Author's Notes: Wow, I actually got an email from one chapter of this! That I wasn't expecting. Anyway, this is probably one of the darkest and most sensual/sexual thing I've written. I'll never do a lemon, so this is as close as it gets! Plus, I believe that readers have a better imagination than I do ^_~

Dedication: To Kirstian, who keeps encouraging me with this fic, no matter what insanity comes from it. And to Ryan, who was awesome enough to send me email! I hope this chapter lives up to your expectation!

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Chapter 2

Their bodies came together fiercely. Though their flesh was cold, their blood was overheated. Mouths devoured each other hungrily, and hands wandered down her body. With each kiss, he worshipped her body. He was a powerful lover, wild yet instinctively knowing what her body sought. He left little marks upon her neck as his teeth grazed her sensitized flesh. She ran her through his dark hair as his mouth moved lower to please her even further.

After what seemed like hours of hanging on the edge, she was finally put out of her misery as he entered her. The sounds of their moans bounced off the walls. Beneath them, the bed creaked noisily in rhythm to their motions. There was no awkwardness that existed between them - just pure simple harmony to their movements.

The loud screams of pure satisfaction reverberated in the household and came to no surprise to anyone who lived within those walls.

She was nestled against him. Lethargic heat still hummed in her body. It was nothing like she ever imagined. His hand moved absently down her back as he relaxed in his half-sitting position, inhaling his trademark cigarette. She watched in fascination as he produced a smoke ring.

She giggled lightly, and he looked down at her strangely. "What?" he growled.

"Why do you even smoke? It's not like you're addicted to the stuff," she commented.

"It doesn't kill me either," he said with a smirk.

Her pale hand reached out to rest upon his equally pale chest. "Still... "

He stiffened in reaction as her fingers delicately brushed his nipple. "Don't get too attached, hatchling."

Little did he realize that it would be the other way around, and as his moans of pleasure rose in the room, that he had taught her far too well.

***********

For nearly a month, they remained absorbed with each other. Sexually speaking, they were equally matched. She became as passionate loving as she was fiercely demanding. As time passed, she found herself no longer as troubled with what she had to do to exist. She didn't choose innocents. Rather, she chose to prey on criminals who lived on the streets. Occasionally, when supply became short, she was forced to raid the blood banks.

"You're such an idiot," her lover had commented.

She had accepted what she had become, but she would not be the Devil's tool. She refused to give in to the urges that were a part of her. She also knew that though he sounded insulting, it was his way of showing he cared. A part of her felt touched that she should come to matter to the all mighty Vampire that much, but another part of her felt that something was missing.

Their coming together was powerful and sometimes nearly violent. They were both passionate creatures and he was fiercely possessive of her. More than once, a Vampire had risked near death by staring at her too long. She cared for him, but the familiar saying once bitten twice shy still had her on her guard.

She laughed at the irony of that statement. Smoothing down her dress, she inspected her reflection in the mirror. Alabaster skin shone in its pale glory. Her long hair had been pulled back, leaving ebony tendrils caressing the nape of her neck. She wore an exquisite black dress, with spaghetti straps and a neckline that hinted at the cleavage beneath. The dress itself, from behind, plunged to the small of her back, and a diamond star gathered the strands of material extending from the edges. The heels she wore added length to her already long legs. Completing the image was a pair of lovely diamond drops, along with the exquisite diamonds that appeared suspended upon her neck. She had to admit, she was looking fairly good for tonight.

The arm that snaked around her waist sent a wave of desire shooting through her again. His mouth pressed a hot kiss at the junction of her neck and shoulder, and she felt him nibbling the tender flesh.

"Not bad," he growled out as he lifted his head.

She pulled away and began chiding him, "You know better than to leave marks on me."

His smile was entirely feral and nearly made her reserves crumble. The picture of innocence he attempted to conjure made her laugh. "What marks?"

She poked him in the chest, and stepped back to admire the way he filled out the tuxedo. His wide shoulders filled out the jacket, and he was fairly humming with barely restrained masculine energy. "Next time, it'll be my turn."

White teeth flashing, he threw back his head and roared with laughter. "Not bad for a hatchling."

She replied impudently, "But of course. Did you expect any less?"

His hands caressed bare skin as he helped her into her coat. "Ready to meet them?"

Her lips twisted wryly. "As ready as I'll ever be."

**********

She would've never guessed that any of these forms dancing so merrily in front of her was one of Them. By the way that they reacted to her lover's presence, she was beginning to get an inkling of just how powerful he was amongst the Circle. More than a few females were casting her decidedly murderous looks at her entrance. Upon shedding her coat, he came by her side and took her arm.

"This is what I get for coming with a newbie," he snarled as he yanked her in the direction of the bar.

She grinned. His jealousy never failed to amuse her. He knew that she was faithful to him, for as long as she had committed herself to whatever it was she shared with him. Accepting a drink from him, she surveyed the room just a little above the rim of her glass.

Like the jewellery on her, her surroundings shimmered. The crystalline chandeliers above shone, and a low hum greeted her ears. If she tuned in her senses carefully, she could pick up various conversations. Though some of the creatures present were older and far more experienced than her, she had more than a natural knack for the Gifts. Outside of whatever time they had spent satisfying urges higher on their scale, he had been training her. He was impatient at times, and more than once, she had to refrain from delivering smartass retorts. All in all, he was a good teacher, drawing out skills and levels of concentration she would've never thought possible. He still proclaimed that she had a lot to learn, but she didn't miss the gleam of pride shining from those golden eyes.

At times, as his hands and mouth brought her to unbelievable levels of pleasure, she thought she could love a person like him. He was fierce yet gentle. He was so aware of her needs, both physically and emotionally. He frequently threw barbs at her, but she knew that behind it all lay a strong and powerful affection for her. She also knew it scared him to death.

Vampires couldn't love. They were creatures of the Night, born of passion, living only to satiate urges that they couldn't control.

For him to have the depth of emotions he was having, you bet your ass he was scared shitless.

She knew if she confronted him with it, he would deny it with every breath he didn't have. What she became curious about though was about what she wanted, and if she could care for him the way he did.

He protected her when she needed him. He knew exactly how to draw her from the sadness that had held her submerged initially. He had taught her how to embrace what she had been given instead of fighting it. He had scoffed at her humanity, but at the same time, she was convinced that it was one of the things that he admired about her.

Of course, he would rather die than admit any of this.

It was a good thing she was clairvoyant.

Though not good enough to anticipate what he was about to do next.

Bringing up her hand to his lips, his tongue came out to flicker against her flesh. Immediately, bolts of desire shot through her. He kissed the pale skin on it, and she fought to suppress her need for him. It was surprising how being Transformed elevated her every sense and need.

As he continued nibbling on the tender skin, her hand that was holding the glass trembled. "What are you doing?" she whispered huskily.

He grinned wickedly. "What does it look like?"

He was aware of everything that he was doing, and he was entirely too sure of himself. Ignoring the heat that had begun building up within her, she set her drink down. Turning her body so that she was now facing him, she noted his eyes upon her. Where once she would've thought him unreadable, he was now so crystal clear.

With a low murmur, she put on her most innocent expression. His eyes narrowed immediately, having been too accustomed to her ways. She shifted her body so that nobody else could see them. Lifting a slim finger to his chest, she trailed it lazily down his torso with knowing experience. As her finger continued down its path, her other fingers joined in to tease him. Brushing past his belt, she smiled saucily at his sharply inhaled gasp and the nearly molten gaze that heated her blood.

"You... " he managed to get out. His hand reached behind her back and its callused tips played with the skin beneath the material. Downward it went, moving past where the dress had left pale skin bare.

A sudden unwelcome voice drew them both out of their actions.

"What? You two are gonna fuck each other in public?"

If she could still blush, she would. She could hear the barely suppressed sound of annoyance coming from her lover as they both spun around to meet the newcomer. Unlike the man next to her, the other man looked ill at ease in his tuxedo. Dark brown hair rebelled against the control of man-made products, fondly known as gel, and his dark eyes gleamed with unmistakable interest at her.

She found herself bristling under the stare. The hand behind her back refused to move, and instead began caressing the soft flesh beneath the dress. It took every ounce of her control to fight her reaction. He'll pay later on, she thought with an angry seethe.

The younger man smirked. "New conquest there?"

His eyes flashed dangerously. "What do you want?"

"I just heard through the grapevine about the female who had finally caught the all-mighty Council Head."

She could feel his hand stiffening behind her and she breathed a sigh of relief. Council Head? She glanced at him quizzically, and she knew that she wouldn't get any answers from him. Not now at least.

"And you apparently still can't get the underaged minx," the all-mighty Council Head pronounced in a smirk.

You didn't need to be a creature with enhanced senses to feel the rage that came at those words.

"What the hell? I could get her any time I wanted to, you fucking bastard."

She could smell the battle in the air, but yet from the other man, she sensed something else emanating from him.

He shrugged his shoulders carelessly as his fingers resumed its ministrations, giving a certain part of her anatomy the attention he should've been giving to the young creature in front of him. The other man noticed of course.

"Save your pawing for another time," he spat out. "I'm here to speak to you about Council matters. It's in regards to another one of your children."

"Him?" he said simply.

She looked at them both in confusion. He had removed his hand from its previous position. Leaning forward to kiss her fiercely, he whispered, "Later." His eyes gleamed with heated promise and the tingles shook in her body. He laughed, entirely too aware of her body's reactions. She really was going to have to get him back later tonight.

***********

None of the males were stupid enough to approach her. The females hated her for stealing one of the most desirable creatures. It was a lovely party all in all, she thought with a wry curve of her red lips.

Grabbing a flute of wine from a waiter passing by, she grimly noted that at some point, he would become the main course for someone in the crowd. She wasn't accustomed to being surrounded by so many of her kind. He had left her on the edge, teasing her with something he knew too well. She shifted uncomfortably and rose to seek the cooler air outside. Though she knew it was useless, some level of her still reacted to the remaining humanity within.

The moon cast its silvery beams upon the balcony it had chosen. It was the Night. It was her Time. Thankfully, she had fed before she had left the house. Instead, she opened her senses and allowed the sights and sounds to tickle at them. She wasn't aware of the cool air teasing her hair, causing more tendrils to fall. It was strange that sometimes, the only time she felt like she was living was when she was practicing her skills or when he was deep within her. She suppressed a delicious shiver of anticipation at that last thought.

Suddenly, she was aware of another presence, one she hadn't experienced since the day she had been created. Whirling around, her jaw nearly hung in shock. Only with the utmost of control she managed to say icily, "What are you doing here?"

"You look beautiful," was all he said.

In the shadows, he was very much a creature of the Night. His hair was pulled back, and his eyes shone with a sorrowful light she had never seen before.

"I suppose I have you to thank for that," she spat out. She didn't want to see him again. He had created her against her will, and betrayed her. He had scarred her and prevented her from loving anyone else. She couldn't let anyone else in like this.

"You shouldn't be here." Her tone was cold, and revealed none of the inner turmoil within.

"I know," he said wryly. "You've learned much in a month. I suppose you have him to thank for?"

"What business is it of yours?" she demanded. How dare he come along after disappearing from her life and ask her about her current lover? He had rejected her, turned her into this damned creature, and set her on the path to hell. And now he was attempting to pass judgment?

"You're still the same," he commented. She couldn't miss the note of fondness that entered his voice, nor the glaze of desire that came from his eyes. He reached out to stroke her cheek. "Moonlight suits you. You truly are Night's mistress."

She visibly flinched, and she felt his hurt reaction. She slapped his hand away, and she didn't want to think about how his fingers upon her skin had fanned the flames that had been started earlier.

"I still hate you," she whispered as she moved away from the balcony to rejoin the cacophony of talking, laughter and music.

Deep regret was evident in his voice, and though she could've opted not to hear, she did.

"I know."

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More notes: This is just the beginning. Don't be lulled by the lack of action right now. Think of it as buildup to something fairly 'interesting'. Anyway, I'm currently working many pages ahead. I like working that way since it gives me room to change stuff if I can, and I'm somewhat stuck right now (again). I always do this. I work things into a frenzy but I can't seem to find a decent ending. Plus, I can't decide if I want to make this fic into something longer or not. Ah well... and yes, feedback is always welcome. Flames you can keep though. =P