Landon looked at LaCroix, who nodded. They both slid
out of the booth and proceeded to walk over to the
door behind the bar marked “private.” Jillian and
Cecile got up to go get drinks at the bar, and Janette
slid out of the booth to circulate among the patrons,
greeting several of the vampires that had traveled
from Seattle, as Landon and Jillian had.

With just the two of them in the booth, Arthur moved
to face Natalie. She decided to try and break the
silence and put the nervous vampire at ease.

“So, how long have you been a vampire, Arthur?”

He smiled at her. “A little over three years. Janette
brought me across after she had known me for almost
two years. You see, I was diagnosed HIV positive after
my partner Jeremy died of AIDS.” A painful expression
crossed his face. “I wandered in here one night after
his death, and Janette recognized the grief I was
going through. She came over to me and we started
talking, and eventually we became friends. She told me
about Robert, and that she had moved to Portland to
start a new life. One night, she asked me what I
would do if I was cured of the disease and had a
chance to start over, without the fear of ever
contracting HIV or AIDS again. I thought she was
speaking hypothetically, of course.” He grinned a
crooked smile. “I thought about it and told her that I
would try to work to educate more people on the
realities and facts of the disease. There are so many
misconceptions about it. I was a TA at Portland State
when we had this conversation. I was getting my Ph.D.
in microbiology and was planning on going into
research. Anyway, for several weeks we talked about
what I would do, what agencies I would work with, as
well as the types of programs I thought I could help
devise.”

”Then, one night, she invited me back to her office. I
was stunned and a bit nervous. She obviously knew I
was gay, and I hoped she wasn’t going to hit on me.
She is a beautiful woman, but I wasn’t interested in
her that way.” He laughed to himself. “When we got up
to her office, she told me that one of the biggest
myths of world culture was actually a reality. She
told me that vampires are real. Of course I laughed at
her. Then she changed. Her eyes began to glow and her
fangs extended. She hissed at me, ‘oh yes, we are
quite real.’ I almost had a heart attack from fright.
She changed back and told me her story, from her first
conversion, her relationship with Nicholas and
everything up to her coming to Portland. Needless to
say, I was stunned. Finally, she asked if I would
consider becoming a vampire. She told me the pros and
cons, and advised me to consider it. She also warned
me not to tell anyone about this or that the Enforcers
would find out and kill me. She gave me three days to
think about her offer, and told me to come back at the
end of that, and if I had decided against it that she
would erase my memories and I would go on with my life
as before. She also warned me that if I didn’t return,
she would find me and erase them forcefully.”

At that point, both Jillian and Cecile returned and
sat down, and Cecile put a glass of blood wine in
front of Arthur. He smiled at her before continuing
his story.

“The next three days were the hardest of my life up
until that point, except for losing Jeremy. The
thoughts of living forever, never having to worry
about becoming ill or going through the horror of AIDS
were balanced by the realities of drinking human
blood. Janette had told me that vampires don’t need to
kill in this day and age for their food, but she had
painted a very vivid picture of a vampire’s bloodlust,
and told me that there might come a day when I would
kill, even if it was against my will. I was torn by
indecision. Then, the day I was supposed to come back
here with my decision, I got a call from a friend in
Seattle. He and his partner had both been diagnosed
with HIV, and he was in tears. He knew I was already
HIV positive, and he was trying to ask for some
support. After I got off the phone with him, I made my
decision. I called the University and withdrew from
the Ph.D. program, then came over here. Janette
brought me across that night.”

Natalie nodded when he finished his story. “Did
Janette tell you that when I first met Nick he was
trying to become mortal and that I had agreed to try
and help him?” Arthur nodded. “Well, after we were
forced to part, I continued one avenue of my research
and started looking at the possible effects of the
vampire virus on HIV-infected blood. I’ve made some
interesting discoveries. After this is all over, and
assuming I survive, I’d be happy to share them with
you.”

“Wow, that would be great. I’d be very interested. I
haven’t been doing much research. I’ve been working
with several agencies to try and promote AIDS
awareness among homeless teens.”

At that moment, Landon returned. He walked up behind
Jillian and put a kiss on the top of her head. “Your
turn, Sweetie.” She turned and smiled up at him, and
Natalie wondered about their relationship. Jillian got
up and left the table, obviously familiar with the
layout of the building. She disappeared through the
doorway behind the bar just as Janette returned to the
table.

“Natalie, two of the Elders from Seattle would like to
speak with you. Are you up for it?” Natalie nodded,
then slid out of the booth and followed Janette.

Landon took the seat that Jillian had just vacated and
leaned forward to grab the glass of bloodwine she had
left. He brought it to his lips and took several
swallows, before realizing that both Arthur and Cecile
were studying him. He put the goblet down and raised
an eyebrow at the fledglings.

“Is something wrong? Have I suddenly grown two heads?”
His teasing tone caused Arthur to look away,
embarrassed. Cecile, on the other hand, boldly stared
at him.

“Well? What was it like? Sharing blood with LaCroix?”

Landon chuckled. “Like nothing you’ve ever
experienced, youngling. You’ll have your turn in just
a bit. It is a highly…sensual experience. I do believe
you will like it.” He smiled then got up to get
another glass of blood wine from the bar.

Cecile fumed after Landon. Her mercurial temper amused
the older vampires, but it galled her to be treated as
a child. She turned back to Arthur, who was studying
his drink. He could feel her seething through their
link.

“Arthur. Look at me.” Cecile demanded of her sibling.
He looked up. “Do you know why it is so important for
us to share blood with LaCroix?” He shook his head.
She sighed in exasperation and reached for her own
glass of blood wine in an effort to calm herself down.
She downed it in two swallows, and then got up to get
a refill. She noticed that the club was filling up;
there seemed to be almost double the number of
vampires that had been there just half an hour
previously. She saw Janette and Natalie talking to a
man and a woman who were nodding. She scowled at her
master and turned to go back to their table.

Ten minutes later, Jillian reappeared and walked over
to Janette. Both of them turned to look at Cecile,
then Janette nodded and excused herself. She walked
toward Cecile, and beckoned her to follow when she
knew Cecile’s attention was on her. Cecile got up and
walked toward her.

“Ma petite, you must be careful of how you interact
with LaCroix. So far, he has been amused by your
spirit. But make no mistake, he angers easily. Keep
your temper under control, hmmm?” They walked through
the doorway behind the bar and down the corridor to
Janette’s office. Janette opened the door without
knocking. LaCroix stood at the fireplace, his
immaculate black shirt unbuttoned at the neck. Never
having met him, Cecile had no idea how unusual the
sight was. Janette gave her a gentle push into the
office, and then closed the door behind her. The
ancient vampire watched the fledgling come toward him,
noticing her defiance along with her pride. He hoped
he would not have to break that spirit.

She stopped a few paces away from him. “So, tell me
what I will get out of this sharing of our blood.”

LaCroix arched an eyebrow. “Hmmm. You are a little
mercenary. I see that Janette chose another fiery
temper for our family. Come here.” He crooked a finger
at her. She held her ground a moment longer, then
reluctantly walked toward him. “You ask what you will
get out of our sharing of blood? A deeper control over
your own blood lust. Increased perceptions of the
world around you, and a small increase in your
tolerance to sunlight. And, of course, there is the
sheer pleasure of sharing blood with another vampire.
It is the closest intimacy imaginable. “ He dropped
his shield again, more fully than before, and allowed
his power to wash over her more forcefully.

Cecile felt the power, as well as something
familiar…the desire for blood. She took another
involuntary step toward him. She shook her head, then
frowned.

“Fine. Should I take my clothes off for this? I
haven’t had sex since before I was brought across last
year.”

LaCroix laughed. “While the offer is intriguing, since
we are under time constraints all you need to do
is…bite me.” He reached out and drew her to him. The
feel of her sparkled along his senses, igniting a
passionate response. He growled deep in his throat and
watched as she changed, her eyes becoming amber, her
fangs extending. He leaned down, baring his neck to
her as his own features changed.

Cecile could feel the lure of the ancient’s blood. It
called to her. His unique scent, like leather and
tobacco with an overlay of cloves, intoxicated her.
She leaned forward, intent on his pale neck, and slid
her extended fangs into his cold flesh. As his blood
began to flood her mouth, she was assaulted with scene
after scene of his very long life, and passion of a
sort she had never experienced. She never even felt
his fangs piercing her own neck. As she was assaulted
by images and sensory perceptions, Cecile felt a power
begin to suffuse her being. She felt nuances and
subtleties tied to the nature of the vampire that she
had never even dreamed of. LaCroix imparted some of
his own strength to her, his abilities, and even
wisdom. She felt her body begin to tingle with
pleasure and realized that she was having a massive
orgasmic reaction to the richness of his blood. She
growled low in her throat and pulled his blood into
her mouth with more urgency.

LaCroix finally pulled away from her, well pleased
with her reaction to his blood. Oh, how sweet her
young blood. The hot passion that mounted within them
both was something he had not felt in many years. She
looked up at him with an intense satisfaction on her
face.

“Wow, that was incredible.” She smiled and her face
transformed to one of beauty and sweetness. LaCroix
traced a finger along her cheekbone.

“My, you are full of surprises. I see Janette has
chosen well in you.”

To his surprise, Cecile pulled him down to her for a
long, passionate kiss full of desire. She pulled back
from his mouth and leaned to whisper in his ear, “When
we have more time, we shall continue this…with fewer
articles of clothing.” She released him and stepped
back, a smug look on her face.

LaCroix looked at her, a smile playing around his
lips. “I may extend my stay in Portland after this
family ordeal is finished.” He grabbed her hand and
brought it to his lips. “Now, perhaps you should get
your brother.”

Cecile frowned. “I don’t think he is going to be able
to go through with the blood link.”

LaCroix scowled. “Why ever not?”

“Arthur has issues with…intimacy. I’m not sure why,
but when he came across, he was uncomfortable with
Janette’s link, and he hasn’t taken well to the blood
link we share, even though it is weak and neither one
of us really pursues it. Janette may have some more
insight into it. He enjoys donated blood, but Janette
has said she wonders if he will even be able to handle
the closeness of a live meal.” She tossed her hair and
sniffed. Through their newly formed link, LaCroix
could feel her disdain for her brother.

“Well, be that as it may, I should talk to him and at
least get this fear of his confronted. Thank you, my
dear. I will talk to him at a later time, stressing
that even if he chooses not to share our blood, we
should get to know one another.” She nodded and
slipped out the door.

LaCroix sent a request for Janette’s presence along
their own link, and momentarily she opened the office
door and walked in.

“Oui, LaCroix?” She held a full goblet of blood wine
her hand, a bottle in the other. She offered him the
glass, which he accepted.

“Tell me about Arthur. Cecile seems to believe he has
intimacy issues and that sharing blood would upset
him.” He sipped from the goblet. Although he had fed
on vampire blood, he had lost as much or more of what
he had ingested, and needed to replenish his internal
reserves.

Janette frowned. “As a mortal, Arthur had a homosexual
orientation. When I brought him across, I learned that
while he was growing up, his stepfather sodomized him
regularly. His mother died when he was fairly young.
Although he had a long-term stable relationship until
a few years ago, his experiences with intimacy were
tinged with fear. Even the experience of converting
was difficult for him. I think the only reason he
crossed over successfully was because I had built a
non-threatening friendship with him for quite a while
before he joined us. I daresay you would remind him
quite a bit of his stepfather, just by your very
nature.” She hesitated, then went on, “LaCroix, please
don’t antagonize him. Although he may sound weak, he
is not. I am very attached to him. I have been
teaching him and he is coming along, if slowly.”

LaCroix rolled his eyes, poured another glass of blood
wine and considered Janette before he spoke again.
“Very well. We shall have to try our plan without
him.”

He got up and both of them went through the door and
back down to the bar. It was almost 3:00, and Janette
wanted to introduce Natalie to the vampires that had
answered her call. She walked over to the table where
Natalie and the other family members were seated, and
leaned over the back of the booth so that Natalie
would hear her.

“Natalie, are you ready? It is almost time.” Natalie
nodded and Janette could hear her heart rate increase.
She slid out of the booth and followed Janette to the
dais at the front of the room.

As Janette stepped up, the entire venue quieted.
Although there was no microphone, since the only
mortal in the room was Natalie all other occupants
would hear her perfectly well.

“Thank you all for coming, including our friends from
Seattle. I’m sure most of you have heard the edict
from the Council of Elders stating that a mortal under
my family’s protection has been given full support due
to her help a few years ago in saving the Toronto
Community from a deadly plague against our kind. Her
name is Natalie Lambert Knight, and she is here with
us tonight asking my family to honor our pledge of
protection” She turned and gestured to Natalie
standing beside her. “Natalie’s mortal daughter has
been taken from her by a Russian crime lord. He asked
for money, which he received, for the return of the
little girl. He then insisted that Natalie bring my
master, Nicholas de Brabant, to his presence, before
he will release her.” Janette’s eyes had started
turning amber as she spoke, and all the vampires in
the room could feel her anger, so powerful was it. She
was not shielding at all.

“This behavior is unacceptable. Lucien LaCroix, one of
our most powerful elders and the master of Nicholas,
is here to honor our family pledge. Until this mortal
piece of OFFAL demanded the presence of Nicholas, this
was to be handled as a family affair. With the demand
of Nicholas’ presence, both LaCroix and I feel that it
is time to alert the Community to this threat and to
eradicate it and all others associated with it. I am
asking for the support of the Community. This mortal,
Sergei Andropov, is not a citizen of Portland. He
recently escaped from a prison in Canada, and the
American government does not officially acknowledge
his presence, so his demise will go unnoticed. If you
are willing to help with this endeavor, please come
speak to us. If you are unable or unwilling, my thanks
for your time.”

Janette and Natalie stepped off of the dais. There was
the sound of angry murmuring all around them, and
Natalie could feel the vast reserves of power swirling
in the room. The two women walked back to the table
where LaCroix and his family sat, and were soon
bombarded with questions. LaCroix stood to help field
the traffic and answer inquiries.

After more than an hour, Janette had a large
contingent of vampires, including the two elders from
Seattle, ready to implement a plan as soon as the
logistics regarding the meeting were known. LaCroix
had already taken the two elders to Janette’s office
to ask them for ideas on controlling Nicholas,
explaining the situation between Nick and Natalie to
them, and his own measures with his blood kin to
impose external control on Nick.

Natalie had answered questions from almost every
vampire that had volunteered to help. She was
exhausted and her nerves were frazzled when suddenly
Janette appeared at her side.

“Natalie, come. Let me take you home. It will be dawn
in less than an hour.”