Thanks for the reviews, regular readers, I'm enjoying them. This chapter is quite long for a change. Read on...

**

Part Six

For a hundred and forty years I had lived my life, if you could call it that, firmly in the shadows, hiding and playing pretend, taking on various names and guises, hypnotising humans into thinking I was never there, they never saw me, they never felt my deadly mouth on their skin. When I went out in public, I mimed eating food and drinking liquor without letting a morsel or a sip past my lips. By trickery and artifice, I was a human, William or Guilliame or Albert, rather pale and drawn looking, raising suspicions in some by my appearance and elusive manner, but never known for my true nature. So the first time I went out in public after the Revelation, I felt deeply uncomfortable, like an exotic animal in a zoo, or a bug under a microscope.

The restaurant was the first establishment in New Orleans to advertise itself as vampire friendly, and had indeed been a haunt for my kind for some years beforehand. It was small, discreet, and served only desserts, so was not permeated with the rank odours of meat and grease, but the pleasant scents of chocolate, fruit and rich, baked concoctions. Vampires did and still do take their human companions there, the sweet fare enhancing the taste of their blood and strengthening their constitutions with excesses of sugar and protein, giving an entirely selfish aspect to what was perceived as a romantic date. Juliet had been delighted when I had invited her out on her return from visiting her parents outside Chicago, my excuse being that I wanted to see her in a pretty gown for a change and to show her off; I had not told her the selfish reasons.

I had not fed from her in over a week as I feared I had taken too much the night I had found her in the bathtub, telling her to regain her strength, eat plenty of food and take her vitamins in the meantime. She had asked me not to feed from anyone else in a small, sad voice and I had promised, mostly respecting her wishes apart from one occasion when she was away and I had been prowling the city alone one night, weary of my diet of Tru Blood. I was drinking a bottle of the vile stuff now while she picked at the two desserts I had insisted she order, enjoying the way she closed her eyes and groaned in bliss when she placed a forkful of gateau or flan in her mouth. I could probably not resist feeding from her tonight, and she was looking much better; her skin glowing from being out in the sun constantly while at her family home. She was very beautiful in a sleeveless white dress sprinkled with green and yellow flowers, the skirt billowing with layers of tulle petticoats which I found achingly sexy.

The few other bold vampires in the restaurant unfortunately thought so too; I had thrown a few icy glares around the elegant room when I caught them looking at her avariciously. The place was crowded with curious humans, some of which were looking at Juliet with naked jealousy for being so fortunate in having a vampire for a lover. A mere two weeks and it was already becoming obvious that hunting for a meal would no longer be required, there were foolish men and women lining up to be bitten and ravaged. I wish I could warn them all that not all vampires made for chivalrous, considerate lovers, even I struggled with it. Here I was, with a beautiful, intelligent woman that loved me and I did not know what to do with her except pleasure her and take blood from her and listen to her talk about a life I could never really be a part of. How could I show her my real self when I did not know what that was? How could I tell her even a tiny amount of what I had seen and and done since I was turned? I was a murderer, a thief, a destroyer of lives, and the person I had been before, it hurt too much to think of him and all he had left behind.

I took a large sip of my warmed bottle to calm my internal brooding, licking my teeth so I could smile at Juliet when she looked up from her food to complain cheekily. 'Are you trying to give me an even fatter ass? I can't eat all this, Bill.' She put her fork down and lifted her glass of sweet wine to her lips. I picked up on her light, playful mood, deciding it was vastly preferable to mine.

'A fine, fat ass on a woman is a thing of beauty, especially yours,' I said solemnly, and she burst into laughter, drawing the intent gaze of a dark skinned vampire I recognised from the palace. I shot him another 'she is mine' look, and he smirked and turned back to his less attractive companion. 'Eat up so I can take you somewhere more private,' I said significantly, and was rewarded by a pretty blush and a surge of desire through the bond. It had been a long time by our standards, and she was also not oblivious to the impolite glances coming our way. I waited until she had chewed another mouthful before continuing. 'How does your family?'

She grimaced. 'Dysfunctional as always...my Dad hiding from me in the garden shed, my Mom bleating at me how I'm 28 and getting old, how I should find a nice husband and settle down and give up this career nonsense.' Her tone was acid. 'I swear she's older than you. I told her I was seeing someone just to shut her up...' She gave me a brittle smile. 'She was all ears, but I didn't give her any details. God, my parents are so awful...its no wonder I was never interested in marriage and kids.' A deep sigh and another mouthful of cake. 'Mmm, sooo good...I spent most of the trip sunbathing and drinking beer with my loser brother.'

From what I knew of modern day families, her grumblings sounded rather normal, but I could sense that the subject was painful for her, and I had a moment of insight as to why she was such an independent, reckless soul. 'In my day, we respected and obeyed our parents even if they were fools,' I said, surprising myself as a memory of my own mother and father floated to the surface of my consciousness. It had been a long time since I had thought of them.

Juliet looked startled, then her green eyes studied my face carefully. 'Your day...' she said slowly. 'You told me you were a soldier, what did you do before?' I had given her an opening and I sensed her excitement, the questions brimming in her mouth, ready to spill out if I would let them.

I closed my eyes in a wince. 'I was a simple farmer on my father's land. I had a family of my own before I went to war...before I was-' My mouth shut like a steel trap. Sadness, pity, frustration flowed through the bond as I stayed silent, hoping what she was feeling towards me would just go away.

Her small, soft hand reached across the table and took mine. 'I should have guessed,' she said gently, seizing on the safest part of my response by turning my hand palm upwards and stroking it. 'Your hands are so elegant, but rough, like you did hard manual work um, before.' I opened my eyes, keeping my face blank and smooth. 'You're uncomfortable, we can go. I can't eat another bite anyway.' She looked stiff, unsure of the way my mood would shift after such an obvious awkward moment.

I squeezed her fingers firmly and nodded, settling on seduction. 'I think I have fattened you up sufficiently, and all these rude stares are making me very selfish. I wish to whisk you away and have you all to myself.' Her posture relaxed as I slouched back in my chair and plucked my wallet from an inside pocket, and she hurriedly gulped the rest of her wine as I pulled out several bills to leave on the table and rose to help her to her feet. She molded herself into my side when we left the restaurant, her skirts swinging out to reveal her tanned legs and delicate green heels. I kissed the top of her dark head, stealing a glimpse down the hollow of her cleavage. The street was crowded with drunken college students and gawking tourists, but I only had eyes for her, steering us a path through the throng as I guided us back to the car, which she had declared 'awesome' when I arrived to pick her up that night.

The blessedly comfortable silence we shared was broken by her sudden mischievous laugh as we passed a shop doorway. 'Does this look familiar?' She said, stopping and turning to me.

I smiled and drew her into my arms, walking her backwards into the dark doorway. 'Why yes it does,' I said dryly, my gaze hunting for the right place to lay my lips and settling on her throat. She purred and tilted her head back, her hands roaming restlessly over the arms boxing her in. The atmosphere thickened and warmed around us, bringing us to a place that was familiar and exciting. My fangs ran out slightly. 'I thought you too beautiful and too brave to resist that night,' I whispered in her ear.

'Mmm...if I hadn't invited you home with me, what would you have done?' She said daringly, pressing herself closer, her breasts a soft weight against my chest. 'Wouls you have bitten me in the doorway?'

I took her chin between my fingertips and made her look into my eyes. 'Actually no, because I wanted more than just to feed from you,' I told her. 'I would have glamoured you into obeying me. And you would have come with me willingly to somewhere more private. A hotel, or my house.'

'I've never seen your house,' she gasped, her lids drooping heavily as lust swamped her senses. Her scent and heat were just as stirring to me as they were in that first encounter.

'There is nothing to see there, it's just a resting place...but listen, I have not told you all,' I drawled, enjoying being honest with her for once. 'When I had you under my control and away from potential observers, I would have stripped you and licked you all over. And then I would have bitten you-' My hand crept under her skirts to ghost over her inner thigh. 'Just here,' I hissed. She moaned softly and opened her legs, the stiff petticoats rustling. 'And then I would have taken you in every orifice, making you come again and again until you swooned. And then I would have bitten you once more, and be done with you.'

She slumped against me, hiding her face in the curve my neck, her hot lips sucking at a mouthful of my chill flesh. 'Oh my...I wouldn't remember anything afterwards? That seems a shame,' she breathed, her hand squirming down between our bodies to cup my hardness.

I had to take her home and have her, my thirst and my lust for her had broken upon me like a storm. Shaking with effort I pulled away, retracting my fangs and offering her my hand. 'Oh, I would have let you remember some of it,' I said slyly. 'Come, I will take you to my home, since you want to see it.' A small consolation for my usual reserve, but it was enough to make her smile as if I had given her a precious jewel.

*

Juliet spun slowly as she inspected the living room of my rented house, located in a quiet corner of an upscale New Orleans suburb. I had taken a seat on the couch, letting her satisfy her curiosity unescorted. She had poked around the empty kitchen, the closed up bedrooms where I had not bothered to even remove the dustsheets, the master bathroom with the lavish spa bath which I liked very much to lie in and read. She she had not found my sleeping place and I would not show it to her, it being a coffin in a bricked up corner of the storm cellar. The living room was a riot of pastels and modern, tasteless furniture, my only touches being a large plasma television and DVD player, open boxes of treasured books I had collected in my solo wanderings, and my game console. She wrinkled her nose disdainfully and gestured to the hideous curtains. 'This is so not you, Bill,' she ventured, smiling at me quizzically. 'Why don't you try and make this place your own?'

'I have never stayed in one place for very long,' I confessed with a very human shrug, my body language as always adapting when I was around her. 'The décor is not to my taste, but I do not notice it often, being a man.'

She snorted, her lovely eyes drifting over me. She evidently liked what she saw as I felt a lurch of fresh desire through the bond, and her lips parted. 'Well, you don't have to hide from the world anymore. Perhaps you should think about finding a nicer place and building a life for yourself.' She turned away again, spotting my game console on a side table, and lifted her hand to her mouth to smother a giggle, obviously finding the thought of a 170 year old vampire playing Xbox amusing.

I thought about what she said, wondering if I could retire from working for the Queen, which required me to move around the country often, and settle in my own home. Make friends, be part of a community...it still seemed like a ridiculous dream to me. 'You may be right,' I said absently, filing my thoughts away for later. 'It would be nice to stay still. You are very wise, as well as most beautiful.'

She stopped fidgeting and brought her warm gaze back to me, her plump lips emitting a longing sigh, her feet drawing her closer to the couch. 'Do you realise the way you sit is incredibly sexy? You sit like a lord and master,' she murmured, and I chuckled at the odd yet flattering observation, lifting a finger to beckon her closer. But then her quick, bright mind brought more words to her lips, her pink face growing serious. 'Oh, I forgot...I read an article the other day I wanted to ask you about,' she said, fiddling with the hem of her skirts.

'Go on,' I said warily, suspecting it was about one of the sensationalist, so-called exposes being spread around by the newly formed American Vampire League, creating myth and confusion about the origins of our kind for a guileless public.

'It said vampirism was a virus that made people seem dead, and allergic to sunlight,' she said slowly. 'But it's bullshit, right?' She stepped closer with a wry smile, her hand reaching out to me. She placed it over my chest, feeling no heartbeat, then over my mouth, feeling no breath. Then she lifted my own hand and brought it to her breast and her lips, an elegant, silent pantomime which I found strangely touching. Her breath was hot on my fingertips as she spoke. 'I know you're really and truly dead.'

'Yes I am,' I said honestly, my eyes locking with hers; blue and green, dead and living. 'Does it bother you, sweetheart?' I took her hand and kissed it, she shook her head, a tendril of hair swaying around her face.

'I'm pretty good at not thinking about things I don't want to think about, and to me you are just you, Bill,' she said, saying my name like a caress. I felt it strongly then, all the hopeless, painful love that she had for my unworthy self, I had to distract her before it overwhelmed me.

'And you are mine,' I replied, my voice suddenly thick in my throat. 'And I am glad of it. But enough talking for now, darling. I have been in need of you from the minute I saw you in that dress tonight.' My lips dragged across her hand, and I took her fingertips in my mouth, nipping at them briefly, enough to make her shiver. 'Stand back and let me look at you.'

If she was annoyed at me for changing the subject, I could not sense it. I settled into the back of the leather couch, my hands lying idle, and let my gaze rake her sweetly curved form, her flowered skirts hiding her knees, her tight bodice straining to hold her breasts confined, the tiny span of her waist. Feminine, subtle, the swathes of fabric enhancing her allure and promising delicious secrets underneath. I imagined myself hiding under those skirts, finding the pulsing spot on her soft inner thigh and sinking my fangs into its sweetness. And then another image of her bent over, her dress in disarray as I thrust into her from behind. The tense knot in my groin tightened, and I swallowed. 'Unfasten your bodice.'

Blushing slightly, Juliet lifted a hand to the zipper at her back, drawing it down and then shrugging her shoulder straps down her bare arms, enough to make her breasts peek out from above the neckline of her dress. She touched them for me, her mouth falling open and eyes darkening as she pinched her nipples to fullness, her attuned sensuality as always picking up on my intentions and responding eagerly. My cock rose to instant hardness. 'Now lift your skirt,' I said huskily, my gaze following the path of her fingers as she obeyed, inching up the hemline, revealing her tanned thighs and a tiny pair of transparent panties, framed by the fall of her skirts. My fangs ran out with a click, though I could have restrained myself for longer, for I knew they excited her beyond measure. 'Come to me.'

She stepped out of her heels as she moved forwards, bringing her loins level with my face. I leaned forward, burying my face in the fork of her legs and inhaling the maddening scent of her arousal, my hands cupping her backside. She was already trembling, making little sounds in her throat. Like a gentleman I should lay her down on the couch, but something cruel in me wanted to make her stand before me until her knees gave out. I laid a rough kiss over the mound of her sex then used my teeth to rip her panties from her body, making her screech in a mix of outrage and amusement. I smirked at the sound, my spirits settling into that comforting, mindless haze of lust that brought me and her so many hours of joy.

The ruined undergarment fell to the floor and I lifted one thigh onto my shoulder, opening her and balancing her just so. It was mere seconds before she was moaning, her juices flowing freely onto my probing tongue and fingers, her hands burrowing under the veil of her skirts to clutch at my hair. She keened my name over and over as I used three fingers in a beckoning motion inside her, hitting the special spot on her upper wall, and her nub throbbed steadily under the dance of my tongue. Her legs shook uncontrollably, but she managed to stay upright with the help of my grasp, even as she started to climax. 'Do it...bite me, oh God! Going to come...oh please Bill.' Her blood was extra sweet and scorching hot as I withdrew my fangs and fastened my lips around the gushing wounds, being careful not to spill a drop, and the relief of feeding after so many days without her was like a wave of white light moving through my body, banishing the ache of hunger like no bottled substitute could.

Juliet swayed dangerously on her feet, her sex contracting around my hand violently. I held her still until I had taken my fill, licking the wound closed and emerging from under her skirts. I swept her up into my arms, walking towards the master bedroom with her limp form cradled against my chest, feeling my way with my inner senses as her lips were dropping distracting kisses all over my face. I set her down on the edge of the bed, whipping the dust sheet out from under her quickly and then standing before her. I lifted her drooping head and she smiled at me darkly, her green eyes expectant. I felt her desire to give herself over to my hands, the complete trust. 'Undress me,' I said abruptly, knowing I would dominate her again tonight, consume her until she was utterly spent, satisfying her needs while simultaneously keeping her at arms length.

Her fingers crept down the front of my shirt, flicking open each button, her lips planting kisses on my belly, her breath making my skin prickle. My belt clinked open, I searched for the pins in her hair, loosening the dark river of curls as she engulfed me with her mouth, my hands twisting in the silky strands to guide her movements, steady and deep. Such skill and care she gave me, her throat yielding, her wet mouth squeezing around my length, her fingertips stroking and kneading my backside and below. I became deaf and blind to all but her; her dishevelled beauty, the vibration of her moans and gasps. When she let me slide free from her swollen lips and pushed her heavenly breasts up to encase my length I growled, a ripping, inhuman sound that made her eyes widen before she flicked her tongue over the tip of my cock, tickling it exquisitely. It was enough. In a flurry of movement I had her on her feet and facing towards the bed, hoisting her skirts around her waist. I bent her torso forwards, arching her body at the perfect height to enter her in one stroke. She wailed, throwing her bottom backwards to take me to the hilt.

So distracted was I by the sight of her sex taking me in, the pleasure of her hot, slippery walls locking me deep inside her heart, I did not immediately notice the presence in the house, ignoring the warning prickles between my shoulder blades. I was doubled over her, pushing her head into the coverlet as I withdrew to plunge into her again, listening to her ecstatic cries, when I looked up through my hair to note a figure in the open doorway. A tall figure, completely at ease with what he was witnessing, no shame in interrupting a very private moment, his fangs out in appreciation. If Juliet saw him she would be mortified, being human and not accustomed to the casual attitude vampires had towards the act of sex. It may be normal for Eric, and in the past myself, to watch others fucking and feeding and hope to join in, but it would not be for her. And there was no chance in hell he would be invited to participate.

Not stopping my movements inside her I hissed a warning, glaring defiantly, my teeth bared, my whole body bristling with aggression even as I made love to my woman. My anger made my thrusts sharp and cruel, so much so she writhed and whined in pain, exciting me and exciting Eric. I had never felt more like an animal than at this moment; I hated myself and I hated him. Through the charged, hostile atmosphere in the room I threw my silent message, get out, and at last, he backed off with a smirk, closing the door behind him noiselessly. I wondered to myself what he wanted, relieved that Juliet was too lost in pleasure to notice, but then I dismissed Eric from my mind and made her my focus, intending to take my time before joining him to find out.

*

I left my human alone on the bed in a dazed stupor, her eyes glassy and her body suffused with the glow of a powerful orgasm, her left breast marked by my bite. At the point of her release as I moved her violently above me, holding her imprisoned on my lap, I had bitten into her soft flesh, getting a steady trickle of blood to bring me over the edge into oblivion with her. Only after I had laid her down and kissed her in gratitude had I brought my mind back to my unwelcome visitor. The bathroom door I left open with the water running to stifle the noise of conversation from the living room, and I had kissed her again and told her to join me in the tub before I drew my clothes on and left her reluctantly. When I entered the other room I found Eric slouched in an easy chair, his long, denim clad legs plonked discourteously on the coffee table, where a pair of green shoes, a purse and a ripped pair of panties were lined up neatly, all obviously inspected. I clenched my fists.

The handsome, blonde giant looked highly amused. 'This boring little errand turned out to be quite interesting,' he remarked as I sat down on the couch. 'You look positively healthy, Bill. I thought she was a pretty breather but I see she has many other advantages.' He poked his large, booted foot in the direction of Juliet's open purse. 'Juliet Polloni...registered architect. Smart as well as delicious...again, I really don't know how you manage to attract such marvelous women.' His tone was mocking as usual, if he was really envious it was well hidden.

I wondered for a second if he'd kept her business card for nefarious reasons, but then my simmering anger erupted. 'I manage because I treat humans with some respect, unlike you,' I hissed, keeping my voice low as possible. 'I thank you not to go through my lady's purse. And I thank you not to come in my house uninvited. What the devil do you want?' Whatever he was here for, I was sure I was not going to like it.

'I would apologise, but it's not my style, and besides, I very much enjoyed the show,' he grinned, not at all riled by my words. 'I'm here because the Queen sent me to ask you to a ball this Friday, you and your human. I mentioned you had bonded with one and she was rather upset you hadn't told her yourself. You know the Queen favours you, Bill. Another conquest,' he said, looking like the cat who ate the canary. 'You should call at the palace more often, our gracious Queen needs to speak to you urgently on some business matter. I'm sure Ms. Polloni would enjoy meeting Sophie-Anne.'

Juliet would not enjoy meeting Sophie-Anne. She would not enjoy at all going to a function at the palace. I shuddered, imagining the things she would witness there, I suspected things had not become more civil since the Revelation. If the palace gave me disquiet it would terrify my woman. 'I do not wish to involve Juliet in that side of my life, and you know it,' I growled. 'She knows little of vampires save what I have told her in brief, and she does not want to know.'

The Viking rolled his eyes in exasperation. 'What is the point in trying to shield her and create a cuddly image of yourself?' He said cuttingly. 'I have seen this all before. She is just a diversion. She will make a fool of herself falling in love with the man she thinks you are, and eventually she will grow tired of being just sex and food. And you will grow tired of her misery and sulks. She will end up tossed to one side, picked up to be the whore of another.' His striking face was serious for a change, his bright blue eyes holding a hint of empathy. 'It's better to be honest. Be the vampire you are...you are such tiresome company Compton, always fighting with yourself.'

I knew what he said was right, cruel though it was, but still I denied it. 'I am not you,' I growled. 'And I am not them. I do not want to drag Juliet into that pretty den of lions.'

He laughed loudly, his blonde hair swirling as he shook his head. 'Oh, I don't think we're as bad as lions. Lions don't caress and pleasure their meals, I've always said.' His mouth quirked. 'Nor take them home to their tasteless rented den and give them head on the couch.' He waved his big hands dismissively at the living room, then turned at the sound of the bedroom door opening. 'Ah, here she comes!' He said delightedly, and I groaned inwardly as Juliet tiptoed out, her dress on but her hair still wild and loose around her shoulders.

'Bill? I heard voices,' she called before her eyes fell on Eric. She halted in the centre of the floor. 'Oh, it's you,' she said flatly, her face closing up in dislike.

He winked at her flirtatiously. 'You don't like me much, do you darling?' He observed as she wrinkled her nose as if a bad smell was in the room. I stood and held out my hand to her in direction, and she forced herself to move, sitting down at my side reluctantly.

'You know what they say about first impressions,' she shot back, curling up into a ball at my side, seeking protection. Her eyes drifted from staring at the intruder rudely to the coffee table, and I heard her mutter 'shit!' under her breath as she spotted her discarded underwear.

Eric heard her and snickered. 'But I like you, my lovely,' he said, with a distinctive leer, and despite herself Juliet giggled and flushed.

'You'd like to have me for dinner,' she said sarcastically, snuggling closer into my body, her green eyes snapping with annoyance. 'Lucky for me, you can't.'

She was in a bold mood this night. Both of them were quick of wit and tongue, and I suspected they could do this until dawn, trade insults and jests, and I felt a flicker of irrational jealousy. I studied her as Eric was studying her, a glow of post-coital languor on her pretty face, her eyes liquid and warm when they looked up at me, her lids heavy, the mark of my fangs visible about the neckline of her dress. Her scent tickled the nose enticingly, sex and sin and blood. I had a sudden flash of images, wholly unwelcome, of her ripe body caught between his and mine, gleaming with sweat, straining with the effort of taking us both inside her, I shuddered in shame and lust. I had to get her out of here before something happened, something we would both regret bitterly. 'Eric was just leaving, sweetheart,' I murmured stiffly. 'Why don't you go and bathe. I will join you in a moment. The tub is quite wonderful, better than yours.'

She was only too happy to obey, too wise to miss the undercurrents of sexual tension flying around the room, her vulnerable position between two vampires, only one she trusted and him only barely. But as she hopped to her feet and snatched up her possessions Eric spoke. 'Aren't you going to tell her she's invited to a ball? Women like prior warning about a black tie event, so I gather.'

She glanced at my sullen face. 'A vampire ball? Um, no thank you,' she said coolly. 'Sounds classy, but I like to live in ignorance. You two are scary enough for me.'

'Sorry darling, you have to go. No one says no to Sophie Anne, and she is curious to meet Bill's little human friend,' Eric said, radiating mischief.

Juliet was both intrigued and wary, her gaze bouncing between me and Eric in confusion. 'Sophie Anne Le Clerc? I know of her, she owns a lot of property around town. I didn't know she was a vampire,' she muttered, half to herself. 'And excuse me, but I don't have to do anything,' she told Eric stubbornly. 'I don't want to get involved in your weird world, and Bill doesn't want me to either.' She gave me an imploring look, her posture tense, her shoes and purse clutched defensively against her chest. 'Honey, tell me I don't have to go.'

I was powerless, and her disappointment when I spoke cut my pride to the core. I felt it through the link between us, her fear and her anger and her panic. 'I'm sorry, sweetheart, she is my Queen and I have to obey her,' I said quietly, my eyes not meeting hers. 'I would have preferred to keep you a secret, but I cannot, it seems.' I lifted my head and glared daggers at Eric, making it perfectly clear it was his fault she had drawn the attention of others. He merely shrugged again, a smug smile decorating his face as she swore under her breath and stormed out of the room.

'Don't look so damn gloomy,' he said, slapping my shoulder before gliding to his feet. 'She'll have both of us to protect her from trouble. I'm sure it will be quite boring and civilised.'

I highly doubted it.

**