Forever Young

I sat bolt upright in my bed as the sun had just begun to peek a few scanty rays through my windows, as I checked the clock next to my bed and read the time as 6:30am. I dressed quickly in jeans and a dark blue shirt. Daniel would be awake soon and I needed to get him something to eat. I had no food in the house, obviously, and I needed to hide the blood in the fridge.

I left the house and ran to the nearest supermarket, by the gods I'd never done this. I tried to think of what he would eat and ended up buying a few different types of breakfast cereal and some comfort food, I paid quickly ignoring the wink from the female checkout clerk and left hastily. I ran with my spoils back to my house less than 35 minutes after leaving the house and returning. I stashed my spoils in the cupboards and fridge freezer and moved the blood inside into the lockable fridge inside my bedroom.

I listened intently waiting to hear the sounds of Daniel waking up. At 8 I heard him stirring and poured him a bowl of some chocolatey cereal and a glass of orange juice and left it on the table.

He walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen a minute later, scratching his head.

He stood in the doorway of the kitchen.

“Good morning.” I said smiling and motioning to the bowl of cereal on the table.

His eyes flickered to mine hesitantly but he remained silent.

He sat down and started to eat and my eyes drifted to my garden waiting for him to finish.

“Join me when you're finished I'll be in the front room.” I said raising myself from the table. I stepped out of the door of my kitchen and into the hallway. I wasn't left waiting long, he joined me after a few minutes and sat down on the sofa next to me.

“So Daniel how did you sleep?” I asked innocently

He looked up shocked then asked

“How do you know my name?”

His memory of the dream had obviously faded. For the best I supposed.

“Your ID” I said quickly, fabricating a lie that would at least seem plausible.

He nodded then asked

“I'm guessing this is your house”

I nodded and he blushed slightly and lowered his head.

“What is it?” I asked

“I'm just no good at talking to guys” He said quietly

“You don't need to be nervous around me.”

“It's just you're a Vampire, and I don't know what's going on.” he said, his head still lowered.

I placed my hand under his chin and pulled his eyes up to meet mine. Arousal seared through me from our contact and I smiled widely at him

“You can ask me anything you want about what's going on.” I said

“What happened last night?” he asked hesitantly

“I was walking by and I saw that Vampire on top of you and I pulled him off you. I picked you up and ran you here” I explained

“I just don't know how to thank you for...for saving me.” he said softly

“Well I would like to get to know you better and maybe we could go out somewhere.” I suggested gently

“You mean, like a date?” he asked disbelieving

“Would you like it to be?” I asked smiling

“I um, I don't do fangs. Well I just don't date at all.” he said embarrassed lowering his eyes

“Have you ever tried?” I asked curiously

“No I've never really gotten past the talking phase with any guy” he answered his eyes still lowered

“Well I can assure you there are many things that this old vampire can teach you I’m sure, but I am happy to take even small steps for you”

I smiled at him reassuringly. He gave a slight smile back then he froze and suddenly jumped to his feet.

“Um I kind of need to go, I need to go meet someone.” He said quickly

I felt my un-beating heart sink

“You're seeing someone” I said painfully

“No, no he's just my roommate I need to make sure he's safe that's all.” he said hurriedly

I grinned at him and he smiled weakly back.

“You can use my phone if you want. Then we could talk some more if you like.” I said

“I'd like that” he finished

I pulled out my cell phone and handed it over to him. He dialled eagerly and I left the room to give him privacy in his call. I waited for a few minutes and then when I heard him stop the phone call I slowly sauntered back into the room.

He smiled, obviously becoming more comfortable around me. I smiled widely back and saw him blush slightly, I found myself starting to look forward to his blushes. I wanted to hold him, to kiss him but he was so innocent so pure, he was my polar opposite. I have lived for just over a thousand years and in that time I have fucked and fed and killed over and over. He was so fragile, yet I sensed there was a burning fire just beneath the surface, waiting to be coaxed out.

With everything that had happened I just wanted to protect him, to make him safe. First of all I wanted to get to know him better. I wanted to know every facet of his life.

“So what do you do for a living?” I asked when we had sat down

“Um I teach GCSE science” He replied

Well that was interesting, he seemed young to be a teacher. Hell I didn't even know his true age.

“How old are you if you don't mind me asking?”

“I just turned 21 a few days ago” he said

21 and still innocent, now he truly had caught my attention.

“Isn't that a little young to be teaching” I asked curiously

“Normally it is but the school is understaffed so they took anyone they could get. Me and my roommate both work there.

“So who is your roommate?” I asked, a curious feeling of possessiveness surging through me.

“He's been my best friend for years, he teaches geography. I just needed to call him to make sure he got home alright.” he said quietly

“And did he?” I asked

“Um yeah he was asleep when I called him, so I left a message.”

“So do you have any family around here?” I asked randomly

“I have an aunt who lives out in the country, another aunt who just moved to America and my mum lives in central London.” He said quickly

“Any cousins or siblings?” I said

“No full siblings but I have two cousins.” he said slightly glumly

“You don't get on with them?” I asked

“No it's not that, it's just that my mum never really got on with her sisters in law. My dad was sort of the binding force between his sisters. After he died they sort of fell out, my mum didn't quite have cause to intervene so we sort of grew apart. It meant I hardly ever saw my cousins. I haven't seen them in at least five years.” he said glumly looking down

I placed a finger under his chin and he looked up at me.

“You don't need to talk about it if you don't want to”

He blushed lightly and I withdrew my finger from his chin. He seemed shy about any contact I made with him, I hoped that if I could just scratch beneath the surface, that underneath there was a sensual man beneath that shy exterior, waiting to be discovered. I planned to find it.

“So would you like to go home?” I asked hoping he would say no

“I don't really want to, but I have classes to plan for the new year” He said timidly

“Are you free this evening?” I asked hopefully

“I think I should be, but I um don't do fangs.” he said quietly lowering his eyes.

“I am not too sure what there is to do. I haven't dated in a while” I responded

This was true, the last time I courted was whilst I was still human before 900ad, and back then things were a lot different.

Daniel thought for a second, his eyebrows furrowing slightly creating a cute crease between them. I grinned slightly before he continued.

“Um well we could go to the cinema?”

“That would be nice,” I said unthinkingly I hadn't watched films since they were still silent. It would be interesting to see how they had changed.

“What genre would you like to watch?” he asked with slightly more confidence

“I think I will leave that in your capable hands” I replied concentrating more on the pulse visible beneath his creamy skin. I sighed internally as I saw his pulse thrum in his neck. I swallowed back my thirst which was however twinned with lust, which was much harder to dissipate.

“Horror?” he said surprisingly.

“I really do not mind” I said inhaling his scent, that was my first mistake, it was like gaseous Viagra. Well if I were human it would be. It was always like this being around a hungry Incubus. God that was always hell. Incubi and Succubi caused arousal in others when they hadn't fed. My nose told me that this boy was definitely hungry.

“Well I know that there is a new film about a war between werewolves and humans, I hear it's really good?” he said quietly

I groaned internally. Fucking werewolves. They got all the publicity. I really hated them sometimes. Now if irony had been on my side then perhaps Daniel would be partial to Vampire films. Now that would be ironic.

He noticed my pause and then instead suggested

“I take it you aren't a fan of the werewolf genre?”

I shook my head and he nodded replying;

“Me neither, werewolves may be cool at times but not really my favourite mythical creature”

Now he had peaked my interest. This question was too opportunistic to pass up. Like waving a red cape before a bull.

“So what is your favourite mythical creature?” I asked seemingly innocently

“Not too sure really,” He said quietly, giving a coy little smile.

I smiled inside thanking each and every god and goddess in the sky. Oh fate was merciful.

“So what's yours?” he asked, his confidence growing, his blushes becoming more intermittent.

“I would have to say the vampire” I said grinning innocently, or at least trying my best to look innocent.

“I think I should have guessed that. So it's decided then, I'll see you at seven-thirty?” he asked grinning.

I nodded to him and he turned towards my front door, opened it and prepared to leave.

“Oh my God, I just realised, I never even asked you name” He said turning to me, and blushed again, hot blood flooding the creamy skin of his cheeks.

“You may call me Darren,” I said, grinning widely at him, and trying my hardest to control the throbbing erection now rising beneath my trousers. Oh this little Incubus will be the death of me.

Daniel

I stepped into my apartment slightly hesitantly. Admittedly I did have a date, although my date was a vampire, and although the thought of vampires scared me he had already saved my life.

And anyhow this date was the tall, dark and handsome vampire named Darren. I had woken up in his house, slightly scary but he's nice.

“Well what do you really know about him?”

The cynical side in my head said. I quickly squashed it down. Crushing any doubt about him. I was going on a date. Full stop. Darren may be a vampire, but he was a vampire who had saved my life. And that made him right in my books. Almost.

“If it all goes wrong, you can't say I didn't warn you.” my head replied.

Now to deal with Elliott. I glanced quickly round the apartment noting the rubbish strewn on the floor. I sighed then moved towards his room.

“Heya how's di.......” I said and stepped into his bedroom.

“Oh shit.” I said when I was presented with Elliott's tanned arse as he lay face down on the bed.

I quickly turned my back then coughed loudly hoping to wake him. He stirred slightly and I grimaced and rubbed my eyes. Trying vainly to delete the image now burned into the back of my retina of Elliott's ass.

Now to disprove the theory almost every straight guy I know has. The theory being; that gay guys are immediately attracted to each and every guy they meet, I don't think of Elliott as anything more than a friend. A friend who I have known since I was 8. The friend who I first came out to at 14. Only to be greeted with the response;

“Oh cool so am I.” from him.

I stepped out of his room, leaving him to wake up in his own time. I walked towards the kitchen looking at my wristwatch. Six past nine in the morning. Not bad. Well not good either. So I now had ten and a half hours to wait until Darren picked me up.

I walked to my room and stepped in, it was slightly messy but not overly so., or as I liked to call it “Lived in.”. My bedroom wasn't anything too impressive, a single bed, a desk, my wardrobe and a few drawers. I stepped towards my desk and opened my laptop. I logged on and quickly checked my emails. I spotted one from Helen Parker (the headmistress at my work) and I scanned the email. It was a boring one, it said that next term I would start teaching the younger years the new syllabus.

I left it and moved away from my laptop to my drawers, pulling out a fresh set of clothes and boxers. I snagged a towel from the linen cupboard as well as I made my way for a well needed, and well deserved bath.

I shut the door behind me and set the bath running, testing the mix of hot and cold water before moving to the kitchen. I put on the kettle and grabbed the teabags from the cupboard and the milk from the fridge, staring expectantly at the kettle and waited for the water to boil.

After what seemed like an age I poured the water and sipped my morning tea. I sauntered back towards the bathroom and checked the bath water. It was almost full. I stepped into the bathroom with my cup and turned off the taps.

I locked the door and stripped down to my boxers. I checked my reflection in the mirror and grimaced. Ugh, I looked like crap. My hair which I had gelled up the night before, now sagged down glumly. I laughed it off quietly then stripped off my boxers and sank into my bath.

I hummed in satisfaction, the warmth of the water seeping into my bones. Soothing away all aches and pains. I stretched in the bath, barely able to contain my 5ft10'. The bath had a shower head attached to it, and I massaged my favourite honey and hops shampoo into my scalp. I ran the water over my head and then laid back. I stayed there for at least twenty minutes. I got out however when the water began to grow cold.

I stepped out of the bath and patted a towel to my face, wiping away the streams of water running down my body. I ran the towel over my naked body stopping at my neck. I felt some sort of sense memory. A flicker of a memory flashed through my mind, strong arms wrap around my waist.

I shook my head, lightly tapping my temples, trying to recall the origin of the memory. I dimly remembered a conversation, something about a nightmare. I groaned in frustration. I hated not being able to remember things.

I focused and channelled my thoughts into remembering. A flicker of an image darted across my thoughts. I saw Darren but the memory was hazy like it was trying to avoid my perception. He was dressed only in his boxers. My heart pounded loudly in my chest, fuck sometimes I hated being an Incubus. My sex drive careered out of control as the memory unfolded.

His shape became more defined and I remembered the look of his muscles all over his body. He was muscled but not grotesquely so. He had the perfect models build, his skin lightly bronzed all over, and he had a layer of black hair on his chest,his legs were likewise matted with black hairs that thinned as they moved up his thigh towards his...........

Fuck I was horny. My cock hardened and I groaned lightly. My inner Incubus crying out for sex, anything to sate its hunger. I needed to feed and badly. I dressed quickly and moved out and stood outside of Elliott's room. I reached inside with my mind and sensed the latent sexual energy residing in the room. It wasn't much, in fact it was hardly any but it slaked the hunger to some extent.

I moved to the kitchen and pulled a chocolate bar from the freezer. My secret stash. I loved chocolate, it also came in handy as an Incubus. I had discovered early on that chocolate helped soothe my hunger. It helped satiate it and lessen its impact on me. I finished my chocolate and then just sat there thinking about Darren.

Although he scared me he seemed so gentle and so caring. But he was a Vampire and my mother had warned me not to get too comfortable around them. It's not a matter of if they lose control she said, it was a matter of when. My Mum was a Succubus and was the owner of a very successful porn company, needless to say she had enough experience as a Succubus to know how to choreograph sex.

It made me shudder to think of my Mum like that but it made her living. Needless to say she was rich, and now every month she deposited into my bank account. We had fallen out when I was around 17 once I came out. She “simply” wanted me to take a Succubus as my wife in an arranged marriage, that was when I came out to her. She didn't like it at first, but around a year later she calmed down, that was after she threw me out kicking and screaming from the front door of her house at first.

That was when I had gone to Elliott and had stayed with him since. My Mum had thankfully placed a large deposit in my account a week or so before. Once she had calmed down she began making deposits into my account, it had started out with a few hundred pounds a week then it grew until she was depositing at least £2000 a month. And on my 21st birthday she deposited over £15,000 I'm guessing it was her way of a penance.

I hadn't seen her since I left home but the truth was I missed her. When I had left she had only just taught me how to siphon energy out of a room to feed myself and none of the complex stuff.

Well, while I waited for Elliott to wake up I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher and swept the floors. I could have hoovered but that would have woken Elliott, and I'm guessing after the night he had he needed the sleep. I shuddered and quickly shoved away the mental image forming. I sat down on our sofa and looked around our living room.

It wasn't very big but it was home to me. I could easily afford something much more expensive but I liked it here. We were on the fifth floor of our block of flats and rented our two bedroom flat from a mostly absent landlord. I glanced around our front room. A fifty inch plasma screen was bracketed to the wall, a few ornaments dotted around the room and three sofas around the room. I stretched out on our leather sofa and closed my eyes, yawning slightly.

I must have drifted off into sleep because the next thing I heard was Elliott staggering out of his bedroom. He stepped into the front room, thankfully wearing boxers this time and walked into the kitchen. He walked out a few minutes later with a cup of coffee in his hands. He plopped down onto the sofa next to me, and grinned weakly before taking a long gulp of his drink.

“You look like shit.” I said when he put his cup down.

“And you look sexually frustrated, I can't say the same.” He quipped.

I huffed at him and he raised a hand in surrender.

“Sorry that crossed a line, I'm still half asleep.” He continued yawning widely.

“So what time did you get home?” I asked.

“I dunno around 8 ish, did you call me?” he asked groggily.

I nodded and he shrugged.

“I can't remember,” he said, continuing.

“So are you seeing that guy again tonight?” I asked after he finished his drink.

“Umm maybe, I dunno. Anyhow where were you? You weren't in when I got home.”

“Well.....” I thought quickly trying to come up with something believable.

“Oh my god, who was he?” Elliott exploded, immediately invested in the conversation.

“Well when I left the club I got jumped in an alley, and a guy kind of saved me and took me home with him.” I said, trying not to catch Elliott's eye as I idly looked out of the window.

“Did you pass out?” he asked.

I nodded and Elliott leaned back in his seat before asking his next question.

“So are you seeing him again?”

“Umm we are kind of going out tonight.” I mumbled, still avoiding his gaze.

“That's really good for you man, you deserve someone.” He said honestly.

“Thanks.”

“Be safe.” he said mockingly, echoing my words from last night.

Elliott returned to his room and collapsed on his bed again. I busied myself with my lesson plans for next term. The hours slowly dragged past and at five o'clock I started to get ready. I showered again and started work on my hair. I gelled it up, spiking it above my head then had a shave. I moved to my wardrobe and tried to pick my outfit for the night.

I felt my anxiety begin to mount however and I ended up just sitting on my bed on the verge of hyperventilating. I was about to go on a date with a vampire who could easily kill me. I sighed and stood up about to move to my wardrobe again. My knees gave out and I face planted to the floor. My inner Incubus snarling in hunger.

I had used up my energy trying to fight off the vampire last night. And now I was hungry, I needed to feed, and soon. If I didn't I would slowly begin to die. I reached out and sapped the remnants of sexual energy left behind by Elliott. It was virtually non-existent, barely a wisp left after his wild night, but gave me enough to keep on going, and steady by breathing.

I moved to the wardrobe again and pulled on a pair of sky blue chinos and a short sleeved blue t-shirt that hugged my chest. It was ten past seven and I had twenty minutes until Darren arrived and I lightly sipped a cup of coffee until I heard a light tap on the door to the flat. Elliott had stayed in his room out of courtesy and I went to get the door.

I opened it and was greeted with Darren in full glory. He wore dark blue jeans with a tight white t-shirt that exposed his perfect build with a leather jacket over the top. He smiled widely at me, flashing me with a perfect view of his gleaming white teeth, “The fangs are still there somewhere Daniel.......” I heard a voice mumble in my head.

“Hey.” I said grinning back, almost forgetting that he was a vampire for a minute, almost.

“Hello.” he replied, his eyes locking with mine, a light smile touching the edges of his lips.

“So where are we going?” I asked nervously fiddling with the bottom of my t-shirt.

“I shall leave that up to you if you wish, but I did have somewhere in mind.” He said with a curt nod of his head.

“Well I don't really........” I trailed off as blood rushed to my head and my knees buckled sending me forwards into Darren. My hunger surged again and I whimpered slightly. He caught me and his arms wrapped under my arms pulling me up against him. His eyes scanned my face before he continued.

“You need to feed and very soon.” He said quietly, still supporting my body against his.

I looked up at his face and felt my libido surge suddenly, why did he have to be so attractive. As much as I may have wanted to kiss him, I barely knew him. He gently pulled me through the front door of my flat and closed the door.

“Can you stand?” he asked me a few moments later.

I nodded and stood up, a wave of desire raced through me before it passed. I rolled my neck and then looked up at him. He looked concerned with his hazel eyes darting over my face. Underneath those wonderful eyes were purple bruises, like he could use a good night's sleep. I scanned him quickly, my eyes darting up and down his body. His black hair was cut neatly yet still relatively long and swept elegantly over his forehead. His cheek bones perfectly positioned on his face, his lips as red as blood.

He extended a hand to me and I grasped it lightly. He led me forwards and towards the lift. We stepped inside and he pressed the ground button.

“So where are we going?” I asked letting go of his hand.

“I am taking you to feed.” he replied, catching my eyes with his steady gaze.

“Um where?” I asked quietly.

“A club filled with people looking for sex, just what you need.” He said.

“I can only feed at a distance.” I told him just as the lift reached the ground floor.

He stopped for a moment before continuing out of the lift.

“So you haven't had sex?” he asked.

I lowered my gaze and felt my cheeks flush, Darren stopped and placed a hand on my arm. I froze and turned back towards him.

“I am sorry, I just assumed.....” Darren tried to say but I cut him off, my anger flowing out.

“Yes everyone fucking assumes with me, you, that vampire last night, everyone in my fucking life!”

I stormed forward towards the exit and ran out into the cold night air. It didn't phase me, I ran faster than any human could follow away from Darren, burning through some of my energy reservoirs rather stupidly. Unfortunately Darren wasn't human.

I ended up in an alley a few streets away and leaned against the wall half crying to myself. Everything always turned to crap for me. The small spark of hope that I had a date was quelled by the feeling of despair stemming from my self pity. I choked out my breaths for a few seconds before slowly calming down.

“I'm sorry.” I heard a voice say from behind me, causing me to jump slightly. Darren.

“I shouldn't have assumed that just because you were an Incubus you weren't.....” he trailed off.

“A virgin.” I finished turning around to face him, fixing him with my best glare I reserved for my students.

“Yes, I apologise for my assumption, I did not mean to harm your feelings.” he said, his hazel eyes sparkling in the dim light.

“Yeah my Mum was teaching me about my powers before she kicked me out.” I said quietly avoiding his eyes.

“If I may ask, why did she throw you out?” he said innocently.

“I wouldn't marry the Succubus she chose for me. I'm gay.” I said lowering my eyes as my cheeks flushed.

“Ah I can see how that would cause problems, seeing as how almost all Incubi are bisexual.” he said quietly.

I leaned back against the wall as blood rushed to my head, the edges of my vision turned red and I whimpered slightly as pain surged through my head. Darren moved quickly to me and rested a hand on my shoulder.

“You need to feed, and now.” he said, lifting my chin with his other hand.

His hand moved to mine and he entwined our fingers together. His hazel eyes clung to mine.

He leaned down and as his lips grew close to my ear and he whispered quietly.

“Feed from me Daniel.” he whispered seductively, his breath tickling at the side of my neck.

I had fed through touch only once before and then I had almost killed the human in question. His cool body pressed against mine and I groaned slightly. I inhaled his scent and felt my hunger flare again. His scent was a mix of musk and spice, he was pure sex. I focused on my hunger and simply allowed my instincts to take over. Trying vainly to work out how to feed. My hunger peaked and I felt warmth flow from the coolness of his body up my arm.

The amount of energy that flowed into me was incredible, more than I could possibly gain through simple siphoning. He groaned surprisingly and pressed closer against me. My hunger was sated quickly, but I realised now that I was nowhere near.....full as it were. It is difficult to describe the need for the energy, it is comparable to hunger but far far more persistent, it just gnaws away deep inside.

I broke the link between me and Darren and pressed against his chest. He was breathing heavily and was avoiding my gaze. I leaned back against the wall and felt the aches and pains in my body fade as the energy soothed my system. Darren still avoided my eyes so I stepped away from the wall and moved towards him.

“What happened?” I asked as he still kept his head lowered.

He slowly raised his head and his fangs peeked out from underneath his lips. I stepped back nervously and tried to distance myself from him. He looked up and slowly began to speak.

“I'm sorry, when you feed you cause pleasure. When vampires become aroused our fangs descend. I am sorry if this offends you, but it is a fact of my kind.”

His fangs slowly ascended back into his gums and he extended a hand towards me.

I tentatively took it and he led me slowly out of the alley. I was afraid, Vampires were bad news. I was an idiot to think I could try and make it work. Vampires were bad news. I felt the memories threatening to surge, a cold dread gripped my body.

I stopped dead and Darren stopped and cocked an eyebrow. I stumbled back and pressed against the nearest wall slowly sliding down as I prepared for the deluge of memories about to assault me. Darren had knelt next to me and I saw his lips move as he said something but I didn't hear him. Then the flood gates opened. I gasped and my hands clamped around my skull as I was forced to relive the memories:

The pungent smell of death hung in the air as I stumbled down the alley. I froze for a moment and listened, sensing danger even before it struck. A fist collided with my face and I slammed into the wall of the alley tasting my own blood in my mouth. I fell to the floor and felt two pairs of hands tear at my top and flip me onto my back.

I stared up at the two vampires, one male one female. Their fangs were down and they glared down at me.

“Oh.” crooned the female “Someone stayed out past their bedtime?”

“Are you hungry love?” the male vampire asked his fangs protruding beneath his lips.

“Hmmm let's share.” she said before looking down at me.

“Please let...let me go.” I stuttered weakly, my head still spinning from the blow.

“I...I don't want to die. Pl...Please let me go.” I said weakly the taste of blood filling my mouth.

“Oh well you see pretty little Incubus, we're hungry and you are unprotected.” said the male vampire.

“After you.” said the female vampire, and I felt a tear roll out of my eye.

The male vampire grinned before his fangs moved swiftly and buried themselves in the crease of my elbow. I screamed as agony spread from his fangs and liquid fire seared out my veins. The female vampire's hand quickly moved over my mouth but I still screamed, muffled through her hand. The female vampire leaned down and bit into my other arm this time into my bicep.

I was crying, as they fed unforgettable agony burning my blood from the inside out. I felt my vision slowly blur, and the male vampire pulled away leaving me to the female.

“NO!!!!!” I heard the scream from across the alley.

Both of the vampires looked up, the female pulling away from my arm. It was.....my Mum! How did she know I was here? Whatever the reason I didn't care. She looked at the two vampires and pure hatred roiled across her features.

“Leave or die.” She said forcefully, her eyes taking on the red glow common among our kind.

“And why the fuck do you care if we kill an Incubus.” The female said looking back at me.

“That Incubus is my son and under the protection of your King, and I would rather die than let you touch him once more.” My Mum ordered, her lips curling up into a smile.

“How am I to know you are a member of Zachariah's court?” asked the male. He seemed more level headed than his female companion.

“Because of me.” a voice intoned from the shadows.

A young man stepped into the light of the alleyway. He looked no more than 19. His hair was a blend of blonde and brown muddled together, his eyes were a deep shade of blue and he looked around 5'8 or 9. He looked so innocent yet I knew he was someone important. The two vampires gasped and immediately dropped to their knees.

“Your Majesty.” the vampires intoned as one.

“Why did you attack the Incubus?” the man asked.

“Zachariah?” my mother said asking a silent question.

He nodded and my Mum moved quickly to me pulling me up to my feet. My head swam from the blood loss, but after a few seconds later I steadied myself leaning against my Mum. So this guy was some sort of King.

“I asked you a question!” Zachariah said to the vampires his voice carrying a power behind it I did not expect from someone so unimposing.

The male vampire proceeded to answer Zachariah.

“We have not fed in weeks and he seemed to be fair game.”

“He is the son of a member of my upper court, and as such is subject to my protection.”

“But your majesty we did not know” said the female “We were.....”

Zachariah growled and I saw his fangs drop. Ah so he was a Vampire king.

The two vampires were silent and Zachariah slowly walked forward. For someone who didn't appear to have much muscle he was obviously very powerful. Powerful enough to rise to become their king at least.

“Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” Zachariah said now standing in front of them.

“Now let me ask you something, what is the punishment for attacking a member of my upper court?” Zachariah asked them.

“Death” my Mother answered, still holding me protectively.

Zachariah nodded and stepped towards the vampires.

“Wait.” I said, stumbling forward slightly.

Zachariah stopped and looked at me and cocked an eyebrow. I stepped forward slowly and said quietly.

“Killing them would serve no purpose, how would that make anything better?”.

Zachariah grinned and his eyes sparkled slightly.

“You truly are something special.”

He looked down at the vampires then said baring his fangs.

“I as King of this territory hereby banish you from my kingdom. Never to return under my reign, I swear this on my blood and seal it with yours”

His hands shot out and slashed a small gash into each of the vampires on the necks, and their blood dripped onto the floor. They still remained on their knees, unmoving and silent.

“Be gone.” he said waving a hand and the two vampires sped away quickly out of sight.

He sighed and his shoulders slumped. He suddenly looked exhausted, depressed almost, that was a feeling I knew all too well. He turned to me and smiled slightly before he stepped forwards. My Mum placed a hand on my shoulder then spoke to Zachariah.

“Thank you Zachariah, for coming as soon as I sensed my son was in danger.”

“It was and is my duty to protect you and your descendants Delphine.”

Zachariah stepped towards me and laid a hand lightly on my shoulder. He was shorter than me but his demeanour was that of someone of authority.

“I hope you will recover well, I wish for you to know that I am truly sorry for what has happened to you.” He said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a pendant on a black chord.

“Wear this as a symbol of my court, simply show it to any vampire and they will be warned that you are of my court and under my protection.” He continued.

He handed it to me and I slipped the chord slowly over my neck. I felt groggy, probably from the blood loss and I leaned against the brick wall of the alley. Slowly sliding down cradling my head in my hands.

* * * * *

I shuddered as I withdrew from the memories rocking back and forth against the wall. My head hurt, my vision was blurred and I couldn't think straight. I felt a hand at my elbow and jerked in shock as I felt it brush over my scar. My eyes slowly focused on the face above me.

Darren was looking down at me with fear and concern prominent on his features. I heard him speak and after a few seconds comprehended his words.

“Daniel, are you ok? Talk to me.”

I looked up at him and saw his fangs. I jerked back from him along the wall rewarding me with a look of confusion from him. I felt the blood rush out of my arms, pin pricks of heat emanated from my bite scars at my elbows and biceps.

“I...I don't want to die. Pl...Please let me go.” I stuttered as Darren slowly moved towards me.

“Daniel, I will not harm you. Please I only want to help.” Darren said solemnly.

His fangs however were down, and my instincts screamed for me to run. I might be able to outrun him. I had fed from him which might help. The memories that had resurfaced were still fresh in my mind. I had the token of Zachariah still around my neck. I hadn't taken it off since he had given it to me. If only I had managed to stop the first vampire with it before he had smashed my head against the wall I would never have met Darren.

I fumbled at my neck and slowly pulled the charm out from underneath my shirt. The rune shape glowed slightly. An eerie dark blue light that emanated from the carved rune. Darren stopped dead and looked at me with wide eyes. He saw the charm and bowed his head and when he looked up his fangs had ascended.

“I meant you no harm but if it is your wish that I should leave, then so I shall.” After that he extended a hand to me which I took hesitantly.

He bowed slightly to me then turned and moved away faster than my eyes could follow. I sighed in relief and collapsed back against the wall and my vision blurred until I slipped into unconsciousness.

Darren

I had left him unprotected in an alleyway on the verge of unconsciousness. Who knew he may already be out cold by now. There was nothing I could do however. The rune Algiz warned me that he was a member of my Makers court.

Zachariah as he was known by his friends, was my maker and the vampire King of the whole of Europe. I was one of his governors and a high court member yet I still could not approach anyone claimed by him without his express permission. That was where I was going, to meet my maker.

My makers “Palace” as it were, situated outside of London, some 20 miles away. I ran there quickly easily reaching it within six minutes, traversing the distance easily. The large house was fenced in, but the fence was not there for defence. There were guards paroling the grounds, all vampires. No-one would be able to get through them, well almost. If I truly wished I could have killed half of them before they even knew what was going on, it would take a concerted effort by a group to breach the defences.

I really needed to mention to Zachariah to hire some older guards. The older the vampire the stronger. As it was, these vampires were only around 250 years old or so. I was four times their age which meant four times as strong and fast.

I slowed as I approached the gate, allowing the two guards stationed there to notice my presence. They wore black uniforms with black masks covering half of their faces. Their eyes however remained exposed, glinting with curiosity.

I approached with my hands raised in innocence before the guards began speaking.

“State your business here.” the first, a woman stated.

“I have come to request an audience with Zachariah.” I said noticing the daggers she was staring at me.

“State your identity.” the other a man asked.

“Darren Duccenhull.” I said catching his eyes.

“Your true name.” the woman asked.

“Wulfstan Tash Adair Duccenhull” I intoned staring at the woman.

She bowed her head to me and I saw him get a look from her companion before he followed suit. The women looked up at me then continued speaking.

“I am afraid his Majesty is indisposed at the moment.” she said slowly.

“It is important that I speak with him soon.” I said my thoughts flashing back to Daniel.

“His Majesty gave strict instructions that he should not be disturbed, and even if you were to attempt to interrupt him you would be as unsuccessful as we have been.” she said quizzically.

“Explain?” I asked taking a small step towards her.

“His Majesty is inside his quarters with his new........acquaintance.” the male said, slowly raising his head .

“And why is it that you have been unsuccessful to gain entry into the room?” I asked, becoming more agitated by the minute.

“The Fae has blocked the doors to prevent any interruption.” the female said cautiously.

“And how exactly did he get his hands on a Fae?” I asked, looking between the two vampires.

“Now that is a long story.” a voice from behind me said.

I turned and was face to face with my maker. He was topless, barefoot, and wearing a dark blue pair of jeans and smiling widely at me. He had not changed in the year or so I had not seen him in. He did however seem happier than I had seen him in a very long time.

I sniffed the air and caught the whiff of Fae surrounding him. I inhaled deeper and caught the distinctive scent of my makers blood mixed into the air. He had obviously been having a lot of fun with this new person. Even to allow the Fae to feed from him was a big step, and as for a monarch allowing another to feed upon them was almost unheard of.

He stepped towards me and extended his arms. I returned the hug and patted him on the back before pulling back and grinning. I inhaled again and felt my nose twitch slightly in embarrassment. Unfortunately being this close to him allowed for me to pick up the scent of cum clinging to his body. I cocked an eyebrow at him but he waved me off.

“I cannot stay long, he may wake up soon.” he said quietly, taking a step back.

“Then I shall make this brief.” I said to him .

He nodded for me to continue, but then waved a hand to his guards who quickly ran towards the house.

“I have met an Incubus, he seemed to be afraid of me due to my vampiric nature. He seemed to relapse into some form of trance and then showed me your sigil. Zachariah what happened to him?”

I asked observing my maker.

“From who you have described I am guessing this is Daniel Makana.” He said his hand moving up to his face to rub his forehead.

“He was attacked when he was 16 by two vampires. They pinned him in an alleyway and forcibly fed from him, and judging by his weakness afterwards they used their venom to cause him pain. His mother sensed his danger and sought my help to help save him.” He finished and looked up at me with concern written on his face.

“His mother is Delphine, I have met her once but she seemed wary of me. He is still traumatised Zachariah, after he came out of his trance he seemed terrified of me. Although that may have been caused by the presence of my fangs.” I said to my maker.

“I knew he would not recover from the attack, he is afraid to allow people to become intimate with him. He may be physically recovered but mentally he needs to heal, which in the past five years he has not done.” Zachariah told me, stepping forward to place a hand on my arm.

“You must persevere, help him recover from the incident. You must not be too rash with him. He must live through the memories to overcome the trauma.” Zachariah told me lightly squeezing my arm.

“But what if his mother....” I began before Zachariah interrupted me.

“She will not be a problem, she did not quite take his declaration of his sexuality too well and as a result he moved away from her.” He told me, moving his hand up to my shoulder.

“He is afraid of me..... he does not want me near him. Your sigil alone forbids me from seeing him.” I said looking down at him.

He smiled up at me and shook his head slightly.

“You are still so ensnared by rules. I am your maker, and you are my progeny. I will always be here for you, as I am now. And also as the King of this territory I am able to negate any rule I wish. It is my kingdom, and you are my child. I Zachariah hereby give you permission to approach Daniel Makana.” He said grinning at me.

“How should I approach him?” I asked, smiling down at my maker.

“He will naturally be hesitant but give me a moment.” my maker said, lowering his head slightly.

He extended a hand up to my forehead and I felt his mind touch mine. My blood echoed his, and he carefully drew on my memories of Daniel. Careful not to touch any other. I thanked him for that. He pulled his hand away a moment later and then thought for a moment before speaking.

“He seems to show an interest in you, but only when he views you as human. The moment he remembers you are a vampire he immediately becomes fearful. If I were you I would focus on keeping him calm. By doing so it should help him focus on you as a person and not as an object he should fear.” He paused for another second before continuing;

“Do not let him see your fangs, at least not yet. He must learn to feel safe around you before he will be able to deal with your vampiric nature, also I think he mistakenly believes that our fangs can only cause pain. Oh how I would love to see his reaction when you prove that wrong.”

I bowed my head to my maker and knelt on my right knee before him, as was customary from a progeny to his maker.

Zachariah reached out and rested a hand on the back of my head before he whispered quietly,

“Go to him. I pray to any and all gods willing to listen that you find happiness my progeny as I believe I have.”

“I heard of Santiago's disappearance and I wish for you to know that I will do whatever is within my power to return my brother to freedom.” I said, raising my head to look at my maker.

“Your brothers blood line are searching for him, Dieter has already departed to find him with them and Michael is preparing to leave as we speak.” He said, pulling me up to my feet.

“Now Darren, go to Daniel.” Zachariah said, patting my arm.

I turned around and ran, moving quickly back into London leaving my makers estate far behind. The journey back was short but all through the journey my mind sorted through my makers advice. Zachariah was a far better maker than most vampires were lucky to have. He treated me as his son, willing to protect me in any way he could.

On my journey towards Daniel my mind quickly flashed back to Zachariah making me. Zachariah had only chosen to turn me when he found that I was already dying, much as he had been when Dieter had turned him.

When I was human I had been seeking the hand of a human woman but I was not the only one. The other man who had wished to marry her challenged me for her, I had been overly confident and when the fight had begun he had easily disarmed and mortally wounded me and left me to die on the bank of a river. Thinking back I couldn't even remember the name of the human woman.

Zachariah had found me once night fell and reached into my mind, he saw my fear of death and took pity on me, he could have easily killed me to put me out of my pain but he saved me instead. He made me a vampire and taught me for many years, his teachings are still with me, and no matter how hungry I was he had always taught me how to control my thirst, and how to ensure the human did not die.

I swallowed and felt the familiar ache in my throat as my thirst flared. I was already in the alleyway where I had left Daniel.

He was gone.

I sniffed the air and detected the scent of a Succubus. I ran through my memories and found a match. Delphine, his mother. The scent trail was strong less than 15 minutes old, easy to follow yet I hesitated.

If I was to meet Delphine, I wished to be fully fed. I moved quickly along the alley and scented the air picking up that of an adult male. The scent was heady with testosterone, and I grinned, I had caught sight of him, he was large with bulging muscles and a strong heartbeat. He was walking slowly down the darkened street; this area of London was run down. The street lamps flickering in syncopation with one another, I quickly scaled the building to my right and moved swiftly along the rooftops dropping down in the darkened corner ahead of the man.

I reached out and touched his mind slowly drawing him towards me. He walked towards me and into the darkness of the doorway, I pulled his face towards me and tilted his head to the side, sinking my fangs into his neck. I drew his blood out, my fangs causing him to relax against the wall. I tasted the hint of bitterness caused by steroid use in his blood but ignored it, as long as steroids were the only things in his blood.

I drained around a pint of his blood, enough to cause possible fainting but no long-term damage or danger to his health. His size gave me an indication that his blood volume was above average, meaning I could feed more than normal with him. I pulled away from him and moved my index finger to my fang. I pricked the tip and rubbed the resulting blood into the bite wounds I had caused. They healed and I leaned in and licked the blood off his neck before erasing our encounter from his mind. Humans were so easy to control, their minds naturally shying away from anything they could not understand. I knew his mind would come up with some explanation for the lost time, anything to shield his sanity from what he had experienced.

I stepped out from the doorway and quickly moved away, I found Daniels scent trail again and followed it along with that of Delphine. She was travelling quickly, carrying Daniel across London I assumed. I tracked the scent for around a mile, she was moving quickly and soon she was in a car, as a result the scent trail was fainter but not undetectable and I followed it across London. I was now moving into the richer areas of London. The houses now consisted of three floors and the cost of the cars parked outside increased as I moved along each street.

Daniels scent trail was now stronger which told me the car was slowing down, the scent led to a house at the end of the street with a car parked outside. I rested a hand on the bonnet of the car. Still warm. She wasn't so far ahead of me, even after I had stopped to feed. I slowly walked towards the front door of the house and froze on the doorstep. I inhaled and turned around. Face to face with Delphine, now wielding a stake an inch above my heart. I sniffed again. It was ash wood, one of the three capable of killing vampires.

“Why Darren, what an unexpected surprise. I take it you are here to see my son.” Delphine said slowly but with a mocking lilt to her tone.

I nodded before speaking

“He wished me gone, but Zachariah has given me his consent to see him.”

“You saved my son once before, and for that I am grateful but he is resting now.” She said slowly lowering the stake.

“He did not recover psychologically from his previous attack when he was 16. His memories resurfaced and he collapsed.” I said straightening myself up.

She stepped forward into the light and I scanned her features. Her pitch-black hair fell down past her shoulders like a cascading wave, and her eyes were the same shade of sea green as those of her son. She was smaller than her son but not by much. She had the same eyes but her hair contrasted with Daniels light blond.

She stepped past me and into the well-lit house and beckoned me forward. I stepped over the threshold subconsciously chuckling at the myth about vampires being unable to cross the threshold of a house without invitation.

She laid down the stake on a small table and turned back to me. She grinned slightly and then beckoned for me to follow her again, leading me into the front room of the house and motioned for me to sit down in one of the two armchairs present in the room.

She sat in the other chair and my eyes quickly scanned the room taking in the ornaments scattered around. The room was filled with expensive knickknacks and furniture. All wood was mahogany judging by the smell with a few objects of Oak and Hawthorn dotted around.

Delphine looked at me with eyes older than her face, she was an old Succubus, and a powerful one at that, yet her body gave no indication of her age. She was the head of a global porn company and a multi-millionaire, and as a Succubus she had the ability to control and create fire, a formidable weapon, Daniel had limited control due to his lack of feeding but Delphine was a Succubus in her prime, strong and powerful, and most of all a very bad enemy to have.

Her eyes scanned over me and she grinned weakly. She wore clothes younger than her age but matched her outward appearance. She wore a black dress reaching down to just above her knees with black tights and stiletto heels. She wore a charm necklace with jade ornaments which repelled me. Jade was an irritant to vampires as well she knew. Her mind was well shielded, better than most non-vampires I met, giving me only the faintest inkling of her emotions.

“You care for my son.” she said slowly, her green eyes glistening in the dull light of the room.

“Yes.” I said, without a doubt.

“I will admit this, I do not like the idea of a vampire being with my son. I admit at first I hated the idea of my son being gay, but he is and always will be my son.” Delphine said with her eyes holding mine.

“Zachariah feels responsible for his trauma, as such he wishes to help him.” I said leaning forward in the armchair.

“What do you want with my son?” Delphine asked her green eyes flickering over me

“I wish to help him.” I said, cocking an eyebrow at her.

“Darren, I'm a Succubus I know every sense of the word ‘help’.” she said grinning sarcastically at me.

“It is true that I find him attractive, that is what first drew me to him. When I saw a vampire attacking him, I felt.... possessive.” I said drawing in a breath through my nose, unused to this new emotion.

Delphine crossed her legs and wove her fingers together.

“I thank you for saving my son. If you had not saved him, I would not have stopped until that vampire was dead. Although I do not totally approve of you.... yet, I give you my blessing to continue seeing my son. Under one condition.” Delphine said leaning forward in the arm chair.

I nodded and she inclined her head and continued

“You will protect him, but I warn you. If you break his heart, I will end you.” Delphine said in a deadly serious tone, I could tell she meant every word of it.

I nodded and Delphine rose to her feet and motioned for me to follow. She led me from the front room and towards the flight of stairs. She spoke slowly as we walked up

“My son is resting; his memories were being held back but I am assuming you inadvertently caused them to resurface. Although he is resting you are welcome to sit with him.”

Delphine had led me to a door on the third floor. The door was half open and led into a white walled room with few adornments on the walls. A single bed was pressed into a corner with Daniel lying beneath the duvet. His eyes moved beneath his lids as I watched and his brows furrowed together.

“He has said your name a few times.” Delphine said pulling a chair out from under the desk and placing it by the bed. She motioned for me to sit which I did. She reached out and lightly ran her hand over her son’s forehead.

“He resembles you.” I said leaning forward in my chair.

“And you are like Zachariah.” she said lightly resting a hand on Daniels head.

I inhaled Daniel's scent and sighed. Delphine looked at me and gave me the barest hint of a smile, before turning to leave the room. She lightly patted my shoulder before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

I slowly reached out and took Daniel's hand. His skin was warmer than it should be and I felt his accelerated pulse in his fingertips.

I watched his face and his eyes moved quickly beneath his lids and his brow furrowed again. He seemed to be in some form of pain. Daniel was shirtless and my eyes moved up his arms and froze at his elbow. There was a set of fangs marks just inside the crease. I stood and looked at his other arm and found the same marks but this time on his bicep.

The scars were the only physical evidence remaining of his attack. The other damage was in his mind. The wounds may have healed but the damage there remained. That would be the main extent of his trauma.

Daniel's fingers twitched slightly and I retook his hand. I lightly squeezed his hand and saw his brow relax. I liked to think he could sense my presence but I knew that was just wishful thinking. While he was asleep Daniel seemed to go through cycles, at one point he seemed perfectly relaxed and calm, his breathing smooth and even, but at others he jerked in his sleep and his eyes danced crazily beneath their lids.

I did not need to sleep, Vampires could go without sleep if necessary and although I would have preferred to undertake the death sleep, I stayed awake and watched Daniel. He slept soundly for the rest of the night. At least he began to once I started to lightly stroke his hair. I wasn't used to being romantic. I did not form close relationships with people. I fed, fucked then left them, that was the usual cycle. But with Daniel I was at a loss. I was having feelings of possessiveness towards Daniel foreign to me. I didn’t have a good explanation, something about this small man called to me, seemed to be touching upon all of my possessive instincts. He was just so fragile, so lost and scared. He needed a champion, and I knew I wanted to be the hero to fight his demons.

As I looked over his features again and again, I began to pick out the similarities between him and Delphine. Like his mother I knew they shared the same eyes. Daniel was taller than his mother, but his build was sleek and elegant. As to be expected from an Incubus I surmised, utterly perfect. I had met Incubi before, however none had been quite as well formed as this one, at least to my eyes.

Returning once more to my assessment of him, I noted his light blond hair contrasted with that of his mother. I assumed he took his colouring from his father. I scented the air but was only able to detect the scent of two people, Daniel and his mother. I inhaled deeper, trying to draw on whatever vestiges may remain, yet was still unable to detect any other scent.

Either his father was dead, or his father had left his mother and him a very long time ago. I hardly noticed as the sun rose and shone in through the bedroom window. I looked at the watch on my wrist and read the time as 6:30 in the morning. I heard Delphine moving around downstairs and I regretfully left Daniel and slowly descended the stairs.

Delphine was in the kitchen, preparing some form of food for Daniel I assumed. She turned at my presence and inclined her head slightly. She was dressed in a knee length floral dress with flat sandals on her feet. My eyes grazed over the silver band on her ring finger.

“Daniel seemed to sleep well, when I first brought him here, he wouldn't stop crying. Even while asleep.” Delphine said turning away from the pot she had placed on the stove.

She moved to a cupboard and pulled out a few bottles filled with dried herbs. She opened each of them and added a few pinches of each herb into the pot. She continued to mill about the kitchen talking to me as she went.

“I am guessing you are curious about his father.” She said, still preparing the concoction in the pot. Obviously noting my gaze upon her wedding band.

I nodded to her question and she continued around the kitchen. She must be well over 200 years old yet looked no older than 23 at most. All Incubi and Succubi were eternally young, but that did not mean immortal. Although Daniel would live forever, he was still in danger of being killed, such as the Vampires who had almost killed him before.

“He died.” She said answering my question

“When Daniel was 15 his father died protecting me from a Werewolf. He cast a spell to hide me from it and he immobilised me to keep me safe. I was forced to watch as it tore him to shreds.” her voice holding no hint of sadness, as if she were talking about leaving the washing out in the rain or something similarly mundane.

At this however Delphine froze by the pot, she slowly turned around and caught my eyes. Her face showed no hint of emotion, but her eyes seemed to show more. I had never known for Succubi to overly trust vampires. Aside from our similar sex drives we had little in common. She was obviously more complicated than I had first thought, what was obvious though was how much she cared about her son. She soon recovered from her self-induced pause and stepped towards me.

“Daniel will be awake soon, if you could bring this to him.” She said stepping back towards the stove and pulled the saucepan off the heat. She opened a drawer beneath the granite worktop and pulled out a small glass vial. She carefully poured the blood red liquid into the vial, filling it to the brim. She placed a cork stopper in it and I reached out a hand and took the vial from her, contrary to what I expected the vial was ice cold, the colour was almost exactly that of blood. My eyes however picked out the subtle difference. I had seen enough blood in my life to be able to pick out the different shade of red.

I slowly left the kitchen hearing Delphine walk behind me, she followed me up the stairs as I walked towards Daniels room. My ears picked up the quiet sound of his breathing, soft and even, the even rhythm of his heart drawing me closer. I approached the door to his room with Delphine following behind me, she stopped at the threshold and left me to enter alone.

I pulled away the chair next to his bed and perched on the edge of the mattress. I looked back at Delphine who still stood in the doorway.

“Pour it into his mouth and massage his throat to induce the swallow reflex.” Delphine said leaning against the door frame.

I did as she directed and was glad to see that Daniel had swallowed the liquid, his colouring seemed to brighten but he still showed no sign of waking. I half turned to Delphine still present at the doorway, she took a step into the room before she began speaking.

“That should help stabilise his body for now, but it requires a spark, that is why you are here.” She said crossing her arms. Now I understood why she had fewer objections to my presence than I first feared.

“And I take it by spark you mean....” I said trailing off.

Delphine finished my sentence.

“By spark I mean some form of sexual energy other than my own.”

“So, this is the reason why you allowed me to stay?” I said standing up from Daniels bed, a slow anger building in me.

“No, I could have brought anyone to feed him but I allowed you to stay because I know how my son feels about you even if he doesn't realise it yet.” Delphine said stepping forward to face me.

“Very well.” I said turning back towards Daniel, willing my rage to subside. Unfortunately, one thing I found difficult to control was my temper as I had been told.

His breathing had grown stronger and his heartbeat was now beating more evenly, I heard Delphine close the door to Daniels room, and I sat down on the bed next to Daniel. The blanket was down just below his ribs, his chest bare. I lifted my hand and lightly placed it against Daniel's cheek, his skin was warm to my touch, and my fingers curled lightly around his jaw.

I leaned down slowly, inhaling Daniels scent as I neared his face. My nose neared his neck and I inhaled deeply taking in his scent and slowly drawing closer to his face. I reached his lips and slowly, lowered my lips to his, tingling pleasantly as his natural instincts kicked in, and the feeding began.

I sensed Daniel beginning to wake up and I began to pull away from his lips, however a hand grasped the back of my head and pulled my lips more firmly against his. Daniel's other hand reached up and gripped my jaw holding me to him. I moved my hands to my leather jacket and shucked it off, casting it aside before moving further onto the bed.

Daniel's eyes opened and he pulled me further on top of him, I braced myself over him, careful to place no weight on his body. His hands moved to my hair and I felt his tongue tap lightly at the seam of my lips, I opened my mouth and his tongue met mine and I groaned. At the present moment Daniel was feeding deeply from me, his hunger for energy seemed enormous. I could not care less about the fact he was draining me; he was welcome to.

Daniels eyes flared red for a moment before he pulled away from my lips. He froze, and I looked down at him, cocking an eyebrow. He removed his hands from my body and then pushed lightly on my chest, I pulled back still looking down at him.

“Daniel?” I asked to no avail.

He pushed against my chest seeming to be embarrassed, I pulled back and sat on the edge of the bed. He pulled his knees up to his chest and threw back the covers. He was wearing only boxers.

I reached out and lightly rested a hand on his shoulder, he sighed slightly at the touch before shrugging off my hand.

“Daniel are you alright?” I asked trying to catch his eyes

The fact that his eyes were now red informed me his energy levels were back up. But now as before he seemed to shy away from me. Daniel looked up at me and gulped before lowering his head again. When he looked up his eyes were once more their natural sea green.

“Daniel, please just talk to me.” I said reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder again.

“Why are you here?” he asked, his eyes shifting to their natural green, albeit glistening slightly.

“I am here for you.” I said staring at him.

“Why?” he asked again cradling his legs against his chest

“Because I care for you.” I said leaning slightly closer to him.

“Why me?” he asked clutching his legs closer against his chest.

“I don't know. But I know that there is no place I would rather be than here.” I said reaching out to cradle his face.

He sighed and his arms released his legs, he reached out his hand and met mine. His fingers traced lightly over the skin, my flesh tingled pleasantly at his touch, he gently squeezed my fingers and I squeezed back.

“I know you don't like the fact that I am Vampire. I know that, that is not all that I am, but it is part of who I am. Those Vampires who attacked you were not me, they were two members of an entire group of people. What saddens me is that their actions now colour your view of me.” I said my thumb lightly stroking the back of his hand.

“Now do you want to come downstairs with me?” I said, my hand gently guiding him.

He nodded and swung his legs off the edge of the bed, he still seemed slightly apprehensive but I tugged him by the hand off the bed. He let go of my hand and moved to the wardrobe standing against the wall, I turned my back to give him some privacy and stood and waited.

I heard a subtle chuckle coming from his as I did so.

“Something funny?” I asked, with my back still to him.

“A little.” He replied, “I was surprised you turned your back was all.” he continued.

“I try to be as respectful as possible; you still only know me a little.” I replied a faint smile edging its way onto my face.

My ears picked up the sound of fabric sliding over skin followed by the resounding noise of a zip being done up, I chuckled slightly thinking of all the times I had heard that noise, usually however they were going down instead of up. I inhaled slightly scenting the air. I quickly wished I had not, the pheromones exuding from Daniel had become stronger, slightly odd seeing as how he had just fed.

Daniel lightly tapped on my shoulder and I turned to see him dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a white t-shirt, his face slowly looked up to meet mine, and he tentatively reached his hand towards mine. My hand tingled pleasantly as he made contact, and I could feel his energy bristling at the surface.

Thankfully he had no idea how to use his touch, I had experienced the touch only once before. It was an ability owned by Succubi, Incubi and the Fae. A conscious release of energy through physical contact, the willing transmission of energy from one to another.

He was still nervous around me, still tentative about every brush of our skin, but I would try my best to keep him calm. Avoid showing my fangs at all costs, and try to appear human. Perhaps my kiss may have convinced him I have the necessary control to keep him safe. My only concern would be my anger, when riled it burned like the noonday sun, a tempest without release. But I hoped, no, I knew I could control it. For him, I could do that.

He turned to me outside of his room and said quietly.

“Is my Mum here?” he looked slightly scared.

“I believe so, is that a problem?” I asked, cocking an eyebrow at him, my hand rubbing soothing circles into the back of his hand.

“No, just curious I guess.” he said, but the sound of his heartbeat belied his anxiety.

“Daniel, I have lived for a very long time, I know when people are lying to me.” I said lightly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He flinched for a fraction of a second at my touch, which was like an icy spike in my side, he looked up at me and I saw him frown in thought.

“We don't get on, she.......when I.....” He trailed off and looked downstairs.

“Daniel what did she do?” I asked lightly, squeezing his shoulder. I knew the details from Zachariah; however, it was quite another thing to see the emotions played out across Daniel’s face.

“She arranged for me to marry a Succubus when I was 17 and I refused. I came out to her and she.... she....” He trailed off again and dropped his gaze.

“Daniel.” I said stroking his shoulder with my thumb.

“She threw me out, just cast me from her home. I went to stay with Elliott, she didn't even let me get my stuff, that's why it’s still all here.” Daniel said a single tear running down his cheek motioning back to his room.

I growled low in my throat as rage coursed into my blood. It was an odd sensation, Delphine had done nothing to harm me, but seeing the hurt roll across Daniels face was painful. I felt my fangs drop as my anger peaked, if Delphine did not care for the feelings of her son, she didn't deserve him. Daniel looked up at me and I saw fear creep into his eyes, the idea that I was causing it tugged me back slightly. I swiftly raised my fangs; thankful I had kept them concealed beneath my lips before he saw them.

"This anger I feel is not directed towards you, Daniel. I will never harm you." I said moving my hand from his shoulder to wipe away the single tear.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" he asked, his sea-green eyes meeting mine.

I felt a dull ache throb inside my chest at his gaze. His eyes still wet with tears seemed to glisten up at me. The raw emotions playing out across his face only made my desire to hold him strike even more strongly.

"You did not deserve the cruelty Delphine showed you. The reason why I am angry is because of that cruelty. If you want to leave quickly, I will understand." I said stroking his cheek bone with my thumb.

"Oh God please don't call her Delphine" He said, his eyes rolling.

"Is that not correct?" I said curious as to how this information had slipped me by.

"Delphine is what she calls herself in our world, all the rest of this time it's just Becca. Delphine is like her stage name." he pursed his lips into a tight line on his face. I delicately ran the tip of my thumb across his cheekbone, admiring the way his cheeks flushed at my touch.

"You scare me, but I think it's just because of the idea of you biting me. Before..." He trailed off looking up at me. Those eyes again, windows to the soul they say, another dull throb moved through my chest.

"The vampires before deliberately caused you pain. They chose to torture you, and for that I will find them and kill them for you. They will suffer for your pain." I said leaning in to kiss his forehead, my thumb lightly stroking his cheekbone. And I meant every word, the hold this little incubus had over me was alarming.

"You don't need to do that for me, I just want to go home." He said smiling weakly, his eyes once more captivating my gaze.

I grinned at him and let go of his face and retook his hand. Daniel appeared to be more relaxed yet still apprehensive of me. Whether I liked it or not my instincts urged me to protect Daniel, and that was exactly what I would do.

"I know this may seem overwhelming but..." I began to say before Daniel cut me off turning towards me.

His eyes glowed a dull shade of red as he squared himself up to me. I am 6ft 3' and although Daniel was some five inches shorter than me his posture was one of anger and his eyes glowed like red coals. The way his body squared itself up to mine only emphasised his attractiveness, the lean contours of his body now accentuated by his predatory stance.

"No, it's fucking terrifying. I am back in the same house I was kicked out of, with the same woman who threw me out, and to top it all off I wake up kissing you..." he said glaring at me

"Was I that bad?" I quipped, managing to make him stutter a number of times.

He looked as though he had swallowed his tongue and his eyes grew brighter. I shot him a look, and Daniel the edge of his lips showed the beginnings of a smile.

"I'm sorry, this is all just too much. My body just feels so strange and...new." he said looking up at me. His eyes had dulled and began to return to their natural, beautiful, green.

"I think I just need some time to cope." Daniel said quietly.

I nodded; I had expected as much from him. He needed time and I was more than willing to wait. Daniel looked like he was thinking about something very important and leaned up towards me.

His arms moved lightly to my neck as if he was afraid of breaking me and his lips ever so gently brushed my cheek. "Thank you." he said before pulling away.

I half hoped he would kiss me on the lips but any touch from him was better than none at all. It affirmed my belief that at least he was not so averse to touching me, and I also liked how this time it was him rather than me who initiated the kiss.

I heard no trace of Delphine and I had no idea how to get him home. I was going to suggest I carry him but that would be a little conspicuous in broad daylight. He eventually just told me to leave and that he would call a friend to come and pick him up. I assumed it would be his roommate and with that I left him. I did however feel the lingering gaze on my back as I walked away.

Now that was a good sign.

Even though he may need time to get used to me I would wait. And hopefully I wouldn't have to wait long, I was not sure how much longer I could control myself being around him.

I found that I actually had nothing to do. I could go and feed, but I wasn't overly hungry and it was far too early to visit the Nosferatu. It was the largest club in London for supernaturals, and was my normal place to pick up a toy for the night. It was also the hub of the local coven.

I decided however to visit one of my friends. Many Vampires did not get along with Werewolves, I however found them fascinating. The journey to his house was over in less than three minutes, he lived on a casual street. Nothing special about it, to a human. To a Vampire the whole area stank of wolf. This was one of the most densely populated areas for Werewolves.. The smell was not unpleasant but was not to my personal liking, some Vampires however preferred the blood of Werewolves to other Supernaturals or Humans.

I also preferred the blood of men, nothing sexist about it, only personal preference. To me the blood of men had more flavour to it, the taste was completely separate to that of women. Janne was home when I arrived and he welcomed me in. He was 5ft 11 with blonde hair and a light beard, covering his face. In human years he was around 48, yet physically was 24. Both Werewolves and Shapeshifters aged half as fast as normal humans and Janne first shifted on the night of his 15th birthday, which was when I first ran into him.

Janne had known me for nearly 35 years and as such knew how to read me and was always able to provide me with advice on problems when my Maker was unavailable. I was assuming Zachariah would be “busy” with his new toy. I had noticed how over the last 700 years my maker had become more and more like Dieter, more level headed and caring towards me, and even more protective than usual.

“So, who is he?” Janne asked, leading me into his front room.

I sat down on his leather sofa and he sat in the arm chair opposite. He ran his fingers through his hair and grinned at me as he leaned back in his chair. I remained silent ignoring his question and waited.

“So, who is this new toy of yours then?” Janne asked.

“I saved his life two nights ago.” I said, looking at Janne.

“Human?” he asked leaning forward in his chair.

I shook my head before Janne gave me one of his inquisitive looks.

“Incubi.” I said catching his eyes.

“Your first?” he asked grinning slightly.

I nodded; few Incubi had a taste for Vampires. The temptation to drink was stronger with their particular brand of supernatural and therefore only the older Vampires tended to fuck them.

I preferred to fuck humans since with them, they were easily fixed if damaged, a simple wipe of the memory if something went wrong. Supernaturals however were immune to many forms of mind control and alteration from Vampires. Of the Supernaturals I had only tasted Werewolves, Shapeshifters and Mermen, and so far, the only Vampire I had ever drunk from had been my Maker Zachariah.

“Always a difficult one, how old is he? An Elder?”

“21.” I said, noticing the grin that spread across his face, Janne immediately began laughing before steeling himself, and once more becoming serious.

“Cradle snatcher!” he quipped, letting out a booming laugh.

“So why did you come to me? Surely a baby Incubi shouldn't prove much of a challenge to get into your bed. I know your reputation.” Janne said grinning

“I don't just want him to be in my bed Janne. Well, I do of course, but that is not the only thing I want from him. I want him to be mine.” I said.

Janne pulled back in his chair and started laughing.

“Now this I never expected to hear. You, choosing a mate at long last. Hmmm so have you had sex yet?” Janne said, still grinning at me, his blue eyes glistening slightly.

“No.” I said my mind however had been picturing it for quite a while.

“Sex always works, once you rock his world with vampire sex he'll never want to leave.” Janne said grinning at me.

“This isn't all about sex, or any of our other tricks, I just want him to be with me on his own terms.” I said holding his gaze for what felt like hours.

“You've changed, time was you would have already fucked him, fed from him and left him by now.” Janne said digging into a bowl of cereal perched on his lap.

“I know.” I said looking into his eyes.

“He is young, and I am assuming has never been with a Vampire, correct?” Janne asked between mouthfuls.

I nodded and he grinned slightly.

“Then he doesn't know what he is dealing with?” he said smiling.

I shook my head a slight grimace on my face.

“Then why are you here for my help?” Janne asked.

“He has been attacked by vampires in the past.” I said drumming my fingers on the arm of the chair, my anger already beginning to swell at the memory.

“Then he will need time to adjust to you. Give him space and let him lead.” Janne said nonchalantly.

“That isn't exactly in keeping with my personality.” I said shooting him a look.

“Just go to him when he wants you. Seriously if you make him feel like you’re the one tugging him around he’ll never come around. Just let him know you are there when he calls you.” Janne said, still munching on his food.

“I will try. But allowing myself to be led by him will be a challenge.” I replied.

“Don’t worry, I am sure he will be begging for you to take charge soon enough my friend. I know just how demanding you can be.” Janne said wiggling his eyebrows mischievously.

At that I left and made my way across London to my home. Try living for a thousand years and you will begin to accumulate wealth and power, my maker is the King of Europe and I was one of his governors, albeit a mostly absent one. My home was not excessively large unlike my makers. It was a three-storey building inhabited only by me.

The area in which I lived was one of the more expensive parts of London. The few Supernaturals who lived near me were mostly Vampires, none of them my elder. In fact, most vampires in this country were younger than me. I opened the door to my home and walked into the front room, resigned firstly to rest and then wait for Daniel to ask for me. Oh, gods how I hated waiting.

To be continued

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