Title: Blood of the Snake

By: retroelectric

Warnings: Mature themes, Vampirism, Horror/Supernatural, Yaoi

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Get Backers. This is a Get Backers fan fiction, ideas purely fan-made speculations based off the relationship between the Get Backers duo and infused with several elements inspired – and not stolen off the Vampire Chronicles Universe by Anne Rice. It is also important to note that this does not contain ANY of her characters, thus this is strictly NOT a Vampire Chronicles/Get Backers crossover. In this way I do not breach any of Anne Rice's policies regarding fan fiction on her work.

Chapter 4

Cadmus spread his arms in a gesture of welcome. He was not that all surprised to see the Get Backers just standing there dumbfounded, staring at him. Getting down smoothly from the car, Cadmus noticed the blond boy backing away from him in fear, whilst Ban remained and stood his ground, a frown marring his features.

"Now, Ginji, don't be afraid of me. Ban, I trust that we've met before?" Cadmus said, stepping closer to the two humans.

Ban snorted derisively. "Ha, yeah right. You nearly killed me the last time we 'met', you blood-sucking bastard."

Cadmus laughed, a deep and rich quality to it that made Ginji want to shiver. "Crude as ever, Ban. This brings me to a point - you should be dead by now. It seems to me that I've overlooked a major quality concerning you, and that is you claim to be invincible. Am I correct?" Not waiting for a response Cadmus went on, talking animatedly in that strangely silken voice and fast hand gestures. "It could well be... arrogance on your part. Nevertheless, you still survived my attack and that is saying something. Throughout my three centuries of life on Earth, I have never met quite fascinating people as the both of you. Such fire I see burning in your eyes."

Cadmus paused, focusing his iridiscent violet eyes on the Get Backers.

"I must apologise for my introduction the other night. I should say; going up to a person, immobilising them then draining his blood never was a proper introduction. Nor was it proper of me saying that I was your worst nightmare, hm?" Cadmus gave another rich bark of laughter, and stepped forward only to be met with a flinch on Ginji's part.

"Don't be afraid of me, Ginji. I've had my fill tonight, so my hunger has been sated for now. But both of you, on the other hand, must be starving for food, now! Let me take the both of you to a place where I can introduce myself properly. Consider this as a token of apology from me." Cadmus smiled at them, concealing his fangs.

What a smooth talker, Ban thought. But there is something different about him tonight, like he isn't in the mood to attack me or Ginji at all. He isn't flaunting his vampiric condition like he did before attacking me. What could it be that he want? To fatten us like pigs for a royal feast? Ban frowned at the thought. No, no, that couldn't be it.

"Ban-chan?" Ginji squeaked at his partner who seemed immobile all of a sudden. Ban startled at the interruption from Ginji, then cleared his throat. If he wants to be polite to us and all, the least we could do is to return the favour.

"When you put it that way, there could be no way for me - no, us - to refuse," Ban replied, carefully schooling his features so as to not reveal what he was thinking. He glanced over to Ginji, giving him a look that said 'I know what I am doing and it will be alright'.

Cadmus's smile grew wider at the response. "That's excellent! We'll travel by air."

Ginji nearly jumped with shock as Cadmus suddenly had both he and Ban in each of his strong arms. "Shh, don't be afraid, my lightning-wielding lord," he whispered softly in his ear. "Close your eyes, and when you finally open them, we'll be there."

Ginji shivered again at the way those words were being spoken. Glancing over to Ban, he caught him closing his eyes upon Cadmus's command and Ginji did the same.

The ground no longer touched his feet and the cold wind whipped angrily against his skin. Somehow, the sensation of being in Cadmus's cold arms calmed him, and he let the feelings wash him away.

After a few moments, Ginji's feet touched the ground and he instantly knew that they had finally arrived. Cadmus had let go of the both of them.

What is this place? Ginji wondered, staring open-mouthed at the hulking yet somehow elegant building which stood in front of them.

As if Cadmus had heard his thoughts, he said, "Welcome to my home. We are still in Japan, don't worry." Pushing his guests in front of him into the now-open door, he let them gape at the sheer opulence of the place. Heavy red velvet curtains hung, covering the luxurious French windows and Persian carpets covered the floors. Cadmus let them explore the place, urging a hesitant Ban on with an encouraging smile on his face. He indulged in the expressions of wonder which flitted across their faces as he followed not too closely behind them.

It had been long since he'd brought mortals to his residence. It brought a great feeling of happiness and another indescribable emotion to his ancient body, seeing such extraordinary mortals being in awe of what he possessed. A fleeting thought came to him, and he found himself wondering if they would want a life with him. He banished the thought when he remembered that they had yet to see the dining room.

"Ban, Ginji! Are you ready for dinner yet?" Cadmus called out to his guests.

Both of them stumbled to where Cadmus was, faces flushed with excitement. Cadmus couldn't help but to smile as he led them to the dining room, complete with a wide selection of food on the large table, more than enough for the two of them even with their ravenous appetites.

"Dig in!" Cadmus spoke, taking a seat in one of the chairs, enjoying the way the Get Backer's eyes shone at the invitation.

"Wow! Thank you Cadmus-san! The food is delicious!" Ginji said between mouthfuls of food. Ban nodded his head in acquiescence. "But... did you cook all these?"

Cadmus laughed in amusement. "No, I have servants if you must know. They cooked all of these for you."

Should he ask them? Would they accept, particularly Ban? He knew that it seemed impossible, that they'd just agree on a whim just like that, and a cold hearted thought flew by - that he should kill them if they resisted. But he wasn't so blind and so cruel as to not admit that these mortals beside him were so beautiful and enticing and it couldn't hurt to try.

He added with a hesitant tone to his voice. "They would cook for you again, and you'd have a place to stay if you agree to live here with me. It has been quite a considerable amount of time since I've had any company at all, and I would be pleased if you'd accept my offer. How does that sound, Get Backers?"

Ban paused mid-swallow at the question. Carefully thinking it over whilst glancing at Ginji's excited grinning face which practically screamed out - yes, we should accept, he turned azure eyes to meet Cadmus's violet ones.

"Hn, why not?" Ban cleaned up the last remnants of food from his plate and got up, faking a big yawn. "Well, could you please direct us to our new bed-chamber, Cadmus-sama? I'm feeling a bit tired, and it has indeed been long since we've both slept in a real bed, ne, Ginji?" Ginji nodded enthusiastically.

Cadmus felt his heart skip a beat. "I'll be glad to do so. Come, I'll show you to your new bedrooms. Or bedroom, if you'd prefer to share? Either way, there are more than enough rooms between the three of us, now."

"I'd like to share with Ban-chan, if it is alright!" Ginji said happily. Ban nodded.

"That is all right with me." Cadmus showed them to their room. Pausing, he left a lingering hand on Ban's cheek. "Goodnight, Ban, Ginji. Sweet dreams."

"I cannot believe our luck, Ban-chan! Cadmus-san seems like a really nice guy! He let us stay here and gave us food. Hey Ban-chan..." Ginji trailed off.

"Hm?" Ban responded, kicking his shoes off, in the process of rummaging through the antique wooden closet to find suitable pyjamas for the both of them.

"Why... why did you accept Cadmus-san's invitation? I mean... he was the one who attacked you and all then drunk your blood... Hey!" Ginji protested as a pair of pyjamas were thrown into his face.

"Quit asking silly questions, Ginji. We should be grateful for this. Put those on, we're going to bed." Ban stated roughly to his partner and undressed himself, putting on a pair of dark blue silk pyjamas. He threw himself onto the bed, stifling a small groan of happiness at the softness of it. Ginji quickly did the same, then occupied the space beside Ban on the bed.

Ginji curled an arm around Ban's waist. Ban made no move to push Ginji away, instead leaning into Ginji's warmth, closing his eyes.

"I love you so much, Ban-chan," Ginji murmured almost inaudibly. Ban opened an eye in surprise, only to find Ginji was already asleep and he gave a rare unseen smile to his sleeping partner.

It took him a while to get to sleep, despite being really tired and curled into the warmth that was Ginji's.