Sorry for not getting this posted sooner. A combination of poor health and bad weather (daily thunderstorms that mean no getting online) prevented me from uploading the new chapter when I had intended to (2 weeks ago, more or less). I facepalm at my own fail. To make up for it, you get an extra long chapter. Hope you enjoy it. :) As always, feedback is appreciated. Also, I'm having trouble accessing LJ. I know some of you have requested to be added to my LJ f-list and I will do so as soon as the site starts cooperating with my browser again. Thanks for your patience!

Chapter 6

Yami smelled the blood long before he saw it.

He had fed well and taken the time to wash his face and hands in a fast-moving stream. The icy temperature of the water didn't bother him, even when he dunked his head in it to sluice the dried blood from his hair. Of course, he planned to take a hot shower when he returned to the house, but he preferred not to go back covered in blood. He could imagine the expression that would put on Yugi's face, and he didn't want to see it for real.

Long strides ate up the ground as he loped through the trees. Healed by the buck's blood, his skin was once again smooth and now faintly flushed from the blood he had consumed. Instead of crushing fatigue, new energy coursed through his limbs. The sun was sinking below the tree-line, the advent of night sharpening his senses. The urge to stretch his muscles by running for miles without stopping threatened to overtake him, but he forced it down and turned his steps back toward the house.

As he neared the farmhouse, all thoughts of frivolous activities fled his mind. The smell of freshly shed blood hung in the air, so thick it overwhelmed every other scent in the vicinity. Throat constricting with sudden fear, he raced toward the house, terrified of what he might find there.

Light spilled from the open doorway. Open doorway. Someone had breached the safety of the house.

"Yugi!" Yami leaped across the porch, barely registering the obstacle blocking the threshold, and into the house. He slammed to a sudden halt on the other side of the doorway, nearly collapsing with relief at the sight of a whole, breathing Yugi slumped on the floor. Yami's heart came as close to pounding as was possible for a vampire. He flashed to Yugi's side and dropped to his knees beside the distraught human. "Yugi?"

"Did you see it?"

The quiet question took Yami by surprise. It wasn't the reaction he expected. "See what?"

A shaky hand pointed at the doorway. Realizing he hadn't paid attention to much beyond getting to Yugi and making certain he was okay, Yami turned his head. Fresh outrage surged through him.

The door hung drunkenly on broken hinges. Through the opening, he now saw that the obstacle blocking the threshold was the carcass of a doe. The animal's hide had been slashed until it hung in bloody ribbons, and congealing blood puddled beneath it. Blood painted the snow, the porch, and, on the broken door, stark against the white paint, spelled out the words: I'm watching you.

"He found me."

"Who?"

"The man who's been stalking me."

The listless quality of Yugi's voice tore at Yami in ways he couldn't begin to decipher. Maybe it was because the human had been nothing but kind to him when he'd had no reason to be. Maybe it was something else. Whatever it was, it made Yami ache to take away the despair he heard and to restore Yugi to his normal, frustrating self.

With sudden determination, Yami rose and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to get rid of that-" Yami gestured at the deer carcass. "-and then I'm going to repair the door."

He watched with some surprise as the human pushed himself to his feet and squared his shoulders. Resolve settled over Yugi's features, making him look older and a lot wearier. "I'll help you."

It was on Yami's tongue to refuse, but the look in Yugi's eyes stilled the words before they formed. "I'll dispose of the deer. See if you can find some tools so we can put the door to rights or, if all else fails, board it up."

"All right." Yugi headed for the door leading down to the cellar, where Yami vaguely recalled Arthur had a small workshop.

As soon as the human trudged out of sight, Yami hefted the dead deer, slung it over his shoulder, and sprinted toward the trees. He planned to dump the carcass out of sight of the house, but he didn't want to venture too far into the woods. It didn't seem like a good idea to leave Yugi alone and vulnerable.

Once past the outer edge of the trees, he spotted a rocky outcropping and tossed the deer over it. Local scavengers would take care of the carrion. Satisfied with his solution, he started back. The wind gusted in vicious bursts, snapping the tops of the trees back and forth. Now that he was no longer moving downwind, he caught a blast of an unmistakable scent full in the face. His lips peeled back in a snarl, baring his teeth.

Vampire.

-o0o-

More out of optimism than any real hope it would keep out anything other than the blowing snow, Yugi closed the broken door and went to find a toolbox.

A few minutes later, having located the necessary tools, Yugi set about repairing the door. This proved to be easier said than done, as the hinges were warped and refused to accept their pins when he tried to set them back in order. Luckily, he found a package of new brass hinges on the shelf above the basement workbench and, after some fumbling, managed to remove the old hinges and screw the new ones into place. He had to get a chair from the kitchen table to prop against the door and keep it from sliding while he attempted to re-hang it. Another pair of hands would be helpful, he thought with a frown, and that thought sent his mind careening back to Yami. He hoped the vampire didn't run into any trouble out there in the woods alone.

With a sigh, he hefted the door again, leaned against it to hold it steady, and managed to slide the first hinge pin home. He figured he would have the door back in working order by the time Yami returned.

-o0o-

Yami stalked the edge of the woods. The other vampire had lingered here for some time, perhaps for days, and the scent was strong. Broken branches showed where the lurker had perched in various trees in order to watch the house, but Yami found no clues to the other vampire's identity. He suspected it was either one the king's minions or one of the king's rivals, sent to ascertain Yami's loyalty. Either was unwelcome, particularly since it meant someone had noticed his annual visits to this place. In addition to the strange vampire's scent, he caught faint traces where humans had passed through the woods. The town wasn't far and the entire area was popular with hikers, even in the dead of winter, so it wasn't surprising humans had been in the area.

Keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of intruders, human or vampire, he detoured by the barn on his way back to the house. A quick search turned up a scoop, which he used to clear away as much of the bloodied snow as possible. He propped the scoop against the wall of the house and stared at the macabre calligraphy on the door, uncertain what to do. To get rid of it, he'd have to paint over it or replace the door. Finally, he shrugged. He was no handyman. When the weather cleared, he'd hire someone to hang a new door.

Speaking of handymen, Yami gave a nod of approval as he noted the surprisingly quick job Yugi had made of fixing the door. It swung open and Yugi peered out at him, his worried expression shifting to one of relief as his gaze fell on Yami.

"Oh, good," Yugi said, stepping aside to let Yami enter the house. "You're done?"

After locking the back door, Yami herded him back into the kitchen. "Nice job on the repairs."

Yugi didn't seem to notice the compliment. "Did you see anyone out there?"

"No." Yami crossed over to the central hallway and started up the stairs. "I'm going to clean up. I'll only be a moment."

"...Right."

The human sounded subdued, a far cry from his usual self. Though he wasn't certain why, Yami decided he didn't like it.

-o0o-

When Yami returned from his shower (clean and dry, and freshly attired in a gray sweater and black jeans), he followed Yugi's scent to the living room. The human was inside the secret room behind the bookcase. Yami stuck his head through the opening. "What are you doing?"

Having apparently not heard the vampire's approach, Yugi jumped and dropped a box on his foot. He shot a dirty look over his shoulder. "Don't do that!"

"Do what?" Though he had a good idea what Yugi meant, Yami feigned innocence.

Not fooled, Yugi glowered at him. "Creep around like that without making any noise. It's unnatural!"

"Well, I am a vampire."

"Yeah, vampire, not cat. I should make you wear a bell." Yugi turned his attention back to whatever he'd been doing before Yami interrupted.

Taking a step into the space behind the bookcase, Yami realized for the first time just how cramped the room was. Before, he had been too absorbed with controlling his hunger to pay much attention to his surroundings. Shelves and wine-racks crowded the walls, holding the jewels of Arthur's collection. A small square table and single chair sat in the center of the small room, directly beneath the light fixture. Since Yami knew he had left both table and chair overturned from his earlier stint in the room, he figured Yugi must have straightened up. That table had saved Yugi's life by blocking Yami's lunge when Yugi opened the door to toss the blood cooler inside. Yami wondered if the human realized this, but, considering Yugi had turned his back on the vampire rather than attempting to stake him, Yami decided the answer was "probably not."

He tried again. "What are you doing in here?"

"Looking for something."

Well, that was enlightening. "Anything in particular?" When Yugi shot him another frown, Yami added, "Maybe I can help you find it."

"That's all right. I've got it." Yugi slipped a small object into the pocket of his jeans before Yami could see what it was.

Since it was clear Yugi wasn't going to tell him what he was up to, Yami dismissed his curiosity for more practical considerations. "You know, I may need to take refuge in here again. Show me the code to operate the panel."

"Professor Hawkins never showed it to you?"

"This room wasn't here the last time I visited." A faint smile curved his lips and he shook his head. "How like Arthur to indulge his sense of the melodramatic. He always did love secret passageways and hidden rooms. I'm not surprised he added this one."

Coming to stand beside the vampire, Yugi ushered him back out into the main room and pointed out the seemingly random books that served as the door's combination lock. The titles were scattered all over the bookcase, no two side-by-side. Yugi touched the four books in order: Uarda, Jewel of the Seven Stars, She, and Critias. "Then Timaeus, to trigger the panel to open. You just pull on the spine." He demonstrated, and the door swung open on well-oiled hinges.

Yami pushed the door shut and trailed a gentle fingertip over the spines of the nearest books. The leather and cloth bindings were worn but well-cared-for. When he pulled a volume of Sherlock Holmes from its place, the book fell open to a dog-eared page and the aroma of apple-scented pipe tobacco rose up from the yellowed pages. The smell brought with it memories of foggy nights, smoky jazz clubs, and long, languid conversations in the dark. A fond smile curled his lips. "I had forgotten Arthur's eclectic tastes in recreational reading."

"He has an entire set of H. Rider Haggard's works, too, not just this one copy of She. I sometimes think he and Grandpa like to pretend they're living out Allan Quatermain's adventures." Fond amusement colored Yugi's tone. "Or Indiana Jones'."

Chuckling, Yami carefully replaced the book on its shelf. "That certainly sounds like Arthur."

"Hey, I've been wondering about something. Professor Hawkins told me you're his best-" Yugi stopped, his brows drawing together. "Actually, he said you were his favorite customer, and that you come here at the same time every year. If you have a standing reservation, why doesn't that count as inviting you in?"

"It just doesn't."

"Okay. But you and Arthur have known each other for years, right? And he's obviously invited you in before, since you've stayed here a lot. Why did you need me to renew the invitation?"

Yugi had just found one of the reasons Yami preferred never to tell anyone what he really was. Humans had to know everything, whether it was any of their business or not. So tiresome. But he could see by the stubborn tilt of Yugi's chin that the human wasn't going to let the subject drop, so Yami huffed and leaned his shoulder against the bookcase. He folded his arms over his chest and studied Yugi for a second before countering, "How long have you been staying here?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Just answer the question." Seeing the mutinous set of Yugi's jaw, Yami rolled his eyes. "If you want me to answer your question, you have to answer mine first."

"Fine." Yugi's expression was probably intended to be intimidating, but the scrunched eyebrows, glaring eyes, and pouting lips merely amused the vampire. "I've been here almost six months. Why?"

Yami nodded. That explained it. "The invitation isn't perpetual. And you've been here long enough as custodian for the house to become your dwelling in Arthur's absence."

"I guess... But, how does the whole 'have to be invited in' thing work, anyway? Is it just a psychological barrier and you could overcome it if you tried hard enough or is it a physical thing?"

"I don't know how it works. It just does." The only real explanation Yami could offer was "it's magic," and he really didn't want to have that conversation right now.

"Well, hasn't anyone ever studied it? It's kind of important for you guys, isn't it? If you get caught outside without shelter and the sun is coming up... I mean, it seems like one of you would have looked into it by now."

"Maybe they have." Yami shrugged and let his gaze drift over to the window. The drapes were still drawn, which meant anyone lurking outside couldn't see them, but it also meant he couldn't see out to check for said theoretical lurkers. Pushing off the bookcase, he wandered to the window and twitched one of the drapes aside so he could peer out the window. "I don't associate very often with other vampires."

"I'm sure vampire society mourns the absence of your scintillating conversation." Yugi rubbed at his forehead. "You know what? I think I'm going to go lie down for awhile. All this witty repartee is giving me a headache."

In a flash, Yami was beside Yugi again, stopping his exit with a soft grip on his arm. The speed must have startled Yugi because he gasped.

"I'm sorry if I have been poor company, Yugi. I've been a bit distracted."

"I'm not exactly at the top of my game, myself." Bright eyes - and how had Yami not noticed they were such an arresting color, as blue as spring hyacinths? - sought his, commanding honesty. "Did you see anyone when you were out there earlier?"

They held each other's gazes while Yami debated the merits of telling the truth. Finally, he sighed. "When I was disposing of the deer, I thought I smelled another vampire."

-o0o-

"Awesome." Yugi wrapped both arms around his own torso and squeezed. It didn't help. His innards still felt as if they were turning to ice water. "So, we've not only got my personal stalker to worry about, but, hey, let's throw in a hostile vampire in the woods. This day just keeps getting better." And by better, he meant epically worse. "Do you think the vampire you smelled is the same one who attacked you this morning?"

"Maybe." Yami shrugged. "Could be somebody else."

Because that was so much better; three potential enemies rather than two. Yay. It took every ounce of willpower Yugi possessed not to say any of those thoughts aloud. (Yami's taciturn nature was starting to grate on his already strained nerves. Getting the vampire to talk was like pulling teeth, or should that be fangs?) "What about those 'enhanced senses' of yours? You didn't, I dunno, recognize their scent or something?"

"I'm not a bloodhound." The comparison seemed to offend Yami, who straightened to his full height and glared down his aristocratic nose at Yugi. "As I tend to avoid my own kind as much as possible, no, I didn't 'recognize the scent.' We won't know who they are until - if - they reveal themselves."

So the unknown vampire could just be curious about the goings on at the B&B, or it could be an unfriendly hanging around for nefarious purposes. Or maybe it was just hungry and looking at the B&B as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Oh, yeah. Not just awesome, but super special awesome. Fuck. Maybe Yugi would get lucky and the unknown vampire would have Jason Tetch for a snack and then contract food-poisoning from his blood. Two birds, one stone.

"Let's talk about something else now," Yugi said with a false brightness that he was half-hoping would convince himself things weren't as bad as they seemed. "So, how do you know Professor Hawkins?"

"Oh, Arthur and I go way back."

Yami guided them over to the sofa, where he settled himself elegantly in one corner. After a second's hesitation, Yugi joined him. He curled into the opposite corner, drawing his knees up beneath his chin and staring at his socked feet. That left the middle cushion empty between them. Yugi's arm tingled where Yami had touched it. Rubbing at the spot, Yugi peeked up at Yami through his bangs. "How did the two of you meet?"

"We met about fifty years ago, in Chicago. Arthur was a young archaeologist, newly graduated from university and full of passion... for his work. Just being around him made me feel more alive than I'd felt in decades, so I tagged along on his adventures for a few years." His features softened at the obviously pleasant memories. "Such grand times we had."

"Hey, I just thought of something. You said you've been coming here for over a hundred years, but the professor's only owned this place for the last ten. So, how-?"

Yami shifted on the sofa cushion, one hand coming up to rake through his hair. "Technically, I own the place, even though I've passed it along to various caretakers over the last one hundred years. Upon entering into the contract with my agent, the current 'owner' agrees to certain stipulations. They cannot sell the house or land, and any substantial changes to the property must be cleared with my legal representative."

"Wait... If you own this place, why do you still need an invitation to enter?"

"Threshold magic has less to do with ownership and more with resonance and proximity. When you live somewhere, you create psychic impressions in that location. That's what some ghosts are, you know, psychic 'recordings' playing perpetually... Look, it's complicated." Yami made a dismissive gesture. "The simple answer is that it's just how the magic works."

Great, so now he was supposed to just accept that not only were vampires real, but so were ghosts and magic? Could his life get any more awesome? Yugi picked up a throw pillow and hugged it to his chest, turning his thoughts ruthlessly toward a slightly saner topic. "How come you didn't know about the hidden room? Didn't the professor have to get your permission to build it?"

"No. It's wasn't a major renovation. Besides-"

Quiet laughter made Yami's face light up, erasing the tension from his features, and Yugi caught his breath. He hadn't realized it before, either because Yami had been in less than optimum condition or because Yugi had more pressing concerns on his mind, but the vampire was really quite handsome. This revelation startled him so much that it took him a moment to register that Yami was still speaking.

"-knew I would never deny him his little indulgence."

Yugi felt a tiny pang of something that couldn't possibly be jealousy. (Jealousy? Don't be ridiculous, he barely even knew Yami! Maybe it was indigestion...) He toyed with the decorative tassel on his throw pillow shield. "The two of you must be close."

"I like to think we've remained good friends." If there was a hint in his voice and in his slightly wistful expression that they might once have been more, Yami chose not to elaborate. "How do you know Arthur?"

"Through my grandpa. He and the professor met years ago on an archaeological expedition in Egypt. There was a tomb cave-in that turned into a 'male bonding' experience for them, and they've been best buddies ever since. Although, they've never gotten to spend much time together because the professor travels so much. Or, at least, he used to. It was kind of a shock to find out he'd settled down and started running a bed-and-breakfast."

"Yes, I was rather surprised when he took me up on my offer." Yami assumed a thoughtful expression. "Can't say that I wasn't happy about it, of course. Coming here has always been more pleasant when I know there's a friendly face waiting for me."

"Sorry you have to make do with me, this time."

An unreadable expression passed over the vampire's (really quite astonishingly handsome - seriously, how had Yugi missed this?) features. "Oh, I don't know. You're growing on me."

"Like a fungus, right?" At Yami's startled laugh, Yugi flushed and hurried to explain. "Heh, sorry. That's what one of my friends back home always says."

Another deep chuckle rumbled from Yami's chest. "I'd have to say you're much more pleasant than the average fungus. Possibly even as agreeable as lichen or maybe even moss."

"Gee, thanks. You really know how to flatter a guy."

"It's part of my irresistible charm." Then the vampire's teasing expression turned serious. "Somehow, you don't strike me as a guy who needs his ego stroked. You seem very sure of yourself."

That wasn't something Yugi heard very often. Most people tended to underestimate him because of his unassuming manner and admittedly unimpressive (lack of) height. "Really?"

"Oh, yes." Yami leaned closer, his cool breath wafting over Yugi's cheek. "I find it quite entic-"

A loud crash from outside shattered the moment. They both leaped to their feet and rushed to the window, yanking back the draperies. Outside, something twisted the darkness into flickering shadows that danced across the window panes. Yugi's heart plunged straight to his toes as he realized what it meant.

He turned and raced toward the front door. "The barn's on fire!"