~~Lasherette awoke that next evening alone in Ivan's bed. When she arose, a servant girl met her, offering her some bloodwyne, and a new dress to put on. After she dressed, as she sat replaying the night before's memory through her mind, she was presented with a note.


My Dearest Lasherette...

I had something pressing to do, otherwise I would have much rather been with you. I wish for you to return to your cottage. I will send word when I am home again. Till then, wait for me there. I hope you find the dress an appropriate replacement. Till then........

Eternally,
Ivan


He had signed his name in blood, just as he had his previous letters to her. Finishing the wine, his carriage came around and took her to her cottage. It had been some time, since she had stayed there. She busied herself cleaning it up. She was about to take a shower, when there was a light knocking upon her door. Hoping it was Ivan, she excitedly ran to the door. Opening it....she had to look down...and there to her surprise was a child. A little girl. "Daddy asked me to come and get you. He said to hurry." Lash looked to the child confused. Ivan had no children. "Who is your Daddy, litttle one?" "Ivan Wallace, you know!" The child looked at her with almost an exasperated look in her eyes. She then hopped down the stairs. "Come on, he said not to "dilly dally." "Where are we going?" Lash asked. Perplexed. "Home!" The young girl said, as she began to run through the woods with Lash chasing her. "We can take my coach," Lash offered. "No, Daddy said to run."
So run she did....laughing as the child ran ahead of her giggling the entire way. As they neared the castle, the child hid in the vegetable garden from Lash. Jumping out, trying to scare her, she took off again for the now visible castle in all its splendor. As Lash entered....she was met by the same maid. Pouring a glass of bloodwyne, she lead her to his Master chambers. Setting the glass near the tub. She poured the water in. Lash looked about. "Where is the Master?" "He shall be with your shortly, mistress." Lash nodded. The servant then helped her off with her clothes. Pinning Lash's long locks, piled high upon her head. As Lash walked to the tub, she saw that it was completely covered in rose petals. Lash smiled as she gently got in. Quietly the servant left her to bathe.
Lash was adding some lavender oil....playing with the petals....when she felt the water stir, and the chill of Ivan's body slip in behind hers. {ws} "Thank you, it's lovely". She said with regard to the tub, the roses, the oils...he merely kissed her neck in response. Quietly he rubbed her shoulders....his hands roaming all over her shoulders, back, and front. Kissing along her neck, she lay her head back against him. His hands ran down both her arms then....lifting first one out of the water. Then quickly, with a slash of his nail, he cut open her wrist....then just as quickly, he did the same to the other. She gasped and winced. She tried to raise them, but he held them down into the water. She watched as the water surrounding her, turned from clear to pink to red....then as she was whimpering....he kissed along her shoulder...to her neck....and sunk his teeth into her. She let out a cry but he did not stop. He drank this "Maker's" blood from her....swallow after swallow. She went to struggle but his body held her fast to him.
Soon there was no fight in her. She went limp...he raised one wrist, licking the deep cut...watching it heal shut...then the other....watching it too. Then sucking and finally licking then kissing her neck where he had sucked nearly all the lifeblood of her Maker from her.

Climbing out of the tub, carrying her with him, he lay her upon his bed. Drying her off carefully....he stared down at her. She was so pale. So frail looking. He reached out and caressed her face. She was so close to death now....had he been angry with her....had he been vindictive...which he was with so many others, he would have allowed her to suffer...and die. But he loved her. He was upset with her for not waiting. Now...here she was at death's door.
Laying in the bed, she went to reach for his face, but her hand fell before him, staring up at him, her eyes nearly all white, the hue of peridot nearly all but gone. Frail, weak and wax looking, she tilted her head managing a slight smile. "My Love.......wh...what do you wish to do with me?" ::Her voice faintly drifting away::
"When I ask of you to speak, that is when you speak." He would simply rise from the bed and would walk to the window. He stared out into the darkness, knowing the sun would come up soon...He tilted his head and smiled somewhat before shaking his head. "You are dying."
She closed her eyes. She swallowed hard. "Th...this is death." She said it more of a statement then a question. She then fell silent. Turning her head took all the energy she had. Her breathing was labored. Out of jealousy would he allow her to die? Because he did not create her? And who was this child? And...why...why did he make love to her....and the bath....and his tenderness turned to trickery. She loved him still. He felt it. He knew she spoke the truth, always to him.
The door opened and the little girl came in. She ran next to Ivan and would hug his legs. Ivan placed his large hand on her head, his long nails running through her hair gently. This is not Ivan's child...Simply a poor girl he picked up in the town below and simply gave her care and a shelter. This was NOT Ivan's child, even though she came to know Ivan as "daddy". "Daddy, is she going to die?" Ivan looked down to her. "No, angel...She will not die..she is dying, but she will not. Now go...You must leave here now." He bent down and kissed her forehead and she ran out of the room, closing the door. Walking back over to Lash, he stood at the bed next to her. He removed his shirt and would stand before her shirtless...He was completely dressed, except for his shirt. He cut a deep wound in his stomach, he didn't even flinch. He let the wound bleed. "If you want it...Find the strength in you to get it." He simply stood there, the wound on his stomach bleeding.

Slowly she turned her head back to him. Her eyes glanced up into his silver hues, then down to the gash he had made within his torso. She tried to roll over. She was starving. "Ivan....." She begged....as she clawed to the edge of the bed, one hand shaking reaching out to him. She tried so hard to raise herself closer. Pitifully she looked into his cold stare. Finally able to grab his arm, she pulled herself towards him....panting....her breaths coming shorter...she knew she was very close...she must be, all was going dark. She brought her head forward....and kissed his taut torso, till her lips found the flow of blood. Licking, her way up...savoring every drop...drawing her mouth nearer to the cut...she gripped him tighter....the other arm wrapped about his waist. Her skin began to change....her hair regained its luster...she was stronger...sucking from the spot he gave to her, for her....his life....for hers. She sucked deeply....starving. Moaning and whimpering.....till both arms were about him, as she licked and drew long mouthfuls from him. His eyes simply looked down to her. He made no expression, had no reaction, as he simply watched her. He placed his strong hand on her head, gently petting her, sorta speak. Before long, after he felt she had enough, he gripped her hair and ripped her away from the wound. He licked his finger slightly and would then run his saliva covered finger over the wound, closing it up. He looked to her and grabbed his shirt, placing it back on. "You were Made by someone else...That I can never change. But still, most of my blood flows in your veins..Your Maker's flows as well...But now you really know what death feels like. And that is the kind of death that will come to this Maker of yours." He nodded his head and would leave the room, walking down the stairs and into another large room where the little girl was. She was sitting in bed and anxious when her 'daddy' came in. He went and sat on the bed and began telling her a story...Off the top of his head.

Knowing what was to come next, she reached out to him pulling him...."No....Ivan....I....I was at death's door....nothing can remain of him...she felt the change welling in her as he proceeded to button his shirt and turn from her....she was lying on the bed, screaming his name....."Nooooooooo...IVANNNNNNNNN!!!!!!! P ...PPPPPPlease.....do not leave me!!!!!!!! PLEASEEEEEEEEEE!" With that, she began pulling at her own hair as the pain tore through her.....her body jerking and writhing uncontrollably....between breaths she would cry out his name. Begging him to return to her. To hold her through this torture. But he would not.

He could hear her screams and yet he would not move. He was hurt more deeply than anyone could have ever hurt him. He simply sat and paused in his story...Blinking a few times and then starting up again until the little girl began to drift off to sleep. He kissed her forehead and would leave the room then....He closed to door and simply began pacing the large forum of his home.
Swearing she was in Hell itself, it was like whatever blood that was left of David's was trying to fight Ivan's and her body was the battle ground....she screamed she writhed, she cried, she pleaded and begged him....."Ivannnnn I only wanted to be with you......." She was crying hysterical, the emotional pain and the physcial was far too much for her...she would come in and out of consciousness. Ivan's blood would win she knew....but David's was strong.....and if she could have lived with out so much as a drop she would do it....whatever.....anything for Ivan......anything.......verbally and mentally she was calling to him......"Ivan......please do not leave me alone......IVANNNNNNNN.......its so DARK!!!!!!!....Pleaseeeeeeeee..........I love you.......I need you........IVANNNNNNNN!"
His rage again was growing as his mind was flooded with her cries. She was so weak! If all she did was lay there, it would be over. Without a thought, he would suddenly disappear and wind up in the room, his hand around her throat holding her down. He growled demonically and screamed back at her, that demonic voice ever so present, yet his eyes stayed their natural silver. "Stop moving! Do not fight with your body, use your mind!!!" Feeling his hand about her throat...she closed her eyes, trying to do as he said. Clenched fists, gritted teeth....her entire body hard as stone. Finally letting out a final cry....she passed out. But as he removed his hand from her throat....he stared down at her. She was far more beautiful than she had ever been, if that were possible. The sweet hint of pink returned to her cheeks and lips. Her features were softer...her flesh very human like, and her hair was longer and shone as black as the night. Bending over her, he placed a kiss upon her sweet lips, and covered her body, allowing her to sleep......for now.~~