My first AU, please review because I want to turn this into a longer story if I get good feedback. I don't own anyone or anything, even if I wish I did.

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She stalked him as she would stalk her prey. He showed no fear, no regret, no emotion at all. He merely matched her stare as she sauntered around where he was sat. The room was deathly silent, apart from the low moans of the young man on the ground. Neither person paid much attention to him. His face was contorted in pain. He clutched desperately at his stomach, his throat, his wrists, but he was never able to catch or sooth the pain shooting around his body. It was excruciating. His low moans were occasionally peppered with full wails that seemed to spring from the very depths of his soul.

Stephanie directed her attention to the young man in pain. She fleetingly remembered her own transformation. It was so long ago now that it was hard to recall in its entirety. If she was thinking correctly, the young man should almost be done. The pain should have reached its apex by now. He would soon fall into the last sleep he would ever have. Everything would settle in his body. His teeth would form. His blood would run cold and eventually die. His skin would lighten ever so slightly. His face would take on that ageless, beautiful quality the ones taken young always seemed to adopt. And his spirit would change, not completely though. He would retain qualities of his former self. They would be magnified. Stephanie wondered what this young man would embody. She had known him briefly before her partner had taken him. He was enthusiastic. Stephanie mused that was a very good quality to retain. It would help him serve his purpose. The young man had also been kind and compassionate. This is what worried Stephanie. Sometimes these qualities were retained. They manifested themselves differently after the transformation. Some creatures became sympathetic. They fed only on murderers, rapists and criminals. They only fed on those not deserving of life and actually respected humans. Stephanie gave a dry cackle at the utter foolishness of that notion. In extreme cases compassion and kindness resulted in an aversion to humans completely. These lowly creatures survived on animals they hunted, and on blood bank raids. They made Stephanie angry. Creatures should accept their nature. It was who they are. Why not have fun with the mayhem and chaos they were created to cause was her reasoning for her behaviour. She herself retained qualities of her former self. She had been intelligent. She had been manipulative and devious when the situation called for it. This is what she carried to her new life.

The young man fell quiet. Stephanie decided that he shouldn't be a problem. Even if he did retain any compassion and kindness, it could be mostly eradicated. The man in the chair was watching the young man on the floor intently. He was important, one of the most powerful of their kind that Stephanie had ever encountered. That was part of his magnetic attraction. Stephanie loved power. She loved having it, and she loved the whole game of acquiring more. Capturing the attention of the man in the chair had been her greatest achievement. He was in demand. Both humans and vampires responded to his electricity. He was very handsome. Despite being almost 100, he had the face of a man in his twenties, which of course was when he was taken. He had dark hair and deep blue eyes that shifted colour depending on his mood. He was tall and strong. He was a presence. He enjoyed the attention he attracted, and it meant he didn't have to lower himself to hunting in dark alleys for food like some of his unfortunate fellow creatures. Women and men, human and creature alike clamoured to be alone with him. Sometimes it really was all too easy for him. If anybody could enslave another's soul, it was this man. The young man on the floor didn't stand a chance.

'Did you really need another one?' Stephanie eventually said. Her voice cut through the silence like a knife.

'Need? No. Want? Most definitely. Isn't he exquisite? And one more never hurts when the battle thickens.' The man never raised his eyes from the floor as he spoke.

Stephanie had to agree, the young man was exquisite. He was tall and strong, like his taker. His eyes were a soft hazel. That wouldn't last. They would get harder and sharper. He had a handsome face. That would take on an intensity he never had while human. He was a good choice. Agile and strong, he could certainly be put to some use. And the man was right, when battle came, they would need every ally they could gather.

The man in the chair drew his attention away from the young man on the floor. His eyes fixated on Stephanie. With an urgent firmness he stood up, took her hand and pulled her close. Their lips almost met. She could feel his hard body pressed up against hers. His hand ran through her long hair. He seemed intoxicated by her. She was sure she looked how he felt. He kissed her, ever so softly. His cold lips sent a shiver down her spine, such a strange effect he had on her. She pulled away. It was time to go.

'How long?' he asked.

'Soon love, be patient. Everything is nearly ready.' Stephanie could sense the anger well up in him.

'I can't wait much longer. I may have to take things into my own hands soon.' The man meant that as a threat. Two things bothered him about the situation. Stephanie's role and how long it was taking. Stephanie knew this. She knew about his jealousy. She could not let him do everything himself though. He could jeopardise all she was working for. One wrong move or flash of emotion and she would lose everything instead of gaining the world.

'No, you won't have to. Entertain yourself with your new toy,' she said as she glanced at Cody writhing in his sleep like state on the floor.

'We move in a week. I will be back tomorrow. I'll slip out at 12.' He would have to wait a week, it was the best she could do.

'You better get home to your husband, before he gets suspicious. ' the man spat, his voice loaded with venom. He turned away. Stephanie sighed. Juggling was getting so tiresome. It would all pay off in the end though.

'Randy, don't worry. I will go home to him. He loves me. He won't be suspicious until it's too late and we have everything we ever desired. Hunter is a wise man, but blind when it come to me.' Stephanie smirked at the thought of it all. It was Randy's turn to sigh. He turned and kissed her once more before letting her out the door.

A week. He hoped he could wait a week.