Author: Mx wwmickd
Music Credits: ClChen
Biographical Research Credits: Photosue
A Night on the Town This short takes place between Virtual Episode 6 and 7
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Beth felt she was going to go crazy if she had to spend another moment with Oscar’s perennial silent treatment. Everyone had some kind of internal monologue, right?
"Oscar, is it rude to ask a vampire where, and when, were you born?"
"Rude questions? None. Questions we won't answer, many." Oscar answers, his face expressionless and his attention never waivering from the road.
"I'll start with the basics, how old are you?" No answer. "Where were you born?"
"St. Petersburg."
"White nights of summer, it's that far north, right?" Beth observes the tiniest of motions at the edges of Oscar's mouth. "I've never been further north than Vancouver, BC. What's it like?" A hint of motion at the jaw line shows Beth that Oscar has ousted the memory from his mind and he's back to business at hand.
"I made you remember your childhood, didn't I?" Oscar thinks, This one is observant... I could teach her."
In return for Beth's perceptiveness Oscar volunteers the information, "I was born in 1866, the serfs were freed in 1861"
"Your parents were originally serfs, then?" A reasoned assumption, good.
"1861 is just a date."
"I reminded you of your childhood Oscar,” Beth said gently with a smile, “naturally you thought of your parents. Even vampires have parents.” There is no other reason to mention that particular fact."
Another reasoned assumption, good, there’s more to this one than I originally thought.
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“Oscar, you can drop me off at Mick’s, we’re going out.”
Oscar worked his jaw, Mick was only 85 years old and he’d only been a vampire for 50 or so. Would he be careful? Would he use the back entrance? It wasn’t like Mick had a regular pattern of “eating” at one restaurant. Oscar had stood over the body of more than one Mafia hit lying on the sidewalk, just outside the restaurant where he had been holding court not thirty minutes before. Jesus Fucking Christ, ah, his favorite American curse, if Mick would tell him… he could check out the restaurant in advance. To bad all the vamp bars were unsavory or salacious. A vamp bar wasn’t necessarily safer, but certainly more predictable. Oscar hated having Beth outside of his control, he understood secrecy, that’s why he had this job. A team would make things easier.
“Oscar, who’s your favorite Russian author?” Beth asks as they ride up in the elevator to Mick’s place.
“Nabokov.”
“Like Lolita and Humbert Humbert, that pervert.”
“My favorite.”
He calculates the effect and impact of expensive details on an LA social mission. Tighter than normal T-shirt, distressed black jeans and a slim cut jacket, the corners of his lip twitch imperceptivity thinking how ridiculously in love St. John is; this woman, he can’t refuse her. Good… life is too short to ignore love. Oscar strips to take the opportunity to catch a few moments of freezer time.
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Music: Mirage Of Hope
"Mick, we're over dressed." Beth stops mid-step as they approach the entrance to the first club, music throbbing whenever the door is opened
"Yeah, but one look at that dress and they'll let you in." Mick looks down at her smiling appreciatively, enjoying the skin exposed by the dress that barely covers her.
"What about you? I don't see many guys in dress shirts and long jackets."
"I'll be right behind you; I'm too quick to keep out." He slips an arm around her waist, lightly tugging her toward him. "We'll be fine."
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Music: Milkshake
Cameron's pace has gradually slowed... trolling the clubs has turned up more than one bad behaving celebrity, people having sex in the bathroom stalls, lots of underage drinking. Beth’s ears are ringing and her feet hurt when they find Cammi’s car outside of The Massage Garage... a stripper bar. Oscar leans against it... immovable, refusing to go into one more club, especially one that assaults reason and the senses, while he’s on the job. Mick thinks, I’m going in there… with Beth… shit. Concentrate on the job at hand... bad choice of words.
“Beth, I’ll talk to the bartender and you check out the women… there shouldn’t be many who aren’t working.”
The bartender is an Amazon wearing a flesh colored bikini top and jeans. She looks naked from a distance; Louisville Slugger is tattooed across her upper arm. He’s going to have to order an overpriced drink before she says a word. There is no escape. Behind the bartender, he can see the women dancing in the mirror and soon one of the girls is flirting with him, up close and personal. Don’t touch the stripper, don’t touch the stripper, don’t touch the stripper. A muscle in his jaw is twitching; he scans the room for a safe place to rest his eyes, when he sees Beth emerging from the women's restroom. He stands up so quickly the girl staggers back and he has to catch her before she falls. Is Beth mad, no… she’s laughing at him, he can tell by the sparkle in her eyes.
“She’s passed out in the bathroom, Mick.”
“Let’s get her out of here.”
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While they wait for a tow truck, a quiet tightlipped argument takes place outside the club about who takes Cammi home. Mick, the gentleman, feels like it’s his duty, Oscar counters that he’s being paid and Beth says she’ll take them both on in a game of rock, paper, scissors for the right to decide.
“Fine… but you have to take another five percent, Oscar.”
“Shall I collect the second payment?”
“Don’t be too threatening.”
Oscar smiles his “I like humans,” smile and Beth shutters.
Mick and Beth drive away and Oscar thinks, Get lucky Beth, drag him over the edge… it wouldn’t take much tonight.
Author: Mx wwmickd
Sunday, February 01, 2009
s02e05.1 Tensions (Short)
Author: Photosue
Here is a little something cooked up by the girls at VS2, fits in between eps 5 and 6. Remember Beth and Mick have not "sealed the deal" yet in our universe. Enjoy!
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They came here, joined together by the desire to relieve their tension, a mutual want. Only now as they began to shed their clothes was he having doubts about what they were about to do. The music playing was soft and sensual, a bouquet of aromas filled the air, all with the intent to relax and sooth. She laid down on the small bed first, pulling a light sheet over her naked body to ward off the chill and nerves as she waited for him to laid down next to her. Strong hands touched her bare skin, rubbing calming circles along her back. She let out a soft moan and it was almost his undoing. Small delicate hands ran their way up his back, neck and into his hair, nails lightly scratching down his body and pulling the silky sheet to his rear. He opened his eyes to look at her, beautiful lids closed for the coming ecstasy. Beth, lifted her head to look at him, and gave him a small reassuring smile, before her eyes rolled back with pleasure and head once again fell down to the pillow. He tried to relax, tried to focus on the hands moving along his body, painful and perfect in all the right places.
She moaned again sighing his name, pulling him back to reality. She whispered for his ears words of love and reassurance about their mutual celebration. It was slow and torturous, Mick felt his arousal harden begging for release. The knowledge that he would soon be on his back exposed to her kept his embarrassment firmly at the forefront of his mind. A grip on the little control he had at the moment. Fine fingers once again moved their way along his body, tranquilizing the beast. His thoughts of Beth, naked, laying there, and groaning with the excruciating delight, kept him from totally enjoying the experience. A treat she had told him, a way to alleviate all their pent-up tensions, but he could only feel the pressure building. His hands clutched the sheets in aggravation, nails ripping the Egyptian cotton. His erection burning with need, he jumped off the small bed pulling the top sheet to wrap around his naked body hiding his arousal. Beth sat up on the bed a confused and shocked look on her face. He began to speak but didn’t know what to say, how to explain his actions, he huffed his frustration and stormed out of the room to retrieve his clothes. Beth looked at the two perplexed masseuses and shrugged her shoulders.
Author: Photosue
Here is a little something cooked up by the girls at VS2, fits in between eps 5 and 6. Remember Beth and Mick have not "sealed the deal" yet in our universe. Enjoy!
MLMLMLMLML
They came here, joined together by the desire to relieve their tension, a mutual want. Only now as they began to shed their clothes was he having doubts about what they were about to do. The music playing was soft and sensual, a bouquet of aromas filled the air, all with the intent to relax and sooth. She laid down on the small bed first, pulling a light sheet over her naked body to ward off the chill and nerves as she waited for him to laid down next to her. Strong hands touched her bare skin, rubbing calming circles along her back. She let out a soft moan and it was almost his undoing. Small delicate hands ran their way up his back, neck and into his hair, nails lightly scratching down his body and pulling the silky sheet to his rear. He opened his eyes to look at her, beautiful lids closed for the coming ecstasy. Beth, lifted her head to look at him, and gave him a small reassuring smile, before her eyes rolled back with pleasure and head once again fell down to the pillow. He tried to relax, tried to focus on the hands moving along his body, painful and perfect in all the right places.
She moaned again sighing his name, pulling him back to reality. She whispered for his ears words of love and reassurance about their mutual celebration. It was slow and torturous, Mick felt his arousal harden begging for release. The knowledge that he would soon be on his back exposed to her kept his embarrassment firmly at the forefront of his mind. A grip on the little control he had at the moment. Fine fingers once again moved their way along his body, tranquilizing the beast. His thoughts of Beth, naked, laying there, and groaning with the excruciating delight, kept him from totally enjoying the experience. A treat she had told him, a way to alleviate all their pent-up tensions, but he could only feel the pressure building. His hands clutched the sheets in aggravation, nails ripping the Egyptian cotton. His erection burning with need, he jumped off the small bed pulling the top sheet to wrap around his naked body hiding his arousal. Beth sat up on the bed a confused and shocked look on her face. He began to speak but didn’t know what to say, how to explain his actions, he huffed his frustration and stormed out of the room to retrieve his clothes. Beth looked at the two perplexed masseuses and shrugged her shoulders.
Author: Photosue
s02e04.2 Good Things? (Short)
Author: Mx wwmickd
“Good things?”
“Not really?”
That was about as close to human as Ben Talbot had ever seen Mick St. John act.
Maybe, just maybe someone else’s opinion might jar him out of that air of perpetual coolness. Someone’s opinion other than that of Beth Turner, she had him at a disadvantage. She had all of them at a disadvantage, himself, St. John, Davis and of course the late Josh Lindsay. The federal government should license her as a truth serum… she looks at you with those blue eyes and says… tell me all… and you do.
You hope, that she’s on the side of GOOD, TRUTH and JUSTICE. That hiring her doesn’t blow up in your face and all of a sudden the DA is screaming CONFLICT OF INTEREST and Ben Talbot looks like some 16 year old holding his dick in his hand.
Whatever Beth is asked to do or wherever she is sent, Mick St. John is there too. The vigilante PI, one that the cops won’t arrest because they are too lazy, complacent or because they enjoy letting someone with cajones give the bad guys a beat down, Dirty Harry style.
When Lindsay was killed, all the LAPD could see was the cop gunned down on Turner’s doorstep, so what, if St. John lied about Tejada’s whereabouts and got there first… to kill Tejada and burn the place down… the cops just snicker and mutter el Diablo, el Diablo.
The DA’s office looks at St. John and wonders if he isn’t cleaning up for the HML brotherhood; a hit on Tejada, to send the message that 80’s style death squads are passé and bad for business. The city had only one lawyer who worked full time on gang-related organized crime and he retired in June. The baton was supposed to pass to Lindsay. Now Lindsay’s dead and there is no political will to pursue another prosecution of Mafia style crime. Who would we prosecute anyway, after St. John’s scorched earth policy the HML bosses are being discrete.
Beth Turner… Mick St. John and of course the ghost of Josh Lindsay…
Ben Talbot thinks, I’m supposed to protect Beth Turner from Mick St. John? Like everyone else I’ve fallen in love with her. Josh Lindsay, even dead, is just another rival and a fool. He left me a file, one inch thick on St. John; a weird collection of information which would only prove to Beth that Josh was obsessed and jealous. Not that St. John isn’t dangerous, he is.
Maybe Lindsay’s ghost slipped “the list” under his door, a bizarre collection of names, some local and others that were historical. Talbot had been calling them The X-files until Beth took stole them.
He smiles, remembering when it became clear to him that Beth had the files.
He’d seen her in a new way after those two children were killed, fierce and wanting justice not just for those two children but for all children who had had their childhood stolen in some way. She’d practically yanked the files out of his hand and said she was taking them to Mick. She justified breaking the rules saying, they were old, a matter of public record. The wrongful convictions, mistrial and suicide of one defendant were all embarrassments to the DA’s office. Even the information in Talbot’s father’s case was sketchy, he had agreed to a plea-bargain even though he was innocent.
That’s when he’d seen Mick and Beth were two of kind. Without asking Mick, Beth committed them both to finding justice for Ben, his sister and his father. He knew that Mick would back her up, risk his good name, such as it was and take chances, all for the truth in his father’s case. This didn’t make him like St. John any better… but there was something dirty and mean about the list and that file on St. John. Of course Beth had taken it… and he’d find out why.
Author: Mx wwmickd
“Good things?”
“Not really?”
That was about as close to human as Ben Talbot had ever seen Mick St. John act.
Maybe, just maybe someone else’s opinion might jar him out of that air of perpetual coolness. Someone’s opinion other than that of Beth Turner, she had him at a disadvantage. She had all of them at a disadvantage, himself, St. John, Davis and of course the late Josh Lindsay. The federal government should license her as a truth serum… she looks at you with those blue eyes and says… tell me all… and you do.
You hope, that she’s on the side of GOOD, TRUTH and JUSTICE. That hiring her doesn’t blow up in your face and all of a sudden the DA is screaming CONFLICT OF INTEREST and Ben Talbot looks like some 16 year old holding his dick in his hand.
Whatever Beth is asked to do or wherever she is sent, Mick St. John is there too. The vigilante PI, one that the cops won’t arrest because they are too lazy, complacent or because they enjoy letting someone with cajones give the bad guys a beat down, Dirty Harry style.
When Lindsay was killed, all the LAPD could see was the cop gunned down on Turner’s doorstep, so what, if St. John lied about Tejada’s whereabouts and got there first… to kill Tejada and burn the place down… the cops just snicker and mutter el Diablo, el Diablo.
The DA’s office looks at St. John and wonders if he isn’t cleaning up for the HML brotherhood; a hit on Tejada, to send the message that 80’s style death squads are passé and bad for business. The city had only one lawyer who worked full time on gang-related organized crime and he retired in June. The baton was supposed to pass to Lindsay. Now Lindsay’s dead and there is no political will to pursue another prosecution of Mafia style crime. Who would we prosecute anyway, after St. John’s scorched earth policy the HML bosses are being discrete.
Beth Turner… Mick St. John and of course the ghost of Josh Lindsay…
Ben Talbot thinks, I’m supposed to protect Beth Turner from Mick St. John? Like everyone else I’ve fallen in love with her. Josh Lindsay, even dead, is just another rival and a fool. He left me a file, one inch thick on St. John; a weird collection of information which would only prove to Beth that Josh was obsessed and jealous. Not that St. John isn’t dangerous, he is.
Maybe Lindsay’s ghost slipped “the list” under his door, a bizarre collection of names, some local and others that were historical. Talbot had been calling them The X-files until Beth took stole them.
He smiles, remembering when it became clear to him that Beth had the files.
He’d seen her in a new way after those two children were killed, fierce and wanting justice not just for those two children but for all children who had had their childhood stolen in some way. She’d practically yanked the files out of his hand and said she was taking them to Mick. She justified breaking the rules saying, they were old, a matter of public record. The wrongful convictions, mistrial and suicide of one defendant were all embarrassments to the DA’s office. Even the information in Talbot’s father’s case was sketchy, he had agreed to a plea-bargain even though he was innocent.
That’s when he’d seen Mick and Beth were two of kind. Without asking Mick, Beth committed them both to finding justice for Ben, his sister and his father. He knew that Mick would back her up, risk his good name, such as it was and take chances, all for the truth in his father’s case. This didn’t make him like St. John any better… but there was something dirty and mean about the list and that file on St. John. Of course Beth had taken it… and he’d find out why.
Author: Mx wwmickd
s02e04.1 A Little Dance (Short)
Author: ClChen
Rating: PG13
A warm glow lit the apartment as soft music played in the background. The only other sound heard was the shuffling of feet against the hardwood floor. This evening was special, Mick had been planning it for a few days now. It was not a special date, anniversary or the like, just an evening spent with his girl. They had been over worked for the past several weeks. Between cases that involved vampires killing children and the Legion, they both needed the quiet sanctuary that this evening brought them.
Sure he could have taken them to some club that played the same music, but he wouldn’t have felt the quiet comfort that the steady rhythm of her heart brought. Or the peaceful sound of the rise and fall of her full breasts. Her scent would be mixed with others, not like here, where it felt like.. like it belonged to him alone. He savored the way it permeated the entire apartment, reminding him every day that his Beth was with him, really with him.
Mick held Beth close as Etta James' “At Last” played softly. Her fragrance filled his nostrils, her soft curves pressed tight against his hardened chest. He danced with her with no particular motion or rhythm. Just for the sake of holding her close. Beth smiled as she felt him place a soft kiss to her forehead, one hand holding hers close to where a heart once beat. His other arm around her waist and the gentle swaying of their bodies. Her free hand was wrapped tightly around him, stroking his back as the songs continued to play.
Mick didn’t say a word, just closed his eyes and hummed along. He could get used to nights like these and quietly hoped that somehow together there would be more.
Author: ClChen
Rating: PG13
A warm glow lit the apartment as soft music played in the background. The only other sound heard was the shuffling of feet against the hardwood floor. This evening was special, Mick had been planning it for a few days now. It was not a special date, anniversary or the like, just an evening spent with his girl. They had been over worked for the past several weeks. Between cases that involved vampires killing children and the Legion, they both needed the quiet sanctuary that this evening brought them.
Sure he could have taken them to some club that played the same music, but he wouldn’t have felt the quiet comfort that the steady rhythm of her heart brought. Or the peaceful sound of the rise and fall of her full breasts. Her scent would be mixed with others, not like here, where it felt like.. like it belonged to him alone. He savored the way it permeated the entire apartment, reminding him every day that his Beth was with him, really with him.
Mick held Beth close as Etta James' “At Last” played softly. Her fragrance filled his nostrils, her soft curves pressed tight against his hardened chest. He danced with her with no particular motion or rhythm. Just for the sake of holding her close. Beth smiled as she felt him place a soft kiss to her forehead, one hand holding hers close to where a heart once beat. His other arm around her waist and the gentle swaying of their bodies. Her free hand was wrapped tightly around him, stroking his back as the songs continued to play.
Mick didn’t say a word, just closed his eyes and hummed along. He could get used to nights like these and quietly hoped that somehow together there would be more.
Author: ClChen
s02e01.1 - Dreamin (Short)
Author: Misfit
Here's another short from the VS2 writers. In our world, Mick and Beth haven't sealed the deal, so here's a peek at what happened after the door closed.
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“You’re staring again.” Mick opened his eyes to Beth’s smile. “Was I snoring?”
“No.” Beth moved her hand in slow circles on his chest, threading her fingers through the soft hair. “I was just …thinking.” Patches of moonlight shifted in the room, touching her face and lighting her china blue eyes. “I was thinking that I shouldn’t have closed the door.”
“It didn’t stay closed.” Mick lifted her hand, kissing her fingertips. “I couldn’t let it.”
“And here we are.” Beth brushed her lips against his. “I still can’t quite believe it.”
Mick’s arms wrapped slowly around her and he kissed her gently. “This is what my dreams are made of, Beth. You… me… together.” His lips covered hers, cool and seeking and she was lost in his passion. Beth wrapped herself around him, thrilling at the touch of his tongue on hers, his hands soothing and coaxing her closer. His chest was wide and warm, and she moved softly against him, sensation long denied urging her on as she stroked his cheeks with trembling fingers. “If I’m dreaming, please don’t wake me.”
Mick smiled against her lips. “We’ll have to wake up sometime.”
“I know.” Beth fell back on her pillow, turning her head to watch his face in the shifting shadows. “I don’t want to think about tomorrow. I want to wake up here, in your arms, in the morning.”
“I want that, too.” Mick rolled to an elbow, looking down on her with cautious longing as he touched the soft skin just below her camisole. “I can stay until morning.”
Beth raised her hand to his cheek, drawing his lips closer. “And are we going to…” Mick kissed the question away, his hand gently stroking her stomach. Beth’s fingers tightened in his hair and she moaned softly as the kiss deepened, stealing her very breath.
The kiss lasted a moment, forever and their lips parted with a heart-expanding gasp. Mick lay back, drawing her with him; her head snug to his shoulder, his arms holding her tightly. He took a deep breath as her hand slipped past his navel, brushing near his belt and he covered it with his own. “We don’t have to make love tonight, Beth.” He moved his head until he could see her face. “We don’t need to rush into it.”
“You…don’t want me?” Beth whispered in disbelief, her eyes dimming with rejection.
Mick lifted her chin with careful fingers, feeling her anguish. He kissed her softly again. “Of course, I want you. I think I want you in too many ways for us to go any further tonight.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “I want to keep the magic of right now for as long as I can. Okay?”
Beth’s eyes searched his face and she took her own deep breath. “Okay. Will you still stay with me? Hold me until morning?”
Mick pressed her cheek to his chest and closed his eyes. “God himself couldn’t move me right now.” He kissed the top of her head as he felt her smile against his chest. “I love you.”
Author: Misfit
Here's another short from the VS2 writers. In our world, Mick and Beth haven't sealed the deal, so here's a peek at what happened after the door closed.
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“You’re staring again.” Mick opened his eyes to Beth’s smile. “Was I snoring?”
“No.” Beth moved her hand in slow circles on his chest, threading her fingers through the soft hair. “I was just …thinking.” Patches of moonlight shifted in the room, touching her face and lighting her china blue eyes. “I was thinking that I shouldn’t have closed the door.”
“It didn’t stay closed.” Mick lifted her hand, kissing her fingertips. “I couldn’t let it.”
“And here we are.” Beth brushed her lips against his. “I still can’t quite believe it.”
Mick’s arms wrapped slowly around her and he kissed her gently. “This is what my dreams are made of, Beth. You… me… together.” His lips covered hers, cool and seeking and she was lost in his passion. Beth wrapped herself around him, thrilling at the touch of his tongue on hers, his hands soothing and coaxing her closer. His chest was wide and warm, and she moved softly against him, sensation long denied urging her on as she stroked his cheeks with trembling fingers. “If I’m dreaming, please don’t wake me.”
Mick smiled against her lips. “We’ll have to wake up sometime.”
“I know.” Beth fell back on her pillow, turning her head to watch his face in the shifting shadows. “I don’t want to think about tomorrow. I want to wake up here, in your arms, in the morning.”
“I want that, too.” Mick rolled to an elbow, looking down on her with cautious longing as he touched the soft skin just below her camisole. “I can stay until morning.”
Beth raised her hand to his cheek, drawing his lips closer. “And are we going to…” Mick kissed the question away, his hand gently stroking her stomach. Beth’s fingers tightened in his hair and she moaned softly as the kiss deepened, stealing her very breath.
The kiss lasted a moment, forever and their lips parted with a heart-expanding gasp. Mick lay back, drawing her with him; her head snug to his shoulder, his arms holding her tightly. He took a deep breath as her hand slipped past his navel, brushing near his belt and he covered it with his own. “We don’t have to make love tonight, Beth.” He moved his head until he could see her face. “We don’t need to rush into it.”
“You…don’t want me?” Beth whispered in disbelief, her eyes dimming with rejection.
Mick lifted her chin with careful fingers, feeling her anguish. He kissed her softly again. “Of course, I want you. I think I want you in too many ways for us to go any further tonight.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “I want to keep the magic of right now for as long as I can. Okay?”
Beth’s eyes searched his face and she took her own deep breath. “Okay. Will you still stay with me? Hold me until morning?”
Mick pressed her cheek to his chest and closed his eyes. “God himself couldn’t move me right now.” He kissed the top of her head as he felt her smile against his chest. “I love you.”
Author: Misfit
s02e10: A Matter of Blood
Author: Misfit
The doctor on duty and several attendants ran for the ambulance as it came to a skidding halt near the emergency entrance of Versailles Hospital. Jerking the doors of the ambulance open, they pulled the gurney out with a thump, jarring its occupant. The young blond screamed in agony, her bloody clawed fingers clutching frantically at her swollen belly. Running alongside the gurney, the doctor lifted the sodden mess of the girl’s skirt. Blood, bright and copious puddled between the white thighs and he cursed, shoving a nurse toward the phone. “Call Duvall now! Go!”
The blond gulps, trying to raise her head to look at her belly and he curses silently as a bloody froth foams from her lips. Anxious to soothe her terror, he touched her cheek briefly as the gurney was shoved into the exam room. “You’ll be fine, chere’. I do not want to die.”
The clock on the wall marks the minutes…
“She’s dead.” The doctor trembled, heart pounding in his chest as he refused to look at the vampires.
“And the child?” Lance’s voice was deceptively soft. “It survives?”
“No.” The doctor’s chin dropped to his chest. “I’m sorry. I did everything I could. It was too late.”
“And the blood?” Lance glanced at his servant, Edward, before he turned back to the dark, rain-streaked window. “I trust you kept the child’s blood?”
“Yes, yes, of course.” The doctor groveled, eager to regain favor. “We retained all of the AO-.”
“That’s very fortunate for you, doctor.” Lance lifted his shoulders, adjusting the lapel of his fine woolen suit jacket. “Your forward thinking will let you live. This time.” The doctor broke into relieved tears and Edward smirked as he followed Lance’s long strides down the hall. Lance slapped his gloves against his leg. “Have the plane readied for the States. We need to visit my dear sister and the very lovely Miss Turner.”
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Well, it’s a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes.
A fantabulous night to make romance
Neath the cover of October skies.
Beth twisted the towel around her head, smiling as Mick sang softly at the sink. Wrapping another large, fluffy towel securely around herself, she pushed the glass door open, meeting Mick’s smile in the mirror.
All the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow.
And I’m trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low.
Mick rinsed the razor in the sink, his eyes never leaving her face as he continued to sing softly, the razor moving in long, smooth strokes.
And the nights magic seems to whisper and hush
And the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush.
Can I just have one more moondance with you, my love?
Can I just make some more romance with-a you, my love?
Beth giggled, raising herself on tiptoe to rest her chin on his shoulder as he rinsed the razor for the final time. “Are you going to lead on this moondance?”
“Maybe.” Mick toweled the remaining traces of shaving cream from his face and glanced up at her reflection with a flash of desire. “A few more lessons and I might be ready.” Turning from the sink, he drew her close, kissing her smile. “You’re quite the dancer, Miss Turner.”
“I’m glad you noticed.” Beth’s hand slid along the low-slung waist of his pajama bottoms and she rested her forehead against his chin. “It was nice, wasn’t it?”
“It was more than nice.” Mick gave her a little squeeze and kissed her forehead before releasing her to turn back to the sink. “And I need to stop thinking about it, so you can go to work.”
Beth’s mouth opened and closed in mild frustration. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” She pulled the towel from her hair and shook it out around her shoulders. “I can hardly wait for Ben’s vampire questions this morning.”
Mick straightened, running his hands through his hair. “You need to stall him, Beth. Avoid any details until we figure out where he stands.” The small worry lines creased between his brows and his eyes locked with hers in the mirror. “You think you can do that?”
“Well, I guess I don’t have any choice, do I?” Beth pulled off the towel and tossed it at the shower door. “I’ll be ready in about 30 minutes.”
Mick bit his lip as her naked bottom marched from the room and he shook his head as he met his own reflection in the mirror.
Mick VO: Ever catch yourself with a stupid grin on your face...I keep seeing myself in the mirror and I can't say I recognize myself...shaving while Beth takes a shower, an ordinary morning after a night...what a night...where the monsters stayed away and kept themselves in the shadows of the past where they belong.
MLMLMLML
Beth jumped, startled as Ben’s voice spoke from the intercom. “Beth? Can you come to my office, please?” Setting her cup down, she wiped the dribble of coffee from her chin, glancing at Oscar as he shifted casually to alertness in his chair.
“Sure, be right there.” Grabbing a notebook, Beth took a deep breath and pasted a smile on as she entered Talbot’s office. “What’s up?”
“Shut the door.” Ben waited until she closed the door before tossing an envelope on the desk in front of her. “What is this?”
“An envelope.” Beth picked it up, looking curiously at the spidery script. “Mr. Benjamin Talbot, Esquire? Have you opened it?”
“Of course I opened it.” Ben pursed his lips and leaned back in the chair. “I’m just not sure what it’s supposed to mean.”
Beth pulled the single folded sheet from the envelope and opened it carefully. Scanning the page quickly, she gave Ben a skeptical look. “It’s an invitation to a Halloween Ball, Ben. That’s pretty plain.”
Ben’s eyes narrowed. “Why would Kostan invite me to,” he gestured for her to hand him the invitation, “The Blood is Life Ball?” Ben snorted and dropped the invite on the desk. “A vampire saying Blood is Life? He’s kidding, right?”
“No, I think he’s serious.” Beth picked up the invite again. “He’s very involved in charitable organizations and causes. It says right here,” Beth tapped the page, “all proceeds are donated to the American Red Cross.”
Ben was still skeptical. “So I’m not being invited as a ‘treat’ then? It’s a legitimate function?”
“I’m sure it is.” Beth folded the invitation and put it back in the envelope. “I’m sure Mick and I’ve received an invitation, too.” Beth smiled, trying to reassure him. “Ben, they’re not monsters. They have normal lives just like we do. Well, almost normal lives.”
“Normal?” Ben snorted. “You just accept drinking blood and living forever as normal, Beth?”
“No, I’m not saying I accept everything about them as normal, because I don’t.” Beth took a deep breath and dropped the invitation back on his desk. “I know you have a lot of question but you’ll just have to ask Josef or Mick. I can’t give you any answers.” Beth could still see the need to ask questions written all over his face and she sought to change the subject. “Sooo…do you have any new cases I could be working on?”
Ben gave a tight smile of resignation. “No, nothing new, but you could follow up on the bombing case. The coroner should have some of the preliminary reports completed on the victims and we need to get them in the system. Why don’t you check?”
“I’ll get right on it.” Beth opened the office door, pausing for a moment as Ben picked up the invitation to study again. “Bring a date, Ben. It’s for a good cause.”
MLMLMLML
Mick grinned mischievously as Josef stood in undershirt and tux slacks in his office while the tailor marked for alterations. “You’re really getting into this civic minded thing, aren’t you?”
“You’d do well to follow my example.” Josef turned in front of the mirror to judge the fit of the slacks, brushing a trace of lint from the pleats. “Word of mouth goes a long way in your line of work. You could establish contacts on all levels of the business world.” Satisfied with the slacks, Josef stripped them off and handed them to the tailor. “The Halloween Gala would be a perfect place to start.”
“I don’t know, Josef.” Mick leaned back in the chair, resting his chin on his hand. “Costume parties just aren’t my thing. I wouldn’t know what to wear.”
Josef smirked. “Well I’m sure Beth would have some ideas. Let her dress you up,” he sniffed slightly, “or undress you again. You haven’t…?”
“No, we haven’t, Dad. We’re…working our way up to it.” Mick’s glance slewed away as Josef started to dress. “I don’t want to rush it.”
“The Dad thing’s getting old, Mick. Just do it and get it over with. This is ‘My Beth’ we’re talking about, it won’t be like Coraline, trust me.” Josef pulled on his dress shirt and made quick work of the buttons. “At least she’s not asking you to turn her.”
“She wouldn’t.” Mick’s hand moved slowly over his mouth as he thought about Beth’s tear streaked face on the night Emma and Jackson died. What about when I start to get old?” “And I don’t know if I could if she did.”
“Well, I’ve been asked.” Josef snapped his suspenders in place and knelt to put on his shoes. “And Simone won’t leave it alone. She refuses to take no for an answer.” Josef stood and moved behind the desk to flop in the chair. “I’m don’t need this right now.”
Mick chuckled. “We’re really making progress on our commitment issues, huh?”
Josef snorted. “I wouldn’t call it progress. We’ve got aggressive women on one hand and the Legion culling the tribe on the other. I’d rather face a torch-bearing mob.”
Mick sobered and pushed from his chair. “You may get that chance if we don’t find out who’s feeding Talbot information.”
“I’m way ahead of you.” Josef stood, too, and moved to the bar to pour a much needed drink for both of them. “ADA Talbot’s not making a move that I’m not aware of.” He gave a tight smile as he raised the glass in mock salute. “The Legion’s recruitment methods are nothing compared to mine. He’ll come to understand what it means to get an offer he can’t refuse.”
MLMLMLML
Beth settled herself into the passenger seat of Oscar’s Jeep, barely shutting the door before it began to move. “Are we in a hurry?”
“No.” Oscar checked traffic and pulled quickly away from the curb. “I have an assignation.”
“Assignation? As in appointment?” Oscar didn’t answer and Beth shook her head. He rarely responded to direct questions and she found it particularly irksome today. She tried another question. “Did you get an invite to Josef’s Red Cross Ball?”
“Yes.” Oscar glanced at the rearview and quickly took an exit. “I have been before.”
Beth blinked in surprise. “Are you bringing a date?”
“I’ll have guests, yes.” Oscar gave her a quick look, the corner of his mouth raising slightly and Beth blinked again. “Guests, as in you’re bringing more than one girl?”
“If you are there, you will see.” The Jeep slowed with traffic and Oscar looked at her again. “You will be coming with St. John?”
“I guess so, Mick hasn’t told me about it yet.” Beth began to gather her things as the Jeep turned onto Drexel Avenue. “Will you be coming up with me?”
“No.” Oscar pulled close to the curb and lowered his head to scan the area near the door. “Security has already okayed your arrival.”
“Oh, alright then.” Beth nodded, surprised by yet another level in her protection. “I wonder if Mick’s home?”
“He is.” Oscar’s mouth twitched again as she got out of the Jeep. “You need to work on your breathing again, Beth. He will know you are home as soon as you leave the elevator.” The Jeep peeled away before she could close the door and Beth shook her head, turning to go inside.
>>>>>
The apartment was dim and quiet as Beth set her purse on the couch. “Hmm? I thought he’d be up?” She walked to the staircase, listening upstairs. “Mick?”
A slide of something and a muffled thump answered. “Yeah, I’m in the bedroom.”
“Okay.” Beth jogged up the stairs and hurried to the room. “What’re you doing up here?” The door was slightly open and she pushed it wide, stopping in her tracks. “What...?”
Mick smiled from his squatted position on the floor, a dark fedora perched on his head. Beth began to smile as he rose from the floor and hitched the white pajama pants a fraction higher on his hips. “Um, nice hat.”
“Thanks.” Mick lifted the brim slightly and settled it back on his head. “I was looking for something to wear to Josef’s ball.” He sauntered toward her. “Whadda ya think?”
Beth looked up into his smile. “I think you should wear more than a hat.”
Mick chuckled and pointed toward the bed. “I’ve got the suit and maybe something for you, too.”
“Oh, really.” Beth walked to the bed to look at the dark suit. “What’d you pick for me?”
Mick rubbed his brow with his thumb, suddenly nervous that he’d made the wrong choice. “Its, um, a couple 40’s era dresses I thought you might like.”
“Oh, cool!” Beth’s eyes brightened as she reached for the garment bag. “I love dress-up.” Mick breathed a sigh of relief as she dug happily into the bag.
MLMLMLML
Guillermo slid the last rack of blood samples into the cooler and pulled the latex gloves from his hands with a snap. All the human and vamp remains had been processed and he was ready to catch some freezer time in drawer #6 before his shift started again in five hours. One more swallow from the Starbuck’s cup and he was…
“You got anything for me yet?”
Guillermo smiled against the plastic lid. “Not yet, Carmen. The tests aren’t done.” He schooled his face to seriousness and turned to face her. “The coroner requested additional time on the bloodwork.”
“Great!” Carmen dropped the box she was holding on the exam table. “Kostan’s already called me five times today.”
Guillermo hid his smirk as he stepped forward to look at the evidence tags on the small paper bags in the box. “And you’re working for him, right?”
“Not as exclusively as he thinks.” Carmen frowned, opening her bag to flip through the loose reports. “I look for the truth.”
“Right.” Guillermo sniffed slightly while she was distracted. Subtle jasmine and… “ADA Talbot sicked Beth on you, too?”
“Not yet.” Carmen pulled the list she was looking for from her bag and stepped closer. “Here’s the list of “male” evidence from the club. You just need to match the evidence with the appropriate body.”
Guillermo glanced at the report. “This stuff all clean?”
“Of course it is.” Carmen raised a brow. “You think I’m an amateur?”
“No, no.” Guillermo rubbed his spiked hair in a quick nervous gesture. “I’ll match it up with the human plants as close as I can.”
“Good.” Carmen slung her bag over her shoulder and turned to leave. “Call me when its ready.”
Guillermo put the box back down. “I’ll need your number then.”
“Sure.” A smile touched Carmen’s lips and she held out her card. “I’m on the clock at 8 p.m. Before that, you take your chances.”
A slow smile spread across Guillermo’s face as she walked away. “Yeah, I’ll take my chances. Maybe you’ll tell me what’s going on between you and Oscar. ”
MLMLMLML
The large black sedan pulled to a stop in front of Coraline’s party house and Edward scurried around to open the door for Lance. Exiting the car, Lance settled the trenchcoat about his shoulders and looked around with obvious distaste. Scanning the surroundings, he sniffed, pointing with his chin. “Find refreshment for us. I’ll wake Coraline.” The smile that touched his lips held no humor. “She should be delighted to see me.”
>>>>>>
“I can’t get near her.” Coraline ducked her head as Lance pushed her hair back from her face. “She’s already staked me twice and I’ve been warned.”
“Kostan has no authority over us,” Lance scoffed, “he knows the cure comes before his personal interests.” Stepping back slightly, he offered her his hand to assist with her exit from the freezer. “My word carries more weight within the hierchy than some upstart from the Colonies.”
Coraline warily avoided his hand to climb from the freezer herself and grabbed her robe. “Your word won’t keep them from killing me if I try to get close to Beth again.” She flinched as Lance’s long fingers lifted her chin and she met his cold eyes. “You’d let them kill me to get to her, wouldn’t you?”
Lance’s lips curled in semblance of a smile. “Oh, sister, of course not.” His cold hand pulled the collar of her robe closer to her throat. “You acquire Miss Turner and the family may let you keep St. John.”
Coraline glanced away and then slowly back, her eyes as cold as his. “Tell me what you want me to do.”
MLMLMLML
Simone’s bedroom was lit by a soft amber glow and she sat draped in the canary sheets as Josef dressed beside the bed. “The Whitley Trust is reviewing grant requests next week. We’ve processed at least a dozen from various vamp hunting groups.”
Josef slipped on his shirt, frowning at the news. “Are any of them potential threats?”
“Not as far as I can tell. They’re mostly newly formed groups looking for money.” Simone swung her legs over the side of the bed and lifted the damp cloth from the nightstand to dab at her newest bite. “There are, however, a couple research requests we should consider; studies involving blood born pathogens and antibodies that seem very well thought out.”
“Push them through,” Josef answered matter-of-factly. “We farmers need to keep the food healthy. Anything else?”
“Well, I thought we could talk.” Simone patted the bed beside her in invitation. “Have you given more thought to our turning conversation?”
Josef groaned inwardly. “Yes, I’ve been thinking about it. And, no, I’m not making such an important decision in the middle of all this turmoil.” He smiled as Simone narrowed her eyes. “Trust me. I wouldn’t put you off if it wasn’t so dangerous right now.”
Simone sighed and rested her chin on his shoulder as he continued to smile. “You know I’d make a great vampire and be an asset to the tribe.”
“Yes, you would.” Josef kissed her nose and got up to collect his jacket. “As soon as I deal with this Legion problem, we’ll have this talk again.”
MLMLMLML
Josef moved quickly through the small parking area of Simone’s building, headed for the Ferrari, his Blackberry in hand. Now that the human business day was over, he could get on with the more pressing vampire… The decay smell brought him to a shuffling stop. “What the hell…”
He vamped, turning slowly in a circle as the night whispered around him. The scent of decay shifted, wafting close and then away and Josef growled, low and threatening. “I know you’re here. Show yourself.”
“Took you long enough, child.” The disembodied voice grated in reply, sending him spinning in search of its source. “What do you want?”
Laughter rattled like dry twigs. “I’m only watching, watching, watching…” The voice touched him from every direction and Josef bristled with anger. “Watching me, why? Do you need financial advice or the name of a good tailor? What the hell do you want?”
“Be at ease, boy.” He was there, dark, faceless in billowing blackness. He began to circle. “Lady Wallace said you were smart, wise beyond your years,” his voice mellowed to a more human tone. “You have much responsibility and much to prove.”
“Prove to who?” Josef sneered as he circled, matching the old one’s pace. “The Legion?”
“No, child.” The old one moved faster, his voice rising as he blurred to a swirl of darkness. “Yourself, boy. Prove it to yourself.”
“Prove what?” Josef shouted to the empty parking lot. The old one was gone. Chest heaving, Josef took one last look around. “Fucking vampires!”
MLMLML
"Logan…" Josef barked into his phone, "Meet me at my office." Continuing to curse Josef summoned his security staff to meet him as well. "I need real time information, so call if you need to… don't wait for me to arrive."
Hell, Lady Wallace and old vamps delivering messages… as if I didn't already know that the Legion in LA is my mess… my security which failed at the club. Vamps at the fringes of LA society are already leaving… the Lost Boys, who had handled Dean Foster were now stalking celebrities in London. Vamp deaths were up all over but not place was as bad as LA and it was only the confidentiality of the Cleaners which was keeping people from knowing how many vamp deaths have already occurred.
It's vamps like myself with business interests, who can't leave LA… we make ideal targets.
Mick… it's time for him to stop… Hell, stop what… I need his head in the game, to figure out security and coordinate with the Cleaners.
Over the whine of the Ferrari he hears the signal from his Blackberry and flicks a glance at the screen.
Fuck! Coraline and Lance… No doubt, Coraline was coming to claim Mick again and Lance to claim Beth citing the ancient rights of French nobility… it was the wreckage from Coraline's little experiments that focused the Legion on LA to begin with. I guess I'll just invite the wicked step mother and her wicked brother to the ball… Josef smiled at the though of Lance having to rub elbows and socialize with the food.
MLMLMLML
“This is it, doll. You ready?” Mick teased with the tough guy look from beneath the brim of the fedora and Beth smiled nervously in return. “I’m as ready as I’m going to get.” She waited impatiently for Mick to circle the car to open her door. Mick offered his hand and Beth stepped from the Benz, her eyes shining. “I kinda feel like Cinderella.”
Mick let his gaze travel lazily over her; from the shining blond curls falling about her bare shoulders down over the form fitting ocean blue satin to the matching pumps that peeked from beneath the flowing skirt. “You look like a Princess.” He raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed her knuckles. “You might find Prince Charming while we’re here.”
“You think?” Beth swatted his arm. “Don’t get your hopes up. You’re still taking me home.”
“Let’s hope.” Mick offered her his arm. “Miss Turner, may I escort you to the ball?”
MLMLMLML
The Sarah Whitley Memorial Sports Arena had been transformed into a ghoulish Halloween confection and Mick guided Beth carefully through the crush of revelers, nodding to familiar faces while searching for their host and reserved table. Beth tugged at Mick’s elbow, halting their progress as she spotted Oscar and his guests. “Look, Oscar did bring guests.”
Mick gave the bodyguard a quick once over, amused by the Roman Centurion garb. “Not every man can get away with wearing a skirt and a leather bra.”
Beth giggled. “I’ll say. Though I think they’re called breast plates, not bras. Are those two his dates? She pulled Mick close to whisper. “I thought witches wore more clothes than that.”
Mick grinned, nodding acknowledgement as Oscar inclined his head. “Apparently that one doesn’t.” The witch pressed herself against Oscar and reached to pull his other companion, a young Jedi Knight, closer as well. Oscar remained stoic, arms crossed and powerful legs planted firmly as they fawned over him. Beth continued to stare until Mick tugged her arm, drawing her attention back to him. “I see Josef over by the champagne fountain.”
Josef was filling a long stemmed glass for Simone and Mick shook his head at Josef’s lack of imagination in his costume. “Who’re you supposed to be? Fred Astaire?”
Josef smirked and straightened his cuffs. “Costumes are for people who need help with their imagination, PI Mick. I have no trouble in that department.” He raised Simone’s gloved hand to his lips, brushing a scant kiss to her fingertips. “Simone could pass for Jean Harlowe, couldn’t she?”
Beth and Simone laughed when all Mick could do was nod. Beth leaned to fill a champagne glass for herself before turning to Josef. “Do you actually know all these people?
“Most of them.” Josef scanned the crowd with a tight smile. “There are a few I don’t recognize and the human mix makes it hard to sort them from the vamps in this crowd. As long as they’re behaving and making a donation to the Red Cross, they’re welcome.” He offered his arm to Simone and patted her gloved hand as she placed it at his elbow. “Let’s circulate, my dear. I’d like a closer look at some of our guests.” He inclined his head, throwing a mischievous look at Mick as they moved away. “What’re you standing around for? Dance with girl.”
Beth smiled over the rim of the glass as Mick looked at her expectantly. “Do you want to dance?” The music throbbed in a techno beat and Mick looked uncertainly at the dancers as he waited for her answer. Beth shook her head, leaning close. “Why don’t we wait for something a little slower.”
“That’d be good.” Mick gave her a pained look. “For a minute there, I was having disco flashbacks.”
“You discoed?” Beth laughed as he shrugged sheepishly. “I’d like to see that.”
“Believe me, you wouldn’t.” Mick chuckled at his own expense. “There’s nothing perpetually cool about the Hustle.”
“Well, I don’t know about that.” Beth set her glass down near the fountain and turned to take his hand as the music faded and a slower, more romantic song started to play. “I think this one is us.”
Nat King Cole - I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
“I think you’re right.” Mick gently tugged on her hand, drawing her onto the dance floor, spinning her in a slow turn to pull her close. “I like how you feel in my arms.”
They began to sway slowly, and Beth looked up into his eyes as he threaded his fingers through hers, pulling her closer. “I think this dancing thing is becoming a habit.”
“We are making progress.” Mick glanced at the couples around them. “I’m re-learning the steps I’ve forgotten.”
“Yes, you are.” Beth smiled softly as he spun her around. “It’s not complicated, difficult or danger…”
“Ssshhh!” Mick spun them around again. “Not tonight, Beth. Let’s just be tonight, just you and me.” He touched his forehead to hers, smiling the crooked smile she loved so much. “Can we do that?”
“I’d like that.” Beth kissed his cheek, laying her head on his shoulder and Mick hugged her close. The crowd faded around them. Tonight they would just be.
MLMLMLML
Lance silently cursed the decadence of humans as he shadowed the movement of the dancing couple. A group of overly decorated and heavily perfumed matrons continued to stalk him around the fringes of the dance floor, not one of them put off by his glacial stare and he was growing weary of their pursuit. Catching Edward’s eye, he motioned the servant to intervene.
With a quick glance around, Edward grabbed a tray of champagne glasses from a startled waiter and stumbled full bore into the matrons’ midst, spilling champagne and pardons all over them. Lance moved quickly away, leaving the curses and berating for Edward to deal with. St. John had maneuvered Beth to other side of the dance floor and Lance pushed through the crowd to follow, careful to keep the large plumed hat tilted low to hide his face. He barely paid attention to the chubby Guitar Hero and the Morgue Attendant as he shoved his way between them.
“Jerk!” Logan shook the spilled champagne from his hand as he glowered after the pirate in the billowing cape. “At your age, you should have some manners!” His grin faded as he caught the look of alarm on Guillermo’s face. “What? Who was that?”
“Trouble.” Guillermo looked around quickly, searching faces for Mick or Josef. “He’s big trouble. We need to find Kostan or Mick now!”
MLMLMLML
Mick filled two champagne glasses and turned with a smile to hand one to Beth. “Drink. You need your energy for another dance.” He rolled his eyes goofily and Beth giggled, almost spilling the glass. “So we’re dancing again?”
“Of course we are.” Mick sipped the champagne as he looked out over the dance floor. You want to, don’t you?”
“Yes, I…Hello, Ben.” Beth smiled as Talbot pushed his way through the crowd to join them. “I didn’t think you’d show.”
“Mick.” Ben nodded stiffly to Mick. “I guess I was curious.” Casting a quick look around at the crowd, he focused back on Beth. “It’s like every other civic function I’ve ever attended. Looks like everybody who’s anybody is here.”
“Yeah, well, Josef knows everybody who’s anybody.” Beth put her hand on Mick’s arm and smiled up at him. “This is my first Blood is Life Ball, too. I’m really enjoying myself.”
Mick put his hand over hers, nodding absently as he watched the crowd. The ebb and flow of the crowd was distracting and he began to search faces, looking past the costumes and masks. He felt…someone watching…eyes on him, Beth…where…And there it was. Anger flared and he nudged Beth toward Ben, giving her shoulder a tight squeeze. “Stay with Ben. I’ll be right back.”
“Wha..?” Beth tried to cover her confusion, giving Ben a pained smile. “I guess he saw someone he knows.”
Mick slid quickly through the crowd, focused on the pale shoulder sporting the Fleur Di Lis tattoo.
MLMLMLML
Lance smiled as Mick took the bait, scurrying to follow Coraline through the crowd as she drew him away from Beth. “Sister, you still possess the courtesan wiles.”
Circling the fountain, he swooped in a billow of black cape and confidence, smiling as Beth startled at his touch. “Hello, Beth. I don’t believe we’ve met. I am Lance Duvall.”
“I…” Beth backed a step as gooseflesh crawled up her spine. “Lance Duvall? You’re…you’re Coraline’s brother. I…where’s Mick?” She batted his hand away as he reached for her arm. “Don’t touch me! Where’s Mick?”
Ben watched the short exchange, becoming alarmed as the stranger tried to grab Beth’s arm. He stepped forward to pull Beth away. “Hey, buddy. Keep your hands to yourself.”
Lance glared at his interference. “This doesn’t concern you, human. Leave us.” He backhanded Ben sharply, sending him flying onto the dance floor to knock dancers and observers from their feet. Ben landed flat on his butt, skidding back in shocked pain. A chorus of shouts and curses flared and all eyes turned toward Lance and a very frightened Beth.
>>>>>>>
Coraline stopped as the commotion flared, turning back to grace Mick with her most beguiling smile. “Mick? So nice to see you.”
“What are you doing here, Coraline?” Mick gritted out, ignoring the shift of the crowd back toward the fountain, “What do you want now?”
“Why, Mick, aren’t you happy to see me?” Coraline pouted prettily. “I’ve risked everything to…” Her voice faded as they were suddenly surrounded by Josef’s security and Mick turned warily in confusion. “What the hell is going on?”
>>>>>>>>
“Time for us to leave, Miss Turner.” Lance murmured smoothly, unconcerned by the sudden attention. “We’ve an important matter to discuss.” He took a firm hold on her upper arm and drew her close. “It’s a matter of blood between you and I.”
Beth began to struggle and her voice rose above the crowd. “I’m not going anywhere with you!”
“Yes, you are.” Lance jerked her closer. “Behave and I won’t have to hurt you.”
“She’s not going anywhere.” Josef’s voice was coldly amused as he motioned for security to clear the area. "Ah Lance, I've just seen your charming Marie Antoinette, I wonder if it's safe for her here in LA… or will she lose her head like her predecessor?"
Mick came shoving through the crowd, desperate to reach Beth and Oscar intercepted him, holding him back with an unbreakable bear hug. “Stop. He’ll let her go.”
Lance thrust Beth away, eyeing Josef imperiously. "Kostan, you wouldn't dare touch what is mine?"
Josef’s laugh was humorless. "Mine, interesting concept… especially when it extends to people. I've let your sister live twice now… the first time, I was being a good little vampire. The second because she gave me information about the compound… now she is back in LA, breaking our agreement. I disagree…,” he inclined his head toward the security staff holding her, “Coraline is mine."
Lance's eyes silver as Josef makes his claim. "You will never be able to hold her… you're just an orphan who doesn't understand family. Money does not buy loyalty."
"Neither does power, it only buys fear.” Josef’s eyes paled briefly and he gestured for Coraline to be released. “Consider that you are my guest, at this event and in my city." He moved closer, matching Lance’s arrogant stare with his own. “I believe your business here is done. Take your sister and go."
In a swirl of cape and Coraline’s lace, Lance was gone.
Beth ran to Mick’s arms and Josef took a deep breath.
I could use a drink… right now. I just told "The Count" to go fuck himself… if there ever was an evening for staying hungry… this is it. Josef calculates the angles and the odds as he looks over his guests, his friends, his enemies and the unknown factors like Talbot. And now The Legion, the bastards were watching all of them.
Author: Misfit
The doctor on duty and several attendants ran for the ambulance as it came to a skidding halt near the emergency entrance of Versailles Hospital. Jerking the doors of the ambulance open, they pulled the gurney out with a thump, jarring its occupant. The young blond screamed in agony, her bloody clawed fingers clutching frantically at her swollen belly. Running alongside the gurney, the doctor lifted the sodden mess of the girl’s skirt. Blood, bright and copious puddled between the white thighs and he cursed, shoving a nurse toward the phone. “Call Duvall now! Go!”
The blond gulps, trying to raise her head to look at her belly and he curses silently as a bloody froth foams from her lips. Anxious to soothe her terror, he touched her cheek briefly as the gurney was shoved into the exam room. “You’ll be fine, chere’. I do not want to die.”
The clock on the wall marks the minutes…
“She’s dead.” The doctor trembled, heart pounding in his chest as he refused to look at the vampires.
“And the child?” Lance’s voice was deceptively soft. “It survives?”
“No.” The doctor’s chin dropped to his chest. “I’m sorry. I did everything I could. It was too late.”
“And the blood?” Lance glanced at his servant, Edward, before he turned back to the dark, rain-streaked window. “I trust you kept the child’s blood?”
“Yes, yes, of course.” The doctor groveled, eager to regain favor. “We retained all of the AO-.”
“That’s very fortunate for you, doctor.” Lance lifted his shoulders, adjusting the lapel of his fine woolen suit jacket. “Your forward thinking will let you live. This time.” The doctor broke into relieved tears and Edward smirked as he followed Lance’s long strides down the hall. Lance slapped his gloves against his leg. “Have the plane readied for the States. We need to visit my dear sister and the very lovely Miss Turner.”
MLMLML
Well, it’s a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes.
A fantabulous night to make romance
Neath the cover of October skies.
Beth twisted the towel around her head, smiling as Mick sang softly at the sink. Wrapping another large, fluffy towel securely around herself, she pushed the glass door open, meeting Mick’s smile in the mirror.
All the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow.
And I’m trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low.
Mick rinsed the razor in the sink, his eyes never leaving her face as he continued to sing softly, the razor moving in long, smooth strokes.
And the nights magic seems to whisper and hush
And the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush.
Can I just have one more moondance with you, my love?
Can I just make some more romance with-a you, my love?
Beth giggled, raising herself on tiptoe to rest her chin on his shoulder as he rinsed the razor for the final time. “Are you going to lead on this moondance?”
“Maybe.” Mick toweled the remaining traces of shaving cream from his face and glanced up at her reflection with a flash of desire. “A few more lessons and I might be ready.” Turning from the sink, he drew her close, kissing her smile. “You’re quite the dancer, Miss Turner.”
“I’m glad you noticed.” Beth’s hand slid along the low-slung waist of his pajama bottoms and she rested her forehead against his chin. “It was nice, wasn’t it?”
“It was more than nice.” Mick gave her a little squeeze and kissed her forehead before releasing her to turn back to the sink. “And I need to stop thinking about it, so you can go to work.”
Beth’s mouth opened and closed in mild frustration. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” She pulled the towel from her hair and shook it out around her shoulders. “I can hardly wait for Ben’s vampire questions this morning.”
Mick straightened, running his hands through his hair. “You need to stall him, Beth. Avoid any details until we figure out where he stands.” The small worry lines creased between his brows and his eyes locked with hers in the mirror. “You think you can do that?”
“Well, I guess I don’t have any choice, do I?” Beth pulled off the towel and tossed it at the shower door. “I’ll be ready in about 30 minutes.”
Mick bit his lip as her naked bottom marched from the room and he shook his head as he met his own reflection in the mirror.
Mick VO: Ever catch yourself with a stupid grin on your face...I keep seeing myself in the mirror and I can't say I recognize myself...shaving while Beth takes a shower, an ordinary morning after a night...what a night...where the monsters stayed away and kept themselves in the shadows of the past where they belong.
MLMLMLML
Beth jumped, startled as Ben’s voice spoke from the intercom. “Beth? Can you come to my office, please?” Setting her cup down, she wiped the dribble of coffee from her chin, glancing at Oscar as he shifted casually to alertness in his chair.
“Sure, be right there.” Grabbing a notebook, Beth took a deep breath and pasted a smile on as she entered Talbot’s office. “What’s up?”
“Shut the door.” Ben waited until she closed the door before tossing an envelope on the desk in front of her. “What is this?”
“An envelope.” Beth picked it up, looking curiously at the spidery script. “Mr. Benjamin Talbot, Esquire? Have you opened it?”
“Of course I opened it.” Ben pursed his lips and leaned back in the chair. “I’m just not sure what it’s supposed to mean.”
Beth pulled the single folded sheet from the envelope and opened it carefully. Scanning the page quickly, she gave Ben a skeptical look. “It’s an invitation to a Halloween Ball, Ben. That’s pretty plain.”
Ben’s eyes narrowed. “Why would Kostan invite me to,” he gestured for her to hand him the invitation, “The Blood is Life Ball?” Ben snorted and dropped the invite on the desk. “A vampire saying Blood is Life? He’s kidding, right?”
“No, I think he’s serious.” Beth picked up the invite again. “He’s very involved in charitable organizations and causes. It says right here,” Beth tapped the page, “all proceeds are donated to the American Red Cross.”
Ben was still skeptical. “So I’m not being invited as a ‘treat’ then? It’s a legitimate function?”
“I’m sure it is.” Beth folded the invitation and put it back in the envelope. “I’m sure Mick and I’ve received an invitation, too.” Beth smiled, trying to reassure him. “Ben, they’re not monsters. They have normal lives just like we do. Well, almost normal lives.”
“Normal?” Ben snorted. “You just accept drinking blood and living forever as normal, Beth?”
“No, I’m not saying I accept everything about them as normal, because I don’t.” Beth took a deep breath and dropped the invitation back on his desk. “I know you have a lot of question but you’ll just have to ask Josef or Mick. I can’t give you any answers.” Beth could still see the need to ask questions written all over his face and she sought to change the subject. “Sooo…do you have any new cases I could be working on?”
Ben gave a tight smile of resignation. “No, nothing new, but you could follow up on the bombing case. The coroner should have some of the preliminary reports completed on the victims and we need to get them in the system. Why don’t you check?”
“I’ll get right on it.” Beth opened the office door, pausing for a moment as Ben picked up the invitation to study again. “Bring a date, Ben. It’s for a good cause.”
MLMLMLML
Mick grinned mischievously as Josef stood in undershirt and tux slacks in his office while the tailor marked for alterations. “You’re really getting into this civic minded thing, aren’t you?”
“You’d do well to follow my example.” Josef turned in front of the mirror to judge the fit of the slacks, brushing a trace of lint from the pleats. “Word of mouth goes a long way in your line of work. You could establish contacts on all levels of the business world.” Satisfied with the slacks, Josef stripped them off and handed them to the tailor. “The Halloween Gala would be a perfect place to start.”
“I don’t know, Josef.” Mick leaned back in the chair, resting his chin on his hand. “Costume parties just aren’t my thing. I wouldn’t know what to wear.”
Josef smirked. “Well I’m sure Beth would have some ideas. Let her dress you up,” he sniffed slightly, “or undress you again. You haven’t…?”
“No, we haven’t, Dad. We’re…working our way up to it.” Mick’s glance slewed away as Josef started to dress. “I don’t want to rush it.”
“The Dad thing’s getting old, Mick. Just do it and get it over with. This is ‘My Beth’ we’re talking about, it won’t be like Coraline, trust me.” Josef pulled on his dress shirt and made quick work of the buttons. “At least she’s not asking you to turn her.”
“She wouldn’t.” Mick’s hand moved slowly over his mouth as he thought about Beth’s tear streaked face on the night Emma and Jackson died. What about when I start to get old?” “And I don’t know if I could if she did.”
“Well, I’ve been asked.” Josef snapped his suspenders in place and knelt to put on his shoes. “And Simone won’t leave it alone. She refuses to take no for an answer.” Josef stood and moved behind the desk to flop in the chair. “I’m don’t need this right now.”
Mick chuckled. “We’re really making progress on our commitment issues, huh?”
Josef snorted. “I wouldn’t call it progress. We’ve got aggressive women on one hand and the Legion culling the tribe on the other. I’d rather face a torch-bearing mob.”
Mick sobered and pushed from his chair. “You may get that chance if we don’t find out who’s feeding Talbot information.”
“I’m way ahead of you.” Josef stood, too, and moved to the bar to pour a much needed drink for both of them. “ADA Talbot’s not making a move that I’m not aware of.” He gave a tight smile as he raised the glass in mock salute. “The Legion’s recruitment methods are nothing compared to mine. He’ll come to understand what it means to get an offer he can’t refuse.”
MLMLMLML
Beth settled herself into the passenger seat of Oscar’s Jeep, barely shutting the door before it began to move. “Are we in a hurry?”
“No.” Oscar checked traffic and pulled quickly away from the curb. “I have an assignation.”
“Assignation? As in appointment?” Oscar didn’t answer and Beth shook her head. He rarely responded to direct questions and she found it particularly irksome today. She tried another question. “Did you get an invite to Josef’s Red Cross Ball?”
“Yes.” Oscar glanced at the rearview and quickly took an exit. “I have been before.”
Beth blinked in surprise. “Are you bringing a date?”
“I’ll have guests, yes.” Oscar gave her a quick look, the corner of his mouth raising slightly and Beth blinked again. “Guests, as in you’re bringing more than one girl?”
“If you are there, you will see.” The Jeep slowed with traffic and Oscar looked at her again. “You will be coming with St. John?”
“I guess so, Mick hasn’t told me about it yet.” Beth began to gather her things as the Jeep turned onto Drexel Avenue. “Will you be coming up with me?”
“No.” Oscar pulled close to the curb and lowered his head to scan the area near the door. “Security has already okayed your arrival.”
“Oh, alright then.” Beth nodded, surprised by yet another level in her protection. “I wonder if Mick’s home?”
“He is.” Oscar’s mouth twitched again as she got out of the Jeep. “You need to work on your breathing again, Beth. He will know you are home as soon as you leave the elevator.” The Jeep peeled away before she could close the door and Beth shook her head, turning to go inside.
>>>>>
The apartment was dim and quiet as Beth set her purse on the couch. “Hmm? I thought he’d be up?” She walked to the staircase, listening upstairs. “Mick?”
A slide of something and a muffled thump answered. “Yeah, I’m in the bedroom.”
“Okay.” Beth jogged up the stairs and hurried to the room. “What’re you doing up here?” The door was slightly open and she pushed it wide, stopping in her tracks. “What...?”
Mick smiled from his squatted position on the floor, a dark fedora perched on his head. Beth began to smile as he rose from the floor and hitched the white pajama pants a fraction higher on his hips. “Um, nice hat.”
“Thanks.” Mick lifted the brim slightly and settled it back on his head. “I was looking for something to wear to Josef’s ball.” He sauntered toward her. “Whadda ya think?”
Beth looked up into his smile. “I think you should wear more than a hat.”
Mick chuckled and pointed toward the bed. “I’ve got the suit and maybe something for you, too.”
“Oh, really.” Beth walked to the bed to look at the dark suit. “What’d you pick for me?”
Mick rubbed his brow with his thumb, suddenly nervous that he’d made the wrong choice. “Its, um, a couple 40’s era dresses I thought you might like.”
“Oh, cool!” Beth’s eyes brightened as she reached for the garment bag. “I love dress-up.” Mick breathed a sigh of relief as she dug happily into the bag.
MLMLMLML
Guillermo slid the last rack of blood samples into the cooler and pulled the latex gloves from his hands with a snap. All the human and vamp remains had been processed and he was ready to catch some freezer time in drawer #6 before his shift started again in five hours. One more swallow from the Starbuck’s cup and he was…
“You got anything for me yet?”
Guillermo smiled against the plastic lid. “Not yet, Carmen. The tests aren’t done.” He schooled his face to seriousness and turned to face her. “The coroner requested additional time on the bloodwork.”
“Great!” Carmen dropped the box she was holding on the exam table. “Kostan’s already called me five times today.”
Guillermo hid his smirk as he stepped forward to look at the evidence tags on the small paper bags in the box. “And you’re working for him, right?”
“Not as exclusively as he thinks.” Carmen frowned, opening her bag to flip through the loose reports. “I look for the truth.”
“Right.” Guillermo sniffed slightly while she was distracted. Subtle jasmine and… “ADA Talbot sicked Beth on you, too?”
“Not yet.” Carmen pulled the list she was looking for from her bag and stepped closer. “Here’s the list of “male” evidence from the club. You just need to match the evidence with the appropriate body.”
Guillermo glanced at the report. “This stuff all clean?”
“Of course it is.” Carmen raised a brow. “You think I’m an amateur?”
“No, no.” Guillermo rubbed his spiked hair in a quick nervous gesture. “I’ll match it up with the human plants as close as I can.”
“Good.” Carmen slung her bag over her shoulder and turned to leave. “Call me when its ready.”
Guillermo put the box back down. “I’ll need your number then.”
“Sure.” A smile touched Carmen’s lips and she held out her card. “I’m on the clock at 8 p.m. Before that, you take your chances.”
A slow smile spread across Guillermo’s face as she walked away. “Yeah, I’ll take my chances. Maybe you’ll tell me what’s going on between you and Oscar. ”
MLMLMLML
The large black sedan pulled to a stop in front of Coraline’s party house and Edward scurried around to open the door for Lance. Exiting the car, Lance settled the trenchcoat about his shoulders and looked around with obvious distaste. Scanning the surroundings, he sniffed, pointing with his chin. “Find refreshment for us. I’ll wake Coraline.” The smile that touched his lips held no humor. “She should be delighted to see me.”
>>>>>>
“I can’t get near her.” Coraline ducked her head as Lance pushed her hair back from her face. “She’s already staked me twice and I’ve been warned.”
“Kostan has no authority over us,” Lance scoffed, “he knows the cure comes before his personal interests.” Stepping back slightly, he offered her his hand to assist with her exit from the freezer. “My word carries more weight within the hierchy than some upstart from the Colonies.”
Coraline warily avoided his hand to climb from the freezer herself and grabbed her robe. “Your word won’t keep them from killing me if I try to get close to Beth again.” She flinched as Lance’s long fingers lifted her chin and she met his cold eyes. “You’d let them kill me to get to her, wouldn’t you?”
Lance’s lips curled in semblance of a smile. “Oh, sister, of course not.” His cold hand pulled the collar of her robe closer to her throat. “You acquire Miss Turner and the family may let you keep St. John.”
Coraline glanced away and then slowly back, her eyes as cold as his. “Tell me what you want me to do.”
MLMLMLML
Simone’s bedroom was lit by a soft amber glow and she sat draped in the canary sheets as Josef dressed beside the bed. “The Whitley Trust is reviewing grant requests next week. We’ve processed at least a dozen from various vamp hunting groups.”
Josef slipped on his shirt, frowning at the news. “Are any of them potential threats?”
“Not as far as I can tell. They’re mostly newly formed groups looking for money.” Simone swung her legs over the side of the bed and lifted the damp cloth from the nightstand to dab at her newest bite. “There are, however, a couple research requests we should consider; studies involving blood born pathogens and antibodies that seem very well thought out.”
“Push them through,” Josef answered matter-of-factly. “We farmers need to keep the food healthy. Anything else?”
“Well, I thought we could talk.” Simone patted the bed beside her in invitation. “Have you given more thought to our turning conversation?”
Josef groaned inwardly. “Yes, I’ve been thinking about it. And, no, I’m not making such an important decision in the middle of all this turmoil.” He smiled as Simone narrowed her eyes. “Trust me. I wouldn’t put you off if it wasn’t so dangerous right now.”
Simone sighed and rested her chin on his shoulder as he continued to smile. “You know I’d make a great vampire and be an asset to the tribe.”
“Yes, you would.” Josef kissed her nose and got up to collect his jacket. “As soon as I deal with this Legion problem, we’ll have this talk again.”
MLMLMLML
Josef moved quickly through the small parking area of Simone’s building, headed for the Ferrari, his Blackberry in hand. Now that the human business day was over, he could get on with the more pressing vampire… The decay smell brought him to a shuffling stop. “What the hell…”
He vamped, turning slowly in a circle as the night whispered around him. The scent of decay shifted, wafting close and then away and Josef growled, low and threatening. “I know you’re here. Show yourself.”
“Took you long enough, child.” The disembodied voice grated in reply, sending him spinning in search of its source. “What do you want?”
Laughter rattled like dry twigs. “I’m only watching, watching, watching…” The voice touched him from every direction and Josef bristled with anger. “Watching me, why? Do you need financial advice or the name of a good tailor? What the hell do you want?”
“Be at ease, boy.” He was there, dark, faceless in billowing blackness. He began to circle. “Lady Wallace said you were smart, wise beyond your years,” his voice mellowed to a more human tone. “You have much responsibility and much to prove.”
“Prove to who?” Josef sneered as he circled, matching the old one’s pace. “The Legion?”
“No, child.” The old one moved faster, his voice rising as he blurred to a swirl of darkness. “Yourself, boy. Prove it to yourself.”
“Prove what?” Josef shouted to the empty parking lot. The old one was gone. Chest heaving, Josef took one last look around. “Fucking vampires!”
MLMLML
"Logan…" Josef barked into his phone, "Meet me at my office." Continuing to curse Josef summoned his security staff to meet him as well. "I need real time information, so call if you need to… don't wait for me to arrive."
Hell, Lady Wallace and old vamps delivering messages… as if I didn't already know that the Legion in LA is my mess… my security which failed at the club. Vamps at the fringes of LA society are already leaving… the Lost Boys, who had handled Dean Foster were now stalking celebrities in London. Vamp deaths were up all over but not place was as bad as LA and it was only the confidentiality of the Cleaners which was keeping people from knowing how many vamp deaths have already occurred.
It's vamps like myself with business interests, who can't leave LA… we make ideal targets.
Mick… it's time for him to stop… Hell, stop what… I need his head in the game, to figure out security and coordinate with the Cleaners.
Over the whine of the Ferrari he hears the signal from his Blackberry and flicks a glance at the screen.
Fuck! Coraline and Lance… No doubt, Coraline was coming to claim Mick again and Lance to claim Beth citing the ancient rights of French nobility… it was the wreckage from Coraline's little experiments that focused the Legion on LA to begin with. I guess I'll just invite the wicked step mother and her wicked brother to the ball… Josef smiled at the though of Lance having to rub elbows and socialize with the food.
MLMLMLML
“This is it, doll. You ready?” Mick teased with the tough guy look from beneath the brim of the fedora and Beth smiled nervously in return. “I’m as ready as I’m going to get.” She waited impatiently for Mick to circle the car to open her door. Mick offered his hand and Beth stepped from the Benz, her eyes shining. “I kinda feel like Cinderella.”
Mick let his gaze travel lazily over her; from the shining blond curls falling about her bare shoulders down over the form fitting ocean blue satin to the matching pumps that peeked from beneath the flowing skirt. “You look like a Princess.” He raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed her knuckles. “You might find Prince Charming while we’re here.”
“You think?” Beth swatted his arm. “Don’t get your hopes up. You’re still taking me home.”
“Let’s hope.” Mick offered her his arm. “Miss Turner, may I escort you to the ball?”
MLMLMLML
The Sarah Whitley Memorial Sports Arena had been transformed into a ghoulish Halloween confection and Mick guided Beth carefully through the crush of revelers, nodding to familiar faces while searching for their host and reserved table. Beth tugged at Mick’s elbow, halting their progress as she spotted Oscar and his guests. “Look, Oscar did bring guests.”
Mick gave the bodyguard a quick once over, amused by the Roman Centurion garb. “Not every man can get away with wearing a skirt and a leather bra.”
Beth giggled. “I’ll say. Though I think they’re called breast plates, not bras. Are those two his dates? She pulled Mick close to whisper. “I thought witches wore more clothes than that.”
Mick grinned, nodding acknowledgement as Oscar inclined his head. “Apparently that one doesn’t.” The witch pressed herself against Oscar and reached to pull his other companion, a young Jedi Knight, closer as well. Oscar remained stoic, arms crossed and powerful legs planted firmly as they fawned over him. Beth continued to stare until Mick tugged her arm, drawing her attention back to him. “I see Josef over by the champagne fountain.”
Josef was filling a long stemmed glass for Simone and Mick shook his head at Josef’s lack of imagination in his costume. “Who’re you supposed to be? Fred Astaire?”
Josef smirked and straightened his cuffs. “Costumes are for people who need help with their imagination, PI Mick. I have no trouble in that department.” He raised Simone’s gloved hand to his lips, brushing a scant kiss to her fingertips. “Simone could pass for Jean Harlowe, couldn’t she?”
Beth and Simone laughed when all Mick could do was nod. Beth leaned to fill a champagne glass for herself before turning to Josef. “Do you actually know all these people?
“Most of them.” Josef scanned the crowd with a tight smile. “There are a few I don’t recognize and the human mix makes it hard to sort them from the vamps in this crowd. As long as they’re behaving and making a donation to the Red Cross, they’re welcome.” He offered his arm to Simone and patted her gloved hand as she placed it at his elbow. “Let’s circulate, my dear. I’d like a closer look at some of our guests.” He inclined his head, throwing a mischievous look at Mick as they moved away. “What’re you standing around for? Dance with girl.”
Beth smiled over the rim of the glass as Mick looked at her expectantly. “Do you want to dance?” The music throbbed in a techno beat and Mick looked uncertainly at the dancers as he waited for her answer. Beth shook her head, leaning close. “Why don’t we wait for something a little slower.”
“That’d be good.” Mick gave her a pained look. “For a minute there, I was having disco flashbacks.”
“You discoed?” Beth laughed as he shrugged sheepishly. “I’d like to see that.”
“Believe me, you wouldn’t.” Mick chuckled at his own expense. “There’s nothing perpetually cool about the Hustle.”
“Well, I don’t know about that.” Beth set her glass down near the fountain and turned to take his hand as the music faded and a slower, more romantic song started to play. “I think this one is us.”
Nat King Cole - I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
“I think you’re right.” Mick gently tugged on her hand, drawing her onto the dance floor, spinning her in a slow turn to pull her close. “I like how you feel in my arms.”
They began to sway slowly, and Beth looked up into his eyes as he threaded his fingers through hers, pulling her closer. “I think this dancing thing is becoming a habit.”
“We are making progress.” Mick glanced at the couples around them. “I’m re-learning the steps I’ve forgotten.”
“Yes, you are.” Beth smiled softly as he spun her around. “It’s not complicated, difficult or danger…”
“Ssshhh!” Mick spun them around again. “Not tonight, Beth. Let’s just be tonight, just you and me.” He touched his forehead to hers, smiling the crooked smile she loved so much. “Can we do that?”
“I’d like that.” Beth kissed his cheek, laying her head on his shoulder and Mick hugged her close. The crowd faded around them. Tonight they would just be.
MLMLMLML
Lance silently cursed the decadence of humans as he shadowed the movement of the dancing couple. A group of overly decorated and heavily perfumed matrons continued to stalk him around the fringes of the dance floor, not one of them put off by his glacial stare and he was growing weary of their pursuit. Catching Edward’s eye, he motioned the servant to intervene.
With a quick glance around, Edward grabbed a tray of champagne glasses from a startled waiter and stumbled full bore into the matrons’ midst, spilling champagne and pardons all over them. Lance moved quickly away, leaving the curses and berating for Edward to deal with. St. John had maneuvered Beth to other side of the dance floor and Lance pushed through the crowd to follow, careful to keep the large plumed hat tilted low to hide his face. He barely paid attention to the chubby Guitar Hero and the Morgue Attendant as he shoved his way between them.
“Jerk!” Logan shook the spilled champagne from his hand as he glowered after the pirate in the billowing cape. “At your age, you should have some manners!” His grin faded as he caught the look of alarm on Guillermo’s face. “What? Who was that?”
“Trouble.” Guillermo looked around quickly, searching faces for Mick or Josef. “He’s big trouble. We need to find Kostan or Mick now!”
MLMLMLML
Mick filled two champagne glasses and turned with a smile to hand one to Beth. “Drink. You need your energy for another dance.” He rolled his eyes goofily and Beth giggled, almost spilling the glass. “So we’re dancing again?”
“Of course we are.” Mick sipped the champagne as he looked out over the dance floor. You want to, don’t you?”
“Yes, I…Hello, Ben.” Beth smiled as Talbot pushed his way through the crowd to join them. “I didn’t think you’d show.”
“Mick.” Ben nodded stiffly to Mick. “I guess I was curious.” Casting a quick look around at the crowd, he focused back on Beth. “It’s like every other civic function I’ve ever attended. Looks like everybody who’s anybody is here.”
“Yeah, well, Josef knows everybody who’s anybody.” Beth put her hand on Mick’s arm and smiled up at him. “This is my first Blood is Life Ball, too. I’m really enjoying myself.”
Mick put his hand over hers, nodding absently as he watched the crowd. The ebb and flow of the crowd was distracting and he began to search faces, looking past the costumes and masks. He felt…someone watching…eyes on him, Beth…where…And there it was. Anger flared and he nudged Beth toward Ben, giving her shoulder a tight squeeze. “Stay with Ben. I’ll be right back.”
“Wha..?” Beth tried to cover her confusion, giving Ben a pained smile. “I guess he saw someone he knows.”
Mick slid quickly through the crowd, focused on the pale shoulder sporting the Fleur Di Lis tattoo.
MLMLMLML
Lance smiled as Mick took the bait, scurrying to follow Coraline through the crowd as she drew him away from Beth. “Sister, you still possess the courtesan wiles.”
Circling the fountain, he swooped in a billow of black cape and confidence, smiling as Beth startled at his touch. “Hello, Beth. I don’t believe we’ve met. I am Lance Duvall.”
“I…” Beth backed a step as gooseflesh crawled up her spine. “Lance Duvall? You’re…you’re Coraline’s brother. I…where’s Mick?” She batted his hand away as he reached for her arm. “Don’t touch me! Where’s Mick?”
Ben watched the short exchange, becoming alarmed as the stranger tried to grab Beth’s arm. He stepped forward to pull Beth away. “Hey, buddy. Keep your hands to yourself.”
Lance glared at his interference. “This doesn’t concern you, human. Leave us.” He backhanded Ben sharply, sending him flying onto the dance floor to knock dancers and observers from their feet. Ben landed flat on his butt, skidding back in shocked pain. A chorus of shouts and curses flared and all eyes turned toward Lance and a very frightened Beth.
>>>>>>>
Coraline stopped as the commotion flared, turning back to grace Mick with her most beguiling smile. “Mick? So nice to see you.”
“What are you doing here, Coraline?” Mick gritted out, ignoring the shift of the crowd back toward the fountain, “What do you want now?”
“Why, Mick, aren’t you happy to see me?” Coraline pouted prettily. “I’ve risked everything to…” Her voice faded as they were suddenly surrounded by Josef’s security and Mick turned warily in confusion. “What the hell is going on?”
>>>>>>>>
“Time for us to leave, Miss Turner.” Lance murmured smoothly, unconcerned by the sudden attention. “We’ve an important matter to discuss.” He took a firm hold on her upper arm and drew her close. “It’s a matter of blood between you and I.”
Beth began to struggle and her voice rose above the crowd. “I’m not going anywhere with you!”
“Yes, you are.” Lance jerked her closer. “Behave and I won’t have to hurt you.”
“She’s not going anywhere.” Josef’s voice was coldly amused as he motioned for security to clear the area. "Ah Lance, I've just seen your charming Marie Antoinette, I wonder if it's safe for her here in LA… or will she lose her head like her predecessor?"
Mick came shoving through the crowd, desperate to reach Beth and Oscar intercepted him, holding him back with an unbreakable bear hug. “Stop. He’ll let her go.”
Lance thrust Beth away, eyeing Josef imperiously. "Kostan, you wouldn't dare touch what is mine?"
Josef’s laugh was humorless. "Mine, interesting concept… especially when it extends to people. I've let your sister live twice now… the first time, I was being a good little vampire. The second because she gave me information about the compound… now she is back in LA, breaking our agreement. I disagree…,” he inclined his head toward the security staff holding her, “Coraline is mine."
Lance's eyes silver as Josef makes his claim. "You will never be able to hold her… you're just an orphan who doesn't understand family. Money does not buy loyalty."
"Neither does power, it only buys fear.” Josef’s eyes paled briefly and he gestured for Coraline to be released. “Consider that you are my guest, at this event and in my city." He moved closer, matching Lance’s arrogant stare with his own. “I believe your business here is done. Take your sister and go."
In a swirl of cape and Coraline’s lace, Lance was gone.
Beth ran to Mick’s arms and Josef took a deep breath.
I could use a drink… right now. I just told "The Count" to go fuck himself… if there ever was an evening for staying hungry… this is it. Josef calculates the angles and the odds as he looks over his guests, his friends, his enemies and the unknown factors like Talbot. And now The Legion, the bastards were watching all of them.
Author: Misfit
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