Something Slaughtered Written September 2003 Posted July 2004 Jarvinia This story is the fourth in a series, taking place after 'Something Curious', 'Something... Opportune...', and 'Something of Great Need'. It's another 2-3 years or so later, and Nicky's quite a bit older. This story is also a bit darker, in a way, than the previous ones, and is definitely a high PG-13. And just a warning, but the title is very accurate--lots of things die. Nick, Natalie, and LaCroix are not mine and no copyright infringement is intended. Frederick, Cadeyrn, and the Nicky as presented in these stories are mine, however, so please do not use them without asking. This story has not been beta-read; all mistakes in any form are mine and mine alone. Feedback is more than welcome ( Thanks and enjoy! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Something Slaughtered - (01/13) Nicky closed his eyes against the forest, against the darkness surrounding him, against the life shrouded in it but illuminated by his inhuman eyes. In fact, little of humanity remained in him; a drained doe lay at his feet, the animal's life-nectar trickling unabated from the corner of his mouth. His breathing was quick from the hunt and had little to do with his need for oxygen. A thin line separated him from the other predators in these woods, a line he was more aware of than he wished to be, a line that frightened him somewhat. Walking up to the young man and around the fallen deer, LaCroix smiled across the carcass and up to Nicky's face. He wiped away the drops of still warm blood with a finger, and then licked it away, closing his eyes for a moment. It was fresh enough that the animal's fear lingered on his lips. When Nicky's bright golden gaze was raised to meet him, he smiled once again. "Isn't the hunt wonderful?" Looking away, Nicky wanted to both confirm and deny the statement, but did neither. Keeping his eyes averted, he commented, "I wish Nicholas would come with us." "You know why he refuses." Nick abruptly looked back to LaCroix. "I know why, but just because he refuses to hunt does not mean he can't come. My lessons with you include more than just hunting. He knows that." "He does not refuse to hunt--he denies it. To my son, hunting is natural to the point that he cannot control it, and that is why he denies it. He denies--or refuses--allowing himself the pleasure." Nicky turned his gaze down, his eyes still golden. "I do not call this pleasure." Focusing on the dead doe, his stomach churned and he knew he wouldn't be eating when they returned home. 'You will, Nicholas,' LaCroix thought to himself as the young man leapt into the sky, heading back to their home. "And it already pulls at you; I can see it. You will see that soon enough," he whispered into the breeze, and then started in the direction of the younger man. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. Reaching home, Nicky ignored Nick's mention that there was a meal for him in the kitchen. The mention of mortal food only made his stomach more unsettled at the thought of the mixture it would make with the doe's blood. He was torn between worry and pleasure as his prey's blood flowed in him, wanting to simultaneously permanently forget the night's events and live it all over again. "What's wrong?" Nick asked, but the younger merely gave him a glance and walked by him. When his sire arrived back seconds later, he demanded, "What happened, LaCroix? What did you do to him?" "I have done nothing. He is merely discovering his instincts." He paused a moment, then casually stated, "You should come with us. He would like it if you did." "You know I'm not coming. Don't try to persuade me." Ignoring his son's brush-off of the topic, LaCroix stepped nearer. "We do more than hunt, and you do not have to participate. You know that." "Please, LaCroix, I don't want to argue about this again. My decision on the matter isn't going to change." "Come with us tomorrow night, Nicholas. We won't even hunt." LaCroix watched his son pull back, actually turning away for a moment. "You can't always stay here, painting or playing the piano, or reading.... You've read several of your books half a dozen times in the last six something different for a change." "LaCroix, I am not going with you tomorrow night!" Nick snapped, hissing at his father. Just about to reply, LaCroix stopped upon seeing Nicky enter the room. "I'll be back in an hour. And put whatever you made me away--I'll have it later, or tomorrow...sometime..." Nicky said as he crossed the room. Then, he left with a slam of the door. Nick winced at the quick departure. He glared at LaCroix, wishing the other hadn't pushed the subject. Seeing LaCroix ready to make another comment, he said, "Just drop it, LaCroix. He left because we're arguing." Figuring it would be best to do as suggested, LaCroix calmly asked, "You will accompany us to the theatre Friday night, of course?" "Of course." "I know you do not entirely approve of what I am teaching him, but--" "He's not even one of us yet, LaCroix!" Nick exclaimed, facing the other straight on. "He does not need to know how to hunt. Not yet." "Nicholas...he has stopped growing and should be brought across. He has not changed in the slightest in the last half of a year--frozen in time, but not quite one of us. He's to the point that he consumes more blood than mortal food. He's also old enough to refuse the lessons if he so wishes. I have told him as much." "He's not old enough. He's the equivalent of a ten year old." "He is closer to that of a twenty-five year old, and you know it. He is far from a child in appearance and his mind seems to have matured along with it. If you treat him like a child, he will act like one. Just like you will." Nick ignored the last comment. LaCroix was just trying to anger him. "I still don't like you teaching him to hunt." "Nicholas, you know it's better that he learns now than later. He's killed before, I'm sure you remember that. And eventually he'll have to do so again. Perhaps not now, perhaps not even in the next decade, but it is a skill that he must master. Would you rather he learn to control his instincts before or after they really kick in? Once he is brought over, his hunger will be more demanding than even now. I know you've thought about this, Nicholas. If you were completely against my teaching him, you would not be allowing me to continue or have asked me to teach him in the first place." Nick managed a nod. LaCroix was right about that, at least. It was the primary reason he allowed LaCroix to spend first more time with Nicky, and then eventually turn Nicky's lessons over to LaCroix. It had been his best option half a year ago when he had made the decision, and he had neither changed his mind, nor planned to. And yet, his choice created as many problems as it solved. "Something happened tonight." "He is an excellent hunter; rather like you, really." "Don't skirt the question. What happened?" "Our lesson focused primarily on hunting." "And? He hasn't reacted this way other nights you've taken him hunting. Hunting what, specifically? You haven't had him kill, have you? Humans?" LaCroix let loose a soft laugh at that. "Deer, if you must know." His son stared at him, waiting for more. "He killed a deer tonight, and he's killed other animals on previous nights. He's just learning how his instincts work and letting them help him. It's something he'll learn sooner or later, whether I teach him or not. He'll have to kill eventually, too. Mortals. And not in some hunger-induced rampage. He will kill of his own will. He will be one of us, and soon. He cannot remain between worlds like he is for long. You know the difficulties of his present situation, and you know there is only one option." Nick tensed. "Do not force anything on him. I want your word on it." An eyebrow went up. "You think that I--" "Your word, LaCroix, that you will not force him to hunt *anything*, whether it be rodents, game animals, or humans. That you will make sure, every time, that it is *his* choice and that he is ready." "You have my word." He flashed a smile at his son. "It will be *his* choice, and he will choose it. You know he will." Nick averted his gaze as his sire looked down on him and then left in victory. LaCroix was right, and they both knew it. Nicky would eventually kill, and it would be his choice--assuming it could be called one. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. LaCroix alighted next to Nicky, who had just finished killing another deer, this time a male. He smiled, noticing the younger had escaped the dangers of the young stag's antlers with ease. "Well done, child, well done. I think even Nicholas would be proud of this." Nicky abruptly drew back, not fully draining it. After a moment of hesitation, he broke the animal's neck in a single swift snap, aware LaCroix would tell him to assure the animal was dead one way or another. He knew partially drained corpses could come across, and he had no wish to come across a turned deer starting after him antlers first. LaCroix would probably think it somewhat amusing if it ever happened, and especially if he didn't fly out of the way and then kill the creature--but it wouldn't. Nicky stared down on the dead animal. "No, I do not believe he would be proud of this. He doesn't even want me to hunt yet." "But you do, don't you?" Nicky looked up at LaCroix, and then turned away. In some ways he did want to know what it was like to kill, particularly mortals. At the same time, the thought repulsed him. It wasn't the thought of killing was the thought of killing something that looked, walked, and talked like he did. LaCroix stepped closer, walking up behind Nicky and resting his hands on the young man's shoulders. Leaning forward, he whispered into Nicky's ear, "You're curious, aren't you? I can see it in you. You're thinking about it, that's for sure." LaCroix smiled, and turned and led the younger man away from the deer. "Come. Come and I will show you something." Letting himself be guided through the trees, Nicky hesitated when LaCroix released him and took off. He followed a second later, being able to catch up in a matter of seconds. Reaching the edges of a city, the edges of population, they landed and Nicky curiously followed. Being mid-evening during the winter, there were still several mortals walking about, minding their own business, thinking little of the darkness around them. "What are we doing here?" Flashing the younger a smirk, LaCroix led the way out of the bright street lamps of the town. Once they were out of sight, he told Nicky, "Wait here," and then took off again. Nicky did as asked. Just as he was starting to wonder where the other had gone, LaCroix arrived back holding a semi-conscious woman in front of him, leaning against him. His eyes widened at the sight. She was tall, nearly LaCroix' height, and the darkness made her just as pale as him. "Perhaps a taste? And then if you wanted, we could have a bit of...'fun' with her." Nicky wasn't sure what that fun truly meant, but he didn't like the thought. He stared at the woman, her hair the same colour as his own, the same texture as his own.... He closed his eyes for a moment, and then opened them only to watch LaCroix brush his fangs against her bare neck. "I'm going back to the apartment," he stated. "We're supposed to be at the theatre tonight and I would like to take a shower before we go." A tinge of disappointment flashed on LaCroix' features. Quickly turning the mortal around and giving her a few, simple commands so that she remembered nothing and slept, he lowered her to the ground, answering, "Ah, yes. Oh well, we'll just have to save this for another night." LaCroix checked the time, surprised to see that Nicky's comment was needed. They had just enough time to return to the apartment, shower, change, and leave. His lips twisted faintly at the corners. Yes, he'd definitely try this again when they didn't have alternate plans. Swallowing upon seeing LaCroix' expression change, Nicky wondered what ideas the vampire had for his next lessons, fully aware that tonight would not be the only night a mortal would be presented to him. He took off, closing his eyes against the moist, chilly air. He enjoyed the feeling, although with winter it was almost too much. He was, after all, still partially mortal. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. "We should have left by now," LaCroix stated, sitting on one end of the black leather couch. Nick, leaning against the doorway leading to the kitchen, told him, "We won't be late. We have half an hour to squeeze in a ten-minute flight. If we're late, it won't be Nicky's fault." "Are you implying that--" "I'm not implying anything." "Would you two just shut up? Please?" Both vampires turned to Nicky as he came down the hall. Nick merely straightened his stance, preparing to leave. LaCroix, however, stood and examined Nicky's clothes. He said nothing at the slightly rumpled tuxedo. It wasn't enough that the mortals would notice. His eyes instead caught on the long, wavy, and very wet hair cascading down Nicky's back. "You did not even make an attempt to dry your hair. At least it's tied back." "It's always tied back--you won't let me wear it any other way. And on drying it--I didn't see the point. It'd probably rain if I had. It is Seattle after all." "It may be Seattle, but it is *not* raining, nor does it do so all the time." "It's fine, LaCroix. It'll dry some on the way." Noticing LaCroix was about to say something else, Nick added, "If we continue arguing, we *will* be late." "Thank you," Nicky muttered as he slipped away from LaCroix' scrutiny and retrieved his long jacket, put it on, and left the apartment. The other two followed suit, no one particularly thinking about where, exactly, they were going or even what they were going to see. Something Slaughtered - (02/13) Nicky kicked at a small rock, shooting it flying into a nearby bush. He glanced up at LaCroix, who was patiently waiting, not showing even a hint of boredom. "Who or what are we waiting for, anyway?" he asked, breaking the silence of the last ten minutes. "I have arranged something with Cadeyrn." Nicky's shoulders slumped at the name. "Not him again." "It's been more than two years since you last saw him. And besides-- he's not coming tonight. One of his Enforcers is." "But Cadeyrn organised it." "Somewhat. Is something wrong with that?" "Nothing, really.... It's just something bad seems to happen whenever he's involved." LaCroix let out a low chuckle. "I do not believe anything 'bad' will happen. I can almost assure you of that. In fact, you should enjoy tonight." "So...why is an Enforcer coming? How does he factor into my lessons?" "It's not the Enforcer that is important, but what he brings." "And what is that?" Giving the younger a thin smile, LaCroix answered, "You will see soon enough. First, you must wait." Nicky nearly responded, but LaCroix turned away from him, the action speaking for itself. He had to wait, and that was the end of this discussion. And so he would wait. A quarter of an hour later, a vampire landed between the two, holding a blindfolded, gagged, and bound mortal in front of him. Nicky swallowed at the sight, the Enforcer shoving the mortal to the ground with distaste. Now, nearly a week after the night they went to the theatre, LaCroix was finally going to continue with his line of thought. But this...the mortal was being treated like an animal, and to a point, it bothered him. "Remove his restraints," LaCroix commanded. The Enforcer first hesitated, and then removed both the blindfold and the gag, but didn't untie the mortal's wrists. At that, the mortal twisted until he was sitting up, hands still bound in front of him. He stared with silent fear at his bringer, and then the other two, his gaze eventually settling on Nicky. "Remove the bindings," LaCroix again ordered, letting his eyes flash gold at the Enforcer for not having done so already. "We will make sure he is dealt with." "But the boy," the Enforcer protested, nodding toward Nicky. "He's practically mortal." LaCroix raised his eyebrows slightly at the proclamation. "Really? Then test him." "What?" "Test him. Try to attack him." The Enforcer looked to the young man. It was tempting, but he knew Cadeyrn would not be pleased if he came to any harm. Although he had been told this one was practically a vampire, he wouldn't believe it until he saw it. "I'll catch him," he finally said, figuring it would be the best and safest test. LaCroix grinned. "If you can. But by all means...try." "Watch the mortal, then." The Enforcer flew at Nicky almost before he finished speaking, without warning or even checking that LaCroix had done as asked. He reached out, his target practically within his grasp. He grabbed and stopped, but nothing even brushed his fingers. Nicky was nowhere to be seen. He turned, the thin, pale young man staring back at him appearing to have been standing there the whole time. "How...?" "He's quick. I'm surprised Cadeyrn did not mention it to you." "He mentioned it, but.... He's fast for one of us, which was not stated." The Enforcer took a step back as he recalled the remainder of Cadeyrn's comments on Nicky. Cadeyrn's statements had compared the boy using the abilities of a vampire--not those of a crossbreed. He swallowed as that sunk in. "I retract my judgement." The Enforcer then untied the mortal's wrists. "You may now leave." The Enforcer hesitated. "This mortal has been difficult." "He will be of no trouble. Not when we're finished." When the Enforcer didn't move, he added, "We will make sure his body is disposed of." Stiffening, the Enforcer gave a faint nod. "Very well. However, he was a member of a group of hunters. We suspect the group is at least half a dozen. We have tasted his blood, hoping to obtain the identities of his friends, but the only distinct thought was anger. If, by chance, either of you discover anything more, it would be appreciated if that information was given to the Enforcers." Finishing speaking, the Enforcer left. Circling the mortal, LaCroix watched the man stand. The mortal spun with him, holding his gaze. About half way around this following stopped, and LaCroix followed the direction of the man's attention. It was fully on Nicky, whose eyes glowed a soft amber. "You are a hunter," Nicky stated, remaining in place and glaring at the mortal. "You've killed vampires." "Yes. I've killed those like you." "Have you. Are you sure? I'm not a vampire." "I'd say you're one. You look like one." "If I look like one it's only because your kind have made me hate you almost as much as you hate me." Nicky's eyes slowly became darker and brighter. "Hunters killed my father--murdered him--and left me alive." LaCroix made his way slowly from where he was to Nicky's side, where he urged, "You want to kill him, don't you? For what he is, for what his kind have done and will continue to do...." Nicky closed his eyes and wet his lips. It was tempting to do just what LaCroix suggested. He *did* want to kill this mortal. The way he was brought no longer bothered him. He wanted the creature to suffer and die for what it had done to his kind. Snapping his eyes open, he saw the mortal tense through a crimson haze. "Very good, Nicholas," LaCroix urged, now standing behind Nicky and whispering into his ear. Then, shifting his attention to the mortal, he stated, "I hope you're not just going to stand there. This may be his first real kill, but I think a moving target would be much more interesting. He will kill you, I will assure that." The hunter's eyes widened. These vampires were actually going to let him run from them? He'd rather stand here and die if he was going to die. He had no wish to let this become a game for them, which it obviously was. "I suggest that you run. Run, or let young Nicholas here rip your body to shreds before you're even dead. Give him a chase, and I think he'll settle with your blood. Choose." The mortal looked back to the younger vampire...or whatever it was. This 'Nicholas' as he'd been called seemed completely consumed with hatred at what he was. And that only gave credence to the other vampire's words. He believed that this one *would* rip him to pieces if he remained there, the young man already being held back by the other by the arms. He remained in place, staring at the two a moment more, and then turned and bolted, knowing that he didn't have long to live. LaCroix openly grinned at the quick departure, even as he held Nicky forcefully back. "Wait a few moments. Give him a head start." "Why?" "You'll see." Once Nicky had relaxed, realising he had to wait, LaCroix released his grip on the younger's arms. "Now go. Give him what he deserves for what he has done." He watched Nicky dart into the trees just where the mortal had passed through a moment before. LaCroix closed his eyes and waited for a moment, and then with a smile flew straight up in order to observe the hunt. Nicky, half-running and half-flying through the trees, caught up to the mortal with ease. He was torn between deliberately slowing and extending the chase to exhaust the mortal, or to continue ahead and kill the man right then. His mind unconsciously chose the latter, instinct telling him the blood would taste better if its container was not exhausted. He sped forward and grabbed the mortal, one hand wrapping around and restraining the hunter's chest, the other holding the man's head out of the way. Again, instinct was full in control and his fangs ripped into the bare neck, taking the blood with minimal resistance, which soon ceased altogether. The blood was warm, fearful, and hateful as it flowed down his throat. Taking the last of the blood he could manage to drain, he let the hunter's body fall to the ground with no qualms of killing this man. He'd do it over in a second. LaCroix landed in front of Nicky, very satisfied with the kill. "Quite enjoyable, yes?" "Yes. Very," Nicky answered, his breathing a tad quicker from the chase, his words filled with pleasure. "Good. Now do you see what Nicholas denies himself? And how idiotic it is to do so?" Nicky stiffened. Why did LaCroix always have to bring Nick up? Compare him to Nick like this? "It is his choice, and I respect it. If he does not wish to hunt, that is his choice." "And yours?" "I enjoyed this, but I will not hunt for sport, for game. For necessity and to kill those like this, I do not care." Seeing tension build in the other, he added, "To you it might be a game, but to me it is necessity. And I would have killed him without your urgings. I wanted to kill him, and I will not have a problem with it. I did this of my own free will, LaCroix. This mortal, this hunter deserved to die by one of us." "And what will you say to Nicholas?" Nicky looked away. "I would rather he not know of this. Not yet, not now. I fear it will upset him, and you will argue with him over it. He will think you forced this...but you didn't. I'm tired of watching you two argue. It gets none of us anywhere." "He will eventually need to know." "And I will be the one to tell him. Please, say nothing to him about this." LaCroix nodded, "I will say nothing unless he asks. I agree that he will not take this well." "Thank you, LaCroix." Nicky moved, stepping away from the body. Coming to stand next to LaCroix, he commented, "I suppose we can't just leave him here, can we?" "No. No, we can't. That is the downside of this time." He stepped forward and picked the dead mortal up. "Come. We will dispose of this and then return to the apartment." LaCroix flew up and out of the trees, Nicky following a second behind, a hand wiping a small amount of blood from his face, fearing that Nick would realise what they had done tonight in an instant. Something Slaughtered - (03/13) Nick stopped playing the piano as Nicky and LaCroix returned. He attempted to intercept the younger, but Nicky slipped away and to his room. LaCroix attempted to do the same, but he caught his sire just in time, one hand blocking the other's path. "What happened tonight?" "Nothing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to get out of these filth- ridden clothes." Nick's eyes flashed gold, and in a moment, he had pinned LaCroix against the wall. His sire stared down at him with a blank expression, mocking him. With descended fangs, he hissed, "It wasn't nothing, LaCroix. I smelt a mortal's blood on Nicky when he passed by. You've had him kill." "Who said it was him?" Nick shifted his grip to LaCroix neck, pushing the other off the ground and preventing any response. "Don't try to lie, LaCroix, I can't smell the blood on you." "I killed of my own will," Nicky answered, coming out of his room and walking toward them. "I-I didn't want you to know. But he didn't force me. I wanted to kill him. It was a hunter. He deserved it and would have died even if I hadn't killed him." He waited, but Nick didn't turn to him, didn't react at all to the explanation. "Please...let go of him. He did nothing wrong. I have to learn to hunt eventually--at least I'm hunting those already condemned to die." Nick roughly set LaCroix back on the ground, but didn't release his grip. "You should have informed me of your plans, LaCroix. I'm letting you teach him because you've had more experience than me, but I am *not* a fool." "Please! Just stop and listen for once!" Nicky half-screamed at them, striding right up so he was nearly between the two vampires. "It was my choice to kill. LaCroix did well in arranging for my prey to be a hunter. And it was my choice not to tell you. I didn't want this-- you two arguing, fighting over me--to happen again." He stood, lightly fuming for a few seconds, and then stated, "I'll be in my room," and left. Nick released LaCroix, but neither stepped back or looked away. "Was it his choice, LaCroix?" "Yes. He feared your reaction. Nicholas, you must let him live his own life now. Even I can see that. And he must be brought across soon. He cannot live halfway in our world for all eternity. Let him choose what he wants. My only doing was that I gave him a choice. He could kill or not kill, and he chose to kill. It's time to give him other choices. Not in months, or weeks, but now." Watching his son look away, LaCroix slid away from the younger and off to his room, leaving the younger to think. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. Later, after tensions eased somewhat, Nick went to Nicky's room and knocked on the door. Getting no response, he cautiously entered and closed the door behind him. Nicky lay on the bed, curled up on his side facing away from him. "Nicholas?" When the young man's pulse increased just for a moment, Nick knew the other was awake. He approached, gently sitting on the edge of the bed, not daring to reach out to the other just yet. "I know you're awake. Please, I'm not here to argue." "Then why do you and LaCroix do nothing but argue?" "Because we see things differently, and because I can't completely trust him." "He only has my interests in mind. He won't hurt me." Nick stiffened, wishing that were true. "Nicky, my relationship with LaCroix is...complicated. He is my father, he is the one that brought me over and he's taught me much. He loves me as a son, but in his own way. And he has hurt me, Nicky. He's tricked me into doing things I wouldn't have done if I knew the full consequences. LaCroix hasn't changed, and he will trick you." "I know that. You've told me what he's done in the past. But why must you two argue about me? Over me?" "Because LaCroix wants you to be like him. I'm a disappointment to him, Nicky. That's the main reason we argue. It's not because of you, it's just something we've done for a long time." Nicky rolled onto his back and looked up at the other. "I'm a disappointment to you, aren't I?" Nick stiffened, having hoped to avoid that question. "No, you're not. I know you're different than me, and I can accept that. You will never be a disappointment to me." "Not even after what I did tonight? Even though I don't see anything wrong with killing mortals if it's needed?" "No. What I am disappointed in is that LaCroix didn't tell me of his plans. If he had told me--" "You would have argued." "Perhaps. But I wouldn't have stopped him from his intentions. It's one thing to hunt innocent mortals and another to kill hunters. I don't particularly agree with others, but I do agree that you must learn to hunt. And hunting requires, at some point, killing--both animals and humans." Nicky took that in, somewhat taken aback by the knowledge. And thinking about it, he realised Nick would have let LaCroix go through with the plan--just like he had in the past when LaCroix had made a suggestion. Nick hadn't stopped LaCroix from doing anything, disagreed, perhaps, but not stopped. "So...what did you want to talk about? Or was it just this?" "I.... LaCroix' right about something else. And that's that you do need to be brought over. If you haven't started thinking about it, you should. If you want to ask any questions, you can ask me. And just so you know--don't feel pressured to pick me. And don't feel pressured to pick LaCroix, either, or even Cadeyrn's offer. It's your choice how you want to lead your life, and I'll support whatever you want." "Even if I pick LaCroix and don't tell you? Or...something else?" "The choice is yours." "And LaCroix?" "He still wants you as his. He'll do whatever he can to convince you to pick him, but I think in the end he'll accept whatever choice you make." Nicky clenched his jaw shut and stared at the ceiling. "I don't know what I want." He sat up and scooted back against the headboard. "You said I could ask you questions. Any questions?" "Any." "What...what does...." Nicky looked away. "Cadeyrn said I'd make a good Enforcer. Why? A-and...would I?" Nick stiffened. He, personally, disliked Enforcers. "They enforce the Code among vampires and they kill hunters. You have a strong hatred of hunters and you would probably do well as one. But know that most Enforcers are solitary in things other than work and other vampires do not look up to them. I suppose you could say they do the Community's dirty work. But Cadeyrn is correct in that you would make an excellent Enforcer, and he would probably make sure your primary task was tracking the hunters." Nick paused, hoping Nicky would say something. When he didn't, Nick prodded, "Are you considering taking Cadeyrn up on his offer?" "I don't know. I really don't know what I want. I know I have to choose, that I can't stay like this forever, but...I'm afraid. Being different, will I really merely not be able to eat mortal food and no longer be mortal, or will more change?" Nicky pulled his legs up and crossed them in front of him. "You know, of everything I'd miss, it'll be chocolate I'll miss the most. Do you think there's a possibility I might still be able to eat it?" "I don't know, but I could ask Frederick if you'd like?" He shook his head, his eyes widening. "No. No, I'd rather not ask. But...what if I did become an Enforcer? How would LaCroix react if he found out?" "I'm not's not exactly something I've tried before." Looking down, Nicky's hands fidgeted for a moment, before he managed, "LaCroix, is he...I mean, he's never really done anything to me. What...what has he done to you?" "We've...fought. Argued. Sometimes I've initiated it but many times LaCroix has as well." He stopped, wondering how he should say the rest, and, for that matter, how much he should say. "We've nearly killed one another on several occasions. He's tricked me into killing innocents and others knowing I was against it. And he won't let me go. He's possessive and he'll never let me go until one of us is dead." Seeing Nicky turn nervously toward the door, he assured, "LaCroix isn't here right now. He left just before I came back here. But there are good sides to having him as your master as well; you just have to take both sides. It's the same if you choose know I don't exactly have a strong background when it comes to fledglings." "I know." Nicky turned his attention back to his hands, which he clasped in his lap, unclasped, then eventually set them on either side of himself and leaned forward on them. "I guess I just need to set aside some time to think about things. I do have time to decide, after all." "Good. Now, I'll go make you something to eat before LaCroix gets back." Nick stood, but didn't leave when he saw Nicky start forward as if to stop him. "What?" "LaCroix...does he know what you've said to me?" "Some, I'm sure. He...has a tendency to know what I'm thinking. It's not something I can block." Nicky nodded and resumed his seat up by the headboard. "I really don't know what I want, Nick. I know I need to pick one of you...but I want both. Does that make sense?" Nick smiled. "Yes, it makes sense. If it helps any, I've spent most of my life either living with or near LaCroix. Whichever one of us you pick, it won't mean losing contact with the other. And think, if you pick LaCroix, we'll be brothers." "And if I pick you, LaCroix *will* be grandpa...." Nick had to suppress a laugh at the scene that image produced. "Hmm...yes, but if you do, don't tease him about it...I don't think he'd find it very amusing." "Then stop smiling." "I can smile if I want," Nick threw back, doing just that. "It'll be you that will take whatever LaCroix' reaction would be." "I bet he'd find it amusing. If I got him at the right time, anyway." Nick let his smile soften, and then he turned and headed toward the kitchen. "Nick?" He stopped at the door, one hand on the doorframe as he looked back in. "I know you probably can't avoid it, but could you try to not argue a lot with LaCroix? You're family, and I want to be a part of that family, but I feel like I'm being pushed and pulled between you too." Nick's smile vanished, a cool, even expression replacing it. "I can try, but it might not help any. It'll get better after you've decided what to do. I'm sure of that." As Nick left, Nicky turned his attention back to his hands, which were now, once more, in his lap. He pulled them away from each other, and staring forward, sat in thought. Would things get better if he decided? And what if he picked Nick? Would that anger LaCroix? And if he picked LaCroix, would he then not get to spend as much time with Nick? He shook the thoughts off and scooted to the edge of the bed where he stood and headed to the kitchen. Something Slaughtered - (04/13) [Three weeks later:] Nicky descended through the treetops, landing in a partially clear section of the woods. The underbrush was nearly vacant, leaving more than enough room for him to walk about. He stepped forward several steps, grinning like a madman. Turning, he lost no excitement as LaCroix landed just where he had. "I beat you," he stated. Raising an eyebrow, LaCroix responded simply. "So I see." He passed it off outwardly, although inwardly he was both pleased and annoyed. Nicky's quickness had only increased with age, so that now, even though he was still not quite a vampire, he had to struggle to keep up. And tonight he had fallen behind, which he attributed to the fact Nicky had fed before their lesson while he had not. "Has Nick ever beaten you?" "Upon rare occasion," LaCroix admitted. "Sometimes when hunting. You could, perhaps, speak with him on that matter. He might respond better to your curiosity than my suggestions." "Maybe." Nicky looked away, and staring into the trees, he made a three hundred and sixty degree turn before his eyes again rested upon LaCroix. "So what was it for?" "Just a bit of fun." "Fun?" Nicky hesitated at asking more. LaCroix' ideas of fun weren't always typical. Nor were they necessarily fun. "So now what? I'm sure you want to give me some kind of lesson, right?" "Not just yet," LaCroix answered, taking a step closer to Nicky. And then another. One more and they were nearly face-to-face. Gently, he cupped his right hand just under Nicky's ear. "Have you considered your decision?" "I've...considered it," he answered. LaCroix' expression, curious and demanding, made him nervous. "However, I haven't decided anything." "You should choose, you know. There are a few things that you might find interesting." "Like what?" LaCroix let the fingers of his left hand trace along Nicky's jaw line toward his chin, and then back again. He could feel the young man's heart rate quicken, undoubtedly from imagination. "Nothing Nicholas would particularly disprove of if you were brought across." "What?" "A simple sharing of blood. It's a very interesting experience...." Nicky took a step back, but LaCroix followed his every movement. In a matter of seconds, he found himself backed up against a tree. "But I can't, not yet." "No, not yet...but if you could. In fact, that's about all bringing someone across is--sharing blood. A vampire takes the mortal's blood, and then the mortal is given the vampire's blood...quite simple, isn't it?" "I'm not ready, LaCroix. I haven't made a choice yet." "That doesn't mean you can't have a new experience." "What...kind...of experience?" "You've never had anyone take your blood, have you?" ", no, not really." "You should. That in itself is very...interesting." Nicky shrank as far back into the tree as he could. Although certainly curious, he was also frightened. He knew what LaCroix was doing, or close to doing. But he couldn't escape. He could try refusing, but did he really want to? He had to admit that he was curious now that it was brought up. "Don't be afraid--I have no intentions of harming you. If you want me to stop, just say so. Tell me, and I won't do anything more. We can return to the apartment." Nicky swallowed, closing his eyes as LaCroix leaned toward him. His head was gently tilted to the side so that it was fully supported on the left, fingers pushing the edge of his shirt to the side. A few seconds later he felt two sharp points replace the soft fingers. He involuntarily gasped at the sensation they produced, a feather light touch of pins. He opened his eyes, only for them to slide shut again as LaCroix' fangs bit into his neck. His blood was pulled from him, a not altogether bad feeling, but not all good, either. He knew that if he took LaCroix' blood, which was just a few inches away, the mixed feeling would vanish. His fangs descended at the thought and he nearly did just that, but he didn't. He couldn't. If he did, he would fall right into what was very probably a trap. LaCroix pulled away as Nicky's thoughts started to centre more on himself. He was somewhat disappointed his plan had been seen through, but he was pleased nonetheless. He waited a moment for the younger man to recover, watching as the other now leaned against the tree in a state of almost relaxation. Slowly, Nicky looked up at LaCroix, his heart beating far more insistently than usual. But then, his body was protesting to being drained...his body, but not himself. He was confused, torn between the two reactions. "Now, close your eyes," LaCroix said, his lips twisted into a faint smile. "Close them and tell me what you feel." Nicky did so, and at first felt little different from when LaCroix was draining him. And then he felt a rush of...something flow through him, sapping his strength. And then he felt the hunger. "I'm hungry." "Good." Snapping his eyes open, Nicky demanded, "Good? How?" "Time for your lesson. Hunting while hungry is entirely different than when one is not." "Hunting...what, exactly?" "Whatever you choose. They prey does not matter tonight." LaCroix stepped back, allowing the other to move out into the open. "Pick a target and hunt. This time, take care as your hunger will want the easiest and most satisfying prey...but do not change your target. Hunt for something particular. Go!" Nicky stared blankly at LaCroix for a moment before doing as told, flying straight up. Once free of the trees, he closed his eyes and hovered, trying to focus on the heartbeat of a deer. Several heartbeats interrupted his search, mostly those of smaller animals, but a few mortals' pulses thundered above everything else. They weren't far, he knew, a mortal family living in a house a short flight away.... But he had picked deer. He pushed the temptation away, and nearly a minute later finally locked on his prey. He took off, landing on the ground, startling his target and making it bolt through the underbrush. He followed, the animal having no chance against a vampire's hunger. In thirty seconds the deer, a doe, lay lifeless at his feet. As he calmed, he took several steps back, surprised at the sight. The wounds from his fangs were ripped, more blood spilt than other times he'd killed deer, and the animal's neck was clearly broken. He only vaguely remembered drinking the animal's blood, nothing more. Landing several steps behind the younger, LaCroix proclaimed, "Good. Very good." Nicky spun at the voice, his eyes still softly glowing from the chase. "How do you feel now? It's different, isn't it?" "Yes...because I needed the blood. I supposed to still be hungry?" "Yes. Animal's blood will never fully sate our hunger." LaCroix walked forward, examining the dead deer. "A little messy--but controlled." "I'm sorry...I...don't remember much." "Nothing to be sorry for. Most fledglings would have ripped the animal's head off if put in this situation." "I'm not a fledgling." "Oh yes you are, Nicholas. Perhaps not a vampire just yet, but you can certainly be called a fledgling. And a delight to teach, if I might add." Nicky looked away from the pleased expression LaCroix gave him. Something about the look bothered him. It wasn't that LaCroix had taken great pleasure when taking his blood, or even that that action was very probably an attempted trick. He was uncomfortable because, really, it *didn't* bother him. LaCroix would have taken his blood no matter what--it was a necessary part of his night's lesson. But he knew there was more to it than that. What he didn't know was the reason behind his reasoning. Did he truly believe that incident was a part of the lesson, or was he reasoning it as such from how much they'd both enjoyed it? "Come, Nicholas, we will return to the apartment for the night. There you can sate your hunger." Nicky turned back to the other and his outstretched arm, beckoning him to approach. Without much hesitation, he walked forward, letting LaCroix' arm rest across his upper back for a moment. Then, giving the vampire a quick glance, he flew out of the trees, LaCroix' hand sliding gently along his back. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. Once back to the apartment, Nicky went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator only for LaCroix to shut it before he could get anything. "Come, Nicholas." "But--" "Come," LaCroix again urged, guiding the younger out of the kitchen and down the hall. He ignored his son's curious glance, proceeding directly to his room. Once inside, he left Nicky near the door and went to the closet, and after a moment turned around with an unlabelled bottle and a glass in his hand. At the bottle and glass, Nicky swallowed. Instantly he was aware the items had been kept there for a purpose. "What is that for?" "I had planned to save this until you had come across, but I think now is an even more appropriate time." LaCroix carefully set the glass down on the nightstand on the far side of the room. "Come closer and sit." Nicky did so, coming across the bed to the indicated spot as LaCroix was blocking the way on his side. Sitting cross-legged, his eyes settled on LaCroix' motions as he uncorked the bottle and slowly filled the glass. As the bottle was set down, he asked, "What is it?" "Do you need to ask?" "No, I saved it. What makes it special?" "It's very expensive, partially because it is somewhat difficult to obtain. And time-consuming." He smiled at the younger's enhanced confusion. "All of the blood in this bottle is from the same mortal. Not only that, but their blood was...cultivated specifically for us." He picked up the glass and held it out to Nicky. "Taste it. It will calm your hunger like nothing else, I will assure you." Nicky took the glass with care, and held it in front of him, both hands holding it steady. He looked at the pooled liquid, trying to discern the difference between this and what he'd had before, but there was no indication of it. Nor did he really expect it to look any different. "Taste it, Nicholas." Following the instructions, the sharp flavour made him close his eyes in an instant. Opening them, he turned to look at LaCroix through a golden haze. He immediately took another sip, and then a third. The blood was vibrant, fresh, and had a purer taste than anything he'd had before. If cow's blood was cardboard to regular human blood, then compared to this, regular human blood was sand. He could taste flavours he knew well--honey and lemon, even a touch of red wine--and they filled him. He took another slow and long drink, finishing the glass. Pulling it down, he stared into the glass, his body not sure what it wanted. He liked the flavour. He wanted more of it, and yet he knew exactly where it came from. A mortal had died for this...a mortal had been fattened up for this treat he was now consuming, and then slaughtered for their blood. "What do you think? I can see in your eyes that you like it." Taking the bottle off the table, he asked, "More? The bottle is for you, only you. You may have all of it, if you wish." Nicky looked up to LaCroix, and then back to the empty glass. This bothered him. And yet, he both knew it shouldn't and his body wasn't telling him it was wrong. 'This is the way things are,' he vaguely remembered his father tell him. 'Vampires feed from humans, and that is the way it is.' Thinking of another comment his father made, he laughed in his thoughts. It went something like, 'At least we take better care of our prey than the mortals,' which he knew was true. Mortal hunters had hunted animals close to extinction on a number of occasions. But, vampires had an ample food source that far out numbered its needs. The mortals believed them to be myth, that's how little they needed. "Nicholas? More?" He snapped his attention up toward the voice. Locking his focus on LaCroix, Nicky tried to decide. What would it hurt? The mortal that had given the blood was already dead, and this was supposed to be a treat. "Yes, please. More," he said, holding the glass for LaCroix to fill it. LaCroix broadly grinned at the words and the darkening amber eyes looking back with him. He filled the glass up and watched as the other drank the blood, savouring every drop, revelling in the flavour. Catching slight movement by the door, LaCroix glanced up to where his son stood just to one side, looking on. His son's expression was a strange mix of disapproval and acceptance. Before he could say anything or Nicky noticed, however, his son had vanished from view. LaCroix turned his attention back to Nicky and the already half-empty glass, pleased that he'd changed his original plans and gone through with them tonight. Something Slaughtered - (05/13) Nicky woke, feeling like he'd had a most wonderful dream...but a dream he knew it not to be. The taste of blood from earlier that night lingered in his mouth. It was pleasant, and all he remembered was LaCroix' treat, the smooth textured liquid flowing down his throat, coating it with warmth and bliss. He vaguely recalled drinking the bottle, and down to the last drop, at that. But by the end his thoughts had strayed so far from reality that he fell asleep in a pleasing haze. He vaguely felt that same haze around him now, and it was relaxing. He wanted to just close his eyes and drift back off, and nearly did. Shifting his arms, his fingers closed around an arm, LaCroix' arm. The haze crawled away as he realised what the soft comfortable form he was snuggled up to was. LaCroix. Nicky momentarily tensed, but then relaxed as he woke up more, not wanting to wake the other. He lay there for several minutes; thoughts still a jumble from the blood. Closing his eyes, Nicky found himself being enveloped by the blood and the thoughts that went with it. He snapped his eyes open again, the feeling dispersing partly, the feeling lingering wherever his skin pressed against something else. With care, he moved LaCroix' arm off of him waist, lifting it up and slipping gradually away. Once off the bed, Nicky looked back to where LaCroix continued to sleep, now lying on his back, the hand that had been around his waist lying haphazardly on his stomach. With a final glance, he stepped quietly from the room, going into the hall and pulling the door silently shut. Going by Nick's room, he found the door open and no one inside. He made his way down the hall, unhurried, wondering if Nick was awake and what he knew of what happened. Coming to the end of the hall and the entrance to the main room, he stared over at Nick, who was reading a book as he sat on the couch. He waited, and after several seconds the other looked up, shut the book and placed it on the coffee table. "Nick, I...." "Come here and sit with me. You don't have to say anything." Nick paused before adding, "I know what LaCroix gave you earlier tonight. You have nothing to apologise for. It was a treat, and take it as one." Nicky looked down, remaining in place. "But..." he began, and then looking up at the other, he continued, "But don't you have something to say? I know you don't approve of it...." "I don't necessarily approve or disapprove of it. You can make your own choices, and I'll accept them. I may not agree with them, but I can accept them. I've told you that, and I mean it." Nicky held the other's gaze for a few seconds before finally walking over and joining Nick on the couch. At first, he sat next to Nick, and then, feeling uncomfortable, pulled his legs up in front of him. Almost immediately after doing that he leaned over, his head lying in Nick's lap. "What's wrong, Nicky?" "LaCroix wants me as his, and he wants me more than anything else." "And?" "And...I don't know what to do." Nick held the other, one hand on Nicky's shoulder, the other smoothing back Nicky's hair. "I think you know what you want to do. If you choose him, it's okay." "That's just it...I'm not entirely sure, and I want to be sure first. But...yes, I'm considering it. I don't agree fully with his take on being a vampire...but I find I agree with him more than I don't. I...I think I know what I want, but how can I know?" "You can't. If it's what you think you want, accept it. When you're ready, have him bring you over." "If I choose LaCroix...can I have you there?" "If that's what you want." "It is. Whoever I choose, I want you both there." Nicky closed his eyes, only to reopen them as the last hints of the blood started to send him into a half-bliss once more. Deciding there was no reason to hold back, he let them flutter closed again, this time allowing himself to relax and display a gentle smile. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. [One Week Later:] Nicky made his way slowly down the hall, working along the wall. He could just made out the door to his room. It wasn't far...a few feet...maybe even down to a few inches...he wasn't sure how far or exactly what he was seeing. He wanted sleep, and that's all he cared about. That night LaCroix had persuaded Nick to leave...or perhaps Nick had left after LaCroix had explained what they were going to do...he wasn't sure. Either way, Nick wasn't there and he and LaCroix had gotten quite drunk. Himself more than LaCroix. They'd each had the same amount of fluid, but more wine had been added to his. A couple of glasses he could handle, but not however much he'd drank...something more than a bottle by his best guess. Sleep. That's what he needed, and he fumbled his way along the wall toward the trim around his door...or was that the trim along the floor? He felt a hand wrap around his arm and pull him back, or up, whatever direction was behind him. He was steadied against the wall, and as a fuzzy image of LaCroix floated in front of him, he slurred, "I think I need a bit of" LaCroix answered with a low chuckle. "Yes, I can see that. But..." he started, his lips twisting into a bit of a smile. "The night's not over." "I don't care," Nicky mumbled, his eyes drifting shut for a few seconds. When he felt himself being gradually pinned to the wall, he snapped them open and hissed at LaCroix through a red haze, pushing the other's hands away. "I'm tired! Just let me go." He tried sliding along the wall, but found himself again pinned, this time more roughly. The action made him momentarily sober, just long enough to realise that LaCroix was in just as bad of shape as he, and acting solely on his wants. As golden eyes stared straight into his own, Nicky's eyes faded to a bluish-grey out of fear. Never, not once had he seen LaCroix drunk. Never, until now. "LaCroix--" LaCroix raised his hand, a finger pressing against Nicky's lips, silencing whatever the younger wanted to say. "It's not even midnight." "I--" LaCroix repeated his action, smiling at the other's quickening heartbeat. "I know you've made your choice, Nicholas. And I know what it is. Are you frightened? Is that why you've said nothing?" Nicky's eyes widened. He nearly spoke, but the hint of anger he saw in the other stopped him. "You want to come across, do you not?" LaCroix asked, the words whispered into Nicky's ear. He pushed Nicky's hair back and pulled the already loosed collar to the side, revealing the young man's pale yet warm skin. "Yes, I do, but, no--" Nicky cut off, unable to speak as fangs pierced into his neck, drawing his blood away. He wanted to fight, but could not. The ceiling abruptly flashed burgundy, his own fangs descending in a split second, slicing into his lower lip. His hands tightly held onto LaCroix as he tasted his own blood. With that, he forgot his fear. He forgot everything except that he wanted more. He needed more. Just as he prepared to strike and take the blood he wanted, he gasped as LaCroix was ripped away from him, the vampire's fangs tearing his skin and momentarily stunning him. He leaned back against the wall, his attention fixed on LaCroix as Nick pushed the other down the hall. Catching himself on the doorframe, LaCroix spun and snarled at his son who dared to interfere. "Step aside, Nicholas!" At that, Nick only made sure he was positioned between the two. "LaCroix, stop this. You're not in control." LaCroix' eyes turned scarlet at the accusation. "I am in perfect control. Now let me finish what was started," he said, starting forward. "No. No, I can't let you continue. Not like you are." Angrily, LaCroix struck out at Nick, sending the younger vampire into the wall accompanied by several cracks. Nicky watched this, drunk and drained, but completely awake. He scooted back along the wall as LaCroix advanced on him, his attention split between Nick, who was just starting to recover from the slam against the wall, and the vampire in front of him. Now, once more, he was frightened. Frightened that LaCroix' anger would now turn on him. As LaCroix neared and reached out for him, Nicky flew as best he could away to put more distance between them. When LaCroix mirrored him, he held out a hand, finger raised, and with a quivering voice stated, "Stay back...stay back and don't touch me!" Nicky took yet another step back as LaCroix continued to approach. "Please don't...I can't handle this right now. Please, just turn around and leave me be." LaCroix made no move to head the other's words. Prepared to fly at the other, however, he found himself being restrained from behind. He glanced back, catching sight of his son's amber glare. Hearing the door open, he turned back to Nicky, just in time to see the young man's form dart out the doorway. "Release me, Nicholas!" "Let him go, LaCroix." LaCroix struggled against his son's grip, but couldn't break free. Frustrated, he tried again, this time succeeding. He spun on the other, hissing, "You should not have interfered!" "You're drunk, LaCroix. You were forcing him." "He gave me an answer. I asked if he wanted to come across, and he said he did." "He also tried to protest, LaCroix! I heard the 'but' and the 'no', and you didn't let him continue! You shouldn't have taken his blood." "Why? It's not like I haven't taken it before." Nick froze, unaware that LaCroix had done such a thing. "What?" "Last week, the night I gave our young Nicholas a treat...I took his blood. He allowed it. I did not force him." "Just like you didn't tonight? LaCroix, from what I could tell, you forced it. And I'd say he's thinking along the same lines." "He was going to come across." "Only because he wasn't thinking straight and you were draining his blood! You had reduced him to instinct--of course he'd want your blood. He would have taken *any* blood he could have." "He would have been mine." Nick let out a half-laugh, the action somewhat painful. "Well, you did a good job at that, didn't you? Or didn't you see his fear? He's afraid of you now, LaCroix. If you go after him now, you'll just push him further away." LaCroix silently glared at his son. He had nothing to say in reply. Barely containing his emotions, he stalked past his son and headed to his room, slamming the door. Nick, his back to LaCroix' room, closed his eyes and let himself relax. Just what had happened while he was gone he didn't know. He had come back, certainly not expecting to find either of them drunk or doing much else than sitting and talking. What he found instead stung him. Nick slowly walked into the living room and sat down, sinking back into the cushions to heal and wait. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. As sunrise arrived, LaCroix made his way into the main room where his son sat, resting with his eyes closed. "He has not returned." Turning, opening his eyes and looking at his sire, Nick stated, "Obviously." "He should have come back by now." "He'll be fine, LaCroix. As you have stated, he's not a child and can make his own decisions. And he's making one." "You should have prevented him from leaving. He was not of the mindset to choose such actions." "Oh, so you've noticed. Does that mean you're back to 'normal'?" LaCroix held back his anger. "Yes, I noticed, and yes I'm aware you disapprove of my earlier actions. Perhaps I was a little close to the edge, but I knew what I was doing." Giving up, Nick turned away and simply stared at the opposite wall. When LaCroix remained, he stated, "It's after sunrise, LaCroix. He won't be coming back until at least tonight." "He *will* return tonight." "If he chooses to. He needs time alone--give it to him. Don't push him. You'll lose him, LaCroix, and I know you don't want that." LaCroix spun on his heal and walked away. His son was quite right about the last. He couldn't handle losing anything more at the moment. Not now. Something Slaughtered - (06/13) Thirty hours and two thousand miles later, Nicky hesitated just before the door into the morgue. He could hear the faintly familiar heartbeat of Natalie inside. He wished he could just turn back, but it was too late for that. His body demanded sustenance, and here was, at least, a safe place to get it. He pushed the door open, walked a few steps into the room, and waited. Natalie glanced up from her work, and then froze, her mouth dropping open at the somewhat familiar man standing, staring at her. "Nicky?" She stood and started toward him, concerned by his paleness. Nicky stepped back as she approached, holding his arms out in warning. "Don't...please...I need blood, and I need it now. Either get it or tell me where it is." Natalie halted, although more in reaction to Nicky's amber eyes and tips of his fangs than the verbal warning. Figuring it best to not keep him waiting, she stepped to the side, and turning, pointed toward the cooler where the blood was kept. She took another step back as Nicky flew toward it, pulling open the door and grabbing two units of blood. He bit right into the first, not realising there was another way to get the blood out. He drained it somewhat messily, and starting on the second, he let the door close and then he turned and slid down against it to the floor. The coolness of the blood dampened his hunger, and although he needed more, he felt much better than he had. Stepping closer, Natalie prodded, "Nicky? What happened? What are you doing here?" Taking a few moments and finishing off the second unit of blood, Nicky then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He stared at the smudges of blood that came off and had to force himself not to lick it off in a frenzy. Instead, he did so as politely as he could manage, and then looked up and met Natalie's gaze. "I...I don't know. I needed some space, and the next thing I knew, I was here." "How did you get here? Where are Nick and LaCroix?" "They're...they're probably waiting for me to come back...back at the apartment." "And how did you get here?" she asked again, hoping to get an answer. "I flew. Mostly. I kind of remember...convincing a truck driver to let me travel in the back for the day." Nicky looked down, staring at the bloodstains on the cuffs of his shirt, dried bloodstains. "I think I killed something, too...but it wasn't human. I'd remember if it was human." Natalie watched as Nicky's attention strayed and he zoned out. "Nicky? What happened?" Nicky turned toward the morgue door, his eyes fixed on the entrance. "Not here. I want to sleep...and clean up." "Okay, okay...." Natalie looked to the clock. She still had half an hour left, but she didn't have anything pressing to do, either. "Okay, let me get my things together and we'll head to my place, all right?" Getting a sluggish nod, she quickly gathered up what she needed and left to log off. Coming back, she found Nicky right where she left him. She offered her hand to him to help him up, and at first, he just stared at it. "Come on, I'll help you up." Nicky accepted the hand, and used both it and the freezer behind him to stand. Once on his feet, he glanced awkwardly at the freezer. "Uh, can I take some more? It's just...I'm still hungry." "Of course. It's not like I get many patients in that could use it." "Thanks." Nicky grabbed two more units, and after a pause, he took a third. Natalie took them from him as he turned, putting them out of sight, which he was grateful for. Then, they left without another word. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. Natalie walked to her bedroom and tapped on the half-open door. "Do you feel a little better?" she asked, entering the room. "A little." Nicky looked down, the ends of his hair bending as it reached his thighs, dampening the thin sheet wrapped loosely around his waist. "I feel better than I have since early last night." Natalie walked slowly closer, and then sat on the edge of the bed, twisting to face him. "Will you tell me what happened? Please?" He snapped his eyes up to her, and then back down again. Focusing on one ribbon of hair, he took it and twisted it gently around the end of his finger several times, and then let it fall down loose again. "We...LaCroix and I...we got drunk. Nick wasn't there. I'm not sure how much LaCroix had planned, or what, but neither of us were quite thinking straight. I...I was on my way to my room, trying to get there, anyway, when LaCroix caught up to me in the hall." "And?" Nicky turned to her, but only for a moment. "And that's when things went wrong." Pausing a moment, he explained, "I stopped growing several months ago. I know I need to come over, to choose.... LaCroix, he brought the subject up, but he was out of it, and...and he, I think he was going to bring me over, thinking I'd given him a response. I somewhat did, but he struck before I could finish my reply. Nick came back to the apartment as LaCroix was draining me and pulled him off. LaCroix wasn't pleased...and he hit Nick pretty hard. I think he broke a few bones, I'm not sure. When LaCroix started for me again, I left. I think Nick held him back. All I know is they didn't follow me." After taking in a deep breath and letting it slowly out, he added, "I'm glad they didn't. All they do is argue. I needed a break. I guess that's how I ended up here." Natalie stared at Nicky as he again fiddled with the ends of his hair. "How about you rest and we can talk more tonight?" she suggested and stood up. As fear quickened his blood, Nicky reached out, his long fingers closing around Natalie's wrist before she could move any further away. "Please...I don't want them to know I'm here. I know you probably have some kind of contact with the Community...please don't use it. Not yet." Natalie pulled against the gentle but restraining grip. Nicky was right in that she could contact Cadeyrn and Frederick, but she had no idea where Nick and LaCroix were. "I won't. I just thought you might want to get some rest." Nicky didn't release her, nor did his grip loosen. "I...will you stay in here?" "Nicky, you're not a little boy any more." "Then stop calling me 'Nicky'. You know I like Nicholas better." "I...." "Please, Natalie. I would just rather not be alone...I'm...." He looked down, his fingers sliding off her wrist. "I'm afraid, Natalie. When LaCroix came at me, I wasn't just scared he might hurt me, or what he might do...I was terrified he'd kill me. He'd hit Nick with enough force to kill a mortal...and I'm still more or less mortal. I can die, and I don't want to. I'm afraid, and I'd like to think it was irrational...but if he loves Nick and can do such harm to him...." "You're afraid that if LaCroix brings you over he'll do the same to you?" Nicky turned sharply toward her, and after glancing down for a second, answered, "Yes. Nick...Nick's mentioned their relationship is complicated. And last night it hit me that it was the way LaCroix was. And I'm just another Nicholas to him. I wanted LaCroix to be the one to bring me over, but now I'm not so sure. I thought I could handle it, but if I run when he goes after Nick, what am I going to do when it's me that gets in his way, when it's me that really angers him? Nick can't protect me all the time, even if I wish he'd back off sometimes." "Do you want to talk some more tonight?" He shook his head. "No. No, I just don't want to be alone right now." When Natalie didn't say anything, he scooted toward the edge of the bed. "I'll go in the other room. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come." "Nicky, stay in here," she told him, blocking his way. "This room is darker and you need it. I'll stay until you fall asleep, okay?" She waited, but he just looked away. "Nicky? You'll always be welcome here, you know that." "I know, I just...I'm tired. I need to sleep." Natalie managed a smile and moved out of his way, taking one of his wrists and urging him off the bed. Once he was standing, she pulled back the comforter for him. "Get some rest, okay? If you want to talk more tonight, we can. But we don't have to. Okay?" With a nod, he got back on the bed and slid under the covers. When Natalie brought the comforter back up, he gripped it and wrapped it around himself. He watched as she then went to the window and pulled the drapes closer together, fastening them at the bottom. He nearly spoke when she neared the door, but she didn't leave, so he didn't. Instead, closing his eyes, he tried to think of something other than the last two nights, tried to focus on something he had done with LaCroix that he had enjoyed. Namely, hunting. And that's what filled his thoughts as they drifted off. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. Nicky sat bolt upright, trembling from a dream. It was his second dream of the night, although he wasn't sure this one could be called a dream. The first had been a reproduction of the night he had killed the hunter. But in the second, he had been the hunter and LaCroix had been the one hunting *him*. His attention darted to the door as it opened and, through a faint golden tinge, he saw Natalie enter. "Is something wrong?" he asked, trying to keep calm. "I...heard something," she answered, not wanting to say just what it was; she'd heard Nicky scream. "I wanted to check that you were all right." "I'm fine. I just had a dream." "A dream or a nightmare?" "Perhaps both." Nicky glanced over to the clock, his surroundings losing the golden haze. It was three in the afternoon. There was no way he'd be going back to sleep at this time of the day. He sighed and closed his eyes. "It was LaCroix...hunting me. I couldn't do anything but run...I'm honestly not sure if it was because I couldn't, or I wasn't thinking. I know I shouldn't be afraid of him, but I am." Nicky stared off at the wall. "Do you work tonight?" he asked, wanting to think about something else. "Yes." "Can I come with you? I won't get in your way...and I'll help out if I can." Natalie tensed. "Nicky, I have an autopsy to do tonight." "I'll be fine. doesn't bother me anymore." He looked away. "I'm used to it." "Okay, you can come," she answered, not asking what the last meant. She could guess, anyway--Nicky had hunted, had killed. He was used to the blood and death. Although it saddened her, she knew it had to be. A vampire that couldn't hunt, that couldn't kill, would perish if put in a situation that demanded it. Cautiously turning back to Natalie, Nicky asked, "What would you like for breakfast? Or dinner...or whatever?" Then, a little sheepishly, he added, "I'm a bit hungry." Natalie smiled. "Anything is fine. Come on, get up and I'll meet you in the kitchen, okay?" She got a nod, and then left the room, her gait somewhat sluggish, but awake nonetheless. By the time she'd gone to the kitchen and made two glasses of chocolate milk, which she hoped would calm Nicky and help her relax somewhat, Nicky entered, pulling on his shirt as he entered the door, leaving it's buttons undone. "Thanks for washing my clothes. You didn't have to, especially considering the stains." "I know how to get blood out of clothes. It wasn't a bother." Nicky glanced to his sleeve, the blood that had clung to the deep navy of his cuffs now gone. "You still didn't have to." "I know." Natalie then gestured to the counter and the glasses of chocolate milk, at which she watched a bit of life flicker in Nicky's eyes. "I figured you might like some." Watching him head to the counter in a handful of steady strides, take the spoon in the glass and stir it, she nearly spoke but halted when he started opening drawers. She followed him as he found a spoon and put another heap of chocolate in his glass. Again, she almost commented, but found she could do nothing but smile to herself. After all, the extra chocolate wasn't going to hurt him. "Well, I see that you've found the silverware." Nicky spun and looked back at her, his thin body stiffening like a deer caught in headlights. She openly smiled, hoping to counter his reaction. "It's okay." Once he had relaxed again, she asked, "What do you want to eat?" Looking away and stirring the chocolate power in, Nicky closed his eyes a moment. A gentle thumping called to him as much as the sweet chocolate scent in front of him. He kept stirring, neither speaking nor turning around. "Nicky?" she asked, approaching, seeing that something was off. "Is something wrong?" she further prodded, resting her hand on his back. When he tensed and released hold of both the spoon and the glass, she pulled back. Nicky turned, his hand struck out, the long fingers closing around Natalie's retreating wrist before she could begin to react. His other hand lightly gripped the side of Natalie's face, tilting it to look up at him. He let his thumb brush against her lips as his eyes flooded with gold. "Nicky..." she started, her free hand grasping hold of the arm in front of her. "You're warm. I'm not. LaCroix certainly isn't. Even Nick...." He trailed off, his thumb again passing across her lips. "Not just physically warm, but emotionally as well. You care, Natalie. I can see it, feel it...smell it. But LaCroix...sometimes I wonder if he cares, and other times I know he does, even if he doesn't show it. Nick cares, but he sometimes cares too much. When they're together, in the same room, both are so cold, so angry." Natalie abruptly found herself released, at which she stood, stunned. She swayed slightly, even as she watched Nicky grab his glass of chocolate milk off the counter. "Nicky?" she asked, starting after him as he left the kitchen and sat on the couch. He turned to her once seated, telling her, "Make anything for breakfast...I really don't care what it is as long as it doesn't have garlic in it." She tensed as he turned away from her, but she knew he still needed time. He needed space, and her poking and prodding him with questions wasn't going to give him that. She turned and went back into the kitchen, trying to figure out what to make. Something Slaughtered - (07/13) Quietly entering the apartment after searching for Nicky, Nick flinched as the phone was slammed down on its receiver across the room. "Cadeyrn has heard nothing. He is having Frederick look through reports from the last couple of days." "You know as well as I that he won't find anything. If Nicky doesn't want to be found, he's not going to be found easily." "He's barely more than a child!" Nick raised his eyebrows at that, incredulous. "He cannot have gone far." "You trained him, LaCroix! And as you've stated, he's learned well. Far better than myself. Not only that, but he's not linked to either of us, which means we can't track him." Nick paused a moment, before flatly stating, "Not even you can find him." LaCroix simmered. "He will be found. He cannot run from me." "He can and he has. And, as you have repeatedly reminded me, he's not a child--let him make his own decisions. If he wants time alone, let him have it. He'll be fine." "Fine. But Cadeyrn and Frederick will continue to look for him. If they find something, then my concern is valid." His mood changed rapidly, a partial smile creeping onto his lips. "Besides, Cadeyrn seemed quite concerned when I mentioned this too him. An Enforcer 'concerned'. And Cadeyrn knows Nicholas is no weakling despite not yet being one of us yet." That made Nick pause. "What did he say?" "He mentioned that it was dangerous for Nicholas to be on his own, away from our kind. And I agree. He has not spent much time away from us, and that time should be added gradually, not like this." LaCroix released a smothered laugh. "Let's hope none of your precious mortals suffer as a result." "He knows how to control the hunger. He's been around mortals in the past." "Really? What about in the condition he left in? Does he know what it's like to be drained, not only of blood but emotions as well? Does he know how hard it can be to control the hunger around mortals in that state?" He let out another half-laugh. "I think not. He will either learn quickly, or kill. You had better hope it's the former. If caught by the Enforcers, Cadeyrn will have little power to save him." "Why are you so concerned?" "Because he's like you. I don't have to remind you of some of your first experiences around mortals, do I?" Nick turned away, closing his eyes. "How you ran from me, and even without hunger managed to kill more than a dozen mortals? How you actually managed to flee from me and right into the hands of two Enforcers?" "This is different." "Yes, it is. I was a short distance away and prevented them from killing you. Be thankful I came. Unfortunately, Nicholas, I cannot track him like I can you. Which means if he does run into an Enforcer and he's done something wrong, our first word of him will be that of his death. Now, tell me that you aren't somewhat worried over his safety." Nick couldn't. He kept his eyes averted and shook his head slightly. Then, turning to his sire, he answered, "You know I can't, LaCroix. But I'm not going to think the worst, either. Something else is concerning you." "Cadeyrn's tone. It was...almost panicked, and a conversation with a panicked Enforcer is not assuring." "You know he's taken an interest in--" "Yes, I know, and I don't like it. He's too concerned, considering what he is." "And what's wrong with an Enforcer that actually thinks before he acts? An Enforcer that actually cares if he's doing the right thing?" "Because underneath it all, he is weak. That's why. He cares somewhat for crossbreeds. Otherwise I doubt he'd have a 'friend' that was once one." "What do you mean?" "Frederick is a crossbreed, or at least was before he was brought across. To be more precise, as far as I am aware, he is the only vampire that works with the Enforcers who is not one himself. Cadeyrn favours Frederick, I'm sure you've noticed. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Cadeyrn is Frederick's sire. He'll have Frederick do something before he'll have one of his Enforcers if possible." "If you think he wants to pressure Nicky into being an Enforcer, I don't think you have to worry. Of us three, you're the only one providing any of that." Again, LaCroix felt his anger rise. "I have not forced him." "Minus two nights ago." "I did not force." "You were going to bring him over, something he obviously wasn't yet ready for!" "We were both drunk and I heard no protest." "So now you're using that as an excuse?" "It is no excuse. It is a fact. When I asked if he wanted me to bring him across, I distinctly remember hearing a 'yes'. He wanted it, and I was going--" "I'm not listening to this anymore," Nick interrupted. "You never even told me what I would become before you brought me over. I highly doubt you would have done anything different had you been sober." Nick turned and pulled open the door. "Where are you going?" "To get some fresh air," Nick replied, the words curt. LaCroix' gaze caught on his son's damp clothing. "It's raining." "I don't care. I'll be back later." The door slammed moments later, but LaCroix didn't shift in the slightest. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. Staring into the microscope at the blood cells trapped floating on the slide, Nicky muttered, "Even cells can get along with each other." Natalie glance up from her desk and saw Nicky peering into the lens. "What did you say?" He looked up and took a step back. "Nothing." She set her jaw and stood up, approaching. She had asked Nicky to prepare a slide for her as tonight he was becoming bored. The previous night he'd slept almost the entire duration of her shift, but now he was far from inattentive. He took a step to the side as she looked into the lens, the slide just a hint out of focus for her. She hoped that was just a plus of what Nicky was and not her own vision. "I just wish Nick and LaCroix could get along. They fight and argue, and they don't take a break from it." Natalie straightened, flipping the light on the microscope off. "You know they don't always get along." "Yes,'d think that they would learn to accept each other, especially LaCroix. I don't think Nick would argue if LaCroix stopped baiting him and made an attempt to get along. I just...I can't handle it anymore. I guess that's why I came here. I needed a break from it." He paused, swallowed, then added, "But being here, I'm afraid they're just arguing more, blaming one another, wondering where I am. I've been thinking...and I can't help but wonder if LaCroix was holding back because of me. Nick didn't seem fazed in the slightest when LaCroix hit him and I'm just...I'm somewhat worried." "Do you want me to call--" "No!" Nicky hissed, his eyes flashing a frightened amber. "No, I don't want them to know I'm here. Not yet. If they find out, they'll be here on the next plane." He closed his eyes, feeling a rush as his anger faded, anger that was now transforming into hunger. "I'm tired," he suddenly stated, opening his eyes. "I'm going to go back to the apartment. I'll get something to eat and sleep a bit." Before Natalie could say a word, even ask if he knew how to get there, Nicky had flown out the door. She just shook her head to herself, knowing it was probably for the best. At least she wouldn't have to find things for Nicky to do all night. She turned around and flipped the microscope back on to work. Something Slaughtered - (08/13) Reaching her apartment door that morning, Natalie slowed. The door stood cracked open. She knew Nicky would have made sure it was closed; assuming he'd even used the door. She cautiously entered, and although no one seemed to be inside, she remained cautious. She checked the rooms, freezing as she glanced into her bedroom. Nicky was nowhere to be seen, but it was obvious he'd been there. She stepped closer, a small stain of blood and a Polaroid photo catching her attention. She reached forward and picked up the second. In the photo, Nicky lay on her bed wearing the t-shirt and pyjama bottoms of Nick's that she had found and given to him the night before. His head lay turned slightly to the side, his face just visible to the camera, blood trickling down from his forehead. She worried the injury could have done harm. After all, Nicky was still, in some ways, very mortal, and here he was, knocked unconscious. Nicky had been kidnapped, that was clear. And whoever had done it wanted that fact to be known. Recovering somewhat, she left the room and checked her address book for the number Cadeyrn had given her. She'd written the numbers in a different order so that others wouldn't have much use with it, but now cursed to herself for doing it. Punching in what she hoped would be the correct number, she waited. Four rings later, a man picked up-- not Cadeyrn. She hesitated, the 'hello' she received fading quickly from her ears, not sure if she should continue or not. "Uh, I need to speak to Cadeyrn." "Cadeyrn?" the voice repeated, surprised. "Yes, Cadeyrn." When the other didn't speak, she worried somewhat. "You do know a Cadeyrn, right?" With her question she was almost sure the one on the other end stiffened, although it was difficult to tell as they were speaking over a phone. "Cadeyrn. I'll need your name." Although she didn't want to give it out, she also had no wish to waste time. "Lambert. Dr. Natalie Lambert." "I'll put you through immediately. He's in a meeting, so it will take a moment." Before she could reply, she was put on hold. "Damn. I didn't want to..." she mumbled, trailing off with a hint of anger. If this was about something else, she would have hung up and called back later, but Cadeyrn deserved to know. And so did Nick and LaCroix. Suddenly, she heard a muffled voice come from her phone, which after several minutes of waiting now hung down at her side. She raised it with a 'hello', not sure who it would be. "Natalie?" Cadeyrn's voice rang into her ear. "Cadeyrn, I have a minor problem here." Then, hesitating for several seconds, she added, "Nicky came here." "When?" "Two nights ago. He...didn't want anyone to know he was here. He's having a rough time." "I know some of the situation. Where is he?" "That's the problem. He was taken." "Taken?" "Yes. I come back from work to find my apartment's been broken into. Nicky's gone and whoever took him left behind a photo. There's some blood, and by the photo I'd say he was knocked out." "Frederick is in Toronto. I'll tell him to head your way. I'll be there as soon as I can. I'll also inform Nicholas and Lucius...they will want to know what is going on." "Do you know?" "I have a suspicion. Look, I'd rather not say until I know more. I should arrive in Toronto before dawn. I'll call once I arrive." About to ask another question, the line when dead. Cadeyrn had hung up on her. At least he was going to call back. The question remained what Frederick was doing in Toronto, though, and just why Cadeyrn wanted the other vampire there. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. Frederick stared at the photograph. Since arriving at Natalie's, he'd done his best to meet everything calmly. But it was difficult, especially with her concern, and especially when he was also concerned. "What is it?" He looked up from the photo to Natalie. "Just thinking." "You have an idea what happened, don't you?" "I'd rather not say. Not yet." He handed the photo to her. "Why not? It was hunters that took him, wasn't it?" Frederick was stunned. "How...?" "Why else would someone want to kidnap him? And, for that matter, know he was here and have the sense to disable him? If they've been following him, finding Nicky alone at my apartment I'm sure was a delight considering I doubt Nick or LaCroix let him go off on his own much." She waited, but the vampire just stared at her blankly. "I'm right, aren't I?" "Yes, you're right. Unfortunately. I don't know how long they've been watching Nicky. Cadeyrn would know that better." "Why take him?" "For one, he hasn't been brought across yet. And, although still technically mortal, Nicky has our abilities. He'd be a match for a new vampire." "And if they could get Nicky on their side...." "Exactly. Although I doubt it'll happen. We both know his past memories of hunters are not particularly pleasant. And more recent memories will not help, either." "More recent?" Natalie caught Frederick's arm, stopping him as he tried to evade her. "What happened?" "Nothing...too interesting." He studied her worried gaze. She was mortal, but she was not new to the Community or it's matters, but what would she think? He waited, and when her eyes only showed more worry, he told her, "LaCroix arranged with Cadeyrn that a hunter be brought to him. From what Cadeyrn told me, the hunter was used in a...lesson. A hunting lesson. Nicky killed him and the lesson apparently went well." Natalie was a little stunned, but nodded after a moment. "LaCroix picked a hunter because he knew Nicky wouldn't have a problem killing one of them." "Yes. And although I agree with LaCroix' plans, I do not agree with the manner in which he executed them." He paused, then explained, "Nicky was not told prior to the beginning of the lesson. As a result, Nicky was running mostly on instinct. Had he been against killing the man, the simple 'lesson' could have had a lasting affect on Nicky's views toward killing." "Like Nick, you mean? Is that why Nick has his guilt?" "Possibly, or it could be something else. I honestly don't know much about Nick other than his obsession with mortality. Even that isn't what I thought it would be." Frederick took several slow strides to the window, the sky lightening faintly as dawn approached. "Would you mind if I stayed here for the day?" "Cadeyrn said you were in Toronto." "Yes, well...I'd personally rather not be present when Nick and LaCroix arrive tonight. And, if I'm here and for some reason they come here, you won't be alone." Her face contorted into a faintly suspicious expression, she asked, "And why would that matter?" "Cadeyrn...he hasn't told them what happened yet. I can't imagine LaCroix will react well to this." "Why are you in Toronto, anyway? Is it because of these hunters following Nicky? And if so, why didn't you do something to stop them?" "I knew nothing about them following him here, or where Nicky was until Cadeyrn called me tonight!" he hissed, his eyes not changing but the tip of his fangs glimmered as he spoke. "If I could have prevented something like this, I would have with all my ability." Natalie swallowed, not having planned to cause such a response. "Sorry, I didn't mean to accuse." Frederick closed his eyes for a moment, and then told her, "I know. And I'm sorry for my reaction." He turned away in an attempt to further calm his nerves and concern. "Cadeyrn had me going through reports on strange activity. They are used to determine where Enforcers are needed. Sometimes they're dead ends, sometimes it's a serious problem. On this continent, after the initial report they are faxed here and filed away, the originals burnt." "And you were looking for something that might be a result of Nicky." "Yes. He's very good, though. His trip here didn't flag anything up," he mentioned, his phone going off in the middle of the last sentence. He pulled it out of his coat and answered the call. "Frederick? Where are you?" Cadeyrn demanded. He eyed the mortal. "I'm at Natalie's. She knows it was hunters." "I told you *not* to tell her." "I didn't--she guessed." "Nicholas and Lucius will arrive early tomorrow night. After I inform them of this and you make sure Dr. Lambert is at work, I want you to meet us here." Cadeyrn hung up and Frederick turned his phone off. Staring at the mortal, Frederick explained, "You should go to work tomorrow night." "What? But--" "There's nothing we can do until we find Nicky, which could be days if at all. Work will help keep your mind off things. I'll make sure you're notified if anything comes up." Although she wanted to protest, she knew he was right. Work *would* keep her busy. She slowly nodded, her thoughts wrapping around Frederick's 'if at all' comment. She didn't like that possibility. Something Slaughtered - (09/13) "You should have killed it, not brought it here!" a middle-aged, greying, and muscled man stated, staring at the dead weight on the carpet in front of him. "He's not a vampire," a second man, somewhat younger and thinner than the first commented. "He's not mortal, either," the first countered. From the floor, a woman about the age of the second man turned briefly toward the first and told him, "He's mortal, Hartford. He has a pulse and I seriously doubt one of them would be unconscious this long. Heck, he's lucky to still be alive considering the blow he took." Hartford, his hazel eyes glaring down from under his grey hair, brushed the comment off. "I still say this idea is foolish. We know precious little about him." "But we know plenty about his guardians, especially the older of the two--LaCroix," Patricia said, standing. She glanced to the others in the room--Hartford stood, glaring angrily between herself and her husband, Paul; Karl was leaned against the door to their modified apartment; and Colleen, a teenaged-girl who, sitting on the floor against the wall, stared curiously at their guest. "I also believe this is foolish," Karl stated, straightening. "For one, we indeed know enough about LaCroix. I don't know anyone that would be crazy enough to go after that vampire. And second, we shouldn't be working in a group like this. We're a target like this." "It's temporary," Paul countered. "By the time they realise we're working together, this will be over." "That doesn't diminish the danger. If they track one of us, we're all screwed," Karl again spoke. Hartford turned his gaze to the door and the one standing in front of it. "If they track any of us, it'll be you and your little time bomb," he said, gesturing to the teenaged girl on the floor. Colleen turned toward the man that mentioned her, calmer than any of them. "She's on our side," Patricia intervened, hoping to divert whatever argument was to come, but aware she'd already lost. "She needs blood!" Hartford started quickly for the girl, but was stopped by Karl. "They'll track her and she'll lead them right to us," he continued, his anger directed at Colleen, whose eyes were now a soft amber. "She's no better than that thing you two brought back," he added, his attention shifting to Patricia and her husband. The clank of handcuffs caused all to shift their focus back to the floor, where Nicky stirred somewhat, flinching from a combination of the light overhead and the pain throbbing in his head. Paul was the first to act, kneeling and pressing down on Nicky's spine just below his neck, pinning the younger man to the ground. At the weight, Nicky's eyes snapped open. He could feel restraints around his wrists and ankles, handcuffs by his guess at the chain between them. He pulled at them, but it was no use. He was either too weak or they were too strong. He turned his head, the only person he could fully see being a woman standing a few feet away. He vaguely recognised her, just before everything had gone black at Natalie's. Another form stood behind her that he couldn't quite make out, and there were a total of five heartbeats in the room. And he was sure they knew what he was. The pressure on his back increased, and he swallowed. "What do you want with me?" "You're bait," Paul answered. "Do you know what we are?" Nicky swallowed again. Did he? From behind him, he could feel something indistinct but familiar. Listening to the slow steady heartbeat coming from the same location, it hit him. Hunters. There could be no other possibility. And the slow heartbeat belonged to another like himself, another crossbreed. He was sure of it, although he didn't have an explanation of how he knew. But, weren't his kind rare? But the others, he knew what they were. "You're hunters." "Smart boy," Karl sarcastically responded. "What are you going to do with me? Why didn't you kill me? You had the chance." "That's a good question, Paul," Hartford hissed. "It would have been better if you'd killed him. Easier, too." "We didn't kill him because he's not a vampire," Patricia countered. "Perhaps, but he's been raised by them. He's no better than them, no different." "Bait, for what?" Nicky demanded, trying to turn his head further to see the man holding him down. Paul pushed harder, answering, "LaCroix." "It's idiotic," Hartford commented. "But not expected, is it? We've caught him off-guard, haven't we?" Paul asked, his voice lowered far enough that only Nicky could hear every word clearly. "Haven't we?" he pressured, giving his captive a little shove. "Yes, but you are an idiot to attempt this. You'll die unless you release me and drop this." "And have his kind sent to hunt us down?" Patricia asked. "I think not." "You'd have time to escape. They wouldn't be able to follow once you left here. I don't even know where this is." "And it doesn't matter. You're one of them. I don't care if you're still 'technically' just some half-breed. You've killed, and you've killed a hunter." Nicky's eyes went wide. He had, but how could they know? "And the hunter you killed," Hartford elaborated, "was my brother." "How do you know this?" "We have our sources. We're not as disorganised as your kind think." Karl stepped closer, into the creature's view. "We usually don't work in groups, but you're right, we'd be idiots to do this on our own. Sorry to say, but we're not *that* stupid. Personally, I'm thankful of that." "And vampires aren't as stupid as you seem to think," Nicky stated, letting his eyes flash gold at the man. "They aren't, are they? Okay, then just what do you think of LaCroix? You know him. What do you think of him?" Paul asked, genuinely curious. "I..." Nicky stopped. He had nothing to say, nothing he could say. "I don't know." Paul suppressed a snort and roughly releasing the other, stood up. "What's wrong, don't want to judge him because you know what that would mean?" "He's more than he seems." "And how would you know? Have you really seen what that vampire can do?" "No," Nicky answered, his voice barely audible. "No, not really. I've seen hints. I've seen more than you. I've listened and seen him at his most vulnerable. I've seen him angry and that he can control it. However, you may not be so lucky. He wasn't very happy when I left. And he won't be happy to find you've taken me." Paul and Hartford were both mildly affected by the words. Hartford showed more uncertainty than before, and Paul just stood and stared down at where Nicky lay on the floor. "Take him to the room and make sure he's restrained," Patricia said, gesturing to her husband and Hartford, who were closest. Nicky was forcefully pulled to his feet, his eyes locking on the young woman when he saw her, her eyes a curious and frightened shade of gold. And then he was dragged out of the room and into another, at which a second set of cuffs closed around his wrists that connected to the wall. He was pushed to his knees and kneeling, he stared back at the two as they slipped out of the room. The door closed with a click, and he sank to the floor of the stark white--white walls, ceiling, and even painted-white cement floor--and windowless room. Seconds later, the florescent overhead lights went out, sending him into an almost soothing darkness. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. Nick slowly pushed open the door to the morgue. Inside, Natalie was at the counter, preparing slides. "Nat?" She looked up, stopping in the middle of a slide. "Frederick told me you were here. I thought I should come by." "And LaCroix?" "Arguing with Cadeyrn. Quite animatedly, considering the Enforcers knew Nicky was in danger from hunters and didn't tell him." Natalie turned away and finished the slide, and then did one more, the last one. Preparing them to be sent for testing, she didn't look to Nick, but commented, "Nicky told me what happened." "Do you know why he left?" "The arguing, mostly." Nick slowly nodded. It's what he'd expected. "How was he once he got here?" "Tired, frustrated, what you'd expect." "Did he feed?" "He...." Natalie paused, realising that other than the blood Nicky had had at the morgue, Nicky had drank very little. "When he got here. But not much after that. He didn't seem particularly hungry, except at first. But he hasn't eaten or drank much, blood or otherwise." "LaCroix had practically drained him. He should have fed more. Especially considering he must have flown at least part of the way here. When did he arrive?" "Three nights ago." Finally turning to him, she asked, "Why all the questions?" "Cadeyrn isn't being very cooperative." "Did he say who took him?" "Hunters. He's trying to figure out which ones. He figures it was at least two. He doesn't think a single hunter would be crazy enough to kidnap the equivalent of a fledgling." He averted his eyes, aimlessly scanning the room. "Cadeyrn said Nicky's been watched for several months. It's another reason he doesn't think it's a single hunter." "How did they know to come here? You didn't even know." "Cadeyrn mentioned something about a loose network. Some of the hunters use it to get more information. And they had three days to find him--more than enough time to find information on you and check your place out." "Nicky went with me to work." "That's probably how they knew he was here. They might have been following you, too." "Nick, I didn't know." He met her eyes, somewhat surprised at her fear. Natalie was afraid, but of what? "It's not your fault. Cadeyrn should have said something, or better yet, done something." He watched her relax, but she was still afraid, or perhaps she was just tense from him being there. "How are you doing?" "Fine. And you?" she said, but curtly. Nick straightened slightly. "Fine, considering." He focused on her, noticing the differences from the last time he saw her, or maybe he was comparing her to the first time they met, he wasn't sure. She was older, of course, but she was still young. "You don't seem much different," he eventually stated. "It's been nearly twelve years, Nick, three since I last saw you. Not much has changed from before, but I am different." "You haven't let go, have you, Natalie? Why haven't you?" "Have you?" She waited, but he didn't answer. "Nicky's changed." "Yes, he has. He's not a child anymore. LaCroix' pushing him. Sometimes I think it's too fast. Other times I know it needs done." "And now?" "I'm leaving LaCroix after this. The arguing isn't just hard on Nicky. I need a break from it as well." "And Nicky?" "Once this is over with, he can choose." "Assuming you're all alive. The thought of hunters kidnapping Nicky doesn't exactly leave my mind with good thoughts. By the time you get to him, he might not be alive. What then?" "I leave LaCroix and you go on with the rest of your life, devoid of vampires, especially me. You shouldn't even be involved in this." "He came to me, involving me. And I don't mind it. I want to know what happens, Nick. And I don't want to find out from Frederick or Cadeyrn." "I'll make sure you're told. And I'm sorry, but I need to get back. I just wanted to see you, to see how you were doing." Natalie watched as he backed up the few steps to the door and easily left. She nearly cursed at the quick departure, afraid she wouldn't see much more of him. Something Slaughtered - (10/13) Nicky abruptly sat up--someone had entered the room, quickly shutting the door behind them. It was the first time anyone had come in. He'd been locked in the room for at least a day, very possibly longer, and until now he had seen no one. He calmed, focusing on the approaching form and it's steady pulse. It was the girl, Colleen, the heartbeat too slow to sustain a conscious mortal. But why her? His eyes glowed a deep amber, hinting on crimson in an attempt to get a better view of his surroundings. Her eyes shown back to him, a faint gold colour, neither afraid nor angry. A blanket was draped about her shoulders. He watched as she abruptly stopped and then sat on the floor--just out of his reach. Again, he wondered what she was doing there. "What do you want?" he asked, his eyes settling into a softer shade that, while normal for him, was much brighter than hers. "I wanted to see you." "It's too dark." "It's fine." She paused, her eyes wondering from his, to his hair, down its long, unrestrained strands as they caressed his torso. "I wish I could have hair like that." "Why don't you?" "Karl. I think my hair would be pretty long." Nicky recalled the glimpse he'd seen of her earlier, and studied her form in the darkness. Between the two, he could see straight, burgundy hair that was cropped short--not even to chin length. He'd remembered the faint hint of plum he'd seen in it before. "It's a nice colour." "Karl doesn't like it. It's...too much like the colour of blood, he says. I think that's why he likes it short. Less hair. He doesn't know I'm in here." "This Karl, is he" he asked, almost using father, but stopping, realising he most likely was not her father. "I suppose you could say that." "You shouldn't be in here." "I don't care. I want to be. I wanted to meet you without them around." "You're a hunter." "They want me to be." Nicky stared silently over at her. Was she a trick? Had she been put up to this, or was this apparent doubt sincere? "What do you want to be?" "I...I don't know. I've never been asked." She inched forward, holding the blanket around her as she approached. Now within reach, she raised her arm, her hand reaching out and resting against Nicky's cheek. "You're cold to me. We're different, but the same." "I'm more vampire than not." "Are they like you? Vampires?" "Somewhat. They're all different. They have personalities, wants, and desires just like mortals." "Do they have problems, too? More than just hunters and things like sunlight?" "Yes," he stated, looking away. "I've never really had a family. I did, when I was younger. I was with a foster family. But then last year I got sick. Karl found me. He's always told me to be glad he did." She pulled back her arm and stared at him. "Sometimes I wonder what things would have been like if a vampire had found me. Perhaps I'd be able to learn more. Karl won't let me go to school, even though I'm sure it'd be fine. Sometimes I wish he hadn't found me. That no one did." Nicky swallowed. In the past, he had wondered that as well, but now, he was glad someone had. Very glad to have been taken in by Nick and LaCroix. "Do you have a family?" "Yeah, I suppose you could say that. I've always had someone. My...father took care of me after my mother died. She died when I was born. He was killed by hunters. Since then, I've lived with Nick and LaCroix. I guess you could say they're my family." Colleen stared at the other, her curiosity plainly visible. "Are they like parents to you?" "I guess...and I don't always do what they would like, either. I don't want to think about what they'll do when they find me." "Because you ran away?" Nicky glared at her, his eyes burning darker. "How do you know that?" "'ve been watched. I don't participate in anything, but I hear things. I'm not as dumb as they think I am." He watched her smile. "What else have you heard?" "That LaCroix is in Toronto. He and another arrived last night." She shifted, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a set of keys. Then, with the keys in one hand, she reached for the other's wrists. "What are you doing?" he said, pulling his hands back. "Wouldn't you like your hands free?" "Yes, but--" "Then let me. The door's locked. You won't be able to leave." "But the keys...." "The door can't be opened from the inside." She reached forward and pulled his hands closer until the chain connected to the wall was pulled taut. First, she unlocked the cuffs on his wrist attached to the chain and put them around one ankle, at which she unlocked both the cuffs that bonded his ankles and wrists together before stuffing the keys away again. "I could take those and free myself." "But you won't." "No, I won't." He stared at her, her form illuminated with a golden aura. She was the only living thing within his vision. "Why did you come in here? You don't strike me as a typical hunter." "Nor you a typical vampire." "But I'm not a vampire." "You're one of them. You were raised as one." "Then why don't you hate me?" "Vampires aren't evil." "How can you be sure?" "You're not, and nothing evil could raise a child to be like you. And if you are, then so am I." "How do you know I'm not?" "You haven't hurt anyone. I'm sure you've had the ability, the opportunity." "I didn't see the point in it." "You wouldn't be talking to me if you were evil." Nicky froze. She was right about that. "Perhaps. But even if I'm not evil, I've killed. And I'm not ashamed I've killed." "I don't care." Seeing a quizzical expression, she reached her hand forward, resting it on Nicky's face as he tried to pull away. "I don't care. You're like me." "I'm not like you." "You're half-vampire." He shook his head. "No, no I...I'm not. I was, I used to be, but I'm not anymore. Not for a long time. I'm something else, something closer to vampires. I started changing when I was very young." "I don't care." "You should." Pulling her hand away, he asked, "Do you know what first hunger is?" She shook her head. "After a vampire is brought over, they have an overwhelming need for blood. They will take and they will kill anything to get that blood. Although I haven't been brought over, I've had that hunger. And I killed for that blood. The only thing that separates me from them is that I still need mortal food and that I can die from mortal wounds." Her eyes widened, darkening to a deeper amber with a hint of fear. "You're really nearly one of them, then." "Yes." "They'd kill you if they knew. They think you're like me, they think you're practically mortal, or more mortal than not, that the vampires are trying to make you like them. already are, aren't you? Not a vampire, and yet a vampire." "Are you going to tell them?" She shook her head. "No." Her eyes faded until they seemingly vanished in the darkness. "No. I don't want to see you die. I don't want to watch them kill you. I feel comfortable around you. I feel safe in here. I've never felt safe like this." She scooted closer to him, catching him by the arm as he tried to move away. "Please, don't," she pleaded, moving ever closer, and then, before he could react, she laid her head down on his lap, trying to get closer to the safety his familiar presence provided. Nicky sat, arms hovering above her, stunned. When it was quite apparent she wasn't going to move, he gently rested a hand on her back, the other on her side, pulling her blanket about her tighter. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. "How did she get in there?!" Hartford exclaimed, walking up to Karl. "You were supposed to be watching the screen and making sure he stayed put. That girl of yours went in there and unlocked the cuffs! If you aren't going to help, we'd be better off without you." "Lay off, Hartford," Patricia said, pulling him back by the shoulder. "She's done no permanent damage. In fact, he's calmer than before, and so is she. I say leave them. Get the keys from her later, and then just leave her in there. She's better off in there, anyway. She's out of the way, at least." Hartford crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. "I still think this is a bad idea. How are we going to get LaCroix to come alone?" "This," Paul said, handing a rumpled sheet of paper out to Hartford. "A copy is already in the mail. I sent it to the address we went to, that mortal traitor's apartment." Hartford took it and scanned the text. He read a sentence to himself and suppressed a laugh. "'Come alone or we kill our hostage'? Come on, like that's going to work." "I'll give one thing credit about that--our guest *is* quite important to this LaCroix. He won't barge in on us, not if it could result in his precious boy's death." Karl laughed softly. "And what they don't know is that we have Hartford here," he said, glaring at the other. "Assuming he doesn't lie to us on how many are coming." "I can't always tell, Karl." "You're the only one of us that's been bitten. You *do* know the difference between one and many, right?" "In general. But it's sometimes difficult to tell. The difference between one and two is minimal, especially if they're together. Let's just hope they *get* the letter. If not, then we have a problem." "We can deal with two. There are four of us--two won't be a problem. It's when there's three, four, or more of them that we'll start worrying." Patricia glanced down at the screen in front of Karl, Colleen leaning up against the other. "I think it's time we get those keys before either he or she completely releases our guest." "And if she already has?" Hartford interrupted. "If she has, then we still take the keys. He's fully awake and conscious, so we won't be able to do much else." Watching Paul and Patricia turn, Karl stated, "I don't like her in there." "What, you afraid he'll kill her?" "I could care less on that. At least she'd serve a purpose. I don't like her in there because we can't hear what they might have said. He might try convincing her that she's on the wrong side." "Fine. We'll get her then. But if he's been released, I'd advise against it. You might be stronger than Colleen, but I'll bet that in the state he's in he's stronger than you." "I doubt it," Karl retorted. "He's hungry," Paul threw back. "If you look at him, you can see it. He's been hungry since we brought him here. He needs more blood than your plaything. If he's loose and angered, he might attack." "Then we kill him," Hartford stated, walking across the room and retrieving his readied crossbow. "Something that should have already been done." Something Slaughtered - (11/13) Nicky jumped slightly as the door was opened, pulling Colleen in front of him when she tensed with fear. Seeing one of the hunter's, Hartford's, finger on his weapon's trigger, he didn't blame her, his own eyes turning gold at the sight. He watched the other three hunters flood into the room, at which he started to feel quite claustrophobic on the floor of the now cluttered room. "Come, Colleen," Karl ordered, staring down on her. Colleen stiffened, leaning back into Nicky. She didn't want to move. She didn't want a punishment for this. "Come!" Eyes glowing, Colleen gave a snarl sans fangs. "Don't defy me, girl! You shouldn't be in here to begin with and you know it." "I like it here," she whispered, glaring up at him. Karl's anger snapped like a rubber band. "You've done enough damage. Get up and come here! Now!" Nicky glanced down as Colleen clenched her hands around his arms and he held her tighter and more protectively. "Leave her alone. She doesn't want to leave. What does it matter to you, anyway? She doesn't seem to mean much to you." Karl, in a near rage, stepped forward and pulled Colleen up and away from the other, her nails leaving long scratches on Nicky's arms. She fought in Karl's hold, screaming and trying to break free--but it was no use. She was practically mortal. She struggled, forcing Karl to change his direction, moving closer to the wall instead of the door. She kicked back at him, hearing curses when she hit him. And then, hitting his knee, she found herself first starting toward the floor, and then shoved full force into the wall. She screamed a split-second after a bone snapped. Nicky stood, his eyes deepening until they were crimson. "Get away from her." Karl gave Colleen another shove into the wall, but didn't do as told. "She's not your concern, Vampire." Nicky snarled and flew at Karl, the chain connecting him to the wall snapping without any real resistance. He pulled the hunter off Colleen, and then holding him back, immobile, he bit into the hunter's neck and started draining him. Patricia was wide-eyed, and so were Paul and Colleen. Hartford, too, didn't react immediately, still stunned that the chain had broke. Not only that, but Karl was between him and Nicky. Hartford moved further into the room, took aim square at the creature's back and fired, a bolt screaming across the room and into Nicky's chest. For a moment, Nicky stood there, supporting the hunter's dead weight even as he felt himself weakening. He wasn't sure how to describe his pain. It hurt. It hurt so much he couldn't concentrate. He released the hunter and then fell to his knees. He glanced down, but couldn't see anything. He'd been shot in the back, but where, precisely? He felt hands pushing him to the side and down to the floor. Hartford's hands, he knew. His head turned to the side, he watched the other two hunters approach Karl, and seconds later watched as Paul shook his head to the others. He'd killed the hunter. But he didn't care. He'd kill the others if only he could move. He wasn't sure if it was because Hartford was holding him down or not. He couldn't care, though, as he weakened ever further until blackness started invading the edges of his vision. He watched the two hunters, the couple, drag Karl's body from the room, and then watched as Hartford left, weapon aimed alternatively between him and Colleen, and then, with the slam of the door and a faint vibration against his cheek, everything vanished. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. LaCroix slammed Cadeyrn into the wall, knocking over a lamp. "You know where he is. Tell me. Now." "It won't help much," the Enforcer struggled. "It's just a city. It's not even certain. They're in the US, we think." "How did you determine this?" Nick asked, stepping closer to the Enforcer and in not much better of a mood than LaCroix. "Tell me, Cadeyrn. How?" "We've tracked a hunter. He has a crossbreed with him--he had to obtain blood from a butcher three nights ago, the night before Nicky was taken." "And?" LaCroix pushed. "And another man picked up the blood. The man was another known hunter. We tracked another couple to the city as well. They crossed the border the night Nicky was taken." "To where?" "New York." "Which city?" "Buffalo." LaCroix released the Enforcer, and then sent a glare at Frederick, who wisely chose to keep his distance. It was probably for the best, anyway. "We're leaving now," he said, glancing to his son and Frederick. "I'm coming with you," Cadeyrn stated. "You've done nothing to help." "I did what I could! It took time to determine who had him. We're lucky to have found out what we did. If these hunters were working alone, we probably would have never found him. Besides, I want them alive. They have more information on us than they should. I want their sources." LaCroix' mouth contorted into a sneer. If it wasn't for the fact that he knew that information was rare, he wouldn't care. As it was, he hissed, "Fine." Then, giving the Enforcer a glare, he left, followed closely by the others. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. "I say we make sure he's dead," Paul stated to the other two as they all sat at a table. "He's probably already dead," Patricia commented. "When I was in there twenty minutes ago his pulse was...well, I don't know if you could call it a pulse. It was erratic." "Yeah, but their hearts beat slower as it is." "Colleen's pulse averages about forty. His was about twelve when we brought him here. It was--max--about a third of that when I checked. He won't live long if he's still alive." "I think we should just leave him. Less danger to us that way. Besides, it keeps Colleen busy," Hartford said, nodding to the security camera nearby where they could all see her holding Nicky on her lap. He set his crossbow on the table pointed away from him, between the other two hunters. Paul eyed the weapon pointed in his general direction. "I wish you'd put that thing away. They don't know where we are yet, and both the apartment and that room is locked." "I'm keeping it out. There's too much interference." "What?" "Interference. I can't feel anything outside this apartment. If they come, I'm not going to know it until the last moment." Hartford let out a soft chuckle. "But I can tell you one thing--the boy's dead." "And I'm telling you we have nothing to worry about!" Patricia stated. "They don't know where we are. All we do now is wait." "I'd prefer running about now," Hartford muttered, more to himself than the others. "Why?" "For one, him do we know they can't tell? I could sense him, as clear as any vampire. And who says this LaCroix doesn't have contacts? We do. Our own contacts. And those contacts have been awfully quiet the last two days. I say we get before we're gotten." Paul and Patricia seemed to seriously consider the option, their gazes turning downward. When they saw Hartford's hand clench around his weapon, they both turned to him, and in tandem, asked, "What is it?" "We're too late. I can feel them coming. It's more than one or two. At least three. Possibly four." "How close--" Patricia was cut off as the door was kicked in. One of the men she recognised as LaCroix, but two were entirely unfamiliar to her as they pushed their way in. "Remember, I want them alive!" Cadeyrn hissed, changed. LaCroix more or less ignored the comment, pushing Frederick ahead of him, with a 'find him' order before they moved further into the room as Nick and Cadeyrn approached the hunters. Hartford fired his crossbow at Cadeyrn, but missed when Nick flew up behind him, pulling his arm off balance. LaCroix spared a glance at them before heading into the hall--the hunters would be disabled in moments, as they seemed to be largely unarmed. He followed Frederick several more steps, then came to a halt behind the younger vampire outside a door. "What is it?" Frederick stared at the doorknob. He could sense what lay in the room--one crossbreed with a quick pulse. He immediately knew it wasn't Nicky, but other than Hartford's hunter signature, it was the only presence he felt in the building. It was unexpected, but it could only mean one thing. "LaCroix...." Not wanting to waste anymore time, LaCroix pushed the younger man to the side and pushed the door open. He froze. A young female was holding Nicky on her lap protectively, nervously. She stared up at him, her face slightly damp. LaCroix' eyes burned gold at the sight, and the girl's mirrored his as she tried to hiss at him, which did nothing other than show that she was practically mortal. Frederick stopped LaCroix from immediately entering the room with his hand. "Don't hurt her, LaCroix. She's a crossbreed, although I'd say she's mostly mortal. She's no harm to us." LaCroix nodded. The girl was of little consequence to him other than that she might know something. Turning toward the vampire, he ordered Frederick, "Get Nicholas." Once the other left, he walked forward. "How long?" he asked, his eyes fading back to an icy grey. "How long, Child?" "Just a few minutes," Colleen whispered, her eyes not leaving the vampire as he approached her. "Can you do anything for him?" LaCroix stopped and knelt; the girl's question somewhat stunning him. She was, after all, with a group of hunters. He pulled his focus away from her and to Nicky's wound--a bolt in his back, wooden, and very near if not in its victim's heart. "How many is a few?" "No more than five." "Then perhaps." LaCroix then ignored her. He gripped the end of the bolt; the surface blood covered, and after a couple of tries managed to get it to slide free. It was coated in blood. And his hands were now coated in the somewhat sticky substance. Letting the bolt fall to the floor, he reached forward and touched the wound, the blood faintly warmer. He brought his fingers to his lips, tasting the somewhat fresher blood. It wasn't quite devoid of life, but there wasn't much time. Gently, he rolled Nicky onto his back, the girl's hands getting in the way as she tried to help him. He let her hold him, not having the energy to tell her to leave. "LaCroix?" He turned, finding his son standing just behind him. He pulled his son's arm down, forcing the younger to his knees. "He needs blood and he needs it now." Pulling the wrist closer, he bit into it, tasting just a hint of his son's blood, just a hint of his son's anger. He guided the wrist forward, finding resistance. "Use yours, LaCroix. He wants yours, not mine." LaCroix didn't listen, instead forcing the younger's wrist further forward, not releasing it. He let the blood flow past Nicky's parted lips even as his son tried to jerk away. But he was stronger and did not allow the action until the blood flow slowed to a halt, about which time Nicky finally reacted, fangs instinctively biting into the flesh in front of him. LaCroix closed his eyes as his son gasped. He let go, several seconds later opening his eyes to see Nicky trying desperately, unconsciously, to hold onto the wrist he drank from. But it was pulled away, one hand griping it until it was out of reach; his eyes closed the whole time. Turning to his son, LaCroix found amber staring back at him. They held his gaze for a second, then turned and walked out of the room. A soft moan made him turn back to Nicky, who was somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness, but didn't seem aware of anything. "How is he?" Colleen asked, her hands pulling Nicky's head closer to her, the fingers of one hand combing back his hair. LaCroix ignored her. Young Nicholas would recover, he knew, but that could very well be only a very small problem. He'd given Nicky his son's blood because of what happened in Seattle. He didn't see how it really mattered whose blood he got--either way it was still *his* blood, if perhaps diluted. The blood he'd tasted had mixed feelings for him and he wasn't about to make them worse, not now. Closing his eyes, he realised his son had left the building. He set his jaw. Now was not the best time for that, but there was nothing he could do about it. He had, after all, forced his son into bringing Nicky over, against the will of at least one of them. One, perhaps two, as he suspected Nicky's will to live was greater than his choice of who would give him that life. Something Slaughtered - (12/13) Coming again to the bedroom Nicky rested in, LaCroix glanced inside as he had every hour for the last day. He was startled but pleased when eyes stared icily back at him, icily, but without emotion. "Nicholas?" he called softly. No movement came. He entered and approached the bed, again calling the younger's name. "How are you, Nicholas? Hungry?" Nicky shook his head. Blood was the last thing on his mind. "Are you sure you're not hungry?" This time Nicky nodded and shifted so that he was laying more on his stomach and facing the other direction. LaCroix' concern grew exponentially. Any fledgling, any vampire should be starving under the circumstances. "How do you feel?" he asked, sitting on the edge off the bed. Again, he received no reaction. Gently he pulled back the covers, causing the other to stiffen. Then, he slowly folded up the back of the younger's top, revealing a half-healed wound in the centre of the otherwise flawless skin. "You should feed, Nicholas." "Where's Nick?" Nicky whispered, not turning. "You must feed to heal." "I'm not hungry and I feel fine." LaCroix set his jaw. "Whether or not you are hungry, you need blood to heal, and however you feel you have *not* fully healed. You do not have a choice in the matter." "Where's Nick? I...I want him here." LaCroix let out his breath at the repeated question. "He is not here. Nor have I spoken to him since we found you. He is visiting Natalie at present." "He's mad at you," Nicky stated, his voice still devoid of emotion. "I can feel his thoughts." "Are you also mad at me? Is that why you will not do as I ask?" Nicky considered the question, not answering immediately having not thought much about it. "No," he whispered. "No, I'm not mad. Just tired." He continued to stare at the wall, his hands gripping the top's smooth material. It was Nick's pyjamas. LaCroix must have put them on him. It comforted him, but not enough. "He wanted to leave, LaCroix. He wanted you to take care of me, to teach me." He turned away from the wall, his eyes now focusing on the sheets. "He thinks you did what you did on purpose, to try and tie him to you. It's only making him confused on whether he should indeed leave, or if he should stay. He knows that if I'd had to pick, if I could have picked, that I'd have picked you, LaCroix. Or I would have. Now, I'm not as sure. I have to know." "Know what?" "Did you? Did you give me his blood to force Nick to remain with you? To prevent him from leaving?" LaCroix was taken aback by the question. What concern was this of his? "Does it matter?" "Yes. It's important." "And what if I said I did?" "I think you know. I don't like it when you hurt him like that. I'm tired of watching it. And I won't anymore. If you did this, I think you know what that will mean." Nicky's right hand clenched the fabric in his fist and then released it, watching it unfold. "Did you, LaCroix?" "No." "Then why?" "Because I believed it would be better for you to be Nicholas'. I saw your fear that night, Nicholas. And I tasted it in your blood when we found you. You are, however, still my family whether you are mine or Nicholas'." "Il veut vous laisser." "And what do you want? Que veux-tu?" "Je veux vous et lui se entendent. to him. I don't want to choose between you." "If I talk to him, will you feed?" Nicky hesitated, but nodded. "Yes, but not now." "You need it, and you need it now," LaCroix argued, his eyes drifting to the partially healed wound. "Why won't you feed? There has to be a reason." "Nicholas...his thoughts. They make me tired, but at the same time I can't sleep with them. The hunger helps me ignore them. He's...he's preparing to leave, LaCroix. Tomorrow night. Without you and without me." LaCroix' lips parted slightly. He'd had no indications from his son of the possibility. Nicholas had seemed normal, Nicholas' thoughts had seemed normal. Apparently, his son had managed to hide some things from him. He was angered by the information, and stood. "No, LaCroix. Don't be mad at him. It's not his fault." LaCroix strode to the door, and glancing back, stated, "I will have Frederick bring you blood. I will return later." He stayed long enough to see the younger vampire tense, then left. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. Nick flew up to the roof of Natalie's apartment. LaCroix had been waiting for him for several minutes. "What do you want, LaCroix?" "To talk." "Why didn't you go to the apartment? Asked me to speak with you?" "I did not wish to disturb you unnecessarily, seeing as you are preparing to leave." Nick looked away. LaCroix had found out. "I don't have much choice. We've already tried getting along. It didn't work for long, did it?" "Then we will try *harder*." "And what makes you think that will even work?" "Young Nicholas is now one of us--your son. There is no longer any issue for us to argue over. Whatever the case may be you should not leave him now. He is not ready for you to leave him. He is a fledgling and he *is* connected to you whether you believe it or not." Nick shook his head, disbelieving. "There is no connection, LaCroix. I would know about it." "How do you think I knew you were leaving? He *told* me. You've finally learned to keep things from me, whether you know it or not, and unless he had mentioned it, I would not have known. The thought of you leaving is disturbing to him. So are your other thoughts." "Then why have I never felt you like that? Tell me why." LaCroix looked away. "Because I have never allowed you to. I do not like others knowing my thoughts." "How do you think I feel? You intrude into my thoughts more often than I'd like." "And you've finally learned to keep me out. Now, imagine yourself in Nicholas' position--he has no defence against your thoughts, against your moods that change nearly as often. If you leave...." "All the better. I'll fade from his thoughts." "Your thoughts will fade from him," LaCroix reworded. "You will not fade from his thoughts, Nicholas, just as you do not fade from mine." LaCroix walked to the edge of the roof, his gaze purposely directed away from his son. "He is asking for you, Nicholas. He wants you to come back with me. He wants his family, and he wants his family whole." Nick stared at his sire's back. "I'll consider it." Nick closed his eyes as the other leapt into the sky. He had originally believed it would be best to leave, but that was before Nicky had been brought across. And it was before Nicky had run from them, before all this had happened. Perhaps it would be best to remain for the time being. And both he and LaCroix were Nicky's family, and about the only friends he had. If it did not last, at least they would have tried. *+.*+.*+.*+.*+. Nicky hissed as LaCroix tried to prevent him from getting up. Once the other released him, he backed away and stood, demanding, "Where's Nicholas?!" "Considering what I told him." "He left Natalie's soon after you left. Where is he?" "Possibly on his way. Unfortunately I gave him more questions than answers. He is also blocking his presence from me. He...seems to have learned more than I've believed." Nicky took that in, swallowing, wondering how much LaCroix never taught the other. "W-will he stay with us, with me?" "That will be his choice. However, he will stay." Nicky turned to face the other, a hint of fear in his eyes at the certainty of the statement. "Don't force him. It won't do any good." "He will stay, and of his own free will. I can sense it." "He's been thinking about it for a while, LaCroix. This isn't the sudden decision it seems. He...." Nicky looked away. "He wanted you to be the one to bring me across. He figured that then you'd let him leave as you wanted me so much, saw me as a replacement. And then you forced him to bring me over. I'm not mad at you, but he thinks you did this to prevent him from leaving, and I don't blame his anger. I want you to be his father, be his family like he wants." LaCroix stiffened. "He does not want that." "He does. He doesn't like everything you do, but he doesn't hate you." "Nicky's right," Nick said from the doorway. "I don't hate you, LaCroix, but I am tired of arguing. We were a family, and it's falling apart. We either need to go our separate ways, or agree to accept one another. I'm willing to try again if this is what Nicholas wants." Nicky tensed. They had already tried just that, but it was different now. Very different. "I know I'm being childish on this, but...does that mean you're staying? I mean, for now?" "For now. I don't have any actual plans. But this isn't a line of thought I'm dropping." Nick walked further into the room and closed in on Nicky. "What do you feel from me? Tell me what thoughts you feel from me." Nicky took a step back and turned to face LaCroix. "Don't look at him. Look at me and tell me." Nicky did as told, then looked down. "'re frustrated." "More. Something specific. Something you and LaCroix shouldn't know." Clenching his jaw, Nicky turned away. "You wanted to kill the hunters that took me last night. You wanted to taste their fear, their pain. You wanted to destroy them for what they did to me. You didn't just want to take their blood, you wanted to take everything." Nick's lips parted at the statement. What bothered him the most was the truthfulness of the statement. He had wanted to kill the hunters. And if Cadeyrn hadn't been there and insistent that he wanted them alive, he probably would have. "Nick?" He shook his head, turning not to Nicky, but LaCroix. "How come I've never felt this from you? Or any of those I've brought over? And why have you kept me from you?" LaCroix didn't meet his son's eyes. Instead, he looked to the youngest of the three of them. "Leave us, Nicholas. Perhaps get some fresh air." "But--" "I need to speak with my son alone." Nicky gave each a glance and then, hesitating for several seconds, he left the room. Once they were alone and Nick was sure Nicky was out of range, he again asked, "Why do you keep your thoughts from me, LaCroix? If it's part of our connection, if it's normal as you seem to be saying, why do you keep it to yourself?" "I...learned to block Divia out of my thoughts. And, later, her thoughts from me. Her thoughts were troublesome. By the time I had created another, those skills were fine tuned. I have not revealed my thoughts because I wished to spare my children the experience." He paused, smiling slightly. "Actually, I almost revealed them to you, but didn't when I realised you were not entirely content as a vampire, with the killing. Not to mention your difficulty to believe there was a connection at all. And that is another reason I have spared you. And because you do not believe there is a connection, you do not feel anything from your children. In fact, isn't probably why you've been getting better at blocking me. However, they still feel your thoughts, and the only way to stop that is to know there is a connection and block it. It's a matter of...willing the flow to cease." "And Janette...? Have you ever...?" "No more than you. No more than the meagre trickle contained in our blood. To this time, I have never revealed my thoughts to any of my children. Not even her." "To this time...." "Nicholas, you want to know why I hold this back from you. And you want to understand just what the connection you have with Nicky is like, in it's entirety, the connection your other children have also had." "What are you saying?" As he spoke, he watched the other close his eyes, and then he felt first a stream and then a river of thoughts that weren't his originating from somewhere, flowing through him like his very blood. There was anger, there was the same want to kill the hunters that existed in his own mind, and there were things he'd never dreamed of LaCroix ever thinking. Not love, per se. He knew LaCroix loved him on some level, but this was different. LaCroix took pride in him. Even when he made a mistake. Even when his own thoughts were to kill LaCroix, to do something, anything to be free of him. And then he felt disappointment in himself, but it wasn't himself, it was LaCroix. LaCroix felt-- The flood of thoughts and emotions ceased and he looked up to see LaCroix open his eyes and stare back at him. His sire was quite uncomfortable, and when LaCroix started for the door, Nick flew in front of him, blocking the elder vampire's path. "Don't. Don't block me. Not all the time. Don't block me and I won't keep things from you." LaCroix stiffened, even as he felt the barriers around his son's mind drop. The younger's anger dispersed somewhat, which relaxed him, but he still needed to leave. He feared the consequences of showing his thoughts to Nicholas. "Don't hide these things from me, LaCroix. Please don't." "I will attempt this, assuming you don't decide to leave." "If I leave, I'm not leaving now. Not yet. And I don't want to leave, LaCroix, not if there's another choice. For now, I have a reason to stay." LaCroix managed a smile, a small feat considering how he felt at the moment--drained from the last couple of minutes. "Thank you for that. Now, I will go check on Nicholas. He is outside." LaCroix pushed past his son, a relatively simple task, needing to be alone for a moment to regather his composure. Something Slaughtered (13/13) "You are late, Nicholas." Nick walked up to where his sire, Nicky, and Cadeyrn waited. "I'm sorry, I wished to speak to Natalie before we left." "About?" LaCroix said, continuing his questioning. "I wanted her to know I probably wouldn't be coming back, that Nicky's doing better and that we're leaving Toronto. I also told her to move on and forget about me...although I have a feeling that won't happen." "And why not, Nicholas?" "I...gave her our phone number. She wishes to keep contact with us, and so do I," he answered, a slight smile turning up the corner of his mouth as he looked away from LaCroix. Cadeyrn stiffened, against the decision, but silent as he could not say anything against the mortal's trustworthiness without endangering the continuance of the protection he gave her. "Did she at least take my offer?" he demanded. "No. She refuses to leave her life here. She doesn't care if the hunters very probably know where she lives." Cadeyrn set his jaw. "Very well. I will make sure she's watched closely by my people. After all, she could be of use to us in the future and I do not believe she would object to helping us if needed." Nicky fidgeted in the silence that accompanied Cadeyrn's answer, drawing attention to him. "Why are we here? Why did you want me here?" "I thought of something you might like." "What?" LaCroix stiffened, wondering what this idea was. He did not like Cadeyrn meddling with his family. "I'd like to know as well." Cadeyrn smiled. "I don't think you'll have a problem with this, Lucius." He turned momentarily to Nicky, his smile increasing in intensity. "We are done with the hunters. They have used up their usefulness to us. I thought young Nicholas might like the opportunity to kill them." Nick, slightly stunned by the offer, resisted the urge to protest. If Nicky wished to kill the hunters, he had no right to stop him if it was something he wished to do. Nicky looked to his family--first to LaCroix, who's expression was oddly neutral, and then Nick, who also seemed uncharacteristically neutral. "Nick?" Shaking his head, Nick told the younger, "I cannot make the decision for you, and I will not. You may do as you wish. Kill them if that's what you want--I'm sure they'll die even if you don't." "Yes, they will die." Cadeyrn stepped closer to Nicky, walking around and stopping behind the young vampire. Leaning forward, he whispered into the other's ear, "You may kill them however you like, Nicholas." Nicky's eyes flashed amber. He was very tempted. These hunters had nearly killed him and planned to kill at least LaCroix. Other hunters had done other damage to himself and his family. The girl, however...he had no wish to kill her. He closed his eyes, saying, "First, I have a question about the girl." "And it is?" "Is she alive? What are you going to do with her?" "She is...dead." Nicky's eyes snapped open. "What? How?" "She was doing well at first, but she, like most of her kind, have an innate fear of our kind. Living with hunters, even for as short a time as she did, has had an impact on her," Frederick explained. "Much like your innate hatred of hunters." "Correct," Cadeyrn stated, pausing before continuing. "She.... She attacked an Enforcer, then as she was taken to her room, she attacked myself. The Enforcer escorting her disabled her, unfortunately killing her as well." "In a way, she is lucky, Nicholas," Frederick whispered. "She will not have to suffer as we have." Nicky nodded "I know." Cadeyrn smiled softly, drawing Nicky's attention to him. "So, what about the hunters? I know you're considering it, I know you're tempted. It's not an opportunity you'll get anytime soon. Three hunters to do with as you please...but you must decide quickly. I have others that also want the honour." Nicky turned and faced Nick. "I need and want to do this. I know you're against it, but I need to do this." "I'm not against you doing this. It's just not something I'd do myself, no matter what my thoughts are. Again, as long as this is something you want to do, of your own will, I have no problems with it." "It is." He turned to Cadeyrn, "I'd like to be the one to kill them." Cadeyrn flashed an approving smile. "Then come with me." He took a few steps, then stopped, turning his gaze to LaCroix' son. "You may not wish to come." He then turned his eyes to LaCroix. "Either of you." "We will come," Nick stated, catching an approving nod from LaCroix. The Enforcer gave a faint nod to the others, turned and left the room. Nicky stepped in Nick's path, holding the other back for a couple of seconds. "Thank you, Nick." He received an accepting smile, and then followed Cadeyrn and LaCroix from the room, down a long corridor, and to another room, this one guarded and locked. "You may do anything with them as long as they die," Cadeyrn stated, and then nodded to one of the vampires next to the doorway, who unlocked and opened the door. Cadeyrn entered the room first, with Nicky, Nick, and LaCroix immediately behind him. Once they were all inside, the door was again shut and they all heard the lock click into place. "What, is this another questioning?" Hartford snapped from his position, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. "No," Cadeyrn answered. "It's an execution. Yours, to be more precise. They're all yours, Nicholas. Do as you wish." Nicky stepped forward toward the hunters as Cadeyrn did the opposite. Walking up to Paul, he circled the hunter and then moved to the man's wife. He stared at Patricia, his eyes piercing her with gold. "Did your husband tell you about this? Or was it the other way around? I seriously doubt you were both hunters before you were married." Cadeyrn watched as the woman tensed, adamantly not speaking. "Answer him." "My husband told me about them before we were married. I believed him." Nicky then turned to her husband. "I'm sure you've considered losing her to a vampire, haven't you? You've probably discussed it at length. What about a more...mortal death? Strangling, or a bullet wound, or something more...mundane." "What are you playing at?" Walking up behind the woman, Nicky spun her to face her husband. Looking over the mortal's shoulder, he let his eyes flash crimson just as he grabbed her, one hand pulling her head to the side. His fangs dropped and made sure the hunter could see them. Then, half- pretending to prepare to drain her, he instead broke her neck in one swift action. He watched the hunter lose his cool at the unexpected action. "She was an innocent until you did this to her. She earned a quick death. Something you will not get." Nicky let the hunter's body drop to the ground, then he simply stared at the other hunter, not moving an inch in any direction, staring with a hungry, angry gaze. Paul, standing and waiting, his focus expanding by the second now that his wife was dead, put what anger he had into his words, "If you're going to kill me, then kill me!" "If that's what you want." Nicky flew forward, sinking his fangs into the hunter's neck and draining him until only one heartbeat pounded in his ears. Releasing the hunter and facing Hartford, the only hunter that was left, Nicky saw that Nick had turned away and was now looking back. Focusing again on the remaining mortal, Nicky stepped forward. "What about you? I'm only a vampire right now because of you and your friends. I only wish I could kill you as I did your brother. But then, that would be an honour. For you to be given a chance to run, to escape. You didn't even give me that. You would have killed me right away if it hadn't been for the others." "You're not human." "Neither are you. You watched me kill the other two without even so much as a twinge of sadness. Nothing. I know more about your brother than you do, I'll bet. I've tasted his blood. You pushed him into the situation that led to his capture and death. I don't think he'd care if I killed you right now." "Then--" Hartford was cut off as a hand gripped his neck, squeezing it. It was hard to breathe, impossible to speak. "Don't worry, you'll die. I just thought you might like a little taste of death first." Nicky held his grip even, watching as the hunter started to struggle for air. Just as the other started to lose consciousness, he let go. And then, once the hunter gained his breath he struck, draining the life away with pleasure and satisfaction. This last heartbeat faded, and as he let Hartford drop to the ground, Nicky shut his eyes. Killing the hunters had helped, although not as much as he'd hoped. But it was good to know that three more of them would no longer be causing any kind of trouble. That was more than enough. "Nicky?" He turned sharply to the voice--Nick's. He turned back to the dead hunter, then took a step back and glanced at each. They were dead. And he killed all of them. What bothered him is that this didn't bother him. Not one bit. It bothered him that Nick was concerned, but that was something that wasn't going to change, and he understood the reason for the concern. Turning back, he assured, "I'm fine, Nick. It's just different. It's a little different as a vampire." Which was true, it was. The emotions, the thoughts in the blood, it's was stronger. But it didn't pull at him any more. His hunger had neither decreased nor increased. His hatred of hunters was no different, either. They deserved to die and he killed them, that was it. "If you will excuse me, the matter of cleaning this up is in order. This and all the damage they've done." Cadeyrn gave each a nod, and then knocked on the door. Once it was unlocked, he left, the door swinging back but not closing behind him. "Are you ready to leave, Nicholas?" LaCroix asked, stepping closer Nicholas' son. "We...can stay another night if you'd like?" Nick suggested, not sure of the other's thoughts on this. "No. No, I want to leave. I want to go home. To *our* home. All of us. Together. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can go home." LaCroix nodded, satisfied by the answer. He too wanted to go home. Turning to face his son, he saw the other was distracted. "Nicholas? Do you not want to go home as well?" Considering the question, Nick shook his head. Then, with a faint smile, he stated, "But we are home, aren't we? Family? Isn't that what home is? To be with one's family?" At that, LaCroix openly smiled, a somewhat sinister, but very pleased smile. "So you've finally realised that, have you?" "I've known it. It's just hard to get past everything else." LaCroix stiffened, losing his smile when his son turned to him, the gaze piercing to say the least. "I will try, Nicholas. If it is important to you, I will try." "It is. And I want you to help me teach Nicky. I want you to teach him the lessons I can't, the ones I didn't learn well." Nick paused, and locking his eyes more on his sire, he continued, "And I know you haven't taught me everything you know, everything there is. I want you to teach him those things, even if you never teach me. I want him to know." Glancing away and turning to Nicky, he again added, "If I leave, Nicky, you can chose who to stay with, and if you want, you can leave us, even though it's not something either myself or LaCroix wants. And LaCroix...know that if I leave, it's not because of you." "If, or when?" LaCroix asked suspiciously. Nick tensed, answering, "If. That's what I said and that's what I mean. I don't hate you, LaCroix. And if I do leave, I will come back. I always have, eventually, and I always will." He remained in place for several seconds, and then turned and left. Nicky waited a moment, watching as LaCroix stared at the door with a blank expression. "LaCroix?" "Go, Child. Go with Nicholas. I will join you in a few minutes." Seeing the younger about to protest, LaCroix let his eyes flash amber in warning. "Go. I will not be long." Nicky nodded hesitantly, and then left making as little noise as he could manage. LaCroix closed his eyes once he had the room to himself. The hunters' bodies, he ignored. He prodded his son's thoughts, which at first were held back from him. Nicholas' defences were growing stronger, much stronger than even the previous day. After a moment, he was allowed entry and he prodded, trying to find his son's reaction to this. He was taken back when he found no problem with it. The thoughts didn't quite match with the reaction he'd seen. He dug further, only to find that his son felt a twinge of anger that he hadn't been involved in the hunter's deaths--another surprise. He also felt a hint of guilt, but it was nowhere near as strong as he'd expected. His eyes snapped open as he felt a prodding of his own mind, which caused him to instinctively tighten his own blocks. Realising it was his son, he relaxed and let the other by. It was disturbing to allow the younger access, but when he felt a strong cord of satisfaction flowing between them, he let his lips twist into a grin and closed his eyes. Maybe this wouldn't be a bad thing after all. ~finis~ And that really *is* the end. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the story and series! Jarvinia @>--,---`--- Translation of French from part 12, first section: Nicky: "Il veut vous laisser." "He wants to leave you." LaCroix: "Que veux-tu?" "What do you want?" Nicky: "Je veux vous et lui se entendent." "I want you and him to get along with each other."