Let me just say, once again, before we begin, that this story just came off the top of my head. That, and EVERY SINGLE BIT OF CREDIT OF THIS VERSION OF LUMIERE, goes to Winterstarfire. Please don't be mad at me if you're reading this, because, as you can see, I have acknowledged you a lot.

If you haven't read Claiming of The Mercenary and The Fading Trilogy, then read those first!

P.S: Also, Winterstarfire, I'm sorry if I didn't do Lumiere's characterisation right, but I tried my very best. Oh, and he is very awesome.

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Chapter 1

She watched with curiosity as he dismissed the girl with a tired wave of his hand, attempting to mask his displeasure. Smelling the scent of mixed arousal (which was pure assault on the senses), she rolled her eyes "You would think that they would have enough decency to not do that in the woods" she thought, knowing exactly what had occurred. The Zemya, from her hiding place in a tall tree, observed the human below her with, although she would never admit it, slight admiration.

He was tall and handsome, and the vampire, although she tried, could not tare her eyes away from his hard, bare chest. She found her gaze moving downwards, to his hard, smooth abs, his thin waist….and then she stopped herself, shaking her head "No, he is a human. They are worth nothing but food" she thought. Jacqueline was, quite frankly, disgusted at herself "He is just a weak human, what am I even doing admiring him?" she wondered. No longer being able to control her blood lust, the vampire lunged at him, fangs bared.

However, his reacted was far from anything she expected. Faster than she ever thought was possible for a human, he had her pinned to the ground, a hand around her throat "Not a good idea, vampire" he sneered.

She narrowed her eyes at him, unafraid, and bared her fangs "Why the hell not!? What are you doing to do?" she questioned mockingly. Her vision had tunnelled to blood. Pumping through him. So. Close.

His grip tightened around her throat, and then, after getting no reaction out of her, quickly formed another idea. Faster then she could blink, he had his dagger pressed against her inner thigh "Well…you certainly are beautiful. Maybe if you were raped, it would get my point across" he snarled threateningly.

She snorted "You would not do that" she challenged, barely stopping her voice from quivering. She tried to ignore the feel of the blade pressed against her skin. Although it did not feel cold, the danger that it posed caused it to be given her attention.

Lumiere chuckled darkly "Do you really want to find out?" he inquired in mock curiosity. He had noticed the slight quivering of her voice, and smiled somewhat sadistically "So, this vampire does not fear death, but rape…interesting" he thought. Feeling confident that she would not try anything, he studied her appearance, and quickly realised that he had been right…she was beautiful. Her long red hair was dishevelled, her skin was pale, like most vampires, but she was physically softer than the ones he had encountered.

The most amazing thing, he thought, were her eyes. He was used to seeing vampires with eyes that shone a brilliant crimson, but hers were an enchanting dark blue, which held a different kind of darkness to them than simply the colour. However, Lumiere also noted the blood lust that they reflected "When did you last eat, vampire?" he questioned sharply.

"Why should I tell you, human?" Jacqueline retorted. She had gone several weeks without, because the villagers were beginning to get suspicious of the disappearing drunks…but she wasn't about to tell the human that.

Lumiere stood "Very well. Move along, and do not try to attack me again" he said. She noticed that, when he stood or walked, he favoured his right leg…which meant he had a limp.

All of a sudden, a snarl of rage erupted from Jacqueline, and she stood up. She whirled around behind her, and her eyes narrowed "Demons. I hate those things" she sneered in anger.

The man beside her clenched his grip on his dagger, but before he could make an attack, Jacqueline lunged into the darkness. Several demonic screams were heard, as well as the sound of necks breaking and bodies slumping to the ground.

Several seconds later, Jacqueline emerged, covered in demon blood. She licked her fingers, and then ran her blood covered hands through her hair, further reddening it. The Zemya snarled happily in satisfaction "They did not stand a chance" she said.

Lumiere, meanwhile, simply stared in shock and, although he would not admit it…slight respect. He chuckled "Well, it seems like you know how to handle that sort of thing" he said.

She glanced at his dagger, and then back to him "As do you, I imagine" she responded.

He gave her a brief once over, before saying "You should change…."

"Into what, exactly!?" she demanded, interrupting.

He chuckled once again "Nothing?" he offered with a mischievous smirk. Despite himself, he had been having several visions of this woman, no, vampire, in his bed, naked, begging for him…

Jacqueline, knowing exactly what he was thinking, bared her fangs "Do not get your hopes up" she hissed venomously. Then, a thought occurred to her "Why I am talking to him? I should be feeding off of him!"

Lumiere, sensing the tension of the situation, turned to her sharply "I know what you want, vampire, and you will not feed from me" he said firmly.

She growled "How do you always know what I want!" she demanded.

He replied "I…have had a lot of experience with your kind." He bent over, and reached into a bag, pulling pants and a shirt for Jacqueline. He tossed them to her "Here. Put this on" he said curtly.

As she did, Lumiere turned his back politely, although he, at first, thought it would be unwise to do so. He heard Jacqueline ask, in obvious annoyance "Are you going to put something on?"

He grinned "What? Don't you like the view? Most women do" he answered.

She snorted "No, I do not" she answered, trying to hide the blush on her cheeks. She had actually enjoyed the sight of him…all of him.

The Zemya's thoughts were interrupted as he asked "What's your name?"

She hesitated for a moment "I should not even be speaking to a human. I should certainly not tell him my name" she thought. However, for a reason that was unknown to even herself, she replied "Jacqueline. Et vous?"

"Lumiere" he replied. Then, he turned around, expecting her to be done, but instead, was met with a surprising, but still pleasing, sight. Her top half was bare, and, although she was facing with her back to him, he could only image was the front of her would be like. Then, he saw something rather confusing…three tattoos on her back. He inquired "How did you get those?"

She covered her breasts and braved turning at least sideways, so she could face him more directly. She glared "I do not want to speak about it" she answered.

After she was dressed, Jacqueline turned to him "Monsieur, may I ask you something?" she questioned.

Lumiere turned to her "That depends" he replied matter-of-factly.

"Could…could I stay with you for the rest of the night? My castle is far from here, and the humans might be looking for me" she replied. She was not used to staying with a human, or even having much to do with humans, but this one seemed trustworthy.

He hesitated in his answer, suspicious of the vampire woman. She had made it very clear earlier of how much blood lust was inside her, and she might still have been thirsty. He replied after a moment longer "Only if you stay as far away from me as possible."

"Agreed" she answered without uncertainty. She waited as he dressed into pants and a shirt (which she was grateful of him doing), and then moved away to lie down.

He tossed her a spare blanket from his bag "Here" he said. Lumiere did not know what on earth was wrong with him. He would usually want nothing to do with vampires! But this one…Jacqueline…was different. There was good in her. It was buried by probably centuries of evil, but it was there.

He lied down on the cool grass, pulling another thick blanket over him. It had been a tiring day, and he needed his sleep.

All of a sudden, he felt a cool body press against his. Instantly alarmed, he pinned whoever it was, down on the ground, and pressed his dagger to their throat. However, he quickly realised that the 'stranger', was actually Jacqueline. She laughed, however it held only slight traces of humour "It is a wonder that a woman can even get close to you, let alone screw you" she joked.

Lumiere raised a brow "You were watching before?" he questioned. She gave no answer, but instead bit her lip. He chuckled, knowing he was right "Well…" he grinned charmingly "Enjoy the show, sweetheart?" he asked.

She did not reply to his comment, but instead changed the topic "I…I got slightly lonely. I am used to my castle, you see. May…may I sleep with you?" she asked awkwardly.

He considered it for a moment "Are you full?" he questioned firmly.

"Oui. The demons filled me" she answered.

He sighed, and the smallest of smiles twitched as his lips "Well, then I guess that you may sleep with me" he replied. He was not used to showing such affection towards a vampire. Was…was it possible that he liked her?

Jacqueline nodded, and then what she had agreed to, dawned on her. The Zemya mentally scolded herself "What are you doing! He is a human!" But, she refused to listen to herself. All of a sudden, a possibility for her behaviour came to her, but she quickly dismissed it as impossible. She could not possibly like him…could she?

Lumiere slept on his side, with Jacqueline sleeping facing his back. As they slept, each dreamed of each other. Lumiere's eyes snapped open, however, when he felt her arms snake around his waist, and steal the dagger from next to his hand, and put it further away. But, he relaxed, knowing full well that she did not have any bad motives. Jacqueline whispered close to his ear, half asleep herself

"You need to stop keeping that so close to you. You could cut yourself."

...

I know it is not a very good chapter ending, but it was all I could think of. Please wait for the next chapter! Remember to review!

See you really soon,

Babetteisawesome