Two
Lance should have seen it coming. He mentally slapped himself as he watched Justin flirt shamelessly with Galen. Every time he turned around, he found his friend wandering around the club. A warning from both Lance and Galen had kept him from ending up a meal, but some of the younger ones were treading a thin line. Lance picked up his glass, swirling the brandy around as he watched the couple in front of him.

“Galen, you’re only a few years older than me. C’mon, go out with me.” Big blue eyes surrounded by long lashes stared intently at her.

Galen could feel her resolve weakening. She very rarely got involved with humans because they were so fragile, among other things. She turned to Lance for help, but he just arched an eyebrow and hid behind his snifter.

“Justin, it’s not the years, although there are more separating us than you think. I just don’t think it’s wise to get involved with friends of friends.”

Pressing his lips together, he scowled for a minute. Without warning, his expression changed, and he grinned widely. She was surprised by the change, hoping that he took the news well. Lance laughed silently, recognizing the young man’s strategic retreat and attack on another front.

**~~**


“So, Lance…” Justin sat down and smiled at his friend, never finishing his sentence.

“No.”

“I haven’t asked anything yet?!”

“You’re going to ask questions about Galen, and I already told you I’m not getting involved. If you want to pursue this, you’re on your own.” Lance never looked up from his laptop, completely missing the pout.

“Fine. I will get her to go out with me. Just you wait.” The determination in that voice made the older man look up.

“Justin…”

Justin looked over at the other man. Lance sighed.

“Be careful.”

A quick wink was his reply before the young man practically bounced at the door.

**~~**


Thus began Justin’s plan of seduction. He sent flowers the next day—not roses or carnations or a gaily packaged spring flower arrangement. Justin found the most expensive orchids available in Chicago and had them shipped to the club. Galen looked at him when he arrived that night, but he just smiled and melted into the crowd on the dance floor.

The next day, an exceptional bottle of brandy was delivered by courier, and she opened the box with a sigh.

“He is quite persistent.” William simply looked into the box and then at his boss.

“Yes, he is.” She handed the bottle to him, instructing him to take it to her private chambers.

When Justin arrived that night, he grinned at her before brushing past her on his way to the VIP room. His body tingled in anticipation of the slow grin she had given him.

Yes!

The third day involved a box of sinfully delicious chocolate imported from Switzerland. Galen took one bite and sighed in pleasure. After putting the box in her desk, she leaned back in her chair and pondered the situation.

Getting involved with humans was always a risky proposition, and getting involved with a pop megastar lusted after by millions was not a good way to keep the masquerade hidden. She was amazed that Lance had done it so well.

Then again, he’s had years of practice. Galen smiled at the thought before turning her mind back to the problem at hand.

Justin was persistent and wouldn’t go away without some sort of acknowledgement. Sighing, she leaned back in her chair. She was fairly sure the sex would be fun, but she worried that the young man would not be satisfied with one brief encounter.

Galen stood up and walked over to the long glass wall and looked down at the club guests. She easily picked out the members of *N Sync moving in and around the other dancers. Straightening her shoulders, she walked downstairs and settled at her usual table. Before long, Lance joined her at the table. Her eyes never left the dance floor.

“I’m torn.”

He smiled into his drink, sobering when he looked at her. “He is rather…overwhelming.”

She chuckled softly, still watching him move amongst the crowd of dancers on the floor. “I would enjoy him, but it wouldn’t last, and I’m afraid encouraging him will only make things harder.”

“Probably.” He agreed, taking another sip of his wine.

Galen turned her gaze on him and sighed before looking back at the floor. She frowned. “Where did he go?”

Lance looked around as well, suddenly worried. He rose to his feet and moved toward the dancers, searching for his friend. He caught a glimpse of Justin disappearing through a back exit, and then he saw a young vampire turn and smile at him.

He pushed through the crowd, knowing that Galen wasn’t far behind, and found himself blocked by two young men. They smirked, until Lance had one of them on his knees, slowly squeezing his throat. The other man moved quickly out of the way, and Lance tossed the young man aside before bursting through the door.

His eyes automatically refocused on the end of the alley, the cry in his throat cut off as he watched the knife bury itself in Justin. Lance and Galen ran towards the young man, and the two young vampires scattered.

**~~**


He never saw the knife. It slid into his belly, fire searing him, and he watched the blood pour over his hands. He sank to his knees in shock, looking up when he saw Lance at the other end of the alley running towards him. Galen pressed a towel to the wound and helped Lance get him into her car. They drove quickly to the hospital, making sure they saw a doctor who was part of the “family”. The man looked Justin over, and when he turned to Lance and Galen, he simply shook his head.

Lance closed his eyes in pain then moved over to stand next to his friend. His eyes were caught by the wide blue orbs staring at him.

Justin grabbed Lance’s hand. “Can you save me?”

“Justin, I…”

“Can. You. Save. Me?” The words were whispered with urgency.

Lance pressed his lips together, holding tight. “Think about this, Just. If I do this, we’re gonna have to leave eventually. You’ll lose your family. You can’t tell them what you are.”

“But you’ll be with me, right?” The blue eyes were dull with pain and the struggle to live.

The older man nodded, then watched as Justin looked over his shoulder.

“Me, too.” Galen’s voice was soft, barely heard over the hum of machinery.

“Watch the door.” Lance looked over at Galen, who nodded and sent her mind out to temporarily blind everyone to what was happening in the room.

Justin looked up, his eyes slightly fearful. “So it really feels like an orgasm?”

Green eyes twinkled briefly. “Close your eyes, Justin.”

He felt the coolness of Lance’s mouth against his throat, then a sharp pain as his skin was pierced. Moments later, an ethereal feeling swept over him, and he tightened his fingers around Lance’s as his heart slowly stopped beating. The next thing he realized was the warmth flowing past his lips, down his throat and burning into his belly as he suckled the wrist.

Moaning slightly as the warmth was removed, Justin fell back against the bed as he watched Lance lick his wrist to heal the slit he had made for the other man to feed. Licking his lips, tasting the coppery wetness, Justin was suddenly overcome with a bellyache.

“Ugh.” He rolled over and clutched his stomach. “What’s wrong with me?”

“Your body is going through the change. It will be okay in a few minutes, but you’ll need to feed soon.” Lance brushed his hand over his friend’s…his son’s…hair.

A knock on the door startled them, and Lance looked up to find Lynne Harliss opening the door. “How is he? The doctors couldn’t tell me much.” She crossed the room and gathered Justin into her arms.

“I’m gonna be fine, Mom. Just fine.” He looked over her shoulder at Lance, who smiled back and nodded.

After several minutes of convincing his friends he was fine, Justin left the hospital preceded by Lance and Galen, walking into a new world. He winced slightly at the sunlight, and Lance handed him a pair of sunglasses.

“I’ll explain it all when we get back to the hotel, Justin.”

The young man nodded as the five men were shepherded into a car. Justin rolled down the window and grabbed Galen’s hand. “I will see you later, right?”

She smiled and nodded, brushing her finger across his lips. “Yes, you will.”

Nodding, he leaned back and let Joey roll up the window. Galen stood at the hospital entrance and watched as the limo pulled out of sight. She hoped, for everyone’s sake, that Justin would adapt quickly.

**~~**


They all followed Justin into his room, watching as he fell onto the bed and rolled himself in the covers.

“I’m fine, guys. I’m just tired. Really.” He smiled at them, making sure it was real so that they would believe him.

“Sleep good, infant.” Chris patted Justin’s foot as he headed out the door.

“You sleep good, kid.” Joey smiled at the younger man as he left the room.

JC studied his friend. “Call if you need anything.” Justin nodded.

When it was just the two of them, Justin stared at Lance. The older man sat down on the bed, not surprised when the curly head settled into his lap.

“I’m scared.”

Stroking the curls, Lance sighed. “I know. It’s okay, though. I’ll help you through it.” He remained there until Justin fell deep into sleep.

When he was sure the young man would stay asleep, Lance slipped from the bed and headed out of the room. He easily avoided the security guards, making his way down to the club to catch Galen. She wasn’t surprised to see him in her office.

“I want them.”

She nodded, not at all surprised. “I know where they are.”

They slipped through the alleys to an old building on the outskirts of the business district. It was surrounded by warehouses, large buildings towering over it. Lance studied it for a moment.

“How many are in there?” He looked over at the woman next to him.

“Just the three. They’re new, refused to affiliate with anyone. They’re rogue.” She arched an eyebrow as she looked at him. “Will you need my help?”

The grin was feral, transforming him from the genial boy-next-door. “No.” He disappeared into the house.

Galen stood outside and waited, listening to the frightened yelps and ominous groans. When the sounds halted, she entered the house to find Lance staring at the man who had stabbed his friend. Dust from the other two lay on the ground scattered around table and chair legs. The remaining member of the trio was trying to claw his way out of Lance’s grasp.

“heeeellllpppp meee.” The words were moaned more than spoken, and Galen stared at the young man.

The moan was cut off as Lance sank his teeth into the bared neck. Within moments, the body hung limp in his hands. When he finished, he dropped the body, impaling it on a wooden table leg. They watched the body turn into dust, tiny flecks dancing in the sunlight that drifted through boarded windows. Galen nodded as she crossed her arms over her chest then looked over at Lance.

Blood spotted his face and clothing, and she shook her head. Tugging on his arm, she pulled him away from the room.

“My people will make a sweep and ensure we took care of everything. Come with me so you can change and go back to Justin.”

The sound of his friend’s name brought Lance out his rage, and he sighed. Nodding, he followed Galen out of the house and into her car. She quickly dialed a number on her cell phone and gave instructions for someone to come take care of the house.

After cleaning up in Galen’s office, Lance headed back to the hotel and slipped into his room. He stretched out on the bed, tucking his hands beneath his head. It had been a long time since he had been forced to dispense justice like that. Part of him was saddened at the fact that it had to be done; a larger part was glad he still knew what to do.

Damn fucking rogues!

He looked over when he heard the doorknob turn, not surprised to see Justin slip into his room. The young man joined him on the bed, stretching out on the pillow beside him.

“Where did you go?”

He turned his head to look at his “son”. “I had to take care of some business. Why don’t you go back to sleep?”

Blue eyes studied him. Justin’s brow furrowed as he pondered the statement, but the events of the past evening had tired his mind and his body. The change was almost complete, and he needed more rest. Lance brushed his thumb over the furrow and smiled.

“Sleep.”

The blue eyes closed.

**~~**


“I have to do what?” Justin looked at Lance in surprise.

“How did you think you were going to get the blood? They were just going to jab an IV into their arms and stick the end of the tube in your mouth?”

“Well excuse me. I’ve only been one of the undead for a few days.”

Lance heaved a sigh and fell back on the bed. Justin sat down next to him.

“Okay, explain it to me again.”

“Tell you what. As your sire, it’s my duty to make sure you learn how to hunt. Well, I don’t think hunting’s going to be the hard part here. I’ll get someone and bring her back here. I’ll show you what to do, you’ll get a chance to feed, and she’ll walk away thinking she’s had the best sex she’s ever had in her entire life.”

“But I don’t have to do anything else, right?” Justin gnawed on his lip as he stared at his friend.

“No, you don’t have to do anything else, J.” Lance smiled gently, rubbing his hand over Justin’s shorn head.

**~~**


Well, he wouldn’t call his first feeding a success exactly, and that bothered him. He was so used to being good at everything he did, it was a little disheartening when he couldn’t figure out how to do what he needed to do. Lance had to “blind” her so he could feed, then he had to figure out when to stop before taking too much. He had almost gone too far, but Lance stopped him because he understood. He didn’t laugh, which meant a lot to the younger man. The next time, he handled it much better, sending the young woman away with a happy smile. Lance grinned at him before leaving to hunt for himself.

The next week, they hunted together, leaving the hotel far behind as they searched out people who had no connection with the group, just to make sure someone didn’t see anything they weren’t supposed to see. The first time Justin drank from a man, he was surprised at the difference in taste. Lance shrugged.

“I don’t know why it’s different. It just is.”

Lance was patient with the questions, which ranged from why their eyes changed color to how long their race had been around. If he didn’t know the answers, he looked until he found something that would satisfy the young man. The older vampire also began preparing his friend for his eventual departure.

“I’ve set up a bank account for you with my bank in Geneva. As long as you have the code, you can access the account. You’ll need to transfer small amounts so that no one asks too many questions. You’ll want to make sure you have your will prepared for your family, too.”

Justin sat down on the bed and rested his face in his hands. “This is hard.”

Joining his friend on the bed, Lance rested his head on the young man’s shoulder. “Yeah, it is.”

Justin began working on his finances the next morning.

**~~**


JC noticed that Justin began spending a lot more time with Lance, withdrawing from them slightly. He thought it had to do with the incident at Galen’s club, so he tried not to press the issue. After a couple of weeks, the old Justin reappeared, and he was glad to have his friend back.

Chris noticed that Justin and Lance spent a lot of their nights together, leaving the hotel and appearing the next morning in bright spirits. He figured they found some action and silently cheered them on.

Joey noticed the change in Justin’s appearance one morning at breakfast. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a bright flash of blue. When he looked at his friend full in the face, Justin looked the same, but there was the slightest difference in his eyes. It took several hours for Joey to stop his thoughts from racing with possibilities. Every so often, he would catch little glances between the two youngest members, and he knew, with perfect clarity, that he didn’t want to know their secret.
Chapter Three
Table of Contents
Chapter One