Sorry this really late guys, but I haven't had the inspiration lately. That, and school work has been hell, so I haven't had a chance to write.

But, I will be writing/uploading as many chapters as possible today to make up for it!

P.S: WinterStarfire, if you're reading this, please review to tell me what you think of how I've done your Lumiere. Oh, and PLEASE UPDATE "CLAIMING OF THE MERCENARY", I CAN'T WAIT!

Sorry for freaking out just then, but I really love that story. Well, the entire series, actually.

Chapter 7

Lumiere, blowing a puff of smoke from a cherry cigar, gazed out of the window of the tavern, thinking. It had been six months since he had seen Jacqueline, and he could not help but wonder about her. The mercenary narrowed his eyes, "She is probably happily feeding off innocent humans, and has forgotten all about me" he thought.

All of a sudden, a graceful woman's voice came from behind him, "Excuse me sir, are you alright?" she asked. The voice belonged to a whore that Lumiere had bedded the night before, who would not leave his side… much to his extreme annoyance.

He turned, gritted his teeth to prevent a grimace, and faked a charming grin, "I'm fine sweetheart, I'm just pretty tired" he answered with a wink. She giggled, and he resisted the urge to roll his eyes "Does she ever stop giggling?" he wondered. At first, he had found the sound cute, but now it just irritated him. Sighing, the mercenary rose from his seat, grabbing his duffel coat, and headed out the door as he put it on.

Once outside, he pressed a hand to his forehead, and brushed back his dirty blonde hair from his face. He knew it had been a bad decision to go to the tavern the night before, but he had done so anyway. After checking behind him to make sure that the whore was not following him like some love-sick puppy, Lumiere made his way back to Lawrence's house.

As soon as he stepped through the door, the mercenary was embraced by a small, delicate girl. He smirked, "Well, hello to you too, Beth" he said. The girl, Beth, was twelve years old, and Lawrence's little sister.

She smiled up at him, her dark blue eyes brightening, "Hello Lumiere" she replied. Although she was well aware of the fact that he was a powerful mercenary, Beth had never been afraid of the tall man.

Then, her smile lessened to a look of anger, and her eyes reflected the same determined, dangerous look in them that Lumiere had. Brushing a lock of her short blonde hair, out of her eyes, Beth asked, practically growling, "Did you catch him yet?"

The mercenary, as he always did, raised an eyebrow in slight surprise at her change of manner. He did not need to ask who she was talking about, because Lumiere knew that it would be Gaston. Ever since her rape, Beth had become as determined as he was, to track the hunter down, and had even asked her brother to teach her combat.

Lumiere shook his head, and answered, "No Beth, your brother and I haven't found him yet."

The girl gave a short sigh, "I want to find him. Let me help" she hissed.

The mercenary started "Beth, Lawrence and I have told you this before. It's too…"

She held up a hand to stop him, "It's too dangerous. I know, but I want to find that bastard" she interjected.

Lumiere crossed his arms, but said nothing. Instead, he studied her appearance curiously. Her stance was one of a girl who was certainly determined to get what she wanted, and her eyes were steely and held more anger then he had seen in some adults. Her hair was cut to just above her shoulders, the typical style for a female mercenary, and she her fits were clenched as if she was restraining herself from attacking him. The girl, he knew, would certainly make an excellent mercenary, if that was what she wanted.

Beth interrupted his train of thought by saying, "Lawrence went out into the forest, if you were looking for him."

The tall man nodded, "Thanks" he answered simply, and smirked at her, before walking back out the door.

Sunlight shone through the gaps in the trees, creating a dim lighting as Lumiere walked through the forest. His eyes scanned the landscape, searching only for Lawrence, as well as keeping aware of any danger. All of a sudden, the sound of a tree branch snapping caught his attention. Lumiere cursed under his breath and drew his sword, turning quickly in the direction of the noise, ready to attack if he needed to.

Lawrence stepped from the shadows, hands raised in submission, "Easy there, don't slice my head off" he said.

His friend chuckled, "Careful, you got me mad the other day" he answered teasingly.

The other man smirked, and then it disappeared as if it had never been there. He said in all seriousness, "Something attacked me back there. A vampire with golden eyes and short hair. It got away before I could even scratch it."

Before Lumiere could respond, a familiar female voice came from not too far away, "Babette, you must not get too distracted" she scolded firmly.

The mercenary recognised the voice immediately, and whispered, "Jacqueline." He walked in the direction of her voice calmly, however he kept a solid grip on his sword, just in case she got any ideas about attacking.

Meanwhile, the vampire stood in a nearby clearing, speaking to Babette. She resisted the smug smile that twitched at the corners of her mouth, "She is so willing to listen to me that she does not even realise that I am using her. Perfect" she thought.

All of a sudden, the sound of two pairs of human footsteps, got her attention. She whirled around, fully prepared to attack. Upon seeing Lumiere and Lawrence emerge from the darkness, the Zemya relaxed slightly, and raised an eyebrow. Not being able to contain her surprise, she inquired with a slight growl in her tone, "Gentlemen, what are you doing here?"

Lumiere replied tersely, glaring slightly, "You're friend over there, attacked Lawrence."

"He should not have been here. Babette attacks any human she sees when she is thirsty" replied Jacqueline coolly.

At the mention of her, the mercenary glanced at the unfamiliar face. She was shorter then Jacqueline, with a graceful body, short dark hair, and chocolate brown eyes. The tips of her fangs also just barely peeked out from her top lip, and pressed against the bottom.

Their gaze locked momentarily, until Babette asked, or rather demanded, "Who are you?"

"Lumiere" he answered coldly.

Recollection seemed to flash in her eyes, "I…I knew a man by that name once" she said slowly.

Jacqueline turned to her in alarm, "Oh no" she thought. Although it was not the 'Lumiere' that her sister knew, the fact that she recognised the name was concerning.

The tall man replied, not even noticing the distress of her older sister, "Well, it isn't me. I've never met you before."

The Zemya seemed dejected, "Oh. Alright" she responded.

Her sister, wanting to change the topic, snarled "Are you going to leave us alone, humans? Or am I going to have to feed off you?"

The mercenaries stayed where they were, and Lawrence crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow "I'd like to see you try" he dared.

She growled "Very well…" she commanded, not taking her eyes from them "Babette, go home. You cannot be around this much blood." She did so quickly, disappearing at her vampire speed.

Lumiere inquired, although he did not really care "Another one of your servants?"

"Actually, she is my little sister" corrected Jacqueline. The Zemya lunged towards the two men, who quickly produced their swords and lowered them at her. She dodged the them, snarling and clawing as she continued to attack, her intent clear.

Lawrence gritted his teeth in pain, as a sharp blow was given to the side of his head. He stumbled backwards, holding the injured side.

Jacqueline, too distracted by the minor victory, failed to notice Lumiere's sword, until it left cuts in her arms and her right ankle. She snarled in pain and rage, collapsing to the soft ground.

As soon as she hit the ground, the Zemya assessed the damage that had been done to her body. The earlier gash from the demons had been completely reopened, there was another small slash on the inside of the other arm, and there was now an equally sized wound on her right ankle.

Lumiere looked at her from where he stood. Her injuries were not severe, but a little blood still dripped from them. He watched as Jacqueline shut her eyes tightly, trying to fight her blood lust "She's so thirsty that she will drink her own blood" he thought in disgust and utter amazement. The fact that a creature would deliberately kill innocent people for their blood was disgusting and wrong, but the idea that they would also drink their own blood was far worse.

The mercenary turned to Lawrence and, after swiftly looking him up and down, said "You should go home and rest that wound. Besides, Beth will be looking for you by now."

His friend nodded, answering with a small smile "Don't worry about me…" he glanced at Jacqueline and snarled, "You just take care of that." Then, he walked off, still holding the injured part of his head.

Once Lawrence had disappeared from sight, Lumiere turned back to the vampire. He was about to speak, but whatever words he had, drained from him as he looked into her eyes. Something was there…fear. Tue, genuine fear.

He shook his head, "You can't have sympathy for something like her. She's evil" he thought. But then, another part of his mind reminded him, "You have to keep her alive. If you kill her, you won't get information of where Nicolas is."

Jacqueline, who had been bracing herself for the feel of his sword, was slightly confused, but thankful, that she did not feel it. In a voice that was almost a whisper, she asked, making an effort to keep her voice form wavering, "Are you going to kill me?"

The mercenary replied, expression hard and showing little emotion but anger "No. I…" he sighed, "I am going to…to look after you. I will help…" he gritted his teeth, "I will help you heal." Anyone could tell that it had been hard for him to say, but he had to. He had to keep her alive.

Jacqueline rolled her eyes, "How am I supposed to get up?" she asked in annoyance.

He raised an eyebrow, "Well, I…" he swallowed hard, "I suppose I am going to have to carry you" he answered. The vampire attempted to object, but no sooner did she open her mouth, then he threw her over his shoulder like a sack, holding onto her waist and upper back.

Lumiere, ignoring her tiny fists punching into his back and her feet kicking gently at his chest, walked towards Lawrence's house. She objected to the location he was headed, but he did not respond. The mercenary was too concerned about how he was going to explain his temporary role as Jacqueline's nurse, to Lawrence.