Denise stood at the edge of the large pond that took up the western edge of her farm, spreading birdseed for the few ducks and geese that hadn’t flown to warmer climates. “There you are my darlings, don’t worry you all will be just fine.” She voiced gently to the waterfowl as they softly quacked close to her booted feet.

Upon hearing another set of boots plodding through the light snow that had fallen during the evening, Denise pulled back the hood attached to her black duffel coat, and turned to face the man as he approached. Flipping her dusky-blonde hair to one side Denise smiled sinfully as the man turned his beaten Chicago Cubs hat around and finished his approach by handing her a package from FedEx.

“Loved one.” The man bowed and pulled Denise into his arms lightly. “I have some news for you.”

The Darla returned the hug and pulled back, “Why do you insist on calling me that, Raollet?” She offered as she blinked her deep-set light hazel eyes.

“Because the others have decided that you are more a symbol than a person, Loved one.” Raollet replied and ran a rough finger on Denise’s cheek just below her eye. “You haven’t slept at all, have you? I haven’t seen your eyes this sunken before.”

Denise gave a quick kiss to Raollet’s hand and took a step back from the six-foot ex-farmer turned captain. “Don’t worry about my sleep, Captain Mattson. I get enough.” She winked and opened the package.

Raollet laughed and shrugged, “Right, captain. I keep forgetting that.” Pulling off his old baseball cap and scratching his short salt and pepper hair, Raollet asked, “What is so important that you got it from…what Romania?” He quickly flattened his hair and placed the cap back on his head, the bill once again facing backwards.

Pouring the contents from the opening, Denise held a small loop of silver jewelry with a perfectly cut and polished black quartz in the center. “It is a ferronnière, my dear Captain.” She shook the quartz and cackled lightly, “Come here and clasp this under my hair, if you would.”

Raollet felt an unnatural shiver go up and down his spine when the small framed woman laughed. Taking the small metal headband, he lifted Denise’s curly hair and clipped it as asked. Gently turning the woman to him, he centered the crystal in the center of her forehead and took a step back. “It looks lovely, Loved one.” Getting an eerie feeling, he looked at his hands. “Why are my fingers tingling?”

“Power my dear, The earth and a promise gave me more power.” Denise looked down at the birds and realized that they all had stopped making noise. Spreading the rest of the birdseed, Denise walked a few steps from her small flock and pointed. “Yes, even they felt it.” Her light red-brown lips formed a wiry smile.

“That was something I have never felt since you awakened me, Loved one.” The captain added and flexed his fingers.

“It is all in the quartz, my dear Raollet.” Spinning on her heels, Denise started walking to the back of her farmhouse, “Come along, let’s get warmed up and have a little breakfast.”

“Can we discuss my plan, or is ‘The Darla’ still not convinced of its success?” Raollet followed Denise into her kitchen and closed the door behind him. “You would never suspect that the great ‘Darla’ would live in such a simple place.” He offered as he hung up both of their coats. “What did you mean it’s in the quartz?”

Denise pursed her thin lips and scrunched her slightly flawed nose causing it to bulge more than normal. “If the information that Wendy provided is right, then this quartz is the means to ending the conflict.” She put on a water kettle and grabbed some Earl Grey tea from her light oak cupboard and placed them into a couple of wide cobalt blue mugs. “I believe that Richards found the head of this particular serpent.” Denise added and leaned against her aluminum sink.

Leaning back and running his hands through the straps of his faded overalls, Raollet shook his head. “I don’t know why you made that deal. You preach that the path has us wiping them out, not making deals with them.”

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Denise crossed her arms over her small chest, “I have told you many times, Captain Mattson, killing them all is impossible.” Wiggling her finger she added, “We can take care of the population here, make it a free zone for all that have been awakened.”

“You just don’t want to leave the farm, Denise.” Raollet chuckled and pointed to his cup, “Splenda, please, madam.” He winked, “I have to watch my figure, right?” He saw Denise with one eyebrow raised and suddenly recalled his hat. “Oh, sorry.” He hung the cap on the back of the chair, “Well? Are you going to tell me what is in the black stone there?”

“No, Captain. The less you know the better.” Denise sternly warned as she pulled the whistling kettle off the stove and poured the boiling water into the cups. “Wendy is becoming a problem. I taught her too much and she can’t handle it.” She stepped over to a small light pine container and pulled out a couple yellow packets, emptying them in Raolett’s cup. “You know enough to do the job you are doing, my dear.”

He watched Denise’s soft movements through her violet dress as she placed the cup of tea in front of him. “I was watching when she smashed her phone, you know.” He blew lightly across the hot water and sipped the tea. “That was akin to a temper tantrum.”

Denise raised one of her light eyebrows, forming a wicked curl. “Don’t worry about that, I sent her a new one.” She looked at the clock, “However, she has been ignoring the call.”

“Tell me you didn’t use the rest of the kyanite Denise.” Raollet put his cup back on the table and looked down shaking his head. “My plan needs the reserve in case of an emergency.” “Gaia gives and takes, my friend.” Denise pulled a few eggs and bacon from her old round fifties looking refrigerator. “Should I approve this thing you are planning, I have enough kyanite.”

“I can’t believe that you sent her a phone. You should have sent the commandos to remove the problem in the first place.” Raollet stood up and slipped behind Denise, hugging the small woman. “I still think a fully formed squad with two infiltrators and a commando team would have done everything you wanted.”

Denise patted his rough hands lightly, “Hindsight is 20/20.” She put her old iron skillet on the stove and let it start to heat up. “I do not have clairvoyance, Raollet.”

Raollet kissed Denise on the neck lightly, “Everyone can see she is a little unbalanced, other than you.”

Slipping free of the farmer’s attention, Denise pulled the man’s hands from around her waist. “I have asked you not to do that before, my friend.” Denise pointed back at the chair, “Drink your tea.” She cracked and mixed the eggs in a bowl with a little salt, pepper and cinnamon. “I can’t figure out why you insist on pressing the issue, I have told you before that I am not in love with you.” She set the bowl aside and opened the wax paper with the bacon in it and tossed four pieces in the pan, sending a plume of steam into the air and making the meat sizzle loudly. “I love someone else, always have.”

“She abandoned you over fifty years ago, Denise.” He tapped Denise on the shoulder, drawing her attention from the window she’d started staring through. “What are the odds that she is alive now anyway? We all didn’t get the gift of youth that you did.” He looked up and thought for a few seconds, “She’d be what..about ninety now?”

“About that, yes.” Denise looked away from the light gray clouds that seemed heavy with more snow and flipped the bacon. “I don’t know why I still look like I am in my early twenties, Raollet.” She shrugged, “I am aging though, it is just extremely slow.” Looking back over her shoulder to her friend, Denise added, “I think it is about one year for every ten to fifteen that I am living.”

“All the more proof that you are like the others say you are, Loved one.” Lifting the big cup to his lips, Raollet took another sip of his tea, “If you love her so much, then why do you spend intimate time with me, Miss Crow?”

Denise pushed the bacon to the side of the pan so it would finish cooking and poured the egg mixture into the skillet. “I have never said I loved you.” Denise quipped and instantly regretted it. “I shouldn’t have said that.” She started scrambling the eggs in the pan, “I do care about you, deeply. It is why I am still pondering that plan of yours.” Opening another cabinet and pulling down a couple plates, she dished out the steaming contents and placed a plate in front of Raollet. “Our numbers are thinning too much.” She sat down and started eating slowly. “I can’t awaken people fast enough.”

Raollet reached for the hot sauce on the table, “We lost Hamilton last night.”

Denise glared at her captain, “You could have led with that.” She poked her fork into her eggs, “That leaves Wendy as our only infiltrator.”

Once more leaning back in the old steel chair, Raollet rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know how the blood fiends got him. His spotter is still alive and well, it is like they somehow saw him in the darkrealm.” He looked up at Denise, “The poor girl watched his body turn to ash beside her. Captain Addison is trying to calm the girl down, but she’s still not really awakened.”

“She is awakened, Captain Mattson.” Denise dropped her fork onto her plate and looked at her captain. “If you had been doing your job and trained her like we agreed, she wouldn’t be getting PTSD counseling from Heather.” Balling her hand into a fist to absorb her rising annoyance, Denise took a breath and continued. “I have been telling you all for months now that overuse of the darkrealm will enable them to adapt. I gave specific instructions to limit all excursions to fifteen minutes or less.” She pointed at her subordinate, “Why am I telling you, of all people, how deadly and adaptive they are? You should know by now, damn it.”

“Approve my plan then. Let’s take back what’s ours.” Raollet begged, “I won’t even use the darkrealm.” He raised his eyebrow when Denise’s phone beeped and went active. “The prodigal daughter answers.”

Denise sat back down in her chair and resumed eating, ignoring the phone. “Your plan will use most of the reserves and if it goes badly, all that I have left of our kyanite.” Placing the active phone on the table, she kept talking to her captain. “However, since Wendy has once more disobeyed my instructions…We have no other options.” Denise nodded and a wicked smile crossed her visage. “Do it, Captain. Make them pay.”

“Yes, Loved one.” Raollet confirmed and spoke to Wendy first, “Miss Richards. I assume you will explain why you decided to ignore a call from The Darla? I am sitting here with her now and she is very displeased with your actions.”

“Forgive me, Loved one.” Wendy offered tiredly over the phone. “I had good reason to not answer, I passed out once I got back to my room.”

“Richards…” Captain Mattson grew more stern, “...You had plenty of time to answer on your way back to said room. This insubordination will not continue, I am sending a squad out there right now to bring you in.” Raollet looked and saw the concerned look that crossed Denise’s face and winked.

“I-I…” Wendy sighed into the phone, “...no need for that.” Wendy gulped audibly over the phone, “I am heading back anyway.” Wendy paused long enough to make a point. “Per. My.

Orders, Sir.”

Captain Mattson’s eyes widened and he stared questioningly at Denise, “See what I mean?” He silently mouthed.

Denise nodded and held up her hand, “Wendy, dear.” She coaxed sweetly.

“Ye-yes, Loved one?” Wendy’s defensive tone disappeared, replaced with a twinge of fear. “Tell me that you found something useful.” Denise paused to take a bite of her bacon, “You also broke protocol.” Leaning down close to the phone and her voice hollow once more, “What were you supposed to do, Infiltrator Richards?” Denise paused until she heard Wendy take a hesitant breath, “Wendy, I know you are pondering it, but don’t try to lie to me again. If you think a phone is all I can send, you are sadly mistaken.”

“Loved one, I will be back at the farm in about two or three hours. Do you want everything now or when I arrive?” Wendy carefully dodged the question, “I also have to bring in Brian Ashburn, you know the one I told you about?”

Raollet hit the mute button on Denise’s phone, “The woman is avoiding answering you again, Loved one. Forget her information. She needs to be stopped now.”

“Captain, control yourself.” Denise pointed at his plate. “You will need every ounce of food you have, to prepare your plan.” Denise took a deep breath and pressed the mute button again, resuming the call. “I asked you a question, Infiltrator.” Denise pressed, “You can keep your information until you arrive, I asked you what you were supposed to do.”

“You told me to use all my tools and not engage.” Wendy defeatedly answered.

“Thank you.” Denise started clapping into her receiver. “You spent longer than fifteen minutes in the darkrealm, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t have much choice, I was trapped.” Wendy partly snarled over the phone.

“Your indiscretion and lack of planning got Hamilton killed, so you are the only infiltrator we have left. Captain Mattson and Addison will need you with an operation, so pick up Mister

Ashburn and bring him to me.” Denise dismissed Wendy’s excuse and disconnected the call.

“What will happen if the others see her little rebellion in front of you, Denise?” Raollet cautioned and finished his breakfast. “I can’t use her for the plan, if I can’t trust her.” He held up a finger, “Who is this Brian Ashburn she was talking about?”

“She stumbled onto him while she was looking into the girl Casey Rivers, you discovered.” Denise finished her meal and gathered the plates, placing them in the sink. “According to her, he’s had the mark since birth and awakened him.”

“She awakened him?” The captain sounded concerned.

Turning on the water, Denise started to clean up from breakfast. “I will know more when I meet him.” She points a soapy hand out of her small window. “You’d better get started, it looks like more snow is coming.”

Casey and Faye looked at each other briefly and shrugged after Vivienne offered the details about Ravenstead Manor. “Interesting.” Vivienne shook her head and stood up from her chair. “Perhaps you two will have more questions once we have all arrived.” Vivienne smiled when Martin returned with a couple cases of wine for herself and Faye, “Take those downstairs if it isn’t too much trouble, please.”

Martin snapped his fingers and two of his crew picked up the boxes. “As you wish. Any particular place?”

“There is a spare bedroom that Casey uses on occasion, she can show you.” Vivienne turned to Faye and gazed into her eyes, “They will be working for the next few hours, packing up the beach house and prepping it to close for an extended period.” She cupped Faye’s cheek lightly, swaying her index finger slowly over her smooth skin, “There are lots of people here, mon amour. Can you handle this or shall we go out and hunt a little longer?” Vivienne pointed downstairs, “We could just sequester ourselves.”

Faye shook her head, “I’m fine, Vivienne. I also don’t want to be trapped downstairs for the remainder of the evening and then all day. Let’s do something out there for a little bit.” Faye pointed towards the beach.

Vivienne turned to Casey, “Martin knows most of what he should pack, however, I would like for you to oversee the packing of the armory.”

“No problem.” Casey looked at the couple, then back to the workers coming in and out. “I guess the little fun time I was suggesting earlier will have to wait?”

“Circumstance is certainly proving that to be true.” Vivienne smiled and headed for the back door. “Faye?”

Following her girlfriend through the backdoor, Faye spoke once the couple reached the sand. “I said I could eat, not that I had too.” She pointed at the house. “If those bottles are blood infused like I think they are, then I will be fine the rest of the evening.” Faye glanced at the pier a few hundred yards away, “Although, if we went up there…I could practice.”

Vivienne looked at the concrete structure and spotted a few people gazing at the stars. “We just finished cleaning the mess from the last two nights, not including the reports that are going to come in from the missing people from that little theater.” Vivienne paused to get a

quick breath, “I would prefer not to kill the humans up there.” Faye giggled, “Humans. You sound like a robot.”

Raising one shapely eyebrow, Vivienne replied, “That is indeed what they are, mon amour.” Twisting her long black hair back into a neat bun, Vivienne inquired, “What would you have me call them?”

Feeling a playful streak sneak into her mind, Faye pranced around Vivienne and jumped on her back. “Why are you always so serious? I was only playing around.” Faye felt Vivienne’s arms start supporting her weight. “Don’t change a thing, Vivienne. I love you just the way you are.” Faye kissed her girlfriend’s neck lightly.

Twisting slightly so she could return the gentle kiss, Vivienne gave the Korean woman a quick peck on her nose. “Shall we get you some practice, mon amour?” Faye giggled, “Indeed.”

–

Casey opened the backdoor and watched Vivienne and Faye playing on the beach when Martin walked up behind her. Turning to face the gentleman Casey pointed, “There’s part of me that wishes I was doing that with Vivienne.”

“Jealous?” Martin inquired gently.

Casey closed the door and shook her head, “No. I don’t think so.” She shrugged, “Would you believe that I had the chance?” Leaning against the door, Casey rolled her soft brown eyes, “I had to tell her that I was straight.”

Accustomed to people opening up to him at random, Martin offered his hand to Casey. “Please, by all means, keep talking. However, we are on a tight schedule.” Leading them both downstairs, he softly spoke, “She mentioned an armory? I have never seen this, nor do I know how to access it.”

“I didn’t mean to dump that on you, just now.” Casey released his hand and punched in the code for the door to open. Once she swung the heavy metal door open, Casey kept talking. “I figured since you knew about them, you would be easy to talk to.”

“Glad to help in any way that I can, Miss Rivers.” Martin snapped his fingers and a couple of his workers appeared beside him. “Secure these in the truck that is in front of the bus Miss Rivers and I will be taking.” The two men nodded and rushed quickly upstairs to get some of the others.

“Bus?” Casey inquired. “I am going with them later on.”

“How? You are her personal assistant.” Martin pointed in all directions of the house. “You are in charge of it all, correct?”

“Yeah, but..” Casey tried to protest.

“Allow me to explain, Miss Rivers.” Martin gently pulled Casey to the side and continued as his workers began emptying the vault of its weapons. “You are her castellan.”

“Her what?” Casey looked at the man puzzled and lightly confused.

“Castellan, Miss Rivers.” He patted her hand lightly, “When the Roman Empire fell, many of the estates fell into conflict and the nobles built castles to serve as the hub of the area.” Martin pointed at Casey, “While the leader of the castle was away collecting taxes or quelling rebellion, they appointed a trusted vassal to run all of the operations of the castle while they were away. That is you now, Miss Rivers.”

“She isn’t away, Martin. Vivienne is literally just on the beach.” Casey shook her head.

Martin let out a light chuckle, “I can tell you are new to the way of our lady out there.” Stepping in front of the open door again, Martin counted everything in the room and input the inventory on his phone. “Since you pointed out that I know the little unsaid secret, I have to ask you this…” He shoved his phone back in his suit pocket, “...How can you serve her if you are here with them after the sun comes up?”

“Right.” Casey said deflated. “I just assumed that I would be going with her everywhere she goes.”

“You are, Miss Rivers.” Martin added, “You will arrive and make sure that, like a castellan, her castle is well cared for and prepared for her arrival.”

Waving her hands, Casey smiled. “Call me Casey, please. I feel old every time you call me Miss Rivers.”

“Very well, Casey.” Martin bowed once more, “Let me start over, as well.” He produced a business card and handed it to the young lady, “Martin Shores, Concierge and owner of Twilight Tonight.”

Looking over the card for a few seconds, Casey reached for her phone and took a picture of the card before handing it back to Martin. “Twilight Tonight?”

Declining to take the card back from Casey, he pointed to her jeans pocket. “Casey, you will be dealing with others that expect decorum, keep the card. Always keep the cards, handing it back could be a sign of rudeness.” He offered his arm, “I shall gladly explain what Twilight Tonight does while we get the rest of the house shutdown.”

Amazed at the speed in which the vault was being emptied, Casey smiled and took Martin’s arm offering. “Sorry if I offended you. I guess I am new to all of this.”

Martin slowly led Casey back upstairs and to the front door, “Heaven’s no, you didn’t offend me.” Pointing to the luxury bus, “That is our ride to the estate.” He looked at his watch and saw two mid-sized delivery trucks arrive. “Right on time.” Martin smiled and patted Casey’s hand again, “Vivienne said you needed more clothing? Those vans are private and you can pick out whatever you heart desires.”

Biting her lower lip and half smiling, Casey nervously asked, “I wear jeans and a tee most days, I need help with anything formal or fancy…um…could you? Possibly help?”

Martin’s brown eyes lightened and he grinned wide, “It would be my pleasure, Casey

Rivers.” He held up one finger, “However…don’t let the garment change the woman. You are a delight just as you are, we are just going to polish your youthful attire.”

–

Vivienne made her way to the pier carrying Faye on her back the entire time. Once her bare feet touched concrete, Vivienne felt Faye’s fingers untwist her bun and let her hair fall its full length. Tilting her head to one side, Vivienne swished her hair to fall over one shoulder and turned to see a set of wild green eyes staring back at her. “Didn’t like my hairstyle?” Vivienne inquired playfully.

A familiar warm sensation careened through Faye’s body when she caught the inquisitive and soulful look within Vivienne’s royal blue eyes. -It’s still there.- She reassured herself and hugged Vivienne tightly, planting tiny kisses along the stunning vampires long and graceful neck. “Mmm, Vivienne.” Faye whispered lovingly, “You looked too serious with your hair up. I have seen you with it down and I prefer it like this.”

Vivienne stumble-stepped the moment Faye’s kisses started sending little pulses of rapid fire current up and down her spine. Regaining some of her composure, Vivienne made her way to an unlit part of the pier and set Faye down on the concrete railing, before turning to face her girlfriend. “I have not considered my hair as a factor to determine my current mood, mon amour.” Vivienne gave into the energy flowing in her veins and slipped her arms around Faye’s waist, pulling the two of them tightly as one. The scent of the shampoo that Vivienne had used the day before lingered in Faye’s black-pink locks, bringing the memory of their shower back to the front of her mind. “Étoiles au-dessus, mon amour…” Vivienne whispered passionately and mirrored the light kisses she was receiving.

Faye let out a heavy sigh and pushed her neck into the delightful kisses that her partner started lavishing on her. “H-heavenly…” She purred and wrapped her arms around Vivienne. Faye’s hands reached for Vivienne’s long silky jet black hair, letting it slip gently from her hands. “Y..you…oh…yes…You n-never told me what..that…” Forgetting her raspy words, Faye let herself delve slowly into her rising desire and started to lightly nibble where she’d just been kissing. -Mercy, please don’t let me go.- Faye internally begged as Vivienne’s lips kept dancing just below her ear, occasionally sending metallic scented breaths that Faye quickly consumed with heated desperation.

Vivienne swayed lightly and lost the strength in her knees, nearly sending the couple over the railing and into the crashing ocean below. Only after Vivienne felt Faye’s legs provide steady support by locking around her waist did Vivienne get clear headed enough to answer the raspy question posed to her. “St-stars av-above..my love..is-is what…mmmm…” Vivienne listened to her body and stopped trying to talk. Tightening the grip on Faye’s hips, Vivienne trailed her kisses to meet Faye’s lips swishing their tongues together, until she felt and heard her girlfriend’s jeans tear straight down to the curve of Faye’s butt.

Faye pulled out of the heated kiss and started laughing. “Wasn’t it you that said I wouldn’t have any clothes left?” Faye pointed out and resumed running her fingers through the length of Vivienne’s long hair.

Peeking around at the green lace thong that Faye had donned after their hunt, Vivienne mewled lightly. “Fortunate that you have plenty of clothes to choose from at this point, mon amour. Besides, I am enjoying the view.”

Faye took a long look at Vivienne’s profile and the burning passion of the moment subsided and was replaced with fascination and heartfelt joy. Faye reached up and set her hand on Vivienne’s cheeks once more and gently rubbed her chin, “I still can’t believe that I am here with you. When I saw you, I…I-knew. You are an angel come true, Vivienne.” Faye tightened her thighs, holding her girlfriend in place and turned Vivienne’s face so that they were eye to eye. “I feel like part of me held on in that room, because somehow … I knew you’d come for me.” Blinking her sea green eyes, Faye kept confessing. “I feel really terrible about not saying what I had remembered and…” She bit her bottom lip nervously, “...I am scared you will abandon me just like you were left behind.” Faye grabbed Vivienne tight around her

neck and mumbled a few times, “I can’t be without you, I just can’t. Don’t leave me, don’t leave me alone…I feel…like l-lov-love is always on a silk strand that is easily broken.”

Vivienne pulled Faye into her chest caressing her soft black-pink hair slowly. “Mon, amour. Faye, mon amour.” Vivienne tried to soothe her partner and newborn vampire, but suddenly lacked the ability to speak. -She isn’t asking you to be articulate, Vivienne. You feel her wrapped around your heart. Remove the stoicism. Feel for once.- Vivienne kissed the top of Faye’s straight and pitch black hair gently, each press of her lips lingering long enough that the skin resisted pulling away. “Non, non, je ne t’abandonnerai jamais. Je ne te quitterai jamais. Que ton cœur soit libre, mon amour.” Vivienne’s loving and light feminine French accent escaped her all at once.

The ancient vampire took another breath and kissed Faye once more before cupping the Korean vampire by chin and lifting her until they were once again staring eye to eye. “I apologize, mon amour. I have known from the moment I saw you walking awkwardly to me, that I was in love with you, Faye.” Leaning down to place a trail of gentle kisses on Faye’s lips, Vivienne followed up, “What I confusingly just said was.. No, no, I will never abandon you. I will never leave you. Let your heart be free, my love.” Vivienne pulled them together, forehead to forehead, “Please let go of the guilt for your memories.” She trailed a comforting finger on Faye’s cheek, “I will love you always, Faye.” A single tear escaped Vivienne and left a thin red bloody trail over her high cheekbone. “This is not a thin thread. We aren’t human. You and I can live and experience love however is most comfortable for us. There are no real rules, mon amour.” She paused, “Just…you…and…I. Hand in hand, for eternity, right?”

Faye gently pulled herself out of the loving hold Vivienne had on her, “Hand in hand.” She smiled wide, exposing her fangs. “Just us two.” She pondered and smiled, having felt the rush of relief swoop through her small frame. “You and I, my Vivi-angel.” Faye gave her creator a peck on the lips.

Vivienne slid her fingers through Faye’s hair and stopped long enough to curl the pink braids around her index finger. “Assigning me to the term angel comes with certain connotations. I should at least ask what kind of angel I am.”

Breaking out in a light laugh, Faye pushed on Vivienne’s shoulder playfully. “Come on. Angel, as in white, with pretty wings, a halo… people call Michael or Gabriel.”

“I see, the ones founded in Judaism.” Vivienne twisted her hands into a set of wiggling wings. “That belief also holds that there was an angel named Lucifer.”

“Yeah, the Devil.” Faye replied disinterested. “I was only trying to say you were heavenly, angelic…you know. I didn’t want to get into a philosophical discussion when I was trying to kiss my girlfriend.”

“I have only ever seen a silver celestial.” Vivienne taps her lip for a moment, “Although, I have heard rumor of a black agate angel. You might have seen concept pictures calling them fallen angels or dark angels.”

Faye pulled back and folded her arms with the look of disbelief in her spinning green eyes. “When did you see this .. silver celestial?”

“An inquiry as to my mental state? Very well, I accept.” Vivienne looks up at the stars, points at the planets and then starts to count in French for a few seconds. “I have it. May 30th, 1431.”

“Excuse me? Did you just count back 592 years, Vivienne?” Faye laughs and unhooks her legs. “You have to be pulling my leg.”

“Absolutely not.” Vivienne looked at Faye square in her eyes. “May 30th, 1431, I was in Place du Vieux-Marche, France.”

Faye threw up her arms and shrugged, “You still are not making sense to me, how were you anywhere 592 years ago?”

“I am over three thousand years old, I think the appropriate question would be where haven’t I been?” Vivienne winked and tugged on the ripped jeans tearing them a bit more. A little tinge of wonderful sexy heat followed the gentle tear and Faye wiggled on the concrete railing. “I am still waiting, Vivienne. You aren’t avoiding my question by feeling my ass or making me uncomfortable being half exposed in the middle of the night.”

“Very well, It was that long ago that a heroine you might know named Joan of Arc was burned alive. That date was May 30th, 1431.” Vivienne smiled and leaned forward. “Can I get back to kissing and feeling your… lovely bottom?”

“In a minute.” Faye tilted her head, “This is to do with an angel not Joan of Arc, and how did you see her get burned, wasn’t that during the day?”

Sighing in frustration, Vivienne scooped Faye into her arms and walked to one of the unoccupied benches and sat down, Faye in her lap. “Silver celestial, that is what they prefer to be called, I also wasn’t in the sunlight. I was the Duchess of Chaulenet and by those standards, supposed to bear witness to the claims made against her.” Vivienne stopped when she saw Faye’s mouth slightly open. She leaned over and kissed Faye gently, causing the newborn to close her mouth. “I was not in view of the fire, as it was in open sunlight in the middle of the square. I was present and witnessed through black stained glass windows.” Vivienne wiped her hands though she was removing sand from them, “Filthy process too. However, I worked it as a dissenter and made the arrangements myself.”

“I bet you were just as beautiful back then, my an-..” Faye stopped herself and giggled. “I have to know what kind, right?”

“Indeed, Mon amour. I was getting to that.” Vivienne laughed and pulled Faye into her lap. “Where was I-Oh, yes.”

Faye spun around and slid her legs back around her partner’s waist, locking her feet in place once more. “I can’t have you get wobbly again.”

Vivienne half smiled and raised one inquisitive eyebrow. “Shall I continue, or no?” Vivienne watched as Faye nodded her head excitedly, “Very well.” Vivienne flipped all of her hair to one side, “A couple minutes after the execution began, I saw a very large set of silver wings with a lady’s body appear above the girl. The silver was so bright and polished that it penetrated the glass I was using to watch the event. “I thought at the time, an angel.” Vivienne held up her hand, “It was just then I saw her grab ‘Joan’ and pull her out of the damning flames. As the angelic form lifted off, it spotted me through the glass. The winged figure then somehow communicated to me, ‘Silver celestial’ and disappeared in a bolt of lightning.” Vivienne looked up at the twinkling stars, “I never did figure out how that celestial took the body with her, yet Joan was still burned to a husk.” Shrugging and looking back at Faye, Vivienne smiled and gave her partner a quick kiss on the chin.

Sitting there half stunned from the little tale, Faye didn’t respond to the gentle kiss Vivienne gave her once the story was over. It took the young vampire a few seconds to come to her senses enough to speak. “I-I don’t know what to…um…say.” Faye half sputtered, “The thing actually looked at you?”

“Yes. Spoke to me as well, if you heard what I last told you.” Vivienne shrugged, “I should tell you that the event sparked my curiosity and I went looking all over for signs of ‘angels’ for many years after.” She put her arms around Faye’s shoulders and neck, “I never found another one, only found lots of drawings and quite a few references to names. Which is why I said silver and black agate. That would appear to be what they answer to.” Vivienne kissed Faye once more. “Does that settle your curiosity, Mon amour?”

Still star struck, Faye didn’t answer immediately and instead kept her kaleidoscope green eyes focused on her partner. -I am still wondering how I am a vampire..how can..- She frantically thought to herself, before forcing the words out. “Vivienne.” Faye leaned into Vivienne's chest and hugged her tightly, “I am still lost in a fog of my lost memories, I have this ever burning feeling in my throat, I am struggling with being a vampire, struggling with knowing I…” She started to whisper, “...I killed people that didn’t deserve to die…and…and now you tell me there is a heaven and hell?” Faye lifted herself up and gazed once more into Vivienne’s loving crystalline blue eyes, “I…I don’t know what to think or feel.”

“I never claimed heaven or hell, mon amour.” Vivienne added cooly, “I only said that I saw one angel and what it told me it was. Nothing more.” Vivienne saw the concerned look in Faye’s tigress eyes, “I found the prospect comforting at the very least.” Vivienne kissed Faye and whispered, “I do know that whatever lays ahead, I want you with me.” Vivienne pressed her lips tightly to Faye’s, enjoying the silky feeling of her lips at first, then the smooth and gentle twists of their tongues as the frantic need passed and only passion remained. Breaking the seal on their kiss, Vivienne pulled slowly away suckling on Faye’s tongue as she did so. “Mmm, my love. That..” Her French accent light and melodious, “...is my heaven. You.”

Faye felt the pressured heat rising in her body and by complete accident, her heart started beating. The rush of blood in her veins spiraled her thoughts and feelings in so many places at once. Faye felt the cloud looming in her mind, a sadness in the fog that she didn’t quite understand. Her body pulsed with excitement and sexual energy with the tantalizing earthy scent of rosemary that Vivienne seemed to sweat from her pores. Vivienne’s words started to echo with the pulsing in Faye’s body and brought quick images of heaven being a cloudless night on some empty French countryside, while the couple swayed and kissed under a full moon. “I feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest, Vivienne.” Faye stammered between pumps in her chest. “Being this close to you…it…I…it is magnetic.” She breathed out in frustration, seemingly unable to express herself clearly. “What did I do…to deserve all of this?”

Faye shook her head, “I know this seems to be well traveled ground, but I don’t know…and can’t remember anything before meeting you really.” Faye stopped trying to make sense and listened to her blood fueled dead heart that was pouncing in her chest. Faye considered using her fangs to slice open the thin blouse that hugged Vivienne’s form, and amplified the perfect shape of the vampiresses breasts. “Here I have perfection wrapped around my thighs, and I am so confused about what I want to do, who I am and wondering if this is all still a great dream.”

Vivienne stopped Faye from talking by pressing her ashen lips to Faye’s plump red ones. Vivienne desperately wanted to show Faye that nothing that the two had experienced to this moment was a mistake or anything that the youngling needed to worry about. Ancient fangs clicked into place and trapped Faye’s bottom lip between them intent on piercing a tiny hole for the couple to enjoy the limited taste of blood when a light and fluffy snowflake landed on both their noses. Vivienne wrinkled her nose and looked up at the slow falling flakes and laughed. “A very rare sight here, mon amour.” She held out one of her fingers and a flake landed and didn’t melt. “It’s been said no two are alike.” She blew the ice crystal from her finger and looked back at Faye.

Faye’s body shook in pleasure for the few seconds that Vivienne both kissed and pulled her lip with her fangs. Any self doubt disappeared the moment Vivienne’s heart shaped lips touched hers. Every kiss reinforced that the chiseled and modelesque woman wrapped in her legs, loved her beyond measure, almost beyond words. Faye let out a little whimper when she felt Vivienne’s fangs let go of her lips and started talking about the weather. Internally, Faye was getting frustrated from the distractions. First her ripped jeans, then the pointless story of angels and now this offending snow. “I swear something is working against me.” Faye huffed.

Vivienne picked up Faye by her ass and kissed her jean covered core once, and followed it up with a heavy breath through the denim. “Your scent is always this close to me, mon amour.” Faye didn’t have much time to unlock her feet before she was being held in a very suggestive position by her partner. The kiss and breath sent a shock pulse through her pussy into her spine, making Faye fling her head back. “O..oh..God…yes…” Faye started pulling her own hair as her muscles tightened, “Viv…Vivienne…Just…fuc…yes…yes…” Faye suddenly started speaking wildly out of control. “Bite your name inside my legs…make my flesh and blood you…..yourssssss.”

Vivienne leaned forward to tear away the jeans that hid Faye’s cunny from her. -She is trusting you. She doesn’t know herself completely yet.- Vivienne breathed once more on her partner’s covered sex and felt a twinge of guilt pulling her away. “Oh douce pitié, je veux ton sexe maintenant. J'entends une promesse, mon amour. Je ne peux pas continuer, bien que je le veuille.”

Faye reluctantly lifted her head and glared down at her girlfriend, still holding her face in a very sexy position between her legs. “I-I–I think you said p-promise in there?” Faye grunted desperately as her scent started emanating from the center of her jeans. “Why did you…” Faye was about to say stop, when another snowflake fell and landed on her thigh. Looking at the fascinating shape of the crystalized water, Faye instantly knew why and looked back at the frozen look in her partner’s desperate blue and red rimmed eyes. “No two are alike, Vivienne.” Faye smiled and wiggled free of Vivienne’s delightful hold. “We will only have our first time once.” Faye smiled and hugged Vivienne, “You remembered that I wanted it to be the right time. I think I heard the word promise in there.”

“I realized that you still aren’t fully aware as to who or where you came from.” Vivienne pulled Faye into a tight hug, “I said …. loosely translated, Oh sweet mercy, I want your sex right now. I hear a promise, my love. I cannot go on, though I want to.” Vivienne sighed, “When the time is right, Faye.” Vivienne stood up and pointed to a couple that were still giggling at the end of the pier. “Let’s get a snack and forget about it for right now.”

Faye stopped her heart beating and took a steady breath before standing up and shaking off the sexual tension within her small frame. “Do you think we will taste..well.. them being horny again, Vivienne?”

“I do believe that the odds favor it, my love.” Vivienne raised her eyebrow, “Need my help to keep from killing them?”

“Probably.” Faye giggled. “Can you set an if…then clause?”

“Whatever do you mean, pinky?” Vivienne giggled back.

“Like this. If Faye goes over five seconds, then stop her at seven seconds.” She waved her hand, “Something geeky like that.”

“Do you know how strange you are, mon amour?” Vivienne smiled and blinked. “Very well, Faye. … I can’t believe I am doing this like you are a computer.”

“Get on with it, old lady.” Faye winked.

“If you go past five seconds while drinking, I want you to stop at seven seconds no questions.” Vivienne thought about the command and nodded. “That should do it.” “Let’s eat.” Faye laughed and sprinted off.

Wendy had just turned on the water for the shower when her phone started to ring once more.

Rolling her eyes and sighing, she stepped over and saw the call was coming from Brian. “What’s up Brian, I was just about to shower and come over there.”

“Police are everywhere, Wendy! Oh, god…oh god…What is going on?” Brian panic spoke over the phone.

Pressing the button to divert the water to the shower, Wendy placed her phone down on the marble counter close enough to the shower that she understood what Brian was saying. “Calm down. Tell me what is going on, Brian. I can’t help you unless I understand what’s happening.” Wendy dunked her red locks under the hot water.

“Fuck, fuck…They have a body on a gurney….oh lord no, no…no.” Brian voiced uncontrollably.

Wendy picked up the soap and started cleaning herself, “Brian. Again, Calm down and tell me what’s going on? A gurney? Police? Where?” She calmly asked while watching the red water drain down the tub.

“Y-your right, okay…okay. I um…Since it is winter…Oh lord…Um.” Brian started and suddenly switched the conversation, “Wendy, the police are walking up to me.”

Wendy began to scrub the blood from her hands and face, smiling as the evidence washed down the hotel drain. “Don’t say anything to them. Don’t identify yourself, you don’t have to. They might not even say anything to you. Say nothing. Not a word Brian.” Wendy applied shampoo to her red hair and watched the suds turn blood red as well.

“Okay, right. I - won’t…say.” Brian stopped talking for a couple minutes. “W...Wendy? They, they, they only asked me to move back. I-I can see they were…are in Casey’s dorm.”

“Okay. Brian. Calm down, make your way to the cafe where you and I talked last night, I will be there as soon as I get last night's grime off of me.” Wendy chuckled to herself, “Since I left you, it has been bloody torture. I could use a cup of coffee.”

“Right, right. Oh god Wendy, What is going on? Should I call Casey? See if she’s alright?” Brian asked, still half panicked.

Watching as the last of the blood drained from her, Wendy blew a kiss to the last vestiges of the blood. -Perfect.- Wendy shut off the water and wrapped her curly hair into a towel. “No, Brian. No need to call her right now. Just text, see if she responds. Wait for me to pick you up at the cafe. We will figure something out from there, okay?”

“Right. Okay, okay.” Brian asked one more question, still audibly shaken. “Do…do you think that was…was Casey on the gurney, Wendy?”

“Just text her and see what you get, Brian.” Wendy inspected the scratches on her cheeks and neck quickly and then looked down at the phone, “Something in my gut tells me she will reply.”

“Thank you, W…Wendy. I..um, cafe. Right. You want me to get you a…what you had last night?” Brian offered.

Snickering internally as she applied foundation to her scrapes, Wendy lightly answered the concerned guy, “That would be sinfully delicious, Brian. Thank you.” She paused for a moment, “I will be there very soon, trust me.” Wendy disconnected the call and walked into the main part of her hotel room and turned the television to her station's morning news.

Wendy saw a huge banner on the screen with the scrolling text, “Med student found dead overnight at local university, police describe the scene as ‘horrific’.”

Wendy sat at the edge of her bed and slowly brushed her hair clear of knots. -Beautiful work, Wendy.- She heard the tiny voice in her head praise her. “I know. I know.” She praised herself and got dressed. Wendy walked around her hotel room gathering all of the sheets and towels she’d used, then walked out on the small balcony. -Leave nothing behind.- She told herself and summoned the same fire she’d used to burn Gemelli’s notebook, reducing the cloth to black powder in nearly a flash. Kicking the black soot over the edge, Wendy gathered her things and left the hotel.

Arriving at the cafe close to thirty minutes later, Wendy pulled up beside the window and honked the horn on her news van. Brian looked up with a worried look on his face and came running to the driver side window. “Get in, I brought you breakfast.” Wendy held up a brown paper bag and pointed to the other side of the van.

Brian handed Wendy the coffee he’d promised her, then hopped in the passenger side. “She answered my text but not my call.”

“I thought I asked you not to call her, Brian.” Wendy rolled her eyes, partly annoyed before pulling off from the cafe.

“I had to know, one way or another. Anyone could have been answering the text.” Brian added and opened the bag. “A cheeseburger and fries? For Breakfast?”

“Leftovers from dinner, I wasn’t very hungry at the time.” Wendy half-smiled and kept driving. “However, I am ravenous now, so if you aren’t going to eat it, I will.”

Brian had the burger in hand and had swallowed a bite, “Sorry.” He tried to hand the sandwich back to Wendy, “I eat or workout when I am nervous.” He took another bite when the reporter held up her hand.

“It’s okay, I will pick something up as we head out.” Wendy pointed to her phone. “Brian, I do have some disturbing news though. Punch in the numbers 4311 and take a look at what is being reported.”

Brian placed the burger on the dash and opened Wendy’s phone to an ongoing feed for the morning coverage. He looked up, the shock clear on his face. “Is this true?”

“Yep, it would appear that your girlfriend is wanted for the murder of a few people.” Wendy pointed behind her, “I heard the initial APB go out over the police scanner.” Wendy pulled into a McDonald's and ordered a couple things to eat. “As of right now, Casey is the sole and prime suspect.”

Brian tapped Wendy’s phone and read the rest of the little headline article. “Your own news station is saying that she’s wanted. Man, this can’t be happening.” Brian put the phone back in Wendy’s purse and looked at the woman beside him. “This is crazy, Wendy.” He added, “How are we going to help her out with all of this?” He pointed to her phone.

“First, we are headed to see The Darla. See what you can do and how you can help the rest of us.” She pointed at his lightly pulsing rune. “I heard the shock in her voice when I told her that you were born with the mark. She typically is the one to awaken us, you presented something new.” Wendy thanked the person in the window and took her food, driving off. “Ultimately it might come to just you and I to save Casey.”

“Who said I was going to help anyone but Casey?” Brian raised his fist like he was going to punch the dashboard, but stopped and picked up the cheeseburger and took another bite. “I feel like I am chasing a carrot on a stick, Wendy.” Brian mumbled through the food in his mouth.

“You really want me to spell it out for you, Brian?” Her brown eyes gleamed at Brian, “I thought you were a fairly smart guy.” She picked out a small sandwich from her bag and took a healthy bite. “Put the pieces together.” Wendy looked back to the road and merged onto the highway, headed west towards Petersburg. She picked up the coffee cup and took a sip to wash down what little she’d eaten. “Tell me everything that has happened in order. I am sure you will come to the same conclusion I have.”

“Fine.” Brian chomped on a few of the fries in the bag, “First she was obsessed with that stupid band.”

“Drake’s band, right. You knew that last night when I showed you the video.” Wendy broke another chunk of her breakfast off and ate it. “Go on.”

“She and I got in a fight the next morning over the phone, she came home.” Brian sighed and smiled lightly. “She was in a couple of bandages and told me she had a rough evening.” “Which turned out to be a lie, if what you told me is true.” Wendy carefully added.

“Yeah.” Brian sighed defeatedly and watched the cars pass them going in the other direction. “She came home smelling terrible, like she’d been in a fire or worse. Talked about a little girl and how she did and didn’t kill her.” He scratched his head and then looked at Wendy, a sudden realization coming over him. “Oh…god.”

“I see you have finally started filling in the blanks.” Wendy weaved through slower traffic. “Let me fill the gaps with what I know.” Pointing to her phone once more, “The rest of the puzzle is there and I plan to show it to The Darla as evidence.” Sipping more of her coffee, Wendy kept talking. “The reason she smelled like she did was because she was in the hotel when it came down. You heard her voice talking to the paramedics.”

“Yeah, you played it for me.” Brian sighed.

“What I didn’t tell you was that I followed the ambulance to the hospital, after they dragged ‘Karen Collins’ out of the rubble. The two paramedics that were fished out of the water last night, were the two that took your girlfriend to the hospital.”

“You can’t be serious!” Brian shook his head trying to wrap his head around the information. “Casey is lots of things, but she isn’t a killer.”

“I have been all over her from the beginning, Brian.” Wendy watched the big man internally struggling and continued to weave the puzzle for him. “My crew washed up on shore that morning. That is how I met Nick Gemelli.”

“Are you telling me that Casey killed four people, Wendy?” He shook his head, “No, no. Not possible. She was with me in the morning. I woke up beside her in the bed after the nightmare and the screaming.” Brian looked at the red head, “She was coming apart at the idea of a little girl, this isn’t possible.”

“Are you sure she was with you all night?” Wendy queried, “Everything concerning a vampire is a lie. You confirmed she lied to you about being at her mothers house when you called.” She paused for a few seconds and added, “Do me a favor and refresh the page. Let’s see if fourteen news has any updates.”

“Why would there be any updates this fast?” Confused, Brian opened the website as asked. “Oh, god…no.” He looked up at Wendy. “Her roommate Linda and the cop, the guy you..you were with?” Brian started shaking and dropped his phone. “I…it can’t…no…” He mumbled to himself as the tears rolled down his cheeks.

“I promised that you would learn about your girlfriend.” Wendy replied solemnly, “I know this must be tearing you apart, you seem to really love her.”

Brian wiped the tears from his soft green eyes, “I do..did…How do you love a killer?” He sniffled and rubbed his temples. “It..this…all because of the vampire? Can she be saved, Wendy? Please tell me we can save her.”

Patting his big thigh softly, Wendy attempted to sooth Brian’s worry. “We can save her, Brian. Let’s see what we can learn about you from The Darla and go from there.” Wendy reached over, gently turning Brian to look at her. “I will be with you every step of the way, Brian. Trust me.” Wendy’s heart fluttered with excitement as she watched and listened to Brian torment himself.

“Quit pestering me.” Faye half laughed and closed her green eyes once more, to focus on the task that Vivienne requested.

“I have the utmost faith that you can do this, mon amour.” Vivienne mentioned while relaxed on the bed that Casey occupied a few nights before. “You didn’t kill either of the two on the pier a few hours ago.”

“That was because I asked you to help me out with that.” Faye picked up a bottle of the blood infused wine and tipped it down her throat until it was empty. “I counted to five and couldn’t stop. Both times.” Glancing over to Vivienne, Faye felt the heat start pulsing in her dead veins. Admiring Vivienne’s smooth hourglass shape, Faye lightly suckled on her bottom lip and half smiled at the thought of tracing her lips on her curves.

“Faye?” Vivienne turned on her side to face her creation, leaning her head on her hand. “Mon amour, I would conclude that you are lost in thought.”

When the bottle slipped from her hands and clattered on the floor, Faye blinked out of her little trance. “Lost in you is more like it.” Faye licked her fangs. “How is it possible that no matter how you move or sit, you are incredibly sexy?” Walking over to the bed and crawling beside her girlfriend, Faye took the liberty of a soft kiss. “I mean you are just laying on your side and…and…all I want to do is lick your navel to the curve of your hips.”

“I might suggest that perhaps it is the wine that is affecting your judgment at this point, mon amour.” Vivienne added her own kiss to the one that Faye had given her moments before.

“Proving once more that I am not as adaptive as you think I am.” Faye huffed, sat back on her knees and pointed up where the sounds of redecoration were taking place. “That is also very distracting, Vivienne. How can I concentrate when all I hear are hammers and drills?”

Curling up one of her thin eyebrows, Vivienne smirked. “I do believe that you are making excuses, Faye.” Vivienne reached over and twirled the pink braids in Faye’s hair. “The actions of the people upstairs weren’t on your mind when you kissed me.”

A spine-tingling shiver coursed through Faye as her hair was twisted in Vivienne’s gentle touch. “Fine. You got me there.” Faye admitted and pulled ViVivienne’s hand to her lips. “You are the best distraction though.” Faye scooted closer to her partner, “Why can’t we just do what we did upstairs?” She asked and started to run her fingers along Vivienne’s shapely hip.

Fighting back the urge to pull Faye into her arms, Vivienne elected to reach the more logical part of her girlfriend’s persona. “I will endeavor to explain, since you asked.” Vivienne let the tiny pink lock of hair fall from her hand. “First, we only have a case and a half of blood-wine left for the entire day.” She pointed to the half dozen bottles on the floor. “Second, you need to know how to use the full range of abilities.”

“The abilities consume blood too, Vivienne.” Faye tried to counter.

“True. However, they will consume less.” Vivienne blew a kiss to Faye, “Don’t make me put my hair up in a bun.”

Faye laughed and reluctantly pulled away from Vivienne and stood in the middle of the floor. “The terrifying teacher look.” Faye once more closed her eyes, “Okay, let’s try the flying thing. Tell me once more what you do.”

Vivienne scooted to the edge of the bed and leaned back on her hands. “I never had to honestly think about it.” Tilting her head and looking up briefly in thought, Vivienne finally suggested something for Faye to try. “Perhaps if you visualize what you want to become, rather than just telling yourself to change.”

“What do you mean, Viv?” Faye peeked open one of her green eyes, “How did you know I was thinking about flying?”

“I didn’t.” The ancient vampire responded. “I am trying to explain it in more practical means, mon amour.” To prove her point, Vivienne changed into a small raven and flew over to Faye, landing on her shoulder like she had done before.

Faye kissed Vivienne’s small beak and watched the elder vampire fly all over the room before changing back to herself in the same spot she’d left a couple minutes before. “You make it look so easy. Here I am failing miserably.”

“You aren’t failing, Faye.” Vivienne laughed. “Don’t think of it in terms of failure, but degrees of success.” Vivienne added, “You are very successful in controlling yourself, and even know when you cannot. I have seen many newborns that can’t even articulate their name.” Standing up and walking behind Faye, Vivienne started rubbing the Korean woman’s shoulders. “You have recovered part of your memories, took charge of clearing up the messes left in your family hotel and the hospital.” Vivienne kissed Faye’s neck lightly, “When you are not wound up, you are very focused and know what you have to do. You even knew not to feed on Casey while you were getting us through the computer thing.” Vivienne kept praising Faye, “These are all successes.”

Forcing herself not to melt into Vivienne’s arms, Faye kept her eyes closed and kept perfectly still. “Go back to the visualize thing you were talking about before.”

Vivienne felt the wavering change in posture and stopped kissing her partner. “Perhaps it would benefit you to think about what you want to change into.”

“I know I don’t want to be a stupid bat.” Faye shook her head so her short hair flew wildly. “I can’t see myself flying all over, confused and leathery.”

Vivienne chuckled and walked back to sit on the bed, “Although…” Vivienne pondered for a moment, “...Seeing you in tight leather would certainly impress me.”

“Not helping, Viv.” Faye spat and hopped in place a couple times trying to loosen herself up, “Quit changing the subject and help me.”

“Oh, very well.” Vivienne buried the thought of her partner in blood red leather, “What can you see yourself as, mon amour?”

“An osprey.” Faye blurted out, “With black and white stripes. Much like I do with the stripes on my body.”

“Mon amour…” Vivienne took a deep breath as the image of Faye in tiger stripes and the tight red leather came back to her. “...I..okay, um..” Vivienne felt the cool blood in her veins start to heat up and send tantalizing pulses all over her form.

Vivienne’s scent carried over to Faye and she placed her hands on her hips. “Okay, that is distracting, Vivienne.” Faye opened her eyes and glared at her girlfriend. “Didn’t you just say that we don’t have the blood to waste?” Faye winked, “After I get this at least once, I want to know what you are thinking with those very hungry blue orbs of yours.”

Vivienne grabbed a bottle of wine and guzzled it down quickly, “If I were to inform you to the degree of what I desire, we might not make it to Petersburg for a few years.”

“Osprey, Vivienne.” Faye did her best to ignore the comment and clamped her eyes shut. “They eat fish and fly around the water. I think they are dangerous and lovely at the same time.”

Placing the bottle back in the little wooden case, Vivienne used some of the blood infused in the wine to enjoy the euphoric effect alcohol provided. “Two things, mon amour. First, if you don’t want the wine to bother you, simply don’t use blood to fuel the sensation. Second, I would suggest that you keep the vision of the bird in your head and how you want it to look as you think about its shape and how you float on the air.”

-Damn. I forgot. Blood is everything.- Faye chastised herself and pulled back the blood she’d not realized she was using with regards to the wine. Pushing the light fog in her mind, Faye built the scene in her head starting with a small lake surrounded by sand and very tall maple trees. She pulled the vision to one large bough and saw the image of the predatory bird she wanted to be. Sharp and pointed talons much like her tiger claws, firm black and white feathers spread over its majestic body, a smooth and round head gazing down over the ripples in the water where the fish it needed were just below the surface. Faye watched as her vision spread its wings and dove towards its target, plucking its meal seamlessly from the quiet lake.

Faye opened her eyes and saw the smile on Vivienne’s face, just as she realized she was hovering in place. She flapped her striped wings and propelled forward zipping across the room getting used to her new form. -This is fantastic.- She thought to herself as she spun and flipped in the air, finally coming to a soft landing beside Vivienne. -How do I change back?Faye asked herself.

“Perfect, mon amour.” Vivienne looked down at the bird with admiration. “Changing back should be as easy as thinking of how you normally look.”

Faye felt her feathers disappear and her body shift back to normal. “I can’t believe it!” She tossed her arms around Vivienne and shook them both, “I did it, I did it!”

Vivienne kissed Faye and held her newborn tightly to her. “I knew you could, my love.” Vivienne waited until Faye pulled out of the hug before looking into her partner's red rimmed eyes. “Perhaps you should have a celebratory bottle.” Reaching for the wood crate, Vivienne popped the wax seal and pulled the cork free on the bottle of wine. “You certainly have earned it.”

Reminding herself to drink slowly, Faye took small sips like Vivienne had suggested the day before. “Does this mean we can fly together to Petersburg?” Faye inquired.

Vivienne scooted back and laid back on the pillow she’d been using earlier. “I am hesitant to place that much strain on you at this point, mon amour.” Vivienne patted the open space beside her, “I have consequently made alternate arrangements for us to get to Ravenstead Manor.”

Setting the bottle of wine on the floor, Faye ignored the request to cuddle and instead climbed on Vivienne. “So, you planned this little exercise?” Faye sensually asked and started to bite lightly on Vivienne’s collarbone.

“I…indeed…mmm, Faye..” Vivienne gasped lightly.

“Vivienne.” Faye purred playfully. “I think you should tell me more about the tight leather.”

Vivienne rolled over and pinned Faye to the bed, “I would much rather do this.” Vivienne heatedly pressed her lips into Faye's, sharing the taste of blood wine between them.