Ringing in the New

A "Flatmates" Story

By LoreliLee

Rating: NC: 17
Warning: This story contains violence and graphic consensual sex between a man and a woman. If you are under 18, this offends you, or is illegal where you live please read something else.

This story is a direct sequel to Christmas Comes But Once a Year. I strongly suggest you read that one first. Otherwise, I'm not sure this one will make much sense! <g>

Disclaimer: The character of Scotty is taken from the Kiwi Comedy Playhouse episode of "Flatmates" and belongs to South Pacific Pictures. No copyright infringement is intended. Ares, Greek God of War, as portrayed by Kevin Smith, apparently belongs to Renaissance Pictures and no copyright infringement is intended there either!

Vlad Tepes Dracul also known as Vlad Dracula is a real historical figure. At one time, he was a 15^th century Wallachian ruler of Romania. He was immortalized (or as some Romanians would say, ruined) as Count Dracula by Bram Stoker in his famous book, although there is no historical evidence that he was ever a vampire. <g> What is historically known about him is that he fought the Turks in very bloody and violent conflicts and that he was known to impale the heads of his victims on spikes, hence the name Tepes which means The Impaler.

No disrespect is intended to the real Vlad Dracul or if he still be alive Count Dracula <g>, nor is any disrespect meant to the Romanian people for their pride in the ruler he had been. After all, I happen to be 1/4 Romanian myself! <veg>

"Want to start at the top or bottom?" Scotty asked.

Cyn giggled. At the moment, she was on top of Scotty and so was her bottom. "I like it right here," she proclaimed, "where I'm both."

Scotty grinned, his dimples appeared and Cyn thought she'd never seen a more adorable sight in her life. She bent her head and kissed him lightly on his soft luscious lips. She tasted herself and him on them, a delightful mix of flavors. She licked her lips. His grin widened and his hands began a leisurely perusal of her body.

"Hmm," she murmured as she bent to kiss him again. They kissed gently for a long moment and then Scotty effortlessly lifted her off him and set her on the bed next to him.

"It's late," he muttered unhappily. "And I need to show you around. Mr. D'll have my head if you don't know where everything is tomorrow."

"I'd rather have your head now," she teased.

His grin turned lecherous. He could never get enough of her. Even after they had sex, he found himself immediately wanting her again. He lay there watching as she bent her head and he moaned her name as he felt the hot wet pleasure of her mouth on him.

Cyn loved the way Scotty tasted, although right now he mostly tasted of their combined juices. She held his soft shaft in her mouth. She knew it wouldn't stay that way for long. She sucked lightly, feeling him respond immediately. She loved the way he grew in her mouth. She slid back a bit and caressed his shaft with her fingers. As she did so, she studied his naked form.

Cyn was in love with Scotty's body. She thought everything about him was perfect, as if he had been made to match to her. His hair was thick and curly, but perfect for entangling her fingers in. His brown eyes were deep and soulful; she could read them like a book. They showed his every emotion and now they exhibited lust. His nose was a little large, but imminently kissable. His mouth, oh my, she LOVED his mouth. She loved kissing those soft luscious lips and even more the way he used them on her. She even loved his scruffy beard because he tickled her in all the right places with it.

His chest was amazing, all hard firm muscle with lots of lovely dark hair. Each pectoral was perfectly formed and his nipples were almost as sensitive as hers were. She loved to suck them and make him moan. As for the rest of him, he had more lovely dark hair that grew down his abdomen and tracked to his shaft, which was just the right size. Admittedly, his legs were a bit on the scrawny side, but his butt was nice and tight. All in all, he was just about the most gorgeous hunk of male she could possibly imagine. She sighed happily and concentrated on the pure joy of arousing him.

She flicked her tongue out, teasing the now swollen tip of his organ. She licked that most sensitive place lightly, watching, as he expanded from her ministrations. She could hear his breathing get ragged, feel his hands moving toward her head. Then as if he couldn't wait any longer, he grabbed her hair and pulled her face forward. She slid him inside. She held him in her mouth letting him feel the heat.

She began lightly tonguing his shaft. She could feel how hard he was now, how excited, how much he wanted it. She slid her mouth up and down the length of him, slowly, almost delicately. She began to gently knead his balls, feeling them grow. His grip on her head tightened and she could hear his moans increasing.

She slid back and forth a few more times then slithered back so only the head was in her mouth. She nipped it gently with her teeth. He moaned her name and thrust into her mouth. Now she took him all the way in and began to increase the pressure, sucking harder, teasing less, but still using her tongue. She trapped him in her throat as deeply as she could.

She sucked hard wanting to taste him completely. He thrust into her mouth so quickly she almost couldn’t breath. She grabbed his balls, squeezed, and increased her suction. With a howl he came, shooting his seed down her throat. She kept sucking, draining every ounce of him, all the sweet salty juices. When he was again soft in her mouth, she reluctantly pulled back.

She sat up and licked her lips. Scotty was grinning at her through panting breaths. Then a thought occurred to her. "Will I still be able to do that?"

He laughed. "Oh yeah. You'll just have to be more careful. You can retract your fangs, otherwise how could I do you, without hurting you, you know?"

"Cool," she sighed. "Cause you taste so good, I'd really miss it."

His grin widened. "I'd miss it too."

"I bet you would," she retorted. "So are we gonna take that tour?"

"Not sure if I can walk right now," he mumbled with a laugh.

She laughed with him. "So tell me about the others."

"There are ten other women. You'll make us a total of twelve which is all Mr. D allows."

"Why do you call him Mr. D?"

"That's his name," Scotty replied looking at her blankly.

"His name?" she echoed. Did that mean? "Scotty, Mr. D is Vlad Dracul, you know, Count Dracula. He's very old. Like six hundred fifty years or something."

"Nah. He can't be more than forty."

Cyn studied her lover. "Scotty, don't you get it? You'll always look how you look. Vampires don't age."

"So he's NOT forty?"

Cyn laughed. "He's forty but he's also six hundred fifty." She shook her head. "Never mind. Tell me about the other women."

Scotty's face began to flush. "Well, they're all really nice. I like them a lot. Lucy was the one who found me. She's been with Mr. D for a hundred thirty one years. Then there's Stathira. I found her. She's an Aussie, but don't hold that against her. She's only been one of us for a few weeks."

"You found her?" Cyn eyed him speculatively. "Like you found me?"

Scotty's flush deepened. "Um, yeah, I guess. I mean, oh shit, Cyn, I um, that is . . ."

Scotty looked adorably embarrassed. Cyn decided to put him out of his misery. "It's okay, Scotty. So you had sex with her. No worries." She paused as another thought struck her. "Do you still?"

Scotty studied Cyn, trying to judge her thoughts. But unless he was in her mind, something he could only do when he fed, he could never read her. He sort of shrugged and mumbled, "Not lately. But . . ." His face grew even redder as he added, "It's kinda my job."

Cyn looked at him and began to laugh. "You mean to tell me that you have sex with ALL the women?"

"Not at the same time," he muttered. "At least, I never have. But if they wanted me to . . . I mean, shit, I probably should have told you before. Cyn," he asked nervously as he pulled her into his arms, "this doesn't change anything, does it?"

Cyn snuggled against him. "Not at all. I don't mind, as long as I can too."

"You want to have sex with the others?" he asked incredulously.

"No, but I might want to have sex with other men."

"Oh," he commented with a sigh. "That's all right, then. Except, well, Mr. D wasn't any too thrilled when he found out that's how I fed. He's not to crazy about the idea of getting close to our victims."

"Is that right?" Cyn mused thoughtfully. "So are we gonna take that tour? I don't want you getting into trouble on my account."

Scotty kissed the top of her head and then released her. "Top or bottom?" he asked.

She giggled. "Let's start at the top."

Scotty nodded and pulled on a pair of jeans. He threw Cyn a silk robe and then led her up a flight of stairs. He pushed open the door to the roof.

The stars were beginning to fade and the sky, though still dark, was beginning to shift. The moon however still hung in the sky like a giant gleaming ball. Scotty took her around the roof, pointing out the greenhouse and the bird coop. There was also a little white lattice work gazebo with a chaise lounge and table and chairs. "Mr. D is kind of odd," he explained. "He likes birds, even though he can only fly them at night. Clothilde keeps the greenhouse. She was a London flower girl when Mr. D made her. She always wanted a shop of her own. Anyways, this way, if you want, you can always have fresh flowers in your flat."

"I get my own flat?" Cyn asked with surprise.

"Yeah, cause, you know, I mean . . . " he stuttered.

Cyn laughed. "Stop worrying about it. "

Scotty turned to look into her eyes. "You really don't mind?"

She shook her head. "Nope. Never been the jealous type. Just you don't get that way either, eh?"

He nodded. He led her back down to the landing and explained, "This is my floor. There are six flats here. Each flat is like mine with a lounge, bedroom and lavatory. The loos are all kind of special."

She'd noticed that already. She'd seen his large whirlpool tub when she'd used the facilities and she looked forward to trying it out when they had the chance.

Scotty took her hand and led her down another flight of stairs. He paused on that landing and said, "There's another six flats here. "

Then they went down one more flight of stairs to the ground floor. Scotty showed her a big modern kitchen filled with every appliance. The refrigerator contained wine, beer, champagne, strawberries, whipped cream and a packet of Tim Tams. "Do vampires eat?" she asked.

"We don't need to. Don't need to drink liquid other than blood. But some of us . . ."

"Like our beer, do we?" she retorted with a grin.

He grinned back and led her out of the kitchen. He took her down a long hallway and pointed to a closed door that led to Mr. D's office and his suite of rooms. Then Scotty showed her the library. It was very lavish with floor to ceiling bookcases and thousands of leather bound books. There were thick oriental carpets on the floor and cushioned leather armchairs for reading. There were museum quality oil paintings on the walls and a huge fireplace. It reminded her of every famous movie library she had ever seen.

Off the entry hall were two more doors. One led to the garage and the other to yet another flight of stairs and the basement. Scotty took her hand again and led her down. He flipped a light switch, which she knew was a concession to HER eyesight and she saw a full set of workout equipment, a pinball machine, a big screen TV and VCR, a pool table and some couches and beanbags. "Did you decorate this place?" she asked.

Scotty grinned sheepishly. "Uh, yeah, why?"

"Nothing. It just screams your name that's all."

"Screams my . . ." he echoed. He cocked his head to one side as if listening for something. "I don't . . ."

Cyn smothered a smile. She leaned in and kissed him. Then she said, "Forget it. I love it, Scotty. All of it."

"You think you'll be happy?" he asked.

She put her arms around him and murmured, "As long as I'm with you, I can't help but be happy."

"Cyn," he whispered. He picked her up in his arms and carried her back to his flat. When they arrived he took her into the bedroom and lay her on the bed. He shucked his jeans and lay down beside her. Then he yawned.

"Bored with me already?" she teased.

He shook his head. "Must be near sunrise. I'm so tired. I . . ." he never finished the sentence.

As dawn broke, he simply seemed to stop breathing. His eyes closed, his chest ceased its rise and fall and when Cyn lay her head against where his heart should be beating, she couldn't feel or hear anything. Too weird.

She lay with her head on his chest and tried to sleep, but she couldn't. Finally, she gave up and dressed. She slipped out of his flat and into the stairwell.

She left the building in the quiet of the dawn, realizing it was probably the last one she'd ever see. She reveled in the beautiful colors of the rising sun and strolled slowly along the empty streets of Auckland. Finally, she found a roving taxi and hailed it.

She unlocked the door to her flat with a small sigh. She knew this would be her last visit. Although she was about to have a new beginning, it was also an ending. She looked around the flat with affection. She'd had some good times there, but she wouldn't really miss anything. She'd been told she could bring any clothes or jewelry she wanted and other small personal possessions that mattered. She'd bring her Mum's carton too. Vlad had warned her that she could have no contact with her past life. Still, as she thought about it, even this close to Christmas, there really wasn't anyone she would miss. She wondered idly if she could get Vlad to translate the journal. That would be cool.

She went into her bedroom and stripped off her clothes with a yawn. She didn't bother to set her alarm. She didn't need to be at Vlad's until a little past sunset. She doubted very much whether she'd sleep until after eight p.m. that night. With the Winter Solstice arriving soon, sunset was getting later and later, that night it would be at 8:20. She finally awoke late that afternoon, took a long leisurely shower then studied her wardrobe carefully. Her eyes lit on an outfit she'd bought as an experiment. It would work perfectly.

She dressed, packed her things into a suitcase and grabbed the carton. She slipped out of her flat early and watched her last sunset from the City Park and then with no regrets she said goodbye to her past.

She hailed a taxi and took it to the block of flats belonging to Vlad. She knocked on the front door, which was answered by a tall lithe green-eyed blonde. "Gidday, Cyn. I'm Stathira. Welcome," the woman greeted her.

Cyn smiled back at her. Stathira was dressed in black leather and looked as if she had been about to leave. Cyn could see what Scotty had seen. Stathira was beautiful and her eyes were sparkling. "Gidday, Stathira. I'm supposed to see . . ."

"Mr. D," the vampire answered. "Yes, I know. I'll take you there." She led Cyn to Mr. D's office. She gestured for her to go in, winked and then simply melted away.

Cyn walked in the open door carrying her suitcase and carton. She dropped her things and looked around curiously. Like every other room she'd seen, save the kitchen, it was decorated with understated old-world elegance. The kitchen and basement were as modern as could be, concessions no doubt to propriety for the former and to Scotty for the latter. The rest of the rooms were classy like Vlad. The furniture was upholstered in rich fabrics. The chairs and sofas were cushiony and elegant. The tables were thick glass or marble. There were sculptures, bric-a-brac and objects de art everywhere. Vivid oil paintings adorned the walls along with rich tapestries. In a way, she felt like she was in a museum.

The office was more opulent than the library. There was a beautiful black and white veined marble fireplace. Above it was an ornately framed painting of Vlad. The likeness was amazing; Vlad hadn't aged a day it seemed. The portrait showed him as he had been when he was King of Romania. He was dressed all in black with a red ornamental sash across his chest. He sat astride a large roan stallion. Though he wore a crown, his hair seemed to be blowing in the breeze. His face was quite beautiful and frightening. His high sweep of forehead and his aristocratic features were prominent. His mouth exhibited that same cruel twist as in the journal drawing and the eyes were full of evil. She unconsciously shivered. She pulled her eyes away and examined the rest of the room. There was a lovely round table with two chairs off to the side and two spindly chairs in front of the desk. The desk resembled one she'd seen in the Royal Albert Museum when she was very little. It was like a French King's, one of the Louis somethings, with a white marble top and inlaid and scrolled wooden legs. The legs as well as the border of the desk were thickly edged in gold.

Vlad sat in a large leather chair behind the desk, his head bent over some papers. The long silken thickness of his hair lay blacker than night against the pallor of his skin. It was a dramatic setting for him and she liked it. She coughed once and he raised his eyes.

A small smile played around his full lips as he looked at his newest initiate. Cyn, completely unconsciously, had accentuated her likeness to Tamara. Or had it been unconscious? She was dressed in a full black flaring skirt and black peasant blouse. Her curly hair was wild and she wore large hoop earrings. It was, what the fashion rags, called the gypsy look. Had she done it on purpose? So far, he hadn't gone into her mind, knowing it would be easier to do once she was made. He was, in a way, loath to do it before the ceremony.

Cyn HAD deliberately worn her gypsy outfit. She was curious as to how he would react and more than a little mischievous. Besides, she found Vlad attractive. She liked his long hair, his dark eyes, and his full mouth. She liked the elegant way he wore his clothes. She adored his voice, which was low and rich with just the faintest hint of a foreign accent. He treated her with an old-world courtesy that reminded her of the way royalty behaved in the movies. Tonight he was dressed in a soft white silk shirt, which was open at the throat. She could see a smattering of dark hair. She loved hairy men. "I'm here," she announced after a long silent moment of mutual study.

He inclined his head regally. His voice was soft and full of emotion as he asked, "Are you sure you wish to do this?"

She nodded. "Yes."

Vlad studied her more carefully. Normally it wouldn't have even been a question. But Cyn was different. Not just because of her ancestry, but because of who she was. He knew from Scotty she was passionate, wild, her self-control when it came to sex apparently nonexistent. He could sense the fire in her and the untapped rage. Tamara had killed easily and he was more than a little worried that Cyn would as well. Still, he was there to guide her and with Scotty to help as well . . . he pushed his doubts aside. "There's no going back," he informed her softly. "Once it's done, the only way out is true death."

"I know," she confirmed. "But with that curse hanging over me . . . And there is Scotty," she added with a grin.

"Yes, Scotty," he mused thoughtfully. "You are aware of his duties?"

She grinned wryly. "Oh yeah, he told me. He thought it might bother me, but I told him as long as I could branch out, then no worries."

Vlad smiled. "Excellent. The others . . ."

"Well," Cyn remarked, "I don't intend to keep him to myself, so there shouldn't be a problem, eh?"

Vlad eyed her speculatively. She'd gotten to the crux of it. Jealousy and bloodlust were not a good mix. Still, Cyn was smart and there obviously wasn't a jealous bone in her body. He nodded. "Let me tell you about what will happen tonight."

Cyn nodded, more than a little curious. As Vlad explained the ritual her eyes opened even wider and her mouth formed a little moue. 'Oh my,' she thought. 'This is certainly going to be interesting.'

Vlad watched her carefully as he recited her instructions and then made her repeat her part. When he was sure she understood, he nodded. Then he suggested, "Let me show you to your flat."

As they were about to leave, Cyn turned back for one more look at the portrait. He caught her gaze and her undercurrent of concern. "Are you wondering why I keep that around?" he asked with more than a little irony in his tone.

She looked almost embarrassed as she nodded.

"I like to be reminded of who I am," he revealed slowly. "Of who I used to be I should say and whom, if I am not exceedingly careful, I could become again."

She understood the warning he was giving her. He walked a fine line apparently and it was not one he wished to cross again. But why he felt compelled to warn her, she didn't quite understand. Maybe it had something to do with her ancestry. "Are you worried about me?" she asked.

"I worry about all my children," he reflected thoughtfully. "And make no mistake about that, Cyn. After tonight, you will be one of my children, a child of the night."

Again, unconsciously, Cyn shivered.

Vlad picked up her suitcase and she picked up her carton. He led her up two flights of stairs to the same corridor where she had slipped out that morning. He pointed out Scotty's room, just in case she had forgotten. Hers was conveniently right across the hall. She looked at Vlad speculatively. "You didn't move someone for me, did you?"

He shook his head. "No, that would not have been the practical thing to do. It was empty."

She nodded. Vlad opened the door and she realized that none of them actually locked. She looked a question at him.

"There is no need. We respect each other's privacy. Further, you will discover that except for sleeping you actually spend very little time in your rooms. Well, perhaps in your case . . ." he let the words trail off.

Cyn giggled. She couldn't help it. It seemed almost funny, but Vlad appeared to be a bit prudish about sex. Which she thought very odd, because she had sensed an incredible amount of sensuality in him. Hmmm, perhaps this needed exploring. She stopped thinking though, when she got a good look at her flat. "Oh wow," the words escaped her before she could stop them.

Cyn stood in a lounge that looked like something out of a medieval castle. Not a cold dark nasty castle, but a castle fit for a queen. The walls were papered in the Victorian style with roses and lilacs. The living room suite featured a rose damask upholstered Queen Anne sofa and love seat. There was a rosewood table and chairs; the table had a pinky marble top. There was a beautiful fireplace. A crystal vase with two orchids in it stood on the mantel. It was aesthetically pleasing and elegant beyond anything Cyn had ever fantasized.

Cyn dropped her carton and ran to the bedroom, another exclamation escaping her lips as she looked in. There was a king-size canopy bed with sheer lace curtains and an over-curtain of deep burgundy velvet. There were two matching nightstands. In the corner was a white chaise that she thought might have been called a fainting sofa by the French aristocracy. There was a large full-length ornamental mirror and an antique gilt-edge armoire. A closed door led to what Cyn assumed was the loo.

Cyn opened the closed door and let out a yelp. The walls were whitewashed and the whirlpool tub was blue and huge, more than big enough for two and deep as well. There were candles in every color of the rainbow on every available surface. On the basin sat a collection of every luxury bath item that existed. There were thick towels hanging over a rack and there was even a bidet.

She backed out of the lav with a huge smile on her face. She went to examine the mirror. If the myths were right, she'd never see herself again. She was looking at herself when she saw Vlad reflected behind her. She turned quickly; sure that it was wishful thinking.

He caught her look of surprise and explained, "It's a myth like crosses and holy water. Vampires have been around far longer than the world knows. Religious symbols can't hurt us. Neither can silver nor garlic. The only way to kill us is direct sunlight, decapitation, or a stake through the heart and then they must cut the heart out. You'll still be able to admire yourself in the mirror. However, there is one myth that is true. We do need to be invited in; we cannot enter a home without a specific invitation. Other than that, just about everything else is untrue. Still, it does make it rather easier for us, don't you think?"

Cyn grinned. "I think I'm really going to like this life."

Vlad smiled back at her. "Yes, I think you will."

"Vlad," she mused tentatively. "I brought the journals including the one in Romanian. Would you be willing to translate it for me?"

"I'd be delighted to," he answered with pleasure. "I'd very much like to see the drawings."

Cyn nodded and led Vlad out of the bedroom. She picked up the carton where she had dropped it and opened it. Digging through it she found the journal and handed it to him. He looked at the cover for a moment and then slowly opened it. It wasn't Tamara's writing; she hadn't had the skill. However, he'd made sure her daughter could write. This must have been Yelena's work. He remembered she liked to draw. He began to read, but paused and turned when he felt Cyn's eyes on him.

Cyn looked at him encouragingly and revealed, "The drawings are about halfway through. Perhaps you'd like to read that when you're alone. I mean, really, there's no rush. After all, after tonight, I'm going to live forever. Or is it be dead for ever?"

"The language does get a little complicated, doesn't it?" he commented ironically. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it." He paused and pointed to a cream colored robe that lay across the dark wood of a table. "Scotty will get you when it's time. Please wear that and don't wear anything under it."

She nodded her acquiescence. With a formal little bow, Vlad departed moving so swiftly that he simply seemed to vanish.

Cyn picked up the robe, took it and her suitcase into the bedroom and began to unpack.

It was an archaic ritual and completely unnecessary, but Vlad enjoyed performing it regardless. Also it pleased the older vampires in the coven. Although all of them were delighted with Scotty, they were not so delighted with the addition of Stathira and he guessed they would be even less so with Cyn. Yet for all that, he suspected she would make an excellent vampire. There was power in her and not just from her ancestry.

Vlad insisted all the vampires feed before the ceremony and then he gathered the entire coven save Scotty in the library. The ten women were now dressed in robes identical to Cyn's. Vlad had filled the five decorative brass candelabras with scented tapers. Three hours after sunset, at nearly the "witching" hour, Scotty led Cyn into the library for the formal joining ceremony.

Cyn glanced around the room. It was very dark and it took her eyes a moment to adjust. There was no concession here to her present night blindness. The other vampires except Vlad were completely hidden inside their hooded robes, but she knew they were all women. Would have known even if Scotty hadn't told her, by the way their robes clung to their bodies. She wondered why Vlad chose to surround himself with beautiful women when according to Scotty he had nothing but paternal interest in any of them. She could sense the untapped passion inside Vlad. Knew from the way he spoke of Tamara that he was definitely all male. Still, though he hid his sensual side as if it embarrassed him, she could feel it all the same.

Scotty led her to the center of the room where Vlad waited. Then the other vampires encircled them. Cyn held Scotty's hand. There was no fear in her only curiosity.

Vlad wore the same robe as the others, but his hood was down. He began speaking in a foreign language, she assumed Romanian. It sounded pretty and it went on for quite a long time. He gestured frequently; at various points of the ritual, the vampires split into pairs and with much ceremony lit the candles. Soon the room was glowing with soft flickering light. Finally he made a gesture that looked like a benediction and then he asked in English, "Who offers this woman?"

Scotty gulped twice and then stuttered, "I do."

Cyn smiled inwardly. So far, this seemed closer to a wedding ceremony than a pagan ritual. If she had understood Romanian, she would have realized how close to the truth her thoughts were.

Vlad nodded and took Cyn's free hand. Scotty released her and stepped back, closing the circle around them. Vlad studied Cyn for a moment. "Cyn," he intoned seriously, "Do you understand what is about to happen?"

She nodded. She swallowed twice and then responded with the words she had been instructed to say, "Yes, master vampire. I am to die and be reborn anew."

Vlad's mouth twisted into the cruel smile she recognized from the journal and the painting. His eyes turned dark and flashed with evil and she felt a moment's qualm. As he pushed back her hood, she stood still as a statue, waiting.

He watched her eyes. Yes, a tiny moment of fear. Good. He opened his mouth and let his fangs appear and then he bent his head and sank them into her jugular vein.

Cyn gasped as he bit her, but forgot all about the pain as an exquisite pleasure filled her. It started with a warm feeling in the pit of her stomach, then moved through her veins as a hot flashing sensuality. This was different from when Scotty fed on her during sex, way different. Every cell of her body tingled; every inch of her skin was in flames.

She gasped again as she felt Vlad move into her mind. As he drank from her, she was treated to a fast moving kaleidoscope of images. Battle after bloody battle fought with total savagery. Row upon row of staked heads. Blind anger like an inferno. Rage that had no outlet until the vampire consumed him. As the violent images flitted into her consciousness she felt an almost familiar recognition of the feelings they aroused in him. Then the images changed. A castle filled with beautiful women, sumptuous bedrooms, and erotic encounters. Tamara. Poenari, his snow bound fortress. Then the cities he had lived in Budapest, London, Zurich, Rio, New York, LA and finally her own beloved Auckland. Along the way, as the centuries changed, Vlad gathered riches AND power.

As the Technicolor past of the master vampire played out on the movie screen of her mind, she felt her body change. Her breathing became shallow, her limbs felt leaden, her heart seemed to stop beating, and then her blood seemed to cease pumping. She felt herself die. Then an orgasmic rush of pleasure overpowered her and Vlad removed his fangs.

He stepped back and dropped his robe. Unlike her, he wasn't naked beneath it, but wore black dress slacks. His chest was magnificent, bare, muscled and firm though the skin was pale. To her surprise his nipples looked hard. He picked up a wicked looking jeweled dagger and sliced a cut above his heart. He placed the dagger on a little table, gestured at his chest and intoned, "Drink from me, my child."

Cyn stepped to him, bent her head and licked the droplets of blood that were beading on the cut. They tasted wonderful. As they slid down her throat, she felt a wildfire surge inside her. A sudden intense hunger and a need for more blood flamed under her skin. She tongued the droplets, lapping at the skin until the blood flowed faster. She sucked on Vlad's cut, trying to drain him as he had drained her.

She felt Vlad's hands entangle themselves in her hair as she absorbed his blood, his life force. She felt him still in her mind, searching hers, but also reveling in the feel of her mouth on him. Delighting in her pleasure. Another rather erotic image of Tamara flitted in, how she had been with him, the passion and wildness that had a match in Cyn.

She sucked for a long time then felt a tingling in her mouth and pulled back from his chest. She raised her head and felt her fangs appear.

Vlad gestured to his neck and she sank her fangs in. Now his hot rich blood filled her mouth. Her body began to vibrate with an intense pleasure, sexual in nature. She drank him with abandon, her arms encircled him and her body began to press erotically to his. She drank and drank and felt everything about her change again. Her heart began to beat faster and her breathing grew more rapid for now the blood that coursed through her veins contained power. Real power. She tingled everywhere not only with arousal but also with a wild burst of almost uncontrollable rage. She felt Vlad's shock at what was now ignited in her.

As their minds joined, Cyn saw the essence of Vlad with remarkable clarity. She understood, suddenly, why he kept a tight reign on his passions. They were inextricably tied to his rage. When his lust was aroused, he became a killer without mercy. Giving in to his sensuality meant giving in to the urge to destroy. She flashed on more scenes from his life, torture and pleasure, passion and pain, rage and death. She shivered and felt his astonishment when he realized that instead of being appalled, she understood and further was aroused by it all.

She rubbed her body against the master vampire as she drank. Her clit throbbed hard enough to hurt. She was pleased that even through the clothing, she could tell Vlad was not immune to her. She rubbed harder, trying to create enough friction for release. Vlad yanked her face up, pulling her fangs out of his neck.

His eyes were sad, as he murmured, "No, my child. No."

Her eyes were dark with a lust for blood and sex. Vlad disentangled himself from her and commanded, "Scotty, make her yours."

Scotty came forward and Cyn could see from the way his robe tented in front that he was as turned on as she was. She wondered how long before they could go somewhere private. Then she stopped wondering, because he had taken her into his arms and his fangs were in her neck.

Scotty's mind opened and now, even more than before, she could share his life. She saw snippets of his past, his happy childhood, his awkward teenage years, and his bland and mostly empty life before he'd become a vampire. They way he'd blossomed once he'd "died." She felt his great affection for Lucy and Stathira, his overwhelming passion for her and his belief that she was the answer to everything he needed in his life. She flashed on an unacknowledged set of feelings she thought might be repressed rage and shuddered when she found his essence. Scotty was made of an innocence and sweetness that belied the potential for violence that lay dormant within him.

She moaned and pressed herself against him. He released her neck and offered his own. She gratefully sank her fangs in feeling a deep need for completion. His blood tasted different from Vlad's. No power here, only the sweet rich taste of love. She drank greedily for a long moment and then stopped. She raised her head and glanced at Vlad.

He was staring at her, his lips parted, his chest heaving as if he'd run a long distance. She could see he was still aroused and knew that he was still in her mind. That he had fed along with her and that he reveled in the joy of her discovery. She smiled.

"Welcome my child," he proclaimed. "You are almost one of us."

"Almost?" she echoed.

"One more ritual and we'll be finished," he explained aloud. Cyn heard his voice in her mind, "Then you and Scotty can go."

Cyn grinned. She could feel Scotty's shaft hard against her thigh.

Vlad smothered a smile and turned from her. He nodded and gestured at the rest of the coven. They all dropped their robes. The women were all different heights and ethnicity, but they were all beautiful. Vlad moved to Cyn. He gently pushed Scotty out of the way and gestured for Cyn to remove her robe. When she was nude, Vlad made a small cut above Cyn's heart and waited until it beaded with blood.

He gestured again and Stathira stepped forward. She introduced herself with a wink, bent her head, lapped a few drops of Cyn's blood and then taking the dagger from Vlad, opened herself. "Welcome," she invited. "Join us." She offered herself to Cyn. As Cyn had been instructed she replied, "Thank you, sister. I willingly accept."

Cyn bent her head and licked a few drops of Stathira's blood. The ritual was repeated nine more times and Cyn found she was even more turned on by the end of it. The last vampire to welcome her was Lucy. Tiny, stunning emerald-eyed Lucy, the one who'd found Scotty. The petite beauty studied Cyn for a long moment and then after her part of the ceremony was finished, backed away.

"Scotty," Vlad commanded.

Scotty stepped forward, removed his robe and stood there in all his naked glory. His erection was a thing of beauty and Cyn nearly grabbed for it. Somehow, she managed to restrain herself. He bent his head, suckled at Cyn's cut and then he took the dagger and with a flair for the dramatic that surprised Cyn, cut himself with a flourish. He offered himself to her.

She bent her head, felt his hands in her hair and she lapped at his cut. A moan escaped his lips and he pulled her head up. He was panting with pent-up desire.

Vlad studied the pair and remarked, "Cyn, you are now truly one of us. You are joined to us all by blood."

"Cool," the word escaped Cyn's lips before she could stop it.

A few of the women looked aghast but Stathira looked pleased. Cyn looked a question at Vlad.

He nodded and Cyn grabbed for Scotty and practically dragged him out of the room.

After they were gone the rest of the vampires put their robes on and slowly departed, leaving Lucy alone with Vlad. She paused in front of the master vampire, her eyes full of questions.

Vlad eyed her curiously. "What's on your mind?"

Lucy's eyes grew very sad. "He loves her."

Vlad nodded. "Don't be concerned. She's not the kind to keep him all to herself."

She studied her boss. "It will change things."

'In more ways than you know,' Vlad thought. He knew now that Cyn was a catalyst. The dynamics of everything within the coven and in his own life were about to change. He nodded. "Lucy, whatever happens it will be for the best."

"Are you so sure of that?" she asked.

He studied her. One hundred and thirty one years was a long time. He could read her very easily even without going into her mind. He lied with practiced ease, "Yes, I'm sure."

Lucy studied him for a long moment, shrugged and then departed. Vlad remained still as a statue until she was gone. Then his iron control vanished and his body rippled with tension. He gripped the edge of a chair until his entire hand turned white. Finally, he fled the library, his body trembling, his soul craving blood and release.

Cyn pulled Scotty up the stairs to her flat, not caring they were both naked. Once inside the door, Scotty grabbed her and his mouth attached itself to her still open cut. He sucked the blood from her as if there was no other sustenance in the world. She moaned. As he continued to suck on her cut, she felt his hands move over her. Her arousal was intense and along with it was a lust that was wild, untamed and animalistic in nature. She recognized it as the vampire.

She growled and pulled his head up. His eyes were unfocused with desire. She could see the blood on his lips, her blood and then she saw his cut was still open. She bent her head and sucked at it, loving the taste of that thick fluid.

As she drank him, she felt two fingers enter her. She moaned as they moved in and out, then she felt his thumb brush her clit. The rush of sensations was overwhelming. He rubbed her bud harder and she came in a huge spasm. She raised her head panting, her chest heaving, wanting, and needing more.

His eyes were on fire; he pulled her mouth to his and kissed her hard. They both had blood on their lips and it incited a fierce hunger in them that was completely savage.

Almost simultaneously they growled and their fangs came out. Their kiss was brutal, violent, wild, the lust for each other and the lust for blood now primeval and basic to them both. They were vampires and they WOULD succumb to the nature of the beast, one way or another.

For Cyn, every sense was now heightened. She could smell blood and Scotty's musk. She could hear their breathing, their skin rubbing, and even their blood pumping. She could taste a thousand flavors in Scotty's damp mouth. She could see every strand of hair on his head, every pore on his face. But most of all she could feel.

His touch had always inflamed her. Now it was like an inferno. As his hands caressed her, all of her nerve endings were alive, vibrating, tingling with a fever. A fever only he could douse. Only instead of dousing it, the flames kept growing higher and hotter.

Suddenly, too, she could feel the emotions coursing through him; his need for her was like another life force, as intense as his need for blood. Cyn fought to stay conscious. She moaned his name and pulled him down to the carpet.

Scotty was lost in the feel of her body, her touch, and her energy. She was like the beat of his heart, the force that gave him life. His senses were aroused with lust and desire, he was out of control, and he knew it. He fell on her, used his knees to open her legs and in one powerful stroke, thrust himself into her.

She moaned as she felt him enter her and then howled as he pushed himself deeply inside. It was beyond incredible. She wrapped her legs around his waist, then gripped his buttocks and dug her nails in.

He howled and slammed into her, his pelvis thumping her into the carpet. He pounded into her, grunting and growling with each stroke.

Each time he rammed his rock hard shaft into her, she could feel each inch of him with a new clarity. It was overwhelming. She opened her mind and called to him. He lifted his head and then they were joined completely. She began to come, her body climaxing over and over from the intense erotic sensations. As her muscles spasmed around him, he groaned and ground into her so hard she thought she would split in half.

Scotty could feel Cyn in his mind, feel her touch and her body as if he was her. It had NEVER been like this with anyone, not even when feeding. With another powerful thrust, he felt his balls tighten. He screamed her name and then bit her jugular as he exploded inside her.

At the same moment, he bit her; she sank her fangs into his jugular. Both their bodies jerked. The moment was earth shattering, mind blowing, as their bodies and minds became one. They climaxed together in a wild wet rushing gushing ride of emotion.

They lay there panting for what seemed like hours, and then Scotty slowly withdrew and without a word, carried Cyn into the bedroom.

When Cyn woke it took her a moment to realize where she was and what had happened. Vampire sleep was definitely different from human sleep. It was deeper and mostly dreamless. She and Scotty had been playing, when her body had simply shut down. She had felt her limbs grow heavy, her eyes had shut and then she was gone. Now she stretched luxuriously and rolled over.

Scotty was still sleeping. His beautiful hairy chest barely rising and falling as if he was really dead. She studied her lover. A silk sheet covered his lower body. His chest, even in sleep was perfection, all those hard firm muscles matted with beautiful dark hair. In repose, his face had the sweet innocent look of a child. His lovely eyes were closed, the dark lashes accentuated by the pallor of his skin. His beautiful mouth was partly open and reminded her of a ripe fruit. She felt a wave of desire dance over her skin.

She threw the sheet off him and began to caress his shaft. Soon that organ was standing straight up from her attentions. She slid up his body and impaled herself on him, imprisoning him inside her warmth. His eyes popped open.

"Morning," she whispered as she began to grind herself into his pelvis.

He reached up and began to knead her breasts, his tongue licking along his lips. His thumbs rubbed her nipples into hardness. Then his hands slipped down to fondle her butt.

She moaned and continued to glide up and down his hard shaft, her speed erratic and erotic. He closed his eyes. His hands ran over her body, caressing her waist, her breasts, her belly, as if he could see her without looking. It was glorious.

Cyn rode him for a long time, prolonging the pleasure, prolonging the act. Sometimes she'd grind herself into him, causing a delicious hard friction between her legs and sometimes she'd rise and barely keep him inside. Scotty's face was a study in bliss and his moans were almost constant.

Suddenly the tenor of his moans changed and he opened his eyes. Scotty's hands began moving down her belly. One of them began searching for her clit. He found the hardened bud and began to gently rub it. Cyn felt an orgasm wash over her like an ocean wave and knew Scotty wouldn't be long in coming either.

Sure enough, he moved his hands to her hips, trying to form a stationary hole. She leaned forward and threw her arms around his neck as he began to thrust harder and faster into her. The friction was incredible. She leaned into him, almost splitting herself in two. She felt his fangs in her neck, and as she felt him move into her mind, she came again. He drank for a moment, then let out an animal howl and came too, shuddering and trembling with the force of his climax.

They collapsed on the bed. Scotty recovered first. He asked, "Are you hungry?"

"Hungry?" she turned the word over in her mind. "I guess," she mumbled. She did feel something, an almost mystical need flowing through her body. Actually, she noticed her senses were still heightened. She could hear Scotty's soft breathing and the mice in the walls. There were no lights in the room, but she could see as clearly as if it was flooded with sunlight. There was the strongest scent of sex and the faintest whiff of jasmine in the room. She stretched lazily and asked, "You going to show me how we feed?"

Scotty nodded and slid out of the bed. He grabbed his jeans, which he'd left there before the ceremony and put them on. Cyn watched him and licked her lips.

She climbed out of bed and stretched again. Scotty watched her with a lecherous grin on his face. She grinned at him and went to the armoire for some clothes.

Scotty contentedly watched her dress. When she was done, she looked gorgeous. He would have much preferred to stay in bed and let her feed on him, but he knew sooner or later, he'd have to share her. They left her flat and ran smack dab into Mr. D in the hall.

"Good evening, Cyn," Vlad said in greeting. "How are you feeling tonight?"

"Different," she admitted. "But in all honesty, better than I ever felt when I was alive."

Vlad smiled at her. "I'm glad. It is different."

"We were about to go hunting," Scotty explained hurriedly.

"I assumed so," Vlad remarked dryly. "However, Scotty, I think tonight, I shall take Cyn out."

"I can do it," Scotty protested.

"I never said you couldn't," Vlad confirmed softly. "I said I wished to."

"But . . ."

"It was NOT a request," Vlad stated in a soft but emphatic voice. "I promise to bring her back safe and sound."

Scotty nodded, looked as if he wanted to say more, but settled for giving Cyn a quick kiss on the lips. Then he turned and left.

Cyn looked at her lover's retreating back and then turned to her master, "You don't trust him."

"On the contrary," Vlad refuted. "I trust him absolutely. It's you I don't trust."

"Me?" she echoed. "Why wouldn't you trust me?"

Vlad said nothing for a moment, then began to lead her out of the building. When they reached the door to the street he explained softly, "I felt the rage in you and the bloodlust. I admit to being mildly concerned about your ability to control yourself. Scotty isn't yet experienced enough to handle it. I'm here to make sure all goes well."

Cyn nodded. As they strolled the streets of Auckland Vlad prompted, "You are very different now, Cyn. Have you noticed the changes?"

"Besides being dead?" she retorted flippantly. Than seeing her humor wasn't appreciated, acknowledged, "Yes. My senses are all heightened. It's wild."

"Not just that. You can move faster and more silently. You have other powers as well. Some from drinking my blood and some because of who you are. All vampires have powers of enchantment and enticement. But in you . . ."

"You mean because I had them before, they're more so now?" He nodded. "What else can I do?"

"You can hypnotize your victims so they don't remember you fed. This is very important, as I'm growing rather fond of New Zealand and as I'm sure you're aware, vampirism isn't exactly an acceptable practice."

Cyn grinned. "Yeah, I can see where it might be a problem. So what do I do exactly?"

Vlad eyed her speculatively. He suspected that like Scotty she would trade sex for blood. Still, at this point, he wasn't going to suggest it to her. "Usually we lure our victims to a dark place, hypnotize them, feed and then leave them. We never drink too much. We don't want to kill them. It's important to remember that, Cyn. Never drink too much. We don't need to kill to live."

She nodded now more intrigued than ever. "Does it matter if they're young or old? Male or female?"

Vlad shook his head. "No. All adults have approximately the same amount of blood in them. We don't feed on the very young, the very old or the infirm because they will suffer ill effects from the loss of blood. As to gender, that's personal preference only. Obviously it would be easier for you to lure a man than a woman."

"I dunno about that," Cyn refuted. "I've had my share of come-ons from both sexes over the years."

Vlad fought back a smile. "I imagine you have. It's purely your choice."

"Hmmm," Cyn mumbled. Her eyes scanned the street around them looking for a likely candidate. "Anything else I should know?" she asked as her eyes lit on a tall dark man.

"Just that this time, I will be with you both physically and mentally. In the future you'll be on your own."

She nodded. As she studied the man walking down the street, she felt an incredible hunger surge inside her. She felt Vlad move into her mind and then she smiled. So he could read her thoughts and telepathically communicate with her, even when they weren't feeding. Could she do it too? Could Scotty? She heard his voice in her mind tell her yes.

She smiled brightly and quickly moved toward her prey. She managed to get next to him and then bumped into him.

He turned and looked at her. She stared into his eyes willing him with a combination of her own natural powers of seduction and her new vampire powers to follow her. The man looked surprised for a moment, but then his eyes glazed and she knew he would do anything she wanted.

She took his hand and led him to a nearby alley. The need in her was steadily growing. She could feel Vlad in her mind encouraging her and she knew he must be somewhere nearby.

She backed the man into the wall. He stood there docile and compliant. She smiled once, touched his face lightly and then let her fangs appear. His eyes showed a touch of fear, but she stared into them and sent him another wave of enticement. The fear left and was replaced by lust.

She bent her head to his neck and gently sank her fangs into the jugular. Oh god, it was . . . Hot rich warm blood filled her mouth and slid down her throat. Her skin began to tingle, her body to vibrate; she felt what amounted to an electrical charge move through her, unlike anything she had ever felt before. This WAS different than drinking Scotty or Vlad. It was a wild high, totally sexual and animal.

She continued to drink, even as she felt her hunger being slaked. The man was getting into it, his body was aroused and he too was getting a sexual charge. Then another set of emotions filled her. She was a vampire, the blood was her life force, the blood called to her, she felt rage wash over her, felt her clit throb and she pressed her body against the man.

He was moaning, his erection felt like a steel bar against her leg and then she felt him begin to go limp. Still she continued to drink, reveling in the taste, the joy, in the violence she felt as the life began to drain out of him.

Strong arms gripped her and Vlad pulled her off the man. "Stop, Cyn," he ordered. "Stop."

She was captured in the master vampire's arms, imprisoned by her lust for blood. The man sagged against the wall, slipping to his knees.

Vlad lifted her face and stared hard at her. "Stay here," he commanded.

She nodded, shaken by the feelings coursing through her.

Vlad went to the man, examined him, shrugged and then led her out of the alley. Moving more quickly than she would have thought possible, they were back at the flats.

Vlad led her to the library and almost pushed her into a chair. He studied her. His eyes were concerned and sad. His mouth had tightened into a thin line.

Cyn stared at him and asked, "Did I drink too much?"

"What do you think?"

"I . . ." She swallowed convulsively. "I couldn't help it. Vlad, it was so incredible. Only a few more moments and I would have come, without even touching."

He knew that. He'd been in her mind, felt what she felt. He knew everything. "You're going to have to learn to control it. A few more moments and he would have been dead."

"And we don't kill," she stated softly. "I don't . . . I wanted to kill him," she confessed.

"I know," he confirmed quickly. "Cyn, listen to me. You can control this. First, you must never let yourself get too hungry. That leads to loss of control." She nodded. "Second, you should always try to be cognizant of when the actual hunger is slaked. I know you felt it. But you continued to feed, even after you had all you needed."

"I, uh, it was making me randy."

Vlad sighed. "Yes, I know. You're going to have to find a way to control that too."

"Scotty always . . ."

Vlad sighed again. "Yes, I think you're going to have to feed the same way. Perhaps if you indulged that part of your need first."

She nodded. Then a new thought struck her. "This must mean I'm yours, eh? The desire to drink someone to death must have come from you."

Vlad shook his head. "Not necessarily. Ares carries rage and bloodlust of a similar nature within him. You have the same rage. We both do."

"Do you think we'll ever know who I belong to?"

"Cyn," Vlad stated softly. "You belong to yourself and only yourself. As to your ancestry, I don't see how we can ever know for certain. It's not as if we can do a DNA test," he commented ironically. "Perhaps there's some clue in the journal. I haven't finished reading it yet."

She nodded, then rose from the chair. "I think I'd like to go to my flat now." She paused and then added, "I'm sorry if I've disappointed you."

"Don't apologize," he remarked. "It's not your fault. A vampire's nature is a lust for blood. Don't worry, we'll work this out."

She nodded and slipped out the door. Vlad sat there for a moment after she was gone fighting to stay in control. But it was finally too much for him. He gave a low growl and unleashed his true nature. He rose from the chair, his body trembling with bloodlust. His fangs appeared of their own accord and with an effort, he retracted them. He growled again and then he dashed from the library into the dark Auckland night desperate to slake his own hunger.

Cyn stripped off her clothes and filled her tub with water. She climbed in and set the jets to pulse. She felt the rush of water, the caress of it on her already throbbing sex and thought about her situation.

She had never thought of herself as truly dangerous, but now she was. Lethal in fact. She'd never felt such an intense high in her life. There had to be a way to feel that high AND stop from killing. She didn't want to hurt anyone.

As she pondered her problem the rushing water continued to arouse her and she found herself caressing her breasts almost unconsciously. Her fingers were beginning to move down her belly when she heard a deep voice ring out of nowhere. "No need for you to take care of that yourself. I'll be happy to help."

There was a sound like the wind and then he appeared. Just as the first time, he was dressed all in black leather. His thick long hair framed his beautiful face, which looked rather demonic at the moment. His eyes almost glittered as they stared at her. His stance was arrogant, confident, the muscles in his arms seemed to be vibrating with tension and she could see all that lovely dark hair on his massive chest. He really was too good-looking to trust.

Ares, God of War, stood above the tub, looking down at the newly made vampire. He smiled seductively and then sat on the edge of the tub. "Hello, Cyn."

She looked into his lovely dark eyes for a long moment. He had the same expression in them as the last time. As if he was seeing her without really seeing her. As their gazes locked, she felt herself again being drawn into him. As if he could absorb her essence and solve all the riddles in her life. With reluctance she pulled her eyes away and began to slide deeper into the water.

"So you're a vampire now," he remarked conversationally.

"Yes." She kept her eyes focused on the bubbling water. Looking at him to long was dangerous. Words of one syllable seemed to be safest.

"It's a shame you couldn't have waited to see what I offered before you did it," he advised her. He trailed his hand into the water. "Not very warm," he muttered. He looked a question at her. "I can fix that."

She nodded and watched almost spellbound as his large hand pointed at the water and it began to steam. His fingers again trailed through the water and he commented, "Much better. May I join you?"

"No, you may not," she demurred. She paused and then asked, "Ares, what would you have offered?"

His eyes turned dark at her refusal and he looked for a moment as if he would ignore her answer and do as he wished. Then suddenly he rose from the tub edge and shrugged. "Doesn't matter now. You've chosen your death already."

"You would have offered me death?" she echoed.

"Poor choice of words," he retorted with a chuckle. "I mean, you have chosen to die without dying. Vlad has given you eternal life, so what could I offer?"

Cyn contemplated him as he began to pace the loo. He moved sinuously like a large cat. He radiated heat and sexuality. Where in Vlad the sexuality was latent, in Ares it was dominant. It shimmered on his skin like a wave of fire and Cyn knew, try as she might to fight it, one day it would eventually overwhelm her. She didn't know why she wouldn't give in to him, she was sure the sex would be incredible, but something kept telling her to say no.

Ares paused and studied her. Her hair flowed around her stunning face in curls. She was watching him, her eyes wide and curious. Her lips were parted and her pink tongue lay against the ripe bottom lip. Her naked body was clearly visible under the layer of water and every bit as luscious as Tamara's had been. Gods, he wanted her. "I told you, I could have given you your heart's desire," he grumbled. "Instead you choose . . ."

"Scotty," she murmured. "I chose Scotty."

"That boy?" he snorted dismissively. "You did this for him?"

She thought for a moment and mused, "Not just for him. The curse as well. I wanted to break the curse."

Ares moved closer to her. "Then it's a shame you didn't wait for me. You see, Cyn, I could have broken the curse."

"You could have . . ." she repeated.

"I am immortal. I could have given you a child and then the curse would have been broken."

She shook her head. "No, I don't think so. That's what started this in the first place. It would have made no difference."

"We'll never know that now, will we?" he retorted softly.

He moved to sit on the edge of the tub again. He reached out and touched her face. "I watched you tonight," he whispered. "You nearly killed that man." She shrank back from him. "Don't be afraid," he murmured. "I know Vlad thinks you shouldn't kill, but he's fooling himself. You're very special, Cyn. I can feel it in you, you know. The rage and the bloodlust. It's magnificent and a shame to waste it. I can help you unleash that side of yourself. Help you reach your true potential."

Cyn sucked in her breath. His eyes bored into hers and she could see the desire there. Could feel tendrils of fire on her skin where his fingers caressed her. Her body, already so aroused from the feeding was about to betray her. She knew it and yet felt powerless to stop herself.

He cupped her face in his hands. He bent his head to kiss her when they both heard Scotty calling her name. "Damn," Ares swore as he vanished. "One of these days."

Scotty barreled into the lav in a rush. He looked mildly disheveled and concerned. He saw Cyn lying in the tub. He sighed and announced, "You’re here."

Her expression was bemused then her eyes focused on him and she smiled. "Want to join me?"

Scotty grinned and began tearing off his clothes.

New Year's Eve, a very special New Year's Eve. New Zealand would be one of the first places to ring in the millenium. Except it wasn't really the millenium, Cyn knew. That would actually happen the following year. Still, the whole world seemed poised to go crazy. Vlad had decided that they would all go out jointly that night. The city of Auckland would be full of people, the streets would be packed, and it would be easy to feed.

It had taken the best part of two weeks, but Cyn had finally managed to control her lust for the kill. She loved the thrill of the hunt, the seduction of her prey, the unmitigated wildness of her vampire nature. Still, now she seduced her victims, giving them intense sexual pleasure then she fed. Sometimes, if the man was especially attractive, she had sex with him, otherwise she simply jerked him off and fed as he climaxed. Either way it was high satisfying to her and to her prey as well.

That night, long after first dark, the coven left the building together. Two men and eleven women. They were all dressed up as if they were going to a party. Cyn was wearing a black micro-mini dress with four-inch spike heels. She had no underwear on at all.

The group planned to watch the midnight pyrotechnics that were to appear over the harbor. They stayed together for a while, but then split up to fan out to the various locations where the fireworks could best be seen. Some went to Sky Tower, some to the Waitemata Harbour and some to the Harbor Bridge.

Cyn was glad the torrential rain had finally stopped. It was hard to find food in the rain. She and Scotty held hands and strolled the streets for a long time. Neither was very hungry. Due to the late start, they had already fed on each other. Soon it hit midnight and the fireworks went off. The low lying clouds made it difficult to see everything, but the two of them embraced like thousands of others, as the magical display for the turn of the century lit the sky. After they kissed, Cyn suggested they separate and Scotty protested. She persisted and he finally gave in. He could never refuse her anything.

Cyn melted into the crowd and began to walk toward home. She quickly found a lone man, lured him into an alley and fed on him. For some reason she couldn't name, she just wasn't in the mood to play.

After eating, she hurried home, trying to understand what was wrong with her. Then she remembered. She was supposed to go to Gisborne for the First Light celebration. Only now, she couldn't. She would never see another sunrise again. At least not and live to tell about it. She entered her flat and collapsed on her sofa. She was sitting there, feeling mildly dissatisfied with everything when she heard that sound again, like the wind, which she now recognized as Ares.

He appeared in front of her fireplace, but not all at once. First, his feet showed up, then his legs, then his pelvis, chest, arms and finally his face. His long black hair was wild and his pendant was at an odd angle. In fact, he actually looked mildly disheveled. His eyes were fuzzy, almost completely unfocused, as if he was, well, the word that came to mind was pissed. Surely, a god couldn't get drunk?

"You're alone," he muttered. "I thought you'd be with that boy. Where is he?" he slurred.

She gawked at him. He did seem to be drunk. "I dunno. I was bored," she admitted.

"Bored?" He grinned and moved slowly to her. His steps were careful and measured as if he had to think very carefully before he took each one. He sat next to her on the couch. "Bored?" he repeated.

She nodded. "The whole world's acting a little crazy. I dunno. I guess, I just want . . ." She paused and added, "I don't know what I want."

Ares studied her. She'd put her hair up with pins so that only a few tendrils of curls framed her face. Her brown eyes were barren of makeup but her thick eyelashes rested darkly against the pallor of her skin. Her lips were blood red; a result of her feeding and the tiny dress she wore left very little to the imagination. Her swanlike neck rose gracefully from the low-cut shift and he could see an enticing array of cleavage and creamy breast. She wore no jewelry; her natural beauty was her only adornment.

He wasn't sure why he'd chosen to see her. Probably the result of a little too much Calabasas wine. He continued to scrutinize her as if somehow the answer was in her. Though she bore an uncanny physical resemblance to Tamara, he thought her essence was different. He had been watching her on and off in his looking glass since the day Vlad had found her. He was unable to get her or his memories of Tamara off his mind. Cyn was an amazing creature and he knew what she and Vlad did not, that she was his. He thought back to the first time and the last time he had seen Tamara.

He'd found her in the woods, as he had known he would. She was waiting for him, her arms crossed over her chest, her toe tapping impatiently. "What took you so long?" she had asked.

He had chuckled. "I had to finish my discussion with Vlad. That's why I was there."

"Was it?" she echoed. She looked him up and down and then asked, "Who are you?"

Instead of answering, he had pulled her into his arms and kissed her rather brutally. She hadn't seemed to mind, in fact, she'd responded in kind. Later as he savagely possessed her on the forest floor, she'd clawed his back and bit him. There was violence in her, a rage, that matched his own. That night, on a whim, he had given her the child. The daughter she would later name Yelena.

The last time he saw her was four months before she died. She had managed to hide herself and her daughter from him for a very long time. He never did learn how. Still one night, he had heard her call and he had answered the summons.

Her daughter was in her late teens and stood next to her mother. She was every bit as beautiful as Tamara was, although in a different way. Where Tamara was all fire, her child, despite her coloring, was all ice. She was tall and muscular with dark hair and eyes, but unlike Tamara, she did not have an ounce of rage in her. That was disappointing. He'd been hoping for a mortal to champion his name. His worship was on the wane and it was getting harder and harder to be remembered.

As he stood there looking at the two women, he asked, "What is it?"

Tamara smiled at him as if she knew every thought in his mind. She said, "This is Yelena."

Ares inclined his head, crossed his arms over his chest and waited. If she wanted something, she would have to ask. He knew he projected displeasure and probably impatience, not to mention arrogant disregard. Still, he HAD shown up.

Tamara studied him for a long moment, looked briefly at her daughter and then shrugged. "Never mind," she murmured. "I should have known better than to bother."

Ares shrugged and with a mocking bow vanished. He assumed she would summon him again and then he'd relent. He'd miscalculated. She'd vanished again and the next thing he knew she had died in Vlad's arms. He hadn't realized she was looking for a place to die. If he had known . . .

He was pulled out of his reverie by a light tap on his arm. "Where did you go?" Cyn asked.

He shook his head and shook off the memories. Cyn had Tamara's fire, her rage and her bloodlust. She also had Tamara's taste for wild, sometimes violent, occasionally kinky sex. He'd watched her enough to know that. Vlad had taken Tamara from him, now perhaps it was his turn to return the favor.

He turned to face the vampire and stared into her eyes. He asked slowly, his voice seductive, "Since you don't seem to have anything else to do, would you like to spend the rest of the night with me?"

She studied his eyes. They looked different. She didn't know where his mind had gone off to or what was going on with him, but he seemed not only drunk, but somehow a little vulnerable. She could still feel the heat and sexuality he generated, but it seemed tempered somehow. As she looked at him, he grasped one of her hands and began to kiss it. His lips were soft on her skin, the goatee tickled and then his tongue began licking her knuckle. His touch was beginning to overwhelm her. She swallowed twice and croaked, "Yes."

He released her hand and grinned at her. It was a lopsided grin and it changed his whole face. He looked different, younger, and less hard, although she noticed one part of him WAS hard. He stood and directed, "Cool. Give me your hand."

She laughed and gave him back the one he had just released. Then he pulled her to her feet and tightly against him. She felt his hot hard body press to hers. Then she felt herself being pulled into air, surrounded by a light, bright and cold and then she was simply elsewhere.

Ares released her and stated, "Welcome to paradise."

Cyn looked around; her eyes alight with curiosity. She was in a bedroom. It was every bit as sumptuous and elegant as her own but it had some interesting extras. There were weapons on the walls and statues of him everywhere.

She prowled the room, fascinated by everything and then finally ended up by a sofa across from a mirror. On the table next to the sofa sat a golden chalice and a bottle. "What's this, then?" she asked.

Ares chuckled. "My own private stock. You can taste it if you like, but be warned. It's highly potent." He paused and added, "Like me."

She turned and grinned at him. So he really WAS drunk. On some god thing. "It won't hurt me, will it?"

"You're dead," he snapped. "What could it do?"

"Good point," she conceded. She lifted the chalice and sniffed it. It smelled like wine. She raised it to her lips and took a small sip. The liquid danced in her mouth, tingling and then as she swallowed she felt it move through her body. "Wow," she breathed. "That's really good." She took another small swallow and felt the room begin to spin.

Ares came to her, took the chalice from her hand, drained it and set it back on the table. "I think that's enough," he murmured.

She giggled. "You're drunk."

He touched her face. "Apparently. But then, so are you."

She knew he was right. Two sips of whatever that was and she felt higher than a kite. "Why are you drunk?" she asked.

"Not important," he muttered. His plan had failed. The New Year was ringing in all over the Pacific Rim and his Y2K plan had failed. The computers still worked; the chaos he had hoped for had not materialized. He cursed all the smart computer programmers who had caught his traps before they came to fruition. His maudlin mood had caused him to dig out that last bottle of Calabasas wine and drink too much.

He looked at Cyn and was instantly reminded of Tamara, who was as stubborn as she was beautiful. Just like Cyn. He had offered Tamara the world, the chance to be his consort, to live in luxury and to bear his children. And she had laughed at him, refused and run away. He HATED losing, but now, with Cyn . . .

"Cyn," he murmured, "are you going to keep fighting me?"

She looked at him. He was so beautiful and he seemed suddenly, so needy. Something about him touched her. She put her arms around his neck and whispered, "Only if you want me to."

It said something for his state of mind that it took him a moment to work out her meaning. Then he chuckled delightedly and put his arms around her. He pulled her tight against him and bent his head to kiss her.

Their lips met. A soft silken caress, light as a feather. Ares barely grazed her mouth with his own and yet, she felt her entire body pulse with energy. She melted against him, his body was like the heat of the sun and she knew, quite suddenly, just as dangerous to her. But as she felt the fire of his desire wash over her, she knew it was too late to stop. She might implode in his arms, but then she would reemerge as something new. The passion now ignited between them would engulf and transform them both.

The kiss deepened, their mouths rubbed together, then his tongue slipped out and parted her lips. She tangled her fingers in his thick hair and pulled his head closer. His tongue traced her lower lip, then darted into her mouth to explore. She moaned and pressed herself against him.

His hands were roaming her body, slithering over her skin, their touch like tendrils of flame leaving trails of heat wherever they went. He tasted of the wine and he smelled like leather and sex. She was getting more aroused by the moment.

She slid her arms from his head and traced the muscles in his arms. His skin was like liquid flame, hot to the touch, sizzling with power. She gripped his lower back and began to grind her pelvis into his. She could feel his erection under the leather like a thick steel rod, as hot as molten lava. She rubbed against him; her body now aching for some kind of release.

The pressure of his kiss increased, his mouth turned hard, crushing her lips, his tongue thrust deeply into her mouth, pushing insistently in and out. She moaned into his mouth and kissed him just as brutally, her tongue attacking his.

She felt his hands on her ass, and then they slipped under the hem of her dress, to tease her thighs. His fingers slithered across her skin moving toward the juncture between her legs. She felt his fingers lightly trace her nether lips and then move away. She pulled her mouth from his and moaned.

He grinned wickedly at her. He hoisted her up on the table and pushed the wine and chalice to the floor. Then he shoved up her dress, baring her thighs and fur covered mound. He moved her legs apart and buried his face in her warmth.

Cyn felt his tongue dip inside her wetness and nearly came from the feel of it. She moaned his name and wrapped her legs around him, imprisoning him between her thighs. She felt his tongue dance inside her, twisting here and there, lightly brushing her clit. She moaned again and pushed her pelvis into his face.

He pulled back for a moment and looked up at her, his eyes glittering wildly. Cyn was panting, her breasts heaving beneath her dress. He pulled her mound closer and set to with a will. He made his tongue stiff and moved it in and out of her. She was moaning, erotic little sounds, that encouraged him.

Cyn began to rock, pushing her sex into his face as his tongue worked its magic within her. She felt the blaze inside her rise higher, the flames leaped and turned in an erotic ballet. He sucked her hardened bud into his mouth and she literally saw the shimmering wave of fire eclipse her. She shuddered and trembled into climax as a red orange sea of flame engulfed her. Her body exploded, shooting hot liquid all over his face.

Ares lifted his head and catching her eyes licked his lips. He watched her shudder again as he did so. He bent his head once more and began rubbing his dripping goatee on her thigh. Then he moved again between her legs and began to tease her clit with his tongue, licking it until she was moaning his name and begging with her body for release. He sucked her bud again and again she exploded. As her body spasmed, she began pulling at him grabbing at his head, grabbing for his pants.

He chuckled and made his clothing vanish. He heard her suck in her breath and watched her eyes open wide. "Oh my god," she muttered as she stared at his naked form. Her astonishment lasted only a moment, then her eyes darkened and lust completely took over.

Cyn saw the god standing there, gloriously resplendent in his nakedness and nearly had another orgasm just from the sight. As perfect as Scotty was, Ares took it one step further. His chest was larger and more thickly corded with muscles. His arms were bigger and more powerful looking. And the rest of him, well, they looked to be the same size, but . . . she stopped thinking and reached for his erection.

Ares chuckled again and moved toward her, ripping her dress down the middle, rather than making it vanish. He pulled her to him and with one brutal stroke thrust himself all the way inside her. She moaned his name and wrapped her legs around him. Her arms encircled his back and she pressed her breasts against his chest.

He pulled her tight, gripped her hips and began to pound into her. He pressed her down on to the table, to get a better angle and slammed her into it. She moaned and not from pain. As he knew she liked it rough.

As he stroked her he moved into her mind and what he saw there astounded him. Right near the surface of her consciousness, not even buried was a lust for blood, for violence, and a deep rage, so like his own. He ground Cyn into the table, feeling her body match him movement for moment. He thrust hard and fast, the need for release now urgent.

Cyn arched into him, her hands gripped his back, and her nails dug trenches in his skin. She could feel him in her mind, searching her thoughts, her feelings and then felt his surprise at what he found there. As his need grew so too did her own, but now her need was for more than sexual release. She raised her face to find his eyes on her. They were dark with lust. "Ares," she whispered his name as a question without an answer.

He continued to grind into her, ignoring her request. She bit her lip and felt a drop of blood bead up. Her fangs appeared and she growled. She was panting heavily from the effort of controlling herself. Her eyes were focused on the large vein that throbbed on the side of his neck. She wanted, needed, had to have his blood. Then as she felt him nearly rip her apart with a thrust so strong it shoved the table back, she lost control.

She growled again and sank her fangs into his neck. His body jerked and she felt his righteous anger and indignation. Then she felt his shock as pleasure coursed through them both. But what happened next was even more extraordinary.

His blood tasted like a combination of everything wonderful she had ever tasted in her life. It was thick and rich, but with a different texture than blood. Ichor, she heard him breathe into her mind, NOT blood. It hit her system with an electrical charge five thousand times more potent than Vlad's blood. The power burst through her like a lightening strike, it coursed through her veins like a rushing river, it invigorated her skin so that it felt like each and every one of her nerve endings vibrated. As she began to absorb his life force into her body, she grew increasingly warm, hot, feverish, then she felt as if she WOULD implode, as if any moment she would burst into flame, just as she had feared she would.

Then her mind was filled with fragments of his life, vivid snapshots of thousands of years of existence. A beautiful temple in Thrace. Olympus and Aphrodite. Thousands of violent wars. Millions of brutal deaths. Beautiful women of all shape, size, age, playthings for his pleasure but no food for his soul. Then the images began to move so swiftly that she couldn't grasp any of them. She was hit with a wave of emotions, lust, anger, rage, jealousy, disappointment. Self-loathing? Then the images were gone, because now he was in HER mind, pulling out all her memories.

Ares was searching now, seeing everything she had ever seen or felt or been, she could feel him looking, but for what, she had no idea.

She moaned at the power she read in him some of which was now moving into her. Then she felt his fingers rubbing her clit and she was lost in tactile sensations. He grunted and slammed her into the table. He raised his head, grasped a nipple in his mouth, bit it and climaxed. She felt her orgasm and his like another sea of flame, she could feel his intense pleasure at release and his joy at her own pleasure. It was . . . she gulped as she felt the fire overwhelm her again, her skin was burning up. She pulled her fangs from his neck and felt stars explode behind her eyes.

When Cyn came to, she was lying in a big soft bed. Ares was propped on a pillow next to her watching her his face studiously unconcerned.

"What happened?" she asked

"You passed out. I'd suggest it was too much Calabasas wine, but I think, perhaps, it was a little too much me," he muttered softly.

Cyn grinned at him. "I don't think it was too much you. I think maybe it was the wine. You should have warned me."

"I did warn you," he retorted. "I told you it was highly potent, like me."

Cyn laughed. "So you did. I never was much good at following the rules."

He reached over and caressed her face. "How do you feel?"

Cyn thought for a moment. She could still feel his blood, his life force being absorbed into her body. She couldn't have been out for very long. "Incredible," she admitted. "Really and truly incredible. No wonder you didn't want me to drink you. What's going to happen to me now?"

"That," he mused softly, "is a very good question. In theory, you'll be stronger, faster, your senses will be even more enhanced, your powers much more formidable. But . . ."

"But what?" she asked nervously.

"But, given your ambiguous ancestry, it's difficult to guess what if any other changes will occur."

"My ambiguous ancestry," she echoed. "What a way to put it. Ares," she asked as she sat up and studied him, "is there any way to find out for certain who I belong to?"

He stared back at her. He knew he could ease her mind, but he wasn't sure where it would get him. Instead, he said, "Why should it matter? I told you when we met; the blood kinship is minimal. You're dead and I'm a god. So I don't think we need to worry about the issue of, say incest, now do we?"

"It's not that," she muttered. "I'd just like to know."

"I'll give it some thought," he replied. "And now that you're sufficiently recovered . . ." he let the words trail off as he began to caress her breasts.

Cyn closed her eyes and reveled in his touch. She was looking forward to the rest of the night.

The End?

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