Second Place - Action/Adventure

Severus hurried to the old church while still pondering the conversation he'd had with Draco about Harry, what had happened to him after the Dark Lord's defeat, and what was happening to all three of them now. He was so deep in thought, that it was almost surprising when he found himself in front of the sanctuary's door. He reached out to pull the door open, but hesitated. Feeling Harry's agony earlier had nearly undone him. Was he prepared to be the one to cause such pain? Was he prepared for Harry to turn from him in disgust and horror? Severus nodded "yes" as the silent conversation continued in his head. If it meant saving Harry's life, then yes. Yes, he was prepared.

Severus entered the church and made his way into the chamber slowly. He stopped short once he saw Harry. He appeared to be naked, still unconscious and was swaddled in midnight blue silk. He lay supine on what looked like a stone dais. He was arresting in the warm glow of the torchlight. His pale, creamy skin positively glowed. The gloss of his dark hair was a striking contrast. His cheeks were slightly rosy and his bee-stung lips were parted ever so slightly. Therac was bent over him, whispering something in Harry's ear.

"I can see why you wanted him," Severus whispered as he stalked closer.

"Ah, Severus. There you are," Therac said as he straightened and turned around. His fangs were bared and tinged with blood.

Severus looked down and noticed the puncture marks on the right side of Harry's neck.

At Severus's reproachful glare Therac chuckled heartily. "Just a taste, I assure you. He's such a fighter. He struggled the whole time. Each time, in fact. Not that I'd expected anything less, of course. He really is quite exquisite. I'd forgotten how incredible he tasted."

Severus halted. "What? I thought . . ."

"Oh, no Severus. I know this little fallen angel. Of course, I knew him as an undercover heroin addict named Jade. He's quite versatile it seems. Though, I never would have suspected that the wiry, wan little creature I met in a dirty Muggle alley could transform into something so lovely."

Severus bit back the flash of anger that roiled through him at Therac's revelation. He'd never even thought of that possibility. Careful to keep his face a blank mask, Severus stepped closer as Therac gently stroked Harry's cheek in a mocking gesture of tenderness. Harry's brow furrowed in distress as he tried to turn from the touch.

"Shh, my prize, no fretting�I promised you before that I would have you. But, we have much to do before that moment." Therac turned to Severus. "Come Severus. Taste my prize. Tell me if he is worthy of my claim."

Slipping into his role, Severus murmured with a wolfish grin, "He is lovely. He's a dirty little thing, though. I'm sure you witnessed his nightly dalliances. Why would you want something so sullied?" Severus felt ill as he watched Harry lay there, helpless, and clearly disgusted by the vampire's touch. He was soon to join the ranks of the loathsome and disgusting. Nevertheless, it was no longer his choice. He had to do this to save Harry.

"Now, now, Severus. It's not nice to besmirch my claim. And, he's not nearly as dirty as you think. He's quite gifted at creating charades and illusions about who he is. I imagine he's been hiding himself away for so long that he doesn't even know who he truly is. Not that it matters now. So, my oldest friend, I insist that you judge for yourself the worthiness of my claim."

Severus stepped closer, disgusted with himself for finding Harry so beautiful, so arousing. The pull to drink from him was overwhelming. Oh, how he longed to taste him. He could feel his fangs itching to extend as he took in Harry's nearly ethereal visage. Perhaps Beck had been the most perceptive of them all. Perhaps Harry was an angel, of what, Severus could only guess.

Severus, the man, warred with Severus, the vampire, who was at that moment leaning in, ready to sink his fangs into Harry's throat. Severus hesitated. "What did you drug him with?" he asked�buying precious few seconds before the inevitable.

Therac smiled. "Something of my own creation. It will keep him quite . . . compliant during the ceremony, though his mind will be aware but sluggish, of that I assure you. Do not fear, Severus, it will not affect you."

Severus nodded and began gently laving the side of Harry's neck with the point of his tongue and nearly leapt away when Harry shifted slightly towards him. He looked up in surprise.

Therac stared strangely at Harry and Severus. "It seems I've put him in the mood," he said with a thin-lipped smile. Therac said it lightly, but Severus heard the irritation in his voice. Therac obviously wasn't pleased that Harry turned towards him instead of away like he had with Therac.

Severus leaned in again and licked at Harry's delicate throat. His scent was intoxicating. His skin was so incredibly soft and warm. Harry sighed and turned slightly again, as if presenting himself to Severus. That was all it took to wrest away what little of Severus's control remained. In one swift, elegant movement, he leaned in further and slid his fangs into that creamy, beautiful skin. He moaned low in his throat when they tapped into Harry's blood. Harry moaned too and sighed again, as if contented.

Harry's blood was incredibly rich and sweet, but with a dark, robust tang that made for a perfect balance. The omnipresence of his magic threaded through his blood like woven, buttery silk. Severus's senses were overloading at the taste, smell and feel of Harry's blood and magic. As he went deeper, the most curious thing occurred. More potent than the strongest Legilimency spell, Severus was suddenly flooded with Harry's memories of him, his impressions, his feelings�all of Severus. Severus saw the good, the bad, the beautiful, the painful. Hours of intense training sessions and battles flickered by in mere moments. Meals, discussions, moments shared between them�all rushed through Severus just as Harry's blood rushed through and became part of him. The way Harry felt after Severus had cared for and protected him after the final battle. The bitter sting of rejection and the silent breaking of his heart just a week earlier was still raw and fresh. Harry's fantasies, his dreams about Severus interlaced with real events from their tumultuous past. For the first time, Severus realized that Harry saw him. All of him. And, he loved him still. This beautiful man, this man who undulated and writhed beneath him in glorious pleasure as Severus suckled his blood, loved him. As Severus saw himself through Harry's eyes, his feelings, his complete focus, were drawn to Harry. He was only aware of Harry. Harry. Beautiful, beautiful, exquisite Harry; beautiful Harry who leaned in more, who moaned more, who undulated more, who wanted more; beautiful Harry who loved Severus. He could have gone on drinking forever, delighting in the absolute purity of that feeling, had he not been forcefully knocked away.

"I said a taste! Not all of him!" Therac growled, malevolence flashing in his eyes. "HE is MINE!"

Severus stood in one graceful movement, licking the last of Harry's blood from his lips. He made a point of looking over at Harry, who was mewing and unconsciously trying to move closer to Severus. Severus had expected to feel agony, but, as he stood there still awash in the taste of Harry's blood all he felt from Harry was completion. Feeling far more confident, Severus chuckled and turned towards Therac. "I think he likes me better," he taunted.

Therac recovered as his placid, ice-like exterior slid back in place. He ran a hand over his trousers, as if smoothing them. "Do you intend to challenge?" he asked nonchalantly.

Severus sauntered to Harry's side, noticing that Therac was consciously restraining himself from stopping him. He let his fingers deliberately ghost across Harry's cheek, down his jaw and against his throat. He smiled genuinely as Harry turned into the touch and sighed happily. His. His beloved.

Remembering that he'd been asked a question, Severus reluctantly dropped his hand and looked up at Therac. "I do," he said.

Therac looked at him for a long moment before smiling. Genuinely. "It will be an honor to finally have someone worthy to fight for my claim. It will be a sad day to lose you, Severus, but I am honored that you would fight for this little one. He really is exquisite, isn't he?"

�You have no idea,' Severus thought as he simply smiled in response.

The clansmen arrived in small groups until there were approximately thirty or so vampires assembled in the anteroom of the old church. Faint conversation could be heard, but overall the group was subdued. Severus was accorded the proper respect for one in his position, even though he had little contact with his clan. Finally, the doors opened wide and all were invited in. Harry was now propped up on his side, held fast by two low-level members in the clan. The silk had slipped from his shoulders and now pooled in his lap, leaving his upper body bare. He was conscious, but not yet totally aware of what was happening. It seemed more that the two guards were there to keep him upright rather than prevent him from escaping.

Therac was in the corner having a sharp conversation with another member of the clan�high ranking, but not nearly as high as Severus or Therac, Cesearos was his name, Severus recalled. He surmised that Therac was putting alternate plans into play, should Severus challenge. Cesearos turned towards Severus and fixed him with an intense gaze before turning back to Therac and nodding. Seconds later, they parted.

As Cesearos walked away, Severus returned his attention to Harry. The clan members were walking around him slowly, inspecting him, deciding whether he was worth a challenge. Therac and Severus's bites remained unhealed and were prominently displayed. It was proof that Harry had been tasted and deemed worthy. Quite a few clansmen turned in Severus's direction after learning that he was the one who had tasted Harry. Severus watched in fury as Harry's estimate immediately rose in the eyes of a number of the vampires. Harry sat there, unblinking, oblivious to the stares, the subtle touches, the conversation going on around him.

*Harry. Can you hear me?* Severus asked as he slipped further into the chamber and made his way to the side. *Harry!* Severus repeated when he got no response.

Harry's head tilted slightly and he blinked, causing the vampire inspecting him to step back slightly.

*Harry, I need to know if you can understand me. Harry!*

*S-Sev'rus?*Harry called out weakly.

Relief flooded Severus.*Yes, Harry. I'm here. I'm here. Do you understand what's happening?*

Harry tilted his head slightly in the opposite direction. He closed his eyes and swallowed.

*Sev'rus? What's happening to me?* Harry slurred faintly. *Hurts. Something hurt and . . . and then good. Something good. Felt you.*

Severus sighed inwardly. Harry was still too out of it. His only hope was to talk him into awareness. *You have to listen to me very carefully, Harry. Therac was after you. He is the vampire from your last assignment. Do you remember?* Severus said slowly, waiting for Harry to register understanding after each thought.

*Therac,* Harry murmured slowly. *Ice,* he said a beat later.

*Yes, Harry, Therac is Ice,* Severus said as he tried to remain patient. *Do you remember what I told Draco?*

Harry's brow furrowed for several moments before he nodded slightly.

*Good, Harry, good. Now, Therac is going to ask for a challenge, and I am going to challenge him. I'm going to do everything I can to get you out of here.*

*�m tired,* Harry slurred, *Too tired. Let him, Sev'rus. Just let him. Save Draco. The assignment. Too tired.* Harry's eyes fluttered closed and he fell back further into the guards holding him in place.

*No, you little idiot! Absolutely not. I haven't spent the better part of my adult life keeping you alive to let you give up now. You will not give in to this, Harry Potter, you will not! Open your eyes, Potter. Open them!*

Severus watched in triumph as Harry struggled to open his eyes and sit forward. *That's it, Harry, fight it. You've got to fight it.*

�That's it,' Severus said silently as Harry seemed to come into himself a bit more.

Harry blinked and unsuccessfully tried to shift the way he was sitting. *Sev'rus?* Harry asked, *Where are you?*

Severus sighed in relief. Harry sounded slightly more coherent and appeared more alert. *I'm in the corner, Harry. Don't look. Just stay where you are. Now, I need you to listen. The ceremony will start soon.*

Severus stopped short when Harry's fear flooded through him. Severus swore under his breath. *I need to you to calm down.* When the fear didn't abate, Severus thought quickly and blurted, *The good, Harry, remember the good not the bad. I won't let the bad happen.* Harry's fear retreated and Severus could feel Harry's emotional control returning. *That's it. I won't let him hurt you, Harry.*

Harry shook his head slightly. The hovering vampires found this amusing and chuckled at the pitiful claim held fast on the dais. Severus growled low in his throat, grateful that no one else was near him.

*What happened?* Harry asked, sounding more coherent by the minute. *I feel so strange.*

*Therac drugged you at the club. He kidnapped you. Do you remember?*

Harry's last few minutes of consciousness came back to him in a rush. He remembered the body behind him, the thumb swiping across his bottom lip, the unfamiliar tang in his mouth and the sluggishness that immediately followed. Harry chuckled darkly in his mind. *I told you . . .long time ago . . . trouble finds me,* Harry sent back to Severus with some difficulty.

Severus sighed, grateful that Harry had enough wits to make attempts at humor. *I don't know what he drugged you with, but from what I can gather, you won't have much, or any control over your faculties. You're going to have to sit still and simply play the damsel in distress for once.*

*I know. Part of that is the bond and the other is that while Therac wants you helpless, he wants you aware. He wants you to know what is happening to you. He wants you to know you can't do anything to stop it.* Severus felt a mental nod of understanding from Harry and continued. *I want you to understand what's going to happen. Therac will ask if anyone wants to challenge him for you. I will challenge. Assuming I win, Harry, I will still have to claim you in some way. I'm sorry, but there's no other way.*

Harry almost smiled, Severus thought. *I understand,* he said eventually.

Severus swallowed a curse for whatever that damn drug was doing that was making Harry so complacent. *No, I don't think you do, Harry. I've got to--*

*I understand, Severus,* he interrupted, * Did research . . . worried �bout you and Draco . . you . . . you either have to, uh, fin'sh the ritual . . . turn me or, uh . . . , sorry �s hard to think straight, uh . . . make me your blood consort. I figured you'd go for the last.*

Severus sighed. *Yes,* he said, faintly surprised at the depth of Harry's knowledge. *It won't be permanent. Just what needs to be done to get you out of here.*

With great effort, Harry turned his head very slowly in Severus's general direction, his eyes glowing in the torch light. *Could feel you earlier. You drank. Felt . . . good. Trust you,* he said quietly.

Any response Severus could have made was cut off when, seconds later, Therac approached Harry and ran his fingers across Harry's cheek. Harry shivered and tried to turn away. Therac darted a poisonous glare at Severus, who merely smirked. Not taking kindly to the taunt and in a massive breach of ritual etiquette, Therac made a show of wrenching Harry's neck to the side and suckling his claiming marks while staring pointedly at Severus.

Severus winced as Harry's face contorted into a silent scream. He felt agony rip through him again�Harry's agony. Therac pulled away roughly, causing Harry to fall back into the bodies holding him. He had a dazed expression and the bond was quiet.

"My friends," Therac began as he turned towards the assembled crowd and quieted their shocked murmuring with his voice, "thank you for joining me this evening. I have called you here for a blood ceremony. You've all had the chance to view my claim and have seen the attesting claiming marks." Therac turned to a small table to the side of the dais and plucked a short, silver dagger from its velvet pillow. He raised the dagger high above his head and bared his fangs with a slow, malicious hiss.

Slowly coming back to awareness, Harry's eyes caught on the glitter of the dagger. A shot of adrenaline coursed through him and he made an abortive attempt to get away. "No," he mewed quietly, the drug still keeping him weak as a day-old kitten.

Therac turned his head and said in a low, mocking voice, "Come now, Jade, you shall have my undivided attention soon enough."

Harry shook his head again and tried to pry his arms from the guards. Severus couldn't help but admire his defiance. No matter what happened to Harry Potter, there would always be a fire in him that could never be completely squelched�even if Severus had to drag it out of him.

Therac turned and faced the clan with his razor sharp fangs and burning blue eyes. "Does anyone dare challenge me?" he growled.

Murmuring could be heard throughout the room. It appeared that several considered the challenge, but as each took a step forward, Therac glowered and hissed, causing the would-be challenger to shrink back.

As the murmuring began to die down, Therac cut his menacing gaze towards Severus. Severus inclined his head and slowly stepped forward. Cesearos moved into Severus's path, baring his fangs and hissing. Severus looked up at Therac, who bore a smug expression.

Severus returned his gaze to Cesearos. He stalked closer to his would-be attacker, bearing his fangs and hissing vehemently. He allowed his vampiric powers and his magic to coalesce before pushing them out at Cesearos. He growled deeply and rose his right hand, his fingers clawed, and hissed again. Cesearos wilted from Severus's assault of dominance and magic. He cast a furtive glance towards Therac who inclined his head a fraction. Cesearos lowered himself and turned his neck in a submissive way, letting Severus know that he would not stand in the way of the challenge. It should have ended there�if Severus had been feeling magnanimous. But, Severus Snape had never expressed such forgiveness before and he wasn't about to start now. Without hesitation, he slashed the side of Cesearos's neck with his clawed fingers, causing thick, red lines of blood to immediately pool. Cesearos gasped in surprise, his hand immediately flying to his neck to cover the wound. He looked up into Severus's stony expression and growled before slinking back into the circle. Severus swept his gaze around the room, daring another to challenge him. All turned their gaze away, in deference to his dominance. Severus turned his gaze back to Therac and, by extension, Harry, who was staring at him unblinkingly with an unchecked hunger in his eyes that nearly took Severus's breath away.

Severus stepped closer and drew himself up into a battle stance. "I, Severus Snape, underlord of the Cyon Clan do hereby formally challenge you, Therac Anticles, underlord of the Cyon Clan, for your claim. In this there is great honor. Let us fight in the manner of the old ways," Severus intoned. His voice and bearing were regal, confident. Deadly.

Therac's lips curled into a thin smile. The room was silent. "I Therac Anticles, underlord of the Cyon Clan, do hereby accept your challenge, Severus Snape, underlord of the Cyon Clan. In this there is great honor. Let us fight in the manner of the old ways."

Harry was grateful that enough of the haze had cleared from his mind that he knew what was happening. He watched as Therac and Severus approached each other while stripping to their waists. He'd never seen anything like it. Even if he weren't drugged out of his mind, even if he wasn't held in place by two vampires with crushing strength, Harry still would have been transfixed by what he was seeing. Two powerful vampires were about to fight to the death. Over him. It was absolutely mind-boggling. Truth be known, Harry found he liked playing the role of damsel in distress for once. Severus was here. Severus would save him.

When Severus and Therac stood five feet away, Severus made a great show of removing his wand and placing it in the hands of the vampire closest to him. Therac nodded. Therac removed his knife and a few vials of potions. Severus nodded. They bowed deeply to each other and remained that way for several seconds. When they returned to their full height, their fangs were fully extended and they both glowed with the full power of the undead. Harry's breath caught in his throat at the sight. The two started circling each other, hissing and clicking their tongues in threat. Therac lunged, hell bent on striking Severus in the heart�the only true way for one vampire to destroy another. Severus gracefully sidestepped the lunge and pivoted on his heel in preparation for his own lunge. Severus growled and lunged forward. His hands grabbed for Therac's wrists as he spun the blonde vampire around. He was about to strike when Therac quickly bent backwards and forwards again, throwing Severus off balance and sending him to the floor. As Severus was about to get to his feet, Therac came up behind him ready to strike.

*Severus! Behind you!* Harry called.

Severus quickly rolled to the other side and sprang to his feet, kicking Therac's feet out from under him in the process.

The battle raged on. It was impossible to tell who was winning. Harry, still lacking physical strength, called out to Severus whenever he felt it necessary. Eventually, the two vampires tumbled to the floor and began biting at each other viciously. Now, it was purely a contest of strength.

Severus was tired. There was a reason he didn't want to fight an equally matched vampire to the death. It was bloody hard to win. He and Therac had tumbled to the floor and were now rolling around, each trying desperately to gain leverage. Severus was heartened by Harry's warnings and words of encouragement. It made the impossible task more bearable, but he feared he would lose. He winced as Therac finally flipped him over and crushed him with his body weight. Therac hissed and bared his fangs as he prepared to strike through Severus's heart. Severus would have given up. He would have, but not for Harry's soft, wavering voice.

*Severus, no. You can't give up! I haven't spent the better part of my life driving you mad to be denied the pleasure of doing you in myself!*

Severus chuckled, causing Therac to stiffen and look down in confusion. Their eyes locked and in that moment, Severus felt it. Harry's blood, his magic, it was in him, stirring within, giving him unknown strength.

*Severus?* he heard again, and that was all he needed.

With a deep roar, he pushed himself up and threw Therac off of him. Scrambling to his feet, he immediately tackled a still surprised Therac and landed on him solidly. Wasting no time, he bared his fangs, hissed, and violently pierced Therac's heart. Therac began screaming shrilly�the voices of the undead and of all those he'd killed channeled through him, causing everyone in the room to moan and shudder in pain. The screaming became louder and still Severus refused to withdraw. Therac clawed and pushed and writhed in an effort to get away, but in the end it was no use. Therac was destroyed. It was done.

The chamber had gone deadly quiet. The body beneath lay unmoving. When he was sure Therac was destroyed, Severus sat back on his heels, allowing a few of the clansmen to step forward and carry away Therac's remains so that they could be discreetly burned and banished in the old ways.

Severus was turned away from Harry and breathing hard. After a few moments, he stood and turned in one graceful moment. Harry's breath hitched. The Severus standing before him was virile, and powerful and deadly�he was beautiful. His eyes glittered like fiery coals. His skin glowed golden as if lit from within. His fangs were gleaming and razor sharp, a striking contrast against his full, reddened lips. His hair hung loosely around his face, framing it. Magic interlaced with vampire charms seeped from Severus's pores and ensnared Harry. He was lost in the thrall and tried desperately to get closer, stopped from tumbling to the ground only by the guards still holding him.

"Hear me now," Severus said in a low, dangerous voice his gaze never leaving Harry's, "I have challenged a member of this clan and have won in the old ways. I lay claim to this sacrifice. He is mine to do with as I please and I choose to take him as my blood consort." Severus turned to one of the guards holding Harry. "Remove the claiming marks," he barked as the guard sedately moved away to fetch the potion that would heal the preliminary marks.

There were a number of surprised gasps and angry rumblings. Severus's attention snapped to the assembled clansmen. "You DARE question my claim?" he asked.

Only Cesearos stepped forward. Licking his lips nervously he said, "My lord, the claim is a powerful magic one. Therac foresaw this claim would be more powerful than himself. That is why he chose the blood ceremony. If he is your consort, he will have access to our clan with little to bar him from working his magic. We fear this magic one will destroy us all."

"You question my ability to control my consort?" Severus asked quietly as he loomed over the clansman.

Having learned his lesson once before, Cesearos absently rubbed his palm against his still-fresh wound and stepped back. "Forgive me, my lord. I did not mean to question you. I only meant to inform you."

Severus bared his fangs and hissed in admonition. "I know perfectly well how powerful this little one is. He is MINE. Unless you mean to challenge me," Severus said silkily.

"No, my lord," Cesearos murmured ruefully.

Severus cast an appraising glance over the crowd. He'd forgotten how much power he held here. He didn't come back to the clan often. The power games, the fight for dominance, it was all rather tiring. But at the moment, he was still lost in the thrill of the challenge and the resulting blood lust.

Severus turned and set his sights on his claim. He started advancing. He hissed and stalked, predator advancing on prey.

Harry couldn't breathe. He could feel his heart thumping wildly. He was harder than he had ever been in his life. For so long he'd dreamed of this. For so long he'd fantasized about Severus claiming him, marking him, making him his. He shivered in anticipation at the thought of Severus laving his throat with tortuous, languid licks, of Severus's fangs slipping into him as if biting through tissue paper, of Severus drinking from him greedily. A moan escaped his lips as Severus stalked closer. He could see Severus's desire for him in those coal-black eyes.

As Severus neared, the rest of the clansmen followed behind him and enfolded them in a tight circle, hissing and clicking their tongues in a strange, ancient rhythm. Severus reached him and looked at the guards, who released their hold on Harry. He started to fall, still lacking control over his faculties, but Severus caught him and pulled him close. Harry's eyes fluttered closed as Severus nuzzled his hair and inhaled deeply. "Harry," he whispered hoarsely.

Harry moaned and tried to move closer to Severus. Severus carefully shifted him so that he stood in between Harry's legs. One hand slowly stroked the small of Harry's back while the other gently stroked Harry's cheek. With a chaste kiss to Harry's lips, Severus began the ritual that would bind Harry to him as his blood consort.

"Leagan de viata sub la spre eu. Cradle of life belongs to me. Viata la spre viata, tu esti al meu. Life to life, you are mine," Severus cried out.

Severus took the ritual dagger offered him and pierced his finger. As blood began to bead, he made a line across Harry's forehead before pushing the finger into Harry's mouth to suckle.

"A permite pe el a fi a lua as inainte. Let him be bound in the old ways," the assembled crowd hissed in response.

Harry stared intently at Severus as he sucked lightly at Severus's finger. He'd read about this ceremony in a very old text he'd found years before in Romania. As Severus's blood consort, he would be a source of blood for Severus for as long as he wished it. He would have status in the clan, but without actually being a member of it. It was hard to believe that the ceremony was actually happening. He knew that Severus would drink from him in four places�throat, heart, wrist and inside thigh. The marks left would have to heal on their own, leaving scars behind for all to see. These would be his claiming marks. Harry hoped that his eyes conveyed to Severus that he was okay with what was happening, that he understood what this meant. The bond between them was silent. Harry assumed that Severus's vampire had taken over fully.

All of Harry's thoughts leapt out the proverbial window as Severus's hand buried itself in his tousled hair, pulled his head to the side, and began laving the freshly healed skin of his throat with the point of his tongue. As he'd done before, he sunk his fangs and drank greedily. Harry made a low keening cry in the back of his throat as he arched his back. He felt woozy and aroused.

Severus pulled out after several moments. He again pierced his finger and repeated the earlier process.

"Leagan de viata sub la spre eu.Cradle of life belongs to me. Inima la spre inima, tu esti al meu. Heart to heart, you are mine," he intoned before sinking his fangs two inches to the left of Harry's heart.

"A permite pe el a fi a lua as inainte. Let him be bound in the old ways," the crowd again responded.

Harry cried out. The pain was real, but so was the pleasure. He felt both hot and cold. Dizzy and alert. Both floating and grounded. He felt the finger swipe across his forehead again, the finger gently push its way into his mouth again.

"Leagan de viata sub la spre eu. Cradle of life belongs to me. Alma la spre alma, tu esti al meu. Soul to soul you are mine," Severus said before taking Harry's wrist and sinking his fangs in again.

Harry barely heard the crowd's response. But for Severus's body holding him upright, Harry was sure he would fall. There was a rushing sound in his ears, his arousal was at a fever pitch, the world was pressing in against him.

"Leagan de viata sub la spre eu. Cradle of life belongs to me. Espirito la spre espirito, tu esti al meu. Spirit to spirit you are mine." Harry heard the words, and knew what was coming, but was still unprepared to feel Severus's face at his inner thigh where his leg met his groin. He was achingly hard, about to pass out from the blood loss, the ritual magic, the closeness of Severus. As Severus sunk his fangs for the last claiming mark, Harry's entire world devolved into a maelstrom of gray static and haze. With each suck, he felt the throb of his coming release; building, building, building until he erupted, his orgasm white-hot and nearly painful. He balanced precariously on the flash point until he could keep his balance no longer. He tumbled down, down, down into the comforting darkness, sated, complete. Whole.



Artificial Life - Chapter 13

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