These Times
Four.

"You want me to unveil all my Uncle's secrets?" the younger male asked casually.

Harvey sat across from the young vampire eyeing him carefully. Mike sighed inwardly knowing that Lance would dance around until he thought up a good enough trade for information.

"You came to the right place," Lance grinned widely fangs glistening in the morning sunlight. "I am his favorite nephew. Though I don't see what the problem is. I told my uncle that he is human. If he just let me eat him we wouldn't have this problem. Am I right Mike? We are vampires...we are the new generation…we take charge."

"I'm nothing like you or those in your generation," Mike glared.

"Oh I think you are a whole lot like me then you think. Or did you accidentally drink blood from that man that bothered you a couple nights ago."

Mike frowned as he placed a barrier on his thoughts. "Tsk, we aren't enemies you know. It isn't my fault you have pets you care about. Human pets that you wanted to protect. But like I stated you came to the right place, human."

Harvey nodded at the youth to go on but then everything fell apart abruptly. Louis stood in the doorway eyes glued to a copy of some files in an open manila envelope. He didn't bother to knock or acknowledge the occupants of the room.

"I was right about the finances. There is nothing too drastic though, Terrace just cheated a bit on taxes, normal rich behavior. This could be used as a form of discrediting anything he says No one likes to listen to a cheater."

"If it isn't Louis Litt, Lawyer man."

Louis paused as a sudden fear washed over him. He had never experienced anxiety fully before but for a few seconds his heart raced and he began to sweat. He slowly glanced ahead to see Lance sitting casually before a glass of red substance as if he were a guest. He looked at Mike who frowned and Harvey who watched him carefully.

"What the heck is that beast doing here?" he glared.

Lance cackled. "Boy do I love making life lasting impressions…who needs the blood when the fear is just as sweet."

Mike glared. "Quit it Lance."

"Actually, I do have something that could possibly lose you the whole case, unless…of course that strong brain of yours gets the information now."

Harvey took his eyes off of Louis's mental panic and turned to the youth.

"Share."

Lance smirked. "You have to do something for me first big shot."

Harvey frowned. "Why do I have to bargain with you?"

Lance shrugged. "You have a reputation to uphold. And imagine how that will look on this company if say Uncle loses. I'm certain the humans will rejoice…vampires will grow angry never mind the attacks or threats to your life…you'll look terribly foolish. If you win…my uncle is generous to those who are victorious. He could send Pearson and Hardman into a whole new era…yes…he can do that. See you may not be aware of this but my Uncle has been around long…he has seen many things…he knows many secrets. Call him the leader of us all if you will. He could make you great."

"I'm already great," Harvey smirked a little hesitant of the youth's coming request.

"Of course you are but I know you want greater."

Mike frowned not quite sure what Lance was going on about but Harvey was interested. He suspected a bit of hypnosis but a harmless dose. After all, Harvey was too strong willed to fall beneath the whims of a young vampire such as Lance.

"What are your terms?" he asked.

Lance glanced casually around. "Nothing here I really want…basketball is…not my game…hm…your secretary is cute though."

Harvey looked casually at Donna typing. "You want a date with Donna?"

Lance snorted. "Hardly."

Mike sighed. "No, Harvey he means blood."

Harvey shook his head. "No."

"I figured," Lance smirked. "You actually love her."

He coughed nervously which caught the entire male's attention. "She is my secretary. I like her… secretary skills and… if you eat her system falls apart."

Lance crossed his fingers a large grin on his face. "I figured you would say no."

"Why did you ask?"

The youth smiled. "I know you will say yes to this."

"What?"

"I met this feisty human a while back, very…lippy, sly tongue," he stated casually. "Thought he was better than me…thought he had nothing to fear…of course that was all a front…but…he slipped from my fingers. Usually I push this aside but all I can think about is the humiliation…the untimely demise of my friend…sure he was an annoyance but…we have to keep the amusing around for laughs right? Anyway…this human was fun."

Harvey looked at him. "And you want me to what? Find you this human for what reasons exactly beside the obvious."

Mike frowned at Harvey. "Don't listen to him Harvey."

"Mike I can handle this…he wants something we can be assured they will be under certain conditions on his part."

Lance nodded. "Do we have a deal?"

"Is this human you speak of around? Or are we going on a hunt?"

Lance smiled. "I assume my terms have been approved."

"This case is important. I would be foolish not to," he commented.

The youth seemed to glow with excitement. "No searching at all."

"Good, so…"

"Perfect," Lance smirked and without a moment's notice he was standing beside a still very shocked Louis who hadn't moved since he walked in. Mike had a bad feeling.

"Hear that Lawyer man?" he smirked. "Your kind friend just gave me the green lights."

Louis broke from his inner turmoil to stare at the face of the youth with stringy hair. Lance drew a sharp nail down Louis's neck. A puff of cold air hit the elders face.

"We are going to have so much fun."

Mike arose. "Harvey."

"Lance I didn't agree to…"

"Oh, but you did, no harm am I right? You don't like this man anyway? Donna I spared…him? He is mine."

Louis glared at Harvey but the male refused to admit he was obviously fooled. Harvey rejected the idea that the vampire hypnotized him. No matter how much Mike fed the thought into his own mind.

"Have a seat, we made a deal. I want to hear exactly what you know."

Lance shrugged before smirking. "Come along pet."

Louis glowered before following only because part of him couldn't fight it and the other half noticed Harvey giving him a look. He sat on the other side of Lance. After a few awkward moments Harvey became angry and frustrated with the vampire youth. Louis was giving him a look and Mike was looking disappointed.

"The boy, he is under hypnosis."

"And that is the news?" Harvey shook his head. "You are an animal, out."

Lance grinned acidly. "Let me finish. Mr. Terrace's son…is under hypnosis because Uncle doesn't want him to catch on…and…his other son..."

"What other son?" Mike questioned.

"He has been missing for years," he commented softly.

Mike, Harvey, and Louis all exchanged glances.

"From the beginning," Harvey ordered.

Lance grinned confidently. "After I drink then we will discuss. I'm hungry."

He looked at Louis who stiffened.

"Now, you will share now." Harvey stated a stake in hand.

Lance eyed the stake before smiling. "Mr. Spector…you'd really hurt a young thing like me?"

"You are a beast, who tricked me into handing my colleagues freedom over to you, which by the way isn't even my power, yes I believe young is not the category I was thinking."

Lance grinned. "You care about him don't you? Maybe as much as Donna?"

Harvey laughed. "Ridiculous. I don't want blood on my carpet."

Lance smirked. "Fair."

He paused for a second to organize his thoughts and then continued.

"My uncle had a son at a point…300 hundred years ago, he was younger than. Faster, stronger…a little more vicious, you know back when humans were just getting the hang of things."

"What happened?" Mike questioned.

"Well like a tale as old as time, good ole cousin Smith, a little slower than the bunch, well he was staked…and Uncle was broken. Fast forward three hundred some months or years. Terrace has an older son…looks just like Smith. The rest well…is so sweet it rots my fangs. Mr. Terrace's oldest was named Greg. Greg confided in my uncle, Mr. Terrace never understood him like Uncle did. One day Uncle got an idea. Now wouldn't Greg be the perfect replacement? He asks him one day, the youth laughs, says he was a crazy ole bat. Uncle is broken again…traps the boy…and turned him. Now he lives in the basement…feeding off scraps. He hopes the youth will come to terms with his new life."

"Sick," Louis muttered.

Lance laughed softly. "Believe me, I agree…wasting a good meal because he wants a son again."

"I thought you said you were his favorite?" Harvey questioned.

Lance nodded. "I am his favorite nephew. I've met the boy…a little rough around the edges but I must agree he was born into the wrong species."

"But what about Mr. Terrace?" Mike questioned.

"He gave up looking. He suspects foul play, but…I wouldn't say foul play if the boy is adjusting. Now would we?"

Harvey sighed. "You were right. This is terrible news for the case."

Lance smirked. "I never said I would lie about my information. Fair is fair."

Harvey nodded. "About that, you may think you are walking out here with my colleague but you are mistaken. Thank you. Don't come again."

Lance smiled. "Of course…I suspected this. Don't worry I understand."

He arose and swiftly left the premise. Louis looked on slightly confused while Mike frowned.

"I don't like how he just left like that," Mike confessed.

Harvey shrugged. "Alright, you are welcome Louis."

"Welcome? You handed over my life to that filth."

Harvey smirked. "I'm certain he wouldn't have hurt you too bad. After all he called you his pet. Now that is adorable…a vampire and his human."

Louis narrowed his eyes before heading over to the desk and slamming his hands down. "This is not a game, Harvey. You handed over my life."

"We got valuable information Louis. Besides I had no real power to hand over anything, the vampire was delusional enough to believe me."

Louis gaped at Harvey. "I know we hate each other but that was..."

"Who said I hate you?" Harvey asked carefully.

Louis bit his lip. "You gave my life away to the vampire who nearly destroyed me…and you think I'm going to work with you on this case?"

"Yes, Louis," Harvey stated sternly. "You will continue on this case. Because you aren't any better than me…you've done many things like this and a good bit to Mike."

"Lance was a vampire," Louis reminded. "You'll be the first to cross that line."

And he refused to stay put. He dropped his information on Harvey's desk and left. Mike shook his head.

"Like I said, I don't like how he left like that," Mike frowned. "Harvey, you may have gone too far on this one."

"It is Louis, he is always uneasy."

"Not this time," Mike shared. "I agree with him."

Harvey rolled his eyes. "Great…you both can sulk together…or you could work on this case with me?"

Mike sighed. "Let me see Louis's files."

Harvey nodded. "Good."


After he attended to his personal hygiene he was feeling relaxed. The day had been poor with Harvey's stunt and Harold's overall annoying presence. At the end of the night he could sit back and relax from another troubling day. As he closed his eyes he opened his mind to dreams and peaceful thoughts. While sleeping he began to softly snore unaware that a single thought was floating around in his mind, a foreign thought not of his own creation. The thought slowly came to the surface. It was only one word simple and clear. "Come".


Around noon Mike was a little more curious of their current duo. Harvey wasn't concerned in the slightest. He ran over the documents and the police reports from the elder son's missing person report. Mike tapped softly against his knee before finally coming forth with his thoughts.

"Louis didn't come in today."

Harvey casually glanced at the youth. "So it seems."

"Aren't you curious?"

"Aren't you supposed to be focusing?"

Mike sighed putting his work aside which caught Harvey's full attention. "I mean, Harvey you gave his life away to Lance of all creatures."

"Well there is this case maybe you know about it. The one we are trying to win for your new best friend? "

Mike sighed. "I know you think this will make or break you but you are already a great lawyer Harvey. Don't let Lance play mind games with you."

"Mind games?" he laughed. "You think I was under hypnosis when I made that deal? No Mike. Sorry I was fully aware. Louis is susceptible to that not me. Besides the deal was a sham, no one was getting anyone anyway."

Mike frowned. "Harvey."

"Fine, if you are so worried, call him."

Mike frowned. "I did."
Harvey paused. "What do you mean, you did?"

"Earlier I called…actually I asked Norma…who didn't seem concerned. She doesn't like him very much but anyway she called and he never picked up. Told her to keep me posted…and… I haven't heard from her since."

Harvey shrugged. "He is angry…probably taking a day to watch musicals and ballet…calm his mind. Probably in a yoga class right now."

"Harvey I am serious," Mike sighed. "I called around 9am. It is noon."

"9am? You were taking personal calls when I waited for you so we could work? Of course I started but you work here Mike."

"So does Louis, aren't you concerned? Oh crap."

"Crap what?"

"We have to go Harvey. The case has to wait."

"Crap what?" he asked. "I'm not going anywhere…Mr. Terrace's people are already getting on my nerves. He is making a wave in the slayer community…and I have stakes spelling out obscene things. Strangers have my email address."

"Louis is in trouble," Mike shared. "Lance has him."

"We told him to go."

"You told a vampire to go… Harvey. Even I have to say that is poor on your part."

Harvey groaned. "Fine…we go to his apartment and see if he is around."

"I'll get the address from Norma."

When they arrived at the apartment all Harvey had to do was lie and say they were brothers and he let him proceed. The place was smaller than Harvey's which made the male smile. Mike scanned the area as Harvey stood by.

"There is nothing here Mike. The place is clean. The bed is made. There is no way he left unwillingly…not in such a state. If there was a fight…there would have been an overturned mattress and scattered sheets. It is all in your head. You are just guilty about how you yelled at him a couple days ago."

Mike shook his head. "No, Harvey. If I were a vampire…and you made a fool of me…I'd make it look like you left of your own will and had time to dress the bed…and…brush your teeth. I'd make it look normal. That way by the time anyone suspects a thing…well…you know."

"You are telling me that Louis was…unaware he was leaving?"

"I'm telling you that Lance told Louis to come. Harvey don't you get it? This isn't anybody…this is a vampire…this is Lance. This is the same vampire who wanted Louis's blood. Okay…there was no struggle of course. He must have set some kind of trap…mind trap…like inception."

"The movie?"

Mike grinned. "You watched it?"

Harvey raised his brows. "Pretty much he planted a suggestion in Louis's head during that meeting yesterday. And when Louis was at his most vulnerable which I guess is sleep, the thought surfaced and he…obeyed the command. The command must have been to find Lance."

"Why in the heck would Louis look for Lance?"

Mike sighed. "He had no choice."

Mike walked up to a window and pushed on it slightly before opening it. Harvey watched the youth climb half way out.

"What are you doing?" Harvey questioned.

Mike looked up. "We don't have time."

"Ray is down stairs."

"Tell him he is on call. We have to go Harvey."

"Wait? Out the window?"

Mike smirked. "You don't trust me?"

Harvey groaned. "Louis better not whine after we find him or I am leaving him with Lance."

Mike grabbed Harvey's arm and they went out the window.


Most of his victims were scared. Most of his victims ran away the first encounter. Most of his victims knew their place on the food chain. His companions questioned his motives. He simply stated no one was allowed to ignore or disqualify his abilities. He was a vampire.

"Now," Lance stated as he casually walked before the human. "Let us hear it again."

Louis swallowed a particularly hard substance as he began to repeat the statement again. He didn't remember how he ended up in the small rank studio apartment. He wondered why such a male with a rich uncle would live this way. Then again he was a vampire. Vampires were filth; they lived in filth.

"I was wrong," he stated. "I should have faced my own battles and not employed any others. I am not any stronger, smarter, or greater than you…I as a human should know my place."

Lance nodded softly before smirking. "Good boy, now was that hard to say?"

Louis scoffed. "You are pathetic you know that."

Lance pushed Louis into the wall suddenly. Only moments before Louis sat upon a lumpy couch.

"Don't test me human," he smirked. "I am being surprisingly tolerant and understanding. I'm even being gentle."

Louis gasped for air. Lance smirked as he removed his elbow. "Sorry, was that your throat?"

"What do you want? I thought you weren't interested in chasing after me anymore," Louis smirked. "Are you that lonely that you have to play with your food?"

Lance cackled. "So you realize your food."

"I may be food for vampires, but I will always be better than you, I mean what is this? A transition phase or have you always lived in a terrible excuse for an apartment. What is the alley too…extravagant…or is this home away from home…looks like an alley, smells like an alley."

Within seconds Louis was on the floor. He stared up at the crumbling ceiling as he breathed in and out quietly. Before he could rise Lance was on him eyes boring into his soul.

"So smug, so…confident that you'll get out of this situation," Lance grinned which displayed sharp and elongated fangs. "That is what I like about you…you dream…a little big…but I'm sure after a couple weeks here, reality will set in real quick…and the best part is…no one will care. Why? Because you are bitter, you are hollow; you are even less human than I am."
"You can't keep me here…I'm not…"

"What at toy? A pet? My meal for a month?" he smiled. "Who am I kidding…your blood will last three days."

Louis refused to give him the satisfaction. Lance was practically a teenager and he didn't bow to the whims of teenagers.

"You are not here so I can gain your respect," Lance whispered. "I just want to hear you beg for your end."

Louis growled. "I…"

He made a motion in the air which stopped the sound from Louis's mouth. "Let see if we can teach you some manners. Royalty demands manners. I am royalty after all, one known fact about my family…my uncle used to be king sadly things changed…and here we are…still considered royal but in these modern times who can say they remember…but maybe I'll make a believer out of you."

Louis scoffed after finding his voice again. "You could never break me."

"I don't want to break you." Lance smiled. "I'm going to own you, your body, mind, and soul."

Louis's eyes widened and then all he felt was searing pain.


An: Wow, phew! What a chapter. Hey Internet Readers! Here was another installment. I couldn't leave you all hanging for too long so here it is a little early. Want to thank anonymous reviewer again as well as the viewers, the favoriters, the followers and those who just drop in! I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. If you did feel free to leave a comment/review. Just press the little rectangular button below. Have a nice day!

Until next chapter

bye