I was tired at seven AM, but I was at the beach. My light sweatshirt didn't keep out the cold morning wind, and I wrapped my arms around myself to try to stay warm. My eyes were trained on the door way that led from the parking garage down to the beach. It didn't take long for Mercurio to arrive, but he was walking slowly. And limping. And the left side of his face was bruised. "Oh my god, what happened?" I asked, rushing to him.

He sighed, not looking me in the eye. "My own stupidity," he said.

"What?"

He looked at me, then put an arm around my shoulders, wincing in pain slightly. "Ah...dammit...musta got a rib, too." He breathed through his teeth a couple times before looking at me again. "Okay, I've gotta make this quick so we can get you outta town." My heart began to race when I heard those words. This was getting heavy, and I didn't even know what was going on! "You saw the blood, right?" I nodded. "Okay...damn, I'm wishing I saved that now...okay, that...god, where do I start?" Taking his arm away from my shoulders, he eased himself down to the sand, gasping in pain a couple times before finally settling. I kneeled beside him. "Sweetie, what a mess you've gotten us into," he chuckled.

"Me? What did I do?"

He looked at me with a smile. "You showed up here." He raised a hand and touched my cheek gently, brushing my hair over my ear. "You sure grew up pretty. Just like I expected."

I shook my head in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Another sigh. He looked out at the ocean for a moment before speaking again, though he still didn't look at me when he did. "I never did tell you my last name, huh..."

I raised an eyebrow. "No...are you sure you're okay?"

"Bianchi."

I blinked. "Bianchi? That's my mom's maiden name."

He chuckled, finally looking at me. "I know."

"You...know my mother?"

Another sigh. "Yeah, I know your mother."

I moved closer to him, the puzzle pieces starting to fall into place. I was still clueless as to why I had to leave town and why he was so beat up, but regarding his name... "You're...the family she was looking for?"

He nodded. "Yeah, more than likely. The only Bianchi in Santa Monica that I know of, and I pretty much know everyone."

I shook my head, trying to think of how he could be related to me. "So...what, are you like a cousin or something?"

Mercurio chuckled, looking out at the ocean again. "Not exactly. I think she was lookin' for her daddy."

Well, that just mixed up the puzzle pieces again. "But you just said that you--"

"Look, I know it's hard to believe, but I'm your grandpa, Nat."

I blinked and sat in silence for a second before chuckling. "Yeah...okay. You're, what, thirty?"

"Double that."

"What." It wasn't a question. It wasn't really a statement. It was just the only sound of disbelief I knew how to make. At the same time, my brain was churning with numbers. If I'm 25...and ma had me at 17...I guess she coulda been born when he was 18...

"And that, sweetie, is where the blood comes into it." His voice jolted me out of my thoughts.

"Wait, this isn't some Elizabeth Bathory 'bathing in blood to stay young' thing, is it?" I was pretty much convinced that he was insane now. That alone was enough for me to want to follow his advice and leave town.

"Well..." I held my breath as he hesitated. "Not...exactly. Though I can't believe you brought up Bathory of all things..." He smiled wryly.

"Why?"

"Makes it sound like you know what I'm gonna say next."

I shook my head with a nervous chuckle. "Well, I don't!"

"Nat...the blood was from my boss. Vampire blood."

Silence for a couple beats. "Your boss has vampire blood?"

"Christ. Okay, lemme just quit with the beatin' around the bush and tryin' to let you figure it out for yourself 'cause it obviously ain't workin', and we ain't got a whole lotta time. I work for a vampire. I supply his other vampires with...things they need. In turn, I get money and, once a month, blood. The blood keeps me young and heals me up if I need it. And now, because you saw the blood, I'm in deep shit for not being more careful! Fuckin' bloodsucker, shoulda just let me come down to the office like always, but Mr 'I'm too busy' up there apparently didn't think things through, and I get to take the heat." He didn't look angry when he turned to me after a few seconds of what I figured was him fuming. Instead, he looked positively terrified. "I'm lucky I got out of that office with nothin' worse than a broken rib and some bruises. I'm just afraid of what they'll do to you tonight if you don't get outta town."

I stared at him in silence. Now was the time for me to decide if I was going to believe him or not. Judging by the look in his eyes, I'd better believe him. "I don't want to leave you here," I said, my voice sounding small.

Mercurio—my grandfather—looked at me sadly and touched my face again. "I know, baby, but you gotta. I mean, you're working for a vampire, my boss knows where you live..." He shrugged, then winced.

"Wait, I'm--Therese...?"

"Yeah, her and Jeanette too. There are a couple others in town, too; but I doubt you'd see them. Not real 'people persons'..."

I finally sat down in the sand, trying to process everything I'd been told. "So...if I stay, your boss will have me killed. 'Cause...he knows where I live, and probably where I work."

"And I wouldn't doubt he's got Therese workin' for him, too," Mercurio said. "He's pretty much got all the vamps of LA under his thumb."

"So...okay, I can't stay. But if I leave...he won't be able to find me to kill me...and..." Mercurio looked at me curiously. "Won't he kill you then?" I asked. "Because, he's gonna know you told me to leave town. Probably wouldn't take much for him to know that you told me why I should leave town, and I'm getting the impression he doesn't like secrets floating about. If he did this to you for accidentally letting me see the blood..." I reached up to touch his face, then thought better of it. He was already in enough pain without my aggravating his bruises.

He chuckled and looked back to the water. "Hey. If that's what it takes to keep you safe..." He shrugged.

I felt helpless. I wanted to hug him, but I wanted to be mindful of his broken rib. Or ribs, whichever it was. "So...come with me," I said, trying desperately to formulate a plan.

He gave me a sideways glance, then shook his head. "Nah. I've done my runnin'. Besides, they'll just find me. Put a blood hunt out on my head, then I'll have vamps all over the country lookin' for me. Best way to keep you safe is for me to stay put, and you leave."

Tears began to run down my face. "But--"

"Hey, shush now." He gave me a smile. "I'm gettin' to be an old man, remember? If someone finally offs LaCroix like so many out there want to, I'm gonna age within a week without that blood and probably wither away. I've had my fun. I've lived my life, kiddo." I tried to hold it back, but a sob escaped my chest. "Aw, come here," he said, gingerly putting an arm around me and letting me lean against his shoulder. "'s all right, kiddo. Hey, before today, you didn't even know you had a grandpa, huh?"

I shook my head, looking up at him. "Mom always said you were dead."

He chuckled. "Dead to the family, maybe. After that shit in New York--happened right around the time you were born--, I had to make sure no one followed me. Kinda tried to make them think I was dead. Don't know why your mother would have been lookin' for me, though..." His voice trailed off, and we both sat silent while looking out over the ocean. Finally, Mercurio broke the peace. "Okay. Come on, kiddo, we need to get your essentials packed so you get out of here before nightfall. Help me up." I got to my feet and let him use my hand as support as he carefully got up. "Nighttime's when the monsters come out," he said gravely. I nodded, holding his hand as we walked towards the parking garage.

I did everything I could to delay my departure, much to Mercurio's chagrin. I didn't want to leave him, especially now that I knew he was family. No wonder I'd felt so comfortable around him right from the beginning. As far as kissing him went...yeah, we didn't talk about that. No need to. I didn't know we were related. Honest mistake, that's all. As night began to fall, I was coming back from Trip's with a wad of cash in my pocket. Most of my belongings had to be sold as I had to travel lightly, and I needed money fast.

Mercurio helped me get a few things together, then left, saying he had things to take care of. I wondered if I'd see him again before I had to leave or if this was his way of avoiding saying goodbye. Turns out I did get to see him again. As I glanced around my apartment one last time, there was a knock at the door. When I opened it, I was taken aback at Mercurio's appearance. The bruising was gone. He was looking like the first time I'd seen him, except for the fact that he had a serious look on his face. "We gotta go," he said, taking me by the arm.

He rushed me out the door and down the steps. Parked in front of the building was a black limousine with tinted windows. Mercurio opened the back door of the car and pushed me in, slamming the door shut behind me. I looked over my shoulder at him as the car pulled away, leaving him behind. "Good evening," I heard a voice say. When I looked at who was sitting across from me, I think all the blood left my face, making me look...well, probably just as pale as the person I was looking at. His gray eyes studied me, one corner of his mouth slightly pulled up in a smile. "I'm afraid our first encounter left us without proper introduction," he said. "My name is Sebastian LaCroix. Your grandfather works for me."

I swallowed hard, unconsciously pushing myself farther back against the seat. He raised an eyebrow at me, and I realized he was waiting for me to introduce myself. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I was terrified. I felt betrayed by my own grandfather. He was essentially feeding me to the lion. "Hmph, not one for manners, are you?" LaCroix said, giving me a smug look.

"I—I—I--"

"Never mind," he interrupted, rolling his eyes. "I'll take the liberty of assuming you would like to know why you are here instead of leaving Santa Monica." Since speaking was apparently not an option for me at the moment, I just closed my mouth and nodded. LaCroix made a noise that almost sounded like a chuckle. "You have your grandfather to thank for that. Mercurio's been one of my most loyal ghouls for over thirty years." LaCroix looked out the side window for a moment before going on. "He reminded me that he has, on more than one occasion, played a major role in my success in both New York and now in Los Angeles. I don't normally consider myself in debt to ghouls. His participation in my business matters is merely what he is paid for, both in cash and blood. However, as he is an asset that I would be loathe to lose, I decided to honor his request and let you remain in Los Angeles as long as you're willing to prove your worth to me." I swallowed hard, nodding. My first thought: Dear god, I'm going to be a vampire's concubine... LaCroix seemed pleased by my lack of resistance. "Good. Mercurio will teach you all you need to know, though I would imagine he's probably given you the short version already." I nodded again. LaCroix tilted his head to the side slightly, narrowing his eyes and studying me. "I will be keeping you closer at hand, so you will no longer be living in Santa Monica. I have no use for yet another ghoul in this small of an area. You'll instead be making residence downtown, near my tower. That way, when I need you to run an errand for me, you won't be far from reach. I've already acquired an apartment for you at the Skyeline Apartment building." Reaching across the car, he handed me a keycard. The number 4 was printed on it.

"Um, excuse me, sir," I said, my voice barely audible.

"Yes?" The word was breathed out as a sigh of annoyance.

"Well...um, you said that...you didn't need another...ghoul. Here. In Santa Monica." He nodded, looking at me expectantly. I realized after an awkward moment that he was waiting for me to finish my question. "What did you mean by that?"

"I should think it obvious," he sniffed. I could tell this guy was the snobbish, rich sort. Probably grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth, mommy and daddy giving him everything he ever asked for, buying him an expensive Mercedes for his 16th birthday or something. "I need to ensure that you will stay loyal to me. Also, that you won't go running your mouth off about us Kindred. Normally, for merely telling you of our existence, Mercurio should have had his head separated from his shoulders." My eyes grew wide with horror. LaCroix merely looked at me with a bored expression. "However, as I've already said, he's too much of an asset for me to lose; so I am bending the laws of our society to allow him—and you—to live, as is my prerogative."

"I just don't understand what you mean by 'ghoul,' I guess," I said. I was grateful that Mercurio and I were going to stay alive. I just didn't like the sound of the term that kept coming up.

Again, LaCroix sighed with annoyance. I was starting to get the impression that he does that a lot. "A ghoul is a mortal who has drunk of vampire blood and is bound to that vampire's service as a result."

My mouth dropped open, but I quickly shut it again for fear of vomiting at the thought. "Whoa...whoa...so...wait..." I remembered what Mercurio had said about the blood keeping him young, the blood being from his boss... "I...don't know if I can drink...blood. I mean, I know Mercurio does, but--"

LaCroix laughed softly. "You will," he stated simply. I didn't like the look in his eyes. "In fact..." His smile grew as he patted the leather seat next to him. "Come here."

I began pushing myself back against my own seat again as I'd been doing when I was first pushed into the car. "Um...I..."

Looking me straight in the eye, LaCroix said slowly, "Come...here..."

For a split second, I knew I wanted to resist. My body, however, did not. I felt lightheaded for a moment; then, as the dizziness went away, I realized I was sitting next to LaCroix. Crap. How did that happen? He took off one of his ruby jeweled cufflinks and folded back his french cuff sleeves, pushing up the sleeve of his suit coat in the process. He handed me the cufflink, closing my fingers over it with his hand. His skin was like ice. He raised his bared arm to his mouth and bit down, his eyes on me the whole time. He then held his forearm out to me as if he was offering it. I suppose he was. After all, he'd bitten a bleeding wound into his arm, and the blood was starting to slowly trickle down his white skin. I stared at the red liquid for a few moments, then felt his other hand grip my chin, turning my face to him. I couldn't take my eyes off his as he said, "Drink." I felt myself nod, then looked back to his arm. My empty hand took hold of his wrist and pulled the wound to my mouth. My mind was screaming at me to stop, but I couldn't. I slowly licked the blood from his skin and softly moaned as I tasted it. It was amazing. I licked the rest from his skin, then set my lips directly to the wound. It was like nothing I'd ever tasted. Sure, it tasted like regular blood, that coppery metallic flavor; but at the same time, it made my whole body warm. I felt like I wanted to do nothing more with my life than sit with this man—man?--and drink from his arm. Every sensation was intensified. As I drank, I could feel how smooth his skin was under my tongue and hand. I could smell the faint scent of his cologne mingling with the scent of leather from the limousine's seats. I could hear a heartbeat faintly, but it wasn't coming from LaCroix or myself. The driver?

Just as I was taking all this in, LaCroix pulled his arm away. "Enough," he stated firmly. He frowned as he brought his arm up to his own mouth. A moment later, he studied it; and I noticed the wound was gone.

As he rolled down his sleeve, I asked, "How...how'd you do that?"

He held his hand out, and I dropped his cufflink into it. He clipped it back on before answering my question. "Not exactly an outstanding feat for a vampire," he said in a mocking tone. I nodded, feeling foolish. I licked my lips, enjoying the way my heart fluttered a little upon tasting a bit of blood left behind. I sighed and relaxed back against the seat, closing my eyes. LaCroix chuckled next to me. "I believe you won't have such a mind to resist next time," he said.

I smiled and shook my head, keeping my eyes closed. Maybe this won't be so bad, I thought. Mercurio's been doing it for a long time, and he seems happy enough as long as he stays on this guy's good side... In the middle of my musings, my thoughts began to shut off. I was warm, full on vampire blood—god, it was weird to realize that--, and strangely happy. I felt myself relax more, beginning to lean to the left against something firm but soft. I heard a voice say, "Uh..." then a throat clearing. "Miss Lucas...Miss Lucas, if you please..." I was too far gone into happy dozing to pay any attention to the voice. Besides, it was a nice voice. Calming. I nuzzled my cheek against whatever I was leaning on and sighed. The voice sighed as well. "Damn it all," it grumbled softly. I was nearly jostled awake as my leaning surface was lifted out from under me. Then I found another surface just further in from it, and I nuzzled against that one instead. Something went around my shoulders. An arm? Finally losing consciousness, I inwardly remarked on what nice cologne I was smelling.

A/N: Had to make up a last name for Mercurio. I decided on Italian since he's from New York and has the accent and all. Plus, Mercury being a Roman god kinda helped my decision as well. LaCroix turns out to be a BITCH for me to keep in character, and I'm not all that sure I managed it. Ah well. Comments/criticism appreciated as I'm hoping to start work on a longer, more LaCroix-centric fic soon.