Cedric lay still as he listened to the slow ticking of the clock down the hall. It was so silent this night that it seemed as though he could hear the settling of every plank and brick in the old building. His own room above the workshop already earned him the ability to hear everything that passed beneath him, even when all was quiet. He shifted on his thin mattress, the sound of the sheets moving like a gong in the stillness. He had not wanted to move; he was waiting, and felt that somehow being as still as possible would help to ease the alarm when…when it came. But he had been lying on his stomach, and his spine was aching. He curled on his side, facing the wall so that he would not be as startled by its arrival. The time always varied; sometimes Cedric had barely laid down, other times he would have fallen into an uneasy sleep for hours before he was awakened by the familiar and terrifying presence. It was still hard not to brace himself for it until sleep came, or he came.

The young man was trying to even out his breathing to calm his rapid heart, when he felt it. There was no real way to describe how he always knew it was there in his room. It was like to a chill that prickled the hairs on the back of one's neck and told one to be alert for danger. No sound accompanied the moment when he knew it was there, until it began walking toward his bed. The footsteps were incredibly quiet for a creature of its stature, but in the silence of the night everything sounded clear and loud. Cedric drew in a quick breath when the mattress dipped beneath its weight, and he shivered at the touch of fingers on the back of his neck.

"Feigning sleep is for young children."

The words floated like silk on the wickedly smooth voice that spoke them, wrapping Cedric in the fear, and desire, of what that voice would speak next. The young man said nothing. He had learned by now that nothing he could say would deter the inevitable. He shivered again as steamy hot breath bathed his ear and cheek.

"Would you like me to be gentle tonight? You have cooperated so nicely these past few evenings that I think you've earned a little fawning."

The fingers that had been petting his neck slid down to press between his slender shoulders, finding a knot of tension and slowly soothing it. Cedric felt the warmth seeping from those fingers into his thin nightshirt, heating his chilled flesh that sang in welcome.

"Your body screams out for me now. How long will it be until your mouth does the same, little one?"

Lips, soft and warm, lavished impossibly tender kisses on his neck, his ear, his cheek…finally his head was turned and his own lips were pressed against the supple heat. He opened his mouth without a second thought beneath the gentle insistence of a hot tongue, and he gasped as his mouth was examined by the incredibly soft strokes. He felt cold when the pressure and heat retreated, leaving him trembling in fear and want. It was always such a complex mix of emotion and sensation, good and evil. There was no escaping it. He was trapped, caught in the web of his own lust spun by the one who indulged him every night.

"Don't hide from me, my prey…" That smooth voice muttered, a hand caressing his jaw, "show me those eyes. Look at me."

Cedric opened his eyes, staring up at the creature leaning over him. In the darkness, unbroken but for a small stream of light filtering through his curtain from the distant streetlight, two orbs glowed red above him. Those devil eyes pierced his own and consumed him with fear and promises.

"That's…hardly fair…" Cedric said, trying to sound amused rather than shaken, "you want me to show you my eyes and yours aren't even their natural color."

A small chuckle escaped the creature, the lines of a handsome nose and chin becoming clearer as his eyes adjusted.

"On the contrary, this is how my eyes look in their natural state. But I suppose to a mere human such as yourself…" The red glow was extinguished and glints of gold were caught by the light of the window, "this is how you know them."

"Gold is still not a natural color." Cedric muttered, looking away from the inhumanly beautiful eyes. Another soft chuckle, and those warm fingers cupped his face.

"Careful, now, give me much more cheek and I might rescind my offer to be gentle with you."

Cedric swallowed slightly. In truth, he welcomed a night where he was not kissed, plundered, and abandoned within an hour's span. There had been nights when the creature had gifted him with soft caresses and teasing, but it had never lasted long or accomplished much. Once the creature was sheathed inside him and thrusting him into the mattress nothing more was ever required; it was the greatest pleasure he had known in his seventeen years. He was curious to see what would happen should he lie there compliantly.

"That's a good boy."

The sheets were tugged down his body and he twitched as his bare legs were touched by the cold air in the room. When his nightshift was lifted and pulled over his head and could not hold back his trembling and the Goosebumps breaking out all over his skin. A warm solid body lay down along the length of his own, and he was gathered close to it, still shaking.

"There now," the silky voice cooed, hands running along his back and arms, "do not mind the cold. I'll make sure you're perfectly warm."

Cedric felt his teeth chattering, and pressed his cold nose into the side of a warm neck.

"That's it," fingers stroked through his hair, "now what do you say to me?"

Cedric scoffed quietly, and the fingers tightened in his hair.

"Cedric? What. Do. You. Say?"

The young man bit his bottom lip before opening his mouth to speak, giving the creature the answer that had been trained into him,

"Thank you…Claude."