Author's Note: My lycanthropes don't go through messy changes, not that you'll see any here (maybe in later chapters). The change, for them, is mostly instantaneous, meaning, you really don't see the bones contorting and popping, any messy goo and junk, all you see is one man/woman and then a furry creature that is "usually" the size of a pony (depending on the animal, the size would vary...slightly) As for my Vampires...it's kind of complex. How do I explain it? If any of you have read the Carpathian Books by Christine Feehan(Dark Guardian, for example), then maybe you'd understand better than most. For those who HAVEN'T read them, shame on you! Now I have to go into some long explanation as to how my Vampires act versus the ones in legend, the Anita Blake Universe, and all the other myths you know about Vamps. *Ahem* Carpathians are the 'good' version of Vampires. They have a powerful magic(creating storms, talking to animals, blocking out the sun), strong vocal/eye allure, they can change into animals (not sure if its only certain animals or any animal) and they drink blood(sustenance, is what they call it...mostly). Unlike conventional Vampires, they have souls which would mean they're alive, but they go into the ground to sleep and heal minor wounds. As for my witch...she's a category all unto herself. Oh, and about the 'Mayfair Witch' reference...yes, it's from Ann Rice's novels(though I haven't read any of them....) I just took the name, not anything...solid from the books.

The woman stared wide-eyed at the man. She glanced over his shoulder and saw Zoe, scowling, with a large animal rubbing against her legs. She looked back at the man and met his eyes head-on, without feeling the usual pull of lust or the compulsion to throw herself at him. What she felt was nothing but embarrassment primarily because she was staring at him. He was beautiful in a dark angel-type of way. All he needed was black angel wings and it would have completed his leather and chains outfit. She smiled as she side-stepped and turned towards the kitchen.
Cian watched the woman move away, felt his body harden at the mere sight of her. What surprised him was that she had met his eyes without any side-effects. He was a master vampire and no matter who he looked at, there was always that nervous, lustful reaction. Women would cling to him, try to wrap their legs around him, or even reach directly for his pants. Men would do the same, but they�d try to put him over their shoulders, or in the nearest car and fuck his brains out. But this woman...she looked at him as if he was like any other man.
He was aware of her movements around the kitchen, how her hips swayed when she walked around the bulk of the tiger�s body. She had reached for the light switch, but he didn�t falter as the lights flickered on and he finally saw a better glimpse of her. Her hair was long and black, brushing down to her hips. She was profoundly taller than Zoe, her long, lean legs taking in nonchalant strides, her arms, subtle with muscles reaching up to grab at a cereal box. She turned so that he saw a profile of her face, making all of his erotic fantasies come to fruition. Her eyes were deep, chocolate-brown, heightened by a sloped nose, leading down to a pair of full, pouting lips. She turned again and he saw her backside, then her front, as if she was modeling just for him. For the first time in a long while, his body was craving her touch, her warmth, her love. For the first time, in all the centuries he had lived, he was desiring a woman that, as far as he knew, was human.
Zoe observed Cian�s reaction to her roommate. She had intentionally not told her brother that her roommate was Lisa Mayfair, the last of the infamous Mayfair Witches. With Lisa�s family name and power, she was a category all unto her own. Whether it be psychics, Necromancers, vampires, or lycanthropes, no one could match a Mayfair�s power. They had been linked to the archangels of heaven and the demon lords of hell, they were responsible for creating spells that would literally destroy planets and galaxies, create worlds beyond imagination, and open gateways to other realms, whether Janus had warranted them or not. They were even known to be descendants from the Goddess of Chaos, the beginning and end of all things. They were a family- at the very least Lisa, was someone that no one should underestimate, piss-off, or even breathe on the wrong way.
�Aren�t you going to introduce us?� Cian asked, breathless. The whole time he had been watching the woman, he had been willing his arousal away. He hoped Zoe didn�t see it or else she wouldn�t have granted him an introduction.
Zoe looked at Lisa who was leaning against the counter eating a bowl of cereal, then at Cian who looked like he was either trying to escape or get into Lisa�s pants. She sighed, knowing her mother had raised her better than to be rude. She stood, bidding Carrick to block Cian�s path to the witch. �Cian Donovan, this is Lisa Mayfair.�
There was a pleasant shiver that ran up Cian�s spine as he heard the woman�s name. Maybe the attraction was because of her family name and the potential power she held? No, he was already a master vampire, powerful and feared in his own right. He didn�t need or want any more power. Too much power was dangerous, he was fine with what he had accomplished now. But if it wasn�t power, then what? It wasn�t just lust or else he could have taken the witch into the other bedroom and fucked her until morning. No, it was something more than power and sex. He just wanted her. If there was anything he didn�t believe in, it was love at first sight. But now, looking at the witch, he knew he was very wrong. There was such a thing as love at first sight and he had just fallen madly in love with Lisa Mayfair.
There was a sudden spark of recognition as Lisa stared at the man. It wasn�t that he was a vampire, she already knew that walking in, it was something about his face that made her think of a movie. Then it dawned on her. She blushed again, but not of embarrassment this time.
One of her old college friends was a dominatrix at a brothel called Vespertine Dream and while they were in the dorm rooms, she had religiously watched adult films for inspiration. Every so often, Lisa�s friend would ask her to come over, not just to watch pornographic films, but to let her father know-who was also a well respected Priest- that pornography was alright to watch. One movie in particular, simply called �Big,� was about a man who was...well...big. The story was that the young man thought he had a physical handicap and went to the DMV to get a blue handicap sticker. In the process, he had sex with the all workers at the DMV-male and female- as well as those petitioning for a license, and even a few select meter maids. Throughout all the love scenes, they had showed his God-given manhood and the propensities of his libido. Aside from the star of the movie, most of the other actors were God-awful in terms to acting and well...overall performance. He, on the other hand seemed to have stemmed from some actor�s guild and was completely in the wrong business. With the exception of his large cock.
Cian immediately recognized the look on Lisa�s face. So, she was a fan, too? He tried to give her a lazy, almost disinterested smile, but he failed miserably and instead, gave her a feral, hungry look of a man dying of thirst. Startled, Lisa looked away, her hair falling over her face.
�He was just leaving.� Zoe said, breaking the silence.
She looked warily at her brother and wondered when was the last time she had seen her brother look so...whipped. Women and men were usually falling over him, but the moment Lisa had walked into the room, he was tripping over himself and literally shoving his cock back into his pants. It was different from what she usually saw, and it should have made her happy to see him flounder, but if he and Lisa began a relationship, then she would have to see him every day. Sure, it wasn�t any of her business who Lisa saw and who she slept with, but her own brother? Cian Donovan the porn star? She could have definitely done better than that.
There was a knock on the door, but Cian ignored it. He was too busy watching Lisa wash the bowl and spoon to answer the door. Swearing, Zoe pushed past her brother and opened the door. In a reversal of fortune, she was admiring Lisa�s brother, Lucian Vincent.
Lucian was slightly taller than Cian�s six-foot frame. His hair was dark brown and shoulder-length, falling messily over his utterly masculine features. His eyes were storm-cloud gray and his mouth was free of fangs and perfect. He was a bit bulkier than Cian�s wiry frame. He had large muscles, broad shoulders, and was free of any hair on his face and chest, which suited her just fine. He had a deep, rough voice, an arrogant, prick-type of attitude and, the one thing she was sure was her weakness, he was a werewolf. Strangely, Lucian wore a leather outfit that could have been worn by Cian. He had a black choker around his neck, spiked, leather cuffs on both of his wrists, and a leather shirt with a slashing V neckline that went into the tops of his skin-tight pants. The pants showed everything a woman wanted to see and melted down to a pair of combat boots that did, and did not, fit the whole leather scheme. But on Lucian, it looked perfect.
�Hi, Lucian.� Zoe said, smiling.
�Zoe.�
Lucian stepped into the apartment and quickly assessed the situation. He looked at the tiger first, noticing it was looking at him with the same critical eye. He then turned to Cian and he couldn�t stop himself from snarling at the vampire. It just wasn�t his scent, but it was the flow of emotions under that power that disturbed him. He was planning something wicked.
�Who�s this?� Lucian demanded, pushing the question towards Lisa.
Lisa stepped forward, wary of the tiger and Lucian. �This is Zoe�s guest, Cian Donovan. Cian, this is my step-brother, Lucian Vincent.�
Lucian looked at Cian�s outstretched hand and ignored it. He wasn�t going to shake hands with a vampire. One knew that if they weren�t careful, they could become bewitched by the vampire and-
Lisa promptly punched his arm. Hard.
Swearing under his breath, he turned to Lisa. �What was that for?�
�Don�t be an ass. Shake his hand.�
Growling softly, Lucian finally took Cian�s hand and immediately began to squeeze. Cian smiled and squeezed back, both men trying to out-do the other.
�You two are such children!� Zoe exclaimed. �Break it up.�
Lucian took back his hand and turned to his sister with every intention of ignoring the vampire. He gave her a quick once over and gave her apologetic eyes. �I�m sorry for telling you to go home, only to come back here and get you, but the Cardinal has asked us to wrap up the current case.�
Lisa threw up her hands and paced the small kitchen. �Did you mention to the Cardinal how hard it is to get a second audience with a group of lycanthropes so close to the full moon?�
�I mentioned it, but he said that this case needed to be resolved as soon as possible. No exceptions. We close it tonight, round up the suspects, and perform the necessary executions.�
Shaking her head, the witch turned on her heel and gave her brother the best glare she had in her arsenal. �There is no way we can do it tonight. It�s nearly two in the morning!�
�Better late than never.� Lucian murmured.
�I hope I�m paid overtime.� Lisa growled. �Because if I�m not...�
�It�s been taken care of.�
Lisa tapped her foot, looking as if she were counting. After a full three minutes she snarled something indecipherable and went into her room.
�Where are you going?�
�I�m going to change!�
�What you�re wearing is fine!� Lucian shouted.
�We�re going to the Menagerie, aren�t we? We�re going to perform executions tonight?�
�Yeah.�
�Then I�m changing!�
Unlike most women, it only took Lisa ten minutes to change. Her hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail and her entire outfit was black. She wore a black, turtle-neck sweater, leather pants, and boots that came to her calf with buckles and silver dangling chains. On her right thigh was a large silver blade that reached her knee and around her waist was a pair of whips that were as long as her arms. No one knew exactly how she used those whips, only that when she did use them someone was going to bleed. Or die.
�Are you staying, Zoe?� Lisa asked, her mind-set changing from the once-quiet witch to the impatient, black-clad executioner.
�You want me to come?�
�The more the merrier. Besides, it�s best if we blend in with the crowd, rather than scare the shit out of everyone when we walk in.�
�Alright. I can spare one sleepless night.�
�May I accompany you?� Cian asked quietly. �I�ve very well-known at the Menagerie.�
Lisa�s eyes had become cold, darker than the usual, subtle dark brown Cian was quickly becoming accustomed to. Then again, he could get used to this side of her as well. He spared a glance at Zoe who had an �I-know-how-well-known-you-are� look.
�Fine.� Lisa said, before Lucian could protest. She turned to her brother. �We�re taking your car since you have enough energy for such a high priority case.�
�What makes you think I have the energy for this? I�m going because it�s a club.�
�And what about me? I�m not going there for my health!� Lisa argued.
�Well, just have a bit of fun with a side of business.�
Lisa groaned, which didn�t do any good for Cian�s hormones. �I just want to sleep!�
�Then let�s go. The faster we get there, the quicker we close this case, and the sooner you can sleep.�
�Thank God.� Lisa grumbled.
Cian opened the door and bowed courteously, allowing Lucian and Zoe to pass. He came in step beside Lisa as he shut the door. He watched her slide a hand over the deadbolt and knob and wondered for a split second what she had done. Instantaneously, the locks had slid home and the knob had been secured and locked. Not to mention a curtain of power that settled over the door.
Lisa smiled when Cian raised an eyebrow. �Beats having a key to lug around everywhere. And there�s a ward to keep out nosy neighbors and other unmentionable�s.�
�Convenient.� Murmured the vampire. He offered her his arm and felt happiness well inside him when she complied.
�Cian,� Lisa began as they walked towards the elevator. �How do you know Zoe? If you don�t mind me asking?�
�Oh,� Cian smiled when he saw Zoe visibly stiffen as she waited by the elevators. �She�s my sister.�
Zoe spun around so quickly, Lucian had to catch her before she fell. �Half. Half-sister! We are only related through our mother!�
�Yes, that�s right.� Cian nodded his head as if remembering that small, minute detail. �We�re technically half-siblings, but it�s such a hassle to keep saying �half.��
�We�re half-siblings.� Zoe growled through clenched teeth. �Deal with it!�
Lucian smirked as he entered the first available elevator. He pushed the button for their destination and leaned against the elevators walls, making it a point to move between Zoe and Cian and yet keep Lisa close. �I�m glad Lisa and I don�t have that problem.�
�What problem?� Lisa asked, trying to get a breather from her brother who was subconsciously smothering her and pushing her against the elevator wall. �The only problem I have is breathing!�
Lucian backed off and shrugged. �You and I consider each other brother and sister. We don�t always have the �step� in front of it.�
Lisa blushed and squirmed where she stood. �Actually, I usually say �step� when I�m introducing you, Lucian.�
The werewolf looked genuinely hurt. �Lisa, you don�t think our brother-sister relationship goes beyond that little technicality? I always say you�re my sister and no one argues when they ask why our last names are different.�
�Of course they don�t ask. Look at you, Lucian! You can smash their brains in if they say the wrong thing to you!�
Lucian crossed his arms and blew the hair out of his face. �That�s beside the point.�
�Yeah, the point is that when your mom married into my family, even when she legally changed her name, you still refused to have the Mayfair surname. And anyone who said otherwise, you...bashed their brains in.�
�Alright, forget it.� said Lucian, his temper beginning to flare. �Forget I even brought it up.�
�Lucian...� The witch tried to implore her brother, but like a child, he scooted away from her and refused to look and speak to her.
�Fine.� Lisa snapped. �Be an ass.�
As soon as the elevator doors opened, Lucian walked past Lisa, nearly dragging Zoe behind him. Lisa followed close behind, but stopped and turned to Cian. He strolled out of the elevator with an air of old-world elegance and stopped just in front of her, his head tilted to the side.
�Would you rather be in Lucian�s company or mine?�
�With an offer like that, how can I refuse?� Lisa answered, once again, taking his offered arm.
By the time the witch and the vampire had found Lucian�s car, Lucian inhabited the driver�s seat while Zoe sat beside him, both with their eyes narrowed into something of a glare. Cian, so unlike the man Zoe was used to, moved forward and opened the backdoor, letting Lisa get in first. As soon as she was settled, Cian got in and smiled at the witch, noticing Lucian�s glare in the rear-view mirror. Just to see his reaction, Cian put a hand over Lisa�s which produced the desired effect.
�Don�t touch her.� Lucian barked.
�He can touch me if he wants!� Lisa answered, hitting the head rest on Lucian�s chair. �Now, drive!�
�Not unless he lets you go!�
Cian leaned forward, whispering, for Lisa�s ears only. �I�ll never let you go. I promise.�
Lisa turned her head and she was face to face with a pair of violet eyes. Like before, she wasn�t compelled to jump Cian in the backseat, but there was something else in his eyes that spoke of endless, passionate nights, promises of love and absolute loyalty, and a desire so hot that it burned just as brightly as the sun. In that single, longing look, there was a certainty, a guarantee that he wasn�t as superficial as he presented himself. For her, he would become whatever, whoever she needed.
Snarling a series of profanities, Lucian slammed on the accelerator and pulled out of his parking spot with enough force to have his passengers clinging to their seatbelts. He ignored Lisa�s scream and, instead, turned to Zoe.
�Are you okay?�
Zoe nodded and thanked the heavens she had her seatbelt on. �I think I lost a lung back there or some other major organ, otherwise, I�m fine.�
�I�m okay, too, thanks for asking.� Lisa said, reaching behind the head rest and pulling Lucian�s hair. �What were you thinking? You could have hit someone!�
�Could have, but didn�t!� Lucian shouted, trying to get Lisa away from him. �Quit it, will you? I�m trying to drive!�
�Trying is an understatement!�