Disclaimers Here

LaCroix was standing near the back of the Raven when he felt his son's presence approaching. He had noticed Nicholas's hunger bubbling near the surface several times during the night. A slight smile appeared when he sensed the vampire in his son tenaciously climbing again. The smile faded as he contemplated about the 'other things' he had been sensing from his child.

Usually, his son tried to keep their link narrowed down to the bare minimum. As if he could ever keep me completely out, LaCroix smirked. However, over the past several days, LaCroix had perceived much more than was normal filtering through from Nicholas. A small thread of disquiet wove through LaCroix when he felt along the taut connection to his child and noted the swirling, chaotic undercurrents lurking deep within his son. What worried the elder vampire even more was Nicholas didn't seem aware of this internal change.

There is something wrong! LaCroix was concerned; what was causing the unsettling feelings that had been emitting from Nicholas for the last week? What is he into now, LaCroix irritably thought. When he saw his obstinate son striding down the front stairs of the Raven, LaCroix moved unobtrusively closer to Janette determined to discover the cause of all the unpleasant changes he could sense.

Nick glided through the Raven's crowd, moving steadily toward the bar. As he maneuvered around a group of dancers, a young woman pirouetted out of the crowd and collided against him. Catching her before she fell to the floor, Nick smiled when she turned and gazed at him with brilliant emerald green eyes. She was a petite thing, with long, dark brown hair and porcelain skin. The coolness of her touch and the lack of a human heartbeat informed Nick of her nature.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to run you down," she said smiling.

"It's okay. I wasn't watching either. I don't believe I've met you before. I'm Nick Knight."

"Sue-Ellen," she said cocking her head slightly, her smile grew larger. "Want to come dance with me?"

Smiling back, Nick replied, "Maybe later." He watched as she swayed back into the throng of dancers, then continued toward the bar.

Janette was draped against the bar, watching the dancers gyrate furiously out on the floor. She picked up her goblet and took a slow, luxuriating drink; her eyes closed in enjoyment of the rich, heady fluid. She was still basking in the feelings of satisfaction the drink had given her when she felt cool, moist lips brushing against her mouth.

"Hello, stranger." Janette opened her vivid blue eyes and smiled. Placing the glass on the bar, she turned toward her brother in blood. "So, to what do I owe this visit, ah Nicola?" she asked as he pulled her into a close hug and a long, sensual kiss before settling himself at the bar.

"I was on my way home and thought I would drop in. Do I have to have a reason?" he asked, her kiss bringing desires better left alone bubbling close to the surface.

"Yes, Cherie, you usually do."

Janette angled toward him and brushed her fingers through his hair. Softly smiling, she asked, "What's wrong, Nicola? Is the job getting to you... or is it your mortal friend, Natalie?" Looking him in the eyes, she continued, "Hmm, yes...there's a feeling of unrest within you tonight." Sensually leaning against his side, she stroked a fingernail down his throat, drawing a sigh from him. When he closed his eyes in enjoyment, she gently laid her hand against the back of his neck and pulled him into another kiss.

The growl that rumbled out of Nick was his answer to her unspoken question. Janette let him maneuver her closer until she was standing between his legs. She felt his arms encircle her waist and instinctively inclined toward him, meeting him for another kiss. Janette threw all her pent up desires into the kiss, tasting every inch of his mouth. When they finally broke from the embrace, she smiled as he wrapped himself around her waist and ardently hugged her.

"Nicola, what's wrong?" she whispered into his ear.

Janette watched her golden knight as he leaned back against the bar and wearily sighed. The smile that had been lighting his face slowly faded as he answered, slipping deeper into his thoughts. "This case I'm working on.... There's something about it that's nagging me, but I haven't been able to make the connection yet." She watched as a frown slowly formed on his face and glanced briefly toward LaCroix, who was standing shrouded in the shadows, motionless, and unnoticed. Her attention was jerked back, however, when she felt Nick's mental flinch reverberate across their link.

Janette rubbed his shoulders as she felt the pain course through him. She knew what their master expected her to do; she could feel LaCroix 'leaning' into their link even now. Since they had the same agenda in mind for her wayward sibling, she began to apply all her wiles to the task. After all, he needed something to serve as a distraction from the pressures of his mortal world. Janette mused, smiling seductively as she squirmed closer, brushing her leg against his groin.

At his sigh of pleasure, she leaned against his chest and lightly kissed his cheek, then casually moved her kisses toward his neck. Ahhh, he hasn't run away. So, maybe this time...? The unpleasant vibrations coming from Nick these past weeks had bothered her as well. When she had asked LaCroix about it, he had become very quiet, saying only he was aware of it. Concern, tempered with a strong, passionate desire spurred her to discover what was unsettling her handsome knight.

Janette licked and nipped under Nicholas' ear, as she moved one hand slowly under the label of his jacket to stroke fingertips across his muscled chest. She tingled in excitement when he responded with a passionate embrace. His talented hands stroking up and down her back fueled her desires for more; she wanted to feel his skin next to her, to be able to taste his passion. The thoughts fired her beast to life, straining for release. Smiling wickedly, she casually began to nibble his ear. Nick sighed and smiled at her attention, then yelped when he felt a sharp sting.

"Janette! What are you doing?!"

"I'm sorry, cherie. I couldn't wait," she replied, smiling coyly. When the few drops of his blood hit her tongue, an undefined surge of emotions whipped through her. Feeling his need for her, she moved back to his lips, demanding his attention.

Her hunger for him encompassed her. When she rose from his lips and leaned back, she saw a slow smile spread grow as he quipped, "I don't need my ear pierced, Janette. But if I ever decide to have it done, I know who to come see."

"Ah, but an earring would be perfect, mon amour." She just couldn't resist teasing him.

"Oh, you think so, do you?" Nick responded with a playful gleam in his eyes. He drank in the sight of her, thrilling at the mischievous smile, her beauty that never failed to excite him.

"Just so you remember I have other talents you might also enjoy," she purred, running a finger between the buttons of his shirt.

Glancing at her paramour's face, she noticed that his eyes had begun to swirl with gold flecks. Encouraged, she leaned against him and smiled.

"Come Nicola, I know a better place to have this discussion." Giving his ear another lick, she felt the growl rumble in his chest.

"My beautiful Janette. You stir so much in me." Leaning back slightly, he gazed at her with eyes more gold than blue. "Are you sure? I don't like using you like this." His voice was barely above a whisper as he leaned his head down to her shoulder, kissing her just above the edge of her burgundy colored gown.

"As I've told you, Nicola -- I like it when you need me," she responded passionately, feeling her beast pulling on its leash to be free. "Besides, how can it be 'using' when I need this too," she responded slyly, shifting within his grasp.

"Come," Janette stated firmly, stepping out of Nick's grasp, pulling him off the stool. Leading him through the darkened hallway toward her private suite, she continued to encourage their ardor through their link. Once they had stepped into the dimly lit bedroom, Janette quickly turned, needing to feel her paramour beneath her hands.

"So, Nicola, I have you now." Grabbing a kiss, Janette began to back her lover up until he bumped against the closed bedroom door.

"And what are you going to do now that you have me?" Nick smiled lewdly at her while his fingers traced down her shoulders until they reached her breasts. He lightly stroked the backs of his hands across her nipples as he leaned against the door.

"Ohhh, wouldn't you like to know," Janette purred as she began to remove his shirt. Waves of pleasure coursed through her as he continued to stroke her through the fabric of her gown. Enjoying herself immensely, she slowly opened several buttons on the silky shirt, exposing more of his pale, muscled physique hidden beneath. Janette smiled when she heard Nick sigh softly in anticipation.

Leaning in, she kissed the hollow of his throat and felt him gently tilt his head back, giving her better access. As she opened more buttons, the lithe vampire slowly moved down his chest, kissing and licking as more of his flesh was exposed for her enjoyment.

"Ahhh, Janette," he groaned when she ran her hands through the blond hair that lightly covered his chest. His groan turned into a growl when her fingers brushed against his hard nipples. Janette felt him shudder when the change swept through him. The struggle for control was evident on his face and in their link as the pangs of hunger raged to be released.

She smiled at the effect she was having on her lustful brother. Janette continued to taste and kiss her way down his torso, finally arriving at his waist. All the while, she enjoyed the feel of Nick's hands moving through her hair and across her body.

Janette let him pull her up to his lips again, his spiking desire obvious through their link. His tongue invaded her mouth, stroking and tasting her. Feeling his burning hunger, she reached down and opened his belt. The change swept through her as the button on his pants yielded to her urgent pull. With their kiss feeding the fires of their lust, she eased Nick's zipper down, then coaxed his pants and under garments off his hard, masculine form.

"Janette, I need you... I want you." The beautiful vampire heard her paramour whisper as she slipped his shirt off his shoulders. Tasting her way across his collarbone, Janette nuzzled along the curve of his neck, finally ending up at the hollow of his throat. She felt his hands reach for the zipper on her gown and slowly coax it down. After he eased the straps off her upper arms, the fabric sensuously slid down her body until it pooled around her feet. She reached around to squeeze his buttocks, enjoying the feel of his cool, smooth skin under her hands. She smiled when Nicola pulled her against him, his erection rubbing against her pelvis, rigid with his desire for her.

Pale, smooth skin rubbed together as they grasped each other. Janette tilted her head back as her ardor lover began to run his tongue along her collarbone, then back up her neck to end in another fiery kiss. They moved as one across the room, only to stop when the backs of her knees bumped against the bed. Falling onto the bed, she squealed happily when Nick fell on top of her, then giggled when he began to nip and kiss along her bare chest. This is the Nicholas I remember and miss, Janette thought, growing wet from his attentions.

Feeling the hunger demanding release, she lunged for his throat, only to feel his canines sinking into her neck a moment later. Janette submersed herself in the exquisite taste of Nicholas and felt the euphoric sensation of her own life's blood flowing into her lover. She let her brother's essence flow through her, enjoying the sweeping warmth as she searched for the cause of the worrisome feelings she had sensed from him. However, it wasn't long before all thought fled as the hunger overwhelmed everything, luxuriating in her feeding.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Nick and Janette slowly rose from each other's throats, the bloodlust a mere whispering tease in comparison to the screaming voice of earlier.

Nick, panting slightly, licked his lips clean and looked at the lovely Janette. Smiling, he gazed at her gorgeous form lying under him and felt another hunger overtaking him.

He leaned down and began to suckle on one of Janette's full breasts, giving the nipple special care. The waves of lust rolled over him as he moved to mount her. Taking care not to stop the ministration to her breast, he knelt between her legs, and brushed his stiff cock against her tender, wet mound.

"Oh, Nicola, do it now. I want you inside me."

When Janette's legs locked around his waist, Nick slowly thrust inward, groaning at the intense sensations that swept over him. Pulling his shaft out, he slowly pushed back in again, causing a contented purr to sigh from Janette.

Nick started thrusting, using a carefully controlled pace. He felt the heat in his groin gradually building; the sexual need a pleasurable but insistent sensation. The sighs and groans of pleasure coming from his lover added to the enjoyment of their coupling.

Nicholas took hold of himself, determined to make their pleasure last. Withdrawing from Janette, he sat back on his legs and pulled her to a seated position.

"No, Nicola! I want..."

"Shhh, my beautiful Janette," he whispered, kissing her complaints silent. While they were locked in a fevered kiss, Nick grabbed hold of her buttocks with both hands and pulled her hard against him, impaling her on his large, stiff cock. Her hands lock behind his head as he slowly maneuvered her, continuing to stroke her wet, tight vagina. The dark-headed beauty broke away from the kiss and threw her head back, encouraging her paramour to continue his efforts.

"Oh, yes, Nicola. That feels... wonderful...!"

As Nick continued to thrust into Janette, he bent his head down to her bosom, taking one nipple into his mouth. Rolling his tongue around the sensitive flesh, he teased it into a hard, firm point. Moving on, the former crusader's tongue glided across her flesh, tasting the skin between his lover's breasts. He heard Janette sigh in pleasure when he continued across and repeated his actions with her other nipple.

Nick threw his head back and growled with pleasure. His fangs glistened in the soft light when he opened his mouth, a soft groan whispered from him as Janette leaned forward and began kissing along his neck. Feeling his orgasm advancing too fast, he pulled out of his paramour, guiding her into a long, sizzling kiss.

"Oh, please Nicola, I burn!" she snarled when the kiss finally ended.

"You need my cock inside you, Janette?" Nick teased when she grabbed his biceps in a strong grip and pushed away from him.

"Yes, damn it! I need you to fuck me!" She turned around and bent down on her hands and knees. Nick smiled lewdly, not needing any more of an invitation than that.

"What milady wants -- milady gets," he slyly teased, slipping his cock back inside her without missing a stroke. The feel of her ass as it bumped against his groin drew a loud growl from him.

Supporting himself with one hand, Nick leaned across Janette's back and reached under her to knead and stroke her flesh as he thrust into her. He nipped and licked up the valley of her back toward the nape of her neck. A low snarl escaped his beautiful lover when he finally reached her shoulders and neck. Groaning in reaction to her writhing under him, Nick reached his hand lower and brushed his fingertips through her pubic hair, gently rubbing against her clit. Spurred on by her reaction to his attentions, he slowly ran his hand up her front until his fingers brushed against her breasts. Nick dropped his mouth to her shoulders and nipped at her skin, drawing little droplets of blood. Licking up the red ambrosia, he felt the fire growing in his groin as he tasted his sister's climbing excitement.

LaCroix was standing in one of the back bedrooms of the Raven. He had moved to a private location when he sensed his two children beginning to play. Smiling, he 'listened in' on the activity that was going on in the bedroom down the hall.

The elder vampire grasped the nearest post on the corner of the bed and closed his eyes before he carefully felt down the link to his son and daughter. So, he was not able to resist her charms this time, he thought as his lips lifted into a snarl of pleasure. He 'reached' along the link with his son, wanting to share some of Nicholas' excitement.

When he felt Nicholas' climax nearing, LaCroix pushed a little harder, brushing lightly against his son's mind -- enjoying vicariously the sexual energy that was swirling through his child. It was because they were linked so closely that the ancient vampire first sensed the growing intrusion rising from his son's subconscious. His eyes flew open and he rushed toward Janette's room when he sensed what was about to happen.

Snarling in anticipation, Nick closed his eyes and threw his head back, luxuriating in the strong feelings as he approached climax. Stroking strongly, he became aware of his master's touch within his mind. The sensation was almost like a physical touch of the hand, causing something that had been slowly attempting to surface to solidify. Suddenly a wave of dizziness crashed over Nick, drowning the heat of his lust. Though it was only momentary, the wave of fear and disgust that followed unnerved him, killing his erection immediately.

He froze as the strange feelings coursed through him. As if from far away, he could hear Janette demanding to know what was wrong -- if he was all right. When the same image that had distracted him at the coroner's office occurred again, Nick was concerned. Confused, he wondered, What is going on!?

Sitting up, Nick stared at Janette blankly, still dazed by the intensity of the emotions that had washed through him. He could still feel LaCroix in the back of his mind, though now his master was radiating concern instead of pleasure at Nick's activities.

Swiftly rising from the bed, he felt a growing sense of danger and foreboding. With these feelings growing stronger, he began to throw on his clothes. A desperate need to flee, to escape to the loft ...and safety became paramount. He absently noticed that Janette had risen from the bed and was attempting to forestall his dressing. Still in a daze, Nick grasped her hands as they reached for him.

"I'm...I'm sorry Janette. I have to go now," he muttered to her.

"Go, Nicola? Why do you have to go? Where are you going?" she asked, trying to understand what was driving him away in such a state of mind.

"I...I don't know. I just know that I have to go!" He grasped her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze before moving rapidly toward the door. Jerking it open, he collided with LaCroix, who had been about to enter, concern evident on his face.

"Nicholas...where are you going?" LaCroix reached out, securing a firm grasp of Nick, detaining him. "The sun will be rising in a few minutes. Why don't you stay here and rest?" LaCroix was quite concerned by the chaotic state he sensed his son's mind to be in.

"No, no. I have to get home." He pulled at the arm that was detaining him, the panic quickly building within him. "LaCroix! Please let me pass!" Nick placed his other hand on his master’s chest and pushed, trying to win free, becoming distraught by the delay LaCroix was causing.

"Don't be silly, Nicola," Janette calmly stated as she appeared behind Nick, casually wrapping a sheet around her voluptuous form. "Please come back inside. It's too late to leave now," she murmured, trying to soothe her lover.

Nick, feeling overwhelmed by these strange emotions, pulled loose from LaCroix's grasp. "I must get home," he blurted out, then evaded them both as they tried to prevent his retreat. Moving so swiftly he was a blur, Nick headed for the nearest exit and fled the Raven.

A few minutes later, he dropped through the skylight of his loft with only a slight scorching as evidence of how close he'd cut it. Little wisps of smoke floated off his body as he sagged against the staircase, the panic that had pushed him into the morning sky slowly receding only to be replaced by his swiftly growing hunger.

Nick hurried into the kitchen, jerked the refrigerator open, and grabbed one of the green bottles within. Throwing his head back, he finished off the contents in a continuous gulp. Leaning against the open door, he discarded the empty and reached for a second. After drinking half the contents, he slammed the refrigerator door shut with a bang and slowly paced toward the living room.

Grabbing the remote, Nick closed the blinds. As the darkness engulfed the room, the young detective dropped onto the couch, his fear finally dissipating. He gulped back a quiet sob, then leaned back against the couch, took a deep breath, and exhaled with an expletive. Shrugging out of his jacket, Nick heard the ID cards in his pocket shift as he moved. He dug the pictures out of his pocket and sat, dazed, gazing at them. Not only had he forgotten to have Janette look at the pictures, to his utterly amazement, he finally realized he had also run away from the Raven in a total panic. "What is going on?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the Raven, the other two members of this vampire family were worried by Nicholas' desperate exit. Janette had quickly dressed and moved to the office where LaCroix was waiting to discuss what had just occurred.

"I don't know what triggered his fear," Janette stated nervously, as she moved toward the couch. Sitting gracefully, she looked back at her master.

"What did you perceive from him when you shared blood?" LaCroix asked, pouring both of them something to drink.

LaCroix felt her uneasiness as she pieced together the fragments that had transferred to her from Nick. "The feeling of unrest was strong, though the cause wasn't apparent. I received a few memories of this case he's working on. That's bothering him. There was something else, but it's very vague, shrouded in shadows." Janette looking up at LaCroix as he handed her the glass. "What did you sense from him?"

LaCroix frowned slightly as he thought of the strong emotions that had titillated, then alarmed him while his children played. He could still feel the reverberations of the fear that had replaced the lusty surges LaCroix had been experiencing from Nicholas.

"I felt his contentment as you fed from him. His enjoyment as you began to feed your other hungers was quite strong. He was excited...aroused. Due to your excellent skills no doubt, my dear." Janette exhaled in exasperation at the unnecessary compliment. "It was when he approached sexual fulfillment that he started feeling strange."

"Strange, LaCroix? How was he strange?"

"He felt..." LaCroix hesitated for a second, changing his mind concerning what he was going to say, then continued. "It was like an intensive wave of uncontrolled emotion suddenly poured into him. That's when the fear and flight instinct took hold of him," LaCroix stated, remembering the disturbing swirl of disjointed thoughts he had received from his Nicholas. He was worried that his suspicions concerning the cause might be true. Easing down onto the corner of the desk, he asked, "Did you notice any memories which seemed strange or out of place?"

Janette considered for a moment, then replied, rising excitement evident in her voice. "Yes, as a matter of fact... There was a memory from his youth, when he was still a squire." Janette frowned and set her glass down as she tried to decipher the incomplete images. "It was shrouded in shadows...little more than a memory fragment. Then a face briefly materialized; yes, an angry man briefly appeared with dark eyes and a great head of dark hair..." She shivered as she glanced back at her master.

"It could have been..." She shook her head briefly, her frustration evident at her difficulty in expressing herself. LaCroix was somewhat surprised, but pleased when she held her arm out to him, offering him the opportunity to taste what she had received from Nicholas. He moved over to the couch, grasped her hand, and gently slid his fangs into her wrist. He had only taken a mouthful when he released her arm and quickly stood. Looking at her master's stiff back, she whispered fearfully, "What does it all mean, LaCroix?"

"I am not certain, Janette," LaCroix replied shortly, moving back to the desk, any hint of emotion now carefully covered. "There is definitely something wrong. Right now, all we can do is watch and wait." The elder vampire picked up the bottle and glass, then walked toward the door. "I would suggest we both get some sleep. I have a feeling the worst is yet to come," he stated as he left the room, moving toward the back rooms of the Raven.

Janette gracefully rose from the couch. After retrieving a bottle from the bar's stores, she retreated to her rooms, worry crossing her face. She knew LaCroix had received more than he was telling, but how bad it was, she could only guess. Then again, going by Nicola's hasty exit things were very bad indeed!

To Chapter 4

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