Vivienne laid silently, enjoying the comfortable embrace that her and Faye were sharing. Faye was curled up tightly against her hip and running her fingers over her tummy and navel slowly. Vivienne closed her soft blue eyes and let out a soothing sigh as Faye began caressing Vivienne’s long shapely legs with her own. It was after Faye’s heavenly lips danced just under the hump of Vivienne’s breast that she started to shiver and murmur lightly. “Mon amour…If I knew this would be the result of your excitement, I would have taught you all this last night.” Vivienne shifted her body in relation to where Faye’s lips pressed. Unlike other moments that had passed between them, Vivienne didn’t feel the pressure of her body urging her on towards a sexual climax. Her mind simply went with the passion that her progeny was lavishing on her. “Mmm…ah…you are a tease, mon amour.” Vivienne purred when Faye’s lips encircled and pulled one of her nipples between her lips and gently suckled. Vivienne stayed within the moment, and started running her fingers in the short black hair Faye possessed. “So, wonderful…mon…amour…” Leaning up briefly, Vivienne kissed the top of her partner’s head. “Tes lèvres sont envoyées du ciel, mon amour. Viens ici et embrasse-moi.” Vivienne coaxed softly.

Faye purred and pulled herself free of Vivienne’s breast and gazed at her partner. “W… what?” Faye quickly planted a couple more kisses on Vivienne’s shoulder then her neck. “Excitement isn’t on my mind, Vivienne.” Faye slinked her way up and kissed Vivienne slowly. “I am oddly calm. I’m not…horny.” Faye trailed a few more kisses to Vivienne’s ear. “I wanted to feel you pressed beneath my lips.” She giggled, “I also wanted you to whisper sweet French nothings in my ears.” Faye pulled away and slipped her naked form to sit on Vivienne’s hips. “What was that sweet thing you just said?” Faye wiggled her black eyebrows and slid her hands gently back down Vivienne’s equally nude form.

“I said...” Vivienne gulped and took a deep breath as she felt the tantalizing fingers going over her chest once more. “Loosely translated, I called your lips heavenly. I said my love, then I said get up here and kiss me, which you did.” Vivienne opened her blue eyes and smiled, blowing Faye a kiss.

“I didn’t tell you at the time, but when I saw you climbing the stairs in that body suit, it nearly drove me crazy.” Faye grabbed the open bottle of blood-wine on the end table and took a small sip, then offered it to Vivienne. “Allow me.” Faye whispered between them and tipped the bottle up to her partner's lips. “I don’t know how I resisted tearing your clothes off.” Faye pulled the bottle away and held up her finger. “Don’t swallow, please.” Placing the bottle back where it was, Faye leaned down and pressed herself breast to breast to Vivienne and crushed their lips together. Faye’s fangs fell into place and she started biting lightly on Vivienne’s tongue as the couple shared the infused wine. Faye flipped her tongue between her fangs and swirled it with Vivienne’s.

Vivienne sighed happily into the sweet blood shared kiss and embraced Faye tightly, feeling her girlfriend respond by pressing the couple tighter together. After gliding her own hands to explore Faye’s sloped hips, Vivienne took a healthy grasp of her partner's ass. Vivienne felt Faye push into her gentle grip and pant heatedly into their ongoing kiss. Going with the heat of the moment, Vivienne released her grip and scooted her hands to the small of Faye’s back and held tightly as Vivienne sat up and pulled Faye into her lap. Once Faye had wrapped her legs around Vivienne’s waist, the ancient vampire felt her body start to ache and burn with the heat that started pulsing from between her thighs. While Vivienne certainly enjoyed the rush of feeling that had started, She forced herself back into the no pressure mindset. Carefully cupping Faye by her cheeks, Vivienne pulled out of the hot kiss. “We keep going down this path, Mon amour…and I will once more be dangerously close to breaking my vow.” Vivienne exclaimed and traced her fingers down Faye’s shoulders and around her breasts, tweaking each nipple once for good measure. “I had the impression that this wasn’t about sex, but sensuality.”

Licking her lips and ending with a light smack-pop, Faye grinned and adjusted herself to get comfortable in Vivienne’s lap. “You have such a way with words, Vivienne.” Faye brushed her hands down lightly until she rested them on Vivienne’s thighs. “You weren’t here for my earlier testing, so now since I have you as my captive…” Faye leaned forward and kissed her partner’s heart shaped lips, “...My testing can continue.” Faye snickered and massaged her fingers between Vivienne’s pearly legs.

“Mon amour?” Vivienne gasped as she felt the small woman delve between her legs, “If your lovely intent is to dissuade my desire for sex, I should graciously tell you that your artful fingers are doing the opposite.” Vivienne purred lightly as she felt the heated pulses of desire start in earnest.

When the scent of rosemary once seemed to permeate the air, Faye kissed Vivienne one last time and unfolded her legs and slipped to Vivienne’s side once more. “I love that scent from you.” Faye whispered softly and gave Vivienne a light kiss on the neck. “If you would lay flat and just let me try this little test, I think we can both learn something.” Faye leaned on her elbow a moment and looked directly into the blue eyes she adored so much, “Trust me, Viv.” Faye watched as Vivienne first perked one of her black eyebrows then took a deep breath and laid flat. “Good.” Faye took her hand and placed it on Vivienne’s stomach once more and pushed blood so her hand would heat up. “Close your eyes and just follow the heat of my touch with your body and mind.”

Vivienne felt the heat of Faye’s touch immediately and when Faye started lightly pressing her fingers, she quivered as the muscle released its tension. “That is amaz-” Vivienne began to say when a finger touched her lips.

“Shhhh..just follow the heat of my hand, Viv.” Faye noticed Vivienne’s eyes were wide open and looking up at the ceiling. “That is tension in your face. Close your eyes and let me do this. Try and relax.”

Vivienne squished her eyes shut. -Just relax. She touches me and I go into a frenzy.- Vivienne bounced her head on the pillow a few times and finally succumbed to the delicate dance Faye’s fingers were doing in slow circles. Vivienne started to focus on the heat like Faye asked and slowly her sexual frustration was replaced by tranquil feeling that turned her muscle to near putty. “Mmmmhmm.” Vivienne cooed lightly.

Faye felt Vivienne go limp and fall under the charm of her fingers as they worked past her hips and over both thighs. “Right there, baby.” Faye soothed and whispered into Vivienne’s ear. “Vivienne, love. I know your legs are heavy and don’t want to move…” Faye’s fingers reinforced the sensation, rubbing along the long grain of Vivienne’s thigh. “Follow my touch, my lead.” She watched as Vivienne started opening her legs. “Lovely. Just a little more, love.” Faye noticed when Vivienne lost the strength in her knees and finally stopped urging her to open her legs. “There we go. What are you thinking about?”

“I am thinking about how magical your fingers are at the moment.” Vivienne softly whispered. “I admit that I am confused on how I am suddenly relaxed.”

Faye slipped a single finger through the small tuft of hair Vivienne possessed above her cunny. “Do me a favor, don’t think. Just feel.” Faye pressed slowly between Vivienne’s legs and did a soft outline of her pussy with the tip of her finger.

Vivienne didn’t feel any flashes of heat or desire when Faye started doing the little circles. Vivienne felt herself start to open as blood slowly filled her sexual petals. “Ah..oh… mmmm..so soothing, M-Mon amour.”

“So soft and lovely. I feel you are completely open to my touch.” Faye stopped the gentle outside circles and captured Vivienne’s nether-lips between her fingers gently and tugged lightly for a couple seconds. “Shhhh, no need to speak. Just let your mind wander, relax under my touch.”

Vivienne felt like there was nothing except the rich sensation of Faye’s soothing touch.

Vivienne had long known she was dead, but at this moment, she’d never felt more alive. Centuries and millennia passed through her mind, reliving all of the potential tender moments she’d experienced and none of them were like she felt now. When Faye’s finger flipped to the length of her slit and started rubbing, Vivienne sucked a shallow breath between her teeth.

“Wh…mercy, Faye…mo..mon amour…mon amour…mon amour…”

“Mmm, yes baby. Test complete.” Faye announced softly and pulled her finger free of Vivienne’s cunny. “I love you, Vivienne.”

Vivienne let out her breath and opened her sparkling blue eyes, half dizzy from the light trance she was in. “Words aren’t enough to…” She shivered lightly once more. “...to explain how that felt.” Twisting to face Faye, “Faye, mon amour…mon amour.” A single red tear streaked down Vivienne’s cheek, “Alive…Pampered and alive. I felt like I could actually sleep if I wanted to.” Vivienne cupped Faye’s cheek. “I love you too, always.”

Faye crawled over Vivienne once more and sat on her heavenly hips. “A successful test.” Faye soothed and ran her hands over Vivienne’s chest. Faye spotted the streak of red that stained Vivienne’s otherwise perfect visage. “Viv?” She croaked out her partner's name.

Seconds passed as Vivienne let the sensations that Faye had carefully woven slowly fade away. Taking a succulent deep breath as Faye’s fingers traced their way over her breasts once more, Vivienne managed to finally say something familiar to them both, “Mmmm, having your chai scent pierce me…it’s…it’s….sex in a breath.” Vivienne giggled and stretched, slowly flexing her arms over her head. “The tear was from being happy, mon amour.” Vivienne swished her feet on the sheets, and brought her knees up to support Faye. “Mmmm, yes. Pray tell me what this test did, beyond its obvious effects.” Vivienne purred happily. “Just like I tested my comfort limit with Casey, I wanted to do the same with the woman I love.” Faye reached behind her and used her fingernails on Vivienne’s thighs and smiled when she heard another pleasing moan escape her girlfriend’s lips. “You have been telling me how quickly I am doing things. Much like I changed into a bird and used our mist form.” Faye paused and leaned over to look Vivienne in the eyes. “The real challenge hasn’t been not killing, or the two forms.” She started to shake her head slowly, “No…Vivienne…” Faye felt a hot streak of blood race down her cheek and splash on Vivienne’s lips. “No…The hardest thing has been…you.” Faye blinked a few more tears from her eyes and watched as the blood drops stain the line between Vivienne’s lips. “My test…my love…was to see if I could be here…like this..” Faye bit on her bottom lip, “...Close to you, hold you and not have to fight my…myself to do it. I didn’t think about blood, I didn’t think about your scent…I only thought about touching you…feeling you in my hands…” Faye placed a slow kiss on Vivienne’s lips. “No frenzy. Just you and I.”

Gazing up into Faye’s hopeful green catlike eyes, Vivienne slowly skimmed her fingers through Faye’s dangling black hair. “Faye. Mon amour. My Tigerlily.” Vivienne’s smile widened, “You and I, Indeed.” Vivienne blew Faye a kiss, “There is one thing you didn’t factor in with your little test, Mon cher.”

Looking slightly confused, the half-Korean vampire blinked once and kissed the hand flowing in her hair. “What did I miss?”

Chuckling softly, Vivienne winked and with one fluid motion rolled Faye onto her back. Purring lightly, the ancient vampire now sat atop of her partner. “You didn’t anticipate what I would do.” Vivienne leaned over and licked Faye from chin to the tip of her nose. “What makes you think I can control myself, Mon amour?” Vivienne leaned up enough to swish her long black hair over both of Faye’s tender nipples. A low rumble rattled lovingly from Vivienne’s chest. “I have mentioned what you do to me.”

Faye felt her resolve melt the second Vivienne’s tongue made its way over her chin, lips to the tip of her nose. The youngling jolted and cried out softly, “V..vii…ohhh….yesss.” Faye exhaled through her teeth as the onyx silk strands teased her. “Pll….” Faye stammered and spots flashed in her vision. “I…V..viiv…mmm..fu..fuc…” Faye’s body erupted into tiger stripes. “Y…your…tig..lil…”

Vivienne flipped her hair behind her and leaned up when she felt Faye bucking

uncontrollably beneath her. -No, this isn’t what she wants.- Vivienne quickly told herself and regained control. “Faye, darling…Mon amour.” Vivienne whispered. “Forgive me, my love.” Vivienne soothed and leaned over to cup her progeny’s cheeks. “Oh, Faye…”

-What the hell? Why is she talking..- Faye panted and focused through the light in her vision. “Vivienne? Forgive..what?” The realization occurred to her, Vivienne was keeping the word she’d made. Faye sighed and went limp on the bed, cursing herself inside. “Right.” She pounded the mattress lightly. “I am starting to regret asking you to make that promise.”

“Would sex resolve anything, mon amour?” Vivienne asked quietly and reached for the bottle of wine. “Drink, I can see the ring in your eyes again.” Slipping off Faye’s hips, Vivienne crossed her legs and remained sitting up beside her girlfriend. “Please forgive me for ruining your triumph. It took more control than I would have thought possible to attempt it, let alone succeed. I took that from you.” She picked up Faye’s clenched hand and kissed it lightly. “Forgive me, please.”

Faye sat up and grabbed the bottle, draining its contents. After wiping her lips, She looked into the soft blue eyes of her creator and love. “There’s nothing to forgive.” Faye kissed Vivienne’s cheek. “The test still worked, Vivienne. As you said, it's a triumph.” Faye started twisting Vivienne’s long hair in her fingers, “We both had one. You stopped yourself from going further, even though I wanted to.”

“I love you.” Vivienne tumbled her hair to cover her small breasts. “When your memory returns, Faye…when it returns.” Vivienne cooed softly. “Sex is our expression, not an animalistic need.”

Faye stood up and walked over to the case of wine and pulled the cork free with one of her catlike nails, then handed it to Vivienne before she sat down once more. “Perhaps a little animalistic.” She giggled and started to braid Vivienne’s hair. “I happen to be part tiger you know.”

“A French braid, if you please.” Vivienne accepted the bottle and sipped the contents slowly. “Elegance is the hallmark of our evening.” Vivienne added, trying to change the tone of the moment.

“That is such a strange thing to say, Vivienne.” Faye quipped, “I have no clue how to make a French braid.” Faye leaned forward, gave her creator a kiss on the cheek and grabbed her iPhone. “Where did you pick that up?”

Drinking a little more of the wine, Vivienne licked her lips clear. “Pick what up?”

“That whole…if you please…thing you do.” Faye’s eyes widened. “Oh, that is a French braid?...humm, there are like twenty variants. Which one do you want?”

“Twin braids from my bangs and a big one in the back, if you please.” Vivienne winked and shrugged. “As to your inquiry, I read it somewhere once.” Vivienne took another sip of the wine and handed it to Faye. “I seldom have the chance to use it, if it bothers you, I will stop.”

Faye nodded and smiled. “It makes you sound old.” She giggled, “Which you are.”

Vivienne ignored the comment and pointed upstairs. “I was saying, Elegance.” Vivienne scooted closer to Faye, “I have taken the liberty of picking out your attire this evening, Mon amour.”

Faye pulled up a video and watched it within seconds. “Alright, I think I can do this now.” Separating Vivienne’s hair like she’d quickly learned, Faye started weaving her partner’s hair just above her temple. “You know I am pretty simple, Viv.” She shrugged, “I don’t know a thing about elegance or grace.”

“One thing at a time, Mon amour.” Vivienne closed her eyes and enjoyed the attention she was getting from Faye. “It has been at least a few hundred years since someone other than you has touched my hair.” Vivienne paused, “Correction. Casey might have touched my hair when she kissed me.”

Faye sighed. “I don’t want to think about that, Viv.” She looked around the room and saw a small box on top of the dresser across from the bed. “Are there hair ties in that box? Or just more of your…leftovers?”

“Allow me to amend.” Vivienne cleared her throat, “It has been centuries since I have allowed someone to style my hair.” Turning slightly to look at the small box, Vivienne shrugged. “Honestly? I don’t know. I never open it. I put it on the dresser to make it look normal.”

“Nothing about this place is normal, Viv.” Faye snickered and walked to the box, opening it. “What luck. A few little hair ties.” Wiggling her finger and raising one of her eyebrows, Faye smiled. “You knew they were in there.” She put her hands on her bare hips. “What was the real reason you told me you didn’t know?”

Slowly crossing her arms and rubbing her chin, Vivienne giggled softly. “You aren’t the only one that enjoys a nice ass, mon amour.”

Faye bit her bottom lip shyly then crawled back in front of Vivienne. -How does she do that to me with just a glance? Look at the sparkle in those fluid blue eyes.- Faye’s mind raced like it did when they first met. “Thank you.” Faye gave Vivienne a quick kiss and started twisting the second braid. “What did you pick for me to wear, Vivienne?”

“A dress.”

“Funny.” Faye giggled.

“Specifically a dress for the occasion. We are going to a very special place to me. I only left because there were too many questions and rumors starting to circulate about me.” Vivienne turned to the side so Faye could easily keep knotting her hair. “I want this to be a grand affair.”

“I am scared to ask this, Vivienne.” Faye muttered as she finished up the second thick braid. “Please tell me this isn’t something like a ballroom affair.”

Vivienne turned around so Faye could start working on the final section of her hair.

“Ballroom? My love, that is too informal. Think of the word duchess.” Vivienne pulls Faye’s legs around her waist and starts to dance her fingers along both of her progeny’s calves. “I do believe the term I am seeking is…Cinderella.”

“I am not wearing white or glass shoes.” Faye huffed.

“Slippers, Mon amour. If I recall the story correctly it calls them slippers.” Vivienne giggled.

Faye stopped braiding Vivienne’s hair and started kissing Vivienne’s shoulder. “I changed my mind, I think we should stay right here and let me keep…” She kissed the other shoulder, “...practicing until..whenever.”

“Tempting.” Vivienne glanced back at Faye. “Am I to understand that you are afraid of being an elegant woman?”

Faye’s fear melted like ice when she saw Vivienne’s inquisitive ocean blue eyes. “No.” Faye paused, “I wouldn’t say scared.” She scratched her short pink-black hair. “Well…I don’t want to trip and fall down or something stupid like that. That would wreck the elegance..so…” Faye smiled, “...Let’s just avoid it.”

Vivienne pointed to her unfinished hair and sighed, “What a human response. You won’t fall, I won’t let you. Besides, I think you are safe…you won’t be trying to jump over a desk.” The ancient vampire promised and lightly giggled. “Allow me to refresh your memory as well. You tricked me into this course of action.”

“Very funny. That did wonders for my confidence.” Faye resumed weaving Vivienne’s hair. “I guess I am the desperate one now.” Faye quipped.

“So you do remember, mon amour.” Vivienne played, “You must know that we need to let things calm down here before we return. We also need a safer place for you, should your memory return.” Vivienne took a deep breath and began to massage Faye’s feet. “The manor sits alone at the top of a hill so hunting doesn’t mean just next door.” Vivienne added, “That offers a level of protection that isn’t present here.”

Faye finished the extensive weaving and patted Vivienne on the back, “Two things.” She pointed upstairs. “I don’t hear anything or anyone up there. Second, the sun just went down.” -Truly amazing. She knows to the second when something is different.- Vivienne turned and gave Faye a kiss. “Indeed, Mon amour. Let’s see what is upstairs waiting for us.” Vivienne gracefully pulled away from Faye and stood up. Looking back over her well sculpted shoulder, Vivienne pointed at a small bronze jar beside the bottle of wine they had been drinking. “I would like you to keep that safe for me until we get to the manor, if you…” She paused and laughed lightly to herself. “...Alas, you are right. Use that phrase too much.” She pointed at the container. “Let me begin again. I would be honored if you kept that safe for me until we get to the manor, please mon amour.”

“You never answered me when I asked what that was earlier this evening.” Faye hopped off the bed and picked up the wine bottle downing the contents. “Which…” She purred softly, “...is what I have come to expect from you.” Faye looked at her naked form and then back to the sheets. Taking a moment to pull the top sheet from the bed, Faye wrapped herself so she was fully covered then picked up the metal container.

“Your modesty is endearing, darling.” Vivienne proceeded to walk slowly out of the room, “Feel free to open it and quench your curiosity, however I am going up stairs.” Disappearing from view, “I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you that I am naked and walking…away… from…you.” Vivienne giggles.

Faye looked down at her hand for a split second then dashed quickly behind Vivienne. “Wow.” Faye licked her lips, “I am glad I did my testing, or I would be leaning against this stairwell again, Viv.”

Vivienne climbed the stairs and walked through her living room and kitchen nodding her head as she went along. “It would appear that they fixed the floor and wall rather easily.” She pointed to the missing appliances. “I shouldn’t have given Martin an open canvas to remodel.”

Faye walked beside Vivienne. “Looks fine, Vivienne.” She shrugged, “It might be sixty years before you come back here as well.”

“We.” Vivienne smiled and winked at Faye. “...Sixty years before we return.”

Faye gazed at the sheet covered furniture. “Wow, it really does look lifeless in here now.” She pointed where the television was. “They removed most everything of value.”

Vivienne snickered and walked the remaining stairs. “I am walking away again, mon amour.”

“I see how this is now. No need to control me with your ability…you just drag me along by staring at your ass.” Faye hurried to catch up and the two entered their bedroom. “So what are we wear…” Faye stopped what she was saying and stared blankly at the two dresses hanging on the half mannequins. “You weren’t kidding when you said Cinderella, Viv.”

Vivienne pointed to their bed, “I picked out our underwear and stockings.”

“Stockings? Who calls them that anymore?” Faye laughed and quickly grabbed the black cotton underwear, sliding it under her makeshift wrap. After wiggling to get the fit correct, Faye raised her eyebrow. “I am not wearing hose.”

Vivienne mirrored her progeny and slipped on her underwear and sat down on their bed and rolled the black hosiery over her feet. “I would prefer that you did, Faye. It sets the tone for the evening.” She stood up and walked over to her mermaid flared dress. “Elegance, mon amour.”

Faye closed the door to their room and shuffled back to the bed and unwrapped herself from the sheet she was wearing. “Fine.” The half-Korean woman huffed and carefully pulled her own black stockings over her legs. “I feel like a deranged Barbie.” Faye held her arms over her bare chest and studied her A-frame dress. “I need a bra.”

“They are built into the dresses, mon amour.” Vivienne blew Faye a kiss and pulled the floor length diamond studded chiffon cape free of the mannequin. “Perhaps me explaining what is in the bronze container there would occupy your mind long enough to get into your dress.”

Faye studied her dress as she unzipped it and pulled it free from where it hung. The black bodice was made so it had one wide strap over her right shoulder and cupped both of her breasts in a small spoon like fashion and stitched perfectly to the lower half of the dress, outlining her waistline. “Vivienne.” Faye grinned and ran her hand where the dress started to flare. “I love this. I mean look at how the color goes from black here, to..I think this is champagne and then to white. With pearls and diamonds?” She looked into Vivienne’s crystal blue eyes, “Are these real?”

“I picked the colors to match your eyes.” Vivienne pulled her own gown free of the mannequin and stepped into it. Vivienne loved the feeling of her strapless solid black gown. She gracefully backed up to Faye, “Zip me please, mon amour.” Vivienne felt the dress get tight and hug her hourglass body, amplifying her chest and hips with a flare at her knees. “Yes, my love. The pearls and the diamonds are real.” Vivienne tugged lightly on her dress to adjust it and then smoothed out the fabric on her perfect form. “Your jewelry is over on the dresser where you put the jar. Emeralds.” Vivienne walked around and zipped Faye’s dress as well. “There. You look perfect.”

Faye spun once and felt like a princess as she did. “Seemed like the thing to do.” Faye bit on her lip shyly. “You said you’d tell me what was in the jar there.” Faye clipped on her emerald earrings and white gold chain with a heart shaped tiger's eye in the center. Spotting the tiara, Faye tilted her head questioningly. “No way. You can’t possibly want me to wear this.” Faye folded her arms. “I really will be a princess with that on.” She pointed to the jar. “Well?”

“That my love is a container full of grave soil.” Vivienne clipped the diamond encrusted chiffon cape over her bare shoulders. “That goes where I go. I am entrusting it to you, mon amour.” Vivienne added her own dangling sapphire earrings to her ensemble, matching her sparkling blue eyes. “I didn’t think you would agree to the tiara.” Vivienne chuckled, “You look elegant as it is.”

Faye shuffled over to the little jar and opened it. “Did you make this like you did the bowl and utensils?”

“Yes.” Vivienne added, “I know what you are thinking.” She pointed to the open container. “That is sentimental, I don’t actually need to have it for anything. I just feel drawn to have it.”

Faye perked one of her black eyebrows and looked back at Vivienne. “You said full? It looks like part of it is missing.” She picked up the bronze and showed it to her partner. “There. It is a dirt line from where it’s been in there so long it bonded.”

“What?” Vivienne looked inside where her soil was. “You’re right.” Vivienne frowned and waved her finger to Faye. “Please put the lid on so we don’t lose more.” Vivienne walked over to where two sets of knee length boots were laid out. She handed Faye her set and sat on their bed, pulling her boots on. “Faye.” Vivienne sighed and gave a worried look to Faye. “Something is wrong. Very wrong.”

Faye sat beside Vivienne and pulled on her boots, then zipped up the side. “What do you mean? You are starting to scare me.”

“I have felt like I am slipping…things are just not right for me.” Vivienne patted Faye’s hand gently. “I don’t know if it is the age. I feel like I am missing things that I shouldn’t.” She pointed at the jar. “I don’t know how long that dirt has been missing. I don’t look at it daily, or even monthly.” Vivienne put her hands on her hips, flaring out her cape. “I look at it when I want to remember France and my family.” She shook her head confused. “How did I miss that some of it was missing?” Vivienne took another breath and paced. “I smelled coffee downstairs earlier too. Why? There isn’t any in the house. No.” Vivienne’s blue eyes twinkled as she glared at Faye once more, “I haven’t felt anything like that in…what centuries? I am the oldest of our kind, I know it.” Vivienne paused and rubbed her forehead. “I know because I hunted and killed all of the other elders.”

Faye pushed her dress over her boots and sat quietly, thinking. -Coffee. Missing dirt? Letter mentioned a puzzle.- Faye turned her head and looked at the letter open on the end table. “Vivienne?”

“Yes, my love?” Vivienne graciously answered.

“The letter. You folded it up and set it down after I word tricked you into this trip, right?” Faye raised her eyebrow and pointed at the letter.

“Yes, why?” Vivienne leaned forward, concerned.

“It’s wide open. Neither of us have been up here since yesterday morning.” Faye smiled. “See? You aren’t slipping at all. You had a hunch and sent Casey up here last night to check things out.”

-You are slipping, old lady.- Vivienne heard her dark voice taunting her. -Docile. I have made you complacent- Vivienne took a deep breath and shoved her familiar voice to the back of her mind. “Faye, darling. You caught the note and the missing soil. Casey and I both smelled the coffee.” She pointed to her progeny. “You must have part of my gifts, mon amour.” She walked over and picked up the letter, “I am sure you linked this together when you saw the note.”

Faye shrugged and stood beside Vivienne. “I have a theory, yes.” Faye kissed Vivienne on the cheek. “The band comes here with a note to find you, The others have a new puzzle, all hell breaks loose around the city, and now something has been in the house. Could have removed the dirt, certainly read the note.”

Vivienne’s blue eyes twinkled, “Whoever it is, knows we are coming.”

“More specifically, they know that you are coming.” Faye smiled. “Trap maybe?”

Vivienne looked at the clock on her phone, “I should kill every last one of them.” She stood up and headed for the stairs. “Our ride should be outside, we will be in Petersburg shortly.” “Wait..” Faye followed Vivienne downstairs and out of the front door. “What do you mean you should kill every last one of them?” Faye’s green eyes widened when she saw the limousine. “A limo.”

Vivienne held out her hand. “Stage one of the journey.”

Faye took Vivienne’s hand for a few seconds and breezed past her, nodding to the chauffeur. “There’s a stage two?” Faye sat down on the black leather seat and straightened her dress once more. “You didn’t answer the question, as usual.”

“The second and third parts are all part of the experience, mon amour.” Vivienne winked as she sat beside her partner and looked into Faye’s green eyes. “Are you hungry, mon amour?” Faye shook her head, “I am fine for now.” She folded her arms, “Answer, please.”

“Oh, very well.” Vivienne winked, “Since you insist.” Vivienne pointed to the crystal container in front of them. “That is flavored for us, mon amour. Just in case.” She winked and saw the unwavering look in Faye’s eyes. “I said I should kill them all. It would resolve everything at once. No vampires, no puzzle to solve.” Vivienne curled her fingers and picked at her nails. “You and I can disappear and never have to worry about the puzzle.” Vivienne smiled and opened the decanter. “Ah, bourbon.”

“Hypocrite.” Faye uttered defiantly.

“Excuse me?” Vivienne raised her eyebrow and faced Faye. “Interesting. I didn’t expect this.” Vivienne shrugged and poured herself a glass of the blood infused bourbon. “I knew we would eventually have opposing views on subjects, but…” Vivienne held up her finger while she sipped her drink. “...I didn’t foresee this while we were still…new…to each other.”

Faye looked out of her window and the city lights passed by. “You don’t get it do you?” Faye shook her head lightly. “You have been solitary so long that you don’t see it.”

Vivienne tipped her glass and devoured the contents. “See what? A way for you and I to live in peace?”

“No.” Faye rested her chin in her hand as she kept gazing out of the window. “You don’t want them to decide your fate or tell you what to do, but you are perfectly happy deciding their fate.” Faye looked over, “What you have created isn’t peace, it's fear.” Faye poured herself a drink. “Vivienne, did you ever stop to ask yourself why you wanted to be alone?” Faye tasted her drink and smiled. “I could get used to this.”

Blinking a few times and swishing the drink in her glass, Vivienne pondered what Faye told her. “Faye.” Vivienne stopped and refilled her glass. “Three millennia and didn’t stop long enough to think about too much.” She shrugged. “I don’t regret any of it.” Vivienne put her glass down and grasped Faye’s hand. “I told you that we both hunted our brethren for our first taste of blood. What I didn’t tell you was that I..” She pulled Faye’s hand to her lips, kissing it lightly. “...I enjoyed it.” Vivienne’s fangs clicked into place and her blue eyes radiated with a light ring of red, “What can I say to you that will convey what it was all about? Was it vengeance? Was it hate for the others? Was it the life stolen from me?” Vivienne shook her head. “No, mon amour. Those answers would be too easy and make you think that I was filling some justified path.” Vivienne flicked her tongue over her fangs. “Desire. Desire to hunt. The thrill of the hunt. I am or was a hunter.” Vivienne’s eyes swirled red and blue, creating an eerie royal purple. “That was what consumed me. The next hunt, the next challenge.” Vivienne’s nails curved into the wicked talons of The Raven. “Every hunt brought me closer to the top. Apex. Alpha.” Vivienne took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “I did that for over three thousand years. Driven desire to hunt the best and kill the beast.” Vivienne’s claws disappeared and her fangs retracted. “My last hunt…” Vivienne opened her crystal soft blue eyes and kissed Faye’s cheek. “...was no challenge. I hunted the one who made me. Half driven insane from his darkness, He thanked me when I killed him.” Vivienne reached for her drink, “His name was Caleb.”

Faye set her glass down and turned in the seat to face Vivienne. “Thank you for telling me.”  Faye gently kissed Vivienne’s hand, “I still love you and am still in love with my huntress.” Faye paused. “I know that took heaps to tell me.”

“Thank you, mon amour.” Smiling when her progeny kissed her hand, Vivienne sighed lightly. “Oddly, it feels like stones have lifted from my chest.”

Faye started giggling wildly and hugged Vivienne. “Never change.” She kept laughing. “You know the expression goes ‘a weight’ has been lifted.” Faye kissed Vivienne’s long neck before pulling away. “I get it. Like the old lady you are, you retired.”

Rolling her blue eyes, Vivienne sat back in her seat and enjoyed her drink once more. “When they established the veil, I didn’t want anything to do with it.”

“You told me.” Faye shrugged and smiled again. “You know, for not wanting to participate in the veil, you just spent the last few nights enforcing it.” Faye winked and tapped her head.

Vivienne closed her eyes and shook her head. “Alas, the pupil is the teacher. I suppose I did enforce it.” Pointing out of the window, Vivienne added, “We are arriving at our destination.”

“The airport?” Faye laughed. “Why are we taking a jet?”

Avoiding the comment until the limousine came to a stop, Vivienne smiled. “Listen.”

Faye heard the soft warbling of blades to her right. She’d just turned to look out of the window when the door opened and the chauffeur greeted the couple. “Madam Park.” The driver offered his hand and Faye stepped out onto a deep burgundy carpet. Faye took a couple steps on the plush carpet and heard the driver, “Doctor Moreau.” Faye watched him kiss Vivienne’s hand gently. “It was my pleasure, is there anything else I can get you this evening?”

One shiny boot at a time, Vivienne emerged from the luxury vehicle. With swan-like grace, she took a matching step and offered her arm to Faye. “My helicopter.” Vivienne nodded to her driver, “Thank you for your service, that is all we will require this evening.”

Faye followed the carpet with her eyes right up to the magnificent machine before her. “You have got to be kidding me.”

With a wink and a smile, Vivienne kept walking the long carpet to where the side doors were open on the airbus. “What do you think of ‘Nightingale’ mon amour?” Vivienne asked as they approached two gentlemen waiting to help them onto the helicopter.

Faye took a quick look over the giant machine. Painted deep blue and covered in stars that formed the constellation Orion, Faye shook her head. “I shouldn’t be surprised, The hunter.” Faye took one of the gentleman’s hands and lifted her dress so she could easily clear the steps inside. “Careful, I might get to know you.” She winked and waited for Vivienne.

Vivienne slightly bowed and took the other man’s hand and stepped into the helicopter. “Of course, Orion. I thought it fit well.”

When Faye scanned the interior she was even more mesmerized than before. Four chairs seemed to seamlessly curve out from the floor and were outlined in a soft blue neon. Faye couldn’t quite figure out if the seating was a computer chair or some space age egg. She pointed at the plush seat, “Star Trek. I mean all the seats have buttons on them.” She marveled at the spacious compartment covered in padded black leather, and floor with a rubberized carpet that seemed to be made for comfort and safety. “Is it really necessary to have six windows on each side, Vivienne?”

Vivienne removed her chiffon cape and hung it on the back of the space-egg she’d picked and sat down. “Might I inquire what you meant by saying Star Trek?” Vivienne furled her eyebrow and pointed to the windows. “They weren’t a choice. I do believe that is part of the design for this type of helicopter.” Vivienne went over the buttons on the chair. “These are for various functions that the company was lovely enough to integrate. The top set is for entertainment. We can follow the news, watch a movie, play some sort of puzzle games and even listen to your favorite music.” She buckled herself into the chair and leaned back. “The second row is for deploying your tables.” Pressing the first button, Vivienne watched a small square open from the floorboard. A twisted set of metal tubes with soft white-yellow light slowly spun upward and locked into place. Pushing up from the center of the little metal stand, five blue leaves opened like a tubular flower in moonlight. Vivienne pointed to the calming violet light in the center. “I thought making them look like moonflowers was fitting for, yes?” She continued, “There are two that you can use for various things.” Vivienne pointed to the small thumbstick below the buttons. “This turns your chair. It will allow you to access the compartments behind you or give you a better look out of the six windows you were complaining about.”

Faye sat down and buckled herself in and started laughing as she started playing with her chair by going in slow circles. “I didn’t complain about the windows.” She watched as the doors closed with a hydraulic hiss. “So cool.” Faye raised her eyebrow and turned her chair to face Vivienne, then pointed to her girlfriend. “Engage.”

“What?” Vivienne stated and looked up with a silly smile on her face. “I do believe that I understand. A pop culture reference of some meaning?”

Faye held up her hand and made a Vulcan salute. “Nothing?” Not seeing any reaction from her girlfriend, Faye put her hand down. “No fun. Curious though, why can I remember something like this, but I can’t remember my family or what we did?”

“Incorrect. I was trying to recall where I had seen that before.” Vivienne pulled out her phone and typed for a second and handed it to Faye. “That is from the Jewish faith, a ritual I have only seen a couple times.” She pointed to the phone. “The letter Shin.”

Faye chuckled for a second and waved both of her hands with a huff, “Stop.” Faye closed the web browser and handed Vivienne back her phone. “I still don’t know why I am remembering random things like that and nothing important.”

“Alas, something I can help with. I am a doctor.” The vampiress winked. “I confess that the subject of the mind isn’t something I am overly familiar with.” The whine of Nightingale’s turboshaft engines went to full power and slowly the helicopter lifted into the air. “Regaining memory is much like finding keys to a lock. Turn the right key and the memory returns.” Vivienne pointed to the control panels on the chair. “Those reminded you of something.”

“A television show, Vivienne. When I said engage, that was a line commonly used in the show.” Faye sighed, “You and I have lots of TV to watch.”

Vivienne started laughing, “Mon amour…” Admiring the half-frustrated look in Faye’s almond shaped green eyes, Vivienne admired her girlfriend’s blended features a bit longer before finishing. “Beautiful, intelligent…hidden behind adorable glasses when I first saw you…” Vivienne blinked, “...You have this whole world before you now and you want to watch television.” Vivienne bit her bottom lip for a split second, “...and you call me boring for watching humans interact.”

“Robot.” Faye started laughing as well. “That does seem very boring. At least the tv will be somewhat entertaining.” Using the thumbstick Faye turned her chair once again and opened a small refrigerator. “Hey, real blood.” Seeing the plastic bag and smelling the rich iron emanating from it made Faye’s throat begin burning. She grabbed the first pouch and turned back to face Vivienne, a desperate look crossing her face. “I…wa..burning..but…um..” She pointed at her throat. “I want to tear into this, Viv. Without ruining the dress.”

“Interesting. Martin didn’t tell me about the snacks.” She held up her finger. “Don’t do anything yet.” Vivienne felt the odd tingling sensation of a hunt about to begin. “I am out of practice, but what you have in your hand doesn’t seem right.”

Faye sniffed the bag again, “It smells like blood.” She shrugged, “It’s just cold.”

“Throw it to me.” Vivienne politely asked. She caught the bag once Faye softly lobbed it over. Studying it closely, Vivienne smiled. “The label is wrong. This says it is blood, but the label is incorrect.” Vivienne looked up and studied Faye’s eyes once more. “You aren’t in desperate need of blood, the ring around your eyes is barely visible. Do not drink this.” Vivienne nodded and pointed, “Put this back where you found it.”

“Ah…um…sure.” Faye caught the bag when Vivienne threw it back to her. “What are you doing now?” She inquired after she put the bag back in the refrigerator.

“Texting Martin.” Vivienne sent her inquiry, “Someone on his staff had to have done it. I have never known him to bring actual blood, it has always been mixed with alcohol to disguise the scent from others.”

Faye shook her head, “You can’t trust Martin, you know.” She pointed at the phone. “The answer will be that he knows nothing about it.” Ignoring the pain in her throat, Faye continued. “He has to answer that way regardless. Either he knows and is lying or he doesn't know and is telling the truth, it’s the same answer and tells you nothing.”

Vivienne snapped her fingers, “I jumped the gun, it would seem.” Shaking her head, “I acted too quickly to the news, much like I did with Doctor Smith. I told you I am slipping.” Vivienne heard the monster in the back of her mind laughing.

Faye saw the change in Vivienne’s eyes, “Viv? I know that look.” Unbuckling herself from the seat she fluidly moved to Vivienne’s chair, kneeling down. “It’s me.” Faye clamped her hands on Vivienne’s cheeks. “Listen to my voice, Vivienne. It’s just that…thing.” Faye could see the raging conflict in Vivienne’s precious blue eyes. -Eyes.- Faye’s mind echoed the word, “Vivienne. Look at my eyes. You said you wanted to bask in them for a century…Stay with me.”

-Betrayed. Your clever webs are broken. Down here in the dark with me is where it is peaceful, quiet. Just the way you…want it. Left all alone.- Vivienne felt herself reaching for the vortex of black that promised peace. Suddenly there were sparkles and shapes twinkling in the dark, a kaleidoscope outlined in a loving green. -Faye.- Vivienne pushed the inky black from her conscience and heard a maniacal as it faded in the distance. “F..Faye?”

“I’m here…I’m here.” Faye quickly kissed her girlfriend. “Come back. Say your name for me please…”

Half dazed, the ancient vampire tried to answer the question she’d heard. -So many names. Which one is right? Is there a right answer?- She asked herself while she followed the sparkles back to reality. “V-Vivienne M-Moreau.” Vivienne blinked her blue eyes and confidently gazed at Faye. “Vivienne Moreau, Mon amour. Yes..” She leaned down and flurry kissed Faye on her lips and cheeks. “...I am going to gaze into your luscious eyes for at least a century.”

Getting back to her feet, Faye tried to sit in Vivienne’s lap but found she couldn’t get comfortable. “I found the only flaw in this beastly machine.” Faye kissed Vivienne on the cheek once more and sat back in her chair. “Alright, we know the blood label in there is wrong.” Faye looked up in thought. “How many people knew we’d be in Nightingale?”

“I assure you the list was very short.” Vivienne turned her chair and looked in her own refrigerator, “I have the same thing here.” She sniffed and read the package. “It certainly smells like blood, but this is wrong.” Vivienne pointed to the huge letter ‘S’ on the package. “There is no such thing as blood type S.”

Faye nodded her head and licked her lips. “That is making me hungry, Vivienne. I can smell it much better now that it is out of the fridge, but I think I knew it was there before?” She raised her eyebrow, having partly confused herself. “The two bags I had at the house I knew were there the entire time. I think.” Faye flopped back in her chair thinking about her initial moments as a vampire. “There was just so much, I didn’t think about it at the time.”

Vivienne looked away from the package when her phone beeped. “Mon amour, this was just as you suspected. He denies any knowledge.” Looking back down at the blood bladder

Vivienne started reading the label carefully. “These dots don’t belong. They are odd.” Vivienne looked outside and saw the full moon. “I have it. Look here.” Vivienne got up and walked to Faye, “Each one of these means a phase of the moon. New is blank, the others mean quarter, half and full.” Vivienne walked over and glanced at the clock on her phone. “Nightingale will get us to Petersburg in about thirty minutes. That is how long we have to figure out the mystery. So much blood though.”

Faye turned and pulled a bag from her own cooler, “They are identical. Same things. A peace offering?”

“There are many possibilities. Whoever did this, knew enough about vampires and knows I am a doctor. This is a code of some sort.” Vivienne held up her finger. “It is probably safe to drink, I don’t smell anything added to this. Let’s try and figure out the message first.”

“I said before it could be a trap, but now I am not so sure.” Faye frowned and pressed the button for the radio, where a robotic voice calmly asked, “Genre please.” Faye chuckled and shook her head, “I swear I am on the Enterprise.” Faye then answered the question being posed to her from the radio. “R&B please.” Faye heard the soothing low tunes start from within her egg-chair. “You know…” Faye paused to consider saying what was on her mind, “...We could take all of this with us to meet Franco Tarsey tomorrow night. It is possible that he’s the one that did this.”

Vivienne sat quietly and thought about what her progeny was suggesting. -Trust. It means you have to trust them.- Vivienne told herself, “I wonder what its function is.” Vivienne pulled up Martin’s number and looked to Faye. “I agree. Tarsey is the least likely to betray us since he wants my help.” She kept looking at the package, “I still don’t know why he would send a letter then what looks to be a coded message in blood.” Vivienne raised her eyebrow. “Normal packaging tells a doctor who, where, when and how long ago the blood was collected. Along with the huge lettering denoting the blood type.”

Faye smiled, “This has elements on it.”

“Indeed.” Vivienne slowly read them. “Yttrium, Livermorium, Iodine. Then a chemical compound is listed C₂₁H₃₀O₂.”

Faye started laughing a few seconds after hearing Vivienne list off the chemical compound. “I can’t tell you how I know this, but that last part means. THC.” Faye raised her eyebrow, “Look there, the label even has a number one on it.” She spun her chair around and looked through the other plastic bags. “I have one label with the number one and the others have a two on them.” Faye bit her lip and smiled. “You and I have a fan. I don’t think this is a trap.”

“Elements.” Vivienne mumbled to herself. “I think I know what this means. S is on the bag in bold. Y for Yttrium…” She punched up the periodic chart on her phone, “Livermorium is Lv and Iodine is the letter I.” Vivienne smiled. “Sylvi … without the E.” Vivienne quickly dialed Martin’s number.

“Vivienne!” He exclaimed, “I can hear the engines, so I assume you both will be at the manor very soon. I have to say, I was confused about your text.”

“Martin, Darling.” Vivienne light French accent lightly played over the phone, “There is nothing to worry about, all of your arrangements were perfect. We are in flight now.” Vivienne paused for a brief moment, “I do have a question about your…mistress.”

“I…um.” Martin stammered for a moment. “Doctor…I assumed we had an unspoken agreement about that.” The concierge sighed, “You know I cannot betray her, Vivienne.”

Vivienne gave her light and gentle laugh over the phone, “Heaven’s no, Martin. I only wanted you to refresh my mind and tell me her name once more.”

“Sylvie Miakoda.” Martin audibly gulped over the speaker, “If you plan to meet with her, she goes by Luna, b-beca-because of her eyes.”

Vivienne blew a kiss to Faye. “Martin. You have nothing to worry about. I assure you, your mistress is safe. I have to thank her personally, it would seem.” Vivienne softly cleared her throat, “Would it be possible to speak to Casey?”

“She’s right here and um…thank you. Sylvie means the same to me as you do to Casey.” Martin handed his phone to Casey, “Most everything is in place. I have to say that the PODS package was funny.”

“Casey, dear.” Vivienne held the bag of blood labeled number one. “When we land, please be kind enough to have a cooler with you. It would seem that there are gifts on board that need to be…preserved.”

“Alrighty.” Casey said the word cooler to Martin before talking into the phone once more. “Martin suggested that if you needed a cooler, perhaps a small refrigerator in your room would be the best place to store the gifts.”

Vivienne dropped her fangs into place. “What a fine suggestion. Just make sure it matches the rest of the manor.”

Casey snickered. “No problem. You know that you have things that don’t match the manor.”

“Your observation has become very astute, my ward.” Vivienne felt her throat tightening as she looked at the blood taunting her. “Alas, I am going to take my leave now. I will discuss the décor and that one room when I arrive.” Vivienne punched the phone call dead and looked at Faye. “Count of three, mon amour?”

Faye nodded impatiently, “If I don’t like this feeling, then I just clear it like the wine?” She asked Vivienne for reassurance.

“Oui, mon amour.” Vivienne held up her finger, “Would you like me to try this first? I am willing to take the risk.”

Faye shook her head feverishly. “Not a chance, No more of this lone gunman stuff, Viv.” She blew her black-pink hair from her face. “Together.”

Vivienne counted backward from three to one and bit at the exact same time Faye did. Vivienne felt the cold iron slide down her throat, quenching the flame in her throat as it did so. Willing herself to let the blood’s contents affect her, Vivienne’s mind started raining sand over her vision as if she were in a soft dust storm. -Sands of time- Vivienne heard a soft native american in her mind. Appearing from the swirling sand, A copper skinned Cherokee woman dressed in white leather approached Vivienne. Covered in head to toe with autumn colored beaded jewelry, Vivienne enjoyed the gentle ringing of the bangles until the woman stopped before her. Recalling something about the woman’s eyes, Vivienne fuzzily looked and was rewarded by seeing the woman’s eyes go from a full moon, through the different phases until they were black as a new moon. “Just like on the package, Luna?” Vivienne felt herself say distantly.

Reaching out and taking Vivienne’s hand, Sylvie walked the pair through the sandy barrier and into a room with a round table and a crystal ball. -Remove the barrier, see what I see.Sylvie smiled and wiggled her fingers at the ball, producing an image of Faye with hungry green eyes and internally struggling. -Love denied. Love resisted. Love repressed.- Sylive’s image giggled and waved her hand again, sending a flurry of sparkles and glitter into the air. Vivienne lost herself in the slow falling metal glints for a few seconds before the image tapped her on the shoulder and pointed to the ball on the table again. -Remove your inhibitions, true love creates its own memories.- Vivienne saw a new image of Faye reappear with a clarity in her almond green eyes and smiling. -Love potion.- Sylvie winked her moonlit eye and created the image of the blood pouches labeled with the number two on them.

Vivienne watched as a pair of zills appeared on Sylvie’s hands and gentle music seemed to almost rain notes. The gypsy-Cherokee woman started swaying her hips and chimed the brass cymbals to the music that had come out of nowhere. Spinning on her toes, Luna started to lip sync with the song “Love Potion number 9.”

“I took my troubles down to Madame Rue,

You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth,

She's got a pad down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine,

Selling little bottles of Love Potion Number Nine,

I told her that I was a flop with chics,

I've been this way since 1956,

She looked at my palm and she made a magic sign,

She said "What you need is Love Potion Number Nine"

She bent down and turned around and gave me a wink,

She said "I'm gonna make it up right here in the sink"

It smelled like turpentine, it looked like Indian ink, I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink..”

Vivienne started giggling uncontrollably as she watched her hostess keep dancing and keep pointing to the bag labeled two. Vivienne threw up her hands and nodded. “Alright, alright. I get it.”

Sylvie shimmied around Vivienne once more and tossed another wave of glitter into the air. Vivienne heard the music fade in the back of her mind and she blinked to shake off the effects within the blood she’d consumed.

Faye bit into the thin plastic quickly and drained its entire contents within a few gulps. Watching Vivienne do the opposite didn’t surprise the half-Korean. -Test and stop. Test and stop. I love that you are so calculated.- Faye thought to herself as she admired Vivienne. Tucking the bag into the trash holder on her chair, Faye had a fleeting thought that there was no message for her. She flopped back in the chair and started to play with the chair’s movements once more when the heavy fog and rain seemed to appear out of nowhere. Feeling the water soak her short pink-black silky hair, Faye began walking to see if she could find a way out of the rain. -Why?- Faye heard a gentle American plains accent ask from all sides. Pondering the question, Faye lifted her face to feel the warm drops as they caressed her cheeks. She slicked back her hair and flung the excess from her hands and started smiling. Soothing right where you are?- Faye opened her eyes and nodded to the fog all around her. What is beyond the fog? Does it matter?- The voice calmly asked. Faye shook her head wildly, sending the water that soaked her hair in all directions. Sylvie floated down from the foggy sky and landed quietly, forcing some of the fog to part for her. Faye saw her fellow copper skinned vampire dressed in blood red leather, Wearing a beaded headband with matching yellows and oranges, white feathers weaved within. When the lovely moon vampire landed Faye heard herself answer the questions, but her voice sounded strangely distant. “I am in a fog, warm rain all over me. Soothing, I love it.” Faye slicked her hair back once more and tasted the drops of water. “I don’t care what’s out there, this feels great. Nah, not much matters.”

Zills appeared on Sylvie’s fingers again and she clapped them together and emitted a soft tone that echoed through the fog. Faye felt the ground evaporate from her feet and she started falling through the rain soaked empty space. Sylvie was beside her instantly, her straight black hair spread out in all directions from the wind that billowed through the fog. Sylvie fell along with Faye for what seemed like hours, occasionally snapping her fingers so the zills would ring out once more. -Feels good doesn’t it?- Faye smiled and nodded, enjoying the freedom of just falling without worry. -Cross that line, free yourself.- Faye smiled and nodded.

Sylvie clapped her brass finger cymbals once and the ground came back for the both of them. -Where are you now? Where were you?- Sylvie started to wiggle her hips and did a spin when a rock song called “On the Dark Side” started.

Faye smiled as she recalled the older song by John Cafferty.

“The dark side's coming now, nothing is real,

She'll never know just how I feel,

From out of the shadows, she walks like a dream,

Make me feel crazy, make me feel so mean,

Aint' nothing's gonna save ya from a love that's blind,

Slip through the dark side and cross that line,

On the dark side, oh yeah,

On the dark side, oh yeah…”

“Cross that line huh?” Faye giggled and started doing spins with Sylvie, dancing to the guitar laden music. Faye started laughing when Sylvie in the middle of her fast paced dance started to point and ‘shoot’ her finger guns at Faye. -Two…to cross that line.- Sylvie added and let the song play once more between them before fading into the clouds.

Faye didn’t care anymore. The young vampire dance-stepped in the warm fog and rain, without a care in the word, and forced the lyrics to repeat in her head as she did so. “I am on cloud 9.” Her voice echoed and after a few more loops of the music in her head, forced herself back into the helio’s luxurious cabin.

Vivienne saw Faye blink her almond cat eyes open and a huge grin on her face. “Mon amour?”

“My love?” Faye retorted and partly wiggled in her egg-chair. “That… I didn’t know you could do that.”

Vivienne giggled and looked at her empty bag. “I didn’t either.” Vivienne started laughing harder, “Mon amour… I wouldn’t have thought to send a message like this.”

Seeing Vivienne laughing for no reason, Faye started chuckling as well. “Perhaps it is something that Luna can do.” Faye pressed the radio button once again, still laughing. “Play the song On the Dark side please.” Clapping her hands, Faye started moving her upper body to the beat. “She played this song for me and now it's stuck in my head.”

“I am under the impression that the drug is still working on us, Faye.” Vivienne snickered and opened her tiny thin hands and started swaying them with the beat coming from Faye’s chair.

Turning her chair to the fridge, Faye pulled out a bag labeled number two. “If I understood what she meant…” Faye poked at the soft plastic. “...This will remove any reservations we have about being together.”

“She referenced an old love song for me, called it love potion number nine.” Vivienne chuckled and pointed to the bag Faye was holding. “I got the same impression, mon amour.” Vivienne nibbled on her bottom lip, “Somehow, she’s seen that we have been avoiding being deeply intimate.”

“Sex, Vivienne. We haven’t had sex.” Faye started tossing the bag into the air and catching it. “We’ve gotten close a few times…but…” She puts the blood back in the cooler, “...I wanted to get my memory back so I knew who I was.”

“Well established territory, mon amour.” Vivienne raised one eyebrow. “The look on your face means you aren’t so sure.”

Faye cleared the rest of the drugs from her blood with a thought and was once more clear headed. “Luna and her moon changing eyes…a very cool effect by the way…made me think about it like it didn’t matter. I am still me, even if I recall my past that doesn’t change my present.” Faye smiled and pointed to her girlfriend, “I remember our meeting just fine. So, that means I was in love with you…” She started to rub her nose from the memory of falling on the floor. “...before I lost my mind.” Faye started laughing and rolled her eyes, “My god, Vivienne!” Faye leaned back in her chair shaking her head, still laughing. “I just realized that you asked me if I was bleeding when I did that.” She wiggled her finger quickly at Vivienne. “You knew full well I wasn’t.”

“Yes. I knew.” Vivienne flashed her fangs at Faye and licked the tips. “I have crafted my illusion well, my love.” Vivienne let her fangs stay exposed for a few more seconds, “I didn’t think that you’d respond well to these…” She softly licked her fangs again. “...while you were alive.”

Faye shivered and thought about Vivienne’s fangs scraping her skin and pulling little welts of blood to the surface for them both to enjoy. Faye let out a heavy sigh and crossed her legs. “That…is unfair.”

“Safe to say that the drugs are out of your system, mon amour.” Vivienne winked. “Would you like to test the effects?”

Faye turned her seat around and looked at the little cooling door. “Cross the line.” Faye spun the chair back around and took a deep breath. “Yes.” Faye felt her heart jump at the prospect of licking her partner head to toe without forcing herself to stop or be worried about what she couldn’t recall. “Not in the helicopter though.”

Vivienne nodded and picked up her phone to note the time. “It would appear that we are arriving at our destination, so it is good that we didn’t drink the blood right now.” Vivienne pointed to the window. “You should see the city lights from here.”

Faye turned the space-egg chair to the dark window and saw all of the yellow lights of the sprawled city of Petersburg. “Something about looking at the lights up here seems peaceful, even if down there it really isn’t.”

Vivienne turned her own chair to witness the city she’d not visited in over sixty years. “There was so much farmland when I was last here.” She spotted her estate in the distance, “You are correct, mon amour. Up here the world doesn’t seem so vile.” Vivienne let out a heavy breath, “The night used to be something to enjoy. We used to gaze up at the stars and think they were gods. The moon symbolized things like vitality.”

“You have lived such an interesting…” Faye caught herself, “...un-life?” She peered at Vivienne. “How does it feel to be back, well home?”

Watching as the houses and trees came into better view, Vivienne pointed to Ravenstead Manor. “Surreal, if I am being honest. When I closed Ravenstead, I didn’t know if I would ever return.” Vivienne cued the microphone to speak to the pilot. “Captain, if you could take us around the estate one time before we land that would be lovely.”

“Of course, Doctor. How was the ride?” The man asked politely.

“Perfect as usual.” Vivienne winked at Faye. “Take your time with the circle.” Vivienne added and released the microphone button. “Mon amour, I do hope that we can make this our home for a while. It is a lovely home. When I acquired the land it was a little over two thousand acres.”

Faye unbuckled herself once more and went over to Vivienne, sitting in her lap. “I will deal with the discomfort.” She put her arms around her partner’s neck. “Alright, point out everything I am about to see.”

Vivienne pointed to the set of gentle hills that made the landscape, “I have a little over four hundred acres left. I wanted to keep the hills and the farmland like it was back when I purchased it.” Giving Faye a quick kiss on the cheek, Vivienne smiled and continued. “Allow me to start from the main gate below us.” Vivienne saw the look that crossed Faye’s face. “Yes, I am aware that it is polished metal.” Vivienne laughed, “What about me has been your typical vision of a vampire, mon amour?”

Faye lightly giggled, “True. Keep on, this is interesting.” She laid her head on Vivienne’s shoulder.

“As you wish.” Pausing to work her fingers through the small pink braids, Vivienne pointed to the wall and little shops. “The rocks are from an old quarry and were hand shaped to form the whole lower half of the estate. The lights you see are the shops that I have allowed to stay open for the aesthetic.”

Taking in the careful mixture of the colonial style shops and the modern lighting for the winter season, Faye took a light breath, “I know that is electricity down there, but somehow they have blended it so that it doesn’t look out of place. It is comforting and inviting.” Faye points to a butcher’s shop, “I mean when was the last time you saw a real turkey hanging in the window?”

“It is how I wanted to preserve it.” Vivienne added. “The farms are on the other side of the lower loop. Ravenstead has always had people living here. The village is on the other side of the shops, all with a 1790’s colonial look to match the manor.”

Faye chuckled. “Do you have a dress code so they have to wear those odd three-cornered hats?”

“What?” Vivienne shook her head, “No, ma’am. Wasn’t the whole point of this time… freedom?” Vivienne winked as the farms came into view. “Last I knew, the farms harvested strawberries in the summer, along with the standard corn and tomatoes. Fall and Winter are mostly potatoes and carrots.” Vivienne pointed to the very large lake afterward. “That lake used to be much larger. I have had to get engineers to keep water flowing to it from the river close by.” She shrugged, “What can I say? It looks lovely when the full moon is overhead.” Vivienne laughs, “When I was last here, there were dozens of people fishing.”

“Wild tales on how big the fish were, I bet.” Faye outstretched her hand, “...This big, I swear!”

Giggling softly, Vivienne let Faye finish her antics. “If I may continue?” Faye nodded and once more rested on Vivienne’s shoulder. “Thank you. The entire lower section was designed to mirror Ravenstead Manor. While the shops do conform to modern health rules and can have real machines to do things, by and large folks like the blacksmith down there, want to run an actual forge and use a hammer and anvil.” Vivienne took a long breath, “Virginia is wrapped deeply in its history. This was after all the first colony that survived. Petersburg itself was chartered in 1784, six years before I purchased the land we are flying over.” Vivienne closed her eyes for a moment and recalled the dozens of workers that hauled the brick and lumber up the hills. The foundation of the manor started in 1790.”

“Amazing. I know I shouldn’t be shocked by what you are telling me anymore.” Faye looked up at Vivienne quickly, then back to the estate.

“I have kept the remains of the estate for historical purposes, mostly.” Vivienne raised her eyebrow, “Secondly, it is better to keep the populace occupied so they aren’t always wondering what is going on in the manor. People can satisfy their curiosity and take pictures of the manor from the second gate, and see people working the property, giving the illusion that it is occupied.” Vivienne starts rubbing Faye’s shoulders. “My version of the veil, mon amour.”

“I thought you didn’t care for the veil, old lady.” Faye snickered and then relaxed as Vivienne’s fingers kept working her shoulders.

Rolling her eyes, Vivienne resumed the little aerial tour. “Cobblestone roads and brick sidewalks. I do not allow trucks to enter the manor, so when Casey arrived, they carried the items by hand.” She pointed to the second wall further on a wide and large hill. “Same stone wall, just reinforced with carbon steel at this point. If you follow the gate and road up and around the celestial fountain, you will see the center of the manor.”

Doing as instructed, Faye’s eyes grew wider every time she spotted another detail. “That fountain is amazing. That isn’t just one angel…er celestial. You have them as weather vanes on the other parts of the manor.” Faye pointed to the Carrera marble fountain. “The water is crystal blue…a little vain don’t you think?”

“Me? Vain?” Vivienne raised her eyebrow, “I do believe that the term that floats about is eccentric.” She shook her head, “I only wanted the water to look like a summer rain blessing the fountain. The blue we see is likely Miss Hasselberry trying to impress me.” Vivienne focused on the manor itself, “Three floors, all brick.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

“Modernized inside so the windows are completely covered in the day, without taking away from the decor.” Vivienne kissed the top of Faye’s head. “No sunlight gets through. There are the east and west wings.” Vivienne taps her lip in thought for a moment. “Technically there is a north part to the manor that has been called a north wing, but I am not a contractor so I am unsure of the proper terminology.”

“It’s okay. Anything with wings is just big.” Faye giggled.

“Very well. The east wing has a few storage rooms, a ballroom and a grand reception room.” Watching as the helicopter banked and headed for the landing pad, “The west wing is the dining hall, a few guest rooms, a library and leads to the herbal gardens.” Vivienne pointed to the rear of the huge home. “That is where the three kitchens are located and where all household goods are cared for.”

“You mean the laundry.” Faye snickered.

“One of a few things that go on, yes. Not really important, unless you wish to explore the nastier interior.” Vivienne winked as they landed. “Mon amour, we have arrived.”

Faye hopped up and darted to the refrigerator. “Do we?”

Raising her eyebrow and holding up her finger, “Are you sure? I made the promise to help you get your memories back before we were to get intimate.” Vivienne pulled her own blood bladder from the rack. “Mon amour, I don’t have the reservations you do.” Vivienne nodded, “This will remove them, like you said…you will cross the line.”

Faye heard the engines powering down and people starting to approach the door. -Now or never, Faye. Cross the line or no?- Faye cast a glance at the beauty queen that sat across from her and felt her dead heart beating with excitement and butterflies in her tummy fluttering around. Raising one eyebrow and making her green eyes sparkle, Faye plunged her fangs into the bag and drained its contents in a matter of seconds, then nodded. “Yes..” Her voice was soft and seductive, “...My choice. Let’s get going before this hits us, you sexy devil.” Faye emitted a tiny tiger purr from her chest.

Spinning her own bag around her fingers, Vivienne’s blue eyes seemed to flare when she watched Faye remove her inhibitions. Vivienne opened her mouth slowly and teased Faye by letting the newborn see her fangs emerge. Scraping the points over the tough plastic, Vivienne teased. “Just think, your skin…these f..a..n..g..ssss.” Vivienne made sure to let the strain of the plastic echo in the compartment. When Fay started to squirm in her seat, Vivienne punctured the bag and started licking the pool of blood welling from the four tiny holes. “Yummy.” Vivienne dribbled more onto her partly open lips, making it pool in the corners. “Mmmm…” Her tongue rolled over her lips just before the drops would start streaking down. Vivienne pressed her lips tightly against the bag as though she were kissing, and moaned lightly with her seductive gulps. The bag emptied, Vivienne pulled it free from her lips with a tiny pop. “Mon amour, now we get going.”

Faye unzipped the back of her dress and licked her lips. “I wonder how fast this version takes effect, Vivienne.” She popped one eyebrow up lightly and giggled. -I could use you about now, you taunting tiger. Give me those stripes.- Faye reached into her darkness, laughing. The young vampire had expected that the menacing voice would tempt her with something that would cloud her judgment or place her on guard, but no sound came. Thick black stripes wrapped themselves around Faye’s soft skin until she’d fully taken on her tigress form. Faye emitted a soft growl as she slid the one strap that held her dress on from her shoulder.

Vivienne had started giggling and spinning in the chair when she heard the sensual cat-like sound come from the other side of the small space. “I just kissed mine empty, mon amour… and I feel…” Vivienne had just gotten the chair where she could see her tiger striped beauty when Faye had jumped out of her dress and landed squarely in Vivienne’s lap. Vivienne eagerly caught her girlfriend and embraced her in a gentle hug. “Mmmm, yes…well.” Vivienne had been about to comment on the speed of the elixir’s in their bodies when Faye pressed her lips desperately into Vivienne’s. Vivienne rolled her tongue with Faye’s and pushed her hands through her partner’s silky black and pink toned hair.

Casey opened the door to the helicopter and saw Faye nude except for her panties and leather boots. “Viv…Oh..” Casey started laughing and pulled the door so it was a little more discrete for the couple. Casey closed her eyes to try and push the sexy sight of Faye’s lightly tanned and creamy body outlined in black stripes from her mind. Casey lightly hit the door, “Brian, where are you when I…” She felt her own body starting to heat up from the sounds behind the door. “Um..guys?”

Feeling the sudden rush of cool air swirl through the cabin, Vivienne reluctantly pulled out of the kiss the couple was sharing. “Ahem…Yes.”

Faye started laughing and nibbling on her lover’s ear. “I don’t care, let them watch.” Faye’s glossy and lustful eyes scanned the small army that had been waiting for them to land. “We could just have them as dinner mints.” Faye purred softly to Vivienne.

Vivienne stood up, breaking the seatbelt with a loud crack. “Mmmhmm, perhaps a light snack without leftovers.” Vivienne scooped Faye into one arm and with a swish of her long black chiffon cape, covered her mostly nude girlfriend. “Inhibitions or not, I am the only one that gets to see you, mon amour.” Vivienne planted a kiss on Faye’s lips once more. “We are going to make a graceful exit. Hold on to my neck.”

Faye laughed and stayed completely covered by her partner’s thin cape. The warm and sensual feeling being held added to the intensity that the mixture was having as it permeated her unconcerned mind. An important thought breezed into her carefree mind. -The soil-. “Mmm, Vivienne..love..” Faye whispered and unzipped her partner's dress. “I left the soil in the little bag I was carrying.”

Vivienne had long been feeling her electrical pulses zapping through her ancient body, centered on the tiny tigress in her arm. “Casey…darrrling.” Vivienne giggled when she felt her dress loosen. “Faye, you are being naughty.”

Faye licked and swirled her tongue on Vivienne’s long ashen neck. “I plan to get much more naughty.” Faye’s chest rumbled before she started pressing her fangs into Vivienne’s earlobe.

Casey heard her name called and spun to see the couple locked in a hold that sent a wave of sweet heat between her legs. -Fuck…- Casey licked her lips and was barely able to answer the French woman’s teasing voice. “V..Vii..oh my..um..” She cleared her throat. “Vivienne.” She pulled on her new business jacket to try and remind herself about the station she was appointed to.

“Would you be a doll and get Faye’s handbag? Hang it over my opposite shoulder, please.” Vivienne winked and darted her tongue over Faye’s mostly hidden cheek. “Faye and I have… ahem…business. We will be unavailable the rest of the evening.”

“More than that, Vivi-bean.” Faye snickered and wrapped her arms around Vivienne’s neck. “Be sure to get those extra bags..please, Casey.”

Vivienne ignored the two small steps leading out of the helicopter and floated down until she landed on the red carpet that had been placed down. Graciously bowing once, Vivienne walked steadily past the lines of people that had awaited her arrival.

Faye felt Vivienne’s pace slow for a split second and she looked to see who she assumed was the young Hasselberry woman standing beside a smiling Martin. “Don’t you dare stop.” Faye breathed into her lover’s ear.

The potions power ended the debate of eroticism versus etiquette for the ancient vampire and she hastily headed into the manor. Crossing over the stone floors of the kitchen, and onto the blue pearl granite flecked with gold, Vivienne hastily made her way to the grand staircase of her Ravenstead home.

Faye stopped suckling on Vivienne’s neck and looked up once Vivienne let the chiffon cape fall off of her small form. “Beautiful.” Faye commented in a nibbling whisper. “You, not the staircase.”

Vivienne unhooked the cape and let it float gently to the floor, then ascended the Brazilian mahogany staircase lined with brass railings. “I am walking and wondering why I didn’t just jump to the top floor, mon amour.” Vivienne felt another ripple of current across her form when Faye danced her fingernails over her shoulder.

“I smell rosemary.” Faye purred and wiggled her feet.

Vivienne didn’t feel any different than she did the moment she drank the blood and realized that her hesitation wasn’t out of fear or indecision, but passion. Her heart started to bounce in her chest from the excitement of the moment and she was going to treasure it. “Mmm, love.” Vivienne turned Faye so she could see the green tiger eyes. “Soon…” Vivienne wiggled out of her form fitting dress and kept walking to the master bedroom. “...liquid…” Vivienne whispered slowly as she turned to the huge double doors that lead into their chambers.

“...roseeee..mary.”

Faye’s body erupted in goosebumps when the doors were flung open to their room. Vivienne set the small striped woman on the king sized bed covered in maroon silk and swaggered to the door and closed it. Faye bit gingerly on her bottom lip thinking about the words that Vivienne had just been selectively saying. -Oh fuck…did she just say liquid rosemary?- Faye took a deep breath and admired the perfect French born woman by the doors when she heard an audible click. “Trapped.” Faye sighed and scooted back on the bed, and laid back against the half dozen pillows. “Vivienne…Y..you..” Faye didn’t speak but simply watched as the soft light seemed to dance off Vivienne’s skin at just the right angles that showed off much of her body, yet kept her hourglass form hidden in some secret shadow. Faye leaned down to unzip her boots and felt her hands stop as though commanded. -Hot.- Faye giggled and once more laid back.

Purring as she made her way over to the bedside, Vivienne winked. “...mmm, darling. You don’t get to pull those off..that is my job.” She wiggled her long finger at the leather boots. “Look at this…” Vivienne pulled the strap of Faye’s handbag across her chest, making sure that it tweaked one of her small nipples so it would enlarge. “You protected something very valuable to me and I think a reward is in order.”

“How did you…?” Faye knew the question was pointless and quickly decided to brush it aside. She watched as Vivienne slipped onto the bed one knee at a time and crawled over on all fours until she was hovering over Faye. “Mmmm, hello there.” Faye softly spoke and followed her urge to reach up and cup both of Vivienne’s breasts, twirling both nipples between her fingers.

Vivienne had been about to respond to the playful greeting when Faye sent the first two spine sparkling twists through her body, nearly making her lose strength in her arms. -Just fall into her.- Vivienne both begged and defied herself. Rather, Vivienne tossed her head back and sucked in through her teeth and fangs. Vivienne enjoyed the feeling for a few seconds longer before regaining her senses. She pulled both of Faye’s hands to her lips and gently kissed, then suckled both hands once finger at a time.

Once Faye felt her fingers slip between Vivienne’s lips, she started digging her booted heels into the silk blanket as her excitement started to build. “Viv…vivv..oh lord…mmm.” Faye tried to express the warming sensations shooting from her fingers and radiating through her body and starting to pool between her legs. Faye gasped when Vivienne took a moment and pin pricked her middle finger and drew blood from the small puncture then swirled the hole closed with her fluid-like tongue.

Lingering over Faye, Vivienne smiled and parted her lips enough so the blood she was holding came out one drop at a time, splashing on Faye’s soft tanned lips. She watched as Faye darted her tongue out and daintily consumed the drops as they splashed. Once Vivienne heard the desperate gasps coming from her lover, She closed the distance and pressed their blood soaked lips together, sharing the heavy iron taste between them.

Living in the moment, Faye ran her fingers through Vivienne’s black silky hair that tickled her face when the two embraced. Blood shared and blood consumed, Faye felt the burn of her throat subside as well as her own slow burning arousal from the sanguine that had been returned to her. Faye danced and twisted her tongue with Vivienne’s for a few seconds more then pulled away drawing in a sinfully desperate breath. “Fangs..soo…fucking good… mmm..” She curled her fingers and tugged on the handfuls of hair. “Don’t…you…dare…” Faye panted and begged, “...fucking stop…”

Vivienne kissed and bit Faye’s neck, “Mmm…mon amour…don’t forget to use blood…” Vivienne playfully whispered, “...intensify…” Vivienne coaxed and started dragging her lips lightly over Faye’s shoulders. Vivienne had started scraping the points of her fangs down one of Faye’s arms when she heard silk tear from behind her. Pulling away and wiggling her finger at Faye, Vivienne raised her eyebrow. “Naughty…boots.”

Faye’s green eyes flashed open at the sudden stop. -You have GOT to be kidding me.- Faye grumbled and pushed herself up on her elbows. Shaking her head lightly so that her hair swished across her cheeks, Faye gave Vivienne a corresponding look. “Vivienne…the boots weren’t naughty…” Faye started biting on her lip playfully. “...my feet were…” She purred.

“Is that so?” Vivienne trailed her fingernails down Faye’s thighs until they tapped on the black leather. Catching the scent of chai emitting from Faye’s inner thighs, Vivienne blew a kiss to her lover and gripped the first boot zipper, “...Let me deal with these naughty feet and then I will deal with…your naughty…p-puss…”

Hearing the zipper on her boot going down, combined with the light French accent torturing her about the dampness coming from her pussy, Faye flopped back on the bed and squirmed impatiently. “A-ar…fuu…ck…are you trying to kill meee?” Faye panted when she felt the warmth of Vivienne’s lips close over her big toe.

Lavishing her tongue in little circles on Faye’s captive toe, Vivienne giggled to herself and popped the digit from her lips briefly. “Mais mon amour tu es déjà mort.” Using her fangs, Vivienne grazed each of Faye’s toes and nibbled on the soft part of her foot.

Hearing the evil giggle, Faye figured out the joke. “F…fin…I’m already…dead…” She bit her lip and groaned as Vivienne twisted her tongue over her bare foot. -Blood.- Faye vaguely recalled Vivienne mentioning through the pulses of heat scrambling her mind. It took only the thought of blood use before Faye tingled from her feet and sent soul shaking flames to her heart. When the second zipper slowly echoed its amplified rip-clicks, Faye started biting desperately into the pillow feeling the need to release some of the pinned up burning energy Vivienne was creating.

Vivienne slipped Faye’s second boot off and began massaging her foot as she watched her lover’s reaction. “That’s right baby…let yourself feel…Mmm, Tiger..lilly.” Vivienne cooed as another gentle wave of chai passed over her. Urged on by her lover’s moans and unnecessary but baited breathing, Vivienne enveloped Faye’s second big toe and bit into it.

Faye cried out in joy, “Je…Ch…fu…Oh yes!..” When the tiny flow of blood poured out of the quick bite, Faye bucked her hips and clawed the sheets as the risen euphoria took control and nearly sent her into an orgasm. “No..not….oh god…mmm…yes…” Faye willed her seething blood out of the small wound giving the young vampire a small release as if a pressure valve had been opened. Faye sucked in a deep and ragged breath, “Viv…” She tried to call out to her lover just before she felt Vivienne’s tongue swirl and slurp the small torrent of blood coming from her toe. Faye sucked on her bottom lip, biting it lightly when a second bite to another of her toes added to the heat of the moment. Faye arched her back, and fluttered her eyes closed. -Too…much blood..us..used…- Faye felt the vampiric intensity fade slowly from her extremities and she finally relaxed on the bed. “Mmmm, Yes. I have been thinking about that tongue for days…ba..bay..” Faye cooed.

Meticulously, Vivienne fangged all of Faye’s toes and used them one at a time like a lollipop, enjoying the way her partner would writhe for a couple seconds after each suckle. “You mean this tongue?” Vivienne teased and started closing the tiny wounds with a lavished lick. “Mon…am…our…” Vivienne purred the words and licked another hole closed. “You don’t want me to do this…” Vivienne kissed one of Faye’s pinky toes and whirled the wound closed.

“...The hell I don’t!” Faye grunted passionately.

A light sexy laugh escaped Vivienne’s lips as she finished teasing Faye’s toes. “Are you quite certain, mon..amour?” Vivienne pressed her lips one at a time on Faye’s feet, leaving a warm breath behind. “I see how…mmm…wet you are..mon amour…” Vivienne licked her way to Faye’s tight calves. “You have…ahemmm…stained your panties.” Vivienne purred and peeked up at Faye. “...It's driving me crazy…”

“Come up here and I’ll show you crazy.” Faye said aloud and blew kisses into the open air.

Vivienne winked one of her lucious blue eyes and crawled her way up the length of her partner, trailing her fingernails as she did. Vivienne pecked slow kisses across Faye’s cheeks and chin, “Here….” She kissed and nibbled on Faye’s neck. “...I…” Licking her way to Faye’s earlobe, Vivienne completed her little taunt with a whisper. “..am.”

Faye sighed and kissed Vivienne in return, matching the little pecks. “You belong to me…” The tiger-vampire purred. -That ass is mine.- Faye giggled to herself and reached down to cup Vivienne’s rear. “Humm…” Faye kissed her way down to Vivienne’s hips. “Your panties are in my way.”

“By all means remove them, mon amour.” Vivienne rolled onto her stomach to give Faye free reign of her backside. “I … mmm… am waiting for this …crazy.” Vivienne rolled the ‘z’ in her light French accent.

Faye’s green eyes widened as she watched Vivienne arch and wiggle her ass slowly. Starting at Vivienne’s shapely hips, Faye lightly dug her nails into the alabaster skin and pulled down. Faye hooked Vivienne’s underwear and slipped it free from her legs with little effort, leaving her lover with only her boots on.

“Would you be kind enough to remove my boots, mon amourrrr…” Vivienne purred lightly and gazed over her shoulder and bent her feet up at the knees.

Ignoring the request, Faye left the sweet scented leather boots where they were and once more squeezed Vivienne’s rump. “I have wanted this since I watched you climb the stairs.” She lightly growled. Faye guided her fingernails in little figure eights, with enough pressure that she watched little maroon lines start appearing. Faye leaned over and began pressing her lips sensually, crossing back and forth until she’d started kissing the thin line between the two sides of Vivienne’s ass. Easing the space open, Faye’s fingers circled Vivienne’s tight hole. Waiting until Vivienne stopped moving her hips, Faye licked her lips and delved her tongue between Vivienne’s shapely ass cheeks, whirling and poking her little muscle so it rimmed Vivienne’s hole.

“shffff…ough…” Vivienne rasped incoherently when she felt Faye’s tiny licks invade her tight pucker. Shakes and shocks started in Vivienne’s thighs and kinetically wove upwards, tightening and releasing the muscles in her body. Her nipples went taut as she shivered and unintentionally tweaked them in the silk bedding, rippling an added pulse for her mind to try and control. -Oh..Vivienne.- She thought to herself and relished Faye’s delicate touch as she kept flicking her tongue. -Say something, anything…You’ve tasted her blood and the love there…tell her.- Vivienne scratched at the silk comforter with her claws, shearing it. “Toi, mon amour, tu es mon paradis. Avec toi, je n'ai besoin de personne d'autre.” Vivienne managed to turn her head to the side and rattle off her litany of French words before being overcome with so much pleasure that she bit into the same place on the pillow that Faye had moments before. “Mon….sssssss….amour…..” Vivienne happily hissed when the tip of Faye’s probe penetrated her puckered barrier for a brief moment.

Withdrawing her tongue and kissing Vivienne’s ass cheeks once more, Faye licked the left cheek and stopped. “Hummm….” Faye hesitated, “There’s something wrong, Vivienne.” She chuckled. “I think I found the one imperfection in your lovely bottom. If I didn’t know better, it is a mole.”

“W…what?” Vivienne suddenly came to and twisted on the bed so she was facing her lover. “Excuse me, Faye?” Vivienne panted and felt her electrical buzz start to fade. “I knew the blood we drank is supposed to remove inhibitions, but I didn’t think it meant that we stopped!.” Vivienne nibbled on her lip and shook one of her arms.

Faye stifled a laugh. -Oh, I got her…mmm, I am going to love this…M-E-O-W.- Faye thought to herself. “Vivienne, I am telling you. Give me your hand and you can feel it yourself.”

Curious, Vivienne first twisted and flexed to see her ass but couldn’t see what Faye was pointing out. “Fine.” Vivienne rolled onto her tummy once more and outstretched her hand on her butt-cheek. “Where is this mole?”

“Just give me your hand.” Faye rubbed Vivienne’s hand over the round glute. “See, right here.” Faye clutched Vivienne’s hand tightly and drove the ancient woman’s nails into her own flesh, poking four holes. Faye grinned and growled playfully. “I told you that ass is mine.” Faye pushed Vivienne’s hand away and suckled the wound, drawing out Vivienne’s blood.

A loud and sensual keen exploded from Vivienne’s lips when she felt Faye’s lips drawing blood from her. “Ahhh, Mon amour…vos lèvres sont envoyées par le ciel... pouvez-vous le goûter?!!!” Vivienne begged as the current resumed its heavy pace within her succulent body. “T-t-tas…AHH…mercy your lip…lips..” Vivienne felt the almost maddening pull of her blood from the small clawed wounds and reached back and tugged on Faye’s hair, “My…” She tightened her butt when another quick wave overtook her senses.

“Unghhh….yes..taste…” Vivienne let go of Faye’s hair and once more screamed in delight in the pillow.

Rich, Thick and sexually charged, Faye suckled Vivienne’s blood and swirled it in her mouth before swallowing. It took a couple seconds after hearing the seductive yelp that Faye seemed to know what Vivienne was asking. -Taste.- Faye’s heart skipped a dead beat and she mewled in response. “Love, baby. I taste…mmmm…I taste it, love mixed with your…” she purred and licked more blood from Vivienne’s ass. “..heavy rosemary…” Faye started planting kisses on the four holes, quickly. “...V..Viviennneeee…” Faye softly spoke, “...Your body was…mmmm…made for me…” Drawing more blood into her lips, Faye crawled up Vivienne’s body, leaving little printed kisses in blood until she reached her quivering girlfriend. Faye carefully turned Vivienne and saw the wild passion pulsing in her blue starry eyes. Smiling until the mouth full of blood started to thinly drain from the sides of her lips, Faye pressed herself into Vivienne completely.

Rolling onto her back and holding Faye tightly, Vivienne threw herself into the metallic kiss and gleefully shared her blood with Faye. Once the shared fluid was consumed, Vivienne pulled away slowly and licked Faye’s lips. “Yes…” Vivienne whispered and nibbled Faye’s lower lip, getting a heady sigh in return. Vivienne took one of her fingers and licked it slowly. “Mmm..mon amour. Most definitely made for … you.” Vivienne leaned up and grabbed Faye’s ear with her teeth, before taking the wet finger and slathering it over the self made claw marks on her butt. She brought the remaining blood that she could and forced Faye’s mouth open and slathered the blood on Faye’s tongue. Vivienne pulled the couple back into another kiss, and brought her shapely thigh between Faye’s legs and started to rub and apply pressure to her lover’s cunny.

Breaking away from the embrace that the couple were in, Faye leaned back and gasped with delight the second that Vivienne’s thigh started gyrating. “This is what I am talking about… mmm-yes.” Faye matched Vivienne’s rhythm and rolled her hips, grunting lightly as she did so. A glossy and hungry look appeared in Faye’s cat-like eyes and she leaned her black striped body to grasp both of Vivienne’s breasts. “Ahem…” said while bouncing gently, “a little help with these…love.” Faye kissed and suckled both of Vivienne’s nipples and gazed into her lover’s blue eyes.

Squiggling her hips lightly and smiling up at her lover, Vivienne winked seductively. “No need for that mon amour…” Vivienne flittered her tongue quickly making a rolling ‘L’ sexy sound, “Learn our bodies, love….ohh….yes..” Vivienne reached to one of Faye’s rigid rosy

nubs and pulled gently, sending a thin line of blood through the air, splattering on her own ashen form. “Mmhmmm, look at the mess you made…”

Another release of pressure flowed from the tiny stream of blood that came from Faye. “Oh my goodd…..” Faye humped harder against Vivienne’s thigh, “...me…mess…mmmm..” Faye closed her eyes and took a few moments to relish Vivienne’s hands on her breasts and hips, guiding her through the degrees of passion she was lost in. While locked in the sexual dance the couple were in, Faye couldn’t recall exactly why she’d denied herself this level of pleasure. Faye knew she didn’t have to breathe and could just ride the sex-lava that was threatening to erupt from her loins, but the panting made her feel alive. “I…Love… Viviennnnneee…” She opened her green eyes, “Damnnn I love you, Vivienne…keep… unghh…right there…” Faye tightened her own thighs around Vivienne’s pressured one and leaned over licking the trail of blood from Vivienne’s tummy to tit. Curling her blood heavy tongue back in her mouth, Faye kissed and licked Vivienne’s twin pink tips. “Vivienne….you held out on me, my love…Is there more about our…mmm…bodies that I don’t know?” Faye closed her mouth over one of Vivienne’s pebbled nipples and suckled the coaxed Vivienne’s sanguine iron-milk from her. Faye shivered and goosebumps trailed across her tiny form. The raging heat of the moment passed and Faye pulled away from both Vivienne’s nipple and heavenly thigh, tears having begun to fall from her. “V…Viv…” She sniffled and crawled happily to Vivienne’s face. “Oh, Vivienne…” She whispered and shakily cupped her lover's face. “I tasted it…” Tears of joy kept pouring and leaving red lines on Faye’s light tanned cheeks. “The only way I can even…Oh, Vivienne…” Faye hugged Vivienne tight and kissed her neck. “you tasted like…

Both women said at the same time, “...Chocolate and…some kind of ripe juice…” Vivienne and Faye stopped and stared at each other for a few seconds, stunned to silence.

Vivienne wiped the crimson tear trails from Faye’s face, “Love..” She purred lightly.

“L-love..” Faye mirrored tenderly.

Vivienne kissed and licked Faye from her chin to neck, then slowly wiggled out of her wet panties and stopped unzipping her boots when she heard a soft and sexy whisper come from Faye.

“Leave them on, Vivienne…please..” She meowed playfully.

“Comme tu veux, mon amour..” Vivienne teased with a return whisper in French.

Faye crawled to an empty side of the king sized bed and curled her finger to Vivienne, “I got that. You said as I wish…So fucking hot…” Faye flicked her tongue to Vivienne before laying down.

Vivienne happily followed Faye’s taunting finger and kissed the tip once the gap between the couple had vanished. Vivienne gathered a few drops of blood from one of her throbbing nipples and massaged it into Faye’s tongue, and then pressed their foreheads together. “First sight, my love…” She sighed and started kissing her way down Faye’s body, “One look is all it took…” Vivienne wrapped herself in the warmth of love that had started pounding within her chest. Almost desperate to touch and hold every part that she could, Vivienne slid her fingers along Faye’s form as she kept kissing until she reached her partner’s heavy scented mound. Vivienne felt the need for them to both become part of each other, “mmm…yes, bbbbaby..that’s exactly what I said.” She kissed Faye’s nearly purple pussy once and twisted to look into Faye’s green glassy eyes, “Be part of me, mon amour…” Vivienne turned and slid her leg across Faye’s form, leaving her own cunny wide open for her lover.

Faye was still reeling in the effects of tasting the love Vivienne had for her from blood alone, when the earthy freshness of rosemary was thrust within reach of her lips. Vivienne’s kiss seconds before had shot another ripple of lava like heat across her body turning her womanhood into a slippery sexy mess. Faye languidly swirled her finger over Vivienne’s soft maroon core, “Love to..mmmm.” Faye started kissing both petals lightly and lightly dragging her nails over Vivienne’s round ass. Faye’s sense of heated calm slipped from her mind when Vivienne dragged her tongue he length of her slit. “..Yesss, yes,yes…oh swe…yees…” Faye’s breathing came in short spurts, “Right th…there…oh god…” Faye swiveled her hips to match the fevered licks Vivienne had started. A flash of heat and love escaped Faye’s mind and zoomed straight to her pussy where she felt her small tuft of hair catch the sweat beads that popped out. “Yes…he…mmm…yes..yesessss.” Faye raggedy gasped.

Vivienne caught the light metallic perfumed sweat that had escaped Faye’s body. “Mmm, mon amour…” Vivienne murmured approvingly with the blood laden pearls of sweat. “So close now…my sweet.” Vivienne lapped the blood filled dew drops and buried her face in Faye’s delicate center, twisting and flicking her tongue so that Faye’s essence mixed with the sweet iron already present. Vivienne lost herself in the moment, “So fucking…” Vivienne shivered as she felt a lick against her own tight depths. “Oh by the stars!…yes…Faye…so fucking good..” Vivienne flexed her hips up, down and in little circles. “Come on baby… yeah…right…th..ther..” Vivienne shook her booted feet as the electric sensation started taking control of her body.

“Mhmm, Vivienne…just let go, love. I have you..” Faye softly urged her lover. Faye could tell that whatever magic that started their love making was gradually fading due to the constant use of blood in her body, but she no longer cared. -Vivienne.- Faye didn’t need another reason. “Vivienne..” Faye heard herself say her lover's name just as the first wave of orgasmic bliss burned its way through her body. Faye clenched her thighs when the second pulse sent a dizzying explosion through her, “Vivienne…yes, oh my…” Faye cried out at the top of her lungs and started awkwardly jerking and jolting on the bed.

“VivienneVivienneVivienne..yesyesyes…” Faye started giggling as the spasms didn’t seem to slow. Faye’s stomach muscles stiffened one final time, sending a fountain of her chi scented essence to Vivienne’s waiting mouth.

Vivienne tasted and cooed to herself with the orgasmic wetness that Faye forced on her tongue. Vivienne couldn’t get enough of Faye’s heavy sanguine sweat mixed with her chai essence. “Mmmm, I thought your blood was…gr…” Vivienne gasped, “Juste là, plus de bébé. Faites-le, plus, plus....oui plus.” Vivienne begged when Faye resumed licking her pussy.

“Mmm..yes, You’ll get lots more, Vivienne. Don’t think…” Faye teased and suckled on one of Vivienne’s petals.

Vivienne felt her vulnerability to Faye and knew that the blood-potion had run its course. Vivienne knew she was completely herself and with the woman she loved the moment her eyes focused on the wide circular glasses that once hid Faye’s heavenly brown eyes. Comfortably nestled deep in Vivienne’s being, she knew that she wanted to be vulnerable to the woman licking the love from her. Feeling Faye’s tongue swirling over her clit, Vivienne lost the memories and fed into the unending waves of energy flowing between her legs. “I… I…Ahhh…Faye, mon aaaammmour….” Vivienne shivered once.

“I am here baby…come on…let me taste you…” Faye urged softly.

Vivienne’s ears started to ring with the teasing words, just as Faye pressed and twisted inside Vivienne’s wet sheath. Vivienne felt the muscles in her back start to tighten and her hips flex down, when Faye grazed her fangs over Vivienne’s pearl center. Blinding lightning filled Vivienne’s eyes and orgasmically shocked the length of her body. Vivienne pushed herself up and threw her head back, making her long silky hair fly wildly. “À toi, à toi, tout à toi... prends tout de moi mon amour…” Vivienne wailed and sunk her hips on Faye’s face, shivering wildly as the pleasure of the moment raced out of her body and coated Faye’s lips and tongue.

Time seemed to slow as the two took their time to start moving once more. Vivienne kissed Faye’s thighs lightly then rolled seductively from atop of her lover and partner. Vivienne giggled and squatted on her knees and ran her nails along Faye’s naked and half sweaty frame. “Perfect.” Vivienne whispered.

Faye didn’t want to move and let herself enjoy the way Vivienne trailed her hand around her navel. “Mmm…” Faye stretched her arms above her head. “I totally agree.”

Vivienne leaned over and kissed Faye on her cheeks and lips softly, then dragged her finger across the thin film of blood-sweat that lingered on Faye’s body. Licking her finger clean, Vivienne blinked her crystal blue eyes softly. “Do you need anything, mon amour?”

“Just you, Vivienne.” Faye patted the shredded pillow. “No need to be so far away.”

Slipping beside her lover, Vivienne pulled Faye against her chest. “Do you mind if I take these boots off now?” Vivienne giggled, “I didn’t know you enjoyed leather so much.”

“Only if you tell me all the French you were screaming.” Faye laughed and snuggled tightly to Vivienne’s frame.

Vivienne giggled in response, “Oh, I think you know more than you are letting on.” Vivienne deftly unzipped and pulled her boots off, tossing them across the room. “Just understand that it was the passion of the moment and lovely things.” Vivienne cupped Faye’s cheek, “Thank you, for everything.”

“Huh?” Faye asked, slightly confused.

“You kept going even after the effects wore off.” Vivienne placed her hand over Faye’s unmoving heart. “In the end, this was just us.”

Faye’s eyes welled with tears, “Vivienne, I was wrong. So, wrong.” She leaned up and kissed Vivienne’s bluish lips. “I symbolically gave myself to you in the tub, the fun blood only told me what I already knew.” She paused, “I love you silly. My memories now are all that really matter. Memories I am making with you.”

“Mon amour.” Vivienne whispered softly and pulled Faye on top of her. “Perhaps round two, Oui?” Vivienne raised her eyebrow and returned Faye’s dainty kiss.