Chapter One Hundred Nine She didn't know what she was expecting when they reached Lilith's Queensland estate, but this wasn't it. Her mental images of Australia had always included the rugged outback, bare and desolate, brown as far as the eye could see. Here, the rolling hills were as green as her envy, eucalyptus trees growing tall and fragrant in the fields. The property had to be huge...it had been over five minutes since they entered the main gates, and still there was no sign of the house. Wild animals hopped across the lawn, what she thought were wallabies but couldn't be sure. The white BMW limousine rolled smoothly up the winding driveway, silent and shadowed, lit only by the little spotlights alongside the road. Even in the darkness she could feel Richard's eyes on her. Bryn cast a glance in his direction but couldn't see much more than his silhouette. Seated across from him and his companion, she felt vaguely threatened despite Anton's hand laced with hers. Settling her other hand on Max's curled fist as he dozed lazily in his car seat, she tried to ignore the other vampire as she kept watch out the window. The palatial mansion came into view several minutes later, its white columned, brick facade imposing in the darkness. It looked like an old southern plantation, and she stifled the urge to ask if the woman kept slaves. She didn't think she really would be surprised if Lilith had Aborigine servants around the house. Turning her head, she looked up at Anton. "Nice place," she murmured. "I wonder when Scarlet shows up." Anton gave her a half smile and squeezed her hand. He wasn't sure if Bryn was ready for this. But then sometimes he wondered if he was ready for this. As he had told Bryn, he had only been witness to one other execution, and he had hoped never to see another. It was unsettling enough to hear that someone who was supposed to exist forever had their existence snuffed out by random accident or by a human. But watching another vampire destroy another was disturbing. She jumped slightly when the door opened, but was relieved when the inside of the car was flooded with light. Finally able to see, she unbuckled Max's carrier and grabbed the handle. She waited while Anton stepped outside and was just about to take his hand when Richard abruptly pushed past her, dragging his human lover along behind him. "Hey!" Anton shouted, but the other vampire kept on walking without a backward glance. Annoyed at being pushed aside, Bryn scowled as she grabbed her purse, handed Max's carrier to Anton, and climbed out of the car. Forgetting to be polite in front of the driver, she muttered, "Fuck you very much, too, asshole." Anton put his arm around Bryn and guided her towards the double doors at the front. Richard, his consort in tow, had disappeared through it. Anton slowed down, hoping to get some distance between them. He looked down at Bryn and gently kissed her forehead. "Are you ready for this, my dear?" Although she managed to stop scowling, she was still frowning when she looked up at him. "For now I am. Ask me later, after things get started." Glancing behind them, she saw the driver of the car taking their luggage out of the trunk. She wanted to protest, but there was no way of knowing how long they'd be at the estate. By the time they were able to go, it might already be daylight. "I still can't believe we have to stay here. There better be good strong locks on the doors and no hidden passageways. If anyone comes in our room unannounced, I may scream bloody murder...unfortunately, that'd probably just excite them." Anton gave her a wry smile. "Hopefully we'll be left to ourselves," he agreed. They went in the house, to be greeted by Seth. "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Rudenko," the man said in a official manner. "If you will follow me, I will show you to your rooms. The evening's events will begin two hours from now." The inside of Lilith's winter home was as impressive as the exterior. Spacious rooms with dark hardwood floors, a huge amount of antique colonial furniture, whitewashed walls, and modern electronics. The shuttered windows were open so late in the evening, which made sense considering that it was fall in Australia. The temperature wouldn't drop for several months. Seth led them up a sweeping staircase, very much resembling something out of Twelve Oaks. They passed several other vampires along the way, some of whom Anton ignored, a few he nodded to, and once or twice he exchanged a few words of greeting. There would probably be time for introductions later--Seth wasn't inclined to stop in the middle of doing his job. On the second floor, he stepped into an open room and waited for them to enter. Smelling of a strange but pleasant combination of eucalyptus and lavender, the room was simple and spare of furniture. But the bed was enormous. Draped with billowing white antique lace curtains, the puffy feather bed looked terribly inviting. Maybe staying the night--or day, as the case may be--wouldn't be such a hardship after all. Anton ignored Seth as the man closed the doors, leaving he, Bryn and Max alone in the room. Thoughtfully, there was a crib placed in the room for their son - an old fashioned willow piece on rockers. Anton put the carrier down and pulled Max out. "So what do you think, Bryn? Is this what you expected?" "Not in the least. Lilith *exiled* Natasha here. God, I expected her to be punished, not rewarded!" She shook her head in frustration. "They probably treat the animals here better than I expected Natasha to be treated. It's no wonder she escaped. How could anyone possibly keep an eye on here with all of this space?" "With those?" he suggested, nodding towards the security camera in the corner of the room. Bryn wrinkled her nose. "Remind me to cover that before we go to bed." "Good idea," Anton said, slipping his free arm around her. He pulled her over to the bed and settled her down on his lap. A big part of him was happy she was here. He had been more lonely than he wanted to admit, separated from her by an ocean. But a small part of him was worried about what would be happening later tonight, and what her reaction would be. She knew that she wouldn't leave him, but she would see the dark side of the vampire displayed, and possibly his dark side. Pushing the hood of her sweatshirt out of the way, she leaned her head on his shoulder. She could watch his face from that angle, and didn't like the frown he was wearing. Sensing another pair of eyes on her, she looked down at Max where he was cradled in Anton's arm. He smiled shyly at her, rubbing his nose on his daddy's shirt. "Hey there, little booger." Max let out a soft squeal, making her grin. She reached over to stroke his dark hair as she looked up at Anton. "Gonna tell me what's wrong, big booger?" He rubbed her side gently as he arched an eyebrow at her new nickname for him. "I'm a bit worried about tonight, my dear. It can be rather frightening. And that's for a vampire." He looked down at Max. "I know we don't have much of an option, but I'm not sure that we should be bringing Max with us." "I'm not leaving him, Anton. I refuse." She paused, watching Max play with the drawstring on her hood. "I won't let him see anything. I'm going to put on his soft carrier and have him strapped in front of me, so he'll be facing me the whole time. I'll unzip my shirt and zip him up inside it so he'll be snug as a bug. Hopefully he'll just fall asleep. But if they're too loud, or it gets to be too much for him, I'll take him outside. We'll just wait for you." Wrapping her arm around his shoulder, she leaned closer to kiss the corner of his mouth. "But I don't really want to leave you either. I know this is going to be stressful. I mean, I can't even imagine watching a death by lethal injection at a prison, let alone watching this guy get staked. But if it's something you have to do, I'll be here." "It's not just a simple staking, my dear, if such a thing can be said to exist." Anton said. "Conrad will be be fighting against Lilith for his life. She will subdue him, practically seduce him and then stake him. And then once that is done, she will behead him. The corpse is then exposed to the sun." He leaned against her. "With all the violence that goes on, some vampires get excited, others disgusted. I feel like I should be sheltering you and Max from this side of our nature, even though you will be becoming one of us." Bryn's nose wrinkled. "Beheading and sun exposure? Isn't that a little excessive?" The color was draining from her face as she thought about it. She suddenly wasn't so sure she could watch without getting sick--then again, she probably would've done that with a 'simple staking'. Swallowing down the sudden acid feeling in her throat, she shook her head. "Isn't there something we can do, to maybe ask for mercy? She's doing this because of us. What if we tell her we don't want it? I agree that the man needs to be punished for helping Natasha...but not tortured." Anton sighed. "I already have, but it's fallen on deaf ears. Lilith is set to make the most severe example she can of him. It's not just that he aided Natasha, but he defied the Empress. The only way Lilith has stayed in power so long is by making it clear what she is capable of doing to anyone who challenges her authority. If she doesn't slaughter him, and it will be a slaughter, she'll lose face and others may grow even more bold." Anton paused, thinking. Lilith was enough of a pragmatist and her influence had held the more bloodthirsty vampires in check. But if someone such as Richard ever defeated her, there would be a war between humanity and vampires. And though vampires were stronger and faster, Anton believed that the sheer numbers of humans would overwhelm them. Bryn closed her eyes, sighing. "Maybe we should just go home. I mean, what can she really do about it? She can't arrest us if we leave." "No, but she can end my term as a councilman. We'd lose any chance of having a say in official matters. She might even go so far as to stop searching for Natasha. There's no telling what her reaction would be." "I hate these people," she muttered, staring at the distant wall. It's like we have no control over our own lives anymore. If it's not Natasha trying to kill somebody or leave us bankrupt, it's Lilith handing us over to Natasha on a silver platter." She looked up at him, expression bleak. "I hate to say it, but I almost wish someone would challenge Lilith. At least we'd have a 50/50 chance at normalcy." "Believe it or not, a regime change may make matters worse. Would you want someone who felt that Max is a threat or has sympathies towards Natasha come to power?" He shook his head. "As difficult as Lilith is to deal with, she may be the best possible choice right now. But that doesn't mean we have to like it." She nodded. Climbing off his lap, she stood up and walking over to the full-length pedestal mirror, staring at herself, hoping she didn't look like an idiot. Maybe a zippered gray sweatshirt and tight fitting jeans weren't the best outfit to wear to a council meeting and execution, but then again neither was formal wear. Tightening her high ponytail, she glanced at him over her shoulder. "I have a stomach ache. I'm not sure if it's nerves, cramps, or hunger." "Could be a bit of everything," Anton said. He walked up behind her and kissed her neck lightly. "It's going to be okay, Bryn. We'll get through the rest of the evening, and be on our way tomorrow night. Although we don't have to go home right away. We could spend a day or two in Sydney, exploring." She gave him a small smile in the mirror. "Or we could stay here in Queensland and try to meet the Crocodile Hunter! His zoo is in Beerwah." "Yes we could," he said, running his nose along her jaw. "Whichever you'd like to do, my dear. Although we'll definitely be changing quarters." He leaned his cheek on her shoulder. "I guess we should start getting ready." By the time Seth came to retrieve them for the Grand Council meeting, Bryn was feeling more than a little crampy. She was downright nauseated. Trying her hardest to focus on the task at hand instead of the upcoming events, she buckled the soft carrier around her waist and held still while Anton slipped Max inside. Wide awake and alert, Max stared at Seth with a small amount of fear. He was still in his fear of strangers phase, and there was no telling how he'd react to an 'arena full of vampires'. Bryn had to wonder how she'd handle it as well. Seth had made it sound like the Roman Colosseum, but surely it couldn't be that large. This wasn't a completely public execution, even by vampire standards. Hopefully there wouldn't be more than a hundred people present. Maybe even much less than that. Gripping Anton's hand tightly, she walked along with him as they followed Seth down the hallway. The execution was nothing compared to introducing Max to the Grand Council. They were deciding his fate, in a roundabout way. Or at least whether or not they could live a semi-normal life, or be on the run for the rest of eternity. No wonder she felt ill. Anton walked beside Bryn quietly, squeezing her hand to reassure her. He was a member of the Council, but since Richard was the representative of the North American Council, he opted to stay with his wife. While not sick with dread, he was very concerned. The next ten minutes would be very telling, pivotal in their future. He looked over at Bryn when Seth paused before a set of ornately carved double doors. "Ready, my dear," he said softly, lifting their joined hands to kiss lightly. "No," she said, plainly, but she didn't hesitate to walk in the doors anyway. Pausing when she saw everyone staring at them, she swallowed heavily. From what she could tell, the meeting had already started and the others had been waiting for them to arrive. Glancing back at Seth, Bryn saw him close the doors behind them. From her elegant chair off to the side of the main table, Lilith stood up to welcome them. "It's good to see that you and your family have arrived safely, Mr. Rudenko. I was just telling our members about your remarkable son." Watching the others, Bryn noticed that not all of the people in the room were council members. Others appeared to be translators for the different continents and nations represented. Those that clearly were here as ambassadors to their legions watched her and Max closely, as if wondering what the child of a vampire and human might look like. "Would you mind introducing him to us," Lilith continued, "and possibly giving us a demonstration of his...unusual physiology?" "That will depend on how cooperative a mood, Empress." Lifting Max from the carrier, he tried to turn the boy towards the assembly. Max had other ideas though, squirming to keep his head tucked against Anton's shoulder. "This is Maxim Luka Rudenko," he said, addressing the crowd. He gave up on showing off Max and let him stay tucked close against his chest. "Sabryn's and my son." Bryn watched Max anxiously. He looked like he would've crawled behind Anton if he could've. Reaching over, she softly stroked the back of her finger over his cheek, hoping a familiar touch would soothe him. Lilith was impatient to relay to the others just how miraculous Max truly was. "As you can see in your folders, we've provided the medical proof that this boy truly is Mr. Rudenko's son. The tests were done by a reputable doctor, however we would like to have our own doctor's look at him some time in the future. Quite obviously, Max appears to be any normal, healthy human baby. However, if we can get Mr. Rudenko to demonstrate, the child has more than a passing interest in blood consumption." The Empress beamed, as if showing off her own child. Bryn couldn't help the step she took closer to Anton's side. "Please, before any questions from our council members...Mr. Rudenko, could you bring the ch--could you bring Max closer, please?" With Bryn shadowing his step every way, Anton stepped closer to the Grand Council. "He's currently going through a phase where he's shy around strangers," he said as an explanation. "I'll see if I can get him to feed, but as you can see, he's not in too cooperative of a mood today." Hoping that Max would react favorably, Anton bit down on his finger and offered it to Max. There was a collective gasp from the Council as Max's eyes flamed and he started sucking on his father's finger contentedly. "'ow is this possible?" a tall dark-skinned man asked, speaking English with a soft French-accented voice, his 'h's almost silent. "We can see 'e 'as grown since birth. Does this mean 'e will continue to age like a 'uman?" "There is no way we can tell for sure, Monsieur," Lilith said, excitedly. "But surely you can see the implications of such evidence. That perhaps one day, even immortals will be able to bear offspring...to populate the world." "Or destroy it," Richard muttered. Raising his voice for the others to hear, he said, "Who will feed these masses of half-breed children? The more vampires we produce, the more blood it takes to sustain us. What will you do when the human population is decimated?" He shook his head adamantly, slapping his palm on the table so loud the others flinched. "This spawn is an abomination and should be destroyed immediately, before word gets out to the others." Anton held Max even closer to his chest. "And where have I heard that argument before?" he said as if musing out loud. "Oh yes, I remember. Every vampire movie I've seen, the humans say something like that. This child, my son, is no more a threat to us than any other vampire. There are no 'masses of half-breed children' that Richard assumes are about to wipe out humanity." "They will exist if the Empress has her way. What is it you're asking us, Lilith, for our permission in medical experimentation? I'll have no part of it!" Lilith laughed. "Please, Richard...if I decided to follow through with such actions, I would not lower myself to begging your permission first. I'd simply do it." The council broke into chaos after her comments, everyone speaking at once in obvious displeasure. Apparently more than a few people disagreed with Lilith's objective to take matters into her own hands. Grasping the fabric of Anton's sleeve and tugging him down to her level, Bryn urgently whispered, "We have to get Max out of here! They're going to start attacking each other!" Anton looked over at Lilith, checking to see if the Empress would try to reassert her authority. Cradling Max close, Anton glanced at the door to make sure the pathway was still clear. "Lilith," he called out, making sure his voice could be heard above the din. "What exactly *are* your intentions for Sabryn's and my son?" Lilith glanced over at Seth, who promptly stuck his fingers in his mouth and emitted a loud wolf whistle to silence the room. Looking disgruntled the council members took their seats and waited to see what would follow. Clearing her throat, Lilith sat on the corner of the boardroom table. "If I have your attention now, ladies and gentlemen, I'll continue. At this point in time, I have no plans for this child other than a safe and normal life. However...we don't even know what this boy is capable of. He could be a world genius, or he may be a normal little boy who squirms in his seat and eats glue in school. My suggestion is continued observation over the course of his life, including protection from any harm," she looked pointedly at Richard, "especially from lethal threats. With the cooperation of his parents, I would like to continue receiving monthly reports of his progress and any changes that occur in his growth--which should not be a problem, because Mr. Rudenko is one of our North American councilmen." She slid off the table, smoothly her sleek black gown, and walking leisurely around the perimeter of the room. "Now, when these progress reports are received, they will be shared with all the national and the grand councils. Issues will be discussed as they arise, with a level head. Any disputes will be subject to the Grand Council's judgment and possible censure. Any major developments that require decision-making will result in another meeting of the Grand Council at a location to be decided later. And, as with any voting, I would like the parents to be present to give their input. This is not a suggestion, it is a requirement." It was not completely reassuring, but it was better than nothing. Still too much interference in Max's life as far as Anton was concerned, but if it kept him safe, then so be it. He gently stroked Max's back, trying to soothe the boy who had started whimpering at the loud talking and shouting going on. He looked over at Bryn to see her reaction, but didn't respond to Lilith's pronouncement. Bryn crossed her arms over her chest, mentally saying in a snotty, falsetto voice, [That is not a suggestion, it's a requirement! Nyah nyah nyah na nyah...] Noticing Anton's gaze on her, she turned to look at him and gave him a blank stare. Telling him in silence that he'd definitely hear her opinion on the matter later. Anton knew that look. He knew immediately that Bryn was not happy with Lilith's declaration. And truth be told, he wasn't either. But there wasn't anything they could really do about it at the moment. He could also feel Richard's eyes on him..., no that wasn't right. They were squarely on Max. Lilith's ruling or no, Anton had a feeling that he best keep an eye on Richard, especially whenever his son was involved. There seemed to be only minutes between the meeting and their arrival inside Lilith's 'barn'. Only this wasn't like any barn they'd ever seen. It looked more like an arena where a rodeo would be filmed. Stands on both sides for seating. A center ring, circled by a fence and electrical wires. The huge post in the center of it all. Sitting on the bench next to Anton, Max zipped up in her shirt, Bryn already felt ill. This was such a spectacle for such a horrible event. And it seemed to be all their fault. Anton put his arm around Bryn, watching the other vampires file in. Some were looking suspiciously at him and his wife, but most had expressions of curiosity. He gently rubbed her arm. "You know you don't have be here," Anton whispered in her ear. "You can go back to the room if you like." "I know." She leaned into his embrace, stroking the top of Max's head. The baby was watching those around them with wary eyes, clinging shyly to Bryn's t-shirt. "I don't see why you should have to stay and watch this either," Bryn whispered, her hand on his thigh. "We're not challenging Lilith's authority. We just don't want any part of it." "We are the wronged party, my dear. Or part of it," he whispered back. "I need to be here to protect our interests." He gently squeezed her side. "I don't want Natasha to cast herself as a victim. That is the only reason I am here, my dear." She swallowed, looking away from him as the room grew a bit darker. She couldn't help but feel a bit of disappointment, even though she knew none of this was his fault. Maybe she'd just been expecting a little more outrage from him. When the proceedings began, spotlights hit the center arena and her eyes were transfixed on the couple of thug-looking men who escorted the accused into the ring. She'd been told his name was Conrad, and that he'd been well respected for his intelligence and strength...but he didn't look like a formidable vampire now. He only looked scared. They through him to the dirt floor and quickly retreated, leaving him there on his hands on knees. He looked out at the crowd, shielding his eyes from the light, obviously unable to see much. Standing up, he dusted off his knees, and looked towards the entrance, rising to his full height. He was tall and proportionately well-built, still wearing a suit even though it was dirty in spots. He looked large enough to choke the breath out of Lilith. But as the Empress walked into the large ring, her evening gown sparkling in the spotlights, the man suddenly wet his pants. Anton watched, face impassive for the most part . He had seen this before, and he knew what was coming. It made the dread in him even worse. He wasn't sure what was more disturbing - the fact that Lilith took visible pleasure from an execution, or that there was a dark corner of his soul that did as well. Well aware that she was the object of everyone's attention, Lilith took her time walking towards the man, swaying in a seductive manner, her eyes linked with Conrad's. She tsked when she saw the dark spot on his pants, and leaned closer to whisper something to him. Whatever she said, he didn't protest when she began dragging his suit jacket from his shoulders. A few strays cheers from the audience only spurred her on, and his tie quickly followed. Lifting up to her tiptoes, she kissed his mouth, at first innocently, then sucking suggestively at his lips. Bryn squirmed on her seat, disgusted by the blatant sexuality. [Just kill him and get it over with.] Lilith lifted Conrad's hands to her breasts, squeezing them over the fabric, and smiled as he agreeably touched her. But she obviously wasn't expecting the moment he shoved her and she tumbled back to the floor. Or maybe she *had* been expecting it. Grinning, her skirt hiked up slightly, she lowered the straps of her gown and began lowering the zipper in the back. Now came the part she obviously relished. Physical battle. The moment when she attacked him in only her underwear, forgoing the hindrance of her clothes. And Conrad's arousal was quite evident. Anton dropped his eyes. Just as he was uncomfortable about his desire to feed during sex, he was even more so with the sexually laced violence that Lilith seemed to favor. And yet, he always found himself watching again, unable to completely deny the impulse. Bryn watched in horrified silence as Conrad tried to fight Lilith off. Her superior strength, however, often kept him from getting rid of her entirely. She snapped at him like an alligator, trying to sink her fangs in whenever she had the chance, much to the approval of the audience. They were cheering almost continually, and Bryn swallowed heavily as she stared at the sea of glowing eyes across the ring. Whenever Lilith did manage to pin Conrad to the ground, her lust was obvious. She ripped at his clothes, struggling to get him naked beneath her. During their grappling one of the cups of her bra was yanked down, leaving her breast lifted and exposed, and she did nothing to cover herself. She writhed on top of the vampire, grinding herself against him, and although he was fighting for his life, he never lost the desire for her either. Blinking down at Max, who was still staring fearfully at those around them, Bryn thought, [Stop fighting her. Just let her end it! She won't stop until she wins anyway...] Anton's breathing had quickened and he could feel the stirrings of bloodlust. His eyes were flickering, and he couldn't hide this from Bryn, or himself, as much as he wanted to. He gave a sideways glance at Bryn and Max, thinking he should have never allowed her to witness this. By the time Lilith was actively sucking Conrad's blood, they were both naked and entangled. Despite her teasing, the Empress never gave the vampire any satisfaction. She moved away from his attempts to penetrate her, igniting his passion with her hand or mouth instead...then stopping abruptly before his desires reached fruition. This only angered him, and his rage looked like an attempt at rape. Lilith was clearly amused. As he grew weaker and weaker, the crowd became louder, and Max was whimpering, trying to hide himself against Bryn's chest. To her own horror, Bryn realized her discomfort was more than disgust at Lilith's behavior--she was excited, turned-on, and she couldn't stop herself from shifting continuously on the bench. It shouldn't have been surprising really, considering that some of the vampires around them were openly kissing and sucking at newly made wounds. But she'd thought she was like a few of the others, the ones who obviously wanted to leave. Who thought what the Empress was doing was wrong. Glancing at Anton, and seeing his glowing eyes, she swallowed heavily. Apparently he wasn't feeling any more saintly than she was. He met Bryn's gaze and then looked away. Arousal and disgust warred within him, one having the upper hand for a brief moment before the other would assert itself. His fangs had extended and he was panting lightly. It was only by force of will that he closed his eyes. Discipline kept him from squirming in his seat, but he desperately wished he did not have to witness this. Deciding that she wouldn't be watching any more of this spectacle, Bryn slipped her arm around Max's back and held him closer. She hoped the light stroking of his back would soothe him and felt a little bit better herself when he turned his head to face Anton. Scooting a bit closer to Anton herself, she grabbed his hand and wouldn't let him turn away from her. She laced their fingers together and squeezed tightly, letting him know that she wasn't going anywhere. He squeezed her hand back, grateful for her understanding. He opened his eyes,but tried to keep them locked on Bryn and Max. However it was still hard not to look at either the vampires around them or back into the ring at Lilith and Conrad. With the scent of blood and sex so heavy in the air, it was so tempting for him to give into the desire to lean over and prick her neck with his fangs. She continued to watch him, feeling slightly emotional. She could only seem to remember that night over a year ago, when she watched him feed for the first time. When she'd been so disgusted by him, and a little afraid. When she'd turned her back on him and made him feel like a monster. Bryn still hated herself for that. For trying to make him deny who he was, to change for her. Now that bright glow in his eyes couldn't be more beautiful to her. He was less like a monster than anyone she'd ever met. His kindness and love had made her grow from a frightened girl into a confident and very happy woman, an incredibly loved wife, and a devoted mother. She could no more deny those things in herself than she could deny the powerful urges in him. And despite being surrounded by hundreds of hungry vampires, she wasn't the least bit afraid. If anything, she felt more comfortable here by his side than she did surrounded by a mass of human strangers. Blinking a few times, she caught his gaze and smiled. "I love you so much. There's nowhere on earth I'd rather be than right here, holding your hand." He smiled back, baring his fangs in a grin. He could almost forget everyone around them when he looked into her eyes. "I love you so much, Sabryn." His free hand stroked her cheek and then rested on Max's back. "Both of you so much." He kept his eyes set on them, despite the desire to glance into the ring and see if Lilith had completed the execution. She stifled the urge to crawl in his lap and hug him tightly, instead leaning closer to press her lips to his. As the crowd broke into cheers around them, signaling that Lilith was completing a new stage of the execution, Bryn squeezed her eyes shut, and tried her hardest not to imagine that it was Anton out there, his body limp, a stake in his heart, his severed hand in Lilith's hand. She let out a soft sob against his mouth, jolting against him in reaction, tears falling from her eyes. Before turning away and standing up to leave, she murmured, "I can't stay here anymore." "It's okay. Go," he whispered, lifting their joined hands to kiss hers. "I'll join shortly. When this is over." He watched as she carefully picked her way past the vampires, ready to go to her aid if any forgot who she was in their bloodlust. Several vampires cast strange looks in her direction, some of them obviously hungry, a few others angry, thinking she meant to somehow stop what Lilith was doing. Ignoring them as best she could and holding on tightly to Max to keep him from bouncing, she made her way down to one of the doors and hurried outside. She kept going for many steps before stopping and scrubbing at her face with her hands. Aware of his mommy's upset, Max whimpered and pulled on her shirt to get her attention. Looking down at him, she tried to smile. Wrapping him in her arms, she lifted him higher and kissed him repeatedly, murmuring soft words of comfort. "Are you one of them?" Bryn turned her head, finally noticing the young woman crouching next to the nearby bushes. She looked like she'd just been ill. Wincing, Bryn said, "One of whom?" The blond woman shook her head. "You're not, or your eyes would be glowing." She closed her mouth, made a face, and then spat on the ground to clear her mouth. "I won't tell anyone...just run! Get out of here! He'll kill the baby, too, just give him time." "What are you talking about?" "Your master, stupid. If he hasn't already fed on the kid, he will." Bryn grimaced. "I don't have a master, I have a husband. And you're sick if you think he would ever hurt me or our son." "No, you're the sick one if you can't see what they are," the girl said. "You saw what she did in there. And don't think they aren't all like that, deep down. All they want to do is take and take and take until you have nothing to give, and then they'll take your life as an amusement." She stood up and walked over to Bryn, staring her in the eye. "Take your child and get as far away as you possibly can from him. Before it's too late." She wanted to slap her for saying such a thing. But just as Anton was good, some of those vampires in there were pure evil, as evident by Natasha's deeds. Feeling a twinge of grief for the woman, Bryn said, "I think you're the one who needs to get out of here. Who did this to you?" The blond sneered. "All of them at one time or another. They smell each other on me, and seek me out. The one who has me now is going to kill me. I've seen it in his eyes." "So why don't you run? Get away from here, and hide yourself." "You think it's so easy? He'll find me again. He always does. I can't afford to run--he only lets me have the clothes on my back." Bryn grabbed her by the wrist, mentally wincing at how thin it was, and started pulling her towards the main house. "Not this time. I've seen enough death tonight. I'll help you get out here." "There's only one way out of here, and that's in a body bag," the blond muttered, allowing herself to be dragged along. Then it dawned on her that Bryn was serious. "You would do that for me? You would take that risk? I have no way I can repay you. And if they catch us, we're all dead - me, you, your son. Richard doesn't take nicely to people spoiling his plans. Come with me. We'll all be safe then." [Richard...] "You were in the limo with us," Bryn said, pausing. She might've recognized the girl if she'd been able to see much past her back as she was dragged from the car. What had the man called her? "Your name is Donna, isn't it?" "Yes." Continuing to walk, Bryn thought to herself. [She probably doesn't have a passport either. Not with her. She won't be able to leave the country.] "I won't be coming with you, Donna. And there's no need for you to repay me. Just do me a favor. I'm going to give you my husband's business card and some money. If you run into trouble, you call him and ask for help. You won't be able to leave Australia for a few weeks, so I want you to go somewhere and hide out. Don't use your own name, and don't try to contact anyone until it's absolutely necessary." "I can't call your husband--he's one of them!" "You can trust him," Bryn said, sharply, glaring at her. "Anton won't say a word to Richard. They don't like each other. Just tell him that Bryn told you to call...that's me. Now, we won't be able to keep giving you money like this, but we'll make sure you get somewhere safe so you can start over." She paused as they reached the house, scanning the immediate area for anyone who might be watching them. "I need to go upstairs so I can get my purse. I want you to go find one of the drivers and wait for me. Don't tell him anything until I get there. And if anyone sees you, don't let them know what's going on." Numbly and not quite believing her good fortune, Donna watched her savior head into the house. She looked to the east as she started heading towards the garage. The sky was still dark, but it would be dawn soon, the first ray of light in her life she'd seen in a long time. Bryn had been softly dozing on the big feather bed when she heard the doorknob turn. Jumping slightly, she glanced down at Max and let out a sigh when he didn't wake up. Carefully sliding her hands under him, she picked him up and carried him over to the cradle. After he was settled, she headed for the door, jumping again when someone knocked. [Please don't let it be Richard!] "Who is it?" "It's me." Quickly unlocking the door, she looked up at Anton and then out at the hallway beyond. Luckily, he was alone. Stepping aside, she watched him enter and then closed and locked the door behind him. "Is it over?" "It's over," Anton said, heading to the bedroom. He walked over to the bed and sat down on it. He was a mass of conflicting emotions - exhaustion, bloodlust, sexual desire, disgust at what he had just witnessed. But his primary one was concern for his wife and son. Glancing over at Max, he then reached out his hand to Bryn. "How are you holding up?" She wasn't sure if he was aware of it or not, but his eyes were still glowing. The touch of his hand made her breath catch. He was so hot, his skin almost burning her, and she swallowed at the surge of excitement she felt. His arousal was contagious. Wrapping her fingers around his hand, she stepped between his legs and held his gaze. "I should be asking you that." "I'll be fine, my dear." He pulled her closer to his body, and then down on his lap. Anton kissed her lips and nuzzled her neck, running his tongue over her skin. He was still aroused from earlier and still had the urge to feed, despite having earlier in the evening. He continued to lap at her neck eagerly. Bryn whimpered softly, reaching for his hand. She lifted his wrist and pressed his palm over her breast, squirming slightly when he squeezed her and began circling his thumb over her nipple. She'd taken her sweatshirt off upon entering the bedroom, leaving her in her t-shirt and bra. The thin material transferred his touch as if the fabric wasn't there at all. "I want you inside me." Anton was softly sucking on her neck, just over her bite scar. His fangs lightly nipped her skin, not penetrating, but gently scratching her. "Want you," he whispered, his hand squeezing her breast. "But I need to feed first." She swallowed, pulling back from his mouth. Her eyes closed briefly, remembering Lilith's fangs sinking into that man's neck. She shivered, standing up. His words hadn't quite ruined the mood, but it had felt like a splash of cold water in the face. "Go ahead." He released her, letting her climb off of his lap. Walking to the small refrigerator by the sink, he pulled out a couple of units of blood. He glanced over at Bryn, an idea forming in his mind. "Do you trust me, Bryn?" She looked confused by the question. "What?" "Do you trust me?" He held up the bags of blood, glowing eyes keen on her face. "Even when I'm this bloodthirsty, do you trust me?" "Yes." It was true, even though she couldn't help being a little bit nervous. She had no idea where these questions were going. "Why?" "Get up on the bed." She stared at him for a few seconds more, toeing off her shoes. Climbing on to the tall feather bed, she knelt in the middle and watched him walk closer. He definitely did look dangerous. Larger than life and full of barely leashed desires. But she wasn't afraid of him. If anything, she was afraid of herself. Right about then, she would've let him do anything to her. Even if it meant drinking from her instead of those bags of blood. Pushing her onto her back, Anton put the bags of blood down next to her neck. Instead of climbing on her immediately, he started to pull her shirt off. He could see a glint of fear in her eyes as he leaned down to nuzzle her neck, slipping the straps of her bra off of her shoulders. Softly he resumed sucking, raising a hickey on her pale skin as his hand slid behind her back to undo her bra. She arched her back to help him, her eyes fluttering closed as he sucked on her skin. Her fingers curled over his triceps, and she panted, wondering just when his fangs would pierce her skin. She could remember the sharp pain that had followed when he first bit into her, less than an hour after they first met. Her body tensed below him, expecting that moment that never came. Shaking, she turned her head to the side almost as if offering herself to him. And maybe she was. He continued nuzzling and sucking on her skin as he pulled her bra away. Slowly he made his way down to her breast. Carefully he took her nipple between his lips, making sure her fangs didn't scratch the tender flesh. His other hand slipped down to her crotch and began unbuttoning her jeans. Bryn watched him from beneath a filter of long lashes, her hand trembling lightly as she slid her fingers into his hair. She let her legs open, lifting her hips towards his hand, and moaned as his slid his palm down to cup her and lightly squeeze. Reaching for his shirt, she began dragging it up his back, scratching lightly at the skin she exposed, pulling the fabric up his arms and over his head. He pulled away long enough to remove his shirt, and both his and her pants. Naked and achingly hard, he climbed on top of her, relishing the feel of their flesh rubbing together. But he didn't penetrate her yet. Instead, Anton resumed sucking on her neck, his hand squeezing her breast. Squirming beneath him, Bryn reached down and grabbed his ass. She was aching to have him inside her, but didn't try to rush him. His warmth made her close her eyes, get drowsy, but she wasn't about to fall asleep. Not with him like this. Sliding one hand around his hip, she firmly grasped his cock and stroked him, amazed by how hard he was. She wasn't surprised when his hips started thrusting his cock in her hand. Moving languidly, his hips set a slow pace. He moved slightly higher, kissing just under her jaw now. He could feel her pulse pounding underneath her skin and his hunger growing. Letting out a soft growl, he pulled her hand away from his cock, placing it on his ass. He pushed into her wet sex, his grow becoming almost a purr. He continued to suck at her throat as he started to move, his glowing eyes almost casting light behind his closed eyelids. Wrapping her legs around his, she closed her eyes as well to concentrate on his push and pull inside her. Reluctant to let him go, she tightened down around him with every withdrawal. His weight sank her into the mattress, surrounded her with clouds of softness--a stark contrast to his hard muscles and powerful movements. Whimpering softly, Bryn squeezed his ass in time to his thrusts, her fingernails lightly pinching his skin. "Mmm..." He continued to thrust powerfully into her, making sure he was rubbing against her clit with every movement. His hands gripped and released her flesh much as her sex was gripping and releasing his cock. His breathing became faster, panting lightly between his bared fangs, as the pressure in his groin built. The hunger in him was building too, starting to approach a peak where instinct would take over and he'd have to feed. She let out a squeak as the headboard started banging against the wall. Instead of embarrassing her, the sound excited her even more and she bit her lip as her lower body tingled in anticipation. Planting her feet on the bed, she opened her legs even wider, lifting her hips to meet his, grunting softly with each impact. Arching her back, her muscles tightening, she squealed as she started to cum, clenching her fingers over his ass. He reared up as he felt her spasm around him, her nails biting into his flesh. He stared down at her, head tilted back, bearing her throat and felt his hunger spike. He caressed her throat lightly with his fingers as his eyes glowed even brighter in the dim light of the room. With a loud cry, he began to cum and dove onto her, his fangs finding their mark. Anton sucked contentedly on the bag of blood he had placed beside Bryn, his eyelids drooping with satiation. Eyes wide with shock and jolted into sober awareness, Bryn turned her head and stared at him. She'd thought for sure that she was about to be bitten. Part of her was relieved that she wasn't...and yet another part couldn't help but feel disappointed that he was getting such satisfaction from a plastic bag. Swallowing heavily, she tried to catch her breath and finally closed her eyes. She couldn't help the soft laugh that escaped her. After all of the adrenaline the night had created in her blood, she wasn't surprised she was so shaky. Anton emptied the first bag and picked up the second one. He drank a little slower from this one, still feeling the aftershocks of his orgasm. His other hand found Bryn and interlaced their fingers. He opened one eye and looked at Bryn, wondering what she was thinking. She let out a sigh, turning on her side to watch him. Her thigh was still thrown over his hip, even though he'd slipped out of her almost immediately after starting to drink. She was exhausted, physically and mentally, and didn't know what to think of the night's events. She was pretty sure she was going to have nightmares, no matter what. And the guilt from letting Donna go was a continuous ache in her stomach. It probably would've been best if she'd told him first...but she hadn't wanted to. Some of Donna's words made her feel defiant, and she didn't want to ask his permission to do anything. Besides, she had her own money now. She'd just replace what she took. Expressionless and speaking with a flat voice, she said, "Do you feel better now?" "Yes," he said quietly. He watched her carefully, gently stroking the side of her face. Something was going on, but he wasn't sure what. Anton didn't think she had frightened her, but something wasn't quite right. "Are you okay, Bryn?" She nodded, shivering lightly. Without his body to warm her, it was suddenly a lot colder in the room. "I'm fine. I just...I don't know. I feel like I'm going to need about a hundred showers to wash off this night. I'm so ready to leave this place. I wish I'd stayed here with Max instead of going there." He settled back down on her, grabbing the edge of the comforter to wrap around their bodies. "I'm sorry, Bryn," he said, finally giving voice to the guilt he had been feeling for most of the night. "I should have insisted that you and Max stay here instead of attending." She settled her hands lightly on his waist, staring past his shoulder at the canopy of the bed. She let out a sigh, feeling the ache in her stomach shift more towards her chest. "I don't feel very close to you right now. Actually, I haven't really all night long. I feel like we got cut off sometime after we left this room, and you only really saw all of the vampires." Bryn squeezed her eyes shut, her chin wobbling. "And I kept watching what Lilith was doing, and I could only see you there and how I'd feel if I had to watch that happen to you." She opened her eyes and met his gaze. "I didn't like watching the way you were looking at her, either." Anton's head drooped in shame. "I'm sorry, Sabryn. I had no idea that you were thinking that it could have been me. And as for how I was looking at Lilith..." he trailed off with a sigh. "I won't deny that part of me was excited, aroused by what she was doing. There is a dark corner of my soul that relishes it, almost craves it. I can't defend my actions or longings, Bryn. I can only apologize for them." He didn't feel worthy of asking her forgiveness. He had felt that she had finally seen the core of what he was, of what he tried to deny so hard. The blood thirsty vampire, the inhuman monster. "Stop it. I'm not mad at you, Anton. I was jealous. I don't want you to be turned on by her!" She turned her head, her cheeks flushing brightly with her confession. "I don't care what she was doing. I know all about your bloodlust, Anton. That isn't what upsets me. What hurts is the way she was throwing herself at that guy, naked, and you couldn't stop looking at her. I know I'm bigger than her, but I'm not built the same way. I wasn't even that skinny in Junior High School." "Bryn, if it's any consolation, I didn't want to be turned on by her either." He threaded his fingers through her hair, trying to buy time and try to figure out the best way to explain. "There is a pleasure that is intimately tied in with feeding. Just as you get aroused by watching pornography, a vampire can become aroused by watching another feed. That is what I reacted to...not her body, and my reaction was compounded by the other aroused vampires around us. I've never had even a passing interest in being her lover, Bryn, and I never will." Pushing her way out from underneath him, Bryn turned on her side facing away from him and watched Max's cradle. She was starting to wish she'd stayed home instead of coming to Australia. At least there she would've been happily oblivious to what was happening here. Then again, not knowing what was happening wasn't always the best thing. "What would you have done if I hadn't been here? When you came back to an empty room that excited and hungry?" "I would have taken care of it. Alone." He rolled over on his side, staring at the back of her head. "Are you implying that I would have had an affair? That I would have thrown our love away for five minutes of empty pleasure?" His tone was insulted and hurt that she could think him even capable of that kind of betrayal. "Because you should know me better than that Sabryn." She closed her eyes, ashamed of herself. She know him better than that--still, she'd wanted to hear him say it. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." Glancing at him over her shoulder, she settled on her back and pressed her hand to his chest. "I'm sorry. I do know you better than that. I just--why won't you kiss me? You haven't, all night." "Is that what this is about?" He gathered her close against his body. "I didn't want to risk it earlier while I had fangs, my dear. If I had tasted your blood then, I wasn't certain I'd be able to control myself. And afterwards, well, I figured you'd want me to brush my teeth first. I am so sorry I haven't, my dear. Do you want me to now?" At her nod, he acted like he was going to get out of the bed. "Then let me go get my tooth brush..." She didn't let him finish his sentence. Tugging him back to her, she pressed her lips to his, wrapping her arms tightly around him, and felt a shudder go through her at the taste of him. There wasn't much blood taste left, but that wasn't what she reacted to anyway. She wanted the hot passion of his mouth, the way he pulled her underneath him and sucked eagerly at her tongue. Moaning, she tangled her legs with his and slid herself against his skin. This was what she'd been wanting ever since he walked in the door. Panting, her hips moving against his, she urgently whispered, "More!" He tightened his grip on her further, pushing her farther down into the mattress. Anton responded with a series of short nips at her lower lip which turned into a long exploration of her mouth. His tongue drove into her in a rapid series of thrusts which were mirrored with his hips. Groaning, Anton grabbed one of her legs and pulled it up over his waist. Whimpering, she grabbed at him with her hands, unable to press herself close enough. She wanted to make love, not like before when they'd both been so desperate for completion. She didn't want to use him to get off, she wanted to worship him. Love him. Sucking at his tongue, she slid her hands down to circle his nipples with her thumbs. Lightly pinching and tugged at the erect flesh. Anton shivered, forcing himself to slow down. Both of his hands entangled in her hair as he shifted slightly to kiss her from a different angle. Lovingly he traced the roof her her mouth with his tongue, caressed each of her teeth, and teased and prodded her tongue, eventually drawing it into his mouth. There he sucked lightly, encouraging her to repeat his actions with him as his breathing quickened. She loved the way he taught her and encouraged her to please him. Mimicking his earlier movements, she moaned almost continuously, rolling her hips against his. She opened her eyes to watch his reactions, turned on even more by his breath against her face, the way his hands tightened in her hair. He continued to kiss her as his erect cock rubbed against her inside thigh. Giving in to the impulse, he sank his cock into her sex even as his tongue speared her mouth once again, His hips held still but his tongue was active, lashing against hers repeatedly. Eyes closed, he concentrated on the taste and feel of her mouth. Bryn pressed her hands to his cheeks, at first softly holding his face, then gently pushing him back so she could meet his gaze. Panting softly, she said, "I'm sorry, Anton, for what I said. I've felt very vulnerable tonight and...I wasn't thinking. I know you were experiencing something that I couldn't understand, and I was, and still am, very jealous that Lilith and the other vampires know what you're feeling." She closed her eyes briefly, sniffling. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." "It's okay." Anton settled back down on her, placing his lips by her ear. "I'm sorry too, my dear I shouldn't have let you feel like I was using you." He kissed her lobe and then lifted his head so he could look at her eyes. "Forgive me?" Bryn nodded, smiling at him. "I love you, very much. And I'm sorry if I act like a bitch sometimes and get really jealous of other people. I just want to know everything about you. And I don't want you to turn away from me because you think I might not understand something. I'm not going to judge you. And I'll never think less of you for feeling the way you do." Anton smiled back, kissing her lightly. "I'm sorry, my dear. I'll remember that from now on." He gently stroked her hair back from her face. "But I want you to know you have nothing to be jealous of. Not Natasha, not Lilith, not even Lindy." She nodded. "I know. I just need to be reminded sometimes." She pushed up slightly to meet his mouth, gently tugging on his lips, teasing him with the tip of her tongue. "You won't have a problem with that, will you?" she asked, nibbling her way to his chin, and down his throat. "Reminding me?" She nodded. "I know. I just need to be reminded sometimes." She pushed up slightly to meet his mouth, gently tugging on his lips, teasing him with the tip of her tongue. "You won't have a problem with that, will you?" she asked, nibbling her way to his chin, and down his throat. "Reminding me?" "Nooo..." Anton moaned. "Especially if this is how I get to remind you." He resumed moving his hips as his hand stroked down her breast. His thumb rubbed against her nipple, circling the taut flesh. He gave a soft rumble when she began moving her hips to meet his. Bryn bit her lip, watching him fondly. She loved the way he looked at her when he wasn't aware she was watching. The childlike enthusiasm he expressed in touching her body and listening to the sounds she made. It was hard not to notice how much he loved her when he looked like that. And she couldn't help kissing him everywhere she could reach, repeatedly on his lips and eyes, over his shoulders, on his earlobes. She hoped he could see the same contentment on her face, the awe, whenever she watched him move, too. She was so beautiful all the time, but it was times like this she was truly devastating. He could ask him to do anything - open his veins, walk into the noon day sun - and he would without question. All so he could keep touching her, kissing her, loving her. He continued planting small kisses on her face, neck and shoulders as his hand and hips sped up their movements. Nearly purring, Bryn arched her back and pressed her breast even firmer to his hand. Although she'd been so on-edge earlier in the evening, she was starting to relax under his practiced touch, to give just as good as she received. Sliding her hands down his sides, she grabbed his ass tightly, her fingers teasing the cleft, smiling when his hips jerked against her in response. His breathing sped up, and he started to make a slight side to side motion with his hips. He was searching for that spot that always made her scream with delight. And though Anton knew full well where it was, he made a big show of searching for it, delighting in her gasps as he came nearer and nearer. "Mmmph!" Tossing her head, Bryn shoved the blankets back with her feet and lifted her legs high, helping him in his search, and unwittingly squeezing him tighter. She curled herself around him, squeezing him between her legs. Squealing softly as he hit that magic spot, speeding up his hips, she braced her hand on the headboard above her, and held on tightly as he rocked her towards completion. Anton's smile grew wider as he watched her gasp in delight and then shudder beneath him. He let out his own cries as she began to squeeze his cock, adding to the pressure and pleasure surrounding him. His arms went tight around her body as he trembled above her before collapsing against her body. Panting, Bryn snuggled him closer to her as he went limp on her body. Kissing his face, she tangled her fingers in his hair and held on tightly. She crossed her ankles over his thighs and let out a contented sigh, enjoying the warmth of his body, the tingles still singing through her veins. Hugging him, she rubbed her hand up and down his back, soothingly, reassuring them both. "I want to go home, Anton. I don't need to see anymore of Australia. I just want to go home and be with you and Max." Anton stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. As much as he would love to explore the country with Bryn, the idea of getting back to a normal life at home with her and Max had more of an appeal. "We'll leave as soon as possible, my dear," he said, nuzzling her cheek. "Tomorrow, if at all possible." She smiled at him. "Thank you. We can stay longer if you really want to. I'd just rather be in our bed, eating our food, where we know we're safe." She looked over at the crib, then back at Anton. "Would you mind getting him? I'd feel better if he was in the bed with us. You never know if they have hidden passages or something in this house...and Lilith's warning is ringing very true after that council meeting." Anton nodded and kissed her lips lightly. He got up, stretching a little as he did. He walked over to Max's crib, and picked the baby up. Max made a tiny cry and thumped his fist against his daddy's chest. "Yeah, yeah, it's been a hard day for you," Anton agreed. "Whole bunch of strange people looking at you, and then Daddy comes and disturbs your sleep." Bryn pulled the blankets back so he could easily slide in when he got on the bed. She couldn't help the slightly misty glaze her eyes took as she watched them together. They'd both be much safer in San Francisco, and she knew she'd be able to rest better when they were. Tucking the blankets around them, she settled down next to his side and lightly patted Max's diapered butt. Looking up at Anton's face, she said, "Are you ever going to tell me what it was like? What you were feeling when she was killing that man?" His eyes strayed down to Max, gently stroking his back. "It felt like I was two people, Bryn," he said softly. "Part of me did not want to be there. I wanted to take you and Max far away, somewhere you...I wouldn't have to see what was going on. And another part of me relished every moment." His voice dropped to a whisper. "There was a time I thought about it happening to Nathaniel." "But you didn't think that tonight." He shook his head, still clearly ashamed. Settling her hand on his stomach, Bryn gently rubbed in a large circle, being careful that her touch wasn't ticklish. "I could understand that. You thought for a very long time that he killed your father. You thought he ran you out of your home--which he did. And he continued to harass you for hundreds of years later. Your brother betrayed you. I think anyone would have fantasies of seeing him meeting a horrible fate. And just because you're trying to work things out with him now, that doesn't mean you have to forgive every little thing he's ever done. It doesn't mean you don't still resent him for letting you believe what you did for so long. It also doesn't mean that you'd actually want something bad to happen to him. I used to wish all the time that my parents would get abducted by aliens and disappear, just so they'd know I was telling the truth. But I didn't really want it to happen." "I know, my dear. But still, now I feel guilty about it." He snuggled closer to Bryn, sandwiching Max between them. "Thinking about Natasha, however...." Anton nuzzled her face. "You know that I was turned on by what happened, and I've already explained why. Part of me was disgusted by that reaction. I felt like an inhuman monster, Bryn." Turning her head slightly, Bryn pressed a lingering kiss to his mouth. "You aren't one. I know that's probably little consolation, but it's true. Just the fact that you're worried about it says you aren't. It's like you said...everyone gets excited by seeing people in sexual situations. I did, too. I didn't want to admit it to myself, because of where we were, and what was happening, but it was true. And I didn't even have the added hunger for blood that you do. I don't blame you for feeling aggressive at all. It's the way you survive, Anton. I'd actually be very worried about you if you didn't get excited by that kind of thing." Anton kissed her again, and rested a hand on Max's back. "If there was anything I could change, I would make it so Max was free of this curse. I know, I know, Bryn. Without me being a vampire, he would not be here. But I wish I could keep him from having to experience this side of his nature. It's not the kind of life I would have for him." She shook her head, making sure she held his gaze. "I wouldn't. I want my son to be just like his father, because I can't imagine a better role model for him. I wouldn't be willing to give up my life for you if I didn't think that. I'm going to be just like you, Anton. And if I were at all ashamed of that, or disgusted by it, I wouldn't be laying here right now. Yes, you've killed people in your life. And you probably will in the future, and so will I, and so will Max...but it doesn't have to be that way. You survive just fine on cow's blood now. You don't kill them. We could get a hundred more cows if it would make you feel better. But I don't ever want to hear you deny a part of yourself. You're the strongest, kindest, most loving person I know. And I wouldn't change a thing about you." His eyes teared up as he kissed her forehead. "I love you so much, my dear. I still wonder what I did to deserve you in one lifetime, let alone nine." Anton gently stroked her back. "Promise me you'll remind me of that for the rest of eternity, my dear. Whenever I begin to forget." She smiled, gently squeezing her arms around him. "Max and I both will." She brushed his hair away from his eyes, holding her hand against his jaw. "And maybe someday our little girl, too, whom I also want to be just like her daddy...only a decidedly more feminine version," she said, grinning. "Better than a more masculine version," Anton said with a grin. "Although there are some qualities I would like for her to get from her mother. Her beautiful eyes, for example. Or her beautiful spirit." Anton softly squeezed her hand and kissed her lips. "Or my beautiful singing voice?" "Yes, because it is yours." Anton kissed her forehead again. "Thank you, Bryn. For reminding me of my humanity. It's so easy to lose sight of it here, in this house." Reminded of her earlier escapades after leaving the execution, Bryn smiled a bit weakly. "Yeah...it's easy to lose sight of a lot of things in this house." End Chapter One Hundred Nine <- Previous Chapter | Home | Next Chapter ->