Sharper than Fang

Part Three

Jesse settled on the couch, opening his arms for Paul, and they curled up together cozily. "I would make you a Ghoul, but I cannot even do that without permission. Suneyva will be home again before three A.M., if we start back before then we can talk to her tonight. I'll ask for her permission-" He broke off, distracted by the beating of Paul's heart.

Paul shifted deeper into his embrace and Jesse inhaled sharply causing a momentary hesitation. "You need to feed, don't you." Paul stated softly.

Jesse chuckled, "It sounds corny, but...I hunger for you." He snorted quietly and Paul pulled away from him.

"Well, you're going to have to do better than that if you want to seduce me. I don't fall for cheap lines." He winked at his vampire lover and escaped his hold.

"Since when?" Jesse walked deliberately into the bedroom, pausing in the doorway to look over his shoulder at Paul. "You know, engraved invitations are a little hard to some by out here in the woods, but you would be very welcome to share my bed."

Paul followed him quietly and shut the bedroom door behind himself.

*

"Julianna, you would not believe what was decided at the meeting. A hunt! On the elves! What is this city coming to?" She shook her head in false astonishment. "That little elf," she continued, referring to one in particular, "deserves what he gets."

An eyebrow went up and Julianna crossed the entry to join her Sire. "Was the meeting draining?"

Suneyva snorted, "No, just boring. I have the feeling that alliances are being drawn up and that I am being excluded. There are some that I would talk to...the Malkavians and Brujah perhaps. Maybe in the next few nights I'll do something about that. Make a move." She stopped herself, "But that is boring you. You have not hunted tonight, have you? Why don't we go out."

Julianna held out her arm and they left together through the darkened hall.

"*"

Jesse drove the car up to the entrance of the house, cursing the loud crunch of gravel beneath the tires. The car jerked to a stop and Paul looked up, startled.

"Oh, we're here already?" He rubbed his eyes and yawned before fumbling with his door handle.

Jesse laughed and leaned over him. "You forgot to unbuckle your seatbelt, here." The belt slid away with a scratch of metal and Jesse squeezed Paul's thigh before opening the door for him.

"Thanks, I guesss I'm a little tired." He slid out of the car unsteadily and Jesse was around the vehicle in a flash to catch him as he started to fall.

"I think that we over did it. I shouldn't have taken so much." He put an arm around the young man and helped him into the house. "We'll talk to Suneyva and then I'm putting you to bed."

Paul giggled, "Again?" He leaned heavily onto Jesse's shoulder and allowed himself to be led into the Library. Jesse made him sit in one of the overstuffed chairs and left promising to return shortly.

Jesse rushed up the winding staircase to Suneyva's room, calling out her name. She stepped to her doorway, setting the point of her broad sword on the marble floor, and smoothed the leather pleats of her skirt, "Yes? What is it?"

"Can I talk to you?" He hesitated. "Please? Paul is in the Library, I need to talk to you about him." Jesse shifted his weight.

Suneyva looked at him sharply, "The Library?" Julianna approached from behind her, taking the sword and disappearing again. "Okay, give me a few minutes and I'll be down." She grinned suddenly, "I don't want to scare the poor boy to death." Catching the look on his face she sobered, "A joke Jesse. I wouldn't hurt him. Not if you love him so much."

He nodded skeptically, but went back downstairs to wait for her.

Paul had fallen asleep in the chair. He was so unguarded, so sweet, Jesse had to stop in the doorway and just watch him for several moments, not wanting to disturb him.

"I used to do that to Julianna." Suneyva tapped his shoulder and he jumped. "Shall we go inside?"

Jesse sat on the arm of the chair, protectively hovering above Paul, and gently shook him awake. "Paul, and I talked earlier, Suneyva, about what you and I discussed. I would like to get your permission to go to the Prince. I want to Embrace Paul, and he wants that also."

Her face went blank as she listened to his hastily spoken words. She stared at Paul appraisingly. "You are certain of this decision? Both of you?"

Jesse caught her gaze and held it, while grabbing for Paul's hand. "Yes, we are." Paul nodded wearily in agreement.

"Do you know what this means?" She knelt in front of the chair and folded her hands on Paul's knees. "If Jesse goes through with this, if he gives you that Kiss, you would be an Eigth generation Gangrel. I am the clan Primogen in this city. You would be responsible to Jesse as his Childe, to me as Gangrel, and to the Prince as a Kindred. If you had a problem you would handle it through one of us. I can't say anything for the Prince, but Jesse and I would help you. And we would both protect you."

She paused and looked up at Jesse. "There are obligations also. You would be a responsibility for Jesse. He would teach you of our ways, the clan, and of the Camarilla. There are many rules, many responsibilities. Do you understand?"

Paul looked at her steadily. "I do understand and accept them. That you for asking."

She smiled, "You don't need to start kissing up to me yet." Suneyva took one of Jesse's hands in her own. "I think that I like you Paul. I grant permission to go to the Prince, but you must obey him."

"Then I will send a message tonight." Jesse stood and swept Paul up in a hug. "I need to see you safely in bed first though. You need to sleep. I'll be back shortly." He led the young man out of the room slowly, and disappeared down the hall.

Suneyva waited for a few moments before going to her own room. With a great deal of care she picked up the phone and dialed a private phone number. "Prince Draven, this is Suneyva. I have a favor to ask of you. Could we meet tomorrow evening?" She left her private extention in the house and hung up. "I hope that you appreciate this Jesse."

To Part Four of A Candle For a Sinner
Back to Part Two
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