding her throbbing side. Time passed, she had no idea how long, but her mind needed rest. It began to play tricks on her and the boogieman came for her through alligators, or nutria rats or any of the myriad swamp creatures. The stampeding pulse in her adrenaline saturated veins reined in its out of control beat and she drew regular steady breaths again. Even the pain in her side began to subside. The scent of the earth, the soil, decaying leaves, softwood, stagnant water, even the musk of small rodents soothed her, restoring a sense of normalcy. Her mind drifted and she relaxed, listening to the songs of a hundred crickets and lovesick tree frogs. Joanna opened her eyes as sunlight came sneaking through the canopy of trees. It hurt so she closed them again, wondering where she was, why she fell asleep here. Damp heat permeated her pores, sweat seeped out leaving her dank and sticky. She sat up, her body stiff and disagreeable. Pain in her back, shoulders and hips ... must be how the old and decrepit feel every morning, but it wasn't morning. Judging from the intense heat and scattered sunbeams threading through the dense foliage it appeared to be late afternoon. She'd left her watch on the table back at the cabin, a lot of good it did back there. Not that it mattered. Time was irrelevant here in the middle of this wooded purgatory with it's infernal, dripping, suffocating heat. Shaking off her melancholy, she dug the last remaining cola from her pack and downed the tepid liquid in a few long reckless swallows. It burned as it slid down her throat to settle into a sizzling puddle in her empty stomach. At least it was wet. She should have rationed her supplies better. It seemed like she'd been tramping through the woods for weeks when it had only been a couple of days ... hot, miserable, bestial days. She'd slept through most of this day, and she should eat something to maintain her strength. Fishing out her snacks, the little shredded wheat bits tasted like straw. She choked down a few, then crammed the bag back into her pack. So much for eating. The dry cereal made her thirsty and she could not resist taking a long drink from her canteen. She'd find the cabin she searched for soon. The fact that she was almost out of water didn't worry her ... much. With a groan, she stood, attempting to brush the dirt off her clothes then giving up when the grime smeared and dirtied her hands even more. Her lip curled with distaste, she shrugged into her backpack and reached for the compass so she could get her bearings before starting out. Not there! "On no!” She felt all her pockets. Empty! "Oh no, oh no, oh no.” Frantic now, she muttered over and over again as she searched around the area. Dropping to her knees in panic she crawled on all fours, scratching her hands on twigs and sticker vines as she clawed at the leaf litter, groping for something that in her heart, she knew would not be there. Disaster! This could not happen!! No, no, no! Could not be true ... utter chaos, her thoughts. No matter how hard she clawed at the ground, or how she scuttled around like a beetle through the underbrush and filth of the forest floor, the search ended in failure. The compass wasn't here. Reflecting on her wild tear through the forest she realized that it could be anywhere. What compelled her to do this? This stupid trek through the woods in search of an undiscovered hidden cabin.

Joanna crumbled, body and soul. Folding in on herself, her body collapsed in a heap. She didn't care that thorns under her bare arm punctured the flesh and didn't care that her jeans soaked up the moisture from the damp ground with the efficiency of a desiccated sponge. She wouldn't scream for help or pray to a god she didn't believe in. She refused to feel anything. Nightfall. Darkness brought relief from the oppressive heat. The trees sighed as a soft breeze tickled the pine boughs then meandered it's way to the forest floor in whispers of cooling air. Joanna found the strength to lift herself and stand. Lying in her fetal position for such a long time had taken a toll on her battered body and her limbs didn't want to obey. The urgent need to relieve herself pushed her to move or not only would she be alone and lost in the woods but she'd have urine soaked clothes too. What a struggle to remove the filthy, damp jeans. Nothing could make her put these things back on. So foolish not to bring another pair of pants, shorts would have to do. Digging through her pack, she found them wadded up in the bottom and put them on along with a clean t-shirt. At least she smelled better and felt a little better too. Feeling more optimistic, maybe she could find some of the trees she notched in her path yesterday. Was it just yesterday? Or the day before? How many days had passed? Panic crawled like a multi-legged insect down her throat and invaded her gut, twisting and churning before it exited in a rush of painful gas. She couldn't do this any more ... but if she let this situation get to her now she'd die ... she was much too stubborn to die! Refusing to panic, refusing to collapse again she dug through her backpack for her flashlight and pressed the button. Nothing happened. "Dammit!" Pressing again and again and yet again she tried to get the light to come on. The batteries died, like her confidence, drained away and dead. But wait ... she packed extras! She grinned as she replaced the batteries. "Let there be light” She snorted as she pressed the button and the light came on. She half expected it not to work. Digging a hole, she buried the old batteries, then thought the better of it and dug them back up, putting them dirt and all into her backpack. Switching the flashlight off again the woods seemed darker than the deepest caves, but if she continued to use it now what would she do when these batteries also ran out of life? What happened to her keen night vision? It was like she had never been able to see well at night at all. The effects from Colin's infusions faded, those heightened senses that she didn't realize were there until they dwindled away. She'd save her batteries for emergencies, and travel by day, even though walking through the desert would feel cooler than this dense forest during the heat of the afternoon. At least it wasn't raining, so she wouldn't have to untangle the tiny pup tent she'd brought along. Now to find some drier ground and rest until daybreak. Joanna's long, restless night ended as the blackness lightened to purple, then dark blue in the pre-dawn hour. She could see well enough to begin her search not only for the hidden cabin, but for a way out of the forest alive. All the trees looked alike, bark and branches, and bark and more bark, brush and brambles and decaying wood. No notches in any of these trunks. Nothing to identify that she'd passed that way before. No sense of direction, and no way to tell where the sun was in the sky. Nothing but trees ... trees ... trees. Within hours she was drenched with sweat, frustrated, and still lost. Thirst was her constant companion and she lifted the canteen to her lips to discover that it was empty, bone dry. No more water. No more liquid of any kind. Her situation just went from bad to worse and thirst gnawed at her. Dry mouth, dry throat, swollen tongue ... she couldn't swallow. She had to find water, no matter what. This new quest took on a life of its own ... water ... water. Maybe she could find that bog again. Vines tore at her clothes as she stumbled through the thick undergrowth. Snagging her foot she fell, and her legs tangled in an evil thorn patch. Cursing, she used sheer force to rip her legs out of the slender but wicked vines. Crawling away, trailing uprooted vines with her, she found a more open area to sit and rest. Thin lines of blood seeped from the scratches on her arms and legs. The blood fascinated her, the rich red color of it, the thickness of it and the motion of this thick fluid as it flowed in tiny rivulets down her limbs.

She fancied that she could smell this luscious broth and her mouth watered. Funny, she couldn't imagine where the moisture came from but she welcomed it. She lifted her right arm and inhaled, letting the faint smell of her own body and blood fill her lungs then without thinking twice about it, she ran her tongue over the wound on her forearm. "Mmmmmmmmmm.” The smoky taste of her blood lingered and again saliva flooded her tongue. She needed more! Joanna bathed the cuts with her tongue, sucking at the slices in her skin, squeezing them with both hands to try and bring more blood. The cuts that she couldn't reach with her mouth she wet her fingers and smoothed the blood onto her fingertips then brought them to her mouth. Finger lickin good. It relieved the horrible insatiable thirst but still she wanted more. Her gaze drifted from the clean cuts that were now just dainty pink ridges on her skin to the knife hanging from her belt. With her gut instincts screaming no, she unsnapped the sheath and slid the sharp blade out. A single sunbeam caught the blade and glinted back into her face, hurting her eyes. Squinting, she moved the knife back and forth flashing light off the blade until the sunbeam disappeared behind the swaying upper branches on the living sentinels of the forest. With a trembling hand, she placed the blade against her left wrist and drew it across her flesh leaving a deeper cut than she had intended but it served it's purpose nonetheless. Moments later a stream of blood flowed from the slash but she lost not a drop as she closed her mouth over the wound and drank. Swallow after swallow of rich warmth flowed down her throat, soothing the parched tissues and easing the ache in the pit of her belly. Her head swam, senses dulled and reeling. Each beat of her heart slammed against her ribs with a labored cadence that kept her grounded and aware of herself despite the psychosis creeping over her. Dropping the bloodied knife to the ground, she stared down at her body, a stranger's body wearing her clothing. Skin gleaming with the alien life within, colors blurring into one another, the laces on her shoes alive and grotesque, everything appeared more surreal than real. The gentle radiance behind her eyes began to fade until her head hit the pillow of growth and decay on the forest floor. Powerful thirst brought her out of the dream state and back to the stark arid reality that she wanted to forget. She had to find water soon. With a groan, she sat up and ran her fingers through her hair, picking out bits of bark and leaves and a delicate shred of pale green moss. Retrieving her knife, she clenched her bottom lip in her teeth and contemplated cutting herself again. The blood helped for a little while but she had to think. “Think Joanna, think.” Losing any more blood wouldn't help her dehydration. No, she couldn't drink more of her own blood. Trudging through the dense foliage, she searched for a water source, she searched for a way out of the woods and she searched for Colin's cabin. Even though she didn't look up at the canopy, she knew that the sun would soon set. All around her the color disappeared to be replaced by a gray monotone with varying amounts of texture and density instead of the verdant brilliance of the forest canvas. Stopping to catch her breath for a moment, she lifted the bottom of her t-shirt and wiped the sweat from her face with it. She stretched her hands high over her head first more to the left then more to the right, working the muscles in her sides and back. Then that she heard that miraculous sound ... the gurgling sound of flowing water! She followed the tinkling splashes with giddy delight. A small creek ran through the woods, gliding over branches, settling into small pools, then flowing out the other side in an endless parade of rippling life. Small animal tracks littered the sandy sides of the creek and she knelt beside them and dipped her hand in the cool water. Bringing it to her mouth, she sniffed, hesitant to drink the water but so thirsty that she did it anyway. Dipping her hand again and again she gulped mouthful after glorious mouthful of the fragrant creek water. Feeling much better after drinking water, Joanna chose a spot close to the creek, cleared the ground and spread out her blanket to spend the night. Everything would work out fine now. She could just follow the creek, never be without water and find her way out.

Bird song awakened her. The lyrical twee twee twee and garbled but beautiful notes danced around in the surrounding trees ... the melodious echo bouncing from leaf to leaf and around her head. The beauty of her surroundings would have been breathtaking if the onset of severe cramps hadn't already stolen her breath away. Piercing, debilitating pains cleaved through her stomach and intestines, broiling with an intensity that she knew would erupt soon. Before she could lift herself from the ground or remove her pants, scalding, foul waste poured out of her body in painful torrents. It oozed out of her shorts and down her legs as she watched in abject horror. She could do nothing to stop the onslaught of this dysentery flood and the cramps sliced through her body like double-edged swords, one stab after another. Minutes, then hours passed as Joanna writhed in pain and her own filth. She struggled to remove her shorts, repulsed by the sight and smell of them. It was enough to make her gag and throw up too. She used her remaining strength to roll over, once, twice, then a third time landed her in the creek. Ice-cold water ... but it felt wonderful on her fevered skin. She managed to get her disgusting clothes off and lie in the cleansing water, unconcerned when her clothing washed down the creek and left her shivering and bobbing there naked as the day she was born. Beyond caring about anything other than when the horrible pains would stop. A cool sluggishness replaced the cramps. No more pain, no more shivering ... just dreaminess. Then Joanna no longer felt anything.

Eighteen From high above, Colin watched with detached curiosity as several small naked men dipped their fingers in a flat wooden bowl and smeared reddish brown coloring on their bodies. How very strange that none of their scents, or that of the adornments they spread on their bodies reached him. He could smell nothing at all, and why could he not feel the ground beneath his feet? He looked down. Nothing there, nothing beneath him at all! He hovered there like a spirit! Was this death? Through a haze he noticed a great commotion below and even as one of the dead this demanded his full attention. The excitement centered on a massive stone altar of sorts, built atop a dirt mound in the middle of a native village. Many village people gathered there surrounding two human bodies on short platforms of dark stone. Just lovely to witness a human sacrifice as his first afterdeath experience. Closer he drifted, parting the haze to see the faces of the victims. NO!!! He stared down at his own unclothed body and that of his beloved child, Benjamin! His arms and Ben's also hung like limp useless limbs, off the sides of the platforms. Deep furrows that sliced through veins and muscle dripped blood into shallow troughs placed on the ground under their bodies. An abomination against him and his kin! A terrible shock coursed through him freezing his soul into sharp painful splinters of ice. Without warning he began to fall, plummeting towards the platform without sound and without tangible sensation. Then, as quick as he awakened to find himself a spirit, he once again lost sentience, his formless psyche dissolving in the wind. The natives cut open the veins of the deities again and again, bleeding them of their power and sexual prowess. Swimming up through the darkness, once more Colin awoke. Incredible pain crawled through his body, boring through every vein and artery like a subterranean rodent, chisel-like teeth extended, talons sharpened, clawing it's way through the soil to form a tunnel where one did not exist before. The smell of blood surrounded him, his own blood and the blood of his child and he fought to maintain his composure. The memory of his out of body experience remained fresh in his mind and he knew without a doubt that he and Ben still lay on the sacrificial altars. Listening for the natives, he remained still, eyes closed, until he felt sure that no others occupied the mound ... but he was far from dead ... no, very much alive and they would pay for what they did to him and his cherished offspring. With caution, he cracked his eyelids and surveyed the area. He dared not underestimate this ancient tribe again. Alone on the altar mound, time to make his move. The screaming pain dimmed enough that he tried to remove himself from the stone altar, but he was too weak to sit up. The tribe bled him almost dry. Looking down at his arms, he gasped. Long horrendous furrows marred his flesh where they continued slashing him when his body fought back and stopped the bleeding. He had to see what they did to Ben even though just turning his head seemed almost too much to do. Ben! Oh his Benjamin was in trouble. His ashen skin and slack features ... a perfect parody of death. The blood ceased to drip from his terrible wounds and his body no longer even attempted to heal on it's own. He must help. He must! His temper grew. If these natives killed his young one, they would all perish tonight, by his hand, he vowed! Desperation and love for his child gave Colin the strength to rise, roll off the low altar and land on his hands and knees on the sticky rock between them. One hand made a muffled smack as it hit the edge of the bloodletting trough but he caught it before it clattered back down and made even more noise. No doubt that the village would have sentries posted even if they assumed that the two captured beings were dead. Sure enough he picked up the sound of someone approaching, walking with not quite silent footsteps to sneak up on him, but no human would take him unawares, not ever again. Sprawled out in the sticky gore under the altar, he waited for the sentry to find him. Senses tuned in to every move the native made, muscles tensed ready to spring, fangs descended, Colin waited, like death lurking beyond the bend for all humankind. He did not have the strength to go after the blood he desperately needed. He would have to wait for his sustenance to arrive on it's own. His wait was short. A stick poked into his back but he did not flinch, did not move at all. Fingers dug into his shoulder as the native struggled to turn him over and look into his face. Colin's hand shot out, a cannonball leaving his shoulder, and gripped the struggling man by the throat. His fury exploded when he caught the scent of Ben's blood smeared on this one's chest and arms and he yanked him down to the stone floor and pinned him there.

Pure rage fueled him with a strength he did not know he possessed and he let this native see his impending death in the mouth of the creature they desecrated, drained and left for dead. Growling like the legendary wild cat, he drove his fangs into the painted tribesman's shoulder and drank a long drought of life restoring blood. Pungent blood, he gulped down, full of ritual plants ingested during the ceremony held as they bathed in his mythical blood. Barbaric and ancient though these people were, he found no pity for them in his soul. He drove his fangs over and over into this one, causing as much pain as possible as he fed and grew stronger with every swallow. Colin growled again, low, insistent, calling to another sentry whom he sensed crouched in the woods nearby. He let the body of the dead native roll down the hill to land with a dull wet thump at the feet of the other watchman who made his way to help his fallen brother. With horror, he lifted his eyes from the dead man to the top of the holy mound and there stood, on his own two feet, the most recent of the village sacrifices! Like one of the gods he towered there, eyes glowing the pale color of bittersweet fruit, waiting for him. But he would not go. The god lifted his arm and beckoned to him, his wicked, fanged smile evident in the moonlight that beamed down on the altar. He wished to flee, but instead, his feet shuffled toward the god on their own volition. He couldn't stop himself. It must be the god's blood carrying him toward his own end, the blood he anointed himself with during the ceremony, and it was this blood that he would die for. His frenzied thoughts raced round and round his mind. Frantic, he tried to wipe the dried blood from his face. In the god's clutches, he cried for the manhood he would never experience but it was a merciful god this time for he brought death without pain. Colin felt the young man's remorse and for this he felt a brief moment of pity, but not enough to let this one live and he still planned to kill all the humans wearing any remnant of his or Ben's blood. Damn them all for this defilement. Full of strength now, he bent over Ben, horrified by his appearance ... but he still lived and breathed, close to death, but still alive nonetheless. "Benjamin ... hang on to this life. I am here now. You must drink to live. Swallow what I give you." Colin bit into his own wrist and shoved the bleeding wound into Ben's mouth. The young one did not respond, the blood running out of his mouth to puddle in his ear before it dripped to the rough stone surface of the altar. Bending to Ben's ear once more, he spoke louder his voice beseeching and plaintive. "Ben, swallow at once. You must fight. Do it, do it now!” Colin slapped his immobile face hard enough to leave fingerprints then pulled Ben's mouth open again, tore his own wrist and shoved the gushing wound between Ben's teeth. His breath caught in his throat, waiting ... then Ben's tongue moved, weak and slow across Colin's torn flesh. Then, he swallowed. "Yes, yes that's it, take it, take more. Drink, young one, drink.” His voice spurred Ben on and he quickened, swallowing several more times, drawing on the wound, breathing through his nose as he drank the life restoring blood from his creator. A bird called, it's voice stilted and uncommon for the night. "Hurry Ben. Humans approach." Two more spotters made their way to the sacred mound. Of course they received no answer to their call and knew something was amiss. They were just what the two wounded ones needed to heal. Colin captured them both, as easy as netting a butterfly. They also forfeited their lives when they chose to smear his blood on their filthy skin. Killing one of them by snapping his neck, he let him roll to the bottom of the mound with the other dead tribesmen then drug the remaining human by the throat over to his crippled child. Choking him just long enough for him to lose consciousness, he assured that this one would not escape then he held him to Ben's mouth and hoped that he had the strength to sink his fangs. Ben's nostrils flared as he inhaled the scent of prey, mingled with the blood of his creator. He needed no prompting. He sank his teeth into the offered throat and drained the man. As soon as he withdrew his fangs, Colin removed the body and Ben opened his eyes. Smoldering brown eyes danced above him and he fought the dizziness that assailed him by squeezing his eyes shut for a moment then trying again. Colin's gaze bored into him, his concern obvious even in this darkness. He smiled and lifted his head for a moment

to search their surroundings before he met his eyes once again. "Are you able to rise?" Ben had no voice to answer with, but he managed to mouth the words to Colin, I think so. With Colin's help, Ben rolled from the platform, a grimace on his face as he noted his savaged limbs. It appeared that the wounds started the healing process from Colin's powerful infusion though he wondered how his creator fared. Colin kept his feelings well hidden most of the time, though Ben did detect an underlying, simmering rage in him that he knew was directed at the villagers. They would pay not only for the blood they'd stolen, but also for duping Colin. This was something that Ben didn't even think possible, but they had indeed been tricked into thinking that they found the people they sought. "Come, Benjamin, we have many debts to repay and you need blood. Glancing down at Ben's naked form, he smiled. “And we both need something to cover our gleaming white skin." Searching the surrounding rainforest, he followed the scent of dried immortal blood until he found and dispatched them all. More members of this tribe hid deep in the forest and he thought of killing them too, but his rage cooled as his body assimilated their blood and now all he wanted was to leave this esoteric place and go home. He took this disaster as a sign that he was not supposed to find the chameleon people and that magical potion to make Joanna forget. No, all he wanted to do now ... find her and make sure she fared well. Finding appropriate clothing was a problem. The natives wore none. Trekking through the woods nude did not appeal to him, not in his human form, but he had no other. Perhaps one day he would learn the trick of shape shifting, but for right now, he and Ben would have to make their way back to a civilized village with no clothing, no shoes, no hat, nothing. Ben gained strength with every victim and felt almost normal again, even his humor returned little by little. The two of them walking naked through the forest would be funny to just about anyone, except maybe Colin. Colin's scowl seemed a permanent fixture on his face as he made his way with brisk steps through the Amazon jungle. He didn't seem the least bit concerned about his lack of clothing, his footfalls just as sure as if he had on his hiking boots. Ben imitated his creator's movements until he took a step that squished. "CRAP"! Ben moaned as he picked up his foot, shaking it and moving his toes about trying to get the matter out from in between them. Colin turned to see what his problem was, wrinkled his nose and stared at Ben's soiled foot. “Exactly." "What?” Ben asked before he realized what Colin meant. All out of quick comebacks at the moment, he just stood there with who knows what kind of animal dung squished between his toes. He wanted to clean his foot and searched around for leaves or something to wipe it with. "Why bother? I stepped in it too and you do not see me whining about it.” Colin glanced down at his own vulnerable body. “Just try to protect the vital areas and don't worry about your feet. They will wash.” Ben stared back at him, confused, but he said no more. Now would be a great time for internal genitalia, but he thought it wise not to mention that to his young one. He could just picture Ben running through the jungle, cradling his penis in both hands to protect it. No, that was not something he wanted to see at all. Bad enough that he had to see Ben's entire sky clad form without him clutching his privates. It would already be very difficult to get his dignity back after being fooled by the tribe, stripped, drained and left for dead on an altar. Good thing Ben had the intelligence to never mention the incident. With the strength gained from their many kills they made excellent time leaving the rainforest, only stopping a few times for brief periods of rest. Ben never complained and for this Colin felt eternally grateful. His mood grew blacker than he could ever remember and it frightened him for he knew if provoked he would not hesitate to lash out with deadly force at anybody or anything. Danger oozed from his very pores and not even the birds dared to make a sound as Colin and Ben passed. When they approached the first real town, under the cloak of night, few humans milled about so breaking into a clothing store would be simple. Colin longed for a long hot shower but they could not check into a hotel naked so he had no choice but to choose clothing first. The small village sold clothing in the market places and Colin made his way through the deserted market to find

clothing to fit himself and Ben. Anything to cover themselves would have to do for now. Ben tried not to laugh. But, the sight of Colin in that silk tourist's shirt cracked him up. Around and around the shirt pranced dancing bananas with spindly legs and bright red cartoon parrots! His clothing looked just as garish, but on Colin, well it was beyond hilarious. The laughter came and when it did, it came in a deluge. He laughed till he choked and tears poured down his face but still he couldn't stop. Colin glared and still he laughed. Colin moved closer, glaring down at him and still he laughed, his voice carrying throughout the empty market and bouncing back to them. He could no longer even see through the tears in his eyes so if Colin raised his arm, about to kill him, at least he wouldn't know ahead of time. A strange sound filled his ears, a deep, rich chuckle, foreign to him but still well known. Colin laughed with him. The absurdity of it all got to him as well and he laughed with Ben. The laughter lightened the oppressing black rage that strangled his soul and the rest of the trip home seemed much less daunting. Maybe these outrageous clothes weren't so bad after all he thought ... until he started walking and the bamboo flip flops that adorned his feet fell off. Colin realized that his biggest trial would be wearing these clothes and acting natural in them, not almost being destroyed by natives. Walking into the small lodge like he owned the world, Colin headed straight to the small cane desk, his sandals slapping across the floor in uneven rhythm. The dark skinned clerk looked up and smirked. "If you say one word about my clothing, I will be forced to kill you.” Colin's flowing voice was low but restrained like water behind a dam. The clerk's eyes widened, his smirk gone in an instant. Anything he had been about to say, or even think, disappeared with the smirk. His jaw taut with fear, body immobile, he stared at the formidable being, even as he pierced his own tongue with his clenched molars. Colin reached over the motionless human, snagged a key from the filthy nail studded board, motioned with a toss of his head for Ben to follow and shuffled off to find his room. He stopped outside the door, frowning down at his feet. The bamboo sandals so uncomfortable between his toes that he thought just strapping bamboo stalks to his feet would feel better. Standing behind him, Ben followed his creator's gaze to see what caused that frown. Must be the shoes though he didn't understand why. They looked fine on Colin's feet. He didn't have ugly feet like so many men. He kept his nails trimmed. His skin looked smooth and his calves muscular, sprinkled with soft-looking black hair that thinned as it reached his ankles. "Stop staring at my feet." The soft spoken reprimand startled Ben and he had no idea how long he stared, captivated by the pattern of sparse hair growth across the top of Colin's feet. Had he ever even seen Colin's bare feet before? He didn't think so. The entire time they ran through the rainforest all he thought of were his own unprotected feet and other exposed body parts. "I hope this is not the discovery of a fetish, Benjamin." Crimson tide washed up his neck and splashed across his face before he could open his mouth to deny Colin's accusation. His voice almost squeaked when he did manage to utter his denial. "Of course not!" Colin's chuckle rumbled deep in his chest, the sepulchral roar of distant thunder that tickled Ben's soul. He smiled and shook his head, meeting his creator's mirth filled deep brown eyes. "Funny, Creator.” He scraped his teeth over his bottom lip and repeated himself. “Funny, very funny.” A flippant response would just not come to him and he drawled out the last ‘funny’ trying to think of one then just gave up and fell silent. The door swung open when Colin tried to work the key into the rusted lock. No need to lock the door anyway since the entire end of the room lay more or less open to the jungle. A half wall built out of thin native trees and mosquito netting separated the lodge from the outdoors. This would be nice to those tourists that wanted to pretend they stayed in the Amazon jungle but still have a comfortable bed to sleep in and a real shower to cleanse them.

Colin was beyond caring. All he wanted was a shower and a good day's sleep so they could start back home tomorrow night. They would be home very soon, and he doubted there would be any more safari trips for a very long time, if ever. Ben spoke up, as if he read his mind. “We won't do this again ... will we?" Bamboo sandals sailed through the air, flung from Colin's feet like they had just bitten him. Running his fingers through his tangled hair he filled his lungs and released the breath in a long whoosh before turning to Ben. "It is highly unlikely that we will return to this place, or any place like it, for any reason whatsoever."

Nineteen Nothing else happened to threaten their departure from Brazil. They had an uneventful trip back to Texas, though Colin stayed to himself ... remote, quiet, subdued. Ben couldn't remember two words spoken by him during the plane ride. Ben drove the sleek black car toward home, his mind dwelling on their escape from death at the hands of the Amazon tribe. His infallible creator fell for their ruse. How could that happen? Why did the tribal members bathe in their eternal blood ... did they know about his kind before they met, before they baited the two hungry blood seekers with their bleeding sacrificial maiden? Ben swerved the car, startling Colin out of his reverie and he cocked his head as he stared at his aberrant young chauffeur. "I didn't want to run over that creature, Colin. Don't glare at me like that. I do know how to drive!” Ben mouthed off before he thought about it. He wished to take his crabby words back but too late. Keeping his eyes glued to the road ahead, he tried to see Colin out of the corner of his eye ... tried to see if the powerful fist aimed for his head. He saw nothing, no reaction from Colin and he relaxed. Colin's preoccupation, his pensive mood, no doubt because of the little temptress, Joanna, kept him from disciplining his smartmouthed pupil. Ben missed the formidable Colin, the one he knew before this near disaster in the jungle. "Watch yourself, young one." Pain ... Colin's broad hand closed on the back of his neck, then his fingers released and trailed down Ben's quivering shoulder before returning to his own lap. Sucking in his breath, swallowing with an audible gulp, Ben nodded. Those deadly fingers on the back of his neck, he still felt their lingering warmth, their awesome strength, even though they no longer touched him. His creator had returned, in full force. Ben drove the car into the hidden car blind careful to avoid the new growth that sprang up since they last used the blind. Several of those big thorny weeds that he called “ugly sticks” poked up on the sides of the blind and they would scratch the finish on Colin's car if he drove too close. Ah, so good to be home and worried about nothing more than the paint on the car! Colin opened the door, took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh dawn air and the fragrant scent of the pines then he slid out of the car with the fluid grace of a jungle cat. Ben left the car in a rush, ripped the ugly sticks out of the ground and stacked them along with other leafy brush behind the car to conceal it from any human trespassers. "It is good to be home.” Colin hefted his bag to his shoulder handing the other to Ben. Eager to reach the cabin, they took off together through the woods at a quick sprint. At this pace they would reach their home in less than an hour. Not even halfway there, a sense of dread struck Colin in the gut. His stomach clenched and his throat tightened to the point of cutting off his air, forcing him to stop, dead in his tracks. Heart pounding with the power of an earth-shattering quake, he tried to locate the source of his distress. "What is it? Colin what's wrong?” His creator's face blanched, his breathing ragged as he dropped to his knees on the pine needle strewn ground, his bag beside him, forgotten. "I do not know, my young one.” Colin gasped, drawing a noisy breath. “I do not know.” He steadied himself, drawing up one knee to stand. “Something is amiss, something here in the thicket." Standing again he cocked his head, listening. Nothing but normal morning forest melodies. His nose picked up no anomalous scents either, but deep in his soul he felt dread ... he must find the source. Taking slow, measured steps he kept his senses on full alert. The sun breaking through the trees hurt his eyes, he thought about waiting for nightfall, but that would be too late. A sense of urgency spurred him on when they came upon the creek, and they followed its winding banks through the woods. His trusting pupil followed him, carrying both his own bag and Colin's discarded one, not saying a word but worry etched his youthful features. Picking up speed as they traveled deeper into the thicket, they chased some mysterious but urgent summons. Colin gasped and broke into a run. Ben couldn't keep up, only hearing a voice drifting back to him, like the last brown leaf drifting down from the treetops.

"Joannaaaa..." Ben flung the bags from his shoulders and gave chase when he heard the whispered word, Joanna. He should have known that any panic instilled in his creator lead straight to that woman. The fluttery heartbeat brought Colin more agony than the people of the Amazon and their blood-letting ceremony. Oh merciful heavens she was dying, maybe only hours left to live. Must get to her, must. He found her moments later, lying on her back in the cold water of the creek. No clothing covered skin the color of winter twilight ... appalling, this color of death. With infinite tenderness, Colin lifted her slight body from the water and held her close to his chest. He wanted her gone, but only to keep her safe. Not this way. No! She appeared comatose, for all purposes already dead. Nothing he could do to save her now. Ben arrived and saw the horrifying scene. “What has happened?" "She is dying. Joanna is dying." "You can save her ... give her your blood, Colin. You can do this. You can still return her to her world afterwards. You can!" Colin embraced Joanna's body, stroking her wet hair and caressing her clammy face but he made no move to feed her his blood. "It is too late for even my blood to bring her around.” He shook his head from side to side, muttering. “There is but one way to save her now and that is to bring her over. To risk the metamorphosis. "What risk? What risk is there now? She'll die if you don't try it, Creator. Do you want her to die?” Colin stared down into her still face, not answering, deaf to Ben's pleas. He moved closer and shouted in Colin's ear. “DO YOU WANT HER TO DIE?" Colin turned his head glaring at Ben. Burnished black eyes bored into him. His pupils dilated to cover his entire iris, his nostrils flared, fang teeth just touching his bottom lip making small cuts there. "I do not.” His voice grating, as menacing as his stony features. Bending his head down he gave Joanna a gentle kiss on the mouth, the blood from his small wounds smearing onto her parched lips and disappearing. Sharp fang teeth further punctured his own lip until the blood flowed onto her lips. He forced it into her mouth with his tongue. The vital blood had a life of its own and it sought her pores and membranes for easiest access to her blood stream. She didn't stir, showing no signs of life other than the weak rise and fall of her chest. Her skin and hair stank of the creek, ancient sediment, primitive one-celled plant life and as always in the thicket, decay. This limp ashen body looked like little more than a grotesque parody of his Joanna. How ironic to find her this way when he went to so much trouble to rid her of the memories ... to rid her of him. He could not allow her to die. He would not allow her to die. Unbuttoning his shirt, he held her close against his bare skin and wrapped his shirt as far as it would reach around the two of them. Running through the thicket carrying Joanna in this state would be difficult but if he did not run, she may not live to reach the cabin. Shielding her from the bulk of the tangled vines and thorns to the best of his ability, he ran. Her dangling legs slapped against his as he ran, almost tripping him at one point and forcing him to throw her over his shoulder rather than try to warm her with his body. Ben arrived at the cabin ahead of him and already had the door unlocked. Colin ran straight in and placed Joanna in the tub, turning on the warm water to help raise her body temperature. Even as her condition stabilized her skin remained washed out, and Colin put his rusty medical skills to use, evaluating the situation. In addition to hypothermia she also suffered from severe dehydration. A miracle she survived at all! Lifting her from the tub, he carried her to the bed and placed her on the towels Ben had already laid out. If Joanna could continue to hang on, maybe she would survive the change. He used another towel to dry the droplets from her skin, then wrapped up her hair turban style. Pulling the comforter up both sides of the bed he covered her nudity. He'd need Ben's help, but didn't want him to see her this way.

The time had come. He could postpone it no longer. "Benjamin.” Colin called his protégé with a low, weary voice. Appearing at once, Ben held out Colin's black medical bag. Colin nodded to show his gratitude, taking the bag from Ben's shaking hands. "It will be all right. Joanna will be all right.” He tried to reassure Ben, even though he didn't know if anything would ever be all right again Straddling her on the bed Colin bent to her throat, kissing her, nuzzling her, following her pulse with his tongue until he was aroused enough that his fangs descended. This was not how he imagined her transformation. The worry made him almost unable to strike, and he had to move fast before his fang teeth disappeared again. Dropping his head to her breast he drove his fangs into her flesh. Her valiant heart pumped acrid blood to him and he guzzled it down, not spilling a single drop. In mere minutes Joanna's struggling heart sputtered then stopped. Colin threw back his head and with a deep breath assimilated her blood into his own, preparing himself to give it back. Ben handed him the blade and with one deft arced cut he sliced his wrist open and held the bloody wound to Joanna's gaping mouth. The blood poured in, filling her mouth and maybe some drained down her throat, but a lot spilled back out and flooded the bed. A red stain spread across the comforter and soaked into the turban towel on her head. "Dammit Joanna, come back to me!” He knew this might happen. Prepared for this already, Ben wrapped rubber tubing around Colin's upper arm and reached back into the black bag for the syringe. He hoped he could hit the bulging vein in Colin's arm. Holding his breath, Ben jammed the huge needle through the skin and into the vein and watched it fill with dark blood ... he did it! Pulling the needle out he turned the full syringe around, handing it to Colin. Their eyes met, burning brown and blazing blue, filled with tremendous apprehension. Ben lifted the corner of his mouth into a half smile of encouragement. Colin drew a deep breath and held it as he plunged the long needle through his own puncture marks on Joanna's breast, deep into her still heart. He pressed the plunger all the way, expressing all his life-giving blood into those empty chambers. Releasing his breath he removed the needle, throwing it across the room in his haste. Still no response. Grabbing her shoulders with both hands he shook her lifeless body and screamed. “Joanna! Come back. Joanna. Come back, damn you!" Tears spilled down his contorted face as he willed her heart to beat with every ounce of his soul. Slapping her cold, bluing face he pounded her chest, attempting to beat the life back into her. "Colin...” A familiar raspy voice penetrated his grief. “Colin! Give her breath from your own lungs. Use your untapped powers and massage her heart into beating again. Come on, Colin. Use the strength of your mind, not your brawn!" Without turning to look for the source of the voice he blew in Joanna's mouth as he pinched her nostrils shut, watching for her chest to rise with each breath he expelled. Concentrating, he formed a mental image of her heart, his hand moving to grasp the warm organ, fingers tightening and relaxing in a rhythmic massage. His head ached from the effort as he consolidated all his available power to the image ... his hand, holding her heart, the warmth on his fingers, and the quiver of the muscle answering his squeezes. Her heart began to revive! Elated, he retrieved the scalpel and made an incision on the left side of his chest above his swollen, aching heart. As the blood began to flow he lifted Joanna from the bed and held her to his chest, mumbling to her to drink and live.

His revitalizing blood flowed into her mouth, trickling from the corners to stream down her neck. So weak, she swallowed once, then twice, then three times. Vitality rushed into her body as Coin's blood circulated in her veins. Heart pounding stronger and stronger, she sucked on his open vein. Colin's arms and legs began to tingle, becoming numb, and his head grew light and the sound of a thousand buzzing insects filled his ears, growing louder as he began to feel faint. The noises faded until he heard nothing, but he did not care, his Joanna lived and nothing else mattered. He allowed her to continue drinking even as his entire body grew numb and the light in his eyes dimmed to gray, then black. His only remaining sensation the slow beats of his heart, pumping life's fluid. A faint female voice echoing, and perhaps Benjamin yelling ... be strong. He didn't care anymore, Joanna would survive. Ben would not allow Colin to rest, not while this mysterious, terrifying being stood in the room with him. Grabbing his shoulders in both hands, Ben shook Colin so hard that he bounced his body on the bed. "Colin. Colin. Colin.” He repeated, over and over with growing urgency. "COLIN!" No response. His fingers clenched on his unconscious protector. Nothing he did made a difference. A delicate touch on his shoulder startled Ben and he leapt right over Colin and the bed. Spinning around, his eyes opened wide as he watched a divine figure bend over Colin. Trying to yell stop, trying to yell no, his mouth wouldn't open, his voice dormant. I intend no harm. The words came as a song within his mind and Ben knew these notes were sent by the being that lifted his creator like he weighed little more than one of the pillows. She cradled him to her own delicate throat and held him there until he opened his mouth and sank his teeth into the offered fount. Breath quickening, eyelashes fluttering as her blood entered his voracious body. Easing him away from her throat she placed him back on the bed then stepped away before he awoke, knowing his male pride would be wounded if he knew she nursed him. Turning to Ben she winked, then laughed when his mouth fell open. Oh she would love to spend more time with this darling young one. His head hurt and his skin stung like he had dashed naked through a patch of brambles, yet his heart filled with warmth and happiness. Through glazed eyes he caught a glimpse of Ben gawking at something across the room then he remembered ... the voice! Colin propped his weary body up on his elbows and viewed the vision before him. "I thank you, Linnea.” He smiled with immense gratitude at the ethereal woman standing near the side of the bed. "Excuse me for not rising to greet you, especially after you saved the life of my soul mate." "I did no such thing, my young Colin. You did it yourself. I merely gave a suggestion.” Light as air, her timbre, floating from afar to reach their ears so sweet and pleasing to the listener. She grinned, one corner of her mouth lifting just a bit. "Maybe you should introduce me to your apprentice before he bursts and smatters us with dazzling bits of blonde zeal.” Ben's face reddened in embarrassment and Colin couldn't help but chuckle at him. "Linnea, I would like to introduce my nine year neophyte, Ben. And, Ben meet Linnea, my creator." Ben's mouth fell open in surprise at her identity. She appeared so fragile with her small, bird-like wrists that he would never have imagined, even with her pale golden complexion that she was a fellow blood seeker. "Believe me, Ben, I'm much stronger than you and your creator too. Don't let my human physical appearance fool you." "You read my mind! But I'm also a vampire. I thought we couldn't do that to each other!"

She laughed, watching him with affection. "Vampire? Curious, that word.” She smoothed her upper teeth with her tongue and continued. "I am much older than you ... much older.” Approaching the bed, she took Colin's hand in her own tiny one. "I'm very glad you were successful, my dear one.” Linnea hesitated, glancing at Joanna and back to him. “But you should know that the road before you is a rough one. Not only because of your chosen one, a rare woman, but also for this angelic blonde child of yours." Colin choked and came close to going into a coughing fit. Linnea may very well slap him, but he had to do it, he had to say it once he stopped his sputtering. "Angelic?” He grunted when she squeezed his hand to the point of the bones popping but he didn't say another word. Both creators watched Ben, his discomfort growing as they stared. He scowled back at them, his hands in fists, balls of arrogance placed against his hipbones. Even with Colin too weak to rise, the raw power in the room was enough to make a young one like him sick. Linnea tucked her bottom lip between her teeth, looking at Ben's defiant posture. “Well appearances can be deceiving." His fists dropped and he blushed like the young schoolboy she made him out to be. As much as he loved to be the center of attention, he was relieved when she turned away from him, back to the bed where Joanna slept. However, his greedy eyes never left her. Long, midnight hair framed her delicate face with gentle waves that hung down past her waist, to at least the top of her pants. But wait ... she wore no pants! Holy shit, she wore only a man's shirt. It reached to right above her knees, but it was obvious she had nothing else on. Showing beneath her shirt, he noticed small bare feet and muscular calves that he found quite enticing. Everything about her he found ... enticing. Ben had to get out of the room and fast. His swollen groin would be very apparent if either of them happened to look his way! Damn these tight jeans! He ran from the room without saying a word. How could he think of such things at a time like this, and about Colin's creator no less? His organ had a mind of its own. First it stirs for Colin's chosen one, then his Creator. At least it didn't stir over Colin himself! Clamping his hands on both sides of his head, he tried to stop his train of thought. Linnea could read his mind! This would mean disaster. He prayed that she stayed preoccupied with Colin and Joanna and didn't listen to his lustful thoughts. Too horrible for him to contemplate and he filled his mind with other things, of card games and housework and his empty post office box. "Do you think she will remain this way for long?” Colin touched Joanna's closed eyes with his fingertips. She did not stir, her shallow breaths hard to see under the bloodstained comforter. "She was close to human death, Colin. Very close. I think it will take a long while for her strength to gather enough for her to rise and join you in this world." Linnea crooned to him, her words a magical fairy tale and her touch on his arm left a trail of dancing pixies and glittering moon dust behind on his skin. His weary brain had lost touch with reality! Looking up to meet her eyes, he grew dizzy and almost swooned. Linnea pushed Colin's head down to the bed with one hand. She smoothed his unruly curls and tucked them behind his ear then kissed his forehead. "Rest now, my handsome, strong child." He heard the command in that whisper and the male in him wanted to rebel against it, but he could not. The compulsion was too strong and he was too tired to keep his eyes open any longer.

Linnea watched them both as they slept, wrinkles of worry marring her unblemished forehead as she imagined all the problems they would face with the others. They would find out about the female surviving the change. Joanna would emit powerful pheromones the moment she regained consciousness, if not before. How rare and wondrous that another female of their species now existed ... but how difficult it would be for Colin to keep her to himself until she grew strong enough to defend herself. Still it would be nice to have a kinswoman to talk to ... if the others did not get to her first.

Twenty Out of the darkness a tendril of warm inviting light soothed her like the brilliant sunrise after a long cold night. This had been her longest and darkest of all nights. Footsteps slow, body heavy, she shuffled her feet across the dirt floor of her den. The chill air made her shiver and she pulled her furs tighter around her thin body, then wrinkled her nose as the stench from the matted furs attacked her sinuses. Ah, the light! If only she could touch it, warm her clammy skin with it ... bathe in it. Willing her stiff limbs to move a little faster, she stumbled, reaching for the gentle radiance and falling, striking her elbow hard on the rock wall. She felt the warmth of the blood as it seeped from her torn skin. A tantalizing fragrance smothered her rankness with pungent, liquid redolence and awakened her long dormant hunger. The stabbing pains, not unlike the thrust of a bone knife in her gut, distracted her from the light. Touching the wound with her fingers, she felt the warmth there and brought her fingers to her lips. Resting her fingers on her bottom lip, she licked them, first one then the other, almost swooning from the exquisite taste of the blood. She must seek more blood. Turning away from the light, she chose instead to seek the warmth and comfort of the blood. Joanna stirred, her disturbing dreams possessing her like a disembodied demon that would not give up its link to the material world, and not allow her to wake. The bitter cold never ceased and ice sheets covered her homeland as far as the eye could see. The sun god had forsaken them and no longer rose in the sky. All the plant eaters already perished and now the meat eaters died out as well. She had seen very few of the large four-legged furry creatures in a long time. The surviving members of her clan still slept, unaware that she stole small amounts of their blood from time to time. She feared that they would never open their eyes again. Her heart weighed heavy in her chest, as cold as the air outside the den and sleep beckoned to her as well. If only her clan would rise! They could travel away from this frozen wasteland and seek fresh blood before she drained them all like those empty vessels she tossed out to the great fanged cats. She paced the floor around her slumbering clan, looking from one stocky body to the next. Though they slept through dozens of seasons, they remained robust, their bodies warm and filled out in the picture of health. The others perished but these four males remained, keeping her company even in their sleep. The command came to her from the gods to try again to awaken her clan, but, she paused, her head in her hands ... it had not come from the gods at all had it? Cold fingertips pressed hard on her temples as she struggled to understand. No, not from the gods, but from her own mind! She thought of ways to make the clan awaken and then it came to her to feed them her own blood. All her life she believed that the voices in her head were the gods speaking to her when all along they were just her thoughts! But what had caused this clarity and why now? Would she be able to stir her clan to a state of wakefulness after their long sleep? Would they believe her when she explained to them that the gods lived within themselves ... so that meant, in all truth, that they were the true gods? It would be difficult to convince them. It had taken her many long seasons of listening to nothing but her own thoughts for her to realize the truth though many times her thoughts were fractured, crazed, sometimes incoherent. But, that in itself had made her realize that indeed they were all her own thoughts, her own answers to her own questions, her very own mind voice. Dropping to her knees on the thick bed of furs beside her hibernating clan, she stared at the group. The urge to lie down beside them and drop off into the deep and dreamless sleep of hibernation was still very strong but she felt that if she did so, she would never wake again. Even in the darkness, she made out the relaxed features of her kin. She stared, enthralled by their long dark hair and heavily bearded faces. She had long ago stopped wondering how she could see them so very well in the total darkness of the unending night. Other things in the tiny den were not so distinct, but she could see her body and those of her clansmen, as they stood out with an eerie glow not unlike the rib of the moon before a storm. With shaking hands, she smoothed the hair back from the nearest male's face. Her favorite, this one, with his large shoulders and soft, fine hair covering his chest, the back of his arms and his face. Folding the furs back, she gazed at his tawny flat nipples

surrounded by the short hairs that tickled her nose when she fed on him. She always chose the chest now to cut them with her black rock blade as the muscle was thick there and she did not wish to cause more harm than was needed to draw blood. Sad that several perished before she learned this less injurious way to get the blood she needed. But this time, she would be feeding them. With a delicate jab, she pricked her finger on the rough blade and shoved it through his lips. He did not stir. Pushing deeper into his mouth, she ran her finger over his flaccid, and to her shock, moist tongue. Climbing on top of him, she straddled his chest with her legs, shaking his head as she pumped her bleeding finger in and out of his mouth. Still no signs of awakening! Withdrawing her finger, she sucked her own wound and found that no blood oozed from the small puncture. Glaring with frustration at her man's closed eyelids, she flinched, then gasped as she drew the blade across her wrist. Blood followed the blade like a dark maroon shadow as it welled up out of the cut. Pulling his lips apart with her uninjured hand, she opened his mouth then jammed her bleeding wrist into it, flooding his mouth with her blood. For several long moments, nothing happened. Then, a deep, resonating sound filled her ears, slow at first, then pounding faster, and yet faster still as she listened. Hands closed on her wrist, holding it to his mouth as he feasted on her blood. She moaned and felt her own heartbeat keeping time with his as he came out of hibernation. His eyes fluttered open and he watched her over the wrist he held tight against his lips. She saw, even in the darkness, the hunger in those dark eyes and fear shot through her gut as icy as the landscape outside her cave. He would not let go! "Nuuh!” She tugged with all her might to make him release his hold on her. “Nuuh!" Ben washed Joanna's face with a cool washcloth, trying to calm her, soothe her and let her know that he kept her safe but still she continued to toss to and fro on the bed, moaning in her sleep. He dropped into the armchair by the bed, almost upsetting it and tumbling to the floor himself. Exhaustion crept up on him, but he wouldn't leave his creator and Joanna until Colin awoke, no matter how long it took. That gorgeous creature, Linnea, may return and even though Colin claimed that she was his creator, he still didn't trust her. Conflicting images emanated from her and he couldn't understand them. Some of those images frightened him while others he found comforting. Regardless, she had the strength to destroy Colin while he slept and this, Ben would not allow! He would die before he let anything happen to either one of them. Colin turned on his side facing Joanna and placed his arm across her waist. Ben felt sure he would be arousing soon. Well, not arousing, but waking up. His mind, always full of sex, he just couldn't stop himself. Looking away from the two, he stared at the gold-corded edging on the arm of the chair. His vision blurred and the cording squirmed and wiggled like a thin golden serpent crawling toward his exposed skin. Beyond caring he didn't flinch, just watched with half closed eyes as the miniature serpent made it's way up his arm and into the collar of his shirt. Ben's eyes drifted shut, his youthful body sagging into the chair, even as the serpent pricked his neck and lapped at the droplets of blood that spilled from the microscopic gash. Linnea regained her human form and gazed down at the sleeping young Ben. She adored looking at him, so like her Tomas ... soft luxurious blonde hair topping an adorable round baby face. His cheeks were almost chubby. And look at those blonde lashes, barely discernable to human eyes! It felt good to be back in this form, so good to be part of a family again and she would make herself part of this family. Nothing in this world could stop her from that. Standing at the side of the bed, she also gazed with love at her cherished child, Colin and his new mate. Earlier, she'd thought to leave them to their own destiny, but she didn't make it far before she felt the need to return to their side. Colin, Joanna, and Ben ... this group needed her help. They just didn't know it yet. Even at this moment, the others gathered ... others who would want to take what Colin possessed at the risk of their own lives. The powerful blood seeker's pheromones called to them, just like her maiden call from so long ago. As Joanna slept she called to the others in a silent, dangerous voice. Alas, nothing she could do to stop this newborn other than kill her and this was, of course, not an option. So she stood nearby, helpless ... not even able to stop the tormenting dreams. Too deep, too far into her subconscious, beyond her powerful reach and Joanna must fight her demons alone. "Nuuuuh!” She screamed, frantic now, strangling on the sound as panic seized her.

Eyes widened, he stopped feeding off her and his nostrils flared. Her arm still in his grasp, he lifted his head from the fur padding, gleaming eyes never leaving her face. Then he smiled, those full lips curling under all that facial hair. Shocked, she didn't know how to react. Rational thought must have returned to him, but the smile was ... odd. Looking him over, he appeared fit, his muscles responded well as he sat up. Then the furs fell down from his chest, past his lap and she saw the reason he smiled. Too late to run. He pulled her underneath him and flipped her on her stomach with one easy tug of his powerful arm. She tried to squirm away, but her head butted against one of the sleeping clansmen and stopped her escape. The big male kneeled behind her, tearing her furs from her body with one hand while the other arm slipped under her stomach and lifted her hips to his level. With one powerful thrust, he filled her, burying himself all the way in her hot body before he withdrew and pounded into her again and again. She relaxed, knowing that if she could just endure the pain he would finish soon and leave her alone. His thrusts slowed, then she felt his mouth on her shoulder, his hot moist mouth as he sucked at her skin and nibbled across her shoulder to the back of her neck. Her feelings changed, she didn't want him to stop the breeding! Not normal male behavior, but it felt wonderful and she found herself moving to meet his thrusts. He removed the arm that pinioned her to him, grasping each of her hipbones as she supported herself on her knees, rocking back to meet him, pounding him with her rear as he thrust into her faster and harder. Biting into the back of her neck where it met her shoulder, he broke the skin and lapped at her blood as he continued to thrust harder and harder, approaching his finish. She couldn't stand it any longer, her knees wobbled, her legs collapsing as she felt an enormous pressure build and explode inside of her. She wet herself or she thought she had! Her male also exploded inside of her, spilling his long dormant seed then falling to the furs beside her, panting. The scent of their breeding filled the small den, overpowering the smell of the clan and the furs. What had she awakened with that feeding of her blood? This was good. This was very good and she wanted to do it again. She was the one smiling now and oh, what of the others? Would they be the same when she awakened them? She could hardly wait to find out. The big male watched as she did the same thing to the next clan member that she'd done to him ... slicing her wrist and forcing it into his mouth. This time she was more observant though and as soon as his heartbeat quickened, she pulled away, moving to the next male and then to the next. Dizziness almost overcame her as she straddled the last male. Her body swayed and her head felt as if it would float away on it's own. Thirst gripped her, twisting her gut into a painful knot. The pulse beating in his throat engrossed her so that she did not even notice the other two males stirring and the biggest male grunting his displeasure. Before she could even think twice about it, she used her flat knife to cut the throat of her clansman and instead of feeding him her blood she drank his. She would take a small amount then she'd awaken him from his hibernation as she had done the others. A strong hand grabbed her under her arm and tossed her aside as the big male buried his face in the sleeping man's throat. The others turned to her and the one with the shorter hair put his mouth to hers and licked the blood from her lips. She saw that he wished to breed her also, and she was more than willing, but the big male wasn't willing to share. His roar of rage was all it took to send the other two scurrying into the farthest corner of the den away from her. But they watched every move she made, their nostrils flaring as they filled their heads with her scent. So it would be a battle between them. Colin became aware of his surroundings. How could he have slept at a time like this? Opening his eyes, a vision of infinite loveliness greeted him. Joanna slept beside him, her dark hair surrounding her on the pillow like a silken shroud. She had a different aroma now that she survived the transformation ... sweet, alluring almost to the point of making him want to mount her right now. Shaking his head, he broke the spell and glanced over to see Ben slouched in the chair beside the bed, sound asleep with a wet washcloth lying on his thigh, soaking the jeans beneath it. Oh but he could have some fun with this one if he chose to, but instead, he chose to let him rest. There were no signs of danger in his house, but still he felt a sense of unease that disturbed him enough to make him check the cabin and the surrounding woods. Finding nothing helped shake a bit of the apprehension, but still, something bad happened ... somewhere.

Twenty-One As the last vestiges of dormancy lifted, scents and sounds bombarded Joanna. Lying immobile, eyes closed, holding her breath to eliminate one of the sounds of the onslaught, the roaring in her ears lessened, but didn't stop. It droned on with a pulsating rhythm, pounding and rushing, pounding and rushing. It dawned on her that the deafening noise threatening to engulf her was the blood coursing through her own veins as her powerful heart pumped supernatural life throughout her body. She tried ignoring her own body's din to listen outside. Yes, it worked! All she had to do was tell herself to disregard those sounds and listen to the others. The environmental clamor rushed in. The hum of ceiling fans, the drone of the refrigerator, the whistling of cooled air flowing from the vents, the grinding of metal against metal as the turbines on the roof turned with the faint breeze. Then, she heard Ben speak. “Creator, when will she arise?" Colin cleared his throat. “Very soon, Ben. Very soon." Turning her head into her pillow, she smelled the scent of her own hair lingering there and the alluring aroma of blood on the case. Saliva filled her mouth and she swallowed, cringing from the pain in her throat and chest. "Joanna?” Colin's voice. She opened her eyes and saw him, bending over to stare into her face. Amazing that he still looked that good. "Joanna, how do you feel?” She wanted to answer, erase some of the worry from his features but her throat hurt. She pointed at her throat and frowned even more when her stomach rumbled with nausea. "The queasiness will soon pass. The weakness will drain from your limbs and you will begin to feel strength seep back into your body. Just as you will feel, or maybe you already have begun to feel, the chill as your basal body temperature drops a few degrees. It does not seem like much of a drop, but you will feel the difference, and when you have not fed, you will be even colder. But you will grow accustomed to the changes.” He hesitated when she began to frown up at him, an obvious question in her eyes. "What is it, Joanna?" She licked her lips. “I was someone else." "Excuse me?" Joanna motioned for a drink by turning her hand up to her mouth. "You want a drink of water?" She shook her head no. "She wants a Coke.” Ben answered for her, and without waiting for an answer he jumped from his chair and retrieved a cola for her. She beamed at Ben and took the Coke from his hand as she sat up in the bed. She downed it in one swallow. Ah, that fixed her throat. Colin watched her look at Ben with such adoration and his jealousy flared. What the hell? How ridiculous to feel that way. He shook it off, refusing to bow to his insane emotions. "What was it you said, Joanna?” He hoped his silky words belied his jealous thoughts. "I was someone else. I was a cave woman. It was not a dream, I am telling you, I was a cave woman. It was dark and I wore furs. I fed my blood to my mate. I was there." She blushed, looking down at her lap. “I was raped by my mate on a bed of old musty furs and I enjoyed it! I was there. It was

real! I could even smell him, I tell you." To hide his shock and enflamed jealousy, Colin smiled down at her, stroking her hair away from her face. "It was only a dream, Jo, only a dream." Joanna frowned. “I'm telling you, I WAS her. And you know what else? I want another Coke.” Her frown deepened as if she were disappointed with herself. Laughing, he pulled her up and into his arms, relief flooding through his body, jealousy squashed, for now. Holding her slim body close to his own, he sighed and caressed her back, feeling for the first time that he had not made an error in choosing her for his immortal mate. His joy rumbling in his chest, he stood, carrying Joanna off the bed with him. "Go ahead and get your shower, little one, and dress in your darkest clothes." Showering with the tap cracked open, the droplets of water pelted her hypersensitive nerve endings like dozens of needles injecting her skin. The thought crossed her mind that in her other life as a cave woman, she had not showered at all. The brightness of the shower light glared in her eyes as she bent back her head to rinse her hair. Determined not to lead the life of a mole, she forced herself to leave the light on and soon, her eyes adjusted to the illumination so that she carried on, as she would've done before ... before the change. Staring hard at the mirror, she noticed her golden suntan had faded to the look of winter, the paleness of a six-month case of being house bound. "I can see myself!” As her absorption in her own reflection waned, the others’ voices caught her attention. Without shame she eavesdropped on their conversation, one of the advantages of exceptional hearing. "Well how old is she?” Ben wanted the truth. Colin stood in front of the bookshelf, his back to Ben. He turned to face him before he spoke. "She is a second millennial, my young friend. A second millennial is one who has passed one thousand years.” Ignoring Ben's incredulous expression he continued his story. “She came upon me ... left for dead, bleeding inside and out from open stab wounds. She lifted me up from the weeds lining the road as if I weighed nothing at all and cradled me in her arms, staring deep into my eyes. I felt a sharp headache in my forehead, right above my nose. On top of all my other wounds and crippling pain it seemed trivial, though. Her voice soft and husky, her expression filled with love, I gazed up from the security of her embrace into the face of a goddess or an angel. "She spoke again. ‘You have the headache, yes? You are too beautiful and far too good to die, my darling young man. You must cling to life, you must fight, Colin ... fight to live!’ she told me." Colin left the bookshelf and settled in his favorite armchair, his face blank, hands at his sides, his soul in the distant past as he told his story. Ben couldn't have moved if his life depended on it. "So forceful and intense, her command, it stirred me from my stupor and I felt a tiny burst of strength rush through my veins. She carried me off the road into the thicket and placed me down on the damp ground. I felt and saw her movements as if detached from my own body, watching from above. She crouched beside me and pulled aside my tattered, bloody shirt, then she bent to my chest and sank her teeth into my flesh. I felt the prick of her fangs, and not long after, all the aches and pains from my injuries vanished. A sense of well-being replaced my agony. As her powerful mouth drew the remaining blood from my veins the world grew darker, all was black. I heard a faint throbbing in my ears that became fainter and fainter still, and then I heard the angel's voice calling me, telling me to fight. ‘Fight to live!’ she whispered in my ear. Then, the world was gone." Ben found the strength to move his uncooperative legs and traverse the room to the chair next to Colin's. Silence filled the room, almost hurting his ears as he waited for Colin to continue. Crossing and re-crossing his legs he almost prompted him to go on, then

Colin began again. "I floated in a gloomy void. A faint light seemed to be shining somewhere in the distance as if through a long narrow tunnel. I gravitated toward the light, but halfway down the tunnel, I felt an urgent need to turn back and my throat convulsed as I swallowed. I continued to swallow as though I were drinking even though I had nothing that I knew of in my mouth. I felt myself falling from a great height. The throbbing in my ears returned, increasing in volume until I could feel the pounding in my own chest. I sensed the damp ground beneath my back and someone's hands on my shoulders, holding me down. I struggled to open my eyes and when I did I saw her face, inches from mine, glowing with happiness as she watched me stir. My heart swelled with love for her, and she smiled as if she understood. She kissed me then lifted me to my feet. Amazed that I could stand, I glanced down at my body and saw that my wounds began to heal ... the first of many traits that are unique to our nature." Breaking from his story, he returned to the present and glanced around at his rapt audience. Ben sat motionless in his chair, leaning forward as if to catch every word, his eyes glued to his creator's face. Joanna stood in the doorway, eyes wide, mouth partway open, engrossed in his speech. Their eyes met and he knew she recalled her own recent metamorphosis. He saw no condemnation in her expression and for that he was pleased, but something had brought a slight frown to her exquisite face and why she frowned, he could not discern. "If you love her so much, Colin why aren't you with her now?" Jealousy! He almost laughed out loud but restrained himself. He knew without a doubt that it would anger her to know of his amusement. Taking a deep breath, he stroked his chin and hesitated on purpose, stoking the fires of her jealousy before he responded. "Well Joanna, every child leaves home at one point or another. Pupils only need the guidance and protection of their creator until they themselves are centenarians, so at least strong enough to remain alive without help." "I'll never leave you, Colin!" Colin smiled at Ben and shook his head. “Oh, but you will." Ben started to deny the fact, but Colin spoke up before he could. “I love you, my dear protégé and friend, but I assure you, when you become old enough to be a creator, you will wish to set out on your own. We are all Alphas, a sad part of our natures as creators, conceit if you will. Just like many other wild creatures, two Alpha males never inhabit the same territory." "That has been true since the beginning.” Joanna frowned when they ignored her. They still believed that she'd been dreaming rather than living the past. Rising from his chair, Colin stretched his long arms over his head and yawned. "The day will come when you shall be strong enough to defend yourself against other centenarians, Ben. Then, you will no longer need me.” He tried to lighten the mood by smiling and saying, “Plus, you are already conceited enough to be a creator yourself." "Why would we need protection from others like ourselves?” Of course Joanna would ask that question. Colin ran his slim fingers through his curls in agitation and moved closer to her, his dark eyes boring into hers. She felt the need growing in him, the thirst gnawing at him and she knew it was his swelling thirst and not her that irritated him. Running his tongue over his dry lips, he flashed her a grin and almost laughed at her shocked expression. He so loved doing the unexpected to her. "Colin, why do we need protection from the others?” Ben repeated Joanna's question.

Dragging his eyes from Joanna's flushed face, Colin answered. "There is no easy way to answer this question and I had hoped to keep you both shielded from the harsh realities of our world. Not many of our kind know the secret of our lamiartis, our blood seeker's hormone, produced in the pineal gland." He saw Joanna begin to question him and stopped her before she could even utter a word. “Before you ask, I do not wish to go into that at the present time, just let me assure you that it is very difficult to find humans that will survive the metamorphosis and those that do are treasured and fought over. So you two are very valuable, not only to me but to the rest of the Alphas who would gladly steal you away and kill me to do it." Ben's jaw dropped as his visions of one big happy vampire family splintered to pieces. His mind ran amuck with the outpouring of information Colin gave him this evening. He spoke more this evening than he had in the past month totaled! Colin sighed and went to Joanna's side, her upper arm in his hand to lead her from the room. "Come. I grow weary. We must hunt." Her heart leapt to her throat and remained stuck there as he ushered her from the house and into the woods. She balked, but he pulled her along with him through the trees like an unwilling sidecar. Pulling against his iron grip, she wanted to stop and revel in the natural beauty of her surroundings and seek out the busy little night creatures that she heard scurrying about in the underbrush. Anything to delay the forthcoming hunt. Amazed at how fast they traveled after her transformation, hours passed like minutes and Joanna delighted in everything she saw, everything she heard during their lengthy journey. Slowing his pace as he reached the outskirts of the big city, Colin turned to her. "Are you ready to hunt, Joanna?" Her heart raced and the cola in her stomach boiled. She didn't want to murder anyone! Sliding the toe of her shoe back and forth in the dirt along the curb she stalled for time. "Why didn't we stop at a closer town?" He knew she stalled, but he smiled and with uncharacteristic patience answered her question anyway. "People disappear much easier and with fewer questions asked in a city the size of Houston. The crime rate is higher and murders are usually blamed on the gangs and the drug runners. If the puncture wounds are well hidden, we do not even have to dispose of the bodies." As he spoke, he watched Joanna's face turn an unhealthy shade of yellowish green and his apprehension grew. If she could not kill, she would die. Once again doubt and guilt at having converted her assailed him. Perhaps it would have been easier for her to die as a human without going through this. He listened for her heart beat and heard how weak it sounded. Her shoulders drooped and she appeared older, and tired ... and hungry. "Joanna...” She snapped her head towards him. Her features set and expressionless, but at least the green tint of her skin had faded. "I need to be alone, Colin.” His face crumpled with pain at her words and she felt a sharp jab in her chest at his obvious anguish. "I'm sorry, my love, really I am, but I just want to be alone for a while, please?” Eyes rounded, she gave him a pleading look, then turned and walked away. "I'll be home before dawn, Colin. Don't worry about me, and please don't follow me." She said the words from a distance, but she knew he heard. He gave a curt nod and turned away, moving in the opposite direction. Waiting until she could no longer see his tall lean figure, she stood on the sidewalk, not moving a muscle.

Pains now shot through her stomach, a demon inside trying to stab its way out, and her head ached, a nagging throb in her temples and at the base of her neck. Dragging her feet, she walked toward downtown and paused to rest when she reached Commerce. Few people out at this time of night, and of those that were, it seemed no one paid any attention to the pale, tired-looking woman leaning against the building. I can never do this. I have to kill myself instead. Occupied by her own morose thoughts, she didn't hear the footsteps of the man as he crept up behind her. The hair on the back of her neck tickled and stood on end seconds before a broad filthy hand clamped over her mouth and a sharp point jabbed into her ribs. "Scream, and you'll need a toe tag. You got that? We're just gonna step ‘round this buildin’ for a while. Then, you can go.” He propelled her down the alley to the back of the abandoned office building. She stumbled and the point dug into her skin. "Don't fight me if ya know what's good for ya lady. I've got a real big knife stuck in your purtty ribs and it'd be a shame to split ‘em open." To prove his point, the man pricked her skin with a sharp jab of the knife and hauled her behind the dilapidated structure. The blood trickled from the tiny wound and her previous amusement dissolved into anger, and ... something else. Her nostrils flared, inhaling the scents of his body, his heat, his human essence. Over the unwashed body odor and the rancidness of his alcohol laced breath, the scent of his aliveness filled the air. Her pulse accelerated. Still holding the knife against her back, he fumbled with his belt and zipper and dropped his pants. Then he pushed his victim to the ground amidst the clutter and garbage of the deserted passageway. Grabbing her shoulder to flip her on her back, it dawned on him that she didn't struggle or scream or fight him as his other victims had done. She had not struggled at all. Something wrong here. Filled with dread, he turned the woman's body over and gasped out loud. She grinned up at him, licking her lips as if she stared at her dinner plate! He recoiled and tried to jump to his feet but he never got the chance. In a flash, she clamped her hand over his open mouth and flipped the two of them over so that she sat on top of him. He flailed, kicking and pushing against her with all his might, but she never stirred, as immovable as a great oak. She straddled his waist, a slight smile on her lips, waiting for him to tire and cease his struggling. No longer fighting he laid still, panting beneath the woman he now knew as Death. He didn't cry out when she lowered her head, the sharp fangs glistening in her mouth. He didn't cry out when those fangs punctured the skin on his throat, sinking down to the throbbing artery beneath. When the lights went out and the demons came ... then he cried out. The taste of his blood lingered on her tongue, reminding her of a freshly installed amalgam dental filling. Touching the tips of her new fang teeth with her fingertips, she felt them shrinking as they retracted into the roof of her mouth. Not the least bit repulsed by what she'd done, she jumped to her feet in one swift movement and dusted off her dark jeans. Not even pausing to look back at her first victim, she left the alley. As she came around the corner of the building she stopped short, for there stood Colin, leaning against the brick. Staring at his fingernails, he pretended he didn't know she stood there, until she cleared her throat and coughed. He jumped as if her voice startled him and whipped his head up, his face the epitome of vampire innocence. Spinning on her heel, she turned her back to him so he wouldn't see the smile that she couldn't suppress. Much easier to gain control when she couldn't see his handsome face. Setting her features into her most perturbed expression, she turned around to face him. Feet planted apart, arms crossed in front of her chest, she glared at him. "Colin! You ass! I asked you not to follow me." Sheepish, he stared at the ground, kicked an empty beer can and plunged his hands into his slacks pockets. "Awwww, Jo...” He whined in a hilarious mimicry of a young boy explaining his misbehavior. The sight of such a powerful creature playing the childish role was too much for Joanna to handle. The laughter started and she couldn't stop it. Clutching her diaphragm, she tried to control the riotous belly laughs spewing forth from her small frame and Colin joined in with his own deep melodious laughter, their joyful noise carrying through the near deserted streets.

The streets, however, were not deserted as they appeared. The sounds of their merriment reached the ears of one being and this particular being was not at all pleased. On the contrary, the muscles in his jaws clenched and his harsh mouth set into a firm line. They were too engrossed in each other to even take note of his presence. Their first mistake.

Twenty-Two—The Others Hear The Call Nikos He followed at a distance, a silent stalker, all the way back to the hidden cabin, deep in the woods. How pathetic, this centenarian, pursued without detection. He knew this one's name, the female at his side shouted it with total abandon, a joyful song inside her mind playing over and over. Such an open book, never taught to keep her thoughts to herself. Oh but she was a siren as well. Her body called to him and he would have her. 'Colin', his new adversary, his next victim. What a quaint little love nest they kept hidden in the piney woods. Damn shame it would be an empty nest soon and he, Nikos would finally have the mate he deserved. Nikos slipped away from the concealed lair and made his way back through the forest. What a perfect spot this centenarian chose for his home, this territory uncharted but still close to his city full of food ready for the taking. Maybe he should move here as well. With Colin out of the way, no one would be there to stop him, not that they could any way. First, he must find out more about this weak centenarian, Colin. Underestimating him would be a big mistake, one only made by the foolish. Nikos did not think of himself as one of the foolish. The angry growl stopped him in his tracks. Hair rising on the back of his neck he hesitated before turning, almost afraid to see the source. The deep throaty growl sounded again, right behind him and he spun around, his long black hair flowing across his face, covering his eyes. Slapping himself in his haste to clear his vision he tossed the hair out of his face with a trembling hand to stand face to face with the largest wolf he'd ever seen. His hand hung immobile by his tingling chin like a broken robotic arm, a testament to his nervousness. With the slowest movement he could manage he lowered his arm to his side, the slight stirring of his fingers the only indication of his agitation. The last thing he wanted to do was startle this enormous beast. His gaze fixed on the sharp teeth ... long pointed canines, the ebony lips drawn back to expose glistening ribbed gums and those shiny, barbed fangs. A drop of pink-tinged saliva dripped from the beast's jaws and its cold dark eyes bored into him, not wavering for a moment from his astonished face. This was no ordinary animal, he knew that by its size alone. The fearlessness and raw power flowing from this beast made him respect it and almost fear it. So Master Colin did have a protector, a Therian, a very old and very powerful one. Of course this was unexpected. He backed away from the wolf, one foot sliding back, then the other. He almost tripped over the prolific briars that snaked their way through every inch of the forest, but he never took his eyes off of the creature. Then with a burst of his supernatural power, he turned and ran, disappearing from the beast's view in a heartbeat. Laughing with relief once he reached town, he stood in front of a service station, gazing at his reflection in the glass storefront. That animal might have marred his perfect face! He grasped his square jaw in his left hand and turned his own face from side to side, admiring the texture of his skin and the curve of his cheekbones. This added stumbling block called for a change of plans, but he would still have the woman as his own, no doubt about that. No great wolf or weakling centenarian would stop him, no, not the great Nikos. "Can I help you?” The young service station attendant stood behind him, looking at his reflection in the glass. Ah ... in his prime, blood fragrance strong with the beguiling vigor of youth roaring through his veins. Nikos turned on his heel to face him, the smile lighting up his face, insidious fang teeth exposed as he greeted the young man. "Yesss, I would say that you could indeed..." **** Tomas The limp body of the dark-haired woman dropped from his hands. A mistake to kill her but again when he sank his fangs into her

hot body he lost himself in thought. His ancient past with Linnea always sprang to life when he made love to any woman. All of his lovers were similar in appearance and they favored Linnea with the long dark hair and lovely moist chestnut eyes. His memories of their last night together stayed as fresh in his mind as the lifeless body at his feet and he clenched his fists and trembled with despair. Linnea... "Why do you say that?” He spat. “What do you think you can accomplish by acting thus?” Tomas glared at Linnea as she continued her litany. "I am tired of this life, Tomas. It is not because of you really it isn't. You should know that I always hold love for you in my heart and would bring you no pain if I could avoid it." Linnea drew a deep breath and reached to touch his livid face with her fingertips. As usual her caress sent shivers down his spine even after these hundreds of years. An interesting and complicated relationship they shared, part mother-son and part lovers. She taught him her ways and bent his will to do her bidding as a neophyte, but after he came into his own ascendancy the fire between them grew and she knew love at his hands that she had not visited since Jeremiah. She ran her hands down his body and despite his previous anger, her caresses didn't fail to arouse him. "Linnea” He groaned through liquid lips. "Shhhh, all is right now.” She continued her exploration of his flushed body. Her hot breath warmed his skin and the wetness of her mouth soon followed across his forehead, down his cheek and into the hollow of his throat. His heartbeat quickened as he felt the sharp prick of her fangs. Oh how delicious to be tasted by her ... how erotic. He almost cried out when she pulled away from his throat but her mouth continued its trek down. She kissed his shoulder, his biceps, and the crook of his elbow where she stopped to lick his pulse then again drove her fangs into his flesh. This time she hit the throbbing vein and drank deep before she licked the wound and held her hand over it to staunch the flow of blood. She rose and stood before him, her smoky gaze heating him even more than he thought possible. When their lips met, his knees buckled and if not for her hand still clamped to his elbow, he may have fallen to the floor. This tiny woman, his mentor, his love, made him feel powerful and fragile all in the same moment, as he did now. He wanted to be the aggressor and take her in his arms but she melted him with her barbed kisses and he lost himself in the sensations. She released his arm and with unhurried movements they both fell to the rug in a melted heap of flesh. Staring into each other's eyes they removed their clothing, savoring each inch of skin exposed. Her skin flushed pink with arousal and the infusion of his blood. When she saw him looking she tantalized him by running her hand down between her breasts, down her stomach, and below. All the while her eyes bored into his with such intensity that he felt it in the pit of his stomach. "Be savage with me, Tomas." He took her, wild and savage just like she asked. Before they each reached their climax, oozing fang marks and bruises marked their untamed love for one another. He held her close, listening to her heated pants and slowing heartbeat and smiled with contentment. She wouldn't leave him now, she couldn't. When he awoke, he knew that he was wrong. The house felt empty, devoid of any love or life. Just as he felt now, so many centuries later alone in his house because there was no Linnea and there were no others. She left him, just like she said she would. She left him and any other vestige of anthropomorphic life. Not knowing how to be a shape changer or if he even could become one, he stayed in this form, preying on humans for his existence and willing Linnea to return to him. She never did. He heard the recent call of another female that survived the change. So easy to hear, if you listened in, even from a place as far away as America. He had to go see for himself it if could be true. He knew it was not his Linnea, but he had to see nonetheless. Every once in a while he felt Linnea's presence. A fleeting thought, nothing more than a tiny tingle in his forehead, but he cherished those moments. It was enough to give him hope that she survived

and would one day regain her human form so that he could regain her. America. A nice place to visit ... warm this time of the year, but a nice place at any rate. He made travel plans for the very next evening. **** Nuk Nuk tilted his head to the side, listening to words unsaid, silent voices, the rush of the gentle breeze through the valley and that which only he could hear. Silent voices, thoughts as they were formed. Being a god, he could hear them if he wanted to. Another female had been initiated into the clan. As the Alpha male, he must claim her. This was his birthright. "Not, if you wish to remain a male, my husband". Her voice warmed his ear as both her small but mighty hands closed on his shoulders. “And, you are not a god, you conceited old warrior." He stood, shaking her hands off, offended, and turned to face her. Nuhh, so difficult to remember what he wanted to say when she stood before him, gleaming, smooth skin glistening in the moonlight, long lithe limbs swaying with a song she hummed to herself. He knew she went without modern clothing on purpose, just to keep him distracted. Ducking her head, her long dark hair falling forward, she smiled and looked up at him through her thick lashes as she danced closer. Ahhh, the images she sent to him! Ancient language, primal, carnal, exquisite images of the two of them, alone in the world, but with each other. This is how she would have them remain. "Beylon.” He breathed her name like a prayer. Her hand closed on his wrist, pulling him to her ... and once more, he was lost to the world and to himself. **** Milo "Milo!” She chased him down the hall. “You can't just leave.” Catching up to him at the elevators she stood in front of him, tapping her toe, arms crossed in front of her heaving chest. "Calm down, Evelyn. I can do as I like.” He smiled to take the sting out of his words. “I do own this company." She had to crane her neck to look up at him. He stood so tall, even to her 5'8” frame. His smile lit up his entire face. Pale freckles danced across his cheeks, small even white teeth dazzling against the backdrop of that red gold beard. Deep golden brown eyes, always sparkling with merriment like they were now, even with his most tiresome clients. Her charming golden boy, that's what he was, even though he was the boss. Most of the time she felt more like his mother than his assistant the way she had to nag him. Trying so hard to stare him down, maybe talk some sense into him and he just smiled, that adorable boyish smile. She became tongue-tied and almost dizzy looking into those big soft eyes ... butterflies fluttered about in her stomach and she had to look away. She found staring at his glittering diamond earring much easier than meeting his gaze. A woman twice his age and her heart still raced when she stood too close to him! "You can handle things here, Evelyn.” He placed his big hand on her shoulder. "I have faith in you.” The elevator doors opened and he slipped inside. Letting go of her shoulder, he lifted his hand, waved his fingers at her and smiled, mouthing the word ‘bye’ to her as the doors closed in her dismayed face. "Milo!” His name echoed down the shaft, the worry in her voice giving him just a pang of guilt, but nothing would stop him from taking this trip. He didn't care if the company went belly up in his absence. Texas was the place he wanted to be. The siren's mental song and her phenomenal pheromones called to him over this great distance and he would answer that call.

His thoughts projecting to the street below, he summoned a taxicab to be waiting when he reached the lobby. Then using his cell phone, he called his pilot and asked him to meet him at the plane, much less work than using telepathy. Then there was dinner. Hmmm. He could pick up dinner on the way to the airport. Reaching into his breast pocket, he pulled out his little black book, snickering at the absurdity of the address book filled with the names of willing donors. So many in the city, easy food for the taking! They would give their lives to him but of course he didn't ask that much of them. He ran his finger down the list, turning the page, trying to decide who he would prefer the taste of tonight. The elevator reached the lobby and the doors opened. Without looking up he walked straight out of the elevator, avoiding the group of people waiting there with little effort and not even noticing the admiring looks of the females and one of the males too. He chose dinner. Jamie ... a name with three stars beside it meaning this donor could handle three consecutive feedings. He may need him for three nights so this seemed a wise choice. The taxi waited by the curb, the driver stood by the open rear door and rubbed his forehead as if that would help clear his thoughts. Milo eased around him and slipped into the seat, then smiled back up at the baffled driver. Everything about the man screamed ‘round’ ... his wind chaffed reddened face, his large, protruding belly, his fingers like puckered stalactites at the ends of his immense hands. His sunken, bloodshot eyes surrounded by drifts of flesh for eyelids and that greasy mouth ... so repulsive Milo had to look away. Sometimes he really hated being so observant. Milo tired of waiting and pushed with his mind for the man to get back in the vehicle then gave him Jamie's address. The driver's eyes darted from the road to his rearview mirror to stare at his red headed passenger then back to road. Relaxed enough to drive the car he pulled out but kept checking the mirror, gawking at Milo. Now annoyed, Milo spoke to him in a low voice. “Quit looking at me and watch the road." When they neared his donor's home he started to send his prompt, but decided against making Jamie meet him at the curb ... it seemed rude to do that to one of his flock. Unfolding himself from the taxi he told the driver to wait, then went to the door, rapping it twice with his knuckles. Jamie opened the door and his face lit up when he saw Milo standing there, like a toddler who just saw Santa Claus come down the chimney. Smiling, his left hand reached to move the hair away from his throat as he stuttered. "Y..Y..yesss?" Looking deep inside the young man, Milo checked for illness, found none and flashed Jamie with a smile of his own. "Your turn.” Almost comical the joy it brought this human. His heart thundered in his chest and he knocked into Milo in his eagerness to get out the door and join him. Accustomed to his donors’ exhilaration, he waited a moment for Jamie to calm down, then stared at his bare feet. "Shoes, perhaps?” He laughed. “Pack a small bag too, we may be gone several days." Brown sugar eyes widened. This donor was a collection of sweets, colors and scents. "Cool!” Entire body quivering, Jamie stood on the small landing of his building, grinning up at Milo until the tall blood seeker placed his hand in the small of his back and gave him a little push back into the door of his studio. "Pack, and make it quick.” He gave the genial, yet firm command. Jamie was able to overcome his initial excitement, get his shoes on, his bag packed and leave with him. Milo's hunger grew, burnished almond skin flaunted before him enflamed his appetite, but feeding would have to wait until they reached the seclusion of the plane. Jamie made sure his throat and arms were easy to access in the button down shirt he wore. How considerate. Even if he couldn't read every erotic thought buzzing through the young man's mind, so obvious, with his fawning gaze fixed on Milo's mouth for almost the entire taxi trip, that his eagerness to be bitten rivaled Milo's zeal to sink his fangs into him.

His blood seeker's potion must be like a very potent, exotic drug to his flock and they begged to be bitten. He knew a couple of humans who loved the pain of his fangs slicing into their flesh and even without the injection of his narcotic saliva they would want it again and again. He could understand that too. Maybe this female that he now boarded the plane to go seek, would want to taste him! Jamie stood in the plane doorway, waiting for a signal from Milo, anything to direct his next move, so nervous, so anxious, fiddling with the handle on his bag, flipping it back and forth between his thumb and forefinger. The interior was small, but cozy, and Milo settled himself into one of the comfortable reclining chairs next to the window. Looking up at Jamie, meeting his gaze, he raised his hand to crook one finger, beckoning to him. Stumbling on his own feet and the thick pile of the carpet, he moved to the seat next to Milo, gathered his jangled nerves into a ball then planted himself in the seat. He'd never been alone with Milo like this before and although exhilarated, he was also a little afraid. Yes, it felt wonderful to donate to Milo, being bitten ... well pure ecstasy but that was always just a short, wham bam, bite me man, then he left. Now, here he was seated next to a being that just oozed strength, alone on a plane and going who knows where. To make matters worse, he told no one that he intended to leave town. No one knew where he was or whom he was with! Oh shit! The sudden squeeze of Milo's hand on his knee startled him and he flinched, his muscles drawing away from the touch. "Stop your fretting.” Milo said in his ear, not because he wanted confidence, but because they were sitting so close together. The warmth of his breath tickled Jamie's ear canal then he felt the moist heat of Milo's tongue touching his throat, sliding down to the point where his neck bent at the shoulder. The trail of heat chilled as the moistness evaporated and he shivered, gulping his breath as a rash of gooseflesh raced down his arms. "Do you still want this?” Milo whispered, his lips just touching Jamie's flushed skin. "Oh god yes.” He sighed and bent his head over, giving Milo better access to his neck. But to his surprise Milo sat up, pulling away from him to reach for his briefcase under the small table. Opening it with the flick of a finger, he pulled out his cell phone and handed it to the now gaping Jamie. "Call someone, anyone you need to, and tell them you are going out of town for a few days, and you may tell them you are with me.” He paused, his gaze now more menacing than he had ever seen it. "Of course if you tell them the true reason you are accompanying me, it will be the last time ... ever.” Jamie's quick intake of breath assured him that he understood the implication. "Hurry up now.” He pointed to the phone in Jamie's hand. “I'm hungry and if I have to wait too long, I get ... irritable." **** Lachlan Lachlan heard the call, but couldn't believe it. No, too long since the last female ... he knew of just myths, yes, only a cherished legend, any semblance of a female dying several millennia ago. No, he didn't want to leave his laboratory to go so close to the equator. Such a shock that he picked up on any signals at all in his frozen home, so shocking that for a moment he contemplated seeking this siren's call ... Hmm, but what would the world be like out there now? To have fresh blood again would be exquisite too. His last feeder died long ago and manufactured blood paled in comparison to the real thing. How many of my clan still walk the Earth? Perhaps he needed to re-enter the world just to find out. This is how he would justify leaving his lab, not that he wanted to see if there were another female member born into the family. Plus he would love to share his knowledge with some of the others. Did they know they could survive on artificial blood? Did they know that their highly evolved pineal gland is what separated them from the rest of the human clan? Did they know that the reason they did not die a natural death is that this special gland evolved to not send the death signal as it did in other humans?

Probably so. Many humans in the world now carried some of his clan's DNA. They carried that which modern scientists thought of as extinct. They were the ones that would survive the transformation. They were the ones who could read other's thoughts and move things without touching them. They were the ones with a touch of what they call the supernatural. All they needed was an infusion of the hormones to be transformed. But still, a female??? They never survived. He could sit here and debate with himself the rest of the century or he could just shut down his current experiments, pack his bag and go see for himself if a woman existed, or just a resurfacing myth and a prankster broadcasting the telepathic siren's call. If it were only a joker, he would feel the wrath of Lachlan! Looking in the stainless mirror at his mass of white gold hair, he realized that he looked more like a yeti than a human. Ye Gods he had his own ozone layer growing around his head! A beard trimming and a haircut were now priorities. He'd just made his choice to join civilization again. He prayed that the heat didn't kill him when he left his permafrost home.

Twenty-Three "You did very well tonight, Joanna.” Colin pressed his broad chest against her back, encircling her small frame in his arms and shifting his weight from side to side, rocking her with him. Their pliant bodies molded together, they swayed like the willowy kelp on the ocean floor. A slight smile of contentment touching his lips, he closed his eyes and inhaled the heady aroma of his chosen one. The faint cocoa butter perfume of her shampoo still lingered in her hair and the unique tropical aroma of her skin almost brought him to his knees. The fragrance he cherished from the moment he met her, the redolence that he found himself searching for when she was not near, he loved it so. Sighing, he held her tighter, the worrisome feeling of apprehension returning in the back of his mind. Even safe at home in his sturdy cabin, he still could not shake the dread. In his close grip, he felt her chest expanding as she drew a deep breath and he knew what was coming before she even opened her mouth. "Colin? Do I have to wear black clothes? Can I still eat food? Are there certain rules I have to follow?” She fired questions at him one after another. He chuckled and held his hand over her mouth. “How do you expect me to answer when you will not cease to question?” Turning her in his arms, he lifted her to a bar stool and sat her down facing him, his hands resting on her knees. Her face was alive with curiosity but she restrained herself, chewing her bottom lip and gazing at him with impish adoration. He brushed his hands across her breasts as he straightened her twisted blouse and feigned innocence when she scowled. "To answer your questions, first of all, you can wear whatever you wish to clothe yourself in. However, during the week of the full moon, I prefer, for myself, and my children, to wear formal black attire. Call it one of my pet peeves if you wish." Glancing down at his suit, he brushed a speck of dust from the sleeve and placed his hands back on Joanna's legs, this time on her thighs. His face inches from hers, he blew the stray hair off her forehead and grinned when her eyes widened. He saw the disagreement in her face that she tried to hide. She would object to many things over the years, so he was prepared and determined not to bend no matter how much he cared for her, just as he treated Ben. "I only do so during the week of the full moon when my compulsion to hunt is undeniable. You have seen that I dress, as you would say, normally, the remainder of the month." Why did he strive to reassure her? He could not stop himself when he peered into that vibrant and beautiful face. He waited, expecting her to comment. It just wasn't like her to sit and listen. But much to his surprise, she gazed at him with her gem bright eyes and waited with a patience he had never seen before. What was she thinking? Swallowing his surprise, he continued, not wanting to lose her attention. "In answer to your second question ... what was your second question? Oh yes, about the food.... you can eat or drink whatever your heart desires, my love." She placed her hands on his arms and just held him, not changing her expression and not looking away. Oh, but she was up to something. This he knew. Fighting to maintain control, he kept a straight face and carried on as if he were talking to a stu-dent. "Uh ... yes, I do not desire anything more than an occasional glass of wine myself." He turned his head to the side and coughed. "Your system can handle whatever you consume without making you ill." He found it so hard to keep thoughts of food in his mind as he examined the beautiful vision sitting before him. He trailed his fingers through her long silky hair and down her arms, pleased at the rash of goosebumps his touch created on her skin. Captivated with her eyes, no obsessed, he peered into those fathomless emerald gems, and felt lost at sea, floating on a tide of passion. She wet her

lips with the tip of her tongue as if she stood before a sumptuous buffet of all her favorite dishes. Then she spoke in a voice so soft and delicate that he had to strain to hear, even with his supernatural hearing. "Are you sure that wine is all you desire, Colin?" A burst of heat traveled through his veins as his heartbeat accelerated and for a moment he thought he might swoon, but it passed, leaving behind a giddy light-headedness that tended to increase his ardor even more. Basking in the glow from his fervent eyes, Joanna felt the power and the passion emanating from her beloved creator and mate. Engulfed by her own intense feelings, she lifted her arms to Colin. He scooped her up in his embrace, holding her close to his thundering heart as he strode to his room. They fell on the bed still wrapped in each other's arms, their mouths locked together, their tongues traveling into the other's mouth. Clothing ripped in their haste to rid the body of its restraints and neither one noticed or cared. The raging fire between them burned out of control. Colin sat up, straddling Joanna's body and gasped for air, his muscles quivering in his excitement. Drawing several deep breaths, he gained some measure of control over his rampaging hormones and then he kissed her face and neck, never giving her the opportunity to cool off. He nibbled on her earlobe and his tongue entered her ear.Groaning when her hand closed on his rigid organ, she stroked, pulled, then stroked again, and for the first time ever he broke out in beads of sweat. His juices lubricated her hand, intensifying his pleasure even more and he bit down on her ear harder than he intended. Joanna endured the pain, for when there is passion there is no pain and she so enjoyed pleasing him. The tiny droplets of blood inflamed his senses to the point he lost control, sinking his extended fangs into her pliant throat and at the same time firing into Joanna's hand. "What have you done to me, woman?” A guttural laugh was her only answer. “You have me behaving like a teenager on his first date!" "Are you complaining, Colin dear?" He responded by capturing her lips in a powerful kiss and running his hand down her body, massaging and caressing every inch of her. Then his mouth followed the same trail, wet and warm, sucking at and nipping her skin all the way down. When he reached her toes, he slid his tongue back up her calf, pushing her legs apart so he could reach the inner thigh and above. She clutched the bedspread with both hands, twisting the fabric until it wrapped around her wrists. He drove her crazy with his tongue, plunging in and out then flicking her nub until she could hold back no longer. Squeezing his head between her thighs she rode the swells and bit her lip to hold back her screams. Turning her head to his arm, she bit into his wrist and drank, the blood once again bringing her the euphoria so akin to the ecstasy she already felt from Colin's masterful tongue. Pulling away, she closed her eyes and felt the warmth of his body as he covered hers. His chest hairs tickling her nipples, he kissed her nose, her cheeks, her forehead, her eyelids, then her lips. As his kisses deepened she felt his passion rising along her thigh. His knees pressed hers outward until she opened for him and he slid in. With slow easy thrusts he brought her out of her lethargy and awakened the animal in her once again. As his force increased, she rose to meet his strokes, digging her fingernails into his back in her fervor. "Oh, Colin. My, but you're frisky tonight." He laughed and increased his tempo until words no longer formed in her head. She was lost in his hunger, and he devoured her. They lay spent, still wrapped in each other's arms, their labored breathing returning to normal. Joanna seemed distant and Colin's attempts to gain her attention failed. Not wanting to disturb her musing, he contented himself stroking her hair and feeling the silky strands slip through his fingers.

"I want to be married legally, Colin." She shocked him with her announcement and his hand stopped in mid-stroke, entangling itself in her hair. After a moment, he detached her hair from his fingers and sat up, moving Joanna over to her pillow. Looking into her face, he saw that she was serious about her declaration. "I do not believe that you will ever cease to amaze me, little one. But we are married, eternally, married by blood. You are part of me now, and no ceremony could be more binding than the one we have already been through." As he sat holding her hand, examining her short little fingers, he made no attempt to hide his nakedness. So she used the opportunity to study his pale, but glorious body in its entire bare splendor. "Would you like me to purchase a ring for you, Joanna?” “No ... well, yes, but I still want to be married, because of my family, Colin. I don't want my mom and my sister to think I'm shacking up with you.” With a crooked smile she shrugged her shoulders as if to apologize for her feelings. "Oh, Jo. It would be best if you had no more contact with your human family. We make it a rule not to socialize with the humans.” Her muscles bunched as she bristled with objection and tried to roll off the bed, but he was not willing to give up the serenity of this time with her. Holding tight to her hand he sought to relax her again. "Oh now, Joanna, I am sure we shall work something out. You are one for breaking the rules, are you not?” She began to relax. "After all, a mortal lifetime is inconsequential when you have an eternity.” Glancing down at her face, he caught her staring at his semi-erection and it grew hard. He couldn't help but laugh at the brilliant crimson blush that washed over her face as she averted her eyes. "Stop laughing, you ass.” She stiffled a giggle. “It's just that I still find it hard to believe that you are a vampire. Well, you know, I can feel it here, inside of me.” She touched her left breast. “I feel the change your bite produced, but as I sit here and look at you, and feel you, you appear so normal and.... right. Oh, I can't explain it!” Eyebrows drawn together, mouth tight, she scowled in frustration. Peeking down at his lap, she lost her frown when she saw the throbbing erection that he didn't attempt to cover. Just knowing that he wanted her that much lifted her spirits. "I understand, little one, what you are trying to say. But if you were to look at me through mortal eyes, you would see me as you did before. Now we are as one and I shall always be right to you. You do not fully comprehend the depth of the blood union yet, it is not like one of my neophytes converting, no..." He stopped as he sensed her confusion and decided to drop the subject for now. Her eyes clouded and distant, she muddled over his words in her mind. Hearing Ben stirring around in the library, he bounded off the bed with his usual fluid grace, accented by his nakedness and no encumbering clothing. Tugging at her hand, he pulled Joanna off the bed and gave her a gentle shove toward the bathroom. Tossing her one of his t-shirts, he said, “Come on, Jo. Get dressed. Ben wishes to see you." "Why?” It surprised her when she heard Ben's voice as he spoke from the other side of the house. "I'm just concerned and nosy ... that's all." Dressing in a hurry, she realized why Colin gave her one of his shirts. Her own shirt was ripped right down the front. Blushing, she thought of her wanton behavior of the past two hours. The ruined shirt was worth it! When they entered the library, Ben dropped his book and rushed up to them, staring with open curiosity at her flushed face, his eyes traveling over her face and body in the same cursory manner that Colin used so often. Looking to Colin, a question in his eyes,

he seemed relieved when his creator nodded and he looked back to Joanna, his boyish face alight with a dazzling smile. Unable to control his rush of sentiment, he flew to her and gathered her in his arms, hugging her tight, kissing her cheek and holding her out at arms length to gaze into her astonished face. "I'm so happy to see that you made it!" Confused, but nevertheless pleased with Ben's exuberant greeting, she smiled. “But, Ben, you saw me a few hours ago and I was fine then." "Come sit down and relax, little one.” Patting the sofa beside where he sat, Colin motioned for her to come to him, a lazy grin decorating his handsome face. Heart pounding, she did as he bid. With a noticeable bounce to his step Ben followed, choosing the recliner opposite the sofa so he could be nearby but not crowd the couple. He also needed to cool off. For a brief moment when he touched her he felt like he'd gone up in flames. The attraction that he felt for Joanna before the transformation was nothing compared to how he felt now. He would hide this, he must hide it or die trying. He hoped it wouldn't come to that though. His face almost glowed he seemed so happy, and Joanna still didn't understand. Looking at Colin, she saw that he, too, appeared too delighted. Glancing from one to the other she crossed her arms in front of her chest waiting to find out just why they both grinned like the cat that ate the canary. Placing his elegant hand on her leg, Colin gave her an affectionate squeeze and began. "Ben is happy, and so am I, that you made it through your first kill, Joanna. If you could not accomplish the act no amount of love from us could prevent you from perishing. You did well and I am very proud of you." Thinking back on what she did, she felt rather proud of herself also. That scum deserved to die, and she wasn't the least bit remorseful over his death. Maybe before the change she would've been horrified, but now it seemed like a way of life, which in truth, it was. She knew now how she would feed every time. She would sit back and wait for her next victim to attack her! "It was easy, Colin. He provoked me. I didn't go after him to feed. It just happened. So you can't really say I made a kill, well I did kill him, but I didn't go out with the intention of doing it. Oh do you know what I am trying to say?" Her male companions couldn't help but laugh at her imploring tone that bordered on whining. They knew how she felt because they experienced the same thing themselves. "You do not have to enjoy the kill, Joanna. There is no need to make excuses. I do not enjoy hunting and neither does Ben. In fact, we abhor cruelty. It is just a matter of survival for us during the week of the full moon, like the food chain in the animal kingdom." He hesitated. Coming to a decision, he ran his fingers through his curls and cleared his throat. "We are at the top. Nothing feeds on us but members of our own kind.” Ben and Joanna wore matching frightened expressions, their eyes round and wide as they stared at each other. "Come now, you two! This I have told of before. Do you not recall? I will protect you both. Do you think me not capable of this?” Colin's voice was gruff as he forced himself to sound reassuring. In truth he worried more about Joanna if for no other reason because she was female. Ben would be fine. He had the strength of a centenarian already and just did not know it. “He is right, you know, Joanna. What have we got to worry about with Colin as our creator?” Ben nodded at Colin. "Forget about it. It is a practice shunned by the majority of our group, for as a majority, we are not evil, living as clean a life as possible under the circumstances to avoid the scrutiny of the humans and each other.” Colin squeezed her leg and smiled as he spoke. Her heart swelled when he smiled, she loved him so. Why would she ever be frightened with Colin at her side? "Do you know any other vampires?"

"Yes, Jo, I have met a few others in my short lifetime. But that word, vampire, really is disturbing. This is not a word of our choosing, but one made up by fiction writers.” He cleared his throat for emphasis and continued. "We are really only more highly evolved human beings, not vampires. We seek blood as sustenance, this does not make us the living dead, Count Dracula, monsters, ghouls, fiends or the undead." Not wanting to discuss outsiders, Colin jumped to his feet and crossed over to the desk, playfully thumping Ben on the head as he walked by. Ben's mouth dropped open in astonishment and stayed that way as Colin retrieved a note pad from the desk and tossed it, along with a ballpoint pen, to Joanna. "Start writing, Joanna. We have a wedding to plan!" After staring at him in pure amazement for a moment Joanna leapt off the sofa. Tripping over her own feet as she ran to Colin she fell against him, stabbing him in the shoulder with the pen. Staying calm, he righted his over-exuberant mate and pulled the pen out of his flesh. "Joanna, if you do not wish to marry me there is no need to stab me! Have you heard the phrase ‘just say no'? Must I send you to charm school so that you can walk down the aisle ... oof.” He coughed as Joanna slammed the air out of his lungs with a jab of her elbow. "Colin, you are an insufferable imp." "As are you, Jo, but I love you just the same." Ben said nothing, just watching the two of them as they touched each other, hugged each other, looked at each other with such love, like they had their proverbial hearts in their eyes. All he could think of at the moment ... that he wished he were in Colin's place. His brain told him that this was unthinkable, he would be destroyed for this kind of thinking ... but his loins, no his entire being, wanted to throw her on the floor and take her right here, regardless of his creator standing there. He had to shake himself, tell himself ... no, No, NO over and over, then he left the room. It was much easier to gain control when she wasn't in the room with him, or in the house with him, or in the same damned town as him. A subtle breeze swayed the treetops, just a little, enough to stir up the fresh pine scent that Ben loved so much. He filled his lungs with the warm but still crisp air. Standing in the thick of the woods, just yards from the house, he could still feel her presence, her sexuality, her call. Of course he'd ignore it, treat her like a blood sister ... but he would never stop wanting her. The added fact that Colin would snap him like a twig helped to cool his ardor as well. What a predicament. Nearby, a wolf howled, long, low ... mournful. Linnea? Ben's breath caught in his throat and he darted back into the house.

Twenty-Four "I still don't see why you had to get married in the J.P.'s office, Joanna. A church wedding would've been so nice.” A new pixie haircut made her even more difficult to argue with. Her short, deep mahogany color made her look younger, not like you'd picture on a mother. Joanna took a deep breath, trying not to let her mother irritate her on this special day, but she just wouldn't stop! "You should've let me throw you a nice reception in a nice banquet hall instead of this dark, stuffy old club. What were you thinking of, Joanna?" 'If she says nice again, I'll scream.' "Mom! Will you please stop? This is my wedding night! This is what Colin and I wanted, so please don't spoil it for me.” Diane was unruffled by Joanna's plea. Staring at her daughter with concern, she clicked her tongue against her teeth and frowned. Then she lifted her glasses, holding them just above her eyes, to stare some more. "I'm sorry, honey. I'm just nervous and worried about you. We don't even know this man. Oh, sure he's quite handsome, but he seems so unapproachable and, Joanna baby, you look so pale! Hiding out in those woods can't be good for you. Maybe you should see..." "Mother! I'm fine. Really, I am. Stop worrying. I'm happier than I've ever been before, so congratulate me. O.K.?" Her worry did diminish some when she saw the way her daughter's face lit up as her new husband came up behind her, wrapping his long arms around her and kissing her on the nape of her neck. Reaching to Joanna's shoulder, she touched her son-in-law's hand and smiled. "Welcome to the family, Colin. I can see that my daughter is fond of you, so I am too!” She paused a moment and studied their faces, a slight frown marring her features before she replaced that frown with a whimsical grin. "You two must be deeply in love. You have a radiance about you, my gosh, like you are lit from the inside.” Joanna gained her mother's side and looped her arm through hers "Oh, Mom. You are so romantic. Would you like some punch?” She steered Diane over to the buffet table as they talked. Glancing back at Colin, she showed him a tiny smile as if to show her relief. Now if she could just stay in the darkest parts of the room until everyone in her family left she would have succeeded in keeping her enormous secret! Leaving her mother at the table, she melted back into the shadows and let her eyes drift over the numerous guests attending the reception. She had no idea that her mom would invite everyone in the family when she'd given her the guest list chore. Some of the aunts, uncles, and cousins, she didn't even recognize until they were introduced. Even after the introductions were complete, the room seemed full of strangers. Colin invited only a few friends because he said he had no family left. Her eyes roved the crowd, examining the many male faces. An intense feeling of ill will crept over her as she gazed at one dark form reclining in the far corner of the room. Their eyes met and he stepped into the light. She could see his lecherous expression and his pale lips as he whispered to her from across the room. Blocking out the party sounds she honed in on his raspy voice, watching his mouth as if she were entranced. "You cannot fool everyone, little Joanna. I know what you are.” Her heartbeat accelerated as a tendril of fear formed in her chest. "I'm going to get you and..." "Joanna!” Colin's voice broke in on her trance. “I want you to meet someone very important to me, and to you also, my love.” Turning toward his sweet voice she saw him grinning, his arm around an exquisite, petite raven-haired woman. Her jealousy flared. "Just a minute, Colin” She spun around to search the room for the stranger, she wanted to point him out to Colin.

"Dammit, he's gone." Ignoring the woman at his side she addressed Colin. “I need to speak to you, in private, now...” The woman might think her a rude bitch but she had bigger problems, with that threatening person she'd seen. To further add to her confusion Colin stood there grinning like a fool, his arm still around the gorgeous woman. He almost lost his balance when the woman stepped away to stand next to Joanna and put her lips up to her ear. "You need not worry, dear. I am your friend, and as long as we remain friends, you shall not be molested by the others, if they know what is good for them.” She glanced around the room, and then back to Joanna. "I admit, there are far too many powerful beings in this room, but they stand divided and that is where our strength lies. We do not." The dainty woman's voice reminded her of the lilting notes of a tiny song bird carried on the wind, pleasing even to the most tone deaf ears, and her admiration for this woman bloomed, her jealousy fading by the moment. "But, he was evil.” Joanna stammered. “And he said he knew what I was and that he was going to get me!" Grabbing Colin's hands in her own she squeezed them to gain his full attention. "There are others here also! I saw them. I think we've made a big mistake doing this ... they're watching me!" Pulling her to him, he held her in his arms, comforting her, stroking her back until she relaxed. His chest rumbled under her ear when he spoke. "It is all right, little one. I told you that females are few in our clan. I have several very powerful friends here and I do not think anyone will cause us trouble, especially in light of all the humans here in this dark club. We have a truce right now." Nervous, twisting in his arms, she glanced around at the dozens of inquisitive male faces. At least she didn't see the menacing one any longer. "They would not dare hurt any member of this party, Jo." "But, Colin, the one that spoke to me wished me harm ... I could feel it!” He smiled down at her worried expression, tracing the lines of her face with his forefinger. "Just never wander off alone. Stay with us at all times. Nobody here would dare to harm you with myself and Linnea to protect you. I am a very powerful centenarian, and you are my wife, by blood and now by human law. No blood seeker in their right mind would be stupid enough to cross me.” Examining the awesome picture he made, his tall firm body, his chest puffed out, and his head held high, regally, like he ruled all he could see, she felt that she was indeed safe from peril. Her heart swelled with love for him, her eyes sparkling with merriment, she coughed to hide her laughter. "O.K. Colin, you look very powerful. I believe you.” She coughed again. Clamping his hands around her waist, he lifted her off her feet until her head drew level with his. Peering into her grinning face, he kissed the tip of her nose. "I am anxious for our honeymoon to commence." A discreet cough sounded nearby and he placed Joanna back down on her own two feet and faced his beaming guest. Joanna smiled at her this time instead of shooting daggers of jealousy. It was silly to feel that way about anyone because she knew the extent of Colin's love for her. The tiny ethereal woman spoke in hushed tones to Colin about the turn-out of fellow centenarians at the reception, and Joanna listened with half an ear as she searched the room one more time for the ominous stranger. The woman's voice drew her full attention as she felt a spark of recognition. "Have I met you before? I feel like I recognize your voice, but I don't recall ever meeting you before.” Linnea's airy laughter caught her by surprise. "You were out of it when we met, Joanna. I'm not surprised that you don't remember me."

"If Linnea had not happened along, you would not have lived through the metamorphosis." "Linnea?" "She is my Creator, Jo. Remember the story that I told Ben which you also listened to?" Joanna turned awestruck eyes toward Linnea and stared at her petite form. "You are a second millennial? You look human! You are the one that saved Colin from death?” She bubbled with excitment, and then reached out to embrace Linnea. The petite woman hugged her back, enjoying the comfort of another's touch then she pulled away holding Joanna at arm's length, her head cocked to the side, a peculiar expression on her face. "Will you come outside away from the noise for a moment, Joanna?” Without waiting for an answer, Linnea pulled Joanna by the arm to the door of the club, ignoring the curious and lust-filled stares of the many centenarians in the room. After dragging Joanna out the door Linnea stopped and once again held her still, looking at her for a moment. She lit up with a dazzling smile as she gazed at her favorite offspring's wife. "You would not believe what a miracle you are, Joanna. Did you happen to notice that all the other's of our kind at your party are males?" Joanna nodded. "You are the first soul mate to survive conversion in hundreds of years, and you only survived because you love Colin. At least I think that is what helped you make it over from the other side. There have been other females with the active pineal gland that makes us what we are. I find it very hard to believe that in all the thousands of years of our existence there have been no others.” She sighed, looking back toward the club door. “Anyway, those poor males in there have tried many times to choose mates, but they all perished." "But what about you?" A touch of sorrow entered her eyes, but she shook it off. “I loved my soul mate with all my heart and he loved me.” Clenching her teeth, she shook her head back and forth. “I was so traumatized when the vile one destroyed him and I wished to die myself. But instead, I seek vengeance by destroying all those that I consider evil blood seekers. Not that any of us are innocents, you understand, but there are those that do not deserve to live in any form, and it is those that I seek. I learned from them what we are inside and why we exist as we do." Pushing her silky black hair back out of her face, she watched Joanna's reaction. “That is how I maintain my youthful human appearance. It is kindred blood that I drink. I pray that you don't think ill of me for I love you like you were my own daughter. It was an evil, jealous horror that killed my Jeremiah, and I will rid the world of them till my last breath." Taking Linnea's hands in her own, she shuffled her feet in the gravel of the parking lot, spraying small pebbles to the side. "I understand, Linnea. I believe I would do the same." Their eyes locked and the bond grew stronger between the two females. "Yes, you would, wouldn't you, Joanna? This is not what I brought you out of the club to discuss. I have some shocking news for you.” She hesitated and Joanna prompted her. "What is it?"

"Well, I thought I noticed it inside, but I had to bring you away from the noise to be sure that I really heard what I thought I did. You are amazing, an anomaly, an unprecedented marvel.” Joanna's eager face was full of curiosity as she strained to maintain control. “As inconceivable as it may sound, you, my dear Joanna, have two heartbeats." Confused, Joanna clutched her chest. “Do you mean I've grown another heart?" Linnea laughed. “In a matter of speaking, yes, you have.” Her eyes drifted down to below Joanna's navel and back up to her face as she waited for what she implied to sink in. A look of astonishment washed over Joanna, as it dawned on her what Linnea hinted at. Placing her hand on her own lower abdomen, she smiled at her remarkable ancient friend. "You mean, I'm pregnant.” Her voice turned into a squeaky whisper. They laughed together and Linnea placed her hand on top of Joanna's as it rested on her womb. "Yes, yes, I hear the baby's rapid little heartbeat, quiet, but strong.” Linnea's laughter faded. Apprehensive, she glanced around the parking lot. Taking Joanna's arm she walked her over to their car, turning around so she could view the surrounding area and watch for any of the others. Joanna held herself as if she cradled an infant, a subtle glow radiating from her skin. "This is the first time ever that I have heard of one of our kind being pregnant, Joanna. We don't even have menstrual cycles! It would be impossible to conceive! You must've conceived right before you were converted and obviously the embryo survived!" The car rocked as Joanna let her weight fall against it beside Linnea. One of the tin cans tied to the bumper rattled then grew silent as it found its niche on the ground with the other cans. Joanna cleared her throat. “Will the baby be human or a vampire ... I mean one of us?" Linnea stared off into the distance, her vision unfocused, then she sighed. “We'll find that out when the time comes. I suppose." A sudden thought came to Joanna. “Linnea! Who will be my doctor? I sure can't go to my family doctor like I am now!" First surprised then amused, Linnea laughed. “You honestly don't know, do you?” Joanna shook her head, not knowing what her newfound friend referred to. Linnea continued to laugh. “Your husband, silly! Not that anything could hurt you now anyway, but Colin is a licensed medical doctor ... though it was long ago." As if he heard his name being called, Colin's head appeared at the door. When he saw them he came all the way out and headed across the parking lot, a broad smile plastered on his face. Joanna came close to a swoon just watching her husband's approach. His long easy step, his glorious dark curly hair, his lean hard body, his handsome face, she loved everything about him. "What are my two favorite ladies grinning about?" They glanced at each other again and smiled their secret smile. Linnea squeezed Joanna's hand and moved to return to the party. Passing Colin she couldn't resist wrapping her arms around him, giggling and giving him a powerful hug. Groaning under her strength, he embraced her in return. With shimmering eyes and raspy voice, she spoke. “As much as I love you, I also love your family.... and I do love you so, Colin.” Releasing him, she dissolved into the night and left the two newlyweds alone. "All right, wife, what is going on?” He stared into her glowing face, waiting for an explanation, one strong hand on each of her shoulders. Staring back at him, still filled with awe, she wondered how any one being could be so gorgeous. "I didn't know you're a doctor, Colin.” Her words surprised him, but as usual, he recovered in an instant. "That was my human occupation, but of course, you know I have not been in practice for a very long time. The bright lights of the

hospital do terrible things to my skin.” Joanna laughed at the falsetto voice he used as he referred to his skin, like he was a woman worried about her complexion. "Maybe you should get back into practice, just in case." "Why should I ... Joanna, is something wrong?” Worry lines marred his pale forehead. "Colin, you are crushing my collarbone." He loosened his grip on her shoulders. "I am sorry, Jo. Now would you tell me what is going on before I crush you some more?" "I think you should study up on obstetrics.” Her statement confused him, but then she watched his expression change as he realized what she implied. To her surprise, instead of glowing with happiness, his face crumpled. "Why are you looking like that, Colin? Aren't you happy?" Gathering her in his arms, he stroked her back as he spoke. “Oh, Jo, if you want a baby, we can take a human child and raise it as our own.” She stiffened in his embrace and pushed against his solid chest until he released her and she stood facing him, her hands on her hips. "I'm pregnant, you fool. Damn, Colin, are you that dense?" "Joanna, Joanna, precious one, it is not possible. You are not having your period because the lamiartis is binding with your estrogen and therefore you would not be fertile. I am so sorry to disappoint you. I wish it were true as much as you do." Stepping closer to enclose her in his arms and comfort her, he was stopped short by her fist slamming into his gut. "Joanna?" His pathetic boyish expression erased her anger at once. "You stubborn man! Linnea told me that I'm pregnant. She heard the baby's heartbeat!” His body stilled and she heard his powerful heartbeat begin to race. In slow motion, he took a step back and then another until he could see the length of her body. His rounded eyes traveled from her glowing face down to her still flat stomach. Cocking his head to the side, face taut in concentration, he listened for what Linnea heard earlier. Still moving with human slowness, he reached for her, placing his hands on her hips, like she was a fragile flower stem apt to break, he pulled her to him. Kneeling before her, he placed his ear against her womb. Bending to the side, she watched his face as he listened for his baby's tiny heartbeat. After only a few moments, his expression changed to stupefaction. His eyes grew wide and more rounded, and then came the most beautiful smile, so beautiful, that it made her heart swell to see it. He emanated such powerful feelings of pure love, Joanna was almost overcome by it and she staggered. Colin jumped to his feet, a dazzling smile plastered on his flushed face. He opened his mouth as if to speak and Joanna watched in amazement as all the color drained from his face and her big, powerful centenarian husband fell over in a dead faint. In a flash she moved to catch him before he hit the pavement, then carried him over to their tin-can bedecked car, laying him out in the back seat. She couldn't help but giggle at the stupid grin still showing on his face. She waited for him to come around then began to worry. He'd been unconscious for several long minutes when Joanna decided to go find Linnea to help her. She'd know what to do. Backing out of the car she spun around to head into the club and almost plowed right into Linnea. Grinning, Linnea held a large glass brimming with clear liquid in her hand. "You are projecting your thoughts, Joanna. You must learn to control that, or every centenarian within fifty miles will know your powerful husband has fainted like a weak-kneed human!” Nudging Joanna to the side, she peered into the back seat at her slumbering man-child.

"All right, let me at him. This is cold water.” She held up the glass, then grinned again. “Very cold water!" Before Joanna could move to help her, Linnea had Colin out of the car and placed on the ground. "Didn't want to ruin your upholstery.” She whispered to Joanna then poured the contents of the glass in Colin's face. Within seconds Colin's eyes flew open, he sputtered and attempted to rise but Linnea held him down with one hand. "Rest a moment, neophyte.” He obeyed and fell back to the ground. Taking deep breaths he shook his head back and forth, trying to clear away the remaining fog. Linnea rose to her feet. “I must go back in and prevent the others from coming out here.” Touching Joanna's cheek she gave her a warm smile. “Conceal your thoughts, Joanna, It would inflame their jealousy and their lust as well to discover your pregnancy. Both of you are in danger. Use caution, and stay with him.” She moved her eyes to Colin, then looked back at Joanna before she turned to head back to the club. Linnea reached to open the club door when a voice stopped her. She felt instant excitement, and at the same moment felt chilled to the bone. "Linneaaaaaa...” She turned to face him. "Tomas?" Embracing, they slipped around the building to Tomas’ waiting car. The scent of perfume lingered in the air after Linnea left. Joanna took a deep breath and gave silent thanks to her friend for her help. Glancing back at Colin she saw he was aware and watching every move she made. "Some Daddy you are, fainting at the first sound of your child.” His face reddened with embarrassment for just a moment, then he sat up beside her and put his arm around her shoulder. "You married me, Jo, now you are both stuck with me!" With a dramatic sigh she frowned and used her most pathetic tone of voice. “Oh Colin, how will I be able to stand it, being married to such a weak man?” Almost choking with suppressed laughter she watched her husband's face transform into a parody of hurt and bruised ego. It was wonderful to see some expression, while not too long ago he wore only a mask, giving no clue to his feelings. Joanna found herself thrown into the back seat of their car, Colin leering down at her. “I shall show you how weak I am, wife!" His lips crushed hers in a scalding kiss that left her breathless and wanting more. His clean scent filled her nostrils and she wondered how she could smell his sheer strength. At the same time he was gentle, unexpected from a fabled vampire. Now she was married to this creature, by blood and by human law, and she carried his child. A vampire child? A human child? "Jo! We must return inside. The party goers have noticed our absence." "Just one more kiss before we go.” She wrapped her arms and legs around him and met his lips with a fiery passion of her own. Colin rose in one motion from the car, carrying her with him, never breaking the seal of their lips. Joanna's hands found their way inside his shirt and she delighted in the feel of his silky bare skin. Wanting to bury her face in the soft curls on his chest, she began to unbutton his shirt. Halfway down, they were interrupted by Ben's booming voice from the doorway. "Hey, you two, you'll have an eternity to do that after the party. Come on now, it's time to practice control!" Colin groaned. “I'd like to practice control on his head."

They chuckled together, tearing themselves apart to go back to their guests. As she passed Ben Joanna glared at the blond fiend who'd been so rude to interrupt them. She had to laugh, though when he fell back against the door, clutching his heart, a look of dismay spread across his handsome young face. "Oh, you wound me so, Joanna!” Falling to his knees he pressed his clenched fist against his aching heart. Without missing a step Colin ushered her through the door, keeping a straight face as he restrained his own laughter at his neophyte's antics. "I believe that boy has lost all forms of reason, Joanna. Avoid him at all costs so no one will know we are associated with him." She spun around and waited to see Ben's reaction to Colin's taunt ... she knew he'd heard. She loved to see the two of them joking with each other, it was one of the few times they showed their affection for one another. Ben surprised her with a dignified retort. “Who you callin’ boy?” Colin sighed but did not respond. The undercurrent in the club distracted him ... suffocating! Invisible sparks filled the room, the power his clansmen emitted could make anyone's hair stand on end. But that was not all ... not by a long shot. Something else hovered, like poison in the air, pertaining to his wife. No doubt about it. He pulled her close to his side and sent out a mental torrent of his own to push the others back. Oblivious to the danger swarming in the club, Joanna's mom approached the couple. "It's time to cut the cake, you two.” Joanna's mother advanced on the newlyweds. Rolling her eyes, Joanna clucked her tongue. "Mom! I told you not to go to all that trouble. Neither one of us even like cake!" "But it's not a reception without a cake, Joanna, and besides, all you have to eat is the piece Colin feeds to you from the first piece cut.” Turning pleading eyes on Joanna, and then Colin, and then back to Joanna, Diane pushed her point home. "Oh Mother! All right! Just let me go freshen up first.” She pulled out of Colin's embrace, patting his arm when he frowned. “It's all right, I'll be right back." The ladies room was pitch black inside and she groped along the wall for the switch. Even with her preternatural eyesight, she could see next to nothing in this total darkness. An anxious feeling in the pit of her stomach spread throughout her body and the hair on the back of her neck and down both arms stood on end. Darting back toward the door she stopped to listen to faint, high-pitched squeaks echoing off the tile in the porcelain room. Colin's name formed on her lips but a powerful hand clamped over her nose and mouth. A strong oily smell filled her nostrils as she fought like a wild thing to get away. She heard a grunt of pain as her foot struck someone's body part and the grip lessened for a moment, but her knees buckled and she drifted to the floor like a kite without wind. Blackness.

Twenty-Five Ragged, guttural moaning ... echoing in her head. Waking from a hazy dormancy she struggled within the twilight of her mind, trying to regain her senses. The groan came again and she realized it issued from her own throat. With great effort she opened her eyes. Where the hell am I? An alien room, and she had no idea how she got here. It appeared to be a hotel room. The double bed she occupied dominated the chamber, near the door a miniature table and two chairs stood in front of a window that was covered with heavy drapes. No light of any kind leaked in. It could be day or night, she couldn't discern the difference. Her head pounded and she tried to lift her hand to her forehead, but she couldn't move it. Enormous chains bound her spread eagle to the bedposts! Straining with all her might, she pulled at the restraints, but to no avail. The small amount of exertion depleted what little energy she had remaining and a croak was all she could manage as she tried to call Colin. Throat dry and burning with thirst, she swallowed and tried again. On the point of tears, she gave up and just thought of him. Had he discovered her missing yet? Would he come for her? What happened? At home, all she had to do was think of Colin and he appeared, and now she found herself alone in a strange place with no way of calling for help. All she had were her thoughts. Her thoughts! That's it! Remembering his mind reading skills, she thought of his face and screamed in her mind, Colin! Colin! Help me! "That won't do you a bit of good, my dear. Even one as strong as your maker cannot hear over this distance.” An irritating raspy voice. Who are you? Show yourself. Why am I here? Where am I? Why can't I speak? The thoughts zipped through her head one on the tail of the other. I'm so thirsty. Please show yourself. "I am here.” He approached the bed. Holding out a glass of water to her he spoke with irritating politeness. “Take a drink to wet your throat, my dear, so that you may speak with a more pleasing voice.” She wanted to throw the water in his smirking face but thirst raged in her, and she lifted her head to the glass and drank every drop then she fell back against the bed, exhausted. "Where am I?” Her voice box worked now, with a coarse grating sound, but at least she was understandable. Her eyes bored into the man's flushed face. She saw his features much clearer now than when she noticed him at the reception. If he dropped the ugly expression from his face he would even look a bit handsome. He possessed Indian good looks, long black hair, flashing dark eyes, high cheekbones, long narrow nose, and a nice olive complexion. If he was a vampire, he must've just fed for he appeared human. "Why do you look at me as if you despise me? What have I done to you?” Her question caught him by surprise and all expression left his face. Just like Colin had done in the past, he seemed upset that his feelings showed to her and he spun away, pacing the small room like a caged panther. From across the room, his back to her, he spoke with his tone soft and flat as he held his emotions in check. "You amaze me. You have been rendered unconscious, kidnapped, chained to a bed and you are helpless in the room with a very powerful centenarian that you know without a doubt is the one who brought you here...” He paused and she heard him sigh. “And yet, you lie there devoid of fear, examining my attributes and wondering where you are. You are indeed an enigma.” He spun on his heel and flew to the side of the bed. "How did Colin convert you? You! A pint-sized woman with no preternatural powers. What power does Colin possess that I do not? Why him? Why that arrogant ass and not I?” Gritting his teeth, he glared at her, the anger reddening his eyes. When he continued, his voice grew soft with wonder, yet still reflected his hostility. “And yet there you are, proof positive, as much a vampire as I." How jealous he sounded and her blood boiled when he called Colin an ass. Nobody had the right to call Colin names but her! Jabbing his finger into her chest, his face distorted with his sudden rage. "You think me jealous? I should kill you right now!"

Joanna felt the beginnings of fear. Heart palpitating, she pulled as far away from him as the chains would allow, her restraints chafing her skin. Why did she feel so weak? Normally she could break anything with supernatural ease. Staring up at the enraged vampire, her chin raised in defiance, she dared him to face her unchained. In a flash, his face changed, and to her amazement, he laughed! "You are either very brave, or very stupid, mon enfant terrible.” He wiped the tears from his eyes as he spoke. "Who are you?" Crossing his arms in front of his chest, he took a deep breath, and released it, his eyes never leaving her face. Then, he smiled. "I am Nikos.” His smile was dazzling and she couldn't help but think that despite being an asshole, he was quite attractive when he smiled. "I am glad you find me pleasing to look at, Joanna, though all women do." "Stop reading my thoughts! Why have you done this to me?” Without speaking, he stood staring down at her, a devious smirk on his face. His silence enraged her further and she jerked hard against the heavy chains. "What kind of chicken-shit wimp are you that you have to chain me up? Are you frightened by a mere woman?" He backhanded her across the cheek, snapping her head back against the pillows. He moved too fast for her to see the blow coming. Now, her skin flushed with rage and she spat on the front of his shirt as she pulled once more with all her strength at the bindings on her wrists. This time the bed frame began to bend and creak as she regained some of her power. Her kidnapper leapt on top of her and straddled her body. He held her still with awesome strength and bent over to her ear. "If I have to sedate you again, I will. Get used to your fate, Joanna. You are mine and you will never leave here alive. Now be a good girl and shut up!" She felt the warm breath leave her ear and travel down her neck. Then, his teeth pricked her skin and drove into the artery beneath. She felt none of the euphoria of Colin's bite, only the painful twinge as he drew blood from her already weakened body. That was why she felt so weak! He kept her drained! "Please stop. Please, Nikos.” When she spoke his name, he tensed and then withdrew his fangs and rose to face her. Losing consciousness and so very thirsty, Joanna decided sweetness would work better with him than demands. "Please, Nikos. I need to drink." "I'm sorry, Joanna, but for right now, you are easier to handle in this feeble state. Maybe later when I can trust you more." She worried that her blood loss would harm the baby, but then remembering that he could read her thoughts, she filled her head with vague scenery and profanity directed at him. His eyes drifted down her body now as if he just noticed her femininity. Climbing off her, he lay down beside her instead and ran his hand down the length of her leg and up the other one. Joanna felt herself losing consciousness and fought it with her remaining energy, but to no avail. Her world grew dimmer and dimmer ... she couldn't even fight him. However, she did manage to utter, “Asshole,” before she passed out. When the darkness came, she greeted it. In her mind's eye she watched as the large leathery-winged creature crawled over to where her body lay. Since she had been the last to seek the deep sleep, she claimed the spot on the family bed closest to the mouth of the den. Her entire body, with the exception of her face stayed warm under many layers of thick furs taken from the mammoth beasts that

once roamed their land in large herds. Slow and cautious, the winged creature made its way to her sleeping body. The thing was almost half her size, but still it slunk into the den like a frightened tiny night creature, lifting its head to sniff the air in the cave before each faltering step. Reaching her side, it sniffed her hair, her forehead, her eyelids and her cheeks. She wanted to stop this! She tried to awaken, but couldn't open her eyes, couldn't move a muscle! It had moved to her chin and now slid its head under the furs to her throat. She felt nothing ... no sensation of coarse, sparsely haired thickened scales sliding across her skin. Nothing when the ridged tongue smoothed her throat. Nothing when razor sharp teeth penetrated her tender skin and sank to the vessel beneath. Nothing as the creature's fluids mixed with her own. Her mind's eye closed and still in the deep sleep, she knew nothing at all. **** Filled with rage and fear, Colin's body was wound like a coiled spring ready to uncoil at any moment. Glancing around the quiet room, he saw the same expressions on his kindred's faces also. Milo sat on the sofa in Joanna's favorite spot, his jaw set, fingers to his temples as he tried to pick up on Joanna's thoughts. Ben stood at the fireplace, his elbow on the mantle, his muscles knotted and tense with aggravation. He worked his jaw and ground his teeth as he seethed over Joanna's abduction. Colin found himself grinding his own jaws as he contemplated how he would kill the persons responsible for his wife's disappearance. Ben's eyes darted around the room. “Where is Linnea? Was she taken also?" Milo snorted. “No way. That one is far too powerful to ever do something she does not wish to do." Nodding his agreement, Colin also wished that his creator would appear to help with his Joanna. He prayed that she still lived. As the thought of her death crossed his mind, his heart contracted with pain and he let his head fall forward in utter dejection. "Colin! Colin! Help me!" His head snapped up as he heard Joanna's words inside his head. His heart swelling with renewed hope, he met first Ben's eyes then his long lost companion, Milo's. "She is alive.” Colin lifted his clenched fists to shoulder height and shook them, a little restrained cheer. "You heard too.... “More a confirmation than a question, addressing no one in particular. "We will find her." **** Tingling in her fingers and toes were the first sensations she felt as she regained consciousness. Awful coldness numbed her body, her limbs unwieldy and unresponsive. Afraid to open her eyes, she lay still, tuning in to her surroundings. For a moment she thought she slept under her furs, the woman in the cave, but no, back to herself ... and in a terrible place. Hallelujah. No one around, no Nikos and no guard. A clock ticking across the room, the only sound she heard inside her space. Somewhere outside her room, an animal, maybe a large dog, groaned in its sleep. So her kidnapper had left a sentry after all. So, he knew that she planned to escape. The scent of human food wafted to her and her eyes flew open, spotting the plate of rare beef and potatoes on the nightstand. Nikos removed the chains from her arms while she slept and she managed to push her weary body into a sitting position and reach for the plate. Snatching up the dripping steak, she held it up over her mouth and squeezed. The beef juices ran down her parched throat. Tearing off a small portion of the meat for later, she shoved the remainder of the lukewarm steak into her mouth.

The meat did nothing to quench the raging blood thirst, but it did give her a slight boost of energy. Looking down at her ankles, she studied the heavy manacles binding her to the bed. The cuff on her left foot seemed looser, so she removed her shoe and began working to free herself. Dipping her fingers in the butter Nikos had so graciously applied to her potatoes, she smeared it on her ankle and heel. Pulling and twisting with all her might, her skin tore and blood mixed with the butter to form an even more effective lubricant. With one more mighty tug her foot slipped free and the chain fell to the floor, empty. The bond on her other foot was a problem. Nikos fastened it much tighter, and no way could she slip her foot out in her weakened state. Wiggling like a fish out of water she flipped herself off the bed onto the floor. A low growl sounded outside and she heard the soft snuffling of the dog as he sniffed the bottom of the door. When her body hit the floor it alerted the sentry! She had to do something before he started barking and sounded the alarm to Nikos. Sliding the heavy chain down the bedpost gave her just the amount of slack she needed to scoot across the carpet to the door. The restraint cut into her ankle as she stretched for the doorknob, but she bore the pain as she grasped and turned it. Whispering to sooth the dog, she opened the door a crack and peeked out. "Oh, you're beautiful. What a pretty boy.” She cooed to the suspicious canine. The German Shepherd eyed her with nostrils flaring as he inhaled her scent. She backed up and opened the door wider so he could enter the room. He hesitated, watching every move she made until she held out the chunk of steak in her palm. "Come on, good boy.” She found from previous experience that the fastest way to win a dog's heart was with a tempting treat, and this black and tan pony was no exception. Within seconds he had eaten the beef morsel, licked Joanna's hand and then her face. Fondling his velvety ears and stroking his massive head, she stared into his soft sepia eyes. “Lie down now, pretty boy. That's it. Lie down." The dog obediently flopped down and rolled to his side, tongue lolling. “Good boy.” Joanna continued to pet him. “Now go to sleep, good boy. Go to sleep.” As soon as his eyes closed, she lifted his front leg and sank her fangs into the largest vein. He twitched when her teeth broke the skin, but slept on. Drinking of his savage blood, her vitality returned, swallow by swallow. The moment his courageous heart slowed, she withdrew and held her fingers over the puncture wounds, not wanting to injure him any more than she already had. He should awaken in a few hours, weak, but alive. Glancing back at the bed from her position on the floor, she noticed the three hex nuts attaching the bedpost to the bottom rail. The end of her ankle chain was on the bedpost, so if she could just separate the rail from the post she could slide the chain off to the floor and escape! In a rush of excitement, she crawled back over to the bed and set upon the top hex nut, working with her fingers, not caring that she scraped the skin off her knuckles in the process. They turned, but the problem was that the entire bolt moved. Her eyes roved the room, searching for a tool of some kind to aid in her escape. Crawling to the nightstand she ripped open the drawers and finding nothing she slammed them shut. The fork fell to the floor and she grabbed it in disgust, flinging it back on the plate on top of the nightstand. The fork! It might just work. With a burst of adrenaline she snatched it up and scooted back over to the bedpost. Using the fork as a makeshift screwdriver she was able to unscrew the nuts. She started humming the tune ‘Born Free’ as she worked to free herself. As soon as she slid the chain off the bedpost she hopped to the door, giggling as she hummed the part ‘As free as the wind blows’ ... Ha! Careful to be quiet she turned the knob and eased the door open. "SHIT!” Screaming, she slammed the door in the evil vampire's face. He stood right outside, grinning, leaning on the frame with a toothpick hanging from the corner of his distended lips. "What's the matter, Elsa? No breeze today?” He spoke through the door, in reference to her song. Enraged, she wrenched the door open and flung it back so that the knob penetrated the plaster. Diving at him she had every intention of killing him with her bare hands but instead fell in a heap on the floor where he'd stood moments before. His taunting chuckle came from behind and she jumped to her feet and stood facing him. He stood before her, relaxed, his arms folded over his chest, the toothpick still in his mouth. She thought of shoving the stick of

wood through his temple but he read her thoughts and reached up to remove the toothpick. Extending his arm toward her he held it between his thumb and forefinger, twirling it faster and faster until it burst into a tiny flame. He dropped the still smoldering toothpick at her feet. "You are going nowhere, Joanna.” His voice washed over her, so cold and menacing that she shivered in response. Refusing to remain frightened, she lifted her chin in defiance. "Colin will destroy you when he finds me. You have committed a grave and foolish error by kidnapping me.” Standing tall, she showed him her lack of fear. Was that a hint of uncertainty she saw there in his eyes? "You don't know who you're dealing with, do you, Nikos? My husband is no newborn neophyte like I am. On the contrary, he is a very powerful...." "Enough!” Grabbing her shoulders with both hands, his awesome grip threatened to crush her bones. “It is foolish of you to even hope that your pantywaist of a maker will ever find you. Forget about him. You are mine now. He is only a bad memory that you will soon forget.” He changed his grip to her upper arms and reached to push open the door as it tried to close on its own. "Make it easy on yourself and follow my rules. I honestly don't want to keep you chained and thirsting.” He guided her through the doorway. “I don't know how you escaped this...” Stopping in his tracks, his mouth hung open but no more sound came forth. As he stared down at the unconscious dog, he coughed and found his voice again. “What is this?" Joanna couldn't help but laugh at his incredulous expression. His pale olive complexion paled even more to a sickly greenish pallor. In his shock, he released her arm and she walked over to the dog and knelt down beside him to stroke his giant head. "I made friends with your guard dog, Nikos. He is really very sweet.” Still stroking the dog, she glanced up at her captor. He still gawked at the dog, but now, he looked a bit frightened. "He'll be fine. I didn't drain him.” She tried to reassure Nikos before he blew up again. "Will you shut up! It's not my fucking dog!" His roar took her breath away and she was the one left with her mouth hanging open as they both stared at the mysterious, slumbering shepherd. As if he knew he was the center of attention, the dog's eyes fluttered open and he licked Joanna's hand. A slow smile spread over her face as the significance of his presence dawned on her. Colin must have something to do with it! She knew he would find her. Nikos had underestimated her husband's strength! It was hard to keep her joy hidden, but she prided herself on her acting abilities. Turning to face Nikos, she plastered a look of innocence on her face. "Well, if he's not yours, how did he get in here?" "Don't irritate me, Joanna. You know I have no idea how it came to be here. Step away and I will dispose of it." "No!” She screamed and threw herself over the dog. “Please, Nikos, let me keep him. It would help me adjust to my new life.” She wiped the smirk off her face before turning to face him with round pleading eyes. "Please?" Nikos was so pleased to hear her beg that she saw his chest expand. She had a difficult time keeping the ‘defenseless woman begging for presents’ pretense up, but it sure worked. "All right, woman. You can keep your pet." Moving close to her, he bent down and stared into her eyes, his nose inches from hers. When he spoke, he kept his voice low, but threatening.

"But ... if you misbehave or try to escape again, I will kill him.” He hesitated for the full frightening effect. “Slowly." Staring at the shiny collar of his blazer instead of his face, she nodded. "Yes sir. I won't try to escape.” Bowing her head to show her submission, only the dog saw the sly smile on her lips. "Thank you for the food, Master. It was delicious. Did you cook it yourself?” The grimace he gave her told her not to push him any farther. "You are not to leave this room, Joanna. If you do, I will drain you to the point of death and chain you to the bed once more. Do you understand?” He gained his feet and stood towering over her, feet apart, arms crossed in front of his chest, his dark eyes boring into hers, waiting for her acquiescence. She gave him a tiny nod and he continued. "The bathroom is through that door.” He motioned with his arm toward the closed door on the far side of the room. “I'm always going to be nearby, so if you have need of anything all you have to do is call out to me and I will come.” Straightening his jacket, and adjusting his belt, he moved as if to leave, but stopped and turned back, a wicked grin parting his lips. "By the way ... I have the entire floor reserved. So if you think of screaming for help, no one will hear you, except me.” Twice, his eyebrows did a little dance up to his forehead and back down making him appear almost comical as he grinned at her. “If I am forced to place you back on the bed, I may not be able to control my human urges again." So, he didn't follow through with his intentions earlier when she passed out! The thought had just crossed her mind when he answered. "No, Joanna. When I take you, you will be aware. I do not rape unconscious women!" "Well, that is reassuring.” She popped off before she realized what she did. To her relief, he laughed. "You know, Joanna ... most women would fight each other to be in your place." "So, why don't you go get one of these gladiators instead of me?" His teeth snapped together with a resounding click. “Because, you imbecile, you survived the metamorphosis when dozens of others have died. Colin doesn't deserve you. I do! I am sick of being alone." "You can't just kidnap me and expect me to be your mate, Nikos. I'm Colin's wife and I will be his forever!" His body rigid with anger, he stalked over to where she stood and grabbed her chin with one hand. Gritting his teeth, he stared her down. "Must I continue to repeat myself? I told you before to forget about him. Soon he will be destroyed and you are mine. Do you hear me, Joanna? Mine, mine, mine!” Releasing her chin, he ground his lips against hers in what he thought of as a passionate kiss and held her snug in his arms. She would rather kiss a cobra and she made sure that she thought about it long and hard so he would pick up the message. He loosened his grip and she struggled out of his arms to stand before him, her eyes blazing with anger. The semblance of tranquility, he met her stare. His calm expression angered her even more and her hands itched to slap the bland look off his face. "You can't destroy Colin. He's no weakling, you asshole.” Nikos let his eyes drift down the front of her now rumpled party dress and back up to her face, a smirk on his own lips. "Ah, such loyalty. Soon you will feel that way for me.” A strangling gurgle gushed from Joanna's throat as she laughed and gagged at the same time. "Over my dead body, Nikos!"

"Whatever turns you on, my dear Joanna." "Ha! You couldn't turn me on if I were a bitch in heat and you were the only male on the planet!” Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she tilted her chin up and peered down the length of her nose at the pompous blood seeker. To her surprise, he burst into gales of laughter, filling the small room with his booming voice. Putting as much hatred as she could muster in her gaze, she glared at the roaring fool until he ceased his insane laughter. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled and stepped closer to her, gripping her tight around the wrist. "You might not be in heat, but I can say this much for you ... you do indeed know your true nature." "That's...” About to agree with him, she noticed the smirk on his face and realized he referred to her being a bitch. Raising her hand to slap the grin off his face, she swung with all her might at his head. With little effort, he caught her arm in mid-swing and brought it back down to her side. "Tisk tisk. Bad girl, Joanna." "You asshole!” She brought up her knee and connected with his groin. It was a reflex action and she was sorry she'd done it as soon as she saw his face. The air rushed out of his lungs in an audible whoosh and his fingers bit into her arm, but his face revealed no shock or pain and it frightened her more than a grimace. The grin vanished! With exaggerated movements, he dropped her arm, turned around, and left the room without saying a word. Her stomach twisting into knots, his quiet exit worried her more than a show of temper ... something deadly about the silence. In just a few short minutes, she heard his footsteps returning and in a panic, she ran to the bathroom and locked the door. Hiding in the bathroom was a futile attempt to keep away from him, but like a little girl cowering under the bed covers from the monsters of the dark, she stood in the shower with the curtain drawn. In a flash, he wrenched the door open, tore it off its hinges and sent it sailing across the room. The dog growled, then yelped as he was struck or kicked, then went silent. Joanna's knees buckled and she crouched in the tub trying to catch her breath. She had gone too far, he would certainly kill her now. Oh noooo. Oh shit. Oh God... **** Milo waited around Colin's cabin for several hours, hoping that the ancient and beautiful Linnea would appear but he was disappointed. Jamie waited for him back at the hotel and he didn't want to leave his donor alone for very long, especially since he'd gone a little too far with his last feeding and left Jamie very weak. He needed to be nourished in the worst way. Damn shame that Colin's wife, the siren whose call he and many others answered, was now gone. He knew right away that she was taken, not even interested in one as handsome as him. That is why he almost lost control with Jamie. His imagination running wild with thoughts of the woman ... but not Colin's woman. Linnea... A second millennial who veiled her femininity from all the males on the planet. He desired her from the moment he spied her across the crowded club. Odd that Colin never once mentioned his creator was a female. They had been companions for several years when Colin still moved about with the working class. Hmm. He would just have to keep in touch with this new family and hope for the best. Hope that Colin would recover his mate and destroy the malefactor stupid enough to abduct her. Of course he would ... Colin never failed at anything. Sickening when you thought about it, but he would swallow his jealousy and stick around. Where Colin went his creator was sure to surface. Linnea, the tiny celestial beauty ... She had no mate. Milo knew the perfect candidate. Linnea arrived not long after Milo left, almost as if she planned it that way, but she had not. She appeared in the den with Colin and Ben, a whirlwind of disheveled clothing and untamed tresses. "I'm terribly sorry, my child. I should not have been preoccupied with personal matters and I have allowed your wife to be taken. I should've been guarding her more wisely. I knew she was at risk." Colin did not know what to say, how to answer, so he lifted his arms, a helpless gesture, a silent cry for compassion, for reassurance, for a modicum of hope. She moved into his arms, holding him to her, stroking his knotted and tense back as he crushed her face into his chest. It felt so good to be needed and she would not let him down again, no, not this time.

Lifting her head from his chest, she looked up to meet his troubled eyes. The sorrow there crushed her more than his arms ever could, but the anger behind that sorrow was good, very good. This emotion he would need. The sorrow, she could vanquish, right now. "I can track her, my son."

Twenty-Six "Peek-a-booooooo.” A sing-song voice, his breath stirred the flimsy shower curtain as he spoke. A dragon's sigh fluttering the milky vinyl with such wicked serenity. From her false sanctuary Joanna's imagination ran wild with the various horrible things he planned. His head shot through the curtain into the stall, fiery eyes glaring at her, an insane grin exposing his sharp white fang teeth. "I see you.” With his index finger, he beckoned for her to come to him. “Come along now, Joanna. It's time for your punishment. You know I only do this because I love you so much.” He sighed and beckoned for her again. When she cowered away from him, his voice increased in volume. "Come on now. Don't make me angrier than I already am or your poor pooch will suffer along with you.” The overwhelming urge to vomit rose in her, burning her throat and she swallowed several times to quell it. "Leave that dog alone, you bastard, or I will make you wish you had never laid eyes on me." Taken aback by her retort he let his hand drop. Then his anger returned and he clamped his fingers around her wrist, yanking her out of the shower. Her dangling body flew out of the bathroom into the bedroom like a limp rag doll, landing against the wall in a painful heap. Before she could recover, he set upon her again, his hands tangled in her hair in painful fists as he half drug half flung her on the bed. Worrying about the safety of her unborn baby, she curled into the fetal position, hugging her knees to her chest. Several minutes went by and nothing more happened. Listening for him, she heard Nikos breathing nearby, but he stood still. Cautious, she unfurled her body enough so that she could see him. Standing a few feet away, still as a frozen cadaver, he stared at her stomach. The longer he stared the redder his face became. She forgot to veil her thoughts! Meeting her panic stricken eyes, he moved his bottom jaw back and forth, rubbing his chin with thumb and forefinger. "I cannot allow you to bear his nit, Joanna." Nikos ignored her sharp intake of breath and kept talking as if she had no reaction. “How you have managed to do the impossible, I don't know. Although I find the prospect of having two women instead of one very appealing, it must be undone. The odds are in favor of a male nit anyway." He advanced towards her with slow, cruel steps, an automaton graced with a blood seeker's beauty, the malicious sneer marring his features. For a moment the fear paralyzed her, but then she threw her hips over and rolled away to escape him. He was too quick. In a flash, he vaulted onto the bed and straddled her waist, holding her down by sheer weight. His eyes never leaving Joanna's flushed face, he unbuttoned his shirt and flung it off the bed. After gathering both her wrists in only one of his mighty hands, he leered down at her. “We'll make our own babies, Joanna." The revulsion so obvious on her face with the curled upper lip, crinkled nose, eyes gathered in the center almost to the point of making her cross-eyed should have been enough to pass her feelings on to him. "Never.” She growled at him through clenched teeth and fought with all her might to get away. Laughing at her struggles, he brought her hands up to his mouth and sank his fangs into the vein of her left wrist. Stabbing pain shot up her arm and into her breast as she felt the pull on her already drained veins with every swallow he stole. Growing too weak to struggle, she laid near unconsciousness waiting for the blackness to come. Her baby couldn't live with this lack of blood and she was almost to the point where she didn't want to survive either.

Nikos dropped her arm and slapped her face again and again until he brought her back to a state of semi-alertness. He bent to her ear and stuck his hot, sticky tongue in and out of her ear canal. Then he whispered into her damp ear. “I want you awake for this, my dear." Once again the bile rose in her throat, choking off any retorts she had been about to deliver and she whimpered when he shredded the beautiful mauve satin dress off her body with hateful taloned hands. In one fluid motion, he flowed off the bed and removed his remaining clothing. Just as quick, he ripped Joanna's panties off and hopped back on the bed, nudging her knees apart with his own hairy legs. His hot body rested heavy on her desiccated frame and she prayed for unconsciousness that was not forthcoming. In one violent unforgiving motion, he rammed into her dry body. Joanna screamed, but her scream died as her strength waned. Pumping into her again and again, he stopped only to slap her face if she let her eyes close. She tried to keep her mind detached from the rutting boar atop her aching body, but still she wished him dead with every brutal thrust. Holding her chin in his potent grip, he turned her face toward him and pressed his lips to hers. She hoped that he would try to stick his tongue in her mouth so she could bite it off. But he was smarter than that. Instead, he lowered his head to one breast and then the other, biting her nipples and sucking like her unborn infant never would, because of him. He slowed his stabbing cadence and withdrew from her raw and bleeding body watching her disgusted expression with relish. He ran his tongue between her breasts and down to her navel. “Now, we will rid you of this unfortunate burden." Sobbing as she felt the stinging of his fangs on her lower abdomen, she tried to buck him off of her. He rammed his teeth even farther into her, attempting to drive them straight into her womb. With both hands she pummeled his head, but she didn't have the strength to dislodge a mosquito much less a powerful centenarian. Nikos gasped and went flying across the room with such force that he went through the sheetrock wall, landing in the bathroom, his backside in the toilet. Trying to focus her dulled eyes, Joanna strained to see what happened. Then, she heard a wonderful sound, a deep boyish laugh. "That's where he belongs!" A deeper, much beloved voice spoke close to her side. “Everything will be all right now, Jo.” He covered her body with a sheet, tucking the sides under her to keep her as warm as possible. "Colin?” Her voice quiet, but he heard. "Yes, little one, I am here." "Kill him for me." "I fully intend to, my love. Now you must replenish yourself." Gashing his wrist open with his sharp teeth, he let the blood flow onto her cracked lips. She felt the sizzling warmth and clamped her mouth onto his wrist, swallowing great mouthfuls of his revitalizing blood. Strength flowed back into her debilitated body with every gulp. "Colin! Not too much from you right now. You need your power to contend with the asshole climbing out of the toilet.” Ben nudged Colin away from Joanna's bedside. “I'll gladly give my blood.” Ben extended his wrist to Joanna and smiled. "Now, Colin.” He jumped to obey Linnea's call, but stopped to whisper to his battered wife. "You drink from Ben now, Jo. We must have you strong."

Nikos stood naked and dripping, facing Linnea in the small bathroom. He didn't cower, but Colin could tell he was awestruck by the older blood seeker and he did not know how to react. Colin stood outside the bathroom doorway, his glowering eyes boring into his enemy's broad back, power surging from deep within his mind, and the very center of his soul. The room and all around him dimmed with the exception of the naked wretch, for it was on his form that Colin focused all his energy. Nikos prepared to flee, his muscles clenched, his calves, thighs and buttocks rippling as he prepared to run for his life. Too late, resistance was futile. Turning, toes squeaking on the wet tile floor, Nikos’ movements so sluggish he appeared to be in slow motion, he clutched both hands to his chest, shivering, his features contorted with pain. He tried to speak, his voice coming out a raspy whisper. "What ... are ... you ... doin ... uhhhh?" Blood dripped from his nose, at first a slow drip then thickening into a steady flow. Still clutching his chest, he dropped to his knees as the blood poured from his nose, ears, and mouth forming an ever widening pool of maroon on the harsh, white tile floor. His eyes wide and bloodshot, he stared in horror as his life drained away and he could do nothing to stop it. Then, the shades dropped down over those bloodshot windows to the outside and he fell face first to the floor. Colin and Linnea moved in as soon as his head hit the tile, turning him over and sinking their fangs in all over his body ... his arms, hands, thighs, ankles, groin, chest, and even his blanched face, draining him dry. Leaving the husk of Nikos where it lay they went back to Joanna's side. She sat up unaided on the bed now and color brightened her cheeks. Colin's heart expanded in his chest until he thought it would penetrate his ribs as he absorbed the sight of his chosen one, alive and well. "But you are going to kill him, aren't you, Colin? He has...” Her voice broke, and then she began again, her words laced with pain. “He has done terrible things to me.” Colin gathered her into his arms, stroking her hair and back while she cried. "He is no more, little one. I squeezed his heart like an orange until there was no juice left in it. Then Linnea and I drank the freshly squeezed juice down to the last drop." He paused in his speech, but continued to stroke her back. She loved the feel of him, the smell of him, the sound of his heart beating under her head. "I love you, Jo. I wish I could take all your hurt away." "Oh, but you have. As soon as I heard your voice, all the pain and anguish vanished to remain only as a distant memory faded by time.” Pushing herself up from his chest she gazed into his smoldering eyes. “I knew you were coming for me when the dog showed up. I just knew that you had sent him to me somehow. Can we keep him with us?" The puzzled look on his face worried her and she dared not ask, but she had to know. Had Nikos killed her dog before he raped her? "What dog? I sent no animals. I came for you myself!" "Well, if you didn't send him, then who did?" Colin shook his head. “Joanna, there is no member of the canine species here." "The big shepherd lying right over there, Colin.” Pointing at the vacant spot on the rug where the dog had been, her mouth dropped open ... nothing there. "Did you see a dog on your way in? A big black and tan shepherd?” All three of the others gave her a negative shake of their

heads. “I know he was here! I drank from him!" Ben and Linnea smiled at her and left the room, giving the pair some privacy. Taking her small cool hands in his, Colin soothed her. "There were no animals here when we arrived and I heard none leaving during our approach. Let us forget about it for now and concentrate on getting you home where you belong." Again he heard the tiny, hesitant, muffled voice. “Colin?" "Yes, beloved?" "Do you suppose the baby is O.K.?" He didn't answer right away, still holding her hands in his larger ones, watching her expression as it changed with her thoughts. "Yes, Jo I am sure the baby is fine. My son is strong." **** As they eased away to give Colin and Joanna their space, a glint of metal caught Linnea's eye just at the edge of the worn hallway carpet. She bent to pick it up. Hmm. A dog tag. Turning it over she read the name printed there and felt like someone just kicked her in the chest. She read it again and again and it still remained the same. One word, centered in the middle of the tag, “Jeremiah". Ben stopped to see what Linnea found, but she crinkled up her eyebrows and scowled at him then with her fingertips on his chest, she pushed him away. Her face relaxed and she smiled, lifting the corners of her delicate mouth. "It is nothing, really.” Guilt flooded her features when she saw Ben flinch and rub his chest where her fingertips injured his young flesh. Taking a step toward him, with her arms lifted in compassion, she winced herself when he backed away, the fear obvious on his face. He stumbled and hurried away from her even as she spoke. "I did not mean to bruise you, truly I didn't. I am so sorry, Ben ... Ben...” She called to him but he didn't stop, didn't even turn his head. Sighing, she looked back down at the dog tag and shook her head. The last thing she wanted to do was cause injury to Colin's young neophyte! Damn but she could not control this incredible strength. It was the tag. The damned tag. Why did it have to be stamped with the name, Jeremiah? Why after all these centuries did the pain remain so strong? Jeremiah. Her Jeremiah with the lively blue eyes. Her Jeremiah with his blazing blue eyes, clouded with death. Pain clutched her heart as she remembered like it was yesterday ... his torn, bloodless body in the middle of the ruined cottage floor where they lived. The back of his skull smashed in and the gray pulp of his brain pulverized into a pile of grayish cottage cheese. The bite wounds, covering his body, were numerous and severe. In a desperate frenzy, she tore her own veins and let the blood gush over his face and into his battered mouth. Too late, he'd been dead for too long. Her blood pooled in his gaping mouth but she didn't stop staring and hoping that he would swallow until the blood turned to blood colored pudding on his tongue. As word of his death circulated among them, many of the others tried to claim her as their own. All died trying. She killed them as the one killed her Jeremiah, with her teeth and bare hands. Fury and hatred gave her the added strength she needed to defeat anyone who tried to claim her. Killing every one of the centenarians the same way, she allowed them to approach her, caress her, kiss her and relax with her in their arms. Reaching into their trousers, she caressed their beloved organ and held it tight. Then she attacked, driving her fangs into their throat, ripping out the arteries and veins before they had a chance to strike back. The centenarian males were no different than human males when it came to their prized male parts. If they struggled, she just pulled harder and if they continued to struggle, she ripped their penis from their body and held it before their eyes. Blood gushing from their throats and groins, they all lost the will to struggle, the will to even live when they beheld with horror what she clutched in her fist. She lost time after a while, not living, but just existing and nothing more. How much time passed, she had no clue. Time had no

significance and she even ceased to feed on human life, instead taking animals of the forest and losing herself there. She could have gone on forever this way had one of them not found her. Stupid centenarian fool. Stupid male. Word of her past atrocities had not leaked out. This one she found quite attractive and it was a pity to destroy him but he sought her, not to be her companion, but to possess her. Possession was not an option. Good for him that he was young, so still weak compared to her and she did not have to injure his body the way she had many of the others. His blood though was an elixir for her soul and with every swallow she thought she would swoon from sheer ecstasy. The unfortunate male's pathetic attempts at struggling excited her, his soft hands as they pushed against her felt exquisite and it brought her out of her fog and made her feel alive and once again anthropomorphic. Leaving the forest behind, she again entered the mainstream of life, but she did not take human life. Instead when she hungered, she sought out others of her kind. Human blood no longer satisfied her the way the blood seeker's potion did. Sometimes it took months to find another but find them she did. She also discovered that the male in the forest had not been as weak as she thought, but that her own strength had increased. Capturing others of her kind was now as easy as killing humans to her. She no longer needed to mutilate their bodies, but she took them with ease and even in a semblance of love. Despite the passage of close to three centuries, Jeremiah's death still weighed heavy on her spirit and still she sought word of his killer but to no avail. That is until the day she came across the young one. She found him as he prepared to pounce on a barefoot peasant girl as she carried water up from the river to her village. Linnea remembered with pleasure that the young one looked like Jeremiah, with his pale gold hair and bright blue eyes blazing with blood lust. He waited in the shadow of a large bush that grew branches all the way to the ground and towered over his head at the same time. The glow from the full but waning moon made his pale hair glow with a satiny sheen and she had the urge to smooth his hair back and croon to him. His muscles bunched and ready to spring into action as his intended prey moved closer. She noted the quivering in his limbs as his excitement grew. Linnea crept up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist, pulling him away before he even had a chance to make a sound. His breath caught in his throat and his eyes grew wide with shock. She pitied him, such an infant to her and she held him gentle enough not to bruise his ivory skin, but tight enough for him to realize her great strength. Carrying him away from the village despite his superior size, she raced across the field of growing corn and set him back on his own feet. He said not a word, watching her until recognition crossed his features and he grew frightened. "I know of you." Raising her hand to brush the hair back out of his eyes, she smiled and asked him how he knew of her, but he would not say another word. Instead, he grew more and more frightened until she had to slap him. Holding his upper arms, she stared at him long and hard and realized that she could look inside his mind! What she read there shocked her so much that she released him. She saw Jeremiah. The young one bolted as soon as she released her grasp on him and at top speed to get away from what he knew to be sure death. But it was not quick enough after all. Gathering her wits together, she chased after the fleeing neophyte and jumped on his back, knocking him to the ground. The smell of fear grew strong and she was not without compassion. Bending close to his neck, she whispered to him. “I will not harm you, baby boy, if you will just lie still and answer my questions". Linnea inhaled the scent of his fine pale hair and sat up but remained planted on his back. "Will you be a good boy?" "Yes.” He stuttered, his fear still clutching him. “Yessssss" With gentle movements, Linnea rose up on her knees and turned him over onto his back so she could look into his eyes. Oh yes, very young indeed. He couldn't have been one of her kind for more than a year. Her curiosity flared as to how he came to be. The first young one that she came across in all her years of searching, this charming neophyte. She knew that she would not let him go

either. Settling herself over his groin area, she smiled down into his boyish face and lifted his wrist to her mouth. He sighed with pleasure when she bit into his flesh and gave up his blood to her, and his life's story. His name was Tomas and as she suspected, he had been a member of her clan for only six months and his creator, Victor, her Jeremiah's killer. Linnea took Tomas back with her to his lair to await the arrival of his creator. She would have revenge for her mate and she would keep his neophyte for her own! How different Tomas had been then, a newborn neophyte, as opposed to how he behaved just last night when he pulled her aside, meaning to claim her once again as his own. Victor was wise and knew what she meant to do as soon as he saw her. There would be no fooling him. She remembered the savage fight she had with Victor, not only over her Jeremiah, but also over the neophyte. She didn't realize at first that she not only fought for vengeance but also to keep Tomas! They tore at each other with tooth and nail sinking their fangs over and over again in whatever body part happened to be closest to their sharp canines. Linnea had the slight advantage of a savageness left over from her feral years in the wild. Victor weakened first and she drove her fangs deep into his throat anchoring herself there. Despite his strength, he failed to shake her off him and she drained him to the point of unconsciousness. When he collapsed, she removed her fangs from his tattered throat and drove them deep into his chest to get the remaining blood from his heart. When no blood remained in his body, Linnea went out of the house and found a large river stone. Raising it high over her head with both arms, she brought it down as hard as she could on Victor's skull, crushing it like a ripe melon and splattering gore across the floor. Tomas made no move to help his creator. His muscles frozen with an unknown emotion ... trepidation? ... fear? ... hope? When the woman blood seeker turned to look at him, his body melted and he thought he would faint but instead he showed her an apprehensive smile. To his surprise she smiled back, walking over to where he cowered in the corner of the den. She lifted her bloody hand to his face. "You dear boy have a new master now. Do you wish to object?" His nostrils flared as he inhaled the mixture of her blood and his dead creator's blood. Instead of answering her question he met her eyes, taking her fingers in his mouth one by one, cleansing them of all the blood. Victor was the first of many centenarians that she dissected, organ by organ. She would find out what made them what they are and why some humans survive and most do not. At first, her efforts were gory and fruitless. She didn't know what she searched for and tore into their lifeless bodies more like a wild animal than a scientist. Getting through the skulls proved a chore and more often than not, she pulverized the brain like she did Victor's as she crushed the skull with a mallet to get it open. Later on, she became more meticulous and clean in her exploration of the murdered blood seekers. Starting with the heart, she searched for differences between Tomas's human prey and the blood seekers she took apart. She found the organs similar as well as the little blood that remained behind in the inert muscles’ chambers. It would be half a century before she discovered the difference in the small pineal gland. The blood seeker's pineal gland appeared larger with more color than the human equivalent. Buried in the brain, it was not the easiest gland to find in her dissections, but find it she did. Tomas remained by her side through it all even though for many decades after he became a centenarian himself, he kept his own lair. He always returned to help her in her quest for the answers to how they existed. Linnea roused herself and realized that she stood alone in the deserted hall smiling like a simpleton. Her memories of her many years with Tomas as her neophyte were good memories and even the dog tag marked with the name Jeremiah wouldn't bring her down now. Ben stuck his head around the corner at that moment ... and it struck her then how very much he reminded her of the younger Tomas. How she loved the young ones, so malleable and easy to bend to her will. No, she would not steal her own Colin's child! That thought should not have even entered her mind, but it had. Such a sweet looking man/child, this Benjamin. She grew fond of him already. Though he still felt intimidated by her, he called to her down the hall. "Are you all right? Are you coming with us when we return home?" "I am coming to you now, Ben.” She made her way toward him. The dusty lights hanging above her head dimmed as she passed under them and the color rose in her cheeks. She planned to hold him in her arms and tell him everything would be all right. Linnea

wondered why the shy smile vanished off his face as she drew closer. "Ben ... Linnea" Colin's powerful voice reverberated through her head. She snapped around to face Colin as he carried Joanna out of the room that had been her prison. Oh but she made that one well! Linnea blinked, once, twice and sucked in a deep breath, releasing it as she lowered her head. Her reasoning had returned, Ben was safe from her clutches and she would not destroy Colin's life.

Twenty-Seven "What are you doing here?" "Well I could ask you the same thing!" The two centenarians circled each other, bristling, trying to gauge each other's strength. Milo looked down on the other male, dazzled by his eyes. Two sparkling realms stolen from the cloudless summer sky framed by the golden heat of the blazing sun in his flowing white blonde hair. Friend or foe, he enjoyed looking at this resplendent creature before him. Not quite his height, but tall, wiry and muscular, most likely a formidable opponent for any centenarian, including himself. Ageless. Timeless. Witless too if he chose to battle Milo. He did not wish this but he would not be the first to break the stare. Tomas stared up at the red-haired giant who towered several inches over his head. This one had a very kind face. The neatly trimmed red-gold beard softened the angles of his face, giving him a jovial appearance, despite the hardness of those milk chocolate eyes. He even had a dusting of pale freckles sprinkled across his cheeks that Tomas itched to touch just to see if they would wipe off. This one was dressed for the business world with his tailored suit, creased slacks, and his white dress shirt opened at the neck. This centenarian chose to be part of society, part of the present and he felt comfortable with the humans around him. Tomas felt the first pangs of jealousy. He himself had not spent a single day of his existence as a part of things, a part of life. He wanted to know more about the extraordinary red gold man-creature before him. Milo noted the change of expression in his opponent and stopped circling to lift his hand to him in greeting. Tomas also stopped his aggressive pacing and stood still, facing him, staring at his proffered hand as if he didn't quite know how to react, and in honesty, he did not know! Milo smiled, his mustache crinkling at one corner of his mouth, and spoke in almost a whisper. “Take my hand. It is offered in friendship." Tomas still stared at his extended hand without reaching for him. "It was not a command, just a suggestion, a request if you will.” Milo leaned forward, a small grin still on his face and continued in that same soft-spoken voice. “You know that I couldn't harm you even if I tried, hmm?" Had he just admitted his superior strength? Tomas grasped his hand now, sure of himself, knowing that he would not have to face this amicable centenarian with claws unsheathed, like he had so many others. They held each other in a strong grip, but not some childish blood seeker's test of strength like the cynical Tomas expected. "My name is Milo, and it is a pleasure to meet you.” He spoke with a sincerity that this older male could feel even if he refused to see it in his eyes. Tomas smiled but dropped his hand and reached to his face. Milo drew back but resisted the urge that screamed for him to flee and stood his ground. Long, almost elegant fingers stroked his cheeks, first his left, then his right, tender explorations, skimming his skin as if he were the most fragile, gossamer silk. Tomas could not resist brushing across the fiery golden hair on his chin before he dropped his hand. Milo had seen this in many humans. This need to touch his beard, feeling the soft resiliency of the thick reckless growth there. He never understood this obsession, but he tolerated it nonetheless. Lachlan laughed under his breath as he watched the two males from his vantage point across the street. It had always been this way with those of his kind when they met. Usually they fought, like two alpha males in any strong predatory pack. But why couldn't his kindred get along? Didn't they have the intelligence to overcome the powerful hormones that drove them to conquer, conquer, and conquer? He reached down by his side to scratch the immense black and tan canine, sliding the soft ears between his fingers. “You did well.” He smiled when the dog thumped his tail.

Perhaps his isolation had changed him in ways he did not yet comprehend. What he did know is that he wouldn't allow these two to fight. He stood ready to break them up should they do so. Lachlan wouldn't allow either of these exquisite beings to mar the perfection of the other. "So, what are you doing here?” Tomas asked in a much more pleasing manner, a slight smile touching his lips, almost joking with his obvious emphasis on the word ‘you'. Milo inclined his head, raising his thick eyebrows to look down at Tomas, left arm across his abdomen and his right elbow propped on his left arm as he stroked his own beard with thumb and forefinger. A caricature of concentration, he seemed to hesitate before he spoke, but when he did, his deep voice flowed from him like water over algae covered river stones. "I think, my friend, that perhaps we are here for the same reasons. The beings inside this building our main concern and whether it be an insane need to be needed or some misplaced sense of loyalty, simple curiosity or maybe even just lust, regardless, we are here and we wait. We wait for them to triumph or fail because to rush in and offer our assistance without being asked would be an insult to those powerful blood seekers within.” He paused, dropping his hands to his sides and smiled that crooked smile of his that crinkled one corner of his mustache. "Though I would, and I think you would also, rush in anyway should the situation warrant it and worry about their censure afterwards." His blonde companion's face went blank, his brilliant blue eyes unfocused, stormy, raging thunderclouds, and then just as fast the storm cleared and he turned his head toward the hotel. "It is finished." A reverential sigh, his voice, with his lips moving very little to form the words. Milo could not be sure he spoke at all, or if he heard the simple statement in his mind, but he also turned to face the hotel, sure now that the others would soon appear. Dozens of crescent moons winked back at him through the eyes of the hotel, the many windows, silent reflection pools for the celestial nightlights his kind oftentimes took for granted. Both curious centenarians moved towards the doors, closer to each other than they would have liked to be, but neither one of them willing to let the other be the first one to the doors. "Would you two act your age?” The silken words behind them caused them both to spin around, on the defensive more than they ever were with each other. Milo gasped, his mouth remaining open as if he needed a mainline of oxygen and reached over to grasp Tomas’ arm. The tension in his muscles almost hurt his fingers but he would not let go. He couldn't believe what he saw! Tomas ached to throw Milo's arm off, but he allowed the contact since Milo was the younger one. He trembled with hostility, but it may have been aimed more at himself for being afraid of this very ancient being who had caught them unaware. A deep resonating growl started in his chest but he stopped it when the pressure from Milo's hand on his forearm grew painful. He had no idea that the red giant had that much strength. "Calm yourself, young one, if I intended you harm, you would not be standing now.” His velvet voice caressed them like a warm silken tide. It was all they could do to just stand there and stare at the magnificent man who stood before them. The strength this millennial possessed was incomprehensible ... horrifying! And he didn't broadcast this omnipotence, on the contrary, he stood before them in a very human posture, feet apart, hands at his sides, at ease and amiable, his full rosy mouth puckered into a slight smile. His whiteness blinded them. White, all white from his collar to his feet. Thick white sweatshirt, white insulated ski pants, white boots. His long gray/white hair hung to his broad shoulders where it stopped in a blunt cut, atop his short but very stocky body. Tomas didn't think he'd ever seen a more solidly built being. Even his bones had to be very dense to support that substantial body. The clothes he wore may have exaggerated the size of his body, but he doubted that to be the case. Hmm. His clothes however were very unusual for Texas, or this part anyway.

"Yes, well I haven't had the opportunity to acquire new clothing yet." Tomas startled with such violence that Milo dropped his arm and jumped away from him like he'd been shot through with a powerful electrical current. Lachlan's terse laugh exploded in Tomas’ stomach and tore through his intestines frightening him more than a threat ever could. Tomas backed away, his knees betraying him by shaking like a neophyte's newborn legs. The immensely powerful being, the being that could crush him with his bare hands, placed his fingers with gentle care around Tomas’ forearms right on top of the reddish purple marks left by the tall redhead's anxious grip. He was astute enough to know that struggling was not an option, it would only bruise him and leave the aged white one unaffected ... so he didn't try. Black eyes, devoid of color, deep, yes, black as coal, but full of sparkling light and they drew his helpless gaze and held him there as secure as the immovable hands on his arms. Tomas prayed that the other two males could not smell the fear that poured from him as his terror thundered through his veins. The aged one's hair lifted and swayed across his face as a slight breeze moved through the tropical night and disappeared. Damned suffocating heat. Lachlan ignored the hair tickling his cheek and spoke to the blonde male he held in his control. "It is time for you to return home, my young friend.” He eased the command into his mind as easy as a modern sub slips through the placid aqua waters of the ocean. Tomas’ gaze grew distant, clouded and he turned to walk away without a word. Lachlan let him go, but held his hand a moment, squeezing as if he didn't really want him to leave. He anticipated spending more time with him and the other striking male who slunk off the minute his back was turned. But right now, he had a far more important mission to accomplish and she, his mission, exited the building at that very moment. The ethereal dark beauty walked down the steps, supported on each side by blood seeker males. One, a centenarian, her mate and the other a mere neophyte, who with his creator right there, fought the attraction he felt for the woman. Lachlan understood that attraction. Yes, he understood all right. The young one wouldn't have to worry soon since he planned to take her away himself to where her siren song would not be heard again. Colin tensed, pushed Joanna behind him with one powerful arm and stood between her and the ancient one on the street. After her abduction, he would trust no one, not even this old one with the lined, virtuous face and smiling eyes. The picture he made in his tailored black slacks and white shirt open at the throat looked very impressive despite the tiny bloodstains smattered across the front of his once pristine shirt. This centenarian glared back at him, oozing strength and vitality, sure of himself and his ability to protect his mate. Lachlan had been about to say something charming to ease their fears when the woman peeked around her mate's broad back, defying his wishes to keep her hidden. As soon as her head popped out, she was jerked back behind him by the exasperated neophyte who glared at her and whispered something about her being a pain in the butt that they should have left chained to the bed. Laughter came, gurgling up his throat, a timid slow froth. Then, seeing their dumbfounded expressions, he laughed harder and harder still, losing control of himself to the point of coughing and choking and some unmanly tears that he didn't bother to wipe away. Just marvelous to be so near other intelligent and interesting beings! Lachlan bent at the waist, resting his hands on his knees as he sought to gain control of his crazed laughter. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd really laughed. Glorious, this clenched feeling in his stomach and face. "Who are you and what do you want?" Lachlan stood, looking into the flushed face of his newest adversary. His cheerful smile never wavered. He would forgive this centenarian for his rudeness. The battle with his mate's abductor empowered this one with a newfound strength and the ego to go along with it. Understandable for one as young as he. "I am Lachlan.” One small step closer, he lifted his hands palms up as if to show he meant them no harm. The woman's head

popped out again and he couldn't resist waving to her like an impish toddler saying hello with a small chubby hand. Her eyes sparkled with her smile, and with that smile, she had him as her charmed servant. Her protector lifted his arm and nudged her head behind him again, trying to hide the fact that she shoved back, flinging his arm wide for one unprotected moment. "You realize I am not here to bring you harm.” He paused, watching Colin's face. “You or your mate or your young one either." Colin did not relax his tense stance, glaring at the ancient one, standing ready to defend his family with every ounce of power he possessed. With infinite patience, Lachlan stepped even closer to the trio and spoke again, this time in a deep-throated whisper. "You also realize that I could shatter you like a brittle old sheet of glass if I meant you harm and there is positively nothing you can do to stop me.” He had not meant his words as a threat, but he realized in an instant that it had been taken as such. "I beg to differ.” Ominous voice, low, but full of power and sincerity. Lachlan lifted his eyes to the doorway to see the woman that he'd not even known was there! How could this be? Hiding his shock, he watched as she descended to the level of her cohorts and linked her arm with the younger woman without pulling her away from her mate. Tilting up her chin, she looked down her delicate nose at him and spoke to him in the calmest of voices. "There will be no shattering today, old one. Not of my child, nor of his family." Lachlan chuckled and with a smile directed to the defiant and very beautiful blood seeker, he spoke. "As I told him...” His eyes drifted to Colin's stormy face, then back to hers. “I intend no harm." Pulling her arm away from Joanna, Linnea touched Colin's elbow, calming him, then walked down the remaining steps, head down, watching her own feet as she approached him. Linnea didn't look up until she stood inches from his white snow boots then when she did look up she peered at him through her thick charcoal lashes. Bottomless black eyes burned into equally abysmal black eyes, twins in their intensity. Heart slamming against his ribs, Lachlan sighed, his words dying before they were formed, zygotes aborted from the womb before they even had the chance to implant and grow. A long lost quickening between his legs, shocked him and he almost put his hand down to cover the swelling that would soon be obvious. The sultry, seductive voice of his temptress floated to him, yanking him out of the realm of disbelief and fantasy and burying him even deeper in erotic desire. "So, Lachlan the Ancient, what is it, pray tell, that you do intend?” One white eyebrow lifted, and his lips twitched as he tried to suppress a smile. "I intend to drag you back into that hotel and take you, hard and savage, just the way you like it.” To his amazement, she laughed out loud, pealing china bells ringing through his deflated ego. Such torture! This was not the response he sought! Her laughter only lasted a moment then her demeanor changed as she leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Promises, promises.” Then she stepped back so he could see her solemn expression and tapping right foot. "Again, what is it you intend?" Instead of answering her, he sighed and looked over her shoulder at the trio still standing on the stairs, staring at him as if he were a weapon of mass destruction, set to go off at any moment. "Please calm yourselves. I wish only to help.” Trying to watch all of their faces at once irritated him so he gave the trio a mental shove that propelled them to the spot with the dainty little vixen. Ignoring their dismay at his show of power, he gave each of them in turn a mighty hug and a kiss on the cheek. This was most difficult with the millennial woman since he did indeed want much more

with her than a kiss but he had his ardor in control once more. "Colin!” His mate scolded him as the centenarian growled at Lachlan. Lachlan ignored him. In a hurry now to get away before he forgot his mission in a haze of lust, he introduced himself once more. "I am Lachlan. I am here to take the new female into protective custody until she has learned to control her siren's song.” He ignored their collective gasps. "She will come with me to the Arctic as this is the only way I can protect her from the other males in our species." He reached for Joanna's hand and clasped it, firm enough to hold her but not crush her bones. Of course she struggled but she might as well have been trapped beneath the wheel of a locomotive engine. No escaping him if she wanted to keep her hand. Colin moved to attack, but Lachlan made him stay where he stood with a firm push back with his omnipotent mind. He prepared himself for Linnea's attack, but it was not forthcoming. Instead, she smiled at him, seducing him with a look ... as sure of her power over him as he was in his own power. "You are a very powerful creature, Lachlan, there is no mistaking that.” She wrapped her tiny hand around his wrist ... the wrist that held Joanna. "But your protection is not needed here, of this I am certain. Look around you, look at these two males, look at me. We are her family.” He couldn't resist, he had to remind her of what had just transpired in this very hotel. But he didn't have to, she knew. "Nothing like this will ever happen again, and there is also the fact that the call in this one is already fading. Have you not noticed this?” It was true! He felt only mild attraction to Joanna, and wild attraction to Linnea who had no ‘call’ after all these centuries of life. "How can this be? She is not a millennial, or even a centenarian. She is a newborn, a neophyte!” He dropped Joanna's hand and grabbed Linnea by the shoulders. “It is you, witch. You are masking the call for her with your own seductive wiles." "Let go of me you brute.” She clenched her teeth in pain. To her surprise he let her go and even looked contrite so she pushed with her advantage. "Listen to me, Lachlan. Listen close. Joanna is bred, therefore the call is fading." His eyebrows shot up. Fortunately for her, she stunned him into silence ... stunned ... and listening, but not to her, to Joanna and the tiny being within. Enlightenment and reverence. He felt like bowing at her feet. With a gentle touch this time he lifted her hand, kissing the back of it, then turning it over he kissed the palm. He would have kissed her wrist with his teeth too, had the possessive Colin not growled at him. "Have you any idea what this means to us as a people? Your baby will most likely be fertile!” His excitement flowed from him, infecting them all. One happy family they were now, all five of them, well six if you counted Milo hiding around the corner, listening in to every word. Lachlan would take care of him in a moment when he left this happy family, and yes he would leave all of them. Then a terrible thought occurred to him, one that he almost wished he hadn't thought of.... but he had to say it, they had to know about the danger. "Have you any idea the incredible danger this baby will be in if it happens to be a girl? Can you imagine the bitter war that she will cause between all the lonely males in our clan? Can you imagine the utter chaos she will unwittingly incite?" Not waiting for an answer, he turned and left them, still muttering the word “chaos” to himself like a mantra.

**** "One more push Joanna, you can do it, come on, one more push. The baby's head is here." "You push!” Joanna screamed, shooting daggers from her eyes all aimed at Colin's head. "That's it, here he comes, here he comes!” Colin caught the baby in his capable hands and cleared the baby's mouth. Patting the newborn he got a cough, then a tiny cry from his baby. Holding the tiny defenseless infant, his heart filled with terror. "What is it, what's wrong?” Joanna shrieked, hysteria closing in. “What's wrong with him?” Colin wrapped the baby in a soft blanket and rose to reassure his mate. "Jo, it is okay.” Her eyes lit up when she saw the baby's red, unhappy face." "Jo, it is not a him ... it is ... it is.... chaos." The color drained from Joanna's face and a tear slipped over her cheek as she gazed into her baby's dark eyes ... her daughter's eyes. **** The End **** FOR MORE RED HOT READING VISIT US ON THE WEB AT www.lldreamspell.com

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