Author's Notes: I haven't worked on this fic in ages, but I decided to release a chapter anyway. For some reason, though I have a clear idea of where this fic should go, I just can't write it. It's a lot darker and delves into the psychotic mind a little too much for my liking at times, enough to leave me feeling mildly depressed, and perturbed to say the least.

Dedication: To Kirstian, imouto-chan extraordinaire, fervent supporter of this fic, and supremely talented writer of "Straight Edge", among other fics (and off in Japan right now, having deserted her neechan *sniffle*); my new bud, Aoko-san (talented author who wrote "Moonlight Sonata"; and Ryan, who was wonderful enough to send me two emails regarding this fic. Thanks you guys ^_^

Warning: Not quite a lemony chapter, but I did up the temperature quite a bit. Please use your own maturity and discretion.

Her steps were hurried, almost as if she were running away. Blindly, she continued at her pace, and nearly knocked over several creatures. A few bared their fangs in response, but she paid no attention. Lucky for her, she appeared to be the Council Head's interest and for now, they would not attack.

Abruptly, her motion was stopped by her collision into a familiar hard body. Hands gripped her arms firmly and she raised panic-stricken eyes to meet golden ones.

"What is it?" he demanded gruffly.

She shook her head and threw herself against his body. "Nothing. Just take me home, please."

His arm came to wrap itself around her waist and he pulled her into a room unknown to those who did not know of its existence. She was dimly aware of him sitting down and drawing her tinier form to settle upon his thighs.

"Now. Tell me what's wrong."

She could hear the worry laced under the demand. His hand rubbed against her back in complete contrast to the harshness of his voice.

"I..." She wasn't entirely sure what to tell him. Their relationship was something that had never been discussed. She wasn't sure what she was to him, or what he was to her. She felt a strong sense of loyalty and she knew that if she hadn't been created against her will, she might've felt lucky to have someone like him. However, such wasn't the case.

She buried her face against his chest, and her hands clutched at the lapels of his jacket. She heard the curses under his breath, and his other arm wrapped around her firmly. She felt protected in that embrace.

"I saw him," she mumbled against his shirt. Had it not been for his elevated senses, she wasn't sure if he could've heard it. His body stiffened beneath hers momentarily. As if a giant wall had been dropped between them, she was aware that he had completely shut off his emotions to her.

"What did he want?" he growled, his hands tightening around her unconsciously.

She sniffled. "I don't know. He was being strange and being really vague. It was almost as if... never mind."

"What?" he barked.

"You'll just think I'm silly."

She had to fight the grin when he snarled. Others would've been cowering at him and running away in fear, but she knew him far too well for someone who had only been with him for a month. "Tell me."

"I think... all he wanted to do was to see me. He seemed... sad."

His grip relaxed at her words. "I see," was all he said.

She pulled away from her position to peer at him. His face was its usual stoic, unreadable self. "Jealous?" She couldn't resist asking.

He snorted. "Like any other male could satisfy you the way I do," he pronounced confidently.

Arrogant bastard he may be, he was also dead on the mark for that comment. The hands upon her back changed from their soothing motions to something entirely different. He lifted her up as if she weighed nothing so that she wound up straddling him. She could feel his heat pressing against her own. She saw the answering flare of desire in his eyes as she rested her palms on his chest.

"But... but... what if..." He pressed hot kisses against the side of her neck.

"...someone..." Hands wandered far beneath the back of her dress to press her firmly against him.

"...comes..." He bit her neck and his tongue snaked out to soothe the nips he continued making.

"...in" she managed to moan out.

He pulled back and his eyes shone with fierce desire. "Do you care?" he growled out as he rocked her body against his.

She lost all sense of reason, mindless to everything except for the fulfillment of the hunger he had started earlier. "No..." she panted.

His grin was purely masculine as his fingers shifted upwards to push the thin straps off her shoulder. As he continued to nibble at her flesh, he murmured, "It's my office anyway."

She wasn't sure how she could laugh while feeling as if she was going to spontaneously combust from the heat he stirred in her, but she managed.

***********

Sitting astride him, she could watch every expression that flitted across his face as she moved to take him in. For once, his face was unguarded, completely open to her. She saw the need he had for her, and she felt her own body responding. His hand grasped her waist and with his other, he reached downwards, causing her to shudder uncontrollably. Her long hair brushed against her back, adding to the sensation that her too-sensitized skin was feeling. She arched her back, thrusting her hips to in perfect synch with his. The rocking chair swayed with unnatural speed as the two ascended to staggering peaks.

The sounds coming from them seemed wrenched from the bottom of their tarnished souls as they both reached their release. Falling against him bonelessly, his arms clasped her body tightly, stroking her back with a tenderness that surprised even her at times. She suckled at the skin where her head lay, and she could feel his need for her rise all over again.

His hands grasped her to push insistently against him, and it began all over again, as if they hadn't just finished fulfilling their hunger just mere seconds ago.

She didn't think she could walk. She lay on top of him, and his hand moved absently down her back. Her body was pressed his, and she was still in the same position she had been in nearly an hour ago. One good thing about being non-human: she wasn't sure if either of them could survive if they were.

Lifting her head slowly from his neck, she looked down at her body, dismayed to find assorted love bites littered all across. Her eyes widened and she gave him the dirtiest look she could muster, something fairly hard to accomplish when your lover was still deep within you.

The smile that curved the lips, which had caused the very marks, was undeniably masculine.

She poked at his chest. "This isn't funny."

The grin widened even further in amusement. "I never said it was."

"You're smiling!" she huffed. She tried to get off his lap but found her legs wouldn't co-operate.

This time, he broke out in full-fledged laughter, irritating her to no end. "Need a hand?" As much as she was annoyed at him, she didn't miss the twinkle in his eyes. Gently lifting her off him, he set her down on the chair next to him.

"Do you think we'll be missed at the party?"

He got up, and she bit back a sigh of disappointment when his lean muscled body was covered back with clothing. "Considering I was suppose to give a speech about an hour ago, possibly."

She gasped out in dismay. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I had other more important things to take care of," he said gruffly. He leaned down to kiss her. She ignored the familiar heat surging within her and as he pulled away, she was still staring at him. Somehow, his words warmed her to no end. It was a different kind of heat. It made her feel strange inside, reminding her of an emotion that she had once felt for another man. She blinked and turned to look at the chair they had just spent the last little while occupying. Sometimes, it was a good thing that she wasn't human. She wasn't sure she could disguise the blush that would've suffused her cheeks. A thought occurred to her, but she couldn't possibly ask him. Yet, it ate at her. It demanded to be answered. Feminine curiosity and unknown possessiveness demanded that of her.

He raised an elegant brow as he adjusted the bowtie. "What?"

"Nothing."

"You know I hate it when you say that. You want to ask something, so ask. I won't bite." Then, he smirked. "At least not yet."

"The chair..." she began hesitantly. This was mortifyingly embarrassing. This was even worse than the time she hadn't realized he could pick up all her thoughts, including the baser ones.

"What about it?" he drawled with lazy amusement. His fingers reached into the pocket inside his jacket for the well-deserved cigarette.

"Never mind. You'll just laugh at me."

With a sound of exasperation, he cursed under his breath. "Damnit. Just spit it out."

He appeared really annoyed. His nostrils flared like the horse she had once ridden. She nearly burst out in inappropriate laughter at the analogy.

"doyoudothatwithotherwomen?"

He blinked. Then comprehension dawned as the words sunk in. Stepping over, he captured her lips in a swift kiss. "Be ready. I have an announcement to make."

Rule #1. Avoidance of a question was a surefire yes to whatever a woman was asking. She didn't understand why she felt so down about it, nor was she aware of the misery shining upon her face.

He paused at the door. "By the way, it's just you."

He left her gaping after his figure with only the smoke ring he left behind as company. She hugged herself with undisguised happiness as she began dressing as quickly as possible.

***********

Blending with the shadows, he refused to surrender to the loneliness. He could have any female any time he wanted, and yet she was the only one who could assuage the ache. He wanted and needed her beyond all reason. She was his salvation and his damnation at the same time. With his cruel actions, he had thrust her away from him and forced her into the arms of another.

Why had he behaved the way he had?

He knew of the Prophecy and that she was The One. But he still couldn't help his actions. He had already damned her. The least he could do was free her.

He just wished it wouldn't hurt that much every time he saw her, or heard her passionate cries as she made love to Him.

It was ironic in a way. It was strictly forbidden for the Creator to be with its Creation. Yet, it was okay for his creator to be with her. He laughed bitterly, and his victim joined nervously.

"Uh, Mr. Jones... about that deal..."

His voice was quiet, yet it disturbed the very stillness of the Night. He frowned. Perhaps his time was coming sooner than expected. He was also aware that the Council knew of what was to happen. "There was never any deal."

"What?" the other man screeched indignantly. "Listen, you jerk. I brought you out to dinner, hooked you up with some whores, and..."

He reached out and grabbed at the man's windpipe dispassionately. "I know of the deals you strike," he said coldly.

Ignoring the squeaky noises that emerged from the man's throat, he bent his head and surrendered himself to the Need. It was only then that he felt relief.

It was only then that he could forget about her.