You can't escape the wrath of my heart
Beating to your funeral song (You're so alone)
All faith is lost for hell regained
In the dust in the hands of shame (Just be brave)

Let me bleed you this song of my heart deformed
I lead you along this path in the dark
Where I belong 'till I feel your warmth

Hold me
Like you held on to life
When all fears came alive and entombed me
Love me
Like you love the sun
Scorching the blood in my vampire heart

I'll be the thorns on every rose
You've been sent by hope (You'll grow cold)
I am the nightmare waking you up
From the dream of a dream of love (Just like before)

Let me weep you this poem as Heaven's gates close
Paint you my soul, scarred and alone
Waiting for your kiss to take me back home

Hold me
Like you held on to life
When all fears came alive and entombed me
Love me
Like you love the sun
Scorching the blood in my vampire heart

Hold me
Like you held on to life
When all fears came alive and entombed me
Love me
Like you love the sun
Scorching the blood in my vampire heart

Hold me (Like you held on to life)
Like you held on to life
(When all fears came alive and entombed me)
My vampire heart

Love me (Like you love the sun)
Like you love the sun
(Scorching the blood in my)
My vampire heart

- H. I. M.

If beauty sits the child's kiss
Of laughter I amend
Can you catch her if she runs?
With this I would share with you
All of this count to no end.
- Coheed & Cambria

She placed her hand in his as they moved from the carriage. She stood, transfixed by the sight of the massive castle and the strange beauty of its architecture.

"So, what do you guys do way out here anyway?"

David laughed immediately and brought her hand to his lips. She was innocent. She was his innocent.

"Well, that's a good question Viki. The Count likes his privacy. I've been summoned here for just a little while to offer him some protection. What the Count does here is a mystery, but I'm sure he conducts some of his business from here."

All that talk of mystery gave Viki an idea, an idea for a plan, a plan to be carried out much later on. (Introduce Mission Impossible Soundtrack, then cut off sharply.)

As they entered, Viki marveled at the tall ceilings, the beautiful marble floors, and the exquisite marble staircase. As her eyes fell upon the latter, David spoke softly.

"We go up the stairs."

Victoria was still looking around. As a princess in Lanrette, she enjoyed the finer things in life, just like this, and instantly, she felt at home.

"Do we?" She turned to him suddenly, the layers of lace of her delicate dress twirling with her. Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Catch me." That said, she dashed from him, her slippered feet gaining speed up the stairs.

How to explain the thing about vampires? David could have waited for her to reach the first step and, moving at lightning speed, met her at the next step, but he wanted to have the fun of chasing her, and chase her he did.

Nearing the race's end, he appeared at the top step (vampires!) and scooped her into his arms.

"You are hard to catch," he teased, winking at her.

Viki was shocked and gasped when he caught her, but soon erupted into a fit of giggles, her slender arms flying around his neck as she kissed the very corner of his mouth. Then, laying her head upon his shoulder, with her bare legs dangling over one of his arm's, she became quite still.

"I love you." It was a quiet, serious thing, and she said it just like that.

"I love you also, Viki, very much." He carried her through stone hallways, halls that were lit only by wall sconces, their flames flickering as if rising to meet the lovers in their path. Old tapestries and portraits also lined the walls, and an occasional table boasting different styles of chiseled art caught the length of their intertwined shadows.

Finally, David arrived to a door, which he opened with a key, revealing his bedroom suite. A fire danced in place, both lighting and warming the room. Viki's eyes settled on bookshelves and artwork and overstuffed chairs, and finally, the wet bar. Glass windows loomed to the south, and in the very center of the room stood a large canap? bed.

"Here we are, my love, the first room I wanted to show you. Our room. Our home for now."

There is something in your eyes
flowing them over
stealing all the harmony which lives in me
your hands are covering my tears
oh, why?
There's a sort of inner dance
trying to seduce me
feeling this anomaly which takes me
Your touch
You're here
Your heart
- Lacuna Coil.

David removed his boots and the rest of his rather immaculate ensemble. Viki watched the layers of fabric spill to the floor. His body, trim, muscular, and smooth, caught the moonlight as he approached her, his vampire flesh seeming to glitter and gleam. He helped her in undressing - it was a tender touch, as one might help a child to bed. When it was complete, and she lay naked on the mattress, he settled at her feet, running his hands along the length of her legs before bringing her left foot up to his lips for a kiss.

"I told you, you're beautiful," said the girl to her lover. The blood had rushed to her face at the sight of him, and the fact that he was probably well aware of it made it all the more worse. Soft, supple breasts hid beneath the hair that spilled down her shoulders. Everything about her screamed youth as well as innocence, the innocence that appealed to him so. When he caught her foot, she laughed, and pointed it in some princess-like pose, her eyes all the while exploring the contours of his flesh.

"Too beautiful." She said it again.

He grinned and crawled back up her body, placing multiple kisses upon her stomach. She felt his hand sliding slowly up her leg, slowly until - she gasped! She arched her back against the mattress, pressing firmly to him as he explored the design of her form. She was ready for him, eager in fact, with one arm curled around his back so that her nails could lightly graze down his spine. His kisses moved north, meanwhile, and covered her bare breasts.

"Lover," she said quietly, "I want you to take it from me again." She wasn't sure if he needed her permission, but she felt it was important that he knew she enjoyed it.

"Yes, my love." He hissed softly, his desire paramount - his desire to feed. Slowly, he lifted his head.

"I love you, Viki... I love you completely." His fingers ravaged her.

Her little face was transformed by desire, pleasure, and anticipation. Her mouth stretched open as her eyes squeezed shut, and she released the tiniest of whimpers. And then, a near breathless "I love you" followed by another gasp as she fumbled through the dark. She wanted the feel of him now, the feel of what was about to fill her.

"Oh.. my love." He moaned. "I want you, Viki. I need you, desperately."

"Take.. what.. is.. yours." Each word was strained as her head shifted side to side and her eyes opened to search for his. She felt clouded, dizzy, and desperate with her own desire - nevermind his!

He smiled down upon her, looking into her eyes as he positioned himself, and, kissing her hard, he took her.

(Author's Note: If this is not PG 13, you can smack me and I'll fix it.)

"Not knowing everything is all that makes it okay, sometimes."
-Delirium, in Brief Lives, by Neil Gaiman


Viki had spent a few days as Castle Longden, a few very happy days, and while she missed the company and the camaraderie of the clubhouse, she would not leave David's side. But David was a vampire, and took to sleeping long hours during the daylight, and Victoria then realized she had the perfect opportunity.

"So, what do you guys do way out here anyway?"
"Well, that's a good question Viki. The Count likes his privacy. I've been summoned here for just a little while to offer him some protection. What the Count does here is a mystery, but I'm sure he conducts some of his business from here."

It was time to dig up some information on Count Talomar, her cousin Tara's future husband, and she could think of no better way than a full exploration of the castle.

Viki gently rolled out of bed and adjusted the blankets over her sleeping lover. She smiled at David before tiptoeing out of the bedroom. She left the door slightly ajar.

The hallway was significantly brighter in the day and Viki marveled at the change. Light poured in from the windows and caught the colours of all the tapestries and paintings which lined the walls. Her eyes roamed over each piece as she moved further down the hall. In the works which featured people, painted eyes seemed to follow her, and Viki shivered. It was eerie.

The first fifteen minutes of her walk was uninspiring. She only found more doors to more bedrooms, and since they weren't locked, Viki assumed they were unoccupied, and most likely, guest rooms.

Somewhere in the distance, a clock chimed twelve times.

Finally, she had come upon a door which was locked. This was a welcome change! Squatting down to the doorknob's level, Viki peered through the keyhole.

There were books, books everywhere, more books in this room that had been in David's. From her angle, she had a partial view of a large desk. This had to be a study.

Slender fingers dipped into her curls and retrieved a hair pin. She had learned this trick from an elf when she was merely a child. It was one of the few skills from the past that she hadn't forgotten.

"To get in, make the sign of the cross."
"The sign of the wha'?"
"It's a Catholic type of thing."
"What's a Catholic?"
"Nevermind."
"How do I know it's gunna work?"
"It's a feeling type of thing."

The conversation came back to her like it had been yesterday. Up, down, across, repeat. Sure enough - click!

She opened the door to the study, certain that the room would soon spill its secrets.

"I'm cold. I hate being nowhere. Let's go somewhere instead."
-Delirium, in Brief Lives, by Neil Gaiman

When she had enough of vacant bedrooms and empty sitting rooms, she descended the stairs. She went further and further down until the carpets and tapestries and paintings disappeared, and she found herself underground, surrounded by stone and darkness.

Maybe this was the basement, she thought, and what do vampires keep in basements? She would've thought a coffin, but David had mentioned on their initial meeting that he slept in a bed, she having experienced that bed first hand, and perhaps so did Talomar.

Either way, she moved on, and into a larger room in the underground.

"Woah."

What she saw took her by complete surprise. Her eyes flickered over several strange pieces of equipment. Some of them looked like gym equipment, and others she knew right away to be torture devices. Chains hung from the walls. When she touched them, she shivered violently, imaging some poor victim dangling helplessly against the wall.

She thought she heard a moan in the dark. She nearly leaped out of her skin.

Her feet moved before her mind could fully react, and she found herself running up the stairs. Either Talomar was extremely kinky, or he was a very bad bad bad bad bad man, and she didn't want to think about either possibility. The first was icky. The latter was troubling to say the least.

?Like I said: I don?t make jokes. I just never got the knack. There?s stuff I have to do now. You can?t leave the room, but you can make yourselves comfortable.?
-Thessaly in ?A Game of You? by Neil Gaiman

As daylight began to fade in the east, Lord David Dupres slowly awoke and reached out his arm to snuggle with Viki.

There was no Viki.

His head rose up and he looked about the room. ?Viki?? Thinking she must be in the bathroom, he rolled out of bed and walked into the bath chamber. ?Viki? You here??

Nothing.

This was not good. He quickly washed up, dressed, and put a brush though is long, dark hair. He was not too nervous for in all likelihood she was merely down in the dining hall, or perhaps the lounge or library, waiting for dinner to be served.

But she was not.

Now he moved rapidly through the halls of the castle, stopping every servant that he passed to ask if they had seen Victoria Chylde. The answer was always the same.

?No I haven?t, m?lord. If I do, I?ll let her know that you are looking for her.?

His reply was always the same.

?Thank you.?

A vampire can cover an amazing amount of ground in a very short time ? stables, third floor servants? quarters, solarium, guest rooms, carriage house, the great banquet hall, even the dungeons were checked. He could detect her presence everywhere, but no Viki.

?Oh dear God,? he thought. ?Not the Chapel! Oh, Viki, please don?t be in the Chapel.? He felt sick in the pit of his stomach. The Count didn?t permit much discussion of the Chapel since it would lead to discussion of Dominique, and she was a forbidden topic; yet the result was often that proper warnings were never administrated.

He raced through the halls at a speed beyond what any mortal could conceive, and entered the darkened hallway that led to the Chapel. His eyes had no trouble discerning Viki?s body lying by the Chapel door. His heart sank.

?Viki,? he whispered as he picked up her body in his arms.

She was alive, and he was thankful.

David carried her down the hall and entered the magnificent main library of the castle and set her on the couch in front of the fireplace that was so large an averaged sized person could walk right into it without bothering to duck.

He kissed her lips and whispered, ?Viki? Viki, are you alright??

Count Longden came up behind Lord Dupres while Viki was recovering on the couch, ?Come with me. I need to speak to you privately.?

David and Talomar went into a sitting room off the library to talk. It was really a place were one could smoke and read, for the Count preferred to keep any kind of smoke away from his collection of books.

Longden was all business. ?Lord Dupres, there?s some rather unpleasant business that we must discuss. I know your feelings for Lady Chylde, but she needs to be controlled. Her scent is everywhere in my personal suite. She evidently broke into my suite today and rummaged through all my things. She even picked my damn safe!?

David was shocked. ?Are you sure of this?? He knew she had been exploring the castle, but the Count's own suite!

Talomar nodded. ?Her scent is all over my books and safe. Furthermore she was everywhere from down in the dungeon to up in the servants? quarters. What if she had seen what?s in the tower rooms? Or what if she had actually gone inside the Chapel; we?d be making funeral preparations now. You know that. I don?t have to tell you how serious this is. Dammit all, did you hear her! She's speaking Dominique's name!?

David sighed, looked away to collect his thoughts, then looked back again. ?I?ll speak with her.?

?Speak? If she was not a cousin of my fianc?e and the object of your affections, I would bring her to the dungeon and skin her alive. No one?NO ONE goes through my personal effects!?

?I?m sure she didn?t mean any harm,? David tried to calm the Count down.

?I don?t know that for sure. What I do know is that I need to impress upon her the crimes she has committed against me. I?m sorry, but I?ll be bringing her to the dungeon to give her a punishment that will ensure she never does this again.?

?No!?

?WHAT?!??

David could see he may be overstepping his bounds and he didn?t want to test his skill against Longden if he could help it. ?Count Longden, please. I was the one who brought her here. It?s my fault. Please allow me to be the one to punish her.?

?You?ll be too easy on her.?

?No. I?ll give her a proper punishment that will teach her to stay in the public areas.?

Talomar thought for a moment, then spoke slowly and with no little threat. "If your punishment proves not to be satisfactory, I?ll be forced to take matters into my own hands. You are to punish her tonight.?

David bowed. ?As soon as she recovers, I?ll bring her to the dungeon.?

An argument for consciousness
The instinct of the blind insect
Who makes love to the flowerbad
And dies in the first freeze
I want to learn such simple things
No politics, no history
So what i want and what i need
Can finally be the same
I just got myself to blame.
- Bright Eyes

Victoria twitched in his embrace. She was coming to, and fast, her eyelashes fluttering violently in a series of blinks. She rubbed her eyes hard, and then, quite obviously bewildered, peered up at David.

"I said some things? I saw some things."

Her voice was a whisper. She sat up and crawled into his lap, curling her body against his with a sigh. She still looked rather perplexed, as if she had remembered everything but understood nothing. Her eyes searched his for answers.

"There is something in the pretty room." At least she could be definite about that.

"Yes...there is something there, Viki. That's the Chapel and what is in there is the spirit of someone who could have killed you." David looked heartbroken as he spoke. With a sigh, he rested his head against hers. "What you did was very dangerous, my love." He was almost choking on his own words.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know.." She curled her arms around his neck and clung to him tightly. Her mind raced as she tried to wrap it around the danger, which was hard for her to do under even normal circumstances. Just what was The Count harboring? The initial terror of David's news gave way to more curiosity, and of course, more questions.

"Does everyone know? Does my cousin know?" She let her head dip to one side, still pressing him. "Why does The Count keep bottles of wine in his safe?" Her fingers began to curl into David's hair.

"Viki, you should never have gone into the Count's private suite. You broke into his suite and his safe, didn't you?" David was angry and obviously frustrated as he brought his hand to his face. This wasn't good!

"Uhm, well.. " Viki's eyes flickered around the room, as if all the right answers were floating in the air above. "I did, but, see, I had to know some things and I-didn't-mean-to-make-the-wall-move but when it did I kina had to, see?" Her speech was wild, hesitant, then quick before trailing off. She looked at him with wide eyes, an impish smile, attempting to appear as cute as humanly possible.

This brought a smile to the Vampire Lord's face, but it faded fast. "I'm sure you meant no harm, my love, but the Count was furious. No one, not one person, has ever violated his private space before. There are secret documents in there that must be kept secret, not only for the Count's sake, but there is information that effects many people and even other planets." Was that sweat upon his brow? He stumbled over his words, until, finally:

"Viki, the Count wants you punished for what you did."

Viki gulped and peered over David's shoulders, as she could've sworn she heard Talomar's voice in the next room. Her thoughts shifted to the dungeon below their feet. She didn't like that place. The walls sang painful songs as she went running up the stairs.

"Can you just tell him I'm really really sorry and I won't do it again?" The girl leaned in, hopeful, pressing her cheek to his shoulder, peering up rather innocently. See? I didn't mean to do it! Though, secretly, she cursed herself for not opening his desk. Apparently, she'd been wrong about the whole wine-and-cheese scenario.

"I tired to tell him that he didn't mean it, but his anger is not permitting any reasoning with him. He was going to take you right down to the dungeon to be punished. The best I could do was to get him to allow me to do it instead of him." David's sorrow seemed almost unbearable. He took a deep breath, sighed, and let it out.

"Viki, I'm going to have to bring you down there and apply the punishment. I don't want to, but if I don't, he'll do it and it would be so much worse."

The girl's teeth sunk into her lower lip and she chewed upon it nervously. She'd get Talomar for this! Just he wait! She'd sneak into his bedroom and paint his toenails blue or lop off his eyebrows or... Her slender brows dipped into a small frown and the expression upon her face seemed half pout, half dread.

"Can't we just tell him that you did it an' then, uhm, not do it?" She grabbed hold of David's right hand and planted little kisses upon his knuckles. "Please?"

David Dupres softened. "I would like nothing better, but he has a way of knowing things, especially with me being kindred. He would know that I didn't punish you and then he'd do it himself." Damn those vampires!

He continued, trying to explain it to her. "Viki, it's not that he wants to be mean to you, it's that he wants to protect you from greater harm. You came closer than you know to losing your life in that Chapel. I couldn't bare to be without you, Viki. I love you."

"I love you too David!" She cried it out, suddenly, and threw her arms around his neck, pressing her chest to his with each leg straddling his lap. She didn't necessarily believe that The Count wanted to protect her, nevermind even liked her, and she knew that if Tara caught wind of it she'd be pissed. She shut her eyes tight, wishing she could just go back in time and undo everything, but now she knew secrets, and secrets always had a price

"I'll be as gentle as possible, my darling," he whispered in her ear, "but you can scream as loudly as you want. In fact, the louder the better, because I'm sure the Count will be wandering around to make sure I do my job correctly." His hand stroked her hair and his lips kissed her shut eyes.

Victoria's stomach was in knots. Screaming? She'd be screaming? She whimpered low and buried her face into his shoulder. She'd get that Talomar! Her hands curled into tight little fists. This was all too much! She wasn't his slave, she was his lover - and she sure as hell wasn't Talomar's slave. Someone needed to draw her a map because the boundaries of this relationship were more like rubber bands, and she started to think about rubber bands until she remembered where they were going and what was about to be done.

"Okay."

the air as black as can be
can't even see that my hand is in front of me
I'm overhearing a whisper
"they won't escape until the blood is set free"
- CKY

David walked in silence, just as she had. Inside, she knew his heart was breaking, even more so as he pushed through to Count Longden's Chamber of Horrors. Unlike before, when Victoria had been stumbling in the dark, this time the room was lit with another flick of a hidden switch. She lost her breath when the lights came on.

"Here we are, my love. Don't let all this bother you. I won't be using them."

He gestured to a table of torture, and the chains which dangled from protruding stone, and several other devices which Viki had recognized from before but had not had a clear view of. She had a death grip upon her lover's hand, but a slow relief washed over her face when he disregarded the instruments.

Then, her eyes found the floor. She knew what was coming. It was as if she had rehearsed this scene countless times, when rather, she had lived it. Her fingers flew to the top ties of her dress, unlacing the garment slowly until it was loose enough at her shoulders to drop to the floor with a sudden movement.

He was watching. His desire was apparent.

"Come with me," he whispered.

He took her to the far side of the torture chamber and flicked on another light. Viki knew that the lights were for her benefit, as since David was a vampire, the lights were unnecessary. But at this time, she didn't know which she would've rather had: the light, or the dark. The dark was always whispering secrets and horrible surprises. The light revealed ugly, terrible truths.

This is what she saw now: A large wheel, nearly twenty feet in diameter, though more than half of it was in-ground. The well had a thickness of about two feet, more than enough for her own body's width. It looked like a water wheel, but with one exception: no water. The center was flat and covered with carpeting. Chains spiraled down from the edges of the circle in all directions. There were enough chains for a person with several extra limbs. Viki imagined Talomar torturing some alien specimen. Here, the victim could be strapped to the sides the wheel with hands and legs spread wide apart, or, she might be placed on the center and stretched out along it.

"This is the Wheel of MissFortune, Viki. It's what I shall be using this night."

Talomar was a sick fuck.

It was interesting, almost comical. Wait. Almost. Her eyes were glued to the chains, their metallic finish capturing the light - as they would soon likely capture her. She took a step back, still clutching the lacey frock she wore so as not to drop it. Though, the thing was a bit lopsided now, brushing past one bare knee but revealing the other. She stared at the contraption hard. Were it any other place, she could've made a game of it.

Her painted lips were turned inward so to keep the butterflies in her stomach from making their escape. Escape! That was a good idea. Why didn't she think of that? Then, her eyes found her lover in the light, and she was temporarily mesmerized by the way his skin glittered just so.

He gave her the order to undress.

She lifted her arms then, and the garment just fell. Ta-da? Her bare skin broke into gooseflesh. Her underthings were absent - a result of her wanderings just out of bed. She almost strolled to him, strangely stoic.

David was naked from the waist up as he took her by the wrist and led her to the wheel. His instructions were exact and easy, face the wheel, and he manacled his little lover to the center of the device, each wrist held captive by those chains: one to the left, one to the right. She blinked as her face found itself in such close proximity with the thing of torture. With a light tug on her chains, she peered at him from over her bare shoulder, and suddenly shifted position, sending one foot crawling up the back of the opposite leg. Her eyes were wide and wild. And still, no words.

There was a pull of something mechanical, and a series of sounds. Click-click-click. Click-click-click. The wheel began to turn away from her, pulling her arms up over her head, then, pulling her further. Click-click-click. It was alive as it turned and jockeyed for its new position. The girl was lifted off her two bare feet.

She was wild. Her head was up, then side to side to side to side. Her curls were flying frantic in all directions. She was on tiptoe, then up, meeting the air beneath her with a whimper. Tears had gathered at the corners of her eyes.

And then, finally: "I'm so sorry lover." It was the faintest of whispers. She hung her head.

"I am the one who is sorry, my dearest," he whispered back, the pain noticeable in his voice. Click-click-click. Up went the Chylde, two feet off the ground.

"All going well in there?" Talomar's voice from the top of the stairs.

I feel eyelashes on my cheek, and they lacerate my flesh.
A pain so good.
So put your hand in mine, never let go,
Never wake up 'cause I'm done with promises.
I'm taking blood oaths.
Feels like you kiss my imperfections,
My imperfections away.
And I would stand,
Stand by your side.
Until the sun turns the sky all the colors I see in your eyes
- Atreyu


"I'm sorry love. There must be some more."

The girl wanted to crawl inside of herself.

"It's my fault." She whispered. Her eyes were steady and focused, an unusual look for her, but it was truth. It was her fault.

He whispered back as he replaced her on the wheel.

"I have to do this."

Click-click-click.

The whip returned, this time biting into her exposed breasts. Her mouth flew open in surprise, but she closed her eyes and lifted her head and cried to the ceiling as he struck the most sensitive parts of her. Her nipples were already erect with the chill in the air but her body itself was slick with sweat and glittered just like his flesh always seemed to do.

He stopped once again, resting the tails of the whip on her shoulder, sliding them along her chest, teasingly moving them back and forth over her breasts before trailing down the rest of her, tormenting other regions. The sting gave way to a more welcomed sensation, the pain prior to it seemed to exemplify the pleasure. She peered down at him, dazed, teary-eyed, those pools of aquamarine a stark contrast to the red that gathered in the whites.

"I love you," he whispered.

Another moan slipped from her lips, and, to her surprise, she found herself ready to receive him. "I love you always. I want you now."

David went back to the side of the wheel and released the ratchet on the wall, rotating her body to a twelve o'clock position. This crazy contraption was really starting to annoy her. The room spun, and she spun with it, upside-down, but David did not stop his teasing. The whip was cast aside and his hands were on her thighs, trailing dangerously south as the blood rushed to her head in this topsy-turvy position.

"I need you... haven't I had enough?" She peered up at him, strangely playful. The only evidence of prior torment clung to her body in the form of bruises, of reddened cheeks, imprinted shackles, and small welts across her skin in bright pink.

"I need you too." He whispered, bringing his body directly over hers, planting kisses on her exposed flesh, his tongue trailing and tasting her in pieces.

"So take me lover.' The ache was almost unbearable. She had to have him. "Take me here in this place of death and shadow an' I'll be sure to scream." It was risky, but she had to press him - it was either that or she'd go mad (madder) with desire. She was shaking lightly, and squirming as he pursued this track of teasing. She cried out, but it was loud and unnecessary and all for Talomar's benefit.

David pulled back, rotating the wheel once more so that she was rightside-up. It was a welcomed change. He brought his mouth down on hers as he shook free of the rest of his clothing, though he did not release her from her chains. His grasped both bound hands, lacing their fingers together as he kissed her hard. She was like a wild thing then, her kiss a weapon, her tongue lashing violently against his before she sucked the length of his lower lip. She arched her back, pushing her hips against his, eager for him.

Then she broke from the kiss quiet suddenly to whisper against his cheek. "Master." She said. It was her turn to tease him. She gave the chains a quick jingle.

Perhaps David was more the helpless one. He'd abandoned the rest of the well-planned torture. He'd have to. Her naked body demanded his attention in far more pleasurable ways. He positioned himself against her and then released the ratchet of the wheel so the weight of her body sank onto his. She was moaning as he filled her. The sounds grew louder and louder until the full force of him nearly impaled her delicate frame.

"I love you so much, Viki, with all my heart."

"I.. love.. you.." She barely got all the words out! She threw her head sideways, her lips at his neck, nibbling, and then, a hard bite, though it would not break the skin.

"I need you, Viki. I need you so much." Justification. He drove into her harder. Her body was helpless to the motion, forced between him and the wheel. She tugged on the chains again, this time a reflex as the act grew in intensity. Her eyes found his in the light of the pit. She pressed her mouth against his, as if to grant him every access. He kissed her hard and deep, his tongue exploring every part of her mouth. He was gripping her breasts as he continued with their lovemaking. Every part of her was on fire. She was absolutely his then. His thrusts forced another small cry from her, and it bounced off those stone walls and echoed down the hall. She let go of her every insecurity, allowing her body to sacrifice itself to his pleasure, and let gravity drive her further down.

Blood! Doll? Whispers and Thoughts.

The vampire pushed the hair from the left side of her neck, his mouth hovering over her exposed throat. And then, he sank his fangs into her small neck, seeking her life-force.

She screamed. The-blood-the-blood-the-blood... She had a need for this, just as he had a need to drink to continue his existence. She wanted to fill him in her own way.

"Don't heal me," she whispered.

The room blurred as the blood flowed. He drove himself to a climax within her. She threw her head back as he released.

I swear to you, On everything I am.
And I dedicate to you all that I am
I promise you that I'll stand right by your side,
Forever and always, until the day I die.
The bite marks on my neck never felt so good
I'm losing control, and its all that I can do not to blackout, and fall into lust with you.
Your kisses infect me, the dark gift is loving you.
- Atreyu

As usual, he was in his study in the morning and taking care of the S.E.C.T.O.R. paperwork, examining shippments, analyzing the market, looking at the bottom line. Above all, he was a businessman, and S.E.C.T.O.R. was a huge business, currently shipping to 230 planets on twenty shipping lanes in the galaxy's Quadrant 4. He was also directing the trade negotiations to open shipping lanes in the other three Quads.

Drugs, weapons and slave transport were the high profit items, but the Count distanced himself from the day to day operations. He had no desire to dirty his hands anymore with slaves and drugs. He served his time with that when he was starting the business. Now others do the dirty work.

And the people he would sell too demanded the secrecy that S.E.C.T.O.R. offered. That was why he had become so upset when Viki came into his study. He couldn't give a shit about the safe and the bottle of blood wine. It was the book of records that upset him.

If Viki had seen the names in the books she could have made herself enemies who would track her down and cut her in half to preserve their secrecy. The punishment that he asked David to give to Viki was not done out of anger or spite, but out of true concern for his fiancee's cousin. He was not the type to openly show his love and concern for people. He found that fear and intimidation worked better; but if truth were know, he really cared for her.

She had come so close to compromising her safety. He now kept the records in the safe with a combination and not a key.

He heard the knock at the door and looked up.

"Come in."

Talomar looked down on Viki, wondering what the hell she was doing. When she lowered her mouth to kiss his boot he was appalled.

?Victoria!! What the bloody blazes are you doing? Come off the floor, we?re family, dammit!?

If she wasn?t going to stand with him, he would kneel down with her ? and so he did.

He knelt down in front of her and could see that she had indeed been punished by David. It had to be done, but he was not pleased by it.

He reached out and took her into his arms and moved his hand over her hair. ?I?m sorry, Viki. There are so many things here that are dangerous.? Like Dominique in the chapel, the people whose names are in his records, and of course, what?s in the towers.

?We?re soon to be relatives, Viki. I just want to protect you.?