Dance of the Hover Fly
Disclaimer
Forever Knight and the ideas and characters associated therewith are the
property of Messrs Cohen and Parriot and Sony/Tristar. No infringement of
their intellectual property rights is intended. This story is the property
of Spike Shovelton and I assert copyright hereto.
Archive rights are granted to Mel for the fkfanfic website, Anita for her
site and to Cousin Mary. Anyone else who wants it is welcome but please ask
first, for courtesy. Constructive comments are welcome at
blot30@hotmail.com but flames are unwelcome. I'd rank this about PG-13 with
a warning. Owing to some of the subject matter I would not consider it to
be suitable for children. However I don't think it is deserving of an adult
header as it isn't very explicit.
This is not connected to any of my other stories in any way. There are no
spoilers here, as far as I can see. Tracy has never met Lacroix before but
she does know about Nick. Unsurprisingly this is Tracy/Lacroix centred. I
meant to finish this off ages ago but RL and writers block had other ideas
(sigh) so I have only just got it finished and sorted.
Dance of the Hover Fly 1/6
By Spike Shovelton
Tracy looked at the tourist information on Vancouver to decide where to go
for dinner. Reese had virtually ordered her and Nick to take some leave and
she had seen a good special offer on last minute flights to Vancouver. She
frowned as she heard a noise. It seemed to come from the windows and she
watched as they were opened from the outside to reveal a crowd of what were
obviously vampires coming into her room.
"Who are you?" Tracy looked up at the group of darkly clad men.
"We enforce the code." One of them said. "You have too much knowledge,
Tracy Vetter."
"Enforcers?" Tracy studied the speaker, a pale man dressed in black and
carrying a long walking stick with a very sharp point.
"If you like." The man responded. "It has been decided that you are a
danger to the community. You will decide now whether to join us or die."
"I'll join the community." Tracy didn't know if she wanted to be a vampire.
She had never quite been sure. She was quite sure she didn't want to die.
"Excellent." The vampire smiled at her. It was not a pleasant expression.
Her eyes went to the bag where she stored her stake. It was too far away.
She would be dead in seconds if she even tried. Buffy she certainly wasn't,
and they outnumbered her. "Then the game can begin. I think I will enjoy
watching you play."
"I will come across as soon as I return to Toronto. One of my friends will
do it for me." Tracy said quickly.
"Oh no, we don't intend to wait for you to try to run away." The leader of
the group smiled, revealing his fangs. "You will have until dawn to
persuade someone to cross you."
"Shouldn't take her that long." One of the others said quickly. He leered
at her. "Most of the community would do it for a sweet piece of ass like
that."
"You're joking." Tracy frowned. They expected her to find someone, just
like that?
"You have until dawn to come across. If you are still mortal at dawn then
you will belong to us." The leader grinned. "I will enjoy taking you."
They had told her where the community hangouts were. If she were still
mortal when the sun rose, the enforcers would kill her. She shivered. This
was not good. She knew a few vampires in Toronto but none here, and going
into a vampire bar and getting picked up was a sure-fire way to end up in a
coffin, permanently in a coffin. She had eaten a little dinner and then
gone out. After all, the condemned woman deserved a final meal.
She would have to trust to instinct and hope to find someone. Once she had
come across she could leave and go home. She would have to hope to find
someone who would not want too much. She had heard that some vampire sires
preferred to keep their children around for many years while others were
more into sire and then abandon. She was not sure she wanted to be kept
around for many years, she just wanted to find someone, come across and then
get out of there. She didn't like it but she could see no other way. None
of her friends could get there in time. Her attempts to contact Nick had
failed and she had no number with her for Vachon. She would have to make
the best deal she could and then hope that someone in Toronto would show her
the ropes, perhaps Nick or Vachon. She had worked out the truth about her
partner a while ago. She had been very angry that he had attempted to
deceive her, and had wondered about confronting him. Then she had decided
that she would rather wait and see if he would tell her of his own accord.
So here she was, in a sapphire blue cocktail dress, looking like a girl out
for some fun. This was the worst night of her life, and probably the last.
She had never wanted to come across, not that she would admit to. Sometimes
she had wondered what it might be like, but she had never actively sought to
join the undead. It had just never been a major issue.
She took a deep breath, trying to cloak her fear. The one she chose would
probably want her body. That seemed to be the usual exchange. She tried
not to think about that. She had never used her body or her influence to
further her career and she didn't like the thought of using it now. Then
again she liked the thought of dying even less. Odd how scruples faded when
confronted with impending doom.
She put the last chocolate in her mouth as she walked to the bar, savouring
the flavour for what would be the last time. She looked out at the sea of
pale faces. What was she supposed to do, hold out a sign? She sighed
quickly. If she mentioned the enforcers most vampires would run a mile.
She had picked that up from Vachon's body language on the one occasion that
she had asked about community law enforcement. He had not wanted to talk
about it and the look in his eyes had said more eloquently than his words
that enforcers were dangerous.
She was jostling for the attention of the bartender and without noticing it,
she knocked the man next to her and he fell slightly. "Oh I am sorry." She
said and was pinioned on icily blue eyes. "Are you hurt?"
Lucien Lacroix studied the woman who was standing beside him. This could
make the evening more amusing. It was not often that a pretty hors d'oeuvre
bumped into him. "No I am not harmed. Please do not be concerned, I know
that it is difficult to dodge people in this crush."
"I know, especially if you want to avoid them. Can I buy you a drink, to
make up for pushing you?" She said. Looking at him she smiled, his skin
was pale enough to be a vampire. He nodded finally, a smile curving the
full lips. He was older than she would have chosen, at least in appearance.
His face was not young, but it was attractive in an austere fashion. The
bone structure was good, and the eyes were remarkable. She tried to work
out if they were blue or grey, probably aquamarine. "What do you like?"
"A glass of the house special." He asked and the bartender nodded. Tracy
hid her smile at this.
"I'll have a glass of champagne." Tracy said and he raised an eyebrow.
"Are we celebrating?" His tone was amused.
"Yes. My not injuring you." She said and smiled, this was not doing too
badly. "You aren't Canadian are you?"
"I have citizenship." He said quickly. "I have travelled widely."
"Yeah, sound almost French, no, not quite French. I'd say perhaps Swiss but
that doesn't seem right either." She amended and he nodded. It was not so
much the accent as the intonation and nuances that made her come to that
conclusion. A glimmer of surprise passed through his shielded eyes.
"I has thought the accent gone." It was so rare for anyone to notice that
he was not French. She seemed to be waiting for an explanation. "I grew up
in Italy." It was not quite an explanation.
"I've been on holiday there, I like Venice very much, and Capri." He nodded
at this.
"Capri is one of the most beautiful places I know. I was raised in Naples
and we used often to visit Capri." His voice was soft. "What is your name,
incidentally?"
"Tracy." She said, deciding that it was better not to give her last name.
"Just Tracy?" He asked, amused by this.
"Let's stick to first names, less formal." Tracy said warningly and he
nodded in amusement. He did not like being so informally addressed but for
one evening's dinner he could make an exception.
"I am Lucien." He said simply and she nodded and smiled as she raised her
glass to him.
"Santé then." She saluted him with it and he returned the salute. "Lucien
is not very Italian."
"I moved to France soon after I departed from Italy. I found matters easier
where I used the French version of my name." She nodded at that. "I used
to travel widely."
"In the army?" Again that look of surprise, quickly banished. "You move
like a soldier."
"You are as observant as you are lovely." He smiled at her, a very sweet
smile that made her pulse race. His blue eyes were softer now.
She smelt exquisite, Lacroix decided. Her blood was lightly scented, and
somehow familiar but unidentifiable. She was quite lovely, the dress
accentuated her figure.
She was not too thin, as so many women were now, but her figure was slender
and yet still curvaceous enough to appeal. He had noticed this when she had
knocked into him. It would make the very dull business meeting more
amusing. He wondered how she would look without that dress on and realised
he had not heard her speak. "Forgive me I was lost in your beauty."
Tracy smiled. He had the compliments thing right. She summed him up as she
checked the time. Could be dangerous, he was a soldier. To have skin that
pale he had to be old. That would mean he could bring her across, would
have sufficient control. Could she trust him with it though?
"I was asking what you thought of Vancouver." Tracy said quickly and they
chatted some more, their conversation moving from the town to politics and
becoming quite heated as they discussed ethics and corruption. Finally
Tracy gave up. He seemed interested. "It's getting even busier." She
shouted above the noise.
Lacroix smiled, taking the opening she had offered. "Would you like to
continue our discussion somewhere quieter? Perhaps we could open a bottle
of wine and get to know each other some more."
"I like that." Tracy said and fell into step as they left the club. "Your
place or mine?"
"Mine, it is not far." They walked chatting together to an expensive
apartment complex and took the lift to the penthouse flat. Once they
arrived he showed her in to the living room and looked for a drink. If she
was really as good as she looked then he might spread her out over a few
nights.
"You have good taste in interior designs." Tracy said and looked at him.
He smiled, it was Janette's flat actually, one of her many properties, but
she never minded him using it.
"What can I offer you?" He asked and she smiled trying to cover the
wriggling butterflies that had invaded her stomach. "More champagne?"
"Orange juice please. I want to keep my wits about me." Tracy responded.
As appealing as drinking herself stupid was, she knew she would need to be
alert around strange vampires. She settled onto the settee, arranging her
skirts around herself and crossing her legs, hoping this was going to work.
"I think I am going to need them."
He studied her in amused pleasure. This was going to be more enjoyable than
he had thought. "Orange juice for you, and I will have some more wine."
"Of course." Tracy wondered if it was best to mention now what she wanted,
or to let him seduce her. Then again, if she let him, he might just kill
her. "There is something I do want to check though." He nodded. "I have
had rather bad luck with men, you aren't a mad axe murderer are you?"
"No, I do not restrict myself to axes." He said and Tracy laughed.
She sobered. "No seriously, I need to make sure you aren't going to kill me
or anything."
"Wise." He looked at her and sighed, debating whether it would be worth
sacrificing dinner for the conversation. Then again she looked rather too
wealthy and important to be dinner. Nothing specific but she dressed well
and had the aura of money about her. He had a feeling that killing her
might be a mistake. Plus she was intriguing and true diversions were rare
in a life as long as his. No dinner then, but there was still the chance of
some amusement and a little taste. "I give you my word, I will not kill you
tonight." She did not laugh and he wondered if she knew or suspected the
truth. She had flirted with him but her eyes had remained anxious. "What
do you really want from me?" He asked, his voice still soft.
Tracy motioned him to sit beside her and he did so. He took her hand,
absently, and began to caress it, sending a shiver down her spine. This was
a bad idea, but then she did not want to die, perhaps she was afraid to die.
"I want to be what you are." She said and he studied her, one eyebrow
rising slightly. "I know, and I want that."
End Part One
Dance of the Hover Fly 2/6
By Spike Shovelton
See Part One for disclaimer
"This appeals to you?" Lacroix smiled evilly and his eyes suddenly changed
to gold, and he smiled, revealing long white fangs. His face was no less
beautiful for it, as deadly and lovely as a poisonous snake. "This is what
you want to be?"
"It beats the alternatives." Tracy said and looked at him. "There wouldn't
be any strings, I wouldn't want anything from you. I've a friend who could
teach me. I'd ask him only I can't reach him in time. You wouldn't even
need to see me again. I just need to come across, no questions asked." Her
eyes were very large and he paused, able to smell her fear, not of him but
of something else.
"I see." This was proving more unusual than he had thought. "How long have
you known of us?" His eyes were blue again, and his canines had retracted.
"Several months now. I saw someone who should have been dead, and he told
me what he was. I think he liked me." Tracy shrugged. "If you can't then
I will have to find someone who can. I am running out of time, please."
Her eyes were imploring.
Lucien Lacroix was a little disappointed. Vampires had little regard for
those who followed them indiscriminately, out for what they could get.
Groupies, as they were known, were used and despised by the community. Yet
this one seemed sincere, and was genuinely afraid of the consequences. She
was also attractive, and smelled delicious. He would not lose out from
this. No strings attached, and she seemed to know what she wanted. He
could enjoy her and then not need to concern himself with the future. If
she brought attention on the community then he would kill her of course, but
otherwise he could do quite well in the matter. No this was a win-win
situation.
"You know what you are asking, so you must know the price customarily
attached to such transactions." It was not quite a question but she nodded,
her nerves making her want to be sick. She met his remorseless gaze and
tried not to squirm. He seemed to be weighing her, looking into her soul.
She wondered if it was too late to run away. Finally he looked away and
drained his glass. "I am unwilling to refuse a beautiful woman, very well
then." She did not seem to take this in, her fingers almost fracturing the
stem of the wineglass containing orange juice. He took the glass from her
hand and put it on the table. She had not moved. "I said I would do it."
"I can't believe it." Her shoulders shook with silent laughter and he
wondered at this before realising that it was relief. "You'll do it." He
nodded and Tracy smiled, she had won. He had agreed to do it, and that was
half the battle. "Can you do it now?" She began to push her hair back. She
had worn an off the shoulder gown to expose her throat.
"Why rush?" He said and she looked at him. "This should be savoured,
enjoyed." His fingertip reached for her shoulder, and began to move upward,
lingering on the racing pulse, before going to her chin, lifting her face so
she could not look away. "I need some reward for my efforts after all." He
smiled inwardly. Nicholas would probably have done something terribly noble
like refusing to inflict his carnal lusts on a poor innocent mortal.
Lacroix had no such scruples on that score. If she wanted to come across
then she would have to pay the price. Of course he wouldn't physically
force her but then again he doubted that would be needed. This one seemed
the type to keep bargains.
Tracy froze for she had half suspected this, knowing the usual price even
before he had mentioned it. He seemed to know what he was doing, and was
not attacking her. Perhaps she would be able to fake her way through it.
She just hoped he wouldn't hurt her and forced herself to relax. "By dawn
though. You have to promise to do it by dawn."
"You have my word." He said quickly and leaned over and kissed her on the
lips, enjoying the sweet and warm kiss. He gathered her closer to himself.
Tracy relaxed as his cool fingers ran down her back. She could manage this,
she just had to groan in the right places. She felt herself sliding
against him, and put one hand on his shoulder to steady herself. He smelled
sweetly of expensive cologne and the kiss was not uncomfortable. "Let us
adjourn." He whispered into her skin and gathered her up easily in his
arms, carrying her through into the bedroom and putting her gently on the
bed. "Now then, ma belle."
Tracy looked at him, a little concerned now. "Now then?" She asked and
looked at him as he sat down beside her, reaching one hand to her face, and
sliding a finger into the thick fair hair. He seemed to be waiting for
something and Tracy looked at him, trying to work out what he wanted.
"What?" She asked him.
"I am waiting." His voice was amused and he looked at her. "If you are
expecting to lie back and think of Vancouver while I have my way with you
then I fear you have read too many romances featuring blushing maidens and
byronic vampires." He smiled at her. "You want to come across."
Tracy considered this and then sighed. He wanted her to make the first
move. He wanted her to become an active participant rather than a victim of
the vampire. Something of this must have shown on her face. "Yes Tracy, I
want you to come into this willingly, I will not have more children saying
that they did not know and did not want to come across. If we proceed then
it is at your instigation and in proceeding you will take the consequences."
His smile became evil. "Besides, you need to convince me to bring you
across."
"I see." Tracy looked at him. That oddly made a kind of sense. "Okay
then." Tracy sat up and kissed him. His lips were cool and she felt him
respond to her embrace. His fangs descended and she ran her tongue down the
long teeth. She began to unfasten his silk shirt, enjoying the feel of the
material beneath her fingers. His skin was almost as soft as the silk, and
far more pleasant to feel. She could feel the muscles moving beneath the
skin. She felt his lips curving in a smile against her own.
He let her pull the shirt off him and looked at her, sliding the shoes from
her feet and reaching for the zip in her dress, with the practised fingers
of someone who had many years of experience in undressing women. His hands
remained gentle as he let her take the lead. The dress unfastened all the
way down and he smiled suddenly as he slid it away from her. Nine women out
of ten would have worn silk and lace underwear, stockings and a suspender
belt underneath a cocktail dress. This one wore tights with a small ladder
starting to form at the top and blue cotton knickers that did not match the
cream lace bra. He thought of Janette who matched everything, so all her
underwear had been co-ordinated.
Obviously the lovely blonde had not intended this to happen, and the lack of
premeditation pleased him somehow. She was undeniably lovely, better than
he had thought, quite well muscled, obviously leading an active life. Tracy
shivered at the cold fire that began to run through her as his fingers
traced patterns on her skin, matching her own exploring fingers tracing his
muscled back. Her body seemed to be getting the idea quite nicely for
itself. She decided to give in to the sensations that his cool fingers and
cooler lips were starting to create and try not to think. Perhaps she
wouldn't even need to fake it. That was her last thought before she stopped
thinking altogether.
Tracy Vetter smiled as Lucien closed the shutters against the impending
dawn. "How do you feel?" His voice was almost tangible in its caress.
"Weird." Tracy looked at him, able to feel him, the taste of blood still on
her lips. "I had no idea it would be like this." She smiled broadly,
feeling her fangs recede into the gum. "I can still feel you in my mind and
I have memories that aren't mine."
"You will continue to feel my presence as your sire. The memories will fade
over time." She seemed to be considering this. He wondered what she was
thinking. He had so little knowledge of her. He had intended to learn it
from her blood but had been so caught up in the flavour, the strong feelings
she was projecting, and their mutual enjoyment, that he had required all his
strength to stop in time. He had acted impulsively, only barely managing to
control himself. So he had only fragmented memories of her life. "Does the
link bother you?" Not that it mattered whether it did or not, the link
between sire and childe was not optional.
"No." Tracy looked up at him and stretched out on the bed. "It's rather
comforting." Coming across had been one of the most erotic experiences of
her life. Vachon had been quite correct in the description. She hadn't
expected to enjoy it so much but she could not find words for the
sensations. "Thank you for agreeing to bring me across and thanks for…being
so gentle." She finished awkwardly. "I mean I thought it would hurt a lot
more and I didn't expect to enjoy it."
Lacroix laughed softly at the surprise in her voice. "I always prefer my
sexual partners to share my pleasure. Besides, coming across is supposed to
be a pleasurable experience for both parties."
"So was I okay?" Tracy asked before she could stop herself. She could feel
his eyes upon her and felt her stomach start to turn over.
"Excellent." Lacroix studied her, enjoying the view. There was nothing as
tempting as a new fledgling becoming aware of its powers, particularly if
the fledgling was curvaceous and blonde. "I am pleased that your crossing
was enjoyable. It is always as well to have a satisfactory report."
"I don't know." Tracy said and he frowned, his eyes turning cold and his
face darkening. "I don't think I have made sufficient observations for a
valid report. Further study is indicated." She smiled at him and he raised
one elegant brow, his previous annoyance replaced with amusement. "Don't
you think so?" Tracy wondered if this was wise but was unwilling to leave
it there.
"Absolutely." Lacroix said and walked towards the bed, reaching to unfasten
his black towelling robe. He sat down beside her and his eyes trailed down
her body. "How did you get this?" He asked tracing a scar on her thigh.
"Some guy tried to attack me. He was totally mad, had this leg fetish. I
hit him over the head and he wound up in casualty." Tracy smiled,
remembering one of her early arrests. She pushed the towelling robe aside,
tracing a very faint line along his chest. "This?"
"In battle." Lacroix said and sighed. "I put myself between my commander
and a barbarian sword." Her finger went further down and he felt his fangs
descending. Tracy kissed him and then pulled back and laughed.
"How do you kiss without our fangs catching?" She asked softly, her own
eyes warmly gold.
"Like this." Lacroix kissed her hard, running a hand over her smooth back
and feeling the amused pleasure she was projecting through their link.
Tracy smiled at him, enjoying the appreciation in his eyes as he looked her
over.
The insistent beep of his telephone disturbed his play. Lacroix cursed in
Latin and Tracy opened her mouth then closed it. No, she wasn't going to
comment. If it wouldn't wait then it wouldn't wait. She had taken enough
urgent calls as a cop to know that. She watched him answer the phone and
begin a conversation in a language she did not even recognise.
Finally he hung up with a decided slam. He turned and his eyes were cold.
"Much as I would enjoy remaining I must leave now." She looked at the
windows. "I have a shielded car, I can evade the sun."
"Right." Tracy looked at him, this was obviously serious. She watched as
he began to dress. "Where are you going?"
"Melbourne." He said quickly. "You could come with me."
"No I can't." Tracy felt almost sorry that he was going. She was starting
to like her new sire. "I have things to sort out, training and stuff."
"You must arrange training." Lacroix did not really want to let his
mysterious new childe go. He had decided to keep her around for a while
until this phone call had scuppered his plans. "I may have agreed to no
strings but you must not endanger the community." He continued to pack his
case.
"I won't." Tracy said quickly.
"Find your chosen teacher at once. Do not associate with mortals too
closely until you do. Control will be very difficult." Lacroix looked at
her and sighed. "I am reluctant to leave you alone."
"I'll find a teacher." Tracy said and picked up her glass of wine. "I
promise."
"If you violate the code then I will kill you." He said firmly. Tracy
nodded and waited. "Take what you need from the fridge and do not stop
drinking." She watched as he packed up the rest of his things. "You are
welcome to stay here for the day. Keep drinking and get some sleep."
"Yes mother." Tracy said and he glared at her. She was amused by the flow
of instructions and the fact that fatigue was making him repeat himself.
"Stop fussing Lucien." Her smile was warm and he walked over to her. "Keep
in touch."
"Of course." Lacroix picked up a piece of scrap paper and began to write.
"This is my email address. If you need anything then I will be there." He
pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard. Tracy savoured the embrace.
Then he was gone.
"Was it something I said?" She asked the silent room.
The following evening Tracy smiled as she relaxed into the seat on the
plane. Well that had been interesting. She had been visited by the
enforcers, who had agreed to lift the death sentence on her.
As she looked at the view, she wondered what would happen next. She had
expected to go back, that everything with Vachon would work out and they
could walk into the sunset. Now she knew it would not work out quite like
that. She was different now, not what she had been. She had changed in
more ways than just acquiring fangs.
She had actually been quite tempted to remain with Lucien before sanity
reasserted itself. She could always go back to Vancouver in a few decades
and find him again. There was absolutely nothing to stop her now. Vachon
would teach her, perhaps they could be together, perhaps not. She would have
to see what happened on her return to Toronto but did not think that things
would be the same as before.
End Part Two
Dance of the Hover Fly 3/6
By Spike Shovelton
See Part One for disclaimer
Tracy was not due back at work for another few days. That would give her
time to work on her control. There was no sign of Vachon at the church and
she sighed. It would mean going to the Raven. She frowned. Why the hell
shouldn't she go to the Raven? She was a part of this community now. Her
control was not bad, she could be around people, as long as she kept
drinking pretty much constantly. The more she did it the easier it became
to force the hunger down. She sighed as she drove to the Raven and smiled
at the bouncer who let her in automatically.
Once inside she went to the bar and waited her turn. "Have you seen Vachon
around?" She asked the waitress who shook her head.
"Not recently, Urs might know but I wouldn't talk to Urs at the moment."
The bartender sounded concerned.
"Why not?" Tracy looked at the slender, fragile blonde, trying to negotiate
with three well built, hefty vampires. For a moment she froze, were those
enforcers? Something in the way they carried themselves reminded her of the
ones who had come to her. She did not like the look of this in the least.
She could almost see how frightened Urs was, looking for a place to run.
Her whole body language spoke of fear and dread.
"You don't want to get involved." The waitress said, and her pretty face
creased into a frown. "Some people prey on the defenceless and the weak."
Her voice was very bitter.
"It's my job to get involved." Tracy said and drank down her glass and
walked towards the three vampires. She moved as easily as she could,
shoulders back and focused. As she came over she smiled at Urs. "There you
are, I've been looking for you everywhere." She laughed softly. "Next time
we arrange to meet up for a drink, I choose the location."
Urs looked at her in confusion. "Oh." She said and looked around.
"This is a private conversation." The speaker was the heavy vampire on the
right, with dark eyes creased with malice. "We were talking to her." He
had a hand on Urs's arm and he moved quickly to pinch her breast. "Now beat
it, child."
"I don't think so." Tracy said, her eyes like chips of diamond. "Anybody
crosses my friends, crosses me. Put it another way, you touch her again and
I will make you wish you had never been born."
"I like a bit of fire." One of them leered at Tracy and reached for her.
Tracy moved faster, catching his wrist and bending the bone backwards until
it snapped with a crack. Vampire strength added to mortal strength meant
that she broke his arm faster than she could think.
"Now beat it before I break the other one." Tracy said quickly. "My maker
would have made your execution agonisingly slow for that." She did not know
how she knew it but it was simply the truth. She had a sudden image of rows
of crosses as far as the eye could see. The sun was beating down on the
dying, agonised figures. One single figure sat on a horse and watched as
another cross, bearing a living corpse was hoisted into the sky. "He
doesn't understand mercy, you are lucky that I do." She turned away,
motioning Urs to follow her.
The dancer watched her, open mouthed in astonishment. They moved away from
the other men and Tracy looked at her. "Did those revolting excuses for
people hurt you?"
"No, they wanted me." Urs said quickly. "I didn't want to go with them."
She shivered. "I refused, and they were going to force me. I can't fight
them, they're too strong. If the General were in town, or Vachon, then
perhaps I could do something, but I'm not strong."
"I see. I'm Tracy, by the way." She realised she ought to introduce
herself, not quite sure what the dancer knew.
"I know." Urs looked at the other woman. "You joined us then?"
"Yeah." Tracy said and smiled. "Any chance we could have a drink and a
private chat?"
"Sure, I have rooms around the corner. I moved out of the Raven." Urs
motioned her and she fell into step. "How long have you been one of us?"
"A couple of days." Tracy explained and the other nodded. "I was given an
ultimatum. I was on holiday, minding my own business in Vancouver and a
group of enforcers came to me and insisted that I joined the community."
They arrived at the small studio flat. Urs poured them drinks and they
settled down.
"Difficult situation." Urs said and looked at her with concern. "If you
have been threatened then what about Dr Lambert?"
"Natalie?" Tracy frowned. She had not thought of the other woman. She
ought to have realised that Natalie would be a target too. She had been
preoccupied with her own situation and not thought that Natalie might be a
target too. "If they came for me they must have done for her, or be going
to do so."
"I wish the General were here." Urs said quickly.
"General?" Tracy queried.
"Lacroix, he owns this place." Tracy nodded. There was something familiar
about the name but she could not quite place it. "He's Nick's maker
actually."
"Oh I see." Tracy looked at the other vampire. "I'd been avoiding telling
Nick about this. Cowardice but I just don't like the thought of the
shouting match that will develop from it." She pulled out her mobile and
dialled the station. Tracy thought for a moment. "Urs, how do you manage to
keep such control?"
"It's difficult, but you learn to shield yourself. Javier may have his
weaknesses but he was a good teacher." Urs looked at Tracy as the telephone
was answered.
"Nick, it's Tracy." She said and he responded, asking her about Vancouver.
"Fine, how are you?"
"Very well." Nick was surprised, not expecting this call yet.
"Is Natalie okay?" Tracy asked and Nick paused. "Nick, I think she's in
danger. I heard rumours that someone is going to enforce a contract on
her." She emphasised the word "enforce" and hoped he got this. "Look just
get over there and protect her. Nick? Nick?" She smiled as she received a
dial tone. "You're welcome." She looked ruefully at Urs. "Men are always
in such a hurry."
"I know." Urs smiled. "I know you probably have a better idea but if you
would like, and I am sure you wouldn't."
"Slow down." Tracy looked at the other.
"I could teach you, control and flying and things." Urs offered. "I'm not
very good, but if you wanted to learn then I'd be delighted to teach you."
"Yes please." Tracy said and smiled. "If you wouldn't mind it. I think
we'd better check on Natalie, Nick has this uncanny knack of charging in,
guns blazing."
"Fine then. To the Tracymobile." Urs said and looked at the astonishment on
the other woman's face. "I like Batman."
"Sure thing Robin." Tracy said and they laughed as they left the club.
They spent the drive to the morgue breaking each other up with bad Batman
jokes, and discussing whether Jack Nicholson was the best villain or not.
Once they arrived Tracy sighed and went into the morgue, only to discover
that Natalie had taken the night off. They rushed to her flat but nobody
answered the door.
"We can fly up." Urs looked at the other. "You're about to get flying
lessons." Tracy followed her around the building and into a darkened
sidestreet.
"Always check for people, listen for the heartbeat. Then look for security
cameras. Normally that is a main concern in high crime areas, and places
with valuable items." Urs said quickly. "Can you hear any heartbeats?"
Tracy focused and finally shook her head. "Up then." Urs grabbed Tracy by
the hand and yanked her to the ceiling. "Count windows, otherwise someone
will get a nasty surprise."
They did so and found the correct one. Going in through it revealed Nick
and Natalie on guard, sitting on the settee and looking very worried.
"Nick." Tracy said quickly. "Are you okay?" As she spoke she paused, her
mind registering a delightful scent of mint and rosemary, which she realised
was Natalie, and with that a mental impression bearing all the finesse of a
right hook, obviously Nick. Didn't the man know how to shield himself?
"Fine." He said and looked at them. "They told you there was a contract
out on you?"
"Yeah." Tracy said and paused as she saw concern on his face. No, Tracy
realised that she could see fury and anger. She decided that Nick would not
be the best person to cross. "What is it?"
"Tracy, the enforcers never did that. I checked with friends, you were
never targeted." Nick said and saw her eyes go wide. "Neither is Natalie,
they are too grateful to her for what she knows."
"I don't get it. A group of them said I had until dawn to come over."
Tracy frowned. "They acted like enforcers."
"Why did you believe them?" Nick asked and she rolled her eyes.
"Nick, a room of enforcers, or I thought they were, tell me either I get
fangs or I die, you don't exactly ask them for an ID." Tracy snorted. "So
who then?"
"There are a group of bogus enforcers, men who believe that the code is not
being properly enforced. They have taken it upon themselves to enforce it."
Came a voice from the window and a tall man with a long fair ponytail came
in. He would not have looked out of place in an old film about Norse gods
and Vikings, broad shouldered and well-muscled, with amused green eyes. "I
am Otto Schmidt of Hamburg. I lead the enforcers in this continent." He
turned to Tracy. "Tracy Vetter." He studied her and she nodded. "On
behalf of my people I apologise unreservedly that you were coerced into
coming across and will accept any reparation that you seek to impose."
Tracy smiled at him and was about to tell him to forget it when she decided
that it would not be good for them to think her a pushover. She had an
idea, from the surprise on Nick's face that the enforcers did not often
apologise openly. "I accept your apology." She said, finding the words in
German, to his surprise. "I hope that you will stop the others but I will
not ask any immediate reparation."
"You prefer to hold the favour?" He responded in the same tongue. "Your
command of German is not bad. Of course, you have German blood, do you
not?" Tracy's paternal grandparents were German emigrants and it rather
alarmed her that this was known. "We are currently seeking those who would
usurp our role." He dropped into English. "Do you wish to assist with the
search? We believe that Dr Lambert will certainly be their next target,
because she is known well in the community."
"Wonderful." Natalie watched as her cat walked towards Otto and began to
wreath himself around his ankles. Otto bent down and picked Sidney up and
began to stroke him, scratching that hard to reach spot behind his ear. "He
doesn't normally go for vampires."
"No." Otto said and smiled. "I am a vet in Montreal." He said in
explanation then sobered. "While we accept that you do not choose to join
us now, what will happen when Nicholas must move on is another matter."
Nick opened his mouth to intervene and the enforcer raised one hand, the
light catching the tiger's eye ring on his ring finger. "We will discuss it
another time."
"So you are suggesting using Nat as bait?" Tracy said and they turned to
her. "Well you wouldn't be here otherwise."
"There is no way that Nat will do anything of the sort." Nick interjected.
"What do you suggest then?" Tracy said quickly. "We can either hope they
go away or do something. I for one want them caught. I don't like people
trying to tell me what to do. I could have been killed in Vancouver if I
hadn't been lucky in my choice of maker."
"Who was it?" Otto asked. "In the club we lost you."
"I don't know, we agreed no questions or surnames. He was very gentle with
me, I was lucky I think." Tracy said and scowled. "You were following me?
What would you have done if I hadn't found anyone?"
"We did not know what had happened, that you had been challenged, until the
morning. It was habit." He explained and realised this was not helping.
"It is normal with people who are aware of us, we keep tabs."
"I see." Tracy said, not comfortable with this. "How long have you been
tracking me?"
"Only when you leave Toronto, since you first learned about Javier Vachon."
He studied her. "We were more concerned about you than Dr Lambert. Her
love will keep her quiet, but you do not love Javier Vachon?" His voice was
not wholly questioning.
"I don't know." Tracy said and he smiled at the uncertainty.
"It is not important." He looked at her. "I think you would have joined us
in the end, but I regret that they forced this upon you."
"Me too." Tracy sighed. "I have never been so afraid as when I went into
that club, looking for someone to bring me across, and wondering if I would
survive."
"I am not surprised that you did." Otto looked at her appraisingly before
turning to Natalie. "Dr Lambert we will not force you to assist us, we can
simply provide you with protection, however we would be grateful for
assistance."
Natalie looked at the assembled vampires, suddenly feeling like part of an
endangered species. "Could I talk to Nick a moment?" They nodded and left
the room, Tracy and Urs by the door and Otto by the window.
End Part Three
Dance of the Hover Fly 4/6
By Spike Shovelton
See Part One for disclaimer.
"What do you think of this?" Tracy asked Urs. The other woman had been
silent throughout the discussion.
"I think we should help to stop them." Urs said. "They are wrong to do
this, especially to make you do that. Was he okay, the one you selected?"
Tracy wished she could still blush and she looked down. "He did not force
you? I know many do, they expect it as payment."
"No." Tracy said and smiled. "It was fine."
"I'm glad." Urs whispered. "He wouldn't teach you though?"
"We agreed no strings. He might have done if I'd wanted it but I didn't
want to burden him." Tracy said and the dancer smiled. "I might see him
again. Perhaps I will go back to Vancouver."
"A pity." Urs thought for a moment. "I still think you ought to help the
enforcers, and I will too, but it depends on Natalie."
"Agreed." Otto said, entering the corridor where they paced. "If she will
help then we can make a trap."
"May I ask something?" Tracy asked and the enforcer nodded. "How old are
you?"
"I forget exactly the translation to this calendar. I was a mercenary
soldier selling my blade to the highest bidder. I came into battle and was
captured and left to rot in some hellish dungeon." Otto shrugged. "A
vampire was using the oubliette for dinner, knew a way in. I would not roll
over and die and challenged him. I could hardly stand, much less fight. He
was amused I think, offered me a way out and it did not seem a bad bargain."
"Oh." Urs said quickly and he turned and studied her.
"I find it was worth it, better than starving to death." He smiled. "Why
do you ask?"
"I wondered if you were a Viking." Tracy said and he smiled again, the
expression in contrast to his watchful eyes.
"Before my time I think and a little further north. I was actually a
Vandal." He shrugged one shoulder as they laughed. "The modern association
of that word amuses me."
The front door opened and Nick came out. "Natalie agreed to help you with
your problem." His expression indicated that he did not wholly agree with
the idea.
"Excellent. We need to set up a trap." Otto said quickly.
"How about in the morgue?" Tracy suggested.
Otto said quickly. "We would like evidence of their schemes. Can someone
arrange to listen in?"
"I can arrange for a bug to be planted." Tracy paused for a moment, the
voices were loud to her ears. She was still adapting to the difference, to
the increased sensations. Something was not right and she listened again.
"What is that noise and smell?"
"What noise?" Nick asked.
"Ticking." She said and focused on it, walking towards the parcel on the
top of the coffee table. "This is ticking." Her voice rose. "Do you
recognise it?"
"No, I collected it from the front desk just before Nick arrived." Natalie
said quickly. "I hadn't time to open it." The ticking was becoming louder
now and Tracy looked at her partner as the parcel began to rock a little.
"Evacuate!" Tracy said quickly and Nick grabbed Nat and went through the
window. Otto and Urs followed and then Tracy paused and gathered up a
squirming armful of feline before leaving. She half flew and half fell from
the window. Urs came over and caught her, helping her to land in the dark
alley.
Sidney clawed her. "Okay your royalty, sorry I jolted your feline
highness." She said as the others came around. "Someone take this, he
doesn't like me."
"No." Otto said and took Sidney who instantly quieted.
"Give him to me." Natalie took the cat and stroked him. "Did the noise
frighten my baby?" She soothed the cat.
Tracy looked at the enforcer. "She needs protection." Nick stepped forward
and moved towards Natalie, trying to shut the world away.
"I will protect her." Nick said and put a hand on her shoulder.
"I know." Natalie said and looked up, capturing Nick in her eyes. For a
moment they only saw each other and Tracy was stunned by how much love their
eyes held. If this was love then she certainly did not feel it for Vachon.
She sighed, she liked the Spanish vampire sometimes, enjoyed his stories,
when he was prepared to speak, and his music, but he annoyed her often too.
He had never looked at her as Nick looked at Natalie, as if the world would
end with her death, as if life itself counted for nothing and she was
everything.
"Well then." Natalie said, remembering that she needed to breathe. "We'd
better lay in a good trap. Then when you've finished protecting me, you can
pay for the redecoration costs." She walked to the front door and Nick
stepped in front of her to open it. He went in and paused for a moment then
came back out.
"The air is full of poisonous chemicals. I think if the bomb didn't kill
you then the chemicals would." He looked at her with interest. "Are you
okay though?"
"I'm fine." Nat sighed. "We'd better go somewhere else until the smoke
clears."
They wound up in Tracy's flat making battle plans. Nick's place was out in
case the pseudo enforcers came there next, Otto would not take them to his
place for secrecy reasons and Urs said hers was not big enough. "It is a
shame your sire is not here." Otto said to Nick. "We could use the
General's help."
"What is he like?" Tracy asked.
"Lacroix?" Nick smiled dryly. "Cruel, honest, a man of his word, not the
sort you select for best friend status." He shrugged. "I don't think there
are words to describe him."
"I have sent him word to return." Otto said and smiled. "Dr Lambert, can
you go on as though nothing had happened? Report the attack to the police.
My guess is that they have spies in the force. Say openly that you are
going to stay with de Brabant."
"That would create gossip." Tracy said with a smile. "I can get that
spread around the office easily enough. Then they will either target the
morgue or Nick's place. They wouldn't attack by chance."
"No." Otto smiled grimly. "Perfect. Nick will be concerned so he can take
Natalie to and from work. I suggest he flies rather than using cars. We
will check yours for bombs or defects. We want this to be effective, we
don't want the doctor hurt."
"I can get people from the Raven to keep an eye out too." Urs said and
Tracy grinned.
"We will need a round the clock watch on Dr Lambert." Otto agreed. "Don't
accept parcels, gifts, flowers or anything else. They will attack and then
we will have them. You may not see my people but they will be there. We
will need to set a proper trap I think."
"You know the drill." Tracy smiled. "No talking to strange men."
"Right. Who will look after Sidney?" Nat asked. "I don't want him getting
hurt."
"Oh Nat." Nick said and looked at her. "Your life is under threat and your
main concern is the cat?" He smiled at her, his eyes for once open and
amused. "You are a strange woman." He leaned over and kissed her on the
lips and Tracy and Urs traded triumphant smiles.
"I am going to clean up on the pool." Tracy whispered to Urs.
"Me too." She responded.
"I also." Otto said and they looked at each other in amazement. "You think
we do not have fun between staking people?"
The women creased with laughter. "You have a pool too?" Tracy asked and
the dancer and the soldier both nodded. "On Nick and Nat?"
"Yes, we just don't tell Lacroix." Urs said quickly. She smiled at the
enforcer. "What else do you do for fun?"
He looked the dancer over and smiled. "Ask me again when we have sorted
this problem."
Tracy looked at his partner. Nick was going to be quite embarrassed in a
minute. "Hey partner." She said and walked over to him and leaned over.
"Report Detective Knight." She yelled in his ear. Nick sat up and looked
sheepish. "That's better, you should get a room."
"Sorry." Nat said, but she did not look it.
"We'd better report the explosion." Tracy said quickly. "Story needed, you
came over to see me, look at my holiday snaps, and when you went back the
bomb had gone off."
They soon designed a suitable story and went back to Natalie's and
officially discovered the explosion.
Tracy sighed as Nick and Nat were given the rest of the night off to move
Nat's stuff to Nick's place. They decided to meet for a session later to
design the specific trap to be set. She looked at Urs once the commotion
was dying down. "Any chance of some whammy lessons?"
Two nights later they were less cheerful. There had been no sign of the
fake enforcers and they were wondering how to arrange the trap. "I wonder
what we could do." Tracy said to Urs as they took a break from flying
lessons. "I mean we need to bring them in, get them to bite." She saw Otto
descending to join them.
"There have been two other incidents, one was given a deadline to come over
and did so, the other was not so fortunate." He sighed. "I am under
pressure to find a solution quickly. We do not know whether they have
infiltrated our ranks and there is considerable concern about this
situation."
"We need to lure them in." Urs explained and looked at the others. "We
have to find something to make them come to us. They probably suspect that
we are protecting Natalie."
"Why is she such a target?" Tracy asked softly.
"Natalie goes against every fundamental part of being a vampire. She
challenges the basic precepts of society, reducing us to a medical
condition." Otto sighed. "She is a living contravention of the code. To
these people she is a visible sign of our weakness as we do nothing to stop
her."
"I see." Tracy sighed. "We need for them to come to us, need to make a
bait so good that they can't resist it." She thought another minute.
"Suppose it were to get out that Natalie has found a cure or at least,
something to allow vampires out during the day." Tracy said to the others.
"If people were to hear that she were going to distribute it to anyone who
wants, say one evening at the Raven."
"They would want to strike. They may suspect it to be a set up but they
would be curious enough to emerge." Otto smiled angrily. He considered
the matter. "It would make sense. The word can be spread around town. We
can set a trap at the Raven and be ready for the attack. His smile
broadened. "I will need to talk to Dr Lambert but the idea is excellent in
theory."
Tracy traded smiles with Urs. "Is the General home?"
"Not yet, we are having trouble finding him. I too would prefer him here,
but we will have to manage." Otto smiled. "I will keep you informed."
With that he left.
"I think he likes you." Tracy said and Urs looked bashful.
End Part Four
Dance of the Hover Fly 5/6
By Spike Shovelton
See Part One for disclaimer
In the lobby of the best hotel in Kathmandu Lucien Lacroix sighed, why he
had been sent to this pointlessly dull meeting he did not know. He was sure
his son was unhappy, he could feel an odd mixture of joy and fury. He had
been sent to Melbourne and on arrival there had been told that the meeting
had been moved to Kathmandu, necessitating yet more travel.
As he walked over to register with the hotel he looked up to see Melinda,
one of the younger enforcers. She looked surprised to see him. "General,
what are you doing here?" She said as she came over.
"You asked me to attend a meeting and then proceeded to move the venue. I
have been trying to get in touch with one of the senior enforcers for days
but to no avail. I am here as you ordered." He said and she shook her
head.
"We've been trying to contact you for three days to get you to go back to
Toronto." She said quickly. "You keep refusing to answer your phone."
"I have been trying to persuade you to let me go back to Toronto but I am
unable to get through." He responded and looked at her. "Why?"
"Long story." She replied. "If we have been getting busy messages, and you
have been getting orders to attend all these meetings then someone is
tapping our lines. This is getting worse." She sighed and then pulled out
her mobile and then began a hurried conversation in Arabic. Once done she
returned her attention to Lacroix.
"You did not want me here?" He asked her.
"No, we tried to contact you at the first meeting in Vancouver but you were
busy, so your secretary said and we were unable to get through." She
shrugged.
"I do not have a secretary." He responded. "I think you had better tell me
what is going on." She motioned him to one side and proceeded to explain
"So someone sent me on a wild goose chase across the continent while
Nicholas's doctor is under threat and who knows what is going on in
Toronto?" His voice rose in annoyance as she nodded. "I will be on the
first plane home."
Tracy sighed as she studied her companion. "I hope this plan works." They
were sitting in a park so as to allow Tracy to practice using her vampire
senses.
"It will work." Urs sounded. "Just wait and see." She smiled. "I am not
surprised so many of us want a medicine to go out during the daytime."
"You do?" Tracy asked and Urs nodded. "Do you want to be mortal?"
"No." Urs sighed. "For a while I wanted nothing else, I hated that my
wishes had been ignored, and much as I love Javier I also hated him. I
hated having to kill and being so alone. Of late though I have come to
accept what I am. When the fever came and I nearly died I realised how much
I enjoy this life, especially now. I need not kill, may go where I will,
and I am gaining some power. I do not think I could be mortal again.
Perhaps I am afraid of it."
"You don't want to die." Tracy sighed as they arranged the traps at the
Raven. "I hate to admit it but when I went back from Vancouver to Toronto I
was partly relieved that I wouldn't grow old, that I would go on, be able to
do everything I dreamed of. I thought I shouldn't be, but I was."
"Normal." Urs agreed and smiled. "You are a strong vampire. Whoever your
sire was, he must be old or you would not be so powerful. You found it very
easy to adapt, to control the hunger. That too indicates age and strength.
Only those with a strong, old sire have a strong enough link to draw such
control."
"I think so." Tracy had found it easy to adapt, easier than she had
expected. "Then again I had a good teacher." Despite her doubts the young
vampire had been a patient, skilled teacher, and Tracy had been surprised
how well she was coping. She knew that she would be able to return to duty
soon.
Urs went pale pink for a moment then smiled. "Thanks Tracy."
Otto came over and smiled at them. "The news is all over town."
"Do people believe it?" Tracy asked and he shrugged.
"Perhaps they do, but they are certainly interested to find out." He
smiled. "The community encourages rumours. Are the traps in position?"
"Yeah, we're hoping that they'll try to get her into one of the back rooms.
Arrange troops in all of them." Tracy said quickly. "Nick will follow her
everywhere so then he can keep her out of trouble while we take out the
enemy."
"An excellent scheme." He studied her and turned to Urs. "Could I have a
word?" Tracy nodded and walked away, waiting with her back turned until Urs
came over to her, alone.
"He asked me on a date." She said, eyes glowing with pleasure. "A senior
enforcer asked me on a date."
"Where?" Tracy asked her and Urs leaned over and smiled.
"To a concert at the university." Urs looked concerned. "I don't have a
thing to wear"
"Hey this is great. We'll have to plan your wardrobe." Tracy smiled. "I
can tell you one thing, nothing black. You are going to blow his mind."
"Sounds good." Urs studied her. "Will you help me find something sensible,
like your clothes?"
"Sensible?" Tracy looked horrified. "My clothes are sensible?"
Urs hid her face. "I didn't mean in a bad way, but yours are all so nice
and stylish and smart."
"It's okay, I'll live with the shattering of my illusions." Tracy said
dryly. "Say that again though and you meet Mr Pointy."
"Okay Buffy, I surrender." Urs said and the women broke into giggles.
"Please don't stake me." They managed to break off the incipient hysteria.
"I want something that isn't short and tight."
"Classy and sophisticated?" Urs nodded. "I can do that." Tracy grinned.
"Now let's nail these bastards."
The trap was as effective and smooth as the best traps usually are. Tracy
watched as the pseudo enforcers entered, coming in, moving in a wave as the
crowd parted, not having to fake their fear. They came over to Natalie at
the bar, distributing small packages and began to remonstrate with her.
Tracy began to count heads, recognising two of the men as the ones who had
tried to assault Urs. She marked those out for special attention.
Tracy smiled. She was sitting on one of the maintenance ladders just below
the roof and watching everything. "Queen's bishop to white king. Black
pawns taking White Queen across room. Knight in pursuit." She murmured
into her radio.
"Understood Bishop." Otto said. "King and queen's bishops move into
pursuit but do not engage."
Tracy heard Urs acknowledge as the group of eight pseudo enforcers led
Natalie from the dancefloor. Nine others held back the crowd at the Raven
with pointed stakes. Good thing that the mortal guests had been kept out of
the club tonight.
The real enforcers were just as efficient. Tracy had to admire the way Otto
ran this operation. Then again he did have good resources. She listened as
he instructed his men to take out the ones in the bar when Miklos gave the
word.
In the storeroom the pseudo enforcers had backed Natalie into a corner.
Their leader smiled. "You will now pay for interfering, for meddling and
trying to destroy us."
"No." Natalie cowered back, not needing to fake her fear that much. "I
didn't mean to harm anyone."
"Despite what they tell us, we know you caused the fever. You wanted to
destroy us. We will no longer tolerate that. You are too dangerous to
live. Unlike that fool girl in Vancouver we will not allow you to come
over. You will die." The leader smiled. "Slowly and painfully. Then we
will deal with your stupid lover, show him what happens to those who betray
the community."
"Not Nick!" Natalie said in panic. "Please not Nick."
"The time for discussion is past." They moved in. "Now you die."
Otto leaned over. "White side, move in, put black into check." He said.
As the leader of the group reached for Nat the door handle rattled and they
turned. At this juncture the lids fell off the barrels in the storeroom and
enforcers began to emerge. One of them opened the door as Nick came
charging in.
Tracy let herself descend from the roof crawlspace and joined the fight.
Now the fun began.
"White king to all troops, we want prisoners." Otto ordered and Tracy
smiled at the disappointed groans from the enforcers.
Lucien Lacroix unlocked the back door of his club and looked at the scene
before him. Stakes were flying everywhere, crossbow bolts were passing at
lethal speed. It looked like he had arrived on the set of "From Dusk to
Dawn" and he looked around for Quentin Tarantino, waiting for someone to
stop the action. He watched as Miklos tried to fend off two men in suits,
who looked like enforcers.
"Miklos?" He asked as he moved to assist his manager. "What is going on?"
His voice was cold. "I did not ask you to organise a bar brawl."
"Just a second." Miklos pressed the button on his radio. "White rook to
king, enemy on the run, request reinforcements." He turned to Lacroix.
"It's rather a long story."
"I am not going anywhere." Lacroix responded and threw an attacking vampire
across the room then reached for a spare stake and joined the fray.
In the storeroom Tracy smiled as they rounded up the pseudo enforcers. She
would not like to be in their shoes. Otto's smile was frightening as he
gathered them up, bound them with titanium handcuffs and then led them out.
Nick had been ordered to look after Natalie, to get her out of there and
into one of the secure rooms in the flat above the club and to remain with
her.
He hadn't exactly liked it, but then he wouldn't trust anyone else to go
near her. Otto turned to her and smiled. "So, we are almost done."
"What will happen to them?" She indicated the prisoners that his men were
removing.
"They will be questioned and then once we have ascertained the facts we will
try them for the crimes committed." He looked at her.
"How does that work exactly?" She studied him. "You don't just stake
them?"
"No, that does not tell us why. We also need to know how deep the
infiltration of our systems are. We will have a considerable task to
identify what has happened. This must not happen again so we must learn
why." He smiled. "I will tell you the details of the interrogation and
trial processes sometime soon." A thought struck him. "You know, we are
always interested in promising fledglings. We have good career
progression."
"Forget it." Tracy said. "I have had enough enforcers to last a lifetime."
She chuckled. "I'm going to see how Natalie is doing." She left the
storeroom and walked towards the stairs. As she turned up them she bumped
into a black clad figure. As the figure turned she drew back in surprise.
End Part Five
Dance of the Hover Fly 6/6
By Spike Shovelton
See Part One for disclaimer
The looming figure turned and Tracy felt a sense of familiarity, a buzz of
kinship through her link to him and she smiled broadly as the blue-grey eyes
fixed on her. "Lucien? Welcome to Toronto. You didn't need to come
though, I am keeping my promise, learning how to do this."
Lacroix studied the attractive blonde. Oddly he had been unable to forget
their enjoyable night. She had been different and despite his agreement not
to ask questions he had wanted to ask thousands of them. "I live here."
Was all he could say.
"You're joking?" Tracy laughed. "I thought you lived in Vancouver. How
wonderful to see you here again." She could feel the almost tangible ache
of the link between them and she moved closer, remembering how soft his skin
had been under her fingers, soft silken skin over hard muscles. She had
never expected to feel so glad to see him, of course he was seductive and
charming, but beside that it felt good to have him here.
"It is?" Lacroix paused. He was unused to any fledglings of his being so
pleased to see him. "I thought you'd said no strings."
Tracy flinched at this and looked at him. "You're right, I am just pleased
to see you. Is that all the link?"
He shook his head. "I hope not." His tone was caressing and as he said it
there was something familiar about it. "You will be seeing a great deal
more of me."
Tracy grinned feeling her stomach turn over at the innuendo in that voice.
"How much more?" She asked, her smile that of a temptress.
"That depends." He responded and reached for her, one arm going around her
waist and the other hand tangling itself in her golden hair as he kissed
her. She could see with a golden light now as his tongue teased her fangs.
Tracy touched his face and the kiss deepened. It was good not needing to
come up for air any more.
She tensed as his fingers touched her throat and hissed in pleasure. The
neck certainly was a vampire erogenous zone. Her back arched as he ran a
fingernail along her jugular, not quite breaking the skin. Her fangs cut
the skin of his lips and she sucked the blood, savouring the taste of it.
Reluctantly she broke the kiss. "Why don't you come to my place and let me
screw you into submission." She said and her finger traced his eyebrow as
it went up at this comment. Her lips returned to his and she felt the
tension of the day begin to dissipate. He tasted so good.
"Tracy." She heard her name in a choked whisper and turned to see Nick and
Nat standing behind her, their expressions mingling alarm and horror.
"It's okay, this is my maker." Tracy said and smiled. "Nick Knight and
Natalie Lambert, this is Lucien. I don't know your last name." She said,
not quite detaching herself from his arms.
"Lacroix." Nick said, his tone deadly. "How could you? You said you
wouldn't attack the people in my life."
"Lacroix?" Tracy looked from Nick to the other vampire. "Lucien Lacroix?"
"Yes." Lacroix turned to Nick. "Really Nicholas it is hardly your
concern."
"You couldn't resist the chance to ruin things could you? Nick said and
looked at him. "You wanted to ruin everything so you took Tracy. We had a
deal. Is this another of your games?"
Tracy looked at them. "Nick." She shouted, needing to establish some
control. Everything was spinning away, getting out of control. With a few
words Nick had spoiled her plans, and made everything change. "Nick
Knight." Her partner turned to her. "For goodness sake get Nat home, she's
worn out." The coroner looked drawn and tired and Tracy wanted her out of
there.
Nick turned to her and then back. "What about you?"
"What about me? I'll help Miklos tidy up some more and then go home." She
insisted. She went through into the storeroom and began to tidy it up.
Miklos looked up at her.
"Go home Tracy." His voice was very soft. She looked at the door, hearing
the raised voices as Nick and his sire began to argue. "They'll argue some
more then they'll start throwing things. Then they will start throwing each
other. Then Nicholas will storm out." He smiled as they heard Natalie
intervene to prevent the impending riot. "Or possibly not."
Tracy did go home and as she let herself into her flat she sighed. She
ought to have asked more questions, should have thought things through and
found out who her maker was. Then again she thought she was going to die,
she had done the best she could to survive. She looked out at the night.
It was bizarre being a vampire in this way.
Tracy walked to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine. It had been
stupid but when she had seen Lucien in the club she had thought he had come
for her, had thought that he had come to Toronto to find her. Despite her
insistence that it was a one night stand she had wanted something more.
His reasons were obvious. He had wanted to win his game with Nicholas.
Tracy had heard from Urs about the interaction between Nick and Lacroix,
their constant feuds and disputes. She had obviously been a pawn in their
games. Thoughts and concerns and images ran around in her head and she
could not be free of them. Her mind seemed to ache and burn with the
rushing thoughts. She was so tired and yet didn't feel sleepy at all.
"May I come in?" Came a voice and Tracy turned, seeing her sire at the
window.
"Can I stop you?" She asked bitterly. "Have you and Nick finished beating
each other up?"
"We have called a truce for the moment." Lacroix conceded and looked at
her. "You are angry with me."
"I don't like being a pawn in your game with Nick." Tracy spat out. "Why
didn't you tell me you were Nick's sire? Was that part of the game? Let's
make Nick's partner feel stupid and use her to get one over on Nick."
"I did not know." Lacroix sighed. "I was unaware that you were Nicholas's
partner. I ought to have read it in your blood but I did not have time for
a dispassionate examination of your thoughts." He studied her closely. "I
was too involved."
"I see." Tracy looked at him and neither of them spoke. "What did you
expect to get from it?"
"An amusing evening with a pretty woman." Lacroix shrugged. "It seemed a
good idea at the time." He studied her. "You did not know that I was also
Nicholas's sire?"
"No, you were Lucien. When Otto and Urs talked about you it was always as
"General" or "Lacroix" so I didn't connect the two. The way Nick described
you didn't quite match my impression so I didn't associate the two ideas."
Tracy sighed. "I was too busy with adapting to my new condition, and
dealing with the ersatz enforcers and catching up with the paperwork." She
looked at him. "I am surprised Nick didn't notice. Actually, knowing Nick
I shouldn't be surprised."
"Nicholas has many fine qualities but an ability to notice the obvious is
not one of them." Lacroix sighed. "He prefers to ignore his vampire
abilities unless it is absolutely necessary." He saw Tracy nodding.
Tracy studied her sire closely. "What happens now? I mean I know we agreed
no strings."
"It is your decision to make." Lacroix studied her. "I agreed to let you
go." His voice was amused. "I would like very much to develop our
relationship but having spent 800 years chasing one childe I have not the
energy to repeat that habit." He looked at her. "Provided that you are
learning our way and keeping the code, then we need not see one another."
He saw the disappointment in her eyes. "Alternatively we could attempt to
develop our relationship."
"What do you want?" Tracy asked not sure where she was going.
"I want to know you better." Lacroix smiled and she felt her insides begin
to melt at the frank appreciation in his gaze. "I want to drink your blood
and touch you. I want to see you laugh in pleasure and dance with me at the
Raven. I want to hunt with you and watch you make the kill." He studied
her. "Need I go on?"
"I get the idea." Tracy looked at him. She did want him, the link between
them was a seductive pleasure that enticed her to know him better. She had
so many images of him in her mind from their link. On the other hand, she
had a feeling that this could be a dangerous thing. He wasn't safe company
and it could endanger her relationship with Nick. On the third hand, it
felt silly not to know him, at least as a friend. "I don't know, I mean I
don't know you as a person." Tracy looked down at her hands. "I'd like to
get to know you and maybe see if we can be friends."
Lacroix looked at her in amusement. She wanted to be friends? He had
rather hoped that they would skip that part. He could easily use his power
as her sire and take her, but he had never cared for that, preferring
willing companions. "How do you propose that we should become friends?"
"I don't know." Tracy studied the old vampire. "Perhaps if we began by
talking. I mean I know you from the bloodlink but I don't know anything
about you."
"Let us talk then." Lacroix smiled at her. It was a very charming smile
and it made her stomach turn over. "After all we do have eternity."
"Yes." Tracy looked at him. "It's funny I have no idea what I'm going to
be doing for eternity. I mean I've been thinking so much about what I
should do now and how to survive the last few days. I never thought of the
long term."
"I can make a number of suggestions." Lacroix studied her. "But then my
success with my children is the talk of the community." A bitter edge
shaded his voice. "I am weary of loving my family and receiving only hate
in exchange."
"I can understand that." Tracy looked at him. "Let me get you a drink."
They talked together in the way of new acquaintances, trying to build common
ground and identify common perspectives. They talked for almost an hour
about very little, avoiding the controversial. Eventually Tracy became
aware of the lightening skies outside.
"It is almost dawn." Tracy said, her voice soft.
"I should go." Lacroix said, his voice equally gentle and curiously sad.
Tracy tried to identify the sensations that she was receiving through their
bloodlink. She could feel more of them now than while he was away but could
not put a name on all of them. It added to the confusion. Her brain did
not seem to want to turn off. "You don't have to go." The words slipped
out before she could think.
Lacroix looked at her. "Meaning what?"
"I don't want to be alone. I don't want to have to think." Tracy looked at
him. "This is probably a terrible idea but I don't care. I just want my
brain to stop thinking so hard and I don't want to go to bed and feel it
turn over. I can deal with it tomorrow but now I just want peace." She
turned away, uncomfortable under his scrutiny. "Oh forget I said anything
and go."
"No." Lacroix had come over to her and was standing uncomfortably close.
"You are allowed to be sad, uncomfortable or any combination of the above."
His voice was very soft. "You have had a traumatic few days and now that it
is over it is natural to be so perturbed." He moved away from her. "I
would advise a nice hot bath and a warm drink. You have the former and I
will prepare the latter for you."
"You're kind." Tracy smiled at him.
"I am your sire. It is my duty to help you." His eyes showed some
amusement. "My children do not often welcome my looking after them. It
pleases me to do so." His tone became more severe. "Now go and have a
bath. I will bring your drink in to you."
His eyes belied the seriousness of his voice. Their soft warmth soothed
her. As she went in to the bedroom, Tracy felt a sense of calm and
relaxation over her. Lacroix might be a right bastard sometimes, if Nick
was to be believed, but for the moment, she was simply glad that he was
there and comforted that she was not alone.
The End
Notes
1) "From Dusk to Dawn" was an incredibly violent, gory and often
unintentionally funny vampire film. It starred George Clooney, Quentin
Tarantino (acting very badly) and Juliette Lewis (acting very well.) The
plot involved two criminals and their hostages arriving at a bar filled with
vampires. The plot quickly descended into a fight and a bloodbath.
2) A hover fly is a small black and yellow fly. It vaguely resembles a wasp
and uses that resemblance to deter predators which fear it might sting.
Actually it has no sting and is easy to destroy.
(
geocities.com/area51/hollow/1228) (
geocities.com/area51/hollow) (
geocities.com/area51)