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From: Don.Durham@smsc.com
X-Lotus-FromDomain: SMC
To: Cagey 
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 08:18:49 -0600
Subject: Val:Truth Amongst Lies by Don Durham

_Truth Amongst Lies_


DISCLAIMER: The characters and situations of Forever Knight are the
property of James D. Parriot, the various studios, et al.  No Copyright
infringement is intended.  However, the characters and situations
introduced in _Truth Amongst Lies_ are mine and may be used only with
my express written permission.

c 1998 D.M. Durham.

All rights reserved.  Only reasonable distribution (i.e., forwarding it
to a friend, printing it out for private use or saving it to a private
file) is permitted.  _Truth Amongst Lies_ is not to be posted elsewhere
without my permission.

This story was beta-read and critiqued by my very supportive and
insightful wife.  Without her help and patience, it would not have been
possible.


E-mail: CousinDon@innocent.com

_Truth Amongst Lies_ is a 'Valentine' story.  It is also adult in
nature, with strong language, and graphic depictions of sex.  Please
exercise your judgement in reading.



--------------------------------------------------------------




"Damn it!  How could he do this to me again?  Does he think I
enjoy this?  If he doesn't want to be with me why does he keep playing
with me this way?"  Natalie Lambert finished this last question with a
sob and dropped her head into her pillow, weeping.  Sydney looked up
inquisitively.  Accustomed to being queried on affairs of the heart, he
knew the question required no answer, even if he could respond.  He
fulfilled his duties by curling around Natalie's head and purring
softly.  Slowly, by degrees, the tears ebbed.  She fell into a fitful
sleep.

     Her dreams were occupied with dark images of entrapment, capture;
of being held prisoner in a stuffy dungeon, the chains rattling in the
distance.  Natalie woke with a start, gasping for breath with Sydney
gleefully wrapped around her throat purring noisily.  Still groggy with
the terrors of the night, she pried her tormentor from her neck and
stumbled to the bathroom.  She was still dressed in the gown she had
worn last night, a seafoam-green silk wraparound that had put her way
over her clothing budget for the month.  She almost tripped on one of
her heels, scattered where she had thrown it off; the other tangled in
her hose wadded on the floor.  Great, she mused, this'll have to go the
cleaners, unworn, and I'll bet the hose are ruined.  What else could go
wrong?

     Well, I might as well get cleaned up.  Stripping off the dress
and its supporting cast, Natalie began to clean off her makeup and get
into the shower.

     Feeling a bit less strained, and much less morose; Natalie
considered the day ahead.  Not much reason to stay home is there, girl?
Well, there was always more work to do at the morgue, and it would keep
her from thinking too much.  I might as well head in to my other home.

     "You know you're turning out just like your father.  You work all
the time.  It's no wonder you're alone at 30."  From five hundred
miles, her mother's voice knifed into her consciousness.  She knew that
she spent too much time at the office, but it was the only constant in
her life, and she was not about to give that up.  Besides, it wasn't
like she was neglecting anyone by taking pride in her position.  One
thing she could say was that her life was her own.

     Unfortunately, you couldn't get away from thinking while driving.
Natalie momentarily considered driving with her right eye closed, or
maybe doubling the speed limit to give herself something else to think
of, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to trick herself so easily.

     Like most horror movies it had started innocently enough, Natalie
thought.  Nick came in to the lab on Wednesday evening?

                    --------------------

     "Hi Nat."

     Startled, she looked up, "Oh ?, hi Nick."  Damn, why does he have
to sneak up like that, and why does my heart have to start every time I
see him?  You'd think I'd get over blushing when I saw him after all
this time.

     Nick Knight smiled and waited for Nat to recover.  It wasn't that
he tried to glide into the room and scare Nat, but after 800 years of
being a vampire, he had a hard time remembering to make noise so that
humans would sense his approach.  He'd been coming to see Nat for
several years now, subjecting himself to the latest in a long series of
experiments in regaining his lost humanity.  Nat did seem to be the
best bet he'd ever had.  He had spent the past few decades in
breathless anticipation.  As science and technology advanced beyond
what would have passed for magic in 13th century France, he knew that
his search would soon be over.  He wished he could afford the risk of
walking into Johns Hopkins or UCLA and announcing "Hello, ladies and
gentlemen, I'm a vampire, and I'd like to be mortal again.", but he
knew that he wouldn't get past the first few seconds of either grounds
before the enforcers would take care of his quest in a more permanent
manner.

     "Nat, I was?wondering?if you were free this Friday night?"

     "I really didn't have anything planned.  What'd you have in
mind?"

     "I don't know, it's just that we've been friends for so long, and
we really didn't have a real Valentine's dinner."  What with LaCroix
spiriting you away to Azure and almost killing you.  "So I thought we
might have a night out.  You now, dinner, dancing, a walk in the
moonlight ? a real evening together."

     "Uh, I don't know what to say ? Sure!  I'd love to!"

     "OK. I've got to get back to the station. Pick you at your
apartment about 7:30?  We'll go to Chrystall; dancing afterwards.
Sound good?"

     "Great."

     From that point on, Natalie was on cloud nine.  Of course she got
almost no work done the rest of the week.  She spent the next day
shopping, dragging Grace along as an advisor.  It took most of the
afternoon, but she finally found the perfect thing.  Of course, there
was still the stress of waiting, getting her hair done Friday, finding
out she didn't have hose, buying makeup ? she'd had friends that went
to less trouble getting married.

     When Friday came, Natalie was ready at seven.  She refused to be
cliched and late when Nick picked her up.

     At 7:15, Natalie poured herself a glass of Merlot, too nervous to
sit and wait.  Maybe I should change this lipstick?

     At 8:00, Natalie began to worry.  Although she didn't expect Nick
to be precise, she didn't expect him to be this late.  First call: the
cell phone ? no answer.  Now try his house ? answering machine (four
rings ? no messages).  "Hi Nick, this is Nat.  It's about eight, and I
was getting a bit worried, so I thought I'd call and make sure you're
all right.  See ya' soon."

     Maybe the station ? "No, Detective Knight, isn't here.  I saw him
leave with Schanke about an hour ago."  That's it, Nick got called away
on a case.  He'll be here soon.  Natalie Lambert, you will not make
another phone call until 8:30.  You know Nick is on the way, and you
don't need to be checking up on him.

     The next half an hour passed with deliberate speed.  Nothing on
TV could keep her attention.  She got up every few minutes and look
outside for his car, then check outside the door to see if he was
coming up the hall.  The wine quickly began tasting vile, but she
poured herself another glass anyway, at least it was something to do.
Why was he so late?

     Eventually 8:30 came.  At last she would let herself call him
again.  Cell phone ? "I'm sorry but the party you are calling."  Home
? Answering machine again, and he hasn't picked up his messages.

     Try the station once more ? "Yeah Nat, Knight and Schanke left
here about 20 minutes ago.  No, I'm not sure where Nick was going, but
Schanke was heading home."  At last, he should be here any minute.
He'd head home first to change, but still he would be there soon.
Nervously, Nat went in to her bathroom to check her makeup and hair.
She wanted to be just so when Nick picked her up.

     Relieved to have something to do, Natalie lost track of time.
Coming out of her bedroom, she realized that she'd been in there for 15
minutes.  It was 9:15, and Nick had not called or come to the door.
Quickly she checked the street and hallway again.  Both were empty.

     Another round of calls: cell phone - off; home - not there and
messages on the machine; work (She hoped Myers didn't answer again) -
"Left with Schanke over an hour ago."  Maybe his beeper.  Natalie
didn't want to beep him, it seemed too desperate, too frantic, but at
this point, she was frantic.  It wasn't like Nick to do this to her.
She could count on him.

     Natalie called Nick's beeper number, "Nick's Beeper, punch in
your number and I'll call you."  Now, Natalie eyed the phone.  She knew
that she couldn't will it to ring, but she still looked at it demanding
satisfaction from it.

     Ring.  Ring.  Her phone trilled its electronic imitation of a
bell.

     "Hi.  Nick?"

     "No, dear, it's mom.  Were you expecting someone else?"

     I _can't_ let her know how stressed I am.  Calm down, breathe
easy.  OK? "I was expecting a call.  A friend from work was supposed to
let me know the results of a case."

     "Natalie."  The disapproval wrapping around her name made Natalie
wince.  "It's Friday night.  Can't you leave the work alone for just
one night?  Why aren't you out with someone?  You're a pretty girl, you
shouldn't be working so much."

     "Mom, let's not go over this again."  Abruptly, Natalie was no
longer upset over Nick's tardiness; the stress, and accumulated
heartache of her mother's litany against her profession welled up
inside her and drowned Nick's fire completely.  "You know that I can't
just work nine-to-five and be done with it.  I am responsible.  I am
the coroner.  People depend on me."  Natalie knew that her mom wasn't
going to let this drop, and she was not up to spending the next
30-minutes in another useless argument.  "Mom, I really can't talk now.
I'm waiting for a phone call."

     "Alright dear."  The hurt in her voice more palatable than the
disapproval of before.

     "I'll call you tomorrow, OK?"

     "Sure, hon. You have a good night."

     Natalie sagged into her couch, drained by the near-collision with
her mom.  How long was it?  Five minutes.  Nick should have gotten the
page by now.  She had call waiting, but what if he'd called while the
phone was ringing.  She could try to call him, but now that she'd paged
him, he might get a busy signal when he called her.  Quickly, she
grabbed her cell and called his house, no answer and the messages were
unchecked.  His cell-phone was still off.  She pondered calling Schanke
- no, there was no reason to get him involved.

     Natalie resumed her pacing, checking, and waiting.  Flipping
thorough the television channels, nothing would hold her attention for
more than a few seconds.  Seventy-five channels without a single thing
to watch.  Each cycle of watching, listening, and waiting for him to
call took a little less time.  Each time she looked out the window at
the empty street, strained to hear footsteps in the hallway, or checked
her phone to make sure it was working she got a little more upset.

     About 10:15, Natalie began to believe she had been stood up.  Her
lower lip trembled slightly, then she gave up control.  "Why would he
do this to me?" she wailed.  Didn't he know how much this evening had
meant to her?  Natalie started sobbing, her head slumped against her
couch, her carefully applied makeup washing down her face and onto the
cushion beneath her.

     Bit by bit Nat's distress changed to anger.  After all, he had
stood her up.  She had planned for the night, gotten ready, and waited
by the phone.  The least he could do is show up.  "Just who in the hell
does he think he is?", Natalie stormed.  "Does he think I have nothing
better to do than to wait around for him to bother to call me?"

     As her anger ran its course, the despair came back in spades.
She knew that Nick had stood her up.  Probably to be with Janette.  Why
would he do that to me?  Can't he see how much I love him?  Doesn't he
care?

     Opening the phone book, she quickly turned to the Raven's number.
Staring at it, she fought with the idea.  Was it better to wonder
whether he was with Janette, or was it better to know?  Steeling
herself against certain heartbreak, she dialed the number.

     "Good evening, Raven."  Miklos, the Raven's bartender, part-time
bouncer, and 25% investor, shouted over the club's din.

     "Yes, I would like to speak to Detective Nick Knight; tell him
its Natalie Lambert."

     Miklos needed no introduction to Nick's human dalliance, but he
pretended not to know her anyway.  There was no reason for her to feel
threatened by him.  "?I'm sorry, but N? Detective Knight has not been
in here this evening."

     Natalie came a fraction from asking for Janette, but bit back the
request.  "Thank you."

     "Would you like to leave a message in case he comes in?"

     "No, but thank you anyway."

     Natalie hung up the phone, and stifled a sob.  She _was_ being
stood up.  The Raven was her last hope.  At least he wasn't standing
her up for Janette.  Why did Nick continue to see her?  Didn't he know
it hurt her for him to run to Janette whenever anything went wrong?
She knew Nick loved her, and she knew that he wouldn't cheat on her
with Janette, but it still tore into her when she found out he had been
there and seen his old love.

     Natalie sank back into her couch sobbing.  At some point, without
realizing it, she stumbled into her bedroom and collapsed onto her bed.

                    --------------------

     Going to work this morning was probably one of the more
spectacular mistakes Natalie had made of late.  She was miserable.  Not
only was she heartsick at Nick's cruelty of the previous night, but she
was a more than a bit hung-over as well.  How much wine had she drunk?
Gasping she realized that she had finished the first bottle and been
well into the second when she had finally fallen asleep.

     "Morning, Grace.", Natalie monotoned.

     "Natalie!

     "How was last night?  Tell me everything!"  Grace was rushing to
her friend, eager to absorb the excitement of her friend's all-too-rare
evening with Nick.

     "Grace?"  The one syllable, was all Natalie uttered, before the
tears flooded back.

     "What.  Did.  He.  Do?"  Grace's voice rose in volume with each
word, ending on a note as strained as Natalie appeared.

     Natalie shook her head, unable to speak, unwilling to think about
the previous night.  With her head on Grace's shoulder, she brought her
breathing and her tears under control.  "He?never?showed?up."  Saying
it to someone else made it real.  The sobs began again in earnest.

     For the moment, Grace was too angry to speak.  An unusual
situation for her, she rarely lacked a comeback, and could always hold
her own in a conversation.  "You mean that little weasel stood you up?"

     "I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable excuse.  A case came up;
he got lost in his work.  Maybe he fell asleep.  He could be lying hurt
somewhere for all I know?"

     Grace shuddered at the thoughts running through her mind.  She
knew that Natalie needed her right now, but it took a great deal of
willpower not to pick up the phone and find the jerk.  She had never
been too fond of Nick.  He always took advantage of Natalie as far as
she was concerned.  Sometimes he acted as if Natalie was required to
love him, and whatever he did was of no consequence.  However, this was
not the time to get even with Nicholas Knight.  "Honey, why don't we go
get some breakfast?  You look like you haven't eaten a thing."

     Natalie wasn't sure that breakfast was what she wanted right now,
but being out of there sure sounded good.  She was afraid that Schanke
would walk in and she really didn't want to face him right now.  "I
don't know, Grace.  I don't feel too well.  Maybe I could sit with you
while you ate."

     Grace steered Natalie to a cafe? across the street, constantly on
the lookout for Detective Knight.  She knew he only worked the evening
shift, but she was taking no chances with her friend.

                    --------------------

     Once Natalie got into the cafe, she realized she was hungry.
Eating, and talking with Grace, made the pains of last night abate.
"I'm sure Nick didn't stand me up last night.  Something came up and he
couldn't get away.  He was just too busy to call."

     "I'm sure that's it.", Grace lied.  She couldn't see how anyone
could stand someone up when he saw her almost every night.  How could
she just slip his mind?  Besides, the alternative was even worse - Nick
had stood Natalie up on purpose.

     The next time I have a chance to talk to _Detective Nicholas
Knight_, he is going to rue every tear that Natalie has shed over him,
Grace thought.  "Did you check with Schanke?  Maybe he knows what
happened to Nick last night."  Even if his partner will lie for him, I
know that he'll get shit over it.

     "That's a good idea.  I'll call Schanke when he gets in this
afternoon."  Natalie would prefer to call him at home right now, but
thought she'd better not seem too eager.  Grace was angrier with Nick
than she was.  And after all, Grace didn't know Nick like she did.

     The afternoon passed uneventfully, the less desirable of
Toronto's denizen's being unusually quiet this week.  There were a
couple of routine autopsies to be done, but none of the violence and
vivisection that she had come to expect.

     At 4:00, Natalie readied herself to call Schanke.  She knew he
would be in early, since he was on Cohen's bad side, and hoped that by
getting caught up with his paperwork, he might get on with her better.
Actually, Natalie did not think that was possible.  Schanke just didn't
seem to have it in him to get along with management.  He just always
ended up rubbing them the wrong way.

     Natalie dialed the precinct, and asked to be connected to
Schanke.  Hoping she could sound normal and conversational, she waited
for Schanke to pick up.

     At the moment Don Schanke was trying to make sense out of last
week's arrest records, and come up with some sort of logic as to why he
and Nick had done some of the things they had done.  Well, put
something down, he thought.  She can't shoot you for trying.  His
concentration was burst by the phone.

     "Schanke."

     "Schanke, its Nat."

     "Hey, Nat, why are you in on a Saturday?  I thought you were
taking this weekend off."

     "Well, I was, but I thought I would come in anyway and get some
of the overload off my desk."

     "Yeah, I'm in here trying to get off Cohen's list."

     "Schanke, did Nick say where he was going last night?"

     "Why?  Is he missing?"

     "No.  I was expecting him to drop by last night, and he didn't
make it.  No big deal."  That last statement took almost all of
Natalie's resolve to complete without a break in her voice.

     "I think he was going over to the Raven to see Janette about
something.  Said he 'had enough of police work for one night' and was
turning everything off - beeper, cell phone, all of it'."

     "OK.  Thanks.  Don't tell him I called, OK?  I wouldn't want him
to think I was checking up on him."

     "Sure, Nat.  You have a good afternoon."

     Natalie rang off without saying good-bye.  AT THE RAVEN?  With
JANETTE?  Now she knew Nick had stood her up.  Not only stood her up,
but also left word that he was not to be disturbed while he was with -
_her_.

     Angrily, she snatched the phone, and dialed Nick's number.  I
will tell him what I think this time.  I will not let him do this to me
without a fight.

     The phone went to the answering machine after two rings.
Messages still unplayed upon it.  "Hi, this is Nick?"

     "Nick, it's Nat.  Remember?  Natalie Lambert, the person whom you
stood up last night!  Nick, if you're there pick up!  I want to talk to
you NOW!"  Natalie held the line for a few seconds alternately praying

that he would and would not pick up the phone.  Slamming the phone into
the cradle, she collapsed with frustration, anger, and defeat.

     Grace walked in, just as the handset hit the phone.  She jumped
at the crack it made when it impacted.  "Natalie, did you find out what
happened to Nick?

     "Yeah.  I found out.  For all the good it did me.  Schanke told
me that Nick left work last night and went out drinking."  She couldn't
begin to explain about Janette.  And she certainly didn't want to have
to face the facts of Nick's faithlessness with another woman.

     "Girl.  You *do not* need him.  Why don't you and I go out
tonight and do the town?"

     Natalie sat for a moment considering the prospect.  "I don't
know?"

     "Don't know?  I am not going to let you mope around here for the
next week.  We are going out!"

     "Grace?"  Natalie saw the determination in her friend's eyes, and
knew that she had already lost this argument.  "Sure.  Why don't I head
home and get ready?"

     "Want to leave about  seven?"

     "See you then."  Natalie kept most of the resignation out of her
voice.  But Grace could hear the unuttered sigh in her voice."

     "Don't eat, we can get a bite downtown."

     Once Grace had a project in mind, she felt much better about Nick
and Natalie.  Maybe this will be just the thing, she thought.  Get
Natalie away from Nick and with guys who'll appreciate her.  Grace
spent the rest of the day setting up Natalie's night on the town.

     Natalie had no idea that she had become Grace's project.  Nor did
she realize that it was Grace's intention to eradicate Nick from her
life.  She was just happy that she wouldn't be spending tonight in her
apartment hiding from the phone.

                    --------------------

     Promptly at 7 p.m., Natalie's bell rang.  "Hi, Grace," she
called, "come on in.  I've got more thing to do and we can get going."

     While Natalie went back into the bedroom to continue dressing,
Grace sat down on the couch next to Natalie's purse.

     "You doing OK?"  Grace called into the bedroom.  She wanted to
ask if that cretin Nick had called, but she knew better than to open
that wound right now.

     "Fine."  The tone left some questions as to whether or not she
was anywhere near fine.

     Grace was seized by an inspiration.  Continuing to converse with
Natalie, she quietly opened Natalie's purse, set the cell-phone and
beeper on the couch beside her, and moved the cushion on top of it.
Now let Nick try to ruin this evening.

     "I thought we'd get dinner at The Yangtzee River, and then head
over to Scandal for some fun."  Grace was trying to the talk light, and
away from anything to do with either work or the Toronto PD.

     "OK."

     "Have you been to either of them?"

     "I've heard of The Yangtzee River.  Isn't Scandal close to it?"

     "Yeah, within walking distance."

     "So.  What d'ya think?"  Natalie called from the bedroom.

     Grace was startled by Natalie's call.  Quickly moving away from
the couch and its cache of electronics, she looked toward the bedroom.
Natalie's back was to Grace, but the effect was stunning.  Natalie was
wearing a short, black, leather sheath, which just came past mid-thigh.
Grace had never seen Natalie in anything this racy.  To top it off,
she'd put on black stockings, and pumps that bore no resemblance to the
practical shoes of a county coroner.  It was certain that Natalie would
turn more than a few heads this evening.  As Natalie turned to face
her, Grace's jaw dropped.  On top of the skin-tight fit, the neckline
plunged in a 'V' to just past her sternum.  "Girl, you look incredible.
If you were dressing to kill, you certainly met your goal."

     "Thanks.  Grace?"  This just isn't going to work Natalie thought.
I am not going to be able to do this tonight.  Maybe I can get Grace to
go on without me.

     "I know what you're thinking.  And if you think that I'm going to
let you off and go out by myself, you're crazy.  An evening out is what
I planned, and an evening out is what you're going to get.  Besides, I
have a craving for Chinese food, and it's no fun to eat it alone.  You
can't try enough stuff."

     Grace continued on about the restaurant, and the clubs that she
had heard of, but Natalie's attention had wandered.  What was Nick
doing tonight?  Why hadn't he called?  Suppose he called to apologize
while she was out?  I really should stay home in case he calls.

     Knowing Natalie for several years, Grace knew exactly what was
going through her mind.  She's probably considering staying here in
case Nick calls to apologize.  Well, he is not going to get the chance
this time.

     "Natalie come on, or we'll be late and won't get in to Scandal
later."

     Natalie let herself be dragged out the door, careful to lock it
behind her.

                    --------------------

     When Nick strolled in, just after 7:30, Schanke was working at
his desk, attempting to look the professional that he was, not the dolt
that Cohen believed him to be.  "Hey Schanke.", Nick called from across
the room.

     "Hey Nick.  You have a nice evening?"  Schanke noticed that his
partner's attire was a bit more rumpled than usual, and if he had not
known better, he would have sworn that he was wearing the same shirt as
yesterday.

     "Yeah.  Fine.  How 'bout you?"

     "Good enough.  I had to come in early to get some of these
reports done.  Hey, isn't that the same shirt you wore yesterday?  Is
the paragon of fine dress slipping?  The great Nick Knight wearing the
same clothes two days in a row?"

     "Lay off, Schanke. I didn't have time to change."

     "Oooooo.  So we did have a _fine_ evening."

     "Yeah.  We _did_.  Now let's drop it and get out to that grocer
who saw the shooting."

     "What?  Aren't you even going to let me take my turn?  Man.
Coming from the guy who made fun of my favourite tie?"

     "Look, Schanke.  You know I went over to the Raven last night to
make up with Janette.  We couldn't talk until the club closed, and it
took much longer than I expected, so I ended up sleeping in Janette's
spare room.  I must've overslept, and I just came straight here."  Nick
hated lying to Schanke, but how would he explain _that_ relationship.
He wasn't sure exactly how he felt about Janette, or why he continued
to run back to her time and again.  Besides, the "Schanke, I'm a
vampire, and Janette was my wife for almost a hundred years in 16th
century Italy"  conversation was not one he ever intended to have.

     "Fine.  Nick, don't you realize that I live for these few
vicarious thrills you give me?  I mean, life with Myra is great, but I
still want to enjoy at least the thoughts of bachelor life."

     "Sorry, Schanke, you'll have to get your jollies elsewhere."

     "Say.  Have you talked to Nat today?  She make any headway on
that shooting yesterday?"  Schanke decided to play detective.  There
was something that just wasn't adding up here.  He wasn't sure, but
thought Nick had mentioned taking Nat out last night.  Maybe that was
why she'd called.  Being first on the gossip lines with something like
this would be worth a week of the cold shoulder from Nick.

     At that instant, Nick realized that he was supposed to have taken
Nat out to dinner and dancing last night, that she had probably spent
all last night waiting for him, and that she was probably sitting home
right now still awaiting his call.  He knew he had to get in touch with
Natalie and quickly.  "Uh? Schanke, I need to check on something.  I'll
be back in a few minutes."

     "Sure, Nick.  Take your time."  Man, is he upset.  I'll bet he
was supposed to meet Nat last night.  She is going to be pissed.  I'd
hate to be in his shoes when she gets finished with him.  Who should I
call first about this?  Myra?  Sharon in booking?  No, Bill at the
front desk would love to hear about this.

     "Nick, before you go, I've got a confession to make.  Nat called
here looking for you about four, and said that you were supposed to
drop by her house last night.  I kinda told her you had went straight
to the Raven after we finished here."

     "Schanke, you didn't!"

     "'Fraid so partner."

     "That's just great.  I've gotta' go."

     "Should I tell Cohen you'll be out for the evening?"

     "No, this won't take too long.  I'll be back in a couple of
hours."

     Nick hurried out of the station and started calling Nat on his
cell-phone.  The morgue - no answer.  Her house - no answer, just the
machine, "Nat.  It's Nick.  Look, I'm _sorry_.  Please pick up."  Her
cell - no answer.  Maybe she's sitting home not answering her phone.

     Glancing about for observers, Nick launched himself into the air,
and streaked toward Nat's apartment.  It took only a few minutes, but
it seemed like hours to him.  Arriving at Nat's door he knocked
briskly.  No answer.  His vampire-enhanced hearing could only discern
the random murmurs of the neighbours and Sydney, Nat's cat.  She did
not seem to be inside.  But maybe he should check.  Nick extracted a
spare key she had made for him for emergency use, decided that this was
just such an emergency, and opened the door.

     Nat's apartment was usually immaculate.  This time it looked like
a trio of sorority girls had camped there for a week.  The bedroom had
clothes strewn from one end to the other.  There are three separate
glasses of half-drunk wine around the rooms.  Two empty bottles of
Russian Valley Merlot - well maybe not quite college kids; they didn't
usually go for the good stuff.  The kitchen had the uneaten portion of
a meal on the counter.  And it appeared to Nick, who had never owned a
cat in his eight hundred years, that Sydney hadn't been fed for a
couple of days.  Well, he could take care of Sydney, but where the heck
was Nat?  He called her cell-phone again, and heard the echo of the
ring on the couch.  Pushing the cushions aside, he found both Nat's
beeper and cell-phone carefully set upon the couch.  "Well, wherever
she is, she won't be answering either of these," Nick observed wryly.

     OK.  Not at home.  Not at work.  Maybe she left me a message at
home telling me where she would be.  Nick called his house, getting the
machine on the second ring.  Using his access code, he retrieved his
messages.  The first message from Nat was at 8 p.m., by the clock on
the machine.  "Hi, Nick, this is Nat.  It's about eight, and I was
getting a bit worried, so I thought I'd call and make sure you're all
right.  See ya' soon."  That settled it.  If there was any doubt in his
mind that he had left Nat at home while he was at the Raven with
Janette, that answered it.  Gritting his teeth, he selected the next
message.  "Nick, it's Nat.  Remember?  Natalie Lambert, the person whom
you stood up last night!  Nick, if you're there pick up!  I want to
talk to you NOW!"  There were a couple of seconds of silence, her
breathing being evident to his hearing, and then the crack of the
receiver being slammed into the cradle.  Nick winced at the sound.  Not
that the phone translated it into a painful noise, but at finality of
it.

     Not knowing where to go or what to do, Nick grabbed a piece of
paper from the notepad near the phone, and left Nat a note on her
answering machine apologizing for his actions, and left, locking the
door behind him.  Too disturbed to sit at home, and too chastised to
see Janette, Nick went back in to work.

                    --------------------

     The Yangtzee River was crowded.  The restaurant's parking lot was
packed, and they had to settle for a parking garage a couple of blocks
over.  There was a line of people loitering in front of the restaurant
when they walked up.  It was going to be at least an hour-and-a-half
wait before they could be seated, and Grace was antsy about getting to
Scandal too late to get a table.

     "Natalie, let's just go.  We can get something to eat at the
bar."

     "Grace, I'm already hungry.  By the time we get there I'll be
starving."

     "Natalie?"

     "Oh, Alright.  I'm sure they'll have something to eat there."

     The walk to Scandal was worth it.  The late spring air was full
of flowers, and just cool enough to be comfortable without being chill.
They walked along the sidewalk, the crowds heavy without impeding their
pace, chatting about work, life, and anything but Nick Knight.  Natalie
had consciously chosen to submerge last night's turmoil, and by the
time she arrived at Scandal, she was relaxed and comfortable.

     Inside Scandal, it was just starting to get crowded.  They ended
up seated a bit nearer to the dance floor than Natalie would have
preferred.  Grace noticed the appreciative gaze the bouncer provided
Natalie as they made their way through the crowd.

     Service was slow, and their drinks arrived long before their
food.  After last night, Natalie was not interested in wine, but it was
her preferred drink.  Beer was too filling, so she settled on the first
thing that came to mind.  "Vodka and tonic, please."  They had finished
their first drinks and were well into their second before the food
came.  It was good, but salty, so before the dinner was over, they were
both on their fourth round.

     By this time, the bar was filling up, and the music had started.
The standard group of sharks were circling the bar, looking for prey,
but they weren't interested in two women.  Single prey is easier to
tackle.  Eventually, the more confident people started arriving.  Two
men, obviously professionals, walked up to the table.

     "Hi.  Could we buy you two a drink?"

     "Sure.  Why don't you sit down."  Grace replied before Natalie
could silence her.  Grace smiled at Natalie while Nat considered
kicking her under the table.

     "Hi.  I'm Mike.  I'm an engineer at Corobel."  Mike reached over
the table and shook both of their hands.  He was fairly tall, maybe
6'2", with dark hair and eyes.  As he grasped Natalie's hand, he gave
it a firm squeeze and smiled brightly.

     "I'm Harve.  That's H A R V E.  I'm an attorney with the public
defender's office."  Although a reasonably good looking man in his own
right, Harve paled next to Mike.  His light hair and eyes seemed washed
out when compared to Mike, and his desk-jockey physique was exacerbated
by Mike's athletic build.  He quickly shook both their hands and seated
himself next to Grace at the table.

     Grace stole the initiative.  "I'm Grace and I work in the
coroner's office, and this is Natalie.  She's the county coroner."

     "It's nice to meet you both."  Mike said.  "How?"

     "I thought you looked familiar."  Harve pushed Mike aside in the
conversation.  "I saw you giving testimony at the Isenberg trial last
month.  I don't do many capital cases.  I was just sitting in on that
one.  You did quite well."

     "Thank you."  Natalie replied coolly.  Great.  An attorney.  It
wasn't that Natalie hated attorneys, but that they had a knack for
making her job twice as difficult and half as rewarding as it should
be.  It was inevitable that whenever she spent several days preparing
information for a trial: charts, graphs, overheads, etc., one or the
other of the lawyers would somehow screw up the case so as to make her
work useless.  And besides, she certainly wasn't in the mood to
fraternize with one.

     At the word 'attorney', Grace's alarm bells had started ringing.
They went into overdrive at the mention of the Isenberg case.  Natalie
had spent a week preparing for the capital murder case, only to have
the prosecution commit a procedural error and have it dismissed.

     "Mike, what do you do at Corobel?  I'm not sure I've ever heard
of them."  Please help me shut Harve up and get this conversation away
from work, her eyes pleaded.

     "Well, I have to admit to mis-speaking a bit, when I said that I
was an engineer at Corobel.  I just hate to lose my engineer status,
and be labeled a know-nothing, do-nothing member of management."  Mike
smiled, hoping that the joke would be well taken.  "Actually, I'm in
charge of design, development and manufacturing of the company's latest
line of ISDN modems."

     Grace was desperate to get the conversation away from attorneys
and trials.  "Maybe I have heard of Corobel.  Natalie showed me an
article in the _Sun_ about how Corobel's new product line would
revolutionize the Internet for the common person.  Say, you aren't the
Mike Alvarez that they were interviewing are you?"

     "Guilty as charged."  Grin.  "But I'm afraid that the interview
made me seem personally responsible for everything good and fine that
Corobel has ever done.  I'm lucky to have a great group of people that
work very hard for me.  They've hit on a nice niche."  He turned his
attention back to Natalie.  "I'm curious about the coroner position.  I
had a great-uncle who, back in the dark ages, was a coroner in the
states.  That was an elected position ? no degree required.  Did you
specialize in pathology after medical school?"  Mike could tell from
Natalie's, 'Thank you.' that she wanted nothing to do with Harve, and
it seemed obvious to him that Grace was trying to get he and Natalie
talking.

     Grace took her cue, and started chatting with Harve about the
PD's office.  His case load.  How many times he had dealt with the
coroner's office.  Anything to keep him on her side of the table.

     Natalie turned to face Mike more fully.  She could tell from his
tone that he was genuinely interested in her job, not in how he could
manipulate it to his advantage.  "Yeah.  I did my residency in Forensic
Pathology at St. Bertram's in Montreal.  After that I headed back to
Toronto, and ended up as coroner."

     Natalie's conversation with Mike continued.  He was originally
from the states, so they talked about that, and the differences between
it and Canada.  Grace did her best to keep Harve occupied, and realized
that he was not nearly so bad as she'd originally thought.

     Grace glanced at Natalie.  She was enjoying herself.  This was
excellent.  She wished that she could have videotaped the conversation.
It would be a good teaching tool for the "Let's Wean Natalie From Nick
Class" she intended to start on Monday.  She also noticed that either
Harve or Mike had ordered two more rounds, and Natalie had finished
both of her drinks.  I guess 'time flies.' she thought.

     Abruptly both Harve and Mike stopped talking.  They glanced at
each other nervously, and chimed, in unison, "I'm sorry, but we have to
go now.  We'll be seeing you."

     Natalie and Grace were shocked.  Natalie was a bit less shocked
for having her sixth vodka and tonic.  They said their good-byes and
watched the two men recede into the club.  As the gentlemen left their
field of vision, another man stepped up to their table.  Tall, with
pale blue eyes and light brown hair cropped close to his scalp.  He was
dressed entirely in black.  Denim, or more likely linen, slacks and a
collarless black silk shirt.  This newcomer exuded confidence and
power.  Maybe this was why Harve and Mike left with so quickly, Grace
mused.  This was definitely an alpha male.  Maybe the rest of the pack
scattered at his approach.

     The alpha, as Grace now tagged him, stopped in front of their
table.  "Well.  Miss Lambert.  What a pleasant suprise.  I had not
expected to see you at Scandal this evening."  On top of being tall and
imposing, his voice was low and melodious; there was an
almost-but-not-quite French lilt to his accent.

     Natalie started.  She knew who this was, but she didn't know how
she knew.  Her heart started racing.  Why in the world would HE be
here?  She and Grace were in the most terrible danger.  Her mind raced,

but couldn't think of a way out of the situation.  She saw no choice
but civility.  "Grace Thomas, this is?"

     "Lucien LaCroix.  Your servant, Mademoiselle Thomas."  LaCroix
stepped to Grace and inclined toward her and Grace rose to meet him.

LaCroix took her hand and gently kissed it.  Grace nearly swooned, her
knees weak.

     After entrancing Grace, LaCroix stepped to Natalie's seat.
Natalie nervously met his eyes.  Taking her hand and kissing it, he
said as he gazed at her, "You look captivating this evening, Natalie.
I do not know when I have seen you look more beautiful."  He added,
_sotto voce_, "Neither you nor your friend is in any danger.  I promise
you that no harm will come to either of you.  You are both perfectly
safe with me."  LaCroix smiled to emphasize his point.

     LaCroix could hear Natalie's heart racing.  From her first glance
he realized she recognized him.  The hypnotism at Azure had not been so
complete as to eliminate him from her mind.  But from her level of
fear, he knew she couldn't recall that particular evening.  So much the
better.  She was out without her protector, and fair game.  Since
Nicholas did not love her, she was not part of any bargain that they
had made.  Although he had promised not to interfere in Nicholas' life,
it didn't technically mean he could not meddle in the affairs of his
_acquaintances_.

     Natalie smiled in return.  She kept thinking about tigers smiling
over their prey.  Keeping your eyes averted when approaching a gorilla.
And that staring at an animal meant that you were deciding whether or
not to eat it.  She MUST be calm.  As long as they were in public they
were perfectly safe.  Safe?  What was she thinking - safe with LaCroix?
This was definitely a new definition of that word.  This is just great,
Natalie thought.  Nick's off somewhere with Janette, and I have LaCroix
at my throat.  This will certainly be a night to remember.

     "From where do you know Natalie, Mr. LaCroix?"

     "Lucien, please.  Natalie and I have friends in common.  I was
pleasantly suprised to see you here this evening, and I came to pay my
respects to the two most beautiful ladies in the club."  On any other's
lips, the compliments would have played false, but the dark resonances
in LaCroix's voice quelled their fears, and they were willing to
believe his sincerity.

     "Well? Lucien.  I don't know when I've met so charming a
gentleman during an evening out.  Have you and Natalie known each other
long?"

     LaCroix smiled again.  An image that would have chilled Natalie's
blood a few minutes ago.  However, this LaCroix was not the monster
that Nick had harped about for the past four years.  Lucien was
charming.  He certainly didn't appear the incarnation of evil who had
plagued Nick for more than eight centuries.

     "Natalie and I have only met in passing previously.  I know her
more by her reputation for being beautiful, intelligent, and charming
than for the pleasure of her company.  Until now, I have only enjoyed
her presence vicariously, a privation that I am most grateful to you
both for rectifying."

     A waitress appeared out of the melee in front of them.  Grace
waived her off, but LaCroix beckoned her back.  "Natalie, would you
like another drink?  Grace?"  Both of them declined.  LaCroix motioned
the waitress closer, and whispered something in her ear.  She smiled
and leapt away to get his order.  The remaining tables in her were area
left wanting.

     "So, Lucien, what do you do?"  Grace desperately wanted to know
something about the enchanting figure that had appeared at their table,
and who seemed to be so taken with Natalie.

     "Well, my dear, at this time I host a radio call-in show on CERK
under the _nom de plume_ 'The Nightcrawler'.  But I must confess it is
somewhat more of an avocation than a profession.

     "_You're_ 'The Nightcrawler'?  Somehow, I didn't expect you to
look so distinguished, er normal?"  Grace was terribly flustered, and
she could not see how she was going to extract herself from the hole
which she had dug.

     LaCroix politely extricated her.  Holding up his hand, LaCroix
implored, "Please don't be upset.  The show _is_ a bit outr?.  You have
spoken openly and honestly, as friends should.  You intended no offense
with your observations, and none was taken.  I am much more taken by
the fact that you have listened to my show."

     Natalie watched this exchange with amazement.  Again, Lucien
LaCroix belied the countless stories Nick had spun.  Shouldn't he have
spat venom at Grace for this insult?  Wasn't he supposed to be
insufferably arrogant, and discourteous?  This man was pleasant beyond
belief, and the way he went out of his way to put Grace at her ease
somewhat endeared him to Natalie.

     "Thank you, Lucien."  Grace blushed.

     Just as he finished easing Grace, the waitress returned with a
glass of a dark red _wine_.  LaCroix thanked her, but no money changed
hands.  As she left, she stared at Natalie ? she probably thinks I'm a
vampire, too, Natalie thought.

     Taking this drink in his hand, LaCroix returned his attention to
Natalie.  Raising his glass, he silently toasted her as he drank, never
taking his eyes from hers.  After taking several deep swallows, he
pushed the glass to the edge of the table where a waitress quickly
retrieved it.

     "Grace, would you mind if I spirited your friend away to dance?
I promise to return her no worse for the experience."

     "Certainly not, Lucien."

     "Natalie, would you care to dance?"

     "Well.  I really don't dance that well."

     "Nonsense, my dear.  I have watched you move.  All you lack is
the right partner.  With the correct lead, you would float across the
floor."  LaCroix stood and bowed slightly to Grace in appreciation.  He
offered his arm to Natalie and began leading her to the dance floor.

     "We'll be back in a few minutes, Grace."

     "Natalie, please.  I'm a big girl, and I can entertain myself.
Go have a little fun for once.  Lucien, don't you dare let her come
back until she's enjoyed herself out there."

     She watched as Lucien and Natalie made their way to the dance
floor.  Although he was charming and blindingly appealing, she sensed
that Natalie was a bit on edge with him.  Well, she'd watch closely
while they were out there.  She and Natalie could always leave as soon
as they returned if he proved unacceptable.  Just after they left, the
waitress returned with another drink for Lucien, but seeing that he was
absent, she kept walking.  Grace tried to get her to leave the beverage
until LaCroix's return, but she deferred stating the management forbid
her leaving drinks for patrons that were not present.

                    --------------------

     Out of Grace's earshot at last, Natalie could talk freely with
LaCroix.  She wasn't sure what she should or shouldn't say, and she
still wasn't completely convinced that they were in no danger.  Who
should she believe?  Nick had told her time and again of LaCroix's
self-serving malevolence.  How he had tricked him into becoming a
vampire, and how LaCroix had tormented Nick throughout the centuries.
This just did not seem to be the same monster.  As she continued to
ponder this dilemma, LaCroix finished leading her to the dance floor.

     "LaCroix, why-"

     "Later, Natalie, after the dance."

     The DJ was playing a modern dance mix, with a recognizably Latin
beat.  LaCroix took Natalie's hand and pulled her into dance position.
"Natalie, do you know how to Rhumba?"

     Natalie stepped back, her eyes opened in amazement.  She'd
presumed he was merely making small talk when he had talked about
_dancing_ earlier, but obviously she was wrong.  "Well, I did a few
times in a college class, but that was some time ago."

     "Excellent."  LaCroix purred.  "This is an ideal Rhumba."

     LaCroix held her again, and started moving.  At first it seemed
that she kept swaying to the wrong beat of the music, and her every
move was counter to what LaCroix led.  Lucien leaned toward her.
"Relax."  He whispered.  "Just flow with the music.  You will
instinctively follow where I lead if you let yourself relax in my
arms."  The thought disturbed her.  'Relax in LaCroix's arms?'
However, his gaze was calm, and she didn't sense any malice in him.
Maybe he wasn't who he had been made out to be after all.  Natalie
consciously relaxed herself, and as she did, LaCroix began to take
control and direct her about the dance floor.

     Couples near them started moving away to give them room.  Several
just stopped in awe as Lucien and Natalie picked up the pace and began
to electrify the room.  The DJ noticed them, and chose another Latin
beat to follow this one.  The sensuous rhythm accentuated their feline
grace. They were panthers on the floor, not people - panthers preparing
to mate.  Natalie could not believe how arousing this was.  She'd
always heard the line about 'Dancing was making love standing up.', but
she had never held much faith in it.  But here, now, every turn, every
step, every move was an invitation to love.  Lucien would cast her out
and away from him, only to draw her back into his embrace.  Not only
was his fluid grace intoxicating, but his strength was amazing.  She
could feel the steel of his arms across her breasts and back; the
marble of his thighs against her hips.  And his eyes never left her
own.  All too soon, the DJ began to tire of the spectacle, and started
playing less danceable tunes.  LaCroix refused to warp their art to
meet the new selections and motioned her toward edge of the floor.

     Leaving the floor, Natalie realized she had no idea how long they
had danced.  She knew that there had been at least four songs, but as
far as the time?  "LaCroix.", she whispered, "I really should get back
to Grace.  She's probably been alone all this time."  As Natalie broke
the spell, she realized how spent she was.  The lovemaking analogy
seemed all too accurate.  Her knees were weak, her breath erratic, and
there was a delicious languor that suffused her arms and legs.

     Sensing her fatigue, LaCroix stopped walking, and turned her to
face him, keeping his arm firmly around his waist.  "Of course,
Natalie.  I'm sure we both could use something to drink as well.  You
were extraordinary out on the dance floor.  I told you that all you
lacked was the right partner.  I have not enjoyed myself so in _many_
years.  Thank you."  LaCroix's voice was low and sincere as he said
this.

     As LaCroix mentioned 'drink', Natalie remembered that this was
not a charming mortal man that had just seared her nerves on the dance
floor, but a vampire, and Nick's sire as well.  What was she doing?
Why was she doing it?  As she asked herself the question, she heard
LaCroix say, 'I have not enjoyed myself so in many years.', and she
realized this was her reason as well.  "Thank you, Lucien.  I have
never danced with anyone so exhilarating.  This is turning out to be
one of the best evenings I have had in quite some time."  Natalie's
voice trembled as she made her admission.  It was true.  She had loved
every second on the floor with LaCroix, and as soon as she could
rehydrate herself, she was going to drag him back out there.

     As they walked away, several people made appreciative comments on
their dancing.  LaCroix answered each one, and graciously made it clear
to all that Natalie was the reason for their performance.  Somehow he
also made it explicit to all the men that she was his partner, and not
for public consumption.

     The waitress must have seen LaCroix returning through the crowd
since she was waiting for him at their table as he and Natalie
returned.  Grace was not alone as Natalie had feared.

     As they approached, her companion stood up.  "You must be
Natalie.  It's nice to meet you.  I'm Kerr Avon, short for Kerry.
Grace has told me a great deal about you."  Kerr was taller than
LaCroix, with dark, moss-green eyes.  His curly black hair was just
starting to pepper with grey, but his figure was trim and athletic.
Kerr took her hand and shook it firmly.

     "It's nice to meet you, Kerr.  May I introduce Lucien LaCroix, a
friend of mine.  Lucien, this is Kerr Avon."  Natalie felt slightly
awkward at introducing LaCroix as her friend, but she could hardly
introduce his as anything else.  'May I introduce the infamous vampire
Lucien LaCroix?' - Nah.  She'd stick with this until another came
available.

     LaCroix stepped forward, "I am honored to make your acquaintance
Mr. Avon."  He shook Kerr's hand, and they all returned to their seats.

     The waitress stepped up with LaCroix's drink, and placed it in
front of him.  LaCroix smiled warmly at her, "Thank you."  Then to
Natalie, "Did you desire another, my dear?"

     "Yes, please, LaCroix."

     "Natalie, _please_ call me Lucien.  Grace does."  He added,
pitched for her ears alone, "LaCroix sounds so stilted on your lips."

     "Natalie?  Do you mind if we leave you two alone?  Kerr has been
after me to outdo you two since I pointed you out twenty minutes ago."
Grace beamed at Natalie, she was obviously proud of how she and Lucien
had torched the dance floor.

     "No problem."  Natalie could see that Grace was a little jealous
of Natalie's time out there, and wanted to make up for it.

     Kerr finished his wine, and pushed the glass to the edge of the
table where the waitress retrieved it quickly.  He stood and offered
his arm to Grace.  Lucien stood as Grace left, and then moved in next
to Natalie.

                    --------------------

     "They certainly make a lovely couple, don't you think?"  Lucien
asked as they left.

     "I guess I shouldn't have worried about Grace.  She seems to have
done just fine for herself."  Natalie smiled at her friend's back as
she retreated to the dance floor.

     Lucien raised his glass of _wine_ to Natalie.  Glancing down, she
realized her drink must have been replaced without her knowledge.  She
raised her glass in response.  "To a truly enchanting evening."  Lucien
intoned.

     "Yes, an enchanting evening."  Natalie echoed, drinking in time
with him.  "Lucien, what are you drinking?  I thought you only drank-"

     Lucien cut her off before she completed the sentence.  "You are
correct.  However, this establishment procures some of their supplies
from the same source as the Raven.  Certain members of the community
are known here, and our requirements are met if the proper arrangements
are made at the door."

     "I thought the Raven was the only place in town.  Nick never
mentioned there was another _bar_ here."  Natalie was getting scared.
Was this a counterpart to the Raven?  Had she and Grace stumbled upon
another vampire bar?  Were she and Grace the only mortals in here?

     Lucien stretched his hand against Natalie's face, stroking it.
"Calm yourself, Natalie.  The Raven is unique in its particular
attributes.  This locale is merely friendly to alternative lifestyles -
to use a common term.  It is considered neutral territory."

     At first, Natalie struggled against his touch, but it was so
cool, so smooth.  Natalie luxuriated against his hand, drinking in his
scent.  God, am I getting aroused by him?  He is incredibly handsome,
almost beautiful.  As Lucien continued to stroke her, moving down to
her neck, Natalie leaned into his shoulder and pulled his arm around
her.  So strong.  So powerful.  She thought.  Again, she could feel the
steel strength of his hands and arms against her back and shoulders,
and she was tingling at the touch.

     "Lucien.  Stop.  This isn't right.  I really shouldn't be here."
Natalie whispered.

     "And why not?  Are you not your own woman?  Can you not choose
for yourself?  I have given you my word no harm will come to you.  I
will not break it.  Tell me that you did not enjoy yourself out there,
and I will leave right now.  Tell me you are not burning from my touch,
and I will stop."

     LaCroix's voice was all Natalie heard.  His touch all she felt.
She knew she wasn't about to let him leave.  "No.  Dancing with you was
like floating in the clouds.  The only thing I could say about it would
be, 'I want more!'."  Natalie's voice dropped to a throaty whisper as
she finished.  She fought to keep herself under control.  She was not
going to kiss him!

     Lucien had finished his glass, and received another while he sat
there.  He quickly downed it and returned to Natalie's eyes.  "Yes.  It
_is_ a rare and wonderful experience when two can move as one.  Has
Nicholas not moved you so?  Has he not twined with you upon the dance
floor?  You and he have not sailed that oaken ship into the night?"
Lucien frowned as he finished the sentence.  He hesitated briefly, and
continued.  "Natalie, I fear my son has rudely used you if he has not
given you even this small portion of himself.  I apologize in his stead
for his ill treatment of one so fair."  As Lucien finished the
statement, he turned to face her more fully.  Natalie noticed how full
his lips were, the strength of his chin, and the brightness of his
eyes.  Lucien moved closer, parted his lips, and began to press toward
her.

     "Lucien, no.  Please-"  Natalie's breath caught as his lips
touched hers.  Just like his hand, his lips were cool and smooth, but
she could feel the strength within them.  Chocolate, orange, wine,
spices? Lucien's kiss tasted wonderful.  She could feel his cool tongue
pressing against her lips for access, insistent, probing.  Losing the
last of her resolve she opened her mouth to him.  His tongue pressed
onward, stroking her own.  His touch was cool fire on her face.  She
could feel his hand pressing against her shoulder caressing her, but
not forcing her to him.

     At last, he broke the kiss, she looked up, expecting his eyes to
be glowing, but unsure if she could or even wanted to escape.  His eyes
were clear.  The same ice blue that they were when he walked up.
"Lucien, your eyes.", she gasped in amazement.  She knew that any kiss
she had shared with Nick, however chaste, inevitably wakened the
vampire within him.

     "My eyes??  Of course, you expected me to change, to let that
which is within have full reign over me.  My child, you know so very
little of our kind.  So little of what we can and cannot do.  There is
nothing forbidden to one who is strong of mind and spirit.  You have
not been shown all that we are, only the palest shadow.  I am
constrained by none of those weaknesses you have seen before.  There is
little that a mortal can do that I cannot."

     "But Nicholas, has told me -"

     "Many lies, and fallacies.  No, that is too cruel.  To say they
are lies in the truest sense would be to imply that he knowingly
purported them upon you.  My Nicholas believes all he has told you
about our kind.  Often directly in the face of the facts in evidence.
Natalie, there is much I could prove to you if you were willing to face
it."  He paused.  "Would you care to taste the fruit of this
knowledge?"

     Natalie wanted to believe him.  She really did.  But she'd heard
so many terrible things about this man's cruelty and lies.  So many
tales of his depravity.  But she couldn't say these things to him.

     He must have read the conflict in here eyes for he continued.
"My dear.  Have I not already disproven the first of those falsehoods?
I am sure you have been told we could not even kiss properly.  That we
could not restrain the beast within to do so.  And yet, you and I have
just kissed.  Did you see the beast?"  As he finished the question, he
drank deeply from the glass on the table, set down the empty glass, and
pulled her close again.

     This time, Natalie did not resist, she threw herself into
Lucien's arms with abandon.  His arms wrapped around her, crushing her
breasts against his chest.  She could feel the strength  of his body
through the leather, he felt like some pliant marble statue, engulfing
her with chiseled arms.  Natalie moaned into his throat, her body
tingling with desire.  She could feel herself dampening with passion.
The kiss seemed to last for hours, she didn't want to stop to breath,
and Lucien didn't have to.  At length, they parted again.  Natalie's

eyes were unfocussed at first, her breath ragged from the exertion.
Gazing into Lucien's eyes, she saw something strange.  Was that hunger?
Tenderness?  Maybe longing?  She broke his gaze with a concerted
effort.

     "Lucien, I must apologize.  You probably think I'm horribly
wanton."  Natalie's cheeks glowed with her embarrassment.  Swallowing,
she said, "I'm not in the habit of carrying on like that in public.

     Soothingly, his voice like warm butter, Lucien answered her.
"There is no reason to be embarrassed, Natalie.  In the first case, I
am sure that no one gave us a second glance.  In the second," he
chuckled, "I am certainly old enough to control myself if I desired.  I
wanted to kiss you as much as you wanted to kiss me.  Come with me to
my house.  There we can explore our desires to their fullest, with no
concern for public impropriety, or prying eyes."

     "But, what about Grace?"  Natalie's last hope for salvation was
coming back from the dance floor just now.

     "Natalie.", Grace called.  "I hope you weren't too bored while we
were gone."  Natalie, could hear the sarcasm in her voice -
imperceptible to anyone who hadn't worked with her day in and day out
for years.  "Kerr is the most marvelous dancer.  I hope we've haven't
been away too long."  At Grace's voice, Natalie sat up straight -
dragging her eyes from Lucien's.

     "No, not at all, Grace."  Natalie strained to keep her voice
steady.  It took great control not to sink back into Lucien's arms.
She could feel his body pulling at her.  Forcibly, Natalie stood up.
Smiling warmly at Lucien, she said, "Lucien?  Kerr?  Please excuse us
for a moment, Grace and I will be right back."  Lucien stood up and
moved out of the Natalie's way as she announced her intentions.  As
Natalie moved past him, she reached up and around his neck, pressing
her lips firmly to his.  "I'll only be gone a moment."  She whispered
huskily.

     As the ladies left, Kerr and Lucien seated themselves.  LaCroix
motioned to a waitress and she returned with two glasses of red wine.

                    --------------------

     The trip to the restroom was short and the club loud, and neither
Natalie nor Grace tried to talk over the din.  The restroom was
crowded, but not packed, they picked an unoccupied corner for their
conference.

     "So what was so important that you had to drag me in here?"
Grace asked.

     "This is kinda strange for me."  Natalie was trying,
unsuccessfully to think of a way to ask Grace if she'd mind finishing
out the evening alone.

     "Let's see.  You're planning to run away with Lucien, and you
want me to take Sydney for you.  No problem.  Jut give me a key to your
apartment and I'll help myself."  Grace smirked at Natalie.

     "Grace."  Natalie whined.  "It's not funny.  Lucien has asked me
to go back to his house, and I don't know what to do!"

     "Here's a thought: go, and don't look back!"

     "It's not that easy.  I've never done _anything_ like this
before, ever.  I mean I've spent the night with a guy, but never after
meeting him in a bar."

     "But you kinda knew him already, didn't you?"

     "Yeah, I did.  But suppose?"  Natalie was back into whine mode,
and Grace saw her friend's chance at an evening of fun evaporating.

     "Suppose nothing.  He's not going to do anything.  It's not like
he's a serial killer.  He runs a radio show.  You'd better go with him.
I refuse to listen to you whimper all next week about 'how you should
have gone to his house'."

     Yeah, he's not a serial killer Natalie thought.  He's a vampire.
I suppose there is a difference.  But he says that Nick is wrong about
him, and he seems to be able to prove it.  And he's gorgeous, sexy, and
strong.  Why not?  "Grace, I'm going to do it.  I'll call you when I
get home tonight.  OK?"

     "Sure.  Actually this will work out for me too.  Kerr knows this
great club across town, and I really wanted to go, but I couldn't leave
you in the cold.  I'll have my beeper with me if you need anything."

     "Good enough."  Natalie replied.

                    --------------------

     Back at the table, Kerr saw Grace and Natalie approach.  He
stood, quickly followed by Lucien.  Natalie slid past Lucien, again
reaching up for a kiss before sitting.  If possible, her absence from
Lucien had increased his effect on her.  His kiss was intoxicating, and
she had to sit quickly to keep from collapsing.

     Grace looked over at Natalie.  "Kerr says he knows another place
in town that's a lot of fun.  Do you and Lucien want to come with us?"

     "No, thanks.  I think Lucien and I have other plans."

     The next few minutes were filled with the obligatory good-byes,
and nice-to-have-met-you's of polite conversation.  Natalie assured
Grace that she could provide her own way home, and Lucien seconded the
affirmation with promises that he would see Natalie safely back to her
apartment.

     As Grace and Kerr walked to the door, Natalie turned to LaCroix
and kissed him hungrily.  "I believe we left off somewhere near here."

     "Actually, we were interrupted during your decision whether or
not to accompany me to my home."  Natalie shivered.  It was easy enough
to discuss this with Grace, especially with her cheering the decision
to go to Lucien's with such abandon, but to sit here with him and face
the decision still scared her.  "My dear, I am not going to force you."
As he finished, he began stroking her cheek and neck with his
fingertips.  Again, she was amazed at the pure pleasure she gathered
from his touch.  Each finger drew a separate line of ice-fire down her
cheek onto her neck.  Please keep going, she thought, move those hands
onto my breasts.  She wanted to be pinned beneath those thighs, his
hands gripping her breasts, pinching the nipples.  "Natalie?"  She
started as her reverie was broken by his voice.

     "I'm sorry, Lucien.  I was lost in thought.  I'd love to come to
your house."  Her voice was unsteady, but her gaze met Lucien's without
flinching.  Well, that settles it.  You're going into the lion's den
now.  Natalie knew she should be terrified, but she wasn't.  She also
knew Nick would have a cow, she smiled at the pun, if he knew where she
was going.  She also knew that once-and-for-all she was going to get
some truth about vampires, from someone who should definitely know.

     Lucien stood and offered her his arm at they walked toward the
entrance.  They stopped before leaving and picked up their coats.
Lucien tipped the coat check clerk a twenty, Natalie noted.  As they
walked to the door, Lucien extracted a cellular phone from his coat,
and punched in a number.  "I will have to get Henri to bring the car
around.  He usually waits for me in a caf? around the corner."  The
bouncer smiled and inclined his head to Lucien as they exited.

     Standing there on the sidewalk, Natalie realized she was in awe
of Lucien LaCroix.  He had shared worlds that she had only read of.
She wasn't sure how old he was, but she knew that he was significantly
older than Nick.  "Lucien."

     "Yes?"

     "Could I ask you some questions about what it's like?"

     "You mean to be a vampire?"  He answered, his voice low and
controlled.

     "Yes."

     "Certainly.  But first, here is Henri with the car."  A vintage,
black, Mercedes limousine pulled up to the curb, and a small but
apparently powerful man quickly swept around to the passenger side and
opened the rear door for them.  Natalie's eyes widened in amazement.
She had presumed that Lucien, and indeed most vampires, was well off,
but this was incredible.  Lucien swept his hand to indicate she precede
him into the  interior, and then held her hand to assist her entry.

     Once inside the black cocoon, Lucien leaned forward and whispered
a location to Henri.  Natalie could just make it out, Lake St. Clair, a
_very_ nice section of town.  Lucien adjusted a CD control, and a Bach
concerto played softly in the background.  "Would you like something to
drink?  Wine?  Why do we not open a bottle of champagne?"  He reached
into the bar and retrieved a chilled bottle, expertly opened it, and
poured Natalie a glass.  He filled a glass with what appeared to be red
wine, but she knew it was the standard blood-wine blend.  "To the
pursuit of knowledge," he toasted.

     "Knowledge."  She replied, and sipped with him.  The champagne
was wonderful.  It seemed to evaporate on her tongue as soon as it
entered her mouth.  Smiling at him, Natalie said, "Lucien, this
champagne is wonderful.  I've never tasted anything like it."

     "Probably not," he answered.  "The vineyard is extremely small,
and they only export to a select collection of aficionados.  I
regularly purchase a case or two a year, and have been since the reign
of Louis XIV.  I endeavor to retain a few bottles for special occasions
and people.  Please, enjoy it to the fullest."

     Natalie took another swallow of the heady elixir.  Closing her
eyes while she tasted it, the flavors seemed to come alive in her
mouth.  It was if the taste made her experience the lives of those who
had made the wine so long ago.  "I still cannot get over how this makes
me feel.  When I close my eyes and taste this, I can almost see the
fields where this was made."

     This brought a dark smile to Lucien's lips.  "Yes, I have had the
pleasure of that experience with other drinks.  The sharing of the
blood brings me the very essence of the person.  The solution carries
more than sustenance, it carries the very life itself."  Somehow
Natalie was not frightened by this admission.  He was not talking about
taking her life in specific, but about how the blood affected him.  How
it flowed in his veins after it was taken.  The idea gave her a cold
thrill.  Somehow the idea of sharing something so deeply personal as
her very soul with Lucien caused her heart to race.

     Settling back into the seat next to her and taking her hand into
hers, he asked, "Now.  What did you wish to ask me?"

     Again, he was staring deeply into her eyes, and again she could
feel the heat rising in her body.  She was torn between satisfying her
body and her mind.  This time her lust was going to bend to her will.
She demanded it.  "You've lived for so long and seen so many changes.
How do you deal with it?  I mean, this is nothing like the world to
which you were born."

     Natalie's voice was none too steady as she asked, and Lucien
could hear the racing of her heart, and feel the heat in her loins.
Impressive; she had controlled her lust in order to ask those
questions.  Admirable, he thought, she has excellent self-control.

     Still holding her hand, but now gently stroking the palm with his
fingers, Lucien answered, "You would be amazed at how little has truly
changed over the millennia.  Certainly, you now have technology that
would have had you burned as a witch in times past, but people have
changed very little.  The actual world in which we live is much the
same."

     Natalie, stared into Lucien's eyes.  She quickly realized that
she had asked the wrong question.  She had thought she'd wanted to know
how the world had changed, but she was wrong.  What she wanted to know
was how it was to be immortal - to have the kind of power that others
only dreamed of.

     LaCroix could see the question in her eyes.  The quest for that
knowledge had cost many their lives.  She craved a taste of it.  Not
just what was it like to be a vampire, but what was the vampire like?
She was fascinated by the predator in front of her, too fascinated to
acknowledge her danger.

     "Lucien."  Natalie whispered, the alarm evident in her voice.
"You said I have not seen the truth.  You implied you weren't limited
by anything.  What did you mean?"  LaCroix smiled, and in a flash he
was beside her, his hands cradling her head, his lips pressed against
hers, his mouth and body insistent with his desire.  Natalie first
stiffened with the shock of his movement, then unbent as Lucien's hands
and lips caressed her.

     "Natalie."  He breathed into her ear.  "I can take you to the
very zenith of ecstasy.  Let me show you the truth behind the legends
of the vampire's erotic endowments.  We need not take the life of those
with whom we share pleasure.  Indeed, given the correct preparation,
you and I could make love for hours on end and your life would be in no
danger for it."

     Lucien's words sent shivers down her body.  She had not been with
anyone since meeting Nick and she would not have considered herself
overly experienced before that.  This evening had been the most erotic
she had known in years.  Again, her mind was filled with the image of
him pinning her down and wresting his pleasure from her.  She had
already felt his strength, and the hardness of his body, could the
complete effect be any more incredible?  She struggled against her
desire to get out a few words.  "Lucien.  Please.  Not here in the car.
Take me?  Take me to your house."  Natalie's voice was hoarse, and her
breath ragged with the need for him.  Am I really going to do this, she
thought?

     Lucien continued his caresses and strokes, bringing her to the
brink of orgasm at least a dozen times during the remainder of the
trip.  The ride took another fifteen minutes, but she counted the time
in heartbeats, not seconds - it took hours to get out of the car.

                    --------------------

     Henri pulled the Benz into the garage and closed the door.  He'd
worked for LaCroix long enough to know when he was supposed to vanish
and this was definitely one of those times.  He quickly stepped through
the kitchen door and prepared the house.  Henri knew the routine.  He
turned, reset the alarm so it would automatically arm after the door to
the garage was closed, activated the control to shutter all the
windows, set another bottle of champagne chilling in the master suite,
selected some of LaCroix's favorite music on the CD-player, and made
sure there were several bottles of the Raven's vintage in the bedroom's
refrigerator.  Making his preparations and double-checking the house's
security, he retired to his rooms in the back of the house.

     Lucien continued his arousal of Natalie for the few moments Henri
would take to prepare the house.  He knew his ghoul would make things
perfect - he had not failed him in a hundred years.  Carefully
disengaging himself from Natalie, he drew up above her.  Natalie eyes
were still unfocused, but her face started to frown as the stimulation
was withdrawn from her.  "Shhhhh."  He whispered.  Reaching down, he
placed his arms behind and underneath her, effortlessly picked her up
and carried her out of the car.  Moving more lightly than an unburdened
human, he flowed into the house and up the stairs to the master suite.
As he passed through the entry, he released the door to close behind
him.  There would be no uninvited intrusions this time, he mused,
thinking of Nicholas' interruption at Azure.

     Once upstairs, Lucien gently placed Natalie upon his bed.
Turning away, he gathered his ever-present glass of wine, and opened
another bottle of champagne for Natalie.

     As Natalie lay on Lucien's bed, she slowly took in the room.
Other than what appeared to be the same remote control shutters on the
windows, this was nothing like Nick's place.  The room was cozy, and
elegantly furnished.  The bed of dark wood, cherry perhaps, was large
and comfortable, a classic design with sturdy posts at each corner.
There was a dresser nearby of the same design, and a simple armoire on
the same wall.  A large, walk-in closet led off the wall opposite the
bed.  She could see an entrance to the bathroom area near the head of
the bed on an adjacent wall.  Opposite the bathroom entrance there was
a bay window inset with a small sitting area and table.

     Lucien was busy at the wet bar near the bathroom door.  He
returned with another glass of champagne for her and wine for himself.
Handing her the champagne and setting his own glass down on the
nightstand, he gathered  the champagne bucket and two bottles of wine
and set them down nearby.

     Lucien moved closer, his mouth at her neck - breathing into her
ear.  Well, this is it.  Now or never, Natalie thought.  "Lucien?  Are
you sure this is safe?"

     "Safe?  My dear Natalie; you, of all people, should know that
nothing is truly safe."  Natalie shivered at this thought.  He'd said
she was in no danger from him.  Would he break his word just to get her
here?  "Everything," he continued, "is fraught with some risk.  What
could possibly be stimulating if there were no peril associated with
it?  You are, however, as safe as you can be with a vampire.  You will
come to no harm by my hand this evening."

     As his breath poured into her ear, Natalie's last bit of resolve
dissolved away.  With her free hand, she grabbed Lucien's head and
pressed her lips against his.  Her body was on fire, and it seemed that
only his cool touch could quench it.  She pushed her glass toward the
nightstand, and Lucien quickly put it away.

     Both her hands were free now, and she tried to undress Lucien,
but he firmly gripped her hands.  "No.  You first.  I will watch."
Natalie's hands trembled as she complied.  Lucien was watching
intently, taking in every motion of her hands, every bit of flesh
revealed.  As she bent to remove her shoes, Lucien roughly caressed her
through her dress.  She shivered at his touch, luxuriating in the feel
of his hands on her.  She reached behind herself to pull down the
zipper to the dress, she struggled a bit, but Lucien didn't offer
assistance.  At length she was able to grasp it; slowly she pulled it
down.  She reveled in the release of her flesh, knowing that his gaze
would soon be upon her.  She was not disappointed.  As she removed the
dress from her breasts and dropped it on the floor, Lucien stared at
her.  She could feel the strength of his eyes on her like a physical
presence, and she wanted more.  She wanted his hands on her, tearing
way the last bit of cloth that screened her from him.  Urgently, she
started to grab at her bra, but Lucien slowed her with a glance.
Standing there in her bra and garters, she trembled with anticipation.
She wasn't sure where to go from there, and Lucien gave her no
indication.  As she reached behind to loosen her bra, he stopped her
with his hand on her shoulder.

     Lucien pulled Natalie to him by her wrist.  Stretching his hand
behind her head, he yanked her close, and forced his mouth on hers.  At
last, Natalie thought.  She almost climaxed at his touch.  Her body
quivered as it came in contact with his.  Lucien roughly lifted her up
and carried her to his bed.  Laying her down, he removed his shirt
while standing above her.  Natalie's breath caught.  She hadn't
expected that he would have such a well-defined chest, and flat
stomach.  She was used to thinking of him as some ancient vampire, not
as a powerful man who had stopped aging in his middle years.  Lucien
flowed onto the bed and astride her.  His legs on either side of her
hips.  God!  It's like I had imagined, she thought.  He leaned forward
and started kissing and nibbling the side of her neck and throat.  She
could feel his teeth against her.  She knew the danger she must be in,
but the excitement of his body on hers drove the consideration out of
her mind.

     The kisses were moving down her neck to her breasts.  He paused.
Natalie had been anticipating Lucien's hands and mouth on her for what
seemed to be hours.  She arched her chest up to him in desire,
moaning,  "Lucien.  Please."  Lucien's hands moved back to her chest,
and stroked her through her bra, but it wasn't enough.  She wanted his
hands on her.  Writhing and arching against his hands, she moaned
again.  "Lucien.  I need your hands on me."  Natalie felt his fingers
tighten on her bra for a moment, heard a quick 'snap', and felt her
breasts free in the air.  Dimly, she realized he had torn the bra off

her like paper, and the thought inflamed her - his strength only served
to fuel her desire to be possessed by him.  Now his hands were on her
breasts.  His touch was cool, but it burned.  His tongue teased her
nipples.  They rose into his mouth as they hardened, and she felt the
sharpness of his teeth against them as his lips closed around them.
The intensity of his needlelike canines against her nipples brought her
to her first orgasm.  It was as if her nerves were flaming.  Her hips
bucked against Lucien's but he pinned her firmly down.  Her body was
tingling now.  As she drifted in the warm aftermath, Lucien moved away.
She glanced up to see him draining two glasses of wine in quick
succession.

     "Proper preparations," he said smiling.  "It is what keeps you
safe."

     Natalie understood, but she didn't care.  She needed him inside
her, and he was delaying.  "Please."  She whispered.  "I need you
here."

     Lucien flashed back to the bed, and stood looking down at her.
He moved back to his position on her hips.  "Are you ready for the next
step?"  He spoke softly, but urgently.

     "Yes!"  Natalie pushed her hips against Lucien's again,
desperately trying to get some relief from the ache inside her.

     Lucien moved his hips down her legs a bit, opening access to her
pelvis.  Reaching down between her legs, Lucien stripped her panties
from her hips without removing the garter above them.  Natalie gasped
as he touched her.  His hands were feather light on her, but she felt
the strength probing her.  He teased her clitoris over and over.  Each
time she rose to the brink of orgasm before falling away as he stopped.
Her need was growing by the second.  She thrust herself at his hand,
and was rewarded by his finger entering her heat.  Natalie exploded.
She could feel that marble coolness inside her, and she wanted more.
She bucked into his hand again and again, coming with more violence
each time.  Eventually, Lucien stopped, letting Natalie catch her
breath.  Her body was tingling all over.  Once more Lucien moved to the
nightstand and finished several glasses.

     Coming back to the bed, he asked, "Do you want me?  Now?"

     "Oh, God!  Yes!  Please, I don't care what you have to do.  I
need you in me."  Natalie was almost sobbing with frustration.  She had
come over and over, but it wasn't enough.  She wanted Lucien inside
her.  That was the only way she could attain satisfaction.  Lucien
reached down to remove his belt, but she stopped him with a touch.
"Let me."  She pleaded.  Lucien removed his hand and stepped closer.
Natalie grabbed the belt and, in her excitement, fumbled slightly.
Unbuckling the belt, she unbuttoned Lucien's pants and slowly opened
the fly.  She could hear his intake of breath as she slid her hands
inside his pants onto his hips.  Again, his skin was cool, and his
muscles firm against her touch.  The heat of her need made him seem
ice-cold against her.  She pushed his pants down to his ankles, and
focused her attention on the boxer shorts in front of her.  She barely
noticed as Lucien stepped out of his pants and freed his legs.  Natalie
was transfixed.  Through the shorts, she could tell that Lucien was
larger than average, and almost bursting through them to her.
Natalie's hands trembled as she slipped her hands into the waistband
and tugged the shorts down.  His erection rushed out at her as she
freed it.  Facing the object of her desire, Natalie's first thought was
to get it inside her to soothe her burning need.  As she looked at him,
she realized that she wanted to prolong this pleasure.  Getting him
inside her would end this too soon.  Natalie grasped Lucien's member
with both hands, and pulled him into her mouth.  When her hands touched
him, she realized that part of him, like the rest of him, was cool to
the touch, but when he entered her lips, she thrilled to the sensation

of his icy hardness inside her scorching mouth.  Licking and sucking
for all her worth, Natalie tried to bring as much pleasure to Lucien as
he had given her.  Reaching underneath him, she gently squeezed and
kneaded him.  Lucien grabbed her hair and began thrusting himself into
her mouth.  At first, the sensation of his hardness at the back of her
throat and the inability to breathe easily was terrifying.  Lucien had
taken complete control of the situation.  His iron grip held her firm
to his groin, and his thrusts were completely disorienting her.  The
fear faded quickly as the thrill of being under his control took over.
Giving herself over to the act, and trusting in Lucien to meet her
needs sent Natalie over the edge again.  She almost fainted with the
intensity of her orgasm.  She needed to breathe, but Lucien was firmly
in her mouth, and thrusting deeper.  At last, he backed off.

     "Lucien."  She gasped.  "Please come inside me.  I need you
there."  As she asked, she saw a bit of the glow in his eyes.  She knew
desire was inflaming him as well.  "Please hurry."  He pulled away from
her, and she drug her hands against him as he moved away.  She wanted
him to go so he could return, but her body couldn't bear to be apart
from him.  Lucien grabbed a bottle from the nightstand and downed it in
one long swallow.

     Returning, he pulled her from the floor and pushed her onto the
bed.  Natalie's eyes widened.  She knew this was the final moment, and
she was more than ready.  Whimpering, she grasped at him, trying to
bring him into her.  He moved forward, and planted those chilly hands
on her thighs, prying them further apart.  As he positioned himself at
her entry, she grew more frantic for him to complete the act.  She
tried to buck her hips and force his access to her, but his grip held
strong - she could not break it.  Slowly, he began to take her.  His
hips moved with feline grace as he slid himself into her.  Natalie was
stunned.  He was even bigger than she had thought and the chill of him
inside her sent shivers up and down her skin.  As he pushed his way
into her, Natalie began to come yet again.  He moved his hands away
from her thighs and took her breasts in his hands.  He pinched and
rolled her nipples, and the electric shocks that resulted went straight
to her clitoris.  She quite literally could not stop climaxing.  She
could feel Lucien pushing deeply into her; his thrusts filling her
completely.  Still she wanted more.  She kept bucking her hips up into
him, trying to get more out of  him, trying to fill her need.  Lucien's
hands left her breasts and moved to her legs.  Grasping her by the
ankles, he pulled her legs over his shoulders, and pulled her body even
closer to him.  Natalie began to scream in pleasure as this new
position plunged him further into her.  He kept his hands on her legs
and used them to piston her on him.  He was slamming into her over and
over.  As his hips rasped against her buttocks Natalie ground herself
against them - the pull and sting as he passed thrilled her.  Just as
she thought she could stand no more, Lucien pulled his hands away from
her legs, and began to slow his pace.  Lucien reached to the side of
the bed and brought a bottle to his lips.  He drank deeply, and moved
his hands back to Natalie thighs.  "Lucien."  Natalie breathed.  "I
don't know if I can take much more.  You're the most incredible lover
I've ever known."

     Lucien smiled.  "Thank you, but I have yet to finish.  There is
still much for you and I to experience."  As he finished, he emphasized
the word experience by starting to rub his thumb up and down her
clitoris.  Natalie was convinced she could not come any more, but as
his chilling touch once more met her flesh, she started to spiral
upward once more.  The intensity of her spasms might have ejected a
mortal lover, but Lucien's strength held him firmly inside her.  Her
whole body convulsing about him, Natalie looked into Lucien's eyes.  As
she stared, Lucien's face took on more of the vampire, his eyes glowing
slightly.  He groaned, and gripped her hips in a painful clench.  His
breathing was irregular and hoarse.  His strokes violent and deep.  He
tensed and was still.  After a couple of seconds, Lucien quickly
reached for the bottle at the side of the bed and emptied it.

     Natalie reached for LaCroix, and he allowed himself to be pulled
to the bed beside her.  "Lucien.  I?"  Natalie started to speak, but
her body decided sleep was a better idea.  She settled against his
chest and breathed softly.

     Lucien LaCroix smiled to himself.  In all his wildest imaginings,
he could not have thought up anything so perfect.  To have found
Nicholas' Dr.  Lambert alone and ripe for the plucking was too good to
be true.  And then to have her respond with such ferocity - ah, the
irony was priceless.  Did Nicholas compass the consequences of his
actions?  LaCroix could not read the thoughts of any other than his
childer, but he was certain that this evening's activities were the
direct result of Nicholas's actions or inactions, as the case may be.
Carefully easing himself out of bed, LaCroix went downstairs.  There
were a few hours until morning, and he would need them.

                    --------------------

     Natalie slumbered peacefully.  The stresses of the past week were
worn away, and her frustration at the years of abstinence expunged in a
single night.

     True to her own internal clock, Natalie began to stir about dawn.
Hearing her motions upstairs, Lucien quickly returned to his bed.  He
wanted Natalie to wake in his arms.  As she opened her eyes in the dim
room, Natalie started with fear.  This was not her room, where was she?
Just as quickly as the thought came, the memories returned.  The
evening at Scandal, meeting LaCroix, no Lucien, and the ensuing night's
passion.  She could still feel him between her legs.  His cool strength
was engulfing her.  Her body still tingled from the force of his
lovemaking.  Turning her head, she saw Lucien's eyes looking down on
her, and the full force of the evening hit her.  She had slept with
Nick's sire, and loved it.  She had woken unharmed, though not
unaffected, from the experience.  The night had proven to her the
falsehood of Nick's constant litany of incapability.

     Abruptly, a different chorus of worries besieged her.  How could
she face Nick again after this?  He would believe she had betrayed him!

     "Lucien.  I really must go.  It's late, and I need to get home."
Natalie was suddenly embarrassed in front of him.  She remembered just
how wild she had been, and his gaze reminded her of her unfaithfulness
to Nick.

     "Natalie.  You need not be discomfited with me.  You and I have
done nothing immoral here.  We have merely enjoyed each other company
and pleasures.  Come stay with me a while.  It is still early yet, and
there is still much we could do."  Lucien's voice was soothing, and
low, and Natalie found herself agreeing with his logic.  Nick *had*
been with Janette.  She certainly couldn't claim she had an exclusive
relationship with him.  For that matter, did she have any relationship?
No, Natalie Lambert, you and Nick have a professional association.
You're looking for the Holy Grail of medicine, and he's looking for
someone to remove his curse.  You know you're only the last in a long
line of cures, don't you?  Natalie's resolve broke.

     Stifling a sob, Natalie broke Lucien's gaze.  "I'd like to stay
for while, if you don't mind."

     "Stay as long as you desire, my dear.  Henri can drive you where
ever you need when you are ready to leave."  Again, Lucien's voice was
pure honey.  It was if he had all the time in the world, and he was
happy to take these moments with her.  Natalie found herself basking in
that voice once more.  The melodious tone and the indefinable accent
seemed to wash all concerns from her mind.

     Natalie felt her desire start to flame again.  The memory of last
night's passion was reigniting the embers in her soul.  She started to
rub against Lucien and felt him stiffen in response.  Even after those
hours of contact last night, she was still taken aback by the coolness
of his skin.  It was like stroking silk, not skin.  His muscles were
bunching underneath and stroking her back as she moved.  Lucien spun
her around and on her back before him.  Staring up at him she realized
just how powerful he must be.  His shoulders were at least three inches
wider than Nick's.  His neck was strong, and the trapezius stood out as
they sloped to his collarbones.  He was gorgeous.  He was huge.  How
had she not noticed before?  Not weightlifter huge, but built like a
man who had lived a hard and physical life.  Her professional eye could
see that those muscles had been made by physical labor, not some
high-tech gizmo.  They had been inscribed on his body by years in the
Roman Army, and the subsequent millennia had only served to accent
them.

     Lucien lowered his face to her breasts and nipped them.  Natalie
almost lost consciousness; she came immediately, and with such force
that she trembled as he moved further down her body.  When his mouth
touched her sex Natalie started whimpering.  She tried to stop, but the
reaction was involuntary.  His mouth was on her.  His tongue was
trilling on the center of her pleasure, and he would not stop.  She
arched her back to force herself onto his tongue, to make him enter
with it, but it was of no use.  He was much too strong to allow that.
Natalie could feel the climax building in her.  Each time she rode to a
crest a little closer to release, only to slide down the trough and to
the start of the next wave.  Closer.  Closer.  Closer.  Just as she
thought Lucien had come up with some new sort of torture, she reached
the final peak.  Natalie had never in her wildest fantasy thought it
could be this way.  There were fireworks going off in her body, blood
rushing in her ears, and it wasn't stopping.  It kept going on and on.
So this is _the little death_.  Maybe that name's more apt than I
thought.  Lucien began to slow his tongue, and the explosions subsided.
Spent, she sagged back to the pillow.  It was wonderful.  She'd never
believed the stories of her friends.  Now, she wanted him inside her.
She wanted him to burst within her and fulfill the act.

     Reaching down to him, she pulled at his arms.  He moved to her
face with a fluid grace that belied his power.  "Lucien.  Make love to
me.  I want you to come in me."  Her voice was full of the longing that
her ecstasy had awakened.

     "I regret, I cannot.  I would have to replenish my  provisions to
do that again, and I dread that we have consumed most of my supply in
last night's celebrations."

     "Is there nothing you can do?  I want you to make love to me
again!"  The need in her voice was obvious to LaCroix's ears.  He knew
the hunger he had aroused in her.

     "If there was a way to supplant my supplies with additional
blood, then we could continue?"

     "You could?"  Natalie breathed deeply.  "Drink from me."

     Lucien paused.  "Yes.  Given the blood that I have available, I
would only need to taste of your bounty.  I would not need to feed upon
you.  "

     Natalie shivered with the thought.  Was she going to willingly
give herself to this vampire?  Give him her life to drink?  Her soul to
share?  "Please, Lucien, take what you need from me, and make love to
me again."

     Bringing the last two bottles in the room to the bedside, Lucien
quickly drank half of the first bottle.  With deliberate slowness,
Lucien moved between Natalie's thighs, and positioned himself.  "Now,
Lucien.  Take me now!"  He reached forward and gripped Natalie's waist
with both hands.  Then, with a quick motion, he pulled her down upon
him.  She gasped as his pelvis slid home to hers.  As he started to
move inside her, she saw his eyes begin to glow slightly.  He's
beginning to change, she thought.  She stared transfixed as his fangs
began to extend.  Her heart began to beat faster from fear than with
the excitement of sex.  She saw him bending toward her neck, but she
was powerless to do anything.  She was paralyzed by his eyes.  Natalie
could feel Lucien's cold breath on her throat as he moved into place to
bite her.  As his teeth pierced her skin, Natalie's body erupted again
in ecstasy.  She could feel her blood flowing into his mouth, and it
was being replaced with the most incredible pleasure she'd ever known.
Natalie thrust herself against Lucien, trying desperately to draw him
further into her.  At the same time she was pushing her throat to his
mouth, she knew that his bite could take her life, but it was giving
her too much delight to care.  She could hear herself saying, "Drink
from me, Lucien.  Take me into you."  The rapture of his drinking was
somehow linked to the intensity of her pleasure.  She knew that she
would not stop him even if it meant her life.

     "Enough!"  Lucien moved away from her jugular.  Natalie felt his
lips leave her vein and her climax end.  She lay there under him
lightheaded and gasping for breath.  How much had he taken?  Could this
lethargy be the preliminary to death?  She saw him leaning forward to
her neck again, and knew this was it - he was going to finish her off.
She only hoped the second time would be as pleasurable.  Natalie was
shocked.  Instead of plunging his fangs into her, and sending her out
in a blaze of orgasmic bliss, Lucien lightly licked the wound in her
neck.  Good to the last drop?

     "Lucien?  Natalie murmured.  "Wha? why are you doing that?

     "To seal the wound and promote healing of course."  Lucien's tone
was completely matter of fact.  This new piece of vampire knowledge
jolted Natalie back to consciousness.

     "Seal the wound?  How?"

     "My dear, I am not a physician, and I would not presume to
postulate upon the mechanism used.  Applying saliva to the bite of a
living victim causes the wound to clot and seal almost immediately.  In
a few hours it will appear to be several days old.  It will more
resemble?, what is the word, _love bite_ this afternoon.  In three days
there will be no remaining mark at all.  This is the method often used
when one wishes to partake without the knowledge of the quarry."
Natalie stared at Lucien in amazement.  In less than twelve hours with
him she had learned more than she had in all her years with Nick.  It
made sense.  She knew vampires didn't always kill their prey, but if
they left visible proof of their attack, the victims could quickly
become aware of their presence.

     Lucien could see the confusion and amazement in Natalie's eyes.
Another omission by Nicholas?  For one so intent on becoming mortal, he
was not very forthcoming with his  chosen savior.  "So Nicholas has not
revealed this attribute to you?  I'm sure it must have slipped his
mind.  It is quite common practice among our kind to use this facility
to preserve and protect those who serve us.  Between it and our blood,
we can restore almost any non-fatal wound."  Lucien was a bit amused.
This was a discussion to be having with a fledgling, not a human.  How
long had it been?  There was Daniel, but before that it had been years
upon years.  "I must apologize, my dear doctor.  I fear that I have
been much too loquacious for your own good.  If you were to acknowledge
this information, you would be in great danger."

     Natalie realized that Lucien was talkative.  Was this a byproduct
of sex?  She must keep this going.  "Of course, Lucien.  I know that
none of my _research_ is publishable.  That's not why I've been helping
Nick all these years.

     "Yes, your research.  You know that you are not the first to help
him in this endeavor, do you not?  He has spent many years in this
quest, and gone through many doctors.  However, I must say that you are
the first that I would deem capable of completing the task.  Your
skills and resources are commendable."

     Was this praise from the master of sarcasm and cruelty?  She
needed to talk to someone, but whom?  Nick was definitely out.  Grace
could not fathom what was going on here.  Janette?  How would she

broach it?  How could she keep Nick from knowing?

     "?Thank you, Lucien."

     "You are most welcome."

     They kept talking.  She found he had a strange but wonderful
sense of humor.  He seemed to be able to converse on any subject under
the sun, make that moon, and he never tired of questions or side
subjects.  All the while, he kept his eyes closely on hers, never
wavering, never closing in annoyance, always interested in what she was
saying and what she thought.

     Eventually, the conversation took a serious turn.  "Lucien, what
did I taste like?  You said that each time you partake of someone, you
could taste their very lives.  What did I taste of?"

     For the first time in the evening, Lucien seemed to be at a loss
for words.  "Ah? honey, jasmine, the air after a storm?"  He paused.
"Quite wonderful."

     "Thank you.  Would you like some more?"

     "Certainly."

     He began to make love to her again.  Keeping the wine nearby, but
seeming to ignore it for the most part.  He timed his first bit to
coincide his entry of her.  For Natalie, the effect was incredible.
The moment he parted her lips, his teeth broke the skin.  His pelvis
kept stroking hers, and for each touch of that flesh, he drew a little
more of her blood.  And each time he pulled her blood into him, she
would surge.  As he stiffened and thrust deeply into her, he took one
last deep draught, and stars exploded in her eyes.  As he pulled away,
and began to apply his healing _salve_, she leaned back and tried to
collect her thoughts.  She was so dizzy, that she was convinced that
she must have lost a great deal of blood.  She looked woozily at Lucien
who was finishing off the last bottle on the floor.  "How much did you
take?  I can hardly sit up."

     "It is not blood loss making you dizzy, my dear.  Hunger,
perhaps.  Or perchance it is the fact that you and I have been making
love for the past seven hours?"

     Seven hours?  No it couldn't be.  She remembered waking up about
dawn.  She glanced at the clock.  2:30 p.m.?

     "Lucien.  I really must go.  I'm supposed to be at work this
evening."  Where had the time gone?

     "Certainly.  Could I have Henri bring up the lunch he has
prepared?  You _must_ eat before you leave."  Lucien walked to the head
of the bed, lifted the telephone receiver, and spoke into it.  Natalie
couldn't quite hear it, but she knew he was speaking rapid French.  "He
will be up in a few minutes."  Walking to the bathroom, he returned
wearing a knee length, embroidered black silk robe.  It was obviously
handmade, probably Chinese, and the design was a multicolored garden
lit in morning sunlight.  Producing its twin from over his arm he said.
"I think that _this_ will look quite nice on you," he said.  Handing
her the robe.

     Natalie put it on.  She cool silk made her shiver at first.
"Thank you.  It's beautiful."

     "You are most welcome.  I do believe that the garment is made
more lovely by the woman it frames."  She blushed at his compliment.

     "Where-"  Just as she was about to ask where he had obtained it,
Henri knocked at the door.

     Henri walked in pushing a service cart.  The odors coming off it
were heavenly.  Natalie suddenly realized she was famished.  Henri
pushed to cart to the sitting area opposite the bathroom, bowed to both
of them, careful to keep his eyes off Natalie, and left, closing the
door behind him.

     Lucien motioned her to one of the chairs at the small table, and
pulled it out for her.  After seating her, he opened the covers to the
serving dishes.  There was a extraordinary array of food.  Poached
trout, fresh-baked breads, fruit, pasta with a cream sauce, and that
was on the top level.  "Lucien.  You didn't have to go to all this
trouble for me.  I could just as easily have picked something up on the
way home."

     "Natalie, that is utter nonsense.  Do you really think that I
would relegate you to such gastronomic travesties, after an evening of
such sensual delights?  Just because I do not partake of these luxuries
does not mean I cannot enjoy them through you.  Please, eat.  Henri
will be quite disappointed if you do not."

     "Henri made all this?"

     "Yes, I have had him in my employ for quite some time.  He knows
my requirements, can take care of my business arrangements that
necessitate daylight activity, and set a table fit for royalty.  I
think he feels a bit underutilized now that I do not entertain as I
once did.  This is a treat for him."

     The food was incredible, and Natalie ravenous.  She quickly had
her fill, and then some.  "Lucien, I really must be going.  It's
getting late."

     "Of course.  Would you like a bath before you depart?  The
bathroom is what drew me to this place originally.  The whirlpool is
one of my true pleasures."  Natalie was convinced she was going to walk
out right then, but a bath would feel wonderful.  She hadn't been
through such a thorough workout in some time.

     "I should go?  But that does sound good."  She glanced about, but
Lucien was gone.  When she heard the water filling in the tub next
door, her resolve evaporated.

                    --------------------

     Lucien looked in. Natalie was asleep - good.  He knew that fed
and warm she would sleep for hours.  He would bring her out in a few
minutes, gently towel her dry, and spirit her into the bed.  She'd not
be going into work this night.

     After slipping her into bed, Lucien moved into bed next to her,
and drifted into his own dreamless sleep.

                    --------------------

     By Sunday evening, Nick felt he'd better head to the morgue and
take his medicine.  He knew Natalie would be mad at him, but she'd get
over it.  She always did.  Stopping by a grocery on the way, Nick
picked up a small bouquet of flowers.  This will make a good peace
offering, he thought.

     The morgue was unusually quiet.  Although it was rarely bustling
with people, there were always a few around to stir things up.  Great,
Grace was at her post, guarding the morgue from the unwelcome masses -
namely one Detective Nicholas Knight.  He had hoped to avoid her.  He
was sure Grace would know about his failure to appear, so he better try
to get on her good side.

     "Good evening, Grace."  He said in his most charming voice.

     "Ah? Detective Knight, isn't it?  What could possibly bring you
to this dark cavern?"  Yep, she knows.  Nick winced inwardly at her
sarcastic venom.

     "Grace, I'm looking for Nat.  Have you seen her?"  Nick tried to
keep his tone light and ignore Grace's anger.

     "She's not been in today, Nick.  I don't suppose she's coming
in."  Nick noticed that Grace was idly fingering a pack of matches on
her desk while she talked to him.  Looking closer he noticed they were
from the Raven.  Why would Grace have matches from the Raven?

     "She hasn't called?"  Where could Nat be?  It wasn't like her to
skip work, and she would certainly call him if she was going to be out.
Why does Grace have those matches?

     "Nope.  Hasn't called."  Grace was not going to give Knight one
bit of information on Nat, or her love life.  If he'd wanted in on
that, he should've treated her better to start with.

     Time to change tacks.  "Grace, where'd you get those matches?"

     "At a club I went to last night.  Why?"

     "Just curious.  I thought I knew all the clubs in Toronto - but I
don't know that one."  You're a detective, Knight, get her talking.

     "It's in mid-town.  Nice place, but a bit loud."  No, Detective
Knight, I am not going to tell you if I went there alone, with Natalie,
or anything else for that matter.

     Nick could hear from her tone that this interview was over as far
as she was concerned.  Well, why be a vampire if you can't use the
skills.  He upped his concentration.

     "_Grace.  When did you get those matches?_"

     "Last night."  Grace monotoned.

     "_Who were you with when you picked them up?_"

     "Kerr Avon."

     "_Was Natalie with you at the Raven?_"  Damn, the one problem
with using this was you had to be very careful with your questions.
People rarely volunteered information under hypnosis.

     "No.'

     "_Were you with Natalie at all last night?_"

     "Yes."

     "_Where did you and Natalie go last night?_"

     "We went to Scandal."

     "_Did you leave Natalie at Scandal?_"

     "Yes."

     "_Was she with anyone when you left?_"

     "Yes."  This was maddening.  Grace didn't resist, but she was
extremely literal in her responses.

     "_Who was she with when you left?_"

     "Lucien."

     "_What was Lucien's last name?_"  Nick knew what this answer
would be, but he had to hear it for himself.

     "LaCroix."

     Nick stood there in shock.  Grace had left Natalie with Lucien?
Did she know she had put her friend's life in danger leaving him with
that monster?  He started to tremble.  He had to find Natalie and fast.
LaCroix would kill her.  He knew it.  Why would Natalie do this to him?
Hadn't he told her about LaCroix time and again?  Didn't she know how
dangerous he was?

     "_Grace, I will leave here.  You will not remember me coming in
tonight._"

     "I will not remember."

     Nick flashed out of the morgue.  How would he find LaCroix?
Janette?  He reached for his cell-phone.  No, he'd better do this
face-to-face.  Moving into an alley, he glanced around for observers
and leapt into the sky.

     A few minutes later, he was at the Raven.  It was early, and the
crowd was thin, but the night promised to be as raucous as usual.  He
headed to the bar, and Miklos greeted him.

     "Good evening, Nicholas.  Your usual?"

     "Yeah, sure.  Where's Janette tonight?"  Nick didn't even hear
Miklos' question.

     "It's early.  She's probably still in her apartment.  I'll call-"
Nick stalked away.  Glass in hand toward Janette's apartment.

     "_Mon Dieu_, he's in a mood."  Miklos muttered.  I had better
call Janette and warn her.  No sense in her dealing with him cold.  He
picked up the phone, selected the intercom, and rang Janette.

     "Janette?  Nicholas is heading your way, and he's acting rather
strange, even for him."  With his mistress warned, Miklos returned to
his customers.

                    --------------------

     Nick shoved Janette's door open without knocking and walked in.
Janette, knowing he was coming, had arrayed herself seductively on a
settee in the living area.

     "Nicholas, I did not expect to see you again so soon.  Have you
come to spend another evening?"  Janette could tell from his stance
that he was not on a social visit, but she wasn't going to let him get
away with storming in here unannounced.

     "Janette.  Where's LaCroix?  What do you know about his taking
Natalie?"  Nick was obviously agitated, and couldn't control the edge
of hysteria in his voice.

     So, he was upset about his human again.  She wished he really
would get over this fixation with mortality.  He was positively
nauseating during these periods.  And what was this about LaCroix and
Dr.  Lambert?  She had heard from Nicholas and LaCroix about the scene
at Azure, and though she knew LaCroix to be duplicitous, he wouldn't go
back on his word.  "Nicholas."  She said in her most soothing tones.
"Are you sure that LaCroix has taken Natalie?"  She moved next to him
and reached her hand to his cheek.

     "She and another woman, Grace Thomas, went to Scandal last night.
Grace told me that when she left, Natalie was with a man named with
Lucien LaCroix."

     "How do you know it was LaCroix?  She was with a man who claimed
to be one Lucien LaCroix.  Did you get a description?"  Janette knew
this was a slim chance, but she did not want Nicholas to take off after
LaCroix without thinking things through.  LaCroix always pulled his
punches with Nicholas, but she knew that he would not restrain himself
against his _son_ forever.

     "No.  Wait.  She was here last night.  She had a pack of your
matches.  I should go ask Miklos about her."

     "Cherie, we get so many people on a Saturday night.  Miklos may
not remember one human."

     "She said she was with someone when she was here.  Do you know a
Kerr Avon?"

     Janette froze.  Kerr was one of LaCroix's friends that he had
picked up in Europe last year.  LaCroix denied making him.  He said
they met at a club in France.  He was not as old as she or Nicholas,
but he was at least five hundred.  "Yes, I know him.  He is a friend of
LaCroix's.  Tall, cultured, beautiful mahogany skin, and wonderful
green eyes."

     "Is he? one of us?"  This clinched it.  LaCroix had used one of
his fledglings to cut Natalie out of the herd.

     "Yes, but he is not LaCroix's.  I have talked to him some.  He
said he is from northern Africa."

     "But is he LaCroix's tool?"

     "Tool?  Is that what we all are to you Nicholas?  Tools of
LaCroix?"  Once again, you pit yourself against your kind, Nicholas.

     "I'm sorry, Janette.  I didn't mean to insult you."  Good one,
Nick, let's see who else you can alienate today.  "It just sometimes
seems that no matter where I go, LaCroix was there ahead of me."

     "It seems to me that we need to find Kerr Avon.  He has become
somewhat of a regular here.  I will call Miklos and have him notify us
when he comes in.  In the mean time, my sweet, let us retire to a more
comfortable arena."  She paused and then punctuated her recommendation
with a stroke of Nick's chin, and a sultry kiss.

     "No, Janette.  I must find Nat."  Nick's voice wavered as he
argued with himself.  He knew he ought to be out looking for Nat, but
LaCroix could be anywhere.  He presumed LaCroix had a house somewhere
in the city, but beyond that he could have taken Nat anywhere.  He knew
she hadn't gone willingly, so he must have used force.  Maybe he should
get the department involved.

     "Nicholas, you cannot do anything more until Monsieur Avon
arrives.  Come.  Share my bed with me.  It will make the time pass more
pleasantly."  Nick knew he could not fight the inevitable.  He made his
way to Janette's bedroom and closed the door behind him.

                    --------------------

     Natalie slowly woke in confusion surrounded by the darkened room.
Where was she?  Stretching, her arm brushed against a cold shape in the
bed next to her.  Her pulse began to race.  Not one for screaming in
terror, she looked more closely.  It appeared to be a body.  It was
cold and unmoving.  Dead?  She was in bed with a dead body?  Just as
she was about to scream, she heard Lucien's resonant voice, "Good
evening, my dear.  I trust you had a pleasant repose."  With his voice
the memories returned.  Yes, she was at Lucien's house.  She'd eaten,
and then he had run a bath in that incredible tub.  She remembered
getting in, and starting the jets, but nothing more.  She realized, in
embarrassment, that she must have fallen asleep in the tub and Lucien
had brought her to bed.

     "Lucien."  Her voice quavered with her discomfort.  "Did I fall
asleep in your tub?"

     "You did, my dear.  You seemed most fatigued from our diversions,
and I did not have the heart to wake you."  His voice, as always,
soothed away her agitation.  She could feel her racing pulse return to
normal.

     "Thank you.  I still must apologize for falling asleep like that,
and taking advantage of your hospitality."  Now how do I get out of
here?  Do I want to?  How do I find out if he's free this evening?
Suppose he just sends me home?

     "Rubbish.  I enjoyed letting you relax.  You did so seem to need
it.  As for taxing my hospitality, you have no concern.  I rarely have
any need to stir during the daytime, a bit of an occupational hazard,
you see."  Lucien smiled at his joke.  "Are you hungry?  I am certain
Henri would delight in preparing you another meal.  What would you
like?"

     "Lucien, I couldn't presume on your kindness any more.  I really
should be going.  Grace is going to be worried sick about me."  Please
ask me to stay.  I don't want to leave yet.

     "Natalie.  Henri would take it as a great insult if you declined
his cuisine, and I would be similarly insulted if you deprived me of
your most pleasurable company for another evening.  Would you be so
gracious as to accept my invitation to spend another evening with me?

     "I? I? Sure, I would love to."  Way to go ,girl.  He gives you
what you want, almost begs you to take it, and you can barely answer
the question.

     "Wonderful.  Would you allow Henri the opportunity to suprise you
with dinner?  I have found he will deliver the most amazing creations
when given a free hand."

     "That sounds wonderful.  Tell Henri I can't wait to see what he
comes up with."  Natalie paused.  "May I use your telephone?  I need to
let Grace know that I won't be in tonight."

     "Be my guest.  I need to talk with Henri.  I will return
shortly."  Lucien rose, bowed slightly, took her hand in his, kissed
it, and left.

     Natalie saw her robe neatly furled over one of the chairs in the
sitting area.  Putting it on, she picked up Lucien's phone, and dialed
the morgue.

     "Morgue, Grace Thomas."

     "Hi, Grace.  It's Natalie."

     "Natalie!  Where are you?  I figured you were going to get lucky,
but I didn't think you were getting kidnapped."

     "Grace.  It's not like that at all.  I just? well? got up, and I
don't think I'll be in tonight."  Natalie winced at the admission that
she'd been in bed all day.  She knew that Grace's imagination would be
working overtime to fill in the gaps.

     "Sure Natalie.  You only just got out of bed after sleeping all
day.  Was he as good as he looked?"

     "Grace, not now!  I'm still at his house.  I'll fill you in
tomorrow evening.  Can you cover for me?"

     "Sure.  This place is pretty dead right now anyway."

     "Cute, Grace.  I'll remember the bad puns in your next review."

     "Hey, you have fun.  OK?"

     "I'm sure I will.  See you tomorrow.  Grace?"

     "Yeah, Nat."

     "Can you do me a big favor?"

     "What, forward your mail?"

     "No."  Natalie snickered.  "Drop by my place and feed Sydney for
me.  You've got a spare key right?"

     "No problem.  I'll even spoil him for you."

     "Thanks, make him regret my coming home."

     "Bye Nat."  Grace's voice said, 'Don't you have other things to
do?'

     "Bye.  Oh, and Grace?"

     "Yeah?"

     "Thanks for everything."

     Natalie hung up.  Grace sat there staring at the phone.  She had
hoped that Natalie would have some fun, but she hadn't expected a
"whisk you off into the sunset" type thing.  She would have to trust
that Natalie knew what she was doing.  She hated to think this was some
kind of rebound type thing.  But she was pleased.  Natalie didn't even
once mention Nick.

                    --------------------

     I didn't ask if Nick had come by, Natalie thought.  Not that it
matters   Let him wonder and worry for once.  He's certainly due some.
Natalie lay back in bed and relaxed for the first time in what seemed
years.

     Lucien walked in a few minutes later carrying a pair of black
silk pants and a pair of slippers.  He leaned down to her and kissed
her deeply, stroking her hair and neck as he did so.  Natalie's body
began to respond immediately, she could feel herself moistening just at
his touch.  He slowly, almost reluctantly, broke off the kiss.  "Henri
will be finished in a few minutes.  Would you care to see the house
while he finishes?  I took the liberty of picking up the matching
slacks to that robe.  I thought you might feel more comfortable eating
downstairs in them."

     Natalie could not believe his thoughtfulness.  She'd been to
several men's houses, and none had ever thought to ensure her own
comfort, only their own.  "Thank you.  I'd love to see your house."

     Lucien's house, like his bedroom, was cozy, elegant, and
exquisitely furnished.  He had quite a number of antiques about the

place.  Original oils hung on the walls.  There were the standard
settings every house had.  There was a music room with a Steinway
piano, music stand, and sound system.  She noticed a violin case on a
table.  "Do you play?"  she asked, indicating the violin.

     "Yes.  It is an old passion of mine.  I find it soothes me when
little else will.  Do you enjoy music?"

     "I love it.  When I was little, I planned on being an singer, but
when I got older, I realized I wasn't going to be that lucky."  To a
mortal's ear, the comment would have sounded like normal light
conversation, but Lucien could detect the regret in her voice.

     "Do you still sing?"

     "On occasion.  Any more, I've had to satisfy myself with
vicarious thrills.  I never miss a chance at the opera.  I usually see
everything the Toronto Met does at least twice."

     Natalie could see Lucien listening intently to her voice as she
spoke.  "Contralto, correct?"

     "Yes, but how did you know?"  Natalie's eye's shone with wonder
as she asked.

     "Most mortals cannot hear the subtle resonances within a voice.
On the other hand, a vampire can detect every nuance of the vocal tone.
All it takes is a trained ear.  I daresay you have an extraordinary
voice Natalie - dark and smoky, full of earth and moonlight.  Could I
persuade you to sing for me?"

     "Only if you will play for me."

     "Done."

     "To break the ice, I will go first."  He walked over to the
table, carefully extracted the instrument, and expertly tuned it.
"This is a piece I learned from Haydn."

     Natalie stood rooted to the floor.  It was beautiful, haunting,
and Lucien's technique was awesome.  When he finished, there were tears
in her eyes.

     "Lucien, I'm speechless.  That was wonderful."

     "Thank you.  So few of my kind appreciate the ethereal arts.  And
now most prefer movies to a live performance.  I have always maintained
that a recorded effort can never rival the original work.  The
recording will always sound the same, day after day, it never grows or
changes.  But now, it is your turn.  Do you desire accompaniment?"

     "No.  Just let me verify my pitch."  Natalie walked to the piano
and stood immobile, marshaling her thoughts.  She felt more than a
little inadequate after his breathtaking offering.  What could she do?
Ah, that's it.  I hope he won't be offended by religious music.  She
stroked the B-flat key, drew in her breath, and began to sing.

     "Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum?"  Natalie was too
engrossed in the flow of the music to see Lucien staring at her.  As
she came to the close, Lucien was beside her, holding her hand.

     "Natalie, I am humbled.  That was the most beautiful rendition of
da Vittoria's work I have ever heard."  His voice was quiet and
measured, but the admiration was patent in his tone.

     "You _know_ it?"  Natalie was amazed.  It was a fairly obscure
renaissance piece.  Everyone knew the Schubert version, but she'd never
known anyone, outside of her high school choir, who had even heard of
the composer, much less the individual piece.

     "Yes."  He smiled.  "Just because I am a member of the undead
does not mean that I do not appreciate liturgical music.  I must admit,
I have little use for the churches themselves, but they do have
wonderful music."

     "I was afraid that I would offend you by the selection, but it
was the only thing I could think of on short notice.  Besides, I've
always loved that piece."  Natalie giggled slightly as she finished.
Somehow the thought of singing _Ave Maria_ to a Lucien seemed a bit
absurd.  "I'm very glad you liked it."

     Lucien smiled.  "I always loved the renaissance vocal works.  It
was the instrumental pieces of the era that left me flat.  It seems
that composing for mechanical instruments instead of those of the flesh
took a bit more skill.  As for da Vittoria, he was one of the best of
his era.  I always made it a point to attend the midnight masses if I
knew his works were to be performed."

     Just then, Henri arrived, and announced dinner.  "Thank you,
Henri."  Lucien said, and they went to the dining room for Natalie's
meal.

                    --------------------

     Janette's phone chimed.  Nick started, pulled away from her
abruptly, and reached for the phone.  "Nicholas!"  Janette admonished.
"How could you have lived eight-hundred years and not developed any
manners?  You do not break a woman's embrace to answer a phone on the
first ring.  Especially when the phone is not yours!"  Nick hung his
head slightly, gave her a quick smile, and answered Janette's phone.

     "Knight."

     "Nicholas, may I speak to Janette."  Miklos' voice was tight as
he spoke to Nick.  Chagrined, Nick handed the phone to Janette.

     "Janette?"  Miklos' voice unwound as he asked.

     "Yes?"

     "Kerr Avon just walked into the bar.  Would you like me to direct
him to one of the back rooms?"

     "Yes.  Thank you, Miklos.  Send Alma to entertain him."  Janette
hung up the phone and turned back to Nick.  "Where were we?"  She
started pulling him back to the bed.

     "Janette?  What did Miklos want?"  Nick knew that the bartender
would not call when she was with him unless it was important.

     "It will keep, Cherie.  This will not."  Janette's voice was low
and throaty.  Her hands roaming across his chest as she spoke.  Again,
Nick succumbed to Janette's ministrations.

     After fulfilling her desire, Janette released Nick from her
grasp.  "Cherie, Miklos has sent Kerr Avon to one of the back rooms.
You might want to get dressed and see him soon."

     "What?  Kerr has been here all this time, and you didn't tell
me?"  Nick's voice was shrill with exasperation.  "Janette!  How could
you?"

     "He will keep."  She said with a frown.  "I sent Alma in to make
sure he was comfortable.  Besides, you interrupted my pleasure earlier,
and it was only fair that you paid for it."

     "Fine!"  Nick snapped.  "I have to go.  Nat is still in danger."
Nick threw on his clothes and stalked out of her apartment.

                    --------------------

     "Lucien, please tell Henri this is incredible.  Where did he find
fresh shrimp in Toronto at this time of the year?"  Natalie was beyond
sated.  Dinner had been wonderful - from the roast quail appetizer, to
the shrimp creole, to the chocolate mousse.

     "I shall tell him, Natalie.  But if you keep complimenting him
like this, he shall whine until I bring you to my house every night,
just to make new and different things for you."

     "Careful, I might just take you up on that."  Natalie, stop
flirting with the vampire.

     "Would you care to go to Montreal this evening?"  Lucien asked.
His tone was completely conversational.  As he'd asked her whether or
not she would like cream in her coffee.

     "I'd love to, but I'll have to go home and change first."
Natalie's breath caught.  Montreal?  Lucien was going to take a shuttle
to Montreal just for the evening?  "One thing, Lucien.  I must be in to
work tomorrow, so I need to be back by mid-afternoon."

     "We will be back by morning, Natalie.  I assure you of that.  As
far as clothing, I took the liberty of having Henri pick up a few
things this afternoon while he was shopping.  You should not need to go
back to your house this evening."

     "L-l-Lucien.  You shouldn't have gone to such trouble."  He
planned this!  He was planning this from at least mid-day.  Did he know
that she'd fall asleep in the tub?  Know that she'd only too willingly
spend another evening with him?  Know that she'd agree to go?  She
began to wonder just how much control she had in this relationship.
She had a feeling, that the quantity was very, very, small.

     "I believe Henri brought the clothing upstairs while we toured.
Are you ready to prepare for the trip?"  Lucien smiled, rose, and
offered her his hand.

     Taking Lucien's hand, Natalie followed him upstairs.  Henri came
and cleared away the remains.  As she left, she saw Henri smiling at
her.  She returned the smile, and mouthed 'thank you'.

     Arrayed on the foot of Lucien's freshly made bed were a pair of
black leather pants, a collarless black silk blouse, black pumps, and
black leather jacket.  There appeared to be the requisite undergarments
discretely placed in a bag on the floor.  Natalie gasped, on top of
these clothes being outrageously expensive, she just didn't dress this
racy.  "Lucien, this is too much.  This must have cost a fortune."  I
could get used to this, she thought.  Maybe I've been home too much
lately.

     "My dear Natalie, money is no object, when it comes to the
pleasures of life.  Why don't you try these on, and see how they look?
I need to check with Henri on a few things.  I'll be back in a few
minutes."  Lucien, grasped her hand and kissed it as he left.  Natalie
had to sit down quickly, her knees weak from his touch.

     After he left, Natalie closed the door and removed her robe and
slacks.  Naked, she stood before the mirrored closet doors, admiring
herself.  Yeah, not bad for an old woman she thought.  Turning, she
looked at her throat and neck.  The bites had healed, but she was going
to have one hell of a set of hickeys tomorrow, no matter how powerful
this vampire curative was.  As she completed the turn she noticed
several narrow bruises forming on the backs of her thighs and buttocks.
She looked closer, and saw they were from Lucien's fingers.  His hands
had marked her flesh as he had marked her soul.  Natalie stared at the
Lucien's brands on her skin and remembered his strong, icy fingers
gripping her as he came.  That, along with her throat, was his
signature on her skin.  Natalie had never wanted to be possessed by a
man before, but as she gazed on Lucien's handiwork she thrilled at the
prospect.

     Finished with her examinations, Natalie began dressing.  She
wondered if Henri had just presumed she'd conform to Lucien's standard
color scheme, or if he had been given specific instructions.
Everything was black.  The bra and panties were silk, and a perfect
fit.  She paused to caress herself through the sumptuous fabric before
covering herself with the camisole and blouse.  Now comes the fun part;
there's just no way these pants are going to fit right.  Natalie
gritted her teeth and pulled them up.  They did.  Not only did they
fit, but like a second skin.  How had Lucien known?  Were his vampire
senses so keen that he could calculate my size at a glance, or by touch
alone?  Of course the shoes fit.  The heels might have been a little
lower, but there weren't too tall to walk in.  The jacket complemented
the ensemble.  I look like some biker chick.

     Makeup!  I don't have a bit here!.  Natalie began to panic until
she saw another small bag next the one that had held her undergarments.
A complete set of everything that was on her counter at home.  How?  He
would have had to break into her apartment to do this.  Well, maybe
anyone else would have.  He obviously knows much more about women than
I expected.  Nick could have never done this, she mused.  Well, he's
going to be coming back at any minute, you'd better get cracking.
Natalie busied herself with her makeup, and finished in record time.

     Now, back to that full-length mirror, I've got to see this again.
As Natalie critiqued herself in the mirror, a soft knock came at the
door.  Lucien entered, wearing a matching pair of leather pants, and
jacket.

     "I may have to give Henri a raise.  He chose quite well.
Natalie, you look truly striking."

     Natalie beamed from his praise.  The mirth bubbled over into a
slight giggle in her voice.  "Thank you Lucien.  I can't thank you
enough.  How did you know my size?"

     "Practice, my dear.  That, and a good eye.  Is there anything
else you need before we depart?"

     Natalie stared at the mirror.  "Lucien, would you have a scarf?
I'd rather not have to deal with the rude stares my neck might get.
Your attentions today have left it a bit visible."  She smiled,
removing any hint of criticism.

     "Of course.  You do not have to worry.  I doubt if anyone would
consider disturbing you this evening."  Lucien went to his bureau and
returned with a white scarf.  Natalie wrapped it around her throat and
knotted it.  If possible, the scarf improved the outfit.  The blaze of
white at her throat set off the jet of her clothing.

     Lucien looked upon her intently.  She could feel her pulse race
as she felt his eyes trace down her body.  "If you are ready, we should
leave.  It should not take more than an hour to get to Montreal.

     "An hour?  Lucien, it's at least that to the airport."  Natalie
didn't want to question him, but she didn't see how he was going to get
to Montreal in an hour.

     "Natalie, trust me.  There is more than one way to travel."  His
voice soothed her.  "Come, it is time to go."

     Natalie followed Lucien downstairs and out the back of his house
into a walled patio.  There were a couple of pieces of statuary there,
and a few well-trimmed bushes, but otherwise the area was empty.  But
how often does a vampire invite his friends over for a barbecue,
anyway.  Lucien stepped over to a table near the door, and returned
with a heavy scarf and a pair of ski goggles.

     "You'll need these, Natalie.  I do not think your eyes are used
to this, and I am sure your hair would not appreciate the windblown
look."

     Natalie stared at him.  Slowly she realized what was in store for
her.  "You mean we're going to fly?  Just us?  No plane?"  Her voice
was trembling, she knew vampires did this all the time, but she didn't
think mortals went along for the ride.

     "Why, of course.  You did not think that I was going to do
something so pedestrian as take a plane did you?"  He smiled.  "Has
Nicholas never given you the gift of flight?"  The disdain was thick in
his voice   He frowned.  "It is time your horizons were expanded."

     It's a sure bet Nick wouldn't be expanding my horizons.  Natalie
put on the goggles.  Lucien reached down and adjusted them, making sure
they wouldn't fly off in the wind.  He took the scarf and expertly
fastened it around her head, capturing all the bits of flyaway hair
with it.  "I learned this from Janette.  She refuses to fly unless her
hair is protected.  She says it is not worth the torture of brushing it
out."

     He gestured to the back of the patio.  "Ready?"

     Natalie swallowed.  "As I'll ever be."

     Lucien took her hand and moved her away from any obstructions.
Then he stepped in front of her and wrapped her hands around his waist.
"You will be laying on my back.  Keep your arms around my waist, and
relax.  You are perfectly safe."

     Natalie took a deep breath, readying herself for the terror that
she expected to come.  Lucien bent his knees and pushed into the air.
Suddenly, they were rushing through the air.  The sensation was like
floating.  Looking down, she could seen the lights of the city several
hundred feel below them.  Natalie had flown in a plane before, and she
could tell from the motion of the ground that they were traveling very
fast, but the wind was less than she had experienced on a motorcycle.
It was incredible.  She felt like some sort of god - ruling all she
surveyed.  He twitched slightly, and moved Natalie's head next to his
own.

     "So, Natalie, do you like what you see?"

     "Lucien."  Natalie gasped.  "This is amazing.  It feels so free
up here.  So powerful.  Do you ever tire of it?"

     "Never.  This is but one of the joys of being a vampire.  It is
unfortunate that you cannot fly on your own.  The true joy is in the
acrobatics one can perform or in traveling just at the tree line."

     Lucien pointed out some of the landmarks on the way to keep the
trip interesting.  Natalie took this opportunity to attempt to learn of
his past.  He said nothing of his own history, but his stories of Rome,
Gaul, Pompeii, and other worlds long dead were fascinating.

                    --------------------

     Nick burst in on Kerr and Alma.  Alma jerked away from the door
and cowered in the corner.  Kerr was not going to be vanquished so
easily.  He rose to his 6'4" and launched himself at Nick.  Somehow
this was not what Nick had expected.  He had become used to dealing
with humans.  Kerr was not going to be shoved in a corner and forced to
answer questions. They grappled for several seconds, each trying to
evaluate the strength of the other.  Finally, Kerr realized Nick was
the stronger.

     Kerr backed away from Nick.  His eyes blazing.  His fangs fully
extended.  "Who are you, and what do you want?"  His voice was blurred
both by anger and fangs.  Keeping an eye on Nick at all times, he
grabbed his clothes next to the bed and dressed.

     Nick glared at Alma.  "Leave us!  We have business!"  Alma shrank
away from his tone and scurried out, naked.

     Returning to Kerr, he said, "I need answers, and you have the
information.  Tell me about LaCroix and Natalie Lambert!"

     Kerr realized Nick might be stronger, but he was not going to
give in so easily.  "If you wish to question Monsieur LaCroix, why
don't you contact him yourself?"  Kerr's English was strangely accented
- Arabic?  Persian?

     "That is not the issue here.  The issue is your being an
accessory in the kidnapping of a human.  It _is_ against the law."

     "Ah, I had heard that there was one of us who dallied in the
trappings of _human law_."  He spat last two the words out as if they
were rats that had become inexplicably attached to his tongue.  "Your
sire must be quite displeased with such aberrant activities."

     Nick tried to hold his temper.  The whole big, bad cop routine
that worked so well with the weasels with which he usually dealt was
coming up flat here.  He needed to know what was going on, and soon.
LaCroix was going to kill Nat, if he hadn't already.

     "Look, Kerr.  LaCroix's kidnapped a friend of mine, and I want
her back.  Are you going to tell me what I know or are you going to let
me beat it out of you?"  Nick finished the sentence in full vampire
mode.  He wanted Kerr's complete understanding of his tenuous
situation.

     "I am going to presume you are Nicholas Knight, nee de Brabant,
Lucien LaCroix's immortality-hating childe.  Am I correct?"  Nick
nodded.  "In that case, I do believe that you really should discuss
this matter with your sire."

     "I am here, discussing it with you, now!"  Nick moved closer to
Kerr, menacing him.

     Kerr knew he wasn't going to win this one.  Knight was over half
again his age, and even if he did _swill steer_, as Alma put it, he was
stronger by far.  But he'd have to resolve how to retain his neck when
LaCroix found out.

     "OK Knight, what do you want to know?"  The resignation in Kerr's
voice was palatable.  He'd put up a good struggle.  Lucien would
probably be only mildly outraged that he had caved in.

     "I want to know what LaCroix has done with Natalie Lambert, and
how he managed kidnap her in the middle of a crowded club."  Nick
shuddered at the prospect of his Nat with LaCroix.  It took a conscious
act of will not to envision Nat in his arms.  "I'm not going to wait
all night, Kerr."

     "Where do you want me to start?"

     "How about the beginning!"  Damn it!  If you keep dancing around
the truth, I'm going to break your arms, let them knit, and break them
again.  The threat was unspoken, but Kerr could see that Nick was
considering something patently unpleasant.

     Kerr drew a deep breath.  "Saturday evening, I was walking
downtown, enjoying the sights, admiring the pr-women, and LaCroix
called me.  He needed my assistance in meeting a woman at Scandal.  It
seems she was paired off with a friend, and he was sure that unless he
found the friend a date as well, he would not be able to extract her
from the establishment.

     He shrugged.  "I owe LaCroix a great deal.  He got me out of a

severe scrape in Algeria a few years back.  I met him at the bar, and
he pointed the pair out to me.  One was a medium height woman with
light brown hair, very striking looking, dressed to kill."  Or be
killed, he thought.

     "Natalie Lambert."  Nick feebly said.

     "The other woman was a shorter black woman, in more conservative
dress."

     "Grace Thomas."  Nick felt like he was going to be ill.  He
suddenly realized Grace had taken Nat out to clear Nick from her mind,
and possibly her life.  If Nat had confided to anyone about his
standing her up, it would have been Grace.  She made no bones about how
she felt he treated Nat.  She'd never said anything, but he'd seen that
look often enough to know it

     "I was to wait at the bar until Lucien left to dance with your
Doctor Lambert.  Then I was to approach Miss Thomas and convince her to
leave with me for another locale.  Upon LaCroix's return, we could part
company, and he would have Ms. Lambert all to himself."

     Nicholas was too stunned to breathe.  He and LaCroix had an
agreement.  Nat was off-limits!  He had to get the rest of this story
while he could control his anger.  "Was Natalie under LaCroix's
control?"  He knew LaCroix was able to hypnotize Nat even though his
own skill fell short with her.  Probably another of those _lessons_
LaCroix _forgot_ to give.

     "If you mean, 'Was Doctor Lambert acting without a will of her
own?', no.  She was, however, under LaCroix's emotional control.  In my
opinion, she knew what she was doing, and she was glad she was doing
it.  You may claim that she is yours, but from what I saw last evening,
your title is in contention at best."  Kerr punctuated the last line
with a smug smile.  He knew that Knight wasn't going to be doing any
more threatening tonight.

     "Do you know where LaCroix was taking her?"

     "I would suppose to one of his houses in the city."

     "_Houses?_"  Nick's voice rose in disbelief.  "Since when does
LaCroix have _houses_ in the city?"

     "I have no idea how long he has had residences here.  He is your
sire, you should know more than I."  He gave Nick a 'he's your problem,
not mine' look.

     Nick turned and left the room.  The door was all but useless, but
he pushed it back into place all the same.

     Janette stopped Nick as he left the hallway.  "Nicholas, please
tell me why you elected to destroy my door."

     "I'm sorry.  I'll pay to have it fixed."

     "Nicholas, it is not the money that worries me.  I am more
concerned with your inability to keep your temper.  You are, after all,
a police officer.  It is unseemly for you to behave in such a manner.
Suppose someone had seen you?"  Nick hung his head slightly.  He had
never gotten used to being scolded by Janette.  It was especially
difficult when she was right.

     "Janette, LaCroix took Nat to one of his houses somewhere in the
city.  The only reason for him to do that would be to torture or kill
her in private.  Can you help me find him?"  Nick was reeling.  How
could Nat do this to him?  She went willingly with LaCroix?  Didn't she
know how dangerous he was?  How evil?  Now it was up to him to rescue
her, but how would he find LaCroix if he didn't want to be found?

     "Nicholas.  I do not think that LaCroix would kill or torture
Natalie.  He has given you his word.  This is probably just another
attempt to bring you back in the fold.  He does miss you, Nicholas, no
matter what you think."  Janette's voice was soothing,  She was trying
her best to calm Nick and get him under control.

     "Janette?  How many houses does LaCroix have in the city?  I
didn't know he had one, much less the several that Kerr implied."

     "Nicholas, I told you that you should try to be a little closer
to him."  Janette half-smiled at her joke.  "I know of three places he
keeps, but there may be others.  Look for Henri.  If you find Henri,
you find LaCroix.  He never travels far from his valet."

     "Thank you, Janette.  I am truly sorry for the commotion."

     "It is forgiven.  Please try to keep yourself safe, for me?  I
could not bear it if anything befell you."  Janette kissed him deeply
and turned back to her club.

     Outside the club, Nick pondered his next move.  How would he find
Henri?  As a ghoul, he was not quite human nor vampire.  He could die
as a mortal, but he possessed some of the vampire's strength and speed.
He had none of the peculiar vibrations that signaled a vampire's
presence.  Worst of all, he was LaCroix's.  He was just as devious and
evil as the original article.  Maybe he could use the station's
resources to find him.  The man must have a driver's license, car
registration, or something.

     Nick started to go for his car, and realized he had flown there.
Grimacing, he moved to an alley and launched himself toward the
station.

               --------------------

     It was just after nine when Lucien and Natalie touched down in an
alley in downtown Montreal.  Lucien led her to a nearby caf?.  "I
really must apologize, my dear, but there is an . errand, to which I
must attend.  If you would  be so generous as to wait here for a few
moments, I will return anon."

     A group of young thugs started to harass them as they came near,
but he warned them off with a look.  They _knew_ who was predator and
who was prey here, Natalie scornfully observed.  Natalie gasped as she
realized the import of what she had just thought.  She had just gladly
accepted the fact that he was a vampire and that he preyed on humans.
It was like watching a great cat stalking the savannah.  You knew as
you saw him that he was deadly, but oh so beautiful.

     He was back before Natalie was halfway through her cup of
cappuccino.  Smiling, he took her arm and led her out.

     "Natalie, I must apologize for my tardiness, but I wished to
ensure that our dinner arrangements were complete before we arrived."
He had observed her obvious rapture at his approach with wry
gratification.  If only Nicholas could see her now, he mused.  "If you
are prepared, the restaurant is this way."  He motioned her toward a
brighter section of town.

     Striding beside him, she admired how powerful he was.  Normally,
she would have felt slightly unsafe walking unfamiliar streets at
night, even with a companion.  With Lucien at her side she felt no
concern.  She felt slightly arrogant.  Here she was out at night, and
there was no one in the city that could hurt her.

     The silence between them was beginning to make Natalie
uncomfortable.  How does one make small talk with a two-thousand
year-old vampire?  He's surely heard all the banter there is to say.
Weather?  What?

     "Lucien, may I ask a somewhat personal question?"  Natalie's
voice trembled as she spoke.  Suppose this angers him?

     "Why me?  Why not Janette, or some other vampire?  Is it my
relationship with Nick?  Does this have something to do with him?"
Natalie kept her voice pitched for his ears alone, she did not want
there to be any problems with eavesdroppers.

     "Natalie, there are several reasons why I might want to tarry
with you.  You should not sell yourself so short.  Could it not be for
your company alone that I sought you out?  I will admit your
acquaintance with Nicholas did have something to do with it, but in and
of itself that would be no reason to have stopped at your table that
evening.  I was much more intrigued as to why you should be out alone."
Lucien did not add, 'With Nicholas so conspicuously absent.'

     Blushing, Natalie lowered her eyes.  He knew I was out because of
something Nick had done, but how?  "Lucien?, thank you.  I really
shouldn't have questioned you motives.  It's just that Nick has told
me-"

     "What has happened between Nicholas and myself has no bearing on
you and I, Natalie.  Nicholas and I have an old relationship, and it
may be that the memories do not always replay true to the original
experience.  I would desire that what transpires between us be based

upon you own enlightenment, not the vicarious anxieties of another.
However, if it will console you, I will answer any questions you might
have on Nicholas' and my long and oft stormy _friendship_."  Once
again, he had quelled her fear with his voice and manner, and once
again, Natalie felt herself flush with desire for him.  Without
conscious thought, she moved closer to him, her thigh almost brushing
his as they walked.

     Steadying her voice as best she could, Natalie asked, "Anything?"

     "Of course, my dear.  Anything.  I will withhold no secrets from
you, but you must promise to do the same."  There was a dark glee in
his voice that only another vampire could have discerned.  "A favor for
a favor."  Lucien directed their path toward a small park and a bench
therein.

     "OK.  Nick has told me you tricked him into coming across, that
he had no idea what you were, or what he was asking to become.  Did he
know?"

     "Ah, an old story, and one that Nicholas has retold many times
throughout these eight hundred years.  To his defense it is what he has
told himself happened, and mores the pity in it.

     "I could give you the long version of this story.  It is somewhat
tedious, and in either rendition the end and the facts are the same."
He paused.  "You may regret having asked this question.  I am sure the
tale told by Nicholas would have been more palatable to you.

     "While it is true I sought him out.  It is equally true he sought
me.  He had met Janette, and wanted her beyond all else.  Janette
offered herself, but with the admonition of what she was, and what he
must become to have her.  Nicholas did not hesitate.  He freely
accepted the gift I gave him.  And he relished what he was for a great
many years."  Natalie's face whitened at Janette's name.  She had
always heard he was tempted into falling from grace and LaCroix had
told him nothing of what he was to become.

     Natalie voice was small.  "He did it to have Janette?"  What has
he done to have me?  Suddenly, it was Friday night again.  Nick had
stood her up, but this time Natalie knew he preferred Janette, and was
with her.

     "Yes.  To have Janette."  Lucien's answered softly.

     "How-"  Natalie got no further, her voice broke, and the sobs
began again.

     Lucien pulled Natalie to his chest and held her as she cried.
This was not his normal activity for an evening out, but he had known
this was necessary.  Knowledge does not come without price.  As she
cried, he remembered the times he had comforted Janette in the early
years of her and Nicholas' separation.  She had wanted some time apart
after almost a hundred years of exclusivity; he took her need for
privacy as a rejection of him and all he was.  That germinated the seed
of dissatisfaction that had begun almost the moment he had come across.
The self-loathing fueled a new crusade for him.  He would pursue his
lost soul as he had pursued the Saracens through the Holy Land.  It was
the beginning of the end for his family.  Lucien forcibly shook away
these maudlin thoughts.  They were not germane to the task at hand.  He
could mourn lost love another time.

     Stroking her head, Lucien used his best, most soothing, tones.
"All of it is from another time.  All long past.  It has little to do
with you here and now.  Come, your dinner awaits you."

     Sniffing, Natalie looked up into his strong eyes.  Gaining
strength from his gaze, she straightened, and smiled weakly.  "You're
right.  It was in the past.  We are here, now.  Thank you."

     Lucien stood and offered her his hand.  Taking it, Natalie folded
her own hand into his arm and followed his lead back to the street.
They walked in silence until they reached the door of a small, somewhat
rundown, caf?.

     "I took the liberty of selecting a French restaurant, I do hope
you like it.  It has been recommended to me by several friends that
have dined here."

     For the first time, Natalie realized he could not dine with her.
"But, what will you eat, it has been several hours since you fed."  She
was concerned for him.  Why?  What unseen bond had he forged upon her?

     "Do not concern yourself.  I had Henri make preparations while we
were in transit.  I will have a bottle or two of _private reserve_ at
our table."  Lucien opened the door, and made a slight bow.  "After
you."

     The interior belied its surface.  Inside, it was cozy and
charming.  Natalie had been to Paris when she was in college, and this
could have been any of a dozen quaint little caf?s in which she and her
friends had dined.

     "Do you have a reservation?"  The Matre 'D inquired.

     Lucien responded in French.  "_LaCroix - deux._"

     "_Right this way, Monsieur LaCroix._"  He switched to French
without a beat.

     Their table was in a corner, away from the main portion of the
restaurant.  Their waiter promptly arrived to take their drink orders.
Lucien ordered a bottle of his _private reserve_.  He turned to
Natalie.  "The wine list is in French, would you care for me to order?"
Natalie nodded her assent.  Lucien turned to the waiter and made a
selection.

     While their wine was being brought, Natalie turned to the menu.
Seeing that it was also in French, she asked.  "Lucien, my spoken
French is passable, but I'm afraid it would require the rest of the
evening for me to get an order together.  Would you help me?"

     "Of course.  Please allow me."

     The conversation continued in the same vein throughout dinner.
In spite of the banter, she learned a little more of Lucien's history.
His time spent in France during _the terror_; his travels to the states
during the 19th Century; his recent return to this continent.  She
realized that during all those trips, he had been following Nick.  Why?
Why would Lucien keep pace with Nick all those years?  To torment him
as Nick kept asserting?  It seemed unlikely.  The more she saw of
Lucien, the less she believed in LaCroix.

                    --------------------

     Nick stole into the precinct from the back way.  It was 9:45, and
he hoped Schanke would be at home.  It was his day off, but he'd been
working overtime lately.

     Damn.  Why couldn't he get just one break?  There was Schanke
crouched over the amoeba that was threatening to engulf not only his
desk but also the floor in all directions.  Maybe he wouldn't ask too
many questions.  There was always hope.

     "Hey, partner.  I thought you were taking the day off.  Maybe a
bit of mending around the house?"  Nick let Schanke's jab slide off.
He'd heard him calling Bill last Saturday, and wasn't going to give him
the pleasure.

     "Nah, I'm not here to work.  I just needed to look up some
things.  Why aren't you at home?"  Maybe if I get him railing against
Cohen, he'll drop the prying.

     "If I don't get a better raise this year, Myra said she was going
to start work, and I had to stay home with Jenny!  I figured I'd better
hit these reports a bit harder.

     "I was just about to get some dinner.  Want anything?"

     How many years had they been partners?  He still asks - he either
really cares or he just loves to annoy me.  "No, thanks, I ate before I
got here."

     "No problem.  If you're gone when I get back, I'll see you
tomorrow night.  Tell the Captain I'll be right back."  Nick smiled,
and waved Schanke off as he left.  Already absorbed in his problem, he
didn't hear him walk away.

     Now, how to find Henri?  Nick realized that he didn't know what
last name he was using.  It was originally Marchaund, but that was well
over a hundred years ago.  If Aristotle had been brought in to give him
a new identity a la "The Vampire Protection Program" he'd never find
him.  He thought of calling Janette, but decided he'd put her at too
great a risk already.  He knew that whatever LaCroix had planned - it
was aimed at him.  No need getting others involved.  It was his fault
Nat was in trouble in the first place; he would have to rescue her one
way or another.

     Trying the DMV under Henri Marchaund gave no results.  He tried
just Henri, and got 200 hits for his trouble.  Maybe he could limit the
areas of town.  He knew LaCroix's tastes in housing, so he could
eliminate downtown altogether.  Henri would be at one of his houses in
the outskirts, not in the city.  LaCroix wouldn't need him there.
Limiting the search gave him 10 addresses scattered about Toronto.  It
was a stretch, but the best he had at the moment.

     Memorizing the addresses, Nick pushed the printouts into the
shredder and headed outside.  Once in the alley, he quickly checked for
observers and took off.  The whole search operation had taken over two
hours.  He had at best six hours until dawn, and he'd have to quit
before that in order to get home.  He certainly didn't want to get
stuck in one of LaCroix's lairs for the day.

     Deciding to start at the south end of town, he worked his way
northward.  At each address, Nick would quietly drop to the ground a
few blocks away, and creep toward the house.  Knowing that LaCroix
could detect him if he was 'listening', Nick tried to be doubly quiet
and stealthy.  He observed each house for the trappings of a vampire in
residence.  Heavy curtains, shutters, or blacked out windows were the
best clues.  Out of eight residences checked, three had the signs.  At
each of these three, he crept slowly up to the foundation, his senses
extended to their farthest edge, only to find the houses empty.
Slipping inside the first two he discovered what might be one of
LaCroix's boltholes.  They were unoccupied, and had been for several
weeks or months, but they could be reclaimed at a moment's notice.  The
utilities were on, and the freezer and pantry stocked.  Not for LaCroix
obviously, but his minion needed food nonetheless.

     The third time he hit paydirt.

     There was food and blood in the refrigerator.  LaCroix was not
there, but he might return.  But was this _the_ house?  LaCroix might
have a dozen more.  How could he be sure that he'd come back to this
one?  Checking his watch, he realized his decision had been made for
him.  He had only enough time to get back to the loft.  It was stake
this one out, or make his way back home and try again tomorrow.  If
this was where LaCroix had taken Natalie, then why wasn't she here now?
Nick quickly checked the house for her scent or clothing.  Nothing
here.  Best to go home and try tomorrow.  Besides, tomorrow he could
legally get involved.

     On the way home, he stopped to check on Natalie again.  Still no
sound of her from inside her apartment, but Sydney was certainly
hungry.  He let himself in again and fed Nat's cat.  The note was still
stuck to the answering machine.  Nothing had changed.  Nick pondered
taking Sydney with him, but he didn't want to stuff him into his coat
to fly with him, and he was pretty certain Sydney wouldn't want to fly
anyway.  The scratches would hurt.  He could pick him up tomorrow
night.

     He had no messages from Nat at home.  Janette had called to tell
him her door would cost $350.  Nick opened a bottle from the fridge.
What was that?  It wasn't cow - it was human blood.  How had it gotten
in here?  He must've grabbed it by mistake last week.  Nick rummaged
around in the back; two more bottles, both human.  How had he done
this?  Now there was nothing to eat in the house whatsoever.  Nick
stared at the bottle.  He could feel his fangs extend from the hunger.
He fought the urge to drink the blood for several minutes, but he was
so hungry.  He'd not eaten since he was at the Raven.  Finally Nick
gave in.  One more thing to apologize to Nat about, he thought,
presuming that I get to apologize to her.  Depressed and beaten, Nick
collapsed into bed.

                    --------------------

     Again, Lucien took her dancing.  He seemed to enjoy the
exhibition that they produced.  She could not believe how exciting the
act could be.  Lucien kept daring her to go further and further, and

Natalie met the challenge wholeheartedly.  By the end, she was glad
they were in Montreal and not Toronto - she didn't want the thoughts of
being seen by someone who knew her to inhibit her.

     Finally, about 3am, the clubs began to close.  Lucien took her
arm and they walked toward the alley where they had arrived.  This
time, he asked her to wait inside the caf?.  He would be away several
minutes.  She decided she needed a cup of coffee anyway, so she took a
table, and waited.  One-and-a-half cups and a Danish later Lucien
appeared at her side.

     "I must apologize for making you wait for so long."

     Natalie gripped his hand.  "Not a problem, it was only a few
minutes."  His hand wasn't a cold as usual.  He had fed!  That's why he
had to leave both when we arrived and now.  And why there was a bit
more gleam in his eye than before.  Natalie felt a pang at the thought.
"Did you _eat_?"

     "Why yes, I did.  How interesting that you noticed."  He smiled
at her.  She is jealous.  I can hear it in her voice.  "If you are
ready?"  Natalie nodded.  Lucien dropped a ten on the table, stood, and
offered her his arm.

     It took only a moment to get ready to fly this time.  She put on
her goggles and scarf and moved behind Lucien.  They took off toward
Toronto.  She could not get enough of the thrill of flying.  "How fast
can you fly?"  She called.

     "Right now, we are traveling at about five-hundred kilometers per
hour.  If you were flying under your own power, we could easily reach
one thousand or eleven hundred.  I have gone faster, but it is quite
difficult."  His tone was matter of fact, but he knew how incredible it
seemed to her.

     The trip back seemed shorter than the one out, maybe because she
was more experienced.  As they landed in the back yard, Henri came out
to meet them.  He brought a bottle for Lucien and a cloak for Natalie.
"Thank you, Henri.  You should be prepared to take Miss Lambert back to
her house later today."

     Natalie smiled.  "Thank you, Henri."

     "Would you like breakfast later, Miss Lambert?"

     "Please, but not too soon."  She smiled at Lucien.

     She followed Lucien upstairs, and into the bedroom.  This time
she didn't have to be prompted, but slowly disrobed under his gaze.
Lucien took several sips from his glass as she removed her slacks, and
stood in front of him in her bra and panties.

     "Do you trust me?"  That soft smooth voice caressing her ears
once more.

     "I-I-I don't know.  I suppose so.  Why?"  Her voice was shaking.
Natalie didn't know where this was going, but it made her nervous.

     Do you think I would do anything to truly hurt you?"  The sound
of his voice alone, was enough to slow her heart and calm her nerves.

     "No, of course not."  What was he going to do?  Why was she
getting excited at the thought of not knowing?

     "Excellent.  In that case, you and I are going to do something
that I am sure you will appreciate."  He moved forward, grasped her
wrists, and pulled her to the foot of the bed.

     "Lucien!  What are doing?"  The tremor was back in her voice.
He's just going to be a bit rough that's all.  She had been with men
who would _take charge_ on occasion.  It had always thrilled her a bit,
but they never went very far with it.

     Lucien reached to the foot of the bed, and picked up a silk rope
several feet long.  With a speed that belied sight, he tied her hands
to either bedpost - standing her facing the bed, with her arms
stretched up and out to either side.  Natalie began to get scared, but
the fear triggered the excitement she had felt before.  She was certain
the game wouldn't go very far.  Faster than she could imagine, her
ankles were tied to the foot of the bed, keeping her feet about three
feet apart, and a blindfold was placed over her eyes.

     Denied vision, Natalie strained to hear what Lucien was doing,
but he was silent as the air itself.  Intuitively, she knew she was not
to speak either.  Suddenly, she felt his hand tear the panties from her
hips, cold hands on her skin.  The caresses that followed on her bare
cheeks were electric.  His hands were everywhere on her, touching,
pinching, and squeezing.  She writhed as she tried to anticipate where
he would strike next.  Without warning, her bra was taken.  Now she was
completely exposed before him.  Where would he touch her next?  For
several seconds he did nothing.  She expected that he was watching her,
but she could not be sure.  Then his mouth was on her breasts, his
fangs piercing her nipple.  The shock was more than she could take.
She sagged into the ropes and convulsed, the orgasm taking all her
strength.  Still he didn't stop.  He stroked her aching clitoris, and
then pulled away.  Brought her to the edge again and kept her there.

     Slowly, his pinches and rubs became more forceful.  His hands
kept exploring her buttocks.  All at once, his hand cracked against her
rump.  The pain was intense; white-hot compared to the icy coldness
preceding it.  Natalie cried out from the shock.  His hand struck
again, on the other cheek.  Again the sharp retort followed by the
flame.  Again and again the blows rained on her backside.  The shock
subsiding, Natalie noticed she was looking forward to the sting of the
impact.  Lucien was interspersing the smacks with soft strokes all over
her.  During one of these rubs, he moved his had between her thighs,
and began to stroke.  Until then, she had not noticed how wet she'd
become.  With his touch her squirms of pain became twists of desire.
She couldn't move much, but she kept pushing herself onto his hand.  He
obliged by flicking his fingers back and forth over her center.  The
sensation was thrilling,  but for some reason she just couldn't quite
reach the top.  Abruptly he moved his hand to the front, but kept up
the motion.  Natalie changed her motion to meet his hand.  Just as she
regained her rhythm, Lucien's free hand resumed swatting her.  Natalie
started coming immediately.  The crisp impact of his hand combined with
his insistent probing drove her well beyond reason.  She felt herself
grinding against Lucien's hand on her pelvis, but aching for the stroke
of him on her backside.

     As she screamed her orgasm once more, Lucien's hands withdrew.
Deprived of the stimulation, her skin tingled; she throbbed for his
touch.  Immediately, she felt him press up against her.  His hands slid
down her arms to her hands capturing them.  She could feel his ivory
member pressing into her.  His breath was cool on her neck.  She felt
him drop his hips and position himself under her.  He dropped his hands
to her hips, and thrust up and into her in one motion.  Natalie gasped,
unable to breathe further.  He had filled the ache that had started
with his first touch completely.  He started to move.  She was
suspended on him.  His thrusts pinned her.  As she built to another
orgasm, his teeth scraped her neck.  Natalie twisted her neck to give
him better access.

     "Please drink from me.  I want to be in you."

     At the sting of his fangs, Natalie exploded into ecstasy.  She
clenched down on his hardness and pushed her neck into his mouth.
Spent, she sagged onto him, unable to move.

     Gently, Lucien removed the ropes from her wrists.  Supporting her
waist, he freed her ankles.  Lucien gathered Natalie into his arms,
carried her to the bed, and enclosed in the blankets.  She knew nothing
more until she woke several hours later.

                    --------------------

     Natalie's internal clock failed her this time.  She didn't wake
until almost noon.  Groggy, but still suffused with the glow of
satisfaction, she moved into the bathroom.  She caught sight of her
buttocks in the mirror as she entered.  At first she didn't want to
look, she was sure Lucien had blistered her.  But there were almost no
marks from the spanking, only a light redness!  She could still see the
bruises of his fingers elsewhere on her flesh, however, and it still
gave her shivers.  Obviously, he knew what he was doing.

     Natalie smiled as she stared at herself.  Last Monday if anyone
had told me that I would be standing in Lucien LaCroix's bathroom
admiring the marks of his hands on my butt and swooning over the
ferocity of his lovemaking, I would have laughed them out of the
building!  How little we really know of ourselves.

     Lucien was awake and on the phone with Henri when she returned.
"Henri is bringing breakfast shortly.  I will regret to see you depart
this afternoon, but I know you must prepare for your work."

     "I've got to get home - if for nothing else than to feed my cat.

     "Lucien, I have had the most wonderful time.  Thank you."
Natalie found that her eyes were a bit moist.  She had no idea that she
would have had this much fun with him.

     Lounging in bed, they waited on Henri and breakfast.  She ran her
hands over chest and marveled at the hardness of his muscles beneath
the chill skin.  Her hands strayed to his groin, and began to bring him
to the ready.

     "No."  He gently, but firmly grasped her hand.  "You and I have
partaken of each other too frequently this weekend.  I would have some
difficulty in accepting the substitute, and you should not lose any
more blood for a few days."

     "Oh.  Later in the week, perhaps?"  Her mind knew he was right,
but her body complained loudly.  She was already looking forward to the
next time she could see him.  How soon could that be?

     "Yes."  Lucien stroked her neck.  "I shall call you later in the
week."

     There was a soft knock at the door.  Lucien handed Natalie the
black silk robe she had worn the day before, and waited for her to put
it on before telling Henri to enter.

     Breakfast was, once again, delicious.  I guess it could be the
exercise, and the time between meals, she thought.  No, this is just
excellent food!  "Lucien, please thank Henri for me again.  He is a
truly wonderful cook."

     "Of course.  He will appreciate your compliments."  Lucien sat
with her while she ate.  He had a glass of _wine_ to accompany her.  At
least Natalie preferred to think of it as such while she was eating.

     "Do you miss eating solid food?"  Natalie had always been curious
about this.  She knew Nick's answer, but she wanted an unprejudiced
opinion.  Nick associated solid food with his redemption, and as such
wanted it terribly.

     "No.  It was not a loss for me.  I willingly exchanged one life
for another.  To look back with regret upon what I cannot have would be
a unprofitable exercise.  I would much rather look forward to the
ecstasies of life that are within my grasp."  Lucien's hand brushed her
thigh in punctuation.

     "?T-that's a very healthy outlook.  Are you saying you have no
regrets about being a vampire?"  Emboldened by the past two days,
Natalie pressed the question.

     Lucien smiled.  "On occasion, I have wondered what a particular
new experience is like for a mortal, but I do have the opportunity to
experience it through them.  For example, although I have never tasted
chocolate directly, I have sampled it vicariously on many occasions.
In fact, there was a hint of it in your blood this morning.  The
insignificant limitations my life requires are more than compensated by
its advantages."

     "So my blood tastes different depending on what I've eaten?"  The
thought of him drinking from her again started her tingling with
desire.

     "Of course.  You have heard the adage, 'you are what you eat',
have you not?"

     "Well, I'd just never taken it to quite that level."  She
stopped, but then plunged ahead.  "Do you prefer some tastes in the
blood more than others?"  What am I doing?  Am I really going to plan
my diet for the next time he bites me?

     "Naturally.  Some flavors are more palatable than others are.  I
myself have never considered preparing in advance."  Although, he had
never gone into such detail, he knew of several vampires that had made
this an exact science.  "If I were to extend a preference, it would
tend toward fruits or berries.  Strawberries and oranges were once my
favorites."

     "How much fruit would someone need to eat?"  Why are you doing
this?  What purpose will it serve?  Natalie Lambert get this
conversation away from when he's going to sink those teeth into you
next.  Natalie saw that Henri had supplied several strawberries as
garnish on the plate.  Never taking her eyes from his, she slowly
wrapped her lips around each berry in turn, gripped it with her teeth,
and pulled the out stem and hull.  She saw Lucien's eyes widen
slightly.  Hmm, he's is not so jaded as he thinks.  Abruptly, he broke
her gaze.

     "Natalie, you are in no shape to deliver what you offer.  I will
however, consider it a promise to be fulfilled at a later date."

     "Of course Lucien.  Any time you might like."  Should I just go
ahead and give him a key?  Maybe paint a big sign on the roof, 'This
way to Natalie's Vampire Bar?"  Natalie realized that she was panting
at the thought of him making good her promise.  She swallowed, and
tried to get her mind back on lunch and work tonight.

     It was easy to see her force herself back under control.  "You
can count on it, my dear."  He purred.

     Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, she saw it was after
3:30.  "Lucien.  I really must leave.  I have to be at work by 6:30 at
the latest."  She started to get up, but he moved behind her, and
pulled the chair out for her.

     As she stepped back, he pulled her into his arms, and lightly
nipped at her neck.  Lucien whispered, "Eat well for the next day or
two.  We have much to experience later."

     Natalie shivered.  She couldn't wait to find out what he had
planned.

                    --------------------

     When Natalie arrived at her house, Henri followed her out of the
car.  "Lucien wanted to insure that you got home safely.  Please allow
me to walk you to your door."  He reached for Natalie's bag to carry it
upstairs.

     "Thank you, Henri.  You don't have to do that.  I'm a big girl."

     "Nevertheless, Lucien insisted I make sure you got home safely."
he smiled.  "Besides, I want you to come again.  I haven't cooked this
many meals in a weekend in ages."

     They walked silently up to her apartment.  Why would Lucien be
concerned for my safety in broad daylight?  I'm sure it's just that he
is from another age.  Natalie unlocked her door and went inside,
leaving the entry open.

     "OK, there's no one here but the cat.  You can tell Lucien I got
home in one piece.  I'll see you again soon."  Natalie gave him a quick
smile, and closed the door.

     Natalie sagged against the door.  How in the world am I going to
get to work in two hours?  I need to soak in the tub for at least a
week.  Natalie walked toward the bedroom, picked up Sydney, and made
her way into the bathroom.  Sydney squealed when she started the water.
Squirming and scratching, the cat escaped her grasp and made his way
back into the living room.  "Sydney, Lucien didn't take this much
blood.  Just see when you get fed next."  Like Sydney thinks I'd
deprive him of food.  Natalie checked the water temperature, pushed it
hotter, and went back to the living room.

     I know I'll have a ton of messages on my machine.  Maybe it'll
have died and I won't have to retrieve them.  Natalie stopped short.
There was a note on her machine!  Probably from Grace, from when she
came in to feed.  She picked up the note.  With each word read, she got
angrier and angrier.  Nicholas had come to check up on her!  Broke into
her house and probably rifled her things looking for where she might
be!  How dare he?  If I'm not out with him, must I stay at home
hovering near the phone waiting for his calls?  She picked up the phone
to call him and give him a piece of her mind.  No, I'm not going to
give him the satisfaction.  I never saw this note.  In fact, I never
heard any messages from him on the machine either.  She played out her
messages.  Each time she heard Nicholas' voice, she deleted the message
without listening.

     This is quite cleansing, she thought.  Each deletion made her
feel a bit more even with Nicholas.  Her anger sated, she went into the
bathroom and soaked until she the chill of the water forced her out.

     After showering and toweling off, Natalie stood before the
mirror.  The mark of Lucien's fingers was still very plain on her
cheeks, but wouldn't be seen.  Her neck was another problem all
together.  Lucien was right, they were already significantly healed,
and would be gone tomorrow.  Tonight, however, was another matter.  She
went to her closet to get a nice, conservative blouse that would cover
it all up.  In a few minutes, she was in her standard coroner's
uniform.  Yech!  This was boring.  She'd felt so alive and beautiful
this weekend, and now she was back to being plain, old Natalie Lambert
- drab coroner of the city of Toronto.  Well, that could change.
Leather pants might be a bit much, but she had some thing a bit more
fun.

     Natalie kept coming back to Lucien's scarf.  The way he had given
it to her, it was more a jest than a serious request, but his words
echoed in her mind.  'My favor, as it were, for you to wear in the
battles to come.'  The thought of carrying something from him to work
tonight gave her comfort.  And unlike the clothes he had bought, this
was something that he had probably worn.  It did look great with that
black blouse he had gotten.  Did she have anything like it in the
closet?  Well, nothing quite that beautiful, but close.

     When she left for work, Natalie was, once more, all in black save
her neck.  Last night's leather pants were exchanged with a trim
fitting skirt; the high collared silk blouse with a scoop necked
pullover.  She kept the heels that Lucien had bought.  Lucien's scarf
enclosed her throat as his lips had a few hours before.

     Grace stopped her at the door to the morgue.  "Sorry, can't let
you in here, Nat."

     "What?  Why?  We have a chemical spill of something?"  Natalie's
stomach knotted.  She really didn't want to have to go through a
cleanup.  It took days to get up and running again once the HazMat team
got their hooks into the lab.

     "Calm down, Nat.  There's nothing _wrong_ with the lab.  I just
wanted to make sure I got to see you walk in."  Grace was giggling as
she opened the door.

     Natalie stood in the entrance dumbstruck.  There were two immense
arrangements of flowers in the morgue.

     The smaller one was almost completely made of roses.  There had
to be at least three dozen red flowers surrounding a single white stem.
It seemed to be floating in a sea of red.

     Opposite it was a geyser of color.  Virtually every flower
available in Toronto seemed to be in this one arrangement.  Light
reflected off the petals and subtly shaded the entire room.  It was
obvious the florist had been given free rein on display, and had taken
it to heart.

     There was hardly room to work, the flowers were so huge, and for
the first time in years, she could step in there and the place didn't
smell like a lab.

     "Grace!  These are beautiful!  You and Kerr must have really hit
it off.  Are you going to tell me about him or do I have to drag it out
of you?"  In spite of how well Lucien had treated her over the weekend,
she was a bit jealous of Grace.

     "Nat.  These aren't mine.  Kerr gave me a call, and I might see
him again, but these arrived early this afternoon for you."

     For the second time in as many minutes, Natalie was speechless.
Who could have sent them?  It certainly wouldn't have been Nicholas.
Lucien maybe?

     "So, who're they from?  Did you look at the card?"

     "Of course not!  They're yours.  But if you didn't get in by
seven they were mine."

     Natalie slowly walked over to the nearest arrangement, and picked
the note with trembling hands.  Her eyes jumped to the signature.
Lucien!  She quickly grabbed the other card.  Please be from him, she

prayed.  Lucien as well!  They were both from him.  Natalie stared at
the cards, barely breathing.

     Grace watched Natalie gape at the cards.  They'd better not be
from Nick, she thought.  It'd be just like him to try to weasel out of
his disgrace.  Finally, she couldn't stand the wait, and grabbed the
card out of her hand.  "If you're not going to read it, then I will!"


     These flowers are but a pale remembrance
     For the hours in which your beauty illumed my darkness
     Let their short-lived splendor belay the gloom
     Of our all too long separation

     Lucien


     "Natalie, this guy's a definite keeper.  I can't believe those
flowers.  Where'd you find him?  Are you going to see him again?"

     "Grace, just a minute.  I need to make a phone call."  Natalie's
voice shook.

     "Sure, I'll be out front."

     She fished the card Lucien had given her out of her purse, and
stared at it.  She wasn't exactly crying, but she couldn't focus
easily.  It wasn't like she'd never been sent flowers, but she couldn't
remember when she'd been made to feel so special.  After a couple of
seconds, she read the number and dialed it.

     "Hello."  Henri answered the phone.

     "Henri.  It's Natalie.  May I speak to Lucien."

     "Certainly."  There was a pause.

     "Hello my dear.  I had not hoped to talk to you so soon."

     How can the sound of his voice calm me so?  "Lucien.  Did you
really expect that you'd send me a shop full of the most gorgeous
flower I've ever seen, and I wouldn't call you?"  Natalie laughed.
"Really."

     "You like them?  Good.  I had to ask the florist to use her
imagination.  It just wasn't practical to get out today."

     "Like them?  I love them.  They're beautiful.  I've never seen
such flowers."

     "Thank you."  He paused.  "I was going to contact you later this
evening, but since you have called, I would like to request the
pleasure of you company this Friday evening."

     "Friday?  I usually don't get off until eleven."  Natalie's heart
was racing.  Not only had he sent this mass of flowers, but he was also
asking her out again.

     "Well, eleven would be a bit late for my intentions.  Would it be
possible for you to leave work about 6:30 p.m.?"

     "I guess so.  What should I wear?"

     "Leave that detail to me.  I will make arranges to have something
delivered Friday afternoon about four.  Until then, Cherie?"

     "Yes.  Until then."  Breathless, Natalie hung up the phone.  How
in the world was she going to wait out the rest of this week?

                    --------------------

     Grace came out of the lab to see Nick walking toward the lab
entrance.  Not this time, she thought.  He is not going to mess this
up.  She stepped in front of him.  He had been rude enough to her on
the phone when he'd called to check up on Nat.  Remembering the
conversation just made her angrier.


     "_This is Nick Knight.  Get Nat on the phone!_"

"_Dr. Lambert isn't here at the moment, Detective.  Would you
care to leave a message?_"

     "_When will she be in?_"

     "_I'm not certain.  She usually gets here about six._"

"_I need to see her tonight.  Tell her not to leave until I get
there._"

"_I don't keep the doctor's appointment calendar.  She called
this afternoon, and said she'd be in a little late.  If you'll
leave me your number, I will have her call as soon as she gets
in._"

     "_Just tell her to wait for me when she gets in._"


     "May I _help_ you, Detective Knight?"  Why in the hell don't you
just get the hell out of here and out of Nat's life?

     "I'm here to see Nat."  He made an effort to move past her.

     "I'm sorry, but Dr. Lambert is on the phone and cannot be
disturbed at this time."  She was not going to move from in front of
this door, no matter what Nick tried.

     Well, I tried the human way, now you'll see how a vampire gets
past a bouncer.  Nick prepared to manipulate Grace into letting him
pass.

     "Grace!"  A voice called from down the hallway.

     Nick dropped his attempt and looked behind him.  Three women were
quickly walking toward them.  The lead was waving to get Grace's
attention.  Nick recognized Sandy, Linda, and Sheila from the front
office.  Mentally grinding his teeth, he stepped to the side and
prepared to eavesdrop.

     Stepping around him, Grace responded.  "Hey, what're you girls
doing here?"

     "Sheila," Sandy gestured, "works at the front desk.  She saw
Natalie's flowers come in this afternoon.  We waited as long as we
could to come see them."

     "She's on the phone right now.  Want a cup of coffee while we
wait?"  Grace knew that Nick might barrel past her, but he wouldn't do
anything in front of three other witnesses.  The four of them headed
over to the machine to get coffee, but Grace kept an eye on Nick to
make sure he went nowhere.

     "Who's that?"  Linda whispered.  "He's cute."

     Sandy piped up.  "That's detective Nick Knight, Metro Homicide.
He's Natalie's boyfriend.  I'll bet he got her those flowers."

     Grace glared at Nick - daring him to open the door.  "Yeah,
that's Nick Knight, but as far as his status as Natalie's boyfriend,
you'll have to ask her.  She's got to be off the phone by now.  Come
on."  Grace led her friends right at Nick.  "Excuse me, Detective."
She pushed past Nick, and they went in the lab and closed the door
behind them.

     Nick stepped away from the door, and positioned himself to hear
the conversations inside the lab.  Now that he was alone in the
reception area, it was easy to listen in.  He'd rather be inside so he
could see expressions, but this would give him the information he
needed.

     "Grace.  I was just coming out."

     "We decided you'd collapsed from floral overload.  It was our
sworn duty to come in and save you."  Grace laughed.

     "Yeah."  Sandy giggled.  "Sure you don't want us to take these
nasty things away?"  She made a move for the nearest vase.

     "Touch that, and you'll be my next client, Sandy."  She was glad
her friends had shown up.  They lightened the mood.

     For the next few minutes the five of them ooh'd and ahh'd over
the arrangements.  It was obvious Lucien had spent a lot of money on
them.

     Sheila almost cried when she read the card.  "Who is he?  Does he
have a brother?  Can I have him when you're done?"

     Natalie smiled at the question.  Would Sheila really want Lucien?
"I'll let you know _if_ I get through with him.

     "Where did you meet him?"  Linda was pouring over the roses,
inhaling the scent.

     "At Scandal   With Grace.  She forced me to go with her to get me
out of a bad mood.  He walked up while we were sitting in the bar, and
the rest is history."

     "Yeah.  To hear her tell it, you'd think this really boring man
came by and she left with him so she wouldn't have to ride home with
me.  Let me set the record straight."  Grace smiled at Nat.

     "This gorgeous man with an elegant French accent came up to our
table and swept Natalie away to dance.  The next thing I know, she's
practically sitting in his lap at the table with her tongue down his
throat."

     Natalie blushed.  "Grace!  I did no such thing!"

     "Natalie, do I have to call Kerr?  He'll back me up on this.
Anyway, as I was saying,  she was in his lap when Kerr and I came back
from dancing.  Then she drags me off to the bathroom for one of _those_
conferences.  Suddenly, I'm supposed to go off to the Raven with Kerr,
so she and her new beau can head off together."

     "Grace, it wasn't like that at all.  You said that you wanted to
go to the Raven with Kerr.  I would've stayed with you if you had
asked.  I didn't abandon you for Lucien."

     At that name, Nick's stomach dropped to the floor.  Lucien!  That
one word validated his darkest fears, fulfilled his worst nightmares.
That name conjured torrid evenings of passion and violence throughout
his long life.  From that night long ago, when he begged for
immortality, to the long days of terror at the thought of being
uncovered as the killer of LaCroix.  Nick didn't hear another word of
the talk inside.  He was trapped inside the prison of his past, LaCroix
laughing at his torment, and his soul lost for all eternity.  Lost to
reverie, he wandered away from the lab.

     "His name is 'Lucien'?"

     "Yes, Lucien LaCroix.  He's from France."

     "Ooooo, I'll bet he's great in bed.  All that hot French blood."
Linda licked her lips lasciviously at her.

     Nat grinned, all that hot _Canadian_ blood maybe.  If this keeps
up, I'm going to have to start transfusing myself.  "How would I know
about that?  Are you implying that I'm the kind of girl that beds a man
on the first date?"  Nat hammed up the shock and surprise.

     Sandy reached over to her throat, and pulled away the scarf.
"No, we're not implying anything.  I think that this is as good a proof
as we'd need.  Dr. Lambert, I accuse you of sleeping with one Lucien
LaCroix on your first date!  The penalty for such heinous crimes is a
full and detailed description of the entire activity, to be delivered
over a pizza at Giovanni's - my treat."

                    --------------------

     Natalie couldn't believe how hungry she had been.  She'd eaten
about twice the pizza she'd normally eat, and although she was stuffed
now, she was already looking forward to a snack later.  I must be
making up for what I lost over the weekend. Better check my iron
levels.  I may need to take something.

     Suddenly a voice broke her concentration.  "Hi, Nat."  As usual
Nick had come silently and unnoticed.

     "Oh.  Hello, Nicholas."  Nat casually looked up from the body she
was examining.

     Since when did she start calling me Nicholas?  "Nat.  I'm really
sorry about last Friday.  I've no excuse for what I did."  Please look
in my eyes, Nat.  Let me know you're not his already.

     "Sorry?  Sorry!?"  Nat took the opening and ran with it.  "Which
sorry might that be?  Would that be: sorry for standing me up, sorry
for hiding at the Raven with Janette, sorry for breaking into my house,
sorry for scaring me to death that something had happened to you, or
sorry for letting me have the opportunity to meet Lucien on my own
terms?"  Nat's tone was harsh, but her eyes were icy.

     She stared at Nicholas with new vision.  She'd always thought of
him as the victim, the one who had been picked-on, lied to, and abused.
Now she wasn't so sure.

     "Nat.  I don't know what to say.  What lies has he told you?
What has he done to you?"  Nick's eyes lit on the scarf at her neck.
Pulling it away, he came close to fainting.

     "I'll kill him right now!  HOW DARE HE FEED ON YOU!  Where is he?
Tell me so I can find him!"  Nick was almost screaming now.  His eyes
were beginning to glow.

     "Nicholas."  He ignored her.

     "Why did you let him do this?"

     "Nicholas!"  He ignored her.

     "Haven't I told you what he's capable of?"

     "NICHOLAS!"  He continued to ignore her.

     "Nat you are never to see him again.  I-"  Natalie grabbed his
arm and cut him off in mid-rant.  She'd planned that this exchange
would be civil.  Well at least as civil as it could be, but here was
Nicholas acting like he was her father or something.

     "-That will be quite enough!  You barged in here, unannounced,
and started on this tirade about what Lucien has done.  How Lucien has
lied to you.  How he's taken advantage of me.  I have news for you,
Detective Nicholas Knight.  I am a big girl and I can take care of
myself."

     "Nat.  You don't know what you're talking about.  LaCroix cannot
be trusted.  He will do anything to get what he wants.  Right now, what
he wants is me, and he's using you to do it."

     "So all this is about you, is it?  It's just not possible that
someone, especially the great Lucien LaCroix, vampire father of the
incredible Nicholas Knight, could be interested in plain, old, boring
me!  The only reason he would have to be around me is that he wants to
get at you.  My God, Nicholas, that's just about the most arrogant
thing I have ever heard."  Natalie was shaking.  I am not going to cry.
I am not going to give him the satisfaction.

     "Nat, why would he want you?  You're human.  He's a vampire.
There can't be anything between you.  You're only food to him.  The two
of you can't even be intimate."  Nick was pleading with her to listen
to reason.

     "Nicholas, you might want to think about what you just said.  If
I'm only food to him, what am I to you?  If he can't ever make love to
me, then where does that leave us?  If you're trying to tell me that
you and I are doomed to failure, then say it.

     "While I'm at it, I would like to correct you on one point.
Vampires CAN make love to humans.  He and I made love several times
this weekend.  It was wonderful beyond my imagination, and I'm still
here to talk about it!"  Natalie was too angry to realize the full
import of either her or Nick's words.

     "You can't have made love to LaCroix.  It isn't possible.
Vampires can't do it without killing the human."  Nick didn't even try
to refute the suggestion that Nat was only food to him.  The thought
that she and LaCroix had done what he had only dreamed was too
dreadful.

     "I think you had better leave.  I have work to do and you are
holding me up."  The stress of the fight was beginning to take its
toll, and Nat could feel herself losing the battle with the tears.

     "Fine.  But I'm not finished here.  You're not going to see him
again, and that is final."  If you won't save yourself from him, then
I'll do it for you.  Just try and see LaCroix against my will.

     "I'll decide what I will and will not do, Nicholas, not you."

     "Good.  Go ahead and get yourself killed, or worse."

     "If I do it's my life, not yours."  Natalie paused and looked
harshly at Nick.  "By the way, I'd like my key back.  You obviously
can't be trusted to use it responsibly."

     Nick fished on his ring for her key, removed it, and handed it to
her.  He turned around and stalked out without a backward glance.
Natalie dropped to a desk in front of her and sobbed.

                    --------------------

     The rest of the week passed uneventfully.  Nick stayed away from
the morgue, sending Schanke whenever something required Natalie's
attention or signature.  Nick didn't call, and Nat wasn't about to give
in.  To spite Nick, she picked up several pints of strawberries at the
market.

     Nat was miserable.  In as many words, Nick had told her he didn't
love her.  That no vampire could love a human. She could never be more
than food to him or to Lucien.  Then why had he stayed with her all
that time?  Was it as Lucien had said?  Was she '.only the last in a
long line of cures.', or was she more to him?  She had resolved herself
to the fact she and Nicholas would never share physical love until she
had cured him.  But, what of Lucien?  How had he done it?  Could she go
back to the way she had been with Nick, knowing that he would never
kiss her with the passion she had felt last weekend?

     She spent the week in turmoil.  One minute she was ready to
welcome Nick with open arms, the next she was longing to wing away with
Lucien.  She knew that neither Lucien nor Nicholas was telling the
complete truth, and that the facts of both Nicholas' history and
Lucien's intentions lay somewhere in between the two of them.

     Could she gain Nicholas' physical love and retain her humanity?
Was it worth this loneliness?  If she asked Lucien to bring her across,
she'd have the rest of eternity to work out the cure.  But, Nick was so
miserable.  He was convinced his life was completely evil, and nothing
good could come of it.  On the other hand, Lucien was at home with his
state.  He didn't long for sunlight or solid food.  He felt well
compensated for his 'limitations'.  He reveled in the night and in his
life.

     Natalie reached Friday afternoon completely convinced that she
would not go out with Lucien.  She went into work early, so when the
package arrived she could return it.  Promptly at 4 p.m., a messenger
came in.  He brought several packages, as well as a large box that
could only be a dress.

     Natalie asked him to wait, intending to have him take the parcels
back but he kept walking, and disappeared before she could catch him.
When she returned, Grace had already started opening the boxes.

     "Natalie, you've got to see what's in here!"  She sounded like a
kid at Christmas.

     "Put it back, I'm not going out with Lucien."

     "You haven't even seen what he sent.  Look at this and tell me
you don't want to try it on."

     Grace had removed a strapless, teal, silk dress that gleamed in
the office light.  "Natalie, you're going to hate yourself if you don't
try this stuff on.  He's already bought it, and it can always be
returned later.  Besides, the dress is gorgeous."  Grace was not going
to give up.  She figured all she had to do was get the dress on Nat,
and she'd be halfway to going out with Lucien.  Besides, she really
didn't understand what was wrong with him.  Nat wouldn't talk about it,
other than to say that Lucien and Nick didn't get along.  More the
reason to go out with him was Grace's thought.

     "Fine.  You're not going to let me rest until I try this junk on,
are you?"  Natalie had resigned herself.  She felt like hell, she'd
lost Nick, and she was about to drop Lucien.  Could her life get much
worse?

     Natalie went to the back and slipped the dress on.  It was a
little long with the flats she wore to work, but she was certain that
one of those boxes carried a pair of matching shoes.  Again, it fit
wonderfully, as if it had been made for her personally.  The bodice fit
closely to her chest - no chance of this falling down, and no need of a
bra either.  It clung to her hips and thighs before widening at her
knees and ankles.  Natalie walked out to an amazed Grace.

     "Where does he get these clothes?  You look incredible!  Wait
there, I've got to get the shoes and the wrap.  I found them while you
were dressing."  The shoes were a matching pair of open backed pumps,
with glove-soft leather that caressed her feet.  The wrap was a white
cashmere shawl that curled around her like Lucien's hands had in
Montreal.  In the few seconds as the wrap enclosed her, the trauma of
the last week evaporated.  There was at least one vampire in Toronto
who wanted to be with her.  Food indeed.  She'd show Nicholas Knight.

     "Nat, there was a note in with the wrap.  Shall I read it?"

     "No!"  Natalie snatched the envelope away from Grace.  It was
addressed, 'Natalie Lambert: Personal and Confidential.', and written
in his firm, neat hand.



     My Dear Natalie,

          I do trust that this missive finds you well, and
     happy.  I look forward to our evening together with great
     anticipation.  It is rare to find that I share so many
     common interests with one so young.

          Perhaps this raiment will complement your own
     radiance.  It cannot hope to compete.

          I have arranged for Henri to call for you at 6:30
     this evening.  It will be a bit bright outside for me, so I
     will meet you in the car.  Since we will not have the
     opportunity to dine until after midnight, I have asked him
     to prepare a light supper.

     Until sunset, Chere,

     Lucien



     Natalie sighed, smiled, folded the note, and put it in her lab
coat for safekeeping.  "Grace, I've changed my mind.  Wanna help me get
ready?"  It's not like I'm cheating on Nicholas, he already said he
didn't love me.

     "Sure.  I can't wait."  I must say I'm beginning to like Lucien
LaCroix more and more.  In five minutes, he's made Natalie happier than
she's been all week.

     It only took a few minutes to get everything opened.  There was
lingerie to go with the dress.  In one small box was a complete set of
makeup - including several choices of lip and eye color.


     "Nat, should I worry about this guy?  Makeup?  Clothes that fit
better than ones you've bought?  Shoes?  Normal men can't buy this
stuff!"

     You nave no idea just how right you are, Grace.  "He has a very
good eye, but I'm sure he had help picking this out."

     By 6:15 they had finished and cleaned up the boxes and wrapping.
"Grace, just leave my stuff here, I'll get it later tonight."  Or
tomorrow, or Sunday, or Monday morning.

     "You sure you won't be needing your work clothes later tonight?"
Grace teased.

     "No.  I'm not on call tonight, and I'm leaving the beeper and
cell-phone.  If you want to find me, use a medium."  Nat laughed, and
leaned against the wall.  "You know, Grace, I really can't wait to get
out of here.  Make sure no one finds out where I've gone, OK?"

     "No problem."  Especially one metro homicide detective.

     They passed the rest of the time trying to figure out where
Lucien was taking her.  The answers ranged from just plain dinner to
dinner in Paris, and anything in between.

     Promptly at 6:30, Henri walked in.

     "Miss Natalie.  I must say that you look beautiful this evening."

     "Thank you, Henri.  Grace, I'd like to introduce Henri-"

     "Marchaund."  Henri interjected.

     "Henri Marchaund.  Lucien LaCroix's valet."

     "Henri, this is Grace Thomas, my assistant here in the morgue."

     Henri stepped forward, kissed Grace's hand, and bowed at the
waist.  "It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Thomas.  Natalie has spoken
quite highly of you."

     "Thank you, Henri."  Grace blushed at his attention.

     "Don't wait up, Grace."  Natalie winked at Grace as she and Henri
walked out.

               --------------------

     As Natalie walked up, she realized the rear windows of the
limousine were blacked out.  The passenger compartment was completely
protected from the sun.  She had wondered how he planned to be out
before dark.

     Henri opened the passenger door, and Natalie noticed a heavy
curtain separating the entryway from the rest of the cabin.  Lucien's
voice called out.  "Good evening Natalie.  Please come inside."  After
she closed the door, Lucien removed the veil that divided them, grasped
her hand, and kissed it.

     "Lucien."  She breathed.  "Hi."  I am not going to gush.  I am a
mature woman.

     "Ah, Natalie.  You will outshine the stars tonight.  That hue
compliments you even better than I had anticipated.  Come, Henri has
been waiting for you to try his latest creation."  Lucien smiled at
Natalie, as she slid closer to him.

     "Lucien.  I-I- This is really too much.  You shouldn't have gone
to this much trouble for me.  I mean, sending the clothes, coming by in
the car, putting yourself at risk."  Natalie, you're gushing.

     LaCroix chuckled.  "You still do not understand.  The effort and
the expense are secondary.  It is the final experience that counts.
The ends, not the means."

     Natalie blushed.  "Thank you.  I just can't get over how freely
you extend yourself."

     "The effort is inconsequential, when the prize is so sublime.
Now eat.  We have orchestra seats for tonight's _Madame Butterfly_, and
I have always felt public executions are in order for those who
interrupt Puccini."

     "_Madame Butterfly_?  How'd you get tickets?  It's been sold out
for months."  Natalie had been sick when she couldn't get tickets to
it.  It was a special performance and her season tickets didn't cover
it.

     "I know someone at the Toronto Metropolitan Opera who owes me a
favor.  She was most happy to get me the tickets.  If we have time, I
may see if we can go backstage to see her after the performance.  She
and I are old friends.  I have heard that she is excellent as Cio-Cio-
San."

     So she plays Butterfly herself, hmmm.  Natalie suddenly realized
the phrase 'old friends' probably meant she was a vampire.

                    --------------------

     At 7:20 p.m., the door to the morgue slammed open, and a
foul-smelling Nicholas Knight ran in.  He'd waited until the sunlight
was just weak enough to preclude instant ignition before driving there.
Despite the heavy cloak, hood, gloves, and glasses, he'd gotten quite
burned in the first few minutes of the drive.

     "Grace, I must speak to Nat immediately!  Where is she?"  Nick's
voice was frantic.  Combined with the wild look in his eye, Grace was
more than a little scared.  She moved nearer the desk with its 'Panic
button'.

     Be calm Grace.  Stay calm.  Speak soothingly.  "I'm sorry
Detective, but Dr. Lambert has left for the evening.  Is there
something I can do?"  If you come one more foot, I'm ringing security.
I don't care who you are.

     "When will she be back?  I must talk to her."  I've got to talk
to her before LaCroix does.  He'll just confuse her.  I have to show
her the truth about him.

     "Detective Knight, you know that I cannot give out personal
information unless you need her for police business."  Besides, I don't
know.

     "Fine.  I need clarification on some autopsy results."

     "Which ones?  We really haven't done anything too unusual this
week.  Maybe Dr. Chung could help?"

     "No I need Dr. Lambert.  Call her."  Nick was getting
exasperated.  I would almost swear she's intentionally stalling me.

     "Unfortunately, Detective Knight, Dr. Lambert is off this
weekend.  You're going to have to wait until Monday."

     Fine, if you want to do it this way so be it.

     "_Where has Dr Lambert gone?_"

     "I don't know."

     "_When did she leave?_"

     "About 6:30 tonight."

     "_With whom?_"

     "Henri Marchaund."

     "_Was she meeting Lucien LaCroix?_"

     "Yes."

     "_How did Natalie know that Marchaund was coming?_"

     "Lucien sent a note with the dress."

     "_How did the dress arrive?_"

     "A messenger brought it.  The boxes are in the back."

     Finally, something to check.  "_Sleep._"

     Grace slipped to the ground.  Nick caught her and sat her at the
desk.

     Heading to the back, he found the boxes for the clothes as well
as those Natalie had discarded.  The boxes held few clues, but there
was a faint perfume in one of the larger ones.  Whose scent was that?
He'd think on it for a while, and come back to it.  Picking up Nat's
lab coat, he felt the note in the pocket.  Opening the note, he read
it.  So that was why Henri had picked her up.  Lucien knew he'd be
looking for him to grab Nat, and used Henri to get him here before
sunset.  He was a devious bastard, and Nick vowed to make him pay for
this little escapade.

     Back to the perfume.  He'd smelled it recently.  Janette!  She
had been wearing it last Friday!  She had been quite proud of it, since
she had it specially brought from Paris, and no one in Toronto would
have it for months.

     Nick ran out of the morgue, and leapt into the sky without even
checking if anyone was watching.

     The mortal staff of the Raven had just arrived when Nick burst
into the club.  Miklos quickly moved to the source of the disturbance.
Great, just great, another repeat of last week, thought Miklos.  "Good
evening, _Detective_ Knight.  How may we help you this evening?"  If
you put on a show like last week, I am going to call your friends
downtown, I do not care what Janette says.

     "Where is Janette?  I want to talk to her now!"  Nick was
shaking; the vampire was just barely in control.

     "It is early, the club is not yet open.  Miss Janette is out at
the moment.  Would you care to take a table and wait?"  A great night
for Janette to pick to go shopping, he thought.  He had little love for
Nicholas Knight, and even less when he came in here throwing his weight
around.

     "Sure.  Give me a bottle."  Nick snarled at Miklos, and moved to
a table.

     Miklos disappeared into the back for a moment.  "We seem to be
out of your preferred selection.  Do you want the house special?"

     "Out?  Janette always keeps some here for me!  Miklos you'd
better not be lying to me."  Nick stood up from his table and started
to move toward the bar.

     "Nicholas, I assure you that I am telling you the truth.  We
usually have several bottles in the back for you.  Maybe you drank it
all last weekend, and Janette overlooked reordering."  Miklos was
putting on his most soothing manner.  He could call Janette on her
cell, but he hated appearing incapable of handling the club when she
was absent.

     "Fine."  I've already lost Nat. Might as well head all the way
back into damnation.  "Let me have two bottles of the reserve."  Hell,
go down with a bang.

     "Certainly."  Miklos stared.  He had never known Nicholas to take
more than a swallow of two of human blood.  Now he was asking for two
bottles.  Well, at any rate, he'd be quiet and out of the way if he
were drinking.

     Miklos went to the back, and returned with two bottles of _wine_.
He opened the first, and placed it and a glass on Nicholas' table.
Nicholas grabbed the bottle and drained it in one motion.  "Open the
second and leave it here."

     Miklos spent the next two hours watching an increasingly affected
Detective Knight consume three more bottles of _wine_ and frantically
wondering why Janette had not yet returned.  Finally about 9:45 she
glided in.

     As soon as she was in the door, Miklos called to her.  "Janette!"

     "Miklos.  What is wrong?"  She could read the agitation in his
face and voice.  Miklos was usually levelheaded and calm.  It took a
great deal to get him this upset.

     "Your friend, Nicholas Knight, is here.  He's on his fifth bottle
of the house reserve with no hint of letting up, and he is starting to
get abusive to the guests."

     "His fifth bottle of the house reserve?  Why is he not drinking
the bottles I keep in the back for him?  Why in the world didn't you
call me?"

     "We are out of his bovine Bordeaux.  I checked the back
completely.  As far as why he is drinking the house reserve, you should
really ask him.  It was his request when he was told that his normal
appellation was unavailable, and I was not about to ruin your evening
out for _him_."

     "I suppose I had better talk to him.  Would you send a couple
more bottles to my room?  Also see if you can get someone to bring in
my packages from the car."  Janette resignedly turned in the direction
of Nick's table.

     "Certainly, Janette."

     "Thank you, Miklos."

     Janette casually walked up to Nicholas's table.  She had a good
idea of why he was here - LaCroix's gift to Natalie Lambert.  LaCroix
had asked her to accompany him on a shopping trip Tuesday night.  He
had purchased, with her recommendation, a beautiful teal dress and
matching ensemble.  If she was right, this was going to be a most
unpleasant visit with Nicholas.  It was always miserable when one or
both of them put her in the middle of one of their power plays.  She
really didn't understand what LaCroix was doing this time.  Was he
planning to use Natalie to torture Nicholas in some new and interesting
way?  Probably, but she really couldn't see how.  As her sire, she
wouldn't deny his 'requests', so she had been shanghaied into this
contest.

     "Good evening, Nicholas.  To what do I owe the pleasure of your
visit?  Certainly this is not a work-related call."  Janette eyed him
closely.  He was certainly over his limit on blood.  The peculiar
effects of his overindulgence were making him unpredictable.

     "Janette!  You helped him!  How could you do that to me?"  Nick's
voice was much too loud for the situation.  She could see that he was
about to lose control.

     "Nicholas.  Let us continue this conversation in the back.  We do
not want all of the Raven to know our business."  He was in work
clothes.  Was he on duty?  She made a mental note to call his partner
later to make sure he was not searched for.

     Janette led the way into the back and her apartment.  Miklos had
already put the two additional bottles in there, however after seeing
him more closely, she wasn't sure it was such a good idea.

     Nick waited until Janette closed the door.  "OK.  Why did you do
it?  Why are you helping LaCroix to corrupt Natalie?  Haven't I been
made to suffer enough?"  Nick could barely control his anger.  Janette
had betrayed him and helped LaCroix in whatever plan he might have.

     Janette walked in feeling sorry for Nicholas.  As usual, LaCroix
had meddled in Nicholas's personal life.  Probably in an attempt to get
him to ".cease his search for mortality and return to embrace his true
nature."  But his presumption that she had willingly been a party to
his plan was more than merely insulting.

     Janette was furious.  "Just a moment!  He came to me last Monday,
and asked me to assist him shopping.  I do not appreciate your
implication that I did this as part of some greater plot to injure you,
or that I somehow was a willing party to it!  The world does not
revolve around you!  And everything which happens in it is not directed
at you!

     "Whatever is going on between you and LaCroix, is just that,
between you and LaCroix.  I want no part of it.  Since I helped him in
a small way earlier in the week, I will provide you some assistance,
but after that it is your own affair.  I want no part of it!"
Janette's eyes were glowing slightly as she finished.  She could barely
keep her anger in check.

     "But Janette, LaCroix has taken Natalie again."

     "Taken?  From what I have garnered from Kerr, she was not 'taken'
the first time, and I somehow doubt that you would be here if you truly
thought LaCroix had kidnapped her tonight.

     "As it is you have drunk too much to be out and about anyway.
Stay here and sleep it off."

     "But what about Natalie?"

     Janette answered him, in a tone she might use with a wayward
child.  "Nicholas.  First of all, you have no idea where he might be.
Second, he is most definitely in a public place, and you cannot attack
him there.  Third, you are too drunk to be doing anything.  And
finally, Natalie is with him of her own free will.  If she does not
wish to be rescued, then your appearance will only serve to alienate
her more than she already is."

     "If he kills her."  Nick's voice hardened.

     "He will not kill her.  If that were his intention, he would have
already done it.  Stay here.  I will send Alma and Elise with more
wine."  I should alert that Schanke person that Nick is alive and well.
It would not do for him to come looking for him here.

                    --------------------

     Natalie and Lucien stepped out of the Performing Arts Center and
into the chill of the evening.  She shivered slightly, and Lucien put
his arm around her.  Here's one thing a vampire lover falls short,
Natalie wryly thought, they don't warm you when they put their arms
around you.  As they reached the curb, Henri pulled up and opened the
door for them.

     "Thank you.  That was truly wonderful, and the seats were
fabulous.  Please thank Marguerite for me."  Natalie, you're gushing
again.

     "I am glad you enjoyed it.  It has always been one of my favorite
works.  Now, would you rather have dinner in town or head back to the
house and let Henri work his magic?"

     Natalie had put the thoughts of what would happen later that
evening out of her mind.  At their mention, she blushed, and a wave of
desire coursed through her.  Get a grip, Nat.  You knew where this
would end up.

     "Lucien, I-I."  She took a deep breath.  "Let's go back to the
house.  I'm sure Henri's work will outshine that of any in the city."
Natalie's heart raced.  The thoughts of being under Lucien's control
once more thrilled her.

     Lucien gave the instructions to Henri, and they were soon on
their way out of Toronto   "Lucien, how long has she been singing in
the opera?  I mean, she can't stay in the public eye too long, people
will notice."

     Smiling, Lucien took Natalie's hand in his.  "You have touched
upon one of the peculiar difficulties of this life, my dear.  No matter
how much you love a particular life, locale, or profession, you must
leave it for a time.  Let the fields lie fallow, so to speak.
Marguerite sang that role shortly after Puccini wrote it.  She was
hailed as the greatest voice of her time, but a tragic accident took
her life after only a few years on the stage."  His eyes took an ironic
twinkle as he spoke of her untimely death.  "She left the opera and
spent a decade or three as a writer, and then some time as a social
worker in East Africa.  A few years ago, she decided she'd been away
from the art long enough and re-entered it from the ground up.  She
enjoys a challenge."

     Natalie gazed on Lucien with the rapture of a child seeing its
first hummingbird.  For the first time she saw the promise this life
offered.  "What about you?  What have you done over the centuries?"

     He gave a half smile.  "Nothing so noble or noteworthy as
Marguerite.  Over the years, I have found calling attention to one's
self is invariably a poor choice.  The public eye is fickle and often
unforgiving.  I prefer to work in the background.  I began life as a
military man, and have always gravitated toward politics and advising
those in power. My love of the arts, however, never let me stray far
from the theatre or the stage.  I have advised a few kings and would-be
emperors in my time, incited a few rebellions, marshalled a few armies,
and organized the odd resistance or two.  At other times, I've been a
patron to the arts, though rarely a performer.  I have written a few
plays, and consulted on many more.  All in all, it has been quite a
fulfilling life so far."  The addendum was unspoken.  'And it is far,
far from over.'

     Still in awe, she whispered, "All that, and more?  Don't you ever
get bored?  Tired of it all?"

     "At times.  But that is a part of life is it not?  Have you not
woken up and said to yourself, 'This is not what I wanted for my life?'

     "Of course not.  I'm quite happy with who I am."  Her face belied
her words.  The past week was mute witness to her lack of satisfaction
with her chosen lot.

     Lucien stared into her eyes, and whispered firmly.  "Tell me,
with your exquisite voice, you have not dreamed of taking Marguerite's
place on the stage."

     Natalie swallowed.  "It never seemed possible.  I've never had
the time-"

     Lucien continued in his piercing tone.  "Exactly.  You can have
the time.  You can everything you want and much, much more.  Your life
has regrets, mine has none."

     Barely audible, Natalie whispered, "But Nicholas has regrets."

     "He mourns the loss of what he may have never had."

     Natalie continued, "But how can you be sure?  How can you be so
certain Nicholas is wrong?"

     "For nigh on two thousand years," Lucien intoned, "I have walked
up and down in the earth.  In all that time, I have seen much, but
never any sign that the gods and devils we have created are anything
more that just that - our creations.

     "You need not make a decision right now.  My offer is freely
given and must be freely accepted, and it would require you to make
some changes."

     I should run right now, she thought.  I should push open that
door and run.  And why don't I?  Because I am interested.  In spite of
all that Nick has said, I'm interested.  God help me, but I want this.

     "What kind of changes?"  Natalie could barely voice the question;
her pulse was pounding in her ears.

     "Some are quite intuitive, some are more obscure.  All in all, it
would be quite minor.  Obviously, exposure to sunlight is impossible.
If you choose to remain in your current profession, you will need to
take a long sabbatical while you adjust to your new existence.  You
will need to find a more amenable residence, but I will assist you.
There are others, but they are not significant."

     "Lucien, I just don't know.  May I think about it?"  Nat, if you
didn't immediately reject it, you've already made up your mind haven't
you?


     "Of course.  Take as much time as you may need."  I already know
your answer; it is in your eyes, but take the time to know it for
yourself.  As he finished talking, Lucien reached across her and
stroked the inside of her right wrist.  Natalie shivered, as his touch
ignited her once again.

     "Thank you, Lucien."  She breathed.

     They finished the ride in quiet, but not silence.

                    --------------------

     Alma and Elise scurried to Janette's room.  They had been told to
_entertain_ Nick, and both of them were more than willing to comply.
Nick was gorgeous, and since he wasn't chaperoned by his mortal
conscience tonight, they were going to have fun.

     "Nick," Elise sing-songed "come out, come out, wherever you are."
Both women searched Janette's room.

     "He's not here!  That little weasel ran out on us!"  Alma
affected a pout.

     "You'd better go tell Janette, after all, she told you to watch
him."

     "No way!  Janette told you to do it.  I'm outta here."  Alma
scurried out and into the crowd of the club.

     Elise knew she'd have to tell Janette, but there was no hurry.
It wasn't like Nick was dangerous.

     Nick slipped out of the back of the Raven and onto the street.
Now to find LaCroix!  Janette wouldn't know he'd gone for a while, and
there would be no stopping him this time.  Nick's eyes glowed with
madness.  He burned with a murderous fever that could only be quenched
with LaCroix's death.  ".we will not have the opportunity to dine until
after midnight.", LaCroix's note had said.  There were only a few
restaurants open that late in the Metro area.  He'd check them all!
He'd rescue Nat. He'd find LaCroix.  And he'd finish him once and for
all.  Nick was so caught up in his plans for vengeance, he didn't
notice Schanke approach him from behind until he spoke.

     "Hey, partner.  Out on the town tonight?"  Schanke stepped up to
Nick from the street.  He'd gotten a very bizarre call from Janette.
".  Nick was fine, but wouldn't be coming back into work tonight.  .No,
I'm sure he doesn't need anyone to take him home."  He'd probably just
have let it slide except that Janette was so interested in him not
coming to check on Nick.  It was too strange, and since Nick had been
acting more than a little peculiar the past few days, he figured he had
better check up on him.

     Nick jerked at the sound of Schanke's voice.  To Schanke, it
looked like Nick jumped at least four feet.

     "Whoa, Nick.  Calm down.  It's just me.  You doing OK?"

     Nick kept his face away from Schanke.  He was desperately trying
to get himself back under control.  Part of him wanted to lash out at
this mortal that had interrupted his blood hunt, but his muddled mind
was able to make the connection between the voice and his friend before
the reflexes took over.  Still, it was a fight to keep Schanke from
seeing the vampire within.

     "Uh, yeah, Schanke, I'm fine.  What are you doing here?"  Nick
slowly turned to stare at Schanke.  His response was very slurred.  He
seemed to have trouble standing.  What in the hell is Schanke doing
here?  I'll bet Janette called him, damn it!

     "Just out and about.  I thought I'd stop by the Raven and see if
you needed any help making up with Janette."  God, Nick's been hitting
the sauce heavy tonight.  He can barely stand up.

     "Very funny, Schank'.  Is there anything else about my personal
life you'd like to fix while you're at it?"  Nick's tone was icy.  The
rage was returning.  Maybe Schanke was in on this, too.  He started to
edge closer to his partner.  His fingers itched.  All right Knight,
you're a vampire.  Get rid of him!  Concentrate.  Relax.

     "_Schanke.  You must leave.  You did not see me tonight._"

     Don Schanke gaped.  Nick was _way_ weird tonight.  What the hell
was he trying to do?  Threaten him?

     "Nick look, I was worried so I went looking for you.  Isn't that
what partners are for?"  Careful, Schanke, he's definitely on the edge
tonight.  You need to get him off the street and into his place before
he screws you both over.

     "Sure, Schank'.  That's what partners are for."  Curse LaCroix!
On top of stealing Natalie away for whatever dreadful purposes that
demon had, now he was too flustered to be able to hypnotize Schanke!
Nick strained to keep his poise.  He HAD to get Schanke out of here.
It wouldn't do for him to rush off in search of Nat while Schanke
watched.  "Schanke-"

     "Tell you what, Nick.  Why don't you and I pick up some beers and
head to your house?  Wha' d'ya say?  We can't go to mine, Myra wouldn't
understand.  Two guys wanting to just hang out.  No pressure, no
plans."

     "Don't you have to get back to work?"

     "Nah.  I told Cohen you weren't feeling well, and I was going to
check in on you.  She sends her best wishes on your recovery."  Face
it, Knight.  You are stuck with me this evening!

     This is just great.  Here Nat's out about to lose her soul, and
I'm being babysat by Mister Congeniality.  Maybe this is just part of
my curse.  "Schanke, why don't you just take me home.  I'm not feeling
too well."  Get to my place, dump him, and leave the minute he's gone.

     "No problem, Nick."  Great.  He's going to let me get him out of
here, and somewhere where we'll be safe.  "Why don't I drive?  You look
all in."

     "Whatever, Schanke."  Nick pretended to meekly follow Schanke to
his car.

     The drive to Nick's place was torment.  Schanke talked
incessantly while Nick agonized over Natalie's fate.  If he doesn't
shut up soon, I'm going to kill him, he thought.  True to his word,
Schanke dropped by a package store and came out with a large grocery
bag.

     "I ordered a couple of pizza's to be delivered.  They should be
at your place in about fifteen minutes."  Schanke was trying to be a
cheerful as possible.  He'd never seen Nick even tipsy.  It had to be
some problem for him to drown his sorrows to this extent.

     Nick, on the other hand was trying desperately to keep his head.
He didn't dare answer in anything other than monosyllables, and he
didn't dare show his face to Schanke.  All he could do was keep his
head down and hope this torment would end, and end soon.

     They pulled up on the street behind Nick's caddie.  "Hey, how'd
you get to the Raven without your car?  Fly?"

     "Very funny, Schanke.  I got a ride from Janette.  Let's get
inside before the beer gets warm."  I've go to keep him from thinking
too much about this.  The sooner I can get him lulled into thinking I'm
OK, the sooner he'll leave.

     Schanke followed Nick into the elevator.  Once in the apartment,
he headed straight for the refrigerator to put up the beer.  Same as
usual, he thought, only wine in here.  That guy's got to have one hell
of an eating out budget.

     Almost as soon as Schanke left for the kitchen, the door buzzed.
"Nick, can you get that?  It's probably the pizza."

     Great, I've got to pay for the pizza as well as put up with him
squatting here for the night?  As soon as he buzzed the delivery person
in, the reek of garlic attacked him.  Schanke knew he 'hated' garlic.
Why in the hell did he insist on bathing everything he touched in it?
Nick turned away, gasped in a breath, and held it.

     "Nineteen-fifty."  The delivery person announced.

     Nick handed him a twenty, and closed the door before the curses
over the tip could begin.

     "Schanke.  Your pizza's here."  Eat it and get out so I can find
LaCroix.

     Beers in hand, Schanke ran toward the pizza.  "Great, they
remembered the garlic.  I could smell it from the kitchen.  Nick,
you've got to start eating at home more often.  A guy could probably
retire on what you spend in eating out in a year!  There's nothing in
your fridge but the wine you abuse by keeping it cold."

     "Schank', the money's mine to spend.  If you want to retire
early, play the lotto."  Nick was more than a little annoyed with his
partner right now.  He was always telling him how to live his life, and
now he was sitting at his table eating pizza and interfering with the
salvation of Nat.

     "That's cold, Nick.  What's got you in such a mood anyway?"  Nick
seemed to have sobered up.  Pretty unusual for someone who was that
drunk an hour ago, he thought.

     "Look, Schanke.  It's nothing personal, just I've got a lot on my
mind."  Maybe if I act distraught he'll leave.

     "Nick.  You know you can talk to me.  What's the problem?"  At
last, maybe he'd get inside Nick's head.  The guy was always _so
secretive_ about everything.  From where he ate dinner last night to
how long he'd been a cop.  I know virtually nothing about this guy, he
thought.  He recalled a conversation with Natalie.  '-- I mean, he's a
good partner, and he'll always come through in a pinch, but sometimes I
think I've got more in common with that typewriter over there than I do
with Nick.'

     "Schanke, don't worry about it.  I'll take care of it myself."
Like always.  "Besides, don't you have other things to do than to
mother me?"  Get out!

     "Nick.  If this is about you standing Nat up last week, then why
don't you just apologize and make up?  Buy her some flowers and candy,
and stand on her door until she forgives you.  That's what I always did
with Myra.  Worked every time."  Schanke sat back and smugly waited for
Nick's response.

     Nick was in shock.  How had the story gotten out?  Did everyone
in the station know about Natalie and LaCroix?  Of course not!  They
couldn't know about LaCroix.  He wouldn't let it happen.  Nick
swallowed.  His voice was shaky.  "What do you know about it?"

     "Only what everyone knows."  He knew there was much more to the
story than the tidbits he'd gathered.  Now was the time to play
detective.  Act like you knew everything, and often the suspect would
spill the beans.

     Nick was panicking.  If Schanke knew, why was he keeping him
here?  Was he in on it with LaCroix?  It took all of Nick's 800-years
of maturity not to throw him to the floor right there and demand to
know what he knew.  Nick took a deep breath.  "O.K. Schanke.  I stood
Natalie up last Friday night.  I've tried to apologize, but she's just
not interested in hearing it.  That's why I've been sending you to the
morgue for the past week."

     "I see.  So would you have sent those two huge bouquets of
flowers to the morgue Monday?"

     "No.  Those were from _someone_ she met over the weekend."  No
matter how he tried to envision it.  He still couldn't imagine LaCroix
as the _someone_ who sent Natalie those flowers.  It just didn't seem
right.  Why not just take her.  It would be easy enough.  For that
matter, make her your ghoul.  If LaCroix wanted to take Natalie from
him, why do it in such a roundabout matter?  Nick stood there, musing
over the conflicts he and LaCroix had had over then centuries.  Not
once had he taken such pains to involve a mortal.  Now it seemed he was
planning that all of Toronto know of his activities.

     Schanke stared at Nick.  Once again, his partner was off in the
weeds.  It is going to get him killed one of these days.  "Nick!  Snap
out of it."  Nick's eyes regained their focus, and Schanke continued.
"Let me get this straight.  You stood Nat up.  She met someone else.
Now she's out with him.  So you went to the Raven and got drunk."  Nick
winced inwardly - preparing himself for a dose of his partner's
invaluable knowledge and insight.  "Now that makes sense.  I can
understand your getting drunk over that.  Hell, let's get plastered
together!"

     Nick tried to protest.  "Schanke.  You don't need-"

     "Say no more.  If I had a quarter for all the times that Myra got
mad at me for some little infraction, I'd be a very rich man today."
Schanke opened his second beer, and continued.  "You know, this sounds
just like what happened between Myra and me when I was at the academy."

     Nick sighed, and resigned himself to waiting out Schanke's
reminiscences.  Maybe he'll pass out soon, and I can get out of here.

     Nick let Schanke drone on about his days at the academy for
several minutes.  He knew he had to get going, but he didn't see the
story ending this evening, much less in the next few minutes.  Taking
several calming breaths, he prepared to hypnotize his partner once
more.

     "_Schanke.  Close your eyes and listen to me._"

     Thank God, it worked.  Schanke's eyes slowly closed, he stopped
his story and waited for Nick to speak.

     "_You've had a great time with me tonight.  Between the pizza and
the beer, it has been the best time we've ever spent.  Right?_"

     "This has been a great night, Nick."

     "_It's time to leave now.  I'll call you a taxi, and you'll go
home.  You left me sleeping on the couch.  You are certain that I won't
get into any trouble tonight._"

     "Of course not.  You're a cop."

     "_Follow me downstairs._"  Nick led Schanke downstairs to wait
for the cab to arrive.

     As they were waiting for the cab, Nick realized that since
Schanke had such _a good time_ with him tonight he'd be intent on
repeating the experience.  He quickly gave Schanke the idea that,
although the evening was great, he didn't want to repeat it.  Nick
pushed his partner into the cab, gave the driver the address, and freed
himself to search for Natalie.  Moving into the alley, he launched
himself toward the theatre district and the late-night dining area.

                    --------------------

     While Natalie and Lucien headed into the house, Henri started
preparing dinner.  He knew that Lucien would want several hours of
uninterrupted time with Natalie, so dinner needed to be ready quickly.

     "My dear, I have collected the odd trinket or two over the years.
Would you enjoy viewing them while we await dinner?"

     "Lucien, I'd love to."  My word, what would Lucien LaCroix
consider the 'odd trinket'?  After experiencing his tastes, it could be
anything from da Vinci's sketch notes for the 'Mona Lisa' to Robert the
Bruce's favorite sword.  She really didn't know what to expect.

     Lucien led her to a walk-in closet off the music room.  "Please
stand back."  He brushed the carpet away from the center of the floor
to reveal a concrete floor with a handle inset in the center.  Lucien
bent down and grasped the handle.  Natalie could see the muscles in his
neck stand out with exertion.  After a couple of seconds, there was a
groan beneath them and a 3-foot square of concrete moved up from the
floor.  Lucien carefully placed the tile to one side of the opening.

     "Please wait just a moment, my dear.  I will go and turn on the
lights."  With that, he disappeared into the hole.  A few seconds
later, the hole in the floor was illuminated from below.  She saw
stairs leading down, and heard Lucien's voice beckoning her down.

     Natalie gasped as she stepped into what looked to be a 50's bomb
shelter.  The room was fairly large, fifteen feet by twenty-five, and
seemed to extend beyond one side of the house.  Couches lined one wall.
There was a television, radio, and computer system arrayed around the
room.  Lucien motioned her over to several chests that were along one
wall.

     "Lucien?  How?  Why?  Where'd this come from?"  Natalie was more
than a little shocked.  The shelter was almost a house unto itself.  A
setup like this implied an incredible level of paranoia.  "I can't
believe this house had a bomb shelter like this."

     "No.  I had it put in after I bought the house.  The 'door' I
opened weighs about twelve hundred pounds.  Although it is not
impregnable, it is certainly resistant to entry by anyone other than
another vampire.  Even then, the intruder would make their presence
known. Two additional exits to the room lead to the surface several
hundred yards from the house.  One does not survive this long without
planning."  He smiled and continued.

     "Enough about the house.  I brought you down here to view some of
my treasures."  He reached into the leftmost chest and brought up a
tray.  "These are Roman coins from the second century.  It is strange.
Anything, kept long enough, becomes valuable.  At the time I put these
away they were almost worthless - not enough to purchase a loaf of
bread.  Now, they are priceless."

     Lucien brought out several more items.  Some were incredibly
beautiful - a series of seventh and eighth century icons.  Many more
were items that defined a period: flyers from the French revolution,
programs from operas and plays, a wheel-lock pistol - per Lucien,
paintings, and letters to list a few.

     "Lucien, these really should be in a museum.  These are
priceless."  She continued to stare at the bounty displayed.

     "No.  _These_ are memories.  They are beyond price.  It would not
do for them to be incarcerated and displayed for all to see.  They
belong to me and to my past.  They are safe here with me."  He chose
not to add that being a vampire, he was a much better curator of aged
things than some mortal who would die and leave them to rot.

     Just as Natalie was trying to extricate herself, Henri rang to
say that dinner was served.  Lucien closed the chests, followed her up
the stairs, and closed the 'door' after them.

                    --------------------

     Nick arrived at the theatre district in record time.  Taking
cover behind a hedge, he reached out for LaCroix with his senses.  It
was risky, to feel for LaCroix he'd have to open himself up as well,
but he was sure LaCroix already knew he was coming, so he had little to
lose.  Reaching out, he could sense the traces of his sire on the area,
but he couldn't seem to find him.  Damn!  He should be able to do more
than this!  He could hear Janette chiding him.  'Nicholas, you really
must maintain your skills.  Just because you don't want to remain one
of us doesn't mean that you should ignore your abilities.  You need
them to survive.'

     O.K.  Just because I didn't find him the easy way doesn't mean he
isn't here.  Nick launched back into the air to look for LaCroix's
limo.  He knew his sire was a creature of excess.  If he was in the
area so was his valet.  Just when he was about to give up, he saw a
black Mercedes outside 'The Phoenix.'  Nick dropped to the ground and
walked to the door.

     "Good evening, sir.  Do you have a reservation?"  The Matre 'D
stared at him as if he were an insect.

     "No.  I'm looking for someone.  I need to go inside."  Nick was
getting impatient again.  He started edging toward the door.

     "I am sorry, but without a reservation I cannot let you inside."

     "Look.  I'm with Metro Homicide."  Nick flashed his badge.  "I
need to get in."

     Reluctantly, the Matre 'D began to give way, but not before he
delivered a final insult.  "I am sure you would not want to feel
conspicuous.  Please accept the loan of this jacket and tie for the
duration of your visit."

     Nick stared at the man's audacity, but took the jacket
nonetheless.  No reason to alert LaCroix to his presence by creating a
stir.

     Inside, the restaurant was dimly lit and elegant.  To a vampire
it might as well have been mid-day.  Quickly scanning the room, he came
up empty.  Then, he noticed a waiter delivering food into a door at the
back of the room.  That's it, he thought, LaCroix would not sully
himself by associating with the masses

     Nick marched across the room to the private dining chamber.
Bracing himself against what was sure to be an onslaught from LaCroix,
he threw open the door.  As Nick stepped into the room, he was so
intent on the expectation of LaCroix inside; he did not notice the five
waiters rushing to prevent his unauthorized access.  Leaping inside,
Nick realized there seemed to be many more people in the room that he
would expect for LaCroix to have.

     Just as he finished that thought, several bodies crashed
harmlessly against his back.  Nick rocked slightly, and stared into the
room.  No LaCroix!  He was, however, in the midst of a reception.

Brushing himself off, he saw himself standing eye-to-eye with Captain
Cohen.

     "Detective Knight.  Is there some _reason_ that you've decided to
grace us with your presence this evening?"  Nick could read the
sub-text very well.  'If you don't have a great excuse for this, you're
going to be checking parking meters the rest of your career!'

     "Captain.  I'm sorry.  I was looking for a suspect in the Myers
case, and I had a lead he was in this restaurant."  Nick froze - hadn't
Schanke told the captain he was sick?  He'd have to deal with that
after he got out of this.  Nick prayed she didn't start checking into
his story.

     "Why don't we take this outside."  She whispered icily.  Turning
to the assemblage, "Please go on without me.  It appears I am needed by
one of my detectives.  Cohen then escorted Nick to the main dining
room.

     "Now.  Would you mind telling me what is so important, I am
missing the reception for the star of Madame Butterfly?  The truth
Detective Knight; I know you and Schanke finished up the Myers case
yesterday."  Captain Cohen's voice was tight, her anger barely
controlled.

     How in the world could he tell the captain about Natalie?  On the
other hand, he'd better come up with a pretty good story and quick.
"Captain, I was looking for Natalie Lambert.  I thought she might be
here."  Maybe he could bet off with a half-truth.

     Captain Cohen smiled slightly.  "Dr. Lambert."  She paused, and
took in a slow breath.  "Nick," her voice softened, "I saw her this
evening at the opera."

     "You did?"  Nick quickly dampened the excitement in his voice,
but not before the Captain noticed.

     "Yes, she was with a tall gentleman.  They were guests of
Marguerite, she's who the reception is for, but they didn't stay for
dinner."  Although his face was impassive, Captain Cohen could sense
the despair that radiated from her detective.  She hated to see affairs
among co-workers go sour.  It was always grief for everyone involved.
She made a mental note to talk to Natalie on Monday.

     "Do you think I might have a few words with Marguerite?"  Nick
was certain he could extract LaCroix's destination from her, and then
he could be on his way.

     "Detective Knight, I don't want to hear about you abusing your
position for personal gains.  If this is between you and Natalie, then
it should stay there."  She watched Nick for a response.  She was sure
she could see if this was a lover's spat from his reaction.

     "No ma'am.  It's strictly business."

     "I'll see what I can do."

     Nick waited patiently by the door.  One thing his eight hundred
years had done was taught him how to wait.  His patience was quickly
rewarded as a petite brunette exited the dining room, and strolled
toward him.

     "Detective Knight?"  Her voice was smooth and well controlled.

     Nick stared.  This was Marguerite?  She was a vampire.  ".Yes."
Nick paused, then whispered, too low for human ears, "You're a
vampire!"

     "Why, how perceptive you are Detective Knight.  LaCroix told me
you were very bright."  She put all the sarcasm her stage training
afforded into the words.

     "You've seen LaCroix tonight?  Where is he?"  Nick's desperation
was transparent to another vampire.

     "Yes, I have seen Lucien this evening.  He and a quite charming
mortal woman were my guests at the opera tonight.  Have you met her?
She is absolutely delightful.  I do hope LaCroix brings her across
soon, she'll make an excellent addition to our kind."  She gave Nick a
lecherous wink.  "Delicious looking.  I do hope he intends to share."

     Nick paled at the thought.  "LaCroix will not bring her across.
She is mine"

     "Yours?  Come now, Detective Knight, women have not been property
for some time now.  Surely, _you_ can abandon those old ways.  Besides,
she did not appear to be your property tonight.  From my vantage point,
she was definitely LaCroix's."

     Nick's blood was boiling.  "Where.did.he.go?"

     "Sorry.  I cannot help you there.  I would presume he retired to
somewhere more private to enjoy his prot?g?."  She paused for effect.
"I do believe she is ripe for the picking."  Marguerite didn't usually
go in for needling just for the fun of it, but she took an almost
instant dislike of this Nicholas Knight.

     Nick snarled at her, "If you won't help me then, at least don't
get in my way!"  Nick turned away and stalked out.  Hunting LaCroix
would do no good; he would have to wait for his quarry to come to him.

                    --------------------

     Natalie's nerves wound tighter with each bite of dinner.  She
didn't know what awaited her after the meal.  She knew it would be
exciting beyond measure, and certainly more pleasurable than her
imagination could comprehend, but the details gnawed at her.  She
remembered Lucien's force last time, and it both thrilled and terrified
her.  Lucien was watching her patiently, sipping his wine, while she
ate.  His conversation was light.  His manner calm.  The contrast
between them made her more nervous.

     Lucien watched Natalie with interest.  He could hear the
acceleration of her heart rate with each passing moment.  She is
anticipating what will follow, he thought, and smiled to himself.  He
had planned to continue Natalie's initiation tonight, it was gratifying
that she was looking forward to it.

     Natalie finished her last bite of chocolate mousse, and returned
the spoon to the plate.  Is it worth it, she thought to herself, never
to have chocolate again, never to feel the sun on your face, to be
trapped behind a wall of superstition and fear?  She knew Lucien's
answer.  She knew Nick's.  Surely there was a middle ground somewhere.
Not every vampire felt such extremes about their lives.  Janette?  How
could she approach Janette?

     Lucien watched Natalie savor the last bite of her dessert.  He
didn't have the skill to read the minds of mortals, but her thoughts
were clear.  She was contemplating - the 'dark gift'.  He sensed that
she was ready to leave the table, and stood up before her.

     "I hope that you enjoyed the meal."  He said as he pulled the
chair from behind her.

     "As always, it was wonderful.  Please tell Henri."  Natalie's
heart was racing.  It seemed that her every nerve was on fire, and he
hadn't even touched her!

     Lucien put his arm around Natalie.  "Come, let us retire
upstairs."  Natalie shivered slightly.  "You are still under my
protection, no harm will come to you."

     Almost in a daze, she followed him to the master bedroom.  As she
entered the room, Lucien swirled a blindfold around her face.  Unsure
of her footing, she stood still in the entry.  She felt herself pushed
forward, and heard the door close behind her with a sharp report.

     Lucien leaned in close to her, and whispered forcefully,
"Tonight, from this point on, you are mine.  You will do nothing
without my consent.  You will move where I tell you, and do exactly as
I say.  You will not speak unless specifically given permission.  Nod
your head if you agree to these conditions."

     Natalie was in shock.  The terse tone and strength in the words
resurrected the counterpoint of fear and desire she felt during dinner.
Her cheeks reddened and grew hot.  The desire took the upper hand, she
started to speak, but remembered Lucien's words.  She nodded slowly.
Once freed of the decision, her body seemed to have a mind of it's own.
Her breasts tightened and her clitoris began to tingle.

     "Stand completely still until I tell you to move."

     She heard the swish of clothing, and presumed that Lucien had
removed his shirt.  Her mind's eye could see him standing before her.
Naked to the waist, his hands moving toward her, his eyes glowing with
desire.  The reverie was shattered by the chill of his touch at her
neck as he unzipped her gown and then peeled it away from her body.
The chill air wrapped around her like Lucien's touch - hardening her
nipples in its wake.

     Once more she stood in darkness.  She didn't know if the lights
were on or not - he certainly didn't need them.  She strained to hear
him against the silence.  In a flash, his hands were on her again,
violently stripping her silk bra and underwear from her skin.  She
wanted to bolt and run screaming, but she held fast, and waited for his
next assault.  The cold steel of his fingers spread her knees apart.
Then, there was nothing, no touch, no sound - just her pulse pounding
in her ears.

     Abruptly his chill skin was at her back.  His hands gripped her
wrists pinning them to her sides.  His mouth was tight against her
throat.  His fangs scraped the skin.  She wanted to beg him to bite
her, to take her and make her his.  The sound welled up in her throat,
but Lucien clamped his had over her mouth.  "You have been told the
rules.  There will not be another warning."  He whispered icily.  With
that, he swept her up and into the bed.  He moved he as if she were
nothing in his arms.  Once more, she was under his power; prey before
the ultimate predator.

     Lucien swiftly but gently placed her prone on the bed.  Grasping
her wrists, he bound them with a soft cord to the bedposts.  As he
tightened the ropes on her wrists, a gnawing fear began in Natalie's
gut.  Suppose this is the end, her thoughts whispered?  Can you be sure
of his promise?  She pictured herself being found in some Dumpster,
drained and bone white, just another unsolved homicide.  He's shown you
no hint of that, her rational side argued, this is just part of the
game.  You agreed, remember?  As her internal struggles waxed, her
ankles were gripped in Lucien's iron grasp.  Almost before she realized
it, she was stretched between the four corners of the bed.

     That was the last straw, her strained imagination gave way, and
the fear began to course through her veins.  Lucien could smell the
fear on her, and hear her heartbeat race.  He knew that she was about
to fight against him - so much the better.

     Natalie fought the ropes with all her strength, but to no avail.
They held fast.  She cried out for Henri, someone, or anyone to help
her.

     Lucien was on her in instant.  His hands on her face, pinning her
to the bed.  "I told you the rules!"  His voice was sharp.  She
couldn't see, but she was sure his eyes were glowing.  "As in most
things, disobedience begets discipline.  I'm sure you know that, my
dear."  He paused for several long seconds, "Prepare yourself," and he
was gone.

     She lay there for an unknown time.  Blind, immobile, and cut off
from all sensation except the anticipation of his touch.  She tried to
relax, but with every breath, she thought she heard his approach.
Every time she shifted in the bed, she was sure she felt his weight
next to her.  The wait only served to sharpen her senses.  Time seemed
to stand still.  The only sound was the pounding of her heart.  Just as
she began to think he would never return, she felt a rush of air on her
face and the lightest brush of his lips on her temple.

     Then there was the tickle of heavy threads against her back and
thighs.  At first, she couldn't identify what it could be.  As the
strokes became harder, she knew.  It was a _cat-o-nines_.  She'd seen
one in an adult store once, but never considered its application,
especially to her own body.  Just then, the first real stripe crossed
her buttocks.  The pain was fierce, amplified by the lack of sensation.
Now she knew why he'd kept her isolated for so long, the pain was sharp
and quick, but the thrill and excitement was slow and full.  Before
long, she was writhing beneath Lucien as he moved the lash up and down
her exposed flesh, never staying in one place too long, but always
changing the target of his ministrations.

     As quickly as it began, the lash stopped.  Lucien moved it once
or twice across her, softly, and cast it aside.  He replaced the flame
of the lash with the soothing chill of his chest on her back, made even
colder by its contrast.  She could feel his erection probing between
her thighs, tasting her wetness, teasing her with what was to come.
Pushing her hips back at him, she tried to force him to enter her.  She
wanted his icy hardness to quench the fire he'd started.  She almost
had him inside her when he moved off and to the side.  His hands began
to probe her.  First along her breasts, reaching beneath and pinching
them, then down her belly and finally to the wetness below.  She gasped
and flinched as his icy fingers slid under her hips and began to stroke
her lips.  There was a soft _tsk_ from Lucien as he indicated his
disapproval at her sounds and motion.  His fingers began to rub her
clitoris, and her hips followed his motion.  She was almost there, she
could feel the orgasm building.  Just before she reached her peak,
Lucien's hand came down on her.  The impact of the blow on her buttocks
drove her into his hand and over the edge.  Natalie arched her back,
she wanted to get closer to him, to get his mouth on her neck.  The
sting of his hand doubled the ecstasy of his fingers.  Lucien kept this
up until she could no longer hold her silence.  Screaming his name, she
collapsed into the bed.

     Lucien loosed her bonds, and brought her up into his arms.  Still
half-faint in the afterglow, she could barely move.  "I told you to be
quiet."

     Natalie started to protest, but fell silent.  The rules had been
made clear, and Lucien was obviously willing to enforce them.  Slowly
his hands began to caress her.  First her cheeks and throat, and then
moving down toward her thighs.  His touches were light, but strong, the
steel ever present inside the velvet.  Still in darkness, Natalie felt
Lucien's thighs part hers.  Her breath quickened.  Was he going to
enter her so quickly?  She felt his frigid tip probing her, and in one
motion he plunged deep within her.  Even though she knew how he felt
inside her, she was stunned as the marble penetrated her.  As his
rhythm quickened, she began to match his thrusts, grinding herself into
him.  Lucien slammed into her raking his fingers over her raw skin,
impaling her over and over.  As she rode to the crest, he lunged into
her.  Natalie began to climax, and as she did, Lucien's fangs drove
into her throat.  The sensation of being filled by him as he drained
her was beyond ecstasy.  She lost conscious thought, and rode out the
sensation, praying for it to continue forever.  Her subconscious knew
that if he continued, she might die, but it didn't seem to matter just
so long as the joy continued.

     Abruptly and too soon, he tore his teeth from her throat.  The
delicious buzz slowly left her and his tongue gently sealed the wound.
Lucien rolled over and pulled her to his chest and Natalie relaxed
against its expanse.

     "_That_ is how vampires make love."  He whispered.  Pausing for a
second, he continued.  "Well, as close as _you_ can experience and not
join us."  He said, smiling.

     Natalie reclined on Lucien's chest.  Bit-by-bit, she regained her
composure.  Inclining her head, she began to speak, but stopped - his
proscription remained.

     "Our game is complete.  You are free to speak."  He whispered,
removing the blindfold.

     "L-Lucien, that was incredible.  How could it possibly have been
better?"

     "Ahhh, that is something that be only be learned through
experience.  And, it takes a decision on your part."  Lucien's voice
was controlled, calming.  As is he were discussing the weather, or
luncheon plans.

     "Yes, my decision."  Her voice trailed off.  Choose and be free,
Natalie, a small voice said.  Free.  Could she do that?  Leave
everything she knew, and start over?  If she looked too close, she knew
that she'd realize she didn't have too much to stay for.  A few
friends, a job that she liked but didn't love.  No one left but her
mother.

     Natalie looked up at him.  "Lucien.  I need to know some things
about what happens."  She paused.  "When Nick brought my bother Richard
across, something went wrong.  He changed.  He wasn't the same person."
Natalie winced at the memory.  "Does that always happen?"

     "Of course it does not."  Lucien smiled softly.  "The results are
very dependent upon one's sire and how the fledgling is treated in the
first few hours of life.  Beginnings are very delicate things."  Lucien
frowned.  "It is one lesson that Nicholas has had difficulty learning.

     "Rest assured.  When I make you.  You will flourish in your new
life.  Of course you will change, but the changes will be those of the
butterfly."

     "How do you know?  I mean, isn't everyone different?  Why won't I
turn out like Richard?  He almost killed me!  His own sister."

     Lucien paused, and reflected.  He knew some of the circumstances
surrounding Richard Lambert's death, and did not want to let the
conversation wander too far into this territory.  "Some of this may be
influenced by Nicholas' distaste for his own state, and his
unwillingness to accept the condition.  This may bleed through into his
childer in ways that are less than pleasant."

     "So your children do not suffer from the same problems that
Nicholas' have?"  Am I really having this conversation?  Has my
subconscious already made the choice, and is just waiting for the right
time to spring it on the rest of me?

     "Of course not.  With the exception of Nicholas, all my children
have acclimated to their new lives with little or no difficulty."  She
has decided.  How long before she can act upon it?

     Natalie stared, unfocussed, above Lucien's head for almost a
minute.  Finally, she broke her silence.  "Please don't think I am
leading you on.  This is a permanent decision, and I just need more
time to think about this."

     "Of course.  As I said before, take all the time you need."
Lucien pulled Natalie close to him and inhaled.  "You have been eating
strawberries."  Lucien smiled.  "They give you an indescribable taste
and smell."

     "Thank you.  I was hoping that you would notice."  At least
someone appreciates me, she thought.

     "I both notice and cherish it.  As I have said, 'It is one of the
unfortunate side effects of my condition.', but one that you have quite
thoughtfully alleviated."  Lucien gazed down the length of her body.
"I do not believe that I was completely finished when we paused for
this interlude.  And, I am certain you were not."  With that, he moved
down between her thighs.

                    --------------------

     Natalie woke to the familiar darkness of Lucien's bedroom.  I've
got to talk to someone about this.  I do hate to run to Janette, but
where else?  Hmm, I wonder if I could arrange to meet Lucien later this
evening - at The Raven maybe?  She glanced at the clock on the
nightstand.  She could just make out the time, 12:45 p.m..

     Lucien stirred beside her.  "Insomnia my dear?"

     "No.  I was considering an errand I need to run today.  Would you
mind terribly if I ran out on you for a short while?  We could meet
later this evening."  Why am I nervous?  Do I need his approval?

     Lucien looked carefully at her.  "Of course not.  I would not
keep you from doing that which you need to do.  Suppose we meet at The
Raven at nine o'clock.  Will that give you enough time?"

     "Plenty."  Does he know what I'm planning?  He never seems to be
surprised.

     "I'll have Henri fix breakfast, then drive you home.  Let us plan
on dancing again tonight."

                    --------------------

     Once more, Henri waited outside her door until she gave him the
OK.  At least Nick hadn't broken in again, she thought.  Sydney
demanded attention and food - Natalie gave in readily.  She rummaged
around her closet for several minutes, and came up empty.  She realized
that she was more nervous about meeting Janette than she'd been about
Lucien.  Damn, but the woman, scratch that - vampire, always made her
feel like she was wearing a flour sack.  Janette would probably even
make the sack look like a Dior original.  Finally she settled on a blue

dress that she'd bought but never had the nerve to wear.

     Looking at the clock, Nat realized that she should have agonized
longer.  It was only 4:30, not nearly late enough.  Resignedly, she
finished dressing.  She could grab some food, and stare at the TV for
an hour or two until Janette was available.

     It always amazed Nat that she could spend so much for cable each
month, and still end up watching the same three or four shows.  Daring
the clock to quit dawdling, she counted the minutes until 6:30.  She
remembered from a conversation with Nicholas at some point that Janette
didn't like to get up before six, and was decidedly unfriendly to those
that woke her.

     Eventually, the appointed hour arrived.  Natalie steeled herself,
and dialed the number that she'd inadvertently memorized that night
Nick stood her up.  Could it have only been a week or two ago?  It
seemed like an eternity.  OK, Ms. Lambert, dial the number.

     "Raven."  The male voice was brusque, a challenge to anyone
daring to call at such an ungodly hour.

     "Yes.  I would like to speak to Janette, please."  Natalie's
voice trembled as she spoke.

     "I'm sorry, but Miss duCharm? does not take calls at this hour."
His tone said that he was not sorry in the least, but merely attempting
to be polite.

     "Please, I need to speak to Janette.  I'm sure she'll speak to
me."  Natalie was getting desperate.

     "I do not transfer calls at this time of day.  I do not care who
you are."

     "Please.  I'm a friend of. N. Lucien LaCroix."  Natalie.  Choose.
Whose friend are you?

     "Just a moment."  There was resignation in Miklos' voice.
Another of LaCroix's whelps no doubt.  When would Janette tell him to
clean up after himself and leave her out of it?

     "Hello?"  Janette's voice came though strong and clear.  In all
the times Nat'd seen Janette, she'd never had a hair out of place,
never seemed ill at ease, and never worried about what people thought.
She would not have this crisis over what Lucien had said and done, and
what Nicholas had related to her.

     "Janette?  This is Natalie Lambert."

     "Dr. Lambert.  What can I do for you?  Is there something wrong
with Nicholas?"  Janette could not think of any reason for Natalie
Lambert to call her other than Nicholas.  If it was bad enough for Dr.
Lambert to call her presumed rival for Nicholas's affections, then it
must be very bad indeed.

     "No, Janette.  Nicholas isn't in trouble.  I need to talk to
someone, and you're the only person I know who'll give me an honest
answer."  Janette could hear the confusion in Natalie's voice, and
although Natalie was nominally a competitor for Nicholas's attentions,
she knew that Nicholas was hers in the long run no matter how he
thought he felt for Natalie.  Interesting, Natalie had always referred
to Nicholas as Nick, his current human incarnation, why was she now
sounding like LaCroix?

     "Of course, Dr. Lambert.  If you would like to come over now, we
can talk before the club gets too busy."  And before you begin looking
like a main course rather than a patron.

     "Sure.  I won't be interfering with your work will I?  I don't
want to impose."  I can't believe that I'm calling Janette to have a
heart-to-heart.  At least she didn't laugh at me.

     "Of course not.  Miklos runs the club.  I own it."

     "Thank you.  I'll be over as soon as I can."  Natalie collapsed
onto her desk.  She didn't know which was worse.  Being torn between
Nicholas and Lucien, or having to go to Nicholas' not-so-ex-lover for
advice.

     About half-an-hour later, Natalie entered the Raven.  The lights
were up, and the music off.  It seemed less threatening when you could
see the dirt in the corners and the paint peeling on the wall.

     Miklos met her as she entered.  "Miss Janette is expecting you.
Come this way."  He led her through the bar and into the back where
Janette's apartment was located.

     Janette met her at the door.  "Doctor Lambert.  Do come in.
Would you like something to drink?  Wine?  Coffee?"  Whatever was
bothering Natalie Lambert, it was obvious to Janette that she was quite
upset.

     "Red wine?"

     "Miklos, please get Doctor Lambert a glass of Merlot."  Miklos
left and returned almost immediately with a bottle of Merlot, and a
glass.

     "I took the liberty of getting the bottle, Miss Janette."

     "Thank you."

     Miklos filled Natalie's glass and left, quietly closing the door
behind him.  "Nice to meet you, Doctor Lambert."  He added, as he
pulled to door to.

     Scrutinizing Natalie over her own glass, Janette started the
conversation.  "What can I do for you, Doctor Lambert?"

     "Please, call me Natalie."  Her voice trembled.

     "Natalie, then."  Janette tried to use a soothing tone as
possible.

     "Janette."  Nat took a deep breath and plunged in.  "I have
somehow become involved with both Lucien and Nicholas at the same
time."

     Janette stared at her for a second.  'Lucien?'  Since when did
LaCroix go by Lucien to a human, or to anyone for that matter?  Natalie
Lambert was more than 'involved' with LaCroix - no wonder Nicholas was
beside himself.  LaCroix must be intending to take her for his own!
"Is there some conflict between them with you in the middle?"

     "No.  Nothing so simple."  Natalie took a deep breath, and an
even deeper draught of wine.  "Lucien and I have been seeing each
other."  That's an understatement she thought.  "At first, I thought it
was just physical, and that I'd get over it quickly.  Now, Lucien's
offered to bring me across.  The whole time I've known Nicholas he's
told me how he was tricked into becoming a vampire, and how miserable
he is, but when I talk to Lucien, he tells me Nicholas knew what he was
getting into, and Lucien certainly isn't miserable with his life.  I'm
not sure who to believe."  Natalie rushed to finish the last sentence.
The less time she spent on it, the less she felt like she was betraying
either of them.

     Janette took a deep breath.  Exactly why was she sitting here
giving advice to a lovelorn human?  "Natalie, exactly what do you want
to know?  Was Nicholas tricked?  Am I happy being a vampire?  Should
you accept LaCroix's offer?  All those queries have answers, but the
real issue is, 'What is your real question?', is it not?"

     Natalie stood up.  "Janette, I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have come
here.  I don't have any right to bother you with my problems."  Her
hand started turning the knob, but Janette was quicker by far.

     Janette's hand closed around Natalie's.  "No.  You will stay, and
we will talk.  If you're serious about LaCroix's offer, then you
deserve honest answers from someone who will give them to you."

     "Janette, I don't know where to start.  How do I ask the right
questions?  How to I get the answers to the questions I don't even
know?"

     "Very well.  Let us start with me.  You know I have been a
vampire for somewhat longer than Nicholas.  When LaCroix brought me
across I was trapped in a life I hated.  LaCroix offered me freedom,
which I readily accepted, and I returned his kindness with
companionship.  That was a very long time ago, and for other than a
handful of exceptions, I have had no regrets.  Would I do it again?
Certainly.  Would I recommend it to anyone?  No.  It requires a certain
fortitude of personality to remain when all that you have known is
dust."

     "So Lucien brought you across, and you became his slave?"
Nicholas had often hinted at the bondage between a vampire and his
sire.

     "Of course not!  What has Nicholas told you?  I admit I am bound
to LaCroix, but that is from long years of association, not because he
is my sire.  Nicholas may say that he was made LaCroix's slave when he
became a vampire, but that is not the case.  He is, and has always
been, his own agent, whether he wants to admit it or not."

     "Janette."  Natalie whispered.  "Suppose I still care for Nick?
How can I let Lucien bring me across?  I won't be false to Lucien, and
Nick will never forgive me."

     "Natalie.  You are still thinking as a mortal.  'Never' is a
very, very long time.  I am sure Nicholas will hold a grudge for some
span, but he will come around."  Janette paused and smiled.  "Do not
take this the wrong way, I am sure that LaCroix is quite fond of you,
but the rules are entirely different when one is on the other side of
mortality.  Love and sex are not so intertwined with us as they are
with mortals.  We do not procreate thusly, so the act loses some of its
significance.  I doubt very much that LaCroix would begrudge you a
relationship with Nicholas.  Similarly, Nicholas may initially be quite
upset for your allowing LaCroix to bring you across.  In the end,
however, it will make no matter.  If he cares for you, he will forgive
you.  If he does not, then nothing you have done will matter anyway.
Besides, you will have unlimited time to get him to forgive you, if you
wish."  Janette didn't speak the lines so much with passion as she did
with the conviction of someone that had made her choice, and was
uninterested in any alternative.

     "But, Janette, _are_ you happy?"  Natalie stared into her eyes,
hoping to discern the truth therein.

     "Yes.  I am.  Not all the time, but consistently enough to say
that my life is what I want it to be.  Can you say the same?"

     Natalie grimaced.  Back to the same question that Lucien had
asked several nights ago.  Suppose she came across and still wasn't
happy; then what?  At least her life right now was finite.  Nicholas
was miserable, and the only way out was action on his part.  She
decided to ignore Janette's question.  "Janette, I don't know how to
thank you for your candor.  Will Nicholas be angry with you for talking
to me?"

     Janette smiled.  "Probably, but remember, he can't stay mad
forever."  How simple mortal life is.  Natalie will miss that.  She
will make an excellent member of the community.  Maybe she can be
persuaded to remain in her profession for a while.  It would be useful
to have a recognized doctor among the clan, even if she were a
pathologist.

     "I guess I'd better get going.  Do you mind if I wait in the bar?
I told Lucien that he and I could meet here later."

     "I have a much better idea.  Would you be my guest until LaCroix
comes to collect you?  We can continue our talk inside."  You and I are
going to know each other for a long time; we might as well start now.
Besides, you will need someone to mark you as off limits until LaCroix
arrives.

     "Thank you, Janette.  I'd love to."  Why have I always disliked
her?  Was it because of Nicholas?  Because I thought I had to compete
with her for his affection?

     Natalie and Janette talked while they waited in the Raven.
Janette holding court while Natalie watched.  When she'd first met
Nicholas, she was completely innocent in the ways and appearances of
Toronto's undead inhabitants, but now she could spot the subtle
differences the moment the walked in.  Most, but not all made their way
by Janette at some point.  All of them marked Janette's mortal friend.

     Just after 9 p.m., LaCroix entered to the room.  There was an
unnamable, but perceptible, change to the air.  The crowd parted to
allow one of their elders to pass unimpeded.  It was as if he had a
compass marking her location.  He made his way straight to Natalie,
ignoring everything and everyone in his wake.

     Lucien fixed his eyes upon Natalie.  "My dear.  Once again, you
look ravishing."  He broke his gaze and looked toward Janette.  "Hello,
daughter.  Have you been entertaining Doctor Lambert while she awaited
my arrival?"

     Janette smiled tightly.  "Of course, LaCroix.  We were just
biding our time for your entrance."

     Lucien smiled widely, "Touch?.  Natalie, would you care to
dance?"

     Janette watched wide-eyed as LaCroix and Natalie moved out onto
the dance floor.

                    --------------------

     Nick's left arm slammed the screeching alarm into the wall of his
loft.  Normally, he was a deep sleeper, and although it was difficult
for him wake, he usually didn't wake in such a violent mood.  Visions
of LaCroix and Nat had been dancing through his head all night.  His
sleeping mind had translated the shriek of the alarm into LaCroix's
howl of rage.  Nick sat up.  The violence shredded the cobwebs and
brought him to full consciousness.  They were dreams, he told himself -
nothing more.  But what dreams!  Natalie and LaCroix in all kinds of
combinations; Natalie and Janette; and finally Natalie, LaCroix, and
himself wrapped in each other's arms.  It was too horrible to fathom in
the twilight.  Certainly too horrible to consider alone.  He threw on
the first things he could find and headed out of the house.  Maybe if
he saw Janette, he could put these images to rest.

     Nick didn't get to make it straight to The Raven.  Halfway to his
car, his beeper throbbed against his hip, the other lover; the one
who'd not be put off, was calling.  Resignedly, he turned the Caddy
downtown and to the station.

     "So, Schanke, what's up?  What's so important that I've got to be
drug into work at seven on my day off?"  Nick tried to lighten up the
dread he felt.  He DID NOT have the time for this today.  Today was the
day he was supposed to be hunting LaCroix!

     "Search me.  I'm in here because I've got to redeem my sorry
carcass.  I'd guess you're here because of her."  Schanke pointed to
Captain Cohen's office.  Inside were two shapes in silhouette.  One was
obviously Cohen, the other unknown.

     The door opened and Nick was looking directly into Marguerite's
eyes once again.

     "Detective Knight.  I believe you've met Marguerite."  To
Marguerite, "Thank you again for dropping those photographs by.  I hope
I can catch your performance again before you leave."  She turned and
went back to her office.

     "We meet again, Detective Knight.  Last evening, after you left,
Amanda and I were talking about you.  She said that you were looking
for a friend of yours, a Doctor Natalie Lambert."  She paused just long
enough to emphasize the charade.  "This afternoon, I remembered hearing
them making plans to go out tonight.  I believe they were going to The
Raven."

     Nick looked at her incredulously, "Just why should I believe you?
You're one of his friends!"

     "Fine.  Don't believe me.  It matters not to me.  If, however,
you're willing to fight for what you think is yours, then be at The
Raven this evening.  I am sure you won't be disappointed.  If you must
have a reason chalk, it up to my operatic demeanor."  She strode out of
the room looking back at him and smiling.

     Nick stared around the squad room.  No one had batted an eye at
the exchange.  He went to the captain's door.  Someone had called him
in, the sooner he got it straightened out the better.

     Nick knocked, and opened the door.  "Captain?  You wanted to see
me?"

     "Knight?  Who told you that?  Why would I want to see you?"
Cohen seemed distracted and unfocussed.

     In that instant, Nick knew what had happened.  Marguerite had
'dropped' by with those pictures, and hypnotized the captain into
calling him in.  Was the entire world in league with LaCroix?  The
whole farce had taken over an hour.  Here it was 8:30 and he wasn't any
closer to LaCroix!  At least he knew where to go.  Nick made his
hurried good-byes to Schanke and the rest of the room, and rushed out
to his car.  He thought about flying, but figured he'd need the car if
he rescued Nat.  Can't go flying around with her.  She'd freak out.

     As Nick drove to The Raven he went over his game plan.  Would
this come down to killing LaCroix?  Could he?  He'd tried before and
failed.  Why?  Was he too powerful to die that easily?  He always had
the feeling that LaCroix pulled his punches when it came to him.  If he
had, what would happen if LaCroix's life were really threatened?  The
brutality of that night's combat came back to him.  Laughter rang in
his ears, _his_ laughter.  Brittle and humorless, it always struck
straight to Nick's heart.  The only time LaCroix laughed was when
someone else suffered.  LaCroix taunting him to kill Elise, and then
taking her himself when Nick refused.  LaCroix pinned to the wall,
burning, the stench filling the room.  How could he have survived that?
He wasn't able to pull that stake out on the battlefield, was he?
Could it have been a trick?  Nick remembered LaCroix pinned down and
pleading for help.  A farce?  A trick to make him feel more in control?

     Nick slammed on the brakes startling the car behind him into
running up on the curb.  If he'd bothered to look in his rearview
mirror, he would've seen the BMW careening into the hydrant, but he was
too locked in thought to notice anything, including the road.

     Nick ran through the scene at the loft for the thousandth time.
LaCroix in flames staked to the wall. Elise's dead body cradled in his
arms.  A flash of flame, and the wall was empty - LaCroix destroyed.
Was that it?  Had LaCroix been toying with him all this time?  Well,
the bastard was going to get his this time.  Nick's subconscious mind
pulled the Caddy into a space a couple of blocks from The Raven.  It
was just after 9 p.m. and the club's traffic was picking up.  Still
mostly human at this point, but the mix would shift after midnight.

     At the entrance to The Raven, Jason saw Detective Nick Knight
stalking up the sidewalk and smelled trouble.  He paused the parade of
poseurs crowding for entrance into the club, and called inside to
Miklos.  "Miklos.  Knight's on his way in.  He looks even madder than
he did last time he was here."

     "Great.  I'll let Miss Janette know.  Stall him until I call
you."

     "Why do I get all the fun?  Sure, I'll stall him."  If Miklos
thinks I'm risking my neck for this he's crazy.

     As Knight moved closer, Jason could tell that this was not the
day to mess with him.  Whatever he was planning, a fledgling like him
wouldn't stop it.  "Good evening, Detective Knight."  He moved to the
phone.  "I'll call Miss Janette and let her know you're on your way."
As he picked up the phone Nick's hand wrapped around his wrist.

     "Why don't you let me surprise her?"  Nick growled.

     "Sure.  Whatever you say, Detective."  Jason nervously looked at
Nick's crushing grip on his wrist.

     "Thanks."  Nick pulled the phone from Jason's nerveless fingers
and yanked the handset out of the wall.  "Just so you aren't tempted."
He smiled and strolled into the club.

     It took a couple of seconds to sort out the interior of the club.
Between the random lights and techno-pop, Nick's senses were overloaded
at first.  Then he saw them.  LaCroix, Janette, and Natalie were
chatting away at a table on the far wall.  Nick's blood boiled.  He
knew he couldn't take flight in here, too many humans.  He made his way
through the crowd.

     LaCroix stood and placed himself between Nick and the women.
"Nicholas, how _nice_ of you to join us this evening."  LaCroix's voice
may have said welcome, but his stance promised combat.

     "LaCroix, step aside.  I'm not here for you.  I'm here for Nat."
Nick all but snarled as he spat the words at LaCroix.

     "On what basis do you make this claim? The close physical bond
you have shared?  No?  Because you've told her your darkest secrets and
fears?  No?  Then what is it?"  LaCroix stepped closer and pitched his
voice harsh and low.  "Tell me!  I have plumbed the depths of her soul,
and scaled the heights of her passion.  I found no claim of yours upon
her."

     Nick turned away from the trio for a second.  He gathered his
strength and swung his fist at LaCroix's laughing face as he turned.
It was like hitting stone.  LaCroix stopped Nick's fist with his palm
and turned it harmlessly away.  "Damn you, LaCroix!  Why don't you just
leave me and mine alone!"

     "You and yours.  Is that not what we trying to establish before

you resorted to that puny attempt at assault?"

     Nick stepped to the left of LaCroix.  "Nat.  You know he's not
right for you.  You've proven your point.  Leave with me now and we can
pretend nothing's happened.  It can be like old times."

     Natalie stared in amazement at Nick.  Did he really not
understand?  Like old times?  The same sterile relationship they'd
shared for the past four years?  Slowly, her face passed from anger to
sorrow.  He really didn't see what was wrong.  He was happy being
buddies.  She filled his need for companionship when he wanted it and
for professional help when he needed it.  It had to stop.  Janette was
right.  She might be able to take this to a level she wanted as a
vampire, but never as a human.  "Nicholas. Nick."  Her voice broke
slightly as she said his nickname.  "I can't go back.  I don't want to.
Don't you see?  It's not enough for me any more.  Please. just go."
Natalie sobbed, and buried her face into Janette's shoulder.

     Nick stepped forward toward them.  If it were possible for him to
pale with shock, he would have done so.  His step was uncertain.
LaCroix moved across his path.  "I believe the lady asked for you to
leave, did she not?"

     Nick snarled and flung himself fully on LaCroix.  Driving his
hands toward and around LaCroix's throat.  LaCroix fell back slightly,
and braced himself against the table.  Slowly, deliberately he gripped
Nick's wrists.  With a calm that spoke of centuries of hand to hand
combat, and the sure knowledge that he did not need to breathe, he
pried Nick's hands from his neck, and flung them away.  Freed from his
encumbrance, LaCroix struck with the speed of a viper many times over.
LaCroix spun Nick around and placed a viselike forearm across his
chest.  With his free hand, LaCroix pinned Nick's right arm behind him,
and began to propel Nick in the direction of the alley behind the club.

     Stunned, Nick allowed himself to be pushed along by LaCroix.  In
all the times they'd traded blows before he had never felt so helpless.
LaCroix haddriven him around like he was a puppet; there only to amuse
and entertain.  He tried to free himself from LaCroix's embrace, but he
could no more break that grip than he could face the sun.

     Outside, LaCroix relaxed his hold and twirled Nick out and away
from him.  "I do presume you are going to be tiresome about this, are
you not?"

     Nick ignored the taunt.  Desperately searching the alley for some
sort of a weapon, he noticed a wooden pallet behind LaCroix.  Nick dive
past LaCroix, and wrenched the first board free.  When he turned to
face LaCroix, he found him laughing.

     "Are you going to try this again?  My dear Nicholas, have you not
learned anything these past eight hundred years?  How may times have
you tried this?  Has it ever worked?  Do you think I am going to allow
you to win this time?  I will decide the outcome of this conflict - not
you."

     Enraged, Nick plunged forward, putting every ounce of strength
and speed he had into the thrust.  LaCroix flicked it away at the last
instant.  "We can keep this up all night, or you can listen to reason
and leave."  He sounds like he's discussing the weather, Nick thought.

     "You mean, l can leave Natalie to you and damnation!"  Nick's
eyes prowled over LaCroix, seeking any weakness, any error.

     "Come now, Nicholas, we both know that Doctor Lambert has already
made her choice.  The real question is whether or not you are able to
face it as a vampire.  That is all I have been trying to do these years
- make you face things as a vampire."

     Nick sputtered.  "Make me face my life?  I have no life.  I have
no soul.  I am dead and damned, and now you want me to let you take
Nat's life and soul as you did mine."

     LaCroix looked at Nick with sorrow.  "Nicholas.  I. took.
nothing.  Whatever you think you may have _lost_ you gave me freely.  I
have minced no words with Natalie.  I have held back on no question.  I
have answered honestly and truthfully each time she has inquired.  I
did no less with you, no matter how you wish to revise your history."

     Nick stared at LaCroix, tears of blood running down his cheeks,
and with a cry of anguish, he leapt into the sky and was gone.

                    --------------------

     Lucien walked carefully back to the table.  Natalie stared at
him.  "Nicholas? He's OK?  You didn't-"

     "Of course not.  We had some few words, but he left unharmed and
under his own power."  Lucien moved back to his seat at the table and
motioned for a glass.  "I hope I did not frighten you, but it would
have been unwise to have caused a scene in the club."

     "Will Nicholas be returning this evening?"  Janette glanced
toward the back door.

     "I think not.  He seemed to have business elsewhere."  Lucien
smiled at them both.  "Come Natalie.  The night is still young, and we
have much to share."

     Natalie smiled at Janette.  "Thanks for your help.  I hope I
wasn't too much trouble."

     "None at all.  Please come again."  Just get out of my club
before Nicholas comes back with a priest or something.

     Once inside the car, Natalie turned to Lucien.  "What would you
have done if Nicholas had refused to leave?"

     "There was never any question.  Nicholas knew the issue in
question was already decided.  He will need to brood for at least a
week before he will bring it up again."  Lucien reached across and
stroked the inside of her wrist, lightly sensing the pulse therein.

     "So you know I've made up my mind.  You probably knew before I
did, didn't you?"  Am I actually teasing Lucien LaCroix?  I must have
made some sort of decision.  Either that or I'm expecting him to kill
me and none of this matters.

     "Of course, for some time now."  He paused.  "The real question
is what are you going to do now."

     Natalie swallowed.  Lucien could hear her heart race.  Calm down,
Natalie.  If he were going to do anything, he'd have done it long ago.
"I- how-  Lucien, if I say yes.  What happens next?  Do I just
disappear?  What happens now?"  Natalie wasn't completely sure she
wanted out of her 'life' just yet.  Could she come across and remain?

     "Well.  _That_ is a significant question.  Do you wish to leave
your old life?  It is quite normal to leave it and step into a new
existence.  However, you may want to leave that decision to later."
Lucien watched Natalie closely.  The decision process could be very
instructive.

     "How difficult would it be for me to retain this life?"  She
remembered Richard; he could have never returned to anything close to a
normal life.

     "It will take some time to learn to live as you once did.
Becoming a vampire is not merely a matter of a physical change.  To
come across successfully, you must learn a great deal.  Life among
mortals is a hard-won accomplishment."

     "And who would teach me?"

     "I would, of course.  To whom but your sire would this
responsibility fall?"  Lucien smiled one of his patented 'of course you
can trust me' smiles.

     Of course the difference between her response and another's was
that Natalie did trust Lucien.  "I'm ready."  She said in a small, but
steady voice.

     "Now?"  Lucien was truly taken aback.  No last day of sunlight?
No visit to her mother?  No good-byes?

     "Yes.  Now.  It's not like one more day makes a difference in my
decision."  There was a slight laugh in her voice.  Now that she'd
actively made the decision, she felt free.  She was actually impatient
with Lucien to get on with it.

     Lucien responded with a kiss fiercer and more passionate than
she'd ever had from him.  He continued as the car pulled into the
garage.

     Lucien led Natalie out of the car and up the stairs.  "Come.  Of
your own choice and of your own free will, come."  Natalie almost
laughed at the formal sound of it all, but she came all the same.

     "Wait for me here," he indicated the bedroom.  "I will return
anon."

     Natalie sat on the bed, and wondered just how different it would
feel as a vampire.  Would the sensations be sharper?  Could she feel
each thread as it caressed her?  Her thoughts were interrupted by the
sound of Lucien's voice in the hall.  He was speaking in French rapidly
and with great urgency.

     He swept into the room and to her side in one motion.  Gripping
her shoulders, he stood her in front of him.  Sliding his hands down
her sides, he stared into her eyes as his began to glow.  "Now."  He
gestured at her dress.

     Natalie stepped back from him, and began to slowly remove her
clothes.  Lucien's eyes never left her.  He seemed to be drinking in
her image as he would soon be taking her blood.  Natalie thrilled to
the thought of his mouth at her neck.  she shivered a bit as she
remembered flowing into him.  When she had gotten to her bra and
stockings, Lucien moved.  He closed the gap between them in an instant.
He wrapped his arms around her and plunged his tongue into her mouth.
The next time he does this, he won't feel cold, was one of the last
coherent thoughts she had.

     Lucien picked Natalie up and moved her to the bed.  After laying
her down, he paused long enough to remove his own clothes before moving
above her.  Natalie saw his eyes burning above her like coals.  She'd
never seen them this bright.  Lucien's hands were all over her,
pinching her breasts, teasing her clitoris, and bringing her to
ecstasy.  As suddenly as he had taken her at the foot of the bed, he
was inside her.  She could feel the piercing cold of him inside her.
As he began to move within her, she felt herself building to climax.
As the peak approached, Lucien's mouth brushed her neck.  Just as the
orgasm began, she felt his teeth burn into her neck.  This time he
didn't stop, and neither did she.  As he kept drawing her blood from
her, she kept riding the crest.  Slowly, the climax began to fade, and
with it so did her consciousness.  She could feel Lucien next to her.
That's odd, she thought, he's warmer than I am.

                    --------------------

     Lucien observed Natalie as she faded into unconsciousness.
Watching her closely for the boundary between life and unlife, the
point at which the transformation must be made.  There, her heart is
just stopping.  He carefully opened his own wrist with his teeth,
wincing slightly at the sharp pain, and placed the open wound in
Natalie's mouth.

     With the first drop of blood, the catalyst began the irreversible
metamorphosis into vampire.  He stared at Natalie.  This was always the
critical moment.  Would the body accept its new life?  It was rare, but
not unheard of, for the corpse to refuse to rise again.  Ah, Natalie's
mouth moved, her lips wrapped around Lucien's wrist.  He could feel the
suction as she pulled more and more of the transforming fluid into her
body.  At first the sensation was almost pleasant, that of giving one's
blood to a childer, but it quickly became agony.  Lucien could feel the
fire in his own veins as Natalie drank deeply from him.  He endured it
as long as he could, and then steeled himself to wait longer.  This was
also a critical point in bringing someone across.  The sire must allow
the childer to drink enough to allow a complete conversion.  Finally
the pain was too great even for him.   He yanked his arm from Natalie's
mouth.  She had received enough, now the change must take place inside
her.

     Natalie's first sensation was that of a torrent of fire running
into her mouth and down her throat.  It burned but its taste was beyond
description, surely this was what nectar tasted like.  She had no idea
how long she'd been drinking this wondrous liquid, but she wanted more
of it.  She sucked hungrily and swallowed as quickly as possible.  All
too soon, the supply was taken away.  She groped blindly for the
fountain that had been at her mouth, but it was gone.  The ecstasy of
the drink was replaced with a wrenching agony that centered in her
stomach, but radiated out to the ends of her fingers and toes.  It felt
like every bone was being broken, every muscle torn, every cell ripped
away.  As quickly as the pain arrived, it vanished.  In its place was a
feeling of unending power.  She suddenly felt strong enough to do
anything - to fly!

     Natalie opened her eyes.  The room looked strange.  Too bright.
She could feel the air currents, could hear Henri downstairs, the
traffic outside.  "Lucien.  What happened?  Everything's so strange."
Even Lucien looked different.  He was somehow more and less beautiful
at the same time.

     "Welcome, my child.  Welcome to your new life."  She could tell
that he'd whispered by the lack of air, but it sounded like he'd
shouted.  She winced.  He continued even softer.  "Your senses are
extremely acute right now.  You'll adjust quickly.  Come to the window.
See and feel the night for the first time!"

     Natalie stepped to the window.  There was the palest shadow of a
moon just over the horizon, but she could see the grounds below as if
they were in full daylight.  Lucien opened the window.  She could hear
the insects and animals outside.  She had never realized the night was
so alive.  Alive - she began to smell the life out there.  Abruptly,
she felt pangs of hunger.  Stronger than anything she'd ever felt,
driving her to seek food.  "Lucien,"  she whispered,  "I- I- I've got
to have something to eat."  Natalie could smell food out there.  She
knew the all she had to do was break through the screen, and she would
be able to eat.  Her intellect was leaving her.  All was instinct.

     Natalie leapt at the screen, intent on hunting in the gardens
below, but fast as her new strength was, she was still much slower than
Lucien.  He adroitly plucked her from the air and placed her on the
bed, his hands on her shoulders.

     "You must wait, my dear."  His voice, though soothing, had a hard
edge to it.

     "It hurts.  LET ME GO!"  Natalie surged against his arms, but he
held her fast.  Didn't he know she was starving?  The cramps were
beginning, she could feel herself starting to double in pain, and still
Lucien was holding her.  His viselike grip pinned her down.

     The pain was starting to fray the edges of Natalie's
consciousness.  She was having problems paying attention to anything
but the torture that was her hunger.  Just as she was sure she'd
finally be blessed with oblivion, she heard the door open.  With the
door came an odor.  Somehow the most wondrous food had been brought in.
Henri must have been working for hours making something truly luscious.
She strained, and turned toward the door.  "Henri,"  she breathed,
"thank -"

     But it wasn't Henri, it was Janette, with a large bundle over her
shoulder.  Janette and Lucien spoke rapidly in French.

     "Just what you ordered.  A mugger.  Vile, but clean.  I stunned
him."  Janette shifted her burden and glanced at the offal with her
most distasteful glare.  It'd been bad enough for LaCroix to call her
away from the club, but for this.  She'd had to stalk this filth for
two blocks before getting him into that dark alley, and then she had to
stun him.  LaCroix owed her for this.

     "Thank you.  Just drop him on the far side of the bed."  He'd
been very precise with Janette.  The prey had to be free of drugs, but
obviously a thug.  He have would preferred that the _item_ had been
recently involved in a murder.  The more stained the soul, the easier
Natalie's first kill.

     Janette flung the body to the bed a few feet from Natalie.  She
suddenly knew that it was a body.  She could hear the heart beating.
She could smell the blood in his veins.  The blood, that is what had
smelled so.  Her mind was screaming at her that this was a human being,
deserving of life, and a chance, but her hunger told her that this was
the staff of life.  This was what she'd been craving, and only this
would slake her need.

     Back to English.  "Natalie.  You must feed.  Let your nature take
over, and it will be finished in an instant."  Lucien's voice urged her
onward.  She moved across the bed to the wrapped body, and freed it
with one motion.

     She fought against the need as she watched the pulse beat in his
throat.  The pulse mesmerized her, the scent called to her.  No, she
told herself, it is wrong!  But as the hunger grew in sight of food,
she lost the battle and gave in.

     Her fangs extended of their own volition, and without thought she
plunged them into her victim's throat.  If Lucien's blood had been
nectar, then this was life itself.  She could feel this new fluid in
every part of her body.  Not only that but his life as well.  He'd not
been a model citizen.  He'd never killed in his own right, but he'd
maimed several times in his life.  Could she defend killing him?  Yes!
Suddenly, there was Lucien pulling her away from her prize, telling her
that she must not be in contact with them as they died, it could harm
her.

     She pulled back, and her fangs retracted into her gums, she ran
her tongue over their even expanse.  Looking at Janette, she said, "You
selected him, didn't you?  You wanted to make sure that my first kill
was a justifiable one."

     Janette smiled.  "You are a quick study.  You will do well as one
of us.  Welcome, sister."

     Natalie looked quizzically.  "Sister?"

     "Yes.  As far as vampire families go, you and I are sisters.
With LaCroix as our father."  A brief shadow of unease passed over
Natalie's face.  "It is only an analogy," Janette continued.  "Do not
worry, Cherie, the relationship does not imply incest in our kind."

     LaCroix picked up the phone.  "Henri, there is some refuse I need
you to remove."  Then he looked at Natalie.  "Now.  I believe you and I
have an appointment to go flying."

                    --------------------

     "QUIT?  SHE CALLED IN AND QUIT?"  Nick was trying to control
himself, but it was beyond his ability.  Here he was face-to-face with
Grace and she was trying to tell him that Nat had just walked away from
her job.

     "I'm sorry, Detective Knight, but I don't have any more
information.  She faxed a letter of resignation into the director's
office this morning."  Grace was more than a bit exasperated.  She'd
been thrown by Nat's sudden departure, and now she was having to deal
with what appeared to be a jilted non-boyfriend.

     "I want to see the letter."  Nick declared.  "It must be a fake."

     "Fine.  The director will be in at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow.
See.him.then."  She paused.  "Now if you'll excuse me, I have things to
do.  I'm sure you can see yourself out."  Grace turned and went back
into the bowels of the morgue.  If he follows me, she decided, I'm
calling security, cop or not!

     Nick trudged back to his car and the waiting Detective Schanke.

     "So what's happened to Nat?"  Schanke had insisted on
accompanying Nick when he went to apologize to Nat.  After what
happened last time that Nick saw her, he figured someone needed to be
there to pick up the pieces when she threw him out of there.

     Nick pulled the door closed and stared at the wheel.  He tried to
remember that Nat was in charge of her own life, and that he couldn't
make decisions for her, but all that paled when compared to the pain of
her absence.  It was like that dreadful night when Janette had left
him, but a thousand times worse.

     "She's quit, Schanke.  She faxed in a resignation this morning.
I've lost her."  'I've lost her.'  Just how lost was she?  Had she
merely run away, or was it worse?  He couldn't tell Schanke his fears
even if it weren't proscribed.  It was more than he could face right
now.

     "Quit?  Natalie?  No way.  She's just grandstanding for a raise
or something."  Nat quit?  It just wasn't possible.  Where would she
go?  Had she taken off with that guy who'd sent the flowers?  Ask Nick?
Who else would know?

     Schanke started to query his partner, but stopped.  Nick was off
in the twilight zone again.

     For his part, Nick was lost in the past that might have been.

Images of he and Nat together.  All the times she'd hinted that what
they had wasn't enough for her, and all the times he'd just ignored the
lead and blithely went along.  Why?  If he'd just once made a move he
wouldn't be sitting here with Schanke wondering where she was. Could he
somehow find her and save her before LaCroix damned her for all
eternity?  But Nat wanted more than he could give.  He knew LaCroix had
lied to her, but how could he make Nat see the truth before it was too
late?

     Schanke waited.  He knew he could break Nick's reverie, but it
always disoriented him.

     After several minutes, Nick noticed the traffic noises around
him.  "Sorry, Schanke.  I guess I was lost in thought.  Let's get over
to Montfort.  We need to look into the Donoghue killings."  Nick's
voice was flat.  No emotion either way.

     Schanke stared at Nick.  Drop it?  Just like that?  What the hell
was going on?  "Sure, Nick.  The Montfort case."  Either he'd read Nick
completely wrong about Nat, or the stories about Nick being made of ice
were true.  Either way, it was going to be a long month.

                    --------------------

     When he entered the loft, Nick was met with the sound of an
extremely annoyed cat.  Could that be Sydney?  She's here!  She didn't
leave with LaCroix after all.  He called out joyfully.  "Nat?"  It
voice echoed hollowly.  The place was empty, except for Sydney.

     Inside were Sydney's things, litter box, scratching post, toys,
everything the well adjusted feline required.  Except for an owner, he
thought wryly.  On the dining room table was a note.



     Dear Nick,

          I'm sorry to do this to you, but you're the best
     person I could think of to take care of Sydney.  All his
     things are here.  I mailed you his shot records.  I'm sure
     you and he will get along fine.

          I don't know when or if I'll be back.  Either
     way, it may be a long time before we see each other again.

          Please try to understand.  I couldn't go on with
     things the way they were, and you couldn't take it anywhere
     else.  It's best this way.  We both need time apart to see
     if we really want to make a go of it.

          Please don't blame Lucien or Janette.  Neither
     of them caused this.  It was bound to happen, the only
     question was when.

     Until we meet again,

     Natalie


     Nick stared at the paper for a long time.  Gone.  No matter how
he tried to look at it, the facts kept staring him down.  She had left
Toronto, and probably Canada.  Now what did he do?  Why stay here
himself?  Janette had been making noises about leaving.  He had a
suspicion that LaCroix had left with Natalie.

     Nick went to the fridge, pulled out a bottle, and exchanged it
for another.  He'd kept the human blood that he'd bought by mistake,
and with Natalie gone, there didn't seem to be any reason to stay on
her regimen now.  He took a long draught.

     About two hours later Nick found himself at the door of The
Raven.  It was almost closing time, and the bouncer had long gone
inside.  There was little reason to stand outside.

     He met Janette at the bar.  "You've heard?"

     "Yes.  LaCroix called me just before dawn to say they were
leaving."  Janette moved to pour Nick a glass of his usual.

     "No.  The house.  Not much use of drinking cow anymore, is
there?"  Nick savored the thick liquid.  It felt so much better than
cow blood.  He was actually sated after it.

     "So what are you going to do now?"  Janette knew that Natalie had
been his one anchor to this life.  He had overstayed already, and with
her gone, he might finally move on.

     "I don't know yet.  I ought to pack it in, and move on out of
here.  Got any ideas?"  Nick stared into his glass as he spoke.

     "What about Athens?  The nights on the Mediterranean should be
warm and long."





                    --------------------



                    Epilogue

     LaCroix watched Natalie strolling under the Parisian lights.
He'd been quite surprised at how well she'd handled the change.  She
was very picky about the prey she chose.  She didn't want to
accidentally kill an innocent, so she made sure her selections met with
a high (or low depending upon your viewpoint) moral criteria.  She
still killed occasionally, but she was gaining control with amazing
speed.  She would be ready to take on the mortal world in a few more
months.

     He had heard from Janette that she and Nicholas had settled just
outside Athens.  He knew once he removed Natalie from the equation,
Nicholas would have to leave his nest.  Nicholas also seemed to have
given up his quest, at least for the moment.  Maybe the shock of
loosing would shake him out of this ridiculous pursuit.

     It has all started so serendipitously.  There he had been,
cruising Scandal in search of a nice morsel, when he found Nicholas'
pet without her champion.  Nicholas had always held the opinion that
his Doctor Lambert was immune to the thrall of the vampire.  Untrue,
she was just immune to Nicholas' own limited abilities.  He really must
remedy that with Natalie.  Although a well-schooled child was a
greater risk - over time, the game was all the sweeter.

      Once enchanted by the vampire's charms, it was painfully easy to
lure her back to his house for further corruption.  Nicholas had always
denied Natalie the one thing that might have bound her to him ?
physical love.  Somewhere along the line, Nicholas had convinced
himself the act was impossible, maybe another lapse in his training?
No matter, the effect was to make it easy for him to lead Natalie
astray.

     LaCroix knew his latest protege still held feelings for Nicholas.
So much the better.  In time she would spread her wings and fly from
the nest.  With her firmly in the fold, Nicholas had little chance of
staying outside the family for long.

     All in all, everything had gone perfectly.  Natalie had taken to
the chance for immortality with a fervor that amazed him. Henri's
machinations with the bovine blood supply at Nicholas' house and The
Raven had been almost too good.  Forcing Nicholas to abandon Natalie
had been crucial.  There had always been a chance that Nicholas would
return to Natalie and work things out, but LaCroix knew if he put
enough guilt on Nicholas' head he could never merely return and beg
forgiveness.  He would have to atone for his sins.  To redeem himself,
he would have to redeem her.  Only then, could he ask for forgiveness
And that would never happen.  He had already convinced Natalie she did
not want redemption.

     LaCroix grinned,  and returned his attentions to his latest toy.

*end*
Text file Source (historic): geocities.com/zoewolfson/val

geocities.com/zoewolfson

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